Winners of the Elizabethtown Optimist Oratorical Contest were:

First Place: Masie Jones, Chris Lewis

Second Place: Sonya Coble, Jeff Singletary

Third Place: Mollie Butler, Al Smith

Clarkton High School Blue Devils, Eastern Regional Champs, would be playing for the 1A Basketball State Championship. 

Ferry remains closed

By Jefferson Weaver

Staff Writer

Elwell Ferry—the only link across the Cape Fear River between Black Rock and Elizabethtown—will remain closed for a few more days, due to high water.

Heavier than usual rains this winter have swollen the Cape Fear River. Water levels must be at six feet or less for the ferry to run. Recently, the Cape Fear has averaged nine feet at the ferry landing.

“We hope it’ll reopen soon,” said Matthew Edwards of the Department of Transportation, which manages the two-car ferry. “We were sending out a notice about it reopening the other day when the water rose three feet in a very short time.” 

Intensivists enable critically ill to remain close to home

Having a critical health concern can be frightening for patients as well as their family members.  There are many crucial decisions that must be made regarding where to seek care and what types of treatments are necessary to ensure a fast recovery.

Kalita Locklear, of Shannon, and her family were faced with many of these important decisions in September 2009, when she suddenly began to have tightness in her chest and shortness of breath at the age of 26.

With no previous medical history other than asthma as a child, she chose to seek care at Southeastern Regional Medical Center because of the relationships and confidence she had in the facility. 

Singletary Selected for Honor Band

Zane Hamilton Singletary, an 8th grader at Bladenboro Middle School, has been chosen to participate in the 34th Annual Honor Band which will be conducted at UNC Pembroke.  Participants are chosen from students in Southeastern North Carolina that have excelled in music.  Zane will be playing the soprano saxophone, the alto saxophone and the tenor saxophone.  The Honors Band will perform on Saturday, March 27 at the Givens Performing Arts Center on the campus of UNC Pembroke at 7:00 PM.  The public is invited to attend this event.  There will be no admission charge. 

BLADEN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

CANDIDATES FOR THE MAY 4, 2010 PRIMARY

Date Prepared:  3/17/2010 9:11 AM

(I) – Denotes Incumbent

22^ND   North Carolina House of Representatives

(Dem)  Robert Jacobs Brooks                          I        M       63      910-645-4932

PO Box 157, Council , NC 28434

(Dem)  William Brisson (I)                               W      M       63      910-862-7007

PO Box 531, Dublin , NC 28332 

School of Discovery Students Win Awards

Clarkton School of Discovery students captured numerous awards at the Regional North Carolina Science Olympiad Competition held on the campus of UNC Wilmington on Saturday, March 13.  Team members are Kathryn Cole, Maria Gonzalez, Cassie Hancock, Miller Heustess, Daniel Jackson, Shaquetta Johnson, Nikki Locklear, Dalton Pridgen, Maurice Rhone, Adam Rutland, Scout Sinclair, Madison Smith, Lacey Suggs, Abby Ward, Cameron West, and Claire West.  The Junior Varsity team collectively placed 2^nd overall. 

21st Annual Bladen We Care Fund Raisers Planned

Planning continues for the 21st Annual fund raiser for Bladen We Care.  The Dinner and Auction will be held Friday, April 16, at LuMil Vineyard.  The social hour begins at 6 PM, dinner at 7.  There will be silent and live auction, half and half raffle and much more.

The Annual Golf Tournament is scheduled for Thursday, April 22, 2010.  The rain date will be a week later on April 29. 

Golden Leaf Meeting at BCC

The monthly meetings to determine how to spend $2 million in Bladen County continued Tuesday evening at Bladen Community College.

Pat Cabe, Golden Leaf Representative, began with a brief overview of the purpose of the meeting.  She spoke to the group about how the process began in mid 2007 for tier one counties in the state.  The Community Assistance Initiative is designed to allow citizens that want to participate, to decide how $2 million should be spent to make a positive impact on the county.  She stressed that the folks in the room would make the decision. 

What We Are Paying Bladen County Employees In 2010

The University of North Carolina School of Government has released the salaries for all county employees in North Carolina. We are now running a weekly series entitled WHAT WE’RE PAYING THEM IN 2010.

We will be comparing Bladen County with our neighboring counties of Columbus, Brunswick and Cumberland.

Library Director

Bladen---$53,480

Brunswick---$97,203

Columbus---$52,887

Cumberland---$93,600

Wildlife Expo this weekend

By Jefferson Weaver

Staff Writer

The Coastline Convention Center will go wild again this weekend as outdoors enthusiasts of all types come to the second Cape Fear Wildlife Expo. The event will be held Saturday and Sunday in the Coastline Convention Center on the  Wilmington waterfront.

“We had an outstanding turnout last year,” said W.C. Lanier, organizer of the event. The expo will feature around 100 vendors and displays from groups like the N.C. Trappers, Quality Deer Management Association, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission,  N.C. marine fisheries, and Ducks Unlimited.  Representatives of the N.C. Bass Federation Team Bass Master will return with the kids’ casting contest. The N.C. Bowhunter’s Association is bringing back Archery Alley for demonstrations and target practice. 

Thoughts while shaving

County Commissioners move swiftly in approving Albert Beatty as Bladen's newest Commissioner.

The Fitness Center crowd was large but very polite Monday night.  Hopefully there will be away to solve most of the problem.  The pool situation may not be so easy.  Would be nice if someone or some group could step up and save the Center.

Cape Fear officials would like to concentrate on the hospital and the medical center. 

Commissioners Have Full Agenda

March 2010

Bladen County Commissioners heard from supporters of the Bladen County Fitness Center Monday night.  (see article)  They also approved the seating of a new Commissioner.  Albert Beatty of Harrells was named to filled a portion of the remaining term left vacant due to the untimely death of Margaret Lewis-Moore.  Beatty will serve until December, 2010.  He is one of 5 that will be on the ballot in May seeking to fill the final two years of the Moore term. 

Albert Beatty is new Bladen County Commissioner

Bladen County Commissioners acted quickly to appoint a new commissioner.  Albert Beatty was named to fill the seat, first created due to the death of Margaret Lewis-Moore.  Dr. Stanley Richardson was appointed to the position.  He was killed in an automobile accident. 

Commissioner named Beatty who will filled the position until December 2010.  He has filed for the remaining 2 year term.

Beatty is a life long Bladen County resident.  He is a long time Dupont employee and farmer.  He resides at 6089 NC 210 Hwy E, Harrells, NC.

Citizens Support Fitness Center

Over 300 supporters of the Bladen County Fitness Center in Elizabethtown turned out Monday night to support efforts to keep the Center open. 

The meeting began with Chairman Billy Ray Pait welcoming the group.  He ask County Attorney Leslie Johnson to give those in attendance a little background about the relationship between the County and Cape Fear Valley Hospital group.

Johnson said in 2006 the hospital was losing money, the building was in need of repairs and the county had two options, raise taxes and get further into the hospital business or look for a partner.  They had 4 hospitals to express an interest and Cape Fear Valley was selected. 

Upcoming Events

Mar 17......Wednesday Night Revival Services continue at Wesleys 's Chapel UMC.  The speaker this week will be Rev. Neill Smith of Fair Bluff.  Everyone is invited, services begin at 7 PM.  Wesley's Chapel is located at 2409 Peanut Plant Road, Elizabethtown, NC.

Mar 17 - 21.... Baldwin Branch Missionary Church is planning an anniversary celebration honoring Pastor David C. Camp on his 5th anniversary.  The celebrations begin on March 17 and continue March 18, a banquet is planned for Saturday March 20 and concludes with a special Sunday service on March 21.  For more information call Arthur Bullock, chairman of the event at 645-4995.

Mar 19....Dublin Lions Club Annual Barbeque and Auction. Friday, Mar 19, plates $6.00. Barbeque plate sale 11am - 7pm. Auction begins at 6pm. 

Hundreds attended the funeral services for Dr. Stanley Richardson and his mother, Ms. Beulah Richardson Sunday afternoon at Elizabethtown Middle School. 

Both were killed Wednesday when their car was involved in an accident with an

18 wheeler.

Dr. Richardson had been appointed to the Bladen County Board of Commissiones and was scheduled to be sworn in to office April 5.

Haiti Update Through the Eyes of A Volunteer

Rev. Ronald Hester and Kenneth Davis of Bladenboro, and Gerald Williams of Fayetteville have been in Haiti for about a week working with NC Baptist Men as a support unit for a group of Medical workers volunteering to assist in Haiti in the recovery, following the earthquake.  Others from Bladen have been on similar missions and more are slated to go.  Hester has been sharing his thoughts of the trip.  This may his final report from Haiti, for this trip. 

Fitness Center to Close

The Bladen Fitness Center in Elizabethtown will close at the end of business on April 30, the pool will close on March 31, according to a news release from Cameron Highsmith, CEO, of Bladen Healthcare.  The center has been affiliated with Cape Fear Valley since the Bladen County Hospital became a part of the Cumberland hospital.  Rehab services will continue according to the release.

Other news releases indicate the center has 800 members, but that may not be active, paying members.   

Thursday's Haiti Report

Rev. Ronald Hester and Kenneth Davis of Bladenboro and Gerald Williams of Fayetteville are in Haiti as a cooking team and support group for a medical team representing the NC Baptist Men. Hester has been providing a daily summary of their activities.  The group will return home Monday.  Here is his report as of late Thursday.

Today has been another busy long day. We arrived back at the campus near 8:00 this evening. Our surgeons today operated on a club foot baby to straighten the foot and provide him opportunity to have a more normal life. 

Perseverance pays off for BCC basic skills student

Jack McDuffie

Benita Jefferson, a Bladen Community College GED student, can hardly contain her excitement.  She learned this week that she has completed all requirements for award of the GED certificate after years of struggle to reach her goal.

A native of Atlantic City, New Jersey, Jefferson says she dropped out of high school in the 11^th grade to go to work full time.  She admits that leaving school at the time was a mistake and that it was not a result of having difficulty with her school work.

“I was a teenager and was having communications problems with adults at the school,” she explained.  

Multi-Jurisdiction crime spree ended

FAYETTEVILLE, NC – The United States Marshals Service, Eastern District of North Carolina, announces the arrest of Gary Hendricks, age 41.  Hendricks was being sought for various crimes including Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill, Possession With Intent to Sell and Deliver Marijuana, Resisting Public Officer, Flee to Elude Arrest, Breaking & Entering, Reckless Driving to Endanger, Financial Card Theft, Possession of Stolen Goods, Financial Card Fraud, Identity Theft, Larceny of a Motor Vehicle, Injury to Personal Property, Failure to Return Rental Property, Obtaining Property by False Pretense, and a North Carolina State Probation Violation.  At approximately 6:00 am, Hendricks was arrested on the 700 block of East Main Street, Riverhead, NY by members of the NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Riverhead Police Department. 

Clarkton Lions Club Sponsors International Peace Poster Contest

Congratulations to the following Clarkton School of Discovery students who have won the Lions’ Club International Peace Poster Contest. First row left to right-Steven Miller-Honorable Mention and Malik McKoy-Honorable Mention.  Second row left to right-Maria Ortiz-2^nd Place, Skylar Farrow-1^st Place, and Grace McDuffie-3^rd Place.

CSD Advanced Art Class Visits African-American Masters Exhibit

Ms. Theresa Wuebbels’ Advanced Art students at Clarkton School of Discovery recently had a chance of a lifetime.  They were able to study and personally view over sixty of the most famous African-American Masters’ artworks in existence.  The Art Center in Fayetteville, North Carolina had the rare opportunity to host “The African-American Masters Exhibit”.  This national touring exhibit was previously shown in New York City.  From Fayetteville it will be traveling to Chicago, Illinois and then to the West Coast.  It was very unusual for Fayetteville to be chosen as the only city in Southeastern United States to be able to show this exhibit.  It is thanks to the Art Center’s gracious sponsors and benefactors that this dream became a reality.  

Clarkton School of Discovery's Bridge Building Team Takes Top Prize in Regional NCDOT Bridge Building Competition

Elizabethtown Awarded Grant for Farmers Market

The Town of Elizabethtown has been notified that a grant application through RAFI-USA has been approved.  The $30,000 grant will be utilized for engineering and architectural services for the Cape Fear Farmer's Market to be located in downtown Elizabethtown.  With the grant, the project can stay on schedule so construction can begin in 2010. 

Elizabethtown Town Council has retained Terry Cox to complete the architectural design of the building.  He will be working hand-in-hand with the Cape Fear Farmer's Market committee to determine the final design. 

Family Planning and Maternity Clinic

Bladen County Health Department offers Family planning and Maternity services to women of childbearing age who want help in planning their pregnancies and/or limiting their number of pregnancies. In our Maternity Clinic, you can receive quality pre-natal care, counseling and education throughout the duration of your pregnancy. Our office offers the convenience and confidentiality that is desired along with Free Pregnancy Testing. Being staffed with our two Mid-level Nurse Practitioners, we are sure to meet all of your needs. Patients are seen by appointment and payment is based on income and/or a sliding fee scale. Your appointment can be arranged for you over the phone or in our office.

The Family Planning and Maternity Clinic hours are:

Monday-Friday 8:00-5:00

Call: 910-862-6900 

Census Workers Needed

Census workers are still needed in Bladen County.  Census forms are being received advising of the official form expected in the next couple of weeks.

Workers are needed to follow up with households that fail to return the form.  The jobs offer short-term employment, good wages, flexible hours, paid training and reimbursement for authorized work-related expenses, such as mileage incurred while conducting census work.  Best of all, census workers work right in their own communities.

Census taker jobs are excellent for people who want to work part-time, those who are between jobs, or just about anyone who wants to earn extra money while performing an important service to their community.

Check out details at www.2010censusjobs.gov or call 1-866-861-2010.

Living History at Harmony Hall

Harmony Hall will be the site of Living History, May 22 - 23.  Bladen County history 18th and 19th century will be on display.  Period display, NC Frontier, Militia, Mountain Men and much more.

Enjoy a lecture by Bernhard Thuersam, Director of Cape Fear Historical Institute.

Set up is scheduled for Friday, May 21, beginning at 10 AM and the event begins Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM and on Sunday from 10 AM until 5 PM.

For more information call Robert Schaber at 910-960-0819 or email at oldrebschaber@aol.com or Laurie Smith at 910-866-4844 or rlsmith@intrstar.net.

Adopt a Pet

The Bladen County Animal Shelter is full and spring time is a great time to adopt a pet.  Click HERE to view a flyer with pics.  Contact A Shelter Friend at www.ashelterfriend.org or visit the Bladen County Animal Shelter on Smith Circle in Elizabethtown for more information.

Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Spring & Grow Expo

The Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Spring & Grow Expo will be held April 2 & 3 at Lu Mil Vineyard in Dublin. On Friday night, the Annual Pig Cook-Off will be held and all meat from the competition will be donated to Relay for Life for a BBQ plate sale on Saturday during the Expo. All cookers will prepare an item for the "Anything Butt BBQ" contest on Friday night for judging by the public from 7pm to 9pm. The microphone will be open at 7pm for all political candidates to introduce themselves to the crowd.  Al Batten and The Bluegrass Reunion will be performing on stage at 7:30pm with your favorite bluegrass and folk music. There is a $5 fee for Friday night that includes sampling, judging & entertainment. 

Bladen County Rabies Clinics Schedule

North Carolina Law states that, "Every owner of a dog or cat over 4 months of age shall have the animal vaccinated against rabies." 

In Bladen County, the owners of dog and cats, which now have NOT been vaccinated in accordance with this law are subject to a civil penalty in the amount of $100.

Saturday March 13, a clinic is scheduled at Elizabethtown Veterinary Hospital - Clarkton. 

Middle Schools to Compete in Battle of the Books

The Bladen County Schools Battle of the Books competition is scheduled for March 24, 2010.  This year's Battle of the Books will be held in the Media Center at Clarkton School of Discovery beginning at 9:30 AM.  The following Middle Schools will be competing:  Bladenboro Middle School; Clarkton School of Discovery; East Arcadia Elementary School; Elizabethtown Middle School and Tar Heel Middle School.

Announcement:

Bladen Community College’s Small Business Center is offering the following seminars during March on the dates and times noted below in Building 2, Room 212A, on the Main Campus.  All seminars are offered at no cost and are available on a first come, first served basis.

Date                            Time               Seminar Topic             

Tuesday, March 16     6 – 9 p.m.        “How to ‘Green’ Your Business”

Thursday, March 18    1 – 3 p.m.        “How to Start a Business”

Tuesday, March 23     6 – 9 p.m.        “Weatherization of Home and Business (Save

                                                            Money on Energy Costs)”

Thursday, March 25    1 – 3 p.m.        “How to Write a Business Plan”

Tuesday, March 30     1 – 3 p.m.        “How to Market Your Business”

For information on any of these seminars, call Small Business Center Director Dr. Lynn Welborn at 910.879.5572.

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