CityView Magazine

60 | May/June 2015 the downtown and the ongoing crusade for revitalization. e daughter of Colonel Tommy Parkinson and his wife Blanche, Pennink re- counted her journey from Europe back to the land of the free. "We sailed from Ger- many on a ship and that's where I celebrated my 13th birthday. I remember when we arrived at Fort Bragg, it was the dead of winter, January 1960," shared Pennink. "Back in the day, they had no regard as to what it would be like to walk into a new school in the middle of the year. Maybe they do things differently now." With the ever-changing military, now May through September is known as "PCS season" (permanent change in station). As the only daughter of a colonel in the 82nd Air- borne Division, Pennink was born in Detroit and lived in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Japan, Fort Sill, Oklahoma and Germany before coming to Fayetteville. Pennink dug deep into her memory bank and she recalled that her time at Alex- ander Graham Junior High School and Fayetteville High School (now Terry San- ford), was her first experiences ever at non-military places of learning. And since it was the 1960s, segregation was in full swing. "e first thing I noticed is that there were no black children. Going to military schools, there was always a mix of races. It was shocking. I just didn't know why anyone would do that," emphasized Pennink. e gutsy realtor, who is known for her warmth and sense of humor, noticed that it was a little harder to make friends as the "new girl in school." "I felt like I really had to make an effort making friends, either they were intimi- dated because a lot of us had been overseas and really seen the world or they just weren't interested in being friends with us because everyone else had grown up to- gether. ey already had their circles of friends," Pennink said. Still, she found lasting bonds with a small group of women who are all Fayette- ville High graduates. Today, the group of 15 women span from Raleigh to Atlanta and in between. Pennink shared they get together for dinners and Christmas par- ties. Last year, they all celebrated their 50th high school reunion. "I really cher- LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED By Steve Hopper Mention this ad and receive 10% off! How does your lawn look? Turf Fertilization/Weed Control • Tree & Shrub Insect Control • Tree & Shrub Disease Control • Turf Insect/Disease Control • Fire Ant Control • Core Aeration • Call for a FREE Estimate 910.426.2266 or visit us online at www.spring-green.com/shopper Specializing in private and small group classes. Offering Ayurvedic Consultations, Reikie, Thai Massage and Tai Chi. Check out our workshops! To learn more visit www.livingbalancestudiosnc.com LOCATED AT MCPHERSON CHURCH SQUARE SHOPPING CENTER 201 S MCPHERSON CHURCH RD. FAYETTEVILLE NC 434-409-6415 LIVING BALANCE STUDIOS THE "SPA" WORKOUT EXPERIENCE Judge Toni King

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