People and Places

Lions Club

Civitans

Civitan International's quietest fundraiser is its candy box campaign. Take a piece of candy, donate your loose change to a good cause. For 14 years The Civitan Club of Salisbury has been a candy box participant. In that time, the club's collections have totaled a staggering $59,163.

Seventy-five percent of that amount went to Civitan International for program administration and the Civitan International Research Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Twenty-five percent was retained by the local club for Special Olympics in Rowan County.

Of the Salisbury club's 41 candy box locations in Rowan County, none is more productive than K&W Cafeteria at the Salisbury Mall. In its nine years as a candy box participant, K& W Cafeteria customers have contributed $12,464 or 21 percent of the total dollars collected.

On Jan. 13, 2010, Civitan Club of Salisbury candy box coordinator Curtis Montgomery presented a plaque to K&W cashier Sue Leconte and General Manager Ken Conners in appreciation for their role in the success of the candy box program.

"The race to combat mental retardation and other developmental disabilities continues," said Montgomery. "The Civitan Club of Salisbury appreciates everyone in our community that has contributed to this worthwhile endeavor."

For more information about the Civitan Club of Salisbury, contact Linda Jones, 704-637-4314.

Yawn Patrol

Yawn Patrol Zone Toastmasters met Jan. 19 at United Cabarrus Insurance. Ann Carroll was Toastmaster; her theme was "Help."

Ken Miller was voted Best Evaluator and Belinda Dublin was voted Best Table Topics. Tim Pryor was voted Best Speaker.

Yawn Patrol Zone Toastmasters is part of Toastmasters International, meeting on the first and third Tuesday evenings, 7-8:30 p.m. at United Cabarrus Insurance offices, 832 Arbor Street NE, Concord.

Their Web site is http://yawnpatrol.freetoasthost.net.

Toastmasters

At the Jan. 16 meeting of Goldmine Toastmasters, Sonny Tolbert amused the group as he explained the different kinds of Goldmine members: gold flecks, nuggets, gold bars, 14 Karat, 18 Karat, and 24 Karat, and pointed out examples among the members in the room. The meeting included several people attending who were new members or guests.

The same day, long time member and Distinguished Toastmaster Jay Nodine spoke about about why his hero is the ugly duckling. He beat out Tolbert for the best speech award that day, but it was a close vote.

Goldmine will be holding an open house Feb. 6, 8:30-10 a.m. at the Kannapolis Fairfield Inn in the Cloverleaf Plaza area.

Salisbury Lions

The Salisbury Lions Club held its annual Man/Woman/Lion of the Year banquet the evening of Jan. 19. This event recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the club and to the community.

The guest speaker was Dr. Carol Spalding, president of Rowan Cabarrus Community College. He discussed the changing role of education in the United States and how schools must now prepare students for a wider range of skills than in the past.

This year's recipient of the Lion of the Year was Lori Swaim. Since joining the Salisbury Lions Club, she volunteers whenever help is needed with in the club and within the community. She is currently serving as club treasurer.

Larry Cloninger was selected as the Man of the Year for his contributions to the community and institutions within the community. He has generously supported Rowan Regional Medical Center, the John Campbell Memorial Golf Classic, Catawba College and many more groups.

His philosophy is characterized by the standards he lives by: "Compliment three people every day, over tip breakfast waitresses, treat everyone like you want to be treated, don't carry a grudge, never give expecting something in return, and help others before you help yourself."