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LET’S EXPLORE.
WE COVER THE PLACES YOU KNOW & LOVE AND THE PLACES YOU SHOULD GO & LOVE!
o rt f u a e B
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Hyde
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Halifax
PG. 14
PG. 46
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Tyrrell
Edgecombe
H e rt f o r d
M a rt i n
on N o r t h a m p t PG. 6 4
B e rt i e
PG. 10
PG. 34
Nash
PG.42
PG. 38
Washingto PG. 22
PG. 18
nPG. 26
FEATURES
54. NC DESTINATIONS NC Native Meghan Grant shares her top-rated towns
ON THE C OV E R
58. JUST KEEP SWIMMING
Nash Central’s Norris hasn’t stopped working
The Little Sammie heading out to the Pamlico Sound after sunset. Photo by Sandy Carawan
VOL. 12, NO. 4 JULY 2020 STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS
61. OUT & ABOUT
Events happening in and around the 12 counties
64.
Publisher
A look at beautiful Belhaven
Staff
Kyle Stephens
Gene Metrick
kstephens@ncweeklies.com
gmetrick@rmtelegram.com Sarah Hodges Stalls
Editor
shstalls@ncweeklies.com
Thadd White
Miles Layton
twhite@ncweeklies.com
mlayton@ncweeklies.com
Creative Services Director
dgriffin@ncweeklies.com
Deborah Griffin Michelle Leicester mleicester@ncweeklies.com
70.
GRANDMA’S KITCHEN
Sweet treats from NC & beyond
72.
Editorial Contributors Sandy Carawan
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Chris Cordon, serving God & Bertie County
Layout & Design
Sarah Davis
Becky Wetherington
Tom Harrison
beckyweth@gmail.com
Sylvia Hughes Gene Motley
Photo Editor
John Walker
Jim Green
Meghan Grant
jgreen@ncweeklies.com
Amelia Harper Patrick Mason
Advertising Executives Lou Ann Van Landingham
76. MARK IT!
78. PARTING SHOTS
Aquascogoc Tribe at their tragic history in Belhaven.
Thadd White shares the history within our 12 counties
lavan@ncweeklies.com
Eastern North Carolina Living
Jessica Mobley
Magazine
jmobley@ncweeklies.com
P.O. Box 69, Windsor, NC 27983
Kelly Ayscue
252-794-3185
kayscue@rmtelegram.com
twhite@ncweeklies.com
Eastern North Carolina Living is published by APG Media Eastern NC, and is a subsidiary of the Bertie Ledger-Advance, Martin County Enterprise & Weekly Herald, Tarboro Weekly and Rocky Mount Telegram.
5
Northampton County
Conway
Just ‘Country Folks’
E
Story & Photos by Gene Motley
ven if you’re just passing through this quiet little central Northampton County hamlet, you’re family.
While Conway can’t boast it’s the largest town in the county
(that honor belongs to Gaston, including its famous Lake), nor the county seat (that’s Jackson), it does boast a hometown quality the likes of which few can compare. “I think the people are what make Conway special,” says Town Administrator Nancy Jenkins, seated behind her desk at Town Hall, and who, along with Town Clerk Robin Maitland, is happy to brag on their little town. “It’s a small community where everyone looks out for everyone,” she added. “We’ve had folks move in who just want that small-
6
town, quiet atmosphere, and they can do that
the faith-based community here is very
in honor of her mother,” said Maitland. “We
here.”
strong; it holds the town together,” Jenkins
have it here in our (Town Hall) parking lot by
acknowledged.
the Police Department, and people stop by to
While Georgia-Pacific Chemical is one of the town’s largest employers, Conway boasts
One of Conway’s biggest contributions
fill it up with condiments. It can be scarves, it
34 businesses as of Spring ‘20, and are still
to the Northampton economy is the area’s
can be snacks; anything non-perishable they
growing.
thriving farm community. There is also
want to leave for people to pick up. People
On the Northampton County web page
statewide recognized Veteran’s Memorial
take some things out, then come around
one can find photos of ribbon-cuttings for
Park, one of the few towns that have a large
and fill it back up again. And right beside it is
the enterprises that dot the town’s main
park that salutes the American military
our ‘free library’ with children’s books on one
thoroughfares.
with recognition services on Memorial Day,
side and adult books on the other; you can get a book, or leave a book. We are a giving
“We have many small businesses like
Veteran’s Day and the National Day of Prayer.
the Track-Side Restaurant, and our grocery
“We’ll have anywhere from 75 to 100
store (Conway Food and Deli) that has now
people attending those services,” Jenkins
expanded its fare to include pizza and wings.
noted.
Flythe Brothers Service Station has been here forever, and they celebrated 60 years
Right outside of the neatly polished Town Hall are two special drop-off bins.
in business just three years ago. We have
“We established a ‘Blessings Box’ courtesy
churches of many denominations because
of a daughter with the Purple Angel Foundation
community.” The free library was started by Flythe Brothers, probably one of the easiest businesses to find in Conway thanks to the name of the establishment emblazoned on their huge gas-pumps canopy sign at the corner of U.S. 158 and N.C.35.
7
“
It’s a small community where everyone looks out for everyone. We’ve had folks move in who just want that small-town, quiet atmosphere, and they can do that here.
”
- Robin Maitland, Town Clerk Begun in 1957, and in business
the old Food Center grocery on
now for over 63 years, when
East Main Street. They are most
brothers Travis and Leon Flythe
grateful for the steady flow of
took over, Leon’s son, Blake
customers who have helped the
Flythe, runs it now. He practically
town keep and maintain a local
grew up in the business from
supermarket in these times.
when he was 10 years old.
“I love the area since I’ve
“I learned how to sweep the
been here,” noted Tracy Laws,
floors and empty the trash cans,
who, along with her husband,
ride with (Uncle) Travis on the
Corey, opened Track-Side Tavern
oil truck and ride with Daddy on
and Grill nearby on Main Street
the wrecker,” Blake remembers.
in October 2019. The Laws
“I guess you could say I’ve been
to the older businesses in the
declared. “It’s your average small
here ever since, and now it’s over
commute to their business daily
town, some of the newer, younger
town where everybody knows
20 years that I’ve owned it.”
ones also add to its richness.
everybody, you know, everybody
from their home in Murfreesboro.
“Tires are our biggest business,”
“We’re right ‘in the cut’,”
chimes in Rachel Flythe Capel, the
declares barber Arthur Dukes,
co-proprietor, and Blake’s cousin.
who owns and operates N-Da-
“You can ride somewhere else
“We sell a lot of farm tires, we do
Cut Barber Shop. “That means
if you want to spread out and
state inspections, we sell fishing
we’re in the middle. Sort of the
that’s what you want to do. I can’t
bait, a little bit of everything.”
middle between Murfreesboro,
say anything negative about it,”
Boykins
he continued. “Everybody goes
“Our biggest asset is that we try to be fair with our customers,”
(Virginia),
Jackson/
Roanoke Rapids and Woodland.”
shops at the same store. It’s all about what you get out of it.
about their lives because families
added Blake. “We’ve got regular
Dukes boasts having the first
know each other whether it’s
customers who come up here
black-owned barber shop ever in
the grandparents or the little
and get Nabs and drinks; even
the town located near the corner
kids. I can’t complain because
one man 86 years old who used
of Main and Hundley. He even
I’ve enjoyed it; everything is
to come up here twice a day, but
cuts hair on select Sundays.
everything.”
“I had been noticing this (location) for a while, and it just sort of happened,” she said. “I love the residents and I’ve met a lot of interesting people here and the whole community has just been great, business has been wonderful here and with those from surrounding towns. I really have no complaints. Happy is just the word.” And that’s a good way to describe Conway.
now I take him a little snack, sit
“I think the business climate
Kamini Ajitkumar Patel, and
Gene Motley is a retired Sports
and talk with him a little bit, and
here is going to grow somewhat,
partner Harry Nijah, are originally
Editor and Sports Director and
just make him feel comfortable.”
but it’s not going to get much
from Asia, but now operate the
a regular contributor to Eastern
bigger because of what it is,” he
Conway Food & Deli, located in
North Carolina Living.
While there’s a ‘folksy’ quality
8
The results of the 2020 Census will help determine how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding flow into our communities every year for the next decade.
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BERTIE COUNTY 9
Beaufort County
Washington
‘The Original’ continues to grow & develop
Story & Photos by Deborah Griffin
T
he Pamlico River’s surf pounds the sidewalk-lined shore, as the sounds of progress pound downtown Main Street, one street over.
Sea gulls fly overhead, their cries drowned out by the jackhammers of development. The birds are evidence of the river’s tie to the Atlantic Ocean - the gateway which positioned this waterfront town as a vital global seaport during the nation’s early history. Washington, at times prefaced with “Little” or “Original,” was formed from a 1770’s settlement called Forks of the Tar - renamed in honor of George Washington in 1776, some 14 years ahead of our nation’s capitol. The Tar and the Pamlico rivers meet here, forming the brackish waters the town grew up on - and became inseparable from. The rivers remain largely unchanged, but the waterfront has transformed over the past 250 years, from industrial port to commerce center, and is currently undergoing further change – in an effort to preserve the past.
10
Main Street, in an upheaval, has been gouged to replace aging infrastructure.
waterfront, but Washington is still renowned for boat crafting. Singer song-writer Jimmy
According to Mayor Mac “Bear” Hodges,
Buffett recently commissioned a $3 million
who grew up here, “The waterlines have
48-foot sailboat, built by Washington’s
been in there since 1908. This was mostly
Pacific Seacraft.
started as an infrastructure project –
In the 1800s, the Port of Washington
replacing stormwater [drains], electric [lines]
was as far inland ocean vessels could travel
and water [pipes]. When we build it back,
before the river narrowed. Then, goods (and
we are making the sidewalks wider using
people) had to be transferred onto smaller
brick pavers, and adding new lights and
boats to access towns upriver like Tarboro
new benches to make it really pretty and
and Greenville.
historical.”
In turn, plantation owners and farmers
Main Street, which runs parallel to the
along the river would load their wares onto
river, is normally a serene, eclectic mix of
boats to be taken to Washington, which
culture, shops, businesses and eateries.
would then be loaded onto sea-going
But revival is never quiet. In the name
vessels and sold up and down the eastern
of reformation, the town is undergoing
seaboard - and as far away as the West
restoration to many of its remaining, historic
Indies, said Midgett.
edifices, which bear witness to the former glory of the town.
“Merchants would buy products produced up river and sell them as far north as New
According to local historian Ray Midgett,
England. They also did a lot of trading with
around the 20th century, the Washington
the West Indies, as far down as Barbados,”
waterfront was a major ship building arena
Midgett added.
and a center for commerce because of its location on the river. Although not native, Midgett has lived
The ships would bring back merchandise
“
Merchants would buy products produced up river and sell them as far north as New England. They also did a lot of trading with the West Indies, as far down as Barbados.
”
- Ray Midgett, local historian
in Washington 15 years, and has immersed himself in historic preservation. He is president of the Harbor Port of Washington Project, a group of volunteers working to promote and preserve Washington’s maritime heritage and history. “During the Revolutionary War there were several vessels built here,” he said. “It probably reached its peak early 1850s. At that time there were more ship builders here than any other place in North Carolina.” Because of its location, wharfs and warehouses started springing up even before it was a town, said Midgett. By 1918, records show the waterfront had over 50 wharves. Ship
builders
no
longer
line
the
11
from New York and Baltimore for local
caused the decline of the river as a means to
merchants to sell, and vessels that took locally
transport goods and people, said Midgett.
produced items to Barbados, came back with
added,
“As
motor
“Washington
has
evolved
from
a
vehicles
commercial port in its early days, to more of
things like sugar and molasses and bananas,
replaced commercial vessels and railroads,
a hospitality destination now,” Rumley added.
he said.
the Washington waterfront was greatly
Moss Landing, one block from the
Blount Rumley, 78, grew up on the shores
Rumley
have replaced the wharves of old.
abandoned as a connection to the river.”
of the Pamlico. He lives three blocks from his
According to the two historians, for about
boyhood home, on the river in Washington
a decade, Washington seemed to turn its back
Park.
on the Pamlico.
“My earliest memories were of the waning commercial port,” he said. “I remember long rafts of logs being towed by tug to Eureka Mill [which was] on the waterfront.”
“It did not appear to be the great asset it once was,” said Rumley. But the 1960s brought a revelation of new uses for the river, most specifically tourism, he
He remember hearing stories told about
said.
downtown area, has multiple $450,000$750,000 waterfront homes being built on prized land, once dominated by oyster canneries, lumber mills, fertilizer plants and shipyards. Further out from the watery heart of the city, real estate is also booming, according to Hodges. An agent turned appraiser, Hodges said
how the “sugar boat” would come in from the
In 1969, Washington undertook a major
West Indies, loaded with tons of bulk sugar
urban renewal project, building a road and
- consigned to local grocers and soft drink
park paralleling the waterfront area. The
bottlers in Washington and Greenville.
project included the construction of a 1,500
As this picturesque, waterfront town of
“Lots of times farmers would back up to
foot long walkway and bulkhead along
nearly 10,000 citizens continues to grow,
the docks and purchase entire truckloads of
the Pamlico, designed for both pedestrian
it forges on the foundations of the old –
the sugar to feed their liquor stills,” Rumley
and boat traffic. Many decaying waterfront
adhering to the town’s adopted motto of
said, who also is a member of the Historic Port
warehouses were removed, replaced by what
“Pride in the past, faith in the future.”
of Washington Project.
is now called Stewart Parkway.
The advent of the railroad, cars and roads
Tourism, entertainment and real estate
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the annual sales of homes averages about 800, with lot sales averaging about 250.
Deborah Griffin is a Staff Writer for Eastern North Carolina Living and The Daily Reflector.
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13
Bertie County
Windsor
A proud past & a promising future Story by Miles Layton Photos by Miles Layton and Nicole Bowman-Layton
S
un is out and I’ve still got cabin fever, maybe a lot of folks do to the point of rebellion because of the pandemic, but I needed
to break away from the house by exploring eastern North Carolina so as to get to know the people and places better in our backyard. Windsor came to mind immediately because, while of being through Bertie County on occasion to go fishing or kayaking, I’ve never toured the historic downtown or know much about the people, past or present. For folks who don’t know, locals pronounce the county’s name as Ber-tee, with an emphasis on the “tee” and Windsor is more or less two syllables – ‘Winser” – where the “d” is silent and the “sor” sounds more like “ser” which is different than the way high-falluting people
14
“
Growing up, everyone came to town to go shopping on Saturdays. You didn’t have to lock your doors. Everybody knew everybody – that’s still pretty much true today
”
pronounce House of “Wind - sor”
many fine examples of 18th
with its emphasis on “d” and the
and 19th Century architecture.
“sor.”
The churchyards of St. Thomas’
The county was formed as
Episcopal
Church,
Cashie
Bertie Precinct in 1722 from
Baptist Church, Windsor United
the part of Chowan Precinct of
Methodist Church and St. Elmo
Albemarle County lying west of
Baptist Church contain the graves
the Chowan River. It was named
of many prominent citizens of
for James Bertie, his brother
the town.
Henry Bertie, or perhaps both,
First, yes, there are nice large
each having been one of the
homes along King Street and
Lords Proprietors of Carolina.
around
the
downtown
core
Established by an act of the
centered a business district and
Colonial Assembly in 1768, on
county courthouse. Those who
the site known as Gray’s Landing,
want to see some really old
Windsor has served as the County
gravestones, should check out
Seat of Bertie County since 1774.
the cemetery by St. Thomas’
Founded as a port on the Cashie
Episcopal Church. The parish was
River, which rises and falls in
established in Merry Hill in 1722
Bertie County, Windsor was the
before it moved to Windsor in
center of a thriving agricultural
1839.
and timber industry. Entered
in
the
- Joe Cherry
Windsor Mayor Jim Hoggard, National
who is knowledgeable about
Register of Historic Places in 1991,
all things Windsor and Bertie
Windsor encompasses the same
County, is distant kin to the family
100 acres of the original town.
of early settlers from Hoggard’s
King Street is the heart of the Historic District, which includes
Mill, formerly the county seat between 1722 to 1769.
Filled with stories about local
skirmish was intended to disrupt
history, Hoggard related a battle
Confederate recruiting efforts.
between Union and Confederate
When three federal transports
forces that is part of Civil War
with 1,000 men attacked a
Trails that crisscross the region.
Confederate Calvary regiment
Fought Jan. 29-30, 1864, the
with between 200-300 soldiers
15
in Windsor, the rebels had no choice but to
a must because it’s a neat trip paddling down
retreat. Soldiers and prominent Southern
the Cashie River, particularly after a good rain
sympathizers were taken hostage.
when the water gets to flowing pretty good.
Confederate accounts of the battle had a
Worth
noting
for
kayak
or
beach
different point of view of the two-hour battle,
enthusiasts, maybe check out Bertie Beach
with their version of the story reporting how
near the mouth of the Chowan River on the
the Yankees were driven from Windsor.
Albemarle Sound. This isolated sandy beach
Another stop to add to anyone’s bucket
offers a commanding view of the Sound
list traveling through eastern North Carolina
where folks can either swim or kayak up the
is Hope Plantation – the restored home of
“coast” of Bertie County, maybe even paddle
former North Carolina Governor David Stone
across the Sound to Edenton if the water is
(1770-1818).
flat and the wind is favorable.
One of the finest examples of Palladian
While exploring different places and
design built in timber, the manor house is
destinations forms a mission statement for
slightly modified by neo-classical elements.
travelers, the secret to a good trip is meeting
The facade has five bays and a pedimented
new people, maybe hearing new stories.
double portico with the original Chinese
That’s what keeps folks coming back.
Cherry talked about local sports – he was
Chippendale balustrade. Crowning the house
Joe Cherry, 90, grew up in Windsor and
sports editor of the Bertie Ledger-Advance
is a widow’s walk with matching railing. The
knows most everyone in town. His family’s
once upon a time – and he talked about his
interior of the house displays a height and
insurance agency, J.B. Cherry Insurance, was
family. In essence, the conversation with
grandeur rare in the region, and is furnished
founded by his father, Joseph Sr., in 1912.
Cherry was like when you visit folks – stories
with a unique collection of period furniture,
When Cherry was a boy, he sold the
shared over a glass of tea. Oh my, how times
Bertie Ledger-Advance on a street corner –
have changed, but still remain the same in
History aside, Hoggard said there is plenty
sometimes as many as 250 newspapers at a
to do in town or nearby. He touted the tree
time – because downtown was so busy back
some places - special places like Windsor.
houses by the Cashie River – The Cashie
in those days.
art and artifacts.
Treehouse Village. Pre-coronavirus, these tree houses were booked solid most every night.
“Growing up, everyone came to town to go shopping on Saturdays. You didn’t have to
The insides feature a queen size sleeping
lock your doors. Everybody knew everybody –
platform and a sleeping loft. Outside of
that’s still pretty much true today,” said Cherry,
the treehouses is a gathering area in which
who grew up on Granville Street but now lives
there are chairs and benches so guests can
on King Street, two doors up from the Cashie
experience the outdoors together.
River. “I’m a longtime Windsor person. I love
River tours are common and kayak rentals
the town, yes I do.”
Cherry talked about the flooding from when Hurricane Floyd invaded in 1999. Cherry pointed to the water marks when the floodwaters came into his insurance agency located on South King Street that will amaze. Cherry said there was so much water in the streets he was able to drive a boat through much of downtown - and joked he gave his wife, Della, a cruise she always wanted; she didn’t think his quip was funny. He talked about a vibrant arts community and the town’s many museums included one dedicated to farms, which has old farm equipment, and another dedicated to trains, as Windsor was a transportation hub. Soon by the early 1900’s the railroads became a connecting link between the steamship lines and points north with products including lumber from various mills were brought by rail to Windsor making it
Rod Cant
Financial A .
258 West Washingto ‘Windsor is a good place to raise a family, 252-975-2
somewhat of a port of entry for the area
maybe stay awhile – people have deep roots in our community,” Cherry said. Miles Layton is Editor of the Perquimans Weekly and a regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.
16
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17
Edgecombe County
Tarboro
‘Our History is Just the Beginning
Story by John H. Walker
T
arboro is the ninth-oldest town in the state of North Carolina and served the area as an important colonial river port and
thriving trade center until the Civil War. Although it is generally agreed that the area around Tarboro was settled by 1733, Edward Mosley's map of that year shows only Tuscarora Indians in the area. In early days, the region was widely known as "Tawboro,” a name attributed to "Taw,” the Indian word for "river of health.” Tarrburg, as the town was called on maps of 1770-75, was chartered Nov. 30, 1760, as Tarborough by the General Assembly. In September of the same year, Joseph and Ester Howell deeded 150 acres of their property to the Rev. James Moir, Lawrence Toole, a merchant, Capts. Aquilla Sugg and Elisha Battle and Benjamin Hart for five shillings and one peppercorn. As commissioners, these men were to lay out a town with lots of not more than one-half acre and streets not wider than 80
18
“
As Mayor Joe Pitt has noted on multiple occasions, the people are what make Tarboro special. They are opening and welcoming.
”
- Credit
feet, with 12 lots and a 50-acre "common"
on his 1791 Southern tour.
set aside for public use. Lots were to be sold
Nowadays, Tarboro has slightly less than
for two pounds, with the proceeds to be
11,000 residents and is governed by a mayor
turned over to the Howells; however, full
and council and a town staff that manages
payment was not received for all of the 109
the day-to-day operations.
lots sold, and some were not sold for the 40 shillings price. Tarboro officially became the Edgecombe County seat in 1764, and the General
Candace Bailey Owens and her late
others. “But we never left. We knew we could never leave Tarboro ... would never leave Tarboro.” Then, just as now, Candace says the people make Tarboro a welcoming and warm place.
husband, Ambrose Lloyd Owens Jr., came to
“The old-timers say it’s a welcoming
Tarboro to settle down and raise a family in
community, but the newcomers have a
1968 and never left.
tendency to call it cliquish,” Owens said.
Assembly met there once in 1787 and again
“Oh, we’d talk about some place we
Still, it’s hard for someone to walk
in 1987. President George Washington is
thought we’d want to go,” Candace said,
downtown or along Main Street and not be
known to have slept in Tarboro during a visit
mentioning Edenton and New Bern, among
greeted multiple times.
19
the town of Tarboro to Hassell, and on April 17, 1937, the cooperative threw its first switch to energize the homes of 82 cooperative members. This historical event made EdgecombeMartin County EMC the oldest rural electric cooperative in North Carolina and one of the oldest in the nation. Tarboro is home to a 45-square-block historic district and a vibrant downtown historic district with multiple home-owned businesses. It’s the same story in the cafes and coffee
45,000-square-foot
Biotechnology
and
shops, as people are warm and friendly and
Medical Simulation Center on its Rocky Mount
welcoming.
campus and the 23,000-square-foot Center
As Mayor Joe Pitt has noted on multiple occasions, the people are what make Tarboro special. They are opening and welcoming, whether at one of the community’s many
Today, Tarboro is the home of Edgecombe
for Innovation on the Tarboro campus. In
Community College, which opened as an
2018, Deborah Lamm retired as president of
extension unit of Wilson County Technical
ECC, eventually being replaced by Gregory
Parade, a Tarboro High School Vikings school
Institute in 1967 and in 1968, held its first
McLeod, ECC’s fifth president and its first
activity or the newest activity in town, the
classes. In 1987, the college was renamed
black president.
Tarboro River Bandits collegiate league
Edgecombe Community College and has since expanded its campus size. In
20
January
2016,
ECC
Back in 1937, another significant occurrence took place when, on Jan. 7, construction
opened
a
commenced on 32 miles of electric lines from
festivals, the July 4 fireworks, the Christmas
baseball team. John H. Walker is a staff writer for the Rocky Mount Telegram.
Call or visit us: Greg Shepherd, CIC Teresa Harrison, CIC Williamston 252-792-5125 www.theboydagency.com
Locally owned & operated Edward, Toby & Greg Casper
Explore Williamston
21
Tyrrell Cou nty
Columbia
A place of natural beauty
T
Story & Photos by Thadd White
hose driving through the town of Columbia seem to always remark on the beauty of the small hamlet nestled on U.S. 64
between Plymouth and Manteo. Tourists aren’t the only ones who find the charming town a draw – it’s lifelong residents say they stayed there because of Columbia’s people, natural resources and beauty. “Our natural resources are a primary drawing card,” Columbia Mayor Randy Cahoon said. “We have a lot of natural beauty.” Cahoon pointed out the town’s locale within the Scuppernong River, the Alligator River and the Albemarle Sound. He said those natural resources were more than a drawing card – they are also a ‘staying card’ as they kept many people in Columbia and Tyrrell County for work.
22
Peniel No. 2. Duck Thru also offers a wide variety of foods, according to White. Among the town’s many other drawing cards is the Walter B. Jones Center for the Sounds, the Pocosin Arts School of Fine Craft, the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, the Tyrrell County Library and the Columbia Theatre. White said he believes the town is fortunate to be the only municipality in Tyrrell County because it is home to the courthouse, post office, and other hubs of activity in the county. “The downtown is vibrant comparatively,” he said. “People can walk to the post office or the courthouse.” “We’ve primarily made a living from fishing,
“It’s hard to go in the super market and not
farming and logging,” the mayor said. “We have
see people from Washington, Hyde and Dare
lived off our natural resources as well. That’s
counties,” White said. “A lot of folks shop here
how we’ve made our living.”
to avoid traffic.”
Cahoon himself was a native of Tyrrell County who left to receive an education and
White said the town has become a “regional hub” for those within 30 miles.
returned to become part of Tyrrell County
He also said there are no gas stations in
Schools. In his career, he was an assistant
Gum Neck or Alligator and all the way back to
principal, principal, personnel director and
Creswell which means many people come to
assistant superintendent.
Columbia for gas and food.
He also became involved in local politics,
In
addition
to
Sandy’s
Place
and
serving as chair of the Columbia Planning
Columbia Crossing, two well-known dining
Board for more than two decades before
establishments, Columbia is home to China
serving five years as an alderman. For the past
King, Highway 55 and Tienda Mexicanca
two and a half years he’s been the mayor – and he said he is proud to serve the good people in town and represent them as an ambassador for Columbia. “There are good people with solid values here,” Cahoon said. “It’ is a good place to live and raise a family. Our people are our strength. We are a people of community. When the chips are down, people are there.” Columbia Town Manager Rhett White has a similar story to the mayor’s – only he was gone most of his adult life. White left Columbia and spent many years working with the North Carolina aquariums. Eventually he returned home and got to work helping the town of Columbia – and he hasn’t regretted it. White said while some see Columbia as a way to get to the Outer Banks, there are many who live, shop and eat right there in the Tyrrell County seat.
In addition, the town boasts of Columbia Pharmacy, which is also an easy walk downtown to residents of the town. “We are fortunate to have so many amenities right here in town,” White said. “All three schools are in the Columbia city limits.” A second benefit to being the only municipality in the county is the cooperative efforts of the Columbia Board of Aldermen and the Tyrrell County Board of Commissioners. “The town and county working together has been a strength for a number of years,” Mayor Cahoon said. “It would be difficult to accomplish some of the things we have
“
Our people are our strength. We are a people of community. When the chips are down, people are there.
”
- Randy Cahoon, Mayor
23
Other
challenges
for
the
Columbia
leadership include dealing with the shortfall in water revenue caused by the closing of Tyrrell Prison Workfarm and White Cap (an industry that used a large amount of water). Other challenges include the Alligator River Bridge, which White said desperately needs replacing. He said the bridge is more than 60 years old, and was built for traffic in the 1950s and simply couldn’t handle the traffic that uses it on a daily basis now. The closest way around the bridge would cause a 90-mile detour, he said. The town has also dealt with flooding issues due to rainwaters. It has been an without working together.”
have purchased older homes and renovated
One of the accomplishments was bringing an assisted living facility – the Tyrrell House – to Columbia. Cahoon said it was much needed
them to a beautiful homes. It’s good for them personally, but its also good for the town.” Mayor
Cahoon
said
the
cultural
and was a proud accomplishment of the
diversification over the last two decades has
entities working together.
been a real positive for Columbia.
Both Cahoon and White were proud of the rich heritage of Columbia, which was founded in 1793 as Elizabethtown. It was renamed Columbia in 1801, two years after it became the Tyrrell County seat. Nestled along the eastern shoreline of the Scuppernong River, Columbia developed slowly when settlers from Virginia streamed into the Albemarle Region in the 18th century. Surrounding
swamp
forests,
vast
peat
wetlands and pocosins restricted penetrations of interior around the town. In fact, the town was the most isolated and sparsely settled parts of North Carolina well into the 20th century. Before the Civil War, Columbia was primarily a fishing and trading center. By 1908, the Norfolk and Southern Railway extended its track to Columbia, which helped to supplement boat travel between the town and surrounding communities. While population began to decline postWorld War II, White said there has been recent growth among members of the Latino community who are moving to Tyrrell County, buying old homes and restoring them. “In many cases, Latino families are familiar with our town because they live or work here and have raised children here,” he said. “Many
24
The mayor said the town was happy to see Latino neighbors become homeowners, and many of the homes had been slipped into disrepair, but now were beautiful homes because of renovations and repairs by the new homeowners. Cahoon said being a small town presented
increasing problem over the past 10 years. As they look forward to the future, both Cahoon and White said the town needed to diversify its workforce and both said they believe echo tourism was a part of Columbia’s future. The town already sees a number of leisure fishermen and birdwatchers and they hope to see that grow. They each said the Pocosin School of Fine Arts would help with that growth. Another plan for growth is the location of a hotel in the town, a process which will include both the town and county officials. Whatever the future holds, Mayor Cahoon
budgeting challenges because of trying to
said it would be made brighter by the natural
keep taxes low, and the restored homes
beauty his town already has.
helped increase the tax base. He said the Columbia Board of Aldermen had been historically conservative budget wise to keep taxes low.
“We’re fortunate to call Columbia home,” he said. “It just has so much natural beauty.” Thadd White is Editor of Eastern North Carolina Living and the Bertie Ledger-Advance.
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25
Washington County
Plymouth
Rediscovering a hidden gem
Story by Jim Green Photos by Tom Harrison
T
om Harrison walks along Water Street and looks out onto the Roanoke River. He sees so much potential in the town of
Plymouth, which is why he fell in love with the area many years ago when he moved from upstate New York. “If you ask me why I love Plymouth, the easy answer is the people – but that’s true anywhere you go in America,” said Harrison, 63, who has lived in the town since 1984. “If you ask people what they like about their town they say the people. But this is where my roots were put down at a very young age and why I fell in love with this area. “It’s rural, and I created the tagline ‘where traffic ends and adventure begins,’” he added. “That’s what this is – there is no traffic here. There is something to be said for the fact that this (town) is crowd free, traffic free and has so much nature all around you.” Established in 1787, Plymouth is older than Washington County. For 70 years prior to Plymouth’s founding, generations of the Rhodes family had been planters in the area. Arthur Rhodes founded what
26
“
This is a wonderful little town steeped in history, strategically located on the banks of the Roanoke River and the Roanoke River Delta.
”
- Tom Harrison
was to become Plymouth from land he
stopped there for cargo – thus the name
acquired through inheritance, gift deeds
Plymouth Landing. Later, the name was
and purchases. This collection of property
shortened to Plymouth.
became his plantation and was called Brick House.
Water has played a major role in the development of the town. Flatboats floated
From that property he sectioned off 100
down the creeks and rivers loaded with goods
acres, subdividing them into 172 lots, which
and produce to be reloaded onto sailing
he would sell. The 16 lots he sold were the
vessels. Early in the 1800s Plymouth was
beginnings of Plymouth.
one of six main ports in North Carolina and
In 1807, Plymouth became the first incorporated town in the newly-formed Washington County. Several
theories
ranked ninth in population among towns. In 1790, the United States Congress established Plymouth as a port of delivery,
how
complete with a customs house. Schooners
Plymouth got its name. Early in its history,
exist
about
bound for the West Indies sailed from the
Plymouth was a thriving port. The most
port heavily loaded with hogsheads of
popular theory supposes that sailors on ships
tobacco, barrels of tar, pitch and turpentine,
from Plymouth, Massachusetts, regularly
masts and spars, corn and rice.
27
The town prospered and grew, the first
Weyerhauser in 1957. Weyerhauser sold its
Plymouth on the map,” he said. “We have
public school was formed in 1810 and the
paper interests to Domtar in March 2007.
had estimates of 30,000 attend. Last year,
first two churches were established in 1830
However, when Domtar announced the end
we had people come from 28 states and
(Methodist Church) and 1837 (Episcopal
of paper machine operations in 2009, the
four foreign countries, and the year before,
Church).
workforce was reduced by 33 percent, to
we had people from 18 states attend. We
about 360 employees.
continue to grow.”
By 1840, there were 1,123 inhabitants, but
Over the past few years, the town
Other added attractions during the festival
stopping at the port brought an unknown
has been re-branding itself as a tourist
since its inception have included a 5K race, a
fever to the town, taking the lives of many
destination to offset the reduction in paper-
motorcycle stunt show and a fireworks show
residents and causing others to live in fear.
making employment, by taking advantage of
held on the river.
10 years later, there were only 951, as a ship
A few years later, Plymouth’s location on the Roanoke River, which had been such an
its natural environment being surrounded by tracts of forests and swamplands.
asset, suddenly became a liability. It was one
“We’ve been trying to reinvent ourselves,”
of the ports targeted for blockade by Union
said Harrison, the town’s local historian who
forces during the Civil War. Plymouth has
has also worn many hats as he has served
This past year, the COVID-19 pandemic forced festival organizers to make it virtual and save the money earmarked for this year to be saved for 2021. “The branding process (in 2017) prompted us to ask, ‘What do we want to be in our second act?,’” Harrison said. “What do we want to be when we grow up?” Plymouth adopted the black bear in 2018, just months after the rebranding started. “One of the criteria was, what do we have that none of the surrounding towns have, something that makes us unique and different? We have the most black bears and arguably the best public black bear viewing in the state if not North America,” Harrison said. “I’ve done bear tours where we’ve seen 100 bears in three hours.” With so many resources – the wildlife, the migratory birds and a half a mile of buildable waterfront – what Plymouth is aiming to do is bring more businesses to its downtown area located on Water Street.
the historical distinction of being the site of
in leadership roles with the downtown
“We haven’t done a good job of attracting
the second-largest battle in North Carolina
development association, the downtown
the resources to develop that,” Harrison said.
and its last Confederate victory, the battle of
merchants association, the chamber of
“Our downtown has struggled – we have ebb
Plymouth (1864), during the Civil War.
commerce and the Washington County
and flow like waves crashing on a beach. We’d
travel and tourism authority, among others.
have this crash of momentum and then that
The Port O’Plymouth History Museum, located in the circa-1923 former Atlantic
In 2015, Harrison started the Black Bear
Coast Line Railroad Station in downtown
Festival because he wanted to bring attention
The town is riding a wave right now, as
Plymouth,
nationally-recognized
to a North Carolina superlative that most in
Riverview Café and an artisan’s market in
collection of Civil War artifacts, including one
the area weren’t aware of. With just three
addition to a French café that’s opening,
of the most complete belt buckle and button
months preparation, the festival earned
as is an antique market, a Bears and Birds
collections in the U.S., and a model of the
Best New Festival from the N.C. Association
Shoppery (retail), The Black Bear Discovery
ironclad ram CSS Albemarle.
has
a
wave recedes back into the ocean.”
of Festival and Events. The next year, it was
Center (Bear-ology), pontoon boats for rent
The primary industry for the region
named the best festival in the state, and was
and others are looking to make Plymouth
is Domtar Paper Company, LLC, a paper
third best in the southeast in its third year.
home.
manufacturer. The paper mill and its related
In 2019, it won again for Best Festival in the
“The rebranding is an accelerator. There’s
facilities have been the largest employer
state, and Harrison has received Festival
nothing anyone can really do to stop
since 1937. It was owned by Kieckhefer
Director of the Year honors as well.
Plymouth from being developed because
Container Company, which was merged into
28
“The Black Bear Festival has really put
of its half-mile waterfront,” Harrison said.
ANTIQUES CRAFTS GIFTS and
“Development is coming – I just
businesses and places to explore
want to be a catalyst for it and
and we have new businesses
see it here in my lifetime.”
coming. The town is in the middle
So Much More!
Attention Farmers
The goal, Harrison said, is to
of revitalization and revival, and
make the town a destination –
the Black Bear Festival has been
not just a stop along the way.
a big part of that.”
To that end, the town has hired a code enforcement officer to help facilitate the cleaning up of downtown, according to Joanne Floyd, who serves as the town manager and has been a resident for 21 years. “There is more to our town than driving on Highway 64 from one end of town to the other,”
Harrison concluded: “This is a wonderful little town steeped in history, strategically located on the banks of the Roanoke River and the Roanoke River Delta. We encourage people to come and visit us, and do business here because we feel like this is a place of opportunity.”
she said. “We want to present
Jim Green is Interim Editor of
a better aesthetic. One of our
the Martin County Enterprise &
biggest assets we can utilize is
Weekly Herald and Photo Editor
the riverfront. We have so much
and Staff Writer for Eastern North
going on here and so many
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Gates Cou nty
Gatesville
A town with style
Story & Photos by Gene Motley
O
ne of the first things one notices on a drive along the byways in Gatesville is the architecture of the homes: mostly Antebellum,
with Victorian, and Tudor blended in. Whether it’s Main, Court, Church or High streets, the beauty of the edifices can be breathtaking. “Gatesville used to be small, but it’s grown quite nicely,” says Kaye Barker, a native daughter of the town who spent years in the state capital city of Raleigh working for one of Gates County’s most legendary residents, former North Carolina Secretary of State Thad Eure. “We have good schools, it’s less expensive than some other locales, and the town is reasonably safe.” One of the people who have helped keep the town safe for the better part of the past 40 years is its mayor, retired educator Elton
30
“
Winslow. When asked if that’s a record, he jokes at the thought. “A record for what? Longevity? As long as you take care of what the people in Gatesville want taken care of then I guess they can call it effective,” he says. A transplant from the Tidewater region of Virginia, Winslow spent his formative years in Gates County, before leaving to pursue his education and a return to the Old Dominion to work in the family business. As a teen he had an option to return to Virginia in 1958 to finish high school but his grandmother enticed him to stay with the offer to buy him a car.
It’s country, but the people are very nice and friendly, and it’s quiet. As a whole, it’s pretty good. Family plays a big part.
”
“It was a ‘51 Studebaker, and my father had said don’t bank on getting one if I came back to Norfolk,” he jokes.
- Shirley Grimes
Returning in 1971, Winslow spent 40 years in education and coaching, both at his alma mater of Gates County High School and Ridgecroft School in neighboring Hertford County. In addition to his term as mayor, Winslow also spent time on the Town Council. “The county was formed in 1779 and the Chowan River made a natural barrier,” he said. “In 1780 they built a courthouse and jail on Main Street and called it Gates Courthouse. In 1804 we were granted a post-office, still
called Gates Courthouse; but in 1831 the name was changed to Gatesville and we were incorporated.” Gates County’s majestic ‘old’ courthouse was built in 1836 and after restoration, still stands today. It currently houses several county offices. “It has survived a lot over the years,” Winslow noted. “The Historical Society and the County have done a lot over the years to
renovate it and with the offices moved there, it’s partially open.” The Historical Society is working to put together three museums in the Courthouse, including one to Secretary Eure. The jail in the back has not been used for years. “I remember when I was a teenager, it did house prisoners there; anybody in Gates County who was arrested was housed there,” added Winslow. “It’s a pretty old jail, but the cells are still there, but it hasn’t been used in years and years. Like everything else as time goes on small communities can’t do all the things they used to be able to do.” Gatesville has a limited budget ($160,000 for the entire fiscal year), which means some municipal services - like a police or parks and recreation department - don’t exist. Added to that are the circumstances produced by the pandemic. “We will have a sales tax shortfall,” the mayor acknowledged. “But most of the businesses in Gatesville (the Duck-Thru convenience store, Dollar General, Southern Bank, Todd’s Pharmacy, and two mortuaries, among others) didn’t close because of a consolidation of services. Because it is the county seat, Gatesville is a hub of commerce
31
13 and N.C. 32) away from the
returned. She’s even been elected
Schools – pillars of education
county seat. So while it was small
to the Town Council.
for African-Americans from the
and people started to travel more
“I always intended to come
they started to shop outside the
back to Gatesville, and while I
county, usually where they work.”
loved my time in Raleigh and
Winslow says its not unfair
later in Edenton, I always knew
to call Gatesville a ‘bedroom
this is where I wanted to be,”
community’:
Barker
a
place
where
When I was a teenager, there were five grocery stores – little mom-and-pop operations – a dry goods business, two trucking lines, and a theater,” Winslow
“Even
Shirley Grimes didn’t attend a Rosenwald School – in fact, she’s originally from Bertie County – but she acknowledges their
though I’m retired I devote time
commercial undertaking is done
to the high school and the Gates
significance, and all things Gates
elsewhere.
County Historical Society.”
County. old
“I’ve lived and worked here for
here,” he proudly declares. “We
Courthouse, Barker points to a
over 40 years before retirement,”
try to keep the town neat and
painting above the Judge’s bench
Grimes said. “It’s country, but the
we have a lot of retirees seeking
by John Turnbull of the British
people are very nice and friendly,
a quieter type of life. I tell people
surrender in defeat at Saratoga,
I can be in the state capital of
NY to General Horatio Gates.
On
a
tour
of
the
Virginia quicker than I can be in
“It was a turning point of the
Raleigh. I think it’s a good place
American Revolution, and it was
to be.”
shortly afterward that Gates
related “But working against us
Barker
was being a bit off the beaten
spending
path with no railroad and north-
amount of her life away from
Gatesville also houses one
south highway corridors (U.S.
Gatesville, she is proud to have
of North Carolina’s Rosenwald
32
1950’s.
people live, but most of their
“It’s different, but we’re still for the county.
acknowledged.
end of the 19th century up to the
says a
that
despite
representative
County was formed and named for the General,” Barker relates.’
and it’s quiet. As a whole, it’s pretty good. Family plays a big part and I’ve been here longer than I’ve lived anywhere else.” Gene Motley is a retired Sports Editor and Sports Director and a regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.
33
Martin Cou nty
Williamston
Learning from Yesterday and Ready for Tomorrow
Story & Photos by Sarah Hodges Stalls
P
erched on the banks of the Roanoke River, the town of Williamston is steeped in history, but aimed towards the future.
No definitive date has been discovered for the first settlement of
what would become Williamston; however, it is known there was a village in the same general area as early as 1730. This information comes according to the writings of the late Francis Manning, Williamston newspaperman and local historian.
34
The first settlers were said to have moved
The second version honors Col. William
to the area from Bertie County to the south
Williams, first generation descendant of a
side of the river, then called the Moratock
wealthy family from the northwest section of
(now known as the Roanoke) and located near
the county, who owned large plantations prior
the ruins of what was once a Tuscarora Indian
to the Revolution.
village.
Col. Williams father, also named William
The area became known as a shipping
Williams, migrated to this country in the early
point for tar, pitch, turpentine and other forest
1700’s and settled on the south bank of the
products. Meat produced in the area was also a
Roanoke River in the upper edge of the county,
popular item shipped elsewhere.
which was in Edgecombe and later Halifax
This settlement was designated the seat of government when the county was chartered in March 1774.
counties before becoming part of Martin County. Williams was elected colonel of the
During the Revolutionary War, about five
county’s militia when organized and stayed
years later, it became the first incorporated
until elected the county’s first state senator in
town in the county and was given the name
1777.
Williamston in the charter granted at a session
The Roanoke River, called a “navigable
of the General Assembly held in Halifax during
river,” played a large part of the town’s growth
October and November 1779.
from the beginning. Its public landing made
How the name Williamston came about
Williamston an important shipping point
remains up for debate. According to local
for both incoming and outgoing river freight
history, there are two schools of thought on
traffic.
how this occurred.
Being the county seat brought traffic into
One story, which was reportedly originated
the town for legal proceedings, recording
in “hearsay evidence and legend,” was the
of legal documents, elections and military
choice of name was to honor a poor Irish
musters.
weaver named Dick Williams. Williams supposedly settled in the area around the middle portion of the 18th century
Williamston’s
history
unfortunately
includes “several devastating fires during the course of its history,” Manning wrote.
“with 75 cents in his pocket.” Legend has it
What has been called the greatest of those
Williams life of hard work propelled him to
occurred on Dec. 8, 1883 when a large portion
attain a substantial fortune and great influence
of the business district was destroyed.
in the colony.
The fire was such a big news item of the day,
“
Williamston is such a beautiful, quaint and quiet town where everybody is friendly and seems to exhibit much love and respect for one another.
”
- Joyce Whichard-Brown, Mayor
35
a railroad company ran a special excursion
that if you want to have a nice, sit-down meal
from Tarboro to Williamston the following
you are directly supporting a local business
Sunday to see the destruction.
and not just a nation-wide chain.”
Little more than a year later, a fire of
The river and its boardwalk with the nearby
greater historical significance hit the town. The
Skewarkee Trail Greenway are just two of the
second courthouse was destroyed, and the
scenic attractions to the town.
fire claimed much of the town’s records from the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. With
much
history
to
The Martin County Arts Council is a hub of culture and promotion of local artist. It’s
celebrate,
Williamston officials are making strides to ensure the towns future.
renovated home in the Flat Iron Building is a nod the town’s historic architecture. Miller’s Sporting Goods, open since 1937,
“Williamston is making large investments
is the longest serving business in Williamston.
to expand our fire and police facilities as well
In their current building at the corner of
as major upgrades at Gaylord Perry Park,”
Washington and Main streets since 1954,
explained Williamston Town Administrator
Miller’s is a go-to for everything from sporting
John O’Daniel.
equipment to plaques.
to know the community. “You become part of it, and it becomes part of you,” was how Moore explained his barber shop. “It is one of the small ingredients of Williamston.” Moore said he still believes the same thing that led him to relocate his busines to town years ago, “There’s opportunity in Williamston.” Mayor Joyce Whichard-Brown, who was born and raised in Williamston, has seen her hometown evolve greatly since her childhood and the days of segregation. “Williamston is such a beautiful, quaint and quiet town where everybody is friendly
“Several businesses have chosen to
But for Johnny Miller, part of the store’s
and seems to exhibit much love and respect
relocate downtown, and we are excited to
third generation, it is about much more than
for one another,” Whichard-Brown explained.
have a couple of new businesses opening
business.
“I’m proud to have been blessed with five
shortly,” he added. “I believe this momentum
“This is our home,” he said speaking of
great commissioners who serve with me and
will continue to build over the next year and
Williamston. “We’ve made a living with our
help guide me when needed,” she said. “I am
we are excited to see downtown moving
community.”
also proud of the cooperation, support and
forward.” Ordinances were recently passed to allow micro-breweries and micro-distilleries in the downtown district. Williamston now has its first micro-brewery downtown.
Growing up here himself, Miller takes great pride in equipping youth for everything from recreation league to high school sports. “Everyone knows everyone and it’s a safe place to raise a family,” Miller explained.
respect I receive from my department heads (police and fire departments, etc.).” Whether its pride in the local businesses which team up to benefit the community at times like Thanksgiving or excitement
Zach Dickerson, Williamston’s Downtown
Lon Moore, a resident of the Bell Town area
Marketing Coordinator, believes the there is
of Martin County, left the area as a young man
something special about the town’s dining
in search of work to support his family. In 1974,
options.
he returned to Martin County and began work
Bypass, Whichard-Brown says she could “go
as a barber, opening his Williamston shop in
on and on about the things that make me
1991.
proud to serve as mayor of my hometown.”
“All of our sit-down restaurants are locally owned and operated,” Dickerson pointed out.
regarding projects – completed and to come – such as N.C. 125’s bypass and the future I-87
While the town has fast food options
Now retired himself, his shop is still open.
Sarah Hodges Stalls is a Staff Writer for
for highway traffic and local convenience,
His goal was always to please the customer,
Eastern North Carolina Living and the Martin
Dickerson believes, “it is a huge plus to know
Moore explained. And part of that was getting
County Enterprise & Weekly Herald.
36
Visit Historic
Plymouth, NC Photo Courtesy of Washington County TTA
“A Place To Call Home” Shop & Dine at the Stores & Restaurants in downtown
Ivy Garden Florist Designs by Donna Full Service Florist Donna Shaw Owner, Designer
105 W. Water Street Downtown Plymouth, NC 27962 (252) 793-5789 37
Nash Cou nty
Nashville
A family-oriented town with high expectations
Story by Amelia Harper Photos by Amelia Harper, Sarah Louya & Alan Campbell
Y
ears before Nashville, Tennessee emerged, the town of Nashville, North Carolina claimed the name and took its place as the county
seat of the newly-formed Nash County. Construction began on the new county’s first courthouse in 1777 and the town of Nashville grew up around it. By 1780, the town was named Nashville to honor General Francis Nash, who was killed during the Revolutionary War. Eventually, 12 other towns in the United States would be named Nashville, but Nashville Mayor Brenda Brown said her town earned the title most honestly. “Nash County and Nashville are the only one of his namesakes that General Nash ever actually visited,” Brown said. Since those early years, the town, rooted in such a rich past, has emerged as a traditional community with strong family values and an eye toward progress. Now billed as the “original Nashville,” the town features a rare collection of Queen Anne and Victorian style homes, a quaint and thriving downtown and multiple amenities that lie within walking distance. It is also known as
38
one of the safest municipalities in the region.
building supply company since the early days,
Though the town limits only encompass
it now is also the home of Braswell Family
about 4.14 square miles and the town’s
Farms, which is the second-largest franchisee
population is roughly 5,600, the town
of Eggland’s Best Eggs in the United States. It
of Nashville offers its own police force,
is actively recruiting other industries in its own
fire station, library and active cultural and
business park.
recreational programs in additional to all the
The town has also gained other businesses
county offices and resources that are located
over the past 20 years or so while its growth
within the town.
rate has been 130 percent.
Brown is enthusiastic about the town, even though she only became mayor in December
“When I was a child, we didn’t have any fast food restaurants,” Brown said.
2019. She grew up just outside the town limits
Now, multiple restaurant chains have
and many of her early memories are tied to
invested in the small town because of its
the place where she worked and played in her
prime location. But most of these new
youth.
businesses have sprung up on either side of
“Nashville was a great town to grow up
the traditional downtown tract, leaving that
in,” Brown said. “It is so family-oriented and
area with its small-town charm and easy
has high expectations of its citizens. Almost
walkability. The traditional downtown area is
everyone knew one another when I grew up,
quickly attracting niche eateries and stores
so we couldn’t get away with anything.”
that offer their own personal appeal.
Brown said Nashville still has that same
Though the latest census showed that
vibe. She has been a resident of the town for
the town of Nashville is the fastest growing
20 years and ran for mayor because of her
town in Nash County this century, Brown said
love for Nashville, she said.
town leaders are committed to balancing
“When you drive through Nashville, it still has great appeal,” she said. “It still has that
that small-town charm with progressive innovation.
same family-friendly feeling. When I get up
The town’s website proclaims, “It is our
early in the morning to walk my dog, there are
desire to make sure Nashville remains ‘A Great
other people up walking the streets at 5:30
Place to Live, Work, and Play.’”
a.m. People feel safe here.”
The town’s active Chamber of Commerce
But poised on the edge of U.S. 64 and
supports this notion with activities and events
within an easy commute to Raleigh, the town
typically held throughout non-COVID-19
was, and still is, poised for growth. Though
years. The town is well-known for its annual
it has featured a railway and sawmill and
Blooming Festival traditionally held on
“
When you drive through Nashville, it still has great appeal. It still has that same familyfriendly feeling
”
- Brenda Brown, Mayor Mother’s Day weekend. The event, which has spanned two decades, features vendors, live music in the street, parades, carnival rides and the ‘Mother of the Year Award.’ The Nashville Chamber of Commerce also traditionally sponsors a Children’s Christmas Parade in downtown Nashville each year. Brown said the town welcomes visitors and new residents. “I think people will feel at home here,” she said. “Our citizens embrace newcomers. You would feel like you belong.” Amelia Harper is a Staff Writer at the Rocky Mount Telegram.
39
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• Roxobel • Windsor Hill • Powellsville Woodville • Merry • Kelford • Lewiston Colerainlle • Askewvi 980 S. Academy St. • Aulande r • Colerain Aske Ahoskie, NC 27910 wville • Kelford • Lewiston • Aula Woodville • Merry Hill nde r • Cole • Powellsv ille • Roxobel rain • Windsor • Kelf ord • Lew iston Heating & 980 S. Academy Woo St. dvill Ahoskie, NC e • Mer Air Conditioning 27910 C 252.209.0223 ry Hill • Pow ellsv 3 ille • P APRIL 9, 2020 Roxobe
rteie BeB rti B eretie BCS has 11
Askewville • Aulander
Thadd White Editor twhite@ncweeklies.com
‘We will make it.’
RCCHC garners grant
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unique grad uation
Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Fri. 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
109 S. King St • PO Box 69 • Windsor, NC 27983 Phone: 252-794-3185 • Fax: 252-794-2835
history meets adventure
41
Hertford County
Murfreesboro
A Community of Active & Interesting People
Story & Photos by Sarah Davis
“M
urfreesboro’s reputation as a beautiful town of active and interesting people gives the community its... glory....”
So wrote Thomas Parramore (The Ancient Maritime History of
Murfreesborough) of the community in the 1820s, but it is just as appropriate a description for Murfreesboro two hundred years later. One need only ask Murfreesboro native and Chamber of Commerce vice-president Cliff Forbes, or Murfreesboro transplant and town council member Craig Dennis, to hear of past glory and future promise or meet some of the active and interesting people who call this historic town home. Chartered by the North Carolina General Assembly in January 1787, Murfreesboro houses the oldest commercial brick building in North Carolina (now Rea Museum) which houses the original Gatling Gun, invented by Richard Gatling who worked in Murfreesboro. Other prominent citizens/historical figures include William and Hardy Murfree, John Hill Wheeler, Samuel Borland, Dr. Walter Reed and the Yellow Rose of Texas.
42
“
Whatever circumstances have rendered them
”
Murfreesboro is home to natives who
he quickly became a part of the town, as
for Raleigh. After the death of her husband,
never leave, natives who leave but return,
well as the college. Twenty-one years ago,
James Pearce, she returned to Murfreesboro in
transplants who come and never leave, and
following graduation and working at Lowe’s
2008, marrying long-time friend and World
transplants who leave, but return. Whatever
Home Improvement (Murfreesboro) and ACE
War II veteran Joe Dickerson in 2009.
circumstances have rendered them Murfites,
(Ahoskie), he began teaching art at Riverview
Since his death, she has again left
all agree it is home; all talk of the close-knit
Elementary School. Now in his fourth term
Murfreesboro physically, but Murfreesboro is
community, emphasizing the active and
as a member of the Town Council, he speaks
still home, where she recalls walking to school
interesting people.
excitedly about the past, present, and future
with a group that began on Spring Avenue
of Murfreesboro.
and picked up students all down High Street,
Chowan University President Dr. Kirk Peterson (founded 1848), first came in 2004,
As a part of the past, Dennis lives in “The
going to work with her father when she
left in 2010 and returned in 2018. He said
Oaks” on Spring Avenue, built in 1795. He
was only twelve years old, and hanging out
that as he drove back onto the campus, he
is only the fourth owner of the current day
uptown on Saturday nights.
said to his wife, Rachel, “This is home.”
B-and-B. His area for the town is the Fire
One of those students walking to the
Calling Murfreesboro a great place to rear
Department, and he sings the praises of the
school on High Street was Elizabeth Warren.
children, he says what is distinctive about the
volunteers. He mentions a new Director
A native herself, she married a transplant who
town is its people: their genuineness, their
of Public Works and the good things she is
came and never left, Dewey Phillips. Their
trustworthiness, their sincerity, their lack of
initiating. The Council would love to see more
daughter, Geri Phillips Bradshaw, is another
facade. Noting the good relationship between
businesses, and he particularly cites the need
native who left and returned. Leaving in 1969
Chowan and Murfreesboro, he is excited about
for another grocery store.
for the North Carolina School of the Arts, she
the future of the university and the town.
As transplants learn to call Murfreesboro
returned in 2005 after living in Winston-
Also coming to Murfreesboro via Chowan
home, natives often find themselves returning
Salem, Chapel Hill, Richmond, the Outer
is Craig Dennis, Riverview Elementary School
to the quiet, close-knit community where
Banks, Franklin and Suffolk.
art teacher, B and B proprietor, and part-time
everyone knows everyone and everyone
Coming back to Murfreesboro, she and
florist. Dennis enrolled at Chowan College
helps everyone. They tell a similar story,
husband, Keith, bought the Brown Home on
in August 1990; as he was completing his
whether recalling Murfreesboro of the 30s
High Street which she remembered visiting
Associate’s degree, the college transitioned
and 40s or 50s and 60s. It was a great place
in early childhood.
to four-year status, thus positioning him to
to be a child.
a B-and-B (The English Inn), she has also
receive his B.A. in the first graduating class.
Transforming it into
Born January 17, 1929, Rebecca Parker
brought her interior design business (Southern
Working at Subway from its opening and
Pearce Dickerson spent the first twenty-
Interiors) to Main Street, and, along with her
volunteering with the Historical Association,
one years of her life here, leaving in 1950
husband, opened Tavern 125 on Main.
43
around the country at 3:00 p.m. to answer the call to sound “Taps.” He plays for church and has joined with Chowan students to play at King’s Coffee. With the Capitol Police, he met interesting people, such as Presidents and even the Queen of England, but he is now back, one of the interesting people in Murfreesboro. He fondly remembers the earlier days and the quiet he now enjoys back home. Born in 1990, Cliff Forbes is a native who never left. Even when work took him to Franklin or Ahoskie, home remained Murfreesboro.
A Hertford County High
School and Chowan University graduate, Forbes served as Director of Golf at Cypress Cove Country Club in Franklin and Marketing Representative
for
Roanoke-Chowan
Publications, before becoming the third generation to serve Murfreesboro as a Nationwide Insurance agent. Remembering
businesses
in
both
He talks of Murfreesboro as a tight-knit
of the close-knit community.
locations in her youth, she speaks fondly of
Larry Gaines lived in Ahoskie until 1962
community where “people have your back,
those days and growing up in Murfreesboro.
when his family moved to Murfreesboro,
where someone is always willing to help
Returning was coming home to deep roots.
which enabled him to attend C.S. Brown High
someone who’s down.” He says he cannot
She enjoys life in Murfreesboro, the type
School in Winton. There, under the tutelage
imagine living or working anywhere else.
place where she can mention the artist for
of Band Director Frank Cason, he learned to
whom she was named - Geri Parker - which
play almost every instrument in the band.
desk his father, Tommy, and grandfather, Ed,
immediately triggers a memory of that Geri,
Following high school graduation, he
her husband, and his grocery store (home
entered the military (1966), making sergeant
today to the Murfreesboro Public Library).
in only nineteen months, serving at Ft. Bragg;
Another native-returnee who remembers the Brown Home on High Street and being allowed to play tennis there in her youth is
Ft. Dix, New Jersey; Ft. Lee, Virginia; Ft. Lewis, Washington; and even in Turkey. After
leaving
the
military,
he
was
Jayne Hill Wolfskill, daughter of long-time
approached to become a part of the FBI.
Mayor Billy Hill and Margaret (Parker) Hill.
Following his work as a fingerprint technician,
Margaret came to Murfreesboro as an adult,
he became a member of the U.S. Capitol
but Billy had come as a six-year-old when
Police Force until mandatory retirement sent
his father established a GM car dealership on
him back into investigation work.
Main Street.
Looking to the past, sitting at the same
At a C.S. Brown reunion, he reconnected
did as they helped people navigate insurance matters, he appreciates the history of the town and its importance in the present. As vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce, Forbes is excited about the future of Murfreesboro and hopes for new business for the area. As Parramore wrote, Murfreesboro is a
“memorial to past achievements,” but
it is also “an inspiration to future efforts.” “Sharing in the memory of ancient deeds
Leaving Murfreesboro in 1969 to attend
with Riverview Elementary Teacher Margaret
and the anticipation of progress yet to come
Guildford College, she returned in 1982 after
Hampton, and they were married in 2010,
. . . ‘the genial, kindly, hospitable and friendly
teaching in Virginia Beach for several years.
thus marking his return to Murfreesboro.
dispositions of the inhabitants’ “ continue to
Describing Murfreesboro as a wonderful place
An active participant in the community
to grow up and make life-long friends, she
and church, he is known for his musical ability,
speaks of the reassuring memories of family
especially playing “Taps” for Murfreesboro’s
time, evening walks around Chowan, bike rides all over town, and the comforting feeling
44
Memorial Day tributes. On May 25, 2020, he joined musicians
make Murfreesboro the distinctive place to call home. Sarah Davis is a retired librarian and regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living and the Bertie Ledger-Advance.
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45
2/28/20 10:08 AM
Halifax Cou nty
Littleton
More than neighbors... Friends
Story and Photos by Thadd White
E
very small town is proud of its people. While Littleton is no exception, Mayor Owen Scott says its
more than just that everyone in the small Halifax-County town knows one another. “The best thing about Littleton is absolutely the people,” Scott said. “I know all towns say everyone knows each other, but its more than that here. “It’s not just that we know each other – it’s we are involved in each others’ lives,” he continued. “We all go to the same functions, all volunteer together, all work together to provide things for our community. It’s way more than just we all know each other.” Scott says Littleton is the type of place where you not only see your neighbors, but you talk to them and are friends. Always a person who has loved his town, three years ago Scott took the step of running for mayor and was elected by the people in Littleton. He, like most people in their first term, took
46
time to learn the intricacies of
of the arts center for many years.
government. And while it has
The foundation will renovate
been different than he imagined,
much of the original structure
its also been a wonderful journey.
and add a large glass atrium to
One of the projects under way
the front of the building. Once
when he became mayor was the
completed, the facility will not
building of a multi-million dollar
only house the programming of
assisted living facility by Affinity
the cultural arts center, but offer
Living. He said the project is one
classes on pottery, art, acting and
which has been under way for
the like.
five-plus years.
He also said the town had
“We needed an assisted living
benefited from the opening of
facility here and were fortunate
Little Food and Spirits, which was
enough to have Affinity Living
a $1.3 million renovation of the
choose
former Tommy’s Place.
Littleton,
along
with
Scotland Neck, to spend grant
Those businesses not only
funding to build the facility,” Scott
include the new ones that are
said.
opening but staples like Littleton
He said the facility could be
Hardware,
Grandpa’s
Kitchen,
open as soon as the end of this
Robinson Funeral Home and
year or the beginning of 2021.
Shawn Lea Funeral Home along
And that is just one of the
with A.M. Newsome Agency, Law
many partnerships that is working
Offices of Thomas J. Skinner IV
to make the town of Littleton
and Brown’s Flower Shop.
even better than it already is, according to the mayor.
The town has also greatly benefited from their partnership
Two such partnerships are with
with
the
Greater
Littleton
the Ed Fitts Foundation and the
Development Partnership. The
Greater Littleton Development
partnership has raised well over
Partnership.
$100,000 in financing and labor
The
Fitts
Foundation
has
provided grant funding for the in town which are exciting for
grant to pave the parking lot, but
the mayor and others in town.
the GLDP raised money to add a
They include the Blue Jay Bistro,
stage, clean up the area around
Daphne’s Coffee Shop and Main
the lot and landscape the area. It
Street Wine.
has become a beautiful drawing
goals has been to not only bring industry, but small businesses. People
want
to
visit
small
businesses when they visit small towns. We all love mom and pop shops.”
not about who has what, its about all of us working together.
”
- Buddy Isles
card for the town. “The are a powerhouse group,” the mayor said of the GLDP. The
town’s
biggest
draw
is certainly its location as the gateway to Lake Gaston. “Certainly
the
town
has
survived because of Lake Gaston,”
The Fitts Foundation is also
Scott said. “Tourism has kept us
the agency behind the renovation
going. We are certainly thankful
of the Lakeland Cultural Arts
for the lake and what it has meant
Center, a former high school and
to our town.”
college which has been the home
here is treated as an equal. It’s
parking lot. The town received a $33,000
Scott said. “One of our biggest
great is its people. Everyone
for the development of the town’s
opening of three new businesses
“These are much-needed,”
“
The reason I think the town is
While thankful for the lake,
47
Scott said the town’s leaders were doing all
standing in its original location on Warren
they could to bring in more business and make
Street, was known as “Person’s Ordinary.”
it a destination all year. That work includes all of the partnerships and revitalization. Another drawing card is the “Downtown Turnaround” which is Littleton’s annual festival
Greater Littleton Development Partnership,
who invented the four-barrel corroborator
said he is proud of the work the town is doing
and is the winningest engine builder in
together to make a difference. He said there
NASCAR history.
was a time when some seemed complacent
Buddy Isles, who has run a tire and auto
festival, which is sponsored by the local Lions
business in Littleton for nearly five decades,
Club, has music, vendors and a car show that
spent all but three years of his life calling the
has become well-known and popular.
beautiful town home. Despite spending three
Littleton was incorporated in 1877 and has
years at Fort Bragg – as a member of the 82nd
a proud history. It is known by some as the
Airborne Division – Isles always knew what he
“Gateway to Beautiful Lake Gaston” and others
wanted and that was to open a business at
as the “Little Town with the Big Heart.” Tucked
home. He said he is both proud of the town’s
in the northwest corner of Halifax County just
past and hopeful for its future.
of Virginia, the town encompasses roughly
Isles, who also serves as president of the
In addition, the town is the hoe of Jack Tant
which draws thousands to the little town. The
near Warren County and immediately south
ask and he’ll be there to help.”
Isles agreed with Scott on what make’s Littleton so special – its people.
with the downtown not living up to its potential, but that time was past. Isles said his mantra in life and business – at Buddy Isles Tire and Automotive - was to always try to be better today than yesterday, and he was taking that approach with the GLDP. He said the group has worked together as a unit to raise funds, work hard and make the town grow. “I believe you can walk into any business in
“The reason I think the town is great is its
Littleton and be greeted with a smile,” he said.
It was named for Sen. Warren Little,
people,” Isles said. “Everyone here is treated as
“It doesn’t matter if you live here or not, you’re
who was the state senator when the town
an equal. It’s not about who has what, its about
always welcome.”
was founded, and was also the town’s first
all of us working together. It’s the type of place
Postmaster. The original post office, still
where if I need help from my neighbor, I can
one square mile.
48
Thadd White is Editor of Eastern North Carolina Living and the Bertie Ledger-Advance.
RN E T S EA
G N I V I L T H N O R
N A O L I C A R
m: Museu y anch or Fort Br eces of hist pi Unique
eum: th Mus ts Plymou tifac Port O’ al local ar Find re
eum: re Mus ans pl ad Eu The Th makes County Gates 1
EASTERN
LIVING N O RT H
Historic Gallery Theatre takes visit ors on ‘world tour’
C A R O L I N A
Davenport Homeste offers rich history ad off the beaten path
N.C. largest veteran mural in Edgecombe Coun ty
1
49
Hyde Cou nty
Engelhard
One of North Carolina’s Oldest Communities
Story & Photos by Sandy Carawan
F
ree from traffic lights and littered sidewalks, Engelhard offers a charming and unique balance of rural tranquility made strong not
only by its intermingling of the agricultural and seafood industries, but backed by notable local businesses and its people. The drive to Engelhard along U.S. 264 from one end of town to the other offers a variety of picturesque scenes throughout the seasons: golden wheat glistening with heavy heads dancing in the coastal breeze; stalks of corn standing sturdily in a rolling sea of green shrouding elegant historic homes; popped cotton beaming its brilliancy of white vistas; swans winging across winter’s gray sky for touchdown in a fallow field; and tractors disking the blackland’s browns and grays of winter in preparation for a new harvest. What seagulls cannot get trailing behind tractors tossing up the fertile dirt, they can get at Far Creek where the harbor opens up beneath a blue-
50
“
skied backdrop of busy fish and crab houses crowded by a flotilla of fishing boats and shrimp trawlers, their outriggers towering above the hardworking people who steadily unload and prepare the supply of seafood ranging from oysters to shrimp and blue crabs to flounder among other fish. During the area’s colonial era Engelhard was called Fur Creek through the 1700s. In the 1800s the name changed to Far Creek, as early as 1813 according to newspaper accounts, and remained that name until 1874 when Israel Burrus Watson, who served under Major Joseph Adolphus Engelhard during the Civil War, and other Far Creek residents,
Engelhard is a place of serenity, rooted deep in history and tradition, backed by the strength of its people who truly make it a delightful place to live and raise a family.
”
wanted to change the town’s name in order to obtain a post office. Engelhard was born in 1832 in Monticello, Mississippi. He studied law at Harvard and
practice. Also, in 1865, he became editor of the Wilmington Journal. Shortly thereafter he became Secretary of State for North Carolina and during the era of reconstruction he not only served as a strong advocate for people’s rights, but always supported ways to strengthen North Carolina. Today Engelhard is the only town with this name in the entire United States. As the speed limit sign drops to 35 miles per hour at either end of town, one will notice how this rural coastal and farming community falls into focus within the span of a few miles. There are many historic homes of grand architecture and some are listed with the National Register of Historic Places. One unusual architectural marvel is the eightsided Octagon House built by Dr. William T. Sparrow in 1855.
then the University of North Carolina from
Quartermaster for the 33rd Regiment of North
which he graduated in 1854. He received his
Carolina Troops and assumed battlefield
experiences for the visitor, tourist, or hunting
license to practice law in the County Courts in
command at Gettysburg when other generals
and fishing enthusiast.
1856 and the Superior Court in 1857.
were wounded.
During the Civil War, Engelhard served as
After the war, he continued his law
Also,
there
are
different
lodging
While Engelhard has recently experienced the loss of the Red & White grocery store and
51
Martelle’s Feed House Restaurant and Oyster
R. Gibbs, bought a plug of Mule Chewing
Bar; Sugar N Spice; Hotel Engelhard; and, Big
Tobacco," he said.
Trout Marina Café at Far Creek which offers
His father's store grew and in the early
dock-side dining inside or outside where one
years sold general merchandise, dry goods,
can observe the boats bringing in their bounty,
groceries, produce, clothing, boots, shoes,
seagulls zigzagging the sky, and pelicans
hats, drugs and small notions. Additionally, says R. S., "Engelhard a
perched on pilings basking in the sun. and
hundred years ago had a bank and probably
Pharmacy is a tremendous asset not only to
five grocery stores. It was incorporated and
Engelhard, but all of Hyde County.
had a mayor, a fire truck and a community
The
Engelhard
Medical
Center
The Ethel F. Whitaker Hyde Head Start children
"After supper at night we all went to the
while the Davis Center provides continuing
store," R. S. recalls. "I remember people would
Center
the First National Bank, formerly the East Carolina Bank, several notable businesses built by Engelhard residents continue to serve the town. By the Bridge offers grocery shopping and retail as well as Dollar General. There are fish and crab houses offering fresh seafood such as Jennette's Seafood, Williams Seafood, Engelhard Seafood, Engelhard-Mattamuskeet Seafood and Mattamuskeet Seafood at Far Creek.
serves
preschool-age
education classes in conjunction with Beaufort County Community College. Two of the oldest businesses are Gibbs Hardware established 1895 and R. S. Spencer, Inc. established 1900. R. S. Spencer, Jr., owner of R. S. Spencer, Inc., the new Do It Best Hardware Store, longtime historian of Hyde County and editor of Hyde County's Historical & Genealogical Society's journal High Tides, has been a resident of Engelhard all his life. In fact, he has dedicated his life to the
Engelhard offers automotive parts and
betterment of Engelhard and Hyde County
repairs through N&S Motors, NAPA Auto Parts-
through many years of community service
Williford Auto Supply and the Ethco Station
which he still continues to do. At 79, he works
which provides gas and owns the Capt. Suds
at his store some and devotes much time to
Car Wash. Other gas stations include Gibbs
the research of Hyde County's history and its
Enterprises, known as Jesse’s to the locals and
people.
Far Creek Gas & Grill, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Additionally,
R. S. says his father, R. S. Spencer (18851973), opened his store at the age of 15 on
others
eateries
offering
building where bazaars were held.
Sept. 15, 1900.
a quick carry-out meal or a family-style
"He worked during the day and opened the
dining experience include: H&L’s Restaurant;
business at night. His first customer, Thomas
bring in big baskets of eggs to trade and Daddy would say, ‘Buddy, count those eggs.’ I’d have to sit there and put them in a carton and I hated it. "The store stayed open until 11 o’clock at night. The farmers would come in or their wives. Down at our store the women had a side and the men had a side to loaf and talk until bedtime. They didn’t have TV or anything else," he added. R. S. said Christmas morning, 1970, his father's store burned so they rebuilt it and since then it has expanded through the years. In addition to being a hardware store, it sells furniture and appliances, ships UPS, and has a DMV office, the smallest in the state. The Engelhard Florist, located within the store, also provides floral needs. In reflection, R. S. added, "It’s amazing that the store has been in business for 120 years." R.S. loves Englehard. “The way of life here is just so much different and you know most of the people. The advantages people have is the peacefulness, quietness and the lack of being afraid of everything." He adds, "It's a place where the local people see the opportunity and take the initiative to create something rather than waiting for somebody to come in." Engelhard is a place of serenity, rooted deep in history and tradition, backed by the strength of its people who truly make it a delightful place to live and raise a family. Sandy Carawan is an English Language Arts teacher at Mattamuskeet Early College High School in Swan Quarter, and a regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.
52
Town of Ahoskie
“The Only One”
It’s not about mourning death, it’s about
Celebrating Life
Visit Us At Our New Location! Serving great food since 1973
Located behind Walgreens
Formally Catherine’s Restaurant
Private Party/Banquet Space Available • Funerals as Unique as Your Life • Explore the Possibilities • Honoring Life • Designing Your Funeral • Funeral Services • Permanent Memorialization • Veteran’s Services
GOLDEN SKILLET 706 Catherine Creek Rd. S. Ahoskie, NC 27910 (252) 332-5111 53
Story & Photos by Meghan Grant
North CaroliNa
D e s t i N at i o N s
I have long been proud to call North Carolina home, and if one thing came out of this pandemic, it is an even deeper appreciation
Top-rated
towns
for the beauty and culture of our state. One of the main reasons I started writing a blog was to showcase places that y’all should experience across the state. So, with that in mind, here are some of my favorite places to visit near and far around the state!
We s t e r n No r t h C a r o l i n a
BLACK MOUNTAIN
Black Mountain is known as the “Front Porch of Western North Carolina” and it is a
GREENSBORO
stunning place to spend a weekend. There is something for everyone, whether you are interested in art and culture, shopping, eating,
There is just so much to do in Greensboro, whether you are a history buff or you’re
or outdoor adventures. I highly recommend
looking for new restaurants and breweries to try, or you enjoy art museums and murals
having brunch on Louise’s front porch and
-The Gate City has it all! If you make an overnight trip of it, I recommend a stay at the
spending the day walking around exploring
beautiful Proximity Hotel, and definitely order the truffle fries at the hotel restaurant, Print
the town. Grab a flight from Pisgah Brewing
Works Bistro. If you’re a beer enthusiast, try the beers at Little Brother Brewing and Preyer
Company and listen to live music. You can
Brewing Co. I’m also partial to the menu at 1618 (ask the server for their recommendation!)
also walk around Warren Wilson College, a
and Crafted If you’re into history, you can’t miss the Civil Rights Museum and Guilford
beautiful campus! Black Mountain is also 20
Courthouse Park. And if you head to UNC-G campus, be sure to stop in the Weatherspoon
minutes from downtown Asheville, if you
Art Museum after grabbing lunch at Boba House!
wanted to venture there for an afternoon!
54
WINSTON SALEM Winston Salem is quite possibly one of my favorite cities in North Carolina. There is so much to do, including exploring the beautiful Reynolda House, checking out the art galleries and local breweries, and the amazing women owned businesses in town. Grab brunch from Mary’s, take in the RJ Reynolds building that has been repurposed to a spectacular Kimpton Hotel, and have dinner at the Katharine Brasserie. Staying overnight? You can’t beat a stay at the Graylyn! I also recommend exploring Old Salem, including the Moravian Bridge! And get lunch at Mozelle’s for the best tomato pie ever.
YADKIN VALLEY WINE TRAIL The Yadkin Valley Wine Trail is a great spot to taste new beers and the best of North Carolina wines. While North Carolina might be famous for their muscadine wines, the wineries out in western North Carolina put out some award winning wines that you would typically see in Napa Valley. A lovely starting point is JOLO Vineyards, in Pilot Mountain, where you can have lunch either on the patio of the restaurant, End Posts, or take a picnic into the vines. I also recommend the views at Round Peak Vineyards. Shelton Vineyards is a staple in the area, and has a Hampton Inn right down the street from the property in Dobson. Elkin Creek vineyard has a stunning outdoor space, serves delicious pizzas on Sunday (call to reserve your dough in advance, seriously!), and cabins to rent. Also, I cannot recommend Parkway Vineyard Tours enough to safely get around after sampling wine and beer in the area!
CHAPEL HILL
C e n t r a l No r t h C a r o l i n a
Chapel Hill is hands down one of the most beautiful places in central North Carolina! Depending on your interests, stay at The Siena where you can have a delicious Italian meal on the patio at Il Palio downstairs. The Siena is also pet-friendly, so you can bring your favorite four-legged friends, too! Another lovely spot is the quintessential Carolina Inn! You can experience some of the best of Chapel HIll without ever leaving the property with gorgeous outdoor spaces. If you venture out, be sure to walk through campus and spend some time in the beautiful arboretum. Have dinner at Lantern, grab frozen yogurt from YOPO, and spend an afternoon on the patio at He’s Not Here. And whatever you do, get a biscuit from Sunrise Kitchen, either on your way in or out of town!
55
The Bull City is such a shining star in the state from their recent murals product, to their amazing food scene, and their gorgeous downtown. If you decide to stay overnight, I recommend the 21c Museum Hotel with their art gallery to explore with your favorite beverage. Right across the street is the Unscripted Hotel with an amazing rooftop patio/pool/restaurant perfect for warmer days. And the Durham Hotel has stunning rooftop views of the city. I adore the specialty cocktails and mocktails created by my friends at Kingfisher! I could go on and on about the restaurants, but Bull City Burger and any of the M
DURHAM
Restaurants are favorites! If you’re looking for good barbeque, leave downtown and check out Picnic BBQ for delicious sides, pies and eastern NC style BBQ!
PINEHURST
E a s t e r n No r t h C a r o l i n a
PINE KNOLL SHORES Looking for a warm retreat? Look no further than Pine Knoll Shores on the beautiful Crystal Coast, right outside of Atlantic Beach. The Inn at Pine Knoll Shores has spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and great, affordable amenities, including a pool and easy beach access. If you’re just heading down for the day, there are plenty of public beach access areas, as well! And no trip to Pine Knoll Shores is complete without a stop at Big Oak DriveIn where you can get the best shrimp burger!
SOUTHPORT
I fell in love with Southport a couple of years ago while waiting for our ferry over to Bald Head Island. Southport is a slower pace, small town right where the Cape Fear River meets the Atlantic Ocean. The town is easily
Looking for a good spot to truly
walkable or accessible by bike and there
unwind? Pinehurst is a gorgeous getaway
are great bed and breakfast options and Air
with sprawling front porches, a relaxing
BnBs. Have a meal at Provision Company
spa experience, and some of the best golf
and enjoy views of the Intracoastal from the
courses in the country. Even if you don’t
porch with an ice-cold beverage and a crab
hit the links, there are tennis courts, the
cake sandwich!
pools on site at the Carolina Hotel and the Holly Inn. I spent all morning relaxing by the pool at the spa before strolling through the quaint village visiting shops. We also
WILMINGTON
enjoyed reading in the rocking chairs on
Wilmington is a perfect spot to make an
the porch and our favorite dinner spot was
escape whether you are into gardens, such as
the Pinehurst Brewing Co.
the beautiful Airlie Gardens, beaches, parks, the riverfront, or dining al fresco. If you’re looking for a spot right on the riverwalk, stay at the Hotel
*Please remember to practice social distancing guidelines and wear a facial covering to protect yourself and others during this global pandemic. Also, some places may be closed because of COVID-19 or have limited seating capacity. We recommend calling ahead for the most up to date information. Travel safely and be kind to one another!
56
Ballast and enjoy the shops and restaurants on one side, and breathtaking tours on the other. If you’re interested in a quieter spot, check out the Front Street Inn for a welcoming spot. Take a riverboat tour while you’re in town to get out on the water and learn a bit more about the area. If you’re into history, don’t miss the U.S.S. North Carolina Battleship! If you go down on the 4th Friday of the month, you can join in the Fourth Friday Gallery Walk. Check out Pilot House Restaurant for lunch and Dram & Morsel for dinner!
&
Jenny Davenport
Mary Braxton Grey Throwing out the 1st Pitch
57
Just keep
swimming Nash Central’s Norris hasn’t stopped working Story by Patrick MaSon contributed PhotoS
58
A
sk Lance Norris to
stopped holding practices. Norris
remember
last
went from swimming an average
time he took a break
of 35,000 yards per week to
the
from swimming and the answer is difficult. He doesn’t know.
zero. Norris, who won a state
The 16-year-old Nash Central
championship
his
freshman
student began swimming laps at
season with the Bulldogs, didn’t
the Rocky Mount YMCA at age
fare
5, and was competing in meets
stoppage. He needed to swim.
well
with
this
sudden
by age 8. Norris hasn’t stopped
“It was an unwanted break,”
swimming since, finding time to
Norris said. “I was out of the
put in thousands of yards each
water for three days before I
day.
started swimming in the lake.”
Lengthy time away from the
***
pool is rare. When an illness in
Norris waded into the Tar
February forced Norris to miss
River reservoir on March 28.
the high school state meet, he
Wearing a jammer, he soon
worried about how his training
found that he would need more
would be affected. He was back
than a suit that stops at the
in the pool the next week.
knees.
“I always say he’s addicted to
The temperature was in the
being in the water,” Norris’ father
80s, but the water hadn’t yet
Ron said. “And when he doesn’t
warmed up from the winter
get in he gets, like, withdrawal
weather. Walking any deeper
symptoms. It just throws him off.
into the water wasn’t an option.
It’s how he’s always been. When
Expletives
he’s not in water it feels like his
mouth as he raced up the boat
whole day is off.”
ramp and back onto land.
When
the
flew
from
Norris’
COVID-19
“It was so cold I barely made
pandemic response shuttered
it in,” Norris said of that first day.
workout facilities and aquatic
“I had to buy a wetsuit.”
centers in March, Norris didn’t
Norris’ parents bought him a
have a choice but to step away
wetsuit which solved the water
from training.
temperature
Important meets
dot
championship the
spring
and
summer swimming schedule, including several opportunities to
qualify
for
international
competitions in the summer, like the Olympics, where Norris was on his way to securing time cuts for the U.S. Olympic Trials meet. In the weeks after the closures the Olympics announced a new 2021 start date, championship meets
were
postponed
or
canceled and Norris’ Triangle Aquatic
Center
club
team
problem.
The
dark body-length suit with red
sleeves kept him warm enough
allowed for more mobility. A
to spend an hour or more in the
weekend training session at a
cold water.
lake in Cary snapped his reservoir
He’s been going back ever since.
streak, but Norris swam more than 30 consecutive days in all
On April 22, Norris logged his
sorts of weather.
26th consecutive day swimming
During the chilly days of early
laps in the reservoir. By the 28th
spring Norris would swim during
consecutive day, Norris had
the hottest parts of the day,
switched to a new black TYR
around 3 or 4 p.m. Some days
wetsuit without sleeves which
he had to wait out rain or wind. As the days passed his window
“
IT WAS AN UNWANTED BREAK. I WAS OUT OF
of warmth grew larger, leading to early afternoon swims and longer yardage. Norris is never alone in the
THE WATER FOR THREE DAYS BEFORE I STARTED
“
SWIMMING IN THE LAKE.
L ance n orris
1,860 acre reservoir. His dad is always nearby, paddling in a family friend’s kayak alongside his son. Ron and the kayak serve as both a safety precaution and a floating reserve of water bottles and snacks. “He’s been out there every day with me since I started
59
Nash Central team, Norris won the 1A/2A state title in the 200-
The shift in schedule means
yard freestyle and placed second
he will have more time to mature
in the 500.
and grow as the Trials won’t take
An illness ended the potential
place for another year. But that
for two individual state titles at
also means the time standards
this year’s state meet, but that
will be lowered come 2021,
didn’t stop him from setting
forcing Norris to shave off more
records just a few weeks later
time.
with his TAC club team at the
But he isn’t worried.
2020 Cary Sectionals on March
Norris’
5.
dedication There, Norris and three relay
teammates — Michael Cotter, David
Greeley
and
Braeden
Haughey — set a national age group record (15-16) in the 800yard freestyle relay with a time of 6:36.61, smashing the old swimming here,” Norris said.
pool yardage.
record of 6:38.07 set in 2018.
“Even when he has to work he’ll
Open water swimmers must
be out here. He won’t admit to
contend waves, wind, currents
Swimming named Norris among
me that he likes going out there
and
one
the world’s top 100 swimmers
every single day, but I think he
particular day Norris remembers
under the age of 18 in two
enjoys being in nature. On a nice
the forecast called for winds of
events. SwimSwam listed Norris
day it’s really peaceful.”
17 MPH.
as No. 14 among the top college
low
visibility.
On
200 backstroke cut.
Earlier
this
year,
USA
work to
ethic open
and water
swimming during the time away from the pool has kept him in shape, and perhaps increased his strength in the water. He hopes his continued training of about 35,000 yards per week will give him an advantage over his peers who have largely been staying fit with dry-land activities. “I am in better shape than I have been in my life,” Norris said. “Open water swimming really helped me.” He added that he is pacing for
Ron works the night shift
“I thought I’d be fine but I
swimming prospects in the class
at Nash General Hospital and
didn’t check the gusts,” he said.
of 2022 — Cotter and Haughey
often finds time to sleep in the
“And it was like 45. Going out
are listed as No. 17 and No. 18,
morning before launching the
was fine because the wind was at
respectively.
kayak in hot pursuit of Norris’
my back, but on the way back it
This was supposed to be an
windmilling arms.
was the worst feeling. I couldn’t
important summer for Norris as
“I think I went 26 days straight
get a stroke in without waves
he had his sights on swimming
until he went to Jordan Lake in
pummeling my face. When I’d
at the U.S. Olympic Trials. His
Apex one weekend,” Ron said. “It
look at my dad on the kayak
strengths in the distance events
was: sleep four hours when I get
you could see it bobbing up and
and the individual medley —
back from work, then go out with
down.”
where all four strokes are used —
“It’s all about commitment
earned him a real shot at having
and he just has this drive,” Ron
a strong showing.
said. “He’s that rattlesnake where
him and row. He’s dedicated.”
***
Norris said that a tough
Norris took the swimming
a sub-15:30 in the 1,500, which would be almost 15 seconds faster than his previous best. Norris is also hopeful that he can return to his club team soon where he will once again train in a pool. For now, a large body of water will have to do.
the
world by storm when he entered
He was 0.7 seconds away
if he doesn’t get in the water he’s
lake could include more than
his teenage years. At age 14,
from a cut in the 1,500-meter
a grumpy kid. That’s just the way
10,000 yards broken across two
while attending Nash Central
race, which is just a blink in a
it is.”
sessions. Other times he’ll swim
Middle School, Norris laid claim
race that covers 30 lengths of
Patrick Mason is a Sports Writer
anywhere from 5,000-7,000
to the fastest 1,000-yard swim
the pool. He was one second off
for the Rocky Mount Telegram and
yards. And he’s learned that open
nationally in his age group. As
the 400 IM cut, and a little more
a contributor to Eastern North
water yardage is tougher than
a high school freshman on the
than one second away from the
Carolina Living.
weekend
60
workout
on
&
OUT ABOUT! Out & About is a listing of events happening in and
around the 12 counties which make up the coverage region for Eastern North Carolina Living magazine.
Those wishing to have an event listed should sent it to: Eastern Living, Attn: Out & About, P.O. Box 69, Windsor, NC 27983. Email events to Thadd White at twhite@ncweeklies.com.
Editor’s Note: Due to concerns about the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic there are few events planned in the coming months. These are the ones that have been shared with us, but we suggest calling ahead before any event. Also, it is recommended that anyone attending be planning to obey mask and social distancing guidelines. July 26 Respect Car Show TARBORO – The Respect Car Show is planned for Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26 on Western Boulevard in Tarboro. For the past three years, the Respect Car Show has showcased over 200 cars. There will be club games, a vehicle limbo contest and cash prizes for specialty awards. Fishing, camping and vendors will be available. The event will be held at 3202 Western Blvd. in Tarboro.
Dec. 5
On-Going
Christmas Bazaar
Tarboro Market
NASHVILLE – The annual Christmas
Tarboro – The Tarboro Market is open
Bazaar is planned for 9 a.m. until 2
on the first and third Saturdays of
p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5 at Rock Creek
every month on North Main Street.
Baptist Church.
The market features handmade,
Vendors are welcome at the event.
homemade and homegrown goods,
Those wishing to be vendors should
and is open from 8 a.m. until noon.
contact Sue Smith at sue_J_smith@
The market is located at 526 North
live.com and use Christmas Bazaar
Main St. in Tarboro.
in the subject line. There are usually 45-50 vendors at the event each year. For more information, call the church office at 252-459-4477 or visit the website at www.rockcreekbaptist. net. The church is located at 1238 Rock Creek Drive in Nashville.
61
62
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12 VIEWS FROM OUR
PHOTOS
The town of Belhaven earned its official name in 1899 on the cusp of a new century. The “Beautiful Harbor” was and still is one of the prettiest riverfront locations on North Carolina’s inner banks. Its fine old homes, many built in the early 1900’s, dot the banks of the Pantego Creek, where residents have enjoyed watching the sun rise and set in spectacular glory for generations.
64
BY
JIM GREEN
65
B
elhaven
Birthplace of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway
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EASTERN
LIVING
1
The Enterprise
106 W. Main St. Williamston, NC 27892 252-792-1181 69
Grandma’s
Kitchen Sylvia Hughes with her grandmother, Bertie Dameron.
The theme of “Our Town� made me
with pepper. Spoon bread, cornbread and
think about the places I have lived and the
homemade apple butter were staples. There
difference in the recipes of each area. I
was Brunswick Stew but it was made with
have lived in the Piedmont section of North
rabbit, squirrel or whatever hunters brought
Carolina, the Piedmont section of Virginia,
to the stew.
Bertie County and Windsor. Even in small ways, there were differences in the way things were done. For instance, most people in Eastern
In the Eastern part of North Carolina, I have enjoyed tomato pudding, salty ham, collards, chicken and pastry, sweet potato biscuits and chocolate gravy.
Carolina put a piece of meat in vegetables to
Is the food better in one place than it is
cook them. In Thomasville, my grandmother
in another? I would say that I have favorites
sliced streak of lean meat very thin, fried it
from all three places.
and used the grease to cook whatever she was preparing that day. The fried meat she put on homemade biscuits for breakfast.
Wonderful cooks abound everywhere I have lived. But the sugar-cured hams are the best in
In Thomasville, we fixed chicken with
my opinion. My dad never left Thomasville
round, fat biscuit-like dumplings. The ham
when we visited without getting one. The
was sugar cured. We made hot sauerkraut
homemade apple butter in Virginia tops
stuffed green peppers. Gingerbread was
anything you will find in the grocery store
a big thing for dessert as was Persimmon
and collards have to be my favorite in Eastern
Pudding. I have not known those things to be
North Carolina. I have to tell you I had never
in the other places I lived.
seen a collard or even heard of one until I
In Virginia, we had hams heavily cured
moved here.
Sylvia Hughes is a retired newspaper editor and columnist residing in Windsor. In addition to three sons, she has a gaggle of grandchildren, many of whom love cooking with her just as she did with her mother and grandmother.
70
Thomasville
Persimmon Pudding
2 cups persimmon pulp 3 eggs 1 ½ cups milk 1 ¾ cups flour ½ teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon nutmeg 1 cup sugar ½ cup brown sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla rine 1 stick melted butter or marga
k Mix persimmon, eggs and mil Mix dry ingredients together Add liquid ingredients Stir in butter greased Pour in 11 ½ X 6 inch shallow pan. for 70 Cook at 300 degrees minutes
Apple Butter
virginia, k Ball Canning Boo
to lp; return apple pulp int or 3 (16 of apple pu f-p hal oz) (8 6 t ou ab kes Ma saucepan. stirring until oz) pint Add sugar and spices, 16 to 12 t ou (ab 4 pounds apples . Cook at a gentle boil d mama sugar dissolves an r the mo nd gra My apple mixture medium) over medium heat until ah do an en Sh the m d on a spoon, always got them fro is thick enough to moun vent sticking. Valley. stirring frequently to pre thick, add a 2 cups water If mixture becomes too ar sug s cup 4 apple juice for small amount of water or n mo na cin s ve from heat. 2 teaspoon desired consistency. Remo o a hot jar ¼ teaspoon cloves Ladle hot apple butter int s into ple ap t Cu s. ple ap el pe d ce. Remove Core an leaving a ¼ inch headspa canner, let jars stand 5 . Center lid on remove lid of quarters. rim jar pe Wi . les bb bu jars and cool 12-24 ter in a large air gertip minutes. Remove fin to t Combine apples and wa jus ad , nd ba ply they should not jar and ap hours. Check lids for seal, r. ne can in ter wa saucepan. g ilin jar in bo d. r until soft. tight. Place flex when center is presse d. Cook apples at a simme fille are jars all til electric food Repeat un n off heat, Puree mixture using an Process jars 15 minutes. Tur s art qu 2 re asu Me strainer or food mill.
easTern norTh Carolina
Chocolate Gravy
½ cup cocoa 1 cup sugar 1 cup water ½ teaspoon vanilla pinch of salt 4 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon four, mixed with ½ cup water, stirred until smooth Mix cocoa and sugar
Have water boiling in saucepan. Add cocoa and sugar mixture and salt. Gradually stir in flour mixture. Remove from burner and stir in vanilla. This is used to dip homemade biscuits. It is also good on cake and ice cream.
71
biography •
Just as you want others to do for you, DO THE SAME FOR THEM. - Luke 6:31 HoLman CHristian standard BiBLe
Dr. Chris Cordon Story by Thadd White Photos by Thadd White, Jim Green & Contributed
S
he has spent her life living by the Golden Rule.
service,” she said.
Though it has sometimes been
challenging, she wouldn’t change a thing. Dr. Chris Cordon has spent most of her life in Bertie County, and has devoted that
Cordon said she enjoyed working with
provide safety for children across the east, Cordon also was working to make her hometown a better place.
childcare providers and helping them go
In 1999, Cordon filed for a seat on the
from having only a General Equivalency
Lewiston Woodville Board of Commissioners.
Diploma (GED) to earning a college degree.
She was elected and sworn in that December
life to protecting children, helping the needy,
“At the same time, I enjoyed serving the
serving her community and dedicating her
children and making sure they were safe,”
life to God.
she added.
and has served the people of the town ever since. “I know it sounds like a cliché, but I really
Cordon grew up in Bertie County between
Cordon said her goal was never to close
wanted to make a difference, and to see the
Windsor and Lewiston Woodville. She went
a childcare facility, but rather to help them
town improve,” Cordon said. “I wanted to
to school at John B. Bond Elementary,
provide the best care possible for the
bring worth to the town and bring life back
Southwestern and Bertie High School before
children in that center.
into it. All these years later, it is still a work in
moving on to Elizabeth City State University. Cordon
graduated
Cum
Laude
in
Sociology from ECSU in 1976. In addition, Cordon recently completed work on her Doctorate in Divinity.
“It was a challenge,” she stressed. “Not all the situations were nice. You do go into some unwelcoming situations.”
progress.” Following her election, Cordon was put in charge of the town’s beautification
“While some of the conditions were not
committee – a charge she relished and took
ideal”, Cordon said, “my knowledge and
on whole heartedly. She led the efforts to
Cordon took a job working with Early
training of the State of NC Building, Fire and
plant flowers, raise a flagpole in town and
Education in the N.C. Division of Child
Health Codes relating to child care along with
generally work to improve the ambiance of
Development Early Education. She spent 30
the NC Division of Child Development Rules
Lewiston Woodville.
years serving as a Child Care Consultant in
and Regulations, I was always able to work
“I enjoyed bringing the ladies together
14 counties in eastern North Carolina. There
with childcare providers to make centers
and working to make the town look better,”
were more than 5,000 children under her
safer for children.”
she said.
care.
72
“I enjoyed protecting and providing
During the time she was working to
Cordon said during her time on the board,
I’m not sayIng It has been easy, but god has set us here to mInIster. We are here for body, soul and spIrIt. - dr. ChrIs Cordon
sons – Gary Jr. and Chad – and a daughter – Chrysti. “We have one that is a minister, one that works in ministry and one that is a trustee,” Cordon said. “We all work in ministry as a family.” In ministry, she serves as First Lady of Victory Temple Church of God in Christ/The Evidence Church and as the Dean of students of The Evidence Bible College. Cordon said she
Lewiston Woodville and surrounding areas. “We all work well together,” she said. “It is a pleasure serving with the other members of the board.”
works with the women of the congregation and with the growing number of students enrolling in the Bible college. “I encourage them to be all they can be,
As if work and public service were not
be all that God would have them to be,” she
she is also proud of the work done to bring
enough, Cordon also has worked in the
said. “We all work together, and we all love the
grants to help the water and sewer system,
ministry for four decades along with her
fellowship.”
and of providing police protection.
husband of 46 years, Dr. Gary Cordon.
In what spare time she has, Cordon enjoys
She now serves Lewiston Woodville as
“It has been rewarding and challenging,”
Mayor Pro-Tempore and serves as Police
she said. “We are all things to all people. We
“I enjoy raking leaves, planting flowers,
Commissioner. Cordon said she was pleased
are available 24/7. Our door is never close,
even cutting grass,” she mused. “A few years
to have just hired a police officer providing
and we will always be there.
ago, I told my children I wanted a zero-turn
protection and safety for citizens. The town also has seen the addition of the new Duck Thru, a Dollar General and other stores during the past several years. In addition, Cordon said the town was pleased to still be one of few small
working in her yard.
“I’m not saying it has been easy, but God
John Deere commercial mower for Mother’s
has set us here to minister,” she added. “We
Day, and was thrilled when they gave me one.” In addition, Cordon enjoys spending
are here for body, soul and spirit.” Cordon describes her husband as the love of her life and says the two have enjoyed
time with her husband, children and eight grandchildren. Among her many accolades, Cordon was
being married and serving together.
communities to have a bank, a Rural Health
“I love being a support to my husband,” she
awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine –
Center and The Hive, which provides services
said. “I love his gift of teaching and preaching.”
the state’s highest civilian honor – by Gov. Pat
for children and families throughout Bertie
She said the two knew each other in high
County.
school, but never connected. It wasn’t until
McCrory. “I was truly shocked and blessed,” she
Cordon also saluted Perdue Farms as
she was in a choir at what was then Cedar
said. “It makes you feel like you’ve
a great corporate supporter of the work
Fork Church of God in Christ and Gary Cordon
accomplished something.”
done by the town, and said she was pleased
played for the choir they began to have a
to work with the mayor and the Board of
her retirement from every
connection.
Commissioners. Also, in collaboration with
“God
The Town of Lewiston Woodville, The
Cordon said.
stepped
in,”
Chris
Cordon said she was pleased
Community College, we are
to have a family involved
an
Vitality
Center
Educational
provide educational opportunities to the citizens of
to
day work in childcare. While that career has
Hive and Roanoke Chowan bringing
The award was given during
in ministry as her three children have followed
them
into the field. They have two
closed, the others keep
her
every she
busy
day
as
continues
to serve the people
of
Bertie County.
73
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AQUASCOGOC Algonquian village; was in this vicinity. Burned, July 18, 1585, by Roanoke colonists in their first dispute with Indians.
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he Roanoke colonies, altogether three attempts at colonization on the eastern shores of what would become North Carolina, laid the foundation for later English colonization initiatives. In April 1584, explorers Phillip Amadas and Arthur Barlowe set out from England to survey the coast near Cape Hatteras. In the course of their expedition, they encountered few obstacles and their positive report prompted Sir Walter Ralegh to establish a colony in the New World.
US 264 Bypass (Main Street) at US 264 Business (Pamlico Street) in Belhaven REFERENCES Michael L. Oberg, The Head in Edward Nugent’s Hand (2008) Maurice A. Mook, “Algonkian Ethnohistory of the Carolina Sound,” Journal of the Washington Academy of Sciences, Vol. 34, No. 6 (June 15, 1944) David Beers Quinn, Set Fair for Roanoke (1985) J. Norman Heard, Handbook of the American Frontier: Four Centuries of Indian-White Relationships (1987)
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In 1585 Sir Richard Grenville, Ralegh’s cousin, sent seven ships loaded with colonists and provisions to establish a colony on Roanoke Island. They left England on April 9, 1585. By the end of June they had arrived at Wococon on the Outer Banks. In July a detachment of colonists, with Manteo as interpreter, ventured out to explore the land beyond the sound and visited the native villages of Pomeiok, Aquascogoc, and Secotan. On July 18 all but one of the boats returned to Wococon. The remaining boat took Amadas, Manteo, and a few other men back to Aquascogoc to “demand a silver cup which one of the Savages had stolen from us.” It is unclear exactly what transpired at Aquascogoc—whether the Aquascogocs denied having the cup or whether they thought the English were taking back a gift. The weroance (leader) apparently promised the cup’s return as an effort to stall the English long enough to clear the
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women and children out of the village. He may have heard Wanchese’s ominous tales of the untrustworthy Englishmen. Amadas waited for a while before noticing the people clearing the village and he reacted with unconscionable violence. The chronicler of the trip recorded that the men “burnt, and spoyled their Corne, and Towne, all the people being fledde.” About three weeks into the attempted colonization of the “New World,” the English committed the first atrocity against the natives at Aquascogoc. The town and the food supply were destroyed because of a missing silver cup. Word of the violence traveled to the various Algonquian communities and would not have been an encouraging omen for the Indians. The specific location of Aquascogoc has not been determined through archaeological investigation, but it is generally accepted to have been just southeast of modern day Belhaven.
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PARTING SHOTS Thadd White at Boone’s Mill in Northampton County
The worldwide pandemic that is COVID-19
So, we turned to our history for the current
has changed things for all of us. We, here
magazine. We went back to the days when we
Most of us know about the original
at Eastern North Carolina Living, are no
used to do “Our Town,” which basically was a
Washington in Beaufort County, where there is
exception. We had plans for the stories we
feature that told the history and current status
so much history and the beautiful downtown
of towns in our region.
is such a draw. The town isn’t satisfied just
would tell during the course of this year. This edition was intended to be one where we told you about great places to visit in our 12 counties. The idea was basically “All in a Day’s Trip,” but within our counties. Unfortunately, now is a time when most people can’t or aren’t taking trips. We have decided to revisit that theme at a later time.
The mayors and other town leaders were happy to talk about their hometowns. They wanted to show the good things that they are doing, share their storied past and give their hopes for the future. 78
Thankfully, the mayors and other town leaders were happy to talk about their hometowns. They wanted to show the good things that they are doing, share their storied past and give their hopes for the future. We have enjoyed telling the stories in this magazine. I chose the two towns I chronicled in this edition – Littleton and Columbia – because I love driving through them and wanted to learn more about them. The mayors – Owen Scott and James Cahoon respectively – were incredible ambassadors for their towns. Also in this edition, Jim Green paid a visit to Plymouth where he met with town historian Tom Harrison and others to talk about Washington County’s county seat. I think you’ll enjoy reading about the revitalization there. In addition, John Walker gives us history and future of one of the most historic towns
people.
resting on its laurels, however, as you’ll find out in Deborah Griffin’s story. Engelhard is a town that will just draw you in. Sandy Carawan’s story tells about how important the town is and what it means to the people who call it home. Another historic town in our region is Murfreesboro. Sarah Davis takes you through the town’s rich history and tells you why so many people are proud to call the Hertford County town home. We’ll be back in September, where we’ll share stories with you about businesses who are still operating after being led by multiple generations of the same family. There are some businesses in our region that have been in operation for more than a century and been led by more than three generations. We look forward to sharing those stories with you.
in the 12 counties – Tarboro. The history of the
Until then, remember… all who wander
quaint Edgecombe County town is enough to
are not lost. Continue joining us as we
draw you there.
wander through Beaufort, Bertie, Edgecombe,
Sarah Hodges Stalls tells us how much
Gates,
Halifax,
Hertford,
Hyde,
Martin,
of Williamston’s history has been destroyed
Nash, Northampton, Tyrrell and Washington
by fire, but why people love living there and
counties.
raising a family in the Martin county town. There’s a lot to love about Williamston and its
Thadd White is Editor of Eastern North Carolina Living and the Bertie Ledger-Advance.
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