Things and Stuff: 01/10/02

Notes from our business community
- and everywhere else

RONNIE AND THOMASINE RIDDLE...

owners of Melton-Riddle Funeral Home, gave $1,500 to Baptist Children's Homes to purchase a computer for children in one of the cottages at Broyhill Children's Home in Clyde. The gift is in memory of their daughter, Brandi.

WELCOME...

to the following new members of the Better Business Bureau from Jackson County: Dee's Locksmithing, Dillsboro Supply, General Insurance Services, Glenville Plumbing, Gray Wolf Crossing Log Homes and Mountain View Marine.

FIFTH-GRADER CARRIE DARDEN...

was so affected by the Sept. 11 tragedies that she wanted to find a way to help the New York firefighters. When her school, Bradley Creek in Wilmington, adopted a fire station in New York, Carrie made red, white and blue pins and offered them free at a shop where her mother works. Donations were accepted and Carrie raised $500 to add to her school's donations. A ceremony was held honoring the young entrepreneur, and on behalf of all firefighters, Wilmington fireman Caulder Shackleford presented Carrie with a hand-lettered certificate embossed with an American flag that declared her "a loyal American." Carrie is the daughter of Richard and Kathy Darden of Wilmington and granddaughter of Opal Elders of Sylva and the late Virgil Elders, and Charles and Linda Darden of Cullowhee.

SAWYER BROWN...

will perform at Harrah's Cherokee Casino Friday, Feb. 8, at 8 p.m. The country band has been surprising and delighting both critics and fans for more than 15 years with 16 albums. Their latest effort, "Drive Me Wild," boasts three outstanding singles and a signature video, and the show promise wonderful entertainment.

The latest album features five original Sawyer Brown compositions and offers a mix of outside material.

"All of our albums begin with our own songs," said lead singer Mark Miller. "Then we say, 'Can the outside material beat what we already have?'"

Band members Miller, Hobie Hubbard, Jim Scholten and Joe Smyth have garnered one of country music's most loyal followings. Together they have won the County Music Association's Horizon Award, the Academy of Country Music's Top Vocal Group award and six consecutive TNN/Music City News Top Vocal Band prizes.

The band was one of the first country acts to use music videos to full advantage. More than anything else, the videos showcase the boundless stage energy of Miller and the other members of Sawyer Brown that makes the band such a favorite with fans.

Tickets begin at $25 and are available by calling 1-800-HARRAHS.

WINTER HOURS...

for The Community Table are 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. each Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

KEITH ASHE...

was named employee of the year at the annual Christmas party for facilities management at Western Carolina University. He has been employed at Western for approximately 15 years. In addition to his regular duties as locksmith and computerized sign designer, Ashe dons a Santa Claus suit during the holidays and plays St. Nick for various campus parties. He is also a member of the Cullowhee Fire Department and is pastor at Zion Hill Baptist Church.

CULLOWHEE-SYLVA KIWANIS...

Club meets each Thursday at noon at Grandma's Pancake Barn except for the final Thursday in each month when the meeting is at Bella Roma at 5:30 p.m. Anyone interested in learning about the local club is welcome to attend.