FVES Showcases Its Pieces of Gold a Train
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Strong Testimony: Happy Sports: Bengals fall short Curry shares story of Valentine’s of Golden Hawks: hard childhood, Day Holly Springs loving church with from everyone Shows strong Priority here at the offense, defense. Independent See Page 3A See Page 9A VISIT THE INDEPENDENT’S WEBSITE AT WWW.FUQUAY-VARINAINDEPENDENT.COM Fuquay-Varina WIEDNESDAYnd, FEBRUARY 13, 2013 ep 50en CENTS d ent FUQUAY-VARINA, NORTH CAROLINA Dorman to receive Presidential Citizens Medal MMIA founder’s service to veterans recognized nationally Kelly Griffith such a prestigious award,” Dorman said. Md., Harris Wofford of Washington, D.C., Editor Still, the 20-year Coast Guard veteran and Sandy Hook Elementary shooting vic- remains humble, saying it’s not about tims Rachel Davino, Dawn Hochsprung, Michael Dorman, founder and executive him. The award belongs to two groups of Anne Marie Murphy, Lauren Rousseua, director of Military Missions in Action, volunteers – those that have served their Mary Sherlach and Victoria Soto. will be among the 18 recipients of the 2012 country and those that serve the veterans “It is my distinguished honor to award Presidential Citizens Medal, the nation’s with Military Missions in Action. these individuals the 2012 Citizens Medal second-highest civilian honor. “All I’m doing is helping people that for their commitment to public service,” MMIA is a North Carolina-based non- need help,” Dorman said. said President Obama. “Their selfless- profit that helps veterans with disabilities, He and the other award recipients will be ness and courage inspire us all to look for both physical and mental, achieve indepen- recognized on Friday at the White House. opportunities to better serve our commu- dent living. All veterans who have served Among them are Dr. T. Berry Brazelton nities and our country.” are eligible to receive services including of Boston, Adam Burke of Jacksonville, The Citizens Medal was established home modification, rehabilitation and fam- Fla., Mary Jo Copeland of Minneapolis, in 1969 to recognize American citizens ily assistance. Since 2008, the organization Minn., Maria Gomez of Washington, D.C., who have performed exemplary deeds of Contributed has completed more than 100 home modi- Pamela Green Jackson of Albany, Ga., service for their country or their fellow Michael Dorman, founder and executive direc- fication projects and shipped thousands of Janice Jackson of Baltimore, Md., Patience citizens. President Obama is recogniz- tor of Military Missions In Action, assists dis- care packages to soldiers. Lehrman of Philadelphia, Pa., Jeanne ing Americans whose work has had a abled veterans and supports active service- “I’m very honored to go meet the Manford of Queens, N.Y., Billy Mills of Fair men through projects like building ramps and President of the United States and receive Oaks, Calif., Terry Shima of Gaithersburg, See DORMAN | 3A fixing up homes. Fuquay-Varina woman dies after vehicle struck by train Stephanie Eaton Harvie Staff Writer What should have been a joyful occassion turned into tragedy on Feb. 6 when a Fuquay-Varina woman lost her life after the vehicle she was driving collided with an Amtrak train in Raleigh. Photos by Kelly Griffith | Fuquay-Varina Independent Lynette Renee Fowler of Students at Fuquay-Varina Elementary School practice their performace of "It's Raining Sunshine" from "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs." Hilltop Needmore Road in Fuquay-Varina celebrated her 42nd birthday on Feb. 6. However, the day did not end joyously and Fowler died after her 1999 Chevy SUV was hit by FVES showcases its pieces of gold a train. According to the Raleigh Kelly Griffith Police Department accident Editor report, officers responded to an accident involving a vehicle and When the lights go up March 13 at the Progress an Amtrak train at 5:07 p.m. The Energy Center for the Arts in Raleigh, the students of accident occurred on the railroad Fuquay-Varina Elementary School will be ready for the tracks in the vicinity of Hoke 30th annual Pieces of Gold performance. Street and Hammond Road. The collaborative fundraiser between Wake County Fowler was the driver of the Public Schools and the Wake Education Partnership vehicle. brings local talent to light each year. FVES music According to the accident teacher Kip Caton has been a part of it all 30 years. report, Fowler was in a dirt park- She started in 1986 with two students at the Civic ing lot of South Blount Street. Center. This year, Caton has 47 students, 10 boys and The Amtrak was traveling in 37 girls. the northwest direction. The students have sung throughout the school year When the train approached, at various functions, but this is the culmination of the train crossing signs came many hours of hard work by students and their fami- down and the warning lights lies. flashed. However, Fowler “It’s an amazing experience for students to be up on attempted to cross the tracks stage,” Caton said. “It’s a rock star moment.” and was struck by the train. But Caton believes none of the 30 performances After being struck by the train, would have been possible without the support from Fowler’s vehicle then struck a Wake County, Fuquay-Varina Elementary and the com- curb and a nearby fence. Fowler munity. died as a result of the accident. “It’s a real priority for the arts here [at FVES],” she The train involved in the crash said. was traveling from New York to Charlotte. No injuries were See GOLD | 2A reported for those traveling on the train. Cash Mob hits downtown Fuquay-Varina On Feb. 9 at 3 p.m. nearly 40 locals cookbooks, candles and lotions were fly- gathered in front of the Fuquay-Varina ing out the door. Downtown Association’s office and held Everyone shopped, met new people and up a $20 bill in a show of solidarity and had fun. And in less than an hour, The to show their support for local downtown Vine had registered more than $800 in businesses…otherwise known as a Cash sales. Mob. Cash Mobs are a new movement aimed Only after each person completed a at supporting local businesses and rebuild- Door Prize drawing form and received ing communities. A Cash Mob is a Flash their official Cash Mob sticker, was the Mob, but instead of singing, dancing or location of the downtown business being rioting, Cash Mobbers join together and mobbed revealed. The group proceeded to each spends $20 at a local business. The Vine, located at 604 North Main St., Fuquay-Varina Downtown has spon- which is owned and operated by Elana sored seven highly successful Cash Mobs and Nick Brancato. in the downtown shopping districts in Sharon Mackey was the lucky winner Fuquay-Varina. Its impact serves as local of the door prize provided by The Vine. economic development but its power is The owners and staff had a chance to in how it recreates a special sense of com- meet everyone and to share their wealth munity. of knowledge and expertise about their For more information, go to www.cash- health supplements including their superb mobs.com or contact Naomi Riley or Jebb Graff | graffcreative.com selection of organic and natural food, skin Linda Wood at 919-552-0848 or by email Fuquay-Varina Downtown supporters gathered Saturday for a Cash Mob and spent nearly $800 at and pet products. Teas, coffee, spices, at [email protected]. The Vine in less than an hour. 2A – Fuquay-Varina Independent, Wednesday, February 13, 2013 Contributed photos | Garry E. Hodges Eric and Mary Christofferson, owners of “The Mitchell” and “The Teacherage” buildings in Fuquay- Fuquay-Varina won for best image-building campaign in the 2012 N.C. Main Street Awards Varina, were recognized as 2012 Main Street Champions. competition. Fuquay-Varina Downtown projects honored Fuquay-Varina Downtown are the projects we point to year after announced that two local projects were year as models for other communities recognized for their excellence in the working to build strong local econo- 2012 N.C. Main Street Awards compe- mies.” tition. The Fuquay-Varina Downtown In their remarks, the judges com- Branding Campaign won top honors, mended the Fuquay-Varina Downtown receiving an Award of Merit in the Branding Campaign for the use of category of Best Downtown Image- public focus groups and cited the good Building Campaign. increase of sponsors that resulted In addition to the winning entries, from the branding. there were several other worthy proj- They noted the consistent use of ects that the jury singled out for color, fonts and other design elements commendation. One of those proj- in the branding materials. ects was the En Plein Air Paint Off, Of the En Plein Air Paint-off, jury which received a Certificate of Special members said, “This is a neat event Recognition in the category of Best that will keep on going.” They saw it Downtown Special Event or Event as a “creative and innovative way to Series. bring art downtown” and “really liked The N.C. Main Street program’s having the pieces enlarged and placed annual awards competition recognizes outside.” The jury also liked the fact the outstanding achievements of par- that the event was “original,” “authen- ticpating communities in categories tic” and “sustainable” and saw is as a Fuquay-Varina Downtown’s En Plein Air Paint Off received a special recognition in the 2012 N.C. Main reflecting the four areas of focus for “good tie back to their vision.” Street Awards competition. Main Street: organization, design, On Jan. 31 Parham and N.C. Deputy n Clayton – Clayton Law Improvement economic restructuring and promo- Secretary of Commerce Dale Carroll Enforcement Center Award n Statesville – Statesville City Hall tion.