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NCRWA.COM|
Winter 2015
feature
T
he greatest gift a person can have is a friend. Those are some powerful
words of wisdom from former Goundwater/Source Water Protection
Division Leader, Keith Starner. Keith worked at NCRWA for 15 years
before resigning in April of 2014. He was diagnosed with pancreatic
cancer. It’s hard to know how to show support when someone is
dealing with such a difficult situation, but a group of Keith’s friends
and coworkers got creative. They all gathered together to build a
grapevine trellis that the Starners had wanted in their backyard. They
also planted grapevines, a hydrangea, and a camellia bush. The family
was very grateful, saying in a thank you card, “this doesn’t happen
very often … but we surely appreciate your time, work, materials, and
ingenuity.” You may think the group did what anyone would do under
the circumstances. The thing is, the simple act of kindness truly touched
Keith and his family, perhaps more than anyone knows. Keith went on
to say, “We love the grapevine trellis. It will get us through the winter
by giving us something to look forward to in the spring.” So when you
think there is not much you can do, remember sometimes just being a
good friend is enough.
Getting Through Tough
Times with Help from Friends
By Debbie Maner, Source Water Protection Specialist, NCRWA and
Kelly Coggins, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, NCRWA
Pictured left to right: Mandy Hall, Brian Grogan, John Darrow, Alan Oldham and Bill Crew
Pictured left to right: Brian Grogan, Richard Powers (retired DENR), Keith and Wendy Starner, Bill
Crew (DENR UST Section), Mandy Hall,Alan Oldham, Debbie Maner and John Darrow (ECU), in back.
Keith Starner