Newspapers / The Perquimans Weekly (Hertford, … / March 11, 1999, edition 1 / Page 1
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The only newspaper for and about Perquimans County and its people Pirates, Lady Pirates fail in 1-A East Regional semifinals Page 9 PCHS SURGE Team urges young students to be drug-free Page 13 Historic Newbold-White House site of 18th century feast Page 8 March 11, 1999 Vol. 67, No. 10 Hertford, North Carolina 27944 1' 013165 10/09/1 999 >^020 -'■R.^u-iANS COUNTY LI^R-RY 110 . A C ■' 0 E Y ST V T f JUUxL/jl 350 Todd proposes changes for 1999-2000 Superintendent visits schools to share proposals with parents By SUSAN R. HARRIS Editor Gregory Todd believes that every child can learn, in site- based management and in tak ing whatever steps are neces sary to ensure that every stu dent gets a quality education. The Perquimans Schools superintendent is spending four nights in March dis cussing with parents proposed improvements and changes for the 1999-2000 school year that he thinks wUl make his beliefs reality. Two of the most notable dif ferences proposed for next school year include the stu dent calendar and bus sched ules. Students wUl report to class on Aug. 9 if the proposed cal endar for next year is approved. Built into the calen dar are mediation days at the end of each six weeks grading period. During these two-four day breaks, those students having trouble grasping con cepts covered during that six weeks will be encouraged to attend sessions designed to teach those concepts in differ ent ways. These sessions reinforce mission statements composed by school staffs stating that all children can learn. Staff devel opment opportunities through the Quality Journey help expand each teacher’s capacity to meet the needs of children with a variety of learning styles. Field trips and off-campus learning opportunities could be scheduled on the days set aside for remediation, mean ing that every student in Perquimans County would have the full 180 days of class room instruction mandated by the state. The calendar would allow high school students to take exams the last three days before the Christmas/winter holiday, which would begin at the end of the day on Dec. 17. This would mean that students no longer would return to school after a two-week break facing exams in 7-10 days. Those students performing at standard would return to school on Jan. 6. Staff would be available on Jan. 3 and 4 for those students needing to make sure they mastered skills taught during the first semester. Also under consideration is changing transportation. Todd is recommending that each school have a fleet of buses that serve only that facility. While officials acknowledge that the change would mean four buses running routes, preliminary review indicates that students on average will spend no more time on buses than at present. That is because there will be no time spent traveling between schools and waiting for dis missal at another school. In addition, the plan proba bly would not increase trans portation costs. At present, there are two sets of bus routes, with each set of buses serving a school in Winfall and a school in Hertford. Some buses presently travel through the two towns and across the causeway four times each day picking up and dropping off students, as weU as spend time waiting for pick-up in the afternoon. If the new plan is adopted, the bus drivers at each site will be supervised by the prin cipal at that school. This man agement strategy increases site-based decision-making and accountability. Todd addressed these pro posals during Hertford Grammar Schools’s PTA meet ing last Thursday. He is sched uled to discuss them at Central School on March 16 at 7 p.m., at Perquimans Middle on March 18 at 7:30 p.m. and at Perquimans High on March 22 at 6 p.m. The school board will meet Monday night. Pala creates heirlooms By SUSAN R. HARRIS Editor The little girl that remains in every woman’s heart is touched upon entering Pala Creations on River Drive (for merly Don Juan Road). For sit ting and standing around the room are a beautiful collection of porcelain doUs, all adorable and all unique. It is here at Pala Creations Porcelain Doll & Ceramic Studio that Ricki Pala creates these doUs, many from start to finish. Her husband Frank pours the molds, the Ricki takes over and carefully works with the greenware, fires the pieces, paints delicate fea tures, adds hair ranging from black to red to blonde and .tightly curled to straight, and eyen makes some of the cloth ing worn by the finished dolls. Lastly, she gives them eyes. Pala said that while doll making can be an expensive hobby, it is one she loves. “It really isn’t hard to do,’’ she said. “It can be quite relax ing. It’s enjoyable. It’s just so neat when you start putting that doll together and make it come to life. It’s just some thing that’s unique, it really is.” DoUs are not the only things that Pala creates. She has a variety of ceramic pieces wait ing to be finished. Santas, vU- lages, canisters, figurines — many unfinished pieces sit on two waUs of shelves just wait ing for someone to come in and turn them into lovely, per sonalized finished pieces. The shop also seUs greenware and bisque kits for doU-making. Pala teaches doll-making classes and wUl offer ceramics classes if people let her know they are interested. She said a friend may offer ceramics for children on Saturdays in the future. She is open Tuesday and Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. and other times by appointment. CaU 426-5972. Pala’s mother started mak ing dolls and in 1993 Pala became interested. In August, she and her husband opened their first shop. He does the heavy work, she said, then she takes over. Occasionally, a family member will lend a hand. The locaUy-made doUs have been shown at local craft shows and at dolls shows in Myrtle Beach, Richmond, Roanoke, Wilmington and GreenviUe. The Palas wUl take them to shows in Syracuse, N.Y. and Chicago soon. '--aaasa 1 ■ ^ i-’&’ . j'; , . 1 j-.-i r.. i . V'.V PHOTO BY SUSAN HARRIS The Perquimans County Chamber of Commerce sponsored a ribbon cutting for Pala Creations to celebrate their move to a new home on River Road (formerly Don Juan Road) in Hertford. The company’s porcelain dolis are handmade, many from start when the mold is poured, to finish when Ricki Paia puts the finai stitch in an outfit. Commissioners give prizes for landscape beautification contest County courtrooms beef up security April designated Clean-Up/Fix-Up Month by county town councils By SUSAN R. HARRiS Editor When company’s coming, most folks spruce up in prepa ration. Well, company’s coming in May, and local officials have designated April as Clean Up/Fix Up Month. The Perquimans County (Commissioners and Hertford Town Council both declared April Clean Up/Fix Up Month. Winfall’s board will meet Wednesday and Mayor Fred Yates said council wiU discuss a declaration for Winfall at that time. He said there will definitely be a contest with prizes for Winfall residents, which he will announce after the meeting. Representatives of the feder al agencies through which locals hope grant funds wUl be funnelled due to Hertford’s designation as a pilot heritage tourism community will visit on May 6, along with state and regional economic develop ment and cultural resources agencies. County commission ers chairman Charles Ward said during the commission ers’ regular meeting last Monday that individuals and businesses should do what they can to present the area in a good light. In addition, the May 8 Old Timers Game will mark the kick-off of the Jimmy “Catfish” Hunter ALS Foundation. Former high school, american Legion and professional baseball team mates and associates, state and federal elected officials, mem bers of Hunter’s extended fam ily, and hundreds of friends and fans from across the coun try are expected to arrive in Hertford for the ceremony honoring Hunter and related activities during the day. The Perquimans County Board of Commissioners and Perquimans County Extension Center have joined forces to sponsor a landscape contest to encourage county residents to take pride in their county by investing time to beautify the landscape of their homes and businesses. Residential lawns will be judged in two areas — best and most improved. Extension Director Lewis Smith said it is hoped that all county businesses can be observed during the contest. Smith said he is working closely with Tom Dyson, Extension Specialist, Horticulture, to write guide lines for the contest and to seek qualified judges. Smith said those who wish to have their lawns judged should complete an entry form which will be available at the Extension Center by March 31 and will be printed in The Perquimans Weekly on April 8. Those planning to enter the most improved category will probably be required to sub mit photographs of the site before improvements. Smith said. Three commissioners, in what is probably an unprece dented move, obligated them selves personally to provide first-place prizes for the two residential categories. Ward was first to step forward and offer a $100 savings bonds for the lawn declared best kept. After Shirley Yates suggested that perhaps a most improved prize would encourage even more residents to participate, Bert Hayes said he would help sponsor a prize. Yates agreed to join him. Together, Hayes and Yates will sponsor a $100 savings bond for the most improved lawn winner. Later, Ward reported that Albemarle Plantation had agreed to sponsor prizes for a business category — four com plimentary dinners at Soundside Grille. In addition. Smith said Farmers Feed & Seed will sponsor runner-up prizes for the residential con test. The Perquimans Weekly will participate by donating advertising space for the entry form. Although Hertford joined the county in designating the clean-up month, council took no action on monetary awards, although it was indicated on Monday’s meeting agenda that awards would be discussed. In addition to cleaning up, the town has a project under way to replace the trees in the town park adjacent to the county library. The trees were cut down due to disease. Volunteer project chairman JoAnne Morris said that a price list of suitable species is being composed and should be available at the town office immediately. Native species such as dogwood, red and white oaks, and a variety of hollies are being recommend ed for planting. Morris said donations are being accepted for trees. Trees may be planted in honor or in memory of someone, or simply donated to help beautify the town and improve the environ ment. Sandra Smitht'Chamber of Commerce executive director, said she is excited about the cooperative clean-up efforts, and hopes there will be good Pcirticipation by both residents and businesses. For contest information, caU Smith at 426-5428. At the request of both Clerk of Court Gail Godwin and Sheriff Ralph Robinson, the Perquimans County Commissioners last week approved purchasing both walk-through and hand-held metal detectors for both coun ty courtrooms. The sheriff told commis sioners that court security is a focus of his department. He said that he tries to schedule two armed officers and a bailiff for each court date. However, he said in months like March, when court is scheduled to be held 12 days, it stretches his manpower. On those days when court is being held in both courtrooms simul taneously, scheduling suffi cient staff to deal with security can become almost impossible. County Manager Paul Gregory said that it will cost about $3,000 per courtroom to purchase the metal detectors that will beef up courtroom security. He said the funds are available through court facili ties monies. While Gregory said Perquimans has not had a great amount of problems with security, increasing caseloads and simultaneous courts call for action. “I think it’s time that we do that (install the metal detec tors),” Gregory said. Robinson said judges and court personnel will appreci ate the county’s action. Weekend Weather Thursday Friday Saturday High 50s High 50s High 50s Low 40s Low 30s Low 30s Chance Rain Partiy Cioudy Partiy Cioudy
The Perquimans Weekly (Hertford, N.C.)
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March 11, 1999, edition 1
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