Community needs a good dose of pride

I have recently relocated within the city limits of Salisbury. I have noticed something missing from my 20-plus years growing up within our city limits. It is called PRIDE.

Have we learned to take a quicker and easier road? We blow our clippings into the street. We don’t pick up or clean up. We do not present ourselves well. Pride is missing.

We talk about recruiting jobs. We wonder why we are not growing like our neighbors. I know this sounds simple, but if I were looking to bring jobs to a community it would not be this one; especially when I made a visit and I saw grass growing in gutters and sidewalks in disrepair. We have litter on every entrance in the community. It would tell me a lot about the lack of pride in the community. Pride is missing.

I know the city owns a street sweeper. I have only seen it when we clean for the historical tour. I have absolutely no issue with this. My issue is why the sweeper is not used daily. Uptown, in the past, was cleaned late at night. Fresh for the start of another business day. Why is the sweeper not in the neighborhoods? A set schedule would let residents know when to clear the curbs.

I watched the leaf collectors ride my neighborhood for hours picking up piles of leaves. If the leaves were along the curb, they stayed. Only for piles did they stop. Pride is missing.

Pride is a slippery slope. You erode it and you learn to settle for less. You begin to think it is all right. This was the beginning to where we find ourselves as a community.

If our city needs help, set a great clean-up day. Our citizens, clubs and churches have always responded. Salisbury needs to not settle for less than what we are! We are better than this!

— Leda Belk

Salisbury

United we stand

Any American who says Donald Trump is not “my president” shows their ignorance of our American democratic process. The election is over, the oath of office administered and new cabinet members confirmed! The fact that a number of Americans do not like or agree with our president does not in any way diminish the reality that he is our president. Americans often disagree, but we maintain our American values and civility. Violent protests and destruction of personal property are not the American way.

The hallmark of America’s greatness has always been our civility and compassion for others. Americans verbally, and sometimes physically, abusing Americans in the name of political ideology is disgusting. The mainstream media continues to fuel the dissension among us with the archaic idea “if it bleeds, it leads.” I hope all Americans see through the partial truths and focused innuendo spewing forth from our TVs, newspapers and the Internet.

Media response to President Trump’s highly vocal mistrust of their biased and misleading reporting is more biased and misleading reporting, nothing constructive or positive to remedy the divisiveness.  Primary media motivation seems to be self-promotion that they are right and our president and most of us are wrong. Why else would the zealous media so fiercely pursue every tactic in their arsenal to discredit and embarrass our president and our country and portray all Americans as violent protestors?

My fellow Americans, if the acrimonious descent into incivility we have seen these past few months continues, the only losers will be the American people. We are the United States of America because we are united! Please pray for our country and all our elected officials and all officials appointed to positions of power and influence over people’s lives. United we stand.

— John Struzick

Salisbury

Art touches soul

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life,” so Pablo Picasso once famously proclaimed. The participants at Trinity Living Center recently took part in a special program called “Art for the Soul,” which allowed them to have fun while expressing themselves creatively. The program is not about giving our participants something pretty to look at or simply keeping them busy. It’s about the wonderful benefits of creating art.

Using art therapeutically at Trinity Living Center is about the journey, not the end product. Few people are aware that art can stimulate the brain and encourage the growth of neurons in individuals that live with cognitive impairments. It inspires self-confidence and builds self-esteem and even helps prevent feelings of depression by giving a sense of accomplishment and purpose. It stimulates the senses, brings back memories and can even spark conversations.

The most recent Art for the Soul class lasted for six weeks and was lead by Jenny Booe, a local artist and art therapist. After each class the participants beamed with pride at their beautiful creations, influenced by greats such Monet, Van Gogh and Picasso.

To celebrate their art journey, the staff transformed Trinity Living Center into an Art Galleria for our artists to display their masterpieces. Guests enjoyed special refreshments as they admired their loved ones’ works of art. Thanks to the continual support of the Rowan County United Way for Trinity Living Center, we are able to bring these special programs to participants.

The United Way of Rowan County supports not only Trinity Living Center, but 15 other local agencies as well, at least one of which has most likely touched your life in some way.

If you’d like to contribute, send donations to Rowan County United Way, 1930 Jake Alexander Blvd. W, Salisbury, NC 28147 or go to www.rowancountyunitedway.org and make your donation online.

— Patty M. Messick

Salisbury

Patty Messick is program coordinator for Trinity Living Center.

Those cans count 

The Faithful Friends Animal Sanctuary Can Team would like to thank everyone who contributes aluminum cans for our recycling efforts. We don’t get to see everyone who donates cans and thank you in person, but we are very grateful!

We offer special thanks to all the businesses, golf courses, churches, the Hudson-Miller-Tatum VFW Post #3006 & Uptown Dogs & Cats Grooming who have sponsored our efforts.

Even though the price of aluminum cans has dropped drastically since we started in 2008, we are still working hard to ensure the cans are recycled and the funds raised continue to help the animals at Faithful Friends. You all are helping to provide food and medicines for the animals there that are waiting for new homes. Every donation of aluminum cans, whether big or small, is appreciated.

If you have time to help us, please let us know. We always need good volunteers. For more information about our recycling project, please visit our website http://faithfulfriendsnc.org/can-team. The website also lists local businesses that serve as can drop-off locations and we are very appreciative. Due to space limitations, I can’t list everyone here like we would prefer.

With my fellow Can Team volunteers, we close with our heartfelt thanks for each can and every kind act of assistance. Thank you.

— Lora Owen

Salisbury

Lora Owen is a  Can Team volunteer with Faithful Friends Animal Sanctuary.