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  • Hinnant Family Vineyard

    Hinnant Family Vineyards Dan Valley Dot Com 1

    This is a neat vineyard located in Pine Level, NC. Pine Level is about three miles east of Smithfield and about thirty miles east south east of Raleigh.

    Hinnant tells me that they are the largest Muscadine vineyard in North Carolina. This may be accurate as they have seventy acres of muscadine grape vines under cultivation.

    You can see the Hinnant Family Vineyards web page by clicking here.

    Hinnant Family Vineyards Dan Valley Dot Com 2

    The Muscadine grape is native to the southeastern United States. It is a cultivated vine but also grows wild across the region. Most family farms have one or two Muscadine vines growing near to the house and convenient for snacking. The Muscadine grape is very sweet and tasty, but has a thick skin.

    Hinnant Family Vineyards Dan Valley Dot Com 3

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    Muscadine grapes are rich sources of polyphenols and other nutrients studied for their potential health benefits. Gallic acid, (+)-catechin and epicatechinar the major phenolsin seeds, while ellagic acid, myricetin, quercetin,kaempferol and trans-resveratrol are the major phenols in the skins.

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    Now that we know that the Muscadine is a healthy food, we can get back to wine making.

    Hinnant Family Vineyards has a tasting room. The tastings consist of sweet and semi-sweet wines. Also available is dry and semi-dry wines. There seems to be something for all taste preferences. Check the tasting room prices and schedules by clicking here .

    My wife and I spent about two hours at the winery … tasting many wines and then sitting on the porch in a rocker sipping a full … and they did pour the glass full … glass of wine and generally relaxing. We both recommend that you visit Hinnant Family Vineyards.

    For the ladies who like to shop … This winery is only a couple of miles from the Carolina Premium Outlets … also known as the Smithfield Outlet Stores.

    Hinnant Family Vineyards

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  • Personal Time Feeding Wild Life

    It is an early summer evening, I am sitting on the deck with my wife, enjoying the relatively cool temperature and the closeness of the trees. My wife decides to feed the local wild life some bread. The local wild life consists of squirrels and birds. Sometimes a bunny rabbit plays in the back yard but today he was not around…..only the squirrels and a variety of birds…..a humming bird, a cardinal, a very black crow and a blue bird.

    They all feast on the bread that my wife dispenses and drink the water which she provides. The birds and the squirrels actually tolerate each other very well. The crows are somewhat skittish and the other wild life is leery of the crows presence…..All in all the whole menagerie behave quite well when their is food on the table.

    Personal Time Feeding Wild Life

  • Dan Valley Health Care

    The Dan River Valley region spans across both North Carolina and Virginia. It includes the cities and counties surrounding the Dan River, which serves as a major source of water and recreational activity for residents in the area. The area is largely rural and may face challenges in terms of access to healthcare.

    In terms of healthcare, there are several providers in the region, including hospitals, clinics, and private practices. However, access to healthcare may be limited in some areas, particularly in more remote, rural areas.

    To help address these challenges, there are several community health centers and mobile clinics operating in the area. For example, the Tri-Area Community Health Center serves patients in both North Carolina and Virginia, providing medical, dental, and behavioral health services to residents regardless of their ability to pay.

    In addition, the Danville Regional Medical Center is a major hospital that serves residents in the region across state lines. The hospital offers a wide range of services, including emergency care, surgical services, and cancer care.

    In recent years, efforts have been made to improve access to healthcare in the Dan River Valley region. For example, in Virginia, the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association has established a Rural Health Task Force to address the healthcare needs of rural regions across the state.

    Despite these efforts, there may still be challenges related to healthcare access and affordability in the Dan River Valley region. However, there are resources available to help meet the needs of residents and improve the overall quality of healthcare in these communities.

    Dan Valley Health Care

  • Danbury

    Museum

    Danbury is a town located in Danbury Township, Stokes County, North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 189. It is the county seat of Stokes County. Danbury is located on NC highways 8/89 approximately 20 miles north of Winston-Salem and is the “Gateway to Hanging Rock”.

    The brick building is the Stokes County Historical Society Museum..

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    Link To Stokes County Website

    Link To The Danbury Website

    Main Street
    This is a view up main street looking west. Danbury is not a metropolis, having a population only a couple of hundred citizens. Stokes county is not heavily populated either, but it is growing. The growth is particularly noticeable on the south side of the county. This area is picking up some of the expansion of Winston Salem. Hopefully the growth does not spoil the beauty of this area.

    Hanging Rock State Park is a mountainous area with natural beauty. There are many hiking trails and waterfalls. Of course the main attraction is the Hanging Rock itself. The main entrance to the park is a short distance west of Danbury.

    Danbury Community ChurchThis picture is the Danbury Community Church. I did not go inside of this building, but I was intrigued by the architecture. This building is beautiful in it’s simplicity.
    fire trucks

    Danbury is a small town located in Stokes County, North Carolina, United States. It is the county seat of Stokes County and has a population of approximately 190 residents as of the 2020 census. Danbury is situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is known for its picturesque scenery and outdoor recreational opportunities.

    The town of Danbury has a rich history, dating back to its establishment in the early 19th century. It was named after Danbury, Connecticut and was originally settled by the Saura Native American tribe. The town grew as a center for trade and commerce along the Dan River and was a hub for the production of textiles and tobacco in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

    Bussiness district of Danbury

    Today, Danbury remains a quaint and charming town with a historic downtown area featuring shops, restaurants, and bed and breakfasts. The town is also home to the Stokes County Courthouse, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

    Danbury is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with opportunities for hiking, fishing, camping, and exploring the nearby Hanging Rock State Park. The town also hosts events and festivals throughout the year, including the Stokes Stomp Music Festival and the Dan River Bluegrass Festival.

    Overall, Danbury, NC is a peaceful and scenic town with a rich history and plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation.

    The county seat of Stokes County, North Carolina, is the town of Danbury. The history of Danbury as the county seat dates back to the early 19th century when Stokes County was formed in 1789. The town was officially established and named Danbury in 1836.

    Danbury was chosen as the county seat of Stokes County due to its central location and accessibility to the Dan River, which was an important transportation route for trade and commerce at the time. The Stokes County Courthouse was built in Danbury in 1849 and remains an important landmark in the town to this day.

    As the county seat, Danbury served as the administrative and governmental center of Stokes County, hosting court proceedings, government offices, and other official functions. The town grew in importance and population throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, contributing to the development and prosperity of Stokes County as a whole.

    Today, Danbury continues to serve as the county seat of Stokes County, playing a vital role in local government and administration. The town’s historic downtown area features the Stokes County Courthouse, as well as other historic buildings and landmarks that reflect its role as the county seat.

    Overall, the history of Danbury as the county seat of Stokes County is closely intertwined with the development and growth of the town and the county as a whole. The town’s historic significance and continued importance as a governmental center make it a key part of Stokes County’s heritage.

    Danbury Stokes County.

  • Dodgetown

    Dodgetown Store

    Dodgetown was only a few miles down the road from where I grew up. As a youngster, this was forbidden territory for me. I was told that this was sin city because there was drinking and fighting here on Saturday nights. As to how true, I really don’t know. All of the stories were hersay to me because I was no allowed near the place.

    There is probably some truth to the stories. Some old timers, when asked will rub their chins……and slowly say…..”Yeah. Dodgetown did have a reputation”…..

    Dodgetown warehouse

    The upper picture was the main store and the next picture was warehouse building…so I have been told. I met the lady, who at the time owned both buildings. She confirmed that there were some good time had in Dodgetown during the 40’s, 50’s and probably in the 60’s.

    dodgetown cemetary

    Ironically, across the road is a cemetery. As you can tell, it is old. Many of the head stones are broken and reinforced by steel frames. I think that some of the residents are distant relatives of mine.

  • Fracking Dan River Basin

    Fracking Dan River Basin
    Fracking Dan River BasinIt is a sad day for Stokes and Rockingham County.

    North Carolina’s legislature, in a fast flurry Thursday, approved the state’s issuing permits for fracking for natural gas. Turning down a string of Democratic amendments, the North Carolina House gave the bill final approval on a 64-50 vote. Hours later the Senate agreed to the House changes, 33-12, without debate.

    This happened in 2014 which is when we originally posted this story. Since then, the rush to fracking has subsided. Also some of the stories that we linked too have been removed by the original publishers such as the Charlotte News and Observer. Due to copyright rules, we are not permitted to copy publish, only to link to the stories. You can still read the original story as published by The Huffington Post

    Read Huffington Post by clicking here

    . It is eye opening as to what our legislature was going to allow. Fortunately Fracking died…..at least for the short term.

    It appears that the richest gas deposits are along the Dan River, from Walnut Cove to Eden. It is my understanding that the first fracking permits will be issued for an area near the Dan River, between Walnut Cove and Madison.

    Property owners will not reap a benefit, because in most cases the property owner does not own the mineral rights under his/her property. Rep. Rick Glazier, D-Cumberland is quoted as saying

    “We will end up with landowners being forced to give up control of their property as they have historically, and we do it only for the greed of a few companies."

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    Fracking Dan River Basin

    This is an article in the Hufington Post about fracking in North Carolina

    This what the Charlotte Observer has to say… Charlotte Observer Article

    UPDATE…Unfortunately The Charlotte Observer NOW requires subscription to read the news. Huffington Post is still free.

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