? ' * THE
CAROLINA INDIAN ? <tm
Published each Thursday by First American Publications, Pembroke, ftC - m~~j
VOLUME 25 NUMBER ll THURSDAY, MAY 6, 1999 ~~ ' ? - TWENTY-ftV^ CENTS
Comprehensive health complex to open in
Pembroke-extension o f Moore Regional
Pinhurst ? FirstHcalth of the Carolinas, the not-for -profit parent of Moore
Regional Hospital announces the opening of the Famih Care CenterPembroke
in Mas and the Center for Health & Fitncss-PEmbrokc in June.
Until a permanent facility is constructed, the two FirstHcalth additions will
be located in tcmporar> space
* the famil) ph> sician office - adjacent to the Pembroke Drug Center and
Pembroke Pediatrics and
* the fitness center - in the Univcrsitx Pla/a Shopping Center
FirstHcalth also has plans for the construction of a 25.000 -square-foot
health complex a multi-million permanent facility
"We have served the residents of Robeson Counts for man> scars through
Moore Regional Hospital in Pinchurst." said Charles T Frock. President and
Chief Executive Officer of FirstHcalth "We arc pleased lobe able to respond
to their increasing requests for additional health sen ices.
"The construction of this health center is an example of the investment
FirstHcalth is making to improsc the health of the people in our region." Frock
continued "We look forward to continuing to enhance the choices of medical
services available to all residents in this area "
The Ness Health Complex
The nes\ health complex x\ill be located on It) acres at the corner of N.C
Highwav 711 and Rcdmon Road near Food Lion and Dollar General in
PEmbrokc C onsi ruction is expected lobe completed bs the summer of 2000
"FirstHcalth decided to build this facilits in response to repealed requests
fiom contmuitilv members who wanted access to the expertise available at
Moore Regional Hospital in Pinchurst." said Glenn Reeves, vice president of
Regional Sen ices at FirstHcalth. "Ourbuilding concept allowsusto combine
medical care with fitness, preventive medicine and rehabilitation, and a
Center for Health A. f itness will all be found at one location And a canopied
entrance will allow for case of patient pick-up and drop-ofT
"This is another step to prov iding total health care to the greater Pembroke
community," said The Town Hall Manager. Mr McDuffle Cuninungs
Comprehensive health care services will benefit all age groups, from
pediatric to geriatrics Everything from routine health care to speciality
services can be found under one roof at the new health complex The complex
will include permanent space for Rhonda Lowry. M D . and Janinc ScottLowc.
M.D.. at the Family Care Center-Pembroke It will also feature office
space for specialty physicians along with diagnostic serv ices
The FirslHcalth Center for Health & Fillies'- will move from its temporary
locations to be a part of the new complex
"We recognize the importance of prevention and ol improving the health
status of the people we serve." said Bob Boone, vice president of FirslHcalth
Business Health Services. "We look forward to working with the people ol
Pembroke to create comprehensive.wellness and rehabilitation programs to
meet their needs."
Each new member will receive a fitness evaluation and a supervised
orientation to the workout equipment Stalled by a professional team of
exercise physiologists, dietitians, rcgistcied nurses and certified fitness
instructors, the center will enable members and patients to build cardiovascular
endurance and strength through the use of treadmills, stairclinibcrs. all
types of stationary bicycles, strength training equipment by Cybcx and
Hammcrslrcngth. free weights and more
The new center will feature an indooi swimming pool, nursery serv iccsand
locker rooms on site A variety of aerobics and aquatics classes will also be
offered
In addition, health promotion and education classes will be offered to
members and. the community Classes in n include weight loss, smoking
cessation, stress management and dietary counseling. Staff from Moore
Regional vv ill teach diabetes education and online rehabilitation serv ices, the
programs al the Center aie designed n? phnulc a fen residents a safe and
effective workout cm ironnicnt
FirslHealth Famils Care Center
Located at 513 W 3rd St the Fa mils Care Ccnter-Pcinbroke will provide
medical care for all people of all ages - from babies to grandparents. Rhonda
Lours. M D . will join FirslHealth the first week of \1a> and Jamnc ScottLowe.
M D . is scheduled to join in August
Dr Lours is a Robeson Counts natisc who received her bachelor of science
degree from Pembroke State University in I WO She then went on tocarn her
medical degree at the East Carolina Uniscrsils School of Medicine in
Greensille. N C . in 1994 After graduation. Dr Lours completed an anatomic
and clinical pathology residency program at the Pitt Counts Memorial
Hospital, also in Greens ille
Dr Lours completed the Southern Regional AHEC Family Practice
Rcsidcncs in Fascftcs ille this spring She and her husband make their home
in Pembroke
Dr. Scotl-Lowc received her bachelor of science degree in phssiolog> and
neurobiology atthcUniscrsit> ofConnecticutSchoolofMedicincin 1996. Dr
Scolt-Louc is currently completing the Southern Regional AHEC Famils
Practice Rcsidcncs in Fascttcsillc
THE temporary location for this Famils Cate Center is in the same office
space, but not affiliated with. First Path Pembroke Famils & Urgent Care
Center for Health Fitness
The temporary facility will be located at 913B West 3rd St on PEinbrokc's
Uniscrsils Pla/a Shopping Ccntci and will open June I Discounted health
evaluation fees will be offered to the first 5(i founding members Call the
Center for Health & Fitness toll-free at (XXX) 504-34X8 lor more information
FirslHealth of the Carolinas is a regional, not-foi-profit health care
network Composed oRwo hospitals. 15 primary care clinics, three EMS
systems, two hospice locations, four health and fitness centers, a skilled
nursing facilits. and a chain of home medical equipment and supplies stores,
it is. the goal of FirslHealth of the Carolinas to meet the comprehensive health
care needs and improve the health status of all resident- in the mid-Carol inns
?1
L? - - -v : . ' . . /-: ; , 1
Architect's rendering of FjrslHealth's nc\\ health complex planned lor
Pembroke
... .<} * -* *' ' * **
Meteorology Graduate has a
clear forecast for the future
Brandon Locklear's head has always been in the clouds. It's a good thing,
too Because of his lifelong fascination with clouds and weather and his
stubborn refusal to give up on a dream, the graduating senior from Pembroke
already has a job with the National Weather Service ? and the forecast for his
future is bright.
As a boy growing up among the farms and small towns of Robeson County,
Locklear had the grades and the ambition to go far. He graduated from Purnell
Swett High School near the top of his class and was accepted at NC State. But
he worried that his dreams were beyond his reach and that his place was in
Pembroke with his family. Lumbee Indians for whom Robeson County is the
ancestral home Today, tears still to come to Locklear's eyes as he recalls how
his grandfather urged him to trust the strength of his family and his Lumbee
heritage to propel him beyond his hometown in pursuit of his goal.
At NC State, when his head hasn't been skyward or his nose hasn't been in
the books, Locklear has served as president of the university's chapter of the
American Indian Engineering Society, an organization that helps encourage
Native American high school students to pursue a college education and
careers in science, engineering and technology. He also is a member of the
American Meteorological Society and has served two internships at the
National Weather Service forecast center on NC State's Centennial Campus,
where he read the severe weather warnings issued during dangerous storms
Brandon Locklear will graduate with a bachelor of science degree in
meteorology from the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences He is
the son of Clyde and Donna Locklear of Pembroke, and can be reached at (919)
859-6906.
Update on Indian Housing
The North Carolina Indian Housing Authority (NCIH A) hascomplctcd the
initial process of accepting and approving applications for the Native American
Housing Assistance Sclf-Dclcrmination Act (NAHASDA) housing program.
The next step is to move forward by providing services to qualified
applicants, but the NCIHA staff must first inspect homes. Tnese inspections
are conducted on family homes and properties to determine whether the
property meets HUD requirements and to identify work that needed to be done
These inspections are being done in the homes of low to moderate-income
Indian families in the Coharie, Lumbee, and Waccamaw-Siouan tribal
communities.
All qualified and approved applicants for the Rehabilitation program will
have their homes and properties inspected. The inspection process began
March 1 and will conclude May 10. Inspections arc being conducted to access
housing needs for each family with the goal of doing Rehabilitation that will
provide decent, safe, sanitary housing qualified Indian families. Monies arc
limited so services will be provided to those with the greatest need first with
priority given to the elderly. However, this is a five-year plan and should a
family not receive services during this first year, they may receive funding in
subsequent years.
The Mutual Hclp/Homcowncrship program is moving forward. Families
who have met the application guidelines and completcd.an approved application
arc being asked to provide land for housing. This program will provide
housing in the Indian communities. The land for the home must be in clear or
free simple title; there must be no liens or encumbrances against said property
Should a qualified family not own land they can contact their local tribe or
NCIHA for information on available sites. i
NCIH A is solicitingcontractors withNative American preference (general,
electrical, plumbing and heating/air conditioning) tobid on home renovations
and construction of new homes under NAHASDA Should you be interested
or should you know someone, please have them contact the North Carolina
Indian Housing Authority. P.O. Box 2343. Fayettevillc. NC 28302 The toll
free number is 1-800-619-3339.
Pcrcell Blue. Interim Dir. Of Capitol Improvements
Pembroke Homemakers Club
Donates to Pembroke Library
Shown above are Mrs. Ethel O. Locklear, President and Mrs. Beulah
M.Kemerer, Treasurer ofthe Pembroke Homemakers Club presenting
a check in the amount of $100 to Mattie Locklear, Head Librarian of
the Pembroke Public Library. This money was raised by Ella Jacobs,
Ruth R. Strickland, Vennie O. Sanderson, Clara H, Lowry, Sarah J.
Oxendine, Dollle Lowry, Clara Bullard, Lillian Chavls, and Lorraine
May nor, all members of the Pembroke Homemakers.Club.
Retires from
U.S. Army as j
Master Sergeant
(MSG (R) Ruth E. Vollmar the
daughter of John C. and Lcacic
Brooks, entered the United States
Army on May 4, 1976 at Lunibcrton
N.C. MSG (R) Vollmar retired from
the US Army on Feb 1999 in
Woodbridgc Va
Her duty assignments included Fort
McClellan, Al; Fort Lee. Va. Fort
Polk. La. Mahnhcim. Germany. Fort
Sill, Ok; Fort Bclvoir, Va and other
installations in the Washinjgton Meritorious
Unit Commendation. Army
Superior Unit Award and the National
Defense Service Medal
She and her family Jody. Jennifer.
Jessica. Christopher and their dog
Champ intend to reside in
Woodbridgc. Va.
(MSG (R) Ruth F. Vollmar
"Strike at the Wind!"
to Hold Auditions
The outdoor drama ' Strike at
the Wind!" js scheduled to return
for the 1999 season. Auditions for
all roles will be on Saturday May 8
and Sunday May 9 at the Adolph
Dial Amphitheater located at the
North Carolina Indian Cultural
Center in Pembroke. Only nine
performances are scheduled for
the drama which will occur during
the month of July.
Mr. David OxSndine who was
the Director when the drama closed
in 1995 has returned to direct the
1999 season.
The entire production is being
recast, including the roles of Henry
and Rhoda. "There are alot of
fresh, new, very talented young
actors out there. We are really looking
forward to having them in the
drama," stated Willie F. Lowery
who composed the original
soundtrack for the drama. A cast of
62 actors and technical crew will
tell once again the Legend of the
Lumbee Hero Henry Berry Lowrie.
Actors will need to be able to
sing and act. Technical crew will
handle the sound, lights and props.
People who want to work on the
technical crew need to come and
meet the stage manager. All will be
paid.
Henry Berry Lowrie was the
son of Allen and Polly ( Mamma
Cumbo) Lowrie who was hid under
the house watching when his
brother William and father Allen
were executed by the Robeson
County HomeGuard which was led
by Colonel Brantley Harris. They
were executed for a crime they did
not commit.
Written by Randolph Umberger
the drama tells of the unjust treatment
of the Native Americans in
this area during the Civil War and
Reconstruction, and the positive
things that Lowrie did for the Indian
of Robeson County.
Pembroke Kiwanis Report
v
The Tuesday night meeting was
held at the Jade Garden Restaurant.
Program Chairwoman Bernice
Branch presented the Lumberton
Chief of Police Randall Arugon.
Chief Argon is a graduate of the
University of Nebraska, Class of
1972 and obtained his Masters from
Western University in 1987. Chief
Aragon has 24 years of police experience,
14 years as Chief of
Police. Mrs. Ramona Aragon is a
Special Education Teacher in Gilbert
Middle School in Lumberton.
On April 20th terrible school
tragedy? And what do we do now?
The very basic answer is we must
change our concept of values, their
very inner-most heart aspects of
thought. Colorado has rules in place.
It's impossible to legislate laws but
the inner most feelings must be
under control.. And where does the
violence stop? We are doing right
by having officers in the schools.
Now it's and everyday occurrence.
We have Smart Start. Recreation,
safety programs of all kinds. We
have to get the value system straight.
Retired School Personnel Luncheon
The Annual Spring Luncheon
of the Robeson County Chapter of
Retired School Personnel will beat
Pinecrest Country Club on May 18,
1999 at 11:10 a.m.. Reservations
are required. Please send them to
S.H. Stockton, P.O. Box 888, Lumberton,
North Carolina 28359 by
May 10, 1999. The cost of the
luncheon is $12.00. Wayne Roberts,
State President will be the
speaker, A memorial service will
be held.
Standing from left to right; back row - Spencer Carter, Lead Housing
Coordinator-Lumhee; Percell lllue, Interim Dir. of Capital Improvements;
Donald Locklear, Dir. ofNew Business Grants; Fred Moore, Neiv Construction
Supervisor; John Marshall, Dir. of Operations.
Standing from left to right: front row - llarharu Lowery, Housing
Coordinator- Lumhee; Hilly lirooks, Renovations Supervisor; Hrenda Cummings,
Resident Counselor; Dave McGirt, Executive Dir; Danlta Locklear,
Account/Office Manager.