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The Fraternal Order of Eagles Club will hold a New Year’s Eve dance from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Eagles Club located at 1037 Roanoke Avenue. Entertainment will be provided by local band 3rd Cove. Cost is $8 per person, or $15 per couple.
Over at the Kirkwood Adams Community Center, the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Tau Beta Beta Chapter, is holding a New Year’s Eve dance that starts at 9 p.m. and goes until 1 a.m. Tickets for the event are $15 and all proceeds from the event will go toward the organization’s scholarship fund. Tickets may be purchased from any member and information can be found by calling the following numbers: 536-3076, 535-1488, 673-0674, or 532-0079.
The American Legion building on American Legion Road will also be busy Wednesday night as the American Legion Shaw May, Post 38 is hosting a dance from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. Music will be provided by the band Backdraft. The cost is $25 per couple, $15 for singles and $100 to reserve an entire table. For ticket information call Shorty at 537-3813, or Noah at 536-4283.
The main attraction on Roanoke Avenue will be david’s restaurant, where jazz saxophonist Michael Redman will entertain from 6:30 until 12:30 a.m. Owner David Watson said the special of the night will be a prime rib dinner complete with soup for $20.08, in honor of the year ending. The dinner includes a free champagne toast at midnight.
For those who want to get an early start at the restaurant before heading out to other parties, there will be an early bird special deal, to make a reservation call 252-308-2122.
Over on Becker Drive, the usually busy Yesteryear Café and Lounge will not be open New Year’s Eve. Owners Ken and Rae Pepper decided to take this New Year’s Eve off.
On East 10th Street, Hux’s Billiards will be open and hosting a New Year’s Eve party from 9 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. Entertainment includes karaoke. Tickets are $10 for individuals and $15 for couples, if purchased ahead of time. The cover charge will be more at the door, so call ahead and make reservations early at 252-533-5929.
Out at the lake, Rick Gardner will be holding his annual New Year’s Eve party at The Lake House, on River Road, near the Lizard Creek Bridge. Gardner says the party starts at 9 p.m. and ends at 1:30 a.m. Entertainment will consist of Karaoke and dancing, and according to Gardner, whatever else his patrons come up with. The $10 cover charge will be waived if one purchases dinner before the 9 p.m. start, Gardner said.
The WatersView Restaurant will also be open, but has not scheduled anything special for the holiday evening.
For those who wish to have a more spiritual New Year’s celebration, several churches will hold special services. Oak Grove Church, Promised Land Ministries, Inc., at 10614 U.S. Highway 158, between Littleton and Roanoke Rapids, will have a New Year’s Eve “Praise Party” starting at 7 p.m.
New Year’s Eve is Movie Night at the Lake Gaston Baptist Church. The movie begins at 8 p.m. in the Family Life Center at 128 Lynwood Road. The movie is called “Saving God”, it is rated PG-13 so the whole family can attend. The movie is free and popcorn and drinks are available for a donation. For more information call 252-586-3829.
New Year’s black-eyed peas
Of course there is also the traditional New Year’s Day black-eyed pea meal that will probably start late enough for those recovering from the night before to attend.
The Littleton Lions Club, at the corner of U.S. Highway 158 and Ransom Street, will serve its annual New Year’s Day black-eyed peas and hog jowls meal. The traditional North Carolina meal will include black-eyed peas, hog jowls, sweet tomato pudding, collards, fried and pan cornbread and beverage. The cost is $6 per person with proceeds going to service projects. Eat in or take out meals will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Also serving the traditional black-eyed peas will be the Eastern Star Masonic Lodge on the corner of Third Street and Roanoke Avenue. In addition to the black-eyed peas, barbecue sandwiches will be available, all for a $5 donation. Jerry Moseley said food will be served starting at 4 p.m. on New Year’s Day and patrons can dine-in or carry out. Moseley says to use the side entrance to the building, on Third Street.
Hoppin’ John or Skippin’ Jenny?
The black-eyed pea meal is also referred to as Hoppin’ John. According to Wikipedia, it is the Southern United States’ version of the rice and beans dish traditional throughout the Caribbean. It consists of field peas or crowder peas (black-eyed peas) and rice, with chopped onion and sliced bacon, seasoned with a bit of salt. Some people substitute ham hock or fatback for the conventional bacon; a few use green peppers or vinegar and spices.
Smaller than black-eyed peas, field peas are used in the Low Country of South Carolina and Georgia; black-eyed peas are the norm elsewhere. Throughout the coastal South, eating Hoppin’ John on New Year’s Day is thought to bring a year filled with luck, and it’s eaten by everyone. The peas, or beans with little black “eyes,” signify coins. Fill your plate with them and your cup will run over, as in the 23rd Psalm, perhaps. Collard greens along with this dish are supposed to also add to the wealth, since they are the color of money. On the day after New Year’s Day, leftover “Hoppin’ John” is called “Skippin’ Jenny” and further demonstrates one’s frugality, bringing an even better chance of prosperity in the New Year, it is hoped.
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