Editorial and Opinion tPage
Reader believes TV
coverage unfair to
Farmers in Robeson
Dear Editor:
thursday night, february 1. 1996.1
attended the Robeson County Annual
Awards and Recognition Banquet
presented by Robeson County Center
of the North Carolina Cooperative
Extension Service and Robeson
County Crop Promotion Association.
Farmers were recognized for their
farming and business skills, heir
devotion to family, community, and"
church; and their stewardship of the
land and environment.
Their pride of accomplishments of
family and fellow farmers was felt, if
not expressed. It was truly a " Human T
Relations Celebration." but no TV
cameras rolled, they are all at the
Courthouse.
Who arc these Media Elite' who
determine what is newsworthy? Is it
not news that William Dial isRobeson
County's Farmer of the Year? That he
began his farm career with only a
burning desire to succeed; and that he
now raises enough chickens to feed
65.000 people (over half of Robeson
County)?
Is it not news that the Lawrence
and Steflanie Locklear family was
selected as our Young Farm Family?
That Hay es B rothers Farm and C harlcs
Roberts produced corn in excess of
200 bushels per acre, winning
recognition for the county and from
the Southeastern Coastal Plains
Region? That Gary Powers won one
of 5 State Awards from Phillip Morris
for tobacco Production? And that
Charles Jackson, Eddie and Luther
Moore, James Brixey. Ricky Rozier
and Taiford Dial were rccogni/cd b>
the county and region for high yields
per acre for beans and wheat?
Perhaps it isn't newsworthy that
Dixon Britt. Jr. was rccogni/.cd for
educational Service to Agriculture,
nor that Larry Chavis w as recognized
for Professional Serv ice, norlhat Mrs
Ethel Locklcar. as President of
Extension Homeinakefs Extension
Council, was recognized for her many
volunteer activities on behalf of the
county.
No. sadly it isn't newsworthy that
. fanners w ork long hours, risk fi nancial
and physical loss on an annual
sometimes monthly) basis in order for
most American families to spend only
11% of their disposable income oh
food compared to 64% in India.
1 feel a little anger at the TV Media
for their collective ignorance of the
contributions of these farm families,
but 1 feel a greater sadness for them
and for people who were denied the
opportunity to see and feel
Robesonians doing what we do bestworking
hard, producing much, and
giving each other a pat on the back for
our accomplishments.
As Dixon Britt. Jr.. Agricultural
Teacher at Purnell Swell High School
said,' 'Robeson County has a future. I
know. I teach our youth.'' Watching
these farmers and emerging young
leaders, I wanted to stand and cheer.
Yes, Mr. Britt, Robeson County does,
indeed, have a future!
Sincerely,
BillieS. Britt
Lumberton, NC
Health Clip Board
by Robert M. Chavis
I-'.- : ?< (
I Am Itching
Well, we sure are having some
good cold and freezing winter weather. !
This is good to kill back the insect :
population but it can cause you to have J
dry, itching skin. The medical term !
for itching is pruritus. Some of my !
patients have been reporting that they J
are itching lately.
Dry skin is one cause for itching. (
Most of the time there is no rash seem 1
with thcdiiyskintype itchfrom weatherlikedryair.
If the weather istoo humid
some people have dry skin. Our elder
people arc subject to have this problem
in the wintertime. Stress and emotional
problems can make you have itching
of the skin also. People of all ages
having to deal with depression, anxiety
and other emotional stress issues get
itching spells.
Drug reactions also cause itching.
This type itching may not start until
several days after starting medication.
Sometimes your body will react to a
' medicine you have been taking for a
long time. Other allergies like the
ones that make your eyes water or
make you have a runny nose, produce
itching and sometimes a rash.
Eczema is a skin condition that
causes you to be itchy and may produce
a red rash and blisters on the skin.
These blisters, can break open and
weep fluid. After this a crusted area is
formed where the blister formed.
Eczema will form after episodes of
allergic skin conditions, orafterpoison
ivy. Some people are allergic to
different types of metal in the jewelry
they wear.
itching is caused by infections ol
the skin also. Examples of these arc
ringworm, a fungal infection, athletes
foot and vaginitis. These arc fungal 01
yeast type infections. Other infections
include Chicken Pox and the shingles
that is formally called Herpes Zoster
a viral infection. This is not the sexuall)
transmitted type herpes.
Bug bites and infestations bj
parasites produci ng itchi ng of the skin
Insects injection, a type of venon
under the skin that causes the itching
Some bugs have saliva that causes th
itching. Parasites generally live undc
the skin and this causes itching
Examples of these bugs and parasite
arc Scabies. Pubic Lice and head lie
are some of these creatures.
Itching sometimes mar come fror
serious internal diseases of the bod\
Some examples arc thyroid problem;
leukemia, kidney disease, lymphonu
Bile duct obstruction that cause
jaundice (yellow color of the skin
These arc just a few of the interns
disease that cause itching.
What to do about itching? If yo
know you have a drug allergy mak
sure your medical provider knows thi
information and other medics
personnel that may treat you wit
medicines. When you wash, take
bath instead of a shower. Soaking i
the tube in lukewarm water keef
your skin moist. Apply moisturizin
cream or lotions on the skin th;
contain I-percent urea. Whenbuyir
cosmetics, make sure they arc tl
moisturizing type. Do not use tl
trying or aslnngcnt agents on your [
ikin. Do not over heat your skin
People with dry skin" should use a. I
moist air vaporizer in the home Use
otions or ointments that decrease the
tching sensation to avoid scratching
he skin, which makes it easy for
nfections to start coal tar products
tielpyouin this way. If you know you.
are allergic to something, try to avoid
contact with it. You should carry an
emergency insect sting kit with you
during out doors activities. Shock and
death can occur in minutes if the
proper treatment is not given someone
allergic to insect bites. People that
suffer from allergies can goforallergy
testing. This helps identify the agent
you arc allergic to and then shots can
be given for control of the allergies.
I hope this article provides
information about your itching
probleni.
God bless you and yours.
Thank You for Caring
$
On January 19,1996, we lost our son, Matthew Jones. No one can
knorw the heartache of losing a son, unless they have lost one. There is
nothing to compare to the pain an J heartache of losing a child. We are
stronger in our faith in our blessed Jesus Christ after going through this
tragic loss. We have learned, through you, his instruments, what caring
and compassion means We ure grateful to the many people who came
over, broughtfood, condolences, monetary contributions, andthemany
kindnesses extended to us. We can not express with words how much
each deed means to us. We are grateful and pray that God will richly
bless each of you. We solicit your continued prayers as we learn to live
with our loss.
We are especially thankful for the pastors who assisted with the
funeral services Our sincere appreciation to Rev. James M. I.ocklear,
Rev. John I.. I.ocklear, Jr., Rev. van Jones, and Rev. Michael
Cummings. You have truly been a testament to the love demonstrated
by Jesus Christ. Thank you and remember us in prayer, nothing other
than the grace of God will sustain us in these dark days.
Matthew was born June 7,1975. He was with us for only a short time.
Hut he?vas a joy and a light in our lives.
His parents,
Mrs. Donald and Mis. Ilenc I.ocklear
his sister, Donna Lynn I.ocklear
J
The Purnell Swett High Booster Club sponsored an appreciation dinner
Saturday, January 28 for coaches and supporters of the school's distinct
athletics. ' _
Shown left to right are Riley Oxendine, Billy Byrd, Richie McCrimmon,
Johnny Hines, Corey Pulley, John Lowery, HaroldLocklear, RoyceMcNeill,
Carl Lowry and Hubert Ellis.
Shown left to right: John Hodges, social studies teacher at Purnell Swett
High, and teh Living History Club perform "Remembering the 60s" at
Carolina Civic Center January 25-28.
" Vote and Elect"
Tuesday, May 5, 1996
i Robert C. I
Anderson
US CONGRESS jl
"God Bless America" |l
F/inralmw
BA. Political Satoce
Masters of Public Seme*
Exngiencc
Vietnam Veteran. Dtsboeuebtd Lumbal
Record. Successful Soul Buanes EaUipnauir
A Ptwhi Winner WhoWlH Rgit For Hie People
1 Beet Robert C. Anderson AGAIN!
Hypnotist Jim Wan dm center, visited Purnell Swett High School with his
amazing performance January 24. Shown left is Bill James Brewington,
Principal. Shown right is Al Parnell, social studies teacher and student
council director.
Hypnotist Jim Wand has Purnell Swett students under his spelt
Thank you for Caring
We, the children of Lorraine Burnette Brooks, Helen,
Bucky and Valina, extend our sincere appreciation for the
kindness expressed by family andfriends during the loss of
our dear mother. Your deliciousfood, your beautifulflowers,
andyour loving support will always be cherished. Thankyou
so much.
< ?id
Hi, My name is Kevin Campbell. I'm a Senior at
SouthRobeson High School In November I was
diagnosed with a fatal blood Disease. My
Doctor has told me my only chance of survival
is through a Marrow Transplant. Bio-medical
research has determined that a match is more
likely to come from your own ethnic backgraouncL
Because I am a native american I am more apt
to match another native american's.
You May Be The One To Save My Life, or Someone Eises.
Tissue typing will be held at the following high schools on these dates:
Feb. 13- South Robeson High
Feb. 14-Purnell Swett High
Feb. 15-Lumberton High
Feb. 16-St. Pauls High
Feb. 20-Fairmont High
Feb. 21-Red Springs High
Hours of testing at each school will be from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and 4
p.m. until 6 p.m.
students, parents andcommunity are encouraged to attend and
participate.
Kevin's life may depend on
WE WOULD LIKE ALL MINORITIES BETWEEN THE
AGES OF 18 AND 60 TO COME BE TESTED.