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Haywood Community College’s Adult Education Department celebrated GED Instructor Ernest Lee as an example of outstanding determination and success for his work with Haywood Vocational Opportunities during National Disability Employment Awareness month.
After working for more than 20 years at the local paper mill, Lee was forced to give up his hard-earned career after a severe car accident. The accident left him with a lifelong disabling condition, which in turn led to a battle with depression and low self-esteem.
Lee sought the services of the N.C. Division of Vocational Rehabilitation who referred him to Haywood Vocational Opportunities, where he worked with employment specialists, and ultimately became a valuable employee for HCC as a GED instructor. Lee first began at HCC as a volunteer tutor.
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Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Resort has a new policy for minors, prompted by the increasing number of performances and concerts at its event center on the casino campus.
Minors are not allowed on the gaming floor, but can attend events and eat at restaurants in areas of the casino not connected to the gaming floor itself.
A ticketed adult must accompany all minors under the age of 16 while in these areas, however. Minors 16 to 20 years of age with concert tickets can attend the show without adult supervision, but must be dropped-off and picked up by an adult prior to and immediately following the show.
Dropping off minors in the parking lot, at main doors or other locations is not permitted. Entry to and exit from the Event Center may only occur at the main entry doors next to the box office.
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The MedWest-Harris & Swain Foundation is selling Curly the Bear stuffed animals, which are two-foot-tall stuffed teddy bears, for $20. The sales raise money for the New Generations Family Birthing Center at Harris Regional Hospital. 828.631.8924. www.medwesthealth.org.
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Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation awarded Haywood Spay/Neuter with a $1,500 grant to help with its Trap-Neuter-Return project for free-roaming feral cats. 828.452.1329.
International design firm Cuningham Group Architecture recently accepted HOSPY Awards, which recognize extraordinary achievement in architecture, design, and development, for “Best Buffet” and “Best Theatrical Experience” for Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee. This marks the third and fourth HOSPY Awards for the $633 million expansion and renovation project.
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The Franklin Lion’s Club donated money to the Macon County Care Network and Habitat for Humanity on behalf of Harvey Gibbs and Jim Dzurus, owners of Ruby Cinemas. The club and movie theater provide movies twice a week throughout the summer for kids and their families as well as summer camp participants at no charge. 828.369.8285.
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The family of the late Janice Hooper Holt, Western Carolina University executive director of teacher recruitment, advising and career support, is creating a scholarship in her memory.
Holt, of Webster, died unexpectedly at the age of 58. She was instrumental in developing the university’s programs to support beginning and career teachers and maintain partnerships with regional schools.
To donate, go to wcu.edu/27669.asp. Select the College of Education and Allied Professions from the “area of giving” drop-down box and note in the comments box that the gift is for the Holt scholarship.
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Bobby Raines and Connie Haire recently joined the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area board
Raines, a tribal member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, currently works as the Program Director for the Cherokee Preservation Foundation. Haire served for 25 years at Southwestern Community College and most recently as vice president of development at the Macon campus.
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Drs. Edward K. Isbey, III and Robert E. Wiggins, Jr. of Asheville Eye Associates were named 2012 American Academy of Ophthalmology Achievement Award Recipients for their contributions made to the academy, its scientific and educational programs and to ophthalmology.
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Janet W. Millsaps will start her new job as director of Service Innovation and Performance Management at WestCare on Jan. 1. In her newly created role, Millsaps will focus on the customer experience at the Sylva and Swain hospitals, working with employees to ensure patients, visitors, families, physicians and co-workers receive world-class service built on exceptional quality, efficiency and cost.
