Joyce here, your High Rock Lake Connector!

Recently, you may have seen the Your Rowan branded booth around town at various community events including the Cheerwine Festival, Pops at the Post, Salisbury Pride, Farmers Day, and more. Your Rowan Connectors and volunteers have been promoting goodwill about the amazing places and people that make Rowan County a great place to live, learn, work, and play. They are also encouraging folks to share their positive story or good news that build pride in Rowan.

I worked my first event with Your Rowan on July 13 at Morgan Ridge Vineyards and Brewhouse in Gold Hill, NC for the second annual Boogie for Boobies fundraiser on behalf of Pledge The Pink Foundation.

I was eager to meet lots of new people, Rowan County residents, and talk about all the positive things happening in Rowan and how the Your Rowan campaign came about.

What I experienced was much more! Positive vibes radiate in our county! We have a ton to be proud of from arts and food, to parks and attractions, and of course festivals such as the upcoming Rowan Chamber Dragon Boat Festival set for July 27 that brings more than three thousand attendees to High Rock Lake.

When I arrived to the event, Tommy Baudoin, owner of Morgan Ridge, was managing the car parking area, and Manager Kim Love was directing attendees to the check-in table and giving new visitors the lay of the land. This is certainly a welcoming establishment whether you are known by first name or are a first-time visitor.

 

Boogie for Boobies Fundraiser

 

I felt a sense of community, fun, and a readiness to have great food, locally crafted wine and beer, and enjoy music from Too MUCH Sylvia, playing their own Carolina beach tunes and many well-known covers. The band helped celebrate a few birthdays, a wedding anniversary, and ultimately got folks up on their feet, dancing and shagging. I still don’t know how to shag. Luckily, there were many who did and did it quite well; from a novice perspective anyway.

 

Joyce with Too MUCH Sylvia

 

 

Rowan Has It Going On – Say Outsiders

Rowan County was proudly represented, but so was EIGHT other counties! Of course, I anticipated a few individuals from our neighboring counties – Cabarrus, Iredell, and Davidson, but as people were chatting and signing up for the newsletter and learning more about Your Rowan, I noticed that this event attracted folks from Gaston, Buncombe, Randolph, Guilford, and Haywood counties. The general feedback was, “wow, Rowan has it going on.” Yes, yes, we do!

I met some great ladies of Pink Cares Piedmont who brought along a sweet ride, a pink firetruck from Apex, NC. They are dedicated to provide assistance to individuals battling with life changing illnesses. If you donate to this great cause, you get to sign your name on the pink truck!

 

Pink Cares Piedmont

 

Pink Ladies of Pink Cares Piedmont

 

Morgan Ridge Vineyards & Brewhouse – And Event Venue

Amy and Tommy, owners of Morgan Ridge, were casually sitting out on the veranda listening to music and greeting guests and friends during the concert. If you’ve been Morgan Ridge Vineyards before, you have likely been greeted by one of the Weimaraners, who are featured on many of the wine bottle labels.

 

Amy Baudoin, owner of Morgan Ridge Vineyards

 

This was the second annual Boogie for Boobies fundraiser combining music, food, craft beer and wine, and a charity. Amy mentioned that they were expecting between 250-300 attendees this year and the house was full, with lots of lawn seats filled along the perimeter. The charitable silent auction was a success noting several items from the Carolina Panthers, Richard Petty Driving Experience (my friend from Denver won that), and NASCAR Hall of Fame passes.

“We schedule a monthly event like tonight’s program from April through October. It showcases our products, the facility as an event venue, and of course Chef Jason’s talents,” said Amy. “Every other Friday, Chef hosts a lunch and learn where he features local produce and how to incorporate our wines and beer into the recipes. It’s fun, informative, and the attendees have a good time. We even have a handful of regulars,” continued Amy.

Hands down – it was a great night for charity, community, and live music in Rowan County. Now, I may have to learn how to shag!