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VOLUME 32 NUMBER 8 u:?J k.IU;L""" ' THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 26.2004 25'
Ms. Patricia H. I.ockelar, left and Ms. Ponell I.ocklear
LRDA Receives a 2004
Youth Garden Grant
The LRDA has received a grant from the National Gardening Association.
The garden progr'am submitted by Ms. Patricia B Locklcar
and Ms Ponell Locklcar was selected as a winner of the 2004 Youth
Garden Grant. The LRDA Head Start Centers will receive tools, seeds,
birdhouses and other outdoor items to beautify their properties and
educate theiryouth about agriculture Ms. Patricia B. Locklear. director
of Child Services for the LRDA. stated"! am so excited about this
opportunity for our children We can open the doors of discovery
through these extra activities." Ms Patricia Locklear was also very
excited about the inclusion of Ms. Ponell Locklear. Ms Ponell Locklear
is a Sandhills Community College student who is finalizing her
degree in Human Services. She decided to complete her coop hours
by learning more about the LRDA agency "LRDA and Child Services
Department has been an asset to me personally. They are a professional
agency, but still they act like a family, "stated Ms Locklear. "If
it hadn't been for LRDA 1 would never have had the opportunities I
w as allowed here. The garden grant was the I st grant I worked on. 1 a.
so proud." The agency w ill begin to receive items through participating
gardening centers this spring For more information about the
* LRDA Child Services Department, please call (910)521-8602 or visit
the website at www.lumbce.org
Shoyvn is Accommodations Coordinator Misty Sykes.
Grant to upgrade technology
for UNCP's disabled students
i
PEMBROKE, N.C. - Support for disabled students at UNC Pembroke
just took a leap into the future UNC Pembroke's Office of Disability
Support Sen ices (DSS) has received a grant to enhance accessibility
to computer software that supports disabled students. The grant valued
at $19,200 and allows for a package of software to be installed on
any computer on campus The grant from Premier Assistive Technology
Company is called Breaking Down Barriers to Assistive Technology
" The software performs functions such as enlarging computer
text, reading textbooks and reformatting text documents into audio
files Dr Roger Brown hailed the grant as a major step for the Univ ersity 's
support for disabled students 'Disability Support Services at UNC
Pembroke under Mary Helen Walker 's leadership arc serving our students
extremely well." Dr Brown said "We arc proud of our proactive
and positive approach to making higher education accessible to every
qualified student who desires it The grant will help ensure that we
employ the latest technology on their behalf." The Office of Disability
Support Services (DSS) serves approximately 500 UNCP students, including
more than 40 visually-impaired students Accommodations
Coordinator Misty Sykcs appiicd for the grant "This is a significant
upgrade of our resources for students with disabilities." Sykcs said "I
am very impressed with this software " Besides upgrading current software.
students with disabilities arc able to perforin tasks that were
previously unavailable to them. Sykcs said "For the first time, we have
a talking calculator and a talking dictionary." she said "And for the
first time, audio files can be converted to popular formats that do not
require the use of a computer to hear ." "Also for the first time, we have
a program that can read PDF files." Sykcs said "There were so many
documents on the Internet that were not accessible to the disabled
Premier Assistive Technology's online tutorial program w ill save DSS
time and money "The free online tutorial is fast and easy I did it in one
night. Sykcs said Before we received this software, students made
appointments to get help, and it took many hours of tutorials." DSS
Director Mary Helen Walker said the new software would increase the
productivity of her staff. Disabled students will be the primary bcncfi
ciarics "Accessibility of services and helping the disabled to become
more independent is the bottom line in our office." Walker said "Thi?
grant is a breakthrough for us " The grant allows UNCP to run assistive
technology programs on as many personal computers as needed Cur
rcntlv. assistive technology software is on four computers in DSS':
office, five in UNCP's 24-hour computer lab and 20 computers scat
tcrcd across campus The grant also allows for full technical suppor
and free upgrades for one year For more information, contact the Of
ficc of Disability Support Serv ices at (910) 521-6695
Becoming fit can
be a weighty issue
PEMBROKE - In the fall of 20(H). at the age of 3 1. kathenne Locklcar
tipped the scales at more than 400 pounds She sufTercd from painful
arthritis, heart trouble and high blood pressure She had a variety of
prescription medications to manage from day to da> "1 was merely
existing." says Locklcar "1 couldn't play with my two wonderful children.
and I could barely keep up with my responsibilities as a mathematics
teacher." In No\ ember of 2000. Locklcar was hospitalized due
to her heart condition "1 had no quality of life." she says I knew it
was time to start fighting back " For Locklcar. the best answer seemed
to be weight-reduction surgery
"1 was devastated when 1 learned that 1 actually had to loose weight
before the surgeon would operate, "she says On Jan. 6. 2001. Locklcar
joined the FirstHealth Center of Health & Fitness-Pembroke. Because
of the chronic arthritic pain in her knees, her exercise options
were limited. She chose to participate in water aerobics and attended
the classes regularly "I HAD TO go at my own pace, but with the help
and encouragement 1 got from the stafT. I finally felt comfortable being
in the water, she says. By Feb 14. Locklear's weight had dropped to
370 pounds, low enough to qualify for surgery Although each individual
approaches exercise differently , health issues arc often the key
motivation A physician may recommend supervised exercise for patients
recovering from strokes or heart attacks, people coping with
serious injuries those who are working to manage chronic diseases
such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Because the FirstHealth
Centers for Health & Fitness are associated with hospitals and medical
practices, they are uniquely qualified to assist individuals working
to manage or prevent health problems. In fact. Kim Cov ington, manager
of the FirstHealth Center for Health & Fitness-Pembroke, is an
exercise physiologist. "A physiologist is trained to understand how
the body responds to exercise." she says. "We know how to determine
what heart rates during exercise arc appropriate under a v ariety
of circumstances. We help each indiv idual establish fitness goals that
are achievable and specific to their personal situation " Located on the
West Third Street in Pembroke, the Center for Health & Fimess strives
to offer recreational activities or exercises that appeal to a variety of
taste and interests. Members can use state-of-the-art cardiovascular
and strength-training equipment including treadmills, stationarv bicycles.
cross trainers and free-weights. Or they can take adv antage of
the indoor, heated pool for independent swimming or as a participant
in special water exercise classes. Additional opportunities for group
exercise - including low-impact aerobics, stretch clinics and kickboxing
- are available. Families have access to on-site child care To further
maximize the emotional benefits of fitness and encourage personal
comfort and satisfaction, FirstHealth also offers on-site massage therapy
for additional fee A fitness program is about more than just losing
weight It is an investment in one's health, but the payoffs can be
huge. "I originally went to FirstHealth to help me lose weight, but 1
didn't realize how much more I would gain." Locklear says. "It became
my refuge. The relationships I developed and the escape the exercise
offered filled the void in my life after"my food" was limited." "To really
make a difference in your health, you have to be persistent about
fitness." says Covington. "It is a long process, and vou have to be
willing to stick with it - even if you don't sec immediate results. Too
many people have'unrealistic expectations and quit early on. But those
who keep pushing forward feel better and get stronger. "Some of our
members have been able to reduce their dependence on medication
because of their commitment to exercise." For Locklear. her surgery
was simply another step along the road to good health Following her
recovery. she resumed her exercise routine and carefully monitored her
nutritional choices. Today, she is 215 pounds lighter and no longer
suffers from chronic joint pain, high blood pressure or heart stress.
Previously unable to manage a one-hour water exercise class. Locklcar
not only completes such classes regularly, but also works out 45 minutes
or more using a cardio glide and weights. She is working to complete
a certification that will enable her to become a part of the FirstHealth
team, teaching water exercise for other members "I have always felt
everything happens for a reason." she says. "I know it is only through
the grace of God I have accomplished what I hav e. Today. I continue to
go to the fitness center. 1 have become an advocate for exercise and
FirstHealth More than ever, I am loving life and actively cherishing the
moments I share with my children " To learn more about how exercise
can make a difference in your life, call the FirstHealth Center for Health
and Fitness-Pembroke at 521-4777. Or stop by for a free facility tour
and orientation
\ /,)
Prospect UMC site for
Annual Youth Rally
! Prospect United Methodist Church at 3929 Missouri Road, Maxton
(across the roadfrom Prospect School - 7 miles south of Red Springs,
5 miles Northwest of Pembroke, 7 miles Northeast of Maxton) mil
1 he the site for the Annual YOUTH RAI-I-Y on Monday, March I,
' 2004 at 6:43 p.m. All youth (grades 6-college) are especially invited
' to attend. Adults are welcomed and expected with their youth group.
' The Rally is sponsored by the Rams Young Christian Association,
The Prospect UM Men, and Prospect l.adies' Fellowship. For more
' information, you may call Prospect UM at (910) 321-2111 during
: the day. There will he group singing, a dramatic presentation hy the
' Drama Team of Tabernacle Baptist Church, Music Ministry, and
" preaching hy The Reverend Kelvin l.ocklear, Pastor of White Hill
' Free Will Baptist Church. There mil be awards given to the largest
''youth group, the youth group that travels the furthest, the oldest
' rallier, and perfect attendance awards to those who have attended
' each of the Rallies since its beginning. Everyone will he treated to
' piiza after the rally and you should he on your way home hy 9:00
p.m.
Weightless Lumhees: Dr. Tim Ritter, advisor; Charlene l.ocklear,
April Oxendine and Brandon l.ocklear.
Weightless Lumbees begin
raising funds to fly with NASA
PEMBROKE, N.C. - A group of UNC Pembroke science majors, w ho
call themselves the Weightless Lumbees. will take a trip this spring
aboard NASA's KC-135 aircraft They will conduct a scientific expenmcnt
in zero gravity aboard the famous "vomit comet." This is the
second consecutive year that a UNCP group was accepted to NASA's
Reduced Gravity Student Flight Opportunities Program, hcadquatercd
in Houston. Texas. Project advisor is UNCP physics Professor Tim
Rittcr. "We are very fortunate to be accepted for a second trip." Dr
Rittcr said "Participants in this program come from very elite schools
The NASA folks like us because we are focused on the outreach side
of the program ." When they return, the Weightless Lumbees will pack
age an educational program to take to local schools. "We have already
made seven presentations, including Pembroke Middle School. Purncil
Swett High School and Union Elementary School." said Brandon Locklear
of Pembroke. "I w ill head up the outreach side." Last year, the
Weightless Lumbees also made presentations at Lumbce Homecoming.
the Festival of Flight in Faycttcvillc and ay several other events
and conferences. "Outreach is becoming more important to the project
this year." Locklcar said. " Hie kids were very excited at the schools we
went to last year, and we have designed some new hands-on experiments
for them." April Oxendinc, who flew with the Weightless
Lumbees last year, and newcomer Charlene Locklear will lead the scientific
side of the project. "I'm probably going to be the one who gets
sick." Locklear said. "We have designed an experiment on the rafc of
enzyme reactions in zero gravity." Oxendinc said the experiment will be
simular to last year 's, but with improved laboratory1 equipment built bv
engineering students from UNC Charlotte Dr Rittcr said the experience
with NASA in Houston is memorable One spin-offbencfit from
last year's is that team member Joe Oxendinc was accepted to Navy
flight school after his graduation in May 2003. "Joe really became
energized by his experience with NASA," Dr. Rittcr said "He wants to
go all the way and become an astronaut." All three of UNCP's Weightless
Lumbees for 2004 arc double majors in biology and chemistry with
a biomedical emphasis Front Lumberton, Charlene Locklcar will graduate
in May 2004 and was accepted to medical school at East Carolina
University Also from Lumberton. April Oxendinc will graduate in December
2004 and plans to apply to medical school An ex-Marine and
Pembroke native. Brandon Locklear is a sophomore and also plans to
attend medical school. There is work to be done before the UNCP and
UNC Charlotte Weightless Lumbees travel to Houston "Our first mission
is to raise the money to get to Houston." Dr Ritter said. Last year,
the Weightless Lumbees were supported by UNCP's Office of Academic
Affairs, the Health Careers Opportunity Program, the North Carolina
Space Consortium, the North Carolina Biotechnology Consortium
and the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation in Science
"NASA pays for the plane and fuel." Dr Rittcr said "We pay the rest "
Learning Together Spring
Sessions Scheduled
The Robeson County Family Support Program has scheduled sessions
for the Learning Together Project. This Project is a school readiness
program that serves children (3.5 - 5 years of age) who have not
had Prc-School. Head Start experience, or Child Care Parents or other
caregivers attend the sessions w ith their child and learn together (thus
the name "learning together"). It is designed to prepare the parent and
child to enter Kindergarten healthy and prepared for success Learning
Together will be operating at six elementary schools this Spring
The classes will be held for 11 sessions in the evenings and w ill run
from 6:.30 to8:30 p.m. March 22.2004 through June 8.2004 They will be
held at those times on Monday at East Robeson. Rex Rcnncrt. R B
Dean, and Union Chapel Elementary On Tuesday sessions will be
held at Pembroke and St Pauls Elementary The Program prepares
children and parents for Kindergarten To register, call the Center for
Community Action at 739-7851
Program to Promote Homebuyer
Education in Indian Country
What The homcovvncrship rate for Native Americans is half that of
the general U S Population, about 33% - compared to almost 70%
nationwide An announcement of new partnership seeks to reverse
this trend The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and
the National American Indian Housing Council (NAHIC) announce a
partnership to provide culturally relevant education materials using
an Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (NRC) model Flinders
include: The Ford Foundation. Wells Fargo Housing Foundation, the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Bank
One. The enterprise Foundation. Fannie Mac Foundation. GrccnPoint
' Mortgage, Housing Assistance Council and Washington Mutual
When: Fcbniarv 23.2004 (Monday)at 11 a.m. Where Wyndham Washington
Hotel, in the Woodlawn Room 1400 M Street NW. Washington.
DC Who: Speakers: Tex Hall. President. National Congress of
American Indians (NCAI) Russell Sossamon. Chairman. National
American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC)and Executive Director.
Choctaw Nation Housing Authority Gary L Gordon, Executive Director.
NAIHA Why Attend? Predatory lending is a major problem in
Indian Country, according to government data 200.000 homes arc
needed immediately in tribal areas, according to recent government
report in tribal areas. 7.4%of homes arc severely crowed, compared
to 2.7% of general U.S. households What To Do To Attend For more
information or toR S VP . please contact Jason McC'artv at (202)4667767