Welcome To Tarboro, May 2013 by Welcome to Tarboro

Welcome to

Tarboro

Homes Magazine MAY 2013

Contents

Welcome to

Tarboro

MAY 2013

Homes Magazine Staff

Editor/Publisher ........................................................ John H. Walker Ad Sales ........................................................................ Gene Hudson Design ............................................................. Jonathan Mlyniec Advertising Production .............................................. JoEllen Pollard

• Homes Magazine û

Anderson Realty ................................................................... 22 Century 21 Realty ................................................................ 4 Diane LeFiles ..................................................................... 20 Tarboro Realty ..................................................................... 6-7

9 Tourism: An Industry on the Rise in Tarboro and Edgecombe County

10 Blount-Bridgers House

• Advertisers • All About Flowers ..................................................................... 5 Allstate – Sheila Anderson ....................................................... 14 Doug Henry Tarboro ............................................................... 23 Edward Jones – CB Bunting III .............................................. 14 Edgecombe County Health Department .................................. 8 Edgecombe Home Care & Hospice ..................................... 17 Gold Buyer ................................................................ Back Page Kennedy Carpet Care ............................................................ 8 Lin’s Super Buffet .................................................................... 5 Piggly Wiggly ...................................................................... 17 John A. Pollard CPA, PLLC ..................................................... 8 Dr. Kenneth Rosenthal ........................................................... 8 Rick Williams Auto ............................................................. 22 Service Drug ........................................................................... 5 State Farm, Wendy Edwards ................................................. 17 Vidant Medical Center ............................................................ 2 G.T. Ward DDS ..................................................................... 17

Cover ....... Traffic circle on Main street in Tarboro Photo by Calvin Adkins

Welcome to Tarboro & Homes Magazine If you have story ideas you would like to see in future issues, please contact: John H. Walker at (252) 823-3106 or e-mail to editor@dailysoutherner.com a product of

The Daily Southerner

504 W. Wilson St. • Tarboro, NC • 823-3106 www.dailysoutherner.com

12 “The Town of Tarboro – A History Lover’s Paradise”

Indian Lake Park

Edgeombe County Veterans Military Museum

Garden of the Month

9 Tourism: An Industr y on the Rise in Tarboro and Edgecombe County 10 Blount-Bridgers House 12 “The Town of Tarboro – A Histor y Lover’s Paradise” 15 Indian Lake Park 18 Edgeombe County Veterans Militar y Museum 21 Garden of the Month

“IT ’S THE SMALL THINGS THAT COUNT ”

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1430 N Shiloh Farm Rd $96,030

313 Deer Walk $90,000

205 E Barnhill $90,000 - Everetts

630 Piedmont Ave $72,000 - Rocky Mount

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406 N Main St $49,900 - Robersonville

112 Robert Thompson $39,600

1731 Roberson School Rd (School Building) $380,000

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3312 Edwards Court $174,900 - Greenville D

306 S Howard Circle $165,000

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415 Windermere Circle $168,000 D

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401 Hamlet St $80,000 - Pinetops D

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38 Wildwood Drive $135,000 D

New Listing

2103 Panola St $79,000

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139 S Fairview Cir $65,900

801 E Battle Ave $71,230 D

20619 Hwy 125 - Scotland Neck mini farm w/ 8.23ac

601 Forest Acres Dr $110,000

114 Speight Ave $89,000

1047 W St. James St $85,000

409 Wahree St

$70,000

$319,900 - house with 125 acres

106 Briarwood Court $330,000

315 Kensington Drive $259,000

424 McNair Rd $239,000

Hilma Country Club $225,000

6120 Bones Acres $165,000

248 Marlow Branch Rd

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192 Nelson Street $21,250 - Bethel

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708 Palmer St $225,000

2004 Elizabeth St $174,000

300 Eason St $153,000 - Macclesfield

1901 Anaconda Rd $150,000

811 St. Patrick St $114,000

1525 Bethlehem Rd $89,000

I NVES TM ENT PR O PE RT Y AND LAND FOR SAL E 805 St Andrew St $105,000

36 Deer Walk Lane $104,500

126 Quincy Dr $86,000

1806 Lake Dr $85,000

248 White Oak Rd $79,500

604 Middle St. $70,000

118 Speight St $68,000

609 Elm St $60,000

305 W Cobb St $55,000 - Pinetops

401 W Walnut $25,000

2581 Ralph Taylor Rd

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412 E Baker St $58,000

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From the Editor/Publisher To our readers: Most people have the tendency to think of an industry along the lines of manufacturing or home construction or retail. And while those are, indeed, industries, there are others that are less obvious, yet generate jobs and revenue just the same. In Tarboro and Edgecombe County, one such growing industry is tourism. Data compiled by the Research Department of the US Travel Association for the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development and released last August showed that 2011 tourism revenues in the county were $51.84 million, up 5.68 percent from 2010. Edgecombe County ranked 54th statewide in tourism revenues. The tourism-related payroll in Edgecombe County was $6.84 million and there were an estimated 350 jobs tied to tourism. State tax receipts were $2.86 million in the county while local tax receipts were $870,000. The data was determined by using the Travel Economic Impact Model (TEIM), which is a disaggregated model comprised of 16 travel categories, including lodging, food, retail, public transportation, auto transportation, and amusement/recreation. While shopping at a local grocery store is not tourism-related, it becomes that when the shopper is in town for a baseball tournament at Indian Lake Park, a fishing tournament in the Tar River or to spend the day shopping, sampling food and listening to music at Happening on the Common. We have a number of venues to attract visitors — from the Blount-Bridgers House and Hobson Pittman Gallery, Tarboro Historic District, Veterans Museum and Princeville Museum and Welcome Center, our historic cemeteries, Indian Lake the Town Common and more. Our historic buildings are already marked, and we have dozens of historic markers and a most wonderful history. What is next is taking the step to move forward and promote our assets in a variety of ways, including this magazine. • • • While this magazine carries a May date, a change in publishing companies finds us playing a bit of a game of catch-up. Our April edition was the first published by Publications Press of Montgomery, Ala., and we have heard your feedback regarding the improvement in eye-catching color and appreciate your taking note. Whether you picked up your copy of Welcome to Tarboro locally or at one of the state’s Welcome Centers on I-95, we hope you enjoy learning about our community and take the time to come visit. And since you are, thanks for reading!

824-7733

Park West, Howard Ave. • Tarboro, NC 5

Charles Mary Ann Ainsley Cumpata Broker / Owner Broker / Owner 813-0167 904-0387

811 W. Wilson St. in Tarboro

Tarboro Realty, the local Real Estate Company with WORLDWIDE CONNECTIONS

0 N Main Street $275,000 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; MLS # 91355

1100 Albemarle Avenue $599,000 - MLS # 93310

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1708-16 W. Howard Avenue $464,000 - MLS # 94440

1517 Canterbury Road $370,000 - MLS # 94059

117 W. St. James Street $175,000 - MLS # 94087

9747 US Hwy 258 North $349,900 - MLS # 89584

6848 River Run Dr - Elm City $249,900 - MLS # 94161

1600 Pine Street $239,900 - MLS # 92802

208 Brandon Avenue $230,000 - MLS # 93566

301 So. Howard Circle $163,900 - MLS # 93025

1008 Brassfield Ct. - Rocky Mount $159,000 - MLS # 94382 g

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1111 St. Andrew Street $150,000 - MLS # 94169

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1403 Captains Road $154,900 - MLS # 94462

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901 Maccripine Rd. - Pinetops $169,900 - MLS # 94356

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304 N. Howard Circle $149,900 - MLS # 89031

413 Windermere Circle $149,000 - MLS # 90699

307 Spencer Drive $169,900 - MLS # 86162 g

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3445 N. Bowers Road - Hobgood $156,717 - MLS # 93423 ld

1109 Vance Drive $148,900 - MLS # 91597

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1635 Unicoi Rd - Nashville $199,900 - MLS # 93727

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1208 N. Main Street $178,500 - MLS # 93782

1302 Chauncey Drive $164,900 - MLS # 91491

905 St. Andrew Street $295,000 - MLS # 92208

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213 Brandon Avenue $189,900 - MLS # 94015

305 No. Main Street $159,900 - MLS # 93204

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205 W. Baker Street $145,000 - MLS # 89065

218 Barrington Drive $299,900 - MLS # 93838

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109 W. Church Street $159,900 - MLS # 87181

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Shari Pittman -Dozier 813-0817

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Maggie Gregg Broker 327-0680

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103 South Shiloh Farm Rd. $199,500 - MLS # 94371

Gail Summerlin Broker 450-9687

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Janet Ducatte Broker 813-1875

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1003 No. Main Street $284,000 - MLS # 92920

Sandy Jenkins Broker 823-6535

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111 W. Church Street $139,500 - MLS # 94463

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5744 Temperance Hall Rd - Elm City

$134,900 - MLS # 93431

1507 Pinecrest Rd. - Rocky Mount $130,900 - MLS # 91576

605 North Howard Circle $130,000 - MLS # 93988

Charles Mary Ann Ainsley Cumpata Broker / Owner Broker / Owner 813-0167 904-0387

811 W. Wilson St. in Tarboro

Tarboro Realty, the local Real Estate Company with WORLDWIDE CONNECTIONS

Call 252-823-7588 w Ne

1305 N. Main Street $129,900 - MLS # 90787

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608 Simpson Drive $129,500 - MLS # 89783

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1408 Pine Street $127,500 - MLS # 93443

618 N. Howard Circle $119,900 - MLS # 94112

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802 E. Country Club Drive $106,000 - MLS # 94149

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1905 Crescent Drive - Wilson $104,900 - MLS # 94316

2901 Ridge Road - Wilson $94,900 - MLS # 93309

1014 Panola Street $82,900 - MLS # 92213

208 W. Dunn Street - Pinetops $87,500 - MLS # 92661

7501 McKendree Church Road $79,500 - MLS # 94072

1102 Chapel Street $39,900 - MLS # 94252

135 Medford Road $71,900 - MLS # 88199

111 Jones Court $69,900 - MLS # 93747

302 Georgia Avenue $56,000 - MLS # 85220 ld

1012 St. David Street $54,999 - MLS # 90198

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506 W. St. James St. $39,900 - MLS # 93608

931 Hill Street - Rocky Mt. $29,900 - MLS # 93512

1876 US 258 N $79,900 - MLS # 93421

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1302 Maurice Drive $98,500 - MLS # 93471

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14013 NC Hwy 43 N - Rocky Mt. $55,900 - MLS # 93496

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1557 Acorn Hill Road $110,000 - MLS # 93722

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$79,900 - MLS # 92632

Maggie Gregg Broker 327-0680

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314 North Howard Circle $109,900 - MLS # 94369

962 Branch Farm Rd. - Macclesfield

Gail Summerlin Broker 450-9687

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1301 Maurice Drive $97,500 - MLS # 93906

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Sandy Jenkins Broker 823-6535

Al Hull Broker 908-0738

305 Georgia Avenue $15,000 - MLS # 93738

1100 Ash Street $54,900 - MLS # 92960 ld

406 W. Walnut Street $52,900 - MLS # 85219 g

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312 Georgia Avenue $46,000 - MLS # 93952 ld

203 W. Walnut Street $39,900 - MLS # 93986

1205 St. Andrew Street $35,000 - MLS # 90469

603 Howard Avenue $34,500 MLS #92700

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Tourism: An industry on the rise in Tarboro, Edgecombe County By MIRANDA BAINES Welcome to Tarboro Magazine

Travel and tourism is a multi-billion dollar industry nationwide. And in Tarboro and Edgecombe County, tourism is on the rise. In 2011, tourism revenues in Edgecombe County were $51.84 million, up 5.68 percent from 2010, according to statistics compiled by the Research Department of the US Travel Association for the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development. Edgecombe ranked 54th statewide in tourism revenues. With so many assets to draw visitors, from Indian Lake Sports Complex and camping platforms along the Tar River to a 45-block historic district, veterans museum and art/ history museum, Tarboro has the potential to become a tourist destination. The Town of Tarboro and Edgecombe County are working to make that happen. Hiring a full-time tourism director and establishing a Tourism Development Authority are components of the county’s tourism development plan, created by N.C. State University in 2008. “The county has a wealth of tourism development assets — a larger variety and more visitor-ready than many other rural counties in North Carolina,” read the executive summary of the plan. “A Tourism Development Authority must be put in place in the near future if the municipal and county governments, businesses and residents wish to maximize these assets as tourism products.” Assistant county manager Eric Evans has led the county’s tourism efforts. “We have long since recognized the potential in tourism that Edgecombe County has,” Evans said. “Though the county does not have one large tourism asset that would compete with a theme park or coastal location, we do have many smaller assets that if properly coordinated and promoted will attract more people to the county. That is why having a Tourism Development Authority is so important. The TDA along with a tourism director is the infrastructure we need to grow our tourism industry.” Tarboro town council member Candis Owens, is another strong proponent of tourism. For the purpose of funding the tourism industry locally, the town has asked the state legislature to consider a motel/ hotel occupancy tax up to six cents for the county. If approved,

the tax would be applied to the cost of a stay in a motel room. “What we’re trying to do is market Tarboro and Edgecombe County and we can do that with the occupancy dollars,” Owens said. “We are one of a very few counties left that does not have an occupancy tax.” A portion of the funds from the occupancy tax would be used to pay the tourism director, whose job it would be to promote the town and the county, she added. Edgecombe County has also begun a tourism ambassadors program, and the first group of ambassadors received their certification in February. The ambassadors are in charge of taking out-oftown visitors on tours of the county, on an as needed basis. They completed five out of six classes, primarily focusing on history. “We’re trying to preserve the past and look to the future,” as Betty Temple, chair of the Tarboro Historic Commission, says. While the Tarboro Historic District remains a popular tourist attraction, a newer recreational venue – Indian Lake Sports Complex – is the one that brings the most people, and perhaps the most revenue, to town on a regular basis. “It definitely brings people to the area. I know the (local) restaurants benefit from it,” said Thomas Perkins, manager of Indian Lake Sports Complex. “You’re looking at between 500 and 800 people a day at the sports complex during the tournaments.” Indian Lake Sports Complex hosts three major youth baseball tournaments each year, and is adding a fourth this year – a top gun Babe Ruth all-star tournament in July. “We get a lot of revenue from the tournaments – at least $20,000 to $25,000 in revenue,” said Cheryl Gay, director of Tarboro Parks & Recreation Department. Perkins said he has some type of tournament scheduled nearly every weekend this year at the sports complex. Built in 2001, the sports complex was the first of its kind in the area, and Perkins said he often receives compliments on the facility, which boasts four multipurpose fields, a full-size baseball field, and two soccer fields. “I’d put ours, as nice as it is, against anybody else’s,” Perkins said. 9

The ladiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; parlor in the Blount-Bridgers House features an 1850 piano, which young ladies of that era would be expected to know how to play to entertain guests. (Staff photo/Miranda Baines)

Blount-Bridgers House

Destination for art lovers and history buffs alike By MIRANDA BAINES Welcome to Tarboro Magazine

The Blount-Bridgers House in Tarboro Historic District is a destination for art lovers and history buffs alike. The first floor of the house is a museum filled with 19th Century furnishings and artifacts, while the second floor boasts an art gallery and a room dedicated to early 20th century artist Hobson Pittman. “We like to think that we offer a little bit for all visitors,” said Joyce Turner, executive director of the Edgecombe County Cultural Arts Council, which is housed in the museum. “If a history buff comes in, they’re going to be exposed to art. If an art enthusiast comes in, they’re going to be exposed to the history. It’s an all-inclusive museum, I think. It also lends itself to events.” The Blount-Bridgers House was built by Thomas Blount around 1808, in the Federal style of architecture. The house is on the National Register of Historic Places. “You’re at the highest point in Tarboro here,” says Carol Banks, events coordinator and tour guide for the Blount-Bridgers House, as she opens the front door to the house, looking out onto the intersection of Bridgers and St. Andrew Street. “This is where I get people to use their imagination, to see the horse and carriage coming down the street.” While the area surrounding the Blount-Bridgers House has changed, the house itself has remained a testament to the 19th Century. The locks on the doors of the home are original, as is the Greek key design staircase, according to Banks. Another highlight of the first floor of the home is the “great room,” featuring a portrait of Blount and a large dining room table “I’ve seen many a wedding cake on that table,” Banks said, pointing to the dining room table. “Whatever event there is here, I can transform this house for the event.” Next to the great room is the “keeping room,” where food was brought in and held until it was served to guests at the dining room table. On one of the walls of the home is a 1775 Mouzon map of North Carolina. The ladies’ parlor across the hall is a favorite of brides who chose the historic home as their wedding venue. An 1850 piano from New York is a prominent piece of furniture in the parlor. Another significant furnishing in the room is a sofa once owned by thenresident Penelope Battle. The sofa may be a Thomas Day piece. Other tour stops on the first floor of the Blount-Bridgers House are the hall, featuring the newest addition to the museum, an 1832

Solomon Pender clock in working condition, and the Edgecombe Room, where visitors learn about Lord George and Sir Richard Edgecombe, from whom Edgecombe County gets its name. An elevator takes visitors to the second floor of the home, which is dedicated to art. The art gallery always has a seasonal exhibit. “We try to feature every six to eight weeks regional or local artists,” Turner said. “The exhibit upstairs right now is mainly ceramic or polymer clay. The artists are from Rocky Mount.” Also on display upstairs, in the hall and a side room, are original pieces by Hobson Pittman, an Edgecombe County artist who studied at prestigious art academies in Philadelphia. Among Pittman’s pieces on display are a pastoral scene he painted at the age of 10 and “the roses,” a romantic style painting. “He’s left this legacy for Tarboro to enjoy,” Banks said. “With the death of Hobson Pittman in 1972, the Pittman Family and the Town of Tarboro thought it (the Blount-Bridgers House) would be a good facility for the arts.” The Blount-Bridgers House has also served as a community gathering place over the years. “It was the community house right from the 1930’s until the 1970’s,” Banks said. “We had a swimming pool outside.” These days, Edgecombe Arts hosts “Second Saturdays” on the back lawn of the historic house during the summer months (June through August). The house is also home to the annual “Great Tarboro Art Bazaar,” an invitation-only November event. The Blount-Bridgers House also seems to be the “headquarters for tourism” in Tarboro, according to Banks. On many occasions, she has handed visitors a map of Tarboro and told them to explore the town. “A lot of people say, ‘This is a gorgeous town.’ It’s hidden away, really. It’s a surprising town,” said Banks. She often meets people who stop in town on a leisurely trip to or from the beach. She also sees return visitors. “I’ve been here many, many years, and it’s surprising the people who come back,” Banks said. “We have visitors from all over the world. The last group was from Japan.” The Blount-Bridgers House is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and by appointment only on weekends. For more information, call 823-4159. 11

“The Town of Tarboro – A History Lover’s Paradise” By MIRANDA BAINES Welcome to Tarboro Magazine

The Norfleet Cotton Press, located on Albemarle Avenue in the Tarboro Historic District, is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is one of the few cotton presses remaining in the South. (Staff photo/Miranda Baines)

The Town of Tarboro is a history lover’s paradise, with a Town Common dating back to the town’s 1760 charter, a central business district on the National Register of Historic Places, and the locally designated “Tarboro Historic District.” “The main focal point of the town is the Town Common along with the 45-block historic district,” said Betty Temple, chair of the Tarboro Historic Commission. She said the 45-block area was designated the “Tarboro Historic District” in 1976 by the town council. Students of architecture would benefit from a tour of the Tarboro Historic District. “We have the most architectural styles in North Carolina in our historic district – bungalow, Classic Revival, Federal style, Georgian style, Gothic Revival, Greek Revival, Queen Anne style, Victorian…” said Josh Edmondson, planning director for the Town of Tarboro. One of the hallmarks of the Tarboro Historic District is the Main Street Inn. Like many homes in the district, the inn has a wraparound front porch with rocking chairs, creating a welcoming, cozy atmosphere. As Edmondson says, Tarboro Historic District gives people a sense of the “good ole days.” “It just takes them back to a place when maybe things were simpler. It just takes you back in time and people really like that feeling,” says Edmondson. “I think Tarboro’s downtown and Tarboro’s residential areas have

a lot of character,” Temple said. “One of the things that appealed to me when I first came to Tarboro was the fact that it was an older town and that the people in Tarboro were interested in keeping the homes up.” Preserving the older features of the historic homes and accommodating necessary changes is a “balancing act,” said Temple. “We’re trying to preserve the past and look to the future,” she said. Temple also said the Town of Tarboro has taken an interest in historic preservation over the years and has done a wonderful job in making sure the places that need to be preserved are preserved. Edmondson, for one, has an interest in historic preservation. He noted that several venues in the Tarboro Historic District are on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Town Common, Calvary Episcopal Church on Church Street, the Blount-Bridgers House on Bridgers Street, the Walston-Bulluck House, also known as the Pender Museum, located behind the Blount-Bridgers House, and. the Norfleet Cotton Press and The Barracks, both on Albemarle Avenue. The Barracks, built in 1858, once housed Civil War soldiers. The Barracks is now a private residence. Built in the 1840’s, cotton presses such as the Norfleet Cotton Press were used to bale cotton, once a major crop in Edgecombe County. The Norfleet Cotton Press is one of only a few remaining in the South. Perhaps the most notable historic feature in Tarboro is the Town Common. “We’re one of only two original town commons in the United 13

The Pender Museum of History, built in 1810, is on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum is located on St. Andrew Street in the Tarboro Historic District. (Staff photo/Miranda Baines)

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The Barracks, located on Albemarle Avenue in Tarboro, was built in 1858 and previously housed Civil War soldiers. The Barracks is now a private residence and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (Staff photo/Miranda Baines)

States,” Edmondson said. The other town common is in Boston. The Common is a seven-acre open space stretching across the north end of the old section of town and is bordered by Panola, Wilson, Park and Albemarle. The original acreage for the Town of Tarboro included fifty acres for the Common, which surrounded the town on three sides – north, south and west, according to a history of the Common provided by Temple. The Common is decorated with community memorials, including Edgecombe military figures. The Common has been and continues to be a center for community activity. The North Carolina Symphony plays there and the annual Happening takes place there each May. The Common is also the site of weddings, picnics and neighborhood ball games. The community gathers for flag raising ceremonies each month at the veterans’ memorial on the west end of the Common. Monika Fleming, a local historian, gives tours of the Tarboro Historic District on Fridays and Saturdays any time and Sunday afternoons during the summer. “We recommend a donation of $5 to the Blount-Bridgers House,” Fleming said. “There is no charge for students.” To schedule a tour, call Fleming at home at 641-6465 or call the Blount-Bridgers House at 823-4159. Fleming will not be available for tours between the dates of June 14 and July 6. 14

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Indian Lake Park Welcome to Tarboro

Perhaps one of the most scenic areas in Tarboro 15

The five-mile nature trail that is used by walkers, joggers, cross-country runners, and bikers

Perhaps one of the most scenic areas in Tarboro is that located around Indian Lake Park and the Indian Lake Sports Complex located adjacent to one another in the northern section on Western Boulevard. Indian Lake Park is 52 acres that offers various outdoor recreational amenities. The focal point of the park is the five-acre lake that is stocked with bass, channel catfish, sunfish, and crappie. Business meetings, family reunions, and birthday parties are held at the open-air pavilion. Other features of the park are a five-mile nature trail that is used by walkers, joggers, cross-country runners, and bikers. A Horseshoe pits, a volleyball court, picnic tables with grills, and camping ground are also big crowd pleasers. Soccer lovers take advantaged of a large opened field near the pavilion to play pickup games. Park hours are from sun up to sun down. When the sun goes down, especially in the summer, cheers and jeers could be heard from the adjacent Indian Lake Sports Complex. The complex is one of the best state-of-the-art baseball/softball facilities. The immaculate complex opened in March 1999 on 75 acres. Surrounded by a spacious convenient parking lot, the epicenter of the complex is the five lighted baseball/softball fields that encompass a fully operational reporting tower. The tower is equipped with a concession stand, scoreboard operations, and 2-way phone systems used for substitutions during games. The complex has 16

Entrance to the Park

been one of Tarboroâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest draws of visitors into the community. During the summer months, the fields are action packed hosting various womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fast and slow pitch softball tournaments. Little League Baseball tournaments also draws hundreds of players, coaches fans and spectators from all across Eastern North Carolina. The complex is very conducive to tournaments allowing five games to be played at once. This is one of the few such complexes east of Raleigh that can easily and efficiently accommodate large multi-team tournaments. Accompanying the baseball/softball center are two soccer fields, four tennis courts, and a large playground with a shelter.

elcome to our practice. We appreciate the opportunity to provide you with dental care. Our staff members are welltrained professionals who work together as a team to bring you the highest quality treatment in a warm, caring setting. Dr. G.T. Ward is a Graduate of the University of North Carolina Dental School, and is a life-long resident of North Carolina. The goal of this office is to offer competent dental care with emphasis on you as our special patient. We believe your smile should last a lifetime and we are here to make sure it does.

Office Hours and Appointments

We see all of our patients on an appointment basis. Monday - Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed for lunch, 12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00

G.T. Ward, D.D.S (252) 823-3864

P.O. Box 86, 112 St. John St. Tarboro, North Carolina

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823-2466 Owned & Operated By

Kenny & Brenda Honeycutt

Edgecombe

Homecare & Hospice

A Division of Edgecombe County Health Department

Caring for our Community Since 1973 Medicare Certified Accredited by Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc.

Home Health Community Alternatives Program 1101198.1

State Farm, Home Office, Bloomington, IL

P.O. Box 100, Tarboro, NC • 252.641.7518 www.edgecombecountync.gov 17

Military Museum By CALVIN ADKINS Welcome to Tarboro Magazine

For military history buffs, going to the Edgecombe County Veteran’s Military Museum will be like throwing a rabbit in a briar patch.

Patriotism and service to country is revered in a collection of military artifacts and uniforms from the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, WWI, WWII, the Korean War, the Gulf War, and the Iraq War. The memorabilia were all donated by Edgecombe veterans or their families. A research room houses over hundreds of books, CDs, and DVDs. The museum, located at 106 West Church Street in historic downtown Tarboro, is opened from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Admission is free. Joel Bourne, who died in February, was one of the driving force behind the museum which was opened in 2004. Two years prior, the War l War II marine helped raised $80,000 to build the Veterans Memorial on the Town Common. Instead of allowing the memorial just to be a symbol, Bourne and his counterparts organized a monthly flag-raising ceremony that honor Edgecombe County deceased veterans. Apparently that was enough for Bourne. Bourne and his counterparts went back to the table again and they drew up plans for the museum. Since then, the museum has been housed in three different buildings and now can boast on a collection of thousands of artifacts, pictures, uniforms and the list goes on. Perhaps one of the most intriguing feature is the collection of local veteran pictures. Family members of veterans, as well as veterans from the American Revolution to the Afghanistan and Iraqi War, have donated more than 800 portraits which are uniquely displayed in a black 8x10 frame throughout the museum. The walls leading to the museum’s library are filled with the portraits. “We have about 800 pictures but that’s not enough,” said Bennie Warren, a Marine veteran who volunteers at the museum. “But we would like to have 1800.” Warren’s favorite collection is the military rifles and guns. Warren and other gun collectors have loan or donated parts of their collections. Some of them includes guns that were used by Germany Russian, Britain, Vietnamese and the Japanese. There are also three American machine guns on display. Also among the collection is memorabilia from Gen. Hugh Shelton. Shelton, an Edgecombe County native, was the Joint Chief of Staff from 1997 to 2001. Shelton was the guest speaker at the initial 19

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Sale Price ~ $225,000

For an appointment ~ Call 252-641-1359 This beautiful 2-story custom-built Federal style house with many desirable features is located on a quiet street in the Colonial Woods neighborhood of Tarboro, NC. Details:

· 2400 sq. ft. house on 1⁄2 acre wooded lot, landscaped and partially fenced; 300 sq. ft. concrete/brick patio · 4 bedrooms; 2.5 bathrooms; formal living and dining rooms; den with fireplace; enclosed sunroom · Full kitchen with granite countertops and breakfast bar; subway tile backsplash; adjacent breakfast area with bay window

This row of picture is a few of more than 800 that has been donated to the museum.

ceremony that unveiled the Veterans Memorial. He is a honorary member of the Veterans Museum. In a story that was published in The Daily Southerner when Shelton was named honorary chairman he said, “The Edgecombe County Veterans Military Museum was established to recognize and preserve the history of the tremendous sacrifices and contributions made by Edgecombe County veterans to protect our nation’s security. It will serve as an enduring memorial to those who have helped defend America’s freedom. I am proud to serve as the honorary chairman of the museum, seeking through this very worthwhile endeavor to preserve our heritage and to honor those who served our nation.” Other interesting artifacts that are displayed in the museum includes a World War II jeep and World War II Harley-Davidson motorcycle, war helmets from at least five different countries, and fully dressed mannequins in uniforms that were worn by Edgecombe County veterans. “We have a lot of stuff in here to see,” Warren said. “There’s a lot of history in here. If you haven’t been you need to come.” 20

Local names. Local faces. Local activities.

CALL TODAY FOR SUBSCRIPTION SPECIALS The Daily Southerner 504 W. Wilson St. • Tarboro, NC • 823-3106 www.dailysoutherner.com

The truck has been moved 301 N. Howard Circle For Welcome to Tarboro Magazine photos by Al Hull

A garden will be selected for this distinction each month by Edgecombe’s Extension Master Gardeners. If you have a garden that you would like to nominate, call the extension office at 641-7815 or email your suggestion to askemgv@gmail.com

A neighbor once complained that the pickup truck parked in front of Judy Sessoms’ house at 301 N. Howard Circle blocked the view of “your beautiful yard.” The truck has been moved, and it is not unusual for drivers to slow down and enjoy what they can see from the street. The front yard is a diverse palette of greens (grass and shrubs), red (Japanese maple and begonia) and even silver (Dusty Miller). The house has what real estate agents call curb appeal. “I love to dig in the dirt,” said Sessoms, 66. “It’s the best therapy in the world. You can’t look at the flowers and not know there is a God.” Sessoms’ yard is the Edgecombe Master Gardeners Garden of the Month for May. The back yard is also colorful, with roses (yellow, white, red, blood red and peach), dogwood trees (white and pink) and vegetable plants (tomatoes, peppers ) here and there between azaleas, camellias, begonias, peonies, hostas, hibiscus, figs, apple trees, impatient, lantana, liriope, sweet potato vine, butterfly bushes, Vinca and much more. The irises on one side of the yard look like a purple wall. “It’s a work in progress,” said Sessoms, who admits a slope out front “is a challenge.” When Sessoms and her husband Billy moved in seven years ago, “there were three or four great big plants and ivy,” she recalled, “lots of ivy. I had things planned in my mind how I wanted it to look. I don’t know what I want, but when I see something I like, I get it.” Billy, who enjoyed working in the yard with his wife, passed away a few years ago. Memorial plants that friends sent to Judy were planted in the yard. They are thriving now as it seems everything else, as well. “I don’t watch a lot of TV,” Sessoms said, “but I watch a lot of gardening shows.” From Martha Stewart, Sessoms learned to use Epson salts around her roses. The flower beds are curved, easy to mow around. “You can look up everything on the Internet,” Sessoms added. “Of course, I have learned a lot by my mistakes.” Her grandson Justin, 19, will not let her mow the grass. “He’s been a great help,” she said, “because I work full time.” Sessoms, whose father was a forest warden who spent hours in a tower, believes she picked up her love of flowers from her grandmother, who lived on a farm. Sessoms’ says her son Kendall has even better luck growing flowers. He has a tobacco farm near Zebulon. Coworkers and friends often benefit from Sessoms’ green thumb. She shares her knowledge and plants. “People may love a plant and not know anything about it,” she said. “I just tell them plants are like children. You have to love ‘em, feed ‘em and appreciate them.” 21

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