ROCKY MOUNT —
In an effort to increase awareness and participation in recreational activities at the M.A. Ray Center and Clark Park, the Town of Tarboro Parks and Recreation Department (TP&RD) has formed a focus group to participate in a brainstorming session at 6 p.m. Monday at the M.A. Ray Center. The public is invited to attend.
The meeting was suggested by members of the Tarboro Town Council during its January council meeting when Cheryl Gay, TP&RD director, went before the board to discuss the possibility of cutting back the Ray Center’s operational hours due to a lack of participation.
Councilman Taro Knight, who grew up playing at those facilities, adamantly opposed the idea and said he plans to attend the meeting.
This is a good meeting,” he said. “I would like for as many people as possible to come and let us know how we can better utilize the Ray Center.”
Participation at Ray Center and Clark Park has dwindled down to a mere fraction of the amount when Knight attended as a lad. During those days Clark Park’s outside basketball courts were filled from noon to night while the softball fields accommodated recreational games during special days.
With basketball being the most popular sport among boys in that era, there was not too many hours where the Ray Center didn’t have enough players to fill at least three teams.
Knight is pessimistic that either facility would get back to those numbers, but he would like to see them better utilized.
“We have to be realistic. It will never be like it was when I was growing up,” he said. “But we have to find ways to utilize those facilities.”
Knight said he will suggest partnering with other agencies such as the Boys & Girls Club to be able to offer a different choice of activities.
“We need to at least sit down and talk to them to see what they have to offer,” Knight said. “I’m all for the Rocky Mount Boys & Girls Club using it.”
Since talks about the reduction of hours began, Gay said participation at the Ray Center has increased. Most recently approximately 20 kids attended a youth cooking class.
“The numbers are going up but they are not where we would like for them to be,” she said. “We need more. We want more. This meeting will give us ideas from the community as to how we can better serve them.”
Ray Center’s school season operational hours are from noon to 8 p.m. Monday-Thursday; noon to 6 p.m. Friday; noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and closed on Sunday. The center’s summer operational hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and closed on Saturday and Sunday.
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Ray Center Meeting Monday
Participation topic of discussion
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ECPS awaits county budget decision
In 10 days, the Edgecombe County Board of Commissioners could approve its 2013-2014 budget. Because of the proposed cuts to the Edgecombe County Public School (ECPS), there officials are likely waiting nervously for the results.
During the board's June 3 regularly scheduled meeting, officials of the ECPS made pleas during a public hearing by asking the board of commissioners to rethink the proposed budget cuts. - Firemen concerned about town's faulty fire hydrants
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ECPS awaits county budget decision
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AIB judging under way
The America in Bloom (AIB) judges are in town, and Tarboro’s AIB committee rolled out the red carpet for them, beginning with Sunday supper at the home of AIB committee member Candis Owens.
“I am really excited about these judges,” Owens said “It looks like they have been selected specifically for Tarboro, because they’re both historic preservationists.”
James R. “Jim” Abraham is a professor of historic preservation at the Savannah College of Art and Design, while Ed Hooker, III is the historic architect and cultural resource manager for Fort Riley, Kan., according to the judges’ biography. - Brother, sister offer relief from the heat
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AIB judging under way
- Sports
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Trey Wells throws a pitch in the fifth inning Friday night for Tarboro in the 15-under game against SouthWest.
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Tarboro beats SouthWest 16-11
Tarboro and SouthWest battled it out Friday night in the 15-under Nash County Babe Ruth League at Municipal Stadium. It was a game that included 30 walks, 13 errors and 27 runs scored. Tarboro was able to hold on and win 16-11.
SouthWest, who is winless this year, fought back time and time again and took advantage of 18 walks and the six errors Tarboro committed. SouthWest has a team filled with 13 and 14-year olds playing against older players. They were able to hold their own though and take advantage of different situations. - Jones, Pittman starting new semi-pro team in Tarboro
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Tarboro beats SouthWest 16-11
- Opinion
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You, too, can be a slacker spy
Think you're a loser just because you dropped out of high school and never finished the military training you began?
Think you're a dud just because you work as a security guard even though you dreamed of becoming a global savior?
Well, don't beat yourself up. You, too, can become an international superspy like Edward Snowden.
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You, too, can be a slacker spy
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Whitley/Webb
Pinetops-Caitlin Layne Whitley and John Robert Webb were married on June 8, 2013 at half past three in the afternoon at Pinetops Baptist Church.
The Reverend John Melancon performed the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Michael Whitley. Grandparents of the bride are the late Mr. and Mrs. James Carlton Jernigan and the late Mr. and Mrs. Clifton Lane Whitley.
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- Obituaries Archives
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BRUCE EVERETTE
WHITE PLAINS, NY — Bruce Everette, 61, died Sunday, June 16, 2013. Arrangements are pending with Hemby-Willoughby Mortuary, Tarboro.
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- GWENDOLYN FAYE REID
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BRUCE EVERETTE
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Zesty Mexican Meals Made Fast
Flavors from south of the border are always a crowd favorite. They're also a quick, easy way to get dinner on the table in a hurry. Celebrity chef AarÛn S·nchez shares his favorite weeknight recipes, which use easy, flavorful ingredients to get families out of the kitchen and at the table in record time. "As a chef with a young family, I love creating delicious dishes that are quick and easy to prepare," S·nchez said. "My new Ortega recipes bring that flavor and simplicity together. Enjoy."
- It's grillin' time!
- Great fondue
- Budget Friendly Deliciousness
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- Events
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Edgecombe Events June 19
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.
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Edgecombe Events June 19
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WALTON EARNS SCHOLARSHIP
John Ronald Walton, a 2013 graduate of Edgecombe Early College High School and son of John and Lesa Walton, is presented a $2,000 scholarship check by Edgecomber County Farm Bureau Presidet Tom Proter. Walton is enrolled at NC State University for the fall semester.
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