Farmville Magazine 2020

Farmville NORTH CAROLINA

H O N O R I N G O UR PAST

SH A PI N G OUR FUT UR E

Downtown hardware Farewell to the chief Disc golf galore The Wonder Box Plaza Auto Care Mayoral epilogue

2020

.net OF FARMVILLE

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Home to the largest outdoor art gallery in eastern NC, Farmville is a friendly place with a fabulous downtown district and a funky southern vibe. Whether you’re looking for unique gifts, exquisite artwork or aisles of antiques, FIND IT FIRST IN FARMVILLE and along the way, discover excellent restaurants, diverse shops and amazing attractions.

Visit Farmville Located On The Corner Of Creativity And Commerce

FARMVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & VISITOR CENTER 3747 South Main Street/PO Box 150 Farmville, NC 27828

252-753-4671 info@farmvillencchamber.org 4

Contents ON THE COVER

8

Farmville Hardware Lawn & Garden

16

Chief Donnie Greene

20

Farmville Disc Golf

24

The Wonder Box

28

Plaza Auto Care

47

A Word with John Moore

BY DEBORAH GRIFFIN

S TA F F B O B B Y B U R N S , E D I TO R D O N N A M A R I E W I L L I A M S , S TA F F W R I T E R D E B O R A H G R I F F I N , S TA F F W R I T E R M E L I S S A G L E N , S TA F F W R I T E R TO M L I T T L E , A D V E R T I S I N G

Last year’s Down East Cup winner, professional disc golfer and discmania sponsored Taylor Rafaleowski practices at the Farmville Disc Golf Course for this year’s upcoming Down East Cup tournament.

B E C K Y W E T H E R I N G TO N , L AYO U T & D E S I G N

Farmville NORTH CAROLINA

Farmville Magazine™ is published annually by The Standard newspaper.

Contents are the property of this newspaper and may not be reproduced without consent of the publisher.

To advertise in this publication, contact The Standard at 252-747-3883.

5

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7

Farmville Hardware Lawn & Garden hopes to be a one-stop shop for Farmville and Walstonburg residents.

‘F ind

it here

F irst ’

Farmville Hardware Lawn & Garden Community, service at center of

D OWNTOWN BUSINE SS

By Donna Marie Williams

8

Employee Tanner Holloman, 14, of Walstonburg restocks shelves.

Owner Greg Cannon is proud to call Farmville home while meeting the needs of both Farmville and Walstonburg residents.

A

t a time when many businesses

Cannon’s sons, Josh and Chris, also

were closing due to COVID-19, Greg Cannon

expressed an interest. They ran Walstonburg

was opening the doors at Farmville Hardware

Hardware while Cannon continued his career

Lawn & Garden with a desire to provide

as a nurse practitioner at Eastern Nephrology

quality customer service and a store that

Associates in Greenville. Having his sons

would resonate a hometown feel.

work closely with him in the business makes

Rooted in community, Cannon owned and operated Walstonburg Hardware for six

Cannon feel “good” about his decision to open the Farmville store, he said.

years before coming to Farmville. The idea to

“It feels good and it’s something they are

take over the Walstonburg store came at the

interested in over the long run. I think they will

request of several area farmers.

like being part of the (Farmville) community,”

“The community in Walstonburg came

Cannon said.

to me initially to open it when that old one

Toward the end of Walstonburg Hardware’s

closed down. Mostly the farmers over there

six years of operation, Cannon decided to

needed to have a hardware store that was

“slow down” and went part-time at Eastern

available to them. I knew a lot of the farmers.

Nephrology Associates in Greenville.

I have a small farm over there as well. I raised

With more time on his hands, Cannon

cattle. They asked if I was interested in buying

decided closing the Walstonburg store and

a hardware store,” Cannon said.

opening Farmville Hardware instead was a

“

I liked the community. It’s a nice walking community. There is a bedroom type feel. I like the whole town feel of the community and I think there was a niche for a hardware store,” - Greg Cannon 9

way to serve both communities. The store opened downtown on Wilson Street in March.

“I liked the community. It’s a nice walking community. There is a bedroom type feel. I like the whole town feel of the community and I think there was a niche for a hardware store,” Cannon said.

Farmville did have a niche for a hardware store. Farmville Hardware operated on Main Street for years, but the store closed in 2015. The building is undergoing renovations for

The original paint scheme was repainted on the building by The Farmville Group.

residential and commercial uses.

Town government, the DeVisconti Trust and the Farmville Group were all working to recruit a store to better serve Farmville residents and fulfill the motto “Find it First in Farmville.”

“It was a high priority to get a hardware store in town,” said Farmville Group member Todd Edwards. “We’re thrilled to have the hardware store in town. It’s made a huge difference already.”

To help attract a potential occupant of the building, which once served as a feed and seed warehouse, the Farmville Group had the original The main entrance is located on the side of the building across from the parking lot.

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10

white and red checkerboard pattern repainted on the building. This served as a homage to the Purina feeds once sold there.

The town also redesigned the parking lot to maximize its potential.

“It’s

made

a

big

difference,”

Edwards said.

The central location of the building to Farmville’s downtown area, along with its history, made the building a unique spot to establish the hardware store.

“I like the old building. I think it’s a pretty cool building. Just being part of a small community. I really like that part,” Cannon said.

Work to complete the store soon took place with Cannon and the

The store offers a variety of nuts, bolts and hardware and a full service paint center.

DeVisconti Trust renovating everything inside the building from the roof to the floors.

Soon the builging began to fill with shelves, equipment, tools, paint, pet supplies and more.

“I have a fairly large inventory for a small-town hardware store. I did that so people will stop here first and make sure we didn’t have it before having to go to the big box stores,” Cannon said.

2020 Scholarship Recipients

Nathan R. Cobb, Sr. Foundation, Inc celebrating 20 years serving Farmville’s youth, families & citizens through charitable giving.

Najee Langley

Keyley Shackleford

Qua’shoyn Williams

Stay Safe, Stay Informed & Stay Healthy

We congratulate our 2020 Scholarship recipients, extend special thanks to our loyal supporters, and appreciate the H. B. Sugg Charitable Organization for their special commitment.

11

Along with nails, screws, bolts and items needed for home repair, Farmville Hardware offers a variety of lawn products such as yard and lawn chemicals, insecticides and pesticides.

Items needed for plumbing, construction and other projects are also available.

“I think we offer quite a bit of what most people need.

When we set it up, we set it up to be something where if people need something they can find what they need,” Cannon said.

“

I think we offer quite a bit of what most people need. When we set it up, we set it up to be something where if people need something they can find what they need,” - Greg Cannon

Farmville Hardware also carries a variety of tools including Genesis, Milwaukee, Dewalt and Makita power tools and offers landscaping equipment as well.

Pinestraw is available for purchase, and specialty products such as lawnmowers can be ordered.

Pricing of products is competitive, go “Finding it First” doesn’t mean an additional convenience price tag.

“We try to match our prices to be comparable to Lowe’s and Ace Hardware,” Cannon said.

Apart from its extensive inventory, Farmville Hardware also offers quality customer service. This differentiates them from the big box stores, according to Cannon.

“As a consumer, if you go to the big box stores you may spend 30-40 minutes trying to get someone to help you.

Here when you walk in the door, we’re going to try and help you. If we don’t do it as soon as you walk through the door, it’s just a few more minutes before we are able to help you,” Cannon said.

Quality customer service is a priority, and employees are available to assist with home improvement or merchandise questions, Cannon said.

“In the hardware business, people come in that may not know how to do stuff, or they are still working through it in their mind. We can help them work through that while they are in the store. I’m sure if you were at a big box store you wouldn’t get that kind of service,” Cannon said.

While customer service will always remain a priority at Farmville Hardware, Cannon hopes to expand on the inventory he currently offers. He wants the inventory to meet both commercial and residential needs, he said.

Farmville Hardware Lawn & Garden offers a variety of landscaping tools.

12

“At some point, I hope its kind

circumstances, with Cannon’s main

of a combination of commercial

priority of maintaining safety for

hardware but I also want to have

customers and staff, Cannon said.

more local things in the store. I do

Social distancing is encouraged

have some people who bring some

and masks are worn by staff, he

local stuff already. I would like to

added.

have more local products like honey.

“We don’t have 20 customers at

I think that will be beyond the virus,”

a time. We have a steady volume,”

Cannon said.

Cannon said.

Cannon

WAREPACK

also

Farmville

acquired

Hardware

Lawn

&

additional warehouse space and will

Garden is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

offer more lumber options shortly,

Monday through Friday and 8 a.m.

he said.

to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The store is Hardware

located at 3732 W. Wilson St. For

in the midst of the pandemic

more information call 252-753-

did provide a few unforeseen

1100.

Opening Employee Bryant Oakley of Farmville weighs nails.

has

Farmville

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POLICING ALL ABOUT

COMMUNITY

FOR DONNIE GREENE

By Melissa Glen

Farmville’s police chief will retire in December after nearly

30 years of

service 16

For the past 13 years, Farmville

Greene, who has become a staple

Police Chief Donnie Greene has

in the Farmville community, started

started off his mornings the same way.

his career in 1992 in Winterville. He

He wakes up, grabs what he needs

moved to Farmville’s department in

for the day, then heads to the police

1993 and has been there ever since. He

department by 8:30 a.m. Most days,

started on bike patrol for a year and a

he gets to leave at 6:30 p.m., but duty

half, then moved to shift sergeant and

frequently calls him back.

lieutenant after that. In 2007, Greene

Come December, mornings will

was named chief of police.

look a little different for Greene, who

“I knew when I was 9 years old I

is set to retire after 28 years in law

wanted to be a police officer,” Greene

enforcement.

said. “That’s what I always wanted to

“I have a 12-year-old granddaughter

do, and so that’s what I did.”

and a 3-year-old grandson, so for a

Greene said his favorite thing about

month or so, honestly, I don’t plan

his job is the connections he makes

on doing a thing,” he said. “I have a

with citizens and the day-to-day tasks

honey-do list that’s a mile and a half

that have an impact on someone’s life.

long, so I’m sure I will be doing that at some point.”

“I’m not talking about arresting bad guys or that kind of thing,” Greene said.

“I’m talking about showing a

Farmville for more than 20

kid that police are here to be

years. I always tell this story

your friend, being involved in

where I coached a kid in football,

the community, helping people

and for his 16th birthday he

find a job or even helping

wanted to have his birthday

people get a driver’s license.”

at the community center in

He recalled one moment he

Farmville and didn’t know how

saw these connections come

to reach out to anybody — it’s

full circle in his work, noting

up to me,” he said.

that community relationships

According to Greene, his

will be what he misses the

success wouldn’t have been

most after retiring.

possible if it wasn’t for his

“I coached rec sports in

“

Farmville is important to Donnie.

He wants to see us grow and prosper and wants to be a part of that growth.

predecessor,

Chief

Robert

Smith. “He was a huge mentor for me from day one when I started and even when I became the chief I reached out to him if I had questions,” he said.

Greene said he is not sure who will be moving into his position when he leaves, but he hopes whoever gets the job will reach out to him just as he did with Smith. He also encouraged his successor to continue to focus on involvement and

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transparency.

“I know there are some folks internally who want it, and obviously I would push to hire within if the town manager sees they are qualified to do

17

it,” Green said. “The biggest thing I would

helping ease police-citizen relations.

when the town was hit by Hurricane Floyd.

say is you have to have the support of the

“There are things going on in the world

“He and many others helped rescue

community and you don’t get the support of

right now where there is so much turmoil

residents that had to be put on boats to be

the community if you aren’t involved in it."

and controversy and everything else that

brought out,” Elks said. “Tornadoes, snow

He said it is important to break down

we still have, I am thankful to have a good

stereotypes as the chief of police and to go

relationship with the community,” he said. “It

into all situations with an open mind.

is the greatest show on earth. You see so much

“Just because you arrest someone doesn’t mean they are a bad person,” Greene said.

and do so much, and you immediately get to see that you have helped people.”

storms, hurricanes ... you name it and he has been there. He is deeply respected by his staff, town employees, citizens, his family and his friends.”

town

As far as what life will be like after

authority doesn’t mean they are a drug dealer

commissioner for the past four years, said she

retirement, Greene said he is expecting the

or a bad person.”

has known Greene for more than 26 years and

change to be hard.

“Just because someone lives in the housing

As far as accomplishments during his time as chief, Greene said the department has

Brenda

Elks,

a

Farmville

has been able to see his strengths as both a friend and a colleague.

“Not getting up to come to work will be weird, realizing that I’m no longer the chief

seen significant growth in its employee base.

“Serving in this role has given me the

He said some of the efforts included placing

opportunity to see all sides of our chief,” Elks

Farmville personnel as resource officers in the

said “Farmville is important to Donnie. He

local schools, creating a substation that was

wants to see us grow and prosper and wants

more accessible to residents and building a

to be a part of that growth. I love to sit down

pistol range. Greene said he wished he was

with him and we throw out ideas of things we

able to finish the range before he left, but the

want to do and see done and you can see his

process was delayed due to weather.

mind churning.”

and that I’m no longer a police officer will be really weird,” Greene said. “People ask ‘are you nervous, are you scared?’ And I say a little bit of both.”

However, Greene does plan to still be as active in the community as he can.

“I would love to stay involved in Farmville

Greene said his biggest accomplishment

Elks said Greene has been helpful in dealing

in whatever capacity. My heart is in recreation,

was all the work he did at the individual level

with many crises in Farmville, specifically

and I would love to stay involved in recreation.”

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18

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Our Community Partners:

19

Farmville scores

an ace with disc golf course

Park overcomes doubters, brings visitors and their dollars to town B y D eborah G riffin

P

ersistence,

innovation

and

forward-

thinking town leaders helped transform

a plot of fallow farmland into a nationally recognized playing field.

directly from it, the business community has

has been an explosion in the popularity of the

certainly benefitted,” said Hodgkins.

game.

Hundreds of athletes have been drawn to Farmville.

“It’s booming,” Lubben said.

Already home to two tournaments, the

The Farmville Municipal Disc Golf Course

“They shop in our stores and eat in our

officially opened in March, just as much of the

restaurants, they buy our gas,” he said. “As

country was shuttering because of COVID-19

they are traveling through, we hope they

precautions.

might see something that brings them back.”

nature of the game lends itself to social distancing.

The 18-hole, 35-acre course was the site of the July 11 Contentnea Creek Classic, which

Gyms were forced to close their doors, and

For the past seven months, as social

brought in 72 players, with varying levels of

many saw disc golf as an alternative. Town

distancing became the norm, and outdoor

experience, from professionals to amateurs,

Manager David Hodgkins said the new course

activity became vital, the new course attracted

from across the state.

has been a boon to the town at a time when

those who have played the sport for years,

the pandemic crashed the nation’s economy.

and many who never had heard of it.

“Although we don’t charge to use the course, and we don’t receive any revenue

20

According

to

Farmville

Parks

Sept. 19 and 20, the Farmville course was one of three Pitt County courses used

and

during the 16th annual Down East Players

Recreation employee Isaiah Lubben, there

Cup Tournament, hosted by Greenville Disc

Golf. More than 200 athletes

commissioners got behind it,

competed, most hailing from

then everything was put into

North Carolina, along with a

motion.”

few touring professionals from Virginia and South Carolina.

The town enlisted Greenville Disc Golf to help design the

Courses at Ayden District Park

course. GVDG is a nonprofit,

and West Meadowbrook Park in

250-member association that

Greenville also were used during

helps promote disc golf through

the tournament. Pitt County has

events, clinics and volunteer

free courses open to the public at

efforts.

East Carolina University's North

“The Down East Player’s Cup

Recreational Complex and at

is our biggest event to date,”

Covenant Church in Greenville.

said Max Crotts, board member

Hodgkins said sponsorships, which are $500 for five years,

and one of the designers of the Farmville course.

help raise revenue to maintain

Crotts, who has played disc golf

the course. “There is a sign at

since he was 3, began competing

each basket (or hole) companies

in 2003. He has played in two

can have their name on,” said

world championships and plays

Hodgkins. “It is a fairly cost-

at least twice a week.

effective marketing tool.”

Crotts

said

the

land

in

The idea of a disc golf course

Farmville presented a few design

in Farmville had been floated for

challenges. One was a lack of

a few years, according to Parks

wooded areas, as many disc golf

and Recreation employee Chris

courses rely on trees to present

Stokes.

challenges on the course.

“In 2019, it was brought back

He said they designed the

up by David Miller, the [town’s]

fairways (the area of play) and the

librarian,” he said. “A couple of

roughs (areas to avoid) by how the

Contentnea Creek Barbecue, top, sits across from the new disc golf course. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, owner Charles Ellis said he has seen an increase in business, specifically during tournaments. The professional tee pad at hole 12, center, sits next to Contentnea Creek, which runs along the course. Bottom, professional disc golfer and ECU student Adam Durham practices with professional disc golfer Taylor Rafaleowski.

21

“

For the past seven months, as social distancing became the norm, and outdoor activity became vital, the new course attracted those who have played the sport for years, and many who never had heard of it.

grass is maintained. The taller grass defines the roughs and the shorter grass, the fairway.

Also, the area is prone to flooding, which presented challenges as well.

GVDG executive board member Vince Tricarico said, “We had to get creative with the design.”

Tricarico, manager at Play it Again Sports, has seen a tremendous influx of disc golf customers, especially from Farmville.

He has played the sport since 2005, and recently placed fourth in July’s Contentnea Creek Classic.

He said as they planned the course, they tried to meet the towns’ criteria.

“They wanted something beginners could play, but they also wanted something that more experienced players would want to travel to,” Tricarico added.

He said by using DiscGolfPark equipment (an international design and sales company),

22

Farmville Parks and Recreation’s Isaiah Lubben talks about the most recent addition of a retaining wall at the disc golf course. Two sponsors can be featured on the 36-foot wall for an 18-inch display at hole 7. Lubben said they want to make it the course’s signature hole.

for the baskets, turf tee pads and artwork,

Lubben and Stokes said they now see

during the weekend,” he said. “Where are

the town elevated the course’s prestige and

Farmville residents on the course weekly, if not

those people going to eat, where are those

created consistency.

daily. They estimate 25 to 50 people, locals

people going to get a drink? Where are they going to stay?” he asked rhetorically.

“DiscGolfPark courses are highly rated

and non-locals, play the course weekly. As

courses — nationally and internationally,” he

the weather cools, they expect that number

said.

to increase.

Another challenge in designing the course was skepticism from naysayers in the town.

Parks and Recreation’s Stokes said, “I don’t

Tricarico said, at first, some people could not see the far-reaching effects the course would have.

Each player is given a list of eating establishments in the towns where the tournament takes place.

One local restaurant that will be on Farmville’s list sits directly across the street

think a large section of the population was

“They look at the money that was spent

from the new course, Contentea Creek

sold on it. As we developed it, and people

and see there is no fee charged, and no

Barbecue. Owner Charlie Ellis has lived his

began to play, I think the community bought

concession stand. They wonder how is this

whole life in Farmville. He remembers when

into the idea. Now that it is operational, I think

making money?” he said. He said people don’t

all the roads surrounding Farmville were dirt.

people can appreciate it and see the impact

realize, as with the Sept 19-20 tournament,

it has had.”

“216 different people will play the course

He has owned the restaurant since 1998.

Only open Wednesdays through

“

Now that it is operational, I think people can appreciate it and see the impact it has had.”

- Chris Stokes

23

Farmville’s new disc golf course features tee and hole settings that make the course enjoyable for players of all levels.

Saturdays, he said he has seen an increase in business, specifically during tournaments.

Ellis, who also works for NWL capacitors in Snow Hill, said he was surprised to see how people come into town to use the course.

“I never really even heard of Frisbee golf too much before,” he said.

He was planning to open on the Sunday of the Sept 19-20 tournament, “to give those guys somewhere to eat that is close by. In Farmville, there are not a lot of places open on Sundays, other than fast food,” he said.

Ellis said he hopes one day to exclusively be in the barbecue business.

He complimented the Farmville Police Department for their dedication to helping complete the course. He said they even filled up potholes in his parking lot on their own time.

Staton echoed that the police department personnel had helped work on the course, donating their time to help out. He added many of the town’s departments helped lend a hand.

Crotts said the new course, mixed with the pandemic, helped the sport flourish. “COVID-19 increased the interest in disc golf exponentially,” he said.

But he also credits the growing numbers to the sport itself. “Anybody can play,” he said. “It’s for those who have just learned to walk, to the age of 99.”

Crotts said seniors are one of the fastest growing groups in the sport. “It it low impact, there is no running, and it is a no contact game,” he added.

A disc golf game can be played in about half the time of regular golf, he said. An average round

24

lasts between an hour and-a-

property. Stokes and Lubben

half to two hours.

also hope the town will host

It is also much cheaper than regular golf.

its own tournaments.

“We are super proud

“The venues are free, and

of what we helped the

the equipment costs just a few

community build,” Lubben

dollars,” he said. On average, a

said. “When we first started

brand new disc costs about $8.

cutting the grass, it was 12

For those not wanting to

feet tall. Now, people tell us

invest quite yet, Stokes said the

it looks so well manicured,

town plans to set up a rental

and well kept.”

program in the library.

“It will be as easy as checking out a book,” he added.

Stokes said the course, although complete, continues to be a work in progress.

They are adding a retaining wall, where they plan to feature sponsors.

Crotts said he is not surprised about the increased interest in the sport he has loved since being a toddler.

“It is such a fun activity — it is easy to get hooked on,” he said.

“If you make one really long putt — it’s exhilarating.

They hope to build a picnic

It makes you want to try and

shelter, and eventually create

do it again. It makes you want

walking paths throughout the

to be a part of the game.”

Hole 14 is one of the more challenging at the course. It is 576 feet to the basket and has the sharpest curve of any of the holes. The longest hole is more than 700 feet.

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inq to r uiries e Par amo nt the unt con The tact at info the @fa FCA re, rmv illea C at rts. org

Like us on Facebook Become a Member and keep the Arts Alive in Farmville: $20 for Seniors; $25 for Individuals; $40 for families 3723 N. Main Street, Farmville, NC (inside the 97 Year-Old Paramount Theatre) TEL: 252-753-3832

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If you have any interest in Farmville or the good things going on here, please contact: Todd Edwards

tde@coastalnet.com

Jamin Dixon

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We are The Farmville Group.

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! 415 US-13, Snow Hill 252-747-4454 8502 E. Marlboro Rd Farmville 252-753-7919 27

A view of Pete Borsay’s “Wasteland” exhibit.

28

MAKING A

WonderBox

Artistic effort continues to stir curiosity, conversation and wonder B y D onna M arie Williams

L

inda Adell Goodine saw opportunity

“I wanted to create public kinds of art in the

in the glass window display case at

way of murals. Something that is immediately

the entrance to a former Main Street

accessible and enhances the experience of

department store — an opportunity to

anyone who passes by, and I wanted to bring

stir curiosity, discussion and wonder.

substance in the way of some exhibitions that

Hired in 2015 as the Distinguish Belk

Professor at East Carolina University's

would be site-specific, as well as performance work,” Goodine said.

School of Art, Goodine's job was to help

It was while walking down Main Street

establish the East Carolina Glass Station — a

that Goodine hatched the plan to create the

glass blowing workshop in an old downtown gas

WonderBox after she was drawn to the glass

station — and pursue other artistic endeavors in

display case.

town.

“Here was this beautiful little box in a

The display window at what is now Woodside

former Belk department store sitting in front of

Antiques and Auction would become one of

Woodside Antiques. It was the perfect theater

those endeavors. She called it WonderBox,

in the realm or so I thought,” Goodine said.

knowing that a community that can be curious and can wonder can do anything, she said.

“I had a five-year plan to bring art to the

The design of the box, which was enclosed by large glass panes, along with its location created a unique display.

community to see if I can impact citizens here

“It is truly in a public space, as if no one owns

and the economy here in a positive way because

it. It can be seen at any time of day or night. You

of the influence of art,” Goodine said.

can be by yourself and see it. You can hate it or

To accomplish this, Goodine set forth a “three-pronged attack.”

you can love it or anywhere in between without judgment,” Goodine said.

29

WonderBox is born With the permission from Woodside owner Michael Cable, Goodine began planning ways to use the space. Her daughter, artist Ella Goodine-Richardson, was working in textiles and making beautiful hoop skirts, she said. "When I looked at dimensions of the skirt I immediately saw it in the box,” Goodine said.

From there I engaged with her students at ECU and they created a whole course in public art that utilized the WonderBox and other venues. For many of Goodine’s graduate students, the WonderBox was their first opportunity to display their work in a public arena and receive regular coverage for their efforts in the local newspaper.

“The graduate students were required to have exhibitions in the box. For most of them, it was the first time they were exhibited. It was definitely the first time they were interviewed or given an article in a publication, which is a really big deal especially for a student studying art. Artists can go through half their career and go without having a review in a paper. That meant a lot to them,” Goodine said.

“It also meant a lot to them that the community in Farmville embraced them, had some serious questions, enjoyed the dialogue and they felt they had some sort of contribution.”

Receptions for the artists at Woodside Antiques allowed them to have conversations with people who had seen their display.

“None of this would have been possible without the generosity of Michael Cable and Woodside Antiques. He hosted each opening, which contributed to the artist so they could make postcards and fabricate their work,” Goodine said.

(Top) WonderBox curator Linda Adele Goodine stands in the WonderBox surrounded by artist Pete Borsay’s “Wasteland” exhibit.

(Bottom) WonderBox artist Andrew Wells filled all the display windows at Woodside Antiques and Auction with his exhibit “Cultural Mansters.”

“ Here was this beautiful little box in a former Belk department store sitting in front of Woodside Antiques.

It was the perfect theater in the realm,” - Linda Adell Goodine 30

Engaging the public The WonderBox was more than just a place

Together the student and a resident

to display the artwork. Since its inception, the

enjoyed a meal in the box while engaging

WonderBox has challenged its audience to

in conversations unheard by the audience

think and has created dialogues between artists

watching from outside the glass.

and community members.

“The conversations were tough ones.

“Sometimes a place can be static. I wanted

They were about politics of the time, race

to bring the WonderBox in to disrupt that. Not in

immigration, food love community,” Goodine

a negative way but to mix it up. Let’s have some

said. “I made the topics important and

curiosity. Let’s wonder. Hence the branding of the WonderBox,” Goodine said.

Goodine and her artists began combining the displays with performative pieces, including a series curated by Goodine called Dinner in the Box. “We invited citizens in Farmville to have dinner with a student in my class. We researched

relevant to the issues that all of us are facing today.”

The resident sharing the dinner learned about the student’s personal story, their beliefs and points of view through conversation. “I think people were genuinely interested and that's a positive thing,” Goodine said.

the history of each citizen and invited them to

Goodine was surprised how well the

the box. The students made a delicious dinner

conversations were received. “I know one

for them according to their taste,” Goodine said.

citizen was so moved after one performance

“Each student had their own diverse history:

piece, he said he would have never believed

gay, immigrant, of color. I wanted to bring those

he would live long enough to see this in

histories forward to this place,” Goodine said.

Farmville,” Goodine said.

(Top) WonderBox artist Andrew Wells discusses his “Cultural Mansters” exhibit with a patron.

(Bottom) A crowd gathered to view the “Cultural Manters” display at its debut.

Dr. Bert Warren, DDS

Dr. Jason Hardee, DDS

Providing the community with essential and in-demand materials, programs, space, and services to inform, inspire, educate and entertain.

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Idea exchange Dinner in the Box also allowed for students to engage with the

and culture in Farmville.

“There were many conversations. The citizens were immensely

community one on one, Goodine said. They expanded the performance pieces to add a series known as “What you don’t know” to Farmville.

Students were paired with residents in an exchange of ideas and gifts of knowledge. “Citizens invited students to their homes for an

gracious to the students. The students had fears. It was a performance for them. They were on stage. For many of them it was the first time they had shown there work,” Goodine said.

The projects in some cases challenged the beliefs of the viewers.

afternoon for a conversation about their art and the citizen’s life work.

Hosts taught art students a variety of skills ranging from creating

“At one point in time, there was a very political installation, and I

flower displays to cooking breakfast, beekeeping, tap dancing, singing

had agreed to be inside the box as part of the performative piece. It

and more. In exchange students shared art techniques such as digital

was at this point that the discussion got very intense. I was unable to

animation on the computer.

intervene,” Goodine said.

“In some ways, it was a big breakdown of communication and

“I tried to find citizens whose voices may not have been heard from

community. In other ways, it was risky, challenging belief systems that

in years,” Goodine said.

While static, many of the WonderBox installations spoke volumes

weren't ready to be challenged.”

and included discourse on Southern socio-political issues, female

Art should not just be seen but heard, Goodine said.

empowerment and wage systems.

“Many lay people believe that art should be seen and not heard,

The installations allowed artists to express their individualized

but I think art can be all things at once for everyone. I believe all art is

journeys while highlighting fractures, discords, or cleavages that still

political. At the same time, I’m more or less interested in the middle

existed within society.

road. I’m interested in building bridges, finding intersections, and

Artists also used the space to educate citizens on cultures abroad

pursuing a meaningful dialogue,” Goodine said.

“ In some ways, it was a big breakdown of communication and community. In other ways, it was risky, challenging belief systems that weren’t ready to be challenged.”

- Linda Adell Goodine (Above) WonderBox artist Dana Smessaert discusses her exhibit “Tocka.”

(Right) WonderBox artist Epiphany Sandra Knedler discusses her exhibit, “Objects in Transparency,” to explore socio-political issues including economic inequalities of the South through material culture.

32

Artists prepared meals for local residents and shared them along with conversation during the Dinner in the Box performances.

Artistic energy The art itself then began to spill out of the WonderBox into neighboring display windows at Woodside Antiques. The chance to put on one of the monthly shows also lured artists out of the woodworks.

Andrew Wells, Goodine’s first graduate student, became well known to the Farmville community following his show “Cultural Mansters.”

His screen printed images filled the windows of Woodside Antiques beckoning attention while bringing socio-political issues to life. Each manster was a cartoon representation of issues such as water pollution, infant abandonment, greed and more.

Young artist Hazel Kate Hughes was 9-years-old when she showcased her work in the WonderBox. A unique drawing highlighted Farmville’s significance and characteristics. This piece was on display in the WonderBox while her parents, Betsy and Robert Hughes, performed in a nearby storefront windows.

On one side was Betsy, dressed in formal winter attire playing Christmas carols on violins, while Robert played an upbeat spring tune on the bass opposite his wife.

Artistic energy from the WonderBox dovetailed with work going on at the new East Carolina ArtSpace studios, sign and mural restorations completed by ECU students and work at the Glass Station.

“When you bring creative energy to a space its called creative placemaking. What we tried, in general, was to bring creative placemaking to Farmville,” Goodine said.

An Active Corporate Citizen For Over 30 Years

(Top) WonderBox artist Ella Goodine Richardson discusses her performative exhibit, “Mother Puce Chapter One: Rhymes for Fleas and Pests.”

(Bottom) WonderBox creator Linda Adele Goodine speaks during a reception for one of the displays.

EE

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Nailed together The artistic fires sparked the creation of the Golden Nail project.

business as a way to encourage shopping,

Residents donated an ounce of gold for

Goodine said. The nail was embedded in a

the project. Graduate student Michael Hunter

railroad tie along one of the tracks that carried

used it to fabricate a golden nail.

tobacco from the town.

Organizers hid the nail in a public space

Community members searched for days

in town and students created 11 different

to find the nail. “Whole groups of people who

sketches that offered clues about where the

didn't know each other got together and had

nail was hidden.

dinner parties to try and figure out where

“It was a memorial piece to my neighbor Bill Monk. I took the letter M and put it on the

the nail was. Moms and children spent their Sundays searching for it,” Goodine said.

map of Farmville. I drew Xs at the points of

More clues were distributed, resulting in a

wherever the M came together. Then flipped

miraculous find, she said. "When it was found

the M over on the other side. Where the two

there were two other groups of people who

points of the M came together, I hid the nail in

were within feet of it,” Goodine said.

Farmville,” Goodine said.

“We researched the whole history of A golden nail was hidden along a railroad track that once carried tobacco into Farmville as part of an interactive art project associated with the WonderBox. The Golden Nail project send dozens on a hunt throughout Farmville.

Maps were placed in various Farmville

Though Goodine has since retired from teaching, the WonderBox will continue.

Farmville. The history of farming, economics,

“There are a few students that want to

tobacco, building everything we could think of.

show in the WonderBox and I am inviting

We included all of those things in the drawings

them to show. Other artists have approached

and on the maps. It was a very layered and

me. I’m willing to be the curator. Right now it is

complicated project.”

alive and well,” Goodine said.

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“It’s nice in a small town knowing your patients. They are eager to take control of their health and well being. We think people in Farmville like to know their pharmacists on a personal level, Angell and I know there is a need for these services.”

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Plaza Auto CARES about service Plaza Auto Care owner Jeff James purchased Caraway Service Center in 2018.

B y D onna M arie Williams

38

Plaza Auto Care offers more than 100 years of combined experience in auto repair.

Some folks in Farmville have never had to pump their own gas... ...and they never will if J eff J a m es has anything to do with it.

James, the owner of Plaza Auto Care,

“I grew up at a service station. We always

purchased Caraway Service Center on May

pumped the gas and had full service. I thought

While the appearance changed, James

Boulevard in 2018 when it was believed to be

it was really neat they were still doing that,”

wanted the store’s full-service legacy to

Pitt County’s last full-service gas station.

James said, adding Karen is a Farmville native.

remain intact to serve the community in the

He and his wife, Karen, had been looking

“I know a bunch of people in Farmville and

for a location to offer a full-service gas sales in

I’ve met a lot more since I’ve been here. It’s just

Greenville when he learned about Carraway’s

a neat little town.”

along with new paint, floors and a sign.

manner to which it had grown accustomed.

“Some of the women in Farmville have never pumped gas because they have always

closing, he said. The shop was at a good

Renovations at the station began before

had access to full-service gas. There is a lot

location, he said, so they decided to pursue

Plaza Auto Care of Farmville opened its doors,

of women and men that don’t like to pump

the opportunity in Farmville.

with the store receiving a thorough cleaning

gas, especially if they are dressed up. It’s a real

39

(Top to bottom) Jeff James and his team gave Caraway Service Center a facelift before reopening it as Plaza Auto Care of Farmville.

A photo of Jeff James’ father, Jimmy, hangs alongside his his coveralls at the Greenville location.

Plaza Auto Care of Farmville operates as Pitt County’s last full-service gas station.

Will James, Buddy Prescott and Nick Godley evaluate an engine.

convenience the younger generation

He worked alongside his father for

doesn’t know anything about,” James

more than 30 years, 25 of which were

said, adding new technology associated

at Plaza Auto Care in Greenville. His

with self-service stations can add

father taught him the ins and outs and

difficulties for some customers.

provided him with the confidence to

“Some of the machines you go

succeed on his own.

to, you don’t know how to work them

“I knew I could do it. There was

especially if you are not into the

some fear there to start with, but I

computerized version.”

knew I could do it. I just had to work

The station offers both gas and

hard as my dad did. He worked the

diesel fuel, and a tech will clean the

wrecker and the store. He worked

windshield and check oil and tires.

night and day,” said James, adding his

“You don’t have to get out of your car,” Jeff said.

mother, Jean, worked alongside his dad.

The store also expanded services

James closed the business after his

and offers LP gas along with roadside

father died in 2007, but reopened it

service

four years later in hopes of building it

and

is

an

N.C.

Official

Inspection station.

up for his children.

“We can help you if you lock your

“I am just trying to build on what

keys in the car or if you need a jump

my daddy left me. I want to leave my

start,” Jeff said.

kids something,” James said.

The shop also offers maintenance

The business now spans three

and repairs including tire service, oil

generations, with James' son, Will,

changes, brakes, batteries, alternators,

following in his footsteps.

starters and more.

“He’s really come a long way. He

“Our tire prices are very competitive

started with me nine years ago. There

because we buy from the same

isn’t too much I can’t bring to him that

warehouse everybody in Pitt County

he can’t figure out,” James said.

does,” Jeff said, adding tire delivery

Between

the

Greenville

and

includes same day and next day

Farmville

options.

Care offers more than 100 years of

locations,

Plaza

Auto

combined experience in auto repair Family Tradition James

knows

about

and maintenance. The shops work as car

care

because he grew up in the business, following in the footsteps of his father, Jimmy.

40

a collective to ensure the best quality and affordable service, James said.

His brother, Jackie, also worked under their father before branching

out himself and establishing University Auto Care on East Fifth Street in Greenville across from East Carolina University.

“Nobody knows how to do it all. I may have a problem that I can call my son or my guys in Greenville and they have run into it before. They can say try this.

Working together and putting your heads together it helps out,” he said.

“There is no shop that can fix everything. I will tell anybody, if I can’t fix it then I probably know someone who can. There’s not too much we can’t do between the guys I got. They are excellent.”

The right path Honesty between technicians and customers a top priority, he said. They won't charge customers $100 just to find out why their check engine light is on, he said.

Personal struggles underpin James' integrity, he said. He is celebrating 10 years of sobriety.

“I do it just one day at a time. I’m proud of it, but it isn’t me — it’s God. He showed me another way to live and I like it,” Jeff said.

While the appearance changed, James wanted the store’s full-service legacy to remain intact to serve the community in the manner to which it had grown accustomed.

3728 N MAIN ST, FARMVILLE

CALL (252) 228-8101

41

Plaza Auto Care of Farmville technician Tony Mozingo works to fix a truck. The Plaza Auto Care of Greenville team includes Nick Godley, Buddy Prescott, Karen James, Will James and Thurman Williams, from left.

He began experimenting with drugs and

longtime owner of the Farmville shop. “He

alcohol when he was young, and addiction got

knew all the customers and introduced me

the better of him. The road to recovery was

and helped me get it started,” James said.

tough but well worth it, he said.

“I couldn’t have done it without my wife.

She’s a big part of it,” he said.

He also adjusted his work schedule spending more time at the Farmville location, while Karen managed the Greenville store.

“Anybody can do it if they want to do it.

“When we first started, I wasn’t here a lot.

You have to ask the man upstairs for help. But

I found that this year being here has made a

you have to want it.”

big difference. I was running back and forth

He received help from Ronald Carraway,

making three to four trips and it was wearing

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me out.”

Through his journey, James holds on to the legacy of his father and strives to be like him, he said “I don’t know if I will ever be the man he was but if I can be even close to what he was, I’d accomplish a whole lot. He was all about the family,” Jeff said.

“I think he’s looking down. He’s proud, both him and Mom.”

Goals for growth James believes his father’s memory lives on in his work, and while his father did not live long enough to see him straight, his mother did.

“He didn’t see me sober at the end, but Mom did, and I felt good about that. I do things in memory of him and my mom,” James said.

In the future, Jeff has big plans for Plaza Auto Care in Farmville and wants to expand the facility form its existing two bays.

“As it grows I will probably build a metal building with three to four bays. I got some other plans to expand,” James said.

“I have even thought about doing the whole place and offering both kinds of gas — full and self-service.”

To do this, the existing building would need to be torn down and the layout redesigned, he added.

James' dream of opening a full-service station in Greenville also remains relevant, and he is continuing his search for the perfect location.

He also wants to help others who are struggling or have struggled with addiction by sharing his story, he said.

James is unsure if his 16-year old son, Jason, will follow in his footsteps, but the choice belongs to Jason, he said.

A unique feature of Plaza Auto Care of Farmville is that it operates as a full service station where employees like Rusty Weaver pump gas.

SERVICE WITH A SMILE

Plaza Auto Care of Farmville, 6159 May Blvd., is open 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 252-753-2077.

“I haven’t forced it,” he said.

Plaza Auto Care of Greenville, 624 Greenville

James also has a daughter, Jessica, and is the proud Pop to one

Blvd., is open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

granddaughter.

“I plan on working a few more years and then turn it over to my kids.”

Monday

through Friday. Call 252-364-8102.

Walk-ins are welcome at both locations.

43

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2020 WAS A NEW YEAR THAT BEGAN THE SAME WAY AS NEW YEARS HAVE BEGUN. Celebratory fireworks exploding to mark the passing of another year, gatherings of families and friends to enjoy traditional New Year’s Day collard greens and black eyed peas for luck and prosperity. Then we learned of a novel virus that was infecting the world, and in March 2020 it came to our town. COVID-19 became very real to our community and it became a factor in every decision that was made in the way the Town of Farmville conducted business.

When it was evident that COVID-19 was an alarming problem, Town Manager David Hodgkins met with the department heads to determine any areas of special concerns

John Moore

and to decide how to best operate within the guidelines and recommendations set forth by the CDC as well as by county, state and federal officials. Closing our Town Hall to the public was the first decision made to protect the employees who worked to keep services available to our citizens. This also led to the closing of the DMV office housed within Town Hall. The drive up window was utilized so our citizens were still able to complete business with the town. We knew keeping some sense of normalcy would be important for our citizens, especially since we had no way of knowing how long we would be dealing with COVID-19. Our employees continued their

Through pandemic, We have remained One Farmville

daily routines with a constant awareness of their personal safety, as well as that of others.

COVID-19 took some control out of our hands. Gov. Roy Cooper's order allowing utility customers to postpone payments and requiring towns to waive penalties created financial hardships for municipalities large and small. Farmville was not exempt from this hardship. A payment plan was

(continued on p. 49)

47

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(continued from p. 47)

Easter came a month into the shutdown.

came to Farmville early on to view possible

established for our customers, each handled

Church buildings were still closed, but

sites. Later, with the help of Commissioner

on an individual basis, to address this situation

congregations wanted to worship. They

Beth Ward, Farmville was approved for a

once the executive order expired on July 29.

needed to gather in worship. So outdoor

temporary COVID-19 testing site, which

worship

throughout

was conveniently located at the Farmville

Churches were closed. Schools were closed.

the town. Members of the Board of

Community Center. A total of 351 tests were

Restaurants, entertainment venues and bars

Commissioners organized an Easter parade

administered at this site over a five-week

were closed. Salons and barber shops were

that caravanned through town. This sparked

period, with one week being canceled due to

closed. Gyms were closed. Libraries were

many mini-parades celebrating birthdays

Hurricane Isaias.

closed. Recreational activities were halted

COVID-19

Annie

I have often said coming in as a new

because our parks and playgrounds were

Gurganus’ 101st birthday on Aug. 26, 2020.

mayor that I was prepared for a hurricane,

ordered to close. Everything was closed. Face

Horns honked, people waved and shared

tornado, flood, snowstorm, ice storm or wind

coverings, social distancing, hand sanitizer

the joy of life even in the midst of a global

storm, but I wasn’t prepared for a pandemic.

and hand washing were the main order of

health crisis. Again, we were “One Farmville”

Looking back, I can see that with a newly

business. We learned of “essential” jobs

in helping many celebrate special days in a

revised emergency plan in place, we, as a

and employees. Jobs were lost. Nerves were

new way.

town, were totally prepared for a pandemic.

Life as we knew it ceased to exist.

frayed. People were going hungry. And this is where “One Farmville” stepped up.

The Town of Farmville witnessed the love of community at the hands of regular citizens. Lines were erased when the suffering of others became evident. Apostle Aaron McNair and business owner Jay Johnson teamed up to sponsor a food drive. Audrey Vines brought awareness to individual needs; food and clothing were generously donated by citizens to fill these needs. Our recreation department joined the library with offering virtual games and reading sessions. When it was announced that schools would be closed, Chief Donnie Greene and Isaiah LubbenMcRoy went to work on ideas and plans to keep our kids busy and safe. So many did so much to help make this unique time in the history of our town more bearable.

services

style,

happened

most

notably

“

I can see

The right people in the right place at the right time made our plans work seamlessly. Our employees have stepped up to make things work. Our citizens have been extremely cooperative. The outside support I’ve received from Winterville Commissioner Tony Moore,

that with a

Pitt County Commissioner Beth Ward, N.C.

newly revised

has been valuable. As I am writing this, I am

emergency plan in place, we, as a town, were

Sen. Don Davis and U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis making preparations for a meeting in our town hall with Congressman Greg Murphy.

We will be discussing our needs and how to best move forward.

Throughout this whole ordeal, there has been one constant. Our Town Manager

totally prepared

David Hodgkins has worked tirelessly under

for a pandemic.

hour days were not unusual for David. I

unbelievable pressure. Fifteen to eighteen believe his experience, knowledge and level-

The day came that restaurants were once

headed approach to difficult situations have

again open for business, but only for carry-

made a difference in the way Farmville has

out service. Chief Greene and members of the Board of Commissioners worked to designate three clearly marked parking spaces in front of each of the downtown restaurants. These dedicated spaces were helpful with the flow of traffic of customers eager for someone else’s cooking.

COVID-19 struck fear in the hearts of many. As soon as it was announced that satellite testing sites were available, we made a request of the Pitt County Board of Commissioners to establish a testing site in Farmville. Commissioner Lauren White

made it through the pandemic. It has been an honor and a pleasure to work with him through this mess. Under his guidance, his team kept Farmville safe, well-informed and moving forward as One Farmville.

John Moore is Farmville's mayor and was a longtime member of the board of commissioners.

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