BY MILES LAYTON

A round-up of all things Tyrrell County…

Column talks about Ray McClees, David Clegg, four outstanding educators and happenings at the Tyrrell County Library.

Ray McClees died Monday – that’s something. Here’s his obituary – RIP.  Link to his obituary

Starting in 1994, Ray chronicled the Tyrrell County news, starting with The Coastland Times, and later becoming managing editor of the Reminder, a local paper. He regularly contributed articles to both newspapers for more than 27 years. Flashback to when the Reminder closed its doors a few years back when the newspaper’s corporate bean counters decided the county didn’t need a newspaper. 

How do I know McClees? Seeing a need to provide news to Columbia, God connected me with McClees, who provided me with stories, valuable news tips and an introduction into the community a few years back.  

Being made aware of McClees’ passing this past week, I want to offer a prayer on his behalf and say thanks for your legacy of service to the community.  

In other news, I’m told that County Manager/Attorney David Clegg made a passionate speech explaining the virtues of living in Tyrrell County at a recent meeting with various stakeholders who are working on projects to improve the quality of life for the residents – projects including sewer improvements, home elevations, ecotourism and more. David’s speech touched on the values of how and why people are deeply rooted in their communities. Thanks David!

For our readers who may have never been to Tyrrell County, yes, we do have readers up North and in Europe, I’ll take a moment to talk about living in that neck of the woods between Alligator and South Fork townships. Yes, Tyrrell is the smallest by population size in North Carolina, so folks know each other – and in many cases, are deeply rooted in the land and in their small communities. And yes, while Tyrrell is among the poorest counties in the state, it is one of the richest in terms of greenery, scenery and agriculture — forestry, fishing and potatoes.

I was talking to a lifelong Columbia resident the other week – she knew the comings and goings of most things, especially the school system. She had kind words about former Mayor James Cahoon, who passed away in January — she remembered when he was a Columbia High School principal and Assistant Superintendent for Tyrrell Schools. She talked about fishing in the ponds and ditches, and she was aware that a proposed crabbing ban might affect local commercial fishermen. I think she said there was a small community of Vietnamese fishermen who are very good watermen. 

When I wrote about Dr. Michael Bracy staying on a bit longer as interim superintendent, Board of Education Chairwoman Karen Clough gave me a call, sent me that press release. She was very kind.  

And then there is the Scuppernong River – when kayaking on a sunny day, the sun reflects off the black water so it seems as if you’re part of the sky – hard to describe, but it is a joyful and surreal experience. Tyrrell’s forests and fields can make you forget the “noise” from social media and fearmongering of mainstream media, where everyone seems to be triggered by something.  

For these reasons and more, Tyrrell County is a great place to live.  

Columbia High School is set to celebrate its graduates at 7 p.m. Friday, May 30. The ceremony will take place at the school’s campus in Columbia.

In other news, Tyrrell County Schools is proud to recognize four outstanding educators as the 2024–2025 School-Level Teachers of the Year and Beginning Teachers of the Year.

● Glenna Basnight, Tyrrell Elementary School – Teacher of the Year

● Jennifer Brickhouse, Columbia Middle & Columbia Early College High School – Teacher of the Year

● Ann Leary, Tyrrell Elementary School – Beginning Teacher of the Year

● Ruth Spencer, Columbia Middle & Columbia Early College High School – Beginning Teacher of the Year

Each of these educators was nominated by their peers for their excellence in instruction, positive relationships with students, and dedication to the school community. They will now advance to the district interview phase to determine the 2024–2025 District Teacher of the Year and Beginning Teacher of the Year.

The final winners will be announced at the district’s End-of-Year Celebration, to be held after school in early June.

From the library, explore your creativity with a hands-on art experience at the Tyrrell County Library! In partnership with Pocosin Arts School of Fine Craft and through generous support from the North Carolina Museum of Art’s To Go Activity Kit grant, this engaging program invites community members of all ages to discover different artistic styles.

This month’s featured activity will focus on creating a geometric pattern print inspired by ancient Canosan vases—a fun and educational project perfect for all skill levels.

Monday, May 19

3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

Also, Tyrrell County Library invites the community to a free, hands-on help session to learn how to access audiobooks from the library’s digital collection. The event, Learn to Download Audiobooks with Ease, will be held on Wednesday, May 21, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the library.

This session is designed for anyone who wants to enjoy books while driving, exercising, or relaxing—without ever turning a page. Beaufort County Community Library staff will provide personalized guidance on using popular digital platforms like Libby, OverDrive, and E-iNC, which give library cardholders access to thousands of free audiobooks.

“Whether you’re a first-time user or just need a refresher, we’ll walk you through every step,” said Lynda Mastronardo, Branch Librarian. “All you need to bring is your smartphone, tablet, or Kindle—we’ll help you get set up and ready to listen before you leave.”

Highlights of the session include:

• One-on-one assistance from BCCC staff
• Guidance on how to download and use Libby, OverDrive, and E-iNC
• Tips for finding and borrowing audiobooks from the library’s digital collection
• Same-day setup so you can start listening immediately

This program is free and open to the public. No registration is required—just bring your device and stop by during the scheduled time.

For more information, contact Tyrrell County Library at 252-796-3771.