Week to emphasize safe boating
In recognition of National Safe Boating Week, Kinston Mayor B.J. Murphy has proclaimed Saturday through May 24 as Safe Boating Week in Kinston.
To kick off the week, the Kinston Sail & Power Squadron is offering free boat inspections or vessel safety checks beginning at 7 a.m. Saturday at the Neuse Sport Shop on Highway 70 East. Certified examiners will check boats for safety items and, upon passing inspection, the boat will receive a decal verifying that it meets federal safety requirements.
The squadron also promotes water safety through its “Wear It” campaign. New innovations in life jackets have produced a smaller, sleeker and more comfortable version, leaving no reason not to “wear it.”
The Kinston squadron is chartered to the United States Power Squadrons, America’s largest family boating organization dedicated to boating education, civic service and fun. Members operate sail and power boats, and ownership of a boat is not a requirement for membership.
The Kinston squadron offers Coast Guard approved safe boating classes throughout the year, plus two-hour seminars on a variety of boat related topics and numerous advanced courses for members.
For more information about inspections, call Robert Pittman at 252-361-4304; for course information, call Chip Athey at 252-522-3287; for squadron membership information, call Hyman Stadiem at 252-522-4591.
Fundraiser to help animals, shelters
Friends of Man’s Best Friend will have its eighth annual golf and tennis charity event at noon May 30 at the Kinston Country Club.
Sponsored by Happy Jack Inc. since 1946, the event will welcome North Carolina golf professionals and their guests for a day of golf, food and fun. Participants can bid on season tickets to the Carolina Panthers and at least four Duke vs. UNC basketball tickets. ECU and N.C. State University tickets also will be on the auction block.
Friends’ primary effort is to reduce the population of unwanted pets by subsidizing the cost of spay/neuter procedures. Spay/neuter certificates are funded by Friends and sold by Happy Jack and Second Chances Thrift Store. They are accepted by veterinary clinics in Lenoir and Greene counties and surrounding areas.
Proceeds from this event are the major source of funds for Friends and their efforts to reduce admissions to animal shelters. Sponsorships are available.
For information, call the Happy Jack office at 252-747-2911 or Second Changes at 252-520-0003.