Inside High Point - March 2023

CONTENTS

Welcome to Inside High Point, the newsletter that covers everything going on within our City and its various departments. If you have news, photos, questions or suggestions for what you would like to see featured, please email us at PIO@highpointnc.gov.

04/ PARKS & REC PROGRAM SELECTED FOR CHARITY GIVEAWAY

Check out which program received a gift.

10/ ELECTRIC SYSTEMS OPERATOR HONORED FOR SERVICE

Find out how this CHP employee was celebrated.

16/ DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION IS ON THE MOVE

Learn how they are sharing their message with the community.

Mayor - Jay Wagner

Member at Large - Britt Moor

Member at Large - Tyrone E. Johnson

Ward 1 - Cyril Jefferson

Ward 2 - Chris Williams

Ward 3 - Monica Peters

Ward 4 - Wesley Hudson, Mayor Pro Tem

Ward 5 - Victor Jones

Ward 6 - Michael Holmes

Tyrone.Johnson@highpointnc.gov

336.307.8261

Cyril.Jefferson@highpointnc.gov

Chris.Williams@highpointnc.gov

336 883 1736

Monica Peters@highpointnc gov

336.906.7328

Wesley.Hudson@highpointnc.gov

336 655 5880

Victor Jones@highpointnc gov

336.899.7777

Michael.Holmes@highpointnc.gov

PARKS & RECREATION

Davis & Goldberg

Orthodontics Selects Miracle League for Charity Café

High Point Parks & Recreation would like to thank Davis & Goldberg Orthodontics in High Point, longtime sponsors of our Miracle League's Red Sox team, for also choosing the Miracle League of High Point as the recipient of 100 percent of its charity café proceeds for the month of March.

Dr. Jeffrey Goldberg even took a few moments to interview Timpani Troxler, our Miracle League manager, about this program for a video so D & G café patrons would know more about where the funds were being donated.

Miracle League is an adaptive baseball program that allows players ages 5 – 22 who have intellectual and/or physical disabilities the opportunity to play baseball as a team member in an organized league. Davis & Goldberg Orthodontics has not only sponsored a team for many years, but the staff also often volunteer as "buddies" for our athletes.

If you would like to volunteer, the program is in particular need of volunteer coaches for our upcoming six-week spring season. To learn more, please call Timpani Troxler at 336.883.3483 or email her at timpani.troxler@highpointnc.gov.

Haynes-Inman Education Center Holds Modified Miracle League

The Parks & Recreation Department loves community partnerships. Special thanks to Romaine Boyd, adaptive P.E. teacher at Haynes-Inman Education Center in Jamestown and the staff at this Guilford County special education school for working with High Point Parks & Recreation to bring a modified version of our Miracle League baseball program to its students. Miracle League provides youth, teens and adults with disabilities the opportunity to play baseball in an organized league. For more information on volunteering, sponsoring a team or receiving information for a potential player, please call 336.883.3483 or email timpani.troxler@highpointnc.gov.

Youth Basketball Season Tournament

High Point Parks & Recreation's Youth Basketball League recently wrapped up with end-of-season tournaments. In 10U, the Celtics took first place, and the Spurs came in second. In 12U, the Heat topped the age bracket, and the Spurs came in second. Great job to all the players in all our age groups, and thank you to all the volunteer coaches. For more information on participating in or volunteering for our youth athletic programs, contact Eli Campbell at 336.883.3621 or eli.campbell@highpointnc.gov.

Library Celebrates National Quilt Month

March is national quilt month, and the library celebrated with its "Quilts of Art on Display" event on Tuesday, March 14, 2023.

The history of quilts can be traced back to ancient times. Back then, quilts were used out of necessity, whereas now quilts have become family heirlooms, baby gifts and wall décor.

"Quilts were mostly used for keeping warm on the bed or as a garment," said Librarian Maxine Days. "I remember my grandmother putting quilts on our beds, no fluffy comforter."

Days organized "Quilts of Art on Display" with Holly Davis, a Friends of the Library volunteer. Davis showcased a variety of beautiful quilts and quilted wall hangers designed and made by her mother, Doris Rickles.

Rickles worked as a teacher in the public school system of New Jersey for over twenty years, during which time she created a legacy of making quilts. Davis stated that her mother would choose a picture and then begin making the quilt.

Some of her quilt designs were based on Davis' father's love of jazz. Rickles would make quilts with musical instruments, sheet music and images of musicians. These, along with her nature-inspired quilts, were shown at the event.

About thirty people came to see the display, including some local quilters who were in awe as they felt the different textures and viewed the detailed stitching. Many remarked on the colors and special effects added to the quilts.

If you are interested in learning more about quilting, you can find a variety of books as well as different patterns at the High Point Public Library.

Library's Black History Month Celebration is a Success

February's Black History Month celebration at the High Point Public Library included book displays, historical information and pictures of various African Americans such as Zora Neale Hurston, Dorothy Height, Carter G. Woodson and Mary McLeod Bethune, to name a few. Library staff also showed support by wearing something Afro-centric each Thursday of the month.

The library also featured posters showcasing black inventions. For example, Lonnie G. Johnson, who invented the Super Soaker toy water gun, and James Edward Maceo West, who invented the microphone (officially known as the electroacoustic transducer elect microphone), were highlighted.

An artist panel discussion was presented with graphic artist and business owner DRL Toons and educator, author and local artist Yolanda Grier.

The celebration continued into March with Black Expo. Business owners showcased their products and community services as they interacted with library customers. Vendors included MBCA Crafts & Accessories, Ms. Fa's Tea Spot, Charlene Hamlin, Royal Reign, Brookdale Senior Living, Royal Devine skincare, Gabriel Clothing, Betina Bullard, Loretta's Doormats and more. Author Vanessa Miller from Charlotte, N.C., closed the event with a book discussion and signing of her latest book, "What We Found in Hallelujah."

ELECTRIC UTILITIES

Jerry Everhart Recognized for 50 Years of Service

On March 16, 2023, Electric Systems Operator Jerry Everhart was recognized with a 50-year service award from the City of High Point Electric Utilities Department. Everhart actually reached this landmark on March 16, 2020, but because of the pandemic, the department could not gather to recognize him.

He started with the City on March 16, 1970, and has been a dedicated employee ever since. Everhart is not retiring, but the department took the opportunity to honor him now that it is safe to gather again.

City Manager Tasha Logan-Ford presented him with a key to the city, and he received a letter of recognition from Mayor Wagner. Everhart was born and raised in High Point, and he knows our electrical system better than anyone will ever know it.

PUBLIC SERVICES

Winter Wipeout is a Success

Keep High Point Beautiful hosted the sixth annual Winter Wipeout under the City of High Point's Environmental Services Division, Public Services Department. The organization is thankful to all the participants who helped remove 147 bags of trash and recyclables and some large debris from roadways, creeks, parks and the Greenway.

KHPB & Stormwater Team Up

On March 15 and 16, the Stormwater Services Division and Keep High Point Beautiful attended Allen Jay and Fairview Elementary Schools' STEM events on their respective school grounds. Students, parents and teachers learned about protecting our local waters, recycling, City services and volunteer opportunities these Public Service Divisions have to offer.

Keep High Point Beautiful and Stormwater Services Division joined forces again to work with volunteers from the Triad Water Stewards to perform a pond cleanup off Johnson Street on March 18. The group removed five bags of trash and many other bulky items from inside and around the pond.

There is still more work to be done at this location, and they plan to return for another round in April. Thank you, Triad Water Stewards, for your dedication.

The MRF Gets a Makeover

In mid-March, the MRF staff worked overtime on a Friday and Saturday to perform environmental cleaning of the building, which has typically been done by an outside contractor. In order to save the city money, the staff performed the operations themselves.

The MRF is not a temperature-controlled building, and the material that is sorted creates a large amount of dust and other unclean areas. As you can see from the before and after pictures, the staff did an excellent job, and the MRF looks amazing. Thanks to the amazing MRF staff for the long hours and hard work.

Historical Society Hosts High Point Soap Box Derby Racers

The High Point Historical Society hosted its monthly program series on Saturday, March 18. This month's topic was "High Point's Soap Box Derbies" in connection with the Museum's current exhibition, "The Need for Speed: Soap

Box Derby Racing in High Point." The program featured interviews with panelists who raced in High Point's derbies from its start in the 1950s to the end in the 1970s.

Harrison "Bud" Lyons traveled from Durham, North Carolina, to join the program. Lyons was the first African-American boy to win High Point's derby in 1954. He shared his experience of racing in High Point as well as going to the national race in Akron, Ohio.

Bill Blair also spoke about his experience racing in the early days of the High Point derbies. Blair, whose family has a long history of racing in High Point and beyond, participated in High Point's first derby in 1951. He shared memories of how he got involved in the derby and what he remembers of the big race days.

Finally, attendees heard from Gail Simpson, one of the first girls to race and the first to win High Point's derby in 1972. Simpson talked about her experience racing in the last soap box derby race in High Point and her time at the national race in Akron, Ohio.

Museum Hosts Historical Working Women Program

On March 18, the High Point Museum hosted "Meet the Working Women of Early High Point," an educational event celebrating Women's History Month. Attendees were given the opportunity to interact with costumed interpreters as they demonstrated activities that Quaker, enslaved and free early High Point women would have done. Visitors learned about work done by women of the early 19th century, including gardening, laundering, open hearth cooking and more.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

DEI Division Presents to HPU Racial Justice Advocacy Committee

The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and High Point University's Senior Director of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs Dr. Sherell Fuller, presented to the HPU Racial Justice Advocacy Committee.

The committee is composed of High Point University Bonner Leaders and members of other cultural organizations on campus, mentored by two faculty members, who have come together to work towards an initiative to address racial injustices.

The Bonner Leader Program is a four-year commitment for low-income students committed to finding ways to work with the City to promote justice and the common good while providing 300 hours of service per school year.

DEI Teams Up with & Human Resources for Career Fair

The City of High Point Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Division and Human Resources Department attended UNC-Greensboro's Spring Career Fair. This recruiting event connected UNCG students and alums with a wide range of employers. This was the first in-person career fair that UNCG has hosted since the COVID-19 pandemic, and there were over 1,000 students registered for the event. The City of High Point's team engaged with several candidates who expressed interest in employment and internship opportunities with the City.

PURCHASING DEPARTMENT

Purchasing Department Wins Big!

On March 7, the City of High Point Purchasing Department won the Sustained Professional Purchasing Award from the North Carolina Association of Government Purchasing for the 18th year in a row.

The Sustained Professional Purchasing Award is presented annually and recognizes all member agencies who have demonstrated sustained excellence in purchasing standards during the calendar year.

PROMOTIONS & NEW HIRES

CONGRATULATIONS:

TIYON WEAVER - Rec Center Supervisor to Parks & Rec Safety Coordinator

JOEL FERGUSON - Civil Engineer I to Civil Engineer II

COLBY KEENE - Construction Inspector Supervisor to Engineering Project Manager

JON SHEPHERD - Erosion Control Inspector I to Construction Inspector

MORGAN FOSTER - Accounting Technician II to Accountant I

WELCOME:

LARRY ATKINS - Parks & Recreation Turf Equipment Mechanic

PEDRO BELLO – Parks & Recreation Groundskeeper I

CHRISTOPHER BRIGGS - Police Officer Trainee

TIMOTHY COMER - W/S Technician I

CHRISTOPHER DEVRIEND - Police Officer Trainee

LEVI FOLEY - Fleet Maintenance Technician II

HEIDI GALANTI - Planning Administrator

DANIEL HAUSER - ITS Telecommunicator I

MATTHEW HAYES - Landfill Equipment Operator

LATAREUS MCKNIGHT - IT User Support Manager

CALEB MCPHERON - Police Officer Trainee

JONAH MESSER - GIS Specialist

PATRICIA MOORE - Transit Operator I

DAVID WELCH - Fire Inspector I

JOSIAH WHITE - Fleet Maintenance Technician I

MAYGAN YEN - ITS Telecommunicator I