By Staff
Performance helps fight poverty in Beaufort County
By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER
Lifestyles &Features Editor
Their performance of a Latin mix number — and, of course, generous support from relatives, friends and coworkers — earned Tom Anglim and Kiki Hampton first prize during Saturday’s finale of Dancing With OUR Stars.
The event was the culmination of months of planning and rehearsing, with proceeds benefiting Eagle’s Wings, a United Way agency.
A final tally won’t be available until sometime today, according to Debbie Adams, executive director of Eagle’s Wings. But early figures show that Anglim and Hampton alone brought in nearly $3,000. The winner was determined according to the dance team that raised the most in donations.
The audiences attending Saturday’s afternoon and evening shows were treated to a variety of dance styles through the ages, from the minuet to hip hop and most everything in between. Among those taking to the Turnage Theater stage were doctors, educators, lawyers, elected officials, business owners, artists and ministers.
Along with Anglim and Hampton, the other performers were Mike Gwynn, Shannon Reising, Georgia Anne Atkins, Susan Sizemore, Jeff Moss, Kendra Lobos, Jimmy Moore, Gayle Watson-Roper, Jeff Jakub, Judy Jennette, Dean Bolton, Kevin Johnson, Laurie Weston, Will Mayo, Staci Hardison, Peg Bodie, Catherine Good, Jeffrey Phipps, Galina Panova, Lisa Nelson, Marie Freeman-Barber, Will Reising, Pam Nuckols, Rick Howdy, Janet Cox, Philip Mobley, Christine Kennedy, Jeremy Watson, Vic Rodgers, Melissa Smith, Bubs Carson and McKenna Cox.
Joey Toler, executive director of the Beaufort County Arts Council, served as master of ceremonies and entertainer. Special guests included Linda Richmon (a.k.a. Dr. Richard Young) and the Pamlico Divas. Offering comments on the performances were Richmon, Lynn Lewis, Ray McKeithan, Alan Jordan, Mick Reed and Arthur Williams.
The show played to a full house during both of Saturday’s performances. In response to public demand from those who were unable to secure tickets, a DVD of Dancing With OUR Stars is also being prepared, according to Adams.
In addition to being a performer, Janet Cox, who operates the Le Moulin Rouge de Danse studio, served as the event’s director. She, too, praised the show’s performers.
Cox added that much of the credit for the event’s success goes to the community.
That’s right, organizers are already looking ahead to Dancing With OUR Stars II for sometime in 2009.
The focus of Eagle’s Wings is to minister to Beaufort County residents, including addressing immediate hunger needs, assisting with emergency utilities and prescription drug expenses and offering referrals to other agencies. For more information about the organization’s services, call (252) 975-1138.