Features - Randolph Record

06 Jul

Petty, ‘The King’ of NASCAR, says camp for seriously ill children is family’s true legacy

Associated PressFeatures, SportsRandleman, randolph county, Richard Petty, Stock car racing, Victory Junction Gang Camp

Richard Petty and his granddaughter Montgomery Lee Petty, then 14, take part in a 2000 news conference announcing the founding of Victory Junction Gang Camp. (The Associated Press) Richard Petty, with a record 200 Cup Series wins, seven championships and a first-ballot inductee into the Hall of Fame, is considered NASCAR’s greatest driver. He is spending the season celebrating 75 years of NASCAR participation by his famous family — basically since the inception of the stock car series in 1948 — and reflecting on the legacy that will be left behind. As he approached his 87th birthday, celebrated Tuesday ahead…

26 May

New playground coming for Grays Chapel Elementary School

Bob SuttonFeatures, NewsApril Wood, Education, Franklinville, Grays Chapel Elementary School, Randolph County School System

The daughter/father combination of Melanie Neighbors, left, and Lonnie Allred pose with memorabilia during Grays Chapel Elementary School’s 100-year celebration this spring. (Courtesy photo) Funds raised during 100-year celebration aid project FRANKLINVILLE – The 100th anniversary celebration for Grays Chapel Elementary School went so well this spring that a new playground will be installed soon on the rural school’s grounds. “All the funds we raised that day went toward the playground,” said April Wood, a kindergarten teacher and one of the anniversary event organizers. “We raised enough money to pay for the installment and some additional pieces.” The Randolph County…

05 May

Scenes from the new Zoo City Sportsplex in Asheboro

Randolph RecordFeatures, NewsAsheboro, Darrell Frye, David Smith, recreation, Zoo City Sportsplex

Here’s the ribbon cutting from Saturday at the new Zoo City Sportsplex in Asheboro. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) Here are some photos from the grand opening celebrating the new Zoo City Sportsplex in Asheboro. The event took place despite rain Saturday, May 4, 2024.

24 Apr

Photos from Zoo City StrEAT Fest in Asheboro

Randolph RecordEntertainment, FeaturesAsheboro, North Carolina Zoo, Zoo City StrEAT Fest

A petting area with two tiny goats, a tiny pig and a rather large bunny was a hit with attendees Saturday at the Zoo City StrEAT Fest on Sunset Avenue in Asheboro. The event, to celebrate the North Carolina Zoo’s 50th birthday, included outdoor dining, live music and more. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)

18 Apr

Southwestern Randolph group performs at St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Bob SuttonFeatures, Newschoral, Education, New York, Southwestern Randolph High School, St. Patrick's Cathedral

Southwestern Randolph High School choral students pose for a photo outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York. (Courtesy photo) ASHEBORO – A group of nearly three dozen Southwestern Randolph High School students took part in a special trip to New York during spring break. The concert choir and advanced honors ensemble made up the group. The highlight was performing at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan. That performance of about 40 minutes involved songs specifically for cathedral settings. “It was beautiful,” said Kerri Smith, whose daughter, Skylee, is a member of the honors ensemble. “It was just great.” The group was…

13 Jan

Asheboro man heard around the state

Bob SuttonFeatures, SportsAmerican Legion baseball, Asheboro, Don Bullins, N.C. State athletics, PA announcer

Don Bullins of Asheboro makes some pregame announcements recently at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh. (Bob Sutton/Randolph Record) RALEIGH – Don Bullins of Asheboro has been a busy man behind the mic as a public address announcer for various sports events during the past month. In some ways, it’s a continuation of assignments during many stretches of the year. Just since December, he has handled assignments for high school football and basketball and college basketball. “It has been a busy few weeks,” Bullins said. “I didn’t take off a lot of time.” Bullins spends a good amount of time as a…

09 Jan

Archdale’s new library branch manager makes shift

Bob SuttonFeatures, NewsArchdale Public Library, Ashley Rose, Randolph County Public Libraries

Ashley Rose (Courtesy photo) ARCHDALE – Ashley Rose is the new branch manager of the Archdale Public Library and thankful for the opportunity. “It’s a pretty rare occasion when one of these becomes open,” Rose said last week. Rose replaces retired Matt Shaw, who finished at the end of 2023. He retired after 13 years. “I had been training with Matt in December,” Rose said. “I already worked with the Randolph County Public Libraries, so it was a good transition.” Rose came from the Asheboro Public Library, where she was primarily in the children’s room. The Randolph County library system…

27 Dec

North Carolina State Parks to Host First Day Hikes

Randolph RecordFeatureshiking trails

On January 1, 2024, North Carolina joins the nationwide tradition of First Day Hikes, an event organized by the National Association of State Park Directors. The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation announced that the state will host more than 50 staff-led hikes across its state parks. State Parks Director Brian Strong expressed excitement about the expanded First Day Hikes program for 2024. "After a few years of smaller programming, we are offering a wide variety of guided hikes and events at most of our state parks," Strong said. He encouraged visitors to bring family and friends for outdoor adventures,…

14 Oct

New Miss Randolph County is crowned

Randolph RecordEntertainment, Features, NewsAshley Leonard, Miss North Carolina, Miss Randolph county, Randleman

RANDLEMAN — A 21-year old from Southern Pines is the new Miss Randolph County. Ashley Leonard, a student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, took home the title in a competition Saturday evening and will represent Randolph County next year in the Miss North Carolina competition. Ila Monical, 15, was crowned Miss Randolph County Teen. She’s a sophomore at Topsail High School in Hampstead. The competition was sponsored and operated by the Kiwanis Club of Asheboro and took place at Randleman Elementary School auditorium. The 10 contestants competed in categories of private interview, health and fitness, talent,…

05 Oct

NC Zoo Celebrates National Drive Electric Week

Scott PelkeyFeaturesNational Drive Electric Week, NC Zoo

The North Carolina Zoo celebrates its new electric tractor with a ribbon cutting at an event celebrating National Drive Electric Week on Sept. 29 at the zoo in Asheboro. The event showcased how the zoo is using electric vehicles and attendees got to see and test electric cars, scooters, and more. Below right, left to right: Walker Moffitt, mayor pro tempore and member of the NC Zoo Council, Patricia Simmons, director and CEO at North Carolina Zoo, and Eddie Burks, Asheboro City Council member, cut the ribbon. (Photos by Scott Pelkey / Randolph Record)