Letters to the editor – Friday (4-22-2011)

Published 12:00 am Thursday, April 21, 2011

Remembering time with Wilson Smith
We have truly lost a ěone of a kindî in Wilson Smith. When I first came on the scene at Food Town Stores in 1975 as an outside auditor of the company, Mr. Smith was an ěiconî and I was somewhat intimidated by him óuntil I got to know him better. He was always willing to respond to an audit question I had, or to help out this ěgreenî kid just out of college in any way he could.
Fortunately, I had the opportunity to join the company full time in 1982, just a few years before his retirement. Even then, he continued to support and encourage me in my various roles at the company in my 14 years there, until my departure in 1996.
I still treasure his letter of appreciation, after I had left the company, for my efforts over the years for the company he had labored so long to build and nurture, again offering me encouragement as I moved forward in my career.
Mr. Smith, there are a lot of people that will miss you, and I am one of them.
Dan A. Boone
Concord
Boone is a former chief financial officer and director of Food Lion.
Many thanks
On behalf of the Gold Hill Fire Department and the Chad Earnhardt Fundraiser Committee, we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who turned out to help one of our own. Chad was diagnosed last year with cancer and has gone through several surgeries and chemotherapy. During this, he and his wife, Kristie, were expecting their first child.
There is no way to properly thank all the Rowan County fire departments who banded together, as well as the community and area businesses who donated the supplies to make this fundraiser a success. The benefit barbecue raised more than $10,000 to help Chad and Kristie with all their medical expenses and day-to-day living while traveling back and forth to the hospital.
We are glad to report that while Chad still has several more rounds of chemotherapy to endure, he is back at work, and he and Kristie have a beautiful baby girl named Breanna. Chad was able to come home just in time for the birth.
Thanks again for all who came and supported Chad and Kristie during this time of need. Chad and Kristie would be the first in line to help anyone in need, and we were so blessed to be able to help them.
ó Deborah Horne
Salisbury