Features - Randolph Record

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…

06 Jul

Randolph County deputy on SWAT team conquers test

Bob SuttonFeaturesLuke Wible, Nation Tactical Officers Association, Randolph County Sheriff's Department, SWAT

Sheriff’s department member reaches rare fitness territory ASHEBORO — When Luke Wible saw the list of physical tests from the National Tactical Officers Association, he noted the value for a SWAT team member. That might have been just part of what led the Randolph County Sheriff’s deputy to achieve a rare score on the test. “I’m a newer guy, but I could see how those things you do in the test could translate when you’re on duty in a real situation,” he said. Wible, a patrol deputy, basically aced the Physical Fitness Qualification Challenge. “He’s such a motivator,” Lt. Eric…

08 Jun

Zoo hooks up more hiking options

Bob SuttonFeaturesAsheboro, hiking trails, North Carolina Zoo, Purgatory Mountain

ASHEBORO — Another trail opened during the weekend as part of the North Carolina Zoo’s system and this one has a theme that might intrigue many folks in Randolph County. The grand opening of the completed Purgatory Mountain Trail Network was held as part of Saturday’s National Trails Day. A moonshining component was highlighted as part of the weekend hike. That seemed appropriate to Randolph County commissioner Hope Haywood. “If we think about history and culture, the moonshine trail is also closely connected to another part of our culture, which is the pottery culture here,” she said. “Our potters got…

01 Jun

Strawberry season brings joy, strong harvest in Randolph County

Bob SuttonFeaturesagriculture, family fun, farm, north carolina agriculture, strawberry season

Strawberry season is a time for reunions for Sarah Beal of Kildee Farm in Ramseur. “I get to see a lot of people I haven’t seen since last year,” Beal said. Beal is the mother of Kildee Farm owner Michael Beal, but she pretty much runs the operation on site. “We’ve had a good six weeks and that’s normal,” Sarah Beal said. “It has been OK. We haven’t lost a lot because of the rain.” Kildee Farm, which has about 2 ½ acres of strawberries, had its last day for sales Monday. For the final days, strawberries were only available…

11 May

Bossong Memorial golf tournament raises funds for YMCA

Randolph RecordFeaturesAsheboro, Pinewood Country Club, Sam Bossong Memorial Golf Tournament, YMCA

ASHEBORO — A rain-delay did not dampen the spirits of over 100 golfers who came out to support the local YMCA on Friday. Rain threatened the Sam Bossong Memorial Golf Tournament at Pinewood Country Club and the single-round tournament was stopped briefly for a thunderstorm but teams ultimately returned to the course to complete the 22nd iteration of the tournament. This year’s winning team of Chad Clark, Shawn Hogan, Clint Smith and Mark Vuncannon shot a 49 which included five eagles on holes 3, 4, 6, 7 and 16. The team did not record any scores of less than a…

05 May

Cabin fever gives new life to Worth Street structure

Bob SuttonFeaturesAsheboro, log cabin, Worth Street

ASHEBORO — Mark Dillon viewed the cabin sitting at 426 Worth St. differently than others who checked out the property. “It just hadn’t been loved,” Dillon said. He has changed that. Dillon, and his wife, Carol Schuck Dillon, purchased the cabin and are turning it into a home. “When we walked in, there was some potential for someone dumb enough to do it,” Mark Dillon said. It was purchased in December of $48,500 – or about $20,000 below the listed price. Now, passersby marvel at the structure. Others have been excited when they’ve seen the possibilities for the cabin, which…

20 Apr

For Earth Day, plant native plants, practice benign neglect

Jessica Damiano via The Associated PressFeaturesEarth Day, gardening

Does your idea of the perfect garden include abundant plants that thrive with relatively little human intervention? Do they attract and support all kinds of pollinators? Sounds like a dream. And you can make it real by planting native plants. Native plants don’t need a lot of extra watering or fertilizing because they are already growing in the conditions they’re adapted to. Likewise they provide food for native insects and birds. Planting non-native plants can create a food desert for native pollinators. Check with your county’s cooperative extension office or other online resources to find out which plants are native…