Kinston High School

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Lennie Peterson

"Happy Thanksgiving to All"! You all are the best, and I know it!

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Lennie Peterson

Hi,
May I touch on a few things? And please feel free to share your ideas and thoughts!
We, both citizens and businesses need to stop decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving, and in some cases before Halloween. It's ashame when you walk into a store on September 25th, and Halloween and Christmas decorations are out. Sometimes on the same isle? Business response, "We are trying to get people in the mood for Christmas". News flash to businesses. Christmas is on the same day every year! People know when it is!
We need to get back to the basics, and celebrate one Holiday at a time. Be thankful of what you have during Thanksgiving. Remember the Pilgrims and what they went through and why they came here from England. This reason is part of our 1st Amendment rights. Freedom to worship as you please without a government run religion.
One more thing. I am against a government run health care system. My fellow classmates, it won't work. Look at England and other places that Obama wants us to be more like. It doesn't work there, and it won't work here!

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Lennie Peterson

Hi Family,
As many of you know, I'm a conservative Republican. If you didn't know, you know now!
Liberial's hate people who are successful. They tend to believe the idea that government is the answer to all things. They back high taxes on us, so they can spend it on things they want. They support groups like atheist, labor unions, nut jobs like Al Gore, and other groups that are anti-religion, anti-business, anti-economic growth, anti-American, etc.
Those of you who are successful, no matter what you do. Review what you believe in, and then take a gut check. Look inside to determine if your a liberial, or a conservative!
President Reagan once said, "Government is not the solution, it's the problem"! We've seen this with this administration. Unemployment was 7% in January, 10% now officially, near 20% realistically.

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Lennie Peterson

Hi again,
Had to get these ideas out before 1 Janary 2010. As many of you know, or didn't know, Congress votes themselves a pay raise annually. Had an idea for about a month or 2 now. Let's take this power away from Congress. Let's put it to a vote every 4 years on the national ballot. Simple, if you think Congress is worth a pay raise, vote "Yes", If not, vote "No"! 54% of Congress are millionares currently!
I'm in favor of term limits for members of Congress. They would only serve 2 terms of office (4 year terms). No pension! They may be selected for additional time in a cabinet postion, or run for Vice-President or Presdent. They may not serve as a lobbyist! As for a pension? Time served in the military would be used, and time served in Congress added to establish their time for a federal pension. 20+ years of service (military and congressional) they would receive 50% of their base military salary (last attained pay grade), 30+ years they would get 75% of their base salary. This would encourage these people to serve in our military first! Then they would understand what public service is all about!
Think of the savings if you consider 535 members of Congress. And no more Senator Byrd's from West Virginia. He's what, 93 years old?

Grover Thomas

Hi All,


Look out for the evites for the 2010 4th party. We will be hosting the party at the Ocean Club at the Grande Dunes Myrtle Beach SC....stay tuned.

Cheers,
GT

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Lennie Peterson

Hi family,
Sorry for the delay in this announcement. My internet provider from the Wake County area had problems. So I've been down the last couple of days!
We have another doctor in our the family. I'm very proud to introduce to you all Jocelyn Bethel, Doctor of Education. Jocelyn, I'm very proud of you!!!! As I'm sure the rest of the class is. The newspaper had you in the paper on Wednesday, January 13th. You are under the "Your Neighbors" section on page 3. Again, very proud of you!
Lennie

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Lennie Peterson

Hi again,
Second posting today, must be on a roll. I want mine with butter!
As many of you know that the local Dupont plant has had it's issues over the last several years. According to the Free Press. A new arrangement betwwen DuPont Sorona and Toyota will enure that fibers made at the Kinston plant will be used in Japanese made Toyotas. These cars will be sold only in Japan.
Fibers will be used in the ceiling surface, sun visors, and pillar garnish of Toyoya's new model SAI. Fibers will also be used in floor mats sold under the Toyota brand.
According to site manager Harold Thomas, current employment at the plant is 120. This new agreement could bring future growth to the plant?

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Lennie Peterson

Hi family,
Let me first start off by saying. I ran 10 miles today! And you know, ran it in the same time as I did 10 years ago.
How many of you remember the store Rose's. It was out at Vernon Park Mall from 1969 to January 2002. The store at the mall was one of the 4 anchor stores that were at the mall when it opened in 1969. The other 3 being Penny's, Belk's, and Eckerd's.
Well Rose's is returning to Kinston. It will be located where Winn Dixie last had a store at. On Herritage Street behind the Plaza. It is expected to bring between 35 and 40 jobs. Interested persons can apply at the store location on February 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. The store is expected to open in March.
Other stores that have opened in Kinston are: "It's Fashion", "Sophi Dot's", "The Jumin' Monkey", and "Tokyo Kinston Japanese Restaurant".

Leslie Todd Ipock

Hi class family. Hope everyone had a very merry christmas, and a very happy new years. Hope everyone is doing well also. If anyone has heard anything about the DVD we were supposed to get for the 25th reunion, please send me a note and let me know what is going on with those, or if they are not coming. Already looking forward to the (holy hell) 30th. Everyone stay safe until then, and thanks in advance for any info on the DVDs.


Love, peace, and prayers;

Todd Ipock

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Lennie Peterson

Hi family,
One idea I mentioned in mid-2008, was what if we have a prom so to speak, as part of our 30th reunion? Let's have a talk on what we as a class would like, and give suggestions to the reunion committee. Remember, it is our time to get together. It's all well in good to expect 5 people to sit down, and take time to kick around ideas, but it's better when you have input from those who are going to gather to celebrate these milestones in time, called reunions! This can be a great help to those 5 committee members.
The prom could be held at KHS, or where we had ours originally. Or we could have a prom at our 50th. Just an idea! Another idea for the 50th, that I'm borrowing from the classes of 1938 and 1939. Get an activity bus, and take a tour of Kinston. I drove that bus back in 1989, and I'll do it again in 2033 if asked!

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Lennie Peterson

Hi Family,
In the Kinston Free Press, dated 31 January 2010, on Page 3, in the "Our Neighbors Secton". Marionetta Lofton Sutton's twins are mentioned in the paper.
Andrew and Ashleigh Sutton, 7th grade twin grandchildren of Delphine Lofton and Delores Sutton, both of Kinston, were inducted Nov. 12th into the Kappa chapter of the National Junior Honor Society at the Benjamin Tasker Middle School at Prince George's County, Maryland. Nominination involves a review of the candidates student transcripts, civic and community involvement, and teacher recommendation.
The twins maintain a grade point average of 3.8 on a 4.0 scale and are enrolled in a college-level biology class for gifted students at the Prince George's Community College in Largo, Md. The twins are the children of Marionetta Sutton and Elex Sutton of Maryland, both Kinston natives.
My mother and I had the chance to see and meet these twins when they were a year old at Marionetta's mother's house on Mulberry. I believe that was in 1997. We would like to see them again, and see Marionetta again as well.
We are all proud of the twins. Congrats to the twins, parents, and grandparents. And to KHS for having another treasure out there making a difference.

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Lennie Peterson

Hi family,
Hope everyone is doing great, and safe. What a winter we had had so far. Some places that haven't received snow in 80 years have gotten it, places like Washington, DC and Charlotte have gotten swamped with snow. Anyone got Al Gore's number. Want to ask him how is that Global warming hoax of his going! The earth has cycles, just as we do!
Anyway, yesterday I was sitting at King's on Vernon Avenue. Me and this lady started talking. Seems her 13 year old grand child was going to a Birthday Party later on that evening. The party was going to be held at a club from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. That makes no sense, as she and I agreed. We as a society that needs to return to the basics. Birthday party's during the day, children in before dark. Teach them respect so they will give respect. And return an educational system back to the way it was. Most children don't know anything about history. Those who do not know history, are doomed to repeat history. This includes past mistakes. It's ashame when 30% of 9th graders aren't expected to graduate from high school. Why make an education tougher to attain, when you are not teaching them manners and good judgement to succeed.

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Lennie Peterson

Hi Family,
In the 9th grade we sold buckets of popcorn to raise money to air condition the Jr. High's cafeteria. Then in our senior year, we sold boxes of doughnuts. I sold 25 boxes with my mother's help.
According to the February 12th news paper. KHS's Advancement Via Individual Determination program is having a flapjack fundraiser at Applebee's on Hwy 70 here in Kinston, beginning at 8:00 a.m. on February 20th. Tickets are $6.00 and can be purchased at the door or we can call Clay Stilley at 252-560-1400. Breakfast includes a short stack of pancakes, sausage, milk, juice, and coffee.
According to the paper, all proceeds raised will go toward a field trip to visit a college campus. Personally, I wonder which campus? You know that could be LCC, ECU, UNC-W, or another one.
The paper also states, to request a Flapjack Fundraiser, visit AGGrestaurants.com.

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Lennie Peterson

Hi again,
We all went to KHS, and graduated. Some went to school, others went into the military, some went to work, and we basically got on with life.
Seems the Lenoir County School system now has "STEM". According to them, it's a program that will highly educate our children while they are in elementary, middle, and high school so - when they finish college with their science, technology, engineering or mathematics degrees - they'll come back to Kinston, where jobs at the Global Transpark and throughout the county will await them.
Lenoir County is one of only three locations in North Carolina selected as a test site for STEM. Proposals include a new High School at the GTP that would focus on STEM education and a complete overhaul of the county's educational curriculum. They go on to claim that this program will keep our young people here, and keep them from going to work in places like Raleigh, Charlotte, and Atlanta! STEM organizers have stressed that the 4 skills are not just applicable in those fields, but many other professions, from farming to plumbing to music. They go to claim, that this is the best way to teach our children skills so they will be prepared for the job markets of the future. Gee, I wonder how did we ever make it without STEM, gag! Even Obama's very own education secretary is interested in the program.
I've said this before, and I'm saying it again. The education system worked very well in the past. Over the past 15 to 20 years some people have messed with it. Messed with it to the point it's screwed up. There are those who would like for 6th and 7th graders to decide on a future careet right then (socialism/communism), and they see something and claim we just gotta do something to fix it. Even if it ain't broke. Let the children be children! Return back the basics that we had.
Remember, currently that 30% of 9th graders aren't expected to graduate from the 12th grade. That's why I'm in favor of doing away with the US Department of Education (created in 1978). I'm really worried about our children, and future generations. Did you notice that there was no mention of history.

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Lennie Peterson

Hi family,
Tuesday night I went to the KHS cafeteria to see and voice my opinion on the proposed bypass around the current bypass. I told DOT members there that Kinston did not need it. It would only hurt Kinston when it was all said and done!
Look, if the state is gripping about low tax revenues earned. Why build more roadway miles, when they can't really maintain what they have now! Yes, I'm being a conservative voice in Kinston. None of us can spend more than we take in. If we do, there are problems that arise! Govenment should operate the same as we operate our homes. Remember, that is our money!
When it comes to Kinston, I'm very protective of her! A bypass that would take travelers away, would mean lost income, revenue, and more importantly jobs!

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Lennie Peterson

Hi again,
After the above meeting was over. I got the chance to walk through KHS. Those tables we ate lunch on, and the chairs we sat in, are gone. Those benches in our student lounge we sat on, and had photos taken on (like Kecia's photo and others), gone as well! Former KHS principal Craig Hill got rid of them! That was stupid!
I got to walk past Mr. Shepherd's, Mrs. Oliver's, Mr. Hamilton's, Mrs. Blount's, Mr. Perry's, and Mrs. Kornegay's rooms. The first time since we were seniors. What a feeling that was to experience after nearly 27 years! Seems like it was only yestersay! I could almost see you all their. Sitting in classes, waiting for the final bell to sound.

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Lennie Peterson

Hi family,
Does anyone remember what happened 30 years ago (March 1st and 2nd, 1980)? Give you all a hint. A picture of this event was in our 9th grade year book! Still no takers?
On those 2 days and night. Kinston received 18 inches of snow. Snow fall amounts ranged from 12 to 28 inches across eastern North Carolina. I remember the snow, but not good enough to remember the dates. I was watching channel 7.1 this morning (the old channel 7), and they mentioned it. And no, we didn't get mail those 2 days.
Oh, one more thing. Kinston is having their 5th annual 8K road race on March 27th. I will be running in this race, just as I've done in the last 4 races. If your in town, stop by and see this event.

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Lennie Peterson

Kinston High won their second 2A state championship yesterday in Raleigh. According to the paper, this makes Kinston's second title since becoming Kinston High School in 1970, after the combining of Adkin High School with Grainger High School. The first title coming in 2008-09. The boys basketball team won 51-29 over West Caldwell High School. The basketball team's head coach is Mr. Wells Gulledge.
According to the Kinston Free Press: "An estimated 5,000 (Viking) fans attended the game (at Reynolds Coliseum)". KHS Principal Wynn Whittington said, "I'm proud of the turnout of Viking supporters who came to Reynolds!".
The paper also mentioned Reggie Bullock, who tied teammate Dallas Best with 15 points in the game. Dorey Hines also contributed 10 points and six rebounds during the game. Reggie Bullock was named game's overall most valuable player, and Dorey Hines earned Kinston's most outstanding player award.
Reggie Bullock is headed to UNC at Chapel Hill next year, where he will play basketball. Got an idea, we as individuals should send messages of congratulations to the school, coach, and team. Remember, no victory is an individual achievement, but a group achievement!

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Lennie Peterson

Sorry about this one! Ava, I was just looking through some old news papers from Feruary. I am truly sorry about your dad passing on 14 February 2010! If I had caught it sooner, I would have said something sooner, or visited the family at Mills Furneral Home, gone to the funeral at Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church. Again, I am so sorry about your dad!
Also missed, was Jessie Jacob "Mickey" Joyner, Jr. Many of us remember him as the owner and operator of the "Captain's Corner" on Plaza Blvd. He ran the place for 28 years, he also retired from DuPont in 1991. He was 69. He was a good man. He asked about my father months ago after not seein him for while. I told him of my father's passing. To the family, and friends, he will be missed.

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Lennie Peterson

Hi Family,

   Here it is, the night of June 8th 2010! Wow! Does it feel like 27 years ago? It still feels like it was last month! 27 years is just a blink of the eye in time. Even still, you have to wonder where did those 27 years go?

   This Friday, I'll be getting up at 3:00 am. Why you ask, I'll be asking that that at 3:00 am? I'm headed to Fort Bragg to run in a 10 mile run there. It starts at 6:30 am, and there will be roughly 2,000 runners. So, I've gotta find a place to park, time to stretch, and get ready for this event!

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Lennie Peterson

Hi Family,

   I missed this one! Sergeant First Class Wiley T. Neal, one of our JROTC Army Instructors passed away on April 17, 2010. He was 71 years old. He leaves behind a wife, 2 sons (one lives in Winterville, the other lives in Raleigh), 4 brothers, 6 sisters, and 2 grandchildren. He was a great man, and really helped me back then, and so many others!

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Lennie Peterson

On September 4th, 2010, one of our classmate's father received an honor that was greatly deserved. The basketball court at Woodington school was dedicated and named after him. He served as basketball coach there from 1953 to 1971. His 1969 team won a state championship, and went undefeated that year. The man, Mr. Grady Bethel, Jocelyn Bethel's father. We should all be proud of such great accomplishment!

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Lennie Peterson

Just so you all will know! I was told by Nancy Chestnut, while eating at King's on Vernon Avenue. The class of 1982 lost a classmate. It was Janette Koonce (Streeter), she was 45. She was married, living in Jacksonville, 3 children (the youngest a 15 year old daughter). She passed away Sunday of cancer. Mills Funeral Home and Cemetery has the body. It was in today's paper. Everyone please keep her, and her family in your hearts and prayers. As the years pass, more of us will pass, and I will miss you dearly, and I hope you will of me!

September 15th addition: To send a message to the family, go to millsfh.com! Sign the guest register. Funeral is at 9:00 am tomorrow (Thursday)!

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Lennie Peterson

Hi family!

   Anyone here besides me had Mr. Harvey Lee Jarman as their Math Teacher in the seventh grade at Adkin School? Mr. Jarman passed away at 2:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at the East Carolina Heart Institute at Pitt County Memorial Hospital. He served 35 years with the Lenoir County and Kinston City Schools. He served as an elementary, junior high, and middle school teacher.

   He was born June 3, 1933 in Jones County. His father was James Harvey Jarman, and his mother was Celia Ann Petteway Jarman. He grew up in "Lincoln City" and was educated in the Kinston City School System! He graduated from Adkin High School in 1952. He graduated from Fayetteville State University with a B.S. degree in Elementary Education. While attending school at FSU on a football scholarship, and as a member of the school's choir, he was called to duty and served 2 years in the U.S. Army. After his duty was up, he received an "Honorable Discharge" and resumed his studies! Duiring the 1960's he served as a scout master for the Sampson School Community Boy Scouts. In 1978, he pursued graduate studies at North Carolina Central University in Durham.

   He and his wife Mrs. Ethel Jarman, were married for 50 years! He was buried in Pinelawn Memorial Park, on Saturday, October 9, 2010. Albritton-Carraway Funeral Home handled the funeral.

   Mr. Jarman was a great Man, and a great Teacher!

Grover Thomas

Hi Lenny,

Thank you for always keeping us updated and informed. We'll keep his family in our prayers.

Grover