Burlington Magazine - Issue 7

burlington ISSUE #07 - PRICELESS

MAGAZINE

Summit Laser & Cosmetic Center A New You for the New Year

3rd Annual

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BurlingtonMagNC.com | 3

Contents

issue07

25

departments Community News 12 Annual Girl Scout Cookie Program Introduces New Cookies and Sales Approach 14 Protect Your Pets During Cold Weather 20 Wine & Chocolate Tasting 24 Front Street Redevelopment Project

12 30 06

Book Review 25 Design on the Fly: Quick and Easy Home DĂŠcor Tips for the Busy Household

20

Zoo Zeal

10 Your Feet 16 Real Estate

Nature's Nuances

Ask the Expert

Alamance Arts

26 NC Zoo Acquires New Sea Lions

features

14

28 Those Blue Days of Winter

17 Spirit of Place From the Outside In

Community Character 18 Todd Hyatt, DPM

4 | BurlingtonMagNC.com

26

28

06 Summit Laser & Cosmetic Center: A New You for the New Year 20

Rotary Provides Opportunities for Ordinary Women to Do Extraordinary Things

22

Zen Chick: Stop Running Toward Your Life and Start Living It

30 At The YMCA: Valentine's Princess Dinner & Dance

burlington

T Hello Folks,

he latest issue of Burlington's favorite glossy magazine is fresh off the press. Readers will notice some changes this month. Venerable publisher and editor Melody McBride is relinquishing her duties to handle a family matter. Although Melody will no longer be involved in the day-to-day operations of putting together the magazine, she remains a great friend to us. We want to thank her for her hard work in establishing our presence in Burlington. We plan to continue with the same enthusiasm and spirit Melody brought to our humble venture.

What will not change is the mission we've undertaken to bring readers pictures and stories highlighting the inspiring and hardworking individuals and businesses making Burlington a beautiful city and a great place to live. Holiday and seasonal celebrations, unique local businesses, the local characters coloring our community with their flair – we'll try to not miss a thing. Readers can continue to count on us for positive hyperlocal stories of trends and neighbors right down the street.

Advertisers can continue to count on us to get the word out about their businesses. Our targeted approach aims to cultivate the sincere connection everyone wants to their community.

Since moving to the area nearly three years ago, I've discovered a generosity of spirit and kindness in the people here to make anyone feel like this could be their hometown. Whether picking over produce at the farmer's markets and co-op with my family on the weekends, or checking out a new business opening in our ever-burgeoning downtown, to hearing local musicians and learning to shag, Burlington is a special place filled with special people.

The foundation Melody laid should make it an easy transition for your new, intrepid publisher/editor. I plan to continue her work with the same deft hand for detail and sense of place. I come from a strong journalism background, working for major metropolitan newspapers and even served a stint with the local Alamance News. But those news outlets with scandaltinged content cannot touch the connection to readers a hyperlocal, homegrown glossy like Burlington Magazine creates. Let me echo a sentiment Melody once expressed in this space, “We love getting feedback from residents and business owners that have our magazines on display.

This magazine is about you – the residents of Burlington – and we look forward to learning more about you in the coming months and years.”

MAGAZINE

PUBLISHER Alex Alfonso alex@burlingtonmagnc.com EXECUTIVE EDITOR Sherry Johnson sherry@burlingtonmagnc.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Heather McAndrew Dr. Todd Hyatt, DPM Gay Barefield Katie Dukeshire Ken Reininger Faylene Whitaker

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY Seth Cheek

ADDRESS

PO Box 1369 Asheboro, NC 27204 Phone. 336-698-3889

FACEBOOK

facebook.com/burlingtonmagazine

www.burlingtonmagnc.com

Burlington Magazine is published by Asheboro & More Marketing, Inc. Any reproduction or duplication of any part thereof must be done with the written permission of the Publisher. All information included herein is correct to the best of our knowledge as of the publication date. Corrections should be forwarded to the Publisher at the address above.

Disclaimer: The paid advertisements contained within Archdale & Trinity Magazine are not endorsed or recommended by the Publisher. Therefore, neither party may be held liable for the business practices of these companies.

Alex BurlingtonMagNC.com | 5

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A NEW YOU FOR THE NEW YEAR

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By Sherry B. Johnson Photos by Seth Cheek

id you make a New Year’s resolution to lose weight and look better in 2014? If so, Summit Laser & Cosmetic Center in Asheboro has just the thing for you. In August 2013, they began offering CoolSculptingŽ, an innovative technology that freezes away unwanted fat, making it one of the first medical practices in the area to offer this breakthrough in non-invasive fat reduction.

6 | BurlingtonMagNC.com

“CoolSculpting is an exciting new approach that is noninvasive and has shown significant results in clinical studies for removing fat without the potential risks and downtime of invasive procedures,” said Dr. Pamela Penner. “I have found the procedure to be extremely effective, especially on resistant localized areas such as love handles, isolated belly fat, and more." CoolSculpting is generally very comfortable and our patients are very satisfied with their experience.” Offering services like this, the providers at Summit Laser of course have to try it out on themselves first…. “I am so thrilled with my personal results it makes it very exciting to be able to offer the same treatments to our patients” said Dr. Penner.

The CoolSculpting Procedure developed by ZELTIQ is based on sound science called cryolipolysis. Cryolipolysis is the result of a groundbreaking discovery by Drs. Dieter Manstein and R. Rox Anderson at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, a teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School. ZELTIQ is the exclusive licensee of this patented technology and therefore the only company to provide cryolipolysis.

Their initial work, first published in the peer-reviewed professional journal Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, proved that subcutaneous fat cells are naturally more vulnerable to the effects of cold than other surrounding tissue, thereby eliminating fat without damage to other surrounding tissue.

These Harvard studies and other research from centers of excellence confirmed that fat cells, when exposed to precisely controlled cooling for a sustained period of time, undergo a gradual reduction and cell death through a process called “induced apoptosis.”

Cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), CoolSculpting gently cools unwanted fat cells in the body, thereby inducing a natural, controlled elimination of fat cells.

Starting several weeks after the procedure, cooled fat cells begin a process called “apoptosis” and begin to shrink and disappear.

The body proceeds to naturally and gradually eliminate the destroyed fat cells, reducing the thickness of the fat layer.

Unlike many other methods of fat reduction, CoolSculpting involves no needles, surgery or downtime. Dr. Penner says you can get up from the procedure, go back to work, go to the gym or carry on your normal day. During the procedure, an applicator is placed over the treatment area and delivers precisely controlled cooling thereby specifically targeting fat.

Most treatments last between one to three hours. Patients can have additional procedures for more pronounced effects if they desire. On average, each CoolSculpting procedure results in 22% reduction of fat in the treated area, and patients can start to see BurlingtonMagNC.com | 7

results as soon as three weeks following

delivery of precise cooling affects only

treatment, with the most dramatic results

targeted fat cells, leaving adjacent tissue

occurring over a period of two to four months in most patients.

Clinical studies involving hundreds of patients show that, for properly selected patients, CoolSculpting is an effective

unharmed and intact. It is not intended as a weight-reduction program for overweight individuals, but for spot reduction of stubborn areas. The best

way to reduce fat without the risk and

candidates for the procedure are people

recovery time of surgical procedures. The

near their ideal body weight who eat well

result is noticeable, natural-looking fat

and exercise regularly and have pockets of

reduction in the treated areas.

fat that have not responded to a healthy

CoolSculpting is safe because the

lifestyle. J

BEFORE & AFTER

BEFORE

16 WEEKS AFTER

BEFORE

COOLSCULPTING TREATMENT ®

BEFORE

5 YEARS AFTER COOLSCULPTING TREATMENT ®

(Single side treatment) Photos courtesy of ZELTIQ (-4 pounds)

Procedure by John B. Fasano, MD (No weight change)

®

12 WEEKS AFTER

12 WEEKS AFTER

FIRST COOLSCULPTING TREATMENT

SECOND COOLSCULPTING TREATMENT

(+3.5 pounds)

Procedure by Flor A. Mayoral, MD

®

®

(-3.5 pounds, back to original weight)

8 | BurlingtonMagNC.com

give your body a give your body a makeover without makeover without diet, exercise diet, exercise or or surgery. surgery.

Join Cool Event Event Join Us Us For For A A Cool

Hosted by Summit Laser & Cosmetic Center Hosted by Summit Laser & Cosmetic Center

Thursday 6th Thursday February February 6th 10am, 10am, 6pm 6pm 515 Suite D D 515 West West Salisbury Salisbury St. Suite Asheboro, Asheboro, NC NC •• •• •• ••

Live demonstrations demonstrations Live Free consultations consultations Free Special event pricing pricing Special event Register to win Register to win a a free free CoolSculpting® CoolSculpting® treatment! treatment!

Door Prizes Prizes ** Door Space is limited. Reserve your spot today!

Space is limited. Reserve your spot today!

Call (336) 636-5100

Call (336) 636-5100 For more information,

For information, visitmore www.summitlacc.com visit www.summitlacc.com

Now you can transform yourself without diet, exercise or surgery.

Now youyourself can transform yourself without diet, exercise or surgery. .

Sculpt with CoolSculpting ®

Sculpt yourself with CoolSculpting. ®

CoolSculpting is the only non-surgical body contouring treatment that freezes and eliminates stubborn fat from your body.

There are no needles, no special diets andtreatment no downtime.

FDA-cleared, safe andstubborn proven effective.

CoolSculpting is the only non-surgical body contouring that It’s freezes and eliminates fat ®

®

from your body. There are no needles, no special diets and no downtime. It’s FDA-cleared, safe and proven effective.

Available space for logo and text

Available space for logo and text

BEFORE

BEFORE

6 WEEKS AFTER

Procedure by Martin Braun, MD

6 WEEKS AFTER

Procedure by Martin Braun, MD

Results and patient experience may vary. Ask us for more information.

In the U.S., CoolSculpting® for non-invasive fat reduction is cleared for the flank and abdomen.

CoolSculpting® is a registered trademark and the CoolSculpting® logo and the Snowflake design are trademarks of ZELTIQ Aesthetics, Inc. © 2012. All rights reserved. IC1156-A

Results and patient experience may vary. Ask us for more information.

BurlingtonMagNC.com | 9

In the U.S., CoolSculpting® for non-invasive fat reduction is cleared for the flank and abdomen.

CoolSculpting® is a registered trademark and the CoolSculpting® logo and the Snowflake design are trademarks of ZELTIQ Aesthetics, Inc. © 2012. All rights reserved. IC1156-A

ASK THE EXPERT/YOUR FEET

UNSIGHTLY TOE FUNGUS? AFRAID IT’LL NEVER GO AWAY?

A

Triad Foot Center Dispels Nail Fungus Myths

re your toes are suffering from a fungal infection?

While you may worry you’ll never be able to put on opened-toed shoes again, the truth is it’s most likely not as bad as you think, says Greensboro podiatrist Dr. Kathryn Egerton of the Triad Foot Center.

Fungal infections are caused by fungi that get under your nails, but stay above the outermost layer of skin. The fungi thrive in warm, damp places like swimming pools and showers, as well as hard surfaces such as nail or cuticle clippers.

“If your nail is thick white or yellow in color, crumbles when touched, or if it has a chalky material beneath the nail, you’re likely suffering from a fungal infection called Onychomycosis,” Egerton explains.

“If you notice a change in the appearance of your toenail, get it checked out as soon as possible to prevent a worsening or spreading of the infection.”

For many people who suffer from fungal nail infections, the winter months are welcomed as they know that their infected toes will soon be hidden under socks and boots, but this is actually the perfect time to treat your toes.

Several over-the-counter products are available; however, they require twice daily applications for 6-12 months and

have a success rate of only 10-20%. Oral medications taken for between 3 to 12 months are also available, but require blood tests and may have adverse side effects. In office laser treatments are quick, painless and have no side effects. The laser is FDA approved for the treatment of Onychomycosis and has a similar success rate to that of oral medication which is 8085%. If you are suffering from nail fungus infection, contact Triad Foot Center at (336) 538-6885. J

"

If you notice a change in the appearance of your toenail, get it checked out as soon as possible to prevent a worsening or spreading of the infection.

"

Dr. Hyatt is a native of Burlington, North Carolina, and graduated from Greensboro College. He received his medical degree from the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine.

His residency training was completed at the University of Maryland Medical Center and Veterans Medical Center in Baltimore. At the Veterans Medical Center, Dr. Hyatt specialized in vascular disease and surgery as well as wound healing. Dr. Hyatt then completed a podiatric surgical residency at Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital where he specialized in reconstructive surgery of the foot and ankle. He is Board Certified in Foot Surgery by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery.

Asheboro • Burlington • Greensboro (336) 308-4733 10 | BurlingtonMagNC.com

LetLet meme help protect help protectyou youbefore beforemayhem mayhemstrikes. strikes.

From a tree branch to From a tree branchfalling fallingon onyour yourcar carduring during aa windstorm windstorm to a GPS a GPSthat thatsends sendsyou youthe thewrong wrong way way down down aa one-way, one-way, mayhem can strike me mayhem can strikeanytime. anytime.So Soget getan anAllstate Allstate Agent Agent like me Let meknows helphow protect you before strikes. who help you make sure you’re who howtoto help youmayhem make sure you’re protected. protected.

Letknows me help protect you before mayhem strikes.

From a tree branch falling on your car during a windstorm to Don’t wait—call me Don’t wait—call metoday! today!on your car during a windstorm to From a tree branch falling a GPS that sends you the wrong way down a one-way, a GPS that sends you the wrong way down a one-way, mayhem can strike anytime.

So get an Allstate Agent like me mayhem can strike anytime.

So getsure an Allstate Agent like me Jon-Paul Strachan Jon-Paul Strachan who knows how to help you make you’re protected. who knows how to help you make sure you’re protected.

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COMMUNITY NEWS

ANNUAL GIRL SCOUT COOKIE PROGRAM INTRODUCES NEW COOKIES AND SALES APPROACH

L

ocal Girl Scouts of Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont (GSCP2P) will soon be out in the community with favorites like Thin Mints and Peanut Butter Patties as the 2014 Girl Scout Cookie Program kicks off on January 15 and runs through March 2.

The cookie program is an integral part of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, teaching girls key skills including goal setting, decision-making, money management, people skills and business ethics.

This year, along with the regular lineup of Thin Mints, Peanut Butter Patties, Caramel deLites, Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Thanks-A-Lots, Lemonades and Shortbreads, the Cranberry Citrus Crisps will be introduced. This crispy cookie is made of whole grains and filled with tangy cranberry bit and citrus flavor, perfect for snacking any time of the day.

And for customers who have special diet concerns, a gluten-free pilot cookie is being offered. This chocolate chip shortbread cookie will be available through different troops throughout the GSCP2P area.

“There is a lot of enthusiasm around the new cookies, and we are excited to be a test council for the gluten-free option, something our consumers have been asking for,” said Marcia Cole, chief executive officer of GSCP2P. “We hope with these new varieties and the dedication of our girls and volunteers to be a part of the largest girl-led business in the country, that we will see a very successful cookie season.”

Along with the new cookie varieties, GSCP2P also transitioned to a different sales approach, introducing a direct sale where girls have the cookies readily available when asking customers to purchase a box instead of taking orders and returning a few weeks later with the cookies. This kind of sale helps with cookie publicity and on-the-spot purchases.

The price per box is $4, except for the gluten-free chocolate chip, which will retail for $5 per box. All the money generated from the Girl Scout Cookie Program stays in the local area to help fund various program and troop activities.

To purchase a box of cookies, contact a Girl Scout in your neighborhood or community. Or, search the cookie booth locator on the council website at www.girlscoutsp2p.org to find the closest cookie booth in your area from January 24 through March 2.

Throughout the cookie program, GSCP2P is also promoting the following: Cookie Mobile App - Find cookies near you using the cookie locator app. It is available for both iPhone and Android

12 | BurlingtonMagNC.com

phones and can be downloaded at www. girlscoutcookies.org.

Walk-About Week – Girl Scouts will be canvassing neighborhoods and communities on foot during the week of January 18-24, working on their cookie marketing skills and asking consumers to purchase cookies.

BUY 5 promotion – For every five boxes that a customer purchases, his/her name will be entered in a drawing to win a year's supply (52 boxes) of free Girl Scout cookies from the council! A winner from each of the four service centers will be selected.

Operation Sweet Treat – Girl Scouts are also participating in a council-wide service project to collect 26,000 boxes of cookies and 1,000 letters of encouragement to place in care packages that will be shipped to U.S. military personnel serving in the United States and abroad. Customers can support this project by purchasing a box at a local cookie booth and pay $4 a box as they would for any other order. Or, cookies may be purchased by the box or by the case (12 boxes) by calling 800-672-2148.

Further questions can be directed to a local Girl Scout Service Center- Asheville Service Center, 828-252-4442; Gastonia Service Center, 704-864-3245; Hickory Service Center, 828-328-2444; and Triad Service Center, 336-274-8491.

About Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont, a United Way agency, is one of 112 councils nationwide chartered by Girl Scouts of the USA to deliver Girl Scout program within specific geographic boundaries. The local council serves more than 16,000 girls and approximately 7,000 adult volunteers in 40 counties and maintains seven camp properties and four service centers offering unique experiences for girls and adults. For more information on how to join, volunteer, reconnect or donate to GSCP2P, call 800-672-2148 or visit www. girlscoutsp2p. org. J

Heather McAndrew

Phone: 800.388.9304 Mobile: 336.269.2112 Fax: 800.213.5683

How could you say • Adopt “No” to this face? www.hsaconline.org www.facebook.com/hsac.page

Ask about our low cost spay & neuter program.

336-438-2023

• Donate • Volunteer

Providing Solutions to Keep You Moving • Five Area Locations to Serve You Burlington

3445 South Church St. (336) 350-8141 Asheboro 1191 Hwy 64 West (336) 625-3963 829 S. Fayetteville St. (336) 625-2850 Randleman 506 West Academy St. (336) 799-4911 Aberdeen 100 N Sandhills Boulevard (910) 944-6061

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Tune-Ups • Oil Changes • Brake Service • Engine Diagnostics • Transmission Work • Tire Replacement • Wheel Alignment

www.thomastire.com • Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30 - 5:30 • Sat 7:30 - Noon

BurlingtonMagNC.com | 13

COMMUNITY NEWS

Protect Your Pets During Cold Weather

C

old weather can be hard on pets, just like it can be hard on people. If you have an outdoor pet, there are things you can do to assure your pets’ warmth and safety.

If your dog or cat must stay outside be sure that they have a warm shelter, preferable one with four sides and a roof, with plenty of straw, wood shavings or a blanket.

Bedding should be changed as it becomes damp or wet. Local laws typically require owners to supply dogs and cats with "proper" shelter from the weather. In Alamance County, “Shelter” is defined as: a structure with a minimum of three sides and a roof used to house the animal and protect it from the weather. Even if your pet chooses not to use it, it’s the owner’s responsibility to provide a proper shelter.

When temperatures drop near zero, it’s time to give the outdoor cat and dog a break and invite them in even if it’s in the garage.

Even northern breeds such as German shepherds, Labradors and golden retrievers may not be acclimated to such extremes. Pets should be brought inside or into protected covered areas, provided with plenty of bedding, food and water during extreme cold weather.

Fresh water is essential. As temperatures drop near freezing your pet’s water will freeze. Make sure your pet has plenty of fresh water. Ice is not a substitute.

Cats left outdoors and wild animals sometimes climb onto car engines or beneath cars to seek warmth. Bang on the hood of your car or honk the horn before starting the engine to warn animals away.

Brush your dog vigorously and regularly. Brushing improves skin, coat and circulation.

A clean pet stays warmer. Your pet’s fur can get wet and matted, making it an irritant. Clean fur lofts and holds air in a manner similar to adding a layer of clothes, thus helping the animal stay warm.

Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter. Especially outdoor dogs need every strand of fur. Leave the coat longer for more warmth.

Increase your pet’s food in cold weather as their calorie needs increase. Adequate calorie intake is essential for maintaining their coat, muscle and providing energy for heat.

Do not leave antifreeze, coolant or windshield wiper fluid within reach and do not let pets drink from puddles. These products taste

14 | ATMagNC.com

appealing to pets but most are lethal to animals when ingested.

So thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle. Also, keep your pets on a leash outdoors and steer them far away from any suspect puddles.

Some animals can remain outside safely longer in the winter than others. Certain conditions such as kidney disease, heart disease, etc. may compromise a pet’s ability to regulate their

When temperatures drop near zero, it’s time to give the outdoor cat and dog a break and invite them in even if it’s in the garage. own body heat. Animals that are not generally in good health shouldn't be exposed to winter weather for a long period of time. Very young and very old animals are vulnerable to the cold as well. Regardless of their health, if possible, no pets should stay outside for unlimited amounts of time in freezing cold weather. If you have any questions about how long your pet should be outside this winter, ask your veterinarian or call your local animal shelter or humane society.

If you see an animal in distress, please call your local animal control or humane society right away. It doesn't take long for companion animals to suffer and fall victim to severe winter weather such as frostbite or hypothermia. J

For more information contact the Alamance County Animal Shelter at (336) 578-1386.

Resource: www.clemson.edu/extension; www.gundogonline.com; www.ASPCA.org and www.weather.com BurlingtonMagNC.com | 15

ASK THE EXPERT/REAL ESTATE

NEW Keller Williams Mobile App

G

Easy & Convenient

Holiday Home Safety T reat news! There is now a mobile

following:

app that allows you to connect with

Apple iPhone

me. This GPS-enabled app allows

Apple iPad

you to easily search for properties,

Android devices

view local property details with

Go to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to

this exciting new app. Then enter my personal code, photos, and noteslocked; about what Keep windows, garages andcreate sheds and download don't forget to use deadbolts.

you like for each property. You can share the information with

KW2KUIMJM, to make me your Keller Williams agent within

Useand timers to turntext, onemail, lights and aortelevision orthe radio. app. I hope you enjoy the ease and functionality of this app friends family through Facebook Twitter!

This user-friendly app makes finding a home to buy or rent a

as much as I do. J

Maintain at least a foot of space between a burning candle and anything that can catch fire. breeze. You’ll have access to all homes in the MLS database.

At your fingertips you can:

When hanging lights outdoors, avoid using staples or nails which can damage wiring. Use UL-rated clips

• Easily connect with your agent and send property inquiries instantly.

Don't overload electrical circuits with holiday lighting; unplug your tree and outdoor lights before goin

• Draw a circle on the map or drop a pinpoint to search that

area.t leave a spare key in a "hiding place." Burgulars know where to look.

Don' • See property details and full-screen photos, get driving

Lock yourmark power with an notes electricity authority lock (lock to which you and the electric company ha directions, your box favorites, create about what your home security system you liked, or share it withalarm family and friends. cannot be cut off from the power supply.

• Estimate your home loans with a free mortgage calculator.

• View Open Houses in your area.

• View Rental Properties in your area.

A special thank you to our clients, friends and family that have business grow in 2013. We could not have had such a succes The downloadable mobile without your support. Wishing you much happiness this holida

app is available for the

Heather McAndrew and herand husband fell in lovefell withinCentral NC, moved 1983 and raised two daughters.

As two the overall Heather McAndrew her husband love with Centralhere NC,inmoved here in 1983 and raised daughters. As th real estate team leader, she spearheads the management, marketing and financial operations of the local Keller Williams Triad team leader, sheteam. spearheads the management, marketing andSellers, financial operations of the localnegotiating Keller Williams Triad to to Triangle real estate Her emphasis is listing property, working with Buyers and referral clients, team.andHer emphasis is listing property, withforSellers, andbuilt referral clients,through negotiating contracts coaching team members.

As a Realtorworking and Broker over 20Buyers years, she her business referralscontracts from and coa yearsAsofasatisfied clients.

By using her expertise, she delivers performance, not just promises.

Realtor and Broker for over 20 years, she built her business through referrals from years of satisfied clients. By

Williams Triad to Triangle Real Estate Team delivers performance, notKeller just promises.

800-388-9304 • Cell: 336-269-2112 • teamheather@kw.com 16 | BurlingtonMagNC.com

Keller Williams Triad to Triangle Real Estate Team

COMMUNITY NEWS

Spirit of Place

T

he Alamance County Arts Council gladly presents Don Marlowe's exhibit Spirit of Place in the SunTrust Gallery of the Captain White House from January 23 - March 7. Join us for the opening reception on Thursday, January 23 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., which coincides with the POPS exhibit.

Marlowe received his BFA from the University of Georgia and currently lives in Leasburg, NC. He works mostly in watercolor and also dabbles in pen & ink and acrylics. Marlowe has had one man shows at The Kirby in Roxboro, NC and at Rome Area Council for the Arts in Rome, GA. He has also exhibited in various galleries in North Carolina and Georgia. Recently, he won first place in the Person County Art Guild Show.

will display plein air paintings that were used as inspiration for studio works. These companion pieces will hang side-by-side along with statements detailing how each artist interpreted, altered, redesigned, and translated these "in the open air" pieces into formal studio paintings.

POPS began as an informal group of outdoor painters from Winston-Salem and Greensboro, and they formed an official group 10 years ago.

Accompanying the POPS exhibition, From the Outside In, the Alamance County Arts Council is offering a plein airthemed workshop series covering a variety of techniques and mediums. All levels are welcome, and each Saturday workshop will last one day and costs $65 for members and $75 for nonmembers. Please call the Arts Council at 336-226-4495 to reserve your spot today! A list of materials will be provided after signing up. J

Painting with Pastels

February 1, 9 am – 4 pm Location: Captain White House, 213 S Main Street, Graham Instructor: Marsha Thrift (Winston Salem, NC) Welcome to the exciting and "most direct" of all painting media.

Pastel colors are vivid and almost pure pigment with very little binder, appearing to float on the painting surface. In this workshop, participants will create paintings using impressionistic layering techniques, working from still life and landscape photos.

Fast & Loose Palette Knife in Oil

February 22, 9 am – 4 pm Location: Captain White House, 213 S Main Street, Graham Instructor: Addren Doss (Greensboro, NC)

From the Outside In

C

ome and experience The Piedmont Outdoor Painting Society's exhibit From the Outside In on display at the Captain White House in Graham from January 23 - March 7. An opening reception hosted by the Women's Division of the Alamance County Chamber of Commerce will be held on Thursday, January 23 from 6:30 8:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The Piedmont Outdoor Painting Society (POPS) is a group of professional artists, all of whom are dedicated plein air painters working in watercolor, oils and pastels. The society paints together regularly and exhibits throughout the region.

Members of the group include: Arlene Daniel, Addren Doss, Alexis Lavine, Judy McGinn, Judy Meyler, Kathy Phillips, Cheryl Powell and Marsha Thrift. In their exhibit, the artists

This oil painting workshop is all about getting a loose painterly surface with passages of thick and thin paint applied with various palette knives. Participants will gain incite on working from plein air studies and photographs and transferring those ideas to the studio. The focus of the workshop will be on composition, strong value patterns, color harmony and expressive brush and knife work.

From Travel Journals to the Studio

March 8, 9:30 am – 4 pm Location: Maple Street Performing Arts Center, 306 S Maple Street, Graham Instructor: Alexis Lavine (Greensboro, NC) In this workshop, participants will learn to explore, interpret and ultimately develop travel sketches and photos into expressive paintings that evoke memories of your own favorite places.

Various techniques of color mixing and paint application will be explored. Alexis specializes in watercolor, but she welcomes painters using all media to this workshop.

BurlingtonMagNC.com | 17

COMMUNITY CHARACTER

Todd Hyatt, DPM

By Sherry B. Johnson

18 | BurlingtonMagNC.com

Todd Hyatt, DPM, is the son of Max and Betty Hyatt of Burlington.

He grew up in the Pinewood Forest development on the west side of town. His parents were also originally from Burlington, where they attended Elon College High School and worked for Western Electric before retiring from what’s now known as Lucent Technologies.

During high school he drove a school bus and worked in

in 2001. Once he started working in the office full-time, the

a local pet shop. After he graduated, he attended Greensboro

practice flourished because he had deep roots in the community.

College for his undergraduate degree in Chemistry and Biology.

The practice has since become The Triad Foot Center affiliate

When he started college, he still drove the school bus until he

of Cone Health, with locations in Greensboro, Burlington and

got a job at Moses Cone Hospital as a histologist.

He graduated college in 1991, and worked as a histologist before going on to medical school at Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, which has now become part of Kent State University.

After graduation, he spent his first residency in Baltimore, Maryland at the Veterans Administration and the University of Maryland. He then moved to Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, which is located just outside Akron. He got his orthopedic foot training while working at the Cuyahoga Falls Hospital for two years as a podiatric resident.

Todd moved back to the Burlington area in 1999. He knew Dr. Regal at Tuchman & Regal Podiatry, so he approached him for a job. At the time, they didn’t have a full-time opening, but were able to offer him a part-time position in their satellite office. He supplemented his income teaching at Greensboro College as an Assistant Professor. He taught classes on gross

Asheboro.

He still lectures at Greensboro College when requested. He donates time and money to help Greensboro College fulfill the academic needs of biology students.

He met his future wife, Keela, briefly in 2001 when she was working at Alamance Regional as a scrub tech. He met her again five years ago when she began working at the practice’s Specialty Surgical Center in Greensboro. They began dating and got married in October, 2012. With Keela’s daughter Brea, they spend lots of their free time at the shore. Growing up, his parents had a place on a nearby lake, so Todd spent a lot of time around water. Today his passions are fishing, diving, sailing and traveling as a family. They spend lots of weekends in warmer weather at their place on Harker’s Island.

When asked about what he would like to do when he retires,

anatomy, general biology and histology (the study of tissue).

Dr. Hyatt said he would spend more time lecturing as he really

He worked at Tuchman & Regal Podiatry on a part-time

enjoys teaching, traveling the world and the rest of the time in

basis for two years until a full-time position became available

and on the water with his family. J

BurlingtonMagNC.com | 19

FEATURE

Rotary provides opportunities for ordinary women to do extraordinary things STRENGTHENING ROTARY - STRENGTHENING DIVERSITY STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES

W

OMEN IN ROTARY was created by The Rotary Club of Albert Park “in order to initiate and support a dynamic Rotary culture where men and women work together to expand and build on existing strengths with the benefits of diversity to improve the lives of individuals and communities in a way consistent with the RI Strategic Plan.”1 There are currently 5,700 women in Rotary in Australia who volunteer their time to help communities at home and abroad, as well as enjoying the benefits of networking, mentoring, developing their leadership skills and meeting a diverse array of others with similar communityoriented values.

When recent focus groups, in places as diverse as Buenos Aires, Tokyo, Sydney and Chicago, were asked to characterize Rotary and Rotarians, their responses included: “Business men”, “elite”, “secretive”, “old”, “wealthy” and “not sure that women are allowed into local clubs”.2 After more than 20 years since women were first admitted into Rotary, the perception that women are not allowed or welcome in Rotary continues all over the world. Perhaps this is why JUST 18% OF ROTARIANS WORLDWIDE ARE WOMEN. 20 | BurlingtonMagNC.com

THE LOW NUMBER OF WOMEN IN ROTARY MATTERS FOR TWO REASONS 1.

Women represent a large, untapped pool of potential volunteers: At the heart of each Rotary club are its volunteer members. However, over the past decade there has been no growth in the total number of Rotarians worldwide, with many clubs struggling to maintain members. In fact, were it not for the increased number of women Rotarians during this period, Rotary would have over 115,000 fewer members than a decade ago!

Gender diversity is thus vital for maintaining and expanding Rotary’s membership base. This is particularly so given that in some places the rate of volunteerism among women is higher and growing faster, than that of men.

Currently, we have about 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide. If we had a 50/50 gender split, we could stop the decline in the number of Rotarians and build up a volunteer base of more than two million Rotarians. Imagine what a difference that would make!

2.

The more women in you have in Rotary, the more likely your club can better deliver your services and messages: It is not that women make “better” Rotarians, but, increased diversity creates better outcomes, and clubs that reflect their own communities are able to better engage in their communities and meet their needs.

In the corporate world, for example, research has repeatedly linked greater gender diversity on companies’ boards with better financial returns. Fortune 500 companies with more women board members outperform those who don’t by at least 53% in return on equity!4 One

of the key reasons for this is that women offer a differing and complementing perspective to that of men. Put simply by the former Chairman of the US Securities and Exchange Commission, William Donaldson, “monolithic backgrounds are destined to foster monolithic thinking”.

WHAT NEXT? Increasing the number of women in Rotary is not a fairness or equality issue; it simply makes sense if we want to continue doing what we have been doing for more than 100 years.

There are a large and growing number of women in senior business and community roles with a great deal to contribute through Rotary. We need to ask ourselves - Why are they not gravitating towards us because this is our loss. We need to work hard to encourage more women to join Rotary and dispel the myth that they are not welcome because the future of Rotary depends on an enthusiastic membership.

THE QUESTIONS REMAIN: • How do we change the perception of potential women volunteers?

• How do we attract them to Rotary?

• What strategies does Leadership have planned, and what are their ideas for tomorrow to attract women?

For instance, in Australia over the past two years, they have celebrated International Women’s Day with a large breakfast, which has sent a strong message that women are very much a part of Rotary, while also raising funds for local causes. After just two years of running the event, they had nearly 1000 men and women attend in 2013.6 As a fellow female Rotarian I challenge

both men and women: How do we increase female membership and spread the word to women about Rotary?

Locally, for instance we are participating in membership drives targeted to bring in female members. This past January we held a multi-club social event among all four Alamance County Rotaries to promote Rotary membership. It was a wonderful wine tasting and all four clubs were provided time to share a summary about all the projects we take part annually in our commitment to Alamance County.

The Rotary Club of Alamance was established March 31, 1981. Our 58 members are professional men and women who volunteer their time to help communities at home and abroad, as well as enjoying the benefits of networking, mentoring, and developing their leadership skills while meeting a diverse array of others with similar community-oriented values. Our current president is Ed Woodall, and our President-Elect is Sang Ho Lee. Local projects we are currently sponsoring for the 20132014 calendar year are: The Junior Police Academy; D.A.R.E; Sustainable Alamance, ACC Rotaract Scholarship; Feed the Hunger. Some of the key events Rotary participated last year are NDI’s Pack-a-Thon; Burlington-Alamance Sister Cities (Gwacheon City of S. Korea); and the ABSS/BCA Clothing Closet. Fun events included Natty Greene’s Beer Tasting; the Burlington Christmas Parade (2 years with ACC Rotaract!); and hosted a "Dirty Santa" Christmas Luncheon.

Notable Speakers invited to speak to the club include Mick Mixon (Carolina Panthers); Sheriff Terry Johnson; Phil Bowers (Sustainable Alamance); Peggy Boswell (Scott Collection);

Wine & Chocolate Tasting

F

or the Valentine's Day week-end we will combine the flavors of excellent locally crafted wine and chocolates. This special tasting is good for 3 unique, gourmet locally-made chocolate truffles paired with 3 two oz. selected wine tastings. The chocolates are made by Greensboro Pastry Chef Julie Watson: Cabernet infused Ganache with Sangiovese, Dusted Cocoa w/Merlot and Grand Marnier with your choice of Chardonnay or Rosso Dolce.

The price for this tasting is $12 at the winery. But you can reserve this special tasting in advance online (www. grovewinery.com) for only $8.99 and to make sure we save your chocolates for you in case we run out.

This tasting is available anytime from 2/14 through 2/16.

For those that have advanced reservations, they can visit any time during this time period. A list of online purchasers names will held at the Grove tasting room and your chocolates will be reserved for you and available any time that weekend. J

Patrick Eakes, Cookie Billings and Charles Allen (District 7690); Jerry Tolley (Mayor of Elon); Algie Gatewood (President of ACC). J If Rotarians have a “creed,” it is found here—

7360 Brooks Bridge Rd. Gibsonville NC 27249 336-584-4060

BurlingtonMagNC.com | 21

FEATURE

Stop Running Toward Your Life and Start Living It.

By Gay Barefield

{ { “What day is it?"

"It's today," squeaked Piglet.

"My favorite day," said Pooh.”

{

{

“Happiness, not in another place but this place...not for another hour, but this hour.”

T

~ Walt Whitman

he simple wisdom of Pooh, always showing us the way to appreciate our lives in the moment regardless of our circumstances. So why do we spend so much of our time running toward the life we want to live instead of living the life we have right now?

22 | BurlingtonMagNC.com

To help you decode the mystery, let's start with a fill in the blank.

I will start living my life once I have or once I complete___________.

The answer is the reason you are putting off your life, your dream or even your happiness. You chase that answer relentlessly hoping that once you catch it you will start living your life or the life you think you want to live. But what if you discovered that all of that running and pursuing only gave you what you already had?

Now fill in this blank, I want to be ______________ in my life. (thanks Danielle LaPorte) The second answer deals more with how do you want to feel in your life. (happy, loved, content, peaceful, grounded, free, confident,etc.)

Both of these answers are completely different because the first one is a physical thing, like quitting a dead end job, finishing a course that leads to a better life, having more time, a better job, a business, more money, etc. The second one is the feeling that you hope to create from the first answer.

What if you already have the second answer (the feeling) in your life right now without pursuing the first answer (the dream, goal, job, etc.)?

Don't get me wrong I'm not saying you should stop shooting

at our monthly meeting (these girls are my greatest guinea pigs and cheerleaders...thanks girls!) writing down 3 feelings that we want more of in our lives for 2014.

Each of us are moving toward a dream or goal in our lives but when we shifted our thoughts to the 3 feelings it added a wonderful dimension to each of our journeys.

What about you, ready to start feeling the way you want to feel in your life without the marathon to get there? Ready to uncover the feelings that speak to your soul so you can start living them every day? To get you started, here are my 5 (yep you can have more) words for 2014:

Free, Creative, Balance, Abundance and Soul Connected I would love for you to come on over to Zen Chick.com and let me know (in the comment section) your words for the New Year. And if you would like to dive deeper into finding how to map out your core desire feelings, check out The Desire Map by Danielle LaPorte at http://www.daniellelaporte.com/ thedesiremap. J

for the stars, going for your dreams or quitting that life sucking job. No what I'm saying is savor that feeling that you want in your life and keep savoring it WHILE you are moving toward your greatness.

Truly appreciating your life for what it is......LIFE. There is no perfection in any of our lives, just day to day living with all of it's ups, downs and warts. (okay not warts but you get the picture)

Instead of running toward your life, stop right now and savor the feelings you want in your life.

Shifting your thinking from "what you need next in your life" to "how do you want to feel in your life" moves you more into the present moment of living your life instead of chasing it. Focusing on how you want to feel on a soul level can change what you are running toward so that you start enjoying the journey instead of the destination.

I shared this shift in thinking with my Mastermind group BurlingtonMagNC.com | 23

COMMUNITY NEWS

M

The Front Street Redevelopment Project

att and Wellsley Robinson of Core Properties & Development, LLC, and the Burlington Downtown Corporation announced the ground breaking of the Front Street Redevelopment Project on Monday, December 16th at 4:15pm which was held on-site at 113 E. Front Street in downtown Burlington. The approximately $1.5 million project is scheduled to be completed in June 2014.

This project will transform the 200 Block of East Front Street in the heart of downtown Burlington. The project encompasses an entire block of buildings across from the historic Paramount Theater. Core Properties, with the help of the Burlington Downtown Corporation’s grant programs, will transform three buildings into prime restaurant and retail spaces and add a charming patio for outdoor dining. The project includes major renovations to the Biller’s Jewelry building, new facades, second-floor patio dining and renovated interiors. The two storefronts at 107 and 113 E. Front Street will receive new facades that will renew the historic character of the buildings.

The parking lot will become a restful patio with access from the businesses on either side. All buildings will receive interior renovations bringing them up to current building codes and readying them for tenants.

An exciting aspect of the project is the creation of three modern loft-style apartments above 127 through 139 E. Front Street. This is the first multi-unit residential project developed in Downtown Burlington in recent memory.

This project fulfills a long-time dream of Matt and Wellsley Robinson. Experienced developers of historic apartments, retail spaces and restaurants, The Front Street Redevelopment brings all of these elements together in a mixed-use urban project.

“We are so excited to see this project take shape and are eager to share it with the community,” said Wellsley Robinson.

24 | BurlingtonMagNC.com

The much-anticipated project has been years in the making, according to Anne Morris, Executive Director of the Burlington Downtown Corporation. “This is one of the first projects I worked on after joining the BDC. We have been steadfastly behind the project from the beginning and knew that the many challenges presented to the Robinsons’ would be overcome to create the great project now breaking ground.” Through the BDC’s grant program, made possible by the City of Burlington, the Robinsons’ are approved for four separate grants. Each of the three buildings will receive a $20,000 Rehabilitation and Modernization grant and the BDC is also providing a Residential Incentive Grant of $8,575 to assist with the construction of the three loft-style apartments.

The City of Burlington has been a key partner in bringing this project to fruition. Most notably, the challenges regarding parking that this project spotlighted was one factor leading to the development of a comprehensive parking plan for downtown Burlington. The recently completed plan addresses the need to support parking for residential units through the City’s existing parking rental program.

The Robinsons’ are excited to expand their commitment to downtown Burlington, following the Company Shops Market, Mary Katherine’s, The Treasure House, Color Landscapes, Plageman Architecture, Select Bank and Trust and many others who have recently joined the downtown family of businesses.

Financing for the project is provided by Capstone Bank, of Raleigh, NC, who share the Robinsons’ commitment to community renewal. The Robinsons’ have a long history with the financing team, including Scott Stuchel and Sandy Steadman, having worked with them on previous projects.

The entire project is anticipated to inject well over $1.4 million of private investment into downtown Burlington during the construction phase. J

BOOK REVIEW

Design on the Fly: Quick and Easy Home Décor Tips for the Busy Household

H

By Robin Breedlove

ave you ever wanted to change a room in your home, but felt too overwhelmed to know even where and how to start. Or perhaps, you tackled the project, but never felt like you could quite find the right finishing touches. Maybe, your home isn’t exactly what you picture in your mind, but your busy lifestyle doesn’t leave the time to make the transition.

Asheboro resident, Molly McLean, has recently written a book that can solve all of these dilemmas plus more.

Design on the Fly: Quick and Easy Home Décor Tips for the Busy Household, released in October, has been a labor of love over the past five years for McLean.

“The book is geared to moms of small children, busy moms and busy women in general,” said McLean. “It’s for those that just don’t have a lot of time. The book shows how to work with small amounts of time of design, maybe a few hours for a project or a weekend.”

McLean, who graduated from Meredith College with a degree in interior design, worked as a full-time designer until the birth of her daughter. Over the past five years while raising Ella, McLean has worked on her first book, while staying active in the design world by taking on freelance design work.

Design on the Fly, a 144-page paperback, breaks down various household rooms chapter by chapter with tips and project ideas for smaller chunks of manageable time. The purpose is to give the busiest of households the ability to have a stylish house that feels like a comfortable home.

According to McLean, accessorizing, or the ability to pull the room all together, is one of the biggest obstacles homeowners face in their design quest.

“Most people don’t have any problems with placing their main pieces, like their furniture,” said McLean, “but look for help in accessorizing. I recommend bringing in color through accessories and finishing touches.”

A busy mom herself, McLean considers her own home one of her hobbies, staying busy with design projects herself. And having a small child, McLean truly understands that there is an art to incorporating the children’s essentials, like toys, into a stylish home.

“Toys are like a fungus. They seem to just grow overnight,”

laughed McLean. “I recommend using baskets under coffee tables as a place for smaller items, and perhaps larger baskets placed neatly in a corner. These baskets can even be an accent color to help accessorize.”

McLean also suggested that larger children’s items be purchased, when possible, to match the furniture of the room so as not to stand out as much.

The local author says that it is important, however, to remember that a house needs to be comfortable and not feel like a museum. With her book she shows how to meet this goal and have a beautifully stylish place to call home.

“The book basically shows how to put a room together and how to use time wisely to do that,” said McLean, noting that the tips shown can be used on a budget.

McLean has many exciting new things waiting on the horizon for her. The birth of her second daughter is just a few weeks away.

The momentum and desire to grow her design business. And the ideas of a second book are currently being brainstormed.

“I am going to be working on a book about incorporating heirloom pieces into modern design,” said McLean.

For more information, check out McLean’s website at www.ellabee.com or her blog at www.mollymclean.com, or find Design on the Fly on Amazon. J

BurlingtonMagNC.com | 25

Zoo Acquires New Sea Lions

By Ken Reininger Photos Courtesy of NC Zoo

ZOO ZEAL

O

n Halloween night the North Carolina Zoo received a special treat, the arrival of two young California sea lions to share the exhibit in the zoo’s Rocky Coast complex with its two resident harbor seals. The young sea lions were orphans that had been rescued in June 2012 from the California coast near La Jolla Cove. How they came to be orphaned is unknown. However over the past two years an alarming number of young sea lions have been washing up on California beaches, under weight, injured and orphaned.

In Los Angeles County alone, more than 400 sea lions pups were found orphaned just since January 2013. This is over ten times the normal rate. Wildlife rescue facilities have been overwhelmed, straining their capacity to cope with so many patients. The federal government declared the situation an “unusual mortality event,” a designation used whenever unusual large scale events like this take place. Since 1991 federal officials have declared 57 such events for a variety of marine species in many different locations. The designation mobilizes biologists and oceanographers who try to determine the causes.

Our two new sea lions were cared for when rescued by the staff at Sea World California. At last count Sea World had provided care for 270 such orphans during the past year. At Sea World our sea lions acquired the names Dyson and Storm. Storm was a quiet and docile young female who seemed relatively healthy and was growing normally, although she had a reputation as a finicky eater. She was known to prefer to eat only when on land (unusual for sea lions) and would need dedicated work to change that habit. Dyson on the other hand was an eating machine and quite a handful, who liked to approach zookeepers and nip at their boots. This of course could become a more

26 | ATMagNC.com

significant concern once he became a mature adult weighing up to 700 pounds.

The trip for Dyson and Storm from Sea World to the North Carolina Zoo required significant advanced logistical planning.

Since rescued marine mammals fall under the jurisdiction of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) it is this agency that decides where they are placed and the conditions required for transport. The first step in the process was an application to receive these animals, which NMFS must approve. Once the permit was obtained, planning for the quickest and safest method of transport began. A detailed written plan for how transport was to be handled is part of the permit approval process. Given the length of the journey, transport by air was deemed the best method. Since this was rather unusual cargo, they could not travel on commercial passenger airlines.

In this case FedEx was the best way to go and this entailed a new set of logistics. Space on the appropriate flights needed to be booked well in advance and security clearance for the staff accompanying the sea lions must be obtained. Federal regulations do require that qualified staff accompany marine mammals in transit in order to insure safe and proper care during the trip. Since the zoo does a fair number of these types of shipments the process was well known but is always time consuming and not without a few unexpected challenges.

To properly prepare for caring for the new sea lions, a zookeeper from the North Carolina Zoo spent a week at Sea World to gain first hand knowledge of how they were housed, fed and managed. This also allowed our staff to begin establishing a bond with the animals. In addition, one of the Sea World zookeepers came to North Carolina to spend several

days with the new sea lions after their arrival. This also helped smooth their transition to an entirely new environment. After spending 30 days in quarantine, a standard precautionary practice for all new zoo animals to insure they don’t pass on disease to animals already in our collection, Dyson and Storm were moved to the seal/sea lion exhibit in early December. This too required careful planning so their introduction to our two harbor seals went smoothly. Storm and Dyson spent the first several days in the exhibit without the harbor seals so they had a chance to get used to the large new pool. The harbor seals were housed nearby, where the two species could see and hear each other. When the harbor seals joined them in the big pool everything went without incident.

Unfortunately, as many of our readers will know, Storm died unexpectedly in late December. This was a shocking and heartbreaking development as Storm had appeared completely healthy and normal right up to the time of her death. Testing on the cause of her death is not yet complete but is pointing at a marine toxin that she was likely exposed to before she was born or shortly thereafter. This toxin (domoic acid) is produced by algae and is commonly known as “red tide�. Biologists believe this is the likely cause for the large number of wild California Sea Lion deaths over the past year. The North Carolina Zoo recognized when they agreed to provide a home for these orphans there might be hidden medical conditions that in part contributed to why they became orphaned originally. But we are committed to continue offering homes to animals such as this knowing the risks. To date our little male Dyson appears healthy and is indeed an energetic little handful. He can be seen on exhibit at the zoo daily in the seal and sea lion pool. J BurlingtonMagNC.com | 27

NATURE'S NUANCES

Those Blue Days of Winter

By Faylene Whitaker of Whitaker Farms

28 | BurlingtonMagNC.com

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he sky is a beautiful clear blue today with an orangey kind of sunshine. It is one of those rare days in January when it is actually warm enough to really enjoy being outside without a coat. The Blue Jays are at the birdfeeder with their grand blue coats. They believe they are kings and are making sure all the other birds take notice. Over at the other feeders are wonderful cardinals, finches and a couple of doves so even in nature there is room for all of God’s creations to flourish and grow. The squirrels are also stealing some of the birdfeed and the rabbits have found the ornamental cabbages that I planted to give color in the winter landscape. It is a grand experience just to watch nature doing her thing.

If you have birdfeeders be sure to keep them filled in the winter months because it is hard for the birds to find insects when the ground is frozen or there is snow on the ground. Also provide shallow water fountains for the birds during winter months. Place your feeders close to plants that the birds can hide in and take shelter such as evergreen trees and shrubs.

In the landscape for winter add some blue pots to match the sky and bring color to the yard. Fill with some bare branches or add some red nandias along with some colorful ornamental cabbage and some evergreen ivy. Some other great plants for containers in winter are small

evergreen shrubs such as arborvitae, chamaecyparis, blue spruce, kleims hardy gardenia and my favorite cephalotaxus prostrate just to name a few. I like to add some stems of lights into the arrangements to add a warm and welcoming glow at night.

One of the sounds in the garden that I love all year round are the bubbling rocks and streams that have become part of our landscape. They can be left on year round with no worry that it is too cold outside and the animals will play all around them even in the dead of winter.

On warm sunny days the fish come out of their caves to play Our Labrador retriever gets her water there, too.

As you walk up to your house in the winter ask yourself this question, does my home look inviting and warm? There are several things to add to the landscape in winter that says ‘Welcome.’ When you take down the Christmas wreaths, add a new winter wreath. Put some planters by the doorway entry or on the steps, and add some type of artwork or statuary.

You can also plant some small evergreens in clusters or birdhouse or feeder on a post. There are a lot of ways to add beauty to your yard in winter. Sometimes just adding a few boulders or a lamp post can change the atmosphere of the landscape.

There are many wonderful plants for the winter months, the beautiful blooms of camellias, the reds of nandias, the great smell of daphne, the berries on the hollies, the foliage of the conifers such as cedar deodar, or perennials such as hellebores. Then there are all the trees with their beautiful bare branches such as crepe myrtles, birches, coral bark maple and red twig dogwood trees. Nature gave us such a wide selection to choose from that there is something for everyone.

The things we really need to make sure of during these cold months are that we have the roots of our shrubs and perennials mulched well. If it doesn’t rain or snow we need to keep them watered and if we have a heavy snow or ice that breaks limbs, those need to be immediately cut out of the plant.

Enjoy the days to come, take time to walk outside and appreciate all that nature has to offer us … whether it is the cool blue sky, a gorgeous sunset, the birds singing or just the quiet air around you. As you take that time and it becomes a part of you; life will begin to be a little grander and a little more precious because you will realize that we all have our own place under this great blue sky that is part of our universe. J BurlingtonMagNC.com | 29

AT THE YMCA

YMCA’s Valentines’ Princess Dinner & Dance

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reat your daughter/s to a special date night with dad! You will enjoy an evening of music, dancing, fellowship and refreshments.

Pictures will be taken with an option

to purchase. Fathers, come join us and show your daughter what it means to be treated like a lady! If you have a daughter who is between the ages of 5-14 years old give them a night to remember.

The Burlington Father Daughter dance will be held on Saturday, February 8th at the Alamance County Community YMCA from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. If you are looking for a way to make your Father Daughter Dance experience even more memorable, bring your daughter to one of our Valentines’ Princess Dinners.

Packages include dinner for two with dessert, tickets to the dance and a flower for your little princess. You have a choice of two local restaurants for dinner with your daughter. Option 1 is at the Village Inn: Dad’s dinner is steak, chicken or fish with one side, and daughter’s menu is pasta or tenders with fries. Option 2 is at Grill 584: Dad’s menu consists of Filet, chicken or fish with one side, and daughter’s menu is pasta, tenders or pizza with a side. Both options include water, tea or soda and a special Valentine’s Dessert.

The Mebane Father Daughter dance will be held on Saturday, February 22nd at the Mebane Arts & Community Center from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.

The cost for these dances is $5.00 per pair for YMCA members, $20 per pair for Program Participants and each additional daughter is an additional $5.00. If you choose to take your daughter out for one of the Princess Dinners, Option 1 is $40.00 per couple for YMCA members, $60 per couple for Program; Option 2 is $45 per couple for YMCA members and $65 per couple and each. Each additional daughter is $10.

Registration is available at the Welcome Desk of the Y or online. J 30 | BurlingtonMagNC.com

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