TABLE OF
CONTENTS

VALDESE HEADLINES - 2006

IMPORTANT
INFORMATION

 

HEADLINE ARCHIVES

12/02/06
The Valdese Christmas Parade, led by Grand Marshal Larry Sprinkle of WCNC marched through town under near-perfect weather conditions. Other honored guests included: Mayor Jim Hatley and the Town Council, Rotary Club's "Service Above Self" award recipient Hugh Fletcher, the Little Miss and Little Master Valdese, and East Burke's Homecoming Queen Tabatha Fox.

Professional and homemade floats, fire engines, go carts, marching bands, dancers, and many more entrants made their way along Main Street, bordered by an excited crowd of all ages.  According to The News Herald, there were forty floats (seven of which were from the Charlotte Carousel Parade,) three bands, and over one hundred total entrants.

The parade has been an ongoing tradition for over fifty years and is a joint effort between the town's Tourism and Community Affairs Departments and the Valdese Merchants Association.

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08/22/06
A new season of Bluegrass at the Rock will open on September 23rd at the Valdese Old Rock School with the Kenny and Amanda Smith Band. Among the bluegrass artists who will be appearing between September 2006 and May 2007 are the Josh Crowe, IIIrd Tyme Out, Blue Ridge, Lonesome River Band, Lou Reid, Randy Kohrs, Michael Cleveland and Audie Blaylock. A complete list of the concerts with date and prices can be found at the web-site, www.bluegrassattherock.com.

This seasons opening concert brings back the award winning Kenny and Amanda Smith. The group was named the Emerging Artists of the Year in 2003 by the International Bluegrass Music Association and Kenny was twice named the IBMA Guitarist of the Year while a member of the Lonesome River Band. This year, the band has been nominated as the Vocal Group of the Year, their album “Always Never Enough” as Album of the Year, Kenny Smith again as Guitar Player of the Year, and Amanda as Female Vocalist of the Year.

Wind Riders, a hard driving, progressive local bluegrass band will also be a part of this first concert on September 23rd. Wind Riders finished in first place this year in the bluegrass band competition at the 1st Annual North Carolina Foothills Fiddler’s Convention.

Tickets for the Kenny and Amanda Smith Concert are now on sale at the following locations: Beach’s Music in Morganton, Drexel Barbershop, Gold Mine Jewelry in Hudson, Larry’s Musical Madness in Hickory (downtown), East Valdese Barbershop, and at the Valdese Old Rock School office. Advance tickets are $10. At the door the day of the concert all tickets will be $12.

For more information, call 828-879-2129 or go to the web-site www.bluegrassattherock.com

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07/17/06
The 31st Annual Waldensian Festival in Valdese, NC headlines a list of things to do on Friday August 11th and Saturday August 12th, 2006 with a variety of crafts, food, music, rides, and games. The Waldensian Festival celebrates the “Glorious Return” of the Waldenses from exile in Switzerland to their native valley in the Cottian Alps of Italy in 1689 and showcases a day full of exciting events that will be fun for all ages.

On Friday, August 11th, beginning at 5;00 p.m., the children’ s rides will be open behind the Old Rock School and at 7:00 p.m., the Opening Ceremony for the festival will begin in the Town Parking Lot beside the Wachovia Bank on Main Street. Following the ceremony, free entertainment will be provided by “The Extraordinaires.”  A new addition this year is a “cruise in” which will be located on Main Street. Over two hundred cars are expected to line up along Main Street for visitors to admire.

The Waldensian Festival on August 12^th begins at 9:00 a.m. and runs until 4:00 p.m. The festival offers a cultural experience of the Waldensian heritage, complete with authentic Waldensian soutissa (Italian type of sausage); a Boccie tournament (a favorite game of the Waldenses, which is a cross between bowling and horseshoes) and other attractions are open throughout the day with special events scheduled.

• Foot Race, beginning at 8:00 a.m. (10k, 5k, and 1 mile fun run)
• Boccie Tournament
• Arts, Crafts, Food and Games Wine tasting and free samples of Waldensian bread

• 2^nd Annual Battle of the Bands ROCK at the Rock SchoolSee local talent perform on-stage, outside of the Old Rock School.
• Open Art Competition and Show located at the Rock School Art Galleries
• Children’s Festival with rides and games (Friday evening and Saturday during the Festival.)
• Tour the Trail of Faith
• Experience the newly renovated and expanded Waldensian Museum.
• Visit Waldensian Heritage Wines and experience the craft of the vintner.
• Outdoor Drama, “From this Day Forward” (pre show music begins at 7:45 p.m.)
• Piedmont & Western Railroad Club’s magnificent display of model trains and antiques (Saturday 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.)
• Exciting Helicopter Rides for the Family located at Trail of Faith.

Please come join us and learn about the fascinating Waldensian Heritage, enjoy all our arts, crafts, food, music and games, and tour the town to see all the interesting sites Valdese has to offer. (Free shuttle service available at the Information/Tourism Tent located in the Wachovia Parking lot on Saturday)

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05/30/06
The Valdese Recreation Department and American Legion Post 234 will be sponsoring their annual “Fun Fishing at the Falls” on Saturday, June 3, 2006. This event is for boys and girls 14 and under and Seniors age 55 and older and will be held at McGalliard Falls Park from 9:00 a.m. until noon.

To get to McGalliard Falls Park, turn off Main Street onto Church Street, just west of McDonald's and continue north for about two miles. The park entrance will be on your right.

Lunch will be provided and it is recommended that individuals pre-register at the Valdese Recreation Department.

For further information call 879- 2132.

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05/24/06
The Western Piedmont Community College Small Business Center today announced it will hold business seminars in the town of Valdese featuring programs available from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Mike Arriola, Senior Area Manager for the SBA based in Asheville, will conduct the seminars which take place in the early evening on Thursday, May 25, beginning at 6 p.m. and lasting until around 9 p.m. The seminars are:

* Business Planning and Entrepreneurial Development Programs from the SBA - a must for anyone interested in starting a business, as well as a good refresher for persons already well established in business; and

* Small Business Loans: the Basics - discover the five elements which bankers and other lenders require in a small business loan application, and learn what SBA financial programs are available to for startup and long-established companies.

The seminars are free of charge and take place at the Teachers Cottage behind the Old Rock School at 400 Main Street in Valdese. Persons interested in attending should sign up with Eddie McGimsey at WPCC at (828) 438-6100.

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04/08/06
223 Swimmers, bikers, and runners competed in Saturday's third annual Valdese Sprint Triathlon. The men's winner was Winston-Salem's Kenneth Bush with a time of 49:32 (one second ahead of second place Andrew Strohofer.) The women's winner was Allison Hardy of Arden with a time of 55:26. While these times were very impressive, the real applause were reserved for Charlotte's Ed McCarthy whose time of 2:14:48 earned him first place in his age group--the 80 to 84 age group. Mr. McCarthy celebrated his 81st birthday on Saturday and earned not only respect and admiration, but a chorus of "Happy Birthday" during the awards ceremony.

Valdese competitors included: Kay Welland, Linda Betancourt, Stephanie Bridges, Janet Byers, Robin Cannon, Nancy Tucker, Kara Folan, Sheila Temple, Jami Brown, Karen Less, Bradley Boggs, Scott Byers, Dale Less, Jeff Morse, Farrell Street, Peter Gravely, Joe Temple, Russell Bridges, Keith Abee, and Brady Linkous.

The weather threatened to make a real mess of things early and Friday evening saw tornado watches for Burke County, but by race time, Mother Nature cooperated and served up some pretty good weather for a race.

After the awards were handed out, Jeff Morse announced that the strong turnout, especially given the potential for bad weather, pretty much ensured the event will have it's fourth running next year.

Complete results are available on the Set-Up, Inc. website.

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03/29/06
Valdese Rotary Club Scholarship Auction Committee Chairperson Ron LaSalle has announced the Tenth Annual Rotary Scholarship Auction.

The auction, with heavy hors d'oeuvres and live musical entertainment by the Boerger Family, will be held on April 8, Saturday, at the Valdese American Legion Post 234 on North Church Street from 6:30 pm until 10:00 pm. Tickets are $10.00 and can be purchased from club members or at the door.

Activities include a silent auction and a 50-50 table. The live auction will begin at around 8:00 pm with a professional auctioneer. Items for the live auction include: a matted color photo print taken and signed by Hugh Morton; a large and small screen TV; living room furniture; gift certificates from area merchants; framed art work; household accessories; a bone density test; thirty minutes of flying time; and, many other items.

LaSalle noted, ”We really appreciate the generosity of our local merchants and businesses in providing some special gifts to help our club raise funds for our scholarship program.”

Proceeds from the auction will go to the Rotary scholarship fund.

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01/31/06
The Civil War comes to Valdese at the Waldensian Trail of Faith on Church Street. The 8th N.C. Regiment Burke County Home Guard will have a winter encampment on February 25th at the Trail of Faith from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. This includes artillery, infantry, and cavalry.

Come and see what life was really like in those times, witness as the pages out of a history book come to life before you very own eyes. Visit with your ancestors, learn a little history first hand.

There will be demonstrations, drills, and the re-enactors will be happy to answer any of your questions.

In case of bad weather, the event will take place on March 4th, also from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

For more information on the event, contact BurkeCountyHomeGuard@DowntownValdese.com.

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