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Governor Perdue to Fight for Smart Start Funding
(June 3, 2010) -- Governor Beverly Perdue vowed to fight for Smart Start funding at the nonprofit’s Leadership Symposium held May 25 at the McKimmon Center in Raleigh. Perdue pledged her support at the organization’s professional development event, which took place just miles from where House members were deciding how much to fund the early education initiative.
A longtime champion of Smart Start, Perdue, said that investments in early education benefit all North Carolinians and that supporters should call their legislators.
“I believe that Smart Start is an important investment because it is an investment in our future. You have to do right by starting early,” Perdue said. “I will stand with you and fight for Smart Start.”
With cuts to Smart Start proposed by the Senate, Governor Perdue urged Smart Start supporters to contact legislators and let them know that investments in early education matter to voters and should matter to every citizen.
“You understand that all of us, not some of us, all of us have a stake in the future of a child,” Perdue said. “This isn’t just doing good, it’s doing right.”
Anson County Partnership for Children Executive Director, Elaine B. Scarborough, attended the Symposium with more than 150 Smart Start leaders from across the state.
About Smart Start: Smart Start, North Carolina’s early education initiative, began under Governor Jim Hunt 16 years ago and has grown to become a nationally-recognized, model program. For nearly a decade, the state has reduced its allocation to the nonprofit, resulting in fewer services that improve the state’s early childhood system and that provide support for families with young children.
While scientists and economists agree that investments in children’s early growth and development offer the best return on the dollar, early education receives far less funding than K-12 and higher education. North Carolina per capita spending for early education is $641 compared to $4,889 for K-12 and $6,549 for higher education.
The earliest years of childhood are critical. Experiences during this time literally shape the structure of the brain. Because today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders, parents and workers, everyone has a stake in making sure all children have the experiences they need to thrive.
Smart Start is the system that brings together all the people involved in a young child’s life—families, teachers, doctors, caregivers, social workers, and many others—to ensure every child has all they need for healthy growth and development. For more information, visit www.smartstart.org and www.ansonsmartstart.org.
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 Kindley leaving Anson JobLink
(June 3, 2010) -- Grady Kindley has been named the manager of the Stanly County JobLink Career Center. Kindley previously was the branch manager of the Anson County JobLink
Career Center. He also was a member of the Anson Economic Development Corp. (AEDC).He replaces Nathan Sanges, who retired in April.
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Advertising and Graphic Design returns to SPCC's L.L. Polk Campus
(June 3, 2010) -- Advertising and Graphic Design classes are returning to South
Piedmont Community College’s L.L. Polk Campus after an absence of
several years. Graphic Design 141 and Drawing Fundamentals 121 are among
the classes that will be taught in Polkton beginning in the fall
semester.
Advertising and Graphic Design has been taught solely on the Old
Charlotte Highway Campus in Monroe in recent years.
The Advertising and Graphic Design curriculum is designed to provide
students with knowledge and skills necessary for employment in the
graphic design profession. It emphasizes design, advertising,
illustration and digital and multimedia preparation of printed and
electronic promotional materials.
Students will be trained in the development of concept and design for
promotional materials such as newspaper and magazine advertisements,
posters, folders, letterheads, corporate symbols, brochures, booklets,
preparation of art for printing, lettering and typography, photography
and electronic media.
Graduates should qualify for employment opportunities with graphic
design studios, advertising agencies, printing companies, department
stores, a wide variety of manufacturing industries, newspapers and
businesses with in-house graphics operations.
Classes can be taken individually or as part of an Advertising and
Graphic Arts degree or diploma program.
For information, contact Linda Ward at 704-290-5279 or lmward@spcc.edu,
or John Hill at 704-272-5454 or jhill@spcc.edu. Because these are
curriculum courses, college admission requirements will apply. For
information about the application or registration process, go to www.spcc.edu.
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(June 10, 2010) -- Frank Carpenter, right, a member of the South Piedmont Community College Board
of Trustees since the school was created in 1999, was honored at a
reception before the board’s meeting on Tuesday, June 8, 2010, on the
Old Charlotte Highway Campus in Monroe. Carpenter was presented a plaque
and other tokens of appreciation from the college and the board. Several
board members lauded Carpenter for his commitment to the college,
making note of his attention to detail and fundraising prowess. Retired from State Utility
Contractors, Carpenter will remain active for SPCC as a member of the
SPCC Foundation board of directors. A gubernatorial appointee, Carpenter
will be replaced on the Board of Trustees by Bill Norwood. Above, SPCC President John McKay presents Carpenter a pair of dice crafted by SPCC’s
CNC machining class. |
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2010 Anson Ag Expo & Fair Set for September 24-25
(June 10, 2010) -- Mark your calendars for this year’s annual Anson Ag Expo & Fair. Slated for this fall, the 2010 Anson Ag Expo and Fair Planning Committee is gearing up for events to promote agriculture and its economic importance to Anson County.
This year’s festivities will be held Friday and Saturday, September 24-25 at the Lockhart-Taylor Center of SPCC and the Extension Center on McLaurin Street in Wadesboro. The event promises an array of activities and fun, along with some local entertainment.
Friday’s offerings will begin at 6:00 pm in the Lockhart-Taylor Center with the annual Youth Livestock Show in the parking area. Portions of the annual Expo and entertainment will also be provided in the Ingram Room. All events are free to the public.
Saturday’s activities will run from 9 until 2 pm, with the rest of the Youth Livestock Show, more local entertainment, the Expo in the parking area and the Ingram Room, and the County Fair at the Cooperative Extension Center.
Be on the lookout for more information to come, including entertainment news, children’s activities, the youth livestock show and much more. Come out and join the fun. Celebrate agriculture in Anson.
Submitted by the Anson County Extension Center
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Above, from left, are Dana Maness, Anson County Partnership for Children Board Chair, Don Altieri, Anson County Partnership for Children Board Member, and Elaine Scarborough, Anson County Partnership for Children Executive Director. Altieri was awarded for 14 years of service to the partnership June 27. Below, Maness and Scarborough present Bonnie Morgan, center, an award for seven years of service. |
Anson County Partnership for Children recognizes Altieri, Morgan
(June 14, 2010) -- The Anson County Partnership for Children Board of Directors recognized Dr. Don Altieri and Bonnie Morgan at the May 27, 2010, Board Meeting.
Altieri was honored for his 14 years as a Partnership board member. Serving since 1996, Altieri is a Founding Board Member of the Partnership and has always been a strong advocate for young children.
Altieri said that as President of Anson Community College in 1996, he was involved in the initial application for Smart Start funding in Anson County. Altieri pledged to continue to support the work of the Partnership in the community.
Bonnie Morgan was recognized for her seven years of employment as the Teen Information and Parenting Services (TIPS) Coordinator at the Partnership. Morgan has touched many lives of pregnant and parenting teens in Anson County. She has grown and transformed the TIPS program to its current success and notoriety in Anson County. Morgan has wonderful compassion for each of the TIPS participants and has gone beyond the call of duty to ensure that each has what she needs to be successful.
Morgan will continue working with the Anson County Partnership for Children as Literacy Coordinator.
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Fred Thompson, Ph.D., CEO and Administrator of Anson Community Hospital, congratulates Paula Stegall, Director of Patient Care Services, for her 35 years of service at the hospital. Service awards were presented at the May 14 ACH Board of Trustees meeting.
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Hospital employees honored for 35 years of service
(June 14, 2010) -- The Anson Community Hospital Board of Trustees honored two long-time employees, Paula Stegall and Carol Tucker, during the Board's May 14 Service Awards Banquet. Stegall, Director of Patient Care Services, and Tucker, Emergency Services Nurse and Weekend Supervisor, each have 35 years of service. The two were honored along with 50 other employees with 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 years of service.
Stegall began her career with Anson Community Hospital on June 1, 1974, as a second shift nurse in the Emergency Department and medical floor. At that time, the hospital operated 52 beds and staffed only three registered nurses on second shift.
Stegall was promoted to Relief Hospital Supervisor for second shift and later became the full time hospital supervisor. From 1981 to 1989, she served as Director of Nursing Services, and has also served as the Emergency and Community services Director. Stegall has been in her current position as Director of Patient Care Services since 1999.
Stegall says that the biggest change she has seen in her 35 years in the healthcare industry is the advancement of technology. She believes that this advancement, along with continuing medical research, has led to shorter hospital stays, better pain control, and increased life spans. Stegall is proud of Anson Community Hospital and encourages all to appreciate the benefits of a small community hospital.
After completing her Registered Nursing degree from Richmond Community College, Tucker began her career at Anson Community Hospital. She has worked in several departments and served in many positions. Early positions in her work history include a Sexual Assault Nurse and Medical Examiner. Tucker has also worked as a nurse in long term care, labor and delivery, medical/surgical floor, and the Surgical Services Department. She currently works in the Emergency Department and serves as the Weekend Supervisor.
Tucker has seen many changes in health care in her 35 year experience, but says that the biggest change is the increased level of documentation that is required. She agrees that this higher level of documentation has led to increases in patient safety and quality of care. Tucker has enjoyed her years at Anson Community Hospital and is happy that she has been allowed to give back to her community.
Each year, the Anson Community Hospital Board of Trustees honors employees for their service to patients of Anson Community Hospital and the community.
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The Malsgate, Houston's at The Malsgate now open in uptown Wadesboro
(June 14, 2010) -- When the East Wade Grill closed its doors for the last time a while back, uptown Wadesboro business owners, employees, court officials, police and sheriff's officers, shoppers, and the general public had to find somewhere else outside the uptown business district to grab a sit-down lunch.
With the opening of The Malsgate on June 4, the exodus from uptown at lunchtime will come to a welcomed end. Owned and operated by the Little family (Cynthia and her daughters, Carly and Holly), The Malsgate will be open to diners Sunday through Saturday -- from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m. until midnight Friday-Saturday).
The restaurant's menu offers appetizers, sandwiches, dinner entrees (beginning at 5 p.m.), desserts, salads, soups, drinks and sides. The dining room will close at 10 p.m. nightly, leaving Houston's at The Malsgate to whet the customer's beer or liquor thirst.
The name Malsgate is taken from the Littles' ancestoral homeplace in Carlyle, England; and the name Houston's honors Cynthia Little's father, George Houston Hildreth.
Dinner entrees include grilled chicken, blackened chicken pasta, ribeye steaks, and half or whole ribs. Sandwiches on the menu include club, grilled chicken, veggie burger and, of course, hamburgers and cheeseburgers. Potato bacon soup is the chef's choice while diners can choose from vanilla ice cream, a brownie with ice cream, apple pie and the cheesecake of the week for dessert.
Appetizers include chips and salsa, onion rings, hummus and pita, potato skins, spinach and artichoke dip, chicken tenders, mozzarella sticks and chicken wings. Sides listed on the menu include baked potato, cole slaw, French fries, garlic mashed potatoes, green beans, macaroni and cheese, sauteed mushrooms, streamed broccoli, twice baked potato, and mixed veggies (zucchini, squash and carrots).
The Malsgate and Houston's at The Malsgate is located in historic uptown Wadesboro at 121 E. Wade St. For more information, call 704.694.2206 or e-mail themalsgate@gmailcom.
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Alternative energy course at SPCC
(June 15, 2010) -- Want to be part of the green movement? South Piedmont Community College is offering an alternative energy course where students will learn about solar and wind energy, as well as basic electrical wiring for these systems. The class will run 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays from June 21 through Aug. 23. The class will be taught on the Old Charlotte Highway Campus, 4209 Old Charlotte Highway, Monroe. For information, contact Russell Carpenter at 704-993-2410.
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SPCC to Offer Spanish for the Workplace
(June 20, 2010) -- South Piedmont Community College will offer Spanish for the Workplace
(SPA 120) in Monroe and Polkton this fall.
The Monroe class will be offered Monday and Wednesday, 6-7:15 p.m., on
the Old Charlotte Highway Campus. The Polkton class will be offered
Tuesday and Thursday, 12:30-1:45 p.m., on the L.L. Polk Campus.
Taught by SPCC Spanish Instructor Dora Sanchez, a native Spanish
speaker, the course is designed to give people Spanish skills for
today’s workplace. Emphasis is placed on facilitating basic
communication with people whose native language is Spanish.
Career-specific vocabulary that targets health, business and public
service professions will be stressed.
“Having this skill puts you a notch above others for getting the job
you want or keeping the job you have,” said Valerie Jones, Arts &
Sciences division chair at SPCC. The course was developed in response to
needs identified by employers in Anson and Union counties.
College admission requirements must be met to enroll in this
three-credit-hour course. For information about the enrollment process,
go to www.spcc.edu. For more information,
contact Jones at 704-272-5438 or vjones@spcc.edu.
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Photo by Zana Lambert Graduates of the Leadership Anson Class of 2010 are, from left to right:
Gerald Cannon, Wadesboro Police Department;
Lewis McLendon, Wadesboro Police Department;
Kevin Mullis, Lilesville Police Department;
Ryan Teal, Anson County EMS;
Nichole Cox, Anson County Schools;
Donna Liles, Anson County Sheriff's Office;
Frances Moore, Lillie Bennett Nursing Center;
Carrie Bunn, Anson Community Hospital;
Caroline Hightower., Anson County Partnership for Children;
Teresa Downer, South Piedmont Community College;
Merri Privett, Anson Community College; and
Joyce Cox, Allen's Professional Investigation. |
Leadership Anson Class of 2010 holds graduation ceremony
(June 17, 2010) -- The Leadership Anson program graduated 13 future leaders during cermonies June 15 at Welika Lake Fish House. -- including three participants with perfect attendance.
The Class of 2010 graduates include: Carrie Bunn, Anson Community Hospital; Gerald Cannon, Wadesboro Police Department; Joyce Cox, Allen's Professional Investigations; Nichole Cox, Anson County School System; Teresa Downer, South Piedmont Community College; Caroline Hightower, Anson County Partnership for Children; Donna Liles, Anson County Sheriff's Department; Lewis McLendon, Wadesboro Police Department; Frances Moore, Lillie Bennett Nursing Center; Kevin Mullis, Lilesville Police Department; Merri Privett, Anson Community Hospital; and Ryan Teal, Anson County EMS. Bunn, Moore and Privett were recognized for their perfect attendance during the year; and, by completing course requirements, each graduate was awarded a CEU certificate from South Piedmont Community College.
In addition, Natalie Barber, Anson Community Hospital, a member of the Class of 2009, returned in 2010 to make up missed '09 dates to receive her graduation plaque. Leadership Anson participants are allowed to miss one session and still graduate. If two or more sessions are missed, a participant may return the following year, make up each session missed and be listed as a graduate with his/her original class.
Anson County Sheriff Tommy Allen was the guest speaker, telling class members, family members, employers and guests, "You’ve spent the past five months learning about Anson County and meeting, visiting, talking and listening to community leaders. You have heard every possible motivational statement and tidbit there is to hear and digest ... right? So, there is probably not much I can say that will motivate you any further to be leaders ...
"So I am not going to try to do that. But what I will do is share with you some of my thoughts on leadership and success and combining those two characteristics on becoming a successful leader."
Sheriff Allen said, "Not everyone wants to be a leader ... we need some followers. It is okay to not be a leader, but the reality is each of you is a successful leader in some way already. You attended this class didn't you? Not everyone has done that."
Allen said motivation is the key to being a good leader and he shared some of the characteristics of a good leader.
"Leadership is all these things and more," Allen said. "Leadership is solving problems. Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things.
In closing, Allen said, "Each of you has taken a great step toward leadership by attending this program. Now continue to get involved. Get involved in your church ... in community service projects. Be willing to serve on a community board ... Contribute something back to this community that has propelled you to this point.
"Believe in yourself. Believe you can do what you set out to do. Set goals a little higher than you really think you can reach. You will be surprised at your own abilities," Allen concluded.
Lynn Edwards (Class of 2004), executive director of the Anson County Chamber of Commerce, and Jilla Gathings (Class of 2006), chair of the Leadership Anson Oversight Committee, presented plaques to each graduate; and Scott Collier, SPCC and Leadership Anson instructor, handed out the earned CEUs.
Gathings thanked the Class of 2010 for their volunteer help on the 2010 Chamber Open Golf Tournament. She singled out Cannon and McLendon for their diligence in keeping an eye on the "hole-in-one hole" during the day.
Cannon, McLendon and Mullis asked Tommy Jarman (Class of 2008) and a Wadesboro Police Department sergeant, his wife Cynthia Jarman and their daughter Katie Jarman to come to the podium, where Cannon announced that the Class of 2010 had decided to establish the T.J. Jarman Scholarship Fund with the money from the class fundraiser. T.J. died in December 2009 at the age of 19.
Cannon said, "This was a tragedy for all of us ... at our department, we are all brothers and sisters." In starting the scholarhip fund, McLendon said, "We want to keep T.J.'s memory alive."
Hightower made the closing comments, saying, "I want to thank the friends and families in attendance, our employers who support the Leadership Anson program, Sheriff Allen as our guest speaker, the Jarman Family, our caterer Yates Almond, Jennifer Horne (Class of 2006) and Zana Lambert (Class of 2008) for their assistance with the graduation and dinner setup, Jilla Gathings for being there to help us, South Piedmont Community College and Scott Collier, and Lynn Edwards and the Anson County chamber of Commerce."
The Leadership Anson program was established in 1997 and has now graduated 216 participants. Sponsors include the Anson County Chamber of Commerce, South Piedmont Community College and Hornwood.
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SPCC to offer Design Class in Wadesboro
(June 22, 2010) -- South Piedmont Community College will offer a Design I (ART 121) class
in Wadesboro this fall. The class will meet on Tuesday and Thursday,
4-6:50 p.m., at the Lockhart-Taylor Center, 514 North Washington
Street.
Taught by SPCC Art Instructor Dustin Robertson, the three-credit-hour
course introduces the elements and principles of design applied to
two-dimensional art. Topics covered will include structural elements,
principles of visual organization and theories of color mixing and
interaction.
“We all live within a visual world, constantly affected by the colors,
patterns and harmony of good design,” Robertson said. “We often think
only artists or designers possess the skills to create this balanced
system. Instead, we all possess some level of innate design sense. Think
about getting dressed every morning, arranging your living room or
preparing a dinner table for a serving. These are but a few of the
visual choices that project our personal design sense.”
College admission requirements must be met to enroll in this course,
which is approved for transfer to North Carolinas public universities,
as well as many private universities in the state. For information
about the enrollment process, go to www.spcc.edu.
For more information, contact SPCC Arts and Sciences Division Chair
Valerie Jones at 704-272-5438 or vjones@spcc.edu.
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Anson's jobless rate drops for May, but still ranks fourth highest in state
(June 26, 2010) -- For the fourth straight month in 2010, Anson County's unemployment rate dropped. For May, Anson's jobless rate was 13.6% -- a .4% decline from April's adjusted rate of 14.0% and a 3.5% decrease from January's 17.1% figure.
Anson's May numbers show a workforce of 10,219 (compared to 10,267 in April); 8,829 employed (compared to 8,832 in April); and 1,390 unemployed (compared to 1,435 in April). (NOTE: April's figures have been adjusted since the May 30 Anson Biz-zine unemployment article.)
May marked the 20th consecutive month that Anson has registered a double-digit rate. Compared to May 2009, Anson has seen a 1.4% decrease in the 12-month period.
The May breakdown for Anson's neighboring counties:
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Montgomery -- 10,729 labor force; 1,293 unemployed; a rate of 12.1% (up .1% from April)
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Richmond -- 20,221 labor force; 2,547 unemployed; a rate of 12.6% (down .4% from April)
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Stanly -- 30,583 labor force; 3,472 unemployed; a rate of 11.4% (down .5% from April)
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Union -- 94,170 labor force; 8,819 unemployed; a rate of 9.4% (down 1.2% from April)
(NOTE: April's figures have been adjusted by the ESC since the May 30 unemployment article.)
North Carolina's May jobless rate was 9.9% -- a .2% decrease from April and a 1.0% decrease from April 2009. The state had a May labor force of 4,567,209 with 472,614unemployed.
Scotland County led the state with the highest unemployment rate -- 16.0% -- followed by Edgecombe and Rutherford at 14.8%, Caldwell at 14.1%, Anson at 13.6% and Graham at 13.4%. Currituck County had the lowest jobless rate -- 4.9% -- followed by Orange at 6.0%, Gates at 6.4%, Camden at 6.8% and Chatham and Hyde counties at 6.9%.
The May rates show a decrease in 86 cunties, an increase in seven counties and an unchanged rate in seven counties. In May, the number of employed workers increased by 6,498; and the number of unemployed workers decreased by 9,079.
The civilian labor force estimates for all 100 counties are available on the Employment Security Commission's website at www.ncesc.com. For local information, call the ESC office at 704.694.6551 or visit www.ansonjoblink.com.
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SPCC conference center named for Charlotte Pipe
(June 29, 2010) -- The conference center on South Piedmont Community College’s Old Charlotte Highway Campus here has been named in honor of the employees of one of Union County’s largest manufacturing industries.
The South Piedmont Board of Trustees has approved naming the approximately 10,000-square-foot facility the Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company Conference Center.
The Plastics Division of Charlotte Pipe and Foundry is located across Old Charlotte Highway from the college campus, and has partnered with South Piedmont on a number of work-force development projects in the past. The Monroe plant has a work force of approximately 600.
The Dowd Foundation, which is affiliated with Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company, has made a significant long-term pledge to create an endowed scholarship at South Piedmont.
“We are pleased that this commitment will honor our associates and benefit South Piedmont Community College students for years to come,” said Edward H. “Ned” Hardison, chairman of the Dowd Foundation board of directors and retired president of Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company. “The community college is instrumental in preparing the skilled work force necessary for American industries to compete globally.”
“Charlotte Pipe has long been an active partner with the college and we are delighted to have the Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Conference Center honoring company associates on our Monroe campus,” South Piedmont President John McKay said. “The Dowd Foundation’s generous gift to the college will benefit our students in perpetuity.”
Founded in 1901 by W. Frank Dowd, Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company employs more than 1,300 at locations in Charlotte, Monroe, Cameron, Texas; Wildwood, Fla.; Muncy, Pa.; Huntsville, Ala.; and Cedar City, Utah.
The plant on Old Charlotte Highway in Monroe is the company’s largest plastics pipe and fittings manufacturing operation with more than 1 million square feet for extrusion and molding and a warehouse capacity of approximately 625,000 square feet.
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