RUTH PAULEY LECTURE SERIES – Starting Sept. 12th

The Ruth Pauley Lecture Series for 2017-2018 kicks off on Tuesday evening Sept. 12th at the Owens Auditorium at the Sandhills Community College at 7:30 p.m.

This is the 31st season celebrating the groundwork laid by Ruth Pauley.

Discussing the history of the series, Ruth Pauley and this year’s lineup of guest speakers are Catherine Murphy, Director for Communication – Moore County Schools, Wilma Laney, the vice chair of the lecture series and a representative from the League of Women Voters, and John Arnold, the program chair.

The mission of the Ruth Pauley Lecture Series is to deepen society’s understanding of key issues and encourage public participation in their resolution.

Past speakers have include Maya Angelou, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Jack Nicklaus, David Gergen, Dr. Jane Goodall and Ralph Nader, to name just a few.

The Ruth Pauley Lecture Series is free to the public and this year there are 5 speakers lined up from Sept. 12th thru March 20th , 2018 discussing the most timely topics of our day.

Learn More

DJ Gregory, First Tee of the Sandhills & Genevieve’s Helping Hands, Inc.

The First Tee of the Sandhills receives $16,000 donation from DJ Gregory & Walking for Kids Foundation

Annual Partnership to Continue through Scholarship Program

PINEHURST, NC – February 23, 2016 – The Walking for Kids Foundation’s mission is to empower youth across the country to achieve their goals and dreams one step at a time. Their leader, DJ Gregory is a testimony to the mission. Gregory, born with Cerebral Palsy, wouldn’t take no for an answer. Born 10 weeks premature, legs entangled, eyes crisscrossed, he endured six leg surgeries and five eye surgeries, all giving him the opportunity to walk for the first time using two crutches; then later with one crutch and today with the use of one cane.

A sports fanatic, DJ chose golf. A sport that he could participate in to its fullest, even while swinging the club with only his right arm and bracing himself with a cane on his left arm. Today DJ plays about a dozen times a year, typically from the forward tees shooting around 105. Through his passion for sports and golf, DJ’s dream came alive.

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In 2003 the personal goal of walking PGA TOUR events was birthed. In 2008, after much research, planning and testing his dream came full circle when he walked all 44 PGA TOUR events, that season. Not only did he walk more than 1,000 miles and 3,500 golf holes, he did it with passion, a smile and a never give up attitude.

While living out his dream, DJ learned about The First Tee, its mission and the Nine Core Values. When DJ formed the Walking for Kids Foundation in 2009 he knew that annually they would make a donation to a local chapter of The First Tee. Not to grow the game of golf but to help encourage youth to follow their dreams. “The First Tee is only half golf. What I love is the life skills and the core values.. Honesty, Integrity, Perseverance. I love that unlike in other sports, golfers learn to police themselves on the course, calling rules infractions as they occur,” says DJ Gregory, founder of Walking for Kids.

“The First Tee defines Perseverance as to persist in an idea, purpose or task despite obstacles. Next to the definition should be the name, DJ Gregory. What he embodies, his never give up attitude and his passion for children’s charities. He is a wonderful leader and mentor for each of us and a prime example of the impact the Nine Core Values can have on youth in our community,” says Courtney Stiles, Executive Director for The First Tee of the Sandhills. “Spending the day talking, brainstorming and laughing with DJ inspires me to work harder in all aspects of life.”

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Deemed DJ’s “favorite day of the year”, last Tuesday DJ presented The First Tee of the Sandhills with a check for $16,000. “It’s a partnership that allows The First Tee of the Sandhills to continue plans to reach out to more youth, introduce programs to those that have not had the opportunity to hold a golf club, see a golf course or work with a positive mentor,” says Courtney Stiles.

Gregory’s commitment to the local chapter does not stop there. With a two-year total donation to the Sandhills of $31,000, DJ announced that beginning in 2017 his foundation would donate $2,000 ‘every remaining year the foundation is in existence’ to The First Tee of the Sandhills College Scholarship fund. All part of a foster process DJ uses to invest in communities and organizations across the country, working to ensure that he can help inspire youth for many years both on and off the golf course.

What a testament to a young man and his parents, who were repeatedly told he would be confined to a wheelchair, for life.

DJ ended the Q&A portion of Tuesday’s presentation as he does every speaking opportunity, passionately stating, “If I leave you with one thing. if you have a goal and a dream, go after it. Don’t take no for an answer, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t. Because if it’s your dream, you can achieve it.” The room filled with smiles, chill bumps and a round of applause, not just from the dozen youth participants of The First Tee of the Sandhills but their parents, board members and volunteers.

Any additional inquiries regarding Tuesday’s event may be made by contacting Courtney Stiles at cstiles@thefirstteesandhills.org or 910.255.3035.

About The First Tee of the Sandhills

The First Tee of the Sandhills (www.thefirstteesandhills.org) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization established to positively impact the lives of young people by providing structured educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. The Chapter was formed in 2003 to bring the Life and Golf Skills Curriculum to the six (6) counties in the defined service area including, Moore, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Montgomery and Robeson.

Since inception, more than 2,300 young people have been exposed to The First Tee curriculum through our registered participant opportunities. These youth are first exposed to The First Tee through the National School Program, which is currently operating in over 60 elementary schools or through outreach programs such as DRIVE and TARGET.

About the Walking For Kids Foundation

In 2009, the Walking for Kids Foundation was formed as a tool for DJ Gregory to raise money for children’s charities from coast to coast. The Foundation’s goal is to help children of all ages realize and live out their
dreams and goals as DJ did when he walked every hole of the PGA TOUR in 2008. Throughout the PGA TOUR Season, players pick a tournament they are participating in and for that week pledge money for each eagle and birdie
they make to be directed toward Walking for Kids. In return, DJ walks with that week’s player to raise awareness. Learn more by visiting www.walkingforkids.org.

GENEVIEVE’S HELPING HANDS, INC.

Chef Jen Karlowicz talks about Genevieve’s Helping Hands, Inc. and how her relationship with Genevieve Sonya influenced her culinary outlook.

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Who Is Genevieve?

Picture1She was a loving daughter, wife, mother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend and more. During her two year struggle with breast cancer, Genevieve had to search to find the resources she needed to extend her life and take care of her young family. She drew people to her with her courage, spirit, and grace, and connected them to each other as they supported her during her quest to live her life to the fullest. She was encouraged and strengthened by their efforts, and gave back by gently, yet passionately, encouraging them to get involved in the life enriching and life extending principles she believed in. She supported others by passing on what she learned and encouraged them through friendships, mentoring, and starting a support group for young cancer patients.

Why We Do What We Do

After her death, Genevieve’s network of family and friends decided to continue her fight against breast cancer by helping other young women in her name, and to support and promote her passions and causes. We want to make the cancer journey easier to navigate, easily locate needed services, provide an arm to lean on, offer encouragement – all leading to the goal of good health!

Our Focus Is On Young Women With Breast Cancer

A diagnosis of breast cancer can be devastating to any woman, but is most unexpected and unusually challenging to young women under the age of 40, especially those with families. Their medical, social, financial, and emotional needs are different from their older sisters, and frequently not met by today’s medical establishment.

Our Mission Statement

Genevieve’s Helping Hands, Inc. is dedicated to helping young women with breast cancer live their lives to the fullest. We provide personalized help to find needed financial resources, connections to other groups, family and care giver support groups, other cancer patients, nutritional support, and more.

Financial Grants

The heart of our mission is to provide small financial grants to young moms that extend and enhance their recovery from any type of breast cancer treatment, including at the start of treatment, a respite during or between treatments, or at the end of treatment.

PENICK VILLAGE 10TH ANNUAL ART AUCTION & THE 8TH ANNUAL SHAMROCK N ROLL ROAD RACE

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Penick Village Annual Art Show & Sale – 10th Year Anniversary

An Evening of Art, Wine, Delicious Hospitality and Sharing

What: A fabulous Art Show celebrating its 10th Anniversary of continuing Penick Village’s mission to provide an all welcoming faith-based community for our residents. An evening of inspiring art with the unique opportunity to meet our area’s leading artists and potters.

 Gala Reception Celebrating Art

 Friday, February 26, 2016 at 6:30 pm

 Penick Village, Village House, 500 E. Rhode Island Avenue, Southern Pines

 Silent Auction

o Painting by featured artist Jessie Mackay

o Trip to Castine, Maine

o High-end jewelry and accessories

o Cosmetic procedures and more!

 Valet Parking

 Tickets $50 per person

 Open to the public Saturday Feb 27 11 am- 4pm and Sunday Feb 28 12 noon- 3p.m.

 Raffle tickets available for $50 each or five for $200 for a 4-day, 3-night trip to the Greenbrier in the mountains of West Virginia

 Over 100 paintings, pottery, unique hand-carved wooden pieces

 All funds go to the Benevolent Assistance Fund

Why: To raise funds for the Penick Village Benevolent Assistance Fund. This fund was established to assist our current residents in the event that their long lives have out lived their financial resources.

Co-Chairs: Joanne Kilpatrick, Margaret Page, Molly Gwinn, Joan Williams

SHAMROCK N ROLL ROAD RACE – Race Date—Saturday, March 12

www.shamrocknrollrace.com, 910 638-3686
https://www.facebook.com/events/1129990920368272/

Where—start and finish at the Whispering Pines police station
8th annual ShamRock ‘N Roll Road Race
Typically about 1,000 participants—raised over $65,000
All K-12 students and staff (public or private) may participate at a discount
All proceeds benefit Moore County Schools via teacher grants through the Public Education Foundation (PEF)
Competition among all schools for percentage participation award:
1st place school: receives $750
2nd place school: receives $450
3rd place school: receives $300

The race will raise funds to support new ideas and practices to strengthen teaching and learning in Moore County. Teachers and/or schools may submit an innovative idea/project that will enhance students’ educational experience. Awarded projects will receive partial or full funding through race proceeds.

Over $25,000 in grants have be awarded to over 20 recipients in the past 15 months. Recent grant awards include:

Pinecrest, Union Pines & North Moore HS Robotics Program Kits $5700
North Moore High School Speech & Debate Program $2120
MCS Visually Impaired Dept. Braille Embosser $2300
Highfalls Elementary Classical Guitar Program $2550
Pinehurst Elementary Robotics for Dolphin Collaboratory $2500
Southern Pines Primary STEAM lab $5000
Union Pines High School Contemporary Novel Program $1233

 

 

John Zumwalt – District 52 Candidate For NC State Representative

March 15th is election day in Moore County. For John Zumwalt it has been a 34 year journey that brings him to this day and to his vision for Moore County’s future with a spirit and a heart for his very special past.

John Zumwalt for NC House

Beyond the policy, beyond the rhetoric and beyond the posturing, John believes that two of his greatest assets are his lack of political experience and his deep seated belief in the value of a fair-minded & funded educational system in Moore County that recognizes the teachers, the teacher assistants, the infrastructure, AND THE STUDENTS.

John’s journey to this point reflects years of raising a wonderful family, with his wife, Mindi, a teacher in her own right, who passed away a year ago this weekend.  Mindi was a teacher in four or five different states as she and John moved thru John’s many vocations.  They raised their children and elevated one another through the years. 

John Zumwalt for NC House

Mindi may have been the initial source of John’s inspiration but coupled with his principled and steadfast nature he has been given a new voice and vision as he moves forward as a spokesperson, a teacher and a tireless advocate for Moore County and all its citizens. 

Treasurer Angie McKew, a family friend for 19 years, shares John’s passion and heart and she is able to weave the special texture of her friendship with Mindi and the Zumwalt family over the years.

There is much to hear and much to see in this podcast and full video presentation. 

John Zumwalt for NC House

You’ll quickly see that it is not politics at all, but heartfelt passion and  his sincere commitment that fuels the Zumwalt candidacy.

Yes, you’ll hear about the issues of the day, but if you look very closely, you’ll see a man… you’ll see a heart… and you’ll see an unwavering commitment to serve “We the People” of Moore County.

https://www.facebook.com/Zumwalt-A-Voice-for-Moore-1667885096802100/

https://www.facebook.com/jd.j.zumwalt

 

 

The Aberdeen Times: Moore County’s Online News Site for Up to the Minute Facts

Aberdeen Times was started by Billy & Beth Marts in 2011. Owner Billy Marts joins us to talk about this popular online publication and the tremendous growth of his on line paper as well as the many changes witnessed in Moore County over the last 15 or so years. As a native of Moore County Billy’s perspective is heartfelt and the passion for his business quite self-evident.

Today, the Aberdeen Times has over 20,000 Facebook follows, which is more than double any other Moore County news agency.

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In the last 30 days the Aberdeen Times has generated 578,899 pages viewed!

In addition to providing all of the local Moore County news to citizens at no cost, the advertisers on the Aberdeen Times have remained steadfast and loyal because of results.

Billy’s story and support of Moore County is a great story.