Garden tour to benefit CCM
CONCORD – Stroll down moss-lined pathways. Admire fountains, waterfalls and amazing flowers everywhere. Visit the Conservatory, Lover’s Garden or the Hermit House. Visit the cypress arbor, where stones from Isreal are cemented into the wall.
Do all of this and more in Concord on Saturday, July 18, as you take a tour of the Bob and Carolyn Tucker gardens located at 621 Hermitage Dr. Tickets are $20 and all proceeds will benefit Cooperative Christian Ministry. Self-guided tours will be available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. rain or shine.
“It’s a peaceful place to spend a few hours,” says Carolyn Tucker. “Many who attend do just that. They sit and swing and relax and enjoy God’s creation.”
The tour will begin off Hermitage Drive on the Aurora Pathway, and continue through the garden features to the newest feature in Carolyn’s land of fantasy – the Hermit House. Made of handmade brick molded to look 500 years old, the round hut features a wood shingle roof and sits among nature at its finest. The imaginary hermit looks out his front door to see annuals planted into the shape of a large butterfly – a symbol of the resurrection. Just outside the hermit’s door is a huge stone, indented with the shape of a cross, that Bob discovered on his land in Stanly County.
“Bob and I help many worthy causes that enhance the lives of people in so many ways,” Carolyn says. Being able to partner with CCM through the years to ensure the basic needs of a person are met has been very fulfilling. Everyone needs food and shelter, but in addition to that, CCM strives to restore individuals back into living, not just existing. It’s an organization that is innovative and a good steward of the funds entrusted to it.
For more information about the tour, and a sneak peak video of the gardens, visit www.facebook.com/cooperativeminstry. Tickets are available at Carm’s Café and True Value Hardware, both located in Concord.
Concord Library upcoming events
Storyteller Sharon Clarke will be performing on Wednesday, July 22 @ 3pm in the Auditorium of the Concord Library. Stories and songs will abound as storyteller Sharon Clarke captivates audiences with her imaginative performance! For more information, call the Children’s Room @ 704.920.2058.
Every Hero Has a Story: Heroes in the Stars for ages 5-12 takes place on Thursday, July 23 @ 3pm in the Children’s Program Room of the Concord Library. Learn about constellations and the legends associated with them in this program that explores how different cultures view the night sky through books, songs, activities and a very starry craft. For more information, call the Children’s Room @ 704.920.2058.
Want to make your voice heard voice heard in the community, develop leadership skills, & have fun making new friends? The Concord Library will be holding an interest meeting about creating a Teen Advisory Board on Thursday, July 23 @ 5:30pm in the Meeting Room. For more information, call the library @ 704.920.2066.
Enjoy discussing comic books, manga or graphic novels? Then the Comic Collective wants you! Come join this teen book club on Saturday, July 25 @ 4pm in the Meeting Room of the Concord Library. This month is the Superhero Tournament of Champions-we’ll debate who’s the best. For more information, call Brandon @ 704.920.2052.
Farmers Day in China Grove Saturday
This special event was organized to honor the local farmers by inviting them to bring their produce to sell at a farmers market. Farmers Day has grown to become one of the best street festivals in North Carolina with attendance estimated at over 25,000 visitors. Farmers Day is held the third Saturday in July.
From the opening ceremony at 9:00 a.m. until the last note of the street dance at 11:00 p.m. Farmers Day offers something for people of all ages.
Locally grown produce is a huge hit at Farmers Day. The market continues to grow as the event gets back to its roots of the festival centered around the Farmers Market.
FFA Students and the FFA Alumni provide fresh off the farm produce for sale. They also sell delicious hand churned ice cream. What a treat on a hot summer day! Many local churches and civic clubs participate with bake sales, drink stands, and hand crafted items for sale.
Over 200 colorful booths line Main Street with a variety of great items for sale. Visitors purchase gifts for special occasions from the many art, craft, jewelry, clothing, baby items, and many more great booths. Commercial vendors provide interesting displays of their products.
The Children’s Stage is dedicated to the young and the young at heart. Clowns, magicians, and puppets will delight children of all ages. Children’s rides and games keep the young ones busy. The ever popular “Little Mr. and Miss Farmer” contest is another hit of the day.
The teenagers enjoy dunking friends, teachers and principals in the “Dunking Booth”.
Farmers Day is overflowing with free entertainment all day on two stages. On the main stage a variety of music is played by local bands. Other entertainment includes, dancers and gymnastics and karate demonstrations.. And you can enjoy the singing and clogging performed on the Park Stage while sitting in the shade of the trees.
While the children are entertained and the ladies shop, the men can do a little browsing too. They can ramble through the displays of antique farm equipment and cars. They can also drift back to memories of the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s with the display of muscle cars, classics, hot-rods and racers. The local farm equipment dealers and outdoor power equipment dealers may even entice you with their displays.
A great variety of food is always present on the streets. Stands selling funnel cakes, cotton candy, roasted corn on the cob, Gyro sandwiches, meat on a stick, Bar-B-Que, and of course hot dogs and hamburgers are plentiful. And don’t forget to get a glass of fresh squeezed lemonade!
The street vendors pack up at 4:00 p.m. and the town gets ready for the street dance at 7:00 p.m. Some of the performers have been The Embers, The Entertainers, Part Time Party Time Band, The Fantastic Shakers and many others over the years. So, bring a lawn chair to enjoy the band and be ready to dance to their music. The evening ends with a beautiful fireworks display.
Farmers Day is hosted by the Town of China Grove.