YOUR HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER SINCE 1978 w w w. j a m e s t o w n n e w s . c o m
WEEKLY EDITION
MAR 20-26, 2019
Vol. 41 No. 12 | 1 Section | 10 Pages
Strike story no longer hidden BY CAROL BROOKS FREELANCE WRITER cab1hp@gmail.com One of the first rules of writing is to write about what you know. For Gastonia native Wiley Cash that wasn’t hard, although for his latest book, The Last Ballad, he had to do a lot of research before he knew the true story. Cash, who spoke recently to the High Point Literary League, talked about that true story. He grew up in Gastonia but had never heard about the April 1, 1929, strike at the Loray Mill, one of the most significant labor movements in America, when 1,800 workers walked off their jobs demanding higher wages, better working conditions and union recognition. His parents and grandparents, who had all lived in mill villages in that area, hadn’t spoken of it. It wasn’t talked about. “I was surprised,” said Cash, a New York Times bestselling author. “I went to graduate school
in Louisiana in 2003 and my professor asked where I was from. He knew where Gastonia was because he had heard of the Loray strike. I was shocked that someone who had grown up (in Syracuse, N.Y.) knew about this story that happened in my hometown that I had never heard of.” Photo by Carol Brooks
Wiley Cash recently spoke at the High Point Country Club to the High Point Literary League.
SEE STRIKE, PAGE 3
Project SEARCH trains individuals with disabilities for employment BY NORMA B. DENNIS FREELANCE WRITER ndworddesign@gmail.com
Photo courtesy NC National Guard
Members of the 113th Sustainable Brigade.
National Guard Fun Run/ Walk coming to park
With proper training, people with disabilities can do very complex work. This is the premise of Project SEARCH, which provides unpaid internships for individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities. At the end of each Project SEARCH program, participants are ready to transition into the workplace. Since November 2012, Guilford County Schools has been part of Project SEARCH, which is currently conducted at Wake Forest Baptist Health High Point Medical Center and Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro. Participants are in their last year of high school and have completed requirements for a certificate or diploma. The two local hospitals are among 12 Project SEARCH sites in North Carolina. The program began at Cincinnati
Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Erin Richel, director of the emergency department there, had the idea to fill entry-level jobs with people with disabilities and Project SEARCH was born. The program has since spread to over 500 sites worldwide. Brandi Pittman, a GCS teacher, serves as a Project SEARCH teacher and job coach at the High Point hospital location. Charlotte Lesane and LaShawna Covington also work with participants there. “I do a lot of tough love with the students, but also offer lots of praise,” Pittman said with a smile. Students are selected to participate in the program through teacher referral, an application process and personal interview, which includes the family. According to Pittman, family support is essential to the success of individuals enrolled in the program. SEE SEARCH, PAGE 3
BY CAROL BROOKS FREELANCE WRITER cab1hp@gmail.com
Brigade is a modular sustainment brigade of the United States Army National Guard. It provides mission command for combat support and combat service support units. The unit is composed of units from the North Carolina Army National Guard. The unit was originally formed in 1974 as the 113th Field Artillery Brigade. The Brigade is located at the Greensboro Armory, 110 Franklin Blvd. Fun Run/Walk participants do not have to be members of the National Guard and all who sign up will receive a T-shirt (S, M, L, XL, XXL), racing bib, and the fastest male and female will receive a medal. There will be food
and drinks available on site (cash only). “We chose Jamestown because, as a former town resident, I used to run a lot both on the trails and through the town,” Weddel said. “So when the idea came up to do a fun run, Jamestown was the first place I thought about. The size of the park is perfect for the event, the scenery of the trails running through the Greenway is lovely. Not to mention the amazingly supportive community. Everyone at Parks and Recreation as well as Town Hall were very supportive of the event and have really helped us with getting everything started.” Weddel said the run will start at the entrance to SEE RUN, PAGE 3
(Clockwise from top left) Adam Athisoumiung worked in sterile processing putting together trays for surgeries. Tyler Lee has the responsibility of restocking rooms in the emergency department. One of Katie VanDorp’s rotations included working in the fitness center. Brendon Glower is shown at his job working in environmental service.
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Lace up your running/ walking shoes and come out to Jamestown Park on April 7 for the inaugural 113th Special Troops Battalion 5K Fun Run/Walk. The event is sponsored by the North Carolina National Guard and proceeds will help fund the 4th Annual 113th Sustainment Brigade’s Logistics Ball. “This ball is to recognize the hard work and dedication of the North Carolina National Guard Logisticians,” said Sgt. Mariel Weddel or the 113th Special Troops Battalion. The North Carolina Army National Guard is a military force comprised of citizen soldiers sworn to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the state of North Carolina. The Logisticians are a branch of the Guard that supplies combat troops with anything they need to push the frontline forward. Support and logistics specialists oversee the delivery and storage of medical supplies, gear, weaponry and ammunition. The 113th Sustainment