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On Wednesday, December 8th, Cape Fear Valley-Bladen Healthcare celebrated the holidays and announced the winner of the Physician of the Year Award. Those nominated were:

Dr. William Beutel

Dr. Allan Boruszak

Dr. Pearly Graham- Hoskins

Dr. William Murphy

Dr. Nileshwa Senthe

The winner of the award was Dr. Pearly Graham-Hoskins. Some of the comments submitted said that, “Dr. Hoskins shows exemplary bedside manner.  She advocates for the staff and patients hold staff accountable for jobs and duties.” She also “is there for the staff whenever  the need arrives with open arms.”

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The Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce met for their December luncheon on Tuesday afternoon at the Cape Fear Farmer’s Market in Elizabethtown. NC Rep. William Brisson was to have been the guest speaker but Gov. Pat McCrory called the legislature back into session and Brisson was unable to attend.

Chamber Executive Director Dawn Maynard discussed the chamber’s programs and upcoming events for 2017. She told the board that an updated survey will be sent to Chamber members using the Survey Monkey website. The purpose of the survey is to gather feedback regarding programming and events that the members would like to see.

“This survey will be a great tool to help me do a better job,” said Maynard.

She thanked the radio station for their broadcasting with the live remote from the Elizabethtown Christmas Parade. Maynard deemed the parade a success saying it was the largest and best parade yet.

Maynard also discussed upcoming events including a Business Expo that is set to take place on February 17 at Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery. Maynard said that spaces for the Expo are limited and she has already begun to receive inquiries about vendor spaces.

The Summer Sounds Concert series will once again take place the second and fourth Thursday in July and August at the Cape Fear Farmer’s Market. The bands for the 2017 Summer Sounds Concert were announced. They will be the Coastline Band, Band of Oz, the Legacy Motown Revue and Blackwater Rhythm and Blues.

Other events for 2017 will include but are not limited to the Sunset Jams concert series at White Lake. The bands will be announced at a later date. Maynard reminded members of the annual Downtown Sidewalk sales and Shop Local events which will also take place again in 2017.

Maynard said the local merchants gave a lot of positive feedback with this year’s Shop Local events and are looking forward to next year’s event. The Elizabethtown Christmas parade is not limited to merchants and nonprofits, said Maynard. She noted that anyone can enter the parade and all they have to do is contact the Chamber office for more details.

Chamber President Tiina Mundy welcomed Sharonview Federal Credit Union as the newest Chamber member. 

Arthur Bullock introduced Mr Keith Baldwin who is the new Account Manager with WBLA radio station.  Bullock also reminded members that the radio station is hosting a Toys for Tots drop off box and members are encouraged to drop off a new unwrapped toy in the box.

Maynard told those gathered that Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery will have a ribbon cutting and open house Wednesday, December 21, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m.

There was also a drawing for door prizes which consisted of the table decorations, a wreath, a snowman door hangar and a truck door hangar.

Bladen County Commissioner Billy Ray Pait was named as L. E. McLaughlin and Bob Gentry Award for Regional Leadership during the Lumber River Council of Governments annual meeting. The award was created in 2004 and recognizes and honors the partnerships created through the LRCOG.

Pait, who did not seek re-election to the board, has served as a member of the Bladen County Board of Commissioners since being elected in 1992 and was appointed to the LRCOG by his fellow Commissioners in 1997. He has supported the efforts fo the LRCOG and its partners over the years including the construction of an assisted living facility in Bladenboro and the establishment of the Eastpointe Managed Care.

By Erin Smith

The Bladenboro Police Department has completed their annual Christmas for Kids for this year and Chief Chris Hunt deemed this year’s effort a rousing success. He said the officers were able to take 21 children shopping and the Southeastern Cruisers Car Club partnered with the police department to provide the children with bicycles.

Each child was able to purchase a winter coat, three to five outfits, shoes, socks, undergarments, hygiene products and toys, said Chief Hunt.

“We thank everyone who donated because their donations ensured these kids had a Christmas to remember. We hope they (those who donated) have the satisfaction of knowing they helped these children have a brighter Christmas,” said Chief Hunt.

Chief Hunt said that its not too late to get your donations in either. While this year’s shopping trip was a success the department is accepting donations towards next year’s Christmas with Kids. Checks can be made payable to Christmas for Kids and can be dropped off at the Bladenboro Police Department or mailed to Bladenboro PD, P. O. Box 455, Bladenboro, NC 28320.

Time is winding down to get your nominations in for the National Small Business Week Awards sponsored by the Small Business Administration. The deadline for entries is by 3 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10.

During National Small Business Week the SBA presents a variety of awards to individuals and businesses. National Small Business Week is April 30 through May 6, 2017, and is a time set aside to recognize the accomplishments and contributions that small businesses make to our communities and our economy, according to a release from the SBA.

All nominees are required to complete SBA Background Form 3300.

Award categories include Small Business Person of the Year, Exporter of the Year, Phoenix Awards for Disaster Recovery, Small Business Investment Company of the Year, Federal Procurement Awards, 8(a) Graduate of the Year Award, Small Business Development Center Excellence and Innovation Award, Veterans Business Outreach Center Excellence in Service Award, Women’s Business Center of the Year Excellence Award and the Jody C. Raskind Lender of the Year.

For more information regarding specific awards go to https://www.sba.gov/nsbw/awards?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss.

North Carolina nominations should go to the SBA North Carolina District Office at 6302 Fairview Road, Suite 300, Charlotte, NC 28210, Attention: April Gonzalez. For information, call 704-344-6811.

The Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce will have a Business Expo on Friday, February 17, at Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Chamber Executive Director Dawn Maynard said that there is booth space available for the Expo.

“The Expo is open to both Chamber members and non-members,” said Maynard.  She described the Business Expo as an opportunity for businesses to showcase to the public what it is they do and what services they offer.

Booth space costs $100 for Chamber members and $150 for non-members. Maynard said Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery also will be offering a wine tasting in their booth. Also, the Chamber Ambassadors will be assisting with a 50/50 raffle and drawings for door prizes.

For more information on the Business Expo or an application for a booth, contact the Chamber office at 910-862-4368.

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Photos by: Blair Elizabeth Felder

An Eagle Scout is the highest achievement one can earn in the Boy Scouts of America program. Only about four percent of Boy Scouts receive the rank of an Eagle Scout. Last Thursday, Elliott Madden joined a very prestigious group when he received the great distinction of becoming an Eagle Scout.

Friends, family and fellow scouts celebrated Elliott’s achievement with a ceremony at the Cape Fear Farmer’s Market. Eagle Scout, Greg Conner with Boy Scout Troop 600, was Master of Ceremonies. Scout Master Mark Gillespie spoke about training Elliott starting at the Boy Scout level when Elliott was about the age of 11.

Daine Smith with Cape Fear Heating & Cooling, an employer of Elliott, spoke about the Eagle Scout’s character. Daine said, “at work, he has always been prompt, candid and very willing to participate in whatever we have asked. I have found him to be a very kind, well-mannered and an honest young man.”

“I have had the privilege, over the years, of watching him mature into a young man that any parent would be most proud of, it has been a rewarding experience as I have observed his growth in life,” Daine ended by saying.

Elliott was front and center during the ceremony while his leaders and others took turns honoring him during the ceremony.

“He wants to go to the Naval Academy,” Gillespie said. “I am very proud of him.”

Before the night ended, Elliott thanked his leaders, honored his mom, Dawn Madden, and is dad, Eddie Madden, with pins. He also gave his dad credit for his Eagle Scout achievement.

After the ceremony everyone enjoyed refreshments served by the family.

North Carolina Farm Bureau President Larry Wooten congratulates Bladen County Farm Bureau President Ray Allen and the winning agents Anne Beyer and Mike Potter.

The Annual Meeting of the North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation was held December 4-6 at the Sheraton Four Seasons and Joseph S. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, NC.

Congratulations to Bladen County Farm Bureau President Ray Allen who was recognized among his peers at the Presidents’ and Agents’ Luncheon. Farm Bureau President Larry Wooten presented each winning County President with a limited edition Case knife. Each county’s agency force worked hard to qualify their County President for this recognition.

Special plaques were also presented to the agents and agencies whose production was superior during the contest period.

The Arby’s Foundation contributed $2,000 to the Bladen Crisis Assistance Food Pantry on Wednesday.

Kathy Page, with Bladen Crisis Assistance, said they began 13 years ago as a food pantry and in November of that same year they added clothing and the thrift store began. Page said they also wanted to add financial assistance but they had no method to verify someone’s needs. Page said eventually they were able to partner with Social Services and Bladen Crisis Assistance can now offer assistance with utilities, help with rent, food, and clothing.

“If you are in need, come and talk with Tanisha (Johnson),” said Page.

She said after Hurricane Matthew, Bladen Crisis Assistance was asked if they could help with the aftermath and recovery efforts. Page said they set up  at East Bladen High School and in a one and one-half weeks they saw 600 families.  She said many were without power and had lost all of their food.

“We cleared our building out twice,” said Page of the recovery effort. She said during a normal month, they will distribute food to between 400 to 500 families.

“Thank you for what you do and the hundreds of families you’ve helped,” said Wesley Campbell.

Jennifer Leggett, Director of Restaurant Development with Campbell Oil Company, said the Arby’s Foundation and Campbell Oil distributed  food and supplies in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew in Bladen, Robeson and Columbus counties.  She said they had contacted different distributors through which they work for relief supplies.

Leggett said the Arby’s Foundation cause is feeding children. The Arby’s Foundation gave $2,000 per county to help in any way needed.

Also attending the check presentation were Judy Rust, Jody Huls and Tom Akeley representing Arby’s, Leggett, Campbell and Page and Tanisha Johnson with Bladen Crisis Assistance.

Star Communications is offering scholarship opportunities to all high school seniors who have Star Communications services in their residence that is on record with their school and they must provide proof of service. The student must also plan to attend a four-year college or university. The deadline for applications is March 6, 2017.

There are five scholarships worth $1,000 each that are available. For the applicant checklist, click here. For scholarship application, click here.

For questions or further information, email sboyer@stmc.net.

Star Communications is participating once more in the Foundation for Rural Service Scholarship program. Each year, the Foundation for Rural Service offers an annual college scholarship program and awards one-time $2,500 scholarships in different regions of the United States to students from rural America to assist with their first year of college, university of vocational-technical school.

According to the FRS website, each student is sponsored by a company that is a member of the NCTA (Star Communications).  All applications must be postmarked no later than March 1, 2017; however, the application must be returned to Star Communications for the signature of Star Communications’ General Manager. Therefore, all applications must be received at Star Communications’ Retail Store location in the Lowe’s Shopping Center at 937 Sunset Avenue in Clinton (P.O. Box 348, Clinton, NC 28329) no later than Monday, February 20, 2017.

For more information and to obtain an application, click here. 

ELIZABETHTOWN – Diana Harris, RN, MSN, NE-BC, has been named Chief Nursing Officer for Bladen County Hospital.

The New Jersey native has nearly 30 years of nursing experience, previously serving as Service Line Director for Women’s and Children’s Services at Cape Fear Valley Health. Prior to that, she served as Patient Care Manager for Cape Fear Valley Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for nine years.

Harris joined Cape Fear Valley in 1993 as a staff nurse within the same unit. She received her bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Columbus College in Columbus, Ga., and her master’s degree in Nursing from Grand Canyon University. She is board certified in Nursing Administration.

In her new duties, Harris will be overseeing all aspects of nursing care and administration at Bladen County Hospital.     

WASHINGTON – As a strong pro-life advocate, Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) recently became the first Member of Congress from North Carolina to co-sponsor the Sanctity of Human Life Act (H.R. 586), which states that human life begins at fertilization.

“The issue at hand is the way our culture so casually treats abortion,” said Congressman Pittenger.  “America’s Founding Fathers recognized that each human has the unalienable right to life.  Our goal with this bill is to formally recognize life when it begins and that abortion constitutes ending a human life.”

H.R. 586 declares that human life begins at fertilization and clarifies that Congress, individual states, and U.S. territories have the authority to protect human life.  The legislation includes no new restrictions and by itself does not change any existing law.

Last week, Congressman Pittenger wrote a letter to President Trump, co-signed by nearly 150 additional Members of Congress, outlining shared pro-life priorities for Congress and the new Administration.  Click here to read the letter.

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Photos by Cheryl West

Bladen County was well represented this weekend as students were in Greensboro Friday and Saturday for the The Senior Beta Club Convention held at the Sheraton Four Seasons Hotel and Koury Convention Center in Greensboro on February 3 and 4. East Bladen High School and West Bladen High School competed in several categories.

East Bladen’s Jacob Barber campaigned for state Beta Club President. The school also competed in the Special Talent competition. East Bladen also earned First Place in banner work done by Ashley Hardin, First place onsite pencil Bradley Earl, First place visual arts jewelry Melina Wilkins, first place visual arts pencil Bradley Earl, Second Place watercolor Emily Scott, and second place sculpture Juan Leon-Villegas.

We will publish the results of the schools’ competitions as they become available to us. We are proud of all of our Bladen County students accomplishments at the Senior Beta Club Convention.

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Photos courtesy of West Bladen High School

Bladen County was well represented this weekend as students were in Greensboro Friday and Saturday for the The Senior Beta Club Convention held at the Sheraton Four Seasons Hotel and Koury Convention Center on February 3 and 4. East Bladen High School and West Bladen High School competed in several categories.

West Bladen’s Allie Marsh ran a heart felt campaign for Vice-President, but did not win the election. The school also had students who competed in the Special Talent competition. Cierra Byrd placed at the state convention with her artwork and has qualified to compete at the National Senior Beta Club Convention to be held later this year in Orlando, Florida.

We are proud of all of our Bladen County students’ accomplishments at the Senior Beta Club Convention.

This week is shaping up to be a busy and exciting one for Bladen County students, parents, teachers and friends. Today marks the first day full day of the Jr. Beta Club Convention which is taking place at the Four Seasons Sheraton Hotel in Greensboro today and Tuesday. 

Bladen County students from Bladenboro Middle School, Clarkton School of Discovery, Columbus Charter School, Elizabethtown Middle School, East Arcadia Middle School, Tar Heel Middle School, Elizabethtown Christian Academy, and Harrells Christian Academy are all competing in some form or fashion at the state level convention.

At least two students from our region are seeking election to state offices. Columbus Charter School’s Jake Ward is seeking the office of Jr. Beta Club Chaplain and Clarkton School of Discovery’s Weslyn Hall is seeking election as State Jr. Beta Club President.

Bladen County Students are also competing in several categories at the convention. Elizabethtown Christian Academy is competing in the Special Talent Division I category.  Several Bladen County Schools are competing in the Songfest Division II category. They are Columbus Charter School, Bladenboro Middle School, Clarkton School of Discovery, East Arcadia Elementary, Harrells Christian Academy, and Elizabethtown Middle School.

Bladen County Schools are also competing in the Group Talent Division III competition. They are Bladenboro Middle School, East Arcadia Elementary, Clarkton School of Discovery, Columbus Charter School, Harrells Christian Academy, and Elizabethtown Middle School.

We will have the results of the Jr. Beta Club Convention competitions as they become available to us. Good luck to all of our Jr. Betas competing today and tomorrow.

Bladen County’s Kelsey Hammond was named the winner of the Miss Greater Southeastern Scholarship pageant on Saturday evening.  The pageant was held at the Robeson Community College auditorium.

The pageant is an official preliminary to the Miss North Carolina Scholarship pageant which is scheduled for June and the Miss America pageant scheduled for later this year. According to the pageant’s website, “The mission of our program is to provide scholarships for young women from the ten counties which our program serves through our local preliminary of The Miss America Program.  Our committee has over 75 years of combined experience to include a previous Miss North Carolina titleholder, and a first runner up to Miss North Carolina.”

The North Carolina Education Lottery has announced the list of winners for January. Several winners were Bladen County residents. 

$1,000 Winners: William Booth, Monica Lowery, Rebecha Baxter, Mike Melvin, Lisa Callihan, Brenda Slack, Jean Gooden, Edward Greene, Wanda Ransom, Savannah Lewis, Fu’darius Beatty.

$2,000 Winners: Larry Walker, Ryan Collins, Hubert Stevens, Deandre Billings.

$5,000 Winner: Alton Hopgood.

$5,400 Winner: James Reeves.

$6,000 Winner: Selena Hammonds.

$6,480 Winner: Jeanika Francois.

There is excitement in the air here at bladenonline.com as Tuesday marks the drawing in for our “Most Eligible Bachelor/Bachelorette Contest” brought to you courtesy of Bob’s Jewel Shop of Lumberton and Cape Fear Heating & Cooling.

Our entries for Most Eligible Bachelor are as follows: Bobby L. Singletary, Joey Davis, Rufus Monroe, Clark Chason, James Faulk, Chris Walter, Dawan Pearson, and Zane Singletary.

Our entires for Most Eligible Bachelorette are as follows: LoWanda Davis, Cheryl Thurston, Kathleen Monroe, Amber Glisson, Darienne Breazeale , and Mary McKiver.

All nominees are invited to attend the Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon meeting held at the Cape Fear Farmer’s Market in Elizabethtown on Valentine’s Day at noon. They will be treated to a free lunch paid for by bladenonline.com.

The winners of the contest are going to be determined during a drawing held during the  Chamber luncheon on Tuesday, February 14. The winning Bachelor and Bachelorette will each receive a photo package by Kinlaw Studios and free tax service by Liberty Tax.