Rose Garden Club Of Liberty Celebrates 60 Years What do you call a group that likes to encourage and foster relationships among people who have a love of gardens, growing plants and liaise with the city for the beautification of the community? Well, you call them the Rose Garden Club of Liberty.
The Rose Garden of Liberty, NC was established in 1947. They are celebrating their 60th anniversary this year. The main purpose was, then and now, to encourage and foster beautfication of the local area. The club presently maintains the Patterson Cottage Rose Garden, located across from the Liberty Public Library, Christmas decorations of natural items at the Patterson Cottage, Christmas luminaires at the Town Hall and provides floral arrangements for four months of each year at the Liberty Library. These are just a few of the ongoing projects they conduct each year.
In addition to these are the fun activities they do outside the regular business meetings. The September meeting is kicked off by a dinner hosted by the president and the program chairperson. The final meeting for the year is held in May as a family picnic. In December, the spouses and friends are invited to a very special dinner held in various places.
The purpose of the club is to be involved, learn, share and be creative. This includes actual gardening projects, community projects, tours, field trips and craft projects. The club is affiliated with the Garden Clubs of NC. The current club is comprised of eleven members, of whom three have been presented with Life Memberships in the Garden Clubs of NC. They are Brenda Shelton, Doris Smith and Esther Butler.
Let's step back in time and see how this group got started. A meeting to organize the Rose Garden Club was held on Monday, May 19, 1947 at the home of Mrs. Vernon Jones. Mrs. Paul Wrenn explained the functions of the garden club. Both Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Wrenn were members of the Liberty Garden Club, under whose sponsorship the Rose Garden Club was organized. At this meeting officers of the new club were elected. The first officers and committee chairpersons were as follows: Presiden-Mrs. Don Kessler, Vice-President- Mrs. GC Crutchfield, Secretary/Treasure- Mrs. CE Fogleman, Reporter-Mrs. TC Howell, Tree Committee Chair-Mrs. Howard Swaim, Wildflower Committee Chair-Mrs. WL Carter, Horticulture Committee Chair-Mrs. Harold Frazier, Flower Arrangement Committee Chair-Mrs. Paul Hardin, and Scrapbook Chair-Mrs. BQ Johnson. The club held its first meeting for the 1947-48 year on September 12, 1947. This was a luncheon meeting at the home of Mrs. DC (Francine) Swaim. The table arrangements were done by Mrs. EB Wilkerson and the buffet arrangements were by Mrs. GC Crutchfield. The eleven charter members of the group were as follows: Mrs. WL Carter, Mrs. CE (Clay) Fogelman, Mrs Harold (Verla) Frazier, Mrs. Don Kessler, and Mrs. DC (Francine) Swaim, Mrs. Grover Crutchfield, Mrs. Paul Hardin, Mrs. TC Howell, Mrs. BQ Johnson, Mrs. Howard Swaim,and Mrs. EB Wilkerson. The members underlined are still living. The current members of the active Rose Garden club are Lisa Beavers, Esther Butler, Betty Johnson, Michelle Karam, Rosa Sharpe, Brenda Shelton, Maxine Shiver, Doris Smith, Nina Stout, Helen Teeter and the newest member, Amy Pulliam. The accomplishments over the past years of the garden club are so numerous to mention, so I have hit on some of the highlights of the years gone by. Throughout the 1940's signs of the times were ladies that stayed home in lieu of working outside the home.Through these years the club was instrumental in providing floral designs and arrangements and sponsoring flower shows for members and the community. Throughout the 1940's the club continued to be active in the community. In the 1950's flowers were the main attraction. To give an example of the many activities of the group, I randomly picked a typical year to include in this article. In March 1954, the Rose Garden Club sponsored the Bluebird Junior Garden Club that met at the Town Hall on the first Monday of each month. The 31 members were made up of third graders at Liberty School. In the picture you will see the dogwood tree planted by this new group in front of Liberty School. In October, 1954, the club spoinsored a flower show, open to the public, at the American Legion Hut. The Ben Ward Garden Project was planted that year. In the pictures you can see the group working to place flowers and trees along the railroad track and in front of the Liberty Train Depot. This is now the vacant lot across the street from the Liberty Chiropratric Center, formerly the Liberty Savings and Loan. There are several trees still standing. It is amazing to see how this group has worked to make our area more beautiful The club members designed, planted and maintained flower gardens at the Liberty Village Apartments. The Liberty Garden Council, comprised of three local clubs, iniated the Christmas tree lighting at the town hall, which led to the present day tree lighting ceremony at Christmas, Trips were taken to Chinquapin, Seagrove potteries, Bob Timberlake Gallery in Lexington, Seagrove Orchid Farms, the Arboretum in Raleigh, private gardens in the area, and decorated a home at Christmas for tour.
The Rose Garden's annual fund raiser is a plant sale, open to the public, in April. Contact a member for exact date, place and time. If you would like to be considered for membership in this great club, contact one of the following members, Brenda Shelton, at 622-2538, Nina Stout at 622-4768 or Maxine Shiver at 622-3354. Let them know that you would like more information about this group.
New Changes at Loflin Funeral Home
Loflin Funeral Home of Liberty is now part of Service Corporation International, a Dignity Memorial Provider. Loflin was acquired by them as of November 2006. In addition to new ownership there is a new manager. Local hometown boy, Tyson Nixon is now the manager of this establishment. Tyson stated, “I am really glad to be serving the community that has served me for so long, you know without this community I really don't know where I would be today. There were several teachers at Liberty School that helped me along the way and they really deserve all of the credit for me being who I turned out to be. Without the help of those key teachers that kept me in their sights I would not have gone off to college and became the man I am today. I really don't know exactly how to say what I want to say, but I am so glad to be the hometown person that was chosen to be the manager at Loflin Funeral Home. For so long there has not been a funeral director from Liberty in the funeral home and it really does make a difference when you are dealing with people that you know the people that know your family. Each family that I have had the privilege to serve so far in the past month I have known at least one person in the immediate family. It really makes you stop and think about what you are doing when you know that these people that I am serving today will be around me the rest of my life. I love Liberty and will do all that I can to be the best little town that anyone would love to live in. My gratitude to the town of Liberty and its entire generous people is really unspeakable.”
Let's take a few minutes to get to know Tyson more. Tyson E. Nixon, Loflin Funeral Home's new manager, was born on March 1, 1980, and is twenty-seven years old. He attended Liberty School (K-8), ERHS, Appalachian State University (two years undergraduate), Fayetteville Community College (Associate in Applied Science, Funeral Service Education). For the past three years he has been working at Sechrest Funeral Service in High Point, two and a half years prior to that he worked at Pugh Funeral Home in Asheboro, where he served most of his apprenticeship. Tyson loves spending time in the mountains of NC (Boone, Blowing Rock, Jefferson) and going to the Outer Banks. Tyson is the grandson of Gene Smith, and Bobby and Sally Nixon, all from the Liberty area. His parents are Barbara Jean Smith and Jimmy Nixon. He has two younger brothers, Jason Levi Powers and David Willard Powers. Tyson said, “I have always been interested in the funeral business. I can always remember coming to the funeral home as a child and seeing the Loflins and Steve Seaboch. I can remember they were always so nice and pleasant. They were respected in the community. Everyone knew them.” I asked him what was the best advice he could give. Without hesitation he said, “Pray. Not much else can get us through the toughest times.” Do you have a best memory you would like to share with readers? He said, “Best memory was getting to come home to the funeral home where I wanted to work my whole life. There are lots of good memories especially since I have made a difference in someone's life, by making a very difficult time just a little easier for them.”
We welcome the hometown native, who is now the new manager of a funeral home that needed a local touch. Tyson had one last comment he wanted to make sure the people knew, “I am always wanting to hear from the community about ways to improve the business. The first order of business that I have heard from several is starting to take place. I am looking for estimates as we speak to get the funeral home back to the way it should be. The most important of these changes is getting the visitation room back to where it should be and getting the casket selection to a more secluded area, where it used to be. We are trying to make improvements to the facility as quickly as possible. We are hoping to get things back in order as soon as possible. “
| Filing Complete For Fall Elections
Randolph County Board of Elections office, 158 Worth St., Asheboro was the location for the filing period that ended at noon on Friday, July 20, for those interested in running for the municipal seats up for the Nov. 6 election. In the Town Of Liberty—the following filed :John Stanley - Mayor, Pike Johnson - Town Council, James Lee Humble - Town Council. In the Town Of Staley—the following filed : Karen Scotton - Mayor, Marlene Jones - Board, Lori Lynn Langley-Hankins - Board, Lib Marley - Board, Doug Nixon - Board
This is the fifth annual Farm Fest
Farm Fest Five as we call it! Farm Fest will take place on Saturday, September 8, 2007, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Rising Meadow Farm, 3750 Williams Dairy Road, Liberty. Farm Fest is a celebration of the fiber arts and good living. Everything is homemade, handmade, homegrown. All five groups of fiber animals will be represented: sheep, llamas, and angora goats from Rising Meadow Farm, alpacas from Caraway Farm in Asheboro, and angora rabbits from Avillion Farm in Apex. There will be about twenty-five vendors (fiber artists and other fine artisans) demonstrating their talents and selling their wares. There will be all sorts of fiber connected booths -- ready-made items that are knitted, woven, felted, quilted, crocheted as well as yarn, roving for hand spinners and felters, and all sorts of equipment and supplies for fiber enthusiasts. There will even be a vendor selling handmade knitting needles and crochet hooks. In addition there will be
woodworkers and wood carvers, potters, jewelry makers, and candle makers. Honeybee Harvest from Julian will be selling not only honey but also items made from their beeswax. Many of these vendors will be demonstrating what they do. A great time to learn how it's done! Hands-on demonstrations will include spinning, knitting, weaving, felting, basket making, and throwing a pot. If you've ever wanted to try one of these things and just didn't know how to do it, this is your
chance. You'll be learning from some of the best! There will be live Celtic music all day. The featured group is "Seamus Stout" from Fort Worth, Texas. Two of the members also play the pipes in a pipe band in Fort Worth and will be appearing as pipers at some point in the day. Also on the music agenda is "Ashegrove," a local group from Asheboro and Seagrove. There will be sheep dog demonstrations given by some local folks, Mary and Tony Luper. This is always a popular event and the times will be published on our website. Food, of course, will be fabulous with lamb offerings from Rising Meadow Farm, all-beef hot dogs, grass-fed beef hamburgers, middle-eastern fare from Zaytoon's restaurant in Greensboro, ice cream from Homeland Creamery, homemade coconut cake from "Sisters," homemade cider from Windy Hill Orchard in Ararat, VA, homemade root beer from Three Waters Farm in Graham, and of course homemade lemonade from Girl Scout Troop #578. Farm Fest is for all ages! Admission is $5 per person, age 2 and older. Bring your lawn chairs and plan to stay all day. You'll be glad you did! More information is on our website -- www.risingmeadow.com. Directions are also on the website. For questions call (336)622-1795
Electronic Concepts Moves & Expands
July 1 was Electronic Concepts move from its location downtown Liberty to its new location at 263 W Swannanoa Ave (previously the old NAPA store). One of the owners, Chris Reynolds stated, “This was a needed move for several reasons. The main reason was to better service our customers with a more convenient location and better parking. We are thankful for all the business we have been given by the local businesses and individuals. At this location we have expanded our service to now include inkjet cartridge refills. We are finalizing a new service for the people of the area. This is online sales of your merchandise and products. Bring the items in you want to post on line for selling and bidding and let us do the magic. For an easy way to sell on line, come see us.” Electronic Concepts opened up for business in January of this year seeing a need for a local location for service, repair, build and sell of new and used PC’s and printers. They also service game consoles such as XBOX, PlayStation and Nintendo.
Liberty Automart Moving Locations
Liberty Automart that has kept its home at 5546 NC Highway 49 N heading out of Liberty towards Ramseur is now making its home downtown Liberty. Their new location will be 155 S Greensboro St (Former location of Draper Repair). James Bishop (owner) stated, “ I hope to have the business relocated and up and running in the month of August. I believe this will help my customers have a central location. Will continue to offer all as same services and looking into some new ones.” Currently they offer car sales, car detailing , U-HAUL rental and more. For more info give them a call at 622-1811
Liberty Fourth Of July Event Second Annual Liberty Fourth Of July Event Another Success
With the combined efforts of several business, locals, the Town Of Liberty and local churches, another great night was had by all. This year's event was held on Saturday, July 7. At 8:00 p.m. the football field came alive with people and events, but it was not for a football game but for fellowship. With the theme of what our town is named for LIBERTY, people actually enjoyed that liberty to have fun. The list of activities included a moon walk (provided by SUNSations Video and Tanning) to water play (provided by Liberty Fire Dept.) Children ran around trying to miss (and sometime trying to hit) the water that local fire fighters shot from atop the ladder truck. I do not know who had more fun, the children or the firemen. We had concessions provided by Mr. Jingles that included anything from popcorn to cotton candy and let's not forget the snow cones. In the gym you could pick up a refreshing beverage. On the field you had the Isom family from Millstone Creek Orchard that had samples of products from their orchards plus other prizes. Kids could do hand painting to getting balloons. The list goes on. The most memorable thing for me was the number of people and the fun and fellowship had by all. Groups had pulled chairs and blankets together in several areas and had their own conversation groups going. Meanwhile children of all ages got together to play football to kick ball. Yes, this is what we celebrate, the freedom to live in America and freedom to do what was being done that night. Sharply at 9:30 the fireworks hit the air, one after another. The estimated attendance pushed 2,000 people. The local community (the town, businesses and locals) help raise the $3,500 needed to bring the fireworks to this event. The following sponsors helped put this event on.
The Town Of Liberty, Mike & Teresa Bruchon Family in paternship with Watermark Fellowship Church, Dr Phillip Karam, Liberty Chamber Of Commerce, BB&T, Liberty Advisors, William H Flowe Jr, Euliss Propane, Allen’s Hatchery, Dr Chip Butler, R Andrew Sykes, DDS, Randolph Telephone, Loflin Funeral Home of Liberty, Liberty Lumber CO, Liberty Barber Shop, Carolyn’s, The Liberty Leader, and Sunsations Video & Tanning. A special thanks to Rodger Davis (Town Manager) and Pastor David Woods (Watermark Fellowship) for all the hard work to put this event together. See you next year.
Millstone Creek Orchards Fourth July Open House
Last year was the Apple Festival but this year (due to the late freeze and drought condition) the great folks at Millstone Creek Orchards had to do a different event for the public. As always, they did an outstanding job. On the Fourth of July an open house was held. There were had so many activities to take part in: Free balloons to apple cider demonstrations and on to the hay ride that covered the history of the farm and the land. If these did not tingle your taste buds, for sure their free sampling of the local produce and products they offer did. My favorite was the sweet corn on the cob. Oh yes, they had plenty of butter and salt to put the finishing touch on the fresh corn. They also had ice cream and the list just goes on and on. This was the kickoff to another season at the orchard. You can get garden-fresh produce such as tomatoes, beans/peas, squash, cucumbers, peppers, and the list goes on. They use two of their ponds to help keep the produce watered. They also have a great store called the Apple Barn, where you can purchase items such as homemade apple butter to Byrd's BBQ Sauce and the list goes on. This year they have added a new feature. A nature trail has finally been finished that covers their large acreage. It is truly a great stroll through days of old. You pass through the local ponds, vineyards and orchards and even pass the old farm house on the estate that had numerous antique tools and equipment on display. Then you get to cross over the creek that the orchard is named after, Millstone Creek. This event went off great as in the past. You may wonder where all of the workers came from. Well, this is also a family get-together for the owners ( The Isom Family). All the children and grandchildren of the owners come in each time during the year to help put this event on. This year they even came to the Fourth of July event held on Saturday at Liberty Elem. School to give out free samples of their products and balloons. Why not plan a visit to this great location? They even offer tours. You will not be disappointed. They are located at 506 Parks Crossroads Church Rd. in Ramseur, NC. From Asheboro...Take 64 E to Ramseur. Go thru Ramseur approximately 4 miles. Turn right at their sign onto Parks Crossroads Ch. Rd., they are less than one mile on the right. You can't miss them. Still need help? Give them a call at 336-824-5263 and they'll guide you in. Hours of operation: Wed - Sat 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., closed Monday and Tuesday. There is fun for the whole family!!
| 2007 Snow Camp Fourth of July Celebration and Parade! Picture Slideshow to Follow
The Snow Camp community held its annual Fourth of July celebration and parade again this year. All were invited to come and participate. Sponsored by the Sylvan Ruritan of Snow Camp, the celebration began with a parade at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, the Fourth of July 2007 followed by live bluegrass music, games for kids, food, ice cream, and fun at the Sylvan Elementary Ball Field next to Sylvan School. Participating groups included the Pleasant Hill Saddle Club, Snow Camp Volunteer Fire Department, area churches, tractors, classic cars, and others. Children and other groups also participated in the parade. The parade followed its traditional route, around Sylvan School and Drama Road before returning to the school. People from all over were lined up along the roadside for the best views! Immediately following the parade, the celebration continued at the ball field, with concessions including hot dogs, French fries, candy, drinks, ice cream and baked goods. Local churches, meetings, vendors and residents were in attendance to bring baked goods and arts & crafts to the visitors. There was plenty of space for attendees to bring blankets and lawn chairs to use while listening to the live bluegrass music. Admission, parking, participation and exhibition space were free. For information see www.snowcamp.org, or contact parade@snowcamp.org or call Mike & Penny Arnold at (336)376-9433. If you missed this year's event make sure to visit or be part of next year's festivities.
MY GOOD NAME – IDENTTTY THEFT Story by Sharron Yow Thompson, Certified Senior Advisor
Everyone has heard about the epidemic of Identify Theft and seen commercials about how easily personal identity can be stolen. It’s especially true of many seniors who paid off their mortgage or are paying to the same Mortgage Company they have for years. Cars are paid for. May or may not have a single credit card. They haven’t made any major purchase in a long time. Who would want to steal their identity? Although they feel safe, seniors are prime targets of these thieves! Another targeted population is young children, who have never even established credit. From personal experience, I learned of my identity theft when my husband and I started to buy a home. Someone had made major purchases and gotten lots of credit cards in my name and never paid for any of them. One company even listed me dead. I felt violated, shocked and in disbelief. How could this have happened? Wouldn’t I have known? After only a few calls, it was perfectly clear that it was MY identity that had been used by someone else, and I had to clear MY name. This is where Identity Theft differs from all others. No one does the legwork or investigation to clear your name. It becomes your responsibility to do this. It has taken 3 years and many hours on the phone, numerous letters to credit companies, filing reports with the Sheriff’s Department and Federal Trade Commission, and even paying an attorney hundreds of dollars to clear MY name.
After my investigation, I am fairly certain a person working for a nationally known insurance company stole my identity. We all deal with national companies for our mortgages, car loans, student loans, insurance, credit cards, etc. How can you prevent this from happening to you?
Here are just a few tips to help prevent identity theft:
Check your credit reports at least once a year (there are three Credit Reporting agencies and you must get a report from each of them). If you notice anything out of the ordinary on your reports, call the companies listed immediately to alert them of the inaccuracy
Have social security or pension checks directly deposited into your bank account
When paying credit card bills, only put the last 4 digits of your account number in the memo section of your check
Have your checks printed with your first and middle initials and last name instead of your full name. (Ex: S. Y. Thompson). Then sign your full name on the check (Sharron Yow Thompson). A thief would have a difficult time determining what the initials stood for – Sally, Susan, etc.
When you receive all those credit card or lending company credit offers DO NOT throw them in the trash in one piece. Tear or shred them into pieces before discarding. Thieves take these applications, change the address, and send them in to get credit
Any material listing your name and address should be torn or shredded before being tossed in the trash. This includes the order section in the middle of magazines or catalogs.
Ask for a shredder for Christmas or birthday – what a wonderful invention!
When placing outgoing bills in your mailbox, don’t leave them in the mailbox overnight. If at all possible, place them in the mailbox the morning the mail carrier comes or take to the post office to be mailed.
NEVER give out any social security numbers or bank account numbers over the phone. If anyone needs this information, ask him or her to send you a letter requesting it.
When paying for purchases with your debit card or credit card, be sure to get the receipt from the merchant. Many receipts have your full account number on them. This is especially true when you pay your restaurant bill at the table. Be sure the receipt you leave on the table does not contain your full account number.
Most importantly, go with your “gut feeling”. Be careful when giving out personal information.
Just as you safeguard your home from burglars, safeguard your good name as well.
Sharron Yow Thompson, Certified Senior Advisor, 1567 Ridgewood Road, Franklinville, NC 27248 Ph 336-824-4634 Email Galenandsharron@hughes.net
Another New Store To Downtown Liberty
Victoria's Closet and Consignments has made its home at 126 W Swannanoa Ave in downtown Liberty (former location of TC Communications). They will offer new and gently used clothing, toys, furniture, equipment and more for all ages and for men and women. Victoria Isley, the new owner, said, “I think Liberty could use a location like this. I have taken location that exist in the bigger cities to bring it home to Liberty. I am currently accepting new items from the public. I work on buying the items versus putting it on display waiting for a sale to pay the owner of the clothing and items. If anyone has items they would like to bring in all they have to do is give me a call and schedule an appointment for the viewing the clothes.” They held their grand opening on Saturday, August 4. Victoria stated, “Now is a great time to clean out your children's closets of clothing they have outgrown and leave with new clothes they can wear. What a great way to get the kids ready for school.” Make a point to stop in and see this new business. New items arriving daily. Welcome to the community.
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