Farmville Magazine 2020

NORTH

CAROLINA

Farmville

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

STAFF

BOBBY BURNS, EDITOR

DONNA MARIE WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER

DEBORAH GRIFFIN, STAFF WRITER

MELISSA GLEN, STAFF WRITER

TOM LITTLE, ADVERTISING

BECKY WETHERINGTON, LAYOUT & DESIGN

ON THE COVER

BY DEBORAH GRIFFIN

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.

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.

By Donna Marie Williams

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

At a time when many businesses were closing due to COVID-19, Greg Cannon was opening the doors at Farmville Hardware Lawn & Garden with a desire to provide quality customer service and a store that would resonate a hometown feel.

Rooted in community, Cannon owned and operated Walstonburg Hardware for six years before coming to Farmville. The idea to take over the Walstonburg store came at the request of several area farmers.

“The community in Walstonburg came to me initially to open it when that old one closed down. Mostly the farmers over there needed to have a hardware store that was available to them. I knew a lot of the farmers. I have a small farm over there as well. I raised cattle. They asked if I was interested in buying a hardware store,” Cannon said.

Cannon’s sons, Josh and Chris, also expressed an interest. They ran Walstonburg Hardware while Cannon continued his career as a nurse practitioner at Eastern Nephrology Associates in Greenville. Having his sons work closely with him in the business makes Cannon feel “good” about his decision to open the Farmville store, he said.

“It feels good and it’s something they are interested in over the long run. I think they will like being part of the (Farmville) community,” Cannon said.

Toward the end of Walstonburg Hardware’s six years of operation, Cannon decided to “slow down” and went part-time at Eastern Nephrology Associates in Greenville.

With more time on his hands, Cannon decided closing the Walstonburg store and opening Farmville Hardware instead was a

- Greg Cannon

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.

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,”

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

main entrance is located on the side of the building across from the parking lot.

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

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 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.

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

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.

Najee Langley

Qua’shoyn Williams

Keyley Shackleford

2020 Scholarship Recipients

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.

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.

“

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

“At some point, I hope its kind of a combination of commercial hardware but I also want to have more local things in the store. I do have some people who bring some local stuff already. I would like to have more local products like honey. I think that will be beyond the virus,” Cannon said.

Cannon has also acquired additional warehouse space and will offer more lumber options shortly, he said.

Opening Farmville Hardware in the midst of the pandemic did provide a few unforeseen

circumstances, with Cannon’s main priority of maintaining safety for customers and staff, Cannon said.

Social distancing is encouraged and masks are worn by staff, he added.

“We don’t have 20 customers at a time. We have a steady volume,” Cannon said.

Farmville Hardware Lawn & Garden is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. The store is located at 3732 W. Wilson St. For more information call 252-7531100.

McDavid Associates, Inc.

Employee Bryant Oakley of Farmville weighs nails.

SERVING EASTERN CAROLINA FOR OVER 115 YEARS

POLICING ALL ABOUT COMMUNITY FOR

DONNIE GREENE

By Melissa Glen

For the past 13 years, Farmville Police Chief Donnie Greene has started off his mornings the same way. He wakes up, grabs what he needs for the day, then heads to the police department by 8:30 a.m. Most days, he gets to leave at 6:30 p.m., but duty frequently calls him back.

Come December, mornings will look a little different for Greene, who is set to retire after 28 years in law enforcement.

“I have a 12-year-old granddaughter and a 3-year-old grandson, so for a month or so, honestly, I don’t plan on doing a thing,” he said. “I have a honey-do list that’s a mile and a half long, so I’m sure I will be doing that at some point.”

Greene, who has become a staple in the Farmville community, started his career in 1992 in Winterville. He moved to Farmville’s department in 1993 and has been there ever since. He started on bike patrol for a year and a half, then moved to shift sergeant and lieutenant after that. In 2007, Greene was named chief of police.

“I knew when I was 9 years old I wanted to be a police officer,” Greene said. “That’s what I always wanted to do, and so that’s what I did.”

Greene said his favorite thing about his job is the connections he makes with citizens and the day-to-day tasks that have an impact on someone’s life.

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

Farmville’s police chief will retire in December after nearly 30 years of service

“I’m talking about showing a kid that police are here to be your friend, being involved in the community, helping people find a job or even helping people get a driver’s license.”

He recalled one moment he saw these connections come full circle in his work, noting that community relationships will be what he misses the most after retiring.

“I coached rec sports in

Farmville for more than 20 years. I always tell this story where I coached a kid in football, and for his 16th birthday he wanted to have his birthday at the community center in Farmville and didn’t know how to reach out to anybody — it’s up to me,” he said.

According to Greene, his success wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for his 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 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

it,” Green said. “The biggest thing I would say is you have to have the support of the community and you don’t get the support of the community if you aren’t involved in it."

He said it is important to break down stereotypes as the chief of police and to go into all situations with an open mind.

“Just because you arrest someone doesn’t mean they are a bad person,” Greene said. “Just because someone lives in the housing authority doesn’t mean they are a drug dealer or a bad person.”

As far as accomplishments during his time as chief, Greene said the department has seen significant growth in its employee base. He said some of the efforts included placing Farmville personnel as resource officers in the local schools, creating a substation that was more accessible to residents and building a pistol range. Greene said he wished he was able to finish the range before he left, but the process was delayed due to weather.

Greene said his biggest accomplishment was all the work he did at the individual level

helping ease police-citizen relations.

“There are things going on in the world right now where there is so much turmoil and controversy and everything else that we still have, I am thankful to have a good relationship with the community,” he said. “It is the greatest show on earth. You see so much and do so much, and you immediately get to see that you have helped people.”

Brenda Elks, a Farmville town commissioner for the past four years, said she has known Greene for more than 26 years and has been able to see his strengths as both a friend and a colleague.

“Serving in this role has given me the opportunity to see all sides of our chief,” Elks said “Farmville is important to Donnie. He wants to see us grow and prosper and wants to be a part of that growth. I love to sit down with him and we throw out ideas of things we want to do and see done and you can see his mind churning.”

Elks said Greene has been helpful in dealing with many crises in Farmville, specifically

when the town was hit by Hurricane Floyd.

“He and many others helped rescue residents that had to be put on boats to be brought out,” Elks said. “Tornadoes, snow 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.”

As far as what life will be like after retirement, Greene said he is expecting the change to be hard.

“Not getting up to come to work will be weird, realizing that I’m no longer the chief 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 in whatever capacity. My heart is in recreation, and I would love to stay involved in recreation.”

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OurC ommunity Partners:

Farmville scores an ace with disc golF course

Park overcomes doubters, brings visitors and their dollars to town

B y D e B orah G riffin

ersistence, innovation and forwardthinking town leaders helped transform a plot of fallow farmland into a nationally recognized playing field.

The Farmville Municipal Disc Golf Course officially opened in March, just as much of the country was shuttering because of COVID-19 precautions.

Gyms were forced to close their doors, and many saw disc golf as an alternative. Town Manager David Hodgkins said the new course has been a boon to the town at a time when the pandemic crashed the nation’s economy.

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

directly from it, the business community has certainly benefitted,” said Hodgkins.

Hundreds of athletes have been drawn to Farmville.

“They shop in our stores and eat in our restaurants, they buy our gas,” he said. “As they are traveling through, we hope they might see something that brings them back.”

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.

According to Farmville Parks and Recreation employee Isaiah Lubben, there

has been an explosion in the popularity of the game.

“It’s booming,” Lubben said.

Already home to two tournaments, the 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 brought in 72 players, with varying levels of experience, from professionals to amateurs, from across the state.

Sept. 19 and 20, the Farmville course was one of three Pitt County courses used during the 16th annual Down East Players Cup Tournament, hosted by Greenville Disc

Golf. More than 200 athletes competed, most hailing from North Carolina, along with a few touring professionals from Virginia and South Carolina.

Courses at Ayden District Park and West Meadowbrook Park in Greenville also were used during the tournament. Pitt County has free courses open to the public at East Carolina University's North Recreational Complex and at Covenant Church in Greenville.

Hodgkins said sponsorships, which are $500 for five years, help raise revenue to maintain the course. “There is a sign at each basket (or hole) companies can have their name on,” said Hodgkins. “It is a fairly costeffective marketing tool.”

The idea of a disc golf course in Farmville had been floated for a few years, according to Parks and Recreation employee Chris Stokes.

“In 2019, it was brought back up by David Miller, the [town’s] librarian,” he said. “A couple of

commissioners got behind it, then everything was put into motion.”

The town enlisted Greenville Disc Golf to help design the course. GVDG is a nonprofit, 250-member association that helps promote disc golf through events, clinics and volunteer efforts.

“The Down East Player’s Cup is our biggest event to date,” said Max Crotts, board member and one of the designers of the Farmville course.

Crotts, who has played disc golf since he was 3, began competing in 2003. He has played in two world championships and plays at least twice a week.

Crotts said the land in Farmville presented a few design challenges. One was a lack of wooded areas, as many disc golf courses rely on trees to present challenges on the course.

He said they designed the fairways (the area of play) and the 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.

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),

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 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.

for the baskets, turf tee pads and artwork, Lubben and Stokes said they now see during the weekend,” he said. “Where are

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

- Chris stokes

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

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

lasts between an hour and-ahalf to two hours.

It is also much cheaper than regular golf.

“The venues are free, and the equipment costs just a few dollars,” he said. On average, a brand new disc costs about $8.

For those not wanting to invest quite yet, Stokes said the town plans to set up a rental 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.

They hope to build a picnic shelter, and eventually create walking paths throughout the

property. Stokes and Lubben also hope the town will host its own tournaments.

“We are super proud of what we helped the community build,” Lubben said. “When we first started cutting the grass, it was 12 feet tall. Now, people tell us it looks so well manicured, and well kept.”

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. It makes you want to try and do it again. It makes you want 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.

SCHOOL REUNION

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

MAKING A WonderBox

Artistic effort continues to stir curiosity, conversation and wonder

B y D onna M arie W illia M s

Linda Adell Goodine saw opportunity in the glass window display case at the entrance to a former Main Street department store — an opportunity to stir curiosity, discussion and wonder.

Hired in 2015 as the Distinguish Belk Professor at East Carolina University's School of Art, Goodine's job was to help establish the East Carolina Glass Station — a glass blowing workshop in an old downtown gas station — and pursue other artistic endeavors in town.

The display window at what is now Woodside Antiques and Auction would become one of those endeavors. She called it WonderBox, 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 community to see if I can impact citizens here and the economy here in a positive way because of the influence of art,” Goodine said.

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

“I wanted to create public kinds of art in the way of murals. Something that is immediately accessible and enhances the experience of anyone who passes by, and I wanted to bring substance in the way of some exhibitions that would be site-specific, as well as performance work,” Goodine said.

It was while walking down Main Street that Goodine hatched the plan to create the WonderBox after she was drawn to the glass display case.

“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 or so I thought,” Goodine said.

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

“It is truly in a public space, as if no one owns it. It can be seen at any time of day or night. You can be by yourself and see it. You can hate it or you can love it or anywhere in between without judgment,” Goodine said.

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.

“ 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

(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.”

Engaging the public

The WonderBox was more than just a place to display the artwork. Since its inception, the WonderBox has challenged its audience to think and has created dialogues between artists and community members.

“Sometimes a place can be static. I wanted to bring the WonderBox in to disrupt that. Not in a negative way but to mix it up. Let’s have some 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 the history of each citizen and invited them to the box. The students made a delicious dinner for them according to their taste,” Goodine said.

“Each student had their own diverse history: gay, immigrant, of color. I wanted to bring those histories forward to this place,” Goodine said.

Together the student and a resident enjoyed a meal in the box while engaging in conversations unheard by the audience watching from outside the glass.

“The conversations were tough ones. They were about politics of the time, race immigration, food love community,” Goodine said. “I made the topics important and 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.

Goodine was surprised how well the conversations were received. “I know one citizen was so moved after one performance piece, he said he would have never believed he would live long enough to see this in 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.BertWarren, DDS Dr.Jason Hardee, DDS

Idea exchange

Dinner in the Box also allowed for students to engage with the 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 afternoon for a conversation about their art and the citizen’s life work.

Hosts taught art students a variety of skills ranging from creating flower displays to cooking breakfast, beekeeping, tap dancing, singing and more. In exchange students shared art techniques such as digital animation on the computer.

“I tried to find citizens whose voices may not have been heard from in years,” Goodine said.

While static, many of the WonderBox installations spoke volumes and included discourse on Southern socio-political issues, female empowerment and wage systems.

The installations allowed artists to express their individualized journeys while highlighting fractures, discords, or cleavages that still existed within society.

Artists also used the space to educate citizens on cultures abroad

and culture in Farmville.

“There were many conversations. The citizens were immensely 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. “At one point in time, there was a very political installation, and I had agreed to be inside the box as part of the performative piece. It was at this point that the discussion got very intense. I was unable to intervene,” 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.”

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

“Many lay people believe that art should be seen and not heard, but I think art can be all things at once for everyone. I believe all art is political. At the same time, I’m more or less interested in the middle road. I’m interested in building bridges, finding intersections, and pursuing a meaningful dialogue,” Goodine said.

(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.

“ 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

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.

(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.

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.

Nailed together

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

Residents donated an ounce of gold for the project. Graduate student Michael Hunter used it to fabricate a golden nail.

Organizers hid the nail in a public space in town and students created 11 different sketches that offered clues about where the nail was hidden.

“It was a memorial piece to my neighbor Bill Monk. I took the letter M and put it on the map of Farmville. I drew Xs at the points of wherever the M came together. Then flipped the M over on the other side. Where the two points of the M came together, I hid the nail in Farmville,” Goodine said.

“We researched the whole history of Farmville. The history of farming, economics, tobacco, building everything we could think of. We included all of those things in the drawings and on the maps. It was a very layered and complicated project.”

Maps were placed in various Farmville business as a way to encourage shopping, Goodine said. The nail was embedded in a railroad tie along one of the tracks that carried tobacco from the town.

Community members searched for days to find the nail. “Whole groups of people who didn't know each other got together and had dinner parties to try and figure out where the nail was. Moms and children spent their Sundays searching for it,” Goodine said.

More clues were distributed, resulting in a miraculous find, she said. "When it was found there were two other groups of people who were within feet of it,” Goodine said.

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

“There are a few students that want to show in the WonderBox and I am inviting them to show. Other artists have approached me. I’m willing to be the curator. Right now it is 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.” Staci

Plaza Auto CARES about service

B y D onna M arie W illia M s

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

Some folks in Farmville have never had to pump their own gas...

...and they never will if J eff J ames

James, the owner of Plaza Auto Care, purchased Caraway Service Center on May Boulevard in 2018 when it was believed to be Pitt County’s last full-service gas station.

He and his wife, Karen, had been looking for a location to offer a full-service gas sales in Greenville when he learned about Carraway’s closing, he said. The shop was at a good location, he said, so they decided to pursue the opportunity in Farmville.

“I grew up at a service station. We always pumped the gas and had full service. I thought it was really neat they were still doing that,” James said, adding Karen is a Farmville native.

“I know a bunch of people in Farmville and I’ve met a lot more since I’ve been here. It’s just a neat little town.”

Renovations at the station began before Plaza Auto Care of Farmville opened its doors, with the store receiving a thorough cleaning

along with new paint, floors and a sign.

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.

“Some of the women in Farmville have never pumped gas because they have always had access to full-service gas. There is a lot of women and men that don’t like to pump gas, especially if they are dressed up. It’s a real

has anything to do with it.

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

(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 doesn’t know anything about,” James said, adding new technology associated with self-service stations can add difficulties for some customers.

“Some of the machines you go to, you don’t know how to work them especially if you are not into the computerized version.”

The station offers both gas and diesel fuel, and a tech will clean the windshield and check oil and tires.

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

The store also expanded services and offers LP gas along with roadside service and is an N.C. Official Inspection station.

“We can help you if you lock your keys in the car or if you need a jump start,” Jeff said.

The shop also offers maintenance and repairs including tire service, oil changes, brakes, batteries, alternators, starters and more.

“Our tire prices are very competitive because we buy from the same warehouse everybody in Pitt County does,” Jeff said, adding tire delivery includes same day and next day options.

Family Tradition

James knows about car care because he grew up in the business, following in the footsteps of his father, Jimmy.

He worked alongside his father for more than 30 years, 25 of which were at Plaza Auto Care in Greenville. His father taught him the ins and outs and provided him with the confidence to succeed on his own.

“I knew I could do it. There was some fear there to start with, but I knew I could do it. I just had to work hard as my dad did. He worked the wrecker and the store. He worked night and day,” said James, adding his mother, Jean, worked alongside his dad.

James closed the business after his father died in 2007, but reopened it four years later in hopes of building it up for his children.

“I am just trying to build on what my daddy left me. I want to leave my kids something,” James said.

The business now spans three generations, with James' son, Will, following in his footsteps.

“He’s really come a long way. He started with me nine years ago. There isn’t too much I can’t bring to him that he can’t figure out,” James said.

Between the Greenville and Farmville locations, Plaza Auto Care offers more than 100 years of combined experience in auto repair and maintenance. The shops work as 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.

He began experimenting with drugs and alcohol when he was young, and addiction got the better of him. The road to recovery was 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.

“Anybody can do it if they want to do it. You have to ask the man upstairs for help. But you have to want it.”

He received help from Ronald Carraway,

longtime owner of the Farmville shop. “He knew all the customers and introduced me and helped me get it started,” James said.

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

“When we first started, I wasn’t here a lot. I found that this year being here has made a big difference. I was running back and forth making three to four trips and it was wearing

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.”

Compassionate Service in Your Time of Need

Dedicated To Excellence In Service, With The HighestOfIntegrity.

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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.

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.

“I haven’t forced it,” he said.

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

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

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.

Plaza Auto Care of Greenville, 624 Greenville Blvd., is open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 252-364-8102. Walk-ins are welcome at both locations.

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.

Through pandemic, We have remained One Farmville

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 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 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

established for our customers, each handled on an individual basis, to address this situation once the executive order expired on July 29.

Life as we knew it ceased to exist. Churches were closed. Schools were closed. Restaurants, entertainment venues and bars were closed. Salons and barber shops were closed. Gyms were closed. Libraries were closed. Recreational activities were halted because our parks and playgrounds were ordered to close. Everything was closed. Face coverings, social distancing, hand sanitizer and hand washing were the main order of business. We learned of “essential” jobs and employees. Jobs were lost. Nerves were 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.

The day came that restaurants were once again open for business, but only for carryout 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.

Easter came a month into the shutdown. Church buildings were still closed, but congregations wanted to worship. They needed to gather in worship. So outdoor worship services happened throughout the town. Members of the Board of Commissioners organized an Easter parade that caravanned through town. This sparked many mini-parades celebrating birthdays COVID-19 style, most notably Annie Gurganus’ 101st birthday on Aug. 26, 2020. Horns honked, people waved and shared the joy of life even in the midst of a global health crisis. Again, we were “One Farmville” in helping many celebrate special days in a new way.

came to Farmville early on to view possible sites. Later, with the help of Commissioner Beth Ward, Farmville was approved for a temporary COVID-19 testing site, which was conveniently located at the Farmville Community Center. A total of 351 tests were administered at this site over a five-week period, with one week being canceled due to Hurricane Isaias.

I have often said coming in as a new mayor that I was prepared for a hurricane, tornado, flood, snowstorm, ice storm or wind storm, but I wasn’t prepared for a pandemic. Looking back, I can see that with a newly revised emergency plan in place, we, as a town, were totally prepared for a pandemic. 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, Pitt County Commissioner Beth Ward, N.C. Sen. Don Davis and U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis has been valuable. As I am writing this, I am 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.

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

Throughout this whole ordeal, there has been one constant. Our Town Manager David Hodgkins has worked tirelessly under unbelievable pressure. Fifteen to eighteen hour days were not unusual for David. I believe his experience, knowledge and levelheaded approach to difficult situations have made a difference in the way Farmville has 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.

“

I can see that with a newly revised emergency plan in place, we, as a town, were totally prepared for a pandemic.

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We give our contracted growers the tools and opportunities to create better lives for themselves and their communities through the introduction of new crops, crop diversification and sustainability initiatives. Our team of agronomists and field technicians educate growers throughout the United States on new ways they can improve their productivity and efficiency, reduce their adverse impact on the environment, and help protect safety and labor rights of farmworkers.

Farmville, We've Got It All!

Embracing progress while holding on to small town values makes Farmville a great place to live, work and grow

Visit us and experience a community with small town charm, full of culture & history.

Farmville, We've Got It All!

Embracing progress while holding on to small town values makes Farmville a great place to live, work and grow

Visit us and experience a community with small town charm, full of culture & history.

owntown

To learn more or to schedule a tour, call 252-753-6700 or email dhodgkins@farmville nc.gov