Shew gets GOP nod in sheriff’s race

Huffman and Holbrook win school board election

By JERRY LANKFORD

Record Editor

Chris Shew won the Republican nod in a five-candidate GOP primary in the race for Wilkes County sheriff.

Shew, who is the longtime chief deputy for the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Department, collected 3,341 votes (51.32 percent of the total votes cast). He will face Democrat David Pendry, who is former North Wilkesboro police chief, in the November election.

All voting totals are considered unofficial until canvassing later this week.

Tony Combs, the second highest vote getter in the Republican primary, gathered 1,670 votes for 25.65 percent. County commissioner turned sheriff’s candidate Zach Henderson came in third with 621votes for 9.54 percent. Wilkes farmer Willie Tharpe took the fourth-place spot, barely behind Henderson, 616 votes (9.46 percent). Political newcomer Sharon Call-Diaz claimed 262 votes for four percent of the total.

Contacted by The Record shortly after the last of Wilkes County’s 28 precinct reported, Shew said he was “overwhelmed” by the outcome.

“I guess I had a peace over me about it,” Shew said. “I was just going to accept whatever it was.”

When asked his thought about the November election, Shew said, “I hadn’t even thought about that yet. I was just concentrating on this.”

Pendry was the only Democrat candidate to file for sheriff, negating a primary for that party in the race.

Tuesday was also the election for Wilkes County Board of Education.

In that race Sharron Huffman was the top candidate with 3,334 votes for 22.36 percent. Former board member Rudy Holbrook took the second place spot in the race for two seats with 2,805 votes for 18.81 percent of the total votes.

Rounding out the balloting was newcomer Darren Shumate 2,375 votes (15.93 percent), incumbent Frances R. Tharpe with 2,292 votes (15.37 percent), Joe Anthony with 1,994 votes (13.37 percent), and Teresa Livingston Foster with 1,961 votes (13.15 percent)

In the Republican primary for two seats on the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners, political newcomer David Gambill was the top candidate with 3,907 votes for 36.7 percent of the total.  Gary L. Blevins (not related to seated County Commissioner Gary Blevins) also earned a spot on the November ballot by collecting 2,928 votes for 27.5 percent.

Former County Commissioner Fay Byrd came in third with 2,728 votes for 25.62 percent. Carl Otto Boggs, Sr. finished fourth with 1,083 votes for 10.17 percent.

In the Democrat primary for the county commissioner race, incumbent Luther Parks was the top vote getter with 1,376 votes (44.4 percent of the total). Roger Elliot will also be on the November ballot having collected 871 votes for 28.11 percent. John Shepherd received 852 votes for 27.49 percent.

In the GOP primary for N.C. 45^th Senate, Dan Soucek of Boone was the winner.

In Wilkes, Jeff Elmore, who serves as North Wilkesboro town commissioner, received 3,846 votes for 65.23 percent of the total to Dan Soucek’s 2,050 votes (34.77 percent).

The 45^th Senate District includes Wilkes, Alexander, Ashe and Watauga counties.

Elmore also took the win in Alexander with 1,171 votes to Soucek’s 1,055. Soucek, however, carried Ashe with 1,025 votes to Elmore’s 232. In Watauga County, Soucek collected around 2,200 votes to Elmore’s 400 there.

Soucek told The Record, “It was a pretty stressful evening. Wilkes County’s votes came in first and I was down by 1,300 votes at one time.”

Soucek will face incumbent Democrat Steve Goss of Boone.

In the GOP primary for the 94^th N.C. House, incumbent Shirley Blackburn Randleman received 4,873 votes (77.68 percent) to challenger Jon Reavill’s 1,400 votes (22.32 percent).

Randleman will face Democrat David Moulton in November.

 

 

 

MerleFest exceeds expectations

While MerleFest 2010, presented by Lowe’s, is now officially another one for the history books, initial figures show that aggregate attendance over the festival’s four days exceeded 76,000 people, who attended the celebration of “traditional plus” music on the campus of Wilkes Community College from Thursday, April 29 to Sunday, May 2. MerleFest is the primary fund-raiser for the college and funds scholarships, capital projects and other educational needs. 

A diverse and fully loaded schedule of artists as well as an unusual rain-free four days, encouraged attendance. Thursday’s attendance was the highest in the festival’s history, and the remaining days are estimated to be in the top three of festival history.  Festival officials are also proud to announce that a goal set at the close of the 2009 event, to reverse the trend of unpaid tickets comprising a greater percentage of total attendance, has been met.

 “What a weekend this has been!” exclaimed festival director Ted Hagaman.  “With over 100 artists playing on 15 stages, representing everything from bluegrass and blues, to gospel, country and Americana, we feel that we succeeded again in giving our festival guests a great value for their entertainment dollars. We deeply appreciate the support of the great folks of Wilkes County, everyone who works here at the college, and of course our volunteers and fans, for making this all possible.”

Performers who turned in riveting performances at MerleFest 2010 include Doc and Richard Watson, Elvis Costello and the Sugarcanes, Steve Martin with the Steep Canyon Rangers, The Avett Brothers, The Zac Brown Band, Joey + Rory, Dierks Bentley, Taj Mahal, Little Feat, Sam Bush, Tony Rice, Dailey & Vincent, Cadillac Sky, Balsam Range, Bearfoot, The Duhks, The Gibson Brothers, The Greencards, The SteelDrivers, Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, Great Big Sea, Peter Rowan,  Scythian, The Travelin’ McCourys, and many more.

The highly anticipated Hillside Album Hour on Saturday evening, hosted by The Waybacks, featured The Beatles’ album Abbey Road. Joining The Waybacks were Sarah Dugas, Shannon Whitworth, Byron House, Jerry Douglas, Jim Lauderdale, and Elvis Costello.   As usual, a sea of fans filled the hillside to find out the album that would be featured, which is always a closely held secret until the show begins.

The legendary Doc Watson received an honorary Ph.D. from the Berklee College of Music on the Watson Stage on Saturday night.  Watson performed throughout the weekend including the memorable Docabilly set, featuring Doc and friends applying their style to classic pop tunes. The fan-favorite My Friend Merle set included friends of Doc’s late son Merle sharing special memories between their favorite songs.

The Midnight Jam on Saturday, hosted by Zac Brown, featured The Duhks, The Greencards, Peter Rowan and many other surprises for audience members who stayed up late to enjoy the Jam.

In addition to promoting "traditional-plus" music, a term coined by Doc Watson to describe the wide variety of musical genres and styles celebrated at MerleFest, the festival also featured heritage crafts demonstrations, instrument picking lessons and jam sessions, dancing, instrument contests, music education workshops, and the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest.  A record number of musicians participated in Pete Wernick’s Bluegrass Jam Camp from April 26-29 and had the opportunity to perform on the Cabin Stage on Thursday afternoon.

The Shoppes at MerleFest, located in the center of the festival grounds, was a popular area filled with merchandise vendors, the official MerleFest Gift Shop, concessions, and valuable services including an information tent, lost and found, overnight storage, and more. There was also an R&R tent for festival-goers who needed to take a break and escape the heat.

MerleFest is known for its warm, inviting family atmosphere.  A key part of that effort is the Little Pickers area, sponsored by Charlotte and Greensboro area BURGER KING Restaurants®.  Designed with kids in mind, the area was expanded in size and scope for 2010, offering more activities and crafts to enhance children’s experiences at MerleFest.  The stage in the area, hosting kid-friendly performances, was larger, and the youth showcases on Friday and Saturday were extended from 60 minutes to 90 minutes.  Also, children 12 years of age and younger were admitted free to the festival when accompanied by an adult with paid admission.

A significant part of MerleFest's mission is to give back to the community.  In that spirit, the outreach program took place on Thursday, with more than 20 of the artists at MerleFest giving performances at local schools.  In addition, on Friday morning, over 3,200 school children from Wilkes and surrounding counties were invited to attend the festival and flooded the event grounds.

Volunteers are integral to the success of MerleFest.  Over 500 individual volunteers, 150 volunteer stagehands, and over 30 volunteer groups, including college and community organizations, helped to make the festival a success. Also, each food vendor at MerleFest supports a local non-profit, with proceeds going to further their work and mission.  “Quite simply, MerleFest would not be possible without the support of our volunteers,” says festival director Ted Hagaman.  "Some of these individuals and organizations have given of their time since the festival began, and we are so grateful to them.”

MerleFest 2010 was presented by Lowe’s.  MerleFest is grateful to 75+ sponsors for their support in making the event possible, including:  Charlotte and Greensboro area BURGER KING® Restaurants, G&B Energy, Pepsi, Taylor Guitars, Cutter, Ray’s Weather Center, WXIII-TV, The Winston-Salem Journal, WTQR Radio and 98.7 Simon.  A complete listing of all MerleFest sponsors and additional information about all aspects of the festival can be found at www.merlefest.org.

MerleFest 2011 will be held April 28 – May 1, 2011.

 

 

 

Local youth chosen Ambassador for CDH awareness campaign

By REBECCA TRIPLETT-JOHNSON

For The Record

Aaron Younce, son of Carl and Julie Younce of North Wilkesboro, has been chosen as one of several Ambassadors to represent children born with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia [CDH] for the 'Save the Cherubs' national awareness campaign.

Younce, a student at Mountain View Elementary School, has lived with the severe disorder since his birth in 1999.  His parents learned of the defect prior to his birth.  

 CDH occurs when the diaphragm fails to fully form, allowing the abdominal organs to move into the chest cavity preventing complete and normal lung development and growth.  One in every 2500 babies are born with CDH.

 Upon his birth, doctors gave his parents the horrific prognosis that he would not live. Younce spent the first three months of his life in the PICU and NICU at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center where he underwent two major surgeries and numerous other medical procedures to help correct some of the most critical issues.  When his team of specialists determined he had gained enough strength to go home, his family turned their nursery into an in home hospital room equipped with life saving oxygen, heart monitors, suction machines, feeding pumps and pulse oximeter.  For many years, this was the normal everyday life in the home. 

With continued medical support, family love and God's blessings, Younce gained strength and abilities that enabled him to detach from his highly controlled and monitored lifestyle.  Today he is capable of living without daily oxygen except when he requires extra breathing help during bouts of illness.  However, CDH has left Younce with pulmonary hyperplasia of the left lung, pulmonary hypotension and asthma, making every other illness that he contracts, such as colds or viruses,  much more serious and harder to fight.

CDH, unknown to most, occurs as often as other defects such as Cystic Fibrosis and Spina Bifida.  The goal of the Raleigh based, national CDH CHERUBS non-profit organization is to bring awareness, understanding and hope to families fighting the deadly defect. 
     "When Aaron learned that he had been chosen to represent the CHERUBS, he was excited and relieved to know it would help people understand what he is living with," said his mother.  "After numerous questions from his friends at school as to what caused his many scars, he kidded with them and told them that he had been bitten by a shark.  He has always been very relaxed about discussing his illness and wants everyone else to understand it. By being one of the faces of this 'Save the Cherubs' campaign, he is glad that he will be able to help others who suffer from CDH and those who don't but want to understand it.

 Missy Severt, The Record Sports photographer and owner of Photo Memories Studios was chosen to photograph Younce for the campaign.  Her work will be showcased in the national awareness campaign in print and billboards.  The first digital billboard will be displayed in early May along Hwy 421 Bypass near Arby's.

 "Our family is proud to be part of such a wonderful project and appreciate all of the time that Missy put into the many photographs she took," said Younce. "We hope this will bring much awareness and education to a very serious and life threatening birth defect that, until now, has been unknown to almost everyone."

 For more information on CDH and "Save the Cherubs' go to www.savethecherubs.org

 

 

visit

www.pendryforsheriff.com

 

Annie Cline Barnhardt Payne dies at 105

Annie Cline Barnhardt Payne, age 105, a resident of Britthaven of Ayden, N.C., formerly a longtime resident of North Wilkesboro, died peacefully on April 29, 2010.

She was the widow of Ira D. Payne.

Funeral services were held Saturday 1p.m., May 1, 2010 at First Baptist Church in North Wilkesboro with Dr. H. Powell Dew, Jr. and Dr. N. Nelson Granade, Jr. officiating. Burial was in Mountlawn Memorial Park.  The family received friends Saturday from noon until 1 p.m., in the church narthex. 

Mrs. Payne was born in Cabarrus County, March 29, 1905, to William Nelson Barnhardt and Mary Jane Triece Barnhardt.  She was a member of the First Baptist Church of North Wilkesboro, where she taught Sunbeams and Sunday School in the Primary Department for over 30 years.  She was a 1927 graduate of the North Carolina College for Women, now UNC-Greensboro. She taught first grade at North Wilkesboro Elementary School before she was married in 1932. She was always a supportive worker in her husband’s clothing store, Payne Clothing Company. Her husband died in 1954. She returned to teaching in 1961 at the First Methodist Church kindergarten and later taught at Traphill, Mountain View, and Mulberry Schools.  She retired in 1970. 

Mrs. Payne was an active member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 42 for over 50 years.  She was the last surviving charter member.  Mrs. Payne was also a charter member of the Wilkes County Retired School Personnel.  She was a volunteer at the Wilkes General Hospital, a Girl Scout leader and PTA treasurer for many years.

Mrs. Payne is survived by two daughters, Bettie Chloe and her husband, Harold P. Dew, Sr. of Greenville, and Sarah Jane and her husband, Henry G. Absher of Dunwoody, Ga.; four grandchildren, Rev. H. Powell Dew, Jr., Mary Dew Robosson, Elizabeth Absher Hargette and Wm. Gray Absher; and three great-grandchildren, Amber Nichole Dew, Ashley Elizabeth Hargette and Madison Triece Hargette.

Memorials may be made to Order of the Eastern Star Wilkes  Chapter # 42, P O Box 559, Wilkesboro, NC 28697 or The Wayland Fellowship Fund of the First Baptist Church of North Wilkesboro, P O Box 458, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659. 

On line condolences may be made at www.reinssturdivant.com.

The following information, detailing Mrs. Payne’s life, cames from an article written by her daughter, Sarah Payne Absher, for the 1982 edition of the Wilkes County Genealogical Society’s The Heritage of Wilkes County, which was edited by Absher’s mother-in-law, Ruby Tuttle Absher.

She first came to Wilkes in the fall of 1927 after graduating from the North Carolina College for Women in Greensboro. She was born to William Nelson Barnhardt and Mary Jane Triece on March 29, 1905. Annie Cline was the eighth of nine children who worked on the family farm in Cabarus County.

One by one her brothers and sisters were sent off to school. During Annie Cline’s first year at college she wrote, a little disheartened, to her mother that school was hard and that she was coming home on the train. Her mother wrote back and said if she did come home that she would return to school on the next train. Annie Cline remained in school and graduated in 1927. That fall she accepted a teaching position at the North Wilkesboro Elementary School.

In those days, young ladies found appropriate and adequate housing in private homes located near where they taught. Annie Cline lived with Mr. and Mrs. Walter A. Fender on D Street where the sanctuary of First Baptist Church is now. Later she secured a room at the corner of D and Fourth streets in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Chal McNeil and took board with Mrs. Hoyle Hutchens.

During the next five years she met and was courted by Ira D. Payne, a local merchant, who owned and operated a clothing store later known as Payne Clothing Company. They were married July 10, 1932 and moved into their newly built home at 406 Fifth Street in North Wilkesboro. According to school policy at the time, Annie Cline had to resign her teaching position when she was married. She then became a supportive co-worker at her husband’s clothing store.

Annie Cline joined the Order of the Eastern Star Wilkes Chapter Number 42 as a charter member where she served as Worthy Matron. Later she traveled many miles to other chapters as District Deputy Grand Matron.

Annie Cline’s first born lived less than two years, dying of pneumonia on April 27, 1936. On March 20, 1937, Bettie Chloe Payne was born and on April 23, 1940, Sarah Jane Payne was born to Annie Cline and Ira D. As the “pigtailed” girls were growing up in North Wilkesboro, Annie Cline was active as a Girl Scout Leader, P.T.A. treasurer and a substitute teacher.

Annie Cline was a dedicated church worker, beginning in the First Methodist Church of North Wilkesboro. One Sunday morning in the early 40’s, Bettie Chloe asked her mother, “Which church are we going to this Sunday — Daddy’s church or your church?” After that Annie Cline was baptized into the First Baptist Church and continued her enthusiastic church work. She taught Sunbeams and served as superintendent of the Primary Sunday School Department for 33 years.

Memories of special times with Annie Cline’s family were Sunday dinners at the Hotel Wilkes in downtown North Wilkesboro and country ham suppers at Shatley Springs in the middle of the summer.

Her husband died on Feb. 22, 1954 of a heart attack. Annie Cline continued to operate the clothing store until May 1961, when the store was liquidated. During these years, she put both girls through college. Bettie Chloe graduated first from Mars Hill in 1957 and then Wake Forest in 1959. Sarah Jane graduated from Woman’s College in 1962.

Annie Cline returned to teaching in 1961 at the First Methodist Church Kindergarten. After having her teaching certificate updated in 1961, she taught at Traphill, Mountain View and Mulberry schools until she retired in November 1970.

Annie Cline’s grandchildren, who called her “Payne-Payne,” would describe her simply by saying, “She is kind.”

 

 

 

Community Happenings

The annual Letter Carriers’ food drive will be held Saturday, May 8.  Put your nonperishable food items into a bag by your mailbox and they will be delivered to a local food bank.

 

Please join us at Baptist Home Church, Highway 18 North, for the Second Annual Gospel Music Benefit for the Wilkes Senior Citizens Council.  Date and time is May 7, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. with Phil Barker, The Servants Quartet and The Faith Trio. Refreshments will be available at half time.  There is no admittance charge, but everyone will be given the opportunity to make a donation.  Hope to see you there!

 

Wilkes Toastmasters is an interactive workshop to improve your communication and leadership skills.  Meetings are held every Thursday 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm at the Addison Inn on Hwy 421 N in Wilkesboro.  For additional information, email wilkestoastmasters@gmail.com or visit Toastmasters.org.

 

The Wilkes Habitat 2010 Women Build Schedule: May 6-8, Thursday- Women Build Luncheon, 12 p.m. at the Wilkes Art Gallery, $10. Friday- Build Day from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. located behind the Stone Center. Saturday- Build Day from 8-1 or 12-4- behind the Stone Center and at Beaver Dam Lane. *Lunch will provided during Build Days. To buy a ticket or sign-up for work, contact: Wilkes Habitat for Humanity (336) 838-3044 or aisha.little@wilkeshabitat.org.

 

The fourth annual Friends of the Library’s antique appraisal event is scheduled for Saturday, May 15 at the Wilkes County Library in North Wilkesboro.  The event will be in the Friends Meeting Room from 2-4 p.m.  Contact the library for more details.

 

Amalfi’s Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser with entertainment by West Wilkes High School Chorus, featuring songs by the TV show “Glee” will be held May 16 at 5 p.m. at the Stone Center. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids 10 and under, and no charge for kids 3 and under.  This is a pre-sale event; no tickets will be sold at the door unless circumstances apply for special consideration.  Contact Marilyn at 973-4503, ext. 173 for more information.

 

A Bingo and Hot Dog Supper will be held Friday, May 7 at 6 p.m. at the Fairplains elderly nutrition site on Sparta Road. Come hungry and bring a friend, then have a great meal and play bingo.  Proceeds will go to Fairplains and Maple Springs MISS CAG contest. (Please see the classified page for our yard sale listing.)

 

On Saturday May 8 there will be an "Open House" at the Black Cat Station Railroad Club, from 10:00 a.m.  to 2:00 p.m. and everyone is invited to attend.  We are a large "HO" Scale Model railroad, operating many trains at the same time.  As we are a non-profit organization, there is no admission charge, and lots of good times to be had by all. The Club is located at: 800 Elizabeth Street, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 (The Old Wilkes Art Gallery) You can find us on the net at www.blackcatstation.com. We look forward to seeing you.

 

Chapel Hill AME Zion Church, located on the Rock Quarry Road in North Wilkesboro, will have a Fish Fry/Yard Sale beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, May 7. Food will be available after 10 a.m. Plates are $6.00 each.  Delivery is available. Call 696-2326.

 

Odd Fellows Lodge # 331 and Rebekah Lodge # 167 are having a yard sale and bake sale on Saturday, May 15 beginning at 7 a.m. at the Odd Fellows building beside Mulberry School. Rain or shine!

 

A family reunion for the descendants of Rosa “Bell” Spears Church Yates will be held Saturday, May 15 at 3 p.m. at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, located on Highway 16 in Wilkesboro. Please bring a covered dish and a drink. For more details, call 973-4361 or 973-4898.

 

A huge yard sale will be held at Truth Community Church, Highway 421 North across from Transit Damaged Freight on May 7 from 6:30-5:30 and May 8 from 6:30-2:00.  Refreshments will be for sale. All proceeds will go to the church.