Member Monday Feature By Tina M. Wolfe Passion and ingenuity don’t have expiration dates. Likewise, the energy and drive to create and contribute doesn’t always align with life’s calendar. This is certainly the case with Charlene Hollifield and education professional Tony Long. These two community-minded McDowell residents have been friends for years working within the McDowell County school system. Tony had taken a parttime job at a small pop-up shop their friend owned called Shucks Pearls for
The McDowell County Chamber of Commerce welcomes new board members and presents new diversity statement for the organization. At its first board meeting of 2022, the Mcdowell Chamber of Commerce recognized and celebrated the service and contributions of outgoing board chair Dawna Ledbetter to the organization. Dawna served a one-year term as board chair and had previously served as treasurer and vice chair. She has dedicated at total of 7 years of service to the organization. "I am very proud to have
MEDIA STATEMENT Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson released the following statement regarding the action by the U.S. Supreme Court to halt the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate: “... The U.S. Supreme Court halted the Biden administration’s attempt to force employers to require COVID-19 vaccines or testing as a condition of employment. In its opinion today, the Court found that the federal government lacked the statutory authority to impose the mandate. Given the strongly worded ruling, I hope that the
Change is inevitable. In the last few years we've all seen plenty of change sweep through our communities. Getting ahead of that change and helping to steer it in a healthy and sustainable direction is what the people of Old Fort are doing. The town has been attractive to Asheville's overflow for some time now. Seeing the possibility for growth, jobs, and all the benefits that come along with that, a unique coalition has been working hand-in-hand to guide and influence this small towns resurgence.
By Tina M. Wolfe It was the summer of 1976 in a typical American town of Pennsylvania. Young Frank Nederostek, the only child of hard-working, first-generation Americans, had a decision to make. Like every other graduating senior in history, he needed to figure out what he was going to do after school. His father, taking his parental duties to heart, took young Frank with him to the cement mill where he had spent his entire career. “I’ll never forget those days,” recalls Frank, owner of Fire and Ice
By Tina M. Wolfe Keeping a business running smoothly requires consistent attention to every aspect of that business. From the meticulous care of financial budgets and margins to the personal attention and service to customers, business owners are multi-talented, ambitious, and assiduous creators and problem-solvers. Actualizing success becomes a bit easier when you have a dream team with equal but opposite skill sets working together. Brandon and Sarah Whitson are the personal and professional partners
RELEASE DATE: December 29, 2020 The McDowell County Chamber has launched its own podcast, adding another venue in which to promote its members and expand their reach. McDowell Matters Podcast launched in coordination with local business owner Onee Pressley of Pressley Made in December to highlight 10 magnanimous women entrepreneurs with Women to the Power of 10. In partnership with AuMedia, LLC the Chamber produced 5 episodes in a one-day session at Pressley Made. We wanted to create a way to share the
Threaded through the fabric of America’s Main Streets are the hearts and dreams of families much like the Marion Pharmacy Family. Opened in April of 1962 by pharmacist Bill Howle, this mountain cornerstone of American tenacity and ingenuity has been caring for the health and well-being of generations of McDowell residents for 58 years. Bill, who passed in April of 2010, set the standard of care and service that continues today. He invested as much in the relationships with customers as he did in
HOSPITALITY AMONG TREASURED FINDS AT ANTIQUE MALL By Tina M. Wolfe AUGUST 2020Amid rapid-fire change and anxiety-inducing unknowns, there is something oddly comforting meandering through the aisles of Dixie Matthew's 30K-square-foot Lake James Antique Mall, located just off I-40 at exit 90. Set up in individually designed booths, 38 passionate vendors artfully display their antiques and vintage collectables. Each booth invites guests on a wistful trek through yesteryear to the comforts and smells of
By Tina M. Wolfe The Science of Nature In an unassuming building on U.S. Hwy. 221 N there have occurred what some call miracles. People that have entered its doors have been transformed and have become true believers. This, however, isn’t a religious organization. No, in fact, the business, Earth Heart, is all about the Science of Nature! Co-owners Debra Richardson and Cindy Conner are trained and educated in the science of natural and herbal remedies, alternative health products, and nature’s
VOD TACTICAL—FRANK & RHONDA SEAMAN Tucked away in the time-worn mountains of the Blue Ridge range sits a plot of land that holds the hearts and history of Frank Seaman and his wife Rhonda. Named Manoah, the 134-acre farm stretches across the foothills of Old Fort and is home to their business, Virtue Of Defense Tactical or VOD Tactical, a not-so-typical firing range. The land has had many incarnations and has been in Rhonda’s family dating back to the original land grants from King George III. Its name
By Gabrielle Pickard-Whitehead with Tina Wolfe In 2016, a staggering 209.6 million people in the U.S. browsed products, compared priced, and bought items online. Having a website to showcase your services or products is pivotal in remaining commercially competitive in the 21st century. That said, if nobody is visiting your website to browse your products or services, it might as well not exist. Take a look at the following 25 ways to get more people to your website.Use Social Media to Attract
The McDowell Chamber provides scholarships to nine Student LINC participants.Chamber board member Amy Johnson was honored to present local high school students and participants of our Student LINC program with a total of $3,500 in scholarships on Tuesday, June 5, 2018. Recipients Alyson Blackwelder, Jarrett Cothron, Cameron Crater, and Jennifer Smelcer each won a $500 scholarship to the school of their choice. The $300 scholarship winners included Candela Anderson, Taylor Buchanan, Carlos Lopez, Reagan
This time one year ago, the founders of Big League Camp had a concept and a vision as to what they wanted to bring to McDowell County.“This is a vision that I’ve had for a while, going back close to five years, and it’s really exciting to see what has been accomplished here,” said manager and co-owner Donnie Suttles. “The group of owners and contributors, Dennis Whitson, Stacy Crisp and Jeff Bryant, has helped in getting this concept up and running. I think the folks of McDowell County are going to be