Greetings, one and all! I hope that everyone’s new year has gotten off to a great start! On a personal note, my Christmas was a little difficult this year as a few days before Christmas my mom suffered a stroke. Fortunately, the event was not fatal, but damage was done and the now the real work of recovery must begin. Nevertheless, we were determined not to let this circumstance take away our family time to celebrate the blessings of Christmas together. So, we all packed up and took home-cooked food (courtesy of my oldest daughter’s wonderful cooking skills) to the hospital for a major gathering of family. While the visit was necessarily short, it was powerful and filled with love and remembering the gifts of bonding and fellowship that is part of family. We are all praying and have high hopes for her full recovery, and our family appreciates any goodwill, prayers, and positive vibes at this time.

On to February, which is also popularly recognized as Black History Month. To that end, in this edition of After50 News, I am highlighting a good friend and fellow church member of my mother’s. Priscilla Y. Hill, a poet and writer, just released her new children’s book “The Bestest, Specialist, Christmas Ever,” illustrated by Anwar Morse. It was released in time for children to read and celebrate this past Christmas.

Priscilla calls Buffalo, New York her home. Born in Attalla, Alabama, her mother relocated their family here in 1944 seeking to achieve a better quality of life while her dad fulfilled his tenure in the armed forces. Priscilla attended PS#31 on Stanton Street in Buffalo, followed by East High School, and then went on to Buffalo State College where she earned her B.S. and M.S. Degrees in Exceptional Education.

Priscilla’s love of writing began early, during her high school years. She was motivated and inspired by one of her teachers, Mr. Robinson, who recommended she take classes in literature and composition. He believed these courses would offer her creative and intellectual challenges. Priscilla grew up in Willert Park Courts, her home for twenty-five years, and where she learned many life lessons and made many long-standing friendships. Her love of writing led her to her first publication in 2003, a chapter book of poems entitled “Back in the Day” as a tribute to her children. Priscilla then published a compilation of short stories and poetry called “Lord Have Mercy! Give Us Grace and Grandma’s Cornbread.” One particular family, the Jacksons, stands out for her as she remembers and contemplates her formative years. Her relationship with this family inspired her to write her latest children’s book, “The Bestest, Specialist, Christmas Ever.” While this is a work of fiction, the life lessons and true experiences of this family inspired this heart-warming holiday story.

Priscilla has other interests as well, such as photography, listening to jazz, and reading. She has plans for another book of short stories; however, while preparing for such a big undertaking, she hopes to spend more time with her great-grandchildren – how cool is that!

Speaking of cool things, here’s a short list of things do this month as we honor the history and contributions of African Americans to our nation and culture that are guaranteed to bring a smile to your face! Best wishes for a peaceful and prosperous 2012! Also, welcome home, troops! We’re so very happy to have you back!

Black History Month Program at the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library with Storyteller Sharon Holley, Sat. Feb. 4th at 3 p.m., One Lafayette Square, downtown Buffalo, NY 14203. Free and open to the public.

Music of Duke Ellington – Side-by-Side with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, and musicians of the Buffalo Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts and other public schools – Tues. Feb. 7th at 7 p.m., The Performing Arts Academy, 450 Masten Ave. Buffalo, NY 14209. Admission is free. For other details, call 716-816-4220.

Every Tongue Confess – Feb. 10th – Mar. 4th

Paul Robeson Theatre at African American Cultural Center

Fri. & Sat. at 8 p.m.; Sun. at 4 p.m.

450 Masten Ave. Buffalo, NY 14209

Tickets: $27.50 general admission, Seniors/Students: $25. For more details, call 716-884-2013.

Jazz, Rock & Roll, Rhythm & Blues – WNY African American Musicians & Writers – Sun Feb. 12th at 2p.m. The Chapel, Forest Lawn Cemetery, 1411 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, NY 14209. Tickets: $15. For more details, call 716-885-1600.

Guest speaker: Barbara Nevergold, President, Afro American Historical Association of the Niagara Frontier and Co-founder, Uncrowned Queens Institute. Music provided by The George Scott Big Band, Colored Musicians Club

The Screening Room Poetry Reading with Featured Readers Kinzee Ellis and Vonetta Rhodes and video by Bill Kothe – Sun. Feb. 12th at 7:30 p.m. The Screening Room, (Northtown Plaza – Bailey Ave. side) 3131 Sheridan Drive, Tonawanda, NY. Free admission.

Niagara Arts & Cultural Center, African American Art Festival – Fri. Feb. 17th, Niagara Arts & Cultural Center, 1201 Pine St., Niagara Falls, NY 14301. The event will feature music, poetry, crafts, fine art, photography, and traditional African American cuisine. “Celebrating Diversity: Songs of African-American Composers.” Grand Theater – 4 p.m. Performance by Buffalo Opera Unlimited directed by Tim Kennedy. The performance includes various Spirituals, Art Songs, music by Duke Ellington and Hymns of Charles Albert Tindley. For more details, call 716-282-7530. Events of the day listed below:

The African American Art Exhibition

Main Gallery/ 12-8pm, with guest curator Ray Robertson. This multi-artist show features both professional and amateur African American artists. Artwork ranges from traditional oils and watercolors to fabric, photography and sculpture.

The Art of Cheryl O’Loughlin:

Garden Gallery/ A solo exhibition of mixed media art.

Refreshments will be available though out the day in both the Main Gallery and in the Garden Gallery.

Ujima Theatre Presents “For Colored Girls” (who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf) Fri. Feb. 17th – Sun. Mar. 11th. Ujima Theatre Loft, 545 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, NY 14222. For ticket information, call 716-883-0380.

Literary Lions of Western New York: Hear Them Roar!

"Birthday Salute to a Roaring African-American Contrarian -- Ishmael Reed (b. 1938)." With instructor Michael Harris. Wed. Feb. 22nd, 9:30 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. Unitarian Universalist Church, 695 Elmwood Ave. Buffalo, NY 14222. Admission: $10. For more detail, call 716-885-2136.

Soweto Gospel Choir – Sun. Feb. 26th, 7 p.m. - Riviera Theatre, 67 Webster Street, North Tonawanda, NY 14120. For information, call 716-692-2413.

Enjoy a live African show, Soweto Gospel choir at the historic Riviera Theatre on Main Street in downtown North Tonawanda.

Any thoughts, you can email me at Clawson@onthemove.com.

Celeste Lawson is a long-time arts advocate, arts administrator, and artist in WNY. Over the years she has worked with arts organizations locally, statewide, and nationally including the National Endowment on the Arts, Americans for the Arts, NYS Council on the Arts, the NYS Council on the Humanities and the NY Foundation on the Arts.