Images Harnett County, NC: 2009

IMAGESHARNETTCOUNTY.COM THE DEFINITIVE RELOCATION RESOURCE VIDEO See Harnett County from a glider in the video gallery.

PHOTOS See more community images from our prize-winning photographers.

FACTS & STATS Find schools, an interactive map, and important facts and figures.

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HARNETT COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

PAINTING THE TOWN Local artists add color and character

OH, BABY! Birthing center builds on hospital’s strong foundation

Drivers Wanted Golf community to feature 3,000 homes SPONSORED BY THE HARNETT ETT COUNTY CH CHAMBERS HAMBERS OF COMMERCE | 2009

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2009 EDITION | VOLUME 2 TM

HARNETT COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

10 CO NTE NT S F E AT U R E S

HARNETT COUNTY BUSINESS

10 SCENIC TREASURES

22 They Mean Business, Too

Harnett County’s leaders put a premium on parks for residents and to draw visitors.

Local focus keeps Harnett economy strong and businesses growing.

30 Biz Briefs

14 RICH IN HISTORY & ACADEMICS Campbell University is constructing a new pharmacy building and other facilities.

18 A PASSPORT FOR THE PALATE Diners here sample world cuisine served in friendly, locally owned restaurants.

26 DRIVERS WANTED Anderson Creek development combines great golf with residential community.

39 OH, BABY! Betsy Johnson’s new birthing center builds on hospital’s strong foundation.

32 Economic Profile

D E PA R TM E NT S 6 Almanac: a colorful sampling of Harnett County culture

25 Portfolio: people, places and events that define Harnett County

35 Education 37 Sports & Recreation 43 Community Profile: facts, stats and important numbers to know

41 PAINTING THE TOWN Talented Harnett County artists achieve success in a wider region.

ON THE COVER Photo by Jeffrey S. Otto Anderson Creek Golf Club

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This magazine is printed entirely or in part on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.

PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE

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Now Showing in Our Video Gallery

Sit back and enjoy a preview of Harnett County amenities.

Explore its landscapes, cultural offerings, food and fun.

See its downtown, neighborhoods, parks and attractions.

Experience the history, hot spots and local happenings.

Harnett County is rated L for Livability.

imagesharnettcounty.com

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imagesharnettcounty.com THE DEFINITIVE RELOCATION RESOURCE

HARNETT COUNT Y MANAGING EDITOR KIM MADLOM COPY EDITOR JOYCE CARUTHERS ASSOCIATE EDITORS LISA BATTLES, JESSY YANCEY ONLINE CONTENT MANAGER MATT BIGELOW STAFF WRITERS CAROL COWAN, KEVIN LITWIN CONTRIBUTING WRITERS REBECCA DENTON, PAUL HUGHES, BRANDON LOWE, JESSICA MOZO, KATHRYN ROYSTER, BETSY WILLIAMS DATABASE PROJECT MANAGER YANCEY TURTURICE DATA MANAGER RANETTA SMITH REGIONAL SALES MANAGER CHARLES FITZGIBBON INTEGRATED MEDIA MANAGER EVAN SHAVER SALES SUPPORT MANAGER SARA SARTIN SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER BRIAN M CCORD STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS JEFF ADKINS, TODD BENNETT, ANTONY BOSHIER, IAN CURCIO, J. KYLE KEENER PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT ANNE WHITLOW CREATIVE DIRECTOR KEITH HARRIS WEB DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR BRIAN SMITH PRODUCTION DIRECTOR NATASHA LORENS ASST. PRODUCTION DIRECTOR CHRISTINA CARDEN PRE-PRESS COORDINATOR HAZEL RISNER PRODUCTION PROJECT MANAGERS MELISSA BRACEWELL, KATIE MIDDENDORF, JILL WYATT SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS LAURA GALLAGHER, KRIS SEXTON, CANDICE SWEET, VIKKI WILLIAMS LEAD DESIGNER JANINE MARYLAND GRAPHIC DESIGN ERICA HINES, ALISON HUNTER, JESSICA MANNER, AMY NELSON, MARCUS SNYDER WEB PROJECT MANAGERS ANDY HARTLEY, YAMEL RUIZ WEB DESIGN RYAN DUNLAP, CARL SCHULZ COLOR IMAGING TECHNICIAN TWILA ALLEN AD TRAFFIC MARCIA BANASIK, SARAH MILLER, PATRICIA MOISAN, RAVEN PETTY

CHAIRMAN GREG THURMAN PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER BOB SCHWARTZMAN EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT RAY LANGEN SR. V.P./CLIENT DEVELOPMENT JEFF HEEFNER SR. V.P./SALES CARLA H. THURMAN SR. V.P./OPERATIONS CASEY E. HESTER V.P./SALES HERB HARPER V.P./SALES TODD POTTER V.P./VISUAL CONTENT MARK FORESTER V.P./TRAVEL PUBLISHING SYBIL STEWART V.P./EDITORIAL DIRECTOR TEREE CARUTHERS MANAGING EDITORS/BUSINESS MAURICE FLIESS, BILL McMEEKIN MANAGING EDITOR/CUSTOM KIM NEWSOM MANAGING EDITOR/TRAVEL SUSAN CHAPPELL PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR JEFFREY S. OTTO CONTROLLER CHRIS DUDLEY ACCOUNTING MORIAH DOMBY, RICHIE FITZPATRICK, DIANA GUZMAN, MARIA McFARLAND, LISA OWENS RECRUITING/TRAINING DIRECTOR SUZY WALDRIP COMMUNITY PROMOTION DIRECTOR CINDY COMPERRY DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR GARY SMITH IT SYSTEMS DIRECTOR MATT LOCKE IT SERVICE TECHNICIAN RYAN SWEENEY HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER PEGGY BLAKE SALES/MARKETING COORDINATOR RACHEL MATHEIS SALES COORDINATOR JENNIFER ALEXANDER EXECUTIVE SECRETARY/SALES SUPPORT KRISTY DUNCAN

What’s On Online nllin

SOAR OVER HARNETT COUNTY Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the natural beauty of Harnett County and the Cape Fear River through the window of a glider. Watch this and other quick videos in the Interactive section.

RELOCATION Considering a move to this community? We can help. Use our Relocation Tools to discover tips, including how to make your move green, advice about moving pets and help with booking movers.

PHOTOS We’ve added even more prize-winning photography to our online gallery. To see these spectacular photos, click on Photo Gallery.

OFFICE MANAGER SHELLY GRISSOM RECEPTIONIST LINDA BISHOP

FACTS & STATS CU S TO M M AG A Z INE M ED I A

Images Harnett County is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Harnett Chambers of Commerce and their member businesses.

For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by e-mail at info@jnlcom.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Dunn Area Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 548 • Dunn, NC 28335 Phone: (910) 892-4113 • Fax: (910) 892-4071 www.dunnchamber.com

Go online to learn even more about: • Schools • Health care • Utilities • Parks • Taxes

LOCAL FLAVOR Enjoy authentic Italian, Mexican and Chinese cuisine in a local setting at Harnett County restaurants. Get a taste of local flavor in our food section.

VISIT IMAGES HARNETT COUNTY ONLINE AT IMAGESHARNETTCOUNTY.COM ©Copyright 2008 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved.

No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent.

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ABOUT THIS MAGAZINE Images gives readers a taste of what makes Harnett County tick – from business and education to sports, health care and the arts.

“Find the good – and praise it.”

– Alex Haley (1921-1992), Journal Communications co-founder

Member Dunn Area Chamber of Commerce

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Almanac

Go, Full Throttle, Go Gnarly Ollies, Dudes Grind ramps, 50-50s and ollies are all part of the terminology at the new skateboarding facility at Angier Park.

In April 2008, an 8,000-square-foot skateboard area was added to Angier Park as part of a $1.5 million overall renovation to the park. Skateboarders of all ages can now access a big ramp, grind rails and a small obstacle course.

Admission is free, but town officials are requesting that anyone interested in using the facility come ome to town hall for a registration sticker. The sticker can then en be stuck onto the skateboarder’s helmet or board.

The Fusion Factory will never be mistaken for a library.

The building just outside Erwin is where the Full Throttle All Stars cheerleading teams practice. And judging by the number of awards they have won, they practice pretty hard.

The All Stars are comprised of a senior team, a junior squad, youth team and a tiny/mini squad. Youngsters ages 4-16 train to compete in cheer and dance competitions.

Veggie Might From apples to zucchini, the Dunn Farmers Market sells fresh, locally grown produce.

The market is open every Saturday from May through October, with hours of 8 a.m. to noon. Its location is downtown in the city parking lot, behind Sherry’s Bakery.

Besides fruit and vegetables, items for the public include honey, plants, homemade doggie treats, handcrafted lawn furniture, home-baked breads, cakes, handmade jewelry and quilts.

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History’s Mysteries His Tra Traveling through Erwin? Here’s a place to check out.

The Erwin History Museum is next to Erwin Town Th Hall, and provides a peek into the past of this old community. Hours of operation are Wednesday and com Sunday from 2-4 p.m.

Sund Artifacts on display include old photographs, a Ar collection of items from Erwin Mills, and displays of colle the fformer Erwin Park and Erwin School. Organizers point poin out that visitors should also take a look at the electric hair weave machine that is on display. elec Admission is free.

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Fast Facts Q Besides Dunn, the larger cities and towns in Harnett County are Angier, Coats, Erwin and Lillington, the county seat. There are also the unincorporated communities of Anderson Creek, Buies Creek and Johnsonville.

Marching Orders The U.S. Army is advancing – near Harnett County.

Approximately 20,000 soldiers, airmen, their families and civilians are scheduled to relocate to central North Carolina as part of the military’s Base Realignment and Closure plans. The U.S. Department of Defense and Congress initiated BRAC in 2005 to close excess military installations and transfer those personnel to established bases.

The 20,000 people will be reassigned to Fort Bragg, and officials believe that the 11 counties surrounding the base – including Harnett County – will be affected.

Harnett County officials expect many of those people to move into homes within the county.

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Q Lillington is home to one of the newest courthouses in the country, having opened in 2003 to replace an old, cramped building.

Q In 2006, Harnett County Airport officially became a regional jetport, earning the new name Harnett Regional Jetport.

What a Blessing Amen. Summerville Presbyterian Church and Cemetery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is known for its beautiful interiors.

The church in Lillington was built in 1845-46 and has kept its original architectural design without alterations. Its style is Greek and Gothic Revival, and it is one of the most photographed landmarks in the county.

The church’s cemetery contains the grave of a mysterious stranger who was found dead on the steps of the church in the early 1900s. Since that time, the doors of the church have never been locked.

Q In 2001, The Wall Street Journal featured The Daily Record in a front-page story about the newspaper having the highest primary-market circulation penetration of any daily newspaper in the United States.

Q Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the Dunn-Erwin Rail Trail that spans 5.3 miles and is ideal for walking, hiking and biking.

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Almanac SEE VIDEO ONLINE | Take a virtual tour of Harnett County at imagesharnettcounty.com, courtesy of our award-winning photographers.

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Angier Coats

Lillington

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Erwin

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Get Your Coats The town of Coats was chartered in 1905, and features a museum that informs visitors about the community’s early days.

The Coats Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of Coats, and it recently added a Cotton Exhibit to tell the story of cotton production in the town. The museum is located in Coats Heritage Square and is open every Sunday from 2-5 p.m., or by appointment.

The public is welcome to access data banks, genealogies and a two-volume publication that chronicles the Coats area community.

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Harnett County | At A Glance POPULATION (2006 ESTIMATE) Harnett County: 108,721 Dunn: 9,972 LOCATION Harnett County is in central North Carolina, near the junction of Interstates 40 and 95.

BEGINNINGS The county was officially established in 1855 and named for Revolutionary War patriot Cornelius Harnett, a delegate to the Continental Congress.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Dunn Area Chamber of Commerce 209 West Divine Street P.O. Box 548 Dunn, NC 28335 Phone: (910) 892-4113 Fax: (910) 892-4071 www.dunnchamber.com

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Scenic

Treasures HARNETT COUNTY PUTS A PREMIUM ON PARKS

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STORY BY REBECCA DENTON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD BENNETT

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arnett County is one of the fastest-growing areas in the state, but local leaders are taking care to preserve the scenic beauty that draws visitors in droves.

Parks and other green spaces are a high priority here, and several new parks have recently opened or are in the works.

Harnett County resident Gil Williams learned to whitewater kayak on the Cape Fear River, and the avid paddler has since traveled this popular waterway more than 100 times in all conditions – from the summer drought level to the surging flood stage that presents more of a challenge.

“If you’re a novice, Cape Fear has all the action you need,” Williams says. “It’s a good place to get into the sport. You can leisurely paddle down the river, and the Class I and II rapids are super fun. I like to go out there when the water’s up and the difficulty increases.”

Thanks to Harnett County’s new Cape Fear River Trail Park in Erwin, paddlers seeking some whitewater action have much easier access to one of the Cape Fear River’s most popular landing spots. The 7.9-mile trip from Lillington to Erwin takes from three to five hours and contains more rapids than any other stretch of the river. The trip is also known for its swift current, boulders up to 8 feet above water, and the eagles and other wildlife often seen along the way.

After braving the river, paddlers used to face a steep uphill haul in Erwin to get their boats to their vehicles. But the park’s new ramps with steps and vehicular access have made the process a breeze.

Cape Fear River Trail Park is part of the more than 100-mile-long Cape Fear Paddle Trail that ends in Wilmington, but people who don’t want to paddle can find plenty to enjoy.

The park, which celebrated its grand opening May 2008, also features walking trails, river overlooks and a picnic shelter.

“There are always people sitting down by the river, looking at the water and just hanging out,” Williams says. “It’s a calm area there, and you can paddle around if you choose to without doing a long trip. I see a lot of swimmers down below the park, swinging and dropping off a rope into the water. And I’ve seen people just lazily floating around in their innertubes.”

Harnett County, the town of Erwin and the Harnett Forward Together Committee used a $491,000 grant from the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund to create the 16.2-acre park.

In Anderson Creek Township, more than 1,000 acres of rolling woodland and wetlands will soon become Anderson Creek Park. County leaders say this acquisition of land nine miles west of Lillington will help maintain the balance between the preservation of natural resources and the

Jack Marley Park is a perfect setting for a walk. Left: The Cape Fear River creates opportunities for recreation.

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J.E. WOMBLE & SONS 300 N. 10th St. • Lillington, NC 27546 • (910) 893-2289 • (910) 893-2702 Fax E-mail: womblerealty@charter.net • www.womblerealtync.com Our company has been servicing the area real estate needs for over 20 years.

We offer a full range of service which includes: sales of new and existing homes; land sales; sales of commercial real estate; apartment or home rentals; and property management.

We look forward to serving you in any real estate need.

THE RIGHT AGENT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD.

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Cape Fear River State Park

pressure of economic development.

The Harnett Forward Together Committee – a nonprofit economic development corporation – and the Harnett County Board of Commissioners committed $3.1 million to purchase the property, which will be funded through recreation impact fees and grants over the next 15 years.

The park is still in the planning stages, but possible plans include running, birding and hiking trails, equestrian trails, picnic areas, a disc-golf course, restrooms and public

A RareFrog Find

U

sing a wok lid and an MP3 player, two Overhills High School students recently discovered that two rare species of frog and toad have set up residence in Harnett County’s planned Anderson Creek Park.

The Pine Barrens Treefrog and the Oak Toad have never been documented in Harnett County before, and their presence in small ponds says good things about the park’s ecosystem, says Dr. John Bartlett, assistant professor of biology at Campbell University.

“We know we have them there, and that’s encouraging,” Bartlett says. “We all agree that we need to keep the ponds intact and protect that habitat as we develop the park.”

Bartlett is on the steering committee for the county park,

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education programs. A 50-acre parcel is to be set aside for future school needs, says Alice Powell, Harnett County Parks and Recreation director.

Barbecue Creek County Park, an athletic park, will receive some upgrades over the next few years including new lighting, new tennis courts, a paved walking trail, a picnic shelter and a new building to house concessions, restrooms, storage and meeting space.

“The county received a Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grant in spring 2008 for $500,000. That grant will be matched dollar for dollar by the county for upgrades to Barbecue Creek County Park over the next three years,” Powell says.

A recent improvement project involved a $1.5 million upgrade of Jack Marley Park in Angier.

The area’s biggest and best-known park is the Raven Rock State Park, a 5,000-acre park along the Cape Fear River that draws more than 12 million visitors each year for hiking, fishing, canoeing, kayaking and camping.

“It’s important to invest in parks not only to improve the quality of life, but to preserve open space,” Powell says.

“Quality leisure opportunities and facilities promote wholesome family activities, which contribute to a positive community.”

which is in the planning stages for additions such as walking trails, equestrian trails and a campground.

Bartlett also supervised the students’ research efforts, which were funded by a High School Science Seminars grant from the Burroughs-Wellcome Pharmaceutical Co. and Campbell University School of Pharmacy.

Heather MacMoyle and Katie Tabor spent two weeks braving the forested park at night to record the frogs’ mating calls.

“They were introduced to the perils of nighttime surveys,” Bartlett says, adding that two large cottonmouth snakes gave them a fright.

The students used the wok lid to amplify the sounds – a cacophony of hundreds of amphibians’ calls – recorded on the MP3 player. They then used sound-analysis software to identify the distinctive calls of the Pine Barrens Treefrog and the Oak Toad.

In addition to helping protect

the park’s habitat, the students’ discovery won an award in the North Carolina Junior Academy of Science Competition.

– Rebecca Denton

Dr. John Bartlett works with students Heather MacMoyle and Katie Tabor.

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&

Rich in

History

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&

Academics CAMPBELL UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN PROVIDING HIGHER LEARNING FOR 122 YEARS

STORY BY BETSY WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD BENNETT

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hen Mikaela Dalton first stepped onto the Campbell University campus, she was ready to make her college choice.

“I just knew this is where I needed to be,” says the college freshman.

Her certainty is well founded. Campbell is listed among the top 100 colleges in the Southeast by The Princeton Review, and US News & World Report ranks it in the top tier among Southern master’s level colleges. Case in point, Campbell’s law school graduates have often lead in passage of the North Carolina Bar Exam, including a 100 percent passage rate in 1994, the first time in state history all members of a graduating class accomplished that feat.

Dalton, a Harnett County native who graduated third in her Harnett Central High School class, is attracted to

Campbell University’s Folwell Memorial Fountain

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Sherry’s Bakery “On the sweetest smelling corner in town”

Specializing in: Wedding cakes • 10 layer cakes Chocolates • Full line of cakes Doughnuts • Brownies 122 N. Wilson Ave. • Dunn, NC (910) 892-3310 • (910) 892-1045

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Campbell’s business program, the school’s welcoming atmosphere and campus activities “I felt at home,” she says of her visit to Campbell. “I plan to sing and become involved in the campus ministry.”

“We try to create an active living and learning environment for our students,” says Dr. John Roberson, university vice president of marketing and planning.

“There are currently 27 clubs on campus and 16 honor societies, and 60 percent of our students are involved in intramural competition in a variety of sports. In addition, we have a very active fine arts department, with ensembles that perform and plays that are presented throughout the year.”

With almost 3,000 main campus undergraduate students and an extended enrollment totaling almost 6,000, Campbell is small enough to be personal

and large enough to offer a full university experience. Affiliated with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina through an autonomous relationship, Campbell is a well-endowed private university with a steady eye on capital improvements and academic excellence.

A $13 million pharmacy school project was recently completed, and the first phase of the Fellowship Commons has been finished, with the second phase soon to follow. The Pope Convocation Center, a $31 million major project, opened in September 2008, while the $8 million Butler Chapel is scheduled to open in the fall of 2009. Residential expansions have also been completed.

“We have several projects on the drawing board,” Roberson says. “One is a wet lab space for the biological sciences, and there are plans in the foreseeable future for a new science

building. It would not be unreasonable over the next five years for the university to invest another $75 million in physical improvements to the campus.”

Schools of business, divinity, arts and sciences, pharmacy, law and education make up the university’s academia.

Accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Campbell is among the state’s largest church-related senior universities.

“Campbell University is proud to be a part of the Harnett County community,” Roberson says. “We are grateful for the residents of Harnett County who choose to start, to finish or continue their education here, and we are glad that we can provide eastern North Carolina with the resources of a comprehensive university within a nonurban environment.”

Campbell University’s campus combines historic architecture with new facilities, including dorms for students.

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A

Passport

for the

Palate HARNETT COUNTY IS A MELTING POT FOR ETHNIC CUISINE

STORY BY JESSICA MOZO PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD BENNETT

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al Evola has fond childhood memories of watching his grandmother churn out fresh pasta and homemade sauces in his native Carini, Italy.

“She was such a great cook – anything the old lady touched, you couldn’t forget,” Evola recalls. “She could take a little of this and a little of that and make a wonderful meal. She was an amazing lady.”

Lucky for Evola, she imparted a bit of her cooking wisdom to her grandson.

“There were no toys, and she had a little devil like me running around,” he says with a chuckle. “You know how many times she gave me the job to cook?”

Those early cooking lessons are now serving Evola well. He and his brother, Bart, own Casa Carini in Lillington, where they offer up authentic Italian

Authentic Italian dishes are served in Casa Carini’s welcoming atmosphere.

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food to eager diners.

“We make garlic knots and breadsticks fresh every day,” Evola says. “We also make our own vinaigrette, and we cut up all the vegetables on our salad bar daily.”

Casa Carini serves up traditional Italian favorites, such as lasagna, chicken Parmesan and fettuccine alfredo, as well as more unusual dishes such as veal torentino and chicken francaise, which is coated with lemon sauce.

“My favorite is the seafood,” Evola says. “We do pescatori sauce, shrimp, mussels and clams. And lately we’ve been doing wine tastings, which have been really successful.”

Before opening Casa Carini in 2007, the Evola brothers were both cooks in New Jersey, where they settled in the ’80s after immigrating to the United States. But North Carolina seemed to be calling their names.

“I’ve been in love with North Carolina

for the last 20 years, and I would take trips here,” Evola says. “Me and my brother came once and found this little town. We fell in love with it, and the same day, we put an offer on this building.”

Now the brothers are content to be living in Lillington and doing what they do best.

“Anybody from Italy, especially from my time,” Evola says, “even if you don’t know nothing, you can cook.”

In nearby Dunn, when diners get a hankering for international cuisine, they head for the Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet on West Broad Street.

The restaurant offers Japanese, Chinese, American and Mexican dishes.

“Hibachi is a Japanese word that means ‘grilled,’” says Michael Hee, manager of the Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet.

“Our hibachi bar is very popular because we have steak, chicken and pork, and when you select your food, the chef cooks it

Jorge’s Parilla is a specialty at Las Brisas in Dunn.

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Harnett County Partnership for Children “Providing the best possible future for Harnett County’s youngest citizens”

just for you. It’s our secret weapon.”

In addition to the hibachi grill, the restaurant has a full salad bar, a sushi bar and two bars devoted to Chinese dishes such as General Tso’s chicken and sesame chicken.

“We have many Hispanic customers, so we also provide tortillas and spicier dishes,” Hee says. “Our hibachi chef can even cook your food special to make it taste like a Mexican dish.”

Speaking of Mexican food, one of the best places to get it is Las Brisas, also in Dunn. Opened five years ago by Mexican owner George Nunez, Las Brisas specializes in fajitas, carne asada and spicy shrimp à la diablo.

“We’re an independent Mexican restaurant with real Mexican food prepared fresh daily,” Nunez says. “The restaurant industry is mostly fast food anymore, and Mexican restaurants are leaning that way, too, because it’s more profitable.

But I still chop onions with my own hands and prepare salsa daily. We prepare food in the moment.”

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20082009 PROGRAMS More at Four FREE Pre-school • Parents as Teachers The Incredible Years • Professional Development WAGE$ • Child Care Subsidy Quality Enhancement • Raising a Reader Parent Education Child Care

1901-G N. Main St. • Lillington, NC 27546 Phone: (910) 893-2344 • Fax: (910) 893-2387

www.harnettsmartstart.org

The Harnett County Partnership for Children is a nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization funded through the Smart Start and More at Four initiatives and also private donations.

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Mean Business, They

SMALL COMPANIES PROVIDE A BIG IMPACT ON LOCAL ECONOMY

Too

STORY BY BRANDON LOWE PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD BENNETT

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n tough economic times, a strong local economy has proven to be a valuable asset in Harnett County. Here, business is booming despite the national economic downturn, something local business owners attribute to a supportive business community.

“You don’t feel like you are lost in the numbers here. You feel like you are part of the numbers that are making the community what it is,” says Harnett business owner Stephen Garriss. His company, Nautilus Metal Detectors, has been in business for the past 40 years.

Garriss says he was looking for a change of pace when he came to Harnett County in 2000 via Raleigh, where he had lived and worked for 30 years. Here, he found a close-knit business community with a strong support system.

“Everything works for us here,” he says. “The chamber goes out of its way to make sure small business is not marginalized.”

Elsewhere in Harnett, other small businesses have found an opportunity to expand.

Joey Tart, president and CEO of Family Medical Supply, represents a cross section of Harnett residents who were born Stephen Garriss owns Nautilus Metal Detectors.

Right: Family Medical Supply has grown to 12 locations.

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Good Impression BUSINESS OWNER SEES POTENTIAL IN HARNETT

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in the community, left for a while, and then returned home to invest in a business or start a career.

Tart, who is also a city council member, moved away from Dunn in his early 20s to gain valuable working experience.

When he moved back at the age of 30, he was ready to put down his own roots in his hometown.

“Dunn is just such a great place to raise a family,” Tart says.

“That was the prime reason for trying to come back to this area.”

Tart purchased the small medical supply company that he was managing when he returned to Harnett County. Since then, he has expanded Family Medical Supply from 4 to 140 employees, including 50 in Dunn. He now has 12 locations, with the main office in Dunn and 11 others in the eastern section of North Carolina.

The strong Harnett County workforce, Tart says, makes that growth possible.

“We can’t grow in other markets without having good support people here,” he says. “We prefer to stay here because this is our home. There simply are just good people here in Dunn.”

Tart says economic development officials in Harnett County understand the importance of supporting small business.

“Stock holders have pushed for bigger and bigger businesses,” Tart says. “But if you took small businesses out of Dunn, there would be no economy here.”

Though the county only ranks 24th out of 100 counties in the state in terms of size, it is ranked 8th in terms of growth rate. That’s due in part to Harnett County’s access to educated workers in the region – Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and Fayetteville are each only an hour’s drive or less away.

In addition to the two universities in the county, Campbell University and Central Carolina Community College, Harnett is close to some of the top research universities in the nation: Duke University, University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University.

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ew Dunn resident and business owner Carmen Forrester says Harnett County is worth a look.

“If I-95 travelers stop and see us, they will remember Dunn,” says Forrester, who owns Simply Divine Bed and Breakfast with her husband, Rob. “When people come and see our house and see our neighborhood, they tell us how many times they’ve passed by Dunn and never knew anything about it. Once they visit, they want to return.”

The Forresters moved to Dunn from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to “get away from the cold.”

They found both a warmer climate and a warm environment.

“When we came here, we had an empty house,” Forrester says. “But for the first few weeks we had a full house of flowers and pies that people from around town brought over. That was wonderful.”

After years spent working as a mechanical engineer in Toronto, Carmen Forrester decided to pursue a career as what she calls an ‘Inn-gineer.’

She and her husband purchased the bed-andbreakfast, which is located just off I-95.

Forrester says she is intrigued by the community aspect of life in Dunn, something she is excited to promote through her business. She’s had some success. Since opening Simply Divine on Easter weekend 2008, a few repeat customers have begun looking for homes in Dunn.

– Brandon Lowe

Simply Divine Bed and Breakfast is located in Dunn.

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Save Money.

Smell the Flowers.

Looking for ways to save money on gas and help the environment?

The EPA wants to share some smart driving tips that could give you more miles per gallon of gas and reduce air pollution. Tips like making sure your tires are properly inflated and replacing your air filter regularly. And where possible, accelerate and brake slowly. Be aware of your speed ... did you know that for every 5 miles you go over 65 mph, you’re spending about 20 cents more per gallon of gas? If you’re shopping for a new car, choose the cleanest, most efficient vehicle that meets your needs. If we each adopt just one of these tips, we’d get more miles for our money and it would be a little easier to smell the flowers. For more tips and to compare cleaner, more efficient vehicles, visit

www.epa.gov/greenvehicles.

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Portfolio

So Much To Celebrate FESTIVALS CELEBRATE AREA’S HISTORICAL TIES TO FARMING AND TEXTILES

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STAFF PHOTO

he many festivals in Harnett County reflect the heritage of this vibrant, close-knit region, according to Sharon Stevens, community marketing director with the Dunn Area Tourism Authority.

Each September, artists and craftsmen are invited to showcase their talents at the Angier Crepe Myrtle Festival.

In Coats, the Farmers Day & Wagon Train Festival harkens back to the history of this rural farming community. It’s the oldest farmers day celebration in the state, dating back more than 90 years.

It began in the days when farmers would celebrate after crops had been harvested and sold. Today, the October event raises money for local charities and features a popular barbecue and pig cook-off.

The Cotton Festival held in Dunn each November recalls the crop that helped build the local economy. Sponsored by Touchstone Energy and the South River Electric Corporation, the event includes an exhibition of cotton being ginned and baled.

Erwin Denim Days shines a spotlight on a time when the community was known as the Denim Capital of the world. Workers here made denim for Levi Strauss and other companies at the largest plant in the country.

“People still live here whose lives were formed around the mill,” says Stevens, noting her own family has ties to the industry. The festival teaches future generations about this historical connection between the town and its textile history.

Other festivals include Boogie Down on Broad Street in Dunn in the spring and fall and the Fourth of July celebration and Fall Festival, both held in Lillington.

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Cotton was once a primary crop in Harnett County, a past that is celebrated at the Cotton Festival.

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Portfolio

Drivers Wanted for Golf Community W

ith green space and water features, Anderson Creek Golf Club is creating a residential community that’s focused on amenities.

Planned on 1,700 acres in rural Harnett County, developers hope to build – and sell – approximately 3,000 homes over the next 10 years.

“We’re the biggest project in the county,” says Lee Handsel, vice president of sales and marketing for Anderson Creek. “We’re approaching 350 homes

already occupied.”

Anderson Creek offers recreation areas featuring swimming, tennis, 21 parks – and exceptional golf.

So far, only the northern part of the project is under development. Handsel says the southern portion will be developed within a few years.

The community offers everything from condominiums at 1,400 square feet to custom homes reaching upwards of 6,500 square feet. Prices range from

$160,000 to nearly $1 million.

“We have everyone here,” Handsel says. “You see moms out with strollers, active adults working from home and retirees.”

Handsel attributes Anderson Creek’s growth to spillover from the Fort Bragg and Fayetteville areas. “They want to escape the traffic and congestion,” he says. “They want to be here.”

The crown jewel of the community is the golf course, designed by Davis Love III. When it opened in 2001, North Carolina magazine named it Best New Golf Course. It’s been listed in the top 30 courses in the state every year.

The 18-hole, championship-length course is open to the public, says Jon Hockaday, general manager.

“It features a lot of the roll-off type aspects around the greens such as you see in the Sand Hills area of North Carolina,” he says. “It has Bermuda fairways and bent-grass greens. It’s a championship layout in championship condition.”

Nothing but Insurance Since 1952

Snipes Insurance Service, Inc.

105 N. Wilson Ave. • Dunn, NC 28334 (910) 892-2121 • Fax: (910) 892-5228

www.snipesinsurance.com 26

I M AG E S H A R N E T T C O U N T Y. C O M

JEFFREY S. OTTO

Commercial • Automobile • Homeowners Life • Health • Bonds • Disability

A golfer tees off in the early morning fog at Anderson Creek Golf Club.

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Local and regional merchants participate in the Angier Bike Fest.

Get Your Motors Runnin’ M

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BRIAN M C CORD

otorcycles rumble into Angier each summer for a weekend of family fun – and to raise money for the county’s Emergency Services Memorial Fund.

“The Angier Bike Fest is geared to the family,” says Jamie Strickland, Angier Chamber of Commerce Executive Director. “We are committed to keeping the focus on that.”

The festival attracts approximately 6,000 people and 2,000 motorcycles.

There’s plenty of food and fun in an alcohol-free environment.

“Most of the vendors are motorcyclerelated,” Strickland says. “HarleyDavidson sets up a big display, along with custom bike painters, apparel and some arts-and-crafts booths.”

Many churches and charities – and several Christian biker groups – are involved, along with local merchants including event chairman John Toomey, of Angier’s own D&Q Motorsports.

“We draw visitors from as far away as Ohio and Tennessee,” Strickland says. Others come from throughout the state, often during a summer road trip.

“They hear about the festival, and stop on their way to the beach,” she says.

“We’re about an hour and a half from some of North Carolina’s best beaches.”

The event grows in scope and attendance every year. For the next event, Angier is considering including Rolling Thunder, a motorcycle group, as well as doing a veterans’ appreciation ceremony.

“We want to include as many groups as possible, and make it as communityoriented as it can be,” Strickland says.

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Portfolio

Respect for Elders I

Coats Senior Center offers an array of programs for older citizens.

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f you’re going to the Anderson Creek Senior Center, you should RSVP. That’s Retired Senior Volunteer Program, a state program linking a community’s elders to volunteering needs in the area.

“We’re one of the volunteer stations in the county,” says Kathleen Collins, senior center administrator at Anderson Creek. “It’s a stepping off point for people who maybe aren’t ready for a traditional senior center, but want to find a way to help the community.”

The center also offers significant amenities to seniors – day trips to museums, shopping or the theater; a shuttle service that takes people to medical appointments; classes in oil painting and ceramics; an annual trip to the state fair; guest speakers on everything from technology to taxes; and a flu shot clinic each fall.

Dunn Senior Enrichment Center and Coats Senior Center also offer topnotch services to the community’s older generation, such as exercise and craft classes, music and art instruction, and consumer, health and nutrition information.

The Dunn Center is operated by the city, while Coats Senior Center is a private nonprofit facility founded by local citizens.

Rebecca McLean, executive director of the Coats Center, says some new initiatives are in the works.

“We’re currently writing a grant to obtain a computer lab for the center,” McLean says. “We have many seniors who are computer-savvy.”

Meanwhile, seniors throughout the community can enjoy lunch together during the week at the Anderson Creek Senior Center.

The communities of Angier and Erwin also have active and welcoming senior citizens programs.

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Home Sweet Home

Your child deserves to learn.

Whether gifted, hurting or disadvantaged, your child deserves to learn. There is a school where both gifted and at-risk students can get personal attention … side by side in the same room … and both will excel. No pressure, boredom or embarrassment for the student.

T

ime was you could buy a home from the Sears & Roebuck catalog.

A certain Dr. Roberts did it in 1912.

He chose the Avondale, a bungalowstyle dwelling. The home-building kit was delivered to his land in Coats and then constructed according to the directions.

The Roberts family owned and lived in the house for 91 years. In 2003, an antiques dealer purchased the house with plans to expand her shop.

“Our store was across the street and we had run out of room,” Debbie Greider says. She and her husband, Dan, own Colonial Corner Antiques.

Now, one of the town’s most historic dwellings helps sell some of its historical items. The Greiders have operated the store for 15 years, offering mahogany and oak furniture, dining room sets, glassware and collectibles, mainly from the 1940s and 1950s.

Debbie Greider says she started the business due to her love of old things.

The first inventory was three pieces of restored furniture.

The current location is a good fit, she says. “It has two beautiful stained glass windows, and the front windows are kind of wavy-like, with bubbles in the glass, like you see in older homes.

And the floors are beautiful.”

– Stories by Paul Hughes

For more information, please call:

PHOTOS BY TODD BENNETT

Faith Education Academy • Grades K-12 2082 Arrowhead Rd. • (910) 892-9900

Colonial Corner Antiques is housed in a 1912 Sears & Roebuck home.

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Business | Biz Briefs jewelry and watches, Jordan’s offers a collection of china, crystal and silver, making it the place to shop for Harnett County brides.

“It’s kind of a Dunn tradition,” says Jones, who has worked at the store for the past 56 years. “Maybe we’ll be here a few more years.”

PHOTOS BY TODD BENNETT

HOMEGROWN COVERAGE A home-grown, fully equipped insurance agency is less common in these days of franchised companies.

But in Angier, C&D Insurance still offers customers personalized services.

“We can do anything in the insurance business,” says President Jim Burgin.

“We try to meet all of our clients’ insurance needs so they don’t have to go to four different places.”

Burgin says the array of services offered is particularly beneficial to customers in tough economic times.

“The economy is driving people to be concerned about money,” he says. “So we look at someone’s entire situation and try to help them out.”

Burgin bought the company, which was founded in 1957, in the early 1990s and has been expanding services ever since. The most recent addition is Seguros Latinos, a branch of the company that specifically accommodates Spanish-speaking customers.

The company’s physical presence is also invaluable to the community. C&D’s new, 10,000-square-foot office building was renovated as part of the downtown revitalization effort.

Jordan’s Jewelry Store has been selling fine jewelry since 1888.

CROWN JEWEL OF A BUSINESS At Jordan’s Jewelry Store, Harnett County’s oldest business, store owner Joyce Jones has a simple motto.

“We are not the best jewelry store in town because we are the oldest store in town. We’re the oldest because we are the best,” she says.

Founded in 1888, the store is a fixture 30

I M AG E S H A R N E T T C O U N T Y. C O M

in the Dunn community and has built a reputation of reliability, honesty, fair prices and quality merchandise.

“We try to make people feel at home,” says Jones, who purchased the store from the Jordan family in 1975. “Even our salesmen tell us how much they enjoy coming here. We sort of go the extra mile.”

Along with a quality selection of

REGAL TRADITION In the Harnett County community of Erwin, the Joseph family name has been synonymous with quality apparel and friendly service for more than 50 years.

“Hopefully, we serve our community well,” says George R. Joseph Jr., president.

Although the larger Joseph’s Department Store, which was founded in 1948, closed in 2006, the company was revamped and opened Joseph’s Men Store in March 2007.

The store boasts 1,500 square feet of retail space that features all the major brands – from Rockport Shoes to Tommy Hilfiger apparel. In-house alterations are also offered.

The Joseph name has a high standing in the community of Erwin. Joseph was town mayor for 10 years from 1991-97 HARNET T COUNT Y

and again from 2001-05.

That combined record of customer and civic service has created a reputation for the Joseph family as being hard working, trustworthy business owners.

“I feel like honesty is the most important quality a business owner can possess,” Joseph says.

CHOP TALK If you are looking for hog heaven in Harnett County, look no further than D & Q Motorsports in Angier.

On any given day in the chopper shop, you are likely to find a gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts sipping coffee and talking bikes.

“The people who come in here enjoy being able to really talk with the technicians one-on-one,” says store owner and mechanic Jeff Bruce. “A lot of people just come in here to hang out.”

While the company is known for custom bikes, there is little on two wheels the mechanics at D&Q cannot work on.

“I’ve been turning wrenches all my life,” Bruce says.

Bruce and fellow mechanic John Toomey offer a range of services that includes everything from oil changes to full body makeovers.

D and Q Chopper Shop has changed its name to D & Q Motorsports.

HOMETOWN HARDWARE When you enter J.E. Womble & Sons Hardware in Lillington, a Womble family member will be there to greet you, something Ray Womble, president, says is guaranteed customer service.

“We take care of the customer, whether they buy a five-cent bolt or a $3,000 lawn mower,” Womble says.

J.E. Womble & Sons has had success since 1946 in the competitive hardware business, including the ability to withstand the challenges posed by national chains. The store, which has 20,000 square feet of hardware merchandise, also includes a tire shop and lumber yard.

“When I hire an employee, the first thing I train them on is the service,” Womble says. “Our product knowledge is unsurpassed.”

The Womble business philosophy puts the customer front and center.

“I have gotten hot water heaters for customers in the middle of the night,” Womble says. “I can only do that kind of thing because we are a local business.”

– Brandon Lowe HARNET T COUNT Y

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Business | Economic Profile

HARNETT COUNTY BUSINESS CLIMATE Harnett County is a progressive business community with an experienced and dedicated workforce. It is located within an hour’s drive of North Carolina’s thriving Research Triangle.

The community is a member of the Research Triangle Regional Partnership. (www.researchtriangle.org).

Norfolk Southern Corp.

(919) 831-3002 www.norfolksouthern.com

TRANSPORTATION Airports Harnett Regional Jetport (910) 814-3946 www.harnett.org/airport Fayetteville Regional Airport (910) 433-1620 www.flyfay.com Raleigh-Durham International Airport (919) 840-2123 www.rdu.com Highways The region is seven miles from the intersection of I-40. I-95 and U.S. 301 run north-south and U.S. 421 runs east-west.

Rail CSX Transportation (804) 226-7504 www.csx.com

Angier, 4,165 Lillington, 3,171 Coats, 2,059

Ports Nearest port – Wilmington (95 miles)

DISTANCE TO MAJOR CITIES

STATISTICS

(Estimated drive time)

Population Harnett County, 108,721 (2007 est.)

There has been a 50% increase in population since 1990.

Income Median household income (2007) $51,679 Per capita personal income (2005) $30,553 Towns/Cities Population (July 2006) Dunn, 9,972 Erwin, 4,803

Fayetteville/Fort Bragg 20 minutes Raleigh, 35 minutes Research Triangle Park 45 minutes Raleigh-Durham Airport 45 minutes NCSU Centennial Campus 45 minutes Pinehurst, 45 minutes Durham, 50 minutes Wilmington, 2 hours Charlotte, 2.75 hours Atlanta, 6 hours

MAJOR EMPLOYERS

32

Company

Product / Service

Harnett County Public Schools

Education

2,055

Campbell University

Education

1,073

Harnett County Government

Local government

742

Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital

Health care

700

Food Lion Distribution Center

Warehouse/shipping

659

Energy Conversion Systems Inc.

Carbon brushes

436

Wal-Mart

Retail

420

Harnett Correctional Institute

Correctional facility

357

Edwards Brothers Inc.

Hard- and soft-bound books

280

SAAB Barracuda LLC

Defense mechanisms

280

Machine & Welding Supply

Industrial gases and supplies

220

Godwin Manufacturing Corp.

Truck bodies and hydraulics

200

Champion Homes

Manufacturing mobile homes

175

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No. of Employees

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Blue Ridge Parkway 3.5 hours Washington, D.C. 5 hours New York 8.5 hours

We Find the Match You Are Looking For

TAXES Property tax per $100 value July 2006 Harnett County, .735 Angier, .53 Coats, .62 Dunn, .52 Erwin, .48 Lillington, .56 Last year of re-evaluation (2003) Next year of re-evaluation (2009 )

LABOR FORCE STATISTICS June 2007

At River Birch Staffing, Inc. we hire the associates who want to work and who will do an excellent job for your company. You can trust River Birch Staffing, Inc. to present you with only the best candidates to fill your employment needs.

River Birch Staffing, Inc. Dunn, North Carolina 28334 (910) 891-HIRE (4473) www.riverbirchstaffing.com

Workforce, 47,739 Unemployment, 2,609 Unemployment rate, 5.5%

MORE EO ON ONLINE imagesharnettcounty.com More facts, stats and community information, including relocation tools and links to resources.

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Paid Advertisement

HARNETT County Schools Mission Statement: The mission of Harnett County Schools is to educate students in a safe environment empowering them to focus on lifelong learning, responsible citizenship and global awareness.

FAST FACTS

MAKING COMPETITION A FINE ART! Harnett Central High Choral Students Compete in New York City …

Most performing arts students dream of the day they can be a part of it … New York, New York. Choral and band students from Harnett Central High School realized their dream in April 2008 as they participated in an adjudicated music festival sponsored by national organization, Heritage Music Festival.

Ms. Anne McClain, choral director at Harnett Central High, decided she wanted to take her students to New York even before the school year began and started making plans preparations. “My students had attended music festivals in the past and performed well,” said Ms. McClain. “And I felt they would be able to compete on a national level if they worked hard.” Students were very excited about the opportunity and committed to working during classes and after school to prepare for the competition. They began practices to master three difficult pieces (about 15 minutes of songs) including one a cappella piece and one in a foreign language.

They also started fund-raising projects to gather the necessary monies and received approval from the Board of Education to make the journey. Local civic organizations, such as Kiwanis and Ruritan Clubs and the Harnett County Arts Council all contributed funds, and Ms. McClain applied and was awarded a $500 mini-grant from the school system fine arts festival – Harnett Off Broadway.

On April 3, the Choral Ensemble students (along with the HCHS band and orchestra students and parents) traveled to New York by charter bus. The following day was devoted to touring the city. “The students were able to see St. John’s Church, Ground Zero, the Empire State Building, Time Square, and go shopping in Manhattan and China Town,” said Ms. McClain. Then everyone enjoyed the Broadway performance of The Little Mermaid in the evening.

Day three was devoted totally to the music festival and started with early morning rehearsals in preparation for the competition. Following lunch, students traveled by bus to Manhattan’s Riverside Church, the competition location, which had a beautiful sanctuary reminiscent of a gothicstyled cathedral, complete with rosary stain-glass windows.

The ensemble performed Freedom Is Coming/Siyahama, What Wondrous Love Is This, and True Light. Their performance was rated according to national music standards by three judges. The band and orchestra also competed at different times in the afternoon. At the awards ceremony, Harnett Central received a silver rating of “Excellence,” and was awarded with a dinner cruise around Manhattan.

“This experience was a wonderful opportunity for our students to learn and grow as individuals and performers,” said Ms. McClain. “And I am already making plans to take my students to a competition in Orlando next year.”

SCHOOLS - Total Number of Schools .

Elementary Schools . . . .

Middle Schools . . . . . . .

High Schools . . . . . . . .

Alternative Schools . . . .

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TRANSPORTATION FALL

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26 16 .5 .4 . 1

ENROLLMENT - TH MO

Total Students .

Elementary (K-5) Middle (6-8) . . .

High (9-12) . . . .

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18,385 . 8,902 . 4,261 . 5,222

GRADUATES - Total Graduates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 994 Average Daily Attendance (K-12) . . . 94.6% ABCS RECOGNITION -

Expected Growth/Gain High Growth/Gain . . . .

Safe Schools . . . . . . .

Schools Meeting AYP . .

District AYP . . . . . . . .

(57 of 68 target goals)

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. . 19 . . .2 100% . . .4 83.8%

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. 26.9% . 0.5% . 54.1% . 12.0% . 5.5% . 0.9%

Total Number of Buses . . .

Students Transported Daily Miles Traveled Daily . . . . .

Number of Routes . . . . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

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. . 238 12,350 . 12,777 . . 251

FOOD SERVICE FALL

Student Breakfasts Served Daily . . . . 5,569 Student Lunches Served Daily . . . . 13,043 MEAL PRICES BREAKFAST LUNCH Elementary Middle/High Reduced Adults

$1.00 $1.25 $ .30 $1.50

$2.00 $2.15 $ .40 $3.00

EMPLOYEES OCTOBER

Number of Teachers . . . . . . . . .

Number of Administrators . . . . . .

National Board-Certified Teachers Doctoral Degree Employees . . . .

State Funded Employees . . . . . .

Federal Funded Employees . . . . .

Local Funded Employees . . . . . .

Total HCS Employees . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . .

1,222 . . 82 . . 66 . . .6 1,859 . 187 . 223 2,269

ETHNIC DISTRIBUTION

- TH MO

African American.

Asian . . . . . . . .

Caucasian . . . . .

Hispanic . . . . . .

Multi-Racial . . . .

Native American .

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★ All middle and high schools accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. ★ Collaborations with Campbell University, Central Carolina Community College and Fayetteville Technical Community College. ★ One of the first counties in the state to have 100% participation in crisis management program, initiated by State Attorney General, Roy Cooper. ★ Partnerships with businesses and industry countywide and the Harnett County Business Education Partnership. ★ Active member of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) Regional Task Force as we continue to meet the needs of incoming military families and their children.

Visit us online at www.harnett.k12.nc.us

Education

Education on the Grow CENTRAL CAROLINA COMMUNITY COLLEGE GROWS WITH HARNETT COUNTY

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ducational opportunities in Harnett County are growing, thanks to Central Carolina Community College’s recent expansion of its West Harnett Center.

Opened in 2001, the center initially operated out of mobile classroom buildings. CCCC has now built permanent facilities on the site and will be diversifying the center’s offerings to serve a growing community.

“Residents from the western side of Harnett County had to drive 20-30 miles to access higher-education or workforcetraining opportunities,” CCCC President Dr. Matthew Garrett says. “It just made sense to expand there.”

Located in Western Harnett Industrial Park, the center will focus in part on meeting the needs of local industry.

“We have two general-purpose shop areas than can be easily retrofitted to teach industrial applications. This will permit us to do specific workforce training for new industries that open in the park,” Garrett says.

The center’s new programs will also complement growth at nearby Fort Bragg, which has become a relocation point for personnel from deactivated military bases.

“There’s going to be almost $2 billion in construction at Fort Bragg, so we’ll be doing classes for the building trades – carpentry, electrical, that sort of thing,” says William Tyson, CCCC’s Harnett County provost.

In addition to its existing barbering school, Tyson says, the center will probably round out its roster with classes in computer use, sustainable agriculture

and construction, and skilled trades such as welding.

But when it comes to CCCC’s investment in Harnett County, the West Harnett Center is just the tip of the iceberg. The college has seven locations throughout the county, and its programs give Harnett County residents access to unparalleled educational opportunities.

“Our Laser and Photonics program is the only one in North Carolina and one of the few on the eastern seaboard,” Tyson says. “Any student who goes through that program has a job before they graduate.”

For students interested in health care, CCCC maintains an educational partnership with the nearby Campbell University School of Pharmacy.

“Health care is huge right now. We want to meet what’s cutting edge in the

medical field, especially in terms of nursing, and allied health and biotech,” Tyson says.

Even students looking for a traditional degree can find what they need at CCCC. Students can complete their first two years at CCCC and transfer straight into their junior year at any public university in the state.

In Garrett’s opinion, this variety of programs is emblematic of CCCC’s comprehensive commitment to Harnett County.

“We work closely with all Harnett County leaders,” he says. “Our people are members of the Harnett Forward Together Committee; we work with Harnett charities, agencies and civic groups. In every way, we live up to the name of community college.”

– Kathryn Royster

Central Carolina Community College’s West Harnett Center

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Education

Hooked on ‘Physh’Ed SCHOOL TAKES P. E. OUTDOORS

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tudents at Harnett Central Middle School are hooked on fishing, thanks to a ‘Physh’Ed grant from the Future Fisherman’s Foundation.

“I thought ‘Physh’Ed was a good fit for us because we have lots of rivers and lakes in our area,” says physical education teacher Gayle Glover, who applied for the grant.

The grant covered the 2007-08 school year. First, fishing professionals gave presentations at the school; then the entire student body went fishing at a state-run hatchery. The fishing trip was a mammoth undertaking, covering three days and involving more than 1,100 students and hundreds of volunteer chaperones.

Principal Chris Mace attended the outing with his sixth-grade son.

“It was indescribable, the look on the kids’ faces when they caught their first fish,” he says.

The program generated so much positive feedback that fishing has been added to HCMS’s regular physical education curriculum.

Beginning in 2008-09, the school will offer an annual fishing trip for sixth-graders and an ongoing fishing club for seventh- and eighth-graders.

Both Glover and Mace believe the program will have long-term benefits for HCMS students and the community as a whole.

“Fishing is a wholesome, healthy activity that can involve family and friends – it’s something they can do forever,” Glover says.

– Kathryn Royster

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Sports & Recreation

Water Striders SKI CAMP LEAVES FUN IN ITS WAKE

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ummer camp is a recreational rite of passage for many children. And in Harnett County, a world-class camp experience serves as the high-water mark.

Coble Ski Camp in Lillington is the only exclusive water skiing camp on the east coast, and one of only a handful in the world. The Coble camp experience leaves an impact on participants beyond improved skiing skills.

“The whole experience is a bonding experience,” says April Coble, lead instructor for the camp. “The people who come here usually stay in touch when they leave.”

Coble, who also coaches the U.S. Junior World Championship Team, is considered the best female water skier in the world.

She has owned and operated the camp with her family for the past 14 years.

Because the Coble family is so closely linked with top-class skiers and instructors, they are able to offer instruction that is unmatched anywhere else in the world.

Kids love the camp. They finish the experience with improved skills and improved confidence.

“You learn to believe in yourself,” she says. “It’s a real confidence builder.”

Combine a feeling of success, the fun of skiing and the scenery surrounding the beautiful, 250-acre North Carolina lake – and an unforgettable experience is created for children.

“We don’t hear the sounds of a busy highway,” Coble says.

“We are just surrounded by lakes, trees and clean air.”

Though the all-inclusive camp primarily focuses on water skiing, children have a chance to enjoy a traditional camping experience that includes nightly activities ranging from bowling to ice cream parties.

A typical day begins with warm-ups and land lessons.

From there, children are treated to private lessons, with each child having a chance to ski twice a day for four days.

“We totally indulge ourselves in water skiing and wakeboarding,” Coble says.

Elsewhere in Harnett County, the investment in parks and recreation by the county’s five municipalities means an endless array of recreational opportunities.

“Recreation opportunities for children promote wholesome family living and socially desirable character, which enhances the community,” says Alice Powell, Harnett County Recreation director.

Some local highlights include Angier’s Jack Marley Park, which was refurbished in early 2008 with two new playgrounds‚ one for ages 2 to 6, and the other for ages 6 to 12.

Fifteen minutes away, in the town of Erwin, a new skateboard park gives kids a chance to develop those skills in a safe environment.

– Brandon Lowe

April Coble is a top-ranked water skier and the lead instructor at her family’s ski camp.

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Why Drive Anywhere Else?

Cataract and Glaucoma Surgery done locally Evaluation and treatment of other eye problems and conditions Available to see patients five days a week in Dunn

Call today for your appointment!

700 Tilghman Dr., Ste. 700 • Dunn, NC 28334

Harnett County’s Only Full-Time Ophthalmology Practice

910-980-0077 38

I M AG E S H A R N E T T C O U N T Y. C O M

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Health & Wellness

Oh, Baby!

NEW BIRTHING CENTER BUILDS ON HOSPITAL’S STRONG FOUNDATION

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JEFFREY S. OTTO

etsy Johnson Regional Hospital, a not-for-profit, 101-bed facility located on the southeastern edge of Harnett County, has been helping families grow for more than 70 years. And thanks to a new Birthing Center, the hospital has done a little growing of its own.

“The Birthing Center has been designed to feel like home,” Ken Bryan, president and CEO, says. “And the best part about the center is knowing that family and friends are just down the street, so you can share your new love from day one.”

State-of-the-art birthing suites and private rooms provide complete comfort while maintaining the highest level of care – all on a floor dedicated to women’s and children’s services.

Experience counts, and at Betsy Johnson Regional, patients receive care from some of the best doctors and staff anywhere.

Each spacious, luxurious private suite is equipped to keep new mothers comfortable through labor, delivery and the recovery process. Special touches include a master bath and shower, sleeper sofa, glider rocker, television, DVD, VCR and stereo system.

Also special to the Birthing Center is the Nursery Viewing Area for siblings and family members. After a brief recovery

period, new mothers and their babies are moved to a private room, with no disruption of high-quality care.

“Whether you are a first-time mother or an experienced parent, our goal is to make every birth a special one,” Bryan says. “We want our mothers’ stay to be as comfortable and pleasant as possible.”

This dedication to personalized attention combines with a level of medical technology, expertise and services that rivals many larger hospitals. For patients, that means an extraordinary health-care experience.

“The expertise and dedication of our highly trained staff is a reflection of the competitive quality of health care and acts as a source of pride to the county,” Bryan says.

One such example is the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.

Prior to opening the facility, residents were inconvenienced by the frequent 75-mile round-trip visits to the nearest rehabilitation unit. The numerous trips, extended travel time and increasing volume of patients ultimately led to the decision to create the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.

The program improves the future health outlook for Harnett citizens by establishing healthy physical activity and nutritional practices. Risk factor reduction strategies and healthy lifestyle modification also help slow the spread of the cardiovascular disease.

“This is about providing services right here at home,” Bryan says. “This opening is a big step forward for Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital in growing and expanding services for our patients.”

– Brandon Lowe

Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital has added a Birthing Center and a cardiac rehabilitation program.

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L.P .S. S OLUTIONS

Kenneth Lee, Owner “The solution to your pest problems!”

• Locally Owned & Operated • Over 40 Years of Experience 608 N. Ellis Ave. Dunn, NC 28334 “Quality Without Question”

questions

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(910) 892-6312

© 2002 American Cancer Society, Inc.

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Arts & Culture A work by Tonia Michno, who is known as The Barefoot Artist.

Painting the Town TALENTED LOCAL ARTISTS ADD COLOR AND CHARACTER TO HARNETT COUNTY ART SCENE

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hile painting a mural along Front Street in Lillington in 2001, artist Tonia Michno climbed up on a table, took off her shoes and made a name for herself.

The next day, newspapers referred to her as The Barefoot Artist. And the name stuck.

“It’s a comfort thing,” admits Michno, who is now widely known as The Barefoot Artist and travels everywhere from Washington, D.C. to Atlanta to paint HARNET T COUNT Y

murals for clients. “I still like to paint barefoot.”

A native of Lillington, Michno began painting as a child after her mother gave her an art set. She later honed her skills as a fine arts major at Sandhills Community College in Pinehurst. Today, the artist is known for her bright, vivid murals that depict landscapes and tropical scenes. Her work can be seen locally at the Front Street Café, Casa Carini, as well as at the Harnett County

Arts Council and in her home studio.

Michno recently developed a new technique that is starting to attract attention.

“When the paint dries on the palette, I peel it off and make a new painting or sculpture from it. I don’t throw anything away,” she says. “That’s my favorite thing to do.”

Though she has had opportunities to move elsewhere, Michno says she plans to keep her home base in Lillington, where she is raising two daughters, ages 14 and 11.

“A lot of my work is in Raleigh, but I like living here,” she says. “Life is comfortable in Harnett County.”

Joanna Allred McKethan is another local painter who is a native of Harnett County. She creates highly realistic watercolors and works with oils and pencils.

“I started painting at age 3 – on my bedroom wall,” McKethan says.

McKethan’s work is mostly still life and portraits done in a style she calls playful realism.

“It’s a little larger than life, and it has a surrealistic edge to it,” she says. “I like doing looking-down scenes, like leaves on the ground. My paintings tell a story.”

McKethan favors watercolors because she says you never know what will happen.

“Watercolors are so surprising,” she says.

The artist studied art at Queens University of Charlotte and at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also spent eight years in Germany studying oil masters painting.

McKethan’s work is on display at the Harnett County Arts Council and in local and regional galleries, including her own gallery, j’Originals Art Studio in Dunn. She also offers private art lessons at her studio.

Visit www.thebarefootartist.com and www.joriginals.net for more information.

– Jessica Mozo I M AG E S H A R N E T T C O U N T Y. C O M

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Jan L. Norris YOUR REAL ESTATE CONNECTION …

Hometown real estate agent with worldwide exposure!

RE/MAX Signature Realty 509 W. Broad St. • Dunn, NC 28334 (919) 868-0158 • Cell: (910) 984-6329 (866) 497-4418 • NEXTEL 26*8786 jannorris@remax.net • www.jannorris.remax.com

HE

Holloman Exterminators, Inc. Since 1954 Complete Termite and Pest Control

Jerry Lewis • Owner

(910) 892-7438 819 Stewart St. • Dunn, NC 28334

Miller’s

Lawn and Landscaping, Inc. Armtec®products for military aircraft www.armtecdefense.com

Edward “Buddy” Miller, Owner/President

(910) 892-4551

608 E. McNeill St. • Lillington, NC 27546 (910) 814-1222

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Community Profile

HARNETT COUNTY SNAPSHOT Harnett County is located in the south-central portion of North Carolina. It lies partially in the Coastal Plain and partially in the Piedmont section.

The region is two hours away from the Crystal Coast and less than four hours away from the mountains. It is ideally located in the heart of North Carolina’s “vacationland.”

MEDICAL FACILITY Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital (910) 892-7161 www.bjrh.org

CLIMATE The region enjoys four distinct seasons, with an average annual temperature of 62 F. January average temperature 39 F July average temperature 78 F Average rainfall 48 inches Average snowfall 2.6 inches Elevation 325 feet above sea level

Electricity Central Electric Membership (800) 446-7752 Progress Energy (800) 452-2777

LIBRARY Harnett County Library (910) 893-3446

EDUCATION

South River Electric Membership Corp.

(800) 338-5530 (910) 892-8071

Harnett County Public Schools (910) 893-8151 www.harnett.k12.nc.us

Gas Piedmont Natural Gas Co. (800) 752-7504

Higher Education Campbell University (800) 334-4111, (910) 893-1200 www.campbell.edu

Water/Sewer Harnett County Public Utilities (910) 893-7575

Central Carolina Community College, (910) 893-9101 www.cccc.edu

MORE EO ON ONLINE imagesharnettcounty.com tt m

UTILITIES Cable Time Warner, (866) 489-2669 Charter Communications (888) 438-2427

More facts, stats and community information, including relocation tools and links to resources.

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910.814.EYES (3937) • Call for a complimentary steam facial or makeover • Advanced skin care

15 W. Front St. • Lillington, NC 27546

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Independently owned and operated by Rebecca and Becca Kelly

• Jewelry, handbags and clothing

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Visit Our Advertisers Anderson Creek Club www.andersoncreekclub.com

Holloman Exterminators Inc.

Lee Pest Solutions BB&T www.bbandt.com Magnolia Living Center www.thelivingadvantage.com Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital www.bjrh.org

Merle Norman

Campbell University www.campbell.edu

Miller’s Lawn & Landscaping Inc.

Carolina Eye Specialists www.carolinaeyespecialists.com

New Century Bank www.newcenturybank.com

Carolina Regional Radiology www.carregrad.com

O’Quinn-Peebles Funeral Home Inc. www.oquinnpeebles.com

Central Carolina Community College www.cccc.edu

Re/Max – Jan Norris www.remax.com

City of Dunn www.dunntourism.org

Dunn Area Chamber of Commerce www.dunnchamber.com

Look, a tall purple rectangle!

Realty World www.womblerealtync.com

River Birch Staffing Inc. www.riverbirchstaffing.com

Roaring Aardvark Web Design www.roaringaardvark.com Esterline Corporation www.armtecdefense.com Ruhl Tech Engineering www.ruhltech.com Faith Education Academy

First Choice Community Health Centers www.firstchoicechc.org

Hampton Inn

Harnett County Economic Development Commission www.harnett.org

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Saab Technologies www.saabgroup.com/us

Sherry’s Bakery Inc.

Snipes Insurance Service Inc. www.snipesinsurance.com

South River Electric Membership Corporation www.sremc.com

Harnett County Partnership for Children www.harnettsmartstart.org

Town of Coats www.coatsnc.com

Harnett County Schools www.harnett.k12.nc.us

Wellons Realty Inc. www.wellonsrealty.com

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When you talk to your child you build vocabulary, so everyday moments become learning moments. For more tips, visit bornlearning.org.

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DUNN

It’s All Right Here!

WELCOMES YOU HOME ...

Dunn ... conveniently located in the heart of North Carolina, just a short drive to the beach or the mountains. We are situated off Interstate 95 at exits 71-75.

We offer history, heritage and Southern hospitality, which is evident in our community.

Come and visit and stay awhile.

Dunn … welcomes you home!

City of Dunn Post Office Box 1065 Dunn, NC 28335 (910) 230-3500 www.dunn-nc.org

Dunn Area Tourism Authority Post Office Box 310 Dunn, NC 28335 (910) 892-3282 www.visitdunn.com