All tagged css neuse foundation
One of the most unusual organizations in our county is the CSS Neuse Foundation, overseers of the full-scale replica of the CSS Neuse II. For the past few years, the Neuse II has drawn anywhere from 4,500 to 5,500 visitors – even though the replica gunboat is only open to the public from 10 am until 4 pm on Saturdays.
I was not part of the CSS Neuse Foundation Board when the first “Wings Over the Neuse” fundraiser occurred. In 2009, board members decided to do something special to raise funds needed to place a monument for Alton “Doc” Stapleford to recognize and honor all the work and supervision he provided during the construction of the CSS Neuse II. That fundraiser proved successful. The next time you visit the Neuse II, check out the memorial honoring Alton.
For the second time this year, the CSS Neuse Foundation is hosting “Breakfast on the Boat.” The event will begin around 7 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 16 at the CSS Neuse II, the replica gunboat. As usual, “Breakfast on the Boat” features scrambled eggs, bacon, link sausage, grits, biscuits, and a beverage. All foods except biscuits are prepared on the grounds next to the CSS Neuse II. Tables will afford social distancing.
This year marks the 13th consecutive year the CSS Neuse Foundation has hosted “Wings Over the Neuse,” the foundation’s major fundraiser.
The year 2020 was rough on attendance aboard the CSS Neuse II, a full-scale replica of the original Confederate Ram once housed on the Neuse River at Kinston. In 2017, 2018, and 2019 the replica gunboat drew more than 5,000 visitors each year. In 2020, roughly one-third of that number visited the gunboat.
When the COVID-19 struck our nation and state, the board of directors for the CSS Neuse Foundation decided at its March 16 meeting to remain unopened during the period of “shelter at home” directive from Gov. Cooper.
On Nov. 20, 1951, Adkin High School students in Kinston staged a walk-out to protest the inferior educational setting they were forced to endure. Their action came three years prior to Brown v. Board of Education and more than a decade before Dr. King gave his “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963.
(Video Documentary Included)
I knew a little about Adkin High School. For instance, Adkin High was the first high school for African-American students east of Raleigh. The school opened in the fall of 1928 and it operated until 1970.
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The students planned the walk-out by themselves. They did not want any of their teachers or administrators to be implicated in their actions – nor did they want their teachers to try to stop them. When their concerns were ignored at the school board meeting the evening of Nov. 19, 1951 the walk-out was set for the next day.
For the fifth year the CSS Neuse Foundation is joining efforts with Ironclad Races, Inc., to promote a half marathon, a 5K race – and Breakfast on the Boat.
The second Friday in September has become fixed … sort of … as the date for “Wings Over the Neuse.” “Wings” is the single largest fund-raiser each year for the CSS Neuse Foundation, caretaker of the full-size replica of the CSS Ram Neuse.
On Friday, Nov. 2, the CSS Neuse Foundation will host its rescheduled “Wings Over the Neuse,” the foundation’s single largest annual fundraiser. Sales and delivery will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 2, and continue until all wings have flown the coup.
