Bingo Blitz at senior centers

Members of the Salisbury Elks just recently completed the fifth and final stop on their second annual bingo blitz in the area. Over the past several months, Elks visited select senior centers and provided residents with goody bags, snacks and beverages.

Residents were treated to bingo where the winners of those games were able to choose from a wide variety of beautiful prizes. These included radios, personal care, blankets, candles and select gourmet foods.

Rich Penk, of Salisbury Elks #699, came up with this idea to visit those who may not have family in the area. Making those seniors feel special by spending a few hours with them and blessing them with unexpected gifts is in itself a reward to us as Elks.

Salisbury #699 serves the Rowan/Cabarrus County areas.

Salisbury Elks is located at 508 S. Main St. Call 704-636-1161 or see Elks.org for more of what Elks are about.

 

AMVETS Because We Care Day

Because We Care night, sponsored by AMVETS and its Auxiliary, will be be held at 7 p.m., Friday, April 3 in the VA Medical Center Social Room in Building 6. There will be pizza, chips and drinks and Big Bingo.

AMVETS (American Veterans), a premier veterans service organizaiton, will also be distributing personal hygiene kits to their comrades at the VA Medical Center on Friday, April 3.

AMVETS volunteers provided more than 166,000 hours of service at 142 VA medical Cetnters across America in 2014.

Based on the independent sector formula for calculating the values of volunteer hours, AMVETS has provided more than $3,685,937 worth of services to the government in helping to provide quality care for our nation’s heroes.

Commander Jim Bean of AMVETS local Post 460 said, “Because We Care Day is our way of saying thanks for the service and sacrifices made to keep our country free.”

AMVETS Post 460 also conducts local community programs such as ROTC medals and certificates supporting local high school ROTC programs at North Rowan and West Rowan and two high school programs in Cabarrus County. Americanism, Veterans Services, Veterans Day celebrations and Warrior transition programs are also ongoing efforts.

A leader since 1944 in preserving the freedoms secured by America’s Armed Forces, AMVETS prvides not only support for veterans and the active military in procuring their earned entitlements, but also commmunity services that enhance the quality of life for this nation’s citizens.

For more information, call Post 460 at 704-732-4316.

 

Lyme Disease Support Group

Lyme Disease Support Group, “Celebration of hope, focusing on the positive,” will meet at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 12 in the Lyerly Building at 523 S. Main St. RSVP by April 5 to lyerlycounseling@bellsouth.net

 

Salisbury Woman’s Club

Salisbury Woman’s Club spent hands- on time making warm flannel blankets for children at the March meeting.

Ann Bingham, chaplain, prepared devotions based on the 23rd Psalm. Angelia Bates, president, presided during the business session where plans were made for future projects.

Members welcomed new member Kathy Kruckel. Hostess Linda Jones decorated the club house with a life-size Leprechaun and other Irish themes. Trinity Oaks catered the luncheon with a St. Patrick’s Day theme.

The next meeting will be Wednesday, April 8.

 

18th annual Salisbury Confederate Prison Symposium

Sponsored by the Robert F. Hoke Chapter No. 78 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the symposium will be held April 17-19. The event is dedicated to preserving, sharing, and expanding the history of the prison and those who were there. Anyone interested in the War Between the States is welcome to register. The symposium includes a banquet and lecture on Friday evening, six lectures on Saturday, two memorial services and a tour of the prison site on Sunday.

Registrations are now being accepted. Cost is $65 per person through March 27, and $75 afterwards. Checks should be made payable to the Robert F. Hoke Chapter No. 78, UDC and mailed to PO Box 83, Salisbury, NC 28145-0083. For additional information contact symposium chairman Sue Curtis at 704-637-6411 or southpaws@fibrant.com

 

JCPrice American Legion Post 107 hosts 96th birthday

The American Legion observed its 96th anniversary with a gala celebration on March 18 with Legionnaires and Auxiliary of JC Price American Legion Post 107 and guests.

The American Legion was founded March 15-17, 1919 in Paris, France at the close of WWI. The organization was responsible for the GI bill for veterans’ education and home loans. The American Legion is the largest organization for veterans and includes programs such as Boys State, Boy Scouts, Student Trooper, baseball and oratorical contests.

Daniel Haddock served as master of ceremonies of the program, which included patriotic music performed by Abe Daniels.

Commander Mae Carroll was keynote presenter, speaking on the historical perspective of the American Legion Post 107 Legion and Auxiliary and the annual Post Memorial Week celebration. Meesha Baig recited a poem and John Pharr presented a framed honor guard shirt worn by the late Willie Grandford, acknowledged as one of the pillars and the cornerstone of Post 107.

The dinner was prepared and served by Legionnaires and Auxiliary members. Joyce Smyre, president of the ladies auxiliary, received a certificate of appreciation. Current and past auxiliary included Brenda Robertson, Tonya Clodfelter, Mrs. Johnnie Leach, Fannie Butler, Mrs. Earl Smith, Patricia Reid, Terry Fox Love and Kathy Harmon.

Comrades participating in the program included Whitty, Broadway, Daniels, Haddock and Knox. John Knox presented the Post Queen, Brooklyn K. Alexander of Virginia, a plaque honoring her service during her reign. Robert Bratcher was given an appreciation certificate for driving his Corvettes for all Post 107 queens in designated parades.

Certificates of appreciation for meritorious service were awarded to the fundraising committee, the children and youth committee, Comrades Daniel Haddock, Charles Weldon, Abe Daniels and Wade Murphy. Harold Broadway was awarded for top donor and Wayne Hill won Legionnaire of the Year. Boys State 2014 graduates Rackon Wyrubit and Jarvis Miller, plus incoming 2015 Boys Stater Jaylon T. Sanders, were introduced. John “Mr. Clean” Cathcart was recognized for 30 or more  years of service to Post 107 as deejay.

The annual Memorial Week celebration will run May 27-June 6 this year. All vendors must contact Abe Daniels at 704-640-1893 to reserve space and must apply to the Health Dept. for a permit 30 days in a advance.

Commander Carroll conducted a special ceremony for the late Roy Leazer, who passed away recently at age 88. A shrine in his honor remains at the base of the flagpole. Family members Roy Leazer Jr., sisters Annie Marie Pruitt and Mary Ruth Houston plus nephews Michael and Leonard Leazer, participated in the ceremony and received a commemorative trophy.

District highlights were given by District Commander Homer Robertson. The memorial week gospel singing will be June 1 and 2. To participate contact Robertson at 704-636-5688 or Daniel Haddock at 704-637-6231.

 

Salisbury Rowan Church Women United annual prayer breakfast

The Salisbury Rowan Unit of Church Women United met at Trinity Presbyterian Church on March 7. 120 women from 21 different Protestant churches enjoyed a traditional southern breakfast and good fellowship. The theme of the gathering was “Our Journey Together: When Women Pray.” President Doris Brown of Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church opened the meeting with warm greetings along with Rev. Olen Bruner who welcomed all to Trinity Presbyterian. The opening prayer was given by Betty Jo Hardy of Milford Hills United Methodist. The scripture lesson for the morning was Matthew 6:9-13 read by Twanda Mitchell of White Rock A.M.E Zion. Mrs. Gwendolyn Ellis of Moore’s Chapel A.M.E. Zion, gave the blessing for our breakfast.

Mrs. Betty Hutchins of Jerusalem Baptist introduced the speaker Rev. Barbara Barbour. Rev. Barbour is native of “Five Row”, a community in the Spencer/Salisbury area. She graduated from Dunbar High School, Graduate School of Medical Technicians, Philadelphia, PA. She earned a BA from West Virginia University and MA in Theological Studies from Houston School of Theology, High Point, NC. She was licensed to preach at St Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, De Moines, Iowa. She was ordained an Itinerant Deacon and Elder and was the first Itinerant female to start an A.M.E. church in Clinton, MD. Rev. Barbour has served in numerous leadership rolls in the church as well as volunteer organizations. She held the office of Vice-President of Maryland Church Women United. Rev. Barbour is a four time cancer survivor. She gave an inspiring message on the Power of Prayer. Prayer is a privilege, Rev. Barbour advised. Rev. Barbour emphasized we should pray with compassion and follow up with action.

President Doris Brown encouraged the attendees to continue our journey by following the motto: Agreed to differ, resolved to love, united to serve. She thanked the ladies for their generous donations of towels, bath cloths, shower shoes and toiletries for the shelter guests at Rowan Helping Ministries. Rev. Leamon Brown of First Calvary Missionary Baptist gave the closing prayer.

The next celebration of Church Women United is the May Friendship Day at 12 noon on May 1. This event will be held at Christ United Methodist, 3401 Mooresville Road. We will be honoring Outstanding Young Church Women. The theme is Journey of the Caregiver. We will be receiving donations for the Good Shepard Clinic. Items needed are: gift certificates to Office Depot, copy paper, toilet paper, facial tissues and antiseptic wipes.