Tar Heel of the Week:Twenty-five years ago, Dick Adams' world was fit for a Norman Rockwell portrait.

Tar Heel of the Week:Terry Brown of the Army Corps of Engineers likes openness and likes getting many people involved in discussion.

Tar Heel of the Week: Randall Williams grew up in North Carolina and thought he was familiar with the names of most towns.

Tar Heel of the Week: The limo pulled up at the motel where Matt Cooper and his family were staying. There were roses for his mother, a bag of toys for his little sister and a night for everyone that would make them forget.

Tar Heel of the Week:Jim Candelmo carries a piece of the World Trade Center in his pocket, a thick chunk of blue-tinted glass.

Tar Heel of the Week:After 30 years, Jeffery "JR" Richardson has reached his last year as band director. But before he puts down the baton, he will direct his troops in a fitting finale -- the Rose Parade.

Tar Heel of the Week:Students, engineers finishing entry for DARPA contest.

Tar Heel of the Week:To Matthew Burdick, a 26-mile, 385-yard-run is more than a marathon.

Tar Heel of the Week:The walnut chest with brass handles holds the papers, photographs and cards that mark the milestones.

Tar Heel of the Week: The three chevron stripes she wore as a Marine Corps gunnery sergeant didn't come with Judy Pitchford to her civilian job running the USO in North Carolina. In the Marines, when she told people what to do, they did it.

Tar Heel of the Week:It's usually Robert Ward in the audience, listening to musicians play what he has written. But on his 90th birthday, the roles were reversed.

Tar Heel of the Week:Johnny Mac Alexander's face squeezes into a squinty grin when he's asked about the mischievous repainting of a YMCA bus a few years ago at his truck dealership's repair shop.