Method Civic League
On April 2, 1937, the Method Civic League was established. The first meeting was held at St. James A.M.E. Church, which is still located on Method Road. Mr. A.C. Parrish was the founder and first president of this community association. Since that time, the organization has been under the administration of: Mr. A.W. Sherrill, Mrs. Harveleigh White, Mr. Swade Sanders, Mr. Bryant Bethea, Mr. Edward Curtis, Mr. Kenneth Murray, Sr., and the current president, Rev. Renee Bethea.
During its 71 year existence, the Method Civic League has diligently worked to improve the quality of life for its residents and to protect this historic community from becoming an obscure footnote in the annals of Raleigh's history. Thus, "the mission of the Method Civic League will continue to be the official advocate for issues and needs affecting the Method Community; to encourage the participation of all residents in its efforts; and to preserve the character of the Community and its historic legacy."
The history of the Method Community is daily being written through the lives of the residents and the activities of the Method Civic League. This page will keep you up-to-date with the current events of the Civic League and the Community.
2008 Activities
SPEAKERS
February
- Representative Jennifer Weiss (NC House)
- Dr. Marcus Brackeen (Member, J.T. Locke Resource Center Board of Directors)
March
- Councilman Thomas Crowder (2007 Review and 2008 Projections)
April
- Mr. Jack Nichols (Candidate, NC Senate)
June
- Mr. Ed Kimball (Housing Inspector, City of Raleigh)
July
- Rev. Shelia Lucas Jones (J.T. Locke Resource Center)
COMMUNITY ISSUES AND CONCERNS
- Petition to City to provide space at Method Recreation Park for the J.T. Locke tutorial program (September 2007 - April 2008)
SPECIAL EVENTS, PROJECTS and MEETINGS
ELECTION YEAR
- Primary Elections (May) - State and Presidential
LEGISLATION
FIRSTS
- J.T. Locke Resource Center - Tutorial program begins at Method Recreation Park's gymnasium classroom (April)
- Senator Barak Obama - First Black Democratic Presidential Candidate (May)
WELCOME
- Rev. Dr. Leodis Strong - Pastor, St. James AME (May)
FAREWELLS
April
- Mrs. Hilda Holloway (wife of Rev. Enoch Holloway and Berry O'Kelly Alumnus)
May
- Ms. Ethel Mae Taylor Johnson (grandmother of Method Civic League Secretary-Treasurer, Mrs. Jacqueline Penny)
- Mr. Alfred Lee Hogan, Sr. (native son of community and brother of Rev. Whalen Hogan)
July
- Mr. Erwin Glenn Harris, Sr. (native son of community and son of Mr. Kenneth and the late Rev. Gladys Harris)
August
- Mr. Earl Lee McDade, Jr. (native son of community and son of Mrs. Vertie McDade)
- Mrs. Lula Belle Cotton (native daughter of community, longtime resident, and wife of Deacon Earlie Cotton)
September
- Ms. Lillie Richardson (98 year young aunt of Method Civic League Vice-President, Mr. Roy Penny)
October
- Mr. Hartzell Wayne Ligon (native son of community and former resident of Method)
- Mr. James "Buddy" Wilder, Jr. (native son of community and son of the late Mr. James and Mrs. Ruth Wilder)
