Groundbreaking held for Colonial Theatre Phase I

Homepage

Related Photos

Bobby Holland (from left), Joe Speirs, Bob Nicolosi, Marcia Cherry, Alan Thornton, Donald Morris, Joe Tolson and Lorenzo Carmon turn the ceremonial first shovel of dirt Wednesday as ground was broken on Phase I of the exterior completion from at the Colonial Theatre. For The Daily Southerner
Restoration of the interior of the 1919 era Colonial Theatre will be addressed once the exterior project is completed and building completely enclosed. For The Daily Southerner
Bob Nicolosi, president of the Edgecombe County Military Veterans Museum board welcomes members of the audience to the groundbreaking. For The Daily Southerner

September 13, 2012

Groundbreaking held for Colonial Theatre Phase I

The Daily Southerner John H. Walker The Daily Southerner Thu Sep 13, 2012, 11:21 AM EDT

TARBORO — A sun-bathed morning greeted an estimated 75 persons who attended Wednesday morning’s groundbreaking ceremony for the construction project to enclose the rear of the Colonial Theatre.

“After we enclose the rear and finish the exterior of this grand old building, it will allow us to begin the interior restoration as we secure more funding,” explained Bob Nicolosi, president of the board of the Edgecombe County Veterans Military Museum.

While work on the project is already under way by Bobby O’Neal Contracting, hopes are that the groundbreaking will create a swell of interest in the project and help raise much-needed funds.

The theatre, built in 1919, was given to the museum in 2004 and has been under renovation since then.

Most noticeable has been the painting of murals on the south wall that depict the role of the United States soldier in wars through the years. That effort, completed a couple of years ago, turned what had been a brick wall covered in faded white paint into an image that has proven to be a draw to the community for those interested in anything related to the military.

Also restored was the Colonial’s front, with the marquee returned to the appearance everyone remembered from the theatre’s hey-day.

Now, as museum past-president Marcia Cherry noted, the marquee serves as a draw for downtown and the renovated front provides a much more attractive welcome to downtown than its predecessor.

“The theatre holds memories for me,” Cherry said, “and I see faces out there that I know it holds memories for as well.”

Cherry said her first date was “at this theatre. In high school, when you went on a date, you either went to the Colonial or to a football or basketball game and then you went to the Hollywood or a dance at Bobbie Jean’s.”

Cherry noted that the Hollywood Drive-In is gone, as is Bobbie Jean’s Dance Studio, “but the theatre is still here.”

Both Cherry and Nicolosi noted a number of potential uses for the theatre, including plays, pageants, dance recitals, conferences, musical performances and more.

“Musical performances such as the one we are having Saturday to benefit the museum could be held right here,” Cherry noted.

Both Edgecombe County Manager Lorenzo Carmon and Tarboro Mayor Donald Morris reiterated support for the project from both the county and town. The two entities had each contributed $10,000 of the $40,000 required to secure the murals.

“There is a commitment from the county to make this a showplace for the region,” Carmon said.

Morris saluted Joel and the Bourne family for their efforts in preserving the theatre for generations to come. Earlier, as he opened the ceremony, Nicolosi asked for a moment of silence in memory of Edith Bourne, who died earlier this year, noting “she has been so involved in this building.”

Text Only

Homepage

Nathan Sherrod (left) and his twin brother Melvin, of Tarboro, enjoy a carnival ride Saturday afternoon at the Happening on the Common. Abrams Rentals provided the rides.

HAPPENING ON THE COMMON
Tarboro’s Town Common was clearly the center of activity in town Saturday, with cars lining the streets surrounding the common, music that could be heard from blocks away, and a sea of people navigating their way through the vendors’ tables under a canopy of trees. The occasion was the 43rd Annual Happening on the Common.

May 20, 2013 4 Photos
Entertainment variety highlights Saturdays Happening
PINETOPS 300

Local News

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.

May 20, 2013 1 Photo
Introductory Latin class beginning Tuesday

Sports

Tony Everett, of Wake Forest, backs his Chevrolet truck named DoeRunner up as he prepares to pull in the four wheel drive event Friday night.

Pinetops 300
PINETOPS – With the threat of rain during the weekend, it put a little damper on the Pinetops 300 Tractor and Truck Pull attendance. Friday night there was a large crowd in attendance, but not the amount it has been the last several years. There was 500 less people in attendance Friday then there was a year ago, but it didn't stop the pullers from slinging mud everywhere. The fans in one section even had a chance to see what it looked like when a belt breaks on a fine tuned machine. During the Mini Modified run, Thomas Coleman, of Stoneville, had a belt break on his KB 526 Pure Hell ride and the belt slung into the crowd. No one was injured.

May 20, 2013 2 Photos
Vikings, Cougars compete in 2-A state meet

Opinion

My 13 years have been lucky
It was 13 years Sunday that a drought was broken in Big Spring, Texas, After that, we ate Mexican for dinner with a gathering of family and friends.
The next day, a Saturday, Stephanie and I joined one another in marriage under a beautiful little gazebo by Comanche Trail Lake, fed by the historic spring from which the community draws its name.

May 20, 2013

Lifestyles

Corbett/Chasse Wedding
Brittney Joyce Corbett and Kenneth Robert Chasse, Jr. were united in marriage on April 6th, 2013, at 5:30pm at the Imperial Centre in Rocky Mount. The Rev. Carrol Bradbury officiated the ceremony.
The Rehearsal Dinner was hosted by Shirley and Donald Foreman, Grandparents of the Groom and also Elisha and Kenneth Chasse, Parents of the Groom, at Pizza Inn in Rocky Mount.
The Bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Durwood Corbett of Macclesfield, NC. The Groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Robert Leonel Chasse, Sr. of Pinetops, NC.

May 13, 2013 1 Photo

Obituaries Archives

MATTIE RUTH BULLOCK
BELVOIR — Mrs. Mattie Ruth Bullock, 81, passed away on Saturday, May 18, 2013. The funeral service will be conducted Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. in the Wilkerson Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park, Wilson.
Mrs. Bullock, a native of Wilson County and a lifelong resident of Pitt County, was a graduate of Belvoir-Falkland High School. She was engaged in farming with her husband until 1989 and was a charter member of Belvoir Free Will Baptist Church.

May 19, 2013
CLAYTON JERELL EPPS
NONA DEE EZZELLE
JESSE CLARENCE GARDNER JR.
CHRISTINE GORHAM

Food

Budget Friendly Deliciousness
It's nice to be able to put a good meal on the table without having to spend a fortune. Today's recipes are easy, delicious and inexpensive. But, they won't taste inexpensive. I hope that you will give them a try.

May 15, 2013 2 Photos
Barbeque Bests
Coffee isn't just a drink
Reboot your pantry

Events

Edgecombe Events May 20
Edgecombe Events should be submitted by noon the day before publication. Items eligible include notices of local meetings and activities of non-profit organizations, clubs, schools and civic groups in the community. Information should be brief and typewritten, neatly printed or via e-mail. Questions? 823-3106 or e-mail: events@dailysoutherner.com. Leave a daytime contact phone number.

May 19, 2013

Our Community

Stocks Elementary School celebrates Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Week
In celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Week, Stocks Elementary School hosted several guest speakers and exciting activities during the first week of May.

May 15, 2013 1 Photo
HOBGOOD SCIENCE FAIR

Homepage

Search Results

Related Photos

Groundbreaking held for Colonial Theatre Phase I

Does the IRS tax exempt disclosure concern you?

Site Map