Features - Randolph Record

01 Dec

Labonte Foundation surprises youth with bikes

Randolph RecordFeatures, SportsBobby Labonte, NASCAR, YMCA

WINSTON-SALEM – The Bobby Labonte Foundation, founded by NASCAR Champion and Hall of Fame race car driver Bobby Labonte, teamed up with Herbalife Nutrition to build and donate 60 youth bikes at the YWCA of Winston-Salem recently as part of the foundation’s annual charitable efforts. The surprise giveaway, which benefited children enrolled at the YWCA’s Best Choice Learning Center, also included helmets and bike safety lessons provided by Brenner Children’s Hospital. The Bobby Labonte Foundation and Herbalife also surprised center representatives with two oversized checks for $10,000 each. The Best Choice Learning Center focuses on education and income equality, providing…

17 Nov

‘Culinary Cougars’ set for pie sale

Randolph RecordFeaturesCulinary Cougars, Southwestern Randolph High School

Students at Southwestern Randolph High School prepare food in the kitchen. (Courtesy photo) ASHEBORO – The seventh annual holiday pie sale conducted by the Culinary Arts students at Southwestern Randolph High School is in the works. The bakers are called the “Culinary Cougars.” The deadline to order the pies is Friday. Pick-up or delivery will be Nov. 22. The Culinary Cougars will bake six varieties of pie from scratch to raise money for culinary competitions. For this year’s sale, students will prepare pies in time for Thanksgiving meals. Homemade pecan, sweet potato, pumpkin, Dutch apple crumb, chocolate chip walnut, and…

16 Nov

Christmas tree makes stop in Asheboro

Randolph RecordFeatureschristmas tree, Pisgah National Forest, U.S. Capitol

ASHEBORO – A Christmas tree, which was heading to the nation’s Capitol, made a stop last week in Asheboro. The tree was at the North Carolina Zoo. It was part of the tour put together by National Forests in North Carolina and nonprofit partner Choose Outdoors. The tree was transported from Pisgah National Forest, beginning Nov. 5. It’s on the way to the U.S. Capitol building in Washington. The two-week tour’s schedule calls for 14 stops, mostly in North Carolina, with a couple in Virginia. The tree is a 78-foot-tall Red Spruce. Delivery to the West Lawn of the U.S.…

27 Oct

Liberty man repeats title with big watermelon

Bob SuttonFeaturesAndrew Vial, Liberty, North Carolina State Fair, watermelons

RALEIGH — Andrew Vial of Liberty calls his watermelon-growing expertise a hobby. It’s a pretty good one. Vial was the winner again in the Great Pumpkin & Watermelon Weigh-off that’s associated with the North Carolina State Fair at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds. Vial was the winner with an entry of 306 pounds. There were 22 watermelons entered into the contest. A year ago, Vial’s 341-pound entry was the largest in the history of the N.C. State Fair. Vial, 39, puts in up to 60 hours a week tending to his crop of watermelons. Second place went to Patrick VanBeck…

19 Oct

Hudson earns Friend of Farm Bureau Award

Randolph RecordFeaturesFarm Bureau, U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson

U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC) received the American Farm Bureau Federal “Friend of the Farm Bureau” award for his efforts and advocacy on behalf of North Carolina’s farmers. The “Friend of the Farm Bureau” award is given to legislators whose voting record reflects support for farmers and was presented to Hudson during a meeting with the North Carolina Farm Bureau last Wednesday. “Agriculture is a core pillar of both North Carolina and our nation, contributing trillions of dollars to our economy, creating millions of jobs, and supplying essential commodities to families worldwide. I will continue to work in Congress to…

23 Sep

Spooky Woods scares up attention for Archdale

Bob SuttonFeaturesArchdale, Haunted houses, Kersey Valley, Spooky Woods, Tony Wohlgemuth

Kersey Valley has become a must-visit attraction for many thrill seekers each autumn. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record) ARCHDALE – While Kersey Valley’s Spooky Woods has grown to become more technical with special effects, owner Tony Wohlgemuth said he understands the grassroots nature of the themed venue. Now the Archdale business has gained considerable national attention. “This particular year, it got picked up a lot,” Wohlgemuth said of listings among the best haunted attractions nationally. “It puts Archdale on the map with a lot of big cities.” The scene is a fictional town called Kersey Valley. The oldest attraction at Kersey Valley…

02 Sep

Goodwill expands in Randolph County with Liberty store

Bob SuttonFeaturesGoodwill, Goodwill Industries, Liberty, Triad Goodwill

Shoppers took advantage of the grand opening of the new Goodwill store in Liberty. (Courtesy photo) LIBERTY – A Goodwill Industries store and donation center opened in Liberty a few weeks ago, becoming the fourth such location in Randolph County. “We are so excited to be part of the Liberty community and have already been blown away by the generosity of the donors in the area,” said Brady Craven, district manager for Triad Goodwill. “Right when people saw our signs go up, we were welcomed with bags and literal truckloads of donations.” The store has gently used and new clothing…

01 Sep

Second year means more identity for Trinity Middle School

Bob SuttonFeaturesAaron Barr, Randolph County School System, Trinity Middle School

ARCHDALE – Year 2 for Trinity Middle School has arrived, and it should feel more like home for students and staff. “It does,” principal Aaron Barr said. “It’s a continuation of last year.” A year ago, the opening of the new school was a special occasion, though it also came with normal challenges. There was a merging of students from previous schools that became part of the process. “Everybody was kind of trying to feel their way,” Barr said. “You’re getting the culture of a new school worked out.” Classes began this week for the new school year in the…

05 Aug

Area teacher benefits from national academy

Bob SuttonFeaturesAmy Kidd, Climax, Eastern Randolph, National Agriscience Teacher Ambassador Academy, National Association of Agricultural Educators, Providence Grove, Randolph County School System

Amy Kidd, a teacher at Providence Gove, took part in last month’s National Agriscience Teacher Ambassador Academy in Tulsa, Okla. (Courtesy photo) Providence Grove’s Kidd participates in agricultural education program CLIMAX — Amy Kidd says the most important part of her role as an agricultural teacher at Providence Grove is tending to the welfare of students’ education and development. After taking part in a national program this summer, Kidd’s influence will extend to assisting teachers as well. “I’m excited about sharing it with other teachers,” Kidd said. She was one of 23 teachers from across the country selected to participate…

03 Aug

Archdale hotels fill up with guests

Bob SuttonFeaturesArchdale, Hotels, Sedgefield Country Club, Wyndham Championship

ARCHDALE — It didn’t take the Wyndham Championship golf tournament this week at nearby Sedgefield Country Club to perk up business for Archdale hotels. They’ve already been busy. “It’s the Junior Olympics,” said Abbey Wilmoth, assistant general manager at Holiday Inn Express in Archdale. “It’s special events time.” While many of the events are based in Guilford County, the overflow of business is crucial for this Randolph County community. The Amateur Athletic Union’s Junior Olympics are in their second week in Greensboro, concluding this weekend. “The majority of rooms are for that event,” Fairfield Inn & Suites assistant general manager…