Published in the Courier-Tribune on July 21, 2011
by Hugh Martin
TROY — On Saturday, the first Sandhills Farm Tour will feature farm operations in Montgomery, Richmond and Moore counties.
Danelle McKnight, horticulture agent for the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service in Montgomery, is coordinating the tour with agents Paige Burns from Richmond and Taylor Williams from Moore.
The tour will showcase local fruits, vegetables and livestock at the following farms:
• Vang Farm, 189 Beaman Road, Troy.
Touger Vang is experimenting with using high tunnels, similar to large greenhouse structures, to extend his growing season to include the colder winter months. His six-acre farm is loaded with vegetables, herbs and livestock.
• Hilltop Angus Farm, 1708 Pee Dee Road, Mt. Gilead.
Dale and Sharon Thompson raise grass-fed beef on their 170-acre farm.
“We are excited to offer consumers an alternative to conventional beef,” Dale said, explaining conventional beef is fed grain for the last few months of their lives to increase the weight, but he says research shows doing so causes the meat to lose most of its healthy benefits.
• Hope Farms, Pekin community.
Ed and Sheila Menendez and their son live in an 1890 farmhouse.
“We are trying to live as simply as possible,” Sheila said. “We believe in the connection we have with our animals, the land, and ultimately, our food. We do everything as naturally as possible. When you come to Hope Farms you'll see about 100 chickens, five ducks, three pigs, a Dexter Cow, three horses and two herding dogs, but most of all we are just a family.”
• Clayton Orchard, 289 Research Farm Road, Norman.
The farm is operated by Andy and Ann Clayton, descendants of Dr. Carlyle N. Clayton and his wife, Adelaide, who started the farm in the mid-1970s. Dr. Clayton was a plant pathologist at N.C. State University and worked to develop many of the peach varieties grown in the southeastern United States, including Winblo, Norman, Candor and Clayton, which was named in his honor.
• Dewitt’s Game Farm & Dewitt’s Outdoor Sports, 773 Jimmy Carriker Road, Ellerbe.
Chris Dewitt started the business because he said in high school he wished he could hunt for a living. His dream has come true by raising game birds and offering hunts on his 600-acre farm.
• Triple L Farms, 2205 Derby Road, Derby.
Jim and Joe Lambeth operate the farm. Marcia Lambeth handles the sales end and can usually be found working at the produce stand. The Lambeths call Derby the “garden spot of the world.” Their mission is to “keep the family farm alive and to share its products with others.”
Triple L grows vegetables, fruits, berries and flowers. They offer activities on the first Saturday from May through August, including Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Day in Derby on Aug. 6.
• Shadow Hill Farm & Kennel, 1723 Belford Church Road. In February 2010, one of owner Jane Bright’s Shetland Sheepdogs named Shadow Hill’s Star Chaser won Best of Breed at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City.
***
The Sandhills Farm Tour takes place from 3-7 p.m. on Saturday. Advance tickets are $10 per carload. On the day of the tour, $15 per carload.
Tickets are available from the N.C. Cooperative Extension offices in Montgomery, Richmond and Moore through Friday. On the day of the tour, tickets may be purchased at any of the seven farms.
For more information, call (910) 576-6011.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Montgomery farmer merges tradition with technology ♥
Published in the Courier-Tribune on July 21, 2011
by Hugh Martin
TROY — Touger Vang has come a long way since 1983, when his family left their native Laos as refugees following the Vietnam War.
He and his family are now farming six acres on Beaman Road, near Troy, with a mixture of Hmong tradition and modern technology.
Vang, 38, is a 1992 graduate of West Montgomery High School. He has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he works as an administrative assistant in the Department of Library and Information Studies and is working toward a master’s degree in Library Information. He divides his time between Greensboro and the farm, where his parents live.
The Vang family consists of father, Neng; mother, Yer; and their eight sons and one daughter. His brother, Touber, is a medical doctor with a family practice in Troy and another brother Tou “Thai” Vang is an assistant district attorney in Stanly County. Other family members live in the Seagrove area, while his only sister lives in Michigan.
“All of the family works on the farm,” Touger says.
After coming to the United States, the family lived in Alabama and Michigan before settling in North Carolina. Vang says that the climate in this area is much like their homeland of Xieng Khon, Laos.
Vang grows vegetables, herbs and livestock on nearly every spot of earth on the property that his family purchased from neighbors in 1992. Many plants that locals may consider to be weeds will have a use for the family and the people that purchase their products.
If you’re looking for nice, straight rows with acre upon acre of monoculture corn, wheat or soybeans, then you won’t find it on Vang’s farm. Every available inch is covered with plants.
“My father taught me to use all the space we have available to grow on,” he said. “When driving through cities you can tell where the Hmong families live because of the vegetable gardens in their front yards.”
Vang said two women take the produce to the flea market in Thomasville where there is a larger Asian population.
The herbs that are grown have both culinary and medicinal uses. A walk through the property brings discoveries of both common and more exotic plants. Duck feet herb, many different kinds of peppers, cilantro, gourds and more unusual plants are located all over. Luffa gourds hang from the trees.
Vang said his father does not believe in buying seeds, so seeds are saved year-to-year.
“He believes that destiny plays a part in what we grow — that a plant will grow if it’s meant to be. We share a lot of our seeds and knowledge with others because we want everyone to share in the successes.”
Vang enjoys showing his yard-long green beans, red okra with edible leaves, bitter gourds, chaote squash, lemongrass and Hmong cucumbers, which do not ripen until they reach a size not much smaller than a football. The Hmong cucumber has a mild flavor.
Vang has hundreds of vines loaded with the vegetables.
“I saw a seed catalog that sells the Hmong cucumber seed. They were charging $3 for five seeds!” he said, laughing.
Lemongrass root is boiled to make a tea that reduces fever. Cannas, thought to be pretty and ornamental here, are said to help heal injuries when the crushed root is mixed with lemongrass or cilantro, steamed, then made into a poultice.
Vang grows pumpkins and the family eats the plant tips as well as young pumpkins and flowers.
A row of tall Rose of Sharon hibiscus plants grows near the front of the property. The roots of the plant are used as medicine.
“I’ve had people drive by here and offer to buy the plants,” he said. “We are glad to share the small sprouts, but my father planted these when we came here and he does not want to sell them.”
What appear to be weeds have a purpose for Vang.
“This is pigweed that we use to stir fry or boil. Poke weed root is good for medicine, but you have to be careful because parts of the plant are poisonous after a certain age,” Vang said.
Pigweed and poke weed are considered a noxious weed by most farmers.
Plants that he considers weeds are hand-pulled or chopped out with a hoe. Chemical pest control is kept to a minimum and is used only as a last resort.
“We have a lot of deer, but my brother likes to hunt them, so we let them stay.”
Vang identified a green vine growing across a fence as a type of running spinach.
“The leaves of this vine will heal cuts. We can’t apply it directly to a cut because it will heal the skin faster than the wound underneath, so we ingest the leaves so that it will heal from the inside out.
“I tell these remedies with respect for my brother as a doctor,” said Vang.
“I was not keen on traditional medicine until I visited Thailand for fifteen months in 2004. I have learned that much of the Western medicines don’t work,” he added.
The family practices the traditional methods of farming that they brought with them; however, Touger has started incorporating new technologies into the mix.
Dr. Manuel Reyes, Associate Professor, Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Design at N.C. A&T University, is conducting research on the Vang farm use of high tunnels.
Vang has installed two of the greenhouse-like structures on his farm, which will help extend his growing season through the winter, essentially allowing him to grow vegetables year-round.
The high tunnels have sensors installed that send messages via radio frequency to a computer that processes the information for the A&T researchers.
One of the research projects has tomatoes planted through holes in a plastic sheet. Data is collected data on the shade-growing process called “agro-forestry.” Shannon Creason, a graduate student, works the high tunnels, collecting the tomatoes and recording data.
“It’s hot work, but we are gathering a lot of information,” she said.
Vang said that he is learning from the process, that he wouldn’t have thought of the plastic ground cover or trellises for the tomatoes.
Preparing the food that is harvested from the property is another interesting part of the Hmong culture.
“We had never experienced stewing vegetables,” Vang said, referring to the Southern practice of stewing collards, cabbage or turnip greens. “We always stew meat with our vegetables. We use as much of the animal as we can. We do not like to see good food go to waste.”
The Vang family does not go to the supermarket from March until late October because they produce everything that they eat on the farm.
by Hugh Martin
TROY — Touger Vang has come a long way since 1983, when his family left their native Laos as refugees following the Vietnam War.
He and his family are now farming six acres on Beaman Road, near Troy, with a mixture of Hmong tradition and modern technology.
Vang, 38, is a 1992 graduate of West Montgomery High School. He has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he works as an administrative assistant in the Department of Library and Information Studies and is working toward a master’s degree in Library Information. He divides his time between Greensboro and the farm, where his parents live.
The Vang family consists of father, Neng; mother, Yer; and their eight sons and one daughter. His brother, Touber, is a medical doctor with a family practice in Troy and another brother Tou “Thai” Vang is an assistant district attorney in Stanly County. Other family members live in the Seagrove area, while his only sister lives in Michigan.
“All of the family works on the farm,” Touger says.
After coming to the United States, the family lived in Alabama and Michigan before settling in North Carolina. Vang says that the climate in this area is much like their homeland of Xieng Khon, Laos.
Vang grows vegetables, herbs and livestock on nearly every spot of earth on the property that his family purchased from neighbors in 1992. Many plants that locals may consider to be weeds will have a use for the family and the people that purchase their products.
If you’re looking for nice, straight rows with acre upon acre of monoculture corn, wheat or soybeans, then you won’t find it on Vang’s farm. Every available inch is covered with plants.
“My father taught me to use all the space we have available to grow on,” he said. “When driving through cities you can tell where the Hmong families live because of the vegetable gardens in their front yards.”
Vang said two women take the produce to the flea market in Thomasville where there is a larger Asian population.
The herbs that are grown have both culinary and medicinal uses. A walk through the property brings discoveries of both common and more exotic plants. Duck feet herb, many different kinds of peppers, cilantro, gourds and more unusual plants are located all over. Luffa gourds hang from the trees.
Vang said his father does not believe in buying seeds, so seeds are saved year-to-year.
“He believes that destiny plays a part in what we grow — that a plant will grow if it’s meant to be. We share a lot of our seeds and knowledge with others because we want everyone to share in the successes.”
Vang enjoys showing his yard-long green beans, red okra with edible leaves, bitter gourds, chaote squash, lemongrass and Hmong cucumbers, which do not ripen until they reach a size not much smaller than a football. The Hmong cucumber has a mild flavor.
Vang has hundreds of vines loaded with the vegetables.
“I saw a seed catalog that sells the Hmong cucumber seed. They were charging $3 for five seeds!” he said, laughing.
Lemongrass root is boiled to make a tea that reduces fever. Cannas, thought to be pretty and ornamental here, are said to help heal injuries when the crushed root is mixed with lemongrass or cilantro, steamed, then made into a poultice.
Vang grows pumpkins and the family eats the plant tips as well as young pumpkins and flowers.
A row of tall Rose of Sharon hibiscus plants grows near the front of the property. The roots of the plant are used as medicine.
“I’ve had people drive by here and offer to buy the plants,” he said. “We are glad to share the small sprouts, but my father planted these when we came here and he does not want to sell them.”
What appear to be weeds have a purpose for Vang.
“This is pigweed that we use to stir fry or boil. Poke weed root is good for medicine, but you have to be careful because parts of the plant are poisonous after a certain age,” Vang said.
Pigweed and poke weed are considered a noxious weed by most farmers.
Plants that he considers weeds are hand-pulled or chopped out with a hoe. Chemical pest control is kept to a minimum and is used only as a last resort.
“We have a lot of deer, but my brother likes to hunt them, so we let them stay.”
Vang identified a green vine growing across a fence as a type of running spinach.
“The leaves of this vine will heal cuts. We can’t apply it directly to a cut because it will heal the skin faster than the wound underneath, so we ingest the leaves so that it will heal from the inside out.
“I tell these remedies with respect for my brother as a doctor,” said Vang.
“I was not keen on traditional medicine until I visited Thailand for fifteen months in 2004. I have learned that much of the Western medicines don’t work,” he added.
The family practices the traditional methods of farming that they brought with them; however, Touger has started incorporating new technologies into the mix.
Dr. Manuel Reyes, Associate Professor, Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Design at N.C. A&T University, is conducting research on the Vang farm use of high tunnels.
Vang has installed two of the greenhouse-like structures on his farm, which will help extend his growing season through the winter, essentially allowing him to grow vegetables year-round.
The high tunnels have sensors installed that send messages via radio frequency to a computer that processes the information for the A&T researchers.
One of the research projects has tomatoes planted through holes in a plastic sheet. Data is collected data on the shade-growing process called “agro-forestry.” Shannon Creason, a graduate student, works the high tunnels, collecting the tomatoes and recording data.
“It’s hot work, but we are gathering a lot of information,” she said.
Vang said that he is learning from the process, that he wouldn’t have thought of the plastic ground cover or trellises for the tomatoes.
Preparing the food that is harvested from the property is another interesting part of the Hmong culture.
“We had never experienced stewing vegetables,” Vang said, referring to the Southern practice of stewing collards, cabbage or turnip greens. “We always stew meat with our vegetables. We use as much of the animal as we can. We do not like to see good food go to waste.”
The Vang family does not go to the supermarket from March until late October because they produce everything that they eat on the farm.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Star will sell medical building ♥
Published in the Courier-Tribune on July 16, 2011
by Hugh Martin
STAR — In a brief meeting Monday, the Star Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to sell the vacant Star Medical Clinic building, which has been empty since David Buckland, P.A. moved his practice to Asheboro last year.
The board approved advertising the property, located at 128 Okeewemee Road, for sale by sealed bid. An independent appraiser has valued the property at $251,000. It has a tax value of $261,000.
Anyone who is interested in the property can contact Star Town Hall at (910) 428-4623.
Mayor Susan Eggleston said the board would meet Aug. 22 to open bids.
In other business, commissioners James Parker, Richard Hinson, George Kivett, Jennifer Fountain and Alice Clemens:
• Awarded an engineering contract to Hobbs, Upchurch & Associates to plan the wastewater extension to the Carolina Growler property north of town. The town received a $500,000 grant for the extension.
• Heard that officials from the Rural Advancement Foundation International — USA (RAFI) will visit the “Pink House” Heritage Center on July 26. RAFI awarded the town a $30,000 grant to refurbish the property for use by the Star Heritage Committee.
• Were advised by Eggleston that the Farmers Market was operating every Tuesday from 2:30 p.m.-6 p.m. at the Heritage Center site. She encouraged people to come out and support the market every week and said that such support would attract more vendors.
• Learned that the town’s STEP (Small Towns Economic Prosperity Program) committee will meet 6 p.m. July 18 at the Star Town Hall and plans to make presentations in August on the projects that are being developed.
by Hugh Martin
STAR — In a brief meeting Monday, the Star Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to sell the vacant Star Medical Clinic building, which has been empty since David Buckland, P.A. moved his practice to Asheboro last year.
The board approved advertising the property, located at 128 Okeewemee Road, for sale by sealed bid. An independent appraiser has valued the property at $251,000. It has a tax value of $261,000.
Anyone who is interested in the property can contact Star Town Hall at (910) 428-4623.
Mayor Susan Eggleston said the board would meet Aug. 22 to open bids.
In other business, commissioners James Parker, Richard Hinson, George Kivett, Jennifer Fountain and Alice Clemens:
• Awarded an engineering contract to Hobbs, Upchurch & Associates to plan the wastewater extension to the Carolina Growler property north of town. The town received a $500,000 grant for the extension.
• Heard that officials from the Rural Advancement Foundation International — USA (RAFI) will visit the “Pink House” Heritage Center on July 26. RAFI awarded the town a $30,000 grant to refurbish the property for use by the Star Heritage Committee.
• Were advised by Eggleston that the Farmers Market was operating every Tuesday from 2:30 p.m.-6 p.m. at the Heritage Center site. She encouraged people to come out and support the market every week and said that such support would attract more vendors.
• Learned that the town’s STEP (Small Towns Economic Prosperity Program) committee will meet 6 p.m. July 18 at the Star Town Hall and plans to make presentations in August on the projects that are being developed.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Star STEP generates big ideas for revitalization ♥
As Published in the Courier-Tribune on June 24, 2011
by Hugh Martin*
STAR — The Star STEP (Small Town Economic Prosperity) Community leadership team has formed four sub-committees, each to work on a different strategy to reach the goals that the team wants to establish. Star’s coach, Art Jackson from the N.C. Rural Center, has led the group through the process of developing the mission and move into the planning stage.
At the June 20 STEP meeting, the teams revealed their strategies to develop their mission, which is “to preserve the heritage of our town as well as encourage, support and provide revitalization opportunities to new and existing businesses so the community will prosper.”
The first strategy team is co-chaired by Star Town Commissioner Alice Clemens, Jim Callicutt and Mary Callicutt. Their strategy is to “support and assist existing local commercial businesses, agriculture, industry and new endeavors.”
They had decided on six projects, which include:
• The purchase and installation of brackets and banners along Main Street to promote the town.
• The placement of informational signs at the north and south ends of Main Street to advertise events taking place in the town throughout the year.
• An annual dinner to recognize businesses and recognize their anniversary dates.
• Offer a $1,000 matching grant to businesses for improving the exteriors of their premises, such as structural improvements or landscaping.
• Identify 100 low-income families in town and provide them with $20 certificates to be used for fresh local foods at the Star Farmers Market.
• Development of a digital marketplace for selling products produced in Star over the Internet.
The second team is co-chaired by Star businesspersons Eddie Bernard and Donna Strong. Their strategy is to “develop quality of life facilities and amenities that will attract regional workers and retirees to Star.”
They chose three projects:
• Develop a “Concert in the Park” series by the summer of 2012.
• Hold an annual county fair in Star.
• Improve the buildings along Main Street.
The third team is chaired by Marla Coulthard, associate director of Central Park NC. Their strategy is to “strengthen tourism and market Star as an entrepreneurial community and innovation hub.” Team member Judy Stevens reported that this committee had chosen 16 projects:
• Ensure that the Star History Museum is open at least four days a week.
• Refurbish the Leach Cabin, which is where the town was officially formed.
• Promote the Shamburger House, which sits on an eight-acre tract and is currently for sale. Stevens mentioned that the property was being marketed for $150,000 and could possibly be developed as a retreat center or a bed & breakfast.
• Place bicycle racks in town for the convenience of cyclists who frequent the area.
• Develop a brochure to promote “21 Things to do in Star.”
• Produce T-shirts promoting Star as the geographic center of North Carolina.
• Issue press releases on a regular basis to promote the events happening in Star.
• Development of the actual geographic center of N.C., which is marked by a granite monument. The development could include a wishing well, a wedding destination, a picnic area and more bicycle racks.
• Develop a Little River Park for kayaking and gold panning.
• Apply for National Historic District designation and refurbish the old Star Jail.
• Capitalize on the town’s name, “Star,” by becoming affiliated with the “Dark Park” astronomy region of Montgomery and Moore counties.
• Add a Christmas Festival for the entire day that the annual Star Christmas Parade is held.
• Improve the Main Street area by burying utilities and installing lampposts along the street.
• Promote the glass blowing industry in Star.
• Continue the development of the “Pink House” as the Star Heritage Center.
• Turn a downtown building into a music performance center.
The fourth team is co-chaired by Mayor Susan Eggleston, Town Management Advisor John Gowan and Gay Roatch. Their strategy is to “develop a coordinated branding, promotions and communications program.”
Roatch and web developer Mike Watson, presented a new website that is under development for the town. Watson explained the different parts of the site that would allow multiple administrators the ability to update the site on a regular basis.
The STEP team will next meet July 18 at 6 p.m. and is open to the public.
*Note: byline was published as Mary Anderson, which is incorrect
by Hugh Martin*
STAR — The Star STEP (Small Town Economic Prosperity) Community leadership team has formed four sub-committees, each to work on a different strategy to reach the goals that the team wants to establish. Star’s coach, Art Jackson from the N.C. Rural Center, has led the group through the process of developing the mission and move into the planning stage.
At the June 20 STEP meeting, the teams revealed their strategies to develop their mission, which is “to preserve the heritage of our town as well as encourage, support and provide revitalization opportunities to new and existing businesses so the community will prosper.”
The first strategy team is co-chaired by Star Town Commissioner Alice Clemens, Jim Callicutt and Mary Callicutt. Their strategy is to “support and assist existing local commercial businesses, agriculture, industry and new endeavors.”
They had decided on six projects, which include:
• The purchase and installation of brackets and banners along Main Street to promote the town.
• The placement of informational signs at the north and south ends of Main Street to advertise events taking place in the town throughout the year.
• An annual dinner to recognize businesses and recognize their anniversary dates.
• Offer a $1,000 matching grant to businesses for improving the exteriors of their premises, such as structural improvements or landscaping.
• Identify 100 low-income families in town and provide them with $20 certificates to be used for fresh local foods at the Star Farmers Market.
• Development of a digital marketplace for selling products produced in Star over the Internet.
The second team is co-chaired by Star businesspersons Eddie Bernard and Donna Strong. Their strategy is to “develop quality of life facilities and amenities that will attract regional workers and retirees to Star.”
They chose three projects:
• Develop a “Concert in the Park” series by the summer of 2012.
• Hold an annual county fair in Star.
• Improve the buildings along Main Street.
The third team is chaired by Marla Coulthard, associate director of Central Park NC. Their strategy is to “strengthen tourism and market Star as an entrepreneurial community and innovation hub.” Team member Judy Stevens reported that this committee had chosen 16 projects:
• Ensure that the Star History Museum is open at least four days a week.
• Refurbish the Leach Cabin, which is where the town was officially formed.
• Promote the Shamburger House, which sits on an eight-acre tract and is currently for sale. Stevens mentioned that the property was being marketed for $150,000 and could possibly be developed as a retreat center or a bed & breakfast.
• Place bicycle racks in town for the convenience of cyclists who frequent the area.
• Develop a brochure to promote “21 Things to do in Star.”
• Produce T-shirts promoting Star as the geographic center of North Carolina.
• Issue press releases on a regular basis to promote the events happening in Star.
• Development of the actual geographic center of N.C., which is marked by a granite monument. The development could include a wishing well, a wedding destination, a picnic area and more bicycle racks.
• Develop a Little River Park for kayaking and gold panning.
• Apply for National Historic District designation and refurbish the old Star Jail.
• Capitalize on the town’s name, “Star,” by becoming affiliated with the “Dark Park” astronomy region of Montgomery and Moore counties.
• Add a Christmas Festival for the entire day that the annual Star Christmas Parade is held.
• Improve the Main Street area by burying utilities and installing lampposts along the street.
• Promote the glass blowing industry in Star.
• Continue the development of the “Pink House” as the Star Heritage Center.
• Turn a downtown building into a music performance center.
The fourth team is co-chaired by Mayor Susan Eggleston, Town Management Advisor John Gowan and Gay Roatch. Their strategy is to “develop a coordinated branding, promotions and communications program.”
Roatch and web developer Mike Watson, presented a new website that is under development for the town. Watson explained the different parts of the site that would allow multiple administrators the ability to update the site on a regular basis.
The STEP team will next meet July 18 at 6 p.m. and is open to the public.
*Note: byline was published as Mary Anderson, which is incorrect
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Star adopts budget; approves STARworks grant application ♥
Published in the Courier-Tribune on June 18,2011
by Hugh Martin
STAR - Star town commissioners adopted a budget of $708,051 for the 2011-2012 fiscal year during their regular monthly meeting Monday night.
The approved budget is an increase of $62,134 over the budget for 2010-2011 and includes a 2 percent raise for town employees, $5,800 for the town library and $1,000 for the Meals on Wheels program.
No one was present to speak at the public hearing on the budget.
A second public hearing was held in reference to a $600,000 Community Block Grant application for STARworks. Nancy Ruppert of Biscoe spoke during the hearing in favor of the application.
Nancy Gottovi, executive director of Central Park NC, explained that if the grant is received it would mainly be used for renovations and repairs on the aging former hosiery mill building.
Gottovi said the roof needs repair because of extensive leaking. Other needs include updates of essential equipment and technical assistance for small business, HVAC improvements and security issues because of the facility’s open design.
“If one person has a key then they have access to all of the businesses,” she told board members. “We have been doing some re-keying in an effort to provide better security.”
Gottovi said that the addition of a graphics design business in the near future would bring the number of enterprises at STARworks to 10.
“We recently received a North Carolina Green Business award that will allow us to replace the antiquated lighting in the building,” Gottovi added. “We will be able to install modern, energy-efficient lighting.”
Marla Coulthard, associate director of Central Park NC, said that STARworks had helped nominate the Town of Star for the Governor’s Innovative Small Business Community Award.
“Governor Perdue may be coming here to present the award if we win,” Coulthard said.
Wet Dog Glass, a glass furnace manufacturing facility at STARworks, has been nominated for selection as one of 20 “up and coming” small businesses in North Carolina.
In other business, commissioners James Parker, George Kivett and Jennifer Fountain:
• Heard from Mayor Susan Eggleston that the vacant Star Medical Clinic building had been appraised at $251,000. Eggleston suggested that the town consider placing the building on the market later. Commissioners agreed.
• Approved a contract for the town audit with Maxton McDowell CPA in the amount of $6,500. Commissioners voted to add a stipulation that a year-end update be included in the contract.
• Named a committee to review two engineering proposals for the Carolina Growler sewer line extension. The committee will bring their suggestions to the mayor, who will have the authority to negotiate the proposals on behalf of the town.
by Hugh Martin
STAR - Star town commissioners adopted a budget of $708,051 for the 2011-2012 fiscal year during their regular monthly meeting Monday night.
The approved budget is an increase of $62,134 over the budget for 2010-2011 and includes a 2 percent raise for town employees, $5,800 for the town library and $1,000 for the Meals on Wheels program.
No one was present to speak at the public hearing on the budget.
A second public hearing was held in reference to a $600,000 Community Block Grant application for STARworks. Nancy Ruppert of Biscoe spoke during the hearing in favor of the application.
Nancy Gottovi, executive director of Central Park NC, explained that if the grant is received it would mainly be used for renovations and repairs on the aging former hosiery mill building.
Gottovi said the roof needs repair because of extensive leaking. Other needs include updates of essential equipment and technical assistance for small business, HVAC improvements and security issues because of the facility’s open design.
“If one person has a key then they have access to all of the businesses,” she told board members. “We have been doing some re-keying in an effort to provide better security.”
Gottovi said that the addition of a graphics design business in the near future would bring the number of enterprises at STARworks to 10.
“We recently received a North Carolina Green Business award that will allow us to replace the antiquated lighting in the building,” Gottovi added. “We will be able to install modern, energy-efficient lighting.”
Marla Coulthard, associate director of Central Park NC, said that STARworks had helped nominate the Town of Star for the Governor’s Innovative Small Business Community Award.
“Governor Perdue may be coming here to present the award if we win,” Coulthard said.
Wet Dog Glass, a glass furnace manufacturing facility at STARworks, has been nominated for selection as one of 20 “up and coming” small businesses in North Carolina.
In other business, commissioners James Parker, George Kivett and Jennifer Fountain:
• Heard from Mayor Susan Eggleston that the vacant Star Medical Clinic building had been appraised at $251,000. Eggleston suggested that the town consider placing the building on the market later. Commissioners agreed.
• Approved a contract for the town audit with Maxton McDowell CPA in the amount of $6,500. Commissioners voted to add a stipulation that a year-end update be included in the contract.
• Named a committee to review two engineering proposals for the Carolina Growler sewer line extension. The committee will bring their suggestions to the mayor, who will have the authority to negotiate the proposals on behalf of the town.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
MCC hires VP of student services ♥
Published in the Courier-Tribune on June 16, 2011
by Hugh Martin
TROY — Roger D. Reynolds has been hired as vice president of Student Services at Montgomery Community College, replacing Matthew Woodard, who resigned in April.
Reynolds is a native and resident of Biscoe and a graduate of East Montgomery High School and Montgomery Community College.
He has worked 23 years for the N.C. Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, most recently as Campus Manager of Samarkand Youth Development Center in Eagle Springs.
During the June meeting of the Montgomery Community College Board of Trustees, President Dr. Mary Kirk told the board that Reynolds had been chosen by a committee of seven from four applicants for the position.
“All four were very, very good,” Kirk said. “Mr. Reynolds rose to the top quickly. While at MCC he was a student ambassador and he told us that his experience here gave him the confidence to go forward and succeed in his career.”
In his letter of acceptance, Reynolds stated that he accepted the offer with “joy and enthusiasm.”
Kirk added that his business style will be good and that she looks forward to his starting work on July 1.
In other business, the board:
• Heard a presentation from Tom Sargent about the Distance Learning program at the college. Sargent told the board that distance learning at MCC was still expanding while other institutions seemed to be leveling off. “Summer use is higher than ever,” he said.
• Learned that the Montgomery County commissioners would budget $764,834.00 for the college for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.
•Approved an interim budget resolution in the event that the state budget is not in place by July 1.
• Accepted the retirement of Ricky Williamson, Auto Body Program instructor. Williamson has held the position for 27 years. The college has decided to discontinue the program due to low enrollment and limited job opportunities in the field.
•Approved an in-kind transfer of a DentX 810 Basic X-ray processor with a value of $355 to the Dental Assistant program from FirstHealth of the Carolinas.
• Viewed a report of monies collected through debt setoff in the amount of $7,724 so far in 2011. These were debts that had previously written off as uncollectible at the May meeting.
• Approved a new self-supporting class policy.
• Approved a blanket travel authorization for Kirk for in-state travel.
• Approved one-year contract renewals for 71 twelve-month full-time faculty and staff. Contracts were also approved for four ten-month full time faculty and staff, 10 permanent part-time faculty and staff, two one-month faculty and one six-month probationary faculty position.
• Approved the 2011-2013 Catalog which will be available online.
• Heard a report on moving some summer classes to the spring and fall semesters because summer classes do not count toward the full-time-equivalent total, which the basis for community colleges funding. Only those classes that would not cause schedule overloads for students will be considered.
• Was introduced by Student Government Association President Sharon Hurley to the 2011-2012 Student Ambassadors, Linda Ashley, Nikki Honeycutt, John Muehlbach and James Christian.
The MCC Board of Trustees does not meet in July.
by Hugh Martin
TROY — Roger D. Reynolds has been hired as vice president of Student Services at Montgomery Community College, replacing Matthew Woodard, who resigned in April.
Reynolds is a native and resident of Biscoe and a graduate of East Montgomery High School and Montgomery Community College.
He has worked 23 years for the N.C. Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, most recently as Campus Manager of Samarkand Youth Development Center in Eagle Springs.
During the June meeting of the Montgomery Community College Board of Trustees, President Dr. Mary Kirk told the board that Reynolds had been chosen by a committee of seven from four applicants for the position.
“All four were very, very good,” Kirk said. “Mr. Reynolds rose to the top quickly. While at MCC he was a student ambassador and he told us that his experience here gave him the confidence to go forward and succeed in his career.”
In his letter of acceptance, Reynolds stated that he accepted the offer with “joy and enthusiasm.”
Kirk added that his business style will be good and that she looks forward to his starting work on July 1.
In other business, the board:
• Heard a presentation from Tom Sargent about the Distance Learning program at the college. Sargent told the board that distance learning at MCC was still expanding while other institutions seemed to be leveling off. “Summer use is higher than ever,” he said.
• Learned that the Montgomery County commissioners would budget $764,834.00 for the college for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.
•Approved an interim budget resolution in the event that the state budget is not in place by July 1.
• Accepted the retirement of Ricky Williamson, Auto Body Program instructor. Williamson has held the position for 27 years. The college has decided to discontinue the program due to low enrollment and limited job opportunities in the field.
•Approved an in-kind transfer of a DentX 810 Basic X-ray processor with a value of $355 to the Dental Assistant program from FirstHealth of the Carolinas.
• Viewed a report of monies collected through debt setoff in the amount of $7,724 so far in 2011. These were debts that had previously written off as uncollectible at the May meeting.
• Approved a new self-supporting class policy.
• Approved a blanket travel authorization for Kirk for in-state travel.
• Approved one-year contract renewals for 71 twelve-month full-time faculty and staff. Contracts were also approved for four ten-month full time faculty and staff, 10 permanent part-time faculty and staff, two one-month faculty and one six-month probationary faculty position.
• Approved the 2011-2013 Catalog which will be available online.
• Heard a report on moving some summer classes to the spring and fall semesters because summer classes do not count toward the full-time-equivalent total, which the basis for community colleges funding. Only those classes that would not cause schedule overloads for students will be considered.
• Was introduced by Student Government Association President Sharon Hurley to the 2011-2012 Student Ambassadors, Linda Ashley, Nikki Honeycutt, John Muehlbach and James Christian.
The MCC Board of Trustees does not meet in July.
Monday, June 13, 2011
MCC to opt out of Ford student loan program ♥
Published in the Courier-Tribune on June 14, 2011
actual version sent by the author follows the published version
by Hugh Martin
TROY — Montgomery Community College will not be offering student access to the William D. Ford Federal Direct Student Loan Program now that the N.C. General Assembly has made that option possible.
That decision was made at a June 8 MCC Board of Trustees meeting.
MCC President Dr. Mary Kirk said the concern was that a college could potentially lose future federal financial support if a significant number of students default on the loans. In addition, students could accumulate a tremendous amount of debt for a two-year degree. Ford loans can be used for living expenses as well as tuition.
House Bill 7, that allowed North Carolina community colleges to opt out of the program, was passed in March but vetoed by Gov. Bev Perdue. On Wednesday, the N.C. House passed four local bills that essentially overrides that veto for certain community colleges. Local bills cannot be vetoed by the governor.
Randolph Community College was also included in HB541, along with Alamance Community College, Central Piedmont Community College, Gaston College, Mitchell Community College, Richmond Community College, Robeson Community College, Stanly Community College and Wilkes Community College.
The loans, designed to aid low-income students with college expenses, are administered by the financial aid departments of the community colleges, but the colleges have no control over who receives the loans.
“I believe that this is the best option for this college,” Kirk said of MCC. “Our students can graduate without a pile of debt on their backs.”
Beth Smith, vice president of Student Services, agreed.
“A ridiculous amount of debt would be owed for a two-year degree,” she said. “Loans of $22,000 can be used to cover both education and living expenses.”
“If we did not have funds available through the (MCC) Foundation, then I might look at this differently,” Kirk said.
The Montgomery Community College Foundation is a nonprofit organization that offers funding for students, as well as providing resources for educational programs at the school.
Trustee Sam Martin added that many students who apply for the loans are not aware that defaulted loans cannot be displaced by declaring bankruptcy.
“They will follow you to your casket to take the money out of your pocket,” he said.
“Colleges have local autonomy,” Kirk added. “We have the authority to make the decisions that are best for our students.”
The bill states that “the board of trustees of a college may adopt a resolution declining to participate in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. The board of trustees of any college that has declined to participate in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program through the adoption of a resolution may rescind the resolution and participate in the Program but shall not have the authority to again decline participation in the Program.”
The act will go into effect July 1.
* * * * *
MCC to opt-out of student loan program
By Hugh Martin
TROY – Montgomery Community College may not be offering student access to the William D. Ford Federal Direct Student Loan Program now that the NC General Assembly has made that option possible.
House Bill 7, that allowed North Carolina community colleges to opt-out of the program, was passed in March but vetoed by Governor Perdue.
Last Wednesday, the house passed four local bills that essentially overrides that veto for certain community colleges. Local bills cannot be vetoed by the governor. House Bill 541
The bill states that “the board of trustees of a college may adopt a resolution declining to participate in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. The board of trustees of any college that has declined to participate in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program through the adoption of a resolution may rescind the resolution and participate in the Program but shall not have the authority to again decline participation in the Program."
The loans, designed to aid low-income students with college expenses, are administered by the financial aid departments of the community colleges, but they have no control over who receives the loans.
The concern is, if a college has a significant number of students to default on their loan, then that college could potentially lose future federal financial support.
“I believe that this is the best option for this college,” said MCC President Dr. Mary Kirk. “Our students can graduate without a pile of debt on their backs.”
Beth Smith, Vice President of Student Services agrees. “A ridiculous amount of debt would be owed for a two-year degree,” she said. Loans of $22,000.00 can be used to cover both education and living expenses.
The Montgomery Community College Foundation is a non-profit organization that offers funding for students, as well as providing resources for educational programs at the school.
“If we did not have funds available through the (MCC) Foundation, then I might look at this differently,” Dr. Kirk said.
Board of Trustees member Sam Martin added that many students who apply for the loans are not aware that defaulted loans cannot be displaced by declaring bankruptcy. “They will follow you to your casket to take the money out of your pocket,” he said.
Dr. Kirk added, “Colleges have local autonomy. We have the authority to make the decisions that are best for our students.”
Other NC Community Colleges included in HB541 are: Alamance Community College, Central Piedmont Community College, Gaston College, Mitchell Community College, Randolph Community College, Richmond Community College, Robeson Community College, Stanly Community College, and Wilkes Community College.
The act will go into effect July 1.
# # #
actual version sent by the author follows the published version
by Hugh Martin
TROY — Montgomery Community College will not be offering student access to the William D. Ford Federal Direct Student Loan Program now that the N.C. General Assembly has made that option possible.
That decision was made at a June 8 MCC Board of Trustees meeting.
MCC President Dr. Mary Kirk said the concern was that a college could potentially lose future federal financial support if a significant number of students default on the loans. In addition, students could accumulate a tremendous amount of debt for a two-year degree. Ford loans can be used for living expenses as well as tuition.
House Bill 7, that allowed North Carolina community colleges to opt out of the program, was passed in March but vetoed by Gov. Bev Perdue. On Wednesday, the N.C. House passed four local bills that essentially overrides that veto for certain community colleges. Local bills cannot be vetoed by the governor.
Randolph Community College was also included in HB541, along with Alamance Community College, Central Piedmont Community College, Gaston College, Mitchell Community College, Richmond Community College, Robeson Community College, Stanly Community College and Wilkes Community College.
The loans, designed to aid low-income students with college expenses, are administered by the financial aid departments of the community colleges, but the colleges have no control over who receives the loans.
“I believe that this is the best option for this college,” Kirk said of MCC. “Our students can graduate without a pile of debt on their backs.”
Beth Smith, vice president of Student Services, agreed.
“A ridiculous amount of debt would be owed for a two-year degree,” she said. “Loans of $22,000 can be used to cover both education and living expenses.”
“If we did not have funds available through the (MCC) Foundation, then I might look at this differently,” Kirk said.
The Montgomery Community College Foundation is a nonprofit organization that offers funding for students, as well as providing resources for educational programs at the school.
Trustee Sam Martin added that many students who apply for the loans are not aware that defaulted loans cannot be displaced by declaring bankruptcy.
“They will follow you to your casket to take the money out of your pocket,” he said.
“Colleges have local autonomy,” Kirk added. “We have the authority to make the decisions that are best for our students.”
The bill states that “the board of trustees of a college may adopt a resolution declining to participate in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. The board of trustees of any college that has declined to participate in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program through the adoption of a resolution may rescind the resolution and participate in the Program but shall not have the authority to again decline participation in the Program.”
The act will go into effect July 1.
* * * * *
MCC to opt-out of student loan program
By Hugh Martin
TROY – Montgomery Community College may not be offering student access to the William D. Ford Federal Direct Student Loan Program now that the NC General Assembly has made that option possible.
House Bill 7, that allowed North Carolina community colleges to opt-out of the program, was passed in March but vetoed by Governor Perdue.
Last Wednesday, the house passed four local bills that essentially overrides that veto for certain community colleges. Local bills cannot be vetoed by the governor. House Bill 541
The bill states that “the board of trustees of a college may adopt a resolution declining to participate in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. The board of trustees of any college that has declined to participate in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program through the adoption of a resolution may rescind the resolution and participate in the Program but shall not have the authority to again decline participation in the Program."
The loans, designed to aid low-income students with college expenses, are administered by the financial aid departments of the community colleges, but they have no control over who receives the loans.
The concern is, if a college has a significant number of students to default on their loan, then that college could potentially lose future federal financial support.
“I believe that this is the best option for this college,” said MCC President Dr. Mary Kirk. “Our students can graduate without a pile of debt on their backs.”
Beth Smith, Vice President of Student Services agrees. “A ridiculous amount of debt would be owed for a two-year degree,” she said. Loans of $22,000.00 can be used to cover both education and living expenses.
The Montgomery Community College Foundation is a non-profit organization that offers funding for students, as well as providing resources for educational programs at the school.
“If we did not have funds available through the (MCC) Foundation, then I might look at this differently,” Dr. Kirk said.
Board of Trustees member Sam Martin added that many students who apply for the loans are not aware that defaulted loans cannot be displaced by declaring bankruptcy. “They will follow you to your casket to take the money out of your pocket,” he said.
Dr. Kirk added, “Colleges have local autonomy. We have the authority to make the decisions that are best for our students.”
Other NC Community Colleges included in HB541 are: Alamance Community College, Central Piedmont Community College, Gaston College, Mitchell Community College, Randolph Community College, Richmond Community College, Robeson Community College, Stanly Community College, and Wilkes Community College.
The act will go into effect July 1.
# # #
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