Rotarian Ricky Siegel

Ricky Siegel

Plugging In

Ricky Siegel’s embrace of the Rotary Principles has enriched lives in his community and across the globe.

From the spring of 1997 through 2016, Ricky Siegel and his wife, Helene, owned and operated the 4 ½ Street Inn. Owning a business in a small town certainly helps owners plug in, but Ricky explained that joining the Rotary Club of Highlands “… put me in contact with a lot of folks in Highlands, and the Club expanded my circle friends and my community members by a large number.” Ricky has been a Rotarian since 2001, having served twice as Vocational Services Director, two times as Sergeant-at-Arms, and currently as Public Image Committee Chair. Among many projects, he has worked on the Healthy Homes Initiative and most recently a Ukrainian relief effort. “A few months ago, our club supplied the Christian Medical Center in Mukachevo, Ukraine, headed by Dr. Pal Oroszi, with the funds to purchase specialized medical diagnostic equipment to help treat refugees fleeing the conflict in war torn areas of Ukraine to the east, citizens of Mukachevo, and its surrounding area, and soldiers wounded in the conflict. Sara Matolcsy from Budapest, Hungary, a Rotarian who has worked tirelessly to bring attention to the conflict, has helped by reaching out to other Rotarians and Rotary clubs for financial support to supply aid to Ukraine.” Ricky added that he has always enjoyed being involved as a Rotarian because, “Rotary is a very philanthropic and serviceoriented group of folks committed to their community. I have come to find out that the commitment to service is not just local, or regional, but worldwide!” He appreciates that the Rotary club is anything but inwardly focused. “Our speakers are often from the various non-profit programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Literacy Council, Pisgah Legal Services, and the list goes on. And through the Rotary Foundation, we support programs and initiatives all over the world, one of the biggest being The Polio Plus program to eradicate polio worldwide.” Ricky is not only a member of Rotary but an ambassador as well. “To one who may be hesitant to join Rotary, I would say to take a close look at what Rotary does and what it stands for. The Rotary Four Way Test ‘Is it the TRUTH, is it FAIR to all concerns, will it build GOOD WILL, and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS, will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?’ needs to be a philosophy a member can live by, and the motto, ‘Service Above Self’ must be a part of who one is.”

by Deena Bouknight

October is a very significant month in the life of Carpe Diem Farms. It marks the 25th anniversary of the Grand Opening Celebration Weekend (October 17-19, 1997). Having looked for a property on the Plateau for five years following the start of the educational foundation I found the place! With the help of very generous donors, we put down the deposit, committed to a substantial owner financed mortgage and began the arduous process of cleaning up the land and developing what has become over 25 years a magnificent place to call home. Board member Judy Brinson and her husband Jack generously sponsored the opening Friday night cocktail party and dinner including entertainment by troubadour Stephen Longfellow Fiske, at Wildcat Cliffs Country Club. Saturday bagpipers heralded the arrival of the guests to the farm. We opened with blessings from Hunter Coleman, minister at First Presbyterian Church of Highlands, Phillip Silverthorn providing a Lakota prayer, and me with gratitude for what we had together achieved. The day included tours, a barbecue, entertainment by Chuck Wilhide, Richard Shulman and Fiske, and a tethered hot air balloon to see the farm from high above the pasture! CDF continues today because of its vision to “Empower individuals through life changes to see the opportunities and possibilities that abound;” and a mission to “Explore the human potential through equines.” Lofty yes, and we’ve done it! October 17 holds another auspicious significance in the life of CDF! Many of you have met and/or followed the story of our Bernedoodle, Jethro Blair, who joined hthe farm family, hailing from Iowa, on December 27, 2020. Well, we’ll be singing “Happy Second Birthday, Dear Jethro….”

by Sue Blair, Carpe-Diem Farms

Celebrating 25

This month is rich in meaning for Carpe Diem Farms, and curly-haired mascot Jethro.

The Gift of Literacy

The Literacy & Learning Center relies upon love and commitment.

Gary Boucher and Pat Archambault

Gary Boucher and Pat Archambault are volunteers for The Literacy & Learning Center’s after-school programs. Boucher oversees a large group of students, helping them with their homework and keeping things in order. Archambault works as an individual tutor. The married couple has been living in Highlands full time for close to three years. Boucher, a father and grandfather, has plenty of experience working with children. “I really enjoy working with the kids; they make you laugh. I was always Mr. Babysitter for my grandkids,” he says. “I’m really hoping that I can do some mentoring and be a good influence for them.”

“I love it when Mr. Gary is here,” says Matthew, a student in the after-school program. “He’s always really nice and he helps me with my homework. He’s really funny, too.” So, what led the couple to begin volunteering? “What first drew me in was that I heard about The Literacy & Learning Center and all the good work they do,” says Pat. “I love and miss working with children, so tutoring for The Literacy & Learning Center felt like a good fit.” Pat was quickly matched with a student needing help with reading.

“He’s improved, little by little, and I’ve been so impressed with him.”

Pat has worked at all levels in the educational system in upstate New York over her 30-year career. She has seen the way the educational system was functioning at that time and felt there were too many children who weren’t getting a fair shake. This fueled her passion for education, and she has worked diligently to serve children who might not have the resources or circumstances to learn and grow as quickly as their peers. The Literacy & Learning Center also believes that all children should be given a fair chance to learn and grow. Bonnie Potts, Executive Director of The Literacy & Learning Center, addressed the topic of fairness in education in a speech given in 2022.

“In 2019, I asked teachers at Highlands School if they could give their students anything, what would it be? One teacher answered, ‘I would want my students to feel like they get a little bit more than they deserve.’ Our students will not fall behind and they will be given every opportunity to even the playing field through their education.” For information about becoming a volunteer, please visit theliteracyandlearningcenter.org or call (828) 526-0863.

My Name is Rocky

Tinged with tragedy, sweet Rocky’s story ends with the gentle care of Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society.

Maybe the driver didn’t see me. After all, I’m just a dog and much smaller than a car. Maybe they didn’t even know they hit something, even though that “something” was me. But it’s okay. I forgive them. Because I am a dog and I love unconditionally. Maybe the cars that drove past me afterwards didn’t see me, either. It’s okay, I forgive them, too. Because I knew that the good people would come. And they did. Good Samaritans from out of town who gently picked me up and brought me to the CashiersHighlands Humane Society. The kind and caring people at the Humane Society and the skilled doctor and his staff who tended to me later would have normally reaffirmed anyone’s faith in humankind. But that wasn’t necessary with me. Because you see, I always kept my faith. Because I believe in good people. And because I am a dog and I love unconditionally. I couldn’t use my back legs for a while, and I could overhear the good people whispering and worrying that I might not ever be able to. They gave me the name of Rocky because they said that was the name of a boxer who never gave up. They told me the story of how Rocky the boxer in the movies was an underdog and how he overcame everything to become a champion. That’s me. A champion. I survived because I have a will to live and an unending capacity to forgive. In the tender loving care at the Humane Society, I have regained the use of my legs although every now and then I can still be a little bit wobbly. My new world is filled with soft-spoken voices and gentle hands. They tell me how handsome I am and they feed me yummy food and give me fresh water and a clean, soft bed with lots of toys and treats. I feel love and it is simply amazing. My past life as an underdog melts away with each day. See, I told you. I believe in good people. I can now romp and run in my play yard during the day and I never potty in my kennel at night. I love to play with other dogs and to go on long walks. My name is Rocky. I am six years old, and this is my story. I hope you will come and meet me. I promise I will be your best friend and will always be sweet and stay by your side forever. Because I am a dog and I love unconditionally. Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit animal welfare organization located at 200 Gable Drive in Sapphire. Our no-kill shelter is open Tuesday-Saturday 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. For more information, visit us online at chhumanesociety. org or call (828) 743-5752. Tax-deductible donations can be mailed to: CHHS, P.O. Box 638, Cashiers, NC 28717.

by David Stroud, Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society photo by Marty Boone

Rotary Road Rally

Start your engines! Cashiers Rotary’s Road Rally, set for November 5, revs up the entire Plateau. For more information, to register or to become a sponsor, go to cashiersrotary.org or #RotaryRoadRallyNC.

The Rotary Club of Cashiers Valley is staging its inaugural Rotary Road Rally on November 5 as a fundraiser to support education on the Plateau. This road rally is part game, part leisurely scenic drive, and all business when it comes to raising funds for area students. The rules of the road are that each road rally team must have a driver and a navigator. The starting line will be at Cashiers United Methodist Church at noon where teams will receive snack box lunches provided by Crossroads Custard. Cars will be provided driving instructions and will be released at 1-2 minute intervals.

A magnet featuring one of our event sponsors will be placed on the passenger side of each car for the length of the event. Teams will follow the written instructions while answering questions about things they see along the path. There will be three stops along the way with challenges for teams to earn extra points. There will also be time for teams to explore the stops or other points of interest along the way. The event will end with a finish line party with delectable hors d’oeuvres provided by a local favorite. Each person will be given two drink tickets good for beer or wine at the finish line party. The cost of the event is $90, which includes registration for a driver and a navigator. Each additional passenger will be an additional $40. The Rotary Club also welcomes visitors to their weekly meetings at the Sapphire Valley Community Center Wednesdays starting at 8 AM for breakfast provided by Crossroads Custard, followed by a program from various members of the community. If you have a desire to serve the community, Rotary is where you belong. With a great mix of members including full-time and part-time residents, men and women, all different ages, and retired persons as well as those working full-time, the club uses their time and talents serving the community in many ways. In addition to delivering meals for Meals for Wheels, tutoring, and serving as mentors with the Boys and Girls Club, they also provide scholarships for residents who plan to attend a trade school, college, continuing education, or training program, as well as grants to organizations within the Cashiers/Sapphire Valley community. They embody the Rotary motto of Service Above Self.

by Mary Jane McCall