Education Page 14 nsor Sprint announces exit C C CAR after 2016S season Local News NOTEBOOK Page 2 Allen promoted at Auto Club Speedway OMMUNITY EWSPAPER to the position ofN president of The Sampson Weekly AMPSON k that Sprint — the title sponexiting the sport after the etback for the NASCAR world. uise. Although the title sponuntable for the recent downand overall popularity of the as come during the time that title sponsors. placing longtime sponsor OUNTY’S “Hey, we have been through this before and we may get a company that will help us return to the glory days! We need a company with the money of Microsoft and the ideas of the old RJR and we will be better off.” He also wrote that he’d like to see the new title sponsor cut back on its commercials during race broadcasts and get back to showing the action on the track instead. “Maybe someone will come in with enough money to simplify things that we will be able to cut “Humpy” Wheeler sees the the number of ads in half so we exit of Sprint in two years as a don’t continue to pulverize the chance for NASCAR to regain fans [with] so many billboards, some of its magic from the etc. Hope we get there with the Winston era. company that is going to be the next sponsor!” NASCAR spokesman Brett Jewkes issued a statement about the upcoming change. “NASCAR and Sprint have enjoyed a long and productive partnership that has returned significant value to both parties. We understand significant changes within Sprint and the highly competitive business environment it is in has led to a decision not to extend its Cup Series entitlement position following the 2016 season. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is a very unique, premium sports marketing platform with strong momentum, so we are very confident of moving forward in 2017 with an outstanding new partner. In the meantime, we look forward to Sprint’s partnership on the best racing series in the world for the next two seasons.” Dave Allen has been promoted Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California, taking over the job that had been held by Gillian Zucker, who has moved on to become president of business operations for the Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA. Allen, 41, has worked at the track since 1999, when it was known as California Speedway. Since 2008, he has been the track’s vice president of sales and marketing. Allen, his wife and three children, live in Upland, California. VOLUME 5, ISSUE 52 Reynolds Tobacco Co., and ng Enterprises, helped guide it grew to be one of the nan withdrew largely because on advertising by tobacco www.thesampsonweekly.com AR in 2016 could actually be a on his Facebook page. “With a ng of the aero push problem, assing for the lead, a new e benefit of the change. Week of December 26-January 1, 2015 Town of Roseboro Gives Back starting field for mited Classifieds at Daytona Rutledge Wood joins NASCAR TV coverage group for 2015 Page 17 Humpy Wheeler INSIDE rked with tracks to improve All-Star Race — known simg — and pumped cash into d. worked with the media, pros and better access to drivers. grassroots level, with cash ovements and to drivers for short track across America n, and many of the sport’s ks supported by Winston. y president H.A. “Humpy” Sports he exit of Sprint as 13 a chance Page magic it enjoyed in the Win- Ray Black Jr. to compete full-time in CWTS FREE New Location for Carolina Urology Ray Black Jr. has been named the full-time driver of the No. 07 Chevrolet fielded by SS Green Light Racing in the Camping World Truck Series. Black, 23, is from Palm Coast, Florida, where he began his racing career at age 14 in Mini Cup cars. He ran seven Truck Series races in 2014, the maximum to still be eligible for Rookie of the Year honors in 2015. His best finishes were a pair of 18ths, at Texas Motor Speedway and at Chicagoland Speedway. “Hopefully, we can make something happen in the Rookie of the Year battle, but I know there will be other strong rookies contending for it, so it’s going to be tough,” Black said in a team release. “We’ll go out there and run as we can and have clean races and finish races. We’ll let the dice roll and see how they land. “I’ve waited a long time for this opportunity and now that it’s official, I can’t wait to get it going. I couldn’t be more happy for the team; it’s a great group of guys that I really enjoy being around.” The team is run by former driver Bobby Dotter. Rutledge Wood has joined a large group of veteran NASCAR TV reporters who have moved to NBC as the network prepares to begin covering NASCAR racing in 2015. Wood will present features on the storied raceways, unique towns and enthusiastic fans that make NASCAR an American treasure, according to a release from NBC. Frank Kerr, who raced sprint cars until he was 39, then went “Rutledge brings a unique combination of knowledge on to a career as a NASCAR crew and enthusiasm to his work that will help us shine chief, has been hired by Richard a spotlight on the tracks and communities we visit Petty Motorsports to be crew chief throughout the year, and bring them to life,” said Jeff for Dakoda Armstrong in the Behnke, vice president of NASCAR production for NBC Xfinity Series. Sports and NBCSN. Kerr most recently worked with Wood will also continue as co-host of Top Gear on the David Gilliland and the No. 38 History Channel, the American version of the BBC proSprint Cup team at Front Row gram that carries the same name. Kerr has two Xfinity Others who have joinedgifts, the on-air NBC lineup include Pictured wrapping RSMS Principal Shelia Motorsports. Peterson, Peterson, Series wins, Arno both with Marcos Preston Krista Voda, Rick Allen, Steve Letarte, Jeff Burton, Ambrose, in just five races in Peterson and Mayor David Alexander Dave Burns, Mike Massaro, Marty Snider, Kelli Stavast the series formerly known as and Kyle Petty. Nationwide. Nascar Insider Page 11 WEATHER anica Patrick is eligible for the 2015 print Unlimited due to her 2013 Daytona 00 pole. nts poti- Fri Sunny 0% Hi: 59 º Lo: 37 º pin Sunny e in the driver eligibility. “With more 0%fans and competiincreases for our to the 2015 season.” vers, the 2015 eligible participants he No. 3 Chevrolet to the Daytona 500 Hi: 63 ºDavid Lo: 49 º pole winners Gilliland, Kyle ott and Tony Stewart. Martin Truex ormer Daytona AM 500 pole winner who e rules require. Showers ing spot as a 2014 pole winner, but he 40% om heart surgery. Sat Sun Hi: 67 º Lo: 55 º Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR Kerr named crew chief in Xfinity Series Frankie L. Britt, FNP-BC, Dr. Robert Reagan Jr., MD and Receptionist, Jessica Rodriguez Carolina Urology Healthcare, PLLC, led by Dr. Robert Reagan, Jr., MD. has been located on Vance Street in downtown Clinton since Reagan’s arrival to Sampson County. But that will change next year with plans in the works to build a new office. “The company purchased land at 1021 Beaman Street and we will be building a new medical office there,” says Dr. Reagan. “We expect to be in the new location around the end of the year in 2015.” The annual Roseboro Christmas Parade was an instrument used by the town of Roseboro to not only celebrate the Christmas season with the community but as a way of reaching into the community and helping make Christmas a little brighter for five local families. The town approved a motion December meeting to useshort-track the proceeds Sprintboard Cup veteran David Gillilandatisits looking for an up-and-coming driv- from the er toChristmas join his short-track racing fees) team,to David Gilliland Racing. annual parade (entry share with local families which were in need. The Gilliland’s team, which he runs with his wife, Michelle, has been in business since ROSEBORO, 1998. Last year, their 14-year-old son Todd drove the team’s No. 98 Late Model and see P. 4 David Gilliland to expand short-track team “This is a premiere location and is located next to the Clinton Medical Clinic, behind Dr. Kunzman’s office,” adds Reagan. “The new location will be quite convenient for our patients.” And at Carolina Urology, Dr. Reagan makes it clear that his practice is all about the patients. Reagan says that he treats many kidney stone patients from Sampson and surrounding counties. “We are fortunate that Sampson Regional Medical Center has invested in and provides the latest and greatest scopes and lasers for kidney stone treatment. We offer lithotripsy services as well. The OR staff, anesthesiologist and nursing staff at Sampson Regional provide excellent care for our kidney stone patients.” won a pole and a feature race. The team will provide its new driver with equipment including cars, an experienced crew chief and spotter, and personal coaching from Gilliland. “When we built our program, we made sure we did it right,” Gilliland said. “We ensured we had the best equipment and the best experience put together to offer someone the best opportunity to showcase their talent.” Interested candidates should contact Chris Janosko at [email protected]. Butler, Hughes & Hayes Share the Gospel through Music ott as Xfinity Folds of Honor, QuikTrip to sponsor second NUMERICALLY Mon Rain rector race of 2015 Sprint Cup season 80% SPEAKING Atlanta Motor Speedway has announced a title sponsor for its March 1 Drivers who started all Hi: 60 º Lo: 44 º Sprint Cup race. 36 Sprint Cup pointsFolds of Honor, a nonprofit organizapaying races in 2014. tion that provides educational scholCloudy w arships and assistance to families of 20% Drivers who finished in men and women who have been killed He or disabled while serving in the U.S. the top 30 in Sprint Cup military, and convenience store chain Todd Parrott points but did not have will combine to back the Hi: 50 º Lo: 34 º QuikTrip, a top-10 finish in a race: Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500. Justin Allgaier in 29th, and “I have had a love for speed my entire hat Childress’ Partly life. To combine the speed of NASCAR wn as Nationwide David Gilliland in 30th. Cloudy with the powerful, life-changing force of Folds of Honor is simply beyond est. my wildest dreams,” Maj. Dan Rooney, founder of Folds of Honor, said in 10% ram, and it’s now Drivers who finished announcing the sponsorship. “Thank you to QuikTrip for being a longn with it for next in the top 10 in Sprint partner to Folds of Honor and for fueling the future of our military Hi:challenges 50 º Lo: 28 º term rd to the Cup points and earned families.” aces and adding Folds of Honor, founded in 2007, is based in Owasso, Oklahoma, and more money than Ryan ganization.” over the years has awarded more than 7,500 scholarships, including more Newman, who finished c Warren, the than 2,000 this year, according to a release from AMS. second in points and The Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 will be the second race of the 2015 several years at a earned $4,503,125. Sprint Cup season and the first run under the new engine rules manCoverInternational of group’s lastest CD Adopted a more passionate dated by NASCAR for tracks other than Daytona Speedway hard and winning and Talladega Superspeedway, where restrictor plates are used to slow Drivers who made the Simeon took him [Jesus] anized and has speeds. It started out as just a song or two at their local church, but nearlyChase 8 years 16-driver forlater the Butler, performance outand praised in his arms The 500 is part of a three-day event that includes a double-header for the Sprint Cup, but did not Hughes & Hayes is making noise in the Southern Gospel music industry. In fact, the rovenGod, winner with Camping World Truck Series and the Xfinity Series on Saturday, Feb. 28. saying: “Soverways overachieved win a pole suggests) in 2014. in 2007 when There also will be anbased open practice session forNC Cupwas drivers on Thursday, quartet in Salemburg, actually a trio (as the name eign Lord, as you have orked.” Feb. 26. Tues 31 Richard Childress Racing he he 2 Dr. Reagan also says that as part of his new office development he plans to even better serve his patients with a “Comprehensive Kidney Stone Center”. Carolina Urology offers the most up-to-date urology care. Reagan explains, “We perform many services in our office, such as scalpelless vasectomy… Most guys come in to the office and are quite nervous, but after a 15-20 minute procedure they are done, and leave happy and relieved.” Wed 9 WEEKLY VERSE Local..............................................1-6 Health...............................................7 Faith..................................................8 Entertainment..................................9 Sports........................................11-13 Education.......................................14 Obits...............................................16 Crime..............................................17 Classifieds.......................................18 Business..........................................19 Performance...................................20 thesampsonweekly.com 910-590-2102 they released their first CD titled Amazed. Fast forward to 2014 and BHH’s newly released CD Adopted is getting strong reviews from industry insiders. A recent review of Adopted by Southern Gospel Views From The Back Row wraps up its review stating, “If Butler, Hughes & Hayes’ intent was to get GOSPEL, see P. 3 HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAPPY NEW YEAR! WEEKLY INDEX Carolina Urology also performs biopsies, cystoscopies and removal of various skin lesions in their offices. “We can even perform brachytherapy, a treatment for prostate cancer (most people know this as placing radioactive seeds), under local anesthesia in the office now,” explains Reagan. “We also perform urodynamic studies and pelvic muscle rehabilitation for our urinary incontinence services.” UROLOGY, see P. 3 Have a Safe and Prosperous 2015 from the Staff of Sessoms Jewelry! Thanks for shopping with us this holiday season, and thanks for your continued support! Sessoms Jewelry has been serving Sampson County and the surrounding area for over 50 years! And we offer unparalleled service after the sale!! HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAPPY NEW YEAR! promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:28-32 8 HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAPPY NEW YEAR! 105 Wall Street • Downtown Clinton [email protected] Holiday Hours: Monday-Friday 9 AM to 5:30 PM Saturday 9 AM to 1 PM Voted Sampson County’s Best Place To Buy Jewelry! Se H a Espa bla ñol 2 Week of December 26-January 1, 2015 www.thesampsonweekly.com LOCAL NEWS Residents of Southwood Become Christmas Angels to Those in Need Toys and boxes and love, oh my! The residents of Southwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center took on a new project this holiday season. This year marked Southwood’s first annual shoebox drive for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child. Operation Christmas Child is a nationwide effort to collect Christmas gifts for children in need all around the world. These gifts are packed in individual shoeboxes and shipped worldwide. When presented with the idea, the residents were ea- ger to get started on this project. They felt that making these shoeboxes full of gifts would allow them to help others in need and be a blessing to someone during the Christmas holiday. The residents decided on a goal to pack and fill 20 shoeboxes. With the help of staff members, resident’s family members, and Clinton Family Worship Center, the residents of Southwood were able to meet their goal of 20 boxes and had several items left over. These items were sent to the Operation Christmas Child warehouse to be placed in boxes as needed. Faircloth Recognized for Years of Service Ministries like Operation Christmas Child display the true meaning of Christmas. The residents were all smiles as they packed the shoeboxes—knowing some child in the world was going to have a happy Christmas because of them. As evidenced by the smiles on their faces, being a blessing to others provides true happiness and joy. On behalf of Southwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, we would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas! Allison Hinson, Activity Director Garden Club Visits Falcon Children’s Home Pictured left to right-Salemburg Town Commissioner Joe Warren, Juanita Faircloth, Commissioner Donald Nance, Mayor Bobby Strickland, Commissioner Bonny Tew and Commissioner Arnold Page. Salemburg recognized its long-time Town Clerk/Finance Officer Juanita Faircloth in a ceremony held at Salemburg Town Hall during the last Town Hall meeting. Mrs. Faircloth has been the Salemburg Clerk/Finance Officer for over 25 years. Mayor Bobby Strickland and Commissioners thanked Mrs. Faircloth for her dedication and service to the citizens of Salemburg. The Sampson Weekly The Just-A Mere Garden Club members were guests at Falcon Children’s Home on December 2, 2014. The members enjoyed dinner and a performance by the Synan Chapel Singers. After the musical entertainment the singers and club members enjoyed refreshments. Pictured are Betty Lee, hostess gift winner and Marie Warren, hostess for the evening. PO Box 1915 Clinton NC, 28329 910.590.2102 Sylvia Chestnutt 910.590.6086 [email protected] Melvin Henderson 910.379.9708 [email protected] Advertising 910.590.2102 Perfect Gift For Your Loved One The Management of The Sampson Weekly reserves the right to approve any article, advertisement and/or announcement which it deems appropriate for its readers. We/ The Management also reserve the right to make any change as we see necessary to any submission prior to approval. We/The Management also reserve the right to not accept announcements, articles and/or submissions we deem as inappropriate or which we do not approve. Pride & Golden Provided by the Sampson County Animal Shelter. Call (910)592-8493 Lift Chairs 25% OFF MATTHEWS Health Mart PHARMACY 408 Northeast Blvd 910-592-2343 Jordan Shopping Center This is Mickey a 2 year old long haired cat. Can you be her “fur-ever” family? Week of December 26-January 1, 2015 UROLOGY, cont. from 1 www.thesampsonweekly.com LOCAL NEWS 3 GOSPEL, cont. from 1 “We are planning our new facility,” adds Reagan, “so that it will better accommodate our patients and their needs. We currently utilize electronic medical records and also plan to take full advantage of the new building to implement the most up-to-date technological advances.” Southern Gospel listeners to recognize them outside of their regional artist status, they accomplished that with Adopted. I always enjoy being introduced to quality new artists. While there is still growth heard in Adopted, the group is already ahead of some of the more well-known artists I have heard. Now that Butler, Hughes & Hayes is on my radar I will definitely keep up with what this group has to offer Southern Gospel listeners in the future.” Reagan attributes his success in Sampson County in large part to the support of local healthcare providers. “We have been very impressed by the wonderful medical community, and with the very competent physicians and mid-level providers in Clinton,” states Reagan. “Earning the trust of these physicians and providers by providing the very best urologic care for their patients has been, and continues to be, a focus for our practice.” Of course anyone would enjoy being appreciated for what they do, but for BHH the reward is not fame and accolades. Their reward is purely in bringing glory to God. To do that they share their faith with others through God given talents as a ministry. Whether it’s at their local church, Center Baptist of Dunn, NC or at a show in Canada, BHH is all about sharing the Gospel. Reagan also attributes much of his success to his staff. “Our employees are dedicated and do a fantastic job!” declares Reagan. “I feel strongly about hiring qualified and experienced people, but I feel just as strongly that it’s also important to keep them. Most of our employees have been with us since we started.” There is one important newcomer however. Frankie L. Britt, FNP-BC, joined Carolina Urology Healthcare in 2012. Reagan says, “She has been an absolute asset to the field of urology. Lynette has a 25-year background in healthcare experience, which really helps with providing the best care for our patients. She has a great personality and is just a special person. She is doing a great job!” Prior to his arrival in 2009 to Sampson County, Dr. Robert Reagan practiced in Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh. He was also Assistant Consulting Professor of Urology at Duke Regional Hospital, in addition to his partnership in a 6-man Urology group where he performed complex urologic surgeries such as robotic prostatectomies and hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomies. Dr. Reagan did his undergraduate work and attended medical school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, prior to receiving his urologic training at The Ohio State University. He has just recently been re-certified by The American Board of Urology. Dr. Reagan is married to Tammy Reagan and the couple has 3 children. Taylor, the oldest daughter, is completing her graduate degree at George Washington University. Will, a graduate of Clinton High, is attending the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. And the youngest, Grace, is currently a senior at Clinton High School. Dr. Reagan says that since his arrival to Sampson County, the charm of the community captured him and his family. A native of Wilmington, Reagan says he plans to stay in the Sampson County community as long as practices medicine. But that wasn’t the original plan… Prior to moving to Clinton, Reagan had planned to move his practice to Wilmington where he was raised. He explains, “I was approached by a recruiter for Sampson Regional wanting me to open a Urology practice here in Clinton. The kind people involved with our move to Clinton could not have been nicer or accommodating. The hospital has been very supportive of our move and very helpful since we’ve been here. There are some really good folks in Clinton… We absolutely love this area and have grown to love the people here.” The group consists of Michael Hayes (tenor), Lamar Butler (lead), Darren Hughes (baritone) and Matt Parker (bass). After several years singing tenor with groups like Heaven Bound and the Anchormen, Michael Hayes along with Lamar Butler, Darren Hughes and sound engineer Rod Person formed BHH as a trio and began ministering through music. In 2012 with the release of their forth CD King Jesus the original BHH members added a new face to the group, Matt Parker. Singing bass, Parker adds a new dimension to the music and fully rounds out the Southern Gospel Quartet. Their latest CD Adopted consists of five familiar covers and 7 original scores written by Hayes or Hughes. The title track Adopted is written by Darren Hughes who is the Administrative Pastor at Center Baptist. Through music and through testimony, Hughes relates his experience adopting his daughter from China. Lamar Butler explains the title track, “It looks at the adoption process, not only through what they (Hughes and his wife) experienced with Sophia, but what we as Christians experience through salvation. We are adopted and have a Heavenly Father who will love us and never let us go.” Butler says that whether its tracks on a CD or a play list at a concert, the music of BHH is led by The Spirit. “Of course we try to be in tune with The Spirit and we base our program off where we feel The Spirit lead us… We’ve got five years of music and can’t sing it all, so we allow The Spirit to lead us in what message He has for the audience that day.” Butler adds, “You know, sometimes you can have the worst week of your life and you just really don’t want to get up there. But you submit and say, ok I’m here and You’re using me. I’m going to be obedient… and then suddenly you can feel it. The energy picks up and then you recognize a stirring in the audience. Some songs will bless people and other songs will convict people… You can see it happening and it’s awesome.” Each performance of BHH ends with testimony and sharing of the Gospel, along with an invitation to accept Christ. And while the members of BHH have intentionally limited the amount of shows they do so that they can spend time with family and serve their local church; every performance is treated as a special gift to be shared with others. To date, BHH has released five CD’s: Amazed (2007), Back in the Day (2008), Jesus is Lord (2010), King Jesus (2012), and the newly released Adopted (2014). A special performance for the official release of Adopted will be held by BHH at Center Baptist Church of Dunn on Sunday, January 4th at 6PM. And BHH has already begun work on a video for Adopted that is expected to be released internationally. For more information on Butler, Hughes & Hayes, and to listen to select tracks, purchase copies of CDs and to see a schedule of their limited performances, please visit their website at www.butlerhughesandhayes.com. TIC S! S A DR CTION U RED Example: Retail $1,000 Ray’s Price $699 Ray’s BIGGEST Jewelry Sale YEAR END CLEARANCE SALE! STARTS SATURDAY 12/27/2014 EVER! $599 $699 $799 Ray’s Inc. 209 West Broad Street, Elizabethtown, NC 910-862-2586 • www.raysfurnitureandjewelry.com 60% REGISTER TO WIN A FREE DVD PLAYER TO BE GIVEN AWAY ON MONDAY JANUARY 5TH Name: __________________________ Address: ______________________________ ______________________________ ______________________________ Phone: __________________ Email: _______________ Clinton Appliance & Furniture Co. “We will meet or beat any competitors price!” 401 N.E. Blvd., Clinton, N.C. • 910-592-7077 www.clintonappliance.com $349! Nice Serta Sofa & Loveseat Sets DISCOUNTS UP TO *FREE SHEETS WITH SERTA BEDDING ($499 AND UP) After ½ Off Ray’s Sale Price Only FREE FLU SHOTS $10.00 (CASH) FOR MEDICARE, TRICARE, BCBS, AND MOST PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANIES NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED 2 Liter Sprite & Ginger Ale 99¢ Clinton Drug Company Fast, Friendly Service 307 Beaman Street, Clinton • 592-8444 4 Week of December 26-January 1, 2015 www.thesampsonweekly.com LOCAL NEWS ROSEBORO, cont. from 1 motion began with Commissioner Cary Holland requesting the council to consider using the proceeds to start another annual tradition in the spirit of Christmas, this request was quickly agreed upon by the town board and the wheels were set in motion. Mayor Alexander said, “It’s very good for us to give back to our community. We need to do things like this for the kids of our community. Times have changed and some of the families can’t afford to buy Christmas gifts for their family members. Our citizens are the most important part of our town; without them we would not have a town.” With the total receipts in for the parade and expenses calculated, Cary Holland made plans to brighten Christmas for five local families, which included seven boys and girls from the Town of Roseboro. With the net proceeds of over $1,200, and with the help of local Roseboro Middle School Principal Shelia Peterson, they set out to buy presents for the five families. Holland and Peterson used a shopping list prepared by the school counselors to buy specific gifts for the seven children. These gifts included, bicycles, tennis shoes, blue jeans, clothing and much more. The Roseboro Middle School library looked like Santa’s workshop Tuesday morning as Commissioner Cary Holland, Mayor David Alexander, Principal Peterson, her husband Arno Peterson and son Preston gathered to wrap all of the gifts. Town Commissioner Cary Holland presented The Sampson Weekly with a letter the town sent to all of this year’s entries in the Christmas parade. The letter thanked all who participated and acknowledged that without the community and town’s support, the parade and the holiday outreach would not be possible. Principal Peterson stated, “We were able to help a total of fifteen families through the school and we were not able to meet all the needs of the community. The Town of Roseboro has allowed us to help an additional five families.” Peterson continued, “I think it is awesome that our town is advocating for these families. I am glad and I am proud to be a citizen of a town that sees the importance of giving back to the community. This is a great opportunity for our town and a great way to celebrate the Christmas Season.” Peterson concluded by saying “Most of the time we don’t know where proceeds go, but in Roseboro we know it’s going to a good cause.” Holland stated, “The annual Roseboro Parade was once again a huge success. Hundreds lined the street to enjoy the marching bands, glittering floats, and of course, Santa and his reindeer. The delight on the faces of one and all is what truly makes these happy holidays. On behalf of the Town of Roseboro, we want to once again thank you for being a part of this magical evening. The success of our annual parade would not be possible without the kindness and generosity of sponsors. This year’s parade has been one of the most special. Thanks to the overwhelming support of our sponsors, we were not only able to put on a spectacular show but we were able to raise money as well. Again, thanks, to your generosity the monies raised will be used to spread even more holiday happiness. Some special families from our community schools will enjoy a little brighter holiday this year.” According to Peterson and Holland, the plan was to finish wrapping the boys and girls Christmas presents and deliver them to their families by Tuesday afternoon, just in time for a very Merry Christmas. Maynor Mitchell Wedding – A 21st Century Record (aka 12-13-14) and there will not be another day like it until January 2nd, 2103. Steve explains, “One night in the early part of October 2014 we were under the stars. We both said let’s get married. Then I said why not 12-13-14 and Sonja replied, ‘I Love it.’ We looked up 12-13-14 and noticed the day fell on a Saturday.” A perfect day for wedding! They may not be celebrities, and paparazzi didn’t buzz their wedding in helicopters hoping to get a million dollar pic. But for Stephen Maynor and Sonja Mitchell, their wedding day was one for the record books. In fact, a day that will not be repeated in our lifetime… That’s because they chose a significant day of the calendar that only occurs 12 times each century, a sequential calendar date. That date was Saturday, December 12, 2014 The planned nuptials were kept secret from family and friends, explains Sonja. The couple were engaged November 22nd, “We ran off and got married at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in secret, but it was elegant and extravagant. Our family & friends were shocked when we came back and said, ‘We are married.’ Everyone thought we had pulled a prank. We planned the entire wedding in just over a month. The hardest thing Steve ever had to do was keep this secret.” Steve and Sonja have been acquainted for many years, but it wasn’t until two years ago that the pair truly mingled, on Christian Mingle.com. “We became very closely acquainted in 2012 through Christian Mingle.” Sonya states, “I paid for a 3 month subscription, but Steve was too cheap, but it allowed both of us to see we had a 100% Match. So we spent the rest of 2012 getting better acquainted, until we had a minor miscommunication that separated us. Each time after God brought us back together.” Faith is, in fact, a very important part of their relationship. Steve and Sonja say, “When we got married we took God, Sonja & Steve.” Steve adds, “I married Sonja because I Love her, to fulfill God’s plan for my life, and lastly because it would be easy to live with Sonja, but I found myself unable to live without her.” And Sonja adds, “I married Stephen because I Love Him, God sent him to me for us to do a great work and fulfill his promise.” She also says, “He makes me laugh.” Of the date itself, Steve says, “12-13-14 is significant because there will never be another date in our lifetime that has sequential numbers. You also can take notice that these numbers are in order. We both said that God had brought order to our lives. From the words of the Bible, a good man’s steps are ordered by God. When God placed Sonja in my life, I knew my steps were in order and ordered by God.” Steve concludes, “Sonja’s mother said jokingly to her family, ‘she will be married by Christmas,’ so 12-13-14 helped us meet that deadline. Now I have two 12 days of Christmas December 1st through the 13th & December 13th through the 25th. Congratulations Steve and Sonja on your wedding of the century! Power Source Volunteers Offer College Scholarship Opportunity Cooperative Seeks Anniversary Logo From Local Artist For the 2015-2016 school year, South River EMC’s Power Source Volunteers Committee is offering at least one $1,000 and two $500 college scholarships. To be considered those applying must live in a home, which receives electric service from South River EMC. South River EMC is gearing up to celebrate 75 years of providing electricity in the area. In anticipation, the Cooperative is soliciting the help of local artists to design an anniversary logo that’s modern and sophisticated, offering a glimpse of our past and is full of promise for the future. Factors considered in granting scholarships included: character, moral standards, citizenship, past and present academic performance, letters of recommendation, statements of career goals and qualifications and extra-curricular activities. Also, candidates must have a recommendation from either his or her high school principal, guidance counselor or teacher. Non-traditional students must provide a letter from their work supervisor, advisor, or community member. A complete transcript and SAT or ACT scores are required; please allow time for this to be processed at your school. Applications are due to the Cooperative office by Friday, January 23. Applications postmarked on this date will be accepted. For more information, or to request a scholarship visit www.sremc.com, contact Julie Wahl at 910-892-8071, ext. 2151, or send a request to [email protected]. South River EMC’s Power Source Volunteers, or PSV, is a volunteer committee comprised of Cooperative members. The committee members are dedicated to serving the cooperative through community activities and goodwill. One such activity is the scholarship program offered to Cooperative members and their children. All amateur artists must submit their designs in one of three formats, JPEG, TIFF or EPS. The design must contain the Cooperative name “South River Electric Membership Corporation”, “1940-2015” and “75th”. It should be scalable and adaptable for use in black and white, as well as color. The artist with the winning logo will receive a cash prize of $300. In keeping with the amateur status of the contest, any person who derives more than 50% of his/her income from employment as an artist or graphic designer is excluded from entering the contest. If interested in designing a logo, visit sremc.com and click on the MyCooperative tab to reach the anniversary page. A full set of the rules, as well as information on upcoming events for our 75th anniversary can be found there. Act now, designs are due to the Cooperative, by close of business December 31. South River EMC is a locally-owned and operated electric cooperative, which provides electric service to 43,000 homes, farms and businesses in parts of Harnett, Cumberland, Sampson, Johnston and Bladen counties. Addiction hurts more than just the addicted. Let us help you pay your Christmas Bills!! Freedom from Addiction is Possible! There is Hope! 910-532-2175 Personal Loans & Auto Financing Available Call or Come By Today! www.opendoorofsampson.org The Open Door A 4-week Residential Program followed by a 6-week aftercare program for Men designed to give residents the Biblical tools needed to overcome addiction. Bondage Breakers A 6-week Non-Residential Program designed to allow participates to overcome addition through Christ with minimal interruption to their daily life. Setting Boundaries A 6-week Program designed to help families learn how to best help the people they love. Why not call today and start putting your life back together. Week of December 26-January 1, 2015 We Should Know... www.thesampsonweekly.com LOCAL NEWS 5 Could This Get Rid Of Knee Pain Once And For All...Without Drugs, Shots, or Surgery? Now, in Clinton, NC, one doctor is helping local residents with knee pain live more active, pain-free lives. Do You Have Any of the Following Conditions? Reverend Dr. Penny Ziemer with JW Simmons of “We Should Know” Tuesdays from 2:30 PM until 3:30 PM, J.W. Simmons hosts a radio show on 1170 AM called “We Should Know”, and The Sampson Weekly will feature portions of the transcripts in our continuing efforts to bring you more coverage of what is happening in our community. JW Simmons begins this special Christmas show with a poem, I heard the Bells on Christmas Day, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. I heard the bells on Christmas Day. Their old, familiar carols play, and wild and sweet the words repeat, of peace on earth, good-will to men! And thought how, as the day had come, the belfries of all Christendom had rolled along, the unbroken song of peace on earth, good-will to men! Till ringing, singing on its way, the world revolved from night to day, a voice, a chime, a chant sublime of peace on earth, good-will to men! Then from each black, accursed mouth the cannon thundered in the South, and with the sound the carols drowned of peace on earth, goodwill to men! It was as if an earthquake rent the hearth-stones of a continent, and made forlorn the households born of peace on earth, good-will to men! And in despair I bowed my head; “There is no peace on earth,” I said; “For hate is strong, and mocks the song of peace on earth, good-will to men!” Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, with peace on earth, good-will to men.” The guest for the Christmas show is the Reverend Dr. Penny Ziemer. Dr. Ziemer is a native of Pantego, NC, and graduated from Meredith College in Raleigh before earning her Ph.D. at Emory University. She is Minister of Spiritual Enrichment with First Christian Church of Goldsboro, and in addition, Dr. Ziemer teaches religion, literature, and public speaking at the University of Mount Olive. Dr. Ziemer also serves as Pastor of Carr Memorial Christian Church. JW Simmons follows the poem by stating that many people during the Christmas season face issues similar to the issues faced by the author. Many seek peace, joy and good will, but have a hard time finding it, particularly during what should be a very festive season. In addition, many people are trying to balance spiritualism and secularism during the holiday season. Dr. Ziemer addresses JW Simmons’ observations, “You know, peace is an interesting thing. On the way over I listened to a newscast of where 130 plus children had been killed in Islamabad, Pakistan. And this is just one of many incidences. We’re hearing over and over again about school violence, about the destruction of lives, property; and I think fear is a natural reaction to the world around us.” “The sermon peace on earth, good will to humankind – when we say that we have to realize that it almost seems like a pipe dream,” continues Ziemer. “And some of the ways that we try to find peace are really shortcuts. A quick fix… One of the things I think we do to find that quick peace in such a violent world is addition. Habits that we form because we just want the fear to end. And so, sometimes we rush to something. We want something immediately to change. We want that quick fix. But that’s not going to be the answer.” “Another thing I think we do to get this sense of false peace is we just deny that there’s a problem. We overlook the conflict… You’ve heard the expression, ‘Don’t go there.’ But sometimes we have to go deep into the places where conflict and anxiety are to bring true healing.” “A third way we try to get peace, a quick peace so to speak, is that we make peace conditional,” adds Ziemer. “You know, ‘I will be at peace with you if…’ and then once that’s broken we retaliate. But you know, I’m grounded in the love of the Christian tradition, and we start in that message, but I know that Gandhi once said, ‘An eye for an eye will just leave the world blind.’” Simmons responds, “I think one of the things that strikes me in your comments is that, we’re seeking a certain sense of resolve I think, for ourselves as individuals. We’re searching for something, and oftentimes we overwhelm ourselves to the point that it becomes somewhat mundane. It’s almost as though you get all the toys you want at Christmas as a child, and you look around and there you are playing with a box in the corner.” Simmons follows his comment with a question for Dr. Ziemer. “We live in one of the greatest countries in the world. The most wealthy country in the world, and we see this contrast between extreme great wealth and impoverished folks living under bridges. And the comparative reality is that we have to find a place for that… And then we hear this word Christmas that embodies the word Christ. As a minister, how do you tell people to have that resolve when there are so many moving pieces?” Dr. Ziemer replies, “One of the things I want to pick-up on, you said peace as a pacifier. You know, pacifying is something we do just to get people to be quiet. And sometimes I think at Christmas, and other times of the year, we want to create this sense of discouragement of getting involved and examining the places where unrest are. We just back away…and give people toys.” “I guess my biggest piece of advice is to learn to give gifts instead of toys,” says Ziemer. “The difference is that toys are those things we use to distract us and entertain us. I think to pacify us away from our true callings… A gift is a thing we allow to be given, and receive, that really calls out the true worth of a person. The wise men for example brought gifts that signified Jesus’ identity. The gold for His kingship; the frankincense to signify His priestly, holy nature; and the myrrh was symbolic of the role He would play as a sufferer. The gifts were calling out who He was, and signifying the best in Him.” “I think sometimes we pacify ourselves and our families with toys that just distract us from creating vibrant lives that make us of our real gifts. And they leave us exhausted and diminished. This happens all year too, not just at Christmas.” To view the entire broadcast of We Should Know please visit their YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/ WeShouldKnowEDU. The next “We Should Know” hosted by J.W. Simmons will air next Tuesday from 2:30 to 3:30 PM on our local radio station WCLN 1170 AM. If you would like to reach “We Should Know” you may call them at 910592-8947 or email them with show ideas at [email protected] or you can find them on Facebook. • Arthritis • Knee pain • Cartilage damage • ‘Bone-on-bone’ • Tendonitis • Bursitis • Crunching & popping sounds Living with knee pain can feel like a crippling experience. Let’s face it, your knees aren’t as young as they used to be, and playing with the kids or grandkids isn’t any easier either. Maybe your knee pain keeps you from walking short distances or playing golf like you used to. Nothing’s worse than feeling great mentally, but physically feeling held back from life because your knee hurts and the pain just won’t go away! Femur Patella Articular Cartilage Medial Femoral Condyle My name is Dr. Tim Kosterman, owner of Kosterman Chiropractic Center. We’ve seen many people with knee problems leave the office pain free. If you’re suffering from these conditions, a new breakthrough in medical technology may eliminate your pain and help restore normal function to your knees. Tibia Tibia Finally, An Option Other Than Drugs or Surgery The Class IV Laser is an outpatient, non-surgical procedure, often used in sports medicine to accelerate the healing process. It offers non-invasive treatment to promote healing for those who suffer from pain in muscles, nerves, and joints, like that associated with chronic knee pain. This same laser is used by professional sports teams including the New York Yankees and Cincinnati Bengals. It Promotes Rapid Healing Of The Injured Tissues This pain-free, non-surgical approach works by stimulating the body’s natural healing processes, providing pain relief and reducing injury damage. This leading edge technology has an impressive success rate of returning patients to work, sports and competitive activities, as well as everyday life. Patients treated with the Class IV Laser often show a higher level of function, both during and after the treatment period. The therapeutic laser provides a tremendous alternative for those facing surgery. Could This Non-Invasive, Natural Treatment Be The Answer To Your Knee Pain? For 10 days Only, I’m running a very special offer where you can find out if you are a candidate for Class IV Laser therapy. What does this offer include? Everything I normally do in my “Knee Pain Consultation”. Just call and here’s what you’ll get… • An in-depth consultation about your problem where I will listen…really listen…to the details of your case. • You’ll see everything first hand and find out if this amazing treatment will be your pain solution, like it has been for so many other patients. For 10 days only, you can get the consultation and evaluation here for FREE.The normal price for this type of evaluation is $150, so you’re saving a considerable amount by taking me up on this offer. Remember what it was like before you had knee problems; when you were pain free and could enjoy everything life had to offer? It can be that way again. Don’t neglect your problem any longer – don’t wait until it’s too late. Here’s what to do now: Due to the expected demand for this special offer, I urge you to call our office at once. The phone number is 910-592-2250. Call today and we can get started with your consultation as soon as there’s an opening in the schedule. Tell the receptionist you’d like to come in for the Knee Consultation. Our office is called Kosterman Chiropractic Center and you can find us at 401 Cooper Dr. in Clinton, NC. Yours in Good Health, Dr. Tim Kosterman, D.C. P.S. Now you might be wondering… “Is this safe? Are there any side effects or dangers to this?” The FDA cleared the first Laser Therapy in 2002. This was after their study found 76% improvement in patients with pain. Their only warning – don’t shine it in your eyes. Of course at our office, the laser is never anywhere near your eyes and we’ll give you a comfortable pair of goggles for safety. Don’t wait and let your knee problems get worse, disabling you for life. Take me up on my offer and call today 910-592-2250. Here’s What Patients Say... “The day I came in, I was in a lot of pain. My knees hurt I was not able to walk well, and I had to hold onto something. And now, I am able to move around like I want. I just thank God for Dr Tim and the staff, because they are so nice and helpful.” -E. Martin “My left knee has arthritis in it and Dr Kosterman recommended that I use the M6 laser. I did 8 treatments of the M6 laser and my knee no longer hurts. I can sleep at night and it doesn’t ache. I can bend, get down on my knees and not have issues with it hurting like it did. I would recommend the M6 laser to anyone if you’re having knee problems. I would recommend you come see Dr Kosterman to see what he would recommend for treatment for you, because it helped me, and I would hate for anybody else to miss out on it.” -K. Wilson CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR FREE KNEE PAIN CONSULTATION ($150 VALUE) AVAILABLE UNTIL January 10th, 2015! www.SpinalDoc.org | 910-592-2250 If You Decide To Purchase Additional Treatment You Have The Legal Right To Change Your Mind Within 3 Days And Receive A Refund. Federal Recipients Are Excluded From This Offer. 6 Week of December 26-January 1, 2015 www.thesampsonweekly.com LOCAL NEWS Aliah Butler Wins Crown On Sunday, December 21st, Aliah Butler was crowned Miss Black North Carolina Talented Teen for 2015. A crown that her mother, Quisan Parker, also wore 25 years ago. When asked how it felt to win the same crown, Aliah responded, “It feels pretty cool!” Aliah adds, “When I entered I didn’t actually know that my mom had previously won this title, but then she told me she had. She was also 4th runner-up when she competed in NY for the national title, and I hope I can place that high. Or maybe make it all the way!” The pageant, held at the Garner Performing Arts Auditorium, will next send Aliah to represent NC and compete for the national title of Miss Black USA Talented Teen in Washington, D.C. in the summer. Aliah says, “I think it is a tremendous honor and responsibility and I am so excited about this job!” She goes on to explain, “There is so much negative shown in the media every day and so many young people behave in ways that emulate what they see because they think this famous person is cool. Even when they’re not. Sometimes they don’t have any positive influences in their lives or they may not have such great home lives. Other times they identify somehow with a negative ‘role model’ because they feel like this person looks like them or came from a similar background and seems successful.” “It can be hard to resist wanting to look and act like all the celebrities we are surrounded by, and a lot of times that isn’t a good idea. I think its part of my responsibility, crown or not, to give young people someone real and positive to look up to. Someone who has flaws and doesn’t have a perfect life, but who works hard and focuses on the positive. And also, someone who doesn’t need to blindly follow those in the media who do not carry themselves with class and humility. Instead of being an echo of all that’s wrong with my generation, I want to be a voice of all that’s right with us!” On her daughter winning a crown she also won, mom Quisan says, “I think it’s pretty awesome! It’s beautiful to share that as a mother and daughter… And the scholarship money is always great too. I’ve never actually pushed Aliah to do pageants because I did a lot of them growing up and always wanted it to be clear for her that she is her own person. Her life and journey is her own. Not mine. But she enjoys the highs and lows of pageants as I did and I’ve seen her grow so much as a young lady as a result of her involvement in them. My desire is for her to not accomplish what I have but to go even further than me. As long as she’s happy and feels she’s making a positive difference in the world, I am pleased with whatever she chooses to do.” Quisan adds, “I don’t think words can express how proud I am of that kid. But I am proud of Aliah because of who she is. Not because of her accomplishments. It is definitely a blessing to see her rewarded for her hard work and commitment. So many young girls succumb to the pressures all around them and it breaks my heart to see so many smart, beautiful and talented young ladies go down the wrong path or not use the potential God put in them. That could have easily been Aliah. Although most of us parents try our best to guide our children in a positive way and provide them with every opportunity, no matter what our socioeconomic status or what neighborhood we live in, none of our children are completely immune to the negative influences all around us in this world. I thank the Lord every day that He has placed such strong positive influences in her life. It truly takes a village.” During the talent portion of the pageant, Aliah performed a jass acro dance to One Night Only from the movie Dream Girls. “I’m a student at my mom’s dance studio, Quisan’s Dance Academy, and this dance was choreographed by one of my awesome teachers there, Ms. Ashley O’Quinn,” says Aliah. “I practice several days and hours a week, and between Ms. Ashley and my mom it is really like boot camp! But I know they’re just making me better. I leave practice drenched and sore but it is always worth it.” “My platform is being a spokesperson for the Dove Natural Beauty campaign,” adds Aliah. “After being in a bad car accident a few years ago, and having glass from a window rip through my face, I was left with almost my whole cheek missing and a really bad scar. I’ve had several surgeries at UNC-Chapel Hill to lessen the scarring, but of course it will never fully go away.” Aliah goes on to explain, “Going through that ordeal left me not wanting to look in the mirror for a brief period of time and caused me to reevaluate myself as a person; and decide to rely on what God says about me. Not the negative things in my head. Or the people who bullied me. I ended up becoming far more confident than I ever was before I got the scar. All girls want to look pretty but I learned to focus on letting my inner beauty outshine anything on the outside.” Aliah concludes, “Now I teach young girls that God made them special and beautiful; and to not allow others or the media to tell them what beauty is. Define it for yourself.” Happy New Year! We hope the coming New Year brings you good health, happiness, and prosperity. We feel fortunate to have you among our circle of friends. Thanks for being so good to us this past year. We look forward to seeing you again in the New Year. NORMAN WAYNE & NORMA NAYLOR SAMPSON COUNTY CLERK OF COURT & STAFF 2015 You can call Eastpointe's Access to Care 24/7/365 For a FREE Initial Clinical Screening call 1-800-913-6109 Serving Bladen, Columbus, Duplin, Edgecombe, Green, Lenior, Nash,Robeson, Sampson, Scotland, Wayne & Wilson Counties 2015 Eastpark Cinema 122 Southeast Blvd., Hwy 701 Business, Clinton, NC • (910) 592-2800 www.eastparkcinema5.com “We Have The Best Popcorn In Town” 5 1 20 2015 Thanks for your business in the past. We look forward to serving you in 2015! PO Box 931 17494 US 421 S • Dunn, NC 28335 910-892-8071 800-338-5530 Royal Trustworthy Hardware 119 N Main St., Salemburg, NC (910) 525-5320 H a p p y N e w Y e a r ! Week of December 26-January 1, 2015 www.thesampsonweekly.com HEALTH Calling the Shots: New state vaccine requirements for school-aged children By Meagan Myers, RN Each year, the North Carolina State Immunization Branch reviews and researches vaccine preventable diseases and creates new requirements for our children to receive vaccines to protect themselves as well as the community against life threatening conditions. For years our focus has been on getting children vaccinated prior to entering school to prevent the spread of diseases such as Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Tetanus, Pertussis, Meningitis and Polio. Now, not only do they continue to focus on these children, they focus on adolescents as well. A few years ago, the state made it a requirement for adolescents to receive their Tdap vaccine when entering the 6th grade. This vaccine acts as a booster to the Dtap shots they received as small children to better protect them against tetanus, diptheria, and pertussis (also known as the whooping cough). Starting in 2015, the state has decided to make the Tdap a requirement for 7th graders instead of 6th and to also make it a requirement for those entering the 7th grade to receive the meningococcal vaccine. It will simplify things to require both to be given by 7th grade instead of having Tdap be required 1 year prior to the Meningococcal. They can be both safely given at the same time. Meningitis is a very rapid and potentially life threatening disease that is more common in close, congregate settings such as schools and college dorms. Studies have shown that vaccinating adolescents early and administering them a booster vaccine before they enter college will provide the most protection against this disease. This is why North Carolina as well as the other states in America have decided to make this vaccine a requirement for school aged children. The Sampson County Health Department has developed a plan to hold Tdap and Meningococcal Vaccine clinics in every school district in the county. This will make it convenient for students to receive these vaccines at school versus missing school to go to the clinic to get their shots. For 2015, most students getting ready to enter the 7th grade will already have their Tdap vaccine from this year so they will only be required to get a Meningococcal vaccine before they go into the 7th grade. Starting in 2016, the rising 7th graders will receive both vaccines. The health department works very diligently with the local school nurses to provide information on these required vaccines so parents can become more knowledgeable about the vaccines their children receive. If you have 7 any questions about these vaccines or any of the new immunization requirements, please feel free to contact the immunization coordinator at the Sampson County Health Department at (910) 592-1131 ext. 4248. Home Town Care From Home Town Folks Serving Clinton, Rose Hill, and Fayetteville Dr. Kim Grigsby-Sessoms Internal Medicine Rose Hill Office 102 SW Railroad Street Rose Hill, NC 910-289-9248 No Appointment Necessary Dr. Rodney Sessoms Internal Medicine Clinton Office Fayetteville Office 500 Beamon Street 3613 Raeford Rd, Suite C Clinton, NC Fayetteville, NC 910-596-2800 910-818-4912 We find solutions not excuses! Net Magic Systems 201 S. Orange Ave., Dunn, NC 28334 (910)237-0768 [email protected] CLINTON FAMILY DENTISTRY HABLA ESPANOL • MEDICAID • HEALTH CHOICE Dr. Clark & Associates 910-596-0606 We are pleased to introduce our new Orthodontist, Dr. William Mott, DMD. We are currently taking appointments for new patients; and we accept all insurance, including Medicaid! All Phases of General and Cosmetic Dentistry Offered: Implants, Crowns, Oral Surgery, Dentures, and Whitening Available. Monday - Thursday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM & Friday 9:00 AM to 3:00 320 NE Boulevard • Jordan Plaza • Clinton, NC 28328 • 910-596-0606 You can call Eastpointe's Access to Care 24/7/365 For a FREE Initial Clinical Screening call 1-800-913-6109 Help Is Only A Phone Call Away Serving: Bladen, Columbus, Duplin, Edgecombe, Green, Lenior, Nash, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland, Wayne & Wilson Counties. 8 Week of December 26-January 1, 2015 www.thesampsonweekly.com FAITH Have I Got A Story To Share With You! by Debra Joy Wallace I lost my balance. It was six days before Christmas and I was standing at a department store’s gift wrapping counter … watching a sales associate wrap items I’d purchased … while inwardly I was rejoicing that many of my purchases were at 60 to 75% off the original price. Earlier that morning, before I’d left home to go shopping, my son-in-law had agreed with me in prayer that God would help me find the best bargains … and sure enough … God had answered our prayer! For almost an hour I stood and watched the sales associate wrap my purchases. (Thankfully for my feet’s sake, I’d worn an old, comfortable pair of clogs.) Each time the sales associate finished wrapping a gift; I removed it from the counter and put it in the small shopping cart that I had been fortunate to locate in the store. What a relief to know that I wouldn’t have to be up wrapping gifts till the wee hours of Christmas morning! Yes sir! I couldn’t ask for things to be any better! Then, I took a step backwards and much to my dismay … my right foot came out of the clog … and Down, down, down, I went, in very slow motion … (at least that’s how it seemed to me) until I landed on the floor with a very LOUD thud! Other shoppers who were sitting in chairs lined against the walls … waiting to have their purchases wrapped, let out a collective gasp. As an obese woman, I’m already self-conscious about my size. To suddenly be sprawled out on the floor like a giant X in front of twentysomething people … was totally humiliating, and almost more than I could bear. Quickly I ‘gathered’ myself by pulling my upper and lower extremities in toward my body. That’s when a gentleman rushed to my side and offered to help me. After quickly ‘sizing’ him up … I realized that I was too much woman for him … literally. So I thanked the kind, fortyish gentleman for his offer, and then nervously explained that I had to decline his generous offer because I was concerned he might injure his back while helping me. Then I assured him that I could get myself up. (Actually at the time I really didn’t know if I could get myself up off the floor or not. But whether I could or not, I didn’t want to risk the gentleman getting hurt.) In my mind, I’d been on ‘display’ for far too long. One way or another I was coming off the floor. Fortunately for me, there was a large sofa next to where I landed. Ignoring the throbbing pain in my right hip, lower back, right leg, and right foot … I reached up with determined effort and grabbed hold of the sofa with a ‘hold’ that professional wrestlers would have envied. Then with a smile ‘fixed’ on my face, I gritted my teeth, and heaved, and heaved, and heaved … until finally I’d pulled myself into an upright, standing position. Afterwards, I wanted to give myself a round of applause! But I didn’t. I was in too much pain. Yet when the sales associates and some of the shoppers asked Christmas Spider A tiny little spider, Spun its silken web, In the corner of a stable, Where animals made their bed. It was a night like any other, Dreary, dark and cold, A night for peaceful slumber, For the young and the old. When into the lowly stable, A man and his wife came, Out of the cold and darkness, For the night to remain. The little spider watched, As he spun his silken web, The man fashioned a place, For the lady to lay her head. It shone upon a baby, Now lying in the manger, It seemed to the little spider, The babe was no stranger. As the light of the star, Came down from above, It shone upon the little spider, And bathed him in God’s love. The silken threads of the spider’s web, Glistened like pure silver, No longer grey and dreary, But a jewel of sparkling silver. A tiny precious gift, The little spider had made, To decorate the stable, Where our Lord Jesus laid. By Carolyn Horrell Mintz As the night grew longer, Psalms for the Soul Written by Linda Herring The Bible speaks to us but the Psalms speak for us. Psalm 62: 1-2 says, “Truly my soul waits upon God; from him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.” As the world continues to stress over the importance of achieving more, doing more, and being more, we may find ourselves trapped in a never ending cycle of activity. If we keep this up for a long time, it can lead to burn out. Then we must take two steps: we need to find the time to be still before the Lord and to rest in Him. We should frequently ask ourselves. Are the activities in my life all necessary and chosen by the Lord? Make time today for a quiet moment to sit before the Lord. Allow Him to provide the strength and rest you need. While doing this, ask Him to reveal to you any areas of your life that need to change. Do not let the stresses of the day steal your Psalm. Contact me at [email protected]. Six days have passed and all the aforementioned body parts still hurt. But surprisingly, good has come out of this incident. For the Holy Spirit keeps reminding me that no matter how many times I “fall” in my endeavors to accomplish the work God’s called me to do … I will rise again and again and again. And so will you! For with His outstretched Arm, God lovingly and faithfully lifts us. Therefore beginning today, let us be determined … that ‘falls’ and ‘fears of falling’ will no longer intimidate us. From now on, we’re going all the way for God! Not only in the upcoming New Year but in the years beyond too … until Jesus’ second coming! “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again:”— Proverbs 24:16 (KJV) “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but not crushed and broken. We are perplexed because we don’t know why things happen as they do, but we don’t give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going.”—2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (TLB) Debra Joy Wallace is an inspirational columnist and speaker. Email: debra@ debrawallace.com – Website: www.debrawallace.com – Facebook Page: “Weighty Inspiration by Debra Joy” It’s Not Over Philippians 2:5-7 – Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. The little spider settled down, To sleep in peaceful slumber, Until the morning came around. When suddenly through the darkness, There shone a brilliant light, A star above the stable, On the dark and dreary night. if I got injured, my bruised ego and I feigned feeling fine. The hustle and bustle of planning, buying, wrapping presents, baking and cooking may be over, but the celebration continues. Christmas is so much more than all these things. For Christians, it is the coming of our Savior into the world. It is the birth of the Divine One wrapped in human flesh who came to offer salvation to all. Jesus Christ puts the merry in our Christmas. Without him, gift giving and family gatherings is just an ordinary day. Celebrating the birth of Jesus is more than the giving and receiving of material gifts, it about receiving the gift of a Savior in your heart. It’s about knowing that when Christmas Day is over, you get to experience God’s beauty, to live a Christian life, find peace in God’s Word, and to practice hospitality every day of the year. Every day we get to experience Christmas as we reflect on the wonder of the eternal Being taking on flesh –coming to live with us. An expression of love so deep and so strong, it takes a lifetime to celebrate, to express our thanks, to remember and to practice Christian values. God is here! God is with us! No selfie here, just a selfless expression of love for all humanity. By Vanessa W. Polk Joy to the Word! The Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; let every heart prepare Him room, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature, and heaven, and heaven and nature sing. He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nation prove the glories of his righteousness, and wonders of this love, and wonders of his love, and wonders, wonders of his love. –Joy to the World, Hymn 61, (The New National Baptist Hymnal.) Week of December 26-January 1, 2015 What’s Happening at SCT www.thesampsonweekly.com ENTERTAINMENT 9 EAST PARK CINEMA “Come In And Enjoy A Movie” 122 Southeast Blvd. Hwy 701 Business (910) 592-2800 www.eastparkcinema5.com We Have The Best Popcorn In Town!!! We Are Now 100% Digital TOP FIVE STARTS FRIDAY Rated: R for strong sexual content, nudity, crude humor, language throughout and some drug use Starring: Chris Rock, Rosario Dawson, Kevin Hart, Tracy Morgan New York City comedian-turned-film star Andre Allen, encounters a journalist (Rosario Dawson) unexpectedly, and she forces him to confront the comedy career—and the past—that he’s left behind. Daily: 2:45 4:45 6:45 & 9:00 The Sampson Community Theatre’s latest production, Cinderella’s Christmas Party was a huge success. This past weekend we had numerous little ones cheering and older adults too as they met our cast members and took pictures and received autographs with all of our guests. The production was sponsored by Jordan Shopping Plaza and Matthews Gifts. This production opened with An Evening of Music with some of our community’s most talented performers. Performers included, Bruce Creech, Michael Warren, Jackson Ussery, Simon Ussery, Madison Warren, Stephanie Prestage, Yvonne Cano, Sarah Hazlett, Elise Ussery, Lydia Ussery, Hannah Godbold and Katelyn Godbold. THE HOBBIT: BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES NOW PLAYING Rated: PG-13 for extended sequences of intense fantasy action violence, and frightening images Starring: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Benedict Cumberbatch The final chapter in the three-movie adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” which concludes the adventure of the title character Bilbo Baggins, who joins the Wizard Gandalf and thirteen Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield, on an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. Daily: 2:00 5:00 & 8:15 Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb NOW PLAYING Rated: PG for mild action, some rude humor and brief language Starring: Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Dan Stevens, Rami Malek, Rebel Wilson Get ready for the most wild and adventure-filled Night At the Museum ever, as Larry spans the globe, uniting favorite and new characters while embarking on an epic quest to save the magic before it is gone forever. Daily: 2:15 4:30 7:00 & 9:00 ANNIE NOW PLAYING Rated: PG for some mild language and rude humor Starring: Quvenzhané Wallis, Jamie Foxx, Rose Byrne, Cameron Diaz Originally left by her parents as a baby with the promise that they’d be back for her someday, it’s been a hard knock life ever since with her mean foster mom Miss Hannigan (Cameron Diaz). But everything’s about to change when the hard-nosed tycoon and New York mayoral candidate Will Stacks (Jamie Foxx) advised by his brilliant VP, Grace (Rose Byrne) and his shrewd and scheming campaign advisor, Guy (Bobby Cannavale) makes a thinly-veiled campaign move and takes her in. Daily: 2:00 4:15 6:30 & 8:45 EXODUS NOW PLAYING Rated: PG-13 for violence including battle sequences and intense images Starring: Christian Bale, Joel Edgerton, Aaron Paul, Sigourney Weaver, Ben Kingsley, John Turturro The story of the defiant leader Moses (Christian Bale) as he rises up against the Egyptian Pharoah Ramses (Joel Edgerton), setting 600,000 slaves on a monumental journey of escape from Egypt and its terrifying cycle of deadly plagues. Daily: 8:15 PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR NOW PLAYING Rated: PG for mild action and some rude humor Starring: Tom McGrath, Chris Miller, Christopher Knights, John Malkovich, Benedict Cumberbatch Super spy teams aren’t born… they’re hatched. Discover the secrets of the greatest and most hilarious covert birds in the global espionage biz: Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private. These elitists of the elite are joining forces with a chic undercover organization, The North Wind. Led by handsome and husky Agent Classified (we could tell you his name, but then… you know), voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch. Daily: 2:30 4:30 6:30 10 Week of December 26-January 1, 2015 www.thesampsonweekly.com FOOD Salted Chocolate Tart with Chip Crust FAMILY FEATURES F or many hosts and hostesses, planning a holiday gathering involves many details and careful planning of everything from the tablecloths to the dessert plates. Free yourself from this stress, and focus your attention on creating a holiday menu that includes plenty of tasty bites, sweet eats and flavorful drinks. Focus on the food and watch all the details fall into place, making your festive celebration the most memorable event of the year. Servings: 9-inch tart Recipe and image courtesy of Gaby Dalkin, author of “What’s Gaby Cooking” For crust: 1 “Sharing Size” bag Kettle Brand Chips, Sea Salt flavor 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 1/4 cup all-purpose flour For filling: 1/4 cup heavy cream 10 ounces semisweet chocolate chips 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/8 teaspoon salt For topping: 1 cup heavy cream 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate chips Flaky sea salt, for garnish To make crust, first preheat oven to 350°F. In food processor, pulse potato chips until finely ground. Add melted butter and flour and pulse for 30 seconds to combine. Press potato chip crust into bottom and sides of 9-inch tart pan. Transfer to pre-heated oven and bake for 12 minutes. Grilled Salmon Nachos with Cilantro Lime Sour Cream Servings: 4 (or 20 chips) 2 tablespoons jerk marinade 1 package (6.3 ounces) Gorton’s Classic Grilled Salmon Fillets 1 fresh mango, diced 2 tablespoons minced red onion 2 teaspoons minced jalapeno 1 teaspoon honey Salt, to taste 2 tablespoons fat free sour cream 1/2 teaspoon lime zest 1 teaspoon lime juice 1 teaspoon fresh chopped cilantro 20 tortilla chips Cilantro leaves and lime wedges (for garnish) Spoon marinade over fillets and cook according to package instructions. Mix mango, red onion, jalapeno, honey and pinch of salt in medium bowl. Set aside. Mix sour cream, lime zest, lime juice, cilantro and pinch of salt in small bowl. Set aside. Arrange tortilla chips in single layer on platter. Top each chip with mango mixture. Cut cooked fillets into approximately 20 pieces and place one piece on top of each chip. Top with lime sour cream and garnish each chip with cilantro leaf. Serve with lime wedges. For more recipes, visit www.gortons.com. Brie with Chilean Grape Salsa and Tortillas Servings: 4 1 1/2 cups quartered fresh Chilean red seedless grapes 1 small mild red chile pepper (jalapeno), chopped 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 1 tablespoon honey Pomegranate seeds (optional) 4 ounces wedge Brie cheese 6 (6-inch) flour tortillas Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine quartered grapes, chile pepper, lime juice, honey and pomegranate seeds (if using). Stir well. Keep chilled. Upon standing, salsa generates delicious grape “juice.” Cut tortillas into triangles. Place on baking sheet and bake for 8–10 minutes, until brown and crispy. Bake Brie until soft and melted about 5–8 minutes. Serve grape salsa from bowl or spoon it over top of warm Brie. For more recipes, visit www.fruitsfromchile.com. Apple Pie in a Glass Servings: 2 12 ounces fresh apple cider 2 cinnamon sticks 2 thin slices fresh ginger root Freshly grated nutmeg 2 teaspoons firmly packed light brown sugar 3 ounces dry sherry 2 ounces apple brandy Put cider, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and brown sugar in small saucepan over high heat. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and divide between two Irish coffee glasses or mugs. Transfer cinnamon stick to each. Top each with half the sherry and brandy. Serve hot. For more recipes, visit www.usapple.org. Remove from oven and set aside to cool. To make chocolate filling, combine cream and chocolate chips in medium pot over medium heat; warm cream until chocolate starts to melt. Whisk both ingredients together until completely smooth. Add eggs, vanilla and salt and continue to whisk until smooth. Pour chocolate filling mixture into cooled tart shell and place back into oven and bake for 22–25 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 30 minutes. To make chocolate ganache topping, heat cream in small saucepan and add chocolate. Whisk together over medium heat until mixture is smooth and all chocolate has melted. Pour mixture over middle of chocolate tart and use offset spatula to spread around evenly. Let entire tart chill overnight in refrigerator. Dust with flaky sea salt before slicing and serving. For more recipes, visit www.kettlebrand.com. Week of December 26-January 1, 2015 www.thesampsonweekly.com Title sponsor Sprint announces exit from NASCAR after 2016 season “Hey, we have been through this before and we may get a company that will help us return to the glory days! We need a company with the money of Microsoft and the ideas of the old RJR and we will be better off.” He also wrote that he’d like to see the new title sponsor cut back on its commercials during race broadcasts and get back to showing the action on the track instead. “Maybe someone will come in with enough money to simplify things that we will be able to cut “Humpy” Wheeler sees the the number of ads in half so we exit of Sprint in two years as a don’t continue to pulverize the chance for NASCAR to regain fans [with] so many billboards, some of its magic from the etc. Hope we get there with the Winston era. company that is going to be the next sponsor!” NASCAR spokesman Brett Jewkes issued a statement about the upcoming change. “NASCAR and Sprint have enjoyed a long and productive partnership that has returned significant value to both parties. We understand significant changes within Sprint and the highly competitive business environment it is in has led to a decision not to extend its Cup Series entitlement position following the 2016 season. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is a very unique, premium sports marketing platform with strong momentum, so we are very confident of moving forward in 2017 with an outstanding new partner. In the meantime, we look forward to Sprint’s partnership on the best racing series in the world for the next two seasons.” NASCAR expands starting field for 2015 Sprint Unlimited at Daytona Rutledge Wood has joined a large group of veteran NASCAR TV reporters who have moved to NBC as the network prepares to begin covering NASCAR racing in 2015. Wood will present features on the storied raceways, unique towns and enthusiastic fans that make NASCAR an American treasure, according to a release from NBC. “Rutledge brings a unique combination of knowledge and enthusiasm to his work that will help us shine a spotlight on the tracks and communities we visit throughout the year, and bring them to life,” said Jeff Behnke, vice president of NASCAR production for NBC Sports and NBCSN. Wood will also continue as co-host of Top Gear on the History Channel, the American version of the BBC program that carries the same name. Others who have joined the on-air NBC lineup include Krista Voda, Rick Allen, Steve Letarte, Jeff Burton, Dave Burns, Mike Massaro, Marty Snider, Kelli Stavast and Kyle Petty. Allen promoted at Auto Club Speedway Dave Allen has been promoted to the position of president of Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California, taking over the job that had been held by Gillian Zucker, who has moved on to become president of business operations for the Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA. Allen, 41, has worked at the track since 1999, when it was known as California Speedway. Since 2008, he has been the track’s vice president of sales and marketing. Allen, his wife and three children, live in Upland, California. Ray Black Jr. to compete full-time in CWTS Ray Black Jr. has been named the full-time driver of the No. 07 Chevrolet fielded by SS Green Light Racing in the Camping World Truck Series. Black, 23, is from Palm Coast, Florida, where he began his racing career at age 14 in Mini Cup cars. He ran seven Truck Series races in 2014, the maximum to still be eligible for Rookie of the Year honors in 2015. His best finishes were a pair of 18ths, at Texas Motor Speedway and at Chicagoland Speedway. “Hopefully, we can make something happen in the Rookie of the Year battle, but I know there will be other strong rookies contending for it, so it’s going to be tough,” Black said in a team release. “We’ll go out there and run as we can and have clean races and finish races. We’ll let the dice roll and see how they land. “I’ve waited a long time for this opportunity and now that it’s official, I can’t wait to get it going. I couldn’t be more happy for the team; it’s a great group of guys that I really enjoy being around.” The team is run by former driver Bobby Dotter. Kerr named crew chief in Xfinity Series Frank Kerr, who raced sprint cars until he was 39, then went on to a career as a NASCAR crew chief, has been hired by Richard Petty Motorsports to be crew chief for Dakoda Armstrong in the Xfinity Series. Kerr most recently worked with David Gilliland and the No. 38 Sprint Cup team at Front Row Motorsports. Kerr has two Xfinity Series wins, both with Marcos Ambrose, in just five races in the series formerly known as Nationwide. David Gilliland to expand short-track team Sprint Cup veteran David Gilliland is looking for an up-and-coming short-track driver to join his short-track racing team, David Gilliland Racing. Gilliland’s team, which he runs with his wife, Michelle, has been in business since 1998. Last year, their 14-year-old son Todd drove the team’s No. 98 Late Model and won a pole and a feature race. The team will provide its new driver with equipment including cars, an experienced crew chief and spotter, and personal coaching from Gilliland. “When we built our program, we made sure we did it right,” Gilliland said. “We ensured we had the best equipment and the best experience put together to offer someone the best opportunity to showcase their talent.” Interested candidates should contact Chris Janosko at [email protected]. Folds of Honor, QuikTrip to sponsor second NUMERICALLY race of 2015 Sprint Cup season SPEAKING Richard Childress Racing RCR names Todd Parrott as Xfinity Series competition director Veteran Sprint Cup crew chief Todd Parrott has been hired by Richard Childress Racing to be the team’s competition director for the Xfinity Series. Parrott, the son of longtime crew chief Buddy Parrott, has been a crew chief himself for 20 years. He has won 31 races and the 1999 Todd Parrott Cup championship with driver Dale Jarrett. Parrott said in a team release that Childress’ teams in the series formerly known as Nationwide already are among the league’s best. “They already have a solid program, and it’s now up to me to take the ball and run with it for next year,” he said. “I’m looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead, winning several races and adding another championship for the organization.” Parrott, 50, will work under Eric Warren, the director of competition for RCR. “I worked with Todd Parrott for several years at a prior team and I have never met a more passionate person when it comes to working hard and winning races,” Warren said. “Todd is organized and has great instincts about how to get performance out of both cars and teams. He is a proven winner with championship talent and has always overachieved with every team for whom he’s worked.” Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR NASCAR has expanded the starting field for the 2015 season-opening non-points Sprint Unlimited at Daytona International Speedway to include all 16 drivers in the 2014 Chase for the Sprint Cup and Danica Patrick. The Feb. 14 event, which in years past was limited to pole winners from the previous season and former winners of the event, will include a minimum of 25 drivers. The field will be comprised of Sprint Cup pole winners from 2014, former Danica Patrick is eligible for the 2015 Unlimited winners and former Sprint Unlimited due to her 2013 Daytona Daytona 500 pole winners (Pat- 500 pole. rick’s ticket to the event), with the remaining spots filled by the highest drivers in the 2014 points standings not already in the race. “The 2015 Sprint Unlimited has potential to be one of the most competitive ever,” NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Development Officer Steve O’Donnell said in a statement announcing the change in the driver eligibility. “With more drivers eligible, the intensity level increases for our fans and competitors, making for a compelling start to the 2015 season.” In addition to the 2014 Chase drivers, the 2015 eligible participants include Austin Dillon, who drove the No. 3 Chevrolet to the Daytona 500 pole last year, and his fellow 2014 pole winners David Gilliland, Kyle Larson, Jamie McMurray, Brian Scott and Tony Stewart. Martin Truex Jr. got in, along with Patrick, as a former Daytona 500 pole winner who competed full-time last year, as the rules require. Brian Vickers also earned a starting spot as a 2014 pole winner, but he will miss the race as he recovers from heart surgery. Rutledge Wood joins NASCAR TV coverage group for 2015 NOTEBOOK Humpy Wheeler On the surface, the news last week that Sprint — the title sponsor of NASCAR’s elite series — was exiting the sport after the 2016 season might appear to be a setback for the NASCAR world. But it could be a blessing in disguise. Although the title sponsor probably shouldn’t be held accountable for the recent downturn in attendance, TV viewership and overall popularity of the sport, it is a fact that the decline has come during the time that first Nextel, and then Sprint, were title sponsors. Nextel came on board in 2004, replacing longtime sponsor Winston. Winston, its parent company, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., and its marketing arm, Sports Marketing Enterprises, helped guide NASCAR over a 30-year period as it grew to be one of the nation’s most popular sports. Winston withdrew largely because of limits placed by the government on advertising by tobacco companies. In Winston’s day, the company worked with tracks to improve facilities and added events like the All-Star Race — known simply as the Winston in the beginning — and pumped cash into the purse structure and points fund. Representatives of Winston also worked with the media, providing statistics, improved facilities and better access to drivers. Winston also spent money at the grassroots level, with cash flowing to track operators for improvements and to drivers for a national points program. Many a short track across America still sports the red colors of Winston, and many of the sport’s biggest stars got their start at tracks supported by Winston. Former Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler is among those who see the exit of Sprint as a chance for NASCAR to regain some of the magic it enjoyed in the Winston era. “Sprint’s decision to leave NASCAR in 2016 could actually be a boost to the sport,” Wheeler wrote on his Facebook page. “With a new TV contract then and the solving of the aero push problem, which means we will get back to passing for the lead, a new company could step in and reap the benefit of the change. 11 Atlanta Motor Speedway has announced a title sponsor for its March 1 Sprint Cup race. Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships and assistance to families of men and women who have been killed or disabled while serving in the U.S. military, and convenience store chain QuikTrip, will combine to back the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500. “I have had a love for speed my entire life. To combine the speed of NASCAR with the powerful, life-changing force of Folds of Honor is simply beyond my wildest dreams,” Maj. Dan Rooney, founder of Folds of Honor, said in announcing the sponsorship. “Thank you to QuikTrip for being a longterm partner to Folds of Honor and for fueling the future of our military families.” Folds of Honor, founded in 2007, is based in Owasso, Oklahoma, and over the years has awarded more than 7,500 scholarships, including more than 2,000 this year, according to a release from AMS. The Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 will be the second race of the 2015 Sprint Cup season and the first run under the new engine rules mandated by NASCAR for tracks other than Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway, where restrictor plates are used to slow speeds. The 500 is part of a three-day event that includes a double-header for the Camping World Truck Series and the Xfinity Series on Saturday, Feb. 28. There also will be an open practice session for Cup drivers on Thursday, Feb. 26. 31 Drivers who started all 36 Sprint Cup pointspaying races in 2014. 2 Drivers who finished in the top 30 in Sprint Cup points but did not have a top-10 finish in a race: Justin Allgaier in 29th, and David Gilliland in 30th. 9 Drivers who finished in the top 10 in Sprint Cup points and earned more money than Ryan Newman, who finished second in points and earned $4,503,125. 8 Drivers who made the 16-driver Chase for the Sprint Cup, but did not win a pole in 2014. 12 Week of December 26-January 1, 2015 www.thesampsonweekly.com SPORTS It’s About... It’s About... It’s About... It’s About... Sponsored By HARD WORK DEDICATION INTEGRITY PERFORMANCE & The Sampson Weekly Midway Standout Taylor Faircloth Leads On and Off the Court others count on her as that role model. It doesn’t matter if we are having a good night or a bad night, she is able to see the big picture and our goals as a team on improving throughout the season.” everything in my power to play, but my focus will be on my studies.” Wallum said her work in the classroom is just as strong. “My grandpa is a pharmacist and he went to Carolina and I have always been a big Carolina fan, so if it works out, that would be great, but Campbell has a great program too, so either one would be great to attend.” “Taylor is a true student-athlete,” he said. “She is at the top of the class of 2016. She applies the same work ethic in the classroom as she does on the basketball court … This is my first year to coach Taylor. However, I taught her in Honors English I. She was one of the best students I have had in 19 years of teaching. Looking ahead to the rest of the season and next year, I know Taylor will continue to work to make improvements individually and strive to become better so the team will have success.” “It is good to hear that,” Taylor said when told of Wallum’s comments about her. “I just always try to work hard and be dedicated to what I am doing. My parents (Jack and Marcie) have always pushed me to do my very best in whatever I am doing and that is what I have always done.” A native of Sampson County, Taylor began playing sports when she was about 6-years-old. “I remember being involved in dance when I was younger,” she said. “It got boring to me. My dad always played sports and coached, so it was natural to get involved with it.” Midway High School junior Taylor Faircloth said she was ‘very surprised’ when she got the call letting her know she had been named this week’s Performance Auto/ Sampson Weekly Star Athlete of the Week. “I knew I was nominated, but to actually win it, I am honored,” the 16-year-old said Monday. “I always try to do my best and it makes me feel good to know that it has paid off for me.” Faircloth, who is a three-sport standout as a Raider (basketball, volleyball and track), is currently in the middle of basketball season. She plays forward on the team. “We are 5-5 right now,” she admits, “and everyone is working really hard.” However, Taylor’s work on and off the court has made her an obvious choice for this week’s Star Athlete of the Week honor. According to her head coach and educator Brian Wallum, Faircloth is a leader in both. “She is a good shooter and a hard worker on defense,” he said. “For the team, Taylor provides positive leadership. She works hard in practice and during the games and She began playing recreation basketball and softball in the Spivey’s Corner area. “For some reason, I just clicked with basketball,” she explained. “I had an immediate passion for it. There is intensity to playing the game that I loved right from the beginning. It is just amazing.” She didn’t begin playing volleyball until her seventh grade year and just began track (discus) last season. “I think that growing up and playing (sports) with a lot of my teammates, it has helped in so many ways, especially on the court,” she said. “I have known them since we were little and we have bonded. Sports has allowed me to make so many new friends and I have made memories that will last me a lifetime, for which I am so thankful.” Which will make it harder for her after next year when she leaves the district for college. “Yes, I have been thinking about when I graduate,” she explains. “It is going to be hard and it makes me sad because it is going to be hard to walk away and leave. But I am also looking forward to moving on with my future.” That future includes college, Faircloth said. “I would love to go to UNC-Chapel Hill or Campbell and if I get offered a chance to play (sports), I will welcome that opportunity and work very hard and do PERFORMANCE AUTOMOTIVE Salutes this week’s Faircloth said she wants to become a pharmacist. Where does she see herself within the next decade? “I want to have my own pharmacy business,” she said. “I will probably come back to Sampson County … there’s no telling. But it is home to me and I would love to begin a great career here.” Highly spiritual, Faircloth is very involved with her church (Mt. Caramel Church in Autryville). She has been helping with the choir and children’s church since she was little. “It’s all that I have known,” she said. “I find comfort in church. It has also helped me in sports. Every time before I play; before every game, I pray. I just give it to the Lord and it has always helped.” Ironically, the best piece of advice Taylor has received came from a senior when she was coming into Midway High School. “The senior said to me to do whatever I wanted to do and don’t let anyone tell you any different because it all goes so fast. You don’t think it does when you are a freshman, but when you get closer to getting out of high school, you start to realize you don’t want to waste time or opportunities. That’s what I have been thinking about and that was great advice because I don’t feel that I have wasted any of it.” She sits at the top of her class, names History as her favorite subject, works on the school’s yearbook staff and stays busy with her sports schedule. “I want to do as much as I can,” she said. “I have great support from my family, coaches, teachers and friends, so I feel like I can do anything.” She credits her family (including younger brother, Matthew), for being her source of inspiration. “My family has been to every game,” she admits. “They have been so supportive with everything I do and to see them out there; cheering me on, it just makes you feel really good.” Faircloth said the support from the Midway faithful in general has been a blessing. “Oh, the teachers, my coaches … their support has been incredible,” she said. “The support of our community is great too. On Friday night the stands are full and you hear all the cheering, you realize how very supportive this community really is and when you are on the court and hear that, it really does make a difference.” Student Athlete of the Week! 605 Warsaw Hwy • Clinton, NC • 910-592-JEEP(5337) Week of December 26-January 1, 2015 www.thesampsonweekly.com SPORTS 13 Men’s Dark Horses and Lady Leopards Victorious at Nathan Gay Basketball Tournament The 14th Annual Nathan H. Gay Holiday Basketball Classic tipped off on Monday, December 22 at Union High School and finished play on Tuesday, December 23. On Monday, Laney High School (Wilmington) battled Lakewood girls at 3 p.m.; Union played Clinton girls at 4:30 p.m.; Clinton played Lakewood boys at 6 p.m.; and Union played Laney boys at 7:30 p.m. The tournament is named for Nathan Gay. Gay, who passed away in November of 2007, was a longtime member of the Sampson County Board of Education and was the epitome of Sampson County Sports. From his 20 year career as head coach for the Union Spartans, where he coached basketball, football, baseball and softball and racked up 15 conference championships, 5 district championships and an impressive basketball coaching record of 398 wins and 127 losses over those two decades, to establishing the Annual Pigskin Football Jamboree, the Sampson County Sports Club Hall of Fame (with Fes Turlington), and the Nathan H. Gay Holiday Basketball Classic. It is one of the most anticipated annual sports events in the county. On Tuesday during the Championship round at 6:00pm, the Lady Leopards took on the Lady Dark Horses for the Varsity Girl’s Championship title. After a hard fought game, the Lady Leopards of Lakewood High School handily defeated the Lady Dark Horses 62-40 to take the Nathan Gay title back home to Salemburg. The Clinton Dark Horses now hold a 7-2 record for the season. At 7:30pm the Clinton Dark Horse Varsity men’s team took on the Laney Buccaneers and after an extremely physical game took home the Nathan Gay Varsity Men’s Championship back home to Clinton. Score Clinton 75, Laney High 68. The Dark Horses play next as they host the annual Dark Horse Classic Christmas Tournament on December 29th and 30th at Clinton High School. The Dark Horses resume play with a big conference game on January 5th against the arch rival Midway Raiders at Clinton. Tip-off is at 7:30 pm. The Lady Leopards next varsity game is against the Rosewood Eagles (Goldsboro, NC) in a 1A Carolina game on Friday January 2nd. Lakewood will attempt to improve on their 7-1 record this season. The Lady Clinton Dark Horses will host the Midway Raiders on Monday January 5th. The Clinton Dark Horses are 4-4 on the year and the Midway Raiders will enter the game with a 5-5 record for the season. Dark Horses Defeat East Bladen Eagles The Clinton Dark Horse Varsity boys basketball team improved to 7-2 overall and 1-1 in the Four County conference with a thrilling 62-58 victory over a very good East Bladen Eagle team last Thursday night in Clinton. The defending conference champion Dark Horses were led by sophomore Jerimiah Pope with 13 points and his brother Josiah Pope with 10 points. Freshman Zion Autry was the game’s leading rebounder with 8. The first quarter started out slow with both teams cold from the floor and at the end of the quarter it was 11-10 Eagle lead. The first part of the second quarter belonged to the visiting Eagles as they led by as many as 10 points. The Dark Horses and the Pope brothers went on a run of their own late in the second quarter and when the senior brother Josiah hit a big three pointer it was only a two point Eagle lead- 29-27 at intermission. The Dark Horses had a good third quarter with the help of a couple key three pointers by junior guards Jaquan McLean and Jaden Bell and it was a 47-42 Dark Horse lead after three quarters. The final quarter was all trading baskets and it ended with a 62-58 Dark Horse victory. ATHLETE OF THE WEEK PLAQUE PRESENTATIONS Jeremy Robinson from Midway High school receives his Performance / Sampson Weekly Athlete of the Week plaque from Performance Sales manager, Rick Fowler. The junior varsity Dark Horse boys were very impressive as they remain undefeated in the conference at 2-0 and 5-1 overall. They were led by Khari Williams with 13 points and Derek Bryant with 12. The Lady Dark Horses fell to the very talented Lady Eagles to go 1-1 in the conference and 3-3 overall. The Dark Horses play next as they host the annual Dark Horse Classic Christmas Tournament 29th and 30th at Clinton High School. The Dark Horses resume play with a big conference game on January 5th against the arch rival Midway Raiders at Clinton. Tip-off is at 7:30 pm. 14 Week of December 26-January 1, 2015 www.thesampsonweekly.com EDUCATION Kelly Schultz of Clinton City Schools gets Prestigious Opportunity Kelly Schultz is a secondary Curriculum Coach at Clinton City Schools who has been given not one, but two great opportunities to impact education for students state wide in North Carolina. In December 2013, Kelly was selected to a Peer Review Panel for EQuIP (Educators Evaluating Quality Instructional Products), and in June of this year she was selected to be part of the Governor’s Teacher Network. Terrace Miller, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services & Federal Programs at Clinton City Schools says, “It is an honor to be a part of either of these groups, and to be selected to participate in both is truly prestigious.” Currently in her 9th year in education, Kelly Schultz started as a K-12 substitute teacher while she was still in Graduate School. After earning her Bachelor of Science in English – Creative Writing, Schultz attended DePaul University where she received a Master’s of Education in Secondary English. “During that time, I also served as a Special Education Aide in a 5th grade classroom,” says Schultz. “I also taught 7th Grade Language Arts/Reading and Gifted Content Replacement for 4 years, and taught K-12 Summer School in various subject areas throughout my time as an educator in Illinois.” Schultz goes on to add, “When I moved to North Carolina, I taught 6th Grade English, Language Arts and Social Studies at Sampson Middle School. Last year I was the 9-12 Curriculum Coach, and this year I serve as the 6-12 Curriculum Coach for both Clinton High School and Sampson Middle School.” And she’s not only a coach during school, she’s also coached extracurricular teams as well. Her extracurricular coaching experience includes Speech & Drama Club, Figure Skating, Academic Team and Cheerleading. Clinton City Schools 300 Westover Road • Clinton, NC 28328 (910) 592-3132 • www.clinton.k12.nc.us Providing A Future For Our Children But as a Secondary Curriculum Coach, Schultz explains that it’s her responsibility to be a support for all teachers. “I provide professional development, model instructional strategies, lesson plan, analyze data, assist in classes, create classroom management plans, provide feedback, and collaborate on a regular basis with the K-5 Curriculum Coach for alignment.” Schultz adds, “I also serve as a lead support for the BT Matters program. The program is a partnership between CCS and UNC-W, and is in place to provide beginning teachers with additional support in their first three years of teaching. My roles shift daily to meet the needs of teachers, the district, and ultimately the students.” resources to the Common Core. Once a submission is deemed an exemplar or exemplar if improved, it is placed on the Achieve website for all educators to use. The rubric is a tool to gain a deeper understanding of what the standards look like in action. We meet twice a year in Washington D.C to calibrate on the criteria of the rubric, ensuring all members of the panel have a clear understanding for giving feedback.” “It is exciting to have educators from so many states coming together for the good of all students in our country,” adds Schultz. “As a member of the Governor’s Teacher Network,” explains Schultz, “I create curricular units, lessons, and assessment items to be placed in SchoolNet as resources for all North Carolina educators to access. I am a part of the Global Awareness cohort. The educators within this group represent multiple subject areas and grade levels.” She adds, “I create English Language Arts units for 9-10th grades. Each unit focuses on a global theme. My first unit was based on understanding multicultural perspectives and the outside influences that affect our perspectives.” And in addition to her responsibilities at Clinton City Schools, Schultz is also a member of two rather prestigious programs that expand her ability to impact student education in North Carolina. Schultz explains her role with EQuIP, “The two objectives of the Panel are to increase the supply of instructional units and lessons that are aligned to the CCSS, and to build the capacity of teachers to evaluate and improve the quality of instructional resources used in classrooms across the nation.” “The unit that I am currently working on is based around human rights,” says Shultz. “The literature will be primarily made up of Holocaust, Genocide, and Civil Rights pieces. Students will be asked to take action against genocide denial as the summative performance task. My work on the Global Awareness team supports our district theme this year: A Global Journey. I find myself able to better support teachers with this theme, by finding ways to naturally incorporate global themes into existing instructional sequences.” She goes on to say, “As a member of the panel, I go through the quality review process to evaluate the alignment of instructional That’s a very busy Kelly Schultz. Just one of the many great educators at Clinton City Schools providing a future for our children. Midway Drama Program Delivers Christmas Cheer with ‘Stocking Stuffers’ * Play delivers a command performance for school students Warren, my piano teacher. I was a bit of a nerdish piano student, playing Rachmaninoff ’s G-Minor in sixth grade and studying art at Southwood College for fourth and fifth grade. Dr. Royal and Miss Dorothy took me to see world-renowned pianist Van Cliburn when I was in fifth grade! Miss Dorothy discovered my voice when I was a teenager and exposed me to many cultural events that changed my life. I used to come home after school and lay in front of the big old stereo cabinet and listen to concert pianists and Bach organ music as I did my homework. I was BLESSED. But I never discovered opera and Broadway until college. I was going to be a lawyer but was swayed by teachers to go into music and theatre. I have performed from New York to Florida in operas, oratorios, dinner theatre, and cruise ships. Teaching has been my biggest challenge.” The holiday spirit blew in early to the northern part of Sampson County when members of the Midway Middle School “Mask-ARaiders” presented the play “Stocking Stuffers”. The charming play featured living dolls, elves, stockings that came to life, GI Joe, Barbie, Ken, reindeer (and the grandma they ran over) and the big man himself, Santa. The show, which played two nights inside the Midway Middle School Gym and had a command performance for the school last Monday, brought smiles to all of the faces who witnessed it, earning the young actors, some of whom have never been on stage before, a standing ovation on the opening night. Although he says that teaching is his biggest challenge, you couldn’t tell during “Stocking Stuffers”. The drama program at the school was the brain-child of Midway Middle Principal John Goode, who, during the last school year noticed the need to provide alternatives to music, band, art and athletics. “As the student population at Midway Middle has grown tremendously over the last few years there became a need to have more ‘exploratory’ classes to offer the students,” Educator David Bass said. “Last year, Mr. Goode decided to add Theatre Arts as a new alternative to Music, Band, Art and athletics. I was fortunate to already be working in the district as an AIG specialist and jumped at the chance to start the new classes. As a former professional actor and entertainer and a native of Sampson County, I hoped to share my experiences with students and parents to bring my love for theatre to them.” By December of last year, it was clear there was a greater interest in the program that anyone had anticipated. By January of this year, Bass had formed the “Mask-A-Raiders” drama club. “This way students in other classes could still participate in projects and learn more about the field of theatre as a viable hobby or occupation,” he said. “Now we have over 80 student members and more to add in January (2015).” Since then, the program, and interest in it, has flourished. “As students, parents, and faculty learn more about this program, they can see that it is more than a fun class or club, but one that requires hard work, dedication, concentration, and time.” Bass noted. “I am overwhelmed at times when I see all the students at drama club. The diversity of students in this group would amaze anyone. From athletes to normally shy and reserved students, we all come together for a common goal. They seem to love it, After the play, which went off without a hitch, Bass made the surprising admission that some of the students had never been on stage before. Carter Rivers (is Egg Nog) and Kassy Holland (as the Elf). and that makes me proud! My favorite comment from teachers is, ‘Wow, I saw a totally different side of that student. I would have never believed he/she could have done that.’” Bass explained that students work on their craft during class during short scenes for each other as “learning tools”. The educator said that, in addition to “Stocking Stuffers”, the classes recently performed at the schools’ ACE Night Event and will perform again at the upcoming PTA Meeting at the school. There are also some big plans for their Spring production. “I am planning a musical revue of my favorite show tunes for the spring production, including music from ‘Annie,’ ‘Wicked,’ ‘South Pacific,’ ‘Les Miserables’ ‘The Wiz,’ and many more,” he said. “We have already begun rehearsing, and you won’t believe the talent.” A date for that musical revue has not been set as of now. In addition to opening themselves up to new experiences and opportunities on the stage, the program is giving back too - The students raised funds for two new state-of-the-art microphones that were used during “Stocking Stuffers”. “I hope that the students understand that they are doing something that benefits everyone,” explained Bass. “There are those who have the resources to contribute more, and there are those who don’t have the connections to bring in contributions. They are all equal in my book, as I understand the diversity of their backgrounds. We are currently trying to raise money to buy a spotlight and a portable stage lighting system that can be used to enhance all activities in the gym. I know the drama students are proud to be able to help with this effort.” Harrells Christian Academy Lower School Christmas Program Born in Clinton and raised in Salemburg, Bass said that he was exposed to the musical arts at a young age because of his love of piano. As the Harrells Christian Academy students (pictured above) sang, excitement filled the air while a packed house of parents, family, and friends in Newkirk Auditorium enjoyed another wonderful lower school Christmas musical on December 7th. As tradition holds, the fifth graders led the musical drama called “Joyland”, as the kindergarten through fourth grade students joined in singing beautiful Christmas songs! The Christmas play is an annual Harrells Christian Academy event that many look forward to and count on to put them in the right spirit of Christmas each year. “I was fortunate to have parents who understood early on that I had talents beyond football and academics,” he admits. “I also had incredible mentors at Salemburg Baptist Church, Mrs. Dorothy Turlington Royal and Mrs. Billie “Most of the cast had never done anything like this before,” he said. “Some have done Sampson Community Theatre and have been involved in church productions. There were several that are so reserved and quiet, but you would have never known that from their performance on stage. One young lady told me afterwards that she had just hoped to remember her lines, but when she got out there she thought, ‘Man, I can do this!’ ... I had to cry.” Just seeing the interaction with Bass and his students during the play, it is clear to see how much love and affection the students have for their teacher, and vice-versa. “Children always amaze me,” Bass explained. “I guess that’s why I became a teacher after working in other professions. It takes a lot of patience to coordinate such a large cast of middle school students. They have so many things on their mind, and so much energy! I try to instill the need for hard work to make a show like this happen, and I insist on mutual respect for every cast member. Every child has a place in theatre, and every child can shine in his/ her own way. Before the show (Stocking Stuffers) began, we had a meeting for last minute reminders, a prayer, and then I GAVE the cast the show. ‘It is now your show. Go out there and have fun. If you mess up, just keep going. My prayer for you is to feel good about what you do. Enjoy the moment because it will never happen again!’” With pride, Bass says that he has a vested interest in every student. “These students are my kids,” he said. “I hope that their parents don’t mind that I have unofficially adopted them. My hope is that the students feel a sense of success and accomplishment for what they have done. I want them to know that they do not have to be perfect; they just need to do their best. Of course, I am proud to see the audience responses. I laugh and feel every moment with them. As long as I can feel that I have done everything for them that I can do, the response to their performances is all good.” Even though word is spreading around the county about the fun “Stocking Stuffers” was and how much joy the students had in presenting it to the audience, Bass is hoping that more people from in and outside of the Raider community will get involved with the program. “I would invite the community to become involved in a program that benefits students from all backgrounds and abilities at MMS.” he said. “As we have no financial resources, any donations or sponsorships would be greatly appreciated. Also, with the large number of students involved, any parent or volunteer would be welcome at our drama club meetings.” In addition to the students, staff, administration, parents and all at Midway Middle School, Bass wanted to personally thank some who went above and beyond to help produce “Stocking Stuffers”. “I would also like to thank Robin Marley, Melanie Herring, Wendy Williford, Steven Tyler, and the MMS custodial staff for helping to make the show possible,” he said. “Also a special thanks to the stage manager, Maya Cannady, for her hard work and diligence.” For more information on upcoming productions, to volunteer, donate or sponsor the program call Bass at 910-567-5879. Week of December 26-January 1, 2015 Crossword Puzzle CLUES ACROSS 1. Easy as 1-2-3 4. Goat and camel hair fabric 7. A women undergarment 10. British bathrooms 12. Assemblages of parts into one entity 14. Semitic fertility god 15. Dull & uninteresting 16. Yemen capital 17. Stare impertinently 18. Banished persons 20. Heart failure & energy supplement 22. Reduction in force 23. Women’s ___ movement 24. Polynesian wrapped skirt 26. Double-reed instruments 29. Own (Scottish) 30. Summer window dressings 35. Many not ands 36. Paddle 37. Being a single unit 38. Silly behavior 44. Insecticide 45. A blank area 46. Reduces stress 48. Morning moisture 49. Tear away roughly 50. Elevated 53. Cristobalite 56. Baseball’s Ruth 57. Indian monetary unit 59. Contest of speed 61. Having a slanted direction 62. Gross receipts 63. A river in NE Spain 64. The brain and spinal cord (abbr.) 65. Dynegy Inc. on NYSE 66. Japanese monetary unit CLUES DOWN 1. Vestment worn by priests 2. The trunk of a tree 3. Transmission line cable 4. Freshwater duck genus 5. Bulk storage container 6. Oil obtained from flowers 7. Shopping containers 8. Abnormal breathing 9. Brew 11. Bake eggs in their shells 12. Serviceable 13. A person in the navy 14. A child’s slight injury 19. Fain 21. Supports trestletree 24. Parian Chronicle discovery site 25. Greek famous for fables 27. Farcical afterpiece 28. Dispatches by mail 29. Hall of Fame (abbr.) 31. Aah 32. Unnaturally pale 33. Before 34. Fixed in one’s purpose 39. Madames 40. Frosts 41. City drains 42. Baseball playoff 43. Cruise 47. Steeple 50. Precipitation 51. Ancient Greek rhetorician 52. A unit of two 53. Viewed 54. Taxis 55. 4840 square yards 56. London radio station 58. Perform work regularly 60. Longest geological time SUDOKU Fun By The Numbers Like puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku. This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off, so sharpen your pencil and put your sudoku savvy to the test. Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle! www.thesampsonweekly.com PUZZLES & GAMES 15 16 Week of December 26-January 1, 2015 www.thesampsonweekly.com OBITUARIES AUTRYVILLE Mr. Troy Alphie Cashwell, 89 of Autryville died on Monday, December 22, 2014 at the Cumberland Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Fayetteville. The funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM Saturday at Concord Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2-3 PM prior to the service at the church. He is survived by two daughters, Rose Simmons and Faye Wrench; two sons, Gerald Cashwell and Ronnie Cashwell; two sisters, Betsy McLeod and Nellie Pruitt; one brother, Frank Cashwell; five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Services entrusted to Butler Funeral Home, 6535 Clinton Road, Stedman, NC. ROSEBORO Mr. Nathan Allen Fisher, 70 of 11175 NC Hwy. 210 S., Roseboro, went home to be with The Lord on Sunday, December 21, 2014 at Sampson Regional Medical Center in Clinton. The funeral will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, December 27, 2014 at Butler Funeral Home in Roseboro with Rev. Jerry Fisher, Rev. David Shirley and Rev. David Bays officiating. Burial will follow at the Fisher Family Cemetery, Roseboro. Mr. Fisher was born on April 2, 1944 in Cumberland County to the late Arbie Beaman and Nora Mae Howell Fisher. He is preceded in death by his parents; one grandson, Justin Allen Fisher; and two brothers, Dan Junior Fisher and Herman Lee Fisher. He worked in construction with Fisher’s Construction. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Annie Mack “Maxie” Fisher of the home; two sons, Roger Allen Fisher of Fayetteville and Robert Dale Fisher of Roseboro; three grandchildren, Ashley Nichole Fisher, Timothy Wayne Fisher and Ryan Allen Fisher; two great grandchildren, Avalie Madison Fisher and Dalton Lee Fisher; and four brothers, R.B. Fisher of Roseboro, Lathan Arbie Fisher of Autryville, Harley Wyman Fisher of Autryville and Jerry Beamon Fisher of Roseboro. The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Butler Funeral Home in Roseboro and other times at the home. Services entrusted to Butler Funeral Home, 401 W. Roseboro Street, Roseboro. CLINTON Mrs. Maggie Lee Pope Hargrove, 90, of 5397 Hobbton Highway died at Autumn Wind Assisted Living in Roseboro, Wednesday, December 17th, 2014. A graveside service was held Friday at 2:00 pm in Grandview Memorial Park with the Rev. Charles Ray Jernigan officiating. Born in 1924 in Sampson County, Mrs. Hargrove was the daughter of the late Henry Addison and Rena Sessoms Pope. She was part-owner of Buck Hargrove Seafood Market. She was the widower of Leon Clyde “Buck” Hargrove. She is survived by her daughter, Becky H. Blackman and husband, Sherrill of Clinton and a sister, Macie Rhodes of Jacksonville. Two grandchildren: Walt Blackman and Ellen Blackman; One great-grandson: Banks Grimes. She was preceded in death by a son, Clyde Trenton Hargrove. The family received friends Thursday night from 6-8 at Royal-Hall Funeral Home. Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s AssociationEastern North Carolina, 3739 National Drive, Suite 110 Raleigh NC 27612 or to one’s favorite charity. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.royalhallfuneralhome.com Royal-Hall is honored to serve the Hargrove Family. HARRELLS Mrs. Gail Robinson Jenkins 67 of 711 Wildcat Rd, died Friday, December 19, 2014 at her residence. Funeral service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, December 27, 2014 at Keathern Baptist Church, by the Reverend Elwood McPhail. Burial will follow in the Robinson Family Cemetery in Harrells, NC. Mrs. Jenkins is survived by her husband, Robert Jenkins of the home, three daughters Tonya R. Smith of Durham, Garnet (George) Kirby of Garland, Shayla Pitts, of Atlanta, Ga., two sons, Robert Jenkins Jr., of New Kensington, Pa, Russell Jenkins of Arizona, six sisters, Jane Fennell of Rose Hill, Renda Allensworth (Ted) of Natrona Heights, Pa, Sylvia DeVane of Roseboro, Fay Symns of Pittsburgh, Pa, Deborah Beatty (Anthony) of Harrells, Linda Ann Daniels of Charlotte, seven brothers, Charles Robinson Jr( Sandy) of Dover, Del., Oliver Robinson (Ruth) of Penn Hills, Pa., Michael Robinson of Montoursville, Pa, Tom Robinson (Crystal) of Penn Hills, Pa, Larry Melvin of Fayetteville, Author Roberson of Atlanta, Ga., Roger Melvin of California, step-mother Catherine Robinson of Fayetteville, 11 grandchildren. The public will be received Friday, December 26, 2014 from 1:00PM-6:00 P.M. with family present from 5:00P.M.-6:00P.M. at Carter Funeral Home, in Garland. GARLAND Ms. Nellie Ann Noble 120 Odham Ave. Garland, died Friday, December 19, 2014 at Sampson Regional Medical Center in Clinton, NC. Ms. Noble was the daughter of the late William Harry Strickland and Rita Carey Strickland. She was preceded in death by a brother, Henry Strickland. Funeral service was held at 2:00 P.M. Monday, December 22, 2014 at Garland Baptist Church. Burial followed in the Garland Cemetery. Ms. Noble is survived by a daughter, Rita Koehler( Josh) of Garland, three sisters, Cindy Naylor(Donnie) of Garland, Renita Sasser of Turkey, Heather Blackburn (Timmy) of Garland, brother, Billy Strickland (Debbie) of Warsaw, 3 grandchildren, Khloey Koehler, Deklan Koehler, Jacelynn Koehler. Online condolence may be sent through www.carterfh.com. Service by Carter Funeral Home. CLINTON Mrs. Emma Lou Pope Wilson, 93, of 3360 Basstown Road, died Monday, December 22, 2014 at Sampson Regional Medical Center. The funeral will be held at 3 P.M., Friday, December 26, 2014 at Brown Baptist Church with the Reverend James Croom officiating. Interment will follow in the Grandview Memorial Gardens, 2809 N. US Hwy 421, Clinton. Mrs. Wilson was born in 1921 in Sampson County to the late Eurie Pope and Clyda Pope. She was the widow of the late Mr. Luby Boston Wilson. She was also preceded in death by a son, Luby Vaden Wilson, her step-mother, Lucille Pope; a granddaughter, Debbie Masters; four sisters, Eva Fryar, Jean Davis, Janie Pope and Edna Royal; four brothers, James Pope, Clarence Pope, Ellis Pope and Samuel Pope. She was a member of Brown Baptist Church and was a master seamstress. She is survived by a daughter, Doris Maewood Gainey (J. L.); daughter-in-law, Norma Faye Wilson; three grandchildren, Barbara Carter (Terry), Beverly Bradshaw (Scott), Jeffery Gainey (Joan); five great grandchildren; three great- great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Brown Baptist Church, % Marie Pope, 124 Boykin Dr., Clinton, NC 28328. The family will receive friends from 2 PM – 3 PM on Friday, December 26, 2014 in the Brown Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. Condolences may be sent to the family at www. crumpler-honeycutt.com. Arrangements are by CrumplerHoneycutt Funeral Home, 118 Fayetteville Street, Clinton, NC 28328. CLINTON Ernestine Butler, Age- 71, 825 Elwood Rd. died Sunday 12/21/14 at Rex Hospital, Raleigh, N.C. Funeral services will be 1pm, Saturday 12/27/14, Bearskin Missionary Baptist Church, Clinton, N.C. Interment in the Church Cemetery. Survivors are 2 daughters- Geneva Thompson and Linda Gail Wyche both of Clinton, N.C.; 1 son-Dwight Parker-Clinton, N.C.; 2 sistersGloristine Howard-Clinton, N.C. Lorene Arnette- Salemburg, N.C.; 9 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren. Public viewing Friday 12/26/14, 1 to 6 pm , family present 5 to 6pm, Butler & Son Funeral Services, Clinton, N.C. www.butlerandson.com CLINTON Mrs. Lois Louise Draughon, 82, of 2023 Isaac Weeks Road, Clinton, NC, died Thursday, December 18 at Sampson Regional Medical Center, Clinton, NC. The funeral service was held at 1pm, Tuesday, December 23 at St. Stephen United Holy Church, Turkey, NC. Rev. James Jackson officiating. Burial was in Draughon Cemetery, Salemburg, NC. Mrs. Draughon is survived by three daughters, Virginia Faison of Clinton, NC, Deborah Draughon of Goldsboro, NC and Carrie Fryar of Washington, DC; two sons, Michael Draughon and Dancy Draughon, III both of Clinton, NC; one sister, Emma Hooper of Portsmouth, VA; one brother, Lawrence Whitehead of Hyde Park, NY; 16 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held Monday, December 22, 2014 at Brock Memorial and Worley Funeral Home from 1pm to 6pm. Online condolences may be sent to www.brockmemorialandworley.com. TURKEY Mrs. Betty Hunter, 77, 5505 Old Warsaw Road, died Saturday, December 20, 2014 at her home. The funeral will be held at 2 P.M. Saturday, December 27, 2014, at the Warsaw United Methodist Church, 107 W. Plank Road, Warsaw, NC 28398, with the Reverend Gregg McGarvey officiating. Interment will follow in the Clinton City Cemetery. Mrs. Hunter, born in 1937, in Clayton County, Iowa, was the daughter of the late Edgar H. Stone and Sarah Elizabeth Ferguson Stone. In addition, she was also preceded by her husband, Douglas Brooks Hunter and two brothers, Jerry Stone and Tucker Stone. She was a retired school teacher with the Duplin County School System and a member of the Warsaw United Methodist Church. Survivors include daughters Beth H. Rhodes and husband Kelly of Butner, Laura H. Taylor of Fayetteville and Becky H. Belvan and husband Adam of Goldsboro; three grandchildren, Shawn Rhodes and wife Elizabeth, Kai Taylor and Paul Belvan; two great-grandchildren, Ella Rhodes, Abigail Rhodes; and a brother, Larry Stone and wife Rosalie, of Gainesville, FL. The family will receive friends 6 PM to 8 PM Friday, December 26, 2014 at Crumpler-Honeycutt Funeral Home, 118 Fayetteville Street, Clinton, NC 28328. Memorials may be made to the Warsaw United Methodist Church, 107 W. Plank Road, Warsaw, NC 28398 or to 3HC Hospice Care, 1023 Beaman St., Clinton, NC 28328. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.crumpler-honeycutt.com. Arrangements are by Crumpler-Honeycutt Funeral Home, 118 Fayetteville Street, Clinton, NC 28328. CLINTON Mr. George Harris King, 70, of 605 Carolina Ave., passed away Sunday, December 21, 2014 at his home. A funeral service was held at 11:00 AM, on Tuesday, December 23, at Crumpler-Honeycutt Funeral Home with the Rev. Gary Threatt officiating. Mr. King, a native of Sampson Co. was the son of the late Earl Benjamin King and Mary Susan Matthis King. He was also preceded in death by a sister; Emma Ann Chambers and a brother; Benny King. Mr. King was a retired sales representative with Lawson Products. He is survived by: his wife Janet B. King of the home, three children: Michael King and wife Laurie of Whitsett, NC; Terry Simmons of Turkey; Tonya Kircher and husband Timothy of Greensboro, four grandchildren: Tabitha Bradshaw and husband John, Kaison King, Paxton King, Kenan King, a great-grandchild Savannah Bradshaw and brothers: Elwood King of Garner and Kim King of Clinton. The family received friends 10:0011:00 AM Tuesday, December 23, one hour prior to the service at Crumpler-Honeycutt and other times at the home 605 Carolina Ave. Clinton. Condolences can be emailed to the family at www.crumpler-honeycutt.com. Memorials may be made to the Matthis Family Cemetery, % 465 Futrell Pope Lane, Clinton, NC 28328. Crumpler-Honeycutt Funeral Home 118 Fayetteville St. Clinton, NC 28328 is in charge of services. CLINTON Mr. William Timothy “Little Bud” Matthis, 86, of 525 Matthis Road, died at Rex Hospital in Raleigh on Thursday, December 18, 2014. A graveside service was held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 20, 2014 at the Matthis Family Cemetery on Highway 24 Clinton. Following the burial, a memorial service took place at 11:00 a.m. at Graves Memorial Presbyterian Church, with Dr. James Moran and the Reverend Michael Shook officiating. Born August 13, 1928, “Little Bud” resided his entire life in the house in which he was born. He was the son of the late William Rice and Sallie Lucinda Matthis. A dedicated farmer, “Little Bud” and his brother Rice Jr. previously owned and operated Sampson Produce. He was a lifetime member of Graves Memorial Presbyterian Church and faithfully served as an Elder and a Deacon. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Geneva King Matthis of the home; daughters Joan and husband Marshall of Clinton; and Carol and husband Nathan of Sunset, SC. He has three grandchildren Morgan Lee, Austin Hampton, and Grant Hampton. “Little Bud” was preceded in death by a son, William Timothy Matthis, Jr.; his parents, William Rice and Sallie Lucinda Matthis; two brothers, William Adolphus and William Rice Jr., and four sisters, Sallie Helen, Pauline, Virginia, and Marie. The family received friends after the memorial service in the Banner Room of the church and at other times, at the home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Graves Memorial Presbyterian Church, 201 Fayetteville Street, Clinton, NC 28328. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.royalhallfuneralhome. Royal-Hall Funeral Home is honored to serve the Matthis family. Clinton Rev. James Henry Parson, 92, died at Harnett Woods Nursing Center, Dunn, NC, Wednesday, December 24, 2014. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2:00 pm at Grove Park Baptist Church with the Dr. Gary Threatt and Rev. Michael Shook officiating. Burial will follow in Grandview Memorial Park. Born in 1922 in Sampson County, Rev. Parson was the son of the late Henry Bryant and Allie Raynor Parson. He was a retired Pastor, having served at Willard Baptist Church and Beaverdam Baptist Church. He was a Veteran of the Us Army having served in WWII. James was loved and respected by all who knew him. He knew many of the people in Sampson County by driving a home delivery cleaning truck for Ideal Cleaners and by working at the County ASC office measuring land. He enjoyed being with people and sharing with them. He was the widower of Alma E. Parson. He is survived by two sons, Tony E. Parson and wife Frances of Spivey’s Corner and James R. “Ronnie” Parson and wife Betty of Wilmington; two sisters, Margaret King of Clinton and Edna Smith of Cape Carteret and one brother, Jesse E. Parson of Dunn. Five grandchildren: Jacob and Hannah and husband Neal, Rob and wife, Karen, Bryan and wife, Elizabeth, Matt and wife, Michelle; Two great-grandchildren: Franci and Nicholas; Two step-greatgrandchildren: Hunter and Autumn. He is preceded in death by two sisters, Annie M. Watkins and Alma Pearl Stanley. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 2:00 prior to the services at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Grove Park Baptist Church Building Fund, 609 North East Blvd. Clinton, NC 28328. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.royalhallfuneralhome.com. Royal-Hall is honored to serve the Parson family. WHITE OAK Mr. Thomas Owens Jr, 69 of 1144 John Owen Rd. White Oak, NC, died Thursday, December 18, 2014 at his residence. Funeral service was held at 2:00 P.M. Sunday, December 21.2014 at Richardson Chapel Holy Bible Church of God in White Oak, NC, by Pastor Mable Yarboro. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Mr. Owens is survived by three sisters, Dorothy Autry (Nathan) of Elizabethtown, Doretha Owens of White Oak, Laura Shipman (James) of Tar Heel, brother, Alexander Purdie (Delois) of Brooklyn, NY., devoted nephew, David Owens (Tiffney) of White Oak, and a host of nieces and nephews. Online condolences may be sent through www.carterfh.com. Service by Carter Funeral Home in Garland. ...People Need People... -author unknown Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. Galatians 6:7 People need people and friends need friends, And we all need love for a full life depends, Not on vast riches or great acclaim, Not on success or on worldly fame, But just in knowing that someone cares, And holds us close in their thoughts and prayers --- For only the Knowledge that we're understood, Makes everyday living feel wonderfully good. "Jesus, assist me to live Your truth. Encourage me to be sensitive to the needs of others. Inspire me to offer words of compassion, sympathy, and understanding." For more information on cremation services or any funeral related services (free consultation) please contact Danny A. Creech Vice President/ General Manager Cox Memorial Funeral Home and Crematory 910-990-6202 or 910-245-3330 Cox Memorial - - "Serving GOD by serving families in a time of need" Week of December 26-January 1, 2015 www.thesampsonweekly.com 17 COMMUNITY CRIME Arrest Report 12-18 Michael Anthony Stokes, 23; 198 Dewberry Lane, Roseboro; Second Degree Trespass; Unsecured Bond $500; Court 01-13 12-18 Anita Dawn Harris, 31; 719 B Winfrey St., B, Clinton; Worthless Check; Court 01-13 12-18 Quincy Quiame Duff, 23; 790 Maxton Bass Rd., Newton Grove; Failure to Appear- Speeding; Failure to Appear-DWLR; Secured Bond $500; 01-06 12-18 Ashley Byrd Hicks, 25; 11 Country Manor Lane, Dunn; Cruelty to Animals; Secured Bond $2,500; Court 0127 12-18 Shannon Jerome Wynn, 38; 497 Tram Rd., Clinton; Assault on a Female; Court 01-27 12-18 Jeremy Omar Rosales, 19; 1781 Chancey Rd., Clinton; Communicating Threats; Secured Bond $500; 01-08 12-20 Paige Eleanor Maynard, 26; 32 Bobwhite Lane, Clinton; Shoplifting; Unsecured Bond $500; Court 01-13 12-22 Darcelle Jamarr Johnson, 29; 7291 Old Mintz Hwy., Garland; Rape; Indecent Liberties; Secured Bond $300,000; Court 01-12 12-21 Angel Best reported the Larceny of her US Currency located at 1401 Sunset Ave., Clinton. 12-21 Elisheba Tamar Powell, 27; 3455 Turkey Hwy., Clinton; Failure to Report Accident; Secured Bond $500; Court 01-21 12-22 Leigh Ann Ezzell Davis, 35; 148 Carroll St., Stedman; Misdemeanor Larceny; Possessing/Concealing Stolen Property; Fraud; Unsecured Bond $20,000; Court 01-20 12-21 Cornelius Lewis reported a Larceny at his residence located at 175 Oates Armwood Lane, Fasion. Items reported missing included an amplifier, 4 guitars, bass, jewelry, clothing, and firearms. 12-21 Quinn Peterson, 27; 56 Roosevelt Rd., Clinton; Communicating Threats;Court 12-23 12-21 Rickey Lee Carroll, 33; 2967 Alpine Church Rd., Harrells; Assault on a Female; Court 01-08 12-21 Joseph George Hood, 36; 821 Vann Rd., Clinton; Simple Assault; Court 01-26 12-21 Christopher Lee Faircloth, 25; 3921 Autryville Rd., Autryville; Aggravated Assault; Simple Physical Assault; Court 01-06 12-21 Beverly Sue West, 62; 8776 Dunn Rd., Salemburg; Misdemeanor Worthless Check; 2 Counts: Simple Worthless Check; Secured Bond $1,500; Court 01-06 Incident/ Investigation Reports 12-18 Johnny Honeycutt reported a Burglary at his residence located at 1901 Moseley Ave., Clinton. Item reported missing included medication. 12-18 Olvan Acosta reported a Burglary at his residence located at 3243 North McCullen, Fasion. Items reported missing included firearm, US Currency, 32 inch TV, passports, and jewelry. 12-20 Jean Cannady reported the Larceny of her Dell laptop located at 202 Woodland Dr., Clinton. 12-20 Frederick Fryar reported the Larceny of his Bicycle located at Sampson Homes, Clinton. 12-22 Joe Barnes reported the Larceny of his Firearm from his residence located at 108 Sawmill Lane, Roseboro. 12-22 Andrew Jackson reported the Vandalism of his Vehicle at his residence located at 1144 North Salemburg Hwy., Salemburg. 12-22 Harvest Time Worship Center reported a Burglary at 14770 Garland Hwy., Garland. Items reported missing included a 12 channel mixing board, microphone, headphone, processor, CD player, amp, quick players, and speakers. Marriage Certificates -Adam Michael Witt to Cherie Terry Witt -Garrett Dunn Weeks to Lorrie Leanna Burrows Tanner -Hunter Christian Ward to Carley Paige Jones -Daniel Karl Rupert to Anastasia Hunter Jennings Deaths -Elizabeth Boyd -William Paul Bishop Jr -Peter William Faircloth -Tonya Hall -Maggie Lee Hargrove -Shirley Elizabeth Ott -Joyce Odum -Mamie Lee Sloan -Doris Faye Sessoms Births -Kyle’Len Jeremiah Gardner born on December 6, 2014 at Sampson Regional Medical Center to Sequilla Denise Hackney -Lilliana Caterina Charlene Poggie born on December 6, 2014 at Sampson Regional Medical Center to Thomas Joseph Poggie and Jami Nicole Mesimer -Elias Clayton Torrez born on December 6, 2014 at Sampson Regional Medical Center to Cassandra Inez Corea -Michael Grant Headley born on December 9, 2014 at Sampson Regional Medical Center to Arron Michael Headley and Meredith Grace Headley - James Maldonado born on December 9, 2014 at Sampson Regional Medical Center to Zachary Lyn Maldonado and Brittney Ann Berglund -Ontario Bradley Moore Jr born on December 9, 2014 at Sampson Regional Medical to Dakota Ontario Moore Jr and Adrian Rae Hayes -Bryce Ray Boykins born on December 10, 2014 at Sampson Regional Medical Center to Nikita Levine Baggett -Xavier Mehki Edwards born on December 10, 2014 at Sampson Regional Medical Center to Malcolm Xavier Edwards and Monique Suzette Robinson -Emmanuel Guerrero Lino born on December 11, 2014 at Sampson Regional Medical Martinez Jimenez and Rosalinda Ledesma Felipe -Caleel Amari Thomas born on December 11, 2014 at Sampson Regional Medical Center to Allysha Mondreano Owens -Cameron Amir Thomas born on December 11, 2014 at Sampson Regional Medical Center to Allysha Mondreano Owens Land Transfers -Evelyn C Strickland, Tony R Strickland to Cassie A Strickland and Tony R Strickland- Lot 21 Sampson County -Annie Laura Pleasant to Laura Ann Pleasant Cartwell, Julius Dean Pleasant, Timothy Fred Pleasant, Tersa Pleasant Wylie- 2 Tracts South River -Bobby Gene Whitfield, Linda Whitfield to Lori W Boldt, Terry Boldt, Elizabeth Ann Weeks135.25 Acres w/exceptions Piney Grove -Lori W Boldt, Terry Boldt, Elizabeth Ann Weeks to Bobby Gene Whitfield and Linda Whitfield- Lot 1 Piney Grove -Dorothy P Royal, HB Royal to Burch Farms LLC- 44.13 Acres Piney Grove -Dorothy P Royal, HB Royal to Georgiana LLC- Tract 3 14.00 Acres Halls - Dorothy P Royal, HB Royal to Dorothy P Royal, HB Royal- 2 Tracts Halls -John Hart, Linda Pope Hart, Linda Pope/FKA to John Hart, Linda Pope Hart- Lot North Clinton -Charles Cousins to Charles Cousins/TR- 1 Acre Little Coharie -Claudia Baxley Bass/PR, Claudia Baxley Bass, Danny L Bass, Brenda Joyce Baxley Estate to Ricky R Mattocks and Vickie H Mattocks- Lot North Clinton -Bobby Jean Davis, Moses Davis, Alice Teen Surles, Rufus Lee Surles, Bonita Williams, Dietra Williams, Joshua Williams to Gustavo Omar Rosales and Carolina Salazar Slores- 4.83 Acres Lot 1 Newton Grove -Deborah H Pearson to Christy Pearson Hobbs and Gary Neil Hobbs- Lot 17 Carrie Lela Underwood and Henry J Underwood Subdivision North Clinton -Deborah H Pearson to Christy Pearson Hobbs and Luther Laron Pearson IV- Park Heights Subdivision North Clinton -Frankie P Tyndall, William O Tyndall Jr to Daniel L Brewer- Lots 3-4-33-34 Block A Honeycutts -Darren Gregory/AIF, Darren Gregory, Judy Hinson Gregory/By AIF, Don C Hinson, Vicky Hinson to Jennifer Gregory- 4 Parcels Newton Grove -Mary L Owens to Travis Antonio Evans- Lot 7 0.55 Acres Plainview -Secretary of Veterans Affairs, USA to Emerily L Bennett Jr- 1.14 Acres Sampson -Jo Ann Owens, John M Owens to Lynn Lassiter Smith- 3 Lots Block C North Clinton -Betty Ann Crumpler to Betty Ann Crumpler and Sandra Erin Crumpler- Lot Little Coharie -Betty H Brock/By AIF, Betty Ruth H Brock/AKA, Betty B Johnson/AIF to Douglas New- 2 Tracts Little Coharie -Beverly Badger Clough to Mary Ann Hill/TR, The Mary Ann Hill Revocable Trust- 1 Acre Lot 2 Westbrook -Katie L Stafford, William Garfield Stafford to Marlene Rivera and Blanca Rosa Tobias- Lot North Clinton -Richard E Bethune, Virginia R Bethune to Virginia R Bethune Revocable Trust and Vera R Bethune- 2 Tracts South Clinton -Carolyn D Naylor, James F Naylor to Kathryn Elizabeth Brewington and Michael Shane Canady- Lot 19 Pinecroft Subdivision Burglary Suspects Still on the Loose On December 19th, around 6:15 PM, the Sampson County E-911 Center received a report of a forcible burglary at 146 Hunt Lane, Clinton, NC. According to the incident/investigation report, the owner/victim of the residence is Mario Medrano. Responding deputies were advised that two armed men forced their way into the home and demanded cash from the victims. During the burglary, one of the suspects struck the homeowner in the head with a firearm. The homeowner was transported to Sampson Regional Medical Center with minor injuries. The homeowner described suspects as follows: Suspect 1 - Black male approximately 18 years old, light skin, 5'7", small build wearing a blue hoodie, blue jeans, brown face mask, unknown color gloves, and a black back pack with orange straps. Suspect 2 - Black male approximately 25 year old, dark skin, 5'8" with short hair, wearing a red shirt, and black pants. The victim also advised that suspect two had white blotches on his skin around his mouth and hands. Both suspects were armed and last observed running down Hunt Lane toward Rowan Road. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office at (910) 592-4141. North Carolina surpasses Michigan to become the nation’s ninth-most populous state Raleigh, N.C. - North Carolina grew by 95,047 people during a 12-month period ending in 2014 and surpassed Michigan to become the ninthmost populous state in the nation, according to estimates released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. “People want to live in a place where they can fulfill their potential,” Governor McCrory said, “And for an increasing number of Americans and people throughout the world, that place is North Carolina.” The governor cited job creation, lower taxes and the state’s quality of life as some of the reasons for North Carolina’s growth. The Census Bureau pegged the state’s population at 9,943,964. The population increase of 95,047 was the sixth-largest in the nation from July 1, 2013 until July 1, 2014. In 2010, North Carolina’s population was 9,535,483 and 8,049,313 in 2000. The Census Bureau produces population estimates each year, allowing the public to gauge the growth and demographic composition of the nation, states and communities. 18 Week of December 26-January 1, 2015 www.thesampsonweekly.com The Sampson Weekly (910) 590-2102 My Computer Works Computer problems? Viruses, spyware, email, printer issues, bad internet connections - FIX IT NOW! Professional, U.S.based technicians. $25 off service. Call for immediate help. 1-800950-3168. DISH TV Retailer. Starting at $19.99/ month (for 12 mos.) & High Speed Internet starting at $14.95/ month (where available.) SAVE! Ask About SAME DAY Installation! CALL Now! 1-800-883-6164 Holloman’s HEATING and AIR LLC The Reliable Source For All Of Your Heating and Air Service Needs $10.00 OFF ANY SERVICE! EPA Certified Nick Holloman (910) 305-1307 Salespeople Needed Business is Booming Now Accepting Applications for Salespeople. Apply in Person. Ask for Rick Fowler. Best Compensation Package in the Southeast! For Sale Owner 4.12 Acres Tract with gorgeous 3 BDRM, 2 BTH Home. Very low, Reduced Price$98,000 Located at 120 Buck Dunn Rd in Four Oaks Across from Bentonville Battleground on Harper House Rd. New & Used Tires General Mechanic Work Call (919)614-8484 for Appointment Showing FOR RENT 2 - BEDROOM, 2 - BATHROOM REMODELED MOBILE HOME IN NEWTON GROVE AREA FOR RENT. HOBBTON SCHOOL DISTRICT. MOBILE HOME IS VERY CLEAN WITH NEW CENTRAL HEAT AND AIR. STOVE AND REFRIGERATOR ARE INCLUDED. MOBILE HOME WILL BE AVAILABLE JANUARY 1, 2015. FIRST MONTHS RENT AND DEPOSIT DUE. CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIRED AND NO PETS. PLEASE CALL 910-590-4217 FOR MORE INFORMATION AFTER 6:00 PM. Computer Diagnostics • Alignments • Brakes • Ball Joints • CV Axles • Tie Rods • A/C Repair • Etc Se Habla Español! We Pick Up Vehicles! $5.00 OFF 1003 Beamon St. Clinton, NC 910-592-4884 Any Service or Purchase with this Ad. Limit 1 per vehicle. Limited Time. Shelby Stephenson Named Poet Laureate of North Carolina Raleigh, N.C. - Gov. Pat McCrory announced on Monday the appointment of Shelby Stephenson of Benson as North Carolina’s poet laureate. Stephenson will be installed at a ceremony in February at the State Capitol. The ceremony is open to the public. “Shelby Stephenson will represent the literary greatness of our state - especially through his upcoming work with helping nursing home residents express themselves through poetry,” said Governor McCrory. “We recognize that we didn’t follow the traditional process during the last selection. However, this time my appointment comes from the strong recommendation of Secretary Kluttz and the distinguished members of the selection panel. Mr. Stephenson’s selection is a reflection of their excellent work, and North Carolina owes them a debt of gratitude.” Stephenson was a professor of English and editor of Pembroke Magazine until his retirement in 2010. In 2001, North Carolina honored him with a North Carolina Award for literature, the state’s highest civilian honor. Stephenson was inducted this year into the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame and was honored in 2011 with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. Other awards in- clude the Oscar Arnold Young Award from the Poetry Council of N.C., the Bellday Poetry Prize and the Brockman-Campbell Award. From 2004 to 2005, he was the Gilbert-Chappell Distinguished Poet. “I am thrilled at the choice of Shelby Stephenson as North Carolina’s poet laureate,” said Susan Kluttz, secretary of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources. “He received many strong nominations, backed up by his impressive resume. He is a wonderful representative of the outstanding poets that flourish in our state. I look forward to working with him in the coming years.” Kluttz led the panel that reviewed the nominations. Other panelists included poet Tony Abbott of Davidson, a professor emeritus of English at Davidson College and author of seven books of poetry and two novels; Bob Anthony, curator of the N.C. Collection and the director of the N.C. Digital Heritage Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; writer Randall Kenan, a professor of English at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Loraine Hale Robinson, English department emerita faculty at East Carolina University, long-time senior associate of the North Carolina Literary Review and board member of the North Carolina Literary and Historical Society; Kevin Morgan Watson of Winston-Salem, the founder of Press 53, a publisher of poetry and short fiction; and former educator Carolyn York, president of the North Carolina Poetry Society and former president of the Lee County Arts Council. Stephenson has published many collections of poems, including The Hunger of Freedom; Family Matters: Homage to July, the Slave Girl; Fiddledeedee and Plankhouse. His accomplishments extend to music where he and his wife, Nin, have sung on four CDs together. The North Carolina poet laureate acts as an ambassador of N.C. literature, using the office as a platform from which to promote N.C. writers and the potentially transformative qualities of poetry and the written word. Stephenson hopes to pursue three projects during his tenure: writing workshops in assisted living and retirement communities, raising awareness of local archives and family histories, and promoting writings about farming and farm life in North Carolina. All of these projects are inspired by Stephenson’s personal life. He recently settled his wife, Nin into assisted living ‘where she has met people with wonderful stories.’ In family papers, he discovered the story of July, a 10-year-old slave girl sold by his great-great-grandfather that spurred him to write the award-winning Family Matters: Homage to July, the Slave Girl. Finally, Stephenson grew up on a family farm where the Future Farmers of America and 4-H exposed him to ‘the world beyond’ his home. In the 1935 General Assembly, the office of state poet laureate was created with passage of the H.R. 909, Resolution No. 60, Session Law. However, the position was not filled until Arthur Talmage Abernethy was appointed by Governor R. Gregg Cherry in 1948. Generally, the poet laureate is requested to serve a two-year term renewable at the governor’s discretion. Cyber-Security Expert Offers 10 Tips to Safeguard Your Information By: Gary S. Miliefsky We’ve all lost our identity at least three times, with more than 930 million records breached, lost or stolen to hackers and cyber criminals, says consumer advocacy non-profit Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. Why don’t we do all we can to stay safer online? According to StaySafeOnline.org, more than a quarter of Americans say they lack the information necessary. coffee shop or in a shopping mall, no one can spy on you using nearby (proximity) hacking attacks and they can’t track where you were and where you are going on your GPS. • Assume most of your apps are creepware. Do you really need them? Delete all of the apps you aren’t using too often. Replace apps that ask for too many permissions and take advantage of too many of your privacy settings -- like GPS, phone and sms logs, personal identity information – with similar apps that don’t. • Assume you’ve already been compromised. Whether it’s your baby monitor, your SmartTV, the Webcam on your laptop or apps you installed on your smartphone or tablet, your antivirus is not enough protection. It’s time to take those devices’ and apps’ privacy policies, and the permissions you grant them, much more seriously. • Opt out of sharing your information. Opt out of every advertising network that you can. Visit the National Do Not Call Registry and register your smartphone and home phone numbers at www. donotcall.gov. If you use a Google email account and have an Android phone, even with your GPS off, it’s tracking your every move. (Log in to maps.google.com/locationhistory/b/0 and see for yourself.) Go into your smartphone or tablet settings and turn this feature off. In your Android phone, go to Settings, then Location, select Google Location Reporting and set Location History to off. The same holds true for the Apple iPhone, iPad and iTunes. You need to find the location and privacy settings and turn off access under Settings, then Privacy then Location. • Change your passwords – all of them. Now. And do it as frequently as you can tolerate. Also, if you don’t want to change it often, then use any unique characters you can think of, such as a dollar sign ($) or exclamation mark (!), or replace an “oh” with a “zero” (0). This goes a long way in preventing attacks against your password. • Your browser is a double agent – keep it clean. It is spying on you for advertisers unless you block and remove cookies and delete the cache frequently. In your web browser settings, delete your history, all cookies and passwords and the cache. You should do this frequently so you don’t leave personal information sitting around on your computer, smartphone or tablet. • Turn off wireless and geolocation services. Protect your smartphones and tablets by turning off WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC and GPS, except when you need them. That way, if you are at a local • Remove third-party Facebook plugins. Third-party plugins are mini applications designed to eavesdrop on your behavior in Facebook and possibly grab information about your habits So, here it is – everything you need to know to enjoy the shopping experience without losing your privacy and identity or putting your children’s safety at risk: within that social network. Some websites you visit will require you to log in using Facebook, and then you have to trust them to connect to your Facebook account. This is very risky. Read their privacy policy and make sure they are a legitimate business before you risk doing this. • Only shop on the websites of companies you already trust. If you don’t know where the merchant is located, don’t shop online there. If they don’t have a corporate address or are located in another country, it is risky for you and you may never see the goods you think you purchased. Also, if their shopping cart experience is not an HTTPS browser session, then everything you type in, your name, address and credit card information, is going over the internet unencrypted -- in plain view. • Turn off geotagging – your photos are full of information. Twitter and Instagram as well as your iPhone will give away your location. Most people don’t realize Twitter and Instagram both use geotagging for everything you send out. Geotagging stores the latitude and longitude of your tweet or image. Pictures you take on an iPhone usually store geotagging information, as well. The less information you give out about where you are located, the safer you are. • Don’t use cash or debit cards – use credit cards, wisely. Credit cards allow you to travel with less cash, and if you’re purchasing online, it’s safer to give your credit card than your debit card information. The same holds true when you visit your local retail outlet. The reason? If you experience identity theft, credit card laws allow you to keep all of your credit, with no responsibility during an investigation. With a debit card, your bank can tie up your money in the amount equivalent to the fraudulent transactions for up to 30 days. Week of December 26-January 1, 2015 www.thesampsonweekly.com BUSINESS 19 Chamber Chat It all adds up! With Janna Bass By Sherri Smith, President, Clinton-Sampson Chamber of Commerce As the year is quickly drawing to a close, the Clinton-Sampson Chamber of Commerce is excited to release the first annual report recapping the membership growth, variety of networking events, seminars, the new business showcase, the new chamber grant program and so much more. Among the many opportunities offered, I am proud to announce that in 2014, the chamber membership grew by 40 members totaling 425 members throughout Sampson County. We celebrated with 15 businesses through ribbon cutting celebrations, signifying economic growth as their businesses are 2 years or newer. With over 90 networking events offered throughout the year, it is estimated that over 1200 chamber members and representatives took advantage of these opportunities throughout the year. I hope you take a moment to review the 2014 annual report available on the homepage of the chambers website, www.clintonsampsonchamber.org. I think it is important to chronicle the happenings of the past year, and I’m proud of the number and kinds of events we offered to the Membership. As 2014 comes to a close, I would like to thank the Chamber Membership, Ambassadors, Board, Committee Chairs, Janna and Elizabeth for the continued excellent representation we have had at all of our activities. Thank you all for the opportunity to serve as your President– I look forward to an even bigger and better 2015 and beyond. From the chamber family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We look forward to the continued growth of the chamber and we thank you in advance for your support and involvement. Again, please visit the chambers website to review the 2014 annual report, www.clintonsampsonchamber.org or give us a call at 910-214-5294 about the many opportunities available. COMING OF AGE ... AGAIN! By Brenda Brown Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Fayetteville, NC Think back to when you were younger. Life was simple at the kids’ table. The smell of a home-cooked dinner fills the air on a lazy Sunday afternoon and everyone crowding around the TV after dinner to watch the last football game of the season. By Amanda Bradshaw, Director, Small Business Center at Sampson Community College Small Business Saturday is nicely nestled in between Black Friday and Cyber Monday but what a punch it holds for small business owners and its’ customers. Thank you to those who made an extra effort to shop locally on Small Business Saturday on November 29th. According to the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) 88 million consumers “shopped small” on November 29th. Those intentionally shopping on this highlighted day spent an estimated $14.3 billion at independently owned businesses and restaurants on this day also. With the recent success of Small Business Saturday, it is sure to only to continue to grow into a successful event for our local business owners. I too visited many great local shops and those of other small business owners across the state during that weekend. Several folks asked me a great question “Why do we have only one day publicized to shop locally, why aren’t we doing it every day?”…Great point. Why do we have to be reminded to shop locally? The NFIB president and CEO Dan Danner stated “Small Business Saturday is a reminder of how important the small business sector is to our economy and why it’s so important to Shop Small all year around.” Over the years, we as small rural communities, have seen economic and developmental changes in the very threads of our local economies. Even with all the shifts and fluctuations in local markets, one thing has continued to be the backbone and foundation of our communities…our small businesses. These businesses are composed of compassionate, driven, and homegrown folks who all have one thing in common as they conduct daily business with you and your family, they care. They care about you, your family, your child’s local school, local sports teams, your grandmother’s long-term living facility, local non-profit efforts, and a plethora of other groups and community goals. They care for those individuals that they help anonymously via donations of coats, clothes, and food as the needs arise as the seasons continually roll through the year. They care to the point that they choose to give during the course of the year. These business owners strive to meet the needs of the community by selling products and services that are useful but they choose to go much further. As I take part in local events across Sampson, I see events that wouldn’t be possible without the funding or the volunteers donated by local business owners. The business owners understand that they are making an investment into their own communities by giving so graciously all through the year. Let’s return the favor to them. Let’s set a goal this New Year to spend at least 10% more of our annual income at local businesses. Let us, as consumers, show that we believe in our business owners and their products or services. Let us, as consumers, not have to make an effort to shop in small businesses once a year but create a new “norm” to visit the local shops first when looking to make a purchase. Let us, as consumers, take a few extra moments out of the day to visit the local businesses and get to know the folks that so whole heartedly give to our community all year long. It takes everyone’s pennies, dimes, nickels and dollars to keep our communities flourishing and thriving. Dan Danner, CEO and President of the NFIB sums it up best by stating “More Americans recognize the direct link between shopping locally and stronger communities and that’s an extremely positive result.” Let us, as consumers, make a commitment to be Intentional with our dollar during 2015 by visiting our local businesses and restaurants first because It All Adds Up! Congratulations Chamber Member of the Week Fast-forward a few years, when the adults first invited you to their table and your life changed. Your coming-of-age moment had arrived! This rite of passage is a transition from asking permission to giving notice. Coming-of-Age Day in Japan honors all the young people who reached age 20 during the past year. This national holiday takes place on the second Monday of January and celebrates their privileges and responsibilities as new adults. Coming-of-age moments don’t come just once in life. Another important coming-ofage moment occurs when you decide to retire. Social Security can help. Determining when to retire is a personal decision, influenced by your preferences and lifestyle. We encourage you to go online to www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs and read our fact sheet, When To Start Receiving Retirement Benefits. You may find that this information helps you make an informed decision about the best time to retire. Invest the time to learn what you should do now to enjoy your retirement later. Once you’ve come of age to retire—or even before, while you’re in the planning phase—our quick and convenient online services are available at www.socialsecurity. gov/retireonline. In as little as 15 minutes, you can soar through our online application. It has never been easier to come of age at retirement! Take advantage of our services and resources to make the best decision for you at www.socialsecurity.gov. Congratulations to the Chamber’s Member of the Week, Sampson Medical Group, located at 522 Beaman Street in Clinton. Sampson Medical Group ultimate goal is to provide a wide range of medical services close to home. Delivering those services with compassion, skill, and technology is their commitment because, Your Health is their passion. For more information about the Sampson Medical Group please contact Wade Wright at (910) 5908755 or email [email protected]. For more information about the Clinton-Sampson Chamber of Commerce call (910) 592-6177 or visit www.clintonsampsonchamber.org. Now Accepting New Patients! Regain Your Mobility Today! • #1 Rated Post Surgical Care • Osteoarthritis Rehabilitation • Balance and Fall Prevention • Accepting Medicare and All Private Insurance 317 North Blvd., Clinton, NC (Food Lion Shopping Center) • No Referral 910-249-4040 Needed www.physicaltherapync.com 20 Week of December 26-January 1, 2015 www.thesampsonweekly.com 605 Warsaw Hwy • Clinton, NC 910-592-JEEP (5337) www.performancechryslerdodgejeep.com *ONLY 6 DAYS LEFT* Cash in on your 179 Tax Deduction*, visit PERFORMANCE CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM today. Qualify for up to $500,000 TAX DEDUCTION* Plus, get up to $1,000 AND ON THE JOB ALLOWANCE1 $500 ON THE JOB BONUS CASH2 AND $500 BIG FINISH BONUS CASH† Now's the time to take advantage of Section 179 to get the greatest deductions on "for-business" vehicle purchases. This may allow you to expense up to $500,000* of your truck purchase(s) during the first year of ownership, plus your vehicle's depreciation — check with your accountant. Put current tax regulations, plus our special incentives towards your bottom line. Section 179 allows farmers and small businesses to immediately write off up to $500,000 in capital asset purchases (vehicles) instead of depreciating them over time. Businesses can now invest in the vehicles they need while simultaneously reducing their tax liability. In order to qualify all vehicles MUST BE FINANCED/PURCHASED BY DECEMBER 31ST. CALL OUR SECTION 179 HOTLINE TODAY AT 910-592-5337 *Consult your tax advisor for complete IRS deductions. See dealer for details. www.performancechryslerdodgejeep.com
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