Living Here 2020

Living Here ContentsROCKY MOUNT

Publisher Kyle Stephens Editor Gene Metrick Staff & Contributors

Amelia Harper Patrick Mason

John H. Walker William F. West Crystal Hill Paige Minshew William S. Manley J. Eric Eckard Advertising Kelly Ayscue Chris Taylor Bryan Wilson

6 DINING Locally-owned restaurants offer wide variety of culinary choices

EDUCATION Public schools provide traditional, virtual and alternative learning

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Big-time projects plan major business investments in area

FARMERS MARKET

Thriving market features fresh produce, baked goods, seafood and more 16 FUTURE OUTLOOK Strategic location, aggressive recruiting promote ongoing growth 20 EVENT CENTER Facility hosts sports contests, concerts, social gatherings and other events 22 HOUSING Area builders, real estate agents strive to keep up with demand

IMPERIAL CENTER City venue houses arts and science exhibits, planetarium and theater

HEALTH CARE Extensive range of services available at area medical providers

Kimber Dail, left, attempts to hand-feed ducks with her father, Steven Dail, at City Lake Park. (File Photo)

HIGHER EDUCATION N.C. Wesleyan College continues to expand offerings, opportunities

NINJA WARRIORS State-of-the-art facility attracts competitors from across the country

PARKS & RECREATION Area is home to a myriad of public parks and recreation programs

RIVER BANDITS New team’s inaugural season brings baseball action back to Tarboro

ROCKY MOUNT MILLS Mixed-use development along the Tar River a place to work, live and enjoy fine food and drink

Living Here is a publication of the Rocky Mount Telegram and Adams Publishing Group. Contents may not be reproduced without the consent of the publisher.

SPORTS COMPLEX Athletic complex hosts tournaments, recreation leagues and range of events and activities

DINING in style

By Paige Minshew

Food probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Rocky Mount.

But the city’s food scene is legendary to residents of Greenville, Zebulon and Wilson, just to name a few. If you’re in the mood for modern American cuisine, hamburgers with a spin, classic pizza, Mexican, food with a Southern flair or a good steak, Rocky Mount is the place to go.

Lou Reda’s: An American Table, opened its doors in the fall of 2013. Owner Lou Reda

and chef partner and Culinary Director Justin Gaines bring a wealth of experience to the table in order to serve the crowd.

An American Table offers comfort food with a modern twist and bourbon-infused cocktails. Fan favorites are the roasted beet salad and crab cakes.

If you want a juicy hamburger loaded with unique flavors, Barley & Burger is the place to go. Holly Blanton and her husband, Josh, make Barley & Burger a frequent date-night destination.

“Barley & Burger is definitely one of our favorite places to go,” Blanton said. “They have burgers that are out of this world and an amazing beer selection.”

For those with a distinguished palate, “The Godfather” burger with fried mozzarella, pepperoni, marinara sauce and fresh basil is a fine choice. And lovers of the Southern favorite, pimento cheese, can have their share topped onto waffle fries with bacon.

Who doesn’t love Mexican food? El Tapatio Authentic Mexican Restaurant has been the

Customers enjoy lunch at LouReda’s: An American Table in Barkley Square. (File Photo)

go-to Mexican restaurant in eastern North Carolina for years.

“We have tried all of the other Mexican restaurants in town and we always go back to El Tap,” Blanton said.

You can’t beat family-owned Moe & D’s Restaurant Grill & Bar if you’re in the mood for either a laid-back atmosphere or a place to grub out on bar food while watching the big game. Michael, Steve and Moe Deloach, all natives of Rocky Mount, can provide any traditional comfort food you can imagine.

The Prime Smokehouse: Barbecue & Beyond has “the best macaroni and cheese in town hands down,” Blanton said.

Lifelong friends Ed Wiley III, his wife Yalem Kiros and Harold Worrell Jr. wanted to create a space where the “food was absolutely delicious, the atmosphere warm and cosmopolitan and the service stellar,” thus, The Prime Smokehouse: Barbecue & Beyond was born.

Food enthusiasts from surrounding towns and cities have many diverse and interesting

choices to satisfy their palates.

If steak and mac-n-cheese is your thing, head to The Prime Smokehouse. If you want to watch sports and chow down on comfort food, head to Moe & D’s. Fancy Mexican cuisine? El Tapatio is the place to go. For the best burgers in the area, head to Barley & Burger. And for contemporary American cuisine, Lou Reda’s: An American Table is where you want to be.

If you’re in the mood for modern American cuisine, hamburgers with a spin, classic pizza, Mexican, food with a Southern flair or a good steak, Rocky Mount is the place to go.

Jose Emanuel, left, serves lunch to Gary and JoAnn Zimmerman on March 21, 2019, at El Tapatio Authentic Mexican Restaurant. (File Photo)

Left, Brandon Clarke prepares a burger on Nov. 15, 2018, at Barley & Burger. Right, Clifton Ray Batte cleans off a table at Moe & D’s Restaurant Grill & Bar. (File Photo).

EDUCATION is a priority

By Amelia Harper

The Twin Counties offers a wide range of educational choices for families in Nash and Edgecombe counties.

The two public school districts, Nash County Public Schools and Edgecombe County Public Schools, serve most of the prekindergarten to grade 12 students in the area.

But alternative options exist as well.

Nash County Public Schools was formerly known as Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools until the name changed in July 2020. Though the school district is composed of schools in Nash County and most schools in the City of Rocky Mount, it is now primarily funded by the Nash County Board of Education. Because

some of the Rocky Mount schools lie in Edgecombe County, Edgecombe County is a partial funder as well.

Nash County Public Schools serves roughly 15,000 students in a 591-squaremile area. The school district has 29 schools, including 16 elementary schools and six middle schools. However, three of the older elementary schools in the northern part of the county are slated for closure in the next two to three years. In their place, a new state-ofthe-art consolidated elementary school will be constructed in the Red Oak area.

The list of schools also includes four traditional high schools and an alternative

high school for students who face challenges in a traditional setting. In addition, the school district has two innovative high schools: the Nash County Early College High School, which works in partnership with Nash Community College to help students earn an associate degree in addition to a high school diploma, and CITI High School, which offers students the opportunity to earn career certifications in addition to their diploma.

Nash County Public Schools also offers a Virtual Academy that allows students in K-12 to learn at home under the auspices of the public school district using a district-approved curriculum.

Jaide Mozingo, left, shares a laugh with Sydney Shearin as she helps her find a Google Docs folder during an AVID seminar on Jan. 16, 2019, at Nash County Early College High School. (File Photo)

Steve Ellis is the superintendent of Nash County Public Schools. Ellis joined the school district in March 2020 just prior to the closure of the classrooms due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Valerie Bridges is the superintendent of Edgecombe County Public Schools, which serves most students in Edgecombe County.

The Edgecombe County school district provides instruction to more than 6,000 students in 14 schools, including five elementary schools and four middle schools.

In addition, Martin Millennium Academy uniquely serves students in kindergarten through grade eight in a program designed to emphasize global strategies. Among these strategies is the option to begin the study of Spanish in an immersive program at an early age.

Edgecombe County Public Schools is recognized by state education leaders as one of the most innovative school districts and is known for its emphasis on equity in education, resiliency training and paths for teacher advancement. These ideals are reflected in its equity vision statement: “Edgecombe County Public Schools will be a place where opportunities are no longer predicted by social, cultural or economic factors.”

The Twin Counties also offers several nontraditional education options, including two charter schools, four private schools and a vibrant home school community.

Rocky Mount Preparatory School in Nash County is one of the oldest charter schools in

the state. North East Carolina Prep in Tarboro is less than 10 years old but is steadily gaining momentum as one of the highest achieving schools in Edgecombe County.

While there are currently no private schools in Edgecombe County, Nash County is host to Rocky Mount Academy, a private secular school. In addition, there are several religious private schools, including Faith Christian School, New Life Christian Academy and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School.

With so many options to choose from, families in the Twin Counties are likely to find an educational setting that meets the needs of their children.

Kenya Burden, right, teaches her fifth-grade class the 12 powerful words song on March 5, 2015, at Benvenue Elementary School. (File Photo)

Cle’andria Boone, left, helps Zoey Watson with class work on Aug. 27, 2018, at Williford Elementary School. (File Photo)

ECONOMIC development

By John H. Walker

Economic development is alive and well — despite being slowed a bit by the COVID-19 pandemic — according to Norris Tolson and Oppie Jordan of the Carolinas Gateway Partnership.

Corning and FOCUS Call Services are both operational, while work continues on the 65,000-square-foot spec building in the Tarboro Commerce Park.

To the west, the CSX Carolina Connector is progressing and the intermodal facility’s three cranes are due to be delivered from Norway around the first of August.

When completed near the end of the year, the facility will have a capacity of 110,000 containers and increase the emphasis on the region as a transportation hub.

“The day after we were announced as the

site for that facility was the day our telephones really started to ring,” Tolson said.

The big hit following CSX was Triangle Tire, and while trade difficulties between the United States and China have delayed start of construction, Tolson said his most recent conversation with Triangle officials included assurances that the company is still planning to construct its first facility outside China at the Kingsboro Business Park in Edgecombe County.

And that facility will be enormous, encompassing 5 million square feet in four buildings.

“They just paid their taxes and have requested their next tax bill,” Tolson said.

Indeed, Triangle Tyre USA paid $82,400 in Edgecombe County taxes in March, including

more than $6,000 designated for the Hartsease Volunteer Fire Department.

“There’s a lot going on (at Kingsboro,)” Gateway Vice President Oppie Jordan said. “There are a lot of people looking out there, and almost every site is under consideration.”

Jordan said she thought some of the sites would come to fruition.

Tolson said, “We’re pleased with the progress, because everything is in a slowdown due to COVID.”

He added that the Gateway staff is especially pleased with the way site consultants are working to gather information.

“The consultants we work with tell us that the global supply chain is going to come back on shore (from overseas) and they are getting ready to bring it back,” he said, adding that the

The new CSX intermodal rail terminal is being built across from N.C. Wesleyan College along U.S. 301. Photo by Garry E. Hodges

Gateway staff was working to be ready.

With as many as 10 firms inquiring about the Tarboro Spec Building, Tolson said Gateway will be building more spec buildings, including one at Kingsboro and Rocky Mount and one, possibly two, in Nashville.

The Kingsboro and Rocky Mount buildings will be 100,000 square feet, expandable to 250,000 square feet. The Nashville buildings will be limited to 10,000 square feet because of their location.

Tolson said the interest in the Tarboro building has prompted the developer to begin discussions about building a second building. Both would be 65,000 square feet, expandable to 100,000 square feet.

Tolson said there is a special project under discussion for Kingsboro that is “very, very active.”

Carolinas Gateway currently has between 50 and 60 prospects they are working.

“We’re always refining our list and I would describe it as very strong,” he said. “We get some leads from the (Economic Development Partnership) and some are what we refer to as self-generated leads.”

He explained that the self-generated lead is one that comes about from a referral from a previous prospect or client.

Jordan said food processing firms are encouraged, as are warehousing and logistics firms and manufacturing.

“Ramp East is getting ready to ramp back up as we work to develop our workforce to fill the jobs being created,” Tolson said. “We have plenty of good jobs available ... we just need the workforce.”

- N orris T olso N

“Ramp East is getting ready to ramp back up as we work to develop our workforce to fill the jobs being created”

Three sides and the roof are affixed to the 65,000-squarefoot spec building being build in the Tarboro Commerce Center along McNair Road. Photo by John H. Walker

The 800,000-square-foot Corning warehouse, located on Alternate U.S. 64 West at Hartsease, is completely full of product as Corning increases operations. Photo by John H. Walker

The FOCUS call center currently employing 100 persons on the way to a workforce in excess of 200 at 115 E. Church St. in downtown Tarboro. Photo by John H. Walker

FARMERS market

By Paige Minshew

The Nash County Farmers Market has served the community since April 2005.

As a way to encourage local farmers to increase production of their products, the Farmers Market provides a storefront for retail sales. Products available for purchase are local produce, homemade baked goods, seafood and meats, flowers and personal care products.

The N.C. Cooperative Extension believes this market philosophy is consistent with long-term economic development and preservation of the local farming community. Seasonal availability of locally produced

agricultural products greatly determines the market’s operating schedule.

As COVID-19 continued to ravage the world, the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services issued the following statement: “According to guidance from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, farmers markets fall under the same classification as grocery stores and are considered an important source of food for local communities.”

Recipients of Food and Nutrition Services can now use their EBT cards to access benefits at farmers markets this year. Also

new this year is a program geared towards SNAP/EBT users called Fresh Bucks. Fresh Bucks tokens are extra market dollars for SNAP/EBT users to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers markets. Fresh Bucks double the buying power of SNAP/EBT users at farmers markets. For each dollar a SNAP user withdraws from their account to spend at a farmers market, they will be matched an additional dollar, up to a total of $20 of Fresh Bucks.

Fresh Bucks can only be used for fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables. Fresh Bucks double buying power will only be

Alma Borquez of Mama Jean’s Produce prepares to make sales to customers on April 4 at the opening of the Nash County Farmers Market. Photo by William F. West

available for a limited time.

Local residents don’t mind the heat that comes with North Carolina summers because the Nash County Farmers Market is such a fun retreat and a tradition for many. Resident Kathy Bowman said she enjoys the time she and her family spend at the Farmers Market.

“Always a friendly face ready to help — great selection of fresh fruits and veggies, baked goods, flowers and handmade crafts,” she said. “We always look forward to Saturdays where we know we’ll find special items.”

The market isn’t just a place for farmers to sell their products for people to purchase. The market is a thriving place full of people appreciating the hard work farmers undertake in growing and harvesting their products. It’s also a great opportunity for people to socialize and learn more about

the fresh and unique products their community produces. Shoppers come to enjoy the Farmers Market experience and get a first-hand opportunity to see what their community has to offer.

“The Farmers Market in Rocky Mount is a great collection of produce vendors, personal care vendors and arts and crafts vendors,” John Haggerty said. “The people are wonderful to talk with and exchange daily stories and thoughts. We have thoroughly enjoyed being part of the market and look forward to the future.”

The Nash County Farmers Market is located at 1006 Peachtree St. in the Rocky Mount Mills Village Historic District and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays and from 3 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays.

The market is a thriving place full of people appreciating the hard work farmers undertake in growing and harvesting their products.

Ann Dill, left, purchases eggs from Karen White of Twin Oaks Farm on April 4 at the Nash County Farmers Market. Photo by William F. West

Damian Taylor of the Washington Crab & Oyster Co. sells crabs on April 4 at the Nash County Farmers Market. Joy Morgan of Farm 1839 puts baked goods out for sale on April 4 at the Nash County Farmers Market. Photos by William F. West

FUTURE outlook

Nash County’s chief business and industrial recruiter sees part of his county’s future as tapping into the brainpower and promotional resources of the Research Triangle Region.

Andy Hagy, who reported for work at the start of this year, said Nash County is the 12th one to become part of the Research Triangle Regional Partnership.

Hagy said the county joined the partnership at the start of July and he said this was his idea.

“I thought it was just a good fit,” Hagy said.

The partnership is an economic development organization designed to serve as a connector between businesses looking to expand or relocate, as well as the economic development offices, government agencies and business organizations supporting private sector growth.

And of the Research Triangle Region, Hagy said, “They’ve got a tradition. They’ve got a reputation. They’ve got credibility — and it’s known worldwide.

“And so just to be incorporated and a member of that marketing structure and campaign and initiative is going to, I think, raise Nash County’s profile drastically in the eyes of new business and also the site location consultants,” Hagy said.

Hagy is particularly quick to cite the more than 320-acre Middlesex Corporate Centre, which is just off the expressway-like U.S. 264 in the southern part of the county and approximately 25 minutes from the Interstate 87/U.S. 64 interchange with the Raleigh Beltline.

The site already is the home of UNC

By William F. West

Internal Medicine & Pediatrics at Middlesex, which offers primary care services.

The site includes an available 62,500-square-foot shell building that is expandable to 100,000 square feet.

Hagy also cited the presence of the Highway 97 Industrial Site, which is just off Interstate 95 and also in the southern part of the county.

The location is 118 miles from Richmond, Va., 163 miles from the Port of Wilmington, 130 miles away from the Port of Morehead City and 150 miles away from the port in Virginia’s Hampton Roads area.

And just off the Interstate 95-N.C. 4 interchange in northern Nash County, there is the always-busy Whitaker Business and Industry Center.

The entrance to Middlesex Corporate Centre from N.C. 231 is shown here on July 20. In the background is UNC Internal Medicine & Pediatrics at Middlesex. Photo by William F. West

That location is going to be bolstered by being minutes away from the future CSX intermodal facility just on the Edgecombe County side of the Nash CountyEdgecombe County line.

The Twin Counties has scored big in landing future business and industrial commitments.

They include securing state approval to shift the state Division of Motor Vehicles headquarters from Raleigh to the former Hardee’s Food Systems building, which is just on the Nash County side of the Nash County-Edgecombe County line.

They include Corning having a future distribution facility and a commitment by Triangle Tire to having a future manufacturing facility, both between Rocky Mount and Tarboro.

Edgecombe County Manager Eric Evans said he believes that, prior to the spread of the coronavirus, the economy was rolling at top speed almost across the country and in North Carolina and there had been a lot of success with projects in the county.

“And now the pandemic has hit us,” Evans said. “And to me it just seems like this engine has just gotten off the emergency exit, temporarily, I hope. It’s anybody’s guess as to how long our economy is going to be sitting on this emergency exit, but I think the engine is still revving up very strong.”

“And I think once the red light goes to yellow and green, I think it’s going to go back and take off again. And I really believe that — and I think we’re going to benefit from that greatly,” Evans said.

“So, I think once we come over the horizon or the hills of the COVID-19 pandemic, I think you’re going to see Edgecombe County just pick right back up on a lot of the progress we’ve made in industrial recruitment, business development,” Evans said.

Evans also said a key to economic development in the future is going to be improving the public education system to turn out the workforce the economy is demanding.

And Evans was quick to praise

“And by having a cross section of industry and manufacturing within a community, there’s a pretty good chance that there’s a job available for anyone who wants one. And that’s important.”

- DaviD Farris, rocky MouNT area chaMber oF coMMerce PresiDe NT aND ceo

Traffic flows in front of the former headquarters of Hardee’s Food Systems on Church Street. The building is going to become the new headquarters of the state Division of Motor Vehicles. (File Photo)

Mark Roblee takes off from the Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Airport. Photo by William F. West

Edgecombe Community College President Greg McLeod and Edgecombe County Schools Superintendent Valerie Bridges as having been thinking and working “outside of the box” for years.

“I think in the future we will no longer have the chronically high unemployment rate like we’ve had in the past,” he said.

And Evans spoke of the spin-off benefits for people being able to obtain and retain good jobs with livable wages, including having better access to health insurance and health care and better enrichment opportunities for families.

“So I think that’s the future for Edgecombe County,” Evans said. “I really believe that.”

Rocky Mount Mayor Sandy Roberson said he sees the area becoming a logistics hub because of the transportation infrastructure.

Roberson cited the progress in the ongoing renovations of and upgrades to the Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Airport as an example.

And Roberson spoke of having a railhead to tie into the aviation facility and to be able to load and unload goods and items.

“We essentially can be the Global TransPark that was designed in Kinston,” Roberson said.

Roberson was referring to the approximately 2,500-acre industrial/airport site offering access to air, highways, rail and the two international ports in the state.

Rocky Mount Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO David Farris said he believes diversification in industries is helpful in terms of the types of jobs they create.

all don’t have the same abilities to do things,” Farris said.

“And by having a cross section of industry and manufacturing within a community, there’s a pretty good chance that there’s a job available for anyone who wants one,” Farris

“It’s like your stock portfolio,” Farris said. “Your broker is never going to sit still and have you have all of your retirement tied up in one

A shell building at Middlesex Corporate Centre is shown here on July 20. Photo by William F. West

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!

EVENT center

In the 1970s, the mass exodus from downtowns across the nation was in full swing.

Malls, strip centers and suburban neighborhoods enticed businesses and residents away from city centers, creating in some cases near ghost downtowns.

By the 1990s, cities were working to bring people back to their downtowns, refurbishing historical buildings and investing in revitalization projects.

Rocky Mount’s efforts over the years have included numerous projects, including the Streetscape program renovations, Douglas Block plan and construction of the Imperial Centre complex.

The most recent effort to bring the city’s downtown back to its glory was the 2018 construction of the Rocky Mount Event Center.

“The Rocky Mount Event Center is a crucial central component of ... Rocky Mount’s long-term strategy to redevelop

By J. Eric Eckard

and reinvent downtown Rocky Mount,” said David Joyner, the facility’s general manager.

“Our team’s focus is to make our facility a sought-after state-wide destination that provides a unique and excellent experience for sports, entertainment and corporate and social events.

“The net benefit will be that our venue will be a significant catalyst and engine in spurring growth and generating significant economic impact.”

The 165,000-square-foot, $48-million event center opened in 2018, and it immediately started attracting functions, bringing in $1.2 million in revenue in its first year of operation. The facility features eight basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, locker rooms, 17 climbing walls and an aerial ropes course. It also has banquet and breakout rooms, an arcade center and concession areas.

Like most venues across the country, the event center shut down operations in March

“The event center was built to be one of the anchors for Rocky Mount’s downtown revitalization efforts.”

- D avi D J oy N er

G e N eral M a N a G er

The Rocky Mount Event Center features eight basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, locker rooms, 17 climbing walls, an aerial ropes course, banquet and breakout rooms, an arcade center and concession areas. (File Photo)

in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dave Pritchett, chief operating officer of Sports Facilities Management, which operates the event center, said plans are being devised to safely reopen.

But before the virus disrupted life around the world, the event center played host to basketball and volleyball tournaments that attracted hundreds of visitors and dozens of teams to the area.

“Our organization, Teammate Basketball, has been fortunate enough to bring youth basketball tournaments to the Rocky Mount Event Center now for two consecutive years,” said Blake Thompson, Teammate Basketball

owner. “(It) is a perfect setting for tournaments like ours.”

Troy Helton, director of Ethos Volleyball Club, organized a two-day tournament last year, with 98 teams and more than 1,500 spectators coming to the Rocky Mount area.

“We were really impressed with the management, staff and venue,” Helton said. “The facility is first-class and kept in immaculate condition. The staff was super helpful and kept the parents and players happy all weekend.

“Even the town of Rocky Mount lived up to its reputation as a hospitable historic town, with great local restaurants serving delicious

seafood specialties.”

Both organizations are expected to bring their tournaments back in 2021.

“We are anxiously awaiting and excited to safely reopen the venue when it is deemed responsible and safe to do so again,” Pritchett said.

The event center has tentatively scheduled a basketball tournament in September that is expected to draw more than 1,800 attendees, Joyner said.

“One strong positive sign is that there has been a substantial amount of calls to our facility for future event inquiries coming in, even as we navigate through COVID-19,” Joyner said. “Our team has been aggressively working to reschedule events month to month as we follow the state’s pandemic phase updates.

“We also have been aggressively focused and working hard on booking events for later in this year, next year and for the coming years.”

The event center was built to be one of the anchors for Rocky Mount’s downtown revitalization efforts, Joyner said.

“And once we can begin to host events again, we are confident and excited about the thousands of people that we will bring to the ... Rocky Mount area and the positive effect that this will have on the city’s downtown revitalization efforts and our local economy,” he added.

George Clinton performs on Oct. 25, 2018, during the Grand Opening Celebration at the Rocky Mount Event Center. (File Photo)

Left, Brelyn Moses, left, Skylar Moses, center, and Lynn Jones react while playing a video game on Oct. 25, 2018, in the Rocky Mount Event Center. (File Photo). Right, Will Robillard, left, chases Harlem Globetrotter Lucius ‘Turbo’ Winston in an attempt to steal the ball on Nov. 4, 2018, during the Globetrotters’ performance at the Rocky Mount Event Center. (File Photo)

HOUSING development

By William F. West

The question of the state of available housing in the Twin Counties can depend on whom one asks.

For longtime real estate agents, the housing stock is the lowest they have ever seen, while for contractors, the market is quite good.

Kendall Cobb is director of sales and marketing at Nashville-based Four Seasons Contractors, which builds and sells residences.

“Consumer confidence seems to be high. Interest rates are low. People are able to upgrade their housing situation,” Cobb said. “We’re seeing some first-time home

buyers, people looking to downsize – and the homes are just selling really quickly.”

Four Seasons primarily works in Nash County and has seven different neighborhoods.

“Most all of our homes are sold before we’re finished, which is a great situation for us,” Cobb said. “And we’re just trying to continue to build as quickly as we can, develop new areas so that we can help meet the demand in the area.”

Asked what people want in their future homes, Cobb said, “I think location is always important, price is important. We try to cover different locations as well as

different price ranges, just trying to meet the needs of a lot of different folks.”

Cobb said because Four Seasons primarily builds in Nash County, most of the buyers want to be located more in the county, prefer larger lot sizes and prefer a more quiet community.

Cobb said buyers like the convenience of being close to Interstate 95 and the expressway-like U.S. 64 and having ready access to retail shopping centers in Nashville.

And Cobb said Four Seasons is seeing instances of residents who work in the Raleigh-Durham area and do not want to

A crew works on a spec home at The Landing at Cooper Fields on July 20 in Nash County. The crew is working in a residential development of Four Seasons Contractors, which is quite busy constructing new homes.

pay the cost of living there.

And Cobb said Four Seasons is seeing instances of spouses in which, as an example, one works in Rocky Mount and the other works in the Raleigh-Durham area or in which, as an example, one works in Roanoke Rapids and the other works in the RaleighDurham area.

And Cobb said Four Seasons is seeing instances of people who moved away from Nash County and are returning to retire.

Michael Allen, who is with Boone, Hill, Allen & Ricks in Rocky Mount, said when he first entered the real estate business in 1996, there were approximately 1,200 residences listed on the market in the Twin Counties.

Allen said his check of the count of the listings in mid-July was at only 171 in the Twin Counties, with the median price being $169,900.

Allen said the housing supply is “as low as I’ve ever seen it.”

“And it continues to get lower every day,” Allen said.

Asked to what he attributes that reduced count, Allen said, “I think the demand and lack of new construction.”

And Allen said a reason for the lack of new construction could be builders remain afraid of the predicament they got themselves into in connection with the burst of the nationwide housing bubble and the collapse of the financial markets on Wall Street.

And Allen said some builders left the market to go work in other industries.

“We are seeing more and more national builders and regional builders come in that are more tract-style builders, to come in and take advantage of our situation,” Allen said.

Tract-style residences are similarly designed structures constructed on a stretch of land.

Renee Silk and Ana Joyner are in business together at Nashville-based Market Leader Realty.

Joyner noted she serves on the board of the Rocky Mount Area Association of Realtors, with the association comprised of 234 real estate agents.

Of the housing market in the Twin Counties, Joyner said, “There’s not even

“I think location is always important, price is important. We try to cover different locations as well as different price ranges, just trying to meet the needs of a lot of different folks.”

- k e ND all c obb , F our s easo N s c o NT rac T ors ,

D irec T or o F s ales a ND M arke T i NG

Mauricio Marroquin Pineda works on a spec home at The Landing at Cooper Fields on July 20 in Nash County.

enough for them to sell one home apiece.”

Joyner was asked what she believes to be the “sweet spot” in terms of what buyers are looking for in a home.

Joyner said she would say a list price of between $150,000 and $200,000, approximately 1,700 to 1,800 square feet and with three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Joyner said her check of the number of houses in that price range in Edgecombe and Nash counties showed the count at only 21.

Joyner said she believes Four Seasons in truth is the only contractor in the Twin Counties with deep pockets.

“The other builders just can’t do subdivisions,” Joyner said.

Silk said part of the problem is the high cost of putting in supporting infrastructure.

“They’re not able to just plop in some houses,” Silk said. “They’ve got to do the streets, they’ve got to do the curb and guttering, the lights. And that’s just untouchable. You can’t afford to do it.”

Joyner said another problem for those wanting to live in Nash County is being able to purchase a site because farmers want top dollar for their land.

Silk also said there are not a lot of instances of resales of residences.

“People are staying in their houses a little longer,” Silk said.

Joyner also said she thinks as a result of the coronavirus, people locally are staying close to their residences and are not doing anything as a safety precaution.

Meantime in Rocky Mount, to give one an idea of how much demand has increased, Joyner told of taking a rental home, long in bad condition along Sunset Avenue just southeast of Lakeside Baptist Church, revitalizing the property and putting the property on the market.

And Joyner said she secured a sale for twice the amount of the property’s tax value.

Joyner and Silk were quick to emphasize the presence of the Rocky Mount Mills mixed-use development along Falls Road

and Peachtree Street has helped generate interest in residences minutes away along Sunset, Beal Street and Thomas Street.

Rocky Mount Mayor Sandy Roberson would like to see a master plan in place to develop housing in the area over the long term.

“And I think that with that, we can achieve some pretty impressive things,” Roberson said. “And the other thing that a plan does is it allows the electorate, the community as a whole, to look at: This is what we want to be, this is our vision and to be able to measure this is how we’re doing it.

“And if we’re not being successful, or as successful, as we want, then go ask the question as to why,” Roberson said. “And it allows you to tweak it, to change it, to improve it.

“Nothing’s perfect. Nothing ever will be, but it creates that opportunity,” Roberson said.

The

812 Instrument Drive

Rocky Mount, NC 27804 (252) 443-6560 www.newlifeacademyrm.com

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.

Area’s Most Affordable, Quality Christian Education

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.

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6

talk

Able Home Health Care is locally owned and operated in-home health care service employing quality caregivers to assist individuals and families in living dignified independent lifestyles in their own homes.

Proudly serving the clients of Nash, Edgecombe, Halifax and surrounding counties, we provide innovative, high-quality home care services and respite care to our clients.

Since our beginning in 2000, we’ve made our clients a promise, based on our family’s values and commitment to excellence.

IMPERIAL centre

By Paige Minshew

Located in downtown Rocky Mount, the Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences is one of the premier cultural facilities in the area.

The centre boasts 135,000 square feet of restored and renovated space from the former Imperial Tobacco Company and the old Braswell Memorial Library. The Imperial Centre houses an Arts Center, Children’s Museum and Science Center and community performing arts theatre.

Currently, the doors are shuttered to the public due to the coronavirus pandemic. In the meantime, the public and regular visitors are encouraged to engage with the Imperial Centre through digital programs.

The Arts Center is designed to educate and inspire people of all ages in visual and performing arts. Alicyn Wiedrich, art curator of the Children’s Museum and Science Center, hopes “visitors are challenged to think about art in new ways.

“I hear people say that ‘art isn’t for them’ or that they ‘don’t know enough about art to enjoy it,’” she said. “Through our exhibitions, interactives and programming, I hope to inspire all of our visitors to consider that art is about emotion, changing your mind, experimentation, asking a question, being transported somewhere else and so much more.”

There are also plenty of opportunities for

budding artists to hone their skills. Weidrich encourages these artists to attend opening receptions to meet other artists and speak to jurors.

“Connections like that are invaluable to budding artists,” she said.

Weidrich offers artists workshops that focus on writing an exhibition proposal for the Imperial Centre. These skills are transferable so they can be used at other institutions as well.

Weidrich frequently uses young, promising artists as volunteers in the galleries. Higher level students have the opportunity to work in the galleries and gallery shop. Artists over the age of 18 can also submit their work to the

Charlotte Burns, left, and her sister Emmelene Burns play in the bubble bath ball tub on Aug. 8, 2017, in the Children’s Museum & Science Center at the Imperial Centre. (File Photo)

annual Arts Centre juried arts shows. Artists of all experience levels are encouraged to submit their work.

The Children’s Museum and Science Center features a Live Animal Gallery, Cummins Planetarium, traveling exhibits and interactive permanent exhibits. The goal of the museum’s exhibits and displays is to offer visitors opportunities to learn about the world around them.

The Cummins Planetarium, located inside the Imperial Centre for Arts and Sciences, features full-dome video and laser light shows. The entertainment is intended to educate and inspire audiences to expand their minds and gain an understanding of the amazing world above us.

Stargazing parties and solar viewing activities are frequently hosted by planetarium staff throughout Rocky Mount. Members of the Tar River Astronomy Club, Braswell Memorial Library, Farmers Market and others assist in these parties and viewing activities.

The PNC Live Animal Gallery and Astronomy exhibits are the only permanent exhibits at the Children’s Museum and Science Center. Due to COVID-19, there are no traveling exhibits at this time.

The Live Animal Gallery allows guests to experience the natural elements that make life on Earth possible: air, water and energy in the form of light and heat. Visitors can encounter a variety of animal life inhabiting our planet such as mammals, amphibians, reptiles, insects, fish, insects and birds. Visitors also can learn about the flora and fauna throughout the Carolinas, from Murphy to Manteo. A mounted black bear, cub, mountain lion and other mounts are also featured.

The Astronomy Exhibit seeks to educate visitors on space exploration, observational and stellar astronomy, planetary sciences, math, physics, cosmology and other celestial topics. The Astronomy Exhibits explore space with a plethora of activities.

Some of the activities in include:

Learning about the lunar cycle by placing the Moon’s phases in correct order.

Matching star patterns with their corresponding mythological characters.

Discovering the true 3-dimensional nature of constellations seen from Earth.

Operating a working kinematoscope (device aimed to present the illusion of motion) and seeing

“I hope to inspire all of our visitors to consider that art is about emotion, changing your mind, experimentation, asking a question, being transported somewhere else and so much more.”

- a licy N W ie D rich

Rebecca Smith lifts a 21-pound can of soda at the “What’s it Weigh?” display with her mother Megan Smith in the Children’s Museum & Science Center at the Imperial Centre. (File Photo)

The Imperial Centre houses an Arts Center, Children’s Museum and Science Center and community performing arts theatre. (File Photo)

why some stars always remain above the horizon.

Adjusting the energy output of a simulated star to see how temperatures determine star color.

Using a 3D model to discover the arrangement of planets in our solar system.

Noticing surprising differences between the sizes of the sun, Jupiter and Earth.

Having your picture taken in a make-believe Apollo spacesuit or rocket window.

Touching a 5,000-year-old space rock and learning to tell a meteorite from a “meteowrong.”

The Arts Center community theatre offers a variety of productions, including comedies, dramas, musicals and children’s theatre. Because the productions are dependent upon volunteers, they

are always needed for all aspects of production including acting, set construction and painting, sewing and altering of costumes, props acquisition, stage management and technical operations. Ushers, house managers and concessionaires are also needed for performances throughout the year.

Due to COVID-19, the community theatre will livestream performances for viewers to enjoy in the safety of their homes.

While the Imperial Centre is closed to visitors, its staff is encouraging the public to continue to engage with it through digital programs. The digital shows available now are a Handcrafted Juried Art Show, Markings of Wildness by Anne Wilson and a Juried Art Show. Also, the Imperial Centre’s Theatre will be live on Facebook every Friday night at 6 p.m. for free, live performances.

(File Photo)

A Year of Growth at Nash UNC Health Care Benefits Community

As chairman of the Nash UNC Health Care board of commissioners, I am pleased to share our progress over the last year for our patients and community. Many have experienced our changes at Nash UNC, evidenced by improved patient satisfaction scores and positive feedback from our community. NC Business magazine featured Nash UNC as a hospital on the comeback trail last year. What does this mean for our community?

It means you can continue to expect superior, high quality services and advancements in care, delivered in a safe and clean environment. Our team has worked to improve quality of care, efficiency, and the patient and family experience. Your hospital achieved these improvements during a year that presented significant challenges and uncertainty due to COVID-19. We made changes to processes and staffing models to keep our patients, staff, and community safe while responding to the pandemic. A COVID-19 Task Force was formed, including senior leadership, physicians, medical staff and the board, to lead our organization during this challenging period of multiple, rapidly changing expectations from a novel illness. Difficult decisions were made with our community’s safety in mind, including implementing visitor restrictions and postponing certain services early in the pandemic. I am proud of our team for working together to develop a solid plan to serve our community effectively in this new environment. Nash UNC is and will remain well prepared to meet the projected healthcare needs of our community during the coming stages of COVID, and to deliver care in a clean, safe environment for our patients and staff.

We are pleased that despite the challenges of 2020, our work with UNC Health and our community partners has expanded our cardiology, ENT, orthopedics, surgical, urology and other service offerings. UNC Cardiology at Nash launched as a partnership between Nash UNC and Boice-Willis Clinic to provide comprehensive community heart care. Our heart and stroke care programs continue to advance, each receiving multiple national awards. Eastern North Carolina Medical Group became affiliated with Nash UNC and UNC Physicians Network. Nash Surgery launched in June, with two well-known community providers and three new surgeons, expanding access to those services. We hired and retained quality nurses, keeping our nurse vacancy rate very low compared to other hospitals.

Nash UNC invested in our community, donating over $350,000 this year through our foundation to local organizations for health education and service offerings. We are partnering with North Carolina Wesleyan College on a new RN to BSN program. We partnered with Nash County Public Schools to provide a sports medicine program for high school athletes. We provided 13 scholarships for nursing students at Nash and Edgecombe community colleges, as part of our Nurse Scholars program. We provided community health education programs, including the Healthy Heart Fair and Breast Cancer Lunch and Learn. Our employees are invested in our community, logging hundreds of community service hours last year. Our CEO, Dr. L. Lee Isley, used television and community visits to detail our strategic plan and share our vastly improved quality metrics, patient experience scores and financial performance, all of which are trending positively.

As we work to overcome challenges from COVID in the coming year, I want our community to know that we are dedicated to your safety and the exceptional health care you deserve. I am excited to work with a remarkable team at Nash UNC and our dedicated staff and partners to ensure our community’s health needs are met now and in the future.

Jeffrey Batts, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, Nash UNC Health Care

Sincerely,

HEALTH care

By

There are two primary hospitals in the Twin Counties: Nash UNC Health Care in Rocky Mount and Vidant Edgecombe Hospital in Tarboro.

Nash UNC Health Care offers an extensive array of medical services and primarily serves patients in Nash, Edgecombe, Halifax and Wilson counties. Established in 1971, Nash General Hospital has served patients in the area for nearly 50 years.

In 2014, the former Nash Health Care became affiliated with the UNC Health Care system and changed its name to Nash UNC Health Care.

Nash UNC Health Care has roughly 400

beds available across several locations on the hospital campus. Through the years at Nash General Hospital and the added benefits of the association with UNC Health, Nash UNC Health Care now offers a growing number of specialty services.

“Our staff and employees work hard to make a difference in our community’s health,” said Lee Isley, president and CEO of Nash UNC Health Care.

In addition to the main hospital facilities, the health care organization boasts a separate emergency department with its own pediatric emergency unit and a total of 38 different treatment rooms. Some of these treatment

rooms are especially designed for major traumas, minor surgeries, broken bones or special monitoring.

The health care system also includes Nash Day Hospital, a surgical pavilion, a heart center, a cancer center and a women’s center to meet specialized needs in updated medical environments.

In addition, Coastal Plain Hospital offers psychiatric and substance abuse care to the community and the Bryant T. Aldridge Rehabilitation Center offers rehabilitation services to patients who need additional therapies before returning home.

“We have been heavily focused on

Amelia Harper

An Airbus EC135 medical transport helicopter operated by Carolina Air Care lands on the secondary helipad at Nash UNC Health Care. (File Photo)

improving quality of care at Nash UNC Health Care,” Isley said.

Both of these freestanding facilities are located on the main Nash UNC Health Care campus on Curtis Ellis Drive in Rocky Mount easily reached from U.S. 64.

The relationship with UNC Health Care has also expanded the hospital’s connection to researchers and treatments available through that facility.

During the COVID-19 crisis, Nash UNC Health Care has been providing specialty care and cutting edge therapies in special rooms designed to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Isley said.

Vidant Edgecombe Hospital in Tarboro was formerly known as Heritage Hospital before it became a part of the Vidant Health System. This smaller hospital has roughly 110 acute care beds but offers expertise in more than 20 medical specialties including a birthing center.

Vidant Edgecombe primarily serves patients in Edgecombe County. However, it also has its own onsite cancer center that provides chemotherapy and infusion services.

“As we continue to see cases rise in our community, we will continue to take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our patients, visitors and staff,”

“Our staff and employees work hard to make a difference in our community’s health.”

- l ee i sley , P resi D e NT a ND ceo

o F N ash u N c h ealT h c are .

Nurses Ashley Waters, left, and Allison Chapel attend to a patient at Nash UNC Health Care. Contributed Photo

Nurse Practitioner Erica Mountjoy, left, checks patient Yvonne Murphy for jugular vein distention at the Heart Failure Clinic at UNC Cardiology at Nash. (File Photo)

Pediatric Emergency Medicine physician Dr. Davis Miller, left, talks with Elaine Shingler about her son’s X-rays as Elisha Shingler, 10, watches television at the pediatric emergency department at Nash UNC Health Care. Photo by Alan Campbel

HIGHER education

As North Carolina Wesleyan College enters its 64th year, it is positioning itself for success in the new decade.

Many changes have taken place at the college throughout the past year, which will help the institution achieve this success. Among these changes are the appointment of a new president, the construction of a new Indoor Sports & Education Facility, the addition of several new academic programs and the creation of a new Strategic Plan with a revamped vision and core values.

In early June, Dr. Evan D. Duff was named the eighth president of N.C. Wesleyan College. Duff had recently been appointed as acting president by the Board of Trustees on June 10, 2019, and later accepted a two-year contract as interim president. The Board of

Trustees, in their May 29 assembly, appointed Duff as president and extended his contract for an additional two years. This extension positions Duff as president of the college through May 31, 2023.

Duff earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mount Olive College, a master’s degree in administration from Central Michigan University and a doctorate in organizational leadership from Nova Southeastern University. He has held multiple leadership roles at the college since 2011 and served as provost prior to being appointed as acting president.

During his time at Wesleyan, Duff has held positions as senior vice president of academic affairs, vice president of adult & professional studies, adjunct professor and provost. In these roles, he was

By Crystal Hill

N.C. Wesleyan College student Jessica Brabble, center, leads a tour during an open house event on Nov. 17, 2018, at the college. (File Photo)

Dr. Evans D. Duff

responsible for leading efforts to approve new majors, co-writing the college’s first graduate application to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS-COC) and creating seven new off-site instructional locations. He was also responsible for facilitating the development of partnerships with 20 two-year and four-year colleges, which led to articulation agreements or memorandums of understanding between those colleges and N.C. Wesleyan.

The college also announced in August 2019 that it had received a commitment from an anonymous donor for the building of an Indoor Sports & Education Facility that would completely cover the cost of construction, along with a grant from the Nash County Tourism Development Authority.

The vision is to provide the college with the opportunity to enhance the scope of its educational and sports offerings, along with increasing partnerships and involvement in the local community through educational and sports programs for adults and youth.

Construction of the facility started in February on the northeast side of campus. The state-of-the-art, approximately 48,000-square-foot, air-supported structure was designed by Oakley Collier Architects and is being constructed by Smithson Inc. The facility will be a permanent structure, introducing sports not currently readily available in this

area, namely squash and indoor tennis.

The facility has potential for future growth academically and athletically, specifically within the college’s Exercise Science and Health Promotion programs. The leadership of the college, along with the faculty and staff associated in these areas, desire to collaborate with the local community to improve and enhance the well-being of its citizens. The sports and future educational pillars of this facility — athletics, scholarship and research — have vast potential to develop training, mentorship and tutoring programs for area youth. The facility will also offer training and education for students and local citizens concerning prevention and management of diseases and injuries, as well as will facilitate

proper and enjoyable physical conditioning measures.

In addition, N.C. Wesleyan has created several new academic programs over the past year: a Master of Business Administration (MBA), an RN to BSN Program, a Bachelor of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Sports Administration.

These new programs add to the exceptional array of academic offerings already at Wesleyan, giving students the ability to choose from over 45 undergraduate degree options, 32 minors and two graduate degree programs.

The MBA program is the second graduatelevel program launched by Wesleyan in less

Many changes have taken place at the college throughout the past year, which will help the institution achieve this success.

Students Ivan Cockman, left, and Jawuanna McAllister talk as they make boats from recyclable products with Joseph Lloyd during a recycling fair at N.C. Wesleyan College. (File Photo)

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Feb. 10 for the new Indoor Sports & Education Facility at N.C. Wesleyan College. Contributed Photo

than two years. The first graduate program, Master of Science in Criminal Justice, was offered in spring 2018. The MBA program, launched in January 2020, is 100 percent online and consists of 33 credit hours to accommodate those seeking work or who are already working.

The one-year program consists of five eight-week sessions, two classes per session and ends with a final capstone class. Like other academic programs offered by the college, including its Adult Studies programs, the degree offers rolling admission, meaning those attending can start the program throughout the year at the beginning of any new eightweek session. This program is the only MBA offered locally in the Twin Counties.

The 100 percent online RN to BSN program is anticipated to begin classes in fall 2020 and is designed to help registered nurses achieve the education necessary to broaden their skill set and advance their careers in nursing.

Beginning in the fall of 2019, N.C. Wesleyan began offering a Bachelor of Science in Logistics and Supply Chain Management on its main campus in Rocky Mount and online. The degree is one of only two baccalaureatelevel programs offered in the state, with N.C. Wesleyan being the only private college in the state providing the declared major.

The Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration degree will prepare graduates to work in the business operations side of medical facilities. Students will learn the financial, human resources, legal and ethical aspects, as well as quality control within a health care setting.

The Bachelor of Science in Sports Administration degree will prepare graduates to work at all levels within sports, facilities and recreation management. Graduates will be prepared to work as a coach, facilities manager, athletic director, sports coordinator or be prepared for graduate school. The new certificate programs will help those looking to add specific skills in leadership, business and healthcare administration.

Over the past year, North Carolina Wesleyan College has been in the process of developing a new Strategic Plan. The plan, recently approved by the college’s Board of Trustees, will drive the institution’s priorities, focus efforts and set goals for the next five years. The college wanted to develop a planning process through which it could have meaningful input from all constituencies and members of the community.

In December 2019, Wesleyan held a Community Day and Christmas lunch where all faculty and staff were invited to participate in a college-wide planning workshop hosted by Credo, an independent higher education consultant. This allowed employees to come together and provide their thoughts and input about N.C. Wesleyan’s future. From this feedback, the college established its new

VISION AND CORE VALUES: VISION STATEMENT:

“At North Carolina Wesleyan College, we provide students with opportunities to make meaningful connections and learn through innovative teaching approaches. The distinctive Wesleyan experience equips our graduates to make a positive impact on the world.”

CORE VALUES: Knowledge & Understanding Integrity & Accountability Patience & Respect Kindness & Empathy

These new features at the college will help propel N.C. Wesleyan to the next level in the new decade as the college continues to build upon its academic offerings, infrastructure and community relations.

N.C. Wesleyan College hosts the annual Rock the Mount event each August. Contributed Photo

Jarred Westbrook unloads his grandfather's truck to move into his dorm room in Collins Hall on Aug. 19, 2016, at N.C. Wesleyan College. Photo by Allison Lee Isley

A Peace of Mind at Sunset

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.

NINJA warriors

By Patrick Mason

A local Nash County man, a wholesale car dealer who watches ninja warrior-style competition shows in his free time, decided to get off the couch and try it for himself.

Over the next four years, Mike Cook, armed with a passion and carpentry skills gained during a high school shop class, built the largest outdoor ninja training facility in the world. He made Rocky Mount into a destination for a group of daredevils.

Cook’s business, Ultimate Backyard Warrior, sits on an unassuming patch of land off Church Street in Rocky Mount. Large structures containing the various obstacle-

filled courses dot the outdoor space, while more training equipment and obstacles can be found indoors.

The local facility acts as a qualifying stage for the popular TV show “American Ninja Warrior.” Other large competitions with prizes that include large cash amounts and vehicles are held twice per year — on Memorial Day and Labor Day.

During those two days it becomes the most diverse place in town. Athletes from all across the world and country travel to the eastern North Carolina town to participate in the UBW competitions. Cook said he has

hosted athletes from Italy, Germany, Australia and Alaska as well as nearly every state on the East Coast.

When not in competition mode, the facility is open each day for drop-ins and classes for all ages and skill levels. Some obstacles look to be able to satisfy the most daring of acrobats, while others offer attainable goals for those looking to start the sport.

For Cook, the owner and founder of UBW, all of this began in his backyard. Cook was a longtime viewer of “American Ninja Warrior,” which highlights athletes and their quest to overcome obstacles.

Neil Craver climbs across the wind chimes obstacle while competing in an Ultimate Ninja Athlete Association qualifying event on May 26, 2018, at Ultimate Backyard Warrior. (File Photo)

“Whenever I watched the show I was like ‘Man, this is so easy,’” Cook said. “How do these people fall?”

In 2014, Cook told his family that he was going to apply for the show, compete in Orlando and win the $1 million prize. The first step in the application process proved to be a difficult hurdle. The competition committee required new entrants to submit a video, and Cook discovered that would be a challenge in Rocky Mount.

“I couldn’t find anything related to the show to do,” he said of filming the video. “So I went to Battle Park and jumped on rocks and climbed on rocks, I was hanging from trees and doing different things. I think I even walked on the handrail near the gazebo.”

The whole experience left Cook in bewilderment and with a realization: He was going to have to build the equipment himself if he was really serious.

It turns out that he was.

Cook built a course with nine obstacles in the free space in his backyard and began training. When guests would visit, Cook showed off his homemade course and his ability to conquer the various obstacles.

He felt ready for his first competition and competed in Orlando. He fell on the fourth obstacle.

“I tried to attack it differently than what everybody else was doing and it was that fourth obstacle that got me,” Cook said. “But I met everybody and found that it was a tight-knit group where everybody loves on everybody. It was very encouraging and I fell in love with it to another degree.”

In the weeks and months upon returning from Orlando, Cook built 115 obstacles in his backyard. And like his hardware bill, his exposure grew. He held his first competition in the fall of 2015. He estimates that almost 650 people showed up.

Included among the guests was Jessie Graff, the female star of the 2016 ANW show. Video of Graff climbing an 80-foot rope in Cook’s backyard soon circulated the ninja warrior social media scene. Cook recalled the video receiving 174,000 views in the first 24 hours.

“That immediately put me on the map super quick,” Cook said. “Then it grew and got bigger.”

The event outgrew Cook’s backyard during the

Mike Cook uses his facility and platform to encourage kids and adults alike to challenge themselves in a supportive setting.

Cal Plohoros attempts to complete the wind chimes obstacle while competing in the Ultimate Backyard Warrior competition on Sept. 1, 2018, at Ultimate Backyard Warrior. (File Photo)

Bree Widener pulls herself to the top of the warped wall obstacle while competing in an Ultimate Ninja Athlete Association qualifying event on May 26, 2018, at Ultimate Backyard Warrior. (File Photo)

final home-hosted competition in September 2016. He had two buses motoring back and forth from Red Oak Middle School to his home. The sheriff was called. He had to figure something else out.

Later that year, he bought the space on Church Street and in January began construction. By May 2017, Cook held his first official competition. Thousands attend each year, and he has grown into a legend in the community.

He is invited each year to the final competition test runs for the course. During those runs, organizers can analyze the difficulty of each obstacle and gauge what should be added or subtracted from the course.

Cook said that he is constantly coming up with new obstacles. And if he sees an obstacle on the

show, he will work to recreate it and add it to a course at UBW.

He estimates he has more than 200 obstacles.

“I always put new ones out,” he said. “I got to keep it new and fresh. Say if the show came out with something new — in two or three days I had it duplicated. If I see something, I can replicate it.”

Cook, who waded into the sport as a challenge to himself, is now ingrained in the community. He said that he uses his facility and platform to encourage kids and adults alike to challenge themselves in a supportive setting.

“It’s a feeling of fulfillment when you make progress,” Cook said. “Like, man, I trained hard enough and practiced and got it. And when you fail, even getting closer and closer is a satisfying feeling.”

Luke Milman swings on the obstacle course on May 25, 2019, at the Ultimate Backyard Warrior competition at Ultimate Backyard Warrior. (File Photo)

PARKS and REC

By Paige Minshew

The Rocky Mount Parks and Recreation Department offers essential services to people in the community who are in pursuit of leisure, entertainment and recreational activities.

Rocky Mount’s Athletics Division offers year-round youth and adult athletic leagues and sporting events. There are approximately 40,000 sports participants served each year with over 100,000 spectators present at athletics facilities.

The Rocky Mount Recreation Services division has two Community Centers. Both are open to the public and booking a room is easy. They are the South Rocky Mount Community Center at 719 Recreation Drive and the Booker

T. Washington Community Center at 747 Pennsylvania Ave.

The South Rocky Mount Community Center features a full-length basketball court, outdoor basketball courts, splash pad, playground, football field and a baseball field. In addition to the sports facilities, the community center offers two banquet rooms available for rental. These rooms are perfect spaces or family reunions, wedding receptions, and other events for socializing.

The Booker T. Washington Community Center offers activities for the non-sports individual. This community center offers a computer lab equipped with internet access and the latest Microsoft Software. The facility

also offers two banquet rooms available for rental.

Rocky Mount also oversees a system of parks and trails for the community to enjoy. The 7.1-mile City Trail System links several parks, when combined are nearly 300 acres of parkland. The trail system begins in Sunset Park, follows the Tar River through Battle Park, crosses the river into Stith-Talbert Park, travels into Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park and ends at the Rocky Mount Sports Complex.

The Tar River Paddle Trail comprises 10 canoe and kayak locations that connect over 55 miles of the Tar River and Stony Creek.

Sunset Park is probably one of the most popular attractions in the City’s Parks and

Jozlyn Bridgers, left, slides down the sliding board with Kennedy Bridgers on her lap at Sunset Park. (File Photo)

Recreation park system. It features lighted basketball and tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, boat ramp access to the Tar River, 18-hole disc golf course, Little League baseball/softball field, skateboard park, four picnic shelters, playground and a concession stand that serves ice cream, snow cones and many other summer refreshments.

The Amusement Center at Sunset Park is open from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend. The Amusement Center includes a historic miniature train, antique carousel, spray play water park and bug kiddie ride. Admission to the center is $5 per person. Children age 4 and under are admitted free of charge.

Of Sunset Park, area resident Veronica Gaines-Lilly says “this park is so peaceful for my early morning walks, especially with the lake in the back. It is so serene, which encourages me to inhale emotional wellbeing and exhale stress and negativity. I enjoy walking here in the mornings.”

Best Friend’s Dog Park is also part of Rocky Mount Parks and Recreation. It’s an off-leash dog park that offers a recreation and dog setting for dog lovers to enjoy. The park consists of nine acres divided into three fenced areas: one for small dogs and two for large dogs. The park is open from dawn to dusk except for scheduled maintenance.

The Rocky Mount Parks and Recreation Department offers a plethora of events for the community that include lawn chair movie series, festivals, live theater performances, yoga, art classes and gallery exhibits.

The Rocky Mount Parks and Recreation Department caters to those who want to participate in athletics, those who want to socialize, hang out with dogs or learn a new skill. Its mission is to “advance the quality of life by providing positive, inclusive experiences through: People, Parks and Programs.”

With the diverse amount of opportunities offered, it truly meets its mission.

The Rocky Mount Parks and Recreation Department offers a plethora of events for the community that include lawn chair movie series, festivals, live theater performances, yoga, art classes and gallery exhibits.

Jonathan Bryant Jr. encourages his family’s female Yorkie mix Abby to jump over the low bar in the agility area at Best Friend’s Dog Park. (File Photo)

Kimber Dail, left, attempts to hand-feed ducks with her father, Steven Dail, at City Lake Park. (File Photo)

RIVER bandits

By John H. Walker

Late last year, when the weather was still cold, Wayne Turnage of LaGrange began talking with Tarboro town officials about the possibility of using venerable Memorial Stadium to serve as the home of a yet-to-beawarded franchise in the Carolina Virginia Collegiate League (CVCL).

After some discussion backand-forth, Tarboro officials liked what they heard and agreed to the deal.

Now, it was just up to the CVCL to award Turnage a franchise.

The league did and Turnage was up and running, operating the team through his Game Time Prospects youth baseball program.

After soliciting input from the community, Turnage picked the name “River Bandits” for the team and began putting his team together, starting with Brandon Matthews as head coach, and announcing two or three players at a time on the team’s Facebook page.

Cale Bolton delivers a pitch during a Tarboro River Bandits game at Municipal Stadium.

Photo by William S. Manley

Casey Karas runs up the first baseline during a Tarboro River Bandits game at Municipal Stadium. Photo by William S. Manley

Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and everything was surrounded by question marks ... the least of which being would there even be a season.

In the end, the season was delayed, but allowed before limited crowds.

And despite limited attendance, the team has proven to be a crowd favorite.

More than once, Turnage opined that if

attendance restrictions were to be lifted, “This old house would be rocking.”

While the roster has players from as diverse locations as western Washington to south Florida to the Midwest, it has a definite eastern North Carolina flavor, with 17 players within a two-hour drive of Municipal Stadium.

A couple — Caleb Whitley and Trey Jernigan — played on the Municipal turf before the

season, as Whitley is a former Tarboro Viking and Jernigan played his youth ball in Tarboro.

Heading into the final two weeks of the season, the Bandits were in second place in the league as players got ready for the endof-season championship tournament, hosted by the River Bandits at Municipal Stadium and beginning July 29 and ending Aug. 1

While the roster has players from as diverse locations as western Washington to south Florida to the Midwest, it has a definite eastern North Carolina flavor, with 17 players within a two-hour drive of Municipal Stadium.

Trevon Smith slides into home during a Tarboro River Bandits game at Municipal Stadium.

Photo by William S. Manley

Zach Whitacre takes a swing during a Tarboro River Bandits game at Municipal Stadium.

Photo by William S. Manley

Jake Wolf pitches during a Tarboro River Bandits game at Municipal Stadium.

Photo by William S. Manley

ROCKY MOUNT mills

By Paige Minshew

Despite these uncertain times, the Rocky Mount community can always be relied upon to make unforgettable memories.

Along the falls of the Tar River, Rocky Mount Mills provides a great opportunity for those experiences. The restored 28-acre cotton mill complex has brought together residential, commercial, cultural and entertainment amenities for thousands of people to enjoy.

Due to Gov. Roy Cooper’s executive orders pertaining to COVID-19 safety measures, this vibrant community has been at a stand-still for a few months.

During normal times, however, the mills hosts a plethora of activities from charity events to live music and also offers exceptional meeting and convention spaces.

The Power House is a versatile event space ideal for weddings, receptions, conferences and

meetings. The Power House is a spacious multilevel indoor event space with attached open-air terrace and outdoor courtyards with riverfront views.

There are also several other indoor and outdoor venues at Rocky Mount Mills, including the first- and second-floor main mill lobbies and outdoor venues such as the beer garden and front lawn.

Rocky Mount Mills offers not only breweries, live music and good times, it also offers accommodations. For those who choose to enjoy a scenic view of the Tar River, living at the mills is the perfect place to call home. Residents are offered the ability to enjoy outside activities as well as good food and entertainment.

For a more laid-back, family-oriented atmosphere with bustling life just around the corner, the Village Homes may be just the place

to call home. The Village Homes are located next to Rocky Mount Mills and along the Tar River. These homes are equipped with spacious decks and outdoor patios, high ceilings and architectural details inside. Each home has its own personality and fits in nicely within the mills community.

The Village Homes range in size from one to three bedrooms and all landscaping is maintained by Rocky Mount Mills. All homes feature charcoal grills as well as unique backyard games, from bocco to horseshoes.

If you’re after a more urban feel of living with a dash of city life, the luxurious lofts at Rocky Mount Mills make for an ideal place to enjoy every day. By living in the lofts, you become part of a community that offers easy access to local amenities, highways and activities. Units are available in one, two and three bedrooms.

Top (L-R, clockwise) 1) Rocky Mount Mills Development Manager Evan Covington Chavez stands in front of the main mill building. 2) Megan Smith draws a beer at Koi Pond Brewing Company at Rocky Mount Mills. 3) Katie Davison, left, and Jody Gerhard share a laugh while enjoying pizza and beer on May 13, 2017, during Pondapalooza outside Koi Pond Brewing Company at Rocky Mount Mills. (File photos)

Rocky Mount Mills is also home to some of the most popular breweries this side of Interstate 95. Five breweries help keep the nightlife alive at the mills.

BDD (Bucken Da Dicey!) Brewing Company — Founded by cousins Chazz Oesch and Matt Nichols, BDD heavily relies on its mascot Sasquatch as inspiration of brew names. Some of the favorites include “I’m Squatchin You” pale ale, “Wild Man Uncle” IPA, “Red Eyes” amber ale brewed with cinnamon and chamomile, “Monkey Man” saison brewed with ginger and tangerine, “Abominable Joe Man” French vanilla stout, “Squatch on the Beach” lemonade shandy, “el Quinametzin” Mexican lager, and “Squatch and the Giant Peach” a peach cobbler wheat dessert beer.

HopFly Brewing Company — Cameron Schultz joined the start-up brewery in 2017. The brewery creates beers that are bold and approachable. Cam has heavily expanded his brewery and has recently added a taproom at the mills.

Koi Pond Brewing Company —

Opened in 2016 as Rocky Mount’s first craft brewery, the brewery and taproom, known as The Pond, features an ever-changing variety of unfiltered ales including pale ales and IPAs, stouts, Belgian beers, saisons and more. Koi Pond is family- and pet-friendly, offering wines and non-alcoholic beverages. Customers are invited to bring in food from the restaurant of their choice.

Rocky Mount Brewery — Briana Brake and Celeste Beatty collaborated to create Rocky Mount Brewery to brew signature craft recipes that celebrate the living culture and history of Rocky Mount. Brake, founder of Spaceway Brewery, seeks to not only reinvent simple and full-flavored craft-brewed beer but to create a sense of community through craft brewing education, innovation, activities and festivals and community ownership. Beatty has the same goals to raise the visibility of underrepresented groups in the beer industry. Rocky Mount Brewery is one

of two African-American owned breweries in North Carolina. In a recent blog post by Holly Regan, Beatty says she “loves seeing people who are totally opposite finding themselves in the same place, having a conversation over a beer, and eventually finding common ground.”

Tarboro Brewing Company — Tarboro Brewing Company tapped its first beer in February 2006. TBC makes craft beers that are seasonal and spontaneous. In addition to beer, it also offers chef-inspired tacos and other dishes. TBC also operates food trucks throughout Tarboro and surrounding areas.

By creating TBC, founders Stephen and Inez Ribustello, along with Franklin Winslow, hoped to increase interest and tourism in Tarboro, therefore bringing more business and helping the community make the community prosperous.

Lindsay Baker and Jason Boone of Wilson are frequent visitors of Rocky Mount Mills. When asked what’s the best thing about the mills, they emphatically replied, “knowing our fur babies are welcome. Our dogs Mr. Beauregard, Codex and Oswald always have the best time. We love how laid back the atmosphere is — not a bad place to grab a beer and delicious food.”

Ever wanted to experience living in a tiny house? Well, now you can at the mills. River and Twine, a tiny house hotel, is a collection of 20 boutique tiny houses crafted just for this idyllic setting by the Tar River. The hotel offers guests unique accommodations in walking distance to the mills community.

Nightly and extended rentals are available in River and Twine’s 20 tiny homes. There are also three guest suites located in a renovated 1900s mill house. River and Twine is a great place to unwind and experience a world away from your own.

If you want to enjoy the beauty of the Tar River, embrace the history of the mills, have your share of craft beer and chow down on amazing food, give Rocky Mount Mills a chance to check all of your boxes.

If you want to enjoy the beauty of the Tar River, embrace the history of the mills, have your share of craft beer and chow down on amazing food, give Rocky Mount Mills a chance to check all of your boxes.

1) The annual Hop Drop is held on New Year’s Eve at Rocky Mount Mills. 2) Etaf Rum prepares a drink on Oct. 23, 2019, at Books and Beans at Rocky Mount Mills. (File photo)

SPORTS complex

For more than a decade, soccer parents and their equivalents in baseball, softball and other team sports have been flocking to Rocky Mount.

In 2007, the first phase of the Rocky Mount Sports Complex was completed, with 11 baseball/softball fields. Later that year, the first tournament was held. In just the past five years, the complex has averaged 1,500 teams accounting for 115,000 people entering the gates each year.

“The impact in Rocky Mount and the Twin County area is tremendous,” said Lynn Driver, Rocky Mount’s sports complex supervisor. “And we look forward to continued growth.”

An economic impact study indicated that in 2019, the sports complex accounted for more than $8 million spent in the Rocky Mount area.

Driver said the complex is in such high demand, tournament directors and event schedulers book at least a year in advance.

By J. Eric Eckard

And 2020 was looking like another banner year, with state, regional and national events, such as the Top Gun Summer and Winter World Series tournaments on tap.

“The (Top Gun) events feature four tournament weekends covering 12 days,” Driver said. “Typical attendance is around 400 teams for the winter event and over 330 teams for the summer event.

“Due to the size of this event, additional fields from Nash County high schools,

King Howard climbs a rope ladder on the playground at the Rocky Mount Sports Complex. (File Photo)

But COVID-19 forced officials to shut down spring events. So far, 18 tournaments and special events have been canceled because of the pandemic, including the Down East Viking Football Classic set for September. Although the present plan calls for weekend events to restart on Aug. 10, fall tournaments for baseball, softball and other sports are in limbo.

“Our staff remain fully engaged during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Driver added. “We stay up to date with recommendations put forth by the CDC, the state Department of Health and Human Services, as well as our local health departments.

“Once tournaments resume at the Rocky Mount Sports Complex, those guidelines and

safety measures will be enforced to make sure that the safety of our visitors, our citizens and our staff are a priority.”

When sports do resume at the complex, precautions will include increased sanitation of common areas, social distancing mandates, masks for attendees and appropriate signage, Driver said. But while waiting for the pandemic to ease, the city isn’t just sitting around waiting for the curve to flatten.

“We are currently working on our 2021 schedule, and we remain in constant contact with our tournament organizations and Nash County Travel and Tourism to put together a successful schedule for 2021,” Driver said. “We are confident that will continue to offer top level competitive travel competition that will result in great economic impact to Rocky Mount and the Twin County region.”

The Rocky Mount Sports Complex was built in three phases at a cost of about $12 million. It features 11 baseball/softball fields, eight soccer fields, three concession areas, playgrounds, basketball courts, a walking trail, sand volleyball courts, a horseshoe pit, a disc golf course and three small ponds in which you can fish.

When it was built, the facility was one of the largest of its kind in the state. Since then, other communities have built multifield complexes, “partly due to our success at the Rocky Mount Sports Complex,” Driver said.

“We regularly plan upgrades so that our playing surfaces and facilities will continue to be viewed as some of the best in the state,” he said. “We continually think about all the modern amenities that might make a facility more desirable for players or more attractive to families.”

Tarboro Parks and Recreation, Wilson Parks and Recreation and Nash County Parks and Recreation are needed, thereby creating economic impact throughout the Tri-County region.”

“Once tournaments resume at the Rocky Mount Sports Complex, [those] guidelines and safety measures will be enforced to make sure that the safety of our visitors, our citizens and our staff are a priority.”

- l y NN D river , r ocky M ou NT

s P or T s c o MP lex s u P ervisor

J.R. Perry, left, and Vonqual Kirtz install home plate on one of the little league fields on March 19, 2018, at the Rocky Mount Sports Complex. (File Photo)

Alayna Hendricks, 7, attempts to kick the ball as Jakelah Matthews closes in during a U-8 soccer match at the Rocky Mount Sports Complex. Photo by Emma Tannenbaum

N.C. Wesleyan’s Lindsey Sharpe, right, slides into third base as Greensboro’s Kierstin Mckenna waits for the ball on April 14, 2016, during the USA South Conference Tournament at the Rocky Mount Sports Complex. Photo by Abbi O’Leary

Expert Care Close To Home

SPECIALTY CARE

Wilson Gastroenterology

2605 Forest Hills Road SW, Wilson, NC 27893 252.243.7977

Mamun Shahrier, MD, PhD, FACP

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Joining Fall 2020

Wilson Neurology

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PRIMARY CARE

Wilson New Hope Primary Care

2508 Ward Blvd., Wilson, NC 27893 252.243.0053

Medhat Sidaros, MD

Wilson Primary Care

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Rick Guarino, MD

Ben Thomas, MD

Wilson Pulmonary Associates

1700 Tarboro St., Ste. 202, Wilson, NC 27893 252.399.5316

Bryan Dunn, MD

Wilson Regional Orthopedics

1700 Tarboro St. SW, Ste. 103, Wilson, NC 27893 252.399.5304

Lawrence Yenni, MD

John Wechter, MD

Ryan Mitchell, MD

Wilson Urology

Thomas Parrish, DO

Joining Fall 2020

2509 Wooten Blvd. SW, Wilson, NC 27893 252.243.5511

James Rounder Jr., MD, FACS

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1700 Tarboro St. SW, Ste. 200, Wilson, NC 27893 252.399.5310

Sopna Jacob, MD, FACP

Wilson Stantonsburg Clinic

312 Main St., Stantonsburg, NC 27883 252.238.2757

Phillip Perkins, MD

Christian Selby, PA-C, ATC