Archie Phillips, who has been in taxidermy for 50 years, pulls fish out of bubble wrap to display in his booth on Thursday in the Surry Community College gym.

Animal art

Taxidermy takes center stage at SCC

DOBSON — On Thursday Surry Community College opened its campus to lions, tigers and bears. Well, not so many lions and tigers, but bears at least. Of the preserved and mounted variety.
The taxidermy mini-course will be taking place Thursday, Friday and Saturday. One of the popular components is the taxidermy competition. Also, there will be classes offered all three days as well as a suppliers’ exhibit set up in the gym.

The state vs. Donald Raevon Brown
Murder case in jury’s hands

DOBSON — Carolyn Brown’s son, Jeremy, wept on his aunt’s shoulder outside the superior courtroom shortly after 5 p.m. Thursday. The jury had been sent home for the night and a decision in the trial of Donald Brown in his mother’s beating death nearly four years ago would have to wait at least one more day.
Donald Raevon Brown, 47, faces charges of first-degree murder and first-degree rape in the Aug.15, 2004, death of his 41-year-old wife. His trial began Monday afternoon in Surry Superior Court.

Residents say no to city pay raises

Cutting out any cost-of-living salary increases for city employees was the favored method of tweaking Mount Airy’s next budget by those speaking at a public forum Thursday evening.
Five local residents commented on the 2008-2009 spending plan, which must be approved by the end of June. Each urged the city council to rein in spending to keep water and property tax bills from rising.

Joe Lamp’l www.joegardener.com

Growing a love of gardening the real prize

To Surry Messenger Readers: I wrote this story for my syndicated column last spring when Rachel was in third grade. I hope you enjoy. JL

It finally happened. My oldest daughter brought home a cabbage seedling from school the other day, along with a challenge to see which student can grow the biggest cabbage by the end of spring!

Airport expansion a safety concern for representative

Securing state funding for a $14 million expansion project at the Mount Airy/Surry County airport is among the top priorities for the county’s representative in the state House. It’s a push also being waged at the local level for county funds.

Hospice seeking art for its new home

DOBSON — Since construction of the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home started last October, Mountain Valley Hospice has been busy trying to design the inside of the new home slated to open this coming October.

Two facing drug charges

WESTFIELD — Two Westfield residents are facing drug trafficking charges after sheriff’s deputies searched their home Wednesday evening.

East Surry’s Ashley Carter steals second as Alleghany’s Leah Bugielski tries to tag her out. The Cardinals host Chatham Central tonight in the second round of the state playoffs.

Sliding into second

• Local schools win first games of state playoffs
A spot in the state high school softball Sweet 16 is on the line tonight for two area schools.

Eagles advance in baseball playoffs

DOBSON — Surry Central’s baseball team is on a roll.
As the fourth seed from the Mountain Valley Conference, the Golden Eagles play league foe Starmount tonight with a trip to the regional semifinals on the line.

Golf tournament next week

PILOT MOUNTAIN — The third annual Cardinal Cup Golf Tournament will be held next Friday at Pilot Knob Golf Course.

All conference track squads announced

The Mountain Valley Conference announced its track and field honors Tuesday. Surry Central and North Surry were well represented.