Going to Be Big . . ,
According to "inside informa
tion,” the Roanoke Rapids semi
centennial celebration to be held
here on July 2X 3 and 4th, Is
really going fo be a ‘'bang-up”
affair. The Lions Club, sponsors
o* the event is leaving no stone
unturned to see that “everybody
and his brother” Is given an op
portunity of enjoying three full
^ays of fun and “get-together”
with their neighbors and former
citizens of our community who
are expected to include these
three days in their summer vaca
tion plans by coming back to the
old home town for the festival
Mot the Best, But . . .
The Roanoke Rapids Jays . . .
up to now . . . haven’t proven *o
be the best ball clnb in the Coast
al Plain League. But have you
stopped to think what a job the
Jaycees undertook to get organ
ized ball here? They started from
scratch . . . and we do mean
scratch . . . had nothing on which
to build foundation except a de
termination to give Roanoke
Rapids and vicinity organized ball.
This determination has worked
venders, and we $are# confident
that ere long the Jays, backed
*jy this same determination, will
be “hitting on all six” and will
be at or near the top in the
percentage column.
An Excellent Move
At the regular meeting of the
Lions Club last week Joe Talley
made a move thdlt the club es
tablish a student’s loan fund to
help deserving boys and girls of
gestion met with hearty approval,
and a committee was appointed
to investigate and study the prop
osition. This is a fine gesture on
the part of the club, and we
know of no more worthy under
taking than to see tliat our young
people who otherwise might have
their education limited to high
school training, are given a
chance to get just a little fur
ther along the road of prepara
tion to fight and win the battles
of life.
Florida U orks W oiiders
That broad and happy disposi
tion so noticeable in Mr. A. Mei
kle the past few days isn't the
result of a promotion with the
company he has long been asso
ciated with, but the result of two
weeks spent down at Indian Riv
i er Plantation in Florida. Me.
Meikle says he and the “Missus
had a wonderful vacation, but
after two weeks’ rest he was
ready to return to Roanoke Rap
ids .. . and Patterson Mills.
Queen ju* n Day 4
Competition was keen in the
Baby Contest-held at Vance Street
School in connection with Fun
Night last Friday. All the "Little
I Darlings” were entitled*to “wear
a crown” if all their charm and
consideration. But, like in any
contest there has to be a Win
ner, runner-up and losers. Little
Donna Braswell, daughter of Mr
and Mrs. Abner Braswell, won
first prize, and Gwendolyn Tu
dor, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Charles Tudor, was awarded sec
ond prize. There were 26 other
-' contestants — all little darlings,
who took part in the spirited
race.
They All Had Fun
Over at Vance Street School
last Friday night, children and
grown-ups gathered for the an
nual “Fun Night,” and that’s ex
actly what it turned out to £e.
It was inspiring to see the “old
. folks” turn loose and enjoy them
■ selves along with the younger set.
And, while they were watching
the “cash customers” at the dif
ferent concessions” taking in the
money—and from the expressions
on their faces they were mighty
yell pleased. Incidentally, the
proceeds from B'un Night go for
the purchase of playground and
othei needed equipment for the
school, and the net profit was
| $330.00.
Basking in the Sun
Carroll Wilson, former owner
and publisher of this newspaper,
left Tuesday night by plane for
Florida, where he is now bask
ing in the sun . . . regaining
his health while also enjoying the
good fishing available and the
marvelous "scenery m i
there parts of the country. Car
lf roll, according to reports, left
Roanoke Rapids with a full set
of teeth . . . something he hasn't
enjoyed now for several months.
And, quoting Mrs. Luter, our
charming secretary, "He sho did
look snazzy in that two-tone sport
jacket he was wearing on elec
tion day.’'
Coming lip . . . Vmice Revue
"Tapping Toes of 1947" the
| annual dance revue presented by
the Perdue School of Dancing is
just around the comer. Date
Friday, May 16th. Time—8:00 p. m.
place — Roanoke Rapids High
School auditorium. The show
promises to be bigger and better
than ever before. This event is
sponsored by the Girl Scouts. See
your favorite Scout for tickets.
High School Activities
| Mr. Findley and the High School
Band have done it again given
Roanoke Rapids a splendid band
concert. The efforts of these
young people and their director
are an inspiration to all who at
tend this annual event The au
dience was small but apprecia
tive and all of the numbers or
the program were enthusiasttcallj
received. The band la an ase»
Passes Away
Pictured above is John Car
ras, widely known in this city,
who died this morning after
a long illncs3.
John Carras
Dies Suddenly
John A. Carras, 50, local restau
rant operator until May 1, when
he sold The New Rosemary Cafe,
died this morning at the Roanoke
Rapids hospital. 10 a. m. today.
There was more than a heart
rendering tear in the death of Mr.
Carras. He had had a life ol
hard work, saved his money and
was about to return to his native
Greece to spread cheer and food
to his half-starved countrymen
But death interrupted his last at
tempt at charity.
Mr./Carras was most charitable.
He hlra given liberally to most
every cause in this city. He was
v regular contributor to the im
. ity in Greece.. Annually he donat
tile drive dinner to the local Red
Cross; recently he had given a
dinner to the building committee
ur il'.S chffcch.
The deceased was born in Greece
and had been a resident of this
country for 36 years, coming from
his native land to Oxford, N. C
He is survived by his widow,
Nellie Stetney Carras, a
sister, Harriet of Carras, Greece;
and a cousin. George Petronis, of
this city.
Mr. Carras was a member of the
Episcopal Church, the Sudan
Temple Shrine and the Rotary
Club.
Mr. Carras was a member of
the Episcopal Church, with Rev.
Edmund Berkeley presiding.
Relief Goods
Are Shipped
iy Littleton
Littleton citizens shipped 362
pounds of relief goods to the
Church World Center, New Wind
sor. Md., on April 29. The con
tribution was sent in by Mrs. C.
E. Foster, and included clothing,
shoes rfnd bedding, all much
needed supplies in tho war dev
astated lands abroad. They are
now being sorted and packed for
shipment and will shortly be on
their way overseas.
This donation from Littleton
came as towns and cities all over
North Carolina joined in the col
lection of goods for overseas re
lief on a statewide basis. The
campaign to gather clothing and
shoes for war victims abroad be
gan on April 20 and will last
tnrougn jhuluci a >.«i
lected throughout North Carolina
are being shipped out through the
New Windsor center, the oldest
and largest of nine such collec
tion and processing depots set
up by the Church World Service,
the official overseas agency of the
Protestant and Orthodox churches.
The goal of the drive Is a pound
a person from everyone in the
state. Already many thousands of
pounds have been received.
Fox in Hospital
Result Accident
S. H. Fox, Oxford merchant and
owner of The Betty Shoppe here,
is a patient in the local hospital,
suffering from a fractured hip and
other injuries sustained when his
automible struck a bridge abut
ment near the city last week.
Fox traveling alone enroute to
Ahoskie and otheer Eastern Caro
lina towns, where he has stores,
when the acciden occured.
to the school public interest
in its activities is growing. The
local Exchange Club and Junior
Chamber of Commerce are to be
complimented on their efforts to
equip the band with new uni
forms.
I Another important annual can
'cert is that of the High Schoo:
Glee club to be held in the audi
torium tonight at • o’clock.
RAIN SHELTERS AT FORT RALEIGH—A couple of visitors look over the work in progress
in the Waterside Theatre at Fort Raleigh, where The Lost Colony on July 1 will begin its sev
enth season. Rain shelters and new comfort stations are being constructed on each side of the
entrances to the theatre. To help ffinance this and other permanent improvements, the Roanoke
Island Historical Association has asked contributions from the people of Northeastern North
Carolina and the Norfolk area of Virginia.
New Fire Truck Is
Purchased By City
Commissioners R. I. Starke and
W. P. Taylor, together with May
or Kelly Jenkins, composing the
fire committee, purchased a new
fire truck for the Roanoke Rapids
Fire Department from the Amer
ican Da-France Foamite Corpora
tion on April 15. The contract
has been received and duly ac
cepted. Delivery has been prom
ised at an early date.
A short, compact and highly
maneuverable fire engine is pro
vided by the cab-aJiead-of-engine
design. This truck is the 1947
La-France model and is most
modern and streamlined in that
it is an Invader, 750-gallon pump
and hose car with booster system
and a three-piece 35-foot alumi
num ladder. Improved accessi
bility to all operating units and
equipment, with increased storage
space, has also been provided.
Some of the important features
of the new truck are five equip
ment compartments, seating ca
pacity for five men, automatic
pump packings and a great deal
of maintenance equipment. All
controls for the pump are located
at 4 central panel convenient for
the operator.
With the addition of this new
truck the Roanoke Rapids Fire
Department’s equipment has an
equal rating with other cities com
parable to the size of Roanoke
Rapids.
Design emphasis has been
placed on meeting the operating
requirements of the Fire Depart
ment. The complete apparatus pre
sents a definite impression of ef
ficiency and utility, combined
with a pleasing appearance.
Uniform Closing
Saturday Nights
City Merchants
Roanoke Rapids merchants are
in accord on Saturday night clos
ing of their stores, according to
an announcement made today by
the Merchants Association. Here
to fore several stores have had
different Saturday night closing
hours, but after much discussion
all stores are now egreed to close
every Saturday night at 7 o’clock
beginning May 17.
The buying public in this area
is urged to cooperate by shopping
early.
(Editorial)
MAYOR KELLY JENKINS
The present mayor will step aside at the
conclusion of this term, having been defeat
ed for re-election by J. T. Chase.
When he retires from office, midnight June
1st, he will then have held the highest office
the City of Roanoke Rapids can bestow upon
any citizen, for approximately 14 years, every
term since incorporation with the exception
of one, 1940-41, when Bernard Allsbrook was
victorious.
He has held office longer than 99 percent
of the mayors of American cities, a record
which probably will stand for many years to
come.
He has been incorporated Roanoke Rap- „
ids’ first mayor and has been associated with
this city’s formative years.
Mayor Kelly Jenkins now can step aside
with the knowledge that his name will rote
with the history of Roanoke Rapids as long
as those records exist.
MAYOR-ELECT J. T. CHASE
All citizens of this city are looking forward
to the approaching term of Mayor-Elect J.
T. Chase.
This is not his first experience as mayor,
for he was mayor of the original community
for some six years, 1912 to 1918. He was city
commissioner for eight years and a member
of the school board, years ago. And he has
a wealth of experience in civic and public
affairs.
He is a man of considerable capabilities
who has risen from the ranks on the basis of
sheer ability. If this is a criterion he should
become a mayor who has only Roanoke Rap
ids’ interest at heart.
He has one job to do: a full-time job as he
says—that of being mayor of this city
We wish him well, and may Roanoke Rap
ids profit by having J. T. Chase as mayor.
\
Ruby A, Wifkersosi Writes
Poem to Her Worthy Mother
Kuby A. Wilkerson, termer
resident of this city, has written
the Herald publisher a letter re
questing publication of a poem she
has written in honor of her mother
and all mothers. Miss Wilkerson’s
letter and poem are reprinted here
with :
"I am enclosing a poem
entitled 'A White Rose,’ which
I trust you will consider for
publication in your Mother's j
Day edition of the Herald,
which should be on May 7 in
asmuch as a Sunday edition
is not published.
“My mother was very up
right, outstanding, well known
and beloved in her communi
ty there in Roanoke Rapids.
I believe all who knew her
will enjoy reading this poem
written to her memory, and
even those who did not know
her, but who also will be
wearing a white rose for their
own dear mothers, will cer
tainly derive a great deal of
pleasure from the sentiment
expressed in this poem.
“I should like at this time
to request information as to
possible yearly subscription
of the Roanoke Rapids Her
ald.”
A WHITE ROSE
(In memory of my Mother, de
ceased Jwne 29, 19.’f5, her 61st
..birthday.)
On Mother’s Day, I shall be wear
ing a rose,
In memory of one now in silent
repose.
One that is white as the glis
tening snow,
For the dearest person, I ever
shall know'.
On Mother’s Day I shall be kneel
ing in prayer.
Dear Mother, by your grave, with
tender care,
I’ll kiss the cool tombstone that
stands all alone,
And think of you, Mother, in days
that are gone.
I'll place a grand wreath there,
in peaceful rest,
And pluck from its beautiful flow
ery breast
A whit,' rose as splendid* as the
love you impart,
Its fragrance as sweet as the
song in your heart.
Each petal as pure as the gold
in your hair,
A stem just as graceful as your
hands so fair,
With leaves just as fresh as the
smile on your face,
A White Rose that God fash
ioned none can replace.
And over my heart, I shall pin
it with pride,
To tell all the world you are still
by my side.
Though you have retired to God’s
kingdom above,
Your presence on earth is your
immortal love
For all who still cherish your
memory sincere,
Who also will wear the White
Rose for you, dear,
Its shimmering beauty, a symbol
divine,
Of God’s own creation, dear moth
er of mine.
Alumni Club
Meet Friday
Night, 16th
A meeting of te Upper Halifax
State College Alumni Club will be
held Friday night, May 16, in the
Community Center Building at
Weldon, it was announced today.
The guest speaker for the eve
ning will be Col. Harrison, chan
cellar of State College. Other
guests who will be present include
John Von Glahan, atheletic busi
ness manager of State; Beatty
Feathers, football coach; basketball
Coach Case and members of the
State College championship basket
ball team which played in the
national tourney in New York’s
Madison Square Garden recently.
Mrs. Josey Resigns From
Countv Board of Education
Mrs. R. C. Josey, Jr„ of
Scotland Neck, prominent in
civic and educational life in
Halifax County for years, has
resigned from the Board of
Education after a 10-year
membership. Mrs. Josey ten
dered her resignation this
week In a letter to the board
which read as follows:
May 1,1M1.
“To the Board of Education
of Halifax County:
“Since attending two meet
ings of the newly-organised
Board of Education, I am
thoroughly convinced that I
can be of no benefit to the
schools or children as a mem
ber of this board; therefore,
I tender my resignation to
take effect Immediately,
-Mi* K* 0, JOSEY, JK”
Newsome Is
Ordered Pay
Repair Costs
John P Newsome, white, was
found guilty this morning in Roa
noke Rapids Recorder's Court on
charge of driving while under
the influence of alcohol and was
ordered by Judge Daniel to pay
$127.90 for the use of C. S. Marks,
Jr., and $50 fine and $34.00 for
E. H. Vaughan.
Newsome's trouble started when
he was arrested for running into
Marks' car and also hitting
Vaughan's parked automible on
Hamilton street. Prayer for judge
ment was suspended on condition
that he pay the sum ordered by
the court.
Two other cases disposed of
were: George Mason, negro, driv
ing drunk. He was fined $50.00
and costs, which made a total of
$76.
Charlie Bowser, negro, charged
with speeding and hitting the
automible of Harvey Taylor, was
ordered to pay a fine of $20 and
costs.
Celebration
Booklet Now
Taking Form
The souvenir booklet for the
Semi-Centennial is beginning to
take form as local citizens con
tribute an item here and there
about varied topics. The prospects
for an intersting publication are
promising.
The booklet will contain a brief
history of the city as compiled
from early editions of the Herald
and other publications available,
and from the memories of some of
the older citizens of the city.
J T. Chase, mayor-elect,has pro
mised his aid as has Charles
Emory, son of Major Emory, who
was directly responsible for the
beginning of the city, according
t o information at hand.
Odd items about the city and
its many colorful people will be
used as fillers throught the book
used as fillers throughout the
booklet. These are expected to
prove interesting to the great ma
jority of Roanoke Rapidians as
well as citizens of Halifax and
the ajoining counties.
People having odd bits of in
formation about the ccity are ur
ged to pass along to the historical
committee of the Semi-Centennial
Celebration. The dead line for ac
cepting contributions is midnight
May 31.
County's Vital Statistics
For Month of February
— XJI nrtmaA v^uuuuy uunng uue
month of February, this year,
there was a total of 166 births
and 41 deaths. The causes of
deaths were listed as follows: ac
cidents,. 2; cancer, 5; heart dis
eases, 12; infant deaths, 4; in
tracranial vascular' lesions, 6; ne
phritis, 5; due to pregnancy, 1;
miscellaneous, 6.
Thus it can be seen that the
leading causes of death are still
heart disease and cancer. Lead
ing heart specialists throughout
the country have repeatedly warn
ed that people in the older age
groups must learn to live with
less strain if they expect to avoid
heart disease. This warning is'
given to physicians and other pro
fessional groups where the inci
dence of coronary occlusion is
particularly high.
With reference to cancer, one
of the most far-reaching research
programs of this disease is under
way at the present time that has
ever been attempted. Dr. Oschner,
a famous surgeon from New Or
leans, reported at a recent meet
ing that it is hoped the research
workers will find the answer in
the not too distant future as to
to the food and the other ele
ments that are neoeasary for th«
growth «f oanetr, end the* mhee
these elements are discovered, a
plan might be worked out whera
by the cancer cells can be de
prived of these necessary ele
ments and therefore the growth
can be arrested. Therefore, the
main emphasis in cancer research
at the present time is in a thor
ough study of all phases of
growth, not only of cancer cells,
but of normal cells as well.
Good Adv But The
Price Is Left Out
Godwin-Wilkes Motors, Inc.,
has a good ad on the front
page of Section B in this is
sue, but there is something
wrong with it. The only place
in the ad where price to
quoted—there is no price. But
if you’ll read it carefully
you’ll find that you can get
your brakes on your car re
lined and necessary brake
drums turned for only 14AB.
The offer lasts through May
SL That's fair enough, kat
I It? 8a> to this imtagrttojk