Wisner Washam, born in the old Lowrance Hospital in Mooresville and reared in Cornelius, is an award-winning writer who for years was responsible for the day-to-day story line in the daytime drama All My Children. A three-time Emmy winner, Washam was the head writer on the classic soap opera and also worked on The Guiding Light and on developmental projects for Fox and for French and German television.
Now, Washam has published a controversial novel, The Cloning, based on the premise that ancient DNA can be used to clone the original donor.
Originally written as a screenplay, The Cloning won a Writers' Guild of America competition. It was also awarded a reading at Lincoln Center in New York City.
The story follows a young American scientist who discovers a fragment of DNA on the famous Shroud of Turin and begins the process of replicating what may be Jesus of Nazareth. The ensuing intrigue, the religious backlash and the search for a suitable womb place a wide range of forces in opposition and, in Washam's own description, "needless to say, all hell breaks loose ... and perhaps the Holy Spirit as well."
The Cloning and Edie's Story, Washam's novel about a young Southern girl reaching maturity in the sexually liberating 1960s, are the latest chapters in Washam's own 80-year voyage through life, with plenty of stops at various levels of the entertainment industry.
After a brief stint at Mars Hill College near Asheville, Washam completed his studies toward a bachelor of arts degree in dramatic art at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He later appeared in the outdoor drama Unto These Hills for two seasons and, after U.S. Army service in France, was employed at WBTV in Charlotte on the floor crew and worked as an announcer on WAYS radio in Charlotte.
His interest in entertainment eventually led to Broadway, where he was production stage manager for five shows, including Neil Simon's Star-Spangled Girl, Prisoner of Second Avenue and Plaza Suite. During the production of Plaza Suite, Washam met his wife, actress Judith Barcroft, who encouraged him to consider a career change to daytime television.
Washam said most of his direct, above-ground ties to the north Mecklenburg community have faded away, but "The cemetery at Mt. Zion Methodist Church in Cornelius is filled with relatives!" He does stay in touch with some friends and distant cousins in the Cornelius, Davidson and Mooresville areas, and the house his father, J. Mack Washam, built on old U.S. 21 is still standing.
Both of Washam's books, The Cloning and Edie's Story, are available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle versions.
— Lee Sullivan
ICE in Jenkins Center's future
The forecast for Davidson on Saturday, March 3, is for ICE. That's when Davidson College will host the sixth annual ICE Gala to benefit the Ada Jenkins Center.
ICE is one of two major annual fund-raisers for the center, which facilitates several social services to the north Mecklenburg and south Iredell communities. It is pared with the FIRE event in the summer that includes a run and barbecue competition. As does FIRE, ICE will help provide funds to support programs such as LEARN Works — which provides tutoring for 60 area elementary children from Davidson and Cornelius elementary schools; the Mobile Community Dental Clinic and the center's free medical clinic. With a broad array of medical, youth education, crisis assistance and economic independence programs in place, the center has a history of stretching funds to ensure this mix of comprehensive services remains. Last year the Center provided services to more than 19,000 residents, many benefiting from multiple programs.
The ICE Gala provides an opportunity for the community to join in an effort to raise funds and awareness for those in need in the community. The gala begins with a cocktail reception and silent auction, followed by a buffet dinner and live auction with items such as a condo in Daytona and tickets to the Daytona 500, a boat for a day and cottage on the lake for the weekend, a golf cart and more. Tickets cost $150 and can be purchased online at www.adajenkins.org/events/ice.
Sponsors include Diamond Sponsors Boatsman Gillmore, PLLC and CMC NorthCross; Platinum Sponsors Ingersoll Rand; Sunn Enterprises, Urban Sports and Wells Fargo; and Silver Sponsors Duke Energy and Champion Tire. Sponsorships opportunities remain. For more information, contact Natisha Rivera-Patrick at 704-896-0471, ext. 100, or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Dresser to lead Rotary district
At the conclusion of the regular weekly meeting of on Wednesday, a distinguished visitor made a surprise announcement. The Rotary Club of North Mecklenburg's Ken Dresser has been selected to serve as Rotary's District 7680 governor in 2014-15.
Dresser, 61, who joined Rotary in 2003, was president of the North Mecklenburg club in 2008-09. He also served the local and district administration as club secretary for three years, and as one of 12 assistant district governors during the past two years. Dresser, an information system security professional for IBM, also served informally as district technology adviser and managed several district web sites.
As governor for Rotary's District 7680, Dresser will lead the local and global philanthropic initiatives of about 3,000 Rotarians in 58 clubs throughout south-central North Carolina, including Charlotte.
Black History Month in Cornelius
February is Black History Month and the Cornelius PARC Department has a month-long celebration featuring a variety of programs for the entire community:
• Celebrate Black History Exhibit: Through Feb. 29, Cornelius Arts Center, 19725 Oak St. The multimedia exhibit features works of local African-American artists, including Cornelius native James Donaldson.
• Drop-in Art: Saturdays, Feb. 18 and 25, 10 a.m.-noon at Cornelius Arts Center, 19725 Oak St. Parents may drop in with their children to work at various art stations throughout the studio. During the month of February, in honor of Black History Month, several of the art stations will be centered on African-American artists. Parents may register at the door and pay by the hour. Children 4 years of age and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Fee is $6 for first hour and $4 for second child or additional hour.
• Senior Mobile Art: Wednesday, Feb. 22, 11 a.m. at Torrence Chapel AME Zion Church. Art activities, led by PARC and the Community Arts Project, will focus on noted African-American artists. This project is made possible, in part, with funding by the Arts & Science Council and the North Carolina Arts Council. For more information, contact Mindi Stoner at 708-892-6031, ext. 192 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
• Celebrate Smithville: Saturday, Feb. 25, 1-4 p.m. at Cornelius Town Hall. Founded in 1910, Smithville is one of the oldest communities in Cornelius, with roots dating back to the 1880s. Gather at Cornelius Town Hall to meet the people of Smithville, learn about its history and celebrate its revitalization. The afternoon of activities will include performances by local singing and dancing groups, memorabilia and pictures, crafting of a community quilt, artist James Donaldson, children's activities and light refreshments.
Art on the Green applications available
The Town of Davidson is now accepting applications from artists who wish to exhibit at this year's April is for Arts events. The Gallery Crawl features local galleries, businesses and Town Hall playing host to visiting artists, some of whom will also be featured at Art on the Green.
Art on the Green brings crowds to Davidson to enjoy food, live music, performances and art. Art on the Green is also a juried art festival and features booths filled with top-quality art works and demonstrations from artists throughout the region.
The 2012 Gallery Crawl will be held on Friday, April 13, from 6 to 9 p.m. This year's Art on the Green festival will be Saturday, April, 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 22, from noon until 4 p.m.
Applications for both events are due Feb. 24, and are online at www.townofdavidson.org/applyonline. For more information, contact Tina Gibson at 704-596-0342 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or Kim Fleming at 704-940-9622 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Looking good for cancer patients
Lake Norman Regional Medical Center will host the American Cancer Society's "Look Good ... Feel Better" program Monday, Feb. 20, at 6:15 p.m. in the hospital's private dining room.
Guided by volunteer cosmetologists, female cancer patients who participate in this class will learn how to use make-up and skin-care techniques to overcome the appearance-related effects of chemotherapy and radiation.
Look Good ... Feel Better is offered through a partnership of the American Cancer Society; the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association Foundation; and the National Cosmetology Association. Classes and materials are provided free of charge to women in active cancer treatment. For more information and to register, call Cathy Quade, program coordinator, at 704-662-0770.
Adult, junior tennis open
The Lake Norman Tennis Association has opened registration for spring league play. Adult and Senior leagues are offered for USTA ratings 2.5 through 5.0. League play starts the week of Feb. 27 (weather permitting). The deadline to register for an existing team is April 27.
The per-player cost for league play is $18. Adult players must be 18 years old or older and must have a current USTA membership (available at www.usta.com). For more information, visit the Lake Norman Tennis Association Web site at www.LNTA.org or contact Iris Ham at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
The Lake Norman Tennis Association has has also opened registration for Junior Team Tennis. Junior divisions at the beginner, intermediate and advanced levels are offered for ages 8 and under, 10 and under, 12 and under, 14 and under and 18 and under. The deadline to register a new team is Feb. 21, and the deadline to register a player for an existing team is April 1.
Team play starts Sunday, March 4 (weather permitting). The cost per player is $24. All junior players must also have a current junior USTA membership (available at www.usta.com); first-time 10 and under members qualify for a free membership.
Lions clubs host Russel Knox tourney
The 10th annual Lions Club Regional Golf Tournament, named in honor of the late Russell Knox, will be held Monday, April 16, at NorthStone Country Club. The north Mecklenburg Lions Clubs combine to host the tournament to raise funds for Lions' projects. Participating clubs are the Cornelius-Lake Norman Lions Club, Davidson Lions Club and Huntersville Lions Club.
The format is captain's choice in two age divisions: 60-and-older and 59-and-younger. Cash prizes will be awarded in both divisions, and there is a $10,000 hole-in-one contest. Cost of $85 per player includes golf, lunch and a golf lesson. Shotgun start is at 1 p.m. Honorary chairperson is WSCO-TV news anchor Natalie Pasqueralla, who will be on site during the tournament.
The clubs are seeking sponsors at 1,000, $500 and $100 levels. For more information about the tournament or becoming a sponsor, call Neal Howes of the Huntersville Lions Club at 704-875-3489.
Bigger, better brewers bash back at Rural Hill
The damp, cool gloom of a Piedmont winter has settled in, but the amber essence, foamy temptation and rhythmic enticement of north Mecklenburg's newest rite of spring is just a few months away.
Discount advance tickets are available for the second annual North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival at Historic Rural Hill off Neck Road in Huntersville. The event will be held Saturday, May 12, from noon to 10 p.m. Those interested in securing tickets should visit www.NCBrewsMusic.com.
The NCBMF celebrates North Carolina's craft breweries and authentic music, and last year's inaugural event drew rave reviews to quickly become a favorite among festival goers. The 2012 NCBMF has already confirmed participation by multiple brewers including Huntersville's own Ass Clown Brewing as well as NoDa Brewing Company, Bird Song Brewing Company, Highland Brewing Company, Triple C Brewing Company, Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery, Four Friends Brewing, Lone Rider Brewing Company and Big Boss Brewing Company. Confirmations from many other breweries is expected in the coming weeks.
In addition, seven national musical acts are scheduled to perform on the NCBMF stage, including Billboard Bluegrass chart-toppers Steep Canyon Rangers. With smooth vocals, smart songwriting, ferocious instrumentals and jaw-dropping harmony, the Rangers are bringing Bluegrass to music lovers across the USA and around the world. In 2011, the band's collaborative record with comedian and actor Steve Martin, Red Bird Alert, debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Bluegrass Chart and their solo record "Deep in the Shade" remained in the Bluegrass Top 10 for 18 weeks.
The NCBMF lineup also includes the distinctive blend of neo-folk, classic soul, and Americana jam of the Ryan Montbleau Band, guitar legend and acoustic Americana flat picker Larry Keel and Natural Bridge, quickly rising CMT stars The Black Lillies, the Los Angeles punk-bluegrass band Old Man Markley, Charleston-based Sol Driven Train (returning from last season!), and BIG Something, winners of the Home Grown Music Network's 2010 "New Band of the Year" award.
Designated Driver or "Under 21" tickets will be available for those coming just to enjoy the music or to drive others home safely. On-site camping is available by reservation which can be made on the festival Web site. Food and merchandise vendors will be on hand as well as other area non-profits to add to the festival experience.
The event is presented by Historic Rural Hill and sponsored by McIntosh Law Firm, Highland Brewing Company, Bojangles, Beer Connoisseur Magazine, TheFullPint.com, the Charlotte Beer Club, North Carolina Brewer's Guild, Mountain Khakis, Eagle's Nest Outfitters, Bubba's Barbecue, The Kilted Buffalo, Real Yellow Pages, Hauser Rental and Midas Spring Water.
Proceeds support the preservation of Historic Rural Hill, the 250-year-old former homestead of Major John and Violet Davidson. The 265-acre site is maintained and promoted by Rural Hill and the NCBMF has joined a list of annual events that includes the Rural Hill Scottish Festival and Loch Norman Highland Games, the Amazing Maize Maze and the Rural Hill Sheep Dog Trials. For more information aboput events or for financial support accepted securely online, visit www.ruralhill.net or call 704-875-3113.
— Staff
