P EO PLE & PLACES

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Orange Chatham Association of Realtors Awards Gala

1 Johnny Wehmann and Catherine Wehmann.

The Orange Chatham Association of Realtors (OCHAR) held its Casino Royale Awards Gala in March at Governors Club, which featured casino games, music and a photo booth. The night’s award winners included Jackie Tanner of Allen Tate Realtors (Realtor of the Year), Gayle Claris of Fonville Morisey (Broker in Charge of the Year), LaTanya Davis of TD Realty (Community Service), Paula Hoge of Franklin Street Realty (Organization Service), Marcia Vaughn of Allen Tate Realtors (Rising Star) and Robby Oakes of Robby Oakes Mortgage Team at CIMG (Affiliate of the Year). The Realtor’s Choice award, which is voted on publicly by other professionals, went to Debbie McCormick of The McCormick Team. Finally, Gary Saleeby of Debi and Gary Saleeby Real Estate won The Milestone award for his 40-plus years in the industry.

Writers for Readers On March 8, Orange Literacy’s 13th annual Writers for Readers event at The Carolina Club brought community members together to explore the connection between music and literacy with a program called “Our Universal Language: How Songs Move Us to Read.” Bill Ferris, Grammy winner and senior associate director of emeritus at UNC’s Center for the Study of the American South, moderated a panel discussion with Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Tift Merritt and gospel singer and educator Mary D. Williams. Author Daniel Wallace emceed the event, which raised funds for Orange County adult and family literacy. Photography by Trevor Holman Photography

2 Matt Sawaia, Emma Claris, Gayle Claris and Woody Claris.

1 Diane Sasson and Brenda Rogers. 2 Daniel Wallace, longtime emcee of the annual fundraiser. 3 John Sherer, María Estorino, Thomas Grasty, Mary D. Williams, Tift Merritt, Karen Eldridge and Bill Ferris.

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