Newspapers / The Perquimans Weekly (Hertford, … / July 4, 2007, edition 1 / Page 1
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Gregory's has curb appeal F^ge 3 Wear life jackets while boating Rage 5 Hospital teams with schools Rage 6 JUi u 3 The ^ July 4, 2007 Vol. 75, No. 28 Hertford, North Carolina 27944 Ferquimans Weekiy History highlight Festival draws hundreds SUSAN HARRIS Rain threatened, but even a few sprinkles could not dampen the spirits of those enjoying an afternoon of history and culture at the park adjacent to the Black Civil War Memorial Saturday afternoon. At least 200 people came and went during the afternoon, taking advantage of cultural music and dance, a Civil War re-enactment, a jazz band, food and games in a relaxed atmosphere. A highlight of the event was the keynote address of Nana Yaw Yikenkyi, a traditional high priest hailing from Ghana, West Africa. The event was spon sored by T^Developers of Hertford. President of the business, responsible for renovating several houses in Hertford, is Tony Riddick. Dr. Jahi Issa, a profes sor of history at Elizabeth City State Univesity, came up with the idea of the festival. He hoped it would bring a greater awareness of and appreciation for the Black Civil War Memorial which sits at the intersection of King and Hyde Park streets. It is the oldest monument dedicat ed to black CivU War troops in the United States, and yet few people realize it exists. Issa said not only do peo ple not know about and appreciate the monument, but they do not know about and appreciate the role black soldiers played in ending the War Between the States. Without the participation of black soldiers, Issa said some historians estimate the war which left in its wake so much property damage, death, physical impairment and division in the govern- PHOTOS BY SUSAN HARRIS The Matunda African Dancers of Chesapeake, Va. performed Central and West African dances during Saturday's Northeastern North Carolina African-American Festival. Many of the 200 or more people who attended took advan tage of bleacher seating to enjoy the performance and sample some of the delicious food offered by vendors. A favorite of the younger set were the two moonwalks set up that they could enjoy at no cost. ment and even in families, could have lasted 5-7 years longer. Festival organizers chose as • the festival’s theme “sankofa,” the symbol for which is a goose with its long neck turned backwards. It is a West African symbol and term meaning go back and fetch what you lost or return to your roots. It was the hope of Issa, Riddick and others who helped with the festival that the event would indeed introduce people to the his torical significance of their roots and the roles their ancestors played in history. County eyes EMC building inWinfall SUSAN HARRIS Design work on the planned new county Emergency Medical Services building has halt ed temporarily as commissioners were made aware recently of the possible availability of a building in Winfall. County Manager Bobby Darden told commis sioners at last Monday night’s special called meeting and work session that Albemarle Electric Membership Corporation’s building may be available in the future. He said it will probably be a couple of years before the build ing is available and he has no indication from EMC on a price or firm timeline. However, because of the location of the building, its size, and features such as fenced areas for vehicles and supplies, generator back-up and security systems inside and out, Darden said it would be a building worth considering for county use. He said EMS and other departments cordd use the 12,000 square foot facility and grounds. “It’s an opportunity that we need to look at, at least,” said commissioners chair Mack Nixon. Darden said that the board would need to decide within 60-90 days whether to continue with present design activities on a new EMS building at the commerce center. Monday, Darden said the county has spent about $20,000 on professional services, includ ing design fees, on a new building. He antici pates that with construction drawings and review, the amount spent during fiscal 2008 should the project move forward could be $80,000. If the county decides to build tne new 8,000 SqauiL foot structure, construction could begin this fiscal year. Darden said EMS has outgrown the present 5,000 square foot structure, both in personnel and equipment capacity. The county has upgraded to EMT-Intermediate; has four ambu lance units, a car and water rescue equipment; and needs space for overnight duty crews as calls for service increase. The new building will address those issues, as well as training space, and is being designed to allow for future bay additions. Dave Gross, Manager of Engineering at Albemarle EMC, said management and the board of directors at EMC is in the very prelim inary stages of looking at future facility needs. He said at present, the electric cooperative is at capacity in the building in terms of work space and storage. As the area grows, the coopera tive’s customer base will continue to increase, and with it, the need for additional employees, vehicles and equipment. That growth will require more space than is presently available. Gross said that every possible option — build ing a new facility either in Perquimans or another of its service counties, or renovating its present facility to include more inside and out side space — is being discussed as management and the board try to map future needs. He said he would anticipate a two-year win dow before any construction would take place regardless of what option the cooperative chooses. Legion Auxiliary seeks members to assist veterans SUSAN HARRIS Doing more for veterans is the main goal of American Legion Post 126 Auxiliary. But reaching that goal is difficult with a 15-member roU, only eight or nine of whom are active. President June Manke said the Auxiliary has recently reformed and is seeking members willing to reach out into the commu nity. Doing more for dis abled and aged veterans, as well as identifying and offering assistance to those coming back from the war in Iraq are among support activities Manke said the group would like to under take. Right now, the Auxiliary tries to make days brighter for and take care of some personal needs of nine vet erans and three wives of veterans who reside at Brian Center. Auxiliary members take them out for holidays, remember their birthdays, decorate their doors with seasonal dis plays and take them special remembrances like Easter baskets. In addition, the group distributes poppies, which are made by veterans in VA hospitals, on occasions such as Memorial Day. The poppies are not sold, but donations are accepted. These funds can go only to veterans and their families. The group also operates the concessions stand for the weekly Bingo operated by Post 126 to help raise funds for veteran and com munity support projects. Auxiliary members are not just affiliated with the local Legion, but with state and national auxiliaries. A fund raiser for the state organization is collecting the the pop top portion of beverage cans. Last year. North Carolina collected 7,756 pounds of those pull tabs, worth $4,928.22. Proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald Houses. Anyone willing to help with collec tion may take their pull tabs to the Legion Building on West Academy Street on Thursdays at 7 p.m. In addition to Manke, those serving in specific capacities in the Auxiliary at present are Nedra BosweU, secretary; Barbara Rominger, treasurer and kitchen chair; Tracy Goodwin, recorder of com munity service hours and concessions worker; Debbie Ayscue, conces sions worker; Shirley Coon, veterans chair; Melissa Cox, membership chair; and Aileen Vicik, floating assistant. Membership is open to mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, granddaughters, great-granddaughters and grandmothers of those who qualify for membership in The American Legion or to those who qualify for American Legion member ship in their own right. The person upon whose service eligibility rests must be a member of the Legion unless they are deceased. Both biological and step- daughers are eligible. American Legion mem bership is open to those who served in any branch of the military during WWI, WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Lebanon/Grenada, Panama, Perisan Gulf or Iraq. A person eligible for Auxiliary membership through a veteran who lost his or her life in war earns Gold Star designation. Auxiliary 126 presently has a Gold Star Mother in its membership. Anyone interested in learning more may contact Manke at 426-8135 oF attend the meeting this Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Legion Building. Manke said those interested are welcome to see how the meetings are conducted and ask ques tions about membership or operations. A vote will be taken to decide whether to continue to meet on Saturday mornings or change the meetings to another time. Weekend Weather Thursday High: 91, Low: 74 Partly Qoudy Friday High: 88, Low: 72 Scattered T-storms Saturday High: 89, Low: 73 Isolated T'Storms
The Perquimans Weekly (Hertford, N.C.)
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July 4, 2007, edition 1
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