R.B. Sloan Jr., former EnergyUnited chief executive officer, has received the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine from the governor of North Carolina.
Sloan has served North Carolina cooperatives for 33 years. He stepped down as CEO of EnergyUnited May 31 to accept the position of director of electric utilities for the city of Vero Beach, Fla.
“From the school house to the college campus and the county commission room to the state Senate chamber, R.B. Sloan has worked to make our communities better,” Gov. Mike Easley said. “He has been an advocate for the state’s economy; understanding the energy needs of our farmers and main street merchants so they can succeed and prosper.”
“I consider this award, an award celebrating that which is unique to North Carolina, to be a true honor,” Sloan said. “But I wouldn’t have received it without the efforts of a lot of talented people I’ve had the pleasure of working with over the years.”
Sloan, a Statesville native and 1973 graduate of North Carolina State University, served as a state senator in 2003. “Although I will soon live someplace else, I will never see myself as anything other than a North Carolinian,” Sloan said.
The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest honor the governor can bestow on a North Carolina citizen, is presented to individuals who have a proven record of extraordinary service to the state. Contributions to their communities, extra efforts in their careers and many years of service to their organizations are some of the guidelines by which recipients are selected for this award. Past recipients of the award, created in 1965, include Maya Angelou, Michael Jordan and Billy Graham.
EnergyUnited serves more than 116,000 electricity customers in 19 North Carolina counties, including Rowan.
Nominate a hero
In an effort to become better neighbors in western North Carolina, Applebee’s restaurants are saluting Neighborhood Heroes.
Western North Carolina residents have until Aug. 12 to visit a local Applebee’s to nominate a Neighborhood Hero who has made a difference in the community.
Neighborhood Heroes are people who help make the neighborhood a better place. A winner in each of four categories ń teacher, coach, community volunteer and other (anyone who has made a difference in the community and/or someone’s life) ó will receive special recognition and free lunch for a year.
“Applebee’s salutes their neighbors who dedicate their lives to serving others and making this a better community to live and work,” said Tom Bull, a Charlotte area director. “The walls of our restaurants showcase artifacts from some of our local heroes, and now we’d like to recognize even more.”
To nominate a Neighborhood Hero, guests can simply pick up a nomination form at a local Applebee’s, fill it out and return it to a restaurant associate. One winner will be chosen per category, per restaurant ó that’s four winners per restaurant for a total of 64 Neighborhood Hero winners. Selections will be made during the week of Aug. 12.
Nominations are being accepted at Charlotte area locations, including the Salisbury Applebee’s at 205 Faith Road.
School supply help
From now through Aug. 18, Food Lion customers can help local school children by participating in the Learning Toolbox program to benefit underprivileged students in their communities.
Food Lion stores are offering pre-packaged back-to-school supply kits at the discounted price of $4.99. The kits include pencils, a three-subject notebook, a glue stick, a ruler, pencil sharpener, a large pink eraser, pocket tissues and hand sanitizer. Also included are manufacturers’ coupons worth approximately $3.75.
Customers are encouraged to purchase the Learning Toolbox kits for their own school-aged children and local students in need. All donations will be added to the customer’s total bill and shown on the receipt for easy record keeping.
Food Lion stores will collect and take all donated kits to nearby schools or school systems for distribution to underprivileged students. This ensures all donations will help kids in the local community.
“Food Lion places an emphasis on the support of primary and secondary education, and a program like this helps students get off to a good start, and that is important to having a successful school year,” said Food Lion spokesperson Kimberly Blackburn. “The purpose of the Learning Toolbox program is to get school supplies to students who otherwise may not be able to purchase their own.”
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Linda Braswell compiles the Rowan Roundup of companies, organizations and individuals. You can submit information about new businesses, honors and management promotions to her at the Salisbury Post, P.O. Box 4639, Salisbury, NC 28145-4639; fax it to 704-639-0003; or e-mail lbraswell@ salisburypost.com. Please include a daytime phone number.