Throwback Thursday: Early internet chats, a stranded whale, and pet blessings in 1994
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — This week’s Throwback Thursday revisits stories from May 1994, including an early look at online communication, a stranded whale on the Brunswick County coast, and a pet blessing tradition that continues today.
In one story, sixth grade students experienced what was, for many, an early introduction to online communication. Using the Scholastic Network, students exchanged instant messages with a U.S. congressman during a classroom session.
“I was hoping that they would feel that they had some input as students into our government and finding out, asking questions about their concerns,” their teacher said.
According to the archived report, the congressman was forced to leave the online chat session to vote on the House floor.
Today, communication between elected officials and constituents commonly takes place online through social media and other digital platforms.
That same month, WWAY crews were in Ocean Isle Beach after a young fin whale washed ashore. Bystanders attempted to help the approximately 25-foot whale, but the animal did not survive.
“One suggestion might be is that they beach themselves to be able to prop their head above water so they do not drown. This is an air-breathing animal,” one expert said at the time.
“I think it’s fascinating. I’ve been out here 10 years now and this is the first time I’ve seen a whale,” one bystander added. “We see a lot of porpoises and that kind of thing, but no whales out here. It’s rather unusual.”
The segment also revisited a local church event in May 1994 where families brought pets to receive blessings.
“We just adopted two greyhounds and we think that it’s such an important issue that we wanted to get them blessed because they’ve suffered a lot and we think that this is just a real wonderful thing for the church to do,” one pet owner said.
The tradition continues today at many churches in the Cape Fear, typically taking place in late September or early October.
The segment is part of a new weekly Throwback Thursday series that will feature stories from WWAY’s historical news archives. That archive can be accessed here.
