‘People’s theatre’ now locally owned, operated Dickens comes to life Chowan County’s ver sion of the holiday clas sic “A Christmas Carol” has the ability to inspire the spirit. — B2 BY MILES LAYTON Editor Thanks to a commitment from the Chowan County community, Taylor Theatre will get a second act. Charlie Creighton said the ink is dry on the deal to purchase the the ater building from the Montanaro Family NC Properties. See our editorial about Taylor Theatre on page A6. Creighton along with Samuel Dixon and Larty Sellers spear headed recent efforts to save the theater. Within a few short weeks, the investment group raised more than $610,000 to purchase the the ater building and make repairs. Creighton said the purchase con tracts were signed last week with the sales price being $330,000. The remainder—about $280,000 — will be used for repairs and more. The theater closed in June after a storm damaged the building. “On top of the purchase price, this extra money will allow the owner to restore it to its original glory,” Creighton said. A local couple — Belinda and Ryan Respass — will lease the theater as its new operators. The Respasses are former long-time employees of the theater. While contractors were busy cleaning and See THEATRE, 3A SUBMITTED PHOTO These are some of the folks who made it happen — the rebirth of Taylor Theatre. A group of local investors stepped up to the plate to raise $610,000 needed to buy the property and make repairs. Art for good cause A recent children’s art auction has raised over $4,000 to benefit the work of the Chow an Arts Council as well as the local Boys and Girls Club. — B4 This week’s pets Check out this week’s adorable pets that are available fol- adoption from the Tri-County Animal Shelter. — B3 PHOTOS BY KIP SHAW Police Chief retires BY MILES LAYTON AND REBECCA BUNCH Cooke Communications Edenton Police Chfef Jay Fortenbery has re tired from police work to pursue teaching at Eliza beth City State Univer sity. “I will miss working with the Chief,” Town Manager Anne- Vets pay tribute The Christmas Candlelight Tour attracted tourists from near and far to Edenton’s homes on Friday and Saturday. Scents, tastes and memories were created as folks traveled from home to home. Cookies made children smile while their parents sought out a warm and friendly hearth. Seventy-six years ago — Dec. 7, 1941 — is a day that lives in infamy. Thursday morning, Capt. Mark Thesier sailed his ship “Liber-Tea” to the second bell buoy out in Albemarle Sound where American Legion Post 40 and the Submarine Vets Association laid a wreath in tribute to those service members who lost their lives in the attack on Pearl Harbor. — B6 Christmas Candlelight Tour ‘very special’ BY REBECCA BUNCH Staff Writer The rainy, cold weather experienced in the commu nity over the weekend had a definite impact on the num ber of those who braved the elements to take part in the annual Candlelight Tourrlo- cal officials said. Just 1,406 tickets were sold — about 280 less than last year. But it didn’t dampen the spirits of those, who did come. Mike Ervin, executive director of the Edenton Historical Commission that sponsors the tour each Christmas, said particularly noticeable was the drop in the number of walk-in tick ets normally sold for the event. “Definitely the weather had an impact because we had 50 to 75 percent less walk-ins than we normally have,” he said. “We nor mally have in the 400 ticket sale range. This year we had only in the 100 range. Sat urday there were only 46 walk-ins.” Ervin added that the stormy weather affected the transporting of visitors to the Edenton Bay homes that formed the foundation of this year’s tour as well as creating challenges relating to the luminary lighting that is normally put out for visi tors. He praised the homeown ers who opened their homes for the tour and noted that they offered gracious wel comes to all who visited in spite of the weather and rainwater tracked inside their homes. And those who did come See TOUR, 2A Goodwin announces sheriff re-election bid Like us on Facebook AT /THECHOWANHERALD 6 " "8 9 0 7 6"4 4 813 1 ©2009 The Chowan Herald All Rights Reserved 0 BY REBECCA BUNCH Staff Writer Chowan County Sheriff Dwayne Goodwin has an nounced that he plans to seek re-election when the primary filing period opens on Feb. 12. The filing period will end Feb. 28. Goodwin, 48, is now serv ing his third term as sheriff. Prior to being elected to his first term, he had served as a deputy. A native of Chowan County, he has served a total of about 26 years in the sheriff’s office. He said he hoped to be given the opportunity to GOODWIN continue serving. Goodwin said he felt much had been accomplished dur ing his time in office including the estab lishment of a highly successful Kids and Cops program and most recently a fo cus on working with “If the people will keep the community to ensure se me, I will be right there,” he curity at local churches. said. According to Chowan County Board of Elections Director Rebecca Lowe, other local offices that will be open for filing in Febru ary include Chowan County Clerk of Court currently held by Mike McArthur as well as Chowan County Commission seats held by Jeff Smith (District 1, Seat 2), John Mitchener (District 2, Seat 2) and Ellis Lawrence (District 3, Seat 2). Marie FORTENBERY Knighton said. “I am proud of him for earning his PhD and securing a professorship at Elizabeth City State University. I am happy he and his wife Mysi will continue to make then- home here in Edenton. They are great people and I wish them all the best.” One of Fortenbery’s officers, Captain Daroy- all Brown, will serve as interim chief until a new police chief can be hired. Fortenbery’s last day was Dec. 7 when he pre sided over a graduation ceremony from the final class to earn certificates from the Citizens Police Academy. “I loved the symbol ism of Chiefs decision to officially end his law enforcement career with graduation ceremony of Edenton Police Depart ment Citizens Police Academy,” Knighton said. “His last act as chief was to congratulate and honor the citizens who recently completed the Academy. Chief is fond of quoting Sir Robert Peele, a British Prime Minister who is considered to be the father of law enforce ment — the police are the citizens and the citizens are the police. He teaches those principles in the Academy and worked to instilled same in the cul ture of the department.” Knighton gave high praise to Fortenbery be cause he brought many initiatives to Edenton such as neighborhood policing, participation in regional law enforcement task forces and “if you see something, say some thing” campaign, to name See CHIEF, 4A "Corny Join Us As Wo Celebrate Our Lord's Birth” ST. PAUL’S, 101 W. GALE ST. The Rev. J. Malone Gilliam, Rector St. Paul’s Epii» 'opal Church invites you to our CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES 10 AM ADVENT FOUR 4 PM FAMILY SERVICE 10:30 PM SPECIAL MUSIC 11:00 PM MIDNIGHT SERVICE NO SERVICE CHRISTMAS DAY

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