February 24, 2000 The Democrats of Cleveland - County will gather Thursday, Feb. 24 at Northlake Country Club in Shelby for their big fund raiser for the 2000 elec- tions. Tickets are $100 (single) and $125 (couple). Persons interest- ed in attend should all Chairman Betsy Wells at 739- 1584 or 734-5647, or Treasurer Brian Hawkins at 480-8686. The main speaker will be Betty McCain, current N.C. Secretary of Cultural Resources. She is Past Chairman of the NC Democratic Party, delegate to numerous National Conventions, Past President of the NC Democratic Women, and has held numerous posi- tions in NC government since the 1970s. She has been honored with many awards for her work in Democratic and human is- sues. { McCain was the NC: 10 #51.00m Democratic Woman of the Yean ! in 1976, recipient of the Mosth: Powerful Woman in they: 295!9 Triangle Award in 1996; and re=: ceived the 1996 Award: of NG: :u Public Service; 1994: Arts NCsii 11 President’s. Award; 1995 nooae Carpathian Award fromNC* 1 § ri~satinl J amnices 1 ind bey 3830Y yy od 3 | hao el The Piedmont Council, Boy Scouts of America, recently an- nounced the selection of James Parnell as District Executive for Cleveland County. Parnell will reside in Cleveland Countyjand will be responsible for qversee- ing all administrative phCEIARE and financial aspects of the Scouting program in Cleveland County. : Parnell’s duties will also in- clude the organization of new Scout units, recruiting new Scout members and volunteers as well as overseeing the orga- nization of activities and volun- teer committees within Cleveland €ourity. During 1999, there were 2,052 youths and 500 adult volunteers 'in 63'various Scouting units in Cleveland County. Parnell is a graduate of UNCC. Upon graduation, he joined the United State Army, where he was assigned to the Fighting Vehicle Infantry Division. Parnell was a member of the Dismount Rile Teamg; + / achieved the level of Squad- -, Leader and was also ~*~" * *V Commander of a vehicle in charge of coordinating intelfi- gence operations. Parnell’s three year enlistment included” Equity for her significant contri- bution to women and families . in North Carolina, and other awards for her devotion to cul- tural arts. : McCain was instrumental in the Shelby carrousel restoration project. Her visit to Cleveland County will begin at a reception at the Cleveland County Arts Council at 4 p.m., followed by her visit to Shelby Park to see the restored musical horses. She then will go to Northlake Country Club for the Democratic festivities at 6:30. She will be accompanied by Senator Walter Dalton, who ar- ranged for her visit to Cleveland County. All local and state candidates have been invited to attend the festivities at Northlake. Lt. Gov. Dennis Wicker will speak, along with other candidates including Ronnie Ansley, Lt. Governor; Joel Harbinson, Lt. Governor; Doug Berger, Commissioner of Labor; Dana Cope, Commissioner of Labor; Ed Wilson, Lt. Governor; Beverly Perdue, Lt. Governor; Jerri Clement, Ed McGuire and Gene Gay, 9th Congressional Seat US. Other candidates are sending ‘Parnell new executive of Piedmont Scout Council pos PRR TR hr JANIES PARNELL active deployments during the Bosnia conflict. Parnell received numerous awards, including the Army Commendation Medal, which is the highest award that an individual can re- ceive during peacetime. Parnell also received the Army Achievement Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Expeditionary Medal, the Army Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon; NATO Medal, Army Superior Unit Award, Driver's try Club representatives. Ruth Dedmon, Co-Chair of the Century Club, will begin the meeting. All elected officials will be recognized as well as the precinct chairs and vice-chairs. First Vice Chair Dale Costner will lead the Pledge, and prayer will be given by 2nd Vice Chair Rosalind Hunt. Third Vice Chair Jennifer Gold and Secretary Fran Cirello will work the sign-in tables. Other members of the Century Club Committee are Jim Gold, Johnny Reavis, Mary “ Accor, Brian Hawkins, Robin Hawkins, Gary Gold, David Teddy, Eddie Lockhart, Jack Partain, Denise Dorsey, Harold Ramseur, Tommy Bridges, Bill Plonk, Ronnie Humphries, Dale Costner, Connie Greene, Toby Thrift, Linda Thrift, Norma. : .. Bridges, Jim Horn, Linda Horn, Andy Dedmon, Joyce Shaffer, Doris Scruggs, Hal Dedmon and Dan Crawford.’ a Entertainment will be provid- ed by Hart Wells, recent gradu- ate of Appalachian State University, who will play classi cal guitar.” © 0c Badge, and the Expert Rifle Badge. {edits HE elf Parnell’s scouting back- ground includes attaining the rank of Eagle Scout, as well as serving as a camp counselor and area director in Field Sports for the Mecklenburg County Boy Scouts Council for five years. Parnell was quoted as saying, “The Scouting program plays a major role in our community in instilling positive values and strong ethical decision-making skills in our youth. Even though . the Cleveland County Scouting program currently serves 19.8% , of the available youth while the | natipnal average is 15.5%, there are still plenty of boys and vol- * unteers who can benefit from becoming members.” Parnell has stated his main goal includes “building on a strong tradition already in place in Cleveland County, and ex- panding the opportunity to all youth and potential chartered organizations to become a member ofthe Scouting pro-+ gram.” nh i Anyone interested in finding - out more about the Scouting program can-call Parnell at 704- 482-8721. ni Se out volunteers recognized | Area Scouting volunteers cel= ebrated the accomplishments of 1999 with the Annual Cleveland County (Battleground District) Volunteer Recognition banquet * on February 10 at Brackett’s: Cedar Park. + rie i Over 100 volunteers attended” this celebration to recognize; .' not only accomplishments of .0 J 1999, but also several top vol- unteers. Butch Kerns, Distric Chairman for the Battleground District (Cleveland County) #1! presided over the evening's events. 2¥ Gr * Following dinner, Troop 413, sponsored by the Town of * © - Belwood, presented an impres- sive opening ceremony by troop members and the Troop bahd, playing the Star Spangled '' = Banner. Charles Garwood, District Commissioner forthe Battleground District, shared numerous highlights from 1999. According to Garwood! ** Scouting is strong in Cleveland County. Cleveland County Scouting superlatives inclyde: 2052 youths participating in | Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, and Exploring; 482 volunteers participating in the Scouting . program in 1999; 63 Scouting . units chartered to sponsors in community organizationsin « 1999; 1561 merit badges and rank advancements earned by. Cub and Boy Scouts; 14 boys earned the coveted Eagle Scout Award; 387 Cub and Boy Scotits attended Camp Bud Schiele summer camp and Yo 910 district/ council camps; 12,225 hours of community service were performed by Eagle Scouts and through unit level service projects; 15 tons of food were collected by Scouts through the “Scouting tor Food” good turn project and distributed to local food agen- cies; for the third year in a row, the Battleground District was awarded the National Quality District Award which reflects growth in membership, fiance, District Committee, Commissioner service and pro- gram. During the awards and recog- nitions portion of the program, those individual Scout wits who achieved Quality Unit in 1999 and were also recognized. Over 68% of all Scout units in. Cleveland County achieved the National Quality Unit Award. Normally only 55%: of Scout units achieve this accomplish- ment. The 1999 Pack of the Year Award went to Cub Scout Pack 117, sponsored. by Boiling Springs Baptist Church. Democrat Party fund raiser [ at Northlake Coun Page 7A fore the recent Board meeting. Culinary Arts students prepared Double Layer Chocolate Pie and heart-shaped sugar cookies. Each honored guests received a package of Banana Nut Pound Cake cupcakes. Left to right, front row, Shearra Miller, Britt Talbert, Ronnie Hawkins, Dr. Robert McRae, Jeana Thomas, Jennifer Haynes and Melony Bolin. Back, Dr. Jane King, Ronnie Wilson, Dr. Larry Allen, and Stella Putnam. m= ALEXANDER / PACE mm TAX AND ACCOUNTING And all you have