Liz Dicey and Ford Smith Inducted Into Second Wind Hall Of Fame
The mission of Second Wind is to identify those outstanding volunteers who contribute so much to the quality of life in our community and to provide recognition of retirees sixty years and over who had a useful and productive life continuing beyond retirement, while other paused to rest. They caught a ‘second wind’ and began a new career of service to the community and to mankind.
Second Wind Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) organization and welcomes nominations for induction. Requests for nomination forms may be sent to carolbrowning72@gmail.com.
Liz Dicey
Conserving Carolina nominated Liz Dicey for induction into the Second Wind Hall of Fame and the Board of Second Wind Hall of Fame accepted the nomination. Lizwas officially inducted at a gathering of staff and volunteers at the home of Carole Bartol on Monday afternoon July 14, 2025.
Liz served on the Board of Conserving Carolina for 2 terms. She served on the Education Committee, volunteers with the pollinator garden at Polk County Library, is co-chair of the SE Community Forum. Does roadside trash pick-up and many other activities. She is on the Polk County Democratic Women’s Executive Committee. She is a member of FETA, a Board member and volunteer and has been a Foothills Humane Society volunteer.
Liz moved to our area in 2011 from Reidsville, NC. She taught elementary and middle school in Rockingham County, NC. She as a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and Philosophy from the University of New Hampshire, a Master’s degree in communications from Syracuse University and a Master’s degree in Education and Library Science from the University of North Carolina. She is married to Don Dicey and has 2 children and 2 grandchildren. Liz enjoys horseback riding, gardening, reading, cooking, animals and hiking. She takes pride in communicating well. She brings out the best in people. She is very organized and a natural leader. She would like to be remembered for her honesty, being positive and encouraging people to be their best.
Ford Smith
Conserving Carolina nominated Ford Smith for induction into the Second Wind Hall of Fame and the Board of Second Wind Hall of Fame accepted the nomination. Ford was officially inducted at a gathering of staff, volunteers and Kudzu Warriors at the Tryon Coffee House on July 14, 2025
Ford has served on the Conserving Carolina Board for many years. He serves on the Polk County Appearance Committee and is one of the original Kudzu Warriors. He served on the Pacolet Area Conservancy Board until its merger with Conserving Carolina.
Ford moved to the area in 1993 from Charlotte, NC where he worked in Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System as a teacher and counselor and taught computer science at Queens College, Charlotte. He has a BA in education from Wake Forest and a Master’s in counseling. He is married to Michelle Keys and has 2 children. Ford enjoys photography, gardening, hiking, traveling and reading. He has traveled all 50 states and has written several books. Ford would like to be remembered for his non-profit work.