November 2018
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
THE COMMUNICATOR Phone: (336) 835-2511 Fax: (336) 835-5248 Email: [email protected] Since January 1990 www.WIFMRadio.com www.VintageRoseWeddingEstate.com November 2018 Surry-Yadkin EMC suppliers. G&B is also appreciated as one of our area’s most benevolent benefactors and community Surry-Yadkin Electric Membership Corp. honors advocates. its membership with an annual meeting celebration Each September for the last 26 years, the com- on the first Saturday in October at Surry Central pany has sponsored the G&B Charity Golf Tourna- High School. Our electricity cooperative, established ment at the Cedarbrook Country Club. Thirty-two in 1940, hosted its 77th annual meeting on Oct. 6. four-person teams enjoy incredible fellowship, deli- Its reported assets are $129,318,551 and annual cious food and relationship-building. Proceeds ben- revenues were $48,762,350. efit the Yadkin Valley United Way. This year’s check Headquartered in Dobson, N.C., Surry-Yadkin was $20,202. A most unique feature of the celebra- EMC’s associates honorably service worthy custom- tion is a variety of food offerings on the golf course ers. Features and activities at the meeting were to honor the golfers. They are chicken wings, Italian breakfast by Bojangle’s, Chick-fil-A and Krispy sausage, hot dogs, pulled-pork quesadillas, fresh Kreme, food service by the Surry Central Nutrition shrimp, grilled pineapple, ice cream and beef ribs Staff and company employees, music by the Good- by 13 Bones Restaurant from Mount Airy. fellers Bluegrass Band, presentation of the colors by G&B Energy service branches are in Elkin, Spar- Surry Central JROTC, the National Anthem by Surry ta, Statesville, Boone, Millers Creek, Pilot Mountain, Central’s Chorus and countless door prizes. Advance, Mills River and Weaverville. The company Our co-op shows a vital concern for our commu- has 118 dedicated associates. nities by supporting many high school fundraising events, The March of Dimes, charity bingo, educa- I shared recently to a friend that seeing G&B tion grants, Christmas toy donations and contribu- people dining out, one always feels proud of the tions to The Shepherd’s House and The Ark. Fami- group’s conduct, dress code, manners, demeanor lies of employees significantly contribute. and class. The G&B Way is about character, accom- Surry-Yadkin EMC is led by an outstanding modation, professionalism and servantship. Board of Directors whose members are: Karoline Overby Stephen Joyce Miller’s Campground Steven Hutson Toby Speaks Charlotte and I attended the celebration of life Willard Swift David Miller for Mrs. Jean Miller, known affectionately as Mama Brenda Handy David Pendry Miller, in Laurel Springs, N.C. More than 200 peo- Alvin Reed Jr. Eddie Campbell ple gathered to learn about her heroic and gifted Greg Puckett is general manager and executive contribution. The 135-space campground was filled vice president. Raymond Parker is general counsel. as many regular campers returned for the rites of Safety has always been a top priority for Sur- passing. Many relatives, friends and admirers par- ry-Yadkin EMC and significant measures are taken ticipated. The variety of testimonies, stirring mu- daily to ensure the safety of its employees, the gen- sic and prayers lifted our spirits and enhanced our eral public and co-op members. gratitude for attending. It was a cheerful hour. The highpoint was a story told by granddaugh- G&B Energy ter Emily. She said, “Granny worked several jobs, G&B Energy was founded in Elkin, N.C., in 1930 including being a waitress at the High Meadow Inn by the late Carl Boyles and Phillip Greenwood as south of Sparta. She kept her tips until the end of Exxon Consignees. Fred Eidson became its CEO in each week when she would equally distribute the 1965 and his son, Jeff Eidson, became its leader in proceeds to each of her six children to spend on 1992. General Manager Rick Caudle has honorably their schooling. The child struggling the most got a served the company for 50 years. little extra.”Every guest in the audience connected G&B Energy enjoys the reputation of one of with that story. We all agreed that her parenting America’s premier propane, fuel oil and kerosene was most special and sacred. Music Afterschool Program Rowling. 2. “When I got my library card, that’s when my Larry Skipper leads a nonprofit in Wilkes County, life began.” — R.M. Brown. N.C., whose mission is to create the opportunity for 3. “The only thing that we absolutely have to students to engage in music in an after-school set- know is the location of the closest library.” —Albert ting. The 12 Note Music Afterschool Program (MAP) Einstein. was introduced in third through fifth grades in the 4. “Perhaps no place in any community is so fall of 2016. The intent is to help bring Appalachian democratic as the town library. The only entrance music to any student who has the desire to learn to requirement is interest.” — Lady Bird Johnson. play or sing the music that is most common in the 5. “If we have a garden and a library, we have place they call home. everything we need.” —Cicero It has been proven that music increases stu- 6. “Where are we heading with our lives? Each dents’ ability in math, improves communication and direction is good is there is a library along the way.” problem-solving skills, builds self-esteem and en- — Piotr Kowalczyk hances teacher collaboration. Music can bridge both Surry County is blessed with five community cultural and generational gaps. libraries: Dobson (1949), Elkin (1937), Lowgap MAP instructors teach the basics of music start- (1990), Mount Airy (1931) and Pilot Mountain ing with ukuleles, and then offer stringed instru- (1957). They are affiliated with Northwestern Re- ments as the students display the aptitude and gional Library that belongs to the NC Cardinal con- desire to learn. MAP strives to help all students to sortium, which gives each library’s patrons access get to the next step in learning music. to more than 8 million books and digitized items. Larry shared, “We need funding and volunteer We also have access to NC Live, an extensive col- teachers who get students on stage, in front of an lection of databases whose holdings include dozens audience where they can gain courage to perform.” of digitized magazines and thousands of articles. MAP’s annual fundraiser will be at the Stone Cen- All we need is the will to learn and know and a ter in North Wilkesboro on Feb. 17 where student free library card. Get on board, get a library card achievement will be showcased along with dinner and receive an exceptional education. and silent auctions. Larry is grateful for his active Board of Direc- tors whose members are Brock Carter (chair), Kirk David Holt and Josh Goforth Walker, Michelle Isom, Jim Trice, John Logsdon, Mike Duncan, Pamela Huffman, Doris Walker and David Holt and Josh Goforth on Aug. 17 cele- Dennis Huggins. Larry also thanks the Wilkes Coun- brated our Yadkin Valley and a standing-room-on- ty Schools for its selfless support of the MAP pro- ly crowd at our incomparable Reeves Theatre in gram and its mission. Please consider a tax-deduct- downtown Elkin. The theater was built in 1941 and ible gift to the 12-Note MAP this year. Gifts provide reborn in 2017. In the words of Holt, “The Reeves free instruments and instruction to those seeking is beyond compare, a pure sound that rivals any new opportunities and growth in music. venue I played in my 50 years of carrying my tra- ditional mountain music and storytelling. A special thanks goes to Corey Myers for his able assistance Community Libraries and delivering meals between setup and opening.” After a heartwarming show with fiddle, mando- Libraries are essential to the functioning of a lin, guitars, banjo, intriguing stories and singing. democratic society. Libraries are the great symbols Josh and David mingled with the crowd until the of the freedom of the mind. All of this is done in our last guest went out the exit door. I asked David libraries, the cornerstone of democracy in our com- about that personal interaction and he said, “We munities. Libraries are for everyone, everywhere. give our best to those who buy the tickets. After all, During World War II when the future of democ- a great show combines the valuable guests with the racy was uncertain, Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “Li- performers. Together, ‘greatness’ can follow.” braries are directly and immediately involved in the conflict which divides the world, and for two rea- He added, “Josh and I are grateful for our 18 sons; first, because they are essential to the func- years together. I met him when he was in middle tioning of a democratic society; second, because school. I guess that makes him 32 years old. He is the contemporary conflict touches the integrity of an awesome talent and artist.” scholarship, the freedom of the mind, and even the I asked David about judging music contests and survival of culture, and libraries are the great sym- he said, “I never judge because someone will be bols of the freedom of the mind.” glad while others are mad. I live to make things Several more great quotes are: better. I was 72 on Oct. 15 and I live to make 1. “When in doubt, go to the library.” —J.K. things better.” 2 The Good We Hear ground, was praising Wilkes County Commissioner Eddie Settle and Elkin-Alleghany Trails Leader Dr. Being in crowds gives us the opportunity to hear Bill Blackley for the roles they’ve played in bring- the good names and deeds of people we know.