Favorite #42: Music Teachers

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Tremayne and Myron after the game

Tremayne and Myron after the game

Inspiring Students through Music

When Myron Massey, Jr. graduated from West Rowan High School in 2006, he knew he wanted to become a music teacher. Inspired by his band director, Ms. Tammy Reyes, Myron wanted to inspire students just as Ms. Reyes had inspired him. With that goal in mind, he started his freshman year that fall at UNC-Chapel Hill as a music major.

Excelling as a student on campus, during his senior year as a Tar Heel, Myron had the distinguished honor of becoming drum major for the marching band. Interestingly enough, another West Rowan student inspired by Ms. Reyes, Tremayne Smith, became drum major at East Carolina that same year.

When UNC-Chapel Hill and East Carolina met on the football field in the fall, there was no one prouder than Ms. Reyes at halftime to see her former students take the spotlight. She said she will never forget that game. Myron is quick to point out that Carolina won. Tremayne, with his unique sense of humor said, “That may be true, but Chapel Hill didn’t have a “back-flipping” drum major like East Carolina.”

Since that game and since graduation, both Tremayne and Myron have become band directors at their respective high schools, inspiring and passing on the love of music to another generation of students just like their band director, Ms. Reyes did for them. To read more of their story, check out the following link:

http://www.salisburypost.com/article/20130511/SP01/130519933/0/SEARCH&slId=1

Congratulations, Ms. Reyes! For inspiring students to love not only music, but life, you are my favorite person of the week.

Do you have a favorite teacher who inspired you? If so, leave a comment, message on Facebook, or email dicysm@yahoo.com.

Thanks,

Dicy

Favorite #41: Community Outreach Program

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Embracing Hearts ready for a day of service to the community

Embracing Hearts ready for a day of service to the community

Embracing Hearts: Serving the Community

As a way to express Christian love in the community, Embracing Hearts, a women’s group from Cornerstone Baptist Church in Cleveland, NC, held their second outreach program on Saturday, April 27, 2013. Some of the services offered were a free mammogram, dental care, groceries, haircuts, prayer support and lunch. While most of the services were for women, men came for dental work, blood pressure checks and health care.

Planning for the second annual event began in the fall of 2012, with a grant written by October for funds to obtain a mobile mammography unit from Charlotte Radiology. When news came the grant had been approved, everyone was happy women in the community would have the opportunity to receive much needed medical attention.

Since this was the second year of the event, some of the foundational planning and organization were already in place, making the process a little easier. That included knowing procedures for obtaining a dental bus from the NC Baptist Mens’ Association.

Although the weather was a little cold and rainy the morning of the event, even that didn’t dampen the spirits of those who came to serve. Everyone was ready, willing and able to minister to those who came through the doors.

With some frustrations throughout the year because of the uncertainty about how things were going to work, or if the needs of the people would be met, in the end every minute of preparation was worth it.

To learn more about Embracing Hearts and the outreach program, check out the following Salisbury Post link:  http://www.salisburypost.com/article/20130504/SP01/130509869/0/SEARCH&slId=2

Congratulations, Embracing Hearts! Because of your desire to show Christian love to others, your community outreach program is my favorite of the week.

Do you have a favorite community outreach program? Leave a comment, message on Facebook or email, dicysm@yahoo.com

Thanks,

Dicy

Favorite #40:Book Festival

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Books Under the Big Top

A Fun Day at the Book Festival

Community Book Festival

It was a glorious day for an event, but even more glorious because of the number of people who came to the Rowan Public Library for the Books Under the Big Top event on Saturday, April 13th, 2013. This event was a joint effort sponsored by the Rowan Public Library and the Rowan Salisbury Schools to promote and encourage the love of books and reading.

A circus theme was chosen for the event, with an invitation extended to North Carolina authors to showcase their books under the “Big Top.” Other activities planned were storytelling, puppets, face painting, clowns, balloons, animals from Dan Nicholas Park and Lazy 5 Ranch, music and food. The event was scheduled to begin at 10:00 at the Rowan Public Library, but even before then an atmosphere of excitement was in the air.

As an author, I arrived about thirty minutes early and noticed one big tent and several little tents on the front lawn of the library, with colorful banners blowing in the breeze welcoming visitors. Much activity was everywhere in preparation for the day, including a clown making balloon critters at the entrance. It was almost like overnight the library had been transformed into a circus.

Listening to the comments of those in attendance, it was easy to see how much fun everyone was having and how much they appreciated family oriented activities that encourage the love of reading. With talk of another event next year, it will be fun to see what theme will be used to inspire and motivate the community to get excited about reading. Well, whatever it is, I’m sure it will be great. Besides, with a whole year to plan, there’s no doubt it will be even bigger and better next year.

Congratulations to the Rowan Public Library and Rowan Salisbury Schools for working together to inspire a love of books and reading in the community. Because of your combined efforts, Books Under the Big Top is my favorite event of the week.

To read more about Books Under the Big Top, check out the following Salisbury Post link:http://www.salisburypost.com/article/20130427/SP01/130429742/0/SEARCH&slId=2

Do you know of an event that inspired a love of books and reading in your community? If so, I would like to hear from you. Leave a comment, message on Facebook or email dicysm@yahoo.com

Thanks,

Dicy

 

Favorite #39: Mooresville Soup Kitchen

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Volunteering at the Mooresville Soup Kitchen

Volunteering at the Mooresville Soup Kitchen

       Feeding the Community

The Mooresville Soup Kitchen  opened its doors 22 years ago at the First Baptist Church on Church St. in Mooresville, moving to its new location at 275 S. Broad St., just five years ago. Mrs. Rosie, a faithful volunteer for 17 of those years, oversees the dining area, making sure everything is organized, clean and ready for visitors.

In addition to meals on site, clients have the opportunity to take home bread, eggs, meat, canned goods, produce, fruit and dessert. The only requirement is they must have lunch at the Soup Kitchen that day. The facility also serves the community by giving out approximately 1000 single portion frozen meals for the Hands Up and Veterans programs each week. The Hands Up program is for the working hungry who may be struggling financially, but don’t qualify for any other assistance.

Visiting the facility not long ago, I learned 400 volunteers willingly give of their time each month to keep the Soup Kitchen running. Those who cook and serve are assigned to a cook team, with different groups taking turns throughout the month. The kitchen and serving areas are not only state of the art, but food is prepared in a safe-serve manner.

It’s obvious to those who work and volunteer at the Mooresville Soup Kitchen that the needs of the community are growing. Even though the new building is only five years old, the facility is already serving to capacity with approximately 200 served at each meal.

Since the Soup Kitchen does not receive federal or state funding, they are dependent on donations from individuals and local businesses to keep the doors open. Everyone involved in this ministry knows how generous the community has been, but with the needs of the community growing, even more support will be required in the coming months. The hope is the facility can continue to meet the needs of everyone who comes through its doors.

If you would like to learn more about the Mooresville Soup Kitchen and how you can help, check out the following links:

http://mooresvillesoupkitchen.com/

http://salisburypost.com/article/20130413/SP01/130419834/0/SEARCH&slId=5

Congratulations, Mooresville Soup Kitchen! Because of your unselfish, steadfast service to the community for 22 years, you are my choice for favorite ministry of the week.

Do you know of a ministry in your community that could use words of gratitude or encouragement? If so, I’d like to hear from you.

Leave a comment, message on Facebook, Twitter, or email dicysm@yahoo.com

Thanks,

Dicy

 

 

Favorite #38: Music Teacher

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Having Fun at the Piano

Having Fun at the Piano

    Music Teacher, “Dr. Rob”

Have you ever seen Elton John perform? If you haven’t, but have seen Dr. William D. Robertson, then you’ve come pretty close. “Dr. Rob,” as he’s known by many, can make a piano sing and loves to imitate the style of one of his favorite performers, Elton John.

Not only a performer, but also a teacher,  during his teaching career few people have called him by the last name of Robertson. Often called “Mr. Music” by his students, that changed when he earned his doctorate in 1992. Not long after earning that degree, one of his performing groups began calling him “Dr. Rob” and the title stuck.

With a father and two aunts in education, Dr. Rob felt a “calling” from an early age to become a teacher. To him, being around schools felt natural. When he was in his late teens, he used to perform gymnastic exhibitions at area schools. A young, agile musician at the time, he could do stunts such as run up a wall and flip backwards landing on his feet, stand on his hands on a water fountain while drinking water upside-down and even do a back flip off of a piano. “Unfortunately,” he says, “the years have managed to put a harness on that agility.”

Throughout his career, Dr. Rob has kept up to date with current educational trends and topics and recently shared some of his thoughts about the future.

“I do worry about the future of education because it’s getting harder to entice creative, intelligent young minds to enter a field that is so demanding and stressful in exchange for such a low salary. I especially worry about high-quality educators leaving the field in droves within the next few years. But, as for me, education has provided a haven the last three decades to do what I do best, which is making and teaching music.”

Congratulations, Dr. Rob! You are my favorite person of the week, not only for your years of service in education, but for teaching children the love of music and in the process the love for life.

To read more about Dr. Rob’s story, check out the following Salisbury Post link: http://www.salisburypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130419/SP05/130419611

Do you have a favorite teacher? If so, I would love to hear from you.

Leave a comment or share on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. You can also email me at dicysm@yahoo.com.

Thanks,

Dicy

Favorite #37: NC Transportation Museum

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A Day at the NC Transportation Museum

A Day at the NC Transportation Museum

NC Transportation Museum

 Have you ever taken a train ride? If not, there’s no better place than the NC Transportation Museum in Spencer, NC to give it a try. My two-year old grandson and his friend did just that this past Easter.

A train lover since a toddler, that might have something to do with the fact that his grandpa and I live beside a train track. When he comes over for a visit and hears a train, we all have to run outside, wave at the engineer and watch all the cars pass, as he continuously says, ‘choo-choo.’

Realizing his love for all things that have to do with trains, his mom has taken him several times to the NC Transportation Museum. On their last visit, he and a friend rode the train with the Easter Bunny.

Before becoming the NC Transportation Museum, this facility was known by locals as the Spencer Shops. During its busiest years it became Southern Railway’s largest serving terminal, with the location chosen because it was halfway between Washington, DC and Atlanta, Ga. After closing in the late ‘70′s, the land and buildings were donated to the state of NC and placed on a list of historic sites.

Much planning and many donations later, families today enjoy not only riding the train like my grandson, but also other activities such as touring the museum to see transportation’s historical past. In addition, educational programs are provided for school groups.

If interested in learning more about the NC Transportation Museum and what they have to offer, check out the following link:http://www.nctrans.org/Home.aspx

I have no doubt my grandson will enjoy more days in years to come at this wonderful historical site. Perhaps his love of trains comes naturally because after all, my grandson’s paternal great-great grandpa was an engineer.

Congratulations, NC Transportation Museum! Because of your success in preserving transportation’s historical past and providing fun, wholesome activities that families can do together, you are my choice for favorite place of the week.

Thanks,

Dicy

Favorite #36: Blogger, Lydia Richmond

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Lydia Richmond: The Cluttered Genius

Lydia Richmond: The Cluttered Genius

Lydia Richmond: Host of #Bullynomore

It’s nice to have friends who not only have a blog, but also know how to tweet and are willing to host a twitter party in your honor. My friend, Lydia Richmond, writes the blog, Cluttered Genius, which is a fun, informative blog of interest to women.

When my fourth book, Tired of Being a Bully was released on Amazon.com. and Barnes and Noble, Lydia approached me about hosting a twitter party using the book as a catalyst for the topic of bullying. I was thrilled because the purpose of writing this book was to open up discussions in a way that is non-threatening to children. The bully and the victim in the book are two neighborhood dogs, with one continually taking the other one’s bones. In the end, they settle their differences and become friends.

Since Lydia believed Tired of Being a Bully was a great way to approach the subject of bullying, she had the idea of inviting other bloggers and experts to join a discussion on twitter. One of the experts invited was Dr. Deborah Gilboa, known for her expertise on children’s issues. http://askdoctorg.com/bio/ The party was scheduled for Tuesday, April 2nd at 9:30p.m.

As host of the party, Lydia presented 11 questions for discussion. With the flow of conversation steady and a number of different solutions offered to help children with this issue, the event trended. Here’s the link for #bullynomore: https://twitter.com/search23bullynomore&src=typd

If interested in learning more about this party, or Lydia’s blog, Cluttered Genuis, check out the following link:

http://www.clutteredgenius.com/2013/03/17/tired-of-being-a-bully-bullynomore-twitter-party/

Congratulations, Lydia! Because of your willingness to approach hot topics and stay in the main stream of those discussions, you are my choice for favorite blogger of the week.

Thanks,

Dicy

 

 

Favorite # 35: Community Festival

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West Rowan Farm Home and Garden Spring Festival

West Rowan Farm Home and Garden Spring Festival

West Rowan Farm Home and Garden Spring Festival

Spring seems to be busting out all over at the West Rowan Farm Home and Garden store on Hwy 801 in Bear Poplar, NC. While I suppose you could say that about most places this time of year, it seems to be more so at this store. Brian and Elsie Bennett are experiencing their first year as store owners and like new parents want to show off. They easily accomplished that on March 23rd, 2013, at their store’s spring festival grand opening.

On the day of the event, a variety of vendors brought items to sell such as quilts, cakes, wreaths, bread, boots, horse tack, jewelry, flowers and metal art. Throughout the day, shoppers not only enjoyed browsing, but also enjoyed a variety of entertainment from cloggers, to singing groups and instrumentalists, including professional banjo player, Dale Mills and friends. A horse and buggy ride added to the day’s fun.

One of the goals for the festival was to raise money for several local ministries including a soup kitchen. That goal became a reality by the end of the day because a truck load of food as well as $700.00 was collected. Overwhelmed with the kindness, Elsie said, “Neighbors helping neighbors, friends you can call family … those are the folks that hang out in a little town called Bear Poplar/Mt Ulla.”

It looks like from the positive response of the spring festival that many would like to see it become an annual event. What better way to shake off winter blues, fellowship together as a community and help those in need than an event such as this?

Congratulations, West Rowan Farm Home and Garden store! Because of your generous spirit in giving of your time and facilities for a community event, you are my choice for business of the week.

If you would like to read more about this event, check out the following Salisbury Post link:http://salisburypost.com/article/20130329/SP01/130329683/1023/dicy-festival-brings-together-bear-poplar-friends-neighbors

Do you know of a small-town community event where neighbors are helping neighbors? Leave a comment, message on facebook or email dicysm@yahoo.com

Thanks,

Dicy

Favorite #34: Walkertown Elementary School

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Walkertown Elementary Reading Event

Walkertown Elementary Reading Event

Reading Day at Walkertown Elementary School

Walkertown Elementary School is a beautiful school that welcomes parents, visitors and community members to come inside and see what exciting things are taking place. One of those exciting things happened just a few weeks ago.

March 7th was the day Walkertown Elementary School hosted its first annual, “Walkertown, Let’s Read to Make a Difference Day.” Even the Mayor proclaimed the day as an annual event, encouraging the community to get involved with supporting the school and students in their pursuit of becoming life-long readers.

As a children’s author, I was excited when Ms. Barbara Cohen, the principal of Walkertown Elementary School, invited me to be a part of the day’s activities. As you can see in the photo, the children were well-behaved, listening and participating at appropriate times as I read my children’s books. They seemed to especially enjoy the newest book, “Tired of Being a Bully.”

Ms. Cohen said she was happy with all the support that was received from community businesses, churches and other organizations. The schedule was filled throughout the day with various individuals who came not only to read, but to share their ideas of why reading is important. From all accounts, and from the smiles on children’s faces, it was a successful day enjoyed by all.

To produce graduates ready for the 21st century, as demonstrated by the philosophy of the administration and staff of Walkertown Elementary School, it’s going to take not only the efforts of parents, teachers and students, but the community as well. It’s encouraging to see educators open to new and different ideas such as reading day, but it’s even more encouraging when leaders of that community support those ideas.

Congratulations, Walkertown Elementary School! For your organization and willingness to let others be a part of your educational process, you are my favorite school of the week.

Do you have a favorite school or school event?

If so, leave a comment, message on facebook or email dicysm@hahoo.com.

Thanks,

Dicy

Favorite #33: NASCAR Driver, Hut Stricklin

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Hut and Taylor Stricklin: Vision of things to come

Hut and Taylor Stricklin: Vision of things to come

NASCAR Legend, Hut Stricklin

 Hut Stricklin is a name NASCAR fans are familiar with because at one time he was a top driver on that circuit. Starting out on short tracks in Alabama as a teenager, his career with NASCAR began in 1978.

Growing up, Hut saw his dad, Waymond Stricklin, run a used car parts store during the week, only to race cars and trucks at short tracks on the weekends. When Hut was 17, Waymond began investing money in his racing efforts instead. This lasted for about five years until one day Waymond explained he couldn’t sponsor racing anymore because of finances.

Hut thought this was the worst thing that could have happened to him, but eventually found it to be the best because it forced him to seek sponsorship on his own. From that pivotal moment, Hut had to stand on his own two feet.

Even though each team Hut signed with lasted for only a year or two, he still managed to stay in NASCAR for over twenty years, with wins and championships along the way. Some of his special moments were winning NASCAR’s Dash Series Championship in 1987, finishing fourth at Daytona in the Spring Cup Series and being a stunt driver for Days of Thunder starring Tom Cruise.

While recently visiting with Hut at his shop in Cleveland, NC, I was pleasantly surprised when his twenty-four year old son, Taylor Stricklin, walked in and joined the conversation. Knowing Taylor also loves racing, I asked how things were going. He said things were going good and that he was working hard to get his car ready for the first race of the season in March. Like his dad, he too started on the short track.

Taylor hopes to find sponsorship soon, but until that happens he will continue to save the money he makes, investing in the sport he loves, working side by side with his dad at Stricklin’s Auto Car and Truck Parts in Cleveland, NC.

To read more of the Stricklin story, check out the following Salisbury Post link:http://salisburypost.com/article/20130308/SP01/130309750/0/SEARCH&slId=1

Congratulations, Hut Stricklin! Even though retired, you are my choice for favorite NASCAR driver of the week for creating memories for over twenty years and for passing the love of the sport on to the next generation.

Who is your favorite NASCAR driver of all time and why? Leave a comment, Facebook message or email at dicysm@yahoo.com

Thanks,

Dicy