ChickenFest May 28, 29, 30

The fifth annual ChickenFest – a celebration of Americana music and the area’s poultry industry is just around the corner. And the main stage scheduled has been finalized.

The three-day festival will be held Friday, May 28, Saturday, May 29, and Sunday, May 30, at The Record Park at the corner of Fourth and E streets in North Wilkesboro. The event is free.

And, Friday evening will be Hometown Opry Night, hosted by WKBC Radio personalities Steve Handy and Ed Racey.

ChickenFest, hosted by The Record, will feature more than 20 acts performing on The Sammy Lankford Stage in the Tyson Pavilion. Many others will perform on the Tut Taylor Spotlight Stage.

This year’s lineup includes Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame member David Johnson, who will close out Saturday’s entertainment with a blue grass set.

Other will include:

The Local Boys, Charles Tesh, String Hysteria, Zephyr Lightning Bolts, R.G. Absher and Friends, Linda Cabe, Steve Englebert, Lauren Stutts, Gabriella and Anna Lankford, The Bobby Billings Band, Porch Dog Revival, Rude Mood, Ernest Johnson and Friends, Lynn Stallmach and Kirk Walker, Deeper Roots String Band, BackPorch Bluegrass, Sonny Remington and Friends, Maple Creek, The Elkville String Band, Tut Taylor and Friends, the Davis Family and the Key City Boys.

Other musicians will include, Lynn Swaim, Jimmy Wagoner, Larry Griffin, Edwin Osborne, Andy Rhodes, Wes Osborne, Keith Mangold, Matt Dewer, Adam Younce, Ralph Clanton, Keith Watts, Jerry Lankford, and members of the Wilkes Acoustic Folk Society.

Food, which will feature all chicken dishes, will be for sale from Arbor Grove United Methodist Church, Church of God Union Assembly and Dennyville Baptist Church.

On Friday, May 28, ChickenFest will run from 6 p.m. to around 9:30 p.m. Saturday’s hours will be from 11 a.m. until around 9:30 p.m. Sunday’s segment will begin at 11 a.m. with a church service conducted by Rev. Ed McKinney and members of Arbor Grove United Methodist Church. An afternoon of gospel music will begin after the church service.

ChickenFest is a alcohol-free family event.

For more information, call The Record at 336-667-0134.

 

ChickenFest 2010

Sammy Lankford Stage schedule

 

Friday May 28

6 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. The Local Boys

6:40 p.m. – 7:10 p.m. Charles Tesh

7:20 p.m. – 7:50 p.m. String Hysteria

8 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Zephyr Lighting Bolts

8:40 – 9:30 p.m. R.G. Absher and the Grasshoppers

 

Saturday May 29

11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - Linda Cabe

11:40 – 12:10 Steve Englebert

12:10 p.m. to 12:25 Memorial Day Service, members of VFW Post 1142, Lauren Stutts will perform the National Anthem

12:25 – 12:45 – Gabriella Lankford and Anna Lankford

12:55 – 1:25 The Bobby Billings Band

1:35 – 2:05 Porch Dog Revival

2:15 – 2:45 Rude Mood

2:55 – 3:25 Ernest Johnson and Friends

3:35 – 4:05 Lynn Stallmach and Kirk Walker

4:15 – 4:45 Deeper Roots String Band

4:55 – 5:40 BackPorch Bluegrass

5:50 – 6:20 Sonny Remington and Friends

6:30 – 7 Maple Creek

7:10 – 7:40 Elkville String Band Reunion

7:50 – 8:20 Tut Taylor, Steve Barker and Friends

8:30 – 9:30 David Johnson and Friends

 

Sunday, May 30

Church Service by Arbor Grove Methodist Church 11 to noon

12-12:45 Lorrie and Steve Barker

12:55 – 1:40 Davis Family

1:50 to 2:35 Key City Boys

Closing remarks

 

 

OliverFest date rescheduled

The date for this year’s OliverFest has been rescheduled for Saturday, July 17. 

 OliverFest Chairman and Director, Ted Brown announced the new date which had been earlier announced for June 12.  Brown stated the rescheduling change was based on the availability of the feature act’s calendar. “Next year we hope to schedule OliverFest in the Spring. However, Wilkes County has so many events that it's difficult to find an open date that doesn't conflict with something else. This is a good problem for Wilkes to have;" stated Brown.

OliverFest is the celebration of North Wilkesboro Pop and Folk singing star William Oliver “Bill” Swofford. Oliver died at the age of 53 from cancer.

William Oliver Swofford  was known as Bill before becoming a music star.  He was the brother of Carl, Jim and John Swofford.  Carl and Jim are businessmen in North Wilkesboro and younger brother, John is the Commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Swofford became a singing sensation from 1969 until around 1975.  He was born and raised in the Finley Park section of North Wilkesboro.  He was an honor student at Wilkes Central High School where his athletic ability was equaled only by the quality of his singing voice.

"He was an outstanding person, scholar, and human being. And, he put North Wilkesboro on the map," stated Brown.

Bill Swofford became a huge name in pop music during the summer of 1969. A few years before becoming a successful solo act, Swofford had joined with some of his fellow University of North Carolina students to form a bluegrass band, the Virginians. The group recorded and toured, but national success eluded them. Then, in 1968, their manager brought them to a man who would have an immeasurable effect on Swofford's career. His name is Bob Crewe.

Crewe was the producer for many successful music groups and singers in the sixties and seventies. He was one-half of the song writing team that wrote the hit songs for Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. And, Crewe is recognized as one of the greatest music producers in modern music.

Brown and Crewe have talked regularly since last year's inaugural OliverFest. Crewe has agreed once again to serve as honorary chairman for this year's festival.

Brown credits Bob Crewe and Phlash Phelps of Sirius XM Radio for the festival's success. "Phlash gave us coast-to-coast publicity that really got us off to a great start," stated Brown.

OliverFest was also featured on UNC-TV following Dr. William Friday making a call following his discussion with Brown. Dr. Friday is president emeritus of the University of North Carolina. "I knew the two younger Swofford boys"; stated Dr. Friday referring to Bill and John Swofford. "Both have given much notoriety to the state of North Carolina."

During the late sixties, Swofford earned two gold records and performed on many of the top television programs of that time. "Bill Swofford was a very unique person who never lost his way due to success.  He remained grounded and returned home to North Wilkesboro during the height of his career.  We are very lucky to have had someone of his character to represent us,” stated Brown.

 

 

 

North Wilkesboro Speedway roars again with movie premiere
By REBECCA TRIPLETT-JOHNSON

For The Record

Rubber met asphalt, once again, at the North Wilkesboro Speedway when race cars and race fans hit the track on Saturday for a day of memories, music and the world premiere of the new movie, Red Dirt Rising.   

NASCAR fans of all ages entered the gates of the famous track that had been left dormant and silent of racing since Jeff Gordon won the last race on the oval in 1996 when Bruton Smith bought the track and moved the race dates to Texas Motor Speedway. 

Though faded and worn from years of weather, the speedway still stands as a strong and powerful statement to the history and excitement that helped bring NASCAR beginnings to the billion dollar industry that it is today.  Generations of the Staley family took much pride in their ownership and care of the track, seeing it through its glory days, while being lauded as royalty by many Wilkes race fans.  It was a sad day for all when fans watched as the last checkered flag was waved and the gates closed behind the last car hauler.

With the growth of NASCAR in both popularity and speed, short track racing has been all but pushed aside for faster tracks and larger grand stand seating.  But, for the most fervent fans and hardest driving purist, short track racing is the truest form of NASCAR.

A big part of Wilkes County history is the North Wilkesboro Speedway.  An even bigger part of NASCAR history is Wilkes County.  Saturday's return to the track gave older fans the chance to get back to their hallowed ground while giving the youngest of fans the chance to see what everyone else has been talking about and missing.

Saturday's spectators held their ears as blasts came from the jet powered tractor and the Black Widow tractor which boasted five engines churning out 13,000 horse power. Driven by Kathy Archer from Marietta, Ohio, the Black Widow threw sprays of red dirt across the infield during the tractor pull

 A cruise in was held with many fine classic automobiles on display.  Later, fans jumped to their feet and cheered for their favorite driver as two 20-lap races put the smell of gasoline and burning rubber back in the air when the Legendary Flathead Ford Racing Association raced cars from the 1950s and 1960s through the high banked turns and the uphill back stretch and downhill front stretch that many NASCAR drivers still remember as one of the most unique track set ups of their careers.  Winner of the Flathead Ford race was Bill Blair, Jr. Winner of the Vintage race was Susan Kimball.

The Matt Dillon and Midnight Steel Band, whose song, Carolina Moonshine, is featured in Red Dirt Rising, gave a hand clapping, foot stomping concert.  Wilkes County NASCAR legend, Junior Johnson and his son, Robert, appeared in the video for the song.

Officials from the Buck Baker Driving School offered rides around the track giving fans a taste of what it was like to race at the speedway in the tracks of NASCAR legends.

A monetary presentation was made to West Wilkes High School by the estate of NASCAR legend, Benny Parsons, and NASCAR, to help with construction of the Benny Parsons Athletic Complex.  The complex will include a remodeling of the existing football stadium, new tennis courts, lighted softball field and a practice field. Construction is expected to start in mid to late 2010. Parsons, a native of Parsonsville in Western Wilkes County and a graduate and athlete of West Wilkes High School, made a winning career as one of NASCAR's finest and most beloved drivers.  Honoring the former Blackhawk athlete with his name on the new sports venue will highlight the student, the athlete, the legend and the friend that he was to so many who knew him. Donations toward construction of the facility can be made by contacting the school.

The final event of the day was the twilight world premier of the new film, Red Dirt Rising.  The movie was inspired by the life of race car driver, Jimmie Lewallen, who drove his 1946 #0 Ford in NASCAR's Inaugural race in 1949 at the 3/4 mile Charlotte Speedway along with Lee Petty, Buck Baker and 34 other drivers in a line up of 10 Fords, six Oldsmobiles, four Hudsons, three Lincolns, two Chryslers, two Kaisers, two Buicks, one Cadillac, one Mercury and two other unknown models.  All were competing for portions of the $5000.00 purse and priceless bragging rights.  Jim Roper claimed that first coveted victory.

 Lewallen's son, Gary, grew up surrounded by racing and lived the life of the sport.  His father's story and the story of so many of NASCAR's legendary heroes was his inspiration to tell the story of what he saw, lived and loved while watching his family become part of NASCAR history.  Lewallen credits support from his father's many friends and the racing community in seeing this project come to life.  Stars of the movie, Brad Yoder, Burgess Jenkins, Ashlee Payne, Kayla Lewallan, Jennifer Lindsley, director Kathleen 'Bo' Bobak and NASCAR personalities signed autographs and took pictures with fans throughout the event.

From the red dirt roads to the silver screen, NASCAR has given many drivers and fans the ride of their lives.  Whether hearing the original flathead V-8's barrel through the mountain roads in wide open escapes from revenuers, listening to the races on car radios on hot summer Sunday afternoons, or watching NASCAR at home with surround sound speakers turned up to almost glass breaking decibels.  Nothing will ever compare to feeling the thundering, tooth shaking rumble while being at the North Wilkesboro Speedway when NASCAR giants drove their chariots of fire around the oval during some of the most memorable and important races in the history of the sport.

 In an interview with The Record, Richard Petty, who won 15 races at North Wilkesboro, and his first cousin and former Crew Chief Dale Inman shared personal memories, NASCAR insights and track facts and history about the North Wilkesboro Speedway.  As Petty walked around the track and through pit road he recalled certain feelings from races past.

"It was a good track for us, it really was,” said Petty.  "North Wilkesboro Speedway was one of the first Cup race tracks that helped NASCAR get started.  We lost a lot of history when we lost the North Wilkesboro track.  As NASCAR grew they had to go to bigger venues with more people.  Sponsors and TV demanded it.  So basically, North Wilkesboro helped get NASCAR started and NASCAR outgrew North Wilkesboro." 

With Petty's dignified exit across turn four, the silence of the track was deafening.  For fans who attended the Saturday movie premiere events and The Buck Baker Driving Schools their hope is revved up that some of the thunder has returned and the days of the North Wilkesboro Speedway are far from over.

50 years on the job

By JERRY LANKFORD

Record Editor

Fifty years at one job is an achievement by anyone’s standards.

Bill Rivers has reached that milestone.

Rivers has worked for Duncan Electric Corporation in North Wilkesboro for half a century. On Friday, he and fellow employees at the business, located in West Park, had a special lunch to commemorate the occasion.

“It’s been a good place to work,” Rivers said. “Mr. (Isaac) Duncan treated me well.”

In fact, Isaac Duncan, the son of company founder Ralph Duncan, trained Rivers. And, he was only 19 when he started work for the business.

Rivers was originally from Georgia, but his wife, Lynda, who was living there at the time, was a Wilkes County native. “That’s how I got here,” he said.

Company President John Battle has worked with Rivers for the entire 39 years he has spent with the company.

“He’s been an outstanding employee,” Battle said of Rivers. “To my knowledge, neither Bill or Duncan Electric has failed to complete any job we’ve ever started.”

Battle said that the dedication of employees like Rivers has helped Duncan Electric maintain its strong reputation in the industry.

Duncan Electric Corporation was founded in 1906 by the late Ralph Duncan who, at that time, was manager at Horton Telephone Company. At the time, homes and businesses in Wilkes were just beginning to hook onto electrical services.

Rivers has been a big part of the company’s history. He has done nearly every job the business has to offer, from working in the field to estimating jobs. He now works part time in the office.

On Friday, Battle and his son, John I. Battle, spoke to the crowd of Rivers’ coworkers, friends and family members before lining up for a lunch of barbeque and fixings.

“I’d say there’s not one of us here who hasn’t learned something from Bill,” the younger Battle said.

Rivers thanked everyone for coming. “I appreciate this more than you know.”

The elder Battle said Rivers has been one of the “keys to operating a successful business.”

He added, “Bill has always been very dependable. He has supervised the men and has done an outstanding job. They really respect him. He was hand-trained by Isaac Duncan, the son of the founder. He is very intelligent and very quick to learn. He’s just always been one of our key people.”

Rivers wife, Lynda, was also on hand for the event. The couple has four children, Bill, Julie, Ben and Van Rivers.

The best thing Rivers likes about the job is the people.

“I like everybody I work with,” He said. “They’re a good bunch.”

 

 

 

 

Chick-fil-A president visits Wilkesboro restaurant

By JERRY LANKFORD

Record Editor

Dan Cathy was busy last Wednesday evening.

He was shaking hands, talking and laughing with the hundreds of visitors at the new Chick-fil-A restaurant on U.S. 421 in Wilkesboro.

Cathy, who is president and COO of Chick-fil-A, was on hand for the pre-opening ceremonies of the store – which officially opened its doors for business on Thursday.

Dozens of tents stood in the parking lot. Camping has become a tradition with the opening of Chick-fil-A restaurants. This began more than six years ago when an Arizona restaurant used it as a promotional idea. The first 100 people in line get free meals from the restaurant for a year.

Various games and contests were underway Wednesday evening. Cathy smiled as he watched. A DJ was setting up to play music and there was line dancing.

“This is what happens when we open a Chick-fil-A,” Cathy said during an interview with The Record. “When we first started doing the camping, we had no idea we would have this kind of response.

And Cathy loves the carnival type atmosphere – so much in fact that he camped out at more than 100 grand openings. On Wednesday he planned to leave Wilkesboro and camp out at a new restaurant that opened in Burlington.

“It’s fascinating for me to see the participation and excitement level,” Cathy said.

The restaurant franchise had been eyeing the Wilkes area for some time, he said.

“This is a great location,” said Cathy. “This is on the growth side of town and everyone we’ve worked with has been really supportive. We turned down locations in Chicago and Los Angeles to come here.”

The new restaurant brought 65 new jobs to Wilkes.

Chick-fil-A in Wilkesboro is one of 78 new locations the chain plans to open this year. Despite the nation’s economic challenges in 2009, Chick-fil-A continued to expand, actually increasing the number of locations initially projected for the year. The chain opened 80 new restaurants and reached $3 billion in sales for the first time.

The new Chick-fil-A in Wilkesboro features a 4,596 interior that seats 138 and has warm colors and wood accents and a convenient, award-winning drive-thru while children will enjoy an indoor play area featuring an interactive section for toddlers. The new restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., serving a full breakfast menu until 10:30 a.m. which features the addition of two new menu items, the Chick-fil-A Yogurt Parfait and the Chick-fil-A 100 percent Colombian coffee, medium roast, to the popular breakfast line-up.

Wilkesboro native Mark Eller has been selected as the franchisee to operate the new location.  Eller attended West Wilkes High School and graduated from University of North Carolina in Asheville with a degree in business administration.  He received a Masters of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest.  Eller has also served 21 years with the Army National Guard after joining what was then Company D 505^th Engineers in Wilkesboro.  Prior to joining Chick-fil-A, he worked with Samaritan’s Purse International Relief as the Director of International Projects.  Mark and his wife, Kathy, have two daughters, Olivia and Lydia.

Aware of rising health concerns among the population and especially for children, Chick-fil-A has eliminated artificial trans fat from its entire menu and was among the first national quick-service restaurant chains to offer a complete menu – from entrées to condiments – with zero grams of trans fat. 

Cathy said he is pleased to have a new restaurant in Wilkes.

“There’s a great employment base here and I love North Carolina,” said Cathy, a Georgia native.

Lining up campers and the well-known renegade pro-poultry cows for a group photo, Cathy instructed the crowd to chant the cow’s slogan. “At the count of three – One. Two. Three. Eat More Chicken.”

 

 

 

 

 

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Community Happenings

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.

 

Vacation Bible School will be held at Congo Pentecostal Holiness Church, located off West Hwy 421 N on South Holinesses Church Road, and the theme will be Son Harvest, Growing the Fruit of the Spirit. The dates are May 30, June 6, 13, and 27 (Sunday evenings only.)  The times will be from 5:30-7:30 each night.

Classes for all ages.

 

Revival services will be held at Billings Hill Baptist Church, May 24-29 at 7 p.m. nightly and prayer room opening at 6:45. There will be special singing each night and the guest speaker is Claude Lloyd. For more information, call 957-8287.

 

Oak Grove Baptist Church in Millers Creek presents songwriter, guitarist and singer Tina B. Smith in concert at 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 16. Pastor Keith Lyon and church family invite you to come and receive a blessing.

 

Registration for the 2010 Yellow Jacket Football teams will be held at VFW Park off NC Hwy 115 on the following days. Thursday, May 20, 6:00 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.; Friday, May 21, 6:00 p.m. -7:30 p.m.; Saturday, May 22, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon. Wilkes County students who are in first through eighth grades are eligible to play, including all public, private, Christian and home school students.  Coaches: 1-2 grade, full contact and tackle, Coach Dwight Shumate, 927-4137. 3-4 grade, Coach J.T. Triplett, 670 2144. 5-6 grade, Coach Mike Huffman, 696-3965. 7-8 grade, Coach Mark Whittington, 670-3177, 838-2061. Mini Camps:
5-6 Mini Camp will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 29, at VFW Park. 7-8 Mini camp will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 29, at VFW Park. Practice begins Monday, July 26. For more information go to www.wilkesyellowjackets.com.

 

Mayo's Baseball School: Dream Bat Baseball Camp Fundamental Baseball Clinic. June 29-July 2 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, ages 6-14, Memorial Park, North Wilkesboro $150.00 membership fee. Free T-shirt for every camper. Registration deadline June 4, after which a $15.00 late fee will be charged. Spaces are limited. For more information contact Jeff Mayo at 336-684-4861 E-mail: mayosbaseballschool@charter.net.

 

You’re invited to an Applebee’s Flapjack Fundraiser breakfast to benefit Barry Williams. All proceeds will go to help cover some of the costs associated with his cancer treatment. Cost:  $4.00 Children 12 and under and $7.00 for adults. WHEN: Saturday, May 22, 2010, 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. WHERE: Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar, 1909 A Highway 421, Wilkesboro, NC 28697.  

 

The Relay for Life event schedule is as follows:

* Moravian Falls Milers will have a pork BBQ supper on Friday, May 21^st from 4pm until.  Carry outs are available for $7 per plate and there will also be a bake sale.  This event will be held at Moravian Falls Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.

* Bud’s Angels will have their annual Relay for Life Dog Show on Saturday, May 22^nd from 10-2pm at the Hidden Oaks Dog Park (at Cub Creek).  There is a $5 entry fee and all proceeds go to Relay.  For more information, contact Angela Bond @ 838-6111.

* Liberty Grove Freedom Fighters are sponsoring a Beauty Control mini spa on Sunday, May 23^rd.  For a $10 donation you will receive a one hour session with a Beauty control Specialist with a heated neck wrap, a mini manicure, mini pedicure and a product consultation.  Contact Kirsta @ 696-5636 or Sherry @ 957-7680 for an appt.  Groups of 10 will be taken and the sessions are for 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 o’clock

* Oakwood’s Baptist church will have a Pork BBQ fundraiser on Monday, May 24^th.  Lunch can/will be provided to work locations or can be picked up at the church.  Cost will be $6/plate and each plate includes: Pork BBQ, slaw, baked beans, roll and a dessert.  For more information, contact Oakwood’s Baptist Church @ 667-7838.

 

A pork BBQ dinner and bake sale will be held Friday, May 21 at 4 p.m. at the Moravian Falls Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, sponsored by the Moravian Falls Milers Relay for Life Team and prepared by Craig Walker of Moravian Falls. Plates are $7.00 each and take-outs are available.

 

Allen and Sharon Yates will be singing on Sunday night, June 6 at 6 p.m. at Sandy Flat Baptist Church, located on Highway 221, two miles from Blowing Rock.  Everyone is welcome. For more information, call

336-264-3357.

 

Union United Methodist Church, located above the animal hospital on the left, will sponsor a chicken-que on Saturday, May 22, 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.