AHOSKIE – “Join us in paving the way to a beautiful downtown.”

The Ahoskie Beautification Commission laid the first bricks on Thursday in “No Man’s Land” Park for their latest project.

The “Brick Paver” project is a fundraiser to provide money for beautifying Main and Church streets.

“Purchasing a brick paver for “No Man’s Land” is a wonderful way of honoring or memorializing someone special to you,” Ahoskie Beautification Commission Chairman Meryl Brown said. “They also make a great Christmas, birthday or anniversary gift for that special person who is hard to buy for or who has everything.”

Brown laid a brick in memory of her late husband Dr. Robert “Chip” Brown along with several other brick markers.

The brick pavers are available for a $50 donation and an eight inch by 24 inch granite marker is available for a $500 donation.

“The markers can be custom engraved with the message of your choice,” Brown said. “All donations are tax deductible.”

The Ahoskie Beautification Commission was established in 2003 with members appointed by the Ahoskie Town Council. The purpose of the group is to initiate, promote and assist in the implementation of programs of general community beautification in the town and its environs.

“The first planned project that this group voted to undertake was improving the seven entrances to the town of Ahoskie,” Brown said. “The overall goal is to make these entrances attractive and inviting, uniting them with a cohesive theme. After money was raised to fund the project, two signs have been completed and the third one, which will be on Catherine Creek Road, will be started soon. We are working on site placement and obtaining easements for the four remaining signs.”

The commission is planning to make improvements on Main and Church streets such as lighting, benches, trash receptacles and planters for their next project.

The commission is dependent on donations and fundraisers for their projects.