THE i Wednesday, December 25,2002 CHOWMllE^ALD Vol. LXIX, No. 52 Published in historic Edenton... The South’s prettiest town. Single Copies 500 Horace the Mule Is retold..... 1Q-A Students build holiday houses for seniors_1-b Perry is named E-NC award service award recipient_2-B Center Hill Panorama fills hearts with holiday spirit Community volunteers donate time, talents to share story of Jesus BY HELEN K. OUTLAND Staff Writer The Center Hill Pan orama began Wednesday evening. The panorama is a moving tribute to the life of Jesus Christ. The sky was clear and a full moon only enhanced the visual beauty of the display. “We have two new scenes for this years panorama,” said Mary Nixon. Center Hill Baptist Church and community volunteers com bine their talents to present the panorama. “ The thing that really im presses me is how the entire community comes together to present this program ev ery year,” said Reverend Don English of the Center Hill Baptist Church. English went on to say that the church and commu nity try to use something new each year. Their inge nuity proved rewarding for "spectators as the scene of . Jesus ascending was a real eye catcher. Using a Cherry picker and dark cloth to'' camouflage any sign of equipment, the person por traying Jesus was slowly lifted skyward, the spot light adding a glow and re alism to the event. The panorama ran from 6 p.m. till 8 p.m. for three nights and was set up so visitors could drive their cars through the display. Live animals were used and local church and commu nity members, including children, portrayed charac ters in each of the scene. This year two new scenes were included. The first new scene and one of the most profound was that of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. The second new scene was “Jesus Heal ing the Paralytic”. It de picted a paralytic being lowered through the roof of a house by his friends so that Jesus might heal him. “It is absolutely beauti ful,” said Geyne Vogel of the panorama as she and her husband Bob drove slowly through. “It is a little chilly, so it’s nice to be able to view it from the warmth of the car.” This marks the fcfurth year that the panorama has been presented in Tyner. Message of love, peace, goodwill Dear Readers: Some things simply cannot be improved upon, as with the original telling of this beautiful story. Our wish for you this holiday season is that we may all carry its message of love, peace and goodwill toward our fel low man in our hearts every day of the coming year. Merry Christmas to you and all those you love. The Chowan Herald Staff THE CHRISTMAS STORY And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David; To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it. was, that while they were there, the days were ac complished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, 1 bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is. born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one unto another, Let us go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which has come to pass, which the Lord has made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the say ing which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. - From the Bible, the Book of St. Luke Mary gazes lovingly at the baby Jesus as Joseph ter jderly watches over them in one of the most popular scenes from the Center Hill Christmas Panorama which brings alive the spirit of the holiday season. jfHelen Kerr Outland photc> } Holiday lights grace downtown BY HELEN K. OUTLAND Staff Writer Without a doubt downtown Edenton is always beautiful at Christmas. However, this year there is a little extra glow as more trees lining the side walks were decorated with white lights. “The Marketplace Guild has been responsible for the downtown Christmas decora tions for several years now,” says George Alma Byrum. “We are responsible for the monies needed to supply 41^ decora tions as well.” Byrum adds that contributions from the Chamber of Commerce and the Chowan County Tourism and Development Authority also contributed to the addi tional lights. “Jack Habbit approached us See LIGHTS On Page 3-A Early deadlines The Chowan Herald will be closed all day January 1 to allow employees time off to spend New Year’s Day with family and friends. Accordingly there will be early deadlines in place for the paper’s Jan. 1 edition. All advertising, classi fieds, legals, news items and photos for next week’s newspaper should be turned in by noon this Thursday (Dec. 26). Any items received after that time will be printed as space remains available. Happy Holidays! Tree lights beautify a street corner in downtown Edenton. ^J^CXACUZ , Peace and Joy this Holiday (Season