May 8th, 2019 By Wexler

11 of Harrisburg’s toughest (wait, 11?? is that right?) came out this morning to find out if the Hills truly are alive.   They were…not with music though, just the sound of men gasping for air.

I never pay any attention to the road signs when we run on these roads.  However, this morning @Scooter looked up and muttered ‘Martha Melvin Rd?’  I wondered who that may be for a moment and then shrugged it off assuming that her family probably owned a farm back here at some point and kept on going.

When I got home, curiosity got the better of me and I broke out some Google Fu.  Now, you may all know who this incredible woman was but, as a Northerner and a transplant, I had no idea.  Oddly enough, Martha passed away about a week ago at the age of 96.  Just a few highlights of her life (in Harrisburg alone):

 

• She was one of the members on the steering committee for the incorporation of Harrisburg, NC, and was appointed by the General Assembly as their first Mayor.  Martha would go on to complete two unfinished terms and be elected to five consecutive terms as mayor.
• Served as President of the Harrisburg Business and Professional Women’s Club
• Served on the Board of Directors for the United Way and Red Cross
• Recognized nationally as Outstanding Secondary Educator
• Teacher of the Year at both Harrisburg High School and Central Cabarrus High School
• Committee chairman of the local chapter of the Boy Scouts of America.
• In 1978, Martha was named as one of the five most important women in Cabarrus County.
• She served as a County Commissioner from 1986-1990.
• In 1989, she was appointed by the Governor to the Board of Trustees of UNC-Charlotte.
• In 1999, Martha began hosting the local television program “Forever Young”, sponsored by the Cabarrus County Senior Center.
• In October 2000, she was named as one of the “100 Most Influential People in Cabarrus County over the last 100 years” by the Independent Tribune.
• Martha was also included as a “Piedmont Pioneer” in Michael Eury’s book Legendary Locals of Cabarrus County.

You can read more about Martha’s amazing life and her dedication to serving others here. May she rest in peace!

 

THE ROUTE:

• Head out Main St and turn left on Roberta
• Cross over 49, go straight then right on School
• Left on Martha Melvin Rd
• Right on Railroad Avenue
• Right on Harris Depot Road
• Hill repeats up to School Road 3X
• Hill repeats up to Oakley Drive a Bunch of times
• Left on Railroad Avenue
• Left on Martha Melvin Rd
• Right on School Road
• Left on Roberta
• Right on Main Street to bring it home!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• Adopt a Park Deck Building party this Saturday at 6am.  Let me know if you can make it so we can plan what we will need.  Especially anyone with incredible tools (looking at you Hong Kong Phooey) So far we have Oz, Flipphone, Clueless, Scooter and YHC.
• Discount code for the King Tiger 5k is F32019.  Sign up here!
• Catch up with @DickTracy on Family Night at the Intimidators.
• Harrisburg Anniversary Convergence is tentatively scheduled for Saturday June 8th.  @flipphone will be sending out details shortly.  Thank you @Deuce for reminding us…
• Continued prayers for Davis and his family.  Great to hear how well he is doing but still a lot to this fight
• Continued prayers for 12 year old Jason who is finally home from the hospital after being in a medically induced Coma to fight off an infection.  So great to hear what a fighter he is!
• Prayers for Martha Melvin’s family and their healing.

MOLESKIN:

Great to see so many guys out this morning!  These semi cool mornings aren’t going to last much longer so get the work in now.  Hope you all love/hate running hills as much as I do.  There is no keeping up with the crowd, no picking up the six…its just You vs the Hill and you all killed it!  Great to have @Turftoe back out as well!  One more time and he counts for the Kotters.  Also, thank you all for avoiding ‘Wexler’s Hole.’  Very much appreciated!  #showtoknow

Great work out there guys!  Thanks for always pushing me!

 

QUOTE OF THE DAY:

“Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.” – Dean Karnazes

 

Harrisburg, Road Warrior

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