Blog 177: A “Thank You” Note from Mrs. Alene S. McCorkle

On July 27, 2014, our beloved teacher/advisor, Mrs. Alene Stewart McCorkle, will observe her 99^th birthday. Approximately four years ago, a birthday party was held in her honor. Do you remember the occasion? The following is a quote from blog 67:

“Recently, approximately thirty persons, including the Second Ward High School National Alumni Foundation, Inc., former students and friends of Mrs. Alene Kate Stewart McCorkle, celebrated her 95^th birthday with a luncheon at the Olive Garden Italian Restaurant, in the North Lake Shopping Mall at Charlotte. The retired Mathematics teacher taught at Charlotte’s Second Ward High School for 31 years and is one of two survivors of the 1947 faculty.”

To refresh your memory, here are pictures in review, taken by photographer William C. Youngblood.

Here is an open “thank you” note from Mrs. McCorkle:

Dear Beloved Friends,

I am now approaching my 99th Birthday.  Since my 95th Birthday Party held at the Olive Garden which many of you so graciously attended, I have not been well: afflicted with one disabling condition after another, perhaps connected to an uncontrolled thyroid condition.  The sudden onset of these physical problems occurred the very next day following the party so I have not been able to send "Thank you" cards that I wanted to send.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for the wonderful cards, gifts and other acts of love and kindness.  Everything was very much appreciated.
Could you please do me the favor of expressing my thankfulness to anyone that you would know who attended my party and may not have access to this blog?
Again, thank you very much, especially to this blogger, Rev. Dr. Vernon Herron.

Sincerely,

Alene S. McCorkle

Blog 176: Age and Physical Fitness

By Cynthia Osborne

Guest-writer

     This is a tribute to Dr. Vernon M. Herron’s physical fitness. It is a synopsis of an article published in AKWA magazine, the official magazine of the Aquatic Exercise Association; published for aquatic fitness instructors.

Grow Strong, Not Old! 

Written by Dr. Karl Knopf, December 2013, page 32.

     How a person ages is to some extent determined by the cards (genes) they were dealt. Nature or nurture? One thing is sure, proactive steps throughout a lifetime may prevent or delay the advent of frailty.

     Frailty refers to a loss of some physical function or inability a person has to function independently. The causes of frailty vary. One common cause is sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss). Why is having less muscle bad? One reason is that muscle tissue is the furnace that rev's the metabolism, helps control body weight, and decreases the risk of type II diabetes, hypertension and other disease. Having strong, functional  muscles allows a person to lead a more active and independent lifestyle. The adage of use it or lose it applies to muscle strength as well as bone strength. Frailty can set in easily without a plan of action. Grow strong with exercise is the point of the article.

     How does one get muscle strength? Muscle strength is gained with resistance exercises.  It is never too late to get in shape. An exercise program should also include range of motion/ flexibility, muscle endurance, cardiorespiratory fitness, and balance & posture activities.

     Here is how this information applies to Dr. Vernon Herron. As an aquatic fitness instructor, I see Mr. Herron make great strides to be physically fit.  He goes to Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center pool, gym, and spa to care for his fitness needs. It is always encouraging to see him in the workout room on different equipment. He knows the value of growing strong, staying active. I am usually conducting a water fitness class when he comes. I always point him out as a good example of staying strong while getting old. He does his best to stay in shape.

     Please continue to be an inspiration to us all.

About the author

     Cynthia is the daughter of our late high school classmates, Herbert Jefferson and Rosa Lee Johnson Jefferson.  She is the director of CJOSMILES LLC Water Fitness.  This company is the result of a passion for fitness and wanting to help others be fit, healthier, and be well. Our motto is SMILE: Simple Moves Increase Longevity and Energy.  WWW.CJOSMILES.ORG

Blog 175: Twenty-five Blogs to Go!

By Vernon M. Herron

We are at blog 175 with 25 more to go before reaching the goal of publishing 200 blogs. That number is fast approaching, when a new blogger with a different writing style and subject/interest will “kick in.”

Some time ago, my friend and confidant Joseph Burton wrote, “Before the advent of the Internet, writers had an audience without professionally publishing. Yet, through today’s technology, authors have the ability to write and publish freely to audiences across the Internet, often in form of a blog. A blog is a type of Internet website consisting of chronicled commentary, presented in written, photo, audio or video fashion. When one combines the concept of using the “web” to create a “log” it is called a “blog.”

That having been said, let me iterate that I enjoy blog-writing which includes diversity, creativity and latitude. One can write about any desired subject, involving numerous disciplines; exploring the world of uniqueness which not only examines ideas as they are but what they could be; and the freedom to “do so” or “be” without limitation.

Looking at the Table of Content, the 175 blogs are listed in chronological order as they were developed and submitted and is a bit awkward to find a desired subject or author. But rearrangement of the Table by subject/interest, the following list is noted:

         Black History

         Blogging

         Childhood

         Church Life-History

         Death

         Education

                  Elementary

                  Secondary

                  College

                  Post

         Family History

         Genealogy

         Guest-writers

         Music

         Race

         Seasonal

         Theology

         Youth

Until we meet again, good blog reading!!!

Blog 174: A Valentine Story

(Forward)

Sent to

Vernon  M . Herron

As you know, I blog-write by inspiration. My level for writing is low, hence no thought provoking blogs. Today is Valentine Day. I received the following valentine story which I now share with you for your good humor.

An elderly couple was celebrating their sixtieth anniversary.  The couple had married as childhood sweethearts and had moved back to their old neighborhood after they retired. Holding hands, they walked back to their old school.  It was not locked, so they entered, and found the old desk they’d shared, where Andy had  carved “I love you, Sally.”

On their way back home, a bag of money fell out of an armored  car, practically landing at their feet. Sally quickly picked it up and, not sure what to do with it, they took it home. There, she counted the money - one hundred thousand dollars!

Andy said, “We’ve got to give it back.”

Sally said, “Finders keepers.” She put the money back in the bag and hid it in their attic. 

The next day, two police officers were canvassing the neighborhood looking for the money, and knocked on their door.  “Pardon me, did either of you find a bag that fell out of an armored car yesterday?”

Sally said, “No”.

Andy said, “She’s lying. She hid it up in the attic.

Sally said, “Don’t believe him, he’s getting senile” 
The  agents turned to Andy and began to question him. 
One said: “Tell us the story from the beginning.”

Andy said, “Well, when Sally and I were walking home from  school yesterday ...”

The first  police officer turned to his partner and said,  “We’re outta here!”