Shelby Shopper Shelby NC
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/26279
“The Good News - Newspaper!” TAKE CHARGE & VOLUNTEER for the 2011 GREAT AMERICAN CLEANUP! If you would like to get involved, shelbyinfo.com Our 28th Year • Issue No. 9 • March 3, 2011 ...Senior's Lifestyle Section See Page 22 G t’s Aood Life It’s A By Gary Miller By Gary Miller REPORT See Page 18 REPOR Good Life Outdoor ruthsutdoor Truths Bruce Camp’s F LocalISHING FISHING Obituaries & Memorials See Page 9 CAROLINA WEATHER BOB’S See Page 17 Just A Pinch Recipes See Page 6 GREEN GO FOR THE FOR THE LUCKY READER WINNER LUCKY READER WINNER See Page 29 American Red Cross: Severe Weather Caused Lowest January Blood Supply In A Decade Severe winter weather throughout much of the eastern half of the United States in recent weeks has caused the cancellation of more than 14,000 blood and platelet donations through the American Red Cross, more than 3,200 of which were in the Carolinas Region. The severity of the impact has stressed even the Red Cross’ robust national inventory management system, which can move blood products to where they’re needed most, such as when severe weather hits. “We have not seen the January sup- ply drop this dramatically in a decade and we need to reverse this now,” said Joyce H. Brendel, American Red Cross Carolinas Region’s chief executive officer. “You don’t wait to refuel once you’ve run out of gas. Donating blood or platelets now helps ensure immediate and future patient needs will be met.” The Red Cross urges all eligible donors in unaffected areas to make an appoint- ment to give blood or platelets in the com- ing days, and those in affected areas to donate as soon as travel is deemed safe, by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800- 733-2767) or by visiting redcrossblood. org. Donations will help replenish the Red Cross blood supply to ensure that blood products are readily available for patients with serious medical needs. The need for blood is constant. Every two seconds a patient in the United States needs a blood transfusion. Blood is per- ishable and has no substitute. Red blood cells have a shelf life of only 42 days and platelets just 5 days – they must be replen- ished constantly. John and his Dad, Thurman Man On A Mission . . . shelbyinfo.com contact Keep Shelby Beautiful Coordinator, Mary Byrnes at 704-484-6829 or email mary.byrnes@cityofshelby.com or visit www.cityofshelby.com/ksb for more information on the 2011 Great American Cleanup. John Laughlin, Embracing The American Dream This is a story that is more about the man, his strong Christian beliefs, his constant dedication to the the community and his will to work hard and make it work. This November, he will celebrate his 23rd year in business. Indicative of what type person he is can be explained by the people that work with him and for him. ore r in m. Without exception they have been there a long time. As one member of his staff said: "John will do more work than anybody!" The man being referred to is John Laughlin. He came to Cleveland County in 1973 from Miami, Florida with his parents, Thurman and Rita, when he was just 17. He fi nished his last year of high school at Burns. While in school, he got a job and worked part time in the meat department at Ingles on Route 74. At Ingles he worked his way up. He worked in For- est City, Bessemer City, and in Hickory at Ingles Fine Fare Grocery Outlet. While working in Hickory he would go around to the furniture stores on his lunch break. That seemed to plant a seed and predict his future. In 1979, he left Ingles and went to work at Tillman's Super Market on Marion Street. A year later this ambitious man who loved to work, went in business for himself. He opened a convenience store in Lawndale and then Polkville. He even- tually added another store in Lawndale. He met and married his wife Kim the same year. In 1983 he had some extra space in his Polkville store and with a friend, Donald Whisnant. He put in some furniture and called it Polkville Furniture Outlet. Later, he got out of the convenience store business and in the fall of 1986 he even sold the furniture business. Because he and Kim now had two children, he went to work for Food Lion for the benefi ts. He worked there two years. As a manager, en ed r- e s r this us sto tua me 19 sto pu Fu co of Be he H he was required to work either all day or a half day on Sundays. he S Finally he told his wife, he wanted to be with his family and be able to go to church on Sun- day. So, in November of 1988 he rented what was once a salvage store and opened Laughlins Furniture Outlet in Shelby. His wife, Kim, together with his Dad, Thurman became his staff. John would order, stock, sell, load and deliver. He just did it all! In 1992 his dad was discovered to have terminal cancer. He asked his younger son, Jerry, to go and help John. Finally, Jerry joined his brother in 1994. d F t b John Laughlin's idea was to sell furniture at a low price in a warehouse atmosphere and to give his customers the best. He stood and still stands behind everything he sells. He strongly believes that customer service is a priority. John never lets bad times get the best of him. He will tell you that: "Rain isn't going to last forever, eventually the sun will come out!". His hard work and dedi- cation to the community has paid off. He now has 5 full time and 6 part time employees and his three trucks go all over North and South Carolina. People come to shop from a 100 mile radius of the store. He is sought after by organizations and currently serves on fi ve boards in Cleveland County. He gives scholarships to kids, and is very big on assisting anyone and everyone who needs help. He is driven by his belief that: "I need to make a difference." If you spend some time with this man, believe me, you'll get tired. He is constantly in motion either on the phone, directing deliveries, accomodating customers, ordering new merchandise and personally walking them to the door as he thanks them and wishes them a day full of bless- ings. He's defi nitely one of a kind and one of the kindest. h t –M.A. Andrews n e Customer, Nancy Cooke, of Casar with her new leather sofa. She said, “This is a birthday present to me.” DOUBLE DOUBLE CHEESEBURGER CHEESEBURGER COMBO $ COMBO Only 399 99 Only 814 S. Dekalb St. • Shelby, NC 704-482-6681 HOURS: Mon.-Sat. 10am - 10pm - Sunday 11am - 10pm dqshelb .com dqshelby.com MARCH BLIZZARD MARCH BLIZZARD OF THE MONTH OF THE MONTH John’s fi rst cousin, Farrell Laughlin, is on the sales staff. Farrell says, “John will do more work than anybody he’s got.” THURSDAYS 29,000 COPIES THURSDAYS 29,000 COPIES John & Jerry Laughlin