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Dear editor:
As we look back at the Thanksgiving Holiday, there are many blessings to be thankful for. To be fortunate enough to live in Franklin County or anywhere in rural, small-town America is a blessing.

Sharing the knowledge generated through research remains the goal of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. N.C. Cooperative Extension has a long, proud tradition of serving the citizens and communities of North Carolina. Formally established in 1914, the Extension Service is a partnership of county, state and federal governments. Throughout its history, it has focused on providing people with learning opportunities that allow them to benefit from research-based knowledge.

When asked to think of industries that utilize technology in unique ways, few people may immediately think of agriculture. But technology has left a significant footprint in every industry, and the agricultural sector is no exception.
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture notes that modern farms operate a lot differently than the farms of yesteryear.

FRANKLINTON - Franklinton basketball legend Henry Bibby once said that, everywhere he goes, he runs into someone who knows Lester Wilder.
Of course, this is the Henry Bibby who played at UCLA under John Wooden before enjoying a long National Basketball Association career -- and later became a successful college and professional coach.

Kameron Crudup (left), the grandson of Lester Wilder, performed the official ribbon cutting during last Friday's ceremony to commemorate the new Lester Wilder Court at the Franklinton High School Gymnasium. Crudup then dribbled upcourt with a basketball and made the first-ever shot on the court as the huge crowd roared its appreciation.

So many friendships were rekindled last Friday night at the Lester Wilder Court ceremony. Here is one of them as former Franklinton boys basketball coach Thurman Jordan (left) shares a moment with ex-Weldon girls hoops coach Grady Williams, who was part of a Weldon entourage that made the trip to Franklin County for the event.

Tasha Wilder, the daughter of Lester Wilder, shares some memories of her father during the unveiling of the Lester Wilder Court last Friday night at the Franklinton HS Gymnasium.

LOUISBURG -- It didn't take long for newcomer Louisburg High School to claim a signature victory in the Big East Conference boys basketball scene.
One game, in fact.
Louisburg, playing in front of an energetic home crowd, opened its Big East slate in style by edging perennial powerhouse Northern Nash by a 56-54 margin in the first meeting between the two schools in recent memory at the historic LHS Gymnasium.

Louisburg's Jordan Durham delivered 31 points, 14 rebounds and made 11-of-17 free throws for the Warriors during Tuesday night's home triumph in overtime against league foe Northern Nash.

FRANKLINTON -- Young and filled with potential -- that is destined to be the story of the 2021-22 Franklinton High School girls basketball squad.
FHS has boasted some underclassman-dominated teams in the past, but this one might top the charts as the Lady Rams boast just a pair of seniors.
And the club's undisputed court leader -- Kayla Wilkins -- is only a sophomore.

Franklinton's Shontalae Evans (left) makes her way toward the basket during last Friday night's non-conference home matchup against the Knightdale Knights.

NASH COUNTY -- Here is the master schedule for the 2021-22 Big East Conference Basketball Season (league games only):

BUNN -- After a one-year hiatus, the Bunn Holiday Basketball Tournament will be returning at the end of December -- but with a twist.
Instead of an all-boys format, the annual event will also feature four girls teams, including the host Bunn Ladycats.
Louisburg, which hasn't participated in the tournament in several years, will be making a return trip to the Bunn Dome on the boys side.

ARE YOU AN ANGEL? Kayden Barlow, Brandon Smith, Chance and Kyndall Privette pose with a Christmas fairy during Franklinton's annual, nighttime Christmas parade.

Sandra A. Beasley completed her earthly life journey among us on December 6, 2021. Sandra lived among us for 74 years. She is survived by her loving and deeply devoted husband, Samuel Ellis Beasley, of the home. Sammy and Sandy have been married for 53 years. Along with her husband, Sandra is survived by her daughters, Lee Beasley Loftis (and husband, Stephen) of Winston-Salem, and Amanda Beasley Cash (and husband, Stephen "Bradley") of Youngsville. Sandra's grandchildren are Matthew and Colin Loftis of Winston-Salem, Ian and Kara Cash of Youngsville, and Rhys Brock-Loftis and his wife, Liz of Greensboro. The grandchildren deeply adored their Memaw. Sandra is also survived by her brother, Jerry Lee Ayscue and wife Carolyn, of Henderson.

LOUISBURG, NC--George Wilson Hunter Jr., 74, of Louisburg, passed away on December 1, 2021. He was born on March 11, 1947 to the late George and Estelle Rogers Hunter.

Rosenell Lewis Van Deusen, 89, died Wednesday, December 1, 2021. She was born on February 15, 1932, in McColl, South Carolina. Rosenell served in the Women's Air Force (WAF) from 1956-57, where she met and married the love of her life, Leo Joseph Van Deusen, I. They were married 53 years at the time of Leo's death in 2011. After the Air Force, Rosenell worked at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center as a Medical Records Clerk. In 1969, she graduated from Worth Business College with a degree in Secretarial Science. Later, Rosenell graduated from Vance-Granville Community College with an Associate in Nursing. She worked as an LPN at Dorothea Dix Hospital, North Carolina Department of Corrections Women's Prison and Central Prison, all in Raleigh, North Carolina.

FRANKLINTON, NC--John Boyce Manning, 63, of Franklinton, died November 27, 2021. He was born on July 10, 1958, in Rocky Mount, NC to the late Patria Gurganus and Charles Muriel Manning Jr. . In addition to his parents , John was predeceased by, Scarlett Bailey Manning, the mother of his children.

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY--Funeral services for Willie Mae Kenon, age 91, formerly of Louisburg, NC, who died on Saturday, December 4, 2021 will be held 12 noon, Monday, December 13, from the Richardson Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Rev. Timothy Walker officiating. Burial will follow in the Mitchell Church Cemetery.

Francis Clifton "F.C." Winston, Jr., 77, of Wake Forest, passed away Thursday, December 2, 2021 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born in Franklin County to the late Francis Clifton Winston, Sr. and Catherine Wade Winston.

LOUISBURG, NC--Funeral services for Martha Nichols, age 94, who died on Thursday, December 2, 2021, will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, December 11, at from the Richardson. Funeral Home Chapel in Louisburg with Rev. Timothy Walker officiating. Burial will be at the Cypress Hills Cemetery in New York.

LOUISBURG, NC--Funeral services for Anna Davis Manning, age 80, who died on Saturday, December 4, 2021, were 2 p.m., Sunday, December 12, from the Rocky Chapel Baptist Church in Louisburg with Rev. Nolan Davis officiating. Burial followed in the Walnut Grove Church Cemetery.

LOUISBURG, NC--Funeral services for Matthew Daniel Ruffin, age 35, who died on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, will be at 12 p.m., Thursday, December 9, from the Word Tabernacle Church in Rocky Mount with Pastor James D. Galliard officiating. Burial will follow in the Shady Grove Church Cemetery.

Doralene Wester Matthews, 88, passed away November 30, 2021 in Vero Beach, Fl. She was born in Louisburg, December 8, 1932 to the late Authur and Magdalene Duke Wester and was the widow of William Kay Matthews.