Newspapers / The Chowan Herald (Edenton, … / Dec. 14, 2005, edition 1 / Page 1
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Vol. LXXII, No. 49 Wednesday, December 14, 2005 Single Copies 50£ Joe AJbea photo An F/A18 Super Hornet veers away from a group of tundra swans on Dec. 7. Navy, birds battle for turf during flyover BY SEAN JACKSON The Chowan Herald The U.S. Navy did little to boost its cause to site a land ing field for fighter jets in northeastern North Carolina last week, according to oppo nents of the project. During a flyover by an F/A 18 Super Hornet over the pro posed outlying landing field site in Washington County on Dec. 7, observers “gasped as a jet banked away from a large flock of birds,” the Southern Environmental Law Center said on its Web site. The flight began shortly af ter 7:30 a.m. The site has been the focus of a lawsuit between the Navy and Washington and Beaufort counties, in addition to environmental groups also in opposition to the outlying landing field. The 30,000-acre OLF would be located near Po cosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge near Roper. Tundra swans and snow geese are two species of migratory water fowl that converge on the ref uge each year. Opponents have said that, in addition to the loss of precious farmlands, the birds would pose a strike threat to the jets. Plymouth Mayor Brian Roth said that was evident during the Dec. 7 flight, when jets banked near about a dozen tun dra swans. “The plane was very fortu nate not to collide with the flock. That is clearly what we’d call a near miss,” Roth said on the SELC’s Web site. SELC attorney Derb Carter also said the birds appeared to pose a threat to the jet last week. “What was striking to me was the way the birds were div ing to avoid the path of the See NAVY On Page A2 INSIDE Calendar.C2 Church.C5 Classifieds D1 -4 Editorials.A6 Obituaries.....C6 School..A4 Society.C3 Sports ..B1 -4 Edenton's Christmas Parade and The Historic Edenton Christmas Candlelight Tour provided ample opportunity to get that Holiday Spirit HOLIDAY SCENES Parade marshalls sense of community BY EARLINE WHITE The Chowan Herald Over 40 floats paraded down Broad Street in this year’s annual Christmas parade held Saturday, December 10. Thousands of anxious families lined the street, from the parade’s beginning at Golden Coral all the way to the bay Hands warmed by mittens were waved in the air at those whom they knew and shouts for happy holidays filled the air. Northeastern High School and John A. Holmes Marching Aces rang in the sea son with joyous favorites as the minia ture and classic cars, horses, clubs and churches shared their wishes for a Merry Christmas. “This is my first Christmas parade here,” said Bob Batson of Georgia whose son had purchased a home in the mill vil lage. “But from what I know of this town already, I know that the sense of commu nity will be my favorite part of the pa rade. This is a great town and the feeling Staff photo by Earline White Santa (top) makes another appearance in Eden ton during the parade, (above) Ryan and Nicho las Nazari of New Orleans sit atop their family auto to take in the spectacle. of togetherness is the one thing I’m sure will stick in my mind.” Winners in the 2005 “Twelve Days of Christ mas” parade were: 3rd place Arrowhead Beach See PARADE On Page A3 Candlelight Tour 'exceeds expectations' BY SEAN JACKSON The Chowan Herald '% Mark Reeves stood between a stairwell and a doorway and greeted the throngs of visitors traipsing through his home on Saturday night. “You have to see grandma,” Reeves urged his visitors on the second night of Edenton’s annual Christmas Candlelight Tour. “Grandma,” as it turns out, was a dolled-up mannequin relaxing in a faux bubble-bath in an upstairs bathroom decorated for the holiday tour. Reeves and his wife Dale Griffith were among the 14 hosts opening their homes to tour-goers on Friday-and Saturday nights. A bevy of churches and historical public build ings also joined in on the tour that drew roughly 1,200 visitors. Visitors said the stops — largely grouped in the Mill Village — offered a unique view at holiday decorating styles. “Oh, it’s wonderful,” Betsy Bixler of Colerain said of the tour. “The condos were great fun.” Indeed, crowds surged into the Edenton Cotton Mill condominiums shortly after nightfall Saturday. After strolling past a 16-foot yuletide tree just inside the entrance, visitors were allowed Deck the halls, and the outdoors BY EARLINE WHITE The Chowan Herald Two hundred strands of lights, stapled, taped and coerced into their places on the roof, the windows, the porch railings, the outhouse and even the car and the tractor. Decorating enuthusiasts would be proud of the light entrepreneurs who have sur faced in Chowan over the past few years with their lighted palm trees, twinkling multi-colored icicles and plastic reindeer. And for those of us who have not the pa tience nor time, that is needed for such a festive endeavor, we thank you for provid ing the canvas of our cheap and popular Christmas excursions—packing the family in the car and driving around the neigh borhood looking at those creative decora tions. • More photos of Tour and Parade can be found on page C-l Ismelda in the tub was a surprise for everyone touring the home of Dale Griffith and Mark Reeves in the Mill District. extended peeps inside the newly opened units. “It’s just turned out better than anybody could have imagined,” Gina Rascoe, the condos’ site decorator said of the project. “People absolutely qan’t believe how wonderful the architecture is and how creative it is.” Bixler raved about the Elliott Street home of Mary Scott Perry, another first-time host on the tour. “Her house is very eclectic,” Bixler said, re ceiving agreement from husband Warren. Perry said the varied adornments were planned to illustrate her own personality “It’s been a rewarding experience,” Perry said. “It’s been a joy” Staff photo by Earline White This home on the corner of Paxton Ln. and Old Hertford Rd. definitely riles up the spirit. Few are left without some twinkle this season. , And many of those still share a glimmer of the holidays by placing their tree in front of a win dow for passersby to see. But it is still those with lights blaring so brazenly that cause cars to slow down as they drive by, sometimes turn around and take it in from another angle. One such sight is on Icaria Road. Douglas Hollowell has been decorating since Thanksgiving and is so happy that it’s all over, unless there’s a burnout, See DECK On Page A2 Susan Sterner photo First Lady Laura Bush' announces the newest additions to the "Preserve America" program, including Edenton. Town of Edenton designated 'Preserve America' community attract more visitors. The announcement came from First Lady Laura Bush, who serves as honorary chair of Preserve America. “Preserve America com munities demonstrate that they are committed to pre serving America’s heritage while ensuring a future filled with opportunities for learn ing and enjoyment,” she said in a prepared statement. “This community designa tion program, combined with the Preserve America Presi dential Awards and Federal . support, provides strong See PRESERVE On Page A3 Officials discuss agency's role with Parton project County Managers group plan to meet next with the Northeast Partnership’s Executive Board BY REBECCA BUNCH The Chowan Herald Local officials expressed great excitement at the news that Edenton has been selected as one of our nation’s newest Preserve America communi ties. Mayor Roland Vaughan said, “We are, of course, delighted to have been chosen. Edenton’s selection will open up opportu nities for us to have access to grant money that would not otherwise be available to us.” And having Edenton included in such a select group, he said, would also aid efforts to pro . mote the community and to BY SEAN JACKSON The Chowan Herald Chowan County Manager Cliff Copeland met Friday with other area county man agers to discuss their con cerns about recent developements at the Eden ton-based Northeast Partner ship. Copeland said Tuesday that last week’s meeting did involve discussion about Rick Watson, president and CEO of the agency. Copeland said the closed-door meeting involved “positive” discus sion, but the details of the meeting were not released. ' Watson has been the focus of scrutiny from the state of ficials involving a $500,000 funding request for a planned theater complex in Roanoke Rapids. The com plex is to be built and oper ated by Randy Parton’s Moonlight Bandit Produc tions company. Parton, brother of famed country singer Dolly Parton, plans to invest $129 million into the project. Watson plans to become a manager in the project within 18 months, while keeping his job with the Part nership in the interim. His role in helping secure the $500,000 in state funding for the project has drawn the at tention of state officials and ISSiilSi Rick Watson lawmakers, who have said it’s unclear what entity the funding would be appropri ated to. “What we agreed is sim ply that we discuss the is sues and concerns and set a meeting with the (Partnership’s) executive board to discuss those con cerns,” Copeland said, add ing that he planned to make calls Tuesday to set up that meeting. With the Christmas holi day fast approaching, Copeland could not say if that meeting would be scheduled for later this month or in January.. He did say hopes are to keep the Partnership’s role in economic develop ment in the region intact. “The Partnership has See Project On Page A3 * •' , >
The Chowan Herald (Edenton, N.C.)
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