Briefly
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on January 28, 2005 1:57 PM
Going back in time
The time capsule found unexpectedly by crews demolishing the Community Building will be opened next week.
Trustees for the building will meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday in the Gray Room at the Herman Park Center to open the capsule.
The small copper box, about the size of a loaf of bread, was found in the cornerstone of the building.
The cornerstone is dated 1924.
According to Neil Bartlett, director of the city's recreation and parks department, there is water inside the box, along with corrosion on the outside.
He isn't sure what is inside the box, or if it has been damaged.
The Community Building, built as a tribute to World War I casualties, was heavily damaged by a fire May 2. The trustees hope to build a replacement, but a location has not been determined.
Bookkeeping seminar
A free seminar on "Basic Bookkeeping and Taxes for Small Business" is planned for Feb. 22 at Wayne Community College.
The college's Business and Industry Center is hosting the seminar, presented by Jess McLamb. It deals with such things as the difference between cash basis and accrual basis of accounting, single-versus double-entry bookkeeping, and calculating and recording payroll taxes and sales tax. Ms. McLamb will review financial terms that accountants love to use and participants will get hands-on experience in preparing financial statements, including cash flow, income and expense statements, and balance sheets.
The seminar will be held from 6-9 p.m. in Room 145 of the Dogwood Building on the main campus in Goldsboro. Pre-register by Feb. 18. Call 735-5151, ext. 334.
Bloodmobile
The Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross will have a blood drive Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Berkeley Mall. Donors will receive a coupon for a free car wash.
Tax resolution fails
KENANSVILLE -- Duplin Commissioner David Fussell tried unsuccessfully Monday to get the board to pass a resolution to not raise taxes in the coming budget year.
Fussell, who lives in Wallace, told the other board members he was asking them to pass the resolution in response to a petition he received that had been signed by 33 community leaders.
The county's property tax rate is 77 cents on $100 of property value. The average county tax rate in the state is a little over 66 cents.
Fussell said in a resolution he drew up for the vote that the average per capita income in Duplin County in 2003 was a little more than $14,000. The per capita average for the state is a little more than $20,000.
Fussell's motion didn't get any votes on the commissioners board except his.
Celebration of grapes
KENANSVILLE -- A Muscadine Harvest Festival will be the first event held at the Duplin Commons complex.
The festival, which will be held Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, is being sponsored by the Duplin Agribusiness Council. It will not be a wine festival, said Kenansville Chamber member Lynn Davis.
She told Duplin County commissioners Monday that it will feature every product made from the muscadine grape, including health products from the seeds and hulls.
Events will include educational seminars on growing grapes, the health benefits found in the seeds and hulls and exhibit booths. There will be muscadine jellies, jams, powder, pills and wine, a cooking contest and a concert on the grounds.
The planners are fashioning the festival after Whiteville's Pecan Festival, which was attended by 10,000 people the second year it was held.
The Kenansville town board will hear a proposal Monday about voluntary annexation so beer and wine can be sold at the festival. But the property owner has to make the official request for annexation, and the owner is the county.