Minges Bottling Group Signs on As Sand in the Streets Summer Sponsor

Minges Bottling Group and Pride of Kinston have announced a partnership for the 2009 Sand in the Streets concert series. Posing on the new stage in Neuseway Park are(left to right) Bill Ellis, director of the Kinston-Lenoir County Parks & Recreation Department who managed construction of the new stage; and Minges Bottling Company representatives Miles Minges and Tommy Pharo.

Minges Bottling Group/Pepsi Cola has signed up to be a series sponsor for the 2009 Sand in the Streets outdoor concert series. The announcement was recently made as company representatives Miles Minges and Tommy Pharo visited a new stage especially built in Neuseway Park for the popular outdoor concerts.

“Minges Bottling Group has been a significant sponsor of Sand in the Streets from the very beginning,” commented Pride director Adrian King. “We are very happy and grateful that the company, led by our friend Jeff Minges, has stepped up its support for this year’s concerts.”

In addition to providing Pepsi products, the company is providing financial support to be the event sponsor for the July 30 concert featuring the Four Knights Band. The popular Eastern North Carolina beach band provides music for Pepsi ads.

The new stage was built by the Kinston-Lenoir County Parks & Recreation Department giving Pride of Kinston an enhanced facility for hosting Sand in the Streets.

The first concert in the regular summer schedule is set for June 4, featuring a popular “horn band” from the Raleigh-Chapel Hill area called Bull City Syndicates. Pride also hosted an April 30 concert featuring blues singer Robin Rogers to help kick off the 2009 Festival on the Neuse.

Sand in the Streets fans can go to Pride’s website and review the entire summer schedule. One can also listen to a sample of each band’s music on the website. (www.downtownkinston.com/sand.html)

“Thanks to Bill Ellis and Minges Bottling Group, this summer’s concert series will be the best yet,” according to Adrian King.

The end is near: RR freight station on the way into history

Kinston resident Ward Sutton, who describes himself as an "independent rail fan," has documented the demolition of the old freight railway station in downtown Kinston. He is a devoted observer of Kinston history, and especially its connect with rail traffic over the years.

The aging railroad freight station located on Blount Street between Queen and McLewean Streets in Kinston is nearing its end.

Hughes Construction Company crews have entered the final stages of dismantling the 100-year-old plus brick structure to make way for new, reinforced straightened tracks through the middle of Kinston. A new and more efficient track system has long been an objective of the North Carolina Railroad Company, owner of the train tracks.

The crumbling building was donated to the City of Kinston months ago along with $315,000 to dismantle the structure and construct new parking facilities adjacent to the Community Council for the Arts. At direction of City Manager Scott Stevens, a portion of the bricks and timbers have been preserved for a future project utilizing the historic remnants.

The entire demolition procedure is being captured on film by Kinston history buff Ward Sutton who describes himself as an “independent rail fan.”

There is some regret in the community that when time and resources were available for renovating the building for public purposes, no one took up the cause of saving it until it was too late.

—Demolition photos courtesy of Ward Sutton

Home Gardeners Pitch in on
Queen Street

Pride of Kinston’s Design Committee, headed by co-chair Shirley Herring, relies on many people to keep downtown Kinston clean, green and attractive.

The Home Gardeners garden club is one group which has consistently stepped up to work with Pride to achieve downtown appearance goals. They came together Thursday, May 14, 2009 to help refresh downtown planters with Spring flowers. Members of the club live throughout the city.

“ It takes a whole town to care for downtown,” remarked Design leader Shirley Herring. “We are very grateful for the members’ interest, enthusiasm and work.”

Members of Home Gardeners garden club meet with Shirley Herring, chair of Pride's Design Committee, to get directions for re-planting Queen Street's flower pots with Spring flowers. Posing with Ms. Herring (left) are Marion Classen, Jane Hill, Mary Ellison Turner, Helen Goins, Judy Sanders, Mary Ann Berry, Beth Johnsey, Frances Jilcott and Cecelia Sabiston. Not shown in the photo were Nancy White and Mary Bryan Cooper.