News & Events

Fourth annual Discover Anson Bike Ride is Nov. 7

     The fourth annual Discover Anson Bike Ride will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7, in conjunction with the Ansonville's Homecoming Celebration.
     Registration will begin at 8 a.m. at Ansonville Elementary School, located on U.S. 52 across the highway from the Ansonville Volunteer Fire Department. The entry fee is $25 per rider ($20 if registered by Oct. 16). For a printable registration form, click here.
     The bike ride will begin at 9 a.m. Bicyclists will be able to choose a 30-, 50- or 70-mile route that offers a scenic tour through the rolling countryside of Anson County, including the Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge and the Uwharrie foothills. Cyclists will find the northwestern area the most challenging – with moderate-to-steep rolling terrain.
     After the ride, cyclists are invited to check out the Ansonville Homecoming Celebration's line-up of crafts and entertainment, enjoy the 3 p.m. parade on U.S. 52 and try the Ansonville Volunteer Fire Department's barbecued chicken and pork entrees.
     The Discover Anson Bike Ride is co-sponsored by the Anson County Chamber of Commerce and the Anson County Tourism Development Authority.
     For more information, visit www.ansoncounty.org, www.discoveranson.com, e-mail info@discoveranson.com, or call the Anson County Chamber of Commerce at 704.694.4181.

Pee Dee National Wildlife featured in Fox8 'Cheap Trip' video

     Brad Jones, a videographer with WGHP-Fox8 in the Greensboro-High Point media market, recently featured the Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge in a one-minute, 40-second "Cheap Trips" segment.
     Jones rode with J.D. Bricken, Refuge manager, while filming points of interest -- to include Gaddy's Covered Bridge, Sullivan Pond, Pee Dee River, Brown Creek, and lots of tree-lined back roads.
     Jones wrote about his interview with Bricken,leading off his article with "At first glance, there's not a lot to see at Pee Dee National Wildlife Refuge, but a closer look reveals an entire ecosystem waiting to be explored."
     He goes on to explain that the 8,400 acres is a sanctuary for migratory waterfowl and that the Refuge is a home to endangered species. He writes that the Refuge is open year-round to visitors who may want to fish or just tour the natural wonders of the Refuge.
     To view the Fox8 video by Jones, click here. For more information about the Refuge, call 704.694.4424 or visit www.fws.gov/peedee/.

Summer Jams scheduled July 3 and Aug. 7 in Wadesboro

     Uptown Wadesboro Inc. (UWI) has scheduled two more Summer Jam programs for the first Friday in July and August.
     The Summer Jam schedule:

  • July 3 -- Salem Bound of Wadesboro (runner-up in the Battle of the Bands II), Delta Progressions of Charlotte and Through Porchlights of Rock Hill, S.C., will be the featured bands. Each band will entertain the audience for approximately an hour. The concerts will be held at Ray Shelton Ball Field, Camden Road, Wadesboro, beginning at 7 p.m. A fireworks display in celebration of Independence Day is scheduled to begin at 10:15 p.m.

  • Aug. 7 -- Cross Up Blues Band from Ansonville will be featured. The concert will be held from 7-10 p.m. on East Wade Street (between Washington and Lee streets) in historic uptown Wadesboro.

     The Summer Jam concerts are free. The Summer Jam presenters are Dr. Charles Casher and Dr. Richard Dest of Wadesboro Family Dentistry.
     For more information, call 704.695.1644 or visit www.uptownwadesboro.com.

View of Griffin Hill Lodge and lake

Griffin Hill Lodge offers hideaway

     Nestled in the rolling terrain of southwestern Anson County, the Griffin Hill Lodge has long been known locally for its idyllic lakeside setting for corporate outings, weddings and family reunions.
     Owned by Al and Phyliss Griffin, the lodge was constructed with lumber from trees that were felled when Hurricane Hugo cut a destructive swath across the county in 1989. It took only two huge poplar trees to do the inside; the exterior is of pine. Originally designed as a preserve and a corporate hideaway, Griffin Hill soon emerged as a secluded site for other events -- such as church services, wedding and baby showers, and baptisms.
Bridal party leaving island     The pine-lined lakeshore allows easy access for bank fishing (bream, bass and some catfish), bird-watching (Canada geese and egrets), swimming and canoeing. A small island, connected to shore by a boardwalk, is a favorite spot for the bride and groom to repeat their wedding vows; or for some quiet meditation or reading.
     The lodge is highlighted by three picture window panes, salvaged from a razed building in Charlotte, that gives the visitor a panoramic view of the lake and the surrounding woods. A porch allows for evening get-togethers for tall tales and friendly camaraderie.
Relaxation with a view     Inside, the lodge offers a living room nook with sofas, chairs, a television set and a stereo system. Adjacent to the living room area, is a play area that includes a full-sized billiards table.
     The lodge can accommodate 14 overnight visitors with triple-stacked bunk beds, double bunk beds and two bathrooms with showers. The lodge also comes with a commercial-sized kitchen to prepare in-house breakfasts and suppers.
     The interior walls are decorated with an assortment of vintage farm tools, a hornets' nest (unoccupied), antlers from white-tailed bucks taken by Griffin family members, and two impressive fanned turkey tails.
     The family-oriented lodge is located 60 miles southeast of Charlotte and is available for events by calling 704.694.5086 or e-mailing griffinteamnc@yahoo.com.