Dealing with drug dealing neighbors

By JERRY LANKFORD

Record Editor

A car pulls into a neighbor’s driveway. Several people are in the vehicle, but only one gets out. A man goes to the door, which is opened halfway. There appears to be some conversation, then the man goes back to the car and leaves.

The visit took less than two minutes.

A short time later, another vehicle pulls into the driveway and the driver blows the horn. The resident of the home comes to the car, leans into an open window then turns to walk away as the car drives off.

These scenarios are repeated — day after day, week after week throughout Wilkes County.

And, they are all things to arouse suspicion, according to Wilkes law enforcement officers.

“A lot of times that’s associated with drug activity,” said Capt. John Summers of the Wilkes Sheriff’s Department’s Narcotics Division.

“Lots of activity as far a lot of vehicular traffic with people staying for very short periods of time along with a lot of repeat vehicles from people who don’t live in the neighborhood is something to watch for,” Summers said.

Lawmen across the county agree with this assessment.

“Frequent visitors to homes during odd hours where they drop by and stay just two or three minutes and then leave, that’s the most common sign of drug activity to look for,” said North Wilkesboro Police Chief Randy Rhodes.

“This is one of the most common complaints that we get,” Rhodes added. “If someone sees this sort of activity, they should report it. It often lead to drug investigations and prosecutions.”

Another thing to look for is youths congregating at the homes of those significantly older than them.

“Teens usually like to hang out with other teens for the most part,” Rhodes said. “If they start frequenting the homes of people in their 30s or 40s, that’s something we also need to look at as well.”

All these activities could be connected with various types of drug use or trade.

“We used to be concerned with marijuana,” Rhodes said. “Now we’re concerned with crack cocaine and meth. We’ve noticed a greater increase of prescription drugs being sold illegally. But, we have also noticed that the meth trade is declining. That’s primary due to the ingredients for making the drug being kept in secure locations in pharmacies and stores and the law requires purchasers to give identification and sign for these things. With ingredients being harder to come by, it makes the jobs of those manufacturing the drug more difficult”

There has been growth, however, in a more disturbing trend.

“We’ve noticed an increase in middle school-age children getting involved in prescription drugs use more so than in the past. That should raise all of our parental flags.”

Residents can report suspected drug activity anonymously by calling:

Wilkes County Sheriff’s Department at 903-7600

North Wilkesboro Police Department at 838-3158

Wilkesboro Police Department at 667-7277

Wilkes Crime Stoppers 667-8900

Residents should be concerned if they suspect drug activity, Rhodes said.

“If there is drug activity going on, the criminal element is coming into the neighborhood,” he said. “That’s a threat to everybody’s well being.”

 

 Henderson festival offers array of talents

 

 

 

 

 

Pickin’ with one of the masters

By JERRY LANKFORD

Record Editor

Wayne Henderson is known for many things — his storytelling qualities, his skill as a luthier and his prowess as one of the finest guitar pickers in the country.

He’s also known for his annual festival, which will be held Saturday, June 17, at Grayson Highlands Park near Mouth of Wilson, Va.

Herb Key of Wilkesboro, is a longtime friend of Henderson. He works part-time at the legendary guitarist’s shop in Rugby, Va.

Key has also helped organize the Wayne C. Henderson Music Festival and Guitar Competition since its conception in 1995. Key’s main task is to organize the event’s guitar competition. The 20-musician contest kicks off Saturday’s gathering.

“It really draws a lot of interest,” Key said. “We’ve had people from all over the country register to play in the guitar competition.”

One of the primary focuses of the festival is to provide scholarships for young musicians and musically oriented groups which carry on the genre of traditional mountain music. In 2004, Wilkes resident Jacob Joines, a student at Wilkes Central High School, won one of the scholarships to further his studies on resonator guitar.

Interest in Henderson, his festival, music and craftsmanship continues to grow.

The Rugby shop has produced Henderson-made guitar for the likes of Eric Clapton and other famous musicians along with more locally known players. In fact, two identical guitars were made by Henderson for Clapton. One was auctioned at Christies in New York for $32,000. Plus, further spreading Henderson’s fame, a book has recently been written, containing details about the building of the Clapton guitars.

As for the festival, more and more Wilkes folks are participating in the event each year.

Key said that Chloe Sturdivant is partly responsible for that. “She started volunteering for us years ago and really spread the word,” he said.

And, this year’s line up offers two bands with Wilkes County connections. The Kruger Brothers, who now reside in Wilkes, are part of the lineup as is Big Country Bluegrass, which includes Wilkes residents Jeff and Ramona Michael. Last year, the Wilkes-based Elkville String Band performed at the festival. Also last year two Wilkes musicians, Zeb Gambill and Lock Griffith, competed in the mandolin and guitar competitions.

Henderson’s appearances at MerleFest, Carolina in the Fall, WKBC Radio’s Hometown Opry at Minton Pawn & Music and a recent performance at The Record’s ChickenFest has made him an honorary hometown musician as well as a local favorite.

And that brings Wilkes folks to his festival, which typically draws between 2,000 and 3,000 music fans each year to the picturesque park high in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

This year, a new permanent stage, will be debuted. Construction of stage was paid in part through a state grant. A sound system, which was also purchased through a state grant, will be added next year.

Saturday’s event begins at 10:30 a.m. with the guitar competition. Recognition of contributions will come next at 11:30 a.m. The rest of the days’ schedule includes:

11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Roan Mountain Hilltoppers;

12:45 p.m. to 12:50 p.m. announcement of Guitar Competition finalists;

12:50 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. Big Country Bluegrass;

1:50 p.m. to 2:20 p.m. the Guitar Competition finals;

2:20 p.m. to 3:20 p.m. Spirit Fiddle;

3:20 p.m. to 3:35 p.m. the presentation of scholarship awards;

3:35 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. presentation of Guitar Competition awards;

3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. The Kruger Brothers;

4:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Roni Stoneman;

5:45 p.m. until Wayne Henderson and friends.

“We have a great line up,” Key said. “I think we’ll have a big crowd.”

Admission to the festival is $10 per person. Children under 12 will be admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult. No alcoholic beverages or pets are allowed. The event will be held rain or shine.

From Wilkes, take N.C. 16 north to Mouth of Wilson, Va., there take left on U.S. 58 to Grayson Highlands State Park.

Bring a lawn chair and a jacket — even in June, temperatures can get chilly in the higher elevations.

For more information, go to www.waynehenderson.org.

 

 

 

 

Playmakers ready to start

new season of Dooley

Tickets are now on sale for Wilkes Playmakers' sixth season of Tom Dooley: A Wilkes County Legend.

The show will offer two venues for audience members this summer - outdoors and indoors.

Dooley will open June 23 outdoors at the new Fort Hamby Park Amphitheatre at Fort Hamby Park located on U.S. 421 North in Wilkesboro with a special pre-show Grand Opening concert by The Kingston Trio.  The concert will begin at 7 p.m. and the play Tom Dooley: A Wilkes County Legend will be performed at 8:30 p.m.  There will also be a reception and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new amphitheatre that evening.  This performance is sold out.

Tickets are still available for all other performances.  Remaining outdoor performances at the new amphitheatre are: June 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30 at 8:30 p.m.  Indoor performances will be performed at Benton Hall, 300 D Street, North Wilkesboro.  Show dates for indoor performances are July 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 at 7:30 p.m. and July 23 and July 30 at 2 p.m.  Tickets for outdoor or indoor performances are $15 each.   

All tickets may be purchased online at www.wilkesplaymakers.com , by phone 336-838-7529 or by coming by the Benton Hall box office at 300 D Street, North Wilkesboro.  Box Office hours are 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Tickets may be purchased on site prior to each performance providing there are tickets still available.      

Group rates are available for all performances for groups of 10 or more.  For more information call 336-838-7529.  Tom Dooley: A Wilkes County Legend.  The show will offer two venues for audience members this summer - outdoors and indoors.

 

 

Carolina Cross Connection gives help

By JERRY LANKFORD

Record Editor

Carolina Cross Connection is ready to help Wilkes residents again this summer.

Taylor Whitley, camp director of the group, headquartered at Camp Elk Shoals in Ashe County, said the work will include painting, yard work, wheelchair ramps, floor repair,

“What we do is we have two or three groups come in and go out and do minor home repairs and improvements,” she said.

Carolina Cross Connections gets referrals through the Department of Social Services, United Way and Council on Aging, Whitley said, adding that call-in referrals are welcome. “You can even refer yourself for work,” she said.

The work is done by high school age youths at no charge. “We operate solely on donations,” Whitley said. “We ask for donations from the community to pay for materials.”

Carolina Cross Connection has four camp weeks during the summer with 60 to 70 people coming in for each camp. The youths, who will be working in Wilkes, come from churches from all over North Carolina. Others come from Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Indiana and New Jersey.

Although Carolina Cross Connection workers help throughout the mountain counties, last year the group helped about 50 families in Wilkes alone.

Whitley has said she has been involved with the group for about eight years (three on staff and five as a camper).

“I never really knew how I could apply what I learned at Church,” she said. “Carolina Cross Connection put me face to face with those who need help. There’s so much need out there. That’s what God called us to do. It’s not just about going to church on Sunday. We want to spread to love of Christ through people who need help.

Anyone who may know someone who could benefit from the help can call Camp Elk Shoals 336-877-2058.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For award winning sports coverage subscribe to The Record

 

 

 

Community Happenings

 

~The Friends of Kerr Scott Lake is having an Organizational Meeting for The Friends Regatta, Wednesday, June 14 at 5:30 p.m. at the Welcome Center Ranger Station near the Dam.  For more information, call Randy at 838-1350. 

 

~Free Workshop entitled "Healthy Choices Diabetes" offered at the Wellness Center. June 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. Call 903-7800 for more information.

 

~VBS will be held at Mountain View Baptist Church from June 18- 22. The times are from 7-9 nightly. Classes will be offered for babies through adults.  Call 696-5422 with any questions.

~Shady Grove Baptist Church (Hwy 268-W across from Ranger Station) will be having    a large yard sale on Friday, June 16 from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturday, June 17 from 7 a.m. until noon.  Homemade apple pies will also be sold to help the church with expenses for a Youth Mission Trip.

 

~A free Flag Day Celebration is set for noon on June 14 at the center plaza in West Park. The Wilkes Seniors on Stage will present a program of patriotic music. The colors will be presented by members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1142. Refreshments will be served.  For more information, call the Health Foundation at 838-1949.

 

~The Moravian Falls Milers will have a pinto bean supper/bake sale/auction on Friday June 16, 2006 starting at 6:00 p.m. at Moravian Falls Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. Supper is a $5.00 donation. There are too many auction items to list.

 

~The Wilkes Senior Citizens Council has fans to give for Heat Relief to older adults for the summer of 2006.  Eligibility requirements are as follows: Must be 60 years or older.

Must reside in a county served by Duke Energy.  Must have a home situation where a threat to the person's health and well-being exists.  For more information, telephone 651-7811. Applications will be taken at Wilkes Senior Citizens Council office located at 228 Fairplains School Road.

 

~Our House will be presenting LOVE AN LOGIC, Power of Parenting Classes, beginning Tuesday, June 13, 2006 from 6 to 8 PM and Thursday, June 15, 2006 from 9:30 to 11:30 AM. The classes will last approximately 8 weeks. Registration is required before taking the classes and there is a $10.00 fee. Child care is provided for the evening session. Please contact Our House at 336-667-5555 for additional information.

 

~Wilkes County Public Library will host the "Seniors on Stage" on Thursday, June 15th at 6:30 p.m. in the Library's lower level meeting room.  The group will sing songs from the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s.  Don't miss this exciting musical event!

 

~Mansfield Memorial 50th Annual Gospel Singing will be held Saturday June 24 from 7:00 until midnight at The Grand Ol' Singing Ground (Hwy 115, 8 miles south of Hwy 421.)  Free Admission. Refreshments provided by the Boy Scouts.