My Wilson: Grow, March 29, 2013

Wilson County Growth in agriculture, business and spirit...

The last of a three-part guide to the lives and people of Wilson and surrounding areas for 2013 Downtown Businesses Expand

Growing Season in Wilson

Local Organizations Shine

2001 Downing Street, Wilson, NC 27893 www.wilsontimes.com

Publisher

Morgan Paul Dickerman, III

____________________ Advertising Director Shana Hoover (252) 265-7858 Fax (252) 243-2999 shana@wilsontimes.com

Special Sections Editor Bradley Hearn (252) 265-7848 bhearn@wilsontimes.com

Account Executives

Features 6

8 10 14

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Rebranding Downtown

Historic Downtown Wilson is in the business of rebranding itself for the future

Downtown Chic

My Cutie Patootie owner sets her sights on an upscale demographic with new store

Treasure Warehouse

Downtown business owner opens Rummage Warehouse full of suprises

A Lofty Project

Unique downtown project set to go ahead and revitalize one Nash Street building

Master Gardeners

The local experts prepare to sell plants and pass on knowledge Information on area schools, medical and governement contacts

An advertising supplement to The Wilson Times

Lisa Pearson (252) 265-7827 lpearson@wilsontimes.com

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Garden Tour Returns

The popular fundraising event grows again in 2013

___________________

Junior Woman’s Club Warms Up

Contributors

The Wilson Junior Women’s Club ready to “book it” for the Wilson County Public Library

‘I Am Wilson’ 5

12

22 22

Beth Robbins (252) 265-7849 brobbins@wilsontimes.com

Bill Fenner Ngo Family Judy Zampella Charles Jones

Plus...

Wilson in pictures: snapshots of the people and places that make up Wilson.

Writers: Janelle Clevinger, LaMonique Hamilton, Cyndi Lauderdale Art: Gérard Lange | Graphic Design LaMonique Hamilton | Photography Anna Batts | Photography Gray Whitley | Photography

____________________

On the cover A vendor at the Downtown Farmers Market sells her vegetables on a hot Wednesday last summer. photography by Anna batts

March 2013

3

Business

Photograph by Gray Whitley

Downtown Eats

Bill Fenner, Williams of Wilson

Three months ago, Bill Fenner became a part of Historic Downtown Wilson’s revitalization initiative when he opened his restaurant, William’s of Wilson.

Angie Walston Assistant Dean, Office of Student Success,

Barton College

An advertising supplement to The Wilson Times

by LaMonique Hamilton

After moving back to the area, he saw the vacant space and thought it provided a good opportunity to open a nice restaurant downtown. “Any revitalization of the downtown area of an urban district has to have a restaurant component, because that’s one of the things people will travel for, and if you have people coming downtown for other reasons, they need to have somewhere to eat,” he said.

Fenner sees the potential and opportunity for Wilson’s downtown area to thrive and knows that William’s will benefit from the plays, festivals, and live events that occur. However, he also hopes that Wilsonians will reconnect with the area as a place for downtown workers to peruse the stores and grab a quick lunch without having to leave the vicinity, and for them to hang out on the weekends instead of rushing out of town.

He plans on bringing in live entertainment on the weekends and hosting trivia and college nights for local students.

He especially looks forward to the residential development of the downtown area to further fuel the revitalization efforts.

In recent years, the restaurant’s location, while ideally located and visually appealing, has been burdened with inconsistent hours, insufficient service and several changes in ownership.

Fenner is steadfast in his quest to establish William’s as a stable and con-

sistent part of downtown Wilson. “Other businesses have failed in this space. I have to be aware of the pitfalls so the same thing won’t happen to us.”

In addition to providing quality service, he has spent a great deal of time “developing menu items that reflect our philosophy on food, and that’s a little outside the box.”

The marinades, dressings, and sauces are unique to William’s. All are made in-house, as is almost every item on the menu. From the pan-seared steak, to the bone-in pork chop with spiced apples, to the sweet potato fries with applesauce, William’s prides itself on the highest level of quality in the preparation of its food. By doing this, Fenner ensures that his restaurant will not be interchangeable with other establishments.

In time, he hopes that William’s will be a destination locale — an upscale, but casual, eatery with a price point in the same general range as a branded restaurant chain.

The potential for success in historic downtown is great. Once Wilson has reconnected with all that the downtown area has to offer, Fenner feels that choosing to dine at a downtown establishment will come naturally. “There’s a play. Let’s go downtown to eat. There’s something at the arts council. Let’s go downtown to eat. It’s Thursday night.

Let’s go downtown to eat.”

William’s will be there to cater to the “hungry market”.

March 2013

5

Rebranding Downtown City of Wilson employees, volunteers and business owners work to create a new Historic Downtown Wilson

A worker spruces up the exterior of the Edna Boykin Cultural Center in preparation for the namesake’s estate sale last fall. submitted photograph

By Bradley Hearn

Rebranding something like a city’s downtown district takes more than just a pretty new logo. It takes something more substantial to overcome people’s natural cynicism, their past experiences, and their frayed expectations and join in a long-term fight for the betterment of their community.

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March 2013

It takes a good logo, yes. But it also takes a vision, takes people behind that vision and takes those people taking positive steps towards achieving it.

And that’s exactly what the City of Wilson is executing — spearheaded by the Wilson Downtown Development Corporation — as they slowly gain believers, build momentum and achieve the vision they set out to create for Historic Downtown Wilson’s new brand.

Their vision is stated thusly: “A crossroads of

southern historic charm and modern innovation and sustainability, Historic Downtown Wilson is the heartbeat of a diverse community where arts,

culture and unique businesses draw people day and night.”

It gets at the heart of what they believe Historic Downtown Wilson is. And the accompanying tag line — “Crossroads of Charm & Innovation” — succinctly ties together that vision moving forward, according to Susan Kellum, marketing and communications coordinator for the City of Wilson’s Downtown Development Department.

“We have such a rich heritage with so much charm,” said Kellum. “But what really sets us apart, especially in a town the size of Wilson, is how innovative we are.”

She cites both the creation and implementation of Greenlight in recent years, and the construction of Buckhorn reservoir in years past as two initiatives that were both innovative solutions to long-term local problems.

One specific poster child for this marriage of charm and innovation recently is the Edna Boykin Cultural Center on Nash Street.

The downtown landmark, constructed in the early 21st century, represents a proud Wilson history, full of unique character. But last year, in the months leading up to Edna Boykin’s estate auction, the center was also equipped with the latest in high-speed fiber optics, allowing it to now boast the best of both worlds: strong roots in the past and a keen eye toward the future.

Programs Wilson is a designated NC Main Street community that uses the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Main Street FourPoint Approach. This means that it is subdivided into four committees — organization, promotion, design and economic restructuring — to implement a downtown revitalization initiative.

A good portion of this rebranding effort of Historic Downtown Wilson falls on the design committee, but luckily they aren’t short on ideas.

In fact, their ambitions are so specific and numerous, they are forced to scale back their efforts in order to get it all done. For now, there are two priorities they are trying to see

An advertising supplement to The Wilson Times

through.

The first is called “Imagine This,” a program intended to “create vibrant pedestrian connections between the future Whirligig Park to Nash Street that are wonderful, creative, fun and interesting,” according to the WDDC. This includes the beautification of the windows of downtown businesses, whether they’re occupied or not. And according to Kellum, many of these are already in the works. The window display contest this past Christmas was actually a function of this very initiative. In some cases, local organizations and artists will be able to sponsor an abandoned storefront to decorate and brighten.

Other goals of the “Imagine This” involve reinforcing Goldsboro Street as the “Avenue of the Arts”; and reducing the maintenance and security issues associated with vacant, boarded-up buildings Interrelated in these goals are numerous initiatives aimed at cleaning up storefronts, both occupied and not, and making the whole area better lit.

“We really want to make it a vibrant place to be at night,” said Kellum.

The second priority of the design committee involves updating the Historic Downtown Wilson with new signage and updating the stores with new, matching flags, all of which will carry and embody the new brand.

of numerous future programs that will focus on areas like the alleyways, illuminating them and possibly working with artists to help make them more interesting and inviting. Or perhaps a second musical series that can run independently of Downtown Alive on different nights.

However, these are steps to be taken after the initial projects are in motion and further along. The employees and volunteers behind

the rebranding want each one to succeed and are not looking to just throw some paint and flags around and call it revitalized. They want lasting change.

The ultimate goal, says Kellum, is to actually create a new mind-set in people and a downtown atmosphere that they seek out.

“We don’t just want to make it pretty. We want people to feel comfortable and to be excited to be here.” It’s all part of the new brand.

ReCollections at Wilson Hardware, left, was one of many businesses in Historic Downtown Wilson to participate in the Christmas window display contest. Initiatives such as this, and the revitalized Light Up Wilson, below, are all designed to make the area better and brighter. photograph by Wilson Downtown development

Looking Ahead Kellum says there are already discussions

March 2013

7

Downtown Chic My Cutie Patootie owner will open a new upscale women’s boutique

By LaMonique Hamilton

Marian Snow moved to Wilson so she could spend more time with her grandchildren, knowing all too well that “they’re only small for a short time.”

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March 2013

However, as a woman who has a diverse background in chemistry, mortgage banking, and as a best-selling author, she soon had a need for additional challenges. A careful planner and meticulous thinker, Snow focused on the trend to reuse, recycle, and repurpose items. That idea gained strength as the economy weakened, and she travelled the country doing research and studying the market for a business idea that would benefit her newly-adopted hometown.

That idea would eventually become My Cutie Patootie, a children’s consignment boutique located at 136 Tarboro Street in Historic Downtown Wilson.

Now in its fourth year of operation, the store has been successful in servicing parents who are in the market to buy or sell new or gently-used children’s clothing and accessories. The 4,000 square-foot space is divided into two sections: the downstairs area, which is comprised of upscale, designer items; and the upstairs area, which

Marian Snow’s current store, My Cutie Patootie, which offers new and gently-used children’s clothing and accessories, has been a great success at its Tarboro Street location. The new consignment store will be located next door and will cater to women. file photographs

holds items from mainstream department stores.

Snow holds insider promotions and events a few times a year, including a twice-a-year Preview Night — an invitationonly event, complete with a bouncer, wine, and cheese — where customers who are on the mailing list are able to see the new seasonal items before the general public.

A couple of years ago, Snow began to notice a trend among her customers. “People would come in looking for children’s clothing and say, ‘Where’s the women’s consignment shop in Wilson?’” Realizing the need in the community, she decided to open the business herself. Once again, she researched and carefully planned the concept and execution of the new venture: ReChic Boutique.

She worked with the Wilson Downtown Development Corporation, which had been instrumental in the success of My Cutie Patootie by offering incentives such as rent and façade grants. The building next door to the current store on Tarboro Street became available, and Snow is now renovating it to house the ReChic Boutique, the upscale women’s consignment store that will sell clothing, shoes, handbags, and An advertising supplement to The Wilson Times

accessories. She plans to open the new boutique sometime this year.

Snow is excited about the growth she sees as other merchants set up shop in the downtown area. “I’ve lived through two revitalizations of old, smaller downtown communities that have really come back in a big way, and I know there is a huge potential for that here,” she said.

Not only do the variety of shops bring Wilsonians downtown to shop, they also bring in people from surrounding areas.

Snow feels that once these visitors see what Historic Downtown Wilson has to offer, they will return to support the local merchants.

She believes they will see how wonderful Wilson is, just as she did when she first came as a visiting grandmother. “I love this town. It is so fantastic.”

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9

Culbreth expands

Owner Culbreth Spivey arranges a display at his original store, Creations by Culbreth, on Tarboro Street. photograph by Gray Whitley

The downtown business owner opens another business

By LaMonique Hamilton

For almost a decade, Culbreth Spivey has been known as the “Go-To Christmas Guy.” He began his business with a mobile unit filled with Christmas and gift items, traveling to venues and events in and around North Carolina.

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March 2013

He was based in Raleigh for several years, but eventually made the move to Wilson and opened Creations by Culbreth in Historic Downtown Wilson. Setting up shop in Wilson proved to be a nostalgic return to his roots. “I ended up in my father’s hometown, where my grandparents lived their entire married lives. On Saturdays, my grandmother would walk from Herring Avenue to downtown in her heels to do her shopping.”

Spivey’s roots have added an additional element of excitement to being a part of the revitalization efforts of Historic Downtown

Wilson. His mother, Bessie Spivey, can often be found working in the store, welcoming customers with a ready smile and a warm and joyful personality. She is currently working with Culbreth in the store’s expansion to include a larger selection of general gift items for babies, birthdays, weddings, and other special occasions. The store will continue to sell a large selection of Christmas items year round.

While building Creations by Culbreth over these years, Spivey also stumbled into a second business venture. As he says: “It all

Spivey’s new venture, Rummage Warehouse, with business partner Wendy Moore, is a trove of vintage wares, from furniture to antique typewriters that Spivey has scavenged from all over. Below, Spivey poses with his mother, Bessie Spivey, at the new location on Barnes Street. photographs LaMonique Hamilton

started with a yard sale.”

When he and his parents moved to Wilson, they found that they had too much stuff. Spivey, who as an Eagle Scout organized yard sales to pay for his projects, decided to hold a sale to get rid of their excess. The success of that yard sale led to several more. Eventually, he began going to estate auctions, filling up his car with items to sell. Once it outgrew the hobby phase, Spivey and his friend, Wendy Moore, formed a business partnership and opened the Rummage Warehouse at 513 Barnes Street.

Spivey and Moore work seamlessly as a team: he buys the items, and she sells them on the weekends.

Spivey says, “Wendy and I just love this because it’s a place for everybody. It’s a place for people on a fixed budget who have a need, and it’s a place for people who have a

want. Everybody loves it here, and everybody is welcome.”

Both businesses have become destination shops in Historic Downtown Wilson, due in part to social media and the websites. Thanks to the internet, these local shops have a global reach, and are bringing in customers well outside of the borders of Wilson County. Spivey believes that bringing in a customer base that does not reside in Wilson is critical to the success of downtown’s development.

He believes that the future of Wilson’s historic downtown is bright, and he is pleased to be a part of it.

“There’s a great energy here. I like preservation. I like anything that’s old and restored to make new. I think that shops with character give people a better feeling that shopping in a strip mall. It’s fascinating.”

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March 2013

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Healthy Alternative

Nam Ngo & Jing Yin Ngo, Cherryo Factory

Two years ago, husband and wife owners of hibachi 101 in Wilson, Nam and jing yin ngo, were driving to raleigh basically every other weekend.

They would have places they wanted and needed to go and afterward, since they had their kids with them, they would inevitably go to a frozen yogurt place before coming back.

Despite the frequent trips, even when he and his wife didn’t need to go to Raleigh, the kids would still pester them about taking them to get frozen yogurt.

That’s when the idea began forming about opening up a frozen yogurt place of his own. A place in Wilson. After all, by that point, Nam and Jing Yin had run Hibachi 101 quite successfully since starting it two years before.

Nam did his research, figured out how he wanted to do it, gathered the supplies and finally opened the doors to Cherryo Factory in early March in the Forest Hills Center, at 1700 Raleigh Road Parkway.

The Cherryo factory offers a variety of frozen yogurt with nearly 40 topping choices. The business is large enough to accommodate guests in a lounge area, which includes children’s tables and chairs, as well as a private party room.

“We intend for this place to be a hangout place,” he said.

Each day, there are 16 different frozen yogurt choices that include non-fat, low-fat, no sugar and sorbet options. Some of the flavors include cookies-n-cream, strawberry, mocha, cheesecake, sea salt caramel pretzel, vanilla, birthday cake and orange sorbet. Sorbet is for customers who need a non-dairy product.

The yogurt is made with real dairy milk, fruit purees and natural yogurt cultures, is low in salt and cholesterol and is a source of calcium and protein. Nam is a true believer in the healthy alternative frozen yogurt is to other kinds of snacks.

“I love that it’s a healthy product and a beautiful product,” he said. “I’m happy to be a good service to the community of Wilson, and I hope they support me.”

Nam and his wife took a circuitous route to Wilson. Nam, from Cambodia, and Jing Yin, from China, met while working at a Chinese restaurant in Fayetteville in the 1990s. Nam had moved there from Charlotte — where he had gone to school to earn a bachelor’s of science degree and worked later as an applied programer 12

March 2013

— to help his brother run the buffet-style restaurant.

He didn’t enjoy it though, as the massive amount of buffet food that was wasted and thrown away each night made his “heart broken,” thinking about the poverty and hunger he endured and witnessed growing up in Cambodia.

Eventually, he and Jing Yin, by this time married, moved back to Charlotte. He then begin looking around for a spot to open a Japanese restaurant and, by this time, knew exactly how he wanted to run it.

The problem was finding a space.

He approached a developer in Monroe about a commercial space, but the man said the only open space he had was in Wilson.

“He described it for me, said it was a smaller size, good community, great companies and location.

But I came to take a look for myself and just fell in love,” he said.

Nam and Jing Yin opened Hibachi 101 in 2008 and have enjoyed steady success at the Heritage Crossing location.

Nam hopes that the new business will do well, especially as the weather gets warmer in the spring and summer. He also believes there is a market for selling self-serve yogurt in Wilson.

And who knows, if Cherryo does do well, Nam and Jing Yin may find a place to open another one. People are already asking if they will.

by Bradley Hearn

Jing Yin Ngo,

Nam Ngo (not pictured), owners, Hibatchi 101 and Cherryo Factory

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Lofty project lifts downtown Planned renovation will be the first of its kind in Historic Downtown Wilson It’s new for downtown Wilson, a project mixing retail development and residential living under the same roof.

Nash Street Lofts will be a significant step forward and may be followed by similar projects.

CommunitySmith, a Raleighbased commercial real estate firm specializing in public-private partnerships, and Winston-Salembased Rehab Development, purchased the 129-year-old, threestory building at 215 E. Nash St. from Wilson Downtown Properties in the heart of downtown in February.

Following redevelopment, officials said, the brick building built in 1884 will feature 13 units available for rent. Eleven units will be residential lofts ranging from around 500 to 1,000 square feet.

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March 2013

Above, the abandoned Western Auto building, located at 215 E. Nash Street in the heart of Historic Downtown Wilson, will soon become Nash Street Lofts, a first-of-its-kind project for downtown. file photograph

The ability to tap into historic tax credits and the potential for future growth in downtown Wilson led developers to start the first residential project in the heart of the city.

A significant amount in historic tax credits paved the way for the project, which would have been difficult to achieve without the federal and state credits, said Patrick Reilly, managing partner of Rehab Development.

“Without these credits, these projects would not be viable,” Reilly said.

The completed project will achieve a long-standing goal of WDDC and the city of Wilson. Pulling the pieces together took a coordinated effort.

“If it were not for the cooperation from the city and the people in (the WDDC) office, we would not be where we are today,” Reilly said. “They are as forward-thinking

and cooperative as any city, municipality, I’ve worked with.”

One of the drawing cards that helped secure the developer’s interest is downtown revitalization plans that are connected to the future Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park.

Other efforts to create an artisan district and increase retail, restaurant and other development were all part of the draw, said Kimberly Van Dyk, downtown manager for the city of Wilson.

“They became particularly interested in Wilson because they heard about the whirligig project and the artisan district we want to develop,” Van Dyk said.

Rehab Development has been involved in other downtown revitalization projects and Wilson is its third main street revitalization project since 2009. The company completed

A rendering of the proposed Nash Street lofts shows the 13 units developers say will be available, in addition to the retail space on the ground level. file photograph

two projects in downtown Henderson that led to upper loft residential units and lower-level retail space, similar to what’s planned in Wilson.

The company received federal Main Street Hope VI grants for the project.

The apartments in downtown Henderson are almost always full, Reilly said. He anticipates the same in Wilson.

“Based on our own experience and the overall socioeconomic feel, we believe there’s going to be a market for these apartments in the future,” Reilly said of the Nash Street Lofts. “General feedback from the public is that there’s an interest.”

Nash Street Lofts will include the construction of 13 apartment units available for rent. The first floor will

have two live-work units that include retail space to the front of the building, facing Nash Street, with a studio apartment at the rear. The first floor will also have two more one-bedroom units, at close to 500 square feet of space each. The livework units will each have between 800 and 900 square feet of space total.

The second floor will have one twobedroom loft, at close to 1,000 square feet of space, and four one-bedroom lofts ranging between 600 and 800 square feet each. The third floor is planned to have two one-bedroom units, ranging from 600 to 700 square feet, and two, two-bedroom units with close to 1,000 square feet.

After the project is complete, the developers will hire a manager to oversee the property and to handle

marketing efforts. Rental costs will be based on market rates.

If the project goes well, Rehab Development and CommunitySmith may invest in another similar project in downtown Wilson.

“It’s an exciting project and we’re

excited about being in Wilson,” Reilly said. “The difference it can have on downtown and the main street area is incredible.”

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Tommy Wells, owner of Wells Produce near Elm City, picks a selection of collards from his farm in anticipation of some cold weather last winter. Wells sells cabbage, sweet potatoes and other seasonal vegetables.

Photograph by Gray Whitley

Judy Zampella, Master Gardener

by Bradley Hearn

Green Thumb Whenever Judy Zampella returns to the catskill mountains in New York, where her grandparents ran a large resort while she was growing up, she is forced to indulge her inner child and pick the fresh blueberries that grow there to Cook. As a young girl — among the blueberries, gardens and various fruit trees her family cultivated — she learned to love food that came fresh from the earth.

It’s a love that has never gone away and it’s a passion that she seeks to instill in others as a master gardener volunteer in Wilson.

Zampella, a retired New York high school history teacher, moved to Wilson with her husband in the winter of 2006. With grandkids in Wilson, Georgia and New Jersey, they figured this was the most geographically centric location to have access to all of them.

She has been mighty busy in her retirement in Wilson, serving as a volunteer with both the Girl Scouts and the New Hope 4-H, in which her granddaughters are very active.

And, of course, she wasted no time in becoming certified as a master gardener by the Wilson County Cooperative Extension. She attended their first meeting three months after arriving, and that was enough for her.

“It was so great. After attending the first meeting, I immediately signed up,” she said.

In fact, she signed up for practically every opportunity they offered.

Master gardeners, as part of their certification, must complete 40 volunteer hours their first year, after completing the four-month program of required course work, trips and exams. But Zampella was so eager, she had technically blown through her 40 hours before she was even a member. No matter, as she guesses that she averages over 100 hours a year with the club. She is now the curator of the Wilson Botanical Garden’s greenhouse.

She is thankful for all the knowledge the program and other volunteers taught her. For example, even with her lifelong love of gardening, she was running into problems transferring some of the plants she used to grow in New York to North Carolina.

“They taught me so much,” she said. “About what’s in your zone, what’s natural in different places. Otherwise, 22

March 2013

you’re just banging your head against the wall.”

Now, she is excited about the possibility of passing on that knowledge to the next generation. She says her granddaughters love coming out to the Children’s Secret Garden at Wilson Botanical Gardens and seeing the fun things created there.

And she’s equally excited for a new youth program the volunteers will kick off in April called “Green Adventures,” which will hopefully instill a lifelong love of gardening and growing in the youth of Wilson.

“I learned to love eating fresh vegetables and growing things.

And I’d love for them to as well.”

Judy Zampella

retired teacher, volunteer master gardener

Wilson Master Gardeners The Extension Master Gardener Volunteer program, a joint effort of North Carolina Cooperative Extension and volunteers, was created to meet requests from home gardeners for horticultural information and has been running successfully for almost 20 years.

2013 EMG Plant Sale Each year, the group hosts a popular plant sale, which funds the work they do at the Wilson Botanical Gardens, including the Children’s Secret Garden. This year, the Extension Master Gardener Plant Sale will take place on Saturday, April 13th at the Wilson Ag. Center, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Green Adventures On April 20, 2013, Extension Master Gardener program will begin a youth gardening program, called Green Adventures, aimed at instilling an appreciation and love of growing plants and produce.

The program is made possible by sponsors like Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC, as well as a grant from the Sparkplug Foundation.

Judy Zampella, a volunteer master gardener, says the program’s name derives from their desire to show that the whole process of gardening — from composting to harvesting — can be an adventure.

The program is scheduled to be held once a month on Saturdays, from 10 a.m. until noon, at the Wilson Botanical Gardens located at 1806 SW Goldsboro Street. The first program is entitled, “A Visit to the Greenhouse,” and will show the kids the rules for running a greenhouse effectively. Other programs involve decorating the garden, composting, planting and, in July, a “Grazing in the Garden,” which will allow them to harvest and eat snacks straight from their garden.

“Another thing we want is to encourage them to go shopping with their parents and choose the fruits and vegetables themselves, as opposed to junk food,” said Zampella.

The program will conclude with a booth at the Whirligig Festival in November, where the participants will display “nature mobiles” they will have made from found materials.

Though this is just the first year of the program, the volunteers are excited at its potential and hope that many children not only participate, but keep coming back. Zampella says that they have even tossed around the idea of initiating a program where youth can become certified as “junior master gardeners.”

After all, she says, the whole idea, is to simply teach them how fun and rewarding a garden can be.

An advertising supplement to The Wilson Times

Above, Judy Zampella, the curator for the Wilson Botanical Gardens greenhouse, sprays recently potted plants that will be sold at the annual EMG Plant Sale on April 13. Behind her, Dixie Thurman, curator of the Herb Garden, and Sandy Goetz, curator for the Children’s Secret Garden also work to get the plants ready for sale.

Below, a view of the Children’s Secret Garden, which contains a wide and creative variety of plants and fun activities for both children and people of all ages. photography by Bradley Hearn

March 2013

23

On the Land

Jerry Coleman, farmer

After high school, Jerry Coleman thought farming would be his career. But in the 1980s, when the area was still dominated primarily by tobacco, the Wilson native said there was no real money to be had and turned to building houses to make a living. After his father passed away in 1994, Coleman used some family land he inherited to start small-scale farming.

“I wanted to keep my thumb on (the land), so to speak.” Today, he farms on about 21 acres — some inherited, some purchased — and with the lack of activity in the housing market, Coleman is basically a full-time farmer. He sells his produce at his stand, J And K Veggies, located on Rock Ridge Road.

“I think the farming community has adapted well to the tobacco buyout,” Coleman said. “Twenty-five years ago, there were not many vegetables being grown. Now, we have production-truck farms everywhere.”

Along with “a lot of peas,” Coleman grows basic vegetables like cabbage, collards, corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, cantalopes, watermelons and okra. “Basically, anything that grows in the vegetable garden, we have it on a little bit larger scale.”

Coleman also served as the president of the Wilson Farmers Market and was instrumental in the market’s formation in 2008 and its first year success.

“We didn’t know anybody was buying or selling,” said Coleman. “We just felt like the county was ready for it.” The first few years of the farmers market exceeded expectations, says Coleman, with more vendors being added each year and a larger shelter constructed to house the larger crowds and food being purchased.

As a way of strengthening his own yield for the market, about four years ago, Coleman constructed several hoop houses — or “high tunnels” has he says most people refer to them — on his farm. Bearing a strong resemblance to large greenhouses, the hoop houses shelter the crops and allow farmers to plant things that they would normally have to wait until warmer weather to try.

Unlike many greenhouses, the houses are not 24

March 2013

heated, save for natural solar heat created by the enclosure. Also, the crops are planted directly in the ground.

The houses are not practical for large-scale commercial operations, he says, but for small-scale farmers like him, they are ideal. In fact, he already has a good amount of potatoes, tomatoes, squash, cucumbers and other produce sprouting in March, which will be ready for the opening of the markets next month.

“They’re all growing right now, when we’d be at least a month away if we’d grown them outside.”

Being exclusively a “family business,” Coleman’s farming operation still utilizes the help of his two children, Jared and Karen. He says even his grandson has started to pitch in with the farm’s daily duties.

“My grandson is coming along. He’s only three, but he really tries to help if he can.”

The family splits duties between the farmers market and the J And K Veggies stand when the market is open.

Coleman loves farming, but he is still a licensed residential contractor and would like to get back into building houses if the market allows. “Hopefully it’ll turn around and I’ll be able to do that in the winter months and focus on farming when it’s warm,” he said.

by Bradley Hearn

Jerry Coleman famer, owner, J and K Veggies

Wilson Farmers Markets Since its inception in 2008, The Wilson Farmers Market has continued to grow, attract new and various vendors and bigger weekly crowds.

The successful market will return to The Wilson County Fairgrounds April 20, 2013 and operate each Saturday through September from 7:30 a.m. to noon.

The market will operate out of the newly expanded Farmers Market Building at the fairgrounds and organizers and farmers hope the new space in 2013 will bring the market’s biggest year yet.

The Downtown Farmers Market will open the following Wednesday, April 24, at 207 West Green Street, and run each week from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

“Consumers have really enjoyed this market concept,” said Billy Little, an agent with Wilson County Cooperative Extension. “It has grown from its 2008 start up, and additional vendors are coming on board every year with more produce and expanded items.”

Little says that the season will start with colderweather crops like cabbage, lettuce, onions, garden peas, baked goods and such. Then, as the other vegetables and fruits come into season, the variety will expand.

He says that the new vendors for 2013 will offer a variety of new goods, including homemade crafts, cupcakes, processed meats and jellies, in addition to all the classic favorites: ice cream, blueberries, grapes, vegetables and more.

Special events will be planned for many of the days at the market.

The addition of the Wednesday downtown market in 2010 was a natural extension of the market at the fairgrounds and includes many of the same vendors — albeit in a slightly smaller space.

“The Saturday market at the fairgrounds and the additional market in downtown Wilson on Wednesdays give consumers several days to choose from and growers additional days to keep their produce fresh off the vine,” said Little.

Each vendor must meet the market’s operational An advertising supplement to The Wilson Times

guidelines, many of which are set to ensure that each product is fresh, locally grown, in accordance with GAP (Good Agriculture Practices).

Gary Williamson receives the Marcia Parker Volunteer Award from the United Way of Wilson County for his contributions. submitted photograph

Wilson County Farmers Market Wilson County Fairgrounds Saturdays, April 20th Through September 7:30 a.m. to noon

Downtown Farmers Market 207 West Green Street Wednesdays, April 24th Through September 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

March 2013

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The Wilson Garden Tour See what beauty Wilson is growing in 2013 Warmer weather is right around the corner, and its arrival welcomes the renewed bloom of many area gardens. Take advantage of the season and enjoy some of the best gardens Wilson has to offer with the return of the 2013 Wilson Garden Tour on May 3 and 4.

The 2013 Wilson Garden Tour will feature eight local gardens throughout Wilson and is open, rain or shine, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days.

Tickets for the event are $25 per person, and free for children under 12 years old. Like previous tours, all proceeds benefit the Children’s Secret Garden at the Wilson Botanical Gardens.

The 2013 Tour will feature the gardens of: 1) Mr. and Mrs. Tim Webb, 8620 Tyson Farm Rd., Stantonsburg; 2) Dr. and Mrs. James Cummings, 2900 Falling Maple Drive; 3) Dr. and Mrs. Jim Taylor, 3003 Wolf Trap Dr.; 4) Mr. and Mrs. Ken Hill, 3601 Myrtle Woods Ct.; 5) Ms. Carol Wikfors and Ms. Sheila Forbes, 509 Lafayette Dr.; 6) Mr. and Mrs. Ben Skinner, 521 Mount Vernon Dr.; 7) Mr. and Mrs. Dickie Barnes, 2006 Hermitage Dr.; 8) Mr. and Mrs. Bill Andrews, 2305 Canal Dr. Sponsorship opportunities are

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still available for the Tour as well. For more information, call 252-237-0113.

Tickets will be available at all gardens during the tour. They may be purchased prior to the tour at Wilson Ag. Center, Raleigh Road Garden Center, The Flower Pot and The Nook.

2013 Wilson Garden Tour Date: May 3 and 4, 2013 Time: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m.

Cost: $25 per person, children under 12 years old are free.

More Information: 252-237-0113 Website: www.wilson-co. com/arboretum or facebook/ wilsonbotanicalgardens Facebook: Wilson Botanical Gardens Additional Event: An evening reception with a silent auction will be held on Friday, May 3, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Wilson Woman’s Club, 402 Broad Street

The garden of Mr. and Mrs. Dickie Barnes, shown above, is one of eight gardens featured on the 2013 Wilson Garden Tour. submitted photograph

The Barn

Charles Jones, The Barn

On the corner of Barnes and Douglas Streets sits what could be easily misconstrued as an abandoned warehouse. Yet, Charles Jones has been slowly and purposefully cultivating the culture of Wilson within the walls of the warehouse as well as in its back lot.

Jones says, “I believe in giving back to the community.

We have to be willing to teach our youth and provide positive activities for them in order to have a positive future.”

Jones calls the warehouse The Barn, and the space performs a variety of functions. It serves as a rehearsal space for actors and musicians, a gym for an afterschool wrestling club, a learning annex for a summer reading program, and on Saturday nights, a lively open mic space for aspiring poets, musicians and artists. Kids know The Barn as a safe space, when sometimes their neighborhoods or even their homes are not. On its walls are shirts and banners representing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as well as hand-painted signs with slogans meant to instill positive messages to all who enter.

In the back lot, Jones has essentially created an urban farm.

In the spring, it is filled with fresh fruits and vegetables.

He allows the children, with supervision, to pick their own produce. For some, it is a revelation. “There are children An advertising supplement to The Wilson Times

who don’t realize that carrots come from the ground, that cucumbers are cut from vines.

We have gotten so conditioned to believe that fresh food comes from the grocery store and not the farm.”

He asserts that many people take for granted that they can easily get in their cars, drive to the nearby grocery store, and buy their families fresh food.

However, for many people who live within Wilson’s city limits, there is no such access. There is no transportation. There is no money.

Jones decided to create his farm several years ago after attending a workshop given

by Will Allen, the author of The Good Food Revolution and founder of Growing Power, Inc. According to the website GrowingPower.org, the organization serves as an “idea factory for the young, the elderly, farmers, producers, and other professionals ranging from USDA personnel to urban planners.” Their mission is simply to transform communities by growing good food.

Fueled by what he had learned, Jones went through the Master

by LaMonique Hamilton

Gardener course offered by the Wilson County Extension, and continues to work with them to find additional ways to provide good food to Wilson’s underserved neighborhoods.

The credo of Growing Power – “Grow.

Bloom. Thrive.” – especially applies to Charles Jones. Not only is he working to transform the Wilson community by making sure that all people are able to have access to food that will keep them

Charles Jones takes pride in mentoring young people about growing their own food, in addition to providing a safe place for urban youth to go in Wilson. photograph by LaMonique Hamilton

healthy and strong, he is also transforming minds and spirits to ensure Wilson’s bright future and continued growth.

March 2013

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Strawberry Fields OPENING MID-APRIL

April Vegetable Gardening Chores

Fun for the whole family!

Celebrate the Seasons at Deans Farm!

by Cyndi Lauderdale, Horticulture Extension Agent, Wilson County We all are anxious to start planting our spring/summer vegetable garden. Wilson’s frost free date is April 15, which means on average Wilson will not have any freezing temperatures after April 15 which would kill tender vegetable plants. As many gardeners know, we recently were reclassified in a warmer heat zone (we were 7B now an 8) so our frost-free date may be moving earlier to plant. What I would suggest is on April 5 look at the 10 day weather forecast and if the temperatures stay well above freezing for those dates then you probably could plant early. The great thing about your spring vegetable garden is that will reward you with fresh produce all summer long.

If you are new to vegetable gardening, you may want to request the Home Vegetable Gardening guide from the Extension Master Gardeners (contact information below). This booklet gives lists of recommended vegetable varieties to plant, as well as, planning and preparing for a vegetable garden.

My winter garden has supplied me with lettuce, spinach, kohlrabi (this was my first year, if you have any winning recipes please send my way), broccoli, onions, carrots, and too many radishes. We even had to try cooked radish recipes! I hope your winter vegetable garden were successful So starting in April plant your choice of the following “warm-season” or “frost-tender” crops: beans (snap, pole and lima), cantaloupe, corn (sweet), cucumbers, eggplant, okra, field peas, peppers, squash, tomatoes, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, and watermelon.

Plant tall-growing crops such as okra, pole beans and corn on the north side of other veg-

etables to avoid shading. Plant two or more rows of corn for better pollination.

Make a second planting within two to three weeks of the first planting of snap beans, corn and squash to extend your harvest. Having additional plantings helps if you want extra vegetables to can or freeze and therefore extending your season of homegrown vegetables well pass the harvest date.

Within three to four weeks of the first planting, plant more lima beans and corn. Remember: for better pollination, plant at least two or more rows of corn.

Cultivate (hand pull or hoe) to control weeds and grass, to break crusty soil and to provide aeration. It is much easier and healthier to control weeds by hand than using weed killers in your vegetable garden.

In between rows maintain mulch to decrease weeds and splashing of soil that may cause disease. Newspaper, dried ornamental grass blades, or really anything can be mulch between the rows.

For the crops planted earlier, side-dress 4 to 6 inches from the plant. Depending on fertilizer the rate will differ. If using 8-8-8, 3-4 cups would be applied per hundred feet of row.

Don’t forget to plant tender herbs such as basil, oregano, parsley, etc. to use with your fresh vegetables.

Also remember not to work in your garden when the foliage is wet to avoid spreading diseases from one plant to another.

For more information on vegetable gardening call the Wilson County Extension Master Gardeners on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday from 1-3 PM, 237-0113, or email at wilsonemgv@hotmail.com.

SPRING - Strawberry Season! Pick Your Own Field Open!

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A runner poses in motion during the annual Bookin’ It 5K race in Wilson to benefit the Wilson County Public Library.

An advertising supplement to The Wilson Times

Wilson Junior Women’s Club stays active The Wilson Junior Woman’s Club was estab- Raising Money and Awareness lished in May of 1944 based upon the mission The members regularly commit to and partner with the Wilson Crisis Center, the of promoting the civic and cultural welfare Wilson Education Partnership, the Ameriof the City of Wilson and the State of North can Cancer Society Wilson County Relay Carolina. In 2013, the Wilson JWC continues for Life, Historic Downtown Wilson and to support this mission in every way possible more.

The Wilson JWC also hosts several local and is always excited to welcome new mem- fundraising events annually which are eagerly anticipated not only by the organizabers or guests. The Wilson JWC is made up tions to whom proceeds are donated, but of members between the ages of 23 and 45 also by loyal supporters who look forward to these events each year. who are passionate about contributing posiThe club’s annual sales of pecans raises tively to the community through volunteering money toward scholarship awards offered and participating in fund raisers to benefit lo- to local college-bound seniors and a golf tournament each fall has benefits organical charitable organizations. zations such as Y.O.U.T.H. of Wilson, Arc of Wilson, and HOPE Station.

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March 2013

Members of the Wilson Junior Women’s Club have a great time by participating in a variety of fundraisers that benefit Wilson charity organizations. contributed photographs

In 2012, the golf tournament supported downtown’s very own Imagination Station and its plans for exciting growth. Each spring, members host a fun picnic with planned activities for Wilson County Public Schools’ exceptional children classes.

Coming soon: Bookin’ It The Wilson Junior Woman’s Club will soon hosting its 4th Annual Bookin’ It 5K this year on Saturday, May 11. Funds raised from this event will benefit the Children’s Department of the Wilson County Public Library. Over the last three years, the Wilson JWC has raised over $3,000 to help buy new books and media for the department. This year, organizers anticipate having the most participants ever, hopefully making 2013 the most successful

Bookin’ It 5K in the event’s history.

The Bookin’ It 5K is fun for the entire family and is open to participants of all ages and experience levels.

There will be fun activities for children as well and a performance by a local favorite band, Matty Begs.

The one-mile Fun Run for ages 3-12 begins at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K will begin at 9 a.m.

The Wilson Junior Woman’s Club invites everyone in Wilson County and beyond to attend or support the event no matter their age or fitness level: runners, walkers, families, cheerleaders, sponsors, and volunteers are all welcome.

More information about the 4th Annual Bookin’ It 5K, JWC membership, or other events can be found

on the club’s website, www.wilsonjwc.com or by emailing wilsonjwc@gmail.com. Bookin’ It 5K registration and sponsorship information is available there as well, or you can visit www.active.com/5krace/wilson-nc/wilson-jwc-4th-annual-bookin-it5k-2013 to register for the event online through Active.com.

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March 2013

31

Learning leadership by volunteering The Wilson Youth Council sets an example for the community... and even the state of North Carolina A wise man once said, if you pray for patience, you will be given an opportunity to sit still and be patient.

For the members of the Wilson Youth Council, who are seeking to learn about leadership, they are given opportunities to get up, get busy and volunteer.

“We believe teens learn great leadership skills by volunteering,” said Theresa Mathis, WYC advisor from the City of Wilson Human Relations Office.

The Wilson Youth Council (WYC) is a group of roughly 50-60 teens that come together from all the area high schools.

There are not typically a lot of opportunities for teens, from all the schools, to gather together.

The members of the Wilson Youth Coun32

March 2013

cil have volunteered monthly for the past five years. The group has become permanent fixtures at several of the area community events, including the Wilson County Fair, the Wilson Whirligig Festival, the MLK Breakfast and the Special Olympics spring games. These annual events depend on the WYC teen volunteers for everything from simple tasks to high levels of coordination.

During the upcoming Special Olympics,

A group from WYC volunteer during First Fridays on the Lawn last summer. contributed photographs

the teens will operate the Young Athletes area. This is for kids 5-8 years old that are too young to compete in the official games, but are ready to participate. The Young Athletes games simulate the official games and help young kids fine tune motor skills they need to develop.

The WYC members research ideas, plan a variety of activity stations and work with the City of Wilson’s Parks and Recreation department to use the proper equipment.

They develop approximately 15 different activities that including running, jumping, throwing, an obstacle course, arts and crafts, snacks and, of course, the medals stand. The challenge this year will be to develop more wheelchair accessible activities.

“I volunteer every year during Special Olympics,” said Winquika Hill, a Senior at Fike High School and WYC Service Project Chair. “This year I chose this event to be my Senior Project. I am exploring how volunteering with special needs children helps teens develop leadership skills.”

Hill has volunteered in the Human Relations Office after school for several weeks to help with the planning of the games and will serve as team captain of this year’s Wilson Youth Council volunteers.

The Wilson Youth Council is a teen action group dedicated to community service and leadership development. In 2012, it was recognized at the “Most Diverse NC Youth Council.” It was awarded “Most Outstanding NC Youth Council” in both 2011 &

2008.

The council is open and free to high school members each fall. To learn more, contact the City of Wilson Human Relations Office or visit the council’s Facebook or web page at www.

WilsonNC.org.

A sampling of photos from 2012 demonsrate the variety of events the Wilson Youth Council participates in. Below, several of the Wilson Youth Council members gathers for a quick snap shot near the Olympic Torch during the 2012 Special Olympics.

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March 2013

33

Whirligig Festival cleans up Wilson’s annual festival brings home numerous awards — again!

The Wilson Whirligig Festival planning board kicked off its 2013 year with a celebration. The festival has been recently recognized with three state level awards... again. All were received during the 2013 Carolina Showfest convention held in late January in Charlotte, NC. “We brought home several awards last year, so we thought this year we didn’t have a shot, but they called our name three times!” said Theresa Mathis, the festival coordinator. “I am so proud of the festival board and am thrilled they received this high level of recognition for their hard work.”

During the annual professional conference, the festival won three awards: Best Print Media for the festival schedule, Volunteer of the Year and Sponsor of the Year. This is the third year in a row for recognition of print design.

The festival board was able to present a duplicate of the Volunteer and Sponsor of the Year awards to the groups that partnered with the festival. The Wilson Youth Council was presented with the Volunteer award during a March meeting. The council is responsible for running the children activities in the Whirli-Kidz Zone. WYC has faithfully volunteered for the past 7 years.

Approximately 80 teens from the council volunteer during the two-day festival, dedicating over 500 hours in one weekend.

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March 2013

The Sponsor of the Year award was on behalf of the City of Wilson. The City has been a financial and in-kind sponsor every year of the festival. The award was for recognition of consistent dedication and support. During the 2012 festival, the City took an extra step in creating the “Our Town” displays. Approximately 15 City departments set up interactive booths with information, games, prizes and more. This extra effort led the board to submit for recognition.

The festival is starting its plans for 2013 and the 10th anniversary celebration in 2014. The festival planners are reaching out to civic organizations, churches and businesses to expand more partnerships. They areseeking groups interested in coordinating interactive areas, holding events during the festival and creating new community connections.

“The attendance at last year’s festival almost doubled!,” said Mathis. “We aren’t sure exactly, but have to give credit to the community. We expanded publicity and the Wilson Tourism Authority helped us reach out regionally. We had

According to festival organizers, attendance at the 2012 Whirligig Festival almost doubled from 2011. The event was recently recognized with three state-level awards for excellence. file photograph

folks from Atlanta, New Jersey and Virginia attend the festival.”

The festival’s summer event, the fourth annual 5K Whirli-Run will be held on June 1, 2013.

This is a partnership with the Wilson Chamber of Commerce’s 2010 Dynamic Leadership Class.

The class started the run as a project to help Wilson’s Buddy Ball program achieve a “field of dreams.” The program has plans to build a baseball field that will accommodate children with a wide variety of disabilities. The class partnered with the festival to create the event and connect it to the whirligigs. The event has raised around $5,000 each year. Registration for the 5K is now open.

The Wilson Whirligig Festival will be held November 2-3, 2013 in downtown Wilson. The planning committee meets every month, on the 2nd Tuesday at 12 noon, May-November in the Wilson Arts Council. They are seeking active community and business members to become involved. To learn more visit the festival’s website: www.WilsonWhirligigFestival.com

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