Farmers were celebrated and given thanks at Nash County Cooperative Extension's virtual Farm City event.
The Farm City event usually consists of a breakfast, guest speaker, and awards given to local farmers and agricultural businesses but due to COVID, was held virtually minus the breakfast session. The event is a part of National Farm City Week, which is acknowledged annually directly prior to Thanksgiving.

Nashville's Chamber of Commerce has launched its holiday campaigns encouraging shoppers to keep their dollars local.
Shop Small Saturday was celebrated last week with local merchants hosting special sales and giveaways. The chamber sponsored the event and offered drawings at every participating location for two $100 shopping sprees.

Matthew Radford (left) portrays the Ghost of Christmas Past in "A Christmas Carol" at Nash Arts. Pictured right is Jeff Dodson as Ebenezer Scrooge.

The Nash Arts Center will host its 20th annual production of "A Christmas Carol" this weekend.
It is a Nash Arts Center tradition to put on the play every year. This year's production stays true to its classic Victorian London version.
Director of the play Chloe Chappell said in previous years, Nash Art Center showcased "A Christmas Carol" as a musical and even a western, but she wanted to keep all elements close to the style portrayed in the book by renowned author Charles Dickens.

Nash County Health Department Director Bill Hill said COVID cases in the county are just about the same as they were the preceding week.
He said over the past week there has been 77 new cases which brings the county to 15,432 confirmed cases.
As of Tuesday, he said eight people were hospitalized and none of those eight had been vaccinated.

Jane Tyson congratulates Kenny Baker who was named Volunteer of the Year of Coopers Ruritan Club during its annual appreciation banquet recently.

The Coopers Ruritan Club recognized volunteers at the annual appreciation banquet last Thursday evening.
Several awards were given to those who go above and beyond to support the club's mission.
For the second year in a row, the Ruritan of the Year Award was presented to Mike Glover.
President Danny Tyson and Treasurer Jane Tyson presented the award to Glover.

Nashville's Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed Pink Flamingo Realty to its new home in town.
The business, owned and operated by Bill Lumpp of Nashville, has opened its doors at 625 E. Washington Street.
Lumpp worked for Century 21 Realty for 15 years before deciding to venture out independently. He is now in this 17th year as a Realtor.

Call for service reported at 12167 Old Smithfield Rd, Bailey on 11/18/21
Financial transaction card fraud reported at 12528 Eagle Ridge Dr, Zebulon on 11/17/21
Warrant service, possession of drug paraphernalia (not marijuana), maintain vehicle dwelling place controlled substand fel, possession buy sell firearm altered serial ID, possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaineat 14699 Old Smithfield Rd., Bailey on 11/16/21

Incidents
Failure to maintain lane control, carrying concealed weapon and driving while impaired reported on 11/07/21
Driving while impaired reported on 11/12/21
Child restraint, reckless driving, speeding, simple possession schedule IV CS reported on 11/11/21

Former Nashville and Nash County resident Ben Casey will visit downtown Nashville Saturday to sign copies of his latest book, "Sound People."
Casey will be at the Nashville Exchange restaurant at 229 W. Washington Street, Nashville from 2-4 p.m. on December 4th.
Casey says this book, a five year effort chronicling the reflection of Core Sound natives on the socio economic transitions that are re-defining the culture of these Down East Carteret County communities is unique.

"Then Nathan said to David, 'You are the man!'" (2 Samuel 12:7)
When the prophet Nathan pointed his finger at David and told him his sins were known by God, it shook him to the core. No longer could he think he could hide the fact that he had committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband, Uriah. He had foolishly convinced himself that out of sight meant out of mind until Nathan reminded him that God knew his sins, not to mention others who worked and lived close by.

SEEING LIFE FROM GOD'S PERSPECTIVE
My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work (John 4:34).
I remember attending a football game while in college where I was forced to sit very high in the stadium because of the many other people in attendance. It was at that moment that I realized perspective is everything.

The spirit of Christmas was in the air during the annual Red Oak Christmas on Saturday, November 27! Children and adults enjoyed food, rides and many vendors. The Christmas parade featured floats representing local businesses, churches, schools and more. Classic cars could also be seen as well as fire trucks, rescues, and law enforcement vehicles. Santa Claus arrived in a sleigh filled with children to begin the holiday season. Pictures with Santa were also offered. The tree lighting brought conclusion to the festive evening. Thank you to all who made this a great Christmas in Red Oak!

Is abiding perfect peace possible in your life?
As much as we've called the years of 2020 and 2021 crazy, a quick survey of history would prove to us that all years in some shape or form have been crazy. Or perhaps, have been in some shape or form fertile soil for anxiety, stress, and worry.
However, when we look at Scripture such as Isaiah 26:3 it still says, "you keep him or her in perfect peace whose eyes are stayed on you.

The Peachtree Baptist Church Congregation gathered in a beautifully decorated church to worship and to celebrate the First Day of Advent, The Candle of Hope. Pastor Gene gave a reading on the Candle of Hope and lit the Hope Candle. The Members of Peachtree Baptist would like to thank the decorating committee for the beautiful decorations in the church. Committee members are: Marta Whitehouse, Susan Edwards, Lynn Griffin, and Beverly Wilson. Ladies, Thanks you so much.

D.R. Horton, Inc. to Andrew L. Sprowel and Angles P. Dolberry-Sprowel; Section IV, Ford's Colony at Rocky Mount, Lot 75
Lucy L. Taylor and Annie T. Ceasar to Folies R. Williams; 4224 Carrol Avenue
Ellen A. Lewis to Richard W. Harrison and Kristie A. Harrison; .47 acres in Middlesex

Building Permit Commercial
Richard Belk, 2721 S. Halifax Rd; new construction; $1,500,000
Aaron Hicks, 365 North NC 58; renovation/alteration; $20,000

Nashville
12/11/2021: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Lighthouse Baptist Church, 1703 Reges Store Road
12/14/2021: 2:30 p.m. - 7 p.m., Nashville Baptist Church, 512 E Washington St

It's that time of year again when the Soap Box staff travels all over America and other places to try to find the most unusual Christmas gifts for our readers to impress their friends and family.
2021 was a weird year for sure and this list certainly reflects that. So here goes:

While my cohort on this page offers you the lighter side of holiday gift giving, I'm going to join in the holiday gift-guide concept and send out my annual plea to keep your shopping dollars right here at home.
Local businesses participated in Shop Small Saturday last week and it was evident that our hard work shining the spotlight over the past several years on the benefits of shopping local has paid off.

This photo was pulled from The Nashville Graphic's 1958 archives of Susan Radford chatting with Santa about her Christmas list.

NNHS HEAD COACH ANDREW FARRISS

NASH COUNTY -- Uncertainty was a keyword for the Big East Conference football scene heading into the 2021 campaign as the newly structured, split-classification league was going to feature eight schools -- four on the Class 3-A level and four more on the Class 2-A level.
Nobody was quite sure how the season was going to transpire. But once things came into full view, it was a given that the conference was going to once again be strong on the gridiron.

NORTHERN NASH POINT GUARD INDIYA SPOONER

RED OAK -- Few Nash County student-athletes in recent memory have a more appropriate last name than Northern Nash High School senior point guard Indiya Spooner.
That's because Spooner has been dishing out assists at a prolific rate during her four years as a member of the Lady Knights' always-strong girls basketball program.

SOUTHERN NASH HIGH SCHOOL'S RAUL NUNEZ

NASH COUNTY -- The North Carolina Soccer Coaches Association's Class 3-A Region 3 Boys Team has quite a distinct Nash County flair to it this fall -- and for good reason.
Southern Nash was a dominant force in the region in 2021, going 23-3-1 while winning the Big East Conference regular season and tournament championships.

NORTHERN NASH'S INDIYA SPOONER

BUNN -- After a one-year hiatus, the Bunn Holiday Basketball Tournament will be returning at the end of December -- but with a twist.
Instead of an all-boys format, the annual event will also feature four girls teams, including the Northern Nash Lady Knights. The Northern Nash boys -- a long-standing tournament participant, will also be in action.

ZEBULON -- The Carolina Mudcats have brought back the enormously popular Grand Slam Giveaway ticket plan for the 2022 season. The 2022 Grand Slam Giveaway plan is $80 and guarantees plan holders five souvenir night giveaway items and a box seat ticket to each souvenir giveaway game scheduled throughout the upcoming 2022 season at Five County Stadium.

ROCKY MOUNT -- It was an absolutely beautiful Friday as 26 teams took to the golf course at Belmont Lake for the West Mount Ruritan Club Foundation Golf Tournament on October 22.
After weeks of planning, the event brought Ruritan members, volunteers and golfers together for a day of fun as monies were raised for various charities.

NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY'S RICKY PERSON

RALEIGH -- North Carolina State University enjoyed one of its most memorable football moments in recent history last Friday -- and a pair of area standouts once again made key contributions to the Wolfpack's success.
Southern Nash High School alum Zonovan 'Bam' Knight and Franklin County native Ricky Person excelled for NC State during the Wolfpack's 34-30 comeback victory over rival North Carolina at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh.

CHRIS TRIPP TEAM
FIRST FLIGHT CHAMPIONS

FARM BUREAU SUPER DONATORS
SECOND FLIGHT CHAMPIONS

(L to R) Northern Nash High School's Keno Jones, Jalen Brown and Carson Jenkins have all earned spots on the 2021 All-Big East Conference Football Team.

Brittan Pridgen is pictured with a pony as she prepares for the parade at Red Oak's Christmas Festival last Saturday. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Chris Taylor is pictured at the craft area during Red Oak's Christmas Festival last Saturday. PHOTO BY CASSIDI HINSON

Rocky Mount Academy shows their school spirit during Red Oak's Christmas Parade last Saturday. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO