Each year, The Carroll News publishes a progress edition focusing on the people and businesses that are doing their part to move Carroll County forward. This year’s progress edition, titled “What’s Going on? Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,” concentrates on those same themes, while also taking a look at the people and places that give Carroll County such a rich cultural heritage.

Health care is one of the hottest topics nationally at the moment with the recent passing of President Barack Obama’s health care reform. Three local health care providers that meet different community needs are featured in this section as we take a look at Twin County Regional Hospital, Tri-Area Health Clinic of Laurel Fork, and the Free Clinic of the Twin Counties.

Tourism continues to be a focal point in attracting folks to Carroll County and the surrounding region. Bluegrass music and arts and crafts are a big part of the heritage of our mountain home. In this section we take a look at the local businesses that are preserving our heritage through art and music such as The Front Porch Gallery and Frame Shop and Bobby Patterson’s Heritage Shoppe, both in Woodlawn, while also featuring artists such as Ron Leonard, who tell our area’s story in pictures. Some business, such as The Hillsville Diner , Fancy Gap Dress Shop, and Hillcrest Flowers and Bridal Shop, have been serving the area for many years, and have long been staples of our community. Then there are businesses such as Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel, which have been meeting the needs of local citizens in their time of greatest need for more than half a century.

Other popular new businesses such as Yoder’s Farm Market and Meadowcreek Dairy offer fresh and exciting new foods and services. We also salute Twin County Regional Chamber, which does its best to promote these local businesses and our tourism industry.

We hope you’ll join us in celebrating these many new businesses and rocks of the community.