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2 2012 NC Turkey Festival FirstHealth FirstCare Open Seven Days a Week Extended Hours (8 a.m. - 8 p.m.) No Appointments Needed Board Certified Physicians Lisa Cowan, M.D. X-ray Medical Director Serving immediate health care needs including: • Simple broken bones • Infections • Asthma attacks • Lacerations • Bronchitis • Nausea and vomiting • Removal of superficial • Stitches, suturing, stapling • Cold and flu symptoms foreign objects • Splints, sprains, strains • Allergic reactions • Minor burns 4565 Fayetteville Road (in front of Walmart) Raeford, NC 28376 (910) 878-5100 www.FirstHealthFirstCare.org 876-170-12 2012 NC Turkey Festival 3 Thanks for the Memories…A letter from the Executive Director ere it is again, past the deadline to have the articles to The News- the board in such a powerful way?” and “Why, Melissa, are you writing about it?” Journal for the annual printing of the Turkey Tabloid. Seems like It is really quite simple – those who work with the Festival become a family and only yesterday I was writing this very same letter. Where does time over the past 28 years the Festival has lost many family members but the traditions go; well, for me it seems to be flying by but standing still at the they helped to initiate still go on and the memories I made with each of them live sameH time; sounds strange doesn’t it but you must remember who is writing this on in me, like… and bear with the story/letter until the end and maybe you will see just why it Every time we discussed Cultural Arts, I was reminded of Kay Thomas and has taken so long to compose these thoughts. Carol Birkhead, both presidents of the Turkey Festival and how proud they would For 28 years I have somehow been involved with the Festival in some way, be to see how the Festival has grown. Preparing to contact Progress Energy for shape or form. This year, like many years before I’m sure, has had some very great the power that will be needed for the third Saturday in September, I cannot help moments filled with laughter and kidding between the directors at meetings and but laugh at the memories I have of Pat Kelly laughing at me because I didn’t have events. Then there were some moments that have caused each of us to stop, have a golf cart, telling me “what do you think, that you’re special or something.” As to catch our breaths, regain our balance and dry the tears from the news we had I typed the sponsor names for the Schedule of Events and typed Southmoore just received. Heating and Cooling, I think of how proud Billy Williams would be that his family The first such moment of tears came on April 18 when we received news is carrying on the tradition of sponsoring the Turkey Festival. As the phone rings that long time Raeford-Hoke County resident and leader Raz Autry had passed and it is fire chiefs from all over Hoke County calling to be in the parade and away. Over the years Mr. Autry was a huge supporter of all activities in Hoke attend the 9-11 ceremony, I hear Bobby Strother saying, “are you really doing County, including the Turkey Festival. When I heard of his passing, I was instantly that parade again, just say what you want to say, you’re going to do that anyway.” reminded of the last time I had seen Mr. Autry, at IHOP of all places. We had As we prepare for opening ceremonies, I hear laughter in my memories ringing spoken about things that were going on in my life and he asked, “Are you still across the room as Mayor Bob Gentry told someone a turkey joke that everyone involved with the Turkey Festival, gal?” and of course, I said, “Yes sir,” because laughed out loud over. I’m reminded of Chief Wiggins, Chief McNeill and Chief if there was ever a man who deserved your respect, it was Mr. Autry. He replied, Murdock as I prepare to meet with the law enforcement for the parade security “Good, good you do a good job, make sure it is done right, make us all proud.” and to arrange for Chief Crumpler and Sheriff Peterkin to lead the parade on Again I said, “Yes sir.” Then on June 29 the Board was struck again by the death of the 13th. After meeting with Robert to discuss what visual effects were needed at someone who had given so much to the Festival - William Daniels, the Executive different events and sending Gene Chalaire his t-shirt for once again sponsoring Director for several years, had passed away. William had overcome so much over the festival, I think of Mary Lee and seeing her drape red, white and blue bunting the years since he had had the stroke in 2007, which caused him to have to retire around that reviewing stage for the Parade, always proudly wearing the festival from the Festival. I was instantly reminded of him walking the park the first time shirt, no matter how she felt about the color or logo, just proud to be a part of it. after his stroke and how excited all the directors were that he was able to be with On Friday, September 7, as spectators look to the sky in anticipation of seeing the them again and of the year I took his photo with that “turkey hat” he wore as divers leap from the plane with flags and the game ball, I will be remembering my friend executive director while riding around the park in a golf cart with the title of Roger Pickett who landed on top of McLauchlin Hardware at opening ceremonies and ‘head turkey’. You would think that it would end but then on July 14, after battling of Gene Paul Thacker, who made the pre-game skydiving an annual event. cancer, news of Clerk of Court Russell Smith’s death brought back thoughts of After that we will return to the office, packing items for the festival store and I’ll Coach Smith in those plaid pants in the ’83 EKOH and me making copies for laugh when I hear Jimmy Pittman say, “you gourd head you should have gotten hats.” one of the directors on the board who served with Russell to share with other And when I ride around the park with my camera and video recorder, my board members, which brought lots of laughs. See, not many people know this thoughts will be of Luke McNeill, riding him around the park when he was no but Russell Smith not only was a great Santa for the Chamber of Commerce, longer able to complete the walk to make videos and hear him say, “Another Kiwanis and other local agencies, he was once the legal advisor for the Turkey wonderful Festival, Melissa, but you still can’t have the Grand Marshal sign back.” Festival. I talked to Russell in June at the Hoke Community Foundation Dinner See when Mr. McNeill was the grand marshal, he was so surprised and honored at and of course we discussed the “festival and the Santa house.” Who knew that he being asked he kept the car magnet after the parade. would be gone in little over a month? On August 3 we were all shocked again by When the Festival comes to an end, I will have new memories of wonderful the death of Christina Payton who had served on the Board as the Cultural Arts directors that have been made because the current directors, like those of past Director and she brought laughter, as well as many wonderful ideas for cultural festivals, became a family. They laugh, cry, encourage, argue, want to quit and arts. Christina was at the Fourth of July Celebration to help the board sell cokes succeed in making the Festival something that Raeford-Hoke County can be and hotdogs at the Fireworks Celebration. We talked, laughed and discussed the proud of. The 2012 Directors will make memories for me to cherish just like the plans she had for the cultural arts corner. ones I have shared with you. So, thanks for the memories, old and new. Many of you are probably thinking, “Why on earth would these deaths affect — Melissa Pittman Best Wishes Come see us for lots of Best Wishes to the 2012 fun & relaxation! NC Turkey2 012 Festival! NC Turkey Festival! September Raeford 7-15 THE Family Care Johnson Company 875-4545 INSURANCE 1090 E. Central Avenue Raeford, NC Auto • Fire Vickie Farmer, PA • Brad Taylor, PA • Sarah Young, MD 101 Oakwood Ave. 875-3550 4 2012 NC Turkey Festival of the Carolinas supports the North Carolina Turkey Festival FirstHealth of the Carolinas is Response demonstrations, a Happy focuses on FirstHealth FirstCare, the heat, sit down and relax with pleased to support Hoke County as a Kitchen demonstration with samples, a new convenient care clinic in a FirstHealth fan, and learn more 2012 gold sponsor of the 28th Annual BINGO and other activities. Raeford available for the immediate about the new FirstHealth FirstCare Turkey Festival. Join us throughout the FirstHealth will provide door prizes as healthcare needs of Hoke County and plans for FirstHealth Hoke week for our Turkey Festival activities. well as a free weeklong guest pass to residents. FirstCare is open seven Community Hospital, which is now the Center for Health and Fitness for days a week with no appointments under construction. Tuesday, September 11 every participant. necessary. The practice focuses ANNUAL CARD on the treatment of immediate Free health screenings TOURNAMENT Thursday, September 13 healthcare needs including simple for diabetes and blood Win a variety of door prizes 5:30 p.m.

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