Anytime there’s a story about someone who is from Laurel Fork and it includes Positivity, I can’t wait to share it. We are closing out Year 5 out here in our little Hamlet and its now part of the story.
Daniel Nester and I have only crossed paths one time to my knowledge. It was the night of our third annual Banquet back in 2024. The exchange was a brief one but it left an impression just the same.
In my search for information about Doug Saunders, it led me to this story about another Laurel Fork resident who has made it and understands the Big Picture !
Welcome 🙏 Home 🏡
I am going to give credit to this young Man’s Mother 👩 for raising him well !
Carroll County High School 🏫 was still in its first decade of existence when Doug Saunders captured the State Championship in the 119 weight class for the Cavaliers.
Doug Saunders was just getting started on his journey with success on the Wrestling mat when he attended High School 🏫. Proof of that is found in the Carroll County High School Wall of Fame as Saunders is enshrined there for his efforts after he left The Hill.
The Capsule
It wasn’t until a recent visit to the Carroll County Wrestling room that I was aware of the accomplishments of Mr Saunders. The timing is very fitting in that my current work is focused on 2015 when the Lady Cavaliers Softball team captured the initial ” Team ” State Championship in the schools history.
Coach Long is chasing his goals for his now two Wrestling teams ( Boys and Girls) in a manner that is worthy of appreciation. Does it still matter that almost 50 years ago, CCHS was home to a Student Athlete that brought glory to the Cavalier community ? Or does next level success come with an expiration date ?
The questions are free flowing, from what was the drive inside of Saunders during his Wrestling days at Carroll County and later Chowan ? What was the Olympic trails like back then ? What words of wisdom would Saunders offer a young Boy or Girl who is trying hard to Wrestle at the High School level ?
One of the lighter ways to create a list is to borrow from David Letterman and do it in a Top Ten style, going from 10 down to 1. Let’s give that a shot because there a more than a few things taking place next month.
Drum Roll please….. The Top 10 Reasons to join us at High Noon on September 13th, 2025. [ Going to use 12 though]
#12 – Purchasing Food from the Concession Stand throughout the day will be helping out Travis Leath and one of our Travel Softball teams!
#11 – Children were always going to be Free Guests but with the Adults who want to attend all they have to do is answer one question. Donna Nester and Dave Quesenberry will be asking the question and it should provide an opening laugh.
#10 – Velvet Creed Leonard will be in The House 🏠 capturing all of the fun! Why should others care about this ? This young Lady 👩 does as much for this community as anyone else out there and this time it involves her Kiddo and her friends.
#9 – Dakota Walls Racing 🏎 will be there and the Carroll County High School Sophomore will make his Car 🚗 available for two of the biggest Photo Ops of the Day. Cross over Support is the Best Kind!
Dakota Walls Racing and Volleyball 🏐 from last year.
#8 – Miss Tiffanie Moore ( Class of 2015) will be on hand to toss out our Ceremonial First Pitch. This will take place after the pageantry and before the Home Run Derby.
You might recognize Tiff here with a couple of her Friends from 2015.
#7 – The Alumni Game itself which will conclude our Day of Fun. Welcoming back every former Lady Cavalier that is willing to lace up to cleats on more time
This group was extra brave last year !
#6 – September 13th will be the final day of gathering information for the upcoming Book 📖. The festivities taking place that day will be the send off story in the book. After 9/13, the focus shifts from gathering information to creating a time line.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Now for the Top Five reasons why you should attend :
#5 – The Day comes with a theme song 🎵 and its ” Girls Just Wanna Have Fun “and thanks to Kevin Burress joining me in a dose of self-deprecating humor we will have a ” Live ” version of this to kick of the show.
#4 – Ron Cochran and I, along with two local artists 🎨 have been working on a design for a new Top that could be used for any team that represents Carroll County High School. It will be in display, with the help of 15 Models and will include a Red Carpet !
#3 – We are celebrating the 10 year Anniversary of the 2015 State Championship team that made so much of the Cavalier Park you see today, possible. We aren’t sure how many of the Players and Coaches will be able to attend but we will certainly acknowledge them all !
#2 – The Casey Burcham Home Run Derby
No, this isn’t Casey Burcham
As I have been chasing details about the History of Cavalier Park and everything that helped create the Jewel of the Facility that we call Home 🏡, I realized that the decision made by Mr B to allow the Lady Cavaliers to be co-tenants in The Castle 🏰 on The Hill sits at top of any list that exists.
Yes, the design of the Family 👪 Feud Home Run Derby was to get Burcham involved with our Big Day! We would even welcome 🙏 him wearing his favorite Duke University T-Shirt 👕.
Now, for my #1 reason why you should want to attend our Gala….
Dwayne Huff
We are going to give our new Superintendent a warm Cavalier Park Welcome to the Family. In the grand scheme of things, this Man 👨 is tasked with a tremendous responsibility for which we should all Pray 🙏 or at least hope for his unprecedented SUCCESS!
Mr Alvin Davidson will be on hand ✋ to introduce him and Principal Chuck Thompson will present 🎁 him with a Gift from the Softball community.
If any of you find this interesting, PLEASE share the word and add September 13th to your calendar 📅.
Almost forgot, our Friend that I like to call 📞 : Outdoor ( Cav ) Man will make an appearance as well !
A.S.P.N on The Hill 