Community News

LOCAL BRIEFS: Citizenship winners, Pardee's top docs, Flying Squirrel Challenge

From left are Grace Prechter of Veritas Christian Academy, Celia Gibbs of East Henderson High School and Madison Geddings of Polk County High School.

By Lightning Reports, Published: January 25, 2021

The Abraham Kuykendall Daughters of the American Revolution recognized three young ladies who exemplify the qualities of a good citizen:  dependability, service, leadership and patriotism.

The winners, from left, were Grace Prechter of Veritas Christian Academy, Celia Gibbs of East Henderson High School and Madison Geddings of Polk County High School.

Pardee physicians among top docs in state

Twelve physicians at Pardee UNC Health Care were named to Business NC magazine’s Top Doctors list for 2020. Inclusion in the list is based on the opinions of responding doctors in the region and the results of the magazine’s research. The Top Doctors were then voted on by peers in the state to complete the final list.

“It does not surprise me that so many of our wonderful physicians are considered so highly-regarded by their peers,” David Ellis, chief medical officer of Pardee UNC Health Care, said in a news release. “Each one of these doctors is committed to their specialty and providing quality patient care to our community. Being named to this list is a distinct honor.”
The following Pardee UNC Health Care physicians were included on this year’s list:
• Family Medicine: Lateef Cannon, MD – Pardee Family Medicine Associates
• General Surgery: David Charles Price, MD – Pardee Surgical Associates
• Hand Surgery: Samuel S. Abrams, MD – Southeastern Sports Medicine and Orthopedics
• Infectious Disease: Christopher H. Parsons, MD – Pardee Center for Infectious Diseases
• Medical Oncology & Hematology: Navin Anthony, DO – Hendersonville Hematology and Oncology at Pardee; James Earl Radford, Jr., MD – Hendersonville Hematology and Oncology at Pardee
• Neurology: Joel Travis Callahan, Jr., MD – Pardee Neurology Associates
• Obstetrics & Gynecology: Roy David Beaty, MD, FACOG – Pardee OB/GYN Associates
• Orthopaedic Surgery: Andrew Kersten, MD – Southeastern Sports Medicine and Orthopedics; R. Christian Estes, MD – Southeastern Sports Medicine and Orthopedics
• Spine Surgery: Keith M. Maxwell, MD - Southeastern Sports Medicine and Orthopedics
• Vascular Surgery: John Richard (Rick) Hobson, Jr., MD, FACS – Vascular Surgery at Pardee

The Top Doctors nomination is a project in which doctors in the state vote for their colleagues in various specialties who exemplify excellence in their service areas.

Conservancy announces Flying Squirrel Challenge

The Flying Squirrel Outdoor Challenge is Conserving Carolina’s newest outdoor challenge, starting this month and springboarding off the success of the previous White Squirrel Hiking Challenge 5. People of all abilities are invited to explore eight places that Conserving Carolina has helped protect or open to the public. It’s not all about long hikes like past challenges. This time, participants can choose to go for a walk, have a picnic, ride a bike, paddle a river or take the kids to a playground.

This is a great way to get outdoors, get exercise and clear your mind, as well as explore the land and places that Conserving Carolina has helped protect. It’s a perfect family activity and provides great motivation to get out of the house this winter and beyond.

The Oklawaha Greenway is one of eight destinations people can visit for hiking, biking and kayaking in Conserving Carolina’s Flying Squirrel Outdoor Challenge. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]“The outdoors is for everyone,” said Ericka Berg, community engagement manager at Conserving Carolina. “We want to make sure that we are providing opportunities for people of all kinds to get out and explore some of the lands we’ve protected, either in their backyards or across the region. There are so many beautiful, conserved places to explore.”

The challenge includes eight places that are accessible to people with disabilities, so Flying Squirrel is open to people of all abilities. People have one year to complete the challenge and will receive a care package and Conserving Carolina membership upon completion. Destinations include greenways, stunning overlooks, parks, waterfalls, forest bathing walks, and more!

To complete the Flying Squirrel Outdoor Challenge, participants may pick any eight outdoor destinations:

• Sassafras Mountain
• The Park at Flat Rock
• Connestee Falls
• The French Broad River
• Cane Creek Greenway
• Vaughn Creek Greenway
• Hooker Falls
• Oklawaha Greenway
• Carolina Memorial Sanctuary
• Brevard Bike Path
• Bearwallow Mountain
• Any Outdoor Volunteer Day
• Any Forest Bathing Walk

The Flying Squirrel Outdoor Challenge is made possible through a sponsorship by DD Bullwinkel’s, an outdoor retailer in Brevard.

“We are so excited to support Conserving Carolina’s new Flying Squirrel Outdoor Challenge,” owner Dee Dee Perkins said. “The Challenge will offer a fun way to get outside that is accessible to all kinds of people. Making the outdoors available to everyone is an important value of DD Bullwinkel’s.”

To take the challenge, go to conservingcarolina.org/flying-squirrel-challenge/

Bullington Gardens announces workshops

Bullington Gardens is gearing up for its 2021 Spring Speaker Series, offering both virtual and hybrid classes.
The Fridays in February Series starts on Feb. 5 with Best Practices in Pruning led by John Murphy, Bullington’s director of education. Other workshops in the series include Masses of Grasses on Feb. 19, in which Nancy Duffy and Shannon Currey explore the latest in ornamental grasses. On Feb. 26, Charlotte-based designer Jay Sifford presents his photography program on inspirational garden design and implementation.
March’s classes focus on edibles including growing vegetables and blueberries.
“We can all get excited for warmer weather, our hands in the soil, and an education based on proven and new horticultural techniques,” says Murphy. “Our mission at Bullington is to connect with the natural world through science-based education and to demonstrate the beauty and value of plants. Now more than ever, people are getting back to their gardens and enjoying the grounds of Bullington. We are happy to offer both.”
Information about the Spring Series and registration for all classes can be done online at www.bullingtongardens.org or by phone at 828-698-6104. Bullington Gardens is located at 95 Upper Red Oak Trail in Hendersonville.