THE COMMUNICATOR Phone: (336) 835-2511 Fax: (336) 835-5248 Email: [email protected] Since January 1990 www.WIFMRadio.com www.VintageRoseWeddingEstate.com December 2016 2016 Surry County Linda Davis, committee member and presenter. Sports Hall of Fame Daniel White, Parks & Rec Department director. Crystal Whitt, Parks & Rec Department staff. Bradley Key, Parks & Rec Department staff. Our 11th celebration of the Surry County Sports Larry Johnson, Surry County commissioner. Hall of Fame was staged at Fisher River Park and Surry Community College Food Service. Surry Community College on Oct. 29. We are grate- John Barber, Surry Community College police. ful for the Surry County commissioners’ sponsor- Cheryl Largen, SCC President’s Office. ship and for its Parks & Recreation Department for The Surry County Sports Hall of Fame Selec- honoring the role of sports in our communities and tion Committee members are Earl Sheppard, Eddie those who play the games. Wilmoth, Josh Smith, Scott Reynolds, Bob Ward, The honorees’ names are etched on a North Donald Davis, Linda Davis, Adam McComb, Tony Carolina granite monument at Fisher River Park Duncan, Dave Diamont, Jim Wilmoth, Ron King, and the opening ceremony is the unveiling of the Darren Lewis, Tony Searcy and Bill Hall. names. The new members join their families to marvel at the specialness of being so designated and praised. Annually chosen are six Hall of Fame To Teach A Child members who played or coached and Ring of Honor members who contributed in other ways. Seeing Friend Gene Garland and I have been close the monument is worth a ride to the park off Prison since 1970. He and wife Lydia have honorably Camp Road north of Dobson. served Mount Airy’s First Baptist Church since The 2016 Class includes the Hall of Fame: moving there in 1968. For 20 years Gene taught 1. Brenda Wall Bledsoe, Surry Central High a class of 3rd-, 4th- and 5th-grade girls and was School, basketball. grateful for the opportunity to teach, guide and 2. Steven Caudill, Elkin High School, swimming. mentor his young ladies. 3. David Diamont, East Surry and Mount Airy In a recent church newsletter, Mr. Garland’s high schools, football coach. contributions were highlighted by former class 4. Tony George, Mount Airy High School basket- member Amy Wilson. She shared, “Mr. Garland ball player and coach. was a huge part of our faith journey. Each year he 5. Vicky Hardy, North Surry High School, soft- gave us a Sunday School binder which included our ball. classmates’ names, our Sunday School Covenant 6. Will Holthouser, Elkin High School football. and encouragement to know Jesus and how to be Chosen for the Sports Hall of Fame in 2015, saved. I accepted Christ in the fourth grade while when they were unable to attend the induction cer- Mr. Garland was our teacher who shared the steps emony, and honored in 2016 were: to salvation. He has impacted my life to eternity, 1. Brent Steelman, Elkin High School basketball and we honored him by calling him ‘Mr. G.’ coach. “Each year we raised funds and food during 2. Linda Steelman, Elkin High School girls bas- our Super Bowl of Caring to feed the needy. We ketball and volleyball coach. dearly looked forward to a special treat of going The 2016 Ring of Honor inductees are: to McDonald’s. I am so thankful for your devotion 1. 2001 East Surry High School Lady Cardinals to us. We could see the countless hours you spent basketball team. preparing lessons that revealed God’s love for us 2. David Beal, Mount Airy High School announc- and how we were to live, act and give. er for football and baseball games and advocate for “Mr. G is a wonderful role model and his Surry County sports. examples of God’s amazing grace inspired us We honor these key contributors to the success to follow His walk in life. Mr. G’s love, high of the Hall of Fame event and induction ceremony: expectations and hope gave us the will and the way Eddie Wilmoth, committee chair. to Christian happiness.” Elkin High School JROTC Fundraising We honor our outstanding youth leadership Nonprofit organizations, schools, clubs and program, Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps churches are challenged with raising operational (JROTC). Led at Elkin High School by Major Roy Fer- funds. For many it is a daunting task. Thanks to Dr. guson (ret’d) and Sgt. First Class Kenneth Abrams Don Martin, superintendent of Elkin City Schools, (ret’d), 60 dedicated young men and women chose I was invited to share many years of fund-raising to be teammates to develop their leadership skills. experience, especially the 11 years with the Elkin The Cadets look forward to the motivation, ca- Rescue Squad and its Charity Golf Tournament. maraderie, teamwork, self-respect, etiquette, honor, Most people give to solid relationships and to hon- trust, drills, competition, service, academic achieve- orable causes. In our classic celebration, 220 golf- ment and physical challenges. The JROTC Cadets ers and 140 sponsors honored our askings. Several and U.S. Army soldiers use the acronym LDRSHIP meaningful giving principles were shared: (pronounced “leadership”) to remind themselves of 1. Cultivate countless relationships. Knowing seven basic values of the military: people matters. • Loyalty • Honor 2. Honorable causes encourage giving. • Duty • Integrity 3. Build strong, dedicated teams. • Respect • Personal courage 4. Effective askers are fearless and courageous. • Selfless service 5. Spend 80% of our time asking willing and Former Surry County Schools Superintendent capable givers. Dr. Ashley Hinson, a significant JROTC advocate, 6. Never reveal the gifts of givers. believes the program is the No. 1 contributor to 7. Ask for gifts one-on-one, in person. high school graduation for many students. “JROTC 8. Honor givers with handwritten thank-you gives students opportunities to develop their skills notes. and talents. They learn to lead and follow, drill, 9. Recognize strong local retail brands. They are become teammates, accept diversity and develop our core givers. mind, body and spirit. Most of all, they are motivat- 10. Fundraising is 24/7/365. Best raisers are ed to be better people and are transformed to reach also givers. higher goals. Top Cadet Grant Lloyd came to Elkin’s 11. Study our area for potential givers. JROTC an average student as a sophomore, and at 12. Many seniors are willing and capable. graduation received a full scholarship to The Citadel in Charleston, S.C. Servantship Hospice Nurse A genuine concern for others is the legacy and trademark of our most significant community mem- Waiting in the Mountain Valley Hospice lobby be- bers. Giving is the way of life for those with servant fore a meeting, Gayle McCreary, staff nurse, spoke hearts. These special leaders live looking for oppor- and commented about being my dad, Tom York’s, tunities to lift spirits, to make things better and to nurse the week before his passing on Nov. 3, 2008. give their gifts. She said, “It was this time of the year, and your dad In a talk to a group of Elkin City Schools admin- was proud of you, Anne and Jim and was so nice to istrators, club sponsors and students, I asked them me. I remember him passing about 2 p.m. on Sun- to please take away this point above all others: that day and all of you were there.” willing and capable givers spend every waking mo- I replied, “That was eight years ago. I’m ment seeking and finding ways to serve and give. amazed that you remember the circumstances. How They expect to be asked to support worthy causes do you recall so much?” and have a heart-felt need to be a meaningful part Mrs. McCreary said, “Your dad was so grateful of a winning endeavor. Givers also have a need to and commented about knowing my husband, Rob- give their time as well as assets. After all, capable ert, at Haymore Baptist Church. He was also kind givers are capable because of invaluable vision, and warm. I could tell that he was close to God. hope, experience and wisdom. The need to share is Your mother loved to sit with him. She always came a basic ingredient of the mantra of benevolence. in his bedroom to check on him while I was there Here are three attributes from givers: and ask about his well-being. Caregivers always 1. He who uses well what he is given will be remember the patients who appreciate those who given more. Matthew 25:29. have their best interest at heart. Tom York was a 2. Much is required from those to whom much is good man who let his love show. He knew God and given. Luke 12:48. loved his family.” Hospice care is wonderful and 3. That care of the giving and the getting will be brings comfort to the end. bestowed upon the giver. 2 Darren Lewis for the person requesting a shawl. We pray of who will do the knitting and when it is completed. My Darren Lewis has given 30 of his 46 years to en- favorite time is delivering the shawl. The deliverer hancing the lives of youngsters and their families in is more blessed than the recipient. As it is more Mount Airy and Surry County. We are grateful that blessed to give than to receive. We always keep he was recently honored by the N.C. Recreation extensive records on every shawl and take lots of and Parks Association as its 2016 “Special Citation pictures and to date have eight albums recording Award” winner for his meritorious interaction and the history of our ministry and those we hope to dedication to the betterment and advancement of bless.