The newest annual offering of the popular Lexington souvenir will be available at Merle Norman Cosmetics at 22 W. 2nd Ave. Lexington again thanks to the current owner, Casie Ridenhour, who bought the Merle Norman from long-time owner Don Rea Padon earlier this year.
Dwayne Padon, who makes the Pig Pennies, is also releasing a new Private Rolled coin featuring longtime triad entertainer James Vincent Carroll, also known as JVC. In addition to JVC’s elongated coin. He has also made a trading card featuring Carroll.
This is the first coin/card designs in a series of local triad entertainers. Padon hopes to make 2 private rolled elongated coins and trading cards every few months in 2022.
Over the last year, Padon has attended dozens and dozens of the local entertainers’ shows at venues all over the state. Many of these shows take place in Davidson County and nearby areas. Artists like James Vincent Carroll, Michael Chaney, Anna Mertson, Stewart Coley, Bradley Steele, the Gravely’s and Lexington’s own Ken Davis, along with several others, are out there most days and nights performing top notch shows.
Along with promoting local businesses, Padon’s goal is to help promote local music artists and others, so more people will get to enjoy the great shows and venues the triad has to offer. The Olde Well Tavern, Goose and The Monkey Brew House and Old Homeplace Vineyard are some of the artists’ favorite places to play in our area.
Updated Pig Penny checklists will be available at Merle Norman so collectors can see what coins may still be needed to complete their collections. The Pig Pennies will also continue in 2022. There are now 29 Pig Pennies and 3 Private Rolled designs, for a total of 32 different designs since 2007. Padon continues to ship coins worldwide.
Padon’s mother, Don Rea Padon, has produced the artwork every yearly dated design since 2007. Her initials DRP are featured on the designs she has drawn.
Steve Williams, one of Padon’s closest friends, has helped with digital design and layouts for several years. Mel Padon, Jean Walser and Dwayne’s girlfriend Christine Smith have helped with all types of work obtaining coins, sorting & cleaning, packaging them, etc. for several years. Many other friends and family have also helped along the way.
Dwayne mentioned that he always appreciates the Pig Penny fans all over the world, but especially the local fans who he gets to meet.
“Those are the folks that keep me going. I make these things for them. The items I make promote our hometown, or county, or state. It makes me so proud to see how happy these things make locals, especially when people go out of their way to say thank you for making these to represent Lexington.”