New Chatham Board seeks common ground

Transcription

IN WITH THE NEW
CHATHAM
County Line
where all voices are heard
White
hot studio
tour
Page 6
A naval
hero
vanishes
Pages 5
www.chathamcountyline.org
vol. 4, issue 10
FREE ~ GR ATIS
Dec. 2006/Jan. 2007
New Chatham Celebrate the season in Chatham
Board seeks
common ground
By Neha Shah
New commissioners vow
to represent all of Chatham
Ele ct
By Mary Bastin
The new Chatham County Commissioners taking
office on December 4 say their first order of business
is seeking common ground
among the citizens of the county. George Lucier, Carl
Thompson and Tom
Vanderbeck have been studying
the problems that affect all
parts of the county and proclaim their commitment to serving all their constituents. They
urge citizens to write or E-mail
LUCIER
them; to let them know what
your concerns are because
they’re listening.
“We know that the people
who voted ‘yes’ on the redistricting issue thought they were
doing their best for their own
interests and the county’s interests,” Lucier said. “We know
they were sincere in their
THOMPSON
beliefs.”
Vanderbeck added, “All citiVote for George Lucier zens need to know that their
on May 2
voices will be heard and their
Visit www.lucier4chatham.com
opinions valued.”
to learn more.
Thompson, who represents
the western part of the county,
P.O.
Box 165
said people
in his district should
Pittsboro,
rest assured NC
that27312-0165
he and all the
other
Commissioners
know the
www.Vanderbeck4Chatham.org
need
for
more
employment
VANDERBECK
opportunities. “Not just jobs,”
Paid for bysaid.
Committee
to that
Electpay
Tom
Vanderbeck
Thompson
“but those
a living
wage
and decent benefits.”
The Commissioners-elect favored continuing
countywide voting for Commissioners because they
believe it best respects the will the people of
Chatham County. Now they believe that the citizens
of the county can put the election behind them and
find common ground and work together to build the
kind of future we all want.
Toward this end, Vanderbeck has suggested that
the Commissioner’s meetings be held in different districts throughout the year to make it easy for citizens
to attend and speak up. All the Commissioners will
be appointing countywide citizens groups to get
diverse groups of people together in problem-solving.
They believe that representative government will
energize citizens in working toward common goals
such as creating better schools, providing more and
better recreational opportunities and improved
healthcare services.
Commissioner, District 3
I am a staunch advocate of Open Government Commissioners have an obligation to
encourage public input in the decision-making process, not discourage it. Government
works best when all voices are heard. We need to take advantage of the wonderful
diversity of perspectives in Chatham.
I vow to implement the Land Use Plan Chatham County should continue to grow, but
not at a pace that exceeds our ability to build schools, maintain our agricultural heritage,
provide water, and protect our rural environment. We cannot afford to approve every
development, as the current Board majority has done.
I know the value of a Strong Educational System Commissioners must work better with
the School Board to provide strong schools that give our youth the best educational
opportunities. Nothing is more important than the well-being of our children.
V O T E FO R
I will insist on a Real Economic Development Plan Our current Economic Development
Commission is stagnant, ineffective and a waste of our tax dollars. I will work hard to
bring good jobs to Chatham County so that citizens can both live and work here. I will
work to strengthen our tax base so that citizens are not taxed out of their homes and
land.
TOM VANDERBECK
I pledge to Work with our Municipalities We need to work more effectively with the
towns of Pittsboro, Siler City and Goldston. We all have a common interest in economic
growth, education and protection of the environment. There is a vast amount of talent
and expertise in our county, our municipalities and in our citizens. I will bring my
experience in consensus building to the process of seeking common ground.
Chatham County Commissioner
Restoring Truth,
Honesty and
Integrity
Chatham County needs real leadership and vision NOW. My experience as Planning
Board Chair and as director of a large RTP organization, has given me the insight and
experience to lead effectively. As your Commissioner, I will listen to all perspectives,
be an ardent advocate for the future well-being of our County, and will work to forge
solutions that benefit all of Chatham’s citizens. I will work hard to earn your trust.
I respectfully ask for your vote.
Paid for by the Committee to Elect George Lucier
CC On Line.indd 1
The holiday season in our area
exemplifies hustle
and bustle of shopping and festivities,
but we have a great
balance of the quieter side that allows
us to escape from the
chaos. Each year, we
strive to find that
perfect gift that will
exclaim wow for the
recipient and will
Fearrington Village lights up for the holidays.
create a sense of
PHOTO BY JOHN SHILLITO
envy by everyone
Valley Railway’s Holiday Train Rides
else. It’s hard to find unique presents; howev(December 2, 3, 9, 10) where Santa rides along
er, it’s actually very easy in Chatham County.
Distinctive finds include award-winning bottles with candy canes for all! If you’re into art, try
the Art Market in Siler City (December 2, 3)
of wine from Horizon Cellars or Silk Hope
or the Studio Tour (December 2, 3, 9,10).
Winery, gourmet confections from Southern
Fearrington Village offers annual and new
Supreme, and gift certificates galore from a
events for celebrating the holiday season. The
myriad of our shops.
Village will be decked in innovative holiday
Creativity is key when shopping and spots
decorations including grapevine balls, tin sollike the Chatham Marketplace, which opened
diers, teddy bears, wreaths and uniquely decothis year, make it simple and fun.
rated trees throughout the holiday period. New
The holiday season brings with it numerous
this year is the Holiday Market, two Sundays
activities for all ages. Start the day with a
in December (3, 10). Inspired by the delightful
Sunday brunch at Chatham Marketplace or
General Store Café — get the energy flowing.
CELEBRATE continued on page 11.
Make a trek to take a train at New Hope
Mayor Voller: Pittsboro faces
challenges and opportunities
3/21/06 1:52:20 PM
NEW BOARD continued on page 10.
hot-button planning and development issues off
the public agenda of the County Commissioners
As a local Chatham County developer and
meetings, people on both sides of the aisle — be
small business owner, I see things a little differthey one party or philosophy or another — actuently from the large outally share a lot of common
of-state developers start“It is not a question of ‘if’ we will ground. Privately, people
ing to build here. The
share many of the same
grow, but ‘how’ we will grow.”
county and the towns
opinions. Unfortunately, the
need to involve all the
dialogue has been far too
stakeholders in effective
polarized and strident.
RANDY VOLLER
land use planning.
One way Chatham
One of the things that really bothers me is the County can grow is by encouraging the density of
opinion, “We should just let the market sort it
population in our town cores. There citizens may
out.” For me that is too simplistic. I’m in favor of benefit by having the population concentrated
people making a profit, but not supportive of
PITTSBORO continued on page 11.
people and corporations exploiting the system in
order to benefit the few and to the detriment of
the vast majority. Unfortunately, this happens
PRSRT STD
US POSTAGE
far too often: a few people with power and
PAID
money get together to do as they please, leavPITTSBORO, NC
ing everyone else holding the bag. And the bag
PERMIT #60
can become pretty darn empty.
We are in a battle for our identity in this
*****ECRWSS*****
county and region. Who are we? Are we a
Postal Customer
summation of what is being marketed and sold
Rural
Route Boxholder
to us? Is that what we are? Or are we something greater and beyond? If you take all these
By Randy Voller
www.Chatham County Line.0rg
2
DECEMBER 2006/January 2007
briefs & announcements
dispatches
briefs
New park opens
on Haw River
Community Church
open for worship
On November 14, board members
of several key protection organizations, friends and supporters of the
Haw River
met on the
riverbank to
celebrate a
new state
park. A prime
location, this
park is at the
Haw Bridge
on U.S. 15501. Going
South on the
highway, there is already a gravel
parking lot used for unloading kayaks
and canoes as well as by people enjoying the hiking trails along the river.
The North Carolina Parks service will
oversee care of the 82-acre property.
The site of the scenic falls on the
river, the tract is across the river
from a 40-acre natural area that was
added to the Lower Haw River park
area in September. The Triangle
Land Conservancy and the Haw
River Assembly worked together to
acquire these properties and protect
the Haw watershed. This is a significant contribution indeed considering
that the Pittsboro drinking water
intake is at this location and water
quality will be permanently maintained.
The land gift was made to the
North Carolina Botanical Gardens
and sold for the park. The proceeds
will go to the gardens’ new Visitor
Center. The Triangle Land
Conservancy and the Haw River
Assembly are to be congratulated for
successfully bringing a dream to reality. The citizens of Chatham County
and future generations of North
Carolinians will continue boating,
hiking and enjoying this beautiful area
for many years.
— Mary Bastin
Chatham Community Church is
now conducting weekly Sunday services at 5:15 p.m. Meetings are temporarily being held at Perry Harrison
Elementary School, 2655 Hamlet
Chapel Road.
The core group of Chatham
Community Church comes from
Chapel Hill Bible Church, which, in
recent years, has helped to establish
several new churches, including
Emmaus Way. In 1970, 20 Biblebelieving Christians, many of them
students and faculty at the University
of North Carolina, stepped out in
faith and started the Bible Church.
Over 1,500 people, representing more
than 40 different nationalities, currently attend the church.
Pastor Randy Russell, who has 26
years of pastoral experience with the
Chapel Hill Bible Church, is serving
as the interim leader for Chatham
Community Church. For more information, he can be reached at
919.408.0310, ext. 107 or at
[email protected].
Light up Fridays
with luminaries
Friday nights in December the
Pittsboro Merchants Association will
be lighting luminaries around the
Court House Circle and refreshments will be served at select businesses from 6-8 p.m. Support your
local merchants and downtown
Pittsboro. Go to pittsboroshops.com
for more information about area
merchants or call 919.260.9725 for
more information.
The Hispanic Liaison/ El Vínculo
Hispano will host a Burrito Bash on
Monday, December 11 at the General
Store Cafe in
Pittsboro.
Join us for an
evening of
fun, food,
music and
dancing.
Come at 6
p.m. for a
free Salsa lesson with Adam Phillips, professional
ballroom dance instructor. At 7,
practice your moves to the sound of
the acclaimed trio Saludos Compay,
Expires Feb.1, 2007
Tony Sullivan, owner
23 Rectory Street, Suite B, Pittsboro
542-3970 • www.casullivan.com
10
%
off
Expand your outdoor
space into living space
Diverse programs
at Marketplace
Neattie the Clown visits the
Chatham Marketplace Café
Wednesday, December 13, 10:30-11:15
a.m. Perfect for the 2- to 5-year old
set, there will be balloon creations for
all, stories and face painting.
Just in time for New Year’s resolutions, Christina Hristakos will present a
program on “Conscious Weight Loss”
on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 6:30 p.m.
An Open Mic and Poetry Slam will
take place Saturday, Jan. 13, 4-7 p.m.
Chatham Marketplace is located at
480 Hillsboro Street in Pittsboro.
On Thursday, January 25, at 7
p.m., it will host, Movie Night at
Central Carolina Community College,
with the film Affluenza. $5 suggested
donation.
Chatham Marketplace can be
reached at 542.2643. It website is
www.chathammarketplace.coop.
import & domestic
SCREENED PORCHES AND DECKS
Walter Lane
Office 919.933.4044
Mobile 919.730.3124
Fax
919.933.6246
www.screenporchanddecks.com
Ask About
Outdoor
Kitchens!
Carolina Meadows, an exceptional continuing care retirement community in Chapel Hill, is supplying
cold weather wear for needy children in
Chatham
County. Both
staff and residents of
Carolina
Meadows are
committed to
giving back to
the community in which
they live and work. Through a donation made to Joint Orange-Chatham
Community Action, Inc. (JOCCA)
children from economically-disadvantaged households in Chatham
County will be given warm coats for
the winter.
The program is called Operation
Kozy Kids and eligibility is based on
income guidelines. To apply parents
and /or guardians may contact Sheryl
Andrews, JOCCA Community
Services Block Grant Director, at
919.542.4781 ext. 27.
CHATHAM
automotive services
127 Thompson Street, Pittsboro
919–542–1114
se habla español
Carolina Meadows
shares the warmth
Got briefs? Fax your news to
919.932.2602 or email us at [email protected]
El Vinculo Hispano
to host Burrito Bash
Pittsboro’s Specialty Music Store
New, Vintage and Custom
Instruments of Exceptional Quality
• More than 35 years experience
• Stringed instrument repair
• Lessons for all ages
• Reasonable rates
• All work guaranteed
• Custom-built instruments
offering traditional and contemporary Latin music.
There will also be a live auction of
fabulous local art, gifts and more.
Guests can do holiday shopping and
support a worthy local cause
Tickets are for sale at The
Hispanic Liaison and the General
Store Cafe — $12 in advance and $15
at the door. It Includes a delicious
burrito plate and fixings.
For more information, call us at
919.742.1448 or visit www.evhnc.org.
Chatham County
Line is growing and
we are looking for
some help selling
ads. If you want parttime work and enjoy
meeting new people,
give us a call.
933-6492.
[email protected]
County
Line
“ where all voices are heard ”
ESTABLISHED IN 1999
P.O. Box 1357
Carrboro, NC 27510
phone: 919.933.6492
fax: 919.932.2602
[email protected]
Chatham County Line is a community newspaper serving all of
Chatham County as well as the southern part of Orange. Our mission is to
inform our community by providing a
forum “where all voices are heard.”
We seek all views and ideas about our
community, and we report on important matters — including our cultural
life — comprehensively and in depth.
Our commitment is to create the bestwritten, best-edited and most stylish
community newspaper anywhere.
Chatham County Line is published ten
times a year.
Editor & Publisher
Julian Sereno
Marketing Director
Mary Bastin
Designer
Kelly Prelipp Lojk
Web site design
UniqueOrn.com
Chatham County Line is wholly owned
by Avanti Media Consultants, LLC.
© 2006 Chatham County Line
Chatham County Line
3
History is alive at BelleHavre
By Reba Curtis
We transformed the 1842
plantation style HaughtonMcIver House in Gulf into a living history, not just a history of
the house, but also of America
and the Old South. The house,
originally built by one of the
largest plantation and slave
owners of Chatham Country,
remains intact, an important
landmark of the county, and
must be preserved as a tribute to
and inheritance from the past.
We chose artifacts that express
the period, how people lived,
through good times and bad. We
hope one can walk through
BelleHavre, feel the spirit of history, perhaps recall the tradtions
of an era long ago…
The musket and swords
hanging prominently in the
library bestow visions of young
soldiers burdoned with their
weight and confronting for the first
time their duties and fears in pointing
them at their foes to kill or be killed.
One has to marvel at the work of
slaves who built the massive 10-foot
hand-carved doors off the dining
room, cut from the timber off the
plantation; and
respect their freedom from slavery in Neighbor
viewing an 1865
print of the
Emancipation Proclamation. The battle histories are contained in an
extensive Civil War library; but the
picture called “The Widow” quickly
tells the story as a grieving widow
dressed in black stoops over her husband’s gravesite in tears where, if one
looks closely, you will see the faint
impression of a ghostly soldier rising
from the tombstone to comfort her.
One wonders at the uncountable sacrifices made by the families on both
sides of the conflict, and the tragedy
of Americans killing one another, so
resolute in their beliefs.
While the era displays hard times,
death and destruction, there was also
romance, beauty and tradition. So
much care and human life are reflected in the beauty and detail of handcarved furniture, hand-painted china,
etched silver and vintage lace linens.
These items are life renewing itself as
one realizes the hours and years these
individuals took to create their works,
many of which are considered today
as treasured works of art. Details are
abundantly displayed to demonstrate
Give your Furniture a
MAKEOVER!
• Re-upholstery
• Repairs
• Refinishing
• Restoring
• Custom built
furniture
Call for
a FREE
estimate
today!
DURHAMUPHOLSTERY
The Haughton-McIver House in Gulf, now the BelleHavre Bed and Breakfast,
preserves the grandeur of the Old South. The library (left) includes intricate
woodwork.
PHOTOS BY JOHN SHILLITO
the times, which also includes the use
of candleabras, chamber pots at the
bedside or a coal bed warmer at the
threshold of a fireplace.
There is something fascinating
about this house, and walking along
the nearby country roads, or crossing
a bridge that has
been crossed for a
to Neighbor hundred years over
and over by others.
At dusk when
everything is quiet, it could be 1850
once more, and you almost hope to
see riders on their horses coming
from around the bend. St. Mark’s
Cemetery, the gravesite of the original plantation owners of the house,
still sits up the street. One must take
a moment to quietly read their names
etched upon the tombstones. You
may not know them, but most
assuredly must pay tribute as they tell
the story of their lives and suffering.
As you read the names of the plantation owners and their wives, their
lives smitten during childbirth and
buried with their babes; their young
children dying of typhoid and other
diseases, or perhaps due to the occasional drought and crop shortages
affecting all; their sons who fought
for the cause and their slaves buried
on the outside edges of the cemetary,
one then knows their lives were not
lost in vain. They may have been
born in our house, maybe rode down
the sturdy bannister in play, watched
in anticipation as their meals were
prepared from the kitchen house
and events — it’s about living and
dying and sacrifice. This house and
the area have provided us with an
overwhelming feeling of belonging
and historical understanding. People
five minutes away may ask, where is
Gulf and what is in Gulf? We say
Gulf is part of Chatham County, part
of our nation’s past, and one small
example of the history of the Old
South, yet not an insignificant
glimpse into what was once.
Reba Curtis is innkeeper at BelleHavre
Bed and Breakfast.
The Art of Potential
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DECEMBER SEMINARS
at the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Chamber of Commerce
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$15.00 each. Please RSVP to 919.360.7957
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Holiday Dinners and
Parties Start at Cliff ’s
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on your land?
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CLIFF’S MEAT MARKET
919-682-8301
809 Midland Terrace, Durham
Email: [email protected]
www.durhamupholstery.com
away in the back, then their lives
were suddenly cut short, never to
experience the fullness of being. But,
we remember.
I must say here that one does not
really ever own a historical house or
objects, we are merely the custodians
of history to be passed on to future
generations. While we entertain our
guests in the elegance of the Old
South, we hope they do not leave
without understanding many aspects
of the time.
To us BelleHave is a retreat into
history and not just a rehash of dates
Homes
100 W. Main Street, Carrboro
Call in your orders: 942-2196
4
’Tis the season to be jolly – are you?
Advice
Line
by Dr. Betty
Phillips
Sleigh bells, Santa, family opening
presents and gathering around the
holiday feast — a recipe for happiness. Or is it? Many people feel the
time and effort is worth it to enjoy
the holidays and family celebrations.
But — what about you? Some
Chatham County readers have asked
for suggestions about how to cope
with holiday depression.
It’s especially difficult to feel anxious
or depressed when you are “supposed”
to feel happy or joyous. The contrast
between Christmas merriment and personal unhappy feelings may create even
more distress. According to the grass is
greener theory, “everyone else” is
happy and you feel out of place when
you can’t be like everyone else. Many
solutions are possible for this dilemma.
I would group them in two categories:
understanding feelings and family
dynamics; and developing coping skills
to increase personal happiness.
It is important to understand that
no one enjoys the Merry
BULEY & REYNOLDS
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Christmas/Happy New Year stereotype
100 percent of the time. The emotional
and financial burdens of the holiday
season take a heavy toll on everyone.
Family activities, presents and meals
deplete valuable time, financial
resources and energy, especially during
the fever pitch leading up to Christmas
day. The overly optimistic expectations
of the season invariably lead to disappointment. Understanding that tired
and down feelings are usual and
expected during the holiday season may
provide some perspective that some of
these feelings are indeed very normal.
Another important factor in understanding holiday blues is the realization
that optimal family functioning is
impossible, that many family activities
will disappoint these rosy expectations
and that some families are unsupportive or even dysfunctional. The contrast
between our desires and yearnings for
family love and comfort versus the
reality of angry and stressful interactions may lead to feelings of depression
and even hopelessness. When family
interactions are disappointing, it is
usually important to keep trying for
family improvement rather than giving
up. When family interactions are clearly dysfunctional, therapeutic intervention can be quite helpful.
A new church community
where ever yone is welcome
Mon, Wed, Fri 8–5
Tues, Thurs 8–6:30
Sunday School at 9:00
Sunday Worship at 10:00
Chatham Crossing Shopping Center
Dockside Seafood Restaurant
Cole Park Plaza, 15-501 South
919-960-0616 • www.citppc.org
(behind Dominos)
(919) 933-1110
Happy Holidays!
10%
off
your
pet’s
first
exam
Hope Crossing Animal Hospital
15/501, just north of Allen & Son Bar-B-Que
(919) 542-1975
ORCHIDS
The Perfect
Holiday Gift
or
Centerpiece
919.542.6887
2698 Hanks
Chapel Road
Pittsboro
www.orchidsbyhankschapel.com
AUDIO • VIDEO • COMPUTER
Get Plugged in
for the Holidays!
Used Laptops, TVs and Home Audio
Equipment, Music Accessories
919-968-1109
Bigger store,
New location —
"The Grabbar Guy"
919.967.7355
Chatham Crossing,
Chapel Hill
Mark Nimmo, owner
BUY • SELL • TRADE
[email protected]
Need advice?
Send Dr. Betty Phillips questions
about individual, relationship,
marriage or family issues to
[email protected] or 466
Eagle Point Road, Pittsboro 27312.
Questions can be anonymous. Betty
looks forward to hearing from you!
In the holiday and family context,
as an individual you have the right and
the need to optimize your own happiness. Happiness is really a state of
mind which can be achieved whatever
the situation. Your determination to
maximize your happiness is a form of
self care which has nothing to do with
selfishness. Simply put, if you have a
choice between feeling happy or
unhappy, which would you choose?
You always have this choice to turn
your thoughts and feelings into a positive or unhappy state of mind. One
tool which would help increase happiness on a daily basis would be to list
and think about three things which
made you feel positive and happy that
day. Over time this practice will lead to
greater feelings of peace and contentment. Since it is easier to change your
thoughts than your affective state,
begin to realize that external events
always provide choices for you to feel
happy or unhappy. Positive life events
are usually a no-brainer in inducing
feelings of happiness. But how can we
cope with adversity? I do this myself,
whenever necessary asking myself to
turn my attention to finding whatever
is positive in every situation. How, you
ask, is it possible to find happiness in
tragedy; for example, if your beloved
family member is in the hospital,
where is the enjoyment? Of course
there is no enjoyment, but you can
find some happiness and peace by
focusing in on the positive feelings of
love and care you can share with your
sick family member.
For more info, consult You Can Be
Happy No Matter What by Richard
Carlson. My website, www.Betty
PhillipsPsychology.com, has additional
articles in the Reading Room on
achieving happiness and optimism.
Chatham County Line
5
Mystery of the vanishing naval hero
Revolutionary War. Aboard the
“President” and during further assignments to the “John Adams” and the
“Congress” he gained valuable experience while battling the Tripoli pirates
by Fred J. Vatter
for several years. The “John Adams”,
a southern built ship of 600 tons was
Although located in the center of
small as frigates went, but very fast.
North Carolina, far removed from the
In 1803 it arrived alone off Tripoli
salty sea, Chatham has nurtured at
when two accompanying vessels
least two legendary naval heroes. One
required repair. The “Adams” accuof these, Lt. Commanding James
rate gunnery caused substantial damIredell Waddell, became famous as the
age to the capital, including the
master of the Confederate
Pasha’s palace. In addition,
raider, Shenandoah, on its
it captured the Tripoli vesremarkable 58,000 mile voysel “Meshonda”, formerly
age around the world to decithe US cruiser Betsy,
mate the Union whaling fleet
which the pirates had conin the Pacific. He is comquered on its maiden voymemorated by a historical
age.
marker on Hillsborough
Blakeley was commisStreet in Pittsboro and his
sioned a Lieutenant in
story was featured in this col1807 and four years later
umn back in July 2000.
he was given his first comJohnston Blakeley, a hero
mand, the “Enterprise.”
in an earlier conflict, the
He apparently performed
War of 1812, was not born in
well and was commissioned
Chatham, but spent his
a Master Commandant in
formative years at the elegant
July 1812. A month earlier,
home of his legal guardian
the United States had
Edward Jones. The latter
declared war on Great
estate, known as Rock Rest,
Britain because of its
was located several miles
seizure of American vessels
northeast of Pittsboro.
and the impressments of
Blakely was born in
American seamen.
Seaforth, County Down,
The Americans had
Ireland, in October 1781.
only 17 cruisers and the
The following year his family
British had over 800 ships,
Though he was born in Ireland, Johnston Blakely called
set sail for America, where
but Johnston Blakeley
Chatham County home in his adult years.
his father, John Blakeley,
eagerly roamed the
hoped to use his expertise in
Atlantic to hunt down
the grocery and wine business to good the Haw River, which they named
British privateers. On August 20,
advantage in a growing economy. The
1813 he captured the “Fly” and at the
Rock Rest. Here Jones founded a
elder Blakeley briefly tried
same time was named captain of the
girl’s school for his daughter to operPhiladelphia, then Charleston, and
“Wasp”, a new ship being completed
ate, which soon moved to Kelvin in
finally settled in Wilmington, North
in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Pittsboro. The latter still stood until a
Carolina. Sadly, Mrs. Marie Blakeley
Blakeley used the interval before comfew years ago when it was torn down
and all her children except Johnston
pletion to train his crew of 173 men
and replaced by town houses.
died, perhaps of the yellow fever then
and officers, but also took time to
Johnston Blakeley joined the Jones
rampant in the coastal Carolinas.
court and wed Jane Ann Hooper, the
family at Rock Rest and in 1796
John Blakeley worked hard to probeautiful daughter of a merchant
enrolled at the university in Chapel
vide a good living for young Johnston
friend of his late father.
Hill. He spent much of his spare time
and himself. Soon he became a sucDuty interrupted his time for love,
at Rock Rest and told anyone who
cessful grocer and real estate investor.
and on May 1, 1814 Blakeley set sail
asked that he was from Chatham.
Young Johnston was sent away from
aboard the Wasp toward the English
The school, still in its infancy, had
Channel to attack the British meronly 86 students. All of these
were crowded into 14 rooms in chant fleet. His first encounter was
with a powerful British warship, the
its only dormitory, which was
“Reindeer”, which he decisively
described as being “infested
defeated. The surviving crew memwith bedbugs.” At least half of
bers were captured but the ship was
the student body came down
so badly damaged that Blakeley decidwith the mumps.
ed to burn it rather than keep it as a
Johnston supported himself
prize.
with income from his father’s
After capturing a number of addiestate, which included waretional vessels, the “Wasp” stopped
houses in Wilmington, until
The U.S.S. Wasp in an engagement with H.M.S. they were destroyed by fire.
for repairs at L’Orient, France. Seven
Reindeer in 1814. Commanded by Johnston
weeks later Blakeley again put to sea,
His guardian, Edward Jones,
Blakely, the Wasp captured the the British ship offered to aid him financially
looking for action. He found it in the
after 19 minutes of fighting.
British sloop of war, “Avon”, which
while he finished his studies,
surrendered after a 45 minute fight.
but young Blakeley declined
the bad coastal climate to study at a
Upon the approach of a force of
the offer and left the University in
prestigious academy in Brooklyn, New 1799 at the end of his junior year. His
superior British ships, Blakeley disYork, that had in its student body a
creetly retired from the scene.
late father and Edward Jones had
number of southern young men.
During its cruise the “Wasp” had
hoped that Blakeley would study law,
When Johnston returned to
captured 15 vessels, and now was
for which he held little interest.
Wilmington after five years, he still
sailing toward the southwest. On
Instead he joined the U.S. Navy as a
had no clear-cut idea of what to do
October 19, 1814, the “Wasp” met
midshipman on March 15, 1800.
with his life.
the Swedish brig, “Adonis”, and after
Blakeley’s first assignment was to
The Blakeley and Edward Jones’
the captains had exchanged courtethe frigate “President,” the 44-gun
families had been friends since their
sies, Blakeley and his vessel sailed on
flagship of a fleet commanded by
days in Ireland. Jones had become a
over the horizon, never to be seen or
Commodore Dale, who had been a
prominent Wilmington attorney and
heard from again.
favorite of John Paul Jones during the
Chatham’s
Historical
Heritage
had been elected to the North
Carolina legislature in 1788 while still
a law student. John Blakeley requested Edward Jones to help guide young
Johnston in choosing a career, hopefully the study of law at the new university in Chapel Hill. When John
died in February 1797 Jones became
Johnston’s legal guardian.
As was the case with many wellto-do coastal families, the Jones family moved to Chatham County, acquiring a 450-acre parcel on the banks of
The mysterious disappearance of
Johnston Blakeley and the Wasp was
never solved, but plenty of rumors
were spawned. A badly damaged
British cruiser called at Cadiz and
reported that it had been in a furious
night battle with a large American
ship which suddenly disappeared.
Another rumor had the Wasp
wrecked on the African coast and its
crew captured by Arabs. Still another
story was that the Wasp had reached
the South Carolina coast and engaged
a British frigate of superior strength,
beat it off, but sunk herself. The tragic
event will probably remain one of the
unsolved mysteries of the sea.
Johnston Blakeley never got to see
his baby daughter, Maria Udney, who
was born in 1815, but the Federal and
North Carolina State governments
are said to have provided for their
support. Eventually, Mrs. Blakeley
moved to St. Croix in the West
Indies and remarried. Daughter
Maria also married in the West
Indies, but in 1841 died in childbirth
at the age of 27.
Blakely’s bloodline had disappeared, but tales of his valor and
accomplishments lived on to inspire
American sailors for many years.
Fred J. Vatter is president of the
Chatham Historical Society, an organization for which he is also a board
member and museum curator.
Heartwood Realty
Your Open Door to Chatham County
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6
Sparks will fly on Studio Tour
By Forrest Greenslade
On Saturday December 9,
renowned metal sculptor Kevin
Eichner will excite visitors to the
Chatham Open Studio Tour with a
demonstration of iron casting at his
MMoA studio in Moncure. Sculptors
from all around the region will gather
at studio number 50 to pour molten
iron into rock–hard sand molds, producing a variety of metal sculptures.
“An iron pour is thrilling,” notes
Carolina Community College
(CCCC) metal sculpture student
Carlyne Thomas. “Sparks fly everywhere.” Several of Eichner’s CCCC
students are among the artists participating in the iron pour.
Eichner is a graduate of State
University of New York College at
Buffalo, and holds a MFA from East
Carolina University. Eichner’s wellknown organic twisted I-beam sculptures are found all over the country.
“An I-beam is typically thought of as a
stiff, rigid, structural steel used in the
construction of buildings and
bridges,” he said. “I make the beam
breathe. Each begins to blossom and
they all continue to grow. The beams
represent the individuals and their
relationship to each other ... the I’s
become the WE.”
The Chatham Artists Guild holds
the annual Chatham Open Studio
Tour, one of the oldest in North
Carolina. The Chatham Tour is a prototype for other area studio tours, and
a highly respected art venue. The
2006 Tour will be December 2, 3, 9
and 10. A total of 52 artists and artisans will open their studios, and discuss their work with folks who come
to the Tour. A brochure with pictures
and a detailed map makes the excursion to visit the artist studios both
easy and fun.
A selection of works by Tour
artists will be shown at the Central
Carolina Community College
(CCCC) Pittsboro Campus from
Friday evening, December 1 through
Sunday, December 3. Artists will also
display their works at the Artcenter
Gallery in Carrboro through
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Eichner
pours
molten iron
at his
MMoA
studio.
PHOTO BY
M. WALLER
December 14.
For more information visit
www.chathamstudiotour.com
Dr. Forrest Greenslade spent his work-
ing life as a scientist and organizational executive. In retirement, he is busy
as a writer and sculptor. His sculpture
garden is number 26 in the 2006
Chatham Artists Guild Studio Tour.
In praise of Christianity
By Jeff Davidson
Across America, a small, insidious
change is occurring. News organizations are reporting that thousands of
mayors and school officials wrestle daily
with the dilemma of how to observe
Christmas and other Christian holidays
in a stifling culture of “political correctness.” Put plainly, in their quest to be
receptive to all, some groups have taken
it upon themselves to remove from
American streets and public buildings
of any vestiges of religion in general,
Christianity in particular. The perpetrators of such efforts hide behind words
such as “tolerance” and “diversity,”
claiming that they merely wish to avoid
offending people of different faiths.
As a Jew I have lived in Christian
America all my life. Except for a handful of entirely forgettable incidences of
grammar school playground name-calling, I have never felt anything less than
welcome in America from the time I
could first formulate coherent and lasting thoughts, to this day.
While Christianity has certainly had
its growing pains through the ages, and
Christian persecution of Jews lasted for
centuries, for at least the last three
decades, no religion that I’ve observed
comes as close to practicing what it
preaches.
I ought to know, I have visited 46
states in the union and 45 countries
around the world. I’ve had the opportunity to step into the hallowed halls
and shrines of the world’s great religions and in many cases have observed
first-hand how people’s actions and
behaviors square with their religious
doctrine.
I find Christians to be among the
most charitable, understanding, and tolerant people on the planet. In a day
and age of tough choices, they are the
greatest supporters of the Jews — and
of Israel and its right to exist — and the
Moslems, and the Hindus, and of religions I can’t even name. I am glad I
live in a Christian nation and given the
options around the globe, wouldn’t
have it any other way.
The “politically correct” thought
police, however, have declared war on
public displays of Christianity in
America. Their agenda is to strip public America of its last vestiges of
Christianity, as if somehow, that will
make us a better, more open, more tolerant society. It won’t. These thought
police have decided that America’s
majority religion and those who practice
it are disturbing to our democratic
structure. They blindly quote phrases
such as “separation of church and
state” although this phrase is not contained in the U.S. Constitution or in
any official U.S. document. For the
record, it appeared in Thomas
Jefferson’s letter to a Baptist congregation in his effort to alleviate any fears
that the state would make dictates to
the church.
The Constitution says, “Congress
shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the
free exercise thereof…”
This means Congress cannot make
any laws regarding religion, and
Congress cannot pass any law establishing a state-mandated religion. Public
displays of religion, even by a government jurisdiction, are entirely allowable.
Public America, stripped free of its
religious symbolism, forced to endure a
meaningless annual parade of lights —
instead of a Christmas parade — with
its Christian trappings marginalized, is
not a place where I want to be. The
thought police don’t understand that
they are no better than those with
whom they are apparently in conflict.
In a genuinely tolerant and open society, people of any faith are free to celebrate their beliefs.
If one particular faith was predominant at the founding and remains so to
this day, that does not preclude others
CHRISTIANITY continued on page 7.
Chatham County Line
CHRISTIANITY
continued from page 6.
from celebrating their faiths.
From first grade on, when I attended
my school’s annual Christmas Pageant,
I was not offended because eight songs
in a row mentioned Christmas, Jesus,
or Bethlehem. Then as now, I had
options. I could skip going to the
assembly or I could attend but not sing
along. Or I could do what I chose to do
in each and every instance: attend, not
sing along, but be caught up in the
merriment of the day.
My gentile classmates did not expect
me to forsake my religion and I did not
expect them to modify their festival to
accommodate me. The fact that it was
a public school was of no consequence.
If I were to move to the Philippines,
Indonesia, Egypt or Turkey, I would not
expect any public or private celebrations
held there to be changed to accommodate me. Remaining free and being
respected would be sufficient. Would
any astute American moving to any of
those countries expect their societies to
diminish their public and private religious celebrations so as to accommodate them?
Hardly. Fellow citizens who are
Christian, I and other Jews lend our
voices to safeguarding America for public and private expressions of
Christianity as well as those of other
peaceful, tolerant religions.
Jeff Davidson, a Chapel Hill resident,
is author of Breathing Space: Living &
Working at a Comfortable Pace in a
Sped-Up Society.
7
Giving thanks for high water
Pre-Thanksgiving torrential rains washed away the last remnants of drought.
On Jordan Lake, the ramp at the Marina, usually leading down to the floats,
is horizontal. The level of the lake the day after Thanksgiving was about
8.6 feet above the usual table of 216 feet, and it went up a fraction of a
foot on that Saturday.
Integrated
Water
Strategies
© PHOTO BY JOHN SHILLITO
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(One Charming Location:
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The Fearrington House
• Protect the watershed
Sophisticated regional cuisine with a
European influence, fine wines, and
exemplary service. 29 Zagat points for
Dining. Best of Award of Excellence from
the Wine Spectator.
• Grow gardens
• Provide irrigation during
times of drought
The Old Granary
Our newest restaurant, The Old Granary,
offers upscale Southern cuisine in a
casual full-service restaurant and bar.
Lunch, Brunch & Dinner.
The Belted Goat
Grilled panini, gourmet soups & salads,
artisinal cheeses, great wines, houseroasted coffee, and hand-made pastries,
desserts and chocolate truffles.
For hours, menus, and online reservations,
visit www.fearrington.com | 919.542.2121
Just 8 miles south of Chapel Hill on US15-501
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1434 Farrington Road
Suite 600, Apex
919.367.8565
www.waterrecycling.com
8
Shop
Pittsboro
Shop locally and enjoy the season!
When you shop Pittsboro, you’ll find convenient parking, good restaurants,
friendly shopkeepers and the joy and beauty of the holidays. This December, most
of our shops will be open Friday evenings until 8 pm. Won’t you join us?
A walkable, friendly, genuine home town. Visit our website: www.pittsboroshops.com
Featured Place S New Horizons: From eclectic to elegant — all under one roof!
W
here in Pittsboro can you find a pair of shoes for work? Or an
outfit for next weekend’s party? Or even that perfect gift for
your co-worker? Why at New Horizons Trading Company, of
course! Located at 52 Hillsboro Street, in the heart of historic downtown
Pittsboro, New Horizons Trading Company carries a wide range of
merchandise for almost any occasion.
New Horizons began in 1996 as a wholesale
business specializing in Christmas
merchandise. Owner Catherine Mills had a
showroom in Atlanta where she would exhibit
her merchandise to buyers from all over the
United States. In North Carolina her
warehouse was in Durham, but she wanted to
move her operations to Pittsboro where she
could have a small retail storefront. She found
a perfect spot on East Salisbury Street where Side
Street Gallery currently resides. After a year or so she
realized that she enjoyed the retail part of her business much more than
the wholesale and so in 2000 she sold all of her wholesale inventory and
moved around to her current location beside The Scoreboard.
With the move to 52 Hillsboro Street she introduced ladies clothing
and shoes. “People always asked me, ‘when are you going to start selling
clothes?’ so I decided to listen to them and explore this avenue.”
The shoe and apparel part of New Horizons has been well received by
her clients. The styles range from natural fiber clothing by companies
such as Cut-Loose, Flax, Russ Berens, Pure, Willow and Sacred Threads, to
a more batik-oriented look from
Nomadic Traders or Eagle Ray
Traders to dressier styles from Lily,
Momentum or White Rice.
Annie B and
The Black &
White Guy
Locally owned and operated by
Anne and Tony Baker
Traditional and Digital
Photo/Graphics Services Lab
FLYNTHILL FARM
Friendly &
Dependable
Black & White and Slide Film Processing
Restorations and Revisionism
Digital Film Printing • All Media Scanning
Slide Writing • Pre-Press Prep
Copy Negatives / Copy Slides
17 Hillsboro Street, Pittsboro • 542-5722
[email protected]
Edwards
Antiques & Collectibles
Specializing in:
Vintage North Carolina Pottery
Mission Furnishings & Accessories
Vintage Stringed Instruments
Fiesta and Russel Wright
dinnerware from the ’30s-’60s.
89 Hillsboro St. Pittsboro
Cindy & Tom Edwards, 542-5649
Email: [email protected]
all
Giftffs
o
Catherine Mills sets up a display in her store, New Horizons
Currently there is a wide selection to choose from and a great many
holiday outfits in stock.
In addition, they’re really excited to have started carrying Jag jeans as
well as an extensive offering of Life is Good merchandise.
Dansko, Merrell, Naot and Crocs are the main shoe lines at New
Horizons. They have one of the best selections of Danskos in the
Triangle. Any style of shoe from any of the companies New Horizons
carries can easily be ordered if they don’t have it in stock. The Crocs
phenomenon has been quite astounding and New Horizons has a wide
variety of styles, sizes and colors to choose from in women’s, children’s
and men’s sizes. In addition they have recently started selling Jibbitz
FrenchConnections
• African Baskets and Beads
• French and African Fabrics
• French Pottery
• Carvings • Fine Antiques
Landscaping
Services
Neil Flynt
RosemaryHouse
Bed&Breakfast
Gracious, Comfortable
Guest Rooms
Afternoon Tea
by Reservation
Gift Certificates Available
919.542.5308
2411 Hwy 64 West
Pittsboro
178 Hillsboro Street, Pittsboro
919.545.9296 • www.french-nc.com
Visit our website for Holiday Hours
in Historic Pittsboro, 76 West St.
888.643.2017 • 919.542.5515
www.rosemary-bb.com
Rosemary…for friendship and remembrance
a’s
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A
Salon and European Skin Care
Apparel
Gifts
Jewelry
Get pampered, refreshed and
rejuvenated — because it ’s all about you!
Gift Certificates and Special
Packages available for the Holidays!
Hours from Nov 24 thru Dec 24
Mon–Thurs and Sat: 11 am -5 pm
Friday: 11 am–8 pm • Sunday: 1-5 pm
Hair Care, Facials, Waxing, Massage
and Nails for Men and Women
919-542-7366
[email protected]
www.newhorizonstrading.com
919-542-6661
www.AntonellaSalon.com
We’re Delivering!
Hablamos
Español
Pittsboro Discount Drugs delivers on price and to
your door. We will match or beat a competitors price
and we deliver to the following areas Mon – Fri:
• Galloway Ridge • Walnut Grove
• Fearrington Village • Sanford
• Pittsboro Christian Village
• Cambridge Hills, Independent
• Cambridge Hills, Assisted Living
• The Preserve • Chapel Ridge
628 East Street
Have your order in by noon for afternoon delivery.
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Chatham County Line
9
(Crocs jewelry) to accessorize them.
Accessories are very popular items at New Horizons and they have a
good selection of scarves, gloves and hats. Recently they started carrying
Scala hats in men’s as well as women’s styles which are stylish and great
for accessorizing as well as sun protection.
wit
$
i
FRESH CHRISTMAS TREES! Plus feed and
supplies for livestock, horses, chickens, goats, dogs & cats
1103 East St, Pittsboro S 919.542.2454 S 8-6 M-F; 8-3 Sat.
Visit Historic Downtown Pittsboro
each Friday evening in December
on a Holiday Stroll including
luminaries and holiday
cheer. Many of our
eclectic shops will
offer extended hours
and select stores will greet
shoppers with refreshments.
Ornaments, Poinsettias
Christmas Arrangement
Wreaths and Decorations
30-60% off All Gifts
Flynt’s Florist
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CUSTOM JEWELRY VINTAGE CLOTHING MODERN GIFTS ANTIQUE FURNISHINGS
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mas
If you have questions about anything that they carry or would like for them
to look for something for you, please call 542-7366 or e-mail
[email protected].
542–3836 • 800–257–9067
www.flyntsflorist.com
h this ad
es
Pittsboro
Feed
Chr
o discussion of New Horizons would be complete without
mentioning the eclectic gift items that they carry. New Horizons
started as a gift store and are continually expanding their
offerings in this area. It is difficult to describe all of
the different types of gifts in the store, but they can
be generally summed up as unique and eclectic.
There are great cards, books, candles, garden art,
frames, and body products as well as a good
selection of jewelry in various styles and prices. If
you need a gift for a baby or mother-to-be then you
most likely can find it at New Horizons, too.
So, the next time you need an outfit or some shoes or
are looking for the perfect gift for that special person in
your life (that special person might even be yourself!), then make sure to
stop by New Horizons Trading Company. They are open seven days a
week and will have extended hours until 8 on Friday evenings during the
month of December.
re
N
Whether it’s hiking, biking, golf or grandkids…
the Duke Center for Living at Fearrington believes that
living better is about being healthy and strong enough to
do the things you love!
Our health and fitness center offers state-of-the-art
exercise equipment, a heated pool, cushioned indoor
track, professional and caring staff, and fitness programs
that will ensure you stay in the best possible shape to…
Live Better…and enjoy the things you love!
OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY
100 Clynelish Close, Pittsboro
(South of Fearrington Village
within the Galloway Ridge Community)
Come by for a tour or
call 919-545-2133 to get started.
10
Candle lighting to unite mourning families
By Kitty Griffith
Most people find the upcoming
holiday season enjoyable and exciting,
yet exhausting – something to look
forward to. But for some, the holidays bring dread, fear and pain.
These are people whose children or
grandchildren, brothers or sisters have
died.
Memories of happier holidays
when their loved ones were alive
often tend to reinforce their sense of
loss, so many just want to crawl in
bed, pull the covers over their heads
and stay there, perhaps bawling like a
baby, until Jan. 2, when it’s all over,
thank God.
While there’s no magic potion to
cure the grief of a family whose child
is dead, keeping that child’s memory
alive and sharing those memories
with others who really understand
because they have lost children of
their own, brings healing and, occasionally laughter.
The Compassionate Friends (TCF)
is a national self-help support organization for families grieving the death
of a child. Every year on the second
Sunday in December— this year Dec.
10 – TCF sponsors a Worldwide
Candle Lighting that unites family
and friends around the globe as they
light candles for one hour to honor
and remember children who have
212 West Main Street Carrboro
(919) 942-4048
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and more. I
Hours: Mon-Sat 10am to 6pm
and Sundays 1 to 4pm
www.nccraftsgallery.com
I
On December 10, the local chapter
of The Compassionate Friends
will honor their lost children.
died at any age
from any cause.
Hundreds of formal
candle lighting
events are held and
thousands of informal candle lightings
are conducted in
homes as families
gather in quiet
remembrance of
children who have died, but will
never be forgotten.
These candle lighting ceremonies
offer bereaved families an opportunity to commemorate and honor
their children in a way that transcends all ethnic, cultural, religious,
and political boundaries. Candles
are first lit at 7 pm, local time, just
west of the International Date Line.
As candles burn down in one time
zone, they are lit in the next, creating a virtual 24-hour wave of light
as it moves from time zone to time
zone.
The Chapel Hill Area Chapter of
The Compassionate Friends, which
helps bereaved families in Chatham,
Orange and Durham counties, is
sponsoring the only formal candle
lighting being held in the Triangle this
year. Its leader, Daphne Hill of
Pittsboro, says that it will be held at
the home of Bill and Julie Coleman
on Smith Level Rd. from 6 –9 p.m.
on Dec.10.
The candle lighting ceremony
itself will be held outside under the
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stars, weather
permitting, and
will include music
and poetry.
Afterwards,
there’s a potluck
supper that is
very mellow, as
families gather
round the large
fireplace eating
delicious food while swapping pictures and stories of their now departed children.
Hill says that all bereaved families
in the Triangle or those visiting
friends nearby are invited to the candle lighting. “Bring your child’s
favorite dish to share, a framed photograph and a special candleholder if
you want to keep it as a memento,”
she says.
The Worldwide Candle Lighting
started in the United States 10 years
ago as a small Internet observance,
but has since swelled in numbers as
word has spread throughout the world
of the remembrance.
Not only does TCF have chapters
in the United States, it also has chapters in Australia, Belgium, Canada,
South Africa, Germany, the United
Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the
Philippines.
In addition to the ceremony sponsored by the Chapel Hill Area
Chapter, formal services in North
Carolina are also planned in Brevard,
Murphy and Sanford.
NEW BOARD
A memorial message board is available during the candle lighting at
TCF’s USA website www.compassionatefriends.org. Hundreds upon
hundreds of postings are received
each year from all over the United
States, as well as dozens of other
countries. Some messages are in foreign languages.
To explain why candle light is so
important, Ms. Hill, tells this story:
“A tradition pioneers in the wilderness used was to put a candle in the
northwest window during a blizzard.
Being caught out in a blizzard was a
life threatening issue. We’re not talking about any snowstorm that southerners refer to as a blizzard; a true
blizzard is a whiteout. Those caught
out in one reported an inability to see
anything or to perceive direction.
Experienced outdoorsmen would dig
into a snow bank and hunker down
for the duration; others drifted southeast with the wind. Those who caught
a glimpse of a candle were the lucky
ones.
“In a curious twist of fate, those
who have lost a child or sibling are
the lost, and they light their own candles as a touchstone, as a way to
reach out to the lost children. They
tell us that they know the children are
OK; it is the living who are lost and
seeking shelter from the storm.”
For additional information, including the exact address where the
Candle Lighting will be held locally,
go to www.compassionatefriends.org
or call 919-595-1010.
Kitty Griffith, a founder of the local
TCF chapter and its leader last year,
is the mother of Foster Terjen who
died three and one half years ago
while skiing.
Of concern to the folks in the
northeast part of the county, the
Commissioners will be dusting off
the Land Use Plan and putting new
Lucier believes that economic
ordinances in place to implement
development underlies all the initiait. “People coming into the county
tives that will be coming before the
to build houses or start businesses
Board of Commissioners.
will appreciate knowing up front
“Strengthening our economic base
what the rules are,” Lucier said.
goes beyond political
“That supports good
rhetoric,” he said. “Our
“People coming into economic development
children are our future
also.”
and providing them
There are many
the county to build
with a sound education
challenges, but the
houses or start busi- three incoming memand good jobs in the
county has to be the
bers of the Board of
nesses will appreciate Commissioners are
most important work
we do.”
working hard to fulfill
knowing up front
The three new
their vision of making
what
the
rules
are.”
Commissioners look
Chatham County the
forward to joining
greatest place to live in
Patrick Barnes from
North Carolina.
GEORGE LUCIER
District One and Mike
Thompson asks that
Cross from District
Chatham citizens
Two, who each have two more years
“come together now and work with
to serve. One of the initiatives under
us. We hope they will give us time to
discussion is working more closely
do our work and see that we want
with the towns in the county. There
Chatham to grow and develop in a
should be seamless continuity where
way that makes life better for everythe ETJ stops and the county begins.
one.”
The county supporting public water,
wastewater, infrastructure and ecoMary Bastin is a regular contributor to
nomic development in Pittsboro,
Chatham County Line, where she also
Siler City and Goldston will benefit
serves as Marketing Director. She can
everyone.
be reached at [email protected].
Chatham County Line
CELEBRATE
Christmas Markets in
Europe, Fearrington’s festive outdoor Holiday
Markets will feature
exquisite seasonal decorations, live choral music,
seasonal treats such as
mulled wine and spiced
cookies, for starters. Take
in one of the last few
Wine & Beer Tasting
Seminars of the year—
Variety of Sparkling
Wines on Dec. 6 and
Champagne on Dec. 20.
The seminars are an
added delight with the
host, Sommelier Stacey
Sondek, who is extremely
knowledgeable and wonderful company. In addition to the exceptional
cooking schools at
Fearrington, they offer a
variety of holiday getaways so treat yourself to
a memorable overnight
Fearrington Village, alight for the season, will host
holiday markets on December 3 and December 10.
with their Holiday
Gourmet, Winter, or
Christmas packages.
locations — Pittsboro Farm and
Everyone loves the lights of the
Garden (homemade cookies and cider
season, and we’re lucky to have two
on Saturdays!) or Jordan Lake
different displays of luminaries in
Christmas Tree Farm (hayrides,
Pittsboro this year. Every Friday in
wreaths, roping and more!).
December, downtown Pittsboro will
The fun is truly endless and just
have luminaries (December 1, 8, 15,
about every corner you turn, you’ll
22, 29) and on Friday, Dec. 15, enjoy
see a friendly face, festive décor, and
the Lighting of Luminaries in the
smell the warm holiday scents of
Fearrington Village Center.
sugar cookies and spiced cider. It’s
Fearrington paths will be lined with
always a smooth transition from fall
luminaries from 6 to 8 p.m. The vilto winter and when the weather cooplage will be decked out with traditionerates, the bright lights and small
al English Holiday decorations and
town beauty sparkle like nowhere
there will be carol singing on the
else.
Green with music from the Village
If you need ideas for gift-giving or
Voices. Eat, drink, shop and celebrate! just need details for the holiday hapProceeds from the luminaries will
penings in our area this year, visit our
benefit the Ronald McDonald House
Web site (visitpittsboro.com), send us
in Chapel Hill, and donations will be
an e-mail
accepted during the event.
([email protected]) or give
Don’t forget to pick out your
us a call (919.542.8296) and we’ll
Christmas tree at one of our two
help you with your shopping list.
PITTSBORO
for housing, for walkability, for recreational opportunities,
for transportation opportunities, etc. By failing to build
from the inside out, we will encourage sprawl. The result?
The county will become one big parking lot, which no one
really wants.
It is critical that stakeholders in the business, development and the agricultural communities, the community
interested in preserving the environment, citizens working
ADVERTISING?
Do you want businesses to know about
your business in Chapel Hill, Pittsboro, & Carrboro? We direct mail into
thousands of homes. Some of the
neighborhoods we mail into are:
NFearrington Village
NChatham Forest
NGovernors Club & Estates
NSouthern Village
NMeadowmont
NThe Preserve
and many more in-between.
CALL
919-542-2446
If you want to love – not dread –
Christmas shopping, come to Chatham
In December, Chatham County
will be offering many opportunities for you to enjoy the artwork,
unique gifts and delicious meals
you will find only in the cultural
setting we love to share.
The first two weekends in
December the Chatham Studio
Tour will have 50 studios open
for you to visit. For details go to
www.chathamstudio
tour.com
The shops and galleries in
Pittsboro will be open until 8
p.m. every Friday evening before
Christmas for shopping and
meeting with friends. Luminaries
will circle the Court House and
refreshments will be served in
several stores. After shopping,
Luminaries, like these in Fearrington
plan to eat at the General Store,
Village, will also grace the Chatham
The Scoreboard, Elizabeths or
County Courthouse in Pittsboro.
The Soda Shop downtown. Gift
baskets and delicious meals,
great coffee, tea and pastries also await you at Chatham Marketplace. For
info visit www.pittsboroshops.com
You will want to visit all the stores, shops and art galleries. Don’t miss
Beggars and Choosers, New Horizons, Flynt’s Florist, Blue Sky Equestrian,
Edward’s Antiques, French Connections, Antonella’s. Make a point of visiting Chatham Arts Gallery and Side Street Gallery. While you’re here, pick
up your Christmas tree with the discount coupon at Pittsboro Feed.
The Arts Incubator in Siler City will be open during the holidays
Wednesdays through Saturdays with lovely gift selections. Their Art
Market will be December 2 and 3. For info call 919.663.2072.
We always have convenient parking, friendly shop keepers, art treasures
you love to give and own as well that special gift for everyone on your list.
— Mary Bastin
Remember to always call the host
organization/event coordinator to
double check on any event to make
sure that it is still taking place or if
you have any specific questions about
admission, parking, hours, directions,
etc. because details may change.
Neha Shah is executive director of the
Pittsboro-Siler City Convention and
Visitors Bureau.
in RTP and the universities, retired citizens, parents of
young children — all come to the table and voice opinions.
This way no one gets left out.
That’s the challenge. It’s a model Pittsboro is using in
its land use plan review and one we recommend to the
county. Getting people together to agree on common goals
and to work together to make things happen creates energy
and synergy that can give us all a sense of who we are and
exactly how it is we want to grow. It is not a question of
“if” we will grow, but “how” we will grow.
Randy Voller is mayor of Pittsboro.
To Believe is to Care
To Care is to Do
United Church
of Chapel Hill
United Church of Christ
1321 Martin Luther King Blvd.
Chapel Hill
942-3540
www.unitedchurch.org
* Inclusive * Accessible *
* Joyful * Committed *
Pastors: Jill and Rick Edens
11
12
Chatham LITERARY Line
Live the way you want the world to be
Ahhhh,
Autumn.
Temperatures are
cooler, the sun is
less glaring, plants
are heading for
Winter dreamland,
things are getting
quieter, slowing
down . . .
Until suddenly
temperatures go up again, brightly
colored blossoms appear along the
roadways, wild winds blow and the
noise level rises dramatically.
Election time—that time when
people who normally go about their
own business, hop up on soapboxes
and try to convince the rest of us
that their way is the right
way and we all need to
follow them. And the
later into the season we
go, the higher the level
of intensity goes.
So I retreat. I barely
know what’s good for
me—how could I possibly know what’s good for
anyone else, much less a
whole county or state or country?
Some wise person said, “Live the
way you want the world to be.”
Here at our house we interpret that
to mean don’t just talk about it, live
it.
There are some people out there
who do this is a big way, some right
Come to a new church…
Chapel Hill
Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)
Whether you’ve NEVER been,
USED to go, or SEEK a church,
WE WANT YOU!
Worship begins 10:30 a.m.
at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA
www.ChapelHillChristianChurch.org
929-2558
Carrboro Family Medicine
• Now accepting new patients
• Most major insurance plans
accepted
• Sports injuries, acute trauma
• Workers compensation
• X-ray and lab on site
• Same day or walk-ins welcome
• Sport and camp physicals
929.1747
www.carrborofamilymedicine.com
Willow Creek Professional Center at 610 Jones Ferry Road
ASHEBORO
TIE YARDS, INC.
“Cross Tie Dealers Since 1948”
LANDSCAPE SUPPLIES
Shredded Hardwood Mulch • Pine Bark
Pine Straw • Top Soil • White Pea Gravel
Brick Nuggets • Railroad Ties • Sand
WE HAVE FIREWOOD!
WE DELIVER!
205 Hanner Town Rd. • BEAR CREEK
(2 miles south of Bonlee on Old 421)
(919) 837-2822
here in Chatham County. Take Tami
and Lyle—they walk their talk. They
moved into Chatham and really
started to live here, starting one
thing, then another, saying “Hey,
this is fun, want to come along?”
inviting—not demanding—others to
join if it felt right. They did this in
more ways than I know about, I’m
sure, but a few are starting the community they live in, getting computers and Internet into the schools,
getting kids playing chess and making art in Moncure, starting an arts
incubator and art museum in
Moncure, bringing biodiesel fuel
production and sales to Chatham,
helping to open a food co-op in
Pittsboro, encouraging reduction of
light pollution on PittsboroMoncure Road, building ecological
buildings in Chatham and inspiring
others to do the same, and now
installing solar hot water in
Moncure School.
Another of my problems with
elections is that some of the participants don’t play nice. They say bad
things about the other kids instead
of saying what they bring to the
party. My mom told me, “If you
don’t have something nice to say
about someone.” That’s a tough lesson to get when so many people say
so many ugly things but it’s a good
lesson, and I’ve found, one that
makes me feel better about myself.
Another part of elections—and
the way the humans do in general,
I’ve noticed—is blaming others for
the problems of the world. There’s
this weird thing that happens at my
house when something goes missing—especially in the kitchen—I
blame my poor guileless husband
only to discover, sooner or later, as
Jimmy Buffett put it so well, “it’s my
own damn fault.” I’d been doing
something but thinking of something else and put the object in
question in a “good” but non-standard place, and later couldn’t find it.
Chatham
CultureLine
The Friends of the Pittsboro Memorial
Library will display a unique collection of 22
Polish Posters – done by eight Polish artists — in
the Library’s exhibition hall from December 1 to January
31. The posters focus on the performance openings of
operas, plays, art exhibitions, entertainments as well as
memorials to other artists such as Marc Chagall and Joseph
Beuys. Most are of recent origin – 1964 to 2002 –
although one poster designed for a 1993 art exhibition in
Krakow uses the cover of a 1928 art deco magazine.
Poster art has been a particular part of Poland’s artistic culture for over a century and in its contemporary form shows
a mystic, haunting – and often sardonic - strain of inspiration and conceptual talent. An additional poster, underlining the plight of Sarajevo in 1994, was sponsored by
European Cities, including Krakow, Poland and asks the
eternal question: Can Art Save The World? The posters
shown are from the collection of Joan and William
Sommers, who acquired them during a four-year residency
in Krakow.
The Friends of the Pittsboro
Memorial Library
(www.pittsborolibraryfriends.org) was one of five friends
groups given the Francis B. Reid award for outstanding
service to their library and their community. A certificate
and a $100 check were presented at the annual meeting
It’s difficult to see ourselves and
what we’re doing, right or wrong.
It’s so much easier to see what others are doing, especially wrong, and
so very easy to locate problems out
there where we can see them,
instead of inside where we can’t.
I believe we are all geniuses in
our own unique ways. Each one of
us brings gifts to the world that no
one else has and it’s our honor and
responsibility to share these gifts
and to honor the gifts others bring.
Blaming and splattering others is not
a good use of our lives, doesn’t help
anyone feel or do better and will
never get us working together.
I know I repeat myself a lot but
that’s what I need—many repetitions so I can first hear a lesson, one
day understand it, really get it, and
eventually incorporate it into my
daily life. One lesson I repeat often
is, “No one gets to heaven until we
all do.”
A lesson I’ve been working on for
a long time is that I can only change
me, not anyone else. That’s up to
each of us. I’ve got ideas, thoughts,
opinions and I say them—I hope not
as often directly to someone else,
trying to get them to be what I want
them to be—but as these writings
from my own experience, from what
I’ve learned that’s changed my life
for the better.
Here’s a new quote in my lesson
book, one that moves me beyond
words, from Mother Teresa of
Calcutta:
The fruit of silence is prayer.
The fruit of prayer is faith.
The fruit of faith is love.
The fruit of love is service.
The fruit of service is peace.
Amen.
Maggie Wilson, a regular contributor
to Chatham County Line, is a writer
and artist living in Chatham. Read
more of Maggie’s writing on her web
site, www.maggiewilson.com
of the Friends of North Carolina Public Libraries on
November 4.
A number of author readings are planned for
McIntyre’s Fine Books in Fearrington Village.
Saturday, December 2 at 11
a.m. Joanna
Catherine Scott will
read from her just-published
novel, The Road From Chapel
Hill, a Civil War tale set in
North Carolina that was
inspired by the true story of a
slave from Chapel Hill.
Sunday December 3 at 2 p.m.
local author James
Cheatham will read
from Night Beaching, a tale of action and adventure about
a reserve officer who finds himself serving aboard an
amphibious ship in the late
1950’s with captains whose
leadership skills vary greatly.
Tuesday, December 5 at 7
p.m., bestselling author Jeff
Shaara, who completed
the Civil War trilogy his father
Michael Shaara began, will
read from and sign from the
first book of three novels set
in the Second World War.
Saturday December 9 at 11
a.m. William S. Powell and Bill Price will
CULTURE continued on page 13.
Chatham County Line
13
Looking at 5,000 bulbs, imagining 5,000 blooms
By Ginny Gregory
I just had 5,000
bulbs arrive. You can
well imagine what I
felt when I drove up
my drive and saw all
of these boxes left by
the greenhouse gate.
Panic! Dread! God
help me!
Bulb catalogues are like seed catalogues. When seed catalogues are
delivered, it is cold winter. It is such a
sweet adventure looking at all the
new veggie and flower varieties. The
ambition one feels is truly outstanding. It takes us all the way until July
before the reality of what we have
planted hits. It is hot, humid and by
August you just want to till it under
because you are so overwhelmed. In
January’s light, you could see the new
lettuce varieties sprouting, the okra
standing tall, Japanese beetle free and
so beautiful. August shines new light.
I need say no more.
Well, bulbs catalogues are enjoyed
in the heat of August. You sit in air
conditioning with a glass of iced tea
and you start pulling up each of your
client’s gardens in the minds’ computer. You look through pages of daffodils
and tulips. They are early to mid to
late bloomers. They are single heirlooms to doubles with petals that are
all pulled back (much like they have
been in a windstorm) to triple layers
of peony like petals (which makes
them look like exploded bee hive hair
dos). There is every color under the
sun, which never looks like the photos in the catalogue. Or you have the
really exotic catalogues which have
extensive historical information on
CULTURE
discuss The Enclyclopedia of North Carolina, the culmination of the splendid scholarly career of William Powell, our
state’s preeminent historian. Saturday December 9th at 2
p.m. Joseph Bathanti will read from The
Coventry. Despite promises to his pregnant wife and dead
mother never to follow in the footsteps of his father, Calvin
Gaddy takes a job at Coventry Prison in the North Carolina
Piedmont. Sunday December 10 at 2 p.m. Bland
Simpson will visit to read from The Inner Islands: A
Carolinian’s Sound Country Chronicle. Blending history, oral
tradition, autobiography and travel narrative, Bland
Simpson explores the geography and biodiversity of the
islands that lie in eastern North Carolina’s sounds, rivers,
and swamps. On Saturday, December 16 at 11 a.m., enjoy
Storytelling with Donald Davis in The
Barn. Donald has been visiting Fearrington to spin his tales
for over 15 years and is one of the foremost storytellers in
the country. Call McIntyre’s Fine Books at 919.542.3030
for more details.
First Sunday, December 3, will feature
“Celebrate the Holidays” at ChathamArts
Gallery with more than 50 Chatham County Artists. In
addition, Fusions Glass Gallery - Oils on Canvas by Jennifer
Hutchins, New Horizons Trading Company – “Esse Quam
Videri” Tongue in Cheek Mixed Media from Thurman
Manness, Side Street Gallery – “Exploration of Layers”
Ceramics by Aaron Weaver and Jet. The Pittsboro
Holiday Parade will start at 3 p.m. The First
Sunday in Pittsboro features local craftspeople and artists
displaying their work on the sidewalks in historic downtown. Pittsboro’s First Sunday celebration is sponsored by
the Pittsboro Merchants Association and happens every
First Sunday of the month April through December.
Admission is free. For info. Call 548.0783 or visit
www.pittsboroshops.com.
Temple Theatre in Sanford will offer the newest
installment of the popular Broadway Christmas series,
The Christmas Spectacular. This premiere
production features the classic carols and festive favorites
each bulb with line drawings.
Line drawings! This means
you have to look at two catalogues at once to even have a
clue about the bulbs.
But even with all of the
challenges, you are out of the
heat and can almost feel the
crisp fall air (especially if you
turn down the A.C. a few
degrees). You allow yourself
time to dream of new, alarmingly short lived spring color.
Crocuses come up in early
February or January if we
have a warm one. So, this far
away pastel dream is what
reels us into the August buying frenzy. We have a reprieve
from the sweating. The mental designs look perfect. All
bulb designs are possible. .
Then you must help the
client see what you see in
your mind’s eye. You are asking them to invest in something that they will not see
for five or six months. It is
100 degrees in the shade, code
orange…no problem, it’s all for your
exquisite, new garden. They have to
hand their trust and dollars over to
you while praying you have a clue.
You start trying to pull together the
exact colors that will be blooming, the
exact moment they will be blooming
and the exact height. You ask, “Will
all of the colors work together?”
Well, who knows! The color of an
Apricot Beauty tulip is pinker in the
south than the north. Great! You realize this fact when you plant 100
Apricot Beauty’s and have to pull 100
of them up because they clash with
the rest of the gardens’ spring show.
that make the season memorable. It will run through
December 17. Tickets may be purchased by calling the box
office at 919. 774-4155. online ticketing is currently
available by visiting the theatre website at www.templeshows.com.
For December, the
NC Crafts
Gallery in
Carrboro is featuring
Chinese Red Glazed
Pottery by “North
Carolina’s Living
Treasure” Ben
Owen III of
Seagrove, N.C. in its
Front Gallery. The
Back Gallery will feature hundreds of
handmade Christmas
tree ornaments and
holiday items, including blown glass balls,
pewter, carved wooden trees, and “okra” Santas and angels. The NC Crafts
Gallery is located at 212 West Main Street.
Just in time for the holiday season, Long Leaf
Opera is preparing to dazzle audiences with its longtime favorite Amahl
and the Night
Visitors. Sung in
English, Amahl focuses on a
destitute woman and her
crippled son who are visited
by three kings.
Performances will be staged
Saturday, December 2 at 8
p.m. and Sunday,
December 3 at 2 p.m., at
the Durham Arts Council;
and Saturday, December 9
at 8 p.m. and Sunday,
December 10 at 2 p.m., at
East Chapel Hill High
School.
Weather also dictates when bulbs
appear and even more importantly
when they crash. If it is too warm,
they pop and then if a cold flash
occurs, don’t worry…they are toast.
“Oh! Bother!” as Pooh would say.
In the south, due to our warmer
springs, you can always know that the
18’’ to 24’’ height in the catalogues
translates into 24’’ to 30’’ for us zone
7b gardeners. Except when the planets are lined up wrong and we have
an unusually cold spring and then
they are just the height specified in
the catalogues. When you put several
bulb varieties in together, all you can
do is hold your breath and hope that
the taller ones really are in the back.
Now, as you set the bulbs out
on top of the ground, always
leave the package they came in
under each pile. Great plan!
Then you’ll know what color is
what… what bulb is what. Now,
it starts to get tricky when you
ordered 2000 Tête-à-Tête daffodils. They come in a huge box
and you just have to remember
that you put 10 of them with 15
Thalia. Since one is white and
one is yellow…is there a pattern? You are starting to see the
problem. Who knows? You plant
fast and pray.
Well, this year my plan is to
breathe. Start each day filled
with a sense of calm. Do all that
I can, in good humor, in one day.
Stop. Go home. Re-group. Hot
Bath. Good dinner. Breathe. The
next day, 4,700 bulbs to go. No
problem!
In the spring when a client
calls and says, “My garden is just
too beautiful for words. I feel
like I am in a Monet dream.” I’ll
say, “Thank you.” Knowing, that
when it works, it is most often pure
luck and enthusiasm with a dash of
artistry. When the one crank call
comes because the tulips are pink
rather than blush, I’ll remember that I
am now a grandmother. I have a
dream picture that has come true. A
grandchild is true artistry. Color is just
color. There is always next fall to find
the perfect blush tulip.
Ginny Gregory is the owner and creative energy behind “Beyond The
Pail...Creating Gardens and Beyond”.
For more information, please check
www.beyondthepail.net.
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in Chatham County Line
CONTACT
phone: 919.933-6492
fax 919.932-2602
[email protected]
14
Give Chatham a BRAKE
By Gary Simpson
On the heels of an election that
has the promise of moving Chatham
county off the
detour its been on
for the past four
OPINION
years, and back
onto a road less traveled by dump
trucks and bulldozers, I read with
interest an N&O article on neighboring Johnston county: “Johnston May
Hit Brakes.”
www.newsobserver.com/114/story/5069
79.html
The article was about the pace of
development across Johnston County
over the past decade, and the pickle it
has placed the county in regarding the
pitfalls of relatively unfettered growth.
One of the commissioners who favors
applying pressure to the development
brake pedal stated that he is NOT
opposed to all growth, “as long as the
schools and the roads and the quality
of life is not hurt, and everything
comes online at the right time, and
the correct people are paying the bill,”
according to the article. That’s the
kind of balanced approach that the
majority of Chatham voters have
espoused over the past couple of election cycles, and the kind of litmus test
that they want applied to future
development requests that keep landing on the Planning Department’s
shrinking desk top.
The article quoted Planning Board
member, Tom Moore, as saying,
“We’ve had too much of a good
thing… Development is good, but
we’ve got to do something to slow it
down and control it until we can get a
handle on our infrastructure.”
“Too much of a good thing!” That
sounds like the kind of middle ground
motto that Chatham could consider
pushing as a new set of commissioners is teamed up with the players
elected on the same slow growth
mandate in 2004.
“Too much of a good thing” sets a
positive tone by acknowledging the
potential for positive impact on the
quality of life for Chathamites that
well planned, controlled and managed
TO THE EDITOR:
Chatham County Line missed the real Duke Lacrosse story. I must
break my long standing self-imposed rule about confronting journalists
who are irresponsible and dishonest. Let's talk, R.L. Taylor, about the Duke
Lacrosse hoax and the facts!
Contrary to your version of events,
letter to the editor
the Durham Police were not summoned to the lacrosse house that
night because of neighbors' complaining about noise or flower pots being
used as urinals. In reality, the second stripper called 911 anonymously
and reported that she and her "girlftiend" had been called names as they
strolled by the house at 1 a.m. Consequently, police arrived at the
lacrosse house two minutes after receiving the 911 call. What did they
find? A silent, dark house with no students making noise outside of it, no
drinking students, no students visible whatsoever! Nothing!
As to the frequently reported public urination citations that some
players may have received on occasion, these were most likely handed out
at the Saturday pre-football game event known as Tailgate, where various
groups gathered in a fenced in area with limited port-a-potties for the
masses of kids who attend. Therefore, some of the male students let the
girls use the potties, and they would relieve themselves in the bushes.
Durham cops on bikes would drive up and write citations for these males
— an easy way to add income to Durham coffers. Many Duke boys got
this ticket for public urination — not just lacrosse players.
The "girl" you refer to is almost 30, a convicted car thief, a habitual
pole dancer at local strip joints, and a performer of private sex shows for
men in hotel rooms, etc.
She has made false accusations of rape before. She is known for abusing narcotics, alcohol, and muscle relaxants. The second stripper had the
police called again that night because she could not forcibly remove the
"girl" from her car in the Kroger parking lot. The policeman on the scene
tried to take the "girl" to the drunk tank. No "rape, sodomy, strangulation,
or beating" was mentioned to him. That story developed later.
The Duke student-athletes or Northern "twits," as you refer to them
repeatedly, found themselves in this "mess" because of unconscionable,
illegal acts by a district attorney who engaged in race-baiting before a
close primary; corrupt police tactics; and Duke's wet-behind-the ears
president who was intimidated by 88 of his faculty, who for peverse reasons rushed to believe a drunken sex worker over their own carefully
selected Duke students.
You, R.L. Taylor, talk about good manners and common decency. If you
possess either of those qualities, you will now apologize to the wrongly
indicted students, the entire team, the tarnished university, and
Northerners, in general.
One lesson from this lacrosse fiasco is that journalists like you, R.L.
Taylor, feel free to slander and demean these boys because they are privileged and Northern. What sort of a journalist purposely maligns young
men to turn people against them because they are guilty of being rich,
Northern, and Duke athletes? Journalists who deceive the public should
be "tarred and feathered"-an old Southern (and British) practice reserved
for scoundrels, usually white scoundrels who con the public.
— E.V. Hoffman
Siler City
growth could afford all citizens. “Too
much of a good thing” means that
those given the authority by the electorate to manage county and municipal growth are called upon to tame
and domesticate the wild beast in our
midst so that it can become our
“beast of burden,” rather than a burden upon our infrastructure, natural
resources and general quality of life it
currently is.
While attending the 2006 Sate Fair,
I walked by the Highway Patrol display
of the beaten and battered remains of
an automobile that had been involved
in a horrific accident. It was placed
there for a lesson in preventive medicine: Speed Kills. Proper use of the
brakes doesn’t mean that no one
should drive, or that the destination
will never be reached. Rather, it means
driving defensively with due regard for
all, and getting to the destination
intact. In Chatham’s case it means
striving for LESS of a good thing to
compensate for over steering and over
accelerating in the recent past.
Oh yes… now for “the rest of the
story.” Johnston County
Commissioners decided after all to
once again keep “the pedal to the
metal” instead of applying the brakes.
It is hard to stop a body in motion.
But in Chatham with a complete
overhaul of the 2002 BoC now in
place, we should have a vehicle capable of coming to a full stop and a crew
willing to look (and listen) in all
directions before accelerating again.
With so much of the county in a
Construction Zone, let’s heed the
signs. Give Chatham a BRAKE.
Gary Simpson lives in Pittsboro’s ETJ
and volunteers with a number of citizen action groups.
Unity: New paradigm
for Chatham County?
By Carole Hoffman
As a newcomer to Chatham
County (less then a year) I have fallen in love with the richness of diversities that make up this treasure of a
county. I have also felt what lies within that diversity;
the illusion of sepOPINION
aration. Chatham
County, on the
surface, appears to be a county divided. Now, to you native Chathamites
this is nothing new. Separation has
been part of the county’s history forever, as I’ve been told. But why hang
on to the status quo, especially when
it is merely an illusion that does not
serve any of us?
The east and the west sides have
been at odds for years, like the
Hatfields and McCoys and West Side
Story. Why? Because they are different from each other, or so they
believe. I’m not so sure they’re as different as they believe themselves to
be. While there is a sense of competition between the two sides of the
county I see successful cooperation
taking place at the same time. You
have the NC Arts Incubator in Siler
City, many of whose artists commute
from the Pittsboro area; the Chatham
Marketplace in Pittsboro, which buys
from some of the farms in the Siler
City area; and green housing, renewable energy and sustainable agriculture
being common themes in both towns
and throughout the county. Just visit
the Greentree development in Siler
City (Earth Renewal Shelter) or
Piedmont Biofuels in Moncure if you
need evidence to squelch your stubbornly persistent doubts. What I see
between the east and the west, or
Pittsboro and Siler City, is not differences but similarities. And while these
two towns promote their separation
with feelings of animosity, they are
actually living integration, without
even realizing it. So why not focus on
our sameness instead of our perceived
differences? It’s just a matter of being
open to changing our perception.
It is so easy to allow ourselves to
become set in our patterns of thinking. Sometimes its easier to see things
from a fresh, unbiased perspective
when you move into an area without
having pre-conceived notions. And
without previously knowing any of
the county’s history to cloud my
vision, I see a vast amount of potential, waiting to be realized, that will
serve us all. We all have similar hopes
and dreams. When we come together
as a unified whole we can all achieve
those hopes and dreams, together.
Chatham County is focused in
positive change. Positive change benefits all. Positive change requires a positive and open mind. Positive change
requires communication, commitment, cooperation and compassion. It
is with integration and unity that we
can affect positive change that will
benefit everyone in our county. It is
through unity that we find strength.
There is never strength in separation.
There is only strength in unity. It is
with strength and unity that we can
create positive change. Isn’t it time we
chose to grow beyond the county’s
many years of strife and turn to our
neighbor, shake hands and call each
other “friend”? Isn’t it time we
became the United County of
Chatham? Isn’t it time we found the
courage to change?
Carole Hoffman is a Certified Neural
Depolarization(TM) Practitioner and
operates a local natural health practice. She can be reached at
919.542.7028 or
www.AchievingOptimumHealth.com
Chatham
OPINION Line
My wish for
our future
By Judy Hogan
The election is over, and the
referendum vote that many in
Chatham worked so hard for was
defeated by people like me who
worked hard to defeat it. I said to
someone working with me at
Three Rivers on Election Day that
the good turn-out was related to
the referendum. On both sides
people were fighting for their survival. Passions ran high, and there
were signs of serious hostility as
voting day drew near. My “side”
won, and I’m happy to see the
leaders who supported the no vote
reaching out to the
whole county. For
it is the whole
county’s welfare
that I believe our
new boards of
Commissioners
(BoC) and
Education (BoE)
are concerned
about. That’s the
main reason I
worked for them. They are all good
people, with integrity. But a lot of
citizens have worried that these
candidates would not serve and be
mindful of the needs of us all.
We in Chatham have common
ground and can find a shared
vision. Certainly the Strategic and
Land Use Plans of the 90s were
developed by citizens from all over
the county, with diverse perspectives, experiences, and political
persuasions. The new BoC plans
to reactivate those documents, and
they are asking all citizens to speak
out so that all perspectives are
taken into account when their
decisions are made.
My grandmother told me that
she avoided talking about politics.
Sometimes it does help a friendship or a family to stay off that
subject. Marcel Proust said that
our political views are irrational.
It’s very hard to change them.
That’s true, but what we can all do
is get to know each other better as
people.
A few of us have met for social
evenings–sharing music, storytelling, charades. Nona Mensah
had realized how seldom black,
white, and Latino met together for
fun and relaxation–as people. In
this group I was with people whom
I might otherwise have seen as my
enemies–for our participants varied
widely in their political views–but
once I’d spent this time with them,
I was able to keep the human
beings in view even during the
heat of the election. I could, as a
poll worker at Three Rivers said to
me that we did in our precinct,
“agree to disagree.” It sounds easy,
but it’s very hard when you fear
your voice won’t be heard or your
survival feels threatened.
When I traveled by
rail pass in Europe,
we moved quickly
through many different countries and I
talked with, shared
food with, and slept in
the same compartment with people
from many cultures,
all proud of their
countries. I realized
that I could never feel okay if my
country made war on any of their
countries because they had become
part of my life. They were my fellow citizens on planet earth.
Everyone I’ve had the pleasure
of getting to know well here in
Chatham, both in my immediate
Moncure neighborhood and
through my Women of Chatham
columns–and I deliberately went for
diversity of outlook and experience–is part of why I love Chatham,
its land and its active citizen tradition. We’ll always have our disagreements, but I hope we’ll all now
make a real effort not to stereotype
and dismiss people we disagree
with, but hear them out and work
for solutions satisfactory to as many
as possible. It’s why I live here and
try to be a good neighbor across as
many lines of diversity as I can.
Judy Hogan is a poet and freelance
writer living in Moncure. She served
on the Steering Committee of the
Chatham Coalition from March
2004 through this election. She can
be reached at [email protected]
Make your VOICE
heard!
Send your letters and opinion columns
to CHATHAM COUNTY LINE.
WRITE to Editor, Chatham County Line,
P.O. Box 1357, Carrboro, NC 27510
or E-MAIL [email protected]
15
Left, right, liberal,
conservative …
What do you mean?
and a countywide sewer system. It
also would advocate new types of
We constantly use the terms consubdivision ordinances especially
servative, liberal, right wing and left
those that increased environmental
wing. Some people assume they know
protection. In this regards, an “arch
exactly what
liberal” position
THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM
these terms
refers to revolumean. Do
tionary rather
you? While
than evolutionno person or
ary movement
publication
toward a new
can provide
status quo (e.g.,
perfect definian immediate
tions, one approach — among many
adoption of subdivision ordinances
— appears below.
designed to reduce carbon dioxide
Positions Not Personalities:
emissions).
None of these terms refer to personalConservative Position - Keep
ity characteristics. A person is not libThe Current Status Quo: A consereral, or right wing, or conservative or
vative position holds that solving or
left wing. Instead, these terms refer
resolving a social problem requires
only to policy positions a person may
maintaining the status quo. In this
take at any one point in time. As
regards a conservative position consuch a person may take a liberal posicerning land use in Chatham would
tion on one policy and a conservative
hold that neither zoning nor sewer and
position on a second policy. Over
water lines should be extended where
time the same person may reverse
they do not exist. It also would oppose
their positions on both policies.
additional subdivision ordinances. In
Right Wing Position - Less
this regards an “arch conservative”
Government: A right wing position
position refers to efforts to resurrect a
holds that government efforts to solve status quo that used to exist but has
or resolve a social problem should be
been abandoned (e.g., eliminating all
minimized and certainly not
subdivision ordinances)
increased. For example, a right wing
A Quadrant: On any issue a perproposition concerning land use holds son can hold one of four political posithat government involvement in land
tions: (1) left wing conservative, (2)
use decisions through zoning, subdivi- left wing liberal, (3) right wing consersion ordinances and stream ordivative and (4) right wing liberal.
nances should be minimized and cerA Quandary: When used in the
tainly not increased. By the same
above fashion, three observations
token, a right wing position would
become obvious. (1) People with conhold that government subsidies of res- servative, liberal, right wing and left
idential or commercial development
wing positions often find themselves
including the financing of water and
in conflict with their own kind. For
sewer lines or tax breaks for mines
example right wing conservatives who
should be minimized.
wish to preserve nearly unfettered priLeft Wing Position - More
vate property rights by minimizing
Government: A left wing position
governmental regulations frequently
holds that government efforts to solve find themselves in conflict with left
or resolve a social problem should be
wing conservatives who wish to preincreased and certainly not reduced.
serve “God’s Creation” by increasing
For example, a left wing proposition
governmental regulations. In the same
concerning land use holds that govmanner right wing liberals who wish
ernment should increase both land
to promote reform through market
use regulations and land development
mechanisms frequently find themsubsidies including water lines, sewer
selves in conflict with left wing liberals
lines and special tax breaks.
who wish to promote reform through
Liberal Position - Create a
governmental mandates. (2) In addiNew Status Quo: A liberal position, we are reminded that unless
tion holds that solving or resolving a
these four terms are used thoughtfully
social problem requires liberating
they are likely to lead to mental paralsociety from the status quo. What
ysis rather than to political enlightenthe status quo may be at any one
ment. Perhaps this is one reason much
time is not always easy to discern.
of our current political debate appears
However it generally refers to a set of irrational and — in this age of collapssocial or environmental conditions
ing ice caps and rain forest — selfthat a majority of people in a given
destructive. (3) For these reasons,
area (e.g., a county) has come to
before you use these terms, take a
accept as being the norm. In
deep breath and think twice before
Chatham County, for example, zonyou resort to labeling yourself or othing is not the norm in most of the
ers as either this or that.
unincorporated areas. In a similar
vein, sewer lines are rarely found in
Sonny Keisler is a developer who lives
unincorporated areas. As such, a libin Chatham County. He is an advoeral position concerning land use
cate of protecting the environment,
would advocate countywide zoning
especially the Rocky River.
By Sonny Keisler
C h a t h a m
B I L I N G U A L
Suenos
N E W S
En la penultima edicion yo comparti con los
lectores mi sueno de maximizar los recursos que
tenemos a disposicion. Yo dije que yo usualmente veo bicicletas en los grandes contenedores de basura cuando voy a los centros de
reciclaje. Mi sueno es cojer esas bicicletas,
limpiarlas, quitarles las partes malas, y enviarlas
a paises en via de desarrollo donde pueden ser
arregladas a bajo costo, y despues darselas a
ninos pobres como regalo de Navidad. Yo creo
que eso seria maravilloso, por lo tanto yo he
continuado investigando acerca de como
lograr mi acometido.
Me he enterado que en Ithaca, New
York, un programa semejante fue desarrollado exitosamente por los habitants locales.
Tambien he encontrado acerca de otros
recursos que nosotros tenemos en esta area
que podrian hacer una tremenda contribucion a los habitants del condado de
Chatham y sus vecinos. Estoy hablando
acerca del camino llamado “American
Tobacco Trail”. Este camino tendra una
distancia de aproximadamente 22 millas
desde Durham, a traves de los condados de
Chatham y Wake. Actualmente hay en
algunas entradas a este, banos, Fuentes de
agua, y parqueaderos. Yo he encontrado gente caminando,
montando en bicicletas y a caballo en este camino que es
parte de un gran proyecto llamado “Via Verde de la Costa
Este” (East Coast Greenway) que abarca desde el estado
de Maine hasta la Florida.
Yo he hablado con Bill Bussey, presidente de “Triangle
Rails to Trails Conservancy”, quien compartio conmigo la
necesidad de voluntarios para el mantenimiento de los
caminos disponibles en el momento, y con mejoras en
partes que aun no han sido abiertas al publico. Bill ha
estado trabajando con este proyecto por mas de diez anos,
por lo cual sabe mucho acerca de los planes locales,
regionales, y nacionales en lo que involucra ferrocarriles en uso y en
desuso. Yo recomiendo que vayan a la pagina web www.triangletrails.org donde uno puede encontrar informacion detallada y conecciones con otros recursos.
Ahora, yo creo que si estimulamos el uso de este magnifico recursos llamado “American Tobacco Trail”, podremos reducir el desperdicio de bicicletas. Al ofrecerle a la gente medios de entretenimiento,
nosotros podemos maximizar nuestros recursos y reducir la presion a
nuestro medio ambiente.
Me encantaria ver parques interconectados con vias multiusos,
donde (por seguridad) ningun vehiculo motorizado puede transitar.
Yo creo que podemos llegar mas lejos si juntamos nuestros recursos
para lograr objetivos mutuos , como en este caso tres comunidades
trabajando conjuntamente para tener el “American Tobacco Trail”.
Seria maravilloso si mas personas se involucran con los programas
desarrollados por municipalidades, condados y estados. Entonces
involucrese, haga la diferencia, conozca gente, y disfrute de maneras
que usted no podria imaginarse.
Gustavo Ocoro es corresponsal para Chatham County Line.
Photos courtesy
of THE TRIANGLE
RAILS TO TRAILS
CONSERVANCY
(www.triangle
trails.org)
~
N O T I C I A S
THE AMERICAN TOBACCO TRAIL
Por Gustavo Ocoro
Fotos por cortesia
de THE TRIANGLE
RAILS TO TRAILS
CONSERVANCY
(www.triangle
trails.org)
C o m u n i d a d
B I L I N G U E S
Dreams
By Gustavo Ocoro
In the issue before last, I shared with you readers my dream of maximizing the resources that we
have available. I stated that I usually see bikes in
the dumpsters when I go to the recycling centers.
My dream is to get those bikes out of the dumpsters, clean them up, remove the unusable parts,
and ship them to a developing country where they
can be fixed for a very low price and then give
them to poor children as a Christmas gift. I think
this would be wonderful, so I have kept researching for ways to accomplish my goal.
I have found
that in Ithaca, New
York, a similar program was run by
local people. I have
also found out
about other
resources that we
have in the area
that can make a
tremendous contribution to the
inhabitants of
Chatham and
neighboring counties. I am talking about the American
Tobacco Trail. This is a trail that will
stretch for about 22 miles from
Durham, to Chatham, to Wake
County. At some trailheads there are
bathrooms, parking and drinking fountains. I have found people walking, biking horseback riding on this trail that is
part of a larger project called the East
Coast Greenway that stretches from
Maine to Florida.
I have spoken with Bill Bussey, president of the Triangle Rails to Trails
Conservancy, who spoke with me about the need for volunteers to
maintain what is
already available and
for improvements with
the parts that are still
not open to the public.
Bill has been working
with this project for 10
years and knows lots
about the local, regional and national plan
involving railways in
use and out of use. I
recommend people go
to their website
www.triangletrails.org,
where you can find
detailed information
and useful links to
other resources.
Now, I think if we can encourage the use of the wonderful
resources called the American Tobacco Trail we can reduce the
waste of bicycles. By providing people the means for entertainment, we can maximize our resources and reduce the pressure on
our tender environment.
I would love to see parks interconnected by multipurpose trails
and paths, where (for safety) no motorized vehicles can ride. I
think we can get farther if we pool our resources to accomplish
mutual goals, like in this case three counties working in conjunction to have the American Tobacco Trail. It would be great if more
people got involved in the projects run by municipalities, counties
and states. So get involved, make a difference, meet people and
enjoy yourself in ways you have not imagined.
Gustavo Ocoro is a regular contributor to Chatham County Line.

New Chatham Board seeks common ground

Transcription

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