It all starts with a scoop of dirt! The Davie Community Foundation (DCF) broke ground last week on COGNITION, an interactive learning center and makerspace coming to downtown Mocksville in January 2020.

The mission of COGNITION is to create an interactive space for children, families, and the community to acquire knowledge through adventurous play, investigative learning, and creative growth.

Jane Simpson, president of the Foundation, envisions COGNITION as a space where learners of all ages are able to ask questions and then discover answers through inspiring learning. “The exhibits and programming will have a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) focus. From the factory floor to the executive suite, workers skilled in science, technology, engineering, and math are essential in today’s market. Employers want both entry-level employees and upper management to be equipped with critical thinking skills, problem-solving ability, and a teamwork mindset. The Davie Community Foundation fostered the creation of COGNITION to fulfill our vision to equip our next generation with enthusiasm for STEAM concepts and to facilitate a qualified workforce for the community. At COGNITION, young learners will have early opportunities to explore career paths through real-life STEAM situations and hands-on learning as they build the skills Davie County needs for tomorrow.”

“By collaborating with local businesses and additional partners, COGNITION will act as a catalyst for workforce development and equip families to engage with their community.”

Hands-on exhibits will highlight our community’s past as well as its future. Below is a list of exhibits currently under consideration for the learning center although they are still being developed and subject to change:

AGRICULTURE AVENUE
Agricultural Avenue will highlight the agricultural industries of our community featuring seasonal crops specific to our county, a tractor element, water and energy elements, a chicken coop, and ways to learn about weather.

MARKET LANE
Market Lane will blend the look of a brick and mortar grocery store and an open-air farmers market with an interactive checkout counter, stocked shelves, and dress up and pretend play elements.

HEALTHY FOOD HALL
This open-air food hall will feature a Food Truck vignette and focus on health and wellness. With the back of the food truck being a mock kitchen, young minds can explore what it means to lead a healthy lifestyle.

WEAVERS WAY
Weavers Way allows for the exploration of the textile industry with an interactive loom, spinning elements, a pulley system, and a sliding shuttle.

CONSTRUCTION COURT
With a focus on hands-on interactive tinkering, Construction Court will be a living house with “real” interactive building activities. This exhibit will show the inner workings of a structure with pipes, wiring, and electrical connectivity. With blueprints and an interactive bulldozer, imaginations can run wild.

LITTLE COG CORNER
Built for children ages 0-2, Little COG Corner will be enclosed with multi-sensory interactive walls and seating that encourages the interaction of parents with their learners.

THE MAKERSPACE
The makerspace will include tools and equipment for people of all ages to enjoy tinkering and creating. Planned options include:  laser cutter, table top router, tabletop milling, home and industrial sewing and textiles, circuit vinyl cutter, a  large variety of art materials, small electronics for building and tinkering, and various smaller tools and machinery that may be used to accomplish a project.

History of COGNITION: The Community Spoke and the Community Foundation Listened
In 2016, the Davie Community Foundation (DCF) purchased the building located next door to their office on N. Salisbury Street. Their goal was to make an impact investment to continue to improve downtown Mocksville and find a use that would revive an older building while benefitting the entire Davie County community. DCF reached out to the community for feedback about the best use of the building and brought a variety of community leaders together to discuss self-sustaining uses for the space. After more than a year of research, conversations, and visits to other communities, it was agreed that an interactive children’s museum and makerspace had the best chance to meet all of the criteria. The DCF Board approved moving forward with COGNITION in February 2018.

In April 2018, COGNITION of Davie County was incorporated and a new board was established from interested citizens including two recent graduates of Davie County High School who have returned to Davie County to live and work! The eleven-member board is comprised of a variety of talents including educators, school principals, attorney, non-profit leader, educational consultant, early childhood specialist, marketing, design, and finance. Committees have also been formed comprised of passionate citizens who want to share their talents and expertise in order to make COGNITION a reality!

A capital campaign for $500,000 has begun to support the renovation and development of the space. Your donation will be a COG in the wheel of progress as COGNITION of Davie County becomes a reality!  A COG transfers motion by engaging with projections on another wheel. Just as every COG is essential to the running of an engine, the support of donors like you is essential to creating an interactive space that promotes exploration, learning, and innovation.

Donations of all sizes are appreciated and a number of named opportunities are available. Named COGS may be purchased in three sizes for display in the building: $1,000 –  Exploration, $2,500 – Learning, or $5,000 – Innovation. Checks can be made out to COGNITION Davie, P.O. Box 816, Mocksville, NC 27028.

The community is invited to a preview of exhibits on Thursday, May 9th from 8:30- 11 a.m. at COGNITION Davie at 119 N. Salisbury St. Mocksville, NC.

To learn more about COGNITION, visit the Cognition Davie on Facebook or visit https://www.CognitionDavie.org.

Davie Health & Rehabilitation Center celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the opportunity for area residents to explore the new 59,000 square foot, 108-bed state-of-the-art skilled-nursing facility on Madison Road in Mocksville.

Davie Health and Rehabilitation hosted a ribbon cutting and after hours event in conjunction with the Davie County Chamber of Commerce

Owned and operated by Saber Healthcare, the facility replaces Autumn Care of Mocksville which the company purchased in March 2016. The old 33,000 square foot facility on Howard Street was built in several phases beginning in the 1950s and continuing through the early 1990s.

The new location provides an expanded rehabilitation center, more private rooms with private bathrooms, and an indoor courtyard where residents can visit together or with their guests. The new facility also allows the company to offer outpatient therapy which will be accessed through a separate entrance.

“Our goal at Davie Health and Rehabilitation is to provide high-quality healthcare and customer service to the Mocksville and surrounding communities we are privileged and fortunate to serve,” said Michael Demagall, Saber Health’s VP of Population Health & Business Development. “We believe if we provide good care, improve the health of the population we serve, and ensure our patients and families are satisfied with that care and services then we bring a much-needed value to that community and area healthcare partners. We then are able to connect in a meaningful way!  We are excited to reinvest with our newest facility Davie Health and Rehabilitation and have the ability to “Give Back” in support of Mocksville and the surrounding communities.”

Davie Health and Rehabilitation currently employs 102 full-time, part-time, and PRN employees, and is still hiring, particularly nurses and CNAs. Interested in a job? Stop by the facility and fill out an application.

Terry Bralley, president of the Davie County Economic Development Commission, is thrilled with the expansion and considers it a testament to the ease of doing business in Davie County and to its prime location near I-40.  “One of Davie County’s greatest assets is its existing industries and businesses,” said Bralley. “It is always so rewarding to see them reinvesting here because when they succeed our community succeeds. Please join me in thanking Saber Healthcare for its continuing commitment to our community.“

Five years after Davie County residents voted overwhelmingly to pass the Parks and Recreation general obligation bonds, construction is now underway on Phase One of the new Davie County Community Park being built at the former site of Davie County High School.

“Today is a day of celebration and today we celebrate community ownership and a partnership that is fundamental in serving the ever-changing needs of the Davie community …,” said Terry Renegar, chairman of the Davie County Board of Commissioners, during the groundbreaking ceremony.  “In 2014, the residents of Davie County voted overwhelmingly to spend $5 million to make this facility the centerpiece of its recreation plan. …It has been a lot of work ….. there have been a lot of hurdles, but those challenges have been met and the hurdles overcome.”

Davie County Community Park Groundbreaking

The Davie County Community Park project is a 3-year culmination of extensive resident input, park design master planning, and construction preparation. According to Paul Moore, director of recreation and parks, Davie County’s public park needs survey return rate of 22.8% was one of the highest return rates in the nation for a community population of 40,000-50,000. “Anytime a controlled survey reaches double-digits, you have statistically valid results. Hence, Davie residents were paying very close attention!”

“From contemplation and initial dialogue to the creation of shared vision; from deliberations to the formulation of strategies, and through communication, collaboration, and coordination, our design team has made the vision of our Davie residents happen. The new park will contain most of the key features that Davie County residents specifically identified as top priorities,” said Moore.

Slated to be completed Spring 2020, the County-owned park’s initial Phase One facilities will include the largest Vortex splash pad in North Carolina, an amphitheater and civic green, an inclusive playground, a 310° baseball/softball field, a dog park (for small and large dogs), walkways and trails (including a boardwalk), a horseshoe and bocce courtyard, a 625 square foot medium shelter, and gymnasium renovations along with a number of other infrastructure elements.

The County also secured additional support from the General Assembly to reconstruct the old parking lot which will include a road course for local law enforcement and emergency services vehicular training.

Additionally, the County is pursuing grant funding from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) for other park features that would become part of phase one construction if successfully awarded.

“We want our residents to know that this new park will not only lead as a regional destination park, but will serve as a joyful experience through recreation and play for individuals, families, seniors, and pets too!” he added.

He went on to say, “Working in the field of Parks and Recreation and public service is not just a job for us, it’s a calling. We’ve committed ourselves to this profession and our mission to enrich the quality of life in Davie County because we’re all striving to be part of something that makes a real, meaningful difference. We couldn’t have made it this far without all of you!”

Moore gave credit to the many individuals and organizations who have devoted themselves to the future of Davie County by supporting recreation and parks with the construction of the new park. “On behalf of our Board of Commissioners, community residents, and the DCRP Team, we express our heartfelt appreciation to: