J ? 4THF ? ;w__ ^s:RQNICLE Vol. XXXIII No. 37 THURSDAY, May 24, 2007 Young local runner impressive at meet ?See Pane Bl Woman faces blindness faithfully - Set Puge AI4 Pastors treated ^ to special* dinner j ?See Pane I A New Freedom for Hunt One of nation's most famous innocent former prisoners goes to Holy Land BY LAYLA FARMER THE CHRONICLE "It's like getting out of prison, but even better." That was Darryl Hunt's description of the recent pil grimage he made to Mecca. Saudi Arabia. He was accom panied by his wife. April, and in-laws, Khalid and Saliva Griggs. "What we went on is called the lesser hajj, or umrah," explained Khalid Griggs, who has served as imam of the Community Mosque of Winston-Salem since its inception in 1984. "This is something that Muslims must perform at least once in our lifetimes." The umrah was concentrated mainly in the city of Mecca. Griggs says, while its hajj counterpart spans sever al important cities and can only be made during a designat ed season on the Muslim calendar. Griggs, who has made three umrahs and two hajjs to Sec Hunt on A 13 Photo by Layla Farmei Imam Khalid Griggs with his son-in-law, Darryl Hunt. A Sign of Respect Residents hope new marker will help community maintain its pride BY LAYLA FARMER IHI CHRONIC! I The Castle Heights community, located off Carver School Road, celebrated a landmark moment in its history Monday, with the dedication of a sign identifying its main entrance. The erection of the sign has been a long time coming for the neighborhood, which was established in 1958, according to Jeri Moss, co-chair of the Castle Heights Neighborhood Association and a 40-year resident of the community. The sign is a symbol of the efforts Castle A Doctor once More Wake Forest Photo Former Winston-Salem Stale University Chancellor Dr. Harold L. Martin Sr. picked up an honorary doctor of laws degree Monday during Wake Forest University's commencement. More than 1 300 under graduate, graduate and professional students received degrees. Martin, a city native, is now the senior vice president for academic affairs at the University of North Carolina. Heights residents have made in recent years to improve their neigh borhood. Moss explained. "We love our com munity," she stated. "We're going to keep it clean, and we're keep ing it cleaned up ... trying to keep drugs out and disorderly peo ple out of our commu nity." Longtime Castle Heights resident and sign committee mem ber Alphonso Johnson said the sign sends a message to everyone who passes by. "We needed some thing to let people know where they are," he said. "This is part of letting people know that we have pride in our community. We don't live in the biggest houses in the world, we don't live in mansions, Farmer , ? , ? This new sign welcomes residents into Castle Heights. but it is our home and we take pride in keep ing it clean." Mayor Pro Tempore Vivian Burke was in attendance at the ceremony, along with a handful of other city officials. "The city, we've worked very hard to make sure that this is one of the important neighborhoods in this community," Burke said in her remarks. "It's an old neighborhood, it's a stable neighborhood, and you have stood strong and you have said, 'We're going to keep our neighborhood livable.' "The legacy that we have here is so important." she continued. "Thanks to all of you for what you do to make a difference in this area." a Assistant City Manager Gregory Turner took a special interest in the ceremony, as it indicated the entrance to his childhood stomping grounds. "I'm proud to say. and I will always be proud to say that I'm a product of Castle Heights - my heart will always be with this com munity." Turner remarked. "I congratulate the community, my community, my neighborhood, for the sign that's going up. and I wish you all the best of blessings." Turner's mother. Mary Turner, still lives in Castle Heights. She shared some of the community's rich history with the group. "Castle Heights is among the many neighborhoods where resi Sec Sign on A5 rruMo hy Oalvin Cn*p/HAW5 Scholarship winner Quintino Hay is congratulated by James Rousseau. Also pictured are Barry Holmes, from left, Larry Woods, Mayor Pro Tempore Vivian Burke and Gwendolyn Andrews, the wife of William Andrews. Scholarships aim to make lives better Public housing residents get college help BY LAYLA FARMER THE CHRONICLE Fifteen public housing residents were awarded col lege scholarships last week at the Housing Authority of Winston-Salem's downtown headquarters during the annu al William H. Andrews/ HAWS Scholarship ceremo ny. The popular scholarship program is open to high Jacqueline Baldwin school seniors and adult stu dents who live in housing that is managed or owned by the housing authority. Mayor Pro Tempore Vivian Burke is one of the main architects of the program, which provides stu dents with dollars for their education in the hopes that they will change their for tunes for the better. "I decided to have HAWS establish a scholarship fund because many times people who live in public housing have been stereotyped that they do not want to work or do not want an education." Burke said about the program, which is named for a former chairman of the HAWS Board of Commissioners. "I fell a? fund like this would create public interest to make the awareness that we have very smart people who have lived in public housing." Since its inception in 1992, the William H. Andrews program has helped more than 120 housing authority residents obtain higher education degrees, providing more than $150,000 to date. The pro gram is supported by dona tions from HAWS employees. Andrews Scholarship Board members, local citizens and businesses such as BB&T. See Seholarships on A 14 Queens are feted during royal tea BYT. KEVIN WALKER THE CHRONICLE Elegant ladies in spring greens, yellows and creams: a plethora of sweets, sandwiches and salads; and hats galore - from the subtle, to the ostenta tious. It was definitely tea time Saturday afternoon. Queens of Olympic #620, an Order of the Eastern Star chapter, held its 47th annual tea at the Sarah Austin Center. It was an occasion to fellowship, plan, reflect and bask in the beauty of sisterhood. "This is just one of the many things we do every year to come together," said Eula ffv#o hv Kevin Walker See OES on All Queens Made Sibert,from left, Dorothy Sprinkle, Lula West and Daisy Taylor. fi .? ? ."i 1 .? 1 1 \ In Grateful Memory of Our Founders, Florrie S. Russell and Carl H. Russell , Sr. "Growing and Still Dedicated to Serve You Better" ffiitgge (1 Jfunerat $lmne_ Wishes to Thank Everyone For Their Support 822 Carl Russell Ave. (at Martin Luther King Dr.) Winston-Salem, NC 27101 (336) 722^3459 Fax (336) 631-8268 rusfhome @ bellsouth jiet