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THE PERQUIMANS WEEKLY
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Volume S7t Wo.?, USPS 428-080 Hertford, Perquimans County, N.C., Thursday, February 1?, 19t7 25 CENTS
Hardees is open. Pictured above are county official along
with staff members of the new Hardees restaurant in Hert
ford. The new restaurant opened on Thursday, but the grand
opening which was sponsored by the Perquimans County
Chamber of Commerce was held on Friday morning. Pic
tured left to right are: Mr. John Beers, Hertford town coun
cil, Mrs. Mary Harrell, Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Jack
Symons, Winfall town council, Mr. Bill Cox, Mayor of Hert
ford, Randy Keaton, county manager, and Bryant Perry,
Pres. Perquimans County Chamber of Commerce, Sherri
Johnson, Manager, Mr. Willoughby, District Manager of
Hardees, and other members of store management. The new
Hardees will be open 24 hours a day.
.Farmers urged to get back to basics of farming
By STANLEY J. WINSLOW
County Ext. Director
This is the fourth and final article
in our series on the Farm Financial
Crisis.
In times of sickness, injury or
death, people forget about the extra
things of life. They concentrate oa
basic needs to get them through the
time of crisis. A "Back to the Basics"
approach can also work for farmers
, who are experiencing varying de
grees of financial stress.
Jack Ward, Area Farm Manage
ment Agent, gave a good illustration
of the Basic parts of human life. I
would like to use this to put what
many of our farmers are experienc
ing into proper perspective.
Life is similar to a three legged
stool. If one of these three legs is bro
^ ken, the other two legs have to bal
ance the stool and carry the extra
weight. The three legs of Life are
Spiritual, Family and Business.
Many farmers are experiencing a
weakened or broken business leg at
this time. The extra strain placed on
their family and spiritual lives be
cause at business problems, creates
an almost unbearable situation. It be
comes very hard to focus on those ba
sic things which make a life.
Your spiritual life is your founda
tion for all other aspects of your life
During times of stress. Place more
emphasis on your spiritual well-be
ing throught Bible study, church at
tendance and prayer and meditation.
Your family can be a strong sup
port group to lean on when other
things are going wrong. Strengthen
family relationships by spending
time together and maintaining good
Welcome center planned
to open in 1987 on U.S. 17
A group of community leaders in
cluding a delegation from Perqui
mans County traveled Thursday to
tneet with legislators in Raleigh.
The group learned three things
from their visit: 1. The Dismal
Swamp Canal will probably remain
open for some time, 2. A welcome
center is scheduled to be constructed
on U.S. 17 near the Virginia line, and
3. A protest will be filed with Norfolk
Southern Railroad officials over the
closing of the Albemarle Sound
bridge.
Local officials including Bill Cox,
? Mayor of Hertford, Shirley Perry,
Mary Harrell, Perquimans County
Chamber of Commerce, Mr. and
Mrs. Phil McMullen, and a group of
officials from the Albemarle Com
mission joined others from through
out the Albemarle region to make the
trip.
' In addition to legislators the group
ijiet with North Carolina Department
of Transportation officials, members
? the Army Corps of Engineers, and
oCfkials from the North Carolina De
partment of Travel and Tourism.
The group learned from North Car
olina Department of Transportation
officials, and officials for the depart
ment of travel and tourism that a
$400,000 contract for a new welcome
center would be let in November of
1987, and that construction will begin
on the project in 1988. The projected
openning date of the center is some
time in 1988.
The proposed welcome center will
be a combined information and rest
center, will be located on U.S. 17 near
the Virginia line, and will be the first
center designed with boat slips. It is
the hope of everyone concerned with
the project to reach boaters as well
as those traveling by road.
Wesley Webster, Assistant Secre
tary of the D.O.T. stated that both
Secretary Harrington, and the De
partment of Transportation are ex
cited about the project. "The secre
tary is excited about the project, and
the D.O.T. is excited about the con
cept," said Webster.
The group also learned that new
studies done by the corps of engi
neers support arguments to keep the
dismal swamp canal open.
Karl Kuhlman, Corps of Engi
neers, stated that recent studies have
shown that closing the canal might
cause the Dismal Swamp Wildlife
Refuge to dry up. Kuhlman stated
that for that reason they could justify
leaving the canal open.
Legislators also told the group that
they intend to issue a protest with
Norfolk and Southern Railroad offi
cials concerning the closing of the Al
bemarle Sound Bridge.
_Jim "Catfish" Hunter
day planned in Hertford
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Mayor Bill Cok announced Monday
tiMft a committee has been formed to
(dan Jim "Catfish" Hunter day.
Hayor Cox stated that the commu
nity' Is planning a day on which they
can show their appreciation and
4. booor Jimmy Hunter for his acoom
Plans for the day are currently in
the works. May 9th has been selected
as the date. This is the day on which
the old timers game will take place.
The cwst meeting of the steering
committee will be held on February
36th at 7:00 p.m. at Joe's Place. The
public Is invited to attend.
communications. As Jack Ward puts
it-make more than a living-make a
life.
Finally, we corne to the basics of
business. In farming today it is often
difficult to get down to the basics of
business. Farming has become a
highly complex, demanding, "BIG"
business. Despite all of this, now is
the time more than ever to work on
the basics. The basics of farming
are: Marketing, Record Keeping,
and Production Management.
Developing and following a mar
keting plan is essential to all farming
operations. Other types of businesses
don't produce goods without knowing
the market potential for those goods
As farmers, we have many tools av
ailale to us for marketing our crops.
Forward contracting, hedging, op
tions-granted these tools have not
been as beneficial in the last few
years as they were in the seventy's;
but they have worked in the past and
they will work again.
For now we are dependent on the
Government Programs for price sup
port and sale or our rains. Take ev
ery available opportunity to study
these programs so you can partici
pate at the level most beneficial to
your farming operation. Don't get
caught at years end saying "I didn't
know about a particular option." Get
informed and stay informed.
Those who don't remember the
past are destined to repeat it. Good
records will help avoid past mistakes
and give support to continuing profit
able practices. With good records,
cash flow can easily be examined and
by going a few steps further net
worth can be established. Today,
both items are being looked at very
closely by all lending institutions. To
sum it up - Today's Farmer cannot
afford to be without records.
. The final, jtem Jo consider is ma
naging production inputs to get the
most output for every dollar of input.
There are many opportunities profit
able practices. With good records,
cash flow can easily be examined and
by going a few steps further net
worth can be established. Today,
both items are being looked at very
closely by all lending institutions. To
sum it up - Todays's Farmer cannot
afford to be without records.
The final item to consider is ma
naging production inputs to get the
most output for every dollar of input.
There are many opportunities and
many temptations to cut costs. Avoid
the temptation of cutting inputs with
out information to support the cut.
Take advantage of the opportunities
to soil sample, nematode sample and
use plant tissue samples. Follow the
results of these tests. You may use
more or less of an input, but you will
have scientific facts to back you up.
There are many other considerations
when developing a crop production
plan. Look at each step carefully.
Jeff, Jack and myself are ready to
work with you on any questions you
may have about livestock, record
keeping or crop production. If we
don't know an answer we will find it
for you. (426-5428)
Good luck with the 1987 Season.
Ziemba selected to
conduct district band
It was recently announced that Per
quimans County school's band direc
tor, David Ziemba has been selected
to direct the district Junior High Con
cert Band.
Mr. Ziemba will direct the band
next February at the district band
clink InGreenville
Band directors in the district,
which is made up of all of eastern
North Carolina voted on the selec
tion.
Mr. Ziemba stated that he feels his
selection speaks well of the Perqui
mans County band program. Mr.
Zieirba also stated that it will be a
big responsibility to live up to.
Farm Save Day deemed
successful by organizers
Farmers gathered from acres North
Carolina and from several other
states on Saturday to take part in
Farm Save Day.
The day long event brought to an
end two weeks of hectic planning by
Elizabeth City businessman, Eugene
Meads, and his staff of volunteers.
Farm Save Day was organized by
Meads to call attention to the plight
of our nation's farmers. Meads also
hoped that farmers might come to
gether and find some answers to
common problems facing the farm
community.
Orginally two programs were
scheduled for the day, one at 10:00
a.m., and one at 1:00 p.m., but a
smaller than expected crowd
prompted organizers to combine the
two assemblies into one.
The program was held at the
Vaughn Center on the ECSU campus,
and approximately 100 farmers were
on hand when the program began at
10:00 a.m.. The number grew slightly
throughout the day, but came no
where near organizers expectations.
Speakers for the Farm Save pro
gram included Perquimans County
baseball hall of famer, Jim "Catfish"
Hunter, Senator Marc Basnight, Rep
resentative Vernon James, Rep
resentative R.M. "Pete" Thompson,
and others.
The speaker's talks called for re
striction of farm credit, new trade
policies, and action by the federal
government to aid U.S. farmers be
fore it is too late.
Perquimans County farmer
Jimmy Hunter stated that he hoped
the day long event would open some
eyes to the farm crisis. " Now is the
time for action," said Hunter. He
added that hopefully government
agencies would be forced to act to
help our nation's farmers from the
current crisis.
The program also included an ap
pearance by Atlanta Attorney,
Thomas Stamps. Stamps discussed
current bankruptcy laws, and re
viewed how chapter 12 bankruptcy
laws can help farmers remain in
business, and begin a new life.
Stamp6 stated that although chap
ter 12 bankruptcy laws exist to help
farmers many are ashamed to seek
help. "They don't like to admit
they're in trouble ,"said Stamps.
"Farmers have alot of pride."
Several speakers attributed the
small turnout for the event to prob
lems farmers are facing in their fi
nances.
Many of the guest stated that even
with the reduced fares offered for the
event, many still were unable to
spend the necessary money for a
ticket.
After the program, speakers and
farmers gathered for lunch in Wil
liams Hall. Following lunch, farmers
and guest gathered to discuss farm
problems.
Businesses throughout the Albe
marle Area made numerous dona
tions for the event including pigs,
programs, and soft drinks.
Volunteers began cooking food Fri
day night, and worked all night long
to get everything ready for Saturday
morning.
At the conclusion of Farm Save
Day organizers seemed pleased with
the results.
Man killed in accident
Thursday evening
A Perquimans County man was
killed Thursday evening when the
truck he was driving struck a power
line just off of Harvey Point Road.
Fred Jones Rountree, "I, of 132
Wynne Fork Court, was killed in
stantly in the accident which oc
curred while he was delivering a load
of rock at the home of Charles Dean,
Rt. 5, Box 135A, Hertford, N.C..
According to Sheriff's Deputy,
Tony Perry, chief criminal investi
gating officer for the department,
Rountree apparently drove forward
in the truck with the bed in a partially
up position. Rountree caught a pow
erline in the process which was over
head.
Rountree than stepped from the
truck to check the problem, when he
stepped from the truck's cab which
was grounded onto the wet land he
was electrocuted. The sheriff's de
partment stated that they felt it was
a freak accident.
The Rescue squad and local fire
men responed to the accident, but
Rountree was pronounced dead at
the scene by Dr. Lane, Perquimans
County Medical Examiner.
Rountree was employed with Dixie
Auto Parts in Hertford.
Date set for corn
growers referendum
February 24 is the date when corn
farmers will decide whether to ap
prove continuation of the one-half
(M>) cent per bushel on all corn mar
keted in North Carolina according to
Dr. Chester Black, Agricultural Ex
tension Director. The corn "check
off" program has been in effect since
1978, and the upcoming vote will
cover authorization for a six-year pe
riod, beginning with the 1967 crop and
extending through 1992.
The program is administered by
the Corn Growers Association of
North Carolina which is involved in
development and improvement of
corn production, research, market
ing, utilization, quality and the gen
eral welfare of corn producers. A 24
member Board of Directors, cover
ing all the producing areas of North
Carolina, governs the organization's
activities. Ted Ivey of Wayne County
is the President.
Polling places will be set up in one
or more places in each corn produc
ing county. County Extension Direc
tors will have the information as to
the exact poling places. All farmers
currently engaged in the production
of corn, including tenants, sharecrop
pers or other persons sharing in the
production income of corn are eligi
In September Perquimans Central
school will celebrate it's 50th anni
versary.
On Wednesday, February 11th
members of the Golden Anniversary
planning committee gathered at the
school to make plans for the event.
Mr. Morris Kornegay, Principal of
Central School will serve as chair
man of the committee, Mr. Clifford
Winslow, C.C. Walters, and Mr.
Tommy Maston will serve as co
chairman. Other members of the
committee include, Emily Barclift,
Julia Bryant, Nancy Harrell, Eudora
Harvey, Bertha Lane, Dorothy Moor
ing, Freda Nelson, Diane Owens,
Rosa Talley, Atha Tunnell, Johnie
White, Lucille White, Mary White,
Myrtle Williams, and Kenneth Ray
Winslow.
The celebration is scheduled to
take place on Sunday, September
27th, from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m..
The event will be a floating open
house, and the golden committee
hopes to have plans finalized for the
event soon.
Former teachers are expected to
be on hand for the afternoon, as well
as other local and state officials.
Freda Nelson, teacher, and former
student will be composing a history
of the school for presentation if) Sep
tember.
The next meeting of the committee
is scheduled for March 4th.
Golden anniversary
committee makes plans
ble to vote. A two-thirds favorable
vote is required to carry the referen
dum, as authorized by Article SO,
Chapter 106 of the General Statutes of
North Carolina. With favorable pas
sage of the referendum, any pro
ducer may get a refund of assess
ments by giving 90 days written
notice to Corn Growers Association
of North Carolina.
The grower-financed association
coooperates with the U.S. Feed
Grains Council to expand markets
for corn. The Association also works
with the National Corn Growers As
sociation in support of reaearch of
new opportunities for corn-derived
products. Beginning in 1965, the use
of corn for sweetener production con
sumed 500 million bushels. This utili
zation now accounts for 15 to 20 per
cent of the cash market for corn.
Each year, corn grower* are given
the opportunity to suggest research
and extension projects they would
like to see undertaken by N.C. State
University. The Board of Directors
reviews the suggestions and fundi
those projects felt to offer the moat
benefit to the most growers. Some 17J
projects have been funded in this
manner since 1979