E-Newsletter 1066 | November 2023

Thank you to the men and women who have bravely served our country.

Veteran's Day is Saturday, November 11th.

Next Town Council Meeting

Monday, November 6th 6:00 P.M.

Meetings will be held at 6pm at Valdese Town Hall Council Chambers (unless otherwise noted): 102 Massel Avenue South West Valdese NC 28690. All meetings are open to the public. 

Next Planning Board Meeting:

Monday, November 20th 4:00 P.M.

The Planning Board reviews amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, preliminary and final subdivision plats, rezoning applications and considers other development issues that affect the town. Planning Board members also serve as the town’s Board of Adjustment for any variance cases that may arise. The Planning Board meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at 4pm in the office of the Planning Director located at Town Hall - 102 Massel Ave SW.

For more information, please contact Planning Director, Larry Johnson at 828-879-2124 or via email at ljohnson@valdesenc.gov

Rock School Arts Foundation Open Studio

Every Thursday 11-3:00 P.M.

Rock School Arts Foundation welcomes all two-dimensional artists to paint/draw together on Thursdays in Studio 101, located in the Old Rock School in Valdese, NC. Studio hours will be from 11 am to 3 pm.

All levels are welcome, some experience is recommended since this is not an instructional session.

Participants will need to bring your own subject matter (photo reference or roughed-in subject), canvas or other surface, painting/drawing materials, (including paints/pastels/pens and ink, pencils, brushes, solvents, paint rags). 15 Easels and 3 covered tables, sinks and trash cans are provided.

Why paint together? For the Inspiration, the Fun, the Comradery and Energy, and Peer critique (if desired). This style of collaboration resulted in some of the most important art movements of the centuries. Let’s create something great together!

It's time to let your creativity fly! The Grateful Gobbler Contest is back! Win a Food Lion gift card this Thanksgiving to make your family's dinner extra special!

1st Prize: $100 Gift Card

2nd Prize: $75 Gift Card

3rd Prize: $50 Gift Card

4th Prize $25 Gift Card

Here's how it works:

1. Pick up a poster at Farris Insurance or the Old Rock School Tourism office! You may even see Pete the Pilgrim passing them out throughout the month of November...

2. Gather the family together and turn your gobbler into a masterpiece! Remember...the more creative, the better! What is your family thankful for this year? Be sure to write it down on your poster!

3. Take a family photo with your creation and message it to the Town of Valdese Facebook page or email it to ahogan@valdesenc.gov!

Pete the Pilgrim will judge all contest submissions and announce the lucky winners on November 21st! Keep your eye on the Town of Facebook page!

Thank you to Farris Insurance Agency for sponsoring this fun contest!

Trail of Lights 

The Waldensian Trail of Faith in Valdese will light up again this year in shining holiday splendor.

The annual “Lighting of the Trail” ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023 at the Waldensian Trail of Faith located at 401 Church St. NW, Valdese.

The Trail of Lights features more than 100,000 LED bulbs fashioned into favorite Christmas scenes displayed throughout the outdoor museum. All of the scenes relate to the history of the Waldensian people, but the most important thing is that the displays are focused on Jesus, according to former NC Sen. Jim Jacumin, Trail of Faith founder and president.

Founded in 1993, the Trail of Faith portrays the history of the Waldensians dating back to the time of the biblical apostles, according to the museum’s website.

“The Waldensians were considered to be people who lived by Scripture and were tortured, exiled and martyred, and still the faith that drove them from the Alpine Valleys of Italy to the foothills of North Carolina survived,” said Sheryl Tron, office manager at the Trail of Faith.

Volunteers at the Trail of Faith, also known as “trail friends,” begin testing the lights and setting up the Christmas scenes a month in advance to prepare for the lighting ceremony and nightly viewing. Tron said the event relies entirely on volunteers, and the ceremony would not be possible without their help.

The lighting ceremony Nov. 21 will feature holiday music performances by students from the Morganton Day School in Morganton, led by teacher Amethyst Stark, and Marty Jacumin reading the biblical Christmas story.

“It’s important for us to share the Christmas story with the kids, because the kids are what this event is really about,” Jim Jacumin said. “Children play an important role in Christmas, and it is important for us to pass on what we know.”

As in years past, three students will be chosen to turn on the lights at the end of the ceremony, marking the traditional lighting of the trail.

Guests at the lighting ceremony and nightly viewing are encouraged to stop by the visitor’s center to enjoy hot chocolate, hot apple cider and other refreshments.

The Trail of Lights will be open 6-9 pm daily from the November lighting ceremony through Dec. 24. The visitor’s center will be closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for concessions. There will be no lights on Christmas Day, but the lights will be on during Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.

The Christmas display attracts a steady flow of traffic through the museum, generally averaging 40 to 50 vehicles a night to enjoy the lights display, Jacumin said.

“We love having families bring their children, walk the trail and enjoy the Christmas carols and the hot drinks,” he said. “We have visitors that come all the way from Charlotte for our lighting ceremony and to see the Trail of Lights. Each year, we have between 7,000 and 8,000 visitors. The whole event really reminds us what Christmas is about, and that is giving to others. It enriches the building blocks of society, and it’s a joy to be able to give back — and that’s a big part of community.”

The Trail of Faith Inc. is a 501©(3) nonprofit group funded by donations from guests. There is no admission fee to the Christmas lights display, but the Trail of Faith will accept donations to help fund December’s utility bill.

For day-to-day announcements and possible weather-related changes in viewing the lights, check the “Waldensian Trail of Faith” Facebook page.

For information on the Christmas lights display, the lighting ceremony or the Waldensian Trail of Faith, contact the trail office at 828-874-1893 or trailoffaith1893@gmail.com or visit www.waldensiantrailoffaith.org.

Small Business Saturday: November 25th!

The Town of Valdese looks forward to honoring Burke County native Bruce Atwood Hawkins Sr. as the Annual Christmas Parade Grand Marshal! Mr. Hawkins will lead the parade through its usual route along Main Street from Church Street to Eldred Street intersections on Saturday, December 2nd, at 10:00 A.M. The annual Christmas parade is known for kicking off an exciting calendar of holiday events in Valdese and the Town Council considers it a privilege to recognize Mr. Bruce Hawkins as the Grand Marshal, who has served as an influential member of the community as well as an activist for the Civil Rights Movement.

Bruce Hawkins currently resides in Valdese community with his wife Judith Connelly Hawkins, together sharing two children (Cassandra Caldwell and Bruce Hawkins Jr.), five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He attends Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, where he currently serves as Deacon. He also serves Burke County through the Board of Trustees of Western Piedmont Community College, in which he is also a past chairman. He is also former president and current member of the Valdese Rotary Club. 

Hawkins attended Olive Hill High School in Morganton, the only high school for black students in Burke County that operated from 1924 to 1965 when schools were segregated. From 1962 to 1966, Hawkins attended North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, and it was during these years that he quickly became involved in the Sit-In Civil Rights Movement. Hawkins marched almost every afternoon alongside the president of student government, Jesse Jackson, to protest segregation and discrimination in their communities. Upon graduation from NC A&T, Hawkins returned to Burke County after gaining employment as a homeschool counselor, then later accepted a supervisor role in social work at Broughton Hospital. Before retiring in 2000 from Broughton Hospital, Hawkins served 33 ½ years as a licensed clinical social worker.

In addition to serving the county through social work, Hawkins became an active member in several boards and committees: Former Member and President of Valdese Jaycees, Burke County Hospice Board of Directors, Burke County Board of Social Services, Chairman of the Valdese Economic Development Investment Corp., Burke County United Way Board of Directors, Burke County American Red Cross Board of Directors, Burke County Council on Alcoholism, Mental Health Partners Board of Directors, Burke County Tourism Board of Directors, Burke County School Board, Burke County Board of Commissioners, Burke County Board of Directors for Partnership for Children, Burke County Courthouse Advisory Committee, and Western Piedmont Council Government Policy Board.

Throughout his many methods of serving his community, Hawkins has received countless, well-deserved recognitions for his service and activism, including: Recipient of the 2015 Service Above Self Award by the Valdese Rotary, 1987 Citizen of the Year by the Burke County Branch of the NAACP, Outstanding School Board Member of District One in 1986, Morganton News Herald Best County Elected Officiated in 2011-2012, Citizen of the Year in 1980 and 2011 by the Delta Nu Chapter Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Citizen of the Year 2013 by Xi Phi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

“The Town of Valdese is pleased to honor Mr. Hawkins for his continued dedication to serving our community. He is a true community leader, and his efforts have created a positive impact for many of our citizens and neighbors. We greatly appreciate his service and commitment, and we are proud to have him lead the parade this year,” states Charlie Watts, Mayor of Valdese.

After the parade, attendees are encouraged to visit the Piedmont & Western Railroad Museum for their annual parade Open House from 9–12:00 P.M. The indoor railroad display is the largest in the state! Downtown Valdese also includes several unique shops and locally owned restaurants to explore along charming Main Street, beautifully decorated for the holiday season. For more information on Valdese events and the downtown area, please go to visitvaldese.com.

Hatley Memorial Tree Lighting

Thursday, December 7th 6:00 P.M.

Join us for an evening of holiday cheer at the Town of Valdese tree lighting! Enjoy carols performed by the students of Valdese Elementary, hot chocolate, and an appearance by Jolly Ol' St. Nick!

The Carolina Christmas Show is a spectacular, family-friendly production with LIVE music, dance, and comedy that's sure to put you in the holiday spirit! You'll hear an incredible collection of beloved Christmas songs in a variety of musical styles, including Jingle Bell Rock, O Holy Night, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, I'll Be Home with Bells On, Silent Night, and more! This heartwarming, made-in-NC show is created & produced by Carolina Onstage, the husband+wife team of musical theatre veterans Mario and Lucinda Morin (former Radio City Rockette). Carolina Onstage is one of only a few minority-owned + female-owned professional theatre companies in NC, and one of just a handful in the region featuring a live band. The 2023 cast includes talented singers, dancers, musicians, and technical artists from nine NC counties and special guest performers.

Four shows: 

Dec. 20 at 7 PM, Dec. 21 at 7 PM, and Dec. 22 at 2 PM & 7 PM

General admission tickets:

Adult Age 18+: $28

Youth Age 3-17: $15

Kids age 2 & younger sitting on lap admitted free

Be sure to enter the discount code EARLYBIRD (all capital letters, all one word) for $4 off each adult ticket now through November 24th!

More info / tickets: https://www.carolinaonstage.com/christmas-show

Tickets by phone: 855-222-2849

Valdese: A Great Place to Eat!

Click image to enlarge!

A Message from your Valdese Recreation Department

The Parks and Recreation Department has had a busy fall. Whether it be opening the kayak launch and fishing pier, or watching all three football teams have incredibly successful seasons, there has been a lot happening! With winter approaching, though, one might believe things will slow down here. They sure don’t slow down! We will be shifting to more indoor youth athletics, birthday parties in the Bubble and at the bowling alley, the return of Rock N Bowl, presented by our partners at WSVM, and high school swimming!

We currently have registrations open for our Micro-basketball (November 13 cut-off for registration) and county basketball (November 10 cut-off for registration) programs, and in December we’ll start registration for our indoor soccer and youth bowling programs. The basketball program is for 7-15 year olds and is run in conjunction with Burke County Parks and Recreation, and the other programs will be predominantly run in house, which means there is not a school attendance or residency requirement to participate. Participants in basketball must attend or be in district for Valdese Elementary, Heritage Middle, or Draughn High Schools.

For our seniors in the area, we have plenty of opportunities for a chance to get out, be active, and socialize. Every weekday morning we host several senior-centered classes to help keep you in shape and moving. Check with your insurance provider to see if you have a wellness benefit such as Silver Sneakers, Renew Active, and Silver and Fit, which provide you a membership at no or little additional cost to you. These memberships not only give you access to our classes, but they provide you with access to the fitness center and the pool.

Speaking of the pool, we will be releasing a new pool schedule in coming weeks as high school swimming starts. There will be swim meets on many Wednesday nights starting in mid-November and continuing through January, and the pool will be closed for practices from 3:30-5pm on weekdays.

While the picnic shelters may not be the best place to party in the colder months, the weekends are still hopping here at the Community Center. The Splash Pad Multi-Purpose building is open for Saturday afternoon rentals, the pool has tables available for Saturday parties as well as a Sunday private party option, and we are now offering an all-inclusive bowling party package for up to 20 people on Saturdays. This package includes use of the party room for two hours, shoes and bowling for two hours, and food and drink. For more information on these parties, please call us at 828-879-2132. For information on pool parties, please give us a call at 828-874-6737.

If you’re looking for some Saturday evening fun, come down to the bowling alley from 6-10pm to check out Rock N Bowl, presented by WSVM. There is great music, prizes, food, and lots of fun, all at a great price! Give us a call at 828-879-2132 for more information on this fun, family friendly weekly event!

We look forward to having you all at your Valdese Parks and Recreation Department!

Burke County's reverse 911 system and Smart911 App link. This is where you can sign up to receive the text alerts, the Smart911 App, and emails you in the event of an emergency.

The Town of Valdese is an excellent place to work. With friendly co-workers, challenging duties, and an opportunity to interact with the citizens of the best town in America, seeking employment with the Town is a wonderful career decision. 

We are OPEN for tours Tuesday - Friday 

(Closed Mondays & Holidays)

Morning Tour - 11:00am / Afternoon Tour - 2:00pm

828-874-1111

director@waldensianheritagemuseum.com



Additional Hours

July 15 - October 28

Open Saturday's 2pm-5pm