Daily Courier November 22, 2009 by Digital Courier

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Tar Heels’ D stands up to BC — Page 1B Sports

Not the only No. 1 The Forest City Owls finished the season as the No. 1 college wooden bat team in America and it turns out they were playing on the No. 1 field

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Sunday, November 22, 2009, Forest City, N.C.

NATION

Lucius Morse dies at 71

GETTING A SHOT

n Carried

on family legacy of preserving Chimney Rock Park By JEAN GORDON Daily Courier Staff Write

Obama says Asia trip will benefit U.S Page 10A

SPORTS

Jean Gordon/Daily Courier

Nick Scherer, 9, receives his H1N1 vaccine from Immunization Coordinator Rhonda Lovelace during a vaccine clinic Saturday morning at the Rutherford County Health Department. When health employees arrived early Saturday for the clinic, long lines were wrapped around the building as people waited for the vaccines and Flu Mist. More than 900 flu vaccines and more than 255 mists have been administered since October at the health department.

Another tough day for Duke Blue Devils Page 1B

GAS PRICES

In domestic abuse, there are no stereotypical victims Editor’s note: This is the fourth part of a ongoing series on domestic violence. In this article, a victim talks about her experiences. The Daily Courier allows victims anonymity so they can speak candidly.

By LARRY DALE Daily Courier Staff Writer

Low: $2.43 High: $2.65 Avg.: $2.55

DEATHS Forest City

Debra Upton

Elsewhere

Pamela G. Wyatt Lucius B. Morse III Page 5A

WEATHER

FOREST CITY — A teenage girl whose thenboyfriend sobbed about his father’s abuse of women and vowed it would never happen in their marriage, was hit the first time when she brought their week-old baby home. The unexpected blow hurt physically and emotionally. “I was stunned,” the victim said. “I was absolutely stunned. “I would not be any more shocked if you slapped me right now. It was just out of the blue. No provocation, no … nothing. He beat the soup out of me.” Because she had just had a baby, protecting herself from the blows was imperative. “I just kind of balled up, because I was afraid he was going to hurt me, because I had just had a baby,” she said. “And I was really afraid about my health, and what would happen with the baby if I wasn’t there.” Those first physical blows painfully refuted the words her husband had said when they were dating. The two had met in middle school. She eventually started working for his father, and the two young people began to date. “That was my sophomore year in high school,” she said. “We were married my senior

year. I was pregnant when we got married.” They married in January and the baby was born in June. “I stayed with my mom for a week after the baby was born,” the victim said, “just for recovery time and for my mom to help me. And the night that I went back home was the first time he hit me.” The teenage girl knew that abuse ran in the boy’s family, but she thought it was a non-issue for them as a couple. “His father was abusive to his first and second wives,” she said. “And to his then girlfriend also. And I was aware of that. But we talked about that a lot, and he was very emotional about it and said he would never be able to treat anyone he cared about that way.” One of the young man’s character traits Please see Abuse, Page 5A

FOREST CITY — The former owner of Chimney Rock Park Lucius B. Morse III died at his St. Louis, Mo. home on Wednesday. Mores, 71, carried on the legacy of his family’s 100-year ownership of Chimney Rock Park and the subsequent transition of that mountain property to state control as Chimney Rock State Park. In July 2006, after much deliberation and careful estate planning, Morse and his son, Todd, decided to list the Park for sale. Their goal was to achieve an outcome that was best for their family, the community, the land and their associates. On May 21, 2007, Gov. Mike Easley announced the State of North Carolina, with the help of several partners, had purchased Chimney Rock Park for $24 million to be the centerpiece of a new state park under development in Hickory Nut Gorge. The park will be protected forever as a natural environment because of the Morse family’s commitment to the land and the community. Chimney Rock became the state’s first private/public partnership with Chimney Rock Management LLC, managing the park. An avid outdoorsman, Morse served 23 years as a board member and member emeritus of the Missouri Botanical Garden. During his long and respected tenure, he was instrumental in the incorporation of the Shaw Nature Reserve into the Garden’s legacy. As Chairman and CEO, he led LBM Enterprises, which over the years encompassed The Daily Record (the first legal newspaper west of the Mississippi), Mid-America Printing, Boulevard Motors, The Composing Room and Chimney Rock Park in North Carolina. Morse and his wife Bonnie visited Chimney Rock and Lake Lure on numerous occasions during the years, including for the traditional Easter Sunrise services at the Park. Please see Morse, Page 6A

His American dream found in church By JEAN GORDON

High

Low

Daily Courier Staff Writer

49 42 Today, cold and rainy. Tonight, rain likely. Complete forecast, Page 10A

INSIDE Classifieds . . . 5-7B Sports . . . B Section County scene . . . 6A Opinion . . . . . . . 4A Vol. 41, No. 279

Nicaraguan native Martin Iras plans to minister in his native land.

FOREST CITY — Martin Irias left the third poorest country in the western hemisphere in 2003 for North Carolina, never dreaming his life would be what it is today. Irias, 42, came to Forest City from Nicaragua with a hope to earn more money. Leaving behind his wife, daughter and other family members so he could make a better living, Irias lived with a couple from Nicaragua who came to the area several years ago. After arriving here, Irias visited the Cristo Vive Baptist Church, 929 Oakland Road, Forest City, where he heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and turned his life over to the Lord. Next month, at Fruitland Bible Institute, Hendersonville, Irias becomes the first student in the history of the Bible Institute to complete the English and Spanish programs, and on Dec. 18 will receive an associate degree in Religion/Church Ministries. “I never dreamed of going to church and I

Now on the Web: www.thedigitalcourier.com

I didn’t have any money, didn’t have a job or anything and it was very cold. But I found the help from the Word of God.

— Martin Irias

certainly never dreamed of going to a Bible School,” he said of Fruitland. Today Irias wears a black wristband that tells the gospel story illustrated with five white symbols: An arrow, meaning Jesus came from heaven to earth; a cross, representing his death; a tomb, where he arose from the dead; another arrow depicts his ascension into heaven and one more arrow, that he will come again to earth some day. Before Irias began attending Fruitland, joined the church worship team playing the flute, and in March 2007 was ordained as a

Please see Irias, Page 6A

2A — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, November 22, 2009

Local/State ANTIQUES AND ARTISANS EVENT

Jean Gordon/Daily Courier

Twin sisters Anne Yarborough (right) of Cary and Nance Wolff of Green Creek, try on hats created by Nance at the Foothills Antique and Artisan Show Saturday morning at the Spindale House. Anne, a painter, brought numerous pieces of her work for sale. Also photographed are James Dunagin and Joseph Davis of Spartanburg, S.C., displaying antiques and numerous lamps. The annual show featured quality antique dealers as well as talented artisans from throughout the region and as far away as South Florida.

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans traveling away from home for Thanksgiving will be up only slightly this year from 2008, according to a report from the AAA auto club. The group, which surveyed 1,350 households, said there will be about 33.2 million people traveling by car this year — a 2.1 percent increase from last year. But there will be a 6.7 percent decrease in the number of air travelers, totaling 2.3 million this year, continuing a decade-long decline of Thanksgiving air travel. In the report released Wednesday, AAA officials said the expected increase reflects improved consumer confidence from a year ago, when Thanksgiving travel dropped 25 percent following the country’s housing and economic problems. Americans may feel more financially secure and be more willing to travel, the report says. “The economy is still very clearly weighing heavily on the minds of Thanksgiving travelers this year, and that’s evidenced by the very small increase that we expect to see in total travel,” said Geoff Sundstrom, a spokesman for AAA’s national office in Heathrow, Fla. However, the slight increase suggests the economy has slightly stabilized, he said. Blanca Enriquez, 59, of El Paso, Texas, said she’s driving more than 800 miles to South Padre Island with her family for Thanksgiving. The Air Transport Association has predicted that holiday passenger traffic will drop 4 percent from last year, despite airlines’ heavy discounting in the past several months. With fewer flights, planes are likely to be full over Thanksgiving, the trade group said. Travelers began checking in for holiday flights Saturday at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. College student Lucy Crowley, 22, said she booked her flight to leave several days before the holiday. “I made travel plans around avoiding that rush,” she said.

The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, November 22, 2009 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 3A

Local/state

Police Notes

SCOUTS COLLECT FOOD

Sheriffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Reports n The Rutherford County Sheriffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office responded to 141 E-911 calls Friday.

Rutherfordton n The Rutherfordton Police Department responded to 35 E-911 calls Friday.

Spindale n The Spindale Police Department responded to 39 E-911 calls Friday.

Lake Lure n The Lake Lure Police Department responded to nine E-911 Friday.

Forest City n The Forest City Police Department responded to 96 E-911 calls Friday.

Arrests

n Jonathon Ray Hipp, 22, of 3791 Hudlow Road, Forest City; charged with resisting public officer; placed under a $1,000 unsecured bond. (RCSD) n Leslie Denise Bunnell, 21, 221 Dead End Road; charged with second-degree trespassing; placed under a $500 bond. Jean Gordon/Daily Courier n Dusty Ray Hipp, 24, 3791 of Hudlow Road, Boy Scout Executive Travis Walker, Shawn Parker, Troop 126 representative, a Yokefellow volunteer, and Forest City; charged with driving while impaired; Barbara Gardner, Cubmaster Pack 99, sttack cans and boxes of food brought to Yokefellow Service Center placed under a $500 bond. (NCHP) Saturday morning to help families this winter. Scouts from across the Piedmont Council participated in the 19th n Christopher Robert Phillips, 20, 2076 annual â&#x20AC;&#x153;Scouting for Foodâ&#x20AC;? drive and delivered the goods Saturday. Centennial Road, Union Mills; charged with assault on a female; placed under an $800 bond. (RCSD) n Durell Andre Mayes, 24, of 187 Wilkerson Drive; charged with resisting pubic officer; placed under a $1,000 bond. (RCSD) n Guy Thomas Kennedy, 39, 101 Carriage Place, RALEIGH (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; A North conduct of the supervisor who Wetherington had to file a Spindale; charged with driving while impaired, Carolina state trooper who said pushed for his removal be form to get a new hat, and he motorcycle failure to burn tail light; released. he was fired because he lied reviewed. But the Highway wrote that it blew off his head (RCSD). about the fate of his $45 hat is Patrol hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t put Wetherington and was likely run over. But n Christopher Wayne Crawley, 30,405 South Pea fighting his dismissal. back on the highway and he another trooper pulled over the Ridge Drive; charged with harassing phone calls; Thomas C. Wetherington, 22, is awaiting a hearing before a same driver two weeks later, and in custody. (RCSD) told The News & Observer of judge who can make the patrol the man had Wetheringtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hat, n Christopher Devon Calvin Carson, 28, 206 Pea Raleigh that losing his job in a put him back on the force. which he said he picked up after Ridge Road; charged with misdemeanor stalking; misunderstanding about his hat Patrol spokesman Capt. Everett the trooper left. Wetheringtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s released; (RCSD) is especially galling considering Clendenin wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t talk to the name and phone number were in the kind of misconduct other newspaper about the case, citing the hatband, but the driver never EMS troopers have committed withthe pending legal action. called. n Rutherford County Emergency Medical out getting fired. Wetheringtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s saga began an A supervisor questioned Services responded to 24 calls Friday and 13 calls â&#x20AC;&#x153;Look, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got guys hava blustery night in March when Wetherington about the initial ing sex in patrol cars just about he pulled over a vehicle towreport, and he said he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tell were answered by Rescue. every day,â&#x20AC;? said Wetherington, a ing a boat on U.S. 70 in Craven the truth about how he lost the trooper since 2007. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Why did I Fire Calls County. While seizing guns and hat because he was intimidated get dismissed when other guys alcohol, he set his hat on his by his boss. n Cherry Mountain Volunteer Fire Dept. get slaps on the wrist?â&#x20AC;? patrol car, then heard it tumble The Highway Patrol ruled responded to a motor vehicle accident Friday. A review committee ruled in down the asphalt in the dark. He Wetherington violated its code n S-D-O firefighters were dispatched to a motor September that Wetherington returned later and looked for it of conduct, which requires vehicle accident Saturday morning on U.S. 221, should be reinstated and the for two hours without success. troopers to always tell the truth. south of Rutherfordton, in front of Jim Coleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s store.

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4A — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, November 22, 2009 ■ A daily forum for opinion, commentary and editorials on the news that affects us all.

James R. Brown/ publisher Steven E. Parham/ executive editor 601 Oak Street, P.O. Box 1149, Forest City, N.C. 28043 Phone: 245-6431 Fax: 248-2790

E-mail: dailycourier@thedigitalcourier.com

Our Views Communication not always easy

n the news this week was a story about a doctor in Asheville who is threatened with the loss of his medical license after a patient complained he told her she was fat. Without knowing all the details it would be unfair to either party to pass any kind of judgement in this specific case. Still, the story does raise interesting points to ponder. Words do hurt. They can slice to the bone and cause just as much pain as any knife. Thus, we are all well advised to be careful in how we choose our words. Likewise, the tone of voice we use and even the circumstances at the time the words are used convey much in verbal communication. On the other hand, there are times when people need to hear the cold hard facts without sugar coating. The secret to successfully communicating with other people is to understand that what we say and how we say it and the circumstances under which it is said are all critical to getting across the point we need to make. The way we communicate with one another is the glue that holds our society together. The better we communicate, the better we all fare. If we communicate clearly, we get things done. That is true in our interpersonal relations and in our public interactions. When communication breaks down, all relationships disintegrate. If we want positive results from our interactions with other people, we will make sure that we are always careful with the words we choose to use, know the circumstances we are in and listen carefully.

Maybe I’ll be voting Whig next time RALEIGH -- Next year’s election could prove quite confusing for voters here in North Carolina. Unless voters pay careful attention, they may suddenly suppose that they’re sitting in a movie theater watching Dumb and Dumber. Who’s wearing the powder blue tuxedo and who’s wearing the orange one, the Democrats or the Republicans, isn’t clear just yet. Republicans are doing their best Jim Carrey with a notion that open primary elections may no longer be a good thing, especially for a party intent on driving away everyone who’s not an Obama-hating, Ann Coulterloving, flag-waving, gay-bashing, book-burning, anti-abortion activist. North Carolina doesn’t have completely open primaries in which registered voters, regardless of party affiliation, can cast ballots in either party primary. But since 1994, both the state Democratic Party and the state Republican Party have allowed unaffiliated voters to cast a ballot in either primary. (Not both; you have to chose one or the other.) That makes pretty good sense, especially for Republicans. As of mid-November, they made up just 31.8 percent of North Carolina’s registered voters. And in late 2007 and early 2008, the

Today in North Carolina Scott Mooneyham

North Carolina GOP lost a net 18,000 registered voters. Let that trend continue long enough, and unaffiliated voters, now at 22.7 percent of registered voters, will be larger than the Republican Party in North Carolina. The point is, Republicans don’t win statewide elections in North Carolina without unaffiliated voters. But now some party activists and officials want the party’s executive committee to block unaffiliated voters from voting in the GOP primary. According to their resolution, primary turnout is “generally low” and the inclusion of unaffiliated voters is resulting in “a more moderate candidate being elected in some areas of the state.” Apparently for supporters of this plan, turnout isn’t low enough, GOP candidates not fringe enough. Next up on the party agenda: Sarah Palin and Dick Armey fly to the state to endorse

unelectable candidates who look like Orville Redenbacher and speak like Ernest T. Bass. A few blocks down Raleigh’s Hillsborough Street, the Democrats have been bringing in truckload after truckload of sand, piling it into party headquarters. They need enough of the stuff to cover their heads and their backsides. Party officials have been ignoring calls from activists on the left, led by a group called Progressive Democrats of North Carolina, to acknowledge the corruption in their midst and take steps to stop it. The official response from the Democratic Party seems to involve clicking the heels together three times and saying over and over again, “There’s no place like Jim Hunt.” Meanwhile, federal prosecutors continue their investigation of former Gov. Mike Easley, obviously attempting to show that the party apparatus served as a brokerage house for unsavory and/or illegal deals. Oh well, the sun could explode tomorrow, and then it will all be a moot point. If it doesn’t, I’m voting Whig in the fall. Henry Clay is my man. Mooneyham is executive director of the Capitol Press Association.

Giving daily thanks is part of our walk with God Many of us will share a meal with friends or family this coming Thanksgiving Day and many will be looking forward to the Christmas season and routine shopping that follows. Our family will gather this year for Thanksgiving, as it is one of our favorite times. We will also have a special Eucharistic celebration Wednesday, in part, because the Greek word for Thanksgiving is “eucharista,” the great thanksgiving. I understand Thanksgiving as an act of worship that is to be perpetually celebrated, not just on a Thursday in November. Yes, we Americans are faithful in choosing particular days to honor our soldiers, moms, dads, secretaries, heroes and Presidents, but thanksgiving is really an act of worship. Thanksgiving is an attitude of the heart and is an ongoing awareness of God’s blessings in our daily lives. How often we are thankful is really a mark of spiritual maturity, if you will, that will demonstrate our love of God and His blessings. There is a definitive link between out being thankful and being holy. This may sound strange, but this understanding is a biblical principle expressed by St. Paul in

Sunday Conversation Fr. Jonathan Lankford

1Timothy 3:1-2. Paul writes, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy …” There is a relationship to our humble thanks and the unholy attitudes that spring from being unthankful. This reminds me of the great Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar who stood and looked out his window and marveled at what he though was the work of his own hand. We read this in Daniel 4:28-29, A the end of the twelve months he was walking about in the royal palace of Babylon. The King spoke saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty.” The king would soon learn a hard lesson as Daniel the prophet would come to the mighty King and pronounce a terrible woe upon him. The

king would be sent into the fields and become wild as a beast until he learned that God was King and Provider and the one who had given him what he had. There is a great lesson to be learned here. I ask the Lord daily to help me remember who I am and that I am nothing without His mercy and grace. Every day I awake and can breathe and eat and see my beautiful family is a gift of God. Every time I enter our church and worship with my brothers and sisters in Christ, that is a gift to me as well. I am blessed beyond measure or what words can describe. As the hymn so rightly says, Oh for a Thousand Tongues … that I could proclaim the wondrous riches of his grace. When we become unthankful, we become unholy. Why? Because we fail to remember the source of our blessings. Maybe we do as Nebuchadnezzar and forget the source of the blessings. Being too confident in our ability or personal strength is a pernicious lie that we cannot afford to believe. I know the source of my strength and it is certainly not I. Having a thankful heart is a constant reminder that there is a source that exists outside of ourselves that is

responsible for our perpetual blessings. When the early pilgrims began to celebrate Thanksgiving, it was out of an understanding that God was the source and maintainer of their benevolence. In the Old Testament sacrificial system there were several different sacrifices one was to bring to the priest. One of these, was however, not obligatory. This offering was called the Thank Offering. This offering was just that, a free will offering that one could bring, not out of requirement, but out of the love of one’s heart. This offering was simply to thank God for His blessings. It was of one’s own free will and no limit was set on how much to bring. This offering was to simply acknowledge God’s blessings in one’s life. Every day should really be a day of thanks. I have asked God to help me be more appreciative of many things in my life and to take nothing for granted. St. Paul says in all things give thanks. In every situation of life I can be thankful. I may not be thankful for everything that may happen in my life, but I can always have a disposition of heart that is worshipful and thankful. In Luke 17 we see the story of 10 lepers who were visited by Jesus. Jesus comes

into their midst and they all asked to be healed. As they went their way they were healed but only one of the 10 returned to give Jesus thanks. How many times have we been blessed when we did not deserve it? How many times have we done something we should not have done but escape punishment? Oh, I think back many years as a young foolish man and know I have been blessed in so many ways. We have all been blessed like these ten lepers. The righteous and the wicked are given sunshine and rain, clothes to wear and food to eat. But not all return to the good Lord to give Him the thanks He deserves. Thanksgiving day will come and go but not our need to be thankful everyday of our lives. We are admonished to number our days and give ourselves to wisdom. The wise one understands the source of blessing and brevity of life. Oh for a thousand tongues to praise the Lord for His many blessings. America has been through much in the last year; even so, as St. Paul declares, “In everything give thanks.” The Rev. Lankford can be contacted at 286-8078 or via e-mail at revjlankford@gmail.com.

The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, November 22, 2009

—

Local/Obituaries Abuse Continued from Page 1A

would prove to be a serious problem. “He was very, very jealous,” the victim said. “And I did know that. I was aware that he was jealous. But in the beginning it was, ‘he cares about me, wants me to be careful and be looked after.’ And I really took it as a positive thing. Looking back, and I guess age brings wisdom too, I can see that it was a control thing.” Those first blows were devastating. “Do you know what caused him to hit you that first time?” the victim was asked. “Not a clue,” she said. “I never expected it, number one, because we had talked about it at such length. And I was just very, very shocked that he would hit me, especially after I had just had a baby. And worked for his father. At that point we were living with his dad, so I felt like I was backed into a corner. And I was too proud and too stubborn to admit to anybody. My parents would have backed me, but I was too embarrassed to tell them what was going on.” Instead, she was determined to make the marriage work. She said, “When my dad found out I was pregnant, he said, ‘What are you going to do?’ And I said, ‘We’re going to get married.’ And he said, ‘It will never work.’ “And I was determined, I was pretty much hell-bent determined, I was going to prove him wrong. And that was part of it, probably: pride, stubborn pride.”

Patterns of abuse

She did not receive medical treatment after that first attack, but later in the marriage she went to the emergency room once for broken ribs. She added that despite the broken ribs, she never missed a day of work. Domestic violence victims all too often know that there is a sadistic pattern to the beatings and the mental abuse. “He never hit me in the face,” this victim said. “There was never a mark on my face. It was typically on my body, arms, and usually the upper arms where I could wear shirts to hide it. He was very careful about that.” She reports that she was both hit and thrown. “You just hoped and prayed for the best,” she said. And the jealousy that had seemed to be an indication of support and caring, became sickeningly distorted as he accused her of having affairs. “There was one person in particular that he was very jealous of,” she said, “and why, I have no clue, but his father owned a business, and we could go by that business and he would tell my boys, ‘That’s the business that your mama’s boyfriend owns.’” And she found out that when the beatings started, there was little recourse. “There was really no reasoning with him when he was like that,” she said. “I mean, he would wake me up in the middle of the night for some perceived sin that I had done, and who knows what I had done. And looking back, I am not perfect, God knows I am not perfect, but I wasn’t running around on him and I wasn’t … nobody does anything to deserve to be hit. Nobody.” Incidents of abuse People who have never experienced domestic violence situations can’t imagine how unreasonable they are. This victim recalled several incidents, from among many. “There was one night that I remember,” she said. “I got up at 4, and went to work, and I got home at about 4 in the afternoon. I always, always cooked, and that night he told me what he would like to have. He asked for pintos, and I got up early enough to get those in the crock pot. And I fixed everything else that he had wanted, and something about it wasn’t exactly perfect, and he just cleared the table. And food was everywhere. And I had to cook again. I had to cook a new meal.” The children had been sitting at the table when that happened. So, although they were never hit, they were aware of the situation. On another occasion, when her oldest son was five and starting kindergarten, she took him out one night after supper to get clothes and school supplies. But the outing took longer than her husband thought it should have. “He knocked me around really badly,” she said. “I had to lie face-down on the floor for hours before I could get up and do the dishes. I finally got to bed about 2 a.m. and had to get back up at 4 a.m.” Such bizarre incidents led to a tragic dilemma. “I know at one point I went to bed with a butcher knife under the mattress, scared to death to use it, scared to death not to,” she said.

An abuser’s mindset Abusers don’t just hurt their victims physically. They also play games that belittle their mates. While setting himself up as god, the victim said, her husband would tell her, “You’re nothing. What would you be without me?” While those sorts of mind games are played, victims also see the contrite side of abusers. This victim, along with most other victims of domestic violence, heard the abuser say repeatedly that the abuse would never happen again. When asked if her husband vowed the abuse would stop, the victim said, “So many times. So many times. ‘It will never happen again.’ “And he was really bad about, if things got really bad, and he thought I was getting close to leaving, I would get a really nice gift. New car, nice jewelry.” Those material things were hard to enjoy, however, because the interludes where the violence ceased generally lasted only a couple of weeks.

Unlike some victims, though, who say that alcohol contributed to the abuse, this victim reports that alcohol had the opposite effect. “He was not a mean drunk,” she said. “He just didn’t drink enough. He was great when he was drinking. He was a lot of fun, he was just … he was the person I thought I had fallen in love with, when he was drinking.” This victim said she intentionally didn’t have pets during the marriage, partly because of the abuse. “I never had a pet, the whole time we were there,” she said. “It was intentional. Well, number one, I had two small children and two full-time jobs, practically, and I didn’t have time. But I knew he would use it against me because I get very, very attached to pets.”

Obituaries Pamela H. Wyatt

Pamela H. Gagner Wyatt, 54, of Clemmons, died, Friday, Nov. 20, 2009 at her home. She was a native of Rutherford County and was a lifelong Methodist, She is survived by her husband, Randy Wyatt; daughters, Jennifer and Amanda Gagner; Michelle Harris and Summer Wyatt; four grandchildren; her grandmother Others knew, tried to help Wilma Jones; her chosen sister, Kim Keel; her parents, Abuse victims often go to great lengths to Glenn and Carolyn; and her hide their situation, but in this case there extended family of friends. were people who knew or suspected that She graduated from the something was wrong. McColl Graduate School “I had a couple of friends that I talked to,” of Business at Queens the victim said. “And eventually he isolated University in Charlotte with those friends. I never talked to my mom or an MBA where she was a dad about it. Blumenthal Fellow. “Pretty much everybody knew what was Wyatt was instrumental going on. If he would get mad, it didn’t matwith founding Consumer ter pretty much where we were, he would Credit Counseling Service lash out. He didn’t really hit me. The closof the Carolina Foothills in est he ever came, we were at work, and he Rutherford County, prior to got mad at me for whatever, and he pushed relocating to the Winstonme up against a refrigerator-freezer and he Salem area in 1997. reared back and he hit, and he missed me She had a successful career and hit the freezer. All of our employees as a respected leader in the knew what was going on. non-profit community, hav“I am sure a good many of the police offiing most recently served as cers (in the municipality where the business vice-president of the Poor was located) knew it,” she said. “They were and Needy Division of Kate good customers, plus, they were part of the B. Reynolds Charitable Trust village that helped raise me. There was one in particular, he was a detective, and he came in Winston-Salem. Prior to returning to Winstonand talked to me and tried to convince me Salem in November of 2008, to get out, and he was telling me about the restraining order, but that’s a piece of paper.” she served as president of Cape Fear Area United Way She cites an additional reason why she felt in Wilmington, president like she had to stay in the relationship. of Smart Start of Forsyth By this point her mother and father had separated, and her husband gave her a warn- County; vice-president of ing that an unsavory-type guy who was a cus- Community Impact for tomer would be enlisted to get revenge if she United Way of Forsyth County; and president of left him. Consumer Credit Counseling “He said, ‘If you ever leave me, I will send Service of Forsyth County. him to your mama’s house, and he will rape The family will greet and kill her.’ So, I was helpless, or thought I friends today from 5 p.m. was.” to 7 p.m. at Vogler & Sons Clemmons Chapel, 2849 Finally, over the edge Middlebrook Drive. It took a potentially deadly encounter for A service celebrating her the victim to see that the almost five-year life will be held at 11 a.m. marriage had to end. Monday att Vogler & Sons “The week before we left, we had a real big Clemmons Chapel. Burial blow, and I stood up,” she said. “That was will follow at Woodside the first time I ever stood up, and he pulled Cemetery, Clemmons. a gun on me, and it was loaded. We owned Memorial gifts may be a business and it was the gun I carried back directed to Cancer Services, and forth to work, because I carried a large Inc., 3175 Maplewood Ave., sum of money. We owned a restaurant. And I Winston-Salem, NC 27103. carried the money back and forth, and I carried the gun. Lucius B. Morse III “We kept it high in a cabinet ... . And he went and got it and he had the hammer Lucius B. Morse III, 71, pulled back, and the boys (ages 3 and 5 then) died, Wednesday, Nov. 18, came in and they went ballistic, or I wouldn’t 2009 at his home in St. be sitting here now. I have no doubt had they Louis, Mo. not walked in, I wouldn’t be here. He is survived by his wife “They just started screaming. They had Bonnie J. Morse; one son, been taught, adamantly taught, the dangers Lucius B. (Todd) Morse IV of a gun, because we had a loaded gun in the of Hendersonville and Lake house. And they knew. And the boys came to Lure; stepsons, Peter George me. and Steve Mahfood; and four “I don’t know what he did. I know he left, grandchildren. but I don’t know how he handled everything. An avid outdoorsman, he And we were in bed when he got home. served 23 years as a board “It took me about a week to get my stuff member and member emeritogether, to get everything lined up for me to tus of the Missouri Botanical leave. I left with a few of our clothes and my Garden; was instrumenkids. And I still got the better end of the deal. tal in the incorporation of I went to my dad’s. He knew then. I talked to the Shaw Nature Reserve him when I got there. ‘Here we are.’” into the Garden’s legacy; and carried on the legacy of the family ownership of Aftermath of abuse Chimney Rock Park and the Fortunately for this victim, the marriage subsequent development of ended quietly, for the most part. “Right after I left,” she said, “he followed me Chimney Rock State Park. He was a founding member a lot. And I finally told him if he didn’t stop of the Missouri State Parks that I was going to have him arrested, and Foundation; a past chapter then that stopped. He just went away. I was chairman of both the Young lucky on that part.” Presidents Organization He didn’t contest the divorce. and the World Presidents The abuser remarried, and, unfortunately, Organization — both orgathe children one day were at their father’s nizations are internationally house when violence erupted again with the next wife. The children, although very young, chartered business leadership associations. He was a past left the house on a winter day in thin pajaboard member and lifelong mas and no shoes, went to a nearby house supporter of the Repertory and called 911. DSS backed the mother, and Theatre; chairman and CEO the boys never went back to their father. of LBM Enterprises, which This victim considers herself lucky now. over the years encompassed “Fortunately I was one that didn’t repeat The Daily Record (the first the pattern,” she said. “Typically, an abusive legal newspaper west of the situation is repeated. I’ve got absolutely the Mississippi), Mid-America opposite end of the spectrum now.” Printing, Boulevard Motors, She has been remarried, happily this time, The Composing Room and for more than 20 years. In conclusion, this victim stresses that there Chimney Rock Park. In lieu of flowers, conis no stereotype of an abuse victim. tributions may be sent to: “It can be anybody,” she said. “And 99 perMissouri Botanical Gardens, cent of the time, in my case too, you’ll do PO Box 299, St. Louis, MO everything to hide it, because it is a stigma. 63166-0299; or Arthritis And it doesn’t need to be. Even though it Foundation, P.O. Box 96280, wasn’t my fault, I was ashamed of it. I’ve Washington, DC 20077. always been a pretty strong-willed person. A Memorial Service will How did I let myself get there?” be conducted at St. Peter’s But the key, she added, is not to give up Episcopal Church, St. Louis, hope. Monday at 11 a.m. The family “If you are in an abusive situation, there’s help,” she said. “Whether it is family, friends, will receive friends following the service. the PATH shelter, there’s help out there. Use it.”

Debra Upton

Local resources on domestic abuse are: Rutherford Hospital, 286-5000; District Attorney’s Office, 287-4295; PATH, 245-8595; Court Advocate Sharon Tomblin, 286-2765; and Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, 287-6247.

Debra Dill Upton, 51, of Shiloh, died Friday, Nov. 20, 2009 at Hospice House in Forest City.

A native of Rutherford County, she was a daughter of the late Thomas William “Bill” Dill and the late Joyce Dill Mathis. She was a cook at Country Cafe and attended Faith Baptist Church. She is survived by her husband, Danny Upton of Shiloh; one son, Tony Upton of Oakland; two stepsons, Danny Ray Upton Jr. of Green Creek and Casey Upton of Blacksburg, S.C.; two brothers, Tommy Dill of Spindale and Marshall Dill of Bostic; two sisters, Darlene Cummings of Rutherfordton and Renee Dill of Oakland; her grandmother, Brite Griffin Jolley of Rutherfordton; her stepfather, Charlie Mathis; and one step-grandson. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Mickie Michelle Owens. Funeral Services will be held Monday at 2 p.m.at Faith Baptist Church in Forest City with the Revs. Marshall Dill and Donald Dover officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow at Lee’s Chapel UMC Cemetery in Cleveland County. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Rutherford County, P.O. Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043. The family will be at the home of Tim and Darlene Cummings, 179 Flynn Road, Rutherfordton.

Deaths Sally Harrick LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sally Lee Harrick, the wife of former UCLA basketball coach Jim Harrick, has died. She was 70. Nao Takasugi SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Former state Assemblyman Nao Takasugi (NAH’-oh tah-kah-SOO’gee), who was sent to a Japanese internment camp during World War II, has died. He was 87. Takasugi, a Republican from Oxnard, spent six years in the Legislature before he was termed out of office in 1998.

Sy Syms NEW YORK (AP) — Sy Syms, founder and chairman of the SYMS Corp. discount clothing chain, died of heart failure Tuesday in New York, according to a statement issued by the company. He was 83. Syms founded his apparel business in 1959 in New York’s financial district as a discount retailer of off-price men’s clothes. By 1983, he had expanded the business to 11 stores and taken the company public. It eventually grew to 30 stores in 13 states. The company was known by its slogan, “An educated consumer is our best customer,” which Syms created and debuted on its first TV commercial in 1974. The company expanded even further in June, when it bought the Filene’s Basement chain. THE DAILY COURIER Published Tuesday through Sunday mornings by Paxton Media Group LLC dba The Daily Courier USPS 204-920 Periodical Postage paid in Forest City, NC. Company Address: 601 Oak St., P.O. Box 1149, Forest City, NC 28043. Phone: (828) 245-6431 Fax: (828) 248-2790 Subscription rates: Single copy, daily 50¢ / Sunday $1.50. Home delivery $11.75 per month, $35.25 for three months, $70.50 for six months, $129 per year. In county rates by mail payable in advance are: $13.38 for one month, $40.14 for three months, $80.27 for six months, $160.54 per year. Outside county: $14.55 for one month, $43.64 for three months, $87.28 for six months, $174.56 per year. College students for school year subscription, $75. The Digital Courier, $6.50 a month for non-subscribers to The Daily Courier. Payment may be made at the website: www.thedigitalcourier. com The Daily Courier is not responsible for advance subscription payments made to carriers, all of who are independent contractors.

6A — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, November 22, 2009

Calendar/Local

Students show problem solving skills By ALLISON FLYNN Daily Courier Staff Writer

Health/education Diabetes awareness month: November is Diabetes awareness month. The Community Clinic of Rutherford County will offer free Hbg A1C checks during the month of November. This test checks your blood sugar level for 3 months at a time. You do not have to be a current patient of the clinic to have this test performed. Call 245-0400 for an appointment. Community Health Clinic of Rutherford County provides access to primary medical care, wellness education, medications and preventative programs. The clinic, open Monday through Thursday, is located at 127 E. Trade St., B 100, Forest City. Patients seen by appointment only. The clinic does not accept patients with private insurance, Medicaid or Medicare. Call 245-0400.

Meetings/other Democrat meeting: Rutherford County Democrat Club will meet Monday, Nov. 23, at Democrat Headquarters, Main Street, Forest City. Meeting begins at 7 p.m. Christmas party: Thursday, Dec. 3, 6:30 p.m., Union Mills Community House, 6097 Hudlow Road, Union Mills; bring a covered dish and fruit, candy or nuts for Christmas Cheer boxes and shut-ins; also bring Bingo prizes. Annual meeting: S.D.O. Fire Department will hold its annual Board of Directors meeting Saturday, Dec. 5, from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m., at the fire department; all tax payers in the S.D.O. District are eligible to vote; bring picture ID and proof of property owned. CHS Boosters: Chase High Athletic Boosters will meet Monday, Dec. 7, at Mud Bones in Rutherfordton. Dutch treat. Meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous: The TriCity Alano Club meets every day at 1201 Oakland Road, Forest City, (first door on the left). For more information and meeting times call 288-2700. McNair 20th anniversary: The Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation will celebrate its 20th year anniversary on May 14, 2010. If you are a McNair ROPE recipient, contact the foundation at rope2010@att.net or www. mcnairedfoundation.org.

Schools/students Beta Basket auction: Tuesday, Nov. 24, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., chase High School media center; craft fair booths available, also; Beta inductions for new members begins at 5:30 p.m.; Beta Beauties Womanless Beauty Pageant at 7 p.m., admission is one canned food item; the winners will be selected by who gets the most canned food votes; the food will be donated to Chase Corner Ministries and local church food banks. Workshop, open house: Tuesday, Dec. 1, Chase High School media center; open house 4 to 6 p.m., financial aid workshop begins at 6 p.m., juniors and seniors and their parents are encouraged to attend. Food Drive: Students at Forrest Hunt Elementary School are holding a food drive. Canned goods and other non-perishable food items may be dropped off during school hours at Forrest Hunt.

Miscellaneous Free community dinner: Thursday, Nov. 26, (Thanksgiving Day) from 9 a.m. until noon; Thomas Jefferson Classical Grammar School, 421 Hardin Rd., Forest City; free hot meal, canned goods and clothing for anyone in need; for more information call (864) 461-7178.

SPINDALE – “Let’s go, let’s go!” “Go buy tape, hurry!” “Yes!” Fifth graders from Rutherford County Schools lost their marbles Friday – literally – during the annual AIG Creative Problem Solving Event. Each year students have to create various projects, working together toward the end result. This year’s project was to create a Rube Goldberg device to deposit an item into a recycling container. Inventions had to include at least three simple machines in four steps with only two human interactions. Teams were given $500 in play money to purchase materials for their Garrett Byers/Daily Courier devices. They could not go over the Fifth graders from Rutherford County Schools got a chance to exercise there creative given amount, nor could they return and constructive skills Friday during the annual AIG Creative Problem Solving Event or exchange items. held at Isothermal Community College in Spindale. No team included members of the same school, and students were at first reserved, said Mary Councill, here.” tion worker. During lunch, Councill Gifted Program coordinator. Forrest Hunt teacher Sonya Bagwell said, students were encouraged to “When they come out, we usually do walk through and view each other’s said it was her first experience at the some warm up creative problem solvevent, but she was enjoying it. projects. ing – it’s important to get ready for “I’d like to help again.” “They will all walk away with an group collaboration,” she said. appreciation of how many ways there This year’s event held no prizes, but are to solve problems,” she said. Teams did initial ice breakers so that could return next year, Councill Other teachers and parent volunthat when the time came to design, said. teers were on hand to sign off on the groups were comfortable working “For seven years we had a prize, students’ designs and to man the suptogether. and it occurred to me the very act ply store, which held pulleys, wedges, “And nobody knew each other 25 of creativity should not be judged. boxes, string, marbles, piping and minutes ago,” Councill said, gesturBut I’ve had kids who want to have more. ing the groups chattering over their prizes .... there is something about “They’re having a great time,” said designs. having a hierarchy of the best,” she Vonda Rollins, whose son was taking Students began at 9:30 a.m. and said. “Probably next year we’ll have a part in the event. had until 11:10 a.m. to create their trophy.” “They’ll send someone up to buy devices. Each team had a draft something and say ‘No, we don’t need designer, a purchasing agent, supervi- that, but we do need this.’ They’ll Contact Flynn via e-mail at aflynn@thesor, accountant and chief construcdigitalcourier.com. change their minds once they get up

Morse Continued from Page 1A

The story of Chimney Rock and Lake Lure began with Dr. Lucius B. Morse acquired the property more than 100 years ago. Born in 1871 in Missouri, Dr. Morse was a practicing physician when he was diagnosed with tuberculosis. Advised to seek a more healthful climate, he made his way to the thermal belt of Western North Carolina. Surrounded by panoramic vistas, he conceived his dream here, not only of the Park but of the development of Lake Lure. At the time, Jerome B. “Rome”

Irias Continued from Page 1A

deacon and then began preaching God’s word. “Never did I’d dream I’d be preaching the gospel, but I’ll preaching the rest of my life,” he said. He has been preaching at nine different Hispanic churches in Rutherford and surrounding counties, but he wants to go back to Nicaragua. “I believe God is calling me back home and I want to go back to try to reach the people with the gospel of Jesus Christ,” he said. “There is a great need for people to know God,” he continued. The spiritual and physical needs are extensive in his home country and he hopes to begin at least three ministries when he goes back home. Since coming to Rutherford County and enrolling at Fruitland, Martin has received financial support from individuals and churches, including First Baptist Church, Rutherfordton, and the Green River Baptist Association. To go back home and begin the ministries, he will have to

Yokefellow Service Center will hold a Pre-Thanksgiving and Christmas sale on Tuesday, Nov. 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. Storewide halfprice. The store is located at 102 Blanton St., Spindale. Chase Corner Ministries will be closed Friday, Nov. 20, to restock with Christmas merchandise and reopen Monday, Nov. 23. The store will be closed Nov. 26 and 27 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Regular hours resume Nov. 30. Located on Chase High Road, directly across from the high school.

safer and more convenient. They replaced bridges and stairs, improved trails, added scenic view points and refurbished the buildings and elevator.

have additional support, he explained. He hopes to begin at least three ministries in Nicaragua, including a clothing ministry, soup kitchen, radio ministry, starting a Christian school and planting churches. “The younger generation in Nicaragua needs to know God’s Word so they can be changed and a Christian education is the answer,” he says. “Since my country is very poor, meeting physical needs is of utmost importance,” he said. “Jesus met people’s physical needs, too. I will use this as a springboard to evangelize,” he said. The Rev. Billy Honeycutt, director of the Green River Baptist Association, said Irias will do well when he gets back to Nicaragua and will make a huge difference in this country preaching and teaching the gospel. When he came to Forest City, he didn’t know any English but taught himself as well as his training at Fruitland. His first impression of Rutherford County was the cold weather. Coming Central America where the temperatures hovered around 80 to 100

degrees, he found winter to be drastically different. “I didn’t have any money, didn’t have a job or anything and it was very cold,” he said. “But I found the help from the Word of God,” he continued. He came to Rutherford County because he knew a couple who had moved here from Ecquador and he lived with them. Irias said God has opened many doors for him in Rutherford County and believes God will open the doors for him in Nicaragua. He hopes to be back home in March 2010 to begin the ministries. “I can feel safe in God’s hands through Jesus. There is no other way,” he added. If interested in helping with his ministries, send financial support to: Cristo Vive Baptist Church, 929 Oakland Road, Forest City, Attn: Pastor Jairo Contreras. If writing a check, write on the memo for: IriasNicaragua.

In addition to making the Park safer and more convenient, the Morses placed an even greater emphasis on the preservation of plants and wildlife in Hickory Nut Gorge. In 1978, two University of North Carolina at Charlotte professors had surveyed the Park and discovered an astonishing diversity of plants and many unique geological features. Contact Gordon via e-mail at jgordon@thedigitalcourier.com.

Contact Gordon via e-mail at jgordon@thedigit alcourier.com.

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The Central Landfill and all convenience centers will be closed Nov. 25 and 26 in observance of Thanksgiving. Regular hours will resume Friday, Nov. 27. Foothills Harvest Outreach Ministries will hold a half-price sale on all winter sweaters Nov. 23-28. The store will be closed Nov. 26, in observance of Thanksgiving. Located at 120 E. Trade St., Forest City.

Freeman owned Chimney Rock, having purchased it and the surrounding 400 acres from a speculation company for $25.00 around 1870. It was Freeman who first thought of making a trail to the base and erecting a stairway to the top of the Rock; he opened it to the public in 1885. In 1902, with the financial backing of his brothers, Morse paid Freeman $5,000 for 64 acres of Chimney Rock Mountain, including the Chimney and cliffs. During the 1970s and 80s, the third and fourth generation Morse family, Lucius III and his son, Todd, became actively involved as the directors of the Park. They focused on improvements to make the grounds and trails

Sally Glover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208 Virle Martin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208

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James R. Brown/publisher . . . . . . . . . . . . .209 Steven E. Parham/executive editor . . . . . .210 Lori Spurling/ advertising director . . . . . . .224 Pam Dixon/ ad production coordinator . . . 231 Anthony Rollins/ circulation director . . . . .206

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Scott Bowers, sports editor . . . . . . . . . . . . .213 Jean Gordon, features editor . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 Abbe Byers, lifestyles editor. . . . . . . . . . . . .215 Allison Flynn, editor/reporter . . . . . . . . . . . .218 Garrett Byers, photography . . . . . . . . . . . . .212 Scott Baughman, reporter . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216 Larry Dale, reporter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .217 Bobbie Greene, typesetting . . . . . . . . . . . . .220 Virginia Rucker, contributing editor

Phone: 245-6431

Jessica Higgins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202 Cindy White . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200

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Chrissy Driver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .226 Jill Hasty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227 Jessica Hendrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .228

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Gary Hardin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222 An operator will direct your call during business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. After business hours, you can reach the person you are calling using this list. As soon as you hear the automated attendant, use your Touch Tone phone to dial 1 and the person’s extension or dial 3 for dial by name.

Fax: 248-2790

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The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, November 22, 2009 — 7A

Economist sees N.C. recovery next year

Business Notes Life Services to be in spotlight at Reverse Raffle

RITHERFORDTON — The Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce has picked Rutherford Life Services as the Guest of Honor for the annual Reverse Raffle Dec. 4 at The Foundation. The honor involves recognition in the event program, a pictorial introduction of the non-profit’s many services, and a role as co-moderator of the event. This is the third year the Chamber has used the Raffle to recognize outstanding organizations in the community. Past winners have been The Habitat ReStore and Family Resources. Life Services executive director Larry Brown said he and his crew were surprised, pleased and honored when notified of the agency’s selection. “It’s like a bonus for doing a job that brings us plenty of daily satisfaction,” he said. The organization operates a variety of services that assist families and individuals with special needs. The LifeCare adult day care center gives relief to caregivers who need a break or have to work. The service has been described by caregivers as a “lifesaver.” It is open daily and is the only one of its kind in the county. An employment training program places special individuals in work that promotes self esteem, accomplishment and self-reliance. Individuals with intense needs benefit from an activity-based program geared to developing skills for daily living. The Learning Tree, a four star accredited developmental day service for children ages six weeks to 12 years, provides a level of professional care and training not often found in a community our size. The Star Program focuses on preparing challenged youth 13 to 17 for an enhanced life experience. “We get to see and participate in successful life stories on a daily basis,” Brown continued. “It’s the most rewarding career experience I have ever had.” Brown will share the stage at the Raffle with moderator Jim Bishop, WCAB, and assist in awarding nearly 100 prizes and the Chamber’s grand prize of $10,000 cash. The Raffle is open to the public. Tickets sell for $100 each, admit two people and cover food, drinks and a chance at the prizes. Call 287-3090 for ticket info.

reported that with the state’s unemployment rate at 10.8 percent, the scarcity of jobs is stiffening the resolve of the unemployed to collect their benefits — even when they’ve been fired. At the same time, many employers are just as determined to block the benefits, because the payouts can increase a company’s costs. So far this year, more than 54,000 benefits appeals have been filed. At that rate, David Clegg, the commission’s deputy chairman and chief operating officer, expects appeals will set a record this year. To handle the crush, the ESC this year has added 87 officials to handle ini-

RALEIGH — North Carolina will climb slowly out of recession over the next two years, with the state’s metropolitan areas leading the way. That is the prediction of Dr Mike Walden, William Neal Reynolds professor and North Carolina Cooperative Extension economist in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University. Walden prepares an economic outlook for the state every six months. In his North Carolina Economic Outlook: Winter 2009, he sees the end of what some have called the “Great Recession,” the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Walden sees the North Carolina unemployment rate peaking early in 2010 at between 11.3 and 11.5 percent. From that point, unemployment will gradually improve. North Carolina’s unemployment rate stood at 5 percent in December 2007, and Walden does not foresee a return to that number in the near future. The economist sees the jobless rate falling to 9.8 percent by the end of 2010 and to 8.9 percent at the end of 2011. Economic indicators such as manufacturing output, earnings per worker and retail sales have trended upward in recent months, Walden points out, while the housing market, which sparked the recession, appears to have bottomed out. Walden sees North Carolina’s

Please see Benefits, Page 8A

Please see Recovery, Page 8A

Associated Press

Michael Johnson re-files appeals claims at the Employment Security Commission office, Wednesday, Nov. 18, in Raleigh. The News & Observer of Raleigh reported that with the state’s unemployment rate at 10.8 percent, the scarcity of jobs is stiffening the resolve of the unemployed to collect their benefits, even when they’ve been fired.

Employees fighting harder for unemployment benefits An AP Member Exchange By JOHN MURAWSKI The News & Observer of Raleigh

RALEIGH — When Jason Smith was fired from his job as a graphic designer earlier this year, he did what some might consider unusual: He filed for unemployment benefits. And when the Employment Security Commission denied his claim, Smith did something almost unheard of a few years ago. He hired a lawyer to take on his former boss for his weekly $371 benefits check. “I felt wrongly fired,” Smith said. “I fight for the things I think I deserve.” The News & Observer of Raleigh

NEW BUSINESS Shane Hall’s Dent Doctor is now open for business at 636 West Main St. in Forest City. Dent Doctor is your one-stop shop for all your minor dent repairs. With 14 years of experience formerly offered only to dealers, the Dent Doctor specializes in hail damage and parking lot ding repair. Hall uses specialized tools and new age technique to preform all repairs without the need for painting. The process involves forming the metal back into its original shape without cracking or damaging the paint. All services are offered at a fraction of the cost of traditional bondo and repainting methods. Business hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Phone: 828-245-6548. Garrett Byers/The Daily Courier

J.C. Penney CEO sees retail industry changes

Company offered $900K for 370 jobs GREENSBORO, (AP) — One of the country’s largest medical sample testing companies could get nearly $900,000 in taxpayer incentives if it consolidates billing operations in North Carolina. Multiple media outlets reported Friday that Guilford County commissioners approved a plan worth nearly $250,000 in hopes of coaxing Laboratory Corp. of America to bring 370 jobs to Greensboro. Salaries would average about $27,000 a year. The state has offered $275,000 and the city added $370,000 to the package. The Burlington company is considering a consolidated billing site in Greensboro or Danville, Va. LabCorp employs about 28,000 workers worldwide. LabCorp last month posted third-quarter profits of $131 million, but trimmed its profit forecast for the full year.

Associated Press

In this Oct. 23 photo, Mike Ullman, Chairman and CEO of J.C. Penney Company, Inc., rides a Segway as he visits a company store in New York.

NEW YORK (AP) — This holiday season, J.C. Penney CEO and Chairman Myron E. Ullman III is armed with a lineup of exclusive fashion brands he helped bring to the department store chain, and he’s ready to battle key rivals like Macy’s. During more than two decades in retailing, Ullman has seen a slew of competitors go out of business and — as Macy’s CEO in the early 1990s — even succumbed to a hostile takeover bid, from Federated Department Stores. But he says nothing presented the kinds of challenges that Penney’s and other stores face now. He believes this recession has permanently made consumers more frugal. Always an optimist, he says this plays to Penney’s strength, however, because the moderate-price chain offers a stylish alternative to higher-price rivals. Under his stewardship since December 2004, Penney has moved from offering mainly store brands to filling its floors with trendy Sephora cosmetics shops and affordable lines from designers like Nicole Miller. This fall saw the arrival of “Cindy Crawford Style,” a home furnishing and accessories collection exclusive to Penney, and JOE Joseph Abboud, an exclusive collection of men’s sportswear and tailored clothing. And the company announced it will be the sole U.S. store selling all the Liz Claiborne lines, except for the Isaac Mizrahi-designed Liz Claiborne New York brand, which goes to QVC next fall. As many other retailers have closed stores or laid off workers in response to the downturn, Penney has kept investing, most notably opening its first Manhattan store in July.

Please see CEO, Page 8A

8A â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, November 22, 2009

Business/finance

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

WEEKLY STOCK EXCHANGE HIGHLIGHTS

NYSE

7,084.47 -35.42

GAINERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last Chg ExprsJet 3.92 +1.36 Ambac3-03n5.87 +1.88 Ambac2-03 5.78 +1.79 GSC Inv 2.86 +.82 LaZBoy 9.17 +2.13 LDK Solar 8.00 +1.61 Agria Cp lf 3.35 +.61 VirginMob 5.13 +.93 SprintNex 3.76 +.66 Trex 20.05 +3.49

%Chg +53.1 +47.1 +44.7 +40.2 +30.3 +25.2 +22.3 +22.1 +21.3 +21.1

AMEX

1,782.07 -38.77

GAINERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last GeoGloblR 2.72 Chrmcft 2.25 ChMda wt 5.49 VirnetX 3.09 ChinaGrn n17.14 ChMarFd n 6.25 ChMda un 17.55 MercBcp 3.60 MinesMgt 2.72 AdcareHlt 2.60

Chg +1.11 +.86 +1.64 +.92 +4.09 +1.18 +3.04 +.60 +.42 +.38

%Chg +68.9 +61.9 +42.6 +42.4 +31.3 +23.2 +21.0 +20.0 +18.3 +17.1

WEEKLY DOW JONES

HAVE YOU REVIEWED YOUR 136.49 30.46 -11.11 -93.87 -14.28

NASDAQ

Dow Jones industrials

2,146.04 -21.84

GAINERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last TTI Tm 2.16 IndepFed lf 2.00 Netlist h 7.27 Dataram 4.75 SmartHt n 13.64 Semitool 10.97 Starlims 10.19 NABI Bio 4.90 SalemCm 5.30 FstbkMI 8.05

Chg +1.03 +.77 +2.80 +1.77 +4.43 +3.36 +2.84 +1.34 +1.41 +1.89

%Chg +91.2 +62.6 +62.6 +59.4 +48.1 +44.2 +38.6 +37.6 +36.2 +30.7

LOSERS ($2 OR MORE) Name Last Chg %Chg ADairy 24.34 -8.09 -24.9 INGIntHiD 11.75 -3.44 -22.6 UnivTrav n 10.78 -3.13 -22.5 LeapFrog 3.19 -.85 -21.0 PlaybyA 4.88 -1.12 -18.7 NACCO 52.78-10.95 -17.2 JacobsEng 36.59 -7.36 -16.7 MSSPMid105.59 -1.12 -16.6 Technitrl 5.18 -1.02 -16.5 PlaybyB 3.84 -.71 -15.6

LOSERS ($2 OR MORE) Name Last Chg %Chg BioTime wt 2.29 -.73 -24.2 BioTime n 4.06 -.99 -19.6 UltEscapes 6.10 -1.40 -18.7 Geokinetics11.08 -2.07 -15.7 CornerStr rs10.73 -1.94 -15.3 SinoHub n 4.12 -.68 -14.2 Aerocntry 16.15 -2.60 -13.9 CrnstTR rs 10.72 -1.69 -13.6 NwGold g 3.62 -.53 -12.8 Invitel 3.06 -.43 -12.3

LOSERS ($2 OR MORE) Name Last Chg %Chg Poniard h 2.53 -5.05 -66.6 FCtyBFL 2.30 -.95 -29.2 ParkBcp h 4.06 -1.53 -27.4 CerusCp 2.00 -.72 -26.5 SevenArts n 3.36 -1.15 -25.5 Oncolyt g 2.70 -.90 -25.0 PacSunwr 3.60 -1.19 -24.8 Optimal grs 2.17 -.70 -24.4 CraftBrew 2.84 -.89 -23.9 WaccaBk 3.48 -1.07 -23.6

MOST ACTIVE ($1 OR MORE) Name Vol (00) Last Chg Citigrp 11429270 4.20 +.15 SPDR 7408595 109.43 -.19 BkofAm 7223104 16.09 +.11 FordM 5127939 8.64 +.23 SprintNex 4931274 3.76 +.66 DirFBear rs3756123 19.99 +.21 iShEMkts 3690532 40.65 -.39 SPDR Fncl 3670612 14.60 -.06 GenElec 3301120 15.59 -.07 iShR2K 2531416 58.59 -.14

MOST ACTIVE ($1 OR MORE) Name Vol (00) Last Chg NwGold g 266010 3.62 -.53 GoldStr g 250587 3.46 +.01 NthgtM g 185424 3.22 +.20 CelSci 171396 1.30 -.02 GrtBasG g 131970 1.57 +.01 NovaGld g 127711 5.27 ... Oilsands g 123228 1.11 -.10 GranTrra g 114209 5.60 +.19 InovioBio 110162 1.53 +.30 Taseko 106086 3.20 -.01

MOST ACTIVE ($1 OR MORE) Name Vol (00) Last Chg PwShs QQQ4335386 43.44 -.57 ETrade 4142225 1.64 +.11 Intel 3008801 19.24 -.58 Microsoft 2820830 29.62 +.12 DryShips 2278772 6.29 -.56 DirecTV A 2270723 31.54 +1.72 Dell Inc 1869357 14.29 -1.11 Cisco 1859483 23.46 -.25 Comcast 1393588 15.01 -.42 3Com 1321291 7.45 -.06

Advanced Declined Unchanged Total issues New Highs New Lows Volume

DIARY

1,292 1,750 112 3,154 52 3 3,816,821,386

DIARY

Advanced Declined Unchanged Total issues New Highs New Lows Volume

239 300 45 584 9 7 108,395,835

CEO Continued from Page 7A

Ullman, the eldest of seven children, says his father, Myron E. Ullman II â&#x20AC;&#x201D; an industrial engineer who invented a modern version of the dishwasher in the late 1950s â&#x20AC;&#x201D; taught him to innovate. They even built the family house together in northern Ohio. A neuromuscular condition that requires Ullman, 62, to get around by scooter hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t slowed him. He says heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s devoted to his wife, Cathy, their four sons and the two daughters, now 24 and 15, they adopted in 1988 and 1997 from Hong Kong, and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s done charity work for years. He helped found an orphanage in Hong Kong more than 20 years ago and, for eight years, has led the board of Mercy Ships International, a global medical and service charity. He says he sent his sons to volunteer on the ship, which â&#x20AC;&#x153;kept them groundedâ&#x20AC;? and helped them appreciate all they have. Here are some excerpts from an interview with Ullman at the new store in Manhattanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Herald Square. Q. What has it been like to navigate the biggest consumer spending downturn in decades? A. It is an especially important time to be clear in our communications, in how we are going to focus our efforts. We made a conscious decision to moderate some of our behavior: expenses, capital, inventories. We wanted to maintain our focus on some of our key principles like our key brands. And we actually wanted to accelerate our investments in some categories, like Sephora and customer service, rather just saying itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be a tough economy and everything is going to change. Q. How have your consumersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; habits changed? A. We are dealing with a middle-income consumer (who) has been the one with the most changes in terms of discretionary behavior. The bottom quartile is very focused on the daily needs. The top quartile has resources and is not concerned

Advanced Declined New Highs New Lows Total issues Unchanged Volume

DIARY

1,246 1,617 272 74 2,942 79 10,152,260,054

LIFEClose: INSURANCE LATELY? 10,318.16

1-week change: 47.69 (0.5%)

11,000

MON

Earth-friendly. Insured. Locally Owned (828) 243-9359 (800) 554-9270 http://foothillsfurniturerepair.web.officelive.com

FRI

10,438.17 4,066.40 388.86 7,266.51 1,887.23 2,205.32 1,113.69 11,470.47 625.30 3,005.41

6,469.95 2,134.21 288.66 4,181.75 1,130.47 1,265.52 666.79 6,772.29 342.59 1,789.23

Name

Dow Jones Industrials Dow Jones Transportation Dow Jones Utilities NYSE Composite AMEX Index Nasdaq Composite S&P 500 Wilshire 5000 Russell 2000 Lipper Growth Index

8,000

Last

Wk Chg

10,318.16 3,945.52 371.84 7,084.47 1,782.07 2,146.04 1,091.38 11,228.87 584.67 2,930.02

+47.69 -15.05 -1.73 -35.42 -38.77 -21.84 -2.10 -13.05 -1.61 -30.51

MUTUAL FUNDS

STOCKS OF LOCAL INTEREST Name

Wk Wk YTD Div Last Chg %Chg%Chg

Name

Wk Wk YTD Div Last Chg %Chg%Chg

AT&T Inc Amazon ArvMerit BB&T Cp BkofAm BerkHa A Cisco Delhaize Dell Inc DukeEngy ExxonMbl FamilyDlr FifthThird FCtzBA GenElec GoldmanS Google KrispKrm

1.64 26.02 -.23 -0.9 -8.7 ... 129.66 -3.31 -2.5+152.8 ... 8.52 -.36 -4.1+198.9 .60 24.60 +.15 +0.6 -10.4 .04 16.09 +.11 +0.7 +14.3 ...103250.00+1195.00+1.2 +6.9 ... 23.46 -.25 -1.1 +43.9 2.01 76.00 -.25 -0.3 +20.7 ... 14.29 -1.11 -7.2 +39.6 .96 16.22 +.18 +1.1 +8.1 1.68 74.38 +1.91 +2.6 -6.8 .54 30.38 +.75 +2.5 +16.5 .04 9.97 +.23 +2.4 +20.7 1.20 153.65 -.44 -0.3 +.6 .40 15.59 -.07 -0.4 -3.8 1.40 170.01 -6.75 -3.8+101.5 ... 569.96 -2.09 -0.4 +85.3 ... 3.35 -.29 -8.0 +99.4

LeggPlat Lowes Microsoft PPG ParkerHan ProgrssEn RedHat RoyalBk g SaraLee SonicAut SonocoP SpectraEn SpeedM Timken UPS B WalMart

1.04 .36 .52 2.16 1.00 2.48 ... 2.00 .44 ... 1.08 1.00 .36 .36 1.80 1.09

19.53 21.35 29.62 59.25 53.98 38.51 27.09 53.94 12.49 9.02 27.92 19.10 16.37 25.13 57.51 54.28

-.32 -.50 +.12 -1.11 -.77 +.41 -1.09 -1.02 +.55 -.13 +.12 -.07 +.38 +.93 +.82 +1.08

-1.6 +28.6 -2.3 -.8 +0.4 +52.4 -1.8 +39.6 -1.4 +26.9 +1.1 -3.4 -3.9+104.9 -1.9 +81.9 +4.6 +27.6 -1.4+126.6 +0.4 +20.6 -0.4 +21.3 +2.4 +1.6 +3.8 +28.0 +1.4 +4.3 +2.0 -3.2

Stock Footnotes: g = Dividends and earnings in Canadian dollars. h = Does not meet continued-listing standards. lf = Late filing with SEC. n = New in past 52 weeks. pf = Preferred. rs = Stock has undergone a reverse stock split of at least 50 percent within the past year. rt = Right to buy security at a specified price. s = Stock has split by at least 20 percent within the last year. un = Units. vj = In bankruptcy or receivership. wd = When distributed. wi = When issued. wt = Warrants. Mutual Fund Footnotes: b = Fee covering market costs is paid from fund assets. d = Deferred sales charge, or redemption fee. f = front load (sales charges). m = Multiple fees are charged. NA = not available. p = previous dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s net asset value. s = fund split shares during the week. x = fund paid a distribution during the week.Gainers and Losers must be worth at least $2 to be listed in tables at left. Most Actives must be worth at least $1. Volume in hundreds of shares. Source: The Associated Press. Sales figures are unofficial.

Total Assets Name Obj ($Mlns) NAV PIMCO TotRetIs CI 111,038 11.00 American Funds GrthAmA m LG 61,982 26.80 American Funds CapIncBuA m IH 56,647 47.92 American Funds CpWldGrIA m WS 53,772 33.85 Fidelity Contra LG 52,867 56.63 Vanguard TotStIdx LB 52,578 26.78 American Funds IncAmerA m MA 47,485 15.33 American Funds InvCoAmA m LB 46,374 25.45 Vanguard 500Inv LB 45,505 100.91 Vanguard InstIdx LB 40,396 100.27 American Funds EurPacGrA m FB 38,984 38.52 Dodge & Cox Stock LV 37,893 93.96 American Funds WAMutInvA m LV 37,017 24.29 Dodge & Cox IntlStk FV 34,519 31.59 American Funds NewPerspA m WS 31,027 25.36 Fidelity DivrIntl d FG 30,998 27.88 PIMCO TotRetAdm b CI 29,461 11.00 American Funds FnInvA m LB 28,754 32.00 American Funds BalA m MA 28,593 16.17 FrankTemp-Franklin Income A mCA 27,892 2.00 American Funds BondA m CI 27,597 11.90 Vanguard Welltn MA 26,971 28.76 Vanguard 500Adml LB 26,340 100.93 Fidelity GrowCo LG 25,826 65.51 Vanguard TotStIAdm LB 25,120 26.79 Vanguard TotIntl FB 24,329 14.57 Vanguard InstPlus LB 23,676 100.28 Fidelity LowPriStk d MB 22,842 30.68 T Rowe Price EqtyInc LV 14,422 20.55 Hartford CapAprA m LB 9,041 29.75 Pioneer PioneerA m LB 4,047 34.89 Goldman Sachs ShDuGovA m GS 1,363 10.54 Alliance Bernstein GrowIncA m LV 1,179 2.91 DWS-Scudder REstA m SR 386 13.15 Hartford GrowthL m LG 177 14.61

Continued from Page 7A

tial claims and appeals. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In times of economic recession, people will have a greater incentive to appeal, when in normal circumstances theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d rather get a job and move on,â&#x20AC;? Clegg said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Historically thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not been enough money in it. Now youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking at claims amounts that are quite sizable.â&#x20AC;? As far as financial incentives go, the past year has been a game-changer: Congress just extended the number of months a person can receive unemployment benefits by another 20 weeks for states where unemployment rates are above 8.5 percent, such as North Carolina. The extension, the fourth this year, increases the maximum benefit from $13,130 over about 26 weeks to about $45,000 over 99 weeks. Many people who now collect benefits in North Carolina will qualify for the extension. The function of the benefits is to stabilize the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy, Clegg said. The ultimate beneficiaries are the stores and businesses where the unemployment benefits are spent on groceries, clothing and bills. So for someone to lose out on jobless benefits in North Carolina, it takes more than getting fired, Clegg said. A company has to prove that the worker was fired for fraud, misconduct or gross negligence. Workers who quit can also qualify for benefits if they can show extenuating circumstances, such as burdensome work schedules or overwhelming tasks. In cases where a worker bore â&#x20AC;&#x153;substantial faultâ&#x20AC;? for his or her dismissal, the ESC has the option of awarding unemployment benefits without charging the company. The ESC can award partial benefits to the applicant by limiting the benefits period and not allowing extensions. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what happened to Annie Parker, a 63-year-old nurse who worked four years at Brian Center Health and Rehabilitation in Durham. She was fired in 2008 after signing the wrong sheet that recorded drugs to be dispensed to patients. Parker lost in the first round. On appeal, the ESC hearing officer concluded the mistake was serious but did not rise to the level of misconduct. She won $494 a week for up to 22 weeks. The stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s benefits policy irritates some business owners. The more a business burdens the system by putting people on unemployment benefits, the more that business has to con-

economy growing over the next two years, but slowly. Economic growth will be held back by consumer debt, he predicts. Consumers entered the recession with what Walden calls â&#x20AC;&#x153;historically high outstanding debt.â&#x20AC;? The

Lay-A-Way for Christmas Now!

Made in the USA

7 -AIN 3T 3PINDALE s

+.46 +17.57 -.38 +11.55 -.46 +.29 -.50 +23.06 -2.13 +27.52 -1.01 +36.08 -.19 +20.83 -.12 +23.57 -.27 +17.06 -1.03 +33.33

Total Return/Rank 4-wk 12-mo 5-year +1.0 +19.7/C +7.1/A -0.3 +55.8/C +3.0/A +0.2 +35.5/D +4.4/C -0.5 +58.8/C +6.9/A +0.4 +46.3/D +4.9/A -0.4 +52.3/B +1.2/B +0.9 +39.2/C +3.1/B +0.8 +46.0/D +1.7/B +0.2 +48.8/C +0.6/C +0.2 +49.0/C +0.7/C -1.6 +68.4/A +8.7/A -0.9 +58.8/A -0.2/D +1.6 +39.4/E +0.4/C -4.3 +83.1/A +6.6/A -0.1 +64.5/B +6.2/A -2.2 +63.5/C +4.6/C +1.0 +19.4/C +6.8/A -0.4 +56.2/B +4.1/A +1.3 +36.6/D +2.4/C +0.1 +48.5/A +3.5/B +1.0 +19.1/C +2.7/E +0.6 +40.2/C +5.2/A +0.3 +49.0/C +0.7/C -0.8 +61.6/B +4.4/A -0.4 +52.4/B +1.3/B -2.1 +71.0/A +6.2/A +0.3 +49.0/C +0.7/C -1.9 +70.0/B +3.7/A -0.9 +50.8/B +1.1/B -0.2 +71.3/A +4.1/A +0.8 +41.3/E +1.3/B +0.6 +6.5/B +4.8/A 0.0 +57.2/A -1.3/E +3.5 +81.8/B +0.6/B -1.7 +56.8/B +0.3/D

+28.23 +26.35 +1.50 +42.84 +48.02 +55.02 +36.42 +41.67 +43.82 +56.08

Pct Min Init Load Invt NL 5,000,000 5.75 250 5.75 250 5.75 250 NL 2,500 NL 3,000 5.75 250 5.75 250 NL 3,000 NL 5,000,000 5.75 250 NL 2,500 5.75 250 NL 2,500 5.75 250 NL 2,500 NL 5,000,000 5.75 250 5.75 250 4.25 1,000 3.75 250 NL 10,000 NL 100,000 NL 2,500 NL 100,000 NL 3,000 NL200,000,000 NL 2,500 NL 2,500 5.50 1,000 5.75 1,000 1.50 1,000 4.25 2,500 5.75 1,000 4.75 0

tribute to the benefits pool. Conversely, companies whose former workers donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t collect state unemployment benefits have reduced payments over time, in some cases down to zero. Companies that have large or repeated layoffs can be charged as much as 5.7 percent of the first $19,800 a year paid to each employee. A large company with several thousand workers could end up owing several million dollars a year if it pays the maximum rate. For smaller businesses, even one or two people collecting benefits can hurt the bottom line. Fayetteville lawyer Sharon Keyes fired a paralegal after just eight days on the job because she wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t qualified. When the paralegal filed a claim for $197 a week in benefits, Keyes tried to block it, arguing that as a small business owner she should be able to decide whom to hire and whom to fire. The ESC disagreed and ruled in the former paralegalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favor three times before Keyes finally gave up last year. Of course, the commission can just as easily side with the former employer and deny benefits. Usually an unprepared worker is no match for an experienced corporate human resources department in a legal proceeding at the commission, said Monica Wilson, a Durham lawyer who used to work as an ESC hearing officer. Wilsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s firm represented more than 1,000 clients last year. So far this year, it has handled appeals for nearly 1,400 jobless people. One of Wilsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clients was Jason Smith, the graphic artist. His former boss told the ESC that Smith was fired because he was a bad fit. While some like Smith are getting savvier about hiring lawyers, most of those appealing an ESC decision still try to go through the process on their own. Lawyers have handled only an estimated several thousand of the 54,000-plus appeals logged this year. Appealing cases requires patience. Anthony Irving, who quit his custodial job at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Durham last year, spent more than three months waiting for benefits after his claim was initially denied in December. Irving, 48, began collecting $219 a week in benefits from the state this year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I would have been homelessâ&#x20AC;? without the weekly payments, Irving said. He resigned from his job of eight years because of health problems. During the delay he survived on food stamps and stopped paying rent.

economist doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think consumers will begin to spend until theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve paid down some of that debt, and consumer spending tends to drive the economy. The result will be a slow recovery, although Walden writes, â&#x20AC;&#x153;economic activity in the state is expected to be more robust than in the nation, and this will be a distinct advantage for the state

Vassey and Hemphill has Personalized Wood Board and Spreader

Wk YTD 12-mo %Chg %Chg %Chg

CA -Conservative Allocation, CI -Intermediate-Term Bond, ES -Europe Stock, FB -Foreign Large Blend, FG -Foreign LargeGrowth, FV -Foreign Large Value, IH -World Allocation, LB -Large Blend, LG -Large Growth, LV -Large Value, MA -Moderate Allocation, MB -Mid-Cap Blend, MV - MidCap Value, SH -Specialty-heath, WS -World Stock, Total Return: Chng in NAV with dividends reinvested. Rank: How fund performed vs. others with same objective: A is in top 20%, E in bottom 20%. Min Init Invt: Minimum $ needed to invest in fund. Source: Morningstar.

Benefits

Continued from Page 7A

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THUR

STOCK MARKET INDEXES

9,000

Reovery FOOTHILLS FURNITURE REPAIR s 4OUCH UPS s 2ESTORATIONS s #USTOM 7OODWORKING s 2ElNISHING s 7OOD 2EPAIR s #HAIR 2EPAIR

WED

10,000

about the day-to-day things. There is this new normal. People are going to be very pragmatic. That plays to our strengths and it just encourages us to be sharper on prices. Q. How prepared do you feel about the holiday shopping season? A. A year ago, we had way too much inventory so our primary issue was how we were going to get rid of this stuff. This year, we have our inventory invested in key categories. We are much better positioned to take care of the customer on the things that we think they are going to want for Christmas. We are encouraged by the fashion they were buying (in October). Wool coats sold very well, and womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s apparel is the leading category. Q. Analysts say the line between Macyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Penney is blurring as you add more bigname brands. With your new store just a few blocks away from Macyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flagship in Manhattan, that battle appears to be even more heated. A. I have a lot of friends at Macyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. I think they have got some challenging issues of their own in terms of their merger with the May Co. They need to focus on their business (but) I am going to focus on taking as much of their business away as possible. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s my job. It obviously has made them sharper by having us across the street. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the way it works in retail: Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no place to hide. Q. How did you get into retailing? A. I went to work for IBM for seven years. I handled the Procter & Gamble account for IBM worldwide. Then I went to the University of Cincinnati as the vice president of business (affairs). Then I was a White House fellow. Then I decided to go back and look (up) the accounts I had at IBM â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Federated, Kroger, and P&G. Federated offered me an opportunity at Sanger-Harris (department store) in Dallas. The opportunity was basically to learn retailing from the ground up.

Serving the Carolina Foothills

TUES

52-Week High Low

in recruiting and attracting new businesses and enterprises.â&#x20AC;? Economic improvement will be uneven across the state. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Job growth will be strongest in the Charlotte, Triangle and Wilmington regions, and several regions will continue to have unemployment rates above 10 percent at the end of 2011,â&#x20AC;? Walden writes.

The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, November 22, 2009 — 9A

Weather/State/Nation Weather The Daily Courier Weather Today

Tonight

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Rain Likely

Isolated Rain

Mostly Sunny

Precip Chance: 80%

Precip Chance: 30%

Precip Chance: 5%

49º

42º

60º 42º

66º 43º

63º 40º

57º 35º

Almanac

Local UV Index

Around Our State Today

Statistics provided by Broad River Water Authority through 7 a.m. yesterday.

0 - 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11+

Temperatures

0-2: Low, 3-5: Moderate, 6-7: High, 8-10: Very High, 11+: Extreme Exposure

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City

Sun and Moon Sunrise today . . . . .7:09 Sunset tonight . . . . .5:18 Moonrise today . . .11:47 Moonset today . . . .10:28

Precipitation 24 hrs through 7 a.m. yest. .Trace Month to date . . . . . . . . .6.09" Year to date . . . . . . . . .49.91"

a.m. p.m. a.m. p.m.

Moon Phases

Barometric Pressure High yesterday . . . . . . .30.16"

Relative Humidity

First 11/24

High yesterday . . . . . . . . .87%

Asheville . . . . . . .49/41 Cape Hatteras . . .63/60 Charlotte . . . . . . .50/43 Fayetteville . . . . .55/51 Greensboro . . . . .48/45 Greenville . . . . . .57/50 Hickory . . . . . . . . . .47/42 Jacksonville . . . .60/50 Kitty Hawk . . . . . .60/57 New Bern . . . . . .60/52 Raleigh . . . . . . . .52/47 Southern Pines . .53/47 Wilmington . . . . .65/56 Winston-Salem . .47/44

ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra ra sh ra

56/39 66/56 61/42 65/45 60/40 62/47 60/41 65/47 61/55 65/50 63/43 63/42 69/49 59/40

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Weather (Wx): cl/cloudy; pc/partly cloudy; ra/rain; rs/rain & snow; s/sunny; sh/showers; sn/snow; t/thunderstorms; w/windy

New 12/16

Last 12/8

Full 12/2

Monday

Hi/Lo Wx Hi/Lo Wx

North Carolina Forecast

Greensboro 48/45

Asheville 49/41

Forest City 49/42 Charlotte 50/43

Today

Kinston 58/50 Wilmington 65/56

Today’s National Map

Monday

City

Hi/Lo Wx Hi/Lo Wx

Atlanta . . . . . . . . Baltimore . . . . . . Chicago . . . . . . . Detroit . . . . . . . . Indianapolis . . . Los Angeles . . . Miami . . . . . . . . . New York . . . . . . Philadelphia . . . Sacramento . . . . San Francisco . . Seattle . . . . . . . . Tampa . . . . . . . . Washington, DC

.56/44 .54/46 .54/44 .52/40 .56/41 .72/52 .85/71 .54/44 .58/43 .59/44 .63/50 .48/42 .80/62 .54/47

sh mc pc pc mc s sh s mc pc pc sh t ra

Greenville 57/50

Raleigh 52/47

Fayetteville 55/51

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Across Our Nation

Elizabeth City 61/52

Durham 51/46

Winston-Salem 47/44

65/45 55/47 51/49 52/42 54/42 76/53 83/70 53/46 57/48 63/45 66/49 51/44 78/62 56/47

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This map shows high temperatures, type of precipitation expected and location of frontal systems at noon. Cold Front

Stationary Front

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State/Nation Today GOP primary still open

RALEIGH (AP) — Republican primaries in North Carolina will continue to be open to unaffiliated voters. GOP spokesman Jordan Shaw says the party’s Executive Committee overwhelmingly rejected a resolution that would only allow Republicans to choose the party’s nominees. Voters unaffiliated with a party have been helping pick who runs on the GOP ticket since 1988. Republicans pushing the change argued party members should be the ones picking their nominees because independents are more inclined to back moderates.

Man gets life sentence

GREENSBORO (AP) — A North Carolina man will spend the rest of his life in prison after he was convicted of killing a Greensboro convenience store clerk in front of his 13-year-old son. The News & Record of Greensboro reports a jury took two hours Friday to find 20-year-old Raytheon Williams guilty of first-degree murder. One of Williams’ co-defendants testified he talked about shooting 50-year-old Satwinder Singh during the store robbery to get respect in his gang.

Fatal scare verdict in

CHARLOTTE (AP) — A man will spend the rest of his life in prison after he was found guilty in what prosecutors said was a case of scaring a 79-year-old North Carolina

woman to death. A federal jury found Larry Whitfield not guilty of murder Friday in the death of Mary Parnell last year. But they did find him guilty of causing her death by kidnapping her, and that carries an automatic life sentence. Whitfield, 21, was looking for somewhere to hide after a failed bank robbery attempt in Gastonia in September 2008 when he broke into Parnell’s home, prosecutors said. Whitfield never touched the grandmother, ordering her to go sit in a chair in her bedroom. She suffered a heart attack and begged Whitfield to call for help, authorities said. Prosecutors said Whitfield was on the phone with his nursing student girlfriend when Parnell stopped breathing. She told him to call 911, but he didn’t, authorities said.

Ex-nurse acquitted SAN ANTONIO (AP) — A court martial acquitted a former military nurse of murder Saturday after he was accused of giving lethal doses of painkillers to hasten the deaths of three terminally ill patients at the Air Force’s largest hospital. Capt. Michael Fontana, wearing his Air Force uniform, showed no emotion as a military judge cleared him of three counts of murder, then collapsed into the arms of weeping family members inside a Lackland Air Force Base courtroom. Military prosecutors had painted Fontana as a rogue and arrogant nurse who pumped patients full of fentanyl and morphine when they were not “dying quick enough.”

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Associated Press

Senate Minority Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell of Ky., center, gestures during a health care reform news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday. From left are, Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., McConnell, Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Senate Minority Whip Jon Kyl of Ariz.

Senate health care bill clears its first hurdle WASHINGTON (AP) — Invoking the name of Edward M. Kennedy, Democrats united Saturday night to push historic health care legislation past a key Senate hurdle over the opposition of Republicans eager to inflict a punishing defeat on President Barack Obama. There was not a vote to spare. The 60-39 vote cleared the way for a bruising, full-scale debate beginning after Thanksgiving on the legislation, which is designed to extend coverage to roughly 31 million who lack it, crack down on insurance company practices that deny or dilute benefits and curtail the growth of spending on medical care nationally. The spectator galleries were full for the unusual Saturday night showdown, and applause broke out briefly when the vote was announced. In a measure of the significance of the moment, senators sat quietly in their seats, standing only when they were called upon to vote. Republican Sen. George Voinovich of Ohio missed the vote. In the final minutes of a daylong debate, Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., accused Republicans of trying to stifle a debate the nation needed. “Imagine if, instead of debating whether to abolish slavery, instead of debating whether giving women and minorities the right to vote, those who disagreed had muted discussion and killed any vote,” he said. The Republican leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, said the vote was anything but procedural — casting it as a referendum on the bill itself, which he said would raise taxes, cut Medicare and create a “massive and unsustainable debt.”

For all the drama, the result of the Saturday night showdown had been sealed a few hours earlier, when two final Democratic holdouts, Sens. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, announced they would join in clearing the way for a full debate. “It is clear to me that doing nothing is not an option,” said Landrieu, who won $100 million in the legislation to help her state pay the costs of health care for the poor. Lincoln, who faces a tough re-election next year, said the evening vote will “mark the beginning of consideration of this bill by the U.S. Senate, not the end.” Both stressed they were not committing in advance to vote for the bill that ultimately emerges from next month’s debate. Even so, their announcements marked a major victory for Reid and the White House in a year-end drive to enact the most sweeping changes to the nation’s health care system in a half-century or more. The legislation would require most Americans to carry insurance and provide subsidies to those who couldn’t afford it. Large companies could incur costs if they did not provide coverage to their workforce. The insurance industry would come under significant new regulation under the bill, which would first ease and then ban the practice of denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions. Congressional budget analysts put the legislation’s cost at $979 billion over a decade and said it would reduce deficits over the same period while extending coverage to 94 percent of the eligible population.

Crew does 2nd spacewalk CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A spacewalking astronaut put aside the impending birth of his daughter and blazed through his first-ever venture outside the International Space Station on Saturday. Expectant father Randolph Bresnik and Michael Foreman were so far ahead despite their late start and interrupted sleep the night before — false fire and decompression alarms jolted them awake — that their commander handed them extra work. “Way to kick butt,” said commander Charles Hobaugh, a Marine. The spacewalkers installed new antennas, relocated a monitor for electrical hazards, set up an attachment for a spectrometer due to arrive next year, and hooked up a wireless video system for spacewalkers’ helmet cameras. Then they released another payload platform. Baby Bresnik had yet to make an appearance by the time the six-hour spacewalk ended Saturday afternoon. Bresnik’s wife, Rebecca, had been expected to give birth to their second child Friday, back home in Houston.

They have a 3-year-old son, adopted from Ukraine. “The Bresnik launch countdown clock has got some unpredictable and variable holds in it. So it’s very hard to predict. But nothing new for you today,” flight director Brian Smith told reporters eager for details. The astronauts and Mission Control agreed before Saturday’s spacewalk to hold off on any news if the birth occurred while the men were outside. Everyone wanted Bresnik, a 42-yearold Marine, focused on the spacewalk. “Absolutely, he was 100 percent focused and I don’t think it was hard for Randy,” Smith said. “Randy’s a NASA astronaut. He knows how to compartmentalize. Before he was an astronaut, he was a Marine fighter pilot.” That didn’t stop Bresnik from appreciating the view of Earth. “Other than seeing my wife for the first time, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more beautiful face,” Bresnik said, gazing down at the planet 220 miles below. “This is amazing.”

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Corbin Chad Reeves celebrated his first birthday on Sunday, November 15th, 2009. He is the son of Sheena Greene and the late Chad Reeves. Grandparents are Ervin Greene and the late Sharon Greene of Rutherfordton and Mary Ann Reeves and the late Jim Reeves of Lake Lure. Great grandparents are Marie Freeman and the late Bobby Freeman of Spindale and Wilber and Jeanette Greene of Cane Creek.

10A — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, November 22, 2009

Hacked e-mails add fuel to the climate debate

LONDON (AP) — Computer hackers have broken into a server at a well-respected climate change research center in Britain and posted hundreds of private e-mails and documents online — stoking debate over whether some scientists have overstated the case for man-made climate change. The University of East Anglia said in a statement Saturday that the hackers had entered the server and stolen data at its Climatic Research Unit, a leading global research center on climate change. The university could not confirm if all the materials posted online are genuine. Some climate change skeptics and bloggers claim the information shows scientists have overstated the case for global warming, and allege the documents contain proof that some researchers have attempted to manipulate data. The furor over the leaked data comes weeks before the U.N. climate conference in Copenhagen. In one leaked e-mail, the research center’s director, Phil Jones, writes to colleagues about graphs showing climate statistics over the last millennium. He alludes to a technique used by a fellow scientist to “hide the decline” in recent global temperatures. Some evidence appears to show a halt in a rise of global temperatures from about 1960, but is contradicted by other evidence which appears to show a rise in temperatures is continuing. Jones wrote that, in compiling new data, he had “just completed Mike’s Nature trick of adding in the real temps to each series for the last 20 years (i.e., from 1981 onwards) and from 1961 for Keith’s to hide the decline,” according to a leaked e-mail, which the author confirmed was genuine. One of the colleagues referred to by Jones — Michael Mann, a professor at Penn State University — did not respond to calls for comment. The use of the word “trick” by Jones has been seized on by skeptics — who say his e-mail offers proof of collusion between scientists to distort evidence to support their assertion that human activity is influencing climate change. “Words fail me,” Stephen McIntyre — a blogger whose climateaudit.org Web site challenges popular thinking on climate change — wrote on the site following the leak of the messages. However, Jones denied manipulating evidence and insisted his comment had been taken out of context. “The word ’trick’ was used here colloquially, as in a clever thing to do. It is ludicrous to suggest that it refers to anything untoward,” he said. Two other American scientists named in leaked e-mails — Gavin Schmidt of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies in New York, and Kevin Trenberth, of the U.S. National Center for Atmospheric Research, in Colorado — did not immediately return requests for comment.

Nation/world

Associated Press

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, right, speaks as U.S. President Barack Obama looks on during a joint press conference at the presidential Blue House in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday.

Obama: Asia trip will help U.S. WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama’s eightday trip to Asia produced no tangible wins for the United States, though he is citing talks with Asian allies that he says could help create thousands of job and open new markets for American goods in the future. Citing progress on a trip that took him from Tokyo to Seoul, Obama noted that “Asia is a region where we now buy more goods and do more trade with than any other place in the world — commerce that supports millions of jobs back home.” “I spoke with leaders in every nation I visited about what we can do to sustain this economic recovery and bring back jobs and prosperity for our people — a task I will continue to focus on relentlessly in the weeks and months ahead,” Obama said in his weekly radio and Internet address taped while he was in Seoul, the South Korean capital, and released Saturday. The president pitched his trip

as a way to reintroduce the U.S. to those trading partners, including China. The Chinese government is the United States’ biggest foreign creditor with $800 billion of federal U.S. debt, which gives it extraordinary power in the relationship. And Beijing feels the global recession, sparked by U.S. financial industry excesses, vindicates its authoritarian leadership. Obama told Americans that there can be no solutions to climate change or energy without the cooperation of Asian and Pacific nations. Repeating a theme he used abroad, Obama told the U.S. audience that the discussions directly affect U.S. national security. “We made progress with China and Russia in sending a unified message to Iran and North Korea that they must live up to their international obligations and either forsake nuclear weapons or face the consequences,” he said.

Obama’s trip included a town hall-style event with students in Shanghai and discussion about a coming climate summit in Copenhagen. He also prodded China to loosen restrictions on Internet access and increase freedoms of speech and religion. Obama repeatedly has said the United States does not wish to contain China’s rise. Instead, on Saturday, he said that if the United States can increase exports to the Asia-Pacific region by 5 percent, then the markets would create “hundreds of thousands” of jobs as a trading partner. “Even though it will take time, I can promise you this,” Obama said. “We are moving in the right direction ... the steps we are taking are helping and I will not let up until businesses start hiring again, unemployed Americans start working again, and we rebuild this economy stronger and more prosperous than it was before.”

The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, November 22, 2009 — 1B

Inside Scoreboard . . . . . . . . . Page 2B NCAA Football . . . . . Page 3B NFL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 8B

Off The Wall Scott Bowers

When God opens a window There are moments when I wish that I was a wealthy man. Wealthy enough to jet off to Greece, or Hong Kong, or even Lake Lure at a moments notice to enjoy a dish of some rare food that I wouldn’t be able to pronounce, or to see some goofy parade full of strange people wearing strange costumes. Hey, I’m not rich so I have no idea what rich people do with their money — maybe they just take baths in it. Alas, that is not my lot in life. And, I’m okay with that. I am wealthy in other ways. But, if I were rich, last Friday would have given me a great reason to reach into my imaginary Daddy Big-Bucks’ pants and pay for a bus that would have driven every single kid in Rutherford County that plays football out to Mount Ulla. Mount Ulla is, of course, the home to West Rowan High School. They know how to play football. No, really — they play football. I keep kind of a mental checklist of the finest high school football teams that I have ever seen in person. Clarke Central in Athens, Ga., Valdosta High in Valdosta, Ga., Odessa-Permian in Odessa, TX., Independence in Charlotte, and a handful of others make my list. The 2009 West Rowan team just made the list. I wish all of our football players could have been there to watch them play. R-S Central got a real good look at them. And, it is my hope that the sophomores and juniors of the Hilltoppers will take that experience and turn it into fuel for a personal fire that will make them better. Now, 21 seniors are walking away from Central in June of 2010, and that means there are a whole lot of job openings at R-S Central — sadly, the only place in the county that may be hiring. Sorry, you must be between 15- and 17-years old to apply. Of course, judging from the NC Preps Message Boards there are a lot of 50-year olds who are still playing high school football, but that’s a column for another day. There is an expression in football: “Play to the whistle.” The Falcons of West Rowan play to the whistle. They play to the showers. Heck, they may even play until graduation. They are in every sense of the word, a program. It is clear from watching them play the game that they work out all year long. No, they don’t just do the minimum that the coaches require — they work out. They work to be winners. Now, this is where it gets tricky. Do not think for a second that I don’t believe our kids don’t work hard, that’s not where I am going with this, but West is at a whole other level. I wonder if our young men see that now. If the young men at Central can see what it takes to win 27 games in a row. I wish I could share the tape with East, Chase and TJCA. I believe some will see, some will re-dedicate themselves. God closed a door on R-S Central Friday night, but in doing so, He opened a very large window that we can peek through and see what it will take to grow our football to a level, which all of us can be proud. I just hope we don’t close the window.

Best Field In America McNair honored by STMA By SCOTT BOWERS Daily Courier Sports Editor

Scott Bowers/Daily Courier

McNair Field was selected by the Sports Turf Management Association as a 2009 Field of the Year for Baseball. McNair joins such legendary fields as Lambeau Field in Green Bay as a 2009 national winner. The award will be presented to McNair Field Head Grounds Keeper Brian Blanton, center, at a ceremony in Orlando, Fl., in January, 2010. Blanton is joined by his assistant Matthew Gowan, left, and Jody Wright, Director of the Forest City Parks and Recreation Department.

FOREST CITY — It turns out that the No. 1 wooden bat team in the nation, the Forest City Owls, were playing on the No. 1 baseball field in America, McNair Field. The Sports Turf Management Association, a non-profit professional association of grounds keepers, selects winners in fourteen categories, and this year McNair Field was selected by the group as the best baseball field in the category of Schools and Parks. Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi, TX was selected as the best baseball field in the category of College and Professional. The STMA has been hand-

Please see McNair, Page 4B

North Carolina’s Marvin Austin (9) sacks Boston College quarterback Dave Shinskie (15) during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, in Boston. Associated Press

Carolina D leads Heels to win over BC BOSTON (AP) — Cam Thomas and Kendric Burney each had defensive touchdowns on Saturday as North Carolina scored three times in a span of 2 minutes, 19 seconds to open a 21-point lead and hold on to beat Boston College 31-13. North Carolina (8-3, 4-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) forced six turnovers totaled to win its fourth consecutive game. Deunta Williams had three intercep-

tions, returning one 39 yards to the BC 6 inch-line with 4:42 left in the game. Ryan Houston ran it in from there for his second touchdown of the game to make it 28-13. Boston College (7-4, 4-3) had an outside shot at winning the ACC division title, but that disappeared with a flurry of first-quarter turnovers by quarterback Dave Shinskie that helped spot the Tar Heels to a 21-0 lead. The Eagles would have needed

to win their last two games and hope Clemson lost to Virginia, which is in last place in the ACC Coastal Division. Shinskie fumbled away one ball that Thomas returned 20 yards for a touchdown and then, two plays later, threw an interception that Burney ran in from 30 yards out. Shinskie had four interceptions in all; he also fumbled twice more when BC recovered,

Please see Tar Heels, Page 4B

No. 21 Miami rallies late to beat Duke

Associated Press

Miami defensive back Vaughn Telemaque, left, breaks up a pass intended for Duke wide receiver Donovan Varner (26) during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Miami, Saturday.

MIAMI (AP) — Jacory Harris threw for 348 yards and two touchdowns, Darryl Sharpton capped his final home game with a 73-yard interception return for a score, and No. 21 Miami staved off a Duke challenge for the fourth straight year in a 34-16 win Saturday. Damien Berry’s 2-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter opened the floodgates for Miami (8-3, 5-3 Atlantic Coast Conference). Leonard Hankerson had career bests of eight catches and 143 yards — including a 44-yard score — for the Hurricanes, who scored the final 24 points to keep hope alive for their first 10-win season since 2003. Thaddeus Lewis finished 20 of 37 for 303 yards for Duke (5-6, 3-4), taking over the school’s all-time lead in passing yardage with 9,678. Donovan Varner caught eight passes for a career-high 165 yards and a touchdown for the Blue Devils, who have now lost 55 straight away from home against ranked opponents, dating to October 1971. Duke took a 16-10 lead on Will Snyderwine’s third field goal of the game, a 26-yarder early in the third

Please see Duke, Page 4B

2B — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, November 22, 2009

sports It could be a slow free agent season for MLB

NEW YORK (AP) — It’s the time of year in baseball for courting and bluffing — sometimes simultaneously. Free agent signing season began Friday with teams competing for a dearth of stars and a large number of players nearing the end of their careers. With only pitcher John Lackey and outfielders Matt Holliday and Jason Bay considered elite players by most, it could be a slow signing season as teams seek to fill needs with solutions that are less than ideal. “Those players who are franchise players that are available are even more valued because of the rarity of them,” said agent Scott Boras, who represents Holliday. The second tier includes starters Erik Bedard, Joel Pineiro and Randy Wolf; relievers Fernando Rodney and Billy Wagner; first baseman Carlos Delgado; second baseman Placido Polanco; shortstop Miguel Tejada; third baseman/outfielder Chone Figgins; third basemen Mark DeRosa and Pedro Feliz; outfielders Mike Cameron and Johnny Damon; and designated hitters Vladimir Guerrero and Hideki Matsui. “It’s not a deep marketplace, but in the end you’ve got some good players out there,” New York Mets general manager Omar Minaya said. Last offseason, the New York Yankees alone gave $423.5 million to pitchers CC Sabathia ($161 million) and A.J. Burnett ($82.5 million) and first baseman Mark Teixeira ($180 million). Among others who got big deals were pitchers Derek Lowe ($60 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers), Ryan Dempster ($52 million from Chicago Cubs) and Francisco Rodriguez ($37 million from New York Mets); and outfielders Manny Ramirez ($45 million from Dodgers), Raul Ibanez ($31.5 million from Philadelphia) and Milton Bradley ($30 million from Cubs). It’s hard to see many of this year’s free agents rising to similar amounts. In addition to lesser quality players, some teams have expressed concern about the weak economy.

Chase Honors Student-Athletes

Scott Bowers/Daily Courier

Chase High handed out annual Fall Sports awards on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at ceremonies at the school. Winners included: JV Volleyball: Coaches Award – Jessie Alexander; Best All Around – Blair White; Academic Award – Blair White. Varsity Volleyball: Best All Around – Suzanne Earley; Most Dedicated – Brittany Enriquez; Coaches Award – Euletha Davis; Academic Award – Brittany Enriquez; All Conference - Euletha Davis, Suzanne Earley and Kristin Hutchins. Cross Country, Boys Team: Most Valuable Player – Rene Escalera; Coaches Award – Francisco Fabian; Academic Award – Austin Ingle; All Conference - Rene Escalera and Francisco Fabian. Cross Country, Girl’s Team: Most Valuable Player – Erika Lamb; Coaches Award – Izzy Cotarelo; Academic Award – Tiffany Malcolm; All Conference - Izzy Cotarelo and Erika Lamb. Varsity Football: Mr. Guts – Josh Waters; Most Dedicated – Brian Woods; Best Lineman – Jalen Smith; Best Blocker – Blake Greene; Best Back – Tajae McMullens; Best Defensive Back – Dache Gossett; Coaches Award – Tyreece Gossett; Academic Award – Blake Moffitt. JV Football: Coaches Award – Marquis Cash; Mr. Guts – Cody Greene; Most Improved Back – Austin Shires; Most Improved Lineman – Chris Fox; Best Back – JaTarrio Young; Best Lineman – Michael Fox; Academic Award – Adam Brigman. JV Cheerleading: Best All Around – Kalei Martinez; Most Spirited – Aaliyah Carson; Coaches Award – Morgan Conner. Varsity Cheerleading: Academic Award - Breanne Lane; Best All Around - Macie Ward; Coaches Award - Lauren Sappenfield; Most Spirited – Alex Gowan; Most Dedicated – Shanice Goode. Soccer: Coaches Award – Andrew Scruggs; Best Player – Francisco Fabian; Most Improved – Austin Ingle; Academic Award – Austin Ingle; All Conference - Francisco Fabian and Tyler Harth.

Scoreboard FOOTBALL National Football League

Associated Press

Duke’s Kyle Singler, left, drives as Radford’s Phillip Martin defends during the basketball game in Durham Saturday.

No. 9 Duke hits 18 3s in 104-67 rout of Radford

DURHAM (AP) — Freshman Andre Dawkins scored a season-high 20 points and No. 9 Duke matched a school record with 18 3-pointers in a 104-67 romp against Radford on Saturday. Nolan Smith added 20 points and Jon Scheyer had 18 for the Blue Devils (4-0). They overwhelmed Radford during a first half in which they shot 50 percent, matched the school record with 13 3s in a half and put this one away with a huge run. After that, the only question was whether they’d launch enough 3s to reach the school record set in 2000 and matched against Monmouth in the first round of the 2001 NCAA tournament. They finished 18 for 32 from long range and shot 48.6 percent overall.

AMERICAN CONFERENCE East W L T Pct PF New England 6 3 0 .667 259 Miami 5 5 0 .500 242 N.Y. Jets 4 5 0 .444 199 Buffalo 3 6 0 .333 140 South W L T Pct PF Indianapolis 9 0 0 1.000 252 Jacksonville 5 4 0 .556 181 Houston 5 4 0 .556 215 Tennessee 3 6 0 .333 189 North W L T Pct PF Cincinnati 7 2 0 .778 198 Pittsburgh 6 3 0 .667 207 Baltimore 5 4 0 .556 222 Cleveland 1 8 0 .111 78 West W L T Pct PF Denver 6 3 0 .667 167 San Diego 6 3 0 .667 237 Kansas City 2 7 0 .222 142 Oakland 2 7 0 .222 88 NATIONAL CONFERENCE East W L T Pct PF Dallas 6 3 0 .667 224 Philadelphia 5 4 0 .556 242 N.Y. Giants 5 4 0 .556 232 Washington 3 6 0 .333 140 South W L T Pct PF New Orleans 9 0 0 1.000 331 Atlanta 5 4 0 .556 221 Carolina 4 6 0 .400 193 Tampa Bay 1 8 0 .111 157 North W L T Pct PF Minnesota 8 1 0 .889 271 Green Bay 5 4 0 .556 232 Chicago 4 5 0 .444 186 Detroit 1 8 0 .111 143 West W L T Pct PF Arizona 6 3 0 .667 229 San Francisco 4 5 0 .444 184 Seattle 3 6 0 .333 187 St. Louis 1 8 0 .111 100 Sunday’s Games Cleveland at Detroit, 1 p.m. Atlanta at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m. Washington at Dallas, 1 p.m. San Francisco at Green Bay, 1 p.m. Indianapolis at Baltimore, 1 p.m. Pittsburgh at Kansas City, 1 p.m. New Orleans at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m. Buffalo at Jacksonville, 1 p.m. Seattle at Minnesota, 1 p.m. Arizona at St. Louis, 4:05 p.m. N.Y. Jets at New England, 4:15 p.m. San Diego at Denver, 4:15 p.m. Cincinnati at Oakland, 4:15 p.m. Philadelphia at Chicago, 8:20 p.m. Monday’s Game Tennessee at Houston, 8:30 p.m.

PA 150 244 158 210 PA 142 220 188 255 PA 147 157 154 225 PA 151 202 215 217 PA 169 184 204 171 PA 197 194 239 256 PA 184 179 201 264 PA 184 180 198 249

College Football SOUTH Alabama 45, Chattanooga 0 Alabama A&M 17, MVSU 12 Alcorn St. 14, Jackson St. 7 Appalachian St. 19, W. Carolina 14 Charleston Southern 30, Coastal Carolina 23 Clemson 34, Virginia 21 Delaware St. 30, Howard 20 East Carolina 37, UAB 21 Elon 27, Samford 7 Florida 62, Fla. International 3 Florida A&M 42, Bethune-Cookman 6 Florida St. 29, Maryland 26 Furman 58, Wofford 21 Gardner-Webb 21, Presbyterian 14 Georgia Southern 13, The Citadel 6 Jacksonville 34, Campbell 14 Jacksonville St. 34, E. Kentucky 26 James Madison 43, Towson 12 Marshall 34, SMU 31 Miami 34, Duke 16

Mississippi 25, LSU 23 Morgan St. 16, Hampton 13 N.C. Central 35, Savannah St. 14 Norfolk St. 28, Winston-Salem 21 Old Dominion 42, VMI 35 Richmond 13, William & Mary 10 S. Carolina St. 28, N. Carolina A&T 10 South Florida 34, Louisville 22 Stephen F.Austin 19, Northwestern St. 10 Tenn.-Martin 48, Austin Peay 38 Tennessee Tech 45, Murray St. 14 UCF 49, Tulane 0 Virginia Tech 38, N.C. State 10

BASKETBALL National Basketball Association EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division W L Pct 9 4 .692 6 7 .462 5 7 .417 3 9 .250 0 13 .000 Southeast Division W L Pct Atlanta 11 2 .846 Orlando 10 3 .769 Miami 7 5 .583 Washington 3 8 .273 Charlotte 3 9 .250 Central Division W L Pct Milwaukee 7 3 .700 Cleveland 9 4 .692 Chicago 6 5 .545 Indiana 5 5 .500 Detroit 5 7 .417 WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest Division W L Pct Dallas 10 3 .769 Houston 7 6 .538 San Antonio 4 6 .400 New Orleans 5 8 .385 Memphis 4 8 .333 Northwest Division W L Pct Denver 8 4 .667 Portland 9 5 .643 Oklahoma City 7 6 .538 Utah 6 6 .500 Minnesota 1 11 .083 Pacific Division W L Pct Phoenix 10 3 .769 L.A. Lakers 9 3 .750 Sacramento 5 6 .455 L.A. Clippers 5 9 .357 Golden State 4 8 .333 Boston Toronto Philadelphia New York New Jersey

Saturday’s Games New York 98, New Jersey 91 Philadelphia at Cleveland, late Milwaukee at Memphis, late Atlanta at New Orleans, late Washington at San Antonio, late Sacramento at Houston, late Chicago at Denver, late Detroit at Utah, late Minnesota at Portland, late Sunday’s Games Orlando at Toronto, 12:30 p.m. Boston at New York, 1 p.m. Indiana at Charlotte, 5 p.m. New Orleans at Miami, 6 p.m. Detroit at Phoenix, 8 p.m. Oklahoma City at L.A. Lakers, 9:30 p.m. Saturday’s College Basketball Major Scores EAST Army 56, Princeton 52 Buffalo 78, Towson 69 Canisius 79, St. Francis, NY 69 Florida Atlantic 81, American U. 69 George Washington 94, UMBC 51 Hartford 70, Fordham 62 Lafayette 69, N.J. Tech 52 Mount St. Mary’s, Md. 63, Loyola, Md. 44 Northeastern 64, Utah St. 61 William & Mary 75, Manhattan 70

GB — 3 3 1/2 5 1/2 9 GB — 1 3 1/2 7 7 1/2 GB 1/2 — 2 2 1/2 3 1/2 GB — 3 4 1/2 5 5 1/2 GB — — 1 1/2 2 7 GB — 1/2 4 5 1/2 5 1/2

Youngstown St. 68, St. Peter’s 56 SOUTH Campbell 85, UNC Asheville 66 Coastal Carolina 99, Voorhees 56 Duke 104, Radford 67 Georgetown 63, Savannah St. 44 Georgia St. 57, Howard 33 Illinois St. 71, North Florida 55 Iona 80, Norfolk St. 68 Kentucky 92, Rider 63 Louisville 69, ETSU 56 McNeese St. 73, Louisiana College 36 New Orleans 67, Texas St. 55 Niagara 63, UCF 46 Tulsa 84, South Alabama 62 Virginia 76, Oral Roberts 55 Winthrop 49, S.C.-Upstate 46 MIDWEST Akron 63, Drake 59 Ball St. 57, SIU-Edwardsville 47 Idaho 81, N. Dakota St. 69 Long Beach St. 81, Wis.-Green Bay 69 UMKC 70, North Dakota 63 Wis.-Milwaukee 62, Hillsdale 54 TOURNAMENT USVI Paradise Jam N. Iowa 74, East Carolina 68

HOCKEY National Hockey League EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division GP W L OT Pts GF New Jersey 20 14 5 1 29 55 Pittsburgh 22 14 8 0 28 68 Philadelphia 19 12 6 1 25 68 N.Y. Rangers 21 11 9 1 23 63 N.Y. Islanders 22 8 7 7 23 62 Northeast Division GP W L OT Pts GF Buffalo 19 12 5 2 26 51 Boston 22 10 8 4 24 53 Ottawa 19 10 6 3 23 57 Montreal 22 11 11 0 22 55 Toronto 20 3 11 6 12 52 Southeast Division GP W L OT Pts GF Washington 22 13 5 4 30 81 Tampa Bay 19 8 4 7 23 51 Atlanta 18 10 6 2 22 66 Florida 20 9 9 2 20 57 Carolina 21 4 12 5 13 50 WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division GP W L OT Pts GF Chicago 20 13 5 2 28 64 Columbus 20 12 6 2 26 62 Detroit 20 10 6 4 24 64 Nashville 20 11 8 1 23 46 St. Louis 19 7 8 4 18 44 Northwest Division GP W L OT Pts GF Colorado 23 13 7 3 29 69 Calgary 20 12 6 2 26 62 Vancouver 22 12 10 0 24 67 Edmonton 22 9 10 3 21 66 Minnesota 22 8 12 2 18 54 Pacific Division GP W L OT Pts GF San Jose 24 15 5 4 34 82 Los Angeles 23 13 8 2 28 71 Phoenix 22 12 9 1 25 56 Dallas 21 9 6 6 24 63 Anaheim 20 7 10 3 17 58

GA 43 64 51 58 67 GA 45 56 56 63 77 GA 67 57 54 66 80 GA 47 68 59 53 49 GA 67 57 59 70 68 GA 60 70 54 62 70

Saturday’s Games Calgary 5, Los Angeles 2 Ottawa 5, Buffalo 3 Pittsburgh 3, Atlanta 2 Florida 3, N.Y. Rangers 2 Carolina 3, Tampa Bay 1 Washington at Toronto, late Detroit at Montreal, late New Jersey at Dallas, late N.Y. Islanders at St. Louis, late Columbus at Nashville, late Philadelphia at Phoenix, late Chicago at Edmonton, late San Jose at Anaheim, late Sunday’s Games Tampa Bay at Atlanta, 5 p.m. Chicago at Vancouver, 10 p.m.

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The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, November 22, 2009 — 3B

sports

Blowouts abound as Florida, Alabama roll

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Tim Tebow accounted for three touchdowns and Brandon Spikes returned an interception for a score, and No. 1 Florida beat Florida International 62-3 on Saturday to extend the nation’s longest winning streak to 21 games. Florida improved to 11-0 for just the second time in school history and needs two more wins — against Florida State and Alabama — to earn a shot at repeating as national champion. The Gators scored touchdowns on eight of 10 offensive possessions against FIU (3-8), and the only scoreless drives came when Caleb Sturgis missed a 52-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter and when Florida ran out the clock in the final seconds.

for Northwestern.

No 18. Clemson 34, Virginia 21 CLEMSON, S.C. (AP)— This was why C.J. Spiller came back to Clemson. The Tigers’ star senior awaited a Virginia punt in the fourth quarter with Clemson’s 34-21 victory all but secure when the 77,000 at Death Valley broke into chants of his name over and over. The Tigers (8-3, 6-2 ACC) won their sixth straight since starting the season 2-3. Now, after facing state rival South Carolina next Saturday, they’ll head to Tampa, Fla., to take on Coastal division winner Georgia Tech in two weeks.

No. 19 BYU 38, Air Force 21

No. 2 Alabama 45, Chattanooga 0

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Mark Ingram ran for 102 yards and two long touchdowns in the first half, and the Crimson Tide raced to a 35-0 halftime lead in an easy tuneup. That enabled many of the starters to take a break in the second half against the Mocs (6-5), although Ingram and the Tide still managed to turn in a few highlight-reel plays. Ingram ran for touchdowns of 25 and 40 yards, and Javier Arenas set the SEC career record with his seventh punt return for a touchdown for the Tide (11-0). Julio Jones caught a 44-yard pass and scored on a 19-yarder from Greg McElroy.

No. 4 TCU 45, Wyoming 10

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) — Matthew Tucker and Joseph Turner each ran for two touchdowns, and the Horned Frogs improved to 11-0 for the first time since 1938. The win keeps TCU (7-0 Mountain West) in the

Associated Press

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow (15) scrambles for yardage between Florida International linebacker Tyler Clawson (49) and defensive tackle Justin West (95) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday.

thick of BCS contention and clinches at least a share of the conference crown. The last time the Horned Frogs won their first 11 games, they capped the season with a win over Carnegie Tech in the national championship game.

No. 9 Ohio St. 21, Michigan 10 ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Tate Forcier threw four interceptions and fumbled in his end zone, and the Buckeyes took advantage to win their sixth straight in the series. Ohio State (10-2, 7-1) also clinched an outright Big Ten championship and will play in the Rose Bowl with a fivegame winning streak.

Mississippi 25, No. 10 LSU 23 OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — Dexter McCluster ran for

148 yards and threw for a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, before the Rebels survived a last-ditch drive by the Tigers.

No. 13 Penn State 42, Michigan State 14 EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Daryll Clark passed for 310 yards and four touchdowns, and the Nittany Lions will now see whether it did enough to earn a BCS bowl bid.

No. 15 Iowa 12, Minnesota 0 IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — James Vandenberg threw for 117 yards, fellow freshman Brandon Wegher ran for a touchdown, and the Hawkeyes kept alive their hopes for a BCS bowl berth.

No. 16 Virginia Tech 38, North Carolina State 10 BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP)

— Ryan Williams ran for 120 yards and four touchdowns and helped make sure the Hokies would send their 21 seniors out of Lane Stadium with a win. Virginia Tech (8-3, 5-2 ACC) also got a careerbest day from wide receiver Jarrett Boykin, who caught six passes for 164 yards and a touchdown, and from linebacker Cody Grimm, who forced two fumbles in his final home game. N.C. State (4-7, 1-6) lost its second straight and for the sixth time in seven games. The Wolfpack allowed at least 30 points for the eighth game in a row.

Northwestern 33, No. 17 Wisconsin 31 EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — Mike Kafka hit Andrew Brewer with two first-half touchdown passes and Brian Peters and Jordan Mabin made key defensive plays late

PROVO, Utah (AP) — Max Hall threw for five touchdowns and set a school record with his 30th career win, and the Cougars won their sixth straight over Air Force.

No. 23 Utah 38, San Diego State 7 SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Eddie Wide ran for 84 yards and two touchdowns, and the Utes scored all their points in the first half to bounce back from a loss to TCU.

No. 24 Houston 55, Memphis 14 HOUSTON (AP) — Case Keenum threw for 405 yards and five touchdowns in just more than two quarters, breaking David Klingler’s school record with 94 career touchdown tosses.

Syracuse 31, No. 25 Rutgers 13 SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Greg Paulus had 142 yards passing and the Syracuse defense racked up nine sacks to match a school record.

Where is Ford Motor Company Going? Since the approval of the Chrysler and GM bailouts in late 2008 the automotive industry has dominated the news. It’s almost impossible to pick up a newspaper, listen to the radio or watch television without hearing something about the industry. The “Big Three” have been put under the microscope with their every move and decision scrutinized by people who want to know if their tax dollars are being spent wisely. Even though Ford did not apply for government bailout funds, they too are under the microscope. People want to know what the future holds for Ford. What are they doing to make their business better? They didn’t need the bailout funds this time, but what are they doing to insure that they won’t need them in the future? After putting Ford to the test, a national leading magazine states that the quality and reliability of the Ford brand tops even that of Toyota and Honda. Of the “Big Three” automotive makers in America, Ford is the only manufacturer with scores high enough to even compete with the foreign car market. In a down economy, Ford is still breaking records with the 2010 Ford Fusion. With it’s high fuel-efficiency and dependability, the 2010 Fusion has outsold the 2009 model with 151,137 units sold already this year. By developing and delivering new fuel-efficient and reliable products to the American consumer, Ford will only continue to strengthen. To be able to buy American and still get a quality vehicle that is reliable and dependable is the driving force behind new developments at Ford. From the Desk of Sales Manager Scott Brown

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4B — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, November 22, 2009

Volkswagen program head visits with NASCAR in Homestead

sports McNair Continued from Page 1B

ing out national and regional awards since 1992. By JENNA FRYER “It is a huge honor for us,” said AP Auto Racing Writer McNair Field head grounds HOMESTEAD, Fla. — The head of Volkswagen’s keeper Brian Blanton. “To be motor sports program is at Homestead-Miami selected out of hundreds of Speedway, fueling speculation that the automaker fields around the country ... It is interested in joining Toyota as the second forjust makes all those long hours eign manufacturer in NASCAR. worth it. We get done sometimes Top NASCAR officials confirmed to The at 1 a.m., and have to be up at Associated Press that Hans-Joachim Stuck met the golf course by 6 a.m., and it with the sanctioning body Saturday at the track. makes that time all worth it.” The officials requested anonymity because of the The STMA uses a six judge sensitive nature of the meeting. panel to score the entry based Volkswagen officials expressed interest in enteron playability, appearance, innoing a racing series, but indicated they are more vations, effective use of budget, inclined to pick a series that showcases technology, and the sound use of an agroaccording to a person who attended the meeting nomic program. but also requested anonymity. NASCAR features “The Field of the Year Award competition over technology. validates the intense dedication A second option for Volkswagen could be the of our members,” said Kim Heck, Grand-Am Road Racing Series, which is owned by CEO of the STMA. “Each year NASCAR and currently uses foreign engine makSTMA awards no more than 14 ers. fields, so a very small percentEarlier this season, NASCAR chairman Brian age of our members are winners. France said the sanctioning body is open to accept- Brian (Blanton) and his crew are ing new manufacturers into the sport. The only very deserving of this prestigious requirement is that manufacturers must have pro- award for McNair Field.” duction plants in the U.S. Jody Wright, the direcVolkswagen has a plant under construction in tor of Forest City’s Parks and Tennessee, and the facility is scheduled to build Recreation Department, which midsize sedans in 2011. That coincides with oversees McNair Field, couldn’t NASCAR’s tentative plans to replace carburetors agree more with Heck. on Sprint Cup Series cars with fuel injection. “This field looks the way that NASCAR held a Nov. 3 meeting with represenwe, as employees and citizens, tatives from all four current manufacturers, as want it to look,” said Wright. well as engine builders from five race teams and “We want to have fields, whether two independent suppliers to discuss the potential it be McNair, or our parks, or move to fuel injection. our golf course, that we can be A move to that system apparently interests proud of. Volkswagen, whose $1 billion plant in Chattanooga “This is such a tribute to all would qualify the German manufacturer to comthe men and women in Parks pete in NASCAR. and Rec., who work so hard for France opened the door for more foreign partici- the town every day. But, none of pation in June when he admitted the sanctioning this is possible without both the body has had continued discussions with interest- resources to do the job right, and ed automakers. the people who do that job.” Blanton, Wright and McNair Field assistant grounds keeper Matthew Gowan have been invited to Orlando, Fla. in Continued from Page 1B January of 2010 to accept the award. The award will include a large plaque and travel expense and another interception was negated by a pass assistance from the STMA. interference call. McNair Field will join the likes Mike Marscovetra relieved him late in the fourth of legendary Lambeau Field in quarter; his first pass was picked off by Melvin Green Bay, WI., Community Williams. America Ballpark in Kansas T.J. Yates threw three interceptions of his own, City, KS., and War Memorial including one in the end zone when Carolina was Stadium in Union City, TN., as still sitting on a 21-13 lead. But Roderick Rollins, one of fourteen fields that will who had been called for a late hit that moved the be honored in January. Tar Heels in position to score, outjumped the “I just feel so honored. There receiver and kept BC in the game. are a lot of smart guys, who Three plays later, Deunta Williams grabbed his maintain fields at all levels of third interception of the game. baseball and to win ... It just Montel Harris ran 23 times for 132 yards for BC, feels great, but we wouldn’t win becoming the 16th back in school history to reach without the crew we have and the 2,000 yard plateau. Rich Gunnell caught six the support of the town to make passes for 60 yards and the Eagles’ only touchMcNair look great.” down and left-footed walk-on Steve Aponavicius, playing his last home game in the stadium where he was discovered, made two field goals to remain perfect for the season. With bowl scouts in the press box and Boston College looking for just its second perfect home Continued from Page 1B season since 1985, the Eagles couldn’t hold onto the ball. Houston ran for 1 yard to make it 7-0, and the quarter. Eagles ran just two plays before Shinskie fumbled After that, it was all Miami. when was hit from behind by E.J. Wilson. Thomas, a defensive tackle, picked the bouncing ball up and Duke was eliminated from rumbled the last 20 yards, fighting off Harris near bowl contention. The Blue Devils the goal line and scoring his first career touchwere seeking their first postseadown to make it 14-0. son appearance since 1994. After BC got the ball back, Shinskie ran just one play before Burney cut in front of the receiver and Berry — with the sparse crowd took the interception 30 yards for another TD. announced at 38,200 chantIt was his third career interception return for a ing his name throughout the touchdown, a school record. drive — scored with 13:41 left It was 21-0 before BC got its first, first down, to cap a 15-play, 90-yard march with 5 minutes left in the first quarter. But the and put Miami ahead to stay. Eagles trailed just 21-13 at the half, converting Hankerson’s TD grab, stretchthree Carolina turnovers into a pair of field goals ing over the goal line while being and then a 2-yard pass to Gunnell with 1:13 left in tackled, made it a two-score the second quarter. game. Then Sharpton made his

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The Forest City Owls’ players and coaches hoist the Pettit Cup into the air in this file photo. McNair Field was selected as the No. 1 baseball field, in its’ category, by the STMA and the field now has a national honor to go along with the No. 1 college wooden bat team in America.

Blanton’s crew in addition to Gowan, includes Limestone College’s head grounds keeper Travis Keever and Tim Blanton. “All of our guys work really hard to make the field look great,” said Gowan. “It’s like Brian said, it makes all the work worthwhile.” Blanton and Wright submitted an lengthy application that had to included photos of the field, and a 15-page questionnaire. “We have to also thank Myra King, who handled the application process. It was very long and it took a long time to get everything filled out correctly and Myra did a great job,” said Wright, who also added his thanks to the town and the commissioners for the resources to make the field the best it can be. The honor doesn’t surprise Owls’ manager Matt Hayes. “I think that the playing surface at McNair Field is by far the finest in our league and it doesn’t surprise me at all that they should be honored for the surface,” said Hayes. “It is a very special place and the field is very special, but not as special as the

people that work on it and the people that fill the stands every night. “The job that Brian and his guys do is amazing and I couldn’t be prouder to call it home for three months out of the year.” In addition to the Owls, McNair Field will host 30 baseball games ranging from high school baseball to NCAA baseball. The field may also see use this summer as a concert venue, but those plans are still in development. “Obviously, they do a terrific job and they (McNair Field grounds crew) go the extra mile and it’s their baby and they are as proud of it as anybody,” said Owls general manager James Wolfe. “We have had outside coaches come in and just rave about the playing surface. We are fortunate to have Brian and his guys taking care of it.” The No. 1 college wooden bat baseball team in America will return to action in May of 2010 and they will be playing on the No. 1 field in the land — now, that is indeed a Field of Dreams.

first career interception count 90 seconds later, picking Lewis off and streaking to the end zone.

Hurricanes went to Durham and needed a last-second interception of a pass by Lewis at the goal line to seal a 20-15 win.

Harris completed 25 of 43 passes — with an ailing right hand protected by a brace — and now has 3,003 yards this season, making him the seventh Miami quarterback with a 3,000-yard season and the first since Ken Dorsey in 2002. Miami was a three-touchdown favorite, which only goes to show that oddsmakers paid little attention to series history.

n In 2007, Lewis was sacked by Eric Moncur to stop a drive with 3 minutes left, and Miami got a late touchdown to win 24-14.

It’s hardly been a one-sided set of recent meetings. n In 2006, one week after Miami’s infamous brawl with FIU, the suspension-depleted

n Last year, Duke led 24-14 in the third quarter before Harris put on a show, getting four of his five TDs in the second half and leading Miami to a 49-31 win, a game in which Blue Devils coach David Cutcliffe acknowledged this week his team “just really shut down.” It was more of a wearing down in this one.

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The 5B The Sunday Sunday Courier, Courier, Forest Forest City, City, NC, NC, Sunday, SUNDAY, November November 22, 22, 2009 2009 — — 5B

sports

The very shameful case against Caster Semenya By TIM DAHLBERG AP Sports Columnist

Looks like South African runner Caster Semenya will be able to keep the gold medal she won at the recent world championships in Berlin. The public humiliation? That will stay with her, too, long after the gold loses its shine. Three months after she mopped up the field in the women’s 800, international sports officials are trying to tie a ribbon on a deal that will likely allow Semenya to keep the world title and prize money she won in Berlin. They’re also planning a symposium to make sure the next person they suspect is a man in a female track outfit is at least treated with a bit of decency. Semenya could also be spared the further indig-

nity of the public release of her most private medical records. If things are handled right, the world may never know the intimate details of her gender tests. Sadly, it’s all too late for the teenager whose worst offense seems to be that she believes she’s a woman while the people who look at how fast she runs can’t believe she’s not a man. Because there’s no deal that can undo the damage already done, no deal that can give Semenya back her self-respect. And there may never be a way to make a deal to allow her to run again. Just how it all got to this point is a tale that goes beyond the seemingly simple question of man versus woman. Semenya was always going to draw stares in her first appearance on the world

stage simply because of how she looks, but what happened to her in Berlin was shameful beyond description. South Africa was so desperate to end a medal drought in the world championships that the country’s track chief agreed to the unusual — and unprecedented — request by the International Association of Athletics Federations to have gender tests done on Semenya. Then, just hours before she was to run, the IAAF took it upon itself to announce it was investigating whether she was really a woman. Semenya went out and blew the competition away anyway, running so fast it looked like the other runners were mired in quicksand. She won by nearly two and a half seconds, finishing in 1:55.45, and accepting the congratulations of her fellow runners.

Ask the Guys Dear Classified Guys, Would you want to know if your late husband had received love letters from another woman? I don't know if I would. About a month ago I found some letters in a cedar chest I bought through the classifieds. The seller was a charming older woman who told me that the chest belonged to her late husband. When I brought it home, I discovered a hidden drawer in the bottom. I assume she didn't know it was there because neatly tucked inside was a stack of love letters addressed to her husband. I was all set to call her when I realized the name on the envelopes wasn't the woman I just bought the trunk from. I've been agonizing over this for weeks and still don't know what to do. What if she didn't know about her husband's affair? Would returning the letters be a tender reminder of her husband or cause a lot of unanswered questions?

• • • Carry: That's quite a find you have. I can honestly say that the only love letters I receive from my wife usually have a "to do" list enclosed. Cash: I have a feeling these letters are a little more romantic than that. But your question raises a great moral

dilemma. Do you return the letters and risk the chance of raising questions or just throw them away and move on. Carry: You should first realize that you have jumped to a lot of conclusions. By finding a few letters in an old trunk, you created an entire soap opera around this woman's life. There could be many scenarios other than her husband having an affair. The letters could be from a beloved friend, previous marriage, or some other harmless situation. Cash: However, you may want to refrain from reading the letters. I can only imagine it would further confuse your decision of what to do.

Carry: Cash and I have different per-

spectives on your find. Since the letters were included with the sale, I may lean toward just discarding them. Cash: However, I would take the time to mail them back to the seller with a little note explaining where I found them. They are of no real value to you, but they could be significant memories for her. Maybe she simply forgot the letters were there. Carry: As you can tell, there's really no right or wrong answer to your question. Regardless of what you decide, it could make a great episode for "Days of Our Lives."

It should have been a triumphant moment in the life of an 18-year-old from a small South African village. It became a media circus where the biggest debate wasn’t how fast she ran, but how to figure out if she was telling the truth about what she really was. It used to be easier for Semenya, whose athletic physique and deep voice always raised suspicion. She faced the same questions before, but there was a simpler way of answering them then. An article in the current issue of the New Yorker quotes one of her former coaches as saying that she became accustomed at having to go into the restroom with a member of the opposing team so they could look at her private parts before they would race against her back home.

It’s not so easy now. The question of gender is a muddled one at best, particularly for a tiny portion of the population born with the physical characteristics of both genders or chromosome disorders. One reason mandatory gender testing for female athletes in the Olympics was dropped in 1999 was that not all women have standard female chromosomes. The IAAF has refused to confirm or deny Australian media reports that the tests indicate Semenya has both male and female sex organs. Her family has always been sure of her gender. “What can I do when they call her a man, when she’s really not a man?” her paternal grandmother, Maputhi Sekgala, told the South African daily The Times. “It is God who made her look that way.”

Fast Facts The Lost Art

Reader Humor Go to Your Room

When is the last time you received a personal letter in the mail? Today's emailing, texting and twittering make the fine art of letter writing almost extinct. It's much easier to type a note than it is to write your thoughts on paper. It was only a few decades ago when letter writing was a primary method of communicating with loved ones. Now the only letters we receive are enticements from credit card companies. There's nothing more tantalizing about a letter that starts, "Dear Consumer".

I know things have changed since I was young, but I've tried to keep one tradition alive. If I broke a rule as a child, my mother would make me write her a one-page apology letter to make me contemplate what I did wrong. It worked so well that I tried it with my son when he misused the cell phone we gave him for emergencies. I sent him to his room and told him to not come out until he wrote me an apology. I realized how much things have changed when my cell phone rang a few minutes later. It was a text message that said, "Sorry Mom!"

Buried Treasure Ever since Benjamin Franklin was appointed as the first postmaster in 1775, the postal service has been delivering mail. Today the U.S. postal system is the largest mailing service in the world and delivers to more than 149 million residences nationwide. They process 667 million pieces of mail each day and generate over 75 billion dollars in annual revenue. It takes more than 656,000 carriers employed by the post office nationwide to deliver the mail each day. •

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Do you have a question or funny story about the classifieds? Want to just give us your opinion? We want to hear all about it! Email us at: comments@classifiedguys.com.

(Thanks to Regina O.)

Laughs For Sale This typewriter must be for love letters. FOR SALE writer, Royal Type ue iq Ant Missing "U" r. offe $45 or best

www.ClassifiedGuys.com

CLASSIFIEDS Contact Erika Meyer to place your ad! Call: 828-245-6431 Fax: 828-248-2790 Email: emeyer@thedigitalcourier.com In person: 601 Oak St., Forest City DEADLINES: New Ads, Cancellations & Changes Tuesday Edition.............Monday, 12pm Wednesday Edition......Tuesday, 2pm Thursday Edition......Wednesday, 2pm Friday Edition...............Thursday, 2pm Saturday Edition................Friday, 2pm Sunday Edition......................Friday, 2pm

Please check your ad on the first day that it runs. Call us before the deadline for the next edition with corrections. We will rerun the ad or credit your account for no more than one day.

Special $100 dep.! 1, 2 & 3BR Nice, large Townhomes Priv. decks, w/d hook up. Water incld.! Starting at $375/mo. Sec. 8 welcome! 1-888-684-5072

Apartments 3BR/2BA single level town home, with attached garage, great neighborhood, conveniently located inside Rfdtn city limits. No pets! 828-429-4288

Apartments Nice 2 Bedroom Townhouse Apt & 1 Bedroom Apt across from Super 8 Motel in Spindale $385/mo. & $515/mo. Call 828-447-1989

The Daily Courier office will be closed on Thursday, November 26th in observance of Thanksgiving Day

Run ad 6 consecutive days and only pay for 5 days*

2 WEEK SPECIAL

Run ad 12 consecutive days and only pay for 9 days*

3 DAY WEEKEND SPECIAL

YARD SALE SPECIAL

Run a 20 word yard sale ad Thurs., Fri., & Sat. for ONLY $20.

*4 line minimum on all ads Apartments

1 WEEK SPECIAL

Additional words are only 75¢ each. Deadline: Wed. at 2 p.m.

Apartments

2 & 3BR Close to downtown Rfdtn. D/w, stove, refrig., w/d hook up. No pets! 287-0733

Richmond Hill Senior Apts. in Rfdtn 1BR Units w/handicap accessible units avail. Sec 8 assistance avail. 287-2578 Hours: Mon., Tues., & Thurs. 7-3. TDD Relay 1-800-735-2962 Equal Housing Opportunity. Income Based Rent.

2BR/1BA APT in FC Newly updated! $425/mo. + sec. dep. Contact 828-228-5873

Classified Advertising deadline for new ads, cancellations, and changes to existing ads for the Thursday, November 26th and Friday, November 27th editions are as follows:

seeks Medical Office Assistant

LINE ADS: Deadline is Wednesday, November 25th at 2:00 PM DISPLAY ADS: Deadline is Tuesday, November 24th at 2:00 PM

Medical office experience required. Applicant must be well organized and have excellent communication skills. Duties include: answering phones, insurance authorizations, filing charts, and other general office duties.

DISPLAY AD DEADLINE for Saturday, November 28th and Sunday, November 29th editions will be Wednesday, November 25th by 2:00 PM

BUSY MEDICAL Practice Part time, Monday - Thursday

Fax resume and references to:

704-487-7258

*Private party customers only! This special must be mentioned at the time of ad placement. Valid 11/23/09 - 11/27/09

Homes

Mobile Homes

For Sale

For Rent

For Sale

Beautiful 2BR/1BA on 3.5 ac. on Hudlow Rd. Hdwd floors & carport. $500/mo. 704-376-8081

$39,900 2001 Horton 28x52 3BR/2BA Doublewide on 3 acres, 8 mi. S of Hwy 74 & Alexander Mills, just off Hwy 221, between FC, NC and Chesnee, SC. Brick underpinned, cent. air. Financing available! 704-471-2005 www. homereposales.com Property #223374

GREAT STARTER in Cleveland County! 3BR/1BA Brick ranch w/great features - brick fireplace in family room, large eat-in kitchen, hardwoods, in-ground pool, large fenced backyard, swing set and 2 storage sheds remain. $94,900 #45277 Coldwell Banker Mountain View Real Estate Contact Marsha Brown 704-284-0137

Homes For Rent 2BR/1BA House in FC. Cent. h/a, range, refrig. No pets! $500/ mo. + ref’s. & sec. dep. Call 245-9247

All brick 4BR home in Ellenboro community. Must see! 15 min. to FC or Shelby. Covered porches, basement, all built-ins includes microwave, TV, new cent. air, w/d, great yard, detached garage w/storage! No smoking! No cats! Outdoor dogs only. $975/mo. Ref’s req. 864-404-8117

Sell or rent your property! Place your ad!

6B — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, SUNDAY, November 22, 2009 Mobile Homes

Work Wanted

For Rent

Sunshine Service Housekeeping, business cleaning, and/or elder care assistance, general cleaning, cooking. Ref. avail. 828-305-0705

Nice 3BR/2BA MH in nice park in Ellenboro. Appl., a/c. $450/mo. Deposit & ref’s req. Call 248-1909 3BR/1.5BA Ellenboro Refrig., stove, cent. h/a $450/mo. + deposit. Call 305-4476 2 Bedroom Nice, clean, quiet place to live! $200/mo. + dep. Call 828-657-5974

3BR/2BA MH in Rutherfordton!

RENT TO OWN! Will Finance! No Banks! Hurry! You pay no lot rent, taxes, or insurance!

NEG. $75/wk + dep

704-806-6686 Work Wanted Will do all types of home repairs and remodeling. Call 429-4100 or 286-0246 Please leave message

GOT

STUFF? NEED

STUFF? The Classifieds bring together buyers & sellers every day! Sell stuff and buy stuff in the Classifieds! Call Mon.-Fri. 8am-5pm to

place your ad 245-6431

Instruction

Professional Truck Driver Training Carriers Hiring Today! • PTDI Certified Course • One Student Per Truck • Potential Tuition Reimbursement • Approved WIA & TAA provider • Possible Earnings $34,000 First Year SAGE Technical Services

(828)286-3636 ext. 221 www.isothermal.edu/truck

Help Wanted

Administrative Executive Must have Quickbooks experience, be self disciplined, and possess good organizational, computer, and communication skills. Real estate experience a plus! Send resume to: rcjob@live.com

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW): FT position for Gero-Psych Unit. We have a great team providing exceptional care. Minimum 2 years experience. Please send resume to: choneycutt@

MasterCorp Inc. is now hiring housekeepers in the Lake Lure area for weekend help only. We offer excellent wages, training, and weekly pay. Call 828-551-5463 to make an appointment. NO Walk ins!! Isothermal Community College seeks SERVER ADMINISTRATOR For additional information, visit our website: www.isothermal.edu/ job.openings.htm. EOE

saintlukeshospital.com

or mail to: St. Luke’s Hospital Attn: Crystal Honeycutt

101 Hospital Drive Columbus, NC 28722 PIANIST NEEDED for Kistler’s Chapel UMC Call 286-2520 leave message Wanted 29 Serious People. Put your computer to work!! $$$ paid daily pt/ft 6FigureMoney.com

Find the job you are looking for in the

Classifieds!!

For Sale

Trucks

Pets

07 Chevy Silverado 4 dr. Loaded! $17,000 07 Ford XLT Super Cab $9,300 06 Dodge 1500 $9,000 429-9555

FREE TO A GOOD HOME ONLY! Female 1/2 Border Collie & 1/2 Australian Shepherd White w/brownish black, 6-8 months old. Good with children, needs room to run! Call 248-5658 lv msg

Gazelle Elliptical Exercise Bike. Like new! Cost $450, will take $100 248-9117

Musical Instruments 1977 Kimball Spinet Piano Pecan finished Good working cond.! 287-5802 or 289-0131

Want To Buy Want to buy lawn mowers. Any kind. 828-245-0479 or 828-305-5339 I PAY CASH FOR DIABETIC TEST STRIPS Up to $10 per 100 ct. Call Frank 828-577-4197

Autos 2001 Toyota Camry LE 1 owner, auto., 123k mi. Exc. cond.! $3,800. 828-245-4250 or 704-472-3262

Campers/RVs 2001 Lakefront, Montana 5th wheel camper w/12x40 deck at Lake James Landing, fire pit, storage building, nice yard, nice golf cart $26,000. Also 2005 fishing deck boat by Tracker used very little, garage kept. Total $43,000 289-4531

Motorcycles 2001 Yamaha 650 Classic 12,600 mi. A1 cond.! New back tire, new battery & new windshield. Comes w/2 new helmets. $3,000 firm Call 429-2474

Lost

M German Shepherd/ chow mix Brown/black, long hair, has collar. Lost 11/12 FC/Caroleen area. Call 429-5103

F Red Bone Coon hound puppy 4 mo. old. Lost 11/17 from Cedar Creek Rd., Lake Lure 828-625-0402

Lost or found a pet? Place an ad at no cost to you! Runs for one wk! 245-6431

STATEWIDE CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING NETWORK AUCTIONS •Your ad can be delivered to over 1.7 million North Carolina homes from the doorstep to the desktop with one order! Call this newspaper to place your 25-word ad in 114 NC newspapers and on www.ncadsonline.com for only $330. Or visit www.ncpress.com. AUTOMOBILE DONATION •DONATE YOUR VEHICLE- Receive $1000 Grocery Coupon. United Breast Cancer Foundation. Free Mammograms, Breast Cancer info: www.ubcf.info. Free Towing, Tax Deductible, Non-Runners Accepted, 1-888-468-5964. BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY •ALL CASH VENDING! Do You Earn Up to $800/day (potential)? Your own local route. 25 Machines and Candy. All for $9,995. 1-888-753-3458, MultiVend, LLC. HELP WANTED •DRIVERS CDL/A FLATBED Up to 40 CPM. Home Time. Benefits. OTR Experience Required. No felonies. Committed to Safety. Carrier since 1928! 800-441-4271, x NC-100 •SLT- IMMEDIATE OPENINGS for CDL-A teams, O/OPs welcome and paid percentage. $1000 bonus. $1100/wk. average pay for company teams. Hazmat & 2 years experience. 1-800-835-9471. •NEED A JOB? Cargo Transporters: 800-374-8328. www.cargotransporters.com Must have 1 year current OTR experience. CDL-A. Good Work History. No Felonies. 0.39 cpm plus bonuses. •DRIVER- CDL-A. Attention Flatbed Drivers! Steady Freight & Miles. Limited Tarping. Paycheck deposited to ComData Card, $25 Bonus for every clean DOT inspection. Must have TWIC Card or apply within 30 days of hire. Western Express. Class A CDL, 22 years old, 1 year experience. 866-863-4117. •PTL OTR Drivers. NEW PAY PACKAGE! Great Miles! Up to 46cpm. 12 months experience required. No felony or DUI past 5 years. 877-740-6262. www.ptl-inc.com •HELP WANTED. Join Wil-Trans Lease or Company Driver Program. Enjoy our Strong Freight Network. Must be 23. 800-610-3716. •HELP WANTED. No Truck Driver Experience-No Problem. Wil-Trans will teach you how to drive. Company sponsored CDL Training. Must be 23. 800-610-3716. •ATTN: CDL-A Drivers. Cypress Truck Lines. If it matters to you, it matters to us. Great Pay and Benefits. Call or apply online: 800-545-1351. www.cypresstruck.com REAL ESTATE •STEAL MY 1 ACRE River Access Homesite. Owner must sell. Large wooded lot w/access to Catawba River. Pool, miles of walking trails and common river front. Similar lots have sold in the 60k's. Steal mine today for $29,900. Call now! 866-383-3743. •AUCTION- BLOWING ROCK, NC Building Site, Lot#5. Clawson Subdivision. Tuesday, December 1st, Noon. Onsite. Mark Rogers (336) 789-2926 www.rogersrealty.com Broker Participation Invited. NCAL#685. SCHOOLS/INSTRUCTION •BECOME DIETARY MANAGER (average annual salary $40,374) in eight months in online program offered by Tennessee Technology Center at Elizabethton. Details: www.ttcelizabethton.edu 1-888-986-2368 or email: patricia.roark@ttcelizabethton.edu •ATTEND COLLEGE ONLINE from home. Medical, Business, Paralegal, Accounting, Criminal Justice. Job placement assistance. Computer available. Financial aid if qualified. Call 888-899-6918, www.CenturaOnline.com •AIRLINES ARE HIRING- Train for high paying Aviation Maintenance Career. FAA approved program. Financial aid if qualified. Housing available. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance (888) 349-5387. •DRIVERS/TRAINEES NEEDED. National Carriers Hiring Now! No experience needed! No CDL? No problem! Training available with Roadmaster. Call Now. 866-494-8459. BUILDING MATERIALS •STORAGE BUILDING 8' X 12' Package $589 Prebuilt $1089, Garage Package 16' x 24' $2695, Vinyl Siding $37.95 sq., Laminate Flooring .77 sq. ft. Visit us in Burlington, Elizabeth City, New Bern, Goldsboro, Henderson, Lumberton, Rocky Mount, Wallace, Wendell, Williamston, & Danville, VA. www.BuildersDiscount.net MISC FOR SALE •DISH NETWORK $19.99/Mo. Free Activation, Free HBO & Free Showtime. Ask about our no-credit promo. 48hr Free Install - Call Now 888-929-2580. BuyDishToday.com •PORTABLE MIRACLE HEATER - Cuts Heating Bills 50%. Heats 1,000 sq/ft, Factory Warranty, Money Back Guarantee, Free Shipping -Retails $397, Limited Time Only $279. www.iheaters.com 877-333-5018.

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A TO Z, IT’S IN THE

CLASSIFIEDS!

The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, SUNDAY, November 22, 2009 — 7B

WEB DIRECTORY Visit the advertisers below by entering their Web address

AUTO DEALERSHIPS

HEALTH CARE

NEWSPAPER

REAL ESTATE

HUNNICUTT FORD

BUSINESS&SERVICE DIRECTORY (828) 245-1626 www.hunnicuttfordmercury.com

(828) 245-6431 www.thedigitalcourier.com

(828) 245-0095 www.hospiceofrutherford.org

(828) 286-1311 www.keeverrealestate.com

To List Your Website In This Directory, Contact The Daily Courier Classified Department at (828) 245-6431 Erika Meyer, Ext. 205

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

“We’re Not Comfortable Until You Are” “Serving Rutherford & Cleveland County For 30 Years” NC License 6757 • SC License 4299 FAST RELIABLE SERVICE ON ALL BRANDS Free Estimates • Best Warranties All Work Guaranteed Service • Installation • Duct Cleaning • IAQ Gas / Oil / Heat Pumps / Geothermal / Boilers Residential & Commercial 24 Hour Emergency Service

GRADING & HAULING

YOUR AD COULD BE HERE!

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245-1141

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FREE ESTIMATE

Does your business need a boost? Let us design an eye catching ad for your business! Business & Services Directory ads get results! Call the Classified Department!

245-6431 HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Specializing In Metal Roofing.....Offered In Many Colors

Bill Gardner Construction, Inc

Guaranteed Lowest Prices on Vinyl DH Windows Vinyl Replacement Windows Double Pane, Double Hung 3/4" Glass, Energy-Star Rated

FREE LOW E AND ARGON!

INSTALLED - $199*

*up to 101 UI

Wood & Vinyl Decks • Vinyl Siding • Kitchen & Bath Remodeling Reface Your Cabinets, Don't Replace Them!

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704-434-9900

Website - hmindustries.com

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LAWN CARE

* Leaf Removal * roofing * concrete * decks & steps * painting * carpentry * skirting * plumbing * sheet rock * room additions * metal roofing

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* Gutter Cleaning

Quality Lawn Care 223-8191 ROOFING

Hensley’s Power Washing

828-245-6333 828-253-9107 AFFORDABLE HOUSE WASHING WITH experience & knowledge & Great Customer service We Can Bring Water

PAINTING

Great references Free Estimates John 3:16

TREE CARE

5 YEAR WARRANTY ON LABOR FREE ESTIMATES

Call today! 245-8215

ENTRANCE DOORS

Free Estimates & Fully Insured Licensed Contractor

Licensed Contractor with 35 Years Experience

245-6367

PAINTING

Interior & Exterior INSURED FREE ESTIMATES Reasonable Rates Owner Jerry Lancaster 286-0822

TREE TREE CARE CARE

& & Stump Stump Grinding Grinding Topping & Removal Stump Grinding Fully Insured Free Estimates 20 Years Experience Senior Citizens & Veterans Discounts

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STORM DOORS

Family Owned & Operated Local Business

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WINDOWS & SIDING

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HOME IMPROVEMENTS

10% 10% discount discount on on all all work work Valid Valid9/17-11/1/09 9/17-11/1/09

••Low LowRates Rates ••Good GoodClean CleanWork Work ••Satisfaction SatisfactionGuaranteed Guaranteed ••Fully FullyInsured Insured ••Free FreeEstimates Estimates

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(828) (828) 289-7092 289-7092 Senior SeniorCitizen CitizenDiscounts Discounts

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS for Less Than $5.25 Per Day! Call 245-6431 Ext. 205 VETERINARIAN Thunder Road Animal Bi-Lo Hospital Super 8 Motel 74 Bypass

Spindale Denny’s 286-0033 *Dog/Cat spay/neuter program *Low-cost monthly shot clinic *Flea & tick control *Heart worm prevention *SALE* Save Up To $4600 Today

8B — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, November 22, 2009

sports

Did Belichick’s gamble against Colts make sense? BARRY WILNER AP Football Writer

NEW YORK — “You play to win the game.” That phrase has echoed throughout the NFL for years, ever since Herm Edwards uttered it while coaching the New York Jets. It’s exactly what Bill Belichick was doing in Indianapolis last Sunday night. And as for delivering any message of distrust in his defense, maybe it was just the opposite. This was no Wacky Wyche or Bozo the Coach episode. This was a threetime Super Bowl winner trusting his best player to get him 2 yards and clinch a very big victory. For all the criticism Belichick has Associated Press taken this week about not punting from his 28 on fourth-and-2 with a Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu intercepts a pass by San Diego six-point lead and just over 2 minChargers quarterback Philip Rivers in this Nov. 16, 2008, file photo. “He’s one of utes remaining, the issue should the all-time greatest safeties,” safety Ryan Clark said Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009. have been New England’s poor clock “He’s awesome. There’s no other way to say it, he’s the best safety in the NFL, point blank, period.” Polamalu will miss Sunday’s game with Kansas City due to a management. The Patriots usually sprained knee. have the most precise offense in football, but they wasted two timeouts because of confusion about formations or play calling. One of those timeouts came before the first play following an Indy kickoff. Such out-of-character errors NEW YORK (AP) — A look at the Arizona (minus 9½) at St. Louis became especially costly when offiNFL games on tap for week 11. Kurt Warner to Larry Fitzgerald: Greatest Show On Turf Redux. In St. cials determined Kevin Faulk was just short of the first down. Faulk N.Y. Jets (plus 10) at New England Loo. bobbled Brady’s pass, so when he Belichick will go on fourth down CARDINALS, 27-16 was tackled by Melvin Bullitt he was every time — and make it. marked short. The Patriots could not BEST BET: PATRIOTS, 30-17 Cincinnati (minus 9½) at Oakland challenge because they lacked timWE BELIEVE. WE BELIEVE. eouts. Baltimore (minus 1) at Indianapolis BENGALS, 24-9 That is where Belichick, his staff Doesn’t seem quite fair to make it UPSET SPECIAL, but the Colts are Philadelphia (minus 2½) at Chicago and players erred. As for the decision not to punt, conunderdogs. Ravens didn’t show much Two disappointing teams still in against putrid Browns. NFC wild-card race. What does that sider that New England’s offense has been revved up recently, and asking COLTS, 24-20 say about the conference? Brady to connect with Randy Moss, EAGLES, 17-16 Wes Welker or the ever-dependable Tennessee (plus 3½) at Houston, Faulk to gain 6 feet certainly is a Monday night Buffalo (plus 8) at Jacksonville good option. Beginning to like what we’re seeing Will coaching change make a difThey failed, the Colts wisely used from Titans. ference? Not if Maurice Jones-Drew up all but 13 seconds before scorTITANS, 20-17 runs for 200. ing on Peyton Manning’s 1-yard JAGUARS, 20-10 pass to Reggie Wayne. Matt Stover’s San Diego (no line) at Denver Kansas City (plus 9½) at Pittsburgh extra point was the difference, and Belichick didn’t even bother putDitto from Chargers, and uncerSteelers are banged up, but Chiefs ting his headset back on when the tainty about Denver QB Kyle Orton aren’t in their class. Patriots got the ball for one last, desmakes them look even better. STEELERS, 24-9 perate play. CHARGERS, 23-10 Atlanta (no line) at N.Y. Giants NBC analyst Rodney Harrison, who Seattle (plus 11) at Minnesota Michael Turner’s likely absence starred at safety in New England Matt Hasselbeck will get hassled by means no spread. Two teams in dire for six years, termed it “the worst Jared Allen and company all day. need of a win. Giants snap four-game coaching decision I’ve ever seen Bill VIKINGS, 30-13 slide. Belichick make.” GIANTS, 22-14 Tedy Bruschi, who retired this year Washington (plus 12½) at Dallas after 14 seasons as a Patriots lineEven with Redskins coming off nice San Francisco (plus 5½) at Green backer and is as loyal to Belichick as upset and Cowboys coming off stink- Bay any player to wear a New England er, spread is big. Too big. Aaron Rodgers won’t be throwuniform, added on ESPN: “The deciCOWBOYS, 21-13 ing five balls to Niners the way Jay sion to go for it would be enough Cutler did. to make my blood boil for weeks. New Orleans (plus 12½) at Tampa PACKERS, 20-17 ... I would look at this decision as a Bay lack of confidence in our ability as a Saints had a scare last week against Cleveland (plus 4½) at Detroit defensive unit to come up with a big Rams, and Bucs are playing better. Sales should be brisk on “We Are play to win the game.” Still, it’s a mismatch. Terrible” towels. Just maybe Belichick had confiSAINTS, 32-17 LIONS, 13-6 dence that, in the unlikely — in his mind — chance the Patriots didn’t gain the 2 yards and salt away the game, his defense would make the key stop anyway.

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Also, there have been 303 fourthdown attempts through 10 weeks, with 146 converted (48.2 percent). So the odds of making it are not terrible, and more coachBelichick es are trying it than ever. The league is on pace for 538 fourthdown attempts for the 2009 season, which would be the highest since the 16-game schedule was instituted in 1978. Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis kiddingly expressed his gratitude to his former boss after a tough weekend for both of them. “He took a lot of pressure off me. That’s my take,” he said, laughing. “I was only the story for a day, instead of two days.” Then Weis explained what led to New England’s decision. “Let me just say this, I’ve been in those meetings before, and I can promise you here’s what happened,” he said. “That situation was discussed before the game. That didn’t happen just then. It was discussed with the team. It was discussed with the coaching staff. “You know, at each game Bill is so meticulous in what he does I’m sure it was discussed with his coaching staff: ‘If this situation presents itself, this is what we’re going to do.’ He doesn’t do things on a whim. When he did it, I’m sure it was with everyone’s knowledge and everyone’s agreement, and it just didn’t work out.” Given his track record, we can expect future situations to work out for Belichick a lot better than they did for Sam Wyche. In the second game of 1987, Wyche decided to try to have the Bengals run out the clock with 6 seconds left deep in their territory with a sixpoint lead. Wyche could have taken a safety and perhaps wasted all the time, or left the 49ers with nothing more than a return of a free kick. But James Brooks was stopped with 2 seconds left. To compound matters, Cincinnati then had single coverage on Jerry Rice, and Joe Montana threw a 25-yard touchdown pass for a 27-26 victory. Barry Switzer went on to win the 1996 Super Bowl after his gambling gaffe. Switzer called for Emmitt Smith to run for a yard on fourth down at the Dallas 29 late in the fourth quarter. The Eagles held, soon kicked a field goal and won 20-17. That prompted a newspaper to dub Switzer, “Bozo the Coach.” Don’t look for any such nicknames being placed on Belichick.

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to be published the first of December. Submit birthdays for December by November 25th

Send to: The Daily COurier attn: Birthday Calendar 601 Oak Street Forest City, NC 28043 Name: Birth Date: your Name: Full address: Phone:

Watch Your Budget Shop the Classifieds! The Daily Courier Call 828-245-6431

Inside Weddings. . . . . . . Page 4-5C Sunday Break. . . . . Page 7C

Sunday Brunch Jean Gordon

Thanksgiving traditions are about gratitude With an Indian head dress sitting on her tousled pigtails, a paper bag from the grocery store around her shoulders, a 5-year-old snaggle-toothed girl sang with all her heart, “The year 1620 the Pilgrims came Over.” The occasion was the Thanksgiving program at Trinity School and my first niece was in kindergarten. This proud aunt wouldn’t have missed her first school performance for anything, so there I stood in the back of the room, proud as a peacock. More than 30 years later this girl is participating in Thanksgiving programs at her own school, singing and teaching the fifth graders in her class and her three boys are decked out in their Pilgrim and Indian wear. The years have surely come and gone faster than I would have imagined and the dynamics of my family have changed tremendously, but Thanksgivings are the same. I share the feelings of numerous others whose favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. Nothing surpasses Easter and Christmas for the Believer, but as far as holidays, I have looked forward to Thanksgiving as long as I can remember. From the days as a child with my family traveling across the way to Shiloh for a Thanksgiving feast with my mother’s family. As years passed and our immediate family grew with brothers-in-law and little kids, our traditional Christmas supper was at our own home, sometimes with college friends and out of town relatives around the table. The meal followed a day of catching up on major outside chores — raking leaves, clearing the garden and gathering fodder. There were some days when I drew the long straw and stayed indoors to help in the kitchen. My mama and I could make some awesome dressing. I was the best cornbread and biscuit crumbler on the outskirts of Forest City. By the way, the secret to good dressing — the exact amount of sage. Returning full circle years ago, many of us return to Shiloh to an aunt’s for Thanksgiving. Those of us who were once young, well we’re the older ones now, to gather together. A friend was leaving his family gathering recently when the same reality hit him, “We used to be the young ones. Now we’re the old ones.” Families change with the passage of years, but the story of that first Thanksgiving — the Pilgrims and their thankful community feast with help from Native Americans — remains the same. Thanksgiving is about being thankful for all our blessings — salvation, family, friends, health, sharing, jobs and home. I am reminded of a day in November 2007, when Ben and Emily O’Kello returned to their home in the bush country — 14 hour bus ride from Kenya — after a two month visit in the area. The precious couple was anxious to get back home — to their mud hut and its grass thatched roof, one meal a day of kale and cornmeal, six biological children and a village of orphans. Still struggling, they are so thankful for God’s blessings. On the heels of Thanksgiving 2009, how blessed I am to have this very moment today.

Swirl Place Setting

Family Features

andmade holiday items bring a unique and personal touch to the season, making the giver and receiver feel special. This year, millions of families will be spending more time together creating low or no-cost crafts such as gifts, cards and deco rations. In fact, the Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) estimates that in almost 43 million U.S. households people will create handcrafted holiday gifts and decorations this year. “Crafting provides an opportunity to spend time with friends and family while creating unique, oneof-a-kind gifts that don’t need to cost a lot of money,” said CHA President and CEO Steve Berger. To inspire you, here are a few ideas from the CHA’s Designer Holiday Trend Report, and three projects to get you crafting this holiday season.

Hybrid Crafting

According to Terri O, author, home arts expert and CHA spokesperson, crafters love their computers. n Using the latest 3-dimensional embellishments combined with downloaded images is part of a huge trend in the craft world. n Hybrid crafting takes customizing to a new level. You can follow a trend and yet personalize your project by printing your own written phrases, names and dates.

Family Holiday Wreath

Wire Wire cutter Glue gun 1. Attach metal saying with wire to center of wreath. 2. Print or download photos. The ones in this craft were printed in sepia. 3. Adhere photos to heavy cardboard to fit the size of photo. 4. Add rub-ons to photos. 5. Glue words to wreath.

Photo Collage

1. Print out 15 to 20 family photos in sepia tone. 2. Paint each letter a shade of brownish-red found in the photos. Allow letters to dry. 3. Working with one letter at a time, create a composition that combines scrapbook paper with the photos trimmed to fit the area. Use corner rounder on some of the photos and paper. Ink the edges of each component, then glue in place. 4. Create a focal point on the letter “P” using a long photo and a long tag. Spell out the family name using stickers, punches and other inked embellishments, along with the branch, buttons and ribbon. 5. Create a second focal point by filling a bird nest with leaves, flowers and buttons. Glue everything into the nest and then glue the nest in the open area of the letter “C.” 6. Add other embellishments, such as word stickers, punched and inked flowers and buttons on each of the other letters.

Courtesy of www. terriocraftprojects.com Materials: Wreath Words of inspiration (K&Co.) Rub-ons (K&Co.) Favorite photos or seasonal stock photographs from www.iStockphoto.com Heavy cardboard Metal saying

Color Trends n Traditional

red and green will be the primary colors, with the green moving from lime green to a more traditional green such as forest green, avocado and Kelly green. n Glitz and sparkle will abound with the colors of silver and gold. Sparkle will also be added to traditional items to give them an expensive look.

Motifs

n Snowmen

that are sweet and happy will remain strong, along with reindeer. n Birds, snowflakes, trees, retro critters and teddy bears. n A nature influence will show up in cones, leaves, berries, pine boughs and branches in neutral and classic combinations with texture, layers and embroidery. For more inspiration and ways to celebrate the season through crafting, visit your local craft store or go to www. craftplace.org.

Courtesy of Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores Designed by Connie Glennon-Hall Materials: Paper maché letters: P, E, A, C, E Brown and red acrylic paints, 5 shades total Sepia tone photos Scrapbook papers in coordinating theme 1 package brown cardstock Chestnut ink pad Small bird nest Branch Brown and plaid ribbons, 2 widths Stickers: word, alphabet, family themes Metal flower embellishments Flower punches Corner rounder Glue stick Paper trimmer Scissors Paintbrush Water Paper towels Foam plate

Courtesy of www. ilovetocreate.com Materials: Aleene’s Fabric Fusion Aleene’s Fast Grab Tacky Glue Tulip 3D Fashion Paint 65088 Gold Glitter 65408 Gold Metallics Red placemats and napkins Gold fabric — 1/4 yard Cardstock paper Buttons — gold (4) Bulky yarn — red Eyelash yarn — red 1-inch low tack masking tape Scissors Scratch paper Paper towels Pencil Ruler Placemats 1. Use tape to mask off around edge of placemats and across one corner of napkin. Start the flow of the Gold Metallic paint on a paper towel using an even pressure on the bottle. Squeeze thin lines of gold in assorted sizes of swirls on placemat. Immediately and carefully place scratch paper over paint then lightly rub over paper. Remove paper and tape. Let dry. Continue with remainder of placemats and napkins. 2. Add a Gold Metallic line around edge of pattern and across the diagonal on the napkin. Let dry. 3. Squeeze a thin line of Gold Glitter to all swirls and let dry. 4. Squeeze a thin line of Fabric Fusion next to edge on the top of placemat. Press bulky yarn into glue. When dry, flip placemats over, apply a bead of glue to edge then press in eyelash yarn, twisting yarn so fibers show around edge. Let dry. Napkin Rings 1. Measure and cut a strip of cardstock 2 x 7 inches. Apply Fast Grab to one end of strip, overlap and hold with tape until dry. Continue with desired amount of napkin rings. 2. Cut strips of gold fabric 4 x 7 1/2 inches. Apply a thin even coating of Fast Grab to the ring; press on fabric then smooth with fingers. Apply glue to the fabric edges then fold to the inside and press to secure. Let dry. 3. Cut a 12-inch piece of both yarns then wrap together. Tie around napkin ring and knot on top. Add a dot of glue to the back of the knot to hold in place. Trim ends. 4. Cut the shank from the back of button; add glue and press in place over the knot. For votive and place card instructions, visit www. ilovetocreate.com.

2C â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, November 22, 2009

local

Out & About Eagle Scout Project

Hospice Donation Made

eSÂ¸dS a^`cQSR eSÂ¸dS c^ ]c` a^`cQSR c^ ]c` `Sac[S `Sac[S eSÂ¸dS b]] rise and shine Alex Hutchins of Troop #999 in Harris, recently completed his Eagle Scout project at Floyds Creek Baptist Church where he is a member. A dedication service was held Veteranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sunday (Nov. 8). Alex started the project of constructing a veterans memorial/honorarium walk way and erecting flagpoles in September. In the photograph above, Alex works with mentor Gregg Burgess to prepare for the memorial walk way; and (right) he stands on the finished product. Inscribed pavers were sold to church members with a veteranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name, rank, and years of service. Profits from the sales were used to fund the project, which included the purchase of flags, flagpoles, concrete, etc. Alex is a senior at Chase High School and the son of Scott and Karen Hutchins. Several local businesses helped and contributed to the project including Robbins Brick and Block, Inc., and Waldrop Mechanical. Contributed photos

Contributed photo

Carsyn Butler, an R-S Central senior and four-year Hospice volunteer, presents a check for almost $1200 to Heidi Owen, Hospice Director of Community Services, as the result of a 5k run sponsored by Butler.

Karen McNeil-Miller, president of the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, Winston Salem, and Rutherford County native, was interviewed on â&#x20AC;&#x153;North Carolina Peopleâ&#x20AC;?, WUNF Channel 6, on Friday night, Nov. 20, 9 p.m., and on Sunday, Nov. 22, at 5:30 p.m.

When the Tourism Development Authority arrived for its 12 p.m. meeting Thursday at the Rutherford County Visitorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Center, there was no power in the building. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re cutting cost, no power,â&#x20AC;? said member Danielle Withrow. About 15 minutes after the meeting convened, the lights were back on. TDA board chair Tom Johnson remarked to member Lynn Smith, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You look a lot better in the dark.â&#x20AC;?

Winners of a recent raffle sponsored by Rutherford County Humane Society are: Helen Rhodes 1st Prize $100 CASH Lynda Baker 2nd Prize Thompson Contractors - 8 tons of crusher run Don Harris 3rd prize Cleghorn

Plantation Golf Club - 1 round/4 players Jason Price 4th Prize Forest City Golf Course - 2 green fees w/cart Robert Keeter 5th Prize Greenhill Store - $50 gas Polly Hutchins 6th Prize Rutherford Veterinary Hospital spay/neuter plus rabies, dog or cat Foy Humphries 7th Prize Foothills Animal Clinic - spay/neuter plus rabies, cat Glenn Hill 8th Prize Point of View Restaurant - $25 value Fredia Hamrick 9th Prize Lakeside Pizza at Lake Lure - $25 value Jimmy Dancy 10th Prize Alyssaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at Lake Lure - $25 value Lynda Baker 11th Prize Lake Lure Tours - 2 tickets for boat ride Dianne Driggers 12th Prize Chimney Rock Park - 2 tickets Richard TenBroeck 13th Prize Ryanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Steakhouse - Dinner for 2 Lynn Ross 14th Prize AutoZone auto emergency kit The drawing was held at Food Lion, Rutherfordton, on Saturday, Nov. 14. Congratulations to the winners.

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The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, November 22, 2009 — 3C

Local In Uniform Carver graduates basic training SAN ANTONIO, Tex. — Air Force Airman 1st Class Angelique M. Carver graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Tex. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Carver Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. Carver is a 2009 graduate of McDowell High School, Marion. She is the daughter of Angela Carver of Union Mills, and Alan Carver of Marion. Contributed photo

Five Isothermal photography students recently earned awards for their work at the Cleveland County Fair. They are (l-r): in front — Robin Howard and Amanda Gold; in back — Niki Coffin, Billy Hardin and Gina Durko.

Holiday Events

ICC students take awards in photo contest

Christmas Boutique at Arts Center

SPINDALE — Five photography students from Isothermal Community College took various top honors in this year’s photography contest at the Cleveland County Fair. The 2009 contest was open to residents in Rutherford, Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln counties and drew hundreds of entries in numerous categories. In the Adult Division, Gina Durko took a first place in the “Two People, Color” category.

She was awarded third place in the “Humorous, Color” category. Also in the Adult Division, Billy Hardin was awarded three third place ribbons in the categories of “Black and White, Miscellaneous,” “Black and White, Single Child” and “Black and White, Animals.” Robin Howard scored a third place in “Black and White, Flowers.” Niki Coffin took third place in “Black and White, Single Animal.”

In the Youth Division, Amanda Gold was awarded two first place ribbons with her work in “Black and White, Single Child” and “Black and White, Single Adult.” The winning Isothermal photographers are students of instructor Giuliana Riley.

RUTHERFORDTON — Members of the Rutherford County Visual Artists Guild are sponsoring their first Christmas Boutique sale of oneof-a-kind, handmade art and fine craft items. On display and available for purchase are paintings in all mediums, ceramics, wood crafts, sculpture, fused and stained glass, metal work, handmade furniture, fiber art and other creations of talented Rutherford County Guild members.

The boutique opened Nov. 21 and runs through Dec. 24 at the Visual Arts Center, 173 N. Main For more information about St. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Isothermal’s photography program, contact Riley at 286-3636, Saturday. ext. 259.

Fire Escape Plan Contest Winners

Holiday concert set for Dec. 1

RUTHERFORDTON — The Rutherford County Historical Society will sponsor a holiday concert, Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m,. at First Baptist Church in Rutherfordton. A concert of secular holiday favorites from the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s will be presented, under the direction of Lesley Bush, as well as traditional sacred anthems. Contemporary pieces will include Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas.” Other songs include “I’ll be Home for Christmas,” “Home for the Holidays” and “We Need a Little Christmas,” from the Broadway musical “Mame.” After the concert the singers and musicians will lead a possession down the sidewalk to St. John’s Historic Church for the annual lighting of the historical society’s Christmas tree. For more information, please call Bush at 4471474, or e-mail him at lesleybush@bellsouth.net.

HNG hosts decoration contest HICKORY NUT GORGE — Businesses, homes or mailboxes are being decorated along the Gorge Trail for all visitors to enjoy as they wind their way through the Gorge. The Gorge Trail is US 74-A from Gerton into Bat Cave, through Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, up Bill’s Creek Road and down Buffalo Creek Road, finally ending the tour at Fairfield Chapel. Private individuals, groups or businesses can join in the fun.

Fire Escape Plan winners from three Forest City elementary schools were announced Tuesday. The winners are pictured with Forest City Fire Chief Mark McCurry. Clockwise from top, left: Forest City Dunbar — Dawson Stuart, kindergarten; Tylese Ussery, 1st grade; Kiersten Dodson, 2nd grade; Thomas Jefferson Classic Grammar — Kinsley Huskey, kindergarten; December Mceirath, 1st grade; Cheyanne Church, 2nd grade; Forrest Hunt — David Harris, 2nd grade; Alexis Bumgardner, kindergarten; Caleb Lancer, 3rd grade. Contributed photos

Prizes & Awards are as follows: 1st prize $300, 2nd prize $150, 3rd prize $50 and the Judge’s Choice (Honorable Mention) - Certificate. The judging will take place after dark on December 2 and judging will be based on creativity, visual compact and originality. Winners will be announced at the Dec. 4 Chili Cook-Off and bingo at Chimney Rock fire house.

Santa Claus in Chimney Rock CHIMNEY ROCK – Santa Claus makes his annual stop at Chimney Rock on Saturdays, December 5 and 12 from 11 am to 2 pm. He’ll rappel down the 535 million-year-old rock face, then head back to the top and do it all over again. Last year, USA Today named “Santa on the Chimney” one of the top 10 places to see Santa in the U.S.

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4C — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, November 22, 2009

local Weddings

Jessica Penson weds Travis Nelson Haynes

Jessica Leigh Penson and Travis Nelson Haynes exchanged vows in a summer wedding at Florence Baptist Church with Dr. Bobby Gantt officiating. Katlyn Haynes was soloist for the four o’clock ceremony, and Scott and Ann Haynes, performed a duet. The bride is the daughter of Joel and Amy Penson of Bostic. She is a graduate of Wingate University and employed as a pharmacist at Hardin’s Drug. The groom is the son of Tim and Teressa Haynes of Forest City. He is a graduate of Campbell University and employed as a teacher and JV basketball coach at East Rutherford High School. Given in marriage by Mrs. Greg C. Brown her father, the bride wore a formal A-line gown featuring a sweetheart neckline and corset style back. The bodice was encrusted with beaded lace and accented with a satin Cathy L. Campbell and Greg C. Brown exchanged bow in back. Her veil was edged wedding vows Saturday, November 7, 2009 in with beads and she carGatlinburg, Tenn. The four o’clock ceremony took ried a bouquet of pink, place at the Chapel at The Park. The bride was escorted by her grandson, Hunter white and blue stargazer lilies, and daisies. Haynes. She wore a strapless, floor-length gown Kristen Hollifield of ivory satin, and carried a bouquet of ivory roses served as maid of honwith greenery. or, attired in a kneeLorie Haynes of Forest City, daughter of the bride, was matron of honor, and her granddaughter, Hannah Haynes, was a bridesmaid. They wore floor-length, black silk gowns with beading at the neckline. Each carried a bouquet of fall flowers. Richard Campbell of Columbia, S.C., brother of the bride, was best man, and McCray Haynes, grandson of the bride, was ringbearer. Penny Brascum and Fran Hanna, greeted guests. A dinner/reception followed at Calhoun’s Restaurant in Gatlinburg. A three-tiered red velvet wedding cake was served for dessert. The bride is employed by Carolinas’s Healthcare System, and the groom is self-employed. The newlyweds reside in Forest City.

Campbell, Brown united in marriage

Mr. and Mrs. Travis Nelson Haynes

length dress of cornflower blue satin, styled with a round neck and rouched waistline. She carried a nosegay of pink and white stargazer lilies.

Bridesmaids, gowned identically, were Leslie Wall of Bostic, cousin of the bride, Traisha Campfield of Elgin, S.C., Meredith Hodson of Charlotte, Mary Ann

Morgan of Salisbury, Kayla Shew of Charlotte, and Jennifer Walker of Florence, S.C., cousin of the bride. The groom chose his father as best man. Groomsmen were Chad Flack of Forest City, Christopher Whittemore of Rutherfordton, Aaron Penson of Bostic, brother of the bride, Dustin Campfield of Elgin, Chris Cullom of Raleigh, and Tommy Wilson of Spindale. Ushers were Robby Holtsclaw of Bostic, cousin of the bride, Preston Shytle of Forest City, Daniel Knapp of Durham, and Kyle Scott of Winston-Salem. Brandi Radford, Christie Bryant and Alyson Jordan, presided at the guest register. An outdoor reception followed at a farm on Doggett Road. The tables, centered with arrangements of Gerbera daisies, were set up beneath white tents. The three-tiered wedding cake was decorated with daisies and ribbon accents. Dancing was held inside the barn. After a honeymoon in Jamaica, the couple now makes their home in Rutherfordton.

Colbie Calliat Contributed photo

Winners of the poetry, photography and essay contests for the 2009 Anuran were recognized in May at a ceremony in the Isothermal library.

2009 edition of literary publication released

Popular recording artist Colbie Calliat will be in concert Tuesday, Dec. 1, beginning at 7:30 p.m., at Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium. A California native, Calliat is swiftly paving her way as an R&B, folk and pop sensation. Tickets are $35, $30 and $25. Visit www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets may also be purchased at the SMA Box Office.

SPINDALE — The 2009 edition of Anuran, Isothermal Community College’s literary publication, has been released. This year’s Anuran features essays and photography from 21 Isothermal students, along with poetry from six students and members of the public. In addition to their work being published in the journal, the winners were recognized at a ceremony last spring in the Isothermal Library’s Old Tryon Room. The publication, usually printed in May, was delayed this year due to budget constraints.

The 2009 Anuran winners are: Essay — Rheba K. Ward, first place; Laura Collins, second place, and Sheila Spicer, third place; Cassie Brooks, first honorable mention; Shannon Loomis, second honorable mention; Beverly Garmon, third honorable mention; Cover Design — Leesha Wease, first place; Richard A. Bowers, Jr., second place; Robin Howard, third place; Ryan Vaughn and Jennifer D. East, honorable mentions; Photography — Jennifer East, first place; Todd Elliott, sec-

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ond place; Robin Howard, third place; James Davis, David Walker, Mindy Hill, Kayla Shehan, Laura Collins, Matthew Walker and Evelyn Wright, honorable mentions; Poetry — Charles Reynolds, first place; Jamie Renfro, second place; Kristian Champion, third place; Roy Laws, Alisa Hutchins and Katie Davis, honorable mentions. Copies of the Anuran journal are available by contacting Elisabeth Barrows, 286-3636, ext. 351, or Tom Tucker, ext. 360. Quantities are limited.

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The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, November 22, 2009 — 5C

local Weddings

Winter Coat Drive

Walker and White united in marriage

Heather Nichole Walker and John Paul White, Jr. were joined in marriage Saturday, September 26, 2009 at the First Baptist Church of Shelby. The Reverend Keith Dixon performed the five o’clock ceremony. Musicians were Emily Monroe, organist, Mike Kester, violinist, and Hope Toney, vocalist. The bride is the daughter of Debra Rhea Walker of Boiling Springs. The groom is the son of John Paul Sr. and Becky Grant White of Mooresboro. The bride was escorted to the altar and presented in marriage by her brother, Chad Walker. She wore a formal gown of white organza featuring intricate patterns of beaded metallic embroidery on the fitted bodice, and a corset-style back. Her veil of silk illusion was gathered to a beaded tiara, and she carried white calla lilies, pink roses and alstroemeria, wrapped in white satin. Heather Sidbury of Charlotte, served as matron of honor, and Lori Lail of Boiling Springs, was maid of honor. They were dressed in tea-length gowns of black satin and carried pink and white calla lilies, pink roses and pink alstroemeria. Gowned identically to the honor attendants,

Mrs. John Paul White, Jr.

bridesmaids were Sarah Mauney of Kings Mountain, cousin of the bride, Amie Hardin and Cassie Humphries, of Henrietta, and Lesly Gibbon of Rutherfordton. Elizabeth Cook of Mooresboro, was a

junior bridesmaid. Isaac White of Mooresboro, son of the groom, was best man. Groomsmen were David Mull, Randy Mull and Wesley Hawkins, all of Mooresboro, Jason Padgett of Shelby, and

Rod Taylor of Gaffney, S.C. Megan Davis served as flower girl, and Payton White, son of the groom, was ringbearer. The groom’s niece, Kristen Sides of Earl, presided at the guest register. A reception followed at Owl’s Eye Vineyard and Winery in Shelby. The tables were skirted with black linens and centered with floral designs in the bride’s colors. The three-tiered wedding cake was frosted with buttercream icing and decorated with black script, pink fondant flowers, and a pink floral topper. DJ Mark Camp provided music for dancing. The couple was honored with a number of parties and showers prior to the wedding, including an engagement party, a bachelorette weekend and a bridesmaids’ luncheon. The bride received a BA in English and secondary education from Gardner-Webb University. She is employed as a teacher at Gaffney High School. The groom received a degree from East Carolina University. He is employed by Freightliner in Gaffney.

helping with the cost of the Thanksgiving meal can donate money to the cause. $5 will buy one meal; $10, two meals, etc., said director Terry Hagaman. Anyone needing a hot meal is invited to join the group for Thanksgiving and every evening for supper. Call the mission at 245-9141. n The Salvation Army Christmas Cheer Center is collecting food and toys for more than 600 families in Rutherford County. There are plenty of Angel Tree name cards and stockings to stuff at the center for pick up. Children will receive teddy bears, gifts and stockings and the family will receive a Christmas dinner. Food, toys and other items are being collected Monday through Friday at the Christmas Cheer Center, Withrow Road, Spindale. Deadline for taking gifts is the first week of December and the staff is asking the gifts be returned as soon as possible. There is also a desperate need for Salvation Army Red Kettle bell ringers. For more information, call 287-0119. n Operation Santa Claus — sponsored by Mental Health Association, is underway for those wanting to buy gifts for patients

Attorney Brandon Jaynes www.kinglawoffices.com

(828) 286-3332

at Broughton Hospital. Unwrapped gifts should be placed in sturdy boxes and should be taken to the First Baptist Church, Forest City, on Tuesday, Dec. 1, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Someone will be at the church beginning at 9 a.m. to assist everyone with the project. Suggested gifts for the patients include: deodorants, lotion, power, warm jackets, sweaters, casual slacks, flannel shirts, caps, socks, tennis shoes, toboggans, gloves, pajamas, sweat suits, flannel gowns, underwear, hair accessories, inexpensive watches, bedroom shoes, slipper socks. Also soft chocolate candy, jelly candies and gum, umbrellas, hand lotion, stationery and stamps. n Shepherd’s Care Ministry — Mary Ann Ransom, director of the ministry in Lake Lure, said the charity is very busy collecting toys and gifts for children. “We’re gearing up for our angel tree where we have gotten some names of kids in the gorge and hopefully people will bring us

presents for them for December,” Ransom said. “We will be putting the angel tree out with the cut off around Dec. 15.” n Cruise In and Toy Run — Saturday, Nov. 14, at Rollins Cafeteria, Forest City; 11 a.m. collecting toys for under privileged children; Christmas toys can be brought to the cafeteria up to a few weeks before Christmas. 4470011. n Share the Warmth — program provides financial assistance for heating bills during the winter season for low income families within the Duke Energy service territory in the Carolinas. Since the program’s establishment in 1985, Duke has completed 20 successful seasons and provided over $31 million in heating bill assistance. Funding for Share the Warmth comes from Duke Energy customers, the Duke Energy Foundation and Duke Energy’s Bulk Power Marketing (BPM) revenue sharing program. Please See Giving Page 6C

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The couple honeymooned in Jamaica. They reside in Mooresboro.

Many ways to help one another during the holidays

FOREST CITY — Rutherford Countians have several ways to help one another during the holiday season. n Items Needed for Veterans Hospital — Bingo prizes and birthday gifts; quarters for games and snack machines; canned or individual sodas (diet and regular), canned juices, snack crackers, cookies, gum (Freedent and sugar free), microwave popcorn; chocolate bars or kisses (no nuts), socks (non-skid bottoms or athletic white), handkerchiefs, baseball caps or knit hats, wheelchair bags (patterns are here), lap robes, large size of shampoo, deodorant, lotion; thermal cups with non-spill tops, playing cards, paper, pens and stamps, books, puzzle books (large print), current magazines (within past 3 months). No glass items please, and no products with alcohol such as mouthwash and colognes. n Grace of God Rescue Mission: More than 250 Thanksgiving meals are expected to be served at the Rescue Mission, West Main Street, Forest City, Nov. 26. The rescue mission is serving an average 90 meals per day for people who need a hot meal. Anyone interested in

Contributed photo

R-S Central senior Devyn Walke sponsored a coat drive for people in Rutherford County recently, donating the coats to the Salvation Army Thrift Store, Withrow Road, Spindale. Folk Cleaners owner Aubrey Folk assisted with the project, cleaning the coats free of charge, so they would be delivered “ready to wear” she said.

287-3090

Jean Gordon/Daily Courier

As the Farm House Live Dinner Theatre was performing for the New Century Scholars dinner Saturday night at The Foundation, Isothermal Community College, North Carolina Crime Control volunteers Steve Daniel (left) and William Arrowood take five outside the cultural arts center.

6C — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, November 22, 2009

local Career Day at Rutherfordton Elementary School

Career Day took place Friday, Nov. 6, at Rutherfordton Elementary School. ICC Broadcasting instructor Carolyn Young (photo at right) demonstrates camera operation to a student, while ICC Welding Technology instructor Nathan Fisher (left) demonstrates welding techniques to a group of second graders. More than 20 different careers were displayed at tables inside and outside the school.

Contributed photos

Soups, Sonnets and Castles — Shakespearean Theme

Fifth graders at Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy’s grammar school held an evening of sonnets, songs, and soup, titled, “Soups and Sonnets,” on Nov. 16. Students recited original poetry, performed skits, sonnets, and songs all with a Shakespearean theme. After the performance, families, students, teachers, and staff enjoyed an assortment of soups, breads, and desserts together.

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Contributed photos

Giving Continued from Page 5C

John Kilby

Agency Manager

David Robbins

Wade Flack

Joe Freeman Agent

Agent

Michael Bailey Agent

David Biggerstaff Agent

Joe Ruppe Agent

In November, Duke Energy customers receive a bill insert about the STW program. The Duke Energy Foundation will match up to $500,000 in customer contributions during the heating season. Contributions to Share the Warmth may be mailed using the return envelope they receive in their electric bill or mail a check directly to: Share the Warmth Fund, The Duke Energy Foundation, P.O. Box 35469 Charlotte, N.C. 28254-3429. n Washburn Community Outreach Center — Items to be given away during the holiday season — Canned goods, non-perishables, clothing, gloves, hats for children; baby items, such as formula, etc.; good used clothing. The Duke Endowment

and First United Methodist Church, Forest City, and other groups have made contributions; any Thrift store items, such as clothing and household items are also needed; some of these items will be sold at the store. The thrift store is open Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and clients will be interviewed. Regular hours will be Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Grand opening, Dec. 5. n Chase Corner Ministries — Across from Chase High School; Foothills Harvest Ministry, East Trade Street, Forest City, Yokefellow Service Center, Blanton Street, Spindale; Hospice ReSale, Oak Street, Forest City and Habitat ReStore, West Main Street, Forest City, are also collecting items for the thrift stores. Contact Gordon via email at jgordon@thedigitalcourier.com.

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The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, November 22, 2009 — 7C

Sunday Break

Wife betrayed by man’s repeated Internet infidelity Dear Abby: My husband and I have been married for many years. We have three happy, successful children and a good life together. I love him dearly. I recently discovered that he had been spending a lot of time in erotic online chat rooms. He had hundreds of contacts he was speaking with regularly for pleasure. It had escalated to the point that he would have “conversations” with them on the phone or watch them on a webcam. After I caught him, he promised to stop. I caught him again and threatened to leave him. He swore that he had never met any of

Dear Abby Abigail van Buren

these people and that he had used a fictitious name. He’s now getting counseling and expects me to get beyond it. I am trying, but I feel betrayed. I feel as though he was unfaithful. I am sure you have other readers out there who have experienced Internet infidelity. Do you consider it cheating if they never actually physically meet the people they talk to? I have no one to discuss this with and would appreciate some input. —

The right medicine for a cold Dear Dr. Gott: Boy, do I get confused. I feel as though I am coming down with a cold. When I went to my local drug store to get something to treat myself with, I found countless shelves filled with lozenges, antihistamines, stuff for a sore throat, congestion, runny nose, aches, pains, fever and every other symptom under the sun. I was so confused that I came home with a new bottle of shampoo and some tissues. Where do I begin so I can make the right decision? Dear Reader: You’re not the first person to be confused by the plethora of treatments available for almost any malady. Let’s see if we can make some sense of it all. A rule of thumb is to keep things as simple as possible. Most commercial cough suppressants contain an ingredient called dextromethorphan, which will not help with coughs caused by smoking, asthma or emphysema. The component should not be taken in conjunction with some medications, and shouldn’t be used by pregnant women or those who may become pregnant during treatment because of possible risk to an unborn child. If you have a cough, consider tea with honey or lozenges that don’t contain — medication as alternatives. A sore throat can be

PUZZLE

Ask Dr. Gott Dr. Peter M. Gott

treated with a warm saltwater gargle several times a day until the symptoms subside. Nasal congestion and allergies can be treated with the assistance of a mild saltwater cleansing solution for the nose. which should ease congestion. A neti pot for the rinse can be purchased at your local pharmacy. Fever can be treated with ibuprofen or acetaminophen. A headache can be quelled with aromatherapy. Simply wet a washcloth or small towel. Place it in the microwave for about 15 seconds to warm. Remove, roll the towel and dot each side with lavender oil. Sit back in a comfortable chair and place the cloth over your forehead or around your neck. Lavender can be purchased in pharmacies and health food stores. Now, on to your local pharmacy. Read labels for more information. Be sure to check that your choice will not interact with any other medications or medical conditions you may have. When all else fails, read the front of the container and select the one that best describes your symptoms.

Just Plain Sad Dear Just Plain Sad: Yes, I do consider it a form of cheating. And it would be in your interest to get to the bottom of why this happened before you “get beyond it.” You’re feeling sad because you were betrayed. And the fact that you have no one to discuss it with makes me sad. That’s why I’m advising you that you could also benefit from counseling, and I recommend that you seek a referral right away. Dear Abby: I have two great-nephews. I would like to invite one of them to help me on a big shopping trip, but I don’t want to include his brother.

The 10-year-old is a sweet boy who always shows respect for his elders. His 12-year-old brother is a smart-mouth, arrogant know-it-all. How can I invite one without having to put up with the other? — Great Aunt Susie Dear Great Aunt Susie: Just pick up the phone and ask his mother if you can bring the younger boy along to help you on the trip. Don’t mention the older boy. And if his mother brings him up, tell her what you have told me. However, if you plan to shower the younger one with gifts on that trip and “forget” the older one, I’d advise against it because it will cre-

ate resentment and the target will be the younger boy. Dear Abby: How do you handle someone who needs to constantly flaunt his money? That person is my boss. He makes a lot of money, and he enjoys rubbing it in my face. He never fails to tell me how much he pays for purchases — from cars to clothing, even to how much he paid for his mother’s funeral. Can you think of a way for me to stop him in his tracks when he starts regaling me with his next shopping spree? — Frugal Office Worker Dear Frugal Office Worker: I sure can. Tell him you need a raise.

Don’t forget homeless or abandoned pets during holiday During the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, many businesses and churches and community service groups have food drives for canned and non-perishable food items. These items are then given to those who are less fortunate and not able to afford a holiday meal of their own. Just this past weekend there was such a program in Spindale and judging by the traffic on Highway 74, it was a huge sucPlease help keep our bowls filled during the holidays. Call 287-7738 for cess that benefit- more information or to see how you can help. ed many County families. Pets need food too! And, often families struggle to feed their pets especially during this time of the year. The Community Pet Center invites you to consider dropping off an unopened bag or cans of cat or dog food, or even a bag of litter to our Volunteer Office. Produced by The Community Pet Center has an active Jo-Ann Close and Lynne Faltraco program in which we distribute items Community Pet Center to people who are in need of them, and whose pets may not be able to eat without We can also use towels, washcloths, litter the help of donations like yours. pans as well as monetary donations to help For more information, please call 287our Spay/Neuter Assistance Program and 7738 or visit our Volunteer Office at the our Peticare Fund for emergency pet care. Rutherford County Animal Control Facility.

IN THE STARS Your Birthday, Nov. 21; Dealings with several large commercial organizations could be more rewarding than usual in the year ahead. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — If you need help when it comes to something important you want to achieve, be sure to lay out your game plan first with the person who offers assistance. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Don’t be too proud to accept a favor in repayment for something you’ve done for another. Evening the score will make your friend feel good. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — The secret to getting what you want is to focus on what you can give instead of what you can get. Things fall into place faster when you show others how much you are worth. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Even if you are the force behind pulling off something of great importance to others, make sure that anyone who assisted you shares in the limelight. It’ll make everyone like you even more. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) — Be sure to plan something fun with friends. You’ll enjoy the camaraderie — even more so if you engage in a game with a bit of friendly competition. ARIES (March 21-April 19) — Bold measures might be required to achieve something extremely important to you. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — Because both you and your mate are in complete accord about an important undertaking, things will turn out well. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — You’re in an industrious and productive mood, so don’t waste this wonderful energy on small endeavors. Tackle a long-delayed project while you possess a positive mindset. CANCER (June 21-July 22) — Schedule your day so that you’ll have quality time left over to enjoy yourself. The balance between fun and games and hard work and effort is what counts. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — Even though it might seem like an inconvenience, being helpful to others will make you feel particularly good. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Someone you know on a purely social basis could be just the person you need to help solve a puzzling situation. You’ll find out about his or her knowledge when this person offers assistance. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Partnering with a friend could turn out to be rather fortunate for both of you, especially with regard to profit.

The Pet Project

Boxed food at great rates Dear Sara: I know I’ve heard about places where you can purchase a basket or box of goods, such as fresh fruits, veggies and meat, at a very cheap price. Do you have any idea what I’m talking about and what these places are called? I want to find a place local to me. — J.L. Dear J.L.: It sounds like you’re looking for low-cost food for families with low incomes. If so, check out Angel Food Ministries, a nonprofit organization that offers grocery relief to families in 32 states. The food offered is restaurant-grade quality. If there isn’t a host site close to you, you can ask about how to start one in your city. You can also look into America’s Second Harvest, which is a national food-bank network. Angel Food Ministries P.O. Box 128 Good Hope, Georgia 30641 877-FOOD-MINISTRY www.angelfoodministries. com America’s Second Harvest 35 E. Wacker Dr., Suite 2000 Chicago, IL 60601 800-771-2303 www.secondharvest.org New Jersey offers the Selfhelp and Resource Exchange (SHARE) Food Program. This program offers food at a discount in exchange for a couple of hours of community service. There are no financial restrictions, so anyone can qualify for this program. The food isn’t salvaged or governmentsubsidized. The program purchases food in bulk, primarily from local farmers. SHARE

Frugal Living by Sara Noel

also serves Pennsylvania, Delaware, metro New York and Maryland’s Eastern shore. SHARE Food Program, Inc. 2901 W. Hunting Park Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19129 800-595-3663 www.sharefoodprogram.org You can also look into Community Supported Agriculture. This program connects farmers with consumers. As a supporter, you and others in your community agree to help support part of a local farm. Your community group would own shares. When produce is ready, it’s divided among the group because you’ve paid an investment in advance.

Food co-ops are another option. Some are grocery coops, and others are naturalfood co-ops. Local harvest can point you in the right direction to help you find programs in your area. If you can’t find a food co-op, consider starting one of your own. The National Cooperative Grocers Association can offer you information. LocalHarvest 220 21st Ave. Santa Cruz, CA 95062 831/515-5602 www.localharvest.org National Cooperative Grocers Association www.ncga.coop

8C â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, November 22, 2009

feature

For Macyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parade guru, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Thanksgiving all year By SAMANTHA CRITCHELL, AP Fashion Writer

HOBOKEN, N.J. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The scene around him in a vast industrial space looks like Santaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Workshop, but John Piper, the man behind Macyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Thanksgiving Day parade, compares organizing the annual extravaganza to planning a huge holiday meal â&#x20AC;&#x201D; with a lot of trimmings.

streets of New York on Thanksgiving Day and the third Ronald, this one with enormous feet on speed skates that posed Piper with more than a few technical challenges.

ered with clay. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the last chance to make any changes, Piper explains. Approved designs are then poured into silicon molds, hardened and then those molds are emptied to become negative-space models; there are always two â&#x20AC;&#x201D; one kept white with all the technical drawings marked with inflation and deflation points, and weight and balance notes, and the other is a color version so everyone will know what the balloon will actually look like.

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He needs to serve up something for the traditionalists as well as those seeking a little variety; he needs to include old friends and invite new ones to the party. This year Santa Claus gets his first new float in 40 years and the new balloons are Sailor Mickey, the paradeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fourth incarnation of Mickey Mouse, Spider-Man, Ronald McDonald and the Pillsbury Doughboy. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the second version of Spider-Man that will fly through the

Sometimes Piper invites for a return engagement a balloon character or a float theme that had taken a break but might click with a new audience, he explains. Snoopy has been the most popular character over the years, boasting six different versions.

Personally, Piper would like to bring back Underdog but there hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been an occasion for that â&#x20AC;&#x201D; at least not yet. Still, he canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t pick a favorite even if it seems like everyone else can. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love them all. If I had my way, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d have a parade every week and fly them all.â&#x20AC;? He adds: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The thing that surprises me about all of them (the balloons) is that everyone

Cutline: This photo taken Nov. 9, 2009 shows Macyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Parade Studio Vice President John Piper talking about the process of designing a Macyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon from conception to inflation at the design studio in Hoboken, N.J.

has their own favorite. Back to the meal, everyone likes the whole dinner but everyone has a favorite dish.â&#x20AC;?

retired because theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re no longer fit to fly and there are corporate partnerships to be considered.

Popularity isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the only factor in keeping or losing a balloon, says Piper, as some are

There also are the paradeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s old standbys, like the clowns and the marching bands, that Piper compares to the brown-and-serve rolls on the table that everyone loves â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and the meal wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be complete without â&#x20AC;&#x201D; but arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the headlinegrabbers.

This photo taken Nov. 9, 2009 shows Macyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Parade Studio Vice President John Piper showing clay model sculptures while talking about the process of designing a Macyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon from conception to inflation at the design studio in Hoboken, N.J.

The only litmus test for any of the elements is that it can bring a smile to someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s face, says Piper. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We talk about the parade as being fun for children, but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not talking children by stature. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a child in everyone and we want them to have a good time.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve taken on the role of gatekeeper to the holiday,â&#x20AC;? he says.

The Macyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parade tradition started in 1924 and took a break only during World War II. (The balloons actually were dismantled and the materials used in the war effort as the light aircraft called dirigibles.)

Then and now, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the retailerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s employees and their friends and family members that put on the bulk of the show, including the balloon handlers who, in the offseason, practice special training flights. The only requirements are that handlers are at least 18 years old and weigh 125 pounds or more.

The balloons start as a pencil sketch and then are turned into a fullcolor rendering. Those are turned into threedimensional designs built on a 1:24 scale using a steel frame cov-

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a nine-month process, according to Piper, who boasts that in his 29 years working on the parade, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s never not had one fly although the square SpongeBob Squarepants and gangly Kermit the Frog were touch-and-go for a while.

After the parade each year, the balloons, floats and assorted accessories head back through the Lincoln Tunnel to the former Tootsie Roll factory that acts as parade central. Deflated balloons are stowed in colorful bags, ranging in size from a jumbo load of laundry to a king bed. Piper and his team gather the day after Thanksgiving at the studio for their own feast. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll watch a recorded version of the parade on TV â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and then start thinking about the next year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always on its way to Thanksgiving for me. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the first and last day of the year,â&#x20AC;? Piper says.

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