Nash County Commissioners approved a request from the Town of Nashville on Monday to donate easements for sidewalk construction at the Nash County Agriculture Center.
The Town of Nashville requested that the board approve and donate a permanent easement of around 218 square feet and a temporary easement of around 3,409 square feet.

Nashville Mayor Donald Street swore in Councilman Larry Taylor for his second term on the Town Council. Taylor was also sworn in as the Mayor Pro-Tem.

Nashville’s Town Council appointed Larry Taylor to serve as the Mayor Pro-Tem during the regular council meeting on Tuesday night.
Taylor will serve as the mayor in Mayor Donald Street’s absence.
Taylor thanked the council for selecting him and said he’d do his best.

Parents and local officials were invited on a Technology Tour at Southern Nash High School on Thursday, November 21 as part of National Parent Involvement Day. As part of the tour, guests were shown several different classrooms and how they have incorporated technology into learning. Among those attending were Bailey Mayor Timothy Johnson, Spring Hope Mayor Buddy Gwaltney, Middlesex Mayor LuHarvey Lewis and NRMS Board Members Jon Hardy and Franklin Lamm.

Beverly Cooper, the mother of Attorney General Roy A. Cooper, III and District Court Judge Pell Cooper, passed away on Saturday, November 30, 2013. She was 84 years old.
Though Cooper was the mother of North Carolina’s Attorney General and a District Court Judge, to those in Nash County, she leaves behind a legacy all her own.

Mayor Al Wester and Commissioner Levell Langley and Barbara Tyre were sworn into another term of service for the Town of Red Oak in a freshly remodeled town hall. The new interior of the Town Hall on Main Street was unveiled at the regular monthly business meeting held in December 2.
The town hall building was formerly divided into two main sections—an office/meeting area in the front and a large unfinished storage area in the back.

Spring Hope Commissioners amended the town’s loud noise ordinance to make it more costly for offenders.
The town changed the ordinance several years ago from a state violation to a civil violation with a $50 penalty, Town Manager John Holpe told commissioners. The change was for all violations, however, Holpe said the change is not working well for the loud noise ordinance.

Bessie Bone recently celebrated her 100th birthday by giving out handmade hot pads to family and friends who attended the celebration.
The hot pads were crocheted by Bone herself and over 75 people attended the November 16th party to celebrate Bone’s birthday, which was on Friday, November 29.

INCIDENTS
A larceny was reported on 11/27/13 at 912 Brake Street
A driving while license revoked, larceny after breaking and entering and breaking and entering a residential was reported on 11/29/13 at 1739 Oak Level Road

A second degree trespassing was reported on 11/25/13 at 222 W Washington Street
A financial card fraud was reported on 11/25/13 at 4871 Courtney Drive
A breaking, entering and larceny of a residence was reported 11/25/13 at 1479 Waynes Lane
A breaking, entering and larceny of a residence was reported on 11/25/13 at 2450 Frazier Road

Wesley Stephen and Jeanette Bissette Ferrell celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Friday, November 29, 2013 with a special dinner hosted by their daughters. The couple were wed on November 27, 1963. They are now living in Wilson but attended school in the Spring Hope area. They have two daughters, Stephanie Gardner and her husband, Alan, and Angela Bisbee and her husband, Jeff and five grandchildren.

Leslie  Claire Harrelson and Duncan Powell Blackwell were united in marriage at half past four o’clock on Saturday, September 7th, 2013, in Powell Chapel at Second Baptist Church in Richmond, Va. The Reverend Micah Voraritskul officiated.

Columbiettes, Bonnie Kane and Ruth Gall, assist other Columbiettes, and Knights of Columbus, of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, to assemble and distribute Thanksgiving boxes.  The Knights provided enough food for 111 families to enjoy a nice Thanksgiving dinner, which included turkey and all the trimmings.

Dr. Anthony Jackson (far right) is pictured with Franklin Lamm (far left), Vice Chair, and Evelyn Bulluck (center), Chair, following his recognition as a finalist for Superintendent of the Year.

Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools received numerous honors during the North Carolina School Board Associations annual conference held at the Joseph S. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro November 18-20.
The Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools Honors Band & Dance Ensemble performed during one of the conference’s general sessions.

Member of the West Mount Ruritan Club honored community heroes, including veterans, emergency services personnel and senior citizens, on Saturday, November 16.
Following a lunch of barbeque and friend chicken with all the trimmings, the group enjoyed a POW/MIA presentation by James Ervin and Herbert Joyner, members of the Oak Level Ruritan Club who were representing American Legion Post 110, VFW Post 2057 and the Joint Veterans Committee of Nash and Edgecombe Counties.

Western Carolina University conferred degrees on 291 students who completed their studies during the summer school session of 2013.
A total of 55 undergraduate students received academic honors, with 18 graduating summa cum laude (with highest honors), 20 graduating magna cum laude (with high honors) and 17 graduating cum laude (with honors).

The Special Olympics North Carolina state-level bocce tournament for Special Olympics programs in the eastern part of the state was held on Saturday, Oct. 19 at Gillette Athletic Complex in Wilson.
The SONC Bocce East Tournament consisted of more than 170 athletes and Unified Partners, 75 coaches and had 80 volunteers supporting the event, according to Keith L. Fishburne, president/CEO of SONC.

Elizabeth City State University honored area Teachers of the Year during the annual American Education Week assembly on November 21.

Nash County Cooperative Extension hosted its annual “Farm-City Country Breakfast” last Tuesday morning at the Farmers Market in Rocky Mount.
Close to 150 came out for the breakfast, which is held each year to bring the community together to celebrate agriculture.

Nashville’s Library hosted a children’s craft time on Saturday, November 23. Children made several Christmas ornaments, with help from library staff and Nashville Community Services Officer Jennifer Bull. Pictured above, Bull helps youth work on a snowman ornament.

The Tar River Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation visited My Sister’s House just prior to Thanksgiving to donate turkeys as well as sweet potatoes for the organization to give to its clients. The organization donates turkeys and sweet potatoes each year to several local organizations. The sweet potatoes were donated by Spring Acres Farms in Spring Hope.

The Nash County 4-H Electric Club was recently invited to give a presentation to the Dortches Ruritan Club.
With club leader John Wind, president Elias Moore and vice president Jasper Cruz brought display boards and oral presentations about the club’s activities. The board Moore made included photos and newspaper articles that show how the club conducts meetings, along with the club’s main activities and projects.

Our choir sang “We Are So Blessed” for the call to worship. Pastor Aycock welcomed everyone and prayed the prayer of invocation. Prayer concerns were shared, Standley Bass, Tina Lamm, Bob Watkins, all other sick and shut-ins, hurting and the lost. We pray for our soldiers and missionaries, and nation’s leaders.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and had a chance to be with family and friends. Four generations of the Callahan family from Virginia visited with Rose Callahan, sister of Dorothy Callahan Fisher, at Fountains at the Albemarle, in Tarboro, on Thanksgiving Day. They enjoyed a Thanksgiving dinner together. Afterwards there was a tour of historic Tarboro. The family of 37 enjoyed visiting with each other before returning home.

Area producers wanting coverage through the Noninsurable Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) are urged to purchase it now before the sales closing date of January 1, 2014.
NAP provides financial assistance to Nash County producers of noninsurable crops when low yields/grazing loss, loss of inventory or prevented planting occur due to natural disasters including drought, freeze, hail, excessive moisture, excessive wind or hurricanes.

“You all might think you are being funny, but let me tell you, you most certainly are not,” the teacher said. She was peering over the top rim of her spectacles, and she was not happy.
That icy glance seemed to freeze on me, personally, as I sat near the front. There were only about a dozen of us in the English class. I was intimidated, because I had no idea what lesson this lady was trying to impart. My classmates were equally at a loss.

Thanksgiving brought many families together last week, offering us all a time to give thanks for our many blessings in life.
Ironically, the holiday weekend was also a farewell to a couple of very special people.
Mr. William A.  “Billy” Joyner, Sr.  of the Coopers Community passed away at the age of 90 on Thanksgiving Day.
Though Mr. Joyner was never one to stand in the spotlight, he played a large role in building the foundation of the Coopers Community.

Dear Editor:
Over the past few weeks I have enjoyed the banter going on in the local newspapers about which political party best represents the interests of the poor and working class.

POW WOW –– This photo originally published in The Graphic on  November 23, 1967. Kindergarten students take part in a Thanksgiving play at Nashville Baptist Church. Pictured standing are Lisa Joyner (left) and Virginia Suiter.  Pictured seated, left to right, are Greg Wallace, Daniel Bass and Allen Weeks.

As the last month of the year begins, I wonder.... is it worth it?  I’m talking about all the time, money, heartache and energy it takes to help save the pets.  Then I look thru the albums and when I see the ones saved, the answer is YES.   Mind you, I have to find a balance between my personal life and my volunteering to help the Nash pets.

MAKE YOUR MOVE ON THE MAT. A Northern Nash wrestler (right) tangles with a Pasquotank opponent as part of last Thursday afternoon’s I-95 Duals, which were staged at the Northern Nash High School Gymnasium in Red Oak.

RED OAK -- For the past several years, a wrestling feast has been staged the day before Thanksgiving at the Northern Nash High School Gymnasium.
The tradition continued this season as the Knights hosted their annual I-95 Duals -- a mat event that featured some of the area’s top programs, including Coach Corey Mercer’s successful NNHS program.

ALEXIS WITH AN AGGRESSIVE MOVE. Northern Nash’s Alexus Hill (left) heads to the basket during last Tuesday’s home victory against D.H. Conley.

RED OAK -- The 2013-14 basketball season didn’t begin exactly the way Northern Nash had hoped -- but the Lady Knights are currently making up for that brief bit of lost time.
Northern kicked off its schedule Nov. 20 with a 56-51 road loss at Southern Wayne -- the same club the Lady Knights eliminated last season in the first round of the Class 3-A State Playoffs.

PRUNTY’S POINTS. Northern Nash’s Darryl Prunty scores in the paint for the Knights during last Tuesday’s home boys basketball showdown with D.H. Conley.

RED OAK -- Most coaches would be happy to begin the season with two victories in their first three tries -- and Northern Nash boys basketball skipper Rick Ruffin is no exception.
Still, Ruffin can’t help but feel a tinge of emptiness about his squad’s 2-1 start, especially after the Knights blew a lead en route to falling 49-43 at home last Tuesday against the D.H. Conley Vikings.

ROCKY MOUNT -- North Carolina Wesleyan College will begin its 2014 baseball season with a home series against Eastern Mennonite on Feb. 8-9 at Bauer Field on the NCWC campus.
Wesleyan’s complete ledger is as follows, with home events listed in CAPS:

NASH COUNTY -- Listed are last Friday’s results and this Friday’s semifinal schedule in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association State Football Playoffs

RED OAK -- Lisa Clark’s final season as Red Oak Middle School’s volleyball coach was certainly one to remember.
Clark, who also serves as Red Oak’s Athletic Director, guided the Lady Tigers through a dominant regular season of action in the always-competitive Tri-County Conference.
Red Oak would qualify for the semifinals of the Tri-County Tournament, where the Lady Tigers’ exceptional campaign would close with a loss against Toisnot.

MAKING AN IMPACT AFTER GRADUATION. Ex-Knights’ wrestling standouts Bryan Sweet (second from left) and Deshaun Taylor (right) are among the former Northern Nash High School performers who still contribute as volunteer assistant coaches under Corey Mercer. Last Wednesday, Northern Nash hosted its annual I-95 Duals Tournament at the NNHS Gymnasium. Northern Nash won all four of its team matches.

ANOTHER GREAT SEASON. The Southern Nash Firebirds wrapped up their 2013 football campaign on Nov. 23 with a road loss at Eastern Wayne in the second round of the Class 3-A State Playoffs. Here are a few highlights from the contest (above): Sophomore wide receiver Tahj Deans takes off with the ball en route to a substantial gain.

ANOTHER GREAT SEASON. The Southern Nash Firebirds wrapped up their 2013 football campaign on Nov. 23 with a road loss at Eastern Wayne in the second round of the Class 3-A State Playoffs. Here are a few highlights from the contest (above): Taylor Finch follows his blockers on his way to a nice run.

RED OAK -- The Northern Nash High School Hunter Safety Team recently participated in a match at Rose Hill Sporting Clays in Nashville.
The club, which was started last year, won first, second, third, fifth and seventh places in the 50-target clay course.
A total of 14 Knights took part in the event and were placed on three-man teams.

Cindy Lawrence of Nashville received her Orange Belt in Gama Goju Karate on November 23 from Nashville Academy of Martial Arts Sensei Allen Clark.

Jameson Harrell, 5, of Tarboro, received his orange with white stripe belt on November 23 from Nashville Academy of Martial Arts  Sensei Allen Clark. Jameson is part of the Tiny Nama Tots (T.N.T.)  Program for ages 4-6.

A Northern Nash wrestler (top) takes down a Pasquotank wrestler during last Wednesday’s action as part of the annual I-95 Duals Tournament at the NNHS Gymnasium.

Northern Nash’s Kyree Clark (right) floats into the paint for a basket during the Knights’ non-conference meeting last Tuesday night against the D.H. Conley Vikings from Pitt County.

Northern Nash backcourt standout Demonte Johnson dribbles past a D.H.  Conley defender during last Tuesday’s non-conference boys basketball event, which was held at the NNHS Gymnasium.

Northern Nash’s Susanna Sykes drives for a basket during last Tuesday’s home basketball decision over the D.H. Conley Lady Vikings.

Decorate your bikes, wagons, scooters, strollers or yourself and march in your very own parade!
Open to all children 12 years-old and younger.
NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES.
Prizes awarded to the most spirited entries.
$50 for 1st Place, $25 for 2nd, 3rd & 4th Place

A new addition to the Christmas festivities in Nashville will be a movie for the kids at  Stoney Creek Environmental Park. The movie is part of the town’s Outdoor Movie Series, which is in its first year. This is the final movie in the series. The movie, “Arthur Christmas,” will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 7.

North Carolina Wesleyan College will offer a variety of free Christmas activities for all ages on Thursday, December 5, from 5 until 8 p.m.
Visitors may begin the evening by attending a rehearsal of the Wesleyan Singers in Leon  Russell Chapel from  5:00 to 6:30  p.m.

The City of Rocky Mount’s Parks and Recreation Department is ready to celebrate the magic of the season and has appropriately titled events scheduled as Holiday Happenings. There are over 15 Holiday Happenings to choose from, including the notable Winter Wonderland.

ROCKY MOUNT –– Alton B. Smith, 52, of Rocky Mount,  died on Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at Nash General Hospital in Rocky Mount.

ROCKY MOUNT ––Bettie Richardson, age 64, passed away on Friday, November 29, 2013. A funeral will be held on Friday, December 6, 2013 at 1 p.m. from the St. Paul Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Oakland Cemetery. Rev. Dennis Jones will officiate.

WHITAKERS –– Bridget House Robinson, 49, passed away. She was born December 24, 1963, in Fitzgerald, Georgia, daughter of the late Larry and Bonnie House.

Catherine Vick Strickland, age 92, passed away Monday, November 25, 2013. Born in Nash County on July 18, 1921, she was the daughter of the late Walter Thomas Vick and Siddie Pearl Vick. She was also preceded in death by her husband, R.S. Strickland and brothers, Isaac, Edward and Douglas Vick and Walter Thomas Vick Jr.

ROCKY MOUNT ––Elvin Battle Lloyd, 85, died November 23, 2013.

G.L. Bissette, 73, of Bailey passed away on November 29, 2013. A graveside service was held on December 3, 2013 in the  Bailey Town Cemetery, Bailey. The Rev. Randy Stallings  officiated.

RALEIGH –– Gertrude W. Garrett, 82, died on Monday, November 25, 2013 in Raleigh.

Hildred “Nanny” Elizabeth Joyner, 86, of Bailey passed away on November 29, 2013.  A funeral service was held December 2, 2013 at  Joyner’s Funeral Home, Wilson. A graveside service will be held December 3, 2013 in Bailey Town Cemetery, Bailey. The Rev. Charles Thompson  officiated.

ROCKY MOUNT - Minister Starline Batts, 63, of Rocky Mount, died on Saturday, November 30, 2013 in Rocky Mount.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Rocky Mount location of H.D. Pope Funeral Home.
Arrangements by H.D. Pope Funeral Home in Rocky Mount.

Peggy Joyce Edwards, 77, of Middlesex passed on November 29, 2013. A graveside service was held on December 2, 2013. in Evergreen Memorial Park, Wilson. The Rev. Butch Gordon officiated.

Rochester Longstreet age 56, died Dec. 1, 2013 at his residence.

NASHVILLE –– Ruby Baker Harris Boulden, 92, passed away on Thursday November 28, 2013. She was born November 15, 1921 in Nash County to the late Jesse Baker Harris and Mary Susie Whitehead Harris.