Monday, July 7, 2025

			
				                                Isaiah Whitfield stretches to take a photo of his parents, Michael and Fransha Whitfield, as they pose in front a banner celebrating Juneteenth. The Whitfields were among the hundreds who attended Saturday’s fourth annual Community Juneteenth Celebration sponsored by the Mount Olive Chapter of the Carver High School Alumni and Friends Association. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)

Juneteenth celebration urges community to draw strength from the past

Isaiah Whitfield, 14, had to stretch to hold his phone high enough over his head to get just the right angle of his parents, Michael and Fransha Whitfield, as they posed in front of a banner celebrating Juneteenth.


			
				                                Brad Mitchell and Jennifer Bland use a large pair of ceremonial scissors Friday afternoon for the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Mount Olive location of their Grounded and Baked bakery and coffee shop. The bakery features baked goods using the recipes Mitchell’s grandmother, Norma Ann “Nanny” Vinson, seated, taught him. From left are, Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce President Julie Beck; Chamber board Chairman Edward Olive; Mitchell’s wife, Wendy; Mount Olive town Commissioner Vicky Darden; Mitchell’s aunt, Debbie Hardy; Norma Ann “Nanny” Vinson; Mitchell’s mother, Dianne Mitchell; Chamber Ambassador Pernell Brickey; Mitchell; Bland and her daughter, Collins; son, Andrew; and husband Frank. The business is located in the old Henderson-Crumpler Clinic, 229 N. Center St. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)

Grounded and Baked serving up baked goods and coffee sweetened with family memories and...

Brad Mitchell has countless fond memories of time spent with his grandmother, Norma Ann “Nanny” Vinson, especially her baking lessons using her recipes — memories he wants to share with others while helping them make memories of their own.


			
				                                Pernell Brickey holds up a photo album featuring a photo of her father, Paul Smalley, left, whom she credited with getting her involved with the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce. She shared her story Thursday night during the Chamber’s 95th anniversary celebration at Ribeyes Steakhouse. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)

Mount Olive Area Chamber celebrates 95 years of making a difference in the community

“This man, right here, is my daddy, Paul Smalley,” Pernell Brickey said holding a photo album of former Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce leaders above her head. “He was the chairman in 2001. He passed away in 2013.


			
				                                Mount Olive Exchange Club member James Kornegay, right, gets a U.S. flag for his friend and Southern Wayne High School classmate, retired U.S. Air Force Col. Carlton Keen. Keen spoke Monday morning during the Exchange Club’s second annual Field of Heroes dedication ceremony. Keen, a veteran combat pilot, is a native of the Grantham community. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)

Field of Heroes pays moving tribute to those who have made an impact on...

Overhead, dull gray skies threatened rain Monday morning, but the vacant lot adjacent to Roberts Machine & Supply on N.C. 55 West was ablaze with the colors of U.S. flags billowing in a brisk breeze.


			
				                                Despite rainy weather, Warsaw celebrated Memorial Day in what many called ‘patriotic fashion,’ from the Warsaw Baptist Church Chancel Choir’s opening performances to the ceremonial laying of a wreath to honor the war dead by David Benton with Warsaw VFW Post 9810. Retired Command Sgt Major William Watson gave a ‘moving’ keynote address, urging all to remember the sacrifices made to preserve faith, liberty and freedom, the James Kenan JROTC presented the colors and John Berry, retired Army, from VFW 9810 played ‘Taps.’ Also on the program during Monday’s celebration was Warsaw Mayor AJ Connors and Warsaw Chamber President Frank Rhodes. Monday’s ceremony was dedicated to the memory of Jerry Allan Carter, a volunteer with Warsaw’s Recreation Department, a veteran and ‘a dedicated friend and volunteer of the Warsaw Chamber who loved participating in and working for the annual Veterans Day Parade. (Sherry Matthews|mountolivetribune.com)

Warsaw celebrates Memorial Day

Despite rainy weather, Warsaw celebrated Memorial Day in what many called ‘patriotic fashion,’ from the Warsaw Baptist Church Chancel Choir’s opening performances to the ceremonial laying of a wreath to honor the war dead by David Benton with Warsaw VFW Post 9810. Retired Command Sgt Major William Watson gave a ‘moving’ keynote address, urging all to remember the sacrifices made to preserve faith, liberty and freedom, the James Kenan JROTC presented the colors and John Berry, retired Army, from VFW 9810 played ‘Taps.’ Also on the program during Monday’s celebration was Warsaw Mayor AJ Connors and Warsaw Chamber President Frank Rhodes. Monday’s ceremony was dedicated to the memory of Jerry Allan Carter, a volunteer with Warsaw’s Recreation Department, a veteran and ‘a dedicated friend and volunteer of the Warsaw Chamber who loved participating in and working for the annual Veterans Day Parade. (Sherry Matthews|mountolivetribune.com)


			
				                                Vietnam veteran Robert Van Wormer salutes the flag he had just placed at the grave of a fellow Vietnam veteran Saturday morning at Oakview (Maplewood) Cemetery. Volunteers were busy placing flags on the graves of veterans ahead of Sunday’s annual Memorial Day observance and Memorial Day on Monday. In the background is his wife Sandra. (Steve Herring|mountolivetribune.com)

Memorial Day speaker offers encouragement to continue to honor a debt that can never...

Robert Van Wormer drove his screwdriver into the hard ground at Oakview (Maplewood) Cemetery; in the hole it left, he placed a small U.S. flag.

Margaret Annette Sutton

Margaret Annette Sutton, of the Suttontown community, passed away peacefully Tuesday afternoon, May 20, 2025, at Mary Gran Nursing Home in Clinton.

Wayne County to pay tribute to fallen warriors in Memorial Day ceremonies

The 2025 “Flags In” and Memorial Day ceremonies will be held Saturday, May 24, to honor the fallen warriors of Wayne County.


			
				                                Wallace Christian Academy students and staff break ground for the new 11,000-square-foot middle school during ceremonies held April 30. The $1.2 million project is expected to be completed for the opening of the 2026-27 school year. (Courtesy photo)

Wallace Christian begins work on $1.2M middle school

WALLACE — Seeds of faith are being planted in the Duplin County soil once again as members of Poston Baptist Church and supporters of its school look toward the future and a $1.2 million building that will, when complete, allow for the acceptance of sixth-graders by the 2026-27 school year.


			
				                                The University of Mount Olive held spring graduation ceremonies last weekend. (UMO Photo)

UMO holds spring commencement ceremony

MOUNT OLIVE — The University of Mount Olive celebrated its 71st Spring Commencement on Friday, May 9, honoring the achievements of graduates from across the country and around the globe. The ceremony, held in Kornegay Arena, marked the culmination of years of study, sacrifice, and perseverance for the Class of 2025.