Margaret Damghani 1/23/20 Margaret Damghani 1/23/20

Optimist Club Recognized for Generations of Youth Basketball in Garner

The Town of Garner recognized the local Optimist Club with a proclamation at Tuesday night’s Town Council Meeting for their “years of service and commitment to youth basketball and their continued support of the Garner community.”

BY MARAGRET DAMGHANI

The Optimist Club ran the youth basketball league for just over 50 years beginning in 1969. The league lives on through the Town of Garner’s Department of Parks and Recreation and Cultural Resources which became the steward of the program beginning this season.

“It certainly is decades of service...it’s been a wonderful program for many years,” said Council member Gra Singleton, noting that both he and his son played basketball in the program.

Rebecca Lakey, membership director of Garner Optimist Club, said she was struck by how special the program was when she first joined two years ago.

She remembers being touched at how appreciative the youth were of the program and how much time and effort it takes to run it.

Mayor Ken Marshburn presenting the proclamation to Bill Oates at the Youth Basketball Jamboree on January 4, 2020.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to all the Optimists, not only for the work in the league as we’ve said, but all the good work you do. Thank you for allowing me and my son to participate in the program many years ago. Well done,” Mayor Ken Marshburn said.

The Optimists plan to continue their support of youth athletics in Garner and are active in both baseball and softball leagues in the town.

“The Garner Optimist Club’s goal, in general, is to support youth,” Lakey said. “We need to find other things for us to help support.”

The community can support the Optimist Club’s programs and youth scholarships at the annual BBQ Fundraiser on February 7, 2020 at 11 a.m. More information can be found at www.garneroptimistclub.org.

Staff 1/14/20 Staff 1/14/20

Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration: A Garner Tradition of Unity

A Celebration Honoring the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Sunday January 19, 2020 - 4:00pm - Garner Performing Arts Center

The Garner News Martin Luther King Jr 9.jpg

A Celebration Honoring the Life and Legacy of

Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Sunday, January 19, 2020

4:00pm

Garner Performing Arts Center

742 West Garner Road

Sunday January 19th the Garner community will come together for its annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. This observance has become a Garner tradition that reflects the town’s character of inclusiveness, unity, and true community.

Master of Ceremonies

Mayor Ken Marshburn

Program

Invocation - Rev. Ben Acton, Pastor First Presbyterian Church of Garner

Greetings and Introduction of Officials - Honorable Ronnie Williams, Former Mayor of Garner

Greetings

Congressman David Price
Master Andrew Wade - Student Body President, Garner Magnet High School
Master Tashawn Rhodes - Student Body President, South Garner High School

The Dream: A Youth Perspective - Master Donovan Summers

Musical Selection - Creech Road Elementary School Chorus

A Tribute in Dance - The Gifted Arts, Inc.

“ I Have A Dream” - Mr. Dwight Rogers, Community Activists

2020 Dream In Action Award - Recipient Rev. Susan P. Hobbs presented by Mrs. Carlene Lucas

Garner’s Community Forum - Rev. Ben Acton, Pastor First Presbyterian Church of Garner

Introduction of Speaker - Dr. James Ferry

Selections - Psalmist Danyelle D. Sanders

Keynote Speaker - Rev. Byron Wade, Pastor Davie Street Presbyterian Church

Prayer for Peace, Justice, and Equality - Rev. Roy Clark, Assistant Pastor Poplar Springs Christian Church

Benediction - Rev. Dr. Byron Wade, Pastor Davie Street Presbyterian Church

Closing Selection - "“We Shall Overcome”

Other MLK Jr. Day Events and Observances

Friday, January 17, 2020

40th Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony - 9:00am - Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Gardens, 1215 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Raleigh, NC. Sponsoring Partner: Raleigh Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance
A Day of Prayer and Reflection - We pause today to pray, reflect and thank God for the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. Join us for corporate prayer wherever your are from 9am to 11am for our nation and our community as we face the realization of the urgency of now. Continue to pray and join us in our efforts as we continue on this journey to achieve a more Beloved Community that reflects the wholeness of humanity.

Monday, January 20, 2020

MKL Day of Service - United Way of the Greater Triangle
Garner Community Forum: Discovering "Common Ground" Across Racial, Political, and Economic Lines. 10:00am. First Presbyterian Church, 502 Lakeside Drive, Garner, NC 27529

40th Annual Triangle Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast - 7:15am to 9:00am. Sheraton Imperial Hotel, Research Triangle Park, NC. Doors open at 5:45am, breakfast served from 6am to 8am only. Keynote Speaker - Rev. Lisa Yebuah, Pastor Southeast Raleigh Table
40th Annual MLK Memorial March - 11:00am. Departs from State Capitol Building, Edenton Street Side, Downtown Raleigh. 10:00am March Assembly begins. Sponsoring Partners: United Way of the Greater Triangle and Red Hat.
40th Annual MLK Noon Observation 12:00pm. Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 East South Street, Raleigh, NC 27601. Sponsoring Partners: United Way of the Greater Triangle and Red Hat.
40th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Evening Musical Celebration - 5:30pm. Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts – Meymandi Hall, 2 E South Street, Raleigh, NC 27601