“This I Believe, Life’s Purpose, is Helping Others”

Paul will draw on his own experiences, his up-bringing, and education, that have led him to conclude, that all life on earth is inter-connected, and dependent on so many others.

Paul was born and raised on a family farm in New Jersey.  Following the early death of his father, he attended and graduated from high school at Girard College, a boarding school for fatherless boys in Philadelphia.  In the 10th grade he met his future wife, Simone, at a school dance mixer.  Paul earned BS and MS degrees from Rutgers University and a PhD in Plant Pathology from Cornell University.  He joined the faculty of North Carolina State University in 1970 to research tomato and vegetable diseases at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Center in Mills River. After successfully diagnosing and developing effective tomato disease management strategies, he retired from NCSU as Professor Emeritus in 2002.

-Dr. Paul Shoemaker

Paul and Simone were married in 1964 at the Unitarian Church of Germantown, PA.  They moved to Henderson County in 1970 and were members of the UU Church of Asheville for twenty years before joining UUFH in 1998.  Paul is a past president of the UUFH board and has served on many of its committees.  Since his retirement in 2002, Paul and Simone have been growing tomatoes and other vegetables on their Holly Spring Farm in Mills River.

Todd Hoke will be musically embellishing Paul’s presentation.

Todd Hoke has been playing music in front of strangers (and quite a few friends) for the last 20+ years. He recorded his first album in 2000, and several more between back then and right now. He has performed solo, with a duo, in a trio, fronted a four-piece, and created a monthly brunch show that incorporated a 10-piece NOLA-flavored parade band from Asheville. When he’s not playing music, Todd can be found walking in the woods or taking a nap. Usually in that order.

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