Pete O’Geary Local Boy Scouts Citizen of the Year
(Cover photo of Grace and Pete O’Geary)
Thursday night in Henderson, James D. “Pete” O’Geary was presented the Lone Scout Award by the Boy Scouts of America, the Occoneechee Council. O’Geary is the recipient of the Citizen of the Year award for 2016.
This recognition was given at the 2016 George Rose Watkins, Sr. Citizen of the Year Award Dinner, May 5, 2016 at the Henderson Country Club.
R.G. “Chick” Young was presented the award in 2015, and the award was established in 2014 and named for and given to Watkins.
The award was given to O’Geary for his dedication and service to the community, because he is a businessman and former owner of Petal Shoppe Florist and Gift Shoppe, because he served on the Henderson City Council for six terms and because he was the Mayor of Henderson for eight consecutive years.
O’Geary was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine recently as well, and he served on various city boards and committees as well as being Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Finance Committee for the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Government. At the present time, O’Geary serves on the Salvation Army Board of Directors and on the Henderson Planning Board.
At the award dinner, guests were welcomed by Cliff Rogers, immediate past president of the Occoneechee Council. The flag was presented by Boy Scout Troop 605 from First Presbyterian Church of Henderson. The invocation was given by Pastor Ralph E. McGowen from West End Baptist Church where O’Geary has been a member for 56 years.
Rogers gave a brief outline of scouting in the council, which covers Vance, Warren, Granville and Franklin counties and the communities of Wendell, Zebulon and Rolesville while serving 559 youth.
McGowen presented a testimonial and spoke of O’Geary’s dedication and many years of service to the church, and he also spoke of O’Geary’s character, integrity and faithfulness in representing this community.
Former City Manager Ray Griffin spoke of O’Geary’s selfless leadership and service to this community, his partnership with the City Council and his great desire to create harmony in the community.
Dr. Steve O’Geary spoke on behalf of his father for his dedication to family, church and community, for the way he loved and connected his family, for the standards set by his father as examples for all to live by and for standing up for what he believes in.
Pete O’Geary thanked the scouts for their support in the community and for their role in shaping lives. He thanked the scouts and community for supporting him.
John Akerman, scout executive of the Occoneechee Council, ended the dinner with the scoutmaster benediction.
(The award dinner was attended and written up by Susan Rose for WIZS News.)
#nationaldayofprayer service Henderson, NC
If you missed the noon prayer service today at Henderson City Hall, you can listen to that service below.
WIZS will broadcast another service tonight at 7 o’clock from Southern Vance High School. You can listen tonight on WIZS 1450 AM or online at wizs.com/listennow.
MEEKS TO RETURN TO CAROLINA FOR SENIOR SEASON
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA
ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2016
CHAPEL HILL – University of North Carolina junior forward Kennedy Meeks will withdraw from the 2016 NBA Draft process and return to UNC for his senior season in 2016-17.
The Charlotte, N.C., native has averaged 9.4 points and 6.5 rebounds and shot 55.4 percent from the floor in 104 games over his first three seasons.
“I’m thankful I had the chance to explore my draft options, but I’m excited about the opportunity to rejoin my teammates and work toward having another outstanding season at UNC,” says Meeks. “I appreciate the support my coaches and teammates gave me during this process as we gathered information about my professional opportunities at this time. The feedback on what I have to work on so that I can have a great senior year, help my team have a great season and be ready to take that next step is invaluable.”
Meeks has started 77 games, including 28 in 2015-16 when the Tar Heels won 33 games, the ACC regular season and Tournament championships and won the NCAA East Regional. He averaged 13.3 points in UNC’s NCAA Tournament wins over Indiana, Notre Dame and Syracuse, and needs only 19 points to become the 73rd 1,000-point scorer in Carolina history.
“Kennedy did the right thing in taking the time to see where he stood with the NBA Draft at this point in his career, an opportunity we encourage all of our players to take,” says Carolina head coach Roy Williams. “I think Kennedy’s made the right decision in returning to school to finish his degree and put himself in better position toward playing professional basketball, which is his dream. If he works hard this summer, he can have a big-time senior season and also help our team reach its goals.”
(Thanks to STEVE KIRSCHNER, University of North Carolina, Senior Associate A.D. for Communications for the press release)