Daily Courier December 6, 2009

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Student leads market effort — Page 6A Sports

The roar of Roy No. 10 North Carolina slipped behind No. 5 Kentucky before a furious second half comeback bid. Would it be enough?

B Section

$1.50

Sunday, December 6, 2009, Forest City, N.C.

NATION

Holiday on parade

Mayor wraps up political career By LARRY DALE Daily Courier Staff Writer

GOP forcing Dems to votes on health cuts Page 11A

SPORTS

Jolly Old Saint Nicholas (above) waved to crowds Saturday afternoon during the SpindaleRutherfordton Christmas Parade. Members of the Forest City Booster Club (left) provided a beat during the Spindale march. Parade participants reconvened in Rutherfordton for that town’s parade at 5 p.m. A group of girl scouts (below) greet the crowd during the march down Main Street in Rutherfordton.

No. 1 Gators battle No. 2 Tide for title Page 1B

GAS PRICES

Garrett Byers/Daily Courier

FOREST CITY — Jimmy Gibson learned as a young man that water is a precious commodity, and it is a lesson that has benefited the town of Forest City during Gibson’s 18 years in public service. Gibson, after 12 years on the town council and six years as mayor, is stepping down Monday night at the regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Commissioners. Dennis Tarlton will be sworn in as the new mayor. Gibson was the owner of the B.F. Goodrich franchise in town for more than 30 years, but there was a time when it appeared the Rutherford County native might literally fly away from the North Carolina foothills. After graduation from high school, Gibson attended Wofford College for three years before being accepted into Air Force pilot training and signing up for the required threeyear commitment. Please see Mayor, Page 11A

Murder trial set this week By LARRY DALE Daily Courier Staff Writer

Low: $2.53 High: $2.61 Avg.: $2.57

RUTHERFORDTON — A murder trial is scheduled to begin Monday in Rutherford County Superior Court. Kelvin Jerome Rippy of Forest City is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Heather Lowery, 24, of Forest City The Forest City Police Department reports that Lowery was strangled and stabbed on Nov. 3, 2007, when she went to drop her son off at Rippy’s apartment. Rippy is the boy’s father. Lowery was flown to Mission Hospital in Asheville, where she remained in critical condition until being moved to Hospice House in Forest City. She died there on Christmas Eve 2007. The trial originally had been scheduled as a capital, or death penalty, case. But the District

DEATHS Rutherfordton

Clifford Tate

Forest City

Charles Greene

Henrietta

Velma Walker

Elsewhere

Hugh McKee Page 5A

WEATHER

Please see Trial, Page 6A

High

Low

49 31

Courier publisher will retire in January By SCOTT BAUGHMAN Daily Courier Staff Writer

Today, mostly sunny. Tonight, clear and cold. Complete forecast, Page 10A

INSIDE Classifieds . . . 5-7B Sports . . . B Section County scene . . . 6A Opinion . . . . . . . 4A Vol. 41, No. 291

Jim Brown

FOREST CITY — Following a career that has spanned four decades and more than four states, Daily Courier Publisher James R. Brown has announced his retirement as of Jan. 2, 2010. “I felt that 45 years was long enough in this business and I’m looking to relax a little bit and do something a little less time consuming,” Brown said. The 65-year-old plans to remain in Rutherford County. A replacement has not been named at this time. In his career, he has worked at

Now on the Web: www.thedigitalcourier.com

the Sandusky Register in Ohio, the Santa Barbara News-Press in California, the Palatka Daily News in Florida and the Norwalk Reflector in Ohio. He started work as The Courier’s publisher in late March 1998. “While I was here the paper shifted to morning delivery and weekend editions, which happened in 1999,” Brown said. “It’s been a great ride, and the thing that made it great were the interesting and talented people that I got a chance to work with at newspapers all over this country.” During his career, the veteran

newsman covered a slew of big stories. “The biggest story I worked on was the day after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. A fire swept through a nursing home in northern Ohio and killed 65 people,” Brown said. “The results of that fire led to much of the legislation that govern safety in nursing homes across the country today. I was also in California when the shuttle Challenger exploded. Had not Challenger exploded the very next shuttle launch would’ve been from Vandenberg Air Force Please see Publisher, Page 6A

2A — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, December 6, 2009

Local

Pittmans open home for holiday benefit tour By JEAN GORDON Daily Courier Staff Writer

RUTHERFORDTON — The twostory, contemporary-style home of Blue and Julie Pittman and their 9-month-old twin daughters, Sophie and Mia, has been selected by Family Resources Inc. for its holiday tour. The rambling home, off Washburn Drive from Baber Road in Rutherfordton, will be in full decor next Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12 and 13, as visitors from around the county tour the Pittman home to raise money for Family Resources. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. All tours will begin at the nearby Rutherfordton Elementary School. Tour hours are 1 to 5 p.m. each day and the last tour will leave the school at 4 p.m. Call 247-1440, ext. 105, for tickets. The Pittmans moved into the new home on a Friday in August 2008, and three days later the couple found out they were having a baby. Some time later, they discovered they were Jean Gordon/Daily Courier having twins and their lives have been changed forever. Julie Pittman holding daughter Mia and Blue Pittman holding daughter Sophie, Every day is a new adventure for have opened their home for the 17th annual Family Resource Holiday Tour next Saturday and Sunday. Tours will begin at Rutherfordton Elementary School at 1 p.m. the Pittmans, who will be away from their home during the tours. It would

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probably be too overwhelming for the babies, they agreed. “We’ll take them to sit on Santa’s knee on Saturday,� Julie said. Hostesses from Family Resources will lead visitors through each Christmas decorated room in the house, including Blue’s sports memorabilia room. Because of their love of the season and a desire to help others, the Pittmans decided to open their home for the tour after being approached by friend Amy Jenkins. The home is a Don Gardner design with the couple customizing much of the home including the kitchen. Decorating for the holiday tour will be provided by Ritchie Garland, Bostic Florist, Vicki Thompson, Amy Jenkins and the Pittmans. The couple will use many of their own decorations, collected over the years by Blue’s family, especially Carletta. “We are very excited about the tour,� Julie said. All proceeds from the home tour will benefit Family Resources, Inc. sponsored programs. Contact Gordon via e-mail at jgordon@ thedigitalcourier.com.

The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, December 6, 2009 — 3A

Local

School Board to discuss gym name, policy changes

SURVEYORS AT WORK

FOREST CITY – The Rutherford County Schools Board of Education Tuesday will vote whether or not to name the gymnasium at R-S Central High school the Stacy J. Lail Jr. Gymnasium. The board will hear that request from Superintendent John Kinlaw and R-S Central High School Principal Phil Rogers. Lail, a graduate of R-S Central ­â€” where he played football, basketball and baseball, also taught at the school from 1978 to 2003, coaching the boys basketball team from 1978 to 1988. In 11 years of coaching 307 basketball games, his teams won 253 — including a 56-game winning streak — and lost 54 for an 82.4 winning percentage.

Lail also started the cross country program in 1978 and coached that until 1988. The board is also expected to vote on several policies, including a student promotion and accountability policy, prohibition against discrimination, harassment and bullying policy and discrimination, harassment and bullying complaint procedure. Students from Sunshine Elementary School will presenting the Pledge of Allegiance and inspiration from the meeting via Skype with other students at the school, with special guest United States Army Soldier SPC Lance Yelton. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Cool Springs Administrative Offices Board Room.

Jean Gordon/Daily Courier

Jamie Romine (left) and Johnny Barlette, employees with the Department of Transportation, were busy Friday morning surveying the areas of Poors Ford and Oakland Road preparing for the January 2010 road construction project. The project is the rerouting of the intersection to be located between the American Red Cross Chapter House and the residence next to the chapter house. Tennoca Construction of Asheville was awarded the project bid. Romine and Barlette work from DOT’s district office in Marion.

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Commissioners have several items on agenda By SCOTT BAUGHMAN Daily Courier Staff Writer

RUTHERFORDTON — Commissioners will discuss surplus equipment and financing for an ambulance for the Hickory Nut Gorge EMS during their December meeting Monday night, 6 p.m. at the County Annex. The Sheriff’s Department has 10 to 12 vehicle consoles that are surplus. Some Fire Departments have requested to be able to use these. Also on the agenda, a discussion about how county departments of Social Services are responsible for the disposition of bodies that are unclaimed in their county after 10 days. Procedures for disposition of the body and authorization of payment for cremation has been developed and approved by the Board of Social Services for commissioners to review. “Hickory Nut Gorge EMS requests that they be able to investigate using the County’s tax status to be able to obtain financing for this truck at a lower interest rate,� County Manager John Condrey said in a memo to commissioners. “If the Board approves, a public hearing could be called for and held at the meeting on January 4, 2010 and a resolu-

tion would need to be passed by the Board at that time.� In other business, the county’s Economic Development Commission is asking to apply for a N.C. Rural Center Grant. Economic Development Commission Director Tom Johnson requests that the Board approve the submission of a Rural Center Grant application,� Condrey said. “The Chairman in his capacity as the Chief Elected Official of Rutherford County must be authorized to file the application by formal action of the governing board. The exact amount which will be used to upfit and renovate an existing vacant building will be determined over the next week or so. The maximum amount allowed in this program is $480,000.� Officials haven’t released the location of the building under discussion. Also on the agenda, commissioners will review a resolution of support for a new study by the National Park Service to move the headquarters for the Overmountain Victory Trail to Rutherford County. Other items may be added to the agenda. Contact Baughman via e-mail at sbaughman@thedigitalcourier.com.

Winter storm brings snow, rain to N.C.

ASHEVILLE (AP) — Forecasters warned that some roadways could become treacherous as temperatures drop across western North Carolina. Ran began changing over to snow in parts of western North Carolina early Saturday. But forecasters warned that black ice could form on roadways after sunset when tempera-

tures began falling below freezing. Some accumulation was reported at higher elevations earlier Saturday. There was about an inch of snow on Mount Mitchell and on the ground where Interstate 26 crosses the Tennessee line. A winter storm warning remained in effect for areas above 3,500 feet.

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4A — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, December 6, 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 Energy should be debate focus

M

uch of the world will be watching the political twostep that takes place in Copenhagen next week at the international climate conference. The summit takes place in the wake of President Barack Obama’s recent trip to Asia where he and Chinese leaders took tentative steps toward an agreement on reducing greenhouse gases. Whether they can continue their progress is what everyone wants to know. In the U.S. there continues to be much debate against the global warming issue, which ranges from outright denial that the earth is getting warmer and that man’s impact has a major impact on climate change to those who think change is needed but who are not ready to make the drastic changes others are calling for now. While the U.S. continues to talk, some countries, including China, are already aggressively pursuing alternative energy sources. Those efforts, if successful, pose a serious threat to the U.S. Foreign competitors, who already have a huge advantage when it comes to labor and production costs (which is what led to the demise of much of America’s manufacturing industry over the last half-century), will have a truly insurmountable advantage if they can find cheaper, more efficient ways to produce energy. What these facts suggests is that the debate in the U.S. is focused on the wrong topic. While we haggle over whether there is proof to support global warming, our competitors are focusing on finding better sources of energy. If the U.S. is to continue to compete as a world leader, we have to make sure we are playing the right game.

This port may cause a storm RALEIGH — In the early 1990s, former Gov. Jim Martin and then-state Senate leader Henson Barnes began pushing a plan to turn an eastern North Carolina airstrip in a hub of manufacturing activity. In the years since, the Global Transpark in Kinston has been alternately called a boondoggle and an economic savior. After years of little return on the state’s investment, things have begun to look up for the facility. Last year, it gained a primary tenant, jet fuselage manufacturer Spirit Aerosystems. Regardless of the transpark’s fate, at least North Carolinians knew which of their elected officials to praise or blame for the decision. It’s far less clear who will be to blame or applaud if plans move ahead to build a new $2.3 billion cargo container port on the banks of the Cape Fear River in Brunswick County. No politician outside of Brunswick or New Hanover counties has ever stood in front of a large public gathering to proclaim the idea worth pursuing. Other than consultants hired by the North Carolina Ports Authority, no experts have concluded the plan will work. The only significant endorse-

Today in North Carolina Scott Mooneyham

ment by officeholders came when the 10-member Council of State, a few years back, gave its OK to the purchase of 600 acres of land for $30 million. The chief decision-maker these days is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is studying the feasibility of digging a new channel to serve the proposed port. But what’s feasible and what’s good are two different things. The questions raised by the idea of a new, deepwater port servicing megaships carrying stacks of cargo containers are too substantial to be left to cheerleading bureaucrats and state appointees. Financial troubles for a similar facility operating in Portsmouth, Va., make clear the most basic question: Will an investment of $2 billion in public money reap any real return for taxpayers? Port officials point to projections about increased cargo container traffic on the East Coast. A new, state-of-the-art port is a way to capture a big chunk of

that market, which could create thousands of jobs, they say. But the talk may be fancy not fact. Ports in Virginia and Charleston, S.C., have decided advantages over North Carolina ports that can’t be erased anytime soon. Today, a truck carrying a container leaving Charleston on Interstate 26 will arrive in Charlotte, a key distribution hub, far faster than a truck leaving Wilmington. Norfolk and Charleston also are served by two competing rail lines, competition that can mean cheaper shipping costs. Even more fundamental is, who exactly would benefit? Most North Carolina exports are bulk cargo, not containerized cargo. The new port would serve mainly importers, China. Is that who we want to subsidize with state tax dollars? Sometime soon, the elected leaders of this state need to examine these issues and give port officials some direct, public direction. Otherwise, the people whom those elected officials work for might one day be giving them direction of another kind. Scott Mooneyham is executive director of The Capitol News Service.

You decide ... is tax reform in our state’s future? When tax reform is mentioned, people take notice, simply because taxes take a big chunk out of our income. North Carolina has been talking about tax reform for almost two decades. Indeed, I participated in a state-level tax reform commission a couple of years ago. Now, a special committee of the North Carolina General Assembly is taking up the issue again. Is it really time to think about overhauling the state’s tax structure, and if so, what kind of changes should be made? Two forces are driving the move to redo North Carolina’s taxes. One is that the sales tax — one of the major generators of revenue for the state — has become outdated. When it was designed as a tax on consumer spending, our purchases were of products — “goods” in economics lingo — that is, things we can touch and carry like food, clothing, furniture, appliance, etc. Consumer spending on services was non-existent. Now, the majority of consumer spending is on services, but this spending is not subject to the state sales tax. Thus, to keep revenue from the sales tax on pace with growth in the economy, the

You Decide Dr. Mike Walden

sales tax /rate/ has had to be increased several times over the years. The second force is enhanced competition between states — even between countries — for good-paying jobs. Here, companies look at a state’s corporate income tax rate, and workers look at a state’s individual income tax rate. On both, North Carolina is relatively high, so the concern is that our high corporate and individual income tax rates may be deterring new businesses from settling in our state. But what makes a tax overhaul so difficult is that different priorities for change are held by different groups. Two competing priorities seem to be dominant. One group focuses on the impact of taxes on economic growth. They want tax rates to be low and the tax base (what is taxed) to be broad. The other group is most concerned about how any tax changes affect the dis-

tribution of tax payments by households of different income levels. In particular, this group doesn’t want tax restructuring to increase the tax rates paid by lowerincome households. It’s difficult to accommodate both groups in tax reform, and this is one reason why — despite much study and talking — remaking North Carolina’s tax system has not moved off square one. However, a new plan has been put forward that may be able to bridge the gap between those with alternative views as well as address the issues with our current system. The new plan comes courtesy of California, where a high profile tax commission has just issued its recommendations. California has tax issues that are similar to North Carolina’s, although — fortunately for North Carolina — California’s issues are several magnitudes beyond ours! There are two essential elements to the California plan. First, the state sales tax and state corporate income tax would be completely eliminated. The individual income tax would be retained, but with two low rates, limited itemized deductions (only mortgage interest, property

taxes and charitable contributions could be taken as deductions), and a large ($45,000 for joint filers) standard deduction. Second, to replace the sales tax and corporate income tax, a new “net receipts” tax would be imposed on all businesses. A tax rate (the plan recommends 4 percent) would be paid on the difference between a business’s receipts and its non-labor expenses. Some call this a “value-added” tax because the value created by the business and its workers is what is taxed. The California plan aims to be “revenue neutral,” meaning it would initially neither increase nor decrease tax revenues. However, over time the new system would expect to keep tax revenues more in line with economic growth and also be less “bouncy” with the business cycle. This means tax revenues would be more even over both the good times and bad times in the economy. It’s thought supporters of economic growth would like the plan because of elimination of the corporate income and sales taxes, low rates and limited deductions on the individual income taxes and the broad base and low rate on the new net receipts tax.

Those who monitor taxes paid by lower income households would presumably like elimination of the sales tax and the very large standard deduction for the individual income tax. It will be interesting to see if North Carolina considers something along the lines of the California tax proposals. It’s said that changing the tax structure is extreme political heavy lifting. Should we – and will we – muscle our way to a new way of deriving public revenues for our state? You decide! Dr. Mike Walden is a William Neal Reynolds Professor and North Carolina Cooperative Extension economist in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics of N.C. State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He teaches and writes on personal finance, economic outlook and public policy.

Sunday Conversation Fr. Jonathan Lankford

Father Lankford’s column will return next week.

The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, December 6, 2009

—

5A

local/obituaries

Obituaries Clifford Tate

Clifford Tate, 67, of 209 N. Cleghorn St., Rutherfordton, died Thursday, Dec., 3, 2009, at Rutherford Hospital. A native of Rutherford County, he was a son of the late Floyd and Lucy Ledbetter Tate. He was a retired textile worker. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Sybil Laws Tate. He is survived by two daughters, Angela Lastinger of Orange Park, Fla., Carla Carver of Sunshine; three stepdaughters, Cynthia Wester and Loretta Jenkins, both of Ellenboro, and Robin Greene of Forest City; a stepson, Roger Bungadner of Morganton; two brothers, Carl Tate of Bostic and Floyd Tate Jr. of Ellenboro; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Graveside services will be today at 3 p.m. at Rutherford County Memorial Cemetery with the Rev. J.J. Powell officiating. McKinney-Landreth Funeral Home is serving the family. A guest register is available at www.mckinneylandrethfuneralhome.com.

Hugh McKee

Plato Hugh McKee, 87, of 2251 New House Road, Shelby, died Saturday, Dec.5, 2009, at Hospice at Wendover in Shelby after several months of declining health. Born May 8, 1922, in Cleveland County, he was a son of the late Plato McKee and Llie Jenkins McKee. He was the oldest and a life-long member of Mount Olivet Baptist Church. He was a veteran, serving in the Army during World War II. He was salesman and is best remembered for his 35-plus years at Sears Roebuck. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his first wife, Edna Morrison McKee. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Pitchford McKee; and a number of nieces, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and friends. The family will receive friends today from 1:30 to 3 p.m.at Stamey Funeral Home. A funeral Service will be at 3 p.m. at Stamey Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Scott Henson officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Olivet Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Hospice Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150. Arrangements by Stamey Funeral Home, Fallston.

Charles Greene

Charles William Greene, 80, of 173 Morgan St., Forest City, died Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009, at his residence. He was a native of Rutherford County, born June 8, 1929, a son of the late Roy and Inez Thrift Greene. He was retired from PPG Industries and was a member of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church and a former member of the Rutherford 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.

County Rescue Squad. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Martha Luckadoo Greene; two sons, Terry Greene of Ellenboro and Rodney Greene of Forest City; one daughter, Sherri Greene of Chesnee, S.C.; two brothers, Johnny Greene of Mooresboro and Cletus Greene; one sister, Rosie Wilkie of Ellenboro; and four grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church with the Revs. Bob Philbeck and Kyle Turner officiating. Burial will follow in Cliffside Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at McKinney-Landreth Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Building Fund, 397 Mount Pleasant Church Road, Forest City, NC 28043, or Hospice of Rutherford County P.O. Box 336 Forest City, NC 28043. McKinney-Landreth Funeral Home Cliffside is serving the Greene family.

Velma Walker Velma S. Walker, 88, of Henrietta, died Dec. 4, 2009, at Fair Haven Home. She was born Nov. 12, 1921, in Rutherford County to the late Henry Edgar Smith and Lydia Jane Scoggins Smith. She worked at Stonecutter Mills as a lab technician for more than 35 years before her retirement. She was a longtime member of Race Path Baptist where she was active in the Race Path Finders Class. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, P.D. Walker. Survivors include her son, Dick Walker of Lincolnton; her daughter, Cindy Campfield of Henrietta; one sister, Nancy Suttles of Chapel Hill; three grandchildren; five great-grandchil-

dren; and a host of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. on Monday at Race Path Baptist Church with the Rev. John Godfrey officiating. Burial will follow in Rutherford County Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 tonight at Harrelson Funeral Home. At other times, they will be gathered at 576 McCraw Road, Henrietta. The family requests memorial donations be sent to Hospice of Rutherford County, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043 or to Race Path Baptist Church, 1171 Race Path Baptist Church Road, Ellenboro, NC 28040. Harrelson Funeral Home is serving the family. An online guest registry is available at www.harrelsonfuneralhome.com

Deaths W.E. Lister SAN ANTONIO (AP) — W.E. “Big Bill” Lister, who toured as one of Hank Williams’ Drifting Cowboys and was dubbed “Radio’s Tallest Singing Cowboy,” has died. He was 86. His family said Lister was performing nightly for crowds of 300-plus on a cruise from Galveston to the Caribbean until just a few months ago. Even though the 6-foot-7 cowboy never drank, his family said he needed a drinking song to record in 1951. Williams gave him a demo of “There’s a Tear in My Beer.” The demo ended up in Lister’s attic until he

Charles William Greene, 80, of 173 Morgan St., Forest City, died Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009, at his residence. He was a native of Rutherford County born June 8,1929, a son of the late Roy and Inez Thrift Greene. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a brother Junior L. Greene. Charles was retired from PPG Industries and was a member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church and a former member of the Rutherford County Rescue Squad. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Martha Luckadoo Greene, two sons, Terry Greene and wife Betty of Ellenboro, Rodney Greene and wife Donna of Forest City, one daughter Sherri Greene and fiancee Scott Lawrence of Chesnee, two brothers Johnny Greene and wife Tula of Mooresboro, Cletus Greene and wife Addie of Henrietta, one sister Rosie Wilkie of Ellenboro, four grandchildren Terra Greene and fiance Anthony Rollins, Jonathan Greene and wife Ashley, Lyndsey Greene, Jordan Greene and his daughters fiancee son Jeremy Lawrence. Funeral services will be held 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 8, 2009, at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church with the Rev. Bob Philbeck and the Rev. Kyle Turner officiating. Burial will follow in Cliffside Cemetery. Visitation will be held 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, December 7, 2009, at McKinney-Landreth Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Building Fund, 397 Mount Pleasant Church Road, Forest City, NC 28043, or Hospice of Rutherford County, P.O. Box 336 Forest City, NC 28043. McKinney-Landreth Funeral Home Cliffside is serving the Greene family. Paid obit

Paula Hawkins ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Paula Hawkins, the feisty, self-described “housewife from Maitland” who in 1980 became the first woman elected to a full Senate term without a family political connection, died Friday. She was 82. During her single six-year term in the U.S. Senate, the Republican positioned herself as a media-savvy champion of children and working mothers and an enemy of drug dealers. She lost her bid for a second term in 1986 to then-Gov. Bob Graham in a race that pitted two of Florida’s most popular politicians.

Velma S. Walker, age 88, of Henrietta, NC, died Dec. 4, 2009 at Fair Haven Home. Velma was born November 12, 1921, in Rutherford County to the late Henry Edgar Smith and Lydia Jane Scoggins Smith. She worked at Stonecutter Mills as a lab technician for over 35 years before her retirement. She was a longtime member of Race Path Baptist where was active in the Race Path Finders Class. She enjoyed word search puzzles, crocheting and knitting. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, P.D. Walker; two brothers, Frank Smith and John Smith; two sisters, Mary Wright and Betty Pannell. Survivors include her son, Dick Walker of Lincolnton, NC; her daughter, Cindy Campfield and her husband, Jimmy, of Henrietta; one sister, Nancy Suttles of Chapel Hill; three grandchildren, Brad Walker of Cary, NC, Russ Campfield of Henrietta and Aimee Turner and her husband, Scott, of Lincolnton; five great grandchildren, Macy Walker, Zak Turner, Jake Walker, Austin Turner and Emma Walker and a host of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, December 7, 2009, at Race Path Baptist Church with Reverend John Godfrey officiating. Interment will follow in Rutherford County Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday at Harrelson Funeral Home. At other times they will be gathered at 576 McCraw Road, Henrietta. The family requests memorial donations be sent to Hospice of Rutherford County, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043 or to Race Path Baptist Church, 1171 Race Path Baptist Church Road, Ellenboro, NC 28040. Harrelson Funeral Home is serving the family. An online guest registry is available at www.harrelsonfuneralhome. com Paid obit

for an Academy Award for the 1949 film A Hasty Heart and starred as U.S. Senate chaplain Peter Marshall in A Man Called Peter (1954), died Thursday at his home in Little Humby, Lincolnshire in central England, according to his agent, the Richard Stone Partnership. In Britain, one of his bestknown roles was playing Royal Air Force pilot Guy Gibson in The Dam Busters. Fleming had preferred Todd to take the lead in Dr. No in 1962, The Daily Telegraph said in its obituary, but a schedule clash opened the way for Sean Connery to define the part. Instead, Todd took the role of role of Inspector Harry Sanders in Death Drums Along the River, released in 1963.

Richard Todd LONDON (AP) — Richard Todd, who re-enacted his wartime exploits in the 1962 film The Longest Day and was Ian Fleming’s choice to play James Bond, has died of cancer at age 90, his family said Friday. Todd, who was nominated

Lois Baynard Allen Tate

Plato Hugh McKee

Velma S. Walker Charles Greene

offered it to Hank Williams Jr. decades later. Hank Jr. used the demo for a version of the song combining his voice with his father’s; it won a Grammy in 1990.

Plato Hugh McKee, 87, of 2251 New House Road, Shelby, died Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009, at Hospice at Wendover in Shelby after several months of declining health. Born May 8, 1922, in Cleveland County, he was a son of the late Plato McKee and Llie Jenkins McKee. Hugh was the oldest and a lifelong member of Mount Olivet Baptist Church. He was a veteran, serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a natural-born salesman, and sales was one of his many passions, and Hugh is best remembered during his 35-plus years at Sears Roebuck. Another passion and one of his greatest challenges in life, was attempting to out-smart the stockmarket, which he did much of the time. Another passion was his love to travel. Nothing suited Hugh any more than to get together with his special nephew, friend and travel buddy, Roger McKee, and plan a “trip out West” for himself, Lib and Roger - and anyone else who would go along. Hugh had already talked to Roger about planning “their next trip” and Roger suggested perhaps another part of the U.S. for their next trip, which Hugh found amusing. Another of Hugh’s passions was his love and devotion of his canine buddies, Lady (Bug) and Rex. His family often teased him of how “pet friendly” his car looked. Another passion was his garden. He could grow the best tomatoes and corn in Cleveland County. He would spend endless hours plowing and grooming his garden and a weed did not stand a chance there. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his first wife, Edna Morrison McKee and three brothers, Horace McKee, Ray McKee and L.S. (Seaborn) McKee. Hugh is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Pitchford McKee and a number of nieces great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and friends. He will be greatly missed by his family and community. The family will receive friends from 1:30 to 3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009, at Stamey Funeral Home. A Funeral Service will be 3 p.m., Sunday, Decmeber 6, 2009, at Stamey Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Scott Henson officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Olivet Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that memorials may be made to Hospice Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150. Arrangements by Stamey Funeral Home, Fallston. Paid obit

Lois Baynard Allen Tate passed away on December 2, 2009, at Hospice House in Forest City. She was 88. The daughter of Evie Harris and A. Riley Baynard, Lois was born Oct. 6, 1921, in Forest City. She liked to tell people that she had lived her entire life within five miles of where she was born. For the last several years she had lived at Carolina House, an assisted living facility in Forest City. Survivors include her daughter, Rebecca Allen Kuhn and husband Steven Kuhn of Charlotte; granddaughters Julia Kuhn of Dallas, Texas, and Emily Kuhn Tolsma and husband Erik Tolsma of Charlotte; a great-grandson, Justin Sanchez of Charlotte; sister-in-law Hannah Baynard of Rutherfordton; stepson Tony Tate of Glen Allen, Va; four nieces, a nephew, and an extended family of cousins, in-laws and "adopted" grandchildren. She was especially close to the Mike Chapa family. Preceding her in death were her parents; two husbands, James Allen and Landrum Tate; her sister, Marjorie Baynard Stoney; and her brother, Charles Baynard. Lois was a lifelong and committed member of Florence Baptist Church. She sang soprano in the choir and taught a women’s Sunday school class for more than 50 years. She was a leader in planning for the church’s new sanctuary, dedicated in 1991, and she and lifelong friend Mamie Flack Hamrick wrote a history of the church in honor of that milestone. For more than 30 years, Lois was receptionist and office manager for Dr. George Becknell. She became well-known in Rutherford County as "Dr. Becknell's nurse." It was a career that suited her perfectly, because Lois was always happiest when she was caring for someone else. She was one of the first volunteers with Hospice of Rutherford County. Lois loved to travel, to cook and to entertain. She enjoyed classical music and was a member of the Forest City Music Club. Lois also had a talent for writing. At her funeral, a Psalm of Praise that she wrote will be read. Scripture readings will be from her well-worn Bible, held together with duct tape and with her comments and meditations written in every available space. The family would like to thank Patty Hammett and the staffs of Carolina House and Hospice House for their loving care during the past few months. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday December 7, 2009 in the Florence Baptist Church with Dr. Bobby Gantt officiating. Interment will follow in the Sunset Memorial Park. Family visitation will be from 6 until 8 p.m. Sunday evening at The Padgett and King Mortuary. Memorials may be made to the Building Fund of Florence Baptist Church, 201 South Broadway, Forest City, NC 28043, or to Hospice of Rutherford County, 374 Hudlow Road, Forest City, NC 28043. The Padgett and King Mortuary is in charge and an online guest registry is available at: www.padgettking.com Paid obit

6A — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, December 6, 2009

Calendar/Local

Student leads farmers market effort By LARRY DALE Daily Courier Staff Writer

Health/education Life Line Screenings: Wednesday, Dec. 9, at Forest City Clubhouse, 141 Westview St., Forest City; appointments will begin at 10 a.m.; packages start at $139; all five screenings take 60-90 minutes to complete; pre-registration required; call 1-877-237-1287 or visit www. lifelinescreening.com. 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. The Medication Assistance Program provides access to medications at reduced rates or free of charge to those who qualify, call 288-8872.

Red Cross Blood drives scheduled: Dec. 8 — Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy, Avondale, 11:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m., contact Jennifer Hoyle at 657-9998; Dec. 11 — Forest City Fire Department, 1 to 6 p.m., contact Keith McCurry at 245-2111; Dec. 16 — Harris Elementary, 1:30 to 6 p.m., contact Don Ingle at 2482354 Dec. 21 — Oak Grove Methodist Church, Ellenboro, 4 to 8:30 p.m., contact Dawn Kanipe at 289-1279; Dec. 28 — Red Cross Chapter House, 2 to 6:30 p.m., call 287-5916 for an appointment. Classes: Adult, Child, Infant CPR: Saturday, Dec. 5, begins at 8:30 a.m. Adult CPR: Monday, Dec. 14, begins at 6 p.m. Child, Infant CPR: Tuesday, Dec. 15, begins at 6 p.m. First Aid: Thursday, Dec. 17, begins at 6 p.m., Preventing Disease Transmission.

Meetings/other 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. Meeting, Rutherford County Soccer Association: annual general membership meeting, 6 p.m. Monday at ICC in the Business Services Building, Red Room.

FOREST CITY — A student from Rutherford County has been instrumental in bringing a farmers market to the campus of Clemson University. Ashley Adams, a sophomore English major at the university, gave students, faculty and the community a chance to shop at the Clemson FarmFresh Market once a month during September, October and November. She is the daughter of Al and Talula Adams of Forest City. Adams is interested in sustainable agriculture and in preserving family farms, so the farmers market idea seemed like a natural. “Campus farmers markets are on the rise in the United States,” Adams said recently. “For example, Harvard, Princeton, Yale, UC Berkeley and Contributed photo/Blair Paulik/ Auburn, to name a few, are all giving The Tiger/Clemson University their students access to local, fresh Ashley Adams displays a poster proproduce through campus markets. I moting the farmers market at Clemson University. want Clemson to be on board.” Closer to home, the University of South Carolina has a farmers market, the event.” and that market gave Clemson stuThe grant from the SCDA, received dents help in launching their effort. with the help of SCDA General “The idea came after a visit in Counsel Beth Crocker, has so far been December of 2008 to the Healthy used to print flyers and lanyards, pay Carolina Farmers Market on campus the market manager, print directional at the University of South Carolina,” signs for the day of the market, and Adams said. “The staff from the prepare the location of the market, Healthy Carolina Farmers Market Adams commented. has helped us out every step of the Katie Black and Paula Beecher, of way. There is no way we could have the College of Agriculture, Forestry, done it without them. The Clemson and Life Sciences at Clemson, were Farm-Fresh Market was started a lot her advisers for the project. Ashley’s quicker and easier because of USC’s sister, Courtney Adams, did all of willingness to provide us with plans, the graphic design work — flyers to suggestions, contacts, budget tips, recruit farmers, flyers to place on etc.” campus and the logo. Courtney is a Of course, that doesn’t mean that the rivalry between USC and Clemson Clemson graduate. “After details were coming together has been dampened. as far as the campus set-up would go, “If USC can have a student-run I began visiting local farmers markets farmers market on campus, Clemson can, too,” Adam noted. “And Clemson to recruit vendors,” Adams said. She noted that any farmer who had will do it better.” fresh produce, plant items, flowers, Starting anything new on a colbaked goods, jam, jellies, preserves lege campus requires much time and and other non-commercial food items effort, the sophomore reported. from South Carolina, North Carolina “The process to start the market or Georgia could attend. She added began in December of 2008 and that there was not an application prothe first market was in September cess for the farmers. Instead, farmers of 2009, so it took about nine paid a vendor fee and received a conmonths,” Adams said. “After receivtract stating the rules and regulations ing a $10,000 grant from the South of the market. Carolina Department of Agriculture, Getting farmers lined up to particiI began meeting with university offipate was just part of the job of makcials to arrange the location, secure parking, establish dates, and promote ing the market a success. The other

Publisher Continued from Page 1A

Holidays Ellenboro Christmas Parade: Sunday, Dec. 6, 3 p.m., all participants invited to enter; contact Sandra Weeks at 453-8932, or town hall, 453-8611; World War II veterans will be the grand marshals. Annual Holiday Tour: Sponsored by Family Resources; Dec. 12 and 13, from 1 to 5 p.m., this year’s tour features the home of Blue and Julie Pittman; tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door; the reception center will be at the new Rutherfordton Elementary; for more information or advance tickets call 247-1440, ext. 105. Christmas Concert: David Roach will present a Christmas Concert on Saturday, Dec. 19, at Chase High School auditorium. The program begins at 7 p.m. Admission will be $10 at the door with all proceeds going to the Chase Trojan Marching Band Uniform Fund. Christmas Boutique: Through Dec. 24, at the Visual Arts Center, 173 N. Main St., Rutherfordton; hours 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday; handmade art and fine craft items on display and available for purchase; paintings in all mediums, ceramics, wood crafts, sculpture, fused and stained glass and much more.

Base which was in the county we covered in California. For us, the explosion was incredibly important as a local story.” And he’s seen the newsroom and the newspaper go through many changes. “Technology is the big thing that has changed,” Brown said. “When I started we were still using the linotype system used by papers for the previous 40 years. “I’ve seen every iteration of computers come through the newsroom and seen the advent of the Internet and its impact on the newspaper. And I saw the production of the newspaper — which used to command a full department — now fall on the newsroom’s shoulders.”

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Attorney’s Office has decided against pursuing that option. Had the trial continued to be a death penalty case, a second attor-

Miscellaneous Guardian ad Litem program: Federal and N.C. laws mandate legal representation for children in abuse and neglect court proceedings. Community volunteers are a powerful voice in advocating for children and helping them to find their voice in the court system. To find out how you can become a Guardian ad Litem, call 287-3929. Volunteers needed: Youth Empowerment is in the process of creating a teen center for youth 10-17. Volunteers are needed to paint at the Power Center and help with making small repairs during the week of caring. Located at the old Special Occasions building behind Bojangles. For more information call 288-1021.

He is the founder and president of Leadership Rutherford, served two years at steering committee chair of Realize Rutherford and is completing a two-year term as chair of the board at Foothills Connect, the business and technology center in Rutherfordton. Brown is a veteran, having served in ney would have been provided for Rippy. When it appeared it would be a capital case, attorney Mark Rabil of Winston-Salem began working on Rippy’s case. The defense attorney for the trial is Marvin Sparrow of Rutherfordton. District Attorney Brad Greenway will prosecute the case for the state.

the U.S. Army in Germany from 1966 to late 1968. He has also served on the boards for Rutherford LifeServices, the Rutherford County unit of the Salvation Army, the Rutherford County Senior Center and the Community Health Council. Brown also served as president of the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce. He was a member and former president of the Forest City Lions Club. “I want to continue serving my community on boards. I have enjoyed doing that,” he said. Brown’s son, Jeff, lives in Asheville with his wife, Jessica. Jeff is on the IT staff at University of North CarolinaAsheville. Contact Baughman via e-mail at sbaughman@thedigitalcourier.com.

Rippy was sent to Dorothea Dix Hospital in Raleigh for an evaluation in August of this year in preparation for the trial. Jury selection is expected to begin at about 10:30 a.m. in the Superior Courtroom at the Rutherford County Courthouse.

ABOUT US...

Fundraisers Yard sale: Dec. 10 and 11, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., National Guard Armory, 890 Withrow Road; furniture, clothes, knick knacks, and much more; sponsored by DAV Chapter 25; all proceeds for local veterans aid program.

But despite the nature of the news delivery changing, Brown said the job was still about one thing — communication. “I spent nearly 20 years as an editor, and in that time the advice I always gave was to obtain a complete grasp of the English language and the ability to communicate it in a clear and concise way,” Brown said. “Whether you’re writing for print, the Internet or whatever, that ability — which I believe can be taught — will be the foundation for what you do.”

part was getting people to come out and buy the produce and other items. Adams’ job included spreading the word on campus, and she did that in various ways. “Posters around campus is one way,” she said. “Another was meeting people on campus who were interested. My e-mail address was released everywhere the story was printed, so random students would e-mail me and ask about the market and how they could help. “Newspapers were calling and running stories about it, including ‘The Tiger,’ the student newspaper at Clemson. The market was on Facebook; it was mentioned in the Clemson University Twitter feed, and it was released in a weekly university e-mail to students about upcoming events. Also, students would ask me to speak at their club meetings.” The market was a win-win situation for farmers and consumers. “Attendance was excellent,” Adams said. “I was very surprised with the large turnout at the first market.” The first market, on Sept. 19, included a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Special guests included Blanche Weathers, wife of S.C. Commissioner of Agriculture Hugh Weathers, and Dr. Tom Scott, dean of CAFLS at Clemson. Also, live music was provided at each market during the semester. Vendors filled out evaluation sheets at the end of each market, Adams noted, and comments included, “Hometown, homegrown, and not too big,” from Angie McHenry, and “Lots of traffic and loved the students,” from Split Creek Goat Farm. Plans are for the market to continue next year. Next semester the market will move to every other week, starting in March, Adams said. The market was a good experience for Adams, and she said she plans to help next year. The Clemson student will have to miss some of the markets, however. “I am very fortunate that my parents are making it possible for me to study abroad in Auckland, New Zealand, starting in February,” she said. “I will be at the Auckland University of Technology from February until July. I will miss Clemson, but I cannot wait to be there. New Zealand is rich in agriculture and is a very environmentally friendly country. There will be a lot for me to learn.”

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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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Phone: 245-6431

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Fax: 248-2790

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E-mail: dailycourier@thedigitalcourier.com

The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, December 6, 2009 — 7A

Business Briefs Reynolds to buy out 1,800 NC workers RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., maker of Camel cigarettes, said Friday it is offering buyouts to about 1,800 workers at its North Carolina factories to cut costs. The company does not have a specific number of jobs it hopes to cut, spokeswoman Jan Smith said. There are other productivity improvements and cuts the company, based in WinstonSalem, N.C., could make in manufacturing, depending how many employees take the buyout, which includes severance pay, Smith said. “This process will not result in job eliminations among anyone who doesn’t raise their hand and say they’re interested,” Smith said. The move comes as tax increases, health concerns, smoking bans and social stigma continue cutting into demand for cigarettes. Parent company Reynolds American Inc., the nation’s second-largest tobacco company, said it shipped 11 percent fewer cigarettes in this year’s third quarter than last and estimated the industry’s decline at 12.6 percent. Altria Group Inc. — based in Richmond, Va., and owner of the nation’s largest cigarette maker, Philip Morris USA, which makes Marlboros — closed its Cabarrus County, N.C., cigarette factory in July to bring its manufacturing capacity in line with falling demand. Employees who elect to take the current Reynolds Tobacco buyout could begin leaving as early as January, Smith said.

Mortgage help is offered at event CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Hundreds of people hoping to stay in their homes turned out for a chance to refinance their mortgages at an event in North Carolina’s largest city sponsored by a nonprofit group. The Charlotte Observer reported that the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America sponsored the five-day event that started Thursday. The group is offering to serve as a middleman between lenders and homeowners. About 350 counselors from the nonprofit were on hand Thursday, as well as lender representatives from the banks. Among those who got help is 41-year-old Katherine Falen of Atlanta, who left with a 3 percent mortgage from Wells Fargo, barely half her previous interest rate.

Verizon to pay state $1.7 million RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A telecommunications company has agreed to credit the Division of Motor Vehicles $1.7 million to settle a dispute over computers for North Carolina’s safety inspection stations. Verizon Business and the agency completed an agreement stemming from a contract for DMV to buy 3,000 computers. The agency ended up needing about 1,900 computers. DMV’s credit for returning the unneeded computers will pay off Verizon invoices as part of a contract with the state. Verizon Business spokesman Jack Hoey said the company wasn’t required to take back the computers but wanted to work out something with an important customer.

Vivian Bare sews material at Legacy Furniture Group’s manufacturing plant in Conover, N.C., earlier this week. Legacy’s recent success highlights a trend: Counties with the heaviest reliance on manufacturing income are posting some of the biggest employment gains of the nation’s nascent economic recovery.

Associated Press

Counties see job gains in manufacturing By MIKE BAKER Associated Press Writer

CONOVER, N.C. — As record numbers of orders flow through Legacy Furniture Group’s manufacturing plant, workers toil between towers of piled foam and incomplete end tables precariously stacked five pieces high. With a 10 percent sales growth this year, Legacy has quickly forgotten the recession’s low point in March, when weak order volumes forced the company to implement four-day work weeks. In November alone, the company that specializes in furniture for the medical

industry added a half-dozen employees to its staff of 35. These days, everyone is clocking overtime and the 40,000-square-foot factory is starting to feel awfully cramped. “We’re starting to stack people instead of stacking furniture,” jokes co-founder Todd Norris as he navigates rows of hand-sanded chair frames. Legacy’s recent success highlights a trend: Counties with the heaviest reliance on manufacturing income are posting some of the biggest employment gains of the nation’s early economic recovery. This is a big change from just half a year

ago, when some economists worried that widespread layoffs by U.S. manufacturers might be part of an irreversible trend in that sector. The Associated Press Economic Stress Index, a monthly analysis of the economic state of more than 3,100 U.S. counties, found that manufacturing counties have outperformed the national average since March. The Stress Index calculates a score from 1 to 100 based on a county’s unemployment, foreclosure and bankruptcy rates. The higher the number, the greater the county’s level of economic stress. The top 100 manufactur-

ing counties with populations of more than 25,000 saw their Stress score drop slightly over the spring and summer quarters, largely due to improvements in the unemployment rate. By comparison, the national average of similar counties saw county Stress score increases of about 7 percent over the same time. Economists say these counties may always have high rates of idled workers as technology replaces workers on the assembly line and companies find cheaper labor elsewhere. And manufacturing counties did have an average Please see Gains, Page 8A

They are hiring in the Triangle by ALAN M. WOLF The News & Observer

RALEIGH, N.C. — Amid layoffs, pay cuts and hiring freezes, an increasing number of employers in the Triangle are doing something almost unheard of for much of this year: They’re hiring. The News & Observer of Raleigh reports that companies such as AllscriptsMisys, Bayer CropScience, ChannelAdvisor, Cree, Deutsche Bank, Elster, EMC, Novartis, Talecris and Time Warner Cable are adding dozens or hundreds of local workers, creating bright spots during the gloomiest job market in a generation. Some are seeing their business increase despite the recession. Others are betting that investing in new employees now, when it’s relatively easy to find top-notch talent, will pay off as the economy rebounds. “It’s great to be one of the few fishermen in the sea,” said Brad Brinegar, CEO of Durham ad agency McKinney, which is hiring about 70 employees after winning a major new contract. The challenge, of course, is how to stand out from the scores of other job seekers to land a plum position. Nationally, the number of job openings rose slightly in September to 2.48 million, the Labor Department reported. That was the second straight uptick, and

one sign that companies are cautiously starting to hire again. But the number of job seekers for every opening rose to 6.11, the highest level in years. That includes some people “looking to make changes in their careers,” said Diane Adams, executive vice president for Allscripts-Misys, which expects to add about 125 employees at its North Raleigh offices this year. “You’ve got a lot of people in the market right now.” The usual advice still stands: Polish your resume, practice your interviewing skills, etc. But to get some new, practical tips, we spoke with company representatives, newly hired employees and others about what’s working in today’s job market. Find a friend: When Will Dean was looking to return to the East Coast from San Francisco, he got an e-mail message from a friend who works at McKinney. “That got the ball rolling,” said Dean, who was hired as art director this summer. “Your friends can vouch for your character. If someone who already works there says, ‘He’s good people,’ that makes it easier.” It has never been more important to network and make contacts at employers you’re interested in, ideally long before you’re actually hunting for a job. Many employers give workers bonuses if they Please see Triangle, Page 8A

Associated Press

McKinney art director Will Dean works on an ad proof at the company’s American Tobacco Company offices in Durham, N.C., oct. 7, 2009. Amid layoffs, pay cuts and hiring freezes, an increasing number of employers in the Triangle are doing something almost unheard of for much of this year: They’re hiring.

8A — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, December 6, 2009

STOCKS/BUSINESS

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

WEEKLY STOCK EXCHANGE HIGHLIGHTS

u

NYSE

7,182.71+112.62

GAINERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last Chg Prime pfB 5.15 +1.50 RadianGrp 6.06 +1.59 MGIC 5.24 +1.26 DirREBull 134.61+29.87 US Airwy 4.43 +.96 AMR 7.37 +1.56 DeltaAir 9.94 +2.03 AvisBudg 11.97 +2.35 AirTran 5.16 +1.01 FairchldS 9.91 +1.91

%Chg +41.1 +35.6 +31.7 +28.5 +27.7 +26.9 +25.7 +24.4 +24.3 +23.9

LOSERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last Chg GATX pf 146.65-76.72 DirREBear 13.91 -4.47 ProUShtRE 7.92 -1.52 GameStop 21.33 -3.99 BkA BM RE 4.64 -.86 McClatchy 2.55 -.44 PrUShtSem19.91 -3.35 LeeEnt 3.20 -.52 DirxEMBear 5.04 -.74 DirxSCBear11.10 -1.62

%Chg -34.3 -24.3 -16.1 -15.8 -15.6 -14.7 -14.4 -14.0 -12.8 -12.7

u

AMEX

1,792.48 +31.70

GAINERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last Ever-Glory 3.14 TianyinPh 4.30 Taseko 3.98 AlexcoR g 3.42 HKHighpw 6.25 TrioTch 3.38 AmO&G 3.43 Invitel 3.55 ChinaPhH n 3.66 Geokinetics12.42

Chg +.84 +1.02 +.89 +.71 +1.19 +.63 +.62 +.61 +.56 +1.76

%Chg +36.5 +31.1 +28.8 +26.2 +23.4 +22.9 +22.1 +20.7 +18.1 +16.5

LOSERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last UltEscapes 4.15 SoCTBcp 2.70 Protalix 8.09 IncOpR 6.17 ChMda wt 4.24 MercBcp 3.05 IEC Elec n 3.55 ChinaMda 10.54 TremisE un 7.01 Flanign 5.75

Chg -1.25 -.80 -2.25 -1.43 -.92 -.55 -.60 -1.76 -1.01 -.77

%Chg -23.1 -22.9 -21.8 -18.8 -17.8 -15.3 -14.5 -14.3 -12.6 -11.8

u

WEEKLY DOW JONES

ASK ABOUT AN INSURANCE HAVE YOU REVIEWED YOUR Dow Jones industrials 34.92 126.74 -18.90 -86.53

NASDAQ

2,194.35 +55.91

GAINERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last MdwstB pf 2.64 ICO Inc 6.69 CompCrd 3.93 ChinAgri n 26.66 WHX Corp 2.00 BioFuelEn 2.91 NaugatVly 7.35 Oculus 2.00 Cytori wt 4.40 GSI Tech 4.58

Chg +1.79 +2.57 +1.41 +8.23 +.60 +.87 +2.10 +.57 +1.20 +1.18

%Chg +210.6 +62.4 +56.0 +44.7 +42.9 +42.8 +40.0 +39.9 +37.5 +34.7

Advanced Declined Unchanged Total issues New Highs New Lows Volume

Last Chg 16.28 +.82 4.06 ... 111.01 +1.44 14.63 +.35 41.84 +1.71 16.20 +.26 19.49 -1.75 8.94 +.21 60.42 +2.84 9.99 +.62

DIARY

2,180 876 110 3,166 287 8 6,043,221,271

Name Vol (00) Last Chg GoldStr g 421443 3.71 -.03 Taseko 315066 3.98 +.89 NovaGld g 253068 6.10 +.62 Rentech 219270 1.55 +.08 GrtBasG g 182048 1.69 +.15 Protalix 175930 8.09 -2.25 GranTrra g 172469 5.99 +.31 NthgtM g 168587 3.27 +.11 CelSci 159275 1.21 -.08 NwGold g 150195 3.80 +.22

DIARY

Advanced Declined Unchanged Total issues New Highs New Lows Volume

261 259 65 585 22 6 141,758,472

Name Last ChXDPls n 7.40 TakeTwo 7.74 ColonyBk 3.69 FCtyBFL 2.51 Netlist h 4.51 Ziopharm 2.96 Versant 15.14 StaarSur 3.00 SalemCm 4.07 Clearfield 2.68

Chg -3.38 -3.50 -1.50 -.98 -1.74 -.92 -3.96 -.71 -.92 -.59

%Chg -31.4 -31.1 -28.9 -28.1 -27.8 -23.7 -20.8 -19.1 -18.4 -18.0

Name Vol (00) Last Chg PwShs QQQ4153426 44.12 +.61 ETrade 3161801 1.70 +.11 Intel 2662062 20.46 +1.35 Microsoft 2307956 29.98 +.76 Comcast 1966284 16.13 +1.25 Cisco 1894476 24.16 +.78 Dell Inc 1685457 13.46 -.68 Oracle 1259103 22.83 +.74 HuntBnk 1203757 3.69 +.10 BrcdeCm 1054836 7.04 -.19

Advanced Declined New Highs New Lows Total issues Unchanged Volume

Gains

“Manufacturing jobs are here to stay, and they’re coming back,” said Derald Bontrager, president and chief operating officer of Middlebury, Ind.based RV maker Jayco Inc., which recalled or hired 200 laid-off workers over the summer to help ramp up production after an unexpected sales boom overwhelmed all-timelow inventories. They’re still trying to catch up. The Carolina furniture makers who have been hiring since June may also have cut too many jobs at the base of the recession, says Scott Volz, a

DIARY

1,982 910 267 93 2,955 63 10,580,280,231

MON

11,000

TUES

WED

THUR

FRI

10,000

10,516.70 4,122.43 397.29 7,285.67 1,887.23 2,214.39 1,119.13 11,480.36 625.30 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

9,000 8,000

J

J

A

S

O

N

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 27.60 +.61 +2.3 -3.2 ... 137.58 +5.84 +4.4+168.3 ... 8.36 +.01 +0.1+193.3 .60 26.61 +2.35 +9.7 -3.1 .04 16.28 +.82 +5.3 +15.6 ...99689.00-1312.00-1.3+3.2 ... 24.16 +.78 +3.3 +48.2 2.01 79.30 +2.96 +3.9 +25.9 ... 13.46 -.68 -4.8 +31.4 .96 17.14 +.45 +2.7 +14.2 1.68 74.25 -.62 -0.8 -7.0 .54 28.28 -2.74 -8.8 +8.5 .04 10.44 +.87 +9.1 +26.4 1.20 160.00 +8.83 +5.8 +4.7 .40 16.20 +.26 +1.6 ... 1.40 167.24 +3.43 +2.1 +98.2 ... 585.01 +5.25 +0.9 +90.2 ... 3.38 +.24 +7.6+101.2

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

20.03 22.88 29.98 60.38 55.31 40.51 27.91 53.00 12.22 9.48 28.87 19.62 16.07 24.88 57.87 54.24

+.46 +.92 +.76 +1.05 +1.74 +1.71 +1.11 -.24 +.08 +.50 +1.03 +.31 +.09 -.08 +.44 -.39

+2.4 +31.9 +4.2 +6.3 +2.6 +54.2 +1.8 +42.3 +3.2 +30.0 +4.4 +1.7 +4.1+111.1 -0.5 +78.7 +0.7 +24.8 +5.6+138.2 +3.7 +24.7 +1.6 +24.7 +0.6 -.2 -0.3 +26.7 +0.8 +4.9 -0.7 -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 day’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.

Last

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

10,388.90 4,101.76 389.77 7,182.71 1,792.48 2,194.35 1,105.98 11,355.90 602.79 2,985.45

Continued from Page 7A

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Wk Chg

+78.98 +178.92 +14.06 +112.62 +31.70 +55.91 +14.49 +189.37 +25.58 +58.41

Wk YTD 12-mo %Chg %Chg %Chg

+.77 +18.37 +4.56 +15.96 +3.74 +5.13 +1.59 +24.76 +1.80 +28.26 +2.61 +39.14 +1.33 +22.44 +1.70 +24.97 +4.43 +20.69 +2.00 +35.86

Total Return/Rank 4-wk 12-mo 5-year +0.8 +18.2/C +7.0/A +5.3 +43.0/C +3.0/A +3.7 +29.3/D +4.3/C +5.9 +37.2/B +1.0/B +4.4 +36.0/D +4.6/A +5.0 +47.5/C +6.7/A +5.9 +34.1/C +0.5/C +4.6 +32.1/C +3.2/B +5.8 +34.9/C +1.8/B +5.9 +34.3/C +0.6/C +5.1 +40.4/A -0.3/D +4.8 +58.4/A +8.5/A +6.6 +25.7/D +0.5/C +4.1 +68.6/A +6.3/A +3.2 +50.9/D +4.2/D +5.7 +53.2/B +6.1/A +0.8 +17.9/C +6.7/A +6.0 +43.8/A +4.2/A +3.7 +45.5/A +3.8/B +4.4 +27.2/D +2.2/C +4.4 +31.3/C +5.2/A +5.9 +34.3/C +0.6/C +1.0 +18.5/C +2.6/E +6.3 +49.9/B +4.1/A +6.0 +37.4/B +1.1/B +4.8 +58.9/A +6.1/B +5.9 +34.3/C +0.7/C +3.9 +53.3/B +3.3/A +5.9 +32.7/C +1.1/B +6.1 +53.8/A +3.8/A +5.1 +31.2/D +1.2/B +0.2 +5.6/B +4.7/A +4.6 +39.0/B -1.5/E +12.2 +55.7/B +0.6/B +5.4 +45.5/B -0.1/D

+20.31 +19.47 +7.84 +32.98 +40.24 +45.39 +26.24 +29.97 +30.73 +44.78

Pct Min Init Load Invt NL 5,000,000 5.75 250 5.75 250 NL 3,000 NL 2,500 5.75 250 NL 3,000 5.75 250 5.75 250 NL 5,000,000 NL 2,500 5.75 250 5.75 250 NL 2,500 NL 2,500 5.75 250 NL 5,000,000 5.75 250 4.25 1,000 5.75 250 NL 10,000 NL 100,000 3.75 250 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

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.

Triangle

When the stress index debuted in June, Rutherford County was ranked 13th in the nation for counties hit hardest by the recession in June. But by October, the county had fallen out of the top 20 list for similar sized counties nationwide and was ranked 168. Ranking counties according to unemployment, bankruptcy and foreclosure rates, the AP Economic Stress Index calculates the recession’s impact on a scale of 1 to 100, with 100 being the worst result. Rutherford County’s final score was 15.06.

402-H W. Fleming Drive • Morganton, NC 28655 828-433-1262 • www.merlenormanstudio.com/mn-625

Name

Total Assets Name Obj ($Mlns) NAV PIMCO TotRetIs CI 114,653 10.96 American Funds GrthAmA m LG 61,982 27.17 American Funds CapIncBuA m IH 56,647 48.56 Vanguard TotStIdx LB 56,221 27.21 Fidelity Contra LG 55,503 57.11 American Funds CpWldGrIA m WS 53,772 34.49 Vanguard 500Inv LB 47,844 102.33 American Funds IncAmerA m MA 47,485 15.57 American Funds InvCoAmA m LB 46,374 25.89 Vanguard InstIdx LB 43,018 101.70 Dodge & Cox Stock LV 39,492 95.17 American Funds EurPacGrA m FB 38,984 39.38 American Funds WAMutInvA m LV 37,017 24.71 Dodge & Cox IntlStk FV 35,777 32.44 Fidelity DivrIntl d FG 31,850 28.20 American Funds NewPerspA m WS 31,027 25.93 PIMCO TotRetAdm b CI 30,253 10.96 American Funds FnInvA m LB 28,754 32.54 FrankTemp-Franklin Income A mCA 28,628 2.03 American Funds BalA m MA 28,593 16.27 Vanguard Welltn MA 28,113 29.11 Vanguard 500Adml LB 27,983 102.36 American Funds BondA m CI 27,597 11.87 Fidelity GrowCo LG 27,285 66.89 Vanguard TotStIAdm LB 26,873 27.22 Vanguard TotIntl FB 25,417 14.91 Vanguard InstPlus LB 24,423 101.70 Fidelity LowPriStk d MB 23,633 31.10 T Rowe Price EqtyInc LV 14,422 20.91 Hartford CapAprA m LB 9,646 30.17 Pioneer PioneerA m LB 4,251 35.32 Goldman Sachs ShDuGovA m GS 1,416 10.52 Alliance Bernstein GrowIncA m LV 1,228 2.94 DWS-Scudder REstA m SR 415 13.87 Hartford GrowthL m LG 185 14.80

refer a friend who sticks around for a certain amount of time. ChannelAdvisor, which continues to hire at its Research Triangle Park headquarters, pays its workers a $1,500 referral fee. “If someone is a great employee and they recommend you, we get someone who has already been vetted,” said Dean Debnam, CEO of Workplace Options in Raleigh, which expects to add 50 employees this year and 50 more in 2010. “You won’t bring in someone who’s going to embarrass you.” Embrace social networking: More employers are using sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to recruit and research applicants and consultant who helps the companies to build networks of potential candirecruit managers. dates. Heath Cushman, 32, of Taylorsville, Make sure your profile puts your lost his job at a sock plant in 2008 experience and skills in the best and was out of work for nine months. possible light. And recognize that His unemployment check was worth your network of contacts extends to more than the low-paying jobs avail- even more people, who can make or able back then to a graphic designer break your job search. Don’t be rude with a decade of experience. or annoying online. “I have a house, a son, a wife, a car Eileen Gates, the recruiting manpayment like everybody else,” he said. ager at ChannelAdvisor, recently had “Nine dollars an hour, even if it was an applicant mention that he knew 60 hours a week, probably wouldn’t someone she went to high school have cut it.” He was considering a with but hadn’t seen in years. He long commute, or a move to a city found that connection on Facebook. like Charlotte, then he landed a job “At first it was kind of creepy, but at Legacy making what he called a then I realized that it’s exactly why “generous” wage. Any doubts he had that information is out there,” Gates about a future in the manufacturing said. “As long as you don’t start to industry vanished as company execu- stalk me, you should capitalize on tives excitedly described their future any information you can.” plans. Don’t forget old-fashioned netExecutives are now moving operaworking: tions to a larger facility nearby and You never know where you might plan to add some 50 employees. meet a contact at a company that’s Mike Walden, an economist at North Carolina State University, said hiring. Put out feelers with friends, neighmanufacturing tends to be one of bors, former co-workers, church, your the sectors that leads the way out of college’s alumni network, networking recession, as factories ramp-up to functions and more. meet pent-up demand. But he quesChannel Advisor’s Gates said that tioned whether the new jobs would she likes to strike up conversations stick around for long. while in line at the grocery store, and “As we’ve seen this spurt in manuif the person seems intelligent and facturing production over the last personable, she’ll mention that her six months, those factories have to company is looking for new employgo out and bring back some laid-off workers,” Walden said. “In five years, ees. If you do make a connection at a however, those same workers may be company you’re interested in, offer to back out the door.”

Merle Norman Cosmetics

STOCK MARKET INDEXES

MUTUAL FUNDS

County’s index rank improves

Continued from Page 7A

Stress score of 11.9 in September, while the top counties dedicated to hospitality were at 9.2. But the early improvements in unemployment rates and manufacturing activity illustrate that there are, at the very least, signs of stability. U.S. manufacturers increased production by an average of 1.1 percent each month through July, August and September, before falling slightly, by 0.1 percent, in October, according to federal data. Economists cite a range of potential explanations for the early resurgence, including the “Cash for Clunkers” program to stimulate car buying, a weak U.S. dollar to aid exports, the use of temporary workers, the need to replace depleted inventories, and stimulus money that is taking root. All of which raises the question of whether the trend will last. Here in Catawba County, where native hardwoods and access to power have made the region a historical hub for furniture manufacturing, the unemployment rate dropped from a peak of 15.6 in March to 13.6 percent in September. Elkhart County, Ind., meanwhile, saw such a startling surge in layoffs one year ago that President Barack Obama made a stop there in the opening weeks of his presidency. The unemployment rate there, driven by job cuts at RV manufacturers, spiked in March at 18.9 percent, but has fallen steadily ever since — to 15 percent in September. The nation’s overall jobless rate has been going the other way, climbing from 8.5 percent to 10.2 percent.

1-week change: 78.98 (0.8%)

LOSERS ($2 OR MORE)

MOST ACTIVE ($1 OR MORE) MOST ACTIVE ($1 OR MORE) MOST ACTIVE ($1 OR MORE)

Name Vol (00) BkofAm 20271754 Citigrp 12707934 SPDR 7967265 SPDR Fncl 5720313 iShEMkts 4107212 GenElec 3930585 DirFBear rs3897421 FordM 3593272 iShR2K 3458879 iShJapn 2736971

NEEdS ANAlySIS. LIFE INSURANCE LATELY? Close: 10,388.90

22.75

52-Week High Low

buy the person lunch or coffee. You can learn more about the company and the position, as well as strengthen a bond that might help get that all-important foot in the door. Make the most of your time off: Given the economy and a national jobless rate above 10percent, it’s not a sin to have employment gaps on your resume. But employers will want to know what you’ve been doing since you left your last job. Volunteering is a great way to meet people and bolster your resume. Taking classes or additional training is another productive way to show that you’re improving your skills. “It’s really no different than when you’re moving from high school to college,” said Allscripts-Misys’ Adams, who previously helped hire new workers for Cisco Systems. If you can, look for opportunities to freelance or take on temporary jobs in your industry. Most economists expect employers to begin adding temporary positions first as the recovery begins. Those jobs will be another way to make contacts and demonstrate what you can do, and could lead to full-time work. Recognize your red flags: Certain factors will disqualify an applicant, especially with so many qualified candidates flooding employers. Typos or lies on a resume or during an interview are big no-nos. Many employers do background checks, including criminal and credit checks. Don’t try to cover up your past, but be prepared to explain it. Job hoppers who have been too many places for too short a time can also make employers wary. “It’s hard to find the patterns of success,” said McKinney’s Brinegar. “It’s also a sign they’re putting themselves and their career ahead of the team.” Expand your search online: Obvious places to start looking for open jobs are companies’ Web sites, where most employers post job notices first. The “careers” link on Cree’s home page lists dozens of jobs the Durham chip maker wants to fill. Some companies also have information on what it’s like to work there, what the company expects from new hires and more. Job sites such as Monster .com and CareerBuilder.com remain popular.

The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, December 6, 2009 — 9A

Local/State NEW BUSINESS

Spindale will review budget amendments By SCOTT BAUGHMAN Daily Courier Staff Writer

Garrett Byers/The Daily Courier

Doozie Dogs, owned by Brenda and Lou Chandler, has opened for business at 719 South Broadway in Forest City. Doozie Dogs offers a colorful menu of an assortment of dogs, from the massive dogzilla to the veggie dog Doozie Dogs has what your craving, Wings, Fries, Tater tots, Deep fried potatoes and onion petals are just a few of the extras available. For that sweet craving, funnel cake fries and apple crescents are served fresh. The restaurant’s winter hours are Monday through Thursday and Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The phone number is 828-382-0045.

New officials take office Monday

FOREST CITY — A new mayor will be sworn in Monday night at the regular meeting of the Board of Commissioners. Also, two re-elected board members will be sworn in at the meeting. Dennis Tarlton will become mayor, and Steve Holland and Shawn Moore will return to commissioner seats. Each of the three will be allowed time to make comments. Outgoing Mayor Jimmy Gibson will be honored at the meeting. The Outstanding Citizen Award will be presented to Gibson by Brandi Powers, representing the Forest City Ministerial Association. And a certificate of appreciation will be

given to Gibson by Mayor Pro-Tem Dee Dee Bright. The outgoing mayor also will be given time for comments. In other business, the board will appoint a mayor pro tem and a town attorney. Appointment of ex-officio members to town boards and commissions also will be considered. These include: ABC Board, Steve Holland; ADA Board, Chris Lee; Beautification Committee, Dee Dee Bright; Board of Planning and Adjustments, David Eaker; Cemetery Committee, Eaker; Housing Authority, Shawn Moore; Library Board, Moore; Recreation

McCrory may still have political goals CHARLOTTE (AP) — The longest-serving mayor of North Carolina’s largest city says he’s ready to leave office, but politics might still be a part of his future.

Commission, Bright; Tee Board, Lee; and Youth Council, Holland. The board plans to consider approval of an engineering firm for a Community Development Block Grant for Grahamtown and will consider awarding a contract for a Grahamtown Community Development Block Grant. The board also plans to consider adopting a conflict of interest statement for a Community Development Block Grant. In another matter, John McWhorter will be making a request for the town to adopt a resolution requesting that Rutherford County, and specifically the Ruth School, be includ-

Great LOCAL Deals! The Daily Courier

The Charlotte Observer reports that Pat McCrory reminisced over his 14 years as Charlotte mayor while packing up his belongings Friday. McCrory opted not to run for an eighth term; he turns over the gavel Monday to Anthony Foxx. McCrory says he plans to devote time to several business ventures and pursue plans for a regional organization he hopes to start with outgoing Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. But some say McCrory might have his eye on another gubernatorial campaign. McCrory was the GOP nominee for governor last year but lost in the November election to Democrat Beverly Perdue.

115 Ryans Dr, Forest City-828-286-8022

ed in the National Park Service’s study list for the headquarters of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail. Before the regular meeting begins, Mayor Jimmy Gibson has called a special meeting of the board at 5 p.m. Monday. Council will convene and will immediately enter closed session to consider a personnel matter. The regularly scheduled meeting will then begin at 6 p.m. The board meets in the Council Chambers, upstairs at Town Hall.

SPINDALE — Spindale Commissioners will review budget amendments about replacing some equipment at the town’s Waste Treatment Plant and look at a grant for a new dentist office in town during their December meeting Monday night. But first the board will oversee the swearing in of new commissioner Ed Searcy and returning officials Commissioner Tommy Hardin and Mayor Mickey Bland. John McWhorter, Rutherfordton Town Planner, will also present a resolution to the board to vote in support of a study by the National Park Service for a new headquarters for the Overmountain Victory Trail. An agitator at the town’s Waste Treatment Plant is about to fail, according to the department supervisor, and the commissioners will vote on a possible budget amendment to replace it. “The town has been asked to serve as the fiscal agent for a N.C. Rural Center Building Reuse Grant in partnership with the property owner, the county Economic Development Commission and the prospective tenant Dest Dental,” said Town Manager Cameron McHargue in a memo to board members. “This clinic would be located in the former Coldwell Banker building at White Oak Plaza.” No cash match will be required for the $120,000 grant. The dental office plans to create 10 new jobs, and in addition to general dentistry services, would provide services to Medicaid patients throughout the community. The jobs must be created as part of the grant and must be sustained for at least six months. The firm would have two years from the grant award date to meet the jobs requirement. The grant money could only be used for construction costs to remodel the building, no equipment is eligible for purchase with the funds. Dest Family Dentistry is a company located in Mecklenburg County and has seven locations — three in Charlotte, one in Wadesboro, one in Salisbury, one in Locus and one in Kings Mountain. The practice has 13 doctors and 70 staff. Finally, the board’s regular meeting for January would fall on Martin Luther King Day. The board will decide whether to reschedule the meeting or not. The December meeting of the Spindale Town Council will be on Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the Spindale House. Contact Baughman via e-mail at sbaughman@thedigitalcourier.com.

10A — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, December 6, 2009

Weather/Local/State PET OF THE WEEK

Weather The Daily Courier Weather Today

Tonight

Monday

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Sunny

Partly Cloudy

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Scat'd Rain

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Precip Chance: 0%

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48º

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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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Precipitation 24 hrs through 7 a.m. yest. .0.04" Month to date . . . . . . . . .3.00" Year to date . . . . . . . . .53.58"

Barometric Pressure

Sun and Moon Sunrise today . . . . .7:22 Sunset tonight . . . . .5:15 Moonrise today . . .10:17 Moonset today . . . .11:11

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

Moon Phases

High yesterday . . . . . . .30.18"

Relative Humidity High yesterday . . . . . . . . .87%

Last 12/8

Full 12/31

First 12/24

New 12/16

These sweet Huskey mix pups are a lot of eight each 2-months old and looking to find a good home. These and many other loving animals are available for adoption in kennel 11 at the Rutherford County Animal Shelter on Laurel Hill Drive in Rutherfordton. The shelter’s hours are noon to 4 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. For more information call 287-6025. For the Community Pet Center volunteers office call 287-7738.

City

Monday

Hi/Lo Wx Hi/Lo Wx

Asheville . . . . . . .45/27 Cape Hatteras . . .50/44 Charlotte . . . . . . .50/32 Fayetteville . . . . .50/35 Greensboro . . . . .46/30 Greenville . . . . . .49/33 Hickory . . . . . . . . . .47/30 Jacksonville . . . .51/37 Kitty Hawk . . . . . .51/39 New Bern . . . . . .50/34 Raleigh . . . . . . . .47/31 Southern Pines . .49/33 Wilmington . . . . .52/40 Winston-Salem . .46/30

s s s s s s s s s s s s s s

50/34 59/54 52/36 55/37 50/34 57/40 48/34 60/46 56/49 59/45 52/35 54/35 58/42 50/34

mc ra mc pc pc mc mc ra ra ra pc pc ra pc

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

North Carolina Forecast

Greensboro 46/30

Asheville 45/27

Forest City 48/32 Charlotte 50/32

Today

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

.53/34 .43/32 .38/29 .37/28 .43/30 .62/49 .77/70 .44/30 .41/30 .50/38 .51/44 .35/27 .67/56 .43/29

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Sheriff’s Reports n The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department responded to 132 E-911 calls Friday.

Today’s National Map

Monday

55/40 46/34 35/26 35/26 40/27 57/43 82/70 44/35 46/38 44/31 47/40 37/25 77/61 47/33

Police Notes

Kinston 50/33 Wilmington 52/40

0s

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Spindale

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

n The Spindale Police Department responded to 33 E-911 calls Friday.

60s

70s

Stationary Front

n The Rutherfordton Police Department responded to 52 E-911 calls Friday.

H

60s

Cold Front

Rutherfordton

30s 40s

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70s

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Lake Lure

High Pressure

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

Carolina Today New chief knows area

SPRING LAKE (AP) — The man set to take over as police chief in a North Carolina town that has gone for six months without one may be new on the job, but he’s not new to the area. The Fayetteville Observer reports Saturday that Red Springs police Chief Troy McDuffie was introduced Thursday as the new chief for Spring Lake. He takes command Dec. 14. McDuffie spent 16 years at the Fayetteville Police Department after four years in Fort Bragg’s 82nd Airborne Division. He took over the Red Springs department in 2006. Spring Lake has been unable to make arrests since earlier this year, when a judge effectively stripped the town of those powers. That came after a state police probe led to the arrest of two supervising officers.

Man killed wife, self

WINSTON-SALEM (AP) — Authorities say a North Carolina man stabbed his estranged wife to death before hanging himself. The Winston-Salem Journal reported Saturday that 32-yearold Cory Gaither went to his wife’s home around 5:30 a.m. Friday. A trail of blood led from Allison Gaither’s driveway to behind a neighbor’s house, where she collapsed and died. Police say Cory Gaither drove south toward Davidson County, where his body was found hanging from a tree limb two hours later. Sheriff David Grice says Gaither tied an electrical cord around his neck, climbed the tree and jumped

Forest City

from a branch. Allison Gaither had taken out a domestic violence protective order against her husband two days before her death.

Fried chicken on menu ROSE HILL (AP) — A North Carolina town is celebrating the holiday season by firing up one of the world’s largest frying pans for a community fried chicken cook out. The chicken fry in the Duplin County town of Rose Hill on Saturday is followed by the local Christmas parade. The town of about 1,300 bills itself as the home of the world’s largest frying pan. The News & Observer of Raleigh reports that volunteers will fire up a portion of the 15-foot pan’s 40 gas burners to cook the fried chicken. Organizers say the oil used to cook the chicken will have no trans-fats.

Teacher faces sex charges WINSTON-SALEM (AP) — A North Carolina high school English teacher has been charged with ten felony counts of sexual misconduct involving a student. The News & Record of Greensboro reported that 32-year-old Amy Elizabeth Yarbrough was arrested Thursday night in Winson-Salem. Yarbrough is charged with seven counts of sexual activity with a student and three counts of indecent liberties with a student. Yarbrough is in custody on a $115,000 bond. Atkins High School officials say Yarbrough is suspended without pay.

“Thank You” are words that can never truly express to you, our loved ones and friends, for all your cards, prayers and love you have given to us. God bless our EMS, law enforcement and the kindness given by Harrelson Funeral Home. The Family of Our Dear Wayne R. Murray

Garrett Byers/ Daily Courier

Greenville 49/33

Raleigh 47/31

Fayetteville 50/35

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

Across Our Nation

Elizabeth City 48/32

Durham 47/30

Winston-Salem 46/30

Find your lost pet or get a new pet in the Classifieds

The Daily Courier

n The Forest City Police Department responded to 87 E-911 calls Friday.

Arrests n Lisa Michelle Lanning, 39, of 2290 Red Fox Road; charged with shoplifting/concealment of goods; placed under a $2,000 secured bond. (RCSD) n Sandra Renee Ivey, 46, of 1525 Dogett Road; charged with driving while license revoked, driving vehicle not registered/titled, operating a vehicle with no insurance and fictitious info to an officer; placed under a $500 secured bond (RCSD) n Daniel Glen Williams, 23, of 110 Hutchins Drive; charged with domestic violence protection order violation; placed under a 48-hour hold. (RCSD) n Javier Sanchez, 24, of 179 Hickory Nut St.; charged with driving while license revoked; placed under a $500 secured bond. (RCSD) n David Allen Wilson, 37, of 214 Big Springs Ave.; charged with failure to appear on misdemeanordriving with no motor vhicle registration and fictitious tag and failure to appear on misdemeanor driving while license revoked, no insurance;

placed under a $2,000 secured bond. (RCSD) n Jonathan Michael Chancey, 18, of 911 Stonecutter St.; charged with surrender by surety-communicating threats; placed under a $500 secured bond. (RCSD) n Loran Fergus Morris, 28, of 215 Cherry Mountain St.; charged with two counts failure to appear-driving while license revoked and failure to comply; placed under a $20,000 secured bond. (FCPD) n Barry Wayne Robbins, 53, of 2828 U.S. 221 South; charged with driving while impaired and driving while license revoked; custody release. (NCHP) n Brad Bright, 34, of 187 Spindale St.; charged with second degree trespassing; placed under a $500 secured bond. (RCSD) n Tamarria Miller, 44, of 159 Proctor School Road; charged with second degree trespassing; released on a written promise to appear. (RCSD) n Randy Watkins, 44, of 163 Proctor School Road; charged with second degree trespassing; released on a written promise to appear. (RCSD)

EMS/Rescue n Rutherford County EMS responded to 26 E-911 calls Friday. n The Volunteer Life Saving and Rescue, HIckory Nut Gorge EMS and Rutherford County Rescue responded to 13 E-911 calls Friday.

Fire Calls n Cliffside firefighters responded to a motor vehicle accident Friday. n Forest City firefighters responded to a motor vehicle accident, gas leak and industrial fire alarm Friday. n Hudlow firefighters responded to a grass fire Friday. n S-D-O firefighters responded to a motor vehicle accident Friday. n Sandy Mush firefighters responded to a motor vehicle accident and a powerline fire Friday.

Ticket sales open on Tuesday FOREST CITY — The box office will open for the Rutherford County Arts Council’s Christmas Musical, Darby Rumnles’ Dolls, Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 11 a.m. at the Foundation Performing Arts Center on the Isothermal Community College campus. Tickets may be purchased in person, over the phone at 286-9990 or online at www.foundationshows.org. The play will be presented for the public Saturday, Dec. 19, at 3 p.m. General seating tickets are available at $10 for adults and $7 for students Two morning performances for schools and other groups (at special

ENROLL NOW FOR $29! NO DUES UNTIL JAN 15, 2010

group rates) will also be presented on Thursday and Friday mornings, Dec. 17 and 18 at 10 a.m. To arrange attendance for your group at these performances, contact the Arts Council at 248-4000. “Darby Rumbles’ Dolls” is a unique program for Christmas featuring more than 50 actors, singers and dancers of all ages. It is written by Rutherfordton artist and dancer, Diane Tucker (Drew Sherer). As a Christmas memento, all attendees will get a colorful sheet of cut out Christmas Ornaments for their trees based on characters from the play.

!-+',% 1--, Vassey & Hemphill Jewelers 110 West Main St. Spindale 828-286-3711

The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, December 6, 2009 — 11A

Nation

GOP forces Dems to vote on Medicare cuts

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans forced Democrats to vote in favor of cutting billions from providers of home care for older people as partisan debate flared Saturday during a rare weekend session on President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul. Obama planned to travel to Capitol Hill on Sunday to help Democrats resolve internal disputes that stand in the way of Majority Leader Harry Reid bringing the 10-year, nearly $1 trillion legislation to a vote. Ahead of his visit, Republicans, bent on making Democrats cast politically risky votes, offered their third amendment in the debate so far showcasing more than $400 billion in cuts to projected Medicare spending that would pay for the bill, mostly for subsidies to help extend coverage to millions of uninsured. Like the other two, this one went down to defeat, on a vote of 53 to 41. The measure by Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., would have eliminated $42 billion in cuts over 10 years to agencies that provide home health care to seniors under Medicare. Four moderate Democrats joined all Republicans present in voting for the amendment: Sens. Jim Webb of Virginia, Evan Bayh of Indiana, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and Ben Nelson of Nebraska. Underscoring the pressures on the moderates, Lincoln, who faces a difficult re-election next year, initially cast a “no” vote with the Democratic majority

Associated Press

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., leaves the Senate floor on Capitol Hill in Washington Saturday. Senate Republicans forced Democrats to vote in favor of cutting billion from providers of home care for older people as partisan debate flared Saturday during a rare weekend session on President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul.

but switched to “yes” in the course of the 15-minute vote. Republicans accused her of flip-flopping, but Lincoln said later that she changed her vote after considering how important home health care is to Arkansas. “That’s why they give us 15 minutes,” said Lincoln. The more consequential action was taking place behind closed doors Saturday as Democrats struggled to find a compromise on a proposed government insurance plan that would compete with private insurers. Lincoln and several other moderate Democrats are opposed to the government insurance plan in the bill, and Reid, D-Nev., doesn’t have a vote to spare in his 60-member caucus.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius joined in some discussions and several senators cited progress on the issue. There was discussion of various options, including nonprofit insurance plans administered by the Office of Personnel Management, which runs the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. “I’m optimistic that something, I’m not sure what, but something can be arrived at,” said Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La. Reid called the unusual sessions as he races to finish the bill by Christmas. The weekend work also allowed him and other Democrats to highlight their commitment to Obama’s signature issue,

arguing that Americans can’t take weekends off from worrying about health care, so the Senate shouldn’t, either. Republicans, determined to stall if they can’t kill the bill, weren’t impressed. “I think the majority leader believes that somehow if we stay in on weekends the Republicans are going to blink. I assure him we’re not going to blink,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. Lawmakers went at each other over who really wanted to protect older people. Johanns said home health care agencies were being unfairly targeted in the legislation, noting that they account for 3.7 percent of the Medicare budget but would absorb 9.4 percent of the cuts

to Medicare in the Senate bill. The percentage is even higher in the House version of the legislation, which passed last month. “These are truly some of the most vulnerable Americans that receive these services and the cuts are placed directly on their backs,” Johanns said. Democrats said those cuts, and others to Medicare private insurance plans and providers, would reduce overpayments, inefficiency and waste in the popular program, thereby strengthening it. They noted repeatedly that AARP supports the overall cuts, and also produced a letter from the National Association for Home Care and Hospice in support. The Dec. 4 letter said the group has “agreed to do its part by reducing costs and payments in a manner that makes the Medicare home care program more efficient and less susceptible to abuse.” But Democrats didn’t want to let the Republican amendment go unanswered, so Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., offered an amendment stating that the bill would not reduce guaranteed home health benefits. It passed 96-0. MEDPAC, an organization established by Congress to advise lawmakers on Medicare, has projected that home health care agencies would be overpaid by Medicare in 2009 by margins of 12.2 percent overall. There are some 9,700 companies providing home health care under Medicare.

IN REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE WHO WE HAVE SERVED DURING 2009 AND WISHING EACH FAMILY A BLESSED CHRISTMAS MY FIRST CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN I see the countless Christmas Trees around the world below. With tiny lights, like heaven’s stars, reflecting on the snow. The sight is so spectacular! Please wipe away that tear, for I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year. I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear, but the sounds of music can’t compare with the Christmas choir up here. I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring, for it is beyond description to hear the angels sing. I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart, but I am not so far away, we really aren’t apart. So be happy for me dear ones. You know I hold you dear and be glad I’m spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year. I send you each a special gift from my heavenly home above. I send you each a memory of my undying love. After all “LOVE” is the gift, more precious than pure gold. It was always most important in the stories Jesus told. Please love and keep each other, as my Father said to do, for I can’t count the blessings or love He has for you. So, have a joyous Christmas and wipe away that tear. Remember, I’m spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year. - Anonymous

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” -Psalms 116: 15

Serving the Residents of Rutherford County for over 80 years

Don L. Hicks October 23, 1945-January 2, 2009

Ira Dean Davis May 22, 1934-March 28, 2009

Charlie Buttler Manis, Jr. July 3,1959-June 27,2009

Ruby Hawkins Holland October 1,1916-September 21, 2009

Michael C. Hamilton August 18, 1970-January 3, 2009

Norman Turner Deese July 22, 1928-April 8, 2009

Sonny “Bill’’ Bailey February 5,1938 - July 3, 2009

Dean Gordon November 12,1938 - September 21, 2009

Blanche H. Lookadoo August 8,1917- January 9, 2009

Gertrude Price Moore September 22, 1921-April 9, 2009

Robert Eugene Pruett January 17,1932 - July 3, 2009

William Grant July 23,1920-September 24, 2009

Mary Lucy Peterson May 28, 1926-January 11, 2009

Velnia “Becky” Wallace July 13, 1936-April 10, 2009

Paulette Ledwell April 2,1952-July 11, 2009

Vivian Henson Blanton August20,1941 - September 23, 2009

Mary Magdalene Tipton September 29, 1912-January 14, 2009

Howard H. Conner June 22, 1916-April 11, 2009

Elaine Self Gregg April 15,1951 -July 14, 2009

Rebecca Hewitt Doggett October 6, 1938 - October 1, 2009

Evon Bridges November 27,1953 - January 17, 2009

Shirley Walters November 22, 1939-April 13, 2009

C. Beecher Cole April 18,1924-July 18, 2009

Irene J. Tucker October 27,1927-October 6,2009

Ricky Pruett January 7, 1956-January 17, 2009

Janice A. Bradley January 27, 1962-April 14, 2009

Larry Quinn February 17,1937- July 18, 2009

Lloyd Gordon Morrow May 21,1926-October 17, 2009

Richard D. Abramczyk August 27, 1934 - January 18, 2009

Cecil L. Butler June 30, 1937-April 16, 2009

Dufay Gowan December 6,1933 - July 19, 2009

Jeremy Cole April 17,1980-October 13, 2009

Gary Dye September 12, 1958-January 20, 2009

Dorothy Pearl Lane April 07, 1919 -April 20, 2009

Doug Goforth July23.1955-July23.2009

Lloyd Porter February 28,1929- October 15, 2009

Jeanette Piercy Whitaker November5,1917- January 25, 2009

Susan Elizabeth Cole October 25, 1981-April 22, 2009

Ronnie Harlan Pittman August 15,1946-July 24,2009

Earl Duncan November 27,1919-October 14, 2009

Hazel Wall November 9, 1916-January 26,2009

Jolley M. Hutchins October 14, 1932 - April 22, 2009

Murphy Hensley May 14,1934-July 26, 2009

Martin Conner October 25,1932 - October 18, 2009

Matilda “Tilda’’ Jackson February 14, 1912-January 27, 2009

Debbie Ervin April 1, 1955-April 22, 2009

Robert Michael Moon, Sr. October 2,1957-July 26, 2009

Florence Deyton January 31,1940-October 23, 2009

Bobby Pruett, Sr. March 5,1937 -January 29, 2009

Richard V. Conway June 14,1956-April 23, 2009

Brenda Joyce Goode October 6,1947-July 28, 2009

Jose D. Vallecillo June 21,1943-October 24, 2009

Lloyd L. Guffey October 20,1944-January 31, 2009

Betty J. Lancaster September 7, 1954 - April 23, 2009

Robert Jeffrey Sweatt October 24,1948-July 23, 2009

Lula Mae Greene July 14,1917- October 26, 2009

Miriam Babb Reynolds December 1,1930-Febuary 1, 2009

Tim Godfrey July 22, 1956-April 23, 2009

Ruth Allred November 15,1925 - July 30, 2009

Nellie ‘’Earlene’’ Henson December 8,1928 - October 29, 2009

Genell Harris Adair August 23,1926 -February 2, 2009

Paul L. Holland November 4, 1923-April 24, 2009

Trudy Burgess Locklear September 26,1950-August 2, 2009

Frieda M. Dyer January 13,1941 - October 29, 2009

Ben N. Cole May 1,1919-February 4, 2009

Nellie Smith Norman November 18, 1924 - April 28, 2009

Charles Oneil Honeycutt July 6,1932-August 3, 2009

Katheryn Brigman August 11,1938 - October 29, 2009

Nyle Verner Holland February 25,1935-February 14, 2009

Carolyn G. Earley December 23, 1924-April 30, 2009

Gene Wall July 16,1930-August 7, 2009

Sharon West Robbins September 1,1953-November 1, 2009

Viola Luckadoo June 24,1920 - February 17, 2009

Walter “Dan’’ Jenkins June 4, 1928-May 8, 2009

Harley Daniel Adair January 24,1950-August 9, 2009

Elenora McKinney Mathis October 27,1923-November 2, 2009

Brenda Carol Blanton July 1,1943-February 18, 2009

Lottie Mae Terry March 29,1944-May 13, 2009

Tonya Lynn Dycus May 16,1971-August 10, 2009

Gary Marion Bishop July 7,1964-November 2, 2009

Kenneth Lyton Hughes January 24,1917-February 24, 2009

Barbara Ann Byers June 13, 1947- May 13, 2009

Roy Evans Biggerstaff, Jr. July 30,1956-August 10,2009

Ruby C. Smart April 27,1915 -November 2, 2009

Ricky Lee Silvers February 13,1960-February 26, 2009

Helen Hill Parks February 23, 1925-May 24, 2009

Virginia Smart Taylor June 11,1915-August 11, 2009

Mattie Jean Cox Murray March 19,195B-November 6, 2009

Justin Edward Coffey September 29,1981 - February 26, 2009

Sherman Dwayne Roland November 17, 1964 - May 27, 2009

James Scott Wright Decembers, 1972-August 6, 2009

Wayne ‘’Murph’’ Murray June 8,1944 - November 7, 2009

Leo H. Waters October 22,1913-February 27, 2009

Elbert Eugene Tomblin August 20, 1924-June 1,2009

Grover Burgess May 22,1919 -August 18, 2009

John Thomas Rutland, Sr. May 21,1926-November 11, 2009

Kathy Smith Greene November 8,1957-March 7, 2009

John Kelley Cooley, Sr. September 9, 1948 - June 6, 2009

Troy Rome April 28,1928 - August 20, 2009

Donald ‘’Don’’ Ray Shytle August 14,1939-November 13, 2009

Jimmie Eual Price August 25,1931 - March 9, 2009

Rebecca Rhodes Culp May 29, 1957 -June 8, 2009

Martha Delia Testerman September 25,1914 - August 21, 2009

James Banner Shores July 12,1928 - November 25, 2009

Leslie Dobbins Armstong November 25,1945 - March 11, 2009

Steven Rene’ Johnson April 2, 1947-June 10, 2009

Ruby Kimbrell Blackwell October 26,1924-August 29, 2009

Ruby “Colleen’’ Deaton October 28,1935-November 27, 2009

Timothy Lee Byers September 3, 1965 - March 12, 2009

Charlene Faulkner Conner Februaly 5,1953 - June 11, 2009

Robert “Smitty’’ Smith January 26,1931-August 30, 2009

Betty Sue Ballard April 12,1930-Novmeber28, 2009

Joe Doris Randall January 13,1933 - March 14, 2009

Harold D. White October 31,1932-June 12, 2009

Howard Wayne Hill July 14,1958 - September 5, 2009

Dorothy Mae Grahl May 9,1931 -Novmeber29, 2009

Ron Moore April 11, 1944 - March 15, 2009

Madlyn Durham Jones April 27,1923-June 15, 2009

Oliver Chase Condrey September 7, 2009-September 7, 2009

Robert Glen Philbeck January 22,1958 - December 1, 2009

Wade Davis May 13,1933 - March 17, 2009

Hazel Crowe Phillips September 15,1923 - June 19, 2009

Stella Price McGinnis March 4,1921- September 12, 2009

Eddie Miller June 27,1966-November 29,2009

Edward J.T. Lima July 9, 1916-March 19, 2009

Marion Leonard Lowe February 12,1919- June 21, 2009

Steven Thomas Williams September 28,1993 - September 12, 2009

Helen Dobbins Phillips March 5,1931-December 2,2009

Glynna Ruppe Ledbetter July 22, 1928-March 20, 2009

Essie Anne Gilbert March 12,1912-June 21, 2009

Steve Hollifield January 24,1943-September 16, 2009

Betty King Shultz March 14,1950-December 3,2009

Ronald Dupree Cole, Sr. March 17,1943-March 20, 2009

Bill ‘Chicken Dib’ Martin June 14,1943-June 24,2009

Randy Loyd Street April 6,1955 - September 16, 2009

Melva Henson Canipe April 20, 1922-March 27, 2009

Dovie Ledford Greene September 9,1919-June 25, 2009

Johnny Seay Phillips January 30,1926- September 17, 2009

Harrelson Funeral Home £Óx£Ê1-Ê ÜÞ°ÊÓÓ£ ÊUÊ ÀiÃÌÊ ÌÞ]Ê

828-657-6383

www.harrelsonfuneralhome.com

12A — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, December 6, 2009

Local

Mayor Continued from Page 1A

The decision would have far greater consequences than he anticipated. “During my training the Korean Conflict started,” Gibson said recently. “I was what I would call a peacetime cadet, but the conflict broke out there right before I graduated, so of course that was priority No. 1. I spent the next three years in the Pacific, in support of the Korean Conflict. I was the youngest of three brothers, all pilots, and all served in Korea at the same time.” “I was flying a military air transport. I took the troops in and brought the wounded out (on planes that had been modified to accommodate litters for nonambulatory wounded). “That was quite an experience. A lot of those boys had been down there in the foxholes and the mud. They can have some cruel winters over there.” With the Air Force calling the shots, the young pilot lived the realities of military life. “I was based (on paper) at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, which, that sounds fantastic, but I wasn’t there,” Gibson said. “I was gone on what they call TDY, temporary duty, anywhere from 10 days to six months. I was based in Japan, but went into Korea, in and out. My home base was Hawaii, but I didn’t get to see much of Hawaii.” Gibson, then a 25-year-old commander in a four-engine aircraft, got a rare opportunity as his military stint was ending, and he prepared to take it. “The reason I got out of the military was to go to work for Eastern Airlines,” he said. “I had a first cousin who was a pilot with Eastern, and I was communicating with him by letter, and he gave my background to the chief pilot of Eastern, and he wrote me a letter saying as soon as you can get out of the Air Force

We’re still in good shape. We’ve got the groundwork laid for future growth. That mill project over there will someday take off. The infrastructure is there, and it’s paid for. To me, that is a shovel-ready project. The infrastructure is there, ready for a developer. you have a job.” Gibson’s wife, Margaret, however, was “not too thrilled” about his planned flying career, and so his life was about to take another turn. “I never flew for Eastern Airlines,” Gibson said, adding with a smile, “But I think it turned out for the best, probably. An airline pilot’s life is kind of like a military pilot’s life; you do what you are told to do when you are told to do it. It’s not exactly a family man’s life.” Gibson and his wife have been married 58 years. They have two daughters, Lu Juan and Debra Ann. Although Gibson settled down in Forest City, his travels as a pilot were a graphic reminder that water is essential. “I had traveled so much, in the Pacific and other areas of the world,” he said, “seeing where water was in short supply.” He recalled hurried shower experiences to conserve water, and added, “And that wasn’t potable water, it was just wet water. Drinking water was at a premium. So that is why I have been infatuated with water ever since.” To make the point, Gibson noted of the early settlers of America, “They had to stop where there was a water hole, not a power pole. That’s got to tell you something.” Instead of flying, Gibson came home to buy and operate a B.F. Goodrich franchise. The business, at that time both an automotive and home supply merchant, was downtown, on Main Street, for 17 years. When downtown became too congested,

he built a store and moved the business to the West End. As a merchant, Gibson learned the hard way about the need to stay out of debt. “It was quite a struggle buying out a business and a store,” Gibson said. “Credit is hard money to pay back. Business is growing, you want it to do that, but you are trying to pay back a tremendous debt. Today that debt doesn’t sound like a lot of money, but in the 1950s it was an enormous amount. “But we struggled through that, and got that paid for, and the new building paid for, and all that service equipment up to date, and I did, at that time, go primarily automotive.” The pressures of operating a business were taking a toll on Gibson’s health, and his doctors cautioned him, “You’ve living with that business day and night.” Gibson’s response was, “Well, I know how to correct that,” and in late 1986 he sold the business and retired. But by 1991 Gibson was ready for a new challenge. “There were three other retired merchants, friends of mine, here in town and somebody got the four of us together and wanted to know if we would run for city council.” The four men, Gibson, Harold Stallcup, Grover Bradley and Vernon Tarlton, had similar military and business backgrounds, so they ran for office and won. The issue of providing water became an important matter for the council. “We started running water lines outside the city limits,

and in some cases extended the corporate limits where feasible or possible,” Gibson said. “Then we had the drought in 2002, and we had all kinds of people coming into Town Hall begging to extend water lines to their area. “Sandy Mush Water was in financial trouble, so we worked out a deal with them and took over the Sandy Mush Water area, which over time has proven to be a good thing. We have that now in first-class condition.” The drought of 2002 forced the town to struggle to find sufficient water to supply the large needs of textile giant Sara Lee, which was using Forest City water. The town was looking for a new source of water, and water was the focus for the town at the Riverstone Business Park. “Jim Cowan came here and asked us if we would consider water and sewer because he was going to develop that,” Gibson said.” Naturally at that time we were looking for industry just as hard as he was, so, yes, ‘We are going to work with you.’ And we did. We put water and sewer, 16-inch water line, plus a little sewer plant. But then with the economic situation the bottom kind of dropped out. Arvin Meritor is the only industry we ever got down there. “Arvin Meritor doesn’t use enough water to pay off, but someday that is going to pay off. That’s the only way this county can grow, is in that area. So I have been pushing my board, the six years I have been mayor, to think about putting the water intake on the 50 acres that we acquired in the deal with Stonecutter. We’ve got 50 acres for a water intake and 35 acres for a sewer plant. This all is planning for the future. It’s not today. “I feel like it is worth the town’s money to go ahead and start this intake on what money we know we can put back, not borrow, in our budget and do that on a year-to-

year basis.” In another water-related matter, the mayor cited the upgrade to the town’s water plant. The town’s Web site notes, “In 2003 the plant (on Vance Street) concluded the construction phase which yielded a total face-lift to the original 1948 structure, process equipment upgrades, and total electrical updates to the facility. The plant, at present, can treat 8 million gallons of water a day and has structural components in place to easily upgrade to a 10 million gallon a day facility.” “A lot of this stuff is for the future,” Gibson said. Henoted other infrastructure successes for the town. “We’ve got one of the best fire departments and police departments of any small town in the state,” he said. He commented, for example, that the town made a wise decision by deciding to build a new fire department instead of trying to remodel what was once a stable. He recalls he warned that with the “mule barn” conversion, “You have nothing when you start, you’ll have nothing when you finish.” “I’m a firm believer you can start from scratch and build something better, what you want, than you can remodel anything,” Gibson said. Despite some town debt now, Gibson said, “We’re still in good shape. We’ve got the groundwork laid for future growth. That mill project over there will someday take off. The infrastructure is there, and it’s paid for. To me, that is a shovel-ready project. The infrastructure is there, ready for a developer. “If we had a nice theater downtown, and some other amenities along with it, these other stores would fill up. And this bookstore is going to be a prize. That is going to be a tremendous asset for downtown.” After 18 years of service, Gibson still sees a Forest City that is primed for success in the years ahead.

The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, December 6, 2009 — 1B

Inside Scoreboard . . . . . . . . . Page 2B NCAA . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3B Carolina Panthers . . . Page 8B

Off The Wall

Strong Traditions Collide

Scott Bowers

Confession of a party crasher By now you should have heard or read about the White House party crashers — Tareq and Michaele Salahi. The couple made their way into a state dinner, without a real invitation, where they shook hands with President Barack Obama and yucked it up with Vice President Joe Biden. That’s a pretty cool night on the town. I can hardly be judgemental, because I myself was once a party crasher. In the summer of 1987, I decided that higher education was really a waste of both time and money, and that I’d be better off living in California. So, myself and a couple of friends sold most of our worldly possessions and headed to the Left Coast. On our first night in Los Angeles, we walked around Hollywood Boulevard and stumbled upon a large crowd mulling in the street. There were floodlights and fancy dresses everywhere we looked. We asked what was going on and were told that the world premiere of the movie, “Dragnet,” was being celebrated. We stood and watched for a while when I happened to notice a young couple with a small child walking away from the party. I grabbed my friend by the arm and we chased them down. The couple had three tickets and the wife wanted $20 per stub. The husband rolled his eyes and said that he would accept $5 per stub. I doubt he had a pleasant evening after our business was concluded. With ticket stubs in hand, my friend and I made our way up to the security personnel. “You here for the party,” said a man roughly the size of India. “Why, yes we are,” I said, with just a touch of nervousness in my voice. “Go on in,” he smiled. It had worked. We walked up the ramp — the party was being held on the top level of a parking garage across from the MGM Theatre — and into a surreal world of celebrities. Tom Hanks stood with Howard Hesseman, aka Dr. Johnny Fever from WKRP in Cincinnati; Dweezil and Moon Unit Zappa talked with Dan Aykroyd; and there I stood, this long-haired 18-year old with maybe $25 in my pocket, just taking it all in. It was a pretty cool night on the town. I thought a lot about party crashing, Saturday, as I watched the Tar Heels battle the Wildcats of Kentucky. It was a game that I waited all week to watch. And, I was not disappointed. Kentucky’s John Wall is as good as advertised, but what impressed me the most was the second half comeback by UNC. The expectations are currently kind of low for Roy Williams’ Kiddie Heels. The Heels, No. 10 nationally, are not being picked by many to make much noise come March. I disagree with that belief. The Heels, who have already soundly beaten Michigan State, a far more veteran team, and a team with national title hopes, gave John Calipari’s bunch of All-Americans all they could handle. The Heels were maybe a play away from winning. Who knows where the Heels go from here, but Indianapolis better be on guard for some party crashers come the first week of April.

North Carolina coach Roy Williams, above, makes a point during the second half. Kentucky’s John Wall, left, dunks the ball in front of North Carolina players Larry Drew II, right, and Ed Davis during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday. Associated Press

Kentucky holds off Tar Heels’ charge LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — John Calipari’s rebuilding project at Kentucky is ahead of schedule. Freshman star John Wall shook off a leg injury to finish with 16 points, including the clinching free throws with 4 seconds remaining, and the fifth-ranked Wildcats held off No. 10 North Carolina 68-66 on Saturday. Patrick Patterson added 19 points and seven rebounds for Kentucky

(8-0), which snapped a five-game losing streak to the Tar Heels (7-2) and inched closer to becoming the first program to reach 2,000 victories. The Wildcats have 1,996, while North Carolina has 1,991. Kentucky is off to its best start since the 1992-93 season, when it started 11-0. Deon Thompson led North Carolina with 14 points and Will Graves added

13, but the Tar Heels’ second-half rally stalled in the final minutes. Wall and fellow freshman Eric Bledsoe made sure of it, making 5 of 6 free throws in the last 30 seconds after North Carolina had trimmed a 19-point deficit to two. Bledsoe shook off a couple off costly late-game turnovers to knock down Please see Tar Heels, Page 3B

Alabama running back Mark Ingram (22) dives into the end zone for a touchdown as Florida’s Major Wright defends during the SEC Championship game, Saturday, in Atlanta. Associated Press

Roll Tide!

No. 2 Bama thumps No. 1 Gators ATLANTA (AP)—Mark Ingram and Greg McElroy sliced up the fearsome Florida defense and Tim Tebow finally met his match, no matter how hard he tried to fire up his teammates. With an emphatic 32-13 chomping of the Gators, the Crimson Tide again stands atop the Southeastern Conference. More important, Alabama is just one win away from an even bigger title — its first national championship since 1992, led by a coach who believes in “The Process” instead of the houndstooth.

Ingram, making a strong bid to claim the school’s first Heisman Trophy, rushed for 113 yards and three touchdowns. McElroy was 12 of 18 for 239 yards and a touchdown to show he’s no weak link and No. 2 Alabama rekindled memories of Paul “Bear” Bryant with the convincing victory Saturday. Alabama (13-0) moves on to Pasadena for the BCS championship game. Tebow and the Gators (12-1) will likely settle for the Sugar Bowl, denied a shot at their third national

title in four years. When it was over, there were a range of emotions. Nick Saban, the no-nonsense, process-oriented coach who needed only three years to bring Alabama all the way back from a miserable era, looked totally out of character as he leaped up to bump shoulders with Ingram on the sideline. Tebow found himself in an unusual position, too: sitting on the bench and

Please see Tide, Page 3B

2B — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, December 6, 2009

sports

Scoreboard FOOTBALL National Football League AMERICAN CONFERENCE East W L T Pct PF New England 7 4 0 .636 307 N.Y. Jets 6 6 0 .500 249 Miami 5 6 0 .455 256 Buffalo 4 8 0 .333 199 South W L T Pct PF x-Indianapolis 11 0 0 1.000 304 Jacksonville 6 5 0 .545 202 Tennessee 5 6 0 .455 229 Houston 5 6 0 .455 259 North W L T Pct PF Cincinnati 8 3 0 .727 231 Baltimore 6 5 0 .545 257 Pittsburgh 6 5 0 .545 248 Cleveland 1 10 0 .091 122 West W L T Pct PF San Diego 8 3 0 .727 312 Denver 7 4 0 .636 196 Kansas City 3 8 0 .273 183 Oakland 3 8 0 .273 115 NATIONAL CONFERENCE East W L T Pct PF 8 3 0 .727 255 7 4 0 .636 293 6 5 0 .545 272 3 8 0 .273 170 South W L T Pct PF New Orleans 11 0 0 1.000 407 Atlanta 6 5 0 .545 272 Carolina 4 7 0 .364 199 Tampa Bay 1 10 0 .091 181 North W L T Pct PF Minnesota 10 1 0 .909 342 Green Bay 7 4 0 .636 296 Chicago 4 7 0 .364 216 Detroit 2 9 0 .182 193 West W L T Pct PF Arizona 7 4 0 .636 267 San Francisco 5 6 0 .455 228 Seattle 4 7 0 .364 223 St. Louis 1 10 0 .091 130 Dallas Philadelphia N.Y. Giants Washington

Associated Press

North Carolina’s Marcus Ginyard pressures GardnerWebb’s Grayson Flittner during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Chapel Hill, Monday, Nov. 23, 2009.

GWU’s Grayson Flittner shines despite avoiding limelight By JACOB CONLEY Sports Correspondent

BOILING SPRINGS — Quick, name the player who holds the record for the most 3-point field goals made in the Smith Center? No, it is not J.J. Redick or any other player from the ACC. The distinction belongs to GardnerWebb’s senior sharpshooter Grayson Flittner, who recently netted 32 points against the defending national champions. Just don’t expect to hear this bit of trivia from Flittner himself, as the soft-spoken Sharpsville, Indiana native prefers to stay out limelight. “I enjoy finding open teammates just as much as much as I do scoring,” said Flittner. “Whatever helps the team win.” Staying out of the limelight has been tough at times for Flittner, who burst on the scene by scoring 20 points in the Bulldogs upset win over Kentucky. “That was fun,” said Flittner, of the game against the Wildcats. “That was a fun team to play and it’s a memory I’ll never forget.” Flittner developed a love of basketball early and carried that passion into his college career. “I’m from Indiana, so, you are basically born with a basketball your hand,” said Flittner. “As a matter of fact that is how my parents knew that I was lefthanded — based on how I held the ball.” Even though Flittner had an outstanding prep career and was named a finalist for Indiana’s prestigious Mr. Basketball award, he was lightly recruited. “I was recruited by Eastern Illinois, but it did not seem like the right fit,” said Flittner. “I had almost given up on playing basketball because I was not going to play D-II or D-III and then coach called and said they had a walk-on spot and the rest is history I guess.” Even though he came to GWU as a walk-on, Flittner has a chance to rewrite the record books at Gardner-Webb. He is already a member of the 1,000 point club and has an outside chance of setting the school mark for most 3-point field goals in a career at GWU. Flittner is not focused on those records, however, and is much more aware of another mark. “I’m 0-3 in chances of making the (NCAA) tournament and that’s my dream,” said Flittner. “It’s my last chance to make it, so I’m going to do everything I can to help the team get there.” If the Bulldogs do make the Big Dance, it’s a good bet on whom the spotlight will shine, squarely on Grayson Flittner.

Pacquiao-Mayweather fight is set

NEW YORK (AP) — Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have signed off on the major issues in the negotiation for a megafight on March 13, and contracts could be signed in the next few days, a person with knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press. Top Rank promoter Bob Arum met with Pacquiao in his native Philippines on Friday and the charismatic champion agreed to terms.

PA 202 208 275 261 PA 184 255 289 243 PA 174 188 204 279 PA 219 189 282 258 PA 182 228 261 205 PA 221 245 256 314 PA 203 215 261 335 PA 217 213 250 297

x-clinched division Thursday’s Games N.Y. Jets 19, Buffalo 13 Sunday’s Games St. Louis at Chicago, 1 p.m. Oakland at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m. Denver at Kansas City, 1 p.m. Philadelphia at Atlanta, 1 p.m. Detroit at Cincinnati, 1 p.m. New England at Miami, 1 p.m. New Orleans at Washington, 1 p.m. Tennessee at Indianapolis, 1 p.m. Tampa Bay at Carolina, 1 p.m. Houston at Jacksonville, 1 p.m. San Diego at Cleveland, 4:05 p.m. Dallas at N.Y. Giants, 4:15 p.m. San Francisco at Seattle, 4:15 p.m. Minnesota at Arizona, 8:20 p.m. Monday’s Game Baltimore at Green Bay, 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10 Pittsburgh at Cleveland, 8:20 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13 Seattle at Houston, 1 p.m. Green Bay at Chicago, 1 p.m. Detroit at Baltimore, 1 p.m. New Orleans at Atlanta, 1 p.m. Buffalo at Kansas City, 1 p.m. Denver at Indianapolis, 1 p.m. Carolina at New England, 1 p.m. N.Y. Jets at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m. Miami at Jacksonville, 1 p.m. Cincinnati at Minnesota, 1 p.m. St. Louis at Tennessee, 4:05 p.m. Washington at Oakland, 4:05 p.m. San Diego at Dallas, 4:15 p.m. Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants, 8:20 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14 Arizona at San Francisco, 8:30 p.m.

CLASS 3-AA EAST (1) South Johnston 33, (11) Southern Nash 32 WEST (7) South Point 35, (12) Anson County 21 CLASS 3-A EAST (5) Eastern Alamance 24, (3) Havelock 6 WEST (2) West Rowan 38, (4) Tuscola 29 CLASS 2-AA EAST (3) Reidsville 26, (9) Kinston 0 WEST (7) Newton-Conover 17, (8) Salisbury 10 CLASS 2-A EAST (6) Tarboro 28, (1) East Bladen 22 WEST (2) Mountain Heritage 44, (9) Lexington 13 CLASS 1-AA EAST (1) Southwest Onslow 42, (2) Goldsboro 6 WEST (1) Albemarle 31, (7) West Montgomery 0 CLASS 1-A EAST (4) Wallace-Rose Hill 46, (7) N. Edgecombe 14 WEST (1) Mt. Airy 27, (3) Robbinsville 26

BASKETBALL National Basketball Association EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division W L Pct 16 4 .800 8 13 .381 5 14 .263 5 15 .250 1 18 .053 Southeast Division W L Pct Orlando 15 4 .789 Atlanta 13 6 .684 Miami 10 9 .526 Charlotte 7 11 .389 Washington 7 11 .389 Central Division W L Pct Cleveland 14 5 .737 Milwaukee 9 9 .500 Chicago 7 10 .412 Detroit 7 12 .368 Indiana 6 11 .353 WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest Division W L Pct Dallas 14 6 .700 Houston 11 8 .579 San Antonio 9 7 .563 New Orleans 8 11 .421 Memphis 8 12 .400 Northwest Division W L Pct Denver 14 5 .737 Utah 11 7 .611 Portland 12 8 .600 Oklahoma City 10 9 .526 Minnesota 2 17 .105 Pacific Division W L Pct L.A. Lakers 15 3 .833 Phoenix 14 5 .737 Sacramento 9 8 .529 L.A. Clippers 8 11 .421 Golden State 6 12 .333 Boston Toronto Philadelphia New York New Jersey

College Football Major Scores EAST Cincinnati 45, Pittsburgh 44 Villanova 46, New Hampshire 7 West Virginia 24, Rutgers 21 SOUTH East Carolina 38, Houston 32 Louisiana Tech 55, San Jose St. 20 MIDWEST Butler 28, Cent. Connecticut St. 23 Fresno St. 53, Illinois 52 William & Mary 24, S. Illinois 3 SOUTHWEST Texas Southern 30, Southern U. 25 FAR WEST Arizona 21, Southern Cal 17 Boise St. 42, New Mexico St. 7 Montana 51, Stephen F.Austin 0 PREP FOOTBALL

GB — 4 1/2 6 7 7 GB — 2 1/2 3 5 1/2 6 GB — 2 1/2 2 1/2 4 12 GB — 1 1/2 5 1/2 7 1/2 9

CLASS 4-AA EAST (3) Britt 39, (1) Wake Forest-Rolesville 7 WEST (1) Butler 38, (6) Independence 14 CLASS 4-A WEST (4) AC Reynolds 9, (2) Greensboro Dudley 8

Saturday’s College Basketball Major Scores EAST Drexel 49, Northeastern 47 Duquesne 58, Savannah St. 44 Georgetown 73, American U. 46 Hofstra 84, Towson 64 Long Island U. 69, Cent. Connecticut St. 65 Massachusetts 84, Holy Cross 63 Quinnipiac 73, Fairleigh Dickinson 52 Rhode Island 86, Providence 82

HOCKEY National Hockey League EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division GP W L OT Pts GF Pittsburgh 29 20 9 0 40 96 New Jersey 26 18 7 1 37 74 N.Y. Islanders 28 11 10 7 29 76 Philadelphia 25 13 11 1 27 77 N.Y. Rangers 27 13 13 1 27 80 Northeast Division GP W L OT Pts GF Buffalo 25 16 7 2 34 72 Boston 28 14 9 5 33 69 Ottawa 26 13 9 4 30 77 Montreal 29 13 14 2 28 73 Toronto 27 8 12 7 23 76 Southeast Division GP W L OT Pts GF Washington 28 17 5 6 40 100 Atlanta 25 14 8 3 31 85 Tampa Bay 27 10 9 8 28 70 Florida 28 11 13 4 26 79 Carolina 27 5 17 5 15 62 WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division GP W L OT Pts GF Chicago 27 17 7 3 37 83 Nashville 28 16 10 2 34 70 Columbus 28 13 10 5 31 87 Detroit 27 13 10 4 30 77 St. Louis 26 11 10 5 27 65 Northwest Division GP W L OT Pts GF Calgary 27 17 7 3 37 84 Colorado 30 15 9 6 36 91 Vancouver 28 16 12 0 32 88 Minnesota 27 12 12 3 27 73 Edmonton 28 11 13 4 26 84 Pacific Division GP W L OT Pts GF San Jose 30 19 6 5 43 103 Los Angeles 29 17 10 2 36 89 Phoenix 28 16 11 1 33 70 Dallas 28 13 8 7 33 83 Anaheim 28 10 13 5 25 79

GA 78 58 85 68 84 GA 57 70 81 86 95 GA 80 72 82 98 100 GA 63 75 102 77 69 GA 68 93 70 83 91 GA 80 87 66 82 92

Friday’s Games New Jersey 3, Tampa Bay 2 Minnesota 5, Anaheim 4, SO Montreal 5, Boston 1 Nashville 4, Chicago 1 Saturday’s Games Carolina 5, Vancouver 3 Edmonton 3, Dallas 2, SO St. Louis 5, Los Angeles 4, SO N.Y. Rangers at Buffalo, late Washington at Philadelphia, late Toronto at Boston, late Atlanta at Florida, late Detroit at New Jersey, late Colorado at Columbus, late N.Y. Islanders at Tampa Bay, late Chicago at Pittsburgh, late Minnesota at Nashville, late Ottawa at Phoenix, late Calgary at San Jose, late Sunday’s Games Detroit at N.Y. Rangers, 7 p.m. Ottawa at Anaheim, 8 p.m.

McDowell, Yang tied for Chevron lead THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — Graeme McDowell was surprised as anyone to hear the news last week about Tiger Woods in a car accident, having no idea where it would lead — for either of them. Woods was caught up in allegations of extramarital affairs that brought made headlines around the world. McDowell was summoned to replace him in the Chevron World Challenge, which could turn into quite the bounty. McDowell played a six-hole stretch at Sherwood in 6-under par Saturday on his way to a 6-under 66, giving him a share of the lead with Y.E. Yang (71)

going into the final round of the $5.75 tournament. They were at 10-under 206, two shots ahead of Padraig Harrington and European tour money winner Lee Westwood, with Ian Poulter and Jim Furyk another shot behind. “Obviously, a huge blow for the tournament not to have Tiger here,” McDowell said. “I feel very fortunate to receive the invite. It was a great opportunity for me.” Timing is everything for McDowell, a 30-year-old from Northern Ireland who is No. 55 in the world. Because this is the first year Woods’ tournament offers world ranking points, a victory or even top finish like-

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Friday’s Games Toronto 109, Washington 107, OT New York 114, Atlanta 107 Memphis 98, Dallas 82 Cleveland 101, Chicago 87 New Jersey 97, Charlotte 91 Boston 105, Oklahoma City 87 New Orleans 98, Minnesota 89 Detroit 105, Milwaukee 96 Utah 96, Indiana 87 L.A. Lakers 108, Miami 107 Saturday’s Games Philadelphia at Charlotte, late Utah at Minnesota, late Toronto at Chicago, late Denver at San Antonio, late Atlanta at Dallas, late Sacramento at Phoenix, late Houston at Portland, late Indiana at L.A. Clippers, late Orlando at Golden State, late Sunday’s Games New Jersey at New York, 12 p.m. Cleveland at Milwaukee, 3 p.m. Washington at Detroit, 6 p.m. Miami at Sacramento, 9 p.m. Phoenix at L.A. Lakers, 9:30 p.m. Monday’s Games Denver at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. Portland at New York, 7:30 p.m. Golden State at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m. San Antonio at Utah, 9 p.m.

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Sacred Heart 81, Monmouth, N.J. 73 St. Francis, NY 54, Bryant 48 Stony Brook 63, Columbia 60 Temple 45, Penn St. 42 Vermont 88, N.J. Tech 49 SOUTH Alabama 74, Louisiana-Monroe 46 Belmont 94, Mercer 90, OT Bethune-Cookman 58, Florida A&M 57 Coll. of Charleston 67, Davidson 55 Duke 80, St. John’s 71 George Mason 57, UNC Wilmington 52 Georgia St. 49, James Madison 44 Jacksonville St. 83, Tennessee Tech 72 Kentucky 68, North Carolina 66 Longwood 82, Florida Gulf Coast 75 Md.-Eastern Shore 53, Delaware St. 50 Mississippi 81, Southern Miss. 79 Mississippi St. 105, St. Bonaventure 53 Morgan St. 80, Coppin St. 67 S. Carolina St. 63, Winston-Salem 60 SE Louisiana 77, Jackson St. 55 The Citadel 68, Georgia Southern 43 UNC Greensboro 73, Samford 40 VMI 103, Charleston Southern 91 Vanderbilt 67, DePaul 54 W. Carolina 64, Furman 57 William & Mary 75, Va. Commonwealth 74 MIDWEST Dayton 89, Lehigh 71 Detroit 69, Cleveland St. 62 Iowa 80, Prairie View 51 Michigan 67, Ark.-Pine Bluff 53 Minnesota 91, Brown 55 Missouri 106, Oregon 69 N.C. State 77, Marquette 73 Ohio St. 111, E. Michigan 60 Purdue 101, Buffalo 65 Toledo 76, UMBC 67 Wisconsin 79, Grambling St. 46 SOUTHWEST Arkansas 91, MVSU 54 Cent. Arkansas 79, Southern U. 63 Louisiana-Lafayette 95, Sam Houston St. 85 North Texas 64, Rice 62 Oklahoma St. 61, UTSA 55 Texas St. 80, Texas-Pan American 70 FAR WEST San Jose St. 82, Utah Valley 74 Seattle 88, UC Davis 78 Wake Forest 77, Gonzaga 75

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ly makes him eligible for the Masters. McDowell was at the World Cup in China last week, presumably his last tournament of the year. He planned to go home to Florida instead of chasing world ranking points in Australia, believing he could crack the top 50 next year to get an Augusta National invite. That’s when he got the call that Woods might not play. He was to fly through Los Angeles on his way home, and when he arrived Sunday night, he was asked to stick around for one day until Woods knew for sure what he was doing.

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The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, December 6, 2009 — 3B

sports

Pike rallies No. 5 Bearcats past Pitt

Associated Press

Kentucky’s John Wall, left, celebrates with teammate Eric Bledsoe after Kentucky defeated North Carolina 68-66 in an NCAA college basketball game in Lexington, Ky., Saturday.

Tar Heels

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Tony Pike’s 29-yard touchdown pass to Armon Binns with 33 seconds remaining finished No. 5 Cincinnati’s frantic comeback from a 21-point deficit, and the Bearcats beat No. 14 Pittsburgh 45-44 on Saturday to secure a BCS berth and their second consecutive Big East title. The first de facto Big East championship game since the conference began playing football in 1991 was a high-scoring classic. Freshman Dion Lewis’ three touchdowns and 194 yards rushing in a Tony Dorsett-like performance carried Pitt (9-3, 5-2) to leads of 31-10, 38-24 and 44-38, only to have the Mardy Gilyard-led Bearcats (12-0, 7-0) rally each time. Gilyard gave the Bearcats a much-needed jolt with a 99-yard kickoff return only 70 seconds before halftime after Pitt had opened its 21-point lead, then he made it 31-24 in the third quarter with a 68-yard scoring catch. Gilyard’s 49-yard kickoff return also led to Pike’s 8-yard scoring pass to D.J. Woods that cut Pitt’s lead to 38-30 early in the fourth quarter.

East Carolina 38, No. 18 Houston 32

GREENVILLE (AP) — Dominique Lindsay and Giavanni Ruffin each ran for Continued from Page 1B two touchdowns while East Carolina’s defense hung in against Houston’s powerful a pair of foul shots, and after Graves missed a 3-pointer and the rebound bounced out off bounds, offense to help the Pirates beat the No. 18 Cougars 38-32 in the Bledsoe made one of two to put Kentucky ahead Conference USA championship 66-61. game Saturday. After a tip-in by Thompson pulled Carolina to Dwayne Harris also had a big 66-63, Wall finished his breakout performance by day with 123 yards receiving and calmly sinking two free throws with 4.3 seconds a 22-yard touchdown catch. He left. also had a 69-yard kickoff return Graves hit a meaningless 3-pointer at the buzzer, to set up East Carolina’s first and by then the Wildcats bench had poured out touchdown to earn MVP honors, onto the floor to celebrate the biggest victory in helping the Pirates (9-4) beat the years. mistake-prone Cougars (10-3) Calipari said before the game he was anxious for their second straight league to see how the Wildcats responded after getting title that will send them back to “punched in the mouth.” the Liberty Bowl. East Carolina is the first team The answer proved to be easy: Get the ball into to win consecutive C-USA titles the hands of Wall, who dazzled the NBA scouts since the league went to diviin attendance with the kind of playmaking ability that will likely make him a lottery pick next spring sional play in 2005. Case Keenum had a big day if he chooses to leave. Wall finished with seven assists, five rebounds and a handful of spectacular for Houston, completing 56 of plays. It almost wasn’t enough to hold off the defending national champions. North Carolina trailed by 15 at the break but slowly got back in it by slowing the tempo. Continued from Page 1B It helped that Wall was off the floor. He slowly walked to the locker room early in the second half with a leg injury, sending an uneasy buzz through appearing to wipe away tears as the record crowd of 24,468 who packed Rupp the clock ran out. Arena. The Tide led all the way, Wall missed seven long minutes, but Kentucky establishing its will on the very managed to retain the lead thanks to some shaky first drive. In the second half, shooting by the Tar Heels. North Carolina was 39 Alabama shut ‘em down. percent from the floor and missed several bunnies Trailing 19-13 at the half, in the lane during Wall’s absence. Florida took the third-quarter kickoff and came up a yard short He returned with Kentucky up 54-42, but the on Tebow’s third-and-7 pass to Wildcats looked dazed at times as the game slowed Riley Cooper. The Gators didn’t to a crawl. Still, after North Carolina pulled within know it at the time, but it was one possession, Wall delivered. over. The win provided redemption of sorts for the Ingram carried it three straight Raleigh native, who dreamed about playing for the Tar Heels. Though North Carolina pursued him throughout high school, his relationship with coach Roy Williams cooled during his senior year. Wall said Williams called him before last spring’s NCAA tournament, saying the two would talk when the tournament was over. Williams never DURHAM (AP) — Kyle Singler called back, and Wall opted for Kentucky. scored 10 of his 17 points in the He did his best to show Williams what the Tar second half, and No. 6 Duke Heels are missing. bounced back from its first loss North Carolina built an early 9-2 lead which the by beating St. John’s 80-71 on Wildcats quickly erased behind their freshman Saturday. star. Wall started with a dunk, then followed it up Nolan Smith added 16 points moments later with a ridiculous reverse layup. The for the Blue Devils (7-1). They two plays seemed to settle his teammates, sparking scored 17 straight points in the a 28-2 flurry. first half, then used a big run in the second to claim their NCAABy the time Patterson capped it with a pair of record 73rd straight nonconferfree throws, the Wildcats led 30-11. ence victory at Cameron Indoor The run looked awfully familiar to the Tar Heels, Stadium. who were buried by Syracuse last month in the finals of the 2K Sports Classic after the Orange D.J. Kennedy scored 18 points opened the second half with a 22-1 burst. to lead the Red Storm (6-1). The North Carolina bounced back with three straight last non-ACC team to beat the wins, including an 89-82 victory over No. 9 Blue Devils there made things Michigan State on Tuesday, giving Williams hope interesting late, reeling off 10 that his young team had matured. straight points to cut Duke’s The Tar Heels hardly looked it during the first lead to 54-50 on Dwight Hardy’s half, turning it over 11 times, allowing Wall to go layup with about 10 minutes left. to work in transition. But Lance Thomas hit a jumpNorth Carolina simply had no answer for the er, Jon Scheyer hit two free speedy point guard, and Kentucky roared into throws and Singler — who was the half with a 43-28 lead and appeared well on 3-for-15 shooting at that point its way to posting the first signature victory of — hit a 3-pointer during the late Calipari’s tenure before holding on in the end. 14-2 run that put them back in

Tide

Associated Press

Pittsburgh running back Dion Lewis (28) skirts away from the Cincinnati defense during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Pittsburgh, Saturday.

the shoulder pad of defender Travis Simmons and ricocheted to Eskridge for a game-clinching interception with 42 seconds left. The Pirates, meanwhile, turned in the kind of steady offensive performance they seemed unable to muster earlier this season.

75 passes for title game-record 527 yards and five touchdowns. Most of those went to James Cleveland, who had 19 catches for another game-record of 241 yards to go with three scores. But while Houston had stretches where it easily moved the ball, the Cougars repeatedly cost themselves with the kind of mistakes that East Carolina needed to hang around. Keenum threw three interceptions, including one in the end zone and a second while under pressure that Van Eskridge returned 30 yards to Houston’s 7 to set up Lindsay’s score that gave East Carolina a 31-19 lead early in the fourth. Houston also lost a fumble that East Carolina converted into a field goal, while Matt Hogan missed two extra-point attempts and had a third blocked late in the game. Then, after the Cougars defense stopped Lindsay on a fourth-and-1 to get the ball back with 1:47 to play, Keenum lofted a ball deep for L.J. Castile in the end zone that bounced off

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Doug Martin had four touchdown runs and Boise State finished unbeaten for the second consecutive season.

times before McElory went down the right sideline to Maze for a 28-yard pass. A silly penalty on Jermaine Cunningham—he shoved McElroy in the back two steps after the quarterback threw the ball away— set up a perfect throw and catch. McElory rolled to his right, stopped suddenly and lofted the pass in the other direction, the ball dropping right over Colin Peek as he extended his arms to haul in a 17-yard touchdown. Ingram finished it off with his third TD early in the fourth, powering over from the 1 to cap an 88-yard drive—the Tide’s longest of the season.

Tebow, who came back for his senior year in hopes of winning another title, was 20 of 35 for 247 yards but his last gasp was picked off in the end zone. “It’s tough. You know it’s not how you want to go out,” Tebow said, struggling to contain his emotions. “They were just better than us today, offense, defense, special teams.” Alabama made up for its 31-20 loss to Florida in last year’s SEC title game, a result that was on their minds every step of the way. “Everything we did all year long was to beat them, to be better than them,” Ingram said.

No. 6 Boise State 42, New Mexico State 7

Arizona 21, No. 20 USC 17 LOS ANGELES (AP) — Juron Criner stumbled into the end zone with a 36-yard touchdown pass from Nick Foles with 3:14 to play, and Arizona wrapped up its best regular season in a decade. Foles passed for 239 yards for the Wildcats, who finally beat USC for the first time in coach Mike Stoops’ tenure.

No. 6 Duke fends off St. John’s control. Singler got hot just in time for Duke, scoring seven points during that spurt. Three days earlier, he had a career-high 28 in a 73-69 loss to Wisconsin, the Blue Devils’ first in 11 Big TenACC Challenge games. Scheyer finished with 15 points on 4-of-14 shooting. But a pair of veterans — Thomas and Zoubek — came off the bench and wound up making a big difference in this one, scoring 11 points apiece. Zoubek had just his second double-figure performance of the season while Thomas turned in a pair of impressive individual efforts early, knocking down a a baseline jumper and then drawing a charge to spark the Cameron crowd. Duke took the lead for good by outscoring St. John’s 31-9 during a 10 1/2-minute stretch of the first, with Thomas’ three-point play at the 12 1/2-minute mark

putting the Blue Devils ahead to stay.

N.C. State 77, Marquette 73 MILWAUKEE (AP) — Tracy Smith scored 17 of his 19 points after halftime as North Carolina State used a second-half surge to beat Marquette 77-73 on Saturday. Smith was 9 for 14 from the floor and had a team-high 11 rebounds. Javier Gonzalez scored 15 and Dennis Horner added 13 for the Wolfpack (6-1), who used hot 3-point shooting to rebound from Tuesday’s surprising loss to Northwestern. Jimmy Butler scored 19 with 12 rebounds and Lazar Hayward added 15 for Marquette (6-2). The Golden Eagles couldn’t rally with a late flurry of 3-pointers and were unable to continue their better-then-expected start to what is supposed to be a rebuilding year.

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4B — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, December 6, 2009

sports

A Dangerous Game

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger gives a thumbs-up as he is taken off the field after sustaining a concussion in this Nov. 26, 2008, file photo. At right is Steelers team doctor Joseph Maroon.

Associated Press

Associated Press columnist Tim Dahlberg, right, rides with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson after Johnson damaged his engine performing a burnout during a victory lap on the Las Vegas Strip, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2009, in Las Vegas. The victory lap is part of the NASCAR Champions week.

Jimmie Johnson stars on the NFL players hope concussion Las Vegas Strip Associated Press

rules will ease peer pressure By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Sports Writer

New Orleans Saints linebacker Scott Fujita is glad to see the NFL changing its concussion policies. Why? Because, he figures, the league is finally getting around to saving players from themselves. “You almost have to take it out of the players’ hands, because we’re not going to make the most responsible decision,” Fujita said. “If I was in that situation in a playoff game, and I was kind of dinged and not functioning very well on the sideline, I’d like to think that someone might look out for my best interest,” he said, “because I don’t think I’d do that for myself.” In dozens of interviews across the NFL this week, The Associated Press found that players voiced nearly unanimous support for the league’s latest moves on head injuries. Like Fujita, they’re grateful to have extra sets of eyes looking out for them — and they’re relieved to have a buffer against peer pressure about missing games or practices. Put another way: With leagueand union-approved independent neurologists now assigned to all 32 clubs, and stricter return-to-play guidelines instituted Wednesday, players hope teammates will be less likely to question their tenacity when they’re kept on the sideline with a concussion. “One of the things that has been so hard in this league for so long is playing with injuries and what constitutes being ’tough’ and being ’courageous’ and what constitutes being stupid and hurting yourself for the longterm,” said Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, who sat out last weekend with a concussion. “Anything that eases that part of it is progress, because, again, there’s a mentality in the locker room.” As Atlanta Falcons center Todd McClure put it: “If you come out (of a game), you’re seen as ’soft.’ That’s the way it is.” Nearly 20 percent of the 160 NFL players surveyed Nov. 2-15 by the AP replied that they have hidden or played down the effects of a concussion. Half of that group said they’ve had at least one concussion playing football; 61 said they missed playing time because a head injury. A handful of the players AP reporters spoke with this week

wondered whether the NFL’s latest efforts could cause some to be even more unwilling to let on when they feel concussion symptoms. If the league is going to force someone to miss game time, this line of thinking goes, then players might be more likely to try to hide a problem, particularly late in the season, with much at stake. “It might make it worse. It could be a Super Bowl game or a playoff game, where ’this game means everything.’ For me, it depends on how bad it would be,” explained Miami Dolphins guard Donald Thomas, who said he’s never had a concussion. “If I can’t function and I won’t be worth anything to the team, I’ll say, ’I can’t go.’ But if a man feels he can go. ...” After all, as Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Farrior said: “It’s just a natural reaction for you to fib a little bit and not give all the doctors all the information, because you want to go out there and play. You don’t want them to come back and tell you you’re not able to play.” The NFL hopes that’s not a popular sentiment. “That wouldn’t be very smart,” league spokesman Greg Aiello said in a telephone interview. Farrior’s teammate Hines Ward caused a stir last weekend when he suggested Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger let the team down by sitting out with a concussion, forcing an inexperienced backup to start what turned out to be an overtime loss to the Ravens. Ward later apologized. Roethlisberger and Warner — the starting QBs in last season’s Super Bowl — are among several prominent players who missed games in recent weeks because of head injuries. They both sat out Sunday despite practicing in the run-up to the games. Star running backs Brian Westbrook of the Eagles and Clinton Portis of the Redskins skipped multiple games because of concussions — Westbrook returned to action after missing time, then got hurt again, forcing him back to the sideline. Browns running back Jamal Lewis, who already had said this would be his final season, went on injured reserve Wednesday because of a head injury, closing his career. Some players, such as Rams offensive lineman Jacob Bell, like the idea of the NFL being more proactive, even if new rules

Come in for a Good Deal and a Good Deal More Chris Bowen

can affect personnel decisions. “They need to do that, because as a player, you’re not going to do it,” Bell said. “You think, ’My headaches are gone. I can focus. I feel fine.’” Bell himself got a concussion in the preseason and missed the last three exhibition games because of it. When he returned to action, he had headaches for another week or so. This week’s games mark the first time that every team will have an outside doctor to consult on head injuries (the neurologists won’t be at stadiums; they’ll be advising in the recovery phase). They’re also the first games to be played since commissioner Roger Goodell outlined new rules about what symptoms must disappear — including dizziness, memory loss, persistent headaches — before a player is allowed back on the field. The old standard essentially held out a player if he lost consciousness. “They’re really just being extra safe,” Packers linebacker Brady Poppinga said, “and (you) have to give them credit for looking out for players.” Any further player-affecting moves on this issue by the league probably wouldn’t come until the offseason, and some might have to be negotiated between owners and the players union in the collective bargaining process. Goodell met last week with competition committee co-chair Rich McKay to begin evaluating possible rules changes, and a panel headed by John Madden is examining reducing offseason work and limiting helmet use and contact in practice and training camps. If the culture is changing — as the league insists, and many players concur — the transformation is hardly complete. Panthers cornerback Captain Munnerlyn got a concussion Sunday against the Jets, an injury his team didn’t announce until midweek, when he missed practice. Still hounded by a headache days later, Munnerlyn said he had heard about the altered return-to-play guidelines. His take? “I don’t like that,” he said. “I want to try to play this weekend.” Asked why, Munnerlyn replied: “Because it’s football. It’s my life. I love football so much. I’ve got to go out there and help my team win.”

TIM DAHLBERG AP Sports Columnist

LAS VEGAS — They said Jimmie Johnson was boring. Didn’t like to put on a show. They should have had my seat, inside the No. 48 car as smoke from burning tires and a burning engine poured in as we spun wildly in circles on the Vegas Strip. Actually, they could have had my seat, because one more doughnut spinning perilously close to the center median and I was about to see if there was an escape hatch on the car. It was all great fun for the thousands of tourists and NASCAR faithful gathered to watch the best stock car driver in the world strut his stuff. Johnson seemed to be having a good time, too, though the smoke was so thick it was hard to tell. Me? All I could think about how we almost ended up planted in the median planter. “Guess we came a little close on that one,” Johnson said, inspecting the trail of burned rubber he left on what had been a perfectly good stretch of asphalt. The original idea seemed innocent enough. Ride with Johnson as he led a parade of 12 drivers on a victory lap past a faux New York skyline and the fantasy Roman empire of Caesars Palace, then back up the Strip before parking our rides in front of the giant, fake gold Lion at the entrance to the MGM Grand. Yes, I had to sign a waiver releasing Johnson and NASCAR for any liability if something happened. But the guy is such a corporate clone, or so they told me, that he wasn’t going to do anything that would have me reaching for the helmet he insisted I didn’t need. This being Vegas, the Wayner (Newton) was on hand to see us off, along with the obligatory pair of feathered showgirls. About the only thing missing were some Cirque du Soleil contortionists on top of the cars. There would be a lot of partying Thursday night, but first there was a parade. Johnson was out front, waving and giving the thumbs up to fans. Boring? Hardly. Just coolly efficient at what he does, as evidenced by the way he has dominated his fellow drivers the past four years. Let Dale Earnhardt. Jr. sell all the merchandise. Johnson will take this year’s seven wins and the unprecedented four straight Sprint Cup Series championships. “When I came out here I thought if I could just win one race I would have it made,” Johnson said. “Now look at me. I’ve won 47 of them.” It’s been a remarkable run, made even more remarkable by the fact Johnson has done it at a time when NASCAR standardized the cars to make everyone more competitive and juggled the points system to make it even harder to dominate. And for the last few weeks, Johnson has been celebrated in all places NASCAR and beyond. Still, while he may get the respect, he doesn’t get the adulation. There’s something about Johnson that fans just can’t get their hands around, something that keeps them from embracing him for the great driver that he is. “I think people love to see some flash, love to see everyone talk some smack, especially in sports,” Johnson said. “But it’s just not my personality to do that stuff. The masses have not been happy with my approach, but I think over time people will understand.” I thought Johnson was quite professional until we came to the intersection where pirates battle on one corner and high rollers on the other. That”s where he floored it, taking us on a dizzying 42-second ride spinning sideways (the video is on YouTube) that felt as if it lasted three hours. Just as suddenly, we were done. Smoke and oil poured out of the blown engine, and Johnson removed the steering wheel and suggested that maybe it was time to get out. Turns out Johnson broke the car’s axle, too. But the fans had their show, and Johnson made them squeal even more by standing on the car and flexing for them. The other 11 drivers sat idling, meanwhile, getting a good laugh and wondering why Johnson’s cars never break when it really matters. The last half of the parade would be on the back of the pace car, his legs dangling over the spoiler. Johnson motioned for me to join him, and I climbed on, not too sure about the whole thing. The car lurched off, and we nearly slid off. “I wonder if he knows we’re on the back,” Johnson said. Yeah, Jimmie, I was kind of thinking the same thing. But, hey, thanks for the show.

The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, December 6, 2009 — 5B

6B — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, SUNDAY, December 6, 2009 Ask the Guys Dear Classified Guys, I have had my cat, Tabitha, for a long time. I found her many years ago from a classified ad when she was a just a kitten and needed a new home. Now after being pregnant and having a son, I find that I am allergic to her. To be honest I don't know what to do. Tabitha has been a part of my life for so long. I know giving her up is the best thing for my allergy, but I can't do that to her again. My doctor tells me that cat dander is the likely culprit for my irritated sinuses. That just leaves me with more questions than answers, such as what exactly is cat dander? Is this the hair she sheds? If so, I don't mind vacuuming all the time to keep it clean. I practically do that already. Can you help me on what I can do to keep from taking out the dreaded "Free to good home ad"? And please hurry, I'm running out of tissues!

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Carry: A runny nose does not make

having pets a pleasant experience. Fortunately, there may be hope for you and Tabitha since many people with allergies continue to live with pets. Cash: Cat dander is not actually the hair of your cat. Instead, it is the scales

Duane “Cash” Holze & Todd “Carry” Holze 12/06/09 ©2009 The Classified Guys®

of dead skin that your pet sheds on an ongoing basis. It's similar to how humans shed skin, but pet dander is much smaller in size and not visible to the naked eye. Carry: Due to the microscopic particle size, pet dander can remain airborne for several hours before settling into your carpets or furniture. The result is that you inhale the dander, which in turn can irritate your sinuses or cause an allergic reaction. Cash: To reduce the amount of dander in your home, vacuum and dust on a regular basis. Be sure to use a vacuum

that has a HEPA filter to catch the dander. Otherwise, vacuuming will recirculate the dander into the air. Also, consider adding an air purifier where you and your pet spend most of your time. Carry: To further help, keep Tabitha off your bed and other furniture. Her dander can collect and penetrate those fabrics quickly. And be sure to place her litter box in a remote area where it won't contribute to an allergy problem. Cash: With these simple steps, you and Tabitha can still enjoy a long life together. And hopefully you can stop buying tissues in bulk!

Fast Facts Achoo!

Reader Humor Hard to Handle

Most people say, "God bless you" or "Gesundheit" after someone sneezes. But where did the tradition start? The true origin is unknown, but it could have come from ancient superstitions. Some believe that sneezing allowed the soul to escape the body or allowed evil to enter. In either case, these phrases were used to thwart the opportunity and save the soul. "God bless you" began its use in the 6th century when Pope Gregory the Great used it during the bubonic plague epidemic. The German word "gesundheit", meaning "good health", was brought to North America by German-speaking immigrants.

My husband loves his bulldog, Barney, and has had him for years. Barney may look small, but he's solid and lifting him can be quite the task for anyone. Unfortunately, Barney's getting older and developed an eye problem so we took him to the veterinarian. My husband was a wreck and worried about what the doctor might say. With the help of two nurses they lifted Barney to check him out. After a few "uh-has" and "ums" from the doctor, he turned to my husband and said, "We're going to have to put him down now." My husband then panicked, "You mean we have to put him to sleep?" "Calm down," the doctor replied. "I just meant 'set him down'. He's very heavy!" (Thanks to Patricia P.)

Loving Pet Despite our allergies, we do love our pets. An estimated 6 million Americans have an allergy to cats, yet about 33% of them have a cat in their home. It seems people will choose watery eyes over no pets at all. For most people the allergen culprit is the protein that is present in the pet's saliva and dander. This protein or dander can remain airborne for several hours. It is also quite sticky and can remain on clothing, carpets and furniture for months, even with regular cleaning. •

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Laughs For Sale This cemetery sounds like a "hard" sell.

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Got a question or funny story? Email us at: comments@classifiedguys.com.

plots ABLE: New NOW AVAIL ng pet. Contact for your lovi et Cementary. P Stephenson

CLASSIFIEDS www.ClassifiedGuys.com

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

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Apartments

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2BR Apt in Forest City near Ingles. $425/mo. Some utilities paid. Dep req. 287-4541

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Chiropractic Assistant High energy, self motivated, team player needed for growing Chiropractic office. Must be wellness minded, organized with great attention to detail. Experience with med office/ front desk/ ins. a must. Fax resume to 828-245-0422 or mail to 152 West Main, Forest City, NC 28043 or email ccp2@ bellsouth.net. Please incl. prof. references!

DRIVERS NEEDED PTI is seeking local drivers for 7-passenger mini-vans in Bostic. Drug screen, driving record and criminal background check req. 1-800-471-2440 Reference #27

Hover Round Chair Used twice, needs battery! $500 obo Call 248-1023 before 9pm

CHOCOLATE LAB PUPPIES FOR SALE Ready December 18th! Call 429-6412

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Instruction

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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

Mobile Homes For Rent 2BR Stove, refrig., partly furnished, quiet & clean in Forest City. $290/mo. 657-6282 Single wide Shiloh: 2BR/2BA No Pets! $425/mo. + $300 dep. 245-5703 or 286-8665 Nice 2BR/2 full BA on priv. lot on Hudlow Rd. A/c, d/w, utility bldgs., porches. 704-481-8200

Large 3BR/1BA w/lg. yard in Rfdtn. $550/mo. 2BR/1BA w/laundry in Rfdtn. $400/mo. 625-5554 Country living 4BR in Rfdtn (off 108, 6 mi. from hospital) $475/ mo. + dep. 287-5241

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Work Wanted Man 20 needs job Strong, intelligent, dependable, honest. Call 828-447-0041

Help Wanted Immediate openings in Rutherford Co. for Substance Abuse Counselors & Mental Health Therapists. LCSW, LPC, CCS, LCAS or CSAC preferred.

Fax resumes to: 828-245-2548

WHITE OAK MANOR, TRYON currently has openings for: Medication Technician Must have C.N.A. I & Medication Tech. Certification working in assisted living. We are looking for compassionate, dependable applicants who are dedicated in working w/the elderly. Apply at 70 Oak St., Tryon, NC 28782 or fax resume to: 828-859-2073 EOE

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Mountain Creek Baptist Church in Gilkey, NC is searching for a part time Youth Pastor. Send resume to: 710 Mountain Creek Rd., Rutherfordton, NC 28139 by 01/15/2010.

121 Holly Lane Forest City, NC 28043 Family Households

1 BEDROOM APARTMENTS Units for Persons with Disabilities Available Section 8 Accepted

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Living Estate Auction of Frank Kraynak Saturday, December 12 @ 9:31 AM For partial listing and pictures visit www.southeasternauctionsales.com SALE SITE 604 Rollins Road, Forest City, NC Hwy 221 towards Forest City, Chevron Station on right (Key Largo), turn right onto 221A, turn left onto Rollins Road

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TELLER SPECIALIST Premier Federal Credit Union is seeking an individual with financial and or retail sales experience to join our team as Teller Services Specialist. Candidate must have strong verbal and communication skills, one who is comfortable and confident in cross-selling products and services. Be proactive in communicating the benefits of the services we offer our members. Qualified candidates should be self-motivated, energetic, work with a sense of urgency and be passionate about helping our members.

All candidates will be required to complete an on-line application at www.premeirfcu.org under Career Opportunities.

The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, SUNDAY, December 6, 2009 — 7B

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. •RESTAURANT EQUIPMENT AUCTION- Wednesday, December 9 at 10 a.m. 264 Wilson Park Road, Statesville, NC. Selling Seized Restaurant Equipment for the NC Department of Revenue for Unpaid Taxes. Coolers, Freezer, Gas, Fryers, Ovens, Stoves, Hobart Mixers, Pizza Ovens. www.ClassicAuctions.com 704-791-8825. NCAF5479. •REAL ESTATE AUCTION- 31 lots with long range mountain views and a newly constructed home in Mountain Heritage Estates- Burnsville, NC, located near Asheville and The Blue Ridge Parkway. 7 lots sell absolute! The 1,600± Sq. Ft. Mountain Home has 3 bedrooms and 2∏ baths. Auction on December 12. Go to www.woltz.com to see photos, property details, preview dates and auction terms, or call 800-551-3588 for a brochure. Woltz & Associates, Inc. (NC#7560) Real Estate Brokers & Auctioneers, Roanoke, VA. •COMMERCIAL AUCTION- Saturday, December 12 at 10 a.m. 201 S. Central Avenue, Locust, NC. Selling Seized Equipment & Inventory for the NC Department of Revenue for Unpaid Taxes. 3 Tire Stores, 3000+ New Tires, Tire Changing Equipment, Cabinet Shop, New Delta Woodworking Equipment & Vehicles. www.ClassicAuctions.com. 704-791-8825. NCAF5479 •AUCTION- Construction Equipment & Trucks, December 11, 8 a.m., Richmond, VA. 600+ Lots, Excavators, Dozers, Dumps & More. Accepting Items Daily. Motley's Auction & Realty Group, 804-232-3300, www.motleys.com, VAAL#16. 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. Top earner potential $69,000. Carrier since 1928! 800-441-4271, x NC-100 •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. •KNIGHT TRANSPORTATION- Debt Free National Company. Seeks 10 Exceptional Drivers. Clean MVR & Criminal History. Dry: 866-519-4835, x1. Reefer; 866-683-9855. Class-A CDL/1 year OTR. www.knighttrans.com •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 SCHOOLS/INSTRUCTION •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.

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8B — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, December 6, 2009

sports

No buzz for Buccaneers or Panthers

CHARLOTTE (AP) — Jake Delhomme seemed surprised when reminded it was almost a year ago that Carolina and Tampa Bay met on Monday night holding identical 9-3 records with first place in the NFC South on the line. “It was?” Delhomme said. “Wow.” A lot has happened for these franchises since, little of it involving winning games. The downtrodden Buccaneers have gone 1-14, saw their coach fired, their roster overhauled, the offensive coordinator jettisoned and the defensive coordinator demoted. Delhomme has thrown 24 interceptions and injury-plagued Carolina has gone 6-9 since that victory on Dec. 8 vaulted them to the division title. While embattled coach John Fox has stubbornly stuck with Delhomme, a broken finger on his throwing hand will sideline him from Sunday’s rematch that provides no buzz this time around. “It’s crazy when you think about it,” Delhomme said. “Both teams sitting in a great spot for a Monday night football game and to really take control of the division or get the upper hand. That’s the NFL. I don’t know any other way to put it.” Surpassed and buried in the division by unbeaten New Orleans, the Panthers (4-7) and Buccaneers (1-10) will spend the last month of the season evaluating who they plan to bring back in 2010. For Tampa Bay, first-year coach Raheem Morris sees progress. Morris, who fired offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski 10 days before the start of the season, took over the defensive play-calling from Jim Bates last week and Tampa Bay nearly pulled off the upset. It took Chris Redman’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Roddy White on

Associated Press

Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme reacts after being sacked by the New York Jets in the third quarter during an NFL football game in this Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009, file photo in East Rutherford, N.J.

fourth down with 23 seconds left for Atlanta to eke out a 20-17 win. It marked the third time this year Tampa Bay lost on a final-minute drive, including in the first meeting with Carolina in October. “Right now we are not going to be able to compete to be in the playoffs,” Morris said. “We are not going to be able to compete to be the very best. We just have to put ourselves in the position to go out there and get to our very best. We have to go out there and play as hard as we possibly can so we can all have fun around here at some point.” The Bucs have played better with Josh Freeman, who will make his fifth pro start

against Carolina a week after throwing for a career-high 250 yards and two touchdowns against the Falcons. That came after a four-turnover performance against the Saints a week earlier. “I’m definitely learning a lot,” he said. Freeman will be the most experienced QB on the field Sunday. Matt Moore, who has three career starts — the last against the Bucs in the 2007 season finale — will replace Delhomme. He can’t grip a football, much less throw it, after being injured in the closing minutes of Carolina’s miserable, touchdown-less 17-6 loss to the New York Jets. Fox, with one year left on

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his contract, had resisted replacing the turnoverplagued Delhomme with Moore. There have been concerns about the Oregon State product’s knowledge of the offense and his decisionmaking. The 25-year-old Moore, who went undrafted and was released as a rookie by Dallas, has completed 6 of 12 passes for 63 yards and an interception in limited action this season. “It’s my third year. I’m telling myself I’m not a young guy anymore,” Moore said. “And I’m trying to convince anybody who thinks otherwise that I’m not a young guy anymore.” As in Carolina’s decisive win late last season over

the Bucs and in a 28-21 victory in Tampa on Oct. 18, the Panthers would like to establish their running game to take pressure off Moore. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart combined for 262 yards rushing in the first meeting, including Williams’ tiebreaking 1-yard TD run with 29 seconds left. But Williams turned his ankle against the Jets and missed practice time in what’s been a tumultuous week for Carolina. On the same day an X-ray revealed Delhomme’s broken finger, Pro Bowl middle linebacker Jon Beason was arrested on a misdemeanor assault charge in connection with an incident last month at a Charlotte strip club. Beason, Carolina’s leading tackler, won’t face any immediate discipline as he leads a defense rocked by injuries. Tampa Bay’s defense, ranked 26th overall and 30th against the run, improved with Morris in charge against the Falcons. Linebacker Barrett Ruud had 11 more tackles and has 142 on the season. Defensive end Stylez G. White had 2 1/2 of Tampa Bay’s seasonhigh six sacks. “They actually looked like the team we played last year, that type of scheme when the head coach was the secondary coach,” Panthers tight end Jeff King said. So maybe something will look similar to last season’s showdown at Bank of America Stadium, because the importance and hype will certainly be missing. “We changed head coaches, we changed players, we changed a lot of people,” Morris said. “Some of this is expected. Some of this is not wanted. We wanted to win a lot more games, obviously. We wanted to remain more competitive and we haven’t been. We have to get better and that is on me.”

Baby’s 1st Christmas

2009

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Inside Out & About. . . . . . Page 2C Scouts. . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6C Sunday Break. . . . . Page 7C

Sunday Brunch Jean Gordon

Sunny Friday; Hiking trails in S.C. Park While hundreds of thousands of folks were rushing through Black Friday and acting crazy over huge sales, I was going berserk myself. Hiking in sunny Myrtle Beach State Park with a younger sister, I was having the time of my life the day after Thanksgiving. While I was admiring plants and trees and the most gorgeous purple berries I’ve seen lately, other people were just a couple miles away scrambling for a parking place, jerking gifts out of other peoples hands. But where I was, it was wonderful, peaceful, gorgeous, and outside. The hiking adventure also included my 9-year-old greatnephew. We began our jaunt with a Black Friday adventure with a stroll on the state park’s fishing pier. Folks were casting their nets for mullet and fishing for flounder. “I’ve given up on the trout” one gentleman said. He was trying for flounder. No one caught anything while we were there. My sister reminded me of our childhood days of pier fishing. Since there wasn’t enough money for all of us to have an ocean reel, we shared with each other. One day when I was fishing with a hand line, dropping it right off the pier, I caught more than 30 fish. Talk about having some fun. And yes, I cleaned my own fish. The real tale of the day last Friday was actually an eye catcher at the end of the pier where a large pelican was sitting on a shelf. Nearly a dozen people had gathered to watch the pelican up close and personal. We were close enough to touch him and my 9-year-old great-nephew tried. His grandmother halted that notion. Of course, I didn’t have my camera. The digital was back at the house, my two film cameras were in the car, but who ever heard of buying film these days at the pier store. I gave in and bought a throw away camera and the pelican left. Leaving the pier with my box camera in my pocket, we headed for the walking trails. The trails are not long or strenuous but are beautiful, even this time of year. My nephew climbed trees, walked on logs that had fallen in the woods and was our fearless leader when we ventured off the trail. We spent a long time walking on the beach, collected shells and watched sea gulls feast on jellyfish. We visited the campground and even chose a site for another day’s camping. Families were outside playing ball, there were campfires and lots of pet dogs on leashes. The campground was near capacity as families were outside tents, children were biking, dogs were sleeping and fires were burned in pits. The 312 acre park, hidden off Hwy. 17B, is right near the heart of the Grand Strand and yet it is like a thousand miles away from all the hustle and bustle of the commercial aspects of the tourism industry. The park is one of the state’s last stands of easily accessible, oceanfront maritime forest and it proved to be the way to spend any day. Gordon is the Senior Reporter/Features Editor at The Daily Courier. Contact her: via email:jgordon@thedigitalcourier.com

Escape to a floating Oasis of the Seas Forest City woman on “preview cruise” Everything was a “wow” moment for Patti Brown aboard Oasis of the Seas — the largest cruise ship in the world— as she joined travel agents, guests and media for the pre-inaugural cruise. The preview cruise set sail from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on Thursday evening Nov. 19 for an overnight cruise, returning Friday morning to the dock. Brown, librarian at Mooneyham Public Library in Forest City, was invited to join the preview cruise by her longtime friend, Jayne Sharpe of Travel Experts, Winston-Salem. Brown and Sharpe became good friends in the 1980s when they worked as customer service representatives with Piedmont/ US Airways and have remained close friends. Brown was with the airlines 24 years before she ventured to City Ticket in Charlotte and then came to Forest City when she married Larry Brown, who was already in Forest City. She’s been Mooneyham’s librar-

ian for four years. Sharpe often invites Brown to accompany her on such preview excursions, as her travel agency sells such destinations and excursions around the world. Brown has been on several cruise lines but nothing compares to the world’s largest cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas. The ship arrived in Florida from Finland for its inaugural cruise the third week of November. Among highlights of the “preview cruise,” was being with ABC’s Good Morning America Sam Champion for the live broadcast. Champion met many of the guests and they were seen on television and on the Internet. When he tried his hand at the FlowRider surf simulators, “we were on the second row watching”, Brown said. Oasis of the Seas also hosted an exclusive once-in-alifetime performance by R&B megastar Rihanna Thursday at 6 p.m. before the ship left its Florida dock. “That was so cool,” Brown said.

The pop star treated the select audience aboard the ship to a private sneak peek at her fourth album, Rated R, before it was released to the public Monday, Nov. 23. Another favorite activity for Brown was “Frozen in Time,” taking a step back in time with tales from storyteller Hans Christian Anderson. The fairy tales were presented on ice and featured the Emperor’s New Clothes, The Snow Queen, The Little Mermaid, The Red Shoes and the Ugly Duckling. Shortly after guests first boarded the 5,400 passenger ship, they were invited to tour all the ship’s 20 various accommodations from family staterooms to the Royal Loft Suite with Balcony. Staterooms range from $3,000 for double occupancy to $9,663 for double occupancy for cruises this time of year. “And this is the low range time to go,” Sharpe said from her agency in Winston-Salem. “This ship is way over the top, There is none other like it,” she said. Sharpe booked

ABC’s Good Morning America star Sam Champion takes the hand of a crew member to try his hand at surfing at the Sports Zone, Deck 16.

Colorful water toys, lazy river and swimming pool are among the features in this Sports Zone.

Patti Brown (left) of Forest City, and friend Jayne Sharpe on the Boardwalk, Deck 6, featuring a Carousel with its hand-painted horses.

trips on Tuesday for the inside cabins at $1500 per person, she said. The ship also features seven distinct locations, including Central Park where tables and benches are located throughout a tranquil neighborhood; Boardwalk is a place where children can ride a Carousel and the horses are handpainted; there are games and amusements, a rock climbing wall and guests can stroll through the Broadway shops. “I felt like I was at a mall,” Brown said. “It was really awesome.” There is an ice-skating rink, FlowRider surf simulators , a zip line suspended nine decks high and an aqua theater. Other locations are Pool & Sports Zone, Aqua Theatre and Royal Promenade. “I was afraid I’d be lost the whole time,” Brown said. Her first reaction when she saw the ship at the dock was “massive” and “everything on the ship is ‘wow’,” she said. Although the preview cruise was short, Brown said she never felt rushed as travel agents and guests were shown around the ship and invited to join as many activities as possible. “The food of course was delicious,” she said. They dined on steak and escargot in Opus Dining Room Thursday evening and Friday chose one of six lunch destinations and had snacks the entire time from seven venues. Guests were invited to go to a specific location on the ship Friday morning for the live broadcast of “Good Morning America.” Ship staff asked the guests to be its live audience. “Be sure to be wearing your best smile when you’re in any one of the

Text by Jean Gordon Contributed photos major public areas,” guests read in the itinerary. “There are overhead cameras in those areas and you could be featured on television or on the ship’s international Facebook page. “We were told to be down there at 6 p.m.” Brown said when she and Sharpe were heading out for the FlowRiders event See Ship, Page 4

A young guest enjoys a climbing wall on the Boardwalk. In the background are the balcony staterooms opening to the inside of the ship.

2C — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, December 6, 2009

LOCAL

Out & About

Sharing about Swaziland

Snack break

Jean Gordon/Daily Courier

Isaiah Boone (front) and Bert Hamrick enjoy refreshments at Rutherfordton Town Hall Wednesday night during a reception for outgoing mayor Sally Lesher. The young boys attended especially to see their friend, Jimmy Dancy, receive the oath of office as mayor. They were accompanied by Judge Laura Powell, who administered the oaths of office.

When Rutherfordton Town Councilman Bob Jones addressed newly sworn in mayor Jimmy Dancy Wednesday night for the first time, he called him, “Madame Mayor.” Accustomed to addressing Sally Lesher as “Madame” the audience burst into laughter at his first reference.

Mayor Dancy had a few young friends in the audience who attend church with him at First United Methodist Church. After Judge Laura Powell introduced the young children, including her own daughter, Powell said all the children wanted to attend when they heard Dancy was receiving the oath of office. “Jimmy Dancy rocks” they told Powell.

Attending were Isaiah Boone, Bert Hamrick, Emma Hutchins and Miranda McGinnis. During one discussion at the Rutherfordton meeting, Community Development Director John McWhorter was making comments after which Councilman Bob Jones responded, “Mr. McWhorter.” John replied, “Thanks for calling me Mr. McWhorter.”

Jean Gordon/Daily Courier

The VanderWal boys (l-r) Zion, 5, and 8-year-old triplets Jacob, Luke, Zebadiah, attired in authenic Swaziland attire, sing songs in the Swazi language during a program Sunday night at Florence Baptist Church. They are the sons of Harry “Tiger” VanderWal, MD and Echo VanderWal, PAC, from The Luke Commission who presented an update on their work in Swaziland. The VanderWals are returning to Swaziland soon after a two month visit to the United States to raise money for the Luke Commission. Tiger is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry VanderWal of Rutherfordton and attended Trinity Christian School and R-S Central High School. For more information about the VanderWals’ work in Africa, visit www.LukeCommission.org.

One more note, McWhorter reminded everyone of Saturday’s Christmas parade, adding, “and if it is snowedout, the make-up day is Dec. 4, 2010.

the Year. Blice is principal of Northwood High School. Blice holds an undergraduate and graduate degrees in music and also earned a Master of School Administration from East Carolina University.

Chris Blice, a son of Elsie Blice Hoffman of Forest City, has been named the Chatham County Principal of

The story of CooperRiis, Hwy. 108, Mill Spring, across the Rutherford County line, was featured in

the October edition of WNC Mountain Living in Western North Carolina. Don and Lisbeth Cooper of Rutherford County, who recently received the 2009 Outstanding Philanthropists Award, established CooperRiis in 2003. It is a holistic, community-based approach to treatment for mental illness.

Pigs and their pumpkins

Contributed photo

The pigs at Potbelly Acres want to say thanks to everyone for providing plenty of pumpkins and straw, squash and other fall decorations, reports Cathy Watson, owner of Thera-Pets, Bostic. She said since the story ran last week in The Daily Courier asking for left over pumpkins, squash, apple peelings, fall decorations, for her rescue animals, she has been driving all over Rutherford County at all hours to get pumpkins, straw and other edibles. She has more than 100 pumpkins and hopes to keep the pigs in pumpkins for several months. Watson has 22 rescue pigs at Potbelly Acres, and nearly 50 other rescue animals. Call Watson at 289-1020 or visit her Web site: www.therapets.net if you want to help.

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will be featuring adoptable pets in Rutherford County. Don’t miss this opportunity of advertising your business in our 1st Adopt A Pet Section and letting our readers know where to get the care and support they will need throughout their lifetime for their new family member.

Coming Friday, Dec. 18, 2009 Advertising Deadline Friday, Dec. 11, 2009 4pm

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RUTHERFORDTON — The following babies were born at Rutherford Hospital. Lisa Marie Sawa, Mooresboro, a boy, Gavin Heath Sawa, Nov. 12. Heriberto Santiago and Veronica FajardoLopez, Mooresboro, a girl, Stephany Santiago Fajardo, Nov. 14. Reagan Boone and Tracie Ford, Rutherfordton, a boy, Keagan Perry Boone, Nov. 16. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew

Kirton, Spindale, a girl, Paisley Scott Kirton, Nov. 17. Ryan and Stephanie Burnett Holley, Caroleen, a boy, Rylan Kade Holley, Nov. 18. Mr. and Mrs. Michael Walker, Forest City, a boy, Austin Ray Walker, Nov. 19. Kevin and Amanda Melton, Cliffside, a girl, Autumn Grace Melton, Nov. 19. More new arrivals, Page 3C

The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, December 6, 2009 — 3C

LOCAL

In Class

Chase debate team brings home honors Mooring named

to Prefect Board

Contributed photo

Three members of the Chase High Speech and Debate team display trophies from a regional competition at Asheville High School. Pictured are (l-r): Angel Proctor, Taylor Moore and Shanice Goode.

FOREST CITY — The Chase High Speech and Debate team competed at Asheville High School on Nov. 21, in a large regional tournament with 30 schools from across North and South Carolina.

Farley, Nathan Moore, Laura Tomblin, Haley Hunt, Margaret Brown, Jacob Scoggins and Danielle Marsh. In Duo Interpretation the team of Shanice Goode and Angel proctor took 5th place overall. Shanice was also Winners in individual able to take the 3rd rounds of debate or overall spot in Dramatic placing 1st or 2nd in Interpretation. rounds of interpretaTeammates Taylor tion events are: Kathryn Moore and Chase

McKnight continued their streak of success placing 3rd overall in Duo Interpretation. Taylor also placed 4th overall in the radio announcing category just behind fellow Trojan Latriece Calhoun who took the 3rd overall spot. Due to the team’s efforts, Chase was able to place a very respect-

able 8th overall. The Asheville tournament marks the end of fall competition. The Trojans will be hosting a regional tournament at Chase High School on Feb. 27. The spring will also see the Chase team competing at the State Championship tournament and in the National Forensic League National Qualifying tournament.

WOODBERRY FOREST, VA — Bryson S. Mooring has been selected to assume one of the highest leadership positions at Woodberry Forest School in Woodberry Forest, Va. Bryson, a senior, is a member of the Prefect Board, which is responsible for administering the student-run honor system, one of Woodberry’s most important traditions. He is the son of Dr. Franklin J. Mooring of Greensboro, and Mrs. Gary K. Wheeling of Charlotte. In addition to introducing new students to the honor system, through which all Woodberry students pledge not to lie, cheat or steal, Bryson serves as a mentor to younger students and assists with dormitory supervision.

Bryson Mooring

Woodberry Forest is a highly selective, independent boarding school in Madison County, Va., for 400 boys in grades 9-12. Now in its 121st year, Woodberry emphasizes an education based on intellectual thoroughness, moral integrity, and good sportsmanship.

School Lunches

Wednesday — Sloppy Dec. 7-11 Joe, green beans, baked Monday — Chicken potato, milk. filet sandwich, lettuce, tomato, corn on the cob, Thursday — Chicken applesauce, milk. nuggets, baked beans, broccoli, cheese sauce, Tuesday — Sub sandmilk. wich, lettuce, tomato, shoestring fries, orange Friday — Spaghetti wedges, milk. and meat, tossed salcabbages often grow bigger than Wednesday — Breaded ad, dressing (low-fat a basketball and can weigh up to Ranch), peaches, rolls, fish, baked potato, cole 50 pounds. milk. At the end of the season, teach- slaw, milk ers from each class select the Dec. 21-25 Thursday — Tacos, student who has grown the Monday — Pepperoni whole kernel corn, best cabbage, based on size and Pizza, tossed salad, orange wedges, milk. appearance. A picture of the dressing (low-fat cabbage and the student entry Ranch), corn on the cob, Friday — Country is submitted to Bonnie Plants brownies, milk. fried steak, mashed by mail or online. That stuTuesday — No Lunch potatoes, green beans, dent’s name is then included in Wednesday — No rolls, milk. a statewide drawing to receive School a $1,000 savings bond to go Thursday — No School toward his/her education. The Dec. 14-18 Friday — No School winner of each statewide drawMonday — Corn dog, ing is chosen by the Commission black-eyed peas, peachDec. 28-31 of Agriculture, state to state, in a es, milk. Monday — No School random drawing. This year’s N.C. Tuesday — No School state winner is Makayla Conner, Tuesday — Pepperoni Wednesday — No a student at Oak Hill School in pizza, tossed salad, School Morganton. dress (low-fat Ranch), Thursday — No School Approximately 1.5 million stu- corn on the cob, brownFriday — No School dents participated in 45 states. ies, milk

Local students participate in cabbage-growing program

FOREST CITY — The national Bonnie Plants cabbage-growing program illustrates the best form of teaching — making learning fun and engaging. It provides elementary students enjoyable lessons on plants, patience and perseverance as they attempt to grow the biggest cabbage in their state.

Participating Rutherford County schools include: Forrest Hunt Elementary School, 40 students, teacher sponsors — Sara Gooch, Ashley Jones, and Barbara Rupp; Brad Richardson, principal; Harris Elementary, 12 students from Elizabeth Stoner’s classroom; Don Ingle, principal; Mount Vernon-Ruth Elementary, 100 students from five classrooms, teacher spon-

sors — JoAnne Carson-Abrams, Priscilla McBrayer, and Lynn Patterson; Keith Ezell, principal; Pinnacle Elementary, 90 students from five classrooms, teacher sponsors — Kay Sims; LáRhonda Whiteside, principal; Rutherfordton Elementary, 100 students from four classrooms, teacher sponsors — Ginger Meador, Natalie Brown, and Amy McLaughlin; Linda Edgerton, principal; Spindale Elementary, 140 students from eight classrooms, teacher sponsor — LeeAnne Summey; Angel King, principal. Students across the country, recently participating in the Bonnie Plants Third Grade Cabbage Program, receive a free Bonnie O.S. Cross — an “oversized” cabbage plant — to cultivate, nurture and grow. The

New Arrivals

Raúl Tapia and Raquel Fernandez, Rutherfordton, a girl, Ashley Judith Tapia Fernandez, Nov. 19. Manuel and Michelle Seagle, Harris, a girl, Olivia Mason Seagle, Nov. 21.

Mr. and Mrs. Shane Spencer, Forest City, a boy, Joseph William Spencer, Nov. 23. Megan Bailey, Ellenboro, a girl, Faith Amya Renae Bailey, Nov. 23.

Jason and Gaylen Bennett, Rutherfordton, a girl, Addison Reeves Bennett, Nov. 23. Jonathan and Danielle Collins, Marion, a boy, Matthew Hunter Collins, Nov. 24. Michael Church and

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Ashley Greene, Forest City, a girl, Elizabeth Rebecca Church, Nov. 24. Mr. and Mrs. Gary Lowrance, Forest City, a girl, Samya Kennedi Lowrance, Nov. 25.

Adelayda JimenezMartinez, Forest City, a girl, Yuliana Sancuez Jimenez, Nov. 25. Jessica Nicole Laws Reece, Ellenboro, a boy, Jonah Clayton Reece, Nov. 26. Arthur C. Lee and

Tiffany Sprinkle, Forest City, a girl, Maranda Nicole Alexis Lee, Nov. 27. Austin Robinson and Maryananda Ervin, Mooresboro, a boy, Bryson Phillip Robinson, Nov. 27.

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4C — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, December 6, 2009

Cruise Continued from Page 1

where Boogie Boarding and Stand up Surfing was to be filmed with Champion and Melissa Rycroft. “We didn’t get there until 7, but we got a seat on the second row. We were right there with him,� Brown said. “He is smaller than he looks on television,� Brown said of Champion. The ship’s guests also received an H1N1 Flu update. They were given instruction on wash-

ing hands, covering noses and mouths when sneezing and if anyone experienced flu like symptoms, they were to contact the Medical Facility for a complimentary consultation. Oasis of the Seas returned to the dock at about 10:30 a.m. Friday and all guests were requested to depart by noon. Sharpe said the cruises are all 7-days and are cruising in the west Caribbean right now.

Oasis of the Seas is 20 stories high, as long as the Empire State Building is tall and has a capacity of 5,400 passengers and with its crew, total capacity is 7,000. Construction on the ship began in 2006 and it arrived in Florida from Finland in late November.

Contact Gordon via email:jgordon@thedigitalcourier.com

Patti Brown, librarian at Mooneyham Public Library, Forest City, couldn’t pass up a chance to relax in the ship’s library. She especially wanted her library “patrons� to see a glimpse of the library.

A hang glider enjoys a high flying rip on the Boardwalk. The $1 billion ship has seven themed areas, including the Boardwalk where there are games, amusements, rock climbing wall and a Carousel.

More about the ship:

An architectural marvel at sea, Oasis of the Seas spans 16 decks, encompasses 225,282 gross registered tons, carries 5,400 guests at double occupancy and 2,160 crew members and features 2,700 staterooms. It is the first ship to tout the cruise line’s new neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which include Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center and Entertainment Place. The ship will sail from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The $1.3 billion cruise ship, also features a 750seat outdoor theater — modeled on an ancient Greek amphitheater—doubles as a swimming pool by day and an ocean front theater by night. The pool has a diving tower with spring boards and two 33-feet (10-meter) high dive platforms. An indoor theater seats 1,300 guests. Accommodation includes loft cabins measuring 545 sq. feet (51 sq. meters) with floor-to-ceiling windows. There are also 1,600 sq. feet (150 sq. meter) luxury suites with balconies overlooking the sea or promenades. Visit www.oasisoftheseas.com.

Jayne Sharpe, Brown’s good friend and travel agent, stands amid the shopping deck. Brown described it as “a mall.� R&B megastar Rhianna (left) performed in the ship’s Aqua Theatre (right) located on Deck 6. She gave the ship’s guests a private sneak peek at her fourth album. The theater is prepared to be the aquatic home for music superstars and even has the possibility of Broadway style shows, musicals and dramas to entertain the guests and passengers.

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The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, December 6, 2009 — 5C

Gardner-Webb announces new inductees

BOILING SPRINGS — Gardner-Webb University announces that Joshua Lee Padgett and Jesse E. Roberts, both from Forest City, were among 40 students overall named to the Alpha Chi Society during the recent 38th annual induction ceremony at GWU. Joshua is the son of Michelle Cotarelo and the late Jeff Padgett. Jesse is the son of the late Floyd and Elizabeth B. Roberts. His adoptive parents are Mike and Lynn Hager. Membership in Alpha Chi is the most significant academic honor available to students at Gardner-Webb University. In order

local Young Budding Artists Exhibit

to qualify for membership, students must be juniors or seniors with a GPA placing them in the top ten percent of their class. Alpha Chi inductees must also have demonstrated good character. Alpha Chi is a general honor society that admits students from all academic disciplines with nearly 300 chapters from across the United States. The name Alpha Chi is the initial letters of the Greek words ALETHEIA and CHARAKTER, meaning Truth and Character. GardnerWebb’s Alpha Chi chapter was begun in 1972.

“The Nutcracker”

Garrett Byers/Daily Courier

Art instructor Judy Ockert, (above, far left), stands with a group of her art students whose works are on display at the Norris Public Library in Rutherfordton. Presented by the Rutherford County Visual Artists Guild, the Young Budding Artist exhibit will be on display till January 30. The works on display belong to artists, Kile Hughes, Wyatt Jones, Jared L’Heureux, Lydia L’Heureux, Moriah, L’Heureux, Noah L’Heureux, Reagan Lanham, Savannah Martin, Lydia McMahan, Sarah McMahan, Shana Ownbey, Amy Rees, Jonathan Rees, Nathanael Rees and Rachel Roberson. At left, four year old Reagan Lanham holds her painting during the opening exhibit reception at Norris Library Tuesday. Lanham was the youngest of the artist in the Young Budding Artist exhibit.

Contributed photo

Ballet Spartanburg presents the Nutcracker with guest artists from American Ballet Theater. The performances will be held at Twichell Auditorium (Converse College) on Dec. 11 at 7 p.m., Dec. 12 at 3 p.m., and Dec. 13 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $29 for adults, seniors $24, students $18. Discount rates available for groups of 10 or more. Call (864) 583-0339 for more information or visit www.balletspartanburg.org.

Scholarships available through Community Foundation

FOREST CITY — Western North Carolina high school students interested in applying for college scholarships through The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina should act quickly as deadlines are fast approaching. The Foundation will administer approximately 40 scholarship programs in 2010, ranging from onetime $500 awards to renewable scholarships worth up to $48,000 over four years. In 2008-2009, the Foundation awarded nearly $365,000 in college scholarships to 125 students in Western North Carolina. Scholarship recipients are selected on criteria that vary by program, but generally include financial need, academic achievement, community service, extracurricular activities and work experience. School officials, Community

Foundation board members and/or community volunteers review scholarship guidelines and criteria for each award and ensure that recipients are selected in an unbiased manner. For the first time this year, scholarship details, applications and materials are available for download on the Foundation’s Web site. Those wishing to apply for any of the scholarship programs can review the scholarship opportunities on-line or contact their school’s guidance office for assistance. Students must complete and return materials to their guidance counselors, unless otherwise indicated, by the specified deadlines, most of which fall in early to mid-January. For further information, area high school seniors are urged to visit www.cfwnc.org.

Have your extinguishers checked annually

Beneficiaries sought for Dragon Boat Race LAKE LURE — The Lake Lure Dragon Boat Race & Festival organization of Lake Lure is seeking beneficiary applications from 501(c)(3) non-profit programs and organizations whose purpose is to improve the quality of life and future of local and regional children within Rutherford, Buncombe, Henderson, Polk and counties. The Lure of the Dragons Race

& Festival is scheduled May 8, 2010. For the past two years the event has attracted approximately 2,000 spectators per event and each year more than $10,000 was raised and distributed to selected organizations. The purpose of the fun-filled sporting event is to raise money to donate to selected qualifying beneficiaries. To be considered,

your organization must hold a IRS designated 501(c)(3) public, non-profit status and be providing programs or services which improve children’s lives within these four counties. For more information contact race organizer, Diane Barrett, at 828-625-2812 or cell 828-6911104. All applications must be received by Jan. 15, 2010.

There are thousands of shelter pets in our area who need loving homes. Even if you can’t adopt a shelter pet, now there is something you can do. By sponsoring a pet in our upcoming Adopt a Pet Section, you can give a shelter pet a chance to find a new home.

Sponsor a pet in our upcoming Adopt a Pet Section.

Simply fill out and return this form with your sponsorship donation.

Pet Sponsorship Includes your name as a sponsor in the section.

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A portion of the proceeds from your sponsorship will be donated to Community Pet Center

Call, mail, or drop by The Daily Courier to Sponsor a Pet 828-245-6431 • 601 Oak Street, Forest City

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6C — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, December 6, 2009

LOCAL

Oh, Canada!

Trip to Northern Tier finishes up Triple Crown for two Scout troops

Contributed photo

Scouts and leaders from Ellenboro Troop 126 and Harris Troop 999 attending Northern Tier in Canada in August were: (l-r) front row — Andrew Tisdale, Hunter Parker, J.J. Wallace, Harris Scoutmaster Mike Steadman, Ellenboro Scoutmaster Tommy Tisdale; back row — unidentified Northern Tier guide; Michael Steadman, David Martin, Justin Lowder, Luke Emory, Alex Hutchins, Ben Conner , Bill Mott and Scott Hutchins.

Contributed photo

Andrew Tisdale, with mosquito netting to protect his face, catches a walleye. Earlier in the day he netted a 40 pound Pike.

Contributed photos

At left, Alex Hutchins picks blueberries along the hiking trails. At right, Mike Steadman and his son Michael, Jr. along the banks of the rapids. Scouts spent overnights along rugged mountainous areas.

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Contributed photo

Boarding the floating plane for the trip to the Northern Tier are (l-r) David Martin, Bill Mott, Alex Hutchins, J.J. Wallace, Andrew Tisdale, Tommy Tisdale and Hunter Barnett.

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The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, December 6, 2009 — 7C

Sunday Break

Man is ready to disconnect girl who can’t say goodbye Dear Abby: I am 25 and dated a woman I’ll call “Brenda” for about five years. She dumped me soon after college graduation with no explanation. All she said was she “needed to be alone for a while,” but she could see herself marrying me and having kids with me “eventually.” I accepted it and tried to move on. Brenda has stayed in touch for the last two years, but we have not been together or intimate. She calls me nearly every night before she goes to bed. I never call her or go to her house. I talk to her because I don’t want to be rude, but I’d prefer not to. I mean, what’s the

Dear Abby Abigail van Buren

point? When we split, I told her I didn’t want contact, but she seemed so devastated when I said it that I backed off. Would it be wrong for me to completely cut off communication? How do I do it nicely? I loved Brenda once, but her constant calls don’t allow me closure. Even if she asked me now to get back together, I wouldn’t. She hurt me when she broke it off with no explanation, and I no longer trust her.

What should I do? — Needs Closure Dear Needs Closure: Forgive the strong language, but Miss Brenda appears to be somewhat screwed up. You seem like a nice guy — too nice, in fact. There comes a time in life when we must draw the line when someone hurts us. The next time Brenda calls to say good night, tell her it’s not good night, it’s goodbye because you no longer want to dwell in the past. Believe me, you’ll be doing yourself a favor. Dear Abby: In cities large and small across the globe, a sad reality occurs year after year. Children die.

The causes vary — an auto accident, suicide, drive-by shooting, fire, illness, war or something completely different. Families, friends and entire towns mourn the deaths of children who have died before they could reach their full potential. For the past 13 years, The Compassionate Friends, a national self-help support organization for families grieving the death of a child, has sponsored a Worldwide Candle Lighting during the difficult holidays to honor the memory of all children — no matter their age — who died too young. Dear Abby readers, whether or not they have been

personally touched by such a tragedy, are invited to remember all children who have died by joining in the Worldwide Candle Lighting on Sunday, Dec. 13. In the U.S. this includes services in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Dozens of countries are hosts to services. Anyone who is unable to attend is encouraged to light candles in their home, whether alone or with friends and family. Please join us in honoring these children who are loved, missed and always remembered. — Patricia Loder, Exec. Dir. The Compassionate Friends

Ulcerative colitis treatment Thanks to all of you for all you do for CPC Dear Dr. Gott: I enjoy reading your advice column. It is very educational. I have not seen anything in your column about colitis. I have a relative who is nearly 50 years old. About 30 years ago, he suffered with gastroenteritis and was on Donnatal. At the time, he lived on a farm and had to work while he was sick. Now, in his bout with colitis, he is on the medication Asacol. It makes him sleepy after he takes it. How long will he have to be on the medication? It has been four months already, and he is wondering when he will get well. Dear Reader: Ulcerative colitis is one of the most common forms. I assume this is the variety from which your relative is suffering. Asacol (mesalamine) is prescribed to treat ulcerative colitis (UC). This condition is an inflammatory bowel disease that affects the large intestine and rectum. The cause is unknown and may affect anyone at any age, but is most common in those aged 15 to 30 and 50 to 70. The risk of developing the affliction is increased in those with a family history or Jewish ancestry. It estimated that 10 to 15 people out of every 100,000 will develop UC. Ulcerative colitis typically starts in the rectum and

PUZZLE

Ask Dr. Gott Dr. Peter M. Gott

may extend into the entire large intestine. Repeated attacks of inflammation can lead to thickening of the intestinal wall. Severe cases may cause sepsis (infection that spreads into the blood and circulatory system) and/or necrosis (death) of colon tissue. Symptoms include fever, weight loss, joint pain, nausea and vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, diarrhea, abdominal pain or cramping that usually resolves following a bowel movement and tenesmus (a feeling of needing to empty the bowels constantly, associated with pain, cramping and straining). There are three treatment goals: control acute attacks, prevent future attacks, and aid the colon in healing. This can often be achieved through the use of medication, such as mesalamine or azathioprine (an immunosuppressive drug). An IV medication called infliximab (also commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, severe psoriasis and Crohn’s disease) has been shown to improve symptoms, but is primarily used when other meds fail.

As 2009 ends, we would like to spotlight people and businesses in our community who have graciously donated their time and financial support for our organization. They have helped the Community Pet Center (CPC) in this most challenging economy in which people have struggled to get back on their feet. We know that people are struggling to feed their families, find jobs, maintain their own peace of mind as well as take care of their pets. We have been blessed to have many special young people helping the Community Pet Center. They have gotten up early on Saturday mornings to help with events or volunteer at our office at the Rutherford County Animal Control Facility. We are thankful to all of the businesses who have hosted raffles and events and donated pet-related products to us to use at our office. We also very much appreciate the businesses who have donated percentages of their proceeds to help the animals and their families in our community. There are many people in our community who quietly do wonderful things that allow us to provide services back to the community. Such donations have supported the following programs: CPC Peticare Fund- helps families when their pets are in an emergency situation such as being hit by a car, poisoned, getting shot, breaking a leg, or attacked by another animal. CPC Pet Food Pantry- helps families keep their pets by providing dog or cat food. One of our volunteers makes toys for puppies and dogs. Spaying and Neutering- helps low-income families in need of financial assistance get their pet fixed. Getting pets fixed helps to reduce over-population and means that struggling families will have fewer pets to feed and provide medical care for. The support and partnership of our Rutherford County Animal Control Staff and

IN THE STARS Your Birthay, Dec. 6; You always stand up for yourself and fight for your rights, but this could easily be intensified in the year ahead. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — You have a gift of turning things or situations into what others deem to be pleasurable activities. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Some kind of important change might take place that you won’t personally orchestrate. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — When doing something different that should be fun, find an ally who can be a contributor. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) — An opportunity to use your special talents might present itself. Those who work at your side will be happy to have you around. ARIES (March 21-April 19) — This is a good day to do what you like, but it’s important to keep things in balance, whether you’re socializing, working, or spending time with the family. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — Things will go much smoother if you make sure that you and your mate are in complete accord when it comes to handling domestic issues. Join forces to keep the lid on things. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — This is a good day to do something different, something you’ve always wanted to do but never got around to trying. Your curious mind and eager disposition makes you amenable to anything new. CANCER (June 21-July 22) — You might be a bit extravagant, but only to satisfy a special need — so you won’t consider it a foolish thing to do. You’re smart enough to know when to tighten the wallet. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — Be persuasive if necessary in order to get others to join you in a fun activity. It could be an active and happy day, and everyone will have a good time. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Strong, intuitive feelings should not be ignored, especially those that encourage you to enhance your status and standing among your peers. It could mean a lot to you. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — If you’ve been considering accepting an invitation from some new acquaintances, follow these urgings. It is a good day to make friends and/or cement relationships. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — You work best when you’re in charge and can do things at your pace. This is likely to be one of those days.

the Sheriff’s Department The Pet helps us daiProject ly to adopt, rescue, or Produced by Jo-Ann Close and Lynne Faltraco return a pet Community Pet Center to its owner thus saving as many animals as possible. And lastly, our thanks would not be complete without honoring our many folks who every day do so many things to help the animals at Animal Control Facility and throughout our community. Volunteers Scrub and clean kennels, answer phones, answer e-mails, transport animals to our local veterinarians’ offices or boarding facilities, make copies, talk with people about adopting a pet, put together pet goodies bags, clean the CPC office, write grants, attend events, host adopt-a-thons, and attend community meetings to promote the Community Pet Center. This column doesn’t include individual names but — to all who help — thank you so much. We couldn’t do it without the contributions of all of you!

Delicious uses for fresh mint I’ve used fresh mint in lemonade, ice and hot tea, on potatoes and in rice. The first tip shares a new use that I haven’t tried. I by Sara Noel never gave much thought to adding fresh mint to chocolate recipes. A sprig would be wonderful on chocolate mousse or ice cream, or in a milkshake, cake, cookies or brownies. How do you use fresh mint? Minty Cocoa: Put some mint leaves in a tea ball and let them steep in your hot water before you add your hot cocoa mix. This probably isn’t new or super clever, but I tried it today, and it came out really good. If you buy your mint leaves from the bulk section or grow them yourself, it’s super cheap, too. It turned out to be a great way to “classy up” a kids drink. — Nishu, Washington Clean Candles: Take a cotton ball soaked with rubbing alcohol and wipe your candles down with it. It cleans them right up when they’re dusty or sooty. Works like a charm. — Genevieve, West Virginia Do-it-Yourself Haircut: Best way to give yourself an all-over, layered hair cut: Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, grab the hair at the back (the longest hair), and choose the length you want to cut it to. Holding the hair at that point with one hand, pull the hair straight up so that you can see the end you will cut in the mirror. Use lipstick to mark a straight line across the mirror at that height. NOTE: Don’t move closer or farther away from the mirror from this point. Now, pulling each section of hair straight up, cut it off where the line shows to cut it. After you’ve gotten all the pieces cut, use a comb to bring all the sections, one at a time, up to check and make sure you didn’t miss any strands. (Getting a friend to check for obvious stragglers is a good idea too.) Use the scissors to do any detail work to the front that you want to (shorter, longer, fringed out or angled). Generally, you’ll have a nice layered look because the hair higher on the head will be shorter where it meets the line than the hair further down. —Vail, Washington Empty it Out: My coffee can has a lip around the edge. I dump it out into the new one when it’s empty, but there’s always a little bit left in there. To get out that last little bit, I put the lid on and flip it over, and then take the can opener to the bottom. You don’t need to open the whole thing, maybe an inch or 2. Once you get a little section open, you can stick your hand down into the can and push out where you opened it so that the rest of the coffee will come right out. —Nishu, Washington Multi-Use Gadget: This may be a well-known tip, but I just used an egg-slicer gadget for slicing whole mushrooms for the dehydrator. Normally, I buy sliced mushrooms but there was a good sale on whole mushrooms. I got an egg slicer ($4) and was able to slice 4 8-ounee cartons of mushrooms perfectly and really fast! — Rainey, Ohio Sara Noel is the owner of Frugal Village (www.frugalvillage. com), a Web site that offers practical, money-saving strategies.

Frugal Living

8C — The Sunday Courier, Forest City, NC, Sunday, December 6, 2009

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