Asheboro Magazine Issue 112

ISSUE 112 | FREE

ASHEBORO

MAGAZINE

ICARUS COWORKING

we’re ready when you are Wake Forest Baptist Health looks forward to welcoming you back. As we resume surgeries and in-person care, our promise is to keep you safe, healthy and COVID-19-protected.

Following the advice of our Infectious Disease experts, we are: • Practicing social distancing in all of our clinic locations.

• Minimizing wait times in common areas.

• Asking our patients to join all providers and clinic staff in wearing masks and providing masks upon arrival.

• Limiting visitors, with few exceptions.

• Cleaning our facilities following strict sanitation protocols.

• Conducting screenings for COVID-19 symptoms— for our providers and for you upon arrival.

• Providing COVID-19 testing for all patients undergoing surgery.

• Offering expanded access to virtual visits via phone or video.

• Staffing ten designated respiratory assessment clinics for patients with COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms, separate from regular clinic locations.

Christopher Ohl, MD Infectious Disease Specialist

care for life For more information, visit WakeHealth.edu/GetCare.

To schedule an appointment, call 888-716-WAKE. 2 | asheboromagazine.com

Hamilton’s STEAKHOUSE

Join us on Sunday for Brunch or Prime Rib

Beef Wellington w/Baked Potato & Asparagus

Now Open for Dine-in Reservations Recommended Hamilton’s Steakhouse 132 Sunset Avenue | Asheboro For Reservations: 336.610.5500

Wednesday & Thursday 11 am to 2 pm & 5 to 8 pm Friday 11 am to 2 pm & 5 to 9 pm; Saturday 11 am to 9 pm Sunday 11 am to 8 pm asheboromagazine.com | 3

Publisher

Sherry B. Johnson sherry@asheboromagazine.com

Contributors

Ryan Dodson, Sue Baltes, Kim Allgood Nick McNeill, Greta Lint, Micki Bare

Studio or Outdoor Family Portraits Donna Allen Photography Engagement/Wedding Sessions specializes in School Sports, Sports/Team Photography and Banner designs HS Senior Portraits Senior Portraits, Babies/Children/ Professional Headshots/Studio or Casual setting Families, Professional Studio Portraits & Event Photography DAP will customize your session to suit your needs!

Cover Photography

Donna Allen Photography

For advertising, contact:

Sherry Johnson sherry@asheboromagazine.com

IN THIS ISSUE Icarus Coworking

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REGULARS

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Ask the Expert

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Community News

14

Senior living

18

Herb 'n Garden

22

Daytrippin'

31

At the YMCA

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Disclaimer: The paid advertisements contained within Asheboro Magazine are not endorsed or recommended by the Publisher.

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Publisher’s COMMUNITY Letter NEWS

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n April, the Chamber of Commerce hosted the first in-person Business After Hours in 13 months. It was so good to see everyone's smiling faces. It was held outside on Pinewood Country Club's beautiful patio, and people wore their masks through the facility, and maintained social distancing guidelines, but we got to see people! When you work from your home (as many of us have the past year) you start to think you are the only one who feels locked up, isolated and closed off but from the sheer excitement on everyone's face that night, there were a lot of people feeling that way.

Restrictions are being loosened more and more every day, but we still need to be vigilant to kick this virus to the curb and get to the other side of this pandemic. We don't want to backslide and have to return to the restrictions we suffered through last year!

Speaking of those working from home...this month's cover story launches a new coworking space in Asheboro, Icarus Cowrking Space. If you are a freelancer, entrepreneur or just have to work from home and need a place to hang your hat to work, or engage with other like minded people, Icarus is for you. Amanda Chils has brought her vision of a collaborative innovative and cool place to work to life.

I am adding a new feature this month, Daytrippin'. In this feature, we will explore things to do that are close enough for a daytrip. The first outing was to DIvine Llama Vineyard because who doesn't love llamas, and wine. We packed a picnic on a Friday afternoon and headed over to the Winston-Salem area to check out this 91 acre vineyard and llama farm. It's definitely worth the trip and if you want an adventure, sign up for one of their llama treks where you actually take a

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llama hiking around the property with you. Soace for that is limited so make sure you get your tickets way in advance for that.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms. We wouldn't be here without you.

Stay Healthy and Happy Reading,

Sherry

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Sally

Icarus Coworking

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any of you may remember the story of Icarus and his father Daedalus from Greek mythology. Daedalus built a labyrinth to contain the Minotaur and was then imprisoned by the King so no one would learn of it. He gathered feathers and built two sets of wings, using wax to hold the feathers in place, and he and his son escaped their prison by flying away. Icarus, however, did not heed his father’s warnings and flew too close to the sun, melting the wax holding his feathers together and fell to the sea and drown.

For many people, the moral of this myth is do not reach too high, stay grounded and comfortable where you are. For others, the story is a tragedy.

Amanda Chils never thought of Icarus as a story about the dangers of flying too high - she came to see it as a story of the human condition (wouldn’t you also test your limits when granted ultimate freedom?) She thinks it is a perfect analogy for chasing freedom and the importance of testing inventions. Pursuing freedom means that you may sometimes fail, this requires both wild courage and the ability to manage risk - something entrepreneurs know all too well.

“We reimagine the story of Icarus as a reminder that

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soaring and experiencing freedom, that daring to take risks in and of themselves is not the problem, they are worth risking everything for. But we take heed to the warning to test our inventions and remember that freedom with no boundaries can be dangerous.”

Amanda Chils grew up in Florida. She moved to North Carolina in February 2014. She searched the entire state for over two years for a farm to purchase to launch her equine therapy business before settling in Asheboro, and now runs a private practice therapy from her farm. Once she moved here, her mother and father soon followed and built a home on the land behind her, and they now manage the farm together.

Connecting people is one of her strengths, and one of the reasons she is opening Icarus, so she can help businesses and entrepreneurs support each other. With that in mind, she wants to create a space that will help entrepreneurs reach their dreams, and also provide a comfortable, creative space for nomadic workers. She wants to offer an environment that is conducive to work but will not make you want to stab your eyes out from boredom.

Amanda purchased the dental building on the corner of N Cox and Ward Streets in 2020. With her father Amado managing the project and working with a general contractor, she has seen her vision come together over the past few months.

“It’s been cool to build this with my Dad. We designed it together, made some changes to the layout of the original building, rewired and updated the building since that hadn’t been done since the ‘70s. We laid a new floor, opened up some spaces and enclosed others.”

Amanda is looking forward to opening on May 1st.

She intentionally designed the space to support and inspire business owners and remote workers to do their best work.

Icarus Coworking offers several private unfurnished offices (furnishings can be provided at an additional fee) that can be rented on a monthly basis with all the perks that come with that – 24/7 access to the building, high speed internet, mail service, printer/fax/copier, conference room, and coffee, tea, and healthy snacks in the kitchen area.

There are two small, soundproofed rooms – one for important phone calls and the other is a recording room where you can record videos or podcasts for YouTube, Instagram, or Facebook or webinars.

In addition to the basic amenities that come with your office rental, you have access to a rolodex (I know, look it up if you do not know what that is!) of mentors, business coaches and also other members asheboromagazine.com | 9

that you can call for advice on a variety of topics.

She plans to hold quarterly seminars and events just for members, the website has a members-only forum where you can post a question and have others answer it, and she has designed all of this to share knowledge, maximize collaboration and spark innovation.

If you do not need an ‘office’ Icarus offers memberships to people who just need a place to set their computer down and work for a few hours.

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Amanda does not want anyone to feel they have to “go it alone.” Entrepreneurship, while extremely rewarding, can be a very lonely road and she wants to have a space where people can come together and ask questions, learn from others on the same path, and maybe avoid costly mistakes while gaining valuable insight.

“I love entrepreneurs! The level of bravery and low-key insanity it takes to start your own business – that’s my kind of people. Icarus is curated to get your brain in a

flow state, to be both inviting and ‘hella’ comfortable.

In short, it's a vibe.”

To learn more about the Icarus Coworking space,

visit the website at www.icaruscowork.com or stop by the new space at 181 E. Ward Street, in Asheboro and check it out in person.

asheboromagazine.com | 11

Ask the COMMUNITY expert Taxes NEWS

BUSINESS CAN NOW DEDUCT 100% OF MEALS!

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hat’s right. The government wants you taking clients out and supporting the restaurant industry. As usual, the federal income tax treatment of business-related meal and entertainment expenses has been a moving target.

If you’re confused about what rules currently apply, I don’t blame you. But let’s try to clear some of the rules for 2021.

A 2020 COVID-19 relief bill made taxpayer-friendly changes A taxpayer-friendly change in the CAA — the COVID-19 relief bill that became law late last year — allows you to write off 100% of the cost of businessrelated food and beverages provided by restaurants in 2021 and 2022. The “provided by” language

apparently means the temporary 100% deduction rule applies equally to sit-down meals and take out.

Before this change, deductions for business meals at restaurants were limited to only 50% of cost.

However, there are some unanswered questions: Do bars that serve food count as restaurants?

Presumably they do. What about airport lounges?

What about food trucks? Nobody knows. We await IRS guidance.

What’s considered a food and beverage cost Food and beverages mean all food and beverage items, regardless of whether they are characterized as meals, snacks, or whatever. In turn, food and beverage costs mean the full cost of such items — including any sales tax, delivery fees, and tips.

Ryan Dodson has a Masters in Accounting from North Carolina State University. He worked in public accounting with Deloitte and Arthur Andersen. He and his wife Tiffany own and operate Liberty Tax Service.

405 East Dixie Drive•Asheboro, NC 27203 (336) 629-4700 12 | asheboromagazine.com

Why you should insist on detailed receipts from entertainment venues For purposes of the general disallowance of deductions for entertainment expenses, the term entertainment does not include food and beverages unless: (1) the food and beverages are provided in conjunction with an entertainment activity (for example, hotdogs and beers at a basketball game) and (2) the food and beverages costs are not separately stated.

So, to be deductible, food and beverages consumed in conjunction with an entertainment activity must: (1) be purchased separately from the entertainment or (2) be separately stated on a bill, invoice, or receipt that reflects the usual selling price for the food and beverages if they were purchased separately from the entertainment or the approximate reasonable value of the food and beverages if they were not purchased separately. Fair enough. Insist on detailed receipts from entertainment venues.

Exceptions to the rules about business meals According to the IRS regulations, you can still generally deduct 50% of the cost of business-related meals, as was the case before the TCJA. As stated

earlier, however, you can deduct 100% of the cost of business meals provided by restaurants in 2021-2022.

All that said, no deduction is allowed for business meals unless: 1. The expense is not lavish or extravagant under the circumstances (nobody knows what that means), and 2. The taxpayer or an employee of the taxpayer is present at the furnishing of the food and beverages, and 3. The food and beverages are provided to the taxpayer or a business associate.

Business associate means a person with whom you reasonably expect to deal with in the conduct of your business — such as an established or prospective customer, client, supplier, employee, agent, partner, or professional adviser.

Bottom line, you can deduct 100% of the cost if the business-related meal is provided to you by a restaurant in 2021-2022. So get out there and take some clients out to eat!

If you have any questions about the 100% meal deduction or any other tax question, please give us a call at 336-629-4700 or come visit us at 405 E. Dixie Drive in Asheboro.

90 minutes. 37 plays. 9 actors. 1 tennis court?

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PERFORMING LIVE May 1st - May 16th

Championship Tennis Court Memorial Park 820 S Church St., Asheboro General Admission: $25 High School Students: FREE* (Seating is limited to only 50 people per performance)

*10 free tickets per performance held for high school students on a first-come, first serve basis. You can reserve your free ticket ahead of time.

https://www.rhinoleap.com/tickets asheboromagazine.com | 13

COMMUNITY NEWS

EARLY LITERACY AT HEART OF ANNUAL GALA

By Micki Bare FOR THE CHILDREN

S

ince 2009, the Gala for the Children has served as Randolph Partnership for Children’s (RPC) premiere fundraising and benefit auction event.

Those familiar with the RPC’s fundraiser know the theme is always a well-known children’s book, series, or author. Community members, business owners and leaders, and elected officials alike have enjoyed coming together to celebrate Mother Goose and Dr. Seuss. They’ve hobnobbed with Peter Pan and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. They’ve voyaged to Where the Wild Things Are. The focus on children’s literature brings out the wideeyed inner child of guests to this annual event. However, there’s a greater purpose to RPC’s storybook themes.

Early literacy is a foundation of RPC’s work in early childhood. It is critical to brain growth and development in the first years of life. It is a predictor to later success in school and life. Children who are read to and have access to books at home and in early care and preschool reap cognitive, health, and social and emotional benefits that last a lifetime.

“As a parent and educator, nothing warms my heart more than hearing those three sweet words, ‘Read it again!’”

Shannon McCrary, RPC Board Director said. McCrary also serves as RPC’s Sustainability Committee Chairperson and served with husband, Walker, as 2018 Gala for the Children Chairperson. “We know when young children have access

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to books, their brains grow bigger. The earlier we get books into their hands, the better. Reading to children from birth and having access to books in the home is essential to early learning.”

The Gala for the Children has always been more than a fundraiser. RPC uses the event to highlight the importance, reach, and impact of local early literacy programs like these: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library: Dolly Parton began the Imagination Library in 1995 in her home county in East Tennessee to inspire a love of reading, plant the seeds of lifelong dreams, and combat illiteracy. This program is now a global effort that provides children younger than 5 a free book every month until their fifth birthday. Locally, parents can register their infants, toddlers, and preschoolers online at SmartStart.org/DPIL or by contacting RPC. In Randolph County, more than 4000 children are receiving books through the Imagination Library. RPC works with community partners to reach the more than 8,000 children younger than 5 in the county, all of which are eligible for this program.

Reach Out and Read: Local pediatricians and healthcare providers “prescribe” books and family reading time through Reach Out and Read. Participating doctor’s offices have a literacy-rich child’s waiting area filled with children’s books. At each well-child check-up between 6 months and age 5, the child receives a free book to take home. At the same time, parents learn strategies for incorporating reading time into the family’s daily routine. Reach Out and Read participating providers through RPC’s High Qualitydesignated program include Asheboro Children’s Health and Randolph Health Pediatrics in Asheboro; and Randolph Health Liberty in Liberty. Healthcare providers who want to participate in Reach Out and Read can contact RPC for more information.

Books for Babies: RPC assists Randolph County Public Library Friends with this outreach program. Books for Babies provides a bag for parents of newborns that includes board books to read with baby, a blanket, and information on the Imagination Library, Reach Out and

Read, and The Basics Randolph (the five pillars that support healthy brain growth). The bags are distributed at Randolph Health by trained volunteers. To learn more about donating or volunteering for Books for Babies, email friends@randolphlibrary.org.

“The Partnership fosters a love of reading among children by promoting and sustaining early literacy initiatives. As a volunteer, former employee, and now a board member, I am so thankful to be involved in these wonderful programs,” McCrary said.

Money raised through Gala for the Children sponsorships, auctions, and related activities are used to sustain and expand these literacy programs as well as a host of other support programs and initiatives for young children in Randolph County. All of RPC’s work is related to preparing young children to enter kindergarten healthy and ready to succeed in school and life.

This year’s Gala for the Children theme is IF YOU GIVE. It celebrates the works of children’s book author Laura Numeroff, including If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, If You Give a Dog a Donut, If You Give a Cat a Cupcake, and If You

Give a Moose a Muffin. Adding to the festive theme are two notable book birthdays in 2021. If You Give a Moose a Muffin was published 30 years ago and If You Give a Dog a Donut hits the 10-year milestone this year.

“The money raised through the Gala for the Children makes it possible to give the precious gift of reading to all young children in our county—and it’s fun, too! My husband and I look forward to this event every year,” McCrary said.

RPC’s programs support and enhance early literacy, health and wellness, and early learning through play and exploration for children birth-5; support parents as their child’s first and most important teacher; and support early educators in providing high quality care and attaining educational goals in the profession. To learn more about the 2021 IF YOU GIVE Gala for the Children fundraising and benefit auction or RPC programs and initiatives for young children, visit RandolphKids.org.

Photos provided by Randolph Partnership for Children, 2013.

asheboromagazine.com | 15

COMMUNITY NEWS

RCC, MOUNT OLIVE AGREEMENT EASES TRANSITION FOR STUDENTS

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andolph Community College and University of Mount Olive faculty and staff, along with members of the RCC Board of Trustees, gathered Thursday, April 15, in the Dr. Robert S. Shackleford Jr. Allied Health Center for an agreement signing ceremony. The two agreements will make it easier for RCC students to not only seamlessly transfer to Mount Olive to earn a bachelor of science degree in multiple agricultural disciplines, but also to earn a degree in other programs offered by the university without leaving Randolph County.

The documents are the result of four years of work between the schools — even before RCC had an Agriculture program.

“We're so excited about this partnership and the way that it is coming together,” RCC President Dr. Robert S. Shackleford Jr. said. “They are making an effort to provide classes here on our campus and classes online. That's a unique opportunity and a unique commitment on the part of Mount Olive — one that we respect and appreciate. This is going to serve a lot of students. … The second agreement we’re signing is icing on the cake.

“What you're seeing today, it's not just a signing

ceremony. The future of education is getting out of the silos. Education is moving quickly towards seamless pathways. We can't do our job unless we work closely with the high schools and closely with universities because it's all seamless. You're getting a foretaste of what education’s going to look like in the years to come — us all working together for the common good of the students and the common good of our communities.”

“It is great to be here today,” Mount Olive President Dr. H. Edward Croom added. “I am very happy to tell you how confident I am in the program. It’s a great day for us. It is a great day for our School of Ag and Biological Sciences.

It's a great day for your students here in Randolph County.

We're looking forward to a great partnership.”

Starting in Fall 2022, students who have completed an agricultural associate degree from RCC can enroll seamlessly with Mount Olive to pursue bachelor’s degrees in agribusiness, agricultural communication and leadership, agricultural production systems, and plant science on the RCC campus. Courses will engage students in theoretical applications of agricultural principles through handson learning. Mount Olive will deliver junior- and seniorlevel courses in a hybrid format on the RCC campus, and

Randolph Community College President Dr. Robert S. Shackleford Jr. (right) addresses RCC and University of Mount Olive faculty and staff and RCC Trustees during a signing ceremony Thursday, April 15, in the Dr. Robert S. Shackleford Jr. Allied Health Center on the Asheboro Campus. Pictured on the left is Mount Olive President Dr. H. Edward Croom.

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students also will have Mount Olive advisors and faculty available to them on the RCC site.

“Mount Olive is offering a great opportunity to start here and then go to Mount Olive to earn a bachelor’s degree and to not even have to leave the county,” RCC Agribusiness Technology Department Head Derrick Cockman said. “It will be beneficial to everybody.”

Mount Olive already partnered with Providence Grove High School four years ago with The Higher Education (THE) Ag Experience, which allows students to work toward an Associate of Science degree in Agriculture through the university while still in high school.

“We just had to wait for the stars to align,” Mount Olive Dean of the School of Agriculture and Biological Sciences Dr. Sandy Maddox said. “Dr. Croom can say that he wasn't in place at the time, but he put the whole idea of the academies into our brains. And then, with the right people in place, we were able to bring this to fruition. It was a great idea four years ago, and I think all of us knew we’d be here today.”

Croom and Maddox were joined by Dr. Burt Lewis, Assistant Vice President for Curriculum Development, and Jason Davis, Assistant Dean of the School of Ag and Biological Sciences.

RCC Vice President for Instructional Services Suzanne Rohrbaugh said the partnership with Mount Olive began four years ago with Pathways to Prosperity— a collaboration of RCC, Asheboro City Schools, and the Randolph County School System, working together with industry, to create a seamless pathway for students to go from local high schools to a great career in Randolph County. The school

systems debuted the project in 2015 with pathways for advanced manufacturing jobs. The second initiative in 2016 focused on creating health care pathways. The third initiative, agriculture — Randolph County’s largest industry for land mass, was introduced in April 2018.

“The Mount Olive team has been just tremendous to work with,” Rohrbaugh said. “We feel like we're in a really good position to support our community here in Randolph County. The beauty of this [Ag] agreement is students will have the opportunity to remain right here in Randolph County, to be able to complete their degree.

[Mount Olive staff is] going to be spending some time on our campus; they're going to help us with the advising and the recruitment and it is truly a partnership.”

RCC Vice President for Instructional Services Suzanne Rohrbaugh (left) addresses those in attendance. Pictured next to Rohrbaugh, left to right, are Mount Olive Dean of the School of Agriculture and Biological Sciences Dr. Sandy Maddox, Assistant Vice President for Curriculum Development Dr. Burt Lewis, and Assistant Dean in the School of Ag and Biological Sciences Jason Davis asheboromagazine.com | 17

MEET KAFFY AT THE LIBERTY SENIOR CENTER Story & Photos by Kim Allgood

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o say she is a “go getter” is an understatement! Kaffy Reynolds is the Liberty Senior Center Director and she constantly strives for excellence in all she does.

Folks at the Liberty Senior Center know her well and her dedication to working for seniors for many years is something that has blessed many people. Here is a little of her story in her own words: "I graduated from UNC-Greensboro with a Bachelor of Science in Child Development and Family Relations.

I attended Randolph Community College with an Associate Degree in Compute Office Automation Technology. I was on the President’s and Dean’s list with a GPA rating of 3.89. While attending Randolph Community College I was asked to be a student guest of the Asheboro Rotary Club.

I came to Randolph Senior Adults Association in the Fall of 2004 working at the Randleman Senior Center as the Assistant Director under the direction of Dorothy Price.

I was reassigned to the Liberty Senior Center as the Center Director in January 2007. In October of 2010, I graduated from the Ann Johnson Institute with a Certificate in Senior Center Management. The objective of the program is to support senior center personnel by providing a means to increase management skills, upgrade credentials, and enhance the senior center management profession. May of 2009, the Liberty Senior Center was certified as a Center of Excellence, the first in Randolph County. The senior center certification process incorporates a self-evaluation tool to help improve in areas needed, recognizes excellence that exists and emphasizes areas where centers exceed standards.

The Liberty Senior Center has been certified three times from 2009 to 2024, as a Center of Excellence, by the North Carolina Department of Aging and Adult Services.

I have served the Randolph Senior Adults Association for 17 years, three as the Randleman Center’s Assistant and 14 years as the Liberty Senior Center’s Director. I enjoy providing a ray of activities and programs to engage seniors and to prevent social isolation in the senior population.

At the Liberty Center, you name it…we do it. We provide a range of services such as, outreach, information and referral, health promotion, social activities, nutritional and educational services, recreational activities, volunteer

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opportunities, tax, legal, and insurance counseling, and transportation.

I have been married to my husband Robert for 9 years.

We live on his family farm where we raise beef cows. We enjoy going to the beach, searching for goodies at flea markets and festivals, and attending church.

In OUR own words at Randolph Senior Adults Association, we are simply grateful to have her working with us all these years and look forward to seeing even more growth and success in the years to come.

The Liberty Senior Center is located at 728 S. Fayetteville Street in Liberty. For information on services call 336-6225844. Due to Covid-19 the center is currently closed to the public but we look forward to reopening soon. For more information on RSAA services visit our website at www. senioradults.org.

Technology Classes for Seniors

Learn to use Apple and Android devices. *Beginners welcome!*

FREE

Ages 60+ Archdale Senior Center 108 Park Drive Archdale, NC 27263 336-431-1938 archctr@senioradults.org

Randolph Senior Adults Association is hosting interactive technology classes (Android and Apple) for seniors ages 60+.

No more waiting on someone to help you send a message, share a picture or celebrate a special day. Learn to use your smart phone and/or tablet to connect more easily with grandkids, family, friends and healthcare professionals!

Asheboro Senior Center 347 W. Salisbury Street Asheboro, NC 27203 336-625-3389 ashcenter@senioradults.org Liberty Senior Center 728 S. Fayetteville Street Liberty, NC 27298 336-622-5844 libcenter@senioradults.org Randleman Senior Center 144 W. Academy Street Randleman, NC 27317 336-498-4332 randcenter@senioradults.org

• In-person classes will be held monthly (May through September); • Two classes a week for four weeks (a total of 8 classes); • Classes are approximately one hour; • Class sizes will be small to allow for one-on-one instruction and social distancing; • Through a new grant we have purchased devices for you to use in the class. However, if you already own a smart phone or tablet, you can bring it with you and learn how to use your device.

Call your local senior Center for more information and to register for classes.

Randolph Senior Adults Association The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Adult REC 347 W. Salisbury Street, Asheboro, NC 27203 • Phone: 336-625-3389 • www.senioradults.org

asheboromagazine.com | 19

EASY HEALTHY SENIOR LIVING MEAL IDEAS If you are looking for easy healthy meal ideas, here is one that will surely become the “go to” recipe year-round. The best thing about this sheet pan meal idea is that you can switch it up with different produce as the seasons change. Summer is upon us, so what a great opportunity to take advantage of the wonderful vegetables at your local farmers’ market!

SHEET PAN BALSAMIC CHICKEN AND VEGETABLES Ingredients 1 family pack fresh chicken tenders 1 cup baby carrots 6 baby potatoes sliced in half 1 cup cherry tomatoes 1 head broccoli chopped 1 head cauliflower chopped Balsamic Italian Dressing 1 tsp Italian seasoning Garlic Powder Salt and Pepper to taste 3 Tbsp Olive Oil

Directions Place the fresh chicken tenders in a large zip-lock bag and add 1 cup any brand of Balsamic Italian Dressing. Massage in the bag and let marinate for at least 30 minutes.

In a bowl combine all of the veggies with olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning and a little salt and pepper. Place the veggies except for the tomatoes on a prepared roasting pan and roast the veggies in a 400 degree oven for about 1015 minutes.

Remove from the oven and flip around. Section the veggies to each side of the tray and place the chicken tenders in the center. Discard marinade that was used for the chicken. Add the tomatoes.

Return to the oven and cook for another 7-15 minutes depending on the size of your chicken. Be careful to monitor the chicken so you don't overcook it. Remember, the cooking time will largely vary based on the size of your chicken.

Serve the chicken and veggies with freshly chopped parsley, if desired. Enjoy!

20 | asheboromagazine.com

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336.879.0848 warrencoble.com asheboromagazine.com | 21

Herb 'n Garden

THE POLLINATORS

by Sue Baltes

As spring rolls around it finds most of us gardeners thinking of getting out and playing in the dirt. Planting vegetables, flowers and bulbs, landscaping and sowing grass seed, spreading mulch and putting out insecticides. But wait, before you start with spreading herbicides and insecticides you must know that you could be harming your beneficial little friends called pollinators.

22 | asheboromagazine.com

Recently I read an article about insecticides being used on crops in Minnesota that after a couple of years had shown to be affecting wildlife in the Midwest, especially the deer population. While this gardener in North Carolina can’t do much about what the farmers in the Midwest are doing, I can start growing more plants to attract pollinators into my gardens in downtown Asheboro by planting things that butterflies, bees, wasps, humming birds and other Beneficial’s need to survive.

Planning is part of the fun this season. As I was scribbling a list of veggies and flowers I decided to include some plants for the ones that buzz and fly around my gardens to make the magic happen, called pollinators. It’s our job as gardeners to help pollinators to “get ‘er done” by planting a selection of plants to attract the different species’ unique needs.

Growing a wide diversity of native plants is a sure way to attract a wide variety of pollinators. Not only does a native mix of plants bloom successfully throughout the season, they contain flowers with different shapes and sizes of blooms to suit the different pollinators.

For example, bees need both pollen and nectar but not all plants provide both, and the quality of the food differs from plant to plant.

Pollinators emerge at different time during the growing season, depending on their species so they depend those plants that bloom at these different times. These magical pollinators come in many shapes and sizes – right down to their tongue length asheboromagazine.com | 23

which determines which blooms they can pollinate. Just think about the sipping straw of a hummingbird moth versus the blunt nose of the honey bee.

Whether you are a farmer or just a gardener on a small lot like myself you can increase the number of pollinators in your area by making a conscientious choice to include plants that provide an essential habitat for bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, hummingbirds or any of the other pollinators. A list of my favorites for this zone include: lavender, rosemary, salvias, sunflowers, verbena, rudbeckia (black eye Susan) oregano, and achillea (Yarrow). So think of adding some extras to encourage the pollinators when planting for this season.

Sue Baltes is the owner of Herb 'n Garden shop on the corner of Academy Street and Bicentennial Park. The shop is open Tuesday through Saturday from 1 to 5 pm.

24 | asheboromagazine.com

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asheboromagazine.com | 25

COMMUNITY NEWS

MOBILE MAKERSPACE PREPARES PUBLIC FOR HIGHPAYING MANUFACTURING JOBS Story & Photos by Greta Lint

C

an someone really start a $50,000 job with a high school diploma or GED and a two-year degree from a community college? Yes, they can - and they

do.

A kickoff was held in March at Bicentennial Park for a new program to show people different types of manufacturing equipment and jobs. The event, called a Technology Tailgate Party, showcased a 15-foot trailer packed with manufacturing equipment that the public could see, touch and use to make things. The trailer is called the Makesboro USA Mobile Makerspace. More such events are planned.

A makerspace is a place where people can go to make things. Perhaps they have outgrown their garage and could use someone else’s machinery to make their creations, take a class – or even teach one. Nationally, there are more than 3,000 makerspaces that are located in buildings. A mobile makerspace is on wheels.

26 | asheboromagazine.com

Fifth-grader Alex Hudson, 11, who attends Lindley Park Elementary School, and sixth-grader Jose Ruiz, 12, who attends South Asheboro Middle School, asked a lot of questions. They learned that sometimes manufacturing equipment emits a very high frequency sound signaling that there is a problem. People who are trained to detect and make the repairs earn a lot of money.

Fourth-grader Marissa Ruiz, 10, who attends Loflin Elementary School, liked the pancake bot. She helped make a turkey pancake out of regular batter on a 3-D printer.

Other students learned the value of reading a blueprint. Items were placed around the park and if a child read the blueprint correctly, a taco, courtesy of Taco Loco restaurant in downtown Asheboro, was dropped to them by a drone flying overhead.

The mobile makerspace and Technology Tailgate Party were created by Asheboro resident and international

makerspace consultant Joel Leonard.

“I was sitting at The Table one morning frustrated about being quarantined and was wondering how to teach people hands-on technical skills,” Leonard explained.

He called John Martincic, owner of Forest Scientific, a manufacturer of high-end CNC machines, with plants in Arizona and Pennsylvania, and asked him if he would be willing to build a pre-packaged trailer that could be leased for a nominal fee. It would need a CNC router, 3-D printer and laser machine sturdy enoug to travel in the back of a 15-foot trailer. The answer was “Yes.” Then Leonard sought input from Kevin Franklin, president of the Randolph Co. Economic Development Corp. He knows the needs of local employers. Franklin agreed that a mobile makerspace would be very helpful in rural and underserved counties, noting that the working relationships between local schools, manufacturing companies and RCC have become very strong.

There are more than a thousand jobs open in the Piedmont Triad – including Randolph County – with employers looking for people who know how to fix things, program CNC machines, work with laser cutters and use 3-D printers. The Randolph Co. EDC has a list of jobs and videos, on its Facebook page, explaining what employers are seeking. For instance, maintenance workers understand

Marisa Ruiz, 10, flips a turkey pancake made on a 3-D printer.

During the Technology Tailgate Party, children used a blueprint to find an item at Bicentennial Park. If they found it, a taco, courtesy Taco Loco restaurant, was dropped to them by a drone.

asheboromagazine.com | 27

high-tech machinery and know how to make repairs. They are no longer janitors.

Leonard talked with John Ogburn, Asheboro city manager. Could a mobile makerspace be used with downtown events?

Ogburn said, “Joel gives people a hands-on opportunity to learn about jobs. If just one person gets a job because of

28 | asheboromagazine.com

what they learned from Joel, then it’s worth it…the issue is a skilled workforce. Jobs exist. Folks just don’t think about them being in manufacturing. With the mobile trailer, Joel can spark an interest in a skill set someone possesses, but didn’t think was useful for a job.”

For more information about the mobile makerspace, contact Joel Leonard at 336-338-1011.

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#daytrippin'

Adventures in Wine Divine Llama Vineyards

A

re you looking for an afternoon adventure close to home? Do you love relaxing in a beautiful setting overlooking rolling hills and beautiful scenery while tasting award winning wines? Are you a hiker looking for a unique experience? If any of these tickles your fancy, then you should make Divine Llama Vineyards your next destination.

An hour from Asheboro in the beautiful Yadkin Valley, Divine Llama Vineyards is nestled on 91 beautiful acres with views of Pilot Mountain in the background. Started in 2007 by Michael and Patricia West, they opened the tasting room in 2009. They combined two of their favorite things, Llamas and wine to create Divine Llama Vineyards. They were joined by friends Leslie Messick and Paul Baumbach in 2019. They are nationally recognized for a wide variety of award winning wines, beautiful scenery, the largest llama farm in the Southeast, and a unique and memorable experience.

They currently have four grape varieties planted

on 23 acres: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonel, and Traminette. They offer eleven wines including five dry reds and whites, two semi dry reds and whites, a sweeter white, a sweeter rose, a semi sweet white blended with peach, and a semi sweet red blended with blackberry.

It’s a perfect afternoon getaway. You can pack a picnic lunch to bring with you, or on the weekends, they often have food trucks onsite to purchase your lunch.

Because of COVID restrictions, their wine tasting room is not open to the public, but they do have a covered pavilion where you can choose your wines and also pick up some sweet merchandise. Instead of tastings, at this time they are offering flights of four different wines to sample. They sell their branded glassware so once you decide which wine is your favorite, you can purchase a bottle (or two) and enjoy it under the shade of the beautiful trees on their patio.

There are several places to sit around the vineyard, one area is located on the lawn overlooking fields asheboromagazine.com | 31

planted with vines, or on their beautiful patio just outside the tasting room. We chose to sit on their patio under the shade of the large tree that is growing there.

Since we had picked several of the same wines for our flights, we altered the order of our tasting slightly in order to compare notes and try the same wines at the same time. Since our palettes are all quite different when it comes to wine (I prefer a much sweeter wine than most) we all had a different favorite, but they were all really delicious.

We had packed a picnic, so we purchased our wines and stemware and moved back to the patio to enjoy the beautiful breeze and eat our lunch. The lines can get quite long to pick and choose your wines, especially on a weekend, so after your flights, I would encourage you to make your purchases to take home as well as

32 | asheboromagazine.com

what you plan to enjoy there at the farm because you could be standing around a while if you wait until you are ready to leave.

After lunch, we wandered down to the barns where the llamas are kept and visited with several of them.

There are many places on the farm that provide great photo opportunities and it is definitely worth the walk (wear comfortable shoes for wandering the farm, sandals were a challenge on the unpaved roads!)

On the weekends in the Spring, Fall and Winter months they offer trekking with the llamas. The treks are about two miles long, wandering through the property and along a creek. Each person is assigned a llama as a hiking partner. Reservations must be made ahead of time for the trek and they do limit the number of people that can go. Everyone going on the hike must be ten years or older. These treks begin and

end at the tasting area, so you can work up a thirst, and then enjoy a wine and a picnic when you return. Due to the popularity of the treks, they have recently added some Friday dates in the Spring and Fall too. The trek lasts between an hour and a half to two hours and 15 minutes and the cost is $50 per person.

It was a beautiful breezy day when we visited the vineyard, and I will definitely be going back both to trek with the llamas and to sample more of their wonderful wines. Check their website pages for up to date information on COVID restrictions (yes, you are required to wear a mask and socially distance while inside the pavilion), their food truck and music schedules will also be posted.

If you are under 21 visiting the property, there is a $10 fee for visiting the llama farm, but children under 4 are free.

Divine Llama Vineyards is located at 4126 Divine Llama Lane, East Bend, NC. You can find them on the web at www.divinellamavineyards.com or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ divinellamavineyards. They are open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday noon - 6:00 and Sundays 1:00 - 6:00 pm.

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AT THE YMCA

The Randolph-Asheboro YMCA, 50 Years Strong!

I

t may seem hard to believe, but the RandolphAsheboro YMCA is celebrating its 50th year.

Established in 1971, the YMCA has been a constant presence within the community putting Christian principles into practice through programs that help build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

Each year thousands of children and adults come to the Randolph-Asheboro YMCA for friendship, exercise, fun, education, camp, sports, and parties. From a state of the art Fitness Center to a Three Court Basketball Gymnasium. From Group Exercise, Cycle, Yoga and BeastMode to Water Fitness Classes. From the Junior Olympic Size Indoor Heated Swimming Pool to the Zero Depth Outdoor Splash Pad. From Summer Camps to After School Care. From the Nursery to the Playgrounds. From Bingo to Pickleball. From a Community Garden to Bible Studies. The list goes on and on, with truly something for everyone.

"The Randolph-Asheboro YMCA isn't a building, a fitness club, a sports organization or a day care.

It's a group of people who have come together at a place where children, adults and families can come to enjoy themselves while participating in programs that strive to instill the Christian values of respect, honesty, caring and responsibility. It's you, me and many others. We are The YMCA." – Patrick O’Hara, Executive Director 50 years is something to celebrate! And plans are underway to do exactly that. In the fall there will be a celebration at Pinewood Country Club. This event will not just celebrate such a milestone, but also help raise money to further the reach of the YMCA within the community. A series of Membership Appreciation Nights are also being planned that will start in May and go through October. These events will be held out on the Splash Pad and allow the YMCA to say Thank You to the members for their continued support.

“There is no doubt that the future will look different as we transition out of a pandemic, however one thing won’t change and that is our commitment to our community. We will continue to give back to 34 | asheboromagazine.com

the Randolph-Asheboro area as well as offer as many programs and services to our members as possible.

We plan to remain a positive light by continuing to invest in our kids, our health and our neighbors. This is how a strong community is achieved!” – Nick McNeill, Marketing and Membership Director At the Randolph-Asheboro YMCA, you're not just a member of a facility; you're part of a cause. With a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, improving health and well-being, and giving back and supporting our neighbors, the Y gives you and your community the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.

Stop by and find out what it looks like to become a member. Take advantage of the programs and all that is offered as a YMCA member. Join us in celebrating 50 years, because we are stronger together!

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