Wilson Internal Medicine Associates
1700 Tarboro Street, Suite 100 Wilson, NC 27893 252.399.5314
Wilson New Hope Primary Care
2508 Ward Blvd. Wilson, NC 27893 252.243.0053
Wilson Primary Care
1700 Tarboro Street SW, Suite 200 Wilson, NC 27893 252.399.5310
Wilson Endocrinology
1700 Tarboro Street SW, Suite 103 Wilson, NC 27893 252.399.5312
Wilson Gastroenterology
2605 Forest Hills Road SW Wilson, NC 27893 252.243.7977
Wilson Neurology
1700 Tarboro Street SW, Suite 103 Wilson, NC 27893 252.399.5306
Wilson Regional Orthopedics
1700 Tarboro Street SW, Suite 205 Wilson, NC 27893 252.399.5304
Tharrington’s Auto Works & Collision Center is located at 1212 Construction Dr, Rocky Mount and grew from Scott’s love of vehicle repair and drag racing. The company’s roots run back to 1993 when he started his business.
Scott and Lisa Tharrington selected the company’s Construction Drive site because of the central location in Rocky Mount and the opportunity to be able to expand at that location. They opened their business there in 2001 moving from a previous location. The company flourished there adding more employees and expanding the facility.
Today, Tharrington’s Auto Works & Collision Center has grown to a staff of 18 full time employees. They are a full service Auto repair and Body shop. Other services they offer are brakes, oil changes, state inspections, engine rebuilding, transmission rebuilding, front end alignments, and tires just to name a few! If your car needs it, Tharrington’s does it. Tharrington’s Auto Works & Collision Center works with all insurance companies. They will help you make that accident a much easier process!
The company is a member of the Nash/Edgecombe Independent Garage Owners Automotive Service Association and is ICAR certified. The family side of the business has grown to include their oldest son, Kyle Tharrington. He graduated from NASCAR Technical Institute and is FORD Factory Certified. Kyle specializes in diesel trucks of all kinds. He also loves to drag race them (legally at Brewer’s) on the weekends trying to beat his Dad! Scott’s older brother works in the collision center as a painter and his nephew is also employed at the company. Their youngest son also helps out after school and during the summers. It is definitely a family affair. There is always a Tharrington at Tharrington’s Auto Works for you!
“The Imperial Centre is great place to visit year-round,” said Alicyn Wiedrich, arts curator for the Arts Center housed in its building. “However, in the summer we have so much going on, from Downtown LIVE! every other Thursday and Lawn Chair Theater every other Friday. And the exhibits are extremely affordable.”
Dinosaur Revolution, a temporary exhibit in the Science Center through Aug. 26, invites children to explore a maze of Mesozoic missions as junior paleontologists. They will learn about
several types of dinosaurs and may even make a surprising discovery regarding the prehistoric creatures’ supposed demise.
“We’re finding that the parents are enjoying it as much as the kids because it’s a quiz,” said Sheila Long, supervisor of recreation services for the city of Rocky Mount. “There’s a miniature zipline and a fossil dig — so many fun things to do.”
Children also are encouraged to engage in interactive play in the Doctor’s Office and Farmer’s Market
simulations as well as the museum’s Live Animal Gallery and Imagination Playground.
“We look to have exhibits that engage both children and parents,” Long said. “We’re aware that parents make the decisions about where to go, so we want them to have a good time as well.”
Families can beat the summer heat by perusing the eye-catching, mouth-watering Sweet Treat exhibit in the Children’s Museum. The exhibit, which features Margaret
Summer visitors to the Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences are in for an adventurous time of prehistoric revolutions, sweet treats and wonders of the imagination.
Morrison’s ‘Sweet Surrender’ photorealistic portraits of various candies and sundaes and Allison Pack’s ‘Metalicious’ sculptures of ice cream with a decidedly feminine flair, is a sugary marvel that will delight children and adults alike. The exhibit is on display through Sept. 9.
“These paintings are giant desserts. One of them is about five feet tall,” said Wiedrich. “The sculptures are delicate and dainty. So, it’s kind of the opposite of what people usually think about sculpture and paintings.”
Sketching stations are strategically placed throughout the museum, allowing the opportunity to try your hand at recreating or putting your own spin on some of the displayed artwork. Budding architects and civil engineers also will be drawn in by the KEVA blocks. The blocks’ simple design allows for the full use of the imagination to create artistic marvels.
“It’s so fun to watch the parents show their kids the basics of building a good base to get a great tower going, or sitting with their child and doing a craft with them, helping them put the glue on the page or put the buttons on,” said Wiedrich.
Other notable exhibits in the Children’s Museum are Robert Irwin’s ‘A Retrospective,’ which showcases Irwin’s work from the early 1960s through his diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s Disease; and the ‘Juried Art Show,’ juried by artist Annah Lee and featuring an eclectic mix of artists from around the world. ‘A Retrospective’ is on display through Sept. 2, and the ‘Juried Art Show’ is on display through Sept. 9.
The Imperial Centre has a variety of programs and events throughout the summer, including a theatrical production of ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ on July 20-22. For more information, call 252-972-1266 or visit www. imperialcentre.org.
If you already made “Pre-Arrangements” or have a “Pre-Need” Contract in place with another funeral home: The Laws of North Carolina state that REGARDLESS of the Burial Association you now belong to OR with what funeral home you have an existing Pre-Need Contract, you can have that contract used at the funeral home of YOUR CHOICE and NOT LOSE YOUR BENEFITS. If Sunset Memorial Funeral Home is your choice, we honor ALL Burial Associations AND Pre-Need Contracts from ANY other funeral home.
As a parent, caring for your family is your number one priority. Ours, too. From pre-natal and birthing in our Women’s Center, to cancer, heart and hospice care, our specialties are focused on the wellness of your family. Let us know how we can help. That’s why we’re here.
NASH GENERAL HOSPITAL 252-962-8000
UNC CARDIOLOGY AT NASH 252-962-BEAT (2328) WOUND CARE CENTER 252-962-4325
HOSPICE & PALLIATIVE CARE 252-962-8124
UNC CANCER CARE AT NASH 252-962-4150 866-478-3471
SURGICAL WEIGHT LOSS CENTER 252-962-6503
HEARTBURN TREATMENT CENTER 252-962-6500
JOINT REPLACEMENT CENTER 252-962-8433 888-627-6274
BREAST CARE CENTER 252-962-6100
WOMEN’S CENTER 252-962-BABY (2229)
SLEEP DISORDERS CENTER 252-962-6150 888-627-6274
HEART CENTER 252-962-8202
Whether you’re into having fun outdoors or are looking for some museum-quality exhibits, there is something for everyone.
Local residents know these beloved locales well and are more than happy to share our small-town jewels with visitors. Check online websites for information on hours and special events, as they may change throughout the seasons.
Sylvan Heights Bird Park is located in Scotland Neck, about 30 minutes outside Rocky Mount. The park has been open since 2006 and seeks to advance conservation of waterfowl and wetlands, to act as a local educational resource for avian biology and wetlands ecology and to serve as an international center for avicultural training and research.
Sylvan Heights Bird Park offers visitors an up-close experience with over 2,000
waterfowl, parrots, toucans, flamingos and other exotic birds from around the world. It’s open to the public, and the 18-acre facility features spacious, walk-through aviaries displaying birds from South America, North America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. The aviaries are surrounded by tranquil gardens and lush natural areas, which enhance the beauty of the birds on exhibit and immerse visitors in native North Carolina wildlife habitat.
Sylvan Heights Bird Park is fully ADAaccessible, with wide paved or hard-packed trails throughout the park.
The park is open year-round, Tuesday through Sunday. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through March and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April through October. Prices vary depending on age, but the highest price ticket is $11.
Check them out at http://shwpark.com/ or call 252-826-3186
Located about 25 minutes from Rocky Mount, Medoc Mountain State Park is open for visitors from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
The park has seven trails that meander through a variety of terrain and provide more than 10 miles of hiking. Most of the trails are easy or moderate in difficulty, and trail scenery includes an artesian well, granite outcroppings and miniature rapids. There are also bridle and mountain bike trails.
The picnic area offers a shady area to enjoy a meal outside. Thirty tables and eight grills offer a choice of picnic locations.
Want to spend the night? A hardwood forest bordering open fields is home to the family campground. The campground’s sites are for tent or trailer camping and accommodate up to six persons each. Out
The Twin Counties has no shortage of fun, entertaining and educational places to spend an afternoon or a day.Birds flock to Kevin Brown during ‘Birds Brews and BBQ’ at Sylvan Heights Bird Park in Scotland Neck.
of the campground’s 34 sites, 12 have electric hookups and two are handicapped accessible. Campsites offer tent pads, tables and grills. The camping area is served by a washhouse with hot showers and toilets. Drinking water is nearby.
Bring your canoe to Little Fishing Creek and enjoy a pleasant float. The creek flows through the park for about 2.5 miles and offers an opportunity to view the area from a different perspective. Perfect for beginning canoeists, the waters of Little Fishing Creek flow slowly, and there are few obstacles along the way. Shallow water near rock outcrops may make portaging necessary at certain spots. The creek is accessible from the bridge on SR 1322, and a 1.5- to two-hour trip leads to a takeout point at the bridge on SR 1002.
To reserve a campsite or check on water levels and educational programs scheduled, call the local park office at 252-586-6588.
With a population of under 500 people, Macclesfield in Edgecombe County may one day have almost as many animals at It’s a Zoo Life facility, as people in the county. The Abrams family runs this sanctuary for animals, with over 85 animals taking up residence on their farm. Open to the public, visitors get to see animals up close and personal. Have you ever wanted to get to know a zebra, camel, sloth, wolf, Patagonian cavy, porcupine, lemur, kangaroo, wallaby, tortoise, alpaca, coatimundi, cockatoo, hedgehog, ferret, rabbit, pig, goat, cow, sheep, peacocks, ducks, sugar glider, chickens or mini horse? It’s a Zoo Life offers an opportunity to visit with the animals in their habitats and seeks to offer an educational and fun experience.
All visitors to the Zoo are required to participate in a guided tour, which are by appointment ONLY. Tours last approximately 1 1/2 hours, during which time you will go within the selected animals habitats for encounters, along with a knowledgeable staff member in small groups. Tours are offered at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily. Visitors are asked to make a reservation to book a tour at http://www.itsazoolife.
com/visit-the-zoo.php
Young and old will enjoy a taste of small-town southern culture at the County Line Raceway. It’s loud, there are crashes and lots of cheering and suspenseful moments — and it’s all live! This 3/8 mile clay oval racetrack is located at 6953 Stagecoach Road in Elm City has been in operation since 1988. County Line Raceway is a familyrun track that offers six divisions of racing action. The racing season starts in March and runs through October, with a variety of special events scheduled in between official races.
Tickets to sit in the grandstands are usually about $15 for adults and $10 kids. You can get a ticket to go see the action super up close in the pits for $30. This is truly a unique destination that appeals to people of all ages. To see a schedule of upcoming races, visit countylineracewaync.com or call 252-985-1949.
The Rocky Mount Mills is a micro-brewery mecca in a quaint village on the banks of the Tar River. The redeveloped neighborhood was once a bustling neighborhood with the Rocky Mount Mills (factory) as the centerpiece providing jobs and textiles to the surrounding area. The jobs and textile companies left, but the new Rocky Mount Mills has sparked an entrepreneurial spirit in the area. Locally owned restaurants and breweries are located in the refurbished mill houses and a local community college has even taken over a part of the village for its newly formed craft brewing program.
Several restaurants and breweries surround the Rocky Mount Mills beer garden which is often the site of live music during the warmer months. All facilities have outside gathering places and it is a pet-friendly complex. Food choices range from tacos to pizza to fine cuisine. If beer isn’t your thing, don’t worry, there’s plenty of wine choices and sweet tea if your preferred beverages are non-alcoholic. You can keep track of upcoming concerts and happenings at the Rocky Mount Mills at https:// www.rockymountmills.com/
Nowhere is that more apparent than the local restaurants. In summer, when people are more relaxed and daylight lingers well into the evening, experiencing first-class dining within a small town setting truly combines the best of both worlds.
Nestled among the small shops in downtown Rocky Mount sits The Prime Smokehouse. Since its opening in 2013, it has become a mainstay of the city, drawing in diners from across Eastern North Carolina and beyond. Once you step inside, you can expect a casual atmosphere and an upscale meal.
Proprietor Ed Wiley III, with his wife Yalem Kiros, and lifelong friend and business partner Harold Worrell Jr. decided to become a part of Rocky Mount’s downtown revitalization efforts, eventually closing their first location in North Raleigh and turning the historic locale into their flagship restaurant.
The Prime Smokehouse offers live jazz and Texas-style barbecue, both inspired by Wiley’s late father, Ed Wiley Jr. The elder Wiley was a saxophonist who toured the southern and midwestern United States as part of the group of night clubs and restaurants known as the Chitlin Circuit. These businesses served a primarily AfricanAmerican clientele during the nation’s Jim Crow-era. Once he and his wife settled in Philadelphia, he began a catering business.
“My father fried the best chicken, made the ooziest baked macaroni and cheese, and collard greens and ham hocks to die for,” Wiley said on the restaurant’s website.
His father, who was from Texas, was known for his barbecue.
“The meat would slow-smoke and tease us for half a day before, in my father’s eyes, it had reached the perfect level of smokiness, tenderness and overall deliciousness,” Wiley said.
The Prime Smokehouse is Wiley’s way of carrying on his father’s legacy. Many of the recipes on the menu were learned by working alongside his father as a teenager.
In North Carolina, where summer and barbecue rank among the most iconic of couplings, a helping of ribs and chicken with a side of macaroni and cheese and a mason jar glass of iced tea can be considered a perfect meal. The Prime Smokehouse is a Twin Counties treasure and a dining destination worthy of a Tuesday lunch or Saturday night out.
Fans of Lou Reda’s: An American Table will notice a completely different atmosphere at the Tap@1918 on the campus of the Rocky Mount Mills.
That is what local restaurant partners Lou Reda and Justin Gaines, partners also at Lou Reda’s: An American Table, are going for at Tap@1918.
The name is based on the year the former
Rocky Mount is a great place to call home in no small part because of the sense of family and community.Craig Nickerson, left, and his wife Yvonne Nickerson enjoys salads while having lunch at Prime Smokehouse Barbecue and Beyond in downtown Rocky Mount.
mill house was built and the restaurant is centered on being a tavern featuring classic tavern favorites like burgers and fish and chips while also venturing out into dishes not currently seen in the Rocky Mount area.
“If you didn’t know we were behind it, then you wouldn’t have known it’s the same two guys,” said Gaines, who is also head chef of both restaurants. “With both of us growing up in the Northeast, we saw tavern written all over this place. We wanted to make sure this place didn’t mirror Lou Reda or any other restaurant in Rocky Mount because we need more variety in Rocky Mount. With this being a pub, we’re trying to bring a little more excitement to Rocky Mount.”
Reda said Lou Reda’s is geared a little more toward family and fun, while Tap@1918 is more for adult fun where people can hang out, drink a few beers, eat some burgers and watch sports on the big screen TVs.
“Lou Reda is more of a different place where you may go there for a meal and may get a drink and may not,” he said. “Here it’s the other way, where we want you to go for the drink, cocktail and here we have 20 beers on tap and then we have some great food to eat.”
The 3,500-square-foot mill house where Tap@1918 is located features seating for 160 people with 56 seats on the porch and 30 on the outside patio. The inside of the restaurant has seating for the main dining room, including five flatscreen TVs and a back dining room area for seating equipped with more flatscreen TVs.
Gaines said the restaurant brought down a friend from Rhode Island, who is a renowned cocktail mixologist, to put in a cocktail program at Tap@1918 for customers looking for something other
Left) Tipsy Tomato owner Angelo Carlone turns a pepperoni and pickled chiles pizza while cooking it in the wood fired pizza oven at the pizzeria at Rocky Mount Mills.
Right) Amanda Wood, back right, and Jordan Lancaster, front right, share a laugh while celebrating Katie Lassiter’s, left, birthday at the Tap @ 1918 at the Rocky Mount Mills.
than beer like gin, scotch, bourbon or whiskey.
The restaurant also features local dessert selections from Miranda’s Sweet Addictions and Pound by Pound Specialty Bakery, Gaines added.
Tipsy Tomato was the first restaurant to open at the Rocky Mount Mills, and owner Angelo Carlone knew that becoming a tenant there would take his local pizzeria to the next level. The renovated mill house the pizza restaurant occupies has some seating inside the restaurant and outside tables and chairs on the patio deck for people to eat and enjoy the fresh air.
“It’s been huge,” Carlone said, “and people have been lining up before we open the doors for dinner. We’ve had a tremendous response from the community.
Tipsy Tomato also sells domestic beer and features a custom wood fire oven, which allows it to stand out from other local pizza establishments, said Evan Covington Chavez, development manager of the Rocky Mount Mills.
“As far as I know, this is the only wood
fire pizza place in the area, and everything is going to be baked in that oven whether it’s bread or lasagna,” Covington Chaviz said. “What that does is allow the food to be cooked really well, but there is also a crispiness to the crust and a flavor to the crust that you get from a wood fire oven that you don’t get from a traditional pizza oven. This also gives Angelo a great chance to be creative with the type of pizza he wants to make.”
Carlone said he loves the family-friendly atmosphere associated with the Rocky Mount Mills, as weekends are filled with people throughout the campus enjoying craft beer and engaging in other activities that the Mills hosts during the year.
“I feel like the community support here at the Mills is through the roof, and it’s only going to grow,” he said. “Eventually, you’re going to see out-of-town consumers come here, so that will allow me to have my product reach people that aren’t from here. That’s going to be a big deal to get my product out further, and definitely the Mills is on the verge of blowing up.”
The city is a regional hub of culture, arts, entertainment, technology and scientific discovery from the Imperial Centre to the Event Center.
Thanks to ongoing renovations, the Douglas Block is once again filled with vibrant buildings with pulsating businesses on the street level and luxurious downtown apartments on the second floor.
In the heart of the Douglas Block, the historic Booker T. Theater is a multipurpose facility capable of hosting theatrical and musical performances, movie showings, banquets, parties, meetings and much more. The remodeled theatre is perfect for any event space needs, according to the city’s Downtown Development Office.
The Imperial Centre for the Arts & Sciences is one of the premier cultural
facilities in Eastern North Carolina. The Centre — created in the footprint of the former Imperial Tobacco Company and the old Braswell Memorial Library — houses an arts center, children’s museum, science center and community performing arts theater.
The Imperial Centre hosts everything from Pilates classes to painting or clay workshops to weekly family-friendly events. It is also available for rent for parties, reunions and corporate events.
Right down the road, Rocky Mount Mills has transformed a historic mill into residential housing, a popular microbrewery incubator, a small business station, office and retail spaces and more.
Twin County Museum & Hall of Fame is located inside Rocky Mount’s downtown train station. The museum
preserves and celebrates the area’s diverse history. Doo-wop legend Milton Bullock, former member of the Platters, often performs for folks passing through the station.
While all of these destinations are important to downtown revitalization, the Rocky Mount Event Center is downtown’s crown jewel.
The indoor sports and event facility is unlike any sporting event center in Eastern North Carolina. It not only caters to sports tournaments but other events including concerts, conventions and meetings.
Mayor David Combs said the Event Center will revitalize the area’s economy, make the city a destination location, create positive energy for downtown and attract more millennials.
Downtown Rocky Mount has a lot to offer residents and visitors.
Gov. Roy Cooper, center, speaks following the announcement that Triangle Tire Company will be building a manufacturing facility at the Kingsboro megasite in Edgecombe County at Edgecombe Community College in Tarboro. Seated third from left is Triangle Group Company Chairman Ding Yuhua.
The Twin Counties received a huge economic shot in the arm late last year with the announcement of the largest manufacturing investment in rural North Carolina. Chinese tire plant
Triangle Tire has begun site preparation work to build its first manufacturing facility outside of China and in the United States at the 1,449-acre Kingsboro Megasite in Edgecombe County.
Triangle Tire officials signed off agreements in May on a $580 million investment to build the manufacturing facility with the plan to create 800 jobs with average salary paying employees more than $56,000 a year plus benefits — higher than Edgecombe County’s average wage of about $32,000.
Earlier this year, Norris Tolson, CEO
and president of the Carolinas Gateway Partnership, who helped make the deal happened, said at a Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce event that the potential build-out of the project could be more than $1 billion and create between 1,100 and 1,200 jobs.
Ding Yuhua, executive chairman and director of the board of Triangle Tire Co. Ltd., who passed away in June at 69, had said the factors that persuaded the company to come to the Twin Counties after a comprehensive search for potential site included the megasite’s strategic location in the heart of the Eastern Seabord, just off U.S. 64 and 10 minutes east of Interstate 95, the quality of local workforce and the warm welcome from state and local officials.
“This significant investment will play a key role in Triangle Tire’s growth strategy worldwide and represents a strong commitment to our customers in North America,” Ding said. “We want to thank Governor (Roy) Cooper and his team for all of their work in making this happen. We are excited to be coming to Edgecombe County.”
Triangle Tire’s project will be done in two phases. The first phase will be a passenger tire facility that is expected to completed in April 2020. Company officials said the first phase will be a passenger and light truck tire plant, with groundbreaking for the second plant, a 1 million-unit capacity truckand-bus tire facility, to begin six months after the start of construction on the first plant.
Economic development projects announced in the Twin Counties will bring much needed jobs to a struggling local economy over the years.
The company expects to complete both phases by 2023. Once both facilities reach production capacity, Triangle expects to produce six million tires annually. The project is estimated to contribute more than $2.4 billion to North Carolina’s economy.
The project is estimated to contribute more than $2.4 billion to North Carolina’s economy. As part of the agreement with Triangle Tire, Edgecombe County will use a $10 million grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation to build a state-of-theart advanced manufacturing training center at Kingsboro for the purpose of helping provide a strong workforce for the company that will be owned and operated by Edgecombe Community College.
In addition to Triangle Tire, New York-based Corning, Inc., a world leading innovator in material science, also will be bringing additional jobs and investment to Edgecombe County. Corning announced last year plans to bring a total of 428 jobs and $275 million in investment over three years to North Carolina.
The company plans to invest $86 million in the county to build a stateof-the-art global distribution center and create about 150 new jobs, said Norris Tolson, CEO and president of
the Carolinas Gateway Partnership. The new warehouse facility will be located between Rocky Mount and Tarboro at the intersection of Dunbar Road and U.S. 64 Alt.
Eric S. Musser, executive vice president of Corning Techologies and International, said the jobs will provide future support for the company’s new pharmeceutical glass packaging product, Valor Glass, and potential growth from other Corning businesses in North Carolina and elsewhere.
The average wage at the Edgecombe County facility will be $33,771, which is slightly more than the county’s average of $32,000. Musser said the expectation is for the distribution center to be built and full operational by the second half of 2019.
“The site itself had to be suitable for the business purpose we were looking for, but what also appealed to us about Edgecombe County is the availability of a highly skilled workforce,” Musser said. “We believe with confidence we can develop and attract the talent that we need to operate. We’re also happy with the infrastructure that’s available, the support of the business environment and overall very good quality of
living. When we put that altogether, it really made for a compelling case in Edgecombe County.”
CSX plans to build a new intermodal transportation facility in Edgecombe County to help industry get products to customers and spur growth in the region.T he new facility will be built across from N.C. Wesleyan College on land already purchased by CSX.
The newly envisioned 330-acre site will be a traditional intermodal site allowing trucks to bring cargo containers to a rail yard where the containers will be transferred to trains for transport. The facility will serve many industries with efficient access to rail, said Carolinas Gateway Partnership CEO and President Norris Tolson.
“Getting products to the customer is paramount to any business’s success,” Tolson said. “We at the Carolinas Gateway Partnership are pleased that the CCX intermodal site will provide another vital link in the logistics solutions offered for our customer base in the Twin Counties and all of Eastern North Carolina. Edgecombe and Nash counties will now truly be a gateway to markets throughout the eastern part of the U.S.”
Soon, that view will come closer to reality with one of the larger projects nearing completion.
The Eastern North Carolina town has been in transition and trending upward for some time now, and after years of effort, planning and construction of buildings and hangouts like the everpopular Rocky Mount Mills, the linchpin of the whole operation — the Rocky Mount Event Center — is on the way.
The Harlem Globetrotters will headline the Nov. 4 grand opening, kicking off an ambitious project that will bring new business and opportunities to the area.
The Event Center will be the home to a number of sporting events from around the area, as well as larger statewide and regional tournaments like the NTBA — National Travel Basketball Association — which will host its state championship at the event center in 2019.
The South Carolina-based league traditionally plays its championships in Charlotte and Myrtle Beach but has chosen Rocky Mount as its home moving forward. This is a landmark event, and will help kickstart the sports culture at the Event Center.
John McDonald, the regional executive for Sports Facilities
Management, a company that helps plan and guide the infancy phases of centers like this, said in May that the Event Center has received 47 requests for events.
McDonald said he believes that once other tournament directors see that something like the NTBA state championships can play and succeed here, it will be an important step in booking more tournaments like it.
“We have three events scheduled and two state championships with the NTBA,” McDonald said. “It’s one of the first dominoes to fall. Most people have never heard of Rocky Mount, but once these events start coming
Rocky Mount sees itself as being a destination city with an abundance of potential.Construction workers work on the Rocky Mount Event Center.
through, word will get out. It’s located just a couple hours from everything you need, and teams from Virginia or D.C. are already used to traveling five-plus hours for tournaments, so this wouldn’t be out of their range.”
While the complete list of events scheduled won’t be released until August, events such as basketball tournaments, volleyball tournaments, concerts and parties and large catered events are on the docket.
The Event Center won’t just be a sports destination. The building is multi-purpose and comes in at a whopping a 150,000 square feet, taking up over a city block in downtown real estate.
Reuben Blackwell, CEO of the Opportunities Industrialization Center, assured interested parties during a hard-hat walkthrough that the center aims to revitalize Rocky Mount in more ways than one
The space will contain an urgent care center as well as an imaging center, which will be a stateof-the-art facility that aims to help under-served people in the community who need medical help.
“It’s a short walk from just about anywhere downtown,” Blackwell said. “We aim to make Rocky Mount the center of it all.”
New Life Christian Academy in Rocky Mount, NC is a private Christian School that opened in 2012 and offers classes from Pre-School through High School.
The purpose of New Life Christian Academy is to partner with the parents and the Church by providing a quality education for students that is fully integrated with God’s Word and Christian principles.
Why choose New Life Christian Academy?
Because your child deserves not only a good education, but a loving and nurturing environment where their faith can grow alongside their academics. Give your child a good foundation through New Life Christian Academy. For New Life's teachers, this is not just a job – it’s a ministry! Their teachers are committed to loving your child and bonding with them through the teaching process. The staff does what they do because they feel a
New Life Christian Academy
812 Instrument Drive Rocky Mount (252)443-6560 www.newlifeacademyrm.com
special calling to work in a private Christian institution where they can
freely about faith issues with their students.
New Life Christian Academy uses the A Beka Curriculum for grades Pre-K-12. The God given ministry of Christian schools is to lead young people to Christ and train them in the Bible, Christian character, language, and traditional subject matter.
Today’s students need to be taught the accumulated wisdom of the past from God’s point of view and trained in the way they should go (Prov. 22:6). This lays a firm foundation from which to evaluate the present and make proper decisions for the future.
A Beka Book materials are developed with well established philosophical and research foundations, providing an excellent educational program that is unashamedly Christian and traditional. You can go to ABeka.com to learn more about this curriculum.
New Life Christian Academy is Founded on Christian Principles “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.” — Mark 10:14
New Life Christian Academy is not just a school – it’s a mission! The staff imitates Christ by welcoming the children in the community and introducing them to Christ through their quality education program. Everything New Life does is in response to their understanding of the Bible and upholding Christian principles.
NLCA is a fully accredited school where upon graduation our students are ready for a four year university, a two year college, the military, or the work place.
The Area’s Most Affordable, Quality Christian Education
812 Instrument Drive Rocky Mount, NC 27804 (252) 443-6560 www.newlifeacademyrm.com
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6
talkBy Jessie H. Nunery
Georgettae Turrentine recently moved from Rocky Mount to Tarboro with her husband, Preston, and three children.
The Turrentines always are looking for activities to keep three girls ages 3-9 active and engaged.
It only took a few steps for them to achieve that goal on a June weekend when the family walked down the street from their home and enjoyed the 2018 Happening on the Common event in downtown Tarboro.
Happening on the Common is one of just many family-oriented festivals and events the Twin Counties has to offer its residents, and it is a welcomed feeling for residents like the Turrentines, who are natives of Maryland and remained in the area after graduating from N.C. Wesleyan College.
“It was well worth it,” Turrentine said. “You want your kids to have safe and affordable fun. It was local, and we didn’t have to go to Raleigh or anywhere to get it. It was a nice change of scenery.”
Events such as Happening on the Common, which featured rides for children, music and vendors, are not limited to yearly spots on the calendar.
The city of Rocky Mount offers its residents some weekly series during the Discover Downtown event series, which includes its Juneteenth festival, Downtown Live, Lawn Chair Theatre and Summer Night Lights events and more.
Downtown Live! takes place every other Thursday evening beginning and May and ending in September. It’s a free event and gives the chance for adults to gather on the lawn of the Imperial Centre for the
Arts & Sciences and listen to a variety of live musicians who play everything from beach music to R&B and oldies.
Lawn Chair Theatre invites people of all ages to the Imperial Centre’s lawn for family-oriented movies every other Friday evening from May to July. It’s another free event where children can also participate in crafts prior to the movie beginning at nightfall.
Summer Night Lights features many of the city’s parks and is a weekly Friday night event that allows families to come out and enjoy music, crafts and games for children.
Yearly events in the city of Rocky Mount include its Juneteenth Festival, which in recent years has feature nationally acclaimed recording acts such as Dru Hill, Avant and Silk.
“These are opportunities to provide family-friendly events to citizens of Rocky Mount and visitors to our area while showcasing downtown Rocky Mount,” said Tameka Kenan-Norman, the city’s chief communications and marketing officer.
The city’s Eastern Carolina BBQ Throwdown each October welcomes residents from across the state to take part in a professional cooking competition that includes chicken, pork ribs, pork, and beef & brisket.
Those who wish to continue traveling down U.S. 64 in the Twin Counties can also enjoy Nashville’s yearly Blooming Festival in May that features a weekend of amusement rides, vendors, live music acts and more.
Twin Counties events and festivals aren’t limited to the summer, as many areas celebrate the holidays with parades and more.
For addition information on events, visit rockymountnc.gov, Tarboro-nc.com or townofnashville.gov.
1) Trinity Rich, 10, jumps during the 2017 Happening on the Commons in Tarboro.
2) Shane Peele swings his daughter, Brylee Peele, 5, in the rain at the July Fourth Freedom Celebration at Englewood Baptist Church.
3) Edgecombe County Sheriff Clee Atkinson Jr. is dunked by a community member in the dunking booth at the Kids Back to School Bash at Abrams in Tarboro.
4) Ray Pittman, 5, slides down the slide during the 2017 Happening on the Commons in Tarboro.
The city’s hottest and most modern neighborhood is ever-growing — and with that, come new places to cash out on North Carolina’s craft beer infatuation.
The most recent hang-out spot added to the campus is a new brewery brand, BDD, a Sasquatch-themed strorefront in the beer garden that offers everything from the usual IPA option to a peach cobbler draught.
They opened up for good about two months ago, with a music festival, SquatchStock, that had live music from noon until 10 p.m.
A person familiar with the mills and all they have to offer knows the newest addition joins an already full slate of
restaurants and bars in the neighborhood.
Two doors down from BDD, with the sun tent outfront so you can’t miss it, is Hopfly, the brewery and popular weekend destination that moved in last fall. In between the two is the recreational beer garden open to the public, and, on the outside of the exposed brick building, two plasma screen TVs optimal for watching all the seasonal sports action.
Goat Island Bottle Shop, previously Ramblers, is the mill’s loan retail beer shop, which, of course, also serves as a bar and hangout spot. Tap@1918 is still churning out thoughtful dishes and sandwiches; Tipsy Tomato offers cheap beer and deluxe pizza by the slice; TBC
West has all the mac and cheese and beer you could ask for; and Koi Pond, with its summer lawn and corn hole set up, is open for a beer in or outside of its cozy confines.
The Rocky Mount Mills, of course, is the city’s premiere hang out spot. Here are some other options to consider.
• Station Square:A pet boutique. A vintage record shop. A new internet, ice cream and coffee cafe: A few hours spent at the newest storefronts here will make you forget for a second you’re in downtown Rocky Mount.
• Sharks-N-Shooters: Open seven days a week until 2 a.m., this cheap beer spot off Sunset Avenue’s beaten path is
The
Mount Telegram isn’t the only business that recently announced the Rocky Mount Mills as home.Katie Davison, left, and Jody Gerhard share a laugh while enjoying pizza and beer during Pondapalooza at Koi Pond Brewing Company at Rocky Mount Mills.
a sufficient way to spend a Sunday, shooting pool and watching the sports game of the day.
• Chico’s Mexican Restaurant: Tucked away within Sunset Avenue’s power plant, the outside deck overlooking the Tar River is one of the more scenic views you can get in Rocky Mount. Tucked away in a novelty glass, Chico’s margaritas are some of the strongest in Rocky Mount.
• Westridge Grill: An outdoor seating area in Westridge Shopping Center makes this classic American restaurant a popular way to relax on a hot summer night.
1) Eleanor Jones, 2, dances to Matty Begs play music at the Rocky Mount Mills 5k at the Rocky Mount Mills. 2) Nick Hoxsey, right, and his sister Mallory Brothers, center, talk with customer Latasha Manley on Thursday at Trax Coffee Bar at Station Square. 3) Chester Evans, left, and Nate Moseley order beers at HopFly Brewing Company at the Rocky Mount Mills. 4) Meredith Davis Johnson sings at Westridge Grill.
For many people the goal of moving is a question of timing. However, recognizing if the time is right is a matter of answering a number of questions to help ensure you are prepared for moving forward. Here are some questions you can ask yourself to discover if now is the right time to make a move.
Do you have a family heirloom such as Grandma’s piano you need room for? Need a fenced yard to chase your pup around? How about a relaxing Master Bathroom to unwind from the week? What do you want in your next move? Though few people find a home that match 100% of their wants, knowing what’s most important to you will help you in making your decision.
Depending on your circumstances, there are a number of options when it comes to financing your home. Have a friend or family member you know that can help you with your home loan? No? If not, don’t worry! Let me introduce you to someone who will help you find the right budget to fit with your home need. You will be surprised how easy this step can be with a knowledgeable Lender who wants to help you.
What are you waiting for? No really? What? Once you have organized your want list and determined the best budget for your home, you could make a move in as little as 30 days! How exciting it will be for you to finally make the move you’ve been thinking about!
Now that you have decided it is time to make a move, let me help you take the next step. The moving process, though ultimately rewarding can be a challenging process without having the right resources in place to help
you along the way. It is my pleasure to help make the process as smooth as possible. It’s no surprise that in 2017 87% of people making a move used a Real Estate professional. That is a 69% increase since 2001.*
Look at what one of my clients said after I helped her sell and buy a home “Brett was amazing. He helped us through many hurdles that others would have left us to figure out in our own. He had our back, and encouraged us to do what was in our best interest. He knew what we were looking for and helped us find it!” E. Bass , Rocky Mount NC
Let me provide you with the care that moves you! Visit me at www. BrettHillREALTOR.com or text “Move Me” to 252-955-1350 to discover the next step in making your move!
The tradition includes a warmth of neighbors and an excellent track record, according to hospital officials.
Nash UNC Health Care has been the leading regional health care provider for more than 35 years. The hospital also uses the latest state-of-the-art technology in providing that world-class care.
“We realize that, as a community health care center, our patients are not just patients — they are a part of our community. They are our neighbors, our friends, our church and civic club members. As a result, they are a part of us,” according to hospital officials.
Nash UNC Health Care opened its new $25 million Nash Women’s Center in May 2016. The center is a state-of-the-
art obstetrical facility designed to provide the most comfortable and safe birthing experience possible for the region’s mothers, their newborns and their loved ones.
The hospital has added several new buildings and services including the pediatric emergency room, which opened along with the new emergency department in 2014.
The hospital’s new cancer center is named for Danny Talbott, a local native and inductee in the N.C. Sports Hall of Fame.
Vidant Edgecombe Hospital offers compassionate care for residents of Tarboro and surrounding communities. The highly trained staff at the acute-care
facility represents more than 20 medical specialties, according to hospital officials.
The hospital specializes in comprehensive rehabilitation services, cancer care, birthing and outpatient clinics. The hospital has a long history of community involvement, including health fairs, screenings and annual events like Pink Power and Heart Truth.
Looking beyond the area’s hospitals, Boice-Willis Clinic has opened its new Medical Center at 91 Enterprise Drive. The multi-speciality facility is physician owned.
The state-of-the-art two-story building will be the new home of Boice-Willis Clinic Pediatrics and Boice-Willis Clinic Primary Care that were previously located
The Twin Counties has a tradition of quality health care from Nash UNC Health Care to Vidant Edgecombe Hospital and more.Marie Boswell pets therapy dog Elsie at Nash General Hospital.
in the Nash Medical Arts Mall.
The Opportunities Industrialization Center also serves the area’s health care needs. Established in Rocky Mount in 1969, the OIC provides human support services to enhance self-sufficiency. Among its many services is health education outreach and primary medical care.
1) Brittany Forbes, right, touches her daughter, Charlie Avery Forbes on the head at Vidant Edgecombe Hospital in Tarboro. 2) Brianna Ricks collects the over-the-counter drugs for a participant at the Mobile Free Pharmacy event at the E. L. Roberson Center in Tarboro. NC MedAssist hosted the Mobile Free Pharmacy with Vidant Edgecombe Hospital. 3) Nash UNC Health Care patient Jake Arnold, right, talks with cardiologists Dr. Maitreya Thakkar, center, and Dr. Michael Yeung at Nash Heart Center. 4) Zina Darden dances to the song ‘Wobble’ in the OIC parking lot.
■ In March 2017, RMEP celebrated the build of its 4 millionth engine.
■ April 2018 was the highest monthly production in its history.
■ Forecasting shows 2018 will be the highest engine and components demand ever.
■ Projected investments will top $23 million in capital throughout 2018.
■ RMEP is a top three employer in the area and projected to fill more than 400 additional jobs over the next 10 years.
1979 - RMEP was originally established in 1979 as a joint venture between JI Case and Cummins Engine Company and was named Consolidated Diesel Company (CDC).
1983 - The first engine was produced at CDC for North America and European markets.
1993 - DC added 11 megawatts of on-site generating power using Cummins/Onan technology. The 1 millionth engine was produced at CDC in June.
1996 - CDC introduced the 4-valve head technology to improve emissions.
2001 - The 2 millionth engine was produced at CDC in October.
2008 - After 25 years, Cummins purchased the full share of CDC and was renamed Rocky Mount Engine Plant (RMEP).
2010 - The 3 millionth engine was produced at RMEP in June.
2013 - Marine engine assembly moved to RMEP.
2017 - The 4 millionth engine was produced at RMEP in March.
2018 - April was the highest production month in RMEP’s history.
North Carolina is a great state, Rocky Mount is a great community, and Cummins has a very giving workforce. It’s a privilege for us to be here and to be involved.
2018 | LIVING HERE | 33
The Twin Counties with Rocky Mount at its center is the new home to retirees and millennials alike, according to local real estate agents.
To start, Rocky Mount is within half a day’s travel to the beaches and mountains on U.S. 64 and located halfway between Florida and New York on Interstate 95.
Houses cost less and property tax rates are lower than many other areas. The housing market is on an upward trend, from 132 homes for sale in June 2016, 485 homes in June 2017 and 520 in June
of this year, according to Zillow, an online real estate marketer.
In addition to those single-family homes, there are usually several multifamily homes listed.
Sixty-two percent of Rocky Mount residents own their homes. The median sales price for homes in Rocky Mount from March 21 to June 20 was $131,750 based on 156 home sales. The average price per square foot for Rocky Mount was $73, an increase of 4 percent compared to the same period last year.
The median monthly apartment rent for May 20 to Jun 20 was $775, according to Trulia, a real estate market website.
For folks who find such prices a little out of reach, Rocky Mount also has a robust stock of affordable housing. Stable, quality and affordable housing is key to sustainable, strong and growing communities, according to the Rocky Mount Housing Authority. The Section 8 agency is committed to helping families move from dependency to self-sufficiency.
Tired of the hustle and bustle of the Triangle, a lot of folks are looking elsewhere, with many sights set on Rocky Mount.1) Construction is being done to five one-bedroom and five two-bedroom luxury apartments Wednesday at The Villager apartments.
Whether you’re on the hunt for fun or educational activities — or maybe both — there are plenty of options to keep kids and their parents entertained.
Rocky Mount has an entire museum dedicated to educating kids while keeping it fun. The Rocky Mount Children’s Museum and Science Center is located in the Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences in downtown Rocky Mount. Each of the museum’s exhibits and displays offers visitors creative opportunities for learning about the world and challenges kids by encouraging critical thinking in an interactive learning environment. All of the museum’s exhibits are both
educational and fun. The educational programs and interactive exhibits are resources that encourage visits from school groups, families, tourists, social groups, and community organizations.
The Children’s Museum features a live animal exhibit, a planetarium and a feature exhibit, which currently is “Dinosouars!”
Participants can undertake three Mesozoic Missions spanning 150 million years and mimic dinosaur behavior; become a junior paleontologist and find evidence of your dinosaurs; learn why dinosaurs are one of the most successful survivors in earth’s history; and unearth a shocking discovery: Dinosaurs may not
be extinct.
A really cool maze exhibit provides a physical and mental challenge that entertains and educates. The versatility of the maze as an exhibit medium makes it a unique learning tool for both children and adults.
The Cummins Planetarium usually has shows in the afternoon and admission is free if you’ve purchased a ticket to the Children’s Museum.
The Dinosaur Exhibit will be on display through Aug. 26. Admission to the Children’s Museum is $6 per person and free for everyone on Sundays. For more information, visit https:// imperialcentre.org/science-center/
There is no shortage of kid-friendly activities and destinations in the Twin Counties.Mcrae Kiser, 8, reacts wahile making slime during ECC STEM camp at Edgecombe Community College in Tarboro.
Another local spot known for its children’s programming is Braswell Memorial Library.
While its children’s book collection is exemplary, the library also provides a year-round calendar of fun activities and programs for kids. This summer there is a visiting artist almost every week, with performances in the morning and afternoons. Teens can find more than just books as well, with their own ageappropriate events like Lip Sync Battles and robotics programs.
Braswell also offers free Wi-Fi in its facility on Grace Street in downtown Rocky Mount. To see a calendar of events, visit http://braswell-library. libguides.com/home.
4-H camps and programs are another outlet for kids to learn and have fun. Throughout the summer months, the Nash County 4-H program offers a wide variety of learning experiences for kids. Topics of some of the most popular camps include sewing, horseback riding, cooking, craft-making, fishing, babysitting basics, criminal justice and beekeeping. There is a fee to attend these camps.
Registration opens in May and the camps are offered June, July and August. For more information, visit https://
nash.ces.ncsu.edu/2018/04/2018-4-hsummer-camp-2-2/
If you’ve got a child that’s into the arts, there are plenty of outlets to express artistic creativity.
At the Imperial Centre Arts Center, students and families can register for family classes on the weekends and weekly art camps for kids of all ages during the summer months. Upcoming family art classes feature instructions on drawing birds, clay carving, painting portraits and watercolor and oil painting.
Summer camps for children are scheduled through July and August. Kids can practice their painting, sculpting and illustrating skills for a variety of mediums. There are fees for these classes. Check out the schedule at https://imperialcentre.org/arts-center/ programs-events/
Kids with an affinity for drama can take part in a several community theater programs like Activate Drama (https://activatedrama.org/), Nash Arts (http://www.nasharts.org/) and the Community Theatre program at the Imperial Community (https:// imperialcentre.org/theater/getinvolved/). These drama programs produce plays throughout the year with
many young people in starring roles and part of the ensemble.
Tar River Children Chorus offers an opportunity for children in grades 3-12 to be a part of a concert choir that performs throughout the year in the community and in state and national competitions. Led by conductor Patsy Gilliland, students audition during the summer to take part in the choir’s upcoming concert year. For more information, check out http://www. tarriverlive.com/tar-river-childrenschorus/.
And of course, free stuff for kids to do is often the best stuff to do. With the Twin Counties plethora of public parks and greenspace areas, there is no shortage of outside areas for kids to play in. Start off playing at Sunset Park in Rocky Mount and walk the Tar River Trail to Battle Park or lay out a blanket in the historic Tarboro Town Common and enjoy a picnic lunch. The Tar River winds its way through the Twin Counties and offer numerous spots perfect for rock skipping or fishing from the banks.
Whether you’re looking for museum fun or outdoor play, there’s something to please all kids in the Twin Counties.
1) Braxton Tyler, 3, dances after Amy Louttrell reads a story at First United Methodist Church Preschool.
2) Easton Ward, 4, left, and Sawyer Perry, 4, play with Mr. Potato Head at First United Methodist Church Preschool.
3) Red Oak Middle School seventh-graders Corey Cooper, left, 14, and Tristan Siler, 13, right, joust their Lego battle track vehicles as classmate Myra Skinner, 12, watches during the Communities in Schools Seventh Grade STEAM Retreat at the Imperial Centre.
4) Carli Bass, 10, sits in her grandmothers, Emily Brass’s lap as they listen to a story during story time at Braswell Library.
5) Hayden Cahoon, 12, left, and Ethan Harrell, 10, celebrate after their robot finishes the maze during the Lego STEM Robotics Camp at Nash Community College.
For an idea of how novel Starbucks is to the Twin Counties, look no further than the new storefront’s enthused, if inexperienced, employees.
Normally, said store manager Megan Cherrier, who lives in Raleigh and commutes to Rocky Mount, there is a by-the-book procedure when a new Starbucks moves in.
A store opens up in a metropolitan area. People walk by and walk in, without having seen any coming soon signs, because a new Starbucks is less an occasion and more a ritual. And the workers are usually about 70 percent experienced transfers from other Starbucks.
“You make a new Starbucks, and a bunch of employees say, ‘Hey that’s close to my house. Let me transfer over,’’ Cherrier said.
In this case, though, with the large, full, sit-down storefront that opened earlier in June on U.S. 301 in front of Sam’s Club, the other nearest full Starbucks was 25 miles away, in Wilson, the only other being the corporate store in Target.
So, there were no transfers. For that reason, the first few weeks have been about training employees in coffee-related nuances, and training supervisors on how to train employees in coffee-related
nuances, on everything from drive-thrus to tall non-fat lattes with a caramel drizzle.
“Since we’re a remote location, everyone here is brand new. We’ve been focused on that; everyone is still in training. It’s been a little hectic, I think, is the word,” she said. “My priority has been coaching them.”
In the beginning, during the recruiting process, Cherrier and the rest of the assembly looking to hire for the new store were worried about the turnout for applications. They drove from Raleigh to Rocky Mount with flyers, without an idea of where to put them, or whether posting them in Sam’s Club was a breach of unwritten chain store rules.
But the applicants came pouring in — about 300 of them initially — thanks in part to a job fair about three months ago. The store still gets walk-ins hoping for a chance to fill out an application.
And, just a few weeks into the newest store’s opening, a common thread has been heard at the only full Starbucks in Rocky Mount’s corridor of I-95.
“I know people are excited there’s a
Starbucks here -- I know there’s a Target one, but it’s a much different experience to have the standalone versus the corporate store. I think ppl are really excited,” she said. “It brings an opportunity to a town like Rocky Mount for some job creation.”
Other new businesses to open in Rocky Mount are:
• Station Square Records: The vibrant splash of creativity in downtown offers old and new records, along with record players to get you going.
• Trax Coffee Bar: The new coffee vendor, ice cream shop and internet cafe is a quick walk from Station Square Records, and offers another hip addition to the neighborhood.
• Lidl: Some of the offerings at this grocery store really are as cheap as you might have heard.
• Morning Addiction: A coffee shop with a nice enough interior to make you forget about it’s highway-side location.
• The Chopped Panini: A new addition to Westridge Shopping Center’s diverse collection of restaurants.
The variety of programs the organization offers caters to a number of interests and abilities.
With three locations in the Twin Counties — Tarboro, Rocky Mount and Nashville — the Boy’s and Girls Clubs reaches children throughout the area and has a great positive impact on the community. Through its programs, and in conjunction with several community partners, including Cummins Engine Plant Corporation, Chick-Fil-A, Barnhill Contracting, the city of Rocky Mount and several others, they have a 72 percent increased school attendance rate and 100 percent graduation rate among its students.
Programs in character and leadership development include the Torch Club, a leadership and service club for children ages 11-13 that focuses on education, health and fitness and social recreation; Teen Supreme Keystone Club for youth ages 14-18 that builds upon the tenets
of Torch Club and also teaches career exploration and free enterprise; and Goals for Growth, a program for ages 8-12 that teaches children to set and achieve goals by helping them identify their strengths building self-esteem.
In the areas of education and career development, the organization offers several programs underwritten by the JCPenney After School Fund, including Power Hour, a homework and tutoring program, Goals for Graduation, which links students’ future plans with their present actions, and the Summer Learning Program. Money Matters: Make it Count is a program in conjunction with The Charles Schwab Foundation that teaches children financial responsibility and independence. There also are programs in job readiness to prepare young people to secure employment and have successful working lives.
A number of programs also teach health and life skills, from achieving
optimal oral health to resisting alcohol, tobacco and drugs. There are also programs that focus on HIV/AIDS prevention and tools to combat the pressure to join gangs.
For visual artists, the Fine Arts Exhibit program allows children ages 6-18 to express themselves through drawing, painting, print making, collage, mixed media and sculpture. The artwork is displayed in local and regional exhibits and has the opportunity to be included in the National Fine Arts Exhibit at the Boys and Girls Club national conference.
Children who are a part of the Boys and Girls Club also can participate in America’s favorite pastime, baseball, as part of the Buck Leonard Association Baseball League.
For more information on the Tar River Region Boys and Girls Club, call 252-977-9924 or visit www. bgcnec.com.
For young people looking for activities to keep them occupied this summer and all year long, look no further than the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Tar River Region.Maryam Brown, 10, hands out spinach plants while helping plant the community garden at the Lucy Ann Boddie Brewer Unit of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tar River Region.
His line was cast into the Tar River, hoping for a nibble.
“I’ve had some bites, but I’ve got a few more places to hit today” James said on the pier. “This is one of my spots. There’s another in Sunset Park up the river, too.”
James said he spends a couple days each week fishing off the shore on various waterways. And he isn’t alone. Those searching for outdoor adventures in Rocky Mount have plenty of options to choose from, including fishing, hunting and even a little climbing at one of the parks minutes away.
City Lake and the Rocky Mount Reservoir are popular destinations to drop in a line, through with 49
different lakes, reservoirs and rivers to utilize — if not willing to head a couple hours to coastal waterways — Rocky Mount holds its own as a fisherman’s paradise.
For those looking to fish from a boat, Sunset Park has a ramp that dips into the water for boating access.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission is also gearing up for hunting season. Hunting education courses must be completed before hunting, and classes are offered online or in-person. There are 18 classes happening in July, with more scheduled at various locations in August.
Deer hunting season opens in Sept., with archery from Sept. 8-28.
Black powder from Sept. 29-Oct. 12 and gun from Oct. 13-Jan. 1, 2019.
Here’s some fishing info from the N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission, including what types of species to expect in some of the more popular destinations:
• Sunset Park: The main species of fish that can be found here are catfish, crappie, largemouth bass and sunfish.
• Battle Park: American shad, catfish, crappie, hickory shad, largemouth bass, striped bass, sunfish.
• Access off N.C. 97: american shad, catfish, crappie, hickory shad, largemouth bass, striped bass, sunfish.
Just off the walking trail in Rocky Mount’s Battle Park, Henry James sat on a portable folding chair with one hand on a fishing rod.By Patrick Mason
The warm weather, which exists throughout most of the year, is inviting to those looking for adventures outside of the home.
Standard options like going for a run, or a stroll in one of the many parks are always available. Other avenues like playing basketball or tennis can are options. With nearly 50 parks within the eastern North Carolina town, the options are endless.
Sunset Park, which sits along the Tar River, is complete with a sand volleyball pit, tennis courts, basketball courts, a skate park and even a kid-friendly spray park which offers a way to cool off from
the summer heat. The spray park operates from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. each day, and even has concessions for those staying a while.
The food options range from popcorn to ice cream and snow cones.
Sunset park was even fitted with a miniature train that offers rides to up to 36 passengers, and a carousel back in 1952. Both survived a 1999 flood.
“It’s a good environment for the kids to play,” said Tanisha Daniels, who was at the spray park during a recent weekday with her three children. “You don’t have to worry about them as much as you would a pool. We had a sprinkler growing up when I was a kid, and this gives them
a taste of that.”
Speaking of pools, Denton Street Pool, a public swimming option, is open and available to use for $3 per session. Each session is two hours long, ranging from time slots 10 a.m. to noon, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Eight competitive swimming lanes, water slides, diving boards and even a spray area make this a popular option in the summer.
In addition to wet ideas, a nearby dog park with three pens, including an enclousure for small dogs, another for larger dogs and a third pen complete with an agility course.
Looking for ways to spend time outdoors in Rocky Mount shouldn’t be overwhelming.Gene Herring feeds the wildlife at City Lake Park in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
The park is open to all from dawn to dusk, with a mission statement to “offer the citizens of Rocky Mount a safe area to interact with their canine companions; ultimately designed to advance the humane treatment of dogs and responsible pet ownership,” according to the website.
The park has enjoyed lots of success and has attracted pet owners from across Eastern North Carolina.
More, still, is a disc golf course that wraps 17 holes around Sunset Park.
People play the course throughout the day and come from all over.
Tim Brandt, a 46-year-old Wilson resident, was tugging a rolling bag filled with different discs. He and his daughter, Allison, were on hole three, playing the course for the second time in as many days.
“We love to come out here,” Brandt said. “We came out here one day last year, kind of bonded together over our shared interest in picking up new hobbies.”
Allison said she remembers playing with a Frisbee on various family vacations to the beach and figured that picking up disc golf with her father would be a fun challenge.
“We’re not really that good,” she said. “But it’s become a pretty addictive sport. You can play around trees, and the dog park is nearby so you sometimes see some cute puppies. It’s just nice to spend a few hours outside when you have time.”
The Tarboro Edgecombe Chamber of Commerce is a coalition of businesses working together for the commerce and economic development of Edgecombe County. The Chamber is the place where visitors gain their first impression of the hospitality and soundness of our community and trusted place for information gathering.
The Chamber connects businesses seeking your services. Networking events offer one-on-one opportunities to promote your business.
The Chamber promotes your business 24/7 through our website, social media and staff support. Our knowledgeable and friendly staff answer hundreds of inquiries a year relative to every imaginable question concerning the city and area.
The Chamber provides a clearinghouse of information needed by prospective industrialists, visitors, potential residents, and local businesses who are interested in learning more about the area and local business.
We are a sound investment in your Business Plan, The Shapiro Group, an Atlanta-based strategic planning group states “When consumers know that a small business is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, they are 49% more likely to think favorably of it and 80% more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future.” Making membership a must for your strategic marketing plan!
Ask us about Membership Discounts on Workers Compensation, and Event Sponsorships opportunities to showcase your business. Not yet a member of the Tarboro Edgecombe Chamber of Commerce? Our Team is large enough to serve your needs yet small enough to know you by name. 500 Main Street (entrance across from the historic military mural) • www.tarborochamber.com • 252.823.7241
When area residents turn on the television, they can see area professional athletes such as Brian Goodwin (Washington Nationals), Todd Gurley (Los Angeles Rams), Montrezl Harrell (Los Angeles Clippers) or Tyquan Lewis (Indianapolis Colts) perform against the best players in their respective sports.
It’s likely the next area professional currently is taking part in one of the many leagues or playing in one of the top-notch venues the Twin Counties has to afford its youth.
The Rocky Mount Sports Complex is a major player in baseball, softball and soccer as it holds local, state, regional and national events on most weekends throughout the year. The summer’s Top Gun World Series Baseball tournament brings in a direct estimated economic impact of $1.5 million.
“It is our belief that the Rocky Mount Parks and Recreation’s facilities encourages active participation by all youth in a fun and healthy physical activities no matter what their age, interests or ability level,” Rocky Mount Parks and Recreation Director Kelvin Yarrell said.
Adding a layer to the area’s prowess as a sports capital of Eastern North Carolina is the construction of the Rocky Mount Event Center, which will hold basketball and volleyball tournaments among its many features.
These are just places to participate, but the number of leagues and opportunities the area has to offer is one of the reasons why such venues exist.
The Harrison Family YMCA and its state-of-the art facility offers a number of programs including swim
lessons for various ages and a wealth of adult and youth recreation basketball opportunities.
There is no shortage of baseball opportunities as the Buck Leonard Youth Baseball League affords the chance for minority youth to learn the game.
On a yearly basis, the area is represented by youth baseball teams on the regional and national all-star levels.
Age does not limit recreational activities. The Rocky Mount Senior Center provides health and safety information, educational opportunities, leisure recreational activities and referral services for residents 55 and older.
Listings for the area’s various opportunities are on rockymountnc. gov and harrisonfamilyy.org.
The Twin Counties is no doubt a hub of sports.
In 2018, those interested in Rocky Mount and the surrounding area have been able to join the Rocky Mount Mill’s weekly Wednesday run club, slog through mud in Tackle The Tar, run through residential streets knowing beer awaits them at the Mills 5K, and so on. There’s also the Mill Chill, the Rocket Mile and the Hometown Heroes 5K.
Back when Kristen Bramble, organizer of Tackle The Tar, moved to Rocky Mount in 2013, she didn’t see those options.
For her, a lot has changed.
“Fitness in general I think has just sprung up in the last five years or so. You see Crossfit, all these 5K runs, core fitness; five years ago, I just don’t remember that,” she said. “Our community is a little unique in the fact that we like to give back to our community. I really think everyone puts their arms around all of these things.”
Tackle The Tar, which had its third iteration in May, was Bramble’s own creation inspired by a Tough Mudder she and her family used to go to in Charlotte. In 2016, 300 or so participants showed up from across the state — even some from out of state — and it has since doubled to 600 this year, a gaudy number despite a dark sky and on-and-off rain on its scheduled day.
“We’re further ahead than I thought we would ever be,” she said.
In terms of money raised, too. In the first two years combined, the event raised around $90,000 for scholarships to college for local high schoolers; this year alone raised about $60,000.
Another event, the Mills 5K, which took place for the third time in June, has raised about $45,000 in the last three years for the Carolina Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. It’s organized by Rocky Mount resident Michael Forrester, and his daughter,
Caroline, who have a family friend who suffers from the disease.
It’s a simple concept — money towards a good cause, combined with an eye for fitness, means community involvement,” Bramble said. “What else can you do that brings all walks of life together for one united cause?
“We can all get together and drink or go to a concert, but with a run, you’re working towards a common goal together.”
One of her proudest moments, Bramble said, was in the month or so leading up to TTT this year, when a group from Nash Community College decided they were up for the challenge and met everyday for a scheduled long walk. Eventually, that turned into a daily run. On the day of, the month of preparation turned into a crawl through mud in the pouring rain.
Those types of joint anecdotes were hardly a glimmer when Bramble moved here, a relocation she wasn’t excited
A burgeoning running scene in the Twin Counties, even five years ago, wasn’t easily as recognizable as it is now.Donnie Cowart, left, No. 67, runs with the lead runners at the start of the men’s race on North Franklin Street during the fifth annual Nash UNC Health Care Rocket Mile at the Imperial Centre. Cowart won the race with a time of 4:10.9.
about in its early going.
“I moved here five years ago. It was only because my job made me. I didn’t want to do it. I had never heard anything good about Rocky Mount,” she said. “Once you get here, your whole outlook changes if you let it. I wanted something to bring people to Rocky Mount.
“(This past TTT) was a weekend of just positive things about Rocky Mount, which is desperately needed because we do have such a great community. Rocky Mount needs positive things to go on for the outside to see.”
Local companies and more living options are part of the continued growth of the 150acre mixed-use development on the Tar River known as the Rocky Mount Mills.
The first corporate tenant that signed a long-term lease in the Rocky Mount Mills is slated to become operational in its new space this summer. Envolve Vision, an integrated health care solutions company, formerly called OptiCare Managed Vision, is scheduled to be up and running in its more than 23,000-square-foot space on the upper floor in the Main Mill building by Aug. 27, said Dennis Crossen, manager of transportation and facilities at Envolve Vision.
Crossen added Envolve will have 126 full-time staff relocating from its three offices on 112 Zebulon Court. The multiple departments going to the Mills will include the claims operations, contact center, account services, network managment, utilization management and information technology resources.
Envolve Vision CEO David Lavely said the space will assist the company in workforce recruiting. The company’s modern space will include original wood floors, high ceilings, exposed brick walls,
large windows, large glass conference rooms, wifi and a contemporary break room for employees. The space will oversee the scenic view overlooking to the Tar River.
“Envolve Vision was founded more than 30 years ago in Rocky Mount, and we are delighted to be able to relocate and remain in our hometown,” Lavely said. “This will be a world class environment that will enhance our service to our customers.”
Envolve Vision earlier this year opened Envolve Optical, a stand-alone optical retail store in a 1,320-square-foot remodeled Mill home. Envolve Optical is located across the street from the Mills’ campus. Michael Forrester, senior director of account services for Envolve Vision, said the space has two employees that includes a full-time optician, Karen Hobbs.
Forrester said the retail establishment has the largest selection of frames customers can find in the area. Envolve Optical is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Joining Envolve Vision in the Rocky Mount Mills will be the area’s longtime daily newspaper that began publication in October 1910. The Rocky Mount Telegram will relocate its editorial and business staff to
the 150-acre mixed-use campus on the Tar River.
The Telegram is expected to move into the Mills this fall and will occupy 5,500 square feet of space in the main mill building currently being completely remodeled.
“As newsmakers in the community, we’re excited to welcome Rocky Mount’s local newspaper to campus,” said Evan Covington Chavez, real estate development manager for Rocky Mount Mills and Capitol Broadcasting Co. “The Telegram is a fantastic organization that has played a pivotal role in this community for 118 years. They’ve seen and reported on Rocky Mount Mills and now they get to be a part of its rebuilding.”
The Telegram has been located at 1000 Hunter Hill in Rocky Mount since 2008. The 18,600-square-foot building was once a former YMCA building. Before coming to Hunter Hill Road, the Telegram spent 10 years on Tiffany Boulevard in Tiffany Square.
“We’re looking forward to moving into our new space at Rocky Mount Mills later this year,” said John K. Cooke Jr., president of Cooke Communications North Carolina, which has owned the Telegram since August
2009. “It’s a beautiful building in a vibrant campus that our employees and customers will enjoy.”
Kyle Stephens, who became the Telegram’s publisher in February, said the newspaper’s new location couldn’t be in a better spot.
“It’s in a perfect location for us,” he said, “close to downtown and right off (U.S.) 64.”
Sara Felsen, project manager of BELK Architecture, said the Telegram suite will feature a glass storefront and shared corridor, large industrial windows overlooking the river above the dam and a customer waiting area with coffee bar. The Telegram suite will be located in the corner of the building on the second floor.
“With shared outdoor spaces, conference rooms and atriums, the commerical tenants will have daily opportunities to interact throughout the building,” Felsen said. “This campus environment is very different from the Telegram’s current stand-alone building. There are a number of recreation and entertainment opportunities on campus. Also, the Telegram suite has been designed to maximize an open environment allowing the views and existing finishes to be the main attraction.”
In addition to Envolve Vision and the Rocky Mount Telegram, Nash County Travel & Tourism also has announced plans to go into a location on the Mills campus in late 2018. The agency will occupy an 1,800-square-foot historic home at 1104 Falls Road, just across the street from the main entrance to the Mills campus.
The Rocky Mills will also provide some more living options for people looking to stay in Rocky Mount. Tim Rogers, residential leasing specialist of the Rocky Mount Mills, said Capitol Broadcasting Co. is currently in the first stage of constructing 49 luxury loft apartments that are scheduled for occupancy at the end of September or beginning of October. Rogers said there will be another 20 apartments that will open in February.
The loft apartments that are described as a blend of historic and urban living will be studio up to three bedrooms. Rogers said the lofts will consist of hardwood floors and the latest stainless steel appilances ranging from $950 to $2,400.
“They will be very unique with various floor plans with view of Tar River and view
of Panther Island,” Rogers said. “This will be the first time in Rocky Mount market where studio apartments will be up for rent that will combine living room, bedroom and kitchen into a single room.”
Rogers said Capitol Broadcasting recently finished the last two renovations of a total of 50 homes at the Mill Village. The homes were part of the first projects done by Capitol Broadcasting that started in 2014 and located across from the Rocky Mount Mills and along the Tar River.
The one to three bedroom homes are equipped with spacious decks, patios outside, high ceilings and architectural
details inside. All homes come with charcoal grills, fenced-in backyards as well as their own unique backyard game such as bocce, cornhole and horeshoes.
The interiors equipped with hardwood floors, tile bathrooms, granite countertops, washer and dryers, security systems and a kegerator to keep beer on tap and chilled in homes.
According to the Mills’ website, unique lodging accomodations are coming to the Mills later this year as the campus’ River and Twine will consist of 20 boutique or small homes that will be available for nightly rental.
Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools is a diverse school system with about 15,000 students and 28 schools. The school system is the largest employer in Nash County, with about 1,900 employees. Included in the NashRocky Mount school system is the Early College High School program on the campus of Nash Community College, which accepts high school students ready for a rigorous curriculum and graduates their seniors with several
college transfer credits and an Associate Degree.
Edgecombe County Public Schools currently serve about 6,200 students in grades K-12. There are 12 schools in the Edgecombe school system, including an Early College High School that is located on the campus of Edgecombe Community College.
Elementary students in Nash and Edgecombe counties have opportunities to attend schools with a global-centered
curriculum and Spanish Immersion programs. In Edgecombe County, Martin Millennium Academy is a Global Gateway school serving students in grades K-8. Through a partnership with Participate International Education, MMA offers a full Spanish Immersion program in elementary school, and a focus on different regions of the world at each grade level. Three elementary schools in Nash County offer a Spanish Immersion program,
Whether you’re a student just beginning in pre-school or a local professional looking for continuing education or an MBA, schools in the Twin Counties are ready and willing to help you reach any educational goal you set.Erik Blake tries to listen to his heart beat with a stethoscope during career day at Spring Hope Elementary School in Spring Hope.
Middlesex, Bailey and Winstead Avenue elementary schools.
Both school systems offer advanced placement and honors programs, career-based academies and dual enrollment opportunities with the local community college.
Rocky Mount High School offers the globally recognized International Baccalaureate Program which also offers college transfer credits.
In addition to the public schools in the area, there are several charter schools and private schools to help you meet the needs of students in your family.
Edgecombe County is home to the North East Carolina Preparatory School, located in Tarboro. Charter Schools are public schools that students may attend, regardless of where they live. Rocky Mount Prep is a charter school in Rocky Mount that accepts students in grades K-12.
Other school choices in Rocky Mount include the private school, Rocky Mount Academy, which serves about 400 students and boasts a lower student-teacher ratio than public schools. There are also three faith-
based private schools, Faith Christian School, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School and New Life Christian Academy. All serve preschool through 12th-grade students. Many local students can attend public pre-schools, thanks to many state grants. There are also numerous tuition-based pre-schools throughout the Twin Counties. Down East Partnership for Children is a local non-profit organization that is devoted to early childhood education and can help you find a licensed preschool that best fits your family’s needs.
When it comes to setting a goal for a higher education degree, residents need to look no further than the Twin Counties.
More than 12,000 students throughout North Carolina have received their diplomas from N.C. Wesleyan College. The private, coeducational liberal arts college is a Methodist school and has a school population of about 1,200 students. It currently offers a master’s degree in criminal justice and several bachelor degree programs. The school offers
traditional classes as well as online and evening classes for professionals seeking degrees.
The Twin Counties also benefits from two community colleges in the area that work as community partners in educating and training residents for the local workforce.
Enrollment continues to climb every year for Edgecombe Community College headquartered in Tarboro and Nash Community College with a large campus in Rocky Mount. Both schools are public, two-year, post secondary educational institutions and offer adult high school diplomas, college transfer classes, and degree, diplomas and professional certificates.
Both schools continue to grow and develop in response to the community’s educational needs.
Nash Community College recently developed an engineering program and continues to expand the campus to meet the growing student population.
“I am proud to say that Nash Community College has experienced sustained enrollment, and even seen some growth, despite tough
economic time and budget cuts. This summer, we will open two new buildings, and will launch two new regional programs in the fall. Our job is to respond strategically to regional needs, adding new programs and services when appropriate and committing to supporting student success,” NCC President Dr. Bill Carver said.
Edgecombe Community College
continues to heed the needs of the community as well. When Triangle Tire announced plans to locate a manufacturing facility in Edgecombe county, ECC’s involvement and commitment to provide a training program and curriculum was an integral part of the deal.
At the time of the announcement, then-ECC President Dr. Deborah Lamm said, “The new advanced
manufacturing center will enable college personnel to provide innovative pre-employment training for prospective employees and cutting-edge retooling and training for current employees to guarantee they meet the skill sets required by Triangle Tire. This modern, stateof-the-art facility will ensure the long-term success of Triangle Tire and its workforce.”
Ranked by “Where to Retire” magazine as one of the Top 50 master planned communities in the United States, Belmont Lake Preserve and your lifestyle redefined starts with the incredible amenities offered that are unlike any other in the Rocky Mount and surrounding areas.
Whether your lifestyle redefined is playing a round of golf on our breathtaking David Johnson designed,
award-winning 18 hole golf course, a quick dip to cool off in the communities’ indoor or outdoor pools or going for a late afternoon stroll to soak in an incredible sunset over our 80 acre lake, the next chapter in your life’s story is waiting to be told at Belmont Lake Preserve.
Our community is one built around lifestyle and with our resort style amenities, how you choose to redefine your lifestyle is up to you…
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However, doing so can be expensive. Luckily, the Twin Counties has a variety of consignment and thrift stores to help you transform your style on a shoestring budget.
Consignment stores like A Second Season have a variety of fashion-forward clothing, shoes and accessories. Unlike retail shopping, which focuses on current fashion trends, secondhand stores allow shoppers to find vintage and designer labels that transcend time. Buyers often can find unique pieces that truly reflect their sense of style.
Many thrift stores, such as InJoy, the Salvation Army and Goodwill, also sell furniture. It is not uncommon to find antique pieces that would make a beautiful statement in your home while keeping a
few dollars in your wallet. There are plenty of items that only need a bit of polish and a loving home to bring out their beauty.
The not-so-loved furniture can also be a great thrift store find for people who have a little time and creativity. It can be fun to repurpose an old piece to do a new thing that fits your lifestyle. A little paint, new upholstery and some new hardware can completely transform a lackluster piece into a one-of-a-kind item that showcases who you are in your home.
Thrift stores are also chock full of eclectic knick-knacks to display on a mantle or bookcase. Finding the right accessory for your décor can solidify the look of a room. Again, many items, such as a vase or a lamp, may only need some polishing or a modern lampshade. However, for people
who would like to delve into transforming vintage items, small home accessories are a great place to start.
One of the best parts of thrift and consignment shopping is that often the money you spend goes to charity. Salvation Army and Goodwill have organizations that help people in need, and InJoy Thrift Store supports their ministerial work. A Second Season supports My Sister’s House, an organization that helps women in crisis due to domestic violence or human trafficking.
Whatever your style or taste, you are likely to find something at any of the consignment or thrift stores in the Rocky Mount area. You can give a beautiful item a new home, and best of all, you will help your community and not break the bank in doing so.
With warm weather comes the urge to brighten up your home and wardrobe with vintage and on-trend décor and clothing.Lake Wilson organizes clothes Tuesday at the current location of My Sister’s House’s retail store, A Second Season.
443-7764
Since opening in downtown Tarboro earlier this year, Allen Outfitters has worked to become your #1 sporting good and outdoor supply store. In addition to our extensive selection of guns, ammo, and accessories, we also carry a wide range of products for all outdoor activities, including coolers, fishing rods, reels, and lures, archery equipment, camping supplies, and so much more.
In addition, we provide so much more than outdoor supplies. We also provide Kayak and Canoe rentals, so you can experience the beauty of a trip down the Tar River. We also offer guided fishing tours with everything taken care of—all you have to do is get in the boat.
We also offer concealed carry classes, as a way of helping train our customers in the responsible use of firearms, because we believe very strongly that with the possession of a firearm, should come the responsibility of using it properly to better ensure the safety of yourself, your property, and your loved ones.
We have also undertaken the design and production of a bulletproof bookbag as a means of providing quick-deploy protection in active shooter events. You may have seen it in the Telegram, the Tarboro Weekly, and on WITN. After seeing the reception the news of our development of the bookbags garnered, we are in the process of trying to get these bookbags distributed on a national scale.
We here at Allen Outfitters take very seriously our commitment to responsible outdoor safety, whatever your activity in our community, and for all. We believe you should have the best equipment we can provide to you and will help you to get the most out of it. Come by and see us today!
Construction of a new bridge spanning Sunset Avenue over Wesleyan Boulevard temporarily closed Weslayan.
By Corey DavisCurrently, crews are at work on the U.S. 301 Bypass widen project. In June 2017, the Department of Transportation awarded a $28 million contract for the project to PLT-RBP JV Construction in Wilson.
Crews have been working on a two-mile section of U.S. 301 Bypass between Benvenue Road and May Drive that started by Inchiban Japanese Steakhouse and will end by Golden East Crossing mall, where the roads will widen from four lanes to six lanes by adding an additional lane in each direction with a hybrid synchronized street design.
Also, two bridges have been replaced — one being over Stony Creek as the new bridge will better be able to handle potential floodwaters, officials said. The bridge over U.S. 64 on Sunset Avenue has been replaced to improve
height clearance and accommodate the road widening.
Past traffic accident data reported during a five-year stretch revealed 233 crashes, 103 injuries and one fatality on the U.S. 301 corridor.
“The whole objective is safety because with (U.S.) 301 being such a high-volume area that we’ve had quite a lot of accidents, but we think this project is going to revoluntionize that road and really help with economy and businesses there once we get it done,” said Rocky Mount businessman Gus Tulloss, Division 4 state Board of Transportation member.
Smaller ongoing road projects include an $8 million project to widen Hunter Hill Road to four lanes from Country Club Road to Winstead Avenue. In Edgecombe County, a $5 million project will widen Springfield
Road from alternate U.S. 64 to Leggett Road.
Tulloss said there will be several other road projects that will be constructed in the Twin Counties between this year and 2022. The projects include a more than $45 million project on Interstate 95 at Sunset Avenue to add an interchange and widen the road to multi-lanes.
Other projects down the road inclued an estimated $16 million project to replace the bridge and upgrade the interchange at I-95 and N.C. 4. In addition, a more than $30 million project to add multi-lanes at Eastern Avenue from Red Oak Road to Old Carriage Road, and a more than $28 million project for Old Carriage Road from Green Hills Road to Eastern Avenue to add a center turn lane and widen the bridge over U.S. 64.
If you’re a motorist that has driven around town, chances are you’ve probably had to stop because of some road work taking place.
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