Community News

LOCAL BRIEFS: Carolina Village scholarships, school supply drive, runway race

Carolina Village employees and dependents who received scholarships in July pose with Pauline Corn, who raised $50,000 for the grants. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

By Lightning Reports, Published: August 5, 2021

Carolina Village scholarship fund sends seven to college

On May 25, Pauline Corn turned 90. To celebrate the occasion, she raised $50,000 for scholarships.

“I didn’t need any presents at 90,” she said. “But I’ll sure take checks for this cause!”
Friends, family and neighbors came through, donating funds to a charitable cause near and dear to her, the Carolina Village scholarship fund, which benefits Village employees and their dependents.
For her last “big birthday,” her 80th, Corn raised $13,080 for the scholarship fund. She set her aim higher this year, setting a goal of $15,000, then $20,000.
Gifts rolled in, far exceeding her goal.
“I’m not shy about asking for money for things I believe in,” said Ms. Corn, “and I really believe in the scholarship fund. I’ve seen a lot of good come from it.”
Turning 90 is always special, but Ms. Corn managed to make it even more remarkable.
“I want to thank each person for their support,” she said. “I might not be around for my 100th birthday, but they sure made my 90th special.”
For her many visionary efforts, including her tireless fundraising for the Carolina Village scholarship fund among many others, Corn was awarded the Board’s Guiding Light award. The award is the first of its kind for extraordinary Village residents.
Four Carolina Village employees and three dependents of employees received $36,000 in scholarships in July:
• David Knox, Dining Department, to study Christian Ministry at Fruitland Baptist
• Faith Brookshire, Dining Department, to study Entrepreneurship & Business Development at UNC Wilmington
• Amanda Lammers, Environmental Services Department, to study Early Childhood Education at University of Phoenix
• Nathan Shierk, Dining Department, to study Information Systems at Western Carolina University
• Daniel Reed, son of Sylvia Reed, Director of Resident Services, to study Analytical Chemistry at East Carolina University
• Ian Renegar, son of Jon Renegar, Director of Operations, to study Nursing at Blue Ridge Community College
• Isaac Renegar, son of Jon Renegar, Director of Operations, to study Automotive Mechanics at Blue Ridge Community College
Since 2002, the Carolina Village scholarship fund has awarded $454,089 to 199 students. Employees are immediately eligible to receive educational assistance, including scholarships or tuition reimbursement, upon hire.

Sons of Revolution honors Lake Pointe

The Blue Ridge Chapter Sons of the American Revolution honored the Lake Pointe Landing retirement community for patriotism and their display of the American flag in a ceremony held at Lake Pointe’s Harbor House Auditorium recently.
In front of an audience of around 40 people, Rita Hood accepted the American Flag Award presented by SAR member and Lake Pointe resident Daniel Jordan and Americanism Flag Committee Chairman Tom Long.
In addition to the presentation of the award, the Blue Ridge Chapter Color Guard gave a program on the history/meaning of the flags used in the color guard unit. “Each flag has a history and definite purpose for being included in the array,” Blue Ridge SAR Chapter President Craig Isaacson said. “Two of the flags represent battles that had significant impact on North Carolina’s role in the American Revolution and British General Cornwallis’ eventual surrender at Yorktown in 1781.”
Also attending besides Lake Pointe residents were members of the Daughters of the American Revolution representing the Abraham Kuykendahl, Joseph McDowell and Rebecca Sevier Waddell chapters.

School supply drive

First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1735 Fifth Avenue W., invites the community to contribute to a contact-free school supply drive-thru benefitting county students from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 14 (rain date Aug. 15).

Some essential school supplies needed include backpacks, pencils, pens, crayons, markers, paper (lined & unlined), glue sticks and bottles, tissues, wipes, and hand sanitizers. In addition to these items, Rugby Middle suggests zipper binders, pencil pouches, earbuds, spiral notebooks (single and 3-subject college rule) and two-inch binders. New athletic shoes, socks and underwear (sizes 4-adult) are also needed.

Donors wishing to provide financial support may write checks to “First Congregational Church” with “School Supplies” on the memo line. Donors should drop off items in the church parking lot and practice social distancing. Donated items will be sorted and delivered by FCC members. Anyone wishing to assist at drive are welcome and should contact lladerac@mtholyoke.edu or wdsiii333@gmail.com.

Asheville runway race

Asheville Regional Airport is bringing back the popular Runway 5K on Saturday, Oct. 9, at 2 p.m. to celebrate the airport’s 60th anniversary. The community is invited to sign up for the fun event on the airfield known as the flattest race in the mountains. Registration is now open.
“AVL has been a huge part of the fabric of Western North Carolina for 60 years, and we want to share a fun and unique day with our community,” said Lew Bleiweis, the airport’s executive director. “It’s an amazing experience to spend time on the airfield, watching airplanes take off and land just 150 feet away. Welcoming our community to experience aviation so closely is one way we can celebrate our region’s airport together.”
The Runway 5K will be held on the west side of the airfield. Festivities beginning at noon include live music (setting a retro, ‘60s vibe), food trucks, special merchandise sales and more. All proceeds from the event will benefit the A-B Tech Aviation Fund and the WNC Pilots Association Foundation Scholarship Fund. The event is supported by First Class sponsors AVCON and Gresham Smith and Business Class sponsors CHA, McGriff Insurance Services, Parrish & Partners and Vannoy Construction.
Registration is limited to 1,000 participants, and those who register by Sept. 16 are guaranteed a race t-shirt. To learn more and to register for this event, visit flyavl.com/Runway5k.

Conservation Celebration

Conserving Carolina will present the 21st Conservation Celebration 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24.
The virtual event will include keynote remarks from renowned conservationist Jay Erskine Leutze, inspirational stories about people and nature, updates on exciting conservation projects and new trails in the region, featured auction items, a musical performance by Shannon Whitworth and Woody Platt of the Steep Canyon Rangers, a drawing for the winner of the 2021 Trip-of-Your-Choice Raffle and more.
An attorney, author and trustee for Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, Leutze is a leading voice for state and federal conservation funding for investment in public lands. In his book, Stand Up That Mountain, Leutze tells the story of how he helped to stop the proposed Putnam Mine which would have devastated views from the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
The event is free, but registration is required at the event website (www.conservationcelebration.org). To support conservation, please consider a suggested donation of $65 for the event. Premier sponsors are Hunter Subaru and Beverly-Hanks & Associates.