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Serving Princeton, Rosewood, Brogden, E. Johnston Co., W. Wayne Co., North Carolina |
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HeadlinesGrowth drives need for tax revenue BBB warns against foreclosure 'rescue' scams These ladies see a need and get to work RHS vs. Goldsboro: Britt sees victory despite Eagles' 48-0 loss PHS vs. SJ: Younger 'Dawgs take 45-0 loss at South Johnston Football Preview: Bulldogs hope to mix it up as offense improves Football Preview: Aggressive 'Dawg defense will get after them Football Preview: Championship 'rings' up goals for young 'Dawgs Football Preview: Eagle offense looks more comfortable in spread Football Preview: Eagle defense will grow in system, confidence Football Preview: Look for Eagles to improve as year rolls on Schools reach compromise on Clayton bussing Tax referendum will be on November ballot Johnston Co. school lunch cost up this year
Photos This week's photo gallery Obituaries Nicholas "Nick" Melvin, Mary A. Edwards Movies The Invasion Local Showtimes
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These ladies see a need and get to work22 August 2007 — It has been said many times that Princeton School has made Princeton a unique community. The caring ladies who form the Princeton Women’s Improvement Club are another reason this is a great place to live.
It seems the ladies of the PWIC have always been stepping forward to fill a need when there is no one else to do it. In 1970, the town’s Christmas decoration were all lost in a fire. Goldsboro had some old decorations that they sold to the town, but they needed some refurbishing. Some fourteen members of the group came together, headed by Mrs. Betsy Sugg and Mrs. Shirley Keen in October of that year. Current president Mrs. Jean Haddock remembers well the group used some red plastic tape which wrapped new tires that Goldsboro Tire donated to the club, and they bought some clear plastic from A.F. Holt and Sons hardware. She said several of the ladies ruined the heads of their sewing machines working on the decorations at a vacant building owned by the Holt family, but Princeton had good looking candy canes to put up downtown that year. The annual Christmas Parade has been an ongoing project, as they took sponsorship of the event. They have held bazaars at the end of the parade, and in recent years, have turned that into a craft show. They added a Christmas Lighting ceremony. In 1985 they bought new Christmas decorations for the town. Another long-time member, Delores Holt, with the support of other club members, opened a community library in a part of the community building with books assembled from donations from the community. For many years the group met at the library. Mrs. Holt gave up the library some years ago and it closed, but the group last year made a significant donation to the new community library, now in the school library, in Mrs. Holt’s honor. The club has gathered donations and purchased American flags to be put up for holidays around town. Mrs. Haddock was disappointed as many of a recent set of flags were blown down during a storm and many were soiled. When sent to be cleaned, much of the color was washed out of the flags. The PWIC was the town’s appearance commission before there was an appearance commission. At one time they put hanging baskets downtown, set up rock gardens and planting trees, and coordinated clean-up campaigns downtown and in residences. Along with Mrs. Haddock, others who have been involved in the club since the start are: Joyce Capps and Joyce Langston. Among those involved in the early years were Lou Casey and Peggy Starling, who served as officers, and Virginia Ormond. The school has often been a focus of the group. One of Mrs. Sugg’s visions was for a better teacher’s lounge at the school, and the PWIC fulfilled that vision after her passing. Mrs. Haddock remembers well one of the group’s members asked them to help fund new band uniforms. While it seemed that was too big a project for them, nevertheless the group came through. The club has several times donated to the town’s rescue squad and fire department, but others outside Princeton have benefited from the group’s generosity. They contributed to help buy Christmas decorations for Cherry Hospital some years ago. They have made donations to the Cancer Society, Heart Fund, Easter Seals, and sent gifts for those served in Mental Health centers. In 1981 PWIC decorated the town’s water tank for Christmas. “It was a real eye catcher!” Mrs. Haddock said. Lucille Edwards, Nora Williamson and Marlene Harrell donated quilts to be sold in early years to raise funds. The group would gather in their meetings to make crafts to sell in the bazaar. In 1987 the club had a Monopoly game published and they sold that to raise funds. Club members are not as active as they once were; the bazaar has given way to renting tables for craftsmen to display their goods after the Christmas parade, while the PWIC focuses their efforts on providing baked goods to sell. Still, when there is a need, the ladies find a way to meet it. Last week they were at it again, as they gave $1116 for benches and trash cans to be placed at the town’s new park, Floors Park, in honor of their first president, the late Betsy Sugg.
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Wayne Wilson News Leader
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