Children are our future. However, not all have the opportunity to reach their full potential, due to a number of factors. But that doesn’t mean they can’t, and The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tar River Region looks past their situations and sees the people they could become. The BGC works to create a safe, positive, and nurturing environment to help these young people reach their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. Through afterschool programs and summer youth development programs, the Boys & Girls Club can guide young people towards the path of progress and success. The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tar River Region boasts a 100% graduation rate, with 83% of their club members currently on track to graduate from High School on time, along with providing over 23,000 meals over the course of the school year.

This year The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tar River Region and Rocky Mount Mills teamed up to raise funding during their 3rd annual Derby Day at the Mills on May 7th. Attendees got to enjoy the Kentucky Derby races which saw one of the greatest underdog wins to date, along with a live DJ, food, and entertainment for everyone. The event was a huge success, and all of the funds raised will go towards supporting the over 1,200 young people that they serve throughout the year.

At Rocky Mount Toyota, we want to make sure our young generation has every opportunity to grow into the incredible people we know they can be. That’s why we are proud sponsors of The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tar River Region. If you would like to learn more about their organization and find out how you can support their mission, you can check them out here! A huge thank you to The Boys & Girls Club for continuing to support our youth!

Pet friendly activities in Rocky Mount, NC

North Carolina is full of pet-friendly places, Rocky Mount is famous for having plenty of parks and places to enjoy lots of activities with your little friends. Choose the perfect location and take your pets wherever you want. If you want to learn more about pet activities in Rocky Mount, NC, read on.

Best Friend’s Dog Park:

If you are a dog owner and live in Rocky Mount, NC you probably won’t find a better place than Best Friends Dog Park, this 9 acre site is perfect for all types of dogs. To enhance the beauty of this park, the area covering 9 hectares are divided into three different sizes, one for small dogs and the rest for larger dogs. This park is where you can walk, run, play and sunbathe with your cute furry friend.

Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park and Museum:

This place is only for you if you are an art lover. While this museum is not located in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, you can always drive or even walk to this museum. This Wilson, North Carolina Museum holds many historical items from North Carolina. Whether on Sunday or Thursday, you can come to this art gallery between 5 a.m. and 12 noon. You can also see unique artwork by local artist Vollis Simpson here. You and your cute pets are always welcome here.

Medoc Mountain State Park

If you want to get close to nature, Medoc Mountain State Park is the perfect place for you. This park has seven hiking trails that range from easy to moderate and run through forests and streams. With your pets, you can enjoy many different types of activities at Madoc Mountain State Park. For example, you can choose between fishing and kayaking if you are feeling adventurous. In addition, all pet owners can have a picnic in nature with their pets.

Wilson Dog Park:

Wilson Dog Park allows all types of dogs with their owners. It also provides a perfect pet-friendly environment. It includes a large dog area and small dog park, multiple water stations, lots of greenery, much-needed tree shade, etc. Tired of walking and playing with your food, you can lounge in the shade of the trees and wooden benches at Wilson Dog Park. The trail is very pretty and well decorated. There is a tunnel in this park. So, if you are new. Head to Wilson Dog Park with your pets!

What to do in Charlotte, NC, this summer

The Whitewater Center has a variety of trails to explore:

We’re all familiar with this location for its white-water rapids, high-octane zip lines and, as well as the famed River Jam music festivals. However, the 1,300-acre US National Whitewater Center has over fifty miles of zigzag paths perfect for mountain biking, hiking, trail running, dog walking—all of which are sheltered from the summer sun. The center assesses trails on the ski slopes from greenish to bluish to blackish in an orderly manner. The trail network is always open, and the center is open throughout the year, weather permitting. The celebration of Memorial Day on 30th May, the Brew Dash on 19th June, and the Fourth of July Celebration on July 3-4 are all returning this year.

Take a day trip to the lake:

On hot days, you can see sparkling water on Norman Lake to the north and Lake Wylie to Charlotte in the southwest region, where you can enjoy outdoor activities to keep you cool. Hire a float or a motorboat on the open water with friends, go green and canoe, kayak, or paddleboard. The things you can do on the lake include a breakdown of LKN boating possibilities.

Carowinds is a great place to go for a ride:

The steamy lines to travel around one of the amusement parks, measuring 407 acres, famous rides will not be the enduring memory of the day. You’ll never forget the excitement of the Fury 325, the world’s tallest and fastest coaster (non-launched), or the park’s newest ride, Copperhead Strike, a 50-mph roller coaster that also happens to be the park’s first coaster. Carolina Harbor, a water park measuring 27 acres with its attractions, is included in the admission ticket. If you’re going to sweat, at the very least, give yourself a chance to cool off. Carowinds will open on May 22nd. 300 Carowinds Blvd.

At BB&T Ballpark, see a Knights game:

The Charlotte Knights toss the first pitch on their home field at 7:04 p.m., a tribute to Charlotte’s area code, on the evenings of summer to start their popular uptown games. Homer the Dragon jumps around BB&T Ballpark, taking pictures with children and giving high-fives to spectators. The stands are filled with the aroma of popcorn and peanuts. It’s just plain, old American summer pleasure to cheer on our Triple-A baseball team, a Chicago White Sox affiliate, with a refreshing local coffee.

The Duke Mansion’s gardens are a great place to unwind:

The Duke Mansion is the old house of James Buchanan Duke and is located off Hermitage Road, which runs through the lush woods of affluent Myers Park. Visitors adore this lovely bed-and-breakfast built in 1915 and is listed on the Historic Places’ National Register.

Locals adore the local gardens of Mary DBT Semans in the back of this historic property. In the 4 and 1/2 garden and grounds, bright flashes of pink, purple, and white flirt with shrubbery and blooming trees.

Have your lunch in the middle of Myers Park with a cocktail, you can even bring your dog, just keep him/her on a leash. The garden is free and available to the public most days during daylight hours. Before you go, call them at (704) 714-4400 to double-check the activities schedule. Hermitage Rd. is located at 400 Hermitage Rd.

The Best St. Patrick’s Day Recipes: Have Some Delicious Dishes

St. Patrick’s Day is all about having fun when Americans like to wear a green dress and eat something green. However, without the delicious Irish-inspired meals, you cannot think of celebrating Irish-inspired meals.

Do you like to have some flavor-packed meals with hearty root vegetables? Have you thought of making your dish more special with green cocktails? Find a list of some more flavorful recipes that you can try out on St. Patrick’s Day.

Corned Beef and Cabbage:

Take 20 minutes out of your busy schedule to prepare this great dish for your family. It is the best recipe to be paired up with sandwiches and grilled chicken.

Ingredients:

• 1 (2 -6 lb)corned beef brisket
• 1 teaspoonpeppercorn
• 2 dried bay leaves
• 1 -3 head freshcabbage
• 1 -12 medium red potatoes
• 1 (1 lb) bag fresh carrot
• fresh parsley
• real butter
• 1 fresh garlic clove
• 1 medium fresh sweet onion
• yellow mustard (to taste; optional)
• 1 loaf rye bread (traditional) or 1 loaf Irish soda
• Harp lager beer (optional)

How to Prepare:

• Use a large Dutch oven or stock pot that will hold everything all at once.
• Place the brisket (best side up) in the bottom of the pot.
• Add the spice packet or a teaspoonful of peppercorns and two bay leaves.
• Cover the brisket generously with water and a bottle of beer (optional – adds flavor and is a tenderizer).
• Bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 2 hours.
• Scrub and rinse the new red potatoes.
• Remove any eyes and bad spots.
• Leave as much of the peel as you can.
• Quarter them (halve or whole if tiny).
• Cover with water until ready for them.
• Remove the outer leaves from the cabbage until the leaves are entirely light green, rinse and cut it into quarters through the spine so they stay together. Set aside.
• Peel one carrot and cut it into quarters. Set aside.
• Peel the onion and cut it into eighths. Set aside.
• Rinse the bunch of fresh parsley and chop up just the tops into very tiny pieces.
• Add the potatoes on top of the brisket.
• Add water to cover everything.
• Bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Add the cabbage on top of the potatoes and add onion and carrot on top of the cabbage.
• Add water to cover everything.
• Bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Check the cabbage to see if it is tender. If not, simmer another 5 minutes. You shouldn’t undercook it and it’s hard to overcook it.

Soda Bread:

Try out this traditional Irish recipe on St. Patrick’s Day.

Ingredients:

• Flour (3 cups)
• Baking powder (2 tsp.)
• Light brown sugar (1/4 cups)
• Fine salt (1 tsp.)
• Unsalted butter (6 tbsp.)
• Baking soda (3/4 tsp.)
• Golden raisins (1/2 cup)
• Sour cream (1/2 cup)
• Caraway seeds (2 tsp.)
• Buttermilk (1 cup)

How to Prepare:

• Preheat your oven under a temperature level of about 375F. Blend the ingredients, like baking powder, sugar, flour, baking soda, butter, and salt.
• Add raisins, and caraway seeds.
• Make sure that you have properly blended sour cream and buttermilk.
• Stir the wet and dry ingredients to moisten the dry ones.
• Make a dough and turn it into a ball.
• Knead the dough and pat it to 1-inch thick circle. Then, cut out hearts (3 pieces) using a cutter.
• Beat egg and water (1 tablespoon)
• Apply it on your clover’s edges.
• Bake them until they are golden brown.

Learn About the African American Heritage in Rocky Mount, NC

A large part of the history of African American communities has not been penned down but passed down from one generation to another as oral history. Though many African Americans lived outside the main cities, they could always visit Douglas Block, a downtown hub for African American movie theatres, businesses, and others. This center fought unemployment and helped them get suitable job opportunities. These buildings have now been renovated and create a tremendous sense of pride and inspiration for the future African American generations.

Unknown Facts About the African American History of Rocky Mount

1. The individual who invited Dr. Martin Luther King Jr– Martin Luther King Jr. was invited by the Voter and the Improvement League. Though many people played a role bringing him to Rocky Mount, Rev. George Dudley was head of the Improvement League, who invited Martin Luther King to speak.
2. About the Leaf House workers– Tobacco leaf workers in eastern NC joined the unions in a large organizing campaign which was much more than a fight for labor rights. The purpose of the campaign was also to increase registration of African American voters. This way, the workers made their voices heard for civil rights through ‘unionism’, which was roughly a decade before the Montgomery bus boycott.
3. Ruth Braswell Jones as a leader and educator– Born in Rocky Mount, Ruth Braswell Jones made huge strides as an educational leader. She got her education degree from the Elizabeth City State Teacher’s College and her master’s from the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. More than her educational accomplishments, she went on to be the first and the only woman to be made President from 2 state educational associations. She was also the first Black woman from North Carolina who was elected to be part of the National Education Association’s Board of Directors. Additionally, she also became the first Afro American president of the Southeast Regional Association of Classroom Teachers.
4. Music trails of the African Americans– Those shopping around the Douglas Black region is likely to come across the statue of a piano. The instrument was placed to honor the beautiful jazzy tunes the Thelonius Monk, who was born in the Rocky Mount region. Many his beautiful tunes are available online. However, he wasn’t recognized much for his contribution to music when he was alive. Similarly, another person who made a mark in the world of music was gospel singer Luther Barnes, along with his family.
5. Visit the Booker T Washington Community Center– Several education and cultural opportunities to known about African American culture are available here throughout the year. A historic marker places outside mentions him delivering a speech in Rocky Mount that is believed to be the precursor to his speech called “I Have a Dream” In a park next to the Community Center, there are several informational paths, one of which is an informational trail about Dr Luther King.

Other than Rocky Mount, there are several other places to know about African American history in North Carolina. These are inclusive of the following:

• Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum, Historic Palmer Memorial Institute
• African American Heritage Walking Tour, New Bern
• St. Philips Moravian Church
• Oliver Nestus Freeman Round House Museum, Wilson.

Love is in the air, and for all couples planning a special surprise for their partners, there are a lot of places to help you out. If this year you have something up your sleeve, then here are 4 places to give your date a romantic twist.

1. Raleigh Outdoor Theatre:

Ditch the usual movie-going experience and opt for this one instead. Raleigh Outdoor Theatre has a promising avenue for all couples who would love to spend quality time with their partners. Open skies, a large screen in front, and your favorite movie playing in it, all these together make the whole experience romantic. For a novel and head in the clouds experience, you can surely try Raleigh’s outdoor theatre.

2. Barley and Burger:

It is yet another great joint in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. All those who would love to have a date night with good food shall opt for this place. Tots, hot dogs, beer, and burgers, quality at this joint is top notch. The place is small, but if quality and tasty food are what you crave, Barley and Burger is the perfect place. Located close to the sea, you can also head out for a romantic walk on the seashore after dinner and give a perfect end to the day.

3. Wine and Design:

Wine and Design is a perfect place to cuddle up with your partner. A unique way to make Valentine’s Day special, the whole concept is quite different from the rest. For starters, Wine and Design is a fun art experience.

Once you get to the place, you will be provided with canvases and paint brushes. A local artist will guide you while you create a masterpiece. Apart from that, people can also enjoy a glass of wine during their classes; a fun and enjoyable way of making the whole Valentine’s Day memorable.

4. La Rancherita Grill and Tequila Bar:

If Mexican food is what you love, then La Rancherita Grill and Tequila Bar is the place for you. From delicious fajitas to other sorts of Mexican delicacies, will surely make your day.

Everyone loves to drive their car and go on trips, but hardly do they think about keeping it and maintaining its performance. There are many things that need to be done on time to ensure your car’s consistent performance. First, you need to focus on things that keep it moving, i,e., tires. You cannot ignore the need for maintaining your tires’ health. Every day they run through harsh road conditions that can degrade their quality and lose balance. For this, it is essential to follow the tire rotation practices. It is the most neglected tire maintenance and care practice that makes a significant difference in the tire’s life. 

In this article, you will learn more about the importance of tire rotation and why you need to always prioritize it along with other care practices.

What is Tire Rotation?

Tire rotation is nothing but repositioning or changing the tire’s position to keep them in a balanced manner. It helps in preventing the problems that can arise due to tire health issues. It creates a balance between the tire position and the road angle. It not only saves you from the unexpected tire changing expenses but also ensures that your vehicle performs efficiently. 

Why Should you Rotate Tires Regularly?

Tire rotation practice is also followed by the manufacturer to maintain the validity of the tire warranty. It is enough to understand the significance of tire rotation in the tire’s health. Tire rotation helps keep the tire quality consistent across all the tires and balance the handling experience. Both front and rear tires have a different relationship with the road, so the tire rotation pattern must be set according to it. The lack of tire rotation can lead to problems that can be fatal for your car’s performance. Instead of changing the tire regularly, you can adopt tire rotation practice. 

The Best Patterns for Tire Rotation

The tire rotation pattern depends on the type of vehicle you have and tire condition. The following are some of the patterns of tire rotation.

Front-Wheel Drive

• X-Pattern: The front and rear tires of both the sides are switched
• Forward Cross: Rear right tire is switched to the front right tire and the same for the other side.
• Front to Rear: Interchanging of front and rear tires on the same sides.

Rear Wheel Drive

• Rearward Cross: The opposite of the forward cross, switches the front left tire to the rear right tire.

Different Sized Tires

• Side-to-Side: Rotates the right front to the left front and the same for the rear side.

Just follow the rule of thumb of rotating the tires every 3000-8000 miles without fail. Just keep a reminder to rotate tires when you go for an oil change. Check your owner’s manual to find the right tire rotation pattern for your vehicle. You can also consult the mechanic to learn more about the tire pattern.