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Bird Finds Heaven With a Human Family

April 2, 2013

Laura Bodsford provides a heavenly atmosphere to a Moluccan Cockatoo, which she purchased from a bird refuge.
Bodsford explained that she never had pets growing up because of family allergies, but as soon as she was married, she and her husband, Stan, got a dog and a bird.
“Since then I have always had birds,” she said.
Bodsford, now retired, worked as a dog groomer and said she has always had a positive relationship with animals.
“I think it has a lot to do with earning their trust,” she said.
Bodsford has many pets at her home, including: three dogs, two ducks, a Persian cat, a guinea pig and a Moluccan Cockatoo, named Auggie.
Bodsford explained that she came to own Auggie after her Quaker Parrot died roughly 10 years ago.
“I was getting my hair done and talking with my hairdresser (about the Quaker Parrot) and she started telling me about her friend, Jane, who volunteered at a refuge in Kannapolis,” Bodsford said.
After contacting Jane, Bodsford learned about a lone Moluccan Cockatoo that needed a home.
“One day I was visiting my daughter, Lindsay, in Kannapolis and I decided to go to the refuge. When we got there, Auggie was sitting on his cage. He had been there for seven years and the only contact he had during that time was that someone would come every three days to feed him and change out his cage,” she said, noting that she soon fell in love with Auggie after holding him.
Bodsford immediately called Stan and asked him to drive to Kannapolis with his truck because she had something big she was bringing home.
The refuge told her an elderly woman had previously owned Auggie and when she moved to an assisted living center, the woman could no longer keep him; therefore, she had to surrender him to the refuge.
“I am guessing that she had him for about 12 years because I have had him for 10 years and he was in the refuge for seven. The vet estimated that Auggie is about 20-30 years old,” Bodsford said.
As with any new pet, the first few days are like a honeymoon and Bodsford remembers that stage very well; however, there was a period that followed that wasn’t as easy.
“When we got home, we brought Auggie in and set up his cage. We invited family over to meet him and he was very well behaved,” she said, adding that Auggie likes the attention. “But, after the newness wore off he cut a tantrum. You would have thought you were in the middle of a jungle, which is why people often get rid of the bird.”
Bodsford immediately started reading and researching to educate herself so she could figure out how to make Auggie as comfortable as possible in his new home and to learn how to properly take care of him.
“I wanted to educate myself about the responsibility I took on,” she said.
She explained that it can be traumatizing for a bird to adjust and then be moved, just as it can be for people.
“Birds a big as Auggie can live to 80 to 90-years-old, so you have to have a plan,” she said. “You can’t just adopt a bird and keep it for a few years.”
Bodsford joined several organizations that protect animals, especially birds. She said she has learned a lot, including the fact that poachers steal eggs from their nest and kill the mothers. Also, many of the birds that are smuggled across the border illegally die in transport.
Due to what she has learned, Bodsford urges people not to purchase birds from pet stores because it promotes poaching, but instead recommends for people who are interested in owning a bird to find one at a refuge and give it a second chance.
“I am against taking animals out of their natural habitat. Auggie was born in captivity. While he senses that something is missing, he could not survive in the wild. My commitment to him is to help him make the best of a bad situation,” she said. “It’s either this or have him sit in a refuge with no love and no stimulation. Getting a bird from a refuge is not only better for the animal, but it’s cheaper and (the refuge) will usually throw in the cage for free.”
She explained that there are a lot of enjoyable things about owning a large bird.
“They are very intelligent. They are sponges like a three-year-old and because of his intelligence, Auggie feels less like a pet and more like a companion,” she said. “One time I was unhappy outside on the porch. I was crying and Auggie was on my shoulder. He leaned over and ran his beak up my face on either side to wipe my tears.”
Bodsford explained that birds are not only intelligent, but are also entertaining to watch, affectionate, and can get along with other animals and humans.
“Auggie even has his favorite TV shows; he dances to music and talks,” she said. “He is very entertaining. When I call the dogs he will call them too. He even tells me when my phone is ringing if I am in another room,”
While they are beautiful and entertaining, Bodsford advises people to make sure they know what they are getting into and have a deep commitment to the bird, since they require a lot of patience, care, and mental stimulation.
“Just as they are a sponge like a three-year-old, they also throw tantrums like a three-year-old. They are very messy too. I clean Auggie’s cage once a day and sweep around his cage three times a day. Their screech can be ear splitting; they are expensive to feed; and can have a nasty bite. When they bite their beak can deliver 500 pounds of pressure. If you get a mean one, it can be bad,” she said. “This is not a pet you can stick in a cage and ignore,” she reminded.
Bodsford also warns that it is best to have a family that can tolerate the bird’s noise and isn’t jealous of the time the owner and the bird spend together.
If anyone has a question about getting a bird and would like some more information send an email to Bodsford at Lbodsford@triad.rr.com.

Cooking Up a Firestorm

April 2, 2013

Over the years, the firemen at the Kernersville Fire Rescue Department (KFRD) have made it a tradition to share dinner together at the fire station, and who better to cook a meal each night than the firemen themselves?
KFRD Chief Terry Crouse explained that the firemen are on duty for one full day (24 hours) at a time. The firemen usually bring their own breakfast and lunch; however, dinner is shared by all.
“Each fireman has their own skill set,” Crouse said.
Some of the firemen learned how to cook before coming to the KFRD, but others learned their cooking skills at the department.
“Some of the guys will ask after an interview if (the interviewee) knows how to cook,” he said, noting they are ‘kind of’ joking since that isn’t a required skill to be a fireman.
Crouse added that every fireman contributes to dinner in some way or another.
“They have the option of ordering out, which they usually only do when they are very busy and food has not been prepared yet,” he said.
Crouse added that unless they are busy, it’s frowned upon for the firemen to order food.
Although everyone cooks, Crouse did say the men have their favorite cooks.
“There are a couple of men on each truck/company that are exceptional; some that are okay; and some that are really bad,” he laughed. “The ones that are bad, the guys know it and they’ll pitch in to help (when it is their turn to cook).”
Crouse bragged that one of the exceptional cooks at the KFRD was former Fire Chief Walt Summerville.
“He could have been a chef,” Crouse said.
Crouse said fireman Jason Sowers has definitely honed his cooking skills since joining the fire department.
“I know one guy in particular. We hired him young and he struggled at first, but now he’s one of the best cooks. He actually went to one of those cooking demonstrations given by (Food Network’s) Guy Fieri with Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. It was a gift from his wife,” Crouse said.
Crouse joked that the guys have to go beyond the skill of cooking an average family meal.
There are nine firemen on duty at a time at the West Bodenhamer fire station and three to four firemen on duty at the other three outlying stations located on Teague Lane, West Mountain Street, and South Park Drive.
“On holidays multiple companies get together and you may be feeding 50 to 60 people at a time, so you have to know how to cook for a lot of people,” he said.
Crouse admitted that while he knew how to cook before joining the KFRD, he did not know how to cook for a large group of people.
“I knew how to cook, but not for a firehouse full of people. Walt taught me a lot,” he said.
To make things go a little smoother, the men often cook together, Crouse noted.
While church groups and organizations will bring them a meal or cook for them on site on certain occasions, the firemen will cook for outside groups as well.
“This year we cooked for Leadership Kernersville,” he explained.
The KFRD also competes in a chili cook-off.
“Last year, Brad Johnson, one of our engineers won (the chili cook-off). Another year they had it, Walt came in second place,” he said.
Crouse himself has cooked several large meals, one of which was for Christmas Eve.
“I made loaded baked potato soup for Christmas Eve. I cooked six gallons because we had people and family coming and going all day,” he said.
“We have everything from country cooks to contemporary cooks and the men grill a lot,” Crouse explained.
In fact, each station has access to a grill.
“Some of our guys know how to grill, but don’t know how to cook,” Crouse remarked.
As for the grill, firefighters at the West Bodenhamer Station: Travis Lovern, Engineer Jason Robinson, Firefighter Steven Turrentine, Firefighter Joey Allen and Captain Steven Gauldin recently made and grilled Jalapeño Burgers. The men said they enjoy this meal because it is quick and easy.

Jalapeño Burgers
4 lbs of deer meat
¼ of a large white onion
½ jar of sliced jalapeños
½ c. of hot and spicy ‘Allegro’ marinade

Directions:
Mix all four ingredients in a large bowl with hands. Shape the burgers into rounds. Throw them onto a grill set at medium-high heat. Cook all the way through.
Put on a bun and add your choice of toppings: sliced onion, cheese, lettuce, tomato, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, etc.

Dr. Emory Named Superintendent

April 2, 2013

A whirlwind tour of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WS/FCS) for incoming Superintendent Dr. Beverly Emory started at East Forsyth Middle School (EFMS) on Wednesday morning, March 27.
The tour also featured a walk through the campus with EFMS Principal Dossie Poteat and a brief presentation by a group of student ambassadors, who touted the various programs and goals the EFMS family share.
“You are among the first students I have met, and I look forward to presenting you with your high school diploma in a few short years,” said Emory.
Emory – a former middle school science teacher at West McDowell Junior High School – was named the new superintendent during a special meeting of the WS/FCS Board of Education Tuesday morning. She will replace Superintendent Dr. Don Martin, who is retiring on June 30 after 18 years of service.
Emory moves to the district after working at the helm of the Pitt County School System since 2006. She was also the superintendent of the Oberlin City School District in Oberlin, Ohio, and the Westlake City School District in Westlake, Ohio. Prior to that, she worked as an adjunct university professor, principal and central office administrator for school systems in N.C., S.C. and Ohio.
“Dr. Emory is a dedicated and focused leader who is widely known for her passion and enthusiasm for educating all children,” said Jane Goins, chairman of the WS/FCS Board of Education. “Her commitment to students shines through in every aspect of her work.”
Goins said Emory’s dedication to student achievement is one of the many reasons School Board members felt like she was the perfect match for WS/FCS. She said the graduation rate in Pitt County has climbed more than 15 points in the seven years Emory has been with the district. She also helped to raise student achievement to the highest levels in the district’s history of the ABCs model.
Emory said those achievements were attainable through a variety of initiatives and programs. She worked closely with area colleges to provide extra support for beginning teachers and expanded the nationally recognized Health Sciences Academy with the help of area medical institutions.
Emory hopes to find similar programs and initiatives that will work in a diverse school district like WS/FCS, but she is in no rush to make a lot of changes.
“I think the best thing for me to do right now is to learn what resources are available to our students and staff and take it from there,” Emory said. “I want to do everything I can to be involved and remain accessible to our parents, teachers and staff at all times.”
Emory continued.
“I want to engage our parents and take pride in visiting my schools on a regular basis. Our teachers work hard every day to provide students with the quality instruction they need to succeed in today’s global economy, and I want to be there to support them. I also believe that visiting the schools to see first-hand what our students are doing gives me the motivation I need to be a strong leader.”
Board member Buddy Collins said Emory was chosen after reviewing applications from 34 candidates in 15 states and U.S. territories. He said Board members carefully considered all of the information supplied through community forums, parent surveys and staff feedback before making their final decision.
“This has been a grand journey for everyone on the Board,” said Collins, who noted the strength of the applicant pool. “From the first interview on, I knew Dr. Emory stood out as a leader. I think she is a perfect match for our district. She has the experience our community is looking for, and the poise to gain command of the room.”
Emory received a four-year contract during Tuesday’s Board meeting with an annual salary of $190,000.
“I am honored and excited to accept this position and to serve the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County community,” said Emory, who is familiar with the Winston-Salem area. “I am thankful for the opportunity to give back to a place my grandfather loved and the community my parents call home.”