Foxx upset by ‘those who didn’t play by the rules’

By JERRY LANKFORD

Record Editor

The traditional conservative character and business practices of the people of the 5^th  U.S. Congressional District will continue to be an asset during these tough economic times, says Rep. Virginia Foxx.

“We still have enough of a heritage of growing our own gardens and being conservative with our money,” said Foxx, a Republican who represents Wilkes County in the U.S. House. “I think we can weather any bad downturn better than most other places.”

Still, she says, residents here will be paying for the mistakes made by haphazard investors in other states.

“For the most part people are playing by the rules in our area,” Foxx said during a Monday afternoon phone interview from her office in Washington. But, she added, “People here will get caught up in bailing out those who didn’t play by the rules.”

When asked about what direction she believes the national, regional and local economies are headed, Foxx said she was unsure.

 “I wish I knew,” she said. “Last week, I talked with some of my colleagues who are experts on this issue. I asked them, ‘Where is this going to end?’ I can’t get an answer. We, in the 5^th District, right now are not as hard hit as other areas. I think people have been smarter financially over the years.”

She added, “There are 92 percent of the people in this country who are paying their mortgages on time. Three weeks ago we passed this massive bill in the house to bail out the eight percent who have been irresponsible. That’s not right. People in this district were not flipping houses.”

Foxx said some people in Florida, California, Nevada and a few other states — where real estate markets were vibrant — would buy properties, claim they were living there and quickly sell for big profits. When the economy got bad, many doing this type of business were stuck with bank payments they couldn’t afford.

“We didn’t have people taking big risks on mortgages in the 5^th District,” Foxx said. “But, still, their taxes will go up because of it. They will have to sacrifice for people who didn’t play by the rules. I don’t like that.”

Foxx, a stringent conservative, says she believe President Obama and liberals in Congress will only make matters worse.

“I never hear the President talking about people taking on their own responsibilities,” she said. “I think the economy will get better, but I don’t know when it will happen.”

She added, “I think the uncertainty is what’s so troubling to people. The market was up 300 points today (Monday) in the middle of the afternoon. If things can stabilize, I think our recovery will occur sooner. That’s what we need. But, I don’t have a crystal ball.”

Foxx says she’s telling folks to remain optimistic.

“What I’ve been telling people is to not lose faith in this country,” she said. “We’re still the freest nation in the world. If we can maintain our freedom, I think we can solve any problem that comes our way.”

 

Spreading music

Wilkes Acoustic Folk Society to play active role in festivals

By JERRY LANKFORD

Record Editor

Music will reverberate through the foothills over the next few weeks and members of the Wilkes Acoustic Folk Society will play a major role in the festivities.

During MerleFest, set for April 23-26 on the campus of Wilkes Community College, members of the group will host an array of jamming tents.

WAFS participants will also be a big part of ChickenFest, which will be held May 22-24 at The Record Park in North Wilkesboro. There the group will host a picking/music education tent throughout the free-to-the-public festival.

WAFS is made up of mostly local musicians and music aficionados who concentrate on mountain music stylings.

“We want to promote traditional acoustic music and keep the music tradition alive in Wilkes County,” said WAFS Vice President Charles Tesh,

The group has been an integral part of MerleFest for years. Members host three jamming tents. There’s one for bluegrass, one for old-time music and one for “anything goes,” Tesh said.

These jamming areas will be open from the Monday before the festival begins through the end of the event. “We’ll have people manning these tents at all times,” Tesh said.

At ChickenFest, Tesh along with WAFS members Keith Watts, Jim England (the Autoharp Man from Alabama), and Betty and Ralph Davis, will head up the ChickenFest Pickin’ Tent.

“We’ll have one or two people in tent at all times to lead jams and make sure everything goes right,” Tesh said. “We’re also going to have some instruments there so kids can come by and pick them up and play them.”

Getting youth involved in music at an early age is important, Tesh said.

“I was  9 when I got my first guitar,” he said. “Music has always been a big part of my life. Any child who plays an instrument has something they can have the rest of their lives. Music teaches you lessons in life.”

 

 

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MX Aircraft, world's best pilots prep for Red Bull Race

By REBECCA TRIPLETT-JOHNSON

For The Record

The slogan of a popular energy drink, "Red Bull gives you wings", is an understatement for the amazing abilities and speed created by the union of some of the world's greatest pilots and the spectacular MX Aircraft airplanes.

Wilkes County is home to MX Aircraft which has fast become a name synonymous with the specialty production and sales of next generation sport, aerobatic and race aircraft.   The MXS and the MX2 models are built for speed, responsive handling and rapid maneuverability.  

That is exactly what they deliver and why five of the world's most famous pilots chose to fly MXS planes in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship Series.  Four of the pilots have been living in Wilkes during March while completing their 'test and tune' pre-race sessions at the Wilkes County Airport for the upcoming international Red Bull Series.

In 2001, Red Bull combined the sport of auto racing and flying to create air racing, one of the most exciting and breathtaking sports in the world. Pilots race their planes at speeds of 260 mph through specially designed obstacle courses as they maneuver and navigate precision climbs, loops, point rolls and other feats of aerobatic skill.  World and European champion Hungarian pilot Peter Besenyei helped to develop and invent the concept that has become the Red Bull Air Race. 

The official objective of the race is to navigate an aerial race track featuring air-filled pylons in the fastest possible time incurring as few penalties as possible.   Pilots can win points at each race and the one with the most points at the end of the World Championship becomes the Red Bull Air Race World Champion.

Red Bull pilots are among the best in the world capable of withstanding the grueling demands of 12g racing while having the stamina and knowledge to safely perform gravity defying aerobatic skills. Air racing is one of the toughest sports in the world and few pilots have what it takes to compete in the Red Bull global championship.  Of the 15 elite Red Bull pilots, five have chosen to fly MX Aircraft airplanes. 

The MXS aircraft is built with state of the art design and technology using advanced aerodynamic efficiency and made entirely of 'Aerospace' grade 'Toray' carbon fiber which is used in most all military aircraft and gives outstanding strength and durability, allowing the aircraft to withstand the force needed to compete in the Red Bull Races and other aerobatic flying sports.

 Just as NASCAR, Indy and all other motor sports have practice sessions, time trials and pre-race maintenance so do the Red Bull race teams.  With only four weeks to go before the 2009 season opening Red Bull Race on April 17,18, teams are doing last minute 'test and tune' flights.  

MXS pilots Peter Besenyei, Matt Hall, Sergey Rakhmanin, Alejandro Maclean, and Nigel Lamb are in the final stages of practice before the planes will be disassembled and flown to the first race course. Besenyei, Hall, Rakhmanin and Maclean have made every second count while here in Wilkes.  Due to many days of bad weather flights were delayed making for several days of non stop flying.  Other time was spent working with engineers and crew while fine tuning their 380 hp, 1600 lb flying machines. 

Young and old alike have been amazed and dazzled as they stare at the sky each time they hear the now familiar drone of the MXS hoping to see the brightly colored planes whiz through the air over Wilkes.  For those not used to aerobatic flight, it can be quite surprising to see at first as the planes seem to dip below a normal and comfortable altitude then suddenly pull up into a 90 degree climb entering a loop before bringing the nose back toward the ground.  Non aerobatic aircraft are incapable of such maneuvers making MXS and others unique in their abilities while shocking the first time viewer.  The pilot’s life and the lives of others are in his hands at all times.  Safety is the first and foremost priority for both the pilots and the engineers at MX Aircraft.

Just as the pilots and crew are brilliantly qualified in their sport they are ever more so kind and appreciative of the millions of fans they have all over the world.  Even as they worked diligently in the hanger and the air to perfect the skills and mechanics that keep them safe and competitive, they took a few minutes out for a few lucky Wilkes County residents who had the chance of a lifetime to meet and talk with them.  

Retirees, pre schoolers and all ages in between were excited when given the chance to shake hands and have their photos taken with the pilots and their planes. 

Several neighbors of the Wilkes County Airport hugged two of the pilots and thanked them for giving such a wonderful and exciting treat to look forward to each day.  One ended by saying she would be very sad when they left and would miss the excitement she has grown to love and look forward to from her front row seat in her back yard.

 The excitement is just beginning for MX Aircraft and Wilkes County as the company continues its rapid growth.  After already outgrowing its current offices and hangar, grading has begun on a much larger and efficient facility at the airport.  Construction is set to begin soon on the new building and taxi way. 

For more information on Red Bull Air Race World Championship Series and MX Aircraft go to www.http://www.redbullairrace.com/index.php?lang=en, 
 http://www.mxaircraft.com/index.php
 

 

Community Happenings

 

 

Any group or organization who would like to volunteer or donate to a "Jammin In The Park" fundraiser for 19 yr. old Tee Jay Cooper who was  paralyzed in a 4 wheeler accident, please contact B.C. or Mitzi @ (336)526-1075 or email boydbrickey@rivercto.net. We are looking for groups to do food booths, face painting, bouncers, etc. There will be live music from 12:00 noon until 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 25th, 2009. All donations and proceeds will go to Tee Jay Cooper.

 

Relay for Life Team, Reach to Recovery, will have a Dinner Game Party on Tuesday March 31^st from 6 pm to 9 pm. The event will be held at First United Methodist Church North Wilkesboro at 401 6^th Street. For more information, please contact Vicki Church at 973-4037, Carol Childers at 667-2547 or Jodi Swafford at 667-6421.

 

The Youth Services Department of the Wilkes County Public Library will be showing a movie this Friday since Wilkes County Schools are closed on the 27^th. We will be showing either “Kung Fu Panda” or “Bolt” at 1:00 p.m. in the Friends of the Library Meeting Room.  For more information about this program contact Maria Parker at 838-2818.

 

Blue Ridge Opportunity Commission, Inc. (BROC) will hold its Executive Community Meeting on Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. at the BROC Ashe Office in Warrensville.  Please call Wilkes Office at 667-7l74, Ashe Office at 384-4543 or Alleghany Office at 372-7284 for additional information.

 

Registration for the Blue Ridge Senior Games ends March 27. Attention all seniors 55 and better:

Don't forget to register for the Blue Ridge Senior Games to be eligible to compete in 47 sporting events, and 4 categories of Silver Arts competition. The cost is only $15.00 to enter and participants will be able to qualify for the NC Senior Games in Raleigh in September.  Contact the Wilkes Senior Center for details and registrations. 667-5281.

 

The Town of Ronda will hold its annual "Round-a-bout Ronda" celebration on Saturday, April 18, 2009, from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  A parade will begin at 9:00 to kick off the day long event.  Opening ceremonies by Mayor Victor Varela will follow.  The day will be packed with fun for the entire family including a Cruise In, games for children and adults, musical entertainment, clogging, crafts, food.  A living history encampment by Companies 'I' and "F" will begin on Friday evening and continue throughout the day on Saturday with Civil War re-enactments and history demonstrations.  The event is free and open to the public.  Alcohol, firearms and drugs are not permitted. Anyone wishing to participate in the parade or vendor booths, contact the Ronda Town Hall at 336-835-2061.

 

A Family Reunion for Jim and Clarabell Martin will be held at Memorial Park in North Wilkesboro on Saturday, March 28. Port-a-pit chicken will be served at a cost of $6.00 per plate.

 

Union United Methodist Church, located above the Animal Hospital on the left, will sponsor a chickenque on Saturday, March 28, beginning at 10:30 a.m.  Each plate consists of BBQ Chicken, slaw, green beans, roll, and homemade pound cake. Plates are $7.00 each. Curbside will be provided.

 

Springfield Baptist Church will host a special singing service on Sunday, March 29 beginning at 6 p.m.. The church is located on Cabin Creek Road in Hays. The guest singers will be the Tri-County Quartet. All are invited to attend.