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  • A few hundred marchers participated in the Commemorative March from St. Stephen Baptist Church in Tarboro to St. Luke Diciplies of Christ Church in Princeville on Monday. The event ended with the “Lunch with the King” sponsored by The Ebonette Club of Tarboro. For The Daily Southerner

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  • North Edgecombe ROTC instructor, retired Army Maj. Melvin Davis, speaks during the “Lunch with the King” program at St. Luke Church of Christ in Princeville. For The Daily Southerner

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January 23, 2013

King celebration ends on high note

The Daily Southerner Calvin Adkins

TARBORO — A parade of citizens at least five people deep and as long as the Tar River Bridge, marched from St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church in Tarboro to St. Luke Disciples of Christ Church in Princeville Monday during the annual Edgecombe County Entrepreneurs Commemorative March. As they crossed the bridge separating Tarboro and Princeville, marchers in the middle of the pack began to s[ng old Negro spirituals

The march, a symbolic walk in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., included marchers between the ages of 5 and 65 and lasted approximately a mile-and-a-half. During the Civil Right era, King led several marches including perhaps the most famous in 1963 when he lead thousands to Washington, D.C. where he delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech.

Carlton Jones, 52, a regular participant in the annual Edgecombe County Commemorative March, reflected on the marches that were organized by Dr. King.

“I wonder how they felt when they marched over the bridge in (the Selma to Montgomery march)” Jones said. “They were marching for a real cause — a cause that they were willing to die for. They were beaten and water hosed. We’re just doing it as symbolism, but I’m glad to be a part of it.”

The commemorative march was one of three MLK events taking place on Monday. Prior to the march, the Unity Breakfast, sponsored by the Edgecombe County Human Relation Committee, was held at the Edgecombe County Administration Building. The Rev. Zina Pittman, associate pastor of St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church in Leggett, was the guest speaker.

Pittman’s speech captivated the standing room only crowd as she kept with the celebration’s theme, “Recognizing our Past, Enduring our Present and Preparing for the Future.”

“It is our past, and our present, and certainly our future that we keep looking to gain strength to continue running this race called life,” she said. “It is our past, our present and our future that we look to for hope. It is our past, our present and our future that we must continue to educate our children about their chance for a brighter tomorrow.”

After the Unity Breakfast, the vast majority of the attendees assembled for the Commemorative March. The numbers didn’t appear as strong as last year’s, however organizers were “pleased with the turnout. For the third consecutive year, St. Paul Baptist Church won first place for the most participants (69). St. Stephen Baptist Church came in second place with 51.

All the marchers reached their destination well before noon, when the final program, “Lunch with the King” began.

  North Edgecombe ROTC instructor retired Army Maj. Melvin Davis was the keynote speaker at that event. Davis urged the parents to become responsible by going to the school to demand better for their children. He also urged them go beyond the walls of the MLK services to fight against racial injustices.

“The music was good,” he told the audience. “You were shouting and you were motivated. Now. it’s time for you for you to go to work. You must move from the pews to the pavement.”

Tarboro town council member Taro Knight agreed with Davis.

“I’ve gone to six different events throughout the county this week,” he said. “The one Saturday night is the one I can take something from and try to put it in action.

“It is great to get my spirit lifted in these programs, but I challenge people to read Dr. King’s speeches. You knew just by his works that he was a man of God. But we have some issues here where God put us on this earth to solve. What I would like to see for us starting Jan. 22, for us to start solving some of those issues. Rather its educaiton, economic rather its crime we got to do some concrete.”

Edgecombe County high school choirs under the direction of Kristian Herring rendered the music. The choir also song old Negro Gospel and a rendition of Yolanda Adams “Still I’ll Rise.”

The Rev. Eric Crowe was the honorary chairman of the entire celebration that began Dec. 6 with the oratorical contest. The Commemorative Worship Service on Jan. 13 at Eastern Star Baptist Church was the second event. On Saturday the Commemorative Banquet was held and Monday the event ended with the breakfast, march and “Lunch with the King.”

“Beginning with the worship service it was inspiring,” he said on Monday after the “Lunch with the King” service. “Today was the perfect culmination of the celebration. It was one of my highlights of my 10 years in Tarboro. That was before the service. After the service I will say it is the highlight. It was phenomenal. I’m looking forward to next year.”

Linda Knight, Edgecombe Entrepreneur president, is also looking forward to next year. With each of the events filled to nearly capacity, the organization may have some problem.

“We are going to have to think about the accommodations for next year because it may be a problem — a good problem,” she said.

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Barrett Flowe, of Midland, drives Pay Dirt during the 2012 Pinetops 300. He and many others will be on hand this weekend at the annual tractor and truck pull.

  • PINETOPS 300

    PINETOPS  — One thing’s for certain, the first-time attendee at the Pinetops 300 truck and tractor pull will learn something in a hurry … these are not your Daddy and Grandaddy’s tractors!
    Some of the best known and most successful pullers in the country will converge School Street here tonight and Saturday to vie for honors in the longest running not-for-profit tractor pull in the Southeastern United States.

    May 17, 2013 1 Photo

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  • Parents and educators meet on school events and initiatives
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The National Transportation Safety Board wants all 50 states to lower the blood alcohol content level to 0.05.

Sports
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Six Tarboro Viking track stars are going to compete in the NCHSAA 2-A state championship meet Friday in Greensboro at NC A&T State University.

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    May 16, 2013 2 Photos

  • BIG FISH
Opinion
  • We Salute...

    Each Friday, The Daily Southerner will recognize individuals, groups and businesses in Edgecombe County who have gone “above and beyond” in their effort to make this a better place to work, play and raise a family.

    May 17, 2013

Lifestyles
  • 5246-WED-Corbett.jpg 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.
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  • Edgecombe Events May 17

    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 17, 2013

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Tarboro's 2012 Christmas Parade


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