Recent Articles

Some would say 2020 can't get out of here fast enough, but we do still have Christmas and the joy it brings ahead of us.
As usual, The Soapbox staff knows there are often last-minute gifts to buy, so we have worked really hard to compile a handy list for your use:
•The MiniMe My Face Custom Pillow: For $20-$35, you can have your face put on a custom pillow in sizes from throw to body pillow. This is the perfect gift for someone who would love to cuddle up next to your face or for someone you'd like to freak out and make sure has nightmares for years.

Dear Editor: On December 1, 2020, Nash Country Sheriff's Department lost another Guardian-of-Peace. Deputy Sheriff Jared M. Allison was an Army veteran, a husband, a father and only 26 years old. His death in the line-of-duty was the third in Nash County in nine years.

The holiday season is certainly a time of giving and even in the midst of COVID-19, people still need to feel the love of their community.
COVID certainly hasn't been good to anyone. Lives have been affected in all sorts of ways and people are hurting.
Unfortunately, the impacts of COVID are hitting some homes harder than others, making Christmas a very stressful time.

This photo originally published in The Nashville Graphic on December 21, 1961. The last ornament is hung on the Christmas tree at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Bunn, Jr. Their three children assist in placing gifts under the tree.

A local recording artist released his debut album at an outdoor CD release party in Nashville, NC on November 21st.
Chandler James, a native of Nashville, brought together a who's who of famous musicians for his debut collection of songs. Recorded in Nashville, TN during the lock down, the new music includes a blend of old school country and upbeat rhythm and blues while featuring Brent Mason (Alan Jackson) and Carl Verheyen (Supertramp) on guitar(s) and Keith Carlock (Steely Dan) on drums.

Nash Community College recently announced a new articulation agreement signed with Barton College during the 2020 fall semester to provide a seamless pathway for qualified transfer students to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Justice Administration.
"We are proud to sign articulation agreements with two of our closest partner community colleges, Nash Community College and Wilson Community College," noted Dr. Gary Daynes, provost and vice president for academic affairs.

The City of Rocky Mount was a four-time recipient of grant funding by the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA)
The RIA approved 30 grant requests to local governments totaling $12,969,015, Governor Roy Cooper recently announced. The requests include commitments to create a total of 839 jobs, 464 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $528 million in private investment.

Christmas is coming and you might be considering adding a new family member. We do have a bit of advice. If you plan to give a pet as a present to someone outside of your household, make a card and say, "we will be seeking out your gift together in the new year".... assuming that you know they want a pet. It might even be a good idea too for your own immediate household.

During a performance appraisal, I once had an employee who remarked: "I give my all everyday so when I go to bed at night, I don't have to apologize to the Lord for anything."
I thought she was just trying to make a point until she mentioned a verse from 2 Timothy, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7)

Rest glorifies God because it reveals our dependence upon him. When we go throughout our week hurrying from one place to another, we are quick to forget the God who sustains us. Consider the familiar words of Psalm 23:
The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake. (Psalm 23:1-3)

Women in Action of Red Oak Baptist Church participated in the Adopt-A-Family program through My Sister's House. They were able to provide gifts for a family with 2 children. What joy it is each year for the missions group as they imagine the happy faces on Christmas! This is an annual project that Women in Action support.
The Adult II Sunday School Class of Red Oak Baptist Church was once again able to adopt 2 children in the Nash County Foster Care Program for Christmas.

Christmas is all about humiliation.
The consequences of Eve's actions in the garden meant that she would experience pain as she bore children (Gen. 3:16). The first command (Gen. 1:28) would now have severe consequences.

UNC Orthopedics at Nash honored the careers of Dr. Adolfo Marsigli and Dr. Eduardo Marsigli by dedicating a fund in their honor and placing a plaque in their name on the orthopedic wing of the fourth floor in Nash General Hospital.
A small dedication ceremony took place on the fourth floor of the hospital where colleagues from UNC Orthopedics at Nash and Nash UNC Health Care honored the Marsigli brothers for their many contributions to the hospital, practice and community.

Members of the Red Oak Area Historic Preservation Society Board of Directors recently led Dr. David Batie (fourth from left), associate professor of construction management at East Carolina University, on a tour of the Red Oak Teacherage. Renovations continue to take place on the 9,000-square-foot structure, which was built in 1914 and sits across from Red Oak Elementary School. Future plans for the facility include community and small business use.

The V Foundation for Cancer Research announced that the fourth annual Victory Ride to Cure Cancer, presented by Braswell Family Farms, will take place on Saturday, May 22, 2021. This year, the event will feature the MyVictory Month virtual experience preceding the ride. All participants are asked to fundraise a minimum of $250 to help achieve Victory Over Cancer® with 100% of rider-raised funds supporting breakthrough cancer research nationwide. 

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2021 Governor's Volunteer Service Award.
The awards program, created by the Office of the Governor in 1979, recognizes North Carolina's most dedicated volunteers. Through the years, the award has been bestowed on thousands of North Carolinians who have shown concern and compassion for their neighbors by volunteering in their local community.

The Small Business Center at Nash Community College would like to announce the successful completion of the Launch Rocky Mount program by twelve local entrepreneurs.

RED OAK -- Senior Night also provided a Spoiler Night opportunity Monday for the Northern Nash High School volleyball squad.
The Lady Knights, though much more competitive, are still seeking their first victory of the 2020-21 campaign.
And what better way for NN to come up with that milestone than by topping Big East Conference powerhouse Franklinton while honoring its group of three upperclassmen?

Northern Nash's Logan Joyner elevates for a block attempt during Monday's Big East Conference home volleyball event against Franklinton at the historic NNHS Gymnasium.

Northern Nash High School's Leah McKenney (right) delivers a kill for the Lady Knights during Monday evening's Big East Conference volleyball matchup against Franklinton at the NNHS Gymnasium in Red Oak.

WILSON -- Northern Nash's decade-long Big East Conference boys cross country dynasty was destined to be put to the ultimate test last Wednesday afternoon.
That's when Northern and its five league foes convened at Gillette Park in Wilson for the running of the annual Big East Championships.
Under the watch of coaching legend Jeff Dodrill, the Fighting Knights were seeking their 10th consecutive conference team crown, but one rising power was standing in their way -- the upstart Rocky Mount Gryphons.

Northern Nash High School's boys cross country squad claimed its 10th consecutive Big East Conference Cross Country Championship last Wednesday afternoon at Gillette Park in Wilson.

RED OAK -- Learning to win close sets and matches is paramount in the development of a rebuilding high school volleyball program.
And it's probably the main reason why Southern Nash is currently in fourth place in the tough Big East Conference, while Northern Nash is still in search of its initial victory of the 2020-21 campaign.

(L to R) Northern Nash's Kanasia Arrington tries to block a kill attempt from Southern Nash's Kierstin Cooper during last Wednesday's Big East Conference spike showdown.

Southern Nash's Natalie Price (10) attemmpts a kill over Northern Nash's Kanasia Arrington.