With the goal of outdoing his two older brothers, Blayne Elder completed his Eagle Scout service project by cleaning and painting the gazebo next to Keizer City Hall.

Blayne Elder with Keizer Mayor Cathy Clark. Elder completely rehabilitated a gazebo in Chalmers Jones Park as his Eagle Scout project (Submitted).

Blayne Elder had wanted to be an Eagle Scout since he was eight years old.

It's the final rank of scouting and the ultimate achievement. It looks great on a resume and shows you put forth the effort and work, Elder said.

One of the prerequisites for achieving Eagle Scout status is to perform a service project for the benefit of the community.

Since both of his older brothers were Eagle Scouts, Elder, a freshman at McNary High, wanted to make sure that his service project went above and beyond what his brothers did.

My main motivation was to beat my older brothers. It was to go big or go home, Elder said.

Most Eagle Scout service projects are done over the course of a weekend. However, Elder decided to tackle a much bigger project cleaning and painting the gazebo next to Keizer City Hall.

With the help of members of Troop 20 and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder was able to finish the project in two months.

I knew it would be benefitting to the community if I did it. It ended up looking so great, Elder said.

Robert Johnson has been the parks and facilities manager for the City of Keizer for 13 years and said he has never seen a scout take on this big of a project for the city.

I wanted to make sure he knew the size of the project he was about to take on. There's a lot of surface area that is not easy to get to. It's a multi-step process with a lot of details, Johnson said.

Elder brought his proposal for the project before the parks board on Aug. 13. It was estimated that the Elder would save the city more than $9,000 in labor costs, which is why it was an easy decision for the parks board to give their stamp of approval.

It was a no-brainer decision.The labor was a big saver for the city, Johnson said.

The Keizer parks department paid $650 for Elder's supplies through the parks matching grant.

Elder received paint discounts from the Sherman-Willams paint store in Keizer,as well as Rodda Paint in Salem. He also received free supplies from Herc Rentals in Keizer.

After Elder and his crew began sanding and pressure-washing the gazebo, they were forced to take a two-week hiatus due to the wildfires damaging the air-quality across the state. When Elder was able to return to work, he applied a rust-killing chemical to the facility, then began priming and masking the gazebo before painting.

Manuel Jauregui, a local painter, offered guidance and assistance to Elder free of charge.

After approximately 415 man hours, the project was completed in late-October.

I'm so thankful for everyone who helped me out, Elder said.It was a huge relief once we were finished. I learned that a project of this capacity takes a lot of planning and organization.

Original post:
Sibling rivalry saves city thousands | Keizertimes | You think you know. To be sure, read Keizertimes. - Keizertimes

Local vendors set up booths during the day of the ribbon cutting.Steve Ranson/LVN

Tami Edgmon displays some of the gifts available at The Village on the Reno Highway.Steve Ranson/LVN

The Coaches provided the entertainment.Steve Ranson/LVN

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The Village Garden Center is one of Churchill Countys newest businesses, and although it has been open for less than a year, it recently had its ribbon cutting with the Fallon Chamber of Commerce.

The day also gave local vendors a chance to set up booths, and The Coaches, a local band consisting of former Greenwave coaches, provided the entertainment.

Owner Tami Edgmon said she opened the business April 1, but she canceled the grand opening because of the coronavirus pandemic. She has been rebuilding The Village at 2975 Reno Highway since she bought it a year ago. Edgmon said the first phase includes a garden nursery and a gift shop filled with local talent and vendors. She also said the garden center specializes in edibles, but the store also proves all ornamental landscaping.

Although The Village is closed this week, Edgmon said the center will reopen on Monday. During December, she said The Village will have a number of specials, and she offers discounts to first responders, the military and licensed contractors.

Edgmon said shes only the second owner of the land and business, which borders the Carson River on the south and U.S. Highway 50 to the north. According to her website, http://www.thevillage89406, the 2.96 acres of land hosts the most amazing views along the Carson River on its southern border with highway frontage on the north.

Nevada patented the land in 1905 to the Phillips-Walter family.

Edgmon also explained her reasoning behind the name of The Village. As she begins the new business with the nursery and gift shop, she said over time, many phases will develop over time.

Her ultimate plans are to resume summer concerts and to have gazebos along the river along with a beer and wine bistro. Edgmon said she also envisions six little villages rented to local businesses.

The Village will not only provide gardening products and horticultural practices with the utmost impeccable service, (but) it will allow friends, families and neighbors to gather for fun loving activities and social community events, her website explains.

For information, call 775-867-GROW or 775-217-3841 (cellphone).

Continue reading here:
The Village along the river | NevadaAppeal.com - Nevada Appeal

The fundraiser, which will see money go to building a memrial gazebo to honour former member Bea Jensen, began in early November

The Blind River Rotary Club has reached its fundraising goal to build a $25,000 accessible memorial gazebo to honour Bea Jensen, a long-time club member and active community volunteer, who diedearlier this year.

Our fundraising effortsexceeded the goal by over $5,000. We are no longer asking for donations, though will continue to accept any that come in, said Rotary president Eva Whitmore.

The fundraiser began at the beginning of themonth to pay for the 12-foot by 18-foot structure, which will accommodate two picnic tables, have attractive wooden posts, a solid foundation and low-maintenance roof.

The club is seeking public input on the design and location for the structure.

It will be built on Sellers Beach starting the spring.

Jensen was well known for her community work.

For many years she was a teacher at St. Joseph School in Blind River and left a mark on each and every child she taught.

She was involved with numerous organizations including NSHN Blind River Foundation/auxiliary/board member, Rotary, Golden Birches Terrace Council, Union Representative for AEFO, Paroisse Ste-Famille church committee member, canvasser for Heart and Stroke Foundation, Cancer Foundation and Kidney Foundation.

Her greatest love and passion was organizing the Blind River Senior Games.

Donations to the club for its ongoing community work can be made by cheque, payable and mailed to Blind River Rotary Club, Box 1568, Blind River, Ont.,P0R 1B0.

For more information on Rotary activity, residents can contact Whitmore at evamwhit@gmail.com.

Link:
Blind River Rotary Club reaches fundraising goal - ElliotLakeToday.com

AGAWAM The town will skip its holiday tree lighting ceremony this year in light of the coronavirus pandemic, organizer Vakny Chonmany confirmed this week.

Chonmany said hes disappointed that the annual outdoor event wont be held, but public health is more important. He made the decision based on orders by Gov. Charlie Baker, which limit public gatherings to groups of 50 in all but the lowest-risk towns.

I want to cooperate with what the governors been putting out, and with what the law says, Chonmany said. Im not risking peoples lives just to do something.

Mayor William Sapelli said the town wont sponsor any public events during the Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year season. He said the Department of Public Works will decorate town buildings and streetscapes as in previous years.

Sapelli said he may help private groups promote their modified events some churches in Agawam are planning drive-through celebrations, for instance but the town will not host one of its own.

Apart from this volunteer-run tree lighting, Agawam does not have an official town Christmas tree or holiday display.

This would have been the third year of a new tradition in town. Chonmany, who runs the Harnessing Muay Boran martial arts studio on Main Street, organized the event in 2018 after realizing Agawam didnt have any outdoor family events in the winter. With donations from local businesses and volunteer help, he decorated the gazebo and park at Veterans Green on Main Street and hosted an outdoor celebration, culminating in the arrival of Santa Claus on a fire truck.

Although various civic and church groups have sponsored annual craft fairs and visits from Santa, Agawam hadnt had a townwide outdoor Christmas event since 2013. The Agawam Clergy Association previously sponsored an annual outdoor Christmas tree lighting ceremony and candlelight carol singalong, also at Veterans Green.

Following the success of the 2018 tree lighting, Chonmany again led a volunteer effort to run the event last year. Local Freemasons and Lions served refreshments, the Agawam Public Library gave out free books and choirs from several Agawam schools performed.

Chonmany said he may try to organize a make-up community event in the spring, if COVID-19 guidelines will allow it.

Related Content:

Excerpt from:
Agawam tree lighting wont be held this winter - MassLive.com

Holiday music ensembles, a new Candy Cane Cottage and a Winter Garden Scavenger Hunt are among the new features this year

HERSHEY, Pa. Hershey Gardens is ushering in the holidays with a variety of activities sure to get the whole family celebrating the season.

Making its return to the Milton & Catherine Hershey Conservatory is a 14-foot-tall red and white poinsettia tree. Additional offerings this year include the Candy Cane Cottage, live music and a winter garden hunt.

Details on all holiday events listed below.

NEW! Candy Cane Cottage

Open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 4-6, 11-13, 18-20, and 26-31

Located in the former Gift Shop, Candy Cane Cottage is a brief walkthrough experience that features giant candy canes and twelve snow-covered, lit Christmas trees. A visit to the cottage is included in the price of admission to the Gardens.

Hazardous and icy conditions on the walkway to the building may require temporary closure without prior notice.

NEW! Live Holiday Music in the Gardens

Available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, and 26-30

Various local musical groups will be performing live holiday music outside in the Gazebo, weather permitting. Guests are encouraged to bring a chair and a blanket; social distancing required. Included in admission.

NEW! Winter Garden Hunt

Guests can participate in a winter-themed scavenger hunt during their walk through the Gardens.

Free guides are handed out at the admissions desk. Included in admission.

Hershey Gardens is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, with the following exceptions:

Please visit HersheyGardens.org for ticketing information.

See the rest here:
Hershey Gardens announces new family attractions for the holiday season - FOX43.com

Heather Sevigny| Correspondent

It always seems like the holidays sneak up so quickly. Luckily, they come with their own set of events and things to do. There is always a way to get out and have some new adventures, from light shows to winter sports. Ill be highlighting attractions, activities, and festivals right here on a weekly basis. From local music and shows to options for those of you who dont mind traveling a bit, theres something for everyone. Be sure to double-check all activities, as cancellations due to the Covid-19 pandemic can still occur. At the time of writing, all events listed have not been canceled. Events listed are for Nov. 26-Dec. 5.

Friday

Ethan Timm. The best after Thanksgiving tradition? Live music. Head down toThe Barn in Zanesville to hear the vocal stylings of Ethan Timm. The acoustic guitarist and singer will be performing from 7 to 10 p.m., covering classics and original pieces as well. Social distancing and COVID guidelines will be in place. For more information, call 740-455-2276. The Barn, 1947 Linden Ave., Zanesville.

Sunday

Byesvilles Christmas Celebration. The Village of Byesville will be having its 5th annual Christmas parade and tree lighting ceremony again this year. Dont worry though if you cant make it out for the lighting, the event is scheduled to be live-streamed on the mayor's Facebook page so all can enjoy. The parade will be a reverse parade,where you can drive past and see the floats. Mayor Jay Jackson is encouraging those in the parade to go all out to help celebrate. Parade viewers will be able to drive down State Route 209 in Byesville to view the entries. The tree lighting will be immediately afterward at the gazebo on the square, along with music and speakers. Parade line up will be at 4 p.m., with the tree lighting scheduled for 6 p.m. For more information, or to enter the parade, call 740-685-0800. State Route 209, Byesville.

Dec. 5

First Annual Christmas on the Farm. Whats better than a mall Santa? A farm Santa! Van Buren Acres will be hosting its first Christmas on the Farm, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5-6. There will be socially distant Santa photos, local vendors, and shopping available in their general store. Grab some hot chocolate and freshly popped kettle corn to round out the day. Running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., its the place to find that ever-elusive perfect present. For more information, call 740-927-1780. Van Buren Acres, 5066 Keller Road, Hebron.

Luminary Walk. Get some fresh air and enjoy the season at the same time. A short drive from Guernsey County, the Norma Johnson Center is hosting its 2020 Luminary Walk. According to their Facebook page, Come walk the lighted luminary trail along the new Accessible Trail near the Preservation Pond at the Preservation Kiosk and yellow pole barn. Visitors will be guided along the newly built trail that is lit up [with] luminaries and LED lighted paper lanterns. Discover a magical area at the Norma Johnson Center! The trail walk will begin near the preservation kiosk located across from New Pointe Church on SR 39. For more information, call 330-339-7976. Norma Johnson Center, 3976 State Route 39, Dover.

Dont Forget! As highlighted in last weeks column, dont forget these other events happening in and around our area.

Cambridge Christmas Parade. A reverse parade, the floats will line Wheeling Avenue so you can drive past and view all of the entries. Scheduled to run from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Interested in having your event listed or know about something youd like us to share? Email us atwhatsthebuzzdailyjeff@gmail.com at least two weeks in advance of the event.

Continue reading here:
What's the buzz? A list of events going on in the area - The Daily Jeffersonian

Share This Article:San Diego Santas Bill Swank (with ruler and sanitizer) and Joe Mystic look forward to seeing socially distanced kids this holiday season. Photos via Swank and Mystic

San Diego lost Comic-Con, the San Diego County Fair and baseball crowds at Petco Park. But Santa? Never! Yes, Virginia, there will be Santa Claus in San Diego this year.

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Seeing Santa at Christmas is extremely important, says veteran Saint Nick Joe Mystic. Everybody is missing everything. The kids dont get to go to Disneyland. Theyre not getting their school things that they usually do.

The 74-year-old added: All the fun stuff is gone for them, so we need to keep something steady. We cant look at it as everything is gone.

Indeed the jolly old man will be very busy starting Friday as he visits malls throughout the county and joins private gatherings and parties.

But, of course, it wont be quite the same. COVID-19 has also been making a relentless visit, so the key will be to make sure Santa stays healthy.

This means masks, social distancing and plexiglass.

But options include in person, on cellphone apps, videos and phone calls with Santa.

Bill Swank, who has sat in for Santa at the Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park since 2002, has his bottle of sanitizer in one hand and a 6-foot ruler in the other. He will greet San Diegans at the Taste of December Nights on Dec. 4-5 at Inspiration Point in the Naval Hospital lot.

No contact, wear your mask and wash your hands and keep your distance, this Santa says.

Since the Santas arent spring chickens anymore, there is, of course, some concern about health.

Mystic had to turn down an appearance Friday, where multiple families would be present. When he said the kids couldnt sit with him and had to wear masks, the client didnt call back.

I know a lot of Santas in my group that are not doing it at all this year because they are so worried, said Mystic, who has health considerations.

I, on the other hand, feel that as long as I do it as safely as possible, its going to be fine, he added.

Swank has been housebound since the pandemic started and is foregoing a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with children and grandchildren.

But a city official assured Swank that no children would be sitting on his lap or touching him. So Swank agreed.

Swank told his wife about the arrangement. If Mrs. Claus is happy, Im happy, he said.

Most of the major shopping malls in the country contact with Cherry Hill Programs, who supply the Santas.

Malls taking part include Mission Valley Mall, Fashion Valley, Parkway Plaza, Chula Vista Mall, Westfield UTC, Westfield North County in Escondido, Otay Ranch Town Center, Westfield Mall Bonita, The Shoppes at Carlsbad and Carlsbad Premium Outlets.

Santa will be available at the malls from Nov. 27 to Dec. 24. Hours vary at each. Reservations are strongly recommended for a 15-minute visit with Santa by visiting whereissanta.com.

People will be asked to select their location and the mall they plan to visit. A time slot will be selected and paid for online. Walk-in guests will be accepted on a space-available basis.

Photo packets range from $19.99 to $49.99, plus a processing fee.

Health protocols for the Santa visits are familiar:

In addition, Santas have to pass a health screening and have their suits regularly sprayed with a disinfectant between shifts.

Guests assume all risks, said the photo companys website.

Santas also will be at Seaport Village, Del Mar Plaza, Hotel Del Coronado and Santee Lakes.

Surfin Santa had to cancel his gig at Seaport Village. However, a large likeness of him riding his surfboard will be there for photos.

But Seaport Village will still afford visitors an opportunity for photos sitting next to (but not on) Santa thanks to large sheets of Plexiglass to his right and left. Santa also will be wearing a face shield and gloves. Visitors must wear masks.

Sanitizer also will be at the ready for visitors at the 849 W. Harbor Drive set of shops.

At Del Mar Plaza, 1555 Camino Del Mar, Santa will be posted up high, sneaking down a chimney, while guests are seated in a sleigh below.

Reservations are $20 per family per session, with a portion of proceeds donated toFuel the Frontline San Diego,which provides crucial funds for Del Mar restaurants and meals for local healthcare workers.

At the Hotel Del, Santa will pose in his sleigh as families take photos from 6 feet away with the hotels famous turret as backdrop.

Reservations are required. Guests will get a 57 photo for $20.

Santa will be available from 4 -7 p.m. Nov. 28 and Dec. 5, 12, 19, 23 and 24.

A 35-foot Christmas tree, normally indoors, will be in the center of the hotels beachfront Windsor Lawn due to renovation. Also, Skating by the Sea will not be available this year because of the pandemic.

At Santee Lakes, Santa will come to town from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at the Lake 1 Gazebo, where a physically distanced meeting and photo opportunity is available.

Reservations are encouraged, but walk-up visits are available throughout the day based on availability.

The 57 photos go for $12 or two 5x7s for $20. Facial coverings are required. Gate entrance is $6, and no pets are allowed.

Reluctant to meet Santa in person? You can arrange a virtual visit from the North Pole via Zoom meetings or Internet sites.

A variety of companies including Cherry Hill Productions, JingleRing Live, Santas Club, and Santa the Experience.

Pre-recorded videos and live visits are offered for a variety of prices, depending on the duration of the visit. Virtual photos, in which you upload a photo and Santa is added to the photo, are also sold.

A free visit with Santa is offered at 3 p.m. Dec. 13 with singing, dancing and comedy for 40 minutes thanks to Victoria On Stage Musical Theatre Society. Register here. Donations are accepted.

Another option is calls from Santa via an app, such as Portable North Pole.

Regardless of the type of contact, Santa visits wont be the same, Mystic said.

I dont think its as satisfying to any of us as it is doing it in person, not for the kids, not for the parents, not for me, Mystic said.

Its going to be funny to see the pictures that are going to be in the albums for this year. There will be all of these pictures of Santa with the kids,Santa with the kids,Santa with the kids, and then in 2020, theyre wearing masks, said the popular magician/Santa.

In addition, Mystic, who lives in Clairemont, said he expects only half what he usually makes playing the jolly man each year.

Mystic is counting on parents to keep him safe by setting the no-touching ground rules ahead of time.

And sometimes children ask him for things he just cant give them such as bringing estranged parents back together or returning a military brother from an overseas tour, he confided.

But the Santas passion is not dimmed.

Swank strives to make kids feel special.

I really enjoy being Santa, he said. Having kids inches away, looking you right in the face. They believe it is all real.

But this year, 6 feet away.

San Diego Santas Want You to Know: COVID Wont Freeze Out Their Ho Ho Ho was last modified: November 26th, 2020 by Chris Stone

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San Diego Santas Want You to Know: COVID Won't Freeze Out Their Ho Ho Ho - Times of San Diego

Sapulpa Main Streets annual Lights On! ceremony is Tuesday evening, featuring the inaugural lighting of the Tree of Hope, and what promises to be a magical experience in downtown Sapulpa with animated window displays, some great downtown shopping, and free carriage rides by Ava Ks Carriage service (and paid for by SeneGence). Here are details for everything thats happening on Tuesday evening:

Carriage rides are running from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, will be one-way, and will pick up patrons at the Courthouse parking lot on Dewey Avenue and also at the corner of Main and Dewey Avenue. Riders will receive a stamp when they board the carriage. Carriages will be sanitized between rides.

The official Lights On! ceremony starts at 5:30 pm at the Courthouse Gazebo and is supposed to feature virtual performances by Sapulpa elementary students. It is unknown whether this will happen if the rain persists.

Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell will be in town, along with KJRH Channel 2 News to do a live-stream of the ceremony for those that cant be here to see it live. Pinnell will flip the switch, lighting up all of downtown Sapulpa, plus the brand new 26-ft tall Tree of Hope!

Downtown Sapulpa businesses have gone all out to get their windows ready for this years event, which features a window display contest, with an animation element required. Some of the displays will have electronic animations, but most will feature real live characters! Attendees will get tickets at the Courthouse to drop into the stocking of the window display they like the most.

Santa Claus is in town, and hes taking your letters! Kids should swing by Santas living room, located at the Chamber of Commerce, to fill out their letter to Santa and drop it in the large red mailbox. You might find your letter printed in upcoming issues of Sapulpa Times!

For the first time, downtown Sapulpa will have a donation-based gift wrapping station available at 117 E. Dewey in the SeneGence Event Center. Visitors can drop off their gifts and donations, and will receive a text when their wrapped packages are ready!

Read more from the original source:
Christmas lights and carriage rides: what to expect at tonight's Lights On! event in downtown Sapulpa - Sapulpa Times

Published: 11/24/2020 2:33:14 PM

HADLEY Hadleys fifth annual Celebration of Lights in 2021 could take place at a time when life in the United States is back to normal and the COVID-19 pandemic is history.

But this years fourth edition, held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving and put on by the Edward Hopkins Educational Foundation, will be a different event than in the past, even as the gazebo next to Hopkins Academy, built in 2014 for the 350th anniversary of the school, and a tree planted in memory of Peter Wanczykare lit for the holiday season.

We all agreed we needed to continue it and not drop it, said Kathy Tudryn, president of the foundations board.

So while a switch will be flicked to have the lights turned on, and retired Hopkins band director Eddie Forman will lead his fellow board members in a handful of seasonal songs, the public is being discouraged from gathering.

Instead of community participation, people will only be permitted to drive through the schools lot between 5 and 6 p.m. Saturday to make donations to two charities, Shriners Hospitals for Children and Baystate Childrens Hospital.

Using their boots, Hadley firefighters will be collecting these donations in the drive-thru format. Checks can be made out to the Hadley Volunteer Firemens Association. People can also send checks in the mail to the public safety complex at 15 East St., Hadley, MA01035.

Tudryn said the event is expected to be recorded by Hadley Media and will be broadcast at 8 p.m. Saturday and will also be available on Hadley Medias YouTube channel.

Read more:
Hadley's Hopkins gazebo holiday lighting subdued this year - GazetteNET

WILMINGTONLast fall, as Randy Evans of Walking Tall Wilmington was setting up morning breakfast with some of his unsheltered friends at the downtown Riverwalk Visitors Information Center also referred to as the gazebo Jamie Lee Curtis stopped by for a chat. She was in town filming Halloween Kills, and mentioned walking by the gazebo every morning, and seeing him share a meal with others.

She took a picture with Evans and posted it to her social media, writing Food is love. Friendship is love. . . Just one human being, feeding another. Perfect.

The post generated a lot of traction. It helped Walking Tall fund more meals and highlighted downtown Wilmingtons Riverwalk.

Fast forward one year later, and the gazebo, located at the foot of Market and Water streets, is now wrapped in fencing as it undergoes $300,000 in renovations from the City of Wilmington.

On Sept. 14 deputy city manager Thom Moton presented plans to council to raze half of the 80s-era visitors center, leaving only the bathroom portion, to open up the viewshed of the Cape Fear River. Also installed will be new light fixtures that cure blind spots and shadows, plus cameras to be manned by either the Wilmington Police Department or Wilmington Downtown Inc. ambassadors, or a combination of both.

Security has become a hot topic among downtown visitors, citizens and business owners when talking about the gazebo. According to the city, police have received complaints at least once a month for illicit behaviors taking place in the vicinity.

However, not every encounter results in a report or a call to 911, according to the citys spokesperson, Jennifer Dandron. WPD and New Hanover County Sheriffs Office have a joint downtown taskforce, so sometimes officers will already be in the area when an issue arises and are able to de-escalate the situation without generating a report or resulting in an arrest/citation.

Between October 2019 and 2020, police have cited 19 charges near the center, consisting of larceny, damage to personal property, disorderly conduct and indecent exposure, among other activities. It cant be confirmed all charges are directly associated with the gazebo, according to an email chain between police planner Barry Coburn and Dylan Lee, who works in communications in the city managers office.

Dont know if all of these involve the homeless exactly, plus this is within the general area of the shelter [so] it is difficult to say all occurred precisely at the shelter, Coburn wrote.

Public urination is one, Evans confirmed during an interview. The gazebo gave me access to the unsheltered community; it was the primer to gain their trust and hear their stories. But if someone is breaking the law, its a hard stop.

Evans started Walking Tall in 2015. One day he showed up to the gazebo with donuts and coffee after seeing displaced people congregating there. He struck up a conversation and then showed back up the next day and the next and every day since.

Evans already had experience working with people in extreme poverty from his stint at the Hope Center a day center located in the bottom of a church on 5th Avenue, which has since shuttered.

Related: The Hope Center looks to build self-worth among Wilmingtons unsheltered population and it needs your help

The Hope Center helped unsheltered people by providing them lockers during the day, so their personal items didnt have to be carried around. It employed people as hammock makers for $15 an hour and helped them build rsums. It was a place 150 unsheltered community members met to eat together, get haircuts, and safely socialize.

I used to say, I want to work myself out of a job, Evans detailed, but now I know Im not going to eradicate poverty. Im just not on any level. No one is. Its been with us since the beginning of time. Now, my goal is to meet these people where they are in life, and show them dignity and try to help them in a holistic way.

Evans nonprofit goes beyond sharing meals; it provides supplies, like blankets, jackets, clothing, toiletries, and now showers from a newly gifted mobile shower unit. During Covid-19 he upped the meals that he and volunteers make out of a church kitchen before delivering downtown. He used to provide breakfasts and lunches three days a week but since March has been doing five. He also provided masks, sanitizer and helped install hand-washing stations downtown in the spring, amid the initial rise in numbers from novel coronavirus.

I did an event with NC Vote Now and got a lot of people registered, he said of the recent election. On voting day, we drove people to the polls.

A pastor for Jordans Chapel United Methodist Church in Burgaw, Evans will be serving Thanksgiving dinner at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. at St. Pauls Evangelical Lutheran Church. He also hosts a weekly feast gathering at St. Pauls on Saturday a church service Evans started specifically for unsheltered individuals in poverty.

Since the gazebo has been barricaded for renovations, Evans has moved his breakfasts and lunches not even a quarter mile up the Riverwalk, in front of the federal building steps on Water Street. He alternates days and sets up at 3rd near the Chestnut Street library.

Evans found out about the gazebos renovations when Wilmington Downtown Inc.s interim chair, Dane Scalise, called to let him know the city was correcting structural issues.

Dane told me they were just fixing the railing, and the city didnt want me to think they were spiting me, Evans said.

PCD reached out to Scalise about who from the city asked him to call Evans, but Scalise did not respond.

I actually agreed that, yes, structural changes should be made, especially with the railing, Evans continued. I thought to myself, OK, that should take about a week.

A few days later when Walking Tall went to host its normal morning breakfast, volunteers called Evans saying the gazebo was wrapped in fencing and tabletops were being removed.

Thats when I realized this was going to be a longer project, Evans recalled.

The project is slated for completion in spring of 2022.

Evans phoned councilmembers Kevin Spears and Clifford Barnett to express his concerns.

Barnett asked Moton during the September presentation if the city could look at alternative ways to handle challenging behaviors at the gazebo. What are the odds of having a social worker down there to help assuage those behaviors? he questioned.

Moton responded he was looking at funds the city managers office allocates to civic groups to properly address the needs. And we believe some of that could fund social workers and street outreach, Moton added.

Spears went one step further. Are we looking to partner with nonprofits to help people who are disruptive to visitors?

Walking Tall Ministries and Continuum of Care through the Cape Fear Council of Government task force, Moton responded, the latter of which Moton serves on the board.

It came as news to Evans, who said he had never met with anyone about a potential partnership.

I told Kevin, The gazebo is an area where we can do the most good, Evans recalled. If you tear this down, the people are going to go somewhere else and we are going to follow them. So are you going to keep tearing down places across the city wherever we are? Or do you want to create a space to do the most good?

In the presentation, Moton specified a need to rectify the gazebo as a place of loitering.

As a team, when we look at whats happening at the businesses, and we focus on behaviors that matter about socio-economic statuses of people at the Riverfront, we do believe there are certain conditions that create an ecosystem that attracts that behavior: places to congregate and sit for extended periods of time, he said. [The visitors center] was intended to be transactional. It instead becomes a place of encampment.

Its the 800-pound gorilla in the room, councilmember Charlie Rivenbark said during the presentations question-and-answer portion.

He compared Wilmingtons riverfront to beach cities that struggle with attracting tourism.

I dont think they would allow in their city what we allow, Rivenbark said, like the pictures Mr. Shackleford sent us of someone passed out on a sidewalk. Were struggling to get our tourism back up, and you see people spending money at restaurants, but then someones passed out we cant have that. And I dont know what the solution is. I just know theres a problem. That has to be addressed along with everything else.

Almost directly in front of the visitors center is Michaels on the Waterfront. The new restaurant opened in the midst of Covid-19 and has seen an upswing in clientele since the first phase of the visitors center renovation began.

The construction on the gazebo has had a positive effect on Michaels, owner Michael Lavigna said. We have seen a rise in walk-in traffic, as people have been more willing to linger near Water Street and the front of our restaurant because of the fence.

The high-profile area of the Riverwalk has been through its fair share of general wear and tear over three decades. Originally constructed in the mid-80s, the center has served as a welcoming spot for tourists and locals, with restrooms, tables and seating available for public use.

Moton told council during the presentation the visitors center had reached functional obsolescence.

It was built when the Wilmington population tipped 55,000; today, its reached 123,000. The gazebos increased use, and the numerous storms and environmental impacts the river has had on the structure, has taken its toll.

Its time to incorporate design principals that strengthen the sense of safety and provide more security, Moton explained on Sept. 14.

In addition to installing cameras and lighting, the new structure will be painted to match the historic district, and include improved landscaping and pedestrian art and/or historic signage. Moton floated the idea of gates being installed to close off the center at night, as a means to keep people from sleeping there.

Its not lost on me the amount of people who have complained about us being at the gazebo, Evans clarified. Ive received those complaints, too Ive also received threats from downtown business owners for doing what I do. But what gets me is the language of calling these people a public safety matter.

Evans is referring to another part of Motons presentation, where he noted, Residents and business owners are saying, I dont want to call the police again I want you, the city, to do something about these recurring public safety complaints.

Its not illegal to be poor, Evans said. Words create worlds. We have power to affect people, and using terms like public safety issue when describing a group of people can project to some that being in poverty is a crime. That seems to be the projection to my community.

Its a tough spot for the city to be in: to balance the needs of the Riverwalk as a structure, which in turn helps drive tourism; to keep citizens safe; to keep business owners happy; and to keep in mind the aftereffects all these decisions have in this case on the unsheltered community.

This balancing act isnt lost on the city, either. Dandron responded on Motons and the citys behalf that no one is in violation of the law for having little to no income or a home. She also explained that was not the message the city was trying to convey.

The city would like to make clear it is not a crime to be unhoused or spend time on the Riverwalk, she wrote in an email, and no laws prevent someone from being in a public space due to housing status. However, there are ordinances relating to blocking sidewalks, littering, and obeying park hours, in addition to laws against criminal behaviors.

Evans agrees anyone breaking the law should be held accountable, but he also thinks the issues with the displaced community go beyond unlawfulness. He interprets perception and tourism as seemingly more concerning.

The city doesnt want this to be perceived as having riff-raff downtown, Evans said. Yet, you can go downtown after the bars let out any weekend night and see public urination, too.

According to Evans, city leaders asked to meet with him via Zoom a few weeks after Motons presentation, after he spoke with councilmembers Spears and Barnett. In the meeting, the officials reapproached the idea of opening another day center. While Evans isnt opposed to a day center, he is opposed to one with pre-entry stipulations.

People often call me the pastor of last resort because I create space for people who have been banned everywhere else, he said. Id want the same from a day center: an opportunity to help everyone, no matter what.

Evans runs Walking Tall on private donations only and grants that dont come from any government funding. He didnt apply for funds provided by the CARES Act in the midst of the pandemic because he doesnt agree with high barriers that sometimes come with federal money (i.e. required drug testing or refusing help to folks who have violent felonies).

The problem with these grants is, you tend to have vacuums where youre sucking people in, throwing them around, spitting them out and sucking them in again, Evans said.

He pointed to the debacle with Hurricane Florence as an event that shook his faith, specifically with local shelters. Many people he drove to shelters ahead of the storm were denied entry because they didnt have an ID. Evans took matters into his own hands and put up 35 people in his home.

In 2019 N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein recognized Evans efforts with the Dogwood Award, given to community leaders who vow to keep people safe, happy and healthy.

When Hurricane Dorian rolled around, Evans said he was impressed with how New Hanover County learned from the previous storm and accepted the homeless community in the shelters.

They tried to be better about lowering those barriers, he said. And it was great. I give them credit where its due. I dont want barriers; I want boundaries meaning we have a mutual understanding with the people we serve. Im open to partnerships but only with the right people.

Even as city leaders continued bringing up the idea of opening another day center and who to work with of whom Evans suggested Vigilant Hope, Med North and Physicians Alliance Evans said he remains weary. Mainly, he points to having spent years building trust with a community of people who dont easily open themselves to more vulnerability.

We cant look at a day center as a means to an end, Evans said. Poverty isnt going away. We need to incorporate these people into the community. They have dreams and aspirations. Theyre more than addiction and mental illness. Our goals at Walking Tall are to create space and access to feel loved and cared for and not alone, to build self-respect. Identity is who you are; dignity is what youre worth. How can you create worth if you dont know who you are? We create ways for people to learn who they are and discover their worth. And thats more than a can of high-sodium soup or busted up garbanzo beans that have been in someones pantry for five years. Thats more than hand-me-down pants and a handful of change.

Moton noted in his presentation it takes more than just a city to address these issues none of which are quick fixes. The needs are pretty substantial, he said. Homelessness equals mental health, social services, housing. Its more than the city its everyone coming together.

It appears Moton is moving forward on that concept. In an email to the mayor and councilmembers on Nov. 18, he informed them the Tri-County Continuum of Care, which makes up an alliance of service providers, local government agencies and other public interests, created a new governance system to serve the unsheltered population. The continuum provides around $1 million in federal, state, and local funds for emergency services and housing to those in need. He also noted he wanted to obtain data to better understand this population in Wilmington.

Councilmember Rivenbark asked to be kept abreast of Motons progress in a response. Too many times the meetings take place and all the boxes get checked, and it doesnt translate to relief or problem-solving on the street level, he wrote. I think some sort of day/night care program should be at the top of their to-do list.

Evans suggests the best way for city council and all politicians, for that matter to understand this community is to actually reach out and ask what they need. To stop assuming.

They can start with, What do you like about Wilmington and what keeps you here? he said. Or, How can you contribute to make it better?

The approach can be as simple as sharing a meal and conversation, much like Evans did for the first time at the gazebo years ago.

The Riverwalk is supposed to be for everyone, so they have said, Evans noted. Well, right now, it doesnt feel welcoming to my community.

Have ideas, tips, comments and/or grumbles? Email Shea Carver at shea@localdailymedia.com

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Deep Dive: Riverwalk renovations highlight need to address downtown unsheltered population - Port City Daily