Rowan Museum Inc. held its 55th annual meeting Oct. 30.
Members enjoyed tours of the museum followed by a dinner of chicken and dumplings and all the trimmings furnished by Debbie Suggs Catering in the Messinger Room.
A business meeting was held with President Paul Brown presiding, followed by the annual report of the executive director and a program by Susan Waller on local lore.
More than 100 members attended.
Decorations were by Clyde Overcash and Kaye Hirst.
Board members present included: Paul Brown, Terry Holt, Betty Dan Spencer, Rosalie Laughlin, Meg Dees, George Kluttz, Jennie Sparks, Sue Fisher, Susan Cloninger, Lib Taylor,Lillian Gascoigne, Mickey Black, Raemi Evans and Martha West.Shari Graham, incoming new board member, also attended.
The invocation was given by the Rev. Mayo Little of Salisbury, retired rector of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.
The reading of the minutes of the Oct. 29, 2007, annual meeting was dispensed with and the minutes approved unanimously following a motion and second from the floor.
Treasurer George Kluttz reported that they ended the 2007-08 fiscal year in the black. Thanks to grants from the Robertson Foundation and Woodson Foundation, the city and county, and numerous private gifts and a strong membership campaign, it was a good year.
Rosalie Laughlin, chairman of the committee, recognized those board members who have agreed to serve another term: Dick Huffman, Jennie Sparks, and Rashad Smith. The committee nominated Shari Graham, Nan Fisher and Jeannie Misenheimer to fill the three open slots. The vote was unanimous to elect the three returning and the three new members to the board.
Retiring board members were honored with Santos hand-carved wooden figurines of saints. Brown and Hirst presented the gifts and thanked each for all their years of service.
Taylor reported that the 55th Antiques Show would be held Nov. 8-9, with the patron’s party Nov. 6 with four new dealers this year. Fisher and Dees reported on silent auction plans, and asked for more help in gifts from those present.
Holt reviewed another successful year of history programs held the second Tuesday of each month, September through May, at 7 p.m. in the Messinger Room.
Hirst, executive director, thanked the museum staff and recognized the contributions of the board of directors. She and Tricia Denton Creel, education coordinator, spoke on the thousands of students coming through their sites, the summer history camp program, and all the new exhibits. She recognized the members of the exhibits committee for all their hard work this year.
Hirst noted that visitation has increased tremendously, and that the museum is certainly fulfilling its mission.
Brown noted that after hearing the reports from the committees it should be evident what a good board the museum has and how strong the committees are to accomplish so much using volunteer time. He also thanked all of the board for their time and efforts and had them stand for recognition. He thanked the spouses of the board members for their support, both direct and indirect.
Brown highlighted the two endowments that the board had voted to establish. The Rowan Museum Nicholson-Taylor Endowment for the good of the museum is in place and fully funded. The Old Stone House Endowment Fund is for the safe keeping of the Old Stone House. It is not fully funded.
He noted that the Brown Fisher Association had issued a challenge to their membership ó BFA will match the first $5,000 from members to help get the OSH Endowment established.
Brown outlined a change to the museum bylaws, Article IV, Section 4.2, to allow for the honorary position of trustee emeritus to be awarded.
Taylor was the recipient of this first time ever presented honor. Her involvement with the museum was shared with the audience before the certificate was presented. Taylor introduced her daughters, Lisa and Kate, and David Ford Hood as special guests present to watch her receive this award.
Taylor was also presented with the Norvell Award. This award, first given in 2007 to the person it was named for, was presented to Taylor for her over 50 years of dedication to the museum.
Brown reminded all to look at the newly installed Glass Elevator Donor Board recognition plaque in the first floor lobby.
The program was presented by Susan Waller, board member and story teller. She shared several local ghost stories, as guests sat in the dimly lit room, riveted to their seats.
Rockwell reunion
The Rockwell High School class of 1952 met Nov. 1 at the Rockwell Community Center with 28 members present.
A delicious meal was served by Buddy and Carolyn Waller and Marlene Shue.
Jim Poole, who passed away Feb. 11, 2007, was remembered by lighting a candle in his memory and giving thanks for all the talents that he shared with his classmates. He was a devoted leader through the 55 years he was with us and he will be missed so much.
Coach Cecil Gilkerson was unable to be in attendance but was still the “life of the party.” The basketball, baseball and football players remembered fondly the many things that Gilkerson taught them ó good and bad! The group was entertained with the many stories told by those who were fortunate to have him as a teacher.
Attending were: Mary E. Agner and Hubert; Peggy K. Bost and Vance; Ann L. Peeler and Arnold; Ruth G. Shaver; Margaret H. Gordon, Mike and Jean Conry; Milburn Leonard; Jackie Bernhardt; James and Bessie Alexander; Larry Corl and Linda; Mary G. Norris; Minnie R. Wood; Jackie R. Speight; Hayden Earnhardt and daughter, Traci; Glenn and Betty Holshouser; Margaret B. Brown; Peggy F. Marion and Don; Marvin and Sue R. Misenheimer.The next gathering will be Nov. 14 , 2009.
Trinity Oaks
A dozen residents of Trinity Oaks recently completed a sewing project for Victory Junction.
The ladies completed 18 quilts, 23 afghans and 15 bears, which will be given to children with serious illnesses who attend Victory Junction camp in Randleman each summer.
The camp serves hundreds of children a year, without charge, and relies on volunteers like the Trinity Oaks residents to provide each child with a quilt, afghan and teddy bear to take home.
Residents who participated included: Martha Travis, Emmy Terheun, Catherine Hall, Elda Buxton, Frances Rice, Mary Hagy, Carolyn Myers, Ruth Woodburn, Margaret Sloop, Lois Buckspan, Blanche Johnson and Lallah Heath.June Woodall, a former cottage resident, contributed several quilts.
On Monday, the ladies traveled to Victory Junction to deliver their donations.
For information on how your group can participate in the Victory Junction Sewing Program, visit www.victoryjunction.org. Click on “how you can help” and then “sewing program.”
Toastmasters
Jay Nodine won best humorous speaker at the state level for the third consecutive year at the competition held at the Toastmasters Fall Conference the evening of Oct. 8 in Durham.
This was his fifth win. He competed against seven other statewide contestants.
Nodine is a long time member of the Goldmine Toastmasters Club in Kannapolis and is a popular speaker in the Concord/Kannapolis area.
The Goldmine Club will commemorate its 50th anniversary in March and is currently searching for past members to celebrate the event.
Contact Jay Nodine at 704-932-1830 if you have been part of Goldmine or if you have interest in becoming a member.
J.C. Price Post
About 150 children, youth, and adults attended a crime prevention, fire safety and Halloween program at The J. C. Price American Legion Post 107 on Oct. 30.
Deputy Rick Vanhoy from the Rowan County Sheriff Department demonstrated to the audience how his dog “Nero” could search and find explosives in an enclosed space.
Officer Mark Hunter from the Salisbury Police Department and his dog “Smoke” demonstrated to the audience how his dog could find illegal substances, such as marijuana, cocaine and other illegal drugs.
The Salisbury Firemen from Fire Station no. 3 were there and talked to the audience about fire safety in the home. The kids enjoyed looking over and going inside the fire truck.
Firemen in attendance were Captain B. Fox, engineer R. Heroine, firefighter L. Morris, and firefighter R. Cox.Hot dogs, chips and drinks were served to the audience. Music was provided by Comrade Wade Murphy. Other comrades helping with this event were Commander Mae Carroll, First Vice Commander Gary Hall, Second Vice Commander Charlie Rankin, Comrades Marshall Knox, Roy Leazer, Willie Granford, Maurice Dunlap, Charles Weldon, John Frank White, Homer Roberston, James Best, Daniel Haddock and John Noble. Auxiliary: Moree Granford, Mary Leazer. Junior Auxiliary: Kelis Granford, and helper Kamari Granford.
Each participant was given a Halloween trick-or-treat bag filled with candies and treats.
The American Legion designates October as Crime Prevention month.
Miss Merry Christmas
Amber Ledbetter was selected as the 2008-09 Miss Merry Christmas on Oct. 22 at East Rowan High School.
She is the daughter of Eric and Brenda Ledbetter. Ledbetter is a member of the Young Christians International and the Drafting Club. She is an active member of her youth group at Faith Baptist.
She plans to attend North Carolina State University and major in Architecture.
Junior Miss
Emilee Smith was selected as Rowan County’s Junior Miss in the annual At-Large program.
The event took place Oct. 18 in Greensboro. Emilee moves on to participate in North Carolina’s Junior Miss Scholarship Program, which will take place Feb. 6-7, 2009, at the historic Carolina Theatre in Downtown Greensboro.
North Carolina Junior Miss holds the At-Large program each year. Areas of judging include: scholastics, interview, fitness, self-expression and talent.
Emilee is the daughter of Robert and Julie Smith. She is a senior at East Rowan High School. She plans to attend Catawba College, majoring in psychology and political science.
For the talent portion of the competition, she will perform a monologue, “When I Was Little.”
The young lady chosen in February to represent North Carolina will go on to America’s Junior Miss and compete in the national finals in June 2009 in Mobile, Ala.
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People and Places news runs each Sunday in LifeStyle. We want to include events such as:
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– baptisms.
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