VOLUME 146 ISSUE 27 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 31, 2023
CHATHAMNEWSRECORD.COM
C HATHAM NEWS & R ECORD THE CHATHAM COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL
the
BRIEF this week
Sierra Socks reinstates ‘Buy One, Give One’ campaign Sierra Stocks in Pittsboro has announced that they are reinstating their “Buy One, Give One” Program. For every pair of socks purchased from their website, the company will donate a pair to temporary housing and food pantries in the area to distribute to those in need. This program will begin locally and branch out to neighboring counties. Among the homeless population, socks are one of the most requested items in shelters. A new pair of socks helps prevent the spread of disease and infection among this vulnerable population. Temporary housing and food pantries that serve the surrounding counties may email sales@sierrasocks.com to apply for the sock donation program. For additional information about this program or to purchase socks, please visit sierrasocks.com/.
Chatham Cooperative Extension to host Native Plant Sale this September The Chatham County Center of North Carolina Extension will be hosting a Native Plant Sale on Sept. 8. This concentrated sale will run from 4-5 p.m. and be held at the Chatham County Agriculture and Conference Center located at 1192 U.S. Hwy 64 West Business in Pittsboro. This is a great opportunity for Chatham residents to buy from four of the county’s native plant nurseries. Participating nurseries include Dutch Buffalo Farm, Growing Wild Nursery, Mellow Marsh Farm and Rachel’s Native Plants. An RSVP is required so the nurseries can plan accordingly, so please email Debbie Roos at dlroos@ncsu.edu if you anticipate attending. Doors will open promptly at 4 p.m.
Central Carolina Community College classes to start Sept. 12 Central Carolina Community College is set to begin its next set of 12-week classes on Sept. 12. Many of the classes are available in an online format. To see a full list of available courses, visit ccc.edu/12and8. To register for courses, connect with your Education Navigator by visiting ccc.edu/admissions/ contacts/ or contact the Student Onboarding and Success Office at 919-718-7300 (Lee Main Campus), 919-545-8025 (Chatham Main Campus) or 910-814-8827 (Harnett Main Campus). You can also connect with an Education Navigator in person at any main campus, virtually or by appointment. For more information about CCCC, visit cccc.edu.
PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
General Manager of Kingston 99 Kitchen Jason Rhoden at The Plant will be the areas only Jamaican food within 40 minutes in Pittsboro.
Kingston 99 Kitchen brings new flavor to Pittsboro By Chuck Thompson Chatham News & Record PITTSBORO — A new eatery has opened in Pittsboro that is serving the unique sights, sounds and delicious flavors of Jamaica. Nestled in the commercial hub known as The Plant on Lorax Road, Kingston 99 Kitchen has created a unique opportunity to enjoy the flavors and feel of Jamaica without leaving Chatham County. Ordering is done by walking up to a window with the choice of enjoying your food at one of the outside tables or as a car-
ry-out. There is a walk-in area for the restaurant’s Sunday buffet. “Sunday brunch is unique — every Sunday,” Jason Rhoden, Kingston 99 Kitchen general manager, said. “There’s not many brunch options in Pittsboro, so we brought that to you.” Inside the buffet room at Kingston 99 Kitchen is a wall of several food-related Jamaican words along with their English translation as a fun way for customers to learn Jamaican words. “There’s no better way to introduce you to Jamaican food
than a little bit at a time by having a buffet,” Rhoden said. “Jamaican food is what you might call soul food — it’s rich in flavor. A lot of people think Jamaican food is spicy, but that’s not always true. You can decide your own spice flavor, the way you want it.” Kingston 99 Kitchen has plenty of authentic Jamaican options on its menu, plus a few that may have never crossed your mind. “A lot of people judge a Jamaican restaurant by how they cook oxtails,” Rhoden said.” If you can’t get that right — there goes your standards.”
By Matt Mercer North State Journal
COURTESY PHOTO
Superintendent continues tradition of riding school bus on first day of class SUPERINTENDENT Anthony D. Jackson took his 13th annual first-day-ofschool ride on Monday, “It’s a tradition he loves doing every year,” said Chatham County Schools Public Information Officer John Wood. “This tradition dates back to my days as a building principal when I would annually ride the bus to meet students and families in the community,” Jackson said. “Since becoming a superintendent in 2008, I have ridden to the school with a kindergartener each year. There is nothing like experiencing and see-
See KINGSTON 99, page A3
Annual Chatham County visitor impact report shows 11.3% increase
Superintendent Anthony D. Jackson holds hands with Lola Parks.
By Chuck Thompson Chatham News & Record
The bread pudding is a signature dessert item inspired by Rhoden’s mother, who made the favorite for her son. Rhoden explained that all the dessert items are worth trying, but the bread pudding is one worth having if one can’t make up your mind the first time. Kingston 99 Kitchen also serves its own Jamaican drinks, including a Jamaican sorrel (hibiscus) drink and a pineapple ginger juice. “But we don’t do just Jamaican food,” Rhoden added as he pointed to the menu showing that tacos, wraps and chicken tenders are also options among the Jamaican fare. Catering is also available for special events. Rhoden said the variety of vendors at The Plant — including a clothing store, coffee, shop, brewery and venue space
ing a new school year through the eyes of a 5-year-old kindergartener.” On Monday, the first day of school in Chatham County, Jackson rode bus No. 35 from Pittsboro Elementary until it came to a stop where Lola Parks was waiting with her family to get on the school bus for her first day of kindergarten. The superintendent exited the bus to speak with the Parks family and then rode with her to school Monday morning. They both made a new friend that day. They talked about her summer, her See SCHOOLS, page A12
PITTSBORO — Domestic and international visitors to and within Chatham County spent $75.72 million in 2022, an increase of 11.3% from 2021, according to new data. The spending report comes from an annual study commissioned by Visit North Carolina, a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. “Chatham County’s tourism and hospitality industry continues to grow, with predominantly small businesses offering events and activities appealing to our visitors,” said Neha Shah, director of the Pittsboro-Siler City Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), which is the designated official destination marketing organization (DMO) for Chatham County. State tax revenue generated in Chatham County totaled around $3.2 million through state sales and excise taxes, and taxes on personal and corporate income. About $2.8 million in local taxes were generated from sales and property tax revenue from travel-generated and travel-supported businesses. The total payroll generated by the tourism industry in Chatham County was $23 million, the data showed. Statewide, North Carolina set a record for visitor spending in 2022. As previously reported in May, travel statewide rose 15.2%,
an increase following a 2021 turnaround from the pandemic’s 2020 peak, which brought a devastating drop of 32% in visitor spending. “As we celebrate a record $33.3 billion in visitor spending statewide, we’re pleased that counties that rely on business travel, as well as leisure trips, are doing well,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. The travel and tourism industry directly employs more than 624 in Chatham County, according to the report. The study was prepared for Visit North Carolina by Tourism Economics in collaboration with the U.S. Travel Association. “Tourism is more than an essential industry for the state,” said Wit Tuttell, executive director of Visit NC. “It’s an economic development force in all 100 of our counties, the places where travelers experience our scenic beauty and adventure, our cuisine and unique culture, our history and the dynamic forces that create our enduring appeal. We look forward to continued success in welcoming people to experience places they won’t find anywhere else.”