On July 16 of 1982, in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Floyd, twenty-eight-year-old Margie Redditt received her business license for the Harvest Moon Food Store. That day, in that moment, her dream was brought to life. Margie’s goal had been to provide the town with shelf-stable, healthier-option foods, while at the same time operating her own business.
The idea evolved and developed in Margie’s mind while she was working for the Floyd co-op, which was located at the old Epperly Mill. The main objective was to provide locals with easier ways of purchasing high quality, locally grown, organic foods without having to go to a typical, chain grocery store. But Margie also had an entrepreneurial spirit. Rather than continuing to work at the co-op, she wanted to create her own business that featured these healthy, local foods.
She wasted no time. While scouting possible locations for her new store, Margie found her way onto Main Street in Floyd, across from the Country Store. County Sales currently occupies 117 South Locust Street, but in 1982, it became the spot from which Harvest Moon would begin to grow. It was a pivotal point in Margie’s life, and it proved to be a significant point in Floyd’s history, as well. Continue reading →

Kayla and Matthew Galecki

In 2020, just before the shutdowns, Matthew and Kayla Galecki moved from Orlando, Florida to Charlotte, North Carolina. There, they started new careers with United Healthcare. It was an extremely busy year for the two of them, plunging into new projects despite 2020 being a difficult year for many. Still, along with another group that had also moved up from Orlando, they managed to build a new team and set up a new office space.
Things were going well and looking up for the Galeckis. They had their feet planted firmly on the road to success and were off to a great start! On the road map of life, their itinerary had much in common with most other adults: start a career and reach for financial success! Reach for the stars! Continue reading →

Every December, the Floyd Center for the Arts hosts Winterfest – an annual winter festival celebrating the artistry of the surrounding area. Around twenty-five vendors travel to the two-day festival to set up booths for selling their handmade art wares to an eager audience looking for holiday shopping. Winterfest is the Center’s most traditional event, being one of the first events that was offered when it was just a dairy barn with dreams of becoming an art center. The first Winterfest, twenty-eight years ago, was designed as a year-end showcase of local artisanship and creativity. It has always been scheduled in time for local residents to begin their holiday shopping, as many folks in Floyd have a policy of buying locally made, handcrafted gifts for friends and family.
The first Winterfest was held under tents in the parking lot of the barn, with eager shoppers bearing the cold temperatures to get their hands on handmade art. As Winterfest approaches its twenty-eighth year, it remains the best opportunity for shoppers to find a wide variety of handmade, local, unique gifts all offered in one place. The event also allows shoppers to connect with makers and crafters, learning the stories behind the gifts. Continue reading →