Mary Livermore Library
: UNCP
Pembroke NC 28372
Published each Thursday in Pembroke, N.C.
"CAROLINA INDIAPQICE
"Building Communicative Bridges In A Tn-Racial Set |
VOLUME 28 NUMBER.? THLRSDA Y, JANUARY 18, 2001 I ,,t| BC W1 | | ~ 25*"
Sheff's Seafood & Co. is Pembroke
Area Chamber's Business of the Year
PP.MBROKf She IT'S Seafood '
and Co. will receive the Business
of the Year Award Saturday. at the 1
Pembroke Area Chamber of
Commerce's Annual Banquet and
Awards Ceremony The event Ts
6:30 pm at the James B. Chavis
University Center at The Universits
of North Carolina at Pembroke
f eatured speaker is Pembroke native
and successful Charlotte businessman
Dennis Lowers. A new
slate of olTiccrs for 2001 will be
introduced.
Tickets are S22.50 and reservations
may be made b> calling
PACC President Don Gersh at 521 6240.
Corporate tables are S150
and seat six.
It's difficult to imagine Pembroke
without Sheff's Seafood Restaurant.
But it almost happened,
for 10 months after closing the
doors at its old location, the town
had to live without Shelf"s. Tuesday
nights were not the same w ithou't
the weekly town meetings over
a plate of spots.
When his 15 year lease ran out in
August 1907. James Sheffield had
to make a decision about the future
of his business. Since it was
founded. Shelf's had become a
town landmark and a town tradition.
The fate of Shelf's Seafood was
talked about more than the weather
as townspe'ople watched and
waited. Some speculated on a new
site near the Pood Lion Shopping
Center. Others said Shelf's was
ustory.
W hai Mr. Sheffield did was beter
than anyone expected
'I had mentioned to'rny son two
.eats be lure that this would make
a beautiful restaurant." he said in a
recent inters iess. "It ssas to be lorn
down."
Mr Shellleld converted an abandoned
lumber warehouse at the
corner of I hird and Union Chapel
into a beautiful restaurant In the
process, he changed a blighted corner
of Main Street Pembroke into
a widely acclaimed architectural
landmark.
"Everything is original, the floors
and the outside walls." Mr.
Sheffield said. "Everybody loves
it. and they all say they are glad I
did it."
Front a business standpoint, the
larger restaurant has been a success.
It has a total of 265 seats,
compared to 125 in the old loca.
libit.,
"You can move from one place to
another, even in a small town, and
lose all your business." Mr.
Sheffield said. "We served 740 on
opening night. So far. it's done
well, with about 30-40 percent
more volume."
For these reasons and more.
Sheff's Seafood and Company is
Pembroke Area Chamber of
Commerce's Business of the Year
for 2001.
The restaurant opened its doors
in 1982 at the site of a former res
tuurant across from the university
\1r. Sheffield (rained himself in two
other seafood restaurants in the region
before making a go of his own
restaurant.
ness is the toughest to make it in."
Mr. Sheffield said. "The experts
said that I would not do much volume
here."
Shelf's proved them wrong with
a reputation for consistent, high
qualitv food and excellent service,
dav in dav out. vear in vear out.
"I've had the same cook for 16
vears and mv 'plate fixers' for almost
as long." he said. " I hese are
two important areas in a seafood
restaurant."
And. if it had not been for one of
his 'fixers' there would be no
Shelf's. That is Janice, also known
as Mrs. Sheffield
Mr. Sheffield came to Pembroke
from Florida in 1963 to help a professor
move his household. He had
no intention of staving, but one
thing led to another and the
Shetfields Were married in 1968.
The> have two children. Kelli and
Mark, and three grandchildren.
Marks works at the restaurant,
giving hope that ShefTs may be
serving seafood platters and spots
on Tuesdays for mans, many years
to come. Mr. Sheffield said he has
no immediate plan to retire.
"I worked with the state for seven
'vears and hated six of them." he
, said. "I'd rather be doing something
on my own."
And Pembroke is glad for it.
James and Janice Sheffield
USA HUGGINS OXEND1NE
Lumbee Tribal Government Swearing In Ceremony Scenes
?^?? iiiii i i ^
This photo shows some of the more than 800 people, mostly Lumbee, who showed up for the
historic swearing in ceremony of the Lumbee Tribal Government Saturday night (Jan. 13, 2001)
at the Southeastern Regional Agricultural Center/Farmer's Market on Highway 74 near
Lumberton. ^
The festivities began with a posting of the Colors by-the Robeson County Honor Guard, and
welcome and invocation by, respectively, Ms. Linda Hammonds and Rev. Kent Chavis. Another
highlight, historically, was remarks by Dr. Helen Maynor Schierbeck, as she reviewed Lumbee
history, essentially recounting how we arrived at the momentous event in time. She brought
some lovely Lumbee children on stage and gave her remarks in the guise of Indian storytelling.
There were also in spiring remarks by Jim Lowry, outgoing chairman of the LSDC, Rep. Ron
Sutton & Rev. Earney Hammonds who shared some "Indian" words from the late Rev. Dawlie
Maynor as he shared "the passing from one to another." in a moving sermonette. Closing
prayer was by Rev. Larry%ock!ear. Pastor of Island Grove Baptist church & LSDC member.
A joyoUs moment was Willie Lowery singing his popular "Proud to be a Lumbee " song as the
festive crowd joined in.
The 23 member Tribal Council was sworn in by Chief District Court Lumbee Judge Gary Locklear.
Resident Superior Court Judge Dexter Brooks had the honor of swearing in Tribal chairman
Milton Hunt. In his remarks, Judge Brooks said, "I got up out of a sick bed for this historic
occasion." And he also extolled "my friend. Milt", who he referred to "as "Little Big Man",
using Thomas Berger's book title to note that Hunt is short in statute, but big in accomplishments.
He is presently chairman of the Robeson County Democratic Party and Mayor of Pembroke.
Shown (left to right), on the front row, are Ms. Hammonds, Judge Brooks and Judge Locklear.
Also shown on the front row are Rev. Kent Chavis, Ms. Rhonda Locklear, and Rev. Larry Locklear.
The representatives will serve three year terms, and will be charged with writing a constitution
and submitting it to the Lumbee people for ratification within a year.
In remarks, Chairman Milton Hunt said the council will also pursue federal recognition. He
noted, "there is a lot of work to be done, hut I have faith that this tribal council is up to the task."
The cultural highlight of the evening was a traditional blessing of the Lumbee Tribal
Gvernment by Elder Earl Carter, ably assisted by Ray Littleturtle, and Tony Clark. The blessing
gave clarity and historical coherence to a wonderful evening.
(Bruce Barton photos)
%
New book provides spiritual help and
encouragement to stop smoking
by Cortnee Bray boy ?
Each breath we breathe is a gift of
God. That's the belief and practicing
principle of Lisa Huggins Oxendine.
Her belief in this principle has
resulted in a spiritual endeavor for
her. She has recently written and
published a book entitled "God's
Breath-Writing to God While Quitting
Tobacco." Oxendine believes
that smoking is detrimental to a
person's health. And tht nicotine is
a very addictive drug. She does not,
hovyever, condemn smokers, but
intends to encourage those who have
decided to quit.
"I felt inspired to write this book."
she said, "and believe I was guided
in the work and am confident that
the spiritual rewards will follow."
The books sells for $8.00 per
copy and was published by Christian
Wellness Ministries of
Lumberton, NfC.
The book covers such topics as "Preparing
to Quit Tobacco;"" Temptations
to Mac Tobacco," -"God's Promises to
Those Who Love Him; "Witnessing
Through Living Without Tobacco."
Each section contains a place for journal
writing as a person goes from being
^ a smoker to a non-smoker.
"Quitting smoking," Oxendine said,
"is not an easy task. My work looks at
quitting smoking from a spiritual perspective.
God says that the body is the
temple of God, and it is simple then to
understand that smoking defiles the
temple."
She readily explains that she does
not believe that a smoker cannot be
Christian or do a work for the Lord, but
she feels that there are smokers who
desire to quit. And ifthey do, she offers
encouragement and tips on how to
quit. Using scriptural references
Oxendine's book leads a person desiring
not to smoke step by step into
quitting.
The back cover of Oxendine's book
states it this way: "The purpose of this
journal is to provide additional support,
as you stop using tobacco. It will
not replace other support sources such
as an organized program or prayer
partner or medicines prescribed by your
health care provider. Daily journal
writing is intended to be a way of
sharing with God those things which
you might feel no other person will
understand or hear with an open mind."
Oxendine describes herself as a
Christian Lumbee. She is a member
of Island Grove Baptist Church and
resides in Lumberton with her husband,
Terry, and their children.
Oxendine earned a BS in Mathematics
with an emphasis in
Computer Science and a MAEd in
Mathematics Education at the University
ofNorth Carolina at Pembroke.
She is also a graduate of the Wake
Forest School of Medicine Physician
Assistant Program in Winston-Salem.
NC.
She works as a Pediatric Physician
Assistant and is in a position to
address asthma in a rural, multiracial
population. She is an active
member of numerous professional
organization and varied national,
state, regional and local initiatives.
She has taught on various levels
including college level math, Sunday
School and Smoking Cessation in a
Christian setting. She is kept busy in
her spare time with speaking engagements
at local churches. Some topics
she has spoken on include "Working
as a Christian Professional." "Asthma
and Allergies." and "Smoking Workshops."
Oxendine is available for Smoking
Cessation classes and can be
reached for workshops scheduling
at: 2007 Huggins Road, Lumberton,
NC 28360 or by e-mail at
LHOXENDINE@Prodigy.net. Her
book can also be ordered at these
addresses.
Editorially speaking...
Lumbee Tribe swearing in
ceremony is historically right
but culturally at the wrong place
LUMBERTON-Historically it was a great event, and well received
by the more than 800 Lumbee faithful who showed up Saturday
night to take part in the festivities and the passing of the guard
from the Lumbee Self Determination Commission to the new
Lumbee Tribal Council and Chairman Milton Hunt.
LSDC Chairman Jim Lowry praised the work of the commission
and noted that out going LSDC member, and incoming tribal
council woman. Dr. Linda Hammonds probably should receive
the lion's share of the credit for the ceremony and arrangements.
The ceremony was moving, and appropriate for the occasion.
Our only complaint is the location. We, of course, hoped that
the event woyjld be staged at an "Indian' site. In editorial fairness
though, one newly elected council member did remind this editorialist
that "'my taxes helped pay for this Southeastern Regional
Agricultural Center/Farmer's Market (where the event was held)
too, and a lot of us (Indians) live in and near Lumberton." Some
anti-Pembroke sentiment was also in the air Saturday night. Even
so, after acknowledging these reasonable statements, a Lumbee
River setting, maybe on the steps of Old Main or any traditional
"Indian" school, or on the grounds of the North Carolina Indian
Cultural Center, or in any "Indian" church in Robeson or adjoining
counties, would have been more culturally and historically
relevent.
Bruce Jenner
Jenner takes audience on
Olympic Journey
PEMBROKE 1976 Olympic decathlon champion Bruce Jenner told
an appreciative audience at UNC Pembroke's Givens Performing Arts
Center that they too could "find the champion within."
An older but very fit looking Bruce Jenner told an gathering of about
600 that the true character of a champion "is not measured by the
heights attained but the obstacles overcome."
"Sports is a good place to learn about hard work, setting goals and
w inning and losing." Mr. Jenner said. "I found my arena to play in.
and it was sports."
Before finding athletics Jenner said he suffered from a learning disability.
which caused him to have, "extremely" low self-esteem and t? fail
the second grade.
"Through sports. I learned the power of the individual and what we can
do in life." he advised young people. "Don't just dream about the future.
make decisions about your future. Raise your level of commitment
and believe in the power of you."
t he story of how a dy slexic second grader became "the world's greatest
athlete" and reading from a teleprompter on national television is
one of the most compelling stories in sports.
Mr. Jenner delivered his story in an energetic 90-minutc speech as part
of the university 's Distinguished Speaker Series. Then, he answered
questions and patiently posed for every photograph and signed every
requestor autographs, including signing a 1974 copy of Track and Field
maga/ine.
Mr. Jenner recounted the story of his life as a dccathlcte from 1968 to
197.6 when he set the world record and won the gold medal in one of the
most celebrated moments in US Olympic history .
"You've got to make decisions about what you want our of life and
what risks you're willing to take to go out after your dream." he said. "I
spent every minute of four years to achieve rqy dream."
Today. Mr. Jenner is a successful businessman w ith a number of ventures
in fitness, entertainment, software, aviation and motivational speaking.
He has 10 children and a wife, who he says is his agent, accountant,
business manager and "the greatest thing ever to happen in my life."