images roanoke valley, nc: 2010

Go FishHere’s the line on great waterways

hunGryFOr MOrE

Peanut industry grows wild

ahEad OF thE class

High schoolers earn college credits

take a video tour of sylvan heights Waterfowl Park.

What’s Online

sPOnsOrEd by thE rOanOkE VallEy chaMbEr OF cOMMErcE

2010 | iMaGEsrOanOkEVallEy.cOM

rOanOkE VallEy, nOrth carOlina

®

http://www.imagesroanokevalley.com

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And you were expecting just a hotel room?

Roanoke Rapids

• Complimentary On The House™ breakfast

• Complimentary high-speed Internet

• 32” high-definition LCD flat-screen TV, microwave, hair dryer, refrigerator, coffee maker, two phones and iron with board in every room

• All rooms and suites have two queen or king beds

• Fitness center on-site

• Outdoor pool

• Hilton HHonors® loyalty program

• Spacious lobby area with fireplace and cozy seating

• Large work desk with data port, phone and voice mail

• Free local calls and no surcharge for using a calling card

• Business center

• Meeting rooms

• Suite Shop for 24-hour snacks and refreshments

I-95 at Exit 173 • 85 Hampton Blvd. Roanoke Rapids, NC Managed by First Carolina Management Inc.

(252) 537-7555 www.roanokerapids.hamptoninn.com

www.roanokerapids.hamptoninn.com

Stop Dreaming … Start Living.

307 Long Circle Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 (252) [email protected] www.heatonrealestate.com

Nestled in front of a fireplace, family stories of days past and days to come,

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In our Interactive section, watch quick videos by our editors and photographers featuring people, places and events.

abOut this magazineImages gives readers a taste of what makes Roanoke Valley tick – from business and education to sports, health care and the arts.

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JeSSICA MAnneR, JAnIne MARyLAnd, KRIS SexTon,

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FOr MOrE inFOrMatiOn, cOntact:Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce

260 Premier Blvd. • Roanoke Rapids, nC 27870Phone: (252) 537-3513 • Fax: (252) 535-5767

www.rvchamber.com

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2010 EditiOn | VOluME 7


On thE cOVEr Photo by Todd BennettA fisherman tries his luck on the Roanoke River

departments

6 almanac: a colorful sampling of Roanoke Valley’s culture

34 image Gallery

43 health & Wellness

45 sports & recreation

47 community Profile: facts, stats and important numbers to know

rOanOke Valley business 26 run of the mill

This century-old company’s success is anything but ordinary.

30 biz briefs

32 chamber report

33 economic profile

®

cOntents

features

8 WildliFE On disPlayWaterfowl park is the largest in the world.

12 a QuEstiOn OF hOnOr The dallas Jones Veterans Museum

gives voice to history.

16 GO FishRoanoke Valley’s lakes and rivers offer “see it to believe it” fishing.

20 hunGry FOr MOrEPeanut distributors are proud to call the valley home.

38 ahEad OF thE classRoanoke Valley early College sets the bar for middle colleges.

40 WOrkinG in brOad strOkEsArts Council provides creative opportunities for all ages.

all or part of this magazine is printed on recycled paper containing 10% post-consumer waste.

please recycle this magazine


www.halifaxdevelopment.com


Fast Factsn Paper is the major manufactured product in the valley, along with molded plastics, wood products and fabricated metal.

n roanoke rapids lake Park is a 17-acre recreation destination at the western terminus of the roanoke canal Trail.

n often called north carolina’s “cradle of history,” Historic Halifax is the birthplace of the Halifax resolves, a precursor to the declaration of independence.

n Weldon is known as the rockfish capital of the World because of the large population of fish that make their spawning run from saltwater to the roanoke river.

n Halifax county offers unlimited access to world markets via interstate highway, rail, air and major seaports.

For Cotton Pickin’ SakeThe sleepy little town of Hobgood,

population 375, becomes quite lively on the

second Saturday in october. That’s when it

celebrates the Hobgood Cotton Festival.

The community recognizes the area’s largest

cash crop with a day of activities, including

morning visits to the town museum and an

arts-and-crafts fair, then lunch at the fire

department. The afternoon features cotton

trailer rides along with live bands playing

gospel, bluegrass, country and rock.

There is also a horseshoe tournament, as

well as bingo playing. The 2010 Hobgood

Cotton Festival will take place oct. 9.

Their World’s a StageBreaking a leg is a good thing at the Roanoke Rapids Theatre, as well as at

Lakeland Theatre Company in Littleton.

The Roanoke Rapids Theatre is one of north Carolina’s newest entertainment

venues. Lakeland has been showcasing plays and concerts for several decades

and has undergone renovations. each site also offers occasional acting classes

and theatrical workshops.

Lakeland Theatre has 326 seats and even features an 11-piece orchestra pit.

That pit was first used in 2005 for the Broadway musical 1776.

Plays staged over the years at Lakeland include Charlotte’s Web and Showboat.



Fasten your Seat BeltsVrrrooom: The north Carolina Center for

Automotive Research opened in January 2010.

The nCCAR is a 630-acre campus in

northampton County devoted to product

research, testing and development of the

automotive industry. All facilities can be leased

by engineering and academic clients on a daily,

weekly or longer-term basis.

Also available is a 3.7-mile ride-and-handling

course designed to be world standard.

The center is located off I-95 near Garysburg.

everyone’s Milling AroundShoppers looking for unusual items can rejoice.

A shopping destination called Riverside Mill is located

inside a historic cotton mill on the banks of the Roanoke

River. Inside, the mill has space for 100 antique dealers

who sell estate jewelry, silver, furniture and collectibles.

Also on site is an art gallery with pottery, glass,

metal, wood and paintings, with a strong emphasis on

north Carolina artists. In addition, seasonal produce

and regional foods are for sale, including peanuts,

hams, jams, jellies and wine.

Riverside Mill is in Weldon, off Interstate 95 at exit 173.

Littleton

Gaston

Halifax

Weldon

Enfield

ScotlandNeck

Hobgood

Hollister

Roanoke Rapids

HistoricHalifax

Roanoke Canal Museum

Medoc Mountain State Park

Tillery

Sylvan Heights

Halifax County Airport

Lake Gaston

HALIFAX COUNTY

NORTHAMPTONCOUNTY

VIRGINIA

4

97

158

158

158

301

301

258

258

43

48

48

35

561

561561

122

305

305

186

125

125

308

903

903

12141216 1206

1404

1002

1008

1501

1001

125

481

481

95

POPulatiOn (2008 EstiMatE)Halifax County: 54,983, northampton County:

20,487, Roanoke Rapids: 16,403, enfield:

2,348, Scotland neck: 2,170,

Weldon: 1,669, Littleton: 646,

Hobgood: 378, Halifax: 328

lOcatiOnThe Roanoke Valley is in northeastern

north Carolina, eight miles south of the

Virginia border and 150 miles west of

the Atlantic Coast.

bEGinninGsThe Roanoke Valley encompasses Halifax

County – formed in 1758 and named for the

earl of Halifax – and portions of northampton

County – formed in 1743 and also named for

an english earl.

FOr MOrE inFOrMatiOnRoanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce

260 Premier Blvd., P.o. Box 519

Roanoke Rapids, nC 27870

Phone: (252) 537-3513, Fax: (252) 535-5767 www.rvchamber.com

roanoke Valley at a glance

What’s Online Take a virtual tour of Roanoke Valley, courtesy of our award-winning photographers, at imagesroanokevalley.com.

Roanoke Valley

Almanac



8 imagesroanokevalley.com

Is that a kookaburra? And is that a pygmy goose standing next to a pink-eared duck?

More than 2,500 endangered birds from around the world live at Sylvan Heights

Waterfowl Park in Scotland Neck. The 18-acre avian breeding preserve was established as a sanctuary in 1989, and officials decided to open it to the public in 2006.

About 25,000 visitors a year tour the park, which has become the largest breeding waterfowl complex in the world. It is also an impressive tourist attraction for the town of Scotland Neck.

The Sylvan Heights refuge was originally founded by Mike Lubbock, who was already a successful and renowned ornithologist in England when he moved to the United States in the late 1980s. Along with his wife, Ali, their mission was to save birds from around

the world whose numbers were dwindling due to habitat destruction linked to construction developments.

“Also, natural disasters like the tsunamis in recent years have also caused serious habitat destruction, so we recently took in 60 white-winged wood ducks that are native to Asia,” says Brent Lubbock, Sylvan Heights marketing director and the son of Mike and Ali. “We also saved 70 Lesser Flamingos from Africa in 2008, and a baby Lesser Flamingo chick hatched at our preserve in 2009. The Lessers are one of the smallest and rarest breeds of f lamingo, so we can accommodate quite a few of them at our park. We also have five Chilean flamingos on site.”

In 2009, Sylvan Heights added an attraction called Bird’s Nest, an accessible treehouse where visitors can enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the water

WATeRFoWL PARK IS THe LARGeST In THe WoRLd

An Avian

SToRy By kEVin litWin | PHoToGRAPHy By tOdd bEnnEtt

Paradise

right: a pair of mandarins at the sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park in scotland neck. The park features more than a thousand birds from six continents on display to the general public.

What’s Online

Take a tour and see what Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park has to offer at imagesroanokevalley.com.




Paradise


roanoke valley 11 10 imagesroanokevalley.com


roanoke valley 11

park’s wetlands. Besides birds, the onlookers might also see various kinds of insects, reptiles, amphibians, beavers and deer.

“It offers such a scenic venue that two weeks after it opened in September 2009, a couple booked the Tree House for their wedding,” Lubbock says. “I should mention that another new and popular exhibit at Sylvan Heights that also opened in 2009 inside an aviary building is called the Trumpeters. They are small, black birds with purple chests named for their ‘whoomp, whoomp’ sound.”

Lubbock says the waterfowl park offers several educational programs for students on subjects such as ornithology, wetlands and ecology, as well as specific biological work going on at the park. When it first opened for visitors in 2006, a total of 850 students visited Sylvan Heights compared to the 6,000 students who passed through its gates in 2009.

“We charge admission because we go through 1.5 tons of feed every month – we aren’t subsidized by anyone,” Lubbock says. “Admission is $5 for students and children, and $7 for adults. We also offer memberships and have 700 members to date.”

Sylvan Heights is open Tuesday-Sunday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

“We are focused primarily on waterfowl but also have birds such as parrots, eagles and macaws,” Lubbock says. “We have aviaries filled with birds on the grounds, as well as throughout our 18-acre wilderness. This is an interesting place for nature enthusiasts and curiosity seekers.”

left: a group takes in the view from the Bird’s nest Treehouse exhibit at sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park in scotland neck. Far left: a scarlet ibis at sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park

roanoke valley 13

Dallas Jones has served with distinction at Pearl Harbor, the Battle of Midway and Guadalcanal.

But, by his account, his story is just one of many that deserve to be heard.

“Being a Pearl Harbor survivor, I’ve never had a shortage of people wanting to talk to me, but my concern is for every veteran to have a chance to tell his story,” he says.

Now, that dream has become a reality. Opened in 2008, the Dallas Jones Veterans Museum at Becker Village Mall uses photos and artifacts to tell the stories of veterans from Civil War times to the present day.

“Mr. Jones has been wanting to open a veterans center for many years,” says Ellen Heaton of Heaton Real Estate, which owns the Becker Village Mall and donated the museum space. “He’s a very

quiet but determined man, and he worked so hard to make this dream come true to honor veterans.”

The museum’s first exhibit was a photo wall that initially housed fewer than 50 portraits of veterans; now, about 1,000 images fill the space.

“After a couple of weeks, it just exploded. People would see newspaper articles, hear a radio spot or go in to visit, and they were so touched, they wanted to contribute,” Heaton says.

Thanks to those contributions, the museum has built a collection of artifacts from every branch of the military. The local American Legion donated a complete set of service f lags, and members of the community have brought in uniforms, spy equipment and other memorabilia.

“We’ve even got a wooden leg from

THe dALLAS JoneS VeTeRAnS MUSeUM GIVeS VoICe To HISToRy

A Question of

SToRy By kathryn rOystErPHoToGRAPHy By tOdd bEnnEtt

hOnOr

memorabilia on display at dallas Jones veterans museum at Becker village mall in roanoke rapids


the Civil War,” Jones says.Heaton estimates that 50 to 60

people, including numerous school groups, visit the museum each week. The museum’s library and its special exhibits on Purple Heart recipients, Navajo Code Talkers and the Tuskegee Airmen are among the most popular attractions.

The museum has also become a gathering place for local veterans, and a videographer for the Library of Congress’s Veterans History Project comes once a month to interview them.

“This is first-person history, different from what you’ll see in

New York or even at the Quantico Marine base,” Jones says. “Those museums have a lot of information about how the big shots ran the wars, but this is our own thing. We have details about what each person did.”

In keeping with that focus, the museum hosts special events designed to honor rank-and-file soldiers and their sacrifices. Monthly f lag ceremonies highlight individual veterans from the photo wall, and events on Veterans Day and Pearl Harbor Day have drawn hundreds of participants.

The museum also partners with Wreaths Across America, a national

program that provides wreaths for veterans’ graves.

“All this tells visitors that there were many people from this area that served their country proudly. It reminds visitors that these people should be honored,” Heaton says.

And that’s just the impact Jones wants the museum to have.

“I like that we’re honoring veterans of all wars and that the local veterans who weren’t honored before are now being honored,” he says. “Everyone who comes in here says it’s a wonderful thing, and that’s really heartwarming to me.”

below: dallas Jones veterans museum in roanoke rapids honors people from Halifax county or those who have ties to the community. right: eugene Bryant, left, and dallas Jones in the museum that bears Jones’ name



A

StoryFish


roanoke valley 17

For world-class fishing, it just doesn’t get any better than the waters found in the Roanoke Valley.

Whether they swim in the shoals of the Roanoke River or the lakes of Roanoke Rapids,

Gaston or Kerr, the fish are large, plentiful and lively, adding up to a fisherman’s dream.

Thousands of fish make spawn runs in the river, starting with the hickory shad in March.

“These hickory shad come all the way up to the dam to spawn,” says Bobby Phillips, owner of Carolina Sportsman Guide Services, which provides guided fishing tours. “You

can catch 50 to 60 an hour. It doesn’t take a lot of experience, but this acrobatic fish is fun to catch.”

The striped bass, also known as rockfish, follow the hickory shad, and they create quite the fish story. It isn’t unusual for striped bass to run in schools more than six miles long, with several specimen weighing between 20 and 30 pounds, Phillips says.

“If you’ve ever been on a boat on the Roanoke River and caught 250 fish that weigh at least 10 pounds, it will spoil a man,” he says. “Trust me.”

For his time, he goes after the walleye. “I enjoy catching

RoAnoKe VALLey’S LAKeS And RIVeRS oFFeR ‘See IT To BeLIeVe IT’ FISHInG

SToRy By bEtsy WilliaMs

chad Thomas, coastal fisheries research coordinator for the ncWrc, hauls in quite a catch.

Story

above: anglers casting their lines in local waterways come away with plenty of fish – and fish tales.


fish that require a lot of skill level,” Phillips says. “The walleye are plentiful here but very hard to catch. Catfish are also very plentiful, and they’re easy to catch. We have everything – white and yellow perch, bream, striped bass – just about any freshwater fish you can think of.”

“I tease my family and friends and tell them to send my mail to Weldon during rockfish season,” says Rick Goines, author of the “Tight Lines” fishing column. “Honestly, I do spend a lot of time in Weldon during April and May.”

In addition to Roanoke River, Lake Gaston’s 20,000 acres and 350 miles of shoreline offer pristine waters, with Roanoke Rapids Lake offering an additional 4,600 acres of surface water.

Bobby Colston, owner of Colston’s Tackle Box, has earned his reputation as a fishing and hunting authority in the region. After almost 32 years in business, he knows when

the fish are biting and when they aren’t.“I’m closed on Tuesdays, and I usually go fishing,” he says.

“But I also talk to a lot of fishermen. I know the questions to ask, and I find out information my customers will appreciate.”

Colston, a bricklayer by trade until a scaffolding accident three decades ago, now uses his considerable mechanical skills to repair hunting and fishing equipment, offering plenty of fishing advice. He says it’s never an off-season when it comes to enjoying the area’s multitude of recreational offerings.

“I’m busy year-round,” he says. “Hunting season runs from September until the end of February, then the shad run up the river in March, then the rockfish come. By the time they leave, the lake fishing picks up, bow hunters start practicing in August, and then it starts all over again.”

“We have everything – white and yellow perch, bream,

striped bass – just about any freshwater fish you can think of.”


located adjacent to Interstate

95 and equidistant from

Raleigh and Richmond, Va., the

Roanoke Valley is in a prime spot

to attract visitors. The many

attractions and plentiful hotel

rooms help the Halifax County

Convention and Visitors Bureau

put this area on the map as a great

location for active recreation.

“Sports tourism is a growing

sector of the visitor market,” says

Lori Medlin, president/Ceo of the

Halifax County Convention and

Visitors Bureau. “We have

tremendous natural resources and

an amazing community that knows

how to roll out the red carpet and

come through with volunteers.

Sports enthusiasts that know our

reputation flock to our events!”

The Visitors Bureau sponsors

events for both residents and

visitors to be physically active.

Whether you are more interested

in a leisurely hike or a smooth

water canoe trip, or if you prefer

more challenging activities like 5k

races, marathons, sprint triathlons

or one-mile swims, Halifax County

is the place for you. Active

recreation events are spread

throughout each season of the

year, and when there are no events

scheduled, active recreation

opportunities can be found at

many of our attractions – hiking

on the Roanoke Canal Trail or

at Medoc Mountain State Park,

paddling a canoe or kayak on the

Roanoke River or Little Fishing

Creek, swimming in Roanoke

Rapids Lake or Lake Gaston,

playing Frisbee golf at Roanoke

Rapids Lake Park, wakeboarding

or wakesurfing at Lake Gaston

and so much more.

To celebrate Halifax County’s

many active recreation events,

the Halifax County Convention and

Visitors Bureau presents the Heart

Healthy Halifax program. Anyone

who participates in three of the

active recreation events during

2010 in Halifax County

(participation must be verifiable

by event coordinators) will receive

a Heart Healthy Halifax T-shirt.

Active events begin in March

with the Roanoke Canal Half-

Marathon & 8k, followed by the

Tri Roanoke Valley Sprint Triathlon.

In May, things keep rolling with the

Country Roads Bike Tour. And by

August, events cool off with The

Crossing at Lake Gaston. october

brings the Halifax Harvest days 5k,

the Roanoke River Ramble and the

Medoc Mountain Trail Races.

For more information on these

events and the area, visit

www.visithalifax.com.

marathons, triathlons and 5k races draw weekend warriors to Halifax county throughout the year.

recreation MeccathE rOanOkE VallEy OFFErs ‘actiVE rEcrEatiOn’ thrOuGhOut thE yEar

roanoke valley 19

What’s Online Find out more about Roanoke Valley online at imagesroanokevalley.com.


PeAnUT dISTRIBUToRS ARe PRoUd To CALL THe VALLey HoMe

IdeasNutty




In historic Enfield, A&B Milling Co. has been shelling out their popular Aunt Ruby’s Peanuts for more than 50 years.

Once the world’s largest raw peanut market, Enfield also is host to an annual peanut festival. Each October, families gather for good food, arts and crafts, entertainment, music, street dancing and, above all, peanuts.

Manager Bob Allsbrook says each batch of Aunt Ruby’s Peanuts is identically roasted to ensure consistency in taste, using only the highest grade of Virginia-style peanuts. Country-style gourmet peanuts are hands-down customer favorites, Allsbrook says. The jumbo peanuts are water-blanched, roasted in corn oil and lightly salted. Other Web and mail-order items include raw shelled, chocolate-covered, honey-roasted and roasted redskin peanuts, as well as cashews and other chocolate products.

The Roanoke Valley is a leader in the nation’s peanut industry, boosting the local economy and making the salty, crunchy snack much more than a memorable ballpark favorite.

“We know taste is subjective,

IdeasSToRy By MElaniE hill


roanoke valley 23

Halifax-Warren Smart Start is an award- winning community non-profit that provides child care, family support, and health services for children ages 0-5 and their families in order to ensure every child reaches his or her full potential and enters kindergarten healthy and ready to succeed.

Our services include pre-kindergarten parent education and training, teacher training, technical assistance for child care programs, child care and other referrals, and health support services.

Choosing the right child care for your young child is an important responsibility. Finding what best meets your needs and those of your child requires some research. The Child Care Resource and Referral Program is a free service offered by Halifax-Warren Smart Start. We can assist you in finding child care for your child, from birth through school-age. Halifax-Warren Child Care Resource and Referral Line: (888) 285-0849.

Halifax-Warren Smart Start Partnership for Children Inc.

1139 Roanoke Ave. • P.O. Box 339 Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 (252) 537-5621 tel (252) 537-9732 fax E-mail: [email protected]

www.hwss.org

Halifax-Warren Smart StartBuilding Brighter Futures for Our Children

but you do have a lot of people who say the sandy-type soil in the North Carolina/Virginia area gives peanuts a better f lavor,” says Lindsey Vincent, owner of The Good Earth Peanut Co. in Skippers, Va. “The type of seed used here also makes for larger kernels and shells than others.”

Location and the knowledge of local farmers play a huge part in the success of Severn Peanut Co. “We feel that we get a high-quality peanut in North Carolina,” says R.P. Watson, vice president of operations. “If we can grow it in North Carolina, it saves a lot of money on freight.”

Hampton Farms, a subsidiary of Severn Peanut Co., roasts, packs and markets finished peanut products directly to customers and has four production facilities: one in Severn, one in Edenton, one in Springfield, Mass., and one in Portales, N.M. The two North Carolina facilities are in the heart of what is known as the “V/C (Virginia-Carolina) Peanut Belt.”

In Roxobel, peanut farmers Joey and Danielle Baker oversee Bakers’ Southern Tradition Peanuts every step of the way. Danielle Baker says the company has become known for its blister-fried and Carolina Cajun peanuts, hand-dipped chocolate-covered peanuts and unique treats, including Baker’s latest offering – Better Bites. The candy creation consists of chopped peanuts rolled in creamy caramel dipped in milk chocolate.

“The fact that we grow our own peanuts really sets us apart from other products, and we are very picky about the peanuts that we use,” Baker says.

The peanuts from Down East Peanuts in Scotland Neck also are grown locally. Graham Whitehead Jr. pursued his dream and founded the company in 1997. The third-generation peanut

bottom left: The Peanut festival is held in enfield every october.

farmer grows the nuts on his farm.Down East’s secret cooking

technique produces the very best “peanut-tasting” peanut on the market today, Whitehead says.

While all the companies have received national attention and ship daily to customers throughout the

United States, the owners agree that local support has been imperative to their continued success.

“I always wanted to do something that utilized the strengths of our part of the country,” Vincent says. “People are proud to have a product made right here in their own community.”

www.hwss.org


Littleton

Gaston

Halifax

Weldon

Enfield

ScotlandNeck

Hobgood

Hollister

Roanoke Rapids

HistoricHalifax

Sylvan Heights



Tillery


Lake Gaston

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The Roanoke Valley

enfield Aunt Ruby’s Peanuts are processed at A&B Milling Co., and an annual Peanut Festival celebrates the crop.

Hollister one of the largest

powwows on the east coast is held each april.

LittletonLake Gaston offers a wide variety of water activities and the entertainment of Lakeland Theatre.

Roanoke Valley

Roanoke RapidsThe Roanoke Canal Museum tells the story of transportation on the Roanoke River.



Littleton

Gaston

Halifax

Weldon

Enfield

ScotlandNeck

Hobgood

Hollister

Roanoke Rapids

HistoricHalifax

Sylvan Heights



Tillery


Lake Gaston

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NORTHAMPTONCOUNTY

VIRGINIA

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WeldonThe Roanoke River is popular with kayakers, canoeists and anglers.

The sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park is home to about 170 spe cies of birds, including more than half of the world’s known species of ducks, geese and swans.

Scotland neck

Hobgood

The Cotton Festival is a popular fall event.

Halifax The precursor to the declaration of Independence, the Halifax Resolves was adopted in this historic town on April 12, 1776.

TilleryThe site tells the story of a 1930s Resettlement Community, a part of President Roosevelt’s new deal. Transplanted into an existing community, settlers were given the opportunity to purchase 40 acres and a mule. Tours are available from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week, but other tour times can be arranged by appointment.


The last time you bought a bag of f lour or charcoal, chances are you were supporting the business efforts of KapStone Paper and

Packaging Corp. in Roanoke Rapids.KapStone operates a paper mill that has

been thriving for more than 100 years and spans 1,800 acres. The mill produces multiwall kraft paper used to make bags for products such as cement, f lour, charcoal, fertilizer and pet food. It also produces linerboard used in the manufacturing of cardboard boxes.

“The mill started operations in 1907 and, at that time, it was producing 18 tons of unbleached kraft paper a day,” says Anitra Collins, vice president of mill operations. “Today, we make 1,150 tons of unbleached

kraft paper a day. We sell the paper and linerboard to converters all over the world, and they make it into bags and boxes.”

KapStone’s product line is virtually the same as it was a century ago, though the mill’s processes have seen a lot of changes.

“The mill has been modernized over the years, and there have been many equipment upgrades,” Collins says. “We’ve also expanded our capacity, and we now employ about 500 people.”

KapStone Paper and

THIS CenTURy-oLd CoMPAny’S SUCCeSS IS AnyTHInG BUT oRdInARy

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roanoke valley 27


Packaging Corp. is headquartered in Northbrook, Ill., and owns another large paper mill in Charleston, S.C. Collins says the key to the company’s longevity has been the teamwork of its employees, the superior quality of its products and excellent customer service.

“The teamwork of our employees

has allowed us to be innovative, to stay competitive and to meet our customers’ needs,” she says. “We’re known for quality and service, both of which are critical for success.”

The mill has one of the largest workforces in the area and is dedicated to helping its employees succeed.

“We start each day with a

production meeting to determine what needs to be accomplished, and we put a lot of focus on safety,” Collins says.

Another secret to KapStone’s success is advocacy from the Roanoke Rapids community.

“The community has been very supportive of our efforts, and they’ve helped us remain a viable part of the

“Today, we make 1,150 tons of unbleached kraft paper a day.

We sell the paper and linerboard to converters all over

the world, and they make it into bags and boxes.”



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left: kapstone Paper has been in operation for more than 100 years.

community,” Collins says. “We have a community advisory council with a diverse group of 10 to 15 volunteers from local government, the school system, the mill’s neighbors and people from other industries.

“We continually ask them for feedback on how to improve the mill’s impact on the community,” she adds. “And when we’re applying for new environmental permits, community members come to public hearings and talk about the mill’s impact on the community.”

KapStone, in turn, shows its support for the Roanoke Valley by providing jobs and tax revenue and contributing to local charities.

“It’s amazing to consider the number of people we employ and all the local services we utilize,” Collins says. “There’s a rule of thumb that says for every one job in a paper mill, another five jobs are created elsewhere.”

In 2008, the mill gave approximately $140,000 back to the community for charitable causes and community relations efforts. Relay for Life, Hannah’s Place domestic violence shelter, Boys and Girls Clubs of Halifax County, the Halifax County Community College Foundation, Roanoke Valley Junior Miss, the Union Mission homeless shelter and Angel’s Closet are just a fraction of the local causes KapStone benefits.

“It’s really a great place to work. I love the workforce because they’re passionate about what they do,” Collins says. “It’s a tough industry to succeed in, but we’ve been quite successful. And that makes coming to work enjoyable.”

Business


http://www.halifaxemc.com


Biz BriefsBusinesses – BoTH large and small – THaT HelP define

roanoke valley’s economic climaTe

WatErsViEW rEstaurantBiz: restaurantBuzz: Watersview Restaurant in Littleton offers just what you’d expect – a water view. Situated on the shore of Lake Gaston, the restaurant serves steak, seafood, pasta, burgers, sandwiches, salads and soft-serve ice cream. The eatery is located on Eaton Ferry Road and serves lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch.(252) 586-2814

scorecardbusinEss at

a GlancE

$565.1mretail sales

$7,487retail sales

per capita

$64.8maccommodations

and food services

sales

3,984total number

of firms

Business



lakE GastOn WatEr sPOrtsBiz: retail storeBuzz: This store sells everything for those who love the water. Boats, kayaks, canoes, wakeboards, surf boards, kneeboards, tubes, vests and other accessories are available at locations in North Carolina and nearby Virginia. Lake Gaston Water Sports also rents equipment for a day on the lake.www.lakegastonwatersports.com

tWin MaGnOlias bEd & brEakFastBiz: Bed and breakfastBuzz: Located in Roanoke Rapids’ historic district, Twin Magnolias is three blocks from the scenic Roanoke River. It was originally built as a millhouse at the turn of the century. Guests can enjoy a hot breakfast as well as the many collectibles and photographs that decorate the two-room inn. www.angelfire.com/biz/twinmagnolias

lakEViEW lOG hOMEs inc.Biz: log home builderBuzz: Lakeview Log Homes is known for its beautiful residences built from Tidewater red cypress or Eastern white pine. The company offers full log home packages with a gallery of more than 40 designs, or the firm can design a f loor plan to meet a customer’s specific needs. Lakeview also sells log rails and even log beds.www.lakeviewloghomes.com

tiMElEss tEaBiz: tea house restaurantBuzz: Roanoke Valley offers an ideal spot to enjoy a spot of tea. Timeless Tea in Roanoke Rapids offers customers a variety of tea choices‚ along with English sandwiches‚ scones‚ crumpets and other British-style treats. There are also early dinner specials on weekends.www.timelessteanc.com

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Looking to the FutureneW JoBs on THe Horizon in Halifax counTy

Just off Interstate 95 at the Halifax Industrial Center, there’s evidence

of major construction under way. Reser’s Fine Foods, a manufacturer of prepared salads, dips, side dishes, Mexican and other specialty foods, is constructing its “East Coast Headquarters” project. The Oregon-based company is undertaking a three-phase expansion that will

create 500 new jobs and more than $60 million in new investment over the next five years.

The project was the vision of the late Al Reser, the company’s CEO who died in April 2010. “Al Reser challenged us to overcome several obstacles to make this project happen, and we took the challenge seriously,” says Cathy Scott of the Halifax Development Commission.

“Our board of commissioners was very aggressive in pursuing this opportunity.”

North Carolina, through the Governor’s One North Carolina Fund, provided a $1 million incentive grant for the project, which was matched by Halifax County. Gov. Bev Perdue flew to Halifax County in January to personally announce the project alongside Reser’s and Halifax County officials.

“This announcement is a testament to our efforts to create a business climate that fosters growth and expansion,” says Frank Avent, chairman of the Development Commission. “We focus our efforts not only on the recruitment of new companies, but providing the tools and resources needed to grow our existing companies.” Halifax County’s location and abundant water and sewer resources are tremendous assets to support business and industry. With the new 700-acre Halifax Corporate Park under development adjacent to the Halifax-Northampton Regional Airport, Halifax County will be a competitive location for business and industry.

“We are positioning ourselves for growth for years to come,” Scott says.

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roanoke valley 33

Business | economic Profile

Caring for those who need us, one family at a time

Pre-arrangement Planning

Bereavement Program

Caskets • monuments • vaults

Cremation urns • keePsakes

The friendly staff at hockaday funeral home now offers after-death care for your pet in

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businEss cliMatEPaper is a major manufacturing product, along with molded

plastics, wood products and fabricated metal. With its strong

agricultural sector, the area also is one of the state’s leading

producers of cotton and peanuts.

rOanOkE VallEy

rEal EstatE

Halifax county

$84,000median Home sales Price

northampton county

$82,250median Home sales Price

EMPlOyMEnt

Halifax county

Construction Jobs, 917

Retail Trade Jobs, 5,546

Public Administration Jobs

1,955

northampton county

Construction Jobs, 249

Retail Trade Jobs, 543

Public Administration Jobs

429

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northampton County

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taxEs

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Image Gallery

What’s Online Visit imagesroanokevalley.com to see more award-winning photography highlighting the places and people in Roanoke Valley.

Image Gallery




sunset at roanoke rapids lake Park

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old Halifax courthouse

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left: visitors play with a goose at sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park. right: a young re-enactor at Historic Halifax



education

Roanoke Valley Early College is anything but ordinary. The

visionary school opened its doors in 2009 to become the state’s only middle college to welcome seventh- and eighth-grade students.

RVEC challenges students with a rigorous five- to six-year program that puts them on a path toward their high school diploma, an associate’s degree and/or two years of transferable credits to a four-year college or university.

“Families are recognizing what a great opportunity this is,” says RVEC

Principal Monica Smith-Woofter, Ph.D. “They know students will be leaving here with two years of college credit at no tuition cost.”

Situated on the campus of Halifax Community College in Weldon, RVEC is one of two high schools in the Weldon City School district. While students benefit from RVEC’s unique academic offerings, Smith-Woofter says the business community benefits as well.

“The school was the result of a business education partnership through the chamber,” Smith-Woofter

says. “The chamber recognized the need for employees with the skills necessary to thrive in local industries – and the need to attract new ones – and wanted to offer them a pool of qualified people to hire from. We also recognized that we have a great community college able to provide students with the education they need to stay with us and work as opposed to moving to a different area.”

Following a stringent application process, the school welcomed 65 students its first year and anticipates

Making the Graderoanoke valley early college seTs THe Bar for middle colleges

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251 Premier Blvd. • Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870 (252) 535-3151 • Fax: (252) 535-2297 • www.walmart.com

Pharmacy • Bakery • Photo Lab • Portrait Studio • Jewelry • Tire/Lube Express

Today’s Tomorrow’s Future!

Weldon City Schools: Committed to the Success of All Students

Moving forward in partnership with the Weldon community

(252) 536-4821 www.weldoncityschools.k12.nc.us

the addition of 60 more in 2010, graduating its first class by 2015.

Smith-Woofter says the program is intended to target a specific student population – students must be a first-generation college student, from low socioeconomic status, or historically underrepresented among the college-going population.

“We had a charge to recruit those students, but didn’t want to be exclusive to any population,” Smith-Woofter says. “We decided to target 90 percent under that criteria, but also included 10 percent who did not fall into it.”

The school stands out in other ways as well. A small teacher/student ratio helps build relationships and helps students navigate demanding high school and college course loads. Each student is assigned his or her own laptop at the beginning of the year, which aids high-tech instruction. Another key difference at RVEC is the level of parental involvement required. Parents and staff meet once a month, with progress reports issued every three weeks.

While the middle college is still in its infancy, Smith-Woofter says the results have been tremendous, with positive partnerships established between the early college, community, city and school district.

“We’re all on the same page,” Smith-Woofter says, “and we have all worked hard to make sure this is successful and to continue its success.”

– Melanie Hill

students work on a project in a language arts class in the roanoke valley early college program.


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www.weldoncityschools.k12.nc.us


Arts & Culture

In the Roanoke Valley, cool waters and warm sunsets blend effortlessly

on a canvas of rolling farmland, attracting and inspiring artists of all genres.

Leading the way in nurturing and promoting the arts is the 300-member Halifax County Arts Council. Through classes, community events and educational initiatives, the HCAC offers something for all ages and interests.

From yoga and music to drawing and stained glass, year-round classes

can be found throughout the community and at the Halifax County Arts Council Gallery.

Located on Roanoke Avenue in Roanoke Rapids, the facility provides ample meeting space for classes and other HCAC functions and showcases original work by some of the region’s most gifted artists.

Fred Gasko, president of the Halifax County Arts Council, says the storefront provides an ideal outlet for serving and promoting the region’s

growing arts community.“In the gallery, visitors can

experience the works of local and area artisans, from paintings and photography to pottery and fine arts and crafts,” Fromal says. “The gallery also provides yet another quaint and beautiful shop to visit in the downtown area. Hopes are high that many more businesses will follow suit in restoring the charm and charisma of the downtown area as we move towards an exciting future with the revitalization project.”

Working in Broad StrokesarTs council Provides creaTive oPPorTuniTies for all ages

from the performing arts to family events, the Halifax county arts council hosts classes and events for all ages.



• Five-starPre-Kcenter

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The Council’s signature community event – a “sip and see” honoring a different local artist each month – is also held in the gallery.

In addition, the Council hosts a Holiday Homemade Christmas Bazaar at Roanoke Rapids’ Becker Village Mall the first Saturday of December. The popular event features dozens of artists and crafters from across North Carolina and Virginia.

While the holiday bazaar serves as the Council’s largest fundraiser, the HCAC is funded primarily through grant money from the North Carolina Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. The arrangement allows the HCAC to support local cultural arts projects such as its Cultural Arts Meeting Place, or CAMP.

The weeklong day camp, held at Halifax Community College, includes a variety of cultural craft and fine art projects that have included Aboriginal masks, Chinese brush painting and Japanese printmaking. The popular summer program is just one way the Council strives to inspire and encourage up-and-coming artists.

“We believe in the necessity of preserving our rich cultural heritage,” Fromal says. “In supporting the arts, we are able to not only preserve the past but build strong cultural foundations for the future.”

– Melanie Hill

What’s Online Discover more about the creative climate of Roanoke Valley, including arts, events and cultural attractions, in the culture section at imagesroanokevalley.com.



www.rrgsd.org

www.choanokepta.org

roanoke valley 43

www.halifaxregional.us

roanoke valley 43

Health & Wellness

For more than 30 years, Halifax Regional Medical Center has been at the heart of health care in Roanoke Valley.

Today, the 206-bed, full-service medical center offers patients specialized care in a state-of-the-art facility.

“We’re well-defined by a very qualified nursing and medical staff,” says Will Mahone, president of HRMC. “With few exceptions, all physicians are double- or triple-board certified in their respective fields. They also have a real understanding of our patients and the differences between community hospital patients and more urban patients.”

The Roanoke Rapids hospital’s 60-member medical staff represents more than 20 specialties, ranging from internal medicine and nephrology to orthopedics and oncology. The hospital also offers extensive women’s health services and provides hospitalist care from physicians who focus solely on inpatient care.

But perhaps the loudest buzz around HRMC these days surrounds the opening of The Cardiac & Vascular Center. Located on the first f loor of HRMC, the center provides state-of-the-art treatment for peripheral and diagnostic cardiac disease. For patients experiencing chest or leg pain, convenient access to cardiac catheterization and angioplasty is priceless.

“I don’t believe we should offer any less care than patients would receive in Raleigh or Charlotte,” Mahone says. “It should be the primary role of a regional medical center to diagnose prob lems so patients don’t have to travel to tertiary-care facilities.”

Staffed by six interventional cardiologists from Raleigh Cardiology Associates, the center has been well received by patients and physicians alike.

“The center helps meet our mission of providing local access to health care with the highest quality of physicians and equipment,” Mahone says. “We’ve actually received several comments from physicians themselves that our equipment and facility are higher quality than those used elsewhere in the Triangle.”

Since opening The Cardiac & Vascular Center, the hospital has made great strides in educating the community on heart health, Mahone says. Resources such as HRMC’s Halifax HealthLink at Becker Village Mall give members access to valuable medical information, exercise classes, educational seminars and support groups.

“Our goal is to focus on patients first and to improve the health of our entire community,” Mahone says. – Melanie Hill

Healing From the HeartHrmc Brings sPecialized services and cardiac care To roanoke valley

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Sports & Recreation

For years, park ranger Ed Wilkerson pondered a frustrating contra-

diction: How can a park founded as a bridle trail park have no place for horses?

No deep mystery was involved in Medoc Mountain State Park’s missing bridle paths. As the demand for hiking trails grew with the park’s popularity, building bridle paths took a back seat, eventually becoming nearly impossible to develop around existing trails.

Fortunately for the area’s equine community, a happy turn of events in 2007 solved his conundrum.

“When I first came to Medoc originally, I was eyeballing potential solutions to our bridle trail problem, but there just weren’t any,” says Wilkerson, one of the park rangers in charge of the leafy green park in the Hollister area of Halifax County. “When the parks department acquired an additional 1,500 acres in 2007, that was our opportunity to put new trails on the new property.”

A trail rider himself, Wilkerson was thrilled at the chance to enhance the park with bridle trails, but realized that designing, building and

maintaining the trails cut through old timber land would require more than just his efforts.

“We had to start from scratch, in terms of correcting problems on the property, such as drainage and erosion issues. I spoke to a friend in the highway department. He put me in touch with Deck McCain and a trail riders’ group called Cowboys for Christ. I told him I needed a volunteer trail group. They jumped at the chance to have a place to call their own.”

The Twin Counties chapter of the group, and other trail riders, spent the next two years working with Wilkerson. Wilkerson designed 11 miles of looping bridle paths, following old lumber roads. For two years, volunteers dug up stumps, filled dangerous holes, removed rocks, cut back brush, marked trails and painted. In October 2009, the

new bridle trails officially opened – to great response from the public.

“As trail riding goes, there is less and less property available to riders because of trespassing issues and hunting,” says Wilkerson. “Before, many local riders had to go to the Uwharrie National Forest – a long drive. Now we can offer something to the six or seven counties right around us.”

Wilkerson’s dedicated volunteers carefully maintain the park’s trails, which are open from 8 a.m. until an hour before sundown year-round. Though there are rocks on the trail, Wilkerson says unshod mounts that wear trail boots have had no difficulty with the paths, which are particularly well-suited to riders and horses that have not had long experience with trail riding.

– Laura Hill

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www.mrskinsers.com

roanoke valley 47

POPulatiOn

roanoke valley

75,470Total Population

cliMatE

Halifax county

49.50max Jan Temp

27.51min Jan Temp

89.50max July Temp

67.0min July Temp

Community Profile

snaPshOtHistoric Halifax is the site of the Fourth Provincial Congress’

adoption of the “Halifax Resolves.” It was after this, in April

of 1776, that north Carolina became the first colony to officially

step toward declaring independence from england.

rOanOkE VallEy

Roanoke Rapids sanitaRy distRict

“Delivering Safe Drinking Water While Providing for Environmental Water Quality for Over 75 Years”

1000 Jackson st. • p.o. Box 308

Roanoke Rapids, nc 27870

(252) 537-9137 • Fax: (252) 537-3064

www.rrsd.org

THis secTion is sPonsored By

northampton county

48.74max Jan Temp

27.45min Jan Temp

88.96max July Temp

67.27min July Temp

MEdical sErVicEs

Halifax Regional Medical Ctr.

(252) 535-8011

our Community Hospital

(252) 826-4144

Halifax Healthlink

(252) 535-4334

www.rrsd.org


www.daughtridgeenergy.com

www.dom.com

www.halifax.k12.nc.us

Ad Index 31 AmeriGAsProPAne

41 ChoAnoke PubliCTrAnsPorTATion

48 DAuGhTriDGeGAs

48 Dominion resourCesserviCes

C3 hAlifAxCounTy ConvenTion AnDvisiTorsbureAu

4 hAlifAxCounTyeConomiC DeveloPmenTCommission

48 hAlifAxCounTysChools

42 hAlifAxreGionAl meDiCAlCenTer

23 hAlifAx-WArren smArTsTArT

C2 hAmPToninn

1 heATonreAlesTATe

33 hoCkADAyfunerAl &CremATionserviCe

C4 kAPsTone

43 miD-ATlAnTiC eyePhysiCiAns

32 norThern CArolinAorThoPeDiCs

31 rAlPh’sbArbeCueinC.

46 reser’sfinefooDsinC.

Ad Index (cont.) 29 roAnoke

eleCTriCCooPerATive

41 roAnokerAPiDs

GrADeDsChools

47 roAnokerAPiDs

sAniTAryDisTriCT

44 sTonehouseTimberloDGe

44 TheuPssTore

45 ToWnofenfielD

39 WAl-mArT

39 WelDonCiTysChools

http://www.visithalifax.com

www.kapstonepaper.com

images roanoke valley, nc: 2010

Documents

roanoke valley tick

roanoke rapids complimentary

comroanoke valley

long circle roanoke

r e s o r t

online gallery

r e s i d e n t

laura hill