The annual Kinston Evening Rotary's Senior Christmas Party was one of the best ever, organizers say. Held each year at Queen Street Methodist Church's banquet hall, about 100 seniors from Kinston Towers, Six Churches Plaza, and other facilities close by attend. Seniors pictured are welcomed by club president Karen Sperati, right rear, Martha Aycock, and John Exum. A meal consisting of turkey and all the trimmings, as well as dessert, was served. Carols were sung and Santa Claus gave each attendee a Christmas gift. This event has been a favorite with seniors for years. Funding for the party comes from Evening Rotary's annual Lobsterfest. Evening Rotary meets Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the House of Wang.
Homeless shelter still seeks donations
The Friends of the Homeless shelter is continuing to take donations during its once-a-year “wish list” drive for fundraising and other supplies. Items needed are: bleach, Pine Sol, paper towels, napkins, air fresheners, baking soda, mouthwash, cold medicine, peroxide, Visine, plastic table wear, baby pampers, gloves, bathroom cleaning supplies, hand and body lotion, deodorant, rubbing alcohol, body and foot powder, facial tissue, batteries, sanitary napkins, 13- and 18-gallon trash bags, mop heads, mop handles, buckets, carpet fresheners, bath towels, wash cloths, dish towels, Styrofoam plates, cups and bowls and carry-out food trays.
For more information or to make a donation, call Jasper Mewborn, shelter director, at 252-522-2788.
KHS play nets awards and conference
Kinston High School’s theater department picked up four honors from the 2013 North Carolina Theater Conference High School Play Festival, held at Watagua High School in Boone on Nov. 8 and 9 and two awards at a later statewide competition. The theater program, led by Clay Raines presented “neeT Teen” at the festival, and was presented with a superior rating, outstanding achievement in ensemble acting and excellence in directing for Raines. It also was awarded the judge’s choice honor of distinguished play.
Each fall, the North Carolina Theater Conference presents the High School Play Festival at eight regional sites across the state. In 2013, more than 3,000 students from 94 schools participated in the statewide event, presenting 128 plays. Sixteen shows advanced from these regionals to perform at the NCTC State High School Play Festival, November 21-22 at Greensboro College. This year, Kinston High School advanced to the state level. At the state competition, Kinston High School was awarded a superior rating and Excellence in Ensemble Acting. This festival brings curriculum to life, honors dedicated teachers and their schools’ commitment to arts education, and contributes to the development of future audiences for live performing arts. The festival also encourages excellence in theatre arts programs and challenges students to do their best work. At each exciting event, students travel with theatrical sets and load-in to their host site’s backstage area. Each school has just 45 minutes to present their play and then leave the stage completely clear. Following their performance, students receive feedback from professional actors and directors. When not performing, students watch performances from other schools, learn from their peers and make new theater friends.