Weldon: A bit of new and old Rocky and Jail

Preserving Weldon's oldest standing building formerly used as a Jail, School House, Library and Boy Scout meeting place.

The Day of the Blue Heron at Weldon, NC

I chuckled, as I listened to my 42 year old son Elliot’s response to my talk about aging and at some point changing his lifestyle. Sympathetic and kind, Elliot replied, “Aunty Sandra and you make it sound so depressing.”

When I reflected on my son's statement, particularly the term “depressing” I thought about it and concluded that it was not my intent to make aging sound depressing because at least for me. My former and present life experiences are far from depressing, and if anything, I start each day excited about another opportunity to enjoy an abundant life and anticipate, what I call, new unexpected experiences.

During my younger years I aggressively anticipated and created new exciting experiences but today, I allow the unexpected experiences to excite me.

Never in my young wildest dreams (which I had many in my youth) did I think that I would be interested in photographing wildlife or even charmed into watching and taking pictures of rarely seen birds, such as the Blue Heron.

Most of my experiences with taking photos of the gawky looking Blue Heron had always been at a distance until one day, this shy bird made a visit, approximately 20 feet from where I stood on the Roanoke River Dock.

It was midday, close to 90 degrees and the day promised a long humid sticky day of fishing, as I planned to take my usual bike ride to the Roanoke River with three fishing rods in one hand, tightly grasping the handle bars, a pail on the other side on the handle bars for balance and with a tackle bag and cameras strapped to a rear rack.

Routinely, I’d go to the river to relax or fish for Striped Bass and talk with residents and tourists. But today was unusual because all I could think about and wanted to do was to catch a bucket full of big heavy weight Catfish. The more I thought about the unbearable heat, humidity and especially the Roanoke River’s slippery, muddy shore where I’d have to fish for catfish and finding my way down a deep sloping path.

The more I thought about my age and the possibility of slipping and falling or being confronted by snakes.

Nor would I be fishing from the safety of fishing from the dock where I’d stand in direct sunlight and bake for as long as I could take it and drinking gallons of water to fight off dehydration. No, today I was heading for the slippery, muddy, bug and snake infested dark hidden Roanoke River shoreline, where the big catfish hid under fallen trees and huge rocky crevices.

Cutoff from all the usual and expected noise of people, cars and freight trains blasting its horn as it pass through the small town of Weldon, and it was here on the river’s dark hidden shoreline that the unexpected happened for the second time.

The shy elusive Blue Heron, seemingly visited with me once again, after he posed momentarily for a picture at the rivers dock. Sure fishing for catfish was a success.

But it got better; because this time I had time to video the Blue Heron feeding on small fish just a few feet from where I quietly crouched to enjoy yet another unexpected life experience. I felt like a little boy exploring in the woods, searching and discovering a  new type of bug under leaves and rocks. Adrenalin pumped fiercely through my veins as I used every inch of discipline to observe the unexpected unfold before my eyes. Watch the video below.

As an ethnography researcher, it's my job to collect data over a period of time by a method called observation/participation in order to understand and write about how and why or if Weldon's culture is changing as a result of the town's community development program. Effective community development provides ethnographers the  opportunity to use bragging rights to help brand, promote and market every community activity that will attract people to the community. 

Weldon offers many different experiences such as the Blue Heron for tourist to enjoy and it is conveniently and strategically located five minutes off I-95 for families, sports fisherman, historical buffs, canoe and Kyack enthusiast to take time to smell the roses, and experience the unexpected from “The Rockfish Capital of the World.”

Why Weldon Rockfish Capital of the World is a Fantastic Idea

Sitting near my apt window, working at my computer, I have a birds-eye view of who and when visitors stop to photograph the largest Striped Bass Sculpture in the U.S. See video below:

Weldon's idea as "The Rockfish Capital of the World" fits perfectly into the “top five destination states in terms of days of fishing by nonresidents” which are North Carolina, Minnesota, Florida, Wisconsin and New York.


Second, “Fishing is one of the most popular forms of outdoor recreation in the United States (Cordell et al.1999). Estimates of the rate of participation and number of persons 16 years and older participating range from 17% or 35.2 million to 29% or 57.9 million (USDOI and USDOC 1997; Cordell et al.1999).”


“Reasons for the popularity of fishing other outdoor activities include its relatively low cost and lack of physical demands. Nationally, there were 29.6 million paid fishing license holders in 1999, up slightly from 1997 (29.3 million) (ASA 2001).”
“Tourism is the third largest retail industry (behind automotive and food) in the United States, generating an estimated $502 billion in expenditures in 1997. Tourism is either the first, second, or third largest employer in 32 states.”


Finally, sports fishing can help to reduce poverty in Weldon, that’s if the community gets hooked on Weldon’s future in community development plans and interact with local leaders and get involved in volunteering and attending Town Hall, Community Watch and STEP Committee Meetings.
The term "if" is a small word but carries a huge weight that pertains to taking responsibility, accountability and other necessary conditions that will challenge most of us living in the Weldon community.


This resident/participating ethnography researcher/writer believes that a community that prays together, works together and shares their voices together will indeed progress together and reap benefits. Now is the time to let OUR voices to be heard beginning this spring and commit to attend more Weldon meeting and events that will lead to quality of life and prosperity.


The word "We" is another powerful word that carries a huge weight and outweighs words like "them, they" that create social negative attitudes, detached behavior, division and separatism. We are in the same pot of soup together. So we need to BELIEVE that WE can do this together!

Weldon Roanoke River: Boater Calls for Help

Today, approximately 4pm, a man called for rescue while fishing on the Roanoke River. Down river from the Weldon River Falls Park boat ramp, witnesses said “his boat began taking on water.” No one knew exactly how many people were in the boat but no one was hurt.
The Weldon’s Police Dept., Halifax County Sherriff, Gaston Fire & Rescue and Wildlife Preserve Officers were on the scene within minutes of the rescue call.
A crowd of onlookers swelled at the scene, as rescue boats towed the man and his boat to shore, probably because they hadn’t seen this much real life action and excitement in a long time. One other positive note with the economy as it is today, is watching small rural communities work so well together. It's truly a wonderful sight to behold.
See pictures video and pictures of the rescue scene below.

Weldon Attracts Kyacs: Not Only a Shad Shootout

It was a beautiful day for not only enthusiastic anglers of all ages that attracted 39 registered anglers and many locals who fish for the fun of it but our mighty river attracted more than a dozen bold and brave kayak enthusiasts who battled the Roanoke River Rapids with all their strength and skill.

I had a birds eye view perched on river rocks that would otherwise be below water. So I jumped at the opportunity of a lifetime to capture two videos of the fast paced, dangerous and exciting action. I hope you enjoy the video below.

Produced by Michael Smith (Qualitative Participatory Ethnography Research)
Feel free to copy pictures or download videos because this site is dedicated to sharing information and we appreciate your comments.

Rocky Visitors Get Hooked on Weldon NC Rockfish Capital of the World

Social design is a process that provides opportunities for improving quality of life and livelihood. Indeed Weldon, NC, Rockfish Capital of the World has visitors flocking to photograph Rocky, a star attraction because Rocky is one of the largest Striped Bass sculptures in America. The video below shows only a few of the many visitors attracted to Weldon produced by Michael Smith (Independent Digital Qualitative Ethnographer).

We welcome comments, questions or feedback below.

Breaking the world reading record

by Michael

National acclaimed non-profit NCFL Literacy Now campaign seeks to break a world reading record by reading to a child on October 6, 2011 along with the Pearson Foundation Initiative who provide a free e-book “Llama Llama Red Pajama” as a part of the campaign. Go to this link:  http://www.wegivebooks.org/pf/rftr/ for a free (PDF)download of the e-book.


Small rural towns with big ideas have an opportunity to connect with larger a literacy organization to help promote literacy awareness and free e-book downloads to promote their own programs.


Weldon NC Librarian LaTarsha Thomas-Debro says, “according to researched statistics, boys read less than girls” and “boys need to reach their potential in reading achievement scores.” Just this past week she launched “Boys Really Read” monthly program that aims to recruit men to help boys develop the habit of reading more.


Think about the opportunities, advantages and benefits that could transpire by connecting, participating and collaborating with a national non-profit education organization that has mobilized “adults and children to close the early education achievement gap by setting a reading world record” and “allows Americans to demand that all children receive the quality early education they deserve.”

This is an opportunity for all parents and adults to read to a child on October 6, 2011.
I’m interested and want to know how many parents or adults, particularly mothers who will take part in this campaign.


If you plan to participate by reading to a child, please show me by “Like” this post.
Stay tuned for results ... if you have any questions post them.
Contact Information for NCFL http://www.readfortherecord.org/

Joined rural prayer protest

A librarian joined hands with Weldon NC mayor, residents, church leaders, prayer warriors and educators who hit the streets walking to revisit and pray about/for a neighborhood where rising rates of gun violence within the past 90 days have resulted in numerous deaths.

Photo rrspin

Unlike "Bridge over Troubled City"shared by colleague (Rachel Signor) people were "arrested" after the crowds "bottle-necked" traffic to a standstill. A small group of people prayerfully, quietly and peacefully expressed their emotions without chaos and outrageous drama like the Civil Rights Leader Martin Luther King did, who had a dream for change.

Photo Rachel Signor

A small rural town with a population of approximately 1700 have a dream to take back their community from the devastating affect of poverty and young misguided individuals who respond to extreme poverty and other social problems by resorting to violent behavior.


Whether we are talking about Brooklyn NY or rural Weldon NC. Poverty and social injustices will become worse before they get better, unless there is a change.


You be the judge, which approach will lead to change?

Getting Hooked on Weldon means Quality and progress

Calvin Benjamin (red shirt)

Benjamin cast, hooked and pulled in a "elite" furniture designer and one of America's top "living room "decor" specialist. Ashley  Furniture Manufacturing is coming to town, folks.

According to Forbes Ashley Furniture ranked as, “#149 America’s Largest Private Company” and PRNewswire Business Media  ranked them as “No. 1 on List of Top 100 U.S. Furniture Stores.” This is quality furniture, not discount put together and wonder if it will fall apart.

Benjamin plans to open soon in August, so come and visit his showroom located on the corner of Washington Avenue and Hwy 158 West. Watch the following Ashley video showing their "elite" designed furniture and "decor."

(more .. Ashley Furniture)

Author: Michael Smith

Weldon, NC What’s New (Part 1)

Who benefits from the "NC Step Program"


Stepping up to the plate, African American entrepreneurs purchase or lease empty and deserted business properties. Transforming downtown from a ghost town appearance to a colorful array of specialty shops serving the community.

What's all the fuss about?:
 "For two months in the spring of 1929, a group of African American grocery store owners in Winston-Salem organized public lectures, meetings, exhibits, and food tastings that attracted large audiences and national attention. What was all the fuss about?"  

Tolbert, Lisa. (2007, January 1). Colored Merchants Association. NCpedia. Retrieved July 17, 2011 from http://ncpedia.org/industry/colo-m

Carrying the same entrepreneurship spirit, Mr. Calvin Benjamin said,(red shirt) he plans to open "Benjamin’s Furniture" in the very near future. 

Located on the corner of Washington Ave and Highway 158 West, replacing former Heilig-Meyers Furniture.

More Businesses prep to open

Stay Tuned!
Author: Michael Smith (Ethnographer)

Dowser: Solutions that work

When we stop, only thinking about ourselves, wants and needs and start thinking about how we can help others. Who's solving what problems, especially in rural America. We just might experience real change in the way we value other human beings. read more .. Mini Case Study: How to resurrect a social service cut by tight government budgets | Dowser

Think & Work Smarter not harder

This post is for all you hard working business minded woman, in Weldon NC who have recently opened a new small  business or those veterans, who have owned and operated a business for some time, doing your best to help revitalize downtown Weldon. Bravo! Hats off to these ladies and hubbies who support them.








Partnering and collaborating with other (like) businesses, using online resources and word of mouth networking, allows for more thought provoking ideas to expand a small business and helped women entrepreneurs to work smarter in the 21st Century.
For example, Susan T. Spencer was the “first and only woman general manager of an NFL team” and became “accustomed to playing in the big leagues with men. In
the 1980s, she was vice president, legal counsel and acting general manager of
the Philadelphia Eagles football team.”
But that is not where she started. Susan made clothes for herself and friends but shocked and discouraged. She said, “when I counted my money. She had less than she started with.”
So, what does she do? You guessed it, she began to think and work smarter.
She found a small clothing manufacturer who was an immigrant, made a deal with him to make her clothing line in quantity at a lower cost. He agreed and the rest of the story is history and about more partnering, networking and using the web as a resource to find like business willing to work with you and a tool that is right at your finger tips.
The web is like a bushel of ideas and we can learn from one another’s ideas on the web and apply them to your business.