Wednesday, April 9,2003
Pilgrimage
offers new
dimension
BY ANNE GREER
l Special Correspondent
This year’s Pilgrimage will
take on a richer dimension
April 25 with the addition of a
very special evening planned
to benefit the Edenton Histori
cal Commission and the
Edenton Woman’s Club. On
that evening, at 7:30 p.m., you
are invited to an after-dinner
occasion at Edenton House in
support of these two organiza
tions, which are dedicated to
the preservation and promo
tion of historic Edenton.
Built in the 1820s, Edenton
House is described by Thomas
Butchko, author of “Edenton:
An Architectural Portrait,” as
“the epitome of the stylish
sidehall-plan Federal style
dwellling.” James Farr of
Chevy Chase, MD, is the owner
of the house. It is through his
efforts that the house is now
host to a learning institute.
Edenton House is now a place
to be enjoyed by groups and
individuals who wish to pro
mote historic prservation. The
house also serves as a center
for presentations, seminars
and dialogues among selected
groups that seek positive
means to manage the many
challenges that face Ameri
cans in the 21st century.
Those visiting the Edenton
House on the evening of April
25 may enjoy:
See PILGRIMAGE Page 5-A
Guild endorses Main St. concept
Belinda Washlesky (3rd from left) along with the Chamber's Richard Bunch (left) and
Town Manager, Anne-Marie Knighton, (right), are joined by a room full of downtown
Merchants Guild members at the Guild's regular monthly meeting on Tuesday morning. A
North Carolina Main Street public forum is planned for next Monday, April 14 at 5:30 p.m.
at the Edenton Town Council chambers. Washlesky explains that this will be an impor
tant community gathering where citizens and merchants will have an opportunity to
learn more about the Main Street program."We're looking for an enthusiastic turn-out,"
said Washlesky. "This is a great opportunity for Edenton." According to organizers the
April 14 meeting will feature a presentation by Rodney Swink, State Director of the NC
Main Street program. According to a press release, only four towns in all of North Caro
lina are selected every two or three years and the selection follows a highly competitive
and lengthy process. The Downtown Merchant's Guild, as one of the oldest and most
successful downtown organizations has officially indorsed the Main Street program and
promises to do all that it can do to help, according to Ashley Misseri (3rd from right),
acting president of the Guild. Also pictured welcoming Washlesky are longtime Guild
members Marion DesJardins and George Alma Byrum. (David Crawley photo)
Strother to be honored by ECU
Shelby Sheffield Strother of
Edenton will receive the East
Carolina University School of
Music Alumni Professional
Society’s Distinguished Music
Alumnus Award on Thursday,
May 8. In 1960, Strother earned
her BS degree from ECU in
Greenville, NC.
“The award is certainly jus
tified, and I’m elated that she’s
receiving it,” says former
School of Music Dean Charles
Stevens. “It was my privilege
to supervise Shelby’s student
teaching at Washington High
School when I was choral di
rector for that school.” Stevens
recalls that Strother demon
strated superior musicianship,
was well organized, and
showed much promise for a
Shelby Strother
career in choral teaching. “In
addition to her success as a
teacher and choral conductor,
she has had a service career
which includes many alumni
areas and non-music areas in
the community and state.”
Since retiring from thirty
four years of teaching —
Banners are offered
Cmdr. Charles Aylesworth and Adjutant Richard Campbell,
Sons of American Legion Squadron 40, Edenton hold a Blue
Star Service Banner to be displayed in the window of homes
where a family member is serving in the armed forces. To
receive a banner, call 482-2386 or 482-8921.
twenty years of which she
spent in the Edenton-Chowan
Schools — Strother hasn't
missed a beat. She’s continued
her service to the region, to
education, and to East Caro
lina.
“She hasn’t retired by any
means,” says former student
Beth Norvell Ulffers, a K-2 mu
sic educator with Pitt County
Schools. “She still attends the
performances of her former
students.”
Strother hasn’t limited her
self to the support of music.
While it’s true that she served
as choral director for First
Presbyterian Church in Boone
for nearly a decade; organized,
directed, and advocated the
Edenton Choral Society for
twenty years; served on the
Chowan County Chapter of
the North Carolina Symphony
Board; and chaired the North
Carolina All-State Chorus for
nine years, not all of her ener
gies go to music.
“I always wanted to ,be a
nurse,” Strother says. “I didn’t
pursue it because I had a tal
ent I thought I should use.”
Her career choice hasn’t pre
cluded a lifetime of support of
medical care. Strother served
as president and is a member
of the Friends of Chowan Hos
pital, and served the North
Carolina Society of Hospital
Volunteers/Auxilians State
Board as vice-president of edu
See STROTHER Page 5-A
'No Wake Plan'
still undecided
BY DAVID TAYLOR
Contributing Writer
April’s Chowan County
Board of Commissioner’s
Meeting starting off with a
bang Monday night. A public
hearing was held to receive
comment on a proposal to seek
legislation from the NC Gen
eral Assembly to establish a
No Wake Zone in Pembroke
Creek. The zone would begin at
the Highway 17 Bridge north
west into the Pembroke Creek
and continue around Dillard’s
Island. •
The public was well repre
sented and in high attendance
to give their views and opin
ions on the proposal. A line
was definitely drawn as resi
dents debated the ups and
downs of a no wake zone in the
proposed area.
Most residents that battled
for the proposal stated that as
it is now, the creek is unsafe
and widely misused. Some
stated that boats pulling skiers
fly around the 135-degree turn
while other boats and fisher
men are in the creek.
Other residents urged the
commissioners to think about
the families that use the creek.
With no wake, meaning that
boats have to cut back speeds
so that no white water is left
behind, water sports and ac
tivities will not be able to take
place.
Some residents urged the
commissioners against a
I' V-*: ' "■ A',,. ..!?- ...i.
“blanket prohibition,” and po
lice the waters a little more,
allowing only two boats in the
creek at a time. Other ideas
ranged from more safety signs
around the creek to a larger
existence of wildlife officers in
the area.
After a lengthy debate, the
commissioners deadlocked on
a 3-3 vote with no clear resolu
tion of the issue. An amend
ment was passed with the
county agreeing to consult
with all participants involved
in the issue, including the
wildlife authorities, and to re
consider the issue.
• A public hearing was held
on Monday, April 7th, to re
ceive comment on the pro
posed 10-year Solid Waste Man
agement Plan as prepared by
the Solid Waste Authority and
reviewed by the Planning and
Enterprise Committee. This
proposal was approved.
NEXT MEETING
• The following are sched
uled for the Monday, May 5
Chowan County Board of
Commissioners meeting:
- Meeting of the Board of
Equalization and Review
- Public hearing on the Sec
ondary Roads Program
- Public hearing on the pro
posed Greenway Plan
- Public hearing on the pro
posed Hazard Mitigation
Plan
- Public hearing on the Ru
ral Operating Assistance
Program.
Come to the downtown
Edenton waterfront park and
join the fun and fellowship on
April 19 from 9 a.m. until
noon. Several area churches
will be joining to provide the
story of Easter and lift up our
Risen Savior
Organizers say they will
have performances on stage,
starting with the Easter Story
and the stage will be open for
appearances by local talent
afterwards.
“Anyone that has a song,
mime, creative movement,
dance, or other talent they
would like to share can call
me at 482-7855 before April 18
to reserve a spot," said Beebe
White, spokeswoman. “Do
not be shy; call today to share
the message of Christ with
your talent.”
Other scheduled activities
at the park that morning will
include an Egg Hunt for tod
dlers to second grade and for
third grade through fifth
grade (bring your favorite
See EASTER On Page 5-A
County Livestock Show is April 15
The 49th annual Chowan
County 4-H Livestock Show
and Sale will be held April 15
at the American Legion Post 40
Livestock Show Barn in
Edenton. -
The show, which begins at 1
p.m., is sponsored by the Ad
vance, Chowan, Rocky Hock,
Ryland and Yeopim Ruritan
Clubs in cooperation with the
• NC Cooperative Extension Ser
vice Chowan County Center.
Judge will be Walter Earle,
Wilson County Extension Di
rector. Wallace Evans of Eden
ton will serve as auctioneer for
the event.
A supper will be held at 5:30
p.m., followed by the awards
ceremony at 6:15 p.m. and sale
at 7 p.m.
“There are 61 youths partici
pating this year, showing pigs,
The 49th annual Chowan County 4-H Livestock Show and
Sale will be held in Edenton on April 15.
steers, goats and lambs,” said
County Extension Director
Mike Williams. “We encourage
everyone to come out and see
this show and sale, which has
become an annual tradition in
our community.”
Scheduled activities include:
• Primary Division Goat
Judging and Show
• Primary Lamb Division
and Lamb Judging
• Primary Hog Division and
Hog Judging
• Individual Hog Judging
• Pen of three Hogs Judging
• Hog Fitting and Showman
ship Contest
• Steer Judging
• Steer Fitting and Show
manship Contest.
Anyone interested in more
information about the show
may call Williams at 482-6585.
Saturday, April 12, 2003 * 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
National Guard Armory • SOUNDSIDE RD„ EDENTON
45 Spurn,
Rutted
SPACE RENTAL AND CONCESSION GO TO RELAY FOR LIFE!