BETHESDA con't from p. 36
~ Family owned
since 1932 ~
Free Consultations
Call 910-684-1588
spectrum of ages and careers from students to
doctors, lawyers, carpenters, cooks, and people
who work in manufacturing plants. “We see a
little bit of everything,” Greene says. “I have one
guy who went through the program 20 years
ago, and he’s still sober today. He lives up above
Raleigh, but we stay in touch, and every year
he comes back down to pick up his chip which
celebrates a year of sobriety. We have a resident
who was previously living in an abandoned
car who picked up a ten year chip earlier this
month. He went from living in an abandoned
car to driving a car, owning a home and going
to work!” Nationally, people who go into halfway
houses have a recovery rate between 20 and 40
percent. Studies find that the recovery rate at
Bethesda is around 62 percent.
The greatest lesson learned is that there
is hope; there is always hope. Seeing others
who have conquered their addictions keeps
residents focused. Greene encourages, “Once
someone realizes they have a problem and they
are willing to do something about it, then we are
able to help.”
“People need to know someone cares about
them,” smiles Buena. Serving in tandem with
Greene she offers hope and adds a special touch
to the program. For 32 years this April, Buena has
carried the official role as secretary in handling
all the bookwork, but her role is far deeper than
paperwork. When one of the residents recently
slipped up and called her “Ma," Buena didn’t
mind because she ministers from the heart and
sees lives being changed. Buena shares, “The
men have a good life here, and I think they
appreciate us most of the time.
Mr. Glenn Greene with Beuna Shields.
The Bethesda staff are one of the few groups
who work as hard as they can every day to put
themselves out of business but know they never
will. Working with several local churches and
AA facilities, they make a difference together.
The solutions include more and better drug
treatment and halfway houses along with
educating our youth to make the right choices.
Greene concludes, “Our Bethesda program is like
a roller coaster. Some days we’re successful and
other days we’re not. However we have enough
successful days to make it worth continuing.”
Going strong for 48 years, Bethesda offers hope,
help and healing to those recovering from
substance abuse in our beloved Moore County. ☐
For donations or for more info:
Bethesda, Inc • 910-944-7700
204 N. Pine Street
Aberdeen, NC 28315
The Dogwood, North
Carolina's State Flower
The dogwood flower is NC state’s official
flower. From the NC mountains to the coast,
dogwood trees blossom in spring from late
March into April. Blooming abundantly in white
flowers and sometimes in pink and red, the
flowers offer the first signs of life.
The dogwood tree provides beauty all
year long from flowering in spring to showing
green leaves all summer that fade into brilliant
scarlet-purple in the fall. The dogwood's bare
branches in winter give structure to the dormant
landscape.
Featuring bright red “fruit" growing alongside
the green leaves, the dogwoods provide a feast
for the birds who really enjoy eating the red
berries. Preferring semi-shade, dogwoods grow
under the canopy of pines and other trees such
as the oaks.
The wood of the dogwood tree is useful
in making shutters, canes, and golf clubs due
to its heavy toughness. Used in making fever
medicine, the bark is also processed to treat
mange on dogs, hence the name “dogwood”
originated through this use.
How can you tell a dogwood tree? By its bark!
The bark of the dogwood is characterized by
small, squarish pieces of wood.
American folklore tells that the dogwood
flower represents Christ’s death as the dogwoods
bloom around Easter. The four petals with their
small holes and touches of red represent the
hands and feet of Christ that were pierced and
bled for us. The raised circular part of the flower
represents the crown of thorns placed on Christ’s
head. This legend continues to be remembered
locally as both Easter and the dogwood flowers
appear simultaneously. ☐
Sales/Service/Installations
Direct Vent, Vent Free
& Wood Burning products available.
Showroom Open Mon - Fri 8a - 5p.
We are Family Owned & Operated.
24 Hour Emergency Service
Technicians are on call 24 hours a day.
709 SW Broad Street
Sou Pines • 695-1804
Mon - Fri 8a-5p
Did You Know?
NC State Facts
NC State Facts:
Capital City: Raleigh
Largest City: Charlotte
Counties: 100 in all
Area: 53,821 square miles
Highest Point: Mt. Mitchell 6,684 ft
above sea level
Nickname: Old North State, Tar Heel
State
Song: The Old North State
Joined the Union: 12th state, November
12, 1789
Motto: To Be Rather Than to Seem
Tree: Longleaf Pine
Flower: Flowering Dogwood
Bird: Cardinal
Mammal: Gray Squirrel
Dog: Plott Hound
Shell: Scotch Bonnet
Reptile: Eastern Box Turtle
Fish: Channel Bass
Vegetable: Sweet Potato
Rock: Granite
Precious Stone:
Emerald
Colors: Red & Blue
Beverage: Milk
Product shown:
Rushmore
Direct Vent
Fireplace Insert
Made in the USA.
installations • propane • gas logs • fire pits • grills • piping • sales • service
No. 134 The Pinehurst Gazette, Inc. p.37