Historic Cemeteries Committee Sets
a ‘Day in the Cemetery’ for Oct. 17

The task force making improvements to the appearance of historic Maplewood-Cedar Grove-Hebrew cemeteries in downtown Kinston announced today that it will host “A Day in the Cemetery” Oct. 17, 2009 from 10:00 am to 2:00pm.

The announcement was made by Carol Southerland, chair of the group working on the project. She said the objective is to acquaint or reacquaint area residents with the location of the historic sites and to call attention to the significance of those buried on the grounds.

“This place reflects much of Kinston’s civic history,” she said. “These graves are the final resting places for many of the region’s leaders of long ago and more recently.”

The task force, which operates under the auspices of the Lenoir County Historical Association, has undertaken various activities to revive interest in making the burial grounds accessible to residents and tourists alike. The task force has noted that many communities around the Nation now regard their old burial grounds as major community and tourism assets.

The Kinston group is attempting to compile a complete listing of all those interred in the three cemeteries which, at one time, were three separate sites which merged over time. Paths throughout have been named to aid in locating specific grave sites. With help from Pride of Kinston and the Erasing the Lines spring project, new landscaping has been installed.

Ms. Southerland also notes that Pride has undertaken a major project to create a new and dramatic entrance into the cemeteries off Queen Street, increasing the visibility of the cemeteries.

“Our main interest in the Oct. 17 event,” she said, “is to promote interest in the preservation and beautification of this special place.”

For additional information contact: Carol Southerland 252-526-7952

Mother Earth Brewing Opens Oct. 24

Mother Earth Brewery topped with solar panels

A main attraction in downtown Kinston’s growing business community swings open its doors to the public Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009 with a big party to showcase its production facilities and products.

Trent Mooring, president and CEO of Mother Earth, says the company has hired the band The Connells for the event, and will offer tours of the brewery and samples of Mother Earth's beverages. The party begins at 1:00 pm and concludes at 5:00 pm. The party will be staged in Mother Earth's parking lot off the North Street/Herritage Street intersection.

Construction of the main brewery and related facilities is nearing completion, he said. Building the Mother Earth plant has required four buildings on the north side of North Street, taking up half the block. This makes the Mother Earth construction project one of the largest in recent downtown history.

Another first: Solar power will have a hand in supplying the power needs of the facility. Some 40 solar panels being supplied by Cherry Energy are being installed atop the buildings. “It’ll be enough so that Mother Earth can tell its customers that its tap room is a ‘green room:’ with enough solar power to energize the room,” according to Cherry Energy’s Armistead Mauck.

Scenes from a happy All-America day

—Photographs courtesy of Isaac Hines, Member, Pride Board of Directors

All-America City Celebration
Brings out a Big Crowd

Balmy skies and a gentle breeze greeted several thousand Kinstonians, September 20, 2009, who joined local and state officials to joyfully acknowledge Kinston’s All-America City award. Kinston Mayor O.A. (Buddy) Ritch addresses the crowd which turned out for the celebration, thanking all those who helped make the All-America City award come about.

The Second Marine Division Band from Camp LeJeune participated, adding a note of elegance to the proceedings.

Gov. Beverly Perdue, who credits Kinston voters for helping to launch her elective political career, presents a picture of the Lenoir County Courthouse which she says hung in her legislative offices for many years. She made the presentation to George Graham, chairman of the Lenoir County Commissioners.

The Kinston High School band was on hand for the celebration, as well as the chorus from Rochelle Middle School.

Gov. Perdue presented Mayor Ritch with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, a prestigious recognition by the State of North Carolina. Joining her and Ritch was the mayor’s wife, Mary Mac Ritch.

With the official City Seal in the background, Kinston City Manager Scott Stevens addresses the All-America City celebration, describing the specifics in the Kinston application which earned it the coveted recognition.

The Phantom of the Opera

Queen Street Methodist Church will show off its newly enhanced pipe organ Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009 at 7:00 pm with a performance of “The Phantom of the Opera.”

The 1929 silent film will be accompanied on the four manual organ by Dorothy Papadakos as she improvises a score for the film. Queen Street music director Jacob Mewborn says the “brilliant performance by Lon Chaney as the Phantom of the Opera will be a haunting experience you won't soon forget!”

Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 on the day of performance, and are available at the Queen Street Methodist Church office at 500 N. Queen Street. As space is limited, interested patrons are urged to call 252.527.2119 to purchase tickets.

Dorothy Papadakos came to international attention as organist of the world’s largest gothic cathedral, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City from 1990-2003.