Fall Clean Up Day Went Citywide

Pride Design Committee member Sarah Weeks (left) shares a moment with Shirley Herring, chair of the Design Committee, as they prepare to pick up trash in downtown.

Despite overcast skies and the occasional, but much needed, downpours, Kinston's Clean Up Day went off on schedule, attracting volunteers throughout the city to pick up trash in the downtown, in their neighborhoods and along the Neuse River.

The traditional downtown Clean Up day, held in the Spring and Fall each year under the auspices of Pride's Design Committee, was expanded to a citywide endeavor under a Pride of Kinston-Kinston Appearance Commission-N.C. Clean Sweep partnership for Oct. 6.

The statewide N.C.Clean Sweep project focuses on cleaning up rivers and streams in the state, and is coordinated locally by Steve Miller, Kinston's Water Resources Manager.

Through coordination of the Association of Congregations, 13 local churches agreed to serve as neighborhood 'clean up centers,' urging their congregations to participate in clean up activities around their churches. It is estimated that between 100 and 200 volunteers braved the elements to rid the town of unsightly trash.

CLEAN UP CLASS PHOTO: Volunteers line up in front of Pride of Kinston for a 'class photo' Oct. 6 before heading off into downtown Kinston to pick up unsightly trash as a part of Community Clean Up Day activities which took place across the city. The Clean Up Day was jointly sponsored by Pride, the Kinston Appearance Commission and the local chapter of N.C.Big Sweep.

Local girl scouts; Parrott Academy and Rochelle Middle School students; Structured Day Program participants; local business leaders; City Councilmen Jimmy Cousins and Will Barker; Mayor Buddy Ritch; Design Committee member Sarah Weeks; and Shirley Herring, chair of both Pride's Design Committee and the Appearance Commission were among the volunteers who came out to pick up litter.

Ms. Herring told the volunteers who met at Pride's offices that the purpose of Clean Up Day "is to call attention to the importance of a clean city. There are aesthetic as well as economic development objectives in our work. We thank you for your interest and your participation."

Clean Up volunteers were treated to a complimentary barbecue lunch following the clean up work. The lunch was spread at the pavilion at Fairfield Park.

News Briefs

Looking Good!! Members of the Home Gardeners Garden Club prepare to plant pansies they donated along the Herritage Street shopping strip Thursday, Oct. 11. Shown here (left to right): Rebekah Stark, Helen Goins, Mary Cooper (partially hidden), Anne Warner, Phyllis Martin, Nancy White, Sarah Warner, Celia Sabiston with granddaughter Anna Sabiston, and Frances Jilcott.

Beautification: The Welcome to Kinston sign on South Queen Street has undergone a complete overhaul with new paint and new landscaping, courtesy of Pride of Kinston and its Design Committee. Shown here is Classic Landscapes employee Aaron Chadwick installing new plants around the newly painted sign.

Prayer Takes a Lot of Work

Organizers of this year's Prayer Walk are determined that every street in Kinston and other towns, and every road in Lenoir County are prayed for during the month of October.

J.T. Pratt, one of the event's organizers, told the Free Press Oct. 10, 2007 that at least 500 maps detailing prayer routes have been distributed so far to help prayer advocates locate a section, road, street or neighborhood to pray for. He told the paper that there are more than 50 maps for Kinston, and 177 maps covering the rest of Lenoir County.

The Prayer Walk has earned the support of church groups across the county, according to Barbara Ruth Perry, one of the chief advocates and organizers of the walk. Prayers began Oct. 1 and will go through Oct. 31.

Individuals who would like to receive a map should contact one of the following:

• J.T. Pratt (252) 523-2208
• Bonnie McLawhorn (252) 522-0517
• Steve Jefferson (252) 572-2714
• Barbara Perry (252) 523-5280

Ms. Perry told the paper that if there are people who would like to participate but unable to walk or drive, "you can pray from home." "You don't need to walk to pray," she said. "Everyone can do this."

2008 Run for the River Details Announced

2007 Winner: Michael Earle of Greenville is shown here crossing the finish line for the Kinston 8000: Run for the River held here Mar. 24, 2007. He ran the 4.97 mile course in 25 minutes 58 seconds, winning $250.00 and a winner's trophy bowl crafted especially for the event by Kinston's Lenox China.

The steering committee for the Kinston 8000: Run for the River has announced important details concerning the 3rd annual Run for the River.

• Date for the event is set for Saturday, Mar. 29, 2008. Finish line services for the 8K and One Mile Fun Run will be provided by Jim Young & Associates of Raleigh, professional race administrator.
• A briefing for runners and volunteers will be conducted Friday night, Mar. 28, 2008. Details of when and where will be announced later.
• Prize money has been increased for the top three male and female runners in the 8K race: $500.00 each will go to fastest runners in the male and female divisions, plus an especially designed and produced commemorative bowl made by Lenox China, one of Kinston's best known manufacturers. Second place winners will carry home $300.00 in cash; and third place winners will take $150.00.
• Registration fees will remain at $15 through March 28. Registration fee day of the race will be $20.

The fastest runner of the 2007 race, held Mar. 24, 2007 was Michael Earle of Greenville who clipped off the 4.97 miles in 25 minutes, 58 seconds. Save the Date cards and registration materials will be in the mail in the next two weeks. The Run for the River is sponsored by Pride of Kinston in cooperation with the Kinston Lenoir County Parks and Recreation Department. For additional information contact Race Director Tim Knobeloch at 252-939-3336.