Gibson Cancer Center to host

‘How to Survive the Holidays’

LUMBERTON — Gibson Cancer Center will host “Holiday Fatigue: How to Survive the Holidays” from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday.

The event will provide information about how to improve the way you feel, along with information on fatigue. Santa Claus and his elves will be in attendance, and refreshments will be served. Attendees will also judge the Gibson Cancer Center staff’s “Tacky Christmas Sweater Contest.” Gibson Cancer Center is at 1200 Pine Run Drive. For more information, call 910-671-5730.

Union County honors slaves who served the Confederacy

MONROE — Union County honored 10 black men, nine of whom were slaves, who served in the Confederate Army and much later received small state pensions.

The Charlotte Observer reported that a marker commemorating their service was scheduled for dedication Saturday at the Old County Courthouse off North Main Street. The event was to include Civil War re-enactors and descendants of some of the men.

Union County commissioners proclaimed the day “Confederate Pensioners of Color Day.”

An amateur historian and Sons of Confederate Veterans member led the drive to recognize the men.

Earl Ijames of the state Museum of History and Keith Crisco, state commerce secretary, were scheduled to speak at the dedication.