Duplin Journal Vol. 9, Issue 7

Duplin Journal

the BRIEF this week

JSCC’s BLET, Detention O cer

Certi cation Classes get 100% passing rates

Kenansville

James Sprunt Community College’s night Basic Law Enforcement Training class and day Detention O cer Certi cation class recently had 100% pass rates on their state exams! “Thank you, Eric Southerland and Brian Bailey, for all the hard work you put into these programs that serve our community in such important ways,” the college stated in a Facebook post. DJS

Duplin County Schools get $10K from Pilot Company

Warsaw Pilot Company, on behalf of the New Horizons renovation project at Pilot Travel Center No. 6696 in Warsaw, recently awarded $10,000 in grant funding to Duplin County Schools.

James Kenan High School and Warsaw Elementary School received $5,000 each.

James Kenan High School will use the funds to conduct workshops focusing on di erent STEM subjects such as robotics, coding, 3D printing, cybersecurity, and more. Instructional technology tools like coding platforms, simulation software, or virtual reality will be used to make these sessions interactive and accessible. The school will also invite professionals, educators, and experts from STEM industries who specialize in instructional technology to share their experiences and insights as guest speakers at the school.

Warsaw Elementary School will use its funding to purchase virtual reality equipment for their Media Center. The grant request aims to revolutionize the media center into an immersive hub of learning through the integration of virtual reality technology. Through VR technology, students will be transported from passive observers to active participants within educational narratives.

The immersive nature of VR cinema promises an unparalleled learning experience, fostering a deeper connection and understanding of various subjects. DJS

All eyes (safely) on 2024 Solar Eclipse

Brittany Hall and her daughter Karsyn used a welding helmet to view Monday’s partial solar eclipse in downtown Wallace. At the midpoint of the solar eclipse, about 3:19 p.m., the sun was 78% covered by the moon in Duplin County. Those who didn’t take the time to look at the eclipse through safety glasses probably didn’t notice much of a change outside, save for a few crescent-shaped shadows, though schools did release at noon due to safety concerns. Prior to Monday’s eclipse, the last solar eclipse occurred on Aug. 21, 2017, with the path of totality much closer to southeastern North Carolina.

Draft permit would allow Lear Corp to discharge PFAS into northeast Cape Fear River

The “forever chemicals” are linked to serious health conditions

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

A DRAFT PERMIT issued to Lear Corporation in Kenansville that would allow them to discharge PFAS into the northeast Cape Fear River is raising concerns in Duplin County.

“The draft permit said that DEQ, Department of Environmental Quality in North Carolina, was going to allow this company to continue to discharge PFAS into the northeast Cape Fear River,” said Kemp Burdette, Cape Fear River Watch’s Riverkeeper adding that they were shocked the state is allowing them to keep discharging PFAS. “We know people sh downstream of this discharge… We know how bad PFAS are for humans and for the environment, for sh and for anything that they come in contact with.”

Burdette initially discovered this a couple years ago while doing a patrol watch on an aircraft.

“I was taking photographs of the watershed,” said Burdette, explaining that he saw white foam being discharged in a small stream while ying over Kenansville and thought something didn’t look right. “I asked the pilot to circle

“They want the company to do their own testing. … Self-reporting is generally not a good way of ensuring this is safe.”

Kemp Burdette, Cape Fear River Watch’s Riverkeeper

around, and I took a bunch of photos…I looked up what they do and it said they did performance fabrics, and anytime I see the word performance fabrics, I think PFAS, because anytime you want to make something waterproof, or stain resistant, or re resistant, you add PFAS to it.”

Burdette told the Duplin Journal that the next morning he took a water sample and sent it o to a lab. “It came back really high in PFAS and so I reported this to the state… eventually the state issued a notice of violation for them discharging this foam, which they’re not supposed to do.”

According to Burdette, eventually after almost a year the state issued a notice of violation to Lear Corp.

See PFAS , page 3

New Beulaville police chief still on hold

The Beulaville town board held a brief monthly meeting

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

THE BEULAVILLE Board of Commissioners held a brief monthly meeting on April 1, hearing updates on various projects in town.

First up, Nanette Outlaw and Shannon Blizzard addressed the board, seeking guidance for an abandoned house on their property.

Town Manager Lori Williams said she is investigating what steps need to be taken and who’s responsible for the property. The owner of the house recently passed so the town is looking into the property rights.

The town’s sewer line project is estimated to be completed in about 30-40 days, Williams said. The board learned at the March meeting that Carl Mobley has been hired as the new police chief. He will o cially start the job once state paperwork is completed and approved, which Williams said the town is still waiting for.

A special meeting and budget workshop was held on March 25, during which the

The board learned at the March meeting that Carl Mobley has been hired as the new police chief. He will o cially start the job once state paperwork is completed and approved.

board discussed various aspects of the 2024-25 budget, including the approval of the purchase of new public works equipment. At the April meeting, some old equipment was declared surplus. The town board will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget on May 6, Williams said. Williams also reported that a town hall renovation project is nearly complete. The elevator will be nished this week, she said, and then appliances will be installed. A newsletter was also distributed to town residents this week, announcing updated policies. The Beulaville town board will next meet on Monday, May 6, at 6 p.m. in Town Hall.

Law enforcement investigates 2 fatalities in Wallace re

ABBY CAVENAUGH / DUPLIN JOURNAL

PHOTO COURTESY OF

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

APRIL 10

Registration for the Faison Summer Flag Football League for boys and girls ages 5-14, is open now through May 15 with games taking place on Saturdays in the month of June. For more information, call 910-267-0115.

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 910-2756135 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 910-552-0216. Cash, check and Venmo accepted. Space available to eat or delivery available for businesses. All proceeds go to the North East Church Building fund.

It will be an electrifying evening at Tara Creek on April 12 as the Bojangles Barrel Series comes to town! There’s a $5 gate fee, and gates open at 4 p.m. The excitement kicks off with Exb Open at 4:30 p.m., followed by the captivating Opening Ceremony presented by 24K Cowgirls. The action continues with Peewee and Open class races starting

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at 6 p.m. Don’t miss out on the thrill of barrel racing. Visit taracreek.com for more information.

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 910-2983648. 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 20

Chestnutt Farms presents the 2nd annual Spring Vendor Market on April 20, 10 a.m. –2 p.m., at 428 NC Highway 11 S. Local vendors, food trucks and more!

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

MARRIAGE LICENSES ISSUED IN DUPLIN COUNTY

Perez, Magnolia, and Yaslin

eating contest, recipe contest, live music, 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, 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 Lodge 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.

Pet Friends Of Duplin County will host a free/low cost rabies clinic on April 27, 8 -10 a.m. at W. Main Street in Wallace. Rabies shots are free for your rst ve dogs, cats or ferrets (Duplin County residents/owners) additional pets are $5 each. Dogs must be on a leash at all times; cats or ferrets must be in crate/cage.

Duane Blanton, DMV will be administering vaccinations for more information, call 910-271-4709.

MAY 1

Shred A Thon will be on Wednesday, May 1, 10 a.m.—1 p.m. at the Duplin Events Center, located at 195 Fairgrounds Drive in Kenansville, in celebration of Older Americans Month. Protect yourself against Identity Theft! Shred old tax records, employment records, bank statements! Reduce clutter in your home For more information call the Duplin County Senior Services at 910-296-2140.

MAY 3

The Carolina Strawberry Festival will be on May 3-4. Friday night will include live music from North Tower and the Band of Oz, while Saturday night’s entertainment will be provided by Rivermist and The Tams. Both Friday and Saturday will include amusement rides, and the dinosaur show. The annual pageant will be held on Saturday morning at the main stage.

MAY 4

Duplin County residents can register for a free spay/neuter for one cat and one dog raffle sponsored by Pet Friends of Duplin County. Drawing will be May 4. Registration sites are Warsaw Hardware, Kenansville Dorothy Wightman Library, Beulaville Phillip Lee Library, Wallace Thelma Bryant Library, This Little Pig, Tabby & Barkers, and Traveling Gypsy.

MAY 15

Registration for Summer Basketball for ages 3.5-15, opens May 15 through June 30 with games taking place on Saturdays in the month of August. For more information, call 910-267-0115.

MAY 31

The Beulaville Area Chamber of Commerce 9th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament will be on May 31 at the Bear Trail Golf Club. Maple Hill, NC with Tee times at 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Contact: John Weston 910-262-5272 or Johnweston8@gmail.com for more information.

Angel Godinez Pablo, Mount Olive, and Hermelinda Lopez Godinez, Mount Olive;

Hubert Franklin James Jr, Pink Hill, and Stacey Aleena Davis, Kinston;

Austin Bruce Taylor, Mount Olive, and Maddison Michelle

Hopkins, Pink Hill;

Michael Wendell Anderson, Warsaw, and Mary Nichols Martinez, Warsaw;

Isabel Alejandra Gamboa

Burciaga, Pink Hill, and Juan Carlos Camacho Baez, PInk Hill;

Bailey Brooke Lanier, Chinquapin, and Brian Markelle Benson, Chinquapin; Evan James Best, Beulaville, and Kaylee Reanne Smith, Beulaville;

George Braxton Price, Wallace, and Elizabeth Ashley Hammonds, Wallace;

Addison Tyler Hudson, Teachey, and Riley Nicole Norris, Teachey;

Starr Elisabeth Jaco, Faison, and Joseph Thomas Machado, Rhode Island;

Joshua Chad Gri n, Chinquapin, and Janice Victoria Small, Chinquapin; Jonatan Enrique Romero

Aneth Lara Ramos, Magnolia;

Suyapa Jackeline Portillo

Bonilla, Wallace, and Sergio

Alberto Lozano Ortiz, Wallace;

Alexy Geovany Juarez Nunez, Wallace, and Gloria Julissa

Contreras Martinez, Wallace;

Rosalina Padilla Aguilar, Seven Springs, and Delvis Mauricio

Mata Mejia, Seven Springs;

Karmyn Ann Stackhouse, Albertson, and Leslie Ray

Stroud V, Albertson;

Van Ruben Walker, Mount Olive, and Rylee Elizabeth Berry, Mount Olive;

Milton Sherwood Miller, Jr.,

Pink Hill, and Tania Whaley

Kennedy, Pink Hill;

Iris Yamileth Flores Ochoa, Magnolia, and Grosbin Mejia Rapalo, Magnolia;

Claudia Rose-Michele Pemy, Turkey, and Irvin Salvador Ruiz Oliva, Turkey;

Joe Thomas Newkirk Jr, Magnolia, and Glenda Ann Carlton, Warsaw;

Elias Patino Vargas, Magnolia, and Maria Guadalupe Perez

Franco, Magnolia;

Abel Nain Limas Alvarado, Four Oaks, and Ingrid Rosmery Perez Sanchez, Four Oaks;

Jared Jacob Voytek, Pink Hill, and Kaylee Joelle Edwards,

Pink Hill;

Maryori Gissel Aparicio Flores, Rose Hill, and Mario Jose Avila Palma, Rose Hill;

Anna Maria Pigford, Teachey, and Brandon Gregory Robbins, Teachey;

Cody Jackson Marshburn, Wallace, and Georgia Skye Whaley, Beulaville;

Malcolm Williams Jr, Warsaw, and Edith Ann Faison, Warsaw;

Joel Colwin Leavens, Beulaville, and Sheri Nicole Shaw, Beulaville;

Amanda Brooke Kennedy, Beulaville, and Dillon Gerald Byrd, Pink Hill.

Faison approves budget to light soccer eld, parking lot

Parents can now register for the 2024-25 after-school program

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal FAISON —

The Town of Faison Board held their regular monthly meeting on April 3.

Matthew Scott, Recreation & Wellness Center director shared that they have started registration for the 2024-25 after school program at the Anne Stroud Taylor Recreation & Wellness Center.

“I’m doing a big push for online registration for after school for next year,” said Scott. “Trying to do away with all the paper and the people coming into the gym and lling out everything. We are doing it all on our phones now.”

They had 20 kids in the program during their rst year, which started last September.

“We started a month into school,” said Scott, explaining

“They got a slap on the wrist for violating their permit,” said Burdette, adding that then the company was allowed to continue to discharge as long as they were reporting it.

But the PFAS is not a problem isolated to Duplin County, a few years ago Cape Fear River Watch sued Chemours for discharging PFAS into the Cape Fear River resulting in a consent order that required the Chemours to clean up its PFAS discharge.

“And yet, here, the state is allowing [Lear Corp.] to keep discharging PFAS,” said Burdette. “Industry can clean up their PFAS discharge. We know that because Chemours has been forced by the state to do it in their permit.”

Burdette told the Duplin Journal that there’s no limit to how much PFAS Lear Corp can dis-

that many people who desperately needed the program had to nd something else, but they are looking to ll all 36 spots for the 2024-25 season. “My goal is by mid-summer to have that 36 full,” said Scott. “We’ve already had some online registration in the last week.”

Scott shared that the program has been a tremendous success. “Kids don’t want to go home. I don’t know how many times I’ve seen parents pull up and the kids are like, can you come back in 30 or 40 minutes? Which is wonderful,” he said, joking that some parents now know better not to try to pick them up early anymore.

He added that they will be hiring a third teacher for next year and are looking into dividing the kids into three age groups. The cost of the after-school program is $45 per week for children in grades K-6.

“Kids don’t want to go home. I don’t know how many times I’ve seen parents pull up and the kids are like, can you come back in 30 or 40 minutes? Which is wonderful.”

Matthew Scott, Recreation & Wellness Center director

Scott shared that the lights for the soccer eld at the sports complex have been installed. “Everything’s set where we can ip a switch and the whole place lights up,” he said. “It’s exciting.” He also provided updates about the spring volleyball and soccer season, which is ending this weekend. He added that registration for the Summer Flag Football League for boys and girls ages 5-14, is open through May 15 with games taking place on Saturdays in the month of

charge, adding that all that is required according to the draft permit is that they test the water once every three months.

“They want them to sample the water and just report what’s in it, not remove it, just report what’s in it. They want the company to do their own testing… Self-reporting is generally not a good way of ensuring this is safe,” said Burdette. “It just allows an industry to decide when they’re going to sample…they know when would be the best time to sample to show minimal impact, and when would be not a good time to sample.”

Epidemiological evidence shows a link between exposure to PFAS with kidney and testicular cancers, pregnancy-induced hypertension and preeclampsia, increases in cholesterol, changes in liver enzymes, and decreased antibody response to some vaccines, according to the U.S. Department

of Health & Human Services, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Additionally, animal studies have found that PFAS can cause damage to the liver and the immune system.

It is unknown what the nal permit will look like for Lear Corp.

“Lots of public comments were submitted, but we don’t know what, if any, changes the state will make to the permit based on the feedback that they got from the public,” said Burdette. “The state should have to prevent companies from discharging a toxic chemical into a public waterway where people sh and recreate, but we will see if they actually do anything, or if they just ignore hundreds … actually thousands of comments from the public.”

Burdette expressed concerns for people who sh downstream that area who could be getting exposed to the chemicals.

last week.

June. Scott also shared that registration for summer Basketball for ages 3.5-15 opens May 15 through June 30 with games taking place on Saturdays in August.

The budget to light the soccer eld parking lot was approved by

“I am very concerned that those sh are going to be contaminated with PFAS and that if people catch those sh and eat them or feed them to their families, then their families will be contaminated with high levels of PFAS.”

The Duplin Journal reached out to County Manager Bryan Miller to nd out if the county was aware of Lear Corps discharging PFAS into the river or the public comment period for the permit renewal, which closed March 28. Miller said he was not aware.

In a letter from Southern Environmental Law Center asking NC DEQ for stronger regulations, SELC stated that results from 2019 samples con rmed Lear discharged “PFAS at concentrations as high as 1,863 ppt… On September 2, 2022, Cape Fear River Watch sampled a couple of miles downstream from Lear’s outfall and the sampling con rmed the

the board. Scott explained that it will cost the town $139 a month to have lights come on automatically every night, which will make it safer.

The next town hall meeting will be on May 1.

presence PFAS at a total concentration of 71.7 ppt.” According to the letter the sampling showed the presence of at least 10 PFAS compounds, including PFOA and PFOS.

“Lear discharges into a portion of the Northeast Cape Fear River that is popular for shing, kayaking, and other recreational activities… This portion of the river also provides abundant habitat for largemouth bass, sun sh, and American shad, and as a result, is a popular shing destination,” states the letter. “Many community members in Duplin County and surrounding areas subsistence sh in this portion of the river— meaning they rely on an abundance of healthy sh as a source of food.”

The Duplin Journal contacted Lear Corp for comment but was unable to reach someone before press time.

PHOTO COURTESY OF FAISON PARKS AND RECREATION

The lights at the soccer eld inside the Faison sports complex were installed

THE CONVERSATION

Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

Biden and Cooper say that we have secure borders. That the economy is good and in ation is under control.

That Joe Biden is making the decisions and those decisions are good for the nation. That they support equality under the law.

The Left has gone too far

MANY CONVERSATIONS about current issues involve various forms of the same question. How can they meaning either the left, the Cooper Administration, or the Biden Administration believe that what they are trying to do will be good for our nation?

Of course that question is not unique to this generation. Opposing political factions have always been critical of each other.

But the Democratic Party that I once knew and belonged to does not exist anymore. I have friends who are registered Democrats and they are good patriotic Americans. They disagree with the ultraleft policies professed by the National and State Democratic Party Leadership. Some no longer vote the Party line.

I wish my Party would do a better job convincing them to join us. Nevertheless, the political proposals of the left have now gone too far. The Democratic Party has yielded control to the ultra-left. Former President Obama clearly stated that his goal was to “fundamentally” change America. It is obvious that his philosophy still controls the policies of the Biden and Cooper Administrations.

Therein lies the real threat to our Constitutional Republic and to people of Faith. But some will question and disagree with my opinion which is ne and is

actually the purpose of objective debate. The best way to test the performance of the Obama-Biden-Cooper administrations is to apply the tried and tested adage; “By their fruits ye shall know them?”

The real tragedy with the policies of the ultra-left radicals is the bad fruit they have produced. They and the government they preside over want us to believe their fruits are good for future generations. Really? Let’s take a closer look.

They believe our rights should come from government not from God. Their strategy has been to deny, nullify, and then teach our children that there are no absolute truths. On the surface this seems to be a fairly benign statement. But stop and think!

They are teaching and promoting that there is no such thing as absolute right or wrong; there is no such thing as absolute good or evil; that God is who or what you want Him to be. They are proposing that some very amazing lies are the truth. Consider a few examples. Biden and Cooper say that we have secure borders. That the economy is good and in ation is under control. That Joe Biden is making the decisions and those decisions are good for the nation. That they support equality under the law.

But those claims pale in comparison to their other mischief. They want us to believe

that gender is a choice!! That denies one of the most absolute truths known to man or to woman. We are male or female and that is an absolute truth.

So, that which appears benign is, in fact, very deadly for our enumerated rights in the Constitution. The fundamental changes they want is to substitute secular thought for traditional religious thought; especially Christian thought.

Socialism’s new philosophy is; put your bombs and bullets down. Its goal is to fundamentally change America. Their new mantra is: In ltrate and indoctrinate, control fashion, entertainment, media, university thought, and then attack absolute truth in all areas but especially in K-12 education.

They know that John Adams was right when he said, “Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people.” Thus, their strategy is simple; if it is good call it evil and if it is evil call it good.

We, the people should realize that we must remain a moral and religious people or our children will have a socialist master and they will live in an America that has been fundamentally changed.

Jimmy Dixon (R-NC04) represents Duplin and Wayne counties in the N.C. House of Representatives.

Trump talk: Every word out of his mouth deserves to be paid attention to

WHEN I WROTE a few weeks ago about Donald Trump predicting a “bloodbath,” my readers — most of them in civil and respectful tones — were quick to correct me. It was only the auto industry he was referring to, they said. They tried to defend him. They needn’t have bothered. Trump has, since that time, adopted the idea of a “bloodbath” as a watchword of his campaign. President Joe Biden, according to him, is responsible for a “bloodbath” at the border — of dark-skinned migrants who are, to hear him talk, ravaging this country, not only “poisoning our blood” but also breaking the law and bringing disorder to our cities.

“They’re not humans. They’re not humans. They’re animals,” Trump said at a rally last week. “I’ll use the word ‘animal’ because that’s what they are.” Embryos are people. Humans are not. This is how he talks. This is what he says. They are “coming into our country with contagious diseases. ... Illegal alien criminals crawling through your windows and ransacking your drawers ... obliterate(ing) Medicare and Social Security” and filling schools with “new migrant students who don’t speak a word of English.”

“Crooked Joe and his migrant armies of dangerous criminals” are producing a

“bloodbath.” “They’re coming from places that you don’t want them to come from. They’re coming from the Congo, Yemen, Somalia, Syria.” And what color are people from there?

“They’re country-changing, countrythreatening and they’re countrywrecking. They’re destroying our country.”

You wouldn’t know, listening to Trump, that murder and violent crime have decreased for two straight years, after rising during the pandemic when Trump was president, and are lower now than they were during Trump’s final year in office. You wouldn’t know, listening to Trump, that the evidence shows that immigrants commit fewer violent crimes than non-migrants. Facts be damned. Hateful rhetoric is what Trump traffics in.

And he gets away with it.

We are so accustomed to Trump saying what no civilized person would say that we hardly pay attention. His crowd cheers. Those who know better simply sigh. Or try to find an excuse for what he spews.

It’s Trump, we say, selling his sneakers, selling his Bibles, selling shares of his phony stock. He is hawking hate, and who is telling him to shut up?

Is it simply Trump fatigue that allows him to violate every rule of civil

discourse while Biden operates under a microscope? Have we been shocked so many times that a different set of rules applies when judging Trump?

These are all quotes from the last week. If anyone else talked the way he does, they’d be booted off the team, kicked out of the corner office, shamed off the board.

“Fellow immigrants,” Franklin Delano Roosevelt said when he stood up to greet the Daughters of the American Revolution. Is this how Trump would have greeted his own in-laws, who immigrated to America under an exception he has opposed? Is this how we would address our parents and grandparents and great-grandparents, who came to this country fleeing oppression and poverty? No, we can’t accept all comers, we need to abide by the rule of law at the border, but those are people, families, fathers and mothers and children. Animals deserve to be spoken of better.

Donald Trump is one of two men who will likely win this election and, with that, become the most powerful man in the world. Every word out of his mouth deserves to be paid attention to and judged. This is not civil discourse. It is hate speech. The headlines should scream. We are better than this. Trump is not.

COLUMN | JIMMY DIXON

President Joe Biden, according to him, is responsible for a “bloodbath” at the border.

COLUMN | SUSAN ESTRICH

The annual Paws for the Cause event, to be held on April 27, will raise funds for Duplin County’s new 7,500-square-foot animal shelter, which is scheduled to open in May.

Duplin Co.’s Paws for the Cause is April 27

Funds raised go toward new animal shelter

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

THE NEW DUPLIN County

Animal Shelter may be within weeks of opening, but that doesn’t mean the need has gone away.

The annual Paws for the Cause event has been held for the past ve years to ensure that the county’s stray animals have a safe and adequate place to go. “Paws for the Cause was started by a small group of people passionate about getting a new animal shelter,” said Pet Friends of Duplin County president Kebby Schweinsberg. “Over the years, they have raised a good deal of money. In fact, the amount of money and the commitment of community members is a large part of why the new shelter exists, since it contributed to why Duplin County could obtain such a large loan for its construction.” The rst Paws for the Cause of Duplin event was held in 2017. “Since then Paws for the Cause has held an annual fundraiser to raise funds to help the county build a new shelter — except for 2020,” Schweinsberg said. “Over 5,400 citizens and donors support Paws for the Cause of Duplin.”

The new shelter will take the county’s animal services department from about 900 square feet to more than 7,500, said department director Joe Newburn. “We’re about a week to two weeks out from being in there,” Newburn told the Duplin Journal on Monday. “Once we get into the building, it will be a big di erence from where we’re at now.”

Though the shelter is nearly complete, the county still owes about $3.7-$3.8 million on the loan for the building, Newburn said.

That debt is part of the reason why, even with the new shelter, events like Paws for the Cause are still needed.

The group has committed to give the county $30,000 each year for the next 10 years, with the rst check presented to the county commissioners at this year’s Paws for the Cause. Chris Randall will serve as emcee this year and Christian Hopkins will sing the National Anthem. In addition to the Paws for the Cause committee cooking and serving dinner, there will be volunteers on hand, including Wallace-Rose Hill High School and East Duplin High School BETA club members and Cub Scouts. Memorial bricks for the new shelter will also be on display and available for order.

The event will feature a slide

“Paws for the Cause was started by a small group of people passionate about getting a new animal shelter.”

Kebby Schweinsberg, Pet Friends of Duplin County president

presentation showing the journey from the old shelter to the new one. The old shelter was built in the 1950s, and Schweinsberg said, “is woefully outdated and small and is a challenge to sanitize.” The new shelter will have separate spaces for intake, quarantine, evaluation, adoption kennels, spaces for folks to meet pets before adopting, sta space, and large outdoor play areas. Adoptable dog kennels have outdoor kennel space, as well. Some of the features include:

• Healthy ventilation and waste disposal systems

• Animal receiving, examination and grooming areas Indoor-outdoor kennel runs

• Public education and training facilities Waterproof surfaces for hy-

giene management Display kennels for adoptable animals

• Noise control design

• Inviting atmosphere and get-acquainted space for adopters. This year’s Paws for the Cause is scheduled for Saturday, April 27, at the Duplin Events Center in Kenansville. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the event running from 6-9 p.m.

Tickets are $100 and include two steak dinners with beverages, Schweinsberg said. “Each $100 ticket gets a person one chance at the $5,000 reverse drawing,” she said. “Smaller prizes will be given at every 25th ticket drawn. The last person wins the pot, but the last ve ticket holders can opt to split the $5,000.”

Corporate sponsorships are available as well, with many local companies and organizations pitching in to help. “Lots of people support this,” Schweinsberg said.

Newburn said that the event rst got started by citizens on the animal advisory board, who saw the need for a new shelter. “They came up with the Paws for the Cause to raise money to help pay for a new shelter,” he explained. “It’s been real successful.”

Tickets can be purchased by emailing kebby.schweinsberg@ gmail.com or calling/texting 910747-0518.

Duplin’s unemployment increases slightly for February 2024

Duplin County Duplin County’s not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose slightly for the month of February, according to numbers released on April 3 by the N.C. Department of Commerce. The February rate was at 3.2%, compared to 3.1% for January. When compared to the same time period one year ago, the rate dropped 0.3% from 3.5% in February 2023.

Duplin County’s unemployment rate translates to 846 individuals receiving unemployment bene ts for the month of February, out of a workforce of 26,486.

The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 3.7%.

11 new businesses start during month of March

Duplin County

The Duplin County Register of Deeds o ce recorded 11 assumed business names for the month ending March 31, 2024.

The names of the businesses and real names of the persons or entities engaging in the business are: Feed Our Hungry Children (FOHC) — Duplin Christian Outreach Ministries, Connie Perkins; Hondumex Concrete and More, LLC — Anna Maria Jaimes; YAIR Trucking — Edwin Alfredo Montoya; Bethel Handyman Maintenance — Carlos Peraza; Rody Electric — Rodolfo Herrera Jasso; Gridiron Consulting & Elite Autographs — Brian Aldridge; Ray’s Bobcat Service — Mary H. Cavenaugh and Brian K. Cavenaugh; R-Mart, Inc. — The Collective Boutique, Penny R. Harper; V&M Hunts, V&M Outdoor Adventures, Venters & Maready Outdoor Adventures — Chandler Venters and Nicholas

Friday, April 26 5 pm-10 pm

Pay one price carnival rides, $15, 5-9 pm, concessions available; Live outdoor concert in front of Ribeyes Steakhouse featuring Steel County Express, 7-10 pm; Cuke Patch 5K Glow Run, 7:30-9 pm. Note:FridayNightisalimited festivalexperience.

www.ncpicklefest.org

Saturday, April 27 9 am-6 pm

Classic Car Show, Pickle Eating Contest , noon, Live Entertainment, Beer & Wine Garden, Mascot Race, 3 pm

Tour de Pickle Bike Ride, 9 am, Helicopter Rides, Food, Vendors, Petting Zoo, Carnival Rides, Kazoobie Kazoo shows, Knockerball, roaming entertainers, Poetry Fox, Pickle Train Rides, free pickles, and so much more!

FreePark&RideShuttlesfromUniversityofMountOlive,Walmart,Roses,&BobbyDenning

Cooperative Extension

o ers tips and workshops

By Rachel Ezzell Cooperative Extension

“WHILE CANNING foods is a great method of food preservation, we do want to make sure we use evidence-based resources to keep ourselves and those we feed from getting sick.”

— Rachel Ezzell, Cooperative Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Agent Spring

is here and summer is around the corner, which means the garden’s bounty is soon to follow. With so much beautiful produce available, you may be wondering how to put some of it up for the cold months. While canning foods is a great method of food preservation, we do want to make sure we use evidence-based resources to keep ourselves and those we feed from getting sick.

Canning techniques have been around for 200 years. These techniques have been taught from generation to generation and have been very useful in preserving foods that may spoil quickly, may be in abundance, or to eat foods in a di erent way.

The most important pathogen to consider when canning is clostridium botulinum, a spore forming bacteria that forms un-

der conditions without oxygen. This toxic bacterium can be very dangerous when consumed even in small amounts. Although it is pretty rare in the United States, it is primarily associated with improperly home canned foods. This is why it is so important to follow science-based recipes and to make sure all parts of your canner are working properly.

There are two di erent kinds of foods that are typically canned, low-acid and high-acid.

Foods that are low-acid pose a greater risk of clostridium botulinum. These are foods like meats, dairy, and vegetables.

Foods that are high-acid are more likely to block or destroy clostridium botulinum when heated. These are foods like fruits, pickles, sauerkraut, jams, jellies, marmalades, and fruit butters. These high-acid foods can be safely canned using boiling water canning. However, pressure canning is the only safe way to can low-acid foods.

Be sure your pressure canner has no rips or tears in the gasket (the rubber circular piece that ts inside the lid) and that your dial gauge is correct. If you ever need to have your dial gauge checked, this is something we can do at the Cooperative Extension o ce in Kenansville. Give us a call at 910-296-2143.

Having a gauge that is not

correct can cause unsafe foods or canning accidents. Please take advantage of this opportunity to make sure your pressure canner is producing foods at the correct temperature. Pressure canners must process foods at 240 degrees Fahrenheit (10-11 pounds of pressure) in order for them to safely preserve foods.

Notice is hereby given that the Duplin County Board of Equalization and Review will hold its rst meeting on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 2:00 pm in the Commissioner’s Room, Duplin County Administrative Building, 224 Seminary Street, Kenansville, NC. This meeting is held for the purpose of review and hearing appeals of listings and valuations.

The following is a schedule for all meetings of the Board of Equalization and Review to be held at the above stated location:

Smith eld supports ag education, donates tools to JSCC

Smith eld Hog Production and the Rose Hill Lab donated industry tools to James Sprunt Community College for the biology, and livestock and poultry departments.

Pictured are James Bowden , vet tech lead with Smith eld, and Kelly Walker with JSCC.

– Thursday, May 16, 2024 at 2:00 pm The Board expects to adjourn on May 16, 2024. In the event of earlier or later adjournment, notice to that e ect will be published in this newspaper.

Gary M. Rose Clerk to the Board of E&R

DUPLIN SPORTS

ALL-DUPLIN CO. BOYS’ BASKETBALL 2023-24

First Team

Dujuan Armwood, ND, Sr.

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALYPSO — No male athlete in Duplin County can say they had two better sports seasons than Dujuan Armwood.

After putting the North Duplin football team on his back en route to its rst winning season since 2017.

The senior running back made nearly all the big o ensive plays, rushing for 1,748 yards and 27 TDs as the Rebels went shared the Carolina Conference ag with Lakewood. ND lost in the third round of the playo s to nish 9-3 as Armwood was Duplin County’s O ensive Player of the Year.

While that may have been good enough memories, Armwood had an even bigger e ect on the ND basketball team.

Clearly the best player on the oor most game, Armwood scored his 1,000thcareer point last in the season as ND went on a 13-game winning streak to capture the league title for the rst time in 22 years.

The best record ND had since 2002 is Byrd’s rst season (2019) when the Rebels were 10-14. The school averaged 4.8 wins since 2009. ND’s conference marks during that span were just as dreadful as the Rebels were only .500 or better twice.

Armwood gave ND its mojo, even though he played less than any other player on the all-county team.

TJ Oats, JK, Jr.

Jamarae Lamb, WRH, So.

Calvin Harper, ED, Jr.

Irving Brown, WRH, Jr.

Second Team

Michael Lesesane, ND, Jr.

Tyquise Wilson, JK, Jr.

Amir Moore, WRH, Fr.

Kel Artis, JK, Sr.

Donavan Armwood, ND, Jr.

JaMaury Coe, JK, Sr.

Third Team

Ka’Shawn Scarborough, WRH

Zachary Ball, ED, So.

Dylan Tyndall, Sr.

Trashawn Ru n, ND, Jr.

Branson Martin, ED, Jr.

Tev Collins, ND, Jr.

Matthew Wells, WRH, So.

Coach of the Year: Je Byrd, North Duplin

The Duplin Journal’s Player of the Year helped ND nish 19-10 overall and 9-1 in CC play. The lone league loss was the rst conference game of the season. ND crushed its competition playing in Je Byrd’s two-platoon system, and Armwood sacri ced for a team that was wearing down the opposition with its depth. He was clearly the Rebels’

leader.

Armwood averaged 16.0 points, 2.3 assists, 4.5 rebounds, hitting 30 percent from behind the 3-point arc.

Anyone who saw him play saw his quick rst steps, his ability to hang in the air, nd an angle for his shot. He brought unmatched on-on-one speed to ND’s o ense.

And Armwood show it by going for 23 and 24 against 2As James Kenan and East Duplin, respectively. He nished with a bang, notching 14 in a win rst round win over Tarboro, 18 against East Bladen in the second round and 21 versus Wilson Prep, the eventual 1A state champ.

He put up double gures in every game, sans three he was credited for nine points. He connected on 101 free throws in 27 games and shot 40 percent from the eld.

Yet shooting from the perimeter was not the biggest part of his game. He drove to the iron exceptionally well, which created opportunities for anyone with a ND jersey.

At this level, Armwood was faster, quicker, stronger and could leap higher than anyone in Eastern North Carolina, as he was a point guard, shooting guard, shooting forward , power forward or laser dart that few could keep up with, much less contain.

Joining him on the all-county rst team are ED’s Calvin Harper (13.2 ppg on 2-21 club), TJ Oats (12.5 on 14-10 JK) and Irving Brown and Jamarae Lamb (10.8 and 12.3, respectively on 14-12 WRH).

Armwood’s brother Donavan (9.9 ppg) and Michael Lesesane (11.0 ppg, 6.2 rebounds) were second-team

The coach of the year guided the Rebels out of a dark tunnel and into the light of contention

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALYPSO — Call Je

Byrd a players’ coach who has a hand in the game.

All the veteran coached wanted from his North Duplin players was for them to go as hard as possible for as long as possible.

Play smart, unsel sh basketball for roughly half-aquarter (four minutes)

Just before a player or two downshifed, Byrd brought ve “reserves” to the oor eager to run up and down the oor.

Byrd used the platoon system while at James Kenan, where we went 19-7 and 19-6 in 2016 and 2017, respectively, and was the Coach of the Year in Duplin County both times. He was then ND’s assistant coach under Ricky Edwards from 2017 to 2022.

Byrd’s three-year 34-39 mark is a respectable step forward from two decades of struggling at the bottom of a conference.

Yet the Rebels’ season had two phases. The early with player injuries, sickness and other bad breaks pushed ND to play near-perfect basketball from mid-season forward to have a chance at the sport’s sweepstakes, a conference title and a postseason run.

ND was 4-9 after losing to Neuse Charter on Jan. 16 as the Rebels nished an 1-6 run, though a valid argument might also say ND played a better-than average schedule for a 1A school.

Regular season games after that became blowouts as the running Rebels clobbered CC foes outside of a 54-51 triumph over Hobbton, which sealed the regular season title.

The biggest slash came with 46-38, 73-34 and 7755 thrashing of defending league champ Rosewood, the last of which brought home a CC Tournament trophy. Bryd divided his two teams equally, though, one had more power and the other more speed. Starters were often Dujuan Armwood, Mr. Basketball, Luke Kelly, Trashawn Ru n, Thomas Morrisey and Anthony Kornegay.

Six players, Michael Lesesan, Donavan Mitchell, Tev Collins, Brady Byrd,

Branson Martin and Dylan Tyndall, were in ND’s othe-bench artillery and acceleration squad.

And on any given night, three or four assassins would penetrate into the paint and explode into double gures.

ND entered the playo s on a roll, though only getting a No. 9 seed because of its early losses before its showtime style and energy dominated a game.

The Rebels beat No. 24 Tarboro 90-70 in the rst round in a game that ended with Viking players and fans taking to the court a minute-plus before it was over.

The Armwoods, Lesesane, Collins and Byrd contributed double gures as ND set a single-season scoring total.

The glory was spread around well in a 76-63 second-round win over East Bladen with Dujuan Armwood (18), Tyndall (13), Lesesane (12), Martin (11) and Donavan Armwood (nine) making signi cant contributions.

ND found few answers against Wilson Prep during a season-ending 92-47 loss in the third round. The unstoppable Dujuan Armwood netted 21 as ND ran into a deep team that won its next three games to nab a title.

Byrd, who played on ND’s only state championship team, seemed to get quality minutes out of every player on theroster.

And about three games into a 13-game winning streak every wave of his coaching wand built a complete team that adjusted to foul trouble and the tendencies and strenghts of a foe.

And at the end of a night, the opposition feels a double-douse of defeat, being outplayed and outcoached.

The ND senior guard fed the Rebels’ team that won its rst conference title in 22 years

selections.

points,

Two ’Dawgs, a Panther and a Tiger share stage with Armwood

WRH’s Brown and Lamb, JK’s Oats and ED’s Harper join ND’s Armwood on the all-county rst team list

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

WALLACE — Don’t test

Wallace-Rose Hill’s Irving Brown on the biggest stages.

Or leave James Kenan’s TJ Oats and East Duplin’s Calvin Harper alone in open spaces or test the speed and hands of Jamarae Lamb.

And double up or get a cover defender on North Duplin’s Dujuan Armwood when he drives into the lane. He’s Mr. Basketball in Duplin County.

The all-star team also has a deep bench.

A bit of Tyquise Wilson (JK) and Michael Lesesane (ND) would provide a strong guard-forward fastbreak relationship.

Let WRH’s Amir Moore, ND’s Donavan Armwood and JK’s Kel Artis ght their way in the paint and Jamaury Coe swishing a mid-range jumper.

All of these players and a handful more are on the roster of the Duplin Journal’s All-County basketball team, which includes

The squad feaures 17 players on three teams.

Dujuan Armwood, Artis and Coe are the lone seniors on the rst and second teams.

Brown and Lamb gave WRH two rst-team players.

ND coach Je Byrd, who is Coach of the Year, and Dujuan Armwood, Mr. Basketball, brought a conference title to Calypso for the rst time in 22 years.

Here’s a chalkboard report from the best players during the 2023-24 season.

FIRST TEAM

Dujuan Armwood, ND, Sr.

Armwood elevated the Rebels by doing all things, including his 16.0 average. He scored in double figures in all but three ND games, each time chalking up nine markers. See Mr. Basketball story on page 7.

Irving Brown, WRH, Jr.

Brown., who will play Division I college football, played his way until a spot by playing big in rivalry games.

He scored 21 in a win against ED on Feb. 13 and three days later dropped 18 on JK. The junior had 14 when WRH upset Kinston 67-59 in

the ECC Tournament semifinals.

Brown, a running back who has gained 3,318 yards and scored 3,318 yards and scored 51 TDs, averaged 10.8 points.

Yet that figure ballooned to 13.5 over his final 10 games.

He was key to the Bulldog’s second-half rally to finish 1412 overall and 9-4 in ECC play, good for third place.

TJ Oats, JK, Jr.

Oats took a similar path to reach his first-team status.

He hit for 12.5 points with his nothing-but-the-net jump shots, even though most scouring reports on JK stressed him as the No. 1 player to stop.

“He does a great job of getting to his spots and being able to score,” said JK coach Taylor Jones, whose club went 14-10 and 8-5 in the ECC. “He has a high GPA and loves to be in the gym working on his game. “I’m proud of our season and the work ethic he displayed for his teammates.”

Oats emerged as the best player from a handful of talented underclassmen on the roster.

Calvin Harper, ED, Jr.

Harper was a bright light in a season of shadows for East Duplin (2-22, 1-11).

The junior averaged a county-high 16.3 points, canning 66 of 179 (37 percent) of his 3-pointers and nabbing 4.5 rebounds. No Panther averaged more than 6.7 points.

Harper is a first-year hoopster, though he played in 19 football games in the past two seasons, making 52 tackles last fall.

Jamarae Lamb, WRH, So.

Lamb was the top sophomore this winter, and like the Armwood and Brown earned a spot on the all-county team with his talent.

He averaged a team-high 12.3 points and played nothing like what is expected from a sophomore.

Lamb also came up big against Duplin foes, hitting 24 against JK and 15 against ED as the leader of team that started the season with many question marks before blossoming late.

He actually took more of an play-making role WRH’s final winning streak of four games. The Bulldogs fell to Southwest Onlsow in the ECC Tourney final and to Granville Central 78-68 in the first round of the 2A playoffs.

SECOND TEAM

Michael Lesesane, ND, Jr.

Lesesane averaged 11 points and 6.2 rebounds as a key player on the Rebels’ run to the third round of the 1A playo s. Tyquise Wilson, JK, Jr. Point guard Wilson averaged 8.5 points and 4.5 assists for the Tigers.

Amir Moore, WRH, Fr.

Moore was the top freshman this winter. The wide-bodied 6-foot-6 center averaged 6.4 points and was a demon on the boards. He’ll improve and has the potential to be the best player in the county in the future.

Kel Artis, JK, Sr.

Artis gave the Tigers ght in tight spots. An all-ECC performer averaged 8.1 points and 9.2 rebounds.

Donavan Armwood, ND, Jr.

Armwood, who played in 15 games in 2024, averaged 9.9 points and was without a doubt a central to ND’s rise.

Jamaury Coe, JK, Sr. Coe, a rst-team player from a year ago, struggled a little o the court, but rebounded from a slow start to average 10.5 points and 4.5 boards.

THIRD TEAM

Ka’Shawn Scarborough, WRH, Sr.

Averaged 7.3 points as a starter, who showed leadership to the younger ’Dawgs.

Zachary Ball, ED, So.

Showed potential with a 6.7 average and 4.4 rebounds.

Dylan Tyndall, Sr.

Tyndall was shy when he played. He average 5.6 points and could play-make and score.

Trashawn Ru n, ND, Jr.

If Duplin County had a Tough Guy award, Ru n would be in the ring. He averaged 6.3 points and 5.3 boards.

Matthew Wells, WRH, So.

Wells isn’t afraid to shoot the ball and his overall game above average. He hit for 7.1 points, and that will likely improve signi cantly in

Left, TJ Oats averaged 12.5 points and the top scoring threat for the JK. Right, WRH’s Jamarae Lamb was best sophomore in Duplin County, averaging 12.3

while also handling the ball. EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

ED’s Calvin Parker averaged an area-high 16.3 points, which includes 66 shots behind the 3-point line.

Home runs, solid elding fuel Rebels past 4A Pirates

1A ND beat powerhouse

Topsail as Outlaw and Fulghum smack lasers over the fence

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALYPSO — Hitting home runs

and making the plays in the eld.

That’s was how North Duplin beat 4A power Topsail 4-1 last Saturday.

Reece Outlaw and Lilly Fulghum went yard and the Rebels made plays behind the pitching of Fulghum, who struck out ve, walked just two and scattered seven hits.

The Rebels played errorless ball behind their sophomore ace.

ND scored twice in the rst sealed it with a pair in the sixth.

Iala Overton walked twice, singled and scored on both home run shot.

The Pirates (9-3, 5-1 Mideastern 3A/4A Conference), whose other losses are to South Brunswick (112) and Richlands (8-6), picked up its lone run in the top of the sixth.

The win was the most signi cant this season for the Rebels (7-0, 3-0 Carolina 1A Conference).

ND has a rematch with the team that beat them on Thursda when Wayne Christian (8-2) pays a visit to the Rebels’ diamond.

The Eagles whipped ND 9-2 on March 12 when they tagged Ady Spence with the loss.

Expect a heavy dose of Fulghum in the circle.

The next test is an April 17 game against East Duplin in Beulaville. The two schools split a pair of games last spring. ND socked ED 11-1 on March 18 in Calypso.

Titans erupt early to snap WRH’s ve-game streak

Trask rallied for ve runs in the sixth inning last Monday to beat Wallace-Rose Hill 10-7.

The loss snapped a ve-game winning streak for the Bulldogs (10-3).

Chloe Barnhill singled and homered and drove in ve runs.

Lauren Hall had four hits and Shelby Groves scored three times for Trask (8-1, 3-1), which is second to East Columbus (9-2, 4-0) in the Waccamaw 1A/2A Conference standings.

WRH hosted East Bladen on Tuesday and travel to Elizabethtown on Friday for a rematch.

Wildcats drop pair to Bulldogs

Richlands knocked Dixon around for 10 hits last Tuesday.

But the Wildcats left nine runners

stranded during a 5-1 loss.

The Bulldogs (9-3) worked over Makenzie Goin for seven hits and four earned runs in four innings. Megan Pittman limited Dixon four hits and a run over three frames.

The twosome combined to strikeout seven and not allow a walk.

Hurler Nadine Barren bent but did not break in surrendering all nine hits

Goins lashed three hits, Erin Thibault singled, doubled and scored and ve other Wildcats logged hits.

But the run-scoring hits did not come.

Three days later, Dixon rallied for a 5-3 win in Holly Ridge.

Richlands led 3-2 until the Bulldogs scored twice in the fourth in-

ning. They added an insurance run in the fth.

Thibault singled, walked and drove in three runs.

Reagan Stapleton walked, singled and scored twice. Goins had a single and scored the other Wildcat run.

Pittman and Cameron Cubas were the only other Wildcats to log hits.

Richlands is 0-2 in Coastal 3A Conference play and must focus on that to make the state playo eld. The Wildcats play eight more league games and have a rematch with East Duplin. Look for Richlands to dominate Swansboro, White Oak and West Carteret, all of which have losing records, and battle Croatan (7-3, 2-0) to the end.

North Duplin, baseball

Austin Du excels at one of the hardest positions in baseball, catching.

Yet he is more notable when two feet forward and and slightly to his right.

In the batter’s box, the junior leads ND in hits hits (19), average, (.643), RBIs (21), doubles (5), triples (2),slugging percentage .(972) and elding percentage (.954).

He is a two-time all-Duplin

rst-team player. He started the past two seasons, helping the Rebels go 39-8 over that span, and winning a pair of Carolina 1A Conference titles.

Du , who has hit safely in 11 of 12 games this season, has 62 RBIs during his career.

Conference play highlights baseball season’s second half

The Rebels grapple with the Eagles in the CC; ED, JK and WRH are looking for roads to the playo s in the ECC

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin

Journal

CALYPSO — North Duplin hosted Rosewood in a key game on Wednesday in the Carolina 1A Conference standings. It is before the Duplin Journal’s deadline for this week.

The winner takes sole possession of rst place in the leugue.

ND has staked a claim on the preps two regular season ags.

previous day and fell to Hunt 13-4 in its tourney opener.

Rebels pound away at Fike

ND beat Fike 12-1 last Saturday in the third game at the Golden LEAF Easter Classic at Fleming Stadium in Wilson Noa Quantanilla each knocked in three runs and Austin Du , Hunt Pate, Brady Byrd and Garris Warren had two RBIs apiece.

Left-hander Tanner Kornegay scattered ve hits over ve frames for the win. ND gave him a pair of runs in the rst and seven more in the second. ND lost to Green eld 10-7 the

The Rebels rallied from a 9-2 de cit in the third inning with ve runs over the next four innings.

Brady Byrd drove in two runs, Du , Quantanilla and Eric Santos-Clark each had an RBI.

Holden Williams went 2-for4 and scored twice.

Panthers fall to pair of 3A schools

East Duplin had two losses after Easter that must have felt like a hangover, falling to Southern Wayne 5-2 on Monday and

Charles B. Aycock 12-2 the following day. Both losses came from established 3A programs.

The Saints (8-6) beat ED 11-5 on opening day (Feb. 2) in Dudley.

The Panthers left 10 runners on the base paths. SW had ve LOB.

Baines Raynor had three hits in four trips and scored.

Cain Graham had two walks and an RBI.

Zach Brown turned two walks into runs.

Brown homered on Friday against the Falcons.

Gavin Holmes singled and drove in a run.

Caden Cox, Joe Buckley, Jayce Poole and Landon Davis smacked a pair of hits for CBA (10-2).

Bulldogs take bite out of Patriots

Reid Page and Dallas James each drove in a pair of runs last Saturday when Wallace-Rose Hill beat Pender 6-1.

Page, who is hitting .611, drilled two hits and walked and scored twice, while James upped his average to .355 with his seventh hit in ve games. WRH (8-8, 3-3) won its fth straight.

EDUARDO PUAC FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Megan Pittman and Richlands are concentrating on winning Coastal 3A Conference games in the next four weeks.

The team was dominant at Martinsville on the weekend of its 40th anniversary

By Hank Kurz Jr. The Associated Press

WILLIAM BYRON said he had nightmares coming to Martinsville Speedway this weekend, remembering his last visit when he struggled to a 13th-place nish.

He not only overcame those fears, he put a cherry on top of the weekend when Hendrick Motorsports celebrated the anniversary of its rst win 40 years ago by picking up No. 305.

“It was one of the worst experiences as a team, but one of the best experiences to realize the resilience that our team has. And I think that that showed today,” Byron said of last October’s penultimate race of the season.

This Sunday was di erent. Electing to stay out on old tires for the two-lap overtime nish, Byron won for the third time this season in eight races and led an historic 1-2-3 nish for Hendrick.

“It’s awesome and it’s way bigger than me,” Byron said.

Byron took the lead with 73 laps to go and held on after a

second straight race ended in overtime, outrunning teammates Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott for the win.

Byron, the rst of the contenders to pit under a green ag with 104 laps to go, moved to the front 31 laps later and was never threatened after getting the jump at the start of overtime. It was his second victory on the 0.526mile, paper-clip shaped oval.

“It was a great call. It didn’t get us the track position right away, but we had a little bit more heat in our tires,” Byron said of the call to pit, which ultimately gave him the lead. “So, seemed like I red o a little bit faster than those guys and was able to get ahead of them.”

He stayed out when John Hunter Nemechek crashed in turn three with three laps to go, as did Elliott and Larson, running second and third, and they produced the rst 1-2-3 nish for any team in Martinsville’s long history hosting stock car races. Larson rallied to nish second, Elliott third, Bubba Wallace fourth and Ryan Blaney, last fall’s winner here, fth. The fourth Hendrick driver, Alex Bowman, nished eighth.

“This is a huge win for the organization,” four-time Hen-

drick series champion Je Gordon, now the vice chairman of the organization, said. The race featured long green ag runs, with two of the ve cautions pre-planned at the end of stages one and two. There were 13 lead changes among eight drivers.

The victory was the 29th for Hendrick at NASCAR’s smallest, oldest track, a record for an organization at any venue. Geo Bodine had the rst win at Martinsville on April 29, 1984. It convinced team owner Rick Hendrick not to fold his edgling team.

All four Hendrick cars featured ruby red paint schemes, marking the anniversary.

The Hendrick organization hosted more than 1,000 current and former employees for the race, but the owner was not able to attend, having recently undergone knee replacement surgery.

“He’s super bummed out that he couldn’t be here,” Gordon said.

Up next

The series move across the country to Texas Motor Speedway, where the drivers hope the repaved track will have cured some to allow for more passing since the repave.

The former Buies Creek Astro capped a big week with the his rst no-no

By Kristie Rieken The Associated Press

HOUSTON — Ronel Blanco put a bow on a remarkable week. In a span of seven days, the Houston right-hander welcomed a new daughter, made his rst opening day roster — and then threw the rst no-hitter in the major leagues this season.

Blanco struck out seven and walked two in the Astros’ 10-0 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday night. The 30-yearold, who didn’t play in the majors until he was 28, was making just his eighth career start.

Blanco pitched in one game for the Buies Creek Astros in the Carolina League in the 2017 season, taking a loss. He returned the following year and posted a 5-1 record with 4 saves, a 1.78 ERA and a 0.991 WHIP in 19 games.

He wouldn’t even be in Houston’s rotation if not for injuries to Justin Verlander and José Urquidy.

“It’s been a very long road traveled for me,” he said in Spanish through a translator. “A lot of ups, a lot of downs, a lot of falls, a lot of me getting back up. But I think all of that has been worth it for me to be able to get to this moment.”

He walked George Springer to start the game and again with two outs in the ninth. When Vladimir Guerrero Jr. grounded out to end it, Blanco smiled broadly before raising his arms above his head just before being mobbed by teammates.

“I see it as a great blessing, a

Florida State denied request to dismiss ACC’s lawsuit by judge

By Ralph D. Russo The Associated Press

A judge in North Carolina on Thursday denied Florida State’s request to dismiss the Atlantic Coast Conference’s lawsuit against the school, which is trying to sue its way out of the league with a complaint in its home state. A little less than two weeks after a hearing in Mecklenburg County, Judge Louis A. Bledsoe III ruled that the ACC su ciently argued it had followed conference procedures in ling suit in December against Florida State and that North Carolina, where the league is headquartered, is the appropriate jurisdiction for the dispute.

“We are pleased with today’s decision, which con rms North Carolina courts are the proper place to enforce the ACC’s agreements and bylaws,” the conference said in a statement. “We remain committed to acting in the best interests of the league’s members and will see this process through to protect and advance the ACC.”

A hearing in FSU’s lawsuit against the ACC is scheduled for this week in Leon County, Florida, but typically under Florida law when there are con icting lawsuits in multiple states, the rst to le will receive preference.

“Although it’s highly unusual for a court to dismiss a lawsuit at this initial stage, we are disappointed in the Court’s decision not to dismiss the North Carolina lawsuit,” Florida State said in a statement.

Bledsoe did grant Florida State’s motion to dismiss the ACC’s claim that suing the conference was a breach of duciary duty to the league, but he kept in place the conference’s claim that the school breached its duty to “good faith and fair dealing under the ACC’s Constitution and Bylaws.”

Florida State is challenging the ACC’s exit fees and the validity of a contract called a Grant of Rights that binds league members together through their media rights.

The ACC’s contract with ESPN expires in 2036. The deal lags way behind the value of those signed by the Big Ten and Southeastern conferences.

Florida State claims it would cost $572 million to exit the conference. The school

says its athletics department is in danger of not being able to compete with Big Ten and SEC schools because of the growing revenue gap.

The day before Florida State’s board of trustees approved the ling of a lawsuit against the ACC in a Dec. 22 public meeting, the conference led its lawsuit in North Carolina against the school.

Florida State argued the conference had no right to preemptively sue and did not get the required three-fourths approval from its members to do so.

Bledsoe said the conference was in its right to act to address the obvious threat of a lawsuit, calling FSU’s actions “unavoidable and a practical certainty,” and to do so in North Carolina, where the ACC o ces have been located for 70 years. “The Court further concludes that the nature of the case and the applicable law strongly favor allowing this matter to proceed in North Carolina. The key contracts in this case — the Grant of Rights and the Amended Grant of Rights — were made in North Carolina and are governed by North Carolina law,” Bledsoe wrote in the 76-page ruling.

great blessing for me and my family,” he said. “With the arrival of my daughter I see it as a life-changing experience and I dedicate this to my family and my daughter.”

It was the 17th no-hitter in Astros history and the rst in the majors since Philadelphia’s Michael Lorenzen threw one against the Washington Nationals on Aug. 9 of last year.

Houston’s Joe Espada became the rst manager in major league history to get his rst win in a no-hitter.

“I couldn’t be any happier for the way today turned out,” Espada said.

The Astros are the fourth team in MLB history to get their rst win of the season in a no-hitter, and the rst since Boston’s Hideo Nomo pitched one against the Orioles in 2001. Nomo’s no-hitter that year came on April 4. That was the record for the earliest no-hitter by calendar date, according to Sportradar, but Blanco’s gem broke the mark by three days.

Blanco threw 105 pitches, averaging 93.6 mph with 31 fastballs and also throwing 36 changeups, 34 sliders and four curveballs.

Espada said the changeup was the key to Blanco’s success Monday.

“It makes the fastball and the slider that much better,” he said. “The way it comes out of the hand, it looks just like his fastball and hitters are committed to potentially swinging at a fastball and the ball just kind of falls in the zone. It’s a pitch that he’s worked really hard on and it paid big dividends tonight.”

Blanco had never pitched a complete game as a professional and hadn’t pitched more than six innings.

CHUCK BURTON / AP PHOTO

William Byron, center, celebrates with crew members in Victory Lane after receiving the trophy for winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Ronel Blanco celebrates after throwing a no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays.

obituaries

Joyce Sutton Blizzard

Aug. 28, 1930 - March 28, 2024

Joyce Sutton Blizzard, resident of Dunn, passed away peacefully early Thursday morning, March 28, 2024, at Betsy Johnson Hospital in Dunn. In prior years she had lived in the Pleasant Grove community near Mount Olive, and at Surf City. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Elmo Blizzard; her parents, William Ben Sutton and Mae Harrell Sutton; and her siblings and their spouses, Ellsworth and Lorraine W. Sutton, Craven and Edith H. Sutton, LaMuriel S. and Floyd Sutton, and Geraldine S. and Preston Wells; several nieces and nephews; and her beloved inlaws, Mordecai J. and Daphna Holmes Blizzard.

Mrs. Blizzard is survived by her children, Dexter Blizzard of Dunn, and Wendee B. Cowan and husband, Bobby, of Willard; a granddaughter, Amy Blizzard; a greatgrandson, Mason Blackwell; and many nieces and nephews.

She attended Calypso School, where she enjoyed playing basketball. In time she would graduate from Crumpler Business School and Hank Hanna Cosmetology School, and she completed other career development classes. She worked in many family businesses, from a country store and grill and feed mill in Duplin County, healthcare in New Hanover County, and beach rental/ hotelier in Pender, before retiring to Dunn in Harnett County. She and her husband had been active in many groups in the Pleasant Grove community in Duplin where they lived for many years. She was a member of the Outlaw’s Bridge Universalist Church.

Mrs. Blizzard’s priority in life was caring for her family and bring enjoyment to others. She became a second mom to many throughout her life. She always had a Sunday Schoolapproved joke or a story from her younger days to share. She always enjoyed calls and visits with others.

Funeral services were held

Tuesday, April 2, at Tyndall Funeral Home in Mount Olive, and was o ciated by Pastor Randy Beasley. Visitation with the family took place during the hour before the service. Committal rites will be Wednesday, April 3, at 2 p.m. at Wayne Memorial Park near Goldsboro.

Vickie Wages Hall

April 1, 1956 – April 1, 2024 (age 67)

Vickie Wages Hall, 67, passed away on Monday, April 1, 2024, at her home. Arrangements are incomplete at this time.

Robert A. Swinson

July 27, 1955 –March 29, 2024 (age 68)

Robert Anthony Swinson, 68, resident of the Rones Chapel area near Mount Olive, passed away in the early morning of Good Friday, March 29, 2024.

Robert had been employed with Sonoco in Mount Olive, which is now Hylex Poly. He began his career as a machine operator, in time becoming the environmental safety director on the national level for the company.

A graveside service was Tuesday, April 2, in the Swinson Family Cemetery. Dr. Michael Bass presided. The family received friends at the cemetery after the service, and at the residence at other times.

Robert is survived by his wife, Sandra Goodman Swinson, of the home; two daughters, Jessica Leigh Swinson with Rick Ferguson of Raleigh, and Brooke Swinson Holstein with husband, Christopher Holstein, of Orange Park, Florida.; four grandchildren, Cooper, Benjamin, Caroline, and Bridget Holstein, all of Orange Park; a brother, Dexter Swinson of Mount Olive; three sisters, Ramona S. Harrell, Clementine S. Waters, and Deloris S. Outlaw, all of Mount Olive; sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law, Regina G. Tucker of Mount Olive, Jerry L. and Genetta Goodman of Faison, and Lyndi G. Mitchell of Pikeville; and several nieces, nephews, and their families.

He now joins in death, his parents, William John Swinson and Ena Mae Sullivan Swinson; two brothers, Henry Nelson Swinson and William J. “Billy” Swinson, Jr.; brothers-in-law, Baron Harrell and Haran Nelson Waters; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Milton Adron Goodman and Betty Goodman. Flowers are welcome; however, those who wish to make a memorial donation may consider the Roberts-Swinson Endowment, University of Mount Olive, PO Box 90, Mount Olive, NC 28365, or the Leukemia society.

Rose Lee Brown Davis

Sept. 11, 1933 – April 2, 2024 (age 90)

Rose Lee Brown Davis, 90, passed away on Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at her home. She is preceded in death by her spouse, John Milton Davis, and a great-grandson, Kayden Davis Funeral service was held on Thursday, April 4, 2024, followed by visitation, at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville. Graveside service was Friday, April 5, 2024 at East Duplin Memorial Gardens, Beulaville.

Survivors include: sons, Cecil G. Davis (Joyce) of Beulaville, Mickey Davis (Betty) of Chinquapin, Joey Davis (Dawn) of Beulaville; daughter, Gail Davis Padrick (Richard) of Chinquapin; sisters, Ommie Mobley of Chinquapin, Lillian Hatcher (Guy) of Chinquapin; grandchildren, Chris Lanier, Steven Padrick, Chris Padrick, Ambre Wood, Justin Davis, and Finn Marshall; greatgrandchildren, Mayce Wood, Chloe Padrick, Grayson Padrick, Casey Davis, Wesley Davis, Jackson Lanier, and Maggie Lanier.

Pauline Cromity Corbett

Sept. 10, 1937 – March 20, 2024 (age 86)

Pauline Cromity Corbett, 86, of Atkinson peacefully departed this earthly life for eternal rest March 20, 2024 at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington.

Funeral service was held on Tuesday March 26, 2024 at Hawes Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Atkinson. Visitation was Monday March 25, 2024 at Hawes Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Interment at Corbett Cemetery in Atkinson.

Pauline leaves to cherish her memories: children, Phil Corbett (Betty), Donnitta Turner (Allen), Jacquelyn Hand, Sharon Clark (Vincent), Elton Corbett, Wayne Corbett, Maurice Corbett; grandchildren, Jackie Andre’ Hawes (Terra), Eulises Bland (Theresa), Angela Henry (Bernard), Tony Anthony Smith (Carmen), Sharon Braxton (Javarious), Tyrone Hand, Phil Maurice Williams (Letecia), Darrell “Rowan” Corbett (Kristi), John Thomas Smith, Jr., Eric Corbett (Shana), Eboni Floris, Wesley Smith (Madina), Shameka Hand, Monique Hernandez, Shadale Hagerman, Thomas Hand, Jr., Michael Anthony Hernandez, Deirdre Hawes, Alicia Sidbury (Jermaine), Dewayne Smith (Shaleta), Terrence Hand, Shermaine Corbett (Ti any), Wayne Onterio Corbett, Robert Dale Thornton, Jr., Maurice Corbett, Jr. (Karola), Shamaya Smith; brothers, Leo Cromity and Eddie James Cromity (Lue Jean); a host of great-grands, great-great grands, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Randy Mathis

June 2, 1959 – March 31, 2024 (age 64)

Mr. Randy Mathis, age 64, of Atlanta, Georgia, formerly of Duplin County, passed away on Sunday, March 31, 2024 at Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital in Columbus, Georgia.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at the Rose Hill Funeral Home Chapel in Rose Hill, at noon. Left to cherish his memories: two brothers, Robert “Bud” Mathis of Rose Hill, and James “Puddy” Mathis (Deborah) of Clinton, Maryland; six sisters, Mary “Jackie” Teachey (Earl) of Fayetteville, Mable Chasten (Kenneth) and Virginia “Rae” Vaughn, both of Rose Hill, Geraldine Mason (Erskin) of Magnolia, Diane Bishop (Nathan) of Columbus, Texas, and Debbie DeGree of Yonkers, New York; one aunt, Florence “Greedy” Love of Wallace; numerous, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that will miss him dearly.

Bridgett Pannell

Dec. 9, 1955 – March 27, 2024 (age 68)

WALLACE — Ms. Bridgett

Pannell, age 68, of Wallace passed away on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 at ECU Health Duplin Hospital in Kenansville.

A viewing was held on Friday, April 5, 2024 at the Rose Hill Funeral Home Chapel in Rose Hill, followed by the funeral service. Burial followed at Vann Cemetery near Scotts Store in Mt. Olive. Left to cherish her precious memories: her mother, Lola Brinkley; two sisters, Angela Brinkley and Lolethia Brinkley; four brothers, Devon Vann, Edgar Pannell, Tony Brinkley and Mark Brinkley; one uncle, Charles Vann; ve aunts, Peolia Moore, E e Mitchell, Algean Walker, Vitisha Horne and Arlene Robinson; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, that will miss her dearly.

Charlie Junior Newkirk

July 30, 1953 – March 28, 2024 (age 70)

ROSE HILL — Mr. Charlie Junior Newkirk, age 70, of Rose Hill passed away on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at home. Funeral services were held on April 4, at Mt. Siani Missionary Baptist Church in Wallace. Burial followed at Duplin Memorial Gardens in Teachey. Left to cherish his memories: one son, Purvis Dion Newkirk (Cicily) of Eden; two daughters, Tamela Murphy (James) of Garner, and Tanja Lee (Paxton) of Burgaw; two brothers, Arnez Newkirk of Rose Hill and Marcel Newkirk of Mt. Olive; one sister, Alberta N. Bannerman (Franklin) of Rose Hill; six grandchildren, 15 greatgrandchildren; four brothers-inlaw, four sisters-in-law; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that will miss him dearly.

Christopher “Turbo” Woodman

April 17, 1970 – March 30, 2024 (age 53)

Christopher “Turbo” Woodman, 53, passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2024 in ECU Medical Center, Greenville. Funeral service was April 3, followed by visitation, at Community Funeral Home, Beulaville. Graveside service was Thursday, April 4, 2024 at East Duplin Memorial Gardens, Beulaville.

Survivors include: spouse, Mary Woodman of Beulaville; daughter, Kaylee Woodman of Beulaville; parents, W.M. and Nancy Woodman of Beulaville; and brother, Ron Woodman of Beulaville.

In lieu of owers, donations may be made to Community Funeral Home, P.O. Box 715, Beulaville, NC 28518.

Gary Stephen “Steve” Herring

April 8, 1953 – April 1, 2024 (age 70)

It was about dawn on Easter Monday morning, April 1, 2024, that Gary Stephen “Steve” Herring peacefully passed away at his home in Calypso. Many loved ones were close at hand when he went to his eternal rest.

Steve graduated from North Duplin High School in 1971. He then attended East Carolina University on a baseball scholarship, graduating in 1975 with a degree in health and physical education. That same year, 1975, he signed in Kinston to play with the Philadelphia Phillies, a New York Penn League (A ball). Most of his working career was spent in the manufacturing industry. At Standard Products he held many positions, including being the plant manager. The last ve years were spent at Wayne Community College, where he was Director of Customized Training for business and industry. Poor health caused an early retirement. Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Ellen Grubbs Herring, and a special aunt, Joan Grubbs Jennett. He is survived by his wife, Gail Daniels Herring, of the home; two sons and their wives, Adam and Traci Herring, and Josh and Robyne Herring, all of Mount Olive; four precious grandchildren, Parker, Raegan, Cannon, and Scarlett Herring, all of Mount Olive; a brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Brenda Herring of Ayden; his mother-in-law, Rose B. Mellette and her husband, Marion Mellette of Kinston; a sister-inlaw and brother-in-law, Connie Daniels Strickland and Robert Strickland; and special friends, Dero and Carolyn Burroughs. Visitation with the Herring family took place Wednesday evening, April 3.

Funeral services were held by the graveside Thursday, April 4, in the Calypso Cemetery. O ciating will be the Rev. Paul Rose. Friends and relatives may also see the family at the residence.

In lieu of owers, memorial gifts may be made to Bethel Church, c/o Meredith A. McClenny, 240 Jones-Turner Road, Mount Olive, NC 28365, or to North Duplin Junior/ Senior High School, 1388 N. C. Highway 403 West, attn.: Coach Ricky Edwards, Mount Olive, NC 28365.

Carlotta Elizabeth Gri n

March 15, 1973 –March 24, 2024 (age 51)

WARSAW — Mrs. Carlotta Elizabeth Gri n, 51, completed her earthly journey and transitioned from labor to reward, Sunday, March 24, 2024 at ECU Duplin. The arrangements are currently incomplete.

When he was a boy … growing up in the Northeast community

Remembering my daddy and his stories

By Abby Cavenaugh Duplin Journal

IT’S DOUBTFUL that many Duplin Journal readers knew James Milton Cavenaugh. He was a quiet man, like me, but one who spent most of his days in the Northeast community outside Wallace. He never ran for public o ce, wasn’t really a go-getter in the community, and caused no drama. Known as Jimmie to everyone, Daddy to me and my siblings, and Papa to the grandchildren, he was a simple man who loved nothing more than eating oysters from the Riverview Cafe in Sneads Ferry or barbecue from the Skylight Inn in Ayden. Closer to home, he grew up in a timber-built home near the woods that backs up to the Cape Fear River. Hurricanes Floyd and Florence have taken their toll on that house, washing away many of my daddy’s memories. But they would live on in the stories he would tell.

“When I was a boy” was the start of many a tale of growing up in Northeast. When I was younger, it would illicit groans from me, but as I grew older, these stories of rural Southern life became something that I enjoyed and will now treasure

‘When I was a boy’ was the start of many a tale of growing up in Northeast.

more than he could know.

When he was a boy, my daddy explored the woods and creeks behind his home. He searched for, picked and ate wild huckleberries. He would swim in the Cape Fear River, and sometimes even bathe in it, before his house had running water and electricity.

He ran my Grandma Frankie “Tunk” ragged, and she spent many a day worrying what adventure he might go on next — with or without her permission. This was a boy who once took an orange crate down the stairs like a bobsled — and went right through the window.

Sometimes, the family would go down to Topsail Island, where Daddy would get his beloved Stump Sound oysters. All his life, oysters were his favorite food. He loved them roasted, fried, grilled, whatever. All he needed was some vinegar and pepper, he would say, and a plate of fresh oysters. That’s something he passed down to me. In 2021 on Father’s Day, the kids took Daddy and Mama Judy to the Riverview Cafe and he got

his oysters. A photo from that day was used on his obituary and funeral program. You can see by the wide smile on his face how happy it made him to have his oysters, and all of his children with him, to boot. When he was a young man, he loved quail hunting. He would take my brother Henry or go with his daddy, R.C., out to the Pocosin down the road and bring home numerous birds that my mama Judy would fry up and serve for that night’s dinner. It’s been many years since I had fresh quail, but it was a treat I always looked forward to as a child. One of those experiences that shapes your life, and you don’t realize it until many years later.

On one of those quail hunting trips, my daddy and granddaddy had a run-in with the game warden. They saw the plane circling overhead and Granddaddy said, “Let’s have some fun!” So they jumped the ditch to make the game warden in the plane think they were hiding. The game warden came and inspected their hunting licenses and ries, and found that everything was in order and perfectly legal. So Granddaddy and Daddy had accomplished their mission of wasting the game warden’s time, and having some fun at his expense. That story was always good for a laugh, the way my daddy told it. Another of the stories my daddy would tell over and over was about my granddaddy R.C. and the kipper snacks. He would talk about how Granddaddy opened the tin of kipper snacks, ate some, and promptly vomited. Declaring the kipper snacks to be no good, he fed them to the dog, who also vomited and then, as Granddaddy said, licked his butt to get rid of the taste. And my grandparents never ate the kipper snacks again. My dad-

dy could tell that story in a way that would have you rolling with laughter.

There was this one time in the summer when, for some reason, Daddy and Aunt Jeannie played with sparklers inside the house. Not surprisingly, the curtains caught on re, and my aunt proceeded to scream, “Fire! Fire!”

Now, Granddaddy was taking a bath in the kitchen (again, no running water so no bathroom), and he dragged the tub from the kitchen into the living room where the curtains were blazing. The way Daddy told it, Granddaddy kept one foot in the tub while dragging it. What a sight it must have been. He put the re out with the bathwater, and so began a tale that was told over many a family get-together.

There were enough stories like these to ll a book. Sadly, when my daddy was diagnosed with end-stage cancer, he no longer felt up to regaling us with these tales. It’s one of my biggest regrets that I didn’t record him more often, or at least take notes when he was telling his stories.

But it’s also my hope that someone will nd these few stories I do remember well amusing or take them back to their own childhood growing up in rural Duplin County. It’s a special place, and one that Jimmie Cavenaugh loved with all his heart.

JIMMIE CAVENAUGH