Eastern North Carolina Living - October 2021

EASTERN

LIVING N O RT H

C A R O L I N A

Heroes among us

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4

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5

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

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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

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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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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

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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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“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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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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Thadd White Group Editor twhite@ncweeklies.com Leslie Beachboard Managing Editor lbeachboard@ncweeklies.com Andre’ Alfred Sports Staff Writer aalfred@ncweeklies.com Brandice Hoggard Staff Writer bhoggard@ncweeklies.com

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By Thadd BersWindsOR a firea with arrested con WhiTe WindsOR – Vidant Woodland a icle after . rm by possess and hours fisc ated Group earned Editor gunned tie Hosital has a felo ion woman was inn, alte of The skies Commission’s killer The JointRaLeiGh about Windsor ring/ down, her alleged – Four of Approval® were lit with Gold Seal all returnin Heart people, See chaR fireworks was beon Saturday, American g, have and the Ges, been July 3 as the LesLie appointed hind bars.

American A3 county celebrate BeachBOaRd / Bertie Ledger-Advance to the Bertie Association’s/ County Keith d Independ Association’s Board LesL of ence Day. r r i s Thadd WhiTe Stroke ie for tions.

Mo BeacElechBOa Heart-Check mark cOnTRiBuTed PhOTO Group Editor Hyman, Rd Ready The N.C. Mana ging Editor Acute Stroke State Board som age 44, of of Election Wind Certification.

Award recently. e WindsOR Hospital s met TuessOR Hero of Research – Filing sistencchange W i n d s o r started Hospiday may recognized with the – Bertie were to got s be Vidant appoint Cha to inco ies. associates quickly - Lewiston was locat- Keith Hyman rigorThe Perdue member Gre The acom ing.fournge ns Tho g Then went Friday. tal underwent to Ber allon 100 Com s review ed and arcount silent on mps Ada virtual missiontie Cou Monday. ous, Adams on, Pricms, presboards of rested near a residence the elecDuring tions. nty ers of 11-12. ente March on Thursday & Co., e, Sco in Windsor Three people – were a look LesLie JointdCommisBeachBOa tt, the Inpres enta the P.A., Rd Bertie visit, all County, night. current or prospec audit things atManaging gave som evaluatedthe al yeation twofisc in reviewer sion tive current for is charged of ered the aud e Editor Hymanleaders r that in Windso related Republithe e 30, with canJun . it disc the compliance r – filed for night ended daymember WindsOR 202 the Wednesday sstandards The election ov.

0were appoint recertification on Mon tota – Indepen 34-year-old soon of it Ber Day murderafter dence The ed afordedicated opened another tie wasl reve term.

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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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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

CSIC is a multi-ethnic, multi-generational body of believers whose vision is to love all people, win them to Christ, build them in discipleship, and send them out to fulfill their divine destiny!

903 S. Catherine Creek Rd • Ahoskie, NC (252) 332-6113 www.csicministries.com

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

83

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.

84 88

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.

LET YOUR BRAND BE HEARD You work hard to make your business work and we work to make sure your business gets the attention it deserves!

MAGIC 95.9 (252) 793-9995 WWW.MAGIC959ONLINE.COM

Call us today to learn more about how we can go to work for you

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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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ROANOKE RAPIDS

298 N. FIFTH ST.

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AYDEN

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236 3RD ST.

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EDENTON

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1875 WEST CITY DR.

336 E. MAIN ST.

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GATESVILLE

PINETOPS

203 MAIN ST.

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GREENVILLE

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