. . . for your invaluable display of love and appreciation as the Salem Civic Center auditorium filled wall-to-wall on Friday evening, May 10, with friends, subscribers, advertisers and admirers from near and afar in honor of the Roanoke Tribune’s 80th Anniversary!
The musical interlude was provided by Anita Wilson leading to the opening welcome by Melinda Payne, director of Economic Development for the City of Salem, who could not have been more perfect for the job through her close association with most of the participants as well as the honorees, many of whom also made brief comments.
The invocation offered by Rev. Dwight O. Steele, pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church was followed by Associate Editor Stan Hale’s recognition of special Roanoke Tribune guests and supporters in attendance, some of whom had traveled from afar.
Following dinner, of particular mention is the special guest commentary by Former (several-terms) Roanoke City Mayor David Bowers; Roanoke City Councilwoman Anita Price; Judge Onzlee Ware of Roanoke City Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court; and Rev. William (Bill) Lee, beloved Pastor Emeritous of Loudon Avenue Christian Church (from which emerged the present New Horizon medical institution presently located on Melrose Ave. in NW Roanoke.
The closing selection was “Lift Every Voice and Sing” the old “Negro National Anthem” by James Weldon Johnson (with printed words on the program).
A dance with music by DJ “Carter G” culminated the perfect evening of love and reminiscence of most certainly, “An Affaire to Remember!”
