|
By Sherrie Norris
It was definitely a “heartfelt” occasion at
Appalachian Brian Estates (ABE) in Boone on Valentine’s Day
for those attending the 17th annual High Country Heart Breakfast
in support of the Watauga County Chapter of the American Red Cross,
recipients of this year’s event proceeds.
Tom Cottingham, 91, and Farrar, 89, his bride of 61 years, were
among those who wouldn’t dare miss the breakfast.
“We’ve been coming every year and always enjoy it,”
Mrs. Cottingham said.
Farrar and Tom Cottingham, ages
89 and 91 respectively, were among those who “wouldn’t
dare” miss the breakfast. “We’ve been
coming every year and always enjoy it,” Mrs. Cottingham
said. The couple was on their way to the Wellness Center
for an hour of swimming and walking. Photo by Sherrie
Norris
|
Rick Loper, executive director
of ABE, standing left, and George Brudzinski, chair
of Watauga Red Cross board of directors, at right, are
pictured with volunteers and patrons at the 17th annual
High Country Heart Breakfast last Thursday. Photo
by Sherrie Norris
|
The couple enjoyed a hearty meal before departing for the Wellness
Center, where Mr. Cottingham, a retired ASU professor, planned
to swim for an hour while his wife walked the track.
She said with a chuckle, “I hope I’ll make it back here
next year. That might sound morbid to some people, but to me,
hoping for that is just realistic.”
Watauga native Eulala Hodges, a week from her 92nd birthday, is
another who spends Valentine’s Day with her family at the
Heart Breakfast and has done so for several years.
The good food and fellowship are just two of the many reasons
why family and friends gather year after year at the breakfast.
Before the breakfast began at 7 a.m. through its official closing
at 9:30 a.m., ABE director Rick Looper said, “There was a
steady stream of people, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.
We are really happy with the results.”
Looper announced on Monday that $2,025 was raised during the breakfast,
with “hopefully a little more trickling in this week.”
All donations will go to the Watauga County Chapter of the American
Red Cross for the purchase of at least one automated external
defibrillator (AED), which will be placed in a public places for
emergency situations.
Red Cross director Sonny Sweet said prior to the event, “We
are delighted to have been chosen as the beneficiary of this year’s
Heart Breakfast proceeds. … The idea is that the Red Cross
will purchase one or more AED(s), as funding allows, place them
in a location such as a mall or conference center and train the
permanent occupants in its usage.”
Sweet said that the devices would be put into place during March,
which is Red Cross Month, as part of the agency’s annual
celebration.
Lynn Norwood, Sweet’s administrative assistant, was on hand
during the breakfast with one of the devices and held demonstrations
throughout the day.
After learning of the amount raised, Norwood said, “As for
the AEDs, it looks like we’ll definitely be able purchase
one, with some money left over, and possibly be able to get two
of them if we can work a deal with one of the manufacturers. We’ll
know more once we start the negotiating process with them.”
On behalf of Red Cross, Norwood and George Brudzinski, chairman
of the board, expressed their sincere appreciation to Appalachian
Brian Estates, Hardee’s, and “everyone who came out
on such a cold morning to support this event.”
As a public reminder, Norwood said, “We would still love
to hear from any organization interested in having an AED in their
facility. We have not found a home for this one yet. We want it
placed where it will be the most service to the community. Ideally,
we’d love to purchase it, and place it and never have it
needed, but we really want one to be available should the need
arise.”
Also on site during the breakfast were staff members of the Watauga
County Health Department who were providing cholesterol screenings,
as were WHS health occupations students and their instructor Regina
Alford, who were invited to take blood pressures.
“It was a great learning experience for the students and
they had so much fun interacting with others,” Alford said.
During its 17-year run, the breakfast has not only attracted the
same crowd of diners, helped fund numerous community heart-related
projects, but it has also been sponsored and supported by the
same businesses.
ABE and the Hastings Company/ Hardee’s of Boone, teamed up
in the beginning and still today, are driving forces behind the
event’s success.
Mike White, Hastings’ district manager, has been on the scene
every Valentine’s Day since the breakfast first began, as
has “Papa Joe” Patelidas, who served as Hardee’s
general manager for 15 years.
They were accompanied on Thursday by current manager David Blake,
who also has been involved with the event for 13 years, as well
as other members of the management team, Janet Milano and Janie
Stanbery.
Kiwanis Club of Boone returned once again to help serve the food,
much of which was donated by various vendors.
ABE and the Hasting Company/Hardee’s of Boone would like
to thank the following vendors and providers who participated
this year: Sara Lee Bakery, Goodnight Brothers (Watauga County
Ham,) Ingles Food, S&D Coffee, Flav-O-Rich Pet Dairy, Hollar
& Greene Produce, Aisling Broadcasting, Blue Horse Promotions,
Watauga County Health Department, Health Occupation Student Association
of Watauga High School, Meadow Brook Meats, Williams Produce and
the Boone Kiwanis Club.
|
|
|
Get Firefox