Enjoy garden fresh produce all season long
People with their own vegetable gardens understand the delicious “snap” and outstanding flavor of fresh picked produce.

It’s called “Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) – and it links local residents to local farmers, eliminating “the middleman” and increasing the benefits to both the farmer and your family.Subscribing to shares of a local CSA farm make it easy to treat your family to those fresh-picked flavors and wholesome nutrition of days gone by.

There are two CSA farms right here in Davie County
In a CSA program, a farmer grows food for a group of local residents (called “shareholders” or “subscribers”) who commit at the beginning of each year to purchase part of that farm’s crop. The shareholders thus directly support a local farm and receive a low-cost weekly supply of fresh, high-quality produce. The farmers receive an initial cash investment to finance their operation and a higher percentage of each crop dollar because of direct delivery. Both parties jointly share the benefits and risks.

Have Fun, Save Money & Live Longer
Visit one of the two Davie County farmer’s markets regularly, and add a CSA subscription to your table from one of the two farms listed below. CSA subscriptions also make great gifts.  They will be delivered each week during the harvest season which generally runs from May through about September.

Calahaln Farm
Calahaln Farm, located at 510 Calahaln Road, Mocksville is a family run farm owned and operated by David, Gloria and Kim Anderson.  They Andersons have been farming the same land for generations and began offering CSA subscriptions in 2009.  The Calahaln family are generally at the farm from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Saturday.

Galliher Farm ~ USDA Certified Organic
Galliher Farm, located at 183 Garwood Road, Mocksville is a family run farm owned and operated by Michel and Renee Galliher.  Michael and Renee are both form families who have been farming for generations and have been offering CSA subscriptions since 2008.  In addition to their CSA operation, Galliher Farm is also a US Department of Agriculture Certified Organic operation.

Participating in a CSA is a great way to develop a relationship with a local farmer and to guarantee that fresh, local produce will find its way to your kitchen each week.  CSAs often offer products not found in a supermarket, giving shareholders a chance to try new foods.

CSA Farms ~ Advantages for farmers:

• Farmers get to spend time marketing the food early in the year, before their 16 hour days in the field begin
• Farmers receive payment early in the season, which helps with the farm’s cash flow
• Farmers have an opportunity to get to know the people who eat the food they grow
• CSA Farms  ~ Advantages for consumers:
  Consumers eat ultra-fresh food, with all the flavor and vitamin benefits
• Consumers get exposed to new vegetables and new ways of cooking
• Consumers get to visit the farm where their food is grown
• Consumers get maximum nutritional value of fresh picked produce
• Consumers find that kids typically favor food from “their” farm – even veggies they’ve never been known to eat
• Consumers develop a relationship with the farmer who grows their food and learn more about how food is grown

CSA Farms ~ Advantages for the Environment:

• The minimal transportation required to transport food locally is a significant reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.
• CSA farmers produce their food with fewer pesticides or inorganic fertilizers, so they are as natural as possible, limiting their impact on the environment.  The Galiher farm is indeed  certified organic.

It’s not too late to enjoy garden fresh produce this year.  Simply contact one or both of the Davie County CSA farms.

Resources:
Calahaln Farm
Galliher Farm

The parking lot was packed with overflow parking on the lawn for the first night of the grand opening on Friday evening, May 23 with live music, hors d’oeuvres and refreshments from Nobles.  The grand opening continues throughout this Memorial Day weekend.

Bringing Furniture Jobs Back to NC
Mark Bannon, President of the new Boyles Brand Holdings company says, “We’re hiring back the very people who lost their jobs when this industry faltered, we are helping to put North Carolina back to work.”

After winding down their 13-store chain in early 2011, the 60-year old brand has been revived through the formation of a joint venture between the Boyles Furniture & Rugs brand owners and a group of furniture industry veterans.  Mr. Bannon states, “Our team has worked hard to develop a new retail business model that we feel will be very well received by our loyal Boyles customers.” Following the Mocksville, NC store launch, plans are in place for opening of another newly-purchased store in Connecticut, with additional retail locations in the works.

The new Boyles retail concept, being rolled out in Mocksville, is centered around three main ingredients; a 5,000 square foot, high-end Boutique shopping experience; an additional 35,000 square feet of mid- to high-end special order product and in stock goods available for immediate delivery; and 10,000 square feet of opportunity buys and closeouts of quality furniture at up to 80% off of suggested retail price, which changes on a daily basis.

New Store Layout is a Win-Win
Chad Hendricks, Executive Vice-President of Sales, explains, “This new layout is truly a win for the customer because in the past we only offered one shopping experience in our stores. Now we are able to offer sales on a daily basis, with truckloads of amazingly discounted furniture, while still serving our design clients through a broad selection of special order and showroom furniture along with the largest rug and mattress galleries we’ve ever had. We invite everyone to come and celebrate this great American comeback story with us this weekend.”

The festival originated as a way to celebrate the wedding anniversary of Daniel and Rebecca Boone, and for its first two iterations it was held in August (the couple married on August 14, 1756). But the summer heat made for a long day so Historic Davie moved the celebration to May.

Retrace the Steps of Daniel Boone, the Revolutionary War, Historic Homes and More!
Daniel Boone spent nearly 25 years in the Yadkin Valley area, and two of the three tours revolve around landmarks associated with the Boone clan. The big attraction for Boone buffs are the tours that run at 10:15 AM, 12:30 PM, and again at 2:15 PM.  Tours are $5 and are provided by bus or van.

Tours include stops at historic Joppa Cemetery, where Daniel’s parents Squire and Sarah Boone and his brother Israel are buried (Israel’s grave is the oldest in the cemetery); the Boone Tract at Bear Creek, a 640-acre parcel of land granted to Squire Boone in 1753 and later sold to his son Daniel; the Daniel Boone Marker in Farmington; and nearby Pudding Ridge, where General Cornwallis crossed Dutchman Creek in pursuit of Nathanael Greene (Cornwallis named the area for the thick mud in the area his troops had to march through).

Another tour departing at 11:45 AM also visits Joppa Cemetery, Bear Creek, and the Boone Tract in addition to tours of the Jesse A. Clement House (built in 1828) and Historic Center Arbor, constructed as a site for “camp meetings” during the Third Great Awakening in 1876.

The last tour, which departs at 1:15 PM, takes visitors to the River Park at the Bull Hole, Veach’s Muster Ground, Revolutionary War hero Richmond Pearson‘s grave site, and the Historic Zachary Holt House and Village Museum of Cooleemee, both of which have exhibits centered around the area’s once-booming textile industry.

Rounding out the historic flavor of the festival will be the presence of Fort Dobbs re-enactors (Fort Dobbs was the site of a battle between settlers and Cherokee warriors in 1760.)

Music all day at Junker’s Mill Outdoor Theater – capped off by The Sleeping Booty Band at 6 PM
Music fans will want to head over to Junker’s Mill Outdoor Theatre to check out the Christian Rock of Caleb’s Bridge at noon, the rockin’ country sounds of Tony Bailey at 2:30 PM, and the funkalicious sounds of The Sleeping Booty Band at 6:00 PM. All of the performances are free of charge, but those wishing to enjoy an “adult beverage” will have to purchase a wristband for $5.00.

Vendor Applications and Additional Information
To learn more about the amenities and activities that will be on hand, head over to the official Daniel Boone Family Festival and Spring Auction web site, or call Tami Langdon at 336-909-2263 (you can also call the Davie County Chamber of Commerce at 336-751-3304.  If you’d like to participate as a vendor, you can download a vendor application here.

Mark Bannon, President of the new Boyles Brand Holdings company says, “We’re hiring back the very people who lost their jobs when this industry faltered, we are helping to put North Carolina back to work.”

After winding down their 13-store chain in early 2011, the 60-year old brand has been revived through the formation of a joint venture between the Boyles Furniture & Rugs brand owners and a group of furniture industry veterans.

Driving the jobs in this story are millions of dollars in private money currently being invested in the region by the new Boyles owners. Mr. Bannon states, “We believe the economy in this area is poised for rapid growth and there is a need to satisfy the unmet demand for quality mid- to high-end furniture offered at a value. Our team has worked hard to develop a new retail business model that we feel will be very well received by our loyal Boyles customers.” Following the Mocksville, NC store launch, plans are in place for opening of another newly-purchased store in Connecticut, with additional retail locations being actively explored.

“Along with the lease and renovation of 50,000 square feet of retail space in Mocksville, NC and the purchase of a retail facility in central Connecticut, we’ve opened two new corporate offices, hired over 25 former and new employees, and we’re in the process of hiring many additional employees ahead of the Grand Openings of the Mocksville and Connecticut stores,” says Bannon, who continued to remark on the warm reception Boyles has received since his group’s investment, “We’ve been overwhelmed by the positive response from our customers, employees, and the industry as a whole. We encourage our customers to check our website, http://www.Boyles.com, on a regular basis or “like” us on Facebook to keep up to date on all that we have going on.”

The new Boyles retail concept, being rolled out in Mocksville, is centered around three main ingredients; a 5,000 square foot, high-end Boutique shopping experience; an additional 35,000 square feet of mid- to high-end special order product and in stock goods available for immediate delivery; and 10,000 square feet of opportunity buys and closeouts of quality furniture at up to 80% off of suggested retail price, which changes on a daily basis.

Grand Opening May 23
Chad Hendricks, Executive Vice-President of Sales, explains, “This new layout is truly a win for the customer because in the past we only offered one shopping experience in our stores. Now we are able to offer sales on a daily basis, with truckloads of amazingly discounted furniture, while still serving our design clients through a broad selection of special order and showroom furniture along with the largest rug and mattress galleries we’ve ever had. We invite everyone in North Carolina and the surrounding states to come and celebrate this great American comeback story with us on May 23.”

The four-story, 60,000 square foot building—visible from Interstate 40 at exit 180 in the Town of Bermuda Run —will house physician offices, physical therapy, cardiac rehabilitation, and a pharmacy.

Orthopaedics will be the primary specialty service offered at the West Campus along with cardiology, ophthalmology and neurology.  The research conducted by Wake Forest Baptist indicates that these services are needed by residents to enable them to have more convenient access to quality healthcare.

One of the four floors will be devoted to orthopaedics. Wake Forest Baptist physicians will provide diagnostic, therapeutic and surgical services for patients with knee, shoulder, hip and hand problems, as well as conditions related to sports medicine and podiatry.  Having physical therapy in the building will add convenience for patients.

For the first time, a cardiologist will have an office in Davie County.  In addition to the cardiologist, cardiac rehabilitation will be available in the building.

Also, an ophthalmologist and neurologist will have offices in the building. Our eye physician provides complete eye exams without a referral.

In October, Medical Plaza 2 will open, completing the first phase of the West Campus.  Medical Plaza 2 is a 101,000 square foot building that will offer 24/7 emergency services, outpatient surgery and diagnostic imaging.  Medical Plaza 2 will have a full service laboratory, pre-operative assessment clinic, diagnostic cardiology and neurology.

Diagnostic services including imaging, lab, cardiology and neurology, as well as physical therapy and cardiac rehabilitation services are available to any patients with a physician’s order.

With the $100 million investment and approximately 175 jobs, Wake Forest Baptist Health will be a catalyst for the economic growth of Davie County.

For more information, visit http://www.wakehealth.edu/west-campus/

Governor Pat McCrory recounts his first meeting with Ron Wanek, founder of Ashley Furniture and welcomes Ashley Furniture to North Carolina.

Dr. Qubein congratulates Davie County on a big WIN and celebrates American ingenuity and the American free enterprise system.

Davie County Economic Development Commission president Terry Bralley speaks about NC Governor McCrory’s mission to improve the state government’s customer service and about what it takes to bring manufacturing jobs back to North Carolina.  Mr. Bralley also thanks the Wanek family and Ashley Furniture for selecting Davie County as the site for the largest furniture manufacturing and distribution facility in the world.  Finally, Mr. Bralley thanks the RJR Tobacco Company for donating 360 acres in Advance, NC to make the Ashley Furniture expansion into North Carolina possible.

Ashley attorney Bill Coslo talks about his 50 years of experience with the Wanek family and congratulates Ron and Joyce Wanek on 52 years of marriage,  Mr. Coslo recounts his experience with NC Governor Pat McCrory and with the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary John E. Skvarla.  Mr. Coslo thanks the Golden Leaf Foundation and the North Carolina Rural Center for helping makethis groundbreaking a reality.  Mr. Coslo also thanked RJR for creating a legacy in Davie County with their donation of 360 acres to the Davie County Economic Development Commission for this project.  Mr. Coslo thanked Al Bolton of the Piedmont Triad Partnership, Duke Energy, and NC Representative Julia Howard and NC Senator Andrew Brock and the NC Department of Transportation.

Ron Wanek, founder of Ashley Furniture gives final remarks and the official groundbreaking ceremony is conducted.

Davie County in the Spotlight

• http://triad.news14.com/content/top_stories/693087/ashley-furniture-breaks-ground-on-distribution-center-in-advance
• http://www.journalnow.com/business/business_news/local/article_fa1ac1fc-a7d2-11e2-bf96-0019bb30f31a.html
• http://www.bizjournals.com/triad/news/2013/04/17/ashley-furniture-breaks-ground-on.html
• http://www.furnituretoday.com/article/562233-Ashley_Furniture_breaks_ground_on_big_N_C_plant_expansion.php
• http://www.wral.com/ashley-furniture-plans-groundbreaking-at-nc-site/12348716/
• http://www.news-record.com/news/business/1036046-92/ashley-furniture-plans-april-17
• http://www.woodworkingnetwork.com/news/woodworking-industry-news/Ashley-Furniture-Gets-OK-for-Phase-2-of-80M-NC-Complex-202352831.html
• http://www.furnituretoday.com/article/561831-Ashley_plans_big_addition_to_N_C_plant.php
• http://myfox8.com/2013/04/09/ashley-furniture-plans-april-17-groundbreaking-on-davie-co-site/
• http://www.journalnow.com/business/business_news/local/article_2cb74c84-a12f-11e2-9a21-001a4bcf6878.html

Thankfully, those issues were largely resolved on March 28th of this year when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) gave Ashley a temporary permit to build on or near four acres it had deemed as “wetlands,” a finding that contradicted the conclusions of third-party experts hired by Ashley to do an environmental evaluation before purchasing the land.

An invitation-only groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 5 PM on Wednesday, April 17 in celebration of clearing this significant hurdle, one that could have delayed construction for many more months or even years.  Governor Pat McCrory will be in attendance along with other state and local dignitaries and business leaders.

While Ashley Furniture chairman Ron Wanek is understandably frustrated by the delays, he is still excited about the acquisition of the land for the company’s flagship facility. “This has to be the most perfect site I have ever seen,” Wanek said in a February, 2013 interview with Furniture Today. ”With all the sites we have that we have outgrown [in the past], this was a dream.”

The US Army Corps of Engineers permit clears the way for the construction of a a 1,040,000 square foot distribution center on Baltimore Road in Advance, NC which will be part of a complex that will eventually comprise 3.8 million square feet of building space dedicated to the company’s manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution divisions.

Ashley Furniture’s decision to make the Davie County facility the linchpin of its operations was just one of several wins for the county over the last 18 months.  Carolina Precision Plastics announced in March of last year that it would invest $5.3 million in the creation of a manufacturing facility that would lead to 140 new jobs with an average wage of $39,183 (the county average was $28,808 at the time of the announcement). Pro Refrigeration, Inc. said it will be creating an East Coast production facility in Mocksville that will entail a $4.9 million investment and the need for yet another 85 jobs.  Adding to the bright outlook is the slated completion of  the $100,00,000 Wake Forest Baptist-West Campus, bringing high-tech professionals and top-flight health care to Davie County.

A key player in helping match companies in search of new opportunities with critical infrastructure and land-related resources is the Davie County Economic Development Commission.  Visit the Davie County EDC web site to learn what Davie County has to offer for businesses of all sizes in one of North Carolina’s fastest-growing counties.

Tom Lewtak’s four year journey to Cooleemee
A native of Poland and a graduate of the Karol Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice, Lewtak was serving as church organist at St. Joseph’s Church in Camillus, New York when the priest decided to replace the electronic organ with a traditional pipe organ. When Lewtak was shown the replacement he would be playing, he saw that not only was it the wrong size for the church, but also that it had many parts that needed to be replaced.

The story might have ended with a simple case of buyer’s remorse on the priest’s part, but Lewtak had another idea: he’d use the skills he learned while minoring in organ building in Katowice to salvage all the usable parts and build a new organ more suited to the dimensions of St. Joseph’s. Helping him would be his brother Paul, an architect and interior designer who would create the façade, or outer casing, for the organ.

It was the start of a four-year journey that took Lewtak from New York to Denmark to Norway and back to New York — and eventually Cooleemee.

Organ Pipe Voicing
Though Lewtak had studied organ building, it was a far cry from actually crafting the pipes, each of which produces a unique timbre and sound (Mozart called the pipe organ the “king of instruments“). So he took a year’s sabbatical and traveled to Denmark, where he apprenticed at the world-renowned organ builder Carsten Lund Organ Builders in Copenhagen.  He learned the art of “voicing” pipes — hammering and shaping them to create their distinct tones and sounds — from Mogens Pedersen, who for over 20 years was the chief voicer of Frobenius Organ Builders, responsible for the largest church organ in Denmark.

A Very Big Deal
Lewtak returned to Camillus and completed the organ for St. Joseph’s, and by 2006 had given up his organist position to become a full-time organ builder (Lewtak Pipe Organ Builders had been incorporated five years earlier in 2001). It was in Camillus that Tom built an organ for First Presbyterian Church in Greenville, NC that caught the eye of the leaders of Østerhåb Kirke (church) in Horsens, Denmark. They were so impressed that they commissioned the Lewtaks to build an organ for its new church, a minimalist marvel of concrete and stone with fantastic acoustics. Given the fact that Denmark is home to the world’s most famed and respected organ builders, the selection of Lewtak Pipe Organ Builders for the project is, to put it mildly, a very big deal.

And now it’s a very big deal for Davie County. Though Tom had lived in the Empire State since arriving in the U.S. in 1993 with his wife Jola (a fellow organist he met while studying at the Academy of Music), the appeal of North Carolina’s warmer climate and business-friendly environment led them to contemplate moving here — a decision that was cemented when Jola landed a position at a church in Clemmons.

Recital at Cooleemee Mill
The Lewtaks acquired a log cabin home in Mocksville and built a workshop for Lewtak Pipe Organ Builders. But the workspace proved to be insufficient for the Østerhåb Kirke project, and Tom is now completing his work at the Cooleemee Mill, a cotton mill that employed nearly 2,000 workers until its closure in 1969.

A recent organ recital gave visitors a chance not only to hear the organ ( the finishing touches have yet to be completed), but also tour the Lewtaks’ work area and the Mill itself, which is being considered for renovation as a multi-purpose facility featuring shops, restaurants, light industrial work spaces, and apartments.

To learn more about the Østerhåb Kirke project and the Lewtaks’ other creations, visit the Lewtak Pipe Organ Builders Web site

Lewtak Pipe Organ Being Built in Historic Textile Mill in Cooleemee NC.

On Saturday, April 16th at the mill in Cooleemee, Dr. Timothy Olsen, Kenan Professor of Organ, U of NC School of the Arts will performing on the new LEWTAK handmade pipe organ destined for the Osterhab Kirke (Church) in Denmark.  The public is invited.

The organ was designed, engineered and built by hand over the last 18 months, with construction over the last 12 months by Tom Lewtak occurring inside the historic textile mill in Cooleemee.  The recital is a free community event.

Saturday, April 6th at 1 pm
Stokes County Yarn Company, 314 Main Street
COOLEEMEE, NC 27014

Tom Lewtak was educated as an organist, having two master’s degrees in Organ Performance. His inspiration to become an organbuilder came at the age of 16 when he viewed building process of the monumental organ at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Gdansk (Danzig), Poland, by the German firm of Hillebrand.

Later, he took organ building and design during his five years at the Academy of Music in Katowice, Poland.  The following years took him to Denmark and Norway, where he apprenticed with Carsten Lund Organ Builders of Copenhagen.  He acquired his voicing skills from Mogens Pedersen, a man who for over twenty years was the chief voicer of the legendary Frobenius Organ Builders.

Tom’s organ building knowledge is not just theoretical, but came from first-hand experience with one of the best organ builders in Europe. He is responsible for tonal design, pipe scaling, voicing, windchest and action design.  It is his artistic vision that emerges through the sound of our organs.

Davie County Arts Council and Habitat for Humanity’s unique collaboration will raise art awareness and provide affordable housing

Everyone loves a two-for-one deal, and that’s precisely what the Davie County Arts Council and Davie County Habitat for Humanity have teamed up to create.  The Shabby Chic Exhibit and Auction will raise funds for affordable housing while simultaneously giving folks the chance to discover their inner artist — or at least have fun trying.

Aspiring artists may “select” art supplies now through April 30
Between now and April 30, artists, craftsmen, and designers (or those who aspire to one of those titles) can visit Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore at 1035 Yadkinville road and pick up one or more items worth up $50 for free to use as the basis for a piece of art, craft, accessory, or…well, you name it.

Once you’ve let your creative juices flow and have transformed an everyday item into an objet d’art, drop off your masterpiece at the Brock Peforming Arts Center (“the Brock”) at 622 North Main Street in Mocksville on either Tuesday, May 28 or Wednesday, May 29.

Submissions will be exhibited througout June and July at the Brock, followed by a Grand Auction on stage in the Brock’s theater on August 10 starting at 6:00 P.M. All proceeds will go toward the building of a Habitat for Humanity home.

A few rules to keep in mind
There are a few rules you’ll need to follow. Participants must sign an Artist Agreement stating they’ll use any items taken to create a work of art or craft, and if unable to do so will return the items (or pay the listed cash value). Any painted projects must be completely dry when submitted, and it’s up to you take your creation to the Brock on one of the appropriate days. If a submission isn’t sold at auction, it will be taken to the ReStore and placed on sale there.

Besides being a great way to fulfill the Davie County Arts Council’s mission of connecting the community to the arts and helping Habitat for Humanity give a local family much-needed shelter, there’s also an extra benefit for those wannabe Starcks and Tiffanys out there: all submissions will be considered an “in kind” donation for tax purposes, with the dollar amount assigned by the artist.

More Details… and a little inspiration
For more details on how to participate, contact Sidniee Suggs of the Davie Arts Council at 336-751-3112 Tiffany Rycroft at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore at 336-753-1438 (you can also download an informational flyer and Artist Agreement here). And if you need a little inspiration, check out the slideshow of submissions from a similar event held in Baton Rouge back in 2010.

Now, get out to the ReStore today and find your treasure!

Headlining the event were panelists Terry Bralley, president of the Davie County Economic Development Commission; Dr. Darrin Hartness, superintendent of Davie County Schools; Dr. Ken Rethmeier, mayor of Bermuda Run; and Lynn Rumley, mayor of Cooleemee.

Justin Catanoso, current Director of Journalism at Wake Forest University and former executive editor of The Business Journal, moderated a discussion that not only touched upon the county’s successes in bringing in new businesses to the region, but also on the challenges it faces in continuing Davie County’s transition from an outlying “bedroom community” to a jobs destination that attracts industry and young professionals.

The takeaway? The county is undeniably on the right track — but continued success relies on coordinating efforts between leaders in education, industry, technology, and government.

Davie County becoming a destination for careers, education and quality of life
While North Carolina as a whole has seen only mild economic growth in the past 18 months, Davie County has been a hotbed of new business infusion. In April of last year, Ashley Furniture announced it was investing $80 million in a distribution and manufacturing operation in Advance that will lead to the eventual creation of 550 jobs, making it the company’s largest operation in the world.  Making good on its word, Ashley began shipping product just seven months later in November, 2012.

Carolina Precision Plastics said in March, 2012, that it would invest $5.3 million in the creation of a manufacturing facility that would lead to 140 new jobs with an average wage of $39,183 (the county average was $28,808 at the time of the announcement).

Pro Refrigeration, Inc. said it will be creating an East Coast production facility in Mocksville that will entail a $4.9 million investment and the need for yet another 85 jobs. Adding to the bright outlook is the slated completion of Novant Health’s Clemmons Medical Center and Wake Forest Baptist-West Campus, bringing high-tech professionals and top-flight health care to the region.

What’s the secret to Davie County’s success? It’s a confluence of high-quality K-12 education, a business-friendly environment, excellent healthcare, and a close-knit community that provides the advantages offered by urban centers with the quality of life people expect when they decide to live in a low-density, non-urban setting.

As moderator Justin Catanoso pointed out during the presentation, these business and civic leaders are “changing the dynamic” from folks seeing Davie County as a “bedroom community” to viewing it as “a destination for careers as well.”

Davie County Schools among the best in North Carolina
An undeniable linchpin of this appeal is the high marks that Davie County schools are racking up. According to Dr. Hartness, Davie County now ranks in the top ten percent of North Carolina’s 115 school districts in math and reading, ranking third in English and math among eight-grade student scores and fourth and fifth for first-year algebra and English students respectively in high school. That’s the sort of thing that makes the county appealing not only to new residents, but to new businesses as well. Jim VanderGiessen Jr, CEO of Pro Refrigeration, said that his decision was based on more than just economic factors. “I have a board of directors that I report to and that I’m accountable to, and they were saying, ‘Why not Alabama? Why not Arkansas?’,” he said. “And the big thing is that this is a community we want to be a part of and are going to be a part of, and we factored that in to our decision.”

Existing building stock and public/private partnerships key to continued success
Still, a good school district doesn’t necessarily equal a good business environment, and that’s where the Davie County Economic Development Commission comes into the picture. Bralley pointed out that “ninety-five percent of what I deal with is companies looking or an existing building, and [for Pro Refrigeration] we had the right building — but we also had the right community.” The coming issue, says Bralley, is the shrinking number of existing spaces, which is why Davie County is working to empower the private sector to build new facilities by partnering with them. City and county officials work to find ways to pay for upfront infrastructure expenses such as road, water, and sewer, while private sector industry picks up the tab for the actual construction — and the jobs that are created create personal wealth and spur on the local economy for even more growth

Cooleemee – Davie County’s smallest town filled with vision and community spirit
The notion of using existing but unused buildings is a model that Cooleemee mayor Lynn Rumley finds appealing. She’s pushing for a $60 to $80 million redevelopment of former textile plant Erwin Mills, based largely upon the success of a similar mixed-used facility in Saxapahaw. “Since the financial meltdown, people have re-evaluated, taken a second look at their lives, and don’t necessarily want a huge house,” said Rumly. “I think they want to live in a somewhat different way. They don’t want to be uncomfortable or poor — nobody does — but I think that they want to live in an actual community. I think they want to live amidst nature.” And while Cooleemee isn’t exactly in the heart of commerce, Rumley said that will be less of an impediment as technology progress. “Of course there’s always going to be people who want to live in the city, and that’s fine. But they say that in the next 25 years half the people will be working at home.”

Town of Bermuda Run building a foundation for a bright future
What is even more impressive about Davie County’s recent achievements is that they’ve come in spite of the fact that demographic shifts have not been working in its favor: in short, the county has been gradually growing older on average. But Dr. Ken Rethmeier, mayor of Bermuda Run, said that a strategy which combines manufacturing, technology, health-care, and learning sectors can create a highly attractive environment for both employers and workers to move to the area and change that trend. “We’re building the foundation upon which we can create those opportunities for new jobs to continue to migrate into the county,” said Rethmeier. “[These] will stimulate the thinking of young people to say, ‘Why do I want to move away when I can make a big difference right where I am today?’”

This double-pronged strategy of drawing newcomers to the region while enticing homegrown professionals to stay (or at least return) home certainly makes sense — and if past success is any indicator, it’s one that appears to already be paying dividends.

Video of the panel discussion is available online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYlvWl0ZuCo

2013 Season Opener This Weekend
The Davie County Arts Council’s Brock Players have kicked off their 2013 season with “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”  Winner of two Tony awards, this unique musical comedy has been produced not only all across America, but also in far-flung locales like Melbourne, Australia and the Philippines since its 2005 Broadway debut.

While it’s hard to imagine a setting more staid than a middle-school word competition, Putnam County Spelling Bee is anything but J-E-J-U-NE (simple; naive; unsophisticated). Acclaimed Broadway lyricist and composer William Finn and writer Rachel Sheinkin use the traditional spelling bee as a lens to focus on the hopes, worries, dreams, and A-N-G-S-T (a feeling of anxiety, apprehension, or insecurity) of the six adolescent competitors through a series of revealing flashbacks. But even though some of the stories tug a bit at the heartstrings, a steady stream of jokes and the fast-paced plot keep things from becoming C-I-M-M-E-R-I-A-N (very dark or gloomy).

Put on Your Spelling Bee Outfit
What makes Putnam County Spelling Bee a particularly special event for theatergoers is its use of audience participation: this play doesn’t just break the “fourth wall,” it deconstructs it and tosses it out the window. Audience members are addressed as if they were in attendance at the bee itself, with characters referring to people in the crowd as family members and one actor roaming the aisles selling snacks. The real treat, though, is the inclusion of several members of onstage as contestants. Don’t bother brushing up too much on your E-T-Y-M-O-L-O-G-Y (the study of the origins and development of words), though — the show must goes on, after all, which means the words audience members are given increase pretty rapidly in difficulty.

Call the Brock Performing Arts Center Box Office at 336-751-3000 or visit the Davie County Arts Center Web site for more details and to purchase tickets.

Resources:
Davie County Arts Council 

Free Health Screenings and More – Free Community Event

With healthcare costs on the rise and interest in personal wellbeing at an all time high, For Your Health Expo provides Davie County residents with a great opportunity to take positive steps toward improving their health.  Sponsored by both Wake Forest Baptist Health – Davie Hospital and Forsyth Medical Center, the For Your Health Expo offers access to important information as well as direct interaction with several medical service providers.  Several free health screenings will be offered including body composition analysis, posture, balance and gait. glucose, foot screenings more.

Health and Healthy Lifestyle Providers
Also participating are Advance Chiropractic & Health Center, Allegacy Federal Credit Union, BB&T, Bermuda Commons, Blue Moon Benefits Group, Davidson Co Community College, Davie County Chamber of Commerce, Davie County Senior Services, Davie Family YMCA, Davie Medical Equipment, Galliher Farm, LLC, Home Instead Senior Care, Hospice & Palliative Care Center, Just Relax Health & Wellness, Le Bleu Bottled Water, Marlin Chiropractic Center, Medical Associates of Davie, Serv Pro of Davie & Yadkin Counties, Skinny Wheels Bike Shop, State Farm – Bandy Agency, Subway, Triad Air Awareness, Twin City Youth Soccer Association.

For Your Health
For Your Health is a collaborative effort of the Davie Family YMCA and the Davie County Chamber of Commerce to connect our health and wellness businesses directly with our community in an environment that promotes complete health in spirit, mind and body.   “It was established as a community service event but it also provides an opportunity for both of our organizations to serve our members and further the missions of both the Y and the Davie Chamber.” Said Carolyn McManamy, President of the Davie County Chamber of Commerce.

“The Y is committed to healthy living for the entire family. We’re excited to partner with the Davie Chamber to provide resources for the community to learn about wellness options,” shared Chris Comer, Executive Director of the Davie Family YMCA. “The first step in any wellness journey is knowledge, and the For Your Health Expo is a great place to gather information about making healthy choices for your whole family.”

Save the Date
For your health and do it for the health of your family, head to the Davie Family YMCA on Tuesday, March 19th.  For more information contact the Davie County Chamber of Commerce at 751-3304 or the Davie Family Y at 751-9622.

About the Davie County Chamber of Commerce
For over 40 years, the Davie County Chamber of Commerce has served the business community as the catalyst of business growth and economic development.   We believe in working together to promote a strong and vibrant business community throughout all of Davie County. 

As the countywide Chamber, we represent businesses from Cooleemee to Advance, Mocksville to Bermuda Run and all points in between.   Our office is located at 135 S Salisbury Street in Mocksville where you will also find the Davie County Visitor Center and Davie County Economic Development Commission office.  

About the Davie Family YMCA
The Davie Family YMCA, located near downtown Mocksville, has served the community for more than 20 years, and offers a wide range of programs for the whole family including swim lessons, licensed before- and after-school care, and youth sports. The Y includes a comprehensive Wellness Center with on-duty staff, group exercise programs, and SilverSneakers® classes.

We are dedicated to social responsibility with efforts such as the Literacy Initiative, a completely free program that helps adults in our community learn to read and provides ESL tutoring. Learn more at www.davieymca.org and on Facebook.com/DavieFamilyYMCA.

2013 Season Opener This Weekend
The Davie County Arts Council’s Brock Players are kicking off their 2013 season with six performances of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Winner of two Tony awards, this unique musical comedy has been produced not only all across America, but also in far-flung locales like Melbourne, Australia and the Philippines since its 2005 Broadway debut.

While it’s hard to imagine a setting more staid than a middle-school word competition, Putnam County Spelling Bee is anything but J-E-J-U-NE (simple; naive; unsophisticated). Acclaimed Broadway lyricist and composer William Finn and writer Rachel Sheinkin use the traditional spelling bee as a lens to focus on the hopes, worries, dreams, and A-N-G-S-T (a feeling of anxiety, apprehension, or insecurity) of the six adolescent competitors through a series of revealing flashbacks. But even though some of the stories tug a bit at the heartstrings, a steady stream of jokes and the fast-paced plot keep things from becoming C-I-M-M-E-R-I-A-N (very dark or gloomy).

Put on Your Spelling Bee Outfit
What makes Putnam County Spelling Bee a particularly special event for theatergoers is its use of audience participation: this play doesn’t just break the “fourth wall,” it deconstructs it and tosses it out the window. Audience members are addressed as if they were in attendance at the bee itself, with characters referring to people in the crowd as family members and one actor roaming the aisles selling snacks. The real treat, though, is the inclusion of several members of onstage as contestants. Don’t bother brushing up too much on your E-T-Y-M-O-L-O-G-Y (the study of the origins and development of words), though — the show must goes on, after all, which means the words audience members are given increase pretty rapidly in difficulty.

Tickets Available Now!
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee opens Friday, March 15th with a 7:30 PM performance at the Brock Performing Arts Center in Mocksville, with three other evening performances on March 16th, 22nd, and 23rd. Matinee performances will be held on March 17th and March 24th at 3:00 PM. Admission is $15 for adults and $13 for students and seniors. Call the Brock Performing Arts Center Box Office at 336-751-3000 or visit the Davie County Arts Center Web site for more details and to purchase tickets.

Resources:
Davie County Arts Council 

On Saturday, March 16, Cooleemee will host a community Bar-B-Que starting at noon on the Zachary House grounds at 131 Church Street in Cooleemee.

No one is claiming that Carolina’s BBQ tradition came from Ireland, but it is definitely a local favorite. No better can be found this month than at the Shamrock Bar-B-Que event in Cooleemee.

Start your St. Patrick’s Day celebration a little early ~ wear something green and come to the Zachary House Grounds at 131 Church Street in Cooleemee. Wind permitting, there will be a kite flying contest at 1 pm (bring your own or buy one there).

Grill Master Walter Ferrell will once again stay up the night before roasting and smoking Boston Butts. Last year, in a short hour and a half, all the meat was gone. More is being ordered for this year.

Support all 3 Heritage Museums in Davie County
Proceeds from all that eating go to keep Cooleemee’s three heritage museums open. In a town of less than a thousand souls, this history-minded town operates the Textile Heritage Center Museum, the Mill House Museum and also has the claim for North Carolina’s smallest museum, the Fire Fighters Museum.

“These museums are memorials to our ancestors, witnesses to their story and testaments to their way of life,” says Tony Steele who is president of the Cooleemee Historical Association. “We have also made them into living legacy classrooms for our local school children,” he added.

For $2.50 one can purchase a BBQ sandwich. For $6 a BBQ plate is available with slaw, hush puppies and a drink.  You can order a whole Boston Butt for $30 if you call (336) 284-6040 before 5 pm on Wednesday, March 13^th.

Cooleemee’s museums are visited by over four thousand people each year, drawing a wide range of visitors from Maine to Florida to California. Museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10 am until 4 pm.  To schedule a group tour please call at least two weeks in advance.

Photo Caption:  At Cooleemee’s Mill House Museum visitors are taken back to the early 1930s life of a mill hand’s family. Although one could “keep time” by the mill whistle’s blasts, mill workers had enough weekly pay to afford pocket watches and clocks. Authentic local artifacts make up 97% of the items displayed inside the 1903-built mill house. Photo by K.C. Smith

Resources:
Cooleemee, NC

After an extensive search, Pro Refrigeration Inc. announced that they have chosen Mocksville, located in Davie County NC, as the home for their new East Coast Production Facility. Over the past 22 years Pro has grown to a leading manufacturer of Process Glycol Chiller Systems for Dairy, Craft Brewery, Winery, Distillery, and Food Processing Industries.

“Over the past 3 years we’ve tripled production output from our Headquarters in Auburn, WA.,” Pro’s CEO, Jim VanderGiessen Jr. explained. “We knew that we had to make a decision to either expand more in Washington State, or find an additional location to enable us the increased production capacity to serve our current customers and the new markets we have targeted”.

Mocksville Comes Out on Top After Year-Long Search
Pro started their second facility search almost a year ago, including locations in their home state of Washington, Virginia, and North Carolina. Pro currently employs more than 50 employees at their 25,000 Square Foot facility located in Auburn, WA.

“The decision to open a second facility versus simply relocating to a larger facility in Washington came down to several factors, probably the biggest reason was the goal of not disrupting the team we have in Washington and innovative products they build and generate from our headquarters. We also saw several brewery customers take the path of adding a second plant on the east coast. The more we evaluated, the easier it was to make this choice.” Said Jim, “The new facility is almost double the square footage of our headquarters, we are really excited to have the capacity to actually go after several markets without worrying if we have the capacity to support and service these customers.”

NEW Manufacturing Jobs!
The company plans to create 58 jobs and invest $3.6 million over the next three years in the Mocksville, NC Facility. The project was made possible in part by a performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund. The grant is contingent upon proof of job creation and receipt of a local funding match. Only a few of the employees will relocate from the plant in Washington as they have no plans to decrease the output and production from their headquarters, almost all of the new jobs will be created from the Davie County facility.

“Manufacturers like Pro Refrigeration know that my administration is committed to growing this important part of North Carolina’s economy,” said North Carolina Gov. McCrory. “We must continue to support manufacturing through our strategic investments in workforce development and infrastructure.”

“We have kind of a “pay as you go” philosophy, we appreciated that if we could provide the benefits to the region with jobs and incentives, we’d be eligible for some grant funds to help with training and getting the new facility setup for our needs.” added Jim. “We hope we can outgrow the North Carolina plant next and then perhaps look at additional facilities down the road –maybe Texas will be next”.

“Manufacturing is an important part of our state’s brand,” said Sharon Decker, N.C. Secretary of Commerce. “We welcome Pro Refrigeration to North Carolina and wish them continued success in Davie County.”

They were excited to find a building they could repurpose, the building previously produced television cabinets and still has the famous RCA Phonograph and Dog logo painted on the interior wall. Pro plans to take possession of the building on March 1, ramping up to full production by the end of the year.

The Keys to Success in Economic Development ~ Hard Work and Tenacious Follow
“Pro has a great deal riding on this expansion, it is definitely one of the biggest moves we’ve undertaken,” said VanderGiessen. “The reasons for choosing Davie County were the skilled workforce, the business friendly environment, and the amazing support we’ve received from everyone we’ve met. Special credit needs to be given to Mr. Bernard Torain, NC Department of Commerce, and Mr. Terry Bralley, President Davie County Economic Development Council, who backed up everything they said with hard work and tenacious follow through.”

Resources:
Pro Refrigeration, Inc.
Davie County Econnomic Development Commission
Davie County Chamber of Commerce
NC Depertment of Commerce

In another win for Davie County and for North Caorlina, Governor Pat McCrory and N.C. Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker announced today that Pro Refrigeration Inc., a manufacturer of refrigeration systems, will expand its operations by locating a new East Coast production facility in Davie County.

Expansion to Create New Jobs
Pro Refrigeration plans to create as many as 85 jobs over five years and invest $4.9 million to gain maximum benefits from performance-based incentives approved by the Davie County Economic Development Commission.

The project was also made possible in part by a performance-based grant from the One North Carolina Fund of up to $75,000. The state grant will be based on the company creating 58 jobs and investing $3.6 million over the first three years of the project.

“Manufacturers like Pro Refrigeration know that my administration is committed to growing this important part of North Carolina’s economy,” said Governor McCrory. “We must continue to support manufacturing through our strategic investments in workforce development and infrastructure.”

Pro Refrigeration is a privately-held company that designs, manufactures and distributes state-of-the-art refrigeration systems for the dairy, winery, food processing, medical and craft brewing industries. The company currently has more than 50 employees operating from its headquarters in Washington State and sales office in Georgia.

“Manufacturing is an important part of our state’s brand,” said Sharon Decker, N.C. Secretary of Commerce. “We welcome Pro Refrigeration to North Carolina and wish them continued success in Davie County.”

Salaries will vary by job function, but the average annual wages for the new jobs will be $38,296, plus benefits. The average annual wage in Davie County is $30,415.

Davie County’s Skilled Workforce, Business Friendly Environment and Amazing Support!
“We spent much of the past year touring and researching different locations across the Southeast region. Pro has a great deal riding on this expansion, it is definitely one of the biggest moves we’ve undertaken,” said Jim VanderGiessen Jr, CEO of Pro Refrigeration. “The reasons for choosing Davie County were the skilled workforce, the business friendly environment, and the amazing support we’ve received from everyone here in Mocksville.”

The One NC Fund provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state. Companies receive no money up front and must meet job creation and investment performance standards to qualify for grant funds.

“We are delighted that Pro Refrigeration’s East Coast production facility will soon call Davie County its home,” said Rep. Julia Howard.  ”I believe that Pro Refrigeration will find that Davie County is worth every investment and will supply a skilled, dedicated, and energetic workforce.”

“Over the last session, the North Carolina General Assembly created the largest tax cut for businesses in the state’s history,” said Senator Andrew Brock. “Now, under the leadership of Governor Pat McCrory and his goal to rededicate state government to be customer-friendly and efficient, North Carolina will be known as a place where businesses come for a visit and stay for a lifetime.”

Terry Bralley, President of the Davie County Economic Development Commission said, “We are thrilled that Pro Refrigeration has selected Davie County as the location for their east coast expansion.  It’s a win for all of us when a business expansion creates new jobs.”

Other partners that helped with this project include: the N.C. Department of Commerce, N.C. Community Colleges, Davie County Economic Development Commission, Davie County and the Town of Mocksville.

For more information about Pro Refrigeration, including job opportunities, visit www.prochiller.com.

Resources:
NC Department of Commerce
Davie County Economic Development Commission
DCCC – The Commuity College of Davidson and Davie Countyies
Mocksville, North Carolina
One North Carolina Fund

Again for 2013 ~ Coach Beiter Memorial Cup and Scholarship Fund
Daric Beiter was the head track and cross country coach at Davie County High School from 2001-2011, taught social studies, was the department chair and named Teacher of the Year in 2010. He was a loving husband, a friend to all, and a long time supporter of the Shamrock Run.  Daric sadly passed away last spring on his 37th birthday.

As Coach Beiter inspired countless student athletes throughout his career, we will be presenting the Annual Coach Beiter Memorial Cup! Each year the names of the top male and female finisher from Davie County High School will be engraved and the cup will be on display at the High School.

The Shamrock Run is also supporting the Daric Beiter Memorial Scholarship Fund and asking race participants to add a dollar or more to their registration fee for an additional Scholarship donation.

5k and 10k Races Certified by USA Track and Field Association
The 5k and 10k races are certified by the USA Track and Field Association and will run a scenic route through the heart of historic downtown Mocksville.  All runners will get an official race t-shirt and will be able to attend a post-race party with free food, music, awards, door prizes and lots of fun!

The Davie Family YMCA will provide child-care free for registered race participants.

Registration
You may register online at www.active.com through February 27th or you may register via mail by downloading and completing the race entry form.  You may also register in person the day before the race (see race schedule below for information on in person registrations).  Early registration is encouraged.

Race Schedule:

Friday, March 1, 2013

• 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. – In-Person Registration and Early Packet Pickup
• 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Pizza and Refreshments!!

Saturday, March 2, 2013– RACE DAY!!

• 7:00 a.m. – In-Person Registration and Packet Pickup begins
• 8:15 a.m.- 5K Run Steps Off
• 8:15 a.m. – Competitive Walk & Fun Walk
• 9 a.m.- 10K Run
• 10 a.m.- Tots Trot Begins
• 10:15 a.m. – Awards Ceremony

As the sun rose in Davie County on Saturday, February 2^nd, the air was a cold 21 degrees; it looked like the Popsicle 5K would live up to its name.

Mocksville Elementary School, usually quiet on the weekends, was bustling as SURF Board members began preparing for the runners.

The Popsicle 5K is a fundraiser for the SURF (Students Understanding Real Futures) Board and all proceeds from the run go toward their grant making efforts.

Runners began arriving at 7:30am to get signed in. They stretched and drank coffee to keep loose and warm before braving the cold. Just before 9am Cassidy Webb, SURF president, welcomed everyone and sent the runners to the starting line. Those participating in the “Brain Freeze Challenge” ate a popsicle before starting off; they would get another popsicle at the halfway point and a final one at the finish line. More than 130 runners participated filling the race with colorful individuals of all ages. One runner even donned an ice cream cone costume, fully capturing the spirit of the Popsicle 5K.

When the last runner crossed the finish line, it was the kids’ turn. Runners again took their places, this time children ready to show their speed. It was Trot Byerly who crossed the finish line first to win the Fun Run.

The Brain Freeze Challenge took place next; this was a contest to see who could eat the most popsicles in 3 minutes. The crowd gathered in the courtyard to watch the contestants struggle through as many popsicles as they could bear. With the temperatures still in the 20’s fingers were as frozen as brains by the end. Mr. Ron Arslan won the challenge after devouring 4 popsicles.

Race Results
The moment everyone had been waiting for, the announcement of race results, came just as the brain freeze challengers were thawing out. Medals were awarded to the top three males and females in each of the 8 age brackets. Sixteen year old David Lawson Stancil was the overall race winner with a time of 18:39. Darian Justin Smith came in second place and Jim D. Crotts in third place overall.

All race results are posted on the Twin City Track Club’s website http://www.twincitytc.org/.

Winners were photographed by Dawn White of Dawn White Photography and can be viewed along with other race pictures on her website http://dawnwhitephoto.smugmug.com/ under Charity Events.

To learn more about the inks for these sites and more about the SURF Board and what they do can be found at www.daviefoundation.org/surf.

Resources:
Complete Popsicle 5K Race Results
Photos from Race Day
Davie Community Foundation
Davie Community Foundation ~ SURF Board

Zero K and Fun Run
Don’t want to run?  Sign up the morning of the race if you are there to support a friend but do not want to run. You’ll get a t-shirt and coffee and not have to run an inch!

Fun Run- Kids (10 & under) there with a runner can participate in a short race after the 5K has finished.

Click Here to register now for the race

All proceeds from the Popsicle Run will support youth-led projects in Davie County! Organized under the Davie Community Foundation, the SURF (Students Understanding Real Futures) Board is a youth grant making organization for high school aged youth in Davie County. Each year SURF hosts a fundraiser to raise money to grant out in the spring. The proceeds from the Popsicle Run will serve to empower young people by supporting their projects through grants from SURF.

The SURF Board
The SURF Board provides students with an opportunity to learn about philanthropy; giving of their time, talents, and treasures to make life better for others.  Board members learn about needs in the community, the responsibilities that go along with giving, as well as important leadership skills that will serve them well into adulthood.

The 2012-2013 SURF Board includes the following members: Katie Allison, Bibiana Arroyo, Rachel Baker, Grace Cain, Salem Carney, Robert Daniel, Stephen Daniel, Caroline Davis, Evan Dowell, Morgan Fuller, Scott Gallimore, Molly Hartness, Sam Linville, Noah MacDonell, Saul Navarro, Taylor Nelson, Zachary Osborne, Nick Sinopoli, Hampton Smith, Allison Staley, Brooke Summers, Cassidy Webb.

Take the Brain Freeze Challenge!
Bring the whole family out for a chilly run this Saturday, and if you’re up for it take the Brain Freeze Challenge – eat a popsicle at the beginning, middle, and end of the race! Register online at www.daviefoundation.org .

Race Day Details
Packet pick up will begin at 7:30am inside Mocksville Elementary School (295 Cemetery St. Mocksville, NC 27028).  Race day registration and Zero K participants may also sign up then.  Race begins at 9:00 AM and should be finished by 11:00 AM.

Resources:
Davie Community Foundation
SURF Board
2013 Popsicle 5K Run Registration

The Mocksville/Davie Parks & Recreation Department provides a comprehensive recreation program for people of all ages in Davie County with athletic programs for children and adults, a variety of classes, camps, community events, and activities for seniors.

Programs & Special Events

The Davie Park & Rec Department coordinates the Davie County Senior Games, Special Olympics and the Davie Youth Council.  Special events are the July 4th Celebration at Rich Park. The Daddy/ Daughter Dance, The Easter Egg Hunt, Big Sweep, South Yadkin Canoe Race,  and a Senior Walking program.

SPORTS PROGRAMS

Softball, T-Ball, Peewee ~ Ages 3-8 with sign ups in February and games starting in April.  $55 fee includes shirt and baseball hat.   This is also a great opportunity for adult and youth volunteers.

Girls Volleyball ~ 2nd through 8th graders can sign up in February to participate in one of the fastest growing and popular girls’ team sport!  Cost: $55.

Special Olympics ~ Volunteers of all ages are always welcome and needed for Special Olympics.  Winter sports include Equestrian, Cheerleading and Basketball.   Please support the Special Olympics programs be attending the Port-A-Pit in February.  For details and more information, please contact Katie at 336 753-6745.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Daddy/Daughter Dance ~ Friday, March 1^st.   The theme for 2013 is Hurray for Hollywood!  Fee is $40 for Dad & Daughter and $10 for each additional daughter.  Register early to get your choice of nights as space is limited for this popular annual event!

Davie Youth Council ~ Open to all teens in the 9th through 12th grades.  The Davie Youth Council provides youth with opportunities for volunteer and community service, fun and friendships.  Join the DYC and make a difference while making new friends.  Please contact Sandra at 336 751-2325 for more information.

KIDFEST Celebration ~ Open to families with children from pre-school through 5th grade.  This annual day-long event will be held on April 27th at the Brock Gym and Masonic Picnic Grounds from 10 AM until 2 PM.

CLASSES

Davie Metro Tae Kwon Do ~ Kids and adult classes offered. Classes meet at the Brock Gym on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Kids classes are from 6:00 – 6:45 PM, adult classes from 6:50 – 7:35 PM.  Cost is $35 per month.  For more information please contact Gary Keeble at daviemetrotkd@aol.com or 336 391-4538.

ZUMBA ~ Classes meet Tuesday nights, 7:00 PM at the Brock Gym.  Think you can’t dance?  Then come out and just have fun!  $4 per class with no additional membership fees.  For more information, please call 336 692-4839

SENIOR ACTIVITIES

Silver Striders ~ The Brock Gym is available for walking from 6:00 to 9:00 PM.

Senior Games ~ Open to all from age 55 or better.  Be active and have fun playing softball, basketball, badminton, horseshoes, Bocce and more.  Local games are in April.  For more information contact the Rec Department at 336 751-2325.

Good Times Square Dance Club ~ Meets at the Farmington Community Center on Mondays at 7:00 PM.  Cost is $5 per month.  Volunteer and community service opportunities are available.  For more information please call 336 998-3837.

Shelters ~ Shelters are available at Rich Park, the Masonic Picnic Grounds and at RiverPark in Cooleemee.  For reservations, please call the Rec Department at 336 751-2325.

About the Mocksville Davie Recreation Department

The Recreation Department is located at the Brock Center, 644 North Main Street in Mocksville.  They can be reached by telephone at 336 751-2325 or via email at recdepartment@mocksvillenc.gov .

Stay Informed

Join the Recreation Department email list and stay up to date on all of the Davie Parks and Recreation events and activities by sending your email address to recdepartment@mocksvillenc.gov

Additional Resources:

Town of Mocksville, NC

Mocksville/Davie Parks & Recreation Department

Davie County Web Portal

Davie County Chamber of Commerce Event Calendar

Mocksville Davie Parks & Recreation Picture Slide Show

For best results, applicants are encouraged to complete the application online to ensure fastest delivery to staffing decision makers at the company.

Wholesale Flooring Outlet Now Open
Since reopening the plant a little over a year ago the company has made great strides after an initial period of evaluation and strategic planning.   Effective immediately, the company has opened a wholesale flooring outlet for local neighbors as well as the professional trade regionally.

The company has been fortunate this year to ship high quality hardwood flooring to virtually every state and 4 other countries from the Mocksville plant and through their National Flooring Distributors company in Louisville, KY.  “We expect Made in America, Made in Davie County, and Made in Mocksville, NC to continue to be in high demand over the coming years” said Lee Harmeling, owner of American Hardwoods, Inc.

Betting on the Future in Mocksville, NC
Lee Harmeling, the owner of American Hardwoods and National Flooring Distributors is confident that the US economy will rebound. “Domestic manufacturing capacity for wood flooring has been shrinking for several years due to the slow-down in construction.  As the economy turns around, the production capacity of the Mocksville plant will help provide a competitive advantage to our customers through lower prices and reliable availability of flooring, architectural trim and other manufactured wood products.”

A Skilled and Talented Local Workforce Makes Davie County a Natural for Manufacturing Operations
The rich manufacturing heritage of the Piedmont region of North Carolina means that there is a substantial supply of local manufacturing talent and experience. National Flooring Distributors will benefit from this skilled and experienced workforce as production ramps up at the Mocksville plant.

Resources:
www.ncwoodjobs.com
Davie County Economic Development Commission

Community Creations is preparing one of these instant collectible pieces of art for Davie County with a spring 2013 release schedule.

While dozens of local sites, people and buildings will be included in the print based on historic importance, local businesses are being given an opportunity to be included in this instant collectible.

The Davie County hometown montage print is well underway and local businesses have reserved more than half of the spaces on the print.  With a spring 2013 release scheduled, now is the time to make sure your business is included in the Davie County montage that will commemorate the past and present architecture and the sites, people and history of Davie County.

Community Creations, the company producing the prints has already produced montage prints for Asheboro, Burlington, Durham, Greensboro, High Point, Lexington, Mount Airy, and Salisbury with  Winston Salem due for release in a few weeks.   Printed on high quality, linen paper suitable for framing, the Davie County montage will be an instant collectible.

Steve Kiriluk, VP of Community Creations will be in Davie County over the next few weeks meeting with many local businesses.    If you haven’t had an opportunity to meet with Steve and you are interested in speaking with him, you are welcome to contact the Davie County Chamber of Commerce at 751-3304.  You may also contact Steve directly to schedule a meeting:  214 274-5613 or skiriluk@aol.com.

To see some of the different montages already completed – visit www.communitycreations.com .  Better yet, stop by the Chamber office and take a look at the finished poster for Lexington, NC.  It is quite beautiful!

The Davie County poster will be released sometime in early spring and will be available for purchase at the Davie County Chamber of Commerce.   We will keep you posted and look forward to announcing its arrival.

Resources:
Davie County Chamber of Commerce
Community Creations

There is nothing quite as sweet as honey from your own back yard.

Did you know North Carolina has more backyard beekeepers than any other state?  Have you ever considered keeping bees?  Would you like to know more about this fascinating hobby or occupation?

Classes Begin Saturday, January 12 at Davie County Library in Mocksville
The 8th annual Beginners Beekeeping Short Course will be held at the Davie County Library in Mocksville from 9A.M. until 11:30 A.M. for five consecutive Saturdays beginning January 12th.

In addition to Saturday morning classes, an “Apiary Day” will follow, allowing participants to look into an active honey bee hive for an in-depth, “hands-on” view of the activity inside a working hive.  Look for workers and drones; perhaps you’ll even spot the queen.  Did you know she may lay 1000-2000 eggs a day during the summer months?  You’ll discover cells with colorful pollen, honey, eggs, and larvae–perhaps even emerging baby bees!

Classes will include information on what to do first, costs, where and how to acquire materials, seasonal hive management, honey bee biology, and dealing with pests.

You’ll also learn about products from the hive, how to extract honey, and lots more.

Davie County Beekeepers Association ~ Friendly neighbors and helping hands
In addition to the information you glean from this course, you will have the opportunity to meet other beginning beekeepers as well as some “old-timers”.  You’ll make contacts with local beekeepers who can provide answers to future questions as well as continuing support.  You can find a mentor to help you with your new adventure, and club members can even help you “install” your first package of bees or capture a swarm.

The cost of the course is $25 or $20 for DCBA members.  Drawings will be held during the classes for bee-related prizes, and two hives will be given away at the conclusion of the course.  Participants who attend the five classes will be eligible for the hive drawing.

Catch the Buzz! Reserve your seat today
Learn why beekeeping has caught the attention of so many people across America in the last few years, and why the health of the honey bee is an integral part of the well being of our planet.  Catch the buzz and reserve your seat.  Preregister online with the Davie County Beekeepers Association , or feel free to call DCBA president, George Snyder, at 336.492.2350 for additional information.

This Tony Award winning musical comedy centers on a fictional spelling bee set in a geographically ambiguous Putnam Valley Middle School.

Six quirky adolescents compete in the bee, run by three equally-quirky grown-ups.

If you have not been to see a Brock Players production yet, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” would provide a wonderful introduction to the Brock Players and Community Theater productions from the Davie County Arts Council.

Audition Preparation

• Familiarize yourself with the musical.
• Know which character(s) for which you would like to audition.
• Prepare a song to sing.  This is a song of your choice; it should show your range and less than a minute-and-a-half.  Bring the sheet music with you and the Music Director will accompany you.  He will also establish vocal range after you sing.
• Be prepared for a basic dance audition.  Don’t be worried if you aren’t a dancer!   You will be asked to learn and perform a short, simple combination to help assess your movement potential.
• Be prepared for some improvisational acting.  You may be asked to spell something as if you were in a spelling bee!
• Think of two moments that happened to you at school (preferably during elementary or middle school years) that you can tell the casting team about: one situation either scary or embarrassing, the other either exciting or surprising.
• If you are auditioning for the role of Marcy, be prepared to show other talents.  This could be playing piano, juggling, acrobatics, or any great talent!
• If you are called back, you will be given sides (short segments of the script) to look at and work on with the other actors.

For additional information on the Davie County Arts Council, the Brock Players and the Brock Performing Arts Center, please visit www.daviearts.org