Mountain View
Kim McKinney
Statesville has a new #skatepark and it adds a great option of #thingstodo in #IredellCounty. The Statesville Housing Authority did much to make this happen, and area businesses have supported, but it wouldn’t have happened without the passion and sweat equity of the area’s #skateboard #community. Here a couple of those dedicated skaters share their thoughts on the opening. Welcome to #Skatesville. #thingstodo #skate #recreation #outdoors #livetoskate
How about a bit of jazz? Charlotte’s Justin Fedor, Emanuel Wynter, Dennis Contreras and Steven Davidson (J.E.D.S.) perform at Piedmont Folkways at the Old Jail venue of the Iredell Arts Council. You can catch a replay of the show (beginning with a performance by Michael Federal and Tom Kuhn) on the Piedmont Folkways Facebook page. The next season of Piedmont Folkways begins July 31, 2024.
J.E.D.S. (Charlotte’s Justin Fedor, Emanuel Wynter, Dennis Contreras and Steven Davidson) perform their tribute to Doc Watson at Piedmont Folkways in Statesville at the Old Jail. You can catch a replay on the Piedmont Folkways Facebook page, with Michael Federal and Mark Kuhn in the earlier part of the show.
Frye Gaillard, author of over 30 #books, speaking about his book “A Hard Rain: America in the 1960s, Our Decade of Hope, Possibility, and Innocence Lost”. This was the last of four sessions of the series “Art & Soul”, a series collaboration of Grace Baptist Church and the Iredell Arts Council.
Wicker & Jones (Danny Wicker & Mel Jones) share a healthy dose of blues at Piedmont Folkways (also on Facebook Live, with the replay on the Piedmont Folkways Facebook page). These guys are some of the best at Piedmont Blues. Enjoy! One more show next Wednesday before a summer hiatus for Piedmont Folkways.#music #blues
Statesville’s own Karla Causey sings one of her new songs (“Mystery”) at the first 2024 Art in the Park - look for her new album, coming out this summer. The event’s going on until 3 p.m. with lots more great music to come on two stages. There are also vendors and food trucks. The event is sponsored by the Iredell Arts Council, Iredell Parks & Rec, and Grassroots Entertainment. #music #thingstodo #femalesingersongwriters
It’s Art in the Park today from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. today at the Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Statesville. Hannah Kaminer is hosting an “in the round” session on the pavilion stage right now. More entertainment is going on at the pond stage - so much good music! There are vendors and food trucks and the beauty of the outdoors for all. The event is sponsored by Iredell Parks & Recreation, the Iredell Arts Council, and Grassroots Entertainment. #thingstodo #music
Tina & Her Pony came down from Asheville to perform at Piedmont Folkways at the Old Jail in Statesville, NC. See the replay on the Piedmont Folkways Facebook page.The artist is the great Amy Queen, who brings her paints to performances all over the place. Danny Wicker & Mel Jones will be playing next Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Jail. It’s a free show, but reserve your seat.
How about a little #bluegrass with Carolina Ridgeline? This week’s Piedmont Folkways show at the Old Jail in Statesville. Didn’t catch the live show? Check out the Piedmont Folkways Facebook page for recordings of this and past shows. Next week Tina & Her Pony - tickets available on Eventbrite. #music #thingstodo
Piedmont Folkways hosted Holla at Ya Mama Bluegrass at The Old Jail in Statesville.Holla at Ya Mama is one of Steven Davidson’s Charlotte Bluegrass lineups, featuring Andrew Miramon and Ben Burrows on guitar, Robbie Dickerson on bass and Steven on mandolin.This week, on Tuesday May 14th, Catfish in the Sky plays, musicians freshly graduated from the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Reserve seats by calling (336) 692-3850. We expect a full house! #music #bluegrass #newgrass #folk,
The sweet sounds of Marie Reid at this week’s Piedmont Folkways. Catch the replay of the full show on the Piedmont Folkways Facebook page. Thursday, March 2nd, Piedmont Folkways and the Cedar Stump in Troutman will sponsor Steve Dave’s Bluegrass Roadshow at 7:00 p.m. This is the first of a monthly series where Steven Davidson and friends will show off some of the vast talent in this area. Mark the first Thursday of every month on your calendar! #music #folk #NCmusic #femalemusicians
Iredell Folkways has a Full Schedule of Events for April
The Wednesday night shows of Piedmont Folkways put a bit of activity and fun into the center of downtown Statesville. There is always an enthusiastic in-studio audience. Most shows are free (all in April), but donations are always accepted and keep the music coming.
Sharpe House presents its Annual Robert Burns Night
That’s sweetly played in tune …" - Robert Burns. The sound of bagpipes will greet guests around 6 p.m. on Saturday night, January 21,2023, at the Statesville Civic Center, as the Historic Sharpe House presents its annual Robert Burns Night.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Activities Begin this Weekend
Myrah Lykes said when she moved to Iredell County ten years ago, one of the first events she attended was the Martin Luther King Jr. Day breakfast. It inspired her to the point that she went up afterward and said “I volunteer. This is something I want to be a part of.”
Christmas lights brighten Statesville all around town
Kestler and Hannah Ruth light up their corner of the worldPhoto byKim McKinney. Christmas is doing a little something extra for someone.” - Charles M. Schulz. It’s that magical time of the year when driving around neighborhoods is a delight to the eyes. Holiday lights are everywhere, from the simple to elaborate displays. You’ll drive down a neighborhood street you go by every day and find it transformed into a blazing display of holiday happiness.
Wooly McDuff’s Neighborhood Grille has something for most in Laurinburg
A recent stay at the Comfort Inn in Laurinburg, NC, had me walking steps away from my hotel several nights to eat at Wooly McDuff’s Neighborhood Grille. With a varied menu and enthusiastic staff, it was an easy and convenient choice when hungry after a long day at work when I didn’t want to spend time driving around town. I felt lucky that a good dinner option was so close by.
The Railroad Bar & Grill in Laurinburg - a place for brunch & more
When I’m traveling I try to avoid chains and look for local restaurants. (OK, I those who know me know I do that when I’m not traveling, too.) I’m not against chain restaurants and eat in plenty, but you learn a lot about a town by visiting their local restaurants.
On the hunt for murals of North Carolina Musicians - Randy Travis
I was driving down Highway 74 towards Marshville, NC, and realized I was moving into Randy Travis territory. I’d first found out about Randy Travis when I took that Highway 74 route often and saw the “Welcome to Marshville, Home of Randy Travis and Country Life” signs. (That reference has since been removed from the signs.)
Carolina BalloonFest pilots and crew celebrate milestones and awards at annual awards brunch
Pilot Don Cline gets a quick launch off at Carolina BalloonFestPhoto by Kim McKinney. This was the 47th year for Carolina BalloonFest and after a two-year festival delay for COVID, pilot Don Cline was ready to continue his record of flying in every festival since the first.
Musician Bing Futch in town for Piedmont Folkways and Carolina BalloonFest
Bing Futch performs at Piedmont FolkwaysPhoto by Kim McKinney. Musician Bing Futch returned to Statesville on Wednesday night for a special show at the WAME radio station studios in the clocktower building for Piedmont Folkways.
Beaver Farms Sunflower Maze and Picking Field Open
A beautiful family day on Monday for Milena, daughter Diana, and childrenPhoto by Kim McKinney. Rain hampered the opening at the Sunflower Maze at Beaver Farms, but some folks couldn’t wait to get into the fields, even if they got caught in the rain.
“A Gift for All Ages” wins “Best of Fest” at Statesville’s Full Bloom Film Festival
“A Gift for All Ages”, a Christmas film that takes viewers back to the days of black-and-white films and warms with the magic of holidays, won the “Best In Fest” award at the Full Bloom Film Festival in Statesville, NC. The heartening film is about a couple whose household is disrupted when an odd gentleman stays at their boarding house and disrupts their lives with both joy and suspicion.
Dr. Blake Sanders with Sacred Heart Dermatology shares the vision of his new practice Mooresville
Dr. Sanders with staff Michele (left) and Victoria (right)Photo by Kim McKinney. Dr. Blake Sanders is a board-certified dermatologist that specializes in medical and surgical dermatology.
Look up! Hot air balloon camp is taking place in the Cordele area this week
Seventeen teens and a staff of pilots and other volunteers are in the Cordele area this week learning about hot air balloons. The students have come from all around the country. Some are from ballooning families and have grown up around hot air balloons all of their lives, some have crewed for pilots they have met at festivals or in their community (”crewing” means they help set up and take down balloons and chase them from launch to landing), while others have no experience and have never before touched a hot air balloon. Experience doesn't matter - even the seasoned veterans will learn new things.
Whitson, Wooten, and Weiss give Statesville a Groverfest preview
Robin Weiss, Natasha Whitson, and Wendy Wooten are all talented in their own right, but put them together and you get a powerful explosion of talent. The three are going to be playing together this weekend at GroverFest. You’ll find them performing there at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon (June 11).
My day at the Rock Barn Spa in Conover
I love a spa day. So do most of my girlfriends. It has become our favorite way to celebrate any special occasions. While I had attended events at Rock Barn Country Club, I had never visited the spa. A friend had a special birthday (you know, one of those that end in “5” or “0”), so we decided to celebrate at the Rock Barn Spa.
Memorial Day is for remembering those who lost their lives serving our country
This is Memorial Day weekend. Memorial Day is an American holiday honoring those who lost their lives during active service in the military. It began after the Civil War, but just got “official holiday status” in 1971. It is celebrated the last Monday in May.
Alice Eats Bakery Adds Sweet Touch to Troutman
You could easily drive by the unassuming business if you weren’t looking for it, but thankfully we were.We were in town and my aunt mentioned she needed to find a bakery and a friend said “Alice Eats” was a “must try”. We headed that way and there at 135 Wagner Street, in Troutman, we found it.
Kim McKinney
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I love stories of people and places and enjoy telling these stories. I live in my hometown of Statesville, NC, in the Charlotte area, and love to show how lovely life is here. More is going on than may meet the eye. I also enjoy expanding throughout North Carolina to show the places and activities and people that make me believe life is fascinating and travel as much as I can, so write about that, too. I also have a passion for justice and a special interest in accessible healthcare, including treatment for drug and alcohol dependency. I am a woman of faith, joy, laughter, adventure, and live life to the full. Follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/kimmckinney719 or my blog KimberleyMcKinney.com or https://kimmckinney719.medium.com.
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