The Research Triangle

One of the first churches my father served was in the little town of Roxboro.  I was too young to remember any of this but Dad told that when they moved there, there was no indoor plumbing in the parsonage so he enclosed the back porch and installed one.  As I traveled yesterday to visit the library at Piedmont Community College, my guide took me there on roads that did little to dispel that narrative.  I passed fields of tobacco and corn and saw little to suggest the progressive community I discovered.

The two previous librarians at PCC have retired but I met a wonderful, young woman named Vanessa Bass who has been recently promoted to the head job.  I was able to visit for a few minutes between groups of students receiving their orientation to the campus.

It was on my way out of town and toward Durham that I saw the town of Roxboro as a thriving community, almost all with indoor plumbing!

Durham, Raleigh and Chapel Hill are known as "The Research Triangle."  These three cities are home to three of North Carolina's great universities. Durham Technical Community College is one of ten colleges and twelve other universities which serve in the shadow of these "Big Three."  The Library was closed but the door was open.  Both librarians were gone but I had the extremely good fortune to meet Marcia Navarro, the principle of the Middle College High School located on the campus of DTCC.  Her office is in the Library.
"MCHS at Durham Technical Community College is a magnet high school for juniors and seniors. Our student body consists of students from Durham Public Schools, Orange County Schools and Chapel Hill- Carrboro City Schools. Students apply to be part of the MCHS community where they take both community college and honors level high school courses."

Chapel Hill is home to the University of North Carolina.  To say that I am a fan of the school would be like saying my brother is a fan of Arminius.  I was thrilled to go to the Law School Library.  I wasn't familiar with the campus so I asked a young man for directions.  He turned out to be a visiting professor from Vanderbilt University in Nashville and was on his way to the Library!  When I arrived, I met Julie Kimbrough, the Deputy Director and she introduced me to Katherine Orth, who handles acquisitions.  Katherine is a UNC alum and quite obviously proud of her school.  After we had discussed business, Katherine walked me over to the main campus library.  Such courtesy and helpfulness is rare and should be praised.

Lunch was a delightful meal at Jasmin's in Raleigh.  Jasmin's features Mediterranean food including Lebanese falafal and Greek gyros.

Another of those Universities is Meredith College.  Chartered in 1891, the school was the vision of Thomas Meredith, founder of the Biblical Recorder, who called on the Baptist State Convention to establish an institution to provide "a first-rate course of female education."  Long a "female only" school, Meredith began admitting men to the graduate programs and granted four men MBA's in 2002.
My final stop was at another of the ten colleges--Wake Technical College where Julia Meilesh is the Director.  While waiting to see Ms. Melish, I perused a publication by the College of writing, poetry and photography done by students.  It showed real talent and belies the myth that technical schools only produce plumbers and welders.  Plumbers and welders can write too!

The Far West

When people talk about the breadth of North Carolina, they often say, "from Murphy to Manteo."  Today, I went to Murphy.  It is just about as far west as you can go without crossing the border into Tennessee.  It is a beautiful drive on Highway 19 through the Nantahala National Forest and alongside the Nantahala River.




It was well worth the trip as I encountered Katrina Miller and Linda Kressal at the Tri-County Community College just outside Murphy.  Tri-County Community College serves the counties of:  Cherokee, Clay and Graham counties and is a part of the outstanding Community College system in North Carolina.







I backtracked to Bryson City to visit the Fontana Regional Library Office located on the backside of the Bryson City Public Library.  The Fontana Regional Library (FRL) system connects the six public libraries in Jackson, Macon, and Swain Counties into a system of libraries and provides administrative services for all of them.  Parked beside the building was a "bookmobile."  It is a converted delivery truck used to take books to places where getting to a library would be difficult.  Diann Ball is a wonderful advocate for books and libraries.



I enjoyed lunch at a place I'd been before--Jimmy Mac's.  The last time I ate there I was in my pajamas!  Let me explain.  Bryson City is home to the Great Smokey Mountain Railroad.  It's a year-round tourist attraction but at Christmas GSMR transforms into the Polar Express!  Last Christmas, my wife and I took our granddaughter to ride on the Polar Express and they encourage everyone to do so in their pajamas (like they did in the book.). It was great fun and after wards, we had dinner at Jimmy Mac's.  Interestingly, the original "Polar Express" (PM 1225) has been restored and is in Owosso, Michigan, the headquarters for the company for whom I work.  One of the principals helped with the restoration of the engine.  Chris Van Allsburg, who wrote the book, "The Polar Express" grew up in the area near Owosso.

My final stop was in the town of Flat Rock at the Blue Ridge Community College.  The Library was closed until August 12th but Susan Williams saw me and allowed me to visit for a few minutes.  The campus is not only a place students come to take classes but it is also a hub of community and regional activity for many. 

Journey to the Center

My travels have taken me north, south, east, west and even UP! But today I traveled to the center. The day began with a beautiful drive to the edge of the mountains to visit the library at Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro. It is a college built on the side of a mountain and one student said it was "uphill everywhere you go!" Christy Earp is the Director and Rebecca Kruger handles the acquisitions. Both women love the mountains and their enthusiasm for books and students was evident.
Guilford College in Greensboro was founded by the Quakers in 1837. The Quakers have always been non-conformists. They rejected the authority of the Church of England in the 1600's along with the rituals and even the clergy. So for an anti-slavery community to exist in the South was consistent with their heritage. Today Guilford College is a modern campus offering a world-class education in an urban setting. But the buildings have maintained the look and feel of the Quaker heritage and all the campus streets are named for famous Quakers like George Fox. The Library was in the midst of renovation and the librarian was on vacation but I enjoyed visiting the alma mater of one of my mentors, Paul Baker Wood.
A few miles away and one year later, the Methodists (my brother's movement) founded Greensboro College. It is in the heart of the city of Greensboro and proudly provides a liberal-arts education designed to produce well-rounded students who are able to contribute to all of society, not just their single are of training and expertise. The librarian, William Ritter, looks like a student himself but was hard at work at the front desk during the summer lull before classes begin next month.

Now we get to the title of this blog. The town of Asheboro claims to be the geographic center of the state of North Carolina. Since King George's instructions were not followed explicitly, the boundaries of North Carolina are a bit "whoppy-jawed." But Asheboro claims to be in the exact center. Asheboro is also where I graduated High School.




















But my purpose in going was to meet the fine librarians at Randolph Community College. Debbie Luck is married to a potter from nearby Seagrove (http://discoverseagrove.com/). She and Pam Pollard are barbeque snobs like me and they recommended Henry James Barbeque. HJB has the best hushpuppies I've eaten in a long time and I had the good fortune to meet some of the late Henry James' family members who stopped by to eat lunch.



Just across the street from RCC, is the Richard Petty Educational Center. The Petty Family is from nearby Level Cross, NC and has business interests all over the area.










It is a short drive to Troy the home of the Montgomery Community College. Deborah Ashby is the librarian and explained how the direction of MCC had changed over the years to a school providing technical training including a rather renowned "gunsmithing" school.





Stanley Community College is located in Albemarle. It is there I met Sharon Faulkner who retired as the Montgomery Community College librarian and now works part-time at SCC.
My final stop was at Pfeiffer University. It was established in 1885, once again, by the people of my brother's movement--the Methodist Church. I had a friend named June Hardin from high school who attended there.
While I was eating lunch at Henry James Barbeque, I began to think of people I knew in high school and whether any of them still lived in Asheboro and if any of them would come into the restaurant. I discovered something interesting about my self. As people would enter the restaurant, I looked for people who resembled a high school version of my friends rather than people who are in their mid-sixties like me. Hope springs eternal,I suppose.

Goings and Comings

With great sadness I announce the demise of my guide and traveling companion, Zelda G.P.S.Tomtom. Zelda served me and others faithfully (if not always cheerfully--she could become a bit testy at times) guiding us to our appointed destinations. She suffered a "bug" of some sort when rendered her useless since she no longer contained a map of the United States. Despite numerous attempts to revive her, she was unable to recover. I will miss her Easter European accent telling me where to turn and to "be careful." My new assistant does not have the personality of Zelda but is quite accurate and more patient with me.

By contrast, it is with great gladness that I announce that I have a new ride. My old Chevy Tracker developed an expensive problem and thrift suggested I not invest more money in repairs. Some very good friends (Jack and Bart), who's names sound like they came out of an old western, found an excellent vehicle which I think suits my personality.

My first stop was at another of the Old North State's community colleges. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in Salisbury serves students from the surrounding counties by being conveniently located just off the Interstate highway. I have extended family members who live in that area and have attended that school. Both of the librarians I needed to see were away but I was greeted by Lisa Shores who grew up in nearby China Grove.

Just on the other side of the interstate was Hood Theological Seminary. Because it is located behind the Offices of the Lutheran Synod offices, I assumed it was a seminary for training Lutheran Pastors. I was delighted to learn that HTS has her roots in my brother's movement! "Founded and sponsored by the African Methodist Episcopal Zion (A.M.E. Zion) Church, the Seminary has a special—but not exclusive—interest in training those who minister with and among historically marginalized communities, and those who work in a pastoral or secular capacity during their seminary education. The African American church’s historic insistence on recognizing the social, political, economic, and global implications of the gospel, the A.M.E. Zion identity as the “Freedom Church,” and the Methodist focus on scriptural holiness with personal and social responsibility shape the emphases in the theological curriculum." "The Seminary bears the name of a renowned bishop of the denomination, James Walker Hood, who inspired others in the denomination to join with him in creating an institution for the training of Negro youths for the Christian ministry. In 1879 those pioneers created the Zion Wesley Institute in Concord, NC. Three years later, by invitation of the citizens of Salisbury, they relocated the Institute to this city. Under the leadership of its first president, Dr. Joseph Charles Price, the Institute was chartered by the State of North Carolina in 1887 and renamed Livingstone College in honor of Scottish physician and explorer of central and southern Africa, Dr. David Livingstone. Livingstone College is located just around the corner.

A few miles away is Catawba College. In the early days of our nation's history, German settlers from Eastern Pennsylvania traveled to Piedmont North Carolina to live. They brought with them a strong Reformed heritage and a desire to see their young people educated. At first they sent their young back north for school but in 1851, they opened Catawba College in nearby Newton. The school was named for the native Americans who lived in the area. In 1925, the school relocated to Salisbury and affiliated with the Church of Christ.

I then traveled north to the city of High Point to Laurel University. Laurel began as a Bible College in nearby Greensboro and changed it's name to "John Wesley College" when it moved to High Point. Just a few days ago, the school's trustees voted to change it's name BACK to "John Wesley." I know nothing of "why" but it makes me proud to see my brother's name on any institution of higher learning.

Winston-Salem is an odd pairing. "Salem" comes from the Moravian community and "Winston" is the name of a cigarette. Salem College is located in the heart of "Old Salem" which is both a historic preservation of the early days of the Moravians as well as the current "mother Church" for Moravians in the area. On Easter, the town welcomes guests by the thousands to a "Sunrise Service" which features a brass band and a commemoration of the Resurrection at "God's Acre"--the Moravian Cemetery. As an historic site, the buildings have been preserved but the Salem College Library is a modern facility on the inside of one of those preserved buildings. Peter Austin is in charge of acquisitions and is a native of the Asheville area where I used to live. I regret that I did not take a picture while at Salem College. It is a beautiful and historic campus.

While watching the Republican National Convention this week, I heard the woman who announced the NC delegate count say that there were more Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's) in North Carolina than any other state. There are twelve. HBCU's are schools founded before 1964 primarily to serve the black community. One such University was my next stop, Winston-Salem State University. It is located, appropriately, on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and from what I could see, serves a diverse student body. It is a beautiful campus with wide pedestrian mall. Neither of the directors were present but everyone in the library was very helpful.

Lunch was a serendipitous event. As I was leaving the WSSU campus, I saw a hot dog vendor. I circled the block to meet Frank of Frank's Frankfurters. He served two Nathan's hot dogs with the kind of slaw that has both mayonnaise and mustard in it. Delicious!

My final stop was in Surry County at the Surry Community College in the town of Dobson. The drive from Winston-Salem to Dobson approaches a picturesque view of Pilot Mountain. Pilot Mountain and nearby Mount Airy are famous as both the real hometown and the setting for Andy Griffith's television show. Once again, both of the directors I needed to see were away (it is, after all, still summer and classes are not in session). The two people working in the library were most helpful, including Maria who hails from Columbia. As I drove home I reflected on the people who started these institutions I visit. All of them understood the value of education for both sustainability and progress.

UP!

In my previous travels, I have gone west and east. This time I went UP! I boarded an American Airlines plane bound for Orlando, FL and the American Library Association.

The ALA is the oldest and largest library association in the world. Founded on October 6, 1876 during the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, the mission of ALA is “to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.”

Imagine 25,000 librarians and 6,000 vendors in the Orange County Convention Center!

My partner in crime at the convention was a robot named Oscar T. Robot. Oscar and his handler, Jack Prather, made the event both fun and valuable in helping librarians get the books they need.

While there, I stayed at the Sheraton Vistana Villages. It was only a few minutes from the convention and was the lap of luxury. It was, however, a very short trip. The city of Orlando has had some difficult days prior to my arrival. The people there had experienced three significant tragedies in a few short days. Two were acts of violence by people and one by a wild animal. Whenever our peace is disturbed like that, we seek solace in each other. The gathering of people interested in books provided just such a salve.

I, once again, traveled east but this time I drifted north as well as I flirted with the state line of the Commonwealth of Virginia. It was there I discovered Chowan University in the town of Murfreesboro. Chowan began as a Baptist School for Women. It is now a strong four-year, co-ed School. There I met Georgia Williams, the director and Will Metcalf, the tech services guy. Students are not yet on Campus again but I did see some parents who were evidently there for orientation.

Driving back the way I came brought me to the town of Weldon and Halifax Community College. Established in 1967, the college is one of the oldest in the North Carolina Community College System. The Taylor Learning Center is the center of the campus and houses the library. Lynn Allen is the new Director and by contrast, Jean McGee is in charge of circulation and is completing 40 years of service.

Scotland Neck was settled in 1722 by Scots Highlanders led by Lord Nairn. They settled in the "neck" of the Roanoke River in the eastern part of Halifax County. I went there at lunchtime and looked for a restaurant that served "haggis." Fortunately, I didn't find one. Instead I found am italian restaurant where I enjoyed an eggplant parm paninni. My purpose in going was to go to my first public library. I was greeted by Tiffany with one of the greatest smiles I've ever seen. Brenda Mills is the director and sees her job as providing a place where children and adults can continually learn.

My meeting with Kathy Winslow at North Carolina Wesleyan University was very brief because Kathy was on her way to catch a plane to London. Bon voyage, Kathy.

My final meeting of the day was with the new librarian at St. Augustine's University in Raleigh. She is Tiwanna Nevels. The trip home was uneventful but long.

West to East

My second voyage was in the opposite direction from my first. I left home very early knowing that I would be driving into the sun. I was also without my faithful guide, Zelda. She had taken ill the previous night (some sort of computer bug) and so I was led by a nondescript voice who was equally helpful but not nearly as entertaining. I originally intended to drive to Morehead City but traffic so delayed my progress that I began my day in Kinston at Lenoir Community College. There I met a delightful young lady named Beth Sheets. Beth is from Michigan and her husband is stationed at nearby Seymour Johnson Airbase. On this Memorial Day Weekend, I want to thank him and all who serve.

James Sprunt Community College is located in the town of Kenanasville and is named for, of all people, James Sprunt (1818-1884), a Scottish immigrant who became a teacher, Presbyterian minister, and the longtime pastor of Grove Presbyterian Church in Kenansville. The librarian is Christine Vasica and she demonstrates the dedicated service of librarians who see there work not just as "running a library" but as participating in the education of students. She was a very impressive young lady.

There's a town in South Carolina named Clinton but there they pronounce it "Clinnin." It is the home of the Presbyterian College Blue Hose. Sampson Community College is located in Clinton, NORTH Carolina. Shelly McCullen is the Acquisitions Director and serves on a very beautiful campus.

It was time for lunch and I happened upon a Honduran restaurant called Las Brasas (The Coals). I had the Carne Asada and it was absolutely delicious. It was served with a white cheese that was excellent! When I walked in, there were no customers. While I ate, there were no customers. That's usually not a good sign but the food was good and, obviously, the service was impeccable. I don't know why there were not more people there but I'm glad they were there for me.

My biggest surprise came immediately after lunch when I visited Mt. Olive University. Mt. Olive claims to be the "Pickle Capital of the World" with good reason--their market share approaches 70%! On New Year's Eve, a 3 foot high pickle is lowered to mark the new year. The event raises money for the Food Bank of North Carolina through donations of canned goods from guests. Too be honest, having lived in North Carolina most of my life, that's primarily what I knew about Mt. Olive. Allow me to regress a bit. All day, I had noticed more "Free Will Baptist" Churches than I had ever seen. FWB Churches are more like my brother in theological belief but more like Baptists in local governance. In Mt. Olive, I learned why there were so many Free Will Baptist Churches. They have an absolutely beautiful campus and a strong school. The librarian is Pam Wood and she is one of the most universally loved librarians I've met in my travels. She was a student at Mt. Olive when it was a Junior College and returned to serve the library for many years.

Goldsboro is the home of Wayne Community College and that was my next stop. All of my travels thus far have been a bit inauthentic (like finding a place to park my car has been no problem) because most schools are between graduation and the beginning of summer school. The Acquisitions Director, Terri Smith greeted me as I entered the library because she was working the front desk! What a servant! My final stop was in our capital city, Raleigh, at St. Augustine's University, an HBU founded by the Protestant Episcopal Church shortly after the end of the Civil War. As I said, it's between semesters and the library was closed so it was an anti climactic end to a great day.

It is a long drive from Raleigh to my home in Gaston County and I was glad to interrupt the trip for supper at my favorite place to eat--Lexington Barbecue. Lexington Barbecue was established in 1962 by Wayne Monk and has grown from a small cafe to a nationally known barbecue restaurant. When you get close, you can almost follow your nose for directions.