Published each Thursday m Pembroke, N.C. I
Carolina Indian voice
"lliiildin$ Communicative Hridges In A Tri-Rncial Setting" ^PR I 0 POPfl
Volume 27 Number 13 Thursday, April 6, 2000 y7-~~" 25c
Rams Participate
in Poetry Reading
by Yvonne Barnes Dial
Too often students feel reluctant
to write. They feel that they do not
have the potential, they may not feel
motivated orthey may sometimes find
it difficult to express their feelings.
G i ve them something to wt ite about
that interest them of if something affects
their emotions, students usually
enjoy writing or expressing themselves.
They soon discover their
sincere concerns and opinions on
issues and events in their lives.
English III students in Yvonne
Barnes Dial's class demonstrated their
true feelingsoftheirheritage, families,
or other topics of interests to them, as
they participated in a poetry reading
March 23 at the Public Schools of
Robeson County's Indian Education
Resource Center.
"Themore I writethemore 1 realize
that writing is a healer," stated
Jonathan Chavis. Too many other
students, they also discovered that
writing provided a chance for them to
feeland appreciate the joys and blessings
in life as some reflected on the
sacrifices that parents encounter for
their children, and a time for them to
release anger, pain, or bitterness and
leam to heal from these encounters.
Students who participated included:
Christy Locklear, Jessica
Oxendine, Chasady Clark, Bostic Locklear,
Patrick Tyler, Aimee Lowry,
Cameron Mathis, Steven Locklear,
Helen Hunt, Grade Griffin, Kelly
Chavis, Morgan Hunt, Jonathan
Chavis, Morgan Hunt, Jonathan
Chavis, Candace Oxendine, Jedidiah
Locklear and Karon Bird.
Purnell Swett High Students are shown: Christy Lock/ear, Jessica Oxendine, Casady Clark, Bosti:
Lock/ear, Patrick Tyler, Aimee Lowry, Cameron Mathis, and Steven Locklear; Helen Hunt, Gra. ie
Griffin, Kelly Chavis, Candacc Oxendine, Jedidiah Locklear and Karon Bird.
1965 Class Reunion
Planning Meeting
The Pembroke High School Class
of 1965 will holdaplanning meeting at
Linda's Restaurant on April 15,2000 at
5 p.m. Anyone who isamemberofthis
class is invited to attend. Your ideas
for our 3 5th year reun ion wi II be greatly
appreciated.
Gl >
Sutton ranks high in lawmakers survey
Indian lawmaker Ron Sutton, a Pembroke lawyer, scored relatively high on
the lawmakers survey that is conducted every two years by the supposedly
non partisan N.C. Center for Public Policy Research. It is interesting that the
rankings are being released one month before the May primary. Sutton ranked
23rd out of 120 representatives in the N.C. General Assembly, up from 53 in
1997 and 67 in 1995. In contrast. Rep. Doug Yongue ranked 29th and Rep.
Donald Bonner 84th. The rankings are supposed to show effectiveness as a
legislator. David Weinstein, the local senator, ranked 26th out of 50 state
senators. We guess you could say, generally, that our legislators are good
and getting better.
Pembroke Town Council says "No!" to annexation
Pembroke's Town Council said "No!" Monday night to a request from local
businessman Archie Loweiy to annex about 70 acres that would have included
a proposed residential subdivision that was designed to attract UNCPembroke
faculty and administration. The vote was 3-1 with only Councilman
Larry T. Brooks voting in favor of the proposal. The land in question is on
Deep Branch Road, about 3 miles west of town. Ron Sutton, a Pembroke
lawyer, and local legislator, spoke on behalf of Lowery who was not present at
the meeting. According to Sutton, the project continues and will include a
convenience store, washerette, and car wash as well as the residential subdivision.
The only difference is that the project will not officially be a part of
Pembroke proper. Those opposed, including Councilman Larry McNeill, cited
anticipated costs as their reason for voting against the proposal. McNeill was
quoted as saying that "We're not in shape right now to jump out of town." He
added, "It is too soon to be growing like that. We don't have enough police
and fire personnel to serve that area ..."
It was the first time in recent history that anyone could remember Pembroke's
Town Council voting against growth. Mayor Milton Hunt spoke in favor of
the proposal although he was not obligated to say how he felt one way or the
other since he only has to vote in case of a tie. Mayor Hunt exclaimed. "We
might have ended up getting everything for zero costs ... I would have voted
for this. The day I stop supporting growth is the day I stop asking for your
vote."
Shirley Pennington resigns from RC'C Board of trustees
Shirley Pennington has resigned as a trustee of Robeson Community College,
reportedly without comment or explanation. It probably will raise political
eyebrows because of Ms. Pennington's role as chairman of a committee
charged with finding a workable solution to the dispute over trustees applying
for jobs at the college. The committee was disbanded when they were
unable to find a solution to the dilemma of how to modify the school's hiring
policy in the wake of trustees Johnny Hunt and Rona Leach applying for
position of vice president of continuing education. Because of the political
fallout, and possibly even a tinge of racism, neither is expected to get the
position.
Uncle Grover Oxendine shot in arm by stray bullet
Uncle by marriage to Publisher Bruce Barton, Grover Oxendine was shot in
the arm Friday morning by a stray bullet. Oxendine said that he did not plan to
press charges in the freakish accident. Oxendine said, "1 told him to cover my
hospital bills and we'll leave it at that."
A young 83, Oxendine was sitting home Friday morning watching the Montel
Williams show when he felt a hot flash in his upper arm. "It burned like fire,"
said Oxendine, who did not realize at first that he had been shot.
It was reported in the local press that Ronnie Eddings, an off duty St.
Andrews College Security Officer, was trying to unload his gun when it fired.
Eddings was visiting Cartwright's Custom Cycles Shop next door. No explanation
has been given as to why Eddings would have been handling his
service revolver inside the shop. Eddings reportedly told investigators that a
cartridge was "hung up" inside the 40-caliber handgun which caused it to fire
as he tried to unload it.
The building from which the gun was fired is next door to the Grover Oxendine
residence and is owned by the Oxendine Family, reportedly by Grover
Oxendine's sons.
Want to pay your taxes on line? Listen to this!
LUMBERTON - Talk about computer literacy. Wow! Robeson County residents
will soon be able to pay their property and other taxes on line without
having to leave the confines of their home.
The county commissioners voted Monday night during a regular meeting
to allow the county to take part in an 18-month pilot program in which 20 North
Carolina counties will provide residents the choice to pay taxes and fees through
the InterNet. The service will be provided free of charge by a Delaware company
using the website ezgov.com. The counties participating in the pilot
project will participate in the pilot program for free, according to Scott Elliott.
county manager. At the end of the trial period, the county can then decide
whether or not to continue its association or pay a mutually agreed upon fee.
After the trial period, residents who use the program to make payments will be
charged a convenience fee. According to the company, it would cost $4 to
pay property taxes and $3 for vehicle taxes, or 3.5% of the taxes, which ever is
greatest.
Greg Cummings honored with Spirit of Unity Award
Congrats to Greg Cummings for receiving the Spirit of Unity Award last
week at the Business Visions 200 banquet at Pinecrest Country Club.
Cummings. the county's economic developer, was recognized because of
his efforts to "sell Robeson County 24 hours a day."
The award is given yearly to the person who has helped unify the county's
business community. The award was given by the UNC-Pembroke Regional
Center, which hosted the event.
New Board Members to be seated on I.RDA Board
Lcroy Freeman and Rodney Hunt have been unofficially declared the winners
in Thursday election for two seats on the Board of Directors of Lumbee
Regional Development Association. In District I incumbent Patricia Hunt was
defeated by Leroy Freemari. 211 to 193. In District 3 Rodney Hunt received 94
votes. James Ertle Chavis received 22, l.arry R. Locklear. received 15 votes.
There was no incumbent in that position. Donald Locklear had served as the
representative until he was hired to direct the Lumbee Housing Department
for the agency.
Pageants Planned for November
November 24th & 25th 2000 at the Diane Wortham Theatre at Pack Place
in Asheville, NC
Official preliminariestothe nationally televised MissUSA.MissTeen USA
and Miss Universe.
Contestants must be a single female, between the ages of 14 & 26, never
married, a US citizen and at least a six month resident of North Carolina.
Competition in: Evening Gown - Swimsuit - Interview - Noperforming talent
required.
For information send name, address, telephone number, birthday and
snapshot to: Miss North Carolina USA Pageants -- 541 Holley Lake Road.
Drawer NP -- Aiken, SC 29803: or call (803) 648-6220. Visit ounweb site:
missnorthcarolinausa.com
One of the students who dances with Turtle Vision, Inc. of Pembroke.
Turtle Vision will take part in the cultural program at the Public
Library on April 8th.
Robeson County Democrats
to Hold County Convention
The Robeson County Democratic Convention will be held at the County
Courthouse in Lumberton on April 15,2000 at 11 a.m. Election of Delegates to
the District and State Con ventions will be at that time. The Convention will also
hear other business to be acted upon by our organized Precincts. All
Democrats are urged to attend. For more information call County Democratic
Chairman Milton Hunt at 521 -4703 (nights).
Red Springs to Hold Street Festival
Red Springs?The Red Springs Arts Council will present its annual Street
Festival on Sunday, April 16,2000. The activities will begin at 1:00 p.m. and
end at 5 p.m. in downtown Red Springs. According to Ralph Steeds, festival
organizer, "This year's festival promises to be really exciting vvith some of the
best entertainment we have scheduled in recent years. There will be a wide
variety of activities that will appeal to the entire family. And we will have lots
of activities for children, including free carousel rides for small children."
This year's festival will feature two musical groups-Molasses Creek, one
ofNorth Carolina's most popular bluegrass bands, and the Georgia Sea Island
Singers. Also performing will be Wilmington, North Carolina storyteller John
Golden, and area dance students from Laurinburg's Gibson School of dance.
Molasses Creek is a trio of musicians who utilize a variety of acoustical
instruments and vocal styles, whose members have performed extensively
across the eastern U.S. The Georgia Sea Island Singers are internationallyacclaimed
artists who have toured throughout the U.S. and Europe. Their
music, storytelling, games and dances bring alive the African American history
and culture preserved in the isolated sea islands along the coast of Geogia.
There will also be clowns and other forms of street entertainment. And as
usual, there will be exhibits of arts and crafts, food vendors, train and pony
rides, the "Moonwalker," miniature golf, football toss, and numerous other
games and activities for the whole family.
The annual Red Springs Street Festival is supported by a grant from the
North Carolina Arts Council. Admission to the festival is free. For more
information, call(910) 843-3559or 843-2427.
County Library to Sponsorgame
The Robeson County Public Library
will be hosting a week-long game
starting on April 8th as part of the
State Library's "Very Best Place to
Start" campaign. Children up through
the age of nineteen may go to their
local library in Lumberton, Maxton,
Fairmont, Rowland, St. Pauls, and
Pembroke, pick up a game card, answer
a few questions, and be entered
in a statewide drawing for prizes. The
game will last from April 8th through
April 15th, National Library Week.
Also on Saturday, April 8th the
Robeson County Public Library will
host a kick-off event for the "Very
Best Place to Start campaign. Perfor
mances celebrating the ethnic heritage
ofRobeson County will be offered.
Turtle Vision of Pembroke will provide
Native American storytelling and
music. A Scottish dance group under
the direction of Honey McLaughlin
will perform and an African-American
group, the Heritage Restoration Chorale,
under the direction of Denise '
Payton, will sing traditional spirituals
and African songs. The performances
will be from 2:00 p.m. to4:00 p.m. in the
Lumberton Ostemeck Auditorium.
This event is open to all ages and ,
admission is free.
For more information, contact B arbara
Allchin at 73 8-4859.
Easter Celebration To Open Twenty First Season
Of "The Message of Easter"
Piney Grove Baptist Church near
Williamston, North Carolina ispleased
to announce the performance schedule
of the outdoor drama, The
Message of Easter. The twenty first
season of the passion play opens on
Friday, April 14 and runs through
April 24. Performances begin
promptly at 8:15 each evening. As
always, there is no admission charge.
The ninety-minute narrative brings
to life the accounts of the death, burial
and resurrection of Jesus Christ as
spelled out in the Holy Scriptures.
The cast of over 150 transports the
audience back 2000 years to Jerusalem
and the surrounding countryside.
Prior to the years' initial performance
on April 14, a special
performance narrated in Spanish will
be presented on Saturday, April 8 at
8:15 pm. Having premiered in 1993,
this performance is open to the public
but is geared to the Hispanic community
who have difficulty understanding
the greatest story ever told when presented
in English.
In an attempt to make the drama
accessible to as many people as possible,
the Monday, April 17
performance will be signed for the
deaf and hearing-impaired. In the
event of rain, the Tuesday, April 18
performance will be signed.
The Piney Grove church family
extends an invitation to the general
public to attend. Seating is on a first
come basis and no reservations can
be accepted. Those attending are
urged to dress warmly.
Formore information call (252) 7924977,
792-4875 or 792-1342.
Information can also be obtained by
writing Piney Grove Baptist Church,
2930 Piney Grove Church Road,
Williamston, NC 27892.
Lumber River Holiness Methodist
Conference to celebrate 100 years
The Lumber River Holiness Methodist
Conference will be celebrating
100 years of existence during the next
annual session scheduled to be held
on October 26,27,28,2000 at Union
Chapel Holiness Methodist Church.
LRHMC is, presently, collecting historical
data to compile a report about
the formation, ministry and growth of
said Conference, and each church
therein. A conference committee, consisting
of a representative from each
church, has been formed to compile all
the information and present a report
to the 100th Annual Session.
The Churches of the Lumber River
Holiness Methodist Conference are
follows: Cherokee Chapel, Hopewell,
Macedonia, Maxton Full Gospel, New
Bethel, New Prospect, Riverside Memorial,
Shoeheel, Union Chapel.
In the interest of making a thorough,
complete, and accurate report,
as much as is possible, we would be
very appreciative and receptive of
any information, pictures, documentation,
etc. (or copies thereof) that
anyone would like to share with us.
Perhaps you were once a member, or
an heir to a former member, of one of
the above named churches and you
acquired significant and important
"Historical Data" pertaining to the
church(es) which you would like to
share with us. You may do so by
calling one of the following persons:
Rev. Alonzo& Carol Oxendine(910)
521-4063 or Rev. James H. Woods:
(910)521-4317.
Chavis Appears
onTLC
Lieutenant Robert Earl Chavis Jr.
recently appeared on The Learning
Channel demonstrating demolition
tactics used in the armed service, as
well as in destroying structures for
construction purposes. Lt. Chavis is
completing Officers Training in Fort
Leonard wood, Missouri. He is a
graduate of Pumell Swett High School
and the University of Notfh Carolina
at Pembroke. HeisthesonofMr.and
Mrs. Robert and Jane Chavis of Pembroke.
Spring Revival
begins at Youth
for Christ Church
Spring revival will be held at the Youth
for Christ Holiness Church in Maxton,
H\w 71 April 30 a-May 5. Sunday
night service will begin at 6:30
p.m. with the rest of the week beginning
at 7:30 p.m. Guest speaker will be
Evangelist Keith Speed. The pastor,
Odell Wilkins and congregation cordially
invite you to come and worship
with them. There will be special singing
each night.
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