Salisbury’s Eidson earns Bronze Star
Sgt. First Class Brandon N. Eidson of the 411th Transportation Detachment received the Bronze Star medal Aug. 23. The award was for his exceptionally meritorious service while serving as detachment first sergeant of 411th Transportation Detachment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and New Dawn.
“Eidson’s exceptional leadership, professionalism and dedication to duty are in keeping with the finest standards of service which greatly enhanced the mission capability of his unit,” a statement said.
“Eidson’s contributions reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) and The United States Army,” the statement said.
Eidson is the son of Bob and Linda Eidson and the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Eidson and Edith Aldridge, all of Salisbury.
He has two daughters, Caelan, 7, and Ensley, 1. After finishing his year of duty in Kuwait on Oct. 31, he will be stationed in Hawaii.
Piedmont Players toreceive state award
Piedmont Players Theatre has been chosen to receive an award by the N.C. Department of Commerce. The Norvell Theater Inaugural Youth Season was nominated by Downtown Salisbury, Inc. for a 2011 N.C. Main Street Award in the category of Best Downtown Event Series and is the recipient of the Award of Merit.
The Norvell Theater Inaugural Youth Season included productions of “Romeo and Juliet,” “Ramona Quimby,” Disney’s “The Jungle Book,” “KIDS!,” “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” and “Grease.”
In a press release, Piedmont Players thanked all the youth, parents, volunteers and sponsors who worked to make the season a success. The second Norvell Theater Youth Season is underway with a production of “Junie B. in ‘Jingle Bells, Batman Smells!’ ” coming in November.
The N.C. Main Street Awards are presented by the Urban Development Division of the N.C. Department of Commerce. Piedmont Players won the 2010 Award of Merit in the Best Adaptive Reuse category for the renovation of the Norvell Theater.
The awards will be presented at the N.C. Main Street annual awards reception and program in Clayton on Jan. 26.
Nearly 13,000 pounds of food donated to Rowan Helping Ministries
SALISBURY — Area churches and residents donated nearly 13,000 pounds of food for Rowan Helping Ministries’ food pantry during the nonprofit’s “Trick or Treat So Others May Eat” project.
The project — during which churches distribute empty grocery bags throughout the community and pick them up a week later — wrapped up its second year Sunday.
The food was delivered to the agency Sunday afternoon. Rowan Helping Ministries’ goal was to collect more than last year when the outreach brought in about 7,000 pounds of food.
This year’s donations reached 12,942 pounds and three groups have not yet turned in their donations.
Seventeen churches and two schools participated.
Nazareth Community Church collected the most food of all the churches with 2,031 pounds. Only one school, Knox Middle, has turned in its items so far. Knox Middle School collected 2,058 pounds of food.
VA Center to host talent show
The W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center Community Living Center will host the first annual Veterans’ Choice Talent Show on Nov. 12. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. in the social room in Building 6.
Community members are invited to share their creative talents with veterans.
Applications are now being accepted for youth and adult acts in the categories of voice, instrumental, dance, drama and other. Acts should be no more than 3 minutes in length. Youth performances will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by adult performances at 7:30 p.m.
Both divisions are open to the first 15 applications received. All applications must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 9.
For more information and to receive an application, contact Melanie Foster, Community Living Center community outreach chair, at 704-638-9000 extension 4167 or Terri Gilbeau, recreation therapist, extension 3575.
The event is cosponsored by the Community Living Center Community Outreach Committee and Recreational Therapy Department.