UPTOWN
Town of Castalia (252) 459-3668
Volume 1, Issue 6 June-July 2007
From the Mayor’s Desk
On May 3, 2007 at 12:00 noon church bells pealed across the nation in observance of the National Day of Prayer. Prayers were lifted for Church, Family, Education, Media, Military and our Government. We prayed for our President, Vice President, US Senate and House of Representatives. Also for our State and Local Leaders. We shared prayers from our fore-fathers:
In 1783 George Washington prayed:” Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the U.S. in Thy holy protection: that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to have brotherly affection and love for one another…”
In 1805 we hear Thomas Jefferson: ”Almighty God bless our land with honorable ministry, sound learning and pure manners… fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in trouble suffer not our trust in Thee to fail.”
On D Day, June 6, 1944 Franklin D. Roosevelt prayed: “Almighty God, our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization and to set free a suffering humanity. Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, and steadfastness in their faith.”
In the midst of America’s war on terror, President George W. Bush urged “I ask our Nation to join me in praying for the strength to meet the challenges before us, for wisdom to know and do what is right, for continued determination to work towards making our society a more compassionate and decent place, and for peace in the affairs of men.”
We are approaching July 4th, a day we celebrate the independence of our great U.S. of A. Please join with me to thank God, Almighty for this independence and ask for His continued blessings and protection of our great country.
Citizen’s Corner
We welcome to our town:
Maria Klimvakis 8921 Rock Ridge Rd
Brenda Gupton 10612 Lancaster Store Rd
Keep It Simple Auto Service 9451 Main St
(Owner Jimmy (Duck) Weathers)
Family Dollar NC 58
Please ask at the Town Hall how you may become involved.
History of Castalia
Castalia Volunteer Fire Department
One of the first rural fire departments in Nash County began to serve the Castalia community in 1956. After a few costly tobacco barn fires, several men in the community realized the need for a fire department. These men met at the Castalia School. The first officers elected were President Roy Pullen, Secretary/Treasurer A. J. Lancaster, and Fire Chief Watson Manning. They also elected seven board members.
The first fire truck was purchased from the Army Surplus Store in December 1956 for $35.00. The engine, a 1950 Ford was sent to C. W. Williams to be refurbished for $3,000.00.
Some of the first fire calls the new department answered was a tobacco pack house, feed room, and corn crib on A.J. Lancaster’s farm. The pack house and feed room were lost in the blaze. The firemen saved the corn crib, filled with corn at the time, and kept the fire from spreading to surrounding buildings. It was Castalia mail carrier G.M. Strickland’s opinion that the property saved by the firefighters would equal the cost of the department’s first fire truck. The firemen answered another call to a pack house owned by L. W. Bobbitt. The fire was on a cold Sunday morning in January 1957. It has been told, that Sunday morning worshippers left Castalia Baptist Church to answer the call. One woman, thinking it was her home, left the church and ran all the way to her house.
The first fire station was a two door bay connected to Roy Pullen’s Grocery Store. This served the community until 1972, at which time Mr. Pullen’s family sold the store to the department for $4,500.00. The store was converted to a meeting room and kitchen. Located on the corner of Hwy. 58 and Lancaster Store Road, it housed the fire department until the department moved to its present location in 1998.
In 1986, Drake Freeman donated land to the Castalia Volunteer Fire Department. The land is now the home of the Castalia Sub-Station located on Taylor Gin Road. It was the 1st fire Sub-Station to be built in Nash County and expanded Castalia’s fire district from 5miles to 13miles. It became operational in April 1987.
The first new fire truck purchased was a 1963 Chevrolet, 1000 GPM Darley pump. The next purchase was a 1968 Atlas Tanker. A 1000 GPM EEI Engine was purchased in 1986. In 1991, a 1000 GPM E-One Pumper / Tanker was purchased and put into service at the Sub-Station. Also, the 1963 fire engine was refurbished to use as a tanker at the Sub-Station. A 2700 gallons Semo Tanker was purchased in 2004 and a new 1250 GPM Semo Engine was purchased in 2005.
The fire department was rated by the N. C. Carolina Department of Insurance in April 2003. The department received a Class 5 rating, giving the citizens a reduction in their homeowners insurance.
In 1956 the department had 13 fire calls, and in 2006 the department had 246 fire calls.
Celebrating 50 Years of Service
On April 21, 2007 the Castalia Fire Department celebrated its 50th anniversary. The program consisted of the posting of the colors, the National Anthem and speakers who offered commendation for and reminiscence of the fifty years of service. Charter members, honorary members and present members were recognized and presented with a gold commemorative coin:” Fifty years and still Fighting.” Following the program a lovely reception was enjoyed by some two hundred guests.
“What is a Fireman?”
He’s the guy next door
He’s a man’s man with the sharp memory of a
little boy who never got over the excitement
of engines and sirens…
He’s a guy like you and me…
Yet stands taller than most of us.
He’s a man who savors life…
He’s a gentle man…
He’s a man responsive to a child’s laughter…
He’s a man who appreciates the simple
pleasures of life…
… the divine peace of selfless service and a
job well done in the name of all men.
He doesn’t preach the brotherhood of man
He lives it.
Author Unknown
Support Castalia’s Volunteer Fire Department
Help the Castalia Volunteer Fire Department locate you if an emergency arises. Without a visible house number valuable time could be lost. The fire department has blue luminous street/road (house number) signs which may be purchased for $15.00 each (horizontal or vertical). If you are interested in obtaining one please call:
(252) 459-4777
Or
Contact a Castalia Fire Fighter
It could save your life
From the Town
4th of July Committee News
The July 4th celebration is once again upon us and as always Castalia will be “The place to be on the 4th of July”. This year’s events will start with a classic car show and continue on to the annual parade (it’s gonna be a big one ) After the parade we will hear from the mayor and other invited guests as well as honoring the patriotic citizen of the year and announcing this year’s queens, kings grandmother and grandfather. The entire day, as always, will be filled with food, fun, crafts, music and more. This year make sure you look for the mechanical bull and the giant slide. The day will come to a fantastic finish with a fireworks display that is second to none.
The entire 4th of July committee wishes to invite you, your family and friends to spend the day with us and celebrate our freedom.
Spaces are still available for food and craft vendors.
If you or anyone you know is interested in reserving a space call the Town Hall at 459-3668 for forms or additional information.
Contest is now open for Grandmother of the Year and
Castalia Queens. This year we have added new
Categories which include Castalia Kings (5 different age ranges for boys) and Grandfather of the Year. Flyers and official rules for the contest are available at the Town Hall or you may call Eva Rice at 459-2745
The car show is from 9A.M. to 1P.M.on the 4th. If you are a car buff this event is a great one to help with. People are needed to help register and park the classic cars. Call Russ Sigmund at 462-0122 for more information or to volunteer your time.
The parade will be at 2P.M., line-up starts at 1P.M. on the 4th. This year should be our best yet. Volunteers are needed to help with the line-up. Please call Melissa Joyner at 459-7929 for an entry form, additional information, or to volunteer your time.
The committee is inviting everyone in the community to attend the 4th of July meetings. Our next meeting is on Tuesday June 12 at 7pm. Help us to make Independence Day one everyone will remember.
The Castalia Disaster and Relief Team
As June 1st approaches so does this year’s hurricane season. It is important that we all take a few minutes to stop and take a look around and see just how prepared we are. Do you have the basics ready if we are affected by a storm? Predictions are for this year to be 50% busier than normal with 12 to 13 named storms. In the event Castalia is affected the Disaster and Relief Team is ready to help, but you can help too. Please take the time to make a small donation to the Disaster and Relief Team, canned foods, water, bedding (sheets, blankets) or a cash donation. These items may be dropped of at the town hall.
The Disaster and Relief Team will meet next on July 13, 7:00 pm at the town hall. Please attend and help us help you.
Business in Castalia
Bender’s Variety Store & Grill
Happy First Anniversary Bender’s
Bender’s Variety Store & Grill was opened May 2006 under the ownership of Clarence Bender. Mr. Bender was born and raised in Warren County and moved to Castalia in the late 1980’s. He currently resides in Castalia with his lovely wife Patricia and six children, Tiffany, Stephanie, Richard, James, Clarence, and Patrick. As well as being a business owner Mr. Bender also serves on the Town of Castalia’s Board of Adjustments.
The Grill features pizza, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, french fries, chicken tenders as well as a variety of snacks and drinks. If you need something to eat, stop in at Bender’s and satisfy that hunger urge.
Mrs. Bender is in the process of organizing a trip on July 21st to “Wet & Wild” in Greensboro open to the children of Castalia. For more information please call her at 459-9590.
We salute you Clarence Bender as one of Castalia’s business owners and a supporting member of our community.
Tribute to Fathers
Fathers have always been very important to our country. You are so blessed and the responsibility you carry on your shoulders is tremendous. We commend you for a job well done and may the following words be an inspiration to you.
My Little Son
A careful man I ought to be;
A little boy is following me;
I do not dare to go astray
For fear he’ll go the self same way
What’er he sees me do he tries,
Like me he says he’s going to be
I cannot once escape his eyes
That little boy who follows me.
He thinks that I am good and fine.
Believes in every word of mine.
The base in me he must not see.
That little boy who follows me.
I must remember as I go
Through summer’s sun and winter’s snow
I am building for the years to be
That little boy who follows me.
Author Unknown
Happy Father’s Day
It’s Election Time
It is time for concerned citizens who wish to serve the town to get on board. It is a selfless job and sometimes a thankless one. However, an honorable one knowing you can do the best for Castalia.
If you are not registered to vote:
Registration Deadline is October 12. 2007
Make sure you get out and vote:
Election Date is November 06 2007
Polling Place: Castalia Town Hall
Absentee Voting – Not permitted
Seats up for election in Castalia:
3 Town Commissioners
Terms of Office:
Commissioners – Four year Staggered
Filing Period For Candidates:
Beginning: 12 noon July 6, 2007
Closing 12 noon July 20, 2007
Filing Place for Candidates
Nash County Board of Elections
1006 Eastern Ave
Ag Center Dr.
Room 109
Nashville, N.C. 27856
Filing Fee: $5.00
Town Web Site
The town now has a Website. The Website address is:
www.townofcastalia.com
ote to excerpt text from the main text of a story to draw a reader’s attention to the page. See page 4 for an example.
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