Greta's Stories

For Giggles

2010-05-16T13:42:00.002-04:00

$2,000 Scholarship Available: Southeast Old Threshers' Reunion Pageant

2010-05-13T18:38:00.002-04:00

DENTON, N.C. -- The Southeast Thresher’s Queen Scholarship Pageant is seeking contestants. It will be held on Saturday, June 26, 2010, just days before the start of 40th Southeast Old Thresher’s Reunion.

The winner will receive a $2,000 scholarship.

The new queen will reign over the Thresher’s Reunion during its five-day run and serve as the Threshers’ Goodwill Ambassador to many festivals, pageants and parades throughout North Carolina.

Held at the Denton FarmPark, the Southeast Old Threshers Reunion is one of the largest antique gas and steam engine shows in the country. It includes a variety of farming demonstrations, steam engine train rides, country, gospel and bluegrass entertainment and crafts. It will be held June 30-July 4.

The 2010 queen will be crowned by reigning 2009 Queen – Natalie Caviness of Asheboro, N.C. Natalie is a student at Randolph County Early College and will graduate in June.

Contestants must be a rising high school senior, either through public or home school, and can be up to 25 years old. Girls must be single, never have had a child or been married. They should either 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.

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 12, 2010. For entry forms, rules and further information call Denton FarmPark at 1-800-458-2755, visit us on Facebook at the Southeast Threshers Queen Pageant or email manager@threshers.com.

The Denton FarmPark is located 20 miles south of Lexington off N.C. Hwy. 109 and 20 miles southeast of Asheboro off N.C. Hwy. 49.

The Grascals to Perform at Big Lick Bluegrass Festival

2010-05-13T13:09:00.000-04:00

Big Lick, N.C. – The Grascals have played with George Jones, Porter Wagoner, Vince Gill, Dolly Parton, Charlie Daniels and are just coming off the Hank Williams Jr. Rowdy Friends Tour – and will be appearing at the Big Lick Bluegrass Festival in Big Lick on Saturday, June 12.

The festival will be held at the Big Lick Festival Park in Big Lick, N.C., on Friday, June 11 and Saturday, June 12.

Big Lick is a community on N.C. Hwy. 205 between Charlotte and Albemarle, just off N.C. Hwy. 24/27. It was named for a salt lick that is still somewhere in the woods. Any local deer can tell you its whereabouts.

The Big Lick festival has traditionally had some of the biggest names in bluegrass music – and this year the trend continues.

The Grascals. Goldwing Express. Bill Yates and The Country Gentlemen Tribute Show. Bluegrass Brothers. Deeper Shade of Blue. Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out.

Fans will hear old ballads from the Bill Yates and The Country Gentlemen Tribute Show; traditional mountain music from the Bluegrass Brothers; and a more contemporary sound from The Grascals. Rising stars, The Rye Hollar Boys, are teenagers who come from a family of musicians in the N.C. mountains.

Grascals guitarist and vocalist Terry Eldredge is looking forward to the show. Organizer Jeff Branch and he have been friends since the early ‘80s. “So we’re going to put on an especially entertaining show at Big Lick,” Eldredge says. “Dolly Parton always used to say right before we took the stage, ‘Make it fun!’ That’s what we’re gonna do.”

The Grascals will be singing songs from their newest CD, “The Famous Lefty Flynn’s.” Eldredge sings the title track. “Grascals guitarist Jamie Johnson wrote a ballad with a little truth and a little fiction in it – about a fellow who lived a hard life.” he explains. “But I can’t tell you how the story ends. You’ll have to listen to find out!”

“I was very moved at the 2009 Big Lick festival,” says Bill Yates. “A man in the audience cried when he told me he thought he would never hear a voice like Charlie Waller again. He was the lead singer and guitarist for the original Country Gentlemen group. We’ll be singing some favorites.”

Yates also looks forward to the after-party jamming session behind the stage where many of the musicians, and members of the audience, pull out their guitars, banjos and whatever and play into the wee hours of the morning.

Branch likes to share some little-known tidbits about the performers.

Eldredge chews gum throughout his entire performance to keep his mouth moist. Grascals banjo player Kristin Scott Benson and her husband, Wayne Benson, who plays the mandolin for Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, will be able to perform at the same festival, something they typically don’t get to do. She was voted the 2009 Banjo Player of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association. And Branch points out that Frank Poindexter, dobro player for Deeper Shade of Blue, is the uncle of legendary Tony Rice who is considered the top bluegrass guitar player in America.
The Big Lick Bluegrass Festival opens at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 11 with the Rye Hollar Boys, Southern Junction and Bluegrass Brothers.

On Saturday, shows start at noon with Deeper Shade of Blue, Goldwing Express, Bill Yates and Friends, Bluegrass Brothers, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out ending with The Grascals at 11 p.m.

Adult admission is $10 on Friday and $25 on Saturday. Reduced tickets are available after 6 p.m. on Saturday for $15. Two day passes are available through June 1 for $25.

Tickets for children ages 12-16 are $5 on Friday and $12 on Saturday. Children under 12 years of age will be admitted free.

Everyone is encouraged to bring lawn chairs. Large tents will be available to provide shade. Concessions will be available.

Camping is available at the Big Lick Festival Park. For reservations, call 704-485-4906.

The Big Lick Festival Park is located at 640 South Oak Ridge Road.

For tickets and information, call Jeff Branch at 704-985-6987, visit Big Lick Bluegrass Festival on Facebook or www.biglickbluegrass.com.

Hello Dali! Salvador Dali Exhibit in Fayetteville - Feb. 12-28, 2010

2010-02-15T14:23:00.003-05:00

Works from Salvador Dali, one of the world’s greatest artists in the past 100 years, will be on display in Fayetteville, N.C. It’s the only city in the Southeast chosen to host the national touring exhibition this year.

The show, “Dali Illustrates Dante’s The Divine Comedy,” will be held through Feb. 28 at the Festival Park Plaza Building in downtown Fayetteville.

The exhibit combines two art forms – poetry and painting.

It pulls together two time periods – the 1300s and the 1950s.

And it will be shown in a city known for being home to military people who have traveled worldwide, some of whom have already seen Dali’s works.

It all started with Dante Alighieri who penned “The Divine Comedy.” He was an Italian poet who wrote his concept of life after death, and the imaginary trek the human soul travels through hell, purgatory and heaven.

Deep stuff.

He wrote during the time of the Great European Famine, the Hundred Years War, and the bubonic plague. It wasn’t a pretty time in world history. Death was often a topic of discussion.

So Dante’s poem was timely.

Fast forward to the 1950s.

To commemorate the 700th anniversary of the poem, the Italian government commissioned Dali to illustrate it. After a few years, he had completed 100 illustrations representing each of the verses.

It is those 100 illustrations that the public will see at the Fayetteville show. Exhibition labels will be in English and Spanish.

But who was Dali?

Born in 1904 in Spain, Dali was a renegade of sorts who bucked conventional art styles. He was kicked out of French and Spanish art schools for a number of reasons, and was highly influenced by Impressionism, Surrealism, Cubism, and Futurism.

By the age of 40, he had gained recognition for his work in Europe and the United States. He had designed the Dream of Venus pavilion at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York and costumes and sets for ballets performed at The Metropolitan Opera House and the International Theatre in New York.

His resume included working with Alfred Hitchcock on the film, Spellbound; Walt Disney on the film, Destino; and, Doubleday Publishing Company to illustrate Shakespeare’s Macbeth.

Dali’s work was influenced by the dropping of the atomic bomb. The religious and nuclear fusion elements can be seen in his illustrations of Dante’s poem.

In 1964, Dali was awarded the Gran Cruz de Isabel la Católica, the highest Spanish distinction. The following year, The Gallery of Modern Art in New York launched the Salvador Dali 1910-1965 exhibition.

Dali died in Spain in 1989. His legacy of writings, jewelry and painting masterpieces is displayed in museums and galleries worldwide.

The Fayetteville Museum of Art is exhibiting the show at the Festival Park Plaza Building at 225 Ray Avenue.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for students 6 and older and free for those 5 and younger. Groups with 20 members should call the museum at 910-485-5121 in advance of their visit to register for reduced rates. Hours are Monday-Friday: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday: 1-4 p.m.

For more information, log onto http://www.visitfayettevillenc.com/exhibits or call 888-98-HEROES (43763).

Fayetteville, NC to Host National Art Exhibit

2010-01-06T21:00:00.001-05:00

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Fayetteville has been chosen as the only city in the Southeast to display the art show, Art of the Masters: A Survey of African American Images, 1980-2000. The national touring exhibit was first displayed at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture at the New York Public Library. After leaving Fayetteville, the show will move to Chicago.
The exhibition will be shown at the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County from Jan. 22-March 6. Admission is free. Personalized tours are available with advance registration.
The collection includes stunning artwork from John Biggers, Robert Colescott, Adger W. Cowans and many others with national and international acclaim. Hours are Monday through Thursday: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday: 8:30-noon; Saturday: noon-1 p.m. The Arts Council is located at 301 Hay Street in downtown Fayetteville. For more information, call 910-323-1776 or visit www.theartscouncil.com.
For more information about other area events, log onto www.VisitFayettevilleNC.com.

Teleseminar Discusses Rail Grant Opportunities in Small Towns

2009-08-15T02:14:00.000-04:00

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

2009-05-25T16:33:00.002-04:00

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

2009-05-19T23:00:00.008-04:00

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

2009-04-16T21:06:00.004-04:00

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

2009-04-02T19:56:00.004-04:00

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

2009-04-02T19:51:00.003-04:00

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+

2009-03-10T07:46:00.001-04:00

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

2009-02-23T13:45:00.001-05:00

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

2009-02-03T20:09:00.004-05:00

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.

Quilt and Needle Art Show in Statesville, NC

2008-12-30T14:59:00.000-05:00

Quilting and Needle Art Extravaganza Features Quilting, Sewing and Knitting

STATESVILLE, NC – If you like quilting, felting or cross-stitching, mark your calendar for the Quilting and Needle Art Extravaganza (QNAE) in Statesville. The show will be held Jan. 9-10 in Historic Downtown Statesville at the Statesville Civic Center located at 300 South Center Street. You can even bring your old quilt to learn how to finish and care for it.
The show will run from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is $3 per person.
The Quilting and Needle Art Extravaganza features 23 shops under one roof that will interest any quilter, knitter, or fiber craftsperson.
Shoppers will find lots of fabric, both cottons and wools, as well as quilting supplies at the QNAE. Several dealers with sewing machines, embroidery machines and long arm quilting machines will be there as well. Knitters will find yarns and a variety of fibers. Shaker boxes, thimbles and buttons will round out the variety of merchandise. Some shops will have shop samples, quilt tops and quilts for sale.
This is the perfect time to pull out those quilt tops in your closet, bring them with you to the show, and talk to some of the long arm machine quilters who provide finishing services. Machine quilting is now a beautiful and practical alternative to hand quilting. It is strong, durable and cost effective. Many machine quilted examples will be on display in the different booths.
The show is organized by The Quilter's Gallery which is owned by Cindy Page and Patti Cline, sisters that operated their quilt shop in Charlotte for over 25 years.
They chose Statesville for the show because of the easy access from I-77 and I-40. Knowing that many customers don't like the traffic in Charlotte, or even Mooresville, they chose to bring shops from Charlotte, Winston Salem, and Mooresville to the Statesville Civic Center. Shops from as far away as Raleigh and Suffolk, V.A. will also participate.
For more information, call 704-864-4894.
--- story edited by Greta Lint

Tale of the Citron - A True, Hilarious Story

2008-12-24T13:17:00.001-05:00

My mom is making a Norwegian Christmas bread. She needs the boxed hot roll mix and citron. She doesn’t have transportation to go to the store and shop. She depends upon others to do it for her. So, I agree. This cannot be a tremendous task.

What is citron? I don’t know. I just know I have to get it for my mom. She says it’s in with the candied fruit for Christmas fruitcake.

I go to the Harris Teeter in Greensboro – world’s largest store. I ask and look. They’re sold out.
I go to my local Lowe’s. They have the green and red cherries and pineapple – and a large container of everything all mixed up. No citron.
I go to Walmart. They have the green and red cherries and pineapple – and a large container of everything all mixed up. No citron.

I bump into Hurleen. She’s from California and loves to cook things you typically don’t find to eat in Asheboro, North Carolina. She likes frogmore stew and loves to play in the kitchen.

“Oh, Greta, yes, you can get citron at Walmart.” She works there. “It’s in the large container of everything all mixed up. How’s Joel …” and I never get back to the Christmas cake section. Three days go by. Finally today I’m out looking. I start at Lowe’s because I know they have the large container with everything all mixed up.

I call my mom. I tell her no one knows anything about citron. The only place to find it is in the large container of everything all mixed up. She says to me that she actually could use the cherries and to get the large container of everything all mixed up in it. She didn’t know it didn’t come in its own container.

I should have known. Why me?

I go to Lowe’s. No way. How the hell did THAT happen? Sold out.
I go to Aldi’s. Sold out.
I go to Bottom Dollar. Sold out.
Finally I get courageous and venture to Walmart. The parking lot is a bloody nightmare. I hurriedly walk in to where the Christmas cake goodies are. Oh no! They’ve moved it! Where the hell did it go? There was a huge display with Christmas food – and it had the red and green cherries and pineapple and the large containers of everything all mixed up.

I bump into Linda who worked with me in Lexington. She gives me a hug. She tells me to go see the manager.

I can’t find anyone in customer service to talk to me. They’re all handling returns.

I’m going nuts. Gotta pee. Need to find where they put the large container with everything all mixed up. I cannot leave the store until I find it. So I go to the deli section. I ask “Where is the large container with everything mixed up in it that goes with the red and green cherries and pineapple for Christmas fruitcake?
She tells me to check the Christmas candy in the candy section.

I stop to pee.

I nearly run over to the candy section. Oh, I’ve put in my mile today just by looking for the damned large container of everything all mixed up in it.

Finally I spot them. I grab two – and cherish them. I cuddle them so tightly as I fear someone will come along and rip them out of my hands. At last I have the citron.

That bread – or the nog that will go with it - better be good!

Tourism and Civic Center Promote Statesville to Meeting Planners

2008-11-24T23:48:00.004-05:00

STATESVILLE, NC – For every meeting and convention that is held, someone is behind the scenes planning it.

That person is called a meeting planner. In December, around 500 of them will gather in Raleigh to find out about meeting venues across the state. Representatives from Statesville will be there.

Libba Barrineau, executive director of the Statesville Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Kenny Roberts, director of the Statesville Civic Center, will be showcasing meeting sites and services at the Association Executives of North Carolina (AENC) annual trade show.

“This is a new initiative for our tourism efforts in Statesville. Conventions can provide significant income to a city. For a town our size, I feel most convention goers spend around $160 per day during their stay. So this is a lucrative market to solicit,” explained Barrineau.

She added that planners are continuously looking for cost-cutting ways to hold meetings. They look for cities that provide an appropriate amount of meeting space and sleeping rooms. So a small conference isn’t going to look to city like Atlanta or Washington, DC. The meeting planner will seek a smaller town, like Statesville. “That’s the market segment we serve,” she commented.

She said one of the first questions meeting planners ask is about the amount of square footage. Conventions may have a meal in one room, a seminar in another and a trade show in the third. “Between the Holiday Inn Statesville, Statesville Civic Center, the new Courtyard by Marriott, which will open in Spring 2009, the Hampton Inn and Glutton’s Restaurant, we have a little more than 22,000 square feet. In May 2009, the new Holiday Inn Express will open. We will have 1,504 sleeping rooms, putting Statesville in a fantastic position to go after the convention market. Our meeting rooms provide various levels of high-tech electronic capabilities that meeting planners need.”

Barrineau says the additional sleeping rooms and meeting space will give Statesville a competitive edge against towns like Greenville and Hickory.

AENC executive director Jim Thompson said, “There is competition for the convention market. We have 43 CVB’s from across the state who utilize their membership to get in front of key professional meeting planners – the people who coordinate conventions for associations, corporations and governmental agencies.”
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Oakboro Cruise-in Announces 2009 Schedule

2008-11-20T12:14:00.002-05:00

OAKBORO, NC – The 2009 schedule has just been released for the Oakboro Cruise-in & Burnout.
The event is always held on the fourth Friday of the month.

The dates are: January 23, February 27, March 27, April 24, May 22, June 26, July 24, August 28, September 25, October 23 and November 27. The December event will not be held as it falls on Christmas Day.

Oakboro has become recognized for its event where thousands of people flock to town to see shiny classic and street rod cars, socialize – and listen to crackling tires during the burnout.

Cruise-ins begin at 5 p.m. and the burnout is held at 9:30 p.m. Oakboro is located on NC Hwy. 205 just off NC Hwy. 24/27 between Charlotte and Albemarle.

For more information, visit http://www.oakborocruisein.com/ or call Jerry Crayton at 704-467-4992.

Nov. 21 - Vincent & Daily Perform in Troy, NC

2008-10-31T20:43:00.004-04:00

TROY, NC – A Christmas song pulled Jamie Daily and Darrin Vincent together in 2003. Daily was playing with Doyle Lawson while Vincent was working with Ricky Scaggs. The song was “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem.”

In 2008, the duo was recognized with seven awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association – Album of the Year, Emerging Artist of the Year, Best Gospel Recording of the Year – and the list goes on.

On Friday, November 21, Daily and Vincent will be performing at the James Garner Center in Troy, North Carolina. Showtime is 7 p.m. The Center is located just off NC Hwy. 109 at 210 Burnett Street.

Jeff Branch, a bluegrass performer and event organizer, said “I’m very excited to land this group. It’s not every day you get to see such high quality talent. In the past five years I’ve watched them bud and grow into a mature band that audiences really enjoy.”

In 2005, Daily was picked by U.S. Ambassador Faith Whittlesey to represent the United States in Switzerland as a Young Leader from America. The purpose was to strengthen international relations. In doing so, he was dubbed “The Bluegrass Ambassador” as he performed at embassies and galas.

Vincent started performing when he was three years old. Since, he has played aside a number of top performing artists, such as Dolly Parton, Vince Gill and Earl Scruggs. Despite all the fame, he still likes playing at local church revivals with his children.

Reserved tickets are $20. General admission tickets may be purchased at the door for $15. To reserve tickets, call Jeff Branch at 704-985-6987 or email jbranch@ctc.net.
For more information, visit http://www.bluegrassintroy.com/.

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Colorful, Funny Photo Ops on October Weekends in Statesville

2008-10-23T18:17:00.004-04:00

STATESVILLE, NC – Are you a shutterbug? In Statesville, you can capture a hot air balloon ascending, a pumpkin-smashing contest or perhaps a spirit seen only by a select few. The last two October weekends will provide many photo opportunities.
On Friday, October 24-Sunday, October 26, the Carolina BalloonFest will be held at the Statesville Regional Airport.

Then on Friday, October 24, Saturday, October 25, Friday, October 31 and Saturday, November 1, you might hear, see or feel paranormal sensations during the Haunted Statesville walking tour in downtown.

And on Saturday, November 1, watch little kids use a great big mallet to smash pumpkins at the PumpkinFest street festival in downtown Statesville. The Bell & Howard Chevrolet Punkin Chunkin Catapult Competition presented by Mitchell Community College will be held that morning.

The Carolina BalloonFest is the second-oldest hot air balloon rally in the nation and is celebrating 35 years colorful magnificence. The event will include North Carolina wine tastings, a children’s activity area and a variety of musical performances.

Gates are open from 3-10 p.m. on Friday, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. on Saturday and 7 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday. Weather permitting, mass ascensions are planned for 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday and 4:30 p.m. all three days. Admission is $8 per person.
Catch the celebrated Balloon Glow one night and maybe get spooked by ol’ Tom Dula the next - rather Tom Dooley – as the Kingston Trio sang in the 1950s hit “Tom Dooley.”

Haunted Statesville tours run from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, October 24, Saturday, October 25 and the following weekend, Friday October 31 and Saturday November 1. The starting point is at the old city hall.

The song’s lyrics say ol’ Tom got caught in a love triangle and was hung in downtown. Well, that’s not exactly true. Historians say he took his last breath out in the country –but folklore lives on.

Some true stories do exist, like Wampus. Local newspaper writer and retired history teacher O.C. Stonestreet recounts that it was a mysterious creature first seen in the early 1930s. “Researching old newspapers, I learned people heard howlings, lost chickens and described it as a mixture of a dog and cat with a horn in it’s head. It was elusive, yet omnivorous.”

The Haunted Statesville ghost tour includes a stop at the Vance Hotel. Stonestreet tells the story that there are two documented suicides there. One of them was a drowning in the indoor pool.

He says that during the filming of the movie Leatherheads, several members of the production crew asked who the young wet girl was.

That’s spooky.

The 6th Annual PumpkinFest is full of photo opportunities – pumpkin chunking, smashing, eating and the list goes on. It will be held from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
For more information about all of these events, log onto http://www.visitstatesville.org/ or call 877-531-1819.

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Gunfights, Ghost Train Highlight Horse and Mule Days in Denton

2008-10-17T04:02:00.003-04:00

DENTON, NC – Sometime long ago, there were two guys whose job was to keep the Handy Dandy on the tracks and the steam engine purring. The passenger train ran through the woods and ‘round the bend. One day, gun-slinging hoodlums sneaked on board to steal the cashbox. The two devoted employees never knew what hit them – it was their final ride.

Their spirits return each fall during Horse and Mule Days at the Denton FarmPark in Denton – and so do the bad guys, Sagebrush, Sixguns and Rawhide. Be fearful. You never know who will be next to go.

Horse and Mule Days will be held on Friday night, October 24 and all day Saturday, October 25. The FarmPark is the location of the annual Southeast Old Threshers’ Reunion held each summer.

Gates will open at 6 p.m. on. Friday and Saturday night for the “Ghost Gunfighter Show on #9.” Guns will be loaded shows beginning at 6:45 each night. Food concessions, the grist mill and the general store will be open. Show reservations are available by calling the FarmPark at 336-859-2755.

Then on Saturday, bluegrass music and clogging, arts and crafts, equine events and heritage demonstrations will be held from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. But you better watch your back at noon. There may be some gun shots fired in front of the general store. Event organizers have gotten wind that trouble’s brewing downtown.

Thrill-seekers can witness the railroad gangsters’ brutal antics at 10:30 a.m. and on the hour from 1-4 p.m.

On the other side of the farm, the North Carolina Draft Horse Association and Carolina Mule Association (CMA) will be giving demonstrations throughout the day. Persons wanting to bring their own horses and mules can participate in the Mule and Draft Horse Show beginning at 10 a.m. CMA-sanctioned classes will also be offered in halter, performance, driving, log-skidding, gaming and more. For information, call Karen Reeder at 910-639-0701.

The ever-so-popular coon jump competition will be held at 3 p.m. No, you won’t see raccoons. Crowds are amazed at how high mules can jump from standing dead still. “For people who don’t know what the coon jump is,” says Reeder, “it’s like doing the limbo, only you’re jumping up over instead of under the poles.”

James Lamm’s trick mules will be giving performances throughout the day, too.

The Kickin’ Grass Band will take the stage at 2 and 5 p.m. A clogging show will be held from 11 a.m.-noon.

Sponsors are Bill Plemmons RV, James River Equipment dealerships in Asheboro and Salisbury.

On Friday, admission to the train ride is $8 per adult and free for children under 12 years of age. There is no general admission fee.
On Saturday, tickets to the FarmPark are $7 for adults, $3 for children 12 and under and free for preschoolers. Saturday train rides are $5 per person; show rides are $6 for adults, $5 for children under 12 and preschoolers are free.

The Denton FarmPark has more than 500 camping sites that will be available from Monday, October 20-Monday, October 27. Those with hook-ups are $25 per night.

The FarmPark is located 17 miles south of Asheboro off NC Hwy. 49 and 20 miles south of Lexington off NC Hwy. 109. Follow signs.
For more information or to reserve a seat on the Friday night train, call 336-859-2755.

Haunted Statesville Reveals City's Paranormal Past

2008-10-16T10:34:00.006-04:00

STATESVILLE, NC – Betcha didn’t know downtown Statesville has ghosts, did ya? Neither did the production crew that was shooting the movie Leatherheads. Coming out of the Vance Hotel, they asked about the wet young girl. Her appearance was unscheduled and she certainly didn’t have her Screen Actor’s Guild card!

That was pretty good, eh? Want to hear another one?

You can during Haunted Statesville, a walking tour that will be held on Friday and Saturday, October 24-25 and October 31-November 1. All tours are $8 per person and run from 6-8 p.m. Reservations are highly encouraged.

Tours will start at the old city hall at the corner of Front and Center streets. Guides will be Statesville residents who are interested in ghostly activity downtown.

“We’ve wanted to do something like this for a very long time,” said Nancy Davis, public information officer for the City of Statesville. She has been working with local historian and writer O.C. Stonestreet in researching and writing the tours.

Stonestreet stumbled across the town’s paranormal activity while he was researching material for students in his North Carolina history classroom. “Books didn’t cover a lot, so I spent my time researching. Along the way I learned about Wampus. He was an omnivorous character that was first seen in the 1930s. Newspaper stories recount the part cat and dog creature may have eaten chickens. It apparently howled. Wampus is still a mystery,” he said.

Then of course there’s the story of ol’ Tom Dooley. Well, actually his name was Dula, but to make it rhyme, it came out Dooley in the famous song recorded by the Kingston Trio.

He played the field and got caught in a love triangle. One of the girls wound up dead and he got hanged. But that didn’t occur in downtown Statesville like the song says. It was out in the country near her house. Nonetheless, today people either find the story humiliating that such a thing could have occurred in Statesville – or they find it fascinating.
While a man was helping construct the old courthouse, he fell and died. Today, people working there tell that they sometimes hear a noise or feel a sensation.

Spooky.

You’ll just have to take the tour to learn more about Statesville’s spirits.
For more information and reservations, call the Statesville Convention and Visitors Office at 704-878-3480.

ConvergeSouth Bloggers Conference Includes Tourism Session

2008-10-08T11:49:00.002-04:00

GREENSBORO, NC – Blogging isn’t just for the media or politicians. Attractions, events, arts councils, museums and tourism promotion organizations can also use them. They increase visibility on the Internet and ultimately build traffic and attendance.
Members of the tourism industry are invited to attend a free blogging user’s conference on Friday, October 17. ConvergeSouth will be held on the campus of NC A&T State University in Greensboro. Tourism writer and promoter Greta Lint will be giving a session at 3 p.m. specifically for the tourism industry. Attendees bringing wireless laptops will be able to set up their own blog during the class.
“This session is designed for the beginner who knows how to use a computer, but is clueless about what a blog is,” says Lint. “I find many people are afraid of blogs, that they’ll only be used by people to post negative comments or that they’re a fad. So untrue. Blogs can be used as Websites for organizations with limited funds. This class will show how to do that.” She says that www.oakborocruisein.com is a good example of how a small organization can use a blog as a Website.
To register for the free conference, log onto www.convergesouth.com and log onto http://2008.convergesouth.com/conference/travel.php for parking instructions.

Calendar Release: Statesville Holds 35th Annual Carolina BalloonFest

2008-10-03T16:35:00.001-04:00

TO CALENDAR EDITORS

Statesville Holds 35th Annual Carolina BalloonFest

STATESVILLE, NC (9/10/08) – The 35th Annual Carolina BalloonFest will be held Friday, Oct. 24 – Sunday, Oct 26, 2008 at the Statesville Regional Airport. Expecting 50 brightly-colored hot air balloons to participate, depending upon the weather. Rides available. Musical entertainment. Balloon competitions. NC wine tastings. Food. Beverage. Children’s activities. Geocashing treasure hunts. Arts and crafts. Gates open: Friday 3-10 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Mass ascensions scheduled for Friday 4:30 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Hot Air Balloon Glow at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. Wine tastings Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday noon-6 p.m. Free parking. Transportation assistance available for persons with special needs. Cameras permitted. Admission $8 per person; children under 5 years old are free. Physical location 260 Hanger Drive, Statesville. GPS address longitude W80.9552; latitude 35.754 N. Follow signs from I-40. For information, call toll free 877-531-1819 or visit www.visitstatesville.org or www.carolinaballoonfest.com.

35th Annual Carolina BalloonFest Seeks Volunteers

2008-10-03T15:21:00.002-04:00

STATESVILLE, NC – For the last 225 years, people have marveled at hot air balloons— their size, colors and beauty. For every pilot that wants to launch one of these beautiful balloons, a good handful of people is needed to get it into the air. And for every balloon rally, many volunteers are needed.

Carolina BalloonFest is asking for your help and time. Proceeds from the event benefit Dove House Children’s Advocacy Center and Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County.

The festival will be held at the Statesville Regional Airport on Friday, October 24 through Sunday, October 26. Gates will be open on Friday from 3 - 10 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

Balloon ascensions are scheduled twice a day at 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday and 4:30 p.m.on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting. Fifty hot air balloons are expected to participate.

Carolina BalloonFest is the largest hot air balloon rally in North Carolina and the second oldest in the nation. Formally known as the National Balloon Rally, the name was changed two years ago when the event was reorganized and expanded.

Sandra and Paul Bortree, from Olin, North Carolina, have volunteered for the past several years. “We thoroughly enjoy working the event,” Sandra said. “This year, we’re going to help in the wine tasting or merchandise tents. It’s a great way to meet new people.”

Ted DeLisis, from Statesville, worked two full days last year in the Kid’s Zone. “It was a great way to spend a nice afternoon. People can have so much fun when they volunteer,” he commented. “You need two people to work the big games, and at least one person for the smaller games. Parents really appreciate that we provide a safe place for kids during the festival. They really have a blast!”

Volunteers must be at least 14 years old and able to work a four-hour shift. They will receive an official Carolina BalloonFest volunteer T-Shirt, free admission, a wine-tasting pass or coupon for 10 percent off festival merchandise.

Volunteer jobs are available in the festival office, at the entrance gate, in the information and souvenirs booths, in the wine tastings tent and in the Kid’s Zone. Volunteers are also needed to set up the event, deliver ice, be floaters for other volunteers, assist with transportation for handicapped guests and, after the rally, take down everything Sunday evening and clean up on Monday morning.

People working in the wine tasting tent are required to take a training class. Two sessions will be held, but volunteers only need to attend one class. The first class is scheduled on Saturday, October 11 from 9-11 a.m. at East Coast Wings in the Bi-Lo Shopping Center, 1875 East Broad Street. The second class will be held from noon-1 p.m. on Thursday, October 16 at the Statesville Chamber of Commerce, 115 East Front Street in downtown Statesville. Each class will be taught by a representative from the North Carolina Division of Alcohol Law Enforcement.

To volunteer, contact Janet Goble at 704-902-4551 or register online at www.carolinaballoonfest.com <http://www.carolinaballoonfest.com/>.

Admission is $8 for adults; children five and under are free. Parking is free. Tickets are available online at www.carolinaballoonfest.com <http://www.carolinaballoonfest.com/> or at JR’s Discount Outlet, United Federal Credit Union and the Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce in Statesville.

Sponsors for the 2008 Carolina BalloonFest include: AT&T, L. Gordon Iron and Metal Company, Doosan Infracore Portable Power, Stiles and Company, The City of Statesville, J. R. Discount Outlets, Cool Spring, Center, United Federal Credit Union, BB&T, Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce, Design Detail, Sir Speedy, Piedmont Bank, a division of Yadkin Valley Bank. Marketing support for the festival is provided by Midan Marketing and the Statesville Convention and Visitors Bureau.

25th Annual Lexington Barbecue Features Song, Food and Fun

2008-10-03T15:16:00.005-04:00

LEXINGTON, NC – Country music singers Lee Ann Womack, Adam Gregory, Randy Houser and Jamie Johnson will be the featured WTQR Guitar Pull entertainers during the 25th Annual Barbecue Festival on Saturday, October 25. Womack, the recipient of 19 nominations and 17 awards, and the others will take center stage on the Square at 1:30 p.m.
The WTQR Guitar Pull will be followed by the fun-loving five-member country group, The Lost Trailers.
Held in historic Uptown Lexington from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m., the Barbecue Festival will feature juried arts and crafts vendors, roving entertainers, a lumberjack sports competition, pig races, bicycle stunt shows, whimsical pig sculptures, festival food, beer tent, children’s activities, a 50-ton sand sculpture, 32-foot climbing wall, and 6 stages of music – Latin, beach, swing/jazz, gospel, children’s and rock ‘n roll and more. Eddie Miles, Chairmen of the Board and The Bahama Mamas are some of the scheduled acts.
Streets will close at 6 p.m. Then at 7:30 p.m., the area between Second and Third avenues will re-open with lots of music – concluding with the 25th Anniversary Grand Finale - a spectacular fireworks extravaganza at 9 p.m.
All street festival events are free.
Country music fans can anticipate a special treat.
Living in Alberta, Canada, Adam Gregory was just 13 years old when he signed a record deal with Sony Canada. Ten years later, his song “Crazy Days” is reaching country fans across the United States. His first appearance in this country will be at the Barbecue Festival.
Jamie Johnson is known for “The Dollar” and “In Color” and co-writer of “Give It Away,” recorded by George Strait. Country fans will recognize Randy Houser for his ballad, “Anything Goes.” Trace Adkins recorded Houser’s song, “Honky Tonk Bandonkadonk.”
The Barbecue Festival continually receives accolades and prestige. It has repeatedly been recognized by the Southeast Tourism Society as one of the Top Ten Festivals in the Southeast. It has been included in the book, 1,000 Places to See in the U.S.A. and Canada Before You Die. USA TODAY recognized the Barbecue Festival as "One of Ten Great Places to Celebrate Food." And the prestigious Travel & Leisure Magazine claimed the event as "One of the Top Ten Food Festivals in the U.S.A.”
Barbecue tents will open at 10 a.m. serving chopped pork shoulders, red barbecue slaw and hush puppies all day long to thousands of people. “The barbecue is the reason the festival exists,” explains Stephanie K. Saintsing, festival director. “After Joe Sink, who was the publisher of our local newspaper, The Dispatch, and BB&T bank officials formed the festival as a means of recognizing our world-famous barbecue, they hired my late mother, Kay Saintsing, to coordinate and promote it. More than a million people have attended since – by car, plane and train.”
Amtrak will be providing a one-day stop in Lexington to riders from Charlotte and Raleigh. Tickets are available by calling 800-872-7245.
Organizers have established remote parking areas and a shuttle transportation service to accommodate festival goers from the Wal-Mart Super Center parking lot off of I-85 Exit 91, Childress Vineyards on US Hwy. 64 and the Davidson County governmental complex on North Main Street in Lexington. Round trip tickets will be $2 per person and free for children 12 and under.
Lexington potter Clyde Gobble will be autographing the official Barbecue Festival mug from 9-11 a.m. at the souvenir tent. Bob Timberlake, who created the bottle label artwork for Richard Childress Fine Swine Wine, will be signing bottles at the Childress Winery tent from 9-10 a.m. Both tents will be located on the Square.
Nickelodeon character SpongeBob SquarePants will make special appearances at 10 a.m., noon, 2 and 4 p.m. at the Barbecue Carnival, a family-oriented area with children’s games, music and activities. It will be located on South Main Street between Second and Fourth avenues.
The Barbecue Carnival will include the Barbecue Festival Chop Shop, a competition featuring some of the best lumberjacks in the world. The final round will be held at 4 p.m. The craftsmen’s finely-tuned skills of sawing, chopping and cutting wood are spectacular.
And at that same location crowds will find the Barbecue Festival Hogway Speedway- with specially bred and trained pigs to town to race around an oval track. The racing pigs have been a festival hit throughout the years. The determined little pigs take their racing seriously!
Members of the Furnitureland Antique Automobile Club are planning to bring a mix of antique, classic and street rod cars to fill the parking lot at Davidson Funeral Home.
Visitor amenities will be available throughout the day. A baby-changing station will be set up in the Barbecue Carnival. A parking lot reserved for vehicles with handicapped permits will be located off of State Street, which runs parallel with Main Street. Restrooms for visitors with disabilities will be located in the parking lot and other designated restroom areas throughout the festival.
Lexington is located 20 miles south of Winston-Salem off US Hwy. 52, 45 miles north of Charlotte and 30 miles south of Greensboro off I-85. For more information, log onto http://www.barbecuefestival.com/ or call 336-956-1880.

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Lexington Potter Creates Souvenir Mugs for Festival

2008-10-03T14:53:00.002-04:00

LEXINGTON, NC – Sitting on a dusty seat from an old dentist’s chair, Lexington master potter Clyde Gobble turns his pots. He’s surrounded by his tools – cockle shells, a handy dandy wooden mallet, cheese cutter, a variety of paring tools, fish scaler and a dead blow hammer. A bucket of water, complete with a tadpole from nearby Abbott’s Creek, sits adjacent to the wheel. Jokes, political posters, cartoons and names with phone numbers are taped on the walls and hang from the ceiling.
Gobble has been commissioned by the Barbecue Festival to create 150 one-of-a-kind mugs to celebrate the event’s 25th anniversary on Saturday, October 25. Each large mug will be signed, numbered and dated and cost $18 each. Gobble be greeting festival goers and giving his autograph at the souvenir booth, located on the square across from the Historic Davidson County Courthouse, from 9-11 a.m.
Pottery has been a part of the festival since 1990. Seagrove potter Richard Gillson provided collectible clay pigs, mugs, plates, bowls wine glasses, wine coolers, chargers, flower pots and piggy banks throughout the years. After Gillson’s death last spring, festival organizers approached Gobble to see if he would be interested in participating.
Gobble has a huge fan base. His pieces are part of permanent collections for Wachovia Bank, R.J. Reynolds Industries and are included in private collections worldwide. He is an exhibiting member of the Piedmont Craftsmen and Carolina Designer Craftsmen guilds. His work is sold through The Bob Timberlake Gallery and catalog. Gobble’s shop is only open once a year - by invitation only.
Throughout his 40 years of throwing pots, he has developed signature styles for his stoneware and porcelain pieces - Abbott Creek Brown and High Rock Red glazes, mushroom handles and sgraffitto carvings. His wife Bonnie – yes, they are really a Bonnie and Clyde team - routinely cooks with his creations and offers recommendations to make them more user-friendly.
Mugs, T-shirts, sweatshirts, caps and other souvenirs will be available at the Barbecue Festival. Ginger Briggs, a volunteer who has staffed the souvenir tent for the past 24 years, feels the Clyde Gobble mugs will sell out early.
The free festival will be held in Uptown Lexington from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Lots of barbecue, musical and roving entertainment, arts and crafts, a children’s area, lumberjack shows, and the massive 50-ton sand sculpture provide a full day’s worth of fun and excitement.
For more information, visit http://www.barbecuefestival.com/ or call 336-956-1880.

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Bring GPS, Find Treasure at Carolina BalloonFest

2008-10-03T14:50:00.001-04:00

STATESVILLE, NC – Like mysteries? Then you’ll be intrigued by what is hidden under twigs, straw and leaves at this year’s Carolina BalloonFest. But you’ll need to bring your hand-held GPS unit to discover the treasures.
The event will be held Friday, October 24 – Sunday, October 26 at the Statesville Regional Airport. Admission is $8 per person and free for children under 5 years of age. The Carolina BalloonFest is the largest hot air balloon rally held in North Carolina and is celebrating 35 years of bright color, excitement and family fun. It is also the second-oldest rally in the nation.
The event will feature North Carolina wine tastings, children’s activities, balloon rides, musical entertainment, and the suspense of watching balloons inflate and ascend.
And treasures.
Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are a key component in the newest form of outdoor fun – geocaching. Armed with longitude and latitude data, your GSP and a thirst for adventure, you can find all kinds of goodies tucked away in the most unusual places.
The idea is that once you find a treasure, you take it and replace it with something else. Pencils, notebooks, money, dice, magnets, bookmarks and small toys are just some of the items found in a geocache box.
Geocache sites can be located in parks, parking lots, residential neighborhoods, along a country road or even in a town. Many are listed on http://www.geocaching.com/. And this year, they’ll be located on the site of the Carolina BalloonFest.
“We’re very excited about this new component,” says Libba Barrineau, executive director of the Statesville Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We already have four treasures set up around town and see couples, families, singles of all ages come to play. So we know people will be anxious to see what we have in store for them at the balloon rally.”
Longitude and latitude information can be found on http://www.geocaching.com/ or http://www.visitstatesville.org/.
Gates will be open for treasure seekers on Friday 3-9 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Weather permitting, balloon ascensions will occur at 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The hot air balloon glow will be held on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
The Statesville Regional Airport is located off I-40 exits 146 and 148. Follow the signs. The GPS address is longitude 80.9552W and latitude 35.754N.
For more information, call 877-531-1819 or log onto http://www.carolinaballoonfest.com/.

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December - Collard Sandwiches and Maxton

2007-12-06T09:56:00.000-05:00

When I was in grade school, once a week we got greens, corn bread, pinto beans and cole slaw for lunch. I traded out my plate for everyone else's slaw. Greens - yuk.

Fast forward more than a few decades and I love collards and most other greens. I'm learning how to cook them - and what better place to do so than in Maxton, North Carolina. Oh, and by the way, that's where the largest Campbell's Soup plant is located. Employees used to have their company picnic at the NC Zoo when I worked there.

Maxton is located just east of Laurinburg off US Hwy. 74 in North Carolina. It's a charming little community that is undergoing economic change. But one thing stays constant: collards.

The Collards Festival is held each fall and is one of the most authentic festivals I've ever attended. You don't find typical street vendors. Instead, you meet the people who daily go into their own gardens and pick the large leafy green, cook it and eat it. They're the ones who serve up scrumptuous, mouth-watering collards - and they even put them in sandwiches.

In your cast iron skillet, drop into hot oil two large dollops of corn bread batter to make some fry bread. Drain it. Load one with a big scoop of cooked collards, topped with some chow chow and even a hot pepper. Cover with the second piece of bread. Oh, now that's some mighty fine eating!!

I learned that to clean collards, you must first wash them very well. You don't want specs of sand in your greens. Pull out the stems, using only the leaves. Cook them in water until they're tender. Soul food cooks add a little side meat, or fat back. You can add some ham or even olive oil. You may want to put in a little garlic, salt and pepper - and a tiny bit of sugar. When the leaves are nice and tender, dig in.

The Collards Festival and Maxton. This is a story that has gotten no press until now. For more information, contact the Lumberton CVB at 910-739-9999 or log onto www.lumberton-nc.com.

November 2007 - New Places, New People to See

2007-11-06T18:26:00.001-05:00

Okay, the cardinal rule for having a blog is to keep it updated. I got really busy the second quarter of this year and wasn't able to keep this particular blog up and running. Sorry.

But now, I'm back at the computer and have a wealth of places to tell you about.

One of the places I found was Danbury, North Carolina. With a population of around 450, this tiny town is located just south of the Virginia border, yet north of Winston-Salem. Danbury holds the state's oldest art festival, the Stomp on the Dan - Dan River- that is.

Local artists have formed a co-op and I purchased an interesting amythest necklace and matching earrings set. You'd be amazed at the level of craftsmenship and imagination in this store - glass, wood, beads, pottery, cloth, paper - and the list goes on.

Floridians have found Danbury because of its proximity to Hanging Rock State Park. That's a gorgeous place to take the family year 'round. Pack a lunch and take a hike.

For more information, contact Mayor Jane Priddy Charleville @ 336-593-8786. There is not a regular tourism office in Danbury, so you may have to leave a message. Jane also runs the Priddy General Store.

February 2007 Story Find - Plank Roads Offer Peak of Slave History

2007-02-04T13:03:00.000-05:00

Before pavement and concrete, roads were constructed of wooden planks. The longest plank road in North Carolina extended from Fayetteville to Winston-Salem.

Roads were typically built with slave labor. After workers cleared the land, they laid down long timbers - and then topped them planks, filling in the gaps with sand. Edges varied in length for a reason, making it easier to push a carriage wheel that had run off the road back up onto the planks.

A portion of a plank road can be seen at the Sandhills Heritage Center on Chapel Hill Road in Spring Lake, North Carolina. Each year, the facility offers the public re-enactments of some elements of the slave period - such as worship. Beginning in May, a farmers market will feature locally grown fruits and vegetables, handmade craftwork and local entertainers.

For more information, contact the Fayetteville Convention and Visitors Bureau at http://www.visitfayettevillenc.com.

January 2007 Story Finds - Paddles and Waddles

2007-01-19T20:39:00.000-05:00

Many a soldier knows the name of Spring Lake, North Carolina. That's the home of Pope Air Force Base. It's adjacent to Fort Bragg. This month nearly half of the soldiers on these bases have been deployed overseas.

The Lower Little River runs through the town and eventually dumps into the Cape Fear River. It's not a large river, but is sufficient for kayaks and canoes. You can put your boat in the water upstream in Harnett County and paddle down to Spring Lake. Along the way, you'll pass a brand new outfitter store that will be renting and selling boats and offering guided tours.

The forest is a blend of coastal plain and piedmont plant material. You'll see pines and hardwoods, along with a huge selection of flowering plants each spring.

As you paddle downstream, you may see birds flying overhead. Some are C-130s and big engines. Some are red cock-headed woodpeckers and have feathers.

They're on the endangered species list and it's the job of the military to preserve and protect them. Guided tours will take you to see where the birds live.

And then there are other types of birds - clay pigeons. One of the best and largest skeet shooting ranges along the Eastern Seaboard is in Spring Lake. It's open to the public. You don't have to have a gun or know how to shoot. The staff will take care of everything! Why, this facility is even open to youth and women!

For more information, contact the Fayetteville Convention and Visitors Bureau at http://www.visitfayettevillenc.com

November 8 - Burgers 'n Blogs

2006-11-08T21:19:00.000-05:00

South Elm Street in downtown Greensboro has turned into a mecca for fun, frivolity, fashion and food. It used to be dull and boring, but now it's alive with fun for the entire family. One restaurant serves you "fun" on a bun. It's called The Joel Burger.

And it has a blog.

Yes, The Joel Burger has taken on a life of its own. Visit http://www.thejoelburger.blogspot.com and you'll howl.

Some people eat The Joel Burger with two hands. I prefer a knife and fork - with lots of napkins. Yea, it's THAT kind of a sandwhich!

October 20 - A month from now - Seagrove Pottery Festival

2006-10-19T00:24:00.001-04:00

The Seagrove Pottery Festival is Saturday and Sunday, November 18-19, 2006.

If you're not familiar with Seagrove area potters, there are around 100 of them and it's impossible to see them all in a day or two. Throughout the centuries, they have formed a cottage industry in the tiny community just south of Asheboro, near the middle of North Carolina. Many of the potters have showcased their talents and wares in major international museums, such as The Smithsonian.

They create utilitarian and decorative wares. Many of the glazes have been passed between generations. Yes, there are some new commercial ones used too. Nonetheless, they're all pretty.

Shoppers and collectors come from all over the country for the opportunity to do one-stop shopping during the Seagrove Pottery Festival. And there will be heritage craftsmen, such as the silversmith I met yesterday at the Village of Yesteryear at the NC State Fair. He is from Thomasville and makes beautiful silver jewelry.

For more information about the event, visit http://www.seagrovepotteryheritage.com.

I hope to see you there!

Sept. 29 - Jade doorknobs, flowers and stuff

2006-09-28T22:52:00.000-04:00

Chinqua-Penn Plantation is re-opening to groups on a limited basis during October 2006. Afterwards, the new owner will be tranforming the run down mansion and gardens into a place to live, play, work and relax.

Jeff Penn, heir to the American Tobacco Company, and his wife Betsy, heir to the Niagra Falls Power Company, had more money than common sense. They traveled the world buying all kinds of things and showcased them in their 1925 Y-shaped home in Reidsville, North Carolina.

I worked there in 1999 - and know some of the things they purchased, such as a gemstudded replica of King Tut's chair, a pipe organ to entertain guests and a riding chair that was later used as a model for Thomasville Furniture. You sat in the chair while putting on your riding boots.

The Penns were as uniquely colorful as the items they purchased. Community gossip says that while she traveled, he played. One night, the 3-story tall windmill burned. You might say that was his "pad."

After a trip to China, Mrs. Penn replicated the bedroom slept in overseas into her Reidsville home. It had jade doorknobs. This photo is of the interior of that room.

That room was just as colorful as the massive gardens, including my favorite, the one with all the scented roses!

I'm delighted to see Chinqua-Penn reopen so the public can see the beauty and bounty that fills the home. It's located off US Hwy. 29 North, just 10 minutes south of Danville, VA.

Special September Story Find - Finally, an affordable, classy women's dress shop

2006-09-12T19:47:00.000-04:00

In Mocksville today, I found a new women's clothing store. The owner was a buyer for Montaldo's. Now, if that means something to you - read on. If you're too young to know the significance of Montaldo's to an upscale woman's wardrobe, then I invite you to find out.

Gina Frank worked at Montaldo's in Winston-Salem. Like all the other buyers for that exclusive chain, Gina stayed on top of trends, fabrics, styles, colors and knew how to match clothing to the store's customers.

Now, she does the same thing at her own shop, Gianna's Boutique. I watched her with customers today. Gianna's is located at 562 Valley Road in Mocksville. It's on the short bypass, US 64, around town, between the pizza joint and the stop light where you turn to go to I-40.

Her shop is in a small strip mall which includes specialists for massage, nails and facials. Take a friend and combine a trip to all those places with lunch at either Starr's Restaurant in downtown Mocksville or the Ketchie Bakery - where both facilities have wonderful made-from-scratch food. I think it would make a good story about the gal's day out. For more information, call the Davie County Chamber of Commerce at 336-751-3304 or email chamber@daviecounty.com.

September Story Finds - Downtown Fayetteville is Clean, Safe and Pretty

2006-09-01T23:12:00.000-04:00

My dad fought in WWII. When I told him I was going to Fayetteville, he asked if "that bar" was still there. That's the perception of downtown Fayetteville - dirty, full of bars and women on every corner.

It used to be that way. But no more.

Today, downtown Fayetteville is clean, safe, pretty and fun for the whole family. And, on September 24, the inner city will be transformed to a global village during the spectacular International Festival from 12 noon to 6 pm with the Parade of Nations at 3:00 pm.

Eat your fill at the International Cafe where you can sample the culture form over 30 different countries representing Fayetteville's population. Arts and Crafts booths will display and sell handmade items, many from folk art traditions around the world. Six performance stages will provide continuous music and dance.

For more information, log onto http://www.theartscouncil.com/International_Folk_Festival.html

August 6 - My August Birthday Find: Greenville, SOUTH Carolina

2006-08-10T00:01:00.000-04:00

I spent my 27th birthday (again) in Greenville, SOUTH Carolina. Why there? Joel used to work there and knew the area. I had a wonderful tour guide who showed me one of the most beautiful cities I've ever seen - the cleanest city I've ever seen - and one with so much to do, with so many people - yet waitresses said it was a "slow night."

The city was actually based upon designs from San Antonio, but offers a European flair. To me, it resembled Old Quebec City in Canada. Outdoor cafes, boutiques, trees and a sense of style and fashion.

Several years ago, city leaders hired a consultant to help them formulate a direction. They learned a river and wonderful waterfall were underneath a state road that ran through town. It took some convincing, but the state tore up the road, exposing what is now one of the most popular places to go. A very unusual footbridge crosses the river so you can stand and watch the waterfall for hours.

So, if you're like me and stayed on I-85 en route to Atlanta, I strongly encourage you to spend time in downtown Greenville, SOUTH Carolina. I'll go back!

August Story Finds - A German Restaurant in Carthage?

2006-08-02T03:47:00.000-04:00

We took a double take. It didn't look real.
Joel and I were on NC Hwy. 15/501 south of Sanford, near Carthage, when we passed a German restaurant. Yes, German.
We stopped - and will go back.
It's a little pricy, but where can you go to get authentic German food? Beer steins line a wall, Bavarian clocks are scattered throughout and the waitresses wear traditional dress.

After our experience there, I passed along the tip to Bob Garner, food reporter for UNC-TV. He taped a segment there on August 19 for playback sometime soon. He "pigged" out on the barbecued pig knuckle. It's huge. For more information about the restaurant, call (910)947-5508.

Oh, I don't speak German. My mother, whose father was German, said I needed to learn it - a family thing, you know. Well, after 4 years of French and 4 years of Spanish I just couldn't get the swing of German. So, I dropped the class after 2 weeks and my mom never has forgiven me!

July Story Finds - Indians, Politics and Booze

2006-07-09T19:18:00.000-04:00

No, this isn't a photo of my great-great-great grandmother, but perhaps it resembles her. She was full blooded American Indian. You'd never know it to look at my blonde hair, fair skin and blue eyes. I often joke that she married the pot 'n pan peddler passing through town. She was in southern Illinois and we've never been able to determine the tribe.

So, it's only natural that anything relating to the Indians would be of interest to me. So it goes with the Lumbee tribe in North Carolina. I pulled out my 7th Grade North Carolina History Book and looked up to see what it said about the Lumbee. Oops. I guess Hugh T. Lefler forgot to include them! The famed textbook author also forgot to include the North Carolina towns of Pembroke and Lumberton.

In Pembroke, there is an outdoor musical drama that I've referenced before in my blog. But I want to take you there. You need to go and SEE SAW (Strike at the Wind!). Joel and I went last night and were astounded that we enjoyed cool summer evening temperatures and no mosquitoes. The play was wonderful! The photo here is of the narrator.

Local residents perform the 2-1/2 hour drama of Henry Berry Lowery, a renegade in the 1800's who fought to protect his own fellow Indians and poor blacks and whites from the Home Guard, a group of unethical, rowdy and just plain mean men who formed a state militia of sorts. You see, Indians once had the right to vote - and then lost it in 1835 - through politics. It wasn't until after the Civil War in 1875 did they get it back - again politics.

The play is celebrating its 30th anniversary and is located just off US 74 in Pembroke, North Carolina. I encourage you to log onto http://www.strikeatthewind.com and plan to include the play in your summer outings. You might want to check in at the Fairfield Inn on I-95, exit 20. It's been renovated, is clean, neat and offers a good breakfast. The new general manager is from California and also has blonde hair, like mine.

If you go to the Lumberton Convention & Visitors Bureau, you can get a $10 voucher to apply the cost of your room. It's just down the street at the same exit - or you can get them at NC Welcome Centers on I-95.

ANOTHER STORY I've found is in Hiddenite, a little town on NC Hwy. 90 between Statesville and Taylorsville. No, it's not the gemstone I've found - it's the hardware store and the developing story there.

If you were running for a public office in the early 1900's, you probably made a visit to Harry Miller to seek his endorsement. If you got it, you were elected. Now Harry lived in a county known for its antics, money and illegal booze. You could consider him the Mayor Richard Daley of North Carolina.

He owned the local hardware store. The town's only funeral parlor was on the third floor of a building that still stands today. Throughout the years, the business has been sold. And one of the owners along the way found nearly 5,000 pieces of paper documenting his life. I've seen a few of them. One is a telegram from RJ Reynolds asking for Harry support on a particular political project. Another is a letter on Wilks County stationary discussing an issue with a Post Script at the end. It says not to share the letter with anyone.

There's an effort afloat to create a museum of all the really juicy documents. The owner has been through all of them and can give a fantastic oral history about Harry Miller and his dealings, many of which were apparently under the table. As private a man as he was, he kept a very complete paper trail.

There is no link for the hardware store. But, I encourage you to seek it out. The building just received national designation as a historic place and the inside is full of nuts, bolts, screen, pvc pipes, rakes, shovels, gloves, tools and lots more. Ask for Sandra. It's worthy of a book and true life movie!

June Story Finds - Tapping your Foot - on the gas or on the ground

2006-05-31T00:27:00.000-04:00

I've found a place where teenagers, families, seniors, tots, singles and groups can have fun. It's safe, clean and fun.

Each month, a tiny Stanly County town hosts the Oakboro Summer Cruise-in and Burnout. Yes, the town is Oakboro and a cruise-in is a gathering of old cars, but what is a burnout?

Put one foot on the gas and one foot on the brake - spin tires - hear 'em squeal - and make smoke. Lots of it! White billowing smoke can be seen all over town - and thousands of people applaud. For more information, log onto http://www.oakborocruisein.com.

On Saturday, June 10, top names will perform at the Big Lick Bluegrass Festival near Oakboro. Yes, the story could be about the show, but there's really an interesting feature in the producer, Jeff Branch. His fulltime, daytime job is a deputy for the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department. Off-duty, he doubles as Howard Sprauge, from "The Andy Griffith Show" and puts on events. To find Jeff, log onto http://www.oakboromusichall.com.

May Story Finds - Berries, Berry and Peas

2006-05-01T15:26:00.001-04:00

Mmmm. Big, bright red lucious sweet strawberries. Whether picked right off the plant, served over ice cream or with a little rum in a tall glass, strawberries are one of the most popular fruits. So much, in fact, that the triangular shaped delicacy is the official fruit of North Carolina.

So, let's talk about the NC Strawberry Festival in Chadbourn. It is held each May. But the big story is what will happen in the sky. Hot air balloons! No, this won't be a big rally like Statesville, but festival goers will want to bring their cameras. May I suggest you ride in a tethered balloon - or sign up to be part of a Chase Crew. Now you know why I am working with the Denton FarmPark and Rob Wise, president of the Carolinas Balloon Association, to create a brand new rally in April 2007. Yes, I love to fly - and I love to eat Sweet Charlie strawberries. They're naturally dipped in sugar!

Most beach goers know the 2-lane stretch of road on US 74 between I-95 and Chadbourn. It can be a dull drive, but have you noticed the cotton and tobacco plants along the way? And what about that big brown sign, STRIKE AT THE WIND! - do you know what that is?

Strike at the Wind! is an outdoor drama held on Fridays and Saturdays from July 1 - August 26. It's a story about Henry Berry Lowrie and how he crusaded to help the Indians, Blacks and whites after the Civil War ended. Drama. Action. Song. Love. All the components are there - and so is food, beverage and a beautiful afternoon sunset overlooking the river. The amphitheater has undergone a major renovation just in time for the new season.

Have you ever heard of mushy peas? Didn't think so. But, if you're from the United Kingdom, you have. As long as you're driving along US 74, you may want to stop at the Southeast North Carolina Farmers' Market to find out more about mushy peas and homemade British sausage and bacon. Nope, it's absolutely nothing like what we get in this country. It's gooooood! Look around for the vendor with the British flag. Once you've stopped and met her, you'll stop and do so again!

April Story Finds - Root Beer, Red Beer and Birch Beer

2006-04-03T21:32:00.000-04:00

Beer. Some have hops. Some don't. And some go over ice cream.

During a recent trip to Fayetteville, North Carolina, I found a super restaurant and micro-brewery with a new twist. The brewmaster makes root beer, too.

Located within walking distance from reputable national flag hotels, The Mash House Restaurant & Brewery is a great place for lunch and dinner - and to take a group. Not only do you get a great meal, but you can tour the brewery - taste a few samples of mighty fine robust brewsky - and top it off with a root beer float.

Yes, kinda like the type you used to find at the old fountain drug stores. Whipped cream. Ice cream. Cherry on top. Long straw and spoon to help you get the last drop!

Root beer over ice cream in a beer joint. Whodathunkit?

But it all works! What a novel idea!

My favorite beer was the Irish Ravishing Red. Smooth, mild and brilliant red - definitely a woman's brew!

THEN there's the story of birch beer..... Joel and I were traveling just west of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, when we saw The Red Rabbit drive-in restaurant packed with a lunchtime crowd. Hungry too, we turned the car around and stopped. The waitress served us the old fashioned way - at our car. The hamburger and barbecue sandwiches were great - but we topped it all off with a birch beer float.

No, birch beer isn't beer. It's a soft drink with flavor that blends cherry and root beer together. Very tasty and perfect over vanilla ice cream.... topped with a dollop of whipped cream and a bright red cherry! Up North, birch beer is a dark red color. In North Carolina, it's clear and can be purchased at Lowe's Food stores. I sure do wish a restaurant would add birch beer floats to the menu! You can make a habit of stopping at The Red Rabbit!

March Story Finds - Pickler, Kudzu and Camping

2006-03-01T03:57:00.000-05:00

I'm working in 30 counties on a variety of projects, including one for the NC Arts Council, homegrownhandmade.com. Along the way, I find interesting stories that I share with travel writers - and you. March's stories come from Davidson, Union and Stanly counties.

(While you're here, I invite you to see this month's marketing tip on my other blog. You can access it by clicking on my profile. )

Pick Pickler! That's the new mantra in the Stanly County towns of Albemarle and Oakboro. The American Idol contestant, Kellie Pickler, is from Albemarle, but has opened for major performers at the Oakboro Music Hall. Oakboro is located 20 minutes north of Charlotte on NC Hwy. 24/27....

In the middle of nowhere, the Denton FarmPark is home to several events throughout the year, most notably the Southeast Old Threshers' Reunion held each July 4 week. But, did you know there are 500 camping hookups? With 8.2 million campers on the road nationally, some of them are spending the week camping at the Reunion. Others bring camping groups and enjoy an old country farm setting. The FarmPark is located 20 minutes south of Asheboro just off NC Hwy. 49 ...

Kudzu. It grows everywhere and you simply cannot kill it. But, the vine and flowers can be used for all kinds of crafts, including crafts and jelly. The Museum of the Waxhaw, located in the town of Waxhaw, has a Kudzu Festival each September, just after the vine has blossomed. The museum director goes out and stomps through the thicket, cuts lots of vine and flowers and spends days each August making jelly, wreathes and jewelry to sell during the September event. Waxhaw is located 15 minutes south of US Hwy. 74 in Monroe ...

February Story Finds - Wine, Pots and Alternative Fuels

2006-02-01T22:42:00.000-05:00

I'm working in 22 counties on various projects in North Carolina. My blog showcases some of the interesting stories I find along the way. February's stories come from Alamance, Orange, Randolph, Lee, Catawba, Cleveland and Alexander counties.

A few hundred years ago, potters came to a land full of rich clay suitable for making utilitarian pieces. Today, those potters work in studios throughout the greater Piedmont and mountain regions of our state. And, because there are so many of them, there is also a growing number of festivals. Sometimes the success of those festivals will either "make" or "break" a potter's business for the year in Seagrove, Sanford, Hickory, Shelby....

There's always been a connection between politics and "spirits," the kind that can be poured in a mug or glass. However, since North Carolina has the "local option" law regarding sales and distribution of such, vineyards and wineries often have to jump through all kinds of hoops to be able to have commerce. One winery, located in dry Alexander County, has not only an award-winning wine, but a story to tell about jumping through political hoops to be able to manufacture, sell and distribute their wine - in a dry county....

And speaking of corn squeezin's... the Bio Bus in Hillsborough is a 16-passenger bus that hauls you around for a tour of Orange and nearby counties. It's perfect for spouse tours for conventions or for families who need a break from lengthy hospital visits. Get this - the bus runs on alternative fuels that it gets from a distribution point at Saxapahaw, in Alamance County, near Burlington....

January Story Finds - Politics, Art and Music

2006-01-22T16:55:00.000-05:00

It's widely known NASCAR's roots came from those brave men and women running liquor up and down back mountain roads. Along with the booze came political clout. Many a politician sought out the support of key members in the Stony Point community in Alexander County, particularly at the local hardware store...

What do you do with a dead downtown? You create a new one - and that's exactly what's happened in Siler City in Chatham County. The NC Art Incubator is the largest such facility in the United States, offering studio space for local and internationally recognized artists. Electric guitar maker. Sculpture. Potters. Glass designers. Wood workers. Metalists. The list goes on ...

Like concerts? How 'bout an intimate setting for 300 people or so to hear the nation's most popular bluegrass and country singers? You can do that at the Oakboro Music Hall in Stanly County. Step next door to The Fountain Grill, bring your supper to the Hall and enjoy the evening. Oakboro is just 30 minutes northeast of Charlotte ...