Bambi's 90th Birthday celebration continued
The Surprise 90th Birthday Celebration - May 15, 2021 (Radisson Hotel Haupauge, New York)
Saturday, May 15, 2021, a surprise 90th Birthday Celebration was held for Bambi at the Radisson Hotel in Haupauge, Long Island, New York. This would be the final event presented to her on this fantastic weekend. I Mr. James K McLaurin your MCSYD webmaster, am going to try and reproduce most of this heart-warming event from start to finish.
For those of you who know Bambi very well, it's difficult to put something past her, and trying to orchestrate a surprise party was a difficult task. We almost go busted several times, but we pulled it off.
For those of you in attendance that night, sit back, relax, and reminisce this heart-warming experience. For those of you who weren't able to attend, sit back and enjoy.
Program
6:00 PM Start of celebration
- Bambi walks in to the celebration escorted by son Mr. Bruce McLaurin
- Bambi meets her guest
- Welcome – Introduction of dais, committee and protocol’s: Mr. Bruce McLaurin
- Scripture (Proverbs 31:10) & Invocation prayer: Rev. Deborah Guest
- Introduction of Master of Ceremony: Mr. Bruce McLaurin
- Master of Ceremony: Mr. James K McLaurin
- History of Dora Mae McLaurin a.k.a.“Bambi”: Master of Ceremony
- Personal Testimony: Master of Ceremony
- Introduction of Andrew McLaurin (Lone surviving sibling): Master of Ceremony
- (C.P.T.) Reiteration of protocol’s: Master of Ceremony
6:30 PM Blessing of food: Rev. Deborah Guest
While eating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- Video presentation from non-attendees: Master of ceremony
- Words of reflection and encouragement (3 minutes please)
o Grandson: Mr. Gregg Matthew McLaurin
o Neighbor: Mr. Lionel Victor
o Neighbor: Dr. Dothulie Hatcher
o Former co-parishioner: Mrs. Pam Lavorata– St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, North Babylon, New York
o Niece: Mrs. Gina Day Stephenson
o Nephew: Mr. Kevin Greene
o Video history (Powerpoint Presentation): Master of Ceremony
7:15 – 7:30 PM After eating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
- Special presentation: Family’s token of love:
- Acknowledge contributions of nieces and nephews
- Special presentation: President Biden acknowledgement: Master of ceremony
- Spiritual inspiration: Pastor Bruce McLaurin (5 minutes please)
- Introduction of honoree: Bruce McLaurin
8:00 – 8:15 PM Bambi speaks
- Bambi cuts cake
- Reiterate protocols of safety before post dinner celebration: Master of Ceremony
- Upcoming family events & news: Master of Ceremony
- Benediction: Rev. Bruce McLaurin
10:00 PM – Good nite
The Birthday lady walks into the ballroom
Birthday Lady walks into the ballroom escorted by her son Greg
After having a very successful and fun fishing trip that day, her son Greg had her ready for a dinner date at Captain Bill's on the waterfront in Bay Shore, so she thought. Of course unbeknown to her, they made a detour in the hotel and found the ballroom where the celebration got started.
Welcome – Introduction of dais, committee and protocol’s: Mr. Bruce G. McLaurin
Mr. Bruce G McLaurin Committee Member - son of honoree Dora Mae (Bambi) McLaurin. Husband to Mrs. Gwen McLaurin, and father to son's Chad and Gregg. He is the lead pastor of the First Baptist Church of South Euclid, Cleveland, Ohio, and one of the four committee members who helped put together this event. His kindness and thoughtfullness made this night "a night to remember".
THANK YOU COUSIN FO
Reverend Deborah Guest DAIS -provided us with the scripture (Proverbs 31:10) & Invocation prayer for this event.
Deborah known as Kitten to many of us who grew up with her as a member of the infamous "Cedar Street Gang" in Bay Shore, New York has been a long time friend and extended family member of the "McLaurin" family from Bay Shore.
REVDR GUEST THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON THIS HISTORIC OCCASSIO
Ms. Shamara Baldwin - Committee Member. Shamara is the daughter of Mr. James K. McLaurin, and her many talents were greatly appreciated by all of the committee members. Her many many endless hours provided us with a lovely setting for this event.
SHAMARA THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO!
Mr. James K McLaurin - Committee Member. Nephew of honoree Dora Mae (Bambi) McLaurin. Father of committee member Shamara Baldwin. Founder and current webmaster of the "McLaurin/Sydnor Family Website". Current city of residence: Houston, Texas
Mr. McLaurin is the Master of Ceremony for this event.
James your family members and guest at this event said you put it all out there and made the event enjo
Andrew (Geech) McLaurin DAIS- oldest surviving brother of Dora Mae McLaurin. a.k.a. Sonny Boy. The "Geech" in his hay day was a Jack Of All Trades. Very talented carpenter, electrician, stonemason, and plumber. He just made 83 on July 8.
Mrs. Gwen McLaurin - DAIS and wife of committee member Mr. Bruce G McLaurin. Sometimes the MVP is not the guy or girl up front, but the person doing all the little things in the back that make it all work. The committee says
"THANK YOU GWEN FOR ALL YOU DO"
you're a class act and you certainly helped make this event a class event.
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Personal testimony
Written by James K McLaurin
Words of reflection and encouragement
Pam Lavorata (Long-time friend and former parishioner)
Pam Lavorata (Long-time friend and former parishioner)
Pam Lavorata (Long-time friend and former parishioner)
I spoke to Pam on the phone after the event and she said it was one of the most memorable nights of her life. She said she felt like a sixteen year waiting anxiously to get there to see her friend.
Gregg M McLaurin (grandson)
Pam Lavorata (Long-time friend and former parishioner)
Pam Lavorata (Long-time friend and former parishioner)
xxx
Dothhulie Hatcher (Long-time neighbor)
Pam Lavorata (Long-time friend and former parishioner)
Dothhulie Hatcher (Long-time neighbor)
xxx
Gina Day Stephenson(Niece)
Gina Day Stephenson(Niece)
Dothhulie Hatcher (Long-time neighbor)
xxx
George Stephenson (Nephew)
Gina Day Stephenson(Niece)
George Stephenson (Nephew)
xxx
Kevin Greene (Nephew)
Gina Day Stephenson(Niece)
George Stephenson (Nephew)
xxx
Words of reflection and encouragement
Christopher Greene (Nephew)
xxx
Lionel Victor (Long-time neighbor)
xxx
special presentation: family token of love!
Presented by Master of Ceremony Mr. James K. McLaurin
At this time "Bambi" was presented with a "Family Token of Love" gift. Yeah you know what was inside of the envelope. She was given airfare and hotel accommodations to to the next "Brown George Family Reunion" in Savannah, Georgia. Bambi enjoy the trip or whatever you wish to do. WE LOVE YOU!
acknowledge contributions by nephews and nieces
A very special thanks to those who helped make this night possible
Upper left: Mr. Christopher Greene (nephew); Top center: Mr. Kevin Greene (nephew); Top right: Mrs. Gina Stephenson (Niece); Lower left: Mr. James K. McLaurin (nephew); Lower center: Ms. Sharon McLaurin (niece); Lower right: Ms. Karen Brown (niece); Center right: Mrs. Reekesha Sealy (Great niece); and in the Middle: Son Mr. Bruce G. McLaurin
special presentation: Presidential acknowlegements
President Biden
