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THE CAROLINA INDIAN VOK
PEMBROKE. N.C
“Building Communicative Bridges
ROSESQN COUNTV
Chairman of board of education speaks to
PARENTS AND TEACHERS ABOUT MERGER
We can have a county system of community schools,” so
id Dr. Dalton Brooks as he addressed parents and teachers
a gathering: to observe National Fvducation Week at South
)eson Tuesday evening, Nov. 17. Dr. Brooks is chairman of
Robeson County Board of Education. His guest on the
)gnim was Dr. Robert Reising from PSU.
Brooks was billed to talk about changes in education,
[butMe thrust of his message to the some 12 parents and 20
teichtTs and principals was that Robeson County had to move
the best move was up and that move would have to be
icr.
e said education has been able to pierce many barriers.
K|, education, the chairman said, does not solve all
lblein.s. He listed the problem of morality as one problem
’alion was not solving. In his days, he reminisced, there
5 prayer in school and chapel programs where he admitted
^challenged by viable speakers and he learned almost as
Ich as he learned in the classrooms. Not so today,
today education is straining against drugs and illiteracy. He
, " Our children do not read,’' and he went on to say that
It was a major problem. Education, he said, is a tool. IT
ps solve economic problems and helps with cultural
blenvs and helps bring success to the individual.
[our future may be made up more of numbers than of
' Dr. Brooks predicted. That is why our students need
' how to work computers. E his mention of computers
Iseemed to be indicating to the parents and teachers
tclions school curriculum was changing.
Obeson County has problems and the chairman of the
inly school board did not hesitate to outline some of them.
Isaid Robeson County, more so than any other county he
lid name, was multi clusters of cultures that make
Beating the children across the county difficult. He said
Jie area.s of the county are rich in comparison to other areas
lieh an? poor. Political problems across the county are hard
peal with. He said there exisLs a crisis in the northern part
■county; namely around Parkton and Magnolia schools.
! need to update buildings in that area is acute according to
chairman. But, he indicated, where is the money
ng to come from? Yet, despite the problems, the chairman
students from Robeson County Schools are competing
I students from other school systems and they will have to
npete.
n'tfi a statement that education is socialization and we have
laze of problems. Dr. Brooks got around to pinpointing the
I gist of his message: Merger. He .say.s he has bilked with
lefinlendenis and board chairmen of other school systems
ail agn“e that moving toward a one-system county is
the most logical way to go. He added in comments after
the speech that Rdeigh may mandate such a move if tht
people of Robeson County do not take the move themselves.
He also pointed out that other counties who are moving so
well along with our county wide system of schools are looldng
at Robeson Counlv with wonder--five school systems in one
county amazes some people. But, merger is the highway up
and to better schools. Dr. Brooks said merger would make the
school cost effective.
Yet, Dr. Brooks did not hesitate to point out that he was in
favor of community schools. He did not specifically spell out
the way a county system could be established, but he did say
that in a county wide system, Red Springs, for example, would
keep their schools, but might draw in some students from the
Oxendine school area. He said Lumberton would still have
their schools, so would Pembroke. He said some parents were
asking where their children would go to school and some
teachers were asking where they would be assigned to
teach.He indicated children would not be drastically affected
in a merger of the five school systems. But teachers, he
remarked, should be able to teach anyplace.
Dr. Brooks' closing remark was perhaps more blunt than
any he had made in the evening’s message, and it put the cap
on a speech that had been billed to be on the topic of changes
in education, but turned out to be a pitch for merger of the five
school systems in Robeson County. He said, "We have to be
willing to give merger a chance.”
Dr. Robert Reising from PSU followed Dr. Brooks. He sized
up education as being essentially three “E’s”, namely,
ecology, economics and education. As to ecology, he spoke
strongly against GSX saying it was the biggest threat to the
people of Robeson County. He stated that mergeris in the best
interest of Robeson County. He said, ‘' Merger is a necessity if
education is to become more than mediocre in (Robeson
County) in the 21st century. All people stand to gain,” he went
on to point out He concluded by saying that the three “E’s”
must add up to one “E” —Excellence.
Mr. Ardeen Hunt, administrative principal at South
Robeson, served as moderator for the National Education
Week presentation.
Vanessa Harrison, a student at South Robeson, read an
essay on education and stated that man cannot live well
without education and that education pays dividends. She
challenged the audience of teachers and parents from South
Robeson, Southside-Ashpole and Fairgrove Schools to hold
fast to their dreams that education stimulates.
by Edmond Locklear, Jr.
Public Relations News Director
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO...
MARVIN CARTER
, 'M'- ‘NNi
f- '-!■ H---' '• ••■ *
by Barbara Bniyhoy-Ijx-ldcar
Special to the Carolina Indian Voice
7 and help others has followed Marvin Carter
1 And for a man who does not like a
■'’f of publicity, he has spent most of his adult life in
^ici* to others.
farmers, John and Rose Carter of
F >'oke, he set his sails toward achievement at an early age.
^nizing the potential of young Carter, ihe late Rev. D.F.
rD" encouraged the high school student to enroll in
jin^e.ssee Wesleyan School as a tenth ^de transfer student.
llnie in my life it looked like a better
unitytogoaway to school,” Carter remembers. Having
his high school students, he returned to Cherokee
1^4 ^*^^*^* where he graduated valed/ctorian in the class
r'I'll leaching certificate in hand, he went looldng for a job
If Wife. The job came first. At Jacobs Point, and formerly
F School in Hoke County, he became the sole teacher
tth teaching year. During the summer
1^^^^followed, he pursued a degree at the University of
college and into matrimoney when he married the former
Rose Ijocklear.
In 1931, Carter embarked on a teaching career which was to
last 41 years. Eighteen of those years were spent as principal
and teacher simultaneously.
“I retired from the schoolhouse in 1973, but that’s about all
I retired from,” the grandfather laughs as he speaks of other
things that have consumed his time over the years. ‘‘I've had
plenty to do.”
The many certificates of accomplishments hidden upstairs
in his Pembroke home attest he had plenty to do even before
retirement. More than 20 years ago, drawing on a college
major in Biology, Carter’s interest turned to the study of
emergency medical care. In the mist of a teaching profession,
the Native American enrolled in the N.C. Rescue Institute at
UNC/ Chapel Hill to acquire special training in emergency
medical care. For years following, he returned to the school for
advanced study and licenses and always returned to his native
Robeson County to lend his skills and knowledge to others
without financial gain to himself.
"I served on week-ends as a volunteer in the emergency
room at Southeastern General Hospital for five years,” he
quietly comments. ”1 did whatever was needed of me.” And
when licensed in Radioactive Material in 1968, Carter gave of
his lime in teaching procedures to local firemen.
Neverone to spend idle time. Carter, among others, became
a charier member of Pembroke Lions Club over 30 years ago.
His involvement in the Pembroke Rescue Squad, where he
became the second-oldest member, left no time for him to hold
a officer’s position in the Dons Club, did lend time during his
busy days to help those with special physical problems.
For more years than the modest Carter admits, he has
applied his medical training and skills to those individuals who
suffer limited physical disabilities. In administering physical
therapy to his clients, he draws on a Swedish massage
technique he learned years ago. Carter neither advertises or
charges for physical therapy given to the clients.
A 28-year member of Pembroke Rescue Squad, he no longer
accompanies fellow members on emergency calls. “I think
they've gone to respecting old age, and that's why they don’t
call me to go along on ambulance calls.” he laughs. He says a
hearing impairment influenced his decision in no longer
joining them on calls.
His three decades of services to others and his community
was publicly acknowledged in 1977, when Governor Jim Hunt
named him North Carolina’s ‘‘Volunteer of the Year.” In
being named. Carter became Robeson County’s first recipient
of the award. He was further honored when his hometown of
Pembroke held "Marvin Carter Day” with a parade and
honors.
His willingness to help others is carried over to family and
church. Many hours are spent tutoring his grandchildren in
school studies. Some days catch him in his wife’s flower shop
located behind the Carter residence. “I don't mess with, or
want to learn how to arrange flowers. I have enough to do
without that,” he says of the shop. He does, however, assist ini
cutting out designs used in the many wreaths distributed from
the shop.
He confirms he is a housekeeper and cooks most of the
meals taken by him and his wife of 55 years. ”I have no
identity problems when it comes to housekeeping. Tve been
Spotlight on
CARTER’S FLOWERS
by Barbara Brayboy-Locklear
The disappointment over a funeral wreath purchased 50
years ago caused Rose L Carter to decide she’d create her
own floral arrangements thereafter. “I was ashamed of the
wreath Td bought for a friend. And on the way back from the
florist. I said if I ever eave another flower. Td make it
myself,” says the 80-year-old owner of Carter’s Flowers.
Thus was the beginning of a business which has span over a
half century in the r^embroke area. Among the first to
establish a florist. Carter opened her business while still a
full-time public school teacher. ‘‘I’d teach school during the
day and arrange flowers at night. Often times I worked all
night, go home around 6 a.m., shower and then to the
classroom,” she recalls.
Teaching schoo. for 41 years did little to slow the energetic
grandmother, of her work habits she says. ‘‘I like to work. I
don’t like to be dependent on others. I like to make my own
way, and I don’t want to be a beggar.”
Local Business Persons
And making her own way has become a way of life for the
daughter of a farmer. Bom one of 10 children, she knows
plenty about hard work. "My father put us to work on Mod nay
and told us how much we had to do that week on the farm.”
she remembers. She recalls her early childhood years growing
up in the Saddletree community of Robeson Couniv. ‘‘Thero
were two things we had to do. They were, work h.u-d and go to
school.” Carter did both. She graduated from Cher>‘koe Indian
Normal School in 1927, and began teaching school. The
creative Native American oi^anized the first Indian grammar
school music band in Robeson County, during her 1! year slay
at Union Chapel School.
She retired from teaching in 1973, saying, ‘‘41 -ars is too
long for anyone to teach school.”
She now devotes her time to her business located M.'hind her
Pembroke home. Die flower shop, originally ijcated in
downtown Pembroke, was relocated 12 years ago to its present
location.
The constant flow of customers coming to the florist
doesn't bother Carter. “You can’t slay in business and get
tired of people,” she comments. She says she has customers
day and night. “I don’t try to make a mint out of this
business,' she adds. She says she just makes enough to pay
for her time. ”1 don’t overcharge people. This business is a
life preserver for me. This is medicine for my living.”
Carter pays close attention to the selection of flowers that go
into her arrangements. Other than for a fresh-flower
distributor who delivers to me snop, sne does all her buying,
often times traveling as far as 100 miles to make sure she finds
the right items for her designs. ‘‘I care only about how my
customers feel about my work and service,” she says.
Carter refers to the current holiday season as her
"hardworking occasion.” Her famUy worries that she works
too hard, and that she should rest more. Referring to her heart
surgery a few years ago, she says, “When I had my bypass,
the doctors told me to work a little and take a daily nap. I told
them I'd lived all these years without a daytime nap, and Tm
not going to start now.”
Since surgery she has acquired help in the shop. Her
daughter. Marilyn Roberts assists in arranging flowers, and
her husband, Marvin, custs designs used in funeral
wreaths.
Her commitment to business lends no time for leisure and
travel. Those in the area recognize Carter’s commitments go
farther than to her business. She is often seen coming to the
aid of some stranded motorist in front of her home, or offering
a ride to a familiar pedestrian alongside the road.
“I can't imagine not giving service to others. People who
don’ L have time for others are no good. If I can't help people, I
don’t need to be here on earth,” she stresses.
Carter says as long as her customers need her in the flower
shop, she'll be there. She further adds that people’s advice to
heron taking it easy is just no good. “I will always work. I’m
going to wear out and not rust out.”
Carter’s Rowers is located % mil.' east of Pembroke on
Highuuy 711. Limited wire sennet is offered. Coavtyvide
delivemy available.
60 Years of Bliss
Mr. and Mrs. Colonel Lucldear celebrated
their 60th wedding anniversary August 18,
198? at h:00 p.m. at St. Annah Church.
'De Rev. Lkilton Brooks, Chairman of
the Robeson County Board of Education,
gave a brief history about the lives of Mr. and
Mrs. Locklear. They have both been
Ckristiaris for 60 years
In their circile they had nine children, eight
boys and one girl; Yvonne. Reedy, Alfojice.
James Charlie, Colonel Jr. and Burnell, idlof
Pembroke; Julious and Austin of Detroit,
Mich.; and Otis, now deceased.
The couple received money and many
lovely gifts from relatives and friends.
Countdown
To 5,000
Subscribers
Continues
Our countdown to 5,000
subscribers continues. Re
cently, we heard fn m:
324. Maggie Harris. Laurin-
burg
325. Fr- d D)wry, Supply, NC
326. CDR Jerry Baker, Jr.,
VA
327. Miriam R. Mokry, More-
head ( ay, NC
328. I- .rl 1). Chavis. McCain,
329. 1 liEMC, Red Springs
330. j i^b^' R. Ii:>tklear, IL
331. Qua :ty Cabinets, Row
land
332. Rencil Poe Ijocklear,
Pemli ?ke
333. : illie C. Clark, Maxton
334. ( issie Williamson, NJ
335.  arlie Carter, Lumber-
ton
336. Ml'S. Oliver Cline, Fay
etteville
337. Woodward Hunt, VA
338. Ronnie Revels, Pem
broke
339. James'A. Revels, MI
340. Ro inie Locklear, FL
Carter maintains the grounds which surround the house he
built in 1932. “I try to keep the yard straightened out,” he
adds.
He is a lifetime member of First Baptist Church where he
has continuously taught Sunday School fof over 40 years.
Four decades spent in leaching young people taught
Marvin Carter one thing. People are becoming wiser and
weaker. “People cannot get out and work like I did as a young
boy. You give a young person a cross saw today and tell him to
pull it. He’ll not last over 30 minutes.”
Thjos who stay in good physical condition today are those,
HOLIDAY DEADLINE
ANNOUNCED
T J- "^eadline fornews and advertisement "or the Carol
Indi^ Voice has been changed for the December 24, 1987 z
the December 31, 1987 issues. These, changes are made
aciomodate our subsenbers and advertisers durimr
Chnstmas holidays.
fornews and advertisements for the December
1987 issue will be at 0 p.m. Monday, December 21 1987 "I
deadline for news and ads for the December 31st issue will
Monday, December 28 at 5 p.m. Thank you for w
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