The June meeting of West End Community Watch was held at Perry Memorial Library, where local historian Tem Blackburn gave a brief account of the beginnings of Vance County and the City of Henderson with displays of interesting artifacts and mementoes serving as a backdrop.
Displays in the History Room include a timeline, beginning with the original Native Americans living in the area and ending with current-day information. A major display depicts the Loughlin Circus performers, including beautiful original posters. There are new displays about the Vance Hotel and John T. Church. Nannie Crowder’s showcase includes her childhood toys. Bennett Perry’s extensive arrowhead collection also is on view and housed in a display case. There is a lovely mural of old Garnett Street as seen from the inside of what used to be Parker’s Drug Store.
If you did not come to the meeting, you missed learning a lot about the area, stated Claire Catherwood, community watch member.
The next West End Community Watch will take place in August. A speaker will be announced closer to the meeting date.