TownTalk: National Cemeteries

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Military veterans and their families may know about particular benefits that are available to them because of their service to the country, and those benefits extend to burial in a national cemetery.

Through perseverance, carefully documented research and the help of a genealogist, Phyllis Maynard is planning a springtime memorial service at Salisbury National Cemetery for her grandfather, who served during World War I.

The cemetery is the only one of its kind in the state that is currently open for burials and memorial services, according to Phillip Smyre, cemetery director. And, in fact, Maynard’s grandfather is taking the very last spot in the memorial section of the historic cemetery. Plans for an expansion are underway and that project could begin next year, Smyre told guest host Maynard and John C. Rose during the monthly installment of “Former Active Duty, Still Boots on the Ground segment of TownTalk.

Genealogist Kim Knight helped Maynard, herself a military veteran, locate information regarding her grandfather, Willie Maynard. He died under tragic circumstances when Maynard’s father was only 4 years old. And his service to his country was not acknowledged. Until now. Maynard said she and Smyre are planning a service to officially recognize her grandfather’s military service during warmer weather to accommodate elderly family members who want to attend.

Usually, cemetery officials can confirm a veteran’s service through social security numbers, army ID numbers or the discharge DD-214. But Maynard’s grandfather was not issued a social security number when he was born, so the process took a bit longer. Knight, the genealogist, first found a death certificate and then had to work back from that point to find information about his military service.

“He deserved to be memorialized with honors,” Knight said.

Smyre said it was a group effort, with Knight’s and Maynard’s input, along with the scheduling office in St. Louis, MO “to confirm that Mr. Maynard was indeed a member of the Armed Forces during WWI.”

No matter the need, Smyre said he and his outreach staff are ready to help family members who have questions or need assistance. Phone 704.636.2661 to learn more. Staff conduct ongoing outreach programs with local churches, community centers and veterans’ groups to get the word out about the services that are available to military veterans.

On land that once housed a prison during the Civil War, the Salisbury National Cemetery originally interred both Union and Confederate veterans; it had to continue to evolve, however, at the conclusion of World War I, then World War II, then Vietnam.

About two years ago, pre-placed crypts were placed to give more room for burials, Smyre said.

National cemeteries are held to slightly stricter “standards of upkeep” than state cemeteries, he said. “Headstones are set at a certain height, the grass, depending on the type is cut to a certain height,” he said, adding that there’s “a little bit more of a microscope on the national cemetery.”

State cemeteries do a great job, he said, but often don’t have the funding that a national cemetery has, which affects resources and staffing.

Sonya Leazer, administrative specialist at the cemetery, said a national cemetery will accept any eligible veteran, regardless of where they lived. State cemeteries require that a person live in the state for at least 10 years to be eligible for interment. National cemeteries accept interment of a spouse of the veteran at no cost to the family.

“They can be interred as long as they’re eligible,” Leazer said, and if the veteran is eligible, the spouse also is eligible. There are certain additional requirements for a child to be interred in the cemetery with parents.

 

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County Water Expansion Project Continues On Track; Construction Maybe In Spring 2023

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The regional water project continues to move forward, and county commissioners last week approved an amendment to the engineering services agreement as part of its compliance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture review process.

“We are still working with USDA to get to the point where they will authorize us to go to bid on the project,” Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen told WIZS News on Monday.

McMillen said if all goes well, the county will be able to finalize one remaining easement agreement that is necessary to gain USDA authorization to start the bid process.

“We are hopeful that would put us in position to get to construction in the spring of next year if all falls in place,” he said. The Phase 1B part of the project involves installing about 25 miles of water line to the east side of the town of Kittrell – that includes Bobbitt Road, Abbott Road, Julian Smith Road, Kittrell Road, S. Chavis Road, Dr. Finch Road, parts of Dick Smith Road and others in the area, McMillen explained.

The total cost is estimated at $6.5 million and includes $1,672,000 in USDA loan funds, $2.8 million in grant funds and $2 million in county ARPA funds.

The county has been working on this phase of the project since it took ownership of the Kittrell Water Association in 2018.

The Local Skinny! United Way Yard Sale

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Whether you’re de-cluttering with a purpose, or whether you are finally taking a moment to clean out the garage or closet, Desiree Brooks says the items you are parting with be a big help to the community.

Bring your gently used furniture, home décor items, electronics, baby and kid items and more to the United Way office this Friday in advance of a yard sale to raise money for nonprofit agencies.

Brooks is president of the local United Way, which supports nonprofits in Vance and Warren counties. This group is 100 percent volunteer organization, and though COVID-19 derailed yard sales for the past couple of years, Brooks told John C. Rose on Monday’s The Local Skinny! that the agency is getting back into the swing of things.

Volunteers will happily accept donations between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 16 at the United Way office, located at 715 S. Garnett St.

“All the money stays local,” Brooks said, and encourages the community to make their donations – either with goods for the yard sale or by visiting https://unitedwayvance.org/united and clicking on the Give button. The yard sale itself will be held Saturday, Sept. 24 at the United Way office on Garnett Street.

Previous yard sales have netted a couple of thousand dollars for United Way, which in turn allocates money to area agencies. “We want to be able to allocate more,” Brooks said. “We realize the organizations depend on grants…we want these fundraisers to be as successful as possible.”

 

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TownTalk: McGregor Hall Continues Positive Impact With Upcoming Shows

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From the stage, actors delight and entertain audiences with their performances. But the way Mark Hopper sees it, the local and regional actors who perform at McGregor Hall have important roles off-stage as well – Hopper sees them as ambassadors for the regional venue and for the community of Henderson, too.

Rehearsals have begun for the upcoming production of “The Little Mermaid” and Hopper old John C. Rose during Monday’s TownTalk that close to 100 people are – or will be- coming into Henderson seven nights a week for rehearsal. “And that’s just the cast that’s participating,” he said. When cast members go back to their home communities and talk up the shows or just the beauty of McGregor Hall, they promote ticket sales and more visitors to the area.

“The reach of that cannot be overstated,” said Hopper, who serves as McGregor Hall’s director of operations and heads the board of directors.

Henderson residents should be proud to say that McGregor Hall brings world-class entertainment right into the community. “It’s extremely important to us that we be a venue for all in the community…it’s part of our mission that we provide something for everyone, and do it affordably,” Hopper said.

The McGregor Hall Live! Series kicks off later this month with a show called “Smokey & Me,” featuring Charl Brown, who performs the biggest hits of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles on Sept. 25.

“This guy is pretty amazing,” Hopper said, calling Brown “the real deal.”

McGregor Hall patrons can purchase tickets to all five shows in the 2022-23 series for $115, which Hopper said is a real bargain.

How can the venue attract such a high caliber of talent? Lots of agreements with national companies that license productions and lots of phone calls with agents and other groups that represent touring companies and musical groups.

“We have to pay a pretty good chunk of change just to have permission to present it,” Hopper said of the Disney production. But these large-scale, professional productions help to showcase the talent on the stage, and also, well, the stage itself. “We’ve really made a name for ourselves here,” Hopper said of McGregor Hall.

“We really have an all-star cast,” he continued, adding that 2017 Miss North Carolina Victoria Huggins returns to McGregor Hall as Ariel. Jonathan O’Geary has the role of King Triton.

In addition to the Smokey Robinson tribute and the fall production of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” Hopper said McGregor Hall will host a holiday concert by the Raleigh Ringers and America’s Got Talent finalists and audience favorites Sons of Serandip in February, followed by Ballet Magnificat in April.

Although it’s not a part of the McGregor Hall Live! Series, a special concert, sponsored by Mast Drug, is set for January 28, 2023, Hopper said. The Oak Ridge Boys will perform at McGregor Hall and tickets will go on sale later this week, he said.

“That was a big catch,” Hopper said, adding that it’s taken several years to land the group, because they continue a rigorous touring schedule. “They do a lot of touring with The Gaithers,” Hopper said. “They haven’t slowed down one bit.”

Visit https://www.mcgregorhall.org/ for a complete listing of show dates and times, and to view videos of some of the groups that will take the stage locally during the 2022-23 season.

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NC State Board of Elections

Officials Begin Mailing Absentee Ballots To Signal Countdown To Nov. 8 Election

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-information courtesy of N.C. State Board of Elections

Beginning today, North Carolina’s county boards of elections wile begin mailing absentee ballot to voters who request them for the 2022 general election, signaling the start of voting midterm elections.

Election Day is 61 days away – November 8.

Contests in this election include a U.S. Senate seat, all 14 U.S. House seats, two seats on the N.C. Supreme Court, four seats on the NC Court of Appeals, all 170 seats in the N.C. General Assembly and numerous judicial and local seats across the state.

As of Thursday, Sept. 8, more than 53,000 N.C. voters already have requested an absentee ballot for the general election. The state currently has more than 7.35 million registered voters.

County Boards of Elections are busy registering new voters, preparing ballots, testing voting equipment, hiring and training poll workers and preparing early voting sites and Election Day precincts, among other responsibilities, according to a press statement from the executive director of the State Board of Elections Karen Brinson Bell.

“We encourage all eligible North Carolinians to register to vote and to make a plan now about when and where they will cast their ballot in 2022,” Bell said in a press statement issued Thursday. “Your state and county elections officials are here to provide accurate information to help you safely and securely exercise your right to vote. We will make sure your vote counts.”

Sample ballots are available through the State Board’s Voter Search tool. Voters should locate their voter record and scroll down to the “Your Sample Ballot” section. (Note: Sample ballots are posted by county as soon as they are available.)

 

How to Request a Ballot

In North Carolina, all registered voters may request an absentee-by-mail ballot. Voters may do so:

  1. Online at the C. Absentee Ballot Portal.On the portal, select “Option 1 — Request an Absentee Ballot.”
  2. On paper using the English N.C. Absentee Ballot Request Form for 2022 (fillable PDF)or the Spanish N.C. Absentee Ballot Request Form for 2022 (fillable PDF).

Voters requesting a ballot must provide their date of birth and one of the following to verify their identity:

  • North Carolina driver’s license number or NCDMV-issued identification card number; or
  • Last four digits of Social Security number.

The request form must be signed by either the voter or the voter’s near relative, legal guardian or person assisting the voter due to a disability. A typed signature is not allowed.

The paper absentee ballot request form can be mailed or returned in person to your county board of elections. Your county board of elections must receive the completed and signed absentee request form by 5 p.m. Tuesday, November 1.

For more information, see Vote By Mail and Detailed Instructions to Vote By Mail.

Also starting Friday, the absentee ballot portal will open for military and overseas voters, as well as visually impaired voters, to receive and return their absentee ballot through the online service.

Click  North Carolina Absentee Ballot Portal for more information and Military and Overseas Voting to learn more about this process.

Absentee voting is safe and secure. For more information on the security of absentee voting, see Statement About Absentee Ballot Security in North Carolina.

 

Important Dates and Deadlines: 2022 General Election

  • Tuesday, September 13: State Board meets to adopt early voting sites and schedules for more than a dozen counties that have not confirmed those schedules yet. Details: State Board Meeting: September 13, 2022 | NCSBE
  • Friday, October 14: Regular voter registration deadline for voters who want to vote on Election Day. Details: How to Register.
  • Thursday, October 20: One-stop, in-person early voting begins. Eligible individuals may register and vote at any one-stop early voting site in their county. For early voting sites and schedules, see One-Stop Early Voting Site Search.
  • Tuesday, November 1: Absentee ballot request deadline. The State Board encourages voters to request their absentee ballot as early as possible to ensure enough time to complete and return the ballot.
  • Saturday, November 5: In-person early voting and registration ends at 3 p.m.
  • Tuesday, November 8: Election Day. Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voters should go to their designated Election Day polling place. Find your polling place through the Voter Search Absentee ballots received after 5 p.m. November 8 must be postmarked by Election Day and received by mail by 5 p.m. Monday, November 14. Ballots withouta postmark must be received by Nov. 8.
  • Friday, Nov. 18: County canvass day; results are certified at the county level.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 29: State canvass day; final results are certified statewide.
Corbitt Trucks

TownTalk: Preserving The History Of Corbitt Trucks

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The 20th annual Corbitt Truck Show and Reunion is coming up next month on Oct. 15, and it’s a great time to come out and view some of the vehicles that were manufactured right here in Henderson.

Corbitt Preservation Association Vice President Tom Burleson said the reunion coincides with the Show, Shine, Shag and Dine event, which brings thousands of car enthusiasts from all over into town for a weekend of fun.

Burleson told John C. Rose on Thursday’s TownTalk that his group is selling raffle tickets for some nice prizes – tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. First prize is a Milwaukee tool set, which retails for $750-$800. Second prize is a Hobart welding accessory kit, valued at $300.

Tickets are available from anyone in the Corbitt Preservation Association, their social media page, as well as at the museum on the day of the reunion – and Burleson said you don’t have to be present to win.

The Corbitt museum, located at 180 Church St., has plenty of Corbitt merchandise for sale. “We’ll be open for business that day and look forward to seeing people,” he said. There are Corbitt caps and t-shirts for sale, among other items. This year’s t-shirt features an image of a 1929 fire truck, whose chassis was built by Corbitt, which once known as the South’s largest truck manufacturer.

The fire truck originally was property of the U.S. Navy, but Burleson said it had more recently been used on the campus of the Maryland Hospital for the Criminally Insane. Officials there contacted the preservation association when it was ready to be retired, and it is now in the process of being restored to its former glory.

That very truck should be among the rolling stock of Corbitt vehicles that will be on display near the fire department on Garnett Street during the car show, Burleson said.

It’s not an everyday occurrence, but he said the group does hear from folks who have Corbitt vehicles.

“I enjoy it because it’s living history,” Burleson said of his interest in Corbitts. “So many people don’t know or appreciate what the Corbitt Company did for the country and for the community.”

The company began making buggies in 1899 and then produced horseless carriages when they began installing motors on the backs of the buggies. Although most known for their trucks, Corbitt also manufactured cars and tractors.

During World War II, Corbitt produced “big ol’ beasts” to transport all kinds of heavy cargo. “That was their niche and they sold a ton of them,” Burleson said. They’ve turned up in Europe, leftovers from the American presence.

And there are a couple of farm tractors that have been located in Brazil, the result of a deal between the U.S. and the South American country. A couple of shipments made it to Brazil before the deal broke down, Burleson said, but he said someone made contact with folks here to say he had one and his neighbor had one, too.

The Corbitt enthusiasts are keen to keep the vehicles in working order. “These are real things that are wonderfully still rolling,” Burleson said. “We have a good handful of folks who keep these things up and ride them and drive them and display them and love to talk about them,” he said.

To learn more, visit www.corbitttrucks.com or phone 252.767.2247 or 252.432.6476.

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