Companionship

In the past two years, many Americans have been vocal about the lack of companionship and loneliness brought on by the pandemic. It has definitely been hard to find a way to keep company, but pets are a great way to combat this. While an animal is a massive commitment that requires a lot of consideration and preparation, they are nonetheless a great way to help a home feel more alive and fuller, especially for those living alone.

Animals provide consistent company, even if they are more solitary animals like cats. Many cats warm up to their humans with time and, after a few months, can be nigh-on inseparable from their owners.

(Ironically) Responsibility

Anyone who has owned a pet will tell you: they’re a lot of work! Between vet visits, litter boxes, food, and other essential activities, pets can be quite a bit of responsibility. However, they are great for children and young people who’d like to improve their level of responsibility and reliability. It is always good to have an adult that will also take care of the animal if the child has trouble, but they can be a great way for kids to learn how to care for a living thing.

Of course, this alone is not a good reason to get a pet, but having a fluffy companion for your child to bond with and care for can be great both for their level of responsibility and general happiness. After all, who’s ever met a child who didn’t love fluffy things?

Mental Health

Americans often have mental health struggles, especially younger Americans. Thankfully, many resources have become much more accessible in recent years to aid in these struggles. However, mental health care requires a multi-path approach, including changes to lifestyle and habits. Oftentimes those struggling with mental health will decide to get a pet to help improve their mental state, and there is some evidence to suggest they do in fact help!

According to a 2017 review of studies conducted by the Universities of Liverpool, Manchester, and Southampton in the UK, found that there is some evidence for the positive impacts of pet ownership on mental health. Of the seventeen studies examined, fifteen found some positive attributes of pet ownership for those suffering from mental health issues. Although more research is necessary, it seems that your furry friends can help keep you a little more grounded!

Allergy and Asthma Aversion

Many of us suffer from allergies in our day-to-day life. Whether seasonal, food, or medication-related, allergies are a reality of life for many. Well, as it turns out, your furry friends can help with that too! A study conducted in Australia by the University of Sydney, Utrecht University, and the Woolcock Institute for Medical Research evaluated 224 Australians over the course of twenty years to determine if owning pets had any effect on a person’s likelihood to develop asthma or atopy (an immune issue that makes you more likely to develop allergies.)  

Over the course of the study, it was found that people who owned cats before the age of eighteen, and those who owned cats both before and after eighteen showed greater protection against asthma and atopy symptoms. So a little furry companion can help protect children and teenagers from future struggles with respiratory issues!

Heart Health

Heart health is a big concern for older Americans. Whether it be stress, weight, or general health, many may be concerned about the health of their heart. But once again, cats are to the rescue! A study by the University of Minnesota explored whether cat ownership has any effect on the risk of cardiovascular disease in their owners.

The study found that cat owners had a noticeably decreased risk of cardiovascular diseases. This was suggested to be due to the natural calming effect that cats can have on their owners when cuddling or petting them, but could also be due to some traits inherent to people who are naturally cat owners. Nonetheless, a cat cuddled up with you on the couch seems to be a much more exciting tool for heart health than exercise!

Take Away

Cats aren’t for everyone. Not everyone is as charmed by their furry shenanigans as others, and that’s totally okay! But if you’re someone on the fence about getting a pet, either for yourself or for your child, maybe a few of these benefits resonate with you. Cats can be a great addition to any family, and your local shelter would jump at the chance to give one or two a good home. So, if you think you could benefit from a cat in your home and an addition to your family, perhaps it’s time to take a look at your local shelter’s website?

The City Insight recently had the pleasure of connecting with Dwayne Billingsley, CEO, U-Nique All Stars Academy, who is a thought provoking lover of sports who prides himself in cultivating a team that provide the right care for anyone in pursuit of sports and athletics. U-Nique All Stars Academy is a multi-sport program developed by Billingsley over the years. The U-Nique All Stars Academy team brings expertise in basketball, football, swimming, tennis, and more! Dwayne’s dedication and sports partnerships makes a majority of his goods happen, but we also have to mention the key component, which is the motivation from his wife and family.

Make sure to look forward to sports content coming from The City Insight as it brings insight into:

• Professionalism in Sports
• Talent and Other Key Qualities Makes the Athlete
• Enjoying the Game while Creating and Cultivating Relationships
• Everyone Knows Everyone: The Key to Connecting Your Success
• U-Nique All Stars Academy: Making a Difference Through the Love of the Game
• Coaches and Team Corner

The U-Nique All Stars Academy program is designed to promote social confidence and intelligent decision-making skills for ages 3-19. They believe that one child in every neighborhood can help benefit a community. The academy’s most important expectation is to have 100% of its athletes attend college and 85% compete on an athletic team at the college level.  

CEO, Dwayne Billingsley stated, “Staying active and having a dream is what kept me focused growing up and I wanted to give back to our youth at a early age.”

Dwayne Billingsley, CEO

U-Nique is more than just sports. Combining the Arts is sometimes taken for granted but is a big part of their development in 2020. U-Nique All Stars Academy is adding drama classes, golf and expanding their Home School athletic teams. The academy’s goal beyond 2020 is to open up their own facility to run all its programs.

U-Nique All Stars Academy understands that each kid is unique and provides services customized for them and their families. Billingsley genuinely cares for each and every student in their program and therefore provides them with what they need, whether that means flexible payment plans, transportation, and/or mentoring. 

One of Billingsley favorite quotes is, “For when people get caught up with that which is right and they are willing to sacrifice for it, there is no stopping point short of victory.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

To show community self-awareness, U-Nique All Stars Academy participates in the Adopt a Highway Program to help their city stay clean. Make sure to follow U-Nique All Stars Academy and their heartfelt leadership, with a genuine experience. Make sure to visit their website at https://www.u-naa.org

About The City Insight, Inc.

For over 12 years, The City Insight, Inc. has utilized online, digital, print, video, social media, and public relations to bring insights into those individuals and organizations that have an impact in the Triangle and beyond. Like our wonderful clients, The City Insight wants to continue to grow and nurture relationships throughout its communities, as it regularly provides insight into the unique industries that affect city living.

EDITOR’S NOTE: I love having conversations with my son, and I thought I would share our latest conversation because I love the way he thinks. However that conversation turned into something else that was simply impressive. He wanted me to write his words down into an article for “Daddy’s magazine.” These are his own words about Christmas, and this is his first article titled “Christmas Through Innocent Eyes.” Harvey is autistic, has sensory processing disorder, and is only four-years-old. It also makes this honor so very special to be named the youngest journalist at The City Insight Magazine. I hope this warms your heart as much as it did mine. Seeing Christmas through such young and truly innocent eyes makes the holiday season even more magical. It taught me one important lesson – you are never too old to believe.

Welcome to my home, and come inside. You can play with anything you want but don’t touch the breakable stuff.

I want to tell a story about what Christmas means to me, and to children, and puppies and grown-ups and everyone in the world.

The first thing I think of is of Santa Claus. Santa looks like he has big whiskers and if you’re naughty, then he will give you a card to tell you to try to be good. He has a belt to hold his trousers up and he has a coat and a hat so he can look like Santa and he can stay warm.

I think Santa has a Christmas rocket or a Christmas plane so he can fly all around the world to give present. The sled is not fast enough. I also think Santa has a puppy and he is taking him out right now for a walk. He has the puppy because he got him from the North Pole General Store. He likes puppies and dogs and he can take care of them and keep them safe. The puppy’s name is Henry because I dream of Santa and I heard Santa say that to me in the dream.

Mrs. Claus is cooking some breakfast for Santa and her. I think she is making Christmas Tree Soup. It’s called Christmas Tree Soup because it’s like Spaghetti Christmas Tree soup which is super, super hot. So we need to cool it a little bit and you need spaghetti, meatballs, bananas, oranges, apples, and pumpkins to make it.

I think of the elves too. They help Santa make toys and fix toys. They have jingly bells on their hats. They check the list of naughty and nice children twice. I think they do this for Santa because the paper is too long with all the children’s’ names on it and it’s rolled up and it goes down to the floor when it’s not rolled. That’s too much for Santa to read.

Snow on Christmas is so cold and chilly and fun to play with. I like sledding and snowball fights. I think the snow comes from the clouds or the rain. Snow is important for children on Christmas to play with.

The reindeer are good and they are super, super special. They have antlers and they can guide Santa’s sleigh. They are nice to look at and Rudolph was not the favorite but he came to be the favorite.

I think the kids in the world like Christmas and other Christmas stuff like trees, decorations, pots to hold the trees, turkey, soup, chocolate, cookies, and milk, which Santa loves! You bake some cookies like sugar or chocolate chip and we get some milk. We put the milk and cookies on my learning desk and I do it to say thank you to Santa for the presents. I think he enjoys the cookies and milk because they are always gone in the morning.

I wish I can work with Santa in the Workshop so I can make toys for all the children in the world like trains, planes, snakes, globes that have snow in them with Santa and the Christmas tree… snow globes. I think I need to help sick children and go with them to the Doctor’s so that I can help them feel less sick and ask the Doctor what’s happening inside of them. Then I can get the supplies with the tools to help them so they can have a happy Christmas.

I want everyone to enjoy Christmas and be happy, safe, and sound.

This is a story of how helping hands for autistic individuals are available today. The word itself, autism, derives from the Greek word “autos,” meaning “self.” It was used in the early 1900s to describe the condition in which a person isolates themselves from social interaction. In 1943, child psychiatrist Dr. Leo Kanner, would publish a paper that recognizes children who were highly intelligent but displayed a need for being alone. Dr. Kanner later names their condition “early infantile autism.”

Once upon a time, autism was considered to be “childhood schizophrenia” and generally accepted to be a psychological disorder caused by emotionally distant mothers. Children with autism were discouraged from attending school, and grew up in the seclusion of their family homes.

Sometimes, children with autism were inappropriately institutionalized. People did not believe that these special children could grow up to have productive employment and lead fulfilling lives.

How We View Autism Today

Today, we recognize this condition as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); a group of developmental disabilities that can render an individual challenged in the areas of social interaction, communication, and repetitive or restricted behaviors. ASD is a brain disorder which is normally identified within the first three years of an infant’s life. ASD also comes in varying degrees of severity, which means that no two people will ever be the same.

It is a lifelong disorder that affects those at all stages of their life, and can also be combined with other disabilities such as Sensory Processing Disorder and Asperger’s Syndrome.

Those afflicted with this condition can seek help through autism therapy in the form of behavioral, occupational, physical, medical and dietary, language, and complementary therapy, such as those involving music or art.

Autism in North Carolina

Autism in North Carolina is prevalent. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, in 2016, about one (1) in sixty-eight (68) eight (8)-year-old school children may be diagnosed with autism on a national level. 

In North Carolina, that number increases to about one (1) in fifty-eight (58). In North Carolina’s public schools, during the 2014-2015 school year, there were more than 16,000 students with autism enrolled in all 107 school districts; there are more than 65,000 individuals in North Carolina living with ASD.

Parents and individuals with ASD cannot get through these difficult moments in life alone. This is where support groups such as The Autism Society of North Carolina (ASNC) come in.

The Autism Society of North Carolina

For more than 45 years, The Autism Society of North Carolina has made its sole mission to provide support and promote opportunities that enhance the lives of individuals within the autism spectrum and their families. Through continued support and education across North Carolina, ASNC continues to lead the way by holding your loved ones hand through their journey of attaining a better quality of life.

It was created by special parents who shared information, provided support to one another, and improved the lives of all children with autism in North Carolina. These parents were responsible for laying the groundwork for the services and support that families and individuals now enjoy.

Striving for Success

ASNC strives to provide skill-building services designed to increase the independent skills of someone with ASD. Whether at home or within the community, ASNC helps those prepare to interact in either location safely and confidently.

ASNC’s Employment Support department continues to help individuals with autism find and maintain employment, which is a key part of having a complete life. ASNC also offers camps, afterschool programs, social groups, respite, adult day programs, and supported living homes around North Carolina.

“For nearly 50 years the Autism Society of North Carolina has improved lives, supported families, and educated communities about the needs of individuals with autism and their families. We help tens of thousands of North Carolinians living with autism annually through a wide range of services. If you have questions about autism or need help, don’t hesitate to call 800-442-2762,” says David Laxton, Director of Communications of The Autism Society of North Carolina.

What is Available?

The 133-acre Camp Royall, outside of Pittsboro, is the nation’s oldest and largest camp for individuals with ASD. Camp Royall provides typical camp activities, in a structured environment to meet the needs of individuals with autism. Activities include Swimming, Arts and Crafts, Hiking, Hayrides and Boating.

ASNC also provides an unlimited amount of support to professionals such as doctors and teachers. By working with professionals, ASNC can increase the quality of care for those afflicted with ASD. ASNC’s licensed psychologists and certified behavioral analysts emphasize evidence-based best practices, early intervention and learning through an individual’s life as part of their specialized training.

The Goals of the ASNC

The goal, as ASNC underlines, is to increase the understanding and acceptance of individuals with ASD. The organization’s educational efforts have helped the State of North Carolina to have a lower average age of diagnosis than the nation as a whole.

Through education, comes support in the way of families. ASNC’s locally based Autism Resource Specialists will help find resources for families, assist with school issues, and provide further education to families through workshops.

There are more than 50 local chapters throughout North Carolina to provide this extended support and education to individuals and their families affected by autism. 

ASNC, in addition to their many community service activities, advocates for the needs of the autism community by forming and upholding valued relationships at the State Legislature and other policy-making bodies. 

The Annual Triangle Run/Walk for Autism

Recently, ASNC celebrated the 20th Anniversary of the annual Triangle Run/Walk for Autism. “This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Triangle Run/Walk for Autism. From the first year and around 300 runners, the event has grown to 4,000+ participants stepping out to raise money and support the autism community. At the Triangle Run/Walk for Autism, families come together to celebrate and share information and the community learns more about autism while enjoying a fun-filled event. Whether you run, walk, donate, or volunteer, the Triangle Run/Walk for Autism has something for everyone,” reiterated Laxton.

For the 20th anniversary, the ASNC is encouraging past teams and participants to return back to the Run/Walk. They are also offering cash prizes of $250 to the overall winners (men’s and women’s) of the 5K race.

During these twenty years, the ASNC has raised over $2 million to support individuals with autism and their families through the event. They are also compiling video memories from past chairs of the event and team captains.

The ASNC will be offering an information exchange area at the event where people can learn more about the organization and others who serve the autism community. There will also be a kids play area as well, live music, and plenty of open space for people to enjoy themselves and celebrate the day.

Highlights of the Event

The event will include the following:

• 5K race (our competitive racers).
  • This is chip timed and certified.
  • It is also one of the events in the Second Empire Grand Prix series.
• 5K non-competitive event
  • This is for racers who want to do the full course, but not be timed.
• 1 Mile fun run
  • This is not officially timed and provides a good option for many of our teams who are walking and/or pushing strollers, pulling wagons, etc.
• Kid’s Dash
  • This is within Halifax Mall and provides kids under six (6) the opportunity to all be winners.

For Further Information

For more information about the Triangle Run/Walk for Autism, you can visit www.trianglerunwalkforautism.com.

The Triangle Run/Walk for Autism takes place on Saturday, Oct. 13, at 9:00 a.m., at Halifax Mall, 300 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27603.

The Online Registration Deadline is Monday, October 8, at 8:00 a.m. After this date, registration will be $30.00 for the 5K Competitive, 5K Noncompetitive, and 1-Mile.

Additional information about the Triangle Run/Walk for Autism is located at www.trianglerunwalkforautism.com.

ASNC works diligently to directly improve the lives of individuals affected by autism, by providing advocacy, education, and services. For additional information on how the Autism Society of North Carolina can help the community, you can call 1-800-442-2762, 919-743-0204, or visit www.autismsociety-nc.org.

In response to the increasing needs of children in North Carolina, Children’s Home Society is implementing an aggressive four-year strategic plan and realignment that will allow it to double the number of adoptions completed and the number of children served by family finding and enhanced foster care to permanency programs. CHS will triple the number of children served by child specific recruitment, designed to find permanent homes for children who have been in foster care the longest.

Two members of the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina senior leadership team are being promoted and will assume added responsibilities as the agency undergoes this significant growth.

“Children’s Home Society has more than 100 years of experience in responding to the greatest needs of children and families, and we are poised to do more to help the growing number of children in crisis today,” said Brian Maness, President & CEO of CHS.

Rebecca Starnes, as Vice President of Programs and Quality Improvement, will be responsible for leadership of family education services and intensive services to preserve families, reunite children in foster care with extended relatives, and place the longest-waiting children in foster care with adoptive families.

Matt Anderson, as Vice President of Programs and Business Development, will lead foster care and adoption services, post-adoption services, public policy, governmental affairs, and grants management.

“As CHS continues to adapt to meet the needs of children and families today and in the future, we are very fortunate to have

these two CHS leaders who are positioned to take on significantly expanded leadership roles,” Maness said. “Rebecca and Matt have the benefit of having worked closely together as members of our executive team, as well as through the development and implementation of our most recent strategic plan.”

“The need is great for permanent, safe, and loving families for children at risk in North Carolina. We are excited to take on this challenge with strong leadership,” Maness added.

Starnes has provided and led programs for parents and youth for more than 20 years. She was the Coordinator for Family Programs for the Family Life Council before serving as the Co-Dire

ctor of that organization.  Starnes joined Children’s Home Society through a merger with Family Life Council in 2010. She has led the Family Life Education Division as Vice President and served on the CHS Executive Leadership Team since then. The Family Life Education division tripled in size over the past seven years.

“All children deserve the love and support of family, yet family relationships can be challenging. I am excited to work with these innovative programs focused on protecting and creating strong, healthy families,” Starnes said.

Anderson joined Children’s Home Society in 2011. He has held several increasingly responsible roles since then and most recently served as Vice President of Strategic Advancement. Before his time with CHS, Anderson worked nationally on child welfare reform initiatives. He produced an award-winning documentary on children aging out of foster care, worked in many states and with Congress on important child welfare legislation, and managed child welfare programs in Montana prior to moving to North Carolina.

“Children’s Home Society has a proud history of strengthening families and creating loving homes for children in need. I am honored and humbled to lead a talented and dedicated team of social workers, and I am excited to see the impact we are going to have for children and families across North Carolina,” Anderson said.

CHS helps support more than 20,000 children and families annually through a diverse array of services including adoption, foster care, parenting education, teen pregnancy prevention, and family preservation programs.

Click for information about Children’s Home Society

SOURCE: Children’s Home Society of North Carolina

RELATED LINKS
http://www.chsnc.org

• Part your child’s hair to examine the scalp under a bright light. Watch for movement. Lice will move quickly away from the light.
• Lice eggs (“nits”) may look like dandruff but cannot be flicked off with a fingernail. Eggs will be attached to the hair shaft within ½” of the scalp.
• Use a lice comb to work through small sections of hair looking for lice or nits. Pay extra attention to the nape of the neck, behind the ears, under bangs, and the crown of the head.

• While kids are away at camp, have them use a daily defense shampoo such as Vamousse Lice Defense, which has been shown in lab studies to kill lice during routine hair washing.
• Encourage your child to keep belongings separate – especially hair bands and hats. Encourage your child to pull hair into a ponytail or keep hair up when playing to minimize contact.

Remember that while lice are an annoyance, they do not carry disease or pose serious health risks. In fact, they are as

prevalent among children as the common cold. By using Vamousse products and being prepared for lice at summer camp, you can improve the chances that your children will have great camp memories of fun, friends and fireside songs – not an itchy head and an irritating case of lice.

 Note in the Pocket is able to achieve this by being alerted through schools and social service agencies throughout the community of those children in need. Then, through the kindness of donations, they supply those children with clothing year around. 

This wonderful organization began from a family ministry in 2005. One family saw fit to take it upon themselves to provide clothing for some of the less fortunate children in an impoverished school. That one act of kindness spread throughout the community and more people became interested in lending a helping hand. In 2012, the small family ministry that started it all became a church ministry of Our Lady of Lourdes and began operating under their nonprofit status. It truly is a story of how one good deed can make a huge difference in the world. 

 In March of 2103, Note in the Pocket officially became a legally formed North Carolina corporation! And they have no plans of slowing down anytime soon. The corporation seeks stronger community support for high quality, weather and school appropriate clothing donations, volunteers to help process clothing donations and deliver clothing packages to schools and agencies, and the financial support to grow the staff and facility size needed to provide clothing to an additional 500 students per year.

 Note in the Pocket recently reached 2,500 students in 2015 and are on target to reach their goal of 3,000 students in 2017. They are truly living up to their motto: Clothing Children with Dignity and Love!

 You can find out more about Note in the Pocket including where to make donations, how to become a volunteer, and all the latest news by visiting www.noteinthepocket.org.

Among the highlights this weekend; Avery Lewis of Friends’ Central School, who set two Colgate Women’s Games Records last season as an Elementary A competitor, moved up one age/grade division to Elementary B and set another record Sunday at the first preliminary meet of 43rd annual Colgate Women’s Games, the nation’s largest amateur female indoor track and field series.

Lewis of Wynnewood, Pa. has been called one of the fastest girls in the nation every year since her 7th birthday. The ten-year old fifth grader turns 11 years-old today, December 21, 2016. Lewis now holds Elementary A Records in the 55M (7.75) and the 200M (28.08); and the Elementary B record in the 55M (7.35) (*See NOTE).

Meet Director Cheryl Toussaint said, “Avery is the only competitor to hold three Colgate Women’s Games concurrently. It’s really exciting when our younger participants excel because it inspires so many more to kids to choose athletics as a path to success. The Colgate Women’s Games help spotlight their achievements and we’re proud that athletes of all ages across the nation look to our stats and records as a benchmark in all our track and field events.”

In the High School division Friday evening, Dylann Core of Astor Collegiate Academy in the Bronx scored a double win against a tough field of veteran high school sprinters, crossing the tape in the 55M in 7.25 and the 200m in 26.08. Core’s victories are especially notable after placing 4th and 7th earlier this year at the AAU Invitational behind club teammates and returning high school champions in these fields. Another fast rising star, New Jersey’s Athing Mu of Trenton Central also scored a double win, placing first in the 400M (60.9) and the 800M (2:26.2). National champion My’Khiya Williams, who holds Colgate Women’s Games records in the Elementary B and Mid School high jump, cleared the bar at 5’4″ for the win.

In the Mid School division on Saturday, returning champion Brianna Brown of Bronx Latin won both the 200m (25.91) and 400 Meters (60.22); faster times than high school leaders in these events. Brown, who holds two national age division USATF records, was awarded the Colgate Games’ trophy for “Outstanding Competitor at the Finals” last season. Now a 7th grader, she began competing in the Colgate Women’s Games as an Elementary A competitor and has placed first overall in every event each year since.

“This year women’s track and field has been in the spotlight from the 2016 Olympics in Rio where Team USA featured six athletes who participated in the Colgate Women’s Games. The Games have now produced 26 Olympians and hundreds of national age/grade division champions, an inspiration to the thousands of girls and young women of all ages and abilities that compete each year. While top talent often gets the buzz, the Colgate Games are very much about gaining experience and self-esteem and the importance of continuing education for all who participate,” Toussaint said.

Also on Saturday, in the College Open division, Chante Moore of Gwynedd Mercy University in Pennsylvania won the 200M in 25.38 and the 400M in 58.3; fast opening meet races for the Pennsylvania High School Indoor and Outdoor track state champion, and the division’s best 200M and 400M times in recent history. Brooklyn’s Kezzian Jones won the shot put with a toss of 11.86M. The sophomore broke multiple Kingsborough College throwing records earlier this year including the shot put with a toss of 12.38M.

Nation’s Fastest 8 year-old:

On Sunday in the Elementary A division, 8-year old track sensation Junior Olympic champion Damira Allen of Chester Charter School in Pennsylvania won the 400M in 1:10.05 and the 800M in 2:34.5. Allen set a record as a 7 year-old in the ESPN Games with a 400M time of 1:09.39; and another this year at the AAU Junior Olympics in August in Texas with an astonishing 1:05.89 performance. The Colgate Women’s Games division record stands at 1:05.91 set by Philadelphia’s Kenai Bey-English in 2015. Allen’s 800M 2.34.5 is her fastest time at any major meet yet, and less than 2 seconds off a 30 year-old Colgate Women’s Games record set in 1986 record set in 1986 set by All American Jawauna McMullen.

Participation in the Colgate Women’s Games is completely free. Girls and young women compete within their own age/grade divisions for ribbons, medals and points. Events include 55 meters, 55-meter hurdles, 200 meters, 400 Meters, 800 meters, 1500 meters, high jump and shot put. Top point scorers advance to the Finals where they compete for trophies and educational grants-in-aid from Colgate-Palmolive Company.

Four preliminary meets and a semi-finals at Pratt Institute will determine who will compete at the finals at the New Balance Track and Field Center at The Armory, New York Saturday, February 18, 2017, where trophies and educational grants-in-aid from Colgate-Palmolive Company are awarded to top place finishers in each grade division.

Hopeful young track stars, parents and coaches can find information about the program at http://www.colgategames.com/.

(*NOTE: Hand-timed. The hand-timed race will join, not erase an electronic timed 7.40 record set in 2003 by Rayona Lynch.)

Registration can be completed online via the Town of Cary’s EZWeb registration system; in person at Page-Walker; by phone at 919-460-4963; or by mailing forms and full payment to:

Program Registration
Cary Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources
PO Box 8005, Cary, NC 27512-8005.

The June 20-24 bluegrass camp offerings include beginner and intermediate fiddle, taught by Matt Hooper; beginner and intermediate songwriting, taught by Lynda Dawson; and guitar and mandolin tracks, taught by Charles Pettee. These camps are open to students ages 8-16, and any two half-day camps can be paired together to make a full-day music camp experience.

Bluegrass Jam Camp, July 25-29, is for intermediate level students and above, ages 10-17, who play fiddle, guitar, mandolin, banjo, or bass.

Scholarships are available to students who could not otherwise afford to attend, thanks to the Ray Bilger Memorial Scholarship. Please contact PineCone at 919-664-8333 or e-mail communications@pinecone.org for an application, or download the application from PineCone’s website: https://pinecone.org/content/youth-music-programs.

These camps build and develop musical skills while encouraging confidence, creativity, and collaboration. Please contact PineCone with any questions about class level.

The June camp will culminate with a student performance on Friday night, June 24, as part of Cary’s Starlight Concert Series at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center.

Students who participate in the August camp will have the opportunity to perform at Cary’s Lazy Daze Festival on Aug. 27.

Students are required to provide their own instruments; PineCone is exploring options to facilitate instrument rentals for students who don’t own instruments. Students should also bring a pencil, paper/notebook, and a digital recording device if they have one.

Learn more about PineCone’s Youth Programs

To learn more about all of PineCone’s upcoming concerts and other programs, please visit pinecone.org, or call PineCone’s office at 919-664-8333. To register for summer camps in Cary, please visit http://classweb.townofcary.org/, or call 919-460-4963 for more information.

PineCone works to make our programs accessible to all members of the community. You can learn more about PineCone’s accessibility services on our website (https://pinecone.org/content/accessibility), and anyone with questions is encouraged to contact us – 919-664-8333, or by e-mail at communications@pinecone.org.

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About PineCone: Founded in 1984, PineCone, the Piedmont Council of Traditional Music, is a non-profit organization that preserves, presents, and promotes traditional music, dance, and other folk performing arts. Each year PineCone presents more than 200 music programs, including more than 30 concerts, youth programs, participatory jams and sessions, and a weekly radio show. PineCone is also the producer of IBMA’s Wide Open Bluegrass, presented by PNC.