Guest columists
“Who Do You Think You Arr?” Guest Writer: LaToya Hankins Greetings, Hot Tea and Ice Sippers! I don’t know about you, but I’m more than ready for spring to officially arrive. I love the opportunity to bundle up with thick sweaters and strut my stuff in cute boots, but I’d much rather leave the house wearing a light jacket or long [...]
“The Greatest Love Affair of All” Guest Writer: Mark O. Estes Picture, if you will, a young, Black man on a personal journey during the chaos known as New Orleans at Mardi Gras. He ends up in an establishment on Bourbon Street where the music is just as lively as the gyrating bodies keeping up with its heavy bass and [...]
"The Virtues of Communication" Guest Writer: Ja’Won T. Blackmon After pondering my experiences as part of the LGBTQ community, I’ve learned so many things about myself, and the friends and acquaintances whom I have crossed paths with along the way. The variety and multitude of issues, facts and opinions are always interesting to listen--and respond to, as well. Whether it [...]
“The Power of Prayer” Guest Writer: R. L. Norman I pray that the doctors find out what illness my friend has, and cures him. I pray that my cousin graduates high school, continues on to college, and stops hanging with the wrong crowd--before he ends up in jail. I pray that my fifth novel, "Honey Hush, Don't Ask and I Won't Tell" (the [...]
“Who Do You Think You Are?” Guest Writer: LaToya Hankins Greetings and Salutations, Hot Tea and Ice Sippers! I send well wishes, and hope that 2017 has been filled with good things. We are not going to talk about what happened in D.C. on the third Friday of this month. It is enough to say we should not focus on being discouraged. Instead, we need to [...]
“The Divine Power of Surreality” Guest Writer: Mark O. Estes Per Webster’s Dictionary, the word surreal means “marked by the intense irrational reality of a dream; unbelievable; fantastic.” The latest election; the virulent spread of false information in the form of memes, fake news sites, and sheer stupidity; and personal demons have all coalesced into a hazy blanket of what seems like a dream and [...]
“Looking Back to Move Forward” Guest Writer: LaToya Hankins Greeting and Salutations, Hot Tea and Ice Sippers! Can you believe it has been an entire twelve months since we were introduced? My, doesn’t time fly! For those whose 2016 has been filled with all kinds of shiny and new things, I send thoughts of congratulations and celebrations. [...]
“Family Matters: Not the TV Show” Guest Writer: LaToya Hankins Greeting and Salutations, Hot Tea and Ice Sippers! The holiday time is upon us with all the trappings that come with it. Travels plans will be made. Diets will be broken. And of course, the holidays are also the time that the concept of how much family matters is held [...]
“Hands Down, Hands Up” Guest Writer: R. L. Norman As I sat in the back of the car waiting, I was blinded by all the flashing lights. Vehicles were slowing down as they passed by, with the drivers trying to get a glimpse of what was happening. With all the people who were trying to get a look at me, you [...]
“Grown Folks’ Friendships” Guest Writer: LaToya Hankins Greeting and Salutations, Hot Tea and Ice Sippers! Sending wishes, and hope fall is doing right by you. For many of us, it is time to move away from shorts and open-toe shoes to sweaters and sturdy footwear. Nights are getting longer, temperatures are dropping and before you know it, store aisles will be [...]
“Time: That Most Precious Commodity” Guest Writer: Buster Sly This past year has been challenging on a very personal level. After spending so much time away in Europe last year, I returned to the States when I find out that my mother had just been diagnosed with third stage cancer. That came on the heels of the passing of my grandmother, [...]
“The Master Plan” Guest Writer: R. L. Norman I was standing on the side of the stage out of the line of sight from the audience. From my vantage point, I could only see a few people in the front rows. I had no idea how many people showed up for this event--my debut. You see, this was my very [...]
