Duplin Journal Vol. 9, Issue 38 by North State Journal

Duplin Journal

the BRIEF this week

Pipe replacement to close Nine Mile Road south of Richlands

Richlands

A section of Nine Mile Road south of Richlands will be closed to traffic through Nov. 22. During the closure, crews will replace a pipe, improving the water flow in the area. Drivers are urged to seek alternate routes while the road is closed and use caution if traveling around it.

Comments on proposed PFAS concentrations being accepted

Duplin County Public comments on proposed maximum allowable concentrations for three PFAS in groundwater are being accepted until Dec. 31. The proposed rules aim to protect public health and ensure residents do not carry the entire burden of removing PFAS from their drinking water. Comments can be sent by email to GWTriRevComments@deq. nc.gov. Call 919-707-3645 for more details.

Thanksgiving at Cabin Lake

Pink Hill

Cabin Lake invites the public to celebrate Thanksgiving with a special lunch on Nov. 23 at noon. Kick off the holiday season, share some laughs and make memories while enjoying delicious food, warm company and gratitude at 220 Cabin Lake Road in Pink Hill.

Dec. 2 last day to purchase wreath to honor fallen heroes

Faison Remember the fallen and honor those who served with Wreaths Across America. On Dec. 14 at noon, the Town of Faison will be helping Faison cemeteries honor veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the graves of our fallen heroes. Persons who would like to honor a fallen hero are welcome to sponsor remembrance wreaths, which are $17 for one, or purchase two wreaths and get an additional one for free. The last day to buy a wreath is Dec. 2.

Donations accepted to make Thanksgiving treats for the shelter’s animals

Kenansville

Duplin County Animal Services is accepting donations to make Thanksgiving Protein Pots for the dogs and cats at the animal shelter. They need chicken breast, livers, gizzards, ground beef, rice, green beans, chickpeas, sardines and tuna before Nov. 20. Items can be dropped off at 287 Fairgrounds Drive in Kenansville.

$2.00

New seniors, vets center opens

The 12,363-square-foot facility will house senior and veteran services offices

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — A dream of a larger senior center has come to fruition for Duplin County Senior Services director Melisa Brown with the official opening and ribbon cutting ceremony of the Senior and Veteran Services Center at the Duplin Commons in Kenansville on Nov. 7.

The new 12,363-square-foot facility, now home to the senior services and veterans offices, will enable both departments to provide comprehensive services and foster social connection and community engagement.

The building provides ample and welcoming space for hosting events and facilitates access to resources for more seniors and veterans. It features a stateof-the-art gym, dedicated areas for crafts and classes, a conference room, and indoor and outdoor recreation areas, complete with TVs throughout the facility.

“Here, our seniors will find

support to live actively and independently while our veterans will receive the appreciation and assistance that reflects their service to our country,” said County Manager Bryan Miller during the inaugural ceremony while thanking all contributors to the project.

“Your support and commitment ensure this center is not just a building, but a vibrant, caring resource for all of those who walk through the doors,” said Miller. “We are grateful to everyone who contributed to making this vision a reality, and we look forward to all the

good this center will bring our community.”

Retired Maj. Harvey Knowles, a World War II veteran, played a rendition of “God Bless America” with his harmonica, after which County Commissioner Dexter Edwards highlighted the $5 million state grant that helped fund the $6.2 million facility, emphasizing the importance of recognizing veterans.

“For each and every one of you that live here in Duplin County, you look through this facility

Teen charged for beating cat to death with bat

The charges have been turned over to the North Carolina Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency System

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

CHINQUAPIN — Duplin County Sheriff Stratton Stokes confirmed that a 15-year-old was charged with felony and misdemeanor animal cruelty on Nov. 5, for beating a cat to death with a baseball bat near Chinquapin.

Stokes told Duplin Journal that a Snapchat video was sent to the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office Monday afternoon showing the teenager beating the cat. The video which had been circulating on social media, was a recording of a Snapchat on someone else’s phone. The video showed a blonde, white male wearing an orange ball cap beating a tuxedo cat with a baseball bat. The disturbing video had the tagline “who is the sport on this.”

After reviewing the video, Stokes said they went to the juvenile court council and

secured a juvenile detention charge for both felony and misdemeanor animal cruelty.

“The incident happened in Duplin County, it was back toward Lyman Road,” said Stokes, adding that since the suspect is 15 years old, they cannot release any further information.

When asked about further steps and if the parents will be held responsible for the teen’s behavior, Stokes explained that at that point in the investigation they were not looking at the parents at all. He also explained that a judge will de -

Overdose death in Teachey gets trafficker nearly 13 years in prison

“The sentencing of Dylan Jones is a pivotal step in our ongoing fight against the devastating impact of drug overdose deaths.” Stratton Stokes, Duplin County sheriff

After completing his sentence, he will be on supervised release for five years educating youth about fentanyl dangers

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

ON NOV. 7, Dylan Alexander Jones was sentenced to 12 years, nine months in prison for trafficking counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl following a fatal overdose in Teachey.

After his prison time, Jones will be on supervised release for five years. He must complete 50 hours of community service teaching youth about the dangers of fentanyl and the impact of drug abuse.

“The sentencing of Dylan Jones is a pivotal step in our ongoing fight against the devastating impact of drug overdose

deaths. We stand firm in our commitment to justice for the victims and their families,” said Duplin County Sheriff Stratton Stokes. “I want to commend our exceptional team for their relentless dedication and professionalism in building this challenging case. Together, we are making strides toward a safer community.”

According to a media release made by Michael F. Easley Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District, the 24-year-old from Wayne County pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of fentanyl and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in April.

The release indicated that on July 22, 2022, Duplin County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a 911 call about an

cide what happens next and if the juvenile needs any type of treatment.

“A lot of times, they will be put on probation,” he explained.

The charges have been turned over to the North Carolina Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency System, which is the agency responsible for handling criminal cases involving juvenile delinquents and where they will undergo the juvenile justice process instead of the adult criminal court system

The male juvenile is a student at East Duplin High School.

THE DUPLIN COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Duplin County officials, seniors and veterans celebrated at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Senior and Veteran Services Center located at Duplin Commons in Kenansville. Pictured from left to right are retired Maj. Harvey Knowles, Carrie Shields, Jeremiah Daniels, Melisa Brown, Dexter Edwards, Wayne Branch, Bryan Miller, Jesse Dowe and Elwood Garner.

11.14.24

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Nov. 15-16

• UMO will celebrate Homecoming and Pickle Classic Weekend on Nov. 15‑16, featuring concerts, food trucks, Kid’s Korner, a 5K run and 1.5 mile walk, a vendor fair, art and ceramics shows, and Pickle Classic basketball games. Registration for the annual Trojan Trot will be on Nov. 16 at 7 a.m. in front of the Poole administration building. The race will begin at 7:30 a.m. The Trojan Trot cost is $10 for adults and $5 for UMO students. The event is free for kids 10 and under. The Alumni & Friends Golf Tournament will swing into action on Nov. 15 at Southern Wayne Country Club. Registration and lunch will begin at 11 a.m., with the shotgun tee time set for noon. First and second place prizes will be awarded for each of the two flights. For more information, call 919‑658‑7757.

Nov. 18

The town of Teachey will host a Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Nov. 18 after the town board meeting, which was moved to Nov. 18, 6 p.m. at 116 East 2nd St. For information, call 910‑285‑7564.

Nov. 4

LOG

Robert Earl Jones, 38, was arrested by the Duplin County Sheriff’s Office for larceny of a dog, obtaining property by false pretense, possession of stolen goods, resisting a public officer, assault on a female, felony possession of cocaine, felony possession of Schedule I controlled substance, possessing methamphetamine, possessing drug paraphernalia, and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Nov. 5

• David Kornegay, 61, was arrested by DCSO for

Nov. 19, Nov. 26

Join the Cooperative Extension’s Nutrition Education Series every Tuesday through Nov. 26 at 10 a.m. at Mt. Calvary Center for Leadership Development, located at 414 N Norwood St. in Wallace. Each session will include a presentation, followed by a “Med Way” food demonstration, where participants will learn food preparation tips. The classes will take a look at protein sources, types of fats, snacking strategies, refined vs whole grains, and will examine sugars added into our diets. For more information, call 910 665 1352.

Nov. 30

• Join the Kenansville Christmas Parade on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 11 a.m. Parade line up will be at 9 a.m. at Kenansville Elementary School with the

driving while impaired.

Nov. 6

Quincy Mario Smith, 42, was arrested by DCSO for felony child abuse involving a sexual act and multiple counts of misdemeanor child abuse.

• Litisha Marie Mima, 32, was arrested by DCSO for felony child abuse involving a sexual act, attempted obtaining property by false pretense, identity theft, and multiple counts of misdemeanor child abuse.

parade concluding at the Duplin Events Center. Vendors and persons interested in being part of the parade can sign up until Nov. 15. For more information, call the Kenansville Area Chamber of Commerce at 910 275 0323.

• The Kenansville Chamber of Commerce presents a Holly Jolly Holiday Fair on Nov. 30 at the Duplin Events Center from noon to 5 p.m. The fair will feature pictures with Santa, vendors, food trucks and more.

Dec. 5

• James Sprunt Community College Small Business Center will host a Small Business Expo at the Boyette Building, room 113, on Dec. 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is open to the public.

• Dalton Ray Cavenaugh, 29, was arrested by DCSO for larceny of a motor vehicle and obtaining property by false pretense.

School board gets 2023-24 audit report

Employee of the Quarter and Clean Schools Award winners were also honored

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — The Duplin County Board of Education got good news about the 2023-24 audit at the board’s regular monthly meeting Nov. 7.

“The audit went as planned,” said Adam Shapiro with Anderson, Smith and White, who performed the audit. “We didn’t have any differences of opinion as to any of the financial information here. There were no uncorrected adjustments, nothing we disagreed upon. We were able to conduct all of our procedures.”

Shapiro reported that the total fund balance in the general fund as of June 30, 2024, was $6.387 million, an increase of $12,000 from last year.

“With COVID, you received numerous grants and funds, which has allowed you to save money locally by using those funds to address the needs with COVID, the learning loss, even some capital purchases related to air quality,” he explained. “The fund balance of $6,387,000 is probably high-

er than it’s been in the last 10 years.”

However, it’s important to point out that much of the COVID funds will expire on Jan. 1, 2025, so the school board has had to plan accordingly, gradually increasing its fund balance to help pay for programs that have been funded by COVID funds the past few years.

“We need to take into account, we ended the 2023-24 school year with a $500,000 increase from the county that year,” Board Chairman Brent Davis explained. “Had we not had that, we would have had to dig into the fund balance.

“Because of that we came out even. Currently, we have about $1.3 million encumbered of that fund balance for this year. The only reason I say that is sometimes, when you get these fund balance numbers out there in the public, people kind of hinge on this big pot of money that you’re sitting on. But we’re actually going to start chipping into it.”

Other highlights of the audit report include:

• A fund balance of $3.5 million in the special revenue fund. This reflects a decrease of $1.1 million from the previous year.

• The individual school fund

decreased $38,000 to $1.18 million, and the capital outlay fund balance increased $52,000 to $1.011 million.

• $6.9 million was collected in what Shapiro called the other special revenue fund. “Your schools generate nearly $2 million in income from athletics, fundraisers, trips,” he explained. “This year, there was almost $2 million received in the capital outlay fund.”

• The child nutrition fund’s cash on hand totals $6.151 million, an increase of $15,000 from last year, Shapiro said. Duplin County Schools are “breaking even” on child nutrition, Shapiro explained, due to a rise in food costs, as well as increasing salary and benefits costs.

Shapiro finished up his presentation by saying the school system is “in the best position possible going forward.”

Also at the Nov. 7 meeting, the school board recognized the winners of the Clean School Award, B.F. Grady Elementary and Duplin Early College High School.

Employee of the Quarter Bobby Mobley, director of transportation for DCS, was also honored.

Mobley joined DCS in 2013 as a fuel truck driver and served as a mechanic foreman before

Nov. 9

Sarah Maynor Scarborough, 53, was arrested by DCSO for assault with a deadly weapon.

Nov. 10

• Mason Dale Page, 38, was arrested by DCSO for attempted possession of controlled substance on prison/jail premises.

Nov. 11

Michael Hill, 56, was arrested by the Beulaville Police Department for driving while impaired and reckless driving to endanger.

Dec. 6

• St. John’s Lodge No. 13 in Kenansville, NC is having a Barbecue Chicken Luncheon on Friday, Dec. 6 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Plates include chicken quarter, green beans, potatoes and roll. The cost is $10 per plate. All monies raised will go to Masonic Charity.

Dec. 11

• Celebrate the annual Senior Christmas on Dec. 11 at the Duplin County Events Center, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event will feature health screenings, special performances, a holiday meal, an ugliest Christmas sweater contest, music and a dressed to impress competition.

Happening Monthly

The Duplin County Board of County Commissioners meets the first and third Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 224 Seminary St. in Kenansville. For information, call 910 296 2100.

The Beulaville town board meets the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at 508 East Main St. in Beulaville. For more information, call 910 298 4647.

• Ryan Yvonne Hunter, 40, was arrested by the Beulaville Police Department for multiple counts of larceny by employee.

Justin Jones, 33, was arrested by DCSO for assault on a female, assault by pointing a gun, and communicating threats. Robert Earl Moss, 42, was arrested by the Warsaw Police Department for felony possession of Schedule I controlled substance, possessing methamphetamine, possessing drug paraphernalia, and parole violation.

securing his current position as director of transportation.

“One of Mr. Mobley’s most important responsibilities is managing safe and efficient transportation for students, developing bus routes, monitoring road conditions, recruiting and retaining drivers, which is of utmost importance in these times, staying abreast of vehicle service and repair techniques,” Davis said. “There is so much that goes on behind the scenes, and we cannot thank Mr. Mobley enough for his leadership and dedication. I just want to say

that this is an essential part of schools that is sometimes overlooked. Everybody sees the buses going up and down the road, but behind the scenes of what it takes to keep those buses rolling and on the road is amazing.”

After an executive session, the board unanimously approved the 2024-25 school improvement plans. Board member Pam Edwards thanked all the school principals for their hard work on the plans.

Finally, the school board unanimously voted to move the January meeting to Jan. 14.

ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Duplin County Schools named Director of Transportation

Bobby Mobley, left, as the Employee of the Quarter at the Nov. 7 meeting of the Board of Education. He is shown with Brent Davis, chair of the school board.

Beulaville appoints new member to zoning board

The Deer Run Lane home issue finally resolved

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — The Beulaville Board of Commissioners held a relatively brief meeting on Nov. 4, during which Beulaville resident Jessica Thomas was appointed to the zoning board.

Thomas had appeared be -

fore the town commissioners several times over the past few months regarding a neighbor’s property on Deer Run Lane that was out of compliance with town ordinances. At the October meeting, Town Manager Lori Williams mentioned there was an opening on the town’s zoning board, and the commissioners voted unanimously to add Thomas to that board last Monday night. Williams reported at the No -

Beulaville PD adds new officer

The Beulaville Police Department has added a new officer to its ranks. Officer Michael Szewczyk was sworn in Nov. 5 by Mayor Hutch Jones. Szewczyk, left, has prior law enforcement experience and is a United States Marine. He’s shown here with Police Chief Karl Mobley.

vember meeting that the issue on the Deer Run Lane property, which had been in violation of a zoning ordinance by having a camper in the yard, has been resolved and the camper has been moved off the property. In other business at the meeting, the commissioners briefly discussed an animal control ordinance with the county, which had been approved at the October meeting. Williams said that

CENTER from page A1

and just think about what this would cost us from a tax level if we hadn’t had that grant from the state,” Edwards said.

He also spoke about his parents’ volunteer work with Senior Services and showed gratitude for the groundwork laid by seniors.

“They drilled in my heart and in my head that if we didn’t have seniors laying the groundwork for us youngsters, we wouldn’t have anything. So thank you, seniors,” said Edwards.

Brown reflected on the transition from the previous location and expressed her emotions about starting anew.

“Last Friday, we moved the last load from 213 Seminary St. In the stillness of the moment, I walked around the office, and I remembered the faces of the ones that would not join us today and all the memories over the last 31 years,” said Brown, holding back tears. “Monday morning, we began a new chapter and started creating new, wonderful memories here on 156 Duplin County St.”

Retired U.S. Army veteran Monte E. Thorne spoke about the duty to take care of veterans when they return home and expressed his optimism that with the new facility, Du-

once the county approves the ordinance, the county will provide animal control services in the town.

Also, Williams stated that East Duplin Christian Outreach, which is located on Park Street, is finally ready to move into its new home on the second story of Town Hall.

“A ribbon cutting will be forthcoming,” Williams said.

Police Chief Karl Mobley reported that the past month had

been a busy one for the police department. There were large crowds for the town’s annual Trunk or Treat event on Halloween night, but there were no issues.

The Beulaville Christmas Parade is set for Saturday, Dec. 14, at 2 p.m. along Main Street/ Highway 24.

The Beulaville Board of Commissioners will next meet on Monday, Dec. 2, at 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall.

plin County is now equipped to fulfill that duty.

“The veterans and families who will come here will often be concerned and sometimes may even be a little nervous,” said Thorne. “Sometimes they will come here on one of the most stressful days of their lives. Sometimes, even unknowingly, in the last days of their lives. In other words, they will come here in the moments when they need the services the most. And when they do, we need to serve them just as well as they have served our country. Hopefully, this center will help us do just that.

“Thank you for your courage, your passion, and your

willingness to be moved by selfless service. Let us all remember that freedom is not free. But because of our veterans and our current men and women who are serving, we can proudly say, veterans, that our bill has been paid in full. To all who have worn the uniform and served our great nation, I salute you. Your courage, sacrifices, and unwavering dedication to duty has kept us safe and protected our most cherished freedoms. So on behalf of a grateful nation, thank you. We honor you today and every day.”

The ceremony concluded with a ribbon cutting followed by a tour of the new facility.

ENA SELLERS/ DUPLIN JOURNAL Duplin County Manager Bryan Miller embraces Eloise McMahon. McMahon, 92, volunteers at the senior center.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

“When others hurt, may you heal. When others divide, may you unite. When others rage, may you calm.”

ON SEPT. 16, 2001, in the aftermath of 9/11, I preached a sermon in which I said, “The test for our nation is to hold true to the principles that we have claimed as the foundation of our life together — liberty, justice, equality and freedom.” I concluded the sermon with these words, “We gather today as people who believe in the sovereign God, Creator of heaven and Earth, who loved the world so much that he gave his only Son. We gather today, aware of our anger, our outrage, our heartache, our helplessness, struggling with our emotions and anxious about the future. But we also gather as people with whom God has promised to walk — and as people whom God calls ‘to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with him.’”

The 2024 presidential election was described as an existential moment for our nation. On the day after, someone commented, “We went to sleep last night as a nation divided and we woke up this morning as a nation divided.” On Wednesday morning, just over 50% of the voting public celebrated, while a little less

than 50% did not. We are, indeed, a nation divided.

Many people are struggling with emotions and are anxious about the future.

At another existential moment in our nation’s history, President Abraham Lincoln ended his first inaugural address, one month before the beginning of the Civil War, with these words: “Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”

The question at this point in our nation’s history is how we will meet the test as a divided people. Will “the better angels of our nature” guide us in the coming days or will we, as the apostle Paul warned the Galatian Christians, “bite and devour one another and consume one another”?

Also in my post-9/11 sermon, I observed that “there seems to be a fierce

Congress must make small business tax deductions permanent

Main Street’s 20% tax deduction will expire in 2025 unless Congress changes its mind.

MAIN STREET can’t seem to catch a break. Inflation may have eased off, but it’s still driven up the cost of everything from raw materials to rent. North Carolina’s unemployment is only 3.4%, but many small businesses still have job openings they can’t fill.

And they’ll soon see a big increase in their federal taxes unless Congress agrees to stop it. This is a problem that’s been years in the making.

Seven years ago, Congress passed a bill cutting taxes on America’s businesses, but they didn’t treat all businesses the same. Wall Street’s cuts were permanent. Main Street’s 20% tax deduction will expire in 2025 unless Congress changes its mind and makes the deduction permanent.

That’s why local businesses are asking their members of Congress to support the bipartisan Main Street Tax Certainty Act.

If this deduction is allowed to expire, nine out of 10 small businesses nationwide will see a massive tax hike that would hurt their ability to create jobs and give back to their communities. Some small businesses, including some in North Carolina, may have to close.

That’s what Congress was trying to avoid when it passed the 20% small business deduction in 2017. It said the goal was to help local businesses stay competitive and support their communities.

By declining to make the small business deduction permanent, Congress is raising doubts about what might lie

ahead for Main Street. Small business owners plan for things months or years in advance. They need predictability.

It’s hard for them to plan for growth or add jobs if they’re uncertain how much money they’ll have after paying their taxes.

Passing the Main Street Tax Certainty Act would let Congress stop the cycle of uncertainty caused by temporary extensions. It would give small business owners the predictability they need to plan for the future and grow their businesses.

The Main Street Tax Certainty Act enjoys the support of both Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill, but only six of North Carolina’s six U.S. representatives have agreed to cosponsor the bill: Dan Bishop, Chuck Edwards, Virginia Foxx, Richard Hudson, Gregory Murphy and David Rouzer. Ted Budd and Thom Tillis are

BE IN TOUCH

determination to stand fast and true to the principles upon which our nation has been built — principles such as freedom and justice and equality that make us who we are but also make us vulnerable and make our common life in the United States so appealing to so many people.”

Is that still true today? Before and after Election Day, I saw this prayer by Steven Charleston, former Episcopal Bishop of Alaska, posted by many people: “When others hate, may you love. When others curse, may you bless. When others hurt, may you heal. When others divide, may you unite. When others rage, may you calm. When others deny, may you affirm. You are a servant of the light. You need not be afraid of the darkness. God strengthen you to carry on with your work and faithfully live who you are in Christ. Love for stranger, love for enemy, love for neighbor. Amen.”

May we pass the test.

Philip Gladden is a retired minister who lives in Wallace.

co-sponsors in the Senate. North Carolina’s economy is built on its small businesses. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses account for 99% of all businesses in the commonwealth. Small businesses are owned by and employ our friends and neighbors. They support local charities and civic organizations. They ensure we have a strong, diverse economy. We need our entire congressional delegation to support the Main Street Tax Certainty Act and make 20% small business deduction permanent. We need to tell our elected leaders what Main Street means to North Carolina’s economy. We need them to understand that by helping small businesses, they’ll help all of us.

Gregg Thompson is the North Carolina director of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).

Letters addressed to the editor may be sent to letters@nsjonline.com or 1201 Edwards Mill Rd., Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27607. Letters may be edited for style, length or clarity when necessary. Ideas for op eds should be sent to opinion@nsjonline.com.

Contact a writer or columnist: connect@northstatejournal.com

COLUMN | PHILIP GLADDEN

COLUMN | GREGG THOMPSON

Health department presents Duplin’s health needs assessment

Pickles, Pigs & Swigs brings fun for everyone around town

Last Saturday, a vibrant sense of community filled the corner of Center and East Main streets in downtown Mount Olive as families gathered to celebrate the fourth annual Pickles, Pigs & Swigs festival. Families were treated to a diverse range of activities at the festival. They enjoyed live music by Zack Lee followed by 42 West Band, savored BBQ sandwiches, sampled craft beer and indulged in free Mt. Olive Pickles. They also had the chance to meet various area vendors, take pictures with Ollie Q. Cumber, and hop on the Pickle Train for a fun ride. The festival was a perfect blend of new and returning favorites, ensuring there was something for everyone to enjoy.

TEACHEY from page A1

PHOTOS BY ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL

DUPLIN SPORTS

PREP FOOTBALL PLAYOFF PREVIEWS

BULLDOGS-TIGERS II?

WRH and JK could collide in the postseason; No. 2 ND gets a first-round bye; Richlands travels to Rocky Mount

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

WARSAW — Football’s second season, one that features a maximum of six games, starts on Friday.

Five Duplin Journal Area teams are in the NCHSAA playoffs. Wallace-Rose Hill and James Kenan will have home games and could collide in the East 2A third round. East Duplin and Richlands are on the road against high-seeded schools. North Duplin, the No. 2 team in the 1A East, gets a first-round bye.

Here’s a rundown of the matchups. No. 14 East Duplin at No. 8 St. Pauls

The Panthers are 5-5 and the fourth team selected from the East Central 2A Conference. It’s a rare spot for East Dupin and veteran coach Battle Holley. He has a career mark of 153-57 in 18 seasons, which include three seasons at Kinston and one at WRH. He guided the Panthers to their first state title in 2022 and went 10-2 last fall.

This season’s woes have come in part because of injuries to key players, such as fullback and leading rusher and scorer Shawn Davis. He ran for 1,070 yards and 14 touchdowns despite dealing with an ankle injury and recovering from a season-ending injury last fall before the playoffs. He went for 1,141 yards and 18 touchdowns his sophomore campaign.

If the blocking is there, Davis will force defenses to tackle him from the waist down, as taking down the rock-solid 6-foot, 215-pounder is difficult for one player.

But he’ll need help from backfield mates Aaron Hall (92-600, 6 TDs), Keeshon Mckinnie (52-486, 4 TDs),

and possibly a hand from quarterback Branson Norris (20-54 for 319, 3 TDs), who missed six games to start the season because of a collarbone injury in a preseason scrimmage.

Holley has just one sub-.500 season on his record, going 3-4 in the COVID-19 delayed season of 2020.

The Bulldogs (8-2) might be in for a surprise upset, but the Robeson County school is legit. St. Pauls is the Southeastern 2A Conference champion and No. 16 on the RPI list. The Bulldogs clinched it by beating Midway, 59-22, the final week of the season. They yielded only 44 points in five league games. For the season, they have a 398-124 edge over their foes.

Quarterback Theo Setzer has passed (74-125 for 1,097 yards, 13 TDs) and run for (52-731, 5 TDs), and RB Yoshua McBryde (139-1,539, 12 TDs) is likewise a big concern for ED defensive coordinator Seth Sandlin.

St. Pauls’ losses were to NCISAA power Charlotte Latin (19-14) and 4A Lee County (41-19). A win over St. Pauls would set up a match against the survivor of No. 16 Midway (8-2) and No. 17 Greene Central (6-4).

No. 1 Northeastern (10-0) should advance to the third round, should ED survive its first two fire bombs.

No. 21 Roanoke Rapids at No. 12 James Kenan

On paper, this matchup appears to overwhelmingly favor the Tigers (9-1), whose lone loss was a 17-14 verdict to WRH on the final night of the regular season.

Yet JK could get a second-chance opportunity against the No. 4 Bulldogs in the third round. JK was the East 2A’s No. 1 seed before the loss.

Tigers coach Tim Grady, who revived the program and is 30-14 in four seasons, would cherish that chance.

Still, JK got the highest seed from a school that didn’t win its conference title. A win would pit the Tigers against the survivor of No. 5 Martin County (73) and No. 28 North Johnston (6-4).

WRH will likely be waiting in the third round.

But first things first. JK has work to do, starting Friday by limiting the Yellow Jackets’ (6-4) running attack in a matchup that seems to be in the wheelhouse of a Tigers defense led by Hassan Kornegay (139 tackles), Ty Morrisey (92), David Zeleya (83, six interceptions), Dakota Henderson (61), Josh Mitchell (81), Cal Avent (59) and Jaquez Smith (56). They led defensive coordinator John Bert Avent’s unit, which has allowed 12.7 points per game.

The Jackets counter with running backs Bobby Hawkins (165-960 yards, 9 TDs) and De’Majay Williams (89510, 5 TDs) and quarterback Carson Duncan (55-120 for 841 yards, 5 TDs).

Roanoke Rapids won its first five games and plays in the Big East 2A/3A Conference with Northern Nash (10-0), Southern Nash (8-2) and Rocky Mount (6-4).

Yet the Tigers’ running is a huge calling card for JK, as running backs Jeremiah Hall (69-680, 6 TDs) and Mitchell (56-485, 5 TDs) have become headliners.

Quarterback Eli Avent (48-77 for

COLUMN | MICHAEL JAENICKE

Saying goodbye to an iconic coach whose lessons live on

MY FORMER

wrestling coach Bob Jarrett died Oct. 19, and while saying a thousand times I wasn’t going, the thought swirled in my head.

So I drove 750 miles to say goodbye to a coach who inspired thousands of athletes and students.

Pardon me for mouthing an old-time phrase, but role models like him don’t exist today.

Jarrett never wrestled a match in his life but was inducted into the Indiana Wrestling Hall of Fame.

He didn’t start the program at Western High School, but he made it into a state power.

He was an icon of cool and success and though he had a little bit of a biker flair, he had more “Fonzie” in him than James Dean.

My class in 1977 started his title collection that led to 19 Mid-Indiana Conference state finals in 22 years.

He retired with 13 sectional crowns, six regional titles, with 55 wrestlers advancing to the state finals for a few years at Western and turning cross-county rival Eastern into a force.

I was among the grapplers to make it to the big show. Twice actually.

And yet today, the best lessons from Jarrett came after I had hung up my singlet following a mediocre career at Indiana University.

While you may not know him, if you are lucky, you have someone influential from your past, even if it isn’t a coach. One didn’t even have to be a star to feel the sun-like pull he had on everyone.

First off, I learned the meaning of hard work and a work ethic under his tutelage.

“If you made it through one of his practices, you were going to be in great shape and have the fundamentals in place,” said Chad Shepherd, who won a state title under Jarrett in 1991 and then coached Western to success for many seasons before “retiring” this season to coach the female grapplers. The Panthers won a state team title in 2002.

Jarrett had a way of making you crash through a wall and then asking, “Can I do it again?”

He was boldly charismatic, confident and cocky, funny and serious, studious and playful, happily energized each day and also a bit of a wild character. He wore a leather jacket and rode a motorcycle, even when showing up like clockwork at 6 a.m. each school day to jog around the track.

He taught us about summer wrestling tournaments and my group became the first- ever travel team circa 1974. If there was a tournament on Memorial Day, July Fourth, Labor Day or your mom’s birthday, you were going to be on the mat.

We stayed in his mother’s basement in Indianapolis a few times. Other times were bedded down on mats in gymnasiums.

We became great each time we had “another season” season, often wrestling more matches than in the winter months.

One Saturday during the prep season, he divided our squad and sent us to two separate tournaments, hauling home two trophies.

Here’s a bit of backstory to understand how he became “the man” and a person you would never forget if you met him one time.

Jarrett’s parents were not an active part of his life growing up, which in no way made a

THURMAN PARKER FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Ohio University recruit Irving Brown is hoping to end his career with a long run in the playoffs.

Battle Holley

Diaz’s ’Dawgs hope to embark on long playoff journey

Lanier-led Panthers continue revival season in the playoffs

ED has won 10 of its past 11, including a first-round victory over St. Pauls, as Blake Lanier is named ECC Coach of the Year

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — Blake Lanier was Duplin County’s Coach of the Year in basketball in 2019, his first season at East Duplin after serving as an assistant coach. Lanier may best be remembered as a key Panther on the 2009 team that went 21 games and advanced to the East Region final.

He also played collegiately at Methodist University.

Last week, he picked up his second major coaching trophy in his “other” high school sport. Lanier was named the East Central 2A Conference’s Coach of the Year in soccer after a vote among league coaches.

The award is a nod to the Panthers’ 15-6-1 revival season. East Duplin has won 10 of its last 11 matches, a posting that forged a three-way tie with Wallace-Rose Hill and James Kenan for ECC title.

“We didn’t really change much from last year (when the ED went 10-12),” Lanier said. “A big part of it was finding that belief, winning and seeing yourself be successful.”

Canales on fire in the first round

Junior Yoskar Canales scored a career-high five goals on Saturday in Beulaville when No. 14 ED beat No. 19 St. Pauls 6-2 in the first round of the 2A playoffs.

Oscar Ramirez added the other score. ED scored four second-half goals after leading 2-1 at the break.

Canalas, who has 24 goals, has emerged as the top scorer on a team that has many “secondary” scoring threats. The junior striker has scored 18 goals in his last 12 games, and at least one goal per game, sans a 2-1 loss to James Kenan in which he was shut down.

“He’s supremely talented and if everyone is playing the way the need to, he can. We have good spacing. He will be a problem for the defense,” Lanier said. Ramirez, a sophomore, popped in his eighth score of the fall.

“He’s just a smart player when he’s on his game,” Lanier said. “He had some bright moments. He has talent and skills you can’t teach and is developing well.”

Canales and Brayan Mendez had goals three days before the playoffs as ED beat Swansboro 2-0.

Mendez, a junior, scored his seventh of the season. Orlando

Rodrigo Diaz led WRH to its second 20-win season in seven seasons and into the second round of the 2A playoffs as the No. 2 seed

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

TEACHEY — Twenty-win seasons are rare in soccer, even among schools that regularly win conference titles or go deep in the state tournament.

Rodrigo Diaz chalked up his second in seven seasons last week when Wallace-Rose Hill scorched East Bladen 10-1 in its regular season finale, followed by an 11-2 domination of Granville Central.

The latter came on Friday night in the first round of the 2A playoffs for No. 2 WRH (21- 3 -2), which hosted No. 15 Jordan-Matthews (16-7) on Tuesday. The Bulldogs were seeking to reverse a 1-0 decision to the Jets, which eliminated WRH from the playoffs in the third round last season.

The winner takes on the survivor of No. 7 Southeast Alamance (16-6) and No. 23 North Lenoir, an ECC teams that upset No. 10 Midway (15-5-1)

Diaz led the Bulldogs to a

Ramirez and Oscar Rodriguez have combined for 13 cage ringers. Eleven other Panthers have accounted for 17 goals, including goalie Gabriel Faulkner, perhaps the best keeper in Duplin County.

Yet it is the defense in which Lanier is most satisfied, especially after moving senior Richard Reyes from midfield to the back to join Jeffrey Velazquez, Felix Ramirez, Rodriguez and Sanchez.

“All the guys in the back just keep getting better and better,” Lanier said. “It took us a while to find the right players to put back there. Richard is very aggressive and not afraid of anything he sees. He’ll win the ball back for us. That’s the way he’s been playing.

ED faced a quality foe in No. 3 Greene Central, whose leading scorers Josh Osorio and Miguel Zavala have combined for 54 goals and 23 assists.

Angel Contreras and Adrian Acevedo each have five goals and have combined for 17 assists as playmakers in the offense that has outscored foes 87-30 this season.

The winner faces the survivor of No. 6 Bunn (11-3-2) and No. 11 Washington (19-2-1), which finished second to the Rams in the Eastern Plains 2A Conference standings.

The road isn’t easy, especially for nonconference schools seeded 12th and lower.

Yet the Panthers have shown they can compete with virtually any school.

“I’m waiting for a game in which everyone on our team plays their best,” Lanier said. “When that happens, I’m confident we can beat anyone.”

Lanier deflected the attention off himself concerning his ECC top coach award to his players and assistant coaches Kevin Whitehurst and Oscar Mojica, a former Panthers player.

“None of this would be possible without what the kids did and because of our coaching staff,” he said. “Awards are nice, but there’s usually more behind them than one person.”

20-5 mark in 2019, his second season in Teachey and second for WRH in the 2A classification. Michael Graybar led the Bulldogs to 1A titles in 2013 (24-3), 2014 (26-1) and 2016 (26-4).

But Graybar lost three of his final five games in 2017 to finish 17-5-2 and exited the 1A playoffs in the first round.

Diaz’s club could match the school record for wins by winning a state title.

WRH went to the third round of the 2A postseason last fall and, as a second seed, will be on its home turf until a possible matchup against No. 1 Clinton in the East Region finals.

But that’s putting the cart before the horse as only the best teams remain in the 32-school field, which includes No. 3 Greene Central (18-5), which played No. 14 East Duplin (15-6-1), and No. 4 Franklin Academy, which played 11 James Kenan (15-4-1) in the second round.

WRH beat Franklin Academy (1-0) earlier this season and fell twice to the Tigers (2-0 and 5-2).

“We played a quality schedule and were rewarded,” Diaz said of how his team was awarded the second seed. “There are a lot of really good 2A teams. Win-

ning games at this level is hard.”

WRH had to stop Francisco Ibarra, who has scored 30 goals for the Jets, a strong soccer program that finished second to Southeast Alamance in the nine-school Mid-Carolina 1A/2A Conference.

Double-digit goal tallies

Senior all-state striker Alex Zepeda punched home five goals in the first-round victory. Chris Mejia, Eliel Estrada, Felix Funez and Sammy Varela added scores.

The win gave WRH a 10-1 mark in its last 11 matches.

WRH’s other 10-goal match with a 10-1 triumph over South Lenoir on Oct. 14, though winless Kinston forfeited its two games against the Bulldogs late in the season to force a week in which WRH did not play.

Zepeda has 47 goals this season, two more than he scored as a junior when the Bulldogs went 17-5-2, whipping North Johnston and Midway and falling to Jordan-Matthews 1-0 in the playoffs.

He surpassed the 200-point mark for his career.

Mejia has 12 goals this season, Estrada and Steven Acosta six apiece.

No. 12 Tigers avoid first-round trap

JK, the highest-seeded second-place conference finisher in the 2A playoffs, pushes by Raleigh Charter

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

WARSAW — Matchups are key in any sport as styles of play vary in soccer.

So James Kenan beating Wallace-Rose Hill twice during the regular season and the Bulldogs handling Franklin Academy 1-0 has no bearing on the status of a second-round match featuring the Tigers (15-4-1) and Patriots (19-3-3).

What is a concern is how the Pats handle striker Peter Omega and the fast pace the Tigers want.

Omega is an explosive striker.

The senior scored five times during a 6-3 win over Raleigh Charter in the opening round of the 2A playoffs on Saturday.

“I didn’t think we played particularly well,” said JK coach Mitchell Quinn. “I didn’t feel we were mentally together, and if you need that at any time, it’s now.”

JK scored four second-half goals after leading 2-1 at halftime.

Ronald Ramirez netted a pair of scores.

The Tigers traveled to Wake Forest on Tuesday in hopes of putting enough goals into the back of the net against a stingy Franklin County defense, which has allowed just 20 scores in 25 matches.

“They move the ball very well,” Quinn said. “We’ll need the kind of defense we played against Wallace-Rose Hill to win that game. And we can’t afford to miss our scoring opportunities because we might not get many chances against a good team.”

EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL Francisco Roldan has scored 12 goals this season, tied for fourth among all Duplin Journal-area players.

Franklin Academy won the 2A title last fall and were 1A champs in 2015 and 2019 and captured 1A region titles in 2017 and 2020.

JK is 6-0-1 in its last seven games, which include a 5-2 win over Bulldogs to sweep the season series and tie WRH and East Duplin for ECC regular season title, as all three Duplin schools had 10-2 slates in the league.

The Tigers tied White Oak 2-2 early last week in a game scheduled because the NCHSAA moved the playoffs up a week for schools to play matches lost from Hurricane Helene.

That’s been the only recent struggle for JK, which won the ECC from 2019 to 2022.

Yet JK’s defense has been stellar this season in allowing just 20 goals and were due to be tested by the Patriots’ Logan

Hawley (19 goals, 17 assists) and Chase Cabrera (28 goals, 20 assists).

JK has been streaky this season, though playing two title contenders. The Tigers won their first four matches, lost to No. 1 Clinton and 3A Charles B. Aycock (19-5), won five straight before falling twice to ED in three days and going 6-0-1 from that point forward.

The Tigers’ biggest day to date was a 5-2 win over WRH a day before Halloween that forged the three-way deadlock in the ECC standings.

Omega leads the Tigers in scoring with 29 goals, second only in the Duplin Journal-area to WRH’s Alex Zepeda’s 47. ED’s Yoskar Canales has 27. JK’s Ramirez has 15, while teammate Francisco Roldan and WRH’s Chris Mejia each have 12 scores.

EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Eliel Ruiz and Chris Mejia celebrate a goal and later an 11-2 WRH playoff win over South Granville.

EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Brayan Mendez has scored eight goals for ED this fall.

RUSHING

AT T–YDS TDs

Carell Phillips (ND) 154-1,468 25

Jamarae Lamb (W) 1 38-1,137 6

Shawn Davis (ED) 1 14-1,070 14

Irving Brown (WRH) 160-894 1 2

Noah LeBlanc (R) 1 11-869 9

Jeremiah Hall (JK) 741-680 6

Aaron Hall (ED) 92-600 6

Jarrod Miller (HCA) 76-529 8

Caleb Simco (R) 7 7-522 16

Demetrius Jones (HCA) 70-491 9

Keeshon Mckinnie (ED) 52-486 4

Josh Mitchell (JK) 5 6-485 5

Vance Carter (ND) 95-460 5

Jamari Carr (WRH) 57-421 6

Imir Sanders (JK) 4 4-403 2

Christian Diaz (R) 57-452 8

J’Kaeshi Brunson (HCA) 76-334 4

Bryan Zambrano (ND) 5 6-308 1

Jeremiah Davis (HCA) 26-270 0

Eli Avent (JK) 6 5-274 8

Dashaun McKoy (HCA) 29-280 3

Adrian Glover (WRH) 24-257 2

Allen Stukes (ED) 45-248 3

Chamani Newton (HCA) 3 8-207 2

Noah Quintanilla (ND) 15-147 1

Jordan Hall (ED) 1 2-147 0

Luke Kelly (ND) 22-141 4

Jamari Shaw (WRH) 1 2-106 2

Ethan Turnage (ND) 1 1-103 1 RECEIVING

Duplin Journal

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK SPONSORED BY BILL CARONE

Bill Carone

Peter Omega

James Kenan, soccer

Peter Omega is fast, has great ball skills and can shoot the ball accurately.

Omega has scored a team-high 29 goals this fall to lead JK to a 15-4-1 mark and a share of the ECC title.

The senior scored 35 goals and dished out 22 assists last fall as a first-team all-Duplin player.

Omega knocked in four last Saturday when the Tigers beat Raleigh Charter 6-2 in the first round of the 2A playoffs.

difference to what he would become.

He played football at Ball State while also working at a Chrysler transmission plant. He taught school in Indianapolis for two years and then came to Western, where his path to a head football position was blocked. In those days, teaching and coaching positions were cherished and difficult to get.

While he took what was offered and turned it into a gold mine on the mats, here’s a dollar that says he could have been a great grid coach.

My brother Steve’s team got smoked every game as eighth and nine graders. Every game. But they were unbeaten as freshman with Jarrett as the head coach.

Jarrett built a wrestling army, and thus he could say, “If you wanna quit, quit. I have replacements for the replacements,” which of course only made us work harder.

When he said, “You’re breaking my heart, baby,” we knew we had lost our arguments.

He made us do these crazy conditioning exercises called “overs-and-unders,” which amounts to jumping over your partners bended back and then

PREVIEW from page B1

897 yards, 11 TDs) has two superb targets in Tyquise Wilson (18348, 4 TDs) and Zeleya (13-221, 3 TDs), while the junior signal caller has run for 282 yards and nine scores.

No. 29 Washington at No. 4 WRH

WRH is the No. 4 seed because it won the ECC and played Havelock, the No. 1 seed in 3A, and Hoggard (9-1), the No. 2 seed in 4A, even though the Bulldogs lost to both power schools.

The downside to scheduling power programs is the possibility of injuries before conference play begins.

The Bulldogs (7-3) dodged those bullets and an 18-15 upset via North Lenior to grab a high seed.

The Wing-T attack is led by Irving Brown (160-894, 12 TDs) and Jamarae Lamb (138-1,137, 6 TDs), and WRH’s no-name defense has played better than in many years past.

The Bulldogs have given up two touchdowns or fewer in all of their wins, sans the NL affair.

That will keep any team in a game, though WRH’s offense has been much more productive in the past. Brown has not been 100% and likely won’t be until after the playoffs. Yet 75% of a Division-I recruit of Ohio University has still caused havoc for opponents. Lamb, who nearly everyone thought would have a breakout season, has made up for the difference.

WRH’s passing game has provided a few surprises via quarterback Matthew Wells (18-36 for 253 yards, 3 TDs). Backup quarterback Adrian Glover (24-257, 2 TDs) and running backs Jamari Shaw (12-106, 2 TDs) and Lonnie Wilson, who is averaging 6.2 yards per-carry battling back from an injury, are other options for offensive coordinator Adam Scronce.

The Pam Pack (4-6) start-

through their legs seven times in 15 seconds.

They were totally exhausting and piled on us when we went against the rule of the wrestling room. It only took one goofball to force a team into extra sets. I know of no other sport that does these fatiguing exercises that made us in better shape than our foes. Nearly always. Jarrett had five state champs at Western and a few more at Eastern.

Yet the funny thing is that female students in PE class, nonathletes in the hallways and parents were attracted to his magnetism, bringing both smiles and refreshing acceptance to his ways and special coach-talk.

Jarrett was inducted into the Howard County Hall of Fame, but he was always a guy who shunned the fame part in public.

I met him a couple years after my father died when I was 11.

I didn’t know if he took me under his wing or treated everyone like he did me. Turns out the latter was true.

He was also the guy who talked future state champ Joey Schwartz out of quitting when he was a freshman, and Rick Murphy, Steve Jones and I tossed him around like a suitcase at the airport.

“I was in his office, and he

made me wait for 10 minutes before saying a word,” said Schwartz, who earned the nickname Crusher. “I thought he was doing something. But he was thinking and said, “I think there’s a spot for you if you can wait it out a little.”

Many others had Jarrett stories at the visitation. Eastern wrestlers came out in droves.

He coached his son Bobber and grandsons Blake and Zach Pence, the latter of which followed him as the head coach of Eastern.

While quite officially retired, he still coached his grandchildren and anyone at a meet he attended.

Jarrett died at age 79 as a forefather to wrestling in Central Indiana and father figure to thousands.

He was an icon of cool and success, and though he had a little bit of a biker flair, he had really more “Fonzie” in him than James Dean.

OK, some of my references are a bit dated. Yet what he taught has remained. Some old-school ways are still building blocks despite new ideas, technology and specialization.

Jarrett threw me on the mat against a state-qualifier as a freshman and I was promptly pinned.

But it was the last time I was counted out. He told me to master two moves.

I did, and I could take anyone down with a fireman’s carry/ tip and get a Granby reversal on most, even in the waning seconds of a match.

I won a lot of matches. Not as many as some that would follow, but enough to feel the flame of success, which came about because of the embers I walked on in practice.

Wrestling is the most difficult sport.

ed 0-3, have since gone 4-3, but have nonetheless dropped several competitive games — Ayden-Grifton 35-31, North Pit 34-29, Kinston 12-7 and Greene Central 31-29. Ironically, all four wins have come on the road.

Senior quarterback Evan Makepeace has hit on 70 of 160 passes for 971 yards and 11 touchdowns, though he rarely leaves the pocket. Wide receivers Jarryn Payne (34-570, 7 TDs) and Anderson Thomas 21-284, 4 TDs) have been his primary targets. Junior running back Keondrick Melton (219-1,575, 16TDs) has the bulk of Washington’s 1,868 rushing yards.

The winner takes on the survivor of No. 13 Burlington Cummings (8-2) and No. 28 Southwest Edgecombe (5-5).

And JK will likely be wait-

ing in the third round. WRH head coach Kevin Motsinger, who is 172-84 all-time, is 10-0 against the Tigers, one of his former coaching stops. The Bulldogs have taken the previous 12 encounters, the first two of those under former WRH coach Joey Price.

No. 18 Richlands at No. 15 Rocky Mount

Richlands (9-1) is looking for its first playoff win as a 3A school, yet it got a disappointing seed because of the unusually low RPI of East Duplin and Princeton. That and falling to Coastal 3A Conference champ White Oak cost the Wildcats as many as 10 seeding positions.

The Gryphons (6-4) play in the Big East 2A/3A with the likes of some good teams.

Six minutes on the mat is an eternity, and after a tough bout, every part of your body screams. It’s harder than football in that there are no timeouts or time between plays.

And it requires speed, strength and a Ph.D. in leverage and courage.

I called Jarrett three years ago, hearing he was suffering in health.

“I can still whip your ass.” he said in a very funny and Jarrettway.

Some things never change.

So after hearing he had died, I thought, “What would coach Jarrett want me to do?”

He would want me at the football game I had to cover.

My heart wouldn’t let that happen for a man who gave so much to so many, including me. I cherished speaking to his wife, Rebecca, his children and being in the same room as the man who changed my life so long ago.

I could feel him.

I could see how he affected my life.

I could see him one more time.

We were all so lucky to have you. No one forgets Bob Jarrett. Thanks for every memory. What you gave us lives forever. So long, coach.

yards: Isaiah Silver (84-732, 12 TDs), C’quarhion Mitchell (76627, 5 TDs), Tavoris Parker (79626, 12 TDs) and Ty’lik Harrell (113-588, 5 TDs).

Linebackers Jack McKellar (8.8 tackles per game), Amarion Dance (7.1) and Travion Parker (6.7) lead the defense.

Richlands head coach Pat Byrd is hoping his defensive front line of Semaj Thompson, Marcus Branthoover, Trea’vaun Flanigan and CJ Marra plug holes, giving more reaction time to linebackers Cam Hobbs, Julian Theil and free safety Jonathan Kennon.

The Wildcats offense is centered around quarterback Caleb Simco, who can pass (62-125, 1,347 yards, 11 TDs or run (77522, 16 TDs) his team into the end zone.

Running backs Noah LeBlac (111-869, 9 TDs) and Christian Diaz (57-452, 8 TDs), and wide receivers Tyler Clouatre (13-613, 6 TDs) and Lenny Halfter-Hunter (24-393, 3 TDs) are weapons for Richlands’ senior signal caller.

The survivor faces the winner of No. 2 Fayetteville Seventy First (10-0) and No. 31 Croatan (6-4).

Rebels wait another week

North Duplin (9-0) took the No. 2 East Region 1A seed and waits for the winner of No. 15 East Bladen (4-6) and No. 18 Southeast Halifax (4-6).

The best team in the third round could be No. 20 Lakewood (7-3), which the Rebels beat 4324 on Oct. 11.

ND fell to Southwest Halifax, 26-21, in the second-round last fall.

So barring an upset, the Rebels have winnable games in the first three rounds. But No. 2 Wlson Prep (9-1) figures to be an obstacle.

They lost 41-40 in overtime to Northern Nash (10-0) and by the same score and in overtime to Southern Nash (8-2).

Rocky Mount has four running backs with at least 588

So is No. 1 Tarboro (9-1), which lost to 3A No. 1 Havelock but has six shutouts and eight landslide wins.

When ND kicks off in the second round, it will have gone 14 days since it last played.

NOTICE OF SCHEDULES, STANDARDS AND RULES AND PUBLIC HEARING FOR REVALUATION OF ALL REAL PROPERTY EFFECTIVE 2025

Notice is hereby given that on November 4, 2024 the Duplin County Tax Administrator submitted to the Duplin County Board of Commissioners the proposed true value and present-use value schedules, standards and rules to be used in the 2025 revaluation for the real property in Duplin County.

Notice is further given that a copy of the said proposed true value and present-use value schedules, standards and rules was filed in the office of the Duplin county Tax Department, 117 Beasley Street, Kenansville, NC 28349, on November 4, 2024 where said proposed schedules, standards and rules are available for public inspection.

Notice is further given that on Monday, November 18, 2024, at 6:00 pm the Duplin County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on said proposed schedules, standards and rules. All interested citizens are invited to be present and comment on said proposed schedules, standards and rules, if they desire to be heard. Said public hearing will be held in the Duplin County Administration Building 224 Seminary Street, Kenansville, NC 28349.

Notice is further given that the final schedules, standards and rules will not be adopted by the Duplin County Board of Commissioners until at least seven days after the public hearing herein referred to.

PJ WARD BROWN / DUPLIN JOURNAL

JK’s Jeremiah Hall has been Duplin County’s biggest surprise at running back this season.

Bob Jarrett

EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Pat Byrd took Richlands from 0-8 to 9-1 and into a first-round matchup against Rocky Mount.

obituaries

Myra Robinson

Aug. 13, 1954 – Nov. 2, 2024

Myra B. Robinson, 70 ,of Opelika, Alabama, formerly of Rose Hill, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at 12:00 noon at the Rose Hill Funeral Home Chapel, 472 Wells Town Road in Rose Hill, NC.

Left to cherish her precious memories: husband, Carl Robinson of Opelika, Alabama; son, Ernest Campell Jr. of Washington, D.C.; mother, Hazel Taylor of Wallace; brother, Jay Taylor of Lanham, Maryland; sister, Oneida Khalsa (Jaimal) of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; special cousin/brothers, Clark McMillian of Rockville, Maryland, and William “Billy” McMillian of Landover, Maryland; numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and friends that will miss her dearly.

Helen (Mobley) Southerland

July 10, 1930 – Nov. 4, 2024

A kind and gentle soul, a gracious and loving lady, Helen Mobley Southerland entered eternal rest on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at the age of 94. She was born July 10, 1930, to Dennie Mobley and Ella Brown, living most of her wonderful life in Duplin and Pender counties and most recently in Florida.

In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded in death by her siblings, Novene Merritt, Marie Swaggerty, Ray Mobley, Chuck Mobley, Elton Mobley, Orland Mobley, Al Mobley and Ottis Brown; and daughter in law, Mary Moore Southerland.

Helen is survived by her daughters, Anne Greer (Allen) and Judy Grim Porter (Ken); son, Pate Southerland; grandchildren, Dan Southerland (Amy), Laurie Zeltzer (Joe), Adam Ramsey, Brian Ramsey (Autumn), Will Grim (Taylor), and Lauren Flynn (Chris); 10 great grandchildren; sisters, Diane Conway and Jackie Jones (Jimmy); many nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Before moving to Florida to live with her daughter, Helen was an active member of First Assembly of God in Wallace.

Helen was an extraordinary woman whose resounding faith and love for family was unmatched. Her brightly shining light often served as a guide to those around her. Those that knew Helen will always remember her passion for love, laughter, and delicious cooking for those she loved. She was a true example of what it meant to be a Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Sister, Aunt and Friend. Her presence in our lives will be forever missed but we find solace in knowing she is at peace and rejoicing with her sister, Novene, and other loved ones.

The memorial service will be Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, at Padgett Funeral Home in Wallace with the Rev. Leo Bracken conducting the service. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Following the memorial service, interment will be at Riverview Memorial Park.

Norma Ann (Floyd) Whaley

Sept. 9, 1962 – Nov. 9, 2024

Norma Ann Floyd Whaley, 62, of Rose Hill left this earthly life for her eternal rest on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. She was born on Sept. 9, 1962, in Duplin County, the daughter of the late Ralph Noman and Margie Morgan Floyd.

Norma is survived by her children, Corey Whaley and wife Katie of Burgaw, Kayla Francis and husband Richard of Rose Hill, Kelsey Norris and husband Chris of Rose Hill and Zachary Whaley and wife Brianna of Rose Hill; grandchildren, Tyson Whaley, Mason Whaley, Savannah Whaley, Johnathan Gilbert, Jamison Francis, Brayden Francis and Colton Francis; sister, Tracy Wells and husband Lloyd of Rose Hill; stepmother, Fannie Floyd of Rose Hill; and extended family and friends that loved Norma dearly.

Norma was a loving mother, caring grandmother and stepdaughter. To her children, she was the best mother in the world. Being a kindhearted and loving lady, everyone called her “Mama.”Norma’s grandchildren were the apples of her eye. She adored every one of them. Norma enjoyed working outside with her favorite plants, elephant ears. She also enjoyed going to the beach, picking up seashells and listening to the Backstreet Boys. There was one thing on Norma’s to do list every day and that was to have her morning coffee to start her day. She was a great lady and will surely be missed but treasured memories will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and love her.

Funeral service was held on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 at Quinn McGowen Funeral Home, Wallace Chapel with the Reverend Leo Bracken.

The family received friends one hour prior to the funeral service at the funeral home.

Burial followed the service in Fussell Family Cemetery in Rose Hill.

Casketbearers were her sons and grandsons, Corey Whaley, Zachary Whaley, Johnathan Gilbert, Jamison Francis, Tyson Whaley and Mason Whaley. Honorary Casketbearers were Chris Norris and Ashton Hall.

May 28, 1944 – Nov. 3, 2024

Thomas Shearl Hall, 80, passed away on Nov. 3, 2024, at his home.

Funeral service was Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, followed by visitation, at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville.

Graveside service was Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024 at Brinkley Sloan Cemetery in Chinquapin.

Survivors include: spouse, Susan Brinkley Hall of Kinston; sons, Tommy Hall (Misty) of Kinston, Todd Hall (Leigh Anne) of Deep Run; daughter, Kristy Vaughan (Ben) of Grifton; grandchildren, Ryan Hall, Lacey Floyd, Cole Vaughan and Tucker Vaughan; great grandchildren, Alaina Hall and Parker Hall.

Donna Jean Braswell Lanier

Oct. 2, 1938 – Nov. 7, 2024

Donna Jean Braswell Lanier, 86, passed away Nov. 7, 2024 at ECU Health Duplin Hospital in Kenansville. Mrs. Lanier was born Oct. 2, 1938 in Duplin County to the late Charles Bradley and Bessie Mae Turner Braswell.

Donna was a true people person, never meeting a stranger and was also well known for her Chicken and Pastry.

Visitation was held one hour prior to the service on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024 at Warsaw United Methodist Church. A memorial service followed.

Donna is survived by daughter, Gwen L. Grady and husband, Bill of Warsaw; grandchildren, Sonya Revels and husband, Jeffrey of Clayton and Chris Grady and wife, Amber of Warsaw; six great grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren.

She is also survived by two brothers, Charles Braswell and wife, Karen of Surf City and Tony Braswell and wife, Jean of Faison.

She was preceded in death by husband, Joe Lanier; son, Jimmy Lanier; brothers, Glenn and Leon Braswell.

Walter Glenn Hatcher

May 8, 1956 – Nov. 6, 2024

Walter Glenn Hatcher, 68, passed away at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Center in Wilmington. Mr. Hatcher was born May 8, 1956 in New Hanover County to the late Walter Henry Hatcher and Louise Bradshaw Hatcher.

Mr. Hatcher was graduate of the NC School for the Deaf and was a diehard Tar Heel Fan. He was also a self aught woodworker and had received numerous awards for his woodworking projects.

Mr. Hatcher is survived by his loving wife, Cathy Fussell Hatcher of the home; son, Daniel Glenn Hatcher and wife, Laura of Michigan; two grandchildren, Jamison and Bennett Hatcher; two brothers, Harold Hatcher and wife, Barbara and Ronnie Hatcher, both of Wallace; two sisters, Janice Cavenaugh and husband, Glenn of Pin Hook and Donna Batts and husband, Jimmy of Wallace; and several nieces and nephews. At this time no services have been planned.

Meg Lewis Reaves

Feb. 27, 1950 – Nov. 4, 2024

Omelia Lewis Reaves, known to all as Meg Lewis Reaves, left her disease stricken and worn out earthly body to receive life eternal Monday evening, Nov. 4, 2024, while being cared for at Novant New Hanover Medical Center in Wilmington. Meg was 74.

A lifelong resident of Calypso, Meg was a member of Calypso Presbyterian Church, where she had served as church pianist since the age of 12. Her long tenure of church membership gave her the opportunity to serve in many capacities, which include being a church elder, director of the adult choir, assisting with the junior choir and with the youth group in which she served as counselor, and on various committees. She had been an active member of the Ladies Auxiliary at Calypso Fire Department, and was an avid supporter of North Duplin Rebel athletics. She had been employed as accounts payable clerk with Sonoco, which became Hylex Poly, and had been employed as a teaching assistant at North Duplin Schools, and had assisted in the corporate office of Southern Bank and Trust Company.

Meg was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lloyd Thomas “Tom” Reaves; her parents, Ed and Sallie Farmer Lewis; and brothers, Edward R. Lewis Jr. and the Rev. Richard Farmer “Dick” Lewis. She is survived by her sons and their wives, the Rev. Dr. Tim Reaves and Tina Reaves, and Lewis Reaves and Heather Reaves, all of Wilmington; three grandchildren, Alena Reaves Gurgainous and husband, Mason, Trinity Reaves, and Tristan Reaves,all of Wilmington; a great grandson, Waylon Gurgainous of Wilmington; and several sisters in law, brothers in law, nieces, and nephews from both the Lewis and Reaves families. Visitation was at Tyndall Funeral Home Thursday, Nov. 7. Also on Thursday, the family received friends at the Reaves residence in Calypso. Funeral services were held Friday, Nov. 8, at the Calypso Presbyterian Church. Officiating was the Rev. Nick Nielsen, with words of remembrance spoken by her son, Tim. Burial followed in the Calypso Cemetery. For those wishing to remember Mrs. Reaves with a memorial gift, the family suggests Calypso Presbyterian Church, PO Box 321, Calypso, NC 28325. Our lives have all been enriched by the presence of Meg Reaves. Humble, kind hearted, Christ like, helpful, loving...she will be sorely missed.

Lillian Frances Whitley

March 9, 1955 – Nov. 3, 2024

Lillian Frances Judge Whitley, 69 of Beulaville, quietly entered into her eternal rest on the evening of Nov. 3, 2024 at home. Funeral service was scheduled for Friday, Nov. 8, 2024 at St. Lewis Missionary Baptist Church of Chinquapin. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service. Interment followed in the St.Lewis MB Church Cemetery.

Carl Bennett Potter Sr.

June 6, 1940 – Nov. 2, 2024

Carl Bennett Potter Sr., 84, affectionately known as “Fat Man” passed peacefully away Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare in Wilmington.

He was born June 6, 1940, in Teachey, the son of Vivian C. “VC” Potter and Annie Mae Bonham Potter. In addition to his parents, Carl was preceded in death by his sister, Cornelia Chewning and brother, VC Potter Jr.

Carl is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Dixie Reaves Potter; children, Rhonda Marshburn, Rachel Rich, Carl B. Potter Jr. and Shannon Wells and her husband, Scott; grandchildren, Grace Phillips (Alex), Andrew Marshburn (Tory), Meghan Hodges (Albeit), Wyatt Potter (Felicity), Cole Potter, and Savannah Wells; seven great grandchildren; many extended family and dear friends.

He was affectionately known by family and friends as “Fatman” and “Peanut.” During Carl’s earthside time, he was known for riding the lawnmower and raking leaves (even during the heat of the summer). He worked many jobs, but he retired from Ruth’s Salad as a supervisor. He met his wife, Dixie, at the drug store where she worked. He came in and asked for an unsweet lemonade, and they have been inseparable, through good and bad times, ever since. His family was something he held near and dear to his heart, as he was proud of each of his children and grandchildren for all of the things they have accomplished. To know Fatman was to love him.

A private family memorial service will be conducted at a later date.

April 28, 1940 – Oct. 30, 2024

Maybelle Whaley Mobley, 84, passed away on Oct. 30, 2024, in Onslow Memorial Hospital, Jacksonville. She was a long time member of the House of Prayer in Comfort, where she enjoyed singing and praising the Lord.

She is known for touching many lives with her beautiful spirit and uplifting voice. She loved spending time working in the yard in one of her many flower beds and spending time with her fur baby (Pretty Boy).

She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Mary Whaley, her spouse, Arnold Mobley and two children, Rita Williams and Henry John Clayton Jr., sister, Nancy Justice and brothers, Garfield Williams and Gordan Whaley

She is survived by her sister, Christine Kornegay of Mt. Olive;, grandson, David Williams (Kimberly); great granddaughter, Samarria Hayes (Dylan); great great grandson, Xander Hayes, and her fur baby, Pretty Boy.

Funeral service was held on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, followed by visitation, at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville. Graveside service was Friday, Nov. 8, 2024 at East Duplin Memorial Gardens, Beulaville.

Thomas Sheral Hall

Agnes Holland Brown Brock

June 2, 1931 – Nov. 2, 2024

Agnes Holland Brown Brock of the Pasture Branch community, Rose Hill, gained the angel wings we all knew she invisibly wore here on earth on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. She is predeceased by husbands, Norman Edward Brown Sr. and William Edward Brock; son, Norman Edward Brown Jr.; and parents, Patrick McCrae Holland and Eva Mildred Thomas Holland.

Left to cherish her memory are her two daughters, Anna Brown and husband Dennis of Rose Hill and Gina Hines and husband Larry of Rose Hill; sisters, Hazel Pittman Rowe and Patricia Head both of Wayne County; grandchildren, Norman Dwayne Brown and wife Sandra, Amanda Brown Collins and husband Brandon, Justin Brown and wife Jennifer, Georgiana Whaley, Ashley Holmes and husband Josh, Kevin Hines and wife Jessica; great grandchildren, Hannah Whaley, Hallie Whaley (father Brad), Taylor Holmes, Tyler Holmes, Peyton Brown, McCrae Brown and Kinlee Hines.

Known to many, loved by all who knew her, “Miss Agless”, as she was affectionately called, lived a long, full life. She was born and raised in Nahunta, where she attended and graduated from Nahunta High School. She was the daughter of a sharecropper and homemaker who taught her, at an early age, the value of hard work. Those values and lessons stuck with her all her life. As a result, she was no stranger to hard work and strong moral values.

In her teenage years, she dreamt of becoming a nurse, following in the footsteps of a beloved aunt. After graduating from Nahunta High in the 1940s, she enrolled at James B. Walker School of Nursing in Wilmington. During that time, nursing students were not allowed to be married while attending school. When she met Norman, or Slim as he was known, she chose love over a career, leaving school behind to pursue marriage and growing her own family. When she and Slim married, she became a part of the Pasture Branch community where she lived and loved others the remainder of her life.

Slim and Agnes had one son, Norman Edward Brown Jr. Sadly, Slim passed away 10 years into their marriage, leaving her to care for Slim’s aging mother, Anna, and their 9 year old son. To make ends meet, she enrolled in cosmetology school and earned her chair at Dot’s in Wallace. She worked there a few years after she married her second husband, William, in the early 1960s.

In this chapter of her life, she and William farmed and opened a small country store where he did mechanic work and she ran the grocery side of the store.

During that time, she and William had two daughters, Anna and Gina. After health issues made it impossible for William to do mechanic work, they closed the store and focused on farming.

Because she was a farmer’s daughter, she was happiest whenever she was outdoors. She loved driving tractors, working in the fields, gardening, digging in flower beds and, in her more mature years, she could be found on any given day doing yard work on the land she and William called Home. She loved a fire and would stack piles of odd limbs and debris she cleaned each week from her yard. She would sit with her favorite furry companion, Coco, watching it all burn to ash. Her heart was as big as the ocean, and for many years she was a caregiver to those she loved dearly. She cared for both mothers in law for over 50 years, combined. She was caregiver to her late husband, William, before his death in 2014. To say she was tough was an understatement. She never complained, she just did what she had to do, and always put others needs ahead of her own with deep love and genuine compassion.

Her family was everything to her. Everyone knew she was the glue that held them all together. For years, she made quilts by hand, and every single one of her children, their children, and their children’s children own a quilt made especially for them. They may have been made from old scrap pieces of fabric, but each quilt was made with immeasurable, unconditional love. Countless hours of stitching and sewing allowed her to give these treasures to those she loved. In addition to her family, she also gave quilts, or odd things

she had made, to close friends and neighbors. In giving, her heart was happiest. To those who knew and loved her, her love for and faith in God was evident in all she did. She was a Sunday school teacher for over 50 years at Island Creek Baptist Church, and her beautiful Alto voice lifted high though out the sanctuary each Sunday morning. Her biggest prayer was that others saw Jesus in her.

She was quick with jokes and loved to laugh. Her way of warming up to strangers was to make light of any situation and, through laughter, she made life long friends easily. She was kind and caring. She was devoted and loyal, and she loved others as they loved her. She was absolutely hands down, a wonderful, beautiful soul.

They say grief is the price one pays for love, and no matter the number of years we live without her physically, we will always carry a part of her with us. She will forever be loved and forever be missed. No one should doubt where she is today. She is now walking streets of Gold, singing in Heaven’s great choir, and worshipping God as faithfully as she did though out her earthly life,

A Celebration of Life service was held on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024 at Serenity Funeral Home in Beulaville, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial service was private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her honor to Island Creek Baptist Church, 237 Pasture Branch Road, Rose Hill, NC 28458.

June 8, 1935 – Nov. 5, 2024

Grace Evelyn Langston Whaley, 89, passed away at her home on Nov. 5, 2024. Mrs. Whaley was born June 8, 1935 in Duplin County to the late Ferney David and Emma Jean Sauls Langston. Visitation was held Friday, Nov. 8, 2024 at Community Funeral Home of Warsaw, Inc. A funeral service was held in the funeral home chapel and burial concluded the service in Pinecrest Cemetery, Warsaw. Mrs. Whaley is survived by daughter, Cindy Whaley Shaddeau and husband, Jimmy of Norfolk, Virginia; grandchildren, Brenda Silcox of Orlando, Florida, Diane Jernigan of Pensacola, Florida, Michael Saddeau and wife, Jane of Norfolk, Virginia; seven great grandchildren; brother in law, Roy Ferrell and sister in law, Dealie Langston. Mrs. Whaley was preceded in death by husband, Lonnie Odell Whaley; daughter, Grace Whaley Garner; brother, Willie “ Bud” Langston; and sister, Lillie Mae Ferrell.

Wallace supplies farm help, Thanksgiving meals to western NC

the

Mission to

mountains continues for River Landing ladies

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

THE MOUNTAINS continue to call to a group of River Landing and Wallace residents, who have made numerous trips to western North Carolina in the weeks since Tropical Storm Helene devastated the region.

Emily Ludlum, Melissa Stevens, Jennifer Johnson and their families and neighbors have been collecting donations and supplies since the storm hit on Sept. 30.

Most recently, the group traveled to the small town of Minneapolis to deliver Thanksgiving meals and to help one family farm repair more than four miles of fencing.

“This is the worst area I’ve seen so far,” Ludlum told Duplin Journal. “It is a pretty low-income area, so people didn’t have much to start with, and the storm has just devastated the people there.”

One such family devastated by the storm is that of Rachel and Brandon Townsend, who happen to be third-generation cattle farmers.

“In talking to Rachel, their biggest need was fencing,” Ludlum said. “She specifically said they needed barbed wire and T-posts.”

Ludlum committed to help the Townsends’ farm by providing the wire and T-posts, but unfortunately, what was needed came to a cost of $13,000.

“We couldn’t do that, so we committed to buying 500 T-posts and that was a little more manageable,” Ludlum said. “We put a group together and worked the weekend to help repair what fencing we could.”

That involved cutting down and chopping up trees along the way amidst some of the worst damage the team has seen so far.

“The pastures they have are now covered with river rock and mud,” Ludlum explained. “It’s just changed the landscape. One pasture now has a 10-foot-deep pond that’s about 50 feet wide. And then, the trees are hardwoods so they’re difficult to cut down and move.”

The Townsends gained back one field from the work the group was able to do over the weekend. They also helped the family purchase hay to feed the cows.

“Because the pasture is covered with river rock and mud, the cows can’t eat,” Ludlum said, “so they’re having to feed them hay earlier than they normally would.”

And speaking of food, deliver-

“The people gave us so much love and appreciation. Any little bit you offer, they are so grateful.”

Emily Ludlum

ing Thanksgiving meals was the other portion of this past weekend’s trip.

“Our hometown church, Wallace Presbyterian, graced us with a large amount of money to do with what we needed,” Ludlum said. “I know when our houses flooded (in Hurricane Florence in 2018), it was right at the holidays. So we wanted to help a few families be able to have a Thanksgiving meal this year.”

Ludlum said the Wallace Piggly Wiggly worked to get everything ordered, including 55 turkeys, casseroles, desserts and fixings.

“We delivered door to door,” she said. “The people gave us so much love and appreciation. Any little bit you offer, they are so grateful.”

Minneapolis is full of houses that have been moved off their foundations and even split in two from mudslides.

“We couldn’t get there on our

first trip because it is so remote and it was so heavily damaged,” Ludlum said. “I know I probably say this every time, but this one was a hard one.”

Next up for the group — setting up a toy shop in Black Mountain and Swannanoa. Ludlum said they’re working with social workers at three schools in that area to identify the children who are most in need of a happy Christmas.

They are currently accepting donations of toys, wrapping paper, bows and tape at the Wallace Fire Department or Duplin Journal office.

“We are really trying to ensure a Christmas for these kids,” Ludlum said.

Though the need is still great in western N.C., Ludlum said the areas she and her team have served are all well-stocked on supplies.

“What they need is muscle, tradesmen, people to cook hot meals, people to work in the distribution centers, and they need money,” she said.

PHOTOS COURTESY EMILY LUDLUM

The group from Wallace stayed at Minneapolis Baptist Church over the weekend of Nov. 8-10, helping a farm family mend fences and delivering Thanksgiving meals in the small, heavily damaged town.

The Townsend Family Farm in western N.C. was heavily damaged by Tropical Storm Helene. A group from Wallace traveled there last weekend to help clear trees and mend fencing on the farm.

Grace Evelyn Langston Whaley

Duplin Journal Vol. 9, Issue 38

Duplin Journal

the BRIEF this week

New seniors, vets center opens

Teen charged for beating cat to death with bat

WEEKLY FORECAST

School board gets 2023-24 audit report

Beulaville appoints new member to zoning board

Beulaville PD adds new officer

THE CONVERSATION

Congress must make small business tax deductions permanent

Health department presents Duplin’s health needs assessment

Top health problems affecting locals are diabetes, addiction, obesity, heart disease and mental health

Pickles, Pigs & Swigs brings fun for everyone around town

DUPLIN SPORTS

PREP FOOTBALL PLAYOFF PREVIEWS

BULLDOGS-TIGERS II?

COLUMN | MICHAEL JAENICKE

Saying goodbye to an iconic coach whose lessons live on

MY FORMER

Diaz’s ’Dawgs hope to embark on long playoff journey

Lanier-led Panthers continue revival season in the playoffs

No. 12 Tigers avoid first-round trap

RUSHING

Duplin Journal

Peter Omega

James Kenan, soccer

NOTICE OF SCHEDULES, STANDARDS AND RULES AND PUBLIC HEARING FOR REVALUATION OF ALL REAL PROPERTY EFFECTIVE 2025

obituaries

Myra Robinson

Helen (Mobley) Southerland

Norma Ann (Floyd) Whaley

Donna Jean Braswell Lanier

Walter Glenn Hatcher

Meg Lewis Reaves

Lillian Frances Whitley

Carl Bennett Potter Sr.

Agnes Holland Brown Brock

Wallace supplies farm help, Thanksgiving meals to western NC

Mission to

mountains continues for River Landing ladies