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Keynote speaker Glenda Horton Manning, delivers a motivational speech during the Anson Women's Center's grand opening program held at South Piedmont Community College's Lockhart-Taylor Center Oct. 1. |
Anson Women's Center opens with stirring motivational talk
(October 2, 2009) -- Glenda Horton Manning, a consultant for Touch, Inc., gave the keynote address at the grand opening of the Anson Women's Center Oct. 1. The center is the initiative of New Ventures Business Development Inc. and South Piedmont Community College, and is located in the college's Lockhart-Taylor Center in Wadesboro.
Donna McNair, retired assistant school superintendent and chaplain, introduced the speaker. "She has keynoted and conducted seminars across the nation for three decades and received awards for community service at home and abroad," McNair said.
Manning's talk, "The Measure of a Woman", spoke of the power of women to change the atmosphere.
"We have to rise to the occasion to make a difference," she said. "Whatever the situation, we know how to addresss it."
Calling the new center a mission and a ministry, Manning said, "On this day we are sending a clear message to our children -- that women are important."
Quoting from her book, "Words to My Children," Manning defined:
- Enough: There is more than enough of everything on the face of the Earth. The problem is in distribution. Our task is to spread these resources.
- Plan: Successful people dream, set goals and plan. Look at what you want to do, how you can do it, and who can help.
- Remember: In reviewing past information, we remember those women who came before us.
- Teach: Women show how to touch the mind through the heart.
Others on the program were Sandy Huntley, director of the Lockhart-Taylor Center. In welcoming guests, Huntley noted that the Anson Women's Center is the first such center in a rural North Carolina area.
Lois Crumpler, director of the Anson Women's Center, recognized those whoe worked to bring the center about through their guidance, financial support and promotion.
Rob Rollins, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Wadesboro, offered a prayer of dedication.
Anna Baucom, chairman of the Anson County Board of Commissioners, applauded the emphasis on individual and communtiy development and wished the center success.
The Anson County Chamber of Commerce was represented by Carly Little, who called the center a "one-stop shop where you can get what you need for everything in your life."
Department of Social Services Director Lula Jackson said that "there are an abundance of services from A to Z right here in Anson County. The key is to know who they are and where they are located. One aim of the women's center is to keep information on services available and fill the information gap. It will eliminate frustration and the feeling of hopelessness."
Following Manning's address, Wadesboro Town Council-
woman Lynn Horton gave the closing remarks. Horton asked for volunteers in manning the center, which is now open from 9:00 a.m. to noon and 4:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m. By training more volunteers, the center can remain open all day, she said.
Horton brought Crumpler to the front and praised her for her vision in making the center possible, and then surprised June and John Witherspoon by asking them to come to the podium also. The couple took over 300 photographs before selecting the ones to be used in making the striking black-and-white prints that dominated the stage area.
 In closing, Horton noted that the center, open to both men and women, "is a resource to help move people to where they need to go to become self-sufficient."
Before adjourning to enjoy refreshments provided by the Chamber of Commerce, Kaye Ratliff read an original poem written especially for the event, "I am Woman." The poem described the many aspects of women and ends "I am Woman, I am the Other Face of God."
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Lois Crumpler, director of the Anson Women's Center, thanks those who made the resource center possible. |
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Lynn Horton, left, thanks June and John Witherspoon for taking the photographs used in decorating the podium. |
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Discover Anson Bike Ride pre-registration is underway
(October 7, 2009) -- Pre-registration is underway for the fourth annual Discover Anson Bike Ride that will be staged on Saturday, Nov. 7.
The entry fee is $25 per rider ($20 if pre-registered by Friday, Oct. 16). A printable registration form is available at www.discoveranson.com/bikerideapplication.doc.
On-site registration will begin at 8 a.m. on Nov. 7 at Ansonville Elementary School, located on U.S. 52 across the highway from the Ansonville Volunteer Fire Department. The Discover Anson Bike Ride is held each year in conjunction with the annual Ansonville Homecoming Celebration. The ride will begin at 9 a.m.
"Bicyclists will be able to choose a 30-, 50- or 70-mile route," said Robbie Liles, who chairs the bike ride committee. "All three rides follow the same route for the first 27 miles.
"This takes them through the Pee Dee Wildlife Refuge, up through Cedar Hill (a pretty good hill to climb) on out by Concord Church," he said, adding the first rest stop at is a Mile 19. "And then to Eggtown. From there, the 50- and 70-milers separate and head up into the Burnsville area, which is the absolute prettiest part of the ride."
Liles said, "There are several ridges the riders follow that offer really incredible views in either direction. Also, this time of the year represents, hopefully, the peak of the fall leaves and this area is heavily dominated by hardwoods.
"There are several pretty good hills to climb for the riders but also several to coast down. The 50- and 70-mile riders separate at Fountain Hill at Mile 36, which is the second rest stop," Liles said. "The 50-milers start heading back to Ansonville via High Rock Crusher Road with some pretty spectacular views along that ridge and has the steepest hill to climb on the entire route."
Meanwhile, Liles said, "The 70-milers head out to White Store, our third rest stop at Mile 52, and then back to Ansonville via Mineral Springs Road, also with some spectacular views from the crest of the hill at Mineral Springs Church."
Liles said the return to Ansonville is through Polkton and on to Ansonville via Polkton/Ansonville Road.
He said the bike ride is not for beginners. "Even the 30-mile ride requires a decent level of fitness to complete," Liles said.
Liles said, "We have refined the routes and made the directional signs along each route much easier to see."
Bike ride committee members will have two SAG wagons available "to follow the riders along the route to help out with any mechanical problems or injuries they might encounter or to take on a rider who finds he/she is unable to complete the ride," he said.
After the ride, cyclists are invited to check out the Ansonville Homecoming Celebration's line-up of crafts and entertainment, take in the 3 p.m. parade on U.S. 52 and sample the Ansonville Volunteer Fire Department's barbecue entrees.
The Discover Anson Bike Ride is co-sponsored by the Anson County Chamber of Commerce and the Anson County Tourism Development Authority. The bike ride committee is part of the chamber's marketing committee.
For more information about Anson County, visit www.ansoncounty.org, www.discoveranson.com, e-mail info@discoveranson.com, or call the Anson County Chamber of Commerce at 704-694-4181.
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Tax information workshop planned
(October 21, 2009) -- New Ventures Business Development, Inc., and the Anson Women's Center are holding a workshop, "Helping Workers Get Their Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit" on Thursday, Nov. 5. The workshop is open to anyone who works with people who could benefit from this information, human resource officers, agency directors and staff, and interested citizens.
Participants will be apprised of the latest tax information available for families, especially those with children, and will be able to pass the information on to those who qualify. You do not have to knowledgable about taxes to participate.
The workshop also will have information about the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) office that will open in Wadesboro in January. This past tax season, the VITA program prepared over 6,000 tax returns and put over $6 million back into the pockets of the families who need it as well as back to the local economies in the Metrolina region.
The workshop will be held from 7:45 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. in the Ingram Room at the Lockhart-Taylor Center, 514 N. Washington St., Wadesboro. A continental breakfast will be provided.
Please RSVP by Oct. 29 and let NVBD and AWC planners know how many staff you plan to send or bring to the presentation so that enough informational packets will be available.
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Fred Thompson (center), Ph.D., Anson Community Hospital administrator and co-chair of the Healthy Ansonians Task Force, receives the Recertification Award from Jeff Spade (left), chairman of the Governor’s Task Force for Healthy Carolinians, and Debi Nelson, interim director of the Office of Healthy Carolinians and Health Education. |
Healthy Ansonians awarded recertification
(October 21, 2009) -- Healthy Ansonians was awarded its fourth recertification as a Healthy Carolinians partnership by the Governor’s Task Force for Healthy Carolinians during the 17th Annual Healthy Carolinians Conference held Oct. 8, in Greensboro.
"We are proud of the fact that the Healthy Ansonians Task Force has been certified since 1996, making it one of the oldest in the state," said Fred Thompson, Ph.D., Healthy Ansonians Task Force co-chairman (with Dr. Francis Kateh). "We have accomplished much over the years, but we also realize that we have much to do going forward in our efforts to reduce the rates of obesity and teen pregnancy in Anson County."
"Congratulations for a great year. Your partnership deserves this special recognition for all the hard work and dedication to working on health issues in your county," said Debi Nelson, interim director, Office of Healthy Carolinians and Health Education. "It is partnerships such as yours that will help North Carolina become the healthiest state in the nation."
Healthy Carolinians is based on the concept that community members are the most qualified to effectively prioritize the health and safety problems in their community and to plan and excute creative solutions to these problems. Recertification for Healthy Ansonians means that the local partnership continues to be a vital component of a network of 76 other certified partnerships across North Carolina whose mission is to improve the health of all North Carolinians.
Healthy Ansonians has identified obesity and teen pregnancy as focus areas, established objectives and targets, and developed action plans and interventions that will improve the health of residents in Anson County. In order for Healthy Ansonians to receive recertification, the partnership must submit an extensive application to the Governors Task Force for Healthy Carolinians. The Governor's Task Force has developed a set of rigorous standards, based on community health improvement, which all partnerships must meet in order to be certified or recertified.
The Healthy Ansonians partnership received its recertification plaque from Jeff Spade, the chairman of the Governor's Task Force. Spade recognized Healthy Ansonians as "an essential component to the improvement of overall health for the citizens of North Carolina." Over 275 people, including members of the Governor's Task Force, local health partnerships and health constituents, were in attendance.
Dr. Thompson is the administrator at Anson Community Hospital and Dr. Kateh is the director of the Anson County Health Department.
For more information, call Dr. Thompson at 704.695.3401 or visit www.healthyansonians.org.
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Big Buck and Big Bertha hunt set Nov. 13-14
(October 23, 2009) -- The White Store Branch of the Quality Deer Management Association will hold its 2009 Big Buck and Big Bertha Deer Contest on Nov. 13 and 14.
The cost is $25 per hunter (includes entry in both categories). To download the official contest rules, click here. The deadline to enter is 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
The first place prize in each category is $1,000, followed by $500 for second place and $250 for third place. No person may win more than one prize.
To read a full-length article about the deer contest, click here.
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Anson's September jobless rate drops slightly -- to 14.8%
(October 23, 2009) –- Even though Anson County's September unemployment rate dropped .2% to 14.8%, the county still had the highest jobless rate among its neighboring counties. Anson's rate was 1.5% higher than Montgomery County's figure.
In September 2008, Anson's rate stood at 9.4% -- a plus 5.4% difference in 12 months. For 2009, the unemployment rates have been 13.8% in January, 14.7% in February, 14.8% in March and 13.3% in April; 15.0% in May; 15.2% in June; 14.9% in July; 15.0% (adjusted) in August; and 14.8 in September. Anson has recorded a double-digit unemployment rate for 12 straight months, dating back to October 2008.
In September, Anson County’s labor force numbered 10,505 (compared to 10,524 in August); the number of employed people was 8,946 (compared to 8,944 in August); and the number of unemployed people was 1,559 (compared to 1,580 in August). In comparison, Anson's September 2008 workforce numbered 10,585; the number of employed people totaled 9,590; and the number of people out of work stood at 995.
Anson led the Centralina Workforce Region, followed by Lincoln County (13.2% -- down .5% from August), Rowan (12.8% -- down .4% from August), Iredell (12.1% -- down .3% from August), Stanly (11.9% -- down .3% from August), Cabarrus (11.4% -- unchanged from August) and Union (10.0% -- down .2% from August). The Centralina region's combined unemployment rate was 11.8% -- down .2% from August -- with 408,707 in the laborforce and 48,131 people unemployed.
According to Centralina Workforce data for September, Anson had 260 initial unemployment insurance claims; 3,003 total weeks claimed; $649,231 unemployment insurance benefits paid out; and 721 individuals receiving checks. Statewide, unemployment insurance benefits paid out totaled $233,774,046 with 204,303 individuals receiving checks.
The September breakdown for Anson’s neighboring counties:
- Montgomery – 11,121 labor force; 1,478 unemployed; a rate of 13.2% (down .3% from August).
- Richmond – 20,346 labor force; 2,687 unemployed; 13.2% rate (down .1% from August).
- Stanly – 30,685 labor force; 3,666 unemployed; 11.9% rate (down .3% from August).
- Union – 91,724 labor force; 9,213 unemployed; 10.0% rate (down .2% from August).
The state’s unemployment rate was 10.4% –- down .3% from August. North Carolina’s labor force numbered 4,527,091 (compared to 4,541,306 in August) and 472,429 (compared to 485,723 in August) people jobless. The state's seasonally adjusted rate remained at 10.8%.
"While we have positive news about a small increase in employment across the state, the fact that the unemployment rate remains about the same as it has been for months is a sobering point," said Moses Carey Jr., N.C. Employment Security Commission chairman.
"And, as we have been, we are hopeful that new job announcements by Gov. Bev Perdue will continue to help fill in the gaps made by announced layoffs. We are working to make sure that every available employee is considered with every available employer," Carey stated.
Scotland County continued to lead the state with the highest unemployment rate -- 16.5% -- while Currituck County's 5.0% was the state's lowest jobless rate in September.
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.
SPCC offers help for unemployed and dislocated workers who want to be
entrepreneurs
(October 26, 2009) -- South Piedmont Community College is offering a special three-week
section of the FastTrac® New Venture™ program for unemployed and
dislocated workers. Classes begin Nov. 30, and meet Monday - Thursday, 6
- 9 p.m. on the Old Charlotte Highway Campus, 4209 Old Charlotte Hwy.,
Monroe.
The program provides the tools to develop a business idea and outlines
the critical steps to a successful business launch. This intensive
18-hour course leads students through identifying and reaching their
target market, setting financial goals and building an effective team.
Students will have a plan to help determine if their business idea is
feasible.
The college also has seminars scheduled for bookkeeping and taxes,
eBay, and social networking. These seminars will help entrepreneurs save
money, make money and expand their businesses into other markets.
Upcoming seminars are:
Bookkeeping and Taxes , Oct. 29, 6-9 p.m.
eBay, All Day, Nov. 6, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (buying), 1 - 4 p.m.
(selling)
How to Use Social Media to Promote Your Business, Nov. 9, 6-9 p.m.
The cost for east seminar is $5. Dislocated workers may apply for full
scholarships. For more information or to register, contact SPCC’s
Small Business Center at 704-290-5222.
The FastTrac® New Venture™ program is part of a special Charlotte
Regional initiative funded in part by federal stimulus funds and the
Kauffman Foundation.
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'Green flag' drops Nov. 7 on bike ride
(October 30, 2009) -- Bicycle enthusiasts from across the state will gather in Ansonville on Saturday, Nov. 7, for the Discover Anson Bike Ride.
The fourth annual ride is being held in conjunction with Ansonville's Homecoming Celebration and Ansonville Volunteer Fire Department's barbecue fundraiser.
Registration will begin at 8 a.m. at Ansonville Elementary School, located on U.S. 52 across the highway from the fire department. The entry fee is $25.
Diane McLaughlin, Ansonville town clerk, filling in for Mayor Billy Thompson, will drop the "green flag" at 9 a.m. Riders will follow one of three routes – a 30-, 50- or 70-miler – that offers a challenging, but scenic, ride through the rolling countryside of Anson County, including the Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge and the Uwharrie foothills.
The Discover Anson Bike Ride is co-sponsored by the Anson County Chamber of Commerce and the Anson County Tourism Development Authority; and is overseen by the chamber's marketing and bike ride committees.
For more information about Anson County, visit www.ansoncounty.org, www.discoveranson.com, e-mail info@discoveranson.com, or call the Anson County Chamber of Commerce at 704-694-4181.
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Author Michael Malone will be a featured speaker at CWC 2010
 (October 30, 2009) -- North Carolina author Michael Malone will be a featured speaker at the 2010 Carolinas Writers Conference.
The second annual conference will be held from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 17, at South Piedmont Community College's Lockhart-Taylor Center in Wadesboro.
A native of Durham, Malone was a noted scriptwriter for "Another World" and "One Life to Live" soap operas. He received four daytime Emmy nominations for best writing, winning the top prize in 1994 while head writer with "One Life to Live."
Malone wrote his first novel, "The Killing Club," as a subplot to "One Life to Live" and the novel was published in 2005, reaching No. 11 on the New York Times bestseller list for hardback fiction.
He is the author of nine novels, a collection of short stories and two non-fiction books. Among his book titles are "Handling Sin" (1983), "Uncivil Seasons" (1983), "Time's Witness" (1989), "Foolscap or the Stages of Love" (1991), "First Lady" (2001), "The Lat Noel" (2003) and his latest novel, "The Four Corners of the Sky" (2009).
His short story titles include "Red Clay," "Blue Cadillac," "Murdered for Love" and "Delacorte."
A resident of Hillsborough, where he resides with his wife, Maureen Quilligan, a professor of English at Duke University, Malone was educated at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Harvard. He has taught at Yale, Swarthmore and the University of Pennsylvania.
In addition to his Emmy, Malone has been awarded the "Edgar" and the "O'Henry" awards, and has been honored with a Writers Guild award.
Several of his works have been set in North Carolina, especially in the Piedmont where homicide detective Justin Saville and police chief Cuddy Mangum battle crime in the fictional town of Hillston.
The writers conference is sponsored by the Anson County Writers' Club, South Piedmont Community College and Hampton B. Allen Library. For more information, visit www.ansoncountywritersclub.org or go to www.carolinaswritersconference.org.
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Harleigh Johnson assists Robbie Carpenter (right) in officially cutting the ribbon during the re-grand opening ceremony at Second to Nature Home Medical Equipment and Supplies. Others who are pictured include Kristy Poplin, customer services supervisor; Melissa Johnson, public relations manager; Tracy Jones, operations manager; Courtney Winfield and Whitney Meacham, part-time employees; Colton Sutton, equipment technician; Mitchell Sutton; Lisa Ingram; Jason Cummings, Robert Carpenter; Marlena Morris; Todd Moore, Anson County Chamber of Commerce chairman; and Lynn Edwards, Anson County Chamber of Commerce executive director. |
Second to Nature celebrates relocation with a ribbon-cutting
(October 30, 2009) -- Second to Nature Home Medical Equipment and Supplies celebrated its relocation to Anson Station Shopping Center with a re-grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 28.
Todd Moore, Anson County Chamber of Commerce board chair, congratulated Second Nature on its re-grand opening, commenting, "I am glad that you chose to relocate in Anson County and Wadesboro."
Anna Baucom, Anson County Commissioners board chair, echoed Moore's comment, saying, "I am glad you chose to stay in Anson County." Baucom congratulated Second Nature's owners and staff members on their new store layout and choice of supplies and equipment.
Tracy Jones, Second Nature's operations manager, thanked everyone for coming to the re-grand opening and ribbon-cutting. "I want to thank you for your support," she added.
Owner Robbie Carpenter told the gathering that he was "glad to help the people of Anson County."
Staff members in attendance included Jones; Melissa Johnson, public relations manager; Kristy Poplin, customer services supervisor; and Colton Sutton, equipment technician.
Second to Nature provides aids for daily living -- to include braces and supports, lift chairs, orthopedic devices, wheelchairs and scooters, hospital beds and accessories, ambulation aids, bariatric equipment, diabetic testing equipment, and diabetic shoes, foot supports and shoe inserts.
Second Nature is in its fourth year of service to the community; and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care.
The store, located at 1035 E. Caswell St. (in the former Dollar Tree building), is open from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, call 704.694.0179 or toll-free 877.694.0179.
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South Piedmont Community College recently held "Things That Go Fast" festivals on its L.L. Polk campus in
Polkton and Old Charlotte Highway campus in Monroe. Students and staff enjoyed a NASCAR simulator, motorcycles, a chili cookoff and a dragster. The event helped to raise more than $2,000 for Relay for Life. John Caudle, a
student at the Anson County Early College, races in the NASCAR simulator. |
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