News

Kissing a Pig: Principals Celebrate Attendance Goal

Teachers dressed in blowup costumes to get students excited about End of Grade (EOG) tests.

Well, Principal Angela Burgess and Assistant Principal Emily Moore did it.  On May 30th, in front of the entire Cooleemee Elementary School student body, they both kissed a pig! If they make a promise to motivate their students to reach a specific goal, and they meet that goal, they intend to keep their promise and follow through. 

When the small cage was carried into the gym, I had to cover my ears because the unified screams were so loud. I thought the pig would be pretty and pink, have just had a bath, and smell like baby powder. Boy, was I wrong!

It had beautiful dark brown fur with black spots and smelled to the high heavens. When it was time for the big kiss, the screams intensified again, and I was surprised the windows didn’t break. 

The attendance goal for May was 95%, and the student body surpassed that goal. Ms. Burgess praised each grade level for meeting certain goals, and all the students praised one another. The EOG testing was the following day. Some grades had higher goals than others, but the principal said they could do it and should aim to do their best. 

Popping balloons in a chair is harder than you’d think.

Positive reinforcement was spread throughout the entire morning. Some students competed in carrying eggs on a spoon, and another involved running with a balloon and sitting on it to pop it. It was hard to tell who would be the winner because sometimes, no matter how hard they sat on the balloon, it wouldn’t pop.

When the teachers came prancing out in their blowup costumes, the students went crazy again.  They had a relay race and danced around. Before leaving, they sprayed silly string on the bottom row of students, and other teachers used plastic blow-bubble machines to create a shower of bubbles on the students. Needless to say, the children and teachers had a great time. 

Excited students are showered with bubbles.

This exciting pep rally aimed to help the students release anxieties and worry and open their minds with positive thoughts so they could do their best on the EOG. Thank you, staff, for being creative and always finding ways for the students to excel and love their school more. 

Feel free to contact me at 336.250.1133 or cooleemeenews@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you.

Clerk’s Corner – Summer 2024

Welcome to the Clerk’s Corner – Summer 2024 Edition

Check back each month for new updates from the Town of Cooleemee’s Clerk and Finance Officer, Steven Corriher.

July 4th Parade

We are about to start advertising for the July 4th Parade as it is planned for 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 4, starting at the school and ending at the Zachary House. If you or someone you know would like to help, enter, or watch, please make sure to join us. Also, if you see the posting on Facebook please share, share, share, we know not much talk of it has taken place at the moment, but other big things are in the works, and I have almost run short on time in preparation for this event. But we will have it!

Community Center

We have received a $1 million grant to aid with the construction of a new Community Center. Current plans are that the building will hold the Town Hall, Town Meetings, and the Davie County Library Cooleemee Branch, which will be relocated from the Shopping Center. The building will have a small Kitchen and a room available for rent with the use of that kitchen. We hope to add a small exercise room that perhaps will hold a few treadmills, a bike or two, and at least one workout machine for some weight training. We hope this Center is just the start and will grow in the coming years, adding bigger and even better things in and around the Center!

Code Enforcement

Being a big topic here in Town the past little while we have a contract that will be on the agenda in June for approval, we are very hopeful this will be started back up by July 1, 2024, and in full swing. We do ask that you bear with us, and the contractor selected to perform these duties as we get started back up in that division.  

Town Board Meetings

The next town board meeting is June 17 at 6:00 p.m. at the Zachary House, 131 Church St. 

A Public Hearing for the budget will be set for June 24, 2024, before the full approval of the Towns 24/25 budget, which is expected the same night. 

However, the Budget Message and Budget Ordinance are available here at Town Hall for viewing, The Ordinance numbers are subject to change between now and the June 24, meeting.

Mobile Recreation Day

Davie County Recreation and Parks will host a mobile recreation day at the Zachary House in Cooleemee on June 26 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Please bring your kids or grandkids to enjoy the free fun.

As always, thank you all for your contributions to the Town. I hope to see you all on Monday, June 17, at the meeting and to see everyone on July 4 at 10 a.m. for the July 4th Parade.

If you need anything, email scorriher@cooleemee.org or call 336-284-2141. Our hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and we are usually closed between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. for lunch and errands. 

Keep up with the Latest News

Join the Town’s new contact list to receive the latest news right in your inbox! Stop by Town Hall or email your phone number and/or preferred email address to scorriher@cooleemee.org. Don’t forget to follow on Facebook so you don’t miss a moment of summer fun!

Cooleemee Historical Society Teaches Students About Chores of the Past 

Stepping back in time to 1934 to learn lessons about chores that the people of old Cooleemee performed daily was a fun morning for two first-grade classes at Cooleemee Elementary School.

Getting their hands wet while scrubbing kitchen hand towels, rinsing, and learning how to wring out the water seemed like a lot of work, but they had fun. Each had a washboard to scrub the towels, and Lynn Vogler reminded them to use soap. Tammy Lagle held a small cloth on the clothesline, then walked down to the end and back to remove any dirt. “You don’t want this dirt to get on your clean clothes,” she explained as she showed them the discolored cloth. After choosing wooden clothespins or the ones used today, which are made of metal and wood, they learned to dog-ear the ends and secure their cloths on the clothesline.

John Chandler and Johnathon Vizard taught the students how to hold a hoe, how to make rows in the dirt, plant seeds, and how to tamp down the dirt. Canning vegetables raised in the garden was essential for every household. Preserving some vegetables, like green beans strung on a string, called “leather britches,” made it easy to dehydrate them.

All shared collecting eggs and putting them in a basket. Chickens can be skittish, which makes them cluck and move around quickly.
Some children were unsure about being that close to collect the eggs, but Cathy Marshbanks’s gentle hand helped them complete the task.

Jeff Ferrell teaches the importance of each household owning a pig.

Not many grown-ups can say they have made “slop” for a pig, but the first graders can now say they have. Combining all the leftovers from the dinner table became food for the pigs. Having a chance to pet the pig was a brave moment for some but was very exciting for most. Jeff Ferrell displayed a side of pork, bacon, and sausage.

Learning they can’t get a hamburger from a pig was a fun fact for them to talk about. Visiting Madison the cow was an added bonus. Madison was gentle, so each student got to stroke her very soft fur on her nose. The students also learned why her eyes were on the sides of her head.

Teresa Bivins demonstrates how to churn whole milk to make butter
Teresa Bivins demonstrates how to churn whole milk to make butter.

Making butter out of whole milk sounds so simple because it is. Students have the knowledge to go home, pour whole milk into a jar with a lid, and start shaking to make their own. Tasting the homemade butter on a cracker put smiles on everyone’s faces.
Susan and Teresa Bivins assisted with churning the butter.

The Cooleemee Historical Association teaches students how to churn butter.

Before returning to class, each student received a coloring book that reiterated all the things they had learned that morning.
The Cooleemee Historical Association has more events planned throughout the entire school calendar, including for kindergarten through fifth-grade students.

Thank you, CHA, for providing students with hands-on experiences that give them a full picture and understanding of their heritage.
Feel free to contact me at 336.250.1133 or at cooleemeenews@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you.

Town of Cooleemee Accepting Bids for Pool Demolition

The Town of Cooleemee is now accepting bids for old pool demolition.

The Town of Cooleemee will be accepting bids for the demolition and removal of the Old Swimming Pool
located at 114 Duke St Cooleemee, NC, 27014, from May 6, 2024, through May 24, 2024.

In this bidding process, the Town will require 2 bids.

Bid One – disassemble and remove the pool along with all its contents, including all concrete, rebar in the
concrete, all plumbing, electric wiring (will be turned off beforehand), all fencing, all pumps, all filters, blocks,
bricks, pool completely disassembled, and hauled off including the service provider handling all EPA
compliance dumping and fees. Take the site to the ground, with any items located underground in this area
related to the pool also being removed and hauled off, in the same manner asked above, along with a small
water heater storage shed to be disassembled and hauled off with service provider handling all EPA
Compliance dumping and fees.

Bid Two – same as Bid One, in addition, a bid to remove the Bathhouse/Concession Stand at the entryway
of the pool location, including all block, brick, concrete, plumbing, and electrical (will be turned off
beforehand) taken down to the ground and hauled off including the service provider handling all EPA
compliance dumping and fees.

The area(s) would need to be prepared as flat as possible without much, if any, dirt being hauled in, using
land and dirt in the surrounding area, and re-seeded with grass as well as any other erosion control to help
prevent washouts during the time of non-use while the grass grows in. We need you, the contractor, to
maintain the erosion control for 6 months following completion of the work. To replace or fix washed-out
areas due to rain and weather conditions or possible areas of settlement in the worked area. (The Town will
maintain mowing maintenance if grass begins to grow within that 6 months)

We require that ALL bids received by the Town be sealed and mailed to P.O. Box 1080, Cooleemee, NC
27014, or dropped off at Town Hall, located at 131 Church St., Cooleemee, NC 27014.

With your submitted bids, please provide proof of your current, up-to-date bonding and liability insurance
policy with a minimum of $1,000,000 coverage per occurrence. The policy must be in the name of the
bidder/contractor.

Please include a projected time frame best for you to start and complete each bid. (such as I can start June 1, 2024, and expect to be finished within 45 days of start)

The projected payout for the project will be as follows: 1/3 deposit, 1/3 payment once deemed satisfactory and halfway
complete, and 1/3 final payment once the Town deems the project completed in a satisfying manner.

Failure to comply with any process in this notice during bidding will result in a disqualifying bid and will not be
considered for the awarding of the project.

Feel free to come by the location listed above to look at the project before bidding.

Bidding-on-Pool

Cooleemee Elementary Students Experience Cooleemee in the Past

A chilly morning at RiverPark set the scene for students from Cooleemee Elementary School to learn about 17th-century Indians, 18th-century life and the grist mill, and kids working in the textile mill in the 19th century.

John Chandler presented the children with a warm welcome and a layout of the morning’s journey.  Joey Shore led each group to each station and stop along the way.

Johnny Brown demonstrates how to grind corn using a pestle and concave rock

The Indian’s learning center was set up right by the South Yadkin, with the dam spilling water over its rocky edge.  Students saw handmade drills, bows and arrows, a deer antler shortened into a knife, and a grinding rock for grain.

After climbing the hill from the dam to a clearing, Sandra Ferrell taught the kids about growing corn and taking it to the gristmill. They each received a tiny canvas bag filled with cornmeal. Later, each student got a paper bag with either two apples or a bag of peanuts. Bartering took place, and each student ended up with one apple and some peanuts.

Sandra Ferrell shows pictures of the gristmill

Shore pulled a sassafras twig from the ground, pulled the bark back, and told the children he used to chew on the stalk when he was little. The stalk could also be boiled in water for sassafras tea, which was good for allergies.

When the students arrived at the 19th-century stop, they learned that children worked in the mill. Girls earned 55 cents, and boys earned $2.75 a week. Mama was there with her field hat and apron, and she promptly came around and collected all the money earned by each boy and girl. They all got to keep just a quarter.

Sandra Ferrell gave each student a small bag of cornmeal

All went to the company store, where they bought a pickle, cheese, crackers, and a peppermint stick.  They had to pay their last 25 cents.

Bartering apples for  peanuts

I asked some of the students:  Out of all the information you learned, what stands out the most?

  • Air”yana Braswell – “What they used to make houses and all the equipment they used.”
  • Jaxon Herbiest – “ How they made the clothing, weapons, and tools to catch fish.”
  • Jayke Neighbors – “Why do kids work? Why is it happening in the past? They shouldn’t be able to.  Kids need to learn and go to school.”
  • Max Hall. – “How to make tea out of plants.”

Egg Drop in Cooleemee a Huge Success!

On Saturday, March 30th, The Bridge Church, located at 191 Main Street in Cooleemee, sponsored an egg drop at the Cooleemee Fire Department.

Josh Ijames provided hayrides, while the Bridge donated free hotdogs, cotton candy, flavored ice, popcorn, and water.

A food truck served free ice cream until they ran out.  

Wristbands divided the children’s age groups so the egg drop could be fair and safe.

a person with their arms up in the air at an easter egg hunt event
Pastor Justin Blue of The Bridge Church

Pastor Justin Blue wore a mic, which helped him to manage the large groups.  He certainly had a way to get everyone’s attention; this event was definitely not his first rodeo!

The candy-filled eggs were dropped from firetruck #13’s bucket while the crowd gave a resounding countdown. 

Faith Ann was walking toward her mother with a bucket of eggs, with a nice dome on top that was about to flow over the edge.  

She happened to pass a younger girl who had a very small amount of eggs in her basket.  Faith Ann turned around and put eggs in the little girl’s basket.  Her kindness and compassion weren’t overlooked. How about Faith leading by example?

The energy surrounding the event was happiness, and by far, the event exceeded any and all expectations.    

A big thank you to all the volunteers of the Bridge Church.  This egg drop event was a huge success! Feel free to contact me at cooleemeenews@gmail.com or 336-250-1133. I would love to hear from you.      

My Friend Grimes “Bimmy” Parker

My friend, Grimes “Bimmy” Parker, passed away recently, and I can’t bring him back.

Early Monday morning, before I was about to jump in the shower before leaving to care for our granddaughter, my husband said my name in a way I knew something was wrong.

“Bimmy passed away last night,”

It was like a silver magnet pulled me to Jeff’s chest quickly, and I held him tight. “I thought they were working on removing the fluid from his heart, and then they will treat his kidneys and wake them up?” That was what I was praying for, but it didn’t work out that way.

Wait a minute. He didn’t teach me how to plant peanuts!

Planting and harvesting peanuts, I thought, would be the coolest thing to learn how to do, and he did it every year. Every time I saw a bag of peanuts still in the hull, I would smile because I knew someone in my town who planted these things. I’m sure he would have taught me if only I had asked.

Duke Street isn’t a street I drive down often, but several times when I would, he would be sitting in a chair in front of his garage in the driveway with his legs crossed. I can imagine the conversations we would have had if only I had stopped by for a visit. Regret can send you into a whirlwind of thoughts when someone close to you passes away.  

“But wait, I was going to, I could have, I should have.” Those thoughts sure don’t fill the void. The memories lift me up though, and I saturate my mind with them.

I was so honored when he called and asked me to be on the basketball camp board.

The first Grimes Parker Basketball Camp Invictus stands out most in my mind. All the dreams, hopes, ideas, and plans that he and Steve Fleming had came to fruition that day, and I’m so happy I was there, along with so many other volunteers, to see the magic happen.

“So what do you think, KC?”

“I thought it was fantastic, Bimmy, and I can’t wait for the next one.”

So many great ideas come to us, and then we think, “Whew, it would take a lot to make that happen,” and then we put them in our back pockets or, worse, throw them away. If only we had held on to that thought, that dream, that idea.  How many lives would have been richer if we had pursued it further?

There is never a good time to lose a friend or loved one. No matter how prepared we try, it’s out of our control. Writing a letter to Bimmy and telling him how much he has enriched my life is a very healthy thing to do. Putting thoughts down on paper clears the mind and heals the soul.

I hope his chair will be sitting where he used to sit in that driveway so I can drive by, stop, and leave a note or two. Grimes  “Bimmy” Parker, a Master of Cooleemee, will never be forgotten. Feel free to contact me at cooleemeenews@gmail.com or 336-250-1133. I would love to hear from you.  

Dancing the Afternoon Away – Cooleemee Elementary School Celebrated Valentine’s with a Dance 

Cooleemee Elementary School had the gym popping with vibrations of music, twirling, jumping, and laughter, for it was the special time to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Hot pizza was brought in, and boy, did it smell good!  Candy and snacks were available for the students to purchase as they went through the line to pick up a big slice of pepperoni pizza.

It’s so much fun watching girls and boys roam around the room with uninhibited manners.  Two boys said they were having a good time just walking around and talking to each other, and girls dancing in a circle, holding hands or twirling in their pretty dresses.  It sent the message they were happy and joyful.

Some fifth graders felt awkward and bored.  I reminded them that next year, they would be with the older kids when they went to middle school, and their faces lit up.

Some schools divide the age groups up: kindergartens and first grade, second and third graders, and fourth and fifth graders.  The times are divided among the total. 

This may take additional planning and organization but all in all, the majority had a great time this year. 

Thank you, teachers and volunteers, for giving the students another event to create more memories that they will remember for a lifetime.

Feel free to contact me at cooleemeenews@gmail.com; I would love to hear from you.

Walk, Pick up Trash, and Meet Your Neighbors – Join Cooleemee’s New Plawking Group

Getting exercise and making new friends while cleaning up the community. Join Cooleemee’s plawking group. (L to R)  Keziah Martin, Joey Shore, Tangela Dalton, Lela Ijames, Josh Ijames

On Sunday, February 4th, there was a lot of plawking (picking up trash while walking) going on on the streets of Cooleemee. Josh Ijames, Lela Ijames, Tangela Dalton, Keziah  Martin, and Joey Shore were carrying black trash bags, and they were full of trash. That’s what people do when they love their community, they want to get some exercise and make new friends while picking up trash.

Josh Ijames and his wife Lela have created a Cooleemee Action Forum, which is a neighborhood organization that allows citizens and non-citizens who have interests, likes, or beliefs in the town to be able to participate more openly in a public forum. While still in the beginning stages of creating the forum, plawking will continue on Sundays at 2 p.m., meeting behind the Cooleemee Fire Department.  When others join the group, the time may change.  

Cooleemee’s new plawking group picks up trash along 801 S.  

Annual meetings will occur with structured monthly meetings with leadership in place with an organized agenda.  With full leadership in place, plans are to achieve non-profit status and obtain the ability to write their own grants. 

For updates, follow Cooleemee Action Forum on FaceBook.

Tangela Dalton has been very busy obtaining her non-profit status.  She lives in Cooleemee and is motivated to create a youth center.   She plans to call it Prosperity Youth Center of Cooleemee.  There is an array of services to offer, like essential life lessons, meeting new friends, movie nights, dancing nights, and workshops.  She has a building in mind, but that hasn’t come to fruition yet.

Teamwork makes the dream work. Keziah Martin holds the bag open for Tangela Dalton during a plawking meet-up on Sunday, February 4th.
Teamwork makes the dream work. Keziah Martin holds the bag open for Tangela Dalton during a plawking meet-up on Sunday, February 4th. 

Plawking is a fun way to meet people, get some exercise, and show some love for your town.  You can still be a plawker all by yourself; just pick up trash while you walk, and don’t forget to take a trash bag.

Feel free to contact me at cooleemeenews@gmail.com or call 336.250.1133. I would love to hear from you.