(NNPA)—Dear Gwendolyn: I visited my mother this past weekend and she was quite disgusted. This is the problem: She was looking forward to receiving a raise. You see...she does not draw a lot from her Social Security check. Also, she does not receive any other type of pension—just Social Security.

I told her not to worry about it. I make a fantastic salary and help her often. In fact, starting this month I plan to give her a certain amount on a regular month basis.

The Harriet Tubman Guild, Inc.’s annual luncheon is always an exciting afternoon. On Dec. 12, at the Omni William Penn Hotel, more than 300 gathered for the Queen’s Luncheon and the first Winona Idell Lincoln Service Award. Lincoln was the founder of The Harriet Tubman Guild.

In July of 1915, when a group of Christian women first met at the home of Lincoln, their purpose was to assist the Women’s Auxiliary of the Union Baptist Association in maintaining the Aged Ministers and Laymen’s Home. They chose the name Harriet Tubman because of Tubman’s love for her people and her exemplary activities as nurse and spy during the Civil War.

THE LUNCHEON COMMITTEE—Ivella Davis, Maxine Engram, Joan Smith, Joyce Randolph and Lizette Jackson-Hicks.

I’ve actually been thinking about cutting off the cable. Now that is a drastic move. I do love television. If I cut the cable I’m sure that I would read more, listen to more music and take long, productive walks.

This latest batch of reality shows put me in this mood. Can you guess what show I’m talking about? “Fantasia For Real.” OMG, this young lady is taking care of her whole family. All six of them. I can understand her taking care of her baby girl and even her mother but she has this older brother who goes by the name of Teeny who doesn’t have a job or a driver’s license.

Some of gospel music’s biggest stars and R&B heavy hitters joined uber comedian Steve Harvey for the 10th season of BET’s “Celebration of Gospel.:

“For 10 years we’ve been giving honor to God through song and awards,” Harvey said. “In 10 years we’ve experienced some great performances and tonight will be no exception.”

Harvey was right.

DONNIE McCLURKIN, YOLANDA ADAMS, SHIRLEY CAESAR