Newton: Growing community spirit

By By William F. West / community editor
Sept. 6, 2002
NEWTON The Chamber of Commerce here is planning a fund-raising drive later this month, complete with downhome cooking and a musical comedy hour.
But that's not all.
Residents can compete for the chance to put a pie in the face of either Wilmer Whittle, chairman of the board of Newton County Bank, or state Sen. Terry Burton.
Kathy Stephens, the chamber's executive director, said her staff is going all-out to promote the event and plans to distribute posters of Whittle and Burton all over Newton.
The two potential victims, Whittle and Newton, are the captains of the fund-raising teams called "Team W" and "Team T."
Members of the chamber's board of directors will be waiting tables. Some of the wait staff will be on Team W, some on Team T.
The money will benefit the Newton Chamber of Commerce. Admission is $17.50 and includes the meal and the comedy act.
Providing the musical comedy will be R.L. Hullum and Boyd Twetty, both from Petal.
Earline's will cater the event, with servings of fried chicken, corn, cornbread, peas, potato salad and turnip greens along with apple cobbler and banana pudding.
In a small town with a chamber membership of about 150 people, every dollar is vital.
Stephens had been teaching art at the elementary school here prior to becoming the chamber director in December.
WANT TO GO?
The Newton County Chamber of Commerce's downhome cooking, musical comedy, pie-in-the-face fund-raiser is set for Sept. 26, at 7 p.m., downtown at the historic train depot. Admission is $17.50. For information, call Kathy Stephens at 683-2201.