Local News
Obituary for Sheila Van Dyke
Sheila Van Dyke, a woman of deep faith who had a gift for making close friends wherever she went, passed away peacefully on April 21, 2025, at her home in Pinehurst, NC, after an illness. Born in Malone, NY, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin and Irene Bregman. Sheila graduated from Boston University with a bachelor’s in English, and served as a high school and middle school English teacher in Georgia, Massachusetts, and Malone. She returned to her hometown in the 1960s with her husband at the time, Charles Morgo (deceased), who joined the Bregman family business, Tru-Stitch Footwear.
Sheila gave up teaching to become a devoted mother to her two daughters, Esther and Jennifer. She threw herself into supporting their activities and was ever-willing to make a herculean effort. A skilled seamstress and decorator, she would spend hours stitching imaginative Halloween costumes – Pinocchio and Geppetto was a prize winner – or outfits for school and special occasions. When Jennifer needed advanced lessons on the violin, she made a round-trip drive of five hours every week to a renowned teacher in Ontario, and she made the excursions fun. She was an energetic and effective volunteer, serving as a leader of the Malone Arts Council, which brought the Montreal Symphony and other top-tier artists to perform in the rural Adirondack town; a creator of artistic, sought-after crafts to sell at the hospital’s fundraising bazaar; a Sunday School teacher at the town’s only synagogue, Temple Beth El, where her father led services; and a founder of a youth orchestra to serve string players in the growing Suzuki program. Friends who shared her passion for volunteering were often on the phone or stopping by the kitchen to plan events.
A family move to Grand Rapids, MI, launched her on a new and successful career as a realtor; she brought a passion to the work of finding the “perfect house” for every client, treating each one as a friend, as she learned their life stories and dreams for the future. After her first marriage ended in divorce, she fell in love with and married Michigan native Robert “Bob” Van Dyke, who was always ready to embark on adventures (such as power boating in the Great Lakes), dance with her, enjoy dinner parties with friends, and keep her laughing. Her remarriage also prompted her conversion to Christianity, a spiritual transformation that she considered paramount. In Pinehurst, she and Bob were devoted members of Community Presbyterian Church, where she wore a million hats: She served on the mission and membership committees; organized church luncheons and led a casserole ministry; and served for decades as a teacher and participant in Stephen Ministry, which trains lay people to provides one-to-one Christian counseling to people experiencing difficulty or loss. She was most passionate about the church’s outreach to help disadvantaged youth in Pinehurst, spending countless joyful hours as an academic tutor, a director of arts and crafts camps, and organizer of an expedition to the North Carolina Museum of Art. After Bob’s death in 2020, she formed a lunch group to provide support for those who had lost their spouses. She also was an active member of the Pinehurst Garden Club for 23 years, serving in a variety of roles, and an ardent member of a Book Club that met for more than two decades. A lifelong dog lover, she was accompanied in her many doings in Pinehurst by Simba, her loyal border collie; he was even featured with her in the church directory’s photo, which delighted her, since he often came with her to Bible study and committee meetings.
Through all of her volunteering, she kept a focus on her family, and was a proud and loving “Gram” to her three grandchildren: Melissa Rothman (Seth) of Jersey City; Benjamin Diskin (Haley) of Denver; and Gabriella Diskin of Baltimore. She maintained active email exchanges with lifelong friends and with her younger sister, Cyd Sieghart (Josef) of Greenwich, CT, and regular, discursive phone calls with her daughters, Esther Diskin (Glenn) of Virginia Beach, VA; Jennifer Morgo of Riva del Garda, Italy; and her stepson, Craig Van Dyke of Grand Rapids. The family would like to thank her many church friends; her neighborhood friends of Pinehurst No. 6; and the many kind and skilled caregivers at First Health Hospice and Comfort Keepers, whose support kept her final days full of light and who became her friends. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 17, at 4 PM at Community Presbyterian Church, 125 Everette Road. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church.
Online condolences may be made at www.BolesFuneralHome.com
Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Pinehurst.
Gov. Josh Stein recently announced an investment of $48 million in Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) program projects to connect 14,514 households and businesses in Moore and 21 other counties to high-speed internet.
“Connecting all North Carolinians, especially in our rural areas, opens doors of opportunity,” said Gov. Josh Stein in a news advisory. “I am proud to continue to bring high-speed internet access to all corners of our state.”
“With reliable high-speed internet, North Carolinians can access online services necessary for remote work, virtual education, and telehealth, ensuring they can fully participate in the modern digital world,” said NCDIT Secretary and State Chief Information Officer Teena Piccione. “By creating a more connected state, we are investing in the future prosperity and resiliency of our communities.”
These projects will be funded by more than $33 million from the federal American Rescue Plan awarded by NCDIT and more than $14 million from selected broadband providers:
Alexander County: Connect Holding II, LLC (Brightspeed) This award will provide high-speed internet access to 125 homes and businesses (5.5% of the county’s 2,271 eligible locations after previous awards).
Bladen County: Star Telephone Membership Corp (Star Communications) This award will provide high-speed internet access to 88 homes and businesses (12.43% of the county’s 708 eligible locations).
Burke County: Foothills Broadband, LLC These awards will provide high-speed internet access to 113 homes and businesses (4.72% of the county’s 2,391 eligible locations after previous awards).
Chatham County: Connect Holding II, LLC (Brightspeed) This award will provide high-speed internet access to 1,006 homes and businesses (26.09% of the county’s 3,856 eligible locations).
Craven County: Connect Holding II, LLC (Brightspeed) This award will provide high-speed internet access to 1,790 homes and businesses (65.62% of the county’s 2,728 eligible locations).
Currituck County: Wilkes Telephone Membership Corporation (RiverStreet Networks) This award will provide high-speed internet access to 162 homes and businesses (62.54% of the county’s 259 eligible locations after previous awards).
Guilford County: Spectrum Southeast, LLC This award will provide high-speed internet access to 463 homes and businesses (21.43% of the county’s 2,161 eligible locations).
Halifax County: Roanoke Connect Holdings, LLC (Fybe) This award will provide high-speed internet access to 2,613 homes and businesses (93.42% of the county’s 2,797 eligible locations).
Harnett County: Connect Holding II, LLC (Brightspeed) This award will provide high-speed internet access to 1,019 homes and businesses (29.03% of the county’s 3,510 eligible locations after previous awards).
Hoke County: LREMC Technologies, LLC (RIVR Tech) This award will provide high-speed internet access to 716 homes and businesses (50.03% of the county’s 1,431 eligible locations).
Iredell County: Yadkin Valley Telephone Membership Corporation (Zirrus) This award will provide high-speed internet access to 517 homes and businesses (24.22% of the county’s 2,135 eligible locations).
Lee County: Windstream North Carolina, LLC This award will provide high-speed internet access to 617 homes and businesses (28.38% of the county’s 2174 eligible locations).
Mitchell County: Zito West Holding, LLC (Zito Media) This award will provide high-speed internet access to 84 homes and businesses (20.94% of the county’s 401 eligible locations after previous awards).
Moore County: Connect Holding II, LLC (Brightspeed) This award will provide high-speed internet access to 1,573 homes and businesses (38.31% of the county’s 4,106 eligible locations).
Pender County: Atlantic Telephone Membership Cooperative (FOCUS Broadband) This award will provide high-speed internet access to 224 homes and businesses (34.09% of the county’s 657 eligible locations).
Rowan County: Spectrum Southeast, LLC This award will provide high-speed internet access to 293 homes and businesses (14.15% of the county’s 2,389 eligible locations after previous awards).
Sampson County: Star Telephone Membership Corp (Star Communications) and StarVision Inc. (Star Communications) These awards will provide high-speed internet access to 114 homes and businesses (19.79% of the county’s 576 eligible locations after previous awards).
Stanly County: Windstream North Carolina, LLC This award will provide high-speed internet access to 935 homes and businesses (26.62% of the county’s 3,513 eligible locations).
Stokes County: Wilkes Telephone Membership Corporation (RiverStreet Networks) This award will provide high-speed internet access to 1,377 homes and businesses (62.56% of the county’s 2,201 eligible locations).
Surry County: Surry Telephone Membership Corporation (Surry Communications) These awards will provide high-speed internet access to 278 homes and businesses (34.11% of the county’s 815 eligible locations).
Wayne County: Connect Holding II, LLC (Brightspeed) This award will provide high-speed internet access to 404 homes and businesses (15.61% of the county’s 2,588 eligible locations after previous awards).
Wilkes County: Connect Holding II, LLC (Brightspeed) This award will provide high-speed internet access to three homes and businesses (7.31% of the county’s 41 eligible locations after previous awards).
The CAB program’s procurement process creates a partnership between counties and NCDIT to identify areas that need access, solicit proposals from prequalified internet service providers, and quickly make awards. Awardees must agree to provide high-speed service that reliably meets or exceeds speeds of 100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload.
“Gov. Stein is committed to closing the digital divide. Today’s awards add to the $596 million in Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) grants and previous CAB projects that will connect more than 230,000 North Carolina households and businesses to high-speed internet,” said the advisory.
For more information about the NCDIT Division of Broadband and Digital Opportunity, visit ncbroadband.gov.
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Contributed article.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mom, Dora Anne Maness, on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at the age of 96, surrounded by her family.
She was born on a Moore County farm to the late James Lynn and Vallie Phillips Fields. Her husband William preceded her in death in 1997. Her son William, Jr. followed in January 2025. Also preceding in death were siblings, Leonard Fields (Imogene), Walter Fields (Pauline), D.A. Fields (Louvene) and Helen Frye (Bud).
Here to cherish her memory are daughters, Sharon Whitfield (Frank), Denise Williams (Ronnie), daughter-in-law, Ann; bonus daughters: Pat Corbin, Pat Jackson, Priscilla Riley; grandchildren, Johnathan Maness (Alexa), Ashley Althof (Eric); three great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, two-step-grandchildren, five step-great grandchildren; one sister, Lorraine Williams, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Mom was a woman of incredible strength and grace, our rock in good times and bad, known for her creative talent and desire to teach others. She lived a life filled with faith, love, and service. Her home was always open to all. She faced her final days with a serene acceptance, knowing her race was run, she had fought the good fight and finished well. It was time to go home. Mom has left a positive impact on her family, friends, and sweet Carthage community. She has been the source of our inspiration and our guide for how to live life well.
It has taken a village to care for mom on this journey of life. We are forever grateful for the loving care provided by our “new” family, Bonnie Brown, Joann Douglas, Teco Douglas-McLean, Linda Short and Lisa Volk. Much love and appreciation to mom’s hospice nurse, LaWanda Tanner, who gave her all, to help mom live her best life. We are all now sisters of the heart; family connected by our love for mom.
“The presence of her absence is everywhere.” Emily Dickinson. Good night, Mom, we’ll see you in the morning.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Carthage United Methodist Church with Pastor Rhonda Campbell officiating. Burial will follow the service at Cross Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Foundation of FirstHealth Hospice and Palliative Care, 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374 or Carthage United Methodist Church 401 McReynolds St., Carthage, NC 28327.
Condolences may be left at PinesFunerals.com
The care of Dora Anne has been entrusted to Fry and Prickett Funeral Home.
The Southern Pines Fire Department posthumously honored firefighter Carol Dowd with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award on May 14 at Fire Station No. 82.
North Carolina’s highest honor celebrates individuals’ outstanding service and achievements benefiting the state and their communities. Its creation in 1964 led to over 21,000 people receiving the award. To be nominated, individuals must have a minimum of 30 years of service to the state.
The fire department nominated Dowd months ago and may update their protocol to nominate service members as soon as they are eligible.
Joining the department as a volunteer in 1976, Dowd was the first female firefighter to serve in Moore County. She passed away in March at the age of 69.
“Carol worked for the best interest of the fire department and was the first to greet and train newcomers,” Southern Pines Fire Chief Mike Cameron said at the ceremony.
Cameron read several of Dowd’s colleagues’ recommendations for the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award and shared their most outstanding comments: “Decades as a pillar of strength…caring for the sick…unwavering support, embodies the full spirit of the fire department…inspiring leadership…commendable service.”
Assistant Chief Martin Dowd said his wife was a dedicated and inspirational leader, a steadfast member of the fire department, and a devoted person.
The couple attended high school together, and Martin said he didn’t know Carol then, but she said she knew him. They met again in 1978 when he joined the fire department.
Carol has one son, Bryon Smith, who is a retired North Carolina Highway patrolman.
Feature Photo: Martin Dowd accepts the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award on behalf of his late wife, Carol Dowd, at a ceremony at the Southern Pines Fire Station No. 82 on May 14.
~Article and photos by Sandhills Sentinel journalist Stephanie M. Sellers. Stephanie is also an English instructor at Central Carolina Community College. She is the author of When the Yellow Slugs Sing, Sky’s River Stone, GUTTERSNIPE: Shakespearean English Stage Play with Translation, Amagi, Amagi Study Guide, and EZ Essay Study Guide for Holocaust: A History.
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