Itimous Thaddeus Valentine founded The Valentine Law Firm in 1917. (Contributed photo)

A long-standing law firm was recognized by Nashville's Chamber of Commerce last week at the Chamber's annual meeting.
The Valentine Law Firm was the recipient of the Business of the Year Award, which was presented by Vice-President Cliff Joyner.
Joyner said despite a tough year due to COVID-19, many Nashville businesses persevered. This year, Joyner added, there were numerous nominations for the Business of the Year title.

At last Monday's Nash County Public Schools (NCPS) board retreat, NCPS administrators outlined plans for next school year, including new promotion standards, community impact teams, male mentoring program, and online schooling option.
"The question we need to have conversations about is: how do we determine if a student is proficient for the next grade level?" NCPS Superintendent Dr. Steven Ellis shared with the board. "We're a low-performing district. We need to figure out what to do to move forward."

Nash County Manager Zee Lamb somberly reported Tuesday during a Coronavirus County Response briefing that Nash County, like the state and nation, has taken a turn for the worse with rising numbers of infections.
Lamb reported the Center for Disease Control (CDC) was expected to release new mask mandates for vaccinated and unvaccinated people to wear masks when inside buildings.

Ko'Ron Bowman and Ke'ra Ruffin participate in the Arc Summer Program held at Southern Nash Middle School which was provided by Boys & Girls Club of the Tar River Region.

This summer, a group of students at Southern Nash Middle School (SNMS) has been working on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) projects thanks to the Boys and Girls Club's Arc Summer Program. The Boys and Girls Club (BGC) of the Tar River Region, under chief executive officer Ron Green's direction, procured a federal grant specifically targeting summer enrichment for rural county children to fund these special classes.

The Nash County Health Department is partnering with McDonald's of Nashville to host a COVID-19 vaccination clinic Thursday, July 29, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Participants will receive their choice of a free Crispy Chicken Sandwich, Big Mac, or Double Cheeseburger after getting their first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the clinic. The event will be held in the parking lot of the McDonald's, located at 501 W. Washington Street in Nashville.

Over the past several months, The Rocky Mount Police Department's Special Operations Division conducted numerous narcotics investigations. As a result of these investigations, Operation Fresh Start has led to the arrest of 18 individuals with a variety of serious drug-related offenses.
These individuals were arrested with the assistance of the following agencies: Edgecombe County Sheriff's Office, Homeland Security Investigations, Nash County Sheriff's Office, Nashville Police Department and US Marshals Carolina's Regional Fugitive Task Force.

The Spring Hope High School Class of 1950 recently held its annual class reunion at Momeyer Baptist Church.

Warrant service was reported at 100 N. Boddie St., Nashville on 7/19
Tampering/remove/vandalize SBM monitoring device - sex offender at 105 Drake St., Nashville on 7/20/21
Warrant service at 3144 S. NC 231, Middlesex on 7/23/21

~ TAG THEM ~ TAG THEM ~ TAG THEM ~ We cannot say that enough. Seems like every dog that ends up in the Shelter doesn't have a tag, even if they have a collar. Just this last week, there were two young dogs that were reclaimed... that didn't have tags (or collars). Cost the owner $50 each (reclaim fee). A tag that starts around $8 (online or in pet store) would have seen a better scenario. When found they could have gone home immediately.

I've learned the hard way that one of the chapters I need to read more frequently in the Bible is Romans 7. That is where the Apostle Paul declares that he is as wretched as they come. It's a brutally honest declaration. Interestingly, he wrote it years after his Damascus Road salvation experience with Jesus!
Many of us don't see ourselves the way the Apostle Paul saw himself when he wrote this letter to the Church at Rome.

Our decisions matter. Every choice we make leads to our life of death. Whether we want to acknowledge it or not, the decisions we make will determine the outcome of our lives in every sphere.
Jesus said, "Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.

Please be in prayer for the children and adult chaperones from Red Oak Baptist Church who are currently attending camp at Camp Caraway near Asheboro. There are 20 children and 5 adults participating. They will return home on Friday, July 30.
Red Oak Baptist Church is currently collecting new backpacks to be used in a Backpack Giveaway.

What Great day at Peachtree Baptist Church! The faithful were there to praise our Lord.
The sanctuary flower arrangement Sunday was loving presented to glorify God by Bob Bunn and I in memory of all those we have lost to the Covid-19 and Delta Viruses. In honor of all those who have suffered and are still suffering from these terrible diseases and their families.

Cox Road, LLC to Lindaland, LLC; property along Hunter Hill Road
Robert Brandon Holloman and Brandon Holloman to Jessica Elizabeth Holloman; 3367 East Lake Road, Rocky Mount
Charles McGee and Carolyn McGee to F2E Holdings, LLC; 800 Logan Trail, Rocky Mount; $287,000

Residential Building Permits
Herbert Joyner, 3490 Oak Level Rd; miscellaneous; $26,000
Salvador Barajas, 4111 Woodcrest Rd; renovation/alteration; $10,000

This photo originally published in The Graphic on July 21, 1966. Franklin L. Adams, Jr. (right) formerly of Rowland, had joined the law firm of Valentine and Valentine in Nashville. Pictured above, Tim Valentine (left) is pictured with Adams going over some of the legal matters of the firm.

Back in June, I wrote about how I'd tried a new garden strategy this year. Here is my update:
Minutes before writing this week's column, I had a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich*. It took four napkins to get through the meal.
[*I left off the lettuce because it waters down the sandwich and also, I didn't have any in the refrigerator. Instead, I substituted white American cheese and added extra Duke's mayonnaise.]

It's rare I write about personal things in this space. Typically there's so much going on between town business, schools, and county happenings it makes for a lot of opinions to offer.
However, today as you read your Nashville Graphic, a faithful reader and long-time member of the Elm Grove community has been laid to rest.
Inez Cooper, better known as MaNez to hundreds around this area and across many areas of North Carolina, passed away Sunday, July 25th at the age of 95.

This photo originally published in The Nashville Graphic on October 29, 1970. A Halloween carnival was held for residents of Nash Boarding Home.

WESTRIDGE SWIM TEAM VETERAN STANDOUT DARCY TYNDALL

ROCKY MOUNT -- The 2021 Nash-Halifax Swim League season was short-but-oh-so-sweet for members of the Westridge Swim Team.
Following a one-year hiatus due to COVID-19 concerns, area youth swimmers returned to the pool this summer -- and Westridge proved to be the team to beat in the always-competitive N-HSL.

NASH CENTRAL'S PEYTON LANGLEY

NASH COUNTY -- Excitement is building for the volleyball programs at Southern Nash, Northern Nash and Nash Central as the three long-time rivals will be reunited in a new format in the Big East Conference.
The league will feature a Class 3-A and Class 2-A split -- with four teams in each classification.

RALEIGH -- A trio of players from the North Carolina State University Wolfpack were named to the 2021 preseason All-Atlantic Coast Conference Football Team, as voted on recently by the league's media and announced by the conference.
All three from NC State led their position groups in votes.

ZEBULON -- Gabe Holt had four hits, including three doubles, and both Ashton McGee and Darrien Miller hit two-run home runs as the host Carolina Mudcats clinched a baseball series win with a 9-4 victory over the Down East Wood Ducks on Sunday afternoon at Five County Stadium. The first-place Mudcats won four of seven in the series and moved to 5.0 games ahead of Down East in the Low-A East Central standings.
Carolina (44-28) struck first after getting a double and a run from Holt in the opening frame.