Posts by Donna Bailey-Taylor |

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For more than ten years, the staff of the Johnston County Visitors Bureau has been curating unique content about the people, places, food, attractions, and shopping throughout Johnston County to share with you, our visitors! Keep in touch and read our weekly blog posts -- and we hope you visit us soon! Find blogs by category or author here. #visitjoco

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Donna Bailey-Taylor

Donna Bailey-Taylor started as the Director of the Visitors Bureau in August 1996, and continues to love her job and promoting the county. Donna has deep roots in the county as her father's family is from Benson and her mother was born in Clayton. Donna has big dreams for the county in the area of tourism development, hoping the Mountains to the Sea Trail will be completed between Clayton and Smithfield and the new Visitor Center/Museum at Bentonville Battlefield will happen. There are many tourism development projects in the works and it's an exciting time for tourism growth in the county. Keep in touch via Donna's blog!

Runners at the starting line at the Benson Harvest Race in Benson, NC.

Primal Run Helps Build Miracle Field

By Donna Bailey-Taylor on May. 25, 2012

Primal Mud Run, an intense challenge event which was held in Selma, NC in April, raised money for the Johnston County Partnership for Children, a local non-profit to help build a Miracle Field for the…

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A sunflower field with blooms open to the sun

Flower's Give Back in Many Ways!

By Donna Bailey-Taylor on May. 09, 2012

Last year, the staff of the Johnston County Visitors Bureau began working with and getting to know local farmer, Melrose Haas. Melrose is not a tobacco farmer or cash crop farmer...she grows flowers…

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The Clayton Center auditorium seating and stage in Clayton NC.

The Clayton Center Adds SMART-er Technology

By Donna Bailey-Taylor on Mar. 29, 2012

The Clayton Center’s meeting facility has completed an audio-visual upgrade to offer progressive and interactive technology to its business clients. The latest addition to the Center’s amenities, a…

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Tourism Authority Appoints Sports Council Members

By Donna Bailey-Taylor on Jan. 23, 2012

The board of the Johnston County Visitors Bureau met in early January and considered applications for the Johnston County Sports Council. Ten positions were appointed to represent the area Parks &…

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The exterior of the historic Hastings House in Smithfield, NC.

DSDC Receives 1st Canvas Giclée of Hastings House

By Donna Bailey-Taylor on Dec. 12, 2011

The Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation (DSDC) is pleased to announce its partnership with famed regional artist, Leslie Macon, to promote the historically significant roles played by the…

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Unique Christmas Gift -- Order Yours Today!

By Donna Bailey-Taylor on Nov. 09, 2011

If you were wondering what to get your uncle or that friend that loves the movies, here's a thought. The Ava Gardner Museum has published its 2012 calendar. The 13-month calendar features 13 rare…

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Enjoy a trolley ride on the Lazy O Farm, located near Smithfield, NC.

SE Agritourism Association Tours JoCo

By Donna Bailey-Taylor on Oct. 20, 2011

The Southeastern Agritourism Association hosted the 2011 Fall Agritourism Tour in Johnston County on October 19th. The group of 30 members were hosted by Amie Newsome, NC Cooperative Extension Agent…

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WakeMed Corn Maze, a recent maze at Boyette Family Farms in Clayton, NC.

A Thank You Five Acres Big

By Donna Bailey-Taylor on Oct. 12, 2011

Glenn Boyette, a Johnston County farmer and founder of Clayton Fear Farm, is one hard-working man. Imagine his surprise when, while trying to get away for a bit of R & R earlier this year at the Outer…

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Two people discussing a paper full of charts.

Visitor Spending up in Johnston County

By Donna Bailey-Taylor on Oct. 05, 2011

More visitors are traveling to Johnston County and spending more money. 2010 visitor spending rose 6.3 percent in Johnston County, according to figures compiled by North Carolina Department of…

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Large art sculptures on display at the Frank Creech Art Gallery in Smithfield, NC.

Native American Exhibit Displayed at Frank Creech

By Donna Bailey-Taylor on Mar. 02, 2011

Stephen Greer’s “Still” is the latest exhibit on display in the Frank Creech Art Gallery at Johnston Community College. Greer’s paintings celebrate rich Native American heritage, regalia, and dance…

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