Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce executives, downtown business advocates and members of his family gather around Bert Statum Nov. 17, 2006 for a ribbon-cutting to help him open his new business Riverside Bicycle and Outdoor Sports at 210 W. Gordon Street in Kinston.

Sports enthusiast Bert Statum is a dream come true for Kinston area cyclists and kayakers.

Long a biking aficionado, Statum opened his new store Riverside Bicycle and Outdoor Sports on Nov. 17, 2006. The new business is located at 210 West Gordon Street adjacent to Neuseway Park within a few short steps to the Neuse River. A Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting served as the official opening.

He carries an excellent line-up of bikes for all ages, and kayaks for water sports fans. “We are happy to be in downtown,” he told the crowd gathered for his opening. “We invite everyone to do their Christmas shopping with us.”

Bert will sell you a bike…or clean up and repair the one you already have. Holiday hours are Mon.-Fri. 4pm-6pm; Sat. 9am-5pm; Sun. 1pm-4pm.

Parties, Parade and Awards Launch the 2006 Holiday Season

The Christmas shopping season in downtown Kinston swung into high gear Nov. 29, 2006 when Pride of Kinston swung open its doors for the annual holiday open house party.

A throng of well-wishers crowded into a brightly decorated Kinston Enterprise Center to sing carols, mingle with old and new friends and to sample seasonal treats. A fountain of chocolate bubbled up on a nearby table attracting a cluster of chocaholics.

The annual party was produced by Pride's Design and Marketing and Promotions Committees, chaired respectively by Shirley Herring and Agnes Ho. A dedicated band of volunteers prepared the goodies along with the Chef and the Farmer and the Broken Eagle restaurants.

A sing-along was led by crooner Wilbert Croom. TACC 9 TV's programmer Martha Bishop taped participants'—including Lenoir County Commissioner Earl Harper—ideas about the season.

Downtown's Christmas lights were switched on just as the Pride open house got underway.

The seasonal atmosphere was ratcheted up several notches when the annual Christmas parade wound down Queen Street on Saturday morning, Dec. 2.

To the delight of several thousand onlookers, standing under a brilliant sky, Santa Claus joined some 85 other units to fill the street with marching bands, horses, clowns, beauty queens, fire departments and brightly decorated floats.

Santa, sitting in a classic carriage drawn by a large horse, waved cheerfully in the direction of Pride's offices as he drove by.

Civic activist Kevin Zoltek was joined along the parade route with City Councilman Robbie Swinson (center) and friend Eric Rouse (right) to witness the annual extravaganza. The parade is produced each year by a private committee chaired by TACC 9's Martha Bishop.

First Place Extensive Pharmaceutical Services

Next came the Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce's annual Christmas party, held at the chamber's offices at 301 N. Queen Street on Dec. 5, 2006. With a classical trio providing seasonal music, party-goers sampled sweets and cheeses, some getting acquainted with the Chamber's new president Laura Lee Sylvester.

With the party as a backdrop, Hardy Creech, chair of Pride's Board of Directors, handed out certificates and plaques to recognize businesses which added lights and glitter to downtown with creative window designs.

Winning the first place trophy was Extensive Pharmaceutical Services at 306 N. Queen whose employees spent nearly a week decorating its window. Second place certificate went to the Kinston Bible and Book Store at 123 N. Queen; third place went to Natural Body Pilates at 115 S. Queen; and honorable mention went to Boutique by the Neuse at 124 N. Queen.

The Chairman's Award Tands, Inc.

A new award, the Chairman's Award, was given to Tands, Inc. for its corporate window at 335 N. Queen. Creech noted that while the focus of the award tended to favor retail stores, he said that Pride felt corporate offices deserved recognition for their holiday decorative efforts.

A three-member panel judged some 16 windows in deciding on the winners: Judy White of the Lenoir County Chapter of the American Red Cross, Niki Litts, Education and Exhibitions Manager at the Community Council for the Arts; and Lois Kenworthy, Office and Finance Manager for Pride of Kinston.

"A neat trim."