Contributed

Honor Roll 1st Quarter 

Nov. 2019

5th Grade

A Honor Roll (90+) – Kimberly Dowless, Karlee Gause, Ester Guzman Gonzalez, 

Josey Pait, Joshua Strickland, Nehemiah Williams

A/B Honor Roll (80+) – Ashley Baiza Rivon, Donald Blake Britt, Hartleigh Britt, 

Natalie Britt, Ryleigh Brothers, Brayden Bryan, Robert Chase Bryan, 

Peyton Isabelle Burney, Elijah Christian, Shawnesty Deaver, Benjamin Diaz, 

Ashton Davis, Colin Elkins, Taylor Evans, Lily Hester, Ashton Johnson,

DaShaun Leach,  Saniya Martin, JaNya McKeithan, Diyari McKoy, Lukas McLean, 

Mary Beth Pittman, Madison Powell, Cheyenne Reinhart, Brody Rhodes, 

Giovanna Spaulding, Connor Sykes, Jada Wright, LeAnn Stanley

6th Grade

A Honor Roll: (90+) – Omarion Brown, Jonah Bryan, Ashly Castro-Jacome, 

Jenna Dove, Gavin Elks, Hunter Hester, Tylik McCall, Braylen Merritt, Franklin Pait, Jackson Pait, Crystal Stewart, Natalee Sykes, Makenna Thurman, Leea Wilkins, 

Faith Wren, Cassidy Wright

A/B Honor Roll:(80+) – Kali Allen, Jyra Best, Nicole Castro Vergara, Gwendolyn Cordle, Jaime Creech, Dakota Fores, Kaylie Gilmore, Weston Hilburn, Elijah McCollum, 

Pateyn Pope, Timeira Rich, Emogen Schallert, Coreanne Shaw, Justin Spaulding, Jacob Taylor, Harmony Thompson

7th Grade

Superintendent’s List: (96 +) – Marlene Crabtree, Holland Davis, Natalie Holland

A Honor Roll: (90+) – Jovany Albarran Palacios, Cade Allen, Jade Black, 

Danny Chavez-Ortiz, Alanna Dowless, Kara Gause, Georgia Hester, 

Flor Jacome Duarte, Valeria Lopez Martinez, O’Mara McDonald, Luke Pait, 

Dorien Rivera, Aiden Russ, Marissa Taylor. 

A/B Honor Roll:(80+) – Tucker Bordeaux, Caleb Clark, Emmaleigh Dunn, Ariel Freauf, 

Jonathan Guijosa-Santiago, Chason Harris, Lashantiana Jackson, Addison King, Lamaiya Morgan, Alayna Parnell, Hillary Roblero Sandoval, Richard Severine, 

Lexi Tatum, Gracie Todd, Marlie Walters, Madison Wilkins, Chase Williams.

8th Grade

Superintendent’s List: (96 +) – Mary Davis, Audrey Oldfield, Megan Pait, 

Brookee Singletary

A Honor Roll: (90+) -Alyssa Boatwright, Mallory Bryan, Ben Davis, 

Montserrat Castro Vergara, Will Durden, Kinley Hilburn, Shamaria Jackson, 

Jenna McLean, Kaelan Pittman, Christopher Wallace

A/B Honor Roll: (80+) – Sanai Blanks, Autum Britt, Colin Britt, Joseph Brooks, 

Olivia Bryan, Dylan Cain, Ariana Carranza Toledo, Briana Carranza Toledo, 

Kyanni Crowell-Gilmore, Madison Evers, Ivan Garcia Lopez, Jesse Gause, 

Brennan Greene, Alexys Griffin, Mayra Guijosa-Santiago, Lakeem Hendricks, 

Dalton Hester, Steven Hester, Matthew Jackson, Eddie Labra, Aaron Lewis, 

Trinity Meares, Kaci Nance, Kimberlyn Pinyan, Tiffany Russ, Shakira Singletary,

Amerie Smith, Xavier Spaulding, Christopher Stewart, Makayla Townsend,

Na’Maya Whitaker, Taeonna Wilson.

The post Bladenboro Middle School announces Honor Roll appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

Contributed

FAYETTEVILLE – Nov. 7, 2019 –  Cape Fear Valley Health has earned an A grade for patient safety for the Fall 2019 ratings period. The health system has received A grades for four straight reporting periods.

The grade was announced this month in The Leapfrog Group’s Hospital Safety Score biannual ratings survey. The ratings system is considered the gold standard for Patient Safety. It is the first and only hospital rating system to be peer-reviewed by the Journal of Patient Safety.

The Leapfrog survey reviews 28 publicly available safety data measurements from more than 2,600 acute care hospitals nationwide to produce a single A, B, C, D or F score for each facility. The grades represent a hospital’s overall capacity to keep patients safe from preventable harm.

To learn more about the survey or The Leapfrog Group, visit hospitalsafetygrade.org.

Media contact for Cape Fear Valley: Janet Conway, 910-615-4748 or jconway@capefearvalley.com

The post CAPE FEAR VALLEY EARNS TOP PATIENT SAFETY GRADE appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

1731 – In Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin opens 1st library in the North American colonies.

1789 – Bourbon Whiskey 1st distilled from corn by Elijah Craig in Bourbon, Kentucky.

1892 – Grover Cleveland (D) elected 24th US President.

1904 – Inventor and manufacturer Harvey Hubbell receives the first U.S. patent for a separable electric attachment plug.

1910 – William H. Frost receives the first U.S. patent for an electrical insect destroyer.

1917 – Telephone Company runs 1st advertisement for Army operators, receives 7,000 applicants.

1932 – Amidst the Great Depression, Democrat candidate Franklin D. Roosevelt is elected President of the United States, defeating Republican incumbent Herbert Hoover.

1933 – FDR creates Civil Work Administration.

1942 – 1st WW II American expeditionary force lands in Africa (Gold Coast)

1950 – A US aircraft shoots down a North Korean jet in the Korean War, the first jet-to-jet dogfight in history.

1961 – Imperial Airlines Flight 201/8, a Lockheed Constellation aircraft, crashes near Richmond, Virginia, 77 die.

1966 – Edward W. Brooks (Rep-R-Mass) becomes 1st African American popularly elected to the US Senate.

1977 – Ed Koch is elected Mayor of New York (his 1st term)

1984 – Anna Fisher becomes 1st “mom” to go into orbit.

1988 – Vice President George G.H. Bush is elected President of the United States, defeating Democrat candidate Michael Dukakis.

1989 – Douglas Wilder elected 1st African American Governor of Virginia and any state since reconstruction.

1990 – 100,000 additional troops are sent to Persian Gulf.

2014 – US President Obama authorizes deployment of 1,500 additional troops to help train and advise Iraqi and Kurdish forces fighting Islamic State militants.

2016 – Republican Donald Trump is elected President of the United States of America, defeating Democrat Hillary Clinton, who received 2.9 million more votes.

2018 – Deadliest fire in California history, the Camp Fire starts at Plumas National Forest, spreads in Butte County destroying town of Paradise, more than 13,000 buildings and killing at least 88.

The post This Day in History for November 8 appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

Here is the honor roll for Elizabethtown Primary School for the first nine weeks of the 2019-20 school year:

4th Grade
Superintendent’s List
Abigail Miranda-Ventura, Aaliyah Wright
A Honor Roll
Quadir Brown, Taylor King, Heather Rojas-Sandoval, Sana’a Singletary, Noah White
A/B Honor Roll
Ariana Acevedo Portillo, Ishaq Al Gozy, Aubrey Andersen, Alton Brooker, Kayelynn Chambers, Jayden
Coples, Paris Drummond, Sy’Riyah Edwards, Jonathan Gooden, Aireyell Graham, Ty’Kee Hill, Arianna
McKiver, Amir Melvin, Anthony Mena Martinez, DeNaye Moore, Emy Perez Rojas, Jackson Phillips, Ryne
Allan Priest, Lupita Ramos, Aaron Ramsden, Fabizio Randazzo, Kamariah Rhodie, Fox Sutton, Dakota
Taylor, Chloe Toler, Lamont Tucker, Emanuel Velazquez-Perez, Jahari Walker, Zir’rihana White

3rd Grade
Superintendent’s List
Jalil Westmoreland
A Honor Roll
Jesse Campbell, Salavador Estrada-Gonzalez, Michael Fleury, Gianna High, Jenniyah Jones, Kynslie
Kinlaw, Legacy McNeil, Brooklyn Nichols, Amiya Pearson, Alayna Roberson, Avery Smith, Calleigh Smith,
Cayden Stocks, Miguel Ventura
A/B Honor Roll
Edward Autry, Alanna Bethea, I’Aysia Brooks, Aaliyah Burgess, Dallas Carver, Cheyenne Collins, Nakria
Collins, Joshua Crumb, Sterling Davis, Kanisha Donerson, Mason Fleming, Za’Mariah Gray, John High,
Ja’Nirria Leach, Autumn Matushin, Isabella Meggs, Juan Miranda, Tracy Montgomery, Kenadi Rhodie,
Zariyah Riddy, Isabella Stubblefield, Ernest Washington, Ka’Nyia Westmoreland, Richard White, Avianna
Whittington, Dereonna Wright, Lila Young

The post Elizabethtown Primary School 1st 9 Weeks Honor Roll appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

RALEIGH – Duke Energy announced Thursday $500,000 in grant funding to two organizations championing the battle against the opioid epidemic in North Carolina.

The Duke Energy Foundation awarded $100,000 to the More Powerful NC campaign and $400,000 to the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition (NCHRC).

“Our communities need help, so we’re joining the fight against the opioid crisis,” said Stephen De May, North Carolina president of Duke Energy. “We’re proud to support the critical work of these organizations to expand access to help, and to broaden educational outreach in North Carolina.”

The More Powerful NC campaign was created by the North Carolina Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services, as well as other partners, to raise awareness about the opioid crisis and to encourage North Carolinians to take action in their own communities.

The campaign outlines real, actionable steps for the safe storage, use and disposal of pain medications, as well as resources for finding treatment and recovery support. Duke Energy Foundation funds will be used for public education and outreach.

“The opioid epidemic is ripping through North Carolina and leaving a trail of sick and grieving people in its wake,” said Attorney General Josh Stein. “That is why I am so proud to team up with this diverse and passionate group of government and corporate leaders. More Powerful NC is raising awareness of addiction and spurring action in local communities. I want people all over this state to appreciate that together, we are more powerful than this epidemic.”

NCHRC is a comprehensive harm reduction program. The organization engages in grassroots advocacy, resource development, coalition building and direct services for people impacted by drug use. NCHRC also provides resources and support to the law enforcement, public health and provider communities.

“The North Carolina Harm Reduction is proud to partner with Duke Energy Foundation. This funding will make it possible for us to improve access to healthcare and other social resources for directly-impacted people living in rural communities in eastern, central and western North Carolina by supporting our outreach and linkages to care programs,” said Shelisa Howard-Martinez, executive director of North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition.

Duke Energy Foundation funding for NCHRC will establish nine new regular outreach sites; expand wraparound services and build capacity by creating a replicable model for community technical assistance. Within 12 months, the grant to NCRHC will reach 2,360 individuals through direct service and 25 communities through technical assistance programs engaging local healthcare providers, government, law enforcement and social services.

The post Duke Energy joins fight against North Carolina’s opioid epidemic with $500,000 in grants appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

Bladen Online’s Pet of the Week is Fingley, a 2-year-old male Border collie mix.

He is very sweet and playful, says Bladen County Animal Shelter manager Karen Suggs, and would make a great addition to a family.

Fingley has been looking for a special someone to give her a loving home. Could it be you?

The Shelter has a variety of pets ready for adoption. The cost to adopt a dog is $50. The cost to adopt a cat is $40. Both fees include the animal’s first required shots. The adoption hours are Monday through Friday from noon until 5 p.m.

The Bladen County Animal Shelter also accepts donations of dog food, treats, toys and cat litter.

Bladen County Animal Shelter is located at 506 Smith Circle in Elizabethtown. For information or questions call (910) 862-6918.

The post Bladen Online Pet of the Week: Fingley appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

Surprised that temperatures have been in the 70s in early November? Those are about to end … and quickly.

The National Weather Service has issued a freeze warning for Bladen County in effect Saturday from 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. Sub-freezing temperatures of 29 to 32 degrees are expected, according to the weather service.

Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing, according to the alert. Tender outdoor plants will need to be protected from the cold.

Gusty winds are expected to usher in cold air Friday with the high temperature expected to be about 54 degrees. That’s 21 degrees cooler than Thursday’s high of 75.

Saturday’s high is forecast to be about 55 degrees with a low Saturday night of 34. Temperatures are expected to be in the 60s Sunday and Monday before another cold front brings temperatures below freezing at night by Tuesday.

The post Freeze warning issued for Saturday morning appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

East Bladen host West Bladen in football this evening … final game of the season for both teams. Has not been the season either team, their coaches or fans hoped for … but youngsters still working hard. They deserve our support.

East Bladen boys’ soccer team has advanced to the 2nd round of the statewide playoffs … sporting a 16-3-1 record to date after a 3-0 win earlier this week in first round action. Next opponent is North Johnston (17-5-2) Saturday at 6 p.m.

NFL action last night … Oakland Raiders 26 – LA Chargers 24.

Rain early today, cloudy through the morning hours, then gradual clearing with a high near 52. North wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. … Brrrr cold tonight, low around 31 with a northeast wind 7 to 9 mph. Great football weather????? Bundle up.

I enjoy cold weather now … but as a youngster using coal or wood for warming, one trash burner to keep the whole house warm … an experience I prefer to remember, but never experience again…

My mom made quilts for all 6 of her children and many grandchildren … my favorite is about a half size quilt with a place for your feet. … I spend time every morning under the quilt … thinking about her efforts, living on a very limited income, yet constantly doing good for her family. … Often, I thank her for her efforts … many years after she departed the scene. My goal should be to live my life more like my mom. … When she died we discovered many cans of Campell’s soup … some expiration dates years before. She lived through the depression and was playing it safe…

A reminder of Star Telephone’s 60th Annual meeting of member/owners Saturday, 10 a.m. at the Sampson County Agri-Center, on Warsaw Road, just off US 701 business in Clinton. All member/owners will be provided lunch. … Hope to see you there.

A friend recently shared the following thoughts …

If you’re sitting in public and a stranger takes the seat next to you, just stare straight ahead and say, “Did you bring the money?”

I had my patience tested. I’m negative.

When I say “the other day,” could be referring to any time between yesterday and 15 years ago.

robert g hester
rgh4612@gmail.com
910-876-2322

The post Thoughts While Shaving for November 8 appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

East Bladen’s Eagles, the Three Rivers Conference champions, will travel to North Johnston on Saturday for a 6 p.m. second round game in the NCHSAA Class 2A boys soccer playoffs.

The Eagles (16-3-1) are led by senior Gabe Barber who has scored 21 goals and dished out 21 assists. Junior Garrett Melvin has fired in 15 goals for East Bladen, and senior Jake Evans has racked up 8 goals and 21 assists.

Freshman Malcolm Bolden has also scored 8 goals and delivered 5 assists. Senior Jon Von Rupp has totaled 6 goals and 5 assists.

Junior Jacob Priest has recorded 13 shutouts in goal for the Eagles and has been credited with 37 saves. The Eagles blanked Elizabeth City Northeastern 3-0 in their opening round playoff game.

North Johnston’s Panthers won the championship of the Eastern Plains Conference with a perfect 10-0 record and are 17-5-2 overall. The Panthers edged North Lenoir 2-1 in their first-round playoff game.

The post East Bladen At North Johnston Saturday In Soccer Playoffs appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

2019 East vs. West JV Football Game 

Photos by Kenneth Armstrong, kenarmphoto.com VIEW MORE

BLADENBORO – Sophomore Timothy McLean ran for 4 touchdowns Thursday night to lead East Bladen to a 48-8 Three Rivers Conference jayvee football victory over West Bladen.

Sophmore Cory Ballard and freshman Javious Brooks scored one touchdown each for the Eagles who finished their season with a 6-1 league record and 7-2 overall mark.

Purnell Hooper powered into the end zone for the Knight touchdown and also scored the 2-point conversion.

The post JV Football: East Bladen 48, West Bladen 8 appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

ELIZABETHTOWN – Matt Kemp scored a pair of goals Thursday to lead Clarkton School of Discovery to a 3-1 Waccamaw Middle School Conference boys soccer victory over Tabor City at Bladen County Park.

Garrett Dunham fired in a goal off of an assist from Elijah Cain in the 20th minute to put the Blue Devils ahead 1-0. Two minutes later Kemp banged in an unassisted goal to pad the Clarkton lead to 2-0 at halftime.

Kemp turned another Cain assist into the final Blue Devil goal in the second half. The Red Devils scored their goal 2 minutes later to trim the final margin to 3-1.

Coach Jordan Raynor’s Blue Devils improved to 2-0 with the win and will travel to Nakina on Tuesday.

The post Middle School Boys Soccer: Clarkton School of Discovery 3, Tabor City 1 appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

CERRO GORDO – Chris Labra fired in 2 goals Thursday to lead Tar Heel to a 3-2 Waccamaw Middle School Conference boys’ soccer victory over West Columbus.

Ricardo Rodriguez scored the other goal for the Panthers who improved to 2-0 with the victory. Tar Heel will play Bladenboro on Tuesday at 3:45.

The post Middle School Boys Soccer: Tar Heel 3, West Columbus 2 appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

ELIZABETHTOWN – Williams Township edged Bladenboro in the second session of overtime penalty kicks to claim a Waccamaw Middle School Conference boys soccer victory Thursday at Bladen County Park.

Hezekiah Blanks-Adams scored a goal in each half as the Bulldogs battled back from an early 2-0 deficit to finish regulation play in a 2-2 tie.

Both teams knocked in 3 penalty kicks each in the first overtime session with Blanks-Adams, Colin Britt and Eddie Labra scoring for the Bulldogs in the shootout. The teams then went to a sudden death overtime round. Bladenboro missed their kick, and the Aggies made their kick for the victory.

“It was a great game. The kids had a lot of fun,” said Bulldog Coach Steve Thurman. “Williams Township is a good team to play against.”

Bladenboro, now 1-2, will play Tar Heel on Tuesday at County Park at 3:45.

The post Middle School Boys Soccer: Williams Township Defeated Bladenboro in 2nd Overtime appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

WHITEVILLE – Whiteville Central outlasted Elizabethtown 3-2 on Thursday in Waccamaw Middle School Conference boys soccer action.

Elizabethtown battled back from deficits of 1-0 and 2-1, before Central pulled out the victory. Alex Hidalgo and Marco Ventura fired in goals for the Cougars, and teammates Chace Butler and Jamie Delgado contributed one assist each.

The Cougars played shorthanded due to injuries to goalkeeper Fernando Rebollar, Aiden Williams and Tevin McClean. “Big injury to Tevin in the first half changed the game,” said Elizabethtown Coach Jay Raynor. “The boys fought hard but didn’t get the result. They showed a lot of fight.”

Elizabethtown, now 1-1, will play West Columbus at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Bladen County Park.

The post Middle School Boys Soccer: Whiteville Central 3, Elizabethtown 2 appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation announced Bladen County’s upcoming road closings according to Faye M. Boyne, Administrative Specialist I, Division of Highways with NCDOT.

CLOSINGS:

NC210 Near US 701

NC210 closed on Monday, June 17, 2019 and will remain closed until December 12, 2019 at 5:00 pm.  They will be replacing existing pipes with a concrete box culvert. A detour is in place which is NC41 to US701. NC210 will be closed to through traffic between SR1562 (Walter K. Evans Rd.) and SR1529  (George Long Rd.).

NC41 & NC410

Intersection of NC41 & NC410 is closed for construction of a Roundabout. There is a signed detour. Detour is in place traffic on NC410 will use SR1107 (Pleasant Grove Church Road). Traffic on NC41 will use NC131 to SR107 (Center Road)  back to NC 41. Use caution while driving on the new pattern and be aware that the detour routes have existing stop signs at some intersections.

SR1003 TWISTED HICKORY ROAD

SR1003 Twisted Hickory Road will be closed for pipe replacement project in both directions. This will begin on October 14, 2019, 8:00 am through November 15, 2019, 5:00 pm.  Exact location of closing is 0.5 miles North of SR1134(Burney Road)

Road will be closed for 24 hours per days for the duration of the project. There will be no detour in place.

SR1739 (BROWNTOWN ROAD)

Sr1739 Browntown Road will be closed for crossline repairs. This will close on October 29, 2019 8:00 am through November 15, 2019 5:00 pm.

The post Update on Bladen County road closings from NCDOT appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

Contributed

DUBLIN – Bladen Community College recently recognized Board of Trustees member, Bladen Co. Sheriff James McVicker, for extraordinary service to the college and the community. Chairman of the Board Dennis Troy presented Sheriff McVicker with an engraved plaque commemorating his service of commitment to BCC.

Dr. Amanda Lee, college president remarked, “Sheriff McVicker’s commitment and support of the college has been instrumental in the recent growth and success of the college. He always prioritized the students and their success. We will miss his leadership on the board. ” McVicker was appointed by the Governor’s Office to serve on the community college board of trustees.

The post BCC Recognizes Sheriff McVicker appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

The County of Bladen is raising the National League of POW/MIA Families flag to recognize our Prisoners of War and Missing in Action service men and women.

“The importance of the POW/MIA flag lies in its continued visibility, a constant reminder of the plight of America’s UNRETURNED VETERANS.  Other than “Old Glory,” the League’s POW/MIA flag is the only flag ever to fly over the White House, displayed since 1982 in this place of honor on National POW/MIA Recognition Day. (The National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed in September)

Passage by the 105th Congress of Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act required that the League’s POW/MIA flag fly six days each year: Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, National POW/MIA Recognition Day and Veterans Day.  It must be displayed at the White House, the US Capitol, the Departments of State, Defense and Veterans Affairs, the headquarters of the Selective Service System, major military installations as designated by the Secretary of Defense, all Federal cemeteries and all offices of the US Postal Service.  In addition to the specific dates stipulated, the Department of Veterans Affairs voluntarily displays our POW/MIA flag 24/7.  The National Vietnam Veterans, Korean War Veterans and World War II Memorials are now also required by law to display the POW/MIA flag daily.  Most State Capitols have adopted similar laws, as have local governments nationwide.”

https://www.pow-miafamilies.?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rssorg/history-of-the-powmia-flag.html

Veterans Day will be observed on Monday, November 11, 2019. We found some upcoming events to honor veterans as well; see the links below. The local banks and Post Offices have posted signs notifying the public they will be closed on Monday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day.

13th annual Bladen County Veteran’s Day Ceremony

https://www.milvets.nc.gov/events?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

Related video:

The post County of Bladen is raising the National League of POW-MIA Families flag to recognize our POW and MIA appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

By Charlotte Smith

The Battle of the Bell has been a Bladen county football tradition for 18 years according to the local students. East Bladen and West Bladen High Schools would pass a bell, known as the Victory Bell, back and forth each year depending on which school won the East versus West High School Football game.

This year some East Bladen students saw the Victory Bell at West Bladen and asked a staff member at West Bladen for the bell back, since last year East Bladen won the football game. When East Bladen school officials saw the coveted bell back at East Bladen, it was quickly taken away and stored in the maintenance office.

On Wednesday, November 7th of 2019 an article was released by a news outlet announcing school officials had confirmed the “Battle of the Bell” tradition would not continue. East Bladen and West Bladen High School principals and the Bladen County Schools Superintendent all agreed that the Victory Bell would no longer be a part of the school rivalry.

The Victory Bell has been almost forgotten for several years during the East versus West friendly rivalry football games, according to Mrs. Peggy Hester, West Bladen Principal.

Dr. Robert Taylor, Superintendent stated, “We acknowledge the efforts of East Bladen and West Bladen to establish a rivalry game around a centerpiece item known as the bell. This certainly was an effort to create a competitive game and provide valuable lessons on sportsmanship, and winning and losing with class,”

He continued, “While the aforementioned goals are continually met, the actual quest to possess the bell never fully developed as anticipated. Often the objects that a winning team in a rivalry get to keep and the desire to possess it, develop over many years and often be happenstance or chance.  I’m from Laurel Mississippi and we play for the Little Brown Jug against Hattiesburg, and it is the oldest high school rivalry in the state and one of the oldest in the nation. It took many decades before it became what it is today.”

Some students have taken grassroots efforts to try to reverse the decision. They started collected handwritten signatures to bring the tradition of the Victory Bell back. Now they have upped their game to using the website, change.org.

On the website the campaign stated, “Adults shouldn’t take away the excitement that the students have for this bell. Students believe this is one of the main reasons it’s such a big rivalry and don’t want the tradition to be taken away. This petition is to bring back the Victory Bell!”

As of 11:30 Friday morning the petition campaign has collected over 1,100 signatures.

There are multiple comments from current and past Bladen students advocating for the tradition to continue.

Michael Walter posted, “As a former East Bladen football player this bell is part of our history! We must have battle of the bell.”

Jennifer Potter stated, “The bell is something that is EARNED!! Keep the tradition alive!”

Spencer Scott continued the support by posting, “Not everyone is a winner, you have to earn the title.”

View the students petition here: http://chng.it/jtdCKH8rZn?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

Mrs. Hester said, “While we appreciate the idea of “capturing the bell” as part of a friendly rivalry, the bell hasn’t been used in years.  It was actually brought to one of the games played at WB several years ago and not picked up at the conclusion of the game.  This left it housed at WB, and we haven’t moved it.  The two schools also competed previously in a pancake eating contest hosted by our local restaurants, but even that event has gone by the wayside.”

She added, “The schools will always compete as friendly rivals, but there is more focus on cooperation and camaraderie, and we choose to keep that at the forefront of all of our sporting and academic events.”

Dr. Taylor closed by stating, “Both high schools have decided that the bell will no longer be a centerpiece of their annual football game, but they will continue to encourage the desirable qualities that athletics can teach our students. But the most encouraging thing I see from both schools is their support of each other and sincerely wishing the other team the best in competition. Maybe in the future, a meaningful object will develop in the game that will last a hundred years!  But rest assured that the Superintendent will be in attendance wearing neutral gray colors!!”

Perhaps what spurred the remembrance of the Victory Bell is the new tradition started last year with the help of the Kiwanis Club of Bladen County. The club has worked with East Bladen and West Bladen Key Clubs this year for the second annual Can Food Competition.

Last year, our county suffered a great deal due to Hurricane Florence and the club decided to launch a challenge between East Bladen and West Bladen High Schools. The two schools far surpassed any expectations last year by collecting over 12,000 cans in less than a month for the Bladen Crisis food bank.

Just as last year, whichever school collects the most cans wins the contest. The Kiwanis Club members will present the winning school with a trophy that is passed between the two schools during half time at the East Bladen verses West Bladen football game.

The trophy that was won last year by West Bladen will be presented to this year’s winner during half time at the East Bladen verses West Bladen football game held tonight, November 8 at East Bladen High School.

Weather the grassroots efforts bring the Victory Bell back or not, maybe the new tradition of competition where the students are collecting cans for the local food bank will carry on through the test of time.

Related article:

Bladen County high school students start their annual canned food competition

The post Victory Bell uniting some Bladen County students  appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

Photos by Kenneth Armstrong, kenarmphoto.com

The post 2019 East vs West JV Football game appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

The regular scheduled Town of Bladenboro meeting has been rescheduled  due to the Veterans Day Holiday. The regular Town Board meeting will be held Tuesday, Nov 12, 2019 according to Melanie Hester, Town Clerk/Finance Officer for the Town of Bladenboro.

View the agenda now: 11-12-2019 Town of Bladenboro Agenda

The post Regular Bladenboro Town Board meeting held on Tuesday in honor of Veterans Day appeared first on BladenOnline.com.