03/18/2024
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Tuesday night’s annual meeting of the Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce at Lu Mil was impressive. Numerous deserving, local folks honored and long time Executive Director Dawn Maynard officially resigned. See article on our news page.

Some area folks received rain Tuesday afternoon. In our area, never arrived … there is still a need.

I often think about people, places and things from yesteryear. Remember when there were Jaycees in Bladenboro and Elizabethtown, maybe other local locations … Lions Club and numerous other civic organizations, all doing great work in the county? Still a few, but nothing like in the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. Jaycees built a nice facility off David Street in Elizabethtown … now, home for Head Start.

Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce met at the National Guard Armory, meals catered. New president received a cardboard box with all important papers, kept it a year and passed it on. Pretty much same arrangement with Jaycees.

Before Dixie Youth activities, it was Little League and, as today, could not have been successful if not for volunteers.

Think about the early days of the local rescue squads and volunteer fire departments … just about every community had one … too many have fallen by the wayside, fire departments more active than rescue squads. Too few volunteers.

Some of my best days were on a ball diamond with a group of 8 thru 12 year olds. Many with dreams of playing in the big leagues. As I look around, no big league stars, but a great group of business leaders, educators, coaches and more … even some retirees.

Bladen County is a great place to live, work and play … population hasn’t grown much, but with Bladen Community College and Bladen County EDC leading the way, securing new jobs and training, if needed, I like the prospects for a bright future.

I confess, I am a homebody and proud of it.

“The heart of a volunteer is not measured in size, but by the depth of the commitment to make a difference in the lives of others.” DeAnn Hollis

“Volunteers are not paid — not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless.” Unknown

“If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.” Booker T. Washington

robert g hester
rgh4612@gmail.com
910-876-2322

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