A drenching summer shower sent Virginia Cantaloupe Festival merrymakers running for cover Wednesday afternoon, but not for long.
Spirits soared as the temperature dropped and the crowd returned to dance the evening away.
Chamber of Commerce officials' spirits also soared as figures on this year's fest came in.
Sponsors and ticket sales took the 18th annual event into the black this week following prior years' declining attendance figures. (Rain on festival day was blamed for last year's poor turnout.)
Ticket sales early festival morning hit 2,100 at $20 a piece for $42,000 this year with additional tickets sold throughout festival day, according to Nancy Pool, president of the Halifax County Chamber of Commerce.
Total sponsorship was "over $15,000 among 19 sponsors," added Pool, which means a profit if festival costs come in "probably in the neighborhood of $45,000."
"Without the financial support of our sponsors, the festival would not be possible," said Bill Granger, festival chairman.
While the cost of entertainment, tents, food, etc. continues to rise, explained Granger, the committee does not want to raise ticket prices.
Prior to this year's festival, the chamber committee had investigated what could be done to improve the annual event.
A change of site - the fairgrounds and the speedway were explored - and sponsorships were among suggestions considered.
Among this year's changes, the festival featured not only Turbeville melons, but cantaloupes produced by growers from throughout Halifax County.
The committee also decided to return to the John Wade Farm in Turbeville, the festival's traditional site.
Will the chamber committee revisit the same issues following this year's event?
"Just my thought, the committee hadn't met," began Pool. "I feel like we will probably revisit all of what we looked at prior to this festival to make sure the reasons we decided to stay where we were were valid, and that the changes we made were good changes.
"Revisit the issues? Yes. Will we move it? Probably not," continued Pool.
The festival was originally conceived as a fund-raiser for the chamber of commerce and as a showcase for the county, explained Pool.
"Profits from the festival go into the reserve fund with the chamber's board reviewing its programs, goals and objectives and then using it for capital projects such as the chamber's Quality of Life brochure," said the chamber president.
"At the heart of the whole thing is the huge contribution made by individuals months prior to and on the day of the festival," said the president. "They give of their time and energy to see that it is successful. It is heart warming to see what the people of the county will do to help us, just unbelievable."
Welfare reform has cut the case load here about one-third, from 381 to 252, since the state mandated program got underway two years ago, Social Services records reveal.
Not only have the dire predictions - homeless people under bridges and children moving into foster care because parents could not take care of them - not come true in Halifax County, at least one participant is praising the program.
"Welfare is a hold back. That is what I believe. It makes you lazy," said one Va. Initiative for Employment Not Welfare (VIEW) worker.
"And welfare reform is a good thing. Welfare may be good for a short time, but not for a long time."
The worker, who asked not to be identified, described the VIEW job as the first real job.
The permanent job schedule also took a little adjusting, she recalled, but getting the paycheck made all the difference.
"If this program had never come out, I would never have had to budge," said the worker. "I have been on AFDC (Aid to Familes with Dependent Children) for years."
Direct, frank, this VIEW participant welcomes the program's life changing differences.
Independence is at the top of the list, from generating the family check to buying "my first car".
"By going to work it motivated me to get the car. And, as old as I am, I got a driver's license," came the pleased response.
Next on the agenda, education: "I want to get my GED," said the VIEW success story.
She was also quick to credit Marshall Covington, a Social Service job development and employment service worker, for helping her find employment.
Equally important, Covington and co-worker Carolyn Stephens are quick to thank community businessmen and women for their response to VIEW.
"They make the welfare reform engine run," emphasized Covington. "Without their support, it could not happen."
"From July 1, 1996 to 1998, 214 people went to work out of the VIEW program," observed Covington.
"Successful," said Halifax County Department of Social Services Director Betty Wells of the program.
"We have had very high unemployment here during this period of time," noted Wells.
Locally, the high unemployment rate raised its own set of questions about the program's success.
However, figures released by Wells this week revealed the following:
Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF formerly known as Aid to Families with Dependent Children - AFDC) as of the following dates: June 1998 with 252 cases at $55,569.50 versus June 1996 with 381 cases at $84,986.00, a reduction of 35 percent, said the social services director.
Over 66 percent of the sixth grade students in Halifax County that took the Literacy Passport Tests this spring passed all three tests, school system officials said yesterday.
Halifax County's figure of 66.5 percent of local sixth graders passing all three tests, puts the county in line with the state average of 66.7 percent.
And, in examining the percentages of students passing the Reading, Writing, and Math tests, Halifax County's figures came in above the state average in the three distinct test areas.
"I'm pleased with the scores," said Halifax County School Superintendent Dennis Witt.
"We feel that the score of the students passing all three tests can be better. The state scores have remained pretty much the same over the past few years. We have come up to the state average."
In Halifax County, 81.1 percent of the sixth grade students taking the Literacy Passport Tests this spring passed the Reading portion, 77.8 percent passed the Writing test, and 92.5 percent passed the Math test.
The state's scores showed that 80.6 percent of the students passed the reading test, 77.2 percent passed the writing test and 85.7 percent passed the math test.
"Our scores in the individual test areas are pretty strong," noted Witt.
"I would have liked to have seen the percentage of our students passing all three tests be higher. But, overall, I'm pleased with the results.
Witt pointed out that this spring marked the final time that the Literacy Passport Test will be administered.
"The Literacy Passport Test is now history," Witt said.
"We will be focusing on the new Standards of Learning tests."
Students that were in the sixth grade during the 1997-98 school year will be the first group of students that will have to earn verified credits based on end of course Standards of Learning Tests in specific subject areas rather than the requirement of Literacy Passport Tests for graduation from high school.
Witt pointed out that school system personnel will continue to work with students in the seventh and eighth grade who have not yet passed all three Literacy Passport Tests in developing the skills they will need to pass the tests.
By CURT ANDERSON
AP Farm Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - Farmer income in the first three months of 1998 was down 35 percent from the same period in 1996, when prices for crops were unusually high, according to Clinton administration figures released today.
Sen. Tom Daschle of South Dakota and Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri, the two congressional Democratic leaders, released the Commerce Department estimates of farmer personal income to underscore their effort to persuade Republicans to support additional economic relief.
''They need this help right now,'' Gephardt said.
The income figures show that in the first quarter of 1996, farmers' personal income topped $27.2 billion and remained virtually the same last year. But as export markets dried up and big crops were harvested, income for the first quarter of this year plummeted to $17.8 billion.
The income figures are based on a 1996 crop year that was highly unusual, because demand stayed high despite big harvests. Prices paid to farmers have actually returned closer to their 1990-94 average this year, according to Agriculture Department figures.
But with some farmers suffering from repeated crop losses due to drought and wet weather, Daschle said the lower income ''is as critical as it gets'' and called on the GOP to back a return to the price supports scrapped in the 1996 ''Freedom to Farm'' law.
The Senate last week passed legislation providing $500 million in emergency aid for farmers repeatedly struck by disaster and reduced income. In addition, House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., said lawmakers will shortly pass legislation accelerating $5.5 billion in payments many farmers are due to get later in fiscal 1999, which begins Oct. 1.
President Clinton also announced the purchase of 80 million bushels of wheat for donation to needy countries in an effort to boost domestic wheat prices. Democratic lawmakers planned to meet later today with Clinton to discuss the overall downturn and offer some disaster initiatives to address the Texas drought.
Republicans and many Democrats are supporting a range of trade initiatives such as replenishment of International Monetary Fund accounts and fast-track negotiating authority for the president to strengthen export markets for farmers. But Daschle and Gephardt said more immediate help is necessary now.
''We can't trade ourselves out of the crisis in the short term,'' Daschle said.
A house painter and former inmate of the Halifax County Jail who painted for months within the Courthouse Square was found guilty Wednesday of possession of cocaine.
Michael Eugene Wheeler, 43, of Chatham Road failed a random drug screening test that was ordered after he was released from jail on previous drug possession convictions.
While in jail for those convictions, Wheeler was a familiar sight as he painted inside and outside of the Halifax County Courthouse complex during its extensive renovation project.
Wheeler had 30 years of prison time suspended for the prior offense, on condition of his good behavior which included refraining from illegal drugs and alcohol.
However, Wheeler was ordered to take a urine test on February 6, which tested positive for Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown element of cocaine in the bloodstream, officials said.
Halifax County Circuit Court Judge Charles L. McCormick III found Wheeler guilty and ordered a presentence report for the September term of court. He was placed in jail after Wednesday's trial.
In other cases:
· Regina Mae Daniel, 21, of South Boston pleaded guilty to felony counts of breaking and entering and grand larceny.
She committed the offense at the residence of Richard Casella on September 8, 1997 and she was arrested on October 19.
Among the items stolen were four rifles, a hunting suit, and numerous household items, according to the investigation.
Judge McCormick ordered a presentence report for the September term of court. She was allowed to remain free on bond pending the hearing.
· Kevin Dale Adams, 26, of Nathalie pleaded guilty to a felony count of possession of crack cocaine. The incident occurred on February 22.
A companion charge of disorderly conduct was "nol prossed" or chosen not to be prosecuted by the Commonwealth's Attorney.
Judge McCormick ordered a presentence report for the August 6. Adams was placed in jail pending the hearing.
Two people were injured in a single-vehicle wreck which occurred Tuesday afternoon on U.S. 501 near the intersection of Rt. 795, according to the Virginia State Police.
Steve E. Wells, 17, of Buffalo Junction was driving a 1992 Chevrolet pickup truck when he fell asleep, ran off the right side of the road, and then ran off the left side, police said.
At that point, the vehicle struck an embankment and overturned into a tobacco field owned by Phillip Waller, according to the investigation.
Wells and a passenger, 15-year-old Eddie Wells, were injured. Damages to the pickup were estimated at $5,000 and damage to the tobacco field was estimated at $500, police said.
Charges are pending and the incident was investigated by Virginia State Trooper D.J. Cline.
In other wrecks:
· No one was injured in an early Monday morning crash at the intersection of Rt. 610 and Rt. 614, police said.
Crison Martel Polk, 27, of South Boston was driving a 1994 Pontiac when he ran off the right side of the road and struck two pine trees in the yard of Danny Puckett, according to the investigation.
Damages to the Pontiac were estimated at $2,500 and damages to the pine trees were estimated at $700, police said.
Polk was charged with reckless driving. The 1:30 a.m. incident was investigated by Virginia State trooper G.M. Gilliam.
· Curtis Darnell Jones, 46, of Crystal Hill was driving a 1983 Chevrolet when he struck and killed a cow Wednesday afternoon on U.S. 501, one-tenth of a mile north of Rt. 615, police said.
Jones was not injured and damages to the vehicle were estimated at $2,000, according to the investigation.
The 2:10 p.m. incident was investigated by Trooper Gilliam.
· An early Thursday morning crash occurred on Rt. 632, two miles east of U.S. 501, police said.
William A. Herndon IV, 19, of Gladys was driving a 1997 Jeep Cherokee when he struck a deer. He was not injured and damages to the vehicle were estimated at $1,500, according to the investigation.
No charges were filed and the 12:15 a.m. incident was investigated by Trooper Gilliam.
Willie Odell Solomon of 8154 Philpott Road, South Boston died Monday, July 20, 1998 at Duke University Medical Center. He was 82 years of age at the time of his death.
Mr. Solomon was born in Halifax County on August 22, 1915 the son of Willie Harvey Solomon and Mae Oakes Solomon and was married to Alease Tune Solomon. He was a member of First Crossroads Baptist Church and the Turbeville Fire and Rescue.
Survivors include two sons, Carroll A. Solomon of South Boston and Wayne C. Solomon of Ashland; two sisters, Virginia S. Loftis of Cluster Springs and Margaret Solomon of Richmond; one brother, Wallace Solomon of Halifax; four grandchildren, Tina Shumaker of Locust Grove, Jonathan Solomon of Ashland, Sharon Conner of Scottsburg and Linwood Hodnett of Sutherlin; and nine great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mr. Solomon were held Thursday, July 23 at 2 p.m. at First Crossroads Baptist Church with Rev. Ken Williams conducting the service. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Turbeville Fire and Rescue.
Albert Hilton Tuck of 500 Prospect Avenue, Oxford, NC died Tuesday, July 21, 1998 at Oxford Manor. He was 64 years of age.
Mr. Tuck was born in Halifax County on October 9, 1933 the son of Charlie Stigall Tuck and Lois Russell Tuck.
Survivors include one son, Albert H. Tuck Jr. of North Carolina; one sister, Betty Tuck Dillow of Halifax; and one grandson.
Graveside services for Mr. Tuck were held Thursday, July 23 at 11 a.m. in Dan River Baptist Church Cemetery.
Margaret Hudson Ross of Pocomoke City, MD, formerly of Halifax County, died July 3, 1998, in Potomac, MD. She was 84 years old at the time of her death. She was the daughter of the late Thomas J. Hudson and Lena Carr Hudson.
She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Jean and Ron Canada of Potomac. She was the aunt of Bobby Hudson of Clover and Lillian Hardy of Nathalie.
A memorial service was held in Pocomoke City on July l0 with a private burial.