wilson woman, spring 2012

Spring 2012

Wilson

The ‘Women in Business’ Issue

Spring Gardening & Cleaning

Plus more local recipes!

Stephanie Barnard & Deborah St JamesTwo communications experts just published a second book to help you listen, write and present effectively.

2 SPRING 2012 WILSON WOMAN

Deborah St James (left) and Stephanie Roberson Bar-nard have collaborated since 1996. Both authors are

“dog people,” so it is fitting that Deborah’s dog, Libby, decided to join them for this photo shoot and brain-

storming session. Photo by Patrick Burns.

On the cover

4 Ready.Set.Garden. Gardeningseasonbeginsnow.Areyou prepared?

8 ‘TistheSeason Springisatimeforrebirth.Butit’salsoa timetothrowandgiveawayyouroldclutter. Getlocaltipsonspringcleaningthisseason.

12 WomeninBusiness Seeprofilesof46oftheWilsonwomen whoareyourlocalbusinessowners, managers,activists,agentsandmore.

22 Listen.Write.Present. WilsonresidentStephanieBarnardhas traveledtheworldteachingprofessionalswho tocommunicateeffectively.Now,sheand DeborahStJameshaveputitallinanewbook.

10, 30 “About Town” Seewhichofyourfriendsandneighbors havebeenoutandactivethiswinter.

21 WCC Small Business Center Theuntappedresourceforaspiring entrepreneurs.

26, 33 Spring recipes Sometime-testedrecipesfromElm City’sElizabethBottoms.

28 Day trips from Wilson AlistofsomegreatN.C.placeswithinan easydriveofWilson.

32 I am Wilson Profileonafamiliarfacedowntown.

Table of Contents

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Morgan Paul Dickerman, IIIPublisher

____________________

Shana HooverDirector of Sales and Marketing

(252) [email protected]

Bradley HearnSpecial Sections Editor

(252) [email protected]

Account Executives:

Sonja Hayes(252) 265-7826

[email protected]

Lisa Pearson(252) 265-7827

[email protected]

Beth Robbins(252) 265-7849

[email protected]

____________________

Contributors

Writers:Janelle Clevinger, Bradley Hearn

Art:

Gérard Lange | Graphic DesignJanelle Clevinger | Photography

Bradley Hearn | PhotographyAmber McDaniels | Photography

Gray Whitley | Photography____________________


Many months before the ground is even warm enough to plant in, gardeners’ thoughts turn to choosing what plants they will grow in the coming garden season, readying the earth for planting, and maintaining the plants that are already in the ground.

WWilson falls in the 7B planting zone which slithers along North Carolina’s Piedmont and down through parts of South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama.

“We are on the warm side of Zone 7,” said Cyndi Lauderdale, horticultural extension agent in the Wilson office of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. “We might be able to get away with a Zone 8 plant because we can sometimes push the limits.”

Popular vegetables grown in Zone 7 are tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, cabbage, onion and lettuce. Favorite perennials and annuals for this zone are asters, begonia, mums, day lilies, Black-eyed Susan daisies and roses.

Although seedlings can start being prepared inside in January, transplanting them to your outdoor garden will have to wait for a few months.

“Most vegetables will have to wait until after April 15 to be planted, which is considered our frost-free date,” Lauderdale said. “But even after April 15, check weather reports to make sure late season storm isn’t coming. The same rule applies for summer flowers like marigolds and petunias.”

According to Lauderdale, February is the perfect time to start preparing your garden for spring planting.

“What I always do in February is cut down ornamental grasses, begin mulching, and getting up any dead leaves from day lilies, hosta, and liriope” Lauderdale said. “With liriope, also known as monkey grass, you cut those down short by putting your lawn mower on highest setting because you don’t want to scalp the crown of the plant.”

Lauderdale recommends

composting all the dead leaves and cuttings you’ve collected.

Trees and shrubs can be planted early, anytime the ground is not frozen.

One important note about pruning many flowering shrubs – now is definitely not the correct time to prune.

“When it comes to pruning, you have to know the timing of your plants,” Lauderdale said. “For example, if you prune azaleas after August, you won’t get buds in the spring because the plant as already prepared itself the previous August for its blooms.”

Other plants that are sensitive to pruning are dogwoods and

rhododendrons.One exception to the

pruning rule would be roses.“Pruning your roses can

usually be done around now – the end of January or February,” said Roger Thurman, noted Wilson gardener who, with his wife Dixie, spend many hours gardening and working the land on their 18-acre home site.

“You need to give roses a serious pruning because if you don’t prune they get leggy and overgrown and the stems aren’t as strong as you want,” Thurman said.

The Thurmans already have mulch over most of their grounds and are waiting for the ground temperature to

Roses, like these found in Roger and Dixie Thurman’s garden, will be pruned in early February to keep from becoming overgrown and producing week stems.

Story and photos by Janelle Clevinger

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rise before planting.“Having started seeding

for spring yet, but will start it very soon,” Thurman said. “Right now in our greenhouse, we’re conserving the tender perennials and tropical plants that come in for the winter.”

Thurman does recommend planting two vegetables before the April 15 no-freeze date.

“Sugar snaps and snow peas need to go in soon, before April 15,” Thurman said. “They actually need a little cold weather and cold ground to start.”

Both Lauderdale and Thurman highly recommend mulching your planting beds.

“Mulch helps keep soil moist and keeps weeds away from bare spots,” Lauderdale said. “When you see bear soil, you definitely want to mulch because weed seeds need light to germinate and mulching keeps the light from reaching the ground.”

Thurman says the best mulch product deal around comes from the Wilson County landfill.

“For $5, you can take a truck out and get compost or fine wood screening from the landfill,” Thurman said. “The fine wood screens make an excellent top layer or dressing.”

Wood collected from the county, much of which has been placed on the curb for pickup, goes through a first grinding and produces small wood chips which are called find wood screening. A second grinding creates a fine mixture which goes into the landfill’s compost pile.

Thurman recommends calling the landfill ahead of time at 399-2823 if you need a large amount of fine wood screening or compost.

Lawn & Order

When it comes to planting a successful lawn, Lauderdale recommends warm season grasses for the Wilson area, such as Bermuda and centipede grasses. Warm season grasses tend to plant best during the late-spring and early summer

Dead leaves and debris should be cleaned from hosta beds, like the one here on the property of the Thurmans, before spring growth begins.

months.“Bermuda seed will be

planted around May 15,” Lauderdale said.

Aeration, which involves putting holes in your lawn to allow fertilizers, nutrients and water into the root system and loosens up tight, compacted soil allowing the root system to grow, should only be done at the right time and is not recommended for some varieties of grass.

“If you have a warm season grass, aeration needs to wait until grass is actively growing, green and vigorous,” Lauderdale said. “And do not aerate centipede grass because it’s such a slow grower.”

Cool season grasses, such as tall fescue, need to be fertilized for the last time around February 14. Other times for cool season fertilization are September and November and aeration can happen anytime between September and February.

Planning Never StopsFor most gardeners,

planning is a year-round process. Even when cold whether is upon us, those who love to work in the soil are thinking ahead about new plants and new projects.

The Thurman’s land includes a small lake which in part of their overall gardening plan.

“We continue to plant around the edge of our lake in order to create a pretty vista,” Thurman said.

The Thurman’s long range plans include raising bees.

“We are currently taking a bee keeping course offered by the extension service in Goldsboro,” Thurman said. “We want to put bee hives at the back of the lake for both honey and pollination. This pollination will benefit neighbors within a mile radius.”

Finding Help

Wilson itself contains several different soil types and some testing might need to be done to see if your soil is lacking (or has an excess of) certain nutrients.

“Now is a great time to test your soil so you can get your report back before you need to

put down fertilizer,” Lauderdale said. “Lots of times I see that our soil is low in pH so we need to add lime. Lots of folks think about putting out fertilizer but forget about the need for lime which raises the pH and helps the plants uptake the fertilizer.”

Soil testing kits are available free of charge from the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service office in Wilson. The testing itself is done by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture.

If you are going to do an online search for planting tips, Lauderdale recommends you add “North Carolina” to your search.

“Things are so different just to the north and south of us that you have to make your search very specific,” Lauderdale said. “University-based websites are good, including the North Carolina State horticulture website.”

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/

6 SPRING 2012

The Thurmans continue to create garden vistas around the lake, seen here in the background. The back of the lake will soon be the loca-tion of several honey bee hives.

WILSON WOMAN


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The Master Gardeners

spring symposium and plant sale will be held March 31 at the Wilson County Agricultural Center, 1806 SW Goldsboro St. Plant sale begins at 8:30 a.m.; speakers start at 9 a.m. Featured speakers will include a turf grass specialist and a bee keeper.

The Wilson County Extension Service’s Children’s Secret Garden open house will be held May 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. behind the Cooperative Extension Services offices at 1806 SW Goldsboro St. The day’s events will include a ribbon cutting, lots of activities for children and a plant sale.

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Something about the promise of the spring season turns many people into cleaning machines, going through clos-ets, attics and drawers.

Perhaps it’s a sign of rebirth, a new beginning. Or maybe we’ve grown tired of looking at the same mess during the months we’ve been cooped up inside.

Regardless of the reason, now is a wonderful time to declutter your home and lighten the load of “stuff” that seems to accumulate throughout the year.

“Spring fever always seems to include cleaning, although spring doesn’t always come around here when it says it’s sup-posed to on the calendar,” said Christy Asbell, an interior designer with Cre-ative Designs in Wilson.

Asbell says she likes to begin cleaning and organization with a clean slate.

“It might not be for everyone, but that’s the way I work,” Asbell said. “I move as much out of a room as pos-sible and once you get that one space finished, you can feel good in it and then move on to another room.”

“Clutter can clause confusion,” continued Asbell. “The more you can get out of the space, the more peace-ful a space is.”

Asbell said that the key to clean-ing and organizing is to do it in small steps so you don’t overwhelm yourself.

“I’m a list maker and I give myself a daily achievable goal and try to reach that goal,” Asbell said. “It gives you a sense of accomplishment.”

Asbell emphasized that you have to make your cleaning goals achiev-able or you will end up becoming frustrated. And keep in mind that you will probably be interrupted through-out the day.

“Things you think are going to take the longest amount of time, you put them down first on your list,” Asbell recommended.

Simplifying your home and the

amount of objects in it is key, says Asbell.“Every person has their own likes and

dislikes and many have collections of things, but maybe they need to simplify those collections, “Asbell said. “Maybe pack some of your collection away and take them out later so you can fall in love with them all over again.”

She also recommends finding new ways to display your collections or find new homes for them throughout your house.

“When something stays stagnant in a spot, you don’t even notice it anymore,” Asbell said.

As an example, Asbell sited a collec-

tion of books and suggested that, while leaving some in a bookcase, you could put others out on display. One trick is sitting an attractive book on a table and then put a candlestick on it.

And as for all the “stuff” that seems to build up in our homes, Asbell has a solu-tion for that as well.

“There is a container, a basket, a product to hold everything these days; something to make your area look more attractive and organized,” Asbell said.

Asbell has noticed that the people who seem to have the most difficult time keeping households clean and organized are those with young children. Between toys, artwork


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WWilson Women in BusinessJana Lake

What she does: Lake’s agency provides full-service insurance and financial service products. She spe-cializes in helping people manage the risk of everyday life, recover from the unexpected and realize their dreams.

other: Lake is a member of the Wilson Chamber of Commerce, the Wilson Board of REALTORS® and the Wilson Business Alliance. Her agency has led the district in taking care of their clients. Lake is also a strong advocate for homeless ani-mals.

Nickie SalyerWhat she does: Salyer manages

the daily operation of Grapenuts. Salyer and Grapenuts special-ize in customer service and pride themselves on locating wines that are hard to find and labels that are highly sought after.

other: Salyer enjoys conducting personalized wine tastings for indi-viduals and groups in Wilson. She regularly attends wine seminars and professional tastings. She has also completed level one of The Aficio-nados of Wine series of the Parker & Zraly wine certification program.

Anita Turnage JonesWhat she does: The owner of

her own company, Jones is the president, a graphic designer, photographer and marketing

consultant.other: She is an ambassador

for the Wilson Chamber of Com-merce and is actively involved in her church Daniels Chapel. Jones is also a nature photog-

raphy enthusiast and enjoys knowing that her designs are

being used from East Coast to West Coast and in India.

Anna FurgasonWhat she does: With over 13

years of experience as a certified Honda sales consultant, Furgason is able to cross-sell within the Hu-bert Vester auto group (New Hon-da, Chevrolet, Toyota and Nissan) as well as new cars.

other: Furgason is active with scouting and serves as the merit badge counselor for Troop 4 in Wilson. She is an alumna of both N.C. State and Wilson Community College and attends Raleigh Road Baptist Church. She has two sons and two grandsons.

Wendy WinsteadWhat she does: Winstead, ASID, is

the owner and senior designer Creative Designs in Wilson, which has been in business for 20 years. In 2002, Winstead opened Showplace Manor at 3713 Nash Street, a home-like showroom that offers everything from unique gifts to fine accent furniture. This month, they opened a new ‘Design It Yourself’ design center on the first floor, allowing creative customers to help themselves to fabric, bedding, uphol-stery and, as a result, receive a 20 pecent discount on their order.

other: Winstead has been decorating and designing homes and businesses for over 20 years and, in 2004, became NKBA certified to design kitchens and baths.

Lisa PearsonWhat she does: Pearson has

worked at The Wilson Times as an advertising executive

for 25 years. other: Pearson is a board

member of the Wilson Crisis Center. In 2010, she completed

the Chamber of Commerce Dy-namic Leadership course. She is the proud mother of one daugh-

ter, Beth, and grandmother of grandson Malachi.

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WWilson Women in BusinessAngela M. Dail

What she does: Angela works as the assistant manager and sales clerk at Wilson Hardware, where she has been for 28 years.

other: She is a past member of the Wilson Business and Profes-sional Women’s Club and has been actively involved in downtown functions since arriving at Wilson Hardware in 1985.

Angie BassWhat she does: Bass in the

co-owner of Churchwell’s Jewel-ers, located in The Shoppes at

Brentwood. other: Bass is the proud

mother of two girls.

Karen DurrettWhat she does: Currently the

owner of the drop-in childcare center Play Date, Durrett was al-so formerly a teacher for 11 years.

other: Durrett graduated from Barton College in 1994. She then taught special eduction for 11 years, prior to adopting a daughter in 2007. Additionally, since 1999, she has been an active member of First Free Will Baptist Church and cur-rently teaches a senior adult Sun-day school class, as well as serving in the church’s nursery ministry.

Penny WombleWhat she does: Womble overseas

the day-to-day operations of each of the three businesses.

other: In 2006, Womble received the “Gem of the Year” award from Wilson Downtown Development Cor-poration. She is also a member of the Arts Council of Wilson, Chowan Uni-versity Board of Visitors, Wilson Board of Realtors and the Wilson Property Owners and Managers Association.

Deborah ClaytonWhat she does: Clayton works in

sales and marketing with the deal-ership. She completed certification for sales manager and sales con-sultant with top honors, as well as being a certified internet manager and product specialist.

other: Clayton achieved the top 10% of the Mark of Excel-lence Cadillac Crest Club. She is a member of Little Rock Original FWB Church of Lucama and is the daughter of Dolan and Betty Atkin-son of Lucama.

Erika ThomasWhat she does: Thomas has

eight years of experience as an agent with State Farm. Her mis-sion is to help their clients plan and protect their future with their positive and proactive team.

other: Thomas is a graduate of N.C. State University and a member of the Wilson Chamber of Commerce.


WWilson Women in BusinessPenny Whitfield

What she does: Whitfield is a broker and owner of The Whitfield Agency, LLC.

other: She attended East Caro-lina University and now has 7 years of experience in real estate. She was named “Agent of the Year” in 2006 by Prudential Ferrell Realty and was a “Multi-Million Dollar Producer” every year from 2006 to 2009. Whitfield is also a member of the National As-sociation of Realtors, the North Caro-lina Association of Realtors, Wilson Board of Realtors, Multiple Listing Service and Biltmore’s Who’s Who.

Sue SmithWhat she does: Smith works

in marketing and management support at Lee Automotive. This position supports the marketing initiatives of several Lee dealer-ships by assisting managers with digital, print and broadcast ad-vertising, and by facilitating vari-ous projects for the owner and vice president of the company.

Julia NewtonWhat she does: Julia, along with

her husband Will, owns an indepen-dent jewelry and fine craft gallery.

She also does all kinds of repair, remounts and custom work on-site.

The store also represents several North Carolina craftsmen working in

ceramics, metal and jewelry. other: Along with her husband,

Julia will have a booth at the farmer’s market this summer, selling pre-

serves, herb mixtures and local Black Angus beef. They also sponsor events

at the Boykin Center and Wilson County Public Library.

Phyllis BallanceWhat she does: Ballance

serves as the bookkeeper and as a salesperson at the store.

other: When not enjoying time with family and friends, Ballance loves to help in any way at her church, Little Rock OFWB Church.

Valerie ShellsWhat she does: Shells is a real

estate broker with Homes of Wilson and a bail bonding general agent with Loftin Bail Bonding.

other: Shells has served as the commissioner of the Wilson Housing Authority and the MLS director for the Wilson Board of Realtors. She is also a notary public in North Carolina, helps with the ministry at Showers of Bless-ing Christian Center and is the proud mother of two children and pets.

Dee WarrickWhat she does: Now celebrating 25

years of service, Warrick is the principal agent and business owner of the Dee Darden Warrick Agency of Nationwide Insurance, an On Your Side® certified agency offering auto, home, life and business insurance.

other: She has served and/or support-ed the American Heart Association, Wil-son County Youth Athletic Association, Life Underwriters Association, American Cancer Society, First United Methodist Church, United Way, Wilson County Junior Golf Association, American Red Cross, Arts Council of Wilson and the WilMed Foundation. She has received the Nationwide Insurance Champion Award and the Pacesetter Award.


WWilson Women in BusinessLinda Dew

What she does: Dew has been the officer manager at Wilson Hard-ware for 42 years. She is now the general manager of the hardware store, as well as the operator of the new addition to the store, Recollec-tions at Wilson Hardware. She also owns K&L Equipment, a restaurant equipment business in Wilson.

other: Very involved in downtown since she arrived at the store in 1969, Dew has served as the vice president of the Heart of Wilson Association and president of the Wilson Business and Professional Women’s Club.

Mandy BarrettWhat she does: Barrett works

in the accounts payable depart-ment and works as a cashier and title clerk for the dealership.

Sandy OwensWhat she does: Owens is a

vice president with BB&T and a mortgage loan officer.

other: She has over 27 years of experience in real estate/

finance/ banking and over 18 years as a mortgage loan officer.

She is a member of the Wilson Board of Realtors, treasurer of

Wilson Home Builder’s Associa-tion and the secretary of Wilson

Crimestoppers.

Hope GloverWhat she does: Glover owns

Hope’s Furniture, a true family business.

other: Glover gets lots of family time in her life, because her husband Mike, daughters Amy Brewer and Tiffany Glover and son-in-law Ryan Brewer all work and operate the store with her. Though she loves what she does, her favorite leisure activity is spending time with her grand-son Michael Brewer.

Angie BakerWhat she does: Baker is a broker

and REALTOR® with First Wilson Properties. She is a full-time real estate professional dedicated to helping home buyers and sellers un-derstand the changing market.

other: Baker is the current presi-dent of the Wilson Board of REAL-TORS®. She is also a member of the Rocky Mount Association of REAL-TORS®, Triangle Association of RE-ALTORS®, North Carolina Associa-tion of REALTORS® and National Association of REALTORS®.

Sandra HomesWhat she does: Homes is the execu-

tive director of the Wilson Visitors Center, the principal organization responsible for marketing and attracting large and small meetings, sports marketing venues, pleasure travel groups and independent travelers to Wilson. In addition, the center is involved in supporting and promoting Wilson attractions, museums and events.

other: She serves as a board member of the Destination Marketing Association of North Carolina and is a member of the Association Executives of North Carolina, Southeastern Tourism Society, Travel South, NC Motorcoach Association, NC Sports Association, NC Civil War Trail committee and the NC Travel Council.


WWilson Women in BusinessChristie Davis

What she does: Davis is the co-owner, along with husband Kenny, of Davis TV. She works in sales and does the company’s bookkeeping.

other: Davis is very active in Shiloh Pentecostal Holiness Church, serving as the senior citizens director, as well as a Sunday school teacher and vol-unteer in women’s ministries. In 2009, she volunteered with People to People in Nicaragua, where she helped needy children get sponsors to help feed, educate and clothe them. When not volunteering, Davis enjoys singing, knitting, reading and cooking.

Allyson MoyeWhat she does: Moye is a real es-

tate broker and property manager.other: She has been a member

of the Wilson Jaycees since 2005 and served as the treasurer from 2009-11. She is also on the Barton Col-lege Alumni Board (and a former secretary) and the Wilson Board of REALTORS®. Additionally, Moye is the former membership director of the Friends of Hackney Library, a graduate of the REALTOR Institute and the treasurer of the Wilson Fire-men’s Fund since 2005.

Allison CollierWhat she does: Collier is the

co-owner/operator of the local diner.

other: Originally from Wilson, Collier attended East Carolina University. She is a member of the Wilson Chamber of Commerce and has one child.

Amy WigginsWhat she does: Wiggins is the

owner of the Brentwood store The Nook.

other: She is currently a board member of Wilson Education Part-nership and the Wilson Medical Center Auxiliary Board.

Sharon AllenWhat she does: Allen is a licensed

esthetician and the owner of Merle Norman Cosmetic Studio and Spa in Wilson. Her services include wax-ing, facials, chemical peels, airbrush tanning, make up/mask application and brow tinting. She expanded the studio to include a spa in 2010.

other: Allen is a 1994 graduate of Meredith College and has over 22 years of experience in the cosmetic industry. She was Wilson Woman’s Club’s Young Carocrist in 2000. A for-mer Miss Wilson in 1992, Allen later served as executive director of the Miss Wilson pageant. She is married and has one son.

Bonnie SmithWhat she does: Smith is a

Nationwide Insurance principal agent, providing customized insurance solutions for auto, home, life and commercial clients. She has been working in insurance since she was 15 years old.


WWilson Women in BusinessVictoria Brown

What she does: In business for 19 years, Brown is a private practice lactation consultant and childbirth educator. She also sells and rents breast pumps.

other: An International Board-certified lactation consultant for 10 years, Brown is also a board mem-ber of the Coalition for Improving Maternity Services, a leader in the Wilson La Leche League, a former board member of the North Caroli-na Breastfeeding Coalition and the founder of North Carolina Friends of Midwives.

Cathy LammWhat she does: Lamm works

as the office manager at Hubert Vester Toyota Scion. She has worked with the local Toyota and Chevrolet franchises for 30 years.

other: Lamm is a member of Daniels Chapel FWB Church. Additionally, she is married and is the proud mother of one daughter.

Cynthia CollierWhat she does: Collier is the

co-owner/operator of the local diner.

other: The Wilson native graduated Barton College with a degree in accounting. She is married with two children and

two grandchildren.

Brenda DawsonWhat she does: Dawson has

been the retail manager of Simply Fashions in Wilson for 18 years. She has also worked as an inde-pendent Mary Kay Beauty consul-tant for over 20 years.

other: Dawson is an active member of The United Order of the Tents, where she serves as treasurer of the local chapter. Among other activities in the church, she serves as the financial secretary of Great Restoration Church Ministries of Elm City.

Sherlyetta LacewellWhat she does: Lacewell is the own-

er of Lacewell Insurance Agency with Allstate. She is an exclusive agent with over 25 years of experience. Among her insurance and financial products, she offers: auto, home, life, motorcycle, renters, business, retirement, invest-ment and voluntary workplace ben-efits.

other: Lacewell also serves on the Wilson Medical Center Board of Trust-ees, Whirligig Festival Executive Board of Directors, Wilson Tennis Foundation Board and as a deaconess at Corner-stone Missionary Baptist Church.

Melinda LairdWhat she does: Laird is the vice

president of clinical services and is a member of the executive team responsible for all aspects of patient care and inpatient and outpatient services.

other: Laird was a part of the Dynamic Wilson Leadership class in 2011 and is on the Wilson County Board of Health. She is a member of First United Methodist Church, where she is active on the women’s ministry team and also mission out-reach. Additionally, she is on the N.C. Future of Nursing Leadership Task Force and a board member of the N.C. Organization of Nurse Leaders.


WWilson Women in BusinessSonja Hayes

What she does: Hayes has been an ad-vertising executive for over 18 years.

other: She is a member of the Wilson Board of REALTORS® and the Home Builders Association of Wilson. Addi-tionally, she is an elementary education student at East Carolina University with memberships that include National Edu-cation Association, N.C. Association of Educators, National Association for the Social Studies, as well as Phi Theta Kap-pa, Phi Kappa Phi and Golden Key Honor societies. She also serves as a 3rd grade Sunday school teacher and puppet direc-tor at Forest Hills Baptist Church.

Denise O’HaraWhat she does: O’Hara is the vice

president of human resources, orga-nizational development and food and nutritional services at Wilson Medical Center.

other: O’Hara is a board member of S.P.O.T., through Wilson Youth United. She is a member of the Soci-ety of Human Resource Management and the American Society of Health-care H.R., for which she received the Outstanding State Officer Award in 2011. She is a board member and the immediate past president of the N.C. Healthcare H.R. Association. She is a member of Peace Church.

Steadman LanierWhat she does: Lanier is the

owner and buyer for Belle & Co. other: The mother of two

boys, Lanier is also involved in the Arts Council of Wilson,

YMCA, Chamber of Commerce and First Presbyterian Church.

Betsy KingWhat she does: King, owner,

has 32 of experience selling insur-ance coverage. Products she offers include co-pay plans, HSA plans, over-65 products and high-risk plans for those not eligible for traditional health insurance.

other: She is a past-president of the Wilson Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and the Wil-son Family Business Alliance. She is currently the president of the Wil-son Crisis Center and received the Governor’s Award for outstanding community service for work with the American Cancer Society.

Gaynell StallingsWhat she does: Stallings is the owner

of Park Place Consignments, as well as an interior designer. She also provides estate sale services.

other: Stallings is a board member of the Wilson Downtown Development Corp. and Preservation of Wilson and received the Pres-ervation Spirit Award in 2009. She is also an executive board member of The Wilson Woman’s Club and serves as the publicity chairman. Stallings is also on the Steering Committee of the Wilson/Barton College Partnership and is a member of the Old Wilson Neighborhood Association. She is a member of First United Methodist Church.

Melanie WombleWhat she does: Womble, a registered

nurse, is the founder, president and CEO of PDSS. The company assists businesses and industries in establish-ing and maintaining drug-free work places. They’ve specialized in DOT drug and alcohol regulations for 23 years.

other: Womble received the first an-nual Wilson Chamber of Commerce Small Business Leader of the Year award. She is also a board member of both the Wilson County Substance Abuse Coalition and Wilson’s Board of Adjust-ment. Womble is a founding member of the Substance Abuse Program Adminis-trators Association (SAPAA).


WWilson Women in BusinessCallie Collins

What she does: In addition to working at Vaughan’s Jewelers in jewelry sales and design, Collins is also the owner of Callie Collins In-teriors, offering full interior design services and construction planning.

other: She is the vice president of the Chamber Young Leaders and is involved with WilMed’s Pink Ladies, where she helps with event planning and marketing to support WilMed’s breast cancer patients.

Cynthia SullivanWhat she does: Sullivan works

as the parts manager in the parts department of Lee Nissan.

Beth RobbinsWhat she does: Robbins has

worked at The Wilson Times as an advertising executive for two years.

other: She is married with three children. When not working, Rob-bins enjoys decorating and spend-ing time with her family.

Stephanie SommervilleWhat she does: Sommerville is the

owner and artistic director of Toe 2 Dance.

other: She is involved with the annual Nutcracker Fundraiser for Wilson Regency Center, an instruc-tor at Community Christian School, Building Blocks, Kinder Kastle, Kiddie Campus and ABC Academy. Addi-tionally, she is an instructor at Barton College and is a certified instructor from the American Ballet Theatre. She takes classes in New York City on a regular basis at studios such as Steps, Broadway Dance Center, Alvin Alay and Joffrey Ballet and more.

Kathy Vaughan

What she does: Vaughan co-owns Vaughan’s Jewelers with her husband Bill, where she serves as the company’s secretary-treasurer. Her duties include — but are not limited to — sales, bookkeeping, tax reports and the scheduling of employees.

other: Though born in California, Vaughan has lived in Wilson since she was two years old. She is a graduate of Atlan-tic Christian College with a teaching certification and a B.A. in Spanish. While at A.C.C., Vaughan served as the president of the Phi Mu pledge class and later as the vice president of the student government. In recent years, she was also a recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award from Barton College.

After a teaching career, Vaughan joined her husband in operating Vaughan’s Jewelers. Currently, she is an active member of First United Methodist Church, having served pre-viously on the administrative board currently on the altar and worship committee. She also served as the president of the United Methodist Women, from whom she received the Mis-sion Award.

Though gardening and flowers are her passion, her real joy comes from the opportunity to work with her husband, their son Tripp, Judy Lamm, Callie Wilkinson and Ashley Bass.

Vaughan is also the proud mother of Kara Borders and grandmother of Stella Borders.

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WCC Small Business Center offers experience for free

The Small Business Cen-ter at Wilson Community College is truly an untapped local resource for any per-son who is either looking to start a business or has al-ready begun one and needs additional advice.

“We’re still the untold story,” said Pat Killette, di-rector of the Small Business Center.

“It’s really a great re-source. We’ve helped count-less businesses.”

What many people don’t know, says Killette, is that you do not have to be a student at Wilson Commu-nity College to receive free and confidential help from the center. It’s a common misconception, but it’s one in which they are trying to better inform the public.

The Small Business Cen-ter is the vision of the North Carolina Community Col-lege System, with centers at each college, and has been in place for over 20 years.

Because of this network, Killette says she is able to use resources in other parts of the state to find business solutions. “If I’m working on a case about something

I’m not an expert in, I have the resources to get that expertise, whether it’s through other community colleges, state agencies or other small business service providers,” she said.

All of the employees at the business centers are trained experts who receive con-stant continuing education courses to become better qualified.

Last year, the Small Busi-ness Center assisted 78 Wil-son-area businesses, some of which were start-ups, and ended up providing or sav-ing 150 jobs in the process.

“It’s a huge economic impact on our community, providing both jobs and tax revenue,” she said.

But even with all that recent activity, Killette be-lieves they can still provide so much more assistance. The more potential busi-ness owners that seek help with their business plans, she believes, the more strong businesses we will have in Wilson County.

“All is takes is a phone call to help us grow your business or business idea.”

— Bradley Hearn


Listening, Writing & PresentingStephanie Barnard has made a career out of communication. And now, she’s co-authored a new book...Story by Bradley Hearn

OOver the years, that passion for educating others has manifested itself in her communications consulting business, Business Image Consult-ing, as well as in hundreds of public speaking engagements to medical professionals across the continent.

It has led to countless seminars, educational materials, training videos, an award-winning book published by Yale University Press in 2001 and, as of January, a second book entitled Listen. Write. Present. The Elements for Communicating Sci-ence and Technology, co-authored by her friend and mentor Deborah St James.

Barnard makes a living by teaching people — mostly health care professionals — how to become better writers, speakers and communicators.

Education and training are two driving forces in the personal and professional life of Wilson resident and communications expert Stephanie Barnard. Giving people the tools they need to succeed in life inspires her and, ultimately, has guided her multifaceted career.

Through her company, which she began in 1994, she has worked for medical societies, hospitals, pharmaceutical and biotech companies and education groups around the world, designing and implementing new training programs and materials to advance the communication skills of their employees.

THE BOOK

Her new book, Listen. Write. Pres-ent., also published by Yale Press, is a condensed application of many of the techniques she has taught over the years. It’s purpose is to help science and technology professionals such as physicians, researchers and pharma-

photo by Bryan Dowell

Stephanie Barnard believes anyone can become a great speaker with preparation and practice.


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ceutical sales representatives communicate clearly with their colleagues and the general public.

The credentials these indi-viduals hold in their respective fields do not necessarily include the ability to express complex ideas concisely and clearly. And that is vital, Barnard says.

“These professionals are immersed in science and often do not receive training in com-munication skills,” she said.

Although writing and speak-ing is not necessarily a new skill set for the medical professional, the strong need for effective communication — whether through a presentation, a published essay, a blog post or even an email — has certainly been amplified in recent years with the rise of various forms of electronic communication.

Basically, everyone is ac-cessible all the time.

According to Barnard, the number one reason why people should be better communica-tors is that “the mic is always on,” she said.

“We have technology at our fingertips and can access and quote others now more than ever.”

Additionally, poor writ-ing and ineffective speaking devalue both the subject matter and its presenter.

“If you can’t explain your ideas clearly to others, it doesn’t give the best reflection of who you really are.”

Her first book, Writing, Speaking, and Communication Skills for Health Professionals, is extremely popular and the winner of two awards from the American Medical Writers Asso-

photo by Patrick Burns

ciation. Yet Barnard ultimately worried that, for some people, the practical tips offered in the book could be lost in some of it’s theoretical ruminations.

After a head-clearing bike ride one day, her idea for a new book was simple: a slim, how-to manual, derived from her years of seminars and presentations, offering a wealth of advice in small, easily-digestible chunks.

For this project, she turned to her old friend and mentor, Deborah St James, with whom she worked while living in Greenville and who served as an editor and trusted advisor on the first book. The two began trading insights and spent years whittling down their extensive experi-ence in marketing, seminars and presentations into a single, tight resource for professionals who desire to communicate precisely and effectively.

Listen. Write. Present. is de-signed to be everything Barnard initially envisioned: a primer short on theory and heavy on practical tips. It can be read quickly in its entirety or picked up as a refer-ence book when needed.

THE ROAD BEHIND

Prior to becoming a nation-ally celebrated and popular public speaker in the medical

community, the nascent stages of the Little Washington-native’s profes-sional journey go back to her undergradu-ate studies at UNC Chapel Hill — when the early idea for her life’s work

began to crystallize.She fondly remembers that

immediately after her very first public speaking class at UNC, she knew that she wanted to earn a living by giving presenta-tions.

“I guess I had my eye on the prize the whole time,” she said. “I definitely had a vision.”

Her vision was also encour-aged by her father, who planted the idea of owning her own business one day. That encour-agement made the seemingly idealistic prospect much more grounded and attainable.

Barnard’s career in public speaking and professional train-ing gained momentum with skills learned working in marketing and public relations in the early 1990s. She worked for several years as the public relations director for the Ronald McDon-ald House in Greenville and later as a sales executive for Averitt Express trucking company.

By 1994, she already had begun Business Image Consult-ing. With hard work and a little luck, she quickly developed a cli-ent list, allowing her to leave her sales job and focus full time on consulting and communications.

In 1996, St James hired Barnard to teach health care professionals for Bayer Corpora-tion’s Writing and Speaking for

Excellence series. It was in this experience that Barnard began to travel the world, speaking at national meetings and teaching at hospitals.

Eventually, after gaining experience in the medical field, Barnard saw new opportuni-ties to further educate medical professionals through courses and seminars. It was this vision and experience that later led Barnard, St James and their col-leagues to take on the first book, Writing, Speaking, and Commu-nication Skills for Health Profes-sionals, published in 2001.

COmmuNICATINg IN WIlsON

Today, much of Barnard’s passion for education and train-ing also manifests itself in her volunteer work around Wilson.

“Because I’m a very hands-on volunteer, I tend to be selec-tive. I really want to give a lot of

focus to something if I commit to it,” she said.

She says that she and her husband, David, naturally find themselves involved with what-ever local activities their kids are also involved, such as ACT! for Youth with their daughter, Callie, and rec soccer with their daugh-ter, Sarah.

Her marketing and commu-nications skills have been put to effective use in volunteer posi-tions at her church, First United Methodist, producing marketing plans and designing promotional materials for various committees and activities.

She has also contributed similarly in roles for Wells El-ementary, the Boys and Girls Club of Greenville, the YMCA of Wilson and the political cam-paign of Wilson County Commis-sioner Tim Williford.

Currently, most of her volun-teer focus is centered on Wilson Community College Foundation,


Book Signing EventsThursday, March 1, 11 a.m. – NoonWilson Community CollegeBarnard and St James will attend the Wilson Community College Foundation’s Women’s History Month Kick-Off Event where they will share their story as women business owners, collaborators, and writers

Tuesday, March 20, 5:30 – 7 p.m.Wilson Community CollegeThe Wilson Community College Foundation will host a “Meet the Authors” event where Barnard and St James will sign books, answer questions, and share stories

Thursday, March 22, 7 p.m.Location to be announced The American Medical Writers Association, Carolinas Chapter, is hosting a presentation and book signing for area technical writers. Barnard will present “The Seven Deadly Sins of Speaking.”

For more informationwww.amwacarolinas.orgwww.ListenWritePresent.comwww.StephanieRobersonBarnard.comwww.listenwritepresent.blogspot.comhttps://twitter.com/StephRBarnard

The cover art for Barnard and St James’ newest book was designed by Nancy Ovedovitz of Yale University Press.

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Excerpt from Listen. Write. Present.

pp. 33–34 *Courtesy of Yale University Press

SKILL BUILDER: HOW TO WRITE EFFECTIVE DOCUMENTSMajor writing tasks (reports, proposals, business plans) can be daunting. The following suggestions should take some of the sting out of getting them done.

Ask questions and establish objectives for every document. Anticipate the questions your readers will ask and make sure you cover them in your document. You may even want to use these questions as subheadings.

Ask yourself:-Why do I need this funding/item/policy/change/new employee?-What will our department/organization gain from this project? Think numbers.Ask others:-What do you think about this idea?-Would a change in our policy help your depart-ment/job/ organization?-What do you want/need for me to cover in this proposal?

(Ask both colleagues who may offer good ideas and superiors who may read the finished docu-ment.)

Get started. The hardest part of any writing project is typing the first word. No time? Make an appointment with yourself to do this task. Spend fifteen minutes per day brainstorming about the project. Make notes on a legal pad, on your computer, or in your cell phone. Writer’s block? Occasionally even professional writers get stuck. To overcome writer’s block, try the following:

-Jot down something, even if it seems unimport-ant. This free writing triggers ideas, stimulates thinking, and helps you manage the concepts you want to cover in your document.-Use mind mapping, Venn diagrams, algorithms, outlines, or lists to get started. We actually started this book with a brief outline of potential chapters on a legal pad.-Read. Continually refer to the text you have previously written, the research you have gath-ered in preparation to write, or a well-written document that motivates you. These activities will help keep you on task, stimulate thinking, and refine your ideas.

Think conceptually as you write each section. For example, how does your idea fit into the organization’s short- and long-term plans? How will your idea coincide with market and industry changes? Refer to your initial questions to make sure you meet the objectives of the document.

Allow enough time for the project.-Let the document rest. If you have time, set the project aside for a day or two so you can edit it with a fresh perspective. If you have a pressing deadline, take a short break to work on another task, or change locations to edit.-Ask others to proofread. Ask for advice from both supporters and nonsupporters on your project. Make sure at least one proofreader is a good editor.-Read your writing out loud. We often ‘‘hear’’ mistakes that our eyes didn’t pick up.-Print a hard copy. Even if you’re on a tight deadline, you may find it helpful to print and proof a hard copy rather than editing from your computer screen.

where she joined the board as a director last August and was recently appointed chair of the Fundraising Committee.

She believes strongly in the mission of the community college system and the edu-cational opportunities it provides.

Some individuals may not be ready for a traditional college or university after high school, she says, and community college bridges that gap perfectly. It is also equally effective, she says, for adults who want to change careers and need additional educa-tion. Or even those who simply want to fur-ther their knowledge of a particular discipline or trade.

“I love it, because it provides a opportuni-ties for everyone. It’s a way for anyone to learn a new skill and it’s located right here in our community.”

In addition to her professional and volun-teer obligations, Barnard has found yet more inspiration in mentoring others. It’s one of her favorite things to do, she says, as she enjoys helping young people find their life’s work while entering and navigating the profes-sional world.

And, also, maybe giving back some of the same encouragement to follow their passion that she received many years ago.

It led her back to eastern North Carolina. And it has taken her around the world.


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To read more about Bottoms and get more of her recipes, go to page 33...

Ingredients

2 lbs. chicken wings (approx. 12)1/4 cup honey2 tbsp soy sauce2 tbsp vegetable oil2 tbsp ketchup1 tbsp lemon juice1 tbsp corn starch1/4 tsp garlic powder

Preparation

Mix all the above ingredients and pour over chicken. Let stand for 1 hour. Remove chicken and place in broiler pan and cook uncovered at 375 degrees for 30 minutes. Brush occasionally with sauce. Turn chicken and brush with sauce and cook another 30 minutes.

Home organization tips


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1. Cupboards Go through all you kitchen cupboards, one at a time of course, and you will be amazed at what you find that can be thrown out.

2. Bedroom ClosetsThe saying “If you haven’t worn it in a year, get rid of it” is a good guideline to follow.!

3. Bookcases Get rid of the books that don’t sound interesting. Also, go through knickknacks, papers, magazines, or anything else filling up those bookcases.

4. Kids room This is something that needs to be done about. Go through clothes, toys, video games, etc. and out goes anything they are no longer interested in.

5. Bathroom Go through all vanities and medicine chests and if product has hardened, softened or changed color, get rid of it.

6. Linen Closet Towels, sheets, curtains, etc, are also things that need to be periodically sorted and tossed. Removed all the semi-worn out ones.

7. Under Your Bed This part of the decluttering can be quite scary. Proceed with caution and always have a weapon, such as broom, vacuum cleaner or bug spray with you.

8. organize There are so many great products these days that hold everything. Get some inexpensive plastic boxes

and neatly store all your items that are not in display or not used daily. You can get small ones in the dollar stores to organize your CDs, use them in your pantry or cupboards, store odd and ends, letters, papers, you name it.

9. throw out the old One thing you must absolutely remember when decluttering is you have to throw away the “not used” or “not wanted.” Do not just take everything out and rearrange.

10. everything in its place Once you have everything decluttered and organized, get everyone to keep everything in its place which will help keep your home organized and clutter-free.

courtesy of www.lifeorganizers.com

(Continued from page 9 )


10 day trips from Wilson February is the time here in Eastern North Carolina where we already get glimpses of the warm weather, making the cabin fever of the winter months a little harder to shake off. Below are some places and activities within a day’s drive that might help stave off your wanderlust and possibly help you experience some new things North Carolina has to offer.

A Southern Season (Chapel Hill)The award-winning retailer of gourmet gift baskets and samplers, international gourmet foods, Vietri, and North Carolina specialties has a variety of interesting cooking classes. 877-929-7133http://www.southernseason.com/class/default.asp

Mother Earth Brewery (Kinston) The celebrated small town brewery offers tours and tastings on Saturdays, as well as live music many nights. 252-208-BIERhttp://www.motherearthbrewing.com/page/tap-room

Shooters (Rocky Mount) Unleash any cold weather frustrations by firing off a few rounds at Rocky Mount’s indoor shooting range. Don’t knock it ‘til you try it. 252-977-9878http://www.shooters-inc.com/

Antiques in Pittsboro, Food in SaxapahawDiscover the charm of Chatham County’s eclectic mix of antique and thrift shops in beautiful Pittsboro. Head a little further west into Alamance County for a meal at the renowned Saxapahaw General Store in the quaint Saxapahaw.http://pittsboronc.gov/http://www.saxgenstore.com/


NC Baseball Museum, Gillette Athletic Soccer & Baseball Complex,Whirligigs,

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Smith’s Red and White (Dortches) The amazing and well-known old-fashioned grocery store carries amazing sausage and other assorted canned and pickled goods. If you haven’t been in a while, drop by and pick up a homemade caramel cake and pimento cheese for a spring picnic. 252-443-4323http://smithsredandwhite.com/

Go see a lighthouse!Chances are you have been to at least one or two lighthouses in North Carolina. Well, bring out that list and cross another couple off. Our coastline is scattered with well-preserved historic lighthouses. It’s a great excuse to go to the beach.http://www.carolinalights.com/

North Carolina Pottery Festival (Seagrove)On April 14 and 15 the annual festival will be celebrating their 4th year of the spring festival. http://www.seagrovepotterymuseum.org

NC Aquarium (Pine Knoll Shores)For $8, the newly renovated museum is a great excuse to head to the beach. 252-247-4003http://www.ncaquariums.com/pine-knoll-shores

Duplin Winery (Rose Hill) The popular winery offers daily tours and tastings of award-winning wines, champagnes, and Muscadine wine jellies, jams, and dressings. 800-774-9634http://www.duplinwinery.com/

Lazy 5 Ranch (Mooresville)Though a little further drive than the rest, The Lazy 5 Ranch is one-of-a-kind experience. Home to over 750 animals from 6 continents, the privately-owned ranch’s animals can be viewed by horse drawn wagon or from the comfort of your own vehicle while traveling along a 3-1/2 mile safari ride. 704-663-5100.http://www.lazy5ranch.com/


OAbout Town

One of Wilson’s newest residents is famed photographer Jeromi De Perlinghi. His acclaimed exhibit, Portraits, opened January 16 and will be on display through February 18 in the Wilson Arts Center’’s Annie D. Boykin gal-lery. On January 16, the Arts Council held an opening reception for the exhibit, which saw plenty of area citizens drop by to enjoy the display and the get to know the artistry of the newest member of Wilson’s arts community.

Jeromi De Perlinghi: Portraits opening reception at the Arts Council of Wilson photography by Amber McDaniels

x Louis Small, left, and his family came out for the event to socialize and enjoy the exhibit.

Effective heart and vascular care depends on teamwork. That’s why Wilson Medical Center has partnered with WakeMed Heart Center to provide the most comprehensive cardiac services available in the front line against heart disease.We offer a full array of diagnostic and interventional cardiac services so you can receive the life-saving care you need.• Cardiac Balloon Angioplasty• Cardiac Stenting• Diagnostic Cardiology• Peripheral Vascular Interventional Procedures• Cardiac Rhythm Device Implantations• Cardiac Rehabilitation

When it comes to the very best cardiovascular care for you and your family, Choose Well. Choose Wilson.To learn more, please visit www.wilmed.orgor call (252) 399-8245 today.


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Above, local artist Gwen Hardie admires the portraits of Jeromi de Perlinghi.


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IIf you are a downtown regular — whether a business owner, shopper or even a frequent pedestrian — you have likely seen Officer Angie Harold. She is Wilson Police Department’s downtown officer and spends much of her time patrolling downtown streets and providing a sense of security to the businesses and citizens who work, live and shop there.

A native of Hot Springs, Virginia, Harold originally came to Wilson when she transferred from Louisburg College to Barton, where she graduated in 1995. After a short stint in Greenville, she joined up with the Wilson Police Department in 1998 where she has been ever since.

And she really enjoys her assignment as the downtown officer.

“You get to know the people. Not just the business owners, but all the people who are downtown. You form a bond with them,” she said.

The position has also provided her with opportunity to learn more about the inner workings of a city by observing all the comings and goings of government employees, volunteers and officials. She also says that she, by being downtown, has also learned to truly appreciate the rich history of Wilson.

If you don’t spend much time down-town during the day and aren’t familiar with Harold, it’s possible you came down at night last year to enjoy one of the free movies in Paul Berry Park last year, a run-ning series which was Harold’s idea. She had seen it work in larger towns and ap-proached her captain about the possibility of doing it in downtown Wilson.

The series, which raised money for the Wilson Police Athletic League through the sale of concessions, was a big success and even drew as many as 125 people for the last screening in October.

Another program which Harold spear-headed is the trick-or-treating event with kids from First United Methodist’s daycare. Now three years old, the fun-filled Hallow-een evnet includes police officers dressing up and escorting several dozen children around to local downtown businesses. Even local organizations like the Wilson Downtown Development Corporation have contributed money and supplies for the event. Harold says that it’s a really fun night that many officers embrace.

She says she obviously misses the mountains of her hometown, but there’s a lot to love about this area and she never really felt like leaving. She likes the small-town feel of Wilson, but she also likes being able to get things at the store that she needs and not feeling isolated.

“Once I got down here, it was like, ‘this is home,’” she said.

Familiar faceOfficer Angie Harold

by Bradley Hearn

EClassic cookElizabeth ‘Lib’ Bottoms

Elm City native Elizabeth “Lib” Bot-toms is an old-fashioned cook. And that’s the way that she — and those who sample her recipes — like it best.

Her famous pineapple cake (fea-tured to the left), is an original creation that won her two blue ribbons and one best in show at the Wilson County Fair and was featured in the second edition of the Brightleaf cookbook.

One of her secrets, she says, is using buttermilk instead of water. She admits to using store-bought cake mixes for her bases, but the addition of buttermilk and several tasty additional ingredients make her cake a hit with everyone from judges to members at church.

Breaking it down

Unfortunately, she doesn’t have a “recipe” for her famous biscuits. She has just done it some many times, the process has simply become instinct. “I don’t think. I just dump,” she said.

Friends have even come to watch her make them, as that is the only way to see precisely her ingredients and measurements.

One friend even came not too long ago to observe Bottoms’ process and went home to attempt her own several times of the next couple weeks. Bot-toms got word that the woman wasn’t exactly thrilled with her own versions, so Bottoms gave her the only advice she knew.

“You just keep making them for next 40 years. Then, they’ll be as good as mine,” she remembered with a laugh.

She also makes these bisuits every other Wednesday for her grandson, Jason Cain, who is a pharmacist and works a rotation at Elm City Pharmacy on those dates. He stops by and picks up a dozen sausage biscuits for the staff there. And to no surprise, they are


SSweet Potato Muffins

by Elizabeth BottomsElm City, NC

Ingredients 2 cups cooked mashed sweet potatoes1 1/2 cups cooking oil3 cups self-rising flour2 cups sugar1 cup white raisins1 cup chopped nuts1 tsp cinnamon1 tsp vanilla flavor4 eggs

PreparationMix together flour, sugar and cinnamon. Stir well. Mix in cooking oil and eggs. Stir in potatoes, raisins, chopped nuts and vanilla extract.

Line muffin pan with paper cups. Fill cups about half full. Cook in 350-degree oven for 30-40 minutes. The mixture will keep two or three days in the refrigerator.

LLib’s Cake

from Elizabeth Bottoms

Cake Ingredients 1 box pineapple cake mix1 1/3 cup buttermilk1/3 cup vegetable oil4 whole eggs plus 2 egg whites (save yolks to use for filling)1 cup shredded coconut1 cup chopped pecans1 tsp vanilla flavor

PreparationMix first four ingredients and then add coconut, pecans and vanilla. Grease three 9-inch cake pans and line with wax paper. Divide mixture equally and cook at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Do not overcook.

Filling Ingredients 1 large can crushed pineapple1 cup sugar1 stick butter2 tbsp corn starch1 cup shredded coconut1 cup white raisins1 tsp vanilla flavor

PreparationHeat first four ingredients of filling on low heat until butter melts. Stir constantly so mixture will not stick. Add 2 egg yolks to hot mixture. Then add coconut and raisins. Cook over low heat until thick. Remove from heat and add vanilla flavor. Put cake together while hot and let stand overnight before serving. For Christmas, add 1 cup candied green or red cherries for decoration if you wish.

Turn to page 34 for a Valentine’s Day memory from Mrs. Bottoms.


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“It was the summer of 1944 during World War II. Most of the 18-year-old boys had received their draft cards ordering them to report to Fort Bragg on Oct. 15 of that year. Bryce was a farm boy helping his family look after their crops — tobacco, of course, being the main crop. There were some teenagers in Dixon’s Drug Store that particular day, when Bryce came over to me and asked if I’d like to help “put in” tobacco that summer. I was more than happy to say yes, because I could use the money for school. I really didn’t know Bryce that well, but as the summer pro-gressed, we became more than good friends. We went to ball games at Fleming Stadium and movies at the Wilson Theatre. By the time Oct. 15 came, the love bug’s bite had really hit us hard. I hated so badly to see him leave, but duty called.

Our courtship continued for the next 19 months by mail. His mother and I would receive letters nearly ev-ery day. After basic training, he came home on Feb. 14, 1945, Valentine’s Day, for a 10-day leave. His family and I enjoyed this short but wonderful visit. Before he left, however, he asked if I would wait for him. I said yes. He gave me an engagement ring — a ring I wore for 32 years. Bryce was honorably discharged from the Army in May of 1946. On June 30, 1946, we were married and, as they say, lived happily ever after. In February of 1978, Bryce was taken ill, and on February 12, I lost my friend, husband and soul mate. His burial was February 14, 1978. Valen-tine’s Day is not the happiest day for me, but I can remember all the days and years before that and smile.

-Elizabeth Griffin Bottoms

A HISTOry WITH HEr VAlEnTInE

This account originally ran in The Wilson Times

(continued from page 33)

This photo was taken of Elizabeth Griffin and Bryce Bottoms on the overhead bridge in Elm City in February of 1945 while Bryce was home on leave from the Army. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Bottoms


The Wilson Times Facebook friends share their family histories...

Valentine Memories

QQuestionH e y f r i e n d s ! W h a t a r e y o u r f a v o r i t e V a l e n t i n e ’ s D a y m e m o r i e s ?

Jennifer Hamilton Whitley On Valentines Day 1998 I gave birth to a beautiful 8 lb 3 oz daughter.

Donna Helms Flowers

On Valentines Day, 1993, my husband drove all the wall from Wilson to Roanoke, VA and proposed to me on one knee, in the snow at the Roanoke Star in Roanoke, VA.

Melissa McDaniels PowellDaniel Powell proposed to me Feb. 14th 2010 by candle light. He already knew the answer but every girl wants that fairy tale moment. A year after that we were featured in the Wilson Times Wedding Planner and on our 6 year anniversary on Oct. 15 2011 we became husband and wife...oh how time flies!

Jamie Taylor Kennedy On Valentines Day 2007, my sweet hubby proposed to me, my engagement ring was a heart shaped diamond!!! One of the best days of my life!!!

Marilyn Logan On Valentines Day in 2000, I surprised my husband of 25 years with a 1999 Harley-Davidson Heritage Soft-tail motorcycle. It was complete with huge red bow and Valentines card. The surprise and excitement on his face was priceless! Oh, I guess I should add that he also proposed to me on Valentines Day in 1974 and we were married in May.

Kenneth Barfield, Jr.

On Valentines Day 2001 I proposed to Melissa King Barfield and she said yes. Afterwards we went out to eat and then we went to EMT Basic class. And after class I went to work at Edgecombe County Sheriff Dept.

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wilson woman, spring 2012

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