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.

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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.

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Below is a list of some of my favorite eating spots for lunch in Moore County. They are in no particular order.

Please feel free to add to the list.

My Favorite Lunch Spots

Squire's Pub. I hate fast food. I refuse to eat it, unless there is absolutely no other alternative. When I'm in a hurry, I call ahead to Squire's Pub and ask for the loaded baked potato with steak and mushrooms. With tip, it's about $8, and I get a great meal faster than a trip around the Mickey D's drive through.

Panera Bread. They made it on my breakfast list, too. I like to get the half sandwich and cup of soup, especially the potato or french onion. The service is excellent, the food is good and fast. They also have a great grilled cheese sandwich for kids.

Corfu's. You've got to try their pan-seared grouper with lemon caper cream sauce. My mouth waters just typing the description. If the weather is nice, I like to sit outside and imagine I'm in some little Mediterranean seaside village. The funeral home across the street brings me back to reality, but the food is still awesome. I usually order water and come out for less than $10 with tip.

Caterino's. I am a Southerner. A good ol' boy redneck from South Carolina. I honestly did not know that people drank unsweet tea until I was in college. The very idea...Imagine the culture shock I received when I met real live Yankee restaurant owners here in Moore County. Nick Caterino is one of those guys. He is a little brazen, but underneath that tough exterior is one mighty fine baker and sandwich maker. His bread is baked fresh daily and the portions would choke a horse. Even I can't finish the meal. Sometimes. I just let them build me a sandwich. They're all good. The Philly is amazing. The Meatball sub comes in bread that has this impossibly thin layer of crunchy goodness that gives way to a chewy center. (He also makes some pretty good homemade wine.)

Eastwood Diner. Remember that part about being Southern? This is where I go to get back to my roots. Eastwood Diner is one of the few places in Moore County that I order tea. And I don't have to tell them sweet, either. Their buffet will make your tongue slap your forehead, trying to lick your lips. Fried chicken, collards, sweet potatoes, banana pudding (pronounced nanner puddin'). This is absolute paradise for only $8.

When Dan isn't stuffing his face, he sells real estate in the Moore County area with Fore Properties.

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I eat a lot. It's something I'm really good at. The best part about it is the fact that I have a very high metabolism, so it doesn't show. Below is a list of some of my favorite eating spots in Moore County. They are in no particular order.

Please feel free to add to the list.

Breakfast

• Panera Bread. When I tell people I'm at the office, they know I mean Panera. I don't buy coffee there; I rent space. Free wireless, nice staff and lots of potential clients walking around. Oh yeah, they also have great lattes and those cinammon crunch bagels with honey-walnut cream cheese.
• May St Market. Morris Pennington, the owner, will sit down and chat when he has a free second. I take my girls there on some Tuesdays before school as a reward for getting up and getting ready in time. I can eat a great breakfast, go over homework and still make it to school on time.
• Mac's Broad St. My other hangout with the girls. I can't go in without seeing 10 people I know. I feel like a breakfast potentate.
• Sizzlin' Steak or Egg. This is what Mac's used to be. The classic diner. Their link sausage is the bomb, and their grits is the real Southern stuff. No, you don't put syrup on it...

Lunch and Dinner in subsequent blogs.

When Dan Askins is not stuffing his face, he sells real estate in the Moore County area.

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