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Who's having fun? Everyone at the Anson County Arts Council's Fourth of July Bash. For more photos, click www.cityofwadesboro.org |
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Those present for the offical presentation of a $75,000 check from USDA Rural Development to New Ventures Business Development's Artisan and Business Center were, front row, from left, Jane Patterson, e-NC Authority; Don Altieri, NVBD executive director; U.S. Sen. Robin Hayes; Dr. John McKay, SPCC president; Margaret Klutz, Sen. Elizabeth Doles' office; and John Cooper, USDA state director. In the back row, from left, are Allan Baucom, NVBD board member; Ryan Combs, U.S. Sen. Richard Burr's office; Randy Gore, USDA area director; and Bruce Simmons, NVBD board member.
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New Ventures receives check from USDA Rural Development
Local, state and federal officials met at the Lockhart-Taylor Center in Wadesboro on July 2 to present a $75,000 check that will aid entrepreneurs in Anson County.
The New Ventures Business Development’s Artisan and Business Center, located in South Piedmont Community College’s Lockhart-Taylor Center, will use the money to update an existing kitchen off the Ingram Room to commercial grade. Caterers will be able to use the facility to develop their business and local farmers to commercialize their products. The kitchen also will provide a needed service to the community.
On hand for the presentation were U.S. Rep. Robin Hayes; John Cooper, state director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture; Jane Patterson, executive director of e-NC Authority; Randy Gore, area USDA director; Margaret Klutz, state director for U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole; Ryan Combs representing U.S. Sen. Richard Burr; Dr. John McKay, president of SPCC and chair of NVBD; and Dr. Donald Altieri, executive director of NVBD.
Dr. McKay welcomed the standing-room-only crowd consisting of NVBD board members, Anson County Chamber of Commerce board members, Anson Economic Development Corp. directors, local officials and other guests. He thanked Mary Beck of Hobbs, Upchurch and John Witherspoon, Town of Wadesboro, for their assistance in getting the original $400,000 grant to create the business and artisan incubator.
Congratulatory remarks included the following:
- Jane Patterson: “I am delighted to be a part of this center … You worked hard to apply for this.” Patterson said that the business and artisan center could be a destination center. “Let’s hope you grow lots of entrepreneurs and lots of jobs. This will be a technology lighthouse for this area of the state.”
- Dr. McKay (in response): “For a small town to prosper, it needs entrepreneurs. I am delighted that this is a part of South Piedmont.”
- Dr. Altieri: “New Ventures is one of seven business and technology centers in the state supported by e-NC.” Altieri said one of the most important things those present can do is to talk to their legislators to work for additional funding for technology in the state of North Carolina. The second most important thing, he said, is to help local leadership to recruit and retain business, citing collaboration and cooperation between entities. “There was a community demand for a certified commercial kitchen open to entrepreneurs," he said. “This will be open to caterers and farmers, and also for training. The additional income generated will remain in the community.” Altieri added, “We are thinking regionally while promoting local entrepreneurship.”
- Randy Gore (responding to a comment that there is no USDA office in Anson County): “Anson County is indeed in need of a number of things. New Ventures is a source for making things happen. I am privileged to be a part of it.”
- Margaret Klutz: “Sen. Dole sends her greetings and congratulations to all those making things happen in North Carolina. This is a creative way of putting together resources.”
- Ryan Combs: “The USDA understands bringing your tax money home for projects such as this.”
- John Cooper: “The USDA works closely with congressional delegations to allocate funds. Small business creates seven of 10 jobs, and 50 percent of the output of the economy is done by small businesses. State, federal, local government and local communities -- everybody working together -- is what makes it possible. Funding is not easy. It takes working hand in hand to make it possible. The people you need to thank are those who come to us and tell us of their needs.”
- Rep. Hayes: “When I think of transformation, it’s you on this building. It’s remarkable. What you are doing in New Ventures creates an atmosphere that allows this kind of thing to happen.”
Following remarks, Hayes and Cooper signed the “check” and presented it to Altieri. While the amount will not completely fund the renovation, it will provide some needed equipment and seed money for further funding sources, Altieri said in an earlier interview.
From left, Dr. Don Altieri, executive director of New Ventures Business Development, watches as U.S. Sen. Robin Hayes signs a check from the USDA Rural Development to be used toward a culinary incubator at NVBD's artisan and business center. John Cooper, USDA state director, waits his turn to sign as Dr. John McKay, SPCC president, witnesses. |
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Authors, whose poem or short story was published in Anson Pathways, Volume VI, were available to autograph copies of the 88-page, bound book at a reception hosted by the Anson County Writers’ Club on June 26. |
Writers' Club publishes book of winning prose, poetry
(July 6, 2007) -- On June 26, the Anson County Writers’ Club hosted a reception to introduce the publication of Anson Pathways, Volume VI, a collection of prize-winning poetry and prose from the 2004, 2005 and 2006 contests. Approximately 60 people attended the reception at the Anson County Chamber of Commerce.
Published authors were on hand to autograph individual volumes. The 88-page, bound book includes a history of the writers’ club and a year-by-year
list of first-place prose and poetry winners since the inaugural contest in 1989.
Copies of Anson Pathways, Volume VI, are available for $5 each at the Hampton B. Allen Library, Anson County Chamber of Commerce, Lacy’s and Fancy Crafts. Copies may be purchased via mail by sending a check or money order for $6.48 (one copy), $7.49 (two copies) or $9.60 (three copies) to Anson County Writers’ Club, ATTN: Anson Pathways Editor, P.O. Box 363, Wadesboro, N.C., 28170-0363.
At their June 24 meeting, the club members elected new officers for 2007-09.
Elbert Marshall will serve as president; Randy Tarlton as vice president; and Ruth Hickman as secretary-treasurer. Club members also named Elbert and Carla Marshall to co-chair the 2007 Anson County Prose and Poetry Contest, which will begin in September.
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Left, a young author autographs a book.
Right, Betsy Haskell, ACWC past president, looks through a copy of the newly-published anthology. |
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The writers’ club meets the fourth Sunday of each month (except July and December) at 3:00 p.m. at the Anson County Chamber of Commerce. Programs include guest writers and “Open Mike Sundays” for writers to read their poems or selected works.
The Anson County Writers’ Club was formed in 1989 to foster the art of writing in Anson County. The first volume of Anson Pathways was published in 1992, followed by volumes in 1995, 1998, 2001 and 2004.
The writers’ club also wrote and produced the outdoor drama, “Sneydsborough: A Ripple in the River,” which ran from 1992-2000; and two dinner theater spinoffs, “A Christmas at Knox Inn” and “A Wedding at Knox Inn.”
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Members of the Anson County Writers’ Club presented two copies of Anson Pathways, Volume VI, to the Hampton B. Allen Library on July 16. Pictured, from left to right, are Betsy Haskell, immediate past president; Phoebe Medlin, Hampton B. Allen manager; Ruth Hickman, secretary-treasurer; Randy Tarlton, vice president; Carla Marshall, contest co-chair; Elbert Marshall, president; and Sandy Bruney, newsletter editor. The recently published, 88-page volume contains prize-winning poetry and prose from the writers' club’s 2004, 2005 and 2006 contests; an updated history of the 18-year-old club; and a list of first-place winners from the 1989-2003 contests. |
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Sharon Freeman, RN, assistant manager of nursing services, Maureen Lear, RN, BSN, manager of emergency services, Christie Grooms, RN, manager of surgical services, Paula Stegall, RN, BHA, director of nursing services and Kay Eckersley, RN, clinical education coordinator are shown above with Dr. Joe Inguanzo, president and CEO of Professional Research Consultants, accepting the Gold Award for Registration Process in Outpatient services. |
Anson Community Hospital honored as a
National Excellence in Healthcare Hospital
(July 12, 2007) -- Anson Community Hospital was named as a 2007 PRC Achievement Award and 4-Star Customer Service Hospital in Inpatient, Outpatient and Emergency Services for patient perception at an awards dinner held at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa. Hospital leaders from across the United States gathered here to participate in the 2007 PRC Client Education Conference hosted by Professional Research Consultants, Inc. PRC is a nationally known healthcare marketing research company headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska.
The Hospital received five achievement awards. These awards recognize healthcare organizations that have enhanced their patients’ perception of care by focusing on specific aspects of care. In Outpatient Services, the hospital was awarded Platinum for Patient Safety Program, Platinum for Patient Privacy, and Gold for Registration Process. The Emergency Department was awarded Silver for Nurses’ Instruction/Explanations of Treatment and Tests, and Inpatient Services was awarded Silver for Teamwork between Doctors, Nurses, and Other Staff.
Anson Community Hospital was also recognized as a 4-Star Award winner for Overall Quality of Care in the Outpatient Surgery Department. This designation is given annually to any healthcare facility that scores in the top 25% of PRC’s national client database for the prior calendar year.
Patient perception research is conducted to obtain the opinions of the patients at Anson Community Hospital via telephone for a confidential interview to assess their perceptions of hospital operations and patient care. The research findings are then presented to the hospital to use in continuous improvement and enhancement of patient satisfaction. "We are thrilled to present Anson Community Hospital with these National Excellence in Healthcare Awards," said Joe M. Inguanzo, Ph.D., President and CEO of Professional Research Consultants. "It was through their hard work, dedication and determination that they have made their facility a better place for the entire community. In the past 30 years we've never seen hospitals more determined to exceed customers' expectations than the hospitals we recognized this year. It speaks to their passion that Anson Community Hospital is among the best of the best."
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Richard Allen is building a general store on this site in Peachland that will serve the area as well as tourist traffic on U.S. Hwy. 74. |
Peachland to get general store
(July 14, 2007) – With the soon-to-be constructed Allen’s General Store, Richard Allen will realize a boyhood dream.
“I always have wanted to have a hardware store ever since I was a little boy,” Allen said. He and his wife, Laura, will be the owners/operators of the store.
Ground has been broken abutting U.S. 74-East in Peachland for the general store, which will include a convenience store, a deli/grill, a seasonal room, restroom facilities, a produce section and, of course, a hardware area.
For U.S. 74 westbound traffic, drivers will have to go about 100 yards past the store and make a U-turn into the eastbound lanes.
Allen said the deli/grill will offer carryout-only hamburgers, hotdogs, chicken sandwiches and french fries, and breakfast sandwiches such as egg, sausage and egg, and ham and egg. He said Allen’s General store likely will add other fast food items later on.
The produce section will have fresh, North Carolina-grown produce with “a big emphasis on Anson County-grown produce,” Allen said, adding “we will be looking to hook up with local growers to provide us with fresh produce.
“We want to project Anson County by offering local products, such as honey, melons, gourds and other garden items,” Allen said.
The seasonal room will provide plants and seeds for springtime planting. “We will have a covered shelter where we will keep mums, pumpkins and decorations for the upcoming fall season,” Allen said.
Next to the covered shelter, the general store will stock mulch and pine and wheat straw.
The hardware section will have the usual fare – to include nails and bolts, dog food, fishing needs and light hunting supplies. “The hardware section will be stocked on an as-need basis so that our customers will not have to drive to Wadesboro or Monroe for supplies,” Allen said.
Allen, who heads Allen’s Professional Investigations and API Security, said the general store will serve the people of Peachland, the surrounding communities and the highway’s tourist traffic.
The 2,400-square-foot general store will not offer gasoline or alcohol sales. The decision not to sell alcoholic beverages was an easy one – no alcohol is allowed to be sold within the Peachland town limits; but the decision not to sell gasoline had to be weighed against the up-and-down costs. “Gasoline prices fluctuate so much that we decided against selling gas because of the profit margin,” Allen said, leaving the door open to reconsider the decision in the future.
American Builders is the general contractor for the project and Anson Bank & Trust is the financial lender. “I certainly appreciate their support,” Allen said.
Allen’s General Store is scheduled to open in mid-October. Once open, the store’s hours will be from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and from noon until 9 p.m. on Sunday.
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Anson' unemployment takes a June jump
(July 27, 2007) –- Anson County’s unemployment rate climbed to 7.4% in June – up .3% from May’s figure and up a half-point from April.
Anson’s jobless rate was 7.1% in May; 6.9% in April; 7.0% in March; 7.3% in February; and 6.9% in January.
In June, Anson County’s labor force numbered 11,399 (up 75 from May); the number of employed people was 10,553 (up 34 from May); and the number of unemployed people was 846 (up 41 from May).
In the five-county region, only Montgomery registered a decline (a half-point) while Richmond recorded the largest jump (by .6%).
The June breakdown for Anson’s neighboring counties:
- Montgomery – 12,069 labor force; 779 unemployed; a rate of 6.5% (down .5% from May).
- Richmond – 20,336 labor force; 1,685 unemployed; 8.3% rate (up .6% from May).
- Stanly – 30,538 labor force; 1,665 unemployed; 5.5% rate (up .4% from May).
- Union – 88,690 labor force; 3,823 unemployed; 4.3% rate (up .5% from May).
For June, the state’s unemployment rate was 5.1% – up .5% from May. North Carolina’s labor force numbered 4,571,662 in June with 234,940 people jobless.
Statewide, Scotland County had the highest unemployment rate at 11.3% (1,684 unemployed out of a labor force of 14,892) – up .7% from May. Richmond ranked second, followed by Vance (8.1%), Edgecombe (8.0%) and Graham (8.0%) counties.
The civilian labor force estimates for all 100 counties are available on the Employment Security Commission's website at www.ncesc.com. For local information, call the ESC office at 704.694.6551 or visit www.ansonjoblink.com.
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Club offers grant to promote art of writing
(July 28, 2007) -- The Anson County Writers’ Club has established a grant program to foster the art of writing in Anson County.
The club, which sponsors the annual Anson County Writers’ Club Poetry and Prose Contests, will accept grant submissions during any time period but applicants should allow up to 45 days for review by the writers’ club’s grant jury.
“Through the grant program, the writers’ club is offering an opportunity to local clubs and organizations to apply for money to present seminars, classroom programs or special projects that pertain to prose and poetry writing,” said Elbert Marshall, club president.
”The grant program is especially open to the arts council, historical society, the county school system, the community college, and local clubs, organizations, churches and non-profits,” Marshall said, adding that the grant program is only open to Anson County entities.
Each applicant will be eligible to receive up to $1,500. No matching funds are required to be awarded a grant.
Grant submissions must include the following: a cover letter written on the applicant’s official letterhead that states the purpose of the grant; a budget for the overall project that includes a line item for the use of the grant money; and two letters of support.
Applicants are asked to mail the grant submissions to: The Anson County Writers’ Club, ATTN: Grant Jury, P.O. Box 363, Wadesboro, N.C., 28170-0363.
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