Recent Articles

Dana Stewart Johnson and Brandon Yates Howell were united in marriage on October 10, 2015 during a 5:30 p.m. ceremony held at the Imperial Centre for Arts and Sciences in Rocky Mount. The ceremony was officiated by Dr. David L. Cook.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Luther Johnson of Rocky Mount.

The Rocky Mount Inn, a landmark on Highway 301 just a little over two miles south of North Carolina Wesleyan College, was recently donated to the college by its long-time local owner, prominent businessman Dong Jin, and his family.
"The college is extremely grateful for this very generous gift," said Wesleyan President Dr. Dewey Clark. "We are pleased at how well-kept the facility is. It's in great condition and opens up some exciting possibilities for the college.

Cliff Joyner of the financial services firm Edward Jones in Nashville has been authorized by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board) to use the certification mark CFP®.
Joyner successfully completed CFP Board's initial certification requirements, which include completion of financial planning coursework and passing a comprehensive examination.

SpringBoardNC, along with partner organization the Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce, has announced that James D. Gailliard, Sr., Pastor, Word Tabernacle Church has joined the program as the host of Shark Tank by SpringBoardNC 2016. Joan Siefert Rose, CEO, Council of Entrepreneurial Development, Sterrett Lloyd, President, Draka Elevator Products, Inc., and Mark Little, Director, NCGrowth have also agreed to serve as "sharks" (judges) for event.
"We are thrilled to have such an incredible mix of community and business leaders, entrepreneurial experts and CEOs joining our program" said Phil Dixon, President, SpringBoardNC. "With their expertise and guidance, we are in for a really fun, exciting competition"

Nashville Elementary School's Odyssey of the Mind teams are preparing for an upcoming regional competition and are raising money to help with expenses.
Westridge Grill has agreed to donate a percentage of their profits on Monday, February 1 to the school's Odyssey of the Mind teams. Have a meal anytime during that day and help support Odyssey of the Mind.
Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college.

U.S. Army Reserve Pvt. Tiaysha D. Thomas has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Jackson, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.

Anna Strickland (right) has been named the Southern Nash Middle School Spelling Bee Champion. Also pictured is Ashley Moore (left) who was named first runner-up. both girls are in the 7th grade and will be competing in the district-wide Advancement Spelling Bee on March 10 at 6:30 pm, at the Dunn Center on the campus of NC Wesleyan College. The Advancement Spelling Bee is sponsored by the Delta Center for Life Development, and the winner will receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, DC, to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

The Rocky Mount Area Association of REALTORS recently held their annual Installation of Officers and Awards Banquet at Birchwood Country Club in Nashville. Treasure Faircloth, 2016 President Elect of the North Carolina Association of REALTORS installed the officers. The 2016 officers for The Rocky Mount Area Association of REALTORS are Max Avent, President; Ken Sikes, President Elect; Kenny Bullard, Vice President; Judy Winstead, Secretary; Bill Soloman, Treasurer.

Nash Community College is one of the beneficiaries of the Fifth Duke K.I.D.S. Golf Classic held recently at Belmont Lake Golf Club. The event raises money for Duke Children's Hospital to assist Kids In Desperate Situations (K.I.D.S.). The lobby on the first floor of the College's Continuing Education and Public Services Building was named this year in honor of contributions to the College by West Mount Ruritan Club and Duke K.I.D.S. Donations from the event to the College will aid in the education and training of current and future EMS and Nursing students.

YOU FOUND A PET. Now What? CAUTION - Make sure the owner IS the owner. Ask for vet records, photos. There are dog fighters picking up bait dogs, etc.
ABUSED or MISTREATED? - Not necessarily, don't assume. A dog's appearance can drastically change within a short period and so can their behavior when lost. They lose weight, get injuries and matted plus a scared dog will continue to act that way with their finder.

On a beautiful, sunny morning, Peachtree Folks gathered for worship. [It was hard to realize that services were cancelled just last Sunday on account of ice and snow.]
Sanctuary flowers were given by Bob and Fran Bunn in honor of their son, Bobby, on the occasion of his birthday. The Adult Choir, under the direction of the pastor, sang "Thy Word."

Baptist Men's Day was wonderful at Red Oak Baptist Church on Sunday, January 31! The day began with the Baptist Men's Breakfast and then the men led all parts of the morning worship service. The Men's Choir led the music and performed a special selection. Phil Davenport gave the welcome and announcements followed by prayer. Nate James, Associate Pastor, performed on guitar. Justin Carp shared a great message. Larry Camp gave the benediction. Thanks to everyone who worked to make this day special.

It's hard to believe, but it's already February. Wasn't it just yesterday we were mourning the end of summer? Wasn't it just yesterday we were discussing whether the Carolina Panthers could actually make it to the Super Bowl? Wasn't it just yesterday we celebrated Christmas? My how time flies.
Time goes so quickly that we are now less than a week from Ash Wednesday, which is the beginning of Lent. In the Christian tradition Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent (the 40 days prior to Easter).

Hope everyone is doing great and were safe and warm during the snow and ice we had. If you have watched the news you will realize we, here, were blessed. Some other areas are much worse. Usually when we face individual problems we can always see others that have things much worse. Always be thankful for all your blessings! We have a really great blessing! Our little great grandchild, Autumn Fisher, whom we have asked you to pray for, had her heart surgery on January 28 and she is doing great.

Marianne Matthews (at left), Mu Chapter Treasurer, received a donation from Dianne Day (at right), Mu Chapter member and Pampered Chef Consultant. Day organized a fundraiser for Mu Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International and donated her commission to the chapter. The funds will be used to continue to support beginning teachers, Schools in Africa, as well as a variety of professional development opportunities for members.

Friday, February 5 from 2 until 6 p.m. at Parkwood Baptist Church, 1731 Hunter Hill Road, Rocky Mount
Wednesday, February 10 from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at Nash Community College in Building A, 522 N Old Carriage Road, Rocky Mount
Wednesday, February 10 from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at Nash Health Care Systems, 2460 Curtis Ellis Drive, Rocky Mount
Friday, February 12 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Braswell Memorial Library, 727 North Grace Street, Rocky Mount

My buddy John and I met in Wilson the other day for lunch. He's left Nash County, but somehow over the course of his life missed dining at one of our neighboring county's finest icons: Dick's Hot Dog Stand.
Many stories have been written about this place, so I won't belabor the point. It was the first time I'd set foot in there without seeing Soc, the founder's son and proprietor for the better part of a half century. Lee, the grandson, was still ringing the register, and the wait staff, while different faces, fit the same, kind, smiling profile as ever.

As I sat in Monday morning's meeting of the Nash County Board of Commissioners, I had trouble paying attention.
I kept thinking about how a year ago, I was preparing to go into labor. I didn't know it at the time or I certainly wouldn't have covered the meeting but my water broke right in the middle of that February 2, 2015 meeting!
It was pretty exciting, and scary, to say the least. But in the end, things turned out pretty good. I ended up with yet another cute little boy.