Farmville, NC – Preserving its past while enthusiastically pursuing its future

The area surrounding the current Town of Farmville was first settled in the mid 1760s. These early settlers were few in numbers and were almost exclusively farmers by trade. The first recorded structure inside the current town limits was a log cabin erected about 1840. In the 1850’s a church and a school were built, however, growth was quite slow up through the end of the 1860s. In 1872 the populace petitioned the North Carolina legislature to create a town named Farmville. Prior to this time the community had no formal name and was generally referred to as New Town. The Town of Farmville was formally incorporated on February 12, 1872. During the last quarter of the 19th century, the town developed as a small commercial center supporting the agricultural expansion of the region brought about by the boom in Brightleaf Tobacco cultivation.

The first quarter of the 20th century was a period of incredible growth for Farmville. The period 1901 to 1907 saw the arrival of two railroads, providing cost effective transportation outlets and bringing about an expansion of agribusiness support services. The period 1905 to 1929 saw the establishment of a number of large tobacco sales, processing and warehousing operations. Along with this commercial growth came the growth of residential areas, accommodating persons of virtually every economic class.

Tobacco sales, processing and warehousing, as well as, agribusiness support services continued to be of primary importance to Farmville’s growth and stability up through the late 1960s. With the decline of the tobacco industry beginning in the early 1970s, Farmville began an aggressive campaign to diversify its commercial and industrial base. Although agribusiness support continues to be an important part of Farmville, industrial, commercial and residential diversification continues to be the course on which this community of approximately 4500 residents is proceeding.

For more information on this awesome “Mayberry” town, visit: http://www.farmville-nc.com

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Denton Farm Park Train Ride Puts Christ Back In Christmas

By Jill Doss-Raines
The Dispatch

Source: The-Dispatch.com

Denton FarmPark has been known as the home for steam engines and antique farm equipment during the Southeastern Old Threshers Reunion, bluegrass music festivals and Mule Days for many years.

But this year, the FarmPark is adding a holiday event that will emphasize Christ’s birth during the Advent season, occurring each Friday and Saturday night beginning Nov. 28 and ending Dec. 19. The Country Christmas Train celebration not only will feature the secular aspects of Christmas with lights, decorations, carolers, a train ride and visit from Santa but also a short movie about the Christmas story and a live nativity.

Participants will be able to sing their favorite carols at the church on the FarmPark grounds, hear the story of the song “Silent Night,” give their wish list to Santa, warm up with hot chocolate and cookies and more. Food and heritage crafts will be available for purchase as well.

“The main reason we are doing this is my dad had a dream about a train going around and then showing a movie about Jesus,” said Karen Miller, co-manager of the Denton FarmPark, referring to her father, Brown Loflin. Loflin is a founder of the Southeastern Old Threshers Reunion and the FarmPark.

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Also, visit: http://www.countrychristmastrain.com/

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Spruce Pine reaps tourism gains from Blue Ridge Parkway

Source: Asheville Citizen-Times

The owners of the Orchard at Altapass took North Carolina to court when the state proposed acquiring 200 acres of the apple orchard to create the Blue Ridge Parkway in the 1930s.

The owners at the time ran a wholesale apple business and did not see the benefit of having the scenic road come through the middle of their land, said the orchard’s current owner Bill Carson.

“They knew it was inevitable that it was going to go through, but they argued that it would cause more damage than good,” he said. “I don’t know if they ever thought the traffic would be much up there.”

More than 70 years later, the parkway has not destroyed the orchard. In fact, said Carson, it may be the thing that saved it.

Although apple growing in the region has declined, the orchard’s location on the Mitchell-McDowell county line on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Carson’s transformation of the orchard into a place to experience local culture and history, has helped the Historic Orchard at Altapass become a stop for 60,000 parkway visitors each year, about half of which Carson estimates are nonlocal travelers.

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For more info about Spruce Pine, visit: http://sprucepineonline.com

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Country Night in Selma, NC

 Come hear the best country music from today and yesterday and comedy that will keep you laughing in your seat! E

ach week, Country Tonight offers a featured band that performs some of your favorite country songs. With a little family comedy added to the show, you have the ingredients for a night of fun! Show time: Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 7:45pm.

 It is a downhome traditional country show. Very rustic, very “down home.” It reminds many people of old time get togethers of yesteryear. Nothing fancy here. Humble building from the outside. Rustic interior with chuch pews.

No flash and no glamour! One grand old opry star who played here (George Hamilton IV) said “It is like the Grand Old Opry” when it started. This isn’t the Myrtle Beach and Branson shows of today; its the Branson and Nashville shows of an earlier time. Many find that it really has a charm all its own!

Visit: http://www.countrytonightmusicshow.com

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Tarheel BBQ Chamionship in Shelby, NC!

 Friday November 6th
$10 Taster’s Choice 6:30 until

Saturday November 7th|
$1.00 Gate Admission
 – Car & Cycle Show
 – Crafts, Stage Entertainment
 – New Larger Kidz Zone
 – Dine-in & Carry-out BBQ Meals
 – Kids menu at Dine-in
 – New! Express BBQ Drive-thru

Friday: Tell the World band (7-8:30 pm); Karaoke (9:00 pm with registration at 8:30) Saturday on Main Stage: Joyful Hands sign language (10:15 am); KT & Aaron band (11:30-1:00 pm);
Tell the World band (1:15-2:45 pm) Saturday on Performing Arts Stage: Log Cabin String Band (11:00 am); Comedian Keith Nanney (12 noon); Saddle Pals (1:00 pm); Academy of Performing Arts (1:30 pm); Country music with Meghan Morehead (2:00 pm) For a full schedule, visit: http://www.hoghappnin.com/2009schedule.htm

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Scotland Neck, NC – Small Town Character

In 1722 a colony of Scotch Highlanders led by Lord Nairn settled in the “neck” of the Roanoke River. The name Scotland Neck first described the small communities that clustered around this original settlement. Nearly 150 years later, a progressive citizen named John Hyman adopted the name for the town he was to establish in this thriving area of commerce. Scotland Neck was officially incorporated in 1867 and work began creating the spacious avenues and tree-lined median of the north and southbound lanes of Main Street.

Today this historic median is festooned with glorious crepe myrtles that bloom each summer, a sight that welcomes thousands of visitors to Scotland Neck’s annual Crepe Myrtle Festival in August. Live music, craftspeople with their wares, food and drink entertain the visitors, guests and home folks who fill our streets. However, this festival is just one highlight in a town that values civic involvement.

Kiwanis, Lions, Junior Order, Masons and other civic groups take pride in annual projects that add value to the community. These clubs are joined by Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal, Presbyterian and Catholic churches working together to broaden Scotland Neck’s base of support, attracting people of all backgrounds and denominations to the community.

For more information, visit: http://www.townofscotlandneck.com

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