A century ago, electricity was a welcome supplement

A view north of the main street of Mount Airy, taken in 1914. You can see early examples of street lights hanging in the middle of the road.

A similar view north of Mount Airy Main Street taken in the 1950s. At this time, street lights have been installed on the light poles on both sides of the road.

The Buck Shoals Power Plant provided most of the electricity that was used to power Mount Airy in the early days.

The electrification of Mount Airi even predates the paving of city streets. This photo shows street pavers in action, with street lights faintly visible above them.

This 1934 advertisement from the Southern Public Utilities Commission thanked cheap electricity for keeping "mothers and grandmothers" young and promoting scientific research.

An advertisement from the Southern Public Utilities Commission in 1933, proclaiming the benefits of investing in electrical appliances.

As the winter chill hits, we huddled in our warm home, turning on the lights to dispel the darkness that came earlier and earlier day by day. It's easy to forget that this is really a luxury, and for most of human history, until about 100 years ago, the arrival of winter brought coldness and darkness, and we could not dispel a switch with a flick.

In the late 19th century, with the famous inventor Thomas Edison (Thomas Edison) invented the incandescent light bulb in 1879, the electrical age began to shine. This invention will continue to illuminate the country and the world and become one of the first countries to use electricity. The everyday home of that era.

The area has quickly adapted to electric lights. Before Salem became part of Winston-Salem, it was the first town in North Carolina and the entire South to install a new type of electric light in its manufacturing plant. Winston opened a power plant to provide both Street and residential lighting in 1887.

Closer to home, a 1893 Mount Airy News article entitled "Lighting Up the Streets" expressed an early call for the electrification of the town's streets. The article lamented that people are "deeply ashamed" that there are no lights on the street, and that "it is a shame to let people grope in the dark." As in most communities, before electric lights were installed on the streets, the area relied on gas or oil lamps, which were usually unreliable and needed to be individually lit manually. Facts have proved that the introduction of electric street lights that can be automated and provide brighter light is very popular.

The Buck Shoal Power Plant on the Ararat River helps power and light the city. The power plant was originally built by a local businessman as a dam and cloth factory. It was built in 1904 by the city of Mount Airy. By 1918, as the demand for electricity far exceeded the capacity of current power plants, plans had been made to build additional power plants.

Although the technical limitations of the power grid mean that the spread of electricity to areas outside the city has been delayed, there is still an incentive to make it available to all residents in cities and rural areas. The Rural Electrification Administration (REA) was established by President Roosevelt in 1935 to provide electricity to rural communities by providing low-interest loans.

When the REA was established in 1935, only 3% of all farms in North Carolina had electricity, but by 1946 this proportion had risen to an estimated 44%, of which one-third was powered by power lines funded by REA loans.

The Surrey County portion of the REA was initiated by the county agent Bob Smithwick (Bob Smithwick), who convened a meeting in the Surrey County Courthouse in Dobson in 1940 to discuss the electrification of rural areas in the county. This group later became Surry-Yadkin Electric Membership Corporation. In the following year, the company built the Mount Airy substation and turned on the lights for approximately 650 homes with a tap of a switch. In the second year, this increased to 764 customers, many of whom were farmers, who used electricity for agricultural equipment, and the group operated 257 miles of power lines.

When we approached Christmas and started decorating our Christmas trees, they looked very different from the past. At that time, the Christmas trees were not lit with electric string lights, but with candles, which looked more romantic but more likely to cause fires. For this, we want to thank those who campaigned and innovated to enter the electrical age.

Katherine “Kat” Jackson works at the Airy Mountain Regional History Museum. She is from Australia and now lives in Winston Salem. You can contact her at the museum at 336-786-4478 or kljackson@northcarolinamuseum.org

Judge died of COVID complications

On November 11, 1620, the Mayflower docked in Plymouth Bay. The people on the boat have gone through a terrible 66-day journey, but they have not yet completed it. The 102 passengers and their crew lived on the ship for more than 130 days. They survived the harsh winter because their food supply was reduced and disease and hunger raged.

The group initially set off with another ship, Speedwell, in July, but both ships are very old and are flooding. After several false starts and a series of overhauls, the Mayflower set off on its own for Hudson Bay on September 16, 250 miles from where they finally dropped anchor.

By the end of that winter, there were only 53 people left. When the weather allowed, they collected supplies on land and began to build huts on the hills overlooking the bay. They finally left the ship in late March 1621.

The Wampanoag tribe observes and discusses how to deal with these newcomers. 100 years ago, the experience of indigenous and Europeans was at best full of betrayal, violation of treaties, and outright betrayal.

The tribal leader Massasoit weighed the risks-helping the struggling bands that had already stolen food from them, or launching an attack to drive them away. He decided that it would be better to establish an alliance with them on his terms. After all, this is a small group.

I don’t think any indigenous tribe can imagine that there will be a large number of Europeans going to North America in the next few years. The Mayflower is followed by hundreds of tall ships, carrying people in search of land and freedom, economic opportunities, and fleeing the horrors of war and famine. swan. Swift. Hercules. bless. The list goes on.

In 1635, the Abigail entered Boston. Among her 220 passengers were the Freeman family in Devon, England. John will eventually marry Massey Burns, granddaughter of Elder William Brewster. Their son moved to Norfolk, Virginia. Later, his son took his family to Jovan County, North Carolina.

Peter Forge and Freeman arrived in Watertown, Massachusetts the same year. His daughter Abia married Josiah Franklin. They became Ben Franklin's parents.

Over time, the son of this line married the daughters of two other Mayflower survivors. The Quaker family joined the sect's migration to the New Garden (now Greensboro) in 1777. Some members became doctors, including Walter C. Folger, born in 1868, who opened a clinic in Dobson.

In 1892, he married Sally Victoria Freeman, the 4th generation great-granddaughter of John and Mercy Freeman. In Surrey County, he married no less than three lines of Mayflower The offspring gather together.

We often think about major events in history from a distant perspective. What happened to people far away has nothing to do with us, but we are closer to history than we know. Those Mayflower families are intertwined through Freemans and Folgers, Reeves and Marions, Pooles, Riddles, Llewellyns, Mosers, Bowles, Bolichs and many others. They cultivated people who built strong communities and kept them safe, patriots, doctors, musicians, teachers, interior designers, farmers, etc. who were free from the dictatorship of distant monarchs.

There are many controversies in society now, trying to put the morality of our ancestors' behavior in a better context. There is no doubt that huge injustices have occurred in the formation of this country I love, but I will leave these discussions to others who are more knowledgeable than me.

What I know is that this month 400 years ago, a small group of people sat down to eat to celebrate their survival. 242 years later, President Lincoln announced the National Thanksgiving Day to celebrate the survival of the Confederation. This month, many of us will sit down and celebrate our family and friends because we have walked out of these recent unpleasant times.

If we made mistakes as a country in the past, maybe we can get together in this festival and decide to do better as individuals in the future.

Kate Rauhauser-Smith is a local freelance writer, researcher and genealogist.

As the leaves of amber, chocolate, and sunlight passed over the windshield of a car driving along Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia, just north of Surrey County, a familiar friend appeared in sight. At Milestone 176 on Park Avenue, the forever majestic Mabry Mill is a constant reminder of the past and the future.

Today's website has changed from a once-bustling community center to the most photographed place on Parkway. At that time, people from surrounding communities or the so-called "country" visited Marbury's homeland, seeking services from mills, blacksmiths, and sawmills. Today, visitors can learn about factory operations, basket weaving and daily life in the mountains.

Although many locals were upset about Parkway passing through the town at the time, there is no doubt that this is the reason why the mill is still standing today.

Edwin Boston Marbury married Mintoria Elizabeth Dehart on March 1, 1891, both of whom were only 24 years old. The couple, affectionately called "Uncle Ed" and "Aunt Liz", began their farming life in Virginia, but soon discovered that Ed's passion was not in agriculture, but in invention. It was here that the couple decided to save money to start and run a sawmill.

After studying blacksmithing in West Virginia for a while, the Marbury family moved back home and began their dream. From 1905 to 1914, five different pieces of land were purchased. The first building constructed was the blacksmith's shop, and by 1910, the hydraulic mill was built and equipped with an extensive sink system.

Ed used local resources when he opened the store. A Mount Airy steel plant supplies cast iron gears for rolling mills; the grinding stones are from Brushy Mountain Quarry. Sawmills and woodworking shops are the last companies to add. Sometime after the 1920s, Mabry's built a two-story white farmhouse. Although Mabry's mainly uses the ground floor, there is still room for guests to visit the house.

Until the 1930s, families from surrounding towns and counties came to Ed and Lizzie to meet their needs. The shop can chop wood, make tools, grind corn for cooking or chop, etc. All these tasks are done by Ed or Lizzie. When Ed's health began to decline, Lizzie began to take on her and Ed's tasks. Soon after the mill closed and fell into disrepair, Ed died at the age of 69. Lizzie stayed at home for a few more years, and eventually moved to live with her sister. At this time, the landscape architect of Blue Ridge Park Avenue regarded the area as the main site along the new road.

"Scenic Area", just like its original name, is the first park of its kind. There are 469 miles between the two states and it will showcase the best and beautiful places in the Appalachian countryside. In order to make way for many sites along the way, buildings were moved, repaired and destroyed, and the mill site was no exception. Although Parkway historians at the time disagreed, Marbury's two-story house was demolished. It was replaced by Matthew's Cottage in Galax, Virginia.

During the tourist season, tourists flock to lively restaurants and commentary places. Whether it's buckwheat pancakes or rangers displaying historical handicrafts, history continues, as is the legacy of Ed and Lizzie Marbury.

Emily Morgan is the Guest Services Manager for the Mount Airy Regional History Museum. She lives in Westfield with her family. You can contact her at eamorgan@northcarolinamuseum.org or call 336-786-4478 x229

The term asylum is often used, but it is rarely understood. Essentially, the term describes an institution that provides shelter and support for people with mental illness. Our society often struggles with how to best care for people who are mentally unstable or labeled as mentally ill.

Over time, mental illness has been attributed to possession, poisoning, witchcraft, fate, and many other tangible and intangible thoughts. Before getting the proper facilities, people who are sick usually receive natural remedies, exorcism, and physical punishment or worse.

The 1800s ushered in a new era of mental health treatment. Shelters were established and were labeled places of hope and compassion to provide help for those who were troubled by invisible diseases. North Carolina and Virginia are no exception, and each state is planning and promoting many different care units.

In the 19th century, North Carolina was in great need of mental health care facilities; fortunately, North Carolina had a health care champion, Dorothea Dix. North Carolina has opened four shelters covering most of the state: Broughton in the west, Cherry in the east, Dorothea Dix in the south, and Umstead in the north. Three of them are still operating and serving the people of North Carolina. There is also a mature facility in southwestern Virginia. The hospital was originally named the Southwest Lunatic Asylum. It is a self-sufficient farm with a diary, stables and orchard.

In the 19th century, people’s perceptions of mental capacity and mental illness were different from today. These spaces hardly provide the safety that medical institutions expect. Under-trained employees are working with overcrowded and thin employees. These conditions lead to wrong treatment and fear making these safety nets the worst nightmare for many people.

It is important to note that shelters accommodate different groups of people from criminals and mental patients to the poor. With the rapid spread of poverty in Surrey and Stokes counties, and Carroll and Grayson counties in Virginia, (and beyond) families and individuals unable to make ends meet often end up in impoverished houses or shelters. Some memories pointed out that a woman from Lowgap was sent to Batna State Hospital sometime in the 1850s due to mental illness. Another woman was taken away from her home in Healesville, Virginia, leaving behind a young daughter. She was later taken to the southwest lunatic asylum.

People living in these places suffer not only mental instability, but also so-called treatments, such as electric shocks, beatings, hydrotherapy, straight jackets, tooth extractions, lobectomy, opium abuse, and so on. In these facilities, inhuman treatment is commonplace. The phrase "not seeing and not disturbing" is very suitable for handling and suggesting these places. These buildings not only accommodate the patients, but also hide them from the public eye, creating ideas that never fade.

Over the years, our understanding of treatment and medical practice has continued to grow to better understand mental illness. People have begun to accept those who are upset; protection from abuse is imperative. The horror of the shelter may never be forgotten, but hopefully a lot has been learned.

Rachel Nealis is a long-term museum volunteer and supporter. She lives in Mount Airi with her family.

Editor's note: Community Commentary is a regular column in The Mount Airy News that contains comments from community leaders in Mount Airy and Surry County.

The success of Mount Airy City Schools (MACS) over the years is largely due to the community to which we belong. We are grateful for our strong support throughout the pandemic, which not only retained our students, but also continued to increase in numbers. Our community has been very supportive of us and they understand that to restore the face-to-face model, we need to follow the guidance of the CDC, NCDHHS and local health authorities 5 days a week. This allowed us to go to school last year and this year. We are fortunate that the impact on COVID is minimal. For example, we don’t need to isolate sports teams or schools this year. Our Test-to-Stay program allows students and staff who are considered close contacts to stay in school as long as they are asymptomatic. The pilot gives priority to letting everyone learn and grow while maintaining health and wellness measures.

Mount Airy is a caring community. We have great volunteers who serve our staff and students throughout the year by serving on the school board. Tim Matthews (Chairperson), Ben Cooke (Vice Chairperson), Wendy Carriker, Kyle Leonard, Jayme Brant, Thomas Horton, and Randy Moore demonstrated their services by making brave decisions to support students without making money. Our community is full of service-oriented people. We have members of the National Guard and former soldiers in Mount Airy. The Surrey Joint Fund is currently carrying out an activity to help organizations such as the Surrey Medical Department, Shepherd’s House, and the Salvation Army. Wherever you go, there will be church groups and civic organizations (such as Rotary Clubs) playing a role. Obviously, the core of Airy Mountain City is caring and caring for others.

We hope to instill in students this love of service throughout their academic careers. We have set up a "Leader in Me" program in elementary schools to enable students to master their personal and academic goals. They cooperate with the school to carry out projects and activities to give back to the community. They can get service hours at school, participate in school projects, and work with their churches, boy scouts, and other organizations. They also have Melody Makers and the Student Lighthouse Club. Encourage each elementary school student to establish service time and experience.

Our middle school has some clubs, such as Interact Club, which is a branch of the local Surry Sunrise Rotary Club. They also have service opportunities in student unions, sports and art projects. Many opportunities in middle school show how they can give back to people who are less fortunate than themselves. The Health Career Student Association of America (HOSA) supports school-wide toy sports and blood sports. There is always a chance to repay it with all the blessings we have received.

Mount Airy High School also strives to ensure that students understand that service is part of their academic life now and that they can continue to give back to the community in the future. Groups such as HOSA, Interact, Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy, National Honor Society, and Blue Bear Cafe are examples of giving back to the community and providing services to the community. We can name multiple groups that participate in helping neighbors and communities every month.

Mount Airy City Schools share the same culture as our Mount Airy community, which is to care about our neighbors. In the 2018-2019 school year, students provided more than 8,510 service hours, which improved our community and school culture. Our focus is on Vincent's Legacy, Kindness Rocks, which is a local organization that helps show kindness to our community is important. You can visit https://www.vincentslegacy.com/ for more information. We are grateful for living in such a wonderful community and for helping the next generation of students realize how fulfilling it is to support those in need. In this school year, we hope to have more service time and opportunities for our students to serve others.

As a city member, you can support education and the local school district in many ways. We hope that you can find a service group to join or encourage those who are engaged in service work and public service. We also know that you can volunteer to help schools, support projects, or mentor children. We hope that you can stand with educators because we are carrying out this arduous work to build, encourage and nurture the next generation. The heart of caring and encouragement and service comes from serving others.

If you want to be part of our tradition of excellence and help succeed in the future, please visit us at https://www.mtairy.k12.nc.us.

When a person sneezes, have you ever said "bless you"? Or did you choose four-leaf clover? Blow out your birthday candles and make a wish? If you do, then you may be one of the 25% of the American population who admits to have superstitions!

Superstition is the belief that things can bring good or bad luck to a person. For example, do you know that someone believes that wearing one of their favorite clothes will cause their favorite football or basketball team to win? You may know a celebrity with this kind of superstition: Michael Jordan. When Jordan led the North Carolina Tarheels to the national championship in 1982, he began to wear his UNC training shorts under the Chicago Bulls uniform, which he believed would bring him good luck and game victory.

Scientists believe that people have superstitions because they want to feel that they have some influence on forces they cannot control, especially supernatural forces that may cause harm to them. This is especially true in the South, because the roots of the region are that agriculture is a way of life. Many superstitious beliefs center on agriculture and try to predict the upcoming weather, which may be very important for people whose entire livelihood depends on good crop production. Take the humble Trichinella, for example. A common belief in Surrey County and surrounding areas is that caterpillars, those hairy black and orange caterpillars, can predict how bad and long the winter will be. It is believed that if you see caterpillars with large black stripes, the winter will be long and harsh. Farmers prefer to see caterpillars with larger orange, red or rust colored bands because they believe these colors indicate milder winters and better planting conditions. Another animal-centered agricultural belief is the basis of Groundhog Day. People think that if a groundhog sees its shadow on February 2, there will be six weeks of severe weather or continuous cold. Get started their planting.

Online polls found that the most common superstition in North Carolina is fear of black cats. Many people think that black cats are bad luck, but few people know the origin of this belief. In the Middle Ages, black cats and other black animals, such as crows or crows, were harbingers of future unfortunate events, especially impending death. Another common belief in this period is that black cats are witches in disguise. In fact, historical documents indicate that during witchcraft trials, black cats are often killed because they are considered witches or witches’ pets. Crossing the road with a black cat is also considered a bad omen. People believe that because black cats are a symbol of "evil", if a black cat crosses your path, it means that you are actually blocked from the road to heaven and the connection with God. An acquaintance among the fortune-tellers of the family will bring bad luck.

Of course, seeing someone completely turn around when they encounter a black cat may seem silly to some people, but what about other superstitions in daily life in the South? The most prominent example is the practice of saying "bless you" when someone sneezes. Although the origin of "bless you" is not clear, there are several theories about why we do it. One view is that when the bubonic plague swept across Europe, sneezing was one of the earliest symptoms of the plague. People want to protect a person from dying of the plague by saying "God bless you" when he sneezes. Another belief is that when a person sneezes, the soul will be temporarily separated from the body. If someone does not bless the body of the sneezing person, demons or demons may suddenly rush into and take over the body of the person.

Many people who think that superstition is something of the past may be surprised by the number of superstitions that still exist today. Take the number 13 as an example. For a long time, the number 13 has been considered an inauspicious number. Some people trace this belief to the Nordic gods, while others can trace it back to Judas Iscariot. As we all know, there is a widespread fear of the number 13 in Western culture, that is, a large number of multi-storey buildings will skip thirteen floors, and some airports will skip thirteen floors. Similar fears exist in many Eastern countries such as China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam, but not the number 13, but the number 4.

So, what are your superstitions? Where are your friends and family? As Halloween approaches, please pay attention to the little superstitions around you. The black cat in the neighbor's Halloween decoration. Your boss knocked on the wood when he mentioned bad things. A friend threw salt on their shoulders. These actions may seem stupid, but really, do you want to seize this opportunity?

Casey M. Wilson is a volunteer at the Mount Airy Regional History Museum. She and her family live in Mount Airy. For more information, please call the museum at 336-786-4478.

On September 22, with cool temperatures and colorful leaves, autumn officially arrived. For farmers, autumn is one of the most important periods of the year-harvest time. Food is collected, preserved and stored throughout the winter.

Reaping is when rural communities come together and help each other get their work done. After that, since the members of the community had gathered in one place, food, dance, music, and friendly competitions were all conducted. Today, for many people, autumn means pumpkins, festivals and visits to local county fairs. The fair as we know it today is different from the past, but one thing remains the same: agriculture.

The expo started in the United States in the early 1800s and is usually held in August, September or October. They are social and commercial activities where people gather and compete to showcase farmers’ best agricultural products and livestock. People sell products for homes and farms, but fresh hot food is the main attraction. Entertainment includes music, competitions, horse riding and juggling. However, education is the main goal of the exhibition, which includes the history of agriculture and introducing new technologies to the public and farmers.

The exhibits of the community fair are often included in the county fair, which is a joint effort of the community and county officials. The White Plains Community Fair in 1919 is one such example. Locals are encouraged to import exhibits into the White Plains Community Fair and then bring them to the county fair, all for the best year in Surrey County.

Virginia-Carolina Fairgrounds, also known as Mount Airy Fairgrounds, has held a county fair every year since the early 1900s. The Veterans Memorial Park as we know it today was built on the Airy Mountain Fair. The Surrey County Agricultural Fair has been held there since 1947 and continues to do so.

In 1941, the Mount Airy Fair had a high attendance, with people coming from Surrey and its neighboring counties in North Carolina and Virginia. As the Second World War raged in Europe, the United States did not directly join the fight until December of that year, and tensions increased. The county fair is a popular source of temporary distraction and joy.

The war disrupted every aspect of life. Due to lack of manpower and all resources allocated to support the war effort, many fairs were cancelled. However, where possible, fairs are held to maintain a sense of normalcy and boost morale. What's more interesting is the most unusual event: this year boasted about his "Charlotte's Web" (this book will not be published until 1952), the newspaper reported as follows:

The magical spider writes on his web

An educated spider writes on the Internet while weaving, and the citizens who have been here in the past few days are amazing with their clear writing. This spider was found at Roy L. Campbell's home on Rockford Street on Tuesday morning, when his spider web clearly contained "Mt. Airy, NC" and "Winston-Salem" and one that began with "Mr." The rest of the man’s name could not be deciphered. Many interested people browsed the network on Tuesday, but the smart spider was not satisfied and tore it off at night to replace it today. According to the latest report, construction is still in progress.

In 1942, the Mount Airy American Legion Fair took "victory" as its theme, aiming to "provide six day and night fun for lovers of Mount Airy and its surrounding areas, and get rid of the worries of war." world. Due to the "Victory" theme, the focus is on the production of Victory Garden and field crops. Other rewards include free admission for soldiers, sailors, and marines, and a $50 war bond for school children.

The North Carolina State Fair began in 1853 and has been held for 168 years this year. However, the exposition has been cancelled several times: from 1861 to 1868 because of the civil war and reconstruction, in 1918 because of the First World War and influenza, and from 1942 to 1945 because of the Second World War. 1953 was the 100th anniversary, but due to cancellation, only 86 sessions of the exposition were held that year. The State Fair started in Raleigh last week and will be held from October 14th to October 24th.

Make sure to support your local county fair and maintain a rich agricultural tradition and innovative vitality.

Justyn Kissam is the learning manager of Kaleideum.

The cool and clear night of Mount Airi was broken by the discordant fire bells. A dozen people jumped up from the bed. They ran to the fire station and pulled the hose reel to the train station in the dark night, where a wooden shed "surrounded by flames" was burning next to the train station.

The staff of the company's second department quickly connected the hose to a new fire hydrant in the town and injected a steady stream of water into the building. The first unit joined them, the fire was extinguished in a short time, and only one damage was sustained.

On the evening of April 5, 1904, the newly established Mount Airy Hose Company answered the first fire alarm.

MA Lowry, editor and owner of Mount Airy News, made a comment in the newspaper the next day at the last minute to praise the department.

"We don't believe that any fire company can do better or faster," he wrote. "The water is plentiful, the pressure is high, and the firefighters work bravely....Are you proud of the firefighting company and the water plant! We are. Three cheers for the fire boys!"

Appreciation is real. Mount Airy suffered several major losses due to fires beyond the control of the citizens of the Bucket Brigade. In a world where flame is part of daily life, fire is an eternal demon.

The shed was only a few dozen feet away from the timber piles of the Banner factory. In turn, these people sit next to businesses, homes, and acres of timber that are piled up around the four most important businesses in the area; furniture factories.

Fire Department Secretary MH Sparger pointed out in his elegant handwriting that firefighters “save about $4,000 (conservatively equivalent to today’s $120,000) on property such as wood stacked near the building and other property that could have been greatly reduced. Damaged by heat."

He also pointed out that they were "unfamiliar with the location of the fire hydrant" which initially hindered their work. A well on Mount Lebanon west of North Avenue and the water pipe in the tower are filled by gravity pressure and pumps, a new important tool in their tool kit.

The kit is important to the entire region. Fire and fire death are all too common. Every time a business closes, the local economy suffers severe damage. The victims of domestic fires are usually children, and the situation is much worse.

The town organized a "hook, ladder and bucket" company on December 4, 1891. Just 27 days before the New Year’s Eve fire, the fire would destroy the magnificent Blue Ridge Hotel and its entire block.

The 1904 company added hand-painted and later horse-drawn hose reels, drawing water from fire hydrants, wells, and creeks when possible. When it is not there, there is a water tank pressurized by a hand pump.

In 1917, the town bought the first fire engine for $8,500. It has a 1,000 gallon fuel tank powered by an engine.

The Airy Mountain Regional History Museum preserves some of the early records of the firefighting company in the area, including Sparger's report. It also contains the post-page form reported by Mount Airy Fire Chief C. Shelton to the town board on January 6, 1925.

The company received 26 calls in 1924, threatening $552,350 worth of property. The actual loss was only US$9,882, and the operating cost of the department was US$2,000. He is fulfilling a request, and he knows it is a big request. He hopes that the board will authorize the purchase of a second fire truck, which many people think is an unnecessary luxury.

In the end, he succeeded. In December 1926, the town reluctantly agreed to purchase a second American LaFrance truck for $12,500. While she was sitting on the train waiting to unload the cargo, a major commercial district was burned down. But later that year, with the improvement in firefighting capabilities she brought, another commercial block was saved.

Last week was National Fire Prevention Week, which has been held every year since 1922 on the anniversary of the Chicago Fire in 1871. From October 8th, it burned until the 9th, killing hundreds of people and thousands of homes and businesses. We are lucky to have so many dedicated firefighters in this area. They taught us and our children how to escape. They train for emergencies, and hope that each of us will not have to use this knowledge.

Perhaps the best way for us to thank them is to make sure we have smoke detectors with good batteries.

We are very fortunate to have them, and here at the Airy Regional History Museum, we want to say with the editor from a long time ago, "three cheers" for our firefighters.

Author: Kate Rauhauser-Smith is a local freelance writer, researcher and genealogist. When she wrote this column in 2019, she was the museum's visitor services manager.

Around September 26, 1780, people gathered in Elgin, eager to lend a helping hand. Major Joseph Winston of Surrey County gathered and recruited 150 men to meet at Big Elgin Creek to join the Overmountain troops waiting at Quackers Meadows near Morgantown. These untrained and underarmed people are about to rekindle the revolution in North Carolina and South Carolina.

The Overmountain marched from Morgenton to King's Hill and fought the Conservative army under the command of Major Patrick Ferguson who was sent by General Lord Cornwallis to invade South Carolina. Due to limited resources on the road to war, many patriots are extremely hungry once they arrive in a new country.

On October 7, 1780, the Patriots slowly climbed to Ferguson and his men on the top of King Mountain. Using a combination of invisibility, natural bushes, and tree lines, the Overmountain can remain invisible when appropriate. The ensuing fighting killed 28 Americans and 290 Britons. Both sides described the battle as creepy and terrifying.

Ferguson realized that he had been beaten. He asked to retreat, still riding down the mountain. The gunfire rang, causing fatal injuries to the major. At the age of 36, he died of multiple shootings that day. After his death, the loyalists surrendered.

The incident at Kings Mountain is crucial in the struggle for American freedom. These Overmountain people defeated well-trained military soldiers with expertise in remote areas. Thomas Jefferson once said that King Mountain was "a turning point in the trend towards success." Before the Battle of the Guildford Court, there will be another 16 skirmishes, battles and quarrels, and there will be more conflicts afterwards. Before the American Revolution is won, the Patriots and the Royalists will confront each other.

Today, there are many places and events to commemorate, not only the battle of Wangshan, but also the warriors from surrounding counties. Kings Mountain National Military Park is operated by the National Park Service. This website not only explains the battle, but also the colonial life.

The Overmountain Victory Trail Association is working hard to protect and explain the path that many Patriot soldiers took to reach Kings Mountain. In Surrey County, part of the trail passes through Elgin. The trail stretches for 330 miles and passes through the four states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Of these 57 miles are complete and walkable.

If you have time this week, you can take a stroll along the beginning of the Eastern Trail that crosses the historic Overmountain Victory Trail in Elgin. Look at the assembly grounds and campgrounds-imagine and remember those who are willing to give everything for freedom!

Emily Morgan is the Guest Services Manager for the Mount Airy Regional History Museum. She lives in Westfield with her family. You can contact her at eamorgan@northcarolinamuseum.org or call 336-786-4478 x229.

It's time to speak up directly.

The most enduring TV show of all time is the "Andy Griffith Show."

The "Star Trek" guerrillas still have something to say about this, especially at their fan conventions and comics festivals.

But no TV series has a higher broadcast time and frequency than "Andy". Sixty years after the Griffith show was first aired on CBS, it has been broadcast on multiple nostalgic television networks many times. There is no doubt that this is why.

Since the 1990s, Mount Airy has cleverly promoted itself as the reality version of Mayberry in the Griffith Show. In the process, Granite City helped keep Mayberry fanatical in order to please the new generation. Actor Griffith was born and raised in Mount Airy. A marketing campaign for the childhood home of the genius Griffith is now a bed and breakfast for everyone.

Mayberry souvenirs and nostalgia, from T-shirts to coffee cups to posters, are everywhere on Main Street Mount Airy. Mayberry themed stores include Barney's Cafe and The Loaded Goat grill, which inspired Griffith’s most popular TV series. Fans and others are just interested and will flock to Granite City.

The most outstanding marketing concept is Mount Airy's Mayberry Days, which is an annual town street festival about everything about Mayberry. This year's edition kicked off on Saturday with a country music concert in the city center, and this week it heated up with lectures, concerts and a city parade on Saturday morning.

Mayberry Days attracted people from all directions, including some dressed as Mayberry characters, paraded in the procession, and then wandered around the town. On this page two years ago, I introduced you to Bo Pierce, a resident of Knoxville, Tennessee, dressed as Briscoe Darling and holding a moonlight pot in his hand. One morning, at Snappy Lunch, Pierce was sitting next to me, and Andy mentioned his name in an episode of a possible improvisation.

Mount Airy's contribution to the nationwide Mayberry boom is obvious.

Now the smart marketing of Granite City is on the big screen. Two new Mayberry themed movies originated from Mayberry Days.

The crowdfunded independent film "Mayberry Man" with the theme of Mayberry Days will be released during this year's film festival. Producer Chris Howell said that he came up with this idea while attending Mayberry Days. He and other Griffith actors or children of actors also attended the festival. The DVD will be available on the Internet on October 1.

Then came the documentary "The Maybury Effect", which debuted on the streaming service on August 31. Chris Hudson, a Charlotte native and Clemmons film producer, said he was inspired by Maybury Days characters, mainly "Maybury Agent" David Brown in Bristol, Virginia. rather.

"I realized that there is a deeper story about the'Andy Griffith Show'," Hudson told a Charlotte newspaper. "A story with many layers." One of the layers is Mount Ally. Modern story. Hudson believes that Mayberry rescued Mount Airy's economy after the factory decline.

In return, Mount Airy has made great strides in building today's Mayberry.

"I love Lucy" Lucille Ball, who became famous, does not have a statue in her hometown of Jamestown, New York, just like Andy of Mount Airy. A Jerry Seinfeld museum in New York City lasted only five days (promotion of streaming services). Beverly Hills still has its country mansions, but you can't go in, and there is no Jethro replica truck to tour the town. No town will hold an annual festival and parade for "Star Trek", accompanied by a marching band.

Mount Airy not only helped Griffith's show become the most enduring show. It helps make Mayberry part of the United States.

When evaluating the history of Stokes County, it is easy to see why there are so many historical markers. The region has a long history, waiting to be told.

Moratok Park and the iron furnace named after it are one of them.

Moratok Park is located on the Dan River, a tributary of the Roanoke River. The park itself is open from dawn to dusk and hosts many events and functions throughout the year, including the annual Stokes Stomp just held on September 11. Restrooms, picnic sheds, courts and pipes, kayaking, canoeing, beach fun and history can all be found and owned within the park.

The Moratok furnace is history.

The furnace and the destroyed foundry were built by Nathaniel Moody and John Pepper in 1843 for Moody's Tunnel Works. The site originally covered 107 acres and was purchased from Alexander Hampton for $300 in 1840. One argument emphasizes that when the land was purchased, the iron factory was already in place.

After completing the paperwork, the two set out to build a magnificent furnace and forge. The furnace has a 28-foot-square base, 28-foot-square, the ground is mud, and there is an iron support frame inside. Using charcoal, brown hematite, and limestone as raw materials, this forging plant is revitalized. The waterwheel drives the bellows and supplies flames to help render the iron blocks. The water is supplied by a complex system of sinks. All these elements depend on Dan River to maintain operations. When the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, there were only depressions with furnaces, supporting sinks, and buildings. During the Civil War, everything except the furnace was destroyed.

In 1854, Ruben Golding of Stokes County bought the forging plant for $3,000 and established the Stokes Iron Ore Company. Having severed contact with other sources of supply, the Confederate Army needed a method of manufacturing swords and ammunition, so the old forge was fired to respond to the demand for weapons. The company provided steel plants for the unit until General George Stoneman destroyed the foundry in a raid in April. He did not know that Robert E. Lee surrendered in Appomattox, Virginia on April 9, 1865.

After the war, the site was damaged until Johnathan Heck purchased the property during the foreclosure in 1875. He ran the site until his death in 1894. At some point after Heck's death, the site was bought by the Taylor family until they transferred it to the county in 1973. Work on the site began to protect and interpret the site, which resulted in its addition to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

Today, the melting pot is a staple food in Stokes County and Moratok Park. History is always there; next time you are in the area, stop and enjoy all the facilities the park has to offer. Be sure to stroll through the furnace and think about the history that happened there. After all, this is our history.

Emily Morgan is the Guest Services Manager for the Mount Airy Regional History Museum. She lives in Westfield with her family. You can contact her at eamorgan@northcarolinamuseum.org or call 336-786-4478 x229

Editor's note: Community Commentary is a regular column in The Mount Airy News that contains comments from community leaders in Mount Airy and Surry County.

Mount Airy City Schools (MACS) has a tradition of excellence in the past 127 academic years, focusing on academics, arts and sports. Our current leadership-innovation-service mentality continues this tradition and brings us into the 21st century. We believe in and value every child and hope to help them develop their talents, skills and abilities. Last year, our scholars shined brightly, just out of the most difficult year in our history. Our students, faculty and staff performed well last year, and these achievements are the highlights of their achievements:

● MACS Mathematics 1 and Mathematics 3 ranked first in the state

● MACS ranks 4th in the state in all course end assessments

● MACS 3rd and 4th grade math assessment is 14% higher than the state proficiency rate

● MACS 8th grade mathematics ranks 5th in the state

● MACS Grade 8 English Language Arts is ranked 13th in the state

● MACS English 2 8th in the state

● MACS ranks 5th in the state in 8th grade science

● MACS's proficiency in vocational and technical education assessment is 86.5%

The full results are available at https://www.mtairy.k12.nc.us

When we "rethink education", we want to build on the amazing academic achievements of the past, but think about schools without walls, such as our popular MACS micro school. This is a small school environment where you can take classes at home and at the same time with the teachers you meet almost every day. Site-based learning is conducted every week, allowing these students to plant gardens or flowers with their teachers, learn to swim or learn to play football, or participate in art activities. This school makes your students' dreams come true, what they want to do, how they want to learn, and a micro school can meet their needs. This is an example of how to rethink learning methods without sacrificing academics.

Art flourished last year as our teachers continued to find innovative ways to teach visual arts, drama, band, music, and chorus. We moved the group outside, scattered them in the auditorium, and added masks around the mouthpieces of the instruments. Students of Mount Airy City Schools demand that the long tradition of art can be traced back to its 127 years of history. Many of you remember the great drama and chorus teachers over the years and all the works that this high school has done for decades. Students majoring in visual arts have graduated from four-year universities, and many of them have made their mark in the field of art and have left their mark in the world. I was fortunate to be a band director in the 90s, and I like to watch the band's show continue to grow and develop. We have many "Today's Band" trophies in our hands, followed by "Superior Ratings". We have discovered new ways to integrate art through the framework of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM). We encourage and train teachers how to integrate art into their assignments and projects. We know that there are artistic elements in most STEM careers. Help rethink education by making all students become STEAM innovators, attract students and motivate them to learn and solve problems.

Rethinking Education also involves sports. Regardless of the challenges we face, we have been innovating on how to continue track and field sports. Last year, we successfully passed the season, and this year we are also working hard to achieve this. We are using strategies such as testing, vaccinations, quarantine, and modified practices to maintain our progress this year. We offer more than 27 sports and create opportunities for students who want to participate in sports competitions. Based on the past traditions, we know that our long history of sports achievements has laid a good foundation for the future. Here are some of our past celebrations in several sports such as basketball, baseball, and football:

● Football – Football provided by MACS, the first game against Winston-Salem High School on October 15, 1915, in 35, 38, 42, 46, 48, 68 and 2008 (Kelly Holder) .

● Baseball-MACS provides baseball, the first game against Goldsboro on April 22, 1915, three state championships in 31, 33 and 39 years. In 10 years of 31-40 years, the Bears participated in five state championship games.

● Basketball-Basketball is provided as the third sport of MACS. The first game was against Walkertown on December 6, 1916. He won five state championships in 47, 60, 61, 63 and 2002.

● Basketball-Basketball is the first known women's sport by MACS. The first game was on February 20, 1917. The women's basketball team won two state championships in 2017 and 2018 (Angela Mayfield).

When you rethink education, we will not only hold sports competitions, but also increase academic competitions. Mount Airy Middle School (MAMS) and MACS are among the best in the North Carolina Academic Activities Association (NCASA) competition. At the eleventh annual meeting of the association, MAMS won the first place in the NCASA Junior High School Challenge Cup, and eighth grade student Abby Epperson was named NCASA's best middle school student of the year. After completing all the challenges, MAMS scored a total of 220 points, 55 points ahead of second place. The school participated in 7 of the more than 16 competitions available to students. These competitions include; Art Showcase, The Quill, Forensics, MATHCOUNTS, Envirothon, National History Day and HOSA.

We are grateful to the tradition of Mount Airy City School for allowing us to look back and reflect. However, we face the challenge of constantly "rethinking education" and ensuring that all students learn to lead, innovate and serve. If you want to be part of our tradition of excellence and help build the tradition of the future, please visit us at https://www.mtairy.k12.nc.us.

This article was originally printed on December 29, 2019, and details the life and creations of the Mount Airy Regional History Museum. With the newly renovated entrance of the museum and the opening of the redesigned South Gallery, museum officials believe that now is the best time to re-run the column. Last Friday, the new gallery and gift shop opened to the public again.

The Airy Mountain Regional History Museum consists of four floors of cultural relics and information, telling the stories of the people who settled in the area and established these communities. Starting from private citizens, the collection of cultural relics began a few years before the museum opened, before anyone knew where the museum actually was.

Once this old hardware store is acquired, the gallery will open one at a time within a few years, as resources allow the exhibits to be completed. Today we have one of the most impressive local museums I have ever seen.

I don’t know if people living in the area today understand how unusual a museum of this size and quality is for a county with a large population and a remote location.

I believe this will make some people think this is selfish, but please remember that I am not from here. I have nothing to do with building a museum or collecting her collection, although I consider myself lucky to work here in the past few years.

For many people, this is obviously a labor of love. They have been committed to creating and maintaining a history museum on Airy Hill Street for more than 25 years.

The museum was originally an idea of ​​the Airy Mountain Restoration Foundation and is today known for its beautiful property, Moore’s former residence. The foundation was established in 1982 with a clear goal of “promoting, restoring, protecting and revitalizing the Great Aili Mountain area” by protecting important structures and encouraging their development into modern uses.

In 1988, they established a museum committee to explore the idea of ​​establishing a history museum in Mount Airy. They set their eyes high-Smithsonian High.

In January 1990, Mount Airy News quoted Chairman Barbara Summerlin as saying: "Our focus on the museum will be on the project, mainly related to the school’s local history. This will help many young people. Aware of where they own and live... (yes) a lot of hard work and commitment to the community."

They also hope that the historical relics of Surrey County will remain in Surrey County. A few years ago, the local collection of antique dolls was sent to the Old Salem Museum and Gardens, and a piano belonging to the Airy Mountain Brower family was sent to the Greensboro History Museum.

The committee hired Winston-Salem, a construction company specializing in historic buildings, to conduct a feasibility study. Several properties were considered, including some historic homes, but the 30,000 square foot vacant WE Merritt Hardware building was selected. It has enough space for active presentations and Smithsonian style exhibitions.

"We are fortunate to have a truly well-executed museum in this community. It is not just our collective'attic'. This really proves the lasting vision and hard work the founders put in to create a quality experience 25 years ago," Matt Edwards, the museum's executive director, said recently when he directed the institution's first major renovation in many years.

The committee was established as an independent non-profit organization in 1992, and mainly used private funds to establish a museum. Unlike many other museums in the state run by state or local governments, it continues to maintain this state.

Our mission statement is deceptively simple. "The purpose of the Mount Airy Regional History Museum is to collect, preserve and interpret the natural, historical and artistic heritage of the area." The board of directors passed in October 1994, and it left a very open goal, but our volunteers And employees continue to pursue.

"When we started this project, we were building these solid foundations," Edwards said. "We can incorporate new stories, technologies and new facilities that were not ready when the museum first opened. This project will enable the museum to continue to serve this community and visitors for a long time to come, and become one of the state's premier community museums. "

If you want to participate in the next stage of life in the museum through interpreter work, volunteer participation, financial support, or donations of photos or cultural relics, please call (336) 786-4478 to contact the museum.

Author: Kate Rauhauser-Smith is a local freelance writer, researcher and genealogist. When she wrote this column in 2019, she was the museum's visitor services manager.

Surrey County is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year, but in the coming weekend, Rockford Town will usher in another special moment. The Rediscover Rockford event has entered its tenth year, celebrating the town’s history and long history through food, music, traditional crafts, tourism and speakers. The event will be open to the public for free from 10 am to 4 pm on September 18th.

Surrey County was founded from Rowan County in 1771. Due to population growth in the area, the county was divided, and Stokes County was created from the division in 1789. As a result, the county seat was moved from Richmond (now near Tobacoville) to the center of the county. Rockford was selected and will serve as the county seat for 61 years from 1789 to 1850. However, with the formation of Yadkin County in Surrey County in 1850, the county seat was moved to Dobson to maintain its central position in the county and has remained there ever since.

The town of Rockford is located along the Yadkin River in the southern part of Surrey County. It is named for the nearby rocky shallows. The new county seat was developed on 53 acres of land purchased from Moses and Thomas Ayres. As the county seat, Rockford was the most important town at the time, and residents needed enough roads to enter it. Most of the roads at that time were trails or catcher trails. A lot of work was done in the early years to open up new roads, which brought us the saying that "all roads lead to Rockford".

The appeal of the county is the court and the government, but it is also the social center of the county. People come to Rockford to shop, get news, get water from springs or wash clothes, or visit blacksmiths, tinsmiths or tanners. In addition, because Rockford is close to the Richmond Hill School of Law, which operated from 1848 to 1878, many aspiring lawyers visited and worked in the town.

Rockford can also brag about the visit of three presidents from North Carolina; Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk and Andrew Johnson. Both Jackson and Johnson stayed in Rockford and tentatively engaged in legal work there until they moved to Tennessee. Polk often visits his cousin William Polk Dobson.

Towns continue to develop, and the introduction of railways further negates this. The Yadkin Valley Railway runs from Winston Salem to North Wilkesboro, stopping at Rockford. This brought passengers, mail, and cargo to the town and positioned it as a commercial center from the late 1890s to the 1920s. With the passage of time and the relocation of enterprises, the town and its historical heritage gradually declined.

To solve this problem, the Rockford Conservation Society was established in 1972 to stabilize and protect the town’s historic buildings. In 1976, Rockford was included in the National Register of Historic Places. When we mention Rockford in this area today, we may immediately think of all the streets and roads of the same name, but we should not forget the importance of Rockford Town to the development of Surrey County.

Justyn Kissam is the learning manager of Kaleideum.

Ambrus R. Collins wrote in a letter to his wife Sarah Jane: "I have a bed and a sky, but I am in good health." It was August 28, 1862, and the civil war entered a year. His troops were stationed near Richmond, Virginia, and he was a staunch ally. "If you and the children can get close at home, I can get in touch with each other here until I finish my duty in the war."

Collins Farm is just north of Dobson, and No. 601 crosses the Fisher River. Like many allies, he believes that this war will be a fast and decisive event. He wrote again on September 8 in Frederick County, Maryland.

"Dear wife and children... We have to go to Baltimore and then to Washington City (DC). I think the war will end because the Yankees (sic) have been going on, and the New York newspapers are in favor of giving up and letting the South own their ritual ( The original text)."

Nine months later, Isaac Thompson, another Surrey farmer, wrote to his friend Archie Cameron.

"Our leaders have become so bold in evil, I can only think that God will crush them because of their actions. I believe that almost all soldiers in the Confederacy are for peace. Let it come... if mine My family has to suffer and die because of lack of food, so what good is it for me to gain independence? Because if I want to fight, let me fight for the rights of my family.... I am a man with southern principles Southerners, but I do not approve of fighting until we are worse than conquered."

We often think of history as a series of battles and great deeds that have nothing to do with the human nature of the humans who have experienced them. We look at history in a harsh way: for better or worse, in fact, history is complicated because people are complicated. Our ancestors did not keep pace as we do today.

David Voss of Guildford County was drafted into the army in October 1864 with three friends Joseph, William, and JC Gilmer. They are among the many citizens of Piedmont County and the western mountains of the state. They are staunch unionists and often pacifists on religious grounds.

In the first half of the 19th century, dozens of families moved from Surrey County to Indiana. During the war, those who opposed violence or supported the Union would reunite with relatives and friends there to avoid conscription. Worth and his friends tried, but they were arrested in Tennessee. In the end, the Gilmers "successfully got rid of the rebels and are now in Rush County, Indiana," Voss wrote from prison to the joint brig. General Hoffman in the 1865 Freedom Petition.

He was free and participated in the remaining wars as part of the Federation.

The Civil War is a critical moment for the United States. The difficult transition from the "special system" of the United States to the slandered reconstruction policy.

Surrey was the site of a large gathering in July 1863. Local leaders, including slave owners, called for peace and return to the Union. "The original constitution and the original federation."

After the war, despite numerous cases of abuse and bigotry in the area, the Unitedist Peace Movement gained momentum in Surrey, Stokes, Yadkin, Forsyth, and Guildford counties. In the 1866 election for governor, voters in Surrey County supported the Unity candidate almost at a ratio of two to one.

In April 1867, the Hamburg branch of the Union was established in Hamburg's Brauers Mill (near Mount Airy Middle School). Jacob Brower presided over the meeting, and he built a huge complex of grain mills, textile mills, and other manufacturing companies that often produced more than most other producers in the region.

The organization is committed to providing tuition-free public schools for everyone, removing restrictions on voting based on land ownership, and allowing free persons to register to vote and participate in public opinion surveys.

The founding members included well-known businessmen, such as Thomas Schaub and JM Marshall, the owners of two carriage factories in Surrey. Some people, including Browers, used enslaved labor to establish their own businesses, at least to some extent.

History is complicated because people are complicated. History is also heartbreaking.

Rufus Collins wrote such eloquent letters to his wife in Dobson, and he died a few days after writing the letter at the Battle of Antietam.

The loyal Southerner Isaac Thompson was so disappointed with his leader that he was killed in the Battle of Cedar Creek.

David Worth, a veteran of the Confederate and Confederate armies, returned to the state and ran a mill in Westfield.

Author: Kate Rauhauser-Smith is a local freelance writer, researcher and genealogist.

Editor's note: Community commentary is a feature of The Mount Airy News, displaying comments from community leaders in Mount Airy and Surry counties.

In the past two weeks, it is great to see that our educators are ready for the first day of students returning to school. Our theme for this school year is preparation, reset, start! Although our routines may be different this fall, we are always committed to providing learning experiences that support the skills and attributes reflected in our strategic plan and leadership framework.

Of course, the 2020-2021 school year is unprecedented; however, we are committed to moving forward to provide the best possible educational experience for student leaders in all Surrey County schools. This school year is a new beginning; a brand new opportunity to help our students design their dreams and grow as leaders.

As we discuss the future and move forward, our Surrey County school team is entering their classrooms, offices, and departments with a new perspective. This summer has given our team a chance to catch a breath, regroup, and be open to the possibilities that may exist this year. The Surrey County School System is committed to addressing the social and emotional needs of our students and staff. Students must feel safe and supported before they study. To achieve this goal, our managers, teachers, and staff are participating in unique training courses, such as first aid for youth mental health, which introduces signs and symptoms of student trauma to adults and focuses on providing support to promote recovery .

The new school year also provides students with the opportunity to grow through our leadership framework, which introduces attributes that help students lead themselves, lead with others, and change the world. Surrey County School believes that our students can go to the world and truly make a difference. Our dedicated employees feel the same way. We launched this program for our students at school this year, and we look forward to seeing the growth that comes with the development of leadership skills.

As we prepare to start over and enter this year, I look forward to leading and supporting the important work they do every day with this group of talented employees. I am excited about the wonderful things that will be observed in classrooms and schools this year, and I challenge each of us to work hard every day to help children design their dreams and grow as leaders.

Welcome back, Surrey County School!

Hunting is an important part of the history of the Blue Ridge, because every year people go outdoors to find wild animals and see the frontiers of the country.

The idea of ​​hunting often brings a romantic image of exploring the wilderness, whether through the perspective of the people who settled here during the founding of the United States, or the perspective of the Native Americans who had grown in these areas long before. Many people are already familiar with some of these pioneers, such as Daniel Boone, whose name is circulated in Boone, North Carolina. There is also the story of Jacob's "White Tassel" castle, he is probably the ancestor of the local idol Andy Griffith. Although both are known for serving in the War of Independence and often becoming explorers, they are also part of a hunting subculture known as long-term hunters.

When traveling in potential states such as North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Kentucky, time, weather, and region do not restrict long-term hunters, hence their name. This subculture began around 1750, when the land was still under British control, and many colonists were struggling to lead a stable life. Their solution to get rid of poverty is a team of two or three people, venturing into the wilderness of North America for a year, hunting animals. Their targets range from deer, elk and bison to more dangerous animals such as bears, panthers and cougars. The result is that they can sell and trade all kinds of furs and furs to help their personal lives.

Longhunters can't stay in one place for too long, and their tour groups can't be too big, because this may warn wild animals of their presence, making hunting more difficult. In order to succeed in their profession, these hunters know their surroundings specifically. They rely on natural factors such as sunsets, weather, and moisture in the area to best plan their hunts.

Longhunters do rely on rifles for hunting, but in some cases, they will use closer hunting forms such as knives and battle axes. Dragon hunting had become a recognized profession at the time, so much so that sites were set up to help hunters gather supplies and prepare for trade.

Because of the details of these hunters' adventures, it is easy to be attracted by the images they provide, which are far from folklore and novels. However, long hunters are not perfect because they will also have unfortunate and catastrophic conflicts with Native American tribes such as Cherokee for invading their territory.

By 1790, as the United States became more formal as a country and became more streamlined in its resource acquisition efforts, long hunting eventually ended as a profession because the country was no longer the wilderness border that settlers once thought. Although the history of this group may seem short, it still has a lasting impact on Appalachia. Long hunters should not be regarded as a dead profession in the region, but an important part of the country’s history, because they helped shape the image of the vast and beautiful wilderness of the United States, and local residents should not forget this contribution.

James Slattery is an intern in the history of Mount Airy Museum of Regional History and UNCC-Charlotte.

Editor's note: Community Commentary is a regular column in The Mount Airy News that contains comments from community leaders in Mount Airy and Surry County.

The new school year is approaching, and Airy Mountain City School (MACS) once again appears in front of the children. Last year, we came back face to face five days a week and took appropriate health and wellness precautions. We had a very successful year and graduated with some outstanding seniors.

We came back this year and showed up every day. We are here to support the needs of students, let children grow, challenge them academically, grow up artistically, and cheer for them in their favorite sports. Every day is a day to encourage and celebrate their success and help them cope with the challenges of life.

The main health and wellness tools we need will be vaccinations and masks. These will help us through another outstanding year, keep the children in school, and ensure the safety of faculty, staff and students. In 2021, MACS will appear on every child and thank a community that puts others first by helping all children succeed.

The challenging year we completed taught us what really matters. We know that interpersonal relationships and daily activities are often taken for granted. It is difficult without all the sports or doing these sports at different times of the year. We are convinced that our children now need help more than ever to learn how to lead, innovate and serve.

Our staff can serve children in many ways and re-evaluate what is really important. Our bus driver picks up students to school every day. Our number of passengers has almost doubled from last year. We thank the Smart Bus tool, which allows parents to know exactly where their children are, when the bus will arrive, and how to plan to pick them up. The bus driver is usually the same driver in the children’s elementary school, leaving a deep impression on the children, allowing them to continue to school and do their best. Our cafeteria staff and administrators talk to students every day to make sure they have everything they need to thrive in the school environment. Our children need hot meals and adults who care about them. The cafeteria will be fully used this year, with a lot of delicious food to choose from. When students learn remotely, their meals are not guaranteed, and more than half of our students have some food insecurity at home.

From our teaching assistants, to our teachers, to our experts in various fields, we provide students with a variety of faces. These staff members appear every day in wonderful courses in the fields of science, mathematics, reading, writing, social studies, music, art, health and healthcare, sports, foreign languages, and more. Our employees are experts in their fields, and many of them have multiple degrees. They spend countless hours on courses to motivate, connect and challenge students to do their best. We thank our teachers and staff every day. They appear in front of the students every day.

The administrator in our building has been working all summer. Their busiest time is usually in the summer, organizing industry tours, providing school tours, providing training, ordering resources, preparing their buildings, running summer courses, and preparing everything for students. This year, more than half of our students participated in the summer program so that we can have a good start in the coming school year. We know that the time invested by managers is seriously insufficient, but they have always been the best mentors and encouragers of employees and students. We are grateful for those managers who could have chosen other careers but are committed to developing the next generation of leaders of students.

We want to encourage you to look up, look around and show your face for the children. Every day we have coaches working with young people in extracurricular activities and sports to ensure that their students receive guidance and appreciation. We have reading coaches and Lego League coaches and many volunteers who use their talents, talents and abilities to perform for the children. We have a voluntary education committee that meets and participates in student activities throughout the year to show that they care about students and faculty. How can you appear in front of the children this year?

Instead of focusing on philosophical debates that may or may not affect your community, you should only focus on your children or get involved in social media disputes. We ask you to attend for all children. Put aside the work of genuinely caring about others and use your energy and amazing talent to help others. Today there are many opportunities for you to interact with the school: write an encouraging note to the student’s teacher or coach every day, volunteer to provide food for the family, provide shadow or internship opportunities, cooperate with participating Blue Bear Bus, and wifi to The community, helping readers with difficulties, tutoring children in sports or art, funding special projects and activities, joining our mentoring program, working with risky students throughout the year, or any other way to return to you.

Our community is great, and this is the reason for our success. We have the most students at MACS, and we want to make sure that they have goals that can help them achieve and affect them forever. To appear in front of children is to do hard work, invest a long time, and try to overcome obstacles to success in order to overcome them.

MACS is doing this work in areas that we can control. We hope you decide to appear in front of your child in an important and specific way. Contact your local teachers, staff, principals, coaches and others, encourage them and volunteer to show up with us for the children. We hope you become a member of the MACS Granite Bear family. Please visit our website http://www.mtairy.k12.nc.us to learn about all the great ways you can help students show.

In our column for the past two weeks, we talked about the man who was healed by Jesus when Peter and John entered the temple. He was so excited about what Jesus did in his life and in his body. We talked about how we didn't see him lose that excitement for the rest of his life.

We also talked about how many believers today feel complacent about our salvation. We have lost the excitement of being a child of God and all the good blessings he has given us because of our faith. In these columns, I have been sharing challenges to help us reawaken our excitement for salvation.

We have seen one of the challenges and we must once again be excited about our salvation. When we think about what Jesus died for us on the cross, what he did for us, so that we can have eternal life, and think of all the benefits of salvation, we must reinvigorate.

Challenge two, we must be excited about spending time in prayer. Nothing builds a relationship more than communication. So let us stop making prayer a ritual, and really make it an exciting time to talk to the Lord.

Challenge three, I am excited about spending time reading the Bible, the word of God. It will guide and change your life, and there are many exciting stories in it.

Challenge four, we must be excited to be united in God's house. Gather in the church, where we find family, strength, encouragement and help to face the situation in life.

Let me share challenges five and six with you today.

Challenge 5, we must be excited to thank the Lord for his abundant blessings. When the man Peter healed by the Lord jumped up, he ran into the temple, and I can assure you that he is thanking the Lord for everything he has done. God blessed his children so much. He watches us, guides us, and satisfies our needs, often in ways and times that we don't even realize. However, many times we don't even bow our heads to thank him for the food he provided us during our meal, let alone thank him for other things he did for us.

A few years ago, before I was called into the ministry, I was fortunate to lead a youth group. We occasionally went to the nursing home to visit and sing. One night, I later discovered that there was a person who had no family and no one was visiting him in the nursing home. However, he asked if we could sing this song for him, "Thank the Lord for his blessing." We are so selfish that we forget to be excited about what God has done for us. It's time for us to thank the Lord excitedly for his wonderful blessings.

Challenge six, we must be excited about sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with others. One of the problems we have today is that no one wants to share Jesus with others. However, we have the greatest news anyone has ever heard, and we often keep it to ourselves. Many people have used this example, but if we find a cure for cancer and do not share it, people will say that we are so selfish and ruthless. However, we have a way to heal eternal death and be separated from God forever in the lake of fire, but we are not excited enough to share this wonderful truth. I pray that we will see the urgency of sharing the gospel and will be very excited to do so.

As believers today, I want to encourage us to stop enduring our religion and start enjoying our salvation so much that we will be excited to be children of God. Then the world will see our differences and desire what we have in Christ.

In our modern age, no matter how far away you are from home, you can easily share your travel snapshots with friends and family. You can simply send them photos via text or upload them online. It's easy to forget that this was impossible less than 20 years ago, and for most of the 20th century, the easiest and most popular way to share your travels was to buy postcards.

Although ubiquitous today, postcards were not mailed in Europe until the late 1860s, but they were different from the postcards we imagine today. These cards are blank on both sides except for pre-postage. Illustrated postcards did not begin to circulate until the 1890s, and it took another ten years before they became popular in the United States.

Sending postcards from travel has become so popular and commonplace that in 1909, the angry Mount Airy news editor said that collectors would force their friends to "get involved in albums full of colorful atrocities, showing where he has been, he Where his friends have been. Where have they been, where will he go next holiday."

The popularity of postcards is partly due to their convenience in allowing communication across distances. Telephones are still not popular, and postcards provide a cheaper way of communication than sending letters or telegrams. For a while, postcards could be sent at a flat rate of one cent.

Soon after, this fashion began a new life. It was not only a way to share information, but also a way to share the image you saw and heard during your travels.

As a result, postcard makers began to produce cards with stunning visions and attractions illustrations, which can be purchased from various suppliers during your travels, such as railway stations and hotels.

Cameras at the time were usually heavy, bulky and expensive, which meant that most members of the public could not use them or it was impractical to carry them for travel. This means that they need postcards to commemorate their travels as a relatively inexpensive way to showcase their adventures. Travelers will send cards to friends, add them to their collections, and even frame them as art at home.

While the postcard boom is in full swing, the tourism industry in Mount Airi and its surrounding areas has also reached a record high. Like anyone on vacation, tourists must buy souvenirs to commemorate their trip, which of course also means postcards.

Therefore, there are many postcards about Mount Airy and its surrounding area. Starting in the mid-1800s, a large number of tourists came to the area from cities up and down the east coast. Many of these tourists will grab postcards and send them home, sharing the sights and beauty of the scenery and architecture.

One of the most popular views printed on postcards is Pilot Mountain.

The landmark is called Jomeokee by the Native Americans in the area, which means "great guide", and has been an important nautical symbol for centuries.

Looking at the various postcards that feature landmark landscapes, we know how popular they are. The mountain appeared on postcards throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, in the form of realistic illustrations, romantic depictions and photographs. The very different style shows that even if people don’t have a camera to capture their own point of view, they can choose to customize/choose the way they want to remember their point of view.

Postcards capture more than just natural landscapes. You can also see postcards from the main street, granite quarries, Martin Memorial Hospital, and illustrations of famous companies such as Moody's Funeral Home.

To this day, postcards are still a fun and inexpensive way to share travel with friends and family. Therefore, when the world opens up again and we can start traveling again, please pay attention to the postcards along the way.

Katherine “Kat” Jackson is an intern at the Mount Airy Regional History Museum. She is from Australia and lives in Winston Salem. You can contact her at the museum at 336-786-4478.

In last week’s column, we talked about the man who was healed by Jesus when Peter and John entered the temple. He was so excited about what Jesus did in his life and his body, he was excited to enter the temple. We talked about how we didn't see him lose that excitement for the rest of his life.

We also talked about how many believers today are complacent about our salvation. We have lost the excitement of being a child of God and all the good blessings he has given us because of our faith. In these columns, I want to share challenges to help believers reawaken the excitement of our salvation.

Last time we saw Challenge One, we must once again be excited about our salvation. When we think of Jesus going to the cross to die for us, what he did for us, so that we can have eternal life, and think of all the benefits of salvation, we must regroup.

Challenge two, we must be excited about spending time in prayer. Nothing builds a relationship more than communication. So let us stop making prayer a ritual, and really make it an exciting time to talk to the Lord. Today I will share with you Challenge Three and Challenge Four.

Challenge three, I am excited about Bible study. There are so many things in the world that need our attention that we don’t have time to read the Bible. We feel that the pastor or Sunday school teacher can teach us everything we need to know. A few years ago, I read a statistic that said that only 16% of Americans read their Bibles regularly, and less than 10% read their Bibles. It's time for us to read our Bible excitedly and teach our children to love it too.

We begin to believe that reading the Bible is boring, because most people don’t realize that people can find something exciting in the Bible. Talking snakes and talking donkeys, burning non-burning bushes, axes floating on the water, people digging a grave, when his buried corpse touches the bones of the prophet buried in this tomb, this person is resurrected And ran away. A king began to quickly ride his chariot to a city. A prophet of God drove him to the city on foot and reached the city first. These are just some exciting stories that people can find in the Bible. We need to be excited about reading the Bible again.

Challenge four, worship time must be exciting. We live in an era when it seems that most believers don't think going to church is important. People say that I don’t have to go to church to worship the Lord. Yes, this is true, but when one worships with other believers, it brings strength, peace, comfort and hope.

I know that last year due to COVID, we had to develop an alternative to collective worship. My friends, it's great to provide driving services or online services during this pandemic, but let us remember the teachings of the Bible and don't give up our own gatherings so that we can persuade and encourage each other. When many of us resumed face-to-face worship, I heard how excited it was for people to get together again. However, in just a few weeks, people have begun to take this honor, privilege, and the excitement of gathering together for worship as a matter of course. People have begun to find excuses to stay away. When he said, "They said to me, let us enter the temple of the Lord, I was very happy."

Life must live forward, but it must be understood backward——Sauron Kierkegaard

This area has produced some celebrities who have influenced our national culture and history in important ways. Confederate General JEB Stuart was Robert E. Lee's "eyes and ears". He grew up less than 6 miles from Mount Airy, where he and his family came to worship, shop, collect mail, and visit friends.

"The Happiest Girl in America", Donna Fargo was born in Yvonne Vaughn and grew up in Slate Mountain in eastern Surrey County. Chatham Mills in Elgin produced thousands of blankets for American soldiers. You may have heard that Andy Griffith of Maybury's fame came from here.

We celebrate celebrities. Study historical figures. And calculate how far we might be separated from them. However, it is important to remember that there are many more people we may never know their names, but their lives are equally important.

Genealogy is one of America's most popular hobbies. It allows us to study history in a personal way, from ourselves, through our ancestors and cousins ​​to historical events.

Many of us have heard stories told by our elders. Maybe we noticed and remembered them. Maybe we are too busy to stop and listen. Then, one day, when we finally got curious and slowed down, we wanted to know that it was usually too late and no one could tell the story.

Thomas Winfred Frye, his friend's wind, solved this eternal problem. In 1996, when he retired for the second time, he began to write his story.

"To my children," he wrote, "when you grow up...I will tell you something that happened in my life when I was young. At first, you will hear a one that seemed extraordinary to you It’s an uncommon story, and it’s amazing."

However, as his children grow up, like many of us, they are bored with stories that "heard them before". So Wendy wrote them down and talked about his parents and grandparents. Share what he has heard about his great-great-grandfather Elisha Chaney, Virginia, where he married and supported his family.

He recalled hoeing tobacco on his uncle's farm along Faulkner Creek. Working in the blazing North Carolina sun, he considered this place to be "half acre of hell" and made a plan to ensure that his life would not be spent on heavy agricultural labor.

"Education," he said, "is the key to open the door," and he pursued it wholeheartedly. As far as he knows, he is the first person in his family to go to school after the seventh grade. After serving in the Navy for a while, he graduated from North Carolina State University.

His career in logistics and engineering has allowed him to travel throughout this country and other countries. As Castro came to power in Cuba, he participated in the launch of the F-8U Crusader, the Navy's fastest fighter jet during the Cold War.

But, despite all his personal and professional accomplishments, his greatest gift from Surrey County (except for military service) was his 180-page memoir for future generations. This is not only his history, but also the personal life history of Surrey County-a history that has not been published in newspapers or official records.

In it, he remembers the impact of the closure of furniture factories during the Great Depression and how neighbors helped each other wherever they could, but his family lost his beloved home. When he was a teenager, he and his best friend Fred Thompson helped demolish and move Ft.’s prefab barracks. Bragg to Mount Airy, where they were built along South Street as low-income public housing.

He has been working hard for his college tuition. He talked about his work at the Watson department store located "a block across from the post office" on Main Street, and how the store in Surrey continued the tradition of World War II by closing half a day earlier on Wednesday. So that people can work in Victory Garden.

He helped us a lot and told us the story of Surrey. "If I don't tell you how it grew up during the Great Depression, World War II, the technological explosion, and everything related to the pre-space age, then you are likely to have only a limited and possibly wrong understanding of what. Minecraft It's really similar."

Like him, I encourage everyone to record their memories for future generations and share these stories and pictures with the Airy Mountain Regional History Museum, where they can be scanned and archived for everyone to view, so that our history, large and small, will not be Forgotten.

Anyone who wants to read online on the Surry Digital Heritage website (www.surrydigitalheritage.org) can read his memoirs and many other memoirs

In Chapter 3 of Acts, there is a familiar story of Peter and John approaching the temple. There was a lame begging man lying at the door. Peter said to this man as he passed by, I have no gold or silver, but I give you all I have in the name of Jesus. The man's legs immediately gained strength, stood up, and began to walk. This person was barred from entering the temple because of his lameness. Now he enters the temple, jumps, shouts, and praises God for his new walking ability.

I want to know if this person has forgotten what Jesus did for him? Has he ever been here in his life when he thinks that praising God seems too cliché he can’t do, jumping and yelling are not “being” things, going to the temple is not particularly important to me, or no one wants to hear about Jesus’ actions what did I do. This writer personally believes that he has never forgotten everything Jesus did for him and continues to praise the Lord.

Today, there are so many believers who have been lost and headed to hell. Jesus saved and changed them, but it does not seem to be important to praise and glorify the Lord. We live in a world where saying praise to God is too old for me. We don’t shout and praise the Lord because someone might see me. We don’t have to go to church to become believers. We don’t have to share our experience of salvation with anyone. We have lost the excitement of going from a person who has died in transgressions and sins to being a child of God and going to heaven at the end of life on earth.

In the next three weeks, I would like to share with you six challenges, so that all believers who have become children of God and feel complacent and experience a reawakening of excitement.

Challenge one, renew your excitement about salvation. We might say that if God can heal me as lame as the person in the story, then I will be more excited. Let us remember that we are on the way to the lake of fire. When we were still sinners, God showed us his love and he would let Jesus die on the cross for us. We have something to be excited about.

When we think of the hymn of faith "Strange Grace", and then think about these words carefully, we can't help but get excited. The first paragraph speaks of "grace" God's undeserved grace. We are not worthy to accept Jesus’ substitutionary death, but He came and died on the cross for us. A verse reminds us that since we were saved, God has led us through many hardships, dangers, and pitfalls.

Another verse tells us that we can be confident that God's promise will never fail. Another verse tells us that if time is long, we will all walk through the valley of the shadow of death, and God's love, peace, mercy and comfort will be with us. Another verse tells us that this world and all its matter will one day pass, but the word of God will never pass. The last verse reminds us that as believers, one day we will return to Jesus, because of his amazing grace ten thousand years later, we have only just begun to enjoy our salvation.

We do have a lot to be excited about.

Challenge two, we need to be excited about spending time talking with God in prayer. The way we build relationships is to learn to talk to each other. All relationships are like this: husband and wife; parent-child; friend-to-friend; employer-employee to name a few.

We often make our prayer time a checkbox to lighten our conscience. We use the act of praying to make ourselves feel good, but we don't have a good time with God. We often use prayer as a 911 emergency number. We use it when there is a storm in our lives, and it does not exist the rest of the time. Praying for God's children is one of the most powerful tools we have, but if we are to truly change our circle of influence, we must be truly excited about using it.

Let us seek more excitement in our faith. Next week we will see more challenges in order to walk excitingly with the Lord.

Galax, Virginia, will soon bring music to the Old Fiddler's Convention, bringing vitality to the hills.

Every year, the conference attracts more than 60,000 music lovers from all over the world to Galax, a city with about 7,000 people, for six days. Known as the world’s largest and oldest old violinists’ convention, it celebrates local musical traditions in various forms; Dolin, claw hammer banjo, bluegrass banjo, dulcimer, dubro, folk song and flat foot dance. This year's conference will be held this week, Monday to Saturday.

Although different categories of cash and trophies are attractive, most musicians will enjoy friendship and learn from other musicians.

The Old Fiddler Conference began in 1935 through the work and efforts of Galax Moose Lodge #733 and the Parent Teacher Association as a way to raise funds and publicity for local charitable work. According to a local newspaper at the time, the mission of the conference was "to keep the memories and emotions of the past alive, so that people today can hear and enjoy the tunes of yesterday."

After a while, the sole organization and operation of the convention became the Moose Lodge. There were two conventions in 1935, one in spring and one in autumn. By the fall, the indoor facilities were old and the conference was moved to the Felt Park, where it has been held since then, unless the weather is bad. The convention has only been cancelled twice in its 85-year history; once during World War II due to travel restrictions and in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 1935, Blue Ridge Parkway began construction, which also marked its debut. At the beginning of World War II, there were approximately 170 miles available for travel, and another 160 miles were under construction. Today, Park Avenue is 469 miles long. Alongside Parkway is Crooked Road: Virginia’s musical heritage trail, 330 miles in length, including 19 counties, 4 cities, and 54 towns. These two systems help bring people to the area to learn more about and enjoy the musical heritage here.

For six days, people camped, jam, ate, and exchanged stories and tunes in the park. The main stage is where the game takes place, but the parking lot and camping area are the real magical places. There, stories and traditions are passed on from generation to generation, ensuring that it can continue into the future. Many late and great musicians are there to add luster to the stage, as well as budding musicians.

A special event was planned for the Sixth Congress held from August 18 to 19, 1939. An article published in Mount Airy Times on July 28, 1939 said: "A special event in the upcoming conference program will be a public wedding of some visiting couples. Conference officials sincerely invite anyone who is considering marriage Get married at your own expense. Many companies in Galax will express their best wishes by donating lovely gifts to this united couple. Registration for this event must be submitted before August 10."

The music conference is more than just a competition. They are the time and place to reconnect, connect and enjoy each other's company. We are fortunate to have such a strong musical tradition here.

Justyn Kissam is the Director of Projects and Education at the Mount Airy Regional History Museum. She originally came from Winston-Salem, and for her education and public history work, she moved around the state until she settled in Mount Airy. Her contact information is 336-786-4478 x 228 or jnkissam@northcarolinamuseum.org

In the past year, we have all been encouraged to ask ourselves a question before going to public places, "Can I get it?" This is our way of trying to contain the spread of the COVID virus, and it has also helped other areas.

When a person is contagious, we need to remember at least three meanings of contagion. 1. Infectivity refers to transmission through direct or indirect contact with others. This means spreading the virus through contact or direct contact with others. We can also spread bacteria indirectly by touching something such as a doorknob and then another person touching the same surface.

Secondly, infectiousness refers to people who are carriers or spread diseases to others. This is usually done inadvertently by people who really don't know they are infected, but they are spreading the virus to others.

Third, infectivity refers to someone going out with the intention of spreading germs to other people. In our world, being contagious is considered a negative thing. Today I want to see contagion as a positive thing. I want to think about how different our world would be if we were believers with contagious faith. Let's look at the definitions we just used and apply them to the contagiousness of our beliefs.

Regarding contagious beliefs, the first thing we must determine is whether we ourselves are infected? If we are to be "contagious" in our faith, we must first establish a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. In our lives, we must realize that we are sinners and need a savior. We have prayed and accepted the bloodshed and death of Jesus on the cross as payment for our sins. We have allowed the Holy Spirit to live in our hearts and guide and guide us as we travel the world every day. When we do, we must become contagious. If our faith is infectious, then we will spread the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ in three ways.

First, we will spread the gospel directly or indirectly. If we spread it directly, we will share the message of salvation through Jesus Christ by verbally witnessing what Jesus did for us and for anyone who comes to Him. We will use words, songs, testimonies and testimonies to spread the gospel to others. We will spread the message indirectly by living a godly lifestyle for others to see. We will strive to act and react like Jesus in different living environments and situations. Others will see us living in a place separate from the world. When our faith is contagious, we will not act, speak or act like the world, but like believers who are born again in the Lord Jesus. Therefore, our faith will be contagious.

Second, if our beliefs are infectious, we will become the carriers of the gospel message. This means that we will be infected by the gospel and our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ so that it will pass on the truth of salvation through Jesus Christ to the people we meet every day. We don't even need to try to spread the gospel to others. We will become infectious in our faith.

Third, if we are infected by the gospel of Jesus Christ, we will purposefully "infect" others with the truth of Jesus Christ. We will go out and look for opportunities to infect others with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We want to see those who think they have no hope and do not know the truth come to know our Lord Jesus and the changes He can bring about in their lives on earth, but the most important thing is their eternity. Our faith will be contagious.

I want to encourage all of our believers because we will ask ourselves this question in the days to come, "Is my body contagious" to determine whether we can safely go to public places. So let us also ask, "Am I spiritually contagious" so that I\we can make changes to the Lord Jesus in the lives of others every day. Let us be infected by the gospel of Jesus Christ.

For nearly a hundred years, Tilley's Grocery, a small grocery store hidden at the foot of the Blue Ridge Parkway, has truly become a staple of the community.

Although it is not the first general store in the area, it has persisted until modern times, bringing many ancient traditions. The owners still hang an old-fashioned Ramon's Brownie old-fashioned calendar on the wall to help record when to plant crops and tell us when is the best day to fish. It is also one of the only stores that allow people to charge fees and provide credit lines for local residents. When the customer pulls to the air pump, they will pump the air for you. They will even help you deliver groceries to your car.

The content of the store has changed a lot. Most people in that era were self-sufficient. They grew most of the food they ate and made what they needed. You can only buy essential items from the store, such as salt, cloth, coffee, and cast iron farm tools. When horses and carriages are your main means of transportation, getting back to town can be a hassle. For most people who can drive to town in about 10 or 15 minutes, this may seem silly, but having a horse only means you can only drive two to four miles per hour, turning today’s ten-minute drive into It takes several hours.

Foy and Ellie Hiatt seem to be the original owners and operators of the first store. Calling it Hiatt's Grocery, they would buy things from vendors and one of the few wholesale grocery stores at the time (such as Granite Mercantile) to stock them on the shelves. The original buildings were small, but they were able to make full use of the space. In addition to all retail merchandise, they also have a small lunch counter. Instead of using bread, they used a biscuit, four each, to make a sandwich.

When Bethel Hill School was still there, Hiatt grocery store even provided lunch for the school. Around 10:30 in the morning, a "store order" will be written. After that, the two students walked to the store with the money, where Ellie would prepare everything and box it. In addition to sandwiches, students can also enjoy lunch, such as candy or soda. Then a family member kindly drives the children back to school.

The shop has changed hands several times, from Jasper Allen, Cecil Chappell, Elmer and Lorraine Allen. During that time, the store added a few more items, from a small one-room cottage to a more spacious store with a back room and a walk-in cooler. If you go there today, you will notice where the floor does not match, and you can see the windows on the back wall, which used to be the exterior wall.

In the 1970s, this store became the first store selling beer in the area. But not just any beer, Coors beer. My grandfather Howard was a truck driver. When he delivered to California, he would bring back a few boxes hidden in the front of the trailer. This is a high-priced item, priced at $6 per box.

In 1986, this store was acquired by Howard and Etta Tilley. For the past 35 years, with the help of their two children Melanie Tilley-Johnson and their late son Terry Tilley, the family has witnessed the development of this store. They brought back lunch counters like Hiatt, starting with cold cut sandwiches and hot dogs, and now they even offer cheeseburgers.

As the modern world around us has changed, many things have changed, and modern life has slowly stepped into a simple mountain lifestyle. The simple tradition still exists here. Those whose parents would take them to the store to buy a classic glass of coke and desserts now take their children there to buy soda and some sweets. We hope to maintain these traditions in the coming decades.

Dakota Johnson is a volunteer at the Mount Airy Regional History Museum. He is an avid birdwatcher and likes watching hockey and reading.

Editor's note: Community Commentary is a regular column in The Mount Airy News that contains comments from community leaders in Mount Airy and Surry County.

We look forward to the start of the new school year. Students and faculty members are very excited when they think of all the great things that have happened at Mount Airy City Schools starting in the fall. We will all see the start of the new school year, the start of the football season, art classes (such as marching bands), new supplies for the new school year, and the reconnection of friends last year.

When we gather together to learn and complete new things, autumn brings a lot of excitement and joy. More than our students have participated in summer programs, sports camps, church camps, community activities or family activities. Summer is a celebration, and now is the time to start thinking about the 2021-2022 school year.

We know that we are approaching better returns than normal schools because we have learned a lot about connecting with students, ensuring a healthy school environment, and creating various learning pathways (face-to-face, online, and hybrid) in the past year. Given all the courses learned, our students are able to blaze a good academic path because we face each other five days a week.

This fall, we will offer several new courses, including a middle school bilingual course, which is one of our most popular courses. We will focus on middle school innovation and high school aviation and architecture. Our high school AVID program stands for Advanced Via Individual Determination and will help students succeed in high school and succeed in college. This college preparation course will affect all students at Mount Airy High School to learn basic skills such as organization, note-taking, critical thinking, and developing leadership skills. Our students not only emerged from the global pandemic, but they also thrive in it. We have overcome the pandemic and understand how we can ensure the safety and growth of students while we do this.

In the coming year, there will be many questions about safety, cleanliness and accountability. Last year, in the most difficult year of our life, you trusted us. I ask you to work with us as a team, trust our decisions, and support students and faculty when we return this year. We know that the virus is still alive and healthy, and it spreads mainly through unvaccinated people. Therefore, we will need to continue to implement cleaning procedures, maintain social distancing, and especially cover up unvaccinated students, faculty and staff. We will always stand on the side of health and safety.

We hope that every child and staff can return to school in a healthy and healthy manner, and go to school every day. This may mean that we are wearing masks inside, we are spread out during lunch and break time, and have additional cleaning procedures in place. But this does mean that we will not stay in a classroom all day, we do not need to wear masks outside, we can start using the cafeteria again. Anything you do to vaccinate and encourage others will help us avoid as much isolation as possible and continue our normal activities, including sports and the arts. We want to return to a "better than usual" state, and we need all of you to help us.

Think about the way we can "rethink education", challenge previous ideas about things, and dream of how education can make everyone better. What if we can create more work-based learning experiences for all children and help them find future careers? Imagine if we do a lot of place-based learning and let students learn outside the four walls of the classroom, adventure activities in state parks, art venues in our state, and other excellent learning environments. What if we allow students to connect to micro schools based on their natural interests, talents, and abilities? Now is the time to reinvent and challenge the old way of thinking. Mount Airy City Schools is ready to lead innovative services in exciting new ways. If you want to join us, please visit https://www.mtairy.k12.nc.us to see all the new and innovative ways we support students.

The fascinating organ music, colorful light and overwhelming sense of peace are just some of the characteristics that citizens have experienced in this historical site for more than 100 years.

Trinity Bishop’s Church is one of the oldest buildings in the center of Mount Airy, and is believed to be the first church made of the famous local granite.

Today, July 25th, Sany celebrated its 125th anniversary of official service.

Since the 1850s, the Anglican faith has always existed in Mount Airy. Irregular services, meetings and social gatherings are held in conference rooms, other churches, school buildings and even opera houses. A historical assessment report in Surrey County stated that “The Anglican bishops around Mount Airy united for the first time in 1890 and held worship in Miss Bell Grave’s old schoolhouse on Rockford Street.”

After years of development and temporary site selection, the Anglican community decided to build its own building. On March 26, 1896, this dream began to become a reality. Mr. JA Tesh signed the contract and the fundraising activity started.

Thomas Woodroffe, one of the owners of the newly organized granite quarry, promised to donate granite to the building. His son Francis "Frank" Woodroff drew up plans for the church. Many others helped raise funds and found Trinity; Thomas Fawcett, Judge Porter Graves, Armfields, Messers, etc. Mrs. Thomas Fawcett painted for the benefit of the church and sold it.

The design is based on another church in Oxford, England, imitating Gothic architecture. The gravel masonry is not only reasonable in structure, but also beautiful in appearance. The combination of Gothic arches and stained glass make this building a true masterpiece of architecture.

The project started in the early spring of 1896 and was completed around June of the same year. Tesh was the contractor and builder on site and also built several other famous buildings such as Mount Airy Passenger Terminal, First Presbyterian Church and WE Merritt Residence.

There is nothing to do but to open the door to let people in. The first service was held in July after completion. In 1900, the bishop Joseph Blount Cheshire consecrated the church building and declared it a holy place.

Over the years, some things have remained the same, while others have changed. In the 1920s or 1930s, a small reed organ was added, bringing a new kind of music to the church. Some people say that before the organ, guitars and other instruments were used to enhance the tune of worship. It is said that Woodruff boys are great musicians. One record claims that Trinity sponsored the first ever church ball held at the Goldsmith building in Mount Airy at some point in the 1930s.

In 1953, the mission of the Trinity ceased to exist. The church eventually became a parish with the help of 77 communionists.

In 1954, the parish hall was built with the same granite. This increase includes classrooms, kitchens, offices, living rooms and living rooms. When the Trinity Anglican Church was included in the National Register of Historic Places in 1986, 90 years after its establishment, all the hard work and history paid off.

Today, the diocese is a thriving community of humanitarians, volunteers, and loving hearts, all of which are packed with one of the most iconic and historic buildings in Mount Airy.

Emily Morgan is the Guest Services Manager for Mount Airy Regional History Museum. She lives in Westfield with her family. You can contact her at eamorgan@northcarolinamuseum.org or call 336-786-4478 x229

"Life is about to change"

Nothing is constant"

She said: "How can I help you

Say goodbye, it’s okay to be hurt, it’s okay to cry," Patty Loveless

On June 17, 2021, my sister Linda Huskey died in Hartsell, Alabama.

The statistics are average for the day; there are 7,708 deaths in the United States and 137 deaths in Alabama. I believe that each of these deaths has had a significant impact on the family and friends left behind. Everyone is important to someone in some way. After all, it is a realistic part of the life cycle concept.

As far as Linda is concerned, personally, farewell may be the most difficult transition I have ever experienced. Even worse than when my parents died. I came to the conclusion that because her age was similar to mine, her death shook my own mortality rate. In the early hours of the next morning, I saw her late in the afternoon the day before she was called home. During the time I shared with her during that interview, my emotions included the most helpless feeling in my life so far. I, like many people who have experienced similar situations, fell into a lot of incoherent thoughts and frustrating emotions. It is difficult to find that I am not helping to change the course of events unfolding in front of me.

Linda is a stone to many members of the family. Even if the road of life encounters big rocks and potholes, she is still unswervingly committed to doing the right thing. Just two months before the end of World War II, her biological father was killed in World War II. She was still a baby at that time, and when she grew up, she could only know him through the memories of relatives. Due to the union of her mother and my father, she was 6 years old when I arrived. Society divides this relationship into "half" siblings. Neither she nor I joined this concept of distinction. After I was born, she and I shared the sibling interactions for the next nine years, until our brother was born. When she was a child, she was very protective to me, anyone who dared to abuse her brother would notice that this behavior would cause her to have to face her anger.

I clearly remember one day when I was about 7 years old, when I publicly asked who the person was in the portrait of the young soldier displayed on the most conspicuous wall of our house. I thought it was one of our uncles. The answer I received was, "Oh, that's Linda's dad", which shocked me and immediately caused a "what do you mean?" retort. Only then did I fully realize that her last name, as an honor to the young soldier, was different from mine. This proves the interaction, love and devotion between my father and her for him, because most people who were not familiar with the situation in our childhood did not realize that our family unit was "different from the normal".

In fact, when I was in high school, I decided to deliberately let some teachers know that she was my sister, even though our last name was different. Most people's reaction is incredible, not because of the difference between different surnames. "Linda is an excellent student. I am very happy to be a student and get a direct'A'. And you... she can't be your sister." Trying to trample on her good reputation and kindness, because I didn't Show these characteristics.

Most importantly, Linda is a model of immortal faith and loyalty to faith. When a pothole in her life temporarily changed her direction, she later confided to me that she felt confused and her faith abandoned her. She quickly added that she was surprised and thankful for discovering that her faith was where she left. She realizes that it is her responsibility to keep faith, it depends on her, and knows that it will never be shaken and will always exist, it will always be safe, which is different from imperfect humans who deviate from it. We often find that not only has it never left, but it has always existed where we left it for recycling when we found our way back. This is the belief my sister taught me.

A few days after her death, we held a memorial service for her. To celebrate her from this life to her eternal home, I found myself unable to participate in the expression of memories that other family members took for granted and shared with the attendees. I am not the most eloquent and most gifted speaker in our family, and I am surprised by those who are. I usually have to think about and organize the thinking process for a period of time, and then finally use it all in written expression, rather than behind the podium.

Even now, a few weeks later, I found that I was speechless and could only rely on the words of others. I heard a song by Patty Loveless asking: "How can I say goodbye?" Thank God, I came to the conclusion, "It's okay to be hurt, and it's okay to cry," because I'm not ready to say goodbye loudly. Maybe I never will. I did get comfort from the last sentence of a great hymn that friends and family are so hopeful in the service. "When we were there for ten thousand years; bright and shining like the sun. Compared to when we first started, we have many days to praise God." So, I will replace "goodbye" with "see you later." This is what she will do.

So all I can do is dig deeper and say "I love you, Linda, I miss you." Your brave fight against the doomed disease is still victorious. You have become brave enough to say goodbye and be sure that your final destination is known, and your rewards are waiting for you to claim. The victory is yours. Your music, your earthly image and the fullness of your love remain in our memory. The joy of your life, your happy prospects and your lasting beliefs will be passed on from generation to generation in this family. They will never see you, but will pass on your behavior and the eternity left by you in the era when you were the beacon of faith for this family. Impressions to understand you.

Deep respect to everyone you represent during your stay with us;

The elders of your "full brothers",

Gary Lawrence is a resident of Mount Airy and the retired publisher of "Mount Airy News."

Nothing tells the summer better than visiting a local park. The open space, leisure area and rich natural environment can revitalize the spirit and bring joy to all visitors. Fortunately, there are many federal and state parks in this area. However, the local city and county parks cannot be ignored.

With the beginning of the American Industrial Revolution in the late 1800s, people moved to cities in search of job opportunities. As cities develop, open space and quality of life decline. Those who can afford it will take a vacation in the countryside (usually in the mountains) to "breath the air" and restore health. The White Sulfur Spring Hotel is a local example.

However, it is really starting to promote the city to have a natural environment so that all residents can enjoy it. The first foray into the park began in the "amusement park", which provides urban residents with a neatly manicured and picturesque natural area in the center of the city; Central Park in New York City is the best example.

By the early 1900s, people sought more from the city’s park areas. People don't want to just look at nature and walk in the park, they want to play a more active role in nature for themselves, especially children. The new promotion of the park focuses on recreational opportunities and playgrounds in safe spaces near homes. Over time, recreational opportunities expanded to include the addition of indoor facilities, swimming pools and courts.

In the United States, there are 423 national parks and 6,600 state parks. North Carolina has 34 state parks, four recreation areas, and three staffed state natural areas. Due to the rich natural resources in the area, Surrey County has a long history of agriculture. Many of the parks we know and visit today were developed from farmland. Under the care and management of Surry County Parks and Recreation, Fisher River Park developed in this way.

In 1872, the county acquired 400 acres of land outside of Dobson from the Jones family. Until the 1950s, this land was used as a "poor farm" with barns, buildings and two cemeteries that still exist today. In the 1970s, plans were made to use the land for entertainment purposes. In 1998, the stadium was built, and the playground was built in the early 2000s. Today, the park occupies 135 acres and has a court, playground, horseshoe pit, walking trails, mountain bike trails, picnic shed and amphitheater. This mountain bike trail was built in 2003 with the help of a US$5,000 grant from the State Adoption Road and has a total length of 4 miles.

The Mount Airy Parks and Recreation Department of Mount Airy is responsible for overseeing the operation and maintenance of seven parks of various sizes; Riverside Park, Westwood Park, Tarrington Park, Graham Field, HB Rowe Environmental Park, Rowe Park Vail Creek Park and Lowry Park and a 6.6-mile greenway system.

The greenway is a connected, paved horseshoe-shaped surface that is open to cyclists, joggers or walkers. It consists of three parts; Emily B. Taylor Greenway Segment, Confluence Greenway Segment and Ararat River Greenway Segment. There are many fishing spots along the greenway, park entrances, kayaking and canoe sewers, and picnic areas. The park offers venues, playgrounds, playgrounds, skate parks, picnic sheds, frisbee golf courses, and dog parks, to name a few.

In addition to city and county parks, there are also various privately managed parks in the area. The so-called Veterans Memorial Park was once CW Taylor Farm, covering 36 acres. It was originally called the Gentleman's Driving Park, and hosted horse races and performances for the community. VFW and the American Army jointly purchased the property and opened the park in 1947. The park is dedicated to local war victims and is one of the first community parks to provide recreational activities. Today, the park is self-operating through revenue generated from activities such as the Airy Mountain Old Times and Bluegrass Fiddler Convention and the Surrey County Agricultural Fair.

Raven-Knob Park was originally called Buzzard Rock and opened to the public on July 4, 1948, offering huts, dancing, swimming, boating, fishing and picnic opportunities on 250 acres of land. However, from 1954 to 1959, the park was transformed from a public space into a Scout camp. The park was purchased by the Winston-Salem Foundation, but was awarded to the Old Hickory Committee for use by the Boy Scouts and was renamed Raven Knob Scout Reservation. Today, it is wholly owned by the Old Pecan Council and has grown to 3,600 acres.

This is a list of other local parks in the area; Ararat Homeland Recreation Park, Mountain Park Community Park, Rockford Park, Elgin Municipal Park, Elgin Crater Park, Dobson Square Park, Shoal Community Recreation Park and Salem Fork Community Park.

July is the month of parks and recreation, so go out and enjoy one of the many parks in the area.

Justyn Kissam is the Director of Projects and Education at the Mount Airy Regional History Museum. She originally came from Winston-Salem, and for her education and public history work, she moved around the state until she settled in Mount Airy. Her contact information is 336-786-4478 x 228 or jnkissam@northcarolinamuseum.org

"The forest was green when I was born, and I am still green now."

Of the 469 miles of Blue Ridge Parkway, the milestone 189.1 holds a legend. It is possible that the ancestors of anyone born in Patrick County or Carroll County, Virginia, were brought into this world by the famous "aunt" Orleans Hawks Packt. Aunt Orleans' talents as a midwife and a strong woman are echoed in the valleys and peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains that she loves.

The Orleans Eagles were born in 1837, 1839 or 1844, and they came to this world in Lansburg, Virginia. This small unincorporated community is located in Carroll County, about 20 minutes from the town of Galax. Orleans grew up in the mountains and has a deep understanding of farm life and natural life. Most people praise her for her beauty, blue eyes, blonde hair, and slender figure. Who can argue? Naturally, these characteristics attracted suitors, and in 1860, sometime before the Civil War, 16-year-old Orleans married 22-year-old John Puckett.

The young couple moved into a cabin after the wedding, but soon moved back to their hollow home at the foot of Marmot Mountain. Julia, the daughter of John and Orleans, will be born here, and John will join the Confederate army in Virginia. In June 1861, John enlisted in the army and served there for about a year until he left and returned home. Some sources indicate that his departure from the soldier’s life in time was partly due to the frailty of his daughter Julia. Julia was infected with diphtheria, a bacterial infection that affects the respiratory system, causing weak or complete breathing.

On September 27, 1862, Julia Puckett died at the age of 7 months. Orleans will be pregnant 23 more times, and none of her children have survived 7 months. Ten of her children were stillborn, and other miscarriages and rapid deaths claimed the lives of other offspring. Once quoted from Orleans: "If God's will keep one of my children alive, I will be very happy."

There are still many doubts about the real reason for Orleans' defeat. Some locals believe that John was abused during pregnancy in Orleans; some close to his family believe that this is just the Lord’s will. Some people today think that Orleans has the RH blood factor. When the fetus and mother do not match, this can cause complications. However, despite these pain, loss and disappointment, Orleans' love for his children has not wavered. In 1875, John and Orleans moved to their new home in Groundhog Hill.

In 1889, Orleans, who was only 50 years old, gave birth to her first child as a midwife. From this time on, Orleans began delivering a child. During her time as a midwife, she never lost her child and mother in the process. When news came that the mother was about to give birth, Orleans sometimes walked 20 miles or more to help families in need. When the weather is icy or slippery, she will nail tack on the bottom of the shoe for better grip. If the home is far away, she would ride an old mule or horseback. Sometimes horses and carriages would stop to find a midwife, and later even a car.

Aunt Orleans carried a doctor's bag with her, which usually contained eye drops (required by the state), scissors, rope, gauze, camphor, and sometimes brandy. Some people say that she never asks for money or compensation, others say that she did it. A source said that around 1890, the service charge in Orleans was as high as $6. Regardless of the price, the people around her home in Groundhog Mountain need and want her services. During her dedication as a midwife, Orlean Puckett delivered more than 1,000 children. Use her common sense, Shan knows how and grandma's superstition to save this day.

Today, at the milestone 189.1 of the Blue Ridge Parkway, you can see a cabin that is often misunderstood as The Puckett Cabin. Packett’s original cabin is nearby, possibly in the garden on site. The current cabin belongs to Aunt Betty Packett, a close relative. Despite this small misunderstanding, the National Park Service still uses this space to preserve and remember the legendary heritage of this mountain. The site provides explanatory markings and paths around the cabin.

Orlean Puckett died on October 21, 1939. Although she did not leave her own children, her legacy will last for many years.

Emily Morgan is the Guest Services Manager for the Mount Airy Regional History Museum. She lives in Westfield with her family. You can contact her at eamorgan@northcarolinamuseum.org or call 336-786-4478 x229

Part of the pastor’s job is to develop and lead the public to celebrate God’s moments. This may include weddings, baptisms, Christmas and Easter worship. The same goes for funerals.

As the world around us is taking steps to gather together after a long period of shelter in place, the importance of celebration seems even more precious. Party celebration runs counter to the need to control. The devastation of the pandemic has plunged most of the world into a struggle for control. In the endless days of following scientific and medical guidance, and disagreements with our favorite news media, for most people nowadays, celebrating God seems to be a distant interest. However, focusing on what is important to God is the key to moving forward.

When the apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Ephesus, it was also during a similar period of tension and struggle. In the church and between Christians and cultures, the same "us and them" things have happened.

At the beginning of this letter, Paul reminded the Christian community in Ephesus to remember and celebrate all that God has provided. Before the world was formed, we were chosen in Christ; God plans to adopt believers as God's children; God chooses to grant us grace. Everything that is most needed has been provided-salvation and forgiveness through Jesus.

Long before we knew the existence of God or realized this kind of love, why would God choose to bless us so much? I choose to believe that this is an ongoing thing. This outpouring of grace and love is still at work, just as the sun rises and sets every day. This amazing gift of salvation and grace is still unfolding!

What is God doing? What is the goal or purpose of this gift? Why is it so extravagantly extended to all people and creation itself?

Do you know the story of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11)? This is a warning story about humans’ desire to reach heaven and be like God. To control the world. Efforts backfired. As a punishment for the arrogance of human beings who spoke a common language at the time, God destroyed the tower and scattered people to the end of the earth. It is understood as the origin story of why there are so many languages ​​in the world.

Chapter 1 of Ephesians describes the goal and purpose of God's salvation and grace ritual, which is the opposite of the effect of the Tower of Babel. In other words, God's goal is to unite the world together. In addition, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 describes this mystery and the call to cooperate with God in this mission to unite the world together.

So, if God’s goal is to unite the world through the gift of salvation and grace provided by Jesus, what can we do to support it? This has always been a key issue. When I consider the difference makers in history, they have done great things to bring cooperation in division, healing in brokenness, reconciliation in war, recovery in trauma, and hope in failure. It seems that this theme is the frontier. And the central story.

In addition, these extraordinary people seem to have found a way to celebrate God in the first place. Even the people around are caught in the quagmire of division and struggle. Because by celebrating God, they are able to focus on God’s goals and objectives, not on their own need to control the outcome or decide who their enemy is. When they dedicated themselves to working with God and celebrating the gifts that God had already provided through Jesus' salvation and forgiveness, they discovered new and creative ways to devote themselves to God's work of reconciliation. We need to make the same efforts as we seek to reopen businesses and churches. Put the interests of all people above our own goals.

The Delta variant is still taking lives and affecting young people. The three main vaccines are very effective against this variant, but they are slightly less resistant to the original virus. This means that all of us are still at risk.

Although I really want to get together and celebrate as usual, I still need to be cautious. Although I believe that God calls people to gather together to celebrate the news of salvation and grace, paying attention to risk is also part of the call. Knowing that God cares about building unity in our community motivates me to try to be careful. I believe that the time for free celebration is coming, and I look forward to God's patience as we try to take steps to get there safely.

In the spring of 1780, the British army easily crossed the southern colonies, boosting morale and giving a feeling that the rebellion on these lucrative British lands would soon end.

As the invading forces moved north, the Scottish-born Major Patrick Ferguson recruited a considerable Conservative army. The main groups in West Carolina and Virginia are Scottish Highlanders. They usually stay outside the conflict, ignoring calls from British and Patriot recruiters. Even if they don't care about the government's strategy, many people feel bound by their oath to Britain.

Ferguson advanced to Charlotte, a small town at the time, protecting the left flank of General Cornwallis. A small group of North Carolina mountain soldiers harassed his men, engaged in "Indian-style" fighting behind trees and boulders, and then disappeared into the forest. Ferguson called them "barbarians" and "scum of mankind" because they fought without honor.

He issued a warning in September: "If you don't stop opposing the British army, I will lead this army over the mountains, hang your leader, and destroy your country with fire and sword."

Their homes and families were threatened, and people from the mountainous areas of the west (called mountain people today) gathered in the Sycamore Shoal (now Tennessee). They traveled 330 miles, and as people came from Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, and Carolina (including the Surrey Militia), their ranks continued to expand.

When they arrived at Kings Mountain, southwest of Charlotte, South Carolina, there were already 1,800 Patriots. Ferguson camped on Kings Mountain because of its defensive terrain, but it was not good for them. In the Battle of Kings Mountain on October 7, 1780, his men were defeated by a combo that was only half of them.

After that, the threat was eliminated and the border guards reintegrated into the valleys and ridges of the mountains-but their attacks prevented King George's army from recovering.

American history tends to focus on the more active Northern Revolutionary movement: Boston, Bunker Hill, Valley Forge, Saratoga. We know about the Boston Tea Party and Washington’s crossing of Delaware, but little is known about the motives of the Battle of the South and the colonists far from the cities and trade centers to break with their so isolated government.

There are fewer newspapers in the south. There are fewer letters preserved, which can tell the stories of people living in the area. But we are fortunate to have a long list of people dedicated to preserving history, collecting fragments of personal and official paperwork, pension records, and other fragments scattered over time.

People such as Jesse Hollingsworth wrote about the taxes collected by the North Carolina State Assembly for the construction of the Royal Governor’s Palace, and "From the Smith River in Rockingham County to Hollingsworth Long Island on the river...the line of fortresses built by Bethabara and Fort Waddell". Fork at Yadkin, Fort Dobbs near Catawba, Fort Chiswell on the New River, and Fort Stalnecker or Crab Farm near Roan Mountain. "

These forts were built in the 1760s to help security forces stationed along the border during the French and Indian wars and the subsequent Cherokee War, and to provide shelter to civilians who were threatened by decades of hostilities.

The family retains stories that have been passed down from generation to generation, such as the story of Samuel Freeman as part of the "barbaric" Overmountain Men rushing to the King's Mountain (Samuel Freeman) to defeat the most powerful army of the time.

The rifle he carried that day is still in the custody of his descendant Nick McMillan. It will be part of the new exhibits at the Airy Mountain Regional History Museum, and we are working hard to expand the story we share.

At the turn of the last century, the daughters of the American Revolutionary War acquired the land where Dobsburg once stood, and began the process of protecting it and its history for future generations. The field they bought, where they began to tell the history of their ancestors, now owns a replica of a bunker.

Individuals and organizations such as the County Genealogical Association and the Historical Society have been researching and dedicated to protecting the Edwards-Franklin House and other sites in Franklin Township for many years.

The task of preserving our history falls on each of us, whether it is our family history or the fortress serving the entire region. Just like the country we celebrate today, if we can keep it, it is ours.

As we celebrate Independence Day, my idea this year is the meaning of freedom and equality, which are the foundation of the core values ​​of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. They seem to be more important this year, as the COVID-19 pandemic and the political tensions of the past two years continue to challenge us.

There are so many voices in the media that freedom and equality cannot coexist. However, many biblical stories declare that they can. In fact, for justice and love to flourish, freedom and equality must coexist. I am grateful that this has been deeply rooted in my Christian faith.

From a very young age, I have had a deep understanding of how Christian beliefs and practices have had a significant impact on our country and the founders of this country. Did you know that Benjamin Franklin’s contribution to the U.S. Constitution and his fundamental principles of government reflecting the balance of freedom and equality were significantly influenced by his connection with the Iroquois League? This is a collaboration of indigenous peoples and tribes across most of the east coast.

Franklin’s relationship was greatly helped by Christian missionaries, who helped him establish a connection with the Iroquois Alliance, which had enacted a “great law of peace”-Franklin and others used it as a prototype for the U.S. Constitution constitution. These missionaries played a role in helping Franklin make this discovery.

Did you know that Thomas Jefferson was influenced by the writings of many European thinkers who advocated individual rights, freedom and equality? These included Christian reformers such as John Wycliffe, John Huss, and William Tyndale. Such writings would influence Luther and others to bring about Protestant reforms. They will also influence several political revolutions in European history, and these revolutions have become the seed bed for expressing democracy in the West.

Thomas Jefferson himself is still fascinated by the intricate role of freedom and equality as the foundation of democracy, and the requirement to unite as a civic community that chooses to respect the balance of the two without threats of violence or direct supervision by military regimes. But How can we achieve this balance?

Did you know that the first community to officially celebrate Independence Day was the religious settlement of Moravians in Salem, North Carolina? Soon, other religious groups took the lead. Earlier, few communities celebrated this day because most citizens did not believe that these 13 colonies could become sustainable and independent democracies.

In my opinion, the celebration on July 4 this year is unique. Following the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent political and social turmoil, this is a season to rethink our Christian religious ancestors’ core values ​​of freedom and equality. In short, they understand that unlimited freedom often leads to excessive behavior that hinders equality.

At the same time, unlimited equality often leads to limited freedom. They also understand that justice requires reasonable restrictions on freedom and equality, and this is reflected in the contract of early Christian settlement communities like Salem. Today I find myself eager to express more deeply and work together to support and maintain the balance of freedom and equality, without taking actions that cause more division and isolation.

Paul said: "I can do everything, but not everything is good." (1 Corinthians 6:12). Moravian believers value the need for continuous spiritual development-"until all of us are unified in faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, mature, and reach the full stature of Christ." (Ephesians 4:13) . They called on the community to "grow up." As I grow older, I understand how many spiritual ancestors of Christians in the United States understand that freedom and equality can coexist, but it is not without letting love and justice become a higher calling.

I am grateful that this year's Independence Day is Sunday. Many faith groups will gather today to pray for our country and its people. I hope that our common prayers will enable us to surpass our desire that our country becomes a beacon of freedom and equality in the world. They are just the beginning. May they accompany our actions and new efforts on mature choices to create a stronger balance between freedom and equality.

Make this month a special time to pray for our communities, our states, and our country to find a deeper passion for freedom and equality, and cultivate a vision of hope for all.

As the surveyor trudged along the Ararat River towards Mount Airy, the sleepy Stagecoach began to hear the whispers of progress.

In 1877, the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley Railway began laying tracks, eventually connecting the foothills to the coast of Wilmington. Some famous names participated in this adventure, including William A. and Jesse Moore and Winston and Joseph Fulton, to name a few.

Many men and women worked hard to ensure that the railway could be completed. The track path requires clearing of trees, shrubs, rocks, and sometimes structures. After that, the land needs to be leveled and cleared for the initial laying of tracks. On the newly cleared land, there will be a pile of rocks called ballast, then sleepers or sleepers, and finally railroad tracks. All of this is done manually with the help of local and travel personnel, and sometimes criminals. This work lasted more than 11 years before the line reached Mount Airy from Fayetteville. The staff are finally ready to test their hard-working track.

On May 18, 1888, a train arrived at Ailishan Station. The train leaves Fayetteville at 8 am and arrives in town 12 hours later. It is now a three-hour journey for us. The hard work paid off, and a celebration was planned on June 20, 1888.

The first official operation began on June 19, 1888. When the train arrived that night, a group of people gathered around the train carriage full of delegates and politicians. The celebration on the second day was so crowded that Mount Airy saw hordes of people pouring into the city to experience this wonderful moment. Most reports say that more than 5,000 people have reached this citizen of only about 600 people.

The parade includes the Lexington Silver Cornet, Governor Scales and officials, state and federal judges, town and county officials, trade and industry displays, Airy Mountain Cornet, Horse Parade, Granite City Band, and excited citizens.

The parade continued along Main Street and ended near the current location of the Andy Griffith Theater. Sources indicate that this was once the location of Rockford Street School. A grandstand was built at the same location to celebrate this day. The stage is decorated with coastal plants; smilax and cape jasmine flowers cover the sides of the structure, symbolizing the upcoming coastal connection. The night ends at the Globe Tobacco Warehouse, where dancing continues until the hot summer night.

It will take two years for this line to finally connect to the coast of Wilmington.

This connection has not only changed the way people travel, but also the way they conduct daily business. As the train finally reached Mount Airy and its surrounding areas, the county’s sales of granite, agricultural products, poultry, tobacco, wood, and furniture increased. As demand increased and new customers increased, more factories were built and operations expanded.

On October 12, 1899, the train took the circus to Mount Airy, and the entertainers to the Galloway Opera House, now Brannock and Hiatt Furniture.

The Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley Railway was sold to the Southern System and the Atlantic Coastline in 1897. The part of Mount Airy was eventually called the Atlantic Ocean and Yadkin. Due to the increase in car usage, passenger service ended on April 29, 1939.

Although Mount Airy still occasionally sees trains on US 52, passenger trains are a thing of the past-or is it?

Last year, during the pandemic, the North Carolina Department of Transportation rekindled hope for passenger trains and hoped to expand state rail lines in the future.

Emily Morgan is the Guest Services Manager for the Mount Airy Regional History Museum. She lives in Westfield with her family. You can contact her at eamorgan@northcarolinamuseum.org or call 336-786-4478 x229

Editor's note: Community Commentary is a regular column in The Mount Airy News that contains comments from community leaders in Mount Airy and Surry County.

The summer at Mount Airy City Schools is as fulfilling as the school year.

This summer, the city school system hosted more than 50 enrichment and sports camps in seven weeks. We also invite students to attend academic camps in each grade to catch up or advance in math and reading.

During the pandemic last year, we saw more than 400 students participating in the summer program, and it looks like we will exceed that number this summer. We have more than 200 students who have participated in the first two weeks of our summer program. Hear these great camp titles: creative cooking, if you can only imagine (design), nanny, mad scientist, natural spy, and finding your superpowers. Does it make you want to go back to school in the summer to participate in all these fun activities?

Our community center office staff found that summer is our busiest time of the year: the finance department is working hard to complete a successful year and plan the finances needed for the coming year. Our human resources department is making sure that our personnel are fully trained and ready for the fall. We are glad that we did not have many vacancies at the beginning of the school year. We know that this is not the case across the state, and we are fortunate that people like to work at Mount Airy City Schools.

Summer meals are provided to the community every day. You can come to Tarrington Primary School and prepare a summer lunch and breakfast the next day for your children 18 and under for free. The custodians, summer cleaners and maintenance staff are working hard to ensure that any painting, repairs and facilities are clean. Maintenance work is carried out in our summer. We know that our facilities are in good condition because of these teams. Our technical department is busy preparing for the coming year. As students use technology every day to stay ahead in core areas and enriched courses, technology has a new meaning. We believe that the future will always include blended learning, where teachers are experts and help students learn using the latest technological tools.

This summer, our administrative team is working to train employees for effective plans, such as reading science, to support basic literacy and other key areas. They are working on a planning calendar for next year to plan exciting events, advisory group meetings and parent meetings for the year. The team also outlined any needs in the past year and ensured that we have developed a good intervention plan to ensure the success of students and the school.

The team also developed a new way of thinking to make the classroom student-centered, and through activation strategies to help motivate students to participate in learning. To plan and support all aspects of the upcoming New Year, we thank the Mount Airy City Schools team for achieving this goal in the summer.

This year, with the launch of the Blue Bear Bus (BBB), we will bring summer shows to the community and ensure that we stay in touch with our families. The community center office is the center of activity for this service. Every morning, a team will pack everything needed for the mobile classroom and bring interesting learning activities to the communities in our area. The plan is to allow students and families to stay in touch when they are easily separated from school. The BBB team brings meals, snacks, fitness activities, books, learning tools and wifi so that students can contact us throughout the summer. If you see a blue bear bus nearby, please say hello.

When you think that education needs a break in the summer, please remember all the work our team has done to ensure the success of students in the coming year. Take a moment to thank an educator who has influenced the next generation in a way that most professions do not. Thank them for all the preparation, planning and leadership they have done in developing first-class educational pathways for your students to succeed. If you want to know more about Mount Airy City Schools, please visit our website http://www.mtairy.k12.nc.us

Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you now, except to fear the Lord your God, walk all his ways, love him, serve the Lord your God with all my heart and soul, and obey what I command you today for your benefit Commandments and decrees of the Lord?

This week I want to show the journey of Moses and God’s people into the Promised Land, which started with God’s promise to Abraham.

It is important to point out at the beginning of this column that God has prepared the Promised Land for each of us. Of course, the final promised land is in the mansion built for us by ourselves with God in the sky, but our promised land on earth is found in the specific purpose he set up for each individual individually.

You will see what Moses said to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 10:12-13 because he prepared their descendants for their Promised Land. The question raised here is, when we go to that land, when we look forward to living in our goals, what does God require of us, or better explain how to live the most fulfilling life God wants us to live?

Moses stated five simple instructions in these words, which are to fear God, please God, love God, serve God, and obey God. Due to space and time, I will not be able to describe each of these points in detail, but I can simply say that each of them can be found in the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 and in the Gospel of Matthew Received Jesus’ response in 22:35-40.

The verse in Matthew’s Gospel reads like this: “One of the lawyers asked him a question, tempted him, and said:'Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?' Jesus said to him: “You must do your best , With all your sex, with all your mind, love the Lord your God. "This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is similar: "You must love your neighbor as yourself." "On these two commandments hang all the laws and prophets."

There is a mission that requires us to have an attitude of reverence, pleasing, service, and obedience, but there are some things about true love that can help us make the first four align with God's will for our lives. Paul said in 1 Timothy 1-5-7 that the commandments of our lives should come from a pure heart, a good conscience and sincere faith.

What Paul is talking about is this pure heart that makes us truly eager to please God by serving others. This is a direct act of obedience to God's words, showing that we are not afraid of God, but have fear that stems from awe and respect.

John tells us in 1 John 4:7-10, "Dear friends, let us love each other, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Those who don’t love People don’t know God, because God is love. This is how God expresses his love to us: He sent his only son into this world so that we can live through him. This is love: not we love God, but he loves We, and sent his son as a sin offering for our sins."

When we consider that God sent Christ to give up everything for us and let us be free from the bondage of sin, reverence, pleasing, service, obedience, and love are simple requirements. I found that once we start to understand Chapter 4 of 1 John, we not only begin to understand why Deuteronomy is relevant, but you will also begin to see the truth in Jesus' answer to the lawyer in Matthew 22.

My friend God is love. This kind of love should force us to love others, which will lead to the manifestation of all the requirements needed to meet God's promise. Jeremiah 29:11 says: "Because I know what I think of you. This is what Jehovah says. It is a peaceful thought, not an evil thought. It is to give you the future and hope." Love God and I show my friends Guarantee, you will experience more than you can imagine. May God bless you, protect you, let his face shine on you, and give you peace.

"If the night in June could speak, it might boast that it invented romance." —Bourne Williams.

Summer brings ice cream on hot days, vacations by the lake, outdoor fun that lasts until 8pm, and wedding bells.

Longer days, fresh and abundant flowers and holidays are the perfect storm for a wedding. For many people, extending the time is the sweetest part of a summer wedding, allowing the party to last until dusk. For others, larger groups enjoy better entertainment outdoors. For Europeans in the Middle Ages, this was the bathing season, which meant a thorough scrub from head to toe. During this period, many people believe that excessive bathing will cause people to suffer from unnecessary diseases. However, it is contrary to the commonly accepted personal hygiene habits (washing hands, washing teeth and bathing).

Women in the 19th and early 20th centuries usually married as early as 14 or 15 years old. Church, tradition, and superstition play an important role in every aspect of the personal wedding season.

Here and around the Appalachian Mountains, many European traditions followed the settlers.

I believe you have heard: old, new, borrowed and blue. This is part of an old European folk tale that aims to protect the bride from the "evil eye" and encourage a prosperous future. The whole rhythm is: old, new, borrowed, blue, and the silver sixpence in your shoes.

Today’s bridal parties often wear similar dresses; this stems from the old superstition to protect the bride. The purpose of wearing a coordinated dress is to confuse any evil spirits or participants who wish to be unkind to the bride or groom.

More than realized, the trouble is nearby. Maybe the bride takes the child and the wedding is forced. Maybe an outsider is introduced to the community; or an arranged marriage separates a couple in love. Every wedding is accompanied by trials and excitement, and usually resonates with the maintenance of traditions.

For Abby Bedsaul, who is about to become a local bride, all this is exciting. When I talked to Abby last week, she told me some traditions she would maintain at the wedding. She will borrow the veil from the pearl necklaces of her sister Sydney and her mother Heather.

Karen Nealis, the office manager of the Airy Mountain Regional History Museum, participated in a traditional money dance at her wedding. This is where the wedding guests pin their money on the bride's dress to dance with her.

My mother Tracie Bowman talked about "Shivarees", which is a teasing for the bride and groom on their wedding night. Men and boys will sing around the newlyweds’ house and move on, while women will spend time in the kitchen preparing for a storm.

In the foothills and mountains, money is often tight here. Individuals may not have enough cash to buy wedding rings or even honeymoon. Many people believe that wedding rings and double-ring quilts originated in these difficult times. Legend has it that a soldier who returned from the war had no money to buy a wedding ring. A matriarch of the family decided to give her ring quilt to the newlyweds as a symbol of their loyalty to each other.

These are just some of the stories and traditions of our region. Traditions come from single families, communities, and geographic regions. I think everyone who reads has a different wedding tradition or story from the one in this article. We hope you have time to share these stories with us. Be sure to check the photos and descriptions to learn more interesting wedding facts and traditions!

We hope that Abby and all the engaged couples who got married this summer will have a long and happy marriage. We wish you all the best.

Emily Morgan is the Guest Services Manager for the Mount Airy Regional History Museum. She lives in Westfield with her family. You can contact her at eamorgan@northcarolinamuseum.org or call 336-786-4478 x229

Let your behavior be free from greed; be content with what you have. Because he himself said: "I will never leave you nor abandon you." So we can boldly say: "Jehovah is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can a man do to me?"

I want to start today and say that God wants you to know that he is there today and forever. The author of Hebrews clearly stated this point. He first said that he would never leave you, and then continued with the words that he would never leave you. When I counsel people, I ask them to list all their fears, worries, struggles, and most important weaknesses. I rarely find someone on the same list. Some express the same words, but few of these words seem to have the same reason behind them.

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12 that he had a thorn in his body. Satan tried to keep him away from God, but in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 Paul said: "He said to me,'I The grace of God is enough for you, because my strength becomes perfect in weakness. Therefore, I am happiest to boast of my weakness so that the power of Christ may come to me. Therefore, for Christ’s sake, I take pleasure in weakness, blame, need, persecution, and suffering. Because when I am weak, I will be strong."

When I named this article, I arguably called it "Finding Strength in Our Weaknesses", but soon realized that although strength can be drawn from our shortcomings, we must first accept this strength into us. life.

I don't want to repeat the article "It's easier to say than to do", but I do want to say that knowing that Christ is there to grab us, and even pull us out of the sinking life, I feel humble. But even so, we need to believe that he will do it. Remember that Peter stood on solid water a minute ago and then sank. His cry to Jesus was "Save me". Such a simple sentence, but when we scream it with meaning, it is so powerful.

Once again, I want you to remember that God wants you to know that he is there with you, not only waiting to hear your voice, but he wants your heart, your mind, and your soul to long for him to be this sinking The power of the world comes to save you. Our hearts quickly agreed that God told us the way to face the world, but our thoughts turned to other ways. Sometimes our mind knows that he is the only way, but the same mind will be enveloped by the things of this world.

Paul tells us in Romans 12:1-2, “Brothers, I urge you with God’s mercy to offer your body as a living sacrifice. It is holy and pleasing to God. This is a reasonable thing for you. Bong. Don’t imitate this world, as long as your mind is renewed and changed, so that you can test what God’s good, pure, and pleasing will is."

Today, my friend, I encourage you to seek God with all your heart. Look for Jesus, focus on him, and point you in the direction. List all your fears, worries, struggles, and all the most important weaknesses, and then hand them over to God, and he will set you on the path to strength. For the last time, God wants you to know that he is with you today and forever.

May God bless you, let his face shine on you and give you peace. God bless you.

The main history of African American education in North Carolina is quietly disappearing, but it disappears soon.

Between 1918 and 1932, 813 Rosenwald school buildings were constructed in rural North Carolina as part of an effort to provide schools for the African American community. Many were torn and burned or just forgotten. However, many of them are still standing. Some have been gorgeously remodeled; others are being destroyed by natural elements. Except for seven counties, all North Carolina states have at least one Rosenwald school. After the death of Julius Rosenwald in 1932, the construction plan was cancelled.

In 1910, Booker T. Washington, director of the Tuskegee Institute, and his staff conceived a project to build schools in rural African American communities. Sears Roebuck president Julius Rosenwald joined Washington in 1911, and he agreed to provide financial support. Match funds raised by the African American community to help build schools.

In order to save costs and provide well-designed buildings, the Rosenwald Foundation provided architectural plans for the school. These plans range from a school building for teachers to a school building for eleven people. The plan includes providing blueprints for the buildings selected by the community.

Four Rosenwald schools were built in Surrey County, one of which still exists.

The first Rosenwald school built in Surrey County was the Sandy School for the budget year of 1918-1919. This school is a two-person teaching building built on the north side of West Virginia Street near the intersection of Franklin Road (see Figures 1 and 2). The total cost of the school when it was built was US$4,327. The community donated US$1,000, public funds amounted to US$2,527, and the Rosenwald Foundation donated US$800 for the project. The school remained open until all students moved to JJ Jones High School in 1947.

The second school built in Surrey County during the 1921-1922 budget year was Mount Ararat, also known as Mount Ararat. The school was built at the northern end of the town’s North Street. The school is a four-division type. The total cost of the school when it was built was US$5,375. The community donated $1,200, the public fund $2,975, and the Rosenwald Foundation donated $1,200. The school remained open until it was burned down in 1938.

The third school to be built in Surrey County is Woodville, also known as Chestnut Ridge, with a budget year of 1923-1924. This school was built in the town of Westfield on Westfield Road, next to Chestnut Ridge Church. The school is a four-division type. The total cost of the school when it was built was US$5,174. The community donated US$1,000, public funds were US$3,074, and the Rosenwald Foundation donated US$1,100. The school remained open until 1957.

In the 1929-1930 budget year, the fourth school built in Surrey County was Combstown, also known as Paynetown. The school was built in the Combstown community at 153 Split Rail Lane. This building is the type of two teachers. The total cost of the school when it was built was US$2,890. The community donated US$500, public funds were US$1,890, and the Rosenwald Foundation donated US$500. The school remained open until 1957, when all students moved to JJ Jones High School.

The Commonstown School is the only building still standing on the Rosenwald School in Surrey County. The site is used as the Christian church of God's family temple. The building has been renovated, adding a bell tower and a fraternity hall at the back.

Ron Snow is a regional historian and community contributor. To learn more about Rosenwald School, please visit https://www.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=e1496b7c0fe9493aaceec56feedda53a.

While studying the life and legacy of a Mary Patricia “Pat” Gwyn Woltz, some of the best words I heard and read were Calm, graceful, kind, talented and happy.

Dear readers, do you recognize this name?

As we all know, Pat is the most distinctive person. Her artistic, voluntary service and anonymous charity have made her one of the best people in Mount Airy.

Mary Patricia Gwyn was born in Waynesville on September 14, 1925, and attended Waynesville City School before venturing into college. She started her educational journey at St. Mary’s Bishop’s College in Raleigh, and then graduated with a degree in economics from Randolph Macon College in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Then on September 5, 1947, Miss Pat Gwyn changed her name to Patricia Woltz after marrying John Elliot Woltz Sr., bringing her to Mount Airy and changing her life forever. Her life in Mount Airy is full of vitality because she has to take care of five children: John, James, Howell, Mary and Thomas. She teaches Sunday School at the Central United Methodist Church, where she was awarded the Laity Service Award because she embodies the life of a Christian butler.

For us in the museum, we are especially grateful for her participation in the creation and launch of the Mount Airy Regional History Museum. Pat and her husband John are chartered members of the museum. They also served on the board of directors and later served as trustees.

Although all these achievements are amazing in themselves, some people would say that her highest achievement is detailed illustrations that will dominate the rest of her life. In 1983, many friends and family who liked her work were very happy to hear that Pat Gwyn Woltz's art prints were finally sold.

At the Mount Airy Regional History Museum, we were fortunate to receive the remaining Pat Gwyn Woltz prints, some sketches and production materials. Pat's work makes you miss home, or feel like ferns, and yearning for places you've never been.

In her own words: "I like to paint with a nostalgic feeling... I like to make people want to go home again, if only in memory. By retrieving and cherishing the goodness of the past, we can help enrich the quality of life in the future. "

These realistic paintings only contain the best memories: trips to the ancestral house, vacation time, and happy childhood.

The print titled "Snowball Fight", completed in 1981, depicts children playing engrossedly, surrounded by snow-topped pine trees and now historic houses. You can almost hear the silence after a heavy snowfall, and you can see the weight of the boxwood and winter grass pressed into the snow. Realistic depiction makes you feel immersive. Each painting also contains an iconic bunny, winter, spring, summer or autumn.

She also depicted many historic homes and ruins. The Orlean Puckett prints take the audience back to the heyday of midwives, depicting the various activities of wild life.

Each print takes the audience to a different place and time, and surrounds them with invisible smells and sounds. The prints she sold have traveled all over the country, creating a sense of nostalgia and adding luster to the walls of homes, offices and public spaces. Images, just like people, are a fashion trend. Once you understand all their differences, you can't help but admire them.

On September 14, 2011, Mary Patricia “Pat” Gwyn Woltz passed away peacefully at her home in Mount Airy. Loved by everyone, she left a legacy of kindness and skill. The museum is holding a rotating exhibition for her.

Thanks to the Surrey Community College Foundation, we now have some limited prints of Pat Gwyn Woltz for sale to the public. These will be available once we launch our new gift shop and exhibition space on the first floor.

Emily Morgan is the Guest Services Manager for Mount Airy Regional History Museum. She lives in Westfield with her family. You can contact her at eamorgan@northcarolinamuseum.org or call 336-786-4478 x229

Tomorrow is a day of prayers, moments of silence and wonderful stories.

On the last Monday of May, we Americans celebrate Memorial Day. Although the origins of this festival are complex and diverse, the anniversary can traditionally be traced back to the Civil War.

This festival was originally called Decoration Day. This particular day was used to clean up, commemorate and pay tribute to the many men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country in the war. In our post-Civil War world, families, communities, and our entire nation are struggling to find an appropriate way to mourn the loss of more than 620,000 American citizens who are no longer alive.

Due to the high number of casualties during and after the Civil War, this anniversary was nationalized. During this period, the United States saw an increase in community cemeteries dedicated to war soldiers. However, some traditions can be traced back to more distant times.

Before the advent of communities and church cemeteries, smaller family lands were popular. Many such places can still be seen on private land as well as on federal and state land. These smaller, family-owned cemeteries are usually maintained by the descendants of the deceased or through family trusts. The guards clean and maintain various elements in the cemetery to ensure that the tradition is intact.

Keith Kggener, Missouri professor of art and architecture, has been quoted as saying that the cemetery was "built for celebration and containment." Many different groups and religions worry that the soul will continue to walk among the living after death. It is said that the common practice of laying tombstones or tombstones is to ensure that their loved ones stay in place. Fences have been added to prevent wild animals and tomb robbers from entering, but some people recommend using iron fences to keep the souls inside.

Decoration Day and later Memorial Day, celebrations will see relatives and caregivers carefully placing new flowers, seeds or caring for faded synthetic flowers. The Romans planted flowers in their cemeteries to bring beauty and peace to the souls living there. At the turn of the century, superstition believed that seeds bloomed on the graves of good and kind people, but turned into weeds on evil souls. Today, flowers are used to commemorate love, good times and hope.

Many tombstones that have been cleaned will reveal detailed symbols or poems of peace and hope. Some common signs in our region are children’s doves, or peace, the hand of God symbolizing ascension, or the willow tree symbolizing belonging and liberation.

After a day of travel, hard work, and perhaps some tears, the family often gathers together for picnics, dinners or snacks. When the family settled down to eat, stories and memories were communicated in hopeful and humorous ways. After spending a day in the cemetery, Victorians also share food. Funeral cookies are given as gifts. Two sweet cakes wrapped in black wax-sealed paper were distributed to those who attended the funeral as a thank you to the participants.

As we celebrate this Memorial Day through cleansing, remembrance and eating, we urge each of you to share the fond memories of the deceased with your friends and family. As long as we share with others, our memory and history will always exist.

Emily Morgan is the Guest Services Manager for Mount Airy Regional History Museum. She lives in Westfield with her family. You can contact her at eamorgan@northcarolinamuseum.org or call 336-786-4478 x229

Editor's note: Community Commentary is a regular column in The Mount Airy News that contains comments from community leaders in Mount Airy and Surry County.

The mission of Mount Airy City Schools is to lead, innovate and serve. Leadership runs through our K-12 classroom. We have leaders in every classroom, every school, and many fields (such as arts and sports). We provide leadership opportunities in our primary school program, Leader in Me, and Interact Rotary and HOSA clubs starting in middle school, and through the Chick-Fil-A leadership club at high school level, to name a few.

We hope that every child can develop their own leadership style and enhance their lifelong leadership skills. This year, during the pandemic, our leaders will help every student and school resume face-to-face learning, starting in August, five days a week. Mount Airy City Schools attaches great importance to leadership and service to students and the community.

During this year, our principals showed exactly how leaders should act in a crisis. They face difficulties, overcome obstacles, put students first, solve problems every day, and keep our school open. Emily Niston of BH Tarrington Primary (BHT), Chelsy Payne of Jones Intermediate, Levi Goins of Mount Airy Middle School (MAMS) and Jason Dorsett of Mount Airy High School (MAHS) set high standards for leaders in our state. They are absolutely amazing and show real leadership in the face of huge life challenges.

Emily Niston is about to finish her fourth year at BH Tarrington and will lead the school to begin all this for the students and families of Mount Airy City Schools. BHT grew by a staggering increase of more than 5% last year, and the number of kindergarten students increased from 95 to more than 130 in one year. Tarrington also received the "beacon status" of "My Leader" (LIM). This shows that Ms. Niston, as a leader, also takes her students as an example. Students set their own academic and personal goals through the LIM program, share their progress through student-led meetings, and help plan classes, school-wide activities and activities. Ms. Niston led the school to double the number of students enrolled in our Spanish bilingual immersion program, and worked hard every day to showcase BHT as the state's premier K-2 school and faculty.

Our "Leader in Me" program continues at Jones Intermediate School, with Chelsy Payne as the principal. This is her second full year at Jones Intermediate and she started her main career in the spring of 2019. The LIM program helps students set their own goals, develop plans to achieve these goals, and participate in many activities to earn them service and leadership time. We know this sets the tone for lifelong leadership, and we hope all our students can Become a leader after graduation. Mrs. Payne completed the Outstanding Leadership Program through the North Carolina Association of Principals and Assistant Principals (NCPAPA) this year. She takes maternity leave for part of the year and continues to play a leading role in many areas even during the leave. We thank Bill Goins for coming forward and filling the vacancy for us. Jones' team has shown that even during the pandemic, we can return to campus and lead our community to a strong place by continuing to provide Spanish, visual arts, rest, STEAM courses, and academic genius courses for everyone.

Mount Airy Middle School was able to return to school in August and continue with art, academic competitions and sports. This is really amazing, because every one of this year has faced many challenges. Fortunately, Levi Goins, the principal of the first year, met this huge challenge. He brainstormed with his staff and students on how to make each of these works. In many parts of the state, some opportunities for track and field sports did not appear, but MAMS returned strongly, and only experienced one team's isolation during the 2020-2021 school year. We know that to do this, leadership, careful planning, support from coaches, sports directors, parents, faculty, and students must be present.

The North Carolina Association for Academic Activities (NCASA) recognized that Mr. Goins and his team participated in academic competitions in situations that many others considered impossible. NCASA awarded Mr. Goins as the finalist for the principal of the year, and Patricia Combs as the finalist for the project director of the year. The school won the School Challenge Cup with the highest score in the state middle school. The district has the highest score in a district and one The student was named NCASA Student of the Year. The award is awarded to Abby Epperson, who has participated in at least five academic competitions and ranked among the best in several of them. She is also preparing to participate in the international HOSA competition. It is great to see that the entire middle school is imitating and encouraging leadership.

Starting in August, Mount Airy High School principal Jason Dorsett brought the only high school back to school five days a week. This is his third year at Mount Airy High School. This is a great achievement when realizing that most high school students in the state have not returned to school full-time until recently. This will have a major impact in helping these students prepare for careers and universities, and will be one step ahead of many students in our country. Jason Dorsett is our Mount Airy City School Principal of the Year for many reasons. He set an example and participated in almost every activity in high school to express his support for faculty, staff and students. He also worked hard to create innovative projects because this high school will add aviation science to drone projects and add architecture to existing cabinet projects, just to name a few.

This year, track and field sports are very difficult for everyone. He led the state to restore all track and field sports with almost no isolation. High school students are able to come to classes, participate in all the normal courses offered, and enroll students this year while keeping the cluster and school communication to a minimum. Remote students from all over the region can come to Mount Airy High School and face-to-face classes. This is great, and it will have such a big impact on the future of these teenagers.

I am very proud of Mount Airy City School, our students, families, faculty, staff, and administrators working together this year to show true leadership in the pandemic. Leadership shines on every path that challenges us this year. Today, I want to take the time to celebrate our four leaders, Emily Niston, Chelsy Payne, Levi Goins and Jason Dorsett. If you see these people, please pat them on the back and encourage them. This is obviously the hardest year of their careers, but it may only have the greatest impact on their students. We want to thank them and let them know that their leadership is important. If you want to become a member of Mount Airy City Schools, please feel free to check out the latest publication of our innovative program for your family: https://bit.ly/AboutMount Airy City Schools21-22

At the beginning of the 20th century, the town of Stewart Creek was home to hundreds of families, most of whom made a living from farming. Many people in the first few decades of this new century, regardless of occupation or location, faced hardships and disputes. Rural residents of Stewarts Creek Township face additional difficulties, and many people are still struggling today; expensive medical expenses.

Many major diseases and deaths in rural communities at that time were preventable diseases, but for these families, the cost of access to medical care was usually too high.

The distance to the nearest doctor's office increases the cost of healthcare in the community. This community on the western edge of Surrey County must pay extra to get their doctors to visit them. This cost can be as high as one dollar per mile, and even before the cost of consultation and medication, it is usually high for the doctor to visit them. This means that a simple medical visit may hurt their savings. Long-term illness, requiring multiple visits and additional medications, may have extreme economic consequences.

The citizens of the region unite to find a unique solution to this common problem. In 1922, 200 families joined forces to create the Stewart Creek Doctors Association. The idea is that families in this area need to pay for medical expenses every year, which will cover as many visits as doctors need to go to their homes that year, and travel expenses will be completely waived.

Each joining family pays $18 per year. This fee covers the medical care of the entire family and anyone living in the family (excluding servants). During the Great Depression, because many people struggled to make ends meet, the cost was reduced to $15 per year.

Two years after the association was established, a new doctor, Dr. Moses Young Allen, moved to Surrey County. Dr. Allen was born in Georgia, studied at Mercer University in Georgia, completed medical training at Tulane University in New Orleans, and worked in West Virginia for some time. In the early 1920s, Dr. Allen accepted the position of Doctor Ally Mountain. In 1924, Dr. Allen left Mount Airy and went to Stewart Township to serve as a doctor for the association. In the next 17 years, Dr. Allen will be the only doctor available to more than 200 families within a 10-mile radius.

In 1993, his daughter recalled that the doctor never "relied on luck to repay a note." In fact, Dr. Allen tried to reduce the price paid by his community as much as possible; he would buy his medicines at cost prices and then sell them to his patients at wholesale prices.

Dr. Allen’s commitment to helping his community is evident in his determination to reach patients. In an era when roads are only slowly catching up with the surge in the number of cars, local roads are rarely paved. Dr. Allen’s Chevrolet is often trapped in the mud when visiting. He will put a shovel and a hoe in the car to dig it out by himself. As a back-up, Dr. Allen asked his Marbold to transport him wherever he needed to go.

This plan to reduce the cost of health care was a success, with three-quarters of the bill being paid when it was due. Those who were late were not left behind either. After understanding the financial pressure, they will continue to be eligible for care and will not charge interest on their late payments if they at least work hard to pay late payments.

Although insurance coverage is limited (not including dentistry or surgery), it makes it easier for this rural community to access basic medical services. After the first ten years of the association’s establishment, 75% of the original families continued to participate in the program, and many new families joined.

The story of the Stewarts Creek Doctors Association is a story of a community uniting to solve problems that affect all of them, thereby improving the entire community.

Katherine “Kat” Jackson is an intern at the Mount Airy Regional History Museum. She is from Australia and now lives in Winston Salem. You can contact her at the museum at 336-786-4478.

Medusa, Samson, Rapunzel and Sif (the wife of Thor) all have one thing in common-hair.

Once the hair leaves the scalp, it will die physically, but during and after we leave, hair is a vibrant part of our human life.

For many of our legendary heroes and villains, such as Medusa and Samson, hair is seen as a symbol of power, status and beauty.

Many local cultures believe that hair is a direct representative of a person’s self-esteem, self-esteem, and sense of belonging, and has a higher purpose than simple decorative beauty. Some European sources responded to this statement, stating that “a person’s virtues and attributes are contained in the person’s hair”, which explains why many cultures have rituals and rituals when cutting, dyeing, covering, and styling hair. superstitious.

It is said that the magical effects of hair and ancient superstitions can even cure diseases. A grandmother’s story shows that if a child has asthma, you must “drill a hole in the black oak or sour tree above the victim’s head, put a lock of his/her hair into the hole, and then seal the mouth with wax Once the children's height exceeds this point, they will be cured." The story also warns the caregiver not to cut down the trees-I will leave the results to imagination.

In Appalachia, many superstitions suggest that hair should be cut on a specific day, not after sunset. Hair treatment is also important; many people think it will be burned. Hair is/is sacred and can be used against you. If a bird uses your hair to create or increase its nest, legends suggest that you will have a headache. The tighter the bird’s nest is woven, the worse it will be.

The Victorian era or the Second Industrial Revolution is known for its revival of women and men wearing hair accessories. Hair is not only revered as a powerful feature, but also a meaningful and tangible symbol. Rings, necklaces, chains, pins, artworks, etc. are all carefully crafted and preserved for many occasions and meanings.

Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom (Victorian 1837-1901) helped promote new mourning customs, including wearing jewelry or carrying tokens containing the deceased’s hair. These tangible reminders help to lose in the process of grief without losing the person completely. Couples usually give hair accessories as a way to be remembered when they are not together. The actual jewelry production was detail-oriented and was quickly marked as an activity suitable for upper-class women and men. The master hairdresser opened a shop to make exquisite hairstyles usually composed of precious metals and gems.

Although the practice of wearing hair accessories has fallen out of favor, keeping hair as a token of love and remembrance has not.

One of the 1945 Beulah High School Yearbooks in the museum collection has a page full of cut hair. Jessie Snow Chilton cut and collected hair from her friends to commemorate their year in school. Each bundle of hair is labeled and placed neatly on the page of the yearbook. Jessie continued to open the Glamour Beauty Shop, which operated on the streets of Mount Airy from the early 1950s to the mid-1960s.

Recently, Chad and Debbie Taylor donated a box belonging to Chad's mother Ethel Buk Taylor with two strands of hair in it. One is a long reddish brown and a smaller blonde cut. We are not sure who these clippings belong to or why they are kept.

Regardless of the reason, whether it is love, superstition, religion, loss or friendship, hair unknowingly plays an important role in our lives.

Emily Morgan is the Guest Services Manager for the Mount Airy Regional History Museum. She lives in Westfield with her family. You can contact her at eamorgan@northcarolinamuseum.org or call 336-786-4478 x229

In the years after the Civil War, African Americans gained freedom from slavery. Families that have been enslaved for a lifetime are now free to pursue their dreams and open their own paths. These groups began to spread across the country and even established a home in Surrey County, an area that has been developed by white landlords for more than a hundred years at this point.

In 1889, the first free African Americans settled in Surrey County, but due to the lack of records at the time, the history of the first settlements was chaotic. The settlement began in an area called Chestnut Ridge, which is part of modern Westfield. Perhaps the most noteworthy settler, George Robert McArthur II, purchased approximately 23-1/2 acres of land for 50 cents per acre in 1899, which eventually expanded to 93-1. /2 acres.

Over time, the community will develop into a self-sufficient agricultural complex. Members of the Chestnut Ridge community will cultivate, build, and clear land for expansion, and are said to be able to "build a hut in a week." MacArthur’s farm has grown large enough that local black and white farmers come to help during the smoking season every Sunday.

In 1904, the community will build what is now called Chestnut Ridge Progressive Primitive Baptist Church under the teachings of the original Baptist Church in nearby Locust Grove, where they will share a building. A few years later, in 1907, the organization found itself locked out of the original church, citing a doctrinal difference. Later that year, they were able to purchase the site where the church is currently located for $25. This church still stands today, and you can see it when you drive Highway 89 into Westfield.

Chestnut Ridge got its name from the large number of chestnut trees that farmers planted on their land. Chestnut trees are used to make house shingles, and chestnuts are sold in street cups for 5 cents. By the 1920s, a large number of African American farmers declared their territories in the Chestnut Ridge area, but the Great Depression was too much for many of them. George's son Nathaniel McArthur pointed out that due to the economic situation at the time, Virlen Jessup (a local farmer) lost the entire farm for less than $60.

Nathaniel will work hard to preserve the history of the Chestnut Ridge community, and in May 2003 established a memorial for African American farmers in the area. A celebration was held and more than 300 people attended the dedication ceremony. Then Governor Mike Easley pointed out: "Their perseverance and commitment to excellence have benefited them immensely. These same traits have been passed down from generation to generation. Therefore, it is appropriate to respect their legacy."

The website can now be found on McCarthy Road (another historical spelling of MacArthur), with a memory garden and historical placards.

Michael Morgan and his wife Emily are residents of Westfield. He graduated from Appalachian State University and is a network technician at SouthData Inc. in Mount Airy.

Larry Alderman has always loved stories. He used to sit with his grandparents and great-grandparents—Coy Farmer, Friel Combs, Oscar Kirkman—and listen to them tell stories of the past. The stories of jungle fellers and mountain people, he included these stories in his book about life on the mountain now.

When he "should have done my studies and studies", he spent countless hours writing stories about dogs and the wilderness.

Mrs. Janet Nichols, Larry’s seventh-grade English literature teacher, read his story aloud to the class. This was the first time outside his family that someone recognized his talent and encouraged him.

"She read my story to the class," he said in a recent conversation at the Airy Mountain Regional History Museum. "And I was a seventh-grade student sitting there, just swelling proudly. She read my story in class!" He added with a smile, "Later she blamed me for not doing my homework."

He stopped and looked up: "But I got praise for these stories."

Surrey County has a strong family and community music and storytelling tradition, and it has cultivated a considerable number of talented musicians, writers and actors. From Tommy Jarrell, Andy Griffith and Donna Fargo to Anna Wood's recent achievements.

Larry Alderman was born in 1953 in Clinton Alderman and his wife Imogen Farmer (now Gravley) , Grew up in the company of the families of Mount Airy, Healesville, Virginia, Bannertown, Sheltontown and Ararat, but when Larry was just born, Clinton left to fight in South Korea for two weeks Big. The family lives on Depot Street with his grandparents, and his mother works hard.

"She is a strong woman," he said. "She was the first person to believe in me. When I was a child, she always told me that I should go see my name and become someone."

He picked up a friend's guitar when he was about 13 years old and fell in love with it. That year, he ordered a $14 holiday guitar from the catalog and taught himself how to play. He began to accompany his grandmother Katie (Kirkman) Farmer to sing at the prayer meeting of God Church on South Street on Wednesday night.

She bought him a better guitar, and he paid for it with family tobacco money. He wrote his hit song, which is still playing today.

He started playing on WPAQ, performing with Clyde Johnson, the long-time merry-go-round master of ceremonies that he fondly remembers. He set his sights on a wider audience and sent a tape to Bob Gordon, who hosted the Saturday show at WSJS in Winston Salem.

Larry, a humble person, very humorous, recalled this memory. The producer likes his voice, but doesn't like his song. They want him to come down and sing other people's songs. "I'm writing bad songs," Larry admitted. But at that time, he was insulted and did not go. Looking back at 55 years, he can now smile at this incident.

Someone gave him the name of a man who worked in the music industry in Nashville, so in 1971, Larry, who was only 19 years old, bought a ticket to Nashville and rode all night without an appointment. He ran from office to office that day to talk to anyone willing to give him time, including Leslie Wilborn, the head of the Wilborn Brothers Sure-Fire Music Company, who signed a contract with him. Leslie Wilburn). He worked at Sure-Fire for six years until the company went bankrupt when the brothers went to Hollywood.

Unable to make a living by composing, Larry was serving in the military, where he met his wife Larry who had been in love for more than 40 years. "I'm very lucky," he said of her. "Larry believed in me from the beginning and supported me throughout the difficult years of my efforts to succeed."

In 1988, when two of his songs were on the Billboard Country charts at the same time, success came. "Real Good Feel Good Song" by Mel McDaniel and "Americana" by Moe Bandy. The famous gospel singer Kingsmen Quartet re-produced the "True Good Feeling Good Song", which was nominated for the Pigeon Award Gospel Music.

'Americana' is the musical representative of all the beautiful things in his hometown, and all the fond memories of the love and power he felt while growing up in Mount Airy. Vice President (at the time) George Bush had a similar feeling, because he used this song as the theme of the campaign that year.

Larry Alderman (Larry Alderman) enjoys something that few people can experience: he grows up to be who he wants to be and has succeeded in this area, which is still due to his teacher Mrs. Nichols With encouragement, she let him start on the road to Nashville.

"You know, I kind of like her," he said. "But she told me that I was fine, she really encouraged me to write, and I wanted to find her and tell her her beginning. She believed in me since she was a child."

Sometimes this makes the world very different.

Editor's note: Community Commentary is a regular column in The Mount Airy News that contains comments from community leaders in Mount Airy and Surry County.

We are grateful to a supportive community who allowed our students to face-to-face this year because the country is working hard to get their students back. We know that as our students gain support in the fields of mental health, physical health, and academics, our COVID gap will narrow this year. In difficult times, we can continue to attach importance to art and sports. We can accomplish many things together and continue to learn how to improve.

We know that public schools are vital to our economy. We have seen communities where schools cannot meet in person and families cannot return to work. We know that schools can operate remotely, face-to-face, or in a mixed manner. We are educating the workforce of the future at Mount Airy City Schools and know that it is important to cultivate innovative students, but now it seems even more important to cultivate change makers who are prepared for global challenges.

The other course we are studying is how great the small school environment is for students. Teaching in small classes allows us to ensure that the needs of all students are met and help them grow at their own pace. The increase in the number of equipment keeps our students in touch and enables them to continue their studies in the evenings and weekends. Our students are hungry for knowledge, and our well-trained staff help them realize their wishes. The staff also learned to handle online meetings and face-to-face meetings flexibly. No need to travel to statewide or regional meetings, which saves time and allows us to have more time in our region. The school is ongoing throughout the year and provides continuous academic support. A flexible school calendar will be student-centered, allowing us to be more flexible in teaching methods.

Mount Airy City Schools understands the importance of parent communication, especially this year. We have made more than 15,000 health calls to get in touch with family members. The virtual parent meeting allows parents to continue to work and provide advice. Virtual open days, continuous active academic exchanges, home visits, basic needs support network, and academic support for students work together to strengthen the connection between family and school. We believe that active parent support will help us close the COVID gap.

Last year, the suspension of evaluation gave us the opportunity to rethink our accountability system. Assessment usually benefits students who are good at taking exams but fail to demonstrate the knowledge of most students. Students need to show work results, explain ongoing projects, discuss how they can give back to the community through services, and apply what they have learned academically. We hope that everyone will be aware of a more comprehensive accountability system, which will better understand children's knowledge, understanding and abilities.

The staggered start of school days is important, and each school has multiple entrances. We do this for health and wellness reasons, but we have found that this is a more effective way to get students to school. It can reduce behavioral interruptions, reduce the time that students and families have to wait for pick-up or pick-up, and make the day more successful. SmartBus technology allows us to install internal and external cameras, check the temperature, monitor students' attendance on the school bus, communicate with parents about the location of students, and create a more effective way to send students to school.

We have not seen any clusters of COVID-19, and flu and other diseases have decreased. We believe in health and wellness measures to keep our students, faculty and staff healthy. We need to continue the cleaning process. We provide options to work and study from home when sick or in isolation. These options increase productivity without causing health hazards to our school buildings. The ability to have more nurses, social workers, and counselors changed the rules of the game. This allows us to meet the social and emotional needs of the campus and provide a full range of services for families. This ensures that students get the support they need to overcome any obstacles.

Mount Airy City Schools has written a great manual on how to return to school safely 5 days a week during the pandemic. Regardless of the obstacles, doing the right thing for every child requires a lot of hard work, hard work and determination. This "can do" attitude makes our community unique. We asked the community and industry partners to come forward and provide resources, ideas and manpower to meet many needs during this period. We know that our students have learned resilience from our community. Recently, we held a round table meeting for graduates. A graduate pointed out that the school district is a group of "proactive" employees with a "proactive" mentality. He said that he thinks he can do anything because our employees let him reach his full potential. Another graduate said that teachers never distance themselves from them. They are doing better for each child every day. We believe this year is a testament to the exact description of our employees.

Lessons learned locally can also be applied to our state and country. We have the financial resources to pay for each child's free breakfast and lunch. We should continue to do this after the crisis and ensure that students can concentrate while studying. Broadband connectivity is critical to improving the competitiveness of the American education system; even in rural areas, we should prioritize providing this service to all families. The equipment in the hands of students bridges the critical gap in access to information. The current funding should continue to be used for the sustainability of technical equipment and training. This will enable us to lead the global market.

We have always asked for financial support to provide quality education for each child and are now being provided in a variety of ways. This priority should continue, especially ensuring that every school has a social worker, a nurse, a school resource officer and enough teachers to keep the class size under 20. Accountability should provide a better understanding of children’s accomplishments and their growth throughout the school experience. This will help us better match our children with their future goals and adjust their future resources and courses.

This year taught us to prioritize the most important things. We need to help students find their passion and goals, and connect them with the resources on this path. We know that this year the Mount Airy community has a shared vision of returning to school face to face every day. We will need continuous support to ensure that the courses we are learning can bring a better and brighter future for our children. We will need everyone to continue to contribute time, ideas, resources and positive attitudes to make the next year a successful school year for Mount Airy City Schools. We hope you know that we thank you.

If this house could talk, what would it say? With only three walls and the embers of life many years ago, what can it say?

Colonel John "Jack" Martin Locke near Stokes County is like that. The former four-story fort residence has been reduced to three vertical walls, a pit that should be a basement, and a pile of stones surrounding the ground like grave markers. In 1973, a Winston-Salem newspaper described the land as "a crumbling castle, haunted only by legend." They are not wrong.

The legend in question is Colonel John Martin, usually called Jack. This independence war veteran, county judge, and legislator built his "castle" sometime between 1770 and 1785. However, we do know that John married Nancy Ship in 1784, which some people say accelerated the construction of the property. Together they raised 10 children in Rock House.

Scholars have been debating whether to classify Rock House as a James I-style residence or Tudor Gothic residence. Although this research is very light on historical images (the obscura will not be invented for about 50 years), it has a detailed description of the past glory of the house.

The basement extends below the entire house, with a kitchen and dining room, and the ceiling is 6 feet high. The main floor and the back porch, which are flush with the front, are mainly used for entertainment. It has only two rooms, a hall and a living room. The remaining two floors may be used as personal space. I think raising 10 children will take up some square feet.

The walls are made of solid rock and are 3 feet thick. The slaves transported more than 40,000 rocks from the nearby Soladun Mountains to build the house. The rock house, which was initially covered with a thick layer of white stucco, will have a completely different appearance. There is a big fireplace in the house, big enough to cook a whole pig.

Over the years, the rocks fell and were stolen. The wrought iron nails that once held the wooden internal frame together were sought after by collectors, which helped further damage the building. Local residents said that the building caught fire in 1897 and burned the remaining timber. In the 1980s, a wall was demolished for someone's personal housing project, and was later returned and placed in piles that visitors can see around the site.

People have been calling for help to protect the building for many years, and in 1975, the Stokes County Historical Society responded. The group bought the building with four acres of land. Through grants and local donations, they stabilized the walls, added explanations, and raised funds for the fence to further protect the rock house and keep its history alive.

When I was in the Senate last week, the sky was gloomy and the wind was blowing. The dogwoods are in full bloom, and I feel calm and lonely. A local legend says that I am not alone. Although the house does not seem to be much now, many people live around its fortress. Some people say that in the afternoon or late at night, a woman who was attacked and killed by the Conservative Party can be seen standing at the door. Others saw ghostly patrols around the property at dusk.

The society predicts that the stone structure will exist for another 100 years, and there may be varying degrees of decay. I hope you can stop and appreciate its rich history while it is still alive, and learn more about its local legends and its influence on our history.

With the passing of the spring equinox on March 20 of last month, the temperature now reaches more than 70 degrees almost every day. There is no doubt-spring is officially here!

For many people, this means returning to the outdoors early to plant, exercise, work in the garden, and enjoy outdoor activities. Warm weather also means that creatures and plants that dormant in winter are reawakening. For the early settlers in the area, now is the time to take additional precautions. Since there is no direct and convenient access to doctors or medicines, settlers and their descendants can only rely on folk remedies to cure their diseases. These remedies come in many forms, but in this article, we will study plant-based remedies.

The origin of American folk therapy is a multicultural and common history. Native Americans developed remedies from the resources around them. Generally, knowledge of beneficial or poisonous plants is passed on from Native Americans to settlers through observation or direct teaching. Immigrants from Europe and enslaved Africans brought their traditional therapies and adjusted them according to the resources they found here. Knowledge of these therapies is passed on from generation to generation and through word of mouth. Because of their nature as "secret recipes", they are usually not recorded.

In the spring, many early settlers tried to "clean" and "update" their systems from the winter. Plants are usually ingested in the form of tea, syrup, whole or ground into a mud or ointment to apply to the affected area. Common diseases in spring include poison ivy, cuts or scrapes, and bites. However, when it comes to folk remedies, they are either effective or ineffective, or they may cause adverse effects. Mistaking one plant for another or using it in the wrong season can cause serious or even fatal errors.

Poison ivy and its close relatives, sumac and oak, can cause significant skin rashes and itching from urushiol, an oil found throughout the plant. An interesting remedy is to use milkweed plant juice. In addition to being an excellent food source for pollinators, milkweed can also be used to relieve various skin or muscle-related diseases, such as rheumatism, ringworm, sores, ulcers, warts and wounds. The plant itself is edible, but it can only be eaten when it is young because it is slightly toxic. Flowers can be boiled into sugar and then into wine.

Cuts and scrapes are common. Many treatments are ointments or ointments made from tribulus, dandelion leaves, witch hazel, tobacco leaves, and peach leaves. However, one of the most interesting non-phytotherapy is spider webs. The spider web will be collected and stuffed into the wound so that the bleeding can be stopped. Spider silk is flexible, tough, and extremely heavy; in addition, studies have shown that it may have antibacterial properties.

If the culprit is determined to be venomous, insect bites or bites and snake bites prove to be worrying, otherwise it is even more annoying. Pain and swelling from insect bites can be cured with tobacco leaves, crushed plantain, chrysanthemum or ragweed leaves. For snake bites, it is recommended to use cocklebur or forget-me-not compress, or use snake root. In William Byrd's "Westover Manuscript: A History Containing the Demarcation Line between Virginia and North Carolina"; Journey to the Garden of Eden, 1733 AD; and A Progress to the Mines, he Mentioned that he encountered the factory and its impact during his travels.

"I found some rattlesnake root plants near our camp, called stargrass. The leaves shoot out in a round shape and grow horizontally close to the ground. The shape of the roots is no different from the rattle of that snake. It is a powerful detoxification. It can resist its bite. It is bitter and will sweat when encountering any poison, but without encountering any poison, it has no wise effect. It can only make the spirit very rushed, thereby promoting perspiration. Rattlesnake I am so disgusted with this plant that if you smear your hands with its sap, you can safely dispose of venomous snakes."

This article just touched on the furnishings of folk remedies in our region. Pay attention to the plants mentioned, and peel off your ears for remedies that people may mention in passing.

Justyn Kissam is the Director of Projects and Education at the Mount Airy Regional History Museum. She originally came from Winston-Salem, and for her education and public history work, she moved around the state until she settled in Mount Airy. Her contact information is 336-786-4478 x 228 or jnkissam@northcarolinamuseum.org

Editor's note: Community commentary is a feature of The Mount Airy News, displaying comments from community leaders in Mount Airy and Surry counties.

Some people say that a journey is a reward. As I look back on my journey over the past year, I am very grateful to the Surrey County School team. More than a year ago, in the week of March 9, Surrey County School closed for spring break. As the development of the pandemic continues to escalate in national and local news, the Surrey County Board of Education has taken a bold step for the safety and well-being of our students and staff and decided to close the school. The next day, Governor Roy Cooper closed all schools in North Carolina. These unprecedented actions have allowed us to embark on a path that none of us could predict. An unprecedented journey has just begun.

This journey is full of many challenges. We choose to embrace this journey and focus our energy on supporting and caring for the physical, social, emotional, and academic needs of students and families. This is an unparalleled opportunity. I believe that providing high-quality services to our customers, our students and families has always been our drum.

Our strategic plan guides our work, and this compass provides the structure we use to support us. Similarly, we must think outside the box. In the absence of a roadmap, we created a roadmap with the help of district and school administrators, teachers, student support staff, and parents. The returned learning working group convened and I worked hard to fulfill our mission, act with the heart of a service-oriented leader, and pay attention to the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff.

The journey includes on-street dining services and yellow school buses to transport meals. So far, our school nutrition department has provided more than 1.5 million meals with love. For more than a year, we have provided roadside meal services to all children in Surrey County. The nutritionists in our school are smiling and serving in the wind and rain, in the wind, and in the heat.

The journey includes an emergency transition to distance learning in March last year, and includes a revised 2020 graduation plan. This summer, Surrey County Schools opened up a new path to global success, the Surrey Online Magnet School, which is a completely online school learning option. In August, our most disadvantaged students and pre-kindergarten students returned to schools and classrooms to strengthen health and safety procedures. All K-12 students returned to study in a mixed/mixed mode and did some face-to-face learning and some distance learning in September. On October 5th, students from kindergarten to third grade began to study face-to-face 4 days a week.

Throughout the journey, educators worked tirelessly to implement the guidance of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the Surrey County Health and Nutrition Center. In the process, we gradually resumed sports. Recently, the Surrey County Board of Education approved all students from kindergarten to 12th grade to resume face-to-face learning 5 days a week on April 12.

As we embark on the next step of our journey together in all 20 schools in Surrey, let us remember to acknowledge the little things, don’t forget to share the road with our friends and neighbors, and continue to live, learn, and lead. I am proud to embark on this journey with you. We are Surrey County School, and the journey is the reward, and together we are stronger than ever!

© 2018 Airy Mountain News