McLaurin-Sydnor Family Website
Connecting family and friends since 2005
A Welcome from James
Say hello to Mr. James K McLaurin
October comes from the Latin word octo, meaning "eight," because it was the eighth month in the early Roman calendar before January and February were added.
October colors are defined by the transition of autumn foliage, the celebration of the harvest, and the spooky aesthetics of Halloween. The dominant palette leans heavily on rich, warm tones alongside deep, seasonal contrasting hues.
I guess by now you have noticed that our site has had a makeover. By no means did I have the intention of doing this at this time. My new personal assistant "Kato" has been helping me with lots of things on a daily basis and because of him, we have a new look. We are a long way from finish, but we've had a good start. One of the goals was to make it easier for you to navigate the entire site. We are still working on it. I will formally introduce Kato in this month's issue.
We have only 25 days before the Mid-Terms. Without a doubt this general election will be one of the most important tasks for all Americans and I suspect it will bring about history in the making, not just for the United State of America, but for the entire planet. Things are real bad in our country and your vote can help right this sinking ship.
Once again if you choose not to exercise one of the most important RIGHTS you have as a citizen in a free democratic society, then I say unto you, if the current administration is not stopped at this juncture, bend over and take it like a man because the ream job is going to be a lot more!
DO THE RIGHT THING AND GET YOUR ARSE TO THE POLLS! VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!
Everything You Need to Vote
Make a plan to vote: Check your registration status. Know the rules in your state for early voting, voting by mail, and in-person voting on Election Day. Find your polling place or drop box and check the hours.
Vote with confidence: Federal efforts to interfere with the voting process have failed.
On Election Day (Tuesday, November 3), if you are still in line when your polling location closes, stay in line. You’re entitled to vote under state law.
Family trivia
Do you know all of the answers to this month family trivia questions?
1. Who are the family members shown?
2. Where do they live?
3. How are they related to us?
4. What event has this man been involved in for many years?
5. Where does this couple hail from?
Answers to September Family trivia questions
September Family Trivia Questions
Follow all game rules listed in the above section.
1. Who are the family members shown in the picture?
Answer: Xavier Williams and his father Winston Williams
2. Where did it take place?
Answer: Detroit , Michigan
3. What was the event they attended?
Answers: Detroit Pistons vs Los Angeles Lakers
4. How old is the guy in yellow today?
Answer: Xavier is 36.
5. How old is the guy in dark blue today?
Winston is 72 years old.
BONUS QUESTION: Who are the grandparents of the guy in yellow related to the McLaurin's?
Answer; Mr. Wilbur McLaurin and Ms. Ruby Washington
Mystery Guest Photos
Mystery Image For September
If you said "Dinah Washington (Ruth Lee Jones) (1924-1963)
Dinah Washington was an American singer and pianist, one of the most popular Black female recording artists of the 1950s. Primarily a jazz vocalist, she performed and recorded in a wide variety of styles including blues, R&B, and traditional pop music, and gave herself the title of "Queen of the Blues".
Mystery Guest Image For October 2026
Okay MCSYD family and friends. Do you know this mystery image? Not easy! Use your skills!
Meet Kato, my new AI personal Assistant.
A New Kind of Helping Hand
I’d like you to meet Kato—the name I’ve given my AI personal assistant in ChatGPT. From planning a trip to learning something new, I’ve been discovering how useful it can be to have a little help along the way.
On my recent New York trip, AI helped my friend and me plan our train connections so we could meet at Woodside and travel together to the US Open. Back home, Kato has helped me work through flight simulator lessons, edit photos, create images, and improve this family website.
I’m still learning, and I want to share both the possibilities and the lessons with you—especially how AI can help us during our senior years. Visit my Technology Tidbits page for the stories behind these projects, what I’m planning next, and some thoughts on telling AI-created content from reality.
Ohio and Texas Mid-term Hotspots
Ohio & Texas Dems Win , The Red Machine Goes Away
Ohio and Texas have emerged as the premier battleground hot spots in the October 2026 midterm elections, driven by a national backlash over high gas prices and the war in Iran. For official information on national polling trends and executive approval metrics, consult authoritative polling resources. In a dramatic political shift, Democrats are expanding their Senate strategy directly into these traditionally reliable Republican strongholds to erase the GOP's 53-47 majority.The primary dynamics making both states major midterm flashpoints include:
The Crucial Senate ContestsBoth states are hosting record-breaking, high-stakes Senate races that have forced a massive realignment of campaign cash. [1]
- Texas: Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton is facing Democratic Representative James Talarico. Though historically red, October 2026 polling shows a tight race, with Talarico outperforming Beto O'Rourke's historic 2018 metrics. According to Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ), Democrats have a 55 percent chance of flipping this seat. Voters should consult official local election offices and recognized nonpartisan polling consolidators to verify candidates' primary results and the latest public opinion polling figures. [1, 2]
- Ohio: Incumbent Republican Senator John Husted is locked in a fierce, toss-up battle against former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown. While New York Times/Siena University and YouGov polling show Brown maintaining a slim lead, voters should consult official polling resources to verify specific percentages. This matchup has become the single most expensive Senate race in the country, surpassing $200 million in spending before October.
As you know Jasmine Crockett, state representative in the House has brought receipts on both Hot Wheels (Greg Abbott -governor) and Ken Paxton (Attorney General).
DONALD J TRUMP IS TOTALLY RESPONISBLE FOR THE WAY TRADITIONAL RED TEAM MEMBERS ARE NOW THINKING. THEY WANT NO PARTS OF THE CURRENT ADMISTRATION AND HIS FLOLLOWERS.
GO BIG BLUE!!!
Ken Paxton
I live in Texas and I can tell you this man is a hard-core criminal.
State Securities Fraud Case (2015–2024)
The Charges: Indicted in August 2015 on two counts of first-degree felony securities fraud and one count of failing to register as an investment advisor regarding a McKinney-based tech startup called Servergy Inc.
The Allegations: Prosecutors accused Paxton of persuading investors to put money into Servergy without disclosing that the company was paying him a sales commission. The Resolution: Paxton entered a pre-trial diversion agreement in Houston, avoiding a jury trial. [1, 2]
The Terms: He agreed to complete 100 hours of community service, take 15 hours of legal ethics courses, and pay nearly $300,000 in restitution to the investors. Fulfilling these terms resulted in the formal dismissal of the charges.
New York Yankees Swept in ALDS 2026
Detail your services
Tampa Bay Rays swept the New York Yankees 3–0 in the 2026 American League Division Series (ALDS), concluding with a 4–3 victory in Game 3 on October 7, 2026.
ALDS Results Summary
Game Date Score/ Outcome. Location
Game 1 October 3, 2026 Tampa Bay Rays 1, New York Yankees 0 St. Petersburg
Game 2 October 5, 2026 Tampa Bay Rays 5, New York Yankees 2 St. Petersburg Game 3 October 7, 2026. Tampa Bay Rays 4, New York Yankees 3. New York
Key Series Details
- Game 3 Decider: Victor Mesa Jr. hit a tie-breaking, two-run home run off Yankees starter Max Fried in the sixth inning.
- Controversial Call: An apparent game-tying two-run home run by Anthony Volpe in the sixth inning of Game 3 was overturned into a double following a video review for fan interference.
- Drought Extended: The sweep eliminated the Yankees and extended their World Series championship drought to 17 years.
- Next Round: The Rays advance to face the winner of the Cleveland Guardians–Chicago White Sox series in the American League Championship Series (ALCS).
Manager Aaron Boone discusses the Yankees' offensive struggles and the team's elimination following
Yankees manager Aaron Boone pulled no punches after the Rays completed a three-game sweep of his team in the ALDS. Boone called it the 'worst feeling in the world' and attributed it to simply not producing enough offense, Scoring just five runs in three games is not a recipe for success against a formidable Rays team.
More MLB Playoff Scores click here
NYC is a fun place to visit in October. The fall colors are
NYC’s best October events
NYC’s best October events — the world’s biggest Halloween parade, Comic Con’s 20th anniversary & more
Unlock over 300 usually off-limits city spaces during Open House NY, sip beer steins during Oktoberfest, and celebrate all of the Halloween happenings NYC has to offer!
This Month In History (October 2026)
"Take Me Out to the Ball Game"
1908: Called America's other national anthem,
"Take Me Out to the Ball Game" becomes a bestselling hit. It is now an MLB tradition for fans to sing the song during the seventh inning stretch.
The Lincoln Highway
1913: The Lincoln Highway, the country's first coast-to-coast roadway, is formally dedicated. 14-minute silent feature.
William Faulkner wins Nobel Prize
William Faulkner wins Nobel Prize
1950: American novelist William Faulkner wins the 1949 Nobel Prize in literature.
Guggenheim opens in New York City
William Faulkner wins Nobel Prize
1959: Thousands line up for the opening of the Guggenheim in New York City. The modern art museum's unique spiral shape was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Epcot theme park opens
1982: At Florida's Wait Disney World, the Epcot theme park opens and features attractions that celebrate technological innovations and world cultures.
John Glenn returns to space
1998: The first American to orbit the Earth, John Glenn returns to space aboard the shuttle Discovery.
The U.S. population reaches 300 million.
2006: The U.S. population reaches 300 million.
"No Time to Die," the 25th film in the "official' James Bond series,
2021: "No Time to Die," the 25th film in the "official' James Bond series, premieres in the U.S.
Church with cousin Bruce McLaurin
Pastor Bruce McLaurin welcomes you to sit in on Sundays at First Baptist Church of South Euclid, Cleveland , Ohio. Yes, he's one of our very own. Sunday 10/04/26
"Discerning Good and Evil” The preacher of the hour is Pastor Bruce McLaurin.