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4
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LET’S EXPLORE.
We cover the places you know & love and the places you should go & love!
B e a u f o rt
B e rt i e
PG. 22
Tyrrell 6
Edgecombe
PG. 3 6
Greene
Hyde
PG. 8
PG. 30
M a rt i n
PG. 12
Halifax
PG. 26
PG. 48
PG. 56
Nash
Washingto
nP G . 6 0
Gates
H e rt f o r d
PG. 50
PG.52
N o rt h a m p t
WILSON
PG. 38
PG. 42
o nP G . 1 8
A Hero Fwith EATURES many talents
ON THE C OV E R
Story & Photos by Leslie Beachboard
Forty-three years of dedication and still
earlier this week for her 43 years of service
While Speller was working the drive
going. Flora Speller got the shock of a lifetime
and dedication to McDonald’s of Williamston
thru window Tuesday morning, S&J Foods’
when she received a surprise recognition
and its patrons.
(the owners of McDonalds in Williamston) corporate staff and Speller’s family were preparing to surprise her just around the corner. As Speller came around the corner and everyone yelled “surprise.” The look on her face was priceless. “It is very rare to celebrate something like this. I wish I had a store full of Flo’s. She is a
start date was that week, and she had been
I talked to my daughter, Jacquetta, yesterday
she is not here you can tell, especially o
with the company for over four decades.
and she didn’t say a word about it. She just
the weekends because she does not wo
told me she was off today,” she added.
weekends. I wish I could clone her. She give
true meaning of dedication,” said S&J Foods
“We starting making plans to surprise
owner Donnie Powell.
her (Flora) for her 43 years of hard work and
Speller’s sisters, cousins and her two
dedication. We contacted her family and
children, George and Jacquetta, came for the
wanted them to be here with her to celebrate,”
special events.
Freeman added. Speller said she started 43 years ago at
from Powell etched with a special message
the former McDonalds that was housed in the
thanking her for her 43 years of service.
current Bojangles building, and moved along
to
S&J
Foods
Operations
Manager Arlisa Freeman, about a month ago
66. JAMES MERCER
70. FLORA SPELLER
Hero with many talents Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) James Mercer, U.S. Army (Ret.) is a man
with many talents, who has worn many hats. Born in Edgecombe County and raised in Nash County, he graduated from North Edgecombe High School and then joined the U.S. Army. After 31 years, he retired with military service in the US Army, U.S.
Army Reserve and the Army National Guard.
meeting new people.
sometimes one can be challenging. I always try to think positive,” she continued. McDonald
of
Williamston
Tameka Brinkley said it has been a joy working
relocated.
with Speller since she took the manager
“I am a loss for words. I did not know
the regular monthly meeting and overheard
anything about this. It was a complete surprise.
position at that location 10 years ago.
LTC Mercer is currently the Director of Military Studies at North
police officer and firefighter for the city of Rocky Mount, Deputy Fire
Carolina Wesleyan College in Rocky Mount and coordinates the Army
Marshal for Nash County Emergency Services, Public Safety Instructor
Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program.
Four decades of dedicated service at Nash and Edgecombe Community Colleges, Director of Public
At the college’s most recent graduation, LTC Mercer had the honor
Mercer received his Associate degree from Nash Community College
Safety Training for Nash Community College, Director of Emergency
of commissioning five ROTC cadets as Second Lieutenants in the U.S.
and his Bachelor’s degree from Shaw University after retirement from
Management and Fire Marshal for Edgecombe County, Director of
Army.
the military.
Emergency Management for Fayetteville State University and later for
In addition to his time in the U.S. Army, LTC Mercer had a
the city of Raleigh, where he retired in 2012.
As a staunch advocate for U.S. military veterans, LTC Mercer founded The Mercer Foundation, Inc. in late 2017. The 501C (3) nonprofit
6
7
Aulander Police Chief Jimmy Barmer is one of many unsung heroes Photo by Andre’ Alfred
72. HALLEE WHITEHURST
4-H’s Agvocate
74. ALL IN A DAY’S TRIP including a $1,000 Edgecombe County
afternoons all my stress and problems go
has attended programs that teach quality
4-H Livestock Scholarship, a $500 Eastern
away, livestock showing has challenged me
assurance, leadership, citizenship and service
Carolina Showmanship Circuit scholarship,
daily and made me into the person I am
throughout her tenure with the 4-H program.
today,” she said.
Perry 4-H Scholarship.
In a news release announcing the
watch these young people grow and develop
showing all species of livestock from cattle,
their skills,” county Extension Director and
sheep, swine & goats.
Extension Agent 4-H Youth Development
scholarships, it was noted that Whitehurst
She is known statewide for being a great
has an extraordinary background in showing
showman and many breeders want her to
livestock on the local, regional, state and
show their stock.
in the show ring in addition to being a 4-H’er
In her livestock scholarship application,
what she decides to do later in life. She has a strong work ethic and always strives to do
from leadership to public speaking.
her best.
Whitehurst has been an Edgecombe
She will be missed in her 4-H club and
County 4-H Youth Council President, Howlin’
county program, but I just hope her years as a
Wolfpack 4-H Club Officer multiple times,
4-H volunteer are just getting started.”
Whitehurst said, “Showing livestock is hard work (requiring) dedication and responsibility (and) developing a sense of character, being
Story by JOHN H. WALKER & PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED
productive, managing money and time and most importantly having fun and living the best days of our lives.”
A longtime member of the Edgecombe
Hallee Whitehurst, the daughter of Ross
County 4-H program is being rewarded
and Kim Whitehurst, is a freshman at N.C.
for being an “agvocate” for the agricultural
State University and grew up in the 4-H
Whitehurst has been awarded multiple
industry and Edgecombe County.
program starting at age 5 with both parents
scholarships in recognition of her efforts,
supporting her both in and out of the show ring. She is majoring in agriculture.
“Hailee is one of those 4-H’ers that you will continue to watch her excel no matter
programs offered through the 4-H program
who will assist anyone to fine-tune their showmanship skills if needed.
Tanya Heath said.
She has also participated in a variety of
nationals levels. She was described as a great competitor
“As the 4-H agent, I am delighted to
Whitehurst is an accomplished exhibitor
Leadership Scholarship and a $2,000 Joe L.
Teen recognized for 4-H efforts
Whitehurst also said that even though high school has been difficult the past two years, especially after COVID hit. “When I step into the barn in the
“Showing livestock is hard work (requiring) dedication and responsibility (and) developing a sense of character, being productive, managing money and time and most importantly having fun and living the best days of our lives.”
6
1 2
What led you to enter the law enforcement profession?
What made you want to become Chief of Police?
I was hired by Chief Rodney Hoggard at Windsor PD and started out as patrol officer before being moved up to shift supervisor. I enjoyed working patrol, but a detective position became available and I moved into that position to try something different. I was promoted to Lieutenant in 2014 by Chief Todd Lane, who had replaced Chief Hoggard in 2013 when the latter retired. I was then second in command, I took on more administrative duties and I found that I really enjoyed that. When Chief Lane announced his retirement, I decided to apply for the position. I felt like the guys respected me and we had a great department and what’s better than running the department of the town you grew up in?
82. VIEWS
4 5 6
Tidal river patterns
twhite@apgenc.com
3
Does it mean more to be Police Chief in the community in which you grew up?
I believe it means more because you’re from here, and you know everybody, so you have a stake in the town and you want the best for the people and the town.
Layout & Design Becky Wetherington beckyweth@gmail.com
There are many dangers in law enforcement today, but I think what might be the most dangerous is the public doesn’t trust law enforcement like they used to. That means we have to work harder to gain that trust.
Michelle Leicester
How much do you worry about the safety of the officers who report to you? I’m in charge of eight officers and law enforcement is a dangerous job because every situation is different. I worry about them because I’m responsible for them.
Law enforcement is a great career and it has been good to me. I would tell someone to do some ride alongs so they can see how law enforcement really is, because TV makes it look too easy.
Scenes from high school volleyball
Justin Jackson is a veteran Bertie County law enforcement officer who currently serves as Chief of Police in Windsor.
Kyle Stephens
Thadd White
What do you think is the most dangerous thing facing law enforcement officers today?
What would you say to those considering the profession of law enforcement?
Publisher
Editor
80. FISHING WITH MIKE
CHIEF JUSTIN JACKSON
I had some friends that were in law enforcement. I did some ride alongs with them and I was hooked. I went to BLET at Pitt Community College in Augusts of 2004 and was hired by the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office in February 2005. I worked there until May of 2007 when I went to work for Vidant Company Police. I stayed there for about a year and went back to Bertie Sheriffs Office in 2008. While I was at the Sheriffs Office, I worked my way up to Corporal on patrol, then in 2012 I moved to the Windsor Police Department, where I’m currently the Chief of Police.
STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS
kstephens@ncweeklies.com 73
72
78. GRANDMA’S KITCHEN Food for Heroes QUESTIONS WITH
VOL. 13, NO. 5 SEPTEMBER 2021
Visit Charming Franklin County a $2,000 Gen. Henry Hugh Shelton 4-H
mleicester@ncweeklies.com
84. SIX QUESTIONS Meet Police Chief Justin Jackson
Photo Editor Jim Green jgreen@ncweeklies.com
Photo by Andre’ Alfred
88
89
Advertising Executives Lou Ann Van Landingham lavan@ncweeklies.com Kelly Ayscue
86. GRACE & TRUTH
The Mother of Isreal
88. MARK IT!
David Stone
kayscue@rmtelegram.com Chris Taylor ctaylor@rmtelegram.com
S&J Foods and McDonalds provide refreshments for Speller and her family. she enjoys what she does.
Leslie Beachboard is Managing Editor o
several Adams Publishing Group newspape
“I miss her when she is not here. When
Speller talking about her anniversary of her
distinguished civilian career and served in multiple roles, including:
even cooking,” Brinkley added.
Speller does not plan on retiring. She sa Manager
to the current building when McDonalds
the district manager came to Williamston for
it her all anywhere she works, whether it
the drive-through, the inside cash registers o
“Things have changed a lot over the years. Most of the customers are really nice, and
She was presented with a crystal vase
According
Speller said she enjoys her customers and
Staff Gene Metrick gmetrick@rmtelegram.com Leslie Beachboard lbeachboard@apgenc.com John Walker john.walkernc@yahoo.com Brandice Hoggard bhoggard@ncweeklies.com Andre’ Alfred aalfred@ncweeklies.com Editorial Contributors Sandy Carawan Sarah Davis Sylvia Hughes Gene Motley Andy Cockrell Rev. Webb Hoggard Lewis Hoggard Kelly Grady Sarah Hodges Stalls Deborah Griffin Charles Revelle Amelia Harper Cal Bryant Meghan Grant Mike Sweeney Eastern North Carolina Living Magazine P.O. Box 69, Windsor, NC 27983 252-794-3185 twhite@ncweeklies.com
Eastern North Carolina Living is published by APG Media Eastern NC, and is a subsidiary of the Bertie Ledger-Advance, Martin County Enterprise & Weekly Herald, Tarboro Weekly and Rocky Mount Telegram.
7
and Eastern North Carolina Living.
B ertie
County
Hero in the family: Barmer protects and serves two communities Story by Sarah Davis Photos by Andre Alfred
A
television commercial for a popular
officer with Aulander Police Department; or
in 1992. In the twenty-nine years since then,
genealogy website concludes with the
son Clay, a full-time EMT and firefighter with
Barmer has served in Ahoskie, Murfreesboro,
Roanoke Rapids Fire Department, a part-time
Aulander and with the Vidant Company. Such
paid firefighter with Davie, and a volunteer for
is the typical life of a police officer; almost
the Ahoskie Fire Department.
any officer seen on one force one day might
question, “Who’s the hero in your family?” If you are one of Jimmy Barmer’s children, you’re probably pointing at him - Chief of Police in Aulander, a lieutenant on the Murfreesboro
Perhaps it’s nature in the Barmer family to
Police Department, and a former sergeant with
serve, but it’s definitely nurture. By word and
Vidant Company Police - but he’s probably
example, Jimmy teaches his children to give
pointing back at them. His daughter Lauren is
back to the community.
be seen on another another day or even that same day/night, just a different shift. Barmer emphasizes the mutual support the various agencies give each other, with
a dispatcher for Vidant Eastcare; son William,
First sworn as a police officer by then
the Bertie Sheriff’s Department assisting the
a sergeant with Lake Royale Company Police
Police Chief Steve Hoggard in Ahoskie,
Hertford County Sheriff’s Department or
Department (Louisburg) and a part-time
Barmer began his service in law enforcement
Windsor PD assisting Aulander PD. Likewise,
8
P olice Chief
such support extends beyond the
and Carl Conner, all dedicated to the
borders of these two counties to
concept of service.
Northampton or Gates or Chowan
Born in Ahoskie on September 13,
and even across the state line with
1966, Barmer has spent almost his
Southampton
entire life in the region, leaving only for
County,
Va.
often
assisting local folks.
military service. It’s his home, and he
And that path extends both ways.
wants to give back to it. He’s been doing
Aulander
Commissioner
so in one form or another, working at
Jeannette Tinkham immediately noted
least two jobs at a time since the day he
of Barmer, “He does an outstanding
turned 16 when he began working for
job cooperating with surrounding law
Little Mint and Bell Brothers in Windsor.
enforcement
Town
agencies
to
provide
Barmer
credits
Hoggard,
Mike
mutual aid in surrounding counties and
Williams and Scott Outlaw with sparking
municipalities.
his interest in law enforcement.
“Always exhibiting professionalism,
When Barmer was working for
he maintains a rigorous program of
Ahoskie Body Shop, he met them and
certification and training for himself
became interested in the work they
and any other officer in the program,”
were doing. While working full-time
according to Tinkham.
with Ahoskie Body, he commuted to
Ever mindful of public safety, “he
Beaufort Community College for night
continues to build our police force by
classes. The men became friends, and
recruiting and hiring additional qualified officers, allowing for more hours of coverage and protection for our citizens.” To do so, “he is constantly seeking grants and opportunities to acquire additional funding for the department.” Currently, the force consists of the Chief and seven others - Tyler Burden, Eddie Hoggard, Jessie Mizelle, Brian Knowles, Ricky Morris, William Barmer
“
Describing Aulander as a tightknit community with good police-community relations, Barmer emphasizes that the job of law enforcement is always to serve and protect.
”
9
successful relationship between police and the community is the one in which the town policeman gets to know the citizens, young and old alike, and builds up mutual respect. “This is the real strength of Chief Jimmy Barmer,” he said. “He takes pride in the responsibility of safe-guarding our citizens. He knows hundreds of us by name. He is interested not only in police-related business, but also in the daily activities and special events in the community. He is known to be a good neighbor. Just recently Jimmy saw me outside in our backyard wrestling with a problem. He stopped, got out of his police car, and spent some valuable time assisting me.” In that way, according to Mayor Drew, “the town and surrounding communities have Barmer credits and thanks Hoggard and
Noting that law enforcement can be
definitely benefited from Jimmy’s making
Williams for mentoring him and helping him
very hard on families, especially spouses,
himself available to help whenever a need
become the officer he is today.
he credits Sheree, his wife of twenty-seven
arises.”
In addition to his work in law enforcement, he served with the National Guard, with stints
years, with the support he has needed to be
His patrolling and policing have led him to meet nearly everyone in Aulander and have
the successful officer he is.
made it one of the safest communities in the
in Windsor, Lenoir and Rocky Mount. At the
As a dispatcher for many years with
time of his retirement, after twenty-years
the Bertie and Hertford County sheriffs’
service, he was assigned to the Edenton
departments, she understands what the
Both Commissioner Tinkham and Mayor
National Guard Unit.
job entails. Calling her “his rock,” he says he
Drew echo Peele’s sentiment, noting that
realizes her importance to him and to his work
Barmer is involved in many community
every day.
activities. Drew cites Barmer’s participation
He has also served as a volunteer firefighter with both Ahoskie and Aulander
area with one of the lowest crime rates.”
tight-knit
in the Aulander Elementary School Career
his sons, coaches a baseball team in Aulander
community with good police-community
Day and programs at Sallie Harrell Jenkins
that includes his grandsons, Dylan, 13, and
relations, Barmer emphasizes that the job
Memorial Library as well as his avid support
Austin, 9.
Describing
fire departments and currently, along with
Aulander
as
a
of law enforcement is always to serve and
of the Aulander Peanut Festival, Christmas
Aulander Mayor Larry Drew notes that
protect. He is there for the citizens, and they
Parade,
Barmer has actively supported the Aulander
know they can always call on him. In fact, he
Ceremony.
Youth League for the past fifteen years.
freely gives his cell phone number to any and
Talking with Barmer, one immediately realizes his enthusiasm for his job, what Tinkham calls “his passion for public safety.”
When Marcina Thomas, Manager of Family Dollar in Aulander, was asked for her impression of Barmer, she immediately noted
child from a burning home in Aulander or
that she has his cell phone number with
transporting an infant to the hospital after a
instructions to call whenever she needs him,
drive-by shooting at the intersection of N.C.
and she said he always responds. “He is here when we need him,” she said.
He says he loves the work, and it is obvious
She describes Barmer as “an all-around good In a time when “it’s not easy being
get out,” he says that’s never happened to him,
blue,” Barmer has found the secret to good
and he cannot imagine doing anything else -
community-police relations.
10
Lighting
Tinkham states, “Chief Barmer takes pride
According
The Town Council and citizens are proud to call Jimmy Barmer Chief of Police.” Mayor Drew adds, “We are blessed to have Jimmy serving our town.” Peele further adds, “We value him not only friend.” Not only does Barmer see the citizens as friends, but to him, they are family.
guy.”
without the desire to get out there, it’s time to
80 hours per week.
Tree
as our law enforcement officer, but also as our
561 and N.C. 11, in both cases saving the lives.
in spite of the fact that he “gets out there” 75-
Christmas
in being a part of the community of Aulander.
all.
He notes highlights, such as rescuing a
he does. Once told, “If you ever wake up
and
to
long-time
So, when asked, “Who’s the hero in your family?” all can answer “Chief Barmer.” Gene Motley is a retired Sports Editor and
Aulander
resident, Dr. W. J. “Bubba” Peele, “the most
Sports Director and a regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.
. . . this and so much more.
visitSuffolkva.com
#visitsuffolkva 11
T yrrell
County
Eyes on the horizon
Myers keeps watch over Alligator River Bridge Story & Photos by Deborah Griffin
F
or more than 14 years, Mike Myers
Annually, thousands of people pass
Myers is one of five bridge tenders
has held a front row seat to beautiful
over the bridge, also called the *Lindsay C.
contracted by the North Carolina Department
sunsets, serene sunrises, and a host of wild
Warren Bridge, which connects the outer
of Transportation (DOT) to operate the
weather as a bridge keeper of the Alligator
banks of Dare County to the mainland of
Alligator River Bridge; a job operated in solo
River Bridge.
Tyrrell County, by way of U.S. 64, across the
shifts.
He has kept vigil from the sturdy, cement,
Intracoastal Waterway.
“When you are out here, you are your own
windowed, rectangular building - perched like
Most never give much thought to how the
boss - you make your own decisions,” he said.
a ships’ crow’s nest atop the swing span bridge
bridge is operated - especially if they have
The electronic bridge controls, he added,
- watching over motorists traveling east and
never been waylaid while the bridge swings
west across the closed bridge, and boaters
from parallel to perpendicular, allowing large
There are times, though, he feels like an
passing north and south through the open
vessels to motor through. Unlike a drawbridge,
air traffic controller - keeping an eye on the
bridge.
the roadway swings out instead of rising.
horizon for incoming boats while watching
12
“are streamlined. You can’t really mess up.”
B ridge Keeper
the weather, tracking wind gusts,
he has been privy to almost every kind
monitoring the temperature - all while
of weather, he said, except a waterspout.
surveying traffic. He doesn’t always know when boaters might show up, although some call ahead. “Usually, a captain will call and give the boat name, saying when they will arrive,” he said. “You never really know what you are going to get. Sometimes
“I’ve stayed up here during a tropical storm when the winds were 60 miles per hour,” he said. During hurricanes, he must leave his lookout and the DOT comes and locks down the bridge. “We vacate the building until the DOT gives the OK to return,” he added.
a boat will call and say they are 10
The bridge, built in 1960, opened
minutes out and you can’t even see a
in 1962. It has since undergone several
light.”
renovations.
The job can be nerve wracking,
“I don’t think anyone expected the
particularly when multiple boats are
number of cars to come across like they
passing through on opposite sides, he
do,” said Myers.
said. Recently, during a late summer
The most recent upgrade, in 2018, closed the bridge for a few weeks.
storm, he clocked wind gusts of 35 miles per hour. If winds are sustained over 35 mph, the canal created by the open bridge becomes too risky to let boaters travel through. He then must close the bridge to boat traffic and report it to the United States Coast Guard station in Wilmington. The Coast Guard then radios out the message. Once winds die down, Myers can open the bridge again to boat traffic. From his perch high above the water,
He has kept vigil from the “ sturdy, cement, windowed, rectangular building - perched like a ships’ crow’s nest atop the swing span bridge - watching over motorists traveling east and west across the closed bridge, and boaters passing north and south through the open bridge.
”
13
Of the five bridge keepers, Myers has served the most years. He is also the farthest from home. After 26 years at a copper mine in Tucson, Arizona, the mine closed down. He and his wife, Katherine (House) Myers, who was originally from Williamston, decided to move East. “We
bought
an
old
farmhouse
in
Columbia,” he said, only 15 minutes away. Summertime brings a steady stream of vehicular traffic, but ironically, slower boat traffic. Boaters
who
live
North
travel
the
Intracoastal Waterway south before the winter months, then travel back north again during Spring. “In August, we’ll put 300 boats through at the most; then in October, we’ll be back up to near about 1,000,” he added. The number of boats starts dropping back off in November, then picks back up as the weather warms. Myers enjoys working the 16-hour night
“I don’t turn any lights on because it messes up your night vision,” he explained. Myers loves his work. “It is a great retirement job - because I can still go home and mow the yard,” he said. Bridge tenders record daily logs of weather conditions, including visibility and wind speed.
shift, but will occasionally work the 8-hour
“We stay busy,” Myers said.
day shift.
Each time a boat passes through, “We log
To keep himself busy between boats, he watches television and reads newspapers. “Years ago, I used to write letters to my mom in Arizona,” he said. During the night shift, he prefers to operate in the dark.
when they hail us, record the motor vessel type, the name of the boat, how long traffic stopped, how many cars crossed [after], and the weather,” he said, This is especially helpful if the Coast Guard calls looking for a boat.
“We can go through our charts,” he said, confirming if a boat has passed through, or alerting the Coast Guard if it shows up later. Boats with a 14’ clearance can pass under the bridge without it opening, thus are not logged. Myers said the bridge keepers also help out local law enforcement. “They will call every once in a while, and say, ‘We are chasing a car from Tyrrell County to Dare. We can’t stop them - can you open the bridge?’ We will put the gates down, put the lights on and put the barriers out. The barriers stop them,” Myers said. He said one of the greatest rewards of his job is receiving positive feedback from boat captains after they pass through. Myers said because the Alligator River Bridge is an “on demand” bridge, they try to keep boats from waiting long. “It really makes your day to hear a captain say, ‘Hey bridge master - you are one of the best,’” he said. “I always tell them, ‘Thanks, I will pass the compliment on to the other bridge tenders.’” *Lindsay C. Warren was a N.C. Democratic politician who served as a U.S. Congressman between 1925-1940 and was the third Comptroller General of the United States from 1940-1954. Deborah Griffin is a regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.
14
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We just made buying or selling your home simple.
Angela Waters
Broker/Realtorge Cell: 252-714-9952 Fax: 252-792-5200 www.roanokerealtyteam.com angelagwaters@hotmail.com 118 W Main St. Williamston, NC 27892
252-792-2300 Jacki A. Bryant, Broker/Realtor Cell: 252-558-2206 Fax: 252-792-5200 Web: wwww.roanokerealtyteam.com Email: jacki@roanokerealtyteam.com 118 West Main St. NC 27892 Cell: Williamston, 252-714-9552 Fax: 252-792-5200
252-217-3938 Corky House REALTOR/BROKER, Certified Appraiser 118 W Main St. Williamston, NC 27892
Office: 252-792-2300 Cell: 252-943-1231 Fax: 252-792-5200 www.roanokerealtyteam.com corky@roanokerealtyteam.com
Mary Anne Corey Crowe, Brokere Office: 252-792-3141 Home: 252-792-3565 Fax: 252-792-4569 maccro.maryanne@gmail.com 118 West Main St. Williamston, NC 27892
Kendal Edmondson Broker, Realtor, Co-Owner 118 W Main St. Williamston, NC 27892
Office: 252-792-2300 Cell: 252-217-4629 www.roanokerealtyteam.com kendal@roanokerealtyteam.com
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Janie N. Bryant
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N orthampton County
Just some Straight Talk
Northampton Communications Dispatchers must be f irst when seconds count Story & Photos by Gene Motley
L
akeisha Ransom doesn’t call her work as
Sheriff’s Office. My husband was a deputy at
what I do,” she said. “I go above and beyond
a telecommunicator with Northampton
the time and I saw this, applied for it, and that
to make sure everyone is taken care of, and I
was 18 years ago.”
help every citizen just as if they were a family
County a job; she tells you it’s a career. One she has loved for close to 20 years.
Ransom’s rise was meteoric through the
member.”
The Halifax County native began her
dispatch ranks. She quickly became Lead
One of the benevolent duty’s Ransom
law enforcement career as a prison guard in
Telecommunicator, then in 2013 she was
performs sometimes just out of kindness is
Capron, Virginia in 1998.
named Telecommunications Supervisor, and
sometimes making a welfare check call to
she has now ascended to the Director’s post
senior citizens.
“I had small children at the time so I left there and got a job in Northampton County
as of this past June (2021).
“I have a grandmother, I have a husband,
for a year,” she recalls. “Then this position
“I come in everyday, do my job, make sure
I have a son and a daughter, so I know how
came open when they got grant money to
the telecommunicators have what they need
it is (when family is concerned) and I put
build this building in 2003 separate from the
and they know what they know and I love
compassion into what I do,” she related.
18
911 Dispatcher
With her husband (Northampton
declares. “They sometimes think we’re
County Child Support Officer Deputy
glorified secretaries, but we’re not. We
Sgt. Wallace Ransom) also in law
are the true first responders because,
enforcement, his wife says she keeps
when you dial 911, we’re the ones who
everything on an even keel.
have to get you what you need.
“We’re both involved, but he does
“Without dialing us you can’t get the
what he does and I do what I do,” she
fire department, or rescue squad, or the
explained. “We do have a little bit more
deputy, or police officer. It’s me who’s
to talk about at the dinner table because
helping you with a choking or drowning
we’re both involved, but it doesn’t
child, or whatever emergency you
overlap. There is concern because I can
have – it’s us. Then it goes to the first
hear when he checks on and checks off,
responders. This is why we don’t get a
so when I hear the ‘check off’ I know he’s
whole lot of recognition,” she continued.
good.
In Northampton County – which
“He’s always made a promise that
stretches from the farmlands of Rich
he’s coming home at the end of the day,
Square to the shores of Lake Gaston –
and I keep him to that promise,” she
there are citizen groups that are helping
said. “That’s how I get through it.”
increase the dispatchers’ visibility.
Ransom says part of what inspires
“We do have the Lake Gaston Task
her is making sure all the officers go
Force that are helping us get recognized
home at the end of the day and that
as the true first responders,” Ransom
every citizen gets the best of whatever they need at the time. “It may not be an emergency to me, but it could be an emergency to them,” she noted. “I make sure for every concern they have that concern is taken care of and I do that for every person who dials 911 so at the end of the day I know that I’ve done the best I could.” Ransom
says
there
are
misconceptions among the general public over dispatchers’ roles in crisis, or non-crisis situations. “What’s happening is that we’re not considered first responders,” she
“
Ransom says part of what inspires her is making sure all the officers go home at the end of the day and that every citizen gets the best of whatever they need at the time.
”
19
acknowledged. “Two years ago the lady who
get the name, age, what’s going on, before
Conway, Gaston, Jackson, Rich Square, Lake
headed it, tragically her husband died of a
we even transfer the call, so in case it gets
Gaston and one near Garysburg by the Enviva
heart attack. She was in one county, her call
dropped we know what to tell (Halifax). So it
Pellets plant. Dispatchers route calls to Fire,
was directed to another county, and it took
doesn’t matter if it’s here or there. It’s whatever
Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Juvenile
EMS longer to get there because of how it
is within a 50-mile radius,” she maintained.
Services, Department of Social Services, the
was directed. So she went out and made
Northampton has six communication
it a personal mission that as many of her
towers serving its citizens: in Milwaukee/
neighbors as she could had house-number signs out, that they knew what to say to 911, to relate whichever county they were in, and that’s helped us get recognized. She’s really the true hero.” Ransom says sometimes dispatch calls do stretch across county boundary lines. She says Northampton is bordered by seven other counties in two states: Hertford, Bertie, Warren and Halifax in North Carolina plus Brunswick, Greensville and Southampton in Virginia. “We get a lot of calls from Halifax (County) because Garysburg is right there near Roanoke Rapids and Weldon. With the (communications) towers so close sometimes the calls will come over here and we treat them just as if they were right there. We
20
Jail and the Health Department. “We have EMD (Emergency Medical
Dispatch) which takes approximately three minutes,” Ransom said. “So within a minute to a minute-and-a-half the ambulance or fire truck or deputy would be en route.” Because of the length and breadth of Northampton, dispatchers also serve local police departments. There are two PD’s on the west, Gaston and Garysburg, then Jackson, Woodland, Severn and Conway on the east side. Rich Square and Seaboard did not have police chiefs as of late
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August ‘21. “Technically, the (Sheriff Jack Smith) owns all the (communications) call numbers for these (towns),” she pointed out. “So the numbers the police departments use, he owns them.” Ransom makes the point of debunking misconceptions about the role of dispatchers. “What goes on in the county has to come through us first,” she emphasized. “That’s why we’re not glorified secretaries, but true first responders. People (are wrong) who think we just sit at the console and answer the phone all day is
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not what we do.” There are four telecommunicators on duty at all times working 12-hour shifts. When fully staffed, there are a total of 16 dispatchers. While all are trained professionals, sometimes comes a call they may take to heart. “I did deliver a baby a few years back, I’ve talked to people who were suicidal or were alcoholics and put a little of me in the call to make them feel they are not alone.” Ransom said. “There’s also the time there were some shootings in Seaboard. One day a call came about someone walking on the railroad tracks. I gave the call to an officer, but an hour later that subject was shot and killed. There was a lot of woulda, coulda, shoulda, and that call stuck with me for a while. I like to feel I’m giving them a little assurance that no matter what it is, they can get through it. “I wouldn’t necessarily call it confidence,” she concluded. “I just put myself in their shoes and if I had to call and tell somebody I needed help, I’d want to be treated the same way. This is a good
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job and my mission is to make sure the citizens out there get their help.” Gene Motley is a retired Sports Editor and Sports Director and a regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.
21
H yde
County
Childhood dream of helping
Stotesberry devotes f ive decades to Swan Quarter Story & Photos by Sandy Carawan
C
hildhood dreams really can come true
inspired him at a young age to seek out his
part of things,” he recalls. “They’d give me jobs
- and for the past fifty years, Jeffrey
dream of helping others.
like getting a piece of hose, ax or whatever
Stotesberry, Fire Chief of the Swan Quarter
Of course, the place he could best play out
they needed. I’d go to the fire department
Volunteer Fire Department and a trained First
this role was at the Swan Quarter Volunteer
early before the meeting and Mr. Hiatt would
Responder, has been making his childhood
Fire Department, first organized in 1971.
show me how to start and pump the truck.”
dream come true. Inspiration springs forth not only at different times in one’s life, but in different ways. This was true for Stotesberry at an early age. He recalls two of his favorite television shows, Emergency! and CHiPs, and how
“I was ten years old when they first started,”
An eager teenager, Stotesberry helped
Stotesberry says. “I have been here ever since
in any way he could, gaining important
I could actually join.”
experience along the way. While the fire
Stotesberry notes that early on certain
department allowed him to run on calls, it
individuals inspired him such as J. C. Williams,
didn’t allow him to do any frontline firefighting.
Hiatt Cahoon, Bennett Emory and Georgie Ben Williams.
the characters’ benevolence toward others
“I remember how everybody was good to
while doing their jobs made a difference that
me, wanted to see me around and let me be a
22
“I would always ask, ‘Do you want me to put on some turnout gear?’ Mr. Hiatt would say, ‘No, not yet.’” Stotesberry remembers when the Rose
F ire Chief
Bay Oyster House burned, the first
about it. After a bad call, I’ve got to find
worst fire he had witnessed. “I asked
someone to talk to,” he insisted. “It’s
him and he let me put on turnout gear
tough in that way, but it’s what I do.
and I really felt like something that
“If we’ve had a bad call, the least that
night,” Stotesberry said. “Back then
I will do is watch my people for the next
they were my heroes, my super heroes,
two weeks. If it’s really bad, then we are
always helping people. I’ve always liked
here within twelve to twenty-four hours
to help people. I think the TV shows led
putting a circle of chairs in the bay to
me to them.”
talk.” He assures his team members, “It’s
In 1979, when Stotesberry turned
alright to be the way you are. It’s okay
eighteen, he joined the fire department
for it to bother you. You can let it bother
and rose through the ranks to become
you and still be part of it.”
Fire Chief in 1988.
Reflecting over his fifty years,
During his fifty years, he has endured
Stotesberry says, “My volunteerism
many dangerous and difficult calls that
gets more important to me because of
have challenged and changed him
what I see or learn. Even after fifty years
emotionally and professionally.
I haven’t learned it all.”
From accidents to collisions to fires
He added, “The other thing is
in which there has been a loss of life,
because things are changing every
Stotesberry explains when people’s
day. We can have two calls that are
emotions change that changes his
exactly alike, but something about
emotions, too. He adds that such
each one will be different like the wind
disasters can cause post-traumatic
direction might be blowing in a different
stress disorder. He has discovered that
direction, your truck might mess up, or
talking about traumatic events keeps
you might not have the same people.
him emotionally healthy.
Every call is different. Every training
He recalls a fire in Swan Quarter in which three people died as being one of the worst disasters with which he’s been involved. He says it affected him so much that he had to seek help, and with that help and the support of his friends he continued to work through his trauma. “I figured out for myself that what keeps me here is that I’ve got to talk
“
During his fifty years, he has endured many dangerous and difficult calls that have challenged and changed him emotionally and professionally.
”
23
“We now have three engines, which are
and another brush truck,” Stotesberry says.
Stotesberry maintains that is why routine
engine tankers. We also have one equipment
“It will have a community building, which we
and meaningful training is vital for all
truck that hauls equipment, one brush truck
encourage the community to use.”
firefighters as they continue to strengthen
for brush fires and one rescue truck that is
themselves and ultimately strengthen the
rescue work, not EMS,” he said.
session is different.”
He adds that over the years they have
entire team.
With all of these services, Stotesberry says, “If we save one life, then it will be well worth it.”
“We are a team,” he said. “Everybody is in it
expanded the station, making it three times
Whether Stotesberry is on the frontline of
together. If there is a problem, we are all going
larger as when it was first built, adding air
a fire, giving CPR, trying to control bleeding
to look at it together. If there is a problem, we
conditioning and a commercial kitchen.
or advocating for new equipment or a new
are going to say, ‘How can we fix this?’ All of
Their list of added services includes Medical First Responder and Ag Rescue for
us together.”
training program, his selflessness and tireless devotion to duty brand him as a hero.
Today, the Swan Quarter Volunteer Fire
agricultural emergencies in which they can do
Jeffrey Stotesberry is a hero who not only
Department comprises twenty-five rostered
grain bin rescue and high-angle rescue that
sacrifices his free time putting his own life
members including two in the Explorer
involves rappelling.
at risk to save the lives of others, but he also
Program with the youngest member aged
Stotesberry says that they are in the
strongly advocates for change in the Swan
seventeen years and the oldest member aged
process of adding Water Rescue and the boat
Quarter community all the while encouraging
sixty-three.
will have a fire pump and rescue equipment.
his team to train and learn more to better
Stotesberry
An addition of a substation on Highway 94
themselves as they step up in their service
has been a steadfast advocate for change,
near Highway 264 will enlarge their district
to the community as they, too, perform their
always building for the future. As a result of
from a six-mile district to an eleven-mile
own acts of heroism.
fundraising, grant writing and collaboration
district allowing them to serve more people.
Through
his
fifty
years,
Sandy Carawan is an English Language
with other people, the fire department has
“We will put a ladder truck there, the first
Arts teacher at Mattamuskeet Early College
been able to enhance the services they
one in Hyde County. We will have a pumper
High School in Swan Quarter and a longtime
provide to the community.
tanker there, the boat, the Ag Rescue trailer
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M artin
County
Doing good for people
Pastor feels calling to minister to all Story & Photos by Deborah Griffin
C
ynthia Pointe is in the business of
the Lord.’ I believe and know that He is real.
looking after souls.
Only what we do for Him is going to last,” she
“People are always talking about Black
Lives Matter, well - every soul matters,” she said. “Our souls are going to live forever.” Four years ago, Pointe retired after serving 32 years as a Physical Education teacher. Most of those years were spent with the Martin County School System. Since retiring, she has dedicated herself to serving the community. “I decided, ‘Let me devote fulltime to
26
added. Pointe is in her third year as pastor of
do good for others,” she said. One powerful way she does this is through a Food Pantry, created in the basement of the church.
Mount Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in
Every Tuesday, from 3:30-4:30 p.m.,
Williamston, after serving as interim for a year.
church members hand out food boxes to
The church, located at 205 N. Elm St., celebrated 147 years Aug. 1. Pointe feels a responsibility to those in her community.
those in need in Martin County. Because of multiple grants she has applied for, she receives food donations from several sources.
“My motto is, ‘Jesus went about doing
One grant, from the Food Bank of the
good,’ so we need to walk in His footsteps to
Albemarle and Blue Cross and Blue Shield,
P astor
landed the church a $42,000 freezercooler combo to hold large amounts of food and keep it fresh.
she said. Pointe hopes her congregants can continue to meet in person, but it
“We serve about 120 to 140 families.
depends on the virus.
That is roughly 600- plus people,
She is concerned.
counting family members,” she said.
“We have a lot of elderly,” she said.
“Thanks be to God we can do that every week.”
Regardless, she plans to continue her conference call-style of preaching. She
Pointe admits when the ministry
realized she can reach out and touch
first started out, she would see some
more people than before, through a
in line and wonder if there truly was a
simple phone call.
need.
“It’s not Zoom,” she said. “With their
“But when you see the applications - the figures on paper - you wonder,
age, I knew they were not going to do that.”
‘How in the world are they making it?’
But anyone can tune in by phone.
When they have to choose between
In fact, a church in Texas, and her
paying for medicine, or rent over food -
home church near Lumberton join the
whose heart wouldn’t go out to them?”
weekly calls which don’t interfere with
she asked.
traditional worship services, as she
“I don’t care if they come on the finest of cars - I’m not here to judge. I just want to make sure they are fed, and they can feed their families,” she added. Pointe community
knows were
many hit
in
hard,
the
conferences at 6 o’clock on Sunday evenings. “We have a good fellowship enjoying the Word of God,” she added. Pointe also realized she could share
both
financially and emotionally by the pandemic. “There has been a lot of isolation and depression,” she added. Many lost their jobs. Mount
Shiloh
church
started
meeting back in-person Aug. 1. For the past year-and-a-half, she has held church services via conference call. “But the food pantry never stopped,”
“
“I always tell them, ‘When I was in the school system, I looked after you physically. Now, God has given me an opportunity to look after your soul,’
”
27
the message with those who are sick and
the neighborhood. My mother would feed
tells us to train them while they are young.
shut-in.
whomever,” she added.
Whenever they want to help, I tell them to
“Before, we would take them communion,
She never felt as if she didn’t have enough.
or I would call or visit them. But now, they can
Seeing those in her community who are not
get on the call and hear it,” she said.
getting enough, “makes me want to be sure
Pointe is a board member of the Martin County Arts Council and a member of the
they are taken care of,” she said. “We give them as much as we can.” As a young girl, she was involved at her
NACCP. She is the survivor of two bouts of breast
church, at Antioch Baptist. “I was out front, doing a lot of youth things.
cancer. “God is good,” she said. “I’m in remission.
I was president of the youth ministry. I didn’t
It’s been 10 years now. I had prayed, ‘Lord, if
understand then, but I guess God was molding
it’s meant for me to be on this side, I’m going
me all this time,” Pointe said.
to keep on praising you and telling your story.’”
She is married to Clarence, who also retired
She feels the empathy she has may have
from the Martin County School system. He serves as deacon chair at Mount Shiloh. They
been learned from her childhood. of
have two grown boys - C.P., who is the girls’
Proctorville, 15 minutes outside Lumberton,
basketball coach at Riverside High School; and
she was the tenth of 14 children.
Brandon, who works for Fed-Ex in Greenville.
Growing
up
in
the
community
“There were seven girls and seven boys,”
They have four grandchildren. She involves
she said. “We were poor, but never realized it.
her grandchildren with the food pantry
“Even with having so many children to feed, our door was always open to people in
whenever she can. “They love helping,” she said. “The Word
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come on. Engaging them at such a young age, serving is something they will never forget about. Prayerfully, they will continue doing it as they grow. “ Pointe loves to cross paths with former students out in the community. She recently saw one of her students at Roses. “I asked him, ‘Have you made that decision to follow Christ? That is the most important decision you will ever make in life.’ “I always tell them, ‘When I was in the school system, I looked after you physically. Now, God has given me an opportunity to look after your soul,’” Pointe said. Those words are what Mount Shiloh’s mission is all about. Deborah Griffin is a regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.
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G reene
County
All in a day’s work
Wildlife Off icers must be everywhere at once Story & Photos by Deborah Griffin
B
en Spaulding does not consider himself a hero.
Things he has done which might warrant
that title, are all in a day’s work, he said. As a North Carolina Wildlife Enforcement Officer, Spaulding is stationed in Greene
authority as urban police officers have.
own two feet. At times, Spaulding patrols
checking for up-to-date hunting and fishing
from the skies, using high-powered binoculars
licenses.
- looking for would be lawbreakers, especially
According to Spaulding, it can be an exciting, but dangerous way to make a living.
County, but also has jurisdiction in Pitt and
Officers must confront, and sometimes
Beaufort Counties and is one of four wildlife
arrest people breaking the law. They spend
officers who cover the three counties.
time educating and informing those unaware
Wildlife officers, also called game wardens, enforce state and federal hunting, fishing and boating laws and have much of the same
30
automobiles, boats, and many times, their
Life as a wildlife officer goes well beyond
of certain laws. They manage injured and rabid wildlife. They patrol fields, forests and rivers using
poachers. Wildlife officers also do search and rescue missions and are called on any time of the day or night. Officers often conduct stakeouts – hiding for hours out in the elements. “We are everywhere all the time. But I love it,” said the 38-year-old Bladen County native.
Wildlife
He often finds himself walking
“The people are great here. It is a
through the woods in the wee hours of
very small county,” Spaulding said.
the morning.
“People are good about letting me
“You have to be really sneaky,” he
know about those who are trespassing.
added. “It’s a lot of walking, a lot of
With hunting season coming up, that is
sitting, a lot of mosquito spray - and a
a big issue.”
lot of hoping you brought water with you.” He is not afraid to put himself in harms’ way - a concept he accepted as a soldier in the United States Army, which he joined as an 18-year-old.
The Contentnea Creek runs through Green County, which adds to his list of duties. He also helps patrol waterways of the other two counties. In the summer, “We are out on the water trying to catch people boating
During that time, he felt the closest
while impaired. Although, it is legal to
to being a hero. He served in Iraq in
drink on a boat - you must have a sober
2002 and 2003 and his unit was part
driver. That’s the big thing we look for –
of the initial invasion of Bagdad in the
being reckless. And littering,” he added.
Iraq War. He served in the Army for four
Those who trash the environment
years.
are one of his biggest frustrations.
Spaulding has been a wildlife officer
“I love taking care of our waters,” he
for the past 13 years, five of them in
said. “I’m really big on clean waters. I
Greene County. He did his training in
like our wildlife to be healthy and have
Granville County, serving in Alamance
clean drinking water.”
County and Sampson County before moving to Greene.
He also wants waterways to be clean, “because children love to swim in
“ He is not afraid to put himself in harms’ way - a concept he accepted as a soldier in the United States Army, which he joined as an 18-year-old.
”
31
building in Snow Hill. “I leave my house and kids and stay there so I can be on this side of the river,” he said, referring to the side of town where most of the buildings are. “We do a lot of water rescues. The river rises fast here,” he said. During 2016’s Hurricane Matthew, he rescued multiple people out of attics and off roofs. Other illegal activities officers look for are shooting deer at night, trespassing, shooting deer from a motor vehicle or from statemaintained roads. He also must check for the illegal practice of baiting dove or turkeys. During duck hunting season, he checks hunters’ guns for plugs, which allow for no more than three shells in a shotgun at a time, the legal limit for the sport. Spaulding also teaches hunter safety and boating safety classes online. One of his disarming tactics as a wildlife officer is to be nice during confrontations. “It’s called verbal judo,” he said. “You never know what someone is going through. You’ve got to see it from the other point of view.” Being mean, he said, gets him nowhere. “If you get a reputation of being a mean wildlife officer, people aren’t going to like you. They won’t have your back,” he added. He has an empathy that comes from knowing life is hard. the water.” He has four children of his own - two boys and two girls, ranging in ages from 5 to 13.
carrying guns concealed now. I don’t freak out when I hear the words, ‘I’ve got a gun,’ because we are so used to guns,” he said.
One of the growing problems wildlife
“I’ve tased people on the water - and
officers face are the increasing numbers of
fought people on the water,” he added. “I don’t
people doing drugs.
want to have to shoot anybody.”
“We watch and wait on them. Sometimes
Wildlife officers also assist with school
they think we might not be working, but we
shootings and provide backup to police during
are probably hiding in the woods somewhere,” he said. “Unfortunately, we can’t catch them all.” Catching poachers sometimes means
traffic stops. State Trooper Josh Harris works closely with Spaulding in Greene County. He knows he can count on Spaulding.
He has been told – even by those to whom he has written a ticket - he is the nicest game warden they know. “They will tell me, ‘I know I was wrong. Thank you so much for treating me the way you treated me.’ They know I have to write them a ticket or I’ll lose my job,” he added. Trooper Harris said Spaulding’s kindly approach in the field is rare, “especially today - it is a different world out there right now.” Harris said there is no doubt Spaulding loves his job.
going undercover. Adding to the danger,
“You don’t even have to call him,” he said.
“He genuinely cares about people. It’s
everyone he comes in contact most likely has
“If he knows you are out there, he’s going to be
good to have someone out there like that,
a gun.
out there with you. And he’s the one I want out
especially when you know he’s got your back,”
there with me.”
he said. “He is a good one to have.”
“Even on the river, they’ve got a gun in that boat - for shooting snakes or beavers.
During hurricanes, Spauling stays overnight
Everybody has guns now and everybody is
at the Emergency Management Service (EMS)
32
Deborah Griffin is a regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.
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B eaufort
County
Wearing many hats
Knox gives her all at Pungo Christian Academy
Story & Photos by Kelly Grady
M
other, wife, fourth-grade teacher,
She attended and graduated from Bath
While her young children attended school,
classroom custodian and bus driver
High School. Originally, Susan had the desire
and continuing to work at the Pre-K, Susan
are some of the hats Susan Knox wears during
to study and become a nurse. However, as
enrolled in Patriot University to earn her
the school week at Pungo Christian Academy
was the norm at the time, shortly after high
degree. It is comparable to today’s online
in Belhaven.
school, she married her sweetheart and
learning; she was sent all of the books and
eventually was fortunate enough to be a stay-
lessons and all of her work was done through
at-home mom to her three children.
snail mail, not email.
Originally from Washington, DC, and facing sixth grade, Susan soon found herself moving to a different location with a similar
During her early motherhood years, Susan
As a mother of three, wife and full-time
name. Her father had accepted a newly
began working at a Christian Pre-K school and
employee, Susan was able to reach her goal
created position as the first city appraiser in
nurtured those children for four years. It was
and obtained a B.A. in Christian Education
Washington, therefore causing the family to
during this time that Susan felt she had found
within the typical four years it takes attending
relocate to Eastern North Carolina.
her true calling to become a teacher.
college.
36
A typical day for Susan, begins with
“We were always together! They
driving the bus and picking up Pre-K
trusted in me, and I trusted in them. We
through twelfth-grade students for
had to,” she said.
school from 7:00-8:30 a.m. She parks
This
challenge
forced
changes
the bus, and - with a big smile and even
on the bus as well. It was somewhat
bigger heart - walks into the classroom
manageable to limit contact with others
to teach her class of students.
while keeping her students in their
As the day comes to an end and the
classroom, but now she also had to
bell rings at 3 p.m., Susan once again
create a seating arrangement to limit
gets in the driver’s seat of the school bus
contact amongst her bus students aged
to bring the students back home. As she drops the last rider off, she pulls into her driveway around 4:30 p.m. She loves driving the bus and listening to the different age groups chatter away - seeing a different side of them from being in school. She even has a rider who started riding the bus when he was three years old to attend Pre-K and is now a senior in high school. Yet, after dropping off her last student, Susan’s day still hasn’t come to an end, she has her own family to care for, hours of planning, grading and lesson preparation for the next school day. With over 30 years of teaching, Susan, like many others, faced many challenges in the classroom this past year. Aside from reminding students to keep their mandated masks on during
3-18 years old. However, the biggest challenge was yet to come. In March 2021, Pungo Christian Academy went completely online. Susan’s biggest concern was how she was going to help meet the academic and emotional needs of each of her students. Comparing it to an almost 24/7 day work schedule, she, like many others taught Zoom classes, uploaded numerous lessons and even dressed in costumes to try and help her students stay engaged during the school day. Despite those challenges, Susan keeps going with more than three decades in the classroom. Her reason for continuing is simple. “The kids,” she said. Despite
her
hard
work
and
the school day, there was an even
dedication, Susan was more than a little
bigger challenge Susan faced.
reluctant to accept the term hero to
Rarely leaving the classroom, she
describe herself.
taught, ate lunch and had recess with
“I’m not a hero. The lady standing
her students in order to limit contact
all day at the store is a hero. A hero is
with other teachers and students.
anyone who does what they need to do
Spending six hours a day, she and her
or agree to do. So, in a way, aren’t we all
students considered themselves to be
heroes?” she closed.
a family with Susan comparing her day
Kelly Grady is a retired educator and
spent with her students living like a day
regular contributor to Eastern North
in Little House on the Prairie.
Carolina Living.
“
T eacher
Despite those challenges, Susan keeps going with more than three decades in the classroom.
”
37
G ates
County
The Volunteer
Retiree keeps pace with school’s student-athletes
Story by Gene Motley Photos by Charles Revelle & Contributed
L
ife may have taken Kay Barker out of Gates County, but it never took Gates
County out of her.
“She means everything,” said GCHS Principal
Jonathan
Hayes.
“She
Eure,
who
gained
a
reputation
for
shows
sometimes often irascible behavior in state
up on her days off. She gets involved in
government, and whose long tenure on the
So much so, that she’s been honored by
extracurricular activities like clubs and sports.
Council of State earned him the moniker of
Gates County Schools as their ‘Volunteer of
She even goes down to the middle school
‘oldest rat in the Democratic barn,’ hired Barker
the Year’ not once, but twice.
and recruits kids to play sports; just doing
to work on a special project: the History of
everything she can to find out what their
North Carolina Government. The lengthy
interests are.”
publication covered state government from
Her reach extends beyond the halls of Gates County High School where she will do everything for the students from teacher’s
It was a fellow Gates County native who
aide to writing letters of recommendation to
lured a young Barker to the state capital years
“There was so much to learn from Mr. Eure
assisting the athletic program by supervising
ago. The late former North Carolina Secretary
because he knew North Carolina so well,” she
the student managers.
of State Thadd Eure.
acknowledged. “He got along with so many
38
its beginnings through the mid-1970’s.
V olunteer
Kay Barker and student trainers with the late Wayne Hathaway, who served as Athletic Director at GCHS. people, and he was so well respected.
UVa) who patrol the sidelines at football
He had friends and supporters from
games recording the game’s statistics.
both sides of the aisle from across the state.”
“I was involved with the athletic program when I was here in high school,”
Following those three years of
Barker revealed. “I was All-State in
service, Barker’s career shifted to higher
basketball (she would not reveal when),
education with a job in administration
but I didn’t make All-State until my
as a liaison for the North Carolina
senior year, and I was on the track team.
Community Colleges system in Raleigh.
Athletics taught me about teamwork
After calling it a career in Raleigh, the
and dependability and to young people
siren call of Gates County lured her back to eastern North Carolina. Once she relocated from the Capital, Barker settled in Edenton with family, but still commuted daily to Gates County until four years ago.
that is so invaluable.” Volunteerism means a lot to her; offering help when and where help is needed. “I aid the students if they need help with college applications or those who
“My children are all grown, and I enjoy
wish to enter the military,” she noted.
spending time with my grandchildren,”
“I just enjoy helping them if they need
she related.
help with recommendations for school
Once settled in as a volunteer within the school district, Barker found what she loved best about the work a bit hard to pin down. “Yes, it’s hard to say what I like the most,” she said. “I enjoy encouraging the students to become involved in constructive activities in addition to their academic work.” Barker’s involvement with Red Baron athletics is more than merely ‘a little old lady in tennis shoes.’ She mentors to a pair of her former students (one a UNC graduate, the other finished at
“
Her reach extends beyond the halls of Gates County High School where she will do everything for the students from teacher’s aide to writing letters of recommendation to assisting the athletic program by supervising the student managers.
”
39
or for jobs. “If I’ve known them to be good, dependable students, then I’m happy to write letters for them,” she said.
her and discuss their own achievements since
of the old 1836 Gates County Courthouse. In
high school.
August, the state archives bestowed on the
“Being in the school business for as long as I have I get to see 30 and 40-year-old
Over 20 years ago, Barker started the
students to whom athletics meant so much,”
school’s chapter of the Fellowship of Christian
she articulated. “The growth they experienced
Athletes.
because of their involvement meant so much
“It was a great opportunity to put something like that in place at the school,” she observed. “It was just a good thing to do; a national organization like that.”
to them then, and I means so much to them now.” Beyond her work in the schools, Barker is also on the Gatesville Town Council.
At no time did Barker see more of a need
“They asked me to fill an unexpired term
for athletic participation than during the
and I’m not sure if I’ll run for a full term,” she
pandemic.
group Eure’s old wooden desk that he used for 50 years in the state capital room. “Naturally, I can’t take all the credit, so many others have worked to make it possible,” she expressed. “I was certainly interested in seeing the room come together as a way of honoring his service to the state of North Carolina. His family has given us just volumes of memorabilia, including his granddaughter, Van, donating his old law books.”
said. “The Ruritan Club has asked the town to
Barker says she has no plans to slow
“It made me see more than ever how
take responsibility for the Gatesville Cemetery,
down, even finding time to work through the
important team sports are because the
which they had managed for decades. After
children, many children really, became
some details, and paperwork, we’ve finally
disconnected
are
accomplished it being taken care of because
constructive, which is what team sports can
it’s almost completely full and there are a lot
bring to them,” she maintained. “They became
of families no longer in town to maintain it.”
with
activities
that
disconnected from a positive identity group,
Barker also works with the Gates County
summer sun in her garden. Volunteering for her will remain a priority. “There are a lot of needs,” she imparted. “And I guess I just keep seeing needs that need to be met.”
Historical Society, and has been instrumental
Gene Motley is a retired Sports Editor and
Barker also takes pride and receives joy
in collecting memorabilia for the ‘Thadd Eure
Sports Director and regular contributor to
when years later, former students come up to
Museum,’ which is housed on the upper floor
Eastern North Carolina Living.
and for teenagers that is so important.”
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“The Only One”
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41
Wilson
County
Player, coach, cheerleader and more Griff in has enjoyed her years in sports Story by Andy Cockrell Photos Contributed
S
outhern Bank Stadium provides Wilson
years. That would not have been a predictable
dating as far back as 1955, no doubt a small
with one of the premier little league
path for her life as a child since she came from
and intentionally chosen representation from
a family that was not active in sports.
hundreds of others that fill unseen boxes,
baseball fields in America. As summer turns into fall the stands sit
Over the years Jean has played, coached,
albums, and scrapbooks. Unable to use her
empty and silent, with tarps covering the
and watched enough sports to make up
legs now, she expresses that she also knows
infield dirt and no aroma of concession stand
for the rest of her family, and then some!
her mind is not what it used to be. No one
hot dogs wafting through the air. When
She has amassed a legendary record of
would be able to discern that, though, as she
another season rolls around in March of 2022,
accomplishments as a participant (in several
bounces from story to story, sharing episodes
though, you can bet that one local lady will be
sports), coach and volunteer, while balancing
from different times of her life and including
in the stands for as many games as possible,
those efforts with being a devoted mom and
plenty of interesting details.
shouting encouragement to every player.
fan.
Jean Griffin has enjoyed quite the mutually
Jean’s eyes and mind still dance as she
beneficial relationship with sports in her 85
pours over a stack of pictures and articles
42
An avid roller skater and skating instructor as a teen, Jean indirectly met her husband through that sport.
Coach
She remembers, “One night Bill
Jean wanted to coach him. During those
was sitting outside the skating rink. My
days, it was unheard of for a woman to
group of girlfriends and his group of guy
coach boys’ teams.
friends ended up at The Creamery (a
The Griffins point out another
famous drive-thru restaurant in Wilson).
unusual tidbit for that time, that parents
We started talking that night and never
didn’t typically coach their own kids.
stopped.”
While there was some hesitation among
The two hit it off, largely because
the recreation department leaders, the
of their shared love of playing and
timing was perfect in that there was a
competing. Bill was one of 11 children
need for Little League coaches. Jean
who all played sports, and they even
was grateful for the chance, but she was
competed together as a family.
also confident.
Jean remembers, “I already loved
“I already knew I could do just as
sports anyway, and getting together
good a job as those other coaches.
with Bill just added to that.”
There’s not much about baseball that I
The couple’s wedding day (August 12,
don’t know. And I knew the rules inside
1956) was even hijacked by sports. Bill
and out, - I kept a rulebook with me all
was a semi-pro baseball pitcher, and his
the time,” she said.
team was leading one game to none
Carey and his mother recall that
in a best-of-three series for the league
there really was not much pushback
championship. The couple’s wedding
from other players or parents, not like
was on the same day as games two
might be expected five decades after
and three, but because his team had
the fact. Carey admits that other players
another strong pitcher they figured that
did razz him about it, but not in a truly
his services would not be needed for
bigoted way.
a third and deciding game. They were
“Everybody was going to razz
wrong! Making the rounds to visit both sets of parents following the wedding, they arrived at Bill’s parents’ house to learn that a call had just been received and the team had lost the second game. They hastily grabbed Bill’s uniform and Jean drove the car while Bill changed in the backseat. He arrived in time to pitch a championship victory. Her love of sports and becoming a
“
I already knew I could do just as good a job as those other coaches. There’s not much about baseball that I don’t know. And I knew the rules inside and
mother of children who played sports
out - I kept a rulebook with me
led Jean to coaching. As her son, Carey,
all the time
began playing Little League baseball,
”
43
everybody about something, and that was the easy thing to razz me about,” he said.
program.
She’s also become vested in the children
Letters were sent home with the girls at
who live next door, using them as an excuse
Another positive memory for Jean is that
the local elementary school, and the response
to find her place in Southern Bank Stadium.
she never had a losing season, and she saw
was overwhelming, over 50 girls showed up.
improvement in her teams every season.
Jean knew that it simply was not practical to
And when that happens, the 85 year-old is
And, in 1972 she blazed another trail when
have that many girls, so a tryout process was
she served as one of the coaches for the
undertaken. However, she couldn’t bear to
team that captured the Midget League all-star
cut anyone so she got creative. The older girls
championship.
were the sideline cheerleaders, the younger
When the Griffin family moved from the
girls were the pep team in the stands.
back in her early thirties, shouting out lots of encouragement and some coaching as well. Carey blushes, “I do have to shush her sometimes.” Jean Griffin has dedicated thousands of
city of Wilson to the Buckhorn community
Looking at the team photos from two of
hours to youth over her years - coaching them,
in the western part of Wilson County, they
those seasons, she remembers exactly how
taking them to games, creating opportunities
weren’t received warmly at first.
many girls are in those photos and notes the
for them, chaperoning their school field trips,
exuberance and joy on their faces.
working with them in her church. Spending
Jean chuckles, “We were the snobby city slickers, you know.”
Jean shares the plain secret for the
Once again, sports gave back to the
whirlwind of activity she’s always lived.
family by facilitating their acceptance into
“I don’t like sitting still,” she insists.
their new community. Carey joined the Rock
Carey confirms that notion, remembering
Ridge midget league football team, and by
that she never missed any of her kids’ games.
midseason he was the starting quarterback.
On the rare occasion that she or the children
As usual, Jean found another need to fill.
didn’t have a game or a practice, she would
At one of the games near the end of that first
load the kids up to go watch others play
football season, she noticed the absence of
whatever sport was in season.
time with her as she considers that lifetime of service, it would be tough to determine whether they got more out of it or whether she did. Andy Cockrell has written dozens of academic papers as well as newspaper articles and weekly columns. In 2016, he wrote and published a novel “A Quarter ‘til Life” which is available on
cheerleaders. In the offseason she approached
Jean has a couple of adult grandkids playing
Amazon. Along with his wife and two children,
the recreation leaders to broach that topic and
college sports, and she can watch them online
Andy resides in the home in which he grew up
she was commissioned to start a cheerleading
if she can’t get to their games in person.
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Dr. Lewis’s - thewhite including: pres Wiggins ofat noon nue ed Friday. Cou celebrat the They Cancer Center. Angelec proare Timored, for 2020 andnty com enta how enthy stroke-focused tion Davis durstyle. Research status. mis with fiscalBertie Lewis W. research will study Woodland. and Firewor qualiby ing left $25,324 sion Michael hOGGaRd staffing ocks yea Fields. Hoggard, BRandice Parker, the Presi- hancer RNA molecules can gram,som lit ,669 and board expover r up Thatwhohomicide e professionwas the sky Bobbie serves asloenditur County the .Cashie The Staff Writer medical a wor que fied addition In residence Execustio at a Director River and sch dent of the Bertie Cancer be utilized to treat triple-negtive tota curred stroke ns, outltown edutrained ay most k, in the ofes Windso current als of American Democr (cap r l led sess of the in Arrowhead Mobreast cancer, the catedWindso ats James with wasnight, exp – They Chapter ital Saturda ion r/Bertie endWOOdviLLe to “On behalf ative collaboration of breast celebrat $26 off N.C. Lee andcare, LeWisTOn Park, itur Society stated, ,459 ing Home Anthony aggressive form bile ber manAward Indepen es)America of Comme Cham,383Research” Wardmak e ’s of local emergency Relay we are very cancer. were reappoi of Woodland. “Hero dence. rce filed . The 35 north for mayor 24/7 Farms of Bertie nted agencies, of PerThe Perdue associto was proud by of agement Perdue Freedom and awarded female the wasSee state board. the town pleased Since 1995, Another rapid were Windsor. Lewiston working BaLa ofFirewor than by Hy- of held ks ability to perform they have been nce, have raised more the Saturda “We shot,Inallegedly are happyand labora- at the Youn re- due, y, July of for several ates addition Roanok A5 Woodville same, locagste 3 to wel- to comediagnostic towards this goal $1.7 million in support Counincumman, bentat the rushed newtesting, ability cently. Center after e Cashie to member River rs enjoy last and have finally met it. Commissioner for Life of Bertie She was s to Northtory tion. being resched year Randy P e r d u e years Carolina’sintravenous to see it Relay uled from K. Whitake ’s drive in critical through payroll “It is rewarding electhe day before tions administer the recogr filed medica- to -thro difficult ty, primarily local fundraisteam,” for hospital was due a second through the possibil clot-busting said Karen ugh term. Newdeduction and Brinson condition. Rela for its happen patients ent ity ofnized comer By Gene to eligible Bell, y For inclemtions weather. is charged of COVID, the payroll executiv activities. Hyman David Fordirector of Life ing MOTthe availability Bunch the Bertie and support of times filed even for Life is team pushed ofLeythe Statee as well. The count of 1st deThet. 2021 This Relay with one Board. Ledge technol-p.m. gates opened Relay for Life deductions finally meet their year this year as r-Adv There are one count “Togeth telemedicine to at 4:30 Youngste staff ’s even anceer, we for spectato they Wind still happening gree murder, will currentl received through rs enjoyed continued. for the two t is Satu sORcontinu when rs, with ogy. e to ensure 1st degreey seats – those Parker the opportuni low andvendors BRan dance,goal,” mer that in, 2020 families through event – Wit of attempted entertai eat and rday. dice at more. ty to geta drive of Research” Award held of Research ofnment by Whitake Joint h sum Commission in a row. The counts Hero fireworks. their theto“Hero election hOGThe watch mee develweek break our outside year second murder, two fol- $165,000and ending r FiLe and listen for Relay and accessib berWrite Staff are ting - s are at 7:30 mon raising retirof GaRd Perdue to fund ing Windso deadly to music, standards aPhOTO Comme onItAug allows paring and sch le, safe nexand The wasforathly rce Executivcancer event will take place assault with By Award r WindCounty.Director r Commis cure, andools sebeautifu boaevening int consultation to . 10. breast August. 21. of Bertie sioner sOR oped intent Life e dec for ano to ope leav Lewis with for l thatprethree-year rd Saturday, cheesy for a sunny David Overtonp.m. weapon every care – fundHoggard.conducted affir without the $165,000 experts e thei crab & artichok Don had’ta great Life eli-isio parking – that n on ther votenwith project a21. ing, amid gible Life “We rainclou reaching in mas agahealth remain in thee dip, counts.” this research famous crowd. sight.med will be on veh It will forg school its d time, inproviders, a meaA comatr the The slight BBQ was icle for the first Satu about crowd k wea level and aRResT, breeze bal- A5 Michael nationwhotand Seethe VID-19,newEvery to Lewis mitt raising Rela it cooler the Relaloaded trailer A5 lot. stra two byetDr. year state fries, the years, made have pleaCarolina plantrday same ee isfunnel r- PerdueRela ton than y ofcial expertside but Lewiston size See ReLay, North se y for surement Aug a gus Bertieinsrequires had, in of Schoolsstatute typical y forice cream, top the No one askingcakes, July CO- the shaved years throevening ust past.” ic hot Life There University distwe wea reviewer companies filed for re a masHawaiia The 21 from State thesum of tthree Comprehensiv ughout Cou team patients. mer thonse ice, oneBer is Satu disa guid reve Board fice in any was for the ofLineberger Line ancecones, were multiple nty of rday , alon to appoint gree tors as pare arriving k elinfour from sausage tiespectasnoother Bertie 7:30 achieve Hero -up to dors es for aled to find d seat vennationally one and somember County town. on site theisr it shoSee Ready, -9 p.m forbarbecu , Au-and held star and ing urge g with A5 for nts theHigh This bestSchY’all turkey stud uld beon whe the show. d to veh includedt at the evee. another . at surv ool. will Ber ents – two driv icle put Filing tie Mid ivor a“It nt . 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Tea the opportunity the Cemthe cau Chammak yeaprovide civic ivor ed or event. and their for dHigh abu a Edgewood of foods ms the sponsorvehicle s thatthrough e its of the variety If one tion and munity programs cam- r in Locally, Julynda madtwice’ a Schhome counthe are join cars s willthroughout wreaths the g hot is ool ofway to groups s atte In concernnce includin e signofhav annual Giving etery road veterans’ e COthe par honor ship Thadd betwand usin America enc ndin LesLie BeachBOaRd s for Berto s. g the try The and organizations paign. ourageWhite een ade. reached remember Tea Across the can tie See choose Wreaths Debe Proisg dedicatthe in FiReWORK and through Managing Editor eve res, will d Sponsorship via ing mevery par year The campaign two serv 3 email at ceremony ouricenation’sntsveterans Group to MicheLLe twhite@ year groups and indi- to hicl urged to ticipants schools folloall be for military LeicesTeR Thad the ed to the wing a serincweekl ies.com. es . duty the their cember. d WhiTBertie Ledger-Adv decorat are active in 2007, – Throughout es Bertie WindsOR The name viduals giving back in founding See WReaThs, A5 e Since itswith be- for Life ones atte the par of ance Ledge e thei long. the was brought while helping the nationr-Adv . B&E America be playJuly them has celebrated month of July,the commit communities ndin ade ance to Buen “re- Wreaths Across hundreds e ofof r ve-Giving In WindsOR to term “The cha organization, tee’s attentio a visT ing musDJ Serv g Rela thenmission nonprofit that rges - The al with on whe their wrappin to share the partnered Spookta a lar 5K only used original America for identify was in last ic at ices willy Across has a new Wreaths a being name honor ther – The weecug and teach.” event to avoid shootin tion was ing our the decisio name. its member, interpre k lies the distwill orThe into upwhich event beinfeaturing event. any belief its inve was held in a neganotannual n5K (WAA) deathted of waygby that the rict tive at or near we condone its race 34-y the Hallowe now be to stig Ber will handspart atto file Jamboree of ear-oldshootin en,” use in any and See called the comClar munity. negative rney reads. Bertie g deait aReLa County was Holleytie k of tacular 5K way. Our time “We apSpec. James their kille Jr. Clar preciate th honesty intention nized in 2010y, to & 1 Mile Fun Ber A5 addressorgahas The been She said commit d k tie ers receand Cou and always problem was htness Run. stateme teemile app forthrig the released his riff shot Earl ima orninG nty provide, financia will be County of hunger in ivedMto concern nt.John Mon s froma roxi Good offic this matand Bertie a callthedispatch by raising l support e is ely toand Chu that wer tely ing B3 day .............Bue 9 p.mfor mission at app funds for changin rch itchell we two end, M na eM are Church & Faith ildred fired the Good The Good Shepher Sheriff , Aug..9. Shepher . Classifi & Fait rox- of “Wh B4 Vistga the name Food d Food of theand a that d on injured. Holley foun en they Pantry. Pantry.” Classified ...................... olerain Opinio ed ...... h ............ The per 5Ksho disp ....A4said Thec arri , ts cea d Mr. Busines atch of y imm son . 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109 S. King St • PO Box 69 • Windsor, NC 27983 Phone: 252-794-3185 • Fax: 252-794-2835
in July’ featuring ‘Giving Fatal ths Across America sh Wrea Asbe New o otine, nam ll aw gw sam aitin ill beeexcellent eve g writ ten re nt revie planned for ports wed October by D In th is ed istric ition t Att In this editi In this edition orne on y
tie WE HAVE A NEW Ledger–AdvanceB beBer rtNon C iee5K-Em Farmer’s Coerge unncy for slated tyy Tran 252rts P325Ag Festival794-5334 • 252easpo 2460 nutss Thank
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oodville M erry youSer B1 Thank hill for subscribing! rAdvance.com subscr tieLedge ibinwww.Ber g! portS
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Event slated for
ganizers. off By Thadd WhiTe The event will kick parade Bertie Ledger-Advance at 11 a.m. with a for 11:30 a.m. inaugu- planned following ROXOBeL – The Festival Immediately Farmer’s ral Roxobel Ag the parade, The event is taking shape. the 5K will start. for the Monday evening will offer a prize Roxobel Revitalization male and female who with dressed as Committee met Roxo- are best members of the farmers. sign bel Board of CommisThose wishing to sioners and Roxobel up or who want learn along the FarmFire Department lead- more about contact with community for er’s 5K should ers to iron out plans is the Windsor/Bertie of the festival, which County Chamber slated for April 1. the Commerce, who tradisuch Plans made for the tionally organizes festilocal festival include Run, events for Farmer’s 5K Fun and vals, at 252-794-4277. there children’s games During the day musical entertainment. will be a variety of enfestiThe inaugural tertainment, including provided val is being planned to the amusements to draw people County See FesTivaL, A3 northern Bertie to ortown, according
Vidant Bertie celebrates heart health
LesLie BeachBOaRd
Baptist Herman Missionary in her study at Mt. century. Lucas reads her Bible back more than a The Rev. Alma O. which dates its history pastor of the church,
Church. Rev. Lucas
/ Bertie Ledger-Advance
is the first female
to ministry Lucas ‘called’
Dewitt Proctor ity from Samuel Virginia of Windsor. of Theology of rural area outside from Bertie SchoolUniversity. By LesLie BeachBOaRd Lucas graduated Union in 2004 Bertie Ledger-Advance High School. Lucas was ordained Baptist University Missionary She attended Shaw Sum- at Mt. Olive woman is WindsOR - A local in Raleigh and graduated Church. word throughwith a BatchPastor for 12 preaching God’s ma Cum Laude “I have been a and County,” said degree in Religion out Bertie County. years in Bertie Alma Lucas elor’s The Reverend Philosophy. her educa- Lucas. ministry was a says going into Lucas continued Laude See Lucas, A5 graduating Cum calling. of Bertie tion, degree in DivinLucas is a native with a Master’s raised in the County and was
Zonya Foco speaks
Perry selected Chief
OfTruth tie County Sheriff’s Hospital Heart Atkins By Thadd WhiTe at the fice in 2002 when By LesLie BeachBOaRd was Social on Feb. 16 Bertie Ledger-Advance Conwas sheriff, and Bertie Ledger-Advance Cashie Heritage to Corporal in WindCoun- promoted Ber- vention Center WindsOR – Bertie later. He took WindsOR - Vidant Holley two years a sor. assault inty Sheriff John more Chief over sexual in 2006, tie Hospital hosted Guests learned has named a new vestigations dinner to celebrate about how to “Love began workDeputy. has and then heart health month. Your Heart” in celebraKenny Perry, who areas of the Heart disease claims tion of American Heart year ing in all womserved for the past office. been sheriff’s the lives of many of Month. as Lieutenant, has “I did a little bit spot en. The keynote speaker he said. “I chosen to fill the That is why Vidant of the event, America’s vacant everything,” I was and which has been re- filled in wherever in paBertie Hospital Leader Zonya since Greg Atkins Health Nutrition evneeded – be that other Vidant Foco, invigorated investigatired. entities, East Carolina eryone with her mesmake trol or doing and “I wanted to and tions.” Heart Institute finding simple Holpart- sage of sure I took my time Last year, Sheriff to improve their physician person Perry to to things to do found the right Hol- ley promoted of the reners work together your heart health. for the job,” Sheriff place high- take the offer risk assessments Foco’s tips on healthy Hoggard. ley said. “The staff educastress and tiring Lt. Carl he began and screenings, treat- eating, exercise, ly respects Kenny time, and wise tion, advanced himself At that the entire eight management he has proven eneroffi- overseeing ment options and lifestyle choices His duas a hardworking patrol division. Heart Truth luncheons audience. cer. I have confidence our re- gized the and dinners in Foco enlisted several See PeRRy, A3 he’ll do a great job.” Bergion each year. Perry joined the See heaRT, A3 A large crowd attendBertie ed the Vidant
In this edition
Obituaries ......................A2 Opinion ..........................A4 B1 Sports ............................. B4 ............. Church & Faith B6 Classified .......................
Good MorninG, EMily ShinabErry Thank you for subscribing!
PLATE SUPPER slaw, and bread BBQ CHICKEN w/ red potatoes, as a part of
Thadd WhiTe / Bertie
Ledger-Advance
pins the new Chief John Holley (left) Bertie County Sheriff Kenny Perry Tuesday. Deputy badge on
Volume 119: No.
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Jim Green Sports Edito jgreen@ncw Leslie Beac
lbeachboard
E dgecombe County
Citizen-Soldier gives of himself
Maness protects and serves in multiple uniforms By & Photos by John H. Walker
T
he National Guard is part of the reserve
“I serve two ways,” he explained as he
wasn’t anything,” he said.
components of the U.S. Army and the
worked as a part-time school resource officer
Indeed, those were the days of the Wall
U.S. Air Force, and has been a part of the
at SouthWest Edgecombe High School. “I
Street debacle, the General Motors bailout, the
nation’s defense system since 1903.
serve the people of Edgecombe County as a
Chrysler buyout and millions of foreclosures
The National Guard is made up of what has
member of Sheriff Clee Atkinson’s staff and
nationwide.
always widely been called “citizen soldiers,”
I also get to serve my community, my state
“I just decided to come this way because of
who identify themselves as civilians first,
and my nation as needed as a member of the
everything I saw, it didn’t seem to be quite as
rather than as a soldier.
Army National Guard.”
bad (in North Carolina),” he said.
And in day-to-day life, there are many occupations a person can choose. For Tyrell Maness, it just so happens that his is as a deputy with the Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office.
48
A native of Des Moines, Iowa, Maness —
After arriving and getting settled, Maness
who carries the rank of corporal with both the
wound up applying for and being accepted
sheriff’s office and National Guard — moved
into the Basic Law Enforcement Training
south in 2009 because of a dearth of jobs.
program at Nash Community College.
“That was the recession and there just
“I successfully completed that program
and went to work for the Rocky Mount
incidents as the need arises, making arrests,
Police Department in early 2017 and left
assisting in investigations as needed and
for the sheriff’s office in December 2017.
other duties.
I’ve been there ever since,” he said.
“There are specific duties and then
When he came to the sheriff’s office,
there are those that overlap in the event
Maness already had three years in the
of an emergency or disaster,” he said. “At
National Guard and was a team leader.
those times, we do whatever is needed
Because he is in the National Guard, Maness has a commitment to meet.
to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the citizens of our county.”
It’s a commitment his employer — the
When asked about his goals, Maness
Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office — also
said he wanted to learn everything he
made when Maness was hired.
can at the sheriff’s office and move up the
While field personnel at the sheriff’s
ranks.
office work a rotating schedule of weeks
“Sometimes, my supervisors have to
on and weeks off as well as days on and
tell me to slow down and let a younger (less
off within them, one factor that always
experienced) officer get the experience,”
has to be considered is the National Guard
he said. “I’ll say one thing and that’s the fact
commitment.
I will stay at the sheriff’s office as long as
Maness is committed to one weekend
Sheriff Atkinson is there. He’s fighting for
a month for monthly drills and he is also
his people and he’s brought it light years
committed to two weeks of training
ahead of where it was.
annually. Some units break the two weeks
“He’s getting equipment upgraded and
up, while others conduct the training all at
replaced and he’s constantly working to
once.
get us more money and it all goes a long
Maness said he’s never experienced an issue with his schedule in regard to meeting his National Guard obligation.
way toward making you want to stay,” he added. Maness, 33, is single.
“You just need to be flexible and they
“It’s not the kind of life I’d want to
are going to do everything they can,” he
bring someone into,” he said. “They would
said.
really have to be understanding because
Since joining the National Guard,
it would certainly be a stressful situation
Maness said his MP company, based in
and I wouldn’t want to put that pressure on
Nash County, had only been deployed
anyone.”
three times — all domestically.
So, for the time being, Tyrell Maness
“We were sent to Raleigh twice last
will continue to be a citizen-soldier as he
summer in the aftermath of the George
balances the duties of the National Guard
Floyd killing and before that, we had been
with that of being an Edgecombe County
deployed to Charlotte in 2016 for civil
deputy.
unrest,” he said. Maness said that as a member of the guard, he is only on assignment in support
Citizen -Soldier
John H. Walker is a Staff Writer with the Rocky Mount Telegram and Eastern North Carolina Living.
of local law enforcement. “We bring additional manpower,” he said. “We have no authority to make an arrest, but if we see a law being broken, we can notify law enforcement and detain the violator until local authorities arrive and decide how they will handle the incident.” As a member of the Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office, Maness has several responsibilities, including patrol, working
“
... We do whatever is needed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the citizens of our county.
”
49
N ash
County
Community paramedic fulf ills goals
Dyky likes personal connection with patients
Story & Photos by Amelia Harper
W
hile paramedics are heroes to any
Community paramedics are experienced
started the program, I didn’t have enough
community by responding to health
paramedics who receive additional training
years of experience to be a community
care crisis situations, Jaimie Dyky is one of a
to serve in such a role. Nash County began
paramedic because you have to have about
new breed of community paramedics who
its community paramedic program about six
five years of experience as a paramedic before
work tirelessly to help prevent these crisis
years ago, but Dyky has only been serving in
you can become a community paramedic.”
situations from occurring.
the role full-time since April.
Community paramedics go through an
Dyky, 34, is one of three full-time
“I was interested in becoming a community
extra level of training that most paramedics
community paramedics who work with Nash
paramedic since before the program began
do not take. The extra training includes some
County Emergency Services to reach out to
in our county,” Dyky said. “There was talk
hands-on clinical hours as well as deeper
people in the community with chronic health
of it and Brandon Taylor, who now heads
training about chronic health conditions
needs that may lead to repeated emergency
the program, developed the community
such as diabetes and heath disease. It also
calls.
paramedic program for us. When we first
includes some mental health training to help
50
community paramedics deal with crisis
with these patients to provide better
mental health situations.
monitoring
of
their
conditions
Dyky went through the initial
and better health care education,
training for the position. After she had
community paramedics are often able
gained her five years of experience as
to head off health crisis situations before
a paramedic, she worked as a fill-in for
they require a trip to the emergency
the community paramedic program
room or a hospital admission. This also
until a full-time position opened up.
frees up ambulances for more acute
Dyky said she likes being able to follow up with patients and offer them an extra level of care.
care situations. The
Nash
County
Community
Paramedic program not only gets
“I like being able to have a more
referrals from emergency services, but
personal connection with my patients.
it also works with local physicians who
I can sit down with them in their own
refer patients they feel can benefit from
home and get to know them on a
regular monitoring of chronic health
personal basis. I like to be able to build
conditions.
that relationship rather than just pick
For now, the service is provided at
them up, treat them and drop them off,”
no cost to the patients. However, state
she said.
legislators are considering legislation
In recent months, Nash County
that may allow community paramedic
community paramedics have taken on
programs to bill Medicaid or Medicare
a new task: administering the COVID
for services at little to no cost to
vaccine to community members who
patients. This measure could help
may not otherwise have access to it.
support the growth of such community
“We saw a need for people who aren’t able to easily get out and get
paramedic programs in the future. In
addition
to
working
with
vaccinated. These patients are also
chronically ill patients, Nash County
often the ones that are at high risk
community
of infection because of their health
with other emergency service workers
conditions,” Dyky said. The
Nash
County
community
paramedic program originally worked with Nash UNC Health Care through a Duke Endowment Grant. One of the original goals of the program was to follow up with high-risk patients to make sure they were getting access to medications and follow-up care in a bid to reduce 30-day admissions to the hospital. Over the years, as the original grant funding changed, the hospital went a different direction and set up its own community paramedic program. However, Community
the
P aramedic
Nash
Paramedic
County program
still serves high-risk patients in the community who often need to call on emergency services. By working
paramedics
also
work
to provide additional support on critical emergency calls, to respond to overdoses and offer resources to patients and families following the call and to connect patients with a mental health crisis to appropriate long-term care. Amelia Harper is a Staff Writer with the Rocky Mount Telegram and Eastern North Carolina Living.
“
I was interested in becoming a community paramedic before the program began in our county.
”
51
H ertford County
Hail to the Chief!
Troy Fitzhugh retires after long and distinguished career in law enforcement Story & Photos by Cal Bryant Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald
T
roy Fitzhugh always knew this day would
are arrested, prosecuted and sentenced for
the police officer I am today and made sure I
come. What he failed to realize is just
their crimes.”
had all the training and certification I needed
how fast it got here.
The Long Island, New York native moved
to gain promotions,” Fitzhugh recalled. “I
Fitzhugh recently retired as the Chief of
to Ahoskie in 1989 and obtained a degree in
used Chief Hoggard’s same blueprint when I
the Ahoskie Police Department, a position
Criminal Justice. He worked for a short time as
became the Chief in 2004.
he has held for the past 17 years. All totaled,
a correctional officer in Virginia before being
“What worked for me as a rookie cop
he spent 30 years in law enforcement in
hired by the now late Hertford County Sheriff
worked well for those officers that worked
Hertford County; 29 of those were with the
Winfred Hardy to work at the jail in Winton.
for me while I was in charge. All that training
Ahoskie Police.
That led to a job as a sheriff’s deputy before he
is worth the time and the effort to make
took a position as a patrol officer in Ahoskie
yourself a better police officer and supervisor,”
in 1992.
he added.
“Looking back, I have no regrets,” said Fitzhugh prior to his retirement. “Sure, we still have some unsolved murder cases, but this
“[Now retired Ahoskie Police Chief] Steve
department will not rest until those suspects
Hoggard got me started here, he made me
52
As a rookie, Fitzhugh said he was blessed to learn from other APD officers as well.
P olice Chief
“Curtis Freeman was my training
He said the key to being an effective
officer back then; he taught me a lot,”
police officer is to gain and build the
he stressed. “And my first partner was
trust of your citizens.
Ed Webb, who went on to become
“The most important thing is to
the Sheriff over in Gates County. The
always treat people the same way,”
Ahoskie Police Department has seen
Fitzhugh noted. “Being in a small town,
many of its former officers go on to
your residents will learn who you are
bigger and better things… to become
and will respect what you do if you treat
Sheriffs in other counties and police
everyone the same.”
chiefs in other towns.”
In today’s society where there are
Along the way, Fitzhugh earned his
Intermediate
law
enforcement
and
Advanced
certificates
from
the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education
and
Training
cries for defunding the police, Fitzhugh said if that becomes reality it presents problems down the road. “Without law enforcement, who
Standards
do you turn to to enforce the laws we
Commission. The latter, he noted, also
have,” Fitzhugh remarked. “Sure, there
included management classes that he
are documented cases of police officers
would eventually use to earn the Chief’s
stepping across the line, but don’t judge
chair at the APD.
the entirety on the actions of a few.
Prior to that, Fitzhugh rose through
The great majority of law enforcement
the ranks at the department; Patrol Sergeant
in
1998
and
Detective
Sergeant four years later. “I continued to seek out training classes even after becoming Chief,” Fitzhugh said. “Those classes help with decision making, management, grant writing and community policing. I also met with other police chiefs and county sheriffs. Their advice helped me along the way.”
“
All that training is worth the time and the effort to make yourself a better police officer and supervisor.
”
53
Jimmy Asbell – with the “cupboard nearly full.” “We still have a few openings to fill, but the officers now on staff are all highly trained. I’m leaving the Major with a department he can build upon,” Fitzhugh stated. As for his retirement plans, Fitzhugh said he would spend his first few days doing as little as possible. “No more early mornings for me,” he laughed. “I may look into something else after that, but I’ll still be the same man whether I’m wearing a badge or not.” Fitzhugh and his wife of 31 years, Angela, are the parents of three adult sons and the grandparents of six. The town of Ahoskie treated Chief Fitzhugh to a retirement luncheon at the Ahoskie Fire Department. There he was presented officers do things the right way.
people will get upset and may tussle with us
with numerous gifts and well-wishes from
“Every department is not the same, you
when we make an arrest, that’s just human
his family, friends, and his law enforcement
deal with the ones causing issues,” he added.
nature, but when we say that a person was
colleagues.
“If it’s a [police] policy issue that’s problematic,
arrested without incident, it’s a great day.”
then those policies need our immediate
Fitzhugh feels that he’s handing his keys
attention to make them better. I know that
over to his successor – current APD Major
54
Cal Bryant is Editor of Roanoke-Chowan Publications, including the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald and Gates County Index.
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55
H alifax
County
Supporting a community of faith
Tedder’s volunteer work aids his church home Story by Leslie Beachboard Photos Contributed
R
andy Tedder grew up in the little farming community called Delco, in
southeastern North Carolina. After school, Tedder took a job in the power industry. This allowed him to travel across the country for work.
necessarily permanent,” he added. Once he was able to establish roots in Halifax County, Tedder has become
Water’s Edge Community Church is a
an advocate for Christianity and a loving
church that hungers to worship in Spirit and
volunteer at the church he now calls home.
longs for fellowship in Christ and enjoys living
According to Tedder, he was on an
“I went from power plant to power plant.
assignment in Arkansas in 2008 when he
I would answer a phone call and travel
met his wife, Michelle. He stayed there for five
somewhere new. I have been to at least 40 of
years.
the 50 states,” said Tedder. “Most of the assignments were not
56
While in Clarksville, the Tedders attended Water’s Edge Community Church.
Next, Tedder’s work travels took him and his wife to Clarksville, Virginia.
in God’s glory in lake country and beyond. “They are great people. We are still friends,” Tedder added. After staying in Clarksville for four years, Tedder transferred to Roanoke Rapids for work and decided to reside in Littleton.
Church V olunteer
The Tedders began searching for
One of Tedder’s highlights when he
a new church home and found what
is home is hosting the, Littleton Small
they were looking at Valley Community
Group, which is a group of church
Church in Weldon.
members and individuals in the area
“I was looking for four things in a church. One of those things was the number of salvations in a year. Valley
that meet for fellowship. The event is hosted on Tuesday nights at the Tedders’ home.
Community Church demonstrated all
“We have a time of prayer and
four of the things I was looking,” said
praise. I love to hear praise reports and
Tedder.
what God is doing in someone’s life,” he
Valley Community Church is a
said.
nondenominational, charismatic, grace
The group has discussions and
based church. The church members
sometime will pull out a guitar to sing
believe the book of Acts is the blue print
songs together. Some evenings the
for the church’s mission and polity for
group prayers the entire time.
an effective church life and growth.
“As a group, we have experienced
According to Tedder, he participates
death, the birth of children and
in several projects with the church
grandchildren and marriages. We share
and considers all of the members his
and do life together as a group. It is a
brothers and sisters.
great support system,” he added.
After finding his church home, Tedder was reassigned to a job in Hopewell, Virginia. He decided to keep his home in Littleton and make other arrangements for when he had to work. Tedder leaves on Monday and stays at a camp site near Dinwiddie, Virginia. He then returns home when he is not working and on the weekends.
“
You go out thinking you are going out to bless others, and you actually get the blessing. To see the things that happen on the street is a blessing.
”
57
Local News
Tedder said he was saved as a 12-year-old young man at a revival, but strayed from God as an older teenage and young adult. “I thank God that He was patient. I was a heathen, and Jesus met me where I was at. I am so glad he will leave the 99 to find one,” he added. Tedder usually gets involved in any activities of the church, including community
Just the Your Way Local News You Just the Way YouItLike It Like
service projects. Valley Community Church hosts a soup kitchen, and Tedder participates. “We served typically 300 to 400 meals each time. At first people came to the church. After COVID-19 we began to make changes. We use a truck and trailer to deliver the meals. We will fill a truck and trailer to go in one direction and another to go in the opposite direction,” Tedder said. “It is amazing to see what happens. We get to pray with people. You go out thinking you are going out to bless others, and you actually get the blessing. To see the things that happen on the street is a blessing,” he continued. Tedder said he loves evangelism and telling people what Jesus did for him. “Doing God’s work is all that matters,” he added. Tedder said he had plans to retire when he was in his 40’s, but that did not happen. He wants to be financially stable when he retires. Tedder has a passion for Mopars and classic cars. He has a goal of owning a 1968 Dodge Dart GTS. He is also part owner of a race car. “I love spending time with my children and grandchildren. I am very blessed,” Tedder continued. Tedder has a blended family with two biological daughters and three stepchildren. He has one grandchild and two more on the way. “I believe in fearing God, and keeping his commandments.
There are actually 100’s
and 100’s of commandments in the Bible. I believe that God’s word is all that matters,” Tedder closed. Leslie Beachboard is a regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.
58
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59
Washington County
Giving to God, team and state
Cagle serves Plymouth, RHS and North Carolina Story by Lewis Hoggard Photos by Jim Green & Contributed
I
n local communities we learn to work together with common goals to make our
region better.
often unsung heroes. If one were to ask Tom Harrison, the director of the Black Bear Festival, who is an
County and the counties of eastern North Carolina as a law enforcement officer, a teacher, a coach and a leader.
There are individuals in each county that
unsung hero, it would be Mark Cagle. Harrison
Whether volunteering with the Black Bear
selflessly give their time to others to help
extols the virtues of Cagle, who has made
Festival - which has been a great success
make all of us better. These individuals are
quite an impact on many lives in Washington
in Plymouth - or serving the community as
60
Coach & V olunteer
wildlife officer for 20-plus years (Cagle
His career choices have not been
advanced to the rank of lieutenant
about trying to accumulate wealth, but
before retiring), Mark has lived a life of
serving and helping his community
putting community first. He has done
while also enjoying himself. There is
so whether through his choices in jobs
a lot to be said for a life of service, by
in law enforcement or a school teacher
helping and protecting others and those
or a coach.
individuals that make those choices
Not that Cagle hasn’t received any recognition, because he has. Cagle was
benefit all of us. He
was
assigned
originally
to
named the North Carolina Wildlife
Manteo, but worked the area of eastern
Resources Officer of the year in 2008.
North Carolina all through his career.
At the time Cagle helped end a multi-
Wildlife officers often work alone, in
state bear baiting ring which achieved
rural environments and whomever
some notoriety at the time. Cagle
they encounter are usually armed with
does not mention the awards he has
shotguns or rifles. Being a wildlife officer
received and prefers to talk about the
is an important but dangerous job.
organizations that he has been involved with and worked for.
While working with the North Carolina Wildlife Commission, Cagle
Mark grew up in Greenville and
started coaching at Riverside High
attended J.H. Rose High School. He also
School in Williamston. He has had great
graduated from East Carolina University.
successes with his cross country teams
A Pirate fan and supporter, he enjoys
and track field teams.
attending ECU football games.
Cagle is a different breed, so says
Cagle started teaching in Farmville after graduation. He taught for seven years many of those as a history teacher. A change of work brought a new challenge to Cagle as he got certified as
“
Whether volunteering with the
a Wildlife Officer and changed career
Black Bear Festival or serving
paths. He had always been outdoor
the community as a wildlife
enthusiast so it seemed like an excellent job choice. A 28-week training program
officer, Mark has lived a life of
had to be passed before he received a
putting community first.
field assignment.
”
61
Athletic Director Phil Woolard.
Plymouth. These men meet during the
“All of our coaches at Riverside High
week at 5:30 a.m. and exercise together
School are dedicated and passionate about
until 6:15 a.m. and also at different times
their sport, but with Coach Cagle it is a little
on weekends.
different,” he said. “For him cross country
members of the group with as many as 20
and track aren’t just sports he coaches, but
participating in each workout during the
a sport that he participates in and, frankly, a
week.
way of life.”
There are currently 64
The basis of this program is fitness,
Woolard states that Cagle has a way of
fellowship and faith. The idea is to prepare
using running to teach life lessons to his
men to be leaders of the families and
cross country and track and field teams
communities with faith inspired teachings as
at Riverside High. He often seen running
well as physical exercise. More information
around campus or up the steps in the
can be found on the group’s website locally
Swamp, the football stadium. Winning has
at www.f3plymouth.com.
become a tradition for his Riverside teams for the individuals and the actual teams.
People like Mark Cagle are what makes northeastern North Carolina a special place
Cagle’s impact is just not on the high
to call home. The people really do care for
schoolers, in his hometown Plymouth he
each other and people like Mark Cagle help
leads a group of men running and exercising
lead the way in making lives healthier, safer
each morning. So if one is driving through
and a better place to live. Mark Cagle does
downtown Plymouth - especially by the
not desire to have his praises sung, but
Roanoke River - and sees a large group of
deserves a little recognition for all the things
men exercising or running, there is a good
he does for his community and fellow man.
chance Cagle is leading them.
Lewis Hoggard is Executive Director of the
Cagle has set up one of the fastest
Windsor/Bertie Chamber of Commerce and a
growing F3 nation-fitness groups in the
regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina
state or nation right at his home town of
Living.
62
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A Hero with many talents
Feat
Story & Photos Contributed by N.C. Wesleyan College
Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) James Mercer, U.S. Army (Ret.) is a man with many talents, who has worn many hats. Born in Edgecombe County and raised in Nash County, he graduated from North Edgecombe High School and then joined the U.S. Army. After 31 years, he retired with military service in the US Army, U.S.
66 6
Army Reserve and the Army National Guard. Mercer received his Associate degree from Nash Community College and his Bachelor’s degree from Shaw University after retirement from the military. In addition to his time in the U.S. Army, LTC Mercer had a
ture 1
distinguished civilian career and served in multiple roles, including:
LTC Mercer is currently the Director of Military Studies at North
police officer and firefighter for the city of Rocky Mount, Deputy Fire
Carolina Wesleyan College in Rocky Mount and coordinates the Army
Marshal for Nash County Emergency Services, Public Safety Instructor
Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program.
at Nash and Edgecombe Community Colleges, Director of Public
At the college’s most recent graduation, LTC Mercer had the honor
Safety Training for Nash Community College, Director of Emergency
of commissioning five ROTC cadets as Second Lieutenants in the U.S.
Management and Fire Marshal for Edgecombe County, Director of
Army.
Emergency Management for Fayetteville State University and later for the city of Raleigh, where he retired in 2012.
As a staunch advocate for U.S. military veterans, LTC Mercer founded The Mercer Foundation, Inc. in late 2017. The 501C (3) nonprofit
67 7
68
Eugene and Jean Rogers Scholar Rodgers Elementary School instructor is teacher of excellence Story and Photo by SARAH HODGES STALLS Martin County Schools’ Teacher of Excellence for 2020-2021 has added another accolade to her resume.
NCCAT. In addition to program costs, Hart will receive $250 for use in her classroom.
Paige Hart, a fourth grade math and science teacher at Rodgers
Rep. Rogers and his wife served in numerous educational systems
Elementary School, will attend the North Carolina Center for the
and leadership roles throughout the state. A former teacher, Eugene
Advancement of Teaching, Inc. (NCCAT) as the Eugene and Jean Rogers
Rogers served as a State Representative for fifteen years, representing
Scholar for 2021-2022.
the 6th District.
Each year, the Eugene and Jean Rogers Honored Educator
He also served as superintendent of Martin County Schools for
Scholarship provides for the Martin County Teacher of the Year to
twenty years. Jean Rogers was a well-known and respected school
attend an NCCAT program of his or her choice. The scholarship covers
psychologist for twenty-seven years.
all costs associated with your participation in an NCCAT program including: instruction; food and lodging on the NCCAT campus; program materials; travel to and from the campus from the teacher’s home and payment for the substitute teacher while they attend
Hart began her career as an educator in 2016 in Edgecombe County and joined Martin County Schools in the fall of 2017. To learn more about the mission of NCCAT, visit their website at www.nccat.org.
69
Forty three years of dedication
Story & Photos by Leslie Beachboard Forty-three years of dedication and still
earlier this week for her 43 years of service
While Speller was working the drive
going. Flora Speller got the shock of a lifetime
and dedication to McDonald’s of Williamston
thru window Tuesday morning, S&J Foods’
when she received a surprise recognition
and its patrons.
(the owners of McDonalds in Williamston) corporate staff and Speller’s family were preparing to surprise her just around the corner. As Speller came around the corner and everyone yelled “surprise.” The look on her face was priceless. “It is very rare to celebrate something like this. I wish I had a store full of Flo’s. She is a true meaning of dedication,” said S&J Foods owner Donnie Powell. Speller’s sisters, cousins and her two children, George and Jacquetta, came for the special events. She was presented with a crystal vase from Powell etched with a special message thanking her for her 43 years of service. According
to
S&J
Foods
Operations
Manager Arlisa Freeman, about a month ago the district manager came to Williamston for the regular monthly meeting and overheard Speller talking about her anniversary of her
70
start date was that week, and she had been
I talked to my daughter, Jacquetta, yesterday
she is not here you can tell, especially on
with the company for over four decades.
and she didn’t say a word about it. She just
the weekends because she does not work
told me she was off today,” she added.
weekends. I wish I could clone her. She gives
“We starting making plans to surprise her (Flora) for her 43 years of hard work and dedication. We contacted her family and wanted them to be here with her to celebrate,” Freeman added. Speller said she started 43 years ago at the former McDonalds that was housed in the current Bojangles building, and moved along
Speller said she enjoys her customers and meeting new people.
the drive-through, the inside cash registers or
“Things have changed a lot over the years. Most of the customers are really nice, and sometimes one can be challenging. I always try to think positive,” she continued. McDonald
of
Williamston
Manager
Tameka Brinkley said it has been a joy working
relocated.
with Speller since she took the manager
anything about this. It was a complete surprise.
even cooking,” Brinkley added. S&J Foods and McDonalds provided refreshments for Speller and her family. Speller does not plan on retiring. She said
to the current building when McDonalds “I am a loss for words. I did not know
it her all anywhere she works, whether it is
position at that location 10 years ago. “I miss her when she is not here. When
she enjoys what she does. Leslie Beachboard is Managing Editor of several Adams Publishing Group newspapers and Eastern North Carolina Living.
71
Teen recognized for 4-H efforts Story by JOHN H. WALKER & PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED A longtime member of the Edgecombe
Hallee Whitehurst, the daughter of Ross
County 4-H program is being rewarded
and Kim Whitehurst, is a freshman at N.C.
for being an “agvocate” for the agricultural
State University and grew up in the 4-H
Whitehurst has been awarded multiple
industry and Edgecombe County.
program starting at age 5 with both parents
scholarships in recognition of her efforts,
72
supporting her both in and out of the show ring. She is majoring in agriculture.
including a $1,000 Edgecombe County
afternoons all my stress and problems go
has attended programs that teach quality
4-H Livestock Scholarship, a $500 Eastern
away, livestock showing has challenged me
assurance, leadership, citizenship and service
Carolina Showmanship Circuit scholarship,
daily and made me into the person I am
throughout her tenure with the 4-H program.
a $2,000 Gen. Henry Hugh Shelton 4-H
today,” she said.
Leadership Scholarship and a $2,000 Joe L. Perry 4-H Scholarship. In a news release announcing the
watch these young people grow and develop
showing all species of livestock from cattle,
their skills,” county Extension Director and
sheep, swine & goats.
Extension Agent 4-H Youth Development
scholarships, it was noted that Whitehurst
She is known statewide for being a great
has an extraordinary background in showing
showman and many breeders want her to
livestock on the local, regional, state and
show their stock.
nationals levels. She was described as a great competitor in the show ring in addition to being a 4-H’er who will assist anyone to fine-tune their showmanship skills if needed. In her livestock scholarship application,
“As the 4-H agent, I am delighted to
Whitehurst is an accomplished exhibitor
Tanya Heath said. “Hailee is one of those 4-H’ers that you will continue to watch her excel no matter
She has also participated in a variety of
what she decides to do later in life. She has
programs offered through the 4-H program
a strong work ethic and always strives to do
from leadership to public speaking.
her best.
Whitehurst has been an Edgecombe
She will be missed in her 4-H club and
County 4-H Youth Council President, Howlin’
county program, but I just hope her years as a
Wolfpack 4-H Club Officer multiple times,
4-H volunteer are just getting started.”
Whitehurst said, “Showing livestock is hard work (requiring) dedication and responsibility (and) developing a sense of character, being productive, managing money and time and most importantly having fun and living the best days of our lives.” Whitehurst also said that even though high school has been difficult the past two years, especially after COVID hit. “When I step into the barn in the
“Showing livestock is hard work (requiring) dedication and responsibility (and) developing a sense of character, being productive, managing money and time and most importantly having fun and living the best days of our lives.” 73
ALL IN A
Day’s Trip Visiting charming
Story & Photos by Meghan Grant
Franklin County
Franklin County is a great place to visit for a day trip featuring quaint, charming towns with down home charm. There are some changes happening to the area with breweries, restaurants and shops popping up, plus beautiful murals and views of the Tar River. We started out our day trip in downtown Franklinton with lunch and shopping right on Main Street. There is ample street parking and it is quite cute with the revitalization happening to the buildings there.
G rab Lunch
at
M ason
and
M ain
This cute spot offers a variety of coffee, pastries, sandwiches, salads, wine and beer, plus an artisanal food and beverage market. Their menu includes everything from pulled pork sandwiches to charcuterie boards to sausage dogs. They also sell artwork created by local artists and feature live music on the weekends. There is adorable covered seating on the sidewalk to enjoy a leisurely lunch. Mason and Main is located at 2 North Main St., Franklinton.
S hop
at
M ercantile
on
M ain
Mercantile on Main is the cutest spot that features a wide variety of locally made products, beautiful bouquets and hilarious gift items. The Mercantile makes it a welcoming shopping experience highlighting handcrafted and homemade products and it is obvious that Christopher and Christian are thoughtful in curating their shop. Mercantile on Main is located at 4 North Main St., Franklinton.
74
E njoy P izza & B eer at the N ew Owl ’s R oost B rewing On the other side of Mercantile and Main, the brand new Owl’s Roost Brewing is serving up pizza, beers, wine and mimosas. It just opened in August 2021 and is located in the historic movie theatre on Main Street. The building was renovated around the historic skeleton of the theatre and they have done a beautiful job with the space. The outdoor seating area is expansive and they also have a horse hitching post. Owl’s Roost Brewery is located at 20 North Main St., Franklinton.
T ake
a
Drive
to
Louisburg & E njoy the T ar R iver
the
V iews
of
The drive from Franklinton to Louisburg is just a lovely, short drive. As you drive into town, you’ll be greeted by the Tar River, which runs right through the center of town. We parked and walked back over the bridge to check out the views. There are plenty of grassy areas to enjoy a picnic on the banks if you opt to enjoy some leisurely time outdoors.
G rab a B eer at T ar B anks B rewery Tar Banks Brewery Co. is a wonderful, welcoming brewery located right in the heart of downtown Louisburg. The brewery often hosts food trucks on weekends and shares which ones will be there on their social media channels. Tar Banks brews their own beers and makes their own seltzers, while also featuring guest taps, popular seltzer brands and wine, too. Tar Banks Brewery Co. is located at 108 North Main St., Louisburg.
E njoy
a
Farm -to-T able M eal
at
Rustic Roots
After spending a day experiencing Franklinton and Louisburg, finish up with a hearty farm-to-table meal at Rustic Roots in Bunn. This restaurant opened a little over a year ago by a husband and wife team with a mission of sharing seasonal, sustainable and local food. While their menu changes with the seasons, it features items such as North Carolina scallops, zucchini fries, farmhouse burgers, homemade pasta and filet mignon. Rustic Roots is located at 20 Cheves Rd., Bunn. Meghan Brown Grant is the author of I’m Fixin’ To, a lifestyle blog focusing on North Carolina, and a regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living. She lives in Willow Springs with her husband, David, and two dogs.
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RN E T S EA
G N I V I L T H N O R
N A O L I C A R
m: Museu y anch or Fort Br eces of hist pi Unique
eum: th Mus ts Plymou tifac Port O’ al local ar Find re
eum: re Mus ans pl ad Eu The Th makes County Gates 1
EASTERN
LIVING N O R T H
Historic Gallery Theatre takes visit ors on ‘world tour’
C A R O L I N A
Davenport Homeste offers rich history ad off the beaten path
N.C. largest veteran mural in Edgecombe Coun ty
1
The Enterprise
106 W. Main St. Williamston, NC 27892 252-792-1181
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For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20 KJV
CHURCH PAGE
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Grandma’s
Kitchen Sylvia Hughes with her grandmother, Bertie Dameron.
After reading this magazine, I would like to
where the main characters are feeding their
ask, “Who is your hero?” Has there been or is
hometown first responders. It seems to be a
there now, someone you have looked up to
new trend and it is a good one.
and who shaped your life?
So, if you wanted to recognize some
I would have to say, my dad – Sidney
group, what could you do? Many people have
Herbert Scott - is the one who comes to
a full schedule and not much time. There are
mind for me. He made me feel I could do anything I really set my mind to do. In the days we are living in, the first responders have become heroes to many in our world. Those who pushed to get us food, the farmers, producers truckers, grocery store workers who stuck with their job, are heroes as well. There are many organizations now who have made their sole purpose to feed the heroes in our country. There are some who feed healthcare workers, firemen and police. There are other organizations who are providing food for veterans and care packages for military who are currently serving.
still a few easy options without a lot of effort. The old fashioned Hero Sandwich is easy and feeds many people with one sandwich. When I looked on the Internet to see why is was named Hero, eater.com says - The term likely comes from New York Herald Tribune columnist Clementine Paddleworth, who in 1936 described a sandwich so large “you had to be a hero to eat it.” Whether that is true or not, it sounds like a reasonable explanation. Along with this sandwich, cole slaw and a cake would be enough for a meal. Slaw and cake also feed many. I think I have used the cole slaw recipe in this column before, but I
There are also individuals who are fixing
will repeat it along with my version of a Hero
box lunches or meals for their local heroes.
Sandwich and a cake my grandmother fixed
We have businesses and churches in the
for many years. It is a Jam Cake and I have
Windsor area who are donating meals to
never known anyone else who made it. It is
first responders. I have even seen movies
moist and delicious.
Sylvia Hughes is a retired newspaper editor and columnist residing in Windsor. In addition to three sons, she has a gaggle of grandchildren, many of whom love cooking with her just as she did with her mother and grandmother.
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Hero Sandwich thin strips
ead A loaf of French br Salami Ham Lettuce, shredded Tomatoes strips Green peppers in sliced Banana peppers, Black olives, sliced
Red onions in Bread and layer Cut open French m, tomato, onion, lettuce, salami, ha , banana pepper green pepper, p dressing, place to olives. Top with cut into individual on sandwich and servings.
Dressingp olive oil
ine or balsamic 1/3 cup red w vinegar on juice 3 tablespoons lem of any kind rd 1 teaspoon musta n seasoning ½ teaspoon Italia
½ cu Salt and pepper d shake until well Place all in a jar an er in refrigerator. mixed. Store leftov
Cole Slaw Dressing
1 cup mayonnais e 1 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pe pper 1 teaspoon suga r 2 tablespoons vi negar 2 tablespoons m ilk Blend well w ith a fork an d refrigerate
4 cups green ca bbage 1/3 cup diced ce lery 1/3 cup slivered green pepper 1/3 cup grated carrott ¼ cups sliced ra dishes Only add dres sing when read to serve. You y could just use gr een cabbage if you want easy.
Jam Cake
, flour, baking Whisk together da, nutmeg 1 box raisins powder, baking so ture and juice 3 eggs Add flour mix 1 cup white sugar alternately r 1 cup brown suga Add raisins m (could use any ured tube or 1 cup blackberry ja in greased and flo ur Po ) kind of berry jam bundt pan e flour r about 55 1 ½ cup all purpos r at 350 degrees fo de ke w Ba po ng ki ba on es out 1 teaspo til toothpick com un , da es so ut in ng m ki ba 1 teaspoon clean ½ cup oil moving minutes befor re n te eg w tm lo nu Al on po 1 teas of juice instead of from pan 1 cup of any kind with cools, dust it r te Af ilk m rs r Cream oil and suga confectioners suga ch ea r te af g Add eggs, beatin Add jam and mix
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Tidal river patterns
T
he waterways in the Albemarle region are all connected to the ocean so we have some tide in our rivers. The tides are not as prevalent as other rivers like the James or Potomac rivers, but we do have tides. The water in our rivers is influenced by the wind more than the tide simply because the banks of our rivers are relatively low so when the water comes in it goes outward more than upward. When the wind blows out of the east it will push the water up into the sound and surrounding rivers. The opposite happens when it blows from the west. If anyone has ever fished the Oregon Inlet during a good wind you can see the water
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rushing through the opening. Most of our rivers get their water from that inlet. It is an amazing thing to witness. The
thing
about
moving
water is it makes the largemouth predictable and if you know how to read the water you can take
The thing about moving water is it makes the largemouth predictable and if you know how to
advantage of their predictability.
read the water you can
When the water is falling the fish
take advantage of their
will move to the edges of the flat and hold onto structure like
predictability.
laydowns and brush. The mouths of the creeks are a
how much the water is moving.
good spot to start then work your
One of my favorite techniques
way back into the creek until you
is to fish the mouths of creeks or
begin to get some action. It could be the first turn in the creek or a secondary point farther up the creek. When the water is moving into the rivers then you want to fish the shallow cover next to the bank. Flipping a soft plastic or throwing a square bill will bring a strike during these times. You have to imagine that the fish move up and down just like the water levels. The key spots are the breaks in the current like brush or log and the fish will position on the down current side. They use the breaks so that they can hang in the
inlets when the water is moving. You can tell the good structure by watching the water sweep past it and make an eddy so the fish will be positioned behind it waiting for the bait to come to them. Another pattern I like to use is simply pitching a soft plastic or square bill to every piece of stick or log you can see especially if it is a single structure with no others around. I put the trolling motor on high and power fish down the bank hitting everything I can see. I will throw it past the spot and knock it with the bait then reel it
off current and wait for the bait to
back fast and hit the next one till I
come to them.
get a strike. Once I do get a strike
This means you want to fish into
I will slow down and fish the area
the current and bring it back to you
more thoroughly because where
with the presentation. The current
there is one there is usually another.
doesn’t have to be hard because
So remember to always watch
our fish are used to smaller breaks
the water and use it to help find
but it still works the same no matter
the fish.
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HIGH SCHOOL
VOLLEY
Ball os b
Phot
82
ed ' Alfr
dre y An
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6
1 2
QUESTIONS WITH
CHIEF JUSTIN JACKSON
What led you to enter the law enforcement profession?
I had some friends that were in law enforcement. I did some ride alongs with them and I was hooked. I went to BLET at Pitt Community College in Augusts of 2004 and was hired by the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office in February 2005. I worked there until May of 2007 when I went to work for Vidant Company Police. I stayed there for about a year and went back to Bertie Sheriffs Office in 2008. While I was at the Sheriffs Office, I worked my way up to Corporal on patrol, then in 2012 I moved to the Windsor Police Department, where I’m currently the Chief of Police.
What made you want to become Chief of Police?
I was hired by Chief Rodney Hoggard at Windsor PD and started out as patrol officer before being moved up to shift supervisor. I enjoyed working patrol, but a detective position became available and I moved into that position to try something different. I was promoted to Lieutenant in 2014 by Chief Todd Lane, who had replaced Chief Hoggard in 2013 when the latter retired. I was then second in command, I took on more administrative duties and I found that I really enjoyed that. When Chief Lane announced his retirement, I decided to apply for the position. I felt like the guys respected me and we had a great department and what’s better than running the department of the town you grew up in?
3
Does it mean more to be Police Chief in the community in which you grew up?
I believe it means more because you’re from here, and you know everybody, so you have a stake in the town and you want the best for the people and the town.
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4 5 6
What do you think is the most dangerous thing facing law enforcement officers today? There are many dangers in law enforcement today, but I think what might be the most dangerous is the public doesn’t trust law enforcement like they used to. That means we have to work harder to gain that trust.
How much do you worry about the safety of the officers who report to you? I’m in charge of eight officers and law enforcement is a dangerous job because every situation is different. I worry about them because I’m responsible for them.
What would you say to those considering the profession of law enforcement? Law enforcement is a great career and it has been good to me. I would tell someone to do some ride alongs so they can see how law enforcement really is, because TV makes it look too easy.
Justin Jackson is a veteran Bertie County law enforcement officer who currently serves as Chief of Police in Windsor.
Photo by Andre’ Alfred 85 89
Grace & Truth
Israel’s Mother P astor Webb Hoggard
I
f I were to ask you who the most
of Judah, we get Caleb, who at eighty-five
when she died, she was laid to rest beside
influential women in the Bible were,
years old tells Joshua to grant him to conquer
Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah,
I bet the mother of the tribes of Israel
his hill, then wages war and wins. Caleb, a
and Jacob. Perhaps late in life, she enjoyed
would fall at least into the teens before being
man of profound faith and strength, would be
companionship with Jacob, and his heart was
referenced. You may be flaking on her name
wiped from the pages of history without his
warmed by her, for he chose not to be buried
right now.
several times’ great grandmother, Leah.
Do you remember the woman who was
Judah is also the line we find David, the
given by her father deceitfully because no one
greatest king of Israel. Judah is an ancestor
had asked for her hand? She is the woman
to the kings of Judah, including the King of
that lived every day with the reminder that
Kings and son of God, Jesus. Yes, Leah was the
her husband preferred her sister. And, if that’s
mother of the many-time great-grandfather
not weird enough, she and her sister married
of Jesus.
the same man.
Why do I belabor such thoughts?
beside Rachel, who was left in Bethlehem, but Leah, who now lies in a place of honor. Leah did her work in the shadows, but her children are famous in every corner of the earth. What if you were content to serve wherever you can, no matter the recognition by anyone? Who knows, maybe you could
Rachel, her sister, should have been her
Well, it seems that one of the most
change the world no matter how many things
best friend as sisters often are. Instead, she
prominent people in the word of God is
plague you or the lack of opportunity or
was her chief rival. Traded by her father and
someone we would almost immediately
appreciation you receive? I think the people
rejected by her husband, Leah is often a
forget. Is it that quietly faithful people are
who serve the unseen God are content to be
forgotten person in the story of Israel.
unimportant? I don’t know anyone who would
unseen themselves. They change the world.
Leah was the older of the two sisters. She
say this. I would say it was the unnoticed
Servants don’t seek the spotlight. Servants do
was an intelligent and nurturing mother who
millions that have formed most of our lives.
what is right when no one else sees it.
God gave fertility to be the mother to the
If I were to tell you of the hundreds of people
Maybe you are a Leah. You may feel
patriarchs who would be the tribes of Israel.
who made an impact on my life, you might
forgotten, unseen and unloved. God sees
only have heard of a handful. Does it lessen
you. Keep serving. While you were still sinning
Leah gave Jacob his first son. Leah served behind the scenes and had to barter for
their worth? I think not.
time with her husband. Rachel, forever the
So, if we know this to be the truth, then
heart’s fire for Jacob, died young, leaving the
there is great significance laid outside of
remainder of mothering for all his children
prominence. Why don’t we live more satisfied
to dejected Leah. The only mother Benjamin
in our obscurity? Can we become more faithful
ever knew was Leah.
despite the lack of fame? Andy Stanley says,
From Leah, we get Levi. So without Leah, there is no Moses. There are no ten commandments or covenant, no deliverance from Egypt, or the training up of Joshua for leadership to take the Promised Land. She is the one who births the lineage of all priests. From Leah, we get Judah. From the lineage
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“Your greatest accomplishment may not be something you do, but someone you raise.” Are you ok with that being your legacy? Leah was.
and in darkness, before you even knew you needed saving, Jesus decided to go to the cross for you. Though Jesus didn’t hide the act, his reasons for serving were. He died so we could live, even when we didn’t know we were dead. Keep serving. Remember, without Leah, there is no Savior either. You have no idea the worth of what you are doing. Leah didn’t either, but we do today. Keep serving.
Even after Rachel died, we do not see a
Pastor Emanuel Webb Hoggard is Pastor at
softening of the heart of Jacob. She continues
Askewville Assembly of God. He can be reached
to serve and nurture those children. But,
via email at pastorwebb@hotmail.com.
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County: Bertie Marker ID: A-7 Original Date Cast: 1936-P
MARKER TEXT
DAVID STONE Governor, 1808-10; U.S. Senator; Congressman. “Hope,” his home, stands 4 miles northwest.
MARK IT! Title To Begin Here
Rabore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam Information courtesy of the voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no
D
NC 308 (Sterlingworth Street) at US 13 Bypass in Windsor
avid Stone, a follower of Thomas Jefferson politically, was the builder of the now-restored “Hope” plantation near Windsor. Born in Bertie County on February 1, 1770, he was the only son of Zedekiah Stone and the former Elizabeth Hobson. Little is known of his early education, but in 1788 he graduated from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) with honors. Stone’s first wife was Hannah Turner of Bertie County, whom he married in 1793. She died in 1816; six of their eleven children reached adulthood. In 1817 he married Sarah Dashiell of Washington, D.C. Stone studied law under William R. Davie at Halifax and was admitted to the bar. He served as a Federalist at the Fayetteville convention of 1789 that ratified the federal Constitution, and was subsequently elected to the state House of Commons, where he represented Bertie County from 1790 to 1795. Following four years as a superior court judge, he was elected to the United States House of Representatives, where he served from 1799 to 1801. It was while in Congress that Stone switched his political affiliation from Federalist to Republican, supporting Thomas Jefferson for president in 1800. The following year he resigned from the House to accept a seat in the United States Senate. There he remained until 1807. In both chambers of Congress Stone generally supported Jeffersonian policies while still maintaining a high degree of political independence. Stone returned to North Carolina and to the
state judiciary in 1807, and on November 28th of the following year, was elected to the first of two terms as governor. As chief executive, he struggled to protect property owners from the land claims of Lord Granville’s heirs, encouraged broad-based education, and urged improvements in agriculture, transportation, and finance. It was during his second term as governor (1810) that the State Bank was chartered. Declining to stand for a third term, Stone ended his governorship in December of 1810 but returned to the state House of Commons in 1811 and 1812. During the latter year he was again elected to the United States Senate, where he served for two additional years. As senator, Stone’s persistent opposition to the War of 1812 provoked a resolution of censure from the North Carolina General Assembly, whose members supported the Madison administration and the War by a substantial margin. Stone vigorously defended his actions as based on principle, but in 1814 resigned his Senate seat and returned to North Carolina as a private citizen and gentleman planter. His landholdings were quite extensive, both through inheritance and acquisition, his principal plantation residences being “Hope” in Bertie County and “Restdale” near Raleigh. Renewing his earlier interest in internal improvements, he endeavored during his last years to improve navigation along the upper reaches of the Neuse River. Stone died at his Wake County plantation on October 7, 1818, and was buried there on the grounds. REFERENCES
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John A. Garraty and Mark C. Carnes, eds., American National Biography, XX (1999) Delbert H. Gilpatrick, Jeffersonian Democracy in North Carolina, 1789-1816 (1931) Richard W. Iobst, “Personal Life of David Stone” (unpublished research report, Department of Archives and History, 1967?) Sarah M. Lemmon, Frustrated Patriots: North Carolina and the War of 1812 (1973) Dumas Malone, ed., Dictionary of American Biography, XVIII (1936) William S. Powell, ed., Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, V, 457—sketch by Melonie Johnson Taylor Robert Sobel and John Raimo, eds., Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, III (1978) David Stone Papers, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh http://www.hopeplantation.org
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PARTING SHOTS Thadd White
A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself. - Joseph Campbell Because of external factors, this has been
heroes among us who are giving their all. The
multiple jurisdictions or the bridge keeper who
one of the most challenging magazines we’ve
truth is, we have now put together nearly 30
has to remain on his post through storms, we
put together since this staff took over back in
stories of heroes and we didn’t have to stretch
think these are stories you’ll enjoy reading.
October 2018. It, like it’s predecessor in May
to find them. Instead, we again had to trim our
of last year, has also been one of the most
list.
We are grateful to the men and women who made time to let us tell their stories and
Almost to a person this group – much like
we’re thankful for you who take the time to
We love telling the stories of our 14
the last – eschewed the “hero” label. They
read them. If you have a favorite among the
counties. It is among the most wonderful
instead shared what they are doing as part of
stories, don’t hesitate to reach out and contact
experiences we have in this profession. And
a group. They want their coworkers, comrades
us. We’ll be glad to hear from you.
there’s something very special about sharing
and friends recognized way more than they
the stories of our unsung heroes – the people
care about any individual honor.
rewarding.
who work hard every day and don’t get a lot of recognition for what they do. We promised in that edition we’d revisit this theme and share with you stories of other
We are grateful to the men and women who made time to let us tell their stories and we’re thankful for you who take the time to read them. 90
Next time we’ll revisit one of our other popular themes – the one which basically isn’t.
In a world often filled with people seeming
We’ll be back with a second version of “Our
to scream “look at me,” it is refreshing to find
Stories,” a gathering of things that just make
people so dedicated to sharing whatever
good stories in our 14 counties. We can’t wait
honor comes their way with others.
to share them with you.
There are certainly commonalities among
Until next time, remember… all who
this group – a love of others, a desire to be
wander are not lost. Continue joining us as we
helpful and a true passion for service – but
wander through Beaufort, Bertie, Edgecombe,
those don’t include race, color, creed or any
Gates, Greene, Halifax, Hertford, Hyde, Martin,
other common label. The folks highlighted
Nash, Northampton, Tyrrell, Washington and
within these pages are black, white, male,
Wilson counties.
female, older, younger and so many more
Thadd White is a father, an editor and a
variations. They are also what this magazine is
fan of everything from Chelsea Football Club
about – true Heroes Among Us.
to Napoleon Bonaparte. He is a longtime writer
Whether learning about the Fire Chief who
and is currently Editor of five Adams Publishing
has given five decades to Swan Quarter, the
Group properties, including the N.C. Press Award-
police officer who has worked tirelessly in
winning Eastern North Carolina Living.
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