Over 50 folks filled the Thompson Arts and Event Hall to hear Jack C. Lail answer questions from his daughter in law Sandra L. Lail about his newly published memoirs.  The Southern Randolph Heritage Association is seeking input from area residents to join their efforts to gather, maintain and share the rich history of Souther Randolph County.

The RCC Artwalk in Seagrove wrapped up and what a beautiful celebration of creativity, talent, and community it has been.
Hosted at the Carey and Billie Durham Artwalk, this special exhibit honored more than 50 years of Randolph Community College artistic legacy featuring incredible works from current and former instructors, alumni and students in photography, interior design, furniture design, advertising, and graphic arts. Over 175 guests attended the opening reception alone.
This year's show was espectially meaningful as it was dedicated in memory of Evelyn "Lyn" G. Durham, who helped establish RCC's Business Education Department in the 1960s and served as department head for 25 years.
Thank you to everyone who helped make this event such a success - and to the artists whose work continues to inspire our community.  The artists included:
Eric Abernethy - photograph graduate
Joe Covington - former commercial graphics Instructor
Sam Fraley - graphic design graduate
Kellie Hanspal - graphic design graduate
Henry Harsch - graphic design instructor
Norman Hennessee - former drafting instructor
Orlando Herrera - graphic design graduate
Dwight Holland - former art & design instructor
Dakota Skye - graphic design graduate
Lenton Slack - former Interior design instructor
Loryn Smith - RCC graduate and design department chair
Sabirna Snider - graphic design graduate
Greg stewart - RCC graduate and former Photography Instructor
Shayna Tobey - graphic design graduate
O'Neil Williams - photography graduate

We are expecting an ice storm this Saturday lasting through Sunday with temperatures dropping into the teens for the following week.  This will likely cause hazard road conditions as well as likely widespread and extended power outages for several days. 

Lucks Cannery including YMCA annex will closed by Saturday at noon and will likely be closed the following week due to ice.

A good checklist for ice storm preparation at home can be found here: 
https://southernstatesinsurance.com/blog/how-to-prepare-for-an-ice-storm/

Please be careful travel using your best judgement.  

Live music event was oritinally scheduled for the Lucks Cannery but moved to The General.

Poor Boys is continuing various painting jobs in Hall A, Hall B and outside.  Town Council member Homer Beheler along with his crew including his wife came in with very competitive bids for this work and have been doing an amazing job spiffing up the place as the walls are soaking up the paint.  Home says 50 gallons were used on just the first two walls of the pickleball hall.

We have been working since 2018 to get the upper level space renovated.  Last week we passed inspections and received a certificate of occupancy from Randolph County allowing activities and events to proceed.  The next scheduled event is the Celebration of Seagrove Potters which starts on 11/23 with preparations the week before.  The YMCA is also cleared to start pickleball operations with four indoor courts.  Some painting is still underway but otherwise we are in business.

Assuming we pass all county inspections and receive the certificate of occupancy.

Homer Beheler and his team with Poor Boys Towing and Recovery are painting walls in Hall B.  With limited funds we are only painting 2 walls to start with.  Homer serves on the town council and also volunteered to help Eck McCanless install the sound system in this room.  

A team from the 2025 Leadership Randolph program has volunteered to help finish painting the pickleball courts and organize the launch/grand opening event.  Most of the funding has come from First Horizon bank's Grant for Good campaign.  

​Leadership Randolph is a highly structured nine-month program in which a wide variety of resources, issues, and services will be examined.
Participants will interact with business and community leaders. Information and special tours will offer an in-depth look into local situations and decisions. The day-long sessions each month are scheduled at locations around the county.
Leadership Randolph curriculum essentials remain the same from year to year, however, some flexibility is built in for major issues and/or topics of current interest.

Terratech Solutions recently used foam injection to level some of the uneven joints and cracks in the concrete on the patio.

We have finished installing some cable railing for the safety of our visitors primarily on the Claire Davis Portico.  We had great volunteers to help the contractor.

We are steadily working on finishing the upper expo areas to gain a certificate of occupancy.  Installed recently with volunteer help from Owen Maness, Southwestern Randolph HS Senior and Sapona employee, are cable rails and handrails for two stairways.  RCI installed 3 sets of exterior doors, and Quality Blind and Awning installed awnings over each doorway.  

We still have lots of work to finish including painting 3 more pickleball courts but we are on the home stretch.

The 17th annual Celebration of Seagrove Area Potters opened Friday with a ribbon cutting for the Historic Lucks Cannery and Gala shopping/dinner/auction event.  Approximately 200 potters and patrons attended the series of events.  Live piano music by David Luther provided background for the VIP shoppers and a bluegrass band during dinner set the stage for the auction.  Bids went high as there was competition from proxy bidders around the state.  Overall the event was a huge success with great food and fellowship offering folks to get to meet the potters and see some outstanding collaborative art pieces they donated.  Volunteers led by Mary Holmes and Kathy Bryant, president of the Seagrove Area Potters Association, made the event come off without a hitch.

The newly renovated space includes 7640 SF of exhibit space with 28 potters.  The entire space will be 23,801 SF on the upper level including the Wavie M. Presnell Convention Center hall A.  Combined with the lower level the total public indoor event space will be about 28,000 SF with maximum event occupancy of 1100 making this the largest event center in Randolph County.

A few delays to complete the renovation project required a special use permit by the Fire Marshal but that was expected.  Full approved use of the event space including 4 indoor pickleball courts is expected by March 2025.

Art educator Megan Clapp and Carey Durham are hosting a mini-show of mostly “nature-themed” photos.  It’s being dedicated to the NC Zoo’s “Butterfly Lady,” Loretta Lutman, who died in early 2024.  (It includes some of her award-winning photos.).  Visit the Carey and Billie Durham Artwalk some Saturdays from 10-2PM and during the Celebration of Seagrove Potters.

Goldston Concrete has finished stairs and concrete pads.  The generator has been sold and moved out.  Floor in Hall B has been ground and sealed.  Pickleball court painting has started.  Thanks to our pickleball sponsor First Horizon Bank.

First impressions matter and we want to make a warm and welcoming impression for visitors to the Historic Lucks Cannery. We have already started with the addition of two beautiful murals and an imaginative entryway to the main space all created by local artisans.
We plan on continuing that important first impression by creating a dynamic seasonal garden at the parking lot entry with blooms that start early in the spring and continue throughout the summer and into the fall. Native trees and bushes interspersed with pollinator plants will attract local birds and butterflies and build positive energy around the entire space.
The first stage of landscaping will be completed in time for the Celebration of Seagrove Potters, Nov 22-24, 2024. Help us reach our goals by donating your time, money and/or plants to create a vibrant natural space to welcome visitors!

The Historic Lucks Cannery Advisory Board is raising funds to begin landscaping the main entry way to the soon to be completed Hall B at the Cannery Complex.

We have received a $3000 MAGS grant from The Heart of North Carolina Visitor Bureau.  We are very thankful for this great start.  

Check out the gofundme page at https://gofund.me/f823b695

We really had a great time in Seagrove last week with some fine musical talent at an evermore artful venue in the Heart of NC. Winners from the Seagrove Fiddlers’ Convention , Star Fiddler's Convention , and Highfalls Fiddler's Convention joined for marquee performances superbly emceed by Miss Randolph County Ashley Leonard. Thanks to our sponsors: The Town of Seagrove, Elizabeth and Wn Dozier, Pottery by Frank Neef, First Bank and Heart of North Carolina Visitors Bureau . #bluegrass #bluegrassmusic #venuespace #concert Photos are clipped from the livestream video available on YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/live/YvwJc6ngENg?si=8Z5iaQ8WcgPyGZYq&t=600​

The first renovation phase of the upper level expo vestibule is nearing completion with electric and gas installed.

The NC Pottery Center and the Town of Seagrove shared the cost of a new 32 x 12 stage, 24 inches high.  Construction is high strength aluminum with non-slip decking.  A stairstep with railing is included.  Rental is available.