Things and Stuff: 11/28/02

Notes from our business community
- and everywhere else

Derril Trakalo, left, presented Mike Williamson, center, with the 2002 Mary Ann Talley EMS Instructor/Coordinator of the Year Award during an October ceremony. With the award recipient is his father, Bill Williamson of Franklin.

FORMER SYLVA RESIDENT MIKE WILLIAMSON...

has been awarded the 2002 Mary Ann Talley EMS Instructor/Coordinator of the Year Award, which recognizes an EMS instructor who has made a significant contribution to the EMS community, by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians.

Williamson, who now resides in Russellville, Ark., is president of the Arkansas EMT Association and was recipient of the 2001 Arkansas EMT Association Instructor/Coordinator of the Year Award.

Williams attributed this award to strong family support and dedicated this prestigious award to his father, Bill, stating that his father was his hero and mentor.

"It was the values that he and Mom instilled in me, coupled with our experiences serving together in the fire department, that catapulted me to this level," said Williams.

The son of Bill and Louise Williamson of Franklin, Williams graduated from Franklin High School in 1983 and shortly thereafter joined the U.S. Air Force. From 1998 to 1999, Williamson served as director of WestCare EMS in Sylva. There he led the agency through the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services accreditation process, which led to WestCare EMS becoming the 64th service in the nation to receive accreditation.

He and his wife, Darlene, have three children, Hannah, Rebekah and Philip. Williamson is employed as a paramedic and educator by Pope County EMS, Air Evac Lifeteam and Conway Regional Medical Center Emergency Response Team. He is also a flight medic with the 172nd Medical Co., Arkansas Army National Guard.

DILLSBORO POST OFFICE...

invites everyone to their annual Luminaries Open House Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6 and 7, from 6 to 9 p.m. Full window service will be available, and patrons can have their Christmas cards cancelled with Dillsboro's special Luminaries design by local artist Linda Kotila.

THE HOSPICE TREE....

located at the courthouse fountain, will be lit at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, prior to Sylva's annual Christmas parade. Grand marshals Jim and Mickie Childress will do the honors.

KRISMART FASHIONS...

is having its annual sale and plans to be open Thanksgiving Day from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. for those of you who want to get a jump on holiday shopping. See their ad for details.

IF YOU MISSED...

all the "hot jazz" at Western Carolina University's inaugural CulloWHEE! ArtsFest, the folks at UNC-TV plan to rebroadcast of the festival-capping show by The Manhattan Transfer at 9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, and at 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. Plans are under way for WCU's second annual CulloWHEE! ArtsFest, Friday and Saturday, June 20-21. For information, call 227-7722.