For an Englishwoman who grew up surrounded by villages first recorded in 1086 AD, Badin’s history is less than the blink of an eye. Within a hundred years this tiny town on the banks of the Yadkin River has risen and fallen and risen again. The Badin Bulletin   followed by the Badin Villager has met the same fate. But here we are again with our free monthly publication of community news, pleased to bring you another first edition. Articles will highlight local events, local history, school news, teen news, real estate news, library news and more. Your comments are welcome. 

Bridget Huckabee, Editor

From a facelift for the Town Hall to sidewalk repair and replacement, Badin is sprucing up its commercial district. Trees will line the street  making the Falls Road entrance to the town an inviting place for residents and tourists alike.

An economic development  grant of $250,000 from the Alcoa Foundation, administered by the North Carolina Rural Development Center grant administrator Art Jackson, has enabled Badin to make these much-needed improvements.

“Everything is taking place within the business district,” says Town Manager Jay Almond. “We would have been unable to do this without the grant.”

Part of the grant enables  private businesses to enhance or restore their facades with a matching grant of $5,000.

Over a decade ago residents began attending meetings to discuss improving Badin. Many ideas were put forward by the then Yadkin/Pee Dee Lakes Project, but progress stalled through lack of funding.  Badin made the decision to work with the Small Town Main Street Program, a Division of Community Assistance under the auspices of the North Carolina Department of Commerce. Residents and town officials met on a monthly basis for two years under the guidance of staff members.

In 2009, at a community  ‘Charrette’ or wrap-up session, local and county officials, Stanly County Chamber of Commerce officials and local residents solidified the project.

Work began in January 2010 on the Town Hall should be completed before spring.

“So that Badin residents can be proud—brag a little,” says Almond.

Scouting has long been an important part of Badin’s history. With the acquisition of showcases donated by the estate of the late Bill Love, the Badin Historic Museum now has a place to display memorabilia from this part of its history.

“With some tender loving care and casters on their feet, the cases are ready to roll,” says museum chairman David Summerlin.

The timing is perfect as February 8, 2010 marks the centennial of scouting in America. Started in England in 1907-8 by General Robert Baden-Powell, and based on military scouting in the British army, the concept of scouting for boys quickly caught on and today 185 countries boast boy scout organizations. The museum is currently looking for more scouting memorabilia and is especially interested in finding a girl scout uniform from 1940 or 1950.

Badin is hoping to revitalize Troop 42, and any interested boys or girls can call Paul Hinkle at 704-422-5080. To donate memorabilia, call Badin Museum at 704-422-6900 or David Summerlin at 704-422-3713.

Vanessa Mullinix bubbles with enthusiasm when she talks about Badin’s future. Ideas tumble out for future projects.  Her dream is to bring the community together to helpBadin reach its potential. Currently the treasurer of Better Badin, Mullinix , with the help of Better Badin president Torry Revels and other Badin fans, has lined up a series of events starting with the Poor Man’s Supper on Saturday, February 20, 2010 at Badin Fire Department from 4 PM to 7 PM. There’s a yard sale in the Alcoa parking lot in the spring, the triathalon in June, the festival in the fall and the Christmas Program in December. Other events are in the works. “All these events are about good fellowship, about meeting your neighbors,” says Mullinix. Call her at 704-985-2151.