THE CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE
Published each Thursday by First American Publications, Pembroke, NC
VOLUME 26 NUMBER 21 THURSDAY, MAY 27, 1999 TWENTY-FIVE CENTS
"Strike at the Wind" Returns to the !
Stage at the NC Cultural Center I
By Vinita Maynor-Clark
"There are alot of people that say that this cannot be done," states
Pearlean Revels, the President of Robeson Historical Drama Association.
"Personally, I feel like we owe it to the people that have supported us and
the people of Robeson County to bring the drama back," she continues.
"We have reached an agreement with the Board of Directors of the North
Carolina Indian Cultural Center and this is a joint venture for both of our
boards to come together and open the drama once again." Just like a
Phoenix rises from the ashes, Strike at the Wind!" has risen once again.
Auditions began the first of this month and concluded this past
weekend with over 50% of the cast returning from the previous years.
Returning as Director is David Oxendine who is elated about the drama
being performed once again. This is his ninth year of directing the drama.
When the drama began in 1977 he played the role of Steve Lowrie the
brotherof Henry Berry Lowrie, in 1983 he became the Assistant Director.
In 1984 was chosen as the Director and also doubled in the role of Boss
Strong, the brother of Rhoda. Steve Tyner is also returning as the Stage
Manager.
Returning for the his second season with his first time in the role of
Henry Berry Lowrie is Micah Sampson who was the understudy for this
role in 1995. Faline Locklear, a newcomer to the role of the leading lady
but not to this drama, has been cast in the role of Rhoda Strong Lowrie.
From listening to her audition she definately has the acting ability to do
this role. LaDonna Locklear who portrayed the child with the Leader in
1995 has been selected to be in the role of Polly Oxendine. Corbin
Eddings we remember as one of the children of Mary Lowry, is now in the
role of Steve Lowry. Ray Lowry is once again Boss Strong.
Returning for his 21st year in the drama is Robert Bryant in the role
of Shoemaker John. Carolyn Oxendine is again the Leader. Edith Ward
returns to her role of Mrs. Shoemaker. Margaret Freeman returns as Mrs.
Pert and Vinita Maynor Clark returns in the role of Hilda. Others returning
include Carolyn Oxendine as Mamma Cumba, Marcus Locklear as Rev.
Sinclair, A1 Emeolaas Rubin King, Bruce Barton as Allen Lowrie, David
Dietrich as John Saunders, Randolph Eddiings as Donahoe, Dolores
Steen as Mrs. Applewhite, Kelvin Lowry as McGreggor, Bobby Oxendine
Jr. as McMillian, Davita Carter, Edwina Chambers, Lance Spaulding,
Charity Locklear, Noelle Locklear, Sharon Locklear, LeKisha Ricks,
Tamara Oxendine and Woody Sampson. New Cast Members include
Kristen Freeman as the Child, Edward Strickland as Henderson Oxendine,
Mark Chavis as Young William, Penny Arokiasamy as Aunt Mary,
Mary Winfree as Dolly King, Pryor Scott as Colonel Harris, Justin Jacobs
as the Youth, Michael Goodwin, Tammy Jones as LinaMcNair. Soldiers
are John Lerma, Chris Locklear, James Hardin. Citizens are Kaye
Cummings, Eugina Dial, Kisha Hunt, Charly Lowry, Bethany Oxendine,
Cassandra Oxendine, Melissa Oxendine, Wilovra Stancil, Jimmy Hunt,
Brandi Barton, Kaitlyn Winfree, Laci Maynor,, AlbTTTla Dial, Nicky
Briggs, Miranda Oxendine and Garrett Dial just to name a few.
Rehearsals begin May 31. 1999 at 6 P.M. The return performace of I
"Strike at teh Wind" will be Saturday, July 3rd at 8 p.m. at the Adolph L.
Dial Amphitheater, NC Indian Cultural Center, Pembroke, NC. The
drama will be performed each Friday and Saturday night duging the
month of July.
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David Oxendine returns to the set of "Strike at the Wind!"
Coming together as one for the purpose of reopening "Strike at the
Wind! " are Mrs. Pear lean Revels, President of Robeson Historical Drama
Associaton, Supervisor of Robeson County Board of Elections, Mr. M illie
Lowry, RHDA Board Member, professional recording artist,
composer of origional drama soundtrack, Mr. Ken Freeman, Board
Member of the North Carolina Indian Cultural Center, Vice President of
Lumbee Bank and Ms. Ernestine ChavLs- Boulifant Executive Director of
North Carolina Indian Cultural Center. Shown meeting and discussing
plans for the drama. (Vlnita Maynor-Clark Photo)
Lumbee Health Choice Out
Reach Project at LRDA
Lumbcc Regional Development Association has rcce jv cd a Dukc/Edow ntcnt
Grant to promote enrollment of children in the North Carolina Health Check/
Health Choice Insurance Program This insurance program is funded by the
federal government and the state ofNorth Carolina. 11 pros ides free or low cost
health insurance to children w hose families cannot pay for private insurance.
Lumbee Regional Development Association w ill be hosting various aclivities
in Robeson County and the adjourning counties of Bladen. Cumberland.
Scotland, and Hoke to promote the enrollment of children w ho arc uninsured
and less that) 19 years old.
The first Lumbee Regional Development Association sponsorca activity to
promote the North Carolina Health Chcck/llcalth Choice will be Lumbee
Tribe's Spring Pow Wow on May 28 and 29. 1999 at the Robeson County
Fairground. Highway 21 South in Lumbcrlon. N.C. I he admission to this
event is free for everyone Information and assistance with insurance applications
will be available to the public throughout the Pow Wow. just follow
the sign at the entrance.
At the insurance booth, do not forget to pick up your free Champion clothes
product, while thev last. This health insurance is for all races
Kateri Chavis named Baby
Doll Miss Robeson County
Kateri Cheri Chavis, 29 month old daughter of Brian and Sanitika
Chavis, w recently crowned Miss Baby Doll Miss Robeson County.
Kateri represents the Parents as Teach ers Program of Robeson County.
She is also the reigning Miss Covergirt USA. In 1997 Kateri was named
Miss Sunburst US/t.
Kateri is the granddaughter of Grady and Cynth iu Chavis and Fred and
Betty Shehdan.
Ruth Dial Woods Honored in Meredith
Centennial-year Celebration
Dr .Ruth Dial Woods of Pembroke
is one of one hundred outstanding
alumnae chosen from nominees to
represent all graduates and to coincide
with the 1999 Centennial -Year
celebrations of the opening of
Meredith College in 1899. The Park
Center Mural Project honored 100
women on the mural and in the biographies
who have made significant
contributions to our communities and
our world in some way A reception
for honorees was held on May 14
followed by the unveiling of the Park
Center Mural. Linda Poole
FitzSimons, Mural Artist. Organizer
and Coordinator of the Park Center
Mural Project, describes her work as
a "tapestry of strong-willed, determined,
intelligent women who had (
and have) dreams, goals, and a fierce
desire for education."
The chosen honorees include some
alumnae who are well known at
Meredith and many more who have
been quietly making a difference in
our world behind the scenes and w ith
out previous recognition. The alumnae
selected have been involved in a
wide spectrum of careers, volunteers
work and religious service. According
to FltzSimons, these remarkable
women, and those that will be added
in the coming years, will serve as
living examples of the unlimited possibilities
open to all present and future
students, as well as serve as
visual reminders of the contributions
of Meredith students who have come
before.
Dr. Woods was honored on May
14 at an Opening Reception of the
Park Mural Project. Woods graduated
from Meredith College in 1962
and received an A.B. Degree in Spanish
and English. Woods has a distinguished
career in education, community
leadership, and state and national
public service, and has received
nurncrous honors and awards for leadership
and service in human relations.
women's advocacy and American
Indian rights.
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Scout enlists in Army
Richard LaMark Oxcndinc joined
Mt Airy Troop in March, 1992. He
has served in several leadership positions
including Patrol Leader, Scribe,
[Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. Richgrd
obtained his eagle rank on Nov.
Q9,1998. Richard isa seniorat Purnell
pvvctt High School and has enlisted in
the United States Army. Richard is
the son of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Oxcndinc
and is a member o?Mt. Airy
Baptist Church. He would like to
thank everyone who has contributed
toward his accomplishmct^ and his
Scout Master Antnony Chavis.
Photo caption: Richara LeMark
Oxendine.
Dr. Ruth Dial Woods
UNCPto hostfreshman
orientation June l
Pembroke ? The University of
North Caroli na at Pembroke w ill conduct
its first freshman orientation of
the summer on Tuesday, June 1. Check
-in is from 8 to 8:30 a.m. in the
University Center.
Chancellor Joseph b. Oxendinc
and Student Government Association
President Phillip Bowman will
welcome the incoming students and
their parents at 8:30 a.m. in Givcns
Pcrformi ng Arts Center. Students will
then take placement tests followed by
the "Freshman Year Experience."
From 3:30 to 6 p m.. students will
have their identification cards made,
and they and their parents can meet
with financial aid staff members, y
Parents will have their own infotv
mation session following the wc(r
come They will receive briefings op
frcshman orientation. tuition and fees,
financial aid. housing, campus safety
and parking, student responsibility,
and student support services. Parents
arc encouraged to ask questions during
the session. They will then tour
the campus and have lunch in the
University Center
For more information about oricn'
tation, call Student Affairs at (910)
521 -6226 or 800-949-UNCP.
Carlo & Redemption
anniversary sing
Carla & Redemption's 8th Anniversary
singing at Lumbcrton Senior
High School on June 4th at 7:00 p.m.
Featuring: Charles Johnson & The
Rcvivicrs. Steve & Nadinc, Quinton
Mills, and Carla & Redemption. $8.00
advance.$10.00 at the door. Refrcsh'
mcnts on sale.
A
UN CP graduates
513 on Saturday
Pembroke, N.C. -- A total of 513
graduated from The University of
North Carolina at Pembroke Saturday,
May 15 in a 10 a.m.
D istrict Seven Congressman Mike
Mclntyre of Lumberton delivered the
commencement address.
: "As you prepare for the next stage
in your life, I urge you to use this time
to renew your efforts and energy into
making this world a better place,"
Congressman Mclntyre said. "A$
American citi/.ensand as new college
graduates, we must do this."
"So the question is "how?" I say
understanding the paradox of true
freedom - the more freedom we seek
to enjoy, the more responsibility binds
us."
"Three simple words will help us
do this: reject, inject and project," he
said. "First, we must reject! We must
learn to say 'no' to some things in life.
Secondly, we must inject! Inject a
true senseof responsibility. Third, we
must project! Look ahead, as you arc
doing today, to the future with vision
and purpose The future soon drowns
those who are not prepared to swim
against the onrushing currents of
time."
U.S. Rep. Mclntyre congratulated
Chancellor Joseph B. Oxendinc as a
"Man of intellect, insight and integrity."
A total of ?7. master's degrees and
33 Bachelor of Science in Nursing
degrees were awarded. It was UNCP's
largest nursingclassand nearly three
times as large as the number of last
year's graduates. The program is six
years old with satellite campuses at
Sandhills and Richmond Community
Colleges.
Honorary doctor of science degrees
were conferred upon Lt. Col.
Curtis Brown, astronaut and'space
shuttle pilot from Eli/akcthtown and
Pembroke native, Dr., James Jones,
distinguished professor of medicine
at UNC-Chapel Hill school of Medicine.
The Graftd Marshal was Chemistry
Professor Peter Wish, winner of
the UNC Board of Governor's Excellence
in Teaching Award.
The top graduate was Bon Gcrsh
of Faycttcvillc, who graduated alongside
his mother Dcbra.
In remarks to his classmates, Mr.
Gersh noted that the class of 1999
wil) be remembered for its "last."
"This isthc last class of the millennium,
the last class toentcr Pembroke
State University and Chancellor
Oxendinc's last graduating class," he
said.
ThiswasDr. Oxendinc's lOthand
last commencement as chancellor.
He will retire June 30.