Friday, September 16, 2016

Carolyn Augustine - A Gardening Mother


Helen “Carolyn” Bishop Augustine: 2016 Garden Club North Carolina Maslin Award Recipient

In April at the recent Garden Club North Carolina Annual Convention in Durham, North Carolina, Helen “Carolyn” Bishop Augustine was presented with the Maslin Award which is given in memory of the first President of Garden Club North Carolina and is the highest state award given by the Garden Club North Carolina. The Maslin Award is only given to a member who has contributed the most over a period of years to further the aims and projects of Garden Club North Carolina. This honor was announced locally in May during the Cape Fear Garden Club, Inc. Luncheon, “Celebrating Our Successes and Honoring Our Members,” which was held at Wrightsville Beach.

During a recent Cape Fear Garden Club, Inc. interview and podcast, it was discovered that Helen “Carolyn” Bishop Augustine epitomizes the spirit of the Maslin Award. Carolyn has quietly over the years led by example both locally and at the state level. As a leader and expert on parliamentary procedures, Mrs. Augustine believes a leader needs to demonstrate neutrality, delegate fairly, and listen intently. Carolyn is a role model as she leads by deeds and encourages others to be their best. Carolyn's local deeds include helping with the early development of the New Hanover County Arboretum and the construction of the Arboretum gatehouse which still stands today. As expected, Carolyn's best piece of advice is to always read the By-laws!

In 2015, the Cape Fear Garden Club, Inc.- Beautification Endowment Committee honored Helen “Carolyn” Bishop Augustine at the October “Moonlight in the Garden Gala.” The following was written about Carolyn's life:

Helen Carolyn Bishop Augustine was born September 25, 1927, in Swain County, North Carolina, (near Bryson City). Carolyn lived there until age fourteen when the family moved to Bryson City and then on to Asheville the next year. Carolyn will tell you she grew up in the Great Smokey Mountain National Park and developed an interest for all things flora and fauna at the knee of her mother. She said, “Mother taught us to look at everything that grew – flowers and animals. She had great enthusiasm for all things living…” This love of the outdoor prevails to this day.

At age 16 Carolyn started college, proceeding to go to four colleges in five years. All great colleges: Meredith College, Emory University, UNC Ashville, and UNC Chapel Hill. She graduated with a degree in Parks and Recreation and Carolyn’s first job was the Director of Recreation located at Miller Park for the City of Winston Salem. While in Winston Salem Carolyn directed tennis, baseball, crafts and dances, with activities at the park going from 8:00am to 10:00pm. While a student at Carolina, Carolyn was involved in many, many activities with swimming being the one most mentioned. Her happiest memory of being at UNC was meeting the handsome football player, Joe Augustine.

Carolyn did marry that handsome football player, Joseph Augustine who now is a Business Broker and is retired from Director of the Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. Carolyn and Joe had two children: a son and daughter. Sadly their daughter died in a car accident at age 18. Their son is now a retired Marine and working for the government. He designed the Assault Breacher Vehicle used to destroy landmines. Defined on Wikipedia as: “These tracked combat vehicles were especially designed to clear pathways for troops and other vehicles through minefields and along roadside bombs and improvised explosive devices.” He is also a team leader at Quantico.

Carolyn and Joe also have one Granddaughter and three Step-grandchildren. As with all grandparents, They delight in them.

During the years, Carolyn’s hobbies have been gardening, needlepoint, and travel. While Joe was with the Chamber of Commerce they were able to take many exciting trips and on one Carolyn had the great pleasure of meeting then Governor Ronald Reagan and his beautiful blue eyes. Quite a memory.

In 1978 the Augustines moved from Chapel Hill to Wilmington and Carolyn began working for Miller Building. Even then new friends were asking Carolyn to join the Cape Fear Garden Club. Not until she retired from Miller Building in 1992 did she response to that invite. Ida Newton sponsored Carolyn into the garden club where she has served on almost all of the committees: Azalea Garden Tour Chair, Hospitality Chair, Grant Disbursement Chair, Membership Chair, Flower Arrangement, Azalea Belle, Parliamentarian, Nomination Committee, Yearbook and Budget. She also served as President and Vice President of CFGC and Garden Club of North Carolina Parliamentarian for the last five years and as the Club Parliamentarian for the Cape Fear Garden Club for the past eight years.

In other organizations, she is a past president of N.C. Sorosis, past president of a PEO chapter and on the Advisory Board of UNCW School of Nursing.

Thursday, July 14, 2016

The Unsinkable Mommie-preneur


Like Margaret Tobin Brown, known as the fictional character Molly Brown, who helped save lives during the sinking of the Titanic, Cynthia Golonka displays that same kind of unstoppable spirit. Cyndi has survived business setbacks, artistic challenges, and unexplained health issues. She has worn many hats—commercial artist with her own ad agency, teacher and philanthropist, art gallery owner and entrepreneur, potter and sculptor, mother, grandmother, and health advocate.

Locally, Cynthia Golonka and her husband, Michael Golonka, are art gallery entrepreneurs who built the Racine Center for the Arts on Racine Drive. Their vision was to have a gallery, art studios, cafe, and showcases for local artists.

Internationally, Cyndi is an award-winning potter and clay artist. She has received recognition from the Chinese government at the International Museum in China for her clay sculptures. She has studied and traveled extensively in China.

Presently, Cyndi is focused on her health. At the age of 55, Cyndi was diagnosed with Mitochondrial Disease. After suffering for years with mysterious symptoms and health problems, she has found some answers. Her struggles over the years with her health issues are even greater testimonials to her indomitable, unstoppable, unsinkable spirit and view of life.

Pictorial transformation of The Gallery at Racine to The Gallery of Fine Art:


Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Butterfly Resources for a Classroom Presentation



A great introduction is to show the children a short video about the NC State Butterfly, the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. The video can be seen on the Cape Fear Garden Club, Inc. website at www.capefeargardenclu.org.

Breaking the children into small groups of only 4-5 students works well. To accomplish all the activities, it is essential to have at least 4 adult volunteers in addition to the classroom teacher. Allow approximately 10 minutes or less for each activity.

The first station will be a planting station. The adult leader will introduce the idea of attracting butterflies to a garden with certain plants (read a simple explanation or show a poster). For example, Monarch butterflies are attracted to milkweed. Present the children with milkweed seeds to be sprouted for later planting. Use egg cartons filled with potting soil or buy professional sprouting kits like the Jiffy Greenhouse brand found at Walmart. Have wipes available for the children when they finish “planting” their seeds.

The second station involves the presentation of two picture books by Lois Ehlert, WAITING FOR WINGS and TEN LITTLE CATERPILLARS. The leader can also introduce two teaching puppets which can be manipulated by the children. The cloth puppets are called METAMORPHOSIS by Crocodile Creek. The puppets turn inside out to create the caterpillar stage and the butterfly stage of metamorphosis (change of form).

The third station will be a demonstration station showing “how butterflies eat!” Using reference information from WEEKLY READER (May/June 2011), ask the students “how they could drink like a butterfly?” Explain and demonstrate that butterflies have a proboscis. Never shy away from using the “big” words with the children. Talk about the sucking organ of the butterfly. Using paper straws, roll up a straw to illustrate how the butterfly controls the proboscis until it is ready to put the mouthpart in a flower to suck the nectar. Also, talk about how nectar is a sticky food and when the butterfly drinks the nectar, it is like sucking pudding through a straw.

The fourth station is a butterfly specimen station. Present a 3-D “Build -A-Bug” model for the students to examine. Read a small Scholastic booklet entitled CATTERPILLAR TO BUTTERFLY by Melvin and Gilda Berger. Talk to the children about preserving butterflies and present a real butterfly specimen. Distribute magnifying glasses or use a magnifying container so that the butterfly specimen can be seen easily. 


Make enough paper butterfly finger puppets in order to send each child home with a drinking straw decorated with a butterfly. As the children sip a drink at home, they will be reminded of the butterfly drinking nectar from a flower through the proboscis.

Monday, March 14, 2016

Homeschooling Mom



Meet Kathy Toby, homeschooler, licensed massage therapist, aromatherapy consultant, mommie-preneur, stage mom, and chicken farmer. Listen as Kathy enjoys a description of family management as a “momager” as featured in the February 24, 2016 cartoon, THE BORN LOSER. Kathy's role as a “momager” includes daily homeschooling lessons to prepare, an in-home massage business to run, a brood of chickens to care for, and lots of afternoon rehearsals to drive to. In addition, Kathy shares how she suffered for 15 years with a misdiagnosed tick-borne illness. Fortunately, she received a correct diagnose and treatment about a year ago. 

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Power of Fraternity for Philanthropy


Today, I am conversing with Michele Dawn Lefler. Michele and I are sorority sisters. We are not close in age, we did not attend the same schools, nor do we live near each other. 

Our connection is fraternal. Our common bond is Alpha Phi. We share an appreciation for and an interest in each other because of our sorority connection. I am aware of Michele and her life here in the Cape Fear area because of the network formed by Alpha Phi.

While in college, we were both exposed to the same philanthropic efforts of our fraternity. Heart health has been a long standing campaign for Alpha Phi. My personal experiences with Alpha Phi date back to the early and mid-sixties, whereas, Michele's experiences all have occurred over the last 16 or so years.

Listen as Michele shares her story which powers her desire and drive to support the local Alpha Phi chapter at UNC-W. Heart health for women and the Red Dress campaign are as important today to the young Alpha Phi collegians at UNC-W as the lollipop sales were to the Alpha Phi collegians back in the late seventies at LSU-Shreveport.

Monday, February 1, 2016

Solving the Puzzle by Thinking Outside of the Box!



Meet Carla Mizrahi, M.S.Ed., LCSWA, BCBA. Listen as we hear how Carla has taken her experience and training to provide services around Camp Lejeune to military families with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Carla is the clinical Director of Spectrum Learning Solutions in Sneads Ferry, North Carolina. Go to www.spectrumlearningnc.com to learn more.
Also, discover Carla's approach to the demands of family life as a single parent of two children and the demands of being self-employed. Carla has found how to balance her passion for helping others with her desire to be a hands-on parent.

Monday, January 25, 2016

What to Say to Someone in Grief



Join me as I talk with Joan Ball Marshall, clinical psychologist and former director of Pender County and Brunswick County Mental Health Centers, concerning the rise in the use of social media to express grief and to comfort those who are grieving. 

This new use of social media to announce the death of a family member or to grieve for a family member can be heart wrenching and very perplexing. 

What do you say, how often should you respond, or even should you respond? Listen as Joan Ball Marshall uses her personal experiences and training to help us understand the grieving process and how it applies to our use on social media. 

Learn ways to respond, to befriend, and to empathize either on Facebook or in person.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Metamorphosis of a Volunteer


Join me as I talk with Annie Anthony, Executive Director of the Cape Fear Volunteer Center and recently featured volunteer in the first StarNews Media Sunday edition of CAPE FEAR CARES. Listen as Annie and I reminisce about and travel along her path to “super” volunteerism.

Enjoy Annie's recollections of her life as a person born to volunteer---Brownies, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Wilmington Children's Museum, United Way of the Lower Cape Fear, etc.

Back in 1997, Annie Anthony, like many women with young children at home, started her local career as a volunteer by trying to improve her community through club work—PTA, Junior League, etc.


Find out how Annie brings her enthusiasm for volunteering to new levels of involvement to help others make improvements in our community.