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MEET YOUR TOWN STAFF
Summer Intern Eli Valsing
Byjacquie Pipkin
It is a long way from Theater Arts to Public Administration, one would think, but
that is exactly the journey Eli (pronounced the same as Eli Whitney) Valsing has taken.
After being interviewed earlier this year by Town Manager Brian Kramer and former
Town Planner Scott Sherrill at UNC—Chapel Hill, where she is studying for her Master
of Public Administration, Eli met Mayor Ken Jones and Commissioners Clark Edwards
and John Brodman at the mayors dinner in Raleigh. Everyone who met her described
her as very pleasant and extremely smart.
Though by no means “old,” Eli calls herself the oldest intern in North Carolina. There
is a reason for that. In 1987, Eli received her BA in Theater Arts and English from the
University of Massachusetts where she graduated cum laude. She spent the first six
years of her professional career as a freelance stage manager in New York City where
she managed and toured (in the US and Europe) with the production companies of the
Tony Award-winning “Fool Moon,” “Really Rosie,” The Trisha Brown Dance Company,
and The New York City BaUet.
The Red Clay Ramblers, a North Carolina-
based band, performed in “Fool Moon,” and
Eli met her husband, Chris Frank, a member of
the Red Clay Ramblers, while working on that
production. In between stops on the “Fool Moon”
tour, Chris borrowed a dingy and took Eli to
Carrot Island, where he proposed. They married
in 1993. In 1995 daughter Molly was born, now
a graduate of UNC, and in 1997 daughter Sadie
arrived, who is presently attending Vassar. The
family lives in Carrboro (NC).
Eli was the production stage manager of the
Carolina Ballet from 1999 to 2004. Since 2008,
she has served as the production stage manager of
the Raleigh Dance Theater.
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(Continued on page 19)
Pine Knoll Shores intern Eli Valsing.
Photo by Chris Frank
PINE KNOLL Shores
By Michelle Powers
The Pine Knoll Shores Womens Club celebrated its new leadership during the
installation luncheon held at the Coral Bay Club on June 2. Outgoing officers President
Pegge Knecht, Vice President Peggy Young, Recording Secretary Betty Thomas,
Corresponding Secretary Ronnie Stanley and Treasurer Joanne Ferguson welcomed the
incoming officers: President Betty Thomas, Vice President Joanne Ferguson, Recording
Secretary Ronnie Stanley, Corresponding Secretary Marian Goetzinger and Treasurer
Libby Gallagher.
Members were installed by former mayor and past club President Joan Lamson.
Bonnie Ferneau offered the blessing, reading from Carol Hamler Adams’ book of poems
Sandcastle Moments, a fitting choice as club members looked out at the awe-inspiring
Atlantic Ocean just beyond the windows of the Coral Bay Club dining room.
and addressed the group. “I wouldn’t have been able to complete my studies without
you,” she said, and “despite some difficult personal family issues this past year I
continued my studies because I wouldn’t let you down.” Susan graduated with honors
with an associate degree in nursing and will be working at Carteret Health Care in
the fall. She is part of a prestigious Transfer to Practice program that will help her
transition to achieve her BSN degree in the future.
In her closing remarks, incoming President Betty Thomas outlined her goals for the
coming year, encouraging aU members to continue to build community. “Community,”
she said, “is more than just our immediate neighbors; the club will work to strengthen
our connections with everyone in Pine Knoll Shores and greater Carteret County.” The
. club will have a presence on Facebook this fall and will redouble its efforts to welcome
new residents and encourage longtime residents to get involved with the Women’s Club.
Club meetings are on hiatus during the summer months but will resume on
September 22. Incoming officers and committee chairs will be meeting over the
summer to plan the 2017-2018 program and activities. Meeting dates and details of
upcoming speakers will be advertised in local media and on Facebook. AU women
residing in Pine Knoll Shores are welcome to join the club, and guests are always
welcome at meetings.
Thank you for showering me with
beautiful sandcastle moments every day.
Help me to live aU my days with a
bucketful of patience, playfulness and a
chUdlike sense of adventure, so that I may
live each precious moment to the fuUest.
Outgoing President Pegge Knecht, who
couldn’t be at the event, sent her message of
thanks for the members’ support during her
two years as club president. She encouraged
members to continue to “make waves” and
reflect on the club’s achievements, especiaUy
the commitment to charitable activities,
including support of Caroline’s House,
the Mile of Hope Weekend, and the club’s
scholarship fund.
A special guest, Susan Williams, the Pine
Knoll Shores Women’s Club scholarship
recipient the past two years, was present
New Women’s Club officers are sworn in (from left): Betty Thomas, Joanne Ferguson, Ronnie Stanley, Marian Goetzinger and Libby
Gallagher. Former Women’s Club President Joan Lamson (right) served as master of ceremonies.—Photo by Carroii Beckham
18 The Shoreline I July 2017