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By Mike Barnhardt

Enterprise Record

It’s a holiday tradition, and oh so sweet.

Dewey’s Moravian cookies, sugar cake and other treats are available for the holidays at a store in Mocksville, and every purchase helps fund the Davie County High School band program.

The band’s holiday store is in the WalMart Shopping Center off US 601 North, next to Goin’ Postal. It is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., and Sundays from 1-6 p.m., manned by band volunteers.

The band will also be selling the sweet treats at the Mocksville Christmas Parade this Saturday, the Christmas in Bermuda Run celebration on Sunday and at the Advance parade on Dec. 9.

The band uses the money for special projects, such as a trip to Washington, D.C. next spring where the wind ensemble is one of about 10 bands invited from across the country to compete for the President’s Cup, sponsored by Pershing’s Own Army Band.

Carson Yount, a junior baritone saxophone player, was busy on opening day of the store putting together a Moravian star. It wasn’t easy. Those are available, too, and most people want them already put together, said Ann Wilson, parent volunteer.

“I chose the band in the sixth grade,” Carson said, and although family members thought otherwise, he chose the saxophone. “I’ve loved it ever since.”

There are 96 members in the band, growing since a decline in numbers during the pandemic.

“It’s a huge freshman class,” Wilson said. “They’re good and improving really fast, which is a good sign.”

The concert band, symphonic band and wind ensemble will present a holiday concert in the Davie High auditorium at 7 p.m. on Dec. 19. Admission is $7 at the door, with proceeds going to the Edwin Owens Scholarship Fund for band students.

“I really like playing music with my friends,” Carson said. “It’s always very interesting how we react and recover from out mistakes.”

Ann is in her third year as a Dewey’s store volunteer, and enjoys the interactions with other band parents and the community. New this year are Mrs. Pumpkin’s chicken pies, she said. There are also ornaments and other band related items for sale.

But the best thing on the shelves, according to Ann, is the chocolate peppermint cookies.

“A bag is one serving size, I don’t care what it says on the back.”