ERHS Class of ‘61 holds 55th reunion

Submitted by Linda Hartley

On Friday, Oct. 7, 2016, East Rowan High School Class of 1961 began their reunion activities by gathering at Wink’s Bar-B-Que at 5 p.m. for dinner and then some off to the homecoming game at East Rowan. Others were going to the Country Club of Salisbury to put the finishing touches on the 55th class reunion; however, that did not happen as the club was temporarily without power. Classmates and guests attending the dinner at Wink’s were: Frances Ward Jackson, Linda M. Hartley, Rev. Gene Bruce and friend Jackie, Vida Madden Myers, Joan Elium Kerns, Sylvia Holshouser Alexander and James, Edward Isenhour and Janet, and Linda McNair Misenheimer.

That Saturday, the 55th class reunion was held at the Country Club of Salisbury. A social hour was held at 6 p.m. and a buffet meal was served at 7 p.m. Receiving the classmates at the registration table was Brenda Brooks Sellers and Joyce Rummage Misenheimer. There were 54 present, which included 36 class members. The storm (Matthew) and illness did hurt our attendance. Hopefully in three years we will be able to get our numbers back up. All in all we had a good bunch and had a great time.

Rev. Gene Bruce, chairman of the reunion committee, welcomed classmates, spouses and invited guests and gave the invocation. Dinner was enjoyed by all.

Linda M. Hartley held the memorial service for deceased class members. A candle was lighted at the beginning of the reunion in memory of the following deceased classmates. A name tag for each with date of death surrounded the large candle. Classmates that have passed away before our 50th reunion are: Myrtle Lea Trexler, Van Lane Brown, Edith Marie Holshouser Ritchie, Martha Elaine Eller, Julia Elizabeth Bell, Rev. Hollis Allen Miller, Gary Wilson Hall, Larry Haynes Rogers, Walter Aaron (Ronnie) Hopkins, Nancy Louvinia Roseman Morgan, William Junior Morgan, Donald Wayne Parks;

Barbara Wise Drew, Brenda Lyerly Davis, Bonnie Stilley Loflin, Douglas Ray Sifford, Wayne Nelson Cline, Robert Thomas Williams Sr., George William Bostian, Tony Ray Brown, Osco Lee Basinger and Shirley Marie Goodman Fesperman.

Individual candles were lighted as the name of the deceased classmates passing away since our 50th reunion was called. Assisting with the lighting of the candles was Sylvia Holshouser Alexander. Deceased classmates are: Gale Melvenia Young McBride, Martha Jean Poole Webster, Shirley Voncannon Trexler Sioros, Lanny Clyde Morgan, Carolyn Frances Howell Lloyd, Vicki Hazel Morgan Teague, Emma Diane Gaither Bassinger and Walter Phillip Walton. Closing prayer was given by Rev. Bruce.

Class members and guests attending from Salisbury were: Patricia Harris Burris and Tommy, Rev. Gene Bruce and friend Jackie, Brenda C. Earnhardt Anderson and Robert, Brenda J. Earnhardt Bowers, Joan Elium Kerns, Elaine Funderburk, Lonnie Goodman and Donna, Linda M. Hartley, Edward Isenhour and Janet, Claude B. Lingle Jr. and Dollie, Vida Madden Myers, Diane Riley Ayash, Johnsie Stafford Taylor and Wayne, Peggy Cozart Whicker and Steve.

Attending from Rockwell: Dale B. Basinger and Margaret, Brenda Brooks Sellers, Joyce Rummage Misenheimer, Linda McNair Misenheimer and former classmate, Marshall Stokes and Rachel. Attending from Faith: Sylvia Holshouser Alexander and James, Bitsy Andrew Dupree and Ed. Attending from Gold Hill: Frances Ward Jackson. Attending from Thomasville: Carolyn Morgan Peeler and James. Attending from King: Ann Brown Deal and Edmond.

Attending from Raleigh: Glenna Safrit Sears and Dan. Attending from Winston-Salem: Judy Stiller Shaw and Dick. Attending from Matthews: Roberta Hudson Kesler and Don. Attending from Ocean Isle Beach: James (Jimmy) T. McCombs. Attending from Rock Hill, S.C.: Floyd A. Ritchie Jr. and Pam. Attending from Peachtree, Ga. : Judy Yates Basinger and Jim. Attending from Blacksburg, S.C.: Jerry Agner and Felicia. Attending from Woodruff, S.C.: Joseph B. Piatt, Jr. and Candy.

A class picture was made of all graduates from the East Rowan Class of 1961 attending the reunion. If for some reason you did not order a picture and would like to have one, contact Linda Hartley.

Joan Elium Kerns, door prize chairman, gave out door prizes assisted by Vida Madden Myers and Linda Fraley Fink. We would like to thank the companies and classmates that donated door prizes.

The reunion committee consists of: Rev. Gene Bruce, chairman, Linda Fraley Fink, Linda M. Hartley, treasurer, James Alexander, Sylvia Holshouser Alexander, Brenda Brooks Sellers, Joan Elium Kerns, Linda Sue Linker Black, Vida Madden Myers and Joyce Rummage Misenheimer. Our next reunion will be held in 2019.

Annual Earnhardt reunion

Submitted 

Descendants of the Henry Milas and Josephine Hopkins Earnhardt family met Sunday, Oct. 30, for their 14th Earnhardt reunion at Union Lutheran Church on Bringle Ferry Road. More than 80 family members attended.

The Earnhardts lived in the Dunns Mountain and Crystal Lake areas. Their eight children were Hettie Bell Earnhardt Allman, Della Earnhardt Wyatt, James David Earnhardt, Charlie Edward Earnhardt, Samuel Council Earnhardt, Lillie Myrtle Earnhardt Hartman, John Henry Earnhardt and Dock Earnhardt. The oldest living descendant is J.W. (Dietz) Earnhardt of Samuel Council Earnhardt.

Amy Earnhardt Blackman, descendant of Charlie Edward Earnhardt, welcomed everyone to the reunion. Billy Rufty, (Hettie Bell Earnhardt) gave the blessing before the covered-dish lunch. A collage was made of the 2015 reunion descendants, and copies were given to everyone. Past reunion pictures were also on display. Fall arrangements decorated the dining area.

The family remembered family members who are sick: Edna Earnhardt Bentley, Howard Wayne Bentley and Mickie Bentley (Charlie Edward Earnhardt); J.W. (Dietz) Earnhardt, Sam Earnhardt and Earl Davis Earnhardt (Samuel Council Earnhardt.)

Births since our last reunion were Danica Honeycutt (Lillie Myrtle Earnhardt), Jeremy Aiden (Charlie Edward Earnhardt), Harlie Nicole Earnhardt and Nora Grace Wilhelm (Samuel Council Earnhardt.)

A gift was presented to the oldest person present, Dietz Earnhardt, 89, of Salisbury in the Samuel Council Earnhardt family. Also honored was Sgt. David Earnhardt, U.S. Marines, stationed in Jacksonville, N.C. (Samuel Council Earnhardt.)

Gold coins were given to the youngest descendants present: Harlie Nicole Earnhardt, Ian Dean Earnhardt, Samuel Joseph Earnhardt, Kensley Mae Earnhardt (Samuel Council Earnhardt), Easton Bentley Givens (Lillie Myrtle Earnhardt), and Cody Ray Blackman (Charlie Edward Earnhardt).

The marriage since the last reunion was Teressa Bentley Williamson (Charlie Edward Earnhardt).

Children 8 and under registered for door prizes. Abram Givens (Lillie Myrtle Earnhardt) and and Harlie Nicole Earnhardt (Samuel Council Earnhardt) received Clifford the Big Red Dog and Cleo along with their storybooks. Halloween treat bags were given to all the children present.

Deaths since the last reunion were Margaret Earnhardt Landreth and Brenda Earnhardt (Samuel Council Earnhardt.) Families placed flowers on gravesites in memory of their deceased descendants.

October is Spina Bifida and Breast Cancer Awareness month. Aaron Honeycutt (Lillie Myrtle Earnhardt) is the family’s little “super hero” for Spina Bifida. The family also remembered the ones who are facing the challenge of cancer.

Reunion coordinators were Amy Earnhardt Blackman (Charlie Edward Earnhardt) and Jan Weaver Pruette (Hettie Bell Earnhardt.) The Lillie Myrtle Earnhardt Hartman family had the most descendants present.

Sandy Beck of Providence Forge, Va., (Hettie Bell Earnhardt) and Adam Gobble and family of Ladson, S.C., (Charlie Edward Earnhardt) traveled the farthest.

Family members and guests attended from Salisbury and surrounding counties, Mowen, S.C., and Virginia.

Salisbury Elks Lodge bingo fundraiser

Salisbury Elks Lodge, 508 S. Main St., runs Bingo sessions every Monday evening to raise funds for its charities: scholarships for local seniors, veterans, boy scouts, Nazareth Children, and other worthy organizations. Early games begin at 5 p.m. and regular bingo starts at 7 p.m. For more information, call 704-798-8168.

AAUW lecture series

From 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10, Leslie Mulligan, MS, EdS, LCPC, DCC will present “Women in the Military.” Ms. Mulligan is a psychotherapist currently proving mental and behavioral health care to veterans at the Greensboro Vet Center. She is a veteran herself, having served in the Air Force prior to returning to graduate school to earn her master sdegree in mental health counseling in 1998. She has been an adult military family life and child and youth consultant (2010-2011), director of psychological health for the Rhode Island (2011-2012) and the Maine Air Guard (2012-2013), providing behavioral and mental health services to active duty and reserve military service members on Air Guard bases until 2014.

Since then she has focused on helping veterans and their families readjust from combat trauma and military sexual trauma at VA Vet Centers, first in Wisconsin, and now in North Carolina.

Light refreshments will be provided. This event is free and sponsored by American Association of University Women, Salisbury branch. Held at the Fellowship Hall of First United Church of Christ, 207 W. Horah St. Use the ground entrance at the rear of the church. For more information contact Dr. Carol Cody at codycarol@bellsouth.net or visit http://salisbury-nc.aauw.net

An evening with Charlee Smith 

KANNAPOLIS — Kannapolis History Associates will host Charlee Smith, speaking on “The Journey of the Harry (Red) Smith Family.”

Charlee will share the history of Red’s Tire Service, Red’s Oil Company and Wayne’s Tire Service. She is the wife of Wayne Smith, owner and operator of the landmark Wayne’s Tire Service.

This free event is Monday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. in the A. L. Brown High School social room, 415 East First St. Park in lot East of Trinity Methodist Church and use the sidewalk. for more information call Phil Goodman at 704-796-0803.

The Kneeling Gardeners

KANNAPOLIS —The Kneeling Gardeners held its monthly meeting on Oct. 24 at Trinity United Methodist Church, led by president Royce Thomason. Chaplain Janelle Murray led devotions.

Jenna Hoover, horticulture teacher from Northwest Cabarrus High School, spoke on what her students are doing in the greenhouses. For instance, to complete a course in Horticulture I you must be able identify 70 plants by scientific names. For Horticulture II (General) you must identify 142 plants. The Horticulture II (Landscape) is also offered. This results in becoming a young Certified Plant Professional, which is a new certification.

Large greenhouses at the school afford the students the means to plants seeds and nurse them to maturity. Jenna reminded us that Dec. 9 would be the plant sale for poinsettias. The Spring plant sale will be April 7-8. Refreshments were provided by Jean Kadela, Bonnie Kadela and Sylvia Foster. Jennifer Childress from Midway Florist will be the speaker for the November meeting. Anyone interested in gardening is welcome to join us on Nov. 28 at 7 p.m.

Life strategy information session

The Salisbury Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is sponsoring an information session on “Options for Planning Your Life’s Strategy for Unexpected and Long term Care Events” on Saturday, Nov. 12 from 10 a.m.-noon in the fellowship hall of Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church, 719 S. Caldwell St. Susan Glenn, Independent Agent from Troutman is the presenter. Free and open to the community. For more information call 704-633-3367.

 

Bird tours at Lake Mattamuskeet

Swanquarter — The Swan Days Festival returns to Lake Mattamuskeet in eastern North Carolina on Dec. 10. Free tours will be provided to view the migratory birds. Mattamuskeet Refuge staff will begin accepting tour reservations at 8 a.m. on Nov. 14. Space is limited. Call the refuge at 252-926-4021 to reserve a tour seat and for more information about the festival or visit http://www.hydecountync.gov