By AUDREY ROBINSON

For this issue, we have the opportunity to envision interesting sights and travel as recorded by Lee and Dottie J. Fahrner.

On July 27-30, Lee and Dottie Fahrner went with the Northern Neck Bus Tour to Charlotte, N.C.  They toured Misty Meadows Mitey Riders Farm, a therapeutic horse farm of some 20 horses for about 60 children who have a variety of handicaps; all services are free. The next tour was of Waxhaw, which consisted of a driving tour of historic sites and visiting the Waxhaw Museum. The museum has a monument marking the birthplace of our seventh president Andrew Jackson placed there by the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1910. The placement of this monument supposedly marks the exact site of the cabin where Jackson was born. (Although those from South Carolina, who claim he was born in their state, would dispute it.)

The Waxhaw community was named after Waxhaw Indians. The next stop on the tour was Terranova Farm and Howie Gold Mine. Tour-goers enjoyed a boxed picnic lunch at Cane Creek Park. Next on the agenda was a tour of Scott Safety Plant, a Tyco business, manufacturer of safety equipment, especially face gear for firemen. The Tyson Complex (Cox Bros.) is a large commodity grain operation. The tour group had dinner at the Union County Agricultural Center where Pat Kahil, president of the Union County Chamber of Commerce, presented an interesting talk on Union County.

The tour group went to Fence Row Farm in Marshville, N.C., where the owner raises registered Gelbvieh and Balanger bulls. Next stop was at H&H Farm Machine Company in Monroe, N.C. that included a guided tour of the plant specializing in all size farm sprayers. Lunch was terrific at the Farmer’s Market. Dry Fork Creek Farm catered the lunch made with all local produce. Then it was on to Latham’s Nursery, Inc., in Unionville, N.C., where beautiful flowers and shrubs are shipped by truck to garden centers.  Next the group went to Carroll Edwards Wood Products in Marshville, a huge wood/lumber plant. The business began in 1969 making 300 to 400 pallets per week. Now they make 125,000 per week in order to keep up with orders.   That night the group was treated to dinner at the Holiday Inn sponsored by Colonial Farm Credit, Monrovia Farm, and Pioneer Seed.

AUDREY ROBINSON is the community correspondent for Raines Tavern. She can be reached at Audrey.robinson@farmvilleherald.com.