TARBORO —
By many the standards of many, Curmulius “Butch” Dancy II may be considered one of the luckiest men in the world because of his birthday. The Pinetops native was born on Christmas Day, and this Christmas, Dancy will turn 50 years old.
Dancy has not planned a big party, nor will he be looking for lots of gifts from his family and friends. He said he plans to enjoy his birthday and Christmas by giving gifts to the people he loves.
“I don’t put a lot of emphasis on me for Christmas,” he said. “But I make sure that my family is taken care of. I tell my children not to buy me anything, but they get me something anyway.”
As a youngster, on Christmas Day, Dancy became the envy of the neighborhood. One of his most memorable Christmases was when he turned 5-years old.
“I got a mini-bike,” he said. “There were no other kids around that had anything like that. Then when I was in the 7th grade, I got an off-the-road motorcycle while all the kids in the neighborhood had 10-speed bikes. I kinda felt left out so my parents bought me a 10-speed in January.”
Dancy grew up on a farm with his dad Curmulius Dancy Sr. and his mom, the late Dorothy Gray Horne Dancy who died Sept. 17, 1997. His parents worked public jobs but also farmed. The double income afforded the Dancy family the opportunity to provide more for their children than many families in his neighborhood.
“We usually got things all year around, so after a while, Christmas didn’t mean as much to me,” he said. “I remember my daddy giving me $100 every Christmas. He does the same thing for my children. He gives them a little more than he gave me. He gives them $200.”
Although Dancy may have gotten everything he wanted for Christmas while he was growing up, all of them were not merry.
“When I was 18 years old, my great-grandmother (Roberta Horne) died on Christmas Day,” he said. “That was a sad time for my family. I will never forget that day.”
This Christmas, Dancy said he will reminisce about his love ones who have passed on, especially his great-grandmother.
Dancy didn’t write a letter to Santa requesting gifts for Christmas or for his birthday. But he does have a Christmas and birthday wish that he hopes to fulfill in the near future.
All I want for Christmas and my birthday is to be able to afford to give to children during Christmas,” he said. “There are too many children who go without during the holidays. I don’t know what that is like. That’s why I want to give back.
“I want to do it in honor of my great-grandmother. I’m not talking about just one time. I want to make it an annual event and even pass it on to my children so that they will carry on. That’s what I want for Christmas and my birthday.”
Local News
Related Photos
-
Curmulius Dancy II For The Daily Southerner
Community activist Dancy considered lucky; Pinetops native’s birthday is on Christmas
- Local News
-
-
Edgecombe Community College receives national award
Edgecombe Community College (ECC) received a national award Tuesday night for its efforts to prepare students to be successful in careers and the workplace.
Edgecombe was among four honorees that received national awards in Washington, D.C., during a gala that concluded ACT’s inaugural College and Career Readiness Campaign. -
County gospel choir to celebrate 20th anniversary
The Edgecombe County High School Gospel Choir, under the direction of founder Kristian Herring, is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a live concert Sunday.
“You will hear some traditional choral music, energetic spirituals, traditional and contemporary gospel,” said Antonio Suggs, choir advisor. -
Gas prices in Tarboro lower than state average
With Memorial Day Weekend around the corner, travelers on U.S. 64 exiting into Tarboro could discover some of the cheapest gas in North Carolina.
On Wednesday, Murphy Express reported the cheapest gas at $3.35 while Hadi's, Raceway and Hess prices were one cent higher. -
Tar River United Way recognizes ‘community champions’
“Be the change” was the theme of a United Way Tar River Region luncheon Wednesday at The Gateway Convention Center in Rocky Mount. United Way TRR recognized “community champions,” celebrated the success of its 2012 fundraising campaign and encouraged volunteers and partner agencies to “be the change” they want to see in the community.
-
America in Bloom judges’ visit Tarboro next month
Tarboro’s America in Bloom (AIB) steering committee is gearing up for the AIB judges’ visit to town next month. AIB is a national non-profit organization that promotes “beautification through education and community involvement.”
“Please join us as Tarboro prepares for the visit of national AIB judges on June 17 and 18,” said AIB co-chair Connie Sherrill in a competition planning update. “Help us bring out the beauty of our exceptional town.” -
Local Principal Completes Leadership Program
Donnell Brown, principal of Phillips Middle School, recently completed the Distinguished Leadership Program (DLP), a yearlong leadership development program for practicing school principals designed and provided by the North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principal’s Association (NCPAPA) in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and UNC-LearnNC.
-
Woman faces 32 charges
A Tarboro woman's scam has led authorities to arrest her on 28 charges.
According to a Tarboro Police Department report, Jennifer Ann Carr, 29, 1609 Barlow Rd. Apt. 9, took out loans in the names of 16 customers of a local business from January through April. Carr was employed through a temp agency with a local business, said Tarboro Police Sgt. Al Braxton. Braxton said the total loan amount netted $4,300.
Carr was charged with 16 counts of identity theft and 16 counts of obtaining property by false pretenses. She was place in Edgecombe County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond.
-
Two suspects arrested on 36 charges; third issued citation
After executing a search warrant Thursday on a residence at 500 W. Johnston St. in Tarboro, police officers arrested two suspects for possessing a small amount of marijuana and issued a third suspect a citation for possessing a glass pipe to smoke the drugs.
After the marijuana was found, officers notified two of the three suspects that they also had additional warrants on them from the department's "Spring Fling" drug campaign where they had sold marijuana to undercover officers. -
Introductory Latin class beginning Tuesday
Want a leg up in a medical terminology course? Anatomy? Physical science? Take a look at Latin, perhaps the best grounding for all education.
Not convinced? Just ask Stephen Herring, instructor of religion, geography, and developmental studies at Edgecombe Community College (ECC). He will teach an Introductory Latin class beginning Tuesday. The class will meet at Fleming 218 on the Tarboro campus. -
NTSB wants to lower DWI blood alcohol levels
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a bold set of targeted interventions to put the United States on course to eliminate alcohol-impaired related crashes. They have given recommendations that call for stronger laws, swifter enforcement and expanded use of technology.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
