Teleseminar Discusses Rail Grant Opportunities in Small Towns

HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. – For people living in small towns, the train sounds of “chug,” “clang,” and “choo-choo” are pretty common. But in some, community leaders hoping to add a new ring – “cha-ching.”
In North Carolina, some towns are rebuilding depots for new passenger rail service. Others are sharing their heritage with tourists through rail museums. Town leaders are hoping to see an increase in their bottom lines.
So, who is paying for the new rail ventures? What are some of the challenges along the way? What is the expected payoff for communities to venture into the world of the railroad? Where do you start? How can your town climb aboard? What are some advantages? Disadvantages? Are there trends? What type of time commitment is required from city officials to bring rail into their mix of local services? What are some of the grants available and how do you get them?
These are some questions that will be discussed during a teleseminar on Monday, August 31, from 10 to 11 a.m. It is being sponsored by www.SmallWander.com, a Website designed to promote small towns as tourist destinations. Anyone interested in participating can call a toll free number, listen and ask questions of the panelists.
City managers, members of city councils, chambers of commerce leaders and community economic development officials are encouraged to participate in the session.
Representatives from Conover (pop. 8,000), Oakboro (pop. 2,000) and Hillsborough (6,000) will share their experience on identifying opportunities, landing grants and dealing with challenges. Guest speakers will be Lee Moritz, member of the Conover City Council, Donald Duncan, Conover Town Manager, Bob Barbee, chairman of the Oakboro Regional Historical Museum, Larry Branch, Oakboro town administrator, Elizabeth Read, Executive Director for The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough, and Greta Lint, tourism consultant and writer specializing in small town promotion. John Delconte, owner of Smallwander.com, will be the moderator.
The track running through Oakboro has been upgraded to allow faster trains. The new speed limit could signal passenger traffic, according to town officials. And if that happens, the new depot – which currently is the Oakboro Train Museum - could be a stop along the route from Oakboro to Charlotte.
In 2010, construction is slated to begin on a new passenger depot in Conover. The project is being funded by the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program through the U.S. Department of Transportation. Plans are to add passenger rail service to western North Carolina through Salisbury, Statesville, Morganton, Valdese, Marion, Old Fort and Asheville.
Four passenger trains run through Hillsborough daily. A mid-day run with two more trains will be added in the next month or so. However, the town is not a train stop.
Smallwander.com teleseminars are designed to help retailers, promoters, leaders and small businesses in small towns increase their income.
To register, call John Delconte at 919-241-5001 or email him at john@smallwander.com.

Eddie Miles to Perform July 2 at Southeast Old Threshers Reunion

DENTON, N.C.—Singer and entertainer Eddie Miles, considered one of the nation’s best Elvis-tribute performers, will be one of the headliners at this year’s Southeast Old Threshers Reunion when he performs two shows on July 2 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. The Reunion will be held June 30-July 4 at the Denton FarmPark in Denton, N.C.

With Miles performing in costume, the shows will pay tribute to Elvis and his music and feature many of the late singer’s greatest hits. Shortly after the date was posted on Miles’ Website, the phone started ringing at the FarmPark with jubilant callers asking, “Is it true Eddie Miles will be there?” “Can we really see two shows for the price of one?”

“I’ve traveled far and wide, and Eddie is the closest to sound and looks of Elvis as you’ll find,” said the late Charlie Hodge, Elvis’ lifelong friend and band member.

Miles is no stranger to the stage. He has performed his show, “Eddie Miles: A Salute to Elvis & Country Legends,” since 1990, when he first took his show on the road. During the early 90s, Miles was a regular at Pigeon Forge, T.N., and later, a regular at Myrtle Beach, S.C. Today, traveling throughout the Southeast, he performs more than 100 shows yearly.

Miles began doing his tribute show part-time, but it quickly grew into a sensation when audiences began to recognize his talent.

“It was a dream of mine since I was a young boy to pursue an entertainment career because I’ve always loved music,” said Miles, a native of Bardstown, Ky. “I chased those dreams, and it seemed like the Elvis songs always got the most reaction, so the show just grew out of that,” said Miles, describing his start.

During his usual two-hour show, Miles begins with tributes to the great country legends such as Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and George Jones. His Elvis tribute is typically performed during the second hour of the show.

Because of time restraints at the Denton performances, Miles will perform only the Elvis-tribute section during his two shows. According to Miles, each show is different since he takes audience requests and gears his show around the songs the audience wants. His repertoire includes more than 200 Elvis songs.
Miles was invited to Memphis to perform his Elvis tribute during the 25th anniversary of Elvis’ death. He performed at the sold-out house with all the great acts that had appeared with Elvis during the singer’s long career.
“We’ve seen a lot of Elvis tribute shows, and Eddie’s is certainly one of the classiest ever,” said Gordon Stoker, a member of the legendary Jordanaires, one of the premier backup-vocal groups ever and a mainstay in Elvis’ recording career.

Admission to the Southeast Old Threshers Reunion is $13 for adults, $6 for children under 12 and free for preschoolers. There is no extra charge to see musical shows. Hours are 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily. Camping is available.

The Denton FarmPark is located 20 miles southeast of Lexington off NC Hwy. 49. For more information, visit http://www.threshers.com/ or call 336-859-2755.

Dailey & Vincent Headliners at Big Lick Bluegrass Festival

Big Lick, N.C. – Some of the hottest bluegrass entertainers in the country are going to perform at the Big Lick Bluegrass Festival in Big Lick on June 5 and 6. But, you ask, where is Big Lick?

Even though there is no town sign, you can’t miss it. Bright blue and yellow banners welcome you to what is left of the town that burned in the early 1900s – a farm that today is called Big Lick Festival Park. You’ll find it on NC Hwy. 205 between Charlotte and Albemarle.

And so will Dailey & Vincent, Goldwing Express, The Bluegrass Brothers, Al Batten & The Bluegrass Reunion, and Bill Yates & Friends Country Gentlemen Tribute Show. Goldwing Express puts on a lively, fun show and has performed in the past at the Big Lick Festival. Energetic brothers Robert and Victor Dowdy, of The Bluegrass Brothers, bring a traditional mountain flair to the show. Bluegrass fans know Al Batten, with his 5-string banjo, from his days with The Bass Mountain Boys. The “Ambassador of Bluegrass Music,” Bill Yates, along with the rest of his band, round out the program.

In April, Dailey & Vincent’s CD, “Brothers From Different Mothers” debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Bluegrass Albums chart. So it was no wonder they recently performed to record-breaking, standing-room only crowds at the Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver Bluegrass Festival at the Denton FarmPark. Dailey & Vincent is the pairing of well-known bluegrass performers Jamie Dailey, former lead singer and guitarist for Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver; and Darrin Vincent, who most recently was guitar and mandolin player and harmony vocalist with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. The New York Times recently called them “the most celebrated new bluegrass act of the last few years.”

In 2008, the group won seven awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association, including Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year, Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year, Emerging Artist of the Year and more.

Jeff Branch, organizer of the Big Lick Bluegrass Festival, feels fans are looking for another chance to see the dynamic duo. “They’re a powerhouse of talent and crowds love them,” he said. “They no longer fit in the up-and-coming category. They’ve arrived. And everyone starts from somewhere,” he said. “I anticipate we’ll see some new bluegrass performers during Open Mic. It’s a great place for new bands to play on the same stage as some the world’s top performers.”

Open Mic Night will be held on Friday, June 5 from 6-9:30 p.m., followed by The Bluegrass Brothers from 9:30 – 11 p.m. Admission is $5 per person.

Then from 12 noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday, the show will feature back-to-back bluegrass-music. Admission is $25 for adults, $12 for children ages 12-16 and free for kids under 12. Admission after 6 p.m. is $15 for adults.

Advance tickets are $20 for adults or $25 for both days. The deadline is June 1.
Camping is available. Everyone is encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Food and souvenir concessions will be available. The show will be held rain or shine.

For more information or to purchase advance tickets, call 704-485-4906 or log onto http://www.biglickbluegrass.com/.

Southeast Old Thresher's Reunion Awards $2,000 for Scholarship Pageant

DENTON, NC (April 17, 2009) – Are you looking for a college scholarship? If so, the Southeast Old Threshers Reunion is giving away $2,000. No, you don’t have to work in the fields, but you do need to have a desire to be on stage and be a contestant in the 2009 Southeast Thresher’s Queen Scholarship Pageant.

The Southeast Old Thresher’s Reunion, the largest antique farm equipment and steam engine show in the Southeast, will be held June 30-July 4 at the Denton FarmPark in Denton, N.C. The pageant will be held on June 27 in the outdoor amphitheater at the FarmPark.

The new queen will reign over the 5-day festival. She will be the event’s Goodwill Ambassador to many festivals, pageants and parades throughout the state of North Carolina.

“The Reunion has helped talented girls further their education. For instance, some have gone into medicine, teaching, marketing and sales. One even landed a job as a professional actress,” said pageant organizer Keith Loflin.

Contestants for the title of Southeast Thresher’s Queen must be rising high school seniors from home-schools, private or public schools. Girls up to 24 years old may participate. They must be single, never have had a child or been married.

Contestants must reside, work or attend school in any of the following counties: Alamance, Anson, Cabarrus, Caswell, Catawba, Chatham, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Gaston, Guilford, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, Richmond, Rockingham, Rowan, Stanly, Stokes, Surry, Union and Yadkin.

The major scholarship sponsor for 2009 is Back Country Water Stoves of Denton, N.C.
The winner will receive a $2,000 scholarship and a host of prizes. Second and third place finishers will receive scholarships of $450 and $350, respectively. Additional awards will be given in four competition categories: Best Interview, Best “Country Cutie” Outfit, Best Casual Outfit and Most Photogenic.

Entry fees are $50. The application deadline is June 13, 2009. For entry forms, rules and further information call Denton FarmPark at 1.800.458.2755 or email manager@threshers.com. The FarmPark is located 25 miles south of Lexington off NC Hwy 47 on 1072 Cranford Road.

April 18 - Asheboro Chili Cookoff Attracts Creative Cooks

ASHEBORO, NC (April 1, 2009) -- Even though the Asheboro Chili Cookoff is giving away $1,500 to the lucky winner, the money isn’t what has pulled more than 30 cooks to the event. They just want to have fun at the town’s newest street festival.

The event will be held on Saturday, April 18 from 1-10 p.m. in downtown Asheboro. The event will include musical entertainment, a Kid’s Zone, a Hot Head Contest and lots of tasting. The winner of a raffle drawing will go home with either $8,000 or up to $1,000 a month mortgage payment for a year.

It’s not too late to sign up. The deadline is April 15.

The slate of cookers ranges from novices who like to cook a pot of chili for their family – to award-winning contestants – to professional chefs. The common ingredient is they all have a passion for cooking. And when any of them throw a dinner party, they never get turned down.
Most have been testing their recipes – thus sparking more fun at home. Paul Stefanacci, of Asheboro, N.C., says the contest has become a family project. His wife, Robin, his mother, Ruth, four children and their spouses have been helping out. “Our chili is going to include the kitchen sink if I can get it in there,” he chuckled. This is his first chili cook-off, but with his neighbors, family and friends, he’s already a winner. “We’ve had rave reviews on our dry runs.” With strong Italian heritage, Stefanacci joked, “Even the Pope called wanting the recipe, but I had to turn him down!”

Neal Allen, from Asheboro, explained “I’m a scientist and an artist in the kitchen. I love creating flavors and making blends. I love experimenting.”

He’s a graduate from the Baltimore International Culinary College and works at Jugtown Café in Seagrove, N.C. Like the internationally-renowned Seagrove potters who masterfully create glazes for their pots, Allen works with starches, sugars and complex compounds in food. And old family recipes. Part of his creation is based upon a Southwestern recipe from the 1800s. His chili has won awards at other contests.

The team of Don Johnson and Ricky Jordan, from Asheboro, has won awards for their barbecue, but this is the first time they’ve entered a chili contest. Regionally, they’re known for their ‘Q at the Pinehurst Relay for Life. “But we wanted to do something different,” said Johnson. An avid gardener, his recipe will include preserved produce from his ½-acre garden. “I canned my tomatoes myself, so they have little salt and no preservatives. They’re healthy.”

“Our natural grass-fed beef will come from three local farms,” said Jordan. Their team is called “Country Cooking,” but will be serving “Caraway Fire Chili.”

Ashlee and James Edwards, owners of Off-the-Square restaurant in downtown Albemarle, are blending North Carolina and Texas tastes. “I’m from Texas,” said Ashlee. “You know, we are proud of our food and Texas beef chili. But my husband is from Asheboro, and he knows all about pork barbecue. So our chili will be a blend of both.”

With a combined 22 years of restaurant experience, the couple has learned from one another about cooking. Ashlee reflected “He graduated from the Cordon Bleu School of Culinary Arts and taught me some technical tricks in the kitchen. But I tend to be more spontaneous. So on the chili cookoff day, he’ll be tending the meat. But when he turns away, I’ll add a little more spice to it!”

“Mine will be a creative masterpiece,” says Joel Leonard, of Asheboro. Songwriter, professional writer and host of http://www.skilltv.net/, he just bought a new grill for the event. He’s been testing various recipes, one with beef marinated in Frangelica, a hazelnut-flavored liquor and beans soaked in Belgian beer. “Oh, the meat was absolutely delicious,” he commented. “But I’m still working on the right blend.”

Tourism writer and consultant Greta Lint says her research indicates the primary reason people attend a chili cook-off is for the chili. “It tugs at our curiosity – what will it taste like? Hot? Mild? Sweet? The anticipation is a common denominator that pulls us all together.”
For more information, log onto http://www.asheborochilicookoff.com/ or call organizer Bryan Vaughan at 336-302-4968.

April 10 - National Bluegrass Artists Perform in Troy

TROY, NC –When most 8-year olds were playing with toys, Troy native Greg Corbitt was learning his fingering on the banjo. By the age of 11, he had recorded his first album. Later in life, he performed at the Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C.

He’s bringing his powerful tenor voice – and the rest of his band members in the Circuit Riders – to the James Garner Center in Troy, N.C. on April 10. They’ll be followed by the James King Band, known for their passionate lyrics and stories about life and being musicians.

Fans know James King as the “Bluegrass Storyteller.” When it comes to traditional bluegrass songs, he relays his own down home life tales in ways that relate to the audience.
Circuit Rider musician, Greg Luck was also drawn to music. When he was 7 years old, he was learning chords on this guitar. Since, he has performed with a slew of top bands, such as Redwing, Bass Mountain Boys, J.D. Crowe and the New South. He wrote “The Healing Kind,” a song recorded by Leanne Womack.

Luck lives in Montgomery County.

Showtime is 7 p.m. Reserved tickets are $20. General admission tickets may be purchased at the door for $15. For reservations, call Jeff Branch at 704-985-6987 or email jbranch@ctc.net.
The James Gardner Center is located at located just off NC Hwy. 109 at 210 Burnett Street in Troy, N.C.
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Festival Seeks Vendors; Gives Away $10,000+

ASHEBORO, NC (March 9, 2009) – Once the largest municipality in North Carolina to be dry, the town has turned wet with gusto! A brand new festival, Asheboro’s 1st Annual Chili Cookoff, will be held on Saturday, April 18 from 1-10 p.m. in downtown. The street festival will include craft and art vendors, musical entertainment, lots of chili and Asheboro’s first legal beer tent. Organizers are seeking chili cooks, art, craft and other food vendors. More than $10,000 is up for grabs.
Organizer Bryan Vaughan, owner of The Bagel Shop in downtown Asheboro, says he’s excited about the prospect of combining food, beer and music together for the first time in an Asheboro festival. “I’ve got people coming from several states to cook in this event. And they’re all anxious to take home the grand prize.”
Winners of the chili cook-off will take home a hefty $1,500 cash prize.
The owner of the winning raffle ticket will have his mortgage paid for one year – up to $1,000 a month. Raffle winners with no mortgage are eligible for an $8,000 cash out. Prizes are not transferable.
A portion of the proceeds will go to the Randolph Heritage Conservancy and Muscular Sclerosis.
The festival will be held between Worth, Fayetteville and Sunset streets.
Raffle tickets may be purchased at The Bagel Shop located at 103 North Fayetteville Street in downtown Asheboro, North Carolina. For more information, visit http://AsheboroChiliCookoff.blogspot.com or call Vaughan at 336-302-4968.

First Wine/Beer Specialty Shop to Open in Asheboro Since Alcohol Vote

ASHEBORO, NC (Feb. 22, 2009) – Since Asheboro voters approved the sale of beer, wine and mixed drinks on July 29, the heart of downtown is taking on a new look. A specialty wine and beer shop has opened – and it’s the first one to do so.
Lumina Wine and Beer will be holding its grand opening on Friday, Feb. 27 with a ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. A wine tasting and reception will follow until 6 p.m. A wine tasting will be held on Saturday from 2-4 p.m.
The shop has a cozy bar and serves wine only. Beer may be purchased and consumed off the premises.
Owners Jennifer Parrish, 37, her brother Tim Moss, 24 and girlfriend Emily Hieronymus, 24, fashioned their store after a similar one in Sylva, N.C. “It’s a great place to relax after work and features an interesting selection of wines,” said Parrish. “Our store carries wines you typically don’t find at chain stores. And we’re the only specialty shop within a 20 mile radius of Asheboro.”
Parrish explained they chose the Sunset Avenue location because of Asheboro’s charming downtown. “The building was exactly the right size, with a great corner location and plenty of parking. It has this amazing hand painted floor which gave us real inspiration for how we wanted the shop to look and feel.”
She added “Tim and I visited Sonoma a couple of years ago and had kind of joked that if ever Asheboro legalized alcohol, we'd open a wine shop. This past summer, the three of us decided that we should if we ever wanted to do…now was the time!”
The three owners are no stranger to entrepreneurship and hard work. Hieronymus grew up in a family seafood and restaurant business in Wilmington. She later managed a boutique there and a restaurant at Wrightsville Beach.
Parrish brings 15 years of retail sales management and marketing to the table. She says her brother is the “jack of all trades,” having supervised construction crews in Wilmington.
Lumina Wine and Beer is located at 152 Sunset Avenue. Doors are open Tuesday and Wednesday 11 a.m.- 7 p.m. and Thursday – Saturday 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. Wine tastings will be held every other Saturday from 2-4 p.m.
For information, call 336.610.1060.

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New Agritourism Resource Available on LinkedIn

Cutline: William Alexander sells fresh produce from his road side stand in York, South Carolina.

ASHEBORO, NC (Feb. 3, 2009) – Operators of vineyards, farmers’ markets, roadside stands, u-pick-it farms and anyone else involved in the agritourism industry now have a new online tool to exchange ideas, ask questions and learn from others. A discussion group specific to “agritourism” has been created on the social networking site, http://www.linkedin.com/.

Tourism writer and consultant Greta Lint, of Asheboro, N.C., came up with the idea while working on another agritourism project. “I needed to know more about some of the issues surrounding the operation of farmers’ markets, roadside stands and u-pick-it farms. Not much showed up on the Internet, so I created a platform for discussion,” she explained.

The group, called simply “agritourism,” is open to anyone who has an interest in that particular industry. “This includes performers, crafters, promoters, organizers and teachers. Eligibility includes people who manage fairs, festivals and tourism-based attractions or who teach agriculture and horticulture business classes. This portal should help tourism product developers and promoters too,” Lint said.

Those who wish to sign up for the group must first join www.LinkedIn.com. There is no fee to join. “And you’re not bombarded with spam or unwanted emails,” Lint explained. “Once you’re a member, you can then do a search for groups in agritourism and join in.” For more information, contact Greta at greta@gretalint.com or call 336-626-0527.