Scholarship available

The Elizabeth P. Fields and Albert “Sug” Ruff, Jr. Memorial Community Action Scholarship is now available to qualifying applicants. The scholarship was established to benefit deserving Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency program participants, who need assistance and financial support to pursue a college education.

Each year, at least two $500 scholarships are awarded to honor the invaluable work of former community leaders Elizabeth P. Fields and Albert “Sug” Ruff Jr. who served for many years at the Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency, Inc. The scholarship award can be used for any school related costs.

Eligible applicants must complete an official application, including assay, completed and submitted to the action agency office, must be participating in one of the community action agency’s programs and provide proof of college registration to an accredited two to four-year education program.

The application deadline is April 15 at 5 p.m.

Rowan Public Library spring Photo Walk to be held

This year, the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, N.C., will host Rowan Public Library’s spring photowalk. Aspiring photographers of all ages and skill levels are invited to attend this free event on Saturday, April 8, from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Participants must bring their own camera (phone cameras are fine) and are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing. The group will meet at the visitor’s center, located at 411 S. Salisbury Ave. in Spencer, and then begin exploring the historic property.

After the event, participants will have the option to submit photos from the walk; these will be added to the public library’s online Flickr gallery (www.flickr.com/photos/rowancountypubliclibrary). Select photos will also be printed and displayed at the library headquarters in Salisbury during the month of May.

To reserve your spot, visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org and click on the photowalk link or call Paul Birkhead at 704-216-8242. If inclement weather occurs, the event will be moved indoors at the N.C. Transportation Museum; it will not be canceled.

2017 Congressional Art Competition

Each spring, members of the U.S. House of Representatives sponsor the Congressional Art Competition to recognize the artistic talents of students in North Carolina’s eighth district and throughout the nation.

The eighth district winner will be selected by an Arts Advisory Committee made up of artists from the district and announced at a reception hosted by Congressman Richard Hudson. The winner and one guest will have the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C. to participate in the national ceremony with other winners from congressional districts across the country. Winning artwork will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. Second place artwork will be displayed in Rep. Hudson’s Washington, D.C. office and third place will be displayed in Rep. Hudson’s Concord office.

All entries must be an original in concept, design and execution and may not be larger than 28” x 28” x 4”, including the frame. Interested students should submit entries to Rep. Hudson’s Concord or Fayetteville District offices by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 5, 2017.

If you would like more information on the annual Congressional Art Competition, please contact Tucker Osborne in the Concord office at 704-786-1612, or visit our website at Hudson.house.gov/art-competition.

Cannon School to host American aid worker

Cannon School will host Alan Gross, an American USAid worker who spent five years in a Cuban prison, on Wednesday, April 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the Cannon Performing Arts Center. The event is free and open to the public.

Gross was an economic development and community engagement consultant working to help Cubans set up internet access when he was arrested and accused of trying to undermine the Cuban government. He was sentenced to 15 years of prison but served five, after being freed in the 2014 prisoner exchange.

The speaking invitation was extended to Gross after a group of 15 upper school students and two teachers spent a week in Cuba back in January. They wanted to better understand the implications of the change in U.S. policy toward Cuba, as well as hear a different perspective from a person who experienced the impact of the one-party system on the island. Gross will speak with Cannon students earlier in the day on April 5.

The Cannon Performing Arts Center is located on the school’s campus at 5801 Poplar Tent Road in Concord. For more information and to RSVP, please visit www.cannonschool.org/alangross.