Former Luck's Inc. workers and family gathered at the Luck Comer Lail Center on November 13th, 2021 to reminisce. Memorabilia from the food processing company that closed in 2001 was brought including photos, awards, clothing and even an '88 Peterbilt truck tractor. The group traced it way through the facility noting the many processes that were performed as well as the new tenants including Carolina Bronze and Sapona Plastics. Despite the lingering threat of the COVID19 pandemic, they shared stories, handshakes and hugs as most attendees were fully vaccinated. Then, after a performance of bluegrass gospel from the band Steadfast, they were joined by donors to the Historic Lucks Cannery project for dinner and a program doubling the total attendance to over 220. "The story that unfolded here in the second half of the 20th century is one that should not be discarded. It's one that any entrepreneur or even a veteran businessman would be impressed by. It was an inspirational story. " said Jack Lail in his opening remarks. Jack shared how money was raised to rehabilitate the Luck's facility. The importance to the community and families was brought home by Joan Johnston, grand-daughter of one of the founders, Ivy Luck. Darius Luck then followed with a history of Luck's Inc. from its rise to eventual demise. Mary McKenzie, co-host of the event expressed appreciation to the Luck's workers that came as well as the many donors. Darrell Voncannon presented to the advisory board and Town of Seagrove for safe keeping, the very last can of beans that was produced at the facility along with a provenance note from Gary Anderson, who was the quality manager at the time. Carey Durham then shared a few comments about the importance of art, and pottery in particular. Carey had curated the display of original paintings on display in the gallery by Betty Lail and her daughter-in-law Megan Lail. Carey also noted that his friend, the late John Ehle, had collected over 200 pieces of Ben Owen Sr. pottery. A portion of the collection was on display as table centerpieces. The collection was donated by Ehle's wife, Golden Globe and Emmy award winning actress Rosemary Harris. This led to the introduction of the keynote speaker, actress Elizabeth Lail, current star of "Ordinary Joe" on NBC. David Fernandez, mayor of Seagrove, had a few closing remarks followed by door prizes and a live auction of a Luck's Inc. bean pot specially made by local potter Sid Luck for the event. Sponsors for the event included Jack Lail, First Horizon Bank, Post Consumer Brands Asheboro, Pemmco Mfg., Sapona Plastics and Advisors Financial Center. Eastern Steel Works provided plated cogs from various pieces of equipment in the Luck's plant as souvenirs. The event raised over $5500 which will be used to pay final expenses of the renovation of phase 1a. Make your donation or see more of the video stories at LucksCannery.weebly.com "The performing arts and storytelling have long been a friend of North Carolina and they have the power to soften our hearts, educate our minds, expand our horizons, and make us proud of the community we live in. ... Seagrove is an artist haven. It's the perfect space and place for their dreams to come to fruition." Elizabeth Lail
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We want to thank all the contractors and workers who have been involved with this project. Our contractor appreciation event went well. Thank you also to our sponsor Vickie Gallimore/Remax Realty. Nobody's Fault band provided entertainment and Pups and Mugs provided coffee to go with donuts, and sandwiches. It was a wonderful event. Thanks to Uwharrie Builders who completed the front deck and cable railing along with some touch up painting. Green Thumb did the rock work and landscaping upgrade. A special thank you to our board member Elizabeth Dozier and her sister Joan for making this happen. Quality Blind and Awning has finished a few of the awnings on the patio. Thank you Alan Pugh.
We are finally complete with the lower-level renovation enough for it to serve pent-up demand for gatherings and events. This past year we continued to face the devastation of the COVID-19 virus and that held up a lot of our progress but that was okay because a place for gatherings was not useable during the pandemic anyway. The local potters are still a little reluctant and have decided not to hold the annual Celebration of Seagrove Potters this year. Our first event is the Randolph County Elected Officials dinner on October 5th with over 100 attendees expected for a catered meal with special recognitions planned by the Town of Seagrove. This event is sponsored by the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce and Randolph Electric. Mayor Fernandez is personally making pottery mugs for all attendees and most of the potters in town are donating very nice door prizes. We think Seagrove will shine at this event and the Historic Lucks Cannery will gain recognition as a premier community event center. An even bigger event will be the Six Shooters Gun Show November 6-7. This show was hosted in the Sapona Plastics warehouse in 2020 and was a huge success. Randolph County ranks 29th in the nation for residents that keep firearms (City-Date.com.) We expect over 2000 attendees for the weekend and this one show will likely generate rental income 3 to 4 times per year. The following weekend, Saturday, November 13th, former workers and family of Lucks, Inc. will gather for a reunion from 2 to 5 PM. It has been 19 years since the plant closed. We would like to combine this evening with a meal and invite our donors to join at 5PM for a grand opening dinner to show our appreciation for those workers and donors. This will also be a fund raiser event. Speaking of funds, there is a lot of federal money that may be coming our way through Randolph County Government. First, we believe Seagrove has been allocated approximately $70,000 based on population. Secondly, we requested $500,000 American Recovery Act funds for infrastructure and economic recovery. Several other infrastructure projects including wastewater projects and the train depot museum are in the works for Seagrove. Finally, our representatives at the state government are considering up to $1.7 Million to help Seagrove complete the Phase 2 renovation of the Historic Lucks Cannery. We will still need to continue to raise funds locally from private individuals as we all know costs continue to rise. This past year has been a slow process to manage the renovation project with the funds we had available. I think we have done an exceptional job at getting value for the money available whether it was for roofing, floor finishing, restroom or electrical work. Our last few items came down to the wire including the HVAC and an additional landing on the front entrance requested by the Fire Marshall. We are thankful for significant donations this past year by JBDJ, LLC, Elizabeth Dozier and Dean & Kay Lail. In addition, we have had loans of artwork, donations of artwork, and many hours of volunteer service. We also welcomed to our board Larry Hancock. Larry lives in Raleigh but has close connections with Seagrove. Larry also has non-profit experience and public experience having worked for the Cooperative Extension. In the coming year we hope to host art exhibits, live music, trade shows, meetings, blood drives, a 5K run and weddings. Yes, we already have a wedding scheduled for October 2022! Financially, we have spent all the money we have raised and had to have additional last-minute donations to make the final occupancy. In the most recent fiscal year we raised $3717 on Facebook from 31 donors. Most donations are made directly to the Town of Seagrove and still can be treated as tax deductible. Thank you to all that have donated. Dean Lail, president, Historic Lucks Cannery
In recognition of our local industry, the Randolph County Commissioners have officially proclaimed the month of October as Industry Appreciation Month in Randolph County
We are nearing official opening of the phase1a. It will not be complete as there is major parking, landscaping and other significant work to complete, but it will be useable. The first event is the Randolph County Elected Officials picnic dinner sponsored by the Asheboro/Randolph Chamber of Commerce and REMC on October 5, 2021. Shown below are the Tillman Plaza and Carey and Billie Durham Artwalk. Thanks to Sandra Lail who donated the Leo M. Hammer, Sr. collection of Franklin Mint prints in the series "America The Beautiful."
The global COVID-19 pandemic resulted in significant economic hardship for many Americans, but especially those small businesses in the Seagrove area such as potters, artists, and even the NC Pottery Museum. The annual celebration of Seagrove potters, the annual Pottery Festival and the Annual Potters Conference were all cancelled by the pandemic. Similar shows around the country that are attended by local artists who rely on connecting with customers for revenue were also cancelled. The impact of the pandemic disproportionately affected the predominately low income residents of the Seagrove area.
The Luck Comer Lail Center is renovating space to allow these types of businesses and events to be hosted in Seagrove as well as other activities that will bring people to the area and mend the economy. In addition, new small businesses are provided with space to renovate to get a foothold as the economy rebounds. We also expect related tourism, travel and hospitality sectors to be positively affected. The idea arose to involve at risk youth between 7 and 17 who are directed by the court to serve community service. Pamela Resch, director for the Randolph County program, along with Bailey Rebert, and Cindy Heaton visited with our team of folks including Dean Lail with Sapona Plastics and head of the Lucks Advisory board, Ed Walker with Carolina Bronze and Jon Stratton with Eastern Steel Works. Also, Joel Leonard with Makesboro happened to show up with his mobile maker space geared at developing interest among young people in manufacturing technical careers. Cindy Heaton was actually a former employee in her youth at Lucks Inc. Keep an eye out, you may see these young folks making good on their restitution and stepping up as citizens to do their part to bring the community center vision to life. While they are at it they may be exposed to some great job opportunities and learn skills for a lifetime right here in Seagrove.
Thanks to Carolina Bronze the flagpole has been repaired and upgraded with a solar powered light. Pictured is Ed Walker, president who provided the lift and personnel to make it happen.
Randolph Building Supply Hardware, Lowe's Hardware, Gate City Glass and Randolph Communications were all on site this past week with lots of renovation being completed including work at Carolina Bronze, Eastern Steel, and the public event space that will soon be fully open. The Carey and Billie Durham Artwalk got new windows and doors connecting to the Thompson Arts and Events Hall. Restrooms and electrical will be complete soon.
Fly with us through the new space in animation, then plan a visit in person as soon as possible with 331 of your closest friends. Thanks to DBM Construction and in particular David Moody for finishing our floors. They look great and put us one step closer to hosting community events in Randolph County.
Carolina Bronze gets new core fill 500 insulation for their space to save energy.
https://tailoredfoam.com/ Thank you to Aviel Guerrero of Adriana's Tile (910-603-8898) for doing the tile work in our new restrooms.
We have raised over $40,000 in the last 5 months and continue to make progress. Restroom tile is being installed on walls and floors. Glass window and door has been ordered for installation in the Carrie and Billie Durham Artwalk. Some remaining pipe has been removed from the retort room. Carrolina Bronze is closing in on finishing details and connected their waste water line today. Also, check out the aerial photo below from 1981 compared to the 2020 aerial on the right.
Check out the new website of Eastern Steel Works. ESW is acquiring the Luck's maintenance building on site and will be installing a portable office trailer there. This bridge leads to the zoo connector making the NC Zoo within a 12 minute drive from or to the Historic Lucks Cannery. ESW quoted Franklin Roosevelt in 1931 with a very fitting quote that could just as easily apply to the building of our community center. We are so pleased to have Lydia and John with ESW associated with our project. easternsteelworks.com/
“There can be little doubt that in many ways the story of bridge building is the story of civilization. By it we can readily measure an important part of a people’s progress.” — FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT, 1931. Special thanks to Carey and Billie Durham of Asheboro for donating to our project. In recognition of their donation the lower level vestibule will be named "Carey and Billie Durham Artwalk." We envision this hallway that connects all the lower level spaces to be a venue for exhibiting art. The walls will be carpeted to ease changing displays and there will be track lighting to highlight as well as natural light from windows where the loading docks were. One loading dock will continue to be available for use by catering, display, and rental firms to easily access the adjacent large event hall.
Thanks to Jeff Yow and Dustin Moffit for painting inside and out at the lower level. The front facade of the Town Hall was also painted. Electricians Cesaro's Electric are on site completing lighting and electrical.
The livestream event on Facebook sponsored by the Heart of North Carolina Tourism Bureau happened as scheduled on May 2, 2020. There were some audio problems but you can get the sense of the creative and exciting adventure going on in Seagrove, NC.
We have plumbers, electricians, roofers, construction, wall, door and window makers all on site or preparing this week. Lots of activity. Thanks to our donors for making this a possibility and to mayor David Fernandez for managing the construction project.
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