Tag Archive for: #boyscoutsofamerica

Michele Burgess Named George Watkins Citizen Of The Year

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Michele Eaves Burgess has been named the George Watkins Citizen of the Year by the Occoneechee Council of Boy Scouts of America.

Burgess officially received the honor at an awards ceremony Thursday in Henderson. This award is Scouting’s premier event and major fundraiser in Vance County, and honors extraordinary community leaders in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the quality of life in the Eno River District and who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law, according to a press release issued by the Occoneechee Council.

“I am honored to be recognized by our community for my involvement and dedication to making Vance County a better place for our future leaders and today’s youth,” Burgess said in a prepared statement. “Being selected to receive this award, named for Mr. George R. Watkins, Sr., who I admire and have had the pleasure to work with for many years is very special to me. George and his family have set a positive example of how volunteerism and giving back makes such an impact.”

In presenting the award, Ronald Bennett, event chairman, praised Burgess for the energy and excitement she brought in her role as president of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce. She recently retired but Bennett said Vance County and the surrounding communities are better places because of her efforts through the Chamber.

Burgess has led the Chamber three different times over the years. Tem Blackburn, who shared remarks Thursday evening, was on the interview committee that chose Burgess over others. Although she had less experience than those other candidates, there was something that clearly set her apart, he said.

“In the years that followed, whenever I needed help on a project for the Library, the YMCA, the public schools, anything of benefit to the community I called Michele and I always felt she was not only glad to help, but she was so glad I had called her and asked her to help,” he said.

Nancy Bobbitt also spoke about her friend and told those gathered that Burgess “has never faltered in her love and support of this community.” Through Burgess’s leadership over the years, the Chamber established Leadership Vance and Business After Hours, Bobbitt said. And Burgess was the first Chamber executive from Henderson to graduate and receive certification from the National Institute of Organizational Management.

“She always has a smile and good word for everyone she meets,” Bobbitt said. “She has a wealth of experience and ability to lead others to do their best to make Henderson and Vance County live up to its potential.”

Blackburn said Burgess has been working on behalf of Vance County and its residents to build community. It’s a lot of work, but Burgess has a way of approaching tasks that makes them a bit more enjoyable, Blackburn said.

“Speaking for myself, and for many others who have worked with Michele over the years, she has made it not only rewarding, but great fun!”

 

 

 

Jim Crawford Recognized as George R. Watkins Citizen of the Year

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The Awahili District, Occoneechee Council of the Boy Scouts of America honored longtime local public servant James (Jim) W. Crawford, Jr. Thursday night and named him the 2018 George Rose Watkins, Sr. Citizen of the Year.

For the fifth time in as many years, a dinner was held at the Henderson Country Club, with Crawford serving as the honoree. George Watkins shook hands with Crawford and presented the award after remarks by Crawford’s minister and a close friend.

Reverend Jennie Wilson, of Oxford United Methodist Church, compared Crawford to the wise man who built his house on the rock. Wilson said Crawford was a solid rock of faith and that he did hard, honest work. She also said he had a spirit of generosity and was a model for and lived the word of God, taking care of things without fanfare.

Crawford’s friend Bill Edwards, past president of the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce and former lobbyist in the telephone industry, grew close to Crawford after their paths crossed in Raleigh in and around the state legislative building.

Edwards pointed out in the printed program the many activities that Crawford continues to be involved in at age 80 – Vance- Granville Community College Foundation Board, Granville Medical Center Foundation Board, North Carolina Turnpike Authority, Oxford Zoning Board of Adjustment, Granville County Historical Society president, and trustee of Oxford United Methodist Church.

Jim Crawford (right) is presented the George Rose Watkins, Sr. Citizen of the Year award by George Watkins (middle)

Among his many accomplishments, Crawford has served as an operations officer in the US Navy, worked as a cost accountant at Harriet & Henderson Cotton Mill, was founder of Vance Academy and served as president for 13 years, served for 28 years in the North Carolina General Assembly and started Crawford Properties that currently boasts 60 tenants.

Edwards said Crawford would help anybody who needs assistance, “Jim is what I call a true friend – people who expect a great deal of each other but never have to ask for it.”

Edwards also said Crawford is a star, “you know he’s there even if you can’t see him.”

In response, Crawford replied, “Thank you all for the wonderful things you’ve said. It’s been an interesting life and a lot of fun.”

He also said this is “too much of a tribute for what I’ve done in this world. I’ve enjoyed working with people, and I’ve enjoyed so much being a part of the community. I look around this room and I see so many people who have done so much for us, Granville, Vance, Warren Counties. … This is the Promised Land. When you throw that little rock in the pool and the big circle comes out, it comes out around the Research Triangle, and we’re in that first circle, and we’re going to do great things, and we’ve got to get ready for what’s coming our way. I appreciate what you’ve done tonight and thank you for giving to the Boy Scouts.”

The dinner itself was a fundraiser for the local Boy Scouts organization.

Past recipients of the Citizen of the Year award include George Rose Watkins, Sr., the late former Mayor Robert Gill “Chick” Young, Jr., former Mayor James D. “Pete” O’Geary and Thomas C. (Tom) Church Jr.

Thomas C. Church Jr. Boy Scouts Citizen of Year

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— by Susan Rose

Thomas C. (Tom) Church Jr. was awarded the 2017 Citizen of the Year Award through the Awahili District, Occoneechee Council, of the Boy Scouts of America Thursday night at the Henderson Country Club.  The award is named after George Rose Watkins Sr.  Dinner was served and three testimonials followed.

Rev. Donald Lowery, rector of The Church of the Holy Innocents, told about Mr. Church’s dedication and faithful leadership.

Mr. Church has been very active in The Church of the Holy Innocents and in the Henderson-Vance community.  He now serves as chair of the Henderson-Vance County Economic Development Board.

John Akerman, scout executive of the Occoneechee Council, said Mr. Church has created a legacy for saying “yes” to all aspects of scouting.

Cliff Rogers, local businessman and past scout council president, reiterated about Church’s service in the U.S. Air Force, to the church, to the local schools, to the hospital and to the Rotary Club.  Rogers presented the award.

Church thanked the council and all his scout friends.

Church moved to Henderson in 1970.  He has been involved with scouting for many years, beginning as an assistant leader for his son’s Webelos Den.  Other contributions to scouting include: district chair of Awahili District; member of the Occoneechee Council executive board for nearly 40 years; vice president of administration of the council; and chairman of the capital development committee that oversaw the reconstruction and remodeling of Camp Durant and Camp Campbell.

Church presently serves on the audit committee.  He received the District Award of Merit in 1981 and the Silver Beaver award in 2005.

The Occoneechee Council now has 13,000 youth and 6,000 volunteers.

Pete O’Geary Local Boy Scouts Citizen of the Year

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(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.)

Local Eagle Scout Earns All 141 Merit Badges

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Local Eagle Scout Brandon Scott Lawrence is just the fourth person in North Carolina to ever accomplish the impressive task of earning all 141 Boy Scouts of America merit badges.

BSA Troop 605 will present Lawrence with his last merit badge, # 141, at Court of Honor, taking place at the First Presbyterian Church, 122 Young St. Henderson, NC on Monday, March 7, 2016 at 7:00 P.M.

It will be a historic event. Earning all 141 badges has only been achieved by 283 other individuals in the last 100 years. On average about 18 scouts per year achieve this distinction.  Lawrence will receive four historical badges and one retired badge.

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He earned his Eagle rank at the early age of 14 on September 19, 2013. He is now 16 and is very excited about accomplishing his latest goal.

Lawrence said, “Scouting has been a huge part of my life. I’ve learned things and done things that I’ve never thought were possible, from flying airplanes to scuba diving in a rock quarry. I have learned many different skills and things that I will never forget. I have made many friends and met many interesting people throughout my 10 years of scouting.”

He said, “I would tell younger scouts, or anyone with a goal, never stop trying.  There is always a way because nothing is impossible.”

Brandon’s father is Scott Lawrence, who has been a scout leader for nine years. Scott Lawrence said, “I feel like a peacock strutting around! (Brandon) came to me one day after school at the age of six and said he wanted to go to a cub scout recruitment at Aycock School, which is where he went to school. We went, and here it is ten years later, and he has enjoyed it so much. I have too because it became a family affair. We are best friends!”

Brandon’s start was as simple as receiving a flyer to go to a Cub Scout interest meeting.  He said, “I just wanted to go.” All the things scouts do gave him an urge to try it. “I have always loved trying new things and meeting new people ever since I was six,” Brandon said.

rScott Lawrence said, “Our troop has had the privilege of having 27 young men earn the rank of Eagle Scout in the past ten years. Forty percent of all boys who joined our troop have gone the distance. Brandon has really set his sites on the future. He is so active in church, school, sports, clubs, and volunteering in general. Brandon has the drive and ability to do what ever he sets his mind too.”

Brandon said he has always loved taking things to their fullest.  “When I was in Cub Scouts, I heard about the Arrow of Light, the highest achievement for Cub Scouts, and decided that was my goal. When I crossed into Boy Scouts, I heard of the Eagle Scout rank, the highest rank in Boy Scouts, and decided that was my new goal. After I got my Eagle, I tried to think of a new goal, and I found one in getting all the merit badges. I had 62 at the time, so that’s what I set my sights on. Two years later, I finished all 141 merit badges,” Brandon said.

Reference information provided by: https://www.meritbadgeknot.com/index.htm

(Editor’s Note – The majority of the beginning of this story was written and supplied to WIZS News in the form of a press release. The release was written by Don Wells, Assistant Scout Master to BSA Troop 605.  The majority of the concluding paragraphs were written by Brandon Lawrence and Scott Lawrence and supplied in writing.  This is important not only so each receives proper credit for his writing but also to point out that they have each had the opportunity to express themselves in their own words.  Taking the time and effort to do so and to do so extremely well, as they have done, is exactly what you would expect from an Eagle Scout and from scout leaders.  And may we at WIZS please express what a joy it is to publish and broadcast great news.)