Images Kinston-Lenoir County, NC: 2012

2012 | imageskinston.com ÂŽ

kinston-lenoir county, north carolina

GOOD TO THE LAST CROP Farm-to-fork restaurant becomes destination

GREAT LIVING Martha Stewart’s brand brings jobs

Fishing for Compliments Good recreation options are abundant

sponsored by the Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce

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Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites 1156 Hill Farm Rd. • Kinston, NC 28504 • (252) 559-8888 • (252) 559-6588 fax www.hiexpress.com/kinstonnc

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Kinston - Lenoir Cou nt y, North Carolina editorial Project Manager mitch Kline content director lisa battles Proofreading Manager Raven Petty Content Coordinator Jessica Walker Staff Writer Kevin Litwin Copy Editor Jill Wyatt Contributing writers Barbara Biehler, Rebecca Denton, Karen Schwartzman Senior Graphic Designers Laura Gallagher, Jessica Manner, Janine Maryland, Kris Sexton, Vikki Williams Graphic Designers Rachael Gerringer, Taylor nunley Senior Photographers Jeff Adkins, Brian McCord Staff Photographers Todd Bennett, Antony Boshier color imaging technician Alison Hunter executive integrated media manager suzi mcgruder Ad Production Manager Katie Middendorf Ad Traffic Assistants Krystin Lemmon, Patricia Moisan Chairman Greg Thurman President/Publisher Bob Schwartzman Executive Vice President Ray Langen Senior V.P./Sales Todd Potter Senior V.P./Operations Casey Hester Senior V.P./Client Development Jeff Heefner Senior V.P./business Development Scott Templeton senior V.P./agribusiness Publishing Kim HOlmberg V.P./business development charles fitzgibbon V.p./External Communications Teree Caruthers V.P./Visual Content Mark Forester V.P./Content Operations Natasha Lorens v.p./Travel publishing Susan Chappell V.P./Sales Herb Harper, Jarek Swekosky Controller Chris Dudley senior accountant lisa owens accounts payable coordinator maria mcfarland accounts receivable coordinator diana guzman office manager/accounts receivable coordinator shelly miller sales support coordinator alex marks i.t. director yancey bond system administrator daniel cantrell web content manager john hood Web project manager noy fongnaly Web designer II Richard stevens

Photos & Videos Visually explore Kinston-Lenoir County in our online photo and video galleries

Web developer i Yamel Hall, nels noseworthy Web Account Manager Lauren Eubank

2012 | ImAGESKINSTON.COm ®

photography director jeffrey s. otto Media Technology Director Christina Carden Media Technology Analysts becca ary, Chandra Bradshaw, lance Conzett audience development director deanna nelson

KINSTON-LENOIR COuNTy, NORTH CAROLINA

marketing creative director keith harris Distribution Director Gary Smith Executive Secretary Kristy Duncan Human Resources Manager Peggy Blake GOOD TO THE LAST CROP

Receptionist Linda Bishop

Farm-to-fork restaurant becomes destination

GREAT LIVING Martha Stewart’s brand brings jobs

Facts Get the most up-to-date info on cost of living, top employers, schools, population demographics and more

Living here Learn the basics about local neighborhoods, schools and health care providers

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Fishing for Compliments Good recreation options are abundant

SPONSORED by THE KINSTON-LENOIR COuNTy CHAmbER OF COmmERCE

Digital magazine Flip through the pages of this magazine and easily share articles using Facebook, Twitter or email.

Images Kinston-Lenoir County is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce and its member businesses.

For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by email at info@jnlcom.com.

For more information, contact: Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce 301 N. Queen St. • Kinston, NC 28501 Phone: (252) 527-1131 • Fax: (252) 527-1914 www.kinstonchamber.com Visit Images Kinston-Lenoir County online at imageskinston.com ©Copyright 2011 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved.

No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent.

Member

The Association of Magazine Media Member

Custom Content Council

Member Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce

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th anniversary issue

2012 edition | volume 5 ®

Kinston-Lenoir County, North Carolina co nte nt s F e atu r e s

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6 Good to the Last Crop Farm-to-fork restaurant becomes destination

10 Great Living Martha Stewart’s brand brings jobs

24 Fishing for Compliments Good recreation options are abundant

d e pa r tm e nt s 4 Almanac 14 Biz Briefs 16 Chamber Report 17 Economic Profile 18 Image Gallery 20 Local Flavor 22 Arts & Culture 26 Health & Wellness 28 Education 31 Community Profile 32 Through the Lens

on the cover Photo by Jeffrey S. Otto Science and nature campers explore Neuseway Nature Center’s 55 acres along the Neuse River.

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All or part of this magazine is printed with soy ink on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.

Please recycle this magazine

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Almanac

Welcome to Kinston- Lenoir County An introduction to the area’s people, places and events

Park It Located along the Neuse River, Neuseway Park is a beautiful place to set up camp. Campers can enjoy a variety of amenities at this full hook-up campground, including hot showers, fire rings and picnic tables.

The 55-acre area offers 14 sites with 50-, 30- and 20-amp services that can be rented for $10 per night, as well as tent sites without hook-ups that are available for $6 per night. Campers seeking a more authentic experience can stay in a replicated Indian tepee, made of canvas, which can be rented for $25 per night.

Artfully Historic Located in the historic Commodore Barrow House, the La Grange Arts Center is home to exhibits, craft shows and art classes. The structure, built circa 1905, was the first brick home in La Grange and still includes many of its original architectural details, such as a “grained” staircase.

In addition to exhibit space, the center includes a studio for classes, as well as a clay room and kiln.

Offering free admission, the center is open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays and on Tuesdays for classes. The La Grange area is also known for its charming, historic houses, which are scattered throughout the town.

Photo Courtesy of Laura Sylvester

BBQ for All

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What began as the Hog Happenin’ in the 1970s has grown into a festival that features the largest barbecue cook off in the state: BBQ Festival on the Neuse. The event, which takes place in downtown Kinston, is sponsored by the Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce. It features artistic displays, custom cars, fireworks and, of course, plenty of barbecue. Festival-goers can also enjoy live music at the event, with acts such as The Embers and Hip Pocket Band taking the stage in previous years. To learn more, visit www.bbqfestivalontheneuse.com.

Fore!

n Kinston won an All-America City award in 2009.

The National Civic League gives the awards to recognize communities that work to advance citizen democracy and good government.

The Kinston Country Club provides members a par-71, 18-hole, championship golf course, which was designed by Ellis Maples in 1924. This private club also offers chipping and putting practice areas, as well as a tree-lined driving range.

In addition, members can enjoy tournaments, inter-club matches and other social, golf-related activities, as well as professional instruction and clinics. Those interested in stocking up on equipment and apparel can take advantage of the club’s pro shop, which also provides club fitting and repair services. Learn more at www.kinstoncc.com.

n Kinston Drag Strip is a quarter-mile International Hot Rod Associationsanctioned drag strip that opened in 1960. n Besides Kinston, the incorporated cities in Lenoir County include La Grange and Pink Hill.

Kinston-Lenoir County At A Glance Population (2010 Estimate) Kinston: 21,677 Lenoir County: 59,495 Location The county seat of Lenoir County, Kinston is located in east-central North Carolina, approximately 75 miles east of Raleigh, the state capital.

For More Information Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce 301 N. Queen St. Kinston, NC 28501 Phone: (252) 527-1131 Fax: (252) 527-1914 www.kinstonchamber.com

Beginnings The community of Kingston was established in 1759 and named for King George III of England. The “g” was dropped from the name in 1794 after the American Revolution.

Kinston was incorporated in 1826.

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n Home to Spirit AeroSystems’ 500,000-square-foot facility, the North Carolina Global TransPark is a 2,400acre industrial/ airport site near Kinston, featuring one of the longest runways on the Eastern Seaboard.

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Fast Facts

La Grange

LENOIR

Kinston

n The Neuseway Planetarium, Health and Science Museum are located in the Neuseway Nature Park, which also offers opportunities for bird-watching.

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What’s Online Take a virtual tour of Kinston-Lenoir County, courtesy of our award-winning photographers, at imageskinston.com.

Pink Hill

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Good to the Last Crop Farm-to-fork restaurant becomes destination

Story By Kevin Litwin Photography By Jeffrey S. Otto

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he owners of Chef & the Farmer restaurant in Kinston spent a whopping $120,000 on food purchased from local farmers in 2010.

Since opening more than five years ago, owners Ben Knight and Vivian Howard say their 66-seat restaurant in the Kinston downtown district has become a dining destination for a number of reasons. The married couple admits that one of the biggest factors is their farm-to-fork philosophy, buying as much food as possible from local farmers to keep money in Kinston-Lenoir County.

“We buy produce primarily from three farms in the area – Warren Brothers Farm, Putnam Family Farms and Scott Farm Organics – and our chicken and pork comes from Rainbow Meadow Farms in Snow Hill, and a lot of our beef comes from Nooherooka Natural in Snow Hill,” says Knight, who manages Chef & the Farmer while Howard serves as executive chef.

79 of 100 Dollars Knight says the restaurant’s menu changes often depending on what is available from the local farms, which keeps the menu fresh in both quality and variety.

“We have actually become a tourist attraction, with approximately 80 percent of our evening diners traveling at least 30 miles to get to us,” he says. “People in Kinston have really spread the word during the five years we’ve been open. I think the residents here appreciate how we give back to the community by helping local farmers.”

Knight is also proud to point out a recent Seattle-based study stating that 79 of every 100 dollars spent at farm-to-fork restaurants remain in the community, compared to about 50 of every 100 dollars spent at conventional eateries.

“I’d also like to mention that we

The Chef & the Farmer restaurant highlights the region’s culinary traditions and uses local sources of ingredients, such as the molasses-glazed salmon, country-style pole beans, and marinated cucumber and tomatoes (left).

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are a AAA Four Diamond restaurant, of which there are only about 12 such restaurants in all of North Carolina with that distinction,” he says.

Smoked Corn Relish As for Vivian Howard, she got her culinary training in New York and cooked at several fine Manhattan restaurants, but she and Knight ultimately moved to Kinston in the mid-2000s because she is originally from the area.

“Our menu is vegetable heavy with a lot of flavor, and I would describe the type of food we prepare as being nouveau Southern,” she says. “One example of my entrees is a pan-roasted red grouper with fried green tomatoes, grilled eggplant puree and a smoked corn relish. Another dinner item is a ribeye steak with chimichurri marinade and grilled summer vegetables. The restaurant uses the local ingredients that are cooked in ways where I can utilize some of my training techniques.”

Even a Wine Store Chef & the Farmer is a dinner-only restaurant, opening at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Knight says the couple strives to provide a modern atmosphere and experience while highlighting the rich culture of North Carolina’s Coastal Plain.

“Our whole operation is housed in a converted 100-year-old mule stable, so we describe the restaurant’s ambience as both rustic and modern,” he says. “The kitchen staff also puts up preserves, pickles and jellies, and we opened a wine store. Customers are pleasantly surprised when they visit us in downtown Kinston.”

Clockwise from top left: Fried green tomatoes with fire-roasted corn salad and a smoked corn aioli; The restaurant owners opened a highend wine and beer store next door; Warren Brothers on his farm in La Grange, where most of the restaurant’s produce comes from; Chef & the Farmer is housed in a converted 100-year-old mule stable.

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Ag Director Wins Pinnacle Award All hail, Tammy Kelly.

The director of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s Lenoir County Center is also the 2011 winner of the Pinnacle of Achievement, an award presented by the Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce.

The annual award recognizes a top woman business professional in the community.

Kelly was caught by surprise when it was announced at a Rotary Club meeting that she’d won the award.

“I said, ‘What? Why me?’” Kelly recalled.

“It was very nice to be recognized.”

Among the many reasons why Kelly was honored was her role in helping to revitalize the Lenoir County Farmer’s Market. The market has been around since 1979 but had reached a level of disinterest in recent times, so in 2010 Kelly formed an advisory board of farmers and community members to plan ways to make the market vital again.

“The market is right across the street from Chef & the Farmer, the farm-to-fork restaurant whose owner Ben Knight was on the advisory board,” Kelly says. “Ben really encouraged vendors to return to the market once again, and things began to snowball from there.”

900 Visitors Today, Lenoir County Farmer’s Market is open every Tuesday and Saturday, with 18 to 20 vendors in attendance.

“We counted 900 people visiting the market one Saturday in June 2011, compared to a typical attendance of 75 or so during the slower years,” Kelly says. “We also have a full-time market manager now on-site – Pat Jenkins – who takes care of any issues that pop up.”

Meanwhile, Kelly wants to point out that the Lenoir County Cooperative Extension is also involved with a Lenoir County Children’s Garden, which is managed by Coop Extension horticulturalist Peg Dodwin along with a community group called Master Gardeners.

Children plant and harvest on a small plot of county-owned land on East Lincoln Street in Kinston as part of an agricultural learning experience.

“As for myself, I’m still involved in a lot of activities, many of which are connected to Lenoir County agriculture,” Kelly says.

“Agriculture accounts for 26 percent of the Lenoir County economy, so it’s a big part of what this community is all about.”

– Kevin Litwin

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Jeffrey S. OTTO

Photo Courtesy of Ron Cullison

GREAT

Living Martha Stewart line secures new manufacturing jobs in Kinston

Story By Barbara Biehler

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nking a deal to produce a line of premium cabinets for Martha Stewart Living has allowed MasterBrand Cabinets to more than double its previous workforce, bringing hundreds of new jobs and a much-needed economic boost to Lenoir County.

MasterBrand, the Kinston manufacturer known for producing the Aristokraft cabinetry line, now builds a fashionable line of Martha Stewart Living Kitchen Cabinets sold exclusively in The Home Depot, the world’s largest chain of home improvement stores.

Since manufacturing is

the second-largest industry in Lenoir County, behind health care and social assistance, adding approximately 350 new employees to the MasterBrand workforce not only supports the industry, but boosts the local economy by bringing revenue to other Lenoir County businesses that support the factory workers.

A High-Profile Lenoir County Visit This economic boost was emphasized by the lifestyle diva herself, when Martha Stewart toured the MasterBrand Cabinet facility. While the deal to produce

cabinets for Martha Stewart Living was clouded in secrecy until the line was unveiled in September 2010, Martha Stewart traveled to Kinston in early 2011, along with designer Kevin Starkey, to see how the cabinets were produced and to meet some of the experienced craftsmen who help build her signature line.

“It was great to see for myself that the products are of the high quality our customers expect from us and I am happy with what I saw,” Stewart revealed on her blog.

“I was also very glad to have the opportunity to thank the skilled

Martha Stewart at the MasterBrand Cabinet facility in early 2011

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Wilbur King, owner of King’s Restaurant, holds a picture of Martha Stewart enjoying his barbecue on a private jet after her stop in Kinston. Right: Stewart traveled to the MasterBrand Cabinet warehouse in Kinston to meet the craftsmen who build her signature line.

men and women at MasterBrand who make these beautiful, innovative and practical cabinets.”

While Stewart’s high-profile visit to the MasterBrand facility brought plenty of attention to Kinston, Ron Cullison, general manager of the plant, was happy to note that the visit was not about the domestic guru.

“She wanted it to be about her product,” Cullison said, as reported by the Kinston Free Press. “She wanted it to be about the jobs 12

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we created; she wanted it to be about MasterBrand.”

Stewart Tours Other Kinston Businesses Stewart also made time to visit a number of businesses before leaving Kinston, all of them just minutes away from the MasterBrand facility.

On their way to the airport, Stewart and her designer Kevin Starkey stopped at Piggly Wiggly grocery store on U.S. Highway 70 East to buy

some unique Mr. Pig T-shirts, then picked up some local cuisine next door at King’s Restaurant, which also ships its signature barbecue throughout the continental U.S. Stewart and Starkey’s next stop led them to Mother Earth Brewing, after they noticed solar panels on the building’s rooftop while driving through town. Impressed by the company’s use of green technology to produce their signature selections, Stewart and Starkey also

Photo Courtesy of Ron Cullison Jeffrey S. OTTO

enjoyed touring the facility and seeing the striking commissioned artwork the company uses for the labels on their beer bottles.

Their final stop was Parrott Brothers Farm & Garden, a merchandiser established for years in the Kinston community. Seeds, vegetable-planting guides, garden tools, farm-themed toys and penny candy are among the many things Stewart and Starkey found in this one-of-a-kind store.

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Business

Biz Briefs Businesses – both large and small – that help define kinston-lenoir county’s economic climate

Scorecard Business At A Glance

$843 million Annual retail sales

$14,876 Photo Courtesy of Craig Morrisette, CSM Photography, inc.

Retail sales per capita

$70 million Annual hotel and food sales

3,889 Total number of firms Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR RICK HOLDER HARVEY GROUP FERTILIZER Biz: Farm supplies Buzz: Harvey Group Fertilizer president Rick Holder was named the 2010 Citizen of the Year by the Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce. Recognized for his significant contributions to the community, including his help bringing Spirit AeroSystems to the county and support of the Golden L.E.A.F. Foundation, Holder now joins the ranks of other prestigious community members recognized annually since 1963.

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AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR LYNDON FULLER

Biz: Nonprofit Buzz: Lyndon Fuller was named the Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce’s 2010 Ambassador of the Year. Recipients are described as representatives of the chamber who help to build and maintain its membership base, and Fuller was recognized for his enthusiasm, leadership of the Hug Patrol and work promoting the chamber.

WEST PHARMACEUTICALS Biz: Pharmaceutical manufacturer Buzz: Founded in Philadelphia in 1923, West Pharmaceuticals is a manufacturer of pharmaceutical packaging and delivery systems. The company is headquartered in Pennsylvania, but operates a plant in Kinston. The variety of products manufactured infusion and IV system components, pre-fillable syringes, cartridge components and large- and small-volume parenterals. www.westpharma.com

TRAVELING AND BEYOND Biz: Travel agency Buzz: Traveling is made easy in Kinston-Lenoir County thanks to Traveling and Beyond, a travel agency dedicated to getting residents to their destinations of choice. Agent Melanie Smith was recognized as a 2010 Certified Travel Associate and 2011 Travel Industry Executive, and assists in coordinating and organizing business travel needs. www.travelingandbeyond.com

We carry over 600,000 custom, imprinted promotional items and serve over 450 customers throughout the United States.

Customer Appreciation Items • Golf & Sports Promotions Wedding/Party Invitations & Gifts • School Uniforms Employee Incentives & Gifts • Corporate Event Ideas

(252) 526-9862 • www.coastal-connections.com

A Ribbon of Green Runs Through Every Aspect of Mother Earth Brewing

FOSS RECYCLING Biz: Scrap metal recycler Buzz: As one of the leading scrap metal recyclers and brokers on the East Coast, Foss Recycling operates five centers throughout North Carolina, including one in La Grange. The business was established in 1982, and in addition to buying and recycling all types of metals, Foss Recycling also offers a range of hauling services for fast, efficient service. www.fossrecycling.com

Lenoir Committee of 100 Inc.

FIND US ON

www.kinstonchamber.com/C-100-kinston-on-the-way

Add us to the list of things you rely on every day!

ConstruCtion Mro speCialty trade

“Come Relax in Our Peaceful Tap Room and Beer Gardens!

Please visit our online store @ www.motherearthbrewing.com

(252) 527-8077 www.nesrentals.com

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Business

Chamber Report Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber turns 100

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he Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce looks pretty good for 100 years old.

The 700-member chamber that was formally established in October 1911 is spending all of 2011 celebrating its 100th anniversary, culminating with the sinking of a time capsule in early 2012.

Memorabilia items are being collected and photographed. The items themselves will be on display in November at the county’s Arts Center.

The photos will be placed in the capsule, which will go under ground at the new Centennial Corner park in Kinston.

“Centennial Corner will be at the intersection of Heritage and King streets and will feature a seating area, crepe myrtles, flowers and a brick walkway,” Chamber President Laura Lee Sylvester said before Centennial Corner’s dedication in October. “People can sponsor the walkway bricks, engraved with the names of individuals and businesses that have made Kinston what it is today.”

As for the chamber, Sylvester says it has been a vital part of the community during its first 100 years.

“For example, the chamber took part in many of the original infrastructure decisions for the main roads, railroad lines and street projects,” she says.

“Hats off to those businesses and individuals who took an active interest in our organization, and there are generations of people, families and businesses still active in the chamber today.”

Ways that the chamber is celebrating its anniversary in 2011 include the introduction of

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a new logo, a BBQ Festival on the Neuse, a Living the Good Life in Eastern North Carolina Expo and the Centennial Corner Oct. 31 party. The chamber’s annual membership banquet in January 2012 will also look back at the year.

“In addition, the chamber will post a 100-year timeline of Kinston-Lenoir County on our www.kinstonchamber.com website, beginning in September,” says Jan Barwick, chamber director of events and programs.

Young Professionals The chamber would also like to point out that their Young Professionals of Lenoir County networking group is seeking new members.

The YPLC is open to anyone ages 21 to 39 looking to enhance their professional development, community outreach and social networking.

Several exclusive events and programs are offered throughout the year. Membership is $50 for chamber member employees and $75 for non-members. Call Laura Lee Sylvester at (252) 527-1131.

– Kevin Litwin

Visit the Kinston-Lenoir Chamber of Commerce website to see a 100-year timeline of the chamber. www.kinstonchamber.com

economic profile business climate Since 2007, the Lenoir County Economic Development Department has announced more than 4,000 new local jobs and more than $984.7 million in new investments. Whether it’s new companies or expanding current businesses, Lenoir County is definitely “on the way.”

MAJOR employers Caswell Center 1,634 employees Lenoir County Public Schools 1,310 employees

SALES & USE TAX RATE

education

5.5%

26%

State

Associate Degree

2.25%

11%

Lenoir Memorial Hospital 1,200 employees

Local

Bachelor’s Degree

Electrolux Home Products 793 employees

income

5%

Associated Materials, Inc. 572 employees Lenoir County 541 employees Lenoir Community College 520 employees Hillco LTD 412 employees Wal-Mart 370 employees

$22,462

Graduate Degree

Per Capita Income

ECONOMIC RESOURCES

$42,883

Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce 301 N. Queen St. Kinston, NC 28501 (252) 527-1131 www.kinstonchamber.com

Average Annual Household Expenditure

TRANSPORTATION

City of Kinston 365 employees AIRPORTS:

73% White-Collar Jobs

27% Blue-Collar Jobs

Kinston Regional Jetport (252) 522-4929 www.jetkinston.com Raleigh-Durham International Airport (919) 840-0175 www.rdu.com

Restaurants Shopping Sightseeing Concerts

Your Source for Downtown Information

327 N. Queen St. • Kinston, NC • (252) 522-4676

www.downtownkinston.com

www.thetotalexperiencekinston.com

Workforce

Lenoir County Economic Development Department 101 N. Queen St., 2nd Floor PO Box 897 Kinston, NC 28502 (252) 527-1963 www.lenoiredc.com

The Total Experience Salon & Spa

• Salon Services • Body Treatments • Massage Therapy • Waxing • Manicures/Pedicures

408 Heritage St. Kinston, NC

252.527.8515 i m ag e sk i n s t o n . c o m

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Image Gallery

Epoch by Andy Anyardo at the Community Council for the Arts Photo by Jeffrey S. Otto

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The Queen Street United Methodist Church in Kinston, NC. Photo by Todd Bennett

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Local Flavor

Southern Comfort Food Restaurants with home cooking are plentiful

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illion dollar biscuits? That’s what Byrd’s restaurant is known for, and people from as far away as Apex, Garner, Goldsboro and Raleigh stop at the landmark Kinston eatery on their way to the Atlantic Ocean beaches.

“We were named one of the best breakfast spots in North Carolina in 2011 by Our State magazine, and that recognition has been bringing us customers from many different cities and towns,” says C.J. Jarrell, owner of Byrd’s, which first opened in 1977. “Yes, our biscuits are amazing. Our biscuit makers are Mary Alice Jones and Cynthia Bingham who arrive here at 4 a.m. every day to make them from scratch.”

Jarrell says all food prepared at Byrd’s is fresh.

“We’re just a tiny, nondescript

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restaurant on Highway 58 South across from Lenoir Community College, and we serve breakfast and lunch every Monday through Saturday,” she says. “Come see us if you’re in the neighborhood.”

Try the Baked Chicken Byrd’s is just one of many interesting dining spots in Kinston-Lenoir County that offer customers home-cooked favorites. Another popular destination that has been around even longer than Byrd’s is Smith’s Cafe, which first opened in 1942 as a combination grocery store and small diner.

Third-generation family member George Smith is the current owner and chef.

“Probably our most popular dish is the baked chicken, which

some people call roasted chicken, and I use a mix of special ingredients that draws customers from miles around,” Smith says.

“In fact, I don’t have a website or Facebook page but have customers from as far away as Louisiana and Mississippi who stopped in for the baked chicken.”

Smith’s Cafe has six employees and is open from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Monday through Saturday.

“Home cooking is the best cooking there is, and we’ve been cooking here a long time,” Smith says. “I’m also getting ready to remodel the place, which will make the atmosphere even that much nicer.”

Better Than Grandma’s Other top dining spots in Kinston include Christopher’s,

Photos by Jeffrey S. OTTO

Smith’s Cafe has been serving home cooking since 1942. Left: Fried chicken served with greens, sweet potatoes, mac and cheese, and banana pudding at Popp’s Place

King’s Restaurant, Kinstonian Family Restaurant and Lovick’s Café. One of the newest places in town is Popp’s Place, which is across from Vernon Park Mall.

“We have already built up a reputation for our secret sauce ribs and spaghetti casserole, even though we just opened in April 2011,” says Sherrie Christian, owner of Popp’s Place with her husband, Joel.

Popp’s is open Tuesday through Saturday for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Sundays for lunch and dinner.

“All the ingredients on our menu are fresh, and all breads and desserts are made from scratch,” Christian says. “Our food is just like Grandma used to make, and maybe even a bit better.”

– Kevin Litwin

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Todd Bennett

Arts & Culture

photo by Jeffrey S. OTTO

From left: Grainger-Hill Performing Arts Center; The remains of the CSS Neuse

Culturally Cultivated in Kinston Residents can enjoy various art forms throughout the city

H

ome to a rich Civil War history, bluegrass music, public art and more, Kinston’s cultural scene offers a wide, diverse range of attractions.

Living History Civil War history comes to life in Kinston and Lenoir County, where the first Battle of Kinston took place in 1862. Two years later, the crew of the Confederate ironclad CSS Neuse set fire to their vessel to cover their retreat following the 1865 Battle of Wyse Fork (also called the second Battle of Kinston). The battlefields today look much like they did then, and the burned-out remains of the CSS Neuse are on display.

In 2012, the opening of the CSS Neuse Interpretive Center will position Kinston as the most comprehensive resource for Civil War exploration and education in North Carolina. Visitors will be able to view the largest collection of Civil War naval artifacts,

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including the remains of the CSS Neuse. Just a short distance from the Interpretive Center is a full-scale replica of the gunboat, dubbed the CSS Neuse II. The visitor center, located on the battlefield, makes a good starting point for an area history tour. Here, visitors can pick up a brochure to guide them on a 12-stop Civil War driving tour, and serious Civil War buffs can purchase a set of maps that trace troop movements for the battles that took place in the region. Audio CD tours are available, and 10 North Carolina Civil War Trail markers highlight significant sites.

Looking for Live Music?

Bluegrass music is an integral part of the culture in KinstonLenoir County, and folks here have plenty of opportunities to experience it live. A bluegrass jam session is held the second

Saturday night of each month at Lenoir Community College, and the Kinston Winter Bluegrass Festival brings internationally known bluegrass artists and crowds of fans to Kinston each February.

The Kinston Community Council for the Arts is working on the African-American Heritage Music Trail, an innovative project that will highlight the deep blues and jazz roots that run through this region.

The trail will include interactive video and audio kiosks at dozens of sites in eight counties. The project’s most popular feature is its calendar of live performances by the trail’s living artists. Residents and visitors alike have packed the CCA building in downtown Kinston and other local venues for jazz nights, benefits and other events.

Heart of the Arts Kinston is home to the Mrs. J.S. Brody Permanent Public Arts Collection, which includes the largest collection of public art

east of Raleigh. The assortment comprises downtown murals, sculptures, bike racks, benches and more.

One of the murals was recently completed in Lenoir Memorial Hospital, which depicts various scenes of patients being cared for.

Another mural on the south wall of the private property bordering Spring Hill and South Queen Streets depicts a scene of the Neuse River. Another piece of art for the public to enjoy is currently being constructed in Pearson Park, which will consist of stainless steel, bronze and copper. The sculptural bandstand canopy will serve as an entertainment venue and provide an insight to the area’s rich African-American music heritage.

Located in a renovated building downtown, the Kinston Community Council for the Arts hosts changing art exhibitions along with classes and workshops, and it brings world-class music and other arts events to Kinston throughout the year.

In the Spotlight Built in 1925 as a public school, the Grainger-Hill Performing Arts Center in Kinston is now a 1,131-seat theater housed inside one of the last remaining examples of Greek Classical Revival Architecture still standing in North Carolina. A volunteer group of concerned alumni and friends has renovated, restored and now manages the auditorium. Grainger-Hill’s OnStage Series features concerts in a nightclub-type setting.

The Lenoir Community College PlayMakers and the Kinston-Lenoir Performing Arts Center also present popular live performances.

– Rebecca Denton For more information about attractions and events in Lenoir County go to www.visitkinston.com

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522-4313 • www.high-techdentistry.com 2500 N. Herritage St. • Kinston (Professional Center)

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Sports & Recreation

The Neuseway Nature Center is located along the Neuse River and features hiking trails, ponds, canoes and more.

The Outdoors Never Looked So Great Fun recreational opportunities are easy to find in Kinston

W

ith a world-class nature center, family-friendly hiking trails, fishing ponds, baseball tournaments, a nationally acclaimed disc-golf course, 11 bustling parks and more, Kinston is an excellent place to enjoy the great outdoors.

Back to Nature One of the county’s top attractions, the Neuseway Nature Center is located on 55 acres along the scenic Neuse River and features several hiking trails, stocked catfish ponds, canoes, an 18-foot wall for rock climbing, and a saltwater “touch tank” where children can feel sea urchins, starfish and other creatures. The park allows tent and RV camping as well as picnicking, and a miniature train called Big Daddy’s

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Ki n sto n - Le n oi r Co u nt y

Tee Time

Express will take children and adults on a ride for a small fee.

Also at the park are a planetarium, a fossil dig, and a hands-on health and science museum. In addition, a huge tepee is available for rent on the banks of the Neuse, with room for eight people to spend the night. For more information, visit www.neusewaypark.com.

North Carolina has a wealth of excellent golf venues, and Kinston is home to four of them. The city courses – Falling Creek Golf Course, Kinston Country Club, Bill Fay Park Golf Course and Cutter Creek Golf Club – challenge golfers of all skill levels.

Batter Up

Ready to Rev

Baseball seems to be the sport of choice for many Kinston residents. Tournaments dedicated to the sport abound, including multiple put on by Top Gun Sports.

The program hosts tournaments throughout the state, and has three fields in Kinston. In addition to multiple Top Gun tournaments, the city offers USFA softball and Babe Ruth baseball tournaments.

Action has its place at Ironclad Motorsports. Located on the fairgrounds, Kinston’s most extreme event center features a monstrous motorcross track and flat dirt track for two types of racing. Several televised races at the track have earned Ironclad national exposure, bringing both pros and amateurs to try their hand at Ironclad.

Jeffrey S. OTTO

Disc Golf Barnet Park’s nationally acclaimed 18-hole disc golf course winds through the woods around the scenic park, offering a great mix of wooded and open holes.

An active roster of games and tournaments draws disc golf players to Kinston from around the nation. For more information, visit www.kinstondiscgolf.com.

Gone to the Dogs The 32-acre Rotary Dog Park, just down the road from the Neuseway Nature Center, features

large ponds, open areas, and walking trails for dog training and exercise.

Other Places to Play The Kinston-Lenoir County Parks & Recreation Department offers a wide range of athletic programs throughout the year, including soccer, football, tennis‚ basketball‚ baseball, bowling, softball‚ group exercise classes and more. Details can be found at www.kinstonrec.com.

Other recreation attractions include the annual Kinston 8000:

Run for the River event, an 8K race and 1-mile fun run; Tull’s Millpond, a 200-acre millpond that’s open to the public for fishing, kayaking and canoeing; and West Water Park, featuring five pools and a four-story water slide.

– Rebecca Denton

Looking for more to do in Kinston?

Scan this QR code.

Get Out the Golf Clubs and Hit the Links Falling Creek Golf Course 2359 Falling Creek Rd. Kinston, NC 28504 (252) 522-1828 www.fallingcreekgolf.com

Kinston Country Club 1501 Country Club Dr. Kinston, NC 28504 (252) 523-2197 www.kinstoncc.com

Bill Fay Park Golf Course Phillips Rd. Kinston, NC 28504 (252) 939-3356

Cutter Creek Golf Club 28 Nina Lake Dr. Snow Hill, NC 28580 (252) 747-4653 www.cuttercreekgolfclub.com

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Lenoir Memorial Hospital

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Jeffrey S. OTTO

Health & Wellness

Caring for Kinston’s Community Residents enjoy quality care close to home

H

ome to a hospital with more than 250 beds and a stateof-the-art cancer center, as well as various wellness programs and North Carolina’s oldest residential facility serving individuals with mental retardation, Kinston offers top-notch health care.

A Broad Range of Services With a medical staff of more than 100 physicians and nearly 1,100 employees, the not-for-profit Lenoir Memorial Hospital in Kinston provides residents with the kind of quality inpatient‚ outpatient and preventative health services typically found in much larger cities. In addition to general medical‚ surgical‚ obstetrical and gynecological services‚ Lenoir Memorial offers a broad range of specialties‚ including cardiology‚ pulmonology‚ oncology‚ radiology, urology, rheumatology, vascular and thoracic surgery, and a variety of laparoscopic procedures.

The Lenoir Memorial Sleep Center, under the management and direction of the hospital’s cardiopulmonary department, has a four-bed lab that offers an assortment of tests for sleep disorders.

Convenient Cancer Treatment The Lenoir Memorial Cancer Center – located just across from the hospital’s emergency entrance – provides state-of-the-art radiation treatment and support

services. The cancer center also offers the technology to provide image-guided radiation therapy, which is one of the most cutting-edge innovations in cancer treatment.

Outpatient radiation therapy and support services, including an on-site nutritionist and social worker, are also available.

Prevention & Education Lenoir Memorial provides many educational health programs‚ screenings and seminars at no charge‚ including infant CPR training‚ colorectal‚ skin and prostate cancer‚ and mammogram screenings. Monthly nutrition seminars teach healthy eating habits. And residents are invited to use the Lenoir Memorial Community Walking Track (with convenient parking, a water fountain, fenced-in playground and picnic tables) 24 hours a day. More than 15 support groups are available to the community.

Heart Healthy Lenoir Memorial offers a comprehensive Cardiac Rehabilitation Program that provides people who have heart disease with a medically monitored exercise program.

The program lasts an average of 36 sessions and meets every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

A typical routine includes stretch and flex exercises, aerobic conditioning, cool-down activities, and relaxation or education.

Quality Care at an Affordable Cost For more than 15 years, Kinston Community Health Center has been providing comprehensive dental, medical, pediatric and OB/GYN services for Lenoir County’s underserved populations.

Through its community outreach program, the center also offers transportation to and from appointments, at-home health assessments, health education classes and on-site translators.

The center’s dental clinic serves an eight-county region and offers both preventative and restorative dental care for kids and adults – at affordable rates.

Caswell Developmental Center Established in 1911, Caswell Developmental Center in Kinston provides residential treatment and support services to people with mental retardation in the eastern part of the state. The 300-acre campus has more than 100 buildings and is an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services in the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services.

Services are tailored to patients’ individual needs and can include arts and crafts classes, music therapy, sensory stimulation activities and off-campus outings along with psychological counseling.

– Rebecca Denton i m ag e sk i n s t o n . c o m

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Education

Higher Education Education options offer a range of excellent choices

S

tudents in Lenoir County have plenty of excellent education choices, including charter schools, private schools, traditional public schools, an “early college” public high school, a local community college, and two four-year universities just a short drive away.

Higher Education Lenoir Community College in Kinston offers a wide range of two-year degree programs that allow students to move directly into the workforce. For those seeking a four-year degree, LCC’s articulation agreement with the University of North Carolina System allows a seamless transition into all 16 universities in the system and into most private colleges and universities. The college’s Heritage Place was established in 1988, and holds research material primarily for eastern North Carolina. The center features genealogy and local history collections, and a research staff available to assist.

Two four-year colleges are just a short commute away. East

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Carolina University in Greenville is about 30 miles northeast of Kinston, and North Carolina State University in Raleigh is about 75 miles northwest of the city.

Public Schools Lenoir County School District features a range of prestigious offerings, including the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Kinston High School, a nationally recognized pre-engineering program at South Lenoir High School, and cyber campuses that provide distance learning and video conferencing at three high schools. Each middle and high school offers the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program, which targets students with average grades and helps them prepare for college. And the opportunities are only improving. Major renovations were recently completed at three elementary schools – Moss Hill, Banks and South East.

The district is home to five high

schools, including Sampson Alternative and Lenoir County Early College. Housed at Lenoir Community College, the early college high school aims to graduate students in five years with a high school diploma along with an associate degree or two years of transferable college credit. The district also has eight elementary schools, three middle schools and a K-8 school.

Charter Schools Founded in 1997, Children’s Village Academy was the first public charter school in Lenoir County. Children’s Village Academy boasts small class sizes and uses a variety of strategies and styles to reach all students.

Kinston Charter Academy is a public charter school with an academic focus on science, math and Spanish.

Private Schools Arendell Parrott Academy in Kinston, a K-12 college preparatory school, draws from a nine-county region and is the

Kinston and Lenoir County’s premier full-service commercial real estate company for over 50 years!

Check out available properties at:

www.perrysinc.com largest independent school east of Raleigh.

Bethel Christian Academy in Kinston, which serves students in pre-K through 12th grade, is a ministry of Bethel Free Will Baptist Church.

Nova Five Points Day School works with children 17 years old and younger who have been diagnosed with a mental illness, emotional disturbance or substance-related disorder.

518 Plaza Blvd. • P.O. Drawer 1475 • Kinston, NC 28503 (252) 523-5107 • Fax: (252) 523-8858

MOST PRESCRIPTIONS FILLED IN 15 MINUTES OR LESS

Top-Notch Child Care Lenoir and Greene counties boast many top-notch child-care facilities, with Lenoir County alone offering at least two dozen child-care facilities with four- and five-star ratings. The Partnership for Children of Lenoir and Greene Counties is a nonprofit organization that helps parents find quality child care. With a focus on kids up to age 5‚ the state-funded organization also provides technical assistance‚ teacher education and other support to local child-care centers.

– Rebecca Denton

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6039-TR12260M_TGB_Livability.indd 1

3/22/10 11:40:09 AM

Living green starts from the ground up.

Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe. Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant. It's easy. That's living healthy and green.

Just call 866-730-green or visit www.epa.gov/radon

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Ki n sto n - Le n oi r Co u nt y

community profile Snapshot Kinston is the Lenoir County seat, and is among the oldest cities in North Carolina. It is home to Civil War sites and the CSS Neuse, an ironclad war boat.

Cost of Living

MARITAL STATUS:

$38,919

46%

Median Household Income

$116,000 Median Home Price

Climate Lenoir County enjoys a mild climate with an average temperature in the mid-60s, low humidity and a lengthy growing season.

89

째

July High Temperature

31

째

January Low Temperature

51

"

Annual Rain Fall (vs. National Average Annual Rain Fall of 37")

$587 Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment

household Information AGE:

42 Median Resident Age

26% 19 and Under

42%

Married

54% Single

ETHNICITY:

50% White

45% Black

3% Hispanic

2% Other

20-54

transportation

time zone

32%

16 minutes

Eastern

55 and Over

Median Travel Time to Work

Kinston-Lenoir County Tourism Development Authority www.visitkinston.com

Perry Management www.perrysinc.com

visit our

advertisers Cherry Energy www.cherryenergy.com Coastal Connections Marketing www.coastal-connections.com Committee of 100 www.lenoiredc.com/com100.html Courtney Mitchell III DDS PA www.high-techdentistry.com Holiday Inn Express www.hiexpress.com/kinstonnc Kinston Public Services www.kinstonpublicservices.com

Lenoir Community College www.lenoircc.edu Lenoir Memorial Hospital www.lenoirmemorial.org Mother Earth Brewing www.motherearthbrewing.com NES Rentals www.nesrentals.com

Pride of Kinston www.downtownkinston.com Realo Discount Drug Store www.realodrugs.com Suddenlink Communications www.suddenlink.com The Total Experience Salon & Spa www.totalexperiencekinston.com

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Ad Index

1 Cherry Energy

C4 Lenoir Memorial Hospital

15 Coastal Connections Marketing

15 Committee of 100

23 Courtney Mitchell III DDS PA

C2 Holiday Inn Express

C3 Kinston Public Services

29 Realo Discount Drug Store

23 Kinston-Lenoir County Tourism Development

Authority

21 Suddenlink Communications

17 The Total Experience Salon

13 Lenoir Community College

15 Mother Earth Brewing

15 NES Rentals

29 Perry Management

17 Pride of Kinston

& Spa

Through the Lens

Get the Story Behind the Photo Now that you’ve experienced Kinston-Lenoir County-Lenoir County through our photos, see it through the eyes of our photographers. Visit throughthelensjci.com to view our exclusive photographers’ blog documenting what all went in to capturing those perfect moments.

From Our Photo Blog: Kinston-Lenoir County … I have had the good fortune to travel a little in the great state of North Carolina here of late. And some of those travels have taken me down barbecue road a little ways. This is a road I love to travel and hope it has no end.

My most interesting barbecue trip thus far was a few months ago when I had the good fortune of spending some time in Kinston, N.C., home of King’s barbecue. King’s is home of the “Pig in a Puppy.”

It’s barbecue served inside an enormous hushpuppy, the size of a small hoagie roll.

This is by far the most peculiar barbecue creation I have come across to date. And, to be honest, it’s not half bad. This is one of those times when being open-minded is key.

Posted by todd bennett

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More Online See more favorite photos and read the stories behind the shots at throughthelensjci.com.

Kinston Public services ‌ the Home Team Advantage

Kinston Public services delivers safe and reliable electricity to more than 12,000 residents and businesses in Kinston and surrounding communities. Kinston Public Services customers receive excellent, local customer service and reliable power, all right in their hometown. In fact, Kinston Public Services has been recognized as a Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) for three consecutive years by the American Public Power Association.

Kinston is proud to be one of more than 70 public power communities in North Carolina. These communities own and operate their electric systems, offering customers excellent, local customer service, reliable electricity and prompt restoration after outages.

Find out more at www.kinstonpublicservices.com or www.ncpublicpower.com.