A sparkle of elegance returns to Blount Street

Goodnight Raleigh staff were invited to the grand opening of the renovated historic Merrimon-Wynne House last Friday night; and it was a grand celebration indeed. The event was attended by 400 guests who enjoyed delectable hors d’oeuvre, tasty cocktails and a lively jazz band. Attendees were invited to explore the mansion from the formal public rooms on the first floor, private chambers on the second, and, ascending the monumental staircase, all the way to the utilitarian attic above.

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I was in Miss Perkins’ 7th period music class at Hugh Morson Junior High School on November 22, 1963, longing for the school day to end and the weekend to begin, when our principal, Mr. Proctor, announced over the PA system that President Kennedy had been shot. A few girls began to cry; a couple boys made derisive comments about the president; but I, as did most of my classmates that day, just sat there in stunned silence.

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Photo credit: Jesse Dotson, GNR Special Correspondent

In an ironic reversal of its construction, NC State University’s old Riddick Stadium has disappeared bit by bit over the decades since Carter-Finley Stadium was erected as its replacement in 1966. First, the East Stands were demolished in 1968 and replaced by a campus parking lot. Then in 2005 the West Stands met the same fate, and were replaced by the new SAS Hall.

And now, barring the success of a last-ditch ‘Hail Mary pass,’ the venerable Riddick Field House itself will fall to the wrecker’s ball early in March over spring break.

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