A Time For Thanks We at the Chowan Herald want to pass on to everybody along the Public Parade our appreciation for their continued understanding and support since last Thanks giving day. First of all, we want to thank our readers for continuing as faithful subscribers to the Chowan Herald. Without them, our best ef forts would go largely unrewarded. Then, of course, we want to thank our advertisers, who supp ly 90 per cent of the funds which keep us going. Without them, we could hardly pay the postage on our mailing list, not to mention the paper on which our newspaper is printed. Next comes our staff. Their dedication to their job and will ingness to put up with the rigors of a renovation program merit the most sincere thanks we can give them. And, so far, we have given thanks only for those things affec ting us personally and our business. But the day requires far more than that. We are thankful that our business is located in one of the most attractive little towns in North Carolina, mature in its ways, secure in its heritage and unafraid of the future. Edenton has more to offer of the good life, however defined, than almost any other community in the state. We are thankful for the policemen who check our doors at night, for the postman who brings our mail in rain or snow as well as during sunshiny days, the sheriff ' and his deputies who respond to law enforcement emergencies throughout the county. We are . ■ thankful for the firemen Who pro tect our property and for the health care people who protect , our lives, and our ministers who shepherd us toward a better land. All of these we are too prone to take for granted, just as we do many other things, such as the birds that visit our feeders, the squirrels that always outsmart us, the ducks and geese that fly south in the winter and return north in the spring. We are thankful for the cardinal that stays with us during the cold of the winter, for the mallard that returns to our pond, for the mother quail that leads her brood ,in a long, thin string across our lawn. All of them represent something for which Thanks giving day is an appropriate reminder. Last — and perhaps most im portant of all — we are thankful for continued good health. When we were young, and wild and free, we hardly ever gave a second thought to the state of our health. But age has a way of focusing at tention on the things that count. So we want to pause today, not only to give thanks for our own, but to wish you all the best of health and happiness on this, another Thanksgiving day. District Court Chowan District Court was in session November 19; the Honorable John T. Chaffin presiding over the criminal calendar. Charles Irving Hines was found guilty of improper passing. He was fined $35 and cost of court. Murray Wheeler was found guil ty of unsafe movement; no liabili ty insurance; hit and run-property damage; and false report of theft. The cases were consolidated for judgement and Wheeler was sentenced to 24 months, suspend ed for three years; a fine of 1500 and cost of court; restitution of $1,600 for the benefit of Jennifer C. Lane and was given six months to ay. Wheeler appealed all three Zena Ann Cofield was found guilty of shoplifting and was sentenced tp a 90 day commitment fit the NC Dept, of Correctidns Women’s Division. Volume XLIX - No. 44 Edenton, North Carolina, Thursday, November 28, 1985 Single Copies 25 Cents Awards Assembly Held A special National Recognition Awards Assembly at John A. Holmes High School Friday mor ning brought community leaders, students, faculty, administration, and staff together in a culmination of the recognition of the school for “Excellence in Education/’ Deputy Under Secretary (Management) of the U.S. Department of Education, Dr. Linda Combs, was the special guest speaker. Dr. Combs pointed out in our remarks that the occa sion also marked American Education Week. She told the students, “You tru ly exhibit class.” Combs outlined the procedures used to single out the school for this award. She said that 509 schools, nominated by each state’s chief school officer were examined from across the nation. “Out of these only 212 were selected as being outstanding.” She continued that, “for perspective, there are 16,000 school districts in the U.S., many r of which have a number of high schools within them. This shows how special you really are.” Combs listed some specific favorable comments made in the evaluation of Holmes. • Teachers could take an active role in the planning and develop ment of the curriculum. • Students appreciate the awards they receive for excellent performance. • Parents are enthusiastic about the school and its place in the community. • The community is very sup portive of the school. Dr. Combs then presented a flag and a plaque and congratulations on behalf of the President and the Secretary of the U.S. Dept, of Education to a delegation of students, administators, faculty and parents. Similar delegations, received awards and resolutions from the Town Council, County Commis sioners, Board of Education and Chamber of Commerce. m RESTORE HOUSE— Robert and Wanda Rossman on the staircase of the Speight house. The couple is in the process of restoring the turnr of-the century mansion. Couple Restoring Ingleside By Jack Grove An energetic couple from Fair fax, Va., who love old homes and history,'have moved to Edenton and embarked on an ambitious project of restoration. They have purchased the Speight house at the town limits on Highway 32 South, built in 1900 by Will Oscar and Minnie Perry Speight. The couple, Robert and Wanda Rossman, purchased the house on November 11 from Gillam Wood who has owned it for several years. The Rossmans were delighted recently by a surprise visit by the son and grandson of the builders, Will Edward Speight, 72, now living in Hertford, and W.O. Speight, II, 52, a retired Air Force colonel, who now lives with his family in Abeline, Texas. Both Speights were raised in the house and gave the Rossmans in sights into the history of the home. The senior Speight said that there were nine children in the family. His father operated the Edenton Brick Co. “Probably half of the brick in the buildings of the town came from there,” he said. He also said the home had been nam ed “Ingleside” by Mrs. Minnie Speight and that the original spell ing of the family name was “Spaight.” The turn-of-the-century house, is of Queen Anne Victorian brick construction. Rossman said all of the exterior waljs are 14 inches thick. The house has a slate roof. It contains 15 rooms and has seven fireplaces which are faced with dutch tile. Included in their purchase was five acres of adjacent land and the old cotton gin located just behind the house. The gin was built in 1902 and operated by Will Speight. The house and cotton gin are listed in the National Register of Historic Sites. Rossman said that due to their historical significance, restoration is being monitored by the N.C. Dept, of Cultural Resources and the Na tional Park Service. The state agency “is making recommenda tions and imposing restrictions’’ he said. Wanda Rossman, a native of South Africa, said they found the house through an ad in Country magazine in the July issue that had a feature article on Edenton. They came to look at the house and then she said she had to sell her husband on the idea of buying it and undertaking the large task of restoration. Bob Rossman said the house contained the original wiring and was one of the very first houses in Edenton to have electricity. He said the original owner went into the woods to cut his own power poles. Rossman said that the main areas of modernization are the electrical and plumbing systems. He said the interior of the house is basically in sound condition with only minor problems of mold and mildew being encountered. These are being overcome by painting and new wallpaper. Hie hardwood floors will be re conditioned also. The house has beat vacant for the past three years, with oneex Continued On'Page 4 WASHINGTON DIGNITARY— Dr. Linda Combs, Deputy Under Secretary of the U.S. Dept, of Educa tion, congratulates a delegation representing John A. Holmes High School on being awarded the “Ex cellence in Education” honor. Liability Insurance Laws Enforced State law in North Carolina re quires continuous liability in surance (financial responsibility) coverage of licensed motor vehicles. Process officer Hardy Gillam of the enforcement sec tion of the Division (formerly Department) of Motor Vehicles says that even a one-day lapse in coverage can cost the motorist his license plate and a civil penalty. Gillam stated that the law was changed on October 1,1985 allow ing for the following action by the vehicle owner within ten days of receipt of written notice by the Division of Motor Vehicles: “Certify to the Division that he had financial responsibility effec tive on or prior to the date of such termination; or in the case of a lapse in financial responsibility, pay a fifty dollar ($50.00) civil penalty; and certify to the Divi sion that he now has financial responsibility effective on the date of certification, that he did not operate the vehicle in question during the period of no financial responsibility with the knowledge that there was no financial responsibiity, and that the vehicle in question was not involved in a motor vehicle accident during the period of no financial responsibility. If for any reason the vehicle owner has not reinsured his vehicle and does not wish to do so and pay the civil penalty within the ten (10) days allowed, he is re quired to surrender the license plate during the 10-day time period. His vehicle may be relicensed any time thereafter upon payment of the $50.00 civil penalty, license fee and proof of liability insurance coverage (Form FS-1 or FR-2). Failure to respond in any man ner to the options allowed by notice given (Form FS5-7) within the ten (10) days will result in a revocation of the vehicle registra tion and license plate. The revoca tion requires surrender of the plate to the Division for thirty (30) days. On the 31st day, the vehicle may be relicensed upon payment of $50.00 restoration fee, $50.00 service fee, appropriate license fee and certifying liability in surance coverage. While revoked, the vehicle can not be re-registered in the name of the owner, spouse, or any child of the spouse, or any child of such owner within less than thirty (30) days after receipt of the plate, ex cept a spouse living separate and apart from the registered owner.” Gillam’s job is to confiscate license plates of those vehicles not in compliance with the law. He said that in the case of those motorists seen driving with revok ed plates by the N.C. Highway Patrol, the trooper is empowered by confiscate the plate on the spot. In the case of the Edenton Police Department, Chief John D. Parrish said that a motorist is normally issued a citation and Gillam’s office is notified. Gillam said that “If anyone has any questions or needs assistance concerning enforcement of this law, they may_qftntact me at 482-4994.” Open House Planned For December 8 The Iredell House Association and the Cupola House Association will have Open House and Wassail Bowl on Sunday, December 8,1985 from 2:00 to 5:00. Musical enter tainment will be provided by a group of Edenton Choral Society members. Everyone is invited to view these historic houses decorated for Christmas by members of the Iredell House Association and the Garden of Eden Club. Christmas Parade. Entries Still Being Accepted Late entries are still being ac cepted for Edenton’s annual Christmas Parade which will get underway from Coke Avenue (in front of TG&Y) on Sunday after noon, December 1, at 2:30 p.m. According to the Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the event, maps and instructions will be mailed to those who have fill ed out registration forms. In addition to the parade, several other special activities will be taking place Sunday after noon on the Courthouse green im mediately following the parade. Santa will be there in his sleigh to talk with the kids, and to pose with them for pictures, thanks to the ef forts of the Edenton Jaycees. Also, the Chowan-Edenton Op timist Club will be sponsoring a Sing-Along, featuring area church choirs and other local talent. Among those who will be having floats in this year’s parade are: Continued On Page 4 PREPARE FLOAT— Members of the Chowan Hospital Women’s Auxiliary begin preliminary work on their entry for Sunday’s Christmas parade. Standing from left to right are Catherine Robey, Dr. Can dace Corson and Maureen Blakemore. The children will ride the float.

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