ASU head says region poised for progress

By JERRY LANKFORD

Record Editor

There are plenty of opportunities for economic progress for northwest North Carolina.

And, Appalachian State University can help lead the way.

That was the message given by ASU Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock during a meeting of the North Wilkesboro Rotary Club on Monday night.

Speaking to a packed house in a meeting room at the North Wilkesboro Elks Lodge, Peacock spoke of possibilities for the region.

“It’s possible to have a Research Triangle Park here,” Peacock said.

He said ASU’s pursuit of a professional science master’s degree program would help such a prospect become reality. N.C. State is currently the only university in North Carolina that offers the degree.

“That’s the new hot degree,” Peacock said. “The thought now is having a blending of business and upper level science. It’s sort of like the MBA (master of business administration) was when it emerged in 1943.

There is a need for more high tech business in the region, Peacock continued.

He used the area’s growing wine-making industry as an example, telling that wineries have to send samples of their products to California to have them tested.

“Why can’t we do that here?” Peacock asked.

During an interview with The Record, following his presentation, Peacock said these prospects are “something we need to explore.”

He added, “We have wonderful friends in (N.C.) Senator John Garwood and Representative Virginia Foxx. They would work hard for us to do this.”

 The tourist and hospitality industry could also flourish here, Peacock said.

“We have everything you need — beautiful land, a comprehensive university and a great community college,” he said. “This would be a great area for conference centers. Wilkes County provides great education. You have a work force already prepared that could fill every level in the tourism area.”

ASU and Wilkes Community College have a longstanding history of cooperation, which could help these prospects come to be.

About the two institutes, Peacock said, “We don’t compete, we cooperate.” He added that he “looked forward to an even stronger working relationship with Wilkes Community College.”

During his presentation, Peacock, who was named chancellor seven months ago, also spoke about the future of ASU.

Building on the university’s past successes is his main objective, he said.

“My task is to make sure I don’t mess it up,” Peacock said. “I want to embrace the character that makes Appalachian the great institute it is.”

ASU currently enrolls around 14,000 students, he added. “We get four applications (for enrollment) for each slot filled.”

Even with the large number of students, Peacock says he wants to help preserve the small-classroom atmosphere.

But there are always areas for advancement.

Peacock listed expansion of the health services fields and strengthening the emphasis on turning out good teachers.

“We want to have 1,400 more teachers to come out of Appalachian in the next six years,” Peacock said. “I believe we can do it.”

 

N.W. eatery gets national attention

By JERRY LANKFORD

Record Editor

Jeff Swofford worked on his barbeque recipes for years.

A cross between the red-sauced western and the vinegary Lexington styles, Swofford finally settled on what may very well be barbeque perfection.

“I’ve fooled and piddled around with barbeque for years,” Swofford said. “The recipe just sort of evolved.”

This week, Swofford’s special recipe will be featured on a national cooking show — BBQ with Bobby Flay.

Brushy Mountain Smokehouse and Creamery in North Wilkesboro, where Swofford creates and serves the barbeque will be featured on a segment, entitled Carolina Q’s.

The segment will be shown at 9 p.m. then again at 1 a.m. Thursday.

Swofford, co-owner and manager of Brushy Mountain Smokehouse and Creamery, says he isn’t sure how the producers of this Food Network show (cable channel 36) learned about his barbeque or the restaurant.

He speculates it all came about when he and others associated with the eatery attended a national tourism event in Raleigh in 2002.

“They contacted us,” Swofford said. “I think they must have gotten some information off the internet.”

In August, a film crew came to the restaurant and filmed most of the day.

“It was pretty cool that they came here,” Swofford said. “We don’t know how or why it happened but we’re glad they did. I think it will be good for our business.”

During a Monday morning interview with The Record, Swofford showed where the barbeque is prepared.

A large oven in the back of the restaurant cooks the Boston but cuts of pork on a large rotating grill.

“We slow cook it for 14 hours each night with hickory logs,” Swofford said. “All the barbeque is hand pulled. People seem to really like the flavor.”

The recipe includes both black and crushed red pepper, sugar and vinegar. Then, the cooked pork is topped off with a homemade vinegar-based sauce.

Aside from the barbeque and chicken dishes severed at Brushy Mountain Smokehouse and Creamery, the homemade ice creams offer another unique aspect to the dinning experience.

“This is one of the reasons the show picked our restaurant,” said Todd Swofford, another co-owner of Brushy Mountain Smokehouse and Creamery and Jeff’s first cousin. “As far as I know, there are only a couple of places in the country that has a marriage between barbeque and a creamery.”

The creamery displays 18 different flavors of ice cream daily. Occasionally there are other flavors stored in the freezer to offer an even larger variety.

Neither Jeff nor Todd has seen a preview of the segment, Todd said, adding, “We’ll be seeing it for the first time just like everyone else.”

NASCAR legend and Wilkes County native Junior Johnson may also appear on the show.

About the television show, Todd said, “We’re very happy about it. It’s one of those things that if you went out and tried to make it happen, you might not ever be successful. It’s one of those things that are just about as good as you can hope from. We have Jeff’s barbeque to thank for this.”

Modest about his recipe and its newfound notoriety, Jeff said, “We just want to give our customers a good meal with friendly service. That’s our main objective.”

Having opened in October 2002, Brushy Mountain Smokehouse and Creamery is located at 201 Wilkesboro Blvd.

Business hours are Wednesday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

 

Welborns receive state recognition for Main Street work

By JERRY LANKFORD

Record Editor

Ken and Laura Welborn of North Wilkesboro have been recognized by the N.C. Main Street Center.

During a ceremony held Thursday at the Riverfront Convention Center in New Bern, the Welborns were named Main Street Champions.

The recognition is for “dedicated support of the downtown revitalization efforts of Historic Downtown North Wilkesboro.”

A certificate was presented to the Welborns by Secretary of Commerce Jim Fain during the annual N.C. Main Street Award Reception and Dinner.

The Main Street Program is in its 25^th year and has 1,600 participating communities in 41 states, resulting in $17 billion in new investment, 231,000 jobs and 57,000 new businesses, Fain said during the ceremony.

The downtown area in most towns is the historic core of the community, reminding residents of the past and providing the visual identity of the town, Fain said.

The Welborns’ recognition came from work to the facade of the 911 Main Street, North Wilkesboro building, which houses the offices of The Record and Thursday Printing along with their upstairs residence

In addition to work on the Welborns’ building, they were recognized for removing an aluminum façade and restoring the exterior of the old Spainhour building next door, now operating as Ebenezer’s Attic.

N.C. Main Street Director Rodney Swink said during the presentation, “The Welborns have both given lots of time, effort and money to the betterment of (North Wilkesboro’s) Main Street. While restoring the façade of their Main Street building, Ken convinced builders to donate materials and time to restore, repair and paint the front of the building next to him as well. All extra costs for this building came out of his pocket.”

Swink continued, “The building next to the Welborns’ is for the benefit of the Ebenezer Children’s Home, and as a non-profit organization they could not afford to take on a project of this magnitude. Both buildings shared an old metal façade. Ken fully realized when he agreed to find a builder to donate the labor and materials for the Ebenezer project that he would be responsible for any additional costs of the repairs and any damage that was hidden by the old façade. It certainly was a huge financial gamble when the Welborns agreed to restore the Ebenezer Building along with their own, but it was one that paid off with not only one new façade improvement but two.”

Historic Downtown North Wilkesboro Director Melissa Smithey and board member Angela Day, wrote in the nomination statement, “Ken owns a local newspaper and had donated many printing services and advertisements to our organization. During all festivals, both Ken and Laura can be counted on for donations of tables and other supplies, as well as manual labor. Laura currently serves as chair on our Merchant Committee. She also coordinated and arranged the 2004 Historic Christmas promotions for Main Street.”

They added, “The Welborns live in a second floor apartment on Main Street and have opened their doors to many people to view the beauty of the downtown. The street-level floor of their building is dedicated to local history items and antiques for people to wander in and view at their pleasure. Ken and Laura Welborn should be honored with this recognition as Main Street Champions, because their hearts are and always will be in Downtown North Wilkesboro.”

 

Community Happenings

West Wilkes Class of 1976 needs volunteers to help contact classmates for a reunion.  Anyone interested in helping, contact Julie McGlamery at 973-4272.

County Health Department to offer Smoking Cessation Classes.  The Wilkes County Health Department will offer a smoking cessation program beginning in January.  The program consists of four one-hour sessions and is free of charge.  For more information about the program or to register, please call 651-7478.

Yard Sale – February 5, 2005 – BROC Building, 710 Beech St., North Wilkesboro, on Hwy 115, turn to VFW, second building on the right, inside yard sale at the back of the building, follow signs.  All proceeds go to help provide fuel assistance for Wilkes County.  8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

On Sunday, February 6 at 11:00 a.m. a music program will be performed by the gospel singing group, One Hope, at Hilltop Baptist Church.  This special service will begin the Revival services at Hilltop.  Rev. Steve Smith, the Director of Missions of Stone Mountain Baptist Association, will be the guest speaker beginning on Monday night, February 7, and continuing each night until Wednesday, February 9.  The Revival services will begin each night at 7:30 p.m. and the Prayer Room will open nightly at 7:15.  Rev. Ronnie Gregory cordially welcomes everyone to attend.  Hilltop Baptist Church is located at 161 Fairplains Road (beside CVS Pharmacy) in North Wilkesboro.

 “Fresh Start” Free Smoking Cessation for Employees and Members of The Wellness Center.  February 7, 9, 14 and 16; Mondays and Wednesdays, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.  The Wellness Center Classroom.  Call to register 903-7840.

Hospice of Wilkes Volunteer Training.  Beginning February 7^th and continuing each Monday and Wednesday morning in February.  9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Wellness Center of WRMC.  Call Kimberly at 903-7700 for more information or to register.  Make a difference!  Join the Hospice Team.

The regular monthly meeting of the Marine Corps Legion Brushy Mountain detachment will be held on Tuesday night, February 8 at 7:00 p.m. at the National Guard Armory in North Wilkesboro. From 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. there will be open enrollment to theis newly formed detachment for any Marine or Corpsman who has served time with a Marine Corps unit.  We are also encouraging any young man or woman who is interested in joining the Marine Corp to come down and talk with the veterans.  If you have any questions, please contact Commandant Jerry Smith at 667-0204.

Wellness Center of WRMC, February 15, 2005, 12:30 – 4:30 p.m., Presenter: Vickie Miller Diabetes Educator, Novant Health, Topic: Diabetic Issues.  February 17, 2005, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.  Heart Month Presenter: Dr. Sanjah Gandhi, Cardiologist Baptist Hospital, Topic: Cardiovascular Risk Factors.   

Back By Popular Demand.  WCHS Gathering of Eagles, Class Reunion 1961-1966, Saturday, August 7, 2004.  For information please contact: 1966 – Patsy Love Jones, 667-3962 or lpjones444@charter.net; 1965 Marcia Bumgarner Little, mblittle99@aol.com; Becky Holland Jones, 921-3227; 1964, Vickie Self Caudill, 838-2498 or tomandvickie@charter.net; 1963, Linda Hall Lankford, 667-9453 or oilladytoo@aol.com,; 1962, Ted Broach, 921-2299, Becky Benton Welborn, rebeccabwelborn@cs.com or 838-1280; 1961, Eric Williams, 838-5891.

Domestic Violence Support Group.  Sheltered Aid to Families in Emergencies S.A.F.E Inc. would like to invite you to come and join our support group for Victims and Survivors of Domestic Violence.  This group meets on Thursday nights from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  If you are interested please contact SAFE Options at 336-838-9169.  This is an opportunity to come out, share and gain strength from others who are working through the same thing.

TOPS — Take off pounds sensibly. New time: 5:30 p.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church Fellowship Hall located on C.C. Wright School Road on 115. For more information, call Jane at 696-4874 on Mondays.

A child passenger safety seat check by Certified child safety technicians takes place the third Wednesday of each month between 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. at the Wilkes County Health Department. No appointment is necessary. You must check in with the front desk receptionist. For more information, call 651-7478.

Art students exhibiting at Wilkesboro Town Hall.  Students of Cheryl Kilby are exhibiting their paintings at Wilkesboro Town Hall, Main Street, Wilkesboro.  Paintings in the exhibit are for sale.  Kilby expects the exhibit to continue through the month of June.

Clogging class: A free introduction to clogging class will be held at the Senior Center in Mulberry on Thursday, Jan. 13 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. There is no charge. For more information, call 667-6500.

Unity Missionary Baptist Church will be having the gospel group Heirline in concert Saturday January 15th at 7:00p.m..  We are located across the street from Arby's up on the hill.  For more information, please contact the church at 336-667-6795.