JPC In the News
Good
times
Actress
makes appearance in Stafford
By
Tracey Bell
tbell@staffordcountysun.com
AQUIA
– Best known for her role
as
“Thelma Evens” on the hit television
show
“Good Times,” actress Bern Nadette
Stanis
made
a first-time visit to
Stafford County On Saturday
to
visit with
fans at Gargoyles Coffee Bar.
Stanis rose to flame as the sister of
Jimmie
Walker’s character ‘J.J.Evans,”
who
Became famous on the sitcom
for his catch phrase, “Dyn-o-MITE!”
The
show entertained fans from 1974 to 1979.
Today, Stanis lives in California
and stays
Busy
working on multiple projects. She is an
Actress,
author and motivational speaker.
Stanis met Jazz poetry Café founder
Phillip
Gregory in November 2006. He
later
invited her to Stafford to help celebrate
Black
History Month and the poetry café’s five
year
anniversary.
They set up shop for the celebration at Gargoyles,
Located
in Stafford’s Aquia Towne Center .
The Jazz Poetry Café is an Internet based forum that allows
Poets
and writers an outlet for their work. It also takes it’s show
On
the road by visiting a variety of venues for performances.
It
later developed into a television show airing in Prince
William
County
on Comcast.
Gregory said he was happy to have Stanis on board as a guest.
“She
doesn’t mind being referred to as Thelma,” he said.
Since ‘Good Times “ ended, Stanis has written the book, Situations 101”
A
relationship book that focuses on how Stanis would respond to various
relationship
situations.
She read some of her own poetry aloud at gargoyles, and also signed
Books,
posed for photos with fans and answered questions from the audience.
Gargoyles owner Mike Heidbreder estimated that about 90 people attended the
event which included live music and guest Poets.
Some audience members wanted to know about the old days on “Good Times” and
Others
were curious as to what Stanis is up to now.
“They wanted to know how I keep it together” said Stanis.
Other questions centered on her character Thelma’s positive attitude.
Some
attendees thanked Stanis for being a positive television role model
and
for breaking former stereotypes surrounding black women.
While on the show, Stanis became one of television’s first black female
“it”
girls, thanks to her talent and beauty. But her character was also portrayed as
intelligent,
positive and driven.
Stanis said she’s enjoyed writing and promoting her books, and hearing from
fans. “I’ve
been having nothing but fun with this,” said Stanis, who has two daughters,
Dior
Ravel, 20 and Brittany Rose Cole, 11.
Stanis said she still keeps in touch with “Good Times” cast members,
Namely
Walker and Ralph Carter, who played her other brother, Michael Evans.”
When asked if there will ever be a “ Good Times” reunion, Stanis eagerly
Replied:
“ I would hope so.”
Currently, Stanis is considering numerous projects, including a spin-off of her
book made for television.
As a limousine waited outside Gargoyles on Saturday night, Stanis mingled
inside.
She
has visited the Washington
, D.C. area before, but said she had never before visited Stafford .
“
It seems like a nice area Stanis said.
For
more information on Bern
Nadette Stanis, visit
Jazzpoetrycafe.net
|
