Newspapers / West Craven Highlights (Vanceboro, … / Dec. 21, 1978, edition 1 / Page 1
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THE WEST CRAVEN HIGHLIGHT Volume 1, No. 50 Vonceboro, N. C. - Thursday, December 21, 1978 12 Pages Price! 20c Firemen dedicate new Caton facility Rick Cannon w r” Caton--Dr. Lewis S. Redd, Dean of the Division of Continuing Education at Craven Community College was the guest Speaker at the Little Swift Creek Volunteer Fire Department Annual Christmas Supper last Friday night in the new Caton Fire Station. In addition to a fine supper, this was the occasion for the induction of officers for 1979 and the dedication of the new Caton facility. The program began with an in spection of the Caton Station by the Craven County Commissioners and other special guests. George Dimick, 1978 president of the Little Swift Creek VFD welcomed the over one hundred guests in attendance. Assistant Chief John Everington gave the invocation. Among special guests introduced by George Dimick were four of the five County Com missioners, John B. Willis, Chairman; George Nelson, Vice-Chariman; Grover C. Lancaster, Jr.; and Gerald Anderson. Dimick also in troduced Mrs. Thelma Whitford and Mrs.A.B. Collins who were instru mental in obtaining the necessary signatures on petitions to call a referen dum to approve a bond financing the new Caton Station. Also present was Lou Powell, president of the Vanceboro Volunteer Fire Department. Dr. Lewis S. Redd spoke to the group about the committment of the Craven Community College in training new firemen on the newest in fire-fighting techniques. The Fire Train ing curriculum is part of the Division of Continuing Education at the college. Recently the college received a training van which is equipped with air tanks, valves, and other equipment needed in train ing firemen. The van was donated by the Craven County Independent Insurance Agents. Redd emphasized the importance of training firemen in the newer techniques. He explained that last year over 12,000 people perished infire. A number were fire men. Last year the college conducted over 95 courses in fire fighting alone. He added that the construction materials used in many buildings produce highly toxic fumes when on fire making fighting the fire very dangerous to firemen. As a result more firemen are being trained to operate with air tanks while inside the building. Following Dr. Redd’s re marks, George Dimick gave a brief history of the creation of the new building. In January,1977, the Craven County Board of Commissioners author ized the Little Swift Creek Volunteer Fire Department to apply for a $65,000 FHA loan. $26,000 of these fimds were to go toward the construction of a fire station at Caton and $39,000 for the purchase of a new truck. The loan was approved July 5, 1977. Mr. Jack Coombe was in charge of procuring a fire truck. The decision was made to build a fire station which could serve as a community center and training area for firemen. Mr. Bill Toler, Department member, volunteered to oversee the construction of the facility at no charge for his services. As a result of hundreds of hours of volunteer labor by Depart ment and community citizens, working under Bill Toler’s supervision, this multi-purpose facility has been completed within the cost guildelines of the con tract with FHA. The new facility has a large room for meetings, a kitchen, a ladies’ restroom, a men’s restroom with shower, and a two bay garage for the fire trucks. The Craven County Commissioners officiated at the dedication. Each promised the people present to call on them if needed anything. The new line officers for 1979 were inducted in a special ceremony. The new officers are Gilbert A. Whitford, III, Chief; John Everington, Ass’t. Chief; Billy Gaskins, Captain (Antioch Precinct); Buddy Whitford, Captain (Askins. precinct); Johnnie Toler, Captain (Caton precinct); and McRay Whitford, Lieutenant. This year’s Fire District Commissioners are Laurie L. Kite, Larry Peele, and Garland Whitford. The 1979 Department Officers are Larry Peele, president; Donald Toler, Secretary; Sammy Toler, treasurer NEW FACILITY-The new Caton Fire Station-Community Center was completed after many hours of volunteer labor by the people of the Little Swift Creek Fire District. Over one hundred persons attended the Dedication of the C^p Fire Station, apdT Installation of officers last Friday night. (Regular Account); and Leslie Toler, Treasurer (Special Account). The 1979 Board of Directors consists of Jack Coombe, James Toler, Leonard Gatlin, and Garland Whitford. Women’s club Spring visits Garden Notes Rest Home Page 7 Four of the five Craven County Commissioners attended the ceremonies at the new Caton Fire Station last Friday night. Four members of the Vanceboro Junior Woman’s Club, including Terri Beaman, Sharon Bland, Connie Bryan and Brenda Ipock, visited the New Bern Rest Home on Oaks Road Tuesday night, December 4th. The ladies set up a Christmas tree and decorated it with orna ments, some hand-made, that were donated by seve ral of the club members. Then, the ladies sang Christmas carols with the Brenda Ipock and Terri Beaman [front] help decorate Christmas tree at the New Bern Nursing Home. residents of the Rest Home. The members were taken on a tour of the building, where they visited several of the resident’s rooms. Something that the members enjoyed most was being able to see some of the hand-made crafts.
West Craven Highlights (Vanceboro, N.C.)
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Dec. 21, 1978, edition 1
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