Monday, May 31, 2004

Honoring America’s Heroes
War Memorial Service Offers A Somber Tribute To Fallen Soldiers

Hundreds gathered Sunday at the Halifax County War Memorial to honor America’s fallen soldiers during the annual Memorial Day ceremony.

Guest speaker Thomas E. Saunders, past state commander of the American Legion, told the crowd that America’s fallen soldiers should never be forgotten.

“This is a day we set aside to say ‘thank you’ to the men and women who gave their lives for their country,” he said. “It’s our duty as patriots to remember those who gave their lives for freedom.”

Sunday’s ceremony was dedicated to Korean War veterans, past War Memorial Commission Chair Larry Clark said.

“Those men and women who went into an unknown land during an unknown war deserve our recognition,” he said.

Delegate Clarke Hogan said it is the duty of all Americans to remember those who sacrificed their lives for their country.

“How do we earn the freedoms we have?” he asked. “Wars have touched us all and I believe we recognize their sacrifice not from movies or television programs, but by talking and meeting with those who served. If we hold to our values maybe we’ll earn and be worthy of their sacrifice.”

Following a 21-gun salute by members of Post 99, designated veterans laid wreaths at the memorial in memory of the nation’s fallen soldiers.

The event was sponsored by American Legion Posts 8 and 99, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8243, the Halifax County High School JROTC, the Virginia National Guard and the Vietnam Veterans Association.

Summerfest Raises Nearly $13,000

The Town of Virgilina and the Virgilina Volunteer Fire Department put on their Memorial Day best Saturday for the 22nd Annual Summerfest celebration.
Summerfest raised approximately $13,000 for the Virgilina Volunteer Fire Department, according to Asst. VFD Chief Chad Loftis.

"We sold all of our chicken and pork plates, and almost all of our stew," said Loftis.

"You couldn't have asked for a better day," he added, despite a overloaded power line that delayed the start of the parade for about 20 minutes.

"We had good cooperation from everyone and everything went well," he added. " The parade was one of the longest and largest we've had."

Donnie Boyd, Assistant Fre marshall for Granville County, served as Grand Marshall for the parade.

"Granville has always been there for us, and they help us a lot," said Loftis.
Florence Avenue Baptist Church won first-place in the float competition, while Union United Church of Christ had the second-place float.

A fire truck from Brassfield Volunteer Fire Department traveled the farthest to participate in Summerfest, while the Halifax County Fire Commission ladder truck was judged as the Best Appearing fire truck.

The Best Appearing car was a Dodge Prowler owned by Donnie Ellington, while the Halifax County High School Blue Comets Marching Band was first in the band competition.

Adell Pulliam won both the first-place prize of $250 and the second-place prize of $100 in the fire department raffle drawing, while Vicky Whitfield took home $50, according to Loftis.

William Cates won the quilt made by Florence Buchanan.

The annual Summerfest celebration could not take place without a lot of people working behind the scenes, said Loftis.

"Thanks to Mr. Stevens for bringing the Blue Comets Marching Band, and to all of the parade participants," said Loftis.

"I want to thank all the Virgilina firemen who worked continuously throughout the day, and the community volunteers."

Loftis extended his thanks and gratitude to the community who came out to support Summerfest, as well as the sponsors who got everything going.

"And, thanks to all the soldiers, past and present, who gave us the freedom to have these events," he emphasized.

County ‘Vision 2020’ Will Be Unveiled June 10
‘Plan Written With The Words Of Halifax County’s People’

Area residents will get a glimpse into the county’s own view of its future on Thursday, June 10, when the “Vision 2020 Strategic Plan” is unveiled.

Mac Holladay, president and CEO of Market Street Services, will the featured speaker at the plan’s unveiling at First Presbyterian Church.

The plan is a result of comments, feedback, suggestions and ideas collected from over 1,000 Halifax County citizens by consultants Jennifer Campbell and Alex Pearstein of Market Street Services.

The plan is broken into five broad goals with objectives for each goal and action steps to achieve the objectives.

The plan is described as an achievable one written with the words of Halifax County’s people.

The Vision 2020 Steering Committee is composed of over 30 volunteers from all geographic and socioeconomic areas of Halifax County.

“They are passionate about the process and have worked diligently to ensure the ‘Vision 2020 Strategic Plan’ will be created and implemented by the citizens of Halifax County,” added the Rev. Russell Lee, a committee member. “It is a grassroots, people driven process.”

Committee members said the plan had been created to bring optimism, participation and unity to Halifax County.

The plan is based on the committee’s Vision statement, a statement they feel projects what Halifax County will be in 2020 if the strategic plan is followed.

“Halifax County is a dynamic community, working through unity and cooperation toward a stronger economic future and an enhanced quality of life,” according to the Vision statement. “Educational and workforce excellence drives our strategy for job creation and a diversified economy.

Strong values, a sense of community, abundant recreational and cultural resources and effective partnerships make Halifax County a wonderful place to live, work and visit.”

The “Vision 2020 Strategic Plan” is scheduled to be unveiled during a community meeting on Thursday, June 10, at the First Presbyterian Church, 800 North Main Street, South Boston from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Area residents are invited to attend and share their thoughts and comments about the plan.

Since seating is limited, anyone interested in attending needs to call the Halifax County Chamber of Commerce at 572-3085 or email info@halifaxchamber.net to reserve a seat.

Comets Host Stafford Today
Today’s Northwest Region Tournament Quarterfinal Game Is Slated For 4 P.M. At Comets Field

By JOE CHANDLER | G-V Staff Writer

After having won its first Western Valley District baseball championship in nine years Friday night, the Halifax County High School baseball team turns its focus today to the start of the Northwest Region Tournament.

The Comets, the top seed in the Western Valley District, will host Stafford County, the number two seed in the Commonwealth District, today at 4 p.m. at Comets Field in a Northwest Region quarterfinal game.

Admission for today’s game will be $6 per person.

Today will mark Halifax County’s first appearance in the Northwest Region Tournament since the 2001 season when the Comets won the district tournament crown and advanced to the Group State Tournament semifinals.
Comets coach Kelvin Davis said after Friday night’s win over GW that Stafford is an unknown entity.

“We know nothing about them and they probably don’t know anything about us,” Davis said.

“I’ll do some research on them over the weekend and try to get as much information as I can from some other coaches that have played them.”

While Stafford is something of an unknown entity, Davis said he and his Comets team will bring into today’s game the same philosophy that has prevailed all season.

“We’re just going to go at them and try to score runs early,” Davis said.
Davis says he feels being able to play Stafford here will be an advantage.
“They’re three and a half hours away and you’ve got guys that are mentally drained because of the travel on the bus and all of that,” Davis pointed out.

The Stafford Indians (14-9) defeated the Commonwealth District’s regular-season champion and top seed, Colonial Forge 6-4 Friday to win the Commonwealth District Tournament title.

Stafford’s power hitters swatted four home runs in the game and finished the contest with 11 hits.

That victory led Stafford to today’s Northwest Region Tournament game and a milestone event of sorts.

Stafford has had only two previous appearances in Northwest Region Tournament play, those coming in 1974 and 1981.

GW, the Western Valley District regular season champion and the district’s number two seed, travels to Stafford today to face Colonial Forge (15-5), the top seed of the Commonwealth District.

That game is also set for a 4 p.m. start.

If the Comets win today’s game, they will host a Northwest Region Tournament semifinal game here Wednesday against the winner of today’s contest between C.D. Hylton, the second seed from the Cardinal District and Potomac, the top seed of the Cedar Run District.

That game would be played at Comets Field at 7 p.m.
Today’s other Northwest Region Tournament quarterfinal game has Gar-Field, the top seed from the Cardinal District, hosting Stonewall Jackson, the second seed from the Cedar Run District.

Obituaries

Myra Averett Anderson

Mrs. Myra Averett Anderson of Bellevue Road in Halifax, died Friday, May 28, at The Medical Center in Plano, Texas.

She was 79.

Mrs. Anderson was the daughter of the late William James Averett and Greta Clark Averett and was married to the late Henry Belt Anderson.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church and was a retired cafeteria manager with the Halifax County School system.

Survivors include four sons, David Barry Anderson and wife Bobbi of South Boston, William Lewis (Chip) Anderson and wife Theo of North Logan, Utah, Albert Jackson Anderson and wife Cheryl of Richardson, Texas, and Craig Mason Anderson and wife Janet of Midlothian, Virginia, one sister, Kathlyne A. Russell of Scottsburg, six grandchildren, Stephen Anderson of Richmond, Stephanie Beth Anderson of South Boston, Molly Anderson and Katy Anderson, both of North Logan, Utah, Joshua Anderson and Lauran Anderson, both of Midlothian.

She was preceded in death by her husband, one sister, Lonie Averett and one brother, Jack Averett.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time.

Charles S. Edmondson

Funeral services for Mr. Charles S. Edmondson will be held Tuesday, June 1, at 2 p.m. at the Bethlehem Baptist Church.

Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Viewing of the remains will be Tuesday from noon until 2 p.m. at the church.
Mr. Edmondson, of Reverend Coleman Road in Clover, died May 26 at the Halifax Regional Hospital.

He was 88.

Mr. Edmondson was born in Halifax County on July 27, 1915, the son of the late Willie B. Edmondson and Daisy Hundley Edmondson.

He was married to the late Reva Edmondson and was a member of the Bethlehem Baptist Church.

Mr. Edmondson was a World War II Navy veteran.

Survivors include one daughter, Eva E. Roberts of Albany, New York, two sisters-in-law, Estelle Edmondson and Lillian Edmondson, both of Clover, four grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Hunter Gray Forlines Sr.

Hunter Gray Forlines Sr., 78 of Liberty, died Sunday, May 30, at his home.
He was the son of the late George Taylor Forlines and Hattie Martin Forlines and was married to Dorothy Elliott Forlines.

Mr. Forlines was a member of the Liberty United Church of Christ, the Woodmen of the World and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He was a WW II Navy veteran and was employed by Sizemore Appliance and later Finchers Appliance as a salesman and service technician.

Mr. Forlines is survived by his wife, two daughters, Deborah Forlines of Liberty and Donna F. Harris and husband Mike of South Boston, two sons, Hunter G. Forlines Jr.. and wife Nancy of Eden N.C., and David Allen Forlines and wife Judy of Halifax, eight grandchildren, Chris B. Gillispie and wife Erin of Wilkesboro, N.C., Joshua G. Forlines and Jessica B. Forlines, both of Eden N.C., Whitney Blake Forlines and Krystle Johnson, both of Halifax, Ryan M. Harris and Grayson L. Harris, both of South Boston, and Stacey M. Owen of Boston, Mass., and two great grandchildren, Alexa Gillespie and Ethan Gillespie, both of Wilkesboro, N.C..

Funeral services will be held at Liberty United Church of Christ at 2 p.m. Tuesday with the Rev. Dwight Moore conducting the service. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military rites.

The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Monday and at other times at his home in Liberty.

For memorials please consider the Halifax County Cancer Association, P.O. Box 875, South Boston, Virginia 24592, the Halifax Regional Hospice, 2204 Wilborn Avenue, South Boston, Virginia 24592, or the Liberty United Church of Christ Cemetery Fund.

David Lawrence White

David Lawrence White, 82, of Roxboro, N.C., died Saturday, May 29, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Durham.

Mr. White was born in Person County to the late Cyrus Clifton and Vivian Iola Oakley White.

He was a World War II Army veteran. He was wounded on Anzio Beach in Italy in 1944. For his service in the Army, he received the
Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart.

Mr. White was a partner with his brother Bernard in White Brothers Store in Hurdle Mills and in the early 1950s became a partner with his two brothers, C.J. and Jack, of Brooks & White Funeral Home.

He was a member of Long Memorial United Methodist Church and a member of the Elks BPO Lodge No. 2005.

Surviving are his wife, Eloise Rimmer White of the home, two daughters and sons-in-law, Shirley and Dr. John R. Bradsher and Laurie and Robert C. Wrenn, two granddaughters, Mary Kelsey and Anna MacKenzie Wrenn, all of Roxboro, N.C., one brother, Kermit White of Danville, and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 1, at Brooks & White Chapel with the Rev. Herbert Brown officiating. Burial will be in the Burchwood Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, May 31, at Brooks & White Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the Long Memorial United Methodist Church Endowment Fund or a charity of one’s choice.