Lillington Area Chamber of Commerce recently hosted the 2024 Rock the River Awards, which celebrate and recognize some of Lillington’s finest community leaders and businesses.
This year’s awardees were:

Man of the Year: Matt Brown, Fulton Farm

Woman of the Year: Melanie Stewart, The Underground Railroad
Business of the Year: Butterfly Counseling
Bill and Mildred Johnson Beautification Award: First Bank & Trust Co. of Virginia
The awards ceremony took place at Carolina Barn in Angier, where guests enjoyed delicious food and drinks as they gathered to celebrate the contributions of locals to the betterment of the community.


This is the first year of the Veteran Business Expo, and it grew out of Fayetteville PWC’s Economic Impact Program, which focuses on expanding access and opportunity in public-sector contracting while strengthening the local economy. It builds off th
Lynlene Apiary and Crafts is owned and operated by mother-daughter duo Carolyn Kleinert and Jolene Kleinert. They are certified apiarists and sell honey, candles made with beeswax, soaps and other crafts at local farmers markets. Photos by GFBJ.Lynle
Big T’s has been a local favorite of Hope Mills since 2000 when Timmy (Big T) and Donna Gray first opened right on Hope Mills Lake. It is a seasonal restaurant, so many of Big T’s loyal customers were happy to hear they would now be open year-round, seven days a week.