Our Town Rockingham County, North Carolina

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come visit our town - rockingham county, north carolina

When you have a vision for business that demands more space, water, incentives and accessibility, look to Rockingham County, NC. And let the Rockingham County Partnership help.

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come visit our town - rockingham county, north carolina

www.NCNorthstar.com

The Technology You Need...The Care You Deserve

117 E. Kings Hwy., Eden, NC

336-623-9711

www.morehead.org For Physician Referral Call

336-627-6336

• Birthing Center • Cardiac Rehabilitation • Chronic Disease • Diagnostic Imaging • Morehead Nursing Center

• Occupational Health • Physical Rehabilitation • Cancer Center • Sleep Center • Wound Healing

Your Source for Charitable Estate Information The Morehead Memorial Hospital Foundation supports the hospital mission to provide high quality patient care, the best physicians and personnel available, modern facilities and equipment, and compassionate care. With life comes changes, and these changes can provide opportunities. Whether it is selling your business or looking at alternative personal retirement vehicles, the Morehead Memorial Hospital Foundation has information that could benefit you and your family now and help your community in the future.

Contact the Morehead Memorial Hospital Foundation at 627-6334 to learn more.

You will be glad you did.

Please remember Morehead Memorial Hospital in your will.

Morehead Memorial Hospital’s Birthing Center will be an experience you will remember forever. In one single room – each mother can labor, deliver, bond with her new child, and remain in that room until discharge.

Throughout your stay, you can enjoy • a certified lactation consultant to help if you choose to breastfeed • educational videos available in your room • infant care teaching • stereo cd and cassette players • television

Created for The Rockingham County Partnership for Economic and Tourism Development

by The Andrew Brooks Media Group Publisher Andrew Scott Brooks scott@showcasemagazine.com Coordinating Editor Moriah Davis Content Editor Paul Seiple Creative Designer Katherine Miraldi Directors of Content Robin Yount, Kerry Taylor-Pinnix, Jamie M. Rorrer Finance Manager Cindy Astin Intern Angela Williams To Advertise in the Next Edition 877.638.8685 Sales Executives Moriah Davis, Jonny Fairplay, Angela Williams, and Larry Oldham Contributing Writers Cindy Adams, Andrew Scott Brooks, Paul V. Brown, Jr., Dr. Lindley S. Butler, Craig Cardwell, Debby Cardwell, Flavel Collins, Brad Corcoran, Erin Culbert, Moriah Davis, Leslie Deaton, Kelly Dickerson, Michael Digh, Johnny Farmer, Kerry Faunce, Rick Hurley, Kathryn Gauldin, Anne Griffin, James E. Kallam, Dr. Robert Keys, Glenn L. Martin, Michael S. Pearce, Dixie Penn , Graham Pervier, Shirley Price, Kim Proctor, Phillip Raeburn, Jamie M. Rorrer, Bob Scott, Dr. Rodney Shotwell, Angela G. Stadler, Brenda Sutton, Sharon Troxler, Brenda Ward, Cathy Wheeler, Mark Wells, Judy Yarbrough Contributing Photographers Albert Cardwell, Andrew Scott Brooks, Andy Jay, Artisan Image, Jessi Haygood, Katharin Crouch, King’s English, Moriah Davis, Tim Talley A Special Thanks to the Following Organizations, Photographers, and Magazines for Allowing the Use of Their Photos: Annie Penn Hospital, Autumn Creek Vineyards, Charlie’s Soap, Dashboards and Saddlebags Magazine, Duke Energy, Free Clinic of Rockingham County, Greensboro News & Record, King’s English, Morehead Memorial Hospital, Reidsville YMCA, Rockingham County Hospice, Rockingham County Partnership for Economic and Tourism Development, Rockingham County Schools, Tim Talley Photography Contributing Designer Kim Demont The Andrew Brooks Media Group 753 Main Street #3 Danville, VA 24541 www.comevisitourtown.com The Rockingham County Partnership for Economic and Tourism Development 371 NC HWY 65, Wentworth, NC 27375 www.NCNorthStar.com | 336-342-8138 COVER: The future of Rockingham County represented by Carmela Flores.

Photo by Tim Talley Photography.

Contents

TRANSFORMING NC’S NORTH STAR by Graham Pervier........................................................................2 HISTORIC RIVERS AND COUNTRY LIVING by Dr. Lindley S. Butler.........................................................10 A COMMUNITY WORKING TOGETHER by Craig Cardwell..................................................................12 A COMMUNITY OF COMMUNITIES..............................................................................................................16 WELCOME by James E. Kallam............................................................................................................16 EDEN by Brad Corcoran........................................................................................................................17 MADISON by Bob Scott..........................................................................................................................18 MAYODAN by Debby Cardwell..............................................................................................................19 REIDSVILLE by Michael J. Pearce..........................................................................................................19 STONEVILLE by Shirley Price.................................................................................................................22 WENTWORTH by Brenda Ward...............................................................................................................23 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY COURTHOUSE by Moriah Davis........................................................................24 DAN RIVER COMBINED CYCLE PLANT by Erin Culbert...............................................................................26 INDUSTRIAL COMPANIES LOVE DOING BUSINESS HERE by Jamie M. Rorrer.............................................28

GROWING SMALL BUSINESSES....................................................................................................................36 SAVING HOME by Mark Wells...............................................................................................................36 RCC SMALL BUSINESS CENTER by Cathy Wheeler................................................................................38 SHILOH AIRPORT by Dr. Robert Keys...................................................................................................38 ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT by Moriah Davis..............................................................................................42 LOCAL FLAVOR............................................................................................................................................46 FINDING THE NICHE MARKETS IN AGRICULTURE by Brenda Sutton.....................................................46 EAST VS. WEST: THE BEST OF BOTH IN THE BBQ WORLD by Andrew Scott Brooks............................48 TAKING CARE OF OUR OWN.....................................................................................................................52 LIVE UNITED by Rick Hurley................................................................................................................52 FREE CLINIC OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY by Leslie Deaton.............................................................53 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH by Glenn L. Martin..............................54 LOCAL HOSPITALS........................................................................................................................................56 MOREHEAD MEMORIAL by Kerry Faunce...........................................................................................56 ANNIE PENN HOSPITAL by Sharon Troxler.............................................................................................57 HOSPICE OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY by Flavel Collins.......................................................................58 GOT WATER? by Jamie M. Rorrer...........................................................................................................60 CHINQUA PENN PLANTATION by Paul V. Brown, Jr...............................................................................66 SHOP, STAY & PLAY......................................................................................................................................70 VISIT REIDSVILLE by Judy Yarbrough...................................................................................................70 DISCOVER EDEN by Cindy Adams.....................................................................................................71 EXPLORE WESTERN ROCKINGHAM by Anne Griffin..........................................................................72 GRAPEFUL THINKING by Kelly Dickerson....................................................................................................74 SPOTTING BEAUTY by Moriah Davis...........................................................................................................78 EDUCATION IN OUR REGION.....................................................................................................................80 ROCKINGHAM COMMUNITY COLLEGE................................................................................................80 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY SCHOOLS by Dr. Rodney Shotwell.............................................................81 ROCKINGHAM county RECREATION......................................................................................................84 EDEN PARKS & RECREATION by Johnny Farmer..............................................................................84 REIDSVILLE by Angela G. Stadler.........................................................................................................86 REIDSVILLE YMCA by Michael Digh..................................................................................................88 EDEN YMCA by Barry Mabe.................................................................................................................88 WESTERN ROCKINGHAM COUNTY FAMILY YMCA by Barry Mabe....................................................89 MADISON MAYODAN RECREATION DEPARTMENT by Dixie Penn................................................89 SPECIAL EVENTS VENUES by Jamie M. Rorrer..........................................................................................90 WRIGHT TAVERN by Kim Proctor...............................................................................................................94 ARTS IN ROCKINGHAM COUNTY by Kathryn Gauldin..........................................................................96 ALL ABOUT ROCKINGHAM COUNTY General Information........................................................100 GOLF IN ROCKINGHAM COUNTY.............................................................................................................103

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TRANSFORMATION

Transforming NC’s North Star

R

by Graham Pervier

ockingham County’s story is like that of so many other rural communities throughout North Carolina. Once a thriving textile, tobacco and furniture manufacturing economy, we experienced a sea of change about 10 years ago. That was when textiles and furniture drifted offshore and a major tobacco company consolidated operations elsewhere.

But Rockingham County is a resilient community. Rather than letting the economic struggles get us down, our leaders and residents are rebuilding and transforming the local economy in several ways.

First, we looked for the positives. The decline in furniture and textiles left us with two important advantages to attracting new industries—some large, modern and available manufacturing buildings. And, a workforce that is hardworking, adaptable and loyal.

Those advantages are paying off as new companies that were attracted to North Carolina because of the State’s business-friendly environment are finding the buildings, sites and workforce they need in Rockingham County. Companies like Albaad USA, Amcor Tobacco Packaging, Bridgestone Aircraft Tire, Gildan, SANS Technical Fibers and Weil-McLain have located in Rockingham County within the last decade and are helping to reshape the local economy.

MillerCoors, in Eden, has been a major employer and corporate citizen since 1967. The same goes for the company’s supplier, Ball Corporation in Reidsville, which makes the aluminum cans for MillerCoors and other beverage companies.

Our “new” industries continue to grow and thrive. Gildan Activewear in Eden more than doubled its workforce within five years of locating here. The company most recently implemented a major expansion of its Eden distribution center, increasing its physical presence by 220,000 square feet.

We are proud to say that Rockingham County’s economy is now very diverse and international. A dozen international companies now have operations here and the products made or distributed in Rockingham County range from aircraft tires to aluminum cans to t-shirts and sweatshirts to wet wipes.

But it’s not just about the large industries. Unique, homegrown

businesses are the backbone of our local economy and are adding to Rockingham County’s prosperity. Local companies like Charlie’s Soap and TigerTek Industrial Services spun out of the textile industry. These companies not only survived the downturn of the US textile market but they now thrive without a reliance on textiles. Piedmont Distillers in Madison is capitalizing on our state’s heritage of the NASCAR racing and moonshine connection by operating as the only legal distillery in North Carolina and proving itself as an innovator in the hand-crafted spirits market.

come visit our town - rockingham county, north carolina

Part of our transformation has been to recognize other, nontraditional industry sectors such as tourism. Our organization exemplifies Rockingham County’s position that tourism is a vital industry by the fact that we focus on tourism development as much as we do economic development. Our community is blessed with many natural attractions and our leaders and citizens now recognize that those are assets that attract out-oftown visitors.

Rockingham County has a growing reputation for the quality and variety of outdoor recreation here. The marketing of our rivers for recreation resulted in the opening of local small businesses as river outfitters, who continue to experience great growth each year.

Because small businesses and entrepreneurs are so vital to our economy, our community now has the publically funded Rockingham County Business and Technology Center, which assists entrepreneurs and start-ups.

Rockingham County is also sharing in the growing prosperity of the adjacent Greensboro/High Point/Winston-Salem urban areas. About one-third of our workforce is employed nearby.

People enjoy a rural, small town lifestyle with easy access to urban amenities.

There are also several pending highway improvements that will be major factors in Rockingham County’s growing prosperity. We have two future US Interstates running through our community--US 220 in Madison (future I-73) and US 29 in Reidsville (future I-785). Other planned improvements that will offer better connectivity with Greensboro include the US 220/NC 68 Connector. This will allow better access from Rockingham County to Piedmont Triad International Airport and the FedEx hub there. It will also connect Rockingham County more easily to existing I-40 and I-85.

{textile legacy industries continue to thrive} As both our private and public sectors have worked together to reshape our economy, we are now seeing the tides shift again as many of our “legacy” industries are rebounding and transforming. Local textile companies that are primarily yarn spinners-- both cotton and synthetics-- have used innovation, productivity and quality assurance to regain their competitiveness and keep production in the United States.

Unifi, McMichael Mills and Frontier Spinning (all located in Mayodan), SANS Technical Fibers (Stoneville), and Innofa USA (Eden) are doing very well in this competitive, global industry.

Their investments in their respective companies are paying off as our local Frontier Spinning, McMichael Mills and SANS plants have each added new jobs and equipment in the last couple of years.

Global Textile Alliance is an innovative textile company that relocated its off-shore production facility in Reidsville as did Gerbing’s Heated Clothing, which announced it would move its overseas production to Stoneville in 2011. In addition, suppliers to this industry in Reidsville like DyStar, a textile dye manufacturer, and Unifi’s dye plant, both continue to thrive in Rockingham County.

Transformation for us has not been easy nor is it nearly complete. The reality in today’s global economy is that we will be continually transforming and must always be willing to shift to meet the demands of a changing marketplace.

Rockingham County is proud of our heritage in textiles, tobacco and furniture. We are also proud of the diversification that exists in our economy today. We realize there will always be work to do and are excited for what the future holds for North Carolina’s North Star.

Graham Pervier is president of the Rockingham County Partnership for Economic & Tourism Development. The Partnership is the lead entrepreneurial organization that actively recruits new industry and business to Rockingham County, assists existing industries and businesses with expansions, and attracts visitors to the area by promoting tourism. The Partnership is a publicprivate entity, which means it is funded by the county and municipal governments as well as private investors.

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sPIRIT of rockingham county

Historic Rivers and Country Living tanding on a high ridge in 1732 overlooking the Dan River Valley, William Byrd declared, “So beautiful a dwelling, where the air is wholesome.”

Formed in 1785, in the rolling hills of northern Piedmont North Carolina, Rockingham County was named for Charles Watson Wentworth, Marquess of Rockingham, the Prime Minister of Britain who negotiated the end of the American Revolutionary War. Viewed from above, the county is predominately rural, a green landscape of rolling hills covered with pine and hardwood forests cut by many streams and four historic rivers, the Dan, Smith, Mayo, and Haw. Two large lakes, Belews Creek and Lake Reidsville, shimmer in the sunlight. On the family farms, many still with tobacco fields, are strawberries, blueberries, and vegetables, vineyards, peach and apple orchards, and pastures for cattle and horses. Two of North Carolina’s newer state parks have been established on the Mayo and Haw rivers.

With a population hovering near 100,000, the county is unusual in having no urban center but rather a scattering of small villages, towns, and cities. At the county seat of Wentworth, chartered in 1798, is a concentration of educational and governmental buildings, most notable for the spacious campus of Rockingham Community College and the impressive LEEDcertified Rockingham County Justice Center, one of the most advanced in the nation, a courthouse for the ages. The other incorporated cities and towns are Eden, Madison, Mayodan, Reidsville, Stoneville, and Wentworth. Former textile factories and a few remaining tobacco warehouses stand out, some vacant, some housing vibrant new industries, and some used as storage and distribution centers. Most visible are the giant MillerCoors Brewery at Eden, the Commonwealth Tobacco factory in Reidsville, and the Bridgestone Tire factory at Mayodan.

Between Reidsville and Wentworth are the broad pastures and fields of the Upper Piedmont Agricultural Research Station that surrounds the historic Chinqua-Penn Plantation. Winding through the station’s mature hardwood forest and alongside pastures for its legacy Black Angus herd is the county’s finest walking trail, which, along with Lake Reidsville and the Dan River, is part of the North Carolina Birding Trail.

With a well-preserved natural setting of woodland, abundant water, and a dispersed population evenly distributed across the land, Rockingham County offers the pace of country and small-town living with space for outdoor recreation—hunting, fishing, horseback riding, biking, hiking, canoeing and kayaking, and sailing and power boating.

For thousands of years, eons after dinosaurs roamed the region’s Triassic Basin, Native Americans hunted and grew corn, raised gardens, and tended orchards on the rich soils of the river valleys. In these shallow rivers they built stone fish weirs that snared enormous catches of fish during the great spawning runs from the sea. About two and a half centuries ago, immigrants from the British Isles and enslaved Africans came down the Great Wagon Road from the north and followed the Haw River up from the south to settle farms and plantations, planting tobacco on the upland clay ridges. photo by Patrick Jinks

S

by Dr. Lindley S. Butler

In the eighteenth century, settlers responded to William Byrd’s promotion of his “Land of Eden” tract. On the Haw River, a stone dam powered a gristmill at High Rock, and on Troublesome Creek there was also an iron furnace.

Both of these sites became bases for the Battle of Guilford Courthouse following the 1781 “Race to the Dan” campaign of the Revolutionary War. The escape of General Nathanael Greene’s American army across the Dan River in Virginia

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forest cover returned. Federal and state legislation required treatment of municipal and industrial waste, and the rivers began to heal. Today the rivers run much clearer and cleaner.

Industries are once again attracted to the Dan and its tributaries, this time for abundant clean water.

In the past generation North Carolina and Rockingham County have become more diverse, seeing an influx of people from throughout the world representing new ethnic groups and every major religion. The global economy of our time has drawn many of our traditional industries overseas. In a time of a world recession we are meeting the challenge of building a new economy no longer dependent on one or two crops and industries, but making a living in ways our forebears would not have imagined.

Eden is known as home of premier banjo artist Charlie Poole, whose string band made pioneering recordings of old-time music in the 1930s. Rockingham County has continued its strong music tradition with numerous gospel singing groups known throughout the nation and recording and performing artists recognized worldwide. Visual artists working in the media of painting, sculpture, and pottery thrive in Rockingham County, alongside other traditional crafts of textiles and woodworking.

changed the course of the war in the South, leading to the British defeat at Yorktown that secured our independence.

For the next hundred years, the masters of the rivers, AfricanAmerican boatmen, both enslaved and free, poled long, narrow wooden batteau laden with tobacco and other goods down the Smith and Dan rivers, connecting the isolated backcountry to world markets and stimulating the formation of the port towns of Leaksville and Madison. In the mid-nineteenth century, alongside the county’s first railroad, the town of Reidsville attracted tobacco markets and factories. Railroads eventually ended the batteau era, but the log and stone navigation sluices, some modified from Native American fish dams, are still used by recreational boaters who follow the Civil War Trail of the batteau that hauled pig iron and coal to Confederate war industries, hospitals and prisons.

Throughout the nineteenth century, entrepreneurs were drawn to the falls of the rivers where they constructed stone dams and canals to harness the energy of the rushing water to turn millwheels and drive steam pistons. The river ports became textile centers, and new factory towns grew up on the canals. Today most of the looms and spinning frames are silent, but the picturesque canals and low dams remain, still generating electric power.

As highways and railroads replaced the rivers for transport, the streams became silted and polluted. Dams downstream blocked the great fish runs that had fed many. People turned their backs on the muddy rivers, fit only to carry waste. Beginning with the New Deal soil and water conservation program, farming techniques improved and

Partnering with nonprofit groups, and other cities, and counties across the Dan River basin, Rockingham County is improving access to the rivers, building trails and parks, monitoring water quality, removing litter, and promoting agricultural, nature, and heritage tourism. With wide floodplains and high banks protecting the rivers, the public is rediscovering that you can float for miles on the Dan, the Mayo, the Smith, and the Haw, sharing the wilderness with herons, beavers, otters, deer, ospreys, and eagles, the stillness broken by chattering kingfishers darting over boisterous rapids.

All this is within an hour’s drive of more than a million people living in major cities.

William Byrd said it best, “Happy will be the people destined for so wholesome a situation, where they may live to the fullness of days.”

Dr. Lindley S. Butler, a native of Rockingham County and resident of Wentworth, is a senior North Carolina historian and Professor Emeritus of History at Rockingham Community College. He has published numerous books and articles on both state and local history and serves as historian of the Queen Anne’s Revenge Shipwreck Project. A founder of the Dan River Basin Association, he currently is on the Board of Directors of the Museum and Archives of Rockingham County (MARC).

www.NCNorthstar.com 11

moving forward

A Community Working Together

by Craig Cardwell

I

was recently passing a construction site where several men were working on a new building. Wondering what they were working on, I asked one of the workers what he was doing. He told me he was laying brick. That didn’t tell me much more than I had already observed, so I stopped another worker and asked him what he was doing. He replied that he was building a magnificent church. Both men were doing the same job, but one was connected to his work in a potentially powerful way. His connection helped me to see the vision of the finished project.

Just like the worker building the magnificent church, people across Rockingham County are recognizing the need to work collaboratively to rebuild our local economy. And, there are sure signs of collaborative efforts to address problems and, as a result, opportunities are developing throughout our community.

In early 2011, Dr. James T. Johnson, Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy in the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, released his Rockingham County Competitiveness Assessment. Dr. Johnson was engaged by the Reidsville Area Foundation, Rockingham County Partnership for Economic and Tourism Development and Rockingham County Government to provide this report from a perspective from outside of Rockingham County. This report was designed to comment on how Rockingham County presents itself to the world and, in turn, competes in the world economy. While describing the challenges that lay ahead for Rockingham County, Dr. Johnson’s report emphasizes that

positive change can only happen with a unified, countywide effort to promote and market the area. He underscores that cities, towns or sections of the county must realize their self interests are better served competing with the rest of the world and not with each other. Thus, a diverse group from throughout the county has been meeting to plan activities that address Dr. Johnson’s recommendations for improving Rockingham County.

Rockingham County Schools is one example where we see this kind of positive change taking place. Led by an energetic and progressive superintendent, our public schools have seen substantial improvements in recent years. All classrooms in the county have Promethean ActivBoards that involve students in new ways of learning. All teachers have laptop computers that expand their abilities to plan and deliver a more effective classroom experience for students. In 2012, high school students will begin receiving mobile learning devices as part of the Mobile Learning Initiative. This will make Rockingham County one of the few counties in the state with multiple high schools in which all students are provided a mobile learning device.

Other examples of collaboration are in the healthcare industry.

The Rockingham County Healthcare Alliance (RCHA) was formed as a collaboration of Annie Penn Hospital, Morehead Memorial Hospital, Rockingham County Department of Public Health and the Free Clinic of Rockingham County, as well as community leaders and other stakeholders.

The Alliance is dedicated to improving the health status of citizens of Rockingham County with a focus on increasing access to healthcare for those who rely on safety net services. The Alliance and its work have been used as a model for other areas of the state that are seeking to work more collaboratively.

Other county-wide efforts are indicative that collaboration can generate positive change. After beginning as a group of concerned citizens in Eden, the Rockingham County Education Foundation (RCEF) was formed to serve and support all public

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schools in the county. In its early efforts, RCEF has focused on financial support for the College Advising Corps. The goal of the College Advising Corps is to increase college attendance among low-income students, underrepresented student populations, and first-generation college-goers.

By hiring and training recent college graduates as full-time college advisers and placing them in our high schools, the Advising Corps provides the advice and encouragement that many students need in order to navigate the complex web of college admissions, secure financial aid and thus raise the college-going rates within our schools. Long-term, it is expected that these efforts will create a culture in our high schools where post-secondary school attendance is expected of all of our students. After participating in funding for two advisers to serve four high schools in the county, RCEF has led a successful effort to develop funding support for an adviser in each high school beginning in the 2011/2012 school year. Rockingham County will be the only county in North Carolina to have one adviser for each high school – another superlative for our county and our school system.

The Reidsville Area Foundation (RAF) encourages and supports these county-wide efforts. RAF was formed in 2001 with proceeds from the merger of Annie Penn Hospital with the Cone Health System. Formerly known as the Annie Penn Community Trust, the RAF has provided almost $14 million in the last 10 years for projects and programs throughout the county. This funding has been focused on addressing opportunities to move the county forward while targeting specific unmet needs. RAF has been successful in convening groups from various sections of the county to work in a collaborative approach to address problems and explore opportunities.

Rockingham County can and will respond to the challenges ahead. We must adapt to and be prepared for “the new economy” that emphasizes entrepreneurship, development of small businesses, innovation and change.

There is a growing realization that unity and collaboration directed at making Rockingham County an inclusive, equitable community will move this county forward.

There are many positive things happening in Rockingham County. Progress takes leadership, enthusiasm, action and perseverance. We are fortunate that these traits are all part of Rockingham County’s DNA.

The town of Leaksville was chartered by the State in 1797 by Captain John Leak who began selling lots in 1795.

Did you know?

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OUR TOWN-Rockingham County would not

be possible without the support of our Advertisers.

Please support the companies and organizations that support our community.

A. Nicole’s Jewelry & Accessories – 67 Aging, Disability & Transit Services – 25 Andrew Brooks Media Group – 87 Ann’s Gifts of the Spirit – 50 Annie Penn Hospital – 59 Arbor Ridge at Eden – 41 Atkinson Real Estate – 95 Autumn Creek Vineyards – 75 Baldwin & Associates Realty – 49 Beanies Army Navy – 50 Brian Center Health & Rehabilitation – 51 Caswell Pines Golf Club – 102 CaterFest – 67 Chinqua Penn Plantation – 67 City of Reidsville -55 Comics Corner – 50 Computer Bookkeeping & Tax Service – 4 Curves – 5 Dalton Collectibles – 50 Danville Regional Medical Center – 67 Days Inn of Reidsville – 67 Duke Energy – 34 Eden Flea Bytes – 50 Eden Tourism – 45 Elizabeth’s Pizza – 4, 106 Emily’s Antiques & Collectibles – 50 EnergyUnited – 41 First Piedmont – 51 Five Star Realty – 37 Gildan – 25 Greensboro National Golf Club – 103 Highland Neurology – 45 Holiday Inn Express & Suites - 108 Home Savings Bank – 107 Jameson Inn – 98 King’s Inn Pizza Parlor – 13 Ladies Choice – 50 Layne’s Family Pharmacy – 33 Madison Dry Goods – 49 Mayodan Antique Festival – 77 Morehead Memorial Hospital – 6 Mumbo Jumbo Imports – 68 Organo Gold – 77 Playground Records – 50 Pelham Transportation Corporation – 13 Performance Spine Sports Specialists, PA - 15 Preventive Maintenance Service of America, Inc. - 92 Protegrity Wealth Management – 14 Ray Ray’s Golf Shop – 102 Robert Woodall Auto Mall – 40 Rockingham County Business & Technology Center – 2 Rockingham Community College – 83 Rockingham County Partnership for Economic and Tourism Development – 3, 65 ServePro of Rockingham County – 21 Shelton’s Air Worx – 106 Shologo.com – 51 Stallings Collision Centers – 5 Steaks on the Square – 77 T&M Designs – 50 The Sports Medicine and Orthopaedics Center – 34 Three Rivers Outfitters - 98 Tim Talley Photography - 76 Tina’s Silk Floral Design’s & Gifts – 50 TransPro Logistics North Carolina, Inc. - 92 VIRginia International Raceway – 35 WAKG – 49 Whitlock & Son – 50 Wolf Creek Golf Club – 102 WolfnAroundNovelties.com – 50 YON-O Express Japanese Restaurant – 77

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community

A Community of Communities Our Town is a community of communities, each with its own identity and personality. Our local leaders welcome you to our area and give you a first hand look at their town. Their sense of pride and our overall spirit of cooperation will give you an insight into why Rockingham County is a great place to live, work, and play.

Welcome

by James E. Kallam, Chairman of Rockingham County Board of Commissioners

W

elcome to Our Town--Rockingham County, North Carolina! Our county, established in 1785, is home to six vibrant municipalities and many more unique communities, offering the perfect blend of city and country living. Our local economy is driven by a mix of large, international industries, homegrown companies, and small businesses. And our rolling, picturesque terrain makes Rockingham County the perfect place to visit, live, work and play.

Rockingham County offers a wide range of recreational opportunities. Visitors are encouraged to tube, canoe or kayak on our three rivers from any one of our public access points. Lake Reidsville and Belews Lake offer all kinds of water and camping fun. The county’s public parks and greenways provide a variety of activities for the whole family. This area is also known for its great cycling terrain as the roads here provide varying degrees of difficulty for cyclists of all skill levels. Also, golfers will find that Rockingham County has some of the most scenic and challenging courses in the Triad Region.

In addition to our many natural assets, our county has a

rich history evidenced by a network of Revolutionary and Civil War sites, historical markers and National Historic Registry sites. The Wright Tavern, located in the county seat of Wentworth, is one of the first frame built “dog-run” structures erected in North Carolina.

The entire historic Wentworth Village is under renovation and Rockingham County’s Dan River is the only place in the country where you will find remainders of 19th century navigational structures that were used for early commercial transportation prior to the railroad.

Rockingham County places high value on education and skills training. Rockingham Community College has a 45-year history of providing individuals with high quality, economical, and convenient educational opportunities consistent with student and community needs. To accomplish this, the College offers two-year degrees and certificate and diploma curriculum programs. It also provides continuing education through workforce development, job training programs, and customized training for industries.

In addition, Rockingham County Schools, the county’s K-12 public school system, plays a critical role in enhancing the quality of life within the community. The success of our local school system is demonstrated through strong student achievement results and partnerships it has established with area agencies, businesses and Rockingham Community College. Rockingham County Schools place heavy emphasis on global literacy, problem solving skills and

16 come visit our town - rockingham county, north carolina

critical thinking skills in order to equip our future citizens to compete in a global economy.

When it comes to our local economy, the Rockingham County Partnership for Economic and Tourism Development works to create new jobs and attract visitors here. The Partnership works with a variety of allies from within the county and throughout the state to recruit new businesses, help existing industries with expansions and to grow our tourism sector. Our local Business Technology Center focuses its work on using technology to help businesses grow and encouraging entrepreneurship in Rockingham County.

On behalf of the Board of Commissioners and our citizens, I welcome you again to Our Town, Rockingham County. I hope you will take the time to read through this publication and discover why Rockingham County is North Carolina’s North Star.

Eden Where Promise Flows

By Brad Corcoran, City Manager I came to Eden in 2001 after spending my previous public administration career in neighboring Virginia. What first struck me about the community were the beautiful trees that aligned Van Buren Road. I soon discovered that Eden has been Tree City USA for many years. As an outdoorsman and avid sports enthusiast, I was curious about recreational facilities. There were the Bridge Street and Mill Avenue recreation centers, but a functional city park was needed. Thanks to the efforts of a supportive City Council, dedicated city park committee, and city staff, Freedom Park has become a reality. It is one of the most popular recreational facilities in the region and a source of significant revenue for area businesses when tournaments come to town. Citizens and visitors can enjoy all the many amenities within the park year round as well as many other outdoor recreational and entertainment options which include activities on the Dan & Smith River, the Smith River Greenway, two great golf courses, and the Eden Drive – In movie theater.

While we have suffered legacy industry losses, our current industries are doing well and investing significantly in their Eden facilities. Morehead Hospital, MillerCoors, KDH Defense Systems, Loparex and Weil-McLain have all added employees and investment in Eden. Our city is now partnering with the City of Danville, Virginia and Pittsylvania County, Virginia in a mega industrial park that has the potential to produce 12,000 jobs and significant water and sewer revenue for the city. This park will change the economic and demographic landscape of Eden.

Located in Eden, the Rockingham County Consolidated School System consists of 13,800 students. Eden is home to

four elementary schools as well as Holmes Middle School and Morehead High School. The Education Foundation that started in Eden is now supplying college advisers to each county high school to help our children have a better future.

Morehead Memorial Hospital, which just celebrated its 50th anniversary, delivers affordable, efficient, high quality care.

In the past few years the hospital has opened a Wound Care Center in the Wright Diagnostic Center, conducted a major capital improvement project that resulted in a new emergency department, and a new Diagnostic Imaging Department. The additions are part of Morehead’s ongoing mission to provide high-quality patient care, the best physicians and personnel available, modern facilities and equipment.

One of our most proud accomplishments is being named a 2011 “All-America City.” Thirty-three people ventured to Kansas City, Missouri, to tell our rich story and promote our slogan: Eden: Where Promise Flows. Many join me in believing that Eden’s future promise will far surpass its much celebrated past.

www.ci.eden.nc.us www.NCNorthstar.com 17

Madison Captivated

by Bob Scott, Town Manager Centrally located within 30 miles of Greensboro, WinstonSalem and High Point, North Carolina and Martinsville and Danville, Virginia, the Town of Madison is accessible to major markets and urban amenities while maintaining its smalltown character. Future Interstate 73 (currently US 220) passes through Madison and provides easy access to one of the major north-south transportation arteries on the east coast and to the Piedmont Triad International Airport.

The Town possesses a unique historic charm with many of the original homes from the 18th and 19th centuries still intact and owner occupied. The Town hosts two historic districts that are included on the State and National Registries. The local Historic Districts and Properties Commission works to maintain the Jordan Cabin, built in 1799 and the Scales Law Office, built in 1856.

A stroll through the downtown shopping district offers a variety of restaurants, craft shops, florists and other unique businesses.

You will find quaint family diners, deli and sandwich shops to upscale dining at a restaurant combining the north and the south. Storefronts are pleasing to the eye, enticing customers to browse through clothing, antiques, furniture, flower arrangements and everything in between. At the end of our downtown district, you will find Piedmont Distillery, the first legal distillery in North Carolina and makers of Catdaddy and Midnight Moon.

Located outside of the downtown shopping district are three additional shopping centers and many restaurants. Within this area, you will find businesses large and small from department stores to specialty shops and furniture stores. You will also find medical facilities, banking services and service centers, ranging from hair and nail salons to convenience and tire centers.

During the summer months, Idol Park is the place to be for ballgames, picnics, walking trails and all outdoor fun. Idol Park also features a covered picnic shelter, playground, and basketball court. For those who enjoy the beauty and relaxation of the river, the Dan River is perfect for canoeing and kayaking and provides two local access points for convenience. If competition is your game, join the annual Dan River Boat Race, the first Saturday of August.

On the first Saturday in October, the streets are lined with craft and food vendors at the Annual Heritage Festival, sponsored by the Downtown Merchants. Center stage will be the point of entertainment all day, with the Big Band taking stage just after sunset for a night of singing and dancing. The Annual ‘Shinefest celebrates the legacy of moonshine and features tours of Piedmont Distillery, autographs from Junior Johnson and a look at seven generations of stock cars. This two-day

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event, brings visitors from all over North Carolina and adjoining states to enjoy this unique experience.

One of Madison’s greatest achievements is the quality of life presented to every individual that comes into our town. Our Town is full of friendly people, always willing to lend a helping hand to their neighbor or anyone in need. Very rarely can you take a walk without someone stopping you to just say hello or asking how your family is doing.

We hope that you visit Madison and enjoy our historic downtown and friendly atmosphere that will help provide a relaxing day for you and your family. You will be captivated by the charm, beauty, and uniqueness of Madison.

Home Improvement being its largest employers. Mayodan also has the charm of a small but growing downtown business district.

This rich history, natural beauty, recreational facilities, business opportunities and friendly, small town atmosphere make Mayodan a great place to live and why its citizens like calling Mayodan home!

www.townofmayodan.com

www.townofmadison.org

Mayodan

Calling Mayodan Home

by Debby Cardwell, Town Manager It all started with a mill. A group of men from Winston inaugurated plans to build a railroad through the Mayo River valley in 1883 from Salem, North Carolina, to Roanoke, Virginia, to be known as the Roanoke and Southern Railroad.

Construction began in 1887 under the direction of Francis Henry Fries, son of a Salem textile manufacturer. The railroad was opened by January of 1892 at a cost of two-million dollars, but was later sold to the Norfolk and Western Railroad Company.

While building the railroad, Colonel Fries became impressed by the geography surrounding the Mayo and Dan Rivers. The falls in the Mayo River promised power for manufacturing and became a deciding factor in the plans of Colonel Fries, William C. Ruffin, and Washington Duke to build a cotton mill along the railroad bed in 1892. Adopting the name Mayo Mills, operation began in 1896 with the manufacturing of uncolored yarn. It was not until February 16, 1899, that Mayodan, named after the converging Mayo and Dan Rivers, was chartered as an incorporated town with 225 residents.

Mayodan is the only town in the world with that name!

Mayodan, with a population of 2,470, is located 30 miles north of Greensboro and just south of the Virginia border. It is nestled in a valley along the Mayo River with an elevation of 640 feet. The Mayo River is one of the best whitewater rafting and canoeing rivers in the Piedmont. Mayodan is also the home of many beautiful parks and recreation facilities, including the Mayo River State Park and Farris Memorial Park which features soccer fields, softball fields, tennis courts, paddle boats, golf driving range, picnic shelters, hiking trails, and the Antique Extravaganza held each spring and fall.

Mayodan has a diverse economy with Bridgestone Aircraft Tire, McMichael Mills, Frontier Spinning, Wal-Mart, and Lowe’s

Reidsville

Live Simply, Think Big

by Michael J. Pearce, City Manager

On behalf of the Reidsville Mayor and City Council, it is my pleasure to welcome readers to Our Town Magazine. This magazine exists for the sole reason of showing off what those of us who live here already know – that Rockingham County and Reidsville are wonderful places to live, work, and play.

While I am new to my position of City Manager, I have worked for the City of Reidsville for over 19 years and have told many folks that the smartest move I ever made was the one to Reidsville.

www.NCNorthstar.com 19

Our small town atmosphere also means we love to relax and enjoy life. Lake Reidsville and Lake Hunt offer a beautiful place for fishing, water skiing, camping, picnicking and a challenging 18-hole disc-golf course. Our Parks and Recreation program has tennis courts, ball fields, greenway trails, basketball courts, a fitness center, a senior center, and more. Our recently renovated Jaycee Ballpark plays host to numerous baseball and softball tournaments but yet is ideal for a Sunday afternoon game of pickup ball.

But the best part of our City is our neighborhoods. One can slide away from the hustle and bustle of downtown in a couple of minutes without going through any traffic jams and be home on your back deck. Living simply, and thinking big.

That’s what I love about Reidsville. I hope that you will take the time to visit us, enjoy our old-fashioned southern hospitality, and see what all the bragging is about.

www.ci.reidsville.nc.us

What I like the most about our community is summed up quite nicely in our motto, “Live Simply, Think Big.” While Reidsville is indeed a quiet community with old-fashioned values where neighbors care about each other and family is still important, there is a sense of energy in taking positive steps to make sure that Reidsville’s future is what we want it to be. Our city leaders realize the importance of a vital downtown and economic growth even in a small town. The Reidsville Industrial Park, our downtown renovations with Market Square, our parks and greenway trails are all proof of our commitment to making sure that Reidsville continues to be a leader in the Piedmont Triad in innovation and forward thinking.

We take pride in the phenomenal record of our high school football team, the mighty Reidsville Rams, with their 18 state championships, and our 2008 designation as an “All-America City.” Our Market Square in downtown hosts a farmers market as well as a great variety of entertainment for folks from all walks of life. Our downtown has lots of choices for shoppers, appetites, or just people in the mood to watch a good movie.

Our beautiful historic Penn House is becoming increasingly popular across the region as a wedding venue as well as an ideal site for a party or business function.

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Stoneville

Taking a Stroll Through Town

by Shirley Price, Town Administrator

The Town of Stoneville is located in Rockingham County near the Virginia state line. We are a small but proud community of about 1000 people. We enjoy our small-town atmosphere, which includes a slower pace, and friendly neighbors. Stoneville’s closest major neighboring communities are Greensboro, North Carolina, and Martinsville, Virginia.

When I came to work here my mother asked me if I would be happy because I was leaving employment in a larger town with all of its so-called amenities. My answer to her was, “I absolutely would be happy here.” Where else can I stroll to the library, the post office, a drug store, two banks, and three different restaurants? Where else could I walk to a convenience mart and pick up hand-cut meats? Where else could I meander about town and go to a hair salon, get a spa treatment, get a tan, pick out beautiful antique pieces, and top it off with hand-dipped ice cream? Oh, and did I mention that I can walk to the number one tearoom in North Carolina, with the sounds of church bells floating on the air? Oh yes, I am very happy to be in Stoneville.

We are a town that is experiencing new economic growth. In the past few months several new businesses have called Stoneville home. Several more businesses are looking us over and I think they like what they are seeing. Because we have attractive vacant buildings and a great downtown area with available space, the Town of Stoneville can accommodate you and your business easily.

Stoneville Elementary School, grades K-5, is situated in the heart of town. Go Bears!! Most students are known to the entire staff of the school, we are that close to one another. The Town’s Parks and Recreation Department and the school work together so that our children can choose from many sporting activities. Whether it happens at the school or on the grounds of our Park, sporting events are happening year-round.

When I mentioned that the neighbors are friendly, I mean just that.

When out in town it is common to be greeted by name by almost everyone you meet. Stoneville has several local “watering holes” where folks of all ages gather to enjoy catching up with each other or to solve all the world’s problems – whichever comes first. We have wonderful, strong churches of different faiths and several active civic groups that would just love to have you join. You never know, your new best friends might be waiting for you right here!

So, come on and have a visit with us. You might be like many others and decide to stay. And, if you are ever near the Town Hall, let me know. We’ll take a stroll around the Town of Stoneville together. Who knows, the bells might be ringing!

www.town.stoneville.nc.us

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Wentworth

Preserving the Past, Planning for the Future

by Brenda Ward, Town Administrator

Wentworth, the county seat of Rockingham County, North Carolina, is a very busy place these days. Within a two-mile radius, you will find the county governmental complex and agricultural center, new judicial and law enforcement facilities, a new emergency operations center, new town hall, and the recently constructed Rockingham County Animal Shelter.

Add to this mixture, the North Carolina National Guard Armory, a community college, three public schools, North Carolina Department of Transportation, volunteer fire department and unemployment office, still within a three-mile radius, and you will understand why I say, “Wentworth is a busy place!”

All of these institutions reflect the ideals portrayed in the Wentworth Town Seal—Liberty, Justice, and Learning.

Although things are busier now, I can remember a time many years ago, when I thought the Town was equally busy. I attended Wentworth Consolidated School, built in 1923, which is still standing. Three relatively new schools now replace the old one.

After high school, I furthered my education at the local community college and was employed as a Deputy Clerk of Superior Court in the old courthouse, now the proposed site for a county museum.

I grew up within the two-mile radius of all the aforementioned

activity, and after moving away for 8 years, came back home to Wentworth, settling on the family farm. The farm—now that’s a familiar sight in rural Wentworth. There are still a few tobacco farms, but most of the farming in Wentworth and the surrounding area is now corn, hay, oats, wheat—feed crops, and vegetables to be sold by growers at local farmers’ markets.

In addition to the many historic buildings and sites, the fresh air and rural surroundings, what else makes Wentworth a great place to live?

The people! A variety of people and personalities come to Wentworth to their places of employment each day.

Add to those folks, the residents who have chosen to make their homes here, and all those who travel in and out of Wentworth on business or pleasure, and you have just the right mix of individuals to make things interesting.

When the weekends come, things are slower and quieter.

Residents can relax and enjoy all the things associated with living in a small town—the rural atmosphere and clean air, opportunities for community service through the Wentworth Ruritan Club, children and grandchildren learning sportsmanship and teamwork participating in Wentworth’s Ball Programs, and a good selection of churches for those who wish to gather with friends and neighbors for worship.

As I think about all the years I have lived in Wentworth and the fact that things really haven’t changed that much, it brings to mind the Town’s motto—“Preserving the past, planning for the future.” That pretty much describes what is happening in Wentworth.

www.townofwentworth.com www.NCNorthstar.com 23

green judicial center

Rockingham County Courthouse LEED Certified

by Moriah Davis

which would oversee the construction of the new facilities. The winning bid for the total of all of the centers came to $39 million, but upon completion it was found that the total came to $38 million.

O

n June 26, 2011, Rockingham County proudly dedicated the new state-of-the-art LEED Certified Courthouse. After nine years of planning and work, the dream has now become a reality.

The previous Courthouse served as the main courthouse for Rockingham County over 103 years. As the years progressed, and more functions were added within the courthouse it became very evident that the only option was to create a new facility. This facility would need to be space efficient, cost effective, and eco-friendly. The Board of Commissioners knew the task which was before them, and took it head on.

The first thing that the Board placed into action concerning the new Courthouse facility, was implementing a Five-cent Capital Improvement Plan for major capital projects. At the time of planning for the new Judicial Center other plans were going on as well to develop a new Jail and Sheriff’s office. Not wanting to bog the county down in debt, the Board wisely thought ahead and placed the new Improvement Plan into action.

After implementing the new Capital Improvement Plan the Board set out to find a suitable construction agency which would complete all of the different projects in a suitable time frame and keep it cost efficient. After much consideration the Board of Commissioners chose Moseley Architects as the group

A little over five years after designs were made the Courthouse building is now complete. The new home of the Courthouse is on a 38 – acre tract along with the Emergency Operations Center and the Law Enforcement Center on NC 65. The Courthouse is now a 98,000 square foot facility housing one superior court, four district courts, as well as the offices of Register of Deeds, Clerck of Court, District Attorney, Department of Corrections, and the Day Resource Center.

Achieving the first LEED Gold Certification for justice complexes in the Eastern United States given by the U.S. Green Building Council, the Rockingham County Courthouse is far from ordinary. Per year the water–conserving, low–flow, and dualflush plumbing fixtures save over one million gallons of water.

That isn’t including the 660,000 gallons which are saved by the use of rainwater cisterns. These are just two of the ways the judicial center is using all of its resources in the most efficient and economical way possible. In total all of the environmental savings the Judicial Center has, is estimated to completely recapture the county’s entire investment in LEED strategies in five years, and will save over $5 million in a 40-year period.

Did you know?

24 come visit our town - rockingham county, north carolina

The county purchased land and completed the first courthouse in 1787 in what later became Wentworth.

www.NCNorthstar.com 25

continuing commitment

Dan River Combined Cycle Plant

by Erin Culbert

W

hen Jimmy Odell began at Duke Energy 25 years ago, it was difficult to imagine the many alternatives we have today for meeting our national demand for electricity. One of those, called natural gas combined cycle technology, is taking shape from the ground up at the current site of the Dan River Steam Station.

Odell worked on the instrumentation and electrical components of the Dan River Steam Station for much of his career.

“There was a lot of kin when I first got there, but they just took me on like part of the family,” Odell recalled with a chuckle. “I’ve always lived here in the community. When they announced the coal plant would be retiring, it was a sad day but a good day, because we knew something new was taking its place.”

The combined cycle technology used at the site off South Edgewood Road begins with two simple-cycle combustion turbines (CTs). These work like giant jet engines and use natural gas as the fuel source to heat air. As the air expands, its mechanical force turns turbines, which are connected to generators that create electricity. While the many simple-cycle CTs in Duke Energy’s fleet stop there, this plant goes a step further. Two 93-foot tall “heat recovery steam generators,” or boilers, capture the hot gases exhausted from the CTs and heat water circulating in tubes. This water turns to steam, which then turns a separate steam turbine and generator to produce even more electricity.

This combination of combustion and steam turbines makes the plant highly efficient, so it requires less fuel to produce the same amount of electricity. This 620-megawatt plant generates enough electricity to power nearly 500,000 homes and is more than twice the output of the current coal station at 276 megawatts. The combined cycle plant is scheduled to begin commercial operation in late 2012.

The current steam station has been part of Rockingham County since 1949. Duke Energy will retire the three Dan River coal units in 2012. Two of these unit retirements are required as part of the air quality permit for the new combined cycle plant, while the remaining unit is being retired because increasing federal environmental regulations make it uneconomical to retrofit to the extent needed to continue operating.

With this shift to natural gas, environmental benefits are bountiful, including state-of-the-art air quality controls:

• Low sulfur natural gas will nearly eliminate sulfur dioxide emissions from the site.

• A selective catalytic reduction system (SCR) will reduce nitrogen oxide.

• An oxidation catalyst will reduce carbon monoxide and volatile organic compound emissions.

• Coal combustion residuals, such as fly ash, will no longer be generated when the coal units retire.

• A cooling tower will greatly reduce the amount of water withdrawn and thermal impacts to the Dan River.

This project and a similar combined cycle plant under way in Rowan County are tangible examples of how Duke Energy is modernizing its generating fleet. In the Carolinas alone, the company plans to retire 1,600 megawatts of older coal units by 2015 as it builds new generation and retrofits larger existing coal stations to achieve increasingly stringent environmental standards. Fleet modernization—paired with investments in customer energy efficiency programs and renewables, such as wind, solar and biomass—transforms the way Duke Energy provides affordable, reliable and clean energy for its customers.

While the nature of electric generation is changing at the site, Duke Energy’s commitment to safety, its employees and the community remains strong.

26 come visit our town - rockingham county, north carolina

“Everyone wants to go home to see their family. Our goal is to operate this plant as safely and efficiently as possible,” Odell said. “In addition to the boost in the local economy during construction, this project will provide lasting regional benefits in improving grid reliability in this area and supporting future businesses that choose to locate here.”

Artist’s Rendering of What the Final Plant Will Look Like

{Dan River Steam Station History} • Named after its location beside the Dan River, a tributary in the Roanoke River Basin.

• Commercial operation began with Units 1 and 2 in 19491950, both capable of generating 67 MWs. • Unit 3, with a capacity of 142 MW, was added in August 1955.

• Three combustion turbines, each 28 MW, were added in 1968-1969 for additional system peaking capacity.

• Four 9-MW diesel generators were added in 1970. They were used commercially but were actually being tested for use as auxiliary power for McGuire Nuclear Station. These units were retired in 1975 and subsequently moved to the nuclear station.

• Dan River was one of the first stations to change from pneumatic controls to a computerized firing board in the late 1980s.

• The Duke Power Village, 12 houses built at a cost of $120,000 and maintained by the company until the 1950s, provided housing for employees and their families. Employees had the opportunity to buy houses and move them in the mid-1950s.

Duke Ballteam

• The community and employees enjoyed for five decades the Duke Power Ball Field as a practice facility and location to host league games.

Combined Cycle Diagram Explaining the Different Components

www.NCNorthstar.com 27

industry

Industrial Companies Love Doing Business Here

by Jamie M. Rorrer

Rockingham County is a business-friendly community where industry thrives. Our diverse collection of companies both pulls from and contributes to a workforce with a unique set of skills. Water, rail and interstate access give industries the tools they need to easily secure raw materials and ship finished goods. Centrally located in North Carolina’s northern Piedmont Triad region, Rockingham County offers industry quick access to urban amenities while maintaining its rural identity.

Check out some of the companies that call Rockingham County home.

Gildan Activewear, Inc.

G Eden

ildan Activewear, Inc. is a vertically-integrated marketer and manufacturer of quality branded basic apparel. The company is the leading supplier of active wear for the screen-print market in the U.S. and Canada. Gildan has been operating a wholesale distribution facility in Eden for more than ten years and is an important partner in the Rockingham County community.

The distribution center, located on Meadow Road in Eden, is primarily dedicated to servicing the screen-print channel in the U.S. The company doubled in size within five years of opening, starting with 100 employees in 2000 to the current 280 employees. In addition, Gildan announced a $20 million expansion of its Eden distribution facility in 2010, increasing its size by 220,000 square feet.

The products distributed from Gildan’s Rockingham County facility include t-shirts, sport shirts and fleece that are sold in large quantities to wholesale distributors as undecorated “blanks”, which are subsequently decorated by screen printers with designs and logos. Consumers ultimately purchase the company’s products, with the Gildan label, in venues such as sports, entertainment and corporate events, and travel and tourism destinations.

28 come visit our town - rockingham county, north carolina

MillerCoors Eden

MillerCoors has been a cornerstone of the Eden and Rockingham County economies for more than three decades now. Originally located here as Miller Brewing Company in 1976, Miller currently employees more than 600 people and produces more than nine million barrels of beer each year. The company was attracted to Rockingham County for its adequate water supply and its labor force.

The Eden facility, which is located on Meadow Road, is one of 10 MillerCoors plants located throughout the United States. It was the first plant to produce Miller Genuine Draft back in 1986. MillerCoors was created in 2008 when Miller Brewing Company and Coors Brewing Company combined in a joint venture. Today, the local MillerCoors plant is the only one that brews and bottles Miller Lite in the aluminum, resealable bottles found in many sports venues. The Eden plant is also the primary bottler of Blue Moon.

Over the course of the local plant’s history, continuous technology upgrades have led to the state-of-the-art facility and high-skilled jobs found there today. But MillerCoors has also been very involved in the entire Rockingham County community through corporate giving and sponsorships such as helping create river access points along the Smith and Dan Rivers and funding technology and training at Rockingham Community College.

KDH Defense Systems, Inc. Eden

made body armor available in today’s continually evolving protective apparel market. Thousands of U.S. military servicemen and women, federal, municipal and local enforcement personnel depend on KDH Defense Systems to provide them with the best in life-saving protection, comfort, mobility and functional performance.

KDH Defense Systems, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of American-made custom solutions for body armor for military, law enforcement and federal agencies.

The company located a production facility and its headquarters on Fieldcrest Road in Eden in 2009. KDH’s Eden facility operations include armor cutting, sewing and ballistic design, as well as product development, sales and administration.

KDH located its production and headquarters in Rockingham County because of the available manufacturing space in a vacant building and access to skilled textile workers due to the region’s rich history in the textile industry. The state-of-the-art factory has helped KDH, win a number of significant military contracts and continue to be a leading supplier to the U.S. Army and U.S Navy.

Founded in 2003, KDH began with a mission to provide law enforcement, federal agencies and the United States Department of Defense with the highest quality American-

Did you know?

The average rainfall in the county is 44 inches per year.

www.NCNorthstar.com 29

Karastan Eden

Karastan’s story as an innovator dates back to the 1920s when its “wonder rug” first amazed visitors at two World Fairs. What was so impressive about the Karastan rug manufactured in Eden then, as it still is today, was that it brought the first high quality, machine-made Oriental rug to consumers at reasonable prices.

The Karastan mill that sparked the brand’s history and great reputation opened in Eden in 1928. Today, Karastan remains a vital industry to Eden and Rockingham County with around 200 full-time employees. To tout its history and success, the company even offers tours of its Henry Street plant by appointment. Through the years Karastan has continued as an innovator, implementing new technology to refine its manufacturing process but the end result remains the same: elegant, machine-made rugs that rival their handmade counterparts.

Loparex Eden

Loparex is a leading, global manufacturer of polycoated and silicone-coated papers and films that are used in a wide variety of adhesive applications. The company located in its 115,000 square-foot Fieldcrest Road facility in Eden in 1995 and employs 120 people.

Often known as the slick paper that is thrown away on numerous adhesives, Loparex’s extensive product line has been designed to meet the varying needs in the medical, hygiene, graphic arts, label and tapes industries and in other special industries and applications. Since its opening in Rockingham County, Loparex has completed two manufacturing expansions, including its most recent $16 million expansion in Eden and relocating its U.S. headquarters from Illinois to Cary, North Carolina in 2009.

Weil-McLain Eden

Weil-McLain, the nation’s top manufacturer of cast iron boilers, located an assembly and logistics plant in Eden in 2004. The company’s new operation in Rockingham County initially created more than 100 jobs and that number has grown to its current 240 jobs. Textiles played a role in attracting Weil-McLain to Eden and Rockingham County due the availability of a vacant facility---the company located in a former Pillowtex textile plant. In addition to its assembly and logistics operations here, WeilMcLain’s Eden plant also serves as a showroom and training facility for contractors and distributors.

Bridgestone Aircraft Tire, Inc. Mayodan

Bridgestone Aircraft Tire, Inc. moved its retreading operations to Mayodan in 2007 from Miami, Florida.

The company was attracted to Rockingham County because of the advantages it offered in having a readily available workforce, proximity to major customers and transportation corridors, and an available manufacturing building that had been vacated by Unifi.

The Mayodan facility is Bridgestone Aircraft Tire’s headquarters for its North America division, which is part of the global Bridgestone Corporation based in Japan.

With a team of more than 100 full-time employees, the company retreads tires for commercial aircraft in the 160,000 square foot facility in Rockingham County.

Bridgestone Aircraft serves the aviation industry with only the highest quality aircraft tires and retreading services.

With 70 years of expertise in aircraft tire manufacturing, the Bridgestone brand represents quality in the aviation industry.

Did you know?

30 come visit our town - rockingham county, north carolina

The oldest tombstone in Rockingham County is at Speedwell Presbyterian Church and is dated 1739.

Synergy Recycling, LLC Madison

Synergy Recycling, LLC is a leading-edge electronics recycling firm located in Madison that is meeting the need for environmentally responsible recycling of obsolete and end of life electronic equipment. The company was founded in 2000 and has been operating its processing facility in Rockingham County since 2009. Synergy currently has 100 employees and serves clients all along the Eastern United States.

Synergy developed the finest system in the industry for shredding and mechanically separating used electronic equipment into commodity grade components.

According to a Recycling Today survey in 2010, Synergy had become the 10th largest electronics recycling company in the United States. Other services include demanufacturing, asset recovery, certified data destruction of sensitive media, and transportation services for the materials Synergy handles. The company has been rapidly growing and just recently completed the installation of an advanced shredding and mechanical processing system that incorporates innovative, state-ofthe-art technology and produces very pure ferrous and non-ferrous metals and plastic commodities. This system allows Synergy to separate used electronic equipment into specific commodities to a degree that is unsurpassed in the world. The company processes around 25,000 tons per year and ensures that none of the electronics it receives are put into landfills.

Pine Hall Brick Madison

Pine Hall Brick has been a leading manufacturer of facebrick, pavers and special shaped brick since 1922. With three manufacturing plants in Madison and more than 300 employees, the company is a major component to the Rockingham County economy. In fact, Pine Hall Brick’s Madison Paver Plant is the only plant in the country dedicated entirely to the production of clay pavers and is a totally automated, high-tech facility. Pine Hall Brick is the largest supplier of clay pavers in the United States and is headquartered in Winston-Salem, NC.

Remington Arms Company, LLC Madison/Mayodan

America’s oldest gun maker, Remington Arms Company, LLC, moved its corporate headquarters to Madison/Mayodan in 1996. Remington designs, produces and sells sporting goods products for the hunting and shooting sports markets, as well as military, government and law enforcement markets. Founded in 1816 in upstate New York, the Company is the only U.S. manufacturer of both firearms and ammunition products.

Remington operates three manufacturing plants and a technical center in different states across the country. In addition to its headquarters in Madison/ Mayodan, the company also operates a call center that is located across the street from the NC Highway 135 corporate offices in Rockingham County. The call center opened in 2009, creating 30 additional jobs.

Remington currently has a total of 260 employees in Rockingham County.

Did you know?

The first railroad in the county, the Piedmont, was built in 1862-1864 during the Civil War to connect Greensboro and Danville as a military necessity for the Confederacy.

www.NCNorthstar.com 31

Amcor Reidsville

Amcor, which is headquartered in Australia, is one of the world’s top global packaging companies. The company operates over 300 facilities and one of those is located in Rockingham County’s City of Reidsville. Amcor is a worldwide leader in tobacco packaging and its Reidsville Plant is one of 20 tobacco packing plants in the world.

Amcor Tobacco Packaging Reidsville is a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant located at 124 North Technology Drive in the Reidsville Industrial Park. The Reidsville facility opened in 2006, bringing another international company to Rockingham County, and it currently has more than 100 full-time employees.

Ball Corporation Reidsville

Albaad USA Reidsville

Albaad USA is an Israeli wet-wipes manufacturer that located its first U.S. production facility in Reidsville’s Industrial Park in 2004. The company, which was the first tenant in the industrial park, makes wet-wipes for a variety of uses, including personal, home and automotive care.

Albaad employs about 200 people in Rockingham County and since its opening, the Reidsville plant has experienced continual growth. The company most recently announced a nine million dollar expansion in 2010 to produce a new infant wet-wipe product, creating 95 new jobs.

As a world leader in non-woven textiles, Albaad makes private-label and branded products that are sold in more than 35 countries. The Reidsville plant is a full-production facility consisting of manufacturing, converting, packaging and distribution. The company was attracted to Rockingham County and North Carolina because of our talented and skilled labor force, location along the east coast transportation corridor, and accessibility to ports and the new FedEx hub at Piedmont Triad International Airport.

Ball Corporation is a world leader in metal beverage, food, household products and aerospace containers.

The company operates a 320,000 square-foot metal beverage packaging plant in Reidsville, which primarily manufactures 12 and 16 ounce beer cans for MillerCoors in Eden.

The “can plant” as it is known locally, opened in 1978 to supply Miller with its aluminum beer cans. Ball acquired the facility in 1998 from Reynolds Metals Company and it has total of 190 employees in Rockingham County.

Located at 1900 Barnes Street in Reidsville, the company has been an important piece of the local economy and community for more than three decades. Ball completed a 160,000 square-foot addition to the Reidsville plant back in 2004.

Commonwealth Brands Reidsville

Commonwealth Brands began manufacturing cigarettes in Reidsville in 1996 when it acquired the local American Tobacco Company plant, which had been a mainstay of the local economy for years. The company is owned by Imperial Tobacco PLC and is the fourth largest cigarette manufacturer in the United States. Commonwealth has more than 200 employees in its state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Reidsville.

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Henniges Automotive Reidsville

Henniges Automotive is a world-class sealing system solutions provider to the global automotive market with a manufacturing facility in Reidsville. Headquartered in Michigan, Henniges’ Reidsville plant opened in 1994 as Metzeler Automotive. The company currently employs more than 300 people in Rockingham County and produces rubber automotive door and window seals for a number of automobile brands at the local plant.

The Reidsville plant is one of 11 Henniges plants throughout the world. The company has a total of more than 4,500 associates located across three continents.

The Plastics Cluster A look at Rockingham County’s economy would not be complete without noting the growing plastics industry cluster found here. The county is fortunate to have a number of plastics recyclers and molders located throughout the area.

While many of our local plastics companies are highly automated, like Cardinal Recycling in Reidsville that recycles all types of plastic, they are still a driving force in our local economy. Envision Plastics in Reidsville recycles HDPE (#2 plastics) into resin pellets and has developed patented technologies to produce FDA approved food-grade resins and custom, color-sorted resins. Plastic Revolutions, also in Reidsville, has grown exponentially since opening in 1991 and just doubled the capacity of its 300,000 square-foot facility in 2011 with new equipment to process 120,000 pounds per day.

WhiteRidge Plastics in Reidsville is a sister company with WEK Industries that produces blow molded plastic components for the automotive, motorcycle and allterrain vehicle markets. WEK-WhiteRidge has more than 100 employees in its Rockingham County plant and is also part of the international Myers Industries family of companies.

Blow-Molded Solutions is Rockingham County’s newest plastics company and is located in Mayodan. The company opened in 2010 and manufactures plastic nursery containers in a variety of plant sizes, which are made from 100 percent recycled plastics.

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business

Growing Small Businesses Saving Home

Rockingham County Business & Technology Center

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by Mark Wells

ockingham County is a place of potential and opportunity. It is a place to raise kids, a place to worship, and a place to have fun. It is truly a place to call home. Since moving back home to Rockingham County, I’ve come to realize all that this community has going for it.

At the Rockingham County Business & Technology Center (RCBTC), everything we do relates to improving the opportunity for prosperity in Rockingham County. The strategies and programs we have in place support our vision of a community that is “Entrepreneur-Focused, TechnologyEnabled, Future Driven.” It may be a motto, but we believe it has the best chance of improving the opportunity for local prosperity. So how do we do it?

First, our flagship service is our free business mentoring for current and aspiring entrepreneurs. We focus here because we believe our prosperity is in our citizen’s own hands.

Entrepreneurs are self-starters who are willing to take on enormous risk for the potential of enormous returns.

We have a full-time business counselor on staff and thirteen

volunteer business counselors through our branch of SCORE®.

Together, we have over 300 years of combined business experience ready to help any entrepreneur be successful.

Our board of advisors has some of the best entrepreneurs in the state, including a recent North Carolina Small Business of the Year award winner. The point here is that we’re a group advised by excellent entrepreneurs to provide excellent advice to entrepreneurs.

Within our free business mentoring, we add free technology mentoring. The RCBTC maintains a full-time technology coordinator that provides free technology mentoring to entrepreneurs while also supporting the RCBTC’s internal technology needs. If an entrepreneur wants to know how to improve their use of information technology, we can coach them through basic computer operation to implementation of networks, use of cloud technology, social media, website development and more.

Filling the gaps in broadband coverage is especially important for what may be the most vital sector of the Rockingham County economy: agriculture. Farmers are the “first entrepreneurs.” In partnership with Rockingham County Cooperative Extension, the RCBTC works to create new markets for local and regional farmers.

One of our collaborative projects is the website, www. piedmontlocalfood.com, which provides marketing, sales and distribution for farmers, allowing them to focus more on farming while helping them compete with large, industrial farms. As part of this program, the RCBTC provides business

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training specific to farmers’ needs while also educating them on technology use. Social media, website utilization, pricing strategy and accounting are just samples of training being made available through our office to farmers participating in piedmontlocalfood.com.

We have also partnered with the Appalachian State University Energy Center to develop Rockingham County’s landfill into a renewable energy source. This two-million dollar grant-funded project, BizFuel, will take landfill gas and convert it to electricity while capturing waste heat that can be used to grow crops during the winter months. This project has provided the RCBTC exposure to and experience within the fast growing renewable energy sector. Beyond that, the Rockingham County Board of Commissioners has agreed to allow 100 percent of the profits from BizFuel to flow through the RCBTC to be reinvested into economic development projects.

We believe that the RCBTC must remain entrepreneurfocused, for they are the people who innovate. We must be technology-enabled because you can’t scale operations without it. And most of all, we must remain future-driven and lead change before it leads us. Opportunity abounds in Rockingham County. We are a community of communities committed to a strong future. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or a new transplant, visiting or considering relocating here, we urge you to join us in our ongoing goal of creating prosperity in Rockingham County.

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RCC Small Business Center

by Cathy Wheeler

The Small Business Center (SBC) at Rockingham Community College is one of 58 Small Business Centers located on the campuses of all community colleges in North Carolina.

The mission is to support development of new businesses and the growth of existing businesses. The SBC is a community based provider of training, counseling and resource information. Our objective is to increase the success rate and the number of viable small businesses in North Carolina. We do this by providing high quality, readily accessible assistance to prospective and existing small business.

The Small Business Center (SBC) offers a wide variety of seminars and workshops to help small businesses be successful. Most seminars and workshops are available at no charge. Some topics include: • How to start a business • How to write a business plan • Financing your business • Bookkeeping and taxes • Marketing for success • Doing business with the government • Doing business with the military In addition to providing training, counseling, and other resources the SBC is a member of the North Carolina Business Alliance and can easily connect clients with other member agencies across the state. A few of the resources across the state available for assistance are: • NC Department of Commerce • NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services • NC World Trade Association The SBC also provides a network of linkages with chambers of commerce, business and trade associations, economic development agencies, banks and financial lenders, accounting and legal firms, as well as educational advisors and instructors.

Shiloh Airport A Wonder of Flight

by Dr. Robert Keys

Nestled among the gently rolling hills of the Dan River Valley in central Rockingham County is one of the county’s most treasured assets. Established nearly forty-years ago, Shiloh Airport has not only continued to serve the recreational interests of local pilots and aviation enthusiasts, but has also expanded its facilities and services in recent years to attract and accommodate commercial and corporate aviation traffic.

Conveniently located on Settle Bridge Road in rural Stoneville, Shiloh Airport, the county’s only public-use airport, is equally accessible to Rockingham County’s other communities as well. Offering a 5,200-foot hard-surfaced runway, the airport can accommodate a variety of aircraft from recreational ultra light and light sport aircraft (LSA’s) to corporate jets and even various military aircraft which occasionally stop by. Located just outside the airspace of the Piedmont Triad Airport in Greensboro, Shiloh Airport, whose FAA identifier on charts and GPS databases is KSIF, is a frequent destination as a “reliever airport” for recreational and commercial air traffic as well as for students who are logging time on their way to becoming private or commercial pilots. Flight instruction is currently available on site through TAA Flight Training School.

Scores of pilots have earned their “wings” over the years at Shiloh.

Improvements to the airport over the past several years include the construction of a new terminal building which houses a pilot’s lounge, lobby, conference room, and flight planning room. The construction of 24 private hangars and 2 corporate hangars have increased the number of aircraft based at the airport to nearly 70. An extension of the taxiway to the full length of the runway plus the addition of new lighting have added a necessary element of safety for

The Rockingham Community College’s SBC will assist in building a business plan and point the client to banks, the SBA, the NC Rural Center, and the Small Business Technology & Development Centers.

Counseling is available on an as-needed basis, is free and acts as a sounding board for ideas, concerns, and issues that entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs might have.

The Small Business Center is located on the campus of Rockingham Community College in the Bishopric Lifelong Learning Center. For more information, contact Cathy Wheeler, Director, RCC Small Business Center at (336)342-4261, Ext. 2316 or wheelercc@rockinghamcc.edu.

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increased operations for both day and night use. Full line service is available, including 24/7 self-service fuel. Although aircraft maintenance and repairs are not offered by the airport, a number of independent certified mechanics are available to conduct routine maintenance and repairs to aircraft when needed. Both rental and courtesy cars are available for the convenience of arriving pilots who find it necessary to travel to restaurants, motels, and other local attractions.

Fly/Drive-in breakfasts, open houses, air shows, and civil air patrol events are common at Shiloh. The Shiloh Pilot’s Association and the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association frequently sponsor events which are open to the public and promote aviation and the airport to the community. Many local pilots participate regularly in the Angel Flight and Young Eagles programs which respectively transport patients to health care facilities for treatment and introduce children to the world of aviation. The airport recently hosted a weekend regional Boy Scouts Camporee, resulting in over 300 boy scouts earning their aviation merit badges! Visitors are always welcome at the airport and a picnic area is provided for families and others to enjoy an afternoon together while observing the “wonder of flight” in the state where it all began.

The move toward developing Shiloh Airport as a business airpark for the economic benefit of the county is well underway. The nearly 300-acre site is an ideal location for aviation-related businesses which need immediate access to

an airport. Opus Aircraft, manufacturer of an LSA, is located on site, as is Piedmont Aerosports, a full service franchise for another LSA manufacturer. Ideal Express, a charter freight and courier service also based at Shiloh, delivers highly specialized and time-sensitive inventory to destinations throughout the eastern United States.

Indeed, Rockingham County’s Shiloh Airport is a valuable resource for the county. Not only does it offer a recreational outlet for aviation enthusiasts, but it also serves as a vital tool for economic development in the county. Rockingham County and its residents are fortunate to have such a facility conveniently located for the enjoyment of all residents and visitors.

The airport operates under the auspices of the Rockingham County Airport Authority (RCAA), a seven-member board appointed by the county’s Board of Commissioners. The current chair of the RCAA is Dr. Robert Keys, retired president of Rockingham Community College and a private pilot. The RCAA employs an airport manager to oversee the day-today operations of the airport’s grounds, facilities, and services.

The airport manager is David Fields, retired USMC, whose staff includes several part time line attendants and grounds technicians. Additional information about the airport is available on the airport’s website at www.shilohairport.com

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entrepreneurial spirit

by Moriah Davis

Rockingham County is a community known for pulling itself up by its bootsraps. This self-starter mentality can be found in our unique collection of entrepreneurs. From one-of-a-kind retail shops to themed restaurants to environmentally friendly manufacturers to world famous distilleries, you will find the entrepreneurial spirit to be alive and doing quite well here.

Belladonna’s Antiques

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ne shop that should not be overlooked is Belladonna’s Antiques in Eden, which opened in November 2010 and is run by both Eddie Vernon and Mark Stevens. This unique store is located in the historic Olde Leaksville Shopping District on Washington Street in downtown Eden. While Belladonna’s may be a relatively new business in the community, it has already captured a lot of local support.

Belladonna’s co-owner Eddie Vernon moved back to the Eden area a little over four years ago after a family illness.

He had been in the antique business for many years while living in Raleigh, but had never fulfilled the dream of owning his own antique shop. Vernon had been close friends with Mark Stevens for a long time and the two eventually decided to go into business together. With the uncertainty of the economy during this time, Vernon was very hesitant before making a commitment to his dream. But once they opened Belladonna’s, all worries quickly faded and the future for the new business is looking very bright.

As soon as you walk through the front doors of Belladonna’s Antiques, it is hard not to notice all of the beautiful pieces that date back decades. Offering an eclectic mix of period antiques, ‘20’s antiques and ‘40’s reproductions, Belladonna’s has just about anything a collector could imagine. It is hard to believe that only one year ago they were starting from scratch with collecting antiques to stock the store. Co-owners Vernon and Stevens were able to grow a large collection for the business by shopping at estate sales and various auctions.

One of Vernon’s favorite pieces dates back to the 1920’s and is a Jacobean-Style partners’ desk that was featured in a ‘20’s-era movie and appeared on Broadway. The desk allowed two people to use it at the same time; one sitting on one side and the other person on the adjacent side. The partner’s desk is completely handcrafted and has intricate designs on the frame.

Vernon’s main goal for Belladonna’s is to create loyal customers by building relationships. The co-owners have built such a good rapport with their clients that many will ask either Vernon or Stevens to do consultations in their homes to help with color schemes while remodeling. “It’s all about the client,” said Vernon.

To Stevens, the best thing about working in Eden is the people. “They are downhome people with a lot of heart. The community supports local businesses, and in turn, the businesses help support them,” he said.

646 Washington St. Eden, NC 27288 (336) 623-0984

Café 99 Ever looking for a great place to eat lunch? Well look no further--Café 99 in Reidsville is the place to go!

Café 99, known for its ‘50’s themed restaurant, opened in 1999

by Dav Gerrells. His philosophy is to be very hands-on in the restaurant and to serve only the freshest foods. Every morning Gerrells personally goes out to buy food for the day. He looks over every item before he makes a purchase so that every customer is guaranteed that not only is their food fresh, but it’s been approved by Gerrells himself.

The atmosphere in Café 99 is quite nostalgic and also very family-friendly. There is‘50’s music constantly playing in the background, a juke box from which to choose some classic tunes, a working penny machine for gum, and statues of the most famous people of the era. Everything about the place screams fun!

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Madison Dry Goods Walking into Madison Dry Goods is like taking a step back in time. With soda in glass bottles, a place to play a game of checkers and a beautiful mural on the wall by local muralist Kitty Williams, you are reminded of a simpler time.

Then there’s the use of an old-fashioned cash register, which is just one of the many ways owner Richard Miller likes to remember history.

Established in 1995 in Madison’s historic downtown, Madison Dry Goods is a company that embraces the future while remembering the past. Over the 16 years it has been open, Madison Dry Goods has become a destination in the Piedmont. In the early stage of the business, Dry Goods was a wholesale and retail company.

Making changes along the way, Miller decided it would be best to eliminate the wholesale aspect of the store and focus more time on the retail side. This proved very fruitful.

Next, Miller capitalized on the history of the building in order to attract more customers into the store. The building housing Madison Dry Goods, circa 1908, was originally a combination of both Penn Hardware Company and Hotel Sterling. Miller created a museum and country store on the second floor of the historic building and had a good response not only from the community, but also from people outside of the area.

Additionally, Madison Dry Goods created their own private label clothing line within the retail portion of the store. “The Dan River Expedition Company” was named to honor the importance of the Dan River and the impact it has on the County for tourism. Miller is now in the

process of making the “Dan River Expedition Company” a more viable part of the Madison Dry Goods retail offering.

As of late, Madison Dry Goods closed the museum and country store on the second floor in order to bring more focus back to the retail side of the business. Madison Dry Goods is proud to be a staple in the community, and a place where tourists can stop when visiting the area. Miller takes great pride in his store and is proud to be one of the businesses in the area that has helped the community.

104 W. Murphy Street Madison, NC 27025 336-427-7099 www.madisondrygoods.com

And that’s not all. One of the best things about Café 99 is the price--there is absolutely nothing over $5.00! Also, no tipping is allowed and they guarantee you will receive your meal in less than four minutes. Not only is Café 99 a pillar among area restaurants, but it is also a charitable partner in the community. Because the community has embraced the restaurant so well, Café 99 continually gives back in various ways.

In addition to Café 99, Gerrells also operates a full-service catering business called CaterFest, which is co-located within the restaurant. So, if you want to book a catering event, you can also eat lunch in Café 99 at the same time. And you can be assured that CaterFest holds the same high quality standards as Café 99 and is just as impressive.

128 South Scales Street Reidsville, NC 27320 336-616-0100

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Charlie’s Soap Located in the small town of Mayodan, North Carolina, Charlie’s Soap is making a world-wide name for itself within the cleaning products industry. With roots going back to 1976, Charlie’s Soap has always been a family company. Charlie Sutherland, Jr. was working for his father at a textile mill when he originally created the soap to remove stains out of yarn during production.

Once employees started using the soap to clean the machinery, they noticed how well it worked on themselves. What surprised most people was the fact it did not cause any irritation to skin and was completely harmless. Thirty years later and Charlie’s Soap is expanding daily at an ever increasing rate.

Charlie’s Soap cleaner was mainly sold for a number of years to textile mills and was very profitable. So when the mills closed, Charlie’s soap fell on tough times. It was around this point that Charlie’s sons, Taylor, James and Morgan decided they wanted to reinvent Charlie’s Soap. Not reinvent as in create a completely new product, but rather restructure the business.

Still using the same basic formula created by their dad years ago, their goal was to spread Charlie’s Soap further than Mayodan and Rockingham County. And they have been successful in doing just that.

Charlie’s Soap is mostly in the hands of the sons now but still has the influence of Charlie Jr. Each of the men has their own specific function while working together to broaden the company. Taylor Sutherland is the marketing representative, but unlike many marketing representatives, Taylor takes the time to care about the customer. “My goal is to build relationships, in turn building clients, and not just take someone’s money and leave. If there is a problem, I want to work with the client until we can figure out how to solve it together,” he said.

James Sutherland worked as a sweeper in the plant before his brothers came back to Charlie’s Soap. Now he mainly works as the mechanical tech for the building. James has at one time or another taken each piece of the machinery apart and reformatted it to make it more streamlined. Morgan, the more technology based brother, runs the website and is constantly adding more business information to the site.

In a test on the effectiveness of Charlie’s compared to Tide, Charlie’s not only cleaned better, but it didn’t stay on the clothes after washing. Many detergents will add about two percent more weight to your clothes after only eight washings.

Charlie’s on the other hand will never leave your clothes weighing more. As an attribute of how environmentally safe the product is, on one occasion there was an accident and soap was poured into the Mayo River located directly behind the plant. Directly downstream of the plant is a water testing facility. By the time the contaminated water reached the facility, the traces of chemical were so small that the facility didn’t notice the change.

The things that the three brothers enjoy the most about working in Rockingham County and Mayodan, are the support of the community, the quietness of the area and the relative location to larger cities. “The great thing about Mayodan is I have a 30 second commute,” Taylor commented. For James, what Rockingham County offers are the beautiful views and long drives. “Just about every weekend I end up driving for about two or three hours. It’s the way I enjoy my time away from work,” he said.

The availability of the Internet and online shopping has allowed Charlie’s Soap to expand throughout the entire United States, Japan, North Korea, Australia, and some into Europe. At the turn of the Millennium, Charlie’s Soap was just available in one store. Now it’s available in over 500 stores and is adding more every day.

In the past 11 years, Charlie’s Soap has completely revolutionized its way of marketing and begun to build its brand with consumers. Not many businesses are as lucky, but with a cleaner like Charlie’s Soap, it is less about luck and more about a good quality product.

Taylor Sutherland attributes everything to the reliability of the product. “Charlie’s Soap is different than many other cleaners out there in the fact that it works. Plain and simple,” he said.

203 N. First Avenue Mayodan NC 27027 800-854-3541 www.charliesoap.com

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local flavor

Finding the Niche Markets in Agriculture

by Brenda Sutton

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ockingham County has a strong agricultural heritage and assets of abundant farmland. While tobacco is still a thriving crop in Rockingham County, new agricultural ventures that focus on specialty markets are increasing. Following the national trends of local foods demand and agritourism interests, we are discovering new niche markets.

Our regional virtual farmers market, Piedmont Local Food (www.piedmontlocalfood.com), brings together farmers from six surrounding counties to provide a diverse inventory of fresh, seasonal food to the entire Triad. Restaurants have access to quick ordering from multiple farmers through one source; and convenient public delivery drop-sites in four counties make purchasing healthy local food easy for families. Many large businesses have also chosen Piedmont Local Food deliveries for employees as a smart wellness benefit. So whether you are looking for organic sweet potatoes from Smith’s Farm in Stoneville or chestnuts from High Rock Farm in Gibsonville, online shopping for local food is at www.piedmontlocalfood.com.

Meanwhile, farmers—both traditional and hobbyists—are discovering new sales venues through this marriage of agriculture and technology with the online market.

Rockingham County Cooperative Extension, along with the Rockingham County Business & Technology Center, provides leadership to Piedmont Local Food and assists individual farmers in their business ventures. The Rockingham County Local Food Coalition provides organization to local food efforts--with membership open to all citizens concerned about healthy, safe, fresh food.

Throughout this community, roadside stands abound, and traditional farmers markets are open for shoppers to personally meet and talk with the farmer. Market Square in Reidsville and the Rockingham County Farmers Market at historic Chinqua Penn are long-standing icons of good food lovers’ gathering spots. The Farmers Market as Reidsville’s Market Square is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday morning from April through October. The Rockingham County Farmers Market is open Wednesday and Saturday from May through October.

Value-added products, like jams and jellies, are increasingly popular. The Rockingham County Community Kitchen (www. rockinghamkitchen.org ) is a shared-use facility farmers can rent to prepare foods for sale. Recent upgrades, with additional new equipment, help food entrepreneurs venture into the world of food production without costly personal investments. This business incubator has proven to be a springboard for local niche market successes for foods like tins of sugared pecans and artisan breads.

Rockingham County has found a recent surge of agritourism operations. From you-pick strawberry farms in the spring, to corn mazes and pumpkins in the fall, opportunity to experience rural life is only a short drive for our urban neighbors and a treat for locals, too. Llama farms featuring specialty products and a herb farm with seasonal classes are new options for connecting with agriculture and enriching our appreciation for farms.

Agriculture in Rockingham County continues to transition, and we are celebrating the diversity to be found in niche markets.

rockingham.ces.ncsu.edu

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East vs. West: The Best of Both in the BBQ World

by Andrew Scott Brooks Rockingham County is home to two renowned barbeque restaurants that have competed for nearly 60 years for the hearts and minds of local residents. Over time, each unique establishment has gained recognition for their unmatched delicacies.

Fuzzy’s opened in 1954 and offers a Western NC style of barbeque. Whereas Short Sugar’s opened in 1949 and offers their own style of an Eastern NC type of barbecue.

For barbecue aficionados, that classification alone speaks volumes. But for the average person, the most important thing is that both are at the top of the class in their respective divisions. And here in Rockingham County, we’re fortunate to have the best of both worlds.

Both restaurants offer a full menu and give you the opportunity to experience how a restaurant was run in the 1950s where every customer is treated like a family member and every meal is served with love and pride.

Fuzzy’s 111 West Murphy St. Madison, NC 27025 336.427.4130 Hours: 5AM to 9PM – 7 Days a Week Short Sugar’s Drive-In Pit Bar-B-Q 1328 South Scales St. Reidsville, NC 27320 336.342.7487 Hours: 6AM to 8PM M-Th and 6AM to 9PM F-Sat

{Eastern NC BBQ vs. Western NC BBQ}

All NC Barbeque North Carolina barbeque is aged (slow cooked) pork, usually for sixteen hours or more at a low temperature.

After cooking, the meat is pulled off the bones into bite size chunks and often chopped or minced. Sauce is usually applied after cooking and that’s where the different styles come into play.

Western NC Barbeque Western NC Style is also know as Lexington-style and is always made from pork shoulders only which generally contain less fat. The sauce is a vinegar base with a lot of ketchup and all kinds of different seasonings. This is the kind of barbeque you like if the sauce is your main concern.

Eastern NC Barbeque Eastern NC Style is often made from the whole-hog. It is usually served with a vinegar sauce that is more for moisture than taste. There aren’t a lot of spices used and the preparation of the meat is very important. Coleslaw is often the primary side item. This is the kind of barbeque you like if the meat is your main concern.

For more information about the two types of styles visit NCBBQ.com and NCBBQSociety.com

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taking care of our own

Live United

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by Rick Hurley

ince taking on the role of Executive Director of the United Way of Rockingham County in 1996, I have had the privilege of seeing how the charitable sector here “takes care of our own.”

In Rockingham County the charitable sector is made up of hundreds of churches, dozens of civic groups, and over 70 non-profit agencies that improve our lives and the lives of our neighbors. Whether the charitable sector helps youth graduate high school, deliver hot meals to home-bound seniors, or provide emergency rescue services, all our lives are made better because these charities exist in Rockingham County.

As the Executive Director of the United Way of Rockingham County I am most familiar of how our 19 partner agencies “take care of our own” in Rockingham County. One third of the population of Rockingham County each year, nearly 31,000 people, have their lives affected for the better by United Way of Rockingham County’s partner agencies.

United Way Agencies cover everything from A to Z including the Aging, Disability & Transit Services (formerly known as the Council on Aging) to the YMCA. The following are examples of real people who are taken care of by United Way of Rockingham County’s partner agencies. United Way of Rockingham County funds the Meals on Wheels program of Aging, Disability & Transit Services.

One of the seniors who receive a hot meal five days a week from this program has lived in a modest, three-room house in Rockingham County for more than 60 years. She still heats her home with a wood stove and recently turned 100-years-old.

Meals on Wheels helps her continue to live independently and enjoy a very simple life. Through the years, she has given graciously to others, serving as a missionary in Africa and raising multiple foster children. Her tireless giving is now being reciprocated through Meals on Wheels, allowing our community to give something back to her in her time of need.

United Way of Rockingham County funds services provided by all three rescue squads in Rockingham County, including the Eden, Reidsville and Madison-Rockingham County Rescue Squads. The rescue squads are manned entirely by volunteers, and they must constantly train in order to meet very stringent State of North Carolina standards for emergency rescue.

The Madison-Rockingham Rescue Squad purchased a special tool with a United Way of Rockingham County grant that helped save the life of a little boy. Volunteers of the Madison-Rockingham Rescue Squad were dispatched to a wreck involving a bicycle and a car. The boy on the bicycle suffered a severe leg injury that would not allow him to fit into the medical helicopter that had been called to the scene.

Volunteers with the Madison-Rockingham Rescue Squad were able to use this special tool to free the boy from the bike.

Immediately afterwards, the boy was placed in the helicopter and flown to a trauma center, where he survived his injuries.

Recently, the United Way of Rockingham County admitted the Rockingham County Student Health Centers as a partner agency. United Way of Rockingham County funds the Rockingham County Student Centers’ program that provides medical care for students in our four high schools who are not covered by health insurance or are under-insured. One student with a poor academic record had his life dramatically changed when he received a physical exam at one of the Rockingham County Student Health Centers. The Nurse Practitioner’s exam revealed a ruptured eardrum of which the student was unaware. A referral was made to a physician and once the eardrum was repaired his academic standing improved.

An elderly woman who receives a hot meal, a child whose life is saved, a young man who can successfully complete school, these are just three of the thousands of lives changed for the better by charitable organizations in Rockingham County each year.

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Free Clinic of Rockingham County

by Leslie Deaton

He’s 27 years old, about to be a dad to twins and facing dialysis. As young as he is, Aaron deals with multiple health problems – diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney failure by taking multiple medications. Aaron figured he would just have to deal with it for the rest of his life. But a heart to heart talk with the Physician Assistant at the Free Clinic of Rockingham County opened Aaron’s eyes that his life would be very short if he did not make some significant changes in his lifestyle. Aaron says that conversation was the catalyst for him to begin watching what he ate and drank. Counting calories and trading sodas for water resulted in a five pound weight loss in a few weeks.

He says he didn’t think it was much but, “to my surprise she (the PA) gave me praise and so did everyone else that worked there.” She told me, “the weight that stays off comes off slow.

Now I’ve lost over twenty pounds. I am off all my meds for blood pressure and I no longer need to take a pill for diabetes.

It meant a lot to me that she (the PA) cared enough to tell me the truth about what was to come if I wasn’t going to change.”

Aaron is just one of many patients who readily admit they would not be alive if it were not for the medical home they have at the Free Clinic.

Founded on the belief that health and well being create the foundation for all human endeavors, the Free Clinic of Reidsville & Vicinity, Inc. opened its doors on May 28, 1998 in an effort to provide free, basic medical, dental, and pharmacy resources to a particular subgroup—low income, working, uninsured, individuals residing within a 6 mile radius of the facility. The brainchild of retired Reidsville physician, Dr. Paul A. Mabe, Jr. and a First Baptist Church planning committee, The Clinic is truly “community built” as over 130 volunteer workers and area businesses united to turn vision into reality with the completion of a 2800 square foot healthcare facility at 315 S. Main Street, Reidsville. The Clinic recognizes the right of low income, uninsured citizens of Rockingham County to have access to healthcare that compassionately meets their essential medical, dental, and pharmacy needs. It is designed to reduce the burden placed upon hospital emergency rooms by closing the access gap in the local healthcare delivery system. By providing primary and preventative medical care to this vulnerable population, Free Clinic patients experience improved health status and are able to be productive members of the workforce and provide for their families which produces a ripple effect of economic benefit across the county.

In October 2005, The Clinic’s Board of Directors heeded the cry of the uninsured across the county by expanding the original

service radius to incorporate all of Rockingham County.

The name of the organization changed accordingly (Free Clinic of Rockingham County, Inc.) to reflect its expanded service population. A private, non-profit organization, The clinic doesn’t receive any government funding to support its operation and is completely dependent upon the generosity of private donations and charitable trusts and foundations. A small paid staff supports operational and administrative needs; however, all Thursday evening clinics are made possible by the helpful hands and caring hearts of a dedicated 125 member volunteer team. Volunteers, both professional and nonprofessional, serve in various capacities— reception, eligibility screening, medical (doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses), dental (dentists, hygienists, assistants), and office work. It is only because of their spirit of volunteerism that the Clinic can offer comprehensive health care services with only a nominal $10 administrative contribution requested* of patients. (*Patients are never denied access to services due to an inability to pay.)

In 2010, 1047 medical and 265 dental visits were realized and over 3200 prescriptions were filled for qualified patients.

Thus, with a budget of just over $200,000, the Clinic provided services in excess of $498,000, proving its tremendous return on investment. Providing quality, comprehensive health care is a remarkable accomplishment; to do so without federal or state aid is phenomenal.

The Free Clinic of Rockingham County, Inc. prides itself on being an out-of-the-box deliverer of quality health care by having its own community garden for patients to tend and reap the benefits of fresh, homegrown vegetables and an incentivized obesity treatment program for select participants.

Proudly, it received the top level of free clinic accreditation in August 2011, proving quality assurance to its stakeholders and funders.

http://freeclinicofrockinghamcounty.org 315 S. Main Street | Reidsville, NC 27320 336-349-3220

Rockingham County Department of Public Health

by Glenn L. Martin

What is Public Health? Defined, public health is “the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals” (1920, C.E.A. Winslow).

Remaining true to the definition, Rockingham County Department of Public Health has been a multidisciplinary health care provider offering quality health care services for over seven decades. While it is ultimately the responsibility of the individual, the Rockingham County Department of Public Health has served as a significant safety net provider for the entire community by offering invaluable services and mandated programs aimed to keep our citizens safe and healthy.

Sanitation inspections, immunizations, family care services and public health law enforcement are only a few ways Rockingham County Department of Public Health protects and promotes the health of our community. Other services and programs include adult and pediatric primary care, dental health services, women’s preventive health, birth and death registration, WIC/Nutrition services, child health nursing, chronic disease monitoring, pharmacy services, health education/disease surveillance, environmental health services, and public health preparedness strategies.

“Influencing change in Rockingham County through efficient, effective and responsive public health service” is the vision of Rockingham County Department of Public Health. However, in order to provide the quality of service deserving of our clients and community, a highly skilled, competent and professional staff is required. That proves to be evident by the recently awarded accreditation of the health department for May 20, 2011, to May 20, 2015, by the NC Local Health Department Accreditation Board. In addition to receiving our second four-year accreditation award, Rockingham County Department of Public Health celebrated the anniversary of our dental clinic, which has provided quality emergent and ongoing dental services for eligible county residents for over ten years.

The achievements of Public Health in the 20th century have improved our quality of life, increased life expectancy, reduced infant and child mortality, and eliminated or reduced many communicable diseases.

Even though we have made great strides in the prevention and control of many diseases, much work remains to be done. Through dedication and commitment to quality service, Public Health will continue to be on the frontline when it comes to improving the health of our community for many years to come.

www.rockinghamcountypublichealth.org | (336) 342-8140 54 come visit our town - rockingham county, north carolina

{UMAR} Founded in 1983 by the United Methodist Church, UMAR is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting community inclusion, independence, and growth for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout western NC. Locating to Rockingham County in 2010 was an excellent decision for UMAR. They have been able to reach out to the local community such as starting several community-based programs like an arts program, and increased the number of hours program participants spend in the community.

To contact UMAR please call 336-342-4761

{Daymark Recovery Services} Providing culturally sensitive mental health and substance abuse services, Daymark serves in over 28 counties in North Carolina.

The main goal of Daymark is for skilled medical and behavioral healthcare professionals to support citizens of all ages and their families with the greatest opportunity for recovery, independence, and the highest quality of life. With nearly ten different areas of service provided for the Rockingham County area. Daymark is improving the lives of many people throughout the community.

To contact the local Daymark Recovery Service please call 336-342-8316

{RCATS} Serving the Rockingham County area since 1973, Rockingham County Access to Transportation Services, is a non-profit agency. As a staple in the community it provides exceptional help to those who are in need of transportation within the local area. With a fleet of 20 vans, RCATS has both wheelchair accessible vans as well as standard conversion vans.

To schedule a ride or find out more information please call 336-347-2287

Did you know?

Draper developed after B. Frank Mebane built a textile mill at that point in 1905.

www.comevisitourtown.com 55

local hospitals

Morehead Hospital Serving Residents of North Carolina

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by Kerry Faunce

orehead Memorial Hospital is a not-for-profit, 108-bed, community hospital located on a 22acre campus in central Eden. Services include a state-of-the-art emergency department, intensive care unit, a birthing center, cardiac rehabilitation and chronic disease management, and a modern outpatient surgery center.

private and semi-private rooms are available for residents.

Major amenities provided by the center include short-term rehabilitation, a rest home unit for residents with separate dining room and day room, nursing home beds with separate dining rooms and day rooms, and an enclosed courtyard for residents and families.

Morehead Memorial Hospital’s birthing center provides a safe, caring, educational environment for mother and child during the labor, delivery, recovery and postpartum period.

Rooms are tastefully furnished to provide a feeling of home.

Mother and her new child remain in the same room until discharge. For the comfort of family and visitors, each room has a rocker/recliner, television, and stereo system. Each room has a private bath with a shower massage. Birthing beds feature the latest innovations in technology and comfort with the benefit of emergency equipment which is hidden from view behind oak panels on the wall, easily accessible if needed.

An active medical staff of 55 physicians and a consulting/ courtesy staff of 35 physicians serve patients in the North Carolina Piedmont Triad area and Southern Virginia.

The John Smith, Jr. – Dalton McMichael Cancer Center, located on the main campus, provides advanced, high quality, easily accessible cancer care.

It is accredited by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons. The center provides medical and radiation oncology services, as well as community education and screening programs, support groups, nutritional support counseling and patient referral.

Morehead Nursing Center, located on the hospital’s main campus, is a 134-bed long-term care facility. Both

Built in 1960, Morehead Memorial Hospital has undergone numerous expansion and renovation projects to improve technology and provide additional health care services based on the demonstrated needs of the community.

In addition to the main campus, Morehead Memorial Hospital has two off-campus sites. The Wright Diagnostic Center, 618 S. Pierce St., houses outpatient laboratory and diagnostic imaging services, a wound healing center, breast imaging center, the Morehead Memorial Hospital Foundation, and patient financial services. Morehead Physical Rehabilitation, located in Meadow Greens Shopping Center, 640 S. Van Buren Rd., provides physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, massage therapy, and functional capacity evaluations.

Morehead Memorial Hospital is accredited by The Joint Commission, an independent organization that evaluates and accredits nearly 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States.

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Annie Penn Hospital Cone Health

by Sharon Troxler Annie Penn Hospital celebrated its 80th birthday on May 11, 2010 with a theme of “Caring for our Community 80 years, planning for 80 more”. Since that milestone, Annie Penn Hospital has proceeded into “the next 80 years” with high expectations, and remarkable achievements.

Part of the Cone Health Network, Annie Penn Hospital has quickly embraced Cone Health’s goal of becoming a national leader in Quality, Service, and Cost.

Under the leadership of Annie Penn President, Mickey Foster, and Vice-President of Patient Services, Debbie Green, Annie Penn Hospital has become a model of exceptional care.

The results of Annie Penn Hospital’s pursuit of excellence are very evident on campus, and are documented by Press Ganey Survey results: • 98 percent Perfect Care Quality Scores, with the lowest infection rate within the Cone Health Network. Annie Penn Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit has not had a ventilator-associated pneumonia in six and one half years, a record for North Carolina’s hospitals.

• 99 percent Environmental Service Scores, the result of a clean, attractive, and more healing environment. Unit 300, the hospital’s inpatient unit, is being totally remodeled as part of a three-year plan to update facilities. The first phase of this project will be completed in September 2011. The Short Stay Waiting Area on the hospital’s first floor has been enlarged to accommodate an increasing patient population. Public areas of the hospital now feature local artists, providing gallery-quality art, and a Serenity Garden has been located in the Central Courtyard on first floor.

• 95 percent Employee Satisfaction Scores: Based on the June 2011 Employee Performance Survey completed by 92% of the workforce, employees enjoy working at Annie Penn Hospital. This survey result ranks Annie Penn Hospital in the top 5 percent of hospitals nationally for positive employee engagement. Satisfied employees equate to satisfied patients, and both inpatient and outpatient satisfaction scores measured by Press Ganey currently rank Annie Penn Hospital in the top 10 percent of all hospitals nationally.

“Exceptional Care, Close to Home” has become a tradition at Annie Penn Hospital, and in 2011 the hospital continues to expand services to area residents. Under the direction of Mario Singleton, Director of Oncology and Administrative Services, the Annie Penn Cancer Center has added a physician’s assistant and a patient financial counselor to enable the hospital to

provide more services to the increasing number of cancer patients. The Annie Penn Sleep Disorders Center, located on the hospital’s fourth floor, will begin offering pediatric sleep studies in October 2011.

Taking care of community is an important value of Cone Health, and Annie Penn Hospital continues to work to be more visible and active in the communities served. In January 2011, Stokes Ann Hunt was hired as the Director of Community Outreach/ Foundation, and has quickly involved Annie Penn employees in area health fairs, festivals, and other community events. Hunt has also organized a Community Education Seminar Series for the public, a Community Leaders program for Annie Penn Managers and Directors, and a series of business lunches to give community leaders an overview of services offered at Annie Penn Hospital.

Looking forward to 2012, innovation and technology will continue to characterize healthcare delivered at Annie Penn Hospital. The hospital will be one of two hospitals within the Cone Health Network to pilot Cone HealthLink, the best-inclass electronic medical record system developed by Epic.

The expected go-live date will be July 2012. Cone HealthLink will become the one portal that will help coordinate all patient care across the Cone Health network. Simply put, it will mean one patient, one chart; accessible anywhere within the Cone Health network. Patients will not be burdened with answering questions that have already been asked, and less time will be spent calling other offices to ask for information that is already at one’s fingertips. The new system will also result in less confusion or mistakes, since barcode matching between patient bracelets and medications will provide instant documentation.

Annie Penn Hospital, often referred to as a “hidden jewel” located in Rockingham County, has provided quality healthcare for area citizens since 1930. The hospital’s next eighty years promise to be exciting, as Annie Penn continues to gain respect on its rise to national prominence as a healthcare leader.

www.NCNorthstar.com 57

Hospice of Rockingham County

by Flavel Collins Hospice of Rockingham County, Inc. (HRC) is the only full-service non-profit hospice in Rockingham County. Providing the highest quality end-of-life care for terminally ill patients and their families, the HRC staff has more than 135 years’ collective hospice experience and has cared for more than 5,000 patients in and around the county since admitting its first patient in 1987.

HRC cares for patients and their families in Rockingham County as well as the surrounding counties of Caswell, Guilford, and Stokes. A unique interdisciplinary team approach is used to provide care to the patient as well as support for their family members. This team of registered nurses, hospice aides, social workers, chaplains/bereavement coordinators, and trained volunteers work with HRC’s medical director and the patient’s own physician to design and execute a plan of care. This plan not only addresses the physical/medical needs of the patient

but the emotional and spiritual needs of the patient and their caregiver as well.

The HRC campus houses the administrative offices as well as the hospice facility and is centrally located in the county, just west of Wentworth, in a tranquil, pastoral setting. HRC cares for patients in their own homes, assisted living facilities, long-term care facilities, group homes, retirement homes, and as of 2007, in their own eight-bed Hospice Home. Featuring eight spacious private rooms, family room/kitchen/dining room, community room, and private chapel, this state-of-the art facility is a unique resource in Rockingham County.

Hospice services are reimbursed by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance but HRC is very proud to say they have never turned away a patient who had no insurance or resources to pay on a sliding fee scale. Strong community support through memorials, fund-raisers, and United Way donations allow HRC to continue to serve all patients, regardless of their coverage or financial status.

To learn more about Hospice of Rockingham County and end-of-life care, please visit their website at www. hospiceofrockinghamcounty.com or call (336) 427-9022.

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www.NCNorthstar.com 59

natural resources

Got Water?

With four rivers and two major lakes, Rockingham County is a haven for water lovers.

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by Jamie M. Rorrer

ot only is Rockingham County blessed with a beautiful rolling landscape, but this area has an abundance of water. Four rivers—the Dan, Haw, Mayo and Smith— provide more than 60 miles of flowing waters. Two large lakes—portions of Belews Lake and Lake Reidsville—provide access to more than 4,500 acres of water fun. This makes the waters of Rockingham County a major attraction for water sports enthusiasts, outdoor lovers, and even water-reliant industries.

River Country River recreation has become the premier attraction of this rural community’s tourism industry. The four rivers in Rockingham County offer an alternative to whitewater with recreational paddling for all skill levels. Here, you can have a leisurely canoe or tube trip on easy-flowing water. But if thrills are what you are seeking, you can take an excursion across Class II and III rapids set amidst some of the most beautiful landscape in the Piedmont Triad region.

There are several local outfitters in Rockingham County that can assist with planning your trip—from gear rentals, shuttle service, guided trips, and even overnight camping trips. More experienced paddlers also have the option of bringing their own gear and creating their own trips. With a number of public access points, you can plan your experience for just a few hours or several days.

The Dan River Known by local paddlers as the “lazy river,” the Dan’s calm waters are well-suited for paddlers of all skill levels—from novice to experienced. It’s also considered one of the best places to learn to paddle in North Carolina with water in the Class I category. Here you can float along, spending the day in nature where almost nothing modern is seen or heard. The Dan is favored for its relaxing pace, beautiful scenery, wildlife and historical significance.

The Dan flows 38-miles through Rockingham County along wide floodplains, high banks and tree-covered corridors. It is virtually freeflowing with few modern improvements and its waters are plentiful enough that even in times of drought, visitors can still canoe, kayak or take tube trips.

During the 19th century the Dan played an integral role in the development of Rockingham County as batteau crews and small steam launches used its waters for commercial river transportation. The Dan’s batteau systems are some of the only that remain in the country and were the first to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A batteau is a long, narrow, flat-bottomed wooden boat propelled by crewmen using poles. These boats were considered the “18wheelers” of their era and disappeared from the rivers more than 100 years ago with the development of the railroad. But the reliable waters of the Dan are still a major attraction for industries in the area.

The Mayo River The 16-mile section of the Mayo River in Rockingham County flows through a scenic gorge featuring rock bluffs and two natural waterfalls. The river can be divided into two sections and truly offers something for everyone—from beginners to thrill seekers with Class I, II and III rapids The first part of the Mayo, the northernmost section, features thrilling Class II and III rapids and is only recommended for very experienced paddlers. Here, the river flows around rock outcroppings, which create several rapids including the infamous “Boiling Hole” Class III rapid. Avid paddlers say this section offers the best white-water in the Piedmont region of North Carolina.

The lower section features deep, smooth water with a steady current to carry paddlers down river. Beginners and less experienced paddlers will enjoy this section of the Mayo.

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www.NCNorthstar.com 61

photo by Michelle Dalton

{ROCKINGHAM COUNTY OUTFITTERS} Dan River Adventures 724 Webster Rd., Stoneville, NC (336) 427-8530 Canoe, kayak & tube rental, Shuttle Service www.danriveradventures.com Three Rivers Outfitters 413 B Church St, Eden, NC (336) 627-6215 Canoe/Kayak Rental, camping trips, guided trips, shuttle service www.3-r-o.com Troublesome Creek Outfitters 413-B Church St., Eden, NC (336) 627-6215 River Trips, Canoe Sales www.troublesomecreek.com

Did you know?

The Mayo River is also the center of Rockingham County’s first state park: The Mayo River State Park. Though the park is in the early stages of development, it currently consists of nearly 2,000 acres along the Mayo River corridor and its interim facility, Mayo Mountain Access, is open to the public.

The Haw & Smith Rivers Portions of both the Smith and Haw Rivers flow through Rockingham County. The Smith begins in Virginia and runs approximately five miles through Eden until it converges with the Dan. Paddle trips on the Smith River are perfect for those who want to enjoy just an hour or two on the water. The Smith is very scenic with lots of rock outcroppings, foliage and wildlife. Experienced paddlers will even find Class II and Class IV rapids on this river. There is one public access point on the Smith River at the Smith River Greenway in Eden. This access will provide a 2.5 mile float trip to the confluence with the Dan River. Three Rivers Outfitters in Eden has private accesses and offers several trips on the Smith River.

The Haw River flows from Guilford County into Rockingham County just south of Reidsville. There are currently no public access points on the Haw River in Rockingham County. The Haw River State Park and Summit Educational Center are located right at the county line between Rockingham and Guilford counties on approximately 300 acres of beautiful Piedmont land. While this state park in still in the early stages of development, the Summit Educational Center was the first major acquisition.

photo by Partick Jinks

The Dan River Valley has a Triassic Basin that contains the fossil remains of small dinosaurs, fish, mollusks and petrified wood and conglomerates.

As with the Dan, the scenery on the Mayo is spectacular.

Sights to see include well-preserved Native American fish traps, early dams used to generate power in Mayodan, and a variety of plants and wildlife.

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Lake Reidsville

Lake Reidsville is also known for its large, well-equipped campground. The campground includes 46 campsites along the lake that provide water and electricity. In addition, 27 of those sites have on-site dumping resources. The campground also features shower and restroom facilities, a separate boat dock area with 10 slips, a fishing pier, and nature trails.

Other amenities found at Lake Reidsville include picnic shelters that are available for rent, picnic tables and grills scattered throughout the park, a playground area, a large amphitheater, and camp store. Lake Reidsville also features many sporting opportunities, including an outdoor basketball court, a fenced-in grass volleyball court, three horseshoe pits, a soccer field, a practice softball field, and several nature trails. The Lake is also a great site for bird watching and is a featured site on the North Carolina Birding Trail.

Lake Reidsville’s sporting options also include the Lake’s Edge Disc Golf Course, which is the first of its kind in Rockingham County. The championship quality course is geared for family and professional play. The Lake’s Edge course has become a popular site for Disc Golf tournaments and special events.

Numerous special events at Lake Reidsville keep visitors coming throughout the year. Some of the Lake’s most popular events include monthly fishing tournaments, the 4th of July Celebration and Fireworks, Stone Soul Picnic, Easter Egg Hunt, Kids Day Fishing Rodeo, as well as a variety of concerts and dances. Check the Lake Reidsville website for a complete list of special events and fees associated with the Lake’s activities, including gate entry fees.

Lake Reidsville | 630 Water Works Road, Reidsville 336-349-4738 | www.ci.reidsville.nc.us/lakereidsville.htm

Belews Lake A portion of Belews Lake in western Rockingham County provides access to more outdoor water fun. Though the entire lake is not completely in Rockingham County, this tranquil lake spans more than 88 miles and over 3,800 acres.

It is centrally located to many Piedmont Triad cities and provides many options for fishing, water sports, and camping.

It is also the home of Carolina Marina, a full-scale boating marina, service center, and camping facility. Open yearround, Carolina Marina offers the best in marine products and services, boat and RV storage, wet slips, lakefront and lake view villas, park models, RV’s, and more.

“IALR will continue to attract businesses to the region and create strong ties that will build a prosperous future for everyone in the affected area.” photo by Partick Jinks

Picturesque Lake Reidsville offers more than 750-acres of yearround, action-packed fun—from camping, fishing, boating, paddling, water skiing, hiking, picnicking and more. Lake Reidsville is a recreational lake and park, and is also a popular spot for anglers and fishing tournaments because of its abundance of big bass, catfish, crappie and bream. Fishing is allowed from boats, two fishing piers or from designated areas on the banks. The Lake’s amenities also include a 26-slip boat dock, which makes it easily accessible by boat.

Belews Lake was created in 1973 to provide cooling water for Duke Energy’s Belews Creek Steam Station. There are several public access areas to the lake including Carolina Marina.

The lake is a popular fishing and boating spot for people throughout the Piedmont Triad region as it touches Forsyth, Rockingham, and Stokes counties. Regular catches on Belews Lake include bass, catfish, crappie, and panfish.

Popular activities include sail boating, speed boating, paddling, camping, hiking, and all types of water sports.

Belews Lake and Carolina Marina | 548 Shelton Road, Stokesdale | 336-427-0498 | www.carolinamarina.com *For a complete Rockingham County Rivers Guide with map, contact the Rockingham County Partnership for Economic and Tourism Development at 800-316-ROCK or info@ncnorthstar.com.

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Rockingham County’s Two Riverside State Parks Mayo River state Park

The Mayo River State Park, in Mayodan, was the county’s first state park. Established in 2002, the Mayo River State Park consists of 1,967 acres along the serene Mayo River corridor in Rockingham County.

The park’s interim or “hub” facility, Mayo Mountain Access, opened to the public in 2010. Located at the site are a visitor contact station, picnic shelter, 1.8-mile and .5-mile hiking trails, rest rooms, catch and release fishing pond, and a maintenance facility. Mayo Mountain Access sits on a 398-acre site just north of Mayodan on N.C. 220 Business and is known locally as Mayo Park. The site was developed in 1948 by the Washington Mills textile company as a community recreation area and was open until the early 1970s.

The former Mayo Park site included the picnic pavilion, a cooking shelter and a bathhouse designed by renowned architect Antonin Raymond, a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright who introduced a Japanese style of architecture to the U.S. incorporating natural materials. The pavilion and cooking shelter have been fully restored in wood and natural stone.

The bathhouse was deemed too dilapidated for restoration, although portions of the structure were salvaged for potential later use as exhibits.

At this time, there is no public river access managed by Mayo River State Park. Mayo Mountain Access is located at 500 Old Mayo Park Road, Mayodan, NC 27027. Contact the park for more information at 336.427.2530

haw River state Park

The Haw River State Park was authorized in 2003 when an area along the Haw River corridor in both Rockingham and Guilford counties was identified for a future state park. The park would be in both counties and be Rockingham County’s 2nd state park.

Purchase of the Summit, a retreat and conference center originally owned by the Episcopal Diocese, was the first major acquisition in the development of this state park. The Summit now operates as a complete environmental education, retreat, and conference center. It sits on nearly 300 acres of Piedmont forest, fields, wetlands and uplands at the headwaters of the Haw River. The Summit includes amenities for lodging, meeting, recreational, and special programming for overnight groups ranging from 10 to 180 and day use groups ranging from 10 to 200. It features eight indoor meeting spaces, motel and dormitory-style lodging, and recreation facilities including a six-acre lake.

As land acquisition continues and the Haw River State Park grows, the park will be able to provide additional resource protection of the Haw River Corridor and recreational opportunities for park visitors. Until more properties are acquired for the state park, we do not have facilities for general public use. Visitors are welcome to visit the Summit but are encouraged to call ahead.

The Summit is located at 339 Conference Center Drive Browns Summit, NC 27214 | 336-342-6163

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wealth of treasures

Chinqua Penn Plantation

(cq), chairman of the board of Niagara Falls Power Company and a mayor of that storied New York town. Besides frequent overseas business trips, the couple took three world tours.

Their trips resulted in some piece (or pieces) of art, furniture, or tapestry being sent back to Chinqua Penn.

A Snapshot of History

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by Paul V. Brown, Jr. early a century ago, a couple who enjoyed traveling the world began collecting mementos from their journeys and sending them back to their mansion home in North Carolina.

That couple was Thomas Jefferson “Jeff” and Beatrice “Betsy” Penn, and their home -- with a breath-taking view atop a Rockingham County hill -- was named Chinqua Penn Plantation. But past is prelude. Today, the new owners of the historic mansion, Calvin and Lisa Phelps, are following in the globe-trotting footsteps of the Penns, and shipping their own newly purchased art and furnishings for display at Chinqua Penn.

Chinqua Penn is a play on the Penn’s name, and refers to the chinqua pin, a species of the chestnut tree once abundant in the area and still found on the estate. The Penns built their home on more than 1,100 acres in the mid 1920s, when the American economy was roaring and members of High Society famously entertained friends and business associates, often with lavish parties. The Penns moved in society circles, but theirs often was a more personal brand of entertainment, with family, friends, and business associates.

Their guests feasted their eyes on the 27-room mansion, filled with paintings, carvings, tapestries, and furnishings from around the world. The carved front door is from Venice, Italy. The main living room, a vaulted expanse with beams accented in Pecky Cypress from Florida, includes sculptured columns in Italian stone and ceiling paintings by a Scandinavian artist. There’s the Chinese Room, a copy of a room the Penns saw in a friend’s house in Shanghai, China. Modern-day tour-goers are treated to a reproduction of King Tut’s throne that the Penns ordered while on a visit to Egypt in 1929. The Velvet Room boasts bronze Japanese candlesticks and a statue of the Hindu god Vishnu from East India.

In short, Chinqua Penn Plantation is a combination art museum and a page out of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Jeff Penn’s family made its fortune in Virginia in tobacco, but early on, the visionary businessman chose dairy-farming over leaf production. Betsy was the only daughter of Arthur Shoellkopf

The massive farm (Chinqua Penn was never a plantation in the Old South sense of the word) is now down to 22 acres attached to the estate. A few chinqua pins survive, but the staff cultivates thousands of flowering and other plants for the nature-lover’s senses. (A special month-long Spring Garden Tour is offered in April). Like many of the Roaring ‘20s wealthy, the Penns commissioned elaborate gardens and landscaping for their estate. They were also horse lovers, reflected in the miles of horse trails and the equestrian items still housed – and occasionally displayed – on the property.

Betsy Penn survived her husband, and later bequeathed Chinqua Penn to North Carolina’s public universities. It was sold in 2006 to Calvin and Lisa Phelps, who had their first date at Chinqua Penn.

And the tradition of a travel-loving couple furnishing the hilltop estate with international treasures continues.

Chinqua Penn Plantation 2138 Wentworth Street | Reidsville, NC 27320 | 336-349-4576 www.chinquapenn.com

Did you know?

66 come visit our town - rockingham county, north carolina

The Reidsville plant of the American Tobacco Company was the producer of Lucky Strike cigarettes.

A New Day for Healthcare in the Region Quality care should always be available

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bringing renowned cardiac care to our region, the Quality Affiliation will provide additional resources to enhance patient

Today is a new day for healthcare in the region.

safety and clinical quality hospital-wide.

www.DanvilleRegional.com

www.NCNorthstar.com 69

shop, stay & play

Visit Reidsville

by Judy Yarbrough

T

he All-America City of Reidsville’s slogan, “Live Simply. Think Big,” mirrors life in this beautiful historic small town. Incorporated in 1873, the City named after Governor David Settle Reid was built on a strong tobacco heritage. While tobacco no longer drives the economy, its historic value can be seen throughout the community. In 2008, Reidsville was awarded the National Civic League’s coveted designation of “All-America City” for its humanitarian projects. This has instilled a civic pride that can be seen in the growth of the area.

City leaders recognize our economy is changing and strive to create an area for small business growth. This is apparent in the revitalization of downtown. In 2009, the City opened Market Square, a beautiful park and amphitheater located in the heart of downtown. This venue not only houses the local Farmer’s Market but also serves as an entertainment center for the community and beyond. Each month April through September, national, local and regional artists can be found performing here. These events are designed to provide the community with diverse entertainment not usually associated with a small city. Market Square not only entertains our local community but also brings many people from outside the area into downtown. Once there, one can’t help but find downtown a beautiful and unique place to shop. Specialty stores abound and the merchants take pride in what they offer. Reidsville is fast becoming the place for entrepreneurs to open their doors for business, and for folks to come “play.”

The Reidsville Downtown Corporation (RDC) holds monthly events, such as the Cruise-In featuring classic cars and 50’s entertainment and nightly themed shopping events during holiday weekends or special local events. The RDC organizes the County’s largest festival, the Reidsville Downtown Homegrown Festival, the second weekend in October.

Festival entertainment offers a variety of artists from Bluegrass, Beach, Country, Motown and Rock to take the stage at Market Square. This event brings in over 200 vendors and 500 classic cars from across the Southeast. Truly a weekend of Homemade, Hometown and Homegrown Fun! The City also recognizes the importance of recreation and quality of life in the community. The Penn House, a gorgeous historic home, built by Lucky Strike Cigarette inventor Charles Penn now owned by the City, is the backdrop to weddings and events every weekend and hosts functions for the business community. Lake Reidsville is another beautiful “playground.”

This 725-acre lake offers, boating, skiing, camping , fishing, canoeing and bird watching. It also houses a championship

disc golf course, built in 2007 and designed by Russell Schwartz of Innova Disc Golf. Reidsville is home to nine neighborhood parks and several ball fields, including Jaycee Ballpark, which was recently revamped by the City. Greenway trails throughout Reidsville offer our citizens a place to exercise and enjoy nature. Our senior citizens enjoy a facility certified as a “Center of Excellence” by the State, which provides them with fun and educational activities.

All of this, along with our beautiful residential areas, quality housing, deeply- rooted small-town values, small business opportunities, and caring citizens, shows that Reidsville “Lives Simply and Thinks Big”, making it a fantastic place to live, shop, stop and play.

www.ci.reidsville.nc.us

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Discover Eden

by Cindy Adams

In June of 2011, a contingent of 34 Eden residents flew to Kansas City to compete for a 2011 All-America City Award. The city presentation was a resounding success and Eden was chosen as one of the 10 national winners. Our slogan was Eden: Where Promise Flows, a reference to the two rivers that traverse the city and the promise of what our future holds. This was a great accomplishment that represents the spirit of the Eden community and the loyalty of our leaders and residents.

Another example of that spirit and loyalty was seen more than a decade ago when a group of Eden residents lobbied for a new city park. Two years later, Freedom Park opened. It is now the most popular recreational facility in the city and the reason thousands of visitors have come here for weekly ball tournaments since 2007. The three Freedom Park ball fields host these tournaments, but there is a skate park, three picnic shelters, a walking track and amphitheater. And Freedom Park is also the host location for many special events and festivals throughout the year.

top 20 events in the southeastern U.S. for September of 2011.

This multiple-day event draws more than fifteen thousand attendees annually and celebrates Eden’s river heritage each fall.

Rockingham County is home to more than 60 potters, so it was natural for Eden to host an annual pottery festival. The Annual Piedmont Pottery Festival in June is now one of the most popular in the state and it will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2012. Ribfest, Jazzfest, Fall Festival and Ladies Night Out are just four other events that happen each year in Eden. And, if you want to take a nostalgic trip down memory lane, spend an evening under the stars watching a movie at the Eden DriveIn, one of only nine remaining drive-in theaters in the state. No matter what you enjoy, explore Eden and see Where Promise Flows.

For more about what is happening in Eden visit www.ExploreEdenNC.com or the ExploreEdenNC Facebook page.

Eden is fortunate to have two large rivers that flow through our borders and our leaders and residents alike see the value of protecting and enjoying them. In 2003, the first of Eden’s three river access points opened at Leaksville Landing adjacent to the historic Olde Leaksville Downtown District. It was followed by the Smith River Landing and Draper Landing. Eden is now in collaboration with Pittsylvania County, Virginia to create a river access point at the Berry Hill Bridge in Virginia to help facilitate trips between the two states. Three Rivers Outfitters and Troublesome Creek Outfitters are examples of small business that opened in Eden as result of the growing river recreation market found in Eden and Rockingham County.

Both companies rent and sell canoes and kayaks as well as offer transportation and guide services to paddlers of all levels-from novices to experienced river enthusiasts.

In keeping with preserving our rivers and promoting recreation, Eden created the Smith River Greenway. Four years ago that 1.7-mile walking trail opened in the middle of our city and follows alongside the beautiful Smith River. It was immediately embraced by our citizens of all ages who use it daily and is a great attraction for visitors.

Eden is the home to two downtown areas—Olde Leaksville and Draper Village. The Olde Leaksville area is home to businesses that have been in Eden for more than 80 years to relatively new ones that fill a niche in the community. Pace-Stone, Inc., Belladonna’s Antiques and Interiors, The Front Porch Dress and Wine Shop are just a few of the stores that draw patrons from across the Triad. This area is also the site of Eden’s RiverFest, an award-winning annual festival that was rated as one of the

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Explore Western Rockingham County

by Anne Griffin

Western Rockingham County, comprised of the towns of Madison, Mayodan and Stoneville, offers a unique, small-town, friendly experience for those who visit. The towns have a rich and vast history. They were all incorporated in the late 1800s and have been vibrant communities driven by the heyday of textiles and trains. Large factories such as Washington Mills, Macfield, Unifi and Stoneville Furniture employed many local workers; however, the decline and loss of those industrial giants dealt this end of the county a severe blow. Nevertheless, these citizens have developed a spirit of entrepreneurship and new small businesses are evolving in all parts of Western Rockingham County.

There are intriguing places to visit in an area packed with much history. There is the Piedmont Distillery in Madison. It became the first legal distillery in North Carolina when it opened in 2005 in the former train station in downtown Madison. Piedmont Distillers hosts, ’ShineFest, an annual celebration of our local moonshine heritage, with live music, beverages of all kinds, local cuisine, shopping all over town, and tours of the distillery.

It’s an event not to be missed. ‘ShineFest draws over 20,000 people each year. It’s an event not to be missed.

If you like something a bit more tranquil and relaxed, visit the Mayo River State Park hub in Mayodan off of Business 220.

While the entire State Park is still in development, hiking trails are open and grills are available for cook-outs and picnics. The centerpiece of the park is the restored picnic shelter/pavilion designed by architect Antonin Raymond, a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright. The Japanese influence is striking and the inspiration for the pavilion was a church in Tokyo. The pavilion is one of the few buildings left in the state with any connection to Frank Lloyd Wright. Raymond went on to become the father of modern Japanese architecture. A picture of the original shelter appeared on the cover of the Japanese equivalent of Architectural Digest in the 1960s.

After experiencing the serenity of the State Park, continue north on Business 220 to Stoneville and take a brief detour for lunch at the Ruby Rose Tea Room. This beautifully refurbished home is considered the number one tea room in all of North Carolina!

You can enjoy a light meal and then cruise the gift shop for souvenirs.

If golf is your game, you will find three great golf courses in Stoneville. Dan River Golf Club, Deep Springs Country Club, and the Ponderosa are all quality links that will challenge your handicap. The Ponderosa is known for its commitment to helping local causes and has raised more than $300,000 for local charities.

Western Rockingham County has unique shops with gifts you can’t find anywhere else. The historic, quaint downtown areas of Madison, Mayodan and Stoneville each offer a variety of specialty shops for a break from big, national chain stores. The local cuisine is terrific and available in all three towns. And we guarantee you’ll get a friendly welcome and find great southern hospitality here.

Come often – you’re welcome anytime!

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piedmont wine trail

Grapeful Thinking

G

by Kelly Dickerson

rapes were not always the first thing that came to mind when you thought of Rockingham County. Today, with more and more tobacco farms converting to vineyards Rockingham County has become a hidden jewel when it comes to wine. Both, Autumn Creek Vineyards in Mayodan and Chinqua Penn Vineyards in Reidsville, call the county home. Both vineyards are also part of the Piedmont Heritage Wine Trail, which includes Stonefield Cellars Winery and Grove Winery.

Over a century ago, Autumn Creek Vineyards was originally a functioning hay, cattle and tobacco farm. Today, the vineyard has renewed this commitment to farming by growing more than a dozen acres of both red and white grape varieties. You can sample Autumn Creek’s award-winning wines in their comfortable tasting room and then stay and enjoy a glass on the patio or in one of the gazebos. Every July the vineyard hosts an assortment of music genres as part of its ongoing “Music in the Vines” concert series as well as their annual “Shaggin’ in the Vines” beach music festival.

Autumn Creek also features two overnight rental cabins on its grounds. But don’t let the word cabin fool you, because both offer the same amenities as your home while providing the perfect relaxing getaway retreat. The “Cabin in the Vines” is a restored log cabin that overlooks part of the vineyard and features one bedroom plus a loft. The “Cabernet Cabin” is a larger, two-bedroom newly constructed log cabin located across the vineyards.

The vineyard has also become a popular location for weddings and special events because it provides such an unforgettable backdrop. In addition to the beautiful setting, Autumn Creek’s event amenities include a large patio area, gazebos, pond with fountain, and a newly constructed, climatecontrolled Pavilion.

Chinqua Penn Plantation is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has a long history of growing grapes since being built by Jeff and Betsy Penn in the 1920s. Chinqua-Penn Vineyards’ wine tasting room is adjacent to the gift shop where you are invited to enjoy your wine in the wine room or on the adjoining patio. The wines are made from grapes grown on-site as well as from local farmers. The plantation itself has two wine cellars on the property; one in the house and the other in the main entrance area.

For more information about these vineyards go to www. autumncreekvineyards.com and www.chinquapenn.com.

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{Piedmont Heritage Wine Trail} A collection of neighboring wineries in Guilford and Rockingham Counties make up the Piedmont Heritage Wine Trail. The wineries in the trail are Autumn Creek Vineyards, Chinqua Penn Vineyards, Grove Winery & Vineyards, and Stonefield Cellars Winery.

The Piedmont Heritage Wine Trail features farms revitalized and restored with vineyards and tasting rooms. These wineries are committed to the land and the rich heritage of farming and winemaking. Visitors to the Piedmont Heritage Wine Trail can enjoy traveling through the rolling farmlands and woods as they visit our wineries and vineyards. The wine trail is located in North Carolina’s northern Piedmont Triad region and all four wineries can be easily visited in an afternoon.

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Corporate Events

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north carolina birding trail

Spotting Beauty

by Moriah Davis

W

hen you have the extraordinary scenery and variation of the outdoors, like in Rockingham County, it is only reasonable to expect to find a large selection in the types of birds found here. Listed on the North Carolina Birding Trail, Rockingham County has three amazing places for bird watching. From Prairie Warblers, Indigo Buntings, Eastern Meadowlarks, and many more. If you are a bird lover you will not be disappointed.

Lake Reidsville Recreational Park There is a small entrance fee to the park but after you enter, the beauty of the area will amaze you. The two nature trails in the park provide the best bird watching opportunities at Lake Reidsville. Walking the nature trails you will be able to see the lake, soccer field, disc-golf course and campground, and truly experience nature at its purest form. Species commonly seen at Lake Reidsville include the Prairie Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Indigo Bunting and many wintering waterfowl.

Chinqua-Penn Walking Trail This public walking trail, located beside Chinqua-Penn Plantation, offers over 1.5 miles of exceptional views and is part of the Upper Piedmont Research Station. The sites along the trail include a small waterfall, Turkey Pond, the Penn’s Stew Site, an old log barn, a stone quarry, and many other interesting sights. At the beginning of the trail is an informational kiosk to highlight the history of the area and give insightful facts about the trail. Watch for migrating and breeding songbirds in the forested portions of the trail. Common species seen along the trail include the Eastern Bluebird, Indigo Bunting, and Eastern Meadowlark, as well as Red-tailed and Red-shouldered Hawks soaring overhead.

Dan River Located between Madison and Eden, the Dan River offers 38 miles of bird tracking adventure in Rockingham County. This birding trail is good for those who like to canoe and is easy enough to follow for those who may be novice or intermediate paddlers. Bird watching enthusiasts should request a copy of the Rockingham County Rivers Guide in order to plan a trip along this trail. Paddlers along this section of the river may hear the songs of species such as the Eastern WoodPewee, Hooded Warbler and Summer Tanager. Other species frequently heard or spotted along the Dan include the Barred Owl, Belted Kingfisher, Red-shouldered or Red-tailed Hawks, Wood Duck, and Great Crested Flycatcher.

To find out more information about the North Carolina Birding Trail visit http://www.ncbirdingtrail.org

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education in our region

Rockingham Community College

S

et in the geographic center of Rockingham County, Rockingham Community College opened its doors in 1964 with four buildings. Today the school boasts 19 buildings and a broad curriculum encompassing biology to basic welding.

S. Helmick, a previous vice president for academic affairs at Western Piedmont Community College in Morganton. In addition to his experience at several levels in the educational realm, Dr. Helmick has worked in industry and owned a business.

For any adult seeking an education, RCC offers certificates, diplomas and degrees in over 40 programs. Responding to other needs within the community, RCC offers juniors and seniors in the county’s 4 traditional high schools the opportunity to take a selection of college courses. The Rockingham County Early College High School opened its campus in 2008 and through its continuing education department the college’s reach into its communities needs runs deep. HRD classes teach individuals how to search for jobs and shine during interviews; a Small Business Center which offers workshops and counseling to those interested in becoming entrepreneurs; basic skills and GED classes to close the educational gap for those without a high school diploma; Career Readiness Certification training to help those needing to prove their proficiency in certain skills to potential employers; courses for those desiring to upgrade their skills; and specialized training for employees of businesses with certain training needs.

The college Dr. Helmick inherited is one with a long history of support from Rockingham County citizens. Nowhere is this seen so spectacularly than through the number of volunteers who offer their time and talents to the RCC Foundation.

Each year these volunteers attend meetings, perform tasks, and meet or exceed their fund-raising goals. These funds are then used to support college programs and services not funded by the state. These include student aid, student enrichment programs, campus improvements, educational and cultural programming, historical preservation, upgrading and replacing instructional equipment and materials, and faculty/staff professional development. The foundation also has many endowed scholarships that have helped thousands of students. The RCC Foundation is one of the most active in the state.

Overseeing this vast array of services is the community college president. RCC has only had three – Dr. Gerald B. James, Dr. N. Jerry Owens, and Dr. Robert C. Keys – prior to March 1, 2011 when the college welcomed its fourth president, Dr. Michael

The breadth and scope of community colleges make them instrumental in the health and well-being of any community.

In Rockingham County, it was the vision of several hardworking individuals to make RCC a reality for the community they loved. The college continues its vision, continually responding to the changing needs of Rockingham County citizens.

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Rockingham County Schools

by Dr. Rodney Shotwell Rockingham County Schools (RCS) is an innovative, transformational, focused and successful school system providing for the diverse needs of approximately 13,800 students - the finest students in the nation. It believes in preparing students to become productive citizens and life-long learners and approaches each student with not only a nurturing attitude but one of encouragement and celebration.

The school system is comprised of sixteen elementary schools, four middle schools, four traditional high schools, one alternative school, and one Early College High School.

RCS’ newest facility, Douglass Elementary, will open August 2011 as a state-of-the-art, LEED certified school.

Due to the belief that human potential is more fully developed through a wide range of pursuits, Rockingham Community College offers students a variety of venues to explore service, leadership, team building, physical activity and social involvement.

To its curriculum students, RCC encourages participation in:

Clubs:

Science Club, Early Childhood Education Club, Criminal Justice Club, Nursing Club, Respiratory Therapy Club, and SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise).

Academic Honor Societies: Phi Theta Kappa, Sigma Kappa Delta.

Athletics: Women’s volleyball, Men’s basketball, Men’s baseball (all RCC students have free admission to all home games).

Organizations: Student Government Association.

RCS features a strong academic program with numerous opportunities to explore and enhance the North Carolina Standard Course of Study. The elementary, middle and high schools collaborate to give quality instructional services that enhance student opportunities. This includes special programs, such as, Academically/Intellectually Gifted, Exceptional Children, Career and Technical Education, JROTC, International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement courses for college credit, Arts Education and a strong technology focus.

Technology plays a vital role in Rockingham County Schools. The district boasts 975 21st Century Classrooms where technology is integrated with traditional instruction.

The use of interactive whiteboards, projectors, document cameras and web-based instruction are all regular educational experiences. Additionally, all certified teachers are issued laptops for use with planning and instruction.

RCS will implement the start of the 1:1 mobile learning initiative in January 2012. Over the next three years, all

All RCC students have access to:

Tutoring and academic assistance:

AT3 Lab, Math Lab, Success Center, First Generation Center.

Lab equipped to meet the needs of the hearing and sight impaired.

ScholarshipS: Over 140 through the RCC Foundation, Inc. as well as others offered through separate entities.

Wireless internet - Walking trail Fully equipped fitness room - Gymnasium

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students in grades 9-12 will receive a laptop computer to use in the classroom and at home for projects and homework assignments.

Rockingham County Schools strives to be the best academically and athletically. The school district has been recognized by state and national organizations for achievements in a variety of areas.

Examples:

• NC Teacher of the Year - 2003

• NC Outstanding Media Coordinator of the Year 2009

• NC Outstanding School Nutrition Director of the

Year - 2010

• National School Award for Best School District

Website - Runner-Up - 2011

• National Title I School of Distinction - South End

Elementary - 2010

• State Champion Athletic Teams The continued success of Rockingham County Schools can be attributed to two factors – the dedicated staff and the people of Rockingham County. The largest employer in Rockingham

County with over 2000 employees, school staff are dedicated individuals with one common focus – quality service for the students. The second factor is the people of Rockingham County – individuals, businesses and community leaders – who value education and support the mission of educating all students. There is also an eleven member elected school board that feels passionate about education.

Collaboration is essential to the success of each school.

Partnerships with Rockingham Community College, UNCGreensboro, the Reidsville Area Foundation, the Rockingham County Education Foundation and other local agencies, businesses, and the faith community are a valued part of the educational programming.

Academic excellence, strong student-centered programs and a focus on technology create an outstanding school district in Rockingham County.

For more information on Rockingham County Schools and/or a listing of the schools, please visit their website at www.rock.k12.nc.us.

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rockingham county recreation

Eden Parks & Recreation

by Johnny Farmer

T

he Eden Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of programs and activities that provide fun and excitement for individuals of all ages.

Programs and activities are planned for the very young to the very young at heart. There are active activities such as softball, swimming, basketball and football, and passive activities such as a stroll on the greenway, an evening stroll on the walking track, or a float down one of the two rivers in the City.

The City of has a number of facilities that serve the citizens of Eden, as well as those who visit our community. The Smith River Greenway is very popular with local residents as well as outof-town guests who want to go on a scenic walk along the river. The River Access Sites along the Smith and Dan Rivers are popular for those who want to canoe and kayak. The rivers offer a very scenic view and calming experience as you take in the beauty of the surrounding scenery.

Freedom park is Eden’s state-of-the-art regional park. There is something for people of all ages to do at this facility. From the local youth baseball and softball games to the adult softball games held during the week to weekend tournaments that bring in visitors to the City forty weekends per year, Freedom Park is a very active place for everyone.

Teams travel from all over the state of North Carolina and Virginia to take part in the weekend tournaments. This

stimulates the local economy as members of these teams stay in local hotels and dine at local restaurants. Tournaments play a major role in helping support the local businesses in the City, which, in turn, creates a positive impact on Eden. The City hosts district and state tournaments at Freedom Park throughout the summer months, and has been able to host three Dixie Youth Baseball State Tournaments during the past six years.

Freedom Park also entertains monthly Concerts in the Park from March through November. The Park has shelters that can be rented for birthday parties and family reunions. A large playground, skateboard park, amphitheatre, nature trail, and a walking track round out the activities available at Freedom Park.

Whether you visit Freedom Park to catch a baseball or softball game, take a stroll along the Smith River Greenway, launch a canoe at one of the river access sites, attend a Concert in the Park, or take part in one of the wide variety of programs offered by the Eden Parks and Recreation Department, you will be a part of the fun and excitement in the City of Eden.

For more information on all of the programs, services, and facilities offered by the Eden Parks and Recreation Department, please call 336-623-2110 or visit the City’s website at www.ci.eden.nc.us.

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www.NCNorthstar.com 85 photo courtesy Averett University

Reidsville Something for Everyone

by Angela G. Stadler The City of Reidsville has always had a strong commitment to recreation, shown by recent improvements to our existing facilities and the expansion of our recreational offerings.

The Reidsville City Council knows that our citizens want, even expect, the best “quality of life” that can be provided through our recreational facilities. We have often been a leader in recreation in Rockingham County, which is evident in the recent renovation of Jaycee Ballpark. Jaycee boasts two newly landscaped fields for baseball or softball, which have new scoreboards and fencing. The park also has a state-of-the-art concession stand. The third field is expected to be completed in the near future. The park also features tennis courts, which are used by residents and by the local high school tennis team.

Our ballparks mean more than just good ball, they also provide a social gathering place for Reidsville residents in the summer.

Jaycee hosts the Recreation Department’s Pony Baseball League games as well as the Adult Softball League and Church Softball League. Younger players can be found nightly during the baseball season at Lowe’s and Booster Fields as part of the Dixie Youth baseball program. T-ball and Coach-Pitch games are also available beginning as early as age four at these two fields located off of Sprinkle and Moss Streets. Sometimes it’s hard to find a parking space when all the different leagues are

playing, and you’re sure to see someone you know watching a child or grandchild play ball.

Yet our recreational offerings are not confined to baseball and softball. Reidsville High School is known for its impressive record in football, and it has been aided over the years by a strong Rec football program that teaches the fundamentals of the sport during Flag and Contact Football games. Youth Basketball and Girls Softball are also very popular leagues in the Recreation Department.

Not into ball? How about camping?

City leaders have always considered Lake Reidsville Recreation Park, a 750-acre lake with 86 acres of park area, as Rockingham County’s relatively unknown recreational “crown jewel.” The lake provides something for everyone, featuring 46 wooded campsites, all with water and electricity and some with full hookup, and picnic shelters perfect for campers or day trippers. Fishing piers offer local and visiting fisherman another way to catch the lake’s renowned big bass and crappie. Listed on the North Carolina Birding Trail, the park is a prime spot to see Golden Finches, Prairie Wobbles and, occasionally, a bald eagle. The hiking trails are perfect for a slow walk or a quick jog.

Lake Reidsville’s amphitheatre sets the stage for the concerts and other activities planned at the park, including the annual July 4th celebration. Also located at the facility is a premier regulation-sized soccer field. The addition of Lake’s Edge, a challenging disc golf course designed by Russell Schwartz of Innova Disk Golf, considered the “Nike” of the sport, has also increased the offerings at the lake and made Lake Reidsville

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the scene of several quality disc golf tournaments. Bring your boat, canoe or kayak and enjoy an afternoon or weekend at the lake.

The City of Reidsville recently took over management of its previously leased Lake Hunt. Lake Hunt provides an alternative to Lake Reidsville and is operated more like a private club with key access. Season passes are available for the lakes individually or jointly.

Recreation is only a “step away” for most Reidsville residents since the City provides nine neighborhood parks, many of which offer picnic shelters, playground equipment and, in some cases, practice ball fields or basketball courts. Again, these parks are a hub of social activity for their neighborhoods, providing places to meet for birthday parties and other events.

Residents of all ages can be seen walking the greenway trails, thanks in part to the generosity of a grant from the Reidsville Area Foundation. First, the City established the Jaycee Trail and then the Jaycee Trail Extension before completing the Sherwood Drive Trail, which creates 1.8 miles of greenways for citizens to traverse.

If you’d rather do your workouts inside, the City’s Fitness Center, located on the lower level of 200 N. Franklin Street, features free weights, treadmills, elliptical machines and more for a small charge.

Maybe swimming is your thing. The Reidsville Community Pool, at the Reidsville YMCA, was a collaborative effort between the Y and the City to bring affordable swimming to area youth.

Open swim times are available, along with several aquatic classes offered through the YMCA. Recreation isn’t only about exercise. It’s also about one’s quality of life. The Reidsville Senior Center, at 201 N. Washington Street, has been a “Center of Excellence” since 2005. Seniors play shuffleboard, bowl and are very active in the Rockingham County Senior Games, but they also receive informative programs, get health screenings and engage in arts and craft classes as well as leisure activities, such as bingo and trips.

No better example of a “quality of life” experience is the Reidsville Teen Center, which helped Reidsville earn its “AllAmerica City” designation in 2008. Established in 2004, the Center focuses on youth ages 10-16, providing them with homework assistance, special programs and recreational opportunities at the Sprinkle Street location. There’s youth play games there, but they also learn behaviors that will help them in life.

So, obviously whether you’re young or old or somewhere in-between, Reidsville has a lot to offer when it comes to recreation. You need to check it out!

For more information on all of the programs, services, and facilities offered by the Reidsville Parks and Recreation Department, please call 336-349-1090 or visit the City’s website at www.ci-reidsville.nc.us

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Reidsville YMCA - Eden Family YMCA The Place for You

by Barry Mabe

by Michael Digh The Reidsville Family YMCA has a lot to offer to the community.

We welcome guests and residents to a family-oriented, fun and energetic environment. We aid in developing healthy habits that will impact one’s spiritual, mental, emotional and physical well-being.

When you are at the Reidsville Y, you will encounter great programs like fitness, aquatics, sports and after school care.

These programs will keep you and your children eager about the next fun event you attend.

Volunteering is one of the main keys to reaching out to the community for the Y. At the Reidsville YMCA, we have a mission and passion to help others through not only our giving programs, but also our time and love. One of our giving opportunities is the “We Build People” campaign, which assist individuals who need financial help by raising money for them to remain at the Y. The YMCA Heritage Society is a group of people who have strong friendships that take pride in the purpose and values of the Y, as well as being involved in our endowment. The “Bright Beginnings” program supports almost 500 children with school supplies; the smiles on the children’s faces makes it worth the time and energy. Plus, if you would like to volunteer as a coach, it’s also a wonderful experience!

Come and join us at the Reidsville Family Y for a healthy, fun and a long-lasting experience. We look forward to seeing you!

For more information, contact Heather Whitsett, Executive Director, at 336.342.3307 or via email at heather.whitsett@ ymcagreensboro.org.

Reidsville Family YMCA 504 S. Main St. | Reidsville, NC 27320 336.342.3307 | reidsvilleymca.org Hours: Monday - Thursday 5:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Friday 5:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Saturday 7:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Before consolidation of the city’s YMCAs, there were five local branches in the Tri-Cities. The Central YMCA, the first branch built, was established in 1909 as the first industrial YMCA in the South. In 1917, the Leaksville Y was built and the North Spray YMCA opened its doors in 1918. The Draper Y began operations in 1919, and Henry Street Y opened in 1944. Industrialist B. Frank Mebane supported the opening of the Central Y, and his mills managed it.

In 1971, the current building on Kennedy Street opened. We have two gymnasiums, an Olympic-size swimming pool, canteen area, a state-of-the-art aerobics room, two racquetball courts, and a large fitness area for men and women, complete with a full line of weight machines, free weights and cardiovascular equipment. Outdoor facilities include four clay-composite tennis courts, a playground and picnic shelter, three baseball fields, two soccer fields and an asphalt outdoor track.

The Eden Family YMCA has served this community for over one-hundred years. Keeping in mind that spiritual development is just as important as mental and physical, the YMCA has supported our community through wars, economic hardships, and most importantly as a refuge for local children. Our mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. YMCA staff and volunteers put this mission into practice as we attempt to help individuals clarify their values and find faith for everyday living.

YMCA programs offer many activities for all ages including: youth and adult sports, Healthy Kids Day, fitness classes and personal training, Silver Sneakers, swimming lessons, after-school program, Summer Fun Camp, Empty Stocking Fund, and much more.

Our goal now is to continue to help this community and to strive to meet our community’s needs for the next hundred years.

At the YMCA, we build strong kids, strong families, and strong communities.

For more information, go to www.edenymca.org or contact Barry Mabe at bmabe@edenymca.org or 336-427-9622.

Eden Family YMCA 301 S. Kennedy St.| Eden, NC 27288 336-623-8496 | edenymca.org Hours: Monday-Thursday: 5:00 a.m.- 9:00 p.m.

Friday: 5:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m.

Saturday: 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

Sunday: 1:30 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.

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Western Rockingham County Family YMCA

by Barry Mabe In 1998, the Western Rockingham County Family YMCA opened a facility in the Madison-Mayodan area. This facility was built in the 1960s by Macfield Yarns and eventually became part of Unifi.

It was used by employees of these companies until Ed and Betty Mooney bought the facility and donated it to the community in late 1997. The YMCA is named after Ed’s father, the late Ed Mooney, Sr. who was a YMCA Director of the Draper YMCA. We have an aerobics room, a fitness area for men and women, complete with a full line of weight machines, free weights and cardiovascular equipment. This fitness facility includes: fitness classes and personal training, Silver Sneakers, weights, cardio equipment and two indoor tennis courts.

Volunteers help us bring a greater quality program through their time and energy in soliciting for donations and reaching out to others.

For more information, go to www.edenymca.org or contact Barry Mabe at bmabe@edenymca.org or 336-427-9622.

Western Rockingham County Family YMCA 600 S. 5th Avenue | Mayodan, NC 27027 336-427-9622 | edenymca.org/western-y Hours: Monday-Thursday: 6:00 a.m.- 9:00 p.m.

Friday: 6:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.

Saturday: 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

Sunday: 1:30 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.

Madison-Mayodan Recreation Department

by Dixie Penn The Madison-Mayodan Recreation Department is located at 300 S. 2nd Avenue in Mayodan, North Carolina and has something for everyone. Serving ages 3 to 103, the MadisonMayodan Recreation Department provides opportunities in sports, fitness, dance and summer camps. Our nine facilities include neighborhood parks, tennis courts, two public river accesses, a recreation center and a 269-acre park.

You can get fit and stay fit at the Madison-Mayodan Recreation Department by utilizing our fitness room or joining one of our many classes in Zumba or yoga.

Our dance program is a state-of-the-art program.

Classes include ballet, jazz, tap and musical theater.

Classes are offered to ages 3 and up. Piano classes are also available for youth and adults.

Team sports at the Madison-Mayodan Recreation Department include baseball, softball, adult kickball, volleyball, football, basketball, soccer and cheerleading. We also have tennis courts and a driving range for the individual sports enthusiast.

Our Senior Center earned its Certification of Excellence in 2010 which sets us at the highest standard for programs and services. Senior Games is a wellness program offered throughout Rockingham County year-round and competition is held in the spring. In addition to many fun and fit programs, we offer legal aid and insurance counseling.

Our DDA Program meets monthly, providing fun social activities to the developmentally disabled adult population in Madison and Mayodan.

Our parks offer family fun for everyone and include playgrounds, picnic shelters, trails, a skate park, ball fields, bocce, horseshoes, miniature golf, fishing and much more.

Farris Memorial Park, which is owned by the Town of Mayodan, is a beautiful, 269-acre park located just a couple miles north of town in the rolling foothills. Farris Park offers endless amenities for outdoor fun, recreation and special events—an amphitheater, basketball courts, driving range, fishing, hiking trail, horseshoe pits, lighted softball fields, mini-golf, paddle boats, picnic shelters, playground, remote contrail airplane landing strip, skate park, soccer fields, tennis courts, and more!

There are numerous activities and special events happening at Farris Park throughout the year, such as, Concerts in the Park and the Annual Mayodan Antique Extravaganza in the spring and fall. Park facilities are also available to rent for special events and tournaments. Farris Park is truly a hidden jewel in Rockingham County.

The Dan River Boat Race is a special event held the first Saturday of August each year and sponsored by the MadisonMayodan Recreation Department. The race includes canoes, kayaks, fun and competition for the whole family on a two and a half mile stretch of the serene Dan River near Madison. The Dan River Boat race usually attracts hundreds of paddlers from all across North Carolina and neighboring states.

For more information call 336-548-9572 or visit our website at mmrecdepartment.org.

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special events venues

Charm & Hospitality are Centerpiece of Local Special Events Venues

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by Jamie M. Rorrer

ocial events like family reunions and weddings are big business in Rockingham County. Such events are now a leading reason for leisure travel throughout the United States and that trend echoes in this community. “When you think about all the types of businesses involved in special events you see that segments from the whole community benefit.

It’s not only about the event venue but other small businesses such as photographers, caterers, florists and more,” said Robin Yount, vice president of Tourism for the Rockingham County Partnership for Economic and Tourism Development.

the Belmont estate all are historic properties that can accommodate both indoor and outdoor events. They include many amenities both within the historic mansions and throughout their individual, stately grounds. And each venue is experienced in helping plan and coordinate a variety of events so that they are a big success.

The Farabee house in Eden is a smaller venue that is perfect for special parties such as tea parties, wedding and baby showers, and other intimate gatherings.

Other venues in Eden that offer a more historic setting and entertain larger events include the Johns Manor House and the Idlewild mansion, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Spray Mercantile Building in Eden offers a unique venue in an 1800s-era brick building that served as a mercantile store and offices of the former Spray Cotton Mills textile company. Located along the Smith River, the building and the adjacent Spray Canal waterway give a scenic setting for moderate size gatherings.

Along with a desirable location in the Piedmont Triad, Rockingham County boasts a number of outstanding venues equipped to host special events. The venues here can accommodate Penn House just about any type of special event, whether it is a small business retreat, an annual family reunion or a wedding with hundreds of guests. From magnificent southern mansions, a quiet retreat center, or public parks Just between the Eden city limits with rental picnic shelters, Rockingham and Stoneville town limits sits one County has a venue to fit just about of Rockingham County’s best kept every need. “Our local special event secrets—the St. Francis Springs Prayer venues really let people experience Center. The non-profit, inter-faith retreat southern charm and grace,” added Autumn Creek Vineyards center is set in the serenity and beauty of Yount. “And we are fortunate to have nature in a rural area of the county that such a great variety of facilities that is easily accessible via US 220. The Center offers a comfortable, can house just about any type and size of event.” peaceful environment for group and individual retreats and day events or meetings.

The special event venues in the county range from the large, more well-known attractions to smaller, quaint locations that Madison offers two more unique venues for small events and can add a special touch to any event. Reidsville boasts a meetings. The Hunter House Bed & Breakfast, in downtown number of the county’s largest venues that are popular for Madison, offers a historic, southern charm atmosphere for small, weddings, receptions, large parties and corporate functions. outdoor weddings, luncheons and parties. Bonamanzee is a The historic Chinqua-Penn Plantation, the Penn House, and

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Willow Oaks Plantation log cabin retreat and wedding destination set on 26 tranquil acres just off US 220.

Autumn Creek Vineyards in Mayodan is another hidden jewel among Rockingham County’s special events venues. This beautiful vineyard, tasting room, rental cabins, and events destination offers one of the most scenic settings for any type event in the Piedmont region. The centerpiece of Autumn Creek’s events amenities is the new Pavilion, which can accommodate large events in a climate-controlled setting.

The Vineyard also has a wedding gazebo located behind the tasting room for outdoor weddings. The tasting room and two rental cabins can also welcome a variety of smaller events such as business meetings and parties.

Two of Rockingham County’s newest special events venues are Oak Haven Farm and Willow Oaks Plantation—both former farm estates that have been renovated to host special events.

Located near the Virginia state line, Oak Haven Farm is a 1,200-acre estate that used to be a tobacco and dairy farm.

Its history and setting make it a true destination with amenities that include lodging, indoor and outdoor event spaces and outdoor activities.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Willow Oaks Plantation is located just east of Eden on over 1,800 picturesque acres along the Dan River. The former dairy farm is now a wildlife reserve and tree farm. As a special events destination, Willow Oaks offers hunting packages, meeting and retreat space, and indoor and outdoor settings for weddings and other special events like family reunions.

In addition to the unique special event destinations, Rockingham County is also equipped with a number of more functional venues. These include locations such as picnic shelters throughout the county’s public parks and at the Mayo River State Park, as well as municipal meeting rooms and events facilities found in the cities and towns. Rockingham Community College is also geared for special events with meeting rooms, an auditorium and an amphitheater. The Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Educational Center in Reidsville and the Summit Environmental Educational Center at the Haw River State Park both offer unique locations for retreats, parties, family reunions and recreational events.

Rockingham County has a number of hotels and bed and breakfast inns that can accommodate overnight guests.

Several of the hotels also provide meeting rooms.

“Our location just outside the Greensboro/Winston-Salem urban area is an attraction for many people planning an event, whether that be a wedding, family reunion or retreat.

People find they are able to escape the hustle and bustle while still getting many of the same, if not better, amenities and services,” said Yount. “Plus, the variety of our outdoor recreation, shopping and attractions offer plenty of activity choices to add to any event.”

For a complete list of Rockingham County’s special event venues, contact the Partnership for Economic and Tourism Development for a complimentary copy of the Rockingham County Special Events Guide by calling 336.342.8138.

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Civil War Trail Sites in Rockingham County Rockingham County is proud to have seven sites on the North Carolina Civil War Trails in Eden, Madison, Reidsville, and Wentworth.

{Civil War Trails in Rockingham County} Annie Eliza Johns, Trails sign located in churchyard, Henry and Moncure streets in Eden.

Dan River, Trails sign located at the end of the Highway 87 North Bridge and Hamilton St. in Eden.

Leaksville Cotton Mill, Trails sign at Morgan and Meadow streets, west of the traffic circle in Eden.

Scales Law Office, Trails sign at Academy (Route 311) and Franklin streets in Madison.

Piedmont Railroad, Trails sign at Chamber of Commerce building, Lawsonville and South Market streets in Reidsville.

Wentworth Cemetery, Trails sign on Route 65 at the Wentworth Methodist Church in Wentworth.

Wentworth in the Civil War, Trails sign on route 65 in Wentworth.

For more information, visit www.civilwartraveler.com and click on North Carolina.

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Autumn Creek Vineyards

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history lives here

Wright Tavern

by Kim Proctor

of whom made improvements to the property and furthered the family business. In addition, they served their community: James Wright held several county offices, Numa Reid became Wentworth postmaster, and James W. Reid was a U. S. Congressman.

right Tavern is located in the historic village center of the Town of Wentworth, the county seat of Rockingham County government since 1787. A visit to Wright Tavern is a visit to another era and the perfect place to imagine business, politics, and family life as it was in the 19th century.

The Tavern (also known as the Reid Hotel and the Reid Boarding House after James W. Reid became proprietor) hosted judges, attorneys, jury members, and litigants involved in court cases across the street. The Tavern also provided accommodations for other travelers and permanent boarders and was home to the Wright and Reid families.

In the late 18th century, William Wright, son of a tavern proprietor himself, established a large plantation and a store at Wright’s Crossroad, a community on Troublesome Creek in Rockingham County. In 1816, he built Wright Tavern, ideally situated for business across the stage road from the county courthouse. William Wright was a planter, an innkeeper, a public official, and a family man.

In addition to providing room and board, Wright Tavern offered a place for lively discussion and debate, and the best fiftycent dinner around. Guests included such well-known North Carolinians as Thomas Ruffin, Thomas Settle, James Turner Morehead, Steven A. Douglas, and Governor and Mrs. David S. Reid.

The Past Still Lives

W

For over one hundred years, Wright and his descendants ran the Tavern. In 1823, Wright turned the Tavern over to his son James who ran the business for over fifty years. He was followed by his grandson James W. Reid, his daughter Nannie Wright, and his great-grandson, Numa R. Reid, each

Today, visitors to Wright Tavern tour the lobby, dining room and bedrooms, the family and servants’ quarters, and the detached antebellum kitchen, smokehouse, and grain crib.

Outdoors, they enjoy the historic gardens and landscaping and walk the stone sidewalks laid in the 1870s as part of the first civic improvement project in Wentworth.

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The changes to the building over time are highlighted on the tour and exemplify 19th century practices of adaptive reuse and 20th century practices of historic preservation. The interior and exterior architectural details represent excellent craftsmanship and an eye for detail and reflect the social standing of the owners.

the historic courthouse to the Rockingham County Historical Society Museum & Archives (an expansion of the Historical Society) for the purpose of creating the Museum & Archives of Rockingham County (MARC), a historic complex that will include the Wright Tavern historic site, a county museum, and a central repository for archival materials and research.

Included among these features are hand-carved mantels and trim, fine wainscoting, beautiful wood graining, and a rare example of a frame dog-run passage, which earned Wright Tavern its National Register designation. Furnishings include original pieces from the Tavern and family; furniture attributed to Thomas Day, the noted African American craftsman from Caswell County, and typical Rockingham County articles.

In 1967, the Rockingham County Historical Society purchased Wright Tavern and restored it to its 19th century glory. In the 1980s, several donated structures replaced missing outbuildings. These additions were refurbished by the Historical Society with the assistance of community volunteers and donors.

MARC will open in August 2012 showcasing the Smithsonian Travelling Exhibit, Journey Stories, from August 11-September 22.

MARC was chosen by the North Carolina Humanities Council as one of only six locations in North Carolina to earn the privilege.

That tradition continues today. In 2011, elements of the historic landscape were restored and an authentic kitchen garden was added at the site. An interior stairway and the servants’ quarters above have been restored to integrate the African American story of the site.

Recently, the Rockingham County Commissioners leased

The Tavern is open to the public for guided tours every Thursday and Friday from 10am to 4pm, and by appointment. The Tavern is open for special Saturday events throughout the year.

For more information visit www.rockinghamcountyhistory.com or contact the Tavern office at 336-394-4965

Did you know?

When William Byrd surveyed the North Carolina-Virginia border in 1728 he named the following streams: the Dan River, Mayo River, Matrimony and Cascade Creeks.

arts

Arts in Rockingham County

R

by Kathryn Gauldin

ockingham County is valued for many things. Our relaxed, slow-paced life, a lush landscape filled with color and wildlife, historical architecture, and— perhaps most importantly—a desire for residents to support each other and the community they call home.

When viewed through the lens of an artist, the passion of living in Rockingham County is undeniable. Even long-time residents, accustomed to browsing among fine arts and niche crafts from area artists in local stores, may be shocked when confronted with the depth of artistic talent nestled inside our borders.

{

Rockingham County is home to not ten, not dozens, but hundreds of potters, painters, musicians, quilters, wood-turners, authors, chefs, landscape artists, jewelry makers, dancers, and many more.

International best-selling author (three of his books have been optioned for feature film development) P.T. Deutermann calls Rockingham County home. Local chef and cookbook author Lisa Shively’s Kitchen Helper products are being considered for national distribution. Lucky Fish Art Gallery, owned by Madison resident Melanie Golter, brings Moldovan and Romanian paintings from obscurity to the attention of American buyers.

Local painter Kitty Williams’s murals decorate everything from downtown Leaksville to the walls of Madison Dry Goods Mercantile store. Hawkspirit Studio potter Bill Moore and glass artist Susan Moore are well-known for their award-winning artwork and the events they have at their studio.

Another local artisan is Brad Spencer, his work can be found all over Rockingham County. His medium is as unique as his art.

He sculpts with bricks. Brick sculptures can be found as far back as ancient Babylon and have been the work of the finest artists of each civilization through history. Spencer has brought his fascinating take on this classic to our community.

Spencer found a home in Rockingham County after earning a Master’s in Fine Art from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Rockingham County offered an affordable small town atmosphere with easy access to the hustle and bustle of a larger city. For over twenty-five years he has been active in the local arts scene as both an innovator and an instructor.

“Public art has the ability to enhance people’s daily lives aesthetically, intellectually, emotionally, educationally, or otherwise,” Brad said. “It is a tremendous responsibility with intense rewards.”

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Art enables us

to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.

- Thomas Merton

His projects include bas (low) relief, high relief, full dimensional free standing, and often a combination. The brick that he works with has all the same characteristics of durability and low maintenance as a standard brick and blends well in settings where other brick construction is present.

It looks good with landscaping and has a familiarity which comforts people. Best of all, it adds intrigue and interest to standard buildings as viewers try to decipher how it was created.

Brad Spencer, brick sculptor

{Fine Arts Festival Association} The Fine Arts Festival Association of Rockingham County was organized in 1946 and strives to educate, promote, and strengthen the arts community in our area. With a focus on music, literature, and two- and three-dimensional art, the FAFA organizes and sponsors the annual Fine Arts Festival. The popular festival awards prizes to local artists for their artwork.

Approximately 300 pieces are art are entered into the festival annually.

FAFA also organizes Winter-Wine Wonderland, the region’s only winter wine festival. Winter-Wine Wonderland is co-sponsored by the Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Education Center Advisory Board and the proceeds support scholarships for the Betsy-Jeff Penn 4-H Camp and FAFA. Read more about the local wineries who participate in our feature article about the wine trail.

For more information or to volunteer go to www.rockinghamcountyfinearts.org or call 336.349.2060

{rockingham county arts council} The Rockingham County Arts Council (RCAC) was founded in August of 1969 as a non-profit arts organization. The Arts Council is governed by a volunteer board of directors and employs an executive director. Funding for the Council is provided by individual and business memberships, contributions, annual fund-raising events and grants. For more information on the arts and the Arts Council please visit our website: www.artsinrockingham.org and contact us at info@artsinrockingham.org. Write us at Rockingham County Arts Council, P.O. Box 83, Wentworth, NC 27375 and call us at 336.349.4039.

Spencer’s work can be found at the Courthouse in Wentworth, the Farmer’s Market in Reidsville, and various other places all over Rockingham County.

More information can be found about Brad and his work at www.bradspencersculptor.com.

Is there something in the air that just encourages creativity?

Maybe so, judging from the number of art festivals the county hosts throughout the year. The Charlie Poole Festival, Fine Art Festival, River Fest, ‘Shinefest, and Piedmont Pottery Festival are but a few of the much-anticipated events that draw people to our county throughout the year.

At the center of this hub of artistic creativity lies the Rockingham County Arts Council (RCAC). Located in historic Wentworth in the Martin-Irving house (known locally as “the Waters House”) beside the Rockingham County Historical Society Museum & Archives, the RCAC has been celebrating and supporting art in Rockingham County for the past 42 years.

The RCAC is home to the newly renovated Dan River Art Market & Gallery with year-round exhibits and workshops showcasing artwork and crafts by local artists. The RCAC is also the focal point and umbrella organization for the arts in Rockingham County. The Designated County Partner of the North Carolina Arts Council, the RCAC offers grants to community arts organizations, artists, and schools that support a variety of art projects and events throughout the county.

The grassroots grants awarded by the Arts Council enhance support for the arts and learning by putting artists in the classrooms and in the community. Schools, arts organizations, community organizations, and individual artists are all eligible for grants. The RCAC collaborates with the Central Regional Artist Hub Grant to provide funds for individual artist development and projects. By working in partnership with local organizations and guilds to support and build events that complements the life of our residents and visitors, the

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Brick Artwork by Brad Spencer RCAC expands the range of opportunities for the residents of Rockingham County and surrounding areas to experience the arts.

The Dan River Art Market & Gallery schedules a variety of events including workshops for artist development, drawing, crafts, and grant writing. Tea & Talks promote art in the community, provide information on local guilds, and encourage questions and participation in the arts. Annual events hosted by the RCAC include the Artist Open Studio Tour and the Holiday Open House. We encourage readers to visit our website at www. artsinrockigham.org. There you’ll be able to sign up for our newsletter (electronic and mailed versions available) that will alert you to art offerings throughout the year. All events are open to the public.

The Arts Council office and the Dan River Art Market & Gallery are a resource for art and artists throughout the year. Remember, art matters. Support your local artists and art community.

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Wentworth Street, Reidsville, NC

did you know?

Thanks to Bob Carter, County Historian for all the fun Did You Know? facts found throughout Our Town - Rockingham County!

Rockingham County is 29 miles long from east to west and 20 miles from north to south.

The average rainfall in the county is 44 inches per year.

Speedwell Presbyterian Church is the oldest church congregation in Rockingham County and dates back to 1759.

J.M. Morehead

The Dan River Valley has a Triassic Basin that contains the fossil remains of small dinosaurs, fish, mollusks and petrified wood and conglomerates.

During the Revolutionary War both troops of the American and British armies marched through southern Rockingham County in early 1781.

There are veins of coal west of Eden that were mined during the Civil War and carried by bateaux down the Dan River to Danville, Virginia.

The county purchased land and completed the first courthouse in 1787 in what later became Wentworth.

Rockingham County Courthouse

A belt of iron ore extends from Guilford County into southern Rockingham County and ends on the north side of Haw River.

The iron mines were in operation during 1770-1771, 1787-1798, 1869-1870, and in 1880.

A.M. Scales

When William Byrd surveyed the boundary between North Carolina and Virginia in 1728 he found no Native Americans living in the area.

The last native American tribe to reside in Rockingham County were the Sauras who moved farther south ca. 1700-1710.

The Saura villages were in the lowlands of the Dan, Smith, and Mayo Rivers.

When William Byrd surveyed the North Carolina-Virginia border in 1728 he named the following streams; the Dan River, Mayo River, Matrimony and Cascade Creeks.

The oldest tombstone in Rockingham County is at Speedwell Presbyterian Church and is dated 1739.

Randal Duke Scales laid out and chartered the town of Madison in 1815 and began selling lots in 1818.

The county seat was known as Rockingham Courthouse until 1798 when the town of Wentworth was laid off surrounding the Leaksville Cotton Mill courthouse.

The town of Leaksville was chartered by the State in 1797 by Captain John Leak who began selling lots in 1795.

The first iron smelting furnace was built at the Troublesome Creek Iron Works in 1770 by Joseph Buffington who moved here from Pennsylvania.

The largest known meteorite fell at Deep Springs Farm in 1846 and weighed over 25 pounds. It is now in the North Carolina Natural History Museum in Raleigh.

Thomas Settle, Jr.

Governor John Motley Morehead built a cotton mill on Smith River in 1839. It was one of the earliest in the region.

The town of Spray developed around the textile mills built by the Morehead family and B. Frank Mebane. The mills became the property of Marshal Field and later the company was renamed Fieldcrest.

Draper developed after B. Frank Mebane built a textile mill at that point in 1905.

1895-1896.

Mayo Textile Mills [later Washington Mill] was built on the Mayo River in

The town of Mayodan was laid out near Mayo Mill and incorporated in 1899.

Stoneville began as a crossroads store in 1858 operated by the Stone brothers.

Stoneville was incorporated in 1877 and became a tobacco factory and tobacco warehouse center for northwestern Rockingham County.

Six governors of North Carolina had some connection with Rockingham County.

They were Alexander Martin, John Motley Morehead, David S. Reid, Alfred M. Scales, Robert B. Glenn and Luther H. Hodges.

Only two of the governors, Reid and Hodges, were residents of Rockingham when elected to office and only three were natives of the county – Reid, Scales, and Glenn.

Reidsville consisted of only a store, tavern, and post office (established in 1829) at the beginning of the Civil War.

Calcium carbide was discovered at the Spray Canal by accident in 1891.

This discovery led to the later formation of Union Carbide, one of the largest corporations in the world.

The first railroad in the county, the Piedmont, was built 1862-1864 during the Civil War to connect Greensboro and Danville as a military necessity for the Confederacy.

Susie M. Sharp of Reidsville became the state’s first female superior court judge and later the first female Chief Justice of the North Carolina State Supreme Court.

The Reidsville plant of the American Tobacco Company was the producer of Lucky Strike cigarettes.

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County Size: 572 sq. miles County Population: 93,643 (2010) County Workforce: 46,000 (approximate) County Seat: Wentworth

All About Rockingham County

Population County Population: 93,643 (2010) Eden: 15,527 (2010) Madison: 2,246 (2010) Mayodan: 2,478 (2010) Reidsville: 14,520 (2010) Stoneville: 1,056 (2010) Wentworth: 2,807 (2010) Local Websites Eden: www.ci.eden.nc.us Madison: www.townofmadison.org Mayodan: www.townofmayodan.com Reidsville: www.ci.reidsville.nc.us Stoneville: www.town.stoneville.nc.us Wentworth: www.townofwentworth.com Rockingham County: www.co.rockingham.nc.us Median Age Rockingham County: 38.5 North Carolina Avg.: 35.3 Climate Annual average high January average high July average high Annual average rainfall Annual average snowfall Annual average humidity

68ºF 47ºF 87ºF 43 inches 10 inches 54%

Natural Gas Piedmont Natural Gas - 1-800-752-7504 Telecommunications & Cable Bell South – 336-342-2457 Time Warner Cable – 336-349-4881 Electricity Duke Energy – 336-634-4611 EnergyUnited – 336-548-1229

Local Accommodations (area code is 336) Eden EconoLodge 110 E Arbor Lane 627-5131 Eden Inn 213 Van Buren Rd. 623-9161

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Hampton Inn 724 S Van Buren Rd. 627-1111 www.hamptoninn.com

Holiday Inn Express 101 Express Dr. 361-4000 www.hiexpress.com

Jameson Inn 716 Linden Dr. 627-0472 www.jamisoninns.com

Royal Inn 1631 Freeway Dr. (US Hwy 29 Bus) 349-9988

Shayona Inn 115 W Kings Hwy 623-1500

Williams Motel 1914 Freeway Dr. (US Hwy 29 Bus) 349-8457

Victoria’s Hearth Bed & Breakfast 412 Boone Road 280-0496 Madison - Mayodan - Stoneville Autumn Creek Vineyards – 2-Cabins 364 Means Creek Rd. 548-WINE www.autumncreekvineyards.com Budget Inn 3980 US 220 ByPass 548-6011 Hunter House Bed & Breakfast 216 W. Hunter St. 445-4730 www.hunterhousebedandbreakfast. com Reidsville Budget Inn 1681 US Hwy 29 Bus 349-6540 Colonial Inn & Suites 2100 Barnes St. 342-0341 Days Inn 2205 Barnes St. 342-2800 www.daysinn.com

Quality Inn 2203 Barnes St. 634-1275 Rockingham House (private lake house rental) 650 Beaver Lodge Circle 904.625.5493 www.rockinghamhouse.com Campgrounds Lake Reidsville 630 Water Works Rd. Reidsville 336-349-4738 www.ci.reidsville.nc.us Dan River Campground 724 Webster Rd. Stoneville 336-427-8530 www.danrivercamping.com Humphrey’s Ridge at Carolina Marina 548 Shelton Rd., Stokesdale 336-427-3949 Theatres Eden Drive-In Washington St., Eden 623-9669 www.edendrivein.com

Kingsway Cinema Kingsway Plaza, Eden 627-0682 Rockingham Movie Theatre 205 Gilmer St., Reidsville 349-5673 www.rockinghammovies.com Chambers of Commerce Eden 336-623-3336 www.edenchamber.com Reidsville 336-349-8481 www.reidsvillechamber.org Western Rockingham (Madison-Mayodan-Stoneville) 336-548-6248 www.westernrockinghamchamber.com

Want More Info?

Contact the Rockingham County Partnership for Economic and Tourism Development for complimentary copies of any of our printed guides: Rockingham County A Guide to the Arts Rockingham County Bike Routes Rockingham County Rivers Guide Rockingham County Sports & Recreation Facilities Guide Rockingham County Special Events Guide Rockingham County Visitors Guide

800-316-ROCK info@ncnorthstar.com The guides are also available online at www.ncnorthstar.com

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GOLF Rockingham County

features excellent golf courses for any skill level. No matter who you are there is a place for you on the course.

Public Golf Courses Dan Valley Golf Club (18-Hole) 6564 Hwy 135 Stoneville, NC 27048 336-548-6808 Putting greens.

Greensboro National Golf Club (18-Hole) 330 Niblick Dr. Summerfield, NC 27358 336-342-1113 Driving range, putting greens, pro shop and clubhouse. www.greensboronatl.com Lynrock Golf Club (18-Hole) 636 Valley Dr. Eden, NC 27288 336-623-6110 greensboro ad copy.pdf 1 9/20/2011 6:33:55 PM Pro shop and putting greens.

Monroeton Golf Club (18-Hole) 213 Monroeton Golf Course Rd. Reidsville, NC 27320 336-342-1043 Driving range, putting greens and pro shop.

Wolf Creek Golf Club (18-Hole) 722 Wolf Island Rd. Reidsville, NC 27320 336-349-7660

Plantation Golf Club (18-Hole) 190 Clubhouse Dr. Reidsville, NC 27320 336-342-6191 Driving range, putting greens and pro shop.

Private Courses Deep Springs Country Club (18-Hole) 160 Country Club Dr. Stoneville, NC 27048 336-427-0950 Driving range, putting greens, pro shop, sand & chipping area and clubhouse. www.deepspringscc.com

Ponderosa Golf (9-Hole) 108 Ponderosa Rd. Stoneville, NC 27048 336-573-9025 Driving range and putting greens.

Pennrose Park Country Club (9-Hole) 1622 Country Club Rd. Reidsville, NC 27320 336-349-5163

Oak Hills Golf & Event Center (18-Hole) (semi-private) 436 E. Stadium Dr. Eden, NC 27288 336-623-6381 Driving range, putting greens and pro shop.

Disc Golf Lake Reidsville 630 Water Works Rd. Reidsville, NC 27320 336-349-4738 www.ci.reidsville.nc.us

Great Golf. Pure and Simple.

Now under new management, Greensboro National Golf Club offers 225 acres of beautiful lakes, ponds, and historic oaks. Playing 7,300 yards from the back tees and offering a variety of tees for all players.

We invite you to experience golf the way it was meant to be.

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Call 336-342-1113 to Book Your Tee Time.

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GreenboroNationalGolfClub.com

330 Niblick Drive Summerfield, NC 27358 www.NCNorthstar.com 103