THE
COMMUNICATOR
Phone: (336) 835-2511
www.WIFMRadio.com
Fax: (336) 835-5248
Email: [email protected]
www.VintageRoseWeddingEstate.com
Shelton’s Running The Vines
The fantastic Shelton Vineyards team, who
stages special events, did a truly phenomenal job
for their sixth annual Running The Vines 5k and 10k
and Kids 1/2-Mile Fun Run on May 21. Proceeds
from the races support health and wellness
programs in the Mount Airy and Surry County parks
and recreation departments.
‘Twas a true miracle when night-long rain
subsided at 6:45 a.m. The road races start about
8 a.m. at the Hampton Inn & Suites on Zephyr
Road and conclude at Shelton Vineyards. There are
different routes for the 5K and 10k racers. Nearly
900 people (70% female) registered for this year’s
extravaganza.
In many conversations both before and after
the races, dedicated runners said the event is
the premier gathering they attend. Its beautiful
setting, organization and post-race refreshments
and hospitality are incomparable. We applaud those
contributors who wear the mantle of unparalleled
performance and success:
Charlie Shelton
Ed Shelton
Stephanie & Judy Slate Darren Lewis
Daniel White
Cindy McBride
Summer McHone
Rebecca McHone
Daniel Davis
Shelton Brothers, Charlie and Ed, born and
raised in Mount Airy. Charlie started a homebuilding business after high school and Ed
joined him in a partnership that formed several
construction companies in Charlotte and WinstonSalem. In 1994 Charlie bought a farm at Dobson
that became the core of Shelton Vineyards which
was founded in 1999.
The Sheltons entered all of their endeavors with
a philosophy of excellence, attention to image and
detail and precise execution of plans. They carry
that philosophy to this day.
Surry County Schools’ Best
Surry County Schools annually honors its
teacher and principal of the year. The day of the
announcement begins by tradition with a surprise
morning visit to the honoree’s school to deliver the
Since January 1990
July 2016
wonderful news. Our 2016 recipients are Teacher of
the Year Mason Midkiff at Surry Central High School
and Principal of the Year Kevin Via at Surry Early
College on the campus of Surry Community College
in Dobson.
Mason, a six-year veteran teacher, graduated
from North Surry High School and earned his
undergraduate degree in biology at University of
North Carolina-Chapel Hill and his master’s degree
at Clemson University. He teaches Biology, Anatomy
and Environmental Science and is an assistant
coach for basketball and tennis. He also helps his
dad Mike manage a prized Angus beef herd.
Kevin Via grew up in West Virginia, graduated
from Bluefield State College and earned a master’s
degree from Appalachian State University. He
taught in Hudson and at Surry Central Middle
School before becoming assistant principal at North
Surry High School, principal at Surry Central and,
in 2013, principal of the Early College. He also
coached football, baseball and wrestling.
We are blessed to have the exceptional
contributions of those who believe in excellence in
education, society’s most significant calling.
Memorial Day Ceremony
Mount Airy’s rich Memorial Day tradition brings
mostly community regulars and other well-wishers
who come and pause to share their gratitude to our
fallen heroes, their families and veteran friends.
Our VFW Honor Guard #2019 always sets the stage
for reverence and humility. Event leaders this year
were Mayor David Rowe, soloist Elizabeth Martin,
featured speaker Monroe Donathan (U.S. Air Force,
retired), City Commissioners Dean Brown and Steve
Yokeley, City Manager Barbara Jones and City Clerk
Nicki Brame.
The ceremony also is the occasion for an annual
reunion of community members. In that group are
Donald and Carol Thomas, Eddie and Sandra Nester,
Bud and Barbara Oliver, Rachel Long, Edd and Ruth
McBride, Grey Bunn, Clinton Martin, Bill Cooley,
Nancy Nunn, Pete and Paulette Welborn, Catrina
Alexander, Roger and Kim Webb, Donnie and Pam
Marion, Perry Robertson, Betty Blackmon, Deidre
Rogers, Teresa Lewis and Kermit Draughn.
Doc Said Yes
G. Woltz and the late Bobby R. Harold tirelessly
dedicated time, influence and values that remain
enshrined in the fundraiser for SCC scholarships.
We are grateful for the teams, sponsors and
volunteers and their contributions to an effort that
has raised nearly $1 million since 1995. We also
thank the staff at Cross Creek Country Club for
their guidance and service. Mentioned below are
several of those who played key roles as servants
and volunteers:
The incredible Merlefest, the brainchild of the
late musician Doc Watson and people at Wilkes
Community College in Wilkesboro, N.C., started
on the last weekend of April 1988. Since then, the
event has raised $14.5 million to supplement funds
for the college’s operation.
According to a Merlefest history compiled by
David Greenwood, retired director of WCC’s Open
Computer Lab/Writing and Test Center, the festival
was conceived by the Wilkes Community College
Endowment Corp. to raise money for a campus
garden for the blind. In the fall of 1987, Doc
Watson was asked to perform in a one-time, onenight, one-man benefit show. Doc said, “Yes.” He
only asked whether the garden could be named in
honor of his late son Merle.
A few days later, Doc called back and proposed
turning the event into the Eddy Merle Watson
Memorial Festival featuring Doc and some of his and
Merle’s musician friends. As it happened, so many
artists wanted to perform that the college scheduled
it for two days starting on April 30, 1988. To kick off
the first festival, Doc invited close friends such as
Chet Atkins, Earl Scruggs, Sam Bush and Grandpa
Jones. With such star attractions, Merlefest became
an instant success. Now it attracts about 75,000
guests every year.
Doc Watson performed every year to honor
the life of his late son, Merle, who died in a tractor
accident in 1985. Doc himself passed away at age
89 on May 29, 2012. During a recent interview,
Executive Events Director Ted Hagaman revealed
the essence of the family-friendly, alcoholfree festival, and also said that more than 500
volunteers are a key element in its resounding
success. Volunteers each give four hours of work
in return for a free day ticket. Many of them have
served Merlefest in every year of its existence.
Many local nonprofit groups have become vendors
at the festival where they earn funds for their
annual ministries and outreach.
Countless guests are drawn to the unique
music venues, and the number of stages has grown
from the original two to 13. A select committee
chooses the music groups who appear by invitation
only. Doc Watson himself named the variety of
entertainment as “Traditional Plus.”
Merlefest blesses the Yadkin Valley in countless
ways. Its legacy grows and glows.
Marion Venable Dr. Swanson Richards
Jerry Venable
Renfrew Hauser
Marissa Lindsay
Gary Harold
Alice Connolly
Tom Watts
Susan Thomas Ann Vaughn
John Griffith
Mike Bowman Robin Slate
Justin Young
Joe Reid
Greg Smith
Chris Dorsett
Lynn Hiatt
Seth Jackson
Dean Culler
Peggy Rees
Danielle Kessler
Tom Pendergraft
Jac Gillespie
Shannon Haynes
Becky Money
Howard Brim
Aaron Holt
Cheryl Fielder
Johnny Bowman DeWayne Matthews Sylvia Harold
Donald Price
Donald Price, 52, athletics director at Mount
Airy High School since 2003, passed away on June
17 after a six-month battle with pancreatic cancer.
His colleagues at the school, past and present
athletes and students and other coaches all praised
his contributions to the school. Mount Airy High
Principal Sandy George said, “He totally had a heart
for the students of the school. And he was a great
coach. He truly loved kids. He was one of those
people who were in it for the right reasons, and
what’s best for students.” Head Football Coach Kelly
Holder said, “He does so many things, not just in
football, but for Mount Airy High School.... I have
always said he’s the most-valuable person in the
entire Mount Airy City Schools system.”
Coach Price grew up outside Charlotte. He
graduated from Appalachian State University in
1985 and spent a few years coaching American
football in Europe. Mount Airy High School hired
him in 1993 to teach in the Career and Technical
Education Program with Larry Davis and as an
assistant football coach. He worked under Coaches
David Diamont, Eddie Cobb and Holder. He became
assistant athletics director under Chad Beasley and
succeeded Beasley who retired in 2003.
During Price’s tenure as athletics director the
Granite Bears won 40 conference championships,
38 individual state titles and 10 team titles. He was
inducted into the Greater Mount Airy Sports Hall
of Fame this spring and the North Carolina Soccer
Coaches Association named him as N.C. Athletic
Director/Administrator of the Year on June 5.
Coach Price is survived by his brother, three
sisters and a brother-in-law.
Woltz-Harold Golf Tournament
On May 19 we celebrated the 20th anniversary
of our region’s very successful Woltz-Harold Golf
Tournament that raises money for the Surry
Community College Foundation. The late Mrs. Pat
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Bernie Mann
Schools Board of Education members Earlie Coe,
Brian Moser, Clark Goings, Mamie Sutphin and Dr.
Terri Mosley. School Superintendents Dr. Travis
Reeves of Surry County Schools and Dr. Don Martin
of Mount Airy City Schools were introduced.
We especially thank Rodney Hardy, David
Brown, Meadowview Middle School staff, Shane
Southard, the school transportation staff and Charlotte York, who provided the tables’ floral decorations.
Charlotte and I see this evening as our most fulfilling moment of gratitude. Granddaughter Savannah also looks forward to this event.
Bernie Mann, the owner and publisher of “Our
State” magazine, will be the keynote speaker at
the Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce’s annual
meeting beginning at 5:30 p.m. July 21 in the
Shelton Badgett Viticulture Center on the campus
of Surry Community College in Dobson. Mr. Mann’s
story is exciting, interesting and inspiring, and
his audience is in for a real treat. He’ll share his
leadership philosophy, how talent is drawn to his
team and how values and principles are never
compromised.
Mr. Mann grew up in New York, graduated from
Adelphi University with a bachelor’s degree in
English and attended Harvard Business School. For
25 years he pursued a career in broadcasting and
owned and operated 12 radio stations in Virginia,
Arkansas and North Carolina.
Mr. Mann purchased “Our State” (founded in
1933) in 1996. When he bought it “Our State”
distributed 23,000 copies; as recently as 2013 it
was distributing nearly 180,000 copies monthly.
It’s estimated that 800,000 people read “Our
State.” Editor Elizabeth Hudson said, “’Our State’
is a legacy publication that is like a trusted friend.
People open up their homes every month for this
magazine to come in, and that is nothing Bernie
takes lightly.” Mr. Mann’s presentation in Dobson will
reward and encourage those hoping to see and hear
how things work at the award-winning magazine.
Charlotte’s 2016 Roses
This year’s roses at Vintage Rose Wedding Estate & Inn at Pilot Mountain may be the best ever.
The first weekend in June revealed a splendidness
beyond compare.
Walked to Main Street on Sunday afternoon for
a few “keeper” snapshots and met a couple from
Thomasville who had walked over from Hardee’s
to get a close-up look at the awesome beauty. The
wife said, “This is an experience I’ll always remember.” They asked if they could take a bouquet
home and she said, “Please give us some wet paper
towels to keep them fresh.” I replied that she could
take as many as she liked, and hurriedly went to
the kitchen to get some wet towels. Returning, I
thanked the couple for their compliments. The wife
said, “I have stage-four pancreatic cancer, and seeing this rose garden gives me a sense of God’s will
and hope that I desperately need. Please tell your
rosarian wife that this special gift lifts my spirits.”
Bus Driver Celebration
We recently celebrated the outstanding contributions of public-school bus drivers in Surry County, Elkin and Mount Airy. Some 320 drivers, family
members, administrators and well-wishers gathered
on June 2 at Meadowview Middle School to enjoy a
steak meal expertly prepared and served by Aunt
Bea’s of Mount Airy. Those bus drivers who chose
to enjoy the evening, our fourth annual event, are
honored for serving students and their families
with sincere love and caring. The drivers give their
hearts to students, many of whom need a smile,
kind words and a bit of encouragement. School Bus
Driver of the Year Faye Draughn of East Surry High
School, a 26-year veteran, was our featured guest
and most outstanding honoree.
It is an evening to recognize people who truly
care for the opportunity to be community servants.
As 41-year veteran bus driver Larry Wall says, “We
serve because we love the role we play. Bus drivers’
days are filled with miracles, kindness and good
deeds.” And Pete Davis said dedicated drivers enjoy
being mentors and teammates. As someone else
said, “Bus drivers bring a song to my heart!”
On this occasion we also honored Surry County
1960 3-A State Champs, 25-0
Twenty former players and friends of legendary
Basketball Coach Sam Moir, 93, gathered on June
15 at Cross Creek Country Club in Mount Airy to
praise and pay their respects to Moir for his years of
service to aspiring students and athletes. He began
his coaching career at Mount Airy High School in
1950. Through 1960 his teams won eight conference titles and the 1960 State 3-A title.
Coach, teacher, friend, mentor, sage and humanitarian to this day – Sam Moir is all of these.
We appreciate his servant’s heart. Those attending
were:
Mike Cooke
Oscar Hill
Pete Pyles
Johnny Sanders Ray Rodgers
David Rowe
Jim Sessoms
Wayne Childress Jerry Gwyn
Ed Burke
Jim Baity
Stewart Smith
Cleve Hamlin
Page Moir
Charles Moir
Gary York
Ken Harris
Ron Ellis
Victor Pyle
Tom Childress
Ed Nester
Sam Moir
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North Elkin Tire
Dr. Jim Brooks
West Wilkes High School
My right front wheel developed a caliper malfunction and overheated during a trip to Wilkesboro.
Hoping to get back safely to Elkin and trusted North
Elkin Tire & Automotive’s repair service, a phone
call assured me that the needed repair could be
completed by 5 p.m. I drove to the store at 2050
N. Bridge St. and Mike Kelly drove me back to
WIFM. After I got out of the car with my arms full of
camera bag and P-Nut Butter D-Lites, Mike walked
me to the radio station’s door to help me with my
burdens and exercise his servant’s heart.
At 4:50 p.m., Mike walked into our office,
shared the details of services rendered, handed me
the van’s keys and thanked us for our business.
When we surround ourselves with service providers whom we unconditionally trust, we live with
little anxiety and apprehension. Mike Kelly’s acts
of kindness and returning our van before 5 o’clock
gave me a deep sense of gratitude.
One of the forefathers of North Elkin Tire,
Thomas Beroth, lives by the axiom, “Our people will
predict our success. Good people can be taught to
care.”
Mike Kelly showed his caring ways. We appreciate Mike Kelly!
Icon public-school English teacher Dr. Jim
Brooks was our nation’s Teacher of the Year in 2009
and became a member of our National Teachers
Hall of Fame in 2012. With three degrees from
A.S.U., he has meritoriously served West Wilkes
High School for thirty-one years. Last semester he
taught Latin, Journalism & Year Book, A.P. Senior
English and T.V. Communications.
An early career experience truly frames Dr.
Brooks’ awesome journey. Diving home near W.
Wilkes after Master Classes at A.S.U., Dr. Jim’s
auto had a flat tire. In pitch darkness and mostly
fearful, he pondered his dilemma. From out of the
midnight darkness stepped an elderly farmer who
offered, “Young man, I think you need some help.”
Together they found the jack and spare tire and
replaced the flat tire during much small talk. As his
new friend started to return to the darkness, Dr.
Brooks asked his helper, “Sir, I am grateful for your
help. Can I pay you or return the favor?” To which
he replied, “Young man, you said you are a teacher
at West High. You can repay me by promising to
always ‘Teach Good Things.’” Good to his promise
that eventful night, Dr. Brooks, to this day, Teaches
Good Things, constantly seeks ways to encourage
and inspire his mentees and looks for the best in
others. Dr. Brooks, we honor your servantship and
caring heart.
RiverStreet Productions
Wilkes Communications, a Wilkesboro, N.C.,
telephone cooperative founded in 1951, recently
added a wonderful customer service: a state-of-theart local television production company with its own
Channel (15) on Wilkes Communications’ digital TV
service and a full-service video production studio on
River Street. Every internet customer also will have
the opportunity to receive RiverStreet Productions’
TV programs by subscribing to its YouTube channel.
The production company’s capable staff includes
Tamara Blackburn, Wendy Scott, Ben Farmer and
Adam Foster.
Productions to date include local school sports,
cooking shows, advocate interviews and festival
features. Future opportunities will include custom
advertising commercials, broadcasts of government
meetings, historical documentaries and community
activities.
These additional and developing capabilities
are an enormous contribution to Wilkes
Communications’ customer base and potential
to generate more business. We credit Wilkes
Communications’ leadership group for its vision and
commitment to enhance its service. We celebrate
the staff of Channel 15 for its hard work and vision.
RiverStreet Productions’ telephone number is
877-973-3104.
A Defining Gift
In 1972, basketball coaching icon David Odom
received a huge career-turning event. After a hardfought Durham High victory when Coach Odom
was the head coach over arch-rival Hillside High,
Duke assistants Hubie Brown and Chuck Daley
stopped by to invite David to come to the Five Star
High School Basketball Camp in Pennsylvania led
by the legendary Howard Garfinkel. This invitation
opened a door for Coach Odom that gave him the
opportunity to showcase his coaching abilities to
many collegiate coaches who were scouting great
players at the Five Star Camp which included
Michael Jordan. Coach Odom also recruited North
Carolina-area high school players to attend the
camp and drove them in a high school bus driven
by Coach Odom. Howard Garfinkel’s influence
in America’s college basketball was significant
because he was fair and treated fellow coaches and
campers as equals. Coach Odom was a featured
guest speaker in New York City in May at a Coach
Garfinkel Memorial Service. Coach Odom also
shared that the Memorial Service included over 400
beneficiaries of Coach Garfinkel’s helping hands and
acts of kindness.
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CCC Camp & WPA
and North Dakota and was a Naval pilot and
commander during a 30-year career. Ernie spent 20
years in the Air Force, graduated from University
of Alabama and worked for the Air Force after his
military service.
How unique to have these honorable men joined
together at Arbor Ridge and to being mealmates
and a Band of Brothers. In their presence I’m awed
by how accepting they are of each other. Love is
alive with widowed senior men.
Dr. Jim Harrell Sr. vividly remembers the contributions of area Works Progress Administration
(WPA) and Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) workers in the Yadkin Valley. Many area seniors recall a
vibrant CCC camp to the northeast of today’s Elkin
Valley Baptist Church. A noteworthy area project is
the present Yadkin Valley Chamber of Commerce
office at the corner of Market and Court streets. The
lower floor was the Elkin Police Station.
Does anyone know who built the mortarless
stone wall at Elkin’s First Baptist Church near the
intersection of Main and Market streets across the
street from the current Yadkin Valley General Store?
The workmanship is splendid, precise and withstands more than 85 years. Please call me at 336835-2511.
The WPA also spanned the Yadkin River with a
massive concrete and steel bridge in 1930. It was
demolished in 2010 after being deemed unsafe and
unrepairable when separation of rebar and concrete
could be seen with the naked eye. Hugh Chatham
Memorial Bridge was listed on the National Register
of Historic Places. The Chatham family continues to
be prominent benefactors in the Yadkin Valley.
Caleb Cooke
Visiting the North Surry High School Interact
Club to thank its members for honorably serving at
our Surry County Schools Educational Foundation
Award Banquet, I was grateful to meet Caleb
Cooke. After shaking hands, club sponsor Myra
Combs shared that Caleb is his North Surry junior
class’s top-ranked student. I also learned that Caleb
aspires to attend either Harvard, Georgetown or
Columbia and to become a U.S. Senator. He is also
an accomplished musician, sings in Greyhound
Sounds Ensemble and will attend the prestigious
N.C. Governors School this summer. Caleb’s parents
are Chris and Julie and they live on Old Highway
601 in White Plains. Caleb has been to WIFM for
a “People Doing Good For Others” interview and
his confidence and articulation are awesome. He
attends Salem Baptist Church.
After hearing of Caleb’s aspirations, I wrote Sen.
Richard Burr and asked him to schedule meeting
Caleb during his next visit to our area. Sen. Burr
enjoys meeting constituents, especially students.
During my visit to Myra Combs’ Interact Club
meeting, North Surry High School Principal Paige
Badgett stopped to say hello. North Surry is our
largest high school with over 1,000 students. Mrs.
Badgett is held in highest regard.
Meeting Caleb Cooke is an honor, and we thank
Myra Combs for growing servant hearts.
Second Harvest Food Bank
Pete Carroll, 100, and caregiver Carol Edwards
recently raised $500 to feed the needy by securing
pledges from well-wishers to support Pete’s walk
around his Arbor Ridge Assisted Living Home in
Stanleyville near Winston-Salem. During his quarter-mile trek, with the encouragement of his resident friend, Pete was joined by Food Bank leader
Chuck Harmon, Carol and trusted friend Ernie Farrier. WXII and Fox News televised the event and featured the achievement on the nightly news. Pete’s
servantship makes him a most admired resident at
Arbor Ridge and everywhere he goes. A resident
asked, “Who are you here to visit?” When I replied,
“Pete Carroll,” she said, “Oh, yes, everyone knows
Pete and we all like him, too. His ever-present smile
and kind words endear him to us all. We love Pete!”
Pictures
Photography provides us the opportunity to
celebrate the lives of others, to lift spirits, to
reflect on our blessings and to follow our dreams.
Near my writing desk are several stacks of recent
photographs. Folks and things so captured in
pictures have been:
Supper With Pete
Each weekend I visit Pete Carroll, 100, at his
Arbor Ridge Assisted Living Home in Stanleyville
near Winston-Salem, N.C. We had lunch on June
12. Driving home to Pilot Mountain I realized the
rewards of being at the table with Pete; Gordon
Milbrath, 97; and Ernie Farrier, 83.
Pete left school early to help feed his mom
and siblings and served the U.S. Army in Germany
during World War II. Gordon grew up in Minnesota
David Rowe
Curtis Taylor
Kubota Tractors
Ben Cooke
Dr. Jim Brooks
Dennis Carroll
Teresa Lewis
Dr. Jim Harrell Sr. Howard Reynolds
David Diamont Fred Norman
Eddie Brown
Debbie Diamont Sam Bishop
Brenda Brown
Johnny Shelton Dr. Steve Isaacs Gene Everett
Kermit Draughn Sue Isaacs
Pat Everett
Graham Atkinson Sue Stone
Linda Brown
Savannah Bohr Warren Taylor
Ira Morris
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Anderson Rowe
leaders and followers. There was no malfunction he
couldn’t repair. Dale was phenomenal in all regards.
Speaking to his widow, Nancy, at this year’s
Memorial Day celebration, I mentioned missing our
Dale. Nancy replied, “Gary, he loved you.”
Our special bonding started at Surry Community
College in 1976 when he was an outstanding student in our Economics class. He joined our company in 1990. On the way back from visiting Dr. Syd
Miller at Bucknell University, I asked Dale, “Why are
you so committed to our company?” and he replied,
“I want to be a part of our dreams and goals. We
are finding ways to be successful, and I enjoy being
a key contributor. You see where we want to go and
I help us get there!”
After a three-year stint in the U.S. Army, David
and Inglis Rowe’s son Anderson recently completed
his first semester at N.C. State University and made
all A’s. He is majoring in Civil Engineering.
While having lunch at Mount Airy’s Olympia
Restaurant with David and mentor Buck Faw, David
glowed with gratitude as he shared Anderson’s
stellar accomplishments at N.C. State and said, “In
Anderson’s presence everyone feels better.”
David is Mount Airy’s mayor and he and Inglis
shine at Mount Airy’s First Baptist Church. He owns
Smith-Rowe Construction Co. along with son Locke,
who graduated from N.C. State. David and I were
classmates at Mount Airy High School and served
together as Mount Airy City School Board Members.
I greatly admire his business acumen, spiritual
foundation and community advocacy. He battles
kidney disease and is an awesome warrior for better
health and worthy causes.
We’ll continue to follow Anderson’s journey
toward success and achievement of his aspirations.
Yadkin Memorial Park
In the late 1950s, concerned Yadkin County
leaders asked state and federal agencies to dam
the Little Deep Creek to protect its watershed from
frequent flooding. In 2010 this much-needed dream
became a reality. Yadkin Memorial Park includes
550 acres in which a beautiful lake covers 135. The
earthern and concrete dam provides flood control,
recreation and water intake for Yadkinville Town.
About 95,000 inch-long fish were released in 2011,
and a 9-1/2-pound largemouth bass was caught
this spring. One can rent paddle boats and canoes,
but no boats with motors are permitted. Four thousand fishing permits were sold the first year. Camping facilities are being planned for the future.
I’ve become a huge fan of Soil and Water District Director Jason Walker after hearing him tell the
history and significance of the dam and watershed.
I encourage anyone needing a program speaker to
contact Jason to educate your group. He is informative and enjoys sharing his knowledge of the
park which also is called Lake Hampton. Leadership
Yadkin already visits the park to hear Jason’s story
as a program stop. Folks cherish the memory of the
Park’s legacy.
Work Like A Beaver
We’ve heard the saying, “Work like a beaver,” all
our lives. Had never thought of what it might mean
until Tip Tipton and wife Linda were guests with us
in June and Tip mentioned how destructive beavers
had been on his farm near Roanoke Rapids. Tip
said, “A beaver family can accomplish more in one
night than we can clean up all day. They hate the
sound of water running and build dams to kill the
sound. They can fill a darn downspout overnight. I
clean ‘em out and they fill ‘em again. We are bitter enemies. More young people should study the
tenacity, teamwork and perseverance of a beaver
family. They never give up.”
Tip and Linda are antique car buffs. They visit
Pilot Mountain’s cruise-ins several times each
summer. They own a vintage fire-red 1957 Chevy
Coupe with a fuel-injection engine and every
option available. We are amazed at how car lovers
appreciate their calling. Tip and Linda own five
collectibles, but they glow with pride as they share
their pride in their “Deuce Coupe.” The ‘57 Chevy is
America’s most-admired automobile -- ever!
California Redwood Trees
Many Redwoods grow to be over 350 feet in
height, however their roots are only 6 feet deep.
How can this be and the trees withstand 100mph winds? Their survival is due to the fact that
the trees grow close together, so their roots are
significantly intertwined and bound together to give
them incredible strength against winds. That’s how
life is when we work together. Like the redwood
roots, we become undeniable forces against all
foes. Powerful synergy comes when two or more
are joined together for good. Great confidence
comes when we know a friend has our back.
Dale Nunn
The late Dale Nunn, in his 12 years serving our
GTY Trucking, Neighbors Stores and York Oil Co.,
made contributions that will be appreciated, admired and cherished for ever and ever. He passed
in December 2006, and we wish daily to speak to
Dale again. He mastered countless skills, he could
see around corners, and he was at ease with both
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“The Greatest”
he shared his gratitude for being able to function
and mostly self-exist. He has also had eight-hour
brain surgery that has helped appreciably. Mr.
Kinsley said, “All persons dealing with the disease
constantly fear ‘losing our edge,’ and I’m fortunate
to still have my edge on life.” He added, “We want
to be ‘sharp as tacks’ and I still feel capable of
thinking logically and making good decisions and
choices. My family helps me fight a good fight.
Other than my bodily indications, my heart, soul
and mind are A-O.K.” His T.V. testament was
inspiring and hopeful.
June 3 marked the passing of the immortal
Muhammad Ali, 74, after years of battling
Parkinson’s Disease. His first claim to fame was
capturing the gold medal in light-heavyweight
boxing at the Rome Olympics in 1960, and as the
three-time World Champion Heavyweight many will
remember him as the best who ever entered the
ring. For sure, he transcended time, confronted
racial injustice, was a conscientious objector, loved
family and children and was the world’s foremost
ambassador for peace and goodwill. He raised
countless millions to support poverty relief and
Parkinson’s research.
Coach David Odom met him at a University
of Virginia basketball practice while Ali was on
campus speaking on diversity. Coach said, “When
he entered the gym we all stood in reverence. His
presence did not go unnoticed.” Page Moir saw him
box an exhibition match in Salem, Va. He sparred
with four different police officers who belonged to a
boxing club. The benefit raised thousands for youth
programs. Dr. Jon Cawley, while attending seminary
in Louisville, responded to a lead and found Ali
sitting in the bed of a pickup truck while handing
out Muslim brochures and speaking to fans and
well-wishers.
The Louisville Lip immortalized Howard Cosell,
too, and many of us marveled at how he backed up
his promises. We’ll forever remember that he said,
“I float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” We’ll see
him dance around the ring in his classic unorthodox
hands low with an upright stance. He was the
ultimate showman. I wish I could have seen him in
person. Muhammad Ali did challenge us to live by
these values:
Confidence
Respect
ConvictionGiving
DedicationSpirituality
Piano Lessons
Mom Marian York’s sister, Rachel Johnson Barr,
is an accomplished pianist who always entertained
us at family gatherings. For years she played for
her Mountain View Baptist Church near King, N.C.
She still fills in at church, and plays daily at home.
Her husband, Uncle Charles, passed away in 2000.
Aunt Rachel started taking piano lessons in
1942, at age 12, from Mary Badgett Rollins of
White Plains. My parents lived near Mrs. Rollins
and Rachel would spend the night with them on
the days she took lessons. My mother often shared
that Rachel’s parents, Brady and Christine Johnson,
had a significant appreciation for refinements and
culture in life. Those included beautiful clothes,
nicer furniture and piano lessons for their daughter.
They never confused thrift and frugality with having
nice amenities and opportunities.
Meaningful Thoughts
A. Always do the right thing and never act out of
anger. --Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.)
B. A smile is the light in the window of our face
which tells people that our heart is at home. --Denis
Waitley
C. One of the great discoveries in life is finding a
dependable person. --Richard L. Evans
D. The joy of giving to make others happy is one
of the fundamental principles of Christianity.
E. Anyone can be polite to a king. It takes a
gentleman to be polite to a beggar. --David Eccles
F. Let us be kind to one another, for most of us
are fighting a hard battle. --Ian MacLaren
G. Let’s live to make life less difficult for each
other. --George Eliot
H. There can be no friendship without
conscience and no confidence without integrity.
--Samuel Johnson
I. No one is useless in this world who lightens
the burden of it to any one else. --Charles Dickens
J. Never trust our tongue when our heart is
bitter. --Samuel J. Hurwitt
K. Anger begins in folly and ends in repentance.
--Pythagoras
Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s Disease, a dreaded and eventually
fatal affliction, is widely known and many times
close to home. The debilitating disease, that attacks
the nervous system, is mostly evident in a twitch
in the hands and arms and speech difficulties.
Two good friends, Hugh Peoples and Bob Thomas,
have succumbed, and Groome Fulton in High
Point continues to battle and is doing well after 21
years. Famous actor Michael J. Fox spent his years
advocating a cure and raising research funds while
boxing legend Muhammad Ali passed on June 3.
Syndicated writer Michael Kinsley, 55, was Brian
Lamb’s “C-SPAN Q&A” guest in May and his story
was enlightening, endearing and uplifting. Openly
admitting his facial spasms and speaking slurs,
7
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