Aycock Birthplace volunteers recognized
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on September 28, 2004 1:59 PM
FREMONT -- Ginger Gatlin and Audrey Brow have been recognized as "blue ribbon volunteers" by the Charles B. Aycock Birthplace State Historic Site for their outstanding and long-term service. They were among 32 volunteers honored at an awards dinner held at the site.
Site Manager Leigh Strickland paid tribute to volunteers by quoting Nelson Rockefeller, who said, "'You can't leave footprints in the sands of time while sitting down.'"
Ms. Strickland added, "Volunteers leave their footprints by sharing their knowledge and skills freely with others."
Ginger Gatlin is an art teacher at South Johnston High School. From 1984 to 1996, she worked at Aycock Birthplace. Prior to that, she was an employee at both Bentonville State Historic Site and the CSS Neuse State Historic Site. Even though she now teaches full time, she continues to share her knowledge and skills with Aycock Birthplace. She assists with numerous programs and is teaching the staff how to thread a loom.
The second recipient, Audrey Brow, has been a volunteer at Aycock for about 13 years and assists with many programs, including School Days, Christmas Candlelight Tours, Farm Heritage Days, and Living History Wednesdays. She often demonstrates quill pen writing, and volunteers numerous hours at the sales desk in the gift shop. Although many other community organizations benefit from her service, Ms. Brow remains a constant and steadfast source of assistance to the staff. She is the mother-in-law of former Site Manager Charlotte Brow.
Historic Sites Section Chief Rob Boyette spoke to the group and pointed out that volunteers make it possible for the site to complete its programs. As an example, he said, visitation by school students to Aycock had increased by 1,000 from last year to this year, and that only with volunteer help could the site respond adequately.