Duplin Journal Vol. 9, Issue 6

Duplin Journal

State Board of Elections appoints

Michael Edward Lynch

Duplin County

The State Board of Elections recently announced Michael Edward Lynch of Duplin County was appointed as one of four Democratic members of county Boards of Elections. DJS

First responders’ swift action saves man’s life at local Walgreens

Wallace

Last week, Wallace Police o cers who responded to a call for help at the local Walgreens, helped save a man’s life thanks to their prompt action providing CPR and deploying the department’s automated external de brillator on the patient who was not breathing.

According to WPD o cials, EMS arrived shortly after, nding the man breathing independently. The patient became unresponsive again and a second shock was administered, after resuming CPR. ”The subject’s pulse returned, and he was loaded into the ambulance and taken to the hospital.”

DJS

Little Free Library

coming soon to Jimmy Jerome Park

Rose Hill

Duplin County Partnership for Children recently announced that they will soon have a Little Free Library at Jimmy Jerome Park in Rose Hill. Through the Little Free Library children can share free books.

DJS

Former Wayne County Sheri ’s deputy faces 40 years in jail

Wayne County

According to the U.S. Attorney’s O ce, Eastern District of North Carolina, Michael Kenneth Cox, a former Wayne County Sheri ’s deputy, pled guilty to two federal charges related to his role in drug tra cking and procurement fraud conspiracies in connection with contracts his business received from WCSO. DJS

Duplin Grows

Second-grade students from elementary schools across Duplin County visited the Duplin Events Center on March 26-27 to participate in Duplin Grows. The two-day event featured 12 informational and hands-on interactive sessions where children learned about agriculture. For the story and photos turn to page 6.

Bestselling novelist visits

Duplin County Library

Etaf Rum is the author of the New York Times best-selling novel “A Woman is No Man”

By Curt Simpson Special to the Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — “I was born without a voice, one cold, overcast day in Brooklyn, New York. No one ever spoke of my condition. I did not know I was mute until years later, when I opened my mouth to ask for what I wanted and realized no one could hear me.”

So reads the rst lines of Etaf Rum’s New York Times best-sell-

ing novel “A Woman is No Man.”

At the invitation of the Duplin County Library, Rum brought her newly found voice to the Ed Emory Auditorium at Duplin Commons in Kenansville on March 27 to address readers and discuss her writing and her desire to give voices to the voiceless.

Though her book is a work of ction, it is “heavily in uenced” by Rum’s life, she said. Much like her main character Deya, Rum is Palestinian and grew up sheltered as the eldest of nine children in a conservative Arab home in Brooklyn, NY. She attended an all girls Muslim school. As a child, she said she

CURT

Novelist Etaf Rum answers a question about writing from Duplin County Library Director Laura Jones on March 27 in Kenansville.

often wanted to do things that boys were doing, like participating in sports, having independence and going to college, however her grandmother forbade it, saying over and over:

‘Growing State, Shrinking Farmland’

American Farmland Trust experts talk about agriculture

By Ena Sellers

Duplin Journal

CARY — Last week regional and state agricultural leaders gathered for NC Ag Leads: Imagine Agriculture Day at the SAS campus in Cary, NC, to talk about agriculture, challenges and how to move the industry forward.

Cris Co n, National Ag Land Network Director and Senior Policy Advisor and Dr. Courtney Owens, Southeast Regional Director, both with American

Farmland Trust were among the speakers who engaged participants in a thought-provoking conversation about the shrinking agricultural land base in North Carolina.

“We are doing a lot more work in the regenerative agriculture space and keeping farmers on the land because we understand that there is no farmland without farmers,” said Co n. “We really believe that farmers and ranchers want to do right by their land and their businesses and that we just need to be helping to encourage and facilitate and support their work.”

Co n shared that every state in the U.S. is losing farmland.

“We need to do something

71%

71% of Duplin County’s conversion is projected to occur on the county’s best land according to the business-as-usual scenario.

about it… let’s focus on building that capacity of folks around the country to be able to save land,”

See IMAGINE AG , page 5

Town of Magnolia to get Lead for NC fellow

The fellowship in local government provides a win-win for municipalities and college graduates

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

“It’ll be the rst one ever in Duplin County. It allows me basically to have a special assistant who is college educated, who has a keen interest in going into government, and I can put them on special projects.”

Charles “Twig” Rollins, Magnolia Town Manager

THE TOWN of Magnolia was recently selected for a Lead for North Carolina grant through the School of Government. According to Magnolia Town Manager Charles “Twig” Rollins, Magnolia was selected from a pool of 100 other local government applicants. This fellowship in local government will provide the town with the opportunity to work hand in hand with a recent college graduate from the cohort of Lead for North Carolina Fellows. “It’ll be the rst one ever

in Duplin County,” said Rollins excitedly. “It allows me basically to have a special assistant who is college educated, who has a keen interest in going into government, and I can put them on special projects.”

The town manager explained that this was mutually bene cial for the town and the fellow, who will be working with them for a year. Rollins said they want to make sure they take advantage of applying for every grant they can, and the fellow can help them do that, as well as help in other areas.

“One of the key areas I want to work on with the person

Three-car crash on I-40 causes tra c delays

An accident is under investigation after a driver allegedly caused a wreck using the grass area to pass another car

Duplin Journal Sta

A THREE-CAR accident that occurred last Thursday, on Interstate 40 near mile-marker 368 resulted in several people injured and tra c backed up for miles.

“The white truck proceeded to drive in the grass area of the side of the road on I-40 because everyone was going [too] slow for him. As he went to get back on the road in front of the black jeep he lost control and hit the jeep,” Jameeka Tatum told the Duplin Journal. Tatum added that the white truck also hit her vehicle ipping her and her two children four times. “My 2 year old and 8 month old, we [were] in the Ford Ranger.”

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol Kenansville ofce were not able to comment as they were waiting for the report.

First responders said minor injuries were reported.

ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL

MARCH 27

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in Duplin County:

APRIL 4

Enjoy a Murder Mystery Night at the Magnolia Dreams Inn on April 4 at 7 p.m. The event promises an unforgettable evening of suspense, intrigue and tasty deserts. Tickets are $25. Visit magnoliadreamsnc. com for details.

APRIL 8

The Red Cross will be holding a blood drive at Faison Recreation and Wellness Center, located at 184 Park Circle on April 8, 9 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. Walk-ins welcome. Visit redcrossblood.orgto make an appointment.

APRIL 11

Persons interested in starting a business can now participate in free entrepreneurship workshops that will be offered on April 11, May 2 and May 30 at University of Mount Olive. According to the announcement, the workshops will focus on rural and agricultural businesses.

APRIL 12

The Spartan Sprint 5K and Fun Run will be held on JSCC’s campus on Friday, April 12. If you sign up within the next two weeks, you will also receive this year’s race t-shirt. If you have any questions call 910275-6135 or 910-275-6152. All proceeds will benefit JSCC’s Presidential Scholarship.

The North East PFWB Church will be holding a BBQ Chicken Fundraiser at 499 Jack Dale Rd in Wallace from 11 a.m. until plates run out. The plates are $10 each and include chicken, string beans, boiled potatoes, and dessert. If you would like to pre-order call 910-5520216. Cash, check and Venmo accepted. Space available to eat or delivery available for businesses. All proceeds go to the North East Church Building fund.

Ashley Dawn Stallings, 32, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on charges of breaking and/or entering and resisting public officer. Bond was set at $10,000.

MARCH 28

Michael Danielle Lanier, 41, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on a charge of possessing a stolen motor vehicle. No bond was set.

Jessica Lynn Benson, 39, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on charges of possessing drug paraphernalia, resisting a public officer, felony

IMAGINE AG from page 1

said Co n, adding that this was not just about land protection but also about stabilizing the land base. Owens shared that North Carolina is one of the states that has not passed the Uniform Partition Heirs’ Property Act, which helps farmers or the next generation “save their farmland,” and “prohibits the sale or partition of land.” He explained that the south is

APRIL 13

Cabin Lake will host its Youth Fishing Tournament on April 13. The tournament is free to all participants between the ages of 4 to 14. There will be first, second, and third place prizes in each of the three age brackets. The grand prize will be awarded for the biggest fish overall. To register, call Cabin Lake County Park at 910-298-3648. Refreshments will be available for purchase, cash only. Registration is at 8 a.m. The final weigh-in is at 11 a.m., at 220 Cabin Lake Road, Pink Hill.

The Royal Hanneford Circus is coming to the Duplin Events Center, located at 195 Fairgrounds Dr., Kenansville, on April 13 and 14. For details, call 910-275-0009.

APRIL 18

Join JSCC and NC Works for their annual Duplin County Job Fair on Thursday, April 18, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the JSCC campus and meet with employers. Be sure to dress to impress and bring copies of your resume. For more information, email kblanton@jamessprunt.edu.

APRIL 27

The NC Pickle Festival kicks o Friday, April 26 from 5-10 p.m., with the main day on Saturday, April 27 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in downtown Mount Olive. The festival will feature Cuke Patch 5K, Tour de Pickle, a pickle eating contest, a recipe contest, live music, dancer stage, a car show, a pickleball tournament, beer and wine garden, special guests and a pickle princess pageant.

The Carolina Strawberry Festival Garden Gala will be on Saturday, April 27,

possession of scheduleII controlled substance, possessing drug paraphernalia (two counts), and simple possession of schedule-VI controlled substance. Bond was set at $40,000.

Jordan Riley Tyson, 41, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on a charge of assault on a female. Bond was denied.

MARCH 30

Christie Alexandria Bell, 42, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on charges of littering (not greater than 15 lbs) and injury to personal property. Bond was set at $500.

the most threatened farmland in the country and North Carolina ranks number two in the group of states that have been identi ed.

“There are 3.9 million acres that could be at loss if nothing is done,” said Owens. “The breakdown goes to a million acres of land that can no longer [be used in] farming practice.”

Owens spoke about three future scenarios they have identi ed through their research: business as usual, runaway sprawl and better built cities.

1-6 p.m. at the Gardens at Johnson Nursery and will feature food, drinks, music, and an opportunity to explore the beautiful Gardens. Entertainment will be provided by The Catalinas. VIP tickets are $75, and general admission tickets are $35.

The Wallace Moose is hosting Touch A Truck community event on April 27, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 175 Skydive Ln. near the Wallace Airport. Kids will be able to explore vehicles like a police car, fire engine, dump trucks, live haul trailer, and tractors! The event is rain or shine. Proceeds will benefit the Moose Heart Children’s Home.

Power Lifting Competition on April 27, at 11 a.m., at 138 Town and Country Shopping Center in Wallace. Weigh-in is at 10 a.m. Become part of the Men’s 1,000lb Club & Women’s 600lb Club. Deadline to enter is April 1.

HAPPENING MONTHLY

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

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

The Town of Calypso meets at the council chambers the rst Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 103 W. Trade Street. For information, call 919-6589221.

The Faison town board meets the rst Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m., at 110 NE

MARCH 31

Michael Jamall Lee, 42, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on charges of assault on a female, driving while license revoked (not impaired revocation), and expired registration tags. Bond was set at $2,000.

Christopher Michael Jones, 39, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on a charge of second degree trespass. Bond was set at $500.

Ricky Anthony Cuffie, 58, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on a charge of assault on a female. Bond was denied.

“The business-as-usual model, is basically poor planning of agriculture and development and low density residential sprawl; The runaway model is the less e cient way of protecting farmland, and it also displaces farms… there’s larger lots of homes being developed in these rural areas, and so the farm that was once thriving and providing for communities, fresh fruits and local food, is no longer there,” he explained adding that the recommended

Center St., Faison. For more information, call 910-2672721.

The Economic Development Board meets the rst Friday of the month at 7 a.m. at the Duplin County Airport Conference Room.

The Greenevers town board meets the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m., at 314 E. Charity Rd. For information, call 910-2893078.

The Teachey town board meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 116 East 2nd St. For more information, call 910-2857564. The Warsaw town board meets the second Monday of each month at 6 p.m., at 121 S. Front St. For more information, call 910-2937814. The Magnolia town board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., at 108 Taylor St., Magnolia. For information, call 910-2893205.

The Rose Hill town board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., at 103 Southeast Railroad St. For more information, call 910289-3159.

The Duplin County Health Department is offering Diabetes Self Management Classes from 1-5 p.m., the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month at 340 Seminary St. Kenansville. For more information, call 910-3729178.

The Wallace town council meets the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., at 316 East Murray St., Wallace. For more information, call 910-285-4136.

Duplin County Beekeepers meets the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., at the Duplin Extension Center.

Joseph Thomas Marapese, 29, was booked into the Duplin County Jail on charges of speeding and driving while license revoked (two counts). Bond was set at $2,000.

scenario is the better built cities model, which emphasizes “planning for agriculture, planning around productive agricultural land, not bulldozing that land and taking it out of production.”

Data provided by Owens to the Duplin Journal shows that 71% of Duplin County’s conversion is projected to occur on the county’s best land according to the business-as-usual scenario. Statewide 1,197,300 acres of farmland and rangeland will be converted to urban and highly

developed and low-density residential land uses in the business-as-usual scenario. Co n and Owens emphasized the need for ag leaders to work together to protect the state’s farmland and help the farmers and future generation of farmers, because the choices that are made at the local, state and federal levels will have a tremendous impact on the future of agriculture and the land that sustains us. Visit farmland.org/ for more information.

Easter food drive helps feed more than 270 local families

The Duplin County Health Department in partnership with Duplin Coalition for Health and Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries hosted an Easter Resource Event and Food Drive at the Duplin Events Center on March 28.

According to the Duplin County Health Department, they were able to feed 270 families with the assistance of Food Bank of Central & Eastern, Duplin Christian, Butterball and House of Raeford. Participants of the drive-thru event received food boxes and community resources.

UMO to hold open house for its newest Nursing Simulator Lab

The high- delity simulator o ers students the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning experiences

Duplin Journal Staff

The University of Mount Olive recently announced an open house for the Nursing Simulator Laboratory will be held on Monday, April 15, from 3 to 6 p.m., on the second floor of the communications building, where the Simulator Laboratory is located.

The lab is the university’s newest innovative simulator and was purchased thanks to grant funding from the Golden LEAF Foundation.

According to the UMO announcement, the new high-fidelity simulator provides students with the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning experiences across the lifespan of patients. “From pediatric care to geriatric care, the simulators

replicate diverse patient scenarios, allowing students to hone their skills and build confidence in a safe and con -

trolled setting,” read the announcement.

“As the nursing profession continues to evolve, educational institutions like the University of Mount Olive play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of healthcare leaders,” stated Kristin Mozingo, director of the Nursing Simulation Laboratory and assistant professor of nursing. “With the introduction of the new high-fidelity simulators, the University remains at the forefront of nursing education, empowering students to excel in their future careers and make meaningful contributions to the field of healthcare.” The event will provide participants with the opportunity to meet and talk with current nursing students and faculty, see simulator demonstrations, and find out how the simulators are improving the educational nursing landscape.

“With the introduction of the new high- delity simulators, the University remains at the forefront of nursing education, empowering students to excel in their future careers and make meaningful contributions to the eld of healthcare.”

Kristin Mozingo, director of the Nursing Simulation Laboratory and assistant professor of nursing

PHOTO COURTESY OF DUPLIN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Margie Bowen of Beulaville helps ll food boxes with produce at the Duplin Events Center last Thursday.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ECU HEALTH DUPLIN HOSPITAL

Eve Stroud, ECU Health Duplin Hospital community health improvement coordinator (left) and Patricia Gonzalez, an interpreter with the community health improvement team, stand under an 8-foot in atable colon that ECU Health Duplin Hospital has been using to teach the public about the importance of colon health. The Duplin Events Center was the last stop in The Great Colon Tour on March 28.

PHOTO COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT OLIVE

The new simulator allows students to hone their skills and gain hands-on learning experiences in diverse patient scenarios in a safe and controlled environment.

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

Finishing the year strong

As we move forward in this nal push, let’s strive to be more resilient with our students. They are under a tremendous amount of pressure, so anything that we can do to alleviate that pressure for them, let’s do it.

IT’S SO HARD TO BELIEVE that we are nearing the end of another great school year. This year has been a year full of innovation, collaboration, problem solving, and success. Our entire DCS family has been working so hard this year and are committed to finishing the school year stronger than we ever have before. Even though we feel spring is in the air, we can not let up in our pursuit of success for all students. Now is the time to dig into our respective roles as students, parents, and staff to ensure that nothing will get in our way of seeing our students achieve to the heights we know they can. Students, now is the time to communicate with your teachers and support staff to make sure that you check on any missing assignments and get them completed. Talk with your counselors to finalize college applications and scholarship information. For those students entering the workforce after graduation, reach out to those appropriate staff members to make sure that you are on track and ready to go. Be present, prepared, and attentive in your classes and lend a helping hand to your peers when you can. With the season of testing quickly approaching, review your

| SUSAN ESTRICH

notes daily and create study plans now. Be sure to ask questions, stay on top of your progress, and know, DCS students, you’ve got this!

Parents, your efforts this year have not gone unnoticed, and we are thankful for all that you do to support your child’s learning. As we move forward in this final push, let’s strive to be more resilient with our students. They are under a tremendous amount of pressure, so anything that we can do to alleviate that pressure for them, let’s do it. If we want our students to achieve their highest potential, then we have to put the supports in place to help them. In addition, our teachers and support staff have worked so hard this year to prepare our students and they will not let up in their efforts to ensure that our students finish strong. So let’s get behind them even more and show that we support them in these efforts. Teachers, support staff, and administrators stand ready to help you in every way they can, so continue to reach out to them and keep the lines of communication open.

In order to provide additional support to our families, please find some strategies below that will help our students in this upcoming testing season.

• Know the testing calendar

Set aside time each night to review instructional topics

• Make sure students get to school on time on the day of testing

• Ensure students eat a nutritional breakfast (breakfast will be served daily at school)

Make sure students get plenty of rest the night before

• Remind your student how proud you are of their accomplishments

• Always talk to your children in an inspiring tone

With the steadfast support of our Board of Education and each of us working together, there is nothing that our students can’t achieve. Every child is unique and special in Duplin County Schools and every child can find success. As “One Family” we remain committed to do whatever it takes to make sure our amazing students are successful!

Dr. Austin Obasohan is the Duplin County Schools Superintendent.

The Supreme Court, Justice Breyer and abortion

The majority, he argues, wrongly assumed that in overruling Roe, the court would return abortion decision-making to the states and the political process, taking judges out of the process.

IT MIGHT JUST BE A COINCIDENCE that former Justice Stephen Breyer’s new book had its official publication date on the same day the court heard argument on the biggest abortion case since Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overruled Roe v. Wade.

In his important new book, “Reading the Constitution: Why I Chose Pragmatism, Not Textualism,” and in published interviews, Breyer takes on the theories of originalism and textualism, which the new justices appointed by Donald Trump have adopted in interpreting the Constitution. Breyer does not question the good faith of these new members of the court. He does not argue that they are simply voting based on the partisan politics of the man who appointed them, a position which, I must admit, I sometimes think is sadly responsible for the extremism of this court. Rather, he gives them their due: that they are in fact guided by two theories of constitutional interpretation that are quite simply wrong.

Originalism means that the Constitution should be interpreted according to the intent and understanding of the white male property owners who wrote it, rather than in light of contemporary values and understanding, and the practical consequences of their decision. Textualism focuses on the actual words, including punctuation, of the Constitution, in their original context. The illusion of these theories is that they provide clear answers to hard case, thus limiting the extent to which a judge’s personal politics and values dictate the

answers. It’s an illusion because judges aren’t historians, and even if they were, the world has changed drastically, and in unimaginable ways, in the centuries since the Constitution was drafted. There was no internet in the 18th century, and neither originalism nor textualism can tell you how it should be regulated consistent with the First Amendment.

Breyer dissented in Dobbs, not because he is personally pro-choice, but because he believes in respect for established precedent and a living Constitution that is broad enough to recognize a right to privacy for women. The majority, he argues, wrongly assumed that in overruling Roe, the court would return abortion decision-making to the states and the political process, taking judges out of the process. But that is clearly not the case, nor will it be.

“The Dobbs majority’s hope that legislatures and not courts will decide the abortion question will not be realized,” he wrote.

He was more forceful in his interview with the New York Times. “There are too many questions,” he said. “Are they really going to allow women to die on the table because they won’t allow an abortion which would save her life? I mean, really, no one would do that. And they wouldn’t do that. And there’ll be dozens of questions like that.”

One of those questions was before the court on Tuesday, when a majority of the justices expressed skepticism about what was clearly a partisan political effort to curtail the availability of medicated abortion. The suit was brought by a group of anti-

abortion doctors, in a district in Texas with exactly one judge, an outspoken opponent of abortion, Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk, who, as they hoped, invalidated the FDA’s approval of mifepristone. In August, a panel of conservative judges on the 5th circuit ruled that the medication should remain legal but imposed significant restrictions on access. The anti-abortion forces were hoping to reinstate the original ban, a position opposed by a 2-1 margin, or more, in public opinion polls. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito were sympathetic to a position that, if adopted, would further reduce public trust in the court, as Dobbs did.

The court majority -- minus Thomas and Alito -- may be able to avoid another ruling as unpopular as Dobbs by focusing on the narrow ground of whether the plaintiff doctors have “standing” to challenge the mifepristone rules -- whether they can show that they suffer any harm as a result of it -but no such obvious escape path will be open to them later next month when they face the unprecedented argument that Donald Trump should enjoy absolute immunity from criminal prosecution.

Will partisan politics win out? Will the court purport to play historians in search of an answer? Trust in the court is at an all-time low. The rule of law demands as a precondition that even those who disagree with a particular result accept its force. That principle will be at stake. Breyer’s pragmatic approach yields only one answer. It will be up to the three Trump appointees, and the chief justice, to decide. Hopefully, they will read Breyer’s book before they do.

COLUMN | AUSTIN OBASOHAN

COLUMN

JSCC Celebrates Women’s History Month

James Sprunt Community College Student Services hosted a Women’s History Forum on March 28 at the Monk Auditorium. Pictured above from left to right are panelists Tanya Smith, Duplin Early College High School principal; Lynne Moore, NC Works Career Center manager for Duplin County; Kelli Jacobs, JSCC English instructorl and Krisha Parker, JSCC physical education instructor.

Faison celebrates the holidays with an Easter Egg Hunt

Families gathered at the Anne Stroud Taylor Faison Recreation and Wellness Center on Saturday, enjoying a day of fun in the sun and fellowship. Children celebrated Easter weekend with a visit from the Easter bunny, train rides, and an egg hunt among several other fun activities.

AUTHOR from page 1

So instead of participating in life and making choices for herself, she found pleasure in reading books about the lives of others. After years of that, however, Rum said she grew to no longer accept that women had to be subservient to men just because that was the way that it had always been.

Rum dreamed of going to college and studying literature; however it was forbidden and at 19 years old, Rum’s parents arranged for her to be married to a man that she did not know, in the tradition that many Arab families practice. That marriage brought her from New York to Rocky Mount, NC, and her husband actually agreed that she could go to college. She attended NC State University and earned two bachelor’s degrees and a master’s degree, all while having two children and raising a family.

She said she was teaching at Nash Community College, had a beautiful family, drove a Mercedes, and it would seem she had it all. However, she said she felt unful lled and just couldn’t force her daughter into the same traditional roles that women in Arab families must play – that of homemaker, with no choice in the matter.

“So I was ful lling the domestic duties that were expected of me as an Arab woman, and also pursuing the career that I ercely wanted, which was to educate myself in literature. Maybe teach. I don’t know,” Rum said. “I just wanted to have something so I could protect myself like my mother never could protect herself.”

She eventually divorced her husband and sought therapy, where she was encouraged to start journaling. That’s when the writing bug really bit. She explained that even though she

“I just wanted to have something so I could protect myself like my mother never could protect herself.”

Etaf Rum, author of The New York Times best-selling novel “A Woman is No Man”

read a lot growing up, she never read the stories of Arab women like herself, and those in her family.

That journaling eventually turned into “A Woman is No Man,” a critically-acclaimed debut novel that became a bestseller after being selected as a recommendation by Jenna Bush Hager, of NBC’s “Today Show.” Rum said she was ecstatic to learn that her book was going

to be a Jenna Reads selection in May 2019. The selection led to book sales, television interviews and some fame; but the true bene t, Rum said, was that the stories of Arab women are now nally starting to be told.

Rum’s second novel “Evil Eye” was released in 2023, also to critical acclaim. Both of her books are listed as Editor’s Choice selections on Amazon. com, and have thousands of positive reviews on Goodreads. com. Duplin County Library Director Laura Jones said she met Rum at a state library conference in 2023, and in talking, they realized that they knew people in common in the Kenansville area. Because Rum is a big supporter of public libraries, she both agreed to come speak, and she sold several deeply discounted copies of her book to the library so they could

FC EMC now accepting applications for Bright Ideas grants

Kenansville

Teachers are invited to apply for Four County Electric Membership Bright Ideas education grant, offering up to $2,000 for school projects that bring learning to life in K-12 classrooms. Visit NCBrightIdeas.com to apply or for more information.

Kubota Hometown Proud grant program

Duplin County

The Kubota Hometown Proud grant program is accepting applications through April 12 to help communities in their operating districts grow, build and revitalize their local community.

The program will award 20 grants to support local nonprofit projects. The community project with the highest number of votes in each district will be presented with a $50,000 grant, and each district runner-up will receive a $10,000 grant. Visit KubotaHometownProud.com for more information.

Health Department

o ers free classes on how to control diabetes

Duplin County

The Health Department is offering Diabetes Self Management Classes from 1-5 p.m., the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at 340 Seminary St. Kenansville. For more information, call 910-3729178.

Free Entrepreneurship workshops at UMO

Duplin County

Interested in starting a business? The University of Mount Olive is offering free entrepreneurship workshops on April 11, May 2 and May 30 at the UMO campus. The workshops will focus on rural and agricultural businesses.

be circulated to Duplin County readers. Those books are available for library card holders to check out now. Jones said that with the diversi cation that is coming to the population of Duplin County and Southeastern North Carolina, it’s important to have voices like Rum’s be heard.

Audience members came from well outside of Duplin County to hear Rum’s presentation, and many had praise and questions for the author – questions about her life, her novels and the process of writing.

Rum said that writing is a discipline, and when she’s writing, she dedicates at least four hours a day to it “whether I feel like it or not. You can’t just do it when you feel like it.”

She is currently working on her third novel, though she would not share any details on it. “It hasn’t cooked yet,” she said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JAMES SPRUNT COMMUNITY COLLEGE

PHOTO COURTESY OF FAISON RECREATION AND WELLNESS

Second-graders learn about agriculture

Duplin Grows brought 750 students to the events center last week

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — Second graders from all eight elementary schools in Duplin County visited the Duplin Events Center on March 26-27 for Duplin Grows.

This year, 750 students participated in the two-day event. Each day, participants rotated through 12 stations where they learned about the various aspects of agriculture.

According to Charmae Kendall, North Carolina Cooperative Extension-Duplin County 4-H Program Assistant, thanks to local companies like Prestage Farms and Smith eld Foods, school children enjoyed a free eld trip to learn about the industry.

“Lots of folks in our area with ag backgrounds give us money for transportation, so schools don’t have to pay to come here,” said Kendall, as she spoke about Duplin Grows, a yearly event that focuses on agriculture and allows school children to enjoy a truly hands-on agricultural experience.

“We are super grateful for all of our volunteers,” said Kendall, adding that they had about 45 people at the Duplin Events Center volunteering both days to make the event possible. Kendall said she was very thankful

“Lots of folks in our area with ag backgrounds give us money for transportation, so schools don’t have to pay to come here.”

Charmae Kendall, North Carolina Cooperative Extension-Duplin County 4-H program assistant

for the kids from FFA and the Ag Academy that came to help in the event. The Events Center was buzzing with excitement as kids moved from one station to the other, learning about the di erent vegetables grown in Duplin County, safety practices, production, and got a chance to see and pet the animals.

Students learned about the di erences between dairy and beef cattle and got an opportunity to see them side by side. They also learned about pigs and got a chance to pet them.

“Those pigs are actually a 4-H project,” explained Kendall. “We’ve got 15 kids that have worked with those for eight weeks — learning about pig production and training those hogs.”

The Duplin County beekeepers were also on-site teaching children about the role of bees in pollination. Duplin County

Soil and Water taught about the importance of soil and the varied factors that play a role when growing produce. Another station featured a miniature cotton gin for kids to see how producers gin cotton. “(There is) a seed-to-store station. So, they kind of see the whole cycle of how we produce food, poultry,” said Kendall. “Second graders are doing life cycles, so they do a life-cycle wheel at that station that they can take home.”

Participants also got a chance to learn about ruminants and observe live goats and sheep.

“Ruminants have four compartments to their stomachs, so they’re learning about how those animals are able to digest cellulose – unlike humans that are mono gastric,” said Kendall. “And they’re talking about nutrition… minerals and how protein is for muscle… and what the different parts of the feed are.”

In another station, students could see basil seeds that germi-

nated instantly when water was applied. They also made germination necklaces with grass seed to take home.

“They’re told to put it in a window so they can see those seeds germinate as the time goes on,” said Kendall. “It’s nice they can take these things home and share with their parents too.” Duplin Grows brings the community together for this two-day event that year after year is a hit among adults and children alike.

PHOTOS BY ENA SELLERS / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Children from eight local schools learn about food and nutrition at the Duplin Events Center during Duplin Grows last week.

Rebels-Eagles most anticipated game in Carolina Conference

Top teams knock heads for the rst time Tuesday in Goldsboro

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALYPSO — The North Duplin baseball team is prepping for a showdown with Rosewood.

Ten games into the season, will the Rebels’ competition prove to have prepared them or worn them out?

Or perhaps that’s just the mentality many fans would take after a two-year run to the tune of 40-8.

So far, the brutal non-conference schedule has made ND (64, 3-0) a team Carolina 1A Conference clubs can’t contain. The Rebels have outscored Neuse Charter, Lakewood and Union 50-4.

They had that three-game winning streak snapped on Saturday when 3A Hunt beat them 13-4 in the rst day of Gold Leaf Tournament at Fleming Stadium in Wilson.

ND played the Green eld School on Monday, too late for the Duplin Journal’s deadline. The Rebels played a third game in the tournament the following day.

Yet the Easter holiday matchups are fodder for an April 8 confrontation against Rosewood (7-4, 3-0).

The two schools have battled for the CC title the previous two seasons.

The rematch is April 23 in Calypso, and the leaders could meet in the nals of the CC Tournament.

ND’s only other game against a non-1A school is an April 17 trip to Beulaville to play 2A

East Duplin. The Panthers have won two of the last three meetings, including a 14-4 decision on March 18. It’s been a season of few streaks as ND has faced four schools in 10 games with a 2A or higher classi cation. ‘Hunt’-ed down in rst round of Golden Leaf

Eight of nine ND starters had a hit against Hunt.

The Warriors jumped in front 7-0 after three innings, before the Rebels cut it to 8-4 in the fth.

Hunt put it åway with a verun sixth.

The Warriors out-hit ND 10-9 and bene tted from 12 walks by four Rebel pitchers.

Austin Du singled, doubled and drove in a run. Garris Warren had two RBIs. Tanner

are being intermingled into the lineup by coach Jaime Kylis Higginbotham, a veteran who knows there’s never enough ammunition, and always holes to plug throughout the course of spring.

This tactic helps player such as pitcher Ady Spence see time in the circle, since ND blasted Rosewood (13-0) and Union (13-3) last week. Spence’s bat is normally in the lineup, but the moved allows Higginbotham to rest the arm of ace hurler Lilly Fulghum.

ND regulars Reece Outlaw (.480, six extra-base hits, eight RBIs), Addy Higginbotham (.679, eight extras base hits, 13 RBIs), Spence (.500, 13 RBIs) and Fulghum (.600, 11 RBIs) are in mid-season form hitting-wise.

Younger Rebels such as M’chelle Jaco, Abigail Brown, Marissa Bernal and Sophia Davis to become more comfortable and join the line second line that is headed up by Iala Overton and Sara Tucker Thomas. Players in this group have played extensive -

WRH turns the corner on the season with 10 wins and growing con dence

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

TEACHEY — Wallace-Rose

Hill is halfway through its softball season and returned from Easter break to face ECC leader South Lenoir (6-5, 6-1) and third-place, defending champs

East Duplin (7-7, 4-2) three days apart. The Bulldogs (10-2, 4-2) did well enough in the rst half of the campaign to raise its condence, which included beating teams it could beat and nabbing wins in closer encounters, especially among the three leaders, which include second-place North Lenoir (81, 5-1). WRH whipped the Hawks in the rst half and will play

NL’s sister school South Lenoir twice before the regular season concludes.

Some of the “we-must-win” games for the Bulldogs and head coach Cory Lovelace are rematches with James Kenan (5-5, 1-3) and Southwest Onslow (1-8, 0-5)

Those two triumphs and a win or two over SL, NL or ED would likely put WRH in the

Lenoir Community College pausing men’s basketball program

There are concerns over Title IX violations

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

KINSTON — Lenoir Com-

munity College is pausing its men’s basketball program for a season. The loss of women’s soccer creates an imbalance as per Title IX, which says schools must have as many female sports as they do men’s.

LCC currently has basketball and baseball for men, but

only volleyball for women. First-year hoop coach Matt Grantham guided the Lancers to their winningest season in 22 years and rst winning season in a decade. The Lancers went 16-12 overall and a season-best 14-8 in conference play. The Lancers play in Division 2 of the National Junior College Athletic Association. Grantham said his immediate priority is nding schools where his players can continue playing basketball and pursuing their educational goals.

LCC said the scholarships of its players will be continued into the next academic year.

Grantham inherited 14 freshmen when he accepted the job in mid-June. He boasted the team has a collective grade-point-average of 3.45.

The school gave no indication whether or when basketball would return.

One x, though it would have a price sticker, is having basketball teams for both genders.

Many athletes from Duplin, Sampson, Wayne and Lenoir counties are attracted to LCC because of athletics. Student-athletes see it as a chance to stay close to home before moving to higher levels of competition after a junior college beginning.

Others go because it o ers them an opportunity of extending their athletic endeavors two more years.

Panthers snap back to crack Eagles in holiday tournament

Two tough

By Michae. Jaenicke Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — What’s the best remedy after losing to three straight conference foes?

East Duplin answered that with their bats on Saturday by pounding out a season-high 19 hits during a 15-5 win over Rosewood in the rst round of the Charles B. Aycock Easter Tournament in Pikeville.

The win came after the Panthers (7-7, 3-4) lost a pair of heartbreakers to North Lenoir (9-2, 6-0). Saturday’s win snapped a three-game skid for ED, which includes a lopsided loss to Southwest Onslow (4-7, 3-2).

The victory over the Eagles featured the current face of the program -- senior shortstop Zach Brown -- and the future’s next portrait -- sophomore pitcher/in elder Banes Raynor.

Both had 5-for-5 days and scored three times.

Junior Cain Graham, another up-and-coming performer, socked two home runs, singled and drove in four runs. Raynor, Colten Holmes , Eli Thigpen and Halen Watkins each added a pair of RBIs. ED led 8-2 after two innings

Panthers struggle to get over the hump against quality softball programs

By Michae. Jaenicke Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — Three consecutive losses. For the second time this spring.

That just doesn’t feel like it would be said about the East Duplin softball team, whose 13-3 loss on Saturday to Dixon left the Panthers with a 7-7 mark to start the week.

“We’re not playing our best right now,” said ED head coach Greg Jenkins, whose teams have won 19 games the previous two seasons.

“We’ve played good teams. Hopefully we will peak at the right time and make a push for the playo s.”

The drive needs to start soon as the Panthers (7-7, 4-2), who won the ECC a season ago, are a game behind leaders North Lenoir (8-1, 5-1) and South Lenoir (6-5, 6-1).

After the Easter break week, ED has ve league a airs and tough games against Richlands and North Duplin on its schedule.

Yet the most stunning moments last week for the Panthers came during 16-15 and 1311 slugfest losses to the Hawks.

ED whacked out a season-high 20 hits in the rst game against North Lenoir. But the Panthers gave up 19 hits and made ve errors by four players.

The Blue Devils tacked up the tying and winning runs in

the bottom of the seventh inning.

NL led 12-5, but ED scored three times in the fourth, fth and seventh and once in the sixth to go in front 15-14 at the break of the seventh inning.

The loss didn’t shed enough light on the performance of Kinsley Bond, who hit for the cycle with a single, two doubles , a triple and homer. The senior knocked in seven runs.

Karsyn Parker (5-for-5, three RBI), Carley Grace Jenkins (2for-5, two RBIs), and Ava Noble (3-for-5, four runs) made signi cant o ensive contributions.

Hallie Fowler drove in four runs, Alyssa Hatcher four and Lakyn Whitley and Haley Hemby two apiece for the Hawks. The two schools combined for 27 hits during Wednesday’s 13-11 game. Bond upped her RBI count by four with three hits.

Ava Noble likewise added a single, double and triple that knocked in three, and also scored three times.

Zoe Turner singled, doubled, drove in a run and scored twice.

Wildcats take two at tournament

Richlands captured two wins at the Touchtone Softball Tournament, and were to play on Monday, the nal day of its Easter break.

and scored three times in the fth and sixth to earn the 10run, mercy-rule win.

Graham went four innings to notch the win, yielding three

hits and an earned run. He had just three strikeouts, but also gave up only one walk.

Junior Kolby Hinson nished up the nal two frames, allowing an earned run, while whi ng two. It was the third 10-run mercy rule win this season for the Panthers.

ED played 3A Southern Wayne (6-5) for a second time in the second round on Monday and the 3A host Falcons (9-1) on Tuesday. The Panthers lost 11-5 to the Saints on opening day in Dudley. The Panthers will have nine days o before traveling to Richlands on March 10. They hike to Wallace-Rose Hill to days later.

Tough setbacks to Blue Devils

ED has work to do since falling to South Lenoir 5-1 last Tuesday in LaGrange and dropping a 2-0 decision in Beulaville the following day.

Raynor limited the Blue Devils to four. Hits, two earned runs in the one-run loss. He had six strikeouts and three walks during a 6.2 inning stint.

Raynor, Sawyer Marshburn, Gavin Holmes and Garrett

Sholar were the lone Panthers to get a hit o SL’s Jackson Jenkins, who struck out six and did not issue a free pass to rst base during a 92-pitch shutout. He’s 3-0 this season with a 1.64 ERA in 25.2 innings.

Garrett Boyd and Blake Crawford drove in runs in the second and seventh innings, respectively.

Marshburn scored the rst run in the third inning during the four-run loss in Beulaville. SL would counter with three in the visitor’s half of the inning and add single tallies in the fourth and sixth.

Dugout notes

Raynor (.522) has whacked 24 hits. He second in RBIs with 12 and has the most stolen bases (12).

Brown is at .413 with 19 hits and six walks and is tops in runs scored (18).

Graham’s 15 hits put him at .250, but he has the team lead in RBIs (15).

Marshburn checks in the stat book with a .297 average and Gavin Holmes and Watkins are both at .263.

East Duplin is on the road for four of its nal ve ECC games.

The Wildcats also nabbed a huge win last Wednesday by handing 3A Topsail (9-2) its second loss of the season.

Richlands rallied for ve runs in the seventh to topple the Pirates 6-2 as LeNayah Jackson drove in two runs and Tashi Allen, Abigail Huller and Makenzie Goin had run-scoring hits.

Megan Pittman, Erin Thi-

bault and Rachel Stapleton laced three hits. Goin struck out 18 and didn’t have a walk in giving up one earned run. The Wildcats (8-4) opened tournament play by beating High Point Christian 12-2 on Friday and gave Southern Alamance (9-2) its second loss of the spring, an 11-0 whitewash on Saturday. That same day

Richlands pushed past South Granville 9-4. Jackson went 3-for-4 and had three RBIs in the win over the Vikings. Thibault and Jordan Meece added run-scoring hits. Allen scored three times, getting on base via getting hit by a pitch, walking and singling. Junior Addi Andrews hurled ve innings to pick up the win.

losses to the Hawks doesn’t take the wind out of East Duplin’s sails

EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Baines Raynor has become the top ED pitcher. He’s also leading the team in hits, RBIs and stolen bases.

EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Kinsley Bond is tagged out during a recent game.

Matt Grantham guided the Lancers to it rst winning season in a decade last winter.

PHOTO COURTESY LCC

Panthers recover following humbling loss to crush Hawks

The

win

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — After being humbled by West Carteret 4-0, the East Duplin girls soccer team returned to a familiar strategy against North Lenoir: Get Katelyn Jones, Ellenanna Rogers and Anamarie Rodriguez involved.

Jones, whose 10 goals are second on the team, found the back of the net twice. Goals were also added by Rogers, who has nine, and Rodrigues, who leads ED with 13, en route to the Panthers’ 9-0 whitewashing last Tuesday in LaGrange.

ED (8-3-1, 4-0) also got scores from Yulianna Chavaaria, Miranda Roblero, and Kaydance Drinkwater. It was the sixth goal of the season for Roblero, whose seven assists are one short of the team lead held by Rogers. It was the fth cage-ringer for Drinkwater and third for Chavarria.

Jones, Drinkwater, Roblero, Rogers and Rodrigues scored goals during a 5-2 conquest of Trask. ED scored three times in the second half after leading 2-1 at halftime in Beulaville.

It was the fth time this season that the Panthers have posted a 9-0 victory.

Isla Miller had seven saves in goal.

East Duplin hosts Southwest Onslow (5-2-1, 4-0) on Tuesday in a match for rst place in the ECC.

The rematch is April 30 in Jacksonville.

Barring an upset, the title will be decided with the two matches.

Bulldogs struggle against Titans, Cardinals

Wallace-Rose Hill (6-4, 2-2) had its three-match winning streak snapped with a 4-1 loss to Trask last Tuesday, and the next day was silenced by Southeastern Home School 3-0.

Gabby Debman scored the lone Bulldog goal last week.

WRH returns to the sod next Tuesday with a road trip to South Lenoir. Three days later, East Duplin rolls into Teachey.

Tigers clip Blue Devils for rst conference win

Katherine Chirinos and Yively Benegas each found the back of the net twice last Thursday in Deep Run when James Kenan beat South Lenoir 4-3 for its rst East Central 2A Conference win of the season.

REBELS from page 7

ly during ND’s 6-1 start.

ND played 3A Topsail (9-2) this past Monday, too late for this newspaper’s deadline. The Rebels do not play until traveling to South Lenoir on April 9. The test is followed up by a game on ND’s diamond three days later.

No school in the Carolina 1A Conference will o er much of a challenge for the Rebels, which faces ve more league games and a pair of chest matches against rival East Duplin and unbeaten Wayne Christian.

East Duplin, baseball

Baines Raynor has an old-school heart for baseball.

To say he can’t get enough of it is an understatement.

His impact at East Duplin cannot be ignored, even though he’s a sophomore.

The Tigers roared to a 2-0 advantage, but the Blue Devils rallied to tie it 3-3 at the halfway mark.

“I got on them a little bit at halftime because I felt we relaxed and lost focus too easily when we got those leads,” said rst-year coach Kenny Williams. “We challenged them to be tougher, stay focused, and not give up any more goals in the second half and they responded.”

Benegas found Chirinos in the open at the 20-minute mark for the game winner. “From there, some solid defense by our backline and timely saves by Tytiana Wilson helped us hold on,” Williams said. “The second half was tightly contested. We played our assignments much better and maintained better spacing.”

JK (6-3, 1-3) returns from its 13day Easter holiday break to encounter North Lenoir and Pender this week.

Raynor has banged out 27 hits for a .540 average with eight doubles, 12 RBIs and a .540 on-base percentage. He leads the. Panthers in stolen bases (14) and is the ace of the pitching sta . He’s 2-2 on the mound with 40 strikeouts and 12 walks in 29 innings.

ND has outscored its three CC schools 50-7.

Here’s to examples of the destruction that was left after last week’s two league triumphs.

Rebels note to CC: ‘We are the champions’ ND took its second giant step to a third straight CC title by routing the Eagles, its biggest on-paper threat by crushing out 15 hits. Higginbotham singled twice, doubled, tripled and drove in four runs.

ND is simply a level or two above its CC’s foes, as Hobbton and Lakewood each have one win, with Rosewood (8-2, 2-1) and Union (6-3, 2-2) being further away from ND than its records show.

Bernal and Jaco both singled and doubled. Spence, Overton and Brown evenly split six hits. Fulghum added a hit and three walks.

The Rebels shot o cannons during a win over the Spartans as Outlaw, Fulghum and Bernal homered. Higginbotham, Overton, Spence and Megan Martin combined for seven RBIs.

Hailey King homered for Union, but could make it no more than a six-inning a air since the Rebels hit her hard. Six errors didn’t help the Leopard’s cause.

Fulghum and Spence limited the Spartans to four hits, while whi ng 11 and walking three.

WRH hosted Trask on Monday, a game that was too late for The Duplin Journal’s deadline this week.

Tigers topped the Blue Devils for their rst ECC

THURMAN PARKER FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Yulianna Chavarria scored her third goal of the season in a win over North Lenoir.

THURMAN PARKER FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

ED defender Ashleigh Sarmiento works a ball in the direction of the o ense.

EDUARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Lilly Fulghum is hitting .600 and is 4-0 in the circle for ND.

Bulldogs rolling into second half with playo ambitions

WRH wins four straight before the holiday break as the ECC slate takes center stage

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

TEACHEY — Wallace-Rose Hill enjoyed all the traditional things about the Easter holiday and had a bigger than normal smile knowing the Bulldogs (7-5, 3-3) are on a four-game winning streak.

The latest win came with a 10-6 triumph over Hobbton (8-4) last Thursday on WRH’s diamond.

Devon Sloan drove in two runs, while Dane Turner, Kaiden Lui and Hayden Lovette added an RBI each.

Dallas James scored twice with a hit and two walks.

WRH, which jumped to an 8-4 lead, swiped 11 bases in 11 attempts.

Lui went ve innings, giving up six hits, four earned runs, while whi ng nine and walking two.

James struck out four and didn’t allow a hit during his two-inning stint.

The Bulldogs hosted Pender on Monday, too late for the Duplin Journal’s deadline for this week.

Heated con ict in the ECC will be the focus on April 9 when WRH returns to league play with a trip to South Lenoir (7-2, 4-1).

Three days later coach Logan Kissner’s club hosts East Duplin (7-7, 3-4). The Panthers slipped past WRH 9-6 on March 8 in Beulaville. Next is a date with Southwest Onslow (4-7, 3-2).

The Bulldogs took care of Kinston twice last Tuesday, winning both ends of a double

header, 14-0 and 15-0.

In the opener, James, Lui and Caden Gavin (3-for-3) each drove in runs.

Reid Page singled, doubled, tripled and knocked in a run in the nightcap. Lovette picked up the mound win, including eight strikeouts.

WRH’s seven wins are the most in a season since the 2019 club went 8-11. The Covid-19 pandemic limited the Bulldogs to a 2-3 mark in 2020. WRH followed with campaigns of 3-11, 3-15 and 6-14.

Kissner, a former WRH player, took over as head coach this spring, replacing Frank Sessoms, who went 9-29 in two seasons. Getting a spot in the state playo s is the Bulldogs’ goal.

That will be a tough task given the ECC’s depth at the top -- NL, SL, SWO and ED. All things considered, that’s not been a possibility in the second half of the season since the 2016 team went 10-4 in league play with a strong rush after Easter.

Tigers shut down by Blue Devils’ Rhodes

Matthew Rhodes allowed three hits and Braden Barrnett, Braxton Boyd and Luke Porter each drove in a pair of runs as South Lenoir clipped James Kenan 11-0 last Tuesday in Deep Run. JK (3-7, 1-3) has nearly 13 days o until hosting ECC leader North Lenoir (9-2, 6-9) on April 9.

BULLDOGS from page 7

playo s, possibly as the third seed from the ECC.

The power core of the Bulldogs’ lineup Lovelace had in place going into the season -Lexi Kennedy, Sophie Sloan, Kaylee Powell and Jansley Paige — have been playing well.

Kennedy is the do-it-all ’Dawg. She’s hitting .630 with six doubles, a triple and 11 RBIs.

Just as big are the guts she brings to the circle, a gusto that keeps her team in games. She’s 10-1 with a 1.12 ERA. She’s whi ed 101 and walked 20.

Page (.476 with two doubles and three HRs) leads the team in runs (21) and RBIs (14).

Sloan (.385, eight RBIs) and Powell (.355, 11 RBIs) have added strong surges.

New additions

Chloe

Straughan (.310) and Payton Tyndall (.296) have been fairly

consistent, while also showing their underclass inexperience. Mattie Gavin (.216, catches), Maggie Boone (.148, huge HR vs. JK) and Isabella Parker (.217) are developing and making contributions. And while WRH’s nonleague schedule isn’t top notch, the Bulldogs have shown they can win close games in anticipation of more intense matchups in the ECC.

Clip Wildcats, rock through Vikings twice

WRH captured its fth straight win last Thursday by outlasting Hobbton 3-2 in Teachey.

Gavin and Straughan had run-scoring doubles, with Boone credited for the other RBI.

Tyndall was 2-for 1 and scored a run.

Kennedy struck out seven and walked two and the defense behind the senior right-

Kornegay singled, walked and scored twice. Hunt Pate likewise crossed the plate twice and was 1-for-3.

Tyson Foster and Nick Worrell each drove in three runs for Hunt (6-4).

Rebels blast way past Spartan, Leopards Du , Wesley Holmes and Holden Williams were all 2-for4 with two RBIs during a 13-1 win over Lakewood last Thursday in Roseboro. Pate punched out a pair of singles and scored twice and Kornegay was 1-of-3 with an RBI. ND jumped on top 11-1 in the rst inning

Two days later, ND collected 16 hits to overwhelm Union 201. The Rebels beat CC foe Neuse Charter 17-2, which followed the loss to East Duplin. Eric Santos-Clark did not allow a hit, facing two over the minimum in four frames to conquer the Spartans.

ND led 7-0 after two innings and scored 13 times in the third for the mercy-rule win on the Spartans. Williams singled twice, doubled and drove in ve runs. Pate was 3-for-3 with two runs. Du tripled and scored three times.

Kornegay, Warren and Noa Quantanilla all had a pair of hits.

ND’s 16 hits were a season high. The Rebels had 14 against Neuse Charter on March 19 and 14 versus South Lenoir on March 11. They also scored a season-high 20.

Rebel Notebook

Du is leading ND in average (.486) and RBIs (18).

Kornegay (.424) has the second-most hits (14).

Pate (.462) is rst in runs (22) and stolen bases (11).

Holden Williams is at .303, Holmes .393, Warren .367 and Quantanilla .320.

ND is hitting an incredible .375 as a team.

hander had just one error.

Earlier in the week, WRH swept both ends of a doubleheader over Kinston, notching consectuive 15-0 victories.

Game 1 featured two hits each by Sloan, Page, Tyndall and Boone.

Kennedy singled, doubled and knocked in two teammates in Game 2.

Page was 2-for-2 and scored twice.

Gavin, Sloan and Straughan each had a pair of RBIs.

Kennedy hurled two hitless frames and Tyndall one.

Blue Devils’ Herring spins two-hit shutout of Tigers

Makenzie Herring allowed just two hits, while striking out eight and not walking a hitter as South Lenoir blanked

James Kenan 10-0 last Thursday in Deep Run.

Callie Tyndall and Payton

Bryan each had two RBIs.

JK (5-5, 1-3) has 13 days until it plays again, hosting North Lenoir (8-1, 5-1).

counted on heavily on the mound and also in the batter’s box, where he’s hitting .424.

EDUARDO PUAC / DUPLIN JOURNAL

Lexi Kennedy leads WRH in hitting (.630), RBIs (17), extra-base hits (eight) and has 10 wins in the circle.

EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL WRH’s Reid Pge is hitting .585 with four doubles, three triples and a home run.

BASEBALL from page 7

Frances (Hall) Smith

March 21, 1929 –March 27, 2024

(age 95)

Frances Hall Smith, 95, of Rose Hill left this earthly life for her eternal rest on Wednesday March 27, 2024. She was born on March 21, 1929, in Duplin County; the daughter of the late Henry Herring and Rosalyle Bonum Hall. Frances was also preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Tommy Kerr Smith, and her three sisters, Mary Catherine Morrow, Lyle Johnson and Ann Tyson.

Mrs. Smith was a lifelong member of Oak Plain Presbyterian Church, where she served in several capacities during the years, the latest being preparing for Communion.

Surviving are her devoted son, Henry Thomas Smith and wife Beth of Rose Hill, her grandchildren, Conner Smith and Cole Smith; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends who loved Frances dearly.

Frances was a loving mother and caring grandmother who loved her family with all her heart. She was a simple lady who enjoyed simple things, but her greatest joy was her family and her church. Frances enjoyed owers and watching Hummingbirds. She was strong-willed but also very compassionate as she would always put others before herself. Frances will surely be missed but treasured memories of her will forever live in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Memorial service was held on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at Oak Plain Presbyterian Church, 6800 Waycross Road, Rose Hill NC 28458.

Memorial gifts may be sent to Oak Plain Presbyterian Church, 438 Halls Pond Road, Rose Hill, NC 28458.

The family wants to thank the sta at Pruitt Health and Hospice of Fayetteville for the compassionate care they gave to Frances and her family during her illness.

William Kenneth

“Ken” Hendrix

March 8, 1938 – March 28, 2024

(age 86)

William Kenneth “Ken”

Hendrix passed away on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at his home.

He is preceded in death by his spouse, Mary Hendrix and sons, Michael Hendrix and William K. Hendrix, Jr.

All services are private.

Survivors include: son, Robert Preston Hendrix, Sr. (Ioimata) of Beulaville; and daughter, Theresa Akkola.

James “Jimmie”

Cavenaugh

Feb. 10, 1943 – March 26, 2024 (age 81)

Mr. James Milton “Jimmie”

Cavenaugh of Wallace departed his earthly life on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, while at Wallace Health and Rehabilitation Center. Born on Feb. 10, 1943, he is the son of the late RC and Frankie Louise Hanchey. Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 61 years, Judy White Cavenaugh; children, James Henry Cavenaugh (Kathryn ) of Kenansville, Alice Faye Cavenaugh Stone of Wallace, Amy Beth Cavenaugh of Wallace, Abby Marie Cavenaugh of Wallace; grandchildren, Seth Graves (Echo) of Missouri, Kirsten Hostetler (John) of Missouri, Adeline Cavenaugh of Wallace, Eliza Cavenaugh of Kenansville, Dillon Padgett of Wallace, and April Padgett of Wallace; great grandchildren, Ryder Graves, Ripley Graves, Reed Hostetler, and Tanner Hostetler; siblings, Jeannie Williams (Tim) of Rose Hill and Andy Cavenaugh (Ava) of Wallace; brother-in-law, Jack White of Whiteville; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mr. Cavenaugh was a very special and very wise man, according to many and also had a great sense of humor. He grew up in the Northeast Community and lived most of his life there. He worked at J.P Stevens in Wallace for more than 20 years and worked as a solid waste site manager in Duplin County in later life. His passion was farming, which he did most of his adult life in addition to working in public jobs, which exempli ed his industrious nature. \After graduating from Wallace Rose Hill High School, he attended N.C. State. In all he did he showed a precise nature and would always “listen to learn.” A service to celebrate his life was held on Saturday, March 30, 2024, in the chapel of Padgett Funeral & Cremation Services of Wallace. Family greeted friends and family at a visitation immediately prior to the service and at other times at the residence. Interment followed the service at Cavenaugh Cemetery.

Ann Gresham Crouch

June 15, 1936 – March 27, 2024 (age 87)

Ann Crawford Gresham Crouch, 87, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Wilmington.

Ann was born in Beulaville on June 15,1936 to Amos Walter Gresham and Annie Louise Crawford Gresham, whose ancestors had deep North Carolina roots.

Annie Louise, a French teacher in Beulaville, passed away in the Sanford Sanitorium when Ann was 2 years old. Her father Amos “Uncle Walter” Gresham never remarried.

She was sent to Williamston to be raised by her Crawford family until her early teens. Her Aunt and Uncle, Roland Cornelius and Estelle Crawford, took a particular interest in her upbringing, and that of her children. Ann was always proud of her kin in Beulaville and Williamston. She later moved back to Beulaville to live with her father, grandfather, brother, and extended Gresham family, where she graduated from Beulaville High School.

Ann was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the Confederacy.

Ann married Linwood Bullock in 1953, with whom she had three loving children, John Charleton Bullock, Page Bullock Dunn, and Dorothy Bullock Playforth.

Ann spent her career as an administrator for Cumberland County Schools, whom she faithfully served for over 30 years, receiving awards in recognition of her dedication and work ethic. She spent the majority of her life in Fayetteville, where she raised her three children. Ann was a modern woman in her time, respected by her peers, and adored as matriarch of the large family she created.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Roger Crouch, Jr., a brother, John Gresham, and a granddaughter, Ashley Leigh Renfrow. Ann was laid to rest next to her father and mother, grandparents, great grandparents, and great great grandparents in the John William Gresham Cemetery on the corner of Jackson and E. Church Street in Beulaville.

She will be dearly missed by many, and her memory will serve as a call to her descendants to serve God faithfully and love one another as she loved us. Ann Gresham Crouch was a proud daughter of North Carolina.

“She is but asleep.”

Funeral service was Saturday, March 30, 2024, with visitation preceding, at Community Funeral Home of Beulaville. Interment followed at Gresham Family Cemetery, Beulaville.

Thomas Juan Bradshaw

July 17, 1954 – March 25, 2024 (age 69)

WILLARD — Mr. Thomas

Juan Bradshaw, age 69, of Willard passed away on Monday, March 25, 2024 at Lower Cape Fear Life Care in Wilmington. Funeral services were held on Monday, April 1, 2024 at Rose Hill Funeral Home in Rose Hill. Left to cherish his memories: life partner, Vanessa Toddle of Rose Hill; ve children, Victoria McGlothlin of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Teresa Simmons of Sneads Ferry, Nicholuse Toodle of Wilmington, Tameka Bradshaw of Teachey, and Andrew Bradshaw of Wilmington; brother, Douglas Bradshaw of Rose Hill; three sisters: Yvette Monk (Leon) of Jacksonville, Sharon Johnson (Ronnie) of Wallace, and Regenia Rogers (Bob) of Warsaw; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that will miss him dearly.

Avie “Skeet” Whaley Scott

June 11, 1946 – March 27, 2024 (age 77)

Avie ‘Skeet” Whaley Scott, 77, passed away on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Onslow Memorial Hospital, Jacksonville. Graveside service was held on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at Thigpen-Whaley Cemetery, Edwards Road, Beulaville.

Survivors include: spouse, Glenn Scott of Jacksonville; sons, John Clark of Jacksonville, William Clark of Jacksonville, Paul Clark (Jessica) of Kelso, Washington; daughter, Dolores Clark of Jacksonville; sisters, Lucy Henrick of Jacksonville, Tiny Mills of Jacksonville, Kay Sanderson of Jacksonville, Angie Sanderson of Warsaw, Margaret Douglas of Pink Hill; brother, Hampton Whaley, Jr. of Jacksonville; many grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren.

Nellie Dixon Barnhill

May 24, 1936 – March 29, 2024 (age 87)

Nell Barnhill, 87, of Chinquapin, left this earth to be with her Savior on Good Friday, March 29, 2024.

She was born May 24,1936 to the late Benjamin and Mary Dixon of Rose Hill. She was one of 10 children and preceded in death by her brothers: Pete Dixon, Leroy Dixon, and her sisters, Virginia Long, Flavi Albertson, Adell Culbreth, Gladys Hope, and Edna Dixon. Her remaining siblings on the earth are her loving brother Jimmy Dixon and sister Judy Dixon.

She was married to the love of her life, Elgin Barnhill (Joe), for over 71 years. Their love for each other is only read about in fairytales. She was devoted deeply to him and their four children, Jody, Tana, Cyndi, and Jay. She loved them with all her heart and her children were blessed to have been raised by one of the most kind, beautiful, and caring mothers on earth.

She believed in the Lord Jesus with all her heart and was a devoted servant to him. She was a member of the Sharon Baptist Church in Chinquapin. She loved her church family dearly. She loved all her extended family and welcomed them all in her home and heart.

Her love and compassion will live forever through all the loves she has touched on this earth and her spirit will never be forgotten. God truly gained an Angel. “Well done my good and faithful servant, well done”. Funeral service was Tuesday, April 2, 2024, with visitation preceding, at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville. Interment followed in Devotional Gardens, Warsaw.

Survivors include: children, Jonell (Jody) Harper (Steve), Tana Lanier (Grant), Cyndi Lanier (Benny), Jacob (Jay) Barnhill (Kimberly); grandchildren, Joshua Harper (Joey), Amber Floyd (Garret), Jackson Lanier (Erica), Jake Barnhill (Audrey), Mason Lanier, Justin Barnhill, Dakota Lanier (Kayla), Cierra Boyette (Michael); great-grandchildren, Clara Bradley, Mattilee Bradley, Hayden Floyd, Bradley Lanier, Austin Lanier, Kinley Barnhill, Kolton Barnhill, Kara Barnhill.

Chinquapin student receives Lettie Pate Whitehead scholarships

By University of Mount Olive

MOUNT OLIVE – Since the 2018-19 academic year, the University of Mount Olive (UMO) has been receiving support from the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation to fund scholarships for Christian women. Over 60 UMO female students have bene ted from the fund since its inception, and there are currently 25 UMO Lettie Pate Whitehead scholars for this academic year. The University receives approximately $90,000 annually to assist these young women with their scholastic endeavors. The students hail from North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida. They represent a variety of majors including education, agribusiness, recreation and leisure studies, veterinary bioscience, psychology, and nursing.

Kaitlyn Kenan, a rst generation college student, from Chinquapin, said she left high school during her junior year to give birth to her daughter. A young mother, who wanted more for herself and her family, Kenan had a desire to return to school, but lacked the funds to do so.

“This scholarship fund played a huge role in my decision to return to school,” she said “As a rst generation college student, I am hopeful that this scholarship will pave the way to a better life not only for me, but also for my daughter and the multiple generations that will hopefully follow.” Ward is on track to earn her degree in healthcare management.

“Every one of us has had a bump in the road at some point in our lives, but we should never let that stop us from working hard to achieve our dreams,” said UMO President Dr. H. Edward Croom.

“The Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship Fund is a mechanism that is providing the opportunity for each of you to follow your dreams. I am proud of you and very appreciative of the Founda-

tion for their support of the University of Mount Olive and our students.”

During a recent reception to celebrate the scholarship recipients, Senior Program O cer Carrie Davis Conway and Trustee Lyons Gray spoke about the history of the fund.

Born in 1872 Lettie Pate was no stranger to adversity and tragedy.

When she was just 13 years old, her father died unexpectedly creating a situation where Pate and her siblings had to be “farmed out” and raised by local relatives.

At the age of 22, Pate married Joseph Brown Whitehead, a young attorney from Mississippi. They settled in Chattanooga, TN and had two sons, Joseph Brown Whitehead Jr. and Conkey Pate Whitehead. In 1899, Joseph purchased exclusive rights to bottle and sell Coca-Cola to most of the United States. Once again, tragedy struck and Joseph died of pneumonia at the age of 42 leaving Lettie to raise their sons who were ages 11 and 8 at the time.

Mrs. Whitehead took over her husband’s business ventures. She established the Whitehead Holding Company and the Whitehead Reality Company to manage the family’s assets. She became the rst women in US history to sit on the board of a major corporation –Coca-Cola Company.

Both of the Whitehead sons died in their early 40s. In his will, the youngest son, Conkey, provided for the creation of the Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation in his mother’s honor.

Having lost her father, husband, and sons, Mrs. Whitehead understood adversity. “She was known as someone who had a real heart for people,” said Conway. “She had empathy for people who had su ered misfortune, or just needed a helping hand. She became a really serious philanthropist and was very passionate about education and its power to transform lives.”

East Duplin High School Student Artwork

Gracie Gray, an 11th grade student at East Duplin High School in Ms. Amanda Kennedy’s Honors/Advanced Visual Arts class, is the designer of the artwork pictured above. The assignment was to convey their personal expression of joy or happiness. “The very talented Gracie Gray created this beautiful and extremely detailed, mixed media piece of her expression of what joy or happiness means to her.”

we’re going to get is in our developmental ordinances, our zoning and code ordinances and subdivision ordinance, and update those,” said Rollins. “I want to work on an asset inventory, on disposing of some old town property, special projects, any and all kinds.”

Rollins added that this also bene ts the fellow as it allows them to shadow the town manager and gain real-world

hands-on experience. The fellowship counts for ve hours towards the master’s in public administration explained Rollins. “Most of them are going to get their MPA and, you know, it’s setting them up for a real-world experience. These are people that have a spirit of service to fellow mankind,” said Rollins. “It’s a very unique opportunity because we’re a Justice 40 community…we’re going to be able to expose this fellow to a lot of di erent facets of local

government because we’re a small town.”

“Coming from the mayor-council form of government to the manager, there’s a lot of projects, a lot of things the board wants to get done,” said Rollins, adding that in the past six years the fellows have applied for and secured $92 million collectively, in grants on behalf of the local governments.”

“We feel very fortunate and humbled,” said Rollins, adding that it was an extremely competitive process.

ARTWORK BY GRACIE GRAY

FELLOW from page 1