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Summer/Fall 2019
Ayden Magazine
contents 6
Bear Baldree
10
Farmer Funeral Service
14
Charger Club
20
Paul Cornwell
24
CTE
28
Elite Mechanical
STAFF
ON THE COVER
Justin Sutton of Elite Mechanical prepares an opening for ductwork to be installed.
ANGELA HARNE
p h o to by D o n n a M a r i e Wi l l i am s cover ar t by J o s h u a Wal to n
GROUP EDITOR & PUBLISHER
BRENDA MONTY STAFF WRITER
AMBER REVELS-STOCKS
Ayden
STAFF WRITER
DONNA MARIE WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
TOM LITTLE
ADVERTISING REP
BECKY WETHERINGTON
VOL 16 NO. 1 — SUMMER/FALL 2019
LAYOUT & DESIGN
AYDEN © is published biannually by The Times-Leader newspaper. Contents are the property of this newspaper and the town of Ayde n a nd m a y not b e reproduced w ithout cons ent of the publisher. To ad v e rt ise in t his p ub lica t ion pleas e contact The Times- Leader at 252- 7 46- 6261. Ayden Magazine
Summer/Fall 2019
5
MARVIN C. “BEAR” BALDREE JR.
Ayden’s highest hero
community proud of service to
B Y A M B E R R E V E L S -S T O C K S
A
yden’s Highest Hero is
and on more boards than he
a coveted award given
cared to name.
to a current or former
resident who has taken their skills and maximized their
“Whatever success I’ve had,
talents while never forgetting
she helped me to it,” he said.
about where they came from.
“She’s the strongest person I
Marvin C. “Bear” Baldree Jr. fits that definition. Born
know. She’s been through so much, but she’s still here.”
in 1930, Baldree has lived in
They were married in May
Ayden his whole life except for
1951, just after Baldree joined
a four-year stint in the U.S. Air
the Air Force.
Force. He served eight years on the
“Sarah Greenville,
was but
born her
in
family
Ayden Board of Commissioners
moved to Texas when she was
and served as mayor from 1985
16. She stayed there about
to 1995. He worked as a general
a year before she wanted to
insurance agent for more than
come back and finish high
40 years. He is a member of
school,” Baldree said.
Ayden Christian Church, where
Sarah added, “I went to
he has served as chairman of
Greenville High School, not
the board, president of the
Rose.”
Christian Men’s Fellowship, an
6
And he did it all with his wife, Sarah.
Sarah’s
aunt
and
uncle
elder, a deacon and a trustee.
lived in Ayden, so she stayed
He still teaches Sunday School.
with them while finishing high
He’s been a member of the
school. Baldree met her then,
Jaycees and the Salvation Army
but they didn’t get closer until
Summer/Fall 2019
Ayden Magazine
Marvin C. Baldree and his wife of 68 years, Sarah Baldree. they were both in college at East Carolina University.
grandchildren. “A lot of young people get divorced or
“We had a pool of day students that
separated because they don’t know how to
rode to the college together. She was
work through problems. A problem comes
riding in the pool, and that’s when we
by, and they just throw their hands up.
really got to know each other,” Baldree
We’ve had to work through a lot of things,”
said.
Baldree said. “When I was in the service, we lived in a house that didn’t have indoor
“
You get more reward out of service than the folks you’re serving do. Serving other people, I feel like I get a lot out of that. East
Carolina
”
University
to that. She didn’t throw her hands up and
Jaycee Distinguished Service Award
•
Past Pres. Ayden Chamber Of Commerce
•
She stuck it out with me. “We’ve
always
worked
through
problems. If there’s a problem, we solve it. So many people can’t do that. They may love one another, but when something comes along and happens, they can’t handle it.” Sarah added, “We try to tell each other ‘I love you’ every day. He kisses me good
•
East Care Committee •
a couple. Sarah was a majorette in the
the street I live on now,” he said. “The first
Marching Pirates; now, the Baldrees try to
place I remember anything was a farm
attend as many home games as they can.
that is now the district park (on Jolly Road).
“Our first date, we went to a baseball
When I was about six, we moved out to the east of Ayden, off 102, and lived there until I was about 14-15 (years old).”
anniversary in May 2019 with their
He graduated from Ayden High School
three children, grandchildren and great-
in 1948. He started at East Carolina
Pitt Co. Memorial Hospital Foundation Board
•
Pitt Co. Education Foundation
•
Chairman Ayden School Advisotry Committee
•
Ayden Rescue Squad
•
Past Vice Pres. N.C. Jaycees
•
Ayden Collard Festival (Parade Committee Chairman 2 years)
•
Ayden Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade Chairman
•
Twice Pres. of Indepdent Insurance Agents of Pitt Co.
After his family, the thing Baldree is resident his whole life.
Board Of Trustee Pitt Co. Memorial Hospital Chairman Ambulance And
night every night. He kisses me when we wake up in the morning.”
Twice Pres. & Charter Member, Ayden Gold & Country Club
go, ‘I’m not living under these conditions.’
“I was born near about the other end of
The couple celebrated their 68th
•
up on a farm, but she had never been used
instrumental in their formative years as
game at the college,” Sarah remembers.
East Carolina University - BS Degree
plumbing. I was used to it because I grew
most proud of is having been an Ayden was
•
•
Charter Coach of Ayden Little League Baseball Program
•
Scoutmaster
•
Past Pres. Kiwanis Club
•
U.S. Air Force - 4 years
•
General Insurance - 45 years
•
Town Commissioner - 4 years
•
Mayor - 10 years
•
Chairman - Salvation Army Board
•
Member Ayden Arts & Historical Society
Ayden Magazine
Summer/Fall 2019
7
University that year, but took a break upon
into the Jaycees),” she said. “We did things
joining the service in 1951. After being
together. Whatever he did, I did too. I used
discharged, he returned home and finished
to belong to several bridge clubs, and he
his education.
belonged to them, too. If you want to do it,
He’s lived in Ayden ever since.
you’ll make time.”
“A friend of mine owned an insurance
Baldree said, “We were also fortunate
agency, and he asked me to join. I was in the
my parents lived here and helped us with
insurance business for 45 years,” Baldree said.
the children quite a bit. … I’ve always been
During his time as a business owner,
fortunate to have support from my family
Baldree made sure to serve his community,
and the community.”
including as a member of the Jaycees, a
Baldree served the town of Ayden as
leadership training and civic organization.
an elected official for more than 14 years,
He’s also served on the board of trustees for
serving 10 years as mayor.
Pitt County Memorial Hospital — now Vidant
“I wanted to serve my town,” he
Medical Center, the Pitt County Education
said. “I’ve always worked for a clean
Foundation, the Ayden School Advisory
community. It’s also been one of my
Committee,
priorities. I was probably most proud
the
Independent
Insurance
Agents of Pitt County, the Kiwanis Club and the Salvation Army. “You get more reward out of service than the folks you’re serving do. Serving other people, I feel like I get a lot out of that,” he said. “I don’t know how Sarah put up with me because I was gone so much, especially at night when we had a lot of meetings.” Baldree also served as a high school sports official, meaning he was gone every Friday night during football season for approximately 20 years. Sarah dealt with it by getting involved in his activities. “When he was in the Jaycees, I became a charter member of the Jayceettes (an allwomen version, which has now been folded
of representing the town in a manner I thought the citizens would want to be represented. I always promoted the community while trying to find ways to improve it.” Baldree still tries to serve the town, going before the board of commissioners to inform them of important needs in his neighborhood. This is part of why the Ayden Chamber of Commerce wanted to honor him as Ayden’s Highest Hero. “During his lifetime, Baldree has not only been proud to call Ayden his home, he has actually carried that pride in his hip pocket while performing countless acts in private, public, civic and religious life,” said Linda Weathersby, the chairwoman of the Highest Hero committee. “In all his travels across North Carolina, Baldree has always carried the good name of Ayden with him steadfastly and proudly in every area of his life.” Ayden Mayor Steve Tripp thanks
served as a mentor to me. Recently, I was
Baldree for being his mentor when he was
asked a question about who was the most
younger.
important person to me,” he said. “I was
“The real reason I was interested in
very quickly able to answer that question.
being in public service is the role model
Both Granddaddy and Grandma have been
he played in my young life,” Tripp said.
pillars in my life, and I appreciate that this
“I grew up watching him perform his
community of individuals who know both of
duties to the town.”
them has honored Granddaddy.
Baldree has also served as a lifelong mentor to his grandson, Marc Whichard. “All through out my life he has
8
Summer/Fall 2019
“Granddaddy often says the greatest gift of mankind is service to one’s community.” And Baldree has spent his life trying to prove that.
Ayden Magazine
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Ayden Magazine
Summer/Fall 2019
9
Farmer
Funeral Service I
BY ANGELA HARNE
t provides comfort to families in the toughest time of their lives with respect, dignity and care.
Farmer Funeral Service has been serving the community for more
than 100 years — 101 years, to be exact. The Taylor family started the funeral service in 1918 in downtown
Ayden on the corner of Pitt and Third streets. In the 1940s, the Britt and Farmer families purchased it. Jerry Britt owned two-thirds and Jimmy Farmer owned a third. Britt died in 1961, and his grandson maintained ownership until 1966. When he left the industry, Farmer gained sole ownership. Farmer Funeral Service staff members (L-R) funeral assistant Ricky Rouse, funeral director Andrew W. Teresak II, funeral director emeritus Carlton Ray Rouse and funeral director Stacey Frable strive to “treat people how you would want to be treated.”
10
In 1969, Farmer Funeral Service moved to its current location on Second Street. The original structure was destroyed March 28, 1984, by a tornado. The tornado swept across the building around 8:30 p.m.
Summer/Fall 2019
Ayden Magazine
— the typical time of a visitation.
systems and cellphones allowed Farmer
“They were fortunate there was no
Funeral Service to change its way of business,
visitation that evening,” said funeral director
too, where night attendants are no longer
Stacey Frable.
needed.
The structure was rebuilt in the same location, where it continues to stand today.
Rouse entered a career in funeral service on a whim. He was working in Dupont in
Carlton Ray Rouse joined the staff in 1962.
Richmond, Va., but his girlfriend lived in
He retired in 2014, but still works at the funeral
Greenville, so he opted to return to Pitt
home in a part-time capacity.
County.
“I’m a funeral director emeritus of sorts,”
“Jimmy Farmer knew me, and asked me if I
Rouse said with a smile. “This industry is
was interested in a job. I liked it and pursued a
service oriented. We deal with people at the
career,” Rouse said.
worst time in their life. It is a stressful time in their life, and we must be sensitive to that. We
He completed a two-year apprenticeship and went to embalming school in Cincinnati.
are helping them through their most difficult
The death of Frable’s grandmother sparked
time, and most of the people don’t forget
her interest in the field. Frable was studying
that.”
biology at the time. Her grandmother
Rouse grew up afraid of death, but when he
lived with her and her parents. They had a
entered the industry he knew he would have
morning routine, where Frable would do her
to overcome his fear.
grandmother’s hair and makeup.
“When I first started in the business, we only had landlines, so someone had to stay here 24/7,” Rouse said. Frable added, “We had a night attendant to watch over the bodies and answer the phones.”
“I didn’t realize it at the time, but it changed me,” she said. Frable went to the funeral home and did her grandmother’s make-up. The preparation
Day 2 on the job, Rouse received a death call, and was assigned to stay overnight with the body.
came with ease and she was not scared, she said. Two months later, she enrolled in a
“That took some getting used to. It worked out OK,” he said. The evolvement of technology soon gave way to pagers and mobile bag phones. The introduction of security systems, answering
“
When her grandmother died, she asked to prepare her grandmother’s makeup.
mortuary class and went on to earn an associate’s degree in applied science in funeral service. She is a licensed funeral director and embalmer. She moved to eastern North Carolina in
Our goal is to serve the family in the
capacity they want, whether a service is here at the funeral home, gym, tennis court, etc. — we advocate for them.
”
—Stacey Frable, Farmer Funeral Service Funeral director
Ayden Magazine
Summer/Fall 2019
11
2003 and met Jimmy Farmer.
Whether
“He was a staple in the community,” Frable said.
traditional
burial
or
cremation, Farmer Funeral Service stands behind its philosophy to “treat people
She worked for him part-time and worked her way up the ladder. Today, she is Farmer Funeral Service’s manager. The funeral service industry has evolved. Before
a
how you would want to be treated.” “Our goal is to serve the family in the capacity they want, whether a service is here at the funeral home, gym, tennis court, etc. — we advocate for them,”
the
‘60s,
funeral
home
personnel would go to the family’s home
Frable said. “We are grateful to the Ayden and surrounding community.”
to host visitations. In the 1960s, families
The community’s continued support
started hosting visitations at funeral
aided in the funeral home’s 100-plus
homes, and chapels were added, Rouse
years of service.
said.
“If you do something this long, you’ve
“When my granddaddy died, the service was held on the front porch of his home and then we went to the cemetery. It used to be as soon as a person died, the
got to say you’ve been successful,” Rouse said. Frable added, “And it is because of the good people in our community.”
body was prepared and the visitation
In the late ‘80s, the Farmer family
started at the home. Now there are set
sold the business to Ken Poe, who still
visitation hours — typically 7-9 p.m.,”
owns the business today.
Rouse said. Bodies
“Ken kept the name Farmer Funeral manually.
Service for business purposes. Everyone
Today, machines are used to complete
knew Jimmy Farmer. He was a nice guy.
the preparation.
The service went on, even without all the
were
prepared
“Records were kept by hand, now it is all on the computer,” Frable said. Farmer Funeral Service has its original ledgers, which include the deceased’s name, services provided and a total cost. Records from 1929 show funeral service costs ranging from $18 to $230.
money in hand,” Rouse said. Frable added, “Jimmy Farmer did business with a handshake and pay when you can.” Farmer
Funeral
Service
provides
traditional burials, cremations, chapel services and visitations with its staff
“This one was $1,000. It must have
comprised of Frable, Rouse, Poe, funeral
been a nice funeral,” Frable said as she
director Andrew W. Teresak II and funeral
flipped through the records.
assistants Ricky Rouse and Raymond
Today, a funeral service averages $9,000 to $11,000. With the rising cost in funeral services, Rouse has seen an uptick in cremations.
Smithson. The
6,400-square-foot
facility
features a chapel, which seats 140, two visitation rooms, a private family room,
“In 1962, when I started in the
arrangements office, body preparation
business, the closest cremation services
room and a selection room of caskets,
were in Durham. It was 25 years before
vaults and urns.
the first one (opened closer to Ayden).
Farmer Funeral Service is located
Now there are one to two in every town.
at 109 Second St., Ayden. For more
Economics is a big thing,” Rouse said.
information, call 252-746-3510.
12
Farmer Funeral Service once stood in downtown Ayden. The 100-plus year old funeral home has records that date back to the 1920s.
Summer/Fall 2019
Ayden Magazine
SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES
For more information about joining or visiting, please contact Paul Russell at 252-413-7679 or Mitchell Oakley at 252-746-6487. The Kiwanis Club of Ayden-Grifton meets at Bum’s Restaurant every Monday (except holidays and 5th Mondays) at 6:00pm.
Good Health Starts with a Healthy Smile.
Ned H. Craft, DDS FAMILY DENTISTRY
aydendentalcare.com Ayden Magazine
Summer/Fall 2019
13
Ayden-Grifton Charger Club Inc. BY DONNA MARIE WILLIAMS
E
Members of the Ayden-Grifton Charger Club serve food to the community at a fundraising event held at Elm Grove Original Free Will Baptist Church.
14
Summer/Fall 2019
stablished in 1971, the Ayden-Grifton Charger Club Inc. was created during a time of change in the towns of Ayden and
Grifton. Ayden and Grifton experienced a slew of changes following integration, including a consolidation of high schools. Ayden-Grifton High School was the result of the consolidation of Ayden, South Ayden and Grifton high schools, which opened its doors in the August 1971. To help ease consolidation efforts, the Pitt County Board of Education formed a consolidation committee. An athletic subcommittee was soon formed with a specific goal of making recommendations that would promote a solid athletic program at Ayden-Grifton High School. Prior to the consolidation, Mitchell Oakley was the president of Ayden High School Tornado Booster Club, and Rodger Davenport was the president of the Grifton High School Bulldogs Booster Club. Both were appointed to the subcommittee, along with several other community members representing the three high schools. “There were a lot of people on the subcommittee that participated in a lot of different ways,” Oakley said. “We discussed and made recommendations about the type of sports to be offered, the number of coaches needed, and supplement compensations for each sport coached, either as a head coach or
Ayden Magazine
assistant coach.” Among other things, Davenport and Oakley wrote the by-laws for a new booster club that eventually became the AydenGrifton Charger Club Inc. With help from the school board’s attorney, the Ayden-Grifton Charger Club Inc. was incorporated July 27, 1971. The Charger Club, as it is commonly called, initially began as a way for parents, volunteers and other community members to raise funding to help support the school’s athletic program, including various construction projects. When the school was formed, the school lacked a baseball field, a softball field, a press box for the football field, goal posts for the football field, football and baseball concession stands and a track. The football field had to be reworked and reseeded. With a mission in hand, the Charger Club members worked tirelessly to help raise the funding needed to erect the baseball field, dugouts, concession stand and press box from scratch. The club was also able to garner enough funds to help erect the first press box located on top of the football bleachers and a football concession stand. “The press box was a small, quickly constructed plywood facility that served as space for an announcer and clock keeper in football,” Oakley said. “Fans on the bleachers were able to stand up and see directly into the press box. The press box then was nothing like the facility that is there today.” Goalposts were also needed. The late Gene Coley, a Charger Club member, welded
together the goalposts that remain on the field at Ayden-Grifton today. Within a period of six or seven years, the Charger Club was involved in constructing the existing field house. Coley was instrumental in getting that project done, Oakley noted. The booster club received some funding from the sale of three properties the county owned in the two towns, he added. Oakley remembers one worrisome issue that first season. The lights the county installed on the football field had major problems. “They would light up, work for a few minutes, then go out,” Oakley said. “No one would do anything about it. Finally, Charger Club president Harold Rose got in touch with the top executive with Westinghouse. Once he got involved, the lights were eventually repaired.” Years later, the booster club and school collaborated to have an irrigation system installed under the three ball fields. “Football Coach B.T. Chappell was the leader of this project,” Oakley said. “He had installed a system when he was coaching at Ayden Middle School. He possessed the expertise and was instrumental in bringing the project to fruition.” The football field system was installed first, a year or two later the baseball and softball fields were added to the system, Oakley said. “This project helped the coaches by having water readily available instead of having to move irrigation systems by hand and use a water hose,” Oakley said. “Principal Bill Wiggins had a lot to do with using some school athletic funds to get the irrigation project funded.” The women’s softball field was once
Ayden-Grifton Charger Club members (L-R) president Stephanie Goodwin, vice president Lisa Lancaster, secretary Emelia Gordon and treasurer Wayland Sumerlin stand in front of a concession stand club members built.
Ayden Magazine
Summer/Fall 2019
Lisa Lancaster, the vice president of the Ayden-Grifton Charger Club, serves cold beverages during a home baseball game. located down by the gate to Littlefield Road. “The players had to play uphill toward the field house,” Oakley said. “It was not easy to play uphill.” Claude Kennedy, the assistant principal at Ayden-Grifton at the time, is credited for getting the work started to get the softball field turned around and level in the early ‘90s. “A group of volunteers, essentially outside
“
We fill the gaps between
”
where the county (funding) stops and what the kids need.
—Stephanie Goodwin, preSident of the ayden-Grifton CharGer Club the booster club, helped get the field built along with the dugouts and some storage,” Oakley said, “Some $16,000 was raised from the communities to put lights on the field. It was the first lighted women’s softball field in the county school system at the time.” Forty-eight years later, the Charger Club still strives to help fill the financial gaps in the athletic departments at Ayden-Grifton High School. “We fill the gaps between where the county (funding) stops and what the kids need,” said Stepahnie Goodwin, the president of the Ayden-Grifton Charger Club. Charger Club treasurer Wayland Sumerlin added, “We’re the fundraising arm.” Not wanting the student athletes at AydenGrifton to lack any items necessary, the club has shifted from its original intent of helping to create infrastructure to meeting any need
15
that may arise. “Our big support is we fund all of the uniforms for the athletes and some of the equipment needs,” said club secretary Emelia Gordon. The Charger Club also helps set student athletes up for success by providing the funding for a Hudl subscription. Hudl is “a mechanism used by coaches and athletes to record athletic accomplishments,” Sumerlin explained. “Those athletes can take those films and show it to colleges they want to go to,” he said. The Club does much more than fund uniforms. “We buy things coaches need and/or want. We’re pretty much their backbone,” said Charger Club vice president Lisa Lancaster. Goodwin added, “We call them wish list items. Once a year, the coaches are asked to submit their request. We try to equally consider each request across the board.” The club has helped provide basketball nets, training equipment and other needed items. “Two years ago, we did get a track kit, which included something for their long jump, which was about $10,000. It had been 15 years since it had been updated,” Goodwin said. Praising the successful seasons, the club also funds the conference title banners that hang proudly in the school’s gymnasium. “Anytime there is a championship banner, we purchase that banner that hangs in the gym. We fund all trophies and awards for fall, winter and spring sports,” Goodwin said. During the post season, the club provides meals for traveling athletes. The club also sponsors two students to attend Student Athlete Summer Institution summer camp program. As a nonprofit, the club’s main source
of revenue comes from donations, fundraisers and concession sales. “The way we’re able to do this is primarily through the concessions,” Goodwin said. The Charger Club offers several fundraisers throughout the year, Ayden-Grifton Senior Ashley Hood hands a bag of including an advertising drive for the fall popcorn to a customer during a home baseball game. football program. “This year, we started what we hope by a passion Club’s members possess — the will become an annual event. We had the passion to help the students. inaugural Ayden-Grifton Chicken plate sale. We “The people who started the organization raised a little over $3,000. We partnered with and the people who are here now, the reason we Elm Grove (Original Free Will Baptist Church,) all keep showing up is for the kids,” Goodwin said. and Piggly Wiggly (of Ayden) helped us with the Lancaster added, “We care about these kids. chicken. Elm Grove helped us with everything We think about this every day and we try to else,” Goodwin said. make a positive change.” Other fundraisers include an annual 50/50 Club members know they make a difference. raffle during football and basketball games and “I believe without the support of this group, a basketball shootout, where participants pay $1 there are many kids who would not be able to to compete. Participants make three shots — a participate in these sports just because they free throw, 3-pointer and a shot at half court. could not purchase a uniform,” Goodwin said. The winner of the shootout receives half of the Sumerlin added, “We definitely reduce the proceeds raised for the shootout. burden. If we didn’t do everything we do, it would “It’s a way to try and get spirit up and get fall back to the students and their parents. You people involved,” Lancaster said, adding it is lots ask a parent to pay $300 for a uniform; they just of fun. The Charger Club consists solely of can’t do it. Some of the sports wouldn’t be here.” Gordon said, “The schools would have to volunteers. Volunteers include past and present figure out how to pay for it.” parents or family members of student athletes, Helping to set the stage for students to be former parents or family members of student athletes, and community members who seek to successful in sports also plays a part in setting students up for success. make a difference in their community. “It makes a difference in their academics. You “We can’t do any of it without volunteers. Parents, the community, grandparents, aunts, have to pass to remain on the team,” Lancaster uncles or just anybody interested in supporting said. Sumerlin added, “It’s a little structure or a student athlete is welcome,” Goodwin said. The achievements the Charger Club has guidance. If you want to play, you have to keep experienced throughout the years are driven your GPA up.” Goodwin said, “I do believe, in a school of this size and this geographical area, that students having access to athletics keeps them out of trouble.” Along with equipment and uniforms, the club works to promote camaraderie between the athletic programs offered at the school. “We feel a little bit of comradely when we come together,” Gordon said. Sumerlin added, “It’s fun to be around the kids.” For more information about the AydenGrifton Charger Club or to become a member, email Goodwin at chargermom1752@gmail. com, call Lancaster at 252-714-9775 or search Ayden-Grifton High School students (L-R) Clayton Shaver, Trevor Gray, Dylan Bucaklew, Caleb Daugherty and Matthew Roth show off their uniforms supplied by the Ayden-Grifton Charger Club. “Ayden-Grifton Charger Club” on Facebook.
16
Summer/Fall 2019
Ayden Magazine
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Ayden Magazine
Summer/Fall 2019
19
THE
THE
IS IN
An Exclusive with:
Ayden-Grifton’s
Paul
CORNWELL BY JAKE KEATOR Ayden-Grifton High School is home to plenty of proud traditions and a history of success.
A former football player himself, Cornwell graduated from A-G just
Founded in 1972, the school
before the arrival of legendary
serves as the halfway point between
football coach B.T. Chappell, who
two
small,
but
highly
unique
communities. It is also the place to be every Friday night, when the Chargers football don their signature green uniforms and take the football field prepared to battle anyone who lines up across from them.
20
his time as a student and coach.
held the longtime record for most wins by a Chargers football coach at 120 wins. That all changed on October 5, 2018, when Cornwell surpassed Chappell with 121 wins after defeating
Leading the charge is longtime
2-A Eastern Carolina Conference foe
football coach and athletic director
Washington, High School 24-15.
Paul Cornwell, a man who holds
Today, he stands at 124 wins entering
plenty of personal memories from
the 2019-20 season.
Summer/Fall 2019
Ayden Magazine
“I only knew (of the accomplishment) because the media had kept up with it and told me,” Cornwell said. “I hadn’t really kept up with it, so I didn’t know what Coach Chappell’s record was. I knew about where mine was because I had to do the East/West game a couple years prior, and they had to have a record count.” Following the victory, Cornwell told the media that the record was, “one of those things I’ll enjoy when I retire.” A testament to his unwavering dedication
I HOPE MY LEGACY IS THAT I HELP OUR PLAYERS BECOME BETTER CITIZENS, GOOD PEOPLE, GOOD HUSBANDS AND FATHERS, AND BE EVERYTHING THEY CAN BE. THAT’S WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT.
to the program he has long been a part
- Paul Cornwell
of. “At the time, it was one of those things where I was more worried about getting the win,” Cornwell said. “We were trying to build our season. It was one of those things where you don’t think about it as much at the time, and down the road, when your career is over, you’ll think about it more. It means a lot, but at the moment it wasn’t as big a deal, but the more you move forward the bigger it gets.” Cornwell’s Chargers finished the 2018-19 season 7-5 overall, going 4-2 in the 2-A Eastern Carolina Conference.
The team fell in the first round of the 2-A
and a standing appointment at Elm
State Playoffs, losing to Kinston High
Grove Original Free Will Baptist Church
School, 13-7, on the first play of overtime.
prior to kickoff.
“Of those five losses, we led three
“We’ve been going there for pre-
of them in the fourth quarter,” Cornwell
game meals for about 12 years now,”
said. “We had taken a step forward from
Cornwell said. “They have taken care of
where we were the year before. I thought
us pretty much every game, no matter
the kids played hard, but I thought we ran
if it’s home or away in that time period.
out of gas at the end of some of those
I think that’s something that is a pretty
games.”
good ritual for us.
Heart is certainly not something
“Going into the game, we used to
lacking at Ayden-Grifton and neither is
have a saying, ‘The hay is in the barn.’
motivation. The team has a set routine
You’ve put in your work through the week, Monday through Thursday. You’re stacking the hay, you’re putting in the work. By Friday the hay is in the barn; you’ve either done everything it’s going to take and now you’re ready to play or you’re not.” The mantra, based on hard work and the slow, farming lifestyle Ayden embodies, can also be seen in the atmosphere of the Chargers football stadium week after week. Fans fill the stands, some coming to watch their alma mater from years ago. Others are slightly younger, as former players line the fences with their families and friends to watch the newest group take the field, a sight Cornwell prides himself and his legacy on.
Ayden Magazine
Summer/Fall 2019
21
“I hope my legacy is that I help our players become better citizens, good
Thompson and Vito Boyd. The large junior class holds plenty of talent.
people, good husbands and fathers,
“We really like the group we got,”
and be everything they can be. That’s
Cornwell said. “Not only as players,
what it’s all about. I love football. This
but they are a good group of kids, and
game has been really good to me, but
that’s a trend that has carried over
I’ve got so much more out of this as a
from last year. I thought our senior
coach than I did as a player. As you get
class was just a really good group of
older, the wins are fun, the losses are
people. I know they’re all going to be
tough as always, but the big picture is
very successful in life because they are
the kids, and what did you do to help
good character, high work ethic kids,
them.”
and I think they set a pretty good pace
The Chargers will look to improve
The town of Ayden has been
to add to its long standing appointment
referred to as, “the best kept secret in
with the postseason, as it has been a
Pitt County,” and it’s no surprise.
participant for 18 consecutive seasons.
Many in the community
in the fall, as Cornwell leads AydenGrifton onto the field.
are lifelong residents,
last season, which saw the arrival of
creating a family-
several breakout players, particularly
like atmosphere.
in a very important position, running
“Everyone
back, as Michael Webb, Kevin Boomer
knows everyone
and J.C. Darden all saw breakout
here,” Cornwell
games.
said.
Longtime leader Ray Darden was
That family will reunite once again
for these guys.”
once again next season and continue
New faces will emerge, much like
It’s like one big family.”
“The
students all know
the workhorse for the Chargers in his
one another; all the
final season, but with his graduation,
teachers know one another.
along with several other important seniors such as Blake McLawhorn and Aaron Pasour, new names will join the honored fraternity of becoming captains. Ray’s younger brother J.C., Webb, Tyler Brown and Casper Magrain were selected by their teammates in the spring to become the next group of leaders. “It’s a really good group of kids,” Cornwell said. “It’s not a big group of seniors.” Cornwell will also look to other returning players with experience for leadership, such as Keshawn Best, Ben
22
Summer/Fall 2019
Ayden Magazine
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Summer/Fall 2019
23
Ay den - Grif ton
leads the way
L A C I N TECH N O I T A EDUC
Pitt County Schools is working hard to make sure all of its students are career and college ready. The best place to see that is in Ayden-Grifton High School’s Career and Technical Education or CTE partnerships.
BY AMBER REVELS-STOCKS
24
Summer/Fall 2019
Ayden Magazine
TECH ACADEMY Ayden-Grifton
served
three more semesters to have as
part of the pilot program for Pitt Community College Technical Academy. Forty Pitt County Schools students will be able to take morning classes in industrial systems technology, computer integrated machining or CIM, welding or air conditioning, heating
and
refrigeration
technology or HVAC starting August 2019. Students will be able to enroll in a four-semester program in one of the four areas. They will not pay tuition for the college courses and
her certificate. Tech Academy hopes to introduce students to fields that will be heavily recruiting in the next few years, according to Keith Drury, the HVAC department chairman. “(Students) don’t realize that for every 10 guys in my age group who are getting ready to retire, there’s only three young people getting ready to come into the field. There’s a huge shortage of people in the trades,” he said. That is due to a lack of
transportation will be provided
awareness,
by Pitt County Schools.
Keith Kinlaw, the welding and
The academy started with just 20 students from AydenGrifton and South Central high
according
to
computer integrated machining department chairman. “This is an area with lots of good paying jobs available, but
schools in CIM and HVAC. Ayden-Grifton juniors Lexi
we don’t have a lot of students
Bryant and Garth Connell are
coming into school for it,” he
part of the HVAC pilot program.
said. “Most of it is just a lack of
“The best part is when they
awareness. They don’t know
compare us to the second year students who are actually in
what these jobs are.” Drury
added,
“The
high
college. Being told we’re just as
school students I’ve got (in the
good as they are is fantastic,”
pilot program) had no idea what
Connell
teacher
we did here at Pitt Community
(Keith Drury) makes sure we
College. They’d come to class
do everything right. If it’s not
and say, ‘Wow, I had no idea I
perfect, he makes us redo it.
could do this here.’ You get them
He’s not easy on us just because
in there and put tools in front
we’re high school students.”
of them, and they just love this
Bryant
said.
“Our
is
interested
in
stuff.”
business,
Kinlaw hopes to see the
Exploring HVAC as a high school
Technical Academy continue to
student is helping her prepare
grow to fulfill the community’s
for that.
needs.
running
her
own
“I can get a head start. I don’t
“I would like to see enough
have to wait until I graduate to
students in our area where we
try it out and see if I like it,” she
can fulfill the demands of local
said.
industry,” he said. “We find
When she finishes the four-
that the stronger our programs
semester Technical Academy
are at the community college
program May 2020, Bryant
level, the stronger our industry
will only have to attend Pitt for
partners are in Pitt County.”
Ayden Magazine
Summer/Fall 2019
25
HEALTH SCIENCES Ayden-Grifton High School also offers options for students who hope to go into the health sciences fields, including certified nurse aide and pharmacy technician programs. These programs, which are offered countywide, give students the chance to graduate high school with a state certification that will allow them to begin working immediately, according to health sciences educator Cheryl Harris. “In the spring, I have up to 10 students in the (nurse aide) class. They learn a variety of healthcare skills and are competent in those skills and the knowledge behind that before we enter a nursing home,” she said. “We are going to a nursing home where they’ll gain 40 hours of long-term nursing home experience. This is not shadowing. This is hands-on, touching people and caring for patients.” Once the students have completed the hands-on experience, they can take an exam administered by Pearson-Vue. The exam consists of a practice test and a written examination. If the students pass both sections, they can become a certified nurse aide before leaving high school. “They are learning healthcare skills that help the residents with their hygiene, their ambulation, their nutrition, their elimination. They are not able to pass medications or do sterile procedures or supervise people,” Harris said. “The students are the
26
people who are direct caregivers. They’re the people who are helping them out of bed in the morning, helping them take a bath or a shower, ambulating them down the hall, making sure they get down to their activities.” Most of her students use the certified nurse aide program as a stepping stone to more education. “For them, it looks really good to get into programs. Many of the students want to go on to become a nurse so they start off with this. Some of them want to go to Pitt and do their nursing program, but they might need some money to help them out. This gives them the opportunity to actually have a job that passes fairly well and is in the field they’re interested in,” she said. However, the students can all easily find jobs straight out of high school at nursing homes or longterm rehabilitation centers. “A student here can leave this high school with the ability to go right down the street and get a job at the nursing home. They will hire students sometimes while they’re still in high school because a nursing home that sees the students working there and sees how they’re trained, they have first hand knowledge of them versus if someone just blindly walks into an interview. They know what that student can do because they have seen how they’ve been trained. They can say I want that person working here because they already know how they are. It makes it so easy for the nursing home,” Harris said. “That’s why there’s so many students working right over here (at Ayden Court) from last year. The nursing home said, ‘Hey, they trained here. I know them already. Let’s hire them and get them right in.’” Harris only teaches one section in the spring for 10 seniors. The pharmacy technician program, which is taught online, is also geared towards seniors who plan to work in the healthcare field.
Pitt County also has the Health Sciences Academy, which allows students to complete research programs at the Brody School of Medicine or intern at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville. Only 15 students in the whole county are invited to be part of the Brody research program. Ayden-Grifton has two students, Montashia Wallace and Kadaijah Seymore-Holley, who qualified for the yearlong program. Each student’s research program is different. Wallace is researching reading comprehension in patients at the cancer center. Wallace determines the patient’s reading level and develops a consent form and doctors’ orders that aligns with that level of education. Since Wallace is working with patients, she has to follow the standard procedures set in place for human testing, including getting her research approved by
the Brody School of Medicine’s Institutional Review Board. “Another challenging part is that when I am in there with the chemotherapy patients, they are actually going through and getting their treatments. You can see they’re in pain and stuff. It’s hard to watch, but I know that I’ll be helping them,” Wallace said. “The best part is creating something to help everyone. I know that it will be beneficial in the long run. … It’s great to know I can get the patient contact by myself without having to shadow somebody. I enter the room myself.” The program has opened a lot of doors for Wallace. “I’m applying to the nursing program at Pitt (Community College) to become a flight nurse, but I’ll major in nursing and have a minor in psychology,” she said. “I hope to eventually become a nurse practitioner.” With the skills she’s learned in high school, she is well on her way.
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Summer/Fall 2019
Ayden Magazine
Y’S GRILL D N A & Recreation
“The Pool Room” a common name heard throughout Ayden, has been in operation in downtown Ayden since the 1940s. Renamed Andy’s Grill & Recreation in 1971, the Stocks family bought the iconic business and expanded its services from a pool hall to a restaurant that also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. “We were Andy’s way before the chain and outlasted them,” said owner and manager Johnny Stocks, whose father, Andy, bought the business in the early 70s. Stocks has watched his customers grow up over the years and their families expand. “Being in business 50 years, you develop relationships. Friends and family come to Andy’s when they are in town from D.C. and New York, just like they do at Bum’s and Skylight (Inn). “I have seen generations grow up, like kids who used to come in with their grandparents and now come back with their kids. I love it.”
Stacey Frable, Drew Teresak
Ayden Magazine
Summer/Fall 2019
27
BY DONNA MARIE WILLIAMS
e t i l E M
ECHANICAL
A family business
strengthens community
Elite Mechanical employees (L-R) Jairo Romero, Justin Sutton and Mauro Lugo are proud to work for a company, which focuses on providing the best in heating and air conditioning services.
28
Summer/Fall 2019
Ayden Magazine
F
Elite Mechanical co-owner Christy Williams (right) reviews plans with her daughter, receptionist Destiny Edmondson (center) and office manager Mona Beachum.
amily owned and operated, the faithbased
business
of
Elite
Elite Mechanical also remained in the
emergency services and 24-hour services,
Mechanical
same facility as the former Air Comfort
which is especially beneficial during North
Heating and Air Inc. desires to provide its
Solutions, which had not long moved from
Carolina’s extreme summer and winter
customers with only the best heating and
N.C. 102 East to Lee Street. The location
months.
air conditioning services available.
closer to downtown Ayden was a benefit
Adding to the list of services, Elite
Husband and wife team, Rodney and
for the business and allowed for more
Mechanical has also provided commercial
Christy Williams, are proud to call Elite
traffic in the area versus the building in the
cooler and chiller repairs.
Mechanical their business.
country, Christy said.
A unique feature of Elite Mechanical is
Rodney began working in the heating
Not long after the creation of Elite
the sheet metal/duct workshop located
and air conditioning field when he was 17
Mechanicals, Duncan moved away, wanting
to the rear of the facility, where qualified
years old.
a change in career. Rodney and Christy
technicians create custom made ductwork
acquired full ownership of the company.
for installation.
“I always enjoyed helping folks and working with my hands,” Rodney said about his start in the industry. He was a longtime employee of Air Comfort Solutions when the business
Since its beginning, Elite Mechanical has
“We do our own metal and ductwork
grown from a humble three employees to
fabrication. We have two employees who
30 employees, with services meeting both
work in the back shop. We make our own
residential and commercial needs.
stuff. It costs us more money, but it’s worth
decided to close its doors.
The
company
began
by
offering
it,” Christy said.
Along with Trey Duncan, also a former
residential heating and repair services and
Being able to create custom materials
employee of Air Comfort Solutions,
expanded to offer commercial and new
allows technicians to truly be able to fit
Rodney decided to breathe new life into
construction services.
ductwork and other items into place for a
the closing business, and Elite Mechanical
With 15 service trucks, the business
Heating and Air Inc. opened its doors in
is ready to meet any heating or air
2011.
conditioning need.
With new ownership, the new business
“You get a lot better quality,” Rodney said, adding technicians can create exact
It provides repairs for heating and air
and chose a name that would reflect
equipment, maintenance service plans and
Elite Mechanical strives to provide not
the quality of services Elite Mechanical
other heating and air conditioning services.
only the best service, but also the best
Technicians are also available to provide
equipment, and has worked to become an
Ayden Magazine
installation
Summer/Fall 2019
of
new
sizes rather than force manufactured
partners felt a name change was needed
rendered — the best.
conditioners,
better fit.
materials to fit.
29
Sheet metal mechanic Johnny Potts fabricates ductwork.
important for the couple, and they seek to hire only qualified technicians.
Mauro Lugo equips a home with heating and air conditioning.
The couple attributes their success and authorized Trane dealer. “You have to buy into
the franchise and you have to be qualified. There aren’t that many Trane dealers around here,” Christy said. received
training
service. “We have customers that use to be with Air
on
until he joined the
Greenville
and
Winterville Fire Department and also volunteers with the Grifton Volunteer Fire Department. The couple wants the company to continue to expand.
Comfort Solution 20 years ago. We have a real
“We hope for the business to continue to
good customer base and strong relationships
grow and for our children to continue on with
with our customers,” Christy said.
the business. We hope God continues to look
Elite Mechanical also strives to help
As an authorized dealer, Elite Mechanical’s technicians
established relationships to their quality of
business
enhance the community in various ways.
out for us like He always does,” Christy said. Christy is already trying to teach her
Trane
The company helped to buy water bottles
2-year-old
equipment and displayed competency in
for the Ayden-Grifton High School football
Thomas, how to answer the phone and say
their skills and knowledge.
and basketball games and sponsored the
“Elite Mechanical.”
In 2017, Trane awarded Elite Mechanical with the PaceSetter award.
Adrenaline Softball team in the past. “We feel like God has blessed us so we try
“That means we grew larger than similar businesses in 2017,” Christy said. Though a Trane dealer, technicians are trained to work on all brands of equipment. “We are licensed to install all types of
to return as much as we can,” Christy said.
granddaughter,
Elena
Marie
“As soon as she gets Elite Mechanical down, we’ll be good to go,” Christy said with a smile.
Aside from its excellent service, Elite
Having the business located in Ayden
Mechanical is proud to consider itself a family
was ideal for the couple, since the couple has
owned business.
made Ayden their home.
Of its 30 employees, Elite Mechanical
“It started out in Ayden. It started out
equipment — Goodman, Mitsubishi, pretty
employs six family members, including the
as a small town business and it has grown
much any name brand, we can buy and sell
couple’s daughters, full-time receptionist
drastically
and install,” Christy said.
Destiny
expansion in the future, we definitely want to
Elite
Mechanical
provides
Edmundson
and
part-time
from
there.
Looking
toward
services
receptionist Caroline Williams, the couple’s
throughout North Carolina, including Ayden,
son, service technician Noah Edmundson,
Elite Mechanical, 3931 Lee St., Ayden, is
Grifton, Greenville, Winterville, Rocky Mount,
their nephews, Jacob Williams and Skylar
open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and
Goldsboro,
Sutton and Christy’s brother, Justin Sutton, a
are available for on-call services. For more
service technician.
information, call 252-746-6200 or visit
Washington,
N.C.,
Farmville,
Greene County and more. Being able to provide quality service is
30
The couple’s son Tyler also worked for the
Summer/Fall 2019
stay here in Ayden,” Christy said.
elitemechanicalnc.com online.
Ayden Magazine
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Laura Todd Executive Director
Ayden Magazine
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AYDEN
“One of America’s Best Small Communities to Raise a Family.” U.S. MEDIA GROUP 2013
A clean, safe and attractive community that encompasses the characteristics of a village. Our town features an economically thriving retail and service district located in the historic downtown area that’s populated with a variety of residential neighborhoods; all within walking distance to both downtown and a multitude of recreational opportunities. We are also surrounded by a flourishing commercial and industrial corridor. For more information about our town, visit us online:
AYDEN.COM
4144 WEST AVENUE | PO BOX 219 | AYDEN, NC 28513 | 252-481-5817