Lindsey Golden​ & Vernon Furr

Lindsey: Nonprofit
Vernon: Environmental Health & Safety

Native of
Lindsey: Parkersburg, WV
Vernon: Stanly County, NC

Industry: Nonprofit​ & Environmental Health & Safety

Lindsey Golden and her husband, Vernon Furr, came to Salisbury by way of Charlotte, where Lindsey went to college. Salisbury offered a house that they loved that they call their “cute, fixer-upper” and closer proximity to Vernon’s work.

Lindsey admits she was hesitant to leave a big city but says that taking time to get to know their new community has made all the difference. “We love that Rowan County has a small-community vibe with easy access to big cities like Greensboro, Charlotte, and Winston-Salem. Salisbury is centrally located to a lot of places which makes it easy to get out and visit other areas” they say.

“Salisbury has grown on me,” says Vernon. “It has enough of a city feel for Lindsey and enough of a rural feel for me.” In fact, Lindsey is now encouraging her mom to move here from West Virginia, taking her to the Saturday morning Farmers’ Market, the downtown “mom and pop” businesses, and the Rowan Museum for an introduction to local history. She recommends that newcomers park on Innes Street in Salisbury, walk the downtown area, and visit the new Bell Tower Green Park to get a feel for what Salisbury-Rowan is all about.

They advise newcomers to get involved and to volunteer. They are active in the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professional Club, and Vernon is a volunteer with the Ellis Crossroads Fire Department, having attended firefighter school at Rowan Cabarrus Community College. Lindsey says that social media keeps them informed and they always find something going on in the county.

Lindsey travels throughout the state as Advocacy Manager for the state Alzheimer’s Association, and they participate in Walk to End Alzheimer’s events. There are 17 fund-raising walks in the state. She has a degree in International Studies from Queens University of Charlotte.

They see the county slogan, Be an Original, ™ as an opportunity “to be yourself and there is plenty of encouragement to do that in Rowan County.”

Their favorite restaurant is Osaka, where they have found the family ownership inviting. “Every time we go there, no matter how busy they are, they are so kind,” Lindsey says. 

Dan Nicholas Park is their favorite outdoor space. They introduced themselves to the park when their four young nieces and nephews of various ages and interests visited on a weekend. The park offered something to keep all of them entertained. “It’s a really great space with lots of options,” Lindsey says. The park will always hold a special place in their hearts. “We got engaged there at the Gem Mine,” they say.

Lindsey loves anything fall related so the park’s big Autumn Jubilee on the first weekend in October is their favorite event in Rowan County. 

“Our county feels like it is growing, improving, and offering residents more,” they say. “It is very nice to live somewhere that feels like the community is being invested in.”