LUMBERTON — The North Carolina Press Association recently recognized a trio of retired newspapermen with ties to The Robesonian.

Hal Sharpe, George Fain and Robert “Bob” Dixon are among the 11 people named honorary members by the association during its annual meeting on Feb. 25. According to NCPA President Pat Taylor, the men were selected based on their “distinguished service in the fields of journalism, journalism education or newspaper publishing.”

Hal Sharpe is a member of the Sharpe family, which owned The Robesonian from 1912 to 1982. Sharpe bought and ran the now-defunct Littleton Observer. He later created Lake Gaston Magazine and the Lake Gaston Area Phone Book, both of which are still active today.

“He definitely has a lot of ink in his blood and he definitely hasn’t been shy when it comes to tackling controversial topics with that ink,” Taylor said.

Dixon was the sales manager for The Robesonian from 1983 to 1993. His 33-year career in the newspaper industry also included various positions at The Fayetteville Observer, The Smithfield Herald, NC Lawyers Weekly and other publications.

“Recognized widely for his skills in advertising sales and management, Bob has trained a new generation of sales leaders in the industry,” Taylor said.

Fain, who served as general manager of The Robesonian from 1983 to 1990, was unable to attend the event.

The North Carolina Press Association is a member-owned and operated nonprofit established in 1873 to “protect First Amendment freedoms, promote the business interests of North Carolina newspapers and maintain high standards in the industry.”

“We had a long list of people who, despite being retired, have remained active in the association,” said Laura Nakoneczny, member services director for the NCPA. “We wouldn’t be the newspapers we are today if not for these people.”

George Fain
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_George_Scratch_150-1.jpgGeorge Fain

Hal Sharpe
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_Sharpe-1.jpgHal Sharpe

Robert Dixon
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_NCLW_DIXON-1.jpgRobert Dixon
Hal Sharpe, George Fain and Robert Dixon recognized by NCPA

Staff report