This week with Senator Ford | |
Bible Verse of the Week
"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."
II Corinthians 4:18
| | | Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter and for staying connected with what’s happening in District 33 and in the General Assembly. | | With the General Assembly now in recess, lawmakers will spend the coming months working in their respective districts. The legislature is expected to reconvene later this year to resolve any outstanding matters and consider additional legislative business as necessary ahead of next year’s long session. | | My office and I remain committed to serving both our district and the state, and we will continue to keep you updated on the important issues and legislation that impact our community. Your thoughts and concerns are invaluable, and I am dedicated to making sure your voice is represented in the General Assembly. Please continue to keep me in your prayers as I seek God's wisdom and guidance in all that I do. Thank you for your trust and continued support. | | Great American Heritage Tour, Creation Tours is a ministry which lends experience and knowledge of state government operations and helping to equip the next generation of strong leaders to guide our nation's future. They paid a visit to the North Carolina Senate this week and were given a tour by Senator Ford. | | We were also visited by the Richfield Elementary School fourth graders this week, for a tour of the Senate as well. We were so happy to welcome you all, and hope this was a fun and educational experience! | | |
Senator Ford had the chance to attend the Stanly County Summit last week! This essential gathering brings together local business leaders, elected officials, and regional partners to explore the next frontier of growth, innovation, and strategic investment. Attendees gained exclusive insights with high-level updates from Stanly County, the Charlotte Region, and the State of North Carolina, capped off by an inspiring keynote address.
Whether you're looking to forge new partnerships, spark collaboration, or stay ahead of regional economic trends, the 2026 Stanly Summit is where progress happens!
| | Earlier in the month, Senator Ford attended a press conference held by Cabarrus Rowan Community Health Centers, which are now transitioning to AxcessPointe Health System, and were awarded $600,000 from the NC General Assembly to help with this transition. | | | | |
Apply for a GO Grant Today
GO Grants are a great way to get our students outdoors! These grants provide outdoor learning experiences by sponsoring field trips and outdoor activities, such as archery. The goal is to provide students with the chance to learn by doing.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and there is no deadline to apply. If you are interested, please visit their website here.
| | |
Three important dates are coming up as we move through the final months of 2026:
Fall begins: Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 8:05pm EDT
Fall back: Sunday, November 1, 2026 at 2:00am EDT, clocks turn back one hour to 1:00am EST
Winter begins: Monday, December 21, 2026 at 3:50pm EST
| | Upcoming Events in District 33 | | |
Southern Rowan Christmas Parade
It’s time to start planning for one of our favorite holiday traditions! The Southern Rowan Christmas Parade will take place on Tuesday, November 24th.
Have questions? Contact China Grove Town Hall at 704-857-2466.
We can’t wait to kick off the holiday season with another great Southern Rowan Christmas Parade!
| | |
The Festival of Trees is returning to China Grove!
We’re inviting China Grove businesses and organizations to participate in this year’s Festival of Trees, taking place at Hanna Park (180 N. Main Street) throughout the month of December!
Important Dates:
- Applications due: Friday, November 13
- Decorating window: November 29 – December 5
- Trees must be fully decorated by 3 PM on December 5 for their first lighting during Christmas in the Grove
- Tree removal deadline: January 8
Participation is FREE! Simply complete the application so we can reserve your tree and keep track of participating businesses and organizations.
Review the guidelines and complete your application here.
| | |
Showcase your products at Thankful for Local Festival, a November 14th pop-up celebrating the creativity and variety of our local small business community!
Smith Family Pop-Up is inviting small businesses and makers to connect with shoppers, share their products, and be part of a community-focused event.
| | |
NOTICE: WATER LINE MAINTENANCE
Please be advised that BRS has notified the Town that crews will be conducting waterline maintenance at the following locations:
• Monday, November 2rd: Mount Moriah Lutheran Church
• Tuesday, November 3rd: Tranquil Lake Drive
• Wednesday, November 4th: Gallant Circle
• Thursday, November 5th: Tranquil Lake Drive
Residents in these areas may experience low water pressure or temporary water outages between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM while work is underway.
Motorists are encouraged to use caution when traveling through the area, as work crews and equipment will be present, and temporary lane shifts or brief delays may occur.
We appreciate your patience as this necessary work is completed to improve our infrastructure.
| | |
Kids Art Classes! Let your little artists get creative with these fun, hands-on art classes offered by Kannapolis Parks and Recreation!
Paint a Pumpkin
November 20 | 6–7 p.m.
Ages 2–15 | $10 per child
Kids Open Craft Night
December 17 | 6–7 p.m.
Ages 2–15 | $12 per child
Paint a Snowman
December 22 | 10 a.m.–noon
Ages 5+ | $25 per person
All classes will be held at the Kannapolis Train Station (201 S. Main Street). Supplies and snacks are included!
Register today at www.kannapolisnc.gov/parksprograms
| | |
Registraton is now open for the Kannapolis Christmas Parade!
This years parade will be at 6 P.M. on Saturday, December 12 in Downtown Kannapolis
Want to be a part of the parade? Applications are now open for parade participants and award category sponsors. Cash awards will be presented in the categories of bands, churches, civic organization, and schools.
Register by 5 P.M. November 1 at this link or contact Raygen Ellis at rellis@kannapolisnc.gov
| | The Annual Veterans Day Parade to honor and thank veterans who have served our country is Saturday, Nov. 11. The first parade starts at 1 p.m. at the Salisbury VA Health Care System. The second parade leaves the VA hospital and reassembles in Salisbury at Stallings Memorial Baptist Church 2:30 p.m. The second parade will begin at 3 p.m. traveling through Downtown Salisbury. | | |
The countdown is ON! In just one month, we’ll kick off the holiday season at the City of Locust Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Join us Thursday, November 19, from 5–8 PM for an evening full of Christmas magic, family fun, and small-town holiday charm!
Festivities begin at 5:00 PM
Tree Lighting at 6:30 PM
NEW this year: North Pole Kids Village - games, face painting, glitter tattoos & more - ALL FREE!
Holiday photo ops
Red Barn Farm Petting zoo
North Pole Train
Rock climbing wall
Vendors to shop
Food trucks and more!
Bring the family, invite your friends, and come make some Christmas memories with us! We’ll see you in ONE MONTH!
| | |
The City of Locust Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration has quickly become one of those beloved Locust traditions that feels a little like stepping into a Hallmark Christmas movie — and we want to make it even more magical!
This year, we’re introducing our North Pole Kids Village, and we’re looking for local businesses, churches, and organizations to help us fill it with fun, Christmas-themed activities for families to enjoy.
Think interactive, festive, kid-friendly experiences that make families want to wander from station to station, make memories, and soak up all the Christmas magic.
If your business or organization would like to be part of making this year’s Tree Lighting even more fun and engaging, we’d love to have you join us!
You can register here: https://locustnc.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail....
November 19, 2026
5:00–8:00 PM
Surrounding City Hall at 186 Ray Kennedy Drive, Locust
Interested in participating or want more information? Contact Jessica Honeycutt, Program Coordinator, at jhoneycutt@locustnc.gov
| | |
The 2026 Locust Christmas Parade is coming!
Join us Saturday, December 5, 2026, at 1:00 PM for an afternoon of holiday fun in Locust!
Want to be part of the parade? Registration is FREE and open now! Businesses, organizations, community groups, dance and cheer teams, sports teams, clubs, and more are invited to participate.
Register to participate: https://locustnc.recdesk.com/Community/Program/Detail...
For additional parade information, visit: https://locustnc.com/christmas-parade/.
We can't wait to celebrate the Christmas season with our Locust community!
| | The Spencer Holiday Caravan is looking for veterans and veteran groups to be a part of their parade on Wednesday, November 25th, from 6:30 to 8:30PM. This will be a celebration of America's veterans and the 250th anniversary since the founding of this great country. Vets in vehicles, marching, or if you wish to enter a trailer/float, they are open to the possibilities. The link to the entry form is here. You can fill out the form and submit it online. There should be a place at the bottom where you can include a small paragraph about your group. They will be live streaming the parade, so they need information on all entries. | | |
The Magic of Christmas is Coming Back to Rowan County!
Join our friends at the N.C. Transportation Museum as they prepare for another unforgettable season of THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride!
Climb aboard for a magical journey to the North Pole where you'll enjoy:
A visit from Santa
Hot chocolate and a delicious cookie
A silver sleigh bell to take home
A live reading of The Polar Express
Holiday entertainment that brings the beloved story to life
This cherished holiday tradition returns on select dates from November 6 through December 23 at the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer. Whether you're starting a new family tradition or continuing one you already love, this is an experience your family will never forget.
Get all the details, view available dates, and reserve your tickets here:
https://bit.ly/4xpLMvr
Don't wait too long—this popular holiday tradition sells out every year!
| | |
2026 VETERANS DAY WEEKEND SILENT AUCTION
SUPPORTING LOCAL VETERANS
The Stanly County Veterans Group is excited to introduce our 2026 Veterans Day Weekend Silent Auction, a new addition to our 2nd Annual Veterans Day Weekend Car, Bike & Truck Show, being held Saturday, November 7.
And you do not have to enter a car, bike or truck to participate! The Silent Auction is open to everyone.
We'll be revealing auction items one at a time leading up to the event, so follow this Event and keep checking back. Some of our biggest and most unusual pieces will be saved for later!
HOW IT WORKS
Each auction item will have its own bid sheet at the event. Browse the items, place your bids and check back throughout the morning to make sure somebody hasn't outbid you.
Silent Auction bidding begins at 8:00 AM.
Silent Auction bidding closes at 11:00 AM.
Silent Auction winners will be announced immediately following the trophy
presentation, approximately 11:45 AM.
Winning bidders must be present when winners are announced. Winners will be responsible for payment and pickup of their items before the conclusion of the event. Winning bidders are also responsible for transportation of any large or oversized items.
Most importantly:
Every dollar raised through the Silent Auction will support the Stanly County Veterans Group and our mission of serving, supporting and recognizing Veterans in our local community.
Saturday, November 7, 2026
Downtown Oakboro, North Carolina
Held in conjunction with the 2nd Annual Veterans Day Weekend Car, Bike & Truck Show (https://www.facebook.com/share/1Eq7c9a9Lh/)
Bring the family. Check out the cars, bikes and trucks. Browse the auction. Find something you want. Place a bid. And help us turn some great donated items into support for our local Veterans.
| | To get in touch with Senator Carl Ford’s office, you may send correspondence to his legislative office at 300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 625, Raleigh, NC 27603. You can also call (919) 733‑5665 or email him at Carl.Ford@ncleg.gov. | | You can also sign up for Senator Ford’s newsletter by scanning the QR code shown here. It will take you directly to the subscription portal. Stay updated on legislative news, district events, and key public service updates from his office! | | Take a 360 Degree Virtual Tour of the Legislative Building | | | |
Can our office help?
If there is an issue with which our office might be able to provide assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our Raleigh office, (919) 733- 5665 or Carl.Ford@ncleg.gov
Of course, if you are ever in Raleigh, please feel free to visit your legislative office. We would love to meet you.
**Our office location is Room 625.**
| | |
Please share this newsletter with your friends and family in the district. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me. If you would like to subscribe to the newsletter click here to email us and ask to be added.
God Bless,
Carl
| | | | |
