Latest news with #Scully
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Marshall American Legion taking submissions for community art project for building
MARSHALL - A team of local veterans and community members are working together to help bring back the Davis-Sexton American Legion Post 317 in Marshall. The American Legion building has been a part of downtown Marshall for decades, but hadn't been used much in recent years. But after Tropical Storm Helene devastated much of downtown Marshall, including the building, which sits at the corner of Bridge Street and Back Street/Jerry Plemmons Way, a number of organizations are working to make the building better than ever. Marshall resident and U.S. Army veteran Sarah Scully is organizing an art contest to raise funds for the nearly 100-year-old building, the only American Legion building in Western North Carolina that was severely impacted by Helene's floods. The art contest is designed to help transform the American Legion building into a cultural hub and event space, including potentially hosting music performances, according to Scully. The roughly 1,500-square-foot structure is needing a complete rebuild. The team is currently constructing a 400-square-foot party deck, and plans also include a catering kitchen, two bathrooms, a green room and a stage. The project, costing $260,000, has received roughly $80,000 in donations from volunteers and labor from various organizations, including the Three Rivers First United Methodist Church in Three Rivers, Ohio, who helped reframe the building. Every Angle Construction, located just across the street, plans to work with the Legion to help perform construction, as they quoted the buildout at $260,000. "What's really beautiful is, you can see the potential of it," Scully said. "You have six picture windows. You can see the island, the river, everything." Scully said the Post 317 team wanted to rebuild the Legion in the same spirit in which the community, volunteers and military, including the Army's 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions, rallied together in the Helene rebuild. Joe Schmidt is Post 317's shift commander. "We would like to be more interactive with the community, and what better way than to have local artists paint murals on our building?" "We hope visitors and veterans alike will come and enjoy one of the best views of the river." According to Scully, the rebuilding efforts have already helped to revitalize the Post as a whole, as attendance at meetings and participation in the group has increased since the Post held its first post-Helene meeting in November. "If you look at where the Legion is and the parking that it has, it's like the best location in downtown," Scully said, adding that membership numbers and attendance meetings have both increased post-Helene. The suggested requirements for the artwork are to be military and patriotic in nature, showing American Legion & Post 317, showcasing one or all six branches of the military. But Scully said they can be either subtle or overt representations. "The artwork doesn't have to be overtly patriotic," Scully said. "It can be subtle and have the town and the river and the mountains." The artwork at the Post 317 building will not only offer local artists a chance to showcase their talents, but will also allow the artists' work to be on display in Marshall and inspire current and future Legion members. "We want to keep that spirit alive and open up our Post for events in the future. We thought, 'Why not create beauty out of the destruction?' "Why put in some tile when you could put in a mosaic? Why put in a regular wall when you can do something artistic? Why not bring beauty back into the building now that we have a clean slate?" But for Scully, who spoke with The News-Record in November, the artmaking process can provide breakthroughs for the creators and the community at large. A survivor of sexual trauma while serving in the U.S. Army, Scully suffered from PTSD as a result of her military sexual trauma. "I first did art therapy at the VA, and it was so beneficial. All of these alternative types of therapy, rather than just sitting in a therapist's office and talking about your problems, when you can look around and see the beauty that other people have put into the world, it really helps," Scully said. "I think it will help not just the veterans but the people that have been through so much with Helene, for people to enjoy this space." Scully said she hopes the contest can become a community art project. Ideas posed by Scully include four murals, one on each exterior wall. Another option is two murals, one on each side of the barn door in the event space opening to the stage. Other ideas for projects include the potential for glass blowers to supply lighting fixtures in the bathrooms, hallway or office. The Legion team will take submissions related to mosaics, woodworking, ironwork, textiles, photography and mixed media as well. "The whole thing will become an art piece, not just little bits of art. That's the vision - for the whole thing to become a piece of art," Scully said. More: Marshall native Sarah Scully's new weekly news broadcast a program for and of the people The Legion team plans to announce contest winners around June 16. "Everybody talks about 'Build back better,'" Scully said. "We can bring beauty back at the same time." Johnny Casey is the Madison County communities reporter for The Citizen Times and The News-Record & Sentinel. He can be reached at 828-210-6074 or jcasey@ This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Marshall American Legion taking submissions for building art project
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Marshall honors Madison County veterans for their sacrifice and service
MARSHALL - The town of Marshall honored Madison County's veterans in a Memorial Day observance at the First Baptist Church downtown. Sarah Scully, who lives in Marshall with her husband Donovan and their two kids, is an Army veteran who organized the Marshall American Legion Davis-Sexton Post 317 community art project contest to help raise funds for repairs to the building. The building, located across from the Sprinkle Shelton building behind the former post office on Bridge Street and Jerry Plemmons Way, is estimated to require roughly $260,000 in repairs after Tropical Storm Helene decimated the building. The Legion has received roughly $80,000 in donations from volunteers. In an observance planned for the Madison County Courthouse steps but moved inside due to rain, Scully and a number of other local veterans spoke to the crowd gathered May 26. Scully reminded attendees of the price paid by veterans for their service, citing statistics that show 7,000 American veterans have died in combat since 2001, with another 30,000 dying by suicide. "There's many different types of death and sacrifice in serving our country," Scully said. "But I also want to talk about those who didn't serve but serve alongside us, and that's our parents, siblings, spouses and children, including the two sitting in front of me." Scully read from one of her pieces, "The Post-9/11 War Generation," which she said she wrote as a member of the veterans writing group Brothers and Sisters Like These, a group run by the Asheville Veterans Administration that helps veterans process their trauma by writing their stories and reading them aloud. According to Scully, the piece was written with those less-recognized loved ones in mind. "Our children, and all children of veterans serve as honorary veterans who never volunteered for that military service, but they live it everyday through their parents - a father with PTSD from combat, a mother with PTSD from military sexual trauma," Scully said. During her time in the military from 2003-08, Sarah Scully served in Iraq, Japan, Korea, Kuwait and Thailand. "Our quieter legacy is that we will all serve and sacrifice together, our stories eventually fading away only to be told by our children, and our children's children," Scully said. "We all, veterans and our children, the post-911 war generation, we are all one collective voice ringing out the price paid for that sacrifice. "On days like Memorial Day, our kids understand in ways that children of civilians could never understand: the importance of remembering the honor, selfless service and personal courage of all veterans, because they were in it too." Joseph Shmitt, the post commander at the Davis-Sexton American Legion Post 317 in Marshall, also spoke at the observance. Shmitt said while athletes and movie stars are typically idolized, it is veterans and first responders who are the true heroes. "The heroes that we are today are not exclusive to any gender, race or religion. They come from all economic classes and backgrounds, and they hail from all 50 states, and some have migrated from other countries," Shmitt said. "They are a diverse group wedded to the belief that America is a nation worth fighting for." Shmitt pointed to the history of Memorial Day, which was first observed in 1955 when President Dwight Eisenhower, a U.S. Army veteran, signed a proclamation signifying the day of recognition. But while Memorial Day serves as a reminder to pay tribute to our veterans, Shmitt said Americans should remember to honor every day those who have taken an oath to serve for our freedoms, and to remember that peace is the goal. "Monday May 13, 1955, was proclaimed as a day of nationwide prayer for permanent peace," Shmitt said. "It's a prayer that every American and every decent human should share, not just on Memorial Day 2025, but the rest of the year as well." Donovan Scully served five combat deployments to Iraq. He also was deployed to Afghanistan in 2012, where he received a Purple Heart. Scully served in the Navy from 1993-97. He was serving in the Navy Reserve when 9/11 happened, and his branch transferred to the Army, where he served from 2002-16, including 12 years as a United States Army Special Forces member, or the "Green Berets." Donovan Scully spoke about sacrifice and service in his address to the attendees. "For service members, sacrifice is not just an option, it's an obligation," he said. "Aspects of our sacrifices include our sense of duty to the nation, and the good of our unit over our individual comfort. It includes principles such as honor and courage, and our insatiable need to protect the innocent. It is our loyalty to our own brothers and sisters over that of our own family." Like other veterans, Scully said Memorial Day offers him a chance to reflect on these sacrifices made by veterans, and to empathize with those families who have lost loved ones in these sacrifices. According to Scully, the most important duty for a combat veteran is to his brothers and sisters in arms. "Soldiers fight not for politicians in distant capitals, but for those with them to their left and their right," Scully said. "The camaraderie formed between soldiers is often profound. The survival of our fellow soldiers takes precedence above all else. "When it gets right down to it, we've got to fight and protect our friends." Scully said the physical and emotional sacrifices brought invaluable meaning through his service. "My service took from me my feet, my hips, my lower spine, my shoulders, my hearing, my abilities, my dreams, my memories, my mind, my time with my family," Scully said. "Yet history is shaped by those who are willing to sacrifice and respond to the needs of their fellow man." Shmitt read a list of names honoring the Madison County veterans who had died in the past year. "The sacrifices made by our fallen are not just a somber reminder of our past, but a call to action for our future. We must continue to support our veterans, their families and those currently serving in our armed forces," Donovan Scully said. Marshall Mayor Aaron Haynie called on attendees to carry forth the spirit of remembrance and promise. "We've honored the fallen, reflected on their sacrifices, and gathered this community to say, 'Thank you,'" Haynie said. Johnny Casey is the Madison County communities reporter for The Citizen Times and The News-Record & Sentinel. He can be reached at 828-210-6074 or jcasey@ This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Marshall honors Madison veterans for their service and sacrifices
Irish Examiner
26-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Decision blocking Irish investors from pursuing Cork developer of Polish shopping centre overturned
The Supreme Court has overturned a decision that an Irish developer of a shopping centre in Poland could not be pursued here for a €6.3m judgement obtained against him in Poland on behalf of 57 Irish investors. Last year, Michael Scully won an appeal in the Court of Appeal (CoA) over the enforcement of the Polish judgement here. Coucal Ltd, a company to which the investors had assigned their rights, appealed that decision to the Supreme Court. A five-judge Supreme Court yesterday overturned the CoA decision and said Mr Scully could be pursued for enforcement of the judgement here. Mr Scully, a Clonalkilty farmer who also co-owned Castle Carbery Properties Ltd which built the shopping centre in Opole, Poland, in 2009, had appealed a decision of the High Court that a Polish judgement over the investment scheme against him could be enforced here. Some €48m was borrowed for the purpose of funding the shopping centre. The CoA allowed Mr Scully's appeal after finding that the use of Coucal, a Polish special purpose vehicle company set up by the investors, which brought the case against him in Poland, represented 'the commodification of litigation' which was clearly prohibited by Irish public policy. The 57 investors alleged they were defrauded by Mr Scully when he induced them to divest themselves of their investments in the shopping centre, on terms which were very unfavourable to them and very favourable to Mr Scully. Those claims were denied. While proceedings against Mr Scully in Poland were initially unsuccessful, by 2021 the Warsaw Court of Appeal found that Mr Scully had wrongfully and without authority purported to enter into agreements on behalf of Coucal's shareholders. It awarded judgement against him for some €6.3m. The Warsaw appeal court also permitted Coucal to bring proceedings in Ireland to enforce the judgement against assets he owns here, including a farm in Co Cork. Mr Scully then brought proceedings here against Coucal Ltd seeking refusal of recognition and enforcement of the Polish judgment. The application was brought under an EU regulation, called Brussels I Recast, relating to enforcement of civil and commercial judgements across the EU. In the meantime, Mr Scully had appealed the judgement to the Polish Supreme Court, which decided to make a reference to the Court of Justice of the EU relating to issues concerning judicial independence and impartiality and, in particular, the claimed lack of independence of one of the Polish Court of Appeal judges. Mr Scully's case here was rejected by the High Court in November 2022 and he appealed, winning the appeal in the CoA just over a year ago. Coucal then sought, and was granted, an appeal to the Supreme Court. In two separate concurring judgements on behalf of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Donal O'Donnell and Mr Justice Gerard Hogan allowed the appeal. The Chief Justice said it was clear that enforcement of the judgement in this case did not approach the required standard for being an exceptional case in which recognition of a foreign judgement should be refused on grounds of public policy. Mr Justice Hogan said in the circumstances of this case, one cannot say that the recognition of the Polish judgement should be refused on the ground that to do so would be 'manifestly contrary to public policy' in this State within the meaning of the Brussels Recast regulation. He said his judgement was subject to the caveat that, while the CoA declined to adjudicate on this issue of Polish judicial independence, which had been argued by Mr Scully in the case, he now invited the parties to make further submissions on this issue. Read More Cork farmer wins appeal preventing €6.3m Polish judgment being enforced
Press and Journal
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Highland League: Connor Scully on why he's joined Formartine United
Connor Scully is aiming to win trophies with new club Formartine United after ending his success-laden stint with Cove Rangers. The 32-year-old has spent 16 years at Cove and was offered a new contract, but has opted return to the Breedon Highland League with United. With Cove, Scully won the Highland League four times, the R Davidson (Banchory) Highland League Cup three times and the Evening Express Aberdeenshire Cup and Morrison Motors (Turriff) Aberdeenshire Shield once. The midfielder also helped the Aberdeen side gain promotion to the SPFL in 2019, win the League Two title in 2020 and the League One title two years later. Explaining why he's decided to join Formartine, Scully said: 'I've known the manager Stuart Anderson for a long time. When he laid out the ambitions for the club, that impressed me and that was why I decided to go to Formartine. 'We want to be higher up in the league after where the club finished last season (eighth). 'The manager wants to be pushing as high up the league as possible, I'm a winner at heart, so I'd say I want to win the league with Formartine. 'I've won it four times with Cove, so I'd really like to win it again with Formartine and hopefully we can also do well in the cups. 'I've been used to winning things at Cove, so I'd like to continue that with Formartine. 'I'm at a good age, I'm still fit and feel I can contribute. I'll try to help the boys at Formartine as best I can. 'It feels like the right time to take on a new challenge and I'm happy to be coming back into the Highland League.' In total Scully made 567 appearances for Cove and also received a testimonial in 2023. Reflecting on his time at the Balmoral Stadium, he added: 'It was a tough decision to leave – looking back I've got so many great memories. 'I've made a lot of good friends, the fans always supported me throughout my time and were fantastic with me. 'Everyone at the club has been brilliant with me. I'm proud of what I achieved at Cove. 'It's a fantastic club and I'm sorry to be leaving, but I feel like I'm ready for a fresh challenge. 'The travelling involved in playing in the Scottish League was taking its toll because I have a young family. 'I'll give the same level of commitment to Formartine, but there is less travelling in the Highland League. It is that bit more local. 'My time at Cove was always going to end at some point. This is the time and I leave on good terms.'
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dodgers' Joe Davis Wins Exclusive Sports Emmy Award
The Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the premier franchises in Major League Baseball. The organization received nearly 67 years of contributions from longtime broadcaster Vin Scully. Scully put a bow on his career after the 2016 season and, unfortunately, passed away in 2022. However, he passed along his torch to Joe Davis, who has been a mainstay for the SportsNet Los Angeles broadcast for the Dodgers since Scully retired. Advertisement On Tuesday, Davis won the Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Personality and Play-by-Play. Davis has risen in the ranks since taking over as the Dodgers' full-time broadcaster and is now the lead play-by-play announcer for FOX Sports. He has called the World Series since 2021, and will continue in that role for the foreseeable future. Davis also has a role calling NFL games on FOX. Scully was a staple of the Dodgers, and his time with the team remains the longest of any sports broadcaster with one organization. However, Davis has been up to the challenge and has done a fantastic job. His passion for the game and the Dodgers is unmatched. Aug 9, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers play-by-play broadcast announcer Joe Davis speaks during a ceremony to introduce Dusty Baker as he inducted into the Dodgers Hall of Legends prior to the game against the the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesJayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images And while he has another role also doing color commentary for other teams periodically, he maintains his passion and objectivity throughout. Advertisement Davis received an exceptional opportunity to call the Dodgers' 2024 World Series victory against the New York Yankees this past season. As Davis has transitioned into his new role with FOX Sports, longtime baseball pundit Stephen Nelson has stepped in. Nelson joins Orel Hershiser on the main broadcast for all of the Dodgers' games, home or away. Related: Dodgers' Dave Roberts Makes Andy Pages Decision After Latest Moves Related: Dodgers' Blake Snell Reveals Missed Precaution That Could Have Prevented Shoulder Injury
