VOLUME 146 ISSUE 28 | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023
CHATHAMNEWSRECORD.COM
C HATHAM NEWS & R ECORD THE CHATHAM COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL
the
BRIEF this week
Hoppin’ John Fiddlers’ Convention prepares for 16th annual event The 16th annual Hoppin’ John Fiddlers’ Convention is set to take place this September 14 through 16 and will feature a diverse and exciting array of activities for the whole family. Hoppin’ John, the only fiddlers’ convention in Chatham County, offers string band and instrument contests, concerts, square dances, workshops, jam sessions, crafts, and other family-friendly activities for everyone to enjoy. On Friday night at 7 p.m., Onsite camping will be available. On Friday night at 7 p.m., Phil Wiggins and Hubby Jenkins will take the Hoppin’ John stage with local favorites, the Carolina Cutups, opening. Phil Wiggins is one of the nation’s foremost players of acoustic blues harmonica, and Hubby Jenkins is a celebrated multi-instrumentalist and former member of the GRAMMYwinning Carolina Chocolate Drops. There will also be a concert on Saturday Night at 7 p.m. with the SmileA-While Gang, who play will a specially curated concert of traditional string band, blues and gospel music that pays tribute to North Carolina’s musical heritage. Hoppin’ John will also offer several onsite food and beverage options. There are also plenty of shopping opportunities from individual vendors, including instruments, accessories, apparel, art, body care, and more. Advance tickets are available now for the music festival and on-site camping at ww.HoppinJohn. org. Proceeds from Hoppin’ John benefit the education programming at Shakori Hills Community Arts Center, an N.C. nonprofit organization. The festival will take place at 14439 Henderson Tanyard Road in Pittsboro.
PHOTOS BY PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Old fashioned fun The Golden Knights fly through the air and classic farm equipment draws wonder as families from across Chatham County participate in the 48th annual Silk Hope Old Fashioned Farmers’ Days on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023.
Jersey Mike’s holds grand opening in Siler City By Chuck Thompson Chatham News & Record SILER CITY – Here’s one sub that won’t let you down. The newest Jersey Mike’s Subs in Siler City held its grand opening Aug. 30 at 1119 E. 11th St. just off Highway 64 and was greeted community leaders, supporters and mouth-watering customers. “We’re really excited to bring the best sub sandwich on the planet to Siler City,” said Charlie
Farris, one of the co-owners of the new Jersey Mike’s. “We have several stores in Chapel Hill and are excited to bring it to Siler City. We have great employees and a wonderful manager that lives nearby, so we really are making this a part of the community.” Ernest Marshall, Peyton Moody, Denis de St. Aubin Jr., Kimberly Packard, Siler City Mayor Chip Price, Town Manager Hank Raper and Executive Director of the Siler Area Cham-
Business as usual for Siler City Commissioners, Board of Elections holds special event By Chuck Thompson Chatham News & Record THE TOWN OF SILER CITY Board of Commissioners met Tuesday, September 5, where a Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation was made. A public hearing regarding a rezoning request by W. Third Business-CE Group, represented by Mark Ashness, is requesting to rezone a parcel with approximately 7.503 acres from Agricultural Residential (A-R) to Office Institutional (O-I). The property is located to the South and East of US Highway 64, North of W. Third Street and West of Frazier Store Road. Also, a conditional rezoning of Piney Grove Church Rd by Dennis and Susan Hearn, represented by Casey Hearn, requested to rezone two parcels containing approximately 9.779 acres from Agricultural Residential (A-R) to Highway Commercial / Conditional (H-C-C). The property is located to the South of US Highway 421 and East of Piney Grove Church Road.
The Chatham County Board of Elections also hosted a Voter Identification Information Session the following morning at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center. ID statutes enacted in 2018 and 2019 will be implemented with the municipal elections in September, October, and November 2023. “For those who do not have a photo ID, the Chatham County Board of Elections can issue free voter photo IDs to registered voters,” said Chatham County Elections Director Pandora Pascal. “To be issued a free voter photo ID card, the voter must provide their name, date of birth, the last four numbers of their Social Security number and have their photo taken. For more information regarding photo IDs, contact the Chatham County Board of Elections at elections@chathamcountync.gov or 919-5458500. The Siler City Commissioners will meet again in two weeks on Sept. 18. This meeting is open for the public to attend.
ber of Commerce Josh Harris were among those in attendance for the ceremony. “It’s exciting to have a new food option for the residents of Siler City,” Raper said. “It’s good to see someone provide another good quality product for the people who live here in this community.” This Jersey Mike’s franchise group doesn’t just make delicious subs, they also give back to the communities they serve.
During its first five days after opening, the group gave anyone who donated $2 to The Chatham Education Foundation a free sub with proof of donation. “We do things like that throughout the year,” Farris said. “Spirit nights, give-back nights for schools and nonprofits in the community is a big part of what we do.” “We’re ecstatic about Jersey Mike’s,” Harris said of the grand opening. “I know Charlie is going to be a good advocate, partner for the benefit of the community. We’re lucky to have him here and really excited about what the future holds, from here on out, with Jersey Mike’s being part of Siler City.” Jersey Mike’s is open every day from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The 25th annual Flatwoods Festival to take place rain or shine By Chuck Thompson Chatham News & Record THE 25TH ANNUAL Flatwoods Festival returns to Bennett, N.C., this Friday and Saturday. This event, which is hosted by the Tri-County Ruritan Club, is held each year to help raise money to help those in need. “It’s basically a big fundraiser that supports Ruritan projects for the whole year,” explained Debby Hussey, a founding member and the current treasurer of the Ruritan Club. Food vendors, craft vendors, an antique tractor show, a parade, a live auction, and bluegrass music are just some of the features set to attract visitors at the Flatwoods Festival on Carthage Street that weekend. And don’t let rain scare you away, as this festival is happening regardless of weather, as stated on their brochure for the event. Such projects recently funded by Ruritan have included scholarships for local high school students and financial assistance to local families in crisis due to house fires, loss of income due to unexpected family tragedy, or sickness. “On Saturday, there will be a
parade of old tractors that people don’t want to miss,” said Hussey. The fun begins on Friday, Sept. 8th at 5 p.m. with food vendors, and on Saturday morning, the festival picks back up at 10 a.m. with a tractor parade going down Main Street in Bennet. The music kicks off with Hindsight Bluegrass performing and a raffle drawing to end the day on Saturday afternoon. “This has been a big success the past 24 years, and we’ve been so thankful and enjoyed the support from the community,” Hussey said. “And we hope everyone will come out and enjoy the fellowship, good food and fun this year.” For more information, please visit the Tri-County Ruritan Club’s website at www.tricountyruritan.com/flatwoods-festival.