Newspapers / The Perquimans Weekly (Hertford, … / May 18, 1995, edition 1 / Page 1
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May 18,1995 ”*2 01'’1 65 08/04/95 20 ^ersuimans county library I 11 0 W ACAD 5 *' Y ST HERTFORD NC 27944 The Perquimans Weekly 350 Vol. 63, No. 20 The only newspaper for and about Perquimans County people Hertford, North Carolina 27944 Play ball! PHOTO BY SUSAN HARRIS Sarah and Lindsay Woodell were dressed for a day on the diamond Saturday at the Oid Timer’s basebaii and softbaii games. The future Lady Pirates are daughters of Perquimans baseball coach (and old timer himself) Phil Woodell and P.C.H.S. health occupations teacher Mary Woodeil. For Old Timers highlights, please see page 6. Fundraising group forms under 2020 Perquimans 2020 Vision Coalition recently formed a committee dedicated to orga nizing and undertaking uni fied, county-wide fundraising efforts to benefit the citizens of Perquimans County. The new group is called PERQUIMA, and is a commit tee of 2020’s Education and Human Services Task Force. All funds raised by PERQUIMA wUl remain in the county. Nonprofit groups will be able to apply for funds to support one-time or ongoing projects. Because PERQUIMA operates xmder the umbrella of 2020, an organization holding an IRS non-profit status, all contributions to the group’s fundraisers will be tax deductible. “PERQUIMA is a lively, worthwhile group creating a win-win situation for everyone in Perquimans County,” according to Jeri Oltman, a contact person for the group. “Residents can make charita ble contributions to this orga nization with the knowledge that the money will be used to enhance the quality of life for their neighbors and them selves. It is a grassroots effort that deserves support.” Chris Lane, Bill Spencer, Juanita Bailey, Cathy Terranova and several other county residents began enlist ing support for PERQUIMA several months ago. They have met regularly to organize, brainstorm ideas and draft the appropriate documents to form the committee. The 2020 Vision Coalition was formed in 1992 with the goal of improvingthe future and quality of life in Perquimans County. Over $113,000 in grant funds have funneled through the agency since its inception. Task forces were established in five areas with goals set in each area. Committees were formed for community ser vice/development, agriculture and industrial development, infrastructure, education and human services, and tourism. The board reorganized its executive committee in July 1994. Serving at present are Fred Yates, chairman; Barbara Gustafson, vice chairman; Randall Henion, secretary; Estelle Felton, treasurer; Leo Higgins, coordinator; Bill Cox, senior advisor; Charles Ward, assistant treasurer; and Rick Robin, assistant secretary. Oltman and Bailey are serv ing as PERQUIMA contacts. Outside THURSDAY r High: Low: 90s 50s CHANCE OF RAIN SATURDAY S' High: Low: 80s 50s CHANCE OF RAIN High: Low: 70s 60s FAIR Parent, students give SOS A-plus rating Middle school after-hours program improves grades, self-esteem The Support Our Students After-School Program earned grade A marks from students and parents at the middle school. Over 120 surveys were com pleted and returned by partici pants and their parents, according to Margaret Brothers, program director. The response to the program and its effectiveness were overwhelmingly positive. 1 All of the parents saw the program as a safe structural environment for children. 1 All of those parents whose children enrolled in the acade mic program components saw an improvement in grades. 1 97 percent of parents responding to the smrvey rated the program good to great. 'The same percentage said they would like to see the program continue next year. 1 95 percent of the parents saw a change in their chil dren’s attitude toward school. 1 96 percent of the students attending the academic pro gram rated the turoing ses sions helpful and positive. The same percentage also said they’d like to see the program continue. 1 98 percent of the sruveys rated the enrichment classes good to excellent. Student comments on he sur vey forms indicated that the students felt the teachers were very helpful, and helped lift grades and self-confidence. “All of us at Perquimans Middle School are extremely proud of this attempt to help those students who were at risk or in need of a place to be in the afternoons,” Brothers said. “Teachers, students, and volunteers have proven over whelmingly that jworking together for a common goal does indeed result in e success ful completion of what they sought to accomplish.” 'The SOS program got under way in mid-January. About 150 stduents initially enrolled, with others placed on a wait ing list. Students received a snack and transportation to their homes through the pro gram, funded by the gover nor’s SOS initiative. The local program was a cooperative effort between Perquimans 2020 Vision Coalition and the school sys tem. Rescue workers: special people “You’re not playing Mr. Hero. You’re doing your job. Then you go home and it gets to you.” That statement from Perquimans County Emergency Services Director and Perquimans Rescue Squad Captain Larry Chappell sums up how most rescue personnel feel about the work they do to help their neighbors in emer gency situations. Organized in 1967 when Swindell Funeral Home dis continued its commercial ambulance service, the Perquimans County Rescue Squad was formed by a group of volunteers witling to answer the need for emergency ser vice in the covmty. And volunteer was the key word back in the early days. All calls were answered by vol unteers who often left their jobs to respond to someone in need. Towe Motor Company, Winslow-Blanchard Motor Company and Hollowell Chevrolet Company each donated the use of a new sta tion wagon for one year to the squad. The county provided a meeting place for the squad, along with the equipment nec essary to convert the station wagons into rescue vehicles. Dick Long provided dispatch service from his business, Dick’s Drive-In at the foot of the causeway. Hertford attor ney Charles Johnson drew up the squad’s articles of incorpo ration gratis. The late Lizzie Lee Cox, a dedicated mmse, organized an auxiliary of nurses to support the squad. Squads from other counties assisted with training and organization. For 20 years, the county was served solely by these volun teers, who not only answered calls, but put in training Members of the Perquimans County Rescue Squad took time out at a recent banquet for a group photo with some of their equipment. The county Is served by both paid and volunteer personnel. The volunteer unit formed In 1967 when commercial ambulance service stopped. hours. Tougher training requirements set by the state over the years caused many volunteers to leave. With dwindling numbers, the group decided it was no longer able to answer calls 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. On Oct. 2, 1988, the Perquimans E.M.S. began operating from 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday. Later, holi days were added to the duties of the paid squad The volun teers continue to run nights and weekends, and answer calls for additional assistance. Becoming a volunteer or paid rescue member today requires a 140-hour EMT course, including classwork and clinical training. The EMT course ends with a stringent written and practical test. Even those who only wish to drive an ambulance must take the course, Chappell said. Most Perquimans personnel have reached the level EMT-D, which means they can operate defribulation and intubation equipment and administer epinenphrine. The squad has a water rescue team. The Hertford Fire Department mans the county’s response vehicle, which is equipped with a Hearst tool for extrication. In addition to answering about 1,000 calls per year, res cue personnel conduct CPR courses and other training ses sions. The squad also provides transport service. Personnel must also have 36 hours of training per year in order to remain certified and meet state insurance requirements. And of course, there is paper work to complete and send in to the state each month. Dr. Robert E. Lane serves as the groups’ medical advisor. Chowan Hospital is the squad’s sponsoring hospital. Chappell said aU equipment is checked and maintained daily to make sure the units are ready to respond. Members also make sure safe ty equipment for responders is in place, including rubber gloves and glasses required by OSHA. The county provides hepatitis shots and TB skin tests through the health department. The squad’s most pressing need is more people, Chappell said. An EMT class is sched uled to begin June 6 and run through mid-September at the rescue squad building. Classes wUl meet two hights per week, three hours per night. Rescue personnel put in a lot of time and effort. There are those times when they go home after a call and cry. But it’s those times when someone pulls through against the odds, when a small chUd is saved, that keeps these special people answering the page in the middle of a cold, winter night. As Chappell puts it, “You’ve got a lot of special folks in res cue squad.” Downtown Hertford was filled with the soundsof the Perquimans High School and Perquimans Middle School bands Saturday, as the downtown merchants celebrated Mother’s Day and raised funds for the 4th of July fireworks. Inside Pirates make state play-offs Page 6 Hertford Grammar students enjoy Farm Day Page? Union planted in garden heaven wilts Page 9 Ciassifieds...Page 10
The Perquimans Weekly (Hertford, N.C.)
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May 18, 1995, edition 1
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