Features - Randolph Record

23 Mar

Farming and food prices

Blake SzilvayFeaturesfarming, fertilizer, food prices, inflation

ASHEBORO — American consumers have noticed the impact of inflation at checkout counters over the past few months. The current inflationary trend is expected to continue in the coming months. A war in Ukraine has been blamed recently for the rise in prices for many items, including groceries, which are impacted by skyrocketing fuel prices. Farmers were predicting these inflated prices well before they were seen in grocery stores. Looking back to October 2021, farmers were starting to wrap up a record crop and had already begun shopping for inputs for their 2022 crop. That year’s success was quickly met…

23 Mar

A menu for success: Restaurant neighbors feed need to help each other

Bob SuttonFeaturesAsheboro, Nannie Mae's Cafe & Bakery, the bun hut

ASHEBORO – A couple of Sunset Avenue eateries have bonded rather than competed. It’s working out well. When The Bun Hut was to open earlier this month, staffing shortages were a concern. Just down the street, Nannie Mae’s Café & Bakery owner Katherine Stroud was ready to help. On the day of the Bun Hut’s opening, Stroud closed her business to lend a hand. “We know how stressful it is when you’re just opening and we wanted them to be able to get going,” Stroud said. “Everything always goes slower than anticipated. He said things were ready, but we knew…

09 Mar

Randolph County Farmers Market Alliance

Annie Mills, for the Randolph RecordFeaturesagriculture, farmers market, local, randolph county farmers market alliance

ASHEBORO — The pandemic has strained many aspects of life in the last few years, disrupting supply chain issues in the food system and exacerbating preexisting food security challenges to name a few. According to the 2021 Piedmont Triad Regional Food Assessment between 2019 and 2020 15% of adults fell below the poverty rate in Randolph County, there was a 12% increase in food nutrition services needed and a 9% increase in child food insecurity. However, Randolph County is home to 620 food businesses that bring in $2.9 billion in annual sales with $199 million in food sales staying in…

17 Feb

Trindale teacher tabbed for Presidential Award

Bob SuttonFeaturesPresidential Award for Excellence, Sarah Remery, Trindale Elementary

ARCHDALE – Trindale Elementary School teacher Sarah Remery is the recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The fourth-grade teacher’s specialty has been math, and it was under that category that she was selected for this national distinction. “Math can be a very scary thing,” Remery said. “I try to tell my students, ‘This is the year you’re going to be a math student.’” Dr. Ana Floyd, the K-6 lead teacher for math and science in the Randolph County School System, recommended Remery for the Presidential Award. “Her lessons are well planned and highly engaging…

16 Feb

4-H groups show appreciation to community leaders with Valentine gifts

McKenna GardenerFeatures4-H, Asheboro, McKenna Gardner, Valentine's Day

ASHEBORO — Modern America has turned Valentine’s Day into a commercial holiday with expensive jewelry, heart-shaped chocolates and reservations three months in advance. One group sought to bring back the childhood magic of Valentine’s Day with service to the community. Randolph County 4-H held a Valentine’s Community Service Night on February 8. The intention was to return to the roots of the holiday, which has various legends related to its origin. The Catholic Church recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus. The stories surrounding these saints describe priests willing to perform marriages for soldiers who were forbidden…

09 Feb

Sheriff’s office offers citizens academy

Bob SuttonFeaturesAsheboro, Randolph County Sheriff, Sheriff's Citizen Academy

ASHEBORO – A chance for residents to take an up-close view of the Randolph County Sherriff’s Office is back in place. Classes for the Sherriff’s Citizen Academy begin on March 22. The eight sessions are described as a means to learn more about law enforcement operations and the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office internal processes. The goal is to improve law enforcement/community relations through a formalized educational process. Department spokeswoman Amanda Varner said usually a couple of dozen residents participate in each academy. Some form of the academy has been in place since 2016, she said. Division lieutenants and captains conduct…

02 Feb

For Super Bowl entertaining, make room for melty hot dips

Katie Workman, The Associated PressFeaturescheese, dip, food, football, melty, snacks, Super Bowl, Super Bowl recipes

In the coldest months, we all look for bright spots, and football fans this winter have had plenty. The Super Bowl (on Feb. 13) is always a dead-of-winter highlight. And while gatherings might be smaller than in pre-pandemic years, we can still pull out the stops with snacks and food. My Super Bowl menu changes from year to year, but there are recurring themes: sliders, chilis, nachos, pulled pork, pizza and always, always a dip. Most of the time, that’s a hot dip plunked down on the table to a very warm reception. I’ve yet to find a person who…

20 Jan

Fruit trees and berries require planning

Annie MillsFeaturesAnnie Mills, berries, fruit trees, horticulture

Growing tree fruit and berries is a long-term relationship that takes some work and careful planning. Some fruits require more care than others and others are more reliable producers. Gardeners know that there are certain conditions under which plants thrive, but prioritizing a few basics for fruit production is especially important because it often can take years before tree fruit and berries even begin to bear fruit. In other words, the right conditions from the start and careful planning will increase your chances of getting a nutritious and edible product and most of us would agree that is typically the…

19 Jan

Raising rabbits in Randolph County

Lauren RoseFeaturesconservancy, learning, livestock, rabbits, randolph county, silver fox meat rabbit

When the topic of endangered animal breeds comes up, folks don’t often think of livestock animals like rabbits. One breed of rabbit in particular, the Silver Fox meat rabbit, is considered “recovering,” with some help from the Randolph County Center of the NC Cooperative Extension. A barrier to raising an animal is often land or outdoor space, and this was the part of the motivation to start the conservancy program. Started last year, the rabbit chain aims to provide an “opportunity for youth to raise and show an animal all while learning important life skills,” says Extension Agent for 4-H…

12 Jan

Asheboro music, jewelry store to close

Bob SuttonBusiness, FeaturesAsheboro, Monroe's Music and Jewelry, Sunset Avenue

ASHEBORO – Monroe’s Music & Jewelry is closing later this month after more than six decades in business in Asheboro. Business owner Tony Hoover said he wants an opportunity to experience different things. “I feel like it’s time,” Hoover said. “It has been my life. When you’re on your dying bed, you don’t ask God for more money, you ask for more time.” The store on Sunset Avenue will close Jan. 29. Hoover owns the building, but he said he’s not sure what’s next for the site. At one time, there were five employees. Now, it’s just Hoover, 63. The…