Roanoke Valley Woman

Business leader Judy Collier Bringing commerce and jobs to Northampton County BUSYNESS OF LIFE AFTER RETIREMENT

WOMEN ONLY EVENT OFF THE BEATEN PATH THE ART OF JUGGLING Schedule Alert for The Where Local Stores A Strong Support System is

The Lake Magazine |3 Ultimate Girl’s Day Out! Shop for Valley Fashions Crucial to Family & Work Life

Roanoke Valley Woman | 3

Roanoke Valley Woman Expo.....................................6 Charity & Business.............8 PUBLISHER Titus L. Workman publisher@rrdailyherald.com (252) 537-2505 Ext. 248

RVW Fashion.....................10 Health & Wellness.............15

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Carol Crittendon ccrittendon@rrdailyherald.com (252) 537-2505 Ext. 225

RVW Profile.......................17

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Stephen Hemelt shemelt@rrdailyherald.com (252) 537-2505 Ext. 233

Motherhood & Family.......20

EDITOR Kris Smith ksmith@rrdailyherald.com (252) 537-2505 Ext. 238 AD EXECUTIVE Rhonda Irby rhondairby@thelakemagazine.biz (252) 410-5253

Good Eats.........................22

pg.8

Out & About......................25

CREATIVE Linda Foster lindafoster@rrdailyherald.com (252) 537-2505 Ext. 224 CIRCULATION Tammy Britt tbritt@rrdailyherald.com (252) 537-2505 Ext. 251 Contributing writers Della Rose, Jacqueline Hough, Roger Bell, Tammy Deloatch-Crowley, Stephen Hemelt and Kris Smith Contributing photographer Les Atkins Designer Kris Smith Ad designers Heather Rhea Wade and Hope Callahan

pg.15

pg.17

Business le ader Judy Collier

Bringing com merce and jobs to Nor BUSYNESS thampton Cou OF LIFE AFT nty ER RETIRE MENT

WOMEN ONL Y Schedule Aler EVENT t Ultimate Girl for The ’s Day Out !

OFF THE BEA TEN PATH Where Loc al Stores Shop for Vall ey Fashion s

On the cover...

THE ART OF JUGGLING A Strong Sup port System Crucial to Fam The Lake Maga is ily & Workzine |3 Life

Northampton County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Judy Collier Cover photograph by Les Atkins Cover design by Heather Rhea Wade Roanoke Valley Woman 916 Roanoke Ave., Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 P.O. Box 520, Roanoke Rapids NC 27870

4 | Roanoke Valley Woman

pg.20 Copyright 2012 Roaonoke Valley Woman No portion of Roanoke Valley Woman may be reprinted in any form or posted on the internet without the permission of the publisher.

Roanoke Valley Woman | 5

STORY BY STEPHEN HELMELT

JUST FOR T

he Daily Herald is creating a Roanoke Valley Woman Expo this year with a goal of providing the “Ultimate Girl’s Day Out” while folding the existing Women in Business Luncheon into the effort to provide all Roanoke Valley women with a place to celebrate their business contributions and fun lifestyle options.

This year’s luncheon will take place Friday, June 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will again provide a scholarship to one Roanoke Valley woman who wants to go back to school by attending Halifax Community College. The Roanoke Valley Woman Expo will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday, June 16. All events will be at Kirkwood Adams Community Center.

Publisher of The Daily Herald Titus Workman said organizers thought the community needed some type of fun and entertaining event for women that could be built on the success of the company’s newest magazine, Roanoke Valley Woman.

“It was important to expand our event but not change the successful Women in Business Luncheon, so we added another day and are making it essentially the ultimate girl’s day out,” Workman said.

“This will be a celebration of and for women.”

The Friday luncheon will

follow a similar format to years past and will include an inspirational speaker.

2012 Mrs. North Carolina USA, who will be crowned June 2 in the Historic NewtonConover Auditorium in Newton, will have one of her first speaking engagements at this year’s luncheon.

Tickets for the Women in Business Luncheon are $10, and tickets for the Roanoke Valley Woman Expo are $7. However, you can buy a $15 combo ticket that will provide access to both events.

The Saturday expo will include a fashion show presented by the Quality Shop, live entertainment, health screenings, food, fun, shopping, door prizes and much more.

Premier sponsor Halifax Regional has teamed with The Daily Herald to make sure the event provides a health benefit to all women who attend.

Jim Wood, vice president of administration & chief human resource officer at Halifax Regional, said the expo effort is in keeping with the hospital’s mission of providing excellent and compassionate health care services to the community.

“Since women make the majority of health care decisions for families, we feel a strong obligation to make our services visible to them,” Wood said.

Free health screenings at the event include checks on height, weight, BMI, blood sugar levels and blood pressure.

Display information will focus on nutrition, mammography, the Birthing Center, Gastroenterology and physician practices.

Women in Business Luncheon June 15 & The Ultimate Girl’s Day Out June 16

is the ...

6 | Roanoke Valley Woman

“It’s important because access to care and treatment in the local community allows women to maintain healthy lifestyles in a safe, convenient and familiar environment,” Wood said. “Halifax Regional believes that by providing state of the art health care technology, such as digital mammography, we will be able to increase early detection and save the lives of more women.”

Live musical entertainment is planned to make sure the complete expo experience is one of fun and excitement.

Carol Crittendon, advertising director for The Daily Herald, said expo organizers wanted to find a new way to benefit more women in the Roanoke Valley.

“People attending the expo will have a great time, interact with local businesses and get their health checked,” Crittendon

said. “Since a portion of our ticket sales will be donated to a local women’s charity, we will be able to reach outside the event to help provide for others in need.”

As a working mother herself, Crittendon said she often neglects to carve out time for her, and that is what the expo is about.

“I really think that as women we often take care of the health of others, but forget ourselves,” she said. “We can’t continue to ignore our own health and mental well-being and still be expected to give 100 percent to our families and jobs. The day is going to be so much fun, and I know that anyone who attends is going to be energized and ready to take on the world.”

For information or to purchase tickets, call 252-537-2505.

Those interested in having a booth at the expo can call 252-

Roanoke Valley Woman Expo...

• Information or tickets, call 252-537-2505.

• Exhibitor details, contact Carol Crittendon at 252-537-2505 ext. 225, or Rhonda Irby at ext. 266.

Roanoke Valley Woman | 7

Supporting Valley youth Mack makes sure area children get help Doris Mack is very proud of the children she helps. Here she shows the artwork of one of the youth at System of Care.

T

he non-profit she has poured every bit of her heart, soul, energy and effort into since its inception in the late ‘90s is where she sees herself for the rest of her days.

Doris Mack is the executive director and volunteer for System of Care/ Families Supporting Families of Halifax County Inc., 1322 Roanoke Ave. in Roanoke Rapids, which helps children 5 to 18 years old with severe emotional disabilities.

Mack, who turned 78 years old April 25, said, as far as her future goes, “I will probably have to be rolled out of here in a wheelchair. My children need me, and I need them.”

She is a native of Halifax County, raised in Lincoln Heights and presently residing in Littleton, after approximately a 35-year stint in the Newark, N.J., area. Although Mack’s sights were initially set on nursing, her interests turned to an education career — teaching, tutoring and after school programs. She retired in New Jersey in 1990 and moved back to the Roanoke Valley.

“Ms. Mack is the brains of the operation. She thinks it and it happens,” said Stephanie Smith, of Roanoke Rapids, volunteer at the non-profit.

Smith initially came to the non-profit as a case manager representing children who needed help. “I saw they (the non-profit) were impacting people’s lives, I wanted to stay,” Smith said.

Mack shared the non-profit does not see as many children as it would like to see, and schools should “focus on the disability instead of the behavior … and provide services to make the child’s life better.” If so, she added, there would be less suspended students.

Mack says the children she sees come through her door with serious emotional disabilities, they often get thrown into a stereo-typical category of mentally challenged. She says there is a huge difference, and the treatment is different, as well.

“For instance, if a child comes from a domestic violence situation or they haven’t eaten or a parent has died, they may misbehave in school because of these underlying circumstances and they do not know how to deal with their situation, and need guidance, nurturing and fostering,” Smith explained.

Adding to that, Mack said, “If a child is suspended, schools need to investigate deeper to find out why, then offer the services to help, because it is just amazing how creative and smart these kids are.”

System of Care began in 1999 through the Riverstone Mental Health Center via a federal grant with a budget for six years, now the money it receives is strictly through donations.

A condition of the grant was there had to be a parent group attached to the non-profit. “Parents are the backbone of activity,” Mack said. “They

8 | Roanoke Valley Woman

STORY & PHOTOGRAPHS BY KRIS SMITH

make sure we get what we need.”

Mack has been involved in the community by being chairman of various groups — Halifax County Schools Adolescent Health Committee, Littleton/Lake Gaston Festival 1993-1994, Foster Care Teleform for Halifax County Department of Social Services 19992000 and Halifax County Human Relations Commission; in addition, Mack has been a board member of the following: Halifax/Warren Smart Start Partnership for Children, Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Halifax County/Littleton libraries, Leadership Connections Inc. and John 3:16 Center.

Mack is married to Robert H. Mack Sr. — whom she credits for helping with office needs and eating many late dinners due to her work at the non-profit.

The Macks have two children, a son, 51, who lives in Alexandria, Va., and a daughter, 54, who lives in Doris Mack Brooklyn, N.Y. welcomes anyone to come As far as Mack’s othby on Tuesdays er children, she says the when Families non-profit has helped Supporting “hundreds, no thousands Families offers food. She often of children, and so far we’ve wears her kufi and been able to maintain and matching scarf, sustain.” because she says For more information about she is very proud to be an AfricanSystem of Care/Families SupAmerican woman. porting Families or to make a donation, call 252-535-4000.

Roanoke Valley Woman | 9

Fashion in the Roanoke Valley: STORY & PHOTOGRAPHS BY DELLA ROSE

The Quality Shop

S

he is the third generation to serve the Roanoke Valley in ladies apparel, according to Quality Shop owner Pam Allen.

The shop opened in 1904. She worked there as a teen, about 25 years ago. Her husband Garland also works with her.

Allen said she fell in love with the place when she was young.

“I grew up with it,” she said.

The Quality Shop offers lines like Joseph Ribkoff and Tribal. Allen said she also has a “fabulous finds” rack with exceptionally

priced items.

“I think people are looking for that today,” she said.

“A lot of people are looking for value.

These are cute fashionable items with a super price.”

In order to bring the latest in fashions and accessories to the Valley, Allen travels to markets in Atlanta, Virginia Beach, Va., and Las Vegas.

Sales people also stop by the shop with traveling showrooms. Allen said fashion magazines and seminars play a big part in helping decide which trends to carry each season.

While she has some tried and true lines, there’s always room for trying something new.

“You never know what’s going to be a winner,” Allen said, adding she constantly has to re-do the store to make sure it has a fresh look for her customers. By “flipping” the merchandise when she gets new items or sells things, she can

give a different presentation.

Displays are important to customers.

They provide ideas on how things look together. Male customers especially appreciate it when they are gift shopping.

Another marketing tool Allen uses is fashion shows, which she sets up for Mother’s Day and other special occasions.

Allen said she will be holding her next show June 16 at the Roanoke Valley Woman Expo.

The fashion shows are a way to reach a new group of people whom perhaps didn’t know about her store.

“The whole point is getting our name out there,” she said.

“You don’t want people forgetting you.

(The Avenue) is not high traffic like it used to be. If you get people in, they find lots of things they like but you have to keep your name up in front of people.”

Allen said she tries to keep fashion exciting and fun — otherwise it gets boring.

Chelcie Kurzontkowski, of the Quality Shop, helps Rosalyn Warren, of Darlington, chose a new ensemble.

Doncaster

D

oncaster representative Lyn Homewood said she got her start in ladies apparel nearly 11 years ago, when a friend, recruited her into the company.

“She got tired of doing it, and she knew how I loved clothes,” she said.

Homewood works as a surgical nurse for Halifax Regional and holds Doncaster home shows three times a year.

She said the clothes are great, but she also appreciates the relationships she’s able to develop with her customers.

“It’s a family business and they take care of their employees,” she said.

According to the company website — www.doncaster.com — the business started in 1931 as the Doncaster Collar and Shirt Company in Rutherfordton.

The founder, S.B. (Bobo) Tanner Jr., the son of a wealthy Southern textile manufacturer, and his wife Millie, the daughter of a successful mid-Western farmer, named the company after the town of Doncaster, England, a favorite stop on their honeymoon tour.

10 | Roanoke Valley Woman

Homewood said it soon expanded to include ladies shirt-waist dresses, which were sold to the Junior League of Charlotte.

Today the company hosts a full line of ladies clothing and accessories, and begins a new youth line called NOW in June.

The company sends clothing samples three times a year. Homewood books appointments for individuals and sometimes small groups.

She sets up a room with the samples and several displays to give customers an idea of how different pieces can come together as an ensemble. She works to come up with creative ways to make her customers enjoy their shopping experience.

One example is “Spa night,” when she brings in someone to give massages or facials. Homewood said sometimes she also hosts a video night. “We want to entice people to come and look,” she said.

Homewood said she provides an important service because there aren’t many places to buy ladies fashions in the Roanoke Valley.

“Once they see the clothes, see how well they’re made, see the colors, they love them and they can’t resist,” Homewood said.

Doncaster representative Lyn Homewood, left, helps Katherine Canady accessorize.

How clothes get on local racks I.V.’s Boutique The fashions of New York drive the choices in I.V’s Boutique on Washington Avenue in Weldon.

Ivey Copeland, owner, said she enjoys the fashions of New York and travels there seasonally to buy from the Garment District, but she is finding great buys in Philadelphia, too.

Copeland said owning a boutique has long been a dream of hers.

“I tried it in Garysburg,” she said. “But it didn’t do as well as I wanted.”

She said having the store in historic Weldon provides better exposure.

She renovated the building, focusing on warm, bright colors and a vintage motif. The store features spacious, comfortable dressing rooms where clients can try on clothes in a relaxing atmosphere of privacy.

She said the choices she makes while she’s shopping for the store are greatly influenced by her customers.

“I think about them and their sizes,” she said.

“Like this time I went (shopping), I was more concentrated on sizes 14 to over 20. I want to

Doncaster 723 Golf Course Road in Littleton For an appointment, call 252-586-3030 Representative Lyn Homewood

Doncaster representative Lyn Homewood, left, shows Cathy Ussery, of Littleton, the latest catalog.

meet the needs of everybody.”

Copeland said fashion magazines and trends play an influence on the colors she buys for the store.

“We know this year bright and bold are the trends — orange, hot pink and yellows,” she said.

She said she’s also found some great places in Philadelphia for jewelry and accessories.

Copeland said her clientele also enjoys hats, particularly for church.

“Women love hats,” she said, adding some of the higher end hats she found in New York, while Philadelphia provides beautiful hats in the $45 range.

Copeland said listening to her customers is making her business successful. She said she carries many church clothes and suits like St. John by Marie Gray, Jones of New York, Nine West, Anne Klein and others, but recently customers asked for more casual apparel.

“We may not have everything, but a boutique has a different kind of selection,” she said, adding she’s happy to make special orders and has catalogues for those interested.

I.V’s features women’s sizes four through 24, in Ivey Copeland does the shopping for her everything from casual to dressy to evening wear.

Weldon store in New York.

Contributed photo

I.V.’s Boutique 321-A Washington Avenue in Weldon For an appointment, call 252-536-2430 Owner Ivey Copeland

The Quality Shop 1022 Roanoke Avenue in Roanoke Rapids 252-537-3041 Owner Pam Allen

The Quality Shop Owner Pam Allen helps customer Linda Lucy, of Emporia, Va., with a new necklace.

Ivey Copeland browses through shops in New York’s garment district.

Contributed photo

Roanoke Valley Woman | 11

by Jacqueline Hough

Women across the Roanoke Valley dress to express and with a special statement piece. Check out what a great hat, boots, set of nails and jewelery does for an outfit.

Jade Gary, of Enfield Eighth grader, Roanoke Valley Early College Blue boots

Tammy Vincent, of Gaston Owner, Sheetahz Fashionable Jewels Rose petal ring

Dae’ Jah Vincent, of Gaston Eighth grader, Roanoke Valley Early College Studded, black high-top boots

Amber Rawlins Junior, KIPP Pride High School Sparkly beige heels

Karla Lee, of Littleton Personal assistant Black, purple wedges with peacock feather

Nicole Hood, of Roanoke Rapids Teacher, Northwest Halifax High School Floral design nail art

12 | Roanoke Valley Woman

Apostle Dr. Mae B. Parker, of Weldon Founder/Overseer, Word in Action Worldwide & International Ministries Hat

Shop Local!

Roanoke Valley Woman | 13

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Pilates + BOXING = PilOXing Double bonus for slimming waistline, burning calories

STORY BY TAMMY CROWLEY-DELOATCH PHOTOGRAPHS BY KRIS SMITH

R

eady for some pumped up, fat burning, energizing aerobic fun? Piloxing is the new fitness craze in the United States, in other parts of the world and right here in the Roanoke Valley. Piloxing is not just about working out, it is about empowering a woman to feel sleek, sexy and powerful!

Working in your max heart rate for 45 minutes is not easy, but with the low impact moves and high-cardio intensity, women burn more calories than running and without the injuries. Pilates mixed in with the boxing is a double bonus for slimming the waistline and burning calories. The dance between box blocks are your recovery time.

Piloxing is done barefooted, and participants tend to love this part of the training. Taking the class while barefoot allows your body to feel free from tennis shoes, and it actua l l y h e l p s your ankles and feet get strong.

Many people are still new with pilates.

Piloxing Instructor Heather Hardee, left, helps participants get into piloxing.

Pilates is a body conditioning workout that benefits your body in flexibility and builds long, lean muscles. Pilates will build strength and endurance in your legs, abdominals, arms, hips and back.

Pilates in piloxing will improve your balance and coordination. Pilates enhances core strength, which is vital to all movements in everyday life.

Boxing in piloxing is used with weighted gloves to tone the arms and to give your upper body a great workout. Boxing for females has been known to enhance self-esteem and may cause participants to feel powerful while exercising. Taking piloxing and having all three elements in class — pilates, boxing and dance — is one of the best overall workouts for women.

There are two certified piloxing instructors

Joy Pepper takes the Monday 5:30 p.m. piloxing class at New Day Fitness.

at New Day Fitness — Tammy Crowley-Deloatch and Heather Hardee. We have been teaching piloxing for the Roanoke Valley for one year. Myself, the owner of New Day Fitness, came upon piloxing in Atlanta during a fitness conference I attended for new classes. While there, I met and took Viveca Jenson’s class and fell in love with piloxing.

Viveca Jenson is the founder of piloxing.

She lives in Sweden, is a professional dancer, pilates instructor, bodybuilder, trained boxer, studio owner and personal trainer for the stars. After seven years of being a successful entrepreneur, Viveca developed piloxing with her fundamentals from pilates, boxing and some fun dance.

If you are interested in taking piloxing classes, call New Day Fitness at 252-5371402.

Tammy Crowley-Deloatch is a certified personal trainer and owner of New Day Fitness. She holds degrees in Sports Management, and is a certified instructor for various programs including Zumba and Silver Sneakers, as well as weight training. Also, Tammy authored “Your Best Shape Ever Cookbook!” and the Spirtual Stretch program to help women with eating disorders.

Roanoke Valley Woman | 15

STORY BY KRIS SMITH PHOTOGRAPH BY TIA BEDWELL

Digital Mammography aids area patients Valley’s help still needed to reach initiative’s goal

S

ince coming to the Roanoke Valley Feb. 15, digital mammograms have been performed on more than 1,200 patients.

“We have seen a significant increase in volume with our new technology,” Will Mahone, president of Halifax Regional, said. “We are glad to see women in our region taking advantage of this state-of-the-art screening close to home.”

More than $500,000 has been raised to bring the service to Roanoke Rapids, but there is still a ways to go to reach the $650,000 goal, according to Halifax Regional Foundation coordinator Geoffrey Hardee.

In October, the foundation announced it was conducting the Healthcare Initiative to raise $650,000 for digital mammography. Employees pledged more than $117,000 to kick off the campaign.

After raising more than half of the goal, the foundation expanded its initiative by requesting the entire Roanoke Valley to help provide financial support for digital mammography to reduce the lives lost from breast cancer in the region.

The success reached up to that point, combined with a special arrangement with the manufacturer, allowed Halifax Regional to offer digital mammograms early on, even though the monetary goal had not yet been reached.

“We did not want to wait a minute to make this new technology available to the women of our community,” Mahone said.

In the surrounding area, there are more than 40,000 women whose average age is 37. Each one will need mammograms, hospital officials shared.

The number of breast cancer cases detected in the area has lagged behind the state average, while the mortality rate has increased by 17 percent, hospital staff said.

Contributions to the campaign are tax deductible. To donate to Halifax Regional Foundation’s Healthcare Initiative, call 252-535-8476.

Personal perspective If you have not yet had a digital mammogram, here is an idea of what to expect.

With my paperwork in hand, I went for my digital screening at The Mammography Center.

“The process pretty much works the same, but better, especially for younger women and those with dense breast tissue,” said Mammography Technician Junie Conner.

Mammography Technician Ashley Dickens and Conner positioned me for my close-ups at multiple angles. “(The digital mammogram) provides more all

Mammography Technician Junie Connor makes adjustments for a mammogram for patient and Roanoke Valley Woman magazine editor Kris Smith.

over compression. The machine allows (the technicians) to compress the breast more without it feeling like it,” said Dickens, adding this is because of the way the paddles were designed.

She also said the platform where the breast is compressed is at a comfortable room temperature, where as before it was quite cold.

“It’s (the machine) comparable to that of a camera,” said Application Specialist Pixie Hurkamp, of Hologic (the manufacturer of the equipment) and who trained the center’s staff.

She explained cameras initially used film, now nearly every camera is digital. Hurkamp, who has been an application specialist for six years and was a mammography technician for 24 years, explained the pictures taken by the digital mammogram machine are instantaneous.

Once the mammo process was complete, Dickens and Conner said my doctor would receive a copy of my results report in a couple of days via the mail, and I would also receive notification of results.

I walked away a little sore, but nonetheless happy to know my annual mammogram was complete and glad I didn’t have to drive to an out-of-town facility to be content knowing the best pictures were taken.

To schedule a screening, call 252-535-8888.

Northampton’s Judy Collier Retirement in the fast lane STORY BY ROGER BELL PHOTOGRAPHS BY LES ATKINS

J

udy Collier never thought she’d end up so busy after retiring.

Judy, of Lasker, is the executive director of the Northampton County Chamber of Commerce, chairwoman of the Northampton County Cultural Awareness Committee and treasurer of Lasker Baptist Church.

All this comes after a career with Bell Atlantic, now Verizon, most of which was served in Virginia.

Judy, who was born and raised in Richmond, Va., retired in 1991 as an engineer. She and her husband Dick Collier, who was raised in Lasker, then moved to Northampton County in January, 1992, to help take care of Dick’s parents.

Judy found adjusting to the pace somewhat difficult.

“The first two years we were here, it took that long to become accustomed to the area,” Judy said.

“Going from a big city like Richmond to Lasker was very different.”

However, after adjusting, Judy and Dick threw themselves into Roanoke Valley life. The parents of five children and grandparents of 14 became entwined with Northampton County. Dick became mayor of Lasker in 1994, and in 1995 Judy helped start the Northampton County Chamber of Commerce.

“All areas need a chamber in order to draw business to the area,” Judy said. “Northampton County is a Tier One county, and we need business in our county to bring jobs.”

Dick was the chamber’s first director, then in 2002, the couple retired from the chamber. In 2005, Judy, who had been smoking since she was a teenager, was diagnosed with lung cancer.

“I was very fortunate, it was in Stage One,” Judy said. “I didn’t need to have any treatment. The Lord really took care of me. They removed half of one of my lungs, and that was all I needed to have done.”

“She was very lucky,” Dick said. “She had some scar tissue in her lungs from a previous surgery that

Judy Collier is the executive director of the Northampton County Chamber of Commerce, chairwoman of the Northampton County Cultural Awareness Committee and treasurer of Lasker Baptist Church.

Roanoke Valley Woman | 17

Judy Collier with Wayne Massey, of Flowers by Wayne in Jackson.

kept the cancer from spreading. It was scary for the whole family.”

Judy credits her faith in God for getting her through the cancer so quickly, and she was back with the chamber, as executive director, in 2006.

The chamber, Judy said, serves as a source of information for existing businesses, and she sees ribbon cuttings as a particularly important function for the chamber.

“Ribbon cuttings let everyone know they’re open for business,” Judy said.

Now, as she helps to shepherd the county’s small businesses through the chamber, Judy also helps Dick run the town of Lasker as town clerk, a position she’s held since 1996. Dick continues to serve as mayor and

18 | Roanoke Valley Woman

is director of the county’s Tourism and Development Authority.

Judy admits during those first two years in Northampton County, she and Dick considered leaving, but now they love their community.

“We’re not getting rich,” Dick said. “But we enjoy what we’re doing.”

Judy refers to Lasker as “the biggest little town in Northampton County,” and said she’s very happy there.

However, Judy admits she cannot keep up this pace forever.

“I had no idea I would become this busy,” Judy said.

“Healthwise, the Lord has blessed us. We’re in good health, but in the next two years we’ll probably be giving a lot of this up. We’re not getting any younger.”

Abundantly More 5 ACE Hardware of Lake Gaston 14 Becker Village Mall 24 Beverlyz 13 Catering & More 23 Community Memorial Healthcenter 23 Countryside Interiors 13 Exquisite Occasions 19 Flambeau Outlet 24 Floors on Demand 19 Halifax Regional Medical Center 2 Healing Kneads Therapeutic Massage & Day Spa 14 Lassiters’ Plant Farm 5 Lloyd’s Decorating Center 24 Merle Norman Cosmetics 19 Nash Health Care 5 P & A Pawn 28 Priced Right Furniture/AVON 13 Pro-Vision Optometric 3 Quality Inn 19 Shell Furniture 23 Smart Start 27 Sylvan Learning of Roanoke Rapids 3 The Frame Shop 13 The Mad Hatters/ Ann’s Tiques 14 The Quality Shop 24 The Uniform Shop 13 Ultimate Cheer & Fitness Center for Women 24 Wildwood Nursery & Garden Center 14 Women’s Health Specialists 27

The support and confidence from these advertisers make this magazine possible.

We urge you to consider their stores & services.

For more information, call (252) 410-5253.

Roanoke Valley Woman | 19

Sherrod Person, 7, puts together a home greenhouse with guardian Terry Alston, of Roanoke Rapids.

The Art of Juggling STORY & PHOTOGRAPHS BY JACQUELINE HOUGH

F

or Terry Alston, of Roanoke Rapids, a strong support system is crucial in her family and work life.

Alston, who is federal programs and parent involvement director for Weldon City Schools, said her job involves working evening hours and

20 | Roanoke Valley Woman

attending conferences.

“This is where support comes in from my husband (Dennis Alston) and my mother (Mary Lewter),” she said. “It can be hard.”

Her calendar on her iPad has items for work, church and home, but a priority is put on family.

With Weldon City Schools since 2004, she wears many hats. She serves as public information officer, liaison to the Gear Up program, Health Center coordinator, homeless liaison and she handles the summer program.

“My hours vary working with parents and the

community,” she said.

Alston was a divorced parent of 20-yearold Michael Sledge and 7-year-old Sherrod Person until she married Dennis Alston Sr. on Sept. 4, 2010. They merged their families together with daughter Stacey, son Dennis Jr. and seven grandchildren.

Sledge is a full-time student at Nash Community College in Basic Law Enforcement Training and works full-time at Lowe’s Distribution in Garysburg.

Alston said Sherrod stays busy as a first grader at Manning Elementary School.

“I make sure he is academically and socially involved,” she said. “He is a busy kid.”

He is a member of Cub Scout Pack 238, getting ready to play coach-pitch baseball and is going to take swimming lessons.

Alston is a member of Simmons Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Roanoke Rapids, and sometimes she attends her husband’s church, Mount Olive Baptist Church.

She is an active, charter member of Phi Rho Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. Terence L. Wyche, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction for Weldon City Schools, said Alston is a great asset to Weldon City Schools, working in the capacity of title I director, English as second language director and parent involvement director.

He said because of her sincere dedication and fortitude for her respective positions, Alston has previously served on the state level as officer and committee member in these organizations.

“Not only dedicated to these positions, Mrs. Alston is very committed to her husband and two sons, as well as to her mother and other extended family members,” Wyche said. “She manages her time well to ensure she remains steadfast, unmovable and totally involved in the lives of her children and husband.”

One thing Alston is working toward is having more “me time.”

“I am very family oriented,” she said. “I enjoy being a wife, mother, daughter and a sister.”

One piece of advice she gives other mothers juggling various duties — “Take it one event at a time. When I am at work, I am at work.

The same goes for home. This way, you are not overloading or overwhelming yourself.”

For instance on the day of this magazine interview, Alston took a day off from work so she could prepare for a family trip to a wedding in Roanoke, Va. “I am focusing on leaving and not work,” she said.

She said school officials are supportive when it comes to her and other staff members.

“We are a family,” she said. “When one is hurt, we all hurt.”

Sherrod Person looks at his schedule with guardian Terry Alston. She said preparation is key when juggling responsibilities of home, work and church.

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BY KRIS SMITH

When you want something light or quick, there’s nothin’ like a homemade, fresh sandwich when you need nourishment. And now Connie Coker of Connie’s Café, 1019 Roanoke Avenue in Roanoke Rapids, offers more options for folks looking

for soup and a sandwich. The sandwich shop opened in mid-Febraury.

“I saw the for rent sign, and it all just fell in my hands,” Connie said. She says the patrons’ favorite is the club sandwich, but Connie’s personal favorite is her chicken salad sandwich

(which can also be served as a plate option). Customer Donna Turner describes Connie’s as a place you want to be and where you can get “comfort food.” Connie’s Café is open for breakfast and lunch from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Connie’s Chicken Salad Sandwich 2 chicken breasts 1 c. Duke’s mayonnaise 1/4 c. sweet pickle relish sweet pickle relish juice 4 slices of bread desired condiments Boil fresh chicken breast until done. Drain, cool and chop. Put ingredients in bowl, using enough sweet pickle relish juice to where consistency isn’t soupy or drippy.

Thoroughly mix contents in bowl. Spread on bread slice, add condiments, top with second slice of bread. Makes two sandwichs. Serve with pickle spear and chips.

Connie’s Club Sandwich 2 slices ham 2 slices turkey 2 slices roast beef 2 slices bacon 2 slices bread desired condiments

22 | Roanoke Valley Woman

On one slice of bread, stack slices of meat. Add desired condiments. Top with slice of bread. Makes one sandwich.

Serve with pickle spear and chips.

Roanoke Valley Woman | 23

24 | Roanoke Valley Woman

by Jacqueline Hough

Mission of Enhancing Lives

The annual Gregory B. Davis Foundation Gala was held March 24 in The Centre at Halifax Community College in Weldon. The evening featured a performance by Cuba Gooding Sr., right, of The Main Ingredient. The non-profit was formed in 2000 in honor of Gregory B. Davis with the mission of enhancing the lives of youth and their families by developing and supporting health-related and educational programs and initiatives targeting Eastern North Carolina.

Heidi Little, Dr. Pudden Gorlesky and Audrey Hardy

Dorothy White Cannon, of Tillery

Gregory B. Davis Foundation board member Valencia Davis and President/ CEO Edna Davis-Brow

Roanoke Rapids City Councilman Carl Ferebee and his wife Donna

Above, Celestine Howard, of Prince George’s County, Md. At left, Freida Wellman, left, of Garysburg, and Sharoyn V. Hardy, of Roanoke Rapids At right, Madgeline Sykes, of Roanoke Rapids

Calvin and Karen Lashley, both of Roanoke Rapids

by Della Rose

Businesses Represent Businesses from around the Roanoke Valley were represented March 29 at The Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce’s 2012 Business Expo at Becker Village Mall in Roanoke Rapids.

Liberty Commons Rehabiliation Manager Annie Johnson and Administrator Peggy Bullock, RN, LNHA.

The chamber’s Ruby Gerald keeps a watchful eye over the expo.

Duna Dickens works at the chamber’s booth at the expo. She said she is learning a lot about Roanoke Valley businesses.

Stephanie Keeter and Wanda Allen give away gifts and educate people about Honda vehicles and service.

Katie Ammann of The Music School of Roanoke Rapids was awarded Best New Business.

Hampton Inn General Manager Percilla West is prepared with giveaways at the expo.

Leah Brewer and Elle the pit bull spreading the word about the breed.

Pictured are Brewer, Elle and Earl Beacham, of Century Link Prism.

Kathey Gutterson represents The Lakeland Theatre Company in Littleton.

Linda Nyborg with Iluka Resources, a mining company, shares the company’s interest in the area.