🌱 Veteran Celebrates His 100th Birthday + Shrine Club Fundraiser

Hey, everybody. It's Sunday in Mooresville and I'm back in your inbox with everything that's fit to print about what's happening in town, including news on:

• Happy 100th Birthday David Jones Parker!
• Lake Norman Shrine Club Fundraiser.
• Join the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee!

But first, today's weather:

Plenty of sunshine, but cold. High: 37 Low: 14.

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Here are the top three stories today in Mooresville:

1. This holiday season is a milestone for David Jones Parker who has a huge reason to celebrate, beyond the usual festivities! This year Parker is turning 100! According to Iredell Free News," Parker's birthday is December 26, however, on Friday afternoon, his family and friends gathered at the Statesville Civic Center to honor the “good and hard-working man.” Born in Alexander County on December 26, 1922, Parker grew up with four sisters and five brothers. As the third oldest child of 10, he had to work hard to help support his family. By the time Parker was seven years old, he was in the field picking up to 300 pounds of cotton per day. “He made $3 a day,” his son David Wayne said. “That’s a penny a pound.” Unfortunately, Parker often had to miss school so he could work. As an adult, Parker joined the U.S. Navy in 1944 and served on the USS Bunker Hill CV-17 as a Steward First Class.
   After serving through 1946, he moved to San Bruno, Calif., before returning home to North Carolina. He made a home with his wife, Ella Mae Sharpe Parker, and their two children, David Wayne and Peggy. “If mom was still living, they’d be celebrating 74 years today,” David Wayne said." Happy Birthday David!(Iredell Free News)
2. The Lake Norman Shrine Club is holding its 3rd Christmas Tree pick-up fundraiser for Shriners Hospital starting next week. According to Charlie Foxx, president of the Lake Norman Shrine Club, "since we’ve received such a positive response from the community, we’re doing it again this year AND the Lincoln County Shriners are going to help out on the Denver side of the Lake. More people involved = more trees collected = more $$ raised for Shriners Hospital and creating a better fish habitat in Lake Norman. We collect real Christmas trees (after Christmas) for a $20 donation to Shriners Hospital then we partner with the LNWC to drop them in Lake Norman as fish attractors. This project supports children and is environmentally friendly on multiple levels. Trees are collected in Mooresville, Davidson, Cornelius, Troutman and Huntersville. People can sign up directly from this link Christmas Tree Sign Up Form." (Shrinclub.com)
3. Help make Mooresville’s parks and recreation programs even better by joining the Town’s Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee! According to a Facebook post from the Town of Mooresville, "The board is looking for the next resident to join. It’s made up of seven community volunteers with expertise, experience, and/or positive interest in parks and recreation. The Committee meets every other month on the third Tuesday at 5 p.m. If you’re interested in applying to be part of the board, fill out this application: https://mooresvillenc.granicus.com/boards/forms/549/apply."(Town of Mooresville NC via Facebook)

Today in Mooresville:

• Christmas Day Worship Service (10:15 AM)
• Winter Break - Mooresville Senior High School (12:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Mooresville Police Department: "Merry Christmas from all of MPD, K9 Kato, Santa, all of his helpers and even the Grinch." (Mooresville Police Department via Facebook)
• Mooresville Public Library: "While the Mooresville Public Library's physical buildings will be closed from December 23 until December 26, you can use your library card to gain access to our huge collection of ebooks!" (Mooresville Public Library via Facebook)
• Town of Mooresville NC: "As we continue dealing with below-freezing temperatures, be aware of potential pipe bursts. Click this story for what to do if your pipes freeze." (Town of Mooresville NC via Facebook)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update.

— Karena Garrity

About me: Journalism is in my veins. I have been a community reporter for the better part of the past 20 years. I love my small-town community and I am honored to be a part of Patch.com. You can reach me at; karena.garrity@patch.com.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Mooresville Daily? Contact me at karena.garrity@patch.com