Self-Help receives award
Kinston’s Appearance Commission recently presented the Visual Improvement Award to Self Help Credit Union on Vernon Avenue.
Participating in the presentation were Sammy Aiken, Barbara Rose and Adrian King, Appearance Commission members; and Ashley Pierce, Self-Help Credit Union branch manager.
The commission makes the award to businesses that take steps to improve the appearance of their properties.
Library, Friends to celebrate Engel’s 50th performance
The Neuse Regional Library System and the Kinston-Lenoir County Friends of the Library will celebrate the 50th appearance of Elliot Engel at the Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library at 3 p.m. April 14.
The world-renowned professor will present “The Vanderbilts: All of Them,” in a program Engel describes as tracing “the amazing tale of this famous American dynasty from Cornelius, born in the 18th century, to Gloria of the designer jeans. … What emerges is a story of riches, wretched excess, and real, raw emotional lives.”
The program will be in the Schechter Auditorium; a celebratory wine and cheese reception sponsored, by the Kinston-Lenoir County Friends, will follow, also marking the beginning of National Library Week April 14-20.
Engel gave his first lecture at the Kinston library Feb. 18, 1986, on Charles Dickens. He since has given lectures on a wide variety of novelists, poets, playwrights and historical figures. Engel is revered for his engaging lecturing style and quick wit.
He has lectured throughout the United States and on all seven continents; has published 10 books and numerous articles; and has taught courses at Duke University, N.C. State University and UNC.
“We are ecstatic to have this opportunity to celebrate one of our library’s most treasured recurring performers,” said Agnes W. Ho, director of libraries. “Dr. Engel is like a rock star to our patrons, and we have been extremely fortunate to have him visit our library 50 times. The Friends of the Library and our staff are very excited to have this opportunity to celebrate the partnership between our library and Dr. Engel, as well as National Library Week. We hope Dr. Engel will return 50 more times.”
The event is free, but seating for this event is limited and on a first-come-first-served basis. Call 252-527-7066, ext. 120, to make reservations.