THE 1 Wednesday, December 18,2002 chowjsMei^ald Vol. LXIX, No. 51 Published in historic Edenton... The South's prettiest town. Single Copies 500 | Backyard i Briefs: Snow Goose ■■■•■••» 3-A Christmas Greetings from kids, businesses_1C-12C Ambrose book provides thoughts on ihis life and others_4-D •* * Parade, Candlelight Tour delight visitors BY HELEN K. OUTLAND Staff Writer Christmas came to life in Edenton this weekend as hun dreds converged downtown to enjoy the sights, sounds, and flavors of the holidays. Despite a light rain the doors of the Cupola, Iredell, and Barker Houses were opened to the de light cf tourist and locals alike as the annual Candlelight Tour 1 began. The homes on tour were beautifully decorated where visitors not only enjoyed a di versity of decorations but also were treated to live piano or harp music at the Boehling ___ , ginia Beach. “Every year there is something different and al ways beautiful.” The weather seemed to have little if any effect on the turn out. “Oh, the weather doesn’t bother us at all,” said Jill Bass of Richmond. Bass and a number of her friends had filled a van to capacity and made the trip. “We are kind of damp and our feet are sore, but we are having a wonderful time. The homes are beautiful.” As visitors entered each home they found them deco rated in styles reflecting the distinct styles and personali air surrounded them. Front porches were welcoming with green, red, and gold wreaths offset with twin kling candles. As the drizzle of rain be gan to subside visitors made their way to the waterfront, drawn there by the aroma of steaming oysters, and ate their fill of the delicacies masterfully prepared by Leon Nixon’s Catering. The Barker House served up their special ‘nog’ and the Groan ing Board at the Iredell House and the Wassail Bowl at the Cupola House provided an opportunity for fellow ship, while the Chowan Arts -T-1--1 From a yuletide parade filled with floats, rides and music, to a tour of beautifully decorated homes and historic sites, Edenton was definitely the place to be over the weekend. Christmas parade winners included Kadesh Church, below. And, at right, Merritt Chesson performs for visitors at the home of Peter and Mary Boehling during the Christmas Candlelight Tour. Companion events included an Oyster Roast held on the grounds of the historic Barker House located on the downtown Edenton waterfront. (Staff photos by Helen Kerr Outland and Deborah Collins) Culpepper sponsors serial for students There are just a few weeks left until the Chowan Herald Newspaper in Education (NIE) program begins an exciting serialized story about the fa mous Wright Bros., Wilbur and Orville. On Jan. 8 the first of 14 chap ters of “Dreams Come True: The Story of the First Flight” will be made available. “The one hundredth anni versary of flight is significant for northeastern North Caro lina, and this compelling story will enable us all to learn more about the extraordinary ac complishments of the Wright Brothers,” said Herald NIE Coordinator Donna Koppel man. “You will not want to miss a single chapter.” “Rep. Bill Culpepper of Edenton, who represents our district in the North Carolina General Assembly, has gener ously agreed to sponsor this serial,” she added. “We join the children in thanking him for his interest in promoting lit eracy. We ardsure that readers of all ages will be enlightened and inspired by this story of two brothers and their dream.” More details on “Dreams Come True: The Story of the First Flight” will be published in next week’s Chowan Herald. 5 »', rr.d Reynolds homes. Warm * .pple cider greeted guests at .he home of April Lane. Home made bread and a succulent, pineapple-covered ham teased visitors as they made their way through the Baker home. A “cool” Christmas tree de lighted visitors to the Hagan home at the Hatchery. “We would not miss this tour for anything,” said Dick and Dottie Reynolds of Vir ties of the owners. Some homes were simply and el egantly done while others were colorful and animated. The sounds of children’s laughter filled the air as they scurried around. Ginger bread man cookies, for dis play only, were vibrantly iced making it difficult not to ‘snitch’ one and run. Lights from the homes cast a soft haze as the moisture in the Council’s Confection Perfec tion also offered a chance to enjoy work by local artists. Visitors found something for everyone as they made there way through town. On Saturday morning skies were clearing and the sun attempting to show itself as big and little kids lined Broad Street waiting for the annual Christmas Parade to. begin. From horses to hot rots spectators c'appdd as beautifully adorned floats made their way past. Marching bands brought out dancing in the little ones and Old St. Nick brought cheering. Albemarle Baptist Church placed first in the judging of this year’s floats. Country side Church of Christ placed second and Kadesh A.M.E. Zion won third place honors. i Early deadlines set The Chowan Herald will be closed all day Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Dec. 24-25, to allow employees to celebrate the holiday with their families. Accordingly, early deadlines will be in place for the Christmas edition of the paper. All advertising, classifieds, legals, news items and photos for next week’s newspaper should be turned in by noon this Thursday (Dec. 19). Any items received after that time will be printed as space remains available. Happy Holidays! Edenton-Chowan Parks and Recreation Director Robbie Laughton, at left, updates Chowan County Commissioners concerning progress on the Pembroke Creek project. (Staff photo by Helen Kerr Outland) ^ County gets grant funds Chowan County has been awarded a $50,000 grant for the construction of approximately 700 feet of boardwalk, along Pembroke Creek. In early 2000 the county re ceived a smaller grant for the construction of 250 feet of boardwalk on the vacant land adjacent to the Pembroke Creek Marina and Fishing Center. The county was able to obtain the 5.4-acre tract of land through the Clean Water Man agement Trust Fund in 1999. Plans were made by the county to use the land as a public park and turned over the manage ment of the project to Recre ation Director Robbie Lau ghton. The Town of Edenton had received a small grant in 1998 to build a boardwalk on a dif ferent site, but the location fell through. Laughton asked that the funds be re-directed to the Pembroke Creek site and the State agreed opening the devel opment of the property for public use. The 700-foot extension will follow the shoreline east from the existing boardwalk to wards the Pembroke Creek Bridge. The boardwalk will al low for fishing, canoe and launching kayaks, bird watch ing, and leisure walks. When making the presenta tion to the County Commis sioners, Laughton told of the project’s strong merits. “The See FUNDS On Page 3-A Edenton-Chowan Schools go tobacco-free in 2003 The Edenton - Chowan Schools Board of Education voted at its December meeting to consider developing a policy prohibiting the use of tobacco on school grounds or at school events, at any time and by any person. Board member Tom Abbott made the motion for the policy change after attending a work- - shop on 100-percent tobacco free schools in Greenville. The new policy would prohibit to bacco use for all students, staff and visitors in school build ings, on campus, in vehicles and during all school events, including outdoor events. The policy would extend to hours outside the regular classroom schedule - 24 hours, seven days a week. Neighboring Gates, Hertford and Perquimans currently have 100-percent tobacco-free policies. The State Board of Educa tion voted at its June meeting to pass a resolution authored by Lieutenant Governor Bev erly Purdue to encourage all local school boards to adopt a 100-percent tobacco-free policy. Currently 15 North Carolina school systems have tobacco free policies. The current Edenton - Chowan Schools policy on to bacco use, effective with the 1991-1992 school year, prohibits See FREE On Page 3-A Supporting safety Edenton-Chowan Schools Supt. Allan Smith, left, accepts a $500 check from Harry Lee Winslow, right, presented on behalf of the Ryland Ruritan Club. The funds will assist with the cost of installing flashing caution lights on the speed limit sign posted near Chowan Middle School. The Edenton Chowan Schools Board of Education voted to install the lights at the suggestion of Ruritan Club member Fred Bunch. The Ruritan Club donated the funds to install the lights as part of its mission of "good will and community service". (Photo by Glenda iakubowski, Edenton-Chowan Schools) 1 ■' 1 1 ----1 Center Hill Baptist Church will again present a live drive-through panorama depicting the life of Jeeuo Christ with the addition of two new scenes located behind the Center Hill Community Building, 936 Sandy Ridge Road In Tyner, NC. This will bo held Wednesday, Decem ber IS through Friday, December *0 from * pm to ■ pm, nightly. Admission is free and refreshments will he served inside the community building. For more details, please contact Pastor Don English at 252-221-4060. II .. I ■» .I" . 1 »■■■ .. .. H ■