. J ? v ? '"** * ^ %A . . .. V # . ' MIGHTY MITE NDING ROOM ONLY AT S ? . t ' 'v| V sy&f >? ' > The tragedies began to mount Aug. 29 as Michael Nachman, a sophomore at Mount Tabor High School, was killed in an automo bile accident. The next day, Kenneth Wright Jr., a 9-year-old Ibraham Elementary School student, was killed when a vehicle hit him as he tried to cross the street to his bus stop. Also, Temeka Wright, a third- grader at 1 auto accident; Robin James, a fifth-grader at Rural Hall Elementary died following a brief illness; and Reynolds High School teacher Gay Stelter also died after a brief illness. school, vyas killed in an see FIRST page 15 ? I ? Families, I Friends Frolic at < Labor Day Picnic By DAVID L. DILLARD Chronicle Staff Writer Phit Jackson, astudent atCity College in New York, comes to Winston-Satem gvcry^ahofBay^ He makes the trip because he said friends invited him to a picnic two years ago, and )ie has been hooked since then. "I came to visit my cousin two years ago and he brought me here," Jackson -said. "I think it's ^fun>-lugives me something to do before school." Jackson is one of a group of African-American families com prising nearly 300 people who gathered Sunday at Tanglewood Park Shelter No. 3 to celebrate Labor Day through their annual picnic. The families, known as "Just Friends," have sponsored the annual picnic on the Sunday before Labor Day since 1988. Miriam McCarter, a co-sponsor of the event and designer of the T shirts bearing "Just Friends" and a name on the back, said the event Photos by Janet Wheeler About 300 people were at Tanglewood Park Sunday for the annual u Just Friends" picnic. The event , co sponsored by six local families , started in 1988 and has become an outing that many residents in the African-American community look forward to each Labor Day weekend. started with six families and con tinues to grow every year. "It started off with six cou ples, and every year we have more people," she said. "We're just a group of friends who get together before Labor Day." McCarter said when the six families reserved the shelter they didn't have an official name. They were "just a bunch of friends." Thus the name. The six families who co sponsor the picnic are: Ron and see FAMILIES page 15 NAACP Threatens Rebel Flag Flap HILTON HEAD ISLAND, | S.c (AP) ? Civil rights groups opposed to the Confederate- battle flag gave South Carolina one more chance Saturday to avoid an eco nomic boycott meant to force the rebel banner down from the State house dome ? and the decision lies with the state Supreme Court. "If the Supreme Court does not rule to remove the Confederate battle flag, then we have no alterna tive but to take this battle to a new level ? a level involving economic pressure.' * William GihsonT NA ACP" n ational chairm an: to t d hundreds of blacks and a smattering of whites who marched down the palmetto-lined main street of this posh island resort. Marchers, who police say numbered 800 but organizers said totalled between 1,000 and 2,500, sang hymnals or chanted "No Jus tice, No Peace." Mostly they were met with bemused attention from tourists like Norma Armour of Kansas City, Mo., who snapped a photo as the \ procession passed. "I doa't know what this accomplishes," the 30-year-old white woman said, waiting for the march's end so she could move her car. An economic boycott won't stop her from vacationing here each summer as she has for the last five years, she said. South Carolina is the only state to fly the rebel banner above its state capitol, though Georgia and j Mississippi include the' familiar blue X, white stars and red back ground in their state flags' designs. The state's high court has yet to decide if it will hear a lawsuit filed by civic and b^iness leaders seeking removal of the flag. Lawmakers in June failed to pass a compromise that would have lowered the flag, raised similar ban ners on Statehouse grounds and bUilt a civil rights monument Gov. Carroll Campbell refused to force lawmakers to act. Whether for^Lagainst the "flagrthdse on the ^onUines of this drawn-out argument agree that it is a strong symbol. For African- Amer icans, it means slavery. For white Southerners, it means history and heritage. "It's a symbol of white supremacy, slavery, prr.jnriirr hatred, bigotry and treason. It has no reason to fly above the State house dome," said Earl Shinhoster, the interim executive director of the National- Association for the Advancement of Colored People. "We are demanding R-E-S-P E-C-T," said Rupert Richardson, the NAACP's national president. In July thousands of protest ers took to the streets of Myrtle Beach, when they threatened the Labor Day weekend march and eco nomic sanctions if the flag did not come down by August. Leaders Sat urday said they would march on the state's largest cities if they have to, see NAACP page 15 Company Donates Clothes to Students at LIFT Academy By DAVID L DILLARD Chronicle Staff Writer Students at the LIFT Academy have new clothes to wear because of a gift by a major manu facturing company. Lee Jeans Co., located at 3201, Center Park Blvd., a manufacturer of Lee Jeans, donated pairs of blue jeans to the LIFT Academy. Tom Nelson, Lee's plant manager, said the company is in partnership with LIFT and other high schools as part of the community outreach program. ? "We always try to be a part of improving things in our community," Nelson said. "They were very excited about it and we want to make this a long-term partnership. Lee donated 32 pairs of jeans to LIFT. Earline Parmon, director of the LIFT Acad emy, welcomes the partnership with Lee Jeans and said the donation was in accord with kids having clothes for school. "Lee has shown a commitment to our youth and community," said Parmon, who is also a county commissioner. "The partnership enhances some of the things we are able to accomplish for our youths." The partnership between Lee Jeans and LIFT was formed with the frjelp of One-to-One Triad, an organization based in High Point that fosters men toring relationships between companies and com munity groups. Frankie Jones Sr., One-to-One Triad s execu tive director, said the partnership between LIFT and Lee Jeans is an example of how major compa nies can do more to help communities. ??Ill ?'111 I? ? I 1 1 Tom Nelson, plant supervisor at Lee Jeans Company , presents blue jeans to Lift Academy's director Earline Parmon. Also pictured are Frank T. Jones , Sr., Robin Smith, and Gail Manzo. V " 24 Ctasslftatfs CoMiiBmiHy MURKS' TO SUBSCRIBE CALL 910-722-8624