In the 1980’s, a group of local residents met with the intent of beautifying their town. They named the group Better Badin.

But Better Badin soon found itself caught up in more than beautification. Controversy, politics and a decision that would alter the town forever overtook their initial intent.

Seeking relief from a rising crime rate and realizing the need for a town police force, this small group became   instrumental in the 1990  incorporation of Badin.

In 1994, with the town government and police department well established, the group turned its attention to promoting the town. David Summerlin and Bill Speight proposed a festival to be named Best of Badin that would operate  under the auspices of Better Badin. In the fall of that year rain ruined the first try, but in later years the festival became the town’s big event, attracting thousands to Badin’s downtown.

Today, the group continues its efforts to beautify and promote the town. The leadership has changed, getting a little younger each year, but the unique format remains the same.

Unlike most civic organizations that often require membership dues and conduct structured meetings, Better Badin only meets the standards required by its incorporated status. It has a duly elected board of officers.

Beyond that, Better Badin is unique in that no membership is required and meetings are strictly informal. The philosophy is ‘turn up when you want to, speak when you please, and for heaven’s sake volunteer for something. We always need the help.’

Better Badin meets at 7 PM on the second Monday of every month at Badin Town Hall. Everyone is welcome.

Best of Badin Festival Draws Big Crowds to Badin’s Downtown

This month you’ll find a letter attached to the print edition of the Badin Villager. Please take the time to read it. Many of you are already working on the points the letter lists as ways to help the town prosper. Whether owner, renter, resident or friend of Badin, it benefits all of us to see our town flourish, and the town can only overcome the challenges it faces if we pull together as a community. It  can’t be done overnight, but we can and will make this a vibrant town, a source of pride, a place to brag about. Let’s start with the little actions suggested in the letter.  A journey of a thousand miles begins with one small step.  Bridget Huckabee, Editor

Badin Duplex, Henderson Street

Every day, spring through fall, a band of dedicated volunteers waters the flower pots that line the pavement in Badin’s downtown. Every fall, on a special workday before the Best of Badin Festival, this small army clips shrubbery, spreads pine straw and plants mums around the Town Hall, the Library and the Museum.

Badin is that kind of community where residents pitch in to make the town beautiful. But a lot of those volunteers are aging and their younger replacements lead busy lives filled with work and family.

Better Badin, the organization that pioneered this community work force, finds it increasingly difficult to recruit the Flower Pot Brigade,  the Festival work crew, or volunteers to run the Best of Badin Festival.

“Better Badin was started to bring the community together,” says Elvin Fisher, former Badin School Principal and former Better Badin president. “The Festival was initiated to unite us even more, to give us something to be proud of.”

Today, with a $250,000 grant from the Alcoa Foundation, east and west Badin are sprucing up with new trees. Renovation is underway on the facades of businesses along Falls Road. But without  volunteers to keep the flowers watered and the shrubbery trimmed, and without residents to keep their own neighborhoods tidy, all the grant money and Better Badin committees dedicated to helping Badin may fail to make this unique town what it has the potential to be.

Volunteerism, community spirit and community pride was what Badin had in its past, what it still has now and what it needs to nurture for its future.

It’s spring and the outdoors beckons and Badinites need look no farther than their own back yard. All around us, folded into the Uwharries, bordered by the Yadkin/Pee Dee River, is a quiet oasis for hikers, fishermen, boaters, canoeists and kayakers.

For the ultimate adventure, take a ‘night of the full moon’ kayak trip through dreamlike stretches of the Falls Reservoir. Laze by your own campfire on the slopes of Morrow Mountain. Ramp up the pace and water ski on Lake Tillery or Badin Lake, bicycle along  a Scenic Byway or hike a trail through the serene forests of Morrow Mountain.

Badin Lake, with its swimming areas, boat landings, picnic areas, and abundance of wildlife, is an ideal place for the outdoor enthusiastic. Bait a line and compete for that big one with ospreys, great blue herons and bald eagles.

Looking for a little more civilized pursuit? Try a round of golf on the Badin course and finish with a quiet drink on a terrace overlooking the rolling hills that encompass the town. 

Kayaking Under the Narrows Dam

www.visitbadin.com

Badin now has a blog site where residents and friends of Badin can communicate their thoughts on life in our small town. You’ll find the Badin Villager, breaking news, a photo gallery, local history, an occasional video, and links to other local sites. Your   comments are welcome.       

Subscriptions to the Villager

Do you know an ex-Badinite, or an out-of-town friend or a relative who would like to receive the Badin Villager? Subscriptions are now available. Send a check to publisher William Harwood at     P. O. Box 682, Badin, NC 28009.  A one year subscription of 12    copies is $12.00. 

Visit Your Local Museums

If you haven’t visited the town’s museum complex now is the time to do so. See a time-line of Badin history, rare photos of dam construction, the old fire truck, and a quadraplex as it was in 1915.  Museums are open Sun. from 2 pm to 5 pm and Tues. from 9 am to noon and 1 pm to 3 pm.