Monday,
May 23,
2005
“For
Love Of America”
Area
residents paused to honor those men and women who serve
to protect the country Saturday at an Armed Forces Day Celebration
in Constitution.
“We do this honor the veterans and to help the needy
veterans in the community,” said event organizer Al
Darensbourg of the Tri-Rivers Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans
of America. “It is for any veteran- past or present,
living or dying, male or female.”
Darensbourg said taking the time to honor the men and women
of the military is especially important given the United
States’ current overseas operations.
“As Vietnam veterans we saw what happened when we came
home and weren’t honored,” he said. “We don’t
want that to happen to these new kids.”
Congressman Virgil Goode told the crowd the country’s
success was a direct result of those who have served in
the military.
“We gather to pay tribute to all of our armed forces
and to thank them for preserving our freedom so that we
may forever be the land of the free and the home of the
brave,” he said. “Without them our nation would
not be the strongest country in the world, ours would not
be the strongest economy in the world. We would not be the
beacon of democracy that is spreading the spirit and enthusiasm
of a democratic republic in the Middle East and in other
parts of the distant globe.”
But retired Brigadier General Carroll Thackston, warned
those gathered that support of the military seemed to be
waning as conflict in the Middle East continued.
“This war has drawn on since March 19 of 2003,”
he said. “As of May 12, 1,607 soldiers had been killed
and 12,350 have been wounded, but I think the American public
has sort of lost interest.
“The American public has been lulled to sleep and the
majority of Americans don’t understand the important
roll the military plays in keeping us free,” said Thackston.
“The army is having a very, very serious problem maintaining
and recruiting the desired number of personnel.”
Thackston quoted from a recent article in the “Army
Times,” noting the military needs to increase its prestige
among the public.
“Recruiting shortfalls are the symptom not the malady,”
quoted Thackston. “When we begin to elevate the value
of the soldier to the degree that we do the value of the
professional athlete, the pop, rock, and rap star, or the
person who’s looking for the CEO title, we will be
moving in the right direction. We must find some way to
appeal to what’s inside the chest cavity of today’s
young man or woman as well as to connect with influencers
– parents and other role models for young people.”
Lloyd Cole, of the Virginia Defense Force, said volunteerism
was still strong among those who had served in the armed
forces.
“What we do is strictly volunteer,” he said. “We
do it for love of America and for love of state. That is
a large part of patriotism – the willingness to serve
and put your life on the line for your community and government.”
During the ceremony area law enforcement personnel were
honored along with those from the community who are currently
serving overseas.
Area residents currently serving include Cpl. Bryant Hall,
Marine Corps; Cpl. Jacob B. Jennings, Marine Corps; Sgt.
Christopher William Cole, Marine Corps; Earl Kent Davis,
U.S. Navy; Michael Wayne Hammonds, U.S.A.F; Cpl. Adam Oakes,
Marine Corps; Cpl. Aaaron Forbes, Marine Corps; SFC Eddie
Fallen, U.S. Army; and PFC Brent Conner, U.S Army.
Serving
God By Helping Others
Clover
Baptist Church’s Mission At Home And Away
“Someone is thinking about you today.”
In Clover, that silent message is delivered to 80 to 100
“community friends” each month via a lovingly
prepared home-cooked meal.
The deliveries are part of Clover Baptist Church’s
home mission.
It is a mission that embraces the area, not just Clover
Baptist, and one that’s touched the hearts of area
farmers and gardeners as well. For example, Mr. Tharp donated
two bushels of sweet potatoes and Reese Farms is donating
strawberries, according to Rose Lane Compton, a Clover Baptist
member.
While the “meals” mission is an ongoing county
project, the church is currently in the midst of collecting
winter coats and shoes to help a Bolair, West Virginia,
mission.
Sixteen to 18 Clover Baptist adults and teenagers are expected
to make the August 5-9 trip to West Virginia, according
to the Rev. Tom Walker.
“You would not believe the response we have gotten,”
some Compton of a request to local churches for coats, jackets
and winter shoes for adults and children. “We have
the best people in Halifax County,” she added.
When the Clover mission arrives in Bolair they will throw
a block party for area residents with games, prizes and
a meal, one prepared by the Clover Baptist volunteers. “That
will be our best opportunity to witness and invite (residents)
to Sunday service at the mission,” said Rev. Walker.
The trip to the Mountain Marketplace Mission was initiated
through a Bible study class at Clover Baptist.
“A large percentage of us felt God was calling us to
do mission work …and we had West Virginia on our minds,”
added the minister.
A check of Appalachian missions uncovered the Mountain Marketplace
Mission website and “this just seemed like a good match
with us,” said the minister. “Their needs and
what our church is gifted and talented to do.”
The mission currently provides bags of food to approximately
175 families a week, according to Rev. Walker, but Gary
and Lily Melton at the mission say there is also a great
need for winter coats and shoes. “Anything winter,”
said Compton. “It gets really cold up there.”
Last week, one of the rooms at Clover Baptist was awash
with donated items, T-shirts, blue jeans, coats and jackets.
The volunteers expect to pack several trailers with donated
items for the mission.
In addition to clothes, the Clover Baptist volunteers also
plan to take canned goods.
Paint, which was donated locally, and floor tiles will also
be aboard. The Clover Baptist volunteers plan several maintenance
projects at the mission itself, according the Rev. Walker.
The church will hold a BBQ dinner fund-raiser on Saturday,
June 4, at Clover VFD from 5-7 p.m. Eat-in or take-out orders
will be available. Dinners are $6.50 for adults and $3.50
for children under 12 years.
Any church, organization or individual who would like to
contribute to the Mountain Marketplace Mission project is
invited to contact Clover Baptist Church at 454-6411. “We
will be glad to pick (items) up or they can drop them off
at the church,” said Rev. Walker.
The Mountain Marketplace Mission is a non-denominational,
non-profit organization.
Suit
Filed Against Gazette
A
lawsuit has been filed in Circuit Court accusing The Gazette-Virginian
and G-V Staff Writer Keith Strange with libeling a member
of the Board of Supervisors, the newspaper learned Friday.
The suit, which asks for $5 million in compensatory damages
and $350,000 in punitive damages, was filed in behalf of
Halifax attorney and Supervisor William B. Claiborne by
Virginia Beach lawyer Jeremiah Denton III.
The lawsuit charged that a May 13 article dealing with property
transfers at the King Village community contained a statement
that Claiborne considers “libelous per se.”
“Since we have not been formally served with the suit,
we feel it is premature to comment on the allegations of
Mr. Claiborne,” Gazette-Virginian publisher Keith A.
Shelton said Sunday.
Obituaries
Vernesta
Jennings Ewell
Vernesta
Jennings Ewell, 52, of Wilson Memorial Trail, Vernon Hill
died May 18 at her home.
Mrs. Ewell was born in Halifax County on April 11, 1953,
to the late George Edward Jennings and the late Edith Coleman
Jennings and was married to Clarence L. Ewell. She was a
member of Ellis Creek Baptist Church.
Survivors include three daughters, Temika Ewell of Chilhowie,
Shanell Ewell and Latoya Ewell, both of the home; one sister,
Gloria Bates of Nathalie; one brother, George Clayton Jennings
of Halifax; four grandchildren. Mrs. Ewell was preceded
in death by one son, Clarence L. Ewell Jr.
Funeral services will be held today, May 23, at noon at
Ellis Creek Baptist Church with Elder William E. Mosby Jr.
officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Helen
Coleman Phillips Porter
Funeral
services for Mrs. Helen Coleman Phillips Porter will be
held at 11 a.m. today, with services at the Main Street
United Methodist Church.
The Revs. Jack Porter, Phillip Showers and Bob Johnson will
officiate.
Burial will follow in the Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Mrs. Porter died Saturday, May 21, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
She was 89.
Mrs. Porter was born in Amelia County on August 26, 1915,
the daughter of the late Frank and Lucy Phillips. She was
married to James William Porter.
She was a member of Main Street United Methodist Church,
where she served as treasurer of the UMW for 22 years. She
was a member of the ladies auxiliary of the American Legion
Post 8 and was a volunteer for Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Porter was employed by Cato Corporation for 18 years,
retiring as manager in 1987.
She is survived by three daughters, Nancy P. Moore and husband
Robert of Fayetteville, N.C., Jackie P. Smoot and husband
Eddie of South Boston and Jane P. Jones and husband Freddie
of Vernon Hill, six grandchildren, nine great grandchildren,
one sister, Virginia P. Beach of South Boston.
Mrs. Porter was preceded in death by two brothers, Roy Phillips
and Willie Phillips.
For memorials, please consider the charity of your choice.
Ellen
Seamster Hightower
Funeral
services for Mrs. Ellen Seamster Hightower were held yesterday,
May 22, at the Brooks Funeral Home Chapel.
The Revs. Steve Byrd and Bill Wilkins officiated.
Burial followed in the Clover Cemetery.
Mrs. Hightower died Friday, May 20, at Henrico Health Care.
She was 88.
Mrs. Hightower was born in Halifax County on January 31,
1917, the daughter of the late John Tazwell Seamster and
the late Mary Johnny Powell Seamster.
She was first married to the late John Edward Newcomb and
later was married to Felton Hightower.
Mrs. Hightower was a member of Clover Baptist Church and
was employed as an inspector at Hampco Apparel.
Survivors include one daughter, Jean H. Mitchell and husband
James of Sandston, one son, Glenn Newcomb and wife Barbara
of Clover, three sisters, Willie Duffey of Saxe, Mildred
Smithers of Charlottesville and Shirley Johnson of Powhatan,
two brothers, Paul Seamster of Burkeville and J.T. Seamster
of Victoria, six grandsons, Ray Newcomb, Timothy Newcomb,
Mark Hudson, John Hudson, Donnie Newcomb and Dean Newcomb,
five granddaughters, Angela Lankford, Rita Wells, Sandra
Newcomb, Ann Hudson and Janice Puryear, 17 great-grandchildren
and five great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one son, Raleigh Edward Newcomb,
two grandchildren, Debbie Martin and David “Pete"
Newcomb, four great grandchildren, Kelly Martin, Debbie
Lynn Wallace, Debby Jean Wallace and Joey Newcomb, four
brothers, Herman and June “Red" Seamster and Otis
and Hagood Seamster, and two sisters, Elsie Blackstock and
Johnny S. Noblin.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the
Clover Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 199, Clover,
Va., 24534 or the Halifax Underwater Rescue Team, P.O. Box
183, South Boston, Va., 24592.
Ms.
Jacqueline Jones
Funeral
services for Ms. Jacqueline Jones of Crawford Road, Halifax,
will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Berry Hill Baptist Church
with the Rev. Tommy Crews officiating. Burial will follow
in the church cemetery.
Ms. Jones, 62, died Saturday at Halifax Regional Hospital.
A Halifax County native, she was born April 10, 1943, the
daughter of Rawleigh Lee Jones and the late Ida Overbey
Jones.
She was a member of Berry Hill Baptist Church.
Ms. Jones is survived by four daughters: Ms. Cynthia E.
Jones of the home, Ms. Bessie L. Jones of Bridgeport, Conn.,
Ms. Audrey Jones and Ms. Lauretta N. Jennings, both of Vernon
Hill; her father, Raleigh Jones; three sisters, Mrs. Laura
Guthrie of South Boston, Mrs. Ida Anderson of Waldorf, Md.,
and Mrs. Veronica Stovall of Raleigh, N.C.; two brothers,
A.Z. Jones and Thomas Jones, both of Baltimore, Md.; 12
grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one son-in-law,
Gary Jennings; one sister-in-law,; two brothers-in-law;
and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends,
and devoted friend Ms. Carrie Hodges.
Ms. Jones was preceded in death by one brother, Rawleigh
B. Jones.
The family is receiving friends at the residence and also
at the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Guthrie, 219 Wildflower
Drive, South Boston.
Comets-Glass
Square Off Here Tuesday
HCHS Faces A “Must Win" Situation
Here Tuesday Night In Its Western Valley District Tournament
Semifinal Game
BY Joe Chandler
G-V STAFF WRITER
It’s now a one-game season for the Halifax County High
School varsity baseball team.
The Comets (16-4 overall, 7-1 district) will square off
against E.C. Glass (13-5 overall, 4-4 district) here Tuesday
at 7 p.m. in the semifinals of the Western Valley District
Tournament.
A win by the Comets Tuesday coupled with a win by regular-season
district champion GW in Tuesday’s other district tournament
semifinal game will put the Comets into Thursday’s
district tournament title game and guarantee them one of
the district’s two berths in the Northwest Region Tournament.
Those are big stakes for the Comets who will be looking
Tuesday to rebound from their 13-3 shelling at the hands
of GW in Saturday’s play-off game for the regular-season
district title and one of the district’s two regional
tournament playoff berths.
Comets coach Kelvin Davis says he is confident his team
can rebound from Saturday’s loss which snapped a seven
game winning streak that included five wins over district
opponents, four of which came on the road.
“I have a lot of confidence in these guys," said
Davis.
“Everybody understands that Tuesday is where all the
marbles are. I told the upperclassmen they’re going
to have to get these guys ready to play Tuesday."
The Comets swept both of their regular-season contests against
E.C. Glass, edging Glass here in a 1-0 thriller and downing
the Hilltoppers 6-3 in Lynchburg.
While the Comets have defeated the Hilltoppers in both of
their previous meetings, Davis says his team cannot take
E.C. Glass, the third seed in the tournament, lightly.
“We’ve just got to come out and play well Tuesday,"
said Davis.
“We understand that Glass is a very competitive team.
We’re going to have to come out and play good fundamental
baseball."
Davis said his Comets team will need to manufacture runs
quickly and get on top early.
“We’ve got to get on top and get some runs early
on E.C. Glass and try to get them mentally down – just
like what GW did to us," the Comets coach pointed out.
“ When you jump on a team early it does a lot to the
opposing team."
While the Comets are facing E.C. Glass here Tuesday night,
regular-season district champion GW will host Franklin County
in Danville in the other district tournament semifinal game.
GW head coach Scooter Dunn, a former Halifax County High
School baseball coach, says his team also needs to be at
the top of its game Tuesday night.
While GW has locked up one of the district’s two regional
tournament berths, Dunn says he and his team want the district
tournament title and a home field edge for the initial round
of the regional tournament.
In order to accomplish that, the Eagles need to win Tuesday.
“It isn’t going to be easy – not against
that bunch from Rocky Mount," Dunn pointed out.
“They’re going to be loaded for bear. With the
accident that happened up there (a recent car crash that
injured some of the team’s players), they’re going
to be playing with heart.
“Hopefully, we can get a few runs early," added
Dunn.
“ They (Franklin County) have two fine pitchers in
Garner and Shell and anything can happen."
The district tournament championship game will be played
Thursday night at the home field of the highest seeded team.
Comets
Varsity Softball Enters WVD Tourney In ‘Must Win’
Mode
HCHS
Fell To Franklin County 7-2 Thursday In Regular Season Finale
BY Doug Ford
G-V STAFF WRITER
One door to the Northwest Region Tournament closed on the
Comets varsity softball team Thursday in its regular season
finale, Franklin County scoring six runs in the sixth inning
in a 7-2 win that gave the Eagles the regular season title
in the Western Valley District, and automatic region bid.
The Comets got three of its six his for the game to score
twice in the bottom of the sixth inning, but its late rally
came up short, leaving Halifax with a 6-2 record in the
district (11-5 overall) and number two seed for the Western
Valley District Tournament. The Eagles (8-0 WVD) locked
up a berth in the Northwest Region Tournament with the win.
Halifax, which would have forced a one-game playoff for
the regular season title with a win, now must defeat GW
here Tuesday in the Western Valley District Tournament semifinals
for a shot at a region spot. Franklin County hosts four
seed Patrick Henry in the other semifinal game. Halifax
and GW are scheduled to square off at 6 p.m.
Wins by Halifax County and Franklin County send both teams
to the regionals, the ultimate winner of the district tournament
awarded the district’s number one seed.
Halifax was outhit by an eight to six margin in Thursday’s
game, but the Comets had their chances against Eagles hurler
Amy Kennedy, according to coach Melanie Saunders.
“We hit their pitcher, and she wasn’t setting
us down," said Saunders, pointing to the scorebook
which had Kennedy finishing with five strikeouts. In contrast,
Halifax hurler Moo Morris collected seven strikeouts through
six and two-thirds inning, and Jessie Lloyd one in one and
a third-innings of relief.
“We had one inning where we got our hits together.
But, overall, our bats haven’t been as lively as they
had been to this point. We’re really going to come
in here Monday and work hard to get those bats moving again.
“When our bats are rolling, we can beat anybody in
the district."
The Eagles had a baserunner in each of the first two innings
without scoring, the second coming after India Metz’s
leadoff double in the second inning, but Morris got out
of the inning with three consecutive strikeouts.
The Comets’ Lori Reeves smacked a one-out double in
the second inning, before a groundout and strikeout ended
the threat.
Franklin County broke through in the top of the third for
a 1-0 lead, Jessica Searling hitting a leadoff single and
Jenny Law sacrificing her to second. Lauren Thurman singled
to put runners at first and third, before Amy Betterton’s
hit plated a run.
Halifax tried to answer in the bottom of the third and fourth
innings, Jasmine Parker stranded after a two-out double
in the third. The Comets had their best chance to tie in
the fourth, when Lashunda Davis hit a leadoff triple.
Tracy Nelson then bunted in an attempt to bring Davis home,
but Davis was caught in no man’s land between third
and home, and tagged out diving back to the bag. A strikeout
and groundout ended the inning.
The Eagles broke the game open in the top of the sixth,
combining four singles and a triple to score six runs, but
Halifax rallied in its at-bat to get two of them back.
Amanda Rogers walked with one out and Davis singled, before
Nelson’s two-RBI hit made it 7-2. Reeves walked and
Ferrell singled to load the bases, but a groundout and strikeout
ended the inning.
Rogers reached on a two-out error in the bottom of the seventh,
but a flyout ended the game.
Saunders knows her team is in for a battle against its arch
rival here Tuesday in the semifinals of the district tournament.
“The whole key is to have confidence going into the
GW game and do like we have been, getting ahead early,"
said Saunders. “We’re capable of beating GW a
third time, and we’re not looking ahead to Thursday.
“Tuesday comes first, and GW will be ready, they’re
going to want to beat us because we’ve beaten them
twice already.
“We just have to come out ready to go, with our defense
and pitchers working hard, and we have to get those hits
with baserunners aboard to score runs.
“I know we can do that.”
Comets
Girls Third, Boys Fourth In WVD Track Meet
Several Comets Track Team Members Qualify For Northwest
Region Meet
BY
Doug Ford
G-V STAFF WRITER
Shemelia
Brandon collected wins in the 200 meters, long jump and
triple jump, Ashlee Coleman won the discus event, Patrick
Terry the 100-meter dash, Travis Word the 110-meter hurdles,
and David Anderson the triple jump in Saturday’s Western
Valley District track meet at E.C. Glass.
The Comets boys 400-meter relay team, with Anderson, Jeremy
Clauden, Word and Terry, also took home a first-place finish,
as Halifax finished fourth in the boys meet with 85 points,
only eight points behind third-place finisher Franklin County.
Glass took top honors in the boys meet, collecting 165 points,
followed by Patrick Henry with 116, Franklin County with
93, Halifax County with 85 and GW with 61 points, respectively.
The Halifax girls track team finished with 82 points overall
for a third-place finish, behind Franklin County, with 152
points, and E.C. Glass with 185 points. Patrick Henry was
fourth in the girls meet with 69 points, while GW had 29
points.
The top six individuals and top three relay teams from each
event advance to the Northwest Region Track & Field
Meet, to be held Friday at the University of Virginia in
Charlottesville. Four Comets, Brandon, Word, Terry and Coleman,
have qualified for the upcoming Group AAA state meet, Word
making the state meet with his first-place time of 15.59
seconds in the 110-meter hurdles on Saturday.
Both the Comets boys and girls teams gave a good performance
overall at the district meet, according to coach Ralph Robinson.
Overall, the girls did what they could do," began Robinson.
“We saw some good individual performances, and I was
hoping they would get second-place, but the other teams
were pretty well stacked.
“We hadn’t seen Franklin County all year, and
they have some good athletes."
Robinson said Brandon gave a consistent performance,"
but that the girls team was missing one of its key runners
on Saturday, Shaday Coleman.
“Shemelia did her usual good job. She didn’t break
any records but she gave us her usual first-place finishes
and that was good for us," noted Robinson.
“Shaday Coleman did not participate in the 100-meter
and 300-meter hurdles. She usually does very well in those
events, and probably would have had a good chance of winning
them. With her not being there, that’s about 20 points
we were anticipating that we didn’t get."
The Comets boys track team did well despite a lack of depth,
added Robinson.
“I was pleased. We didn’t get any points in the
throwing or distance events (shot, discus, 800-meter, mile
two-mile). If we had been able to get some points there,
we’d have had at least been a lot closer to third-place.
“We’re not very deep. We got some first- and second-places,
but we didn’t get any depth points," continued
Robinson.
“We’re not going to be able to win championships
without the depth points."
One highlight for the Comets was Terry beating Ronnie Edwards
of Franklin County in the 100-meter dash.
“Patrick was very excited. Edwards had beaten him in
indoor track and Patrick came back and beat him in the outdoor
meet," noted Robinson.
Western Valley District Track Meet
Comets Girls Results
100-Meter Dash
6. Juanita Kincy 13.50 seconds
200-Meter Dash
1. Shemelia Brandon 25.78
400-Meter Dash
8. Jasmine Pointer 1:07.38
800-Meter Run
2. Donise Newton 2:33.15
1,600-Meter Run
8. Amey Totherow 6:31.62
400-Meter Relay
3. Halifax (Ashton Claiborne, Marteia Ferrell, Pointer,
Kincy) 53.16
1,600-Meter Relay
4. Halifax 4:46.81
3,200-Meter Relay
3. Halifax (Deelyn Leigh, Siobhan Howerton, Newton, Totherow)
11:20.85
High Jump
9. Juanita Kincy 4’-6”
Long Jump
1. Shemelia Brandon 18’-6”
9. Marteia Ferrell 13’-11.5”
Triple Jump
1. Shemelia Brandon 38’-7”
8. Marteia Ferrell 32’-9”
Shot Put
2. Dakeisha Teeters 34’-3.5”
3. Ashlee Coleman 34-1.5
Discus
1. Ashlee Coleman 109’-6”
4. Dakeisha Teeters 94-3
8. Whitney Stanfield 77-11
Western Valley District Track Meet
Comets Boys Results
100-Meter Dash
1. Patrick Terry 11.23
5 David Anderson 11.93
200-Meter Dash
2. Patrick Terry 23.19
6 Travis Word 24.62
400-Meter Dash
5. Taron Rogers 53.74
Melvin Reynolds 54.46
8. Vattell Coleman 54.99
1,600-Meter Run
11. Chris Pridgeon 5:17.75
3,200-Meter Run
7. Dewane Bradley 10:42.53
110-Meter Hurdles
1. Travis Word 15.59
300-Meter Hurdles
2. Jeremy Clauden 43.54
400-Meter Relay
1. Halifax (Anderson, Clauden, Word, Terry) 43.68
1,600-Meter Relay
3. Halifax (Coleman, Rogers, Reynolds, Anderson) 3:39.33
3,200-Meter Relay
3. Halifax (Justin Davis, Amanual Coleman, Pridgeon, Rogers)
8:43.23
High Jump
5. Travis Word 5’-8” (tie)
5. Derek Brooks 5-8 (tie)
Long Jump
2. David Anderson 21’-1.5”
8. Jamand Edmonds 18-3
Triple Jump
1. David Anderson 44’-10”
7. Jamand Edmonds 39-5.75
Shot Put
7. Kori Clark 41’-1”
13. Corey Jackson 35-9
Discus
12. Corey Jackson 110’-1”
14. Kori Clark 100-1
