Pride board elects new leadership

A Kinston attorney and a local banking executive were elected to new leadership positions for the Pride of Kinston, Inc. at the organization's board of directors' annual meeting Thursday, June 24, 2010.

Mark Herring, attorney with White and Allen, was elected 2010-2011 chair of the Pride board; and Frances Parrott, banking executive for First Citizens Bank, was elected vice chair. Mr. Herring, previously vice chair, succeeds Alison Merritt (Alison & Company) who led the organization from 2007-2010. She was presented a certificate of appreciation and a bouquet of roses at her final meeting as chair.

In other action, the board voted to create a new position, Director Emeritus, to honor a community leader who has given strong support for Pride of Kinston. Former Mayor O.A. (Buddy) Ritch was elected as the first to receive the accolade.

Mr. Ritch, as a downtown businessman, headed the first Pride board in 1984 when the organization was founded to lead revitalization of downtown Kinston. As Mayor for 16 years, Mr. Ritch continued his strong advocacy for Pride.

Another Kinston businessman Rob Bizzell (Realo Discount Drug Stores) was elected to the Board of Directors to fill an unexpired term of a member who moved away.

In budget actions, the board approved a $395,000 budget for the 2010-2011 fiscal year which begins July 1, 2010. The new financial plan reflects a decrease in spending of $55,000 compared to the 2009-2010 which ends June 30, 2010. Pride director Adrian King described the new fiscal plan as a "conservative" approach to the coming year's finances.

In other action, the board of directors:

• Endorsed Pride's hosting of an "Appearance Summit" in the Fall as a call to residents and businesses to pay attention to how Kinston looks to tourists, new business prospects and to people already living here;
• Endorsed an amended design for a proposed new entrance into historic Maplewood-Cedar Grove-Hebrews cemeteries adjacent to South Queen Street;
• Heard a report on the organization's outdoor summer concerts which began with an April 29 performance by the Donald Underwood Thompson band and continues to August 26 with Band of Oz;
• Also heard a report describing a September extension to the popular concert series to be called a "Homegrown Music Festival" featuring bands loaded with local musicians.
• Was told that all 24 hanging baskets purchased by Pride to embellish the appearance of the Herritage Street shopping corridor are now installed and "are looking good."
• Was brought up-to-date on current marketing strategies to attract visitors to the downtown for the concerts and for shopping;
• And re-hired Adrian King as executive director for the coming year.
  

Concerts continue with enthusiastic crowds

Minges Bottling Group's CEO Jeff Minges (right) shares a moment with son Miles standing next to Pepsi's "love bus" during Sand in the Streets' Four Knights Band concert June 17, a night dubbed Pepsi Night in Pearson Park.

The 2010 summer version of Sand in the Streets continues with enthusiastic music fans crowding into Pearson Park to listen and sometimes dance to their favorite tunes.

Minges President and CEO Jeff Minges headed a group of regional Pepsi executives who came to enjoy the music, the crowds and the company's favorite band. The Four Knights Band records Pepsi jingles used in the company's advertising strategy.

The evening activities were enlivened with free gifts and giveaways, with Pepsi's "love bus" as a backdrop.

The two-hour concert drew rave reviews from the surging crowds.

Two weeks later, July 1, a large throng of music lovers crowded into Pearson Park to hear a legend in the music business, Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs. Williams told the Free Press that he and his group have been doing concerts for more than 50 years.

An enthusiastic crowd of all ages showed up to listen, to sing, to dance and enjoy some of the tunes which made Maurice Williams a favorite entertainment in beachfronts and civic halls across the nation.

Some of the throng which flooded Pearson Park July 1 to see music legend Maurice Williams perform with his Zodiacs under Pride's Sand in the Streets banner.

A new downtown business gets official welcome

Living Well down east got a royal welcome into downtown's business community June 17, 2010 when the Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce along with owner Judy Johnson hosted a ribbon cutting to officially launch the new store. The store, featuring a creative layout to present its good food product lines, is located at 127 West Gordon Street. Phone 252-522-1100.

The mission of Living Well down east is to promote the use of organically grown products and to assist patrons in taking an active role in maintaining optimal health by providing natural and whole food supplements, foods, knowledge and service.

Business owner Judy Johnson told an enthusiastic group of supporters that opening the store was "a dream come true."

Key ingredients in her business plan: (a) A specialty grocery market. Noting that Living Well down east is an advocate of the Slow Food Movement which advocates local food stuffs, " we want to do as much as we can to help the local farmers in and around lour local community." (b) health and wellness department. "We carry a full line of natural supplements to help care for your health and that of your family." (c) reference department. Living Well carries books "filled with helpful information to assist you with your healthy lifestyle choices." The books and magazines are located in a "cozy nook" of the store.

Local officials including Kinston Mayor B.J. Murphy. Chamber president Laura Lee Sylvester and others including Pride of Kinston welcomed Judy Johnson and Living Well down east during the ribbon cutting ceremony.