By Bridget Huckabee

Weekends are for fun and relaxation and the visitor can find both here in Stanly County. Enjoy music, a variety of runningraces to watch or participate in, a little history, fresh produce, and a dance recital. Take a hike at Morrow Mountain, rent a canoe and paddle leisurely along the Pee Dee River, play a round of golf at one of the several local courses, take a swim in Badin Lake or in one of the county’s many pools now open for the summer.

Start your weekend on Thursday evening with music. The Albemarle Parks & Recreation Department host a summer concert series titled “Thursdays @ The Station”. Market Station in Downtown Albemarle is the location for this FREE concert series. Each week from May through August on Thursdays, Market Station comes alive with Music, all types of music to include Gospel, Rock, Pop, and Bluegrass. This week the artist is Destiny, the genre is bluegrass and the music begins at 7 pm. Bring a chair, visit the concession stand and prepare for an enjoyable evening in the cool night air.

“Who was John Stanly?” On Thursday evening you can find out about the man our county is named for at a program presented by the Stanly County Museum. Dr. Chris Bramlett will be the presenter at 6:30 pm in the Fellowship Center of Central United Methodist Church in downtown Albemarle. Bramlett has visited the home of John Wright Stanly in New Bern and his program will include facts and pictures from his research. Make a reservation now to attend this interesting program. Call 704-986-3755.

On Saturday, head to Locust to join in or cheer from the sidelines the Inaugural Locust Summer Kick-Off 5K. The race begins at 9 am at Locust Town Center. The awards will be presented at 10:30 am.

A far more grueling race begins this Saturday morning at 8 am in Badin when the ever-growing Historic Badin Triathlon will take on a Centennial air as Badin celebrates its 100^th birthday. Come watch these super athletes swim, bike and run for their medals.

Saturday morning and it’s Farmers’ Market time at Market Station in downtown Albemarle. Fresh produce, home baked goodies, crafts, flowers, plants and more are all there for the picking. The market starts at 8 am and ends at noon. Come early to find the pick of the crop.

On Saturday evening the Melissa Kathleen School of Dance Recital begins at 6 pm at the Agri-Civic Center. The school has proudly been serving the Albemarle area since 1998. Dance instruction and education is offered for ages 3 through adult in the art of ballet, tap, jazz, acrobatics, lyrical, pointe and hip hop. Conveniently located in the Historic District of Downtown Albemarle on North 1st Street, Melissa Kathleen’s School of Dance provides a fun and safe learning environment for those interested in studying the art of dance. Parents are able to leave their children without worry while they shop, work out or eat – all within minutes of the studio. Parents also have access to our free Wi-Fi in the waiting area. Take in the recital and applaud what these students have accomplished.

As summer cranks up the heat, Stanly County cranks up the fun in the coming weekends. Stay tuned.

By Bridget Huckabee

Rain or shine, this is a lovely time of the year in Stanly County. A wet spring has given up lush green pastures and hay-making is in full swing. Fields are filled with great rolls of hay ready for the barn and for winter feeding. Winter wheat fields look like green ocean waves in the wind and the corn is sprouting higher almost as you watch. Already, visitors are flocking to Morrow Mountain for camping and hiking, and kayaks, canoes and speed boats ply the waters of the lakes.

There are three outdoor events to enjoy this weekend in Stanly County featuring music, unique cars and trucks, and our very own Farmers’ Market.

Start your weekend with Thursdays at the Station, a free weekly concert put on by the Albemarle Parks and Recreation department.  Each week on this day from May through August, Market Station in downtown Albemarle comes alive with music, all types of music from gospel to rock and from pop to bluegrass. The event begins at 7 pm and ends at 9 pm. This week brings us the No1Uno and the genre is bluegrass. Bring a chair, visit the concession stand for a drink and a nibble and settle down in the balmy outdoors for an evening filled with music.

Friday brings that special monthly event, the Oakboro Cruise-In & Burnout. This is listed as the largest downtown Cruise-In in North Carolina. This Stanly County event brings in around 6,000 or so people and over 500 cars depending on the weather. The event technically starts at 5 pm but people normally show up around 3 pm to socialize before and during the event. It’s a great time to see some very unique cars and trucks. The Cruise-In is always on the 4th Friday of every month. The burnout starts at 9 pm and only takes place from April through October.

Saturday is the time to head to the Stanly County Farmers’ Market at Market Station in downtown Albemarle.  The market has been in operation for over 15 years. Here, a variety of local vendors set up their stalls under a covered, open-sided venue. A heady mix of aromas fills the air, from the sweet doughy smell of homemade baked goods, to the tangy smell of fresh fruit and the earthy smell of newly harvested vegetables. Customers browse, looking, picking, and in some cases tasting before choosing from among the many locally grown products. Treat yourself to this experience. Bring your market basket–or vendors will provide you with a bag–fill it with the bounty from the area’s good rich soil, take it home and prepare to enjoy some fine eating.

Here’s a ‘heads up’ for next week. The Stanly County Museum has invited Dr. Chris Bramlett to present a program entitled, “Who was John Stanly?”  Time and place is 6:30 pm, Thursday May 30, at Central United Methodist Church. Here’s a good opportunity to enjoy an entertaining program and find out just who our county was named for.

Stanly County is warming up and we don’t just mean the weather. There are lots of activities in the works for the coming months.  Watch for those popular regular events like Thursdays at the Station, the Oakboro and Locust Cruise-ins, Summer Concert Series and of course our own weekly Farmers’ Market. There’ll also be plenty of one-time-only not-to-be-missed activities.

Friday we begin the weekend with a 3 day event: the Platinum National Dance Competition at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center. With input from students, parents and studio owners alike, the promoters are bringing a new kind of competition. Each dancer is center-stage. Numbers are showcased in a poppin’ production. Parents participate and enjoy the entertainment. Studio owners are paramount and the promoters promise to give them and their students and parents an experience to come back to. The event is from 8 am until 5 pm each day, Friday through Sunday.

If you’re feeling the need for some good exercise on Saturday morning, head to the YMCA in Albemarle and join the runners for the Beach Blast 5K. The race takes you through the streets of downtown Albemarle and the top 3 male and female finishers receive awards hand-carved by a local artist. Post-race showers are available at the Stanly County YMCA and then you can enjoy a world famous 5K sugar cookie from Albemarle’s very own Sweet Shop. The race is sponsored by Vac and Dash.

For you non-runners, start your day on Saturday with a visit to the Stanly County Farmers’ Market at Market Station in downtown Albemarle. From 8 am until noon, local vendors offer local produce, plants, crafts, homemade goodies and more. Come browse the venue and enjoy some of our local bounty.

After you’ve filled your basket with good things to eat you can head over to the YMCA Park in Albemarle for a Fun Day Celebration. The event is from 10 am until 2 pm and features a bake sale, a bounce house, a play package, a $3 Combo Lunch of pizza and a drink and much more. There’ll be raffle tickets to take a chance on with prizes being drawn all through the celebration. The event is sponsored by Alliance Medical and Home Care of the Carolinas. All proceeds go to benefit the Stanly County Relay for Life.

Next week, the Albemarle Parks and Recreation Department begins its weekly summer concert series, Thursdays at the Station. Locust Summer Concert Series and Cruise-in also begins next week on Friday. The concerts are free. Make a note to come and enjoy some good music under the stars.

Spring has truly arrived in Stanly County. Dogwoods bloom in our forests. Azaleas, candytuft, violets and dianthus bloom in our gardens. The lakes are warming up and on a clear day they shine like blue silk. Rich red soil sits ready for planting summer vegetables and lush fields await the hay mower.

Thursday is the day you can see for yourself how generous Mother Nature has been to Stanly County. This is the day of the Stanly County Agricultural Tour entitled: It’s a Local Thing: Farm to Food and Fiber. The tour starts at noon at the Agri-Civic Center and concludes at 5:30pm. Lunch and transportation are provided and during lunch you’ll learn about the 10% Farm to Fork Campaign. The tour includes Muddy Boots Farm, Rolling Hills Gin and Hardy Creek Farms.

There’s more outdoor fun to be had on Friday and Saturday, this time in Norwood at the 20^th Anniversary of Arbor Day. This will be a great festival this year, sponsored by Norwood Museum and with lots of activities, great crafts, food and bands. The Fossil Fair will come back with displays and a fossil dig for the kids. Norwood looks forward to seeing you at this special anniversary event.

It’s lovely weather for golf and this weekend the Old North State Club at Uwharrie Point hosts the ACC Men’s Golf Championship. This is the 12^th straight year of this popular tournament.

There’s more fun to be had outdoors on Friday evening at the Oakboro Cruise-in. Billed as the largest downtown Cruise-In in North Carolina, the event can bring in around 6,000 or so people and over 500 cars depending on the weather. The event technically starts at 5 pm, but people normally show up around 3 pm to socialize before and during the event. It’s a great time to see some very unique cars and trucks. The Cruise-In is always on the 4th Friday of every month. The burnout starts at 9 pm and only takes place from April – October. Don’t miss this unique entertainment.

Start your Saturday with a visit to the Stanly County Farmers’ Market at Market Station in downtown Albemarle. The market opens at 8 am and closes around noon. It has been in operation for over 15 years selling homegrown produce, homemade goodies and handmade crafts to the citizens of Stanly County and the surrounding area. There are lots of good winter vegetables ready for you and summer crops will soon be available.

Saturday also brings the Kerri D. Efird Memorial Scholarship Bike Run. The event starts at 11 am at West Stanly High School. There’ll be BBQ, a raffle, t-shirts and more.

On Saturday afternoon head out to Rocky River Vineyards for their Spring Festival. The event is from 11 am until 6 pm. There’ll be local artists, wine, music and fun and you can take part in the bottle decorating contest and talent show. Admission is free.

On Saturday afternoon, if you’ve had enough of the great outdoors and need to get off your feet, try the Uwharrie Storytelling Festival celebrating local voices at Central United Methodist Church in downtown Albemarle. This is a chance to sit down, relax and listen to intriguing stories told by expert storytellers. The event is at 2 pm until 5 pm and is organized by the Stanly County Museum.

Whether you choose indoor or outdoor activities, Stanly County is a great place to enjoy the spring.

Once again we have a busy spring weekend lined up here in Stanly County with something for everyone.

Begin the fun on Thursday with a visit to the Big Lick Festival Park for the Farm Days Festival. Here you’ll find antiques, antique tractors, home and garden items, yard sale and flea market items, plants, tools, glassware and collectibles, yard art, arts and crafts, and a gun and knife show. The event starts at 8 am and goes until 6 pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. This is the place to sell as well as buy so maybe this is the time to clean out the barn, the attic, or the house and sell it here. There’s food and fun for the whole family.

On Friday evening from 6 pm until 10 pm the Locust Summer Concert Series and Cruise-in kicks off its season with that local favorite, Right Turn Clyde. This is another great evening of fun for the whole family.

The Uwharrie Players continues its comedy presentation, The Dixie Swim Club at the Agri-Civic Center this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 3 pm. Don’t miss this delightful comedy by our talented local players.

On Saturday, Dennis Vineyards kicks up its heels with a Spring Fling from noon until 5 pm. The event is free so come on out and enjoy music by the Extraordinaires, dine on food from local vendors, ride hayrides and of course sample great wines.

Also on Saturday you can take a walk for a good cause. Wagfest is a walk to benefit the Stanly County Humane Society.  The event begins at 10 am at Cannon Park across from the YMCA. Prizes will be awarded for the most pledge money raised and there’s lots of fun at the finish line with doggie contests, demonstrations and visits with all the dogs. So bring you best friend—on a leash please—and join the fun.

The ever popular Stanly County Farmers Market begins its summer season this Saturday. At Market Station in downtown Albemarle, starting at 8 am until noon, vendors will be lined up selling their produce, homemade goodies and crafts.

To top off your weekend, how about a run in one of the most unique night running events in the South? The 2nd Annual Vac & Dash Moonlight 1/2 Marathon, 5K and Moviestarts and finishes at the Badin Road Drive-In in Albemarle, NC. The United Way of Stanly County Benefit has added a 5K race and Double Feature run this year. The 5K starts at 7:00 pm and is a relatively flat course for the area. The 1/2 Marathon starts at 9:00 pm. You can participate in the Double Feature Run by running in both events. Your support crew of family and friends can watch the movie while you run. The 5K & 1/2 Marathon are both limited to 100 participants in each race. Runners that participate in both events earn a Double Feature Runner Long-Sleeve shirt. Runners in the 5K and 1/2 get a Gildan Soft-Style Cotton Shirt. There are age group awards for both races and finisher medals for all 1/2 Marathoners. Entry fee includes entry to the movie. Family and friends not running will pay the normal price to get into the movie. At this time, it’s $6.00 per person to get into the drive-in. Runners must wear reflective lights, light colored shorts and have as much reflective wear as possible.

As we promised, there’s something for everyone here in Stanly County this weekend and more fun on the way next weekend. Stay tuned. .

You name it, Stanly County’s got it this weekend. There’s a special event for you gardeners, great jazz and bluegrass for you music lovers, a comedy performance for a good laugh, art, a parade, free college classes and a special place to get rid of all that nasty stuff lurking in your garage. Weekends don’t get any better than this.

Let’s begin on Thursday with an event for you gardeners. The NC Cooperative Extension Service says “Life is too short not to grow your own fruits and vegetables.” So sign up to learn how to prepare your garden at this special and fun event at the Agri-Civic Center from 1 pm until 3 pm.

The Big Lick Bluegrass Festival is a three-day event that begins on Thursday and is sure to please all you music lovers. On Thursday open mike begins at 6 pm until…. On Friday, 2 pm to 10 pm features Renaissance Blue Grass Band, James King Band, Goldwing Express and Deeper Shade of Blue. Saturday from noon until 11 pm features The Boxcars, Junior Sisk and Ramblers Choice, James King Band, Balsam Range and the Renaissance Bluegrass Band.

Friday brings the Fork Spring Registered Shoot at the beautiful Fork Farm in Norwood.  The three-day event is from 8 am until 5 pm each day.

Friday is also the time to head to downtown Albemarle to see the Pfeiffer University Student Art Show. The Falling Rivers Gallery is the venue for this not-to-be-missed event showcasing the talents of these young artists.

Are you ready for a good laugh? Friday through Sunday this weekend and next weekend, the Uwharrie Players present The Dixie Swim Club. Don’t miss this delightful comedy at the Agri-Civic Center.

Who ever thought college would be free? Well, it is for a day this Saturday. On College Day at Stanly Community College you can take college classes for free from 9 am until 1 pm on the Albemarle campus. Experience college and learn a little about YOUR community college. SCC’s schedule includes serious and fun classes. Sign up for one class or take as many as you like. Don’t let this unique opportunity pass you by.

Saturday is the day to get busy and do something about all that hazardous stuff in the back of your garage, out in the shed or down in the basement. From 9 am until 1 pm the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center will hold a household hazardous waste and electronics recycling collection in the rear parking lot. Remember, no small appliances are accepted. It’s a great time to get rid of those old paint cans, old TV sets, old computers and aerosol containers. Call Solid Waste Department at 704-986-3698 for more details.

Badin lets it all hang out this Saturday as its 100^th birthday celebration continues. The Badin Centennial Parade rolls out around the historic town at 11 am. In the evening, at 7:30 pm at Badin School Auditorium, a concert titled, “Return of the Native Son’’ features the Lou Donaldson Quartet. This internationally renowned Badin native will present an evening of great jazz. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see one of the jazz greats right here in Stanly County.

Next weekend brings more fun spring events right here in Stanly County, so stay tuned.

Stanly County is ‘bustin’ out all over’ with spring events this weekend. You’ll need outdoor boots and dancing shoes to cover the range of fun.

Start your weekend on Thursday at one of the most beautiful venues Stanly County has to offer: The Fork Farm and Stables in Norwood. The 2013 Bank of Stanly Outdoor Heritage Days International Horse Trials runs from April 4 through April 7. The event is free and open to the public and visitors are encouraged to wander at will around the farm and the spectacular barn. There are concession stands or you can bring your own picnic and folding chair and settle down to watch these extraordinary events on the hillside by the water jump, or by the arena where the dressage and jumping events take place. The Horse Trials is essentially an “equestrian triathlon” of Dressage, Cross Country and Show Jumping and a spectacular event to attend with the entire family. Fork Farm will host approximately 350 competitors from across this country and around the world. There will be young riders competing in the lower divisions and International medalists. This is a wonderful opportunity to see these incredible athletes, human and animal, up close and in person.

On Friday, for one day only the Big Lick festival Park hosts the Mud Race and Mega Truck Grudge Pull and Shootout. The event is starts at 7 pm and should be an exciting evening for all.

On Friday and Saturday the Stanly County Antique Power Festival Tractor and Engine Show takes place at the Stanly County Saddle Club on Stony Gap Road. Here you’ll find many fun events that include kids’ games, a Cake Walk and a Bouncy House as well as Lawn Mower Pulls, exhibits and food concession stands. There’s music and a daily Parade of Power.

Saturday brings another fun event celebrating Badin’s Centennial. The Badin Volkswagen Bug Bash is a day-long show beginning at 9 am that takes place at the Badin Volunteer Fire Department. Love those little bugs? Here’s your chance to see them at their best, all polished up and ready for inspection. Own a Volkswagen? For just $5.00 you can show it off at the Bug Bash.  Awards will be given for the top 3 best of show and there will be one mayor’s choice award. The show is free.

And last but certainly not least, on Saturday from 6 pm until 9 pm you are invited to put on those dancing shoes and celebrate the beginning of spring at Beats in Bloom to benefit the Stanly Regional Medical Center Auxiliary. This inaugural event is designed to help raise funds for the Auxiliary’s scholarship fund that awards scholarships to deserving high school students each year pursuing degrees in the field of healthcare.

Next weekend brings more exciting events that include a bluegrass festival, theatrical performances, a grand parade and an internationally celebrated jazz group. Stay tuned.

Yes, it’s spring. The calendar says so. And it won’t be long before we are complaining about the heat. Until then, enjoy a banquet for a good cause, an Easter Egg Hunt and a pleasant hike through some of our beautiful countryside.

On Friday, March 29^th The National Wildlife Turkey Federation will host a banquet at the Stanly County Senior Center. Founded in 1973, the NWTF is headquartered in Edgefield, S.C., and has local chapters in every state and Canada.

Who are they? They are sportsmen, women and children who care deeply about our natural resources and the wild places they love to hunt. They cherish the memory of the ridge top gobbler they hunted last spring and fondly remember the cornfield where they saw that big buck at sunset two years ago. Collectively, they come from all walks of life to engage in conservation and preserve the hunting heritage they all hold dear. They’re hunters. Some of them follow bird dogs through waving stands of grass from south Georgia to Montana in pursuit of bobwhite quail and pheasant. And most of them would rather spend a bitterly cold winter morning knee deep in a flooded oak flat or beaver pond than waste that morning in a warm bed.

They are champions of conservation. According to many state and federal agencies, the restoration of the wild turkey is arguably the greatest conservation success story in North America’s wildlife history. Through vital partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and their members have helped restore wild turkey populations throughout North America, spending more than $412 million to conserve nearly 17.25 million acres of habitat.

Start your Easter celebration this Saturday with a special treat when the Albemarle Parks and Recreation Department hosts its annual Easter Egg Hunt at City Lake Park Amphitheater. Ages 10 and younger will find treats left by Mr. Bunny, who will be on hand for pictures!! There will be prizes for each age group for finding the “Golden Egg”. Don’t be late! The hunt begins at 11 am and the event is FREE.

Need to work off some of that Easter candy? The Uwharrie Hikers is a club for anyone of any age who enjoys the outdoors, hiking, and fellowship. The group conducts monthly FREE guided day hikes the last Sunday afternoon of each month. Hikes are normally 4 to 7 miles and moderate to strenuous in nature. Van transport from Rock Creek Park and back is provided. Hikers meet at Rock Creek Park at 1 pm to depart to the hiking site. Please call 704-984-9560 to pre-register for the hike so we know how many to expect. Further information on the Uwharrie Hikers Club can be found online at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/uwharrie_

Next weekend is filled with great events from international horse trials to an antique tractor and engine show, and from a Volkswagen Bug Nash to a Beats in Bloom Dance. Stay tuned and in the meantime have a very Happy Easter.

This Weekend in Stanly County

Spring is here, the calendar tells us, and Stanly County weekends will soon be enlivened by lots of outdoor activities. Meanwhile, there’s plenty to do in the way of prizes to win, music and theater to watch and some good chicken barbeque to savor.

Let’s start with that good chicken barbeque. On Friday, Hospice of Stanly County is having a fund raiser featuring this delicious meal cooked by the Stanly County Christian Convoy Cookers. It will be served at North Albemarle Baptist Church at 401 Park Ridge Road in Albemarle between 11 am and 7 pm. All proceeds from this event go to Hospice of Stanly County, Inc., to help off-set the cost of indigent patient care and bereavement support services. An $8 donation is asked for and there is free delivery for 5 or more plates.

After you’ve picked up your barbeque, head out to Oakboro for the regular monthly Cruise-in. The event is from 5 pm until 11 pm and this is a great time to see some lovingly restored and very unique cars and trucks. There’s no burn-out this month, but it starts again next month see we’ll keep you posted on this truly unusual entertainment.

The tenth annual Outdoorsman’s Bonanza will be held this Saturday. The prize package is the largest ever with over $162,500 in prizes to be given away. The event will be held at Market Station (West Main Street) and will draw a crowd for the entertainment, food, and the cash and prizes to be given away the day of the event. The grand prize drawings will include a John Deere Gator, a 2013 Honda TRX, EZ-GO Mossy Oak camouflage golf cart, a 2013 Harley-Davidson Softail Deluxe, a 2013 Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Boy, a 2013 Tahoe Pontoon, a 2013 Chevrolet 4×4 Crew Cab, eight guns, a gun safe and 12 cash prizes. Doors will open the day of the event at 11:00 am and ticket holders do not have to be present to win. Only 3,200 tickets will be sold for this year’s Outdoorsman’s Bonanza. All proceeds from the bonanza benefit the Stanly Regional Medical Center Foundation, the Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation and the Stanly County Shrine Club.

The 2013 Mini-Medley Relay will take place on Saturday at Central Elementary School. This ten mile team relay race will feature elementary (grades 4- 5), middle school (grades 6-8), high school (grades 9-12), family, corporate, masters (40 and over), and open divisions and will begin at 9 am. A one mile Fun Run will begin at 8:30 am. Registration is conducted by teams, with entry fees ranging from $70 for school age teams to $95 for family, corporate, masters, and open teams. Fun Run is $10.

On Saturday evening the Stanly County Concert Association presents the Greensboro Symphony Youth Orchestra. This special event starts at 7:30 pm at the Agri-Civic Center. Don’t miss this delightful concert by these talented young musicians.

And talking of talented youth, another event not to be missed is The Talent Company presentation of Godspell, Jr. The performance takes place at 7:30 pm at Albemarle High School. This is a teen and kid friendly version of the classic Broadway Musical retelling of the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. It’s easy to see why this show has been such a success, including a Tony Award nomination for Best Original Score, and several Drama Desk Awards on its Broadway debut, and revivals both on and Off-Broadway. It has become one of the most beloved and memorable shows of all time.

Enjoy this first weekend of Spring!