Mount Gilead Shows Off Grant Projects

Billy Ray Hall, president of the North Carolina Rural Center, explains to a number of dignitaries from across North Carolina how grant monies can benefit a small, rural community. For example, the Town of Mount Gilead used $220,000 in grant funds from the N.C. Rural Center to enhance Highland Community Center and create the Piedmont Center for the Arts and The Ford Place restaurant. Members of the N.C. Legislature, representatives from the League of Municipalities, N.C. Association of County Commissioners, N.C. Department of Commerce and Golden L.E.A.F. toured those projects in Mount Gilead on Tuesday, along with other projects in Montgomery, Anson and Stanly counties. The ultimate goal of the grant funds is to stimulate local economies and help with job creation.

Wood-Turning Classes Available in Downtown Mount Gilead

Linda Burnett of New London always wanted to work with wood. The retired music teacher is assuming the role of a student while her instructor, Jack Reyome, shows her how to turn an eye piece for a maple kaleidoscope. Reyome’s studio is located in the Piedmont Center for the Arts at 113 North Main Street in downtown Mount Gilead.

Burnett is a mentor with the Montgomery County Communities in Schools program. In addition to making her own prize pieces, she wanted to find out if Reyome’s studio would be appropriate for her to bring some 10-year old students to learn how to turn wood, thus developing a possible career interest. For information about classes, call 704-904-6813.