Recent Articles

John Henry Brown was born in Orangeburg South Carolina, May 24, 1931, the son of Isaac and Florence Brown.

Cicero Daniel “C.D.”  Jones II, 77, passed away, Monday, January 6, 2014.  He was born July 18, 1936 in Nash County to the late John Thomas and Lois Connor Jones.  In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a brother, Connor Jones.

Richard Lucas, Sr. age 86 of Rocky Mount passed away January 5, 2014.

Okay, readers, you know the drill: it is January and that means it is time for the Soapbox’s annual predictions. As you all remember, for the 15th year in a row, the Soapbox got all of its predictions for 2013 right. So place your bets now for 2014.

Every town seems to have a mom and pop type grill that everyone just loves.
I grew up around Bethel and our little eatery was, and still is, Da-Nite.
Oh, how I loved Da-Nite!
They had some of the best hot dogs and hamburgers in all of Eastern Carolina. I used to get so excited to learn how I was going to be eating there.

Dear Editor:
How disappointingly ironic it is that the City of Rocky Mount’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Commissions’ celebration is called a “Unity Breakfast” when the commission has invited Dr. Julianne Malveaux to be this year’s featured speaker. Dr. Malveaux is a highly partisan and controversial figure.

Dear Commissioner and Council Member,
I have communicated with you concerning the antiquated and unfair method of obtaining revenue from a tax on property. The worse thing is no response at all. As we begin another year, confidence in government, at all levels, is at an all-time low. Please consider some of the following points and make an effort to respond. There must be someone in Nashville that can crunch the numbers.        

This photo is believed to have been taken in 1934.  Pictured are Clarence and Johnny Parker and Johnny’s daugther Daisy.

The president and several members of Congress are proposing to fund the extension of unemployment benefits again. Before they do that they should look at Denmark’s study on unemployment benefits along with our own experience.

The Tar River Chorus has announced auditions for their 2014 concert. Auditions will be held by appointment only Jan. 20th at NC Wesleyan Chapel. Appointments can be arranged by contacting the Tar River Chorus conductor, Michael Glasgow either by phone or by email. Phone 919 845-0303 / email michael@michaelglasgow.com

Students from Nash Community College’s Thirty-Eighth Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy graduated on Thursday, January 9th. The program includes physical and classroom state commission mandated topics and methods of instruction. The training covers subjects including criminal, juvenile, civil, traffic, and alcohol beverage laws, investigative, patrol, custody, and court procedures, emergency responses, ethics, community relations and more.

The prelude by the musicians for the morning worship was ”Nothing is Impossible.” Pastor Ronnie welcomed everyone and prayed the prayer of invocation. Hymns of worship were “Praise Him! Praise Him!” and “A Shelter in the Time of Storm.” Algie Jones led the singing. The ushers received the tithes and offerings, we sang the doxology and greeted one another.

The youth of Red Oak United Methodist Church remain active in the life of the church. In addition to baking cookies for some of their home-bound members, they have also recently presented the proceeds from the Thanksgiving Benefit Breakfast to Courtney Moss and her family. Youth meetings are planned for Sunday afternoons at 4 pm at ROUMC. All young people in the community are invited to attend.

Nash Central’s Michaela Nelms drives for a basket during her team’s home loss last Friday night against the Rocky Mount Lady Gryphons.

Nash Central freshman Myia Spivey eyes a free throw for the Lady Bulldogs during last Friday night’s home conference setback against rival Rocky Mount High School.

STANHOPE -- In all its years of hosting the prestigious Firebird Duals Wrestling Tournament, Southern Nash had never finished in the Top Two of the team standings -- despite filing out a perennially strong mat roster.
That changed last Saturday as the Firebirds offered a historic performance at their annual wrestling event at the SNHS Gymmnasium.

Southern Nash’s Warren Ashley (top) picks up some points as part of last Saturday’s action at the Firebird Duals Tournament at the SNHS Gymnasium.

STANHOPE -- Every match provides a building opportunity for the Northern Nash High School wrestling squad.
The young Knights have taken a few lumps here and there this season -- all with the hope that the club will peak and grow through experience heading into the upcoming Big East Conference individual and team tournaments.
NN head coach Corey Mercer has loaded his schedule with challenging competition, including a trip last Saturday to take part in the annual Firebird Duals at Southern Nash High School.

NASHVILLE -- The Nashville Parks and Recreation Department will conduct Spring Sports Registration in February.
League offerings are as follows:
• T-Ball -- (Boys and Girls Ages 3-6)
• Rookie Baseball -- (Boys Ages 7-8)

STANHOPE -- Robbie Kennedy couldn’t have asked for a better start to the Big East Conference boys basketball schedule.
Kennedy’s Southern Nash Firebirds had the lofty task of hosting previously undefeated Wilson Fike during last Friday’s league opener for both clubs at the SNHS Gymnasium.

ROCKY MOUNT -- Given the back-and-forth nature of the game, last Thursday’s boys basketball meeting between Red Oak Middle School and Parker was destined to go down to the final minute.
That’s exactly what happened as the homestanding Pirates used a strong closing stretch to edge Red Oak by a 41-39 tally in Tri-County Conference action.

Red Oak Middle School’s Deon Canady finds an open teammate during last Thursday afternoon’s boys basketball event at Parker.

DEMOREST, GA. -- Sophomore Brandon Brown netted 20 points off the bench to lead his North Carolina Wesleyan College men’s basketball team to an 86-83 win at Piedmont College on Sunday.
A close game from start to finish, the contest featured 10 ties and 14 lead changes.
The Bishops held their biggest lead of the contest midway through the first half when a Devontae Williams jump shot put Wesleyan on top 26-16 at the 9:32 mark.

ROCKY MOUNT -- The second time around didn’t provide a different scenario for the Nash Central Bulldogs along backyard basketball rival Rocky Mount.
NCHS had tangled with the Gryphons just before the holidays at the annual Nash County Christmas Tournament -- and had been defeated by 12 points.

Northern Nash’s Paulo Sanchez (top) picks up two points during his club’s team match versus Havelock as part of last Saturday’s Firebird Duals Wrestling Tournament at Southern Nash High School.