As published in the Courier-Tribune on October 26, 2012
by Hugh Martin
biscoewriter@yahoo.com
BISCOE – An event to raise funds for the East Middle School Chorus will be held Saturday, November 3, 2012 in Eagle Springs.
Kalawi Farm and Ben's Ice Cream is hosting a 5k run or walk beginning at 10 am at Ben's Ice Cream Shop, at 1515 NC Highway 211, Eagle Springs, between Candor and West End.
The 5K is being held to raise funds for the Chorus’ Spring 2013 Concert. The money will allow the purchase of choral dresses, and costumes for their performances.
Entry fees are $5.00 for students and $15.00 for adults. The 5K is not a sanctioned event but is an opportunity to enjoy some outdoor activities while benefitting the chorus program.
Anyone wishing to register for the 5K can call East Middle School at 910-428-3278. Entrants can pre-pay at the East Middle Office, or pay at the event when you arrive.
Laura Cosner is the director of the chorus. “These kids have worked so hard and are so talented,” she said. Chorus is an awesome outlet for many of the members and they need our support.”
The chorus has become larger and more active in recent years, offering many performances that have been well-attended by the community. “Our production of Grease the Musical last spring was an incredible accomplishment for us,” Cosner said. “We would like to put on another outstanding performance, but we need the funds to do it.”
Kalawi Farm offers several other activities at the farm, including a corn maze, hayrides and ice cream. They promise to have plenty of fun for everyone.
Cosner said that T-shirts may be purchased at the event, with proceeds benefitting the chorus.
The Treble Trot course is 3.1 miles around the farm. The first 10 entrants to go through the finish line will receive a certificate for a free cup or cone of ice cream, or a free walk through the Corn Maze.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Monday, October 8, 2012
☠ Fall enrollment up at Montgomery Community College
As published in the Courier-Tribune on October 6, 2012
By Hugh Martin
biscoewriter@yahoo.com
TROY – Montgomery Community College is experiencing an increasing number of student enrollments this fall while other community colleges in North Carolina are seeing numbers remaining the same or actually falling.
“Headcount is up by roughly nine percent over fall semester 2011,” said Beth Smith, vice president of student services at MCC. Smith says the increase is due, in part, to the Career and College Promise (CCP) program which started in January, 2012.
The CCP program offers college classes to high school students at no charge to them. Through the program the students are able to earn college credits, which results in a head start when the student graduates from high school.
According to a release from the college, MCC was one of the first community colleges in the state to offer the CCP classes. Students taking a career pathway can earn a credential, certificate or diploma to prepare them for a technical career right out of high school. Students who select the college transfer pathway can earn from 32 to 44 credit hours that are fully transferable to a four-year institution.
All CCP students earn high school and college credit at the same time.
“Thanks to the partnership between MCC and Montgomery County Schools, MCC was able to start offering CCP classes as early as last spring semester,” said Smith.
Another MCC program, Mini Semester Classes, allows students to earn full-credit by taking classes that are just eight weeks in length.
Some of the Mini Semester Classes are available through CCP, making them available to high school students. Most of the Mini Semester Classes will be taught online.
Mini semester registration is going on through October 16 at the college.
Final fall enrollment figures at MCC will not be available until enrollment is completed for the Mini Semester Classes.
A full listing of the classes may be found by visiting the college’s website at www.montgomery.edu/mini-semester-courses.html or to e-mail Karen Frye at fryek@montgomery.edu for more information.
By Hugh Martin
biscoewriter@yahoo.com
TROY – Montgomery Community College is experiencing an increasing number of student enrollments this fall while other community colleges in North Carolina are seeing numbers remaining the same or actually falling.
“Headcount is up by roughly nine percent over fall semester 2011,” said Beth Smith, vice president of student services at MCC. Smith says the increase is due, in part, to the Career and College Promise (CCP) program which started in January, 2012.
The CCP program offers college classes to high school students at no charge to them. Through the program the students are able to earn college credits, which results in a head start when the student graduates from high school.
According to a release from the college, MCC was one of the first community colleges in the state to offer the CCP classes. Students taking a career pathway can earn a credential, certificate or diploma to prepare them for a technical career right out of high school. Students who select the college transfer pathway can earn from 32 to 44 credit hours that are fully transferable to a four-year institution.
All CCP students earn high school and college credit at the same time.
“Thanks to the partnership between MCC and Montgomery County Schools, MCC was able to start offering CCP classes as early as last spring semester,” said Smith.
Another MCC program, Mini Semester Classes, allows students to earn full-credit by taking classes that are just eight weeks in length.
Some of the Mini Semester Classes are available through CCP, making them available to high school students. Most of the Mini Semester Classes will be taught online.
Mini semester registration is going on through October 16 at the college.
Final fall enrollment figures at MCC will not be available until enrollment is completed for the Mini Semester Classes.
A full listing of the classes may be found by visiting the college’s website at www.montgomery.edu/mini-semester-courses.html or to e-mail Karen Frye at fryek@montgomery.edu for more information.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
☠ Troy commissioners approve market study agreement
As published in the Courier-Tribune on October 4, 2012
By Hugh Martin
biscoewriter@yahoo.com
TROY — Troy’s Board of Commissioners approved an agreement with the UNC School of Government Monday evening for assistance in putting together a package to improve the marketability of the Troy Hotel development.
The action came at the board’s regular October meeting following several weeks of study since the September meeting.
Developers have shown interest in developing the top two floors of the building, which will require extensive renovation. The hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places, which would qualify developers for significant tax breaks.
According to Troy Manager Greg Zephir, there are other available credits called New Market Tax Credits.
“These kinds of credits can make a development more workable for developers,” he said.
The cost of the agreement is $24,000, but through grants and revenues received by the School of Government, the town will only have an investment of $6,000. Zephir told commissioners the money could come from the town’s economic development fund.
“If the town is successful in securing a developer for this project, the town could add these fees into the costs that the developer would have to pay the town,” he said.
Commissioners Chris Watkins and Angela Elkins agreed that it was a small investment compared to the potential impact that the project could have on the downtown area. The agreement passed unanimously.
Commissioners also took action on a problem that has been discussed previously about rental of the Troy-Montgomery Senior Center for private events. There have been instances where the building was rented several times over a weekend and had been found in disrepair on Monday morning. Since no town employees are present during these times it was difficult to determine who had left the mess, which resulted in revocation of the security deposit.
Commissioners considered raising the rental fee but opted to raise the security deposit from $100 to $150 per event. The town manager or senior center director will be responsible for monitoring events to determine if deposits are returned. If the building has not been cleaned, a renter will receive only half of the deposit back. In the case of physical damage, the entire deposit will be forfeited.
The new rates will take effect immediately. Events that have already been scheduled will not be affected.
In other business, Mayor Roy Maness and Commissioners Watkins, Elkins, Wallace Jones, James Hurley and Bruce Hamilton:
* Learned that the paving project at the fire department had gone over budget due to grading issues.
* Were reminded that the annual Small Town USA event will be Oct. 27 in the area around Montgomery Farm & Garden on North Main Street. Montgomery Farm & Garden sponsors the event.
* Were brought up to date on activities of the Public Works Department. Drainage issues and potholes are being repaired by crews in addition to their regular duties.
By Hugh Martin
biscoewriter@yahoo.com
TROY — Troy’s Board of Commissioners approved an agreement with the UNC School of Government Monday evening for assistance in putting together a package to improve the marketability of the Troy Hotel development.
The action came at the board’s regular October meeting following several weeks of study since the September meeting.
Developers have shown interest in developing the top two floors of the building, which will require extensive renovation. The hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places, which would qualify developers for significant tax breaks.
According to Troy Manager Greg Zephir, there are other available credits called New Market Tax Credits.
“These kinds of credits can make a development more workable for developers,” he said.
The cost of the agreement is $24,000, but through grants and revenues received by the School of Government, the town will only have an investment of $6,000. Zephir told commissioners the money could come from the town’s economic development fund.
“If the town is successful in securing a developer for this project, the town could add these fees into the costs that the developer would have to pay the town,” he said.
Commissioners Chris Watkins and Angela Elkins agreed that it was a small investment compared to the potential impact that the project could have on the downtown area. The agreement passed unanimously.
Commissioners also took action on a problem that has been discussed previously about rental of the Troy-Montgomery Senior Center for private events. There have been instances where the building was rented several times over a weekend and had been found in disrepair on Monday morning. Since no town employees are present during these times it was difficult to determine who had left the mess, which resulted in revocation of the security deposit.
Commissioners considered raising the rental fee but opted to raise the security deposit from $100 to $150 per event. The town manager or senior center director will be responsible for monitoring events to determine if deposits are returned. If the building has not been cleaned, a renter will receive only half of the deposit back. In the case of physical damage, the entire deposit will be forfeited.
The new rates will take effect immediately. Events that have already been scheduled will not be affected.
In other business, Mayor Roy Maness and Commissioners Watkins, Elkins, Wallace Jones, James Hurley and Bruce Hamilton:
* Learned that the paving project at the fire department had gone over budget due to grading issues.
* Were reminded that the annual Small Town USA event will be Oct. 27 in the area around Montgomery Farm & Garden on North Main Street. Montgomery Farm & Garden sponsors the event.
* Were brought up to date on activities of the Public Works Department. Drainage issues and potholes are being repaired by crews in addition to their regular duties.
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