Delta Xi Omega The Delta Xi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. held its National Founder’s Day celebration on March 8 at Trinity Presbyterian Church.
The sorority recognized Andrea Brittian-Brown, Jill Burch, Dr. Windsor Eagle, the Rev. William Turner, Cedric Cuthberson and Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church for their extraordinary service program in the Rowan-Salisbury community.
Brittian-Brown and Burch established a Home Buyers Assistance program for citizens of East Spencer and other areas of the Rowan-Iredell Community to provide financial literacy training and other services for families seeking home ownership.
Eagle, principal of Salisbury High School, was honored for his innovative programs and commitment to education. Under his leadership, Salisbury High School was ranked a Silver Level School by U.S. News and World Report and listed as one of the top public schools in the nation.
Turner, pastor of Tower of Power United Holy Church, established an after-school enrichment program for students at Elizabeth Duncan Koontz Elementary School. With the help of teacher volunteers, students receive tutoring in reading comprehension, writing, and computer skills. The tutorial program is held at Park Avenue Community Center.
Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church established the Westside Community Foundation to provide programs for youth and adults. The mission of the foundation is to encourage and provide programs and services that promote, improve and strengthen the quality of life for the residents of the Rowan-Salisbury community.
Cuthberson, a young successful entrepreneur, started his own business, CAC Plumbing after completing Forsyth Technical Community College. He was recognized for his ability to plan and follow through on his dream. He is a role model for young men who desire to own their own business.
The Salisbury High School Honor Chorus under the direction of Michelle McCaffrey provided music for the occasion. A reception for the honorees followed the program.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. was founded Jan. 15, 1908, on the campus of Howard University, Washington, DC. Cecelia McCorkle is president of the Salisbury chapter.
Musical petting zoo
The Salisbury Symphony Orchestra’s Musical Petting Zoo was invited to visit Cub Pack 349 in Spencer on March 23. The two dozen cub scouts were working on the “musician belt loop,” and they had already made their own musical instruments.
To fulfill the requirements, there needed to be a presentation by a professional who would share the history of at least one musical instrument and the story of one famous musician, and the scouts would watch or be part of a musical performance.
Assisting Executive Director Linda Jones were professional musicians: Chris Ferguson plays trombone with the Salisbury Symphony and teaches middle school band; Susan Trivette also plays with the Salisbury Symphony (flute) and is the Symphony’s education director; Kristen Johnson plays first violin with the Salisbury Youth Orchestra, and Barbara Hector (flutist) is the Symphony’s personnel director.
After a short presentation about the various instruments in a symphony orchestra, the scouts were invited to try the violin, flute, and horn, and refreshments were served.
The Symphony’s Musical Petting Zoo participates in Friday Night Outs in downtown Salisbury, Autumn Jubilee, and La Fiesta de Rowan every year, inviting young and old to find out what it is like to play a musical instrument. Organizations interested in inviting the Musical Petting Zoo to their meetings are invited to contact the Symphony office at 704-637-4314 or ljones@catawba.edu.
N.C. Finishing reunionAbout 130 former employees of N.C. Finishing Company had a reunion March 28 at Oakdale Baptist Church in Spencer.
A catered meal was served at noon. Attendees enjoyed renewing friendships and looking over tables of memorabilia.”No Name, No Fame,” a group of ladies, performed a skit.
There were several who were attending the reunion for the first time and some were from out of state. Group pictures were taken of the various departments of the finishing plant.
The first reunion was in 1999 for former employees of the sewing room, which was closed in 1966 after Fieldcrest Cannon purchased the plant.
Beulah Hoffner and the late Ruby Clement were instrumental in getting the group together.
The plant closed its doors in 2000, and the reunion has grown every year.
The committee this year was Beulah Hoffner, Kenneth Barnes, Maggie Shrewsbury and Joyce Poole. John Lemly and Barry Ferguson furnished memorabilia.