My National Customer Service Director called me recently to tell me that four of the schools I visit had earned special recognition. He asked if I could be present to present a present to them. One of the schools is perhaps the furthest away from where I live of any and the other, I had just recently visited. We made other arrangements for those two and yesterday, I set off with flowers in the back of my car to deliver to the two schools of excellence.
The first was Wayne Community College in Goldsboro. I had visited WCC twice before but had never found the director, Dr. Aletha Andrew, in her office. This time, however, she was in and available to talk. I was escorted to her office by Terri Smith, whom I'd met before. Terri is the person who orders books and shared in the award.
Jaxie Bryan is the director at Johnston Community College in Smithfield. I stopped in to visit with her while I was in the area. The students were preparing for the end of the semester and Jaxie was very busy with students finishing up their work before the Christmas break.
Yesterday was seasonably cold and when I left the Library, I thought I saw snow flurries in the air! Upon closer examination, however, it was only cottonwood tree catkins being blown about by the wind.
My second award-winning school was Campbell University. Students there were busily involved in end-of-semester projects and I noticed on the door of the library that special extended hours and even snacks were offered to assist in the last-minute study and preparation for exams. Students will leave campus on the 14th and not return until after the new year. Michelle Gregory is in charge of acquisitions and my visit actually interrupted her preparing an order for more books--so I didn't stay long!
The next two stops were at schools which are parts of the same county wide system. In Lillington, Central Carolina Community College is led by Jennifer Seagraves and her able assistant, Barbara Bera. In Sanford, CCCC is led by Tara Lucas and her assistant, Jessica Walshaw. Jessica is also a student and an aspiring writer.
I enjoyed lunch at Howard's Barbecue on the bank of the Neuse River. Howard's is run by a man named Dave. Howard was his Dad and he started the business 30 years ago. Dave is a stereotypical "good ol boy" but is clearly an excellent businessman and a great cook. Since I'm not a fan of Eastern style cue, I ordered the grilled chicken and it was delicious and "fall-off-the-bone" tender. I asked Dave about the recent flooding. He showed me how high the water in the river had gotten. It is hard to imagine but easy to see how that much water could cause so much damage.
My final stop was in the "golf capital of North Carolina," Pinehurst. Sandhills Community College is led by Dr. John Stacey. Dr. John told me he was planning to return to his home in the northeast for Christmas. When I mentioned that he would almost certainly have a "white Christmas," he said that such Hallmark sentiment had long since lost its romance for him. He clearly enjoys living in our milder climate.
As I drove home, I thought about the two schools who had received special recognition and the four who hadn't. On its surface, the practice of rewarding some and not others may seem unfair and many object to it these days. However, the problem seems not to be with those who achieve but with the resentment of those who do not. Why not celebrate the achievement of others and aspire to their standard rather than abiding ill will? Such a tide would, I believe, "lift all the boats."
This was probably my last trip before the new year so let me take a moment to wish each of your readers a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! My brother, John, was not much to celebrate Christmas (owing perhaps to his unhappy home life) but our brother, Charles, seemed to have the joy of the season throughout the year. He wrote:
Come, Thou long expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free. From our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in Thee: Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth Thou art, dear Desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
Born Thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a king, born to reign in us for ever, now Thy gracious kingdom bring: by Thy own eternal Spirit rule in all our hearts alone, by Thy all-sufficient merit raise us to Thy glorious throne.
A week ago, I had a very important appointment to keep in the early evening but the schools I needed to visit were at some distance. I arose very early and left to visit schools which sit along the Virginia border and in the north. east corner of the state.
Vance-Granville Community College in Henderson is led by Elaine Stem. She was preparing to leave for a meeting when I arrived so I didn't have long to speak with her. I learned a week later that VGCC qualified for a very special award from the company I represent. Congratulations to Elaine and her fine staff!
Piedmont Community College is in the town of Roxboro. 
It was after lunchtime when I left PCC so I stopped at a place called "American Hero." American Hero is run by two brothers from Lebanon. Sammi prepared my meal of grilled chicken with peppers and onions on a bed of wide egg noodles. The meal was accompanied by a salad and garlic bread. Ordinarily, when I have calls to make, both onions and garlic are off the menu for me. But since I had made my final call for the day and had only the drive home ahead, I enjoyed Sammi's fare.
