3 named Morganton's Citizens of the Year Winners all show dedication to service
The Morganton Human Relations Commission recently named three Morganton residents Citizens of the Year.
At an April 17 banquet, George Brewer was named 2008 Adult Citizen of the Year; Sarah Griffin, Senior High School Citizen; and Lamara Parnell, Middle School Citizen.
Brewer, who retired in 1997 after 31 years of working with the mentally and physically disabled with the State of North Carolina, is involved in an incredible number of community causes.
He is active with the Burke County NAACP and Delta Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and is a lifelong active member of Gaston Chapel AME Church.
He has also served on the board of directors for the Council on Alcoholism, the board of the Flynn Christian Home, the advisory council for the N.C. Correctional Facility, the advisory council of the Mountain View Recreation Center, as a judge for the Burke County Schools Annual Speech Contest, as a board member for COMSERVE Inc., and with the Outreach Center.
Brewer said he has pursued volunteer activities as a "lifetime effort" even while employed, but retirement has given him more time to support worthwhile causes.
Brewer said his mother, Annie Brewer, set a good example.
"I always saw her doing volunteer work and helping other people as I grew up," said Brewer. "She taught me that helping others is just a way of life."
He is thankful for the award but surprised to be honored. "I'm delighted and appreciative," he said. "But I didn't expect anything for what I do. I just try to do what I can to give a little back."
Sarah, 17, is a junior at East Burke High School and has worked for almost six years with the Volunteen program at J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center.
She also helped create Camp Sunshine, a camp for underprivileged elementary school girls, and participates in Relay for Life and Scouting for the Cure. She collects Christmas cards for St. Jude's Children's Hospital, makes bookmarks for Epiphany ministry, works with Burke Christian Ministries and serves on the Valdese Youth Town Council Board.
Somehow, Sarah still finds time to be active at Waldensian Presbyterian, where she serves on the Christian Education Committee, Nominating Committee and Youth Fellowship Committee.
"I enjoy working at the J. Iverson Riddle Center. I just like volunteering," said Griffin. "I feel like it's a privilege for me to volunteer."
Griffin said her goal is to become a pharmacist.
Lamara is a sixth-grader at Walter Johnson Middle School and was nominated by her teacher, Judy Bobo.
According to information from the City of Morganton, Lamara is involved in The American Adventure Service Corps and has helped restore and clean several Carolinas rivers and has participated in the Table Rock Cleaning Project.
Lamara, class president at school, volunteered in a soup kitchen during a recent D.A.R.E. camp sponsored by the Morganton Department of Public Safety and has volunteered with the Blue Ridge Wildlife Institute.
She was unavailable for comment.
Eclectic exhibit at Jailhouse Gallery
The upcoming exhibit at the Burke Arts Council's Jailhouse Gallery in downtown Morganton will feature three very different kinds of artwork and a social conscience.Juxtaposed against a backdrop of festive, non-traditional quilts by Vyvyan Emery and colorful, abstract prints and paintings by David Clayton, bowls made by local potters will be sold as part of the Empty Bowls Project to benefit the Outreach Center and help raise local awareness about hunger.
The exhibit, which runs through May 30, opens with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday.
Emery, who teaches classes at the Morganton Sewing Center, described her quilts as "pictorial" and "non-traditional." Instead of relying on traditional patterns, Emery said, "It is more fun, interesting and challenging to create my own images from photos or inside my head."
Clayton uses nature motifs such as birds, fish and trees to create his bright paintings and prints.
The Western Piedmont Community College Professional Crafts Clay Club is sponsoring the Empty Bowls Project, which kicked off Saturday with an event at the Outreach Center. The Arts Council will continue to sell the bowls for the duration of the exhibit.
For details, contact the Burke Arts Council at 828-433-7282.
Music festival in Connelly Springs
The South Mountain Acoustic Revival Theater in Connelly Springs will offer a chance to check out local musicians while enjoying some spring weather and mountain scenery.
The fifth annual May Fest is scheduled for May 16-17 and, according to organizer Cathy Huffman, will feature a lineup of mostly local rock, bluegrass and Americana bands with Asheville favorites Peace Jones headlining.
Advance tickets for the weekend are only $10 and include camping. Tickets are $20 at the gate. Tickets are available at Larry's Music and Sound on Union Square in downtown Hickory or at Boger City Pawn at 2215 E. Main St. in Lincolnton.
Acts from the Burke County include Jason Davis, Cashmere Blackout, South Mountain Ramblers, Southern Triangle, Sleepy Hollow, The Wright Family, Lost on Purpose and the Jacob Harold Band.
There will be food and arts and crafts vendors and artist Dan McGraw will be painting his energetic, freestyle paintings stageside, as well as selling his paintings and sculpture.
Huffman pointed out that as much litter as possible from the event will be recycled in an effort to keep the festival "green."
For details, visit www.southmountainramblers.com.
Lunch fundraiser for foster children
Another event coming up in Connelly Springs will raise money to help Burke County's foster children.
The Outback Steakhouse of Hickory will provide the food for a fundraising lunch scheduled for 12:15-1:15 p.m. May 18 at the Oak Ridge Baptist Church Family Life Center at 7449 Oak Ridge Baptist Church Road.
For $10, you can get a meal of grilled chicken and sirloin steak, fresh green beans, house salad with blue cheese, honey wheat bread, cheesecake and tea.
Take-outs are available.
Money raised will support the foster children of Burke County Department of Social Services Homes for Hearts through the Andrea Galen Jacks Education/Scholarship Fund.
According to Homes for Hearts staff member Linda DuBry the scholarship fund was established in 2004 by Dr. and Mrs. Alan Jacks of Rutherford College in memory of their adopted daughter Andrea Galen Jacks, who died at the age of 12. The Jacks hoped the fund would enable foster children to have access to education opportunities, said DuBry.
DuBry said many of Burke County's approximately 145 foster children are below grade level in school and in need of tutoring and help in pursuing higher education.
For details and to buy tickets, call Linda DuBry at 828-438-3597 or Shirley Dale at 828-439-2044. Gina Smith
