Whirligig Festival 2013

An Advertising supplement to The Wilson Times

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

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Cover photo of Vollis Simpson

by Keith Barnes

Event Briefs Whirli-Kidz Zone

All Day – Saturday & Sunday

Jump on the 4-person giant trampoline, slide down a giant 26-foot slide or drive a miniature stock car and more, all in the kidz zone — Three parking lots full of fun! The Whirli-Kidz Zone is located in the Barnes Street lot, Farris & Farris lot and the Wilson County lot. Children of all ages can enjoy a variety of activities including: • Nick’s Kids Show – three shows each day • Carnival games • Whirligig Arts & Crafts • Giant slide • Obstacle course • Playhouse by Leonard Buildings • The Pit Stop Challenge • Drive miniature NASCAR - $5 each • Trampoline Jump - $7 each

Whirli-Kidz Stage

All Day- Saturday & Sunday

The kids talent and entertainment stage is located behind the Arts Council in the Barnes Street parking lot. It is jammed pack with live shows all day long with a wide variety of dance and demonstrations, from hip hop to lyrical, from clogging to ballet, from dancing to karate.

Check out the stage schedule on Page 6.

Arts Council of Wilson All Day- Saturday & Sunday

Inside the Arts Council you can purchase your own Whirligig from a wide selection of Vollis Simpson’s work. The art show in the Cooke Gallery extends to the second floor. The new Gift Shop is packed with items made by local active artist. The ceramic studio will have artist demonstrations. Drop by the Arts Council booth on Nash Street to learn more.

Imagination Station Science Museum

Carolina Cheese Co.; Tandoori Nights. The Chef’s Tent is sponsored by Greenlight, Medlin Buick GMC and Carolina Cheese Co.

Taking science to the streets – Imagination Station will fill the street corner with interactive activities that will wow and amaze you. You can also visit inside the science museum for a discounted price during the festival located at 224 E. Nash St. Enjoy the magic of whirligigs and the science of kinetic energy.

Historic Trolley Rides

All Day - Saturday & Sunday

Chef’s Tent

12 noon – 5 p.m. - Saturday & Sunday

Join local restaurants as they share their favorite recipes! The first 50 seated audience members will also be able to have a tasty sample. The Chef’s tent is next to the festival information tent, located in the Thomas & Farris parking lot. Demonstrations by: Bannerman Winery; Quince: A Southern Bistro;

Saturday only

FREE! Jump on the Trolley ride and learn lots about downtown Wilson. Co-sponsored by the Old Wilson Neighborhood Association and the Preservation of Wilson, this 30-minute ride through historic Wilson will share little-known facts about our neighborhood history.

Whirligig Contest

All Day - Saturday & Sunday

The annual Build-Your-Own Whirligig Contest is back on the Courthouse Plaza. Drop by to see all the entries. Who do you think will win?

Judging will be held Saturday. The winners

Wednesday, October 30 , 2013

will be announced on Saturday from the Greenlight Stage just before The Tams take the stage, around 3 p.m.

Mustang Car Show All day - Saturday & Sunday

The Twisted Stallions Car club show will run along Tarboro Street. The club meets every 3rd Sunday at Lee Motor Co. here in Wilson. With more than 80 members, they have a large variety of cars to display and place a lot of emphasis on supporting our community and local charities. Vote for your favorite car by donating to the “People’s Choice” buckets. Donations will be given to support the Wesley Shelter.

Red, White and Blue Zone Saturday & Sunday

Located on Douglas Street, come view this exciting collection of military vehicles and veteran organizations. The USO-NC will have their mobile unit on Saturday, so you can reach out and send encouraging words to active soldiers.

Active Artist Dan Nelson Saturday & Sunday

One of the highlights of the festival each year is watching the amazing Dan Nelson create three large paintings during the festival. He even involves participants by asking them to help pick colors and might even have you grab a brush and help! The paintings are co-sponsored by Lacewell Insurance. Nelson painting are on sale after the festival and can be commissioned for next year’s festival.

City of Wilson “Our Town All Day- Saturday & Sunday

Families, Wilson residents and kids will enjoy the expanded “Our Town” exhibits stretching across Nash Street and including both sides of Goldsboro Street. City department displays will be near Town Hall and amazing vehicles will near the Arts Council. Come learn all about the variety of services the City provides and also a few fun tips along the way.

Photo of the Year Contest

Saturday & Sunday – Information Tent display

Make sure to stop by the festival’s information tent to see the winners of the annual Photo of the Year Contest. Winners are identified in three categories: “Day in the Life of Wilson,” “Vollis,” and of course “Whirl.”

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Wednesday, October 30 , 2013

Get Your Festival Gear!

New for 2013

Pick up a newly-designed sweatshirt, official festival t-shirt or kids shirts this year. The long sleeve shirts are available in all sizes with pop art of Vollis Simpson’s workshop highlighted as a tribute to the hometown folk artist. You may also pick up an embroidered baseball cap, new festival decals and whirligig hats for the kids.

Arm Chair Quarterback ! Trampoline Jump!

Saturday & Sunday – Information Tent

Cake Dive

Sunday – 4 p.m. – Courthouse Plaza

Ready to win prizes? The messiest event on the festival schedule is at the very end of the festival on Sunday. Register at the Greenlight booth to dive into a 10-foot by 10-foot cake. Buried inside each layer are a wide variety of prizes - the top prize being a diamond ring donated by Saslow’s Jewelry. Registration boxes have been out at Saslow’s and The Arts Council of Wilson. Final registration will be on Saturday.

Cup Cake Challenge Saturday – 2 p.m.- Chef’s Tent

Adding more to the delicious food of the festival is the challenge between home bakers and professional bakers. Chefs of all ages compete for the golden cupcake trophies in four categories: Most Unique Flavor, Best Whirl Design, Best Home Baker and Best Professional Baker. Audience members may be included in the judging so make sure to be at the Chef’s Tent to be included.

Saturday & Sunday – Chef’s Tent

Win a recliner from Hardees Furniture.

Drop by the Chef’s Tent tailgate party. The first toss is free. Everyone that tosses the football through the target gets their name in a drawing to win a free recliner. If you miss, don’t worry you can always purchase additional throws for $1. The drawing will be held on Sunday afternoon. The sponsor, Hardee’s Furniture, has a 40,000-square-foot facility featuring quality furniture at affordable prices.

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Saturday & Sunday – Information Tent

Ready! Set! Jump! At the Bungee Pro Plus station you, and three friends, can all strap in together and jump high into the sky. This giant bouncing set up comes only every couple of years to Wilson, so make sure to jump in while you can. Fun for children and adults. Tickets are $7.

50/50 Raffle!

Nick’s Kids Show LIVE! Saturday & Sunday – Three shows each day Saturday & Sunday

Information Tent

Who doesn’t want to go home with a handful of cash. Purchase your 50/50 With Nick’s Kids Show, the children are the raffle ticket at the festival’s Information show. Kids join Nick on stage for fun and musibooth or at the Wilson Art’s Council cal entertainment. Kids will compete in fun chalbooth. Tickets are only $1 each or $5 lenges and play instruments in the house band. for the length of your arm. The winner The show is fun and laughter for the entire will be drawn on Sunday and anfamily. nounced at the start of the Cake Dive.

Wednesday, October 30 , 2013

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Wednesday, October 30 , 2013

Schedule Greenlight Stage

Whirli-Kidz Stage

Located near BB&T Sponsored by the City of Wilson and Greenlight

Located behind the Arts Council Sponsored by the Arts Council of Wilson

Saturday 11:00 a.m.

12:00 p.m.

12:30 p.m.

1:30 p.m.

2:00 p.m.

3:30 p.m.

Country Roads Band Footloose Friends dancers Country Roads Band Get in Line & Dance 14-K Band The TAMS

Sunday 12:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m.

1:30 p.m.

2:30 p.m.

3:00 p.m.

Swingin’ Medallions Get in Line & Dance Swingin’ Medallions Footloose Friends dancers Swingin’ Medallions

Saturday 11:00 a.m.

11:15 a.m.

11:30 a.m.

12:00 p.m.

12:30 p.m.

1:00 p.m.

1:30 p.m.

2:30 p.m.

Upward Cheer Stepper of Distinction Tang Soo Do Martial Arts Brand PAC Heaven’s Footprints Kuntaw Palace Megan’s Academy of Dance Toe-2-Toe Dance

Sunday 12:30 p.m.

1:15 p.m.

1:30 p.m.

2:00 p.m.

Dongs Martial Arts Shannon Baker East Coast Cheer Dance Studio “B”

Simply Wonderful Stage Located near Imagination Station Sponsored by the Historic Downtown Wilson & Wilson Visitors Center Saturday – Beach Music all day!

11:00 a.m.

Guilty Pleasures 12:00 p.m.

Shimmy Shakers 12:30 p.m.

Guilty Pleasures 1:30 p.m.

Wanna Bees dancers 2:00 p.m.

JB & The Get Down Band 3:30 p.m.

Kountry Kickers Sunday – Gospel Music all day!

12:30 p.m.

Semilla Band 2:00 p.m.

Wilson Community Church 3:30 p.m.

The Kairos Band

Nick’s Kids Show Located in Thomas & Farris lot Saturday 11:30 a.m.

1:00 p.m.

3:30 p.m.

Sunday 12:30 p.m.

2:00 p.m.

3:30 p.m.

Special Events Saturday, 2 p.m.

Saturday, 2 p.m.

Saturday, 4 p.m.

Sunday, 4 p.m.

Cup Cake Challenge, Chef’s Tent Whirli-Kidz Choir, Boykin Center Dancing thru Oz, Boykin Center Cake Dive, Courthouse Plaza

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Event Vendors (w/ booth number) Arts & Craft Vendors • Bearabows- #92 • Boondocks Woodworking- #233 • Caricature Artist - # 461 • Cassie Causey Photography- #89 • Chunky Junk Jewelry - # 85 • Cintinque Handcrafted Jewelry- #94 • CoCody Enterprises- #87 • Colonial Wagon Wheel - #400 • Dan Nelson - #110 • Designs by Ro - #223 • Easy Wreaths- #91 • Exporativity by Minniti - #84 • Face It! Face painting- #230 • Great Gardens Landscaping - #49 • Green Blanky Studio - #228 • Guatemalan Arts & Crafts - #335 • Help Hope Live - #42 • Howard’s Pallets - #467 • Little & Raynor Crafts - #129 • Love Touched Medals - #122 • Mand Leather - #212 • Monster Hat Island - #235 • Orgami Owl Jewelry - # 50 • Paint Savvy facepainting-#206 • Paracord East- #305 • Portraits Sketches by David - #128 • Premier Cornhole boards - #60 • Pretty Sensible Stuff - #221 • Pucker Up! Candy Art - #208 • Quarterhole - #315 • Sandy Creek Trading Co. - #58 • Scentsy Wickless Candles - #318 • Tat Me temporary tattoos- #219 • The Fuzzy Frog Jewelry - #307 • The Tin Can Man - #231 • Treasured Blessings - # 463 • Vinson Purses - #469 • Vollis Simpson Whirligigs - #232

Food Vendors • Asian Fusion Ellite - #207 • B&S Concessions - #304 • Bojangles - #100 • Charlie Poppers Kettle Corn - #104 • Chick-fil-A #57 • Christ Community Church coffee - #308 • Davis Homemade Ice Cream - #54 • Demario’s #114 • Double R Hotdogs - #338 • 5 Star Grille, Asian chicken - #300 • G&T Concessions - #201 • Heart to Heart, BBQ - #334 • Kern-a Kopia Kettle Corn - #328 • Kidney Awareness Research -#93 • Kona Ice - #238 • L&L Peanuts & Skins - #156 • Mt. Hebron Masonic Lodge, fish

fry - #458 • Nader’s Bistro & Grill - #140 • Nieves Concessions - #136 • Old Time Concessions - #200 • Onions Gone Wild - #225 • Party in a Pita - #239 • Sweet Maria’s Bakers - #237 • Tandoori Nights - #105 • TC Tasty Treats - #101 • Tula’s Mobile Fish & Fries - #99 • Wilson Community Church - #319 • WPD Explorers Post 557, corn on the cob - #311 • WPD PAL, turkey legs - #258

Non-Profit Vendors • Barton College - #131 • CapTel - #224 • Democratic Party of Wilson County-#327 • Ducks Unlimited - #44 • Family Caregiver Support Program -#316 • Farmington Heights Church-#312 • First Free Will Baptist Church-#322 • For the Love of Dogs-#465 • Girl Scouts-#310 • Great Accomplishments Academy- #111 • Great Dane Rescue Alliance-#55 • Hope Station - #217 • Hunt HS Headbands of Hope #403 • National Federation of the Blind of Wilson #133 • Old Wilson Neighborhood Association-#215 • Preservation of Wilson-#95 • Rocky Mount Harley Owners Group - #343 • Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club-#326 • Southern Belle Pit Bull Rescue-#53 • Stoneybrook Christian Church-#320 • The Church of Latter Day Saints - #48 • Twisted Stallions Car Club #165 • Wilson Area Habitat for Humanity-#120 • Wilson Botanical Garden - #220 • Wilson County Partnership for Children-#204 • Wilson County 4-H -#339

Cont’d on next page

Wednesday, October 30 , 2013

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Vendors (continued)

Wednesday, October 30 , 2013

Red, White and Blue Vendors

• Wilson County EMS - #157 • Wilson County Humane Society-#46 • Wilson Evening Lion’s Club-#401 • Wilson NC Tea Party-#317 • Wilson Woodcarvers-#107 • Winstead United Methodist Church-#333 • Woodmen of the World-#314

located on Douglas Street • American Legion - #464 • DAV Chapter 8 - #462 • Golden Leaf Marine Corps - #466 • National Guard - #468 • Order of the Purple Heart - #460 • Rat Pack Military Display -#472 • USO of Raleigh - #470

Commercial Vendors • Bathfitters - #301 • Geico - #124 • Hutch Construction Sunrooms - #329 • Irish Pirate Trading Co.-#88 • Leaf Filters - #325 • T-Mobile- #222 • Top Choice - #59 • US Cellular - #341

Downtown Merchant Participants

Booths on Street near store location • All Pro Bail Bonding - #330 • Arts Council of Wilson - #234 • Atmosphere Salon - #284 • City Market Café & Catering - #132 • Dance Studio “B” - #282 • Everlasting Impressions - #262 • House of van Baars- #337

• Imagination Station Science - #340 • JSP of Wilson - #130 • My Cutie Patootie - #137 • ProMusic Conservatory - #134 • Purple Porch Properties - #309 • Spirit-Filled Creative Designs - #404 • The Playhouse of Wilson - #113 • Upper Coastal Plans Bus. Development Center - #108 • Wilson County Public Library - #98 • Wilson Hardware & Recollections - #226

Sponsor Booths • First Media Radio - #80 Jammin 99.3, Power 95.5, 98.5 The Big Dawg • Hardees Furniture – Chef’s Tent • Land of Learning - #202 • Medlin Buick GMC – #81 • Tourism - Tar Heel Traveler - #135 • The Wilson Times - #86

Downtown Stores Open

City of Wilson “Our Town” • Administration - #243 • Downtown Development - #281 • Electric Dept. - 260 • Engineering - #250 • Finance Dept - #257 • Fire and Rescue - #252 • Greenlight - # 115 • Human Relations – Kidz Zone • Natural Gas Dept. - #245 • Parks & Recreation - #255 • Planning & Devlp. Svcs - #251 • Water Dept. - #256 • Wilson Police Department - # 246 • Wilson Rose Garden - #261

In addition to the booths listed, the following stores will be open for business during the festival • Park Place Consignments Saturday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

• James Grey and Co. Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Sunday, 1 – 5 p.m.

• Williams Bar & Grill Saturday, open 11:30 a.m.

Sunday, open 11 a.m.

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Music The Tams

Saturday, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.

Greenlight Stage

To hear it, you might think you’ve stepped back into Motown! To see it, it’s like an extravaganza of lights, song, dance and ENERGY! To experience it, it can only be THE TAMS! The group started 51 years ago and has continued in popularity carring on the legendary songs of Joe Pope. The Tams members of changed over the years, currently including Charles Pope, his son Li’l Redd, Robert Arnald, Elton Richardson, Greg Gallashaw and Reginald Preston, but the songs and reputation remain the same — incredible! Li’l Redd has the fastest feet in the south! And with a new generation, The Tams will never die!

JB & the Get Down Brown Band Saturday, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Simply Wonderful Stage

J.B. & the Get Down Brown’s is a fivepiece band based out of South Central Virginia. Formed in 2009, the band has grown in popularity in Virginia, North Carolina, and the East Coast by playing the best of R&B, Blues, Classic Rock and a touch of Beach music. All of the members have played in regional bands in South Central Virginia area for over 25 years. In 2009, the band members got together to play a few private parties and their popularity spread throughout the region. They are known for having lots of fun on stage which is contagious to the crowd. All of the members sing lead vocals which enables the band to provide a wide range of entertainment.

modern country hits a generouss mixture of old time rock and roll to beach music.

Guilty Pleasures Band Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Simply Wonderful Stage

Guilty Pleasures is an acoustic band from the musical heart of North Carolina, steeped in our State’s strong musical tradition but not afraid to venture into uncharted territory. The band’s sound is centered in bluegrass and old-time music, but a typical Guilty Pleasures set touches all genres of Americana. Come ready to kick back and enjoy the wide-ranging sounds of the Piedmont’s premier purveyors of Americana.

The Swingin’ Medallions

The Country Roads Band Sunday, 12 noon – 5:00 p.m.

Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Greenlight Stage

The Country Roads Band presents professional performances that have made them favorites for festivals, clubs, convention centers, country clubs and special events. The group features exceptional vocals by the mother/ daughter duo of Nancy and Tammy Dail, and male vocalists Ronnie King and Wray Thomas.

The groups music features traditional and

Greenlight Stage

The Swingin’ Medallions have been based out of the Greenwood, South Carolina area since the early 1960s. Their musical roots came from listening to the early rhythm and blues acts. The music most often associated with the band is beach music, frat rock, R&B, or shaggin’ music. Famous for their song, “Double Shot (of My Baby’s Love)”. The members of the Swingin’ Medallions have changed over the past thirty years, with John McElrath being the leader and only member

to be performing today. The high-energy, partystyle stage performance of the first Medallions has been passed down to the band that performs today. The present Medallions stage show has coined them the name “The Party Band of the South.”

Sunday Church Bands Sunday, 12:30 – 4:00 p.m.

Simply Wonderful Stage

Helping us celebrate on Sunday are three local church bands bringing a wide variety of musical style. Farmington Heights Church of God’s band, Semila Band, will kick off the all-day Gospel music, followed by the Wilson Community Church band at 2 p.m. Wrapping up the day will be First Baptist Church’s Kairos Band, starting at 3:30 p.m. Come support these congregational musicians.

14-K Band

Saturday, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Greenlight Stage

14-K is the band that plays along with the singing sensations THE TAMS. The opening act includes many of your favorites and gets the audience ready and geared up for the THE TAMS performance.

The Whirligig Maker: Remembering

By Lisa Boykin Batts Times Life Editor

On trips home to visit his parents, Barnie Simpson would often bring with him printed copies of stories he had found on the Internet about his daddy.

Vollis Simpson was often featured in newspapers, magazines and television reports. People were fascinated by the giant windmills he built and installed in a pasture on the family farm.

Reporters loved visiting the World War II veteran in his cluttered shop where he made what he called windmills and hearing how he crafted his art from scraps of metal left over from his machine shop business.

Barnie would tell his dad how stories of a new whirligig placement or perhaps the Wilson whirligig park had made the news not only in this country but overseas as well. And he’d read the stories to him.

“He’d look at me like he didn’t believe it,” Barnie said.

Then he’d brush it off, obviously unconcerned that people in Australia, Hong Kong or Korea were reading about his windmills.

“All he wanted to do was get to the shop and meet folks and make another one,” Barnie said Monday morning, sitting at the kitchen table with his mother, Jean.

The significance of Simpson’s fame wasn’t lost on his family, though, and from time to time Barnie would Google his dad’s name to see who was writing about him.

“It amazed me,” he said. “I was floored by all that. They carried news about the whirligig maker in countries you can’t even pronounce.”

Although Vollis seemed unimpressed and uninterested when Barnie shared these stories with him, later, when he was alone with Jean, he’d ask her about it. Did she know what Barnie was talking about?

“Inside, he was swelling,” Jean said.

Upon his passing this summer at age 94, stories flooded the Internet — from The Washington Post, MSN, CBS News, NBC News, The Boston Globe, Sacramento Bee and beyond — hailing his impact.

Several days later, those who loved and respected Vollis packed Joyner’s Funeral Home for a final farewell to their friend. They watched a slide show

Vollis Simpson stands beside his first giant whirligig near his home in Lucama. File photo

that traced Vollis’ life and listened to stories about the Wilson County legend and the profound effect he had on so many in this community.

The provider

Vollis Simpson always had a good reputation as a house mover, builder and innovator.

“He grew up a child of the Depression,” Barnie said.

He was one of 12 children raised in a time when nobody had money.

His father, Oscar, was also an inventor, and Vollis worked with him as a boy, moving houses with mules, logs and ropes. That occupation evolved during Vollis’ life to house moving with trucks and steel beams.

If Vollis or anyone in his family needed anything, Vollis figured out how to make it happen. It was natural for him to turn scraps into something, Barnie said.

He remembers one Christmas when he and his siblings, Mike and Carol, wanted a go-kart. On Christmas morning, they discovered Santa had left a gokart in the truck. It was first-rate, Barnie said, heavy duty with an engine more powerful than anyone else’s Barnie noticed, though, that it looked a lot like his father’s welding.

“That looked like Daddy made that, but Santa brought it,” he said.

Jean remembers during the energy crisis in the 1970s Vollis used a windmill to power a metal stove he made for the house, using the existing heat ducts.

The warmth from the logs heated the house for two years, Jean said.

He made whatever they needed, she added, and he never drew out plans for any of his creations.

“It all came out of his head,” she said. He’d just start and make it work.

In the late 1970s, Vollis went to a state surplus auction, and Barnie remembers him buying around 1,200 wooden roadside posts and assorted road signs. With the wood, he made furniture and swing sets that he gave away or sold.

He hand-cut the street signs with tin snips to make small reflectors that he put on the new windmills that were starting to fill up the pasture along Wiggins Mill Road.

Neighbors started noticing those giant windmills that turned in the wind and reflected headlights at night. They’d point out a guitar player that was cut from metal and painted bright colors, a man sawing wood, a mule cart, stars, a man riding a bicycle. There were also several B-29 bomber replicas similar to the ones Vollis was familiar with when he served in Saipan during the war.

Neighbors would tell friends in town about the colorful windmills, which others later called whirligigs, and they’d ride out to see them, too. He was commissioned to do whirligigs for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, the Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore and the N.C. Art Museum and installed them with his sons. Before long, newspapers and TV stations across the world were reporting on Simpson’s wind-powered machines.

And, suddenly, Vollis Simpson was famous.

Vandals and trespassers

Simpson started making his windmills to keep busy. He enjoyed sharing them with the community and loved talking to folks who stopped by the shop every day, Jean said.

It was folks who came late at night who grew into a problem.

Simpson’s pasture became a popular hangout spot for some in the area. In interviews over the years, Vollis talked about leaving his home before bedtime to ride by the pasture and see what mischief might be going on.

Often, vandals shot at the whirligigs, threw bottles and stole what they could

Vollis Simpson from the shop and pasture. The next morning, Vollis would find beer and liquor bottles and trash on his property.

In the early years, trespassers would find a way to climb the poles of the whirligigs. To discourage them, Vollis would put axle grease on the poles, Barnie said.

And he’d make sure his later whirligigs didn’t have foot holds on the posts.

In 1998, Simpson was charged with felony assault and shooting into an occupied vehicle after an incident at the pasture. Two teen-agers from Garner were hurt after Vollis fired birdshot from a 12-gauge shotgun. In court, Vollis’ attorneys claimed the teens or others with them were throwing rocks and shooting firecrackers and Vollis was trying to get away safely. Vollis pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors and received a suspended sentence.

The case drew national attention.

Local residents and the art world came to the defense of Vollis Simpson, saying he had the right to defend himself and his property.

It was incidents such as this that only spread the urban myth of “Acid Park.”

Moving the windmills

Vollis aged right along with his whirligigs. The giant windmills rusted and needed repair. And although he had taken care of them for decades, Vollis got to the point he could no longer climb a ladder to do the work. He was burned in a shop accident in 2005; he had heart bypass surgery a few years before and heart valve replacement in February. All of that slowed him down.

Three years ago, he made the hard decision to sell his creations for the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park to be located in downtown Wilson.

He knew he’d miss them and didn’t want to see them go.

“I didn’t really make ’em to get rid of ’em,” he said in an interview at the time.

But he knew if something wasn’t done to fix them, they would eventually fall beyond repair.

Barnie had reservations about his dad selling them but went along with it.“We wanted what he wanted,” he said.

It was bittersweet for Jean as well.

But he had the utmost respect for those who are working to restore the whirligigs, she said, and enjoyed answering

their questions.

“Daddy respected their work,” Barnie said. “He knew it was first rate and first class.”

The only sad part, Jean said, was the fact that Vollis never saw the park complete. He’d wonder why they didn’t just put up some of them now and do the landscaping around it. But that didn’t happen.

After his most recent surgery, he told his wife that he knew he’d never see the whirligig park open.

If all goes as planned, the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park will be open by the time of the November Whirligig Festival and will eventually be filled with Vollis’ windmills.

‘A gentle giant’ Barnie said his dad was a generous man who loved his family, friends and neighbors. He learned from his dad how to be good.

Vollis helped people whenever asked, whether it involved pulling a fallen tree off someone’s house or taking in dogs and cats dropped off on the dirt road by the shop.

He also taught Barnie something important: “Do what you want, do what you love, and don’t worry about anything else.”

He loved the people who dropped by to chat and appreciated their admiration of his work. He would often be at his shop by daybreak just so he could get some work done before people started dropping by. He’d take a pack of Nabs with him to the shop for lunch, Jean said, because he knew he might not make it back before dark.

He earned respect and a good reputation, Barnie said, and he was rewarded with 94 years of living.

“The world beat a path to his door pretty much,” Barnie said, and it was without him hiring a publicity firm to sell his art.

Jean wants the world to remember her husband as a kind, sweet man.

“He was good,” she said. “He was my husband and I loved him with all my heart. He was a gentle giant.”

This article originally appeared in The Wilson Times on June 5, 2013.

Wednesday, October 30 , 2013

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Wednesday, October 30 , 2013

Featured Artists Love Touched Metals This blacksmith artist, Michael Lovelace, specializes in outdoor sculptures with an emphasis on whirligigs, trellis and whirliflowers. All items are hand-crafted in the metal studio in Durham, NC as a collaborative effort of father and son. Their specialty is to use recycled materials they find and harness the power of wind whenever possible.

Portrait Sketch Artist David Schmitzer travels from Virginia to Florida participating in festivals and events. His beautiful, one of a kind portraits are created while you — or a family member — pose. Don’t let his fast pace sketching fool you, the images are detailed and capture your personality.

Fuzzy Frog Jewelry Wilson artist Dione Siemion creates eclectic pieces as Fuzzy Frog Unique Jewelry. Siemion is a home-based artist, mother, and wife who makes all kinds of jewelry for pleasure and peace.

Her items include bracelets, necklaces, earrings, boot wraps, neck wraps, hair trinkets and more. Items are also sold in downtown art gallery Zynique.

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Cake Dive

Dive for $2,000 in Jewelry!

Would you like to take home a gorgeous diamond bracelet or set of earring from the festival? Then make sure you register at Saslow’s Jewelry, the Arts Council, or Greenlight Customer Service the week before the festival.

The messiest event in the festival zone will be held on Sunday at 4 p.m. on the courthouse plaza. Participants will dive into the 10 ft by 4 ft cake to search for prize medallions that correspond with the many prizes that are up for grabs. Prizes range from $2,000 in jewelry to coupons and even artwork.

Sponsors and prizes are listed on the festival website. To increase your chances of being selected, register at each sponsor location. One participant will be selected from each sponsor location. The last chance to register will be at the sponsor booth of Greenlight on Saturday during the festival.

Call The Arts Council Today - 252-291-4329

Wednesday, October 30 , 2013

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Wednesday, October 30 , 2013

Vollis Simpson - your legend lives on!

Thanks to our Sponsors

Lacewell Insurance • BB&T • Wilson Times • Thomas & Farris • Medlin Buick GMC • Cycle Max Leonard Buildings • Farris & Farris • Arts Council of Wilson • Land of Learning • Wilson Police Department BD Medical • Carolina Cheese Company • Saslow’s Jewelry • Carolina Mudcats • Chick-fil-A • Great Gardens Hardees Furniture •Joyner’s Funeral Home • Vaughn’s Jewelry • Wilson Medical Center

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Wednesday, October 30 , 2013

Newcomb Lighting

New Fall & Christmas

Offering accounting, bookkeeping, payroll & tax preparation services.

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Wreaths and Floral Arrangements

Recollections At Wilson Hardware

Lamps Shades Chandeliers Ceiling Fans Lanterns & Posts Track & Recessed Lights

114-116 East Nash Street 243-3174 Historic Downtown Wilson

204 S. Tarboro St. Historic Downtown Wilson

252-237-1710

Southern Charm ��� E� Main St� Elm City

Leigh & Scott Bridgers

�� ����� ��� � �

scott@scottbridgerscpa.com Call today for an appointment!

(252) 290-5392

Specializing in Sweet Traditions!

Wedding Cakes Birthday Cakes Special Occasion Cakes Cupcakes Cookies Cake Pops

Cupcake Dream Cupcakes & Treats

www.cupcakedreamllc.com

(252) 206-1341

6671 Ward Blvd., Wilson

(Hwy. 301, the pink bldg., next to Best Rentals)

Tues.-Thurs. 10:30am-5:30pm • Fri.-Sat. 10:30am-7pm

Plumbing • Electrical • Painting • Gardening • Mower Parts Pet Supplies • Basic Automotive • Hand Tools Power Tools and Accessories • Builders Hardware • Locks Sanding Supplies • Cleaning Supplies • Weatherizing Supplies

WE SERVICE WHAT WE SELL!

Animal Feeds 509 S. Parker St., Elm City, NC

Beside Piggly Wiggly Grocery Store

108-110 East Barnes St. • 243-2045

WOMBLE HARDWARE AND TACKLE, INC. • Fresh & Salt Water Fishing Tackle NC Wildlife Hunting & Fishing License Agent • Screen Window and Door Repairs • Storm Window and Door Repairs • Vinyl Replacement Windows • Hardware Items

230 S. TARBORO ST. • (252) 291-1122 “In The Heart Of Downtown Wilson” WWW.WOMBLEHARDWARETACKLE.COM

Ph:

252.236.4444

Framer’s Alley 112 E. Main Street, Elm City, NC 27822 Jim and Beth Boykin Phone: (252) 236-3231 Monday-Friday 9-6 Saturday 9-1

Wednesday, October 30 , 2013

Greenlight is proud to power Wilson

North Carolina’s

Gigabit City

www.greenlightnc.com/gigabit 252-296-3374

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