I would like to say Thanks to All that bought tickets and gave donations to Ke'Miyah Tabron during the time she was running for queen at Everetts Elementary School.  Ke'Miyah is four years old and currently in the Pre-K class of Mrs. McGee and Mrs. Dawson.  She is the daughter of Kalo Tabron and Lakiesha Perkins.  She did win and was announced the Queen of the Harvest 2009 school year.  Ke' Miyah turned in $700.00 with the help of the community and family.  From her School, Everetts Elementary, she was crowned, given a  trophy, and awarded $25.00 cash.  Again I would like to say  THANKS TO ALL FOR THEIR SUPPORT.

The 2009 Harvest Festival at Everetts Elementary was a success but very disappointing also.  Even though my daughter won of being the Queen, I was a little disappointed.  I know its a recession in the world today but some things are just taken too far.  For one, as you entered the door, every adult had to pay $1.00 and also kids that were students of other schools, to my knowledge they have never charged to enter the harvest festival knowing you had to provide money for the kids anyway to play the games and buy the food.  No one recieved a memo classifying that there would be a charge at the door before you could enter.  I feel as though they should have sent out a memo letting everyone know, everybody that came with someone didn't have money, we have to consider others too.  There was a memo sent out to the parent's asking to send different items for the harvest festival such as boxes of cakes.etc.  Not to mention the parents of the kids that ran for King and Queen, putting in hard work and still had to pay to get in after already turning in anonmous amounts of money.  Also to my knowledge, they would be given 10 % of the money that they turned in.  The king and queen was crowned, given a trophy and awarded $25.00 cash.  The other children that ran recieved a smaller trophy than the king and queen.  All I wanted to say is that lets consider others as we make decisions.  Other than that, everything was a success.

Kimberly

Kimberly

I recently had the opportunity to observe Judge Turner Stephenson on the bench in Halifax County. The manner in which he spoke to the people that came before him with humanity, dignity, compassion, and understanding was unlike what I had previously witnessed from other judges in Halifax County. Although he indeed held people accountable for their actions and choices,  in doing so he allowed them to maintain their dignity. One woman in particular had been spoken to like a pure dog, and degraded in front of the entire court room by a female judge on the bench just weeks before for not attending PTA meetings at her child's school. Judge Stephenson on the other hand, while still stressing the importance of her being involved in her child's  education, did so with compassion, and dignity instead of belittling her. And when she spoke up in her own defense describing how difficult it is being a single mother trying to raise her children , atleast one of whom is a teenager, the best she can while holding down a job, Judge Stephenson responded with two refreshing words: "I understand." He gave me the impression that he has the unique ability to look at a situation by trying to imagine walking a mile in the other person's shoes. I left there that day with my faith in the system somewhat renewed, Judge Stephenson is a man of exemplorary character, and a fine example to the young people who come before him. When met with obstacles in life, even when we make mistakes, we need not only disipline, but also compassion and understanding. More times than not, using the characteristics that Judge Stephenson demonstrates will do more to make an impact on a person, especially a young person than belitting and degrading them will.

DS

Anyone that enjoys nature trails or fishing know what to expect and are already experiencing it. Certain people are giving responsible hunters a bad name. They are killing deer, cutting the horns off, and removing the tenderloin. The deer are then thrown anywhere it is convenient for these people to get rid of it. I have a suggestion for these people, dress the deer out and give it to the Union Mission to help feed the hungry and poor. There are plenty of people that would be glad to have the meat. If they would let it be known they have free venison I am sure there would be plenty willing to cook and eat it. I have a lot of respect for the hunters that are responsible and dress their kill and freeze it to eat rather than leaving it for the buzzards. The irresponsible hunters should hang their heads in shame. Waste not, want not.

I have heard that HRMC- WOODSIDE PSYCH. UNIT- will be taking Involuntary Committments soon.  I think they need to think long and hard before they do this.  They have our geriatric patients.  Who is going to protect them if the nurses have to constantly keep an eye on IVC patients.  I being a patient myself at the hospital does not feel they have the staff to take patients that have a potential to be violent.   Somebody needs to seriously reconsider before someone gets hurt.

Parent

     "Times are tight and things are tough", as the old folks use to say. Well, during the 1930's history reveals to us that people tightened up their belts, pulled up their old worn boot straps, found work somewhere, and made it through the worse economical times this country had ever witnessed. Have people today became so proudly pacified and spoiled, it seems impossible for them to accomplish what our ancestors achieved, by pulling themselves up from the trenches of financial burden. I know there are jobs, or should I say work always avalible in this area to make a little extra money. Cut some grass, rake someone's yard, pick up some handyman jobs, such as carpentry  repairs, or paint a neighbor's house. I've been doing this for years. Have people became too proud or just too lazy to work as our forefathers did doing hard times. I realize jobs now are few but my father always told me, "when you can't make a buck, make a half"...."it's better than nothing." GOD BLESS ROANOKE RAPIDS.

When the chairperson of a local county board attends a meeting of an organization he is a member of he should be a presence that emanates to aura of leading by example. You would expect him to be supportive of the organizations board and respect their decisions to move forward and resolve their issues. Instead bully like antics appear and dilatory tactics erupt. This misuse of parliamentary procedures to deliberately delay and prevent action on an age old issue is what this local politician is all about. I have seen this happen on several occasions and was offended. Would his political peers be proud to know he is the first of his kind to hold his seat but yet is creating delays and diversions in actions needed by this group that is trying to do the right thing? I do not think the voting public would be proud of this behavior and the fact that he is hindering in the democratic process of this organization is a disgrace. What he and a select few fail to remember is we live in a democracy the free and equal right of every person to participate in a system of government, often practiced by electing representatives of the people by the majority of the people. When that fails it is wrong and it must be made right. God Bless America.