NHRMC Auxiliary’s Tree of Hope

Submitted

If you are driving by Novant Health Rowan Medical Center at night, you can’t miss seeing the little forest of trees clad in white and purple lights. The lighting ceremony of the 44th Annual Tree of Hope, sponsored by the NHRMC Auxiliary, was held on Thursday, Dec. 7. Those attending included medical center employees and administrators, auxiliary members, donors, individuals honored, and families of those remembered.

The Tree of Hope tradition began in 1973 and allows individuals to donate a light to the tree to honor or memorialize a special person in their lives. The white lights on the trees represent those honored while the purple lights represent those remembered.

This year, three trees were dedicated in the park on the corner of Henderson Street and Confederate Avenue. Dari Caldwell, NHRMC president, addressed those gathered to dedicate the new trees and spoke of the hope and inspiration that the lights represent. Following a prayer offered by James Cook, NHRMC chaplain, Debbie Yokely and Liz Hood led the group in caroling.

In recent years, donations from the Tree of Hope have been used to help purchase a 3D Mammography Scanner and the Mobile Mammography Unit. This year donations have been designated for improvements to patient rooms. A $10 tax deductible donation per light may be contributed until the end of December. Donation forms are available in the NHRMC Gift Shop for those interested in becoming a part of the Tree of Hope.

The Masons at Cannon conduct food drive

Submitted by Thomas A. VanEtten Sr., MBA, PMP, Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Certified Advanced Lean Master, CPHQ

KANNAPOLIS — The Masons at Cannon Memorial Lodge 626 came through again. All year these brothers have been working on behalf of the community. The 100-year-old lodge of brothers conducted their first ever canned food drive to support their local food bank. Together, these Freemasons donated over 250 pounds of food to the Cooperative Christian Ministry.

When asked about what drives the Masons to do so much positivity in Kannapolis, the Master of the Lodge Joe Goodnight explained that “we are just a group of good guys that humbly do good things for our community, and we are glad we can help. Masonry is all about making good men better! I’m very proud of all that we have accomplished this year thanks in large part to all of the dedicated Brothers at Cannon Memorial Lodge.”

The members at Cannon Memorial send special thanks to Barry Porter of the Cooperative Christian Ministries, who arrived at the Lodge to collect the cans and non-perishables. Thanks to this show outpouring of love, many hungry families will be able to enjoy well-deserved meals.

Dr. James Pittman guest of the Tea Party

Salisbury native Dr. James Pittman will present the Christmas program at the Rowan Tea Party meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 19.

Pittman attended Morgan Elementary and Salisbury High, and he presently lives in Rowan County. He received his master’s degree from Dallas Theological Seminary and his doctorate from The Reformed Theological Seminary. His topic is “A Biblical Perspective on Contemporary Culture. Join us for this special Christmas Program.

Gather for dinner at 6 p.m. at the Blue Bay Seafood Restaurant on Statesville Blvd. There will be special music and treats and the program begins at 7 p.m.