10 — The Clemmons Courier, Thursday, March 22, 2012

The first country to introduce retirement was Germany, in the 1880’s. Many countries soon followed suit since the elderly were either work-ing until they died or running out of money. Today, in the United States, those who collect social security may finally be able to slow down. Here in Clemmons, retirement has been just the opposite for Becky Cook. “I’ve always been an involved person in what I do and I thought retire-ment was going to be a time to relax. My friends say I need one of those shirts that say, ‘Ask me and I’ll do it,’” Cook admits accompanied with a giggle. “Since I’ve retired, I have two eight-by-ten calendars that I check at least twice a day to see where I am supposed to be and when.” The former West Forsyth math teacher of thirty years who currently tutors five days a week, may be short in stature, but her personality fills the room. “You go through a time period where you say that’s over and what now? It took a couple of years to find a passion that I loved as much as my teaching.” So what is she involved in? The real question is, where do I begin?

Cook grew up in Winston-Salem. Her parents worked at RJR. Thus, her grandparents were always the ones looking after Cook, her sisters, and cousins. “My grand-mother always told me I was a born leader and a born teacher, which is pretty good encour-agement for a coun-try girl.” Cook add-ed, “I was always the one organizing the tea parties and mud pie parties and I think my grand-mother recognized that.” Someone else who noticed her tal-ents was her math

teacher, Miss Sarah Hunter. “Most of us never imagined that we could attend college, let alone

JillOsborn

Becky Cook taught math at West Forsyth High and has been very active at Clemmons Moravian. The late Rev. Burton Rights said of her, “She knows how to make people count.”

Your Neighbor:

Becky Cook: worship, study, serve, love, give

have successful careers. She was so encourag-ing and had me tutor students when I was a senior.” Cook went on to get a scholarship at a womens college, known today as UNCG. The school song had a line that said, “Our motto, service will remain and service we will do!” Cook says the more things change in her life, the more they remain the same. She is still very much a servant to others, just as she was when she was a teacher.

Today, the mother of two daughters and grandmother to four grandchildren is supportive of scholarship programs for the North Carolina Alpha Delta Kappa, an International Honorary Sorority for Women Educators. You may also see Cook and her husband of forty-six years at Clemmons Moravian Church. Cook said the late Reverend Burton Rights influenced her dedica-tion to others. “On my fiftieth birthday, he said, ‘Becky knows how to make people count.’ A good thing to say about a math teacher!” One could also say that how much Cook is involved in, is almost too high to count as well. She has been a Synod delegate numerous times, sings in the choir, rings handbells, teaches an adult Sun-day school class, helps prepare Wednesday night suppers, and is a mentor to young people seek-ing confirmation. Cook was also the first female member of the Southern Province Provincial Elders Conference. But she is most proud of the Pre-School and Child Care Programs that she helped start when her children were young. Did I also mention she has hosted eleven exchange students?

We haven’t even touched on Cook’s true pas-sion. Cook is on the Board for the Sunnyside Ministry Program, which helps those in need of rent, utilities, food, and clothing. She also chairs: “Within these Walls,” a financial cam-paign for the renovation projects at Sunnyside; the Development and Outreach Committee; and the Scholarship Committee. “If I am on a com-mittee, I do like to be in charge because I like to know things are going to get done and at least halfway right,” Cook laughs. “But I needed to do something more than just attend meetings. I had to help people.” So, Cook volunteers as a receptionist and interviews those in need.

She references Reverend Rights again and talks about how he got her involved in Lifestyle Steward-ship. “The motto is worship, study, serve, love and give. If you are really a steward of God, this what you do.” Our conver-sation turns back to retirement once more, “I mean, I could sit here and do nothing and col-lect my social security check, pension, and say I already did my duty, but I would be so de-pressed. Plus, it wouldn’t be right.” Then I asked our Clem-mons neighbor with a smile if she has a hard time saying no. The witty, natural born leader, answered, “I didn’t say no to you did I?”

“Your Neighbor” is a feature by Jill Osborn. If you have a neighbor every-body should know, reach Jill at jill.n.osborn@gmail.com. Also follow her blog on parenting at MuchAdoAbout-Mothering.com/

PAID ADVERTISEMENT PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Universal Guitar Collectors i n To w n t o B u y Yo u r Mu s i c a l I n s t r u m e n t s

The Universal Guitar Collectors Association (UGCA) in association with We Buy Treasure is spreading the word in newspapers this week and inviting area residents to bring in all vintage acoustic and electric guitars, basses, mandolins, banjos, woodwinds, brass instruments and accessories, especially those made before 1970. Event attendees with these and other musical instruments will be able to meet with UGCA experts for one-on-one professional evaluations and appraisals. No appointments are necessary. Offers, based on brand, rarity and condition of desired instruments, will be made to attendees on the spot.

Like many people, you may have kept a family member’s musical instruments or purchased

some yourself years ago, and now, they are collecting dust in a closet or are in storage. If you Have you ever been curious about the worth or historic value of your instrument? NOW is your

chance!, there’s no time like the present to find out. According to the UGCA, thousands of valuable vintage guitars and other instruments are awaiting rediscovery by collectors. And, these collectors are willing to pay thousands of dollars for the rarest instruments based on brand, quality, craftsmanship or history of past ownership.

“Rare CF Martin acoustic guitars, some of which date back to the early 19th century, along with Fender electrics and basses, especially those from the 1950s and 1960s, are often very valuable,” said Wayne Jenkins, prominent guitar collector and officer of the UGCA. “Some extremely rare Gibson Les Paul solid body guitars first produced in the 1950s may be worth over $200,000 while Rickenbacker, Gretch and Epiphone brands are

highly collectible, too.” In 2007, a rare 1957 Gibson custom designed electric guitar sold for $220,000, making it one of the highest prices ever paid for a non-celebrity-owned electric guitar. The UGCA and its members are pleased to announce a travelling event on behalf of the organization in search of all types of guitars and other stringed instruments along with woodwinds, brass instruments and accessories. “In today’s market, even ordinary guitars and other musical instruments can be worth a significant amount of money due to the high demand by collectors,” added Jenkins. “While instruments associated with famous musicians or made by notable designers often break sales records, over time, other highly sought after instruments become increasingly uncommon and so their value continues to increase.”

“In 2007, a rare 1957 Gibson electric guitar sold for $220,000.”

Recent Acquisitions

What We Also Buy

1957Gibson Les Paul Special

PAID $7,000

1963Fender StratocasterPAID $6,300

Gibson J-45PAID $3,000

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

www.WeBuyTreasure.com

HOW IT WORKS

We Buy Treasure

2656 Lewisville-Clemmons Rd Clemmons, NC

For Directions & Event

Questions, Call:

336.293.6976

ClemmonsNorth CarolinaMar 22nd

throughMar 25th

Wed - SAT

COINS : All gold coins, Silver coins pre-1965

DIAMONDS: Certified and non-certified 1/2 carat or larger

PLATINUM: All items made of platinum

SILVER: Flatware, tea sets, holloware, etc. All items must be stamped STERLING or .925

WAR ITEMS: Civil war, WWI and WWII, Swords, Guns, Uniforms, Flags, etc.

TOYS: Trains, Mechanical Banks, Wind-up Toys, Pedal Cars, Stamped Metal Toys, Pull Toys, etc.

GUITARS: All vintage electric and acoustic guitars as well as all other musical instruments

SPORT CARDS Pre-1965:Candy Cards, Tobacco Cards, Goudey, Topps, Bowman, Leaf, etc.

AUTOGRAPHS: Sports,

Historical, Entertainment, Military, Literature, Old West, Presidents, etc.

COMIC BOOKS Pre-1969: Golden Age 1938-1955, Silver Age 1956-1969, Action Heroes, DC, Marvel, etc.

ADVERTISING SIGNS: Porcelain, Tin, Cardboard, Neon, Clocks, Gas Pumps, etc.

WATCHES: Rolex, Tag Heuger, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Longines, Howard, Illinois, etc.

By: Sal CagnoSTAFF WRITER, Universal Guitar Collectors Association

Presents:

AUCTIONMON., MARCH 2610:00 AM

6220 CLEMENTINE DR.Clemmons • 336-766-3132Skids of landscaping materials,

tools, laundry detergent, baby blankets, etc.

Open to public. 336-766-3132. Viewing Fri., March 23. Also:

www.clemmdiscountsales.com for lot listing.Auctioneer Carlton Hill #4856

CDS Inc. Firm #6426