THE COMMUNICATOR Phone: (336) 835-2511 Fax: (336) 835-5248 Email: [email protected] Since January 1990 August 2020

THE COMMUNICATOR Phone: (336) 835-2511 Fax: (336) 835-5248 Email: Wifm@Wifmradio.Com Since January 1990 August 2020

THE COMMUNICATOR Phone: (336) 835-2511 Fax: (336) 835-5248 Email: [email protected] Since January 1990 www.WIFMRadio.com August 2020

Dr. Wayne Matthews Pa., her degrees were earned at UNC-Greensboro. She is starting her fifth year at Yadkinville Elemen- How does one justly praise a fallen hero and tary School. She sees Dr. Martin as a supportive most humble soul? A story about Dr. Wayne leader and an empathetic listener. Mathews’ impact would never end. The mere men- Yadkin County Schools Teacher of the Year is tion of his name brings attempts to say grace over Michael Groce who teaches English at Starmount his achievements and goodwill. His Quaker values High School. He majored in Education at N.C. State of community, integrity, stewardship and equality University, earned his master’s degree at Appala- were foundational in his dispensation of fairness, chian State University and after 20 years working in credibility and inclusion. business came to the classroom and is grateful and Bobby Todd’s call to deliver the sad news was a overjoyed. Dr. Martin shared that Mr. Groce during monumental shock of disbelief and despair. Dr. Mat- the pandemic has spent every day in his classroom thews, 63, of East Bend passed away on June 23. as though his students were present. Dr. Wayne came to show us the way to great- The Yadkin County Schools system enjoys 5,100 ness. His influence quickly spoke to say, “It’s God’s students and has 900 associates. All present en- plan, not ours. Let’s rally together and develop a joyed hot dogs, hamburgers, chocolate cake and plan to face this adversity. We’ll get through by ice cream. We congratulate the behind-the-scenes picking up the pieces and stepping up to shoulder superstars Tommy Miller, Sherry Hinshaw and all more of the load.” His diligence, vision and hope Central Office staffers. gave us a blueprint to carry us to more significant accomplishments. His 28 years of quietly leading in silence, of making sure the right people came to the Vintage Robert Rizoti table, was truly masterful and profound. Wilkes County legends Robert and Sue Rizoti Imagine dedicating Phase II and breaking relocated to Clemmons in 2018 and bought a con- ground for Phase III in the same moment in May dominium. Choosing to enhance its backyard, the 2016 and seeing the completion of Phase III in Au- Rizotis decided to engage a reputable masonry gust 2018. Phenomenal, to say the least. Dr. Wayne installation firm. Following a recommendation, they was always marching to make things better for contracted with Ianscape. community and the striving. At lunch each day, Robert provided lunch for Bobby Todd’s moving eulogy appropriately the contractor’s men. Imagine the impact of the ended with, “When Wayne showed up with his Diet Rizotis’ humility and generosity and knowing a free Mountain Dew another meaningful blessing was in lunch came with the employment. I spoke to owner the works.” All is well with Our Lord. Ian Byers who shared, “We’ve never been treated like family before. The Rizotis are over the top. We Yadkin Educators picked up a job across the street and the Rizotis did Yadkin County Schools Superintendent Dr. Todd the same thing over there.” Martin called before 8 a.m. on July 14 to invite me I met Robert and Sue in 2006 and they con- to an impromptu gathering at the Board of Educa- sistently give first without expectations. The mere tion office for a cookout honoring all school princi- mention of the Rizotis’ Oakwood Grocery’s outreach pals and the announcement of the Teacher of the fills one’s heart with thanksgiving. To describe their Year and Principal of the Year. The honor of being servantship as amazing is an understatement. invited is a tribute to WIFM Radio’s relationship with Also learned a new concept while composing the Yadkin County Schools and Dr. Martin who is this article. Forever I’ve used the word “landscape” starting his seventh year in Yadkin County. to describe enhancements to one’s yard. When a family builds walkways, walls, grills, etc., these ad- Kelly Kirkland was chosen Yadkin County ditions are called “hardscape.” Ianscape does land- Schools Principal of the Year. A native of East Berlin, scapes and hardscapes. Robert Merritt couraged Jane to tell the story of how God’s spirit is alive and working in our world. Please tune to FM Robert Merritt, 93, epitomizes public service and 100.9 shortly after noon each Wednesday to be a is the consummate humanitarian. A native of Mount witness as Jane celebrates the goodness happen- Airy, N.C., he graduated from N.C. State and served ing in our communities. We also invite you to share the Renfro Corporation as chief executive officer. your stories about people helping people through He was instrumental in establishing standard siz- the challenges of life. ing of men’s and women’s hosiery. He is a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church and was a Wilkes County Co-op Extension member of the Mount Airy Rotary for 55 years. He and wife Cama have six children. They retired to Ar- Ellie Snider is the Horticulture Specialist at bor Acres in Winston-Salem. Wilkes County Cooperative Extension. A Maryland In his early career as an engineer, Robert native who grew up around gardens and horses, served Merritt Machine and Supply in Mount Airy. she is a graduate of Mount Mary’s College in eastern He praised Merritt Machine’s partner, Clinton Mos- Maryland and earned a master’s degree in Agrono- ley, for his 31 years as a leader of the Surry County my from Penn State University. She served in Cald- Board of Education and for being a charter member well County before joining the Wilkes office in 2019. of the Franklin Ruritan Club where he served for 60 Mrs. Snider advises the Community Garden in years. Wilkesboro at Cub Creek Park, teaches the Master From 1990 to 2004 we were members of the Gardeners Volunteer Program and is significantly in- Mount Airy Rotary where Robert chronicled the volved with our area’s fruit growers. A major threat club’s endeavors with relevant photographs. His to our bountiful fruit crops is the late-spring frost archives feature more than 80,000 shots. when temperatures in the valley near North Wilkes- He was significantly involved in public educa- boro can be 10 degrees cooler than on the Brushy tion. His visit to the Mount Airy City Schools Board Mountains. of Education meeting in 1998 shared that the During Mrs. Snider’s interview on Wilkes Com- Brower Bridge built over the Ararat River Race in munications TV, she shared that she monitors 1840 was perilously close to the property where the growing conditions by capturing insects in nets, and Mount Airy Middle School was under construction. an analysis of varieties, ages and amounts can pre- His involvement alerted the school board to protect dict crop potentials and chemicals needed to treat the V-compression bridge built from granite slabs. oncoming diseases. Mrs. Snider was on her way to The bridge is on an acre of land deeded by Robert’s the Perry Lowe Orchards to collect and send to labs grandfather, Hugh Merritt, to the Surry County His- several days of captured insects. torical Society. The Perry Lowe Orchards are on the south side of the Brushy Mountains. The Lowe family has Jane Motsinger grown quality fruit for more than six generations. Jane Motsinger is a Winston-Salem native, Frontier Natural Gas graduate of Vanderbilt University, married to Steve and loyal member of Galloway Memorial Episcopal WIFM Radio encourages our clients to help our Church in Elkin. She was been a devoted communi- advertising’s effectiveness by having its staff mem- ty servant since coming to Elkin in 1979. She, Phyl- bers compose and deliver an ad’s message. Frontier lis Qualheim and friends joined together in 1996 to Natural Gas’s Kim Foley is an exceptional writer and found The Ark, a shelter for the homeless needing a speaker. She speaks from the heart and her oratory new start. From its remodeled site on North Bridge encourages action by our audience and listeners. Street to a new-from-the-ground-up facility at 130 We recently complimented Mrs. Foley in this email Hill St., The Ark has played a key role in our quality to CEO Fred Steele: of life. Jane served as The Ark’s resident manager. Dear Fred, Several months ago, Jane honored WIFM by telling In a recent staff meeting Kim Foley was compli- The Ark’s story. mented for her composition and delivery of Fron- Jane’s involvement in the Yadkin Valley intensi- tier’s advertising program at WIFM. Joel Hooper fied as she saw lives changed for the better as legit- said, “Kim is most accomplished at sharing her imate victims of circumstance chose to overcome company’s legacies and promises. She’s a natural and work through despair. She coined a phrase, who speaks from the heart.” “Spirit on the move,” to describe how undeniable The most effective messages are in the words worthy causes are founded when people seek God’s of a dedicated client. We are grateful for your trust, will and are selfless in working together. and Kim’s willingness to participate enhances our We were so inspired by the phrase that we en- opportunity to serve. 2 Sage Advisors 9. How to apologize: Quickly, specifically, sin- cerely. 1. Bill Blackley shared, “My guiding light, wife 10. Learn to take a 20-minute power nap. Sandie, always says to our children when they say, 11. Hatred is a curse that does not effect the ‘Thanks, Mom,’ ‘Thank me by carrying the blessing hated; it only poisons the hater. to your friends.’” 12. Eliminating our clutter makes room for our 2. Our Yadkin Valley Schools Child Nutrition De- true treasures. partment Director Cindy Marion provided incredible These truths were shared by Coach Dave Odom, praise to produce supplier Foster Caviness who goes retired NCAA head basketball coach at East Car- far beyond expectations. olina, Wake Forest and South Carolina universi- 3. Bojangle’s of Jonesville’s sales are soaring in ties. Today he serves Kemper Sports and the Maui that they already had drive-through service down Classic (an annual Thanksgiving-time tournament in to a science. In the words of a mentor, “Bojangle’s Hawaii). service spins like a top.” Ten years ago in retirement while walking on 4. During a recent afternoon with Special Su- the beach near his home at Emerald Isle, Coach perior Court Judge Richard Doughton of Allegheny Odom’s phone rang. The Kemper Sports staff asked County, we met some 20 people of substance and if he would be interested in being the Classic’s chief upon speaking and greeting Richard and his ac- executive officer. The caller said Coach had been quaintances knew each other on a first-name basis recommended by the legendary Big East Commis- and were warm and cordial. sioner Dave Gavitt, who was retiring as CEO. Many 5. Dr. Don Martin, community servant, teacher, of us soar on the wings of a quiet reference and counselor and devoted family man, took the time loyal friend. to show me how to complete a challenging task by alerting me to a misgiving and showing me another Local Heroes approach — gently. 6. Dean Combs, Mount Airy Middle School stal- Quite often we see Dr. Bill Blackley, now re- wart custodian and Mount Airy City Schools Em- tired from family-practice medicine, and the Rev. ployee of the Year, walked away from a high-level Don Hudson, pastor of Fall Creek Baptist Church in career at a big-box chain store “to have a career Jonesville. where I know I matter to young people.” Rev. Don weekly brings a cassette of music and 7. Megastar writer, speaker and commentator preaching from the previous week at his church to David Brooks said in The New York Times that the be featured on WIFM at 9 o’clock on Sunday morn- best way to help a grieving friend is to be present, ing. Rev. Don has been leading his church for 33 be quiet, never compare and offer love and humili- years and enjoys WIFM’s outreach. ty. He recently shared his appreciation for Dr. Bill’s family medicine practice that opened in Jonesville Pithy Bits – Kevin Kelly in 1979 after Dr. Bill and Dr. Will Ballard trained at UNC-Chapel Hill Medical School. Pastor Don shared Kevin Kelly’s job title is Senior Maverick at being involved in visiting a specialist at Duke Uni- “Wired,” a magazine he helped co-found 25 years versity Medical School who advised, “Your referring ago. He has written or edited, in his words, “a family doctor, Dr. Blackley, is on top of this condi- bunch of books” and other things. He also collects tion and his diagnosis is excellent. You can rely on and dispenses advice. Some examples: his assessment.” 1. The more we are interested in others, the Dr. Blackley led efforts to thwart the Fibrowatt more interesting they find us. To be interesting, be Corp.’s plan to bring a poultry waste incinerator to interested. the Yadkin Valley. In his retirement, Dr. Blackley is 2. Promptness is a sign of respect. a leader of our outstanding Elkin Trails initiative. At 3. Don’t trust all-purpose glue. 2:05 p.m. every Thursday on WIFM he reports on 4. The Golden Rule will never fail us. It is the its outreach. foundation of all other virtues. Dr. Blackley shares his childhood’s family strug- 5. If we are not falling down, occasionally we gles in Dunn, N.C., when an elderly Rotarian “Pop” are just coasting. intervened in his lackadaisical and trifling efforts to 6. Optimize our generosity. No one on his death- complete his Eagle Scout requirements two months bed ever regretted giving away too much. before his 18th birthday. The man led Dr. Bill to 7. We are what we do. Not what we say or be- earn his coveted Eagle award. Being an Eagle Scout lieve, but how we spend our time. continues to be a most honorable designation. Dr. 8. Solitude will unlock all other virtues and can Bill’s and wife Sandie’s contributions to the Yadkin be improved. Valley are paramount and profound. 3 Art Gibel The dam effort was halted by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1976. Imagine being with those pow- When I met Art Gibel in 2005 he was taking the erful men. Jack Betts weekly battled the project in reins of Goodwill of Northwest North Carolina from The Charlotte Observer. his dear friend and mentor Billy Whitaker who was Tom Earnhardt also shared how past weekly closing a stellar run as its chief executive officer. “Exploring North Carolina” shows received phone Leading our Goodwill, regarded nationally as one calls of praise from “North Carolina People” host of America’s most exceptional nonprofits, is the William Friday shortly after the conclusion of each domain of one dedicated to reaching heights and telecast. Tom said, “I was honored by his words: climbing summits never scaled. ‘Tom, this is Bill Friday. I love your shows. Keep up As WIFM’s area reporter, I answered a call to the good work.’” attend a ribbon cutting of Goodwill’s thrift shop in a strip mall behind the Rite-Aid drug store at the corner of Highway 268 Bypass and North Bridge Brad Meltzer Street. I quickly realized the role of new CEO Art Learned about Brad Meltzer’s writing popularity Gibel and his sage predecessor Billy Whitaker. After on C-SPAN 2 in early May and then expanded my introducing myself I sensed the immense leader- admiration by watching his TED Talk video about ship skills of Art and Billy. They shared the values of writing one’s own obituary. We found his Facebook Goodwill’s mission as they embraced the awesome contact, invited him for an interview on WIFM and causes. When the ribbon was cut we felt included in he graciously accepted. Friday, June 20, at 4 p.m. a monumental happening and a new day rising. was established. I was quite anxious, to say the Art concludes 24 years of dedicated stewardship least. Mr. Meltzer is highly acclaimed for his variety at Goodwill. Persons served annually grew from of New York Times Best Sellers. 9,603 to 51,183; retail outlets grew from 23 to Around 1 p.m., our on-air personality Joel 49 stores; and revenues grew from $29 million to Hopper was alerted to the Brad Meltzer interview. $72 million. Art led by example and built a team of At 3 p.m. he handed me 12 pages of Meltzer’s life selfless company servants. He always reveled in the history dating back to high school. I spent the next accomplishments of the team. hour perusing the pages and gained confidence as I Our breakfast at the Midtown Café in Win- learned many valuable facts about Brad’s life. ston-Salem started with catching up and ended In the last five minutes of our conversation, I with me more driven to follow in Art’s footsteps and asked him to share his volunteer endeavors and capture his humility and hope. Being in his presence his public-speaking skills. At our conclusion, he was a priceless gift. thanked us for our interest in his work and for being prepared. He said, “You honor me with your mean- Exploring North Carolina ingful questions.” The closing five minutes covered material I had learned by studying Joel Hooper’s “Exploring North Carolina” is the UNC-TV out- biographical collection. WIFM’s teamwork gave us doors education program featuring detailed in- nationwide credibility and notoriety. formation on plants, animals, the environment, geology and the natural history of North Carolina presented by Tom Earnhardt and Mark Crews and Food Lion funded by The Kenan Trust. The weekly feature We are fortunate that our region’s leading food at 8:30 p.m. Thursdays first aired in 2005 as the store is also benefactor-driven. A good case in point result of an idea envisioned by UNC-TV CEO Tom is Surry County’s five Food Lion stores are key Spe- Howe and Mr. Earnhardt. This incredible program is cial Olympics supporters. produced by a team of three. Tom Earnhardt will be While visiting food pantries and school back- featured soon on WIFM’s “People Doing Good For pack programs I heard Chef Boyardee is the brand Others.” of choice for food gifters. Thinking that Food Lion A Davidson College graduate and attorney, Tom leader Rondale Ratcliff would influence ConAgra, the was a consultant to Gov. Jim Holshouser in the brand owner, to gift our Yadkin Valley schools and 1970s regarding efforts by Virginia Power and Light pantries a huge amount of food product, Rondale to dam the New River in Virginia to produce electric said, “I’ll check.” Two days later, he called to say his power. One morning found Tom in the company of Food Lion would gift us $1,500 if we would match the late U.S. Sen. Sam Ervin and Sen. Jesse Helms, the $1,500. We immediately went to work and met N.C. 5th District Rep. Wilmer “Vinegar Bend” Mizell the match. The schools that received support were and N.C. 11th District Rep. Roy Taylor in Washing- Jonesville Elementary, Ronda-Clingman, Elkin City, ton, D.C., to share the environmental impact the Trap Hill, Bridges, Mountain Park and C.B. Eller. project would make on North Carolina. The New Those who ask will receive. The more we ask, the River has north and south forks in North Carolina. more we receive. 4 Wilkes County Surry Sunrise meets at 7:30 am. Wednesdays and Yadkin Valley meets at 7:45 on Wednesdays. Health Department Exceptional achievements are: • Bill Holcomb of Mount Airy joined in 1968. Rachel Willard is the Wilkes County Director of • Tom Fawcett has 30 years’ perfect attendance. Health. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees • Jeff Boyles has 21 years’ perfect attendance. from UNC-Greensboro. She was serving in Watauga County prior to taking the helm at Wilkes Coun- ty. Its 70 dedicated servants provide public-health Early Morning treatment, prevention, counseling, Women & Infant On weekdays I usually leave home at 6:20 a.m. Care (WIC) management, nutrition training, restau- planning to park at WIFM in Elkin by 7 o’clock. At rant inspections, water well and septic-tank inspec- least weekly I stop for gasoline at a Cook School tions, immunizations, student health care (mobile Road convenience store. services), disease testing and pandemic administra- On the morning of July 14 as I stopped for gas, tion. She said the most challenging threat to Wilkes a Ryder van was parked in my usual spot, so I cir- County‘s public health is nicotine addiction where cled around to another fueling lane. While I inserted the county’s disease rate is twice the state average my credit card, the van driver appeared, smiled, of 14%, or nearly 30%. spoke and raised his vehicle’s hood to check the oil. She shared, “COVID-19 testing is our current My first impression was less than favorable, confounding issue. Tests must be sent to Burlington because he was heavily tattooed and wearing a blue for a 5-day result. We are in the process of testing bandanna, tank top, Bermuda shorts and flip-flops. and providing results locally in the near future. One However, things started to change. I asked, “Where of the Health Department’s goals is to strive for are you going?” He said, “I just got here from Ken- proactive policies that will train our staff to be out- tucky to deliver some equipment at Foothills Build- standing reactive public-health providers. We are all ing Supply. I’m waiting for them to open. I’ve been challenged and asked to be and do our best to meet on the road for six hours and I’m looking forward the pandemic and defeat the enemy.” to getting back home to see my family. There’s no Rachel Willard’s parting remarks were, “Practice place like home.” social distancing of 6 feet at all times, wear a mask Although my first impression was not good, I in all public settings and wash our hands frequently quickly adjusted to the stranger. He was working, with warm water and soap, use hand sanitizer and was early to make his delivery, was checking his keep our hands away from our faces. We are all in engine oil and was living to see his family. I had this together and together we defeat the enemy.” “set” in judgment, following my first impression. Looks can be deceiving. Certainly hope my driver Surry County Rotary Clubs friend got home safely to his family. Our most accomplished three Rotary clubs in Surry County, the Mount Airy and Sunrise clubs in What They Do Mount Airy and the Yadkin Valley club in Elkin, col- • Jack Betts, who wrote extensively on saving lectively have 150 members; meet, greet and eat the New River in the early 1970s, is an avid tradi- weekly; have most interesting speakers; and raise tional music performer and travels every weekend funds that support local and international needs. playing upright bass. His excitement is contagious. Their global outreach legacies include Paul Harris • I met Nolan Brown, a Certified Public Accoun- Fellowships and the Polio Plus campaign initiated in tant from Boonville, in 1973. Possessing a quiet, 1985. Today the world is 99.9% polio-free. authoritative demeanor, when he speaks everyone Another significant value of Rotary is the im- stops to listen. He’s been the Yadkin Valley Cham- portant emphasis on club attendance at meetings. ber of Commerce’s treasurer for 25 years. For 15 Membership requires members to attend at least years of attending Chamber meetings, he’s always 50% of meetings. However, most clubs have over present. When Nolan shows, all is well. 80% attendance. A key attribute is the opportuni- • My late mother, Marian York, neatly stored a ty to make up absences at fellow clubs. There are beautiful quilt. When it was uncovered, we discov- 35,000 meetings worldwide and 1.2 million Rotari- ered a note she attached that said, “Husband Tom ans, so almost every destination has a Rotary club won this quilt with a raffle ticket bought the week and while on vacations members can find a meet- before our wedding on Nov. 25, 1939.” ing. Those making up meetings report the make-up • In a Diane Rehm interview in 2017, David and get credit. Many members, knowing they’ll visit Brooks said, “A dear, close friend likes us even another club, will take a miniature banner and pres- when we are wrong, never judges or condemns, ent it to the visited club. tells us the truth and I’ve learned to respect his Mount Airy Rotary meets at noon on Tuesdays. opinion above my own.” 5 Randy Neese boring, thriftiness, and being a scientist, veterinar- ian, chemist, engineer, mechanic, diagnostician, When making my early rounds after coming to hydrologist, astute buyer, risk taker, humanitarian Elkin with WIFM in February of 2004, I met CVS and deeply faithful. The versatility of our farmers is Store Manager Randy Neese. A graduate of Elkin profound. High School, he was a 10th grader in Dallas Nance’s Distributive Education class; joined the staff at Rev- Howard Lee co Drug on Sept. 5, 1975; and in September will celebrate 45 years in his first and only career. Mr. Howard Lee, 86, who grew up in segregated A few weeks ago, I drove through CVS’s park- Georgia, is the first African-American to be elect- ing lot at 7:45 and found Randy sweeping the store ed mayor of a major city in the South. He became front. I captured his morning ritual on my Canon the leader of Chapel Hill, N.C., in 1969. He had camera and sent my regards and photo to Ran- moved to North Carolina while doing graduate work dy’s area manager, Frank Berkowitz in Hickory. He at Duke University. His campaign focused on the promptly answered, “I received your note and pic- countless failed promises, constituent neglect and tures of Randy. Thanks. We are lucky to have him. an aggressive door-to-door voter contact. He has I’ve known him for 35 years and know he’s a great been involved in statewide advocacies to this day. community servant. We’ll celebrate his 45th anni- He spoke to the N.C. Trails State Convention in El- versary in September.” kin in 2017, and I introduced myself. We recently had lunch at Matty’s next door to During a recent WIFM Radio interview, Mr. Lee CVS. Randy shared meeting wife Karen and their shared a life-changing event. His first-grade teacher 36 years together. Randy says, “She’s the strength was his mother, Lou Barnes Lee. His year-ending in our family. Sure was blessed the day we met. I report card stated he would not be promoted. His thank God several times each day for her and our mother shared that although he had performed ad- children, Jeremiah and Seless.” equately, he had been lazy and did not live up to his Randy’s career has been a blessing, too. He’s potential. The next year, with a different teacher, he seen many changes and has learned to always be became an outstanding student and went to the top loyal and just and find ways to be happy. Randy of his class. Mr. Lee said, “I needed a wakeup call, said, “Frank Berkowitz and I have been together for and my mother made a compassionate decision for a long time. I do my best for the company. They me to repeat the first grade.” trust my judgment and appreciate our staff.” His 10th-grade English teacher, Maytha Wil- God, family, worthy causes and CVS. All is well. liams, recognized his outstanding oratory skills and encouraged him to realize his public-speaking abil- Farming ity, and he became a most accomplished speaker. His audience connection is noteworthy. He capti- Randy Johnson, partner in the Johnson Farm vates and inspires. operations west of Dobson, N.C., gets a check-up call from me quite often. We met in 1966 when he Effective Journalism was a student at Surry Central High School. His late father, Thomas, saved our football field’s grass by Years ago a Mount Airy News feature writer and piping water 2,000 feet from his farm pond to our reporter responded to the question, “What is jour- campus. People had told me, “If you ask him, he’ll nalism?” She answered, “Have all of the questions help you.” been answered?” It stuck with me to this day. Randy recently invited me to take a few laps in I recently asked noted News & Observer writer his John Deere 7700 Harvester as I noticed soy- Jack Betts to share his skills. He said, “One must beans being planted in a field he had finished com- be an abundance of curiosity, be able to see around bining the hour past. During our chat about bush- corners and turn over every rock. I strive to master els-per-acre yields of winter wheat, Randy said, and understand the subject matter and content. An- “Yield comes down to what we put in it.” I thought, other requirement is to be fair, unbiased and to tell “More is better.” Great farmers are incessantly do- stories after looking at both sides of the issue.” ing more to achieve more. Randy’s prognostications An accomplished writer must have a deep desire are never-ending. to tell a story that will captivate, inform and edu- Each and every farmer makes decisions that cate the reader and listener. I want all parties to change from the day before. Adjusting to condi- say in the end, “I didn’t know that and feel en- tions and nature is the way of life. Success follows hanced by the knowledge gained.” After spending limitless adaptation including time and resource time in an endeavor one hopes to finish a wiser, management, stewardship, resilience, hopefulness, more informed and better person. Strive to answer optimism, work ethic, commitment, good neigh- all the questions. 6 Influencing People ston-Salem. She is totally alert, computer savvy, happy as a lark and a divine soul. God graced our In the summer of 1963, Fred and Ruby Lam- lives with Mrs. Ruby Lambert in 1963. Her spirit was bert; Tom, Marian and Gary York; and 20 communi- and is on the move. ty leaders from Surry County and Mount Airy were classmates in the Dale Carnegie Course held at Successful Marketing the Reeves Community Center in Mount Airy. The Course is designed to improve our human relations, When we founded Neighbors Stores, part of our public speaking and memory skills. We’ll forever marketing strategy was to be the place those need- cherish our marching orders: “Act enthusiastic and ing help would look to for assistance. Our “Raffle” you’ll be enthusiastic.” program annually would fund 200 nonprofits by producing the 1,000s of tickets and give $100 worth I’ve often wondered how Mom coerced me to of gasoline to the drawing winner. The nonprofits attend. However, the experience and training was kept all $1-per-ticket proceeds. The Surry Central (and is) invaluable. That was 57 years ago, but I High School Life Skills Class led by Ann Garner and can vividly remember how we threw away our anx- Judy Flippin sold 3,800 one-dollar tickets at Mount ieties, fears and insecurities and together became Airy Walmart to fund a four-day trip to Nashville. more selfless and confident and willing to lift the With the Raffle all won! spirits of each other. We would gather at 7 p.m. each week to be- come better and more-productive professionals. We Remember Our Seniors concentrated on public speaking and remembering Hopefully we can find ways to help others, espe- names. To this day I recall several men who tran- cially shut-ins. sitioned from hardly being able to speak in public Granddaughter Savannah secured a piece of to becoming astute orators and communicators. white poster paper and in bright colors printed, “We More importantly, we learned to compliment, en- love and miss you.” courage and rally around the improvements of our I visit dear friends Howard Reynolds, R.O. teammates. We learned to embrace others with a Lanier, Fred Norman and Dr. Jim Harrell. I call my smile, make eye contact, speak kindness, give a friends, they go to a big window and I hold up my firm handshake and remember names. The skills of sign. We are happy. having a keen interest in others and being positive and curious became our mantras. The most accomplished and influential member Mark McCormack was Ruby Lambert, the wife of Fred and moth- In 1984, actuary and businessman Mark McCor- er of Fred Jr. and Arlette, who was my classmate mack wrote and published, “What They Don’t Teach at Mount Airy High School. Arlette was our senior You At Harvard Business School,” an epistle by a class’s “most likely to succeed,” graduated with street-smart executive. I received my keepsake honors from Wake Forest University, married Doug copy from Charles Shelton in 1988. Porter and enjoyed a meaningful career at L.S. McCormack is credited with developing the Starrett Co. Her mother in 1963 was in the midst of business of sports marketing. He started with $500 a stellar career as administrative assistant, advisor in 1961 and became the agent for golfers Arnold and counselor to Quality Mills CEO John Woltz. Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, the world’s At the Dale Carnegie Course, Mrs. Ruby served premier players. McCormack’s company, the In- as our go-to and spiritual superstar leader, con- ternational Management Group, is the industry’s fidence builder, key encourager and cheerleader. most-respected sports marketing company. She was the first to volunteer, praise, console and His book continues to be a must-read for aspir- inspire those needing a spiritual lift. As a matter of ing learners and the sage advice is relevant each fact, for whatever was needed Ruby Lambert would and every day after 56 years and 17 reprints. Sev- provide the solutions and answers to our class- eral of McCormack’s timeless truths are: mates’ concerns. A. Have the courage to say I don’t know, I need Mrs. Ruby championed the striving, those seek- help and I was wrong. ing courage and the underdogs. Her family was the B. Always be nice to people, especially the one backbone of Central Methodist Church, significantly who answers to a decision-maker. contributed to its ministry and outreach, and was in C. Never confront one’s supervisor in public. the midst of all good in Mount Airy and Surry Coun- D. Loyalty is a valuable asset. ty. She has shared how my grandparents, L.M. and E. Listen more and talk less. Jettie York, visited her family during challenging F. Open a conversation by stating one’s name. times and pledged to help if and when needed. It’s a huge gift to the second party. Mrs. Ruby at age 99 lives at Arbor Acres in Win- G. Pay attention to detail. 7 The Communicator PRESORTED STANDARD A Publication of: US POSTAGE PAID 100.9 WIFM MT. AIRY, NC Post Office Box 1038 PERMIT #6 Elkin, NC 28621

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Dr. Wayne Matthews 1957 – 2020

His legacies and contributions are unmatched and will outlive time. His mission and ministry stand for humility, stewardship, and quiet service. His heart encouraged us to pursue meaningful endeavors, to be selfless, and to share the credit. He’s gone to that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Amen.