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Tiffany's Thoughts
Tiffany Thompson gives her views on sports, local news and other events.
Dancing the night away
I did something recently that I never thought I’d do. I took dance lessons. But not just any kind of dance- it was ballroom dancing. This is something that I have always wanted to do, but just never thought I would. And I enjoyed every minute of it, too.
My husband came with me, and we started by meeting Ryan Knight, who owns Let’s Dance! Carolinas, LLC and is an instructor, as well as to Samantha Parker, who is a fellow dance instructor. We then got to choose which style of ballroom dance we wanted to learn. Ryan first asked what kind of music we like to get a feel of what kind of dance we might prefer. Being as that David, my husband, loves Country music, the first dance we learned was the Texas Two-Step.
Ryan started by explaining the counts for the dance, and then demonstrated for us what it was supposed to look like. Then it was our turn to try. And try we did. We started off okay, but then Ryan added steps to teach us how to turn while dancing. This was quite amusing as David and I tried to count steps while remembering which way to turn, but after a few tries we were able to successfully make the turn.
By now, the class had been going on for about 20-25 minutes. I never thought it would take such a short time to learn how to dance. I thought we’d learn the fundamentals and review them during the first class and that we wouldn’t actually start dancing until at least the second class. But Ryan said, before we started, that he could have anyone dancing within 10 minutes- and he was right.
After a few more successful attempts of turning, we put our steps to music. Though it was very basic (being as that it was only our first class), it felt good to be dancing to music with something other than the slow dance you do in high school.
When the music stopped, it was time to move on to the second dance we were going to learn- East Coast Swing. This dance was much simpler to learn. Even the turns came easier. Within just a few short minutes, we were dancing our second dance to music. By the end of the lesson, we had learned two dances in just 45 minutes. And the good part was, our class was scheduled right before the 8 p.m. practice session, so we were able to review the steps we learned while watching other couples who had learned other dance styles.
This is definitely an experience that I would like to try again, and with the lessons located at the Academy of Dance studio in Locust, it is feasible for me and anyone around the area to do.
August 20, 2009 10:37 am
A community of support
Often times, people think of a community as the area where they live, but Webster defines a community as “a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society.” So a community is the people, not the location. It is the people who coexist with one another and interact on an everyday basis. It is not the place where the interaction occurs.
But what makes a good community? Shared values and reaching common goals while still incorporating diversity. People can live together and not be a community if they do not share the same interests and values. But there is no need for clones, either. Everyone, and every family, is different, but they need to be working towards the same, common goal.
And what makes a good community better? The answer- communication. There is no progress without communication. And this is not only true on the neighbor to neighbor level. It also needs to be true for the government to public level. Residents need to feel comfortable bringing concerns to their local governing boards, but that also need to feel like their leaders are listening and share the same concerns.
We hear a lot about shopping locally, which helps to support local businesses- large and small alike. This in turn helps the local economy. But we need to show the same kind of support for our local governments. Our towns and county government work hard to support the areas in which they live. We need to show them that they have our support. No, this is done by paying taxes. Yes, paying taxes helps to support the functions of the towns, but it does not support the actions of our leaders. They need to see that people care about the work they do.
Each town within the county, as well as our county leaders, meet on a monthly basis. During these meetings, decisions are made that effect our daily lives. Yes, there are concerns that residents have that are not always discussed during these meetings, and it is necessary for these residents to voice their concerns. Often times one of the best places to do that is at these meetings. But that need not be the only reason for attending a meeting.
As a newspaper, it is our job to inform the public of what is taking place in the area, and we pride ourselves on being local- on presenting the people of the community with the topics that most influence their lives. But that is not to say that you need not attend the meeting even though we will present the information to you. One reporter writing what occurs does not take the place of a community of people showing their support.
So I encourage everyone to check with their local town or city halls and find out when the meetings take place. Then attend the meetings. Show your support. You’ll be amazed at how much of an impact you can have on your local leaders and how much you’ll learn.
June 03, 2009 10:32 am
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THE CITY OF ALBEMARLE IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
for One (1) Water Treatment Plant Operator I. Responsible for the operation and maintenance of a water treatment plant o...>MORE
THE CITY OF ALBEMARLE IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
for One (1) Collection Clerk. Performs responsible work involving the collection of funds for utilities, license, taxes,...>MORE
ATLANTIC COAST HOME CARE AGENCY, INC.
Needs CNAs & In Home Aides in Stanly and Union Counties. Up to $12.50 per hour. No experience necessary and can set own ...>MORE
COUNTY OF STANLY
Transportation Services-PT "will call" Transit Worker. Salary: $10.13 per hour. Driving vehicles transporting passengers...>MORE
REGISTERED NURSE
Mental Health Association/NC is seeking a NC licensed Registered Nurse to join our team in providing services in the sur...>MORE
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2 BEDROOM MOBILE HOME
$325/month. $200 deposit. Call 704-983-4075....>MORE
HENSON PLACE APARTMENTS
Albemarle's Best Kept Secret! Two bedrooms starting at $425 per month. First month's rent free. Call Donna at 704-984-49...>MORE
3 BEDROOM HOUSE FOR RENT, OAKBORO AREA
No pets. Must have references. Call 704-322-9015....>MORE
1 BEDROOM DUPLEX APARTMENT
Historic district. No pets. 12 month lease & deposit required. Suitable references required. $360 month. Call 704-991-54...>MORE
2 BEDROOM MOBILE HOME
3 Lakes Mobile Home Park. 3 miles from Wal-Mart. $550 month and $550 deposit. Pond view 1/2 funished. 980-622-0055 or 70...>MORE
DUPLEX ON SUMMIT AVENUE
Albemarle. 2 Bedroom, 1 Bath, $500 month rent and security deposit.
House on Davis Street, Albemarle. 2 Bedrooms, 1...>MORE
3 BEDROOM, 2 BATH 16X80 MOBILE HOME
For rent. Call 704-985-1514 after 5 p.m. or 704-438-4946, day....>MORE
FOR RENT, 2 BEDROOM, 1 1/2 BA APARTMENT
beside YMCA. $550 rent/deposit. Call 704-983-0936 or 704-982-3656....>MORE
2 BEDROOM, 1 BATH IN BADIN
furnished or unfurnished. $575 month.
2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Townhouse in Badin. Fenced backyard. $600 month. Call 704-9...>MORE
2 BEDROOM, 1 BATH, 526 N. 3RD STREET
Albemarle. Central heat/air. Rent includes yard care, no pets. $600 plus deposit. Call 704-463-1617....>MORE
LOCUST AREA
3 Bedroom, 2 Bath Home. Extremely nice. 1280 sq. ft. $750 Month. 704-641-5898....>MORE
ONE BEDROOM REMODELED
Brick House. Huge fenced yard, large porch. 520 Waddell Drive, near Wal-Mart. $600 month/deposit. 704-267-5534....>MORE
DUPLEX
New 2 Bedroom, 1 bath. No pets. No yard work. References and deposit required. $550 month. Call 704-438-2255....>MORE
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LOST DOG
Male, Medium Sized. Brown, Cocker/Sheltie Mixed. Old Salisbury & Bethany area. Call 704-984-0835....>MORE
AKC YELLOW LAB RETRIEVER PUPPIES
$200/Males. $150 Female. Call 704-431-2744....>MORE
LOOOKING FOR A MOTOR
for a Ever Med Power Chair. Call 704-463-8031....>MORE
CENTERVIEW BAPTIST CHURCH
hosting annual Fall Festival/BBQ. November 21. BBQ 11-7 (Pork and chicken). $7.50 plate. Fall Festival 4-7. Inflatables,...>MORE
FOR SALE, 1991 BUICK PARK AVENUE
Loaded. VGC. $2200. And 2002 Honda Motorcycle, 250cc Rebel, VGC, $1900. Also 1976 Ford F-100 Pickup. Needs battery, $700...>MORE
34 INCH TV WITH VCR/CD PLAYER
and Tape Deck. All in one cabinet. $300/obo. Industrial Juki Sewing Machine. Very good condition. $500/obo. 704-984-6431...>MORE
HAIR STYLING SALON FOR RENT
Turn Key Operation. Few miles outside Albemarle. Call 704-474-7229 or 704-310-6555....>MORE
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