WWW.YOURDAILYJOURNAL.COM Thursday, February 28, 2013 Rockingham, NC 50 cents Deadline for Rotary grants approaches Laura Edington Richmond County Daily Journal The deadline to request a grant from the Rockingham Rotary Club is quickly approaching. This year’s applications must be received by Friday, March 29. Grants will be awarded before June 1. Last year, the Rotary gave out more than $55,000 to local organizations and business- es and it had more than 80 grant requests from organizations. The Rotary helps many local organi- zations including the Richmond County Health Department, Our Daily Bread, the Rockingham Fire Department, the Red Cross and the Boy Scouts. According David Wood, president-elect of the Rockingham Rotary Club, they also give Contributed photo out scholar- Nursery workers water Rickie DeWitt’s flowers in one of his greenhouses. Richmond County farmers’ workforce has taken a ships. hit because of extensive paperwork requirements and a lack of seasonal workers, a report reveals. T w o Richmond County residents receive $2,000 schol- Richmond County arships to attend a college of their choice. Two residents receive $1,000 scholarships to attend Richmond Community College and two residents farm workforce suffers receive $500 scholarships to attend RCC and for their General Educational Development Dawn M. Kurry were present in support of com- counties responded to the agri- test, also know as a G.E.D. Richmond County Daily Journal mon-sense and workable reform in culture workforce survey, a joint Richmond County farmers are Wood said that the club begins the process North Carolina. effort between Farm Bureau and falling victim to what the North by sending an application to every organiza- “We have heard from farmers 18 other agriculture associations. Carolina Farm Bureau is calling tion that requested money the year before. across North Carolina that one Wooten said the report shows more “a broken system,” resulting in a of the most pressing issues they than 60 percent of surveyed farm- It then sends out applications to every new smaller workforce with less overall organization that has sent in a request. face is the need for a more stable ers have had trouble hiring quali- profit on the farm. agriculture workforce,” said North fied domestic employees, and that The money given out is raised through the North Carolina Farm Bureau Carolina Farm Bureau President nearly one-third reported a loss of annual Rockingham Rotary Club Auction released its Agriculture Workforce Larry Wooten. “North Carolina income in the past five years due and Barbecue that is held every November. Report on Wednesday revealing Farm Bureau and our partners to an insufficient supply of work- Wood said the money helps the organiza- evidence of an unstable agriculture believe that our farmers deserve a ers. Perhaps the most staggering tions and, “for some, it’s the whole budget workforce and the urgent need to voice in Raleigh and in Washington, finding was related to the federal for the year.” reform a broken system. A press and we are here today to express E-Verify program: almost one in The Rotary is an organization of busi- conference was held at 11 a.m. in their concerns to their elected offi- five surveyed farmers indicated ness and professional leaders that provide front of the General Assembly in cials.” they would shut down their farm humanitarian service and encourage high Raleigh, where nearly 300 N.C. More than 600 North Carolina ethical standards. Farm Bureau members and leaders farmers from 95 of the state’s 100 See WORKFORCE | 3A Staff Writer Laura Edington can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 18, or by email at [email protected]. The Thin Mints are sold out Dawn M. Kurry door. ready to finish up their Scouts coming to other Richmond County Daily Journal “We’re not going door- cookie season, which runs businesses to sell their While some people are to-door anymore because from January to March. cookies, because accord- getting their Thin Mints the world has gotten “We barely have a case ing to Reep, no one else from the freezer, others so crazy,” said Daniel left and they are going will let them. in Richmond County are Reep, husband of Hattie very quickly,” said Reep. “Walmart is the only one wondering where the Girl Reep, leader of Troop “We sell them outside of in the county that allows Scouts are. 80 of Hamlet, Richmond Walmart every weekend.” us to sell out front,” said A recent drop off in Girl County’s only remaining Walmart is located in Reep. Scout attendance and safe- Girl Scout troop. Rockingham at 720 U.S. Reep said there is a gen- ty issues have prevented The troop has eight girls, 74 Business (East Broad eral lack of interest in Girl the green and blown clad ranging from Daisies to Avenue). Scouts, which has caused Contributed photo girls from coming to your Cadets. They are getting You don’t see Girl See COOKIES | 3A Girl Scouts’ Thin Mints are sold out in Richmond County. Online GED course directs grads into college courses Special to the Daily Journal Brigman, an Online GED have a high school diploma When Randy Butler of instructor, knew about an to visit RCC to earn a GED. Rockingham was in high upcoming, short-term weld- “I went from looking for school, he made a good ing course and made con- jobs to having a job find me. income working part-time tacts with the Sandhills Having completed my GED in construction. He didn’t Community Action program and learning a new skill has see a need for an educa- to see if they could pay made the biggest difference tion when he enjoyed what Butler’s tuition. He quali- in my life,” he said. he was doing, so he quit fied and was enrolled a short Brigman said Butler was high school and began work- while later. It was a perfect a great student who would ing full-time. That worked fit; he had an aptitude for come to class after a day of just fine until the economy learning the techniques and roofing and go home and shifted and construction jobs caught on quickly. complete every assignment dried up. “After I got my GED and she gave him. She said he “I told myself it was time was taking my welding completed his GED in six to get a GED,” said Butler. “I classes, they were holding months and went into the don’t like being in crowded interviews for welders at the welding course the last week rooms, so the online pro- Cole Auditorium. Ferrofab of study. She wishes all stu- gram Richmond Community worked through the college dents could be as focused College offered worked to get applicants. I applied and determined as he is. just fine for me. While she and two weeks later had a Ferrofab plant manager was working with me, Mrs. job. I am very happy doing Malcolm McLester said he is Contributed photo impressed with Butler. Randy Butler (right) is a welder with Ferrofab in Hamlet. When Ferrofab President (Dianne) Brigman asked me what I am doing. My life is if there was anything else I back on track,” said Butler. “He is a good worker. It Willie Hauer (left) asked for the college’s assistance in finding employees for his doesn’t matter what you ask new plant, Butler had an opportunity to apply and was hired. Hauer says Butler is was interested in studying, He said he highly recom- a credit to the college and the programs it offers the community. and I told her welding.” mends anyone who doesn’t See GED | 3A Obituaries 5A INSIDE NEWS, 5A Vol. 82, No. 43 Index Opinion 4A Deaths ON THE WEB: www.yourdailyjournal.com Calendar 2A Puzzles 3B James McLean, 91 L.J. Bell Elementary E-MAIL: [email protected] Classified 4B Sports 1B Mildred Jordan-Fowler, 86, Hamlet recently announced Catherine Strong Comics 3B TV Listings 3A its Honor Roll for the The Daily Journal is published with pride five Henry Diggs, 77, Rockingham days a week for the people of Richmond County, Material inside this edition is Obituaries can be found on Page 5A. third six weeks N.C. The Daily Journal is committed to editorial © Richmond County Daily Journal. integrity and excellence. Reproduction without expressed consent of the If you spot an error, please contact us at Richmond County Daily Journal is prohibited. (910) 997-3111, ext. 13. Page 2A Richmond County Daily Journal, Rockingham, N.C. Thursday, February 28, 2013 www.yourdailyjournal.com LOCAL COMMUNITY CALENDAR The deadline for all Community Saturday, beginning INDUSTRIES will meet Democratic Party will Calendar items is 4:30 p.m. the day March 2, from 11 a.m. to for breakfast Tuesday, meet 7 p.m. on Friday, prior to publishing. To list your event, 12 noon, at the Hamlet March 5, at the Holiday March 8, at First Baptist email Cassidy at codom@civitasmedia. Senior Center. Caller will Restaurant at 8:30 a.m. Church of Hamlet, 329 com or call 910-997-3111, ext. 16. be Tom Cobbler. BEAVER DAM West Avenue, Hamlet. COUNTRY 2 DEMOCRATIC All registered voters in BREAKFAST will be PRECINCT MEETING the Marks Creek #1 vot- served by Spring Hill will be held 7:30 p.m. on ing precinct are urged to FEB. 28 Wesleyan Church, Spring Tuesday, March 5, at Mt. attend. Contact numbers MASONIC MEETING: Hill Church Road, Zion United Church of are 582-5434 or 582- Stated Communication Hamlet, from 7 to 10 a.m.