Out Reach Ministry

Staff

 

Clarence Simmons

Jimmie Lou Vinson Foster

Petris Higginbotham

 

Sponsored in part by

Class of 1956 and  

Higginbotham Jackson Foundation

 

 

The Journey Home---

In Memory of

our Schoolmates:

 

Arthur Lee Rollins, of Logan West Virginia passed in October.  

 

Bernice Moore, of the famous Royal bee softball team, died in November in Pittsburgh.

 

Ben Simmons, of Logan West Virginia also passed in November.

 

Curtis Greenleaf of Logan West Virginia died in November.   

 

 

 

 

Thoughts by the staff

 

An Aracoma High School Reunion … is more than a picnic.

 

An Aracoma High School Reunion … is more than a banquet.

 

An Aracoma High School Reunion …is more than a Sunday morning memorial service.

 

We want you to remember this always—and forget it never.

 

“An Aracoma High School Reunion …is a celebration of love”.

 

 

A celebration of love as it was

… in the past.

 

A celebration of love as it is

…in the present.

 

A celebration of love as it will be

… in the future.

 

Save the Date

July 13, 14, 15, and 16th

(Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday)

2006

This is the weekend for the 2006 Aracoma High School Alumni Reunion, to be held in Logan, West Virginia. 

 

You see…

Life is all about love.

 

Prepare Now…Save the Date!

 

 

 

 

 

Sign Me Up! or Moving?

 

TO RECEIVE Our Newsletter or  for  an ADDRESS CHANGE for  the Aracoma High School Out Reach Ministry mailings, you should send your address and address changes to:

 

Petris Higginbotham

PO Box 429

Norristown, PA 19404-0429

 

Or you can call Petris at:

610 -539-2571 and leave a message and telephone number.

 

 

 

 

 

Aracoma High School

Out Reach Ministry

Newsletter Volume 1, Issue 3                                   December 2005

_________________________________________________________________________

 

New Mayor of Elizabeth City,

North Carolina

 

Charles Foster (Class of 1950)... is the new mayor of Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

 

Yes!  We are talking about the same God-fearing, hard working, Ethel Hollow, football playing, band member, fun loving Charles Foster (nick named “Skin”) we all knew and loved in our Aracoma High School Days.

 

After the mayoral elections on Tuesday night (November 2nd) Rev. Charles Foster, a U. S. veteran of the Korean Conflict who was awarded two-purple hearts, walked out of the Pasquotank County Board of Elections office as the new mayor of Elizabeth City, North Carolina.  Hallelujah!

 

Rev. Foster is the first Black mayor in the city’s 212 year history.  As mayor Rev. Foster serves as the official head of the city’s government.  We are so proud of him and happy for him and his family.

 

This Ministry, along with other Aracomians, offers our heartiest congratulations to our schoolmate The Honorable Rev. Doctor Charles L. Foster, Mayor of Elizabeth City, North Carolina.  

 

Profile of Elizabeth City, North Carolina

 

Elizabeth City is the economic and commercial hub of the northeastern North Carolina mainland.  It has three-times been named one of the “100 Best Small Towns in America” by author Norm Crampton.  Moreover, June 2004 edition of Money Magazine named Elizabeth City “one of the best places to live on the East Coast.”  A special place, rich in history yet progressive and poised for growth. 

 

You ask…Where is Elizabeth City?  It is situated in the far northeastern corner of North Carolina on the Pasquotank River and Intracoastal Waterway.  It lies just west of the Outer Banks of North Carolina and just south of Hampton Roads, Virginia. 

 

 

The city has a population of about 18,000.  It boast four institutions of higher learning---the one Aracomians are most familiar with is the Historical Black College, former know as Elizabeth City State Teachers College, that presently as 2,500 students enrolled. 

 

Downtown Elizabeth City has six historic districts with bookstores, coffee houses, gourmet food shops and specialty retail shops, all located in historic

buildings.  Its restaurants offer everything from fine Southern cooking

to Japanese sushi.  In addition, Northeastern North Carolina’s Regional Medical Center, Albermarle Hospital, and five major commands of the U.S. Coast Guard are located in Elizabeth City. 

 

Fellow Aracomians, after the 2006 Aracoma High School Reunion in Logan, West Virginia; Elizabeth City, North Carolina may be the ideal place for you and your family to spend summer vacation. This charming southern town is truly “The Harbor of Hospitality!”….and you personally know the mayor--- The Honorable Rev. Doctor Charles L. Foster.  

 

P.S.  For those Aracomains who own and travel by private yacht, Mayor Foster is offering you Free 48-hour harbor dockage in Elizabeth City.

          

 

 

New Guest Columnist

For The Logan Banner   

 

Claude E. Williams, Director of The Aracoma High School Historical Society, is a new weekly guest columnist for the Logan Banner newspaper in Logan, West Virginia. 

 

Claude presents and writes on a weekly basis, articles, history, and issues that concern and affect Black Americans----locally and globally.

 

Claude and his wife (Bettie) latest writings entitled “Our Farewell To Mrs. Rosa L. Parks” is in our opinion a master piece that should be read by all Aracomians. 

 

For those Aracomians who do not receive the Logan Banner, Claude’s column can be viewed weekly on the internet every Thursday:   www.loganbanner.com   when the web page comes up, then click on left side bar under Opinion. 

 

This Ministry offers special congratulations to our schoolmate Claude Williams, guest columnist of The Logan Banner.

 

 

  

New Lifetime Member

Of the NAACP

 

Under the leadership of its president, Dr. William L. Williams, Jr., the Aracoma High School Alumni Reunion Association is a new Lifetime member of the NAACP.

 

At the National Aracoma Reunion meeting in Charlotte, NC back in July…with strong advocacy by Dr. Williams (‘Tank”) the membership body voted unanimous to subscribe to a Lifetime membership in the NAACP.

 

Application papers were filled out and sent in.  Then in early September, the Aracoma High School Alumni Reunion Association received its membership card and notification that it was accepted as a Lifetime member of the NAACP. 

 

Before, during, and after the meeting, some Aracomians questioned Dr. Williams as to what were the benefits Lifetime membership in the NAACP offered us as Aracomians…since it cost $750.00 to subscribe. 

 

Dr. Williams informed and enlighten us to three of the many programs the NAACP has that would benefit us immediately.  

 

  1. The non-partisan voter empowerment program.  He explained that this is an aggressive campaign designed to empower us by increasing awareness and participation in the full political process in local, state, and federal elections. He further stated that this voter empowerment program can make itself available to us as Aracomians through literature, materials, and expertise to ensure the development of successful voter empowerment campaigns.  (Example: The new mayor of Elizabeth City, NC). 
  2. The Armed Services division program.  Dr. Williams announced that this division of the NAACP works to ensure that Black Americans have equal access to opportunities in the military and that Black Veterans and their dependents are not denied benefits based on race.  ( Example:  More on this through Osie Lipscomb’s upcoming Aracoma High School Veterans Recognition questionnaire and application form). 
  3. Prison project.  Dr. Williams stated that the NAACP has a prison Project designed to promote alliances, legislation, and initiatives that positively impact inmate recidivism, ex-felon re-enfranchisement and racial disparities within the criminal justice system; as well as proving  the incarcerated with a vehicle of empowerment through the formation of prison branches.  (Example: “Tank” then jokingly said this is a program that Petris’ two jail-bird cousins called—“Tooth Pick and Skirt” should be involved in.  At that point, Petris agreed with Dr. Williams that Lifetime membership in the NAACP was well worth the cost). 

 

 

This Ministry offers a long over due congratulations, for its Lifetime membership in the NAACP, to the Aracoma High School Alumni Reunion Association under the leadership of our schoolmate Dr. William L. Williams, Jr. 

 

 

Notice!

 

This will be the last newsletter for this year.  So again, fellow Aracomians, as we enter the year 2006, the staff of this Ministry wishes for you three blessings we wish for ourselves:  

 

  • We wish you … good health.
  • We wish you … loving companionship
  • We wish you … economic security. 

 

Hopefully 2005 has been a blessed year for you, and that you like ourselves can sum up the year and your whole life in three words: 

 

“Thank You Jesus!”

 

                       My Fellow Aracomians

                                                                   I love you

                                                         Your Brother in Christ,