The Gastonia Gazette from Gastonia, North Carolina • Page 20

SECTION POUNDED 1MO THE GASTONIA GAZETTE Die. 3, 1971 Dominy murder trial going to jury today LAT YOUR EGGS "I've got dream, and all say is 'Eat your eggs'," Walter Younger (Jimmy Slrjwe) tells his wife Ruth (Delores Leeper) in a scene from "A Raisin in the Sun." The award-winning play tells the story of the conflict which rages in a family over the use of insurance money and the renewed pride, unity and sense of purpose which comes after they lose the money in a swindle. The Belmont Playmakers' production can be seen tonight and Saturday night at 8 p.m. at South Point Senior High School. Photo by ctiuck BECkley 'Raisin' production full of good acting, message A REVIEW By ELSIE HAMILTON Gazette Staff Reporter RT5M MONT "A Raicin in fi itaisin in the Sun," as enacted by black students in the Belmont Play- makers production, is more than a play it's an emotional experience.

in 1958-59 by New York critics, the play is moving and beautiful in itself as it tells the absorbing tale of a family whose, dreams are crushed just as they seem to be coming true. But bringing tears, to the iyes and a lump to the throat is knowing that those black students probably are acting out part of their own lives in a while man's world. They know what it's all about, and it shows in their acting. Those are real tears running down the face of Walter Younger (Jimmy Stowe) when he exclaims. "Then white folks ain't gonna have to live next door to stinkin' niggers!" When rehearsals first- began, Jimmy couldn't even bring himself to say the words.

Brawny and handsome, Jimmy Stowe performs with a brilliance almost unbelievable in a high school student. His gestures, his voice, and his timing bring alive the character of angry, ambitious, frustrated Walter, who wants to use his father's insurance money to invest in a liquor store. In the closing scene, Walter quietly and proudly tells a white man he is coming to live in the white community. After the white man leaves, Walter's mother says, "He finally come into manhood. It's kinda like the rainbow after the rain." Big and beautiful, "kinda like the rainbow after the rain," describes Jimmy Stowe's performance.

Sarah Thomas effectively portrays Walter's mother, Lena, who is determined to use her husband's insurance money to buy a new home where the family can live decently and with self-respect. She is tender, understanding, and loving as she tries to cope with conflict which arises over the use of the money. Pretty Delores Leeper is good as Ruth, Walter's patient, hardworking wife, seeking despe- rately to regain the love they once snared. Cheryl Mann handles well the role of Beneatha, Walter's younger sister, who struggles between the desire to study medicine and a need to assert her racial heritage. Also included in the cast are Bobby Mann as George Murchison, a pseudo-sophisticated college student interested in Ben a a sixth-grader Jeffery Isles as Travis, the Youngers' 12-year-old son; Freddie Davis as Joseph Asagai, a Nigerian student who wants to take Beneatha to Nigeria with him; Jim Beam as Karl Lindner, the Please sec- RAISIN, P-8B, Col.

5 Abbey student has met most of the astronauts By JOHN YORK Gazette Staff Reporter BELMONT John Firca could give gate crashers do-it- yourself lessons. The 19-year-old Abbey sophomore has managed to meet almost all of America's astronauts and two Russian cosmonauts at one time or another and several more than once. As a reward, he has the genuine autographs of most of plus a religious medal which has to the moon and back. And a lot of fond memories storing up to pass on to his students when he becomes a history teacher some day. Firca relies on cunning, a guileless teenager's face and a 'friendly grin to get him into places where only dinitaries are supposed to go.

And usually, one way or another, he gets there, even though' he has been shoved a time or two by Secret Service agents or policemen intent on keeping crowds from smashing some astronaut who's being honored after returning from space. He met Neal Armstrong, Buzz Aldren and Mike Collins, the crew of Apollo 11 which was the first manned spacecraft to land on the moon, in New York. COFFEE WITH GLENN He nailed 'John Glenn at his apartment in New York oven though the astronaut was being pretty anonymous. As a reward, he met Glenn's family, had coffee with them and enjoyed a pleasant visit. He met the crew of Apollo 8 by hiding in a reslroom at Newark Airport in January of 1969 and as a result had a chance to talk briefly with Frank Borman, whom he has met since; Jim Lovcll and Bill Anders.

It was' knowing Frank Borman that got him a chance to meet the two Russian cosmonauts at an auditorium after security officers had checked Firca and his buddy and told them to leave. The security officers escorted the cosmonauts to their scats a few minutes later and Firca nailed Borman and asked him to introduce tho two teenagers to the Russians, He did. Firca went through John Glenn's father to find out where Glenn was living in New York, then walked up to the doorman and asked to see Glenn. The doorman notified Glenn by telephone that Firca and a friend were at the entrance' to the apartment, building and after Glenn had asked who they were he said, "Send them up." "It was a nice grins Firca. CALLED ALDREN'S WIFE He managed to meet Neal Armstrong at the ticker tape parade for the moon visitors in New York and he managed that by calling Buzz Aldren's wife at her home in texas and asking her to help.

"She was so surprised that we would call Texas 'I think being a teenager helps you get away with this sort of thing'. Firca from New Jersey for something like this that she gave us a letter," Firca says. He crashed the gate on the ticker tape meeting by becoming a TV man. "The trick is to get there early. We got into New York about 7:30 a.m.

and the ABC-TV people were setting up. We asked them if they needed some help carrying tables and things and they said sure. So while we worked the police were barricading all around us and there we were," Firca smiles. He used a fake press card and stayed in a rest room for about two hours to meet Bor- Activities In Our Area FRIDAY 4 p.m.—Kings Mountain Christmas Parade. 11 a.m.

-7 p.m.—Barbecue, Grier Junior High School Cafeteria. 7:30 p.m.—Lincolnton Town Board. 8 p.m.—Belmont Playmakers Production, "A Raisin In The Sun," South Point High School Auditorium. SATURDAY 10 a.m.—Chcrryvillc Christmas' Parade. 10 a.m.

6 p.m.—Bazaar, Bcthcsda Unilcd Methodist Church. 2-5 p.m.—Visitation, Schiele Museum of National History, Planetarium program at 3 p.m. 5 9 p.m.—Christmas Carnival, Robinson Elementary School, in School 8 p.m.-Bolmmil Playmakers Production, "A Raisin In The Sun," South Point High School. man, Lovell and Anders in Newark. "Sometimes the security agents try to discourage us and tell us to go away, but if you can get to the men themselves, they are very nice and they seem to be glad to take a minute to talk," Firca says.

He contacted astronaut David Scott by simply calling his home near Houston, Texas and asking to speak to him. "We heard his- wife say 'David, somebody wants you' and he came in from the backyard. We talked about ten minutes," Firca says. He says he capitalizes on his age in getting to meet these people. "We tell them how old we are and we tell them we have the copies of autographs that secretaries send out and we tell them we would like to have the real thing, and they always send them," Firca says.

"I think being a teenager helps you get away with this sort of thing," he grins. "If I was older I probably couldn't get away with half as much. The main thing in getting to them is not to take no for an' answer," he says. A space buff since grade school when he watched Ainu Shepherd go up, he believes in NASA. The space program costs the taxpayer 23 cents a week.

That's less than a pack of cigarettes," he says, citing its value to the future. He compares it to the purchase of Alaska. "People said that was a mistake and look how valuable it lias become," he says. The medal which flew to the moon and back went there courtesy of Capt. Edward D.

Mitchell, the lunar module pilot. Firca had written to ask if Mit- cheh could take along a medal and for awhile it was touch and go. Weight restrictions arc so important that Mitchell could only say he would take it if he could. And he did. Later, he returned it to Firca with a letter on NASA stationary which says the medal was taken along on the flight, launched on Jan.

31 and returning on Feb. 9. Where is the medal? "In a safe deposit box nl home," grins Firca. Home is Elizabeth, N.J, Woman pleads not guilty By EV1E STAUNTON Gazelle Slaff Reporter "I could not stand to see the pain or know that he was suffering," said Mrs. Merle Wiggins Dominy.

Mrs. Dominy, on trial for her life in the pistol death of her husband, Gordon R. Dominy, testified that she did not go to her husband after she fired a .22 caliber derringer out her trailer door. She said she closed her eyes when she pulled the trigger and testified that she did not know that Dominy had been struck. "I had no idea that he had been hit," Mrs.

Dominy said. The last witness testified Thursday. The case was to go to the jury today, after lawyers for both sides summed up and after Judge John McConnell charged the jury. Under cross-examination, Mrs. Dominy said she looked out the trailer window and "could see a little blood coming out of his mouth but nothing like what has been described here." She said she told her daughter, Sharon, "Oh, my God, we've got to get some help," and went into the bedroom to call an ambulance.

Mrs. Dominy said she then sat down to "think about my children. I wanted someone lo take care of my children and I called the chaplain at Pharr Yarn." PROTECTION Mrs. Dominy said she had the pistol lor protection and testified that she took it from between the matresses earlier that night. She said she had fired the gun once for practice when her husband wanted her to get a better gun.

She said Dominy told her she couldn't "hit a target as big as the side of the house" with the pistol. She admitted that she had the weapon with her three weeks before the shooting when she went to the beauty parlor with Mrs. Billie Faye Branham, her sister-in-law. Mrs. Branharn testified earlier that Mrs.

Dominy told her she was going to kill her husband. Mrs. Dominy testified that she and her husband had been having marital problems for some time. She said she told Ralph Lacky, "Our problems were getting bigger and something had to be done." JEALOUS? The prosecutor hammered away at Mrs. Dominy con- cerning her attitude toward her husband's generosity.

He accused her of being jealous because Dominy bought their daughter a horse, enrolled a son in military school and promised to buy a motor bike for another son. Mrs. Dominy said she "didn't like the way he was trying to buy the children." She said she was not told that Dominy had enrolled the 16- year-old boy in Oak Ridge Military Academy. She said the younger boy was waiting to get the motorcycle before he came to live with her. Mrs.

Dominy said she separated from Dominy about three weeks before the shooting and that Sharon lived with her at the trailer. She said Doininy called her the night before the shooting and again that same day. She testified that he told her that would be her last night in Uie trailer. "Hs I would move do-d or alive." she said. Mrs.

Dominy said sh" did not talk to Dnminy when he came to the trailer at 5 p.m. to pick up her daughter. She said Dominy told her he would conic back to talk after he took Sharon to a concert in Charlotte. "But he didn't come back," she said. She said when Dnminy returned at 11:30 he stood on the bottom steps of the trailer.

She said Dominy asked, "Are you going to talk to me now?" Mrs. Dominy said she didn't want to talk to him at that time. Mrs. Dominy testified' that she was afraid of her husband. She said lie had threatened her and locked her out of the house once.

A neighbor, Mrs, I.ucy Barnes, testified that she heard screnms from the Dominy house Please SN; HOMINY, n-sn, coi. BRAVING THE Gastonia was nearly deserted early this morning after the season's first snow storm moved in. This man, whose face is hidden by an umbrella, was the only pedes- trian on Main St. at approximately 8::15 a.m. The stores were open today, but most Christmas shoppers were staying at home.

Photos bv Chuck Bccklcv Build your snowman, win prize It takes snow, maybe a broom stick for the arms, a carrot for the nose, and maybe an old hat that Daddy has discarded. But be original do your own thing, right in your own yard, and enter the citywide Snowman Contest. Any resident of Gastonia is eligible to enter this contest, which is sponsored by the Gastonia Recreation Department, but entries must be within the Gastonia city limits. Anyone wishing to enter the contest may do so by calling the Recreation Department at 864-3211, Ext. 297, by 3:30 p.m.

today, and if there is enough snowfall the contest will be carried over until tomorrow, in which case all entries for that day must be called in by 3:30 p.m. After the entry has been called in, judges will go out to the individual houses for the judging. "All roads leading to the house of a contest entry must be passable." said Mrs. Betty Wilson of the Recreation Department. There will be four divisions in the contest: funniest snowman, best snow woman, best and most original snow structure, and best snow man by a senior citizen 'age 55 or over).

Only one trophy will be awarded in each division. Winners will be notified the day after each contest. The Recreation Department has also announced that Lynha- vcn located behind Hunter Huss High School, will be closed off from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. today for supervised sledding.

They will also have a bonfire. and roast marshmallows. Christmas toys? Not this family Fire causes some damage A defective electric wall switch was blamed lor house fire Thursday night. A spokesman for the Gastonia Fire said con.sidcr- ablc damage was done when a fire broke out at 1108 N. Piyor St.

about p.m. Ted Jackson made mistake seven years ago that resulted in a five-year stay in prison. He is out now and is making every attempt to build another life for himself, his wife, Sara, and their three children, Sammy, Tammy, and Jimmy. "I realize what 1 did was an awful thine, but I have paid my debt to society and I'm going to make it up to my family "for that long absence," he said. "My problem stemmed from the fact that I was young, had a wife and three children, and just not enough money to make it.

So I thought stealing would be an easy way to remedy lhaf. only I got caught at it," he said. Since his return from prison, he is still having problems with making ends meet, but he is playing it straight. He has a job now. Ho isn't making much but it is a start.

Sara would like to work, but little Tammy was bom with a severe birth defect and requires her constant attention. Ted is worried about keeping clothes on their backs and food on (he table. The kids need new coats and shoes. Ted just doesn't know where the money will come from. "Christmas Ted says with a sod look OH his face, "That's just completely out of the question." But his children, Tammy, Sammy, and Jimmy, keep talking about Santa Claus.

You could be the Santa Claus to these and hundreds of other Gaston County families; you could turn a bleak Christmas and a sad little face into a joyful day, full of smiles and shouts of glee, by sending your contribution to The Empty Stocking Fund, care of the Gazette, Box 1538, Gastonia, 23052. The fund is an annual joint effort by The Gazette and the Salvation Army to bring food, clothing, and toys to needy families in Hie Gaslonia area. As of Thursday, the fund had received S412. New donors include: The Gastonia Gazette, Mrs. W.

D. Turner, Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Tale. Bessemer City.

$25. Anonymous, Anonymous S24. Mr. mid Mrs. II.

V. Kaul- kcnbcrry Lowell In memory of II. Stewart Sr. $25. The total (o date is S747.

Range pay hikes being discussed SHOPPING DAYS TO CHRISTMAS READ OUR ADS The merit pay committee of the city council was to meet this afternoon at 2 p.m. to decide if officers in the police and lire departments will gel their range changes thai would in effect boost their pay. Tho police and fire depart- mcnt range changes were part of the proposed pay raises fur city employees that wore caught in Phase 1 of President Nixon's wage and price freeze. When Phase 2 began, municipal employee wage increases were still frozen until some further guidelines were released by the Lciifnic ot Municipalities. t'ily Manager Dan Eller received (he guidelines Monday, and the puy raise committee met that afternoon.

From that mi-ding, merit longevity pay racses caught in (he freeze were approved retroactive to Nov. 15 and the beginning of Phase 2. Eller said thai the sent by Ihe League of Municipalities left "no doubt" that merit a longevity raises were exempt from Phase 2. But he said that tho decision on Iho range changes "rests prolly much with the city council," Chapel Grove school bids are awarded Gaston County school officials found that they had hit the nail right on the head when bids were opened Thursday afternoon for the new library-class- i oom-cafeteria addition to Chapel Grove Elementary School. The bids on the building itself were some $6,600 under the initial budget established for the project.

However, school offi- is transferred this amount into the equipment budget since they felt that they had been extremely tight in the original budget. The grand total for the project came to $396,000. The amount allocated by the county commissioners for this project came to 8396,100, or nearly the ex total of the bids. Following the opening of the b.ds, a special of the school hoard was held to award the- low bid contracts. Beam Construction Company was awarded the contract on the general construction.

The total bid amounted to This bid included the base bid of $226,000 plus some nine alternate contracts. Excluded from the alternate contracts were bids on the roof and carpeting. STANDARD ROOF The original plans called for a special liberglass 1 roof to be constructed. This was declined bv tlm school officials due to the maintenance that would be required plus the fact that it has not been fully accepted by the North' Carolina State Department of Public Instruction. Tlie bids on the carpeting were approved not put in the prime contract.

The lowest bid of 87,500 for this work was accepted as the maximum cost to be budgeted for carpeting but put aside until an investigation could be made as to the quality of tlie materials used. Other contracts awarded and their amounts were: Plumbing. $21.920 to Melrolina Plumbing and Heating: mechanical, to Ross and Witmer electrical. S29.900 to Howard Electric of Concord. There was also set aside for contingencies, and 524,700 went for architect and engineering fees.

The new addition cafls for a building to be built between two existing classroom buildings. Covered walkways will join the new addition and existing buildings. The addition will be shaped roughly like the letter with the library facility being the center of the top bar with class- iiwms nn each side. There ara four classrooms in each "cluster," which can be used individually or adapted to larger open spaces. The lower part of the includes the cafeteria dining area oiid kitchen.

It will also he possible to use the cafeteria lor large siiiwrings..