Some of you may or may not have seen the article in the Pilot last Wed about the little girl in Carthage that died. She was my daughter's best friend. We moved here when the girls were 3 1/2 and they called each other "BFF".  It has been a heartbreaking week for the whole family.  On top of that, they now have to deal with medical and funeral expenses.  They had no health insurance and no life insurance at all.  The father was a self employed plumber and mom stayed at home.  The family has set up a memorial fund for her to help cover expenses.  It's at RBC Centura bank (any location) and it is under the Kraven Lee Carlisle Memorial Fund.  If you knew this family in any way at all could you please help?  Any little bit is appreciated, even if it's only a few dollars.  I know we hear these stories alot in the net and wonder how true they really are.  This one hits close to home and I just wanted to help spread the word for the family.  There are obituaries in the Pilot, Sanford Herald, Fayetteville Observer, and at the funeral home, Fry and Prickett.

Here are the links so you can verify:

The Pilot:   http://www.thepilot.com/stories/20080409/news/local/20080409Bathtub.html

obits:

http://www.thepilot.com/stories/20080409/news/obits/20080409Carlisle.html

http://www.fryandprickett.com/obituaries.php?page=0&op=view&id=176

Thanks so much for your help in easing their grief and the difficult times they are facing right now.

• Read More »

This is my second installment about "People to Meet in Moore County." If you know somebody that the rest of us need to meet, let me know. I'd be glad to interview them.

Felton Capel

This morning, I had the privilege to introduce Felton Capel to a class of 8th graders at Southern Middle School that I have been teaching through Junior Achievement. For the past eight weeks, I have asked the students what they wanted to do when they grew up, and then I followed up with a more difficult question: "What are you going to do this week to achieve that goal?" Most of the students have dreams, but they really don't understand how to turn them into reality. They also allow small barriers to get in their way. That's where Felton comes in.

Felton Capel is a black man in his 60's. We can say that race doesn't matter, but for people of Felton's generation it did. After leaving the US Army as a Master Sergeant during World War II, Felton came back to the States to try to get an education and get ahead. His choices were limited to black colleges, but he did receive a degree in Chemistry from Hampton University. When he came back home, the best job he could get was as a waiter for the Pinehurst Hotel. Felton Capel is a black man.

One day in 1968, after a family funeral, a friend approached Felton about the possibility of selling cookware with a company out of Los Angeles. Reluctantly, he agreed to try it out, and within six months, he was in the top 5 in the nation in sales. To this point, nobody in the company leadership had met Felton and didn't realize he was black, or the opportunity to sell the cookware wouldn't have been there to begin with. Within two years, he was the top selling distributor in the world, and the company wanted to throw him a victory banquet. Felton had a challenge. Felton is black. Hotels don't serve blacks. All that changed for one hotel in Winston-Salem, when Felton told them he wanted to book rooms for 700-900 people and host a dinner. He went on to by the cookware company and sit on many corporate and community service organization boards. Felton Capel is a black man, but he doesn't seem to notice.

Not satisfied with success in the business world alone, Felton ran for and won a seat on the Southern Pines Town Council. Due in large part to his efforts, Moore County integrated without all the ugliness that other areas endured. Felton Capel is a black man, but we don't care.

Perhaps you can understand why I invited Felton to speak to these 8th graders. Their excuses pale in comparison to the real barriers Felton Capel, and many others like him, faced on a daily basis. He is famous for saying, "Your attitude, more than your aptitude, determines your altitude." Everytime I think about quitting, or turning away from a challenge, or making excuses for my own laziness, I think about Felton Capel. Felton Capel is a great man.

When Dan isn't sitting at the feet of great men like Mr. Capel, he sells real estate with Fore Properties. You can reach Dan at 910-528-7003 or by email at Dan@DanAskins.com.

• Read More »

The following press release about a local abduction attempt was sent out by the Southern Pines Police Department.  Please review it and contact the police if you have any information concerning the incident.

PRESS RELEASE 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
 
April 2, 2008 

The Southern Pines Police Department Announces An Attempted Abduction / Indecent Exposure 

The Southern Pines Police Department needs your assistance in locating a suspect involved in an Attempted Abduction / Indecent Exposure investigation.  On April 1, 2008 at approximately 10:00am a female driver was followed by another vehicle from the area of Airport Road to Turnberry Way located just off Hwy 15-501 in Southern Pines.  The suspect was operating a small, royal blue, four-door sedan and was attempting to get the female to pull over by blowing the horn and switching lanes.  As the female turned the suspect was exposing himself to her.  The suspect followed her into a parking lot and then grabbed her by the sleeve.  The female was not injured and got away from the suspect.  The suspect is described as a white male, bald, brown eye brows and approximately 510-600 hgt, about 200lbs.  
 
If you have any information on this case please contact the Southern Pines Police Department at 910-692-7031.
 
The Southern Pines Police Department would like to remind the community of some personal safety steps that can be taken to reduce the potential of being victimized:
 
- Never pull over for anyone that attempts to flag you down on the highway.  Pull to a well lit, highly populated area or drive to the nearest Police or Sheriffs Office.
- Keep your cellular phone handy and call 911 immediately.  Be ready to give a description of the vehicle and plate number if possible, and a description of the suspicious person as well as the direction of travel.
- Remember to drive safely.
- If someone exposes themselves to you contact the police and give a thorough description of the person and vehicle. 
- BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS and report anything suspicious, unusual or that makes you uncomfortable to the police.
 
Log on to the Southern Pines Police Department website at www.southernpines.net/police or contact the Community Services Unit for additional information on this topic or to schedule a presentation on Personal Safety.  

Point of Contact: Lieutenant Rodney Hardy at (910) 692-2732
 

• Read More »

When I visit other places, I don't really care about architecture or landmarks. I want to meet people. I yawned through the Louvre, but I had quite a thrill participating in a worker's rally in the middle of Paris. I'm not sure what we were protesting, but it was fun anyway. People are what make the place, at least for me.

That's why I love Moore County. We have some really cool people, and I want to introduce you to a few of them. None of these people have any idea that I'm writing about them, so please feel free to tell them I did. That would be fun to watch. In separate blogs, I will introduce one or two people at a time.

Charlie McWilliams

Charlie is one of my heroes. Born in the New Jersey/New York area, Charlie has known both privilege and poverty. We met through the Moore County Leadership Institute (MCLI) when he was a banker with First Bank. Charlie is one of those guys that you want to have around if you're ever in a burning building. He's not particularly assertive or physically imposing, but if he said, "Follow me," you would. He has such a quiet strength and calm demeanor. Both traits are polar opposites of myself, which is probably why I like him. Charlie has always been the guy I go to for business advice, not just because he's knowledgeable, but because he cares enough to tell the truth. I haven't always followed his advice, but I later wished I did. The great thing about Charlie, though, was he was there for me with a pat on the back, a kick in the rump and a story of one of his own failures. We all have failures. Some of us more than others. The goal in life is not to avoid failure, but to grow past them into success.

Thanks, Charlie, for leading the way.

When Dan isn't busy telling Charlie about a crazy new business idea, he sells real estate with Fore Properties. He can be reached at 910-528-7003 or Dan@DanAskins.com.

• Read More »

I turn 30 years old this year.  For some reason this age feels like a turning point in my life.  I'm actually finally starting to feel like an adult.  Getting married, having children those things didn't even make me feel older but for some reason this magical number, 30, makes me feel older.

I've never even given much thought to getting older until this year.  Now I find myself worrying about things like cholesterol, my blood pressure, and eatting healthier.  Things I'm sure I should have been worrying about before.

I'm hoping that this new age might bring a little more wisdom, a little more maturity, and a little more boldness.

In previous entries, I have talked about my favorite places to eat breakfast and lunch. This is the third part of the trilogy. Now it's dinnertime. To be fair to the restaurants, I am going to split them up between those that are kid-friendly or at least kid-neutral and those that are best for a date with your spouse.

Kid Friendly

Chik-Fil-A. I know in the past that I have said I don't like to go to chain restaurants, but this is an exception to that rule. My girls, and my wife, love to "eet mor chikin." The atmosphere is clean, the servers are all very nice and the playground is indoors. They even have free newspapers to read. It's hard to go there without seeing somebody you know, which makes it sort of like a meeting place for kids and grown-ups. The kids go play in the fun house, and the adults sit around like an American version of a European cafe, except we "eet chikin" instead of canoli. Offering the kids options like fruit cups instead of fries makes you feel a little bit better about eating junk food too.

Date Night

195. This is my favorite restaurant of all. All the dishes are organic. The menu is eclectic. The wait staff is knowledgeable and professional. And the food rocks. I have to admit, however, that my wife doesn't like it as much as I do, because she has a very sensitive pallete when it comes to spice.

Chef Warren's. They're a little pricey, but their dishes are so unique that it's worth it. I had kangaroo with grits the other night. On a previous date, I ate elk medallions. If you're too squeamish to try something that exotic, I'm sure they also serve "chikin."

Outback Steakhouse. I only like to go to Outback for one reason. Bev Miles. Bev is one of the waitresses there, and she absolutely owns the place. We always ask to be seated in her area and are willing to wait longer to have that privilege. Bev has boundless energy, obviously loves her job, knows her product and truly cares about her clients. By the way, they have food there too. Next time you go to Outback, ask for Bev, and tell her Dan Askins sent you.

When Dan isn't busy stuffing his face, he sells real estate with Fore Properties. You can reach him at 910-528-7003 or Dan@DanAskins.com. Or just stand outside one of his favorite restaurants. Chances are good he'll be there.

• Read More »

 

We say it all the time to our kids, to our parents and to each other. "good night, I love you", "see you later, I love you." Sometimes we say it to our friends. I remember a funny story Brian told me. As he was on the phone talking to his friend's wife, their conversation came to an end and she told him "ok I love you" (forgetting he was not her husband), awkward! My point is that it is three small words that, once worked into your life, become habit words.

Since autistic children tend to have speech delays, we mothers await anxiously for their first words. For some children it comes early, some much later in life and some mothers may never hear their children utter any words. For us, Scott was 5 years old when he began to talk. Once speech has developed, the second thing we anxiously await to hear are those three little words, "I love you."

Scott can say it. I remember how thrilled I was when he told me "I love you." It was not long before I realized that he did not understand what he was saying. To him, those words had no meaning. They had become habit words. It became his standard response when we told him "I love you." But that was ok! I had waited so long to hear him say those words I would have settled for anything that sounded close to those words. That was a year ago.

Today that all changed.

He was home sick today with what a lot of autistic children have frequently, another ear infection. The poor guy was in so much pain. But no matter how much he stuck his finger in his ear and no matter how much he cried, he refused to take his medication (another thing that he does not understand the meaning of). He does not understand that if he takes these purple pills, his 104 fever will feel better, or that if he takes these white pills his "OWIE" in his ear will go away.

After trying, unsuccessfully, to convince him to take those purple and white pills, I gave up and put a Barney DVD on for what I was hoping to be 5 minutes of peace. After about 30 minutes Scott came to me, pushed my arms down and said with such conviction "I love you mommy." And then sealed the deal with a kiss!

It was in that moment that I knew. He understands what those words mean. He understands it in his heart. No more are those "habit" words for him. From now on I know when I tell him "I love you" and he responds the same, I now know he means it!

 

• Read More »

Breakfast is the best time for my family and I to go out, because it is usually cheaper, and my husband can always join us on the weekends.  This morning, we tried a new breakfast buffet we had heard about called "The Chompin' Ground."  If you like good Southern hospitality and good country cooking, this place is definitely for you.  They have a breakfast buffet that has every kind of breakfast meat, scrambled eggs (other types made to order if you want over easy or omelets), grits, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, pancakes and french toast.  Everything was wonderful and I loved the atmosphere.  It is located on Hwy 5 where the greek cafe used to be, in between Aberdeen and Pinehurst.  They also have a daily lunch buffet with fresh vegetables, fried chicken and seafood.  It is a great place to take kids and the people are very nice.

Check it out!!

• Read More »

We have recently moved to the area and are looking to get my 9 yo back into her horseback riding lessons.  Does anyone have any information regarding locations that offer riding lessons? Thanks!

I just wanted to get the word out that there is a registered sex offender living right next to Sandhurst Park (corner of Indiana and Bethesda).  He may actually be in jail right now, but he is registered as living near the park.  Unfortunately, the law says they can not live with 1000 feet of schools or child care centers but there is nothing about parks.  So if you go to that park, keep a close eye on your kids and watch out for strange men.

You can find out more information by following this link to the NC Offender Registry.