Roaring River
Roaring River, NC · Arts & Culture
Bertie Ledger-Advance
‘Every little detail tells a story’: Todd Hotel restoration honors family legacy
TODD — The Todd Hotel has been in John Baker’s family for seven generations, and he is now restoring it to its former glory. The property and hotel — an 1840s Appalachian farmhouse, built in the Greek Revival style and renovated in Victorian style — has been in the family since before the railroad came to Todd. The hotel’s first known mention in print came in 1885, when the Watauga Democrat called it a boarding house, Baker said. In 1909, his great-great-great-grandfather, Felix McGuire, purchased the hotel and farm. Baker said he believes his family bought it expecting prosperity would follow the railroad to the area. Felix’s son, T.A. McGuire, and T.A.’s wife, Mae McGuire, took over in 1912 — adding more guest rooms and renovating the hotel in the ornate Victorian style that survives today. “What was more of a simple farmhouse, they expanded into a really grand hotel — in a very optimistic way,” Baker said. “It’s really kind of based on things they saw — styles from New York — to make a really grand impression on visitors that would be coming from all over the world.” At its peak from the 1910s through the 1930s, the
thestokesnews.com
Nancy Reynolds News: Fall carnival coming
Sympathy is extended to the following families: Glenna Bullington, Annie Ruth Gordon, Shirley Stevens and Michael Kiser of King. Happy birthday to Grace Edwards, Nathan Holt, Wendy Willard, Greg Collins, Kay Simmons, and Betty Collins. Howard Tucker Jr. had a tractor turn over on him resulting in six broken ribs...
The Mount Airy News
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lakenormanpublications.com
lakenormanpublications.com
Lincoln concert series to feature bluegrass band with deep local roots
LINCOLNTON – The Cockman Family from Sherrills Ford will perform a concert Sunday, Nov. 8, as part of the Lincoln County Concert Association series. This popular band has developed a distinct bluegrass gospel style that has gained audiences throughout the Southeast. Their arrangements of old gospel songs have been very popular. Their tight harmonies and original songs have been applauded for their unique sounds.
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The Mount Airy News
Plans for Christmas parade unfold
The annual Mount Airy Christmas Parade on Nov. 21 will feature the usual holiday floats, marching groups and sparkling lights, but also the added attractions of Jeff and Sheri Easter and a first-ever “sensory-friendly area.” The Easters, who lead a popular Southern gospel group and have ties to the legendary Easter Brothers locally, will serve as grand marshals for the parade scheduled for 5 p.m. that day through the downtown area. Meanwhile, a special area will be designated along the procession route to accommodate onlookers who are sensitive to loud noises. “Because we’ve had a few complaints about the sirens and everything,” Gail Hiatt of the sponsoring Downtown Business Association said of the sounds emanating from public safety vehicles in the parade along with horns and other loud noises. “We’ve never done this before,” Hiatt added regarding the quiet zone. Applications available The Christmas parade typically includes elaborate floats by local businesses, high school marching bands, fire trucks, unique vehicles, festive costumed characters, community organizations, sports teams, churches, local elected officials and others. And, of course, more than a few pieces of candy and other goodies will be tossed out by those riding in the parade. It is considered the
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HBPA’s Brings The Nutcracker 2026 To Stage Dec. 11-13
Hickory – Visions of sugarplums, a mysterious godfather, and a midnight battle with the Mouse King are taking over! When young Clara receives a wooden nutcracker for Christmas, she has no idea her holiday evening is about to turn into a grand adventure. As the clock strikes twelve, the living room transforms into a battlefield, the toys come alive, and a grand journey to the Land of Sweets begins. It is a tale where bravery unlocks magic, snowflakes dance in unison, and a classic holiday tradition unfolds right before your eyes.
lakenormanpublications.com
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Raleigh News & Observer
Doo-wop legend who sang ‘Money Honey,' other R&B hits, to get NC marker
Clyde McPhatter, a falsetto-voiced pioneer of early rock-and-roll, who launched his highly influential but short career in the churches of Durham, will soon grace an North Carolina historic marker on the streets where he first learned to sing. Born in 1932, McPhatter grew up in a Baptist family in Durham’s Hayti neighborhood, where he sang solos in the choir at his preacher father’s church, Mount Cavalry Baptist, but he soon moved to New York, formed a gospel group based in Harlem — The Mount Lebanon Singers. Like many crooners of his era, McPhatter followed the powerful draw of secular music, and he lent his voice to the early 1950s blend of rhythm and blues. This combination of gospel soulfulness and free-spirited, sexually charged energy led the country into a new rock and roll era. A young Ernie Barnes would recall sneaking into the segregated Durham Armory to get a glimpse of McPhatter with his doo-wop Dominoes, describing the scene he saw on the dance floor, so bold for the era it seemed sinful, but not so audacious he didn’t move along. “What I observed was the no inhibition, no self-consciousness or rigidity, just fluid movement while the music punctuated every