Burlington Magazine - Issue 16 by Asheboro Magazine

ISSUE 16

BURLINGTON MAGAZINE FRE

MAG E AZ enj INE

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Heaven Sent Private Care

“I Love Loving People!”

Seagrove,

Handmade Pottery Capital of the United States

Annual King Family Wood Fired Kiln Opening April 18th

7th Annual Celebration of Spring in Seagrove April 18th & 19th

Lathamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pottery Spring Open House April 18th & 19th

Mud & Suds in the Yard at Whynot Pottery April 18th & 19th

Spring Kiln Opening at Thomas Pottery April 18th & 19th

Visit the Heart of North Carolina

HeartofNorthCarolina.com | 800-626-2672

Beautiful Lighting Options to Spruce Up Your Home

A Minka Group® Company

available at...

KING

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808 Chapel Hill Road • Burlington www.kingelectric-co.com

336.226.8889

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ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED

CONTENTS

WELCOME TO BURLINGTON MAGAZINE

Publisher’s Letter

COVER STORY

Heaven Sent Private Care

ASK THE EXPERT

Real Estate

COMMUNITY NEWS

April Showers Bring ½ Price Adoptions Greensboro Collegiate Biscuitville Week

FEATURE STORY

Building STEAM in Burlington Maker City / Maker Roundtable

ASK THE EXPERT

Travel

COMMUNITY NEWS

Burlington Fire Department Announces First Citizen Fire Academy

NATURE’S NUANCES

Where is Spring????

HISTORY

Burlington Was Alive with the Sound of Music

ZOO ZEAL

Trek into Dino World and experience several events at the North Carolina Zoo in 2015

TEEN 2 TEEN

Trending Now

Burlington Magazine, Issue 16

BURLINGTON MAGAZINE

Positive Community Magazines

In-home care isn’t just for seniors...it’s for anyone who needs a helping hand...or just a break. Private Duty Home Care Includes: • Personal Care “Bathing & Dressing” • Meal Preparation/Grocery Shopping • Errands/Light Housekeeping • Transportation to Doctor’s Appts./Pharmacy • Respite Care/Companionship We accept Medicaid, Long terM care insurance, Va Benefits and priVate pay cLients

In-Home Care Services for the Aged and Disabled Tel. 336.495.0338 | Fax 336.498.5972

WOULDN’T YOU LIKE TO OWN A BREWERY?

NOW YOU CAN!

www.BurlingtonBeerWorks.coop

Web: http://www.burlingtonmagnc.com Facebook: burlingtonmagazine Twitter: burlingtonmagnc

Cover Photo Heaven Sent Private Care Staff

Contributors

www.angels336.com | cmrh@northstate.net

For only $125, you will get: • Cotton of the Carolinas BBW T-shirt • Custom BBW-colored pint glass • Custom BBW Skoozie • BBW Sticker Set • Ownership Certificate All boxed together and shipped to your door!

PO Box 1369 Asheboro • NC • 27204

COMING SOON TO DOWNTOWN BURLINGTON!

Sherry Johnson, Heather McWilliams, Bennett Harris, Faylene Whitaker, Walter Boyd, Kate Phillips

PCM Staff Publisher, Sherry B. Johnson sherry@burlingtonmagnc.com 336.257.8579 Advertising Director, Sally Carré 336.301.9839 Business Development, David A. Johnson dave@burlingtonmagnc.com 336.328.7714

Burlington Magazine is published by Positive Community Magazines. 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 Burlington Magazine are not endorsed or recommended by the Publisher. Therefore, neither party may be held liable for the business practices of these companies.

www.BurlingtonMagNC.com

Welcome to Burlington Magazine

Dear Readers, In this issue, we’re celebrating Spring and all the things that go along with it. As you can see from our cover, Heaven Sent Private Care is thinking about nice weather and all the fun activities they can plan for their clients this year. Just down the road in Asheboro the North Carolina Zoo is gearing up with their new Dino World display. The animals are shaking off the winter cold and the flora and fauna throughout the park are starting to bloom. In this year’s new exhibit you can explore a forest of dinosaurs like you have never seen them before. Did you attend the Maker’s Guild Roundtable? If you missed it, check out what’s happening with them in the Maker City article by Bennett Harris. Exciting things are coming! In celebration of the Sound of Music’s 50th anniversary,Walter Boyd takes us back to October, 1941 when the Trapp Family Singers graced the stage at Elon College in the Whitley Auditorium. Can you imagine sitting in the audience and watching them perform, how cool is that? With Mother’s day fast approaching, it can be challenging to find new and unique ways to show Mom your affection. Sometimes the simplest concepts are the ones that she appreciates the most. Buy her some sweet treats at your local candy shop, flowers or a potted plant she can enjoy throughout the summer months, take her to lunch at her favorite place or just offer to do her chores for the day and let her sit and relax with her feet up. Spending time with loved ones is what Moms enjoy more than anything in the world. Take a moment this Mother’s Day to say thank you to the women in your life who have had an influence on you. We get so many great comments on the content we have in every issue. Look for even more variety as we introduce additional contributing and guest writers in the months to come and if you are interested in writing for Burlington Magazine, please contact us. Happy Spring!

Sherry 6

Burlington Magazine, Issue 16

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“I Love Loving People!” By Sherry Johnson

ricia McMasters was born and raised in Kansas. She grew up on a farm with acres of cornfields, alfalfa, wheat, cows, chickens and horses. After high school, she studied nursing at Dodge City Community College, graduating in 1995 with an LPN degree. She moved to Topeka, Kansas and started a private home care business. She offered private care for four clients on her own for eight years, before she expanded and hired employees. She and her staff managed many clients over the next 13years. In 2009, her mom was diagnosed with colon cancer. Tricia sold her business and moved home to be closer to her mother and help take care of her through her treatments and illness for the next two years. In the last 11 days of her mom’s life, she talked to Tricia about her personal vision of heaven. That comforted Tricia, and helped her be okay with her Mom’s passing and let her go when the time came. It also allowed her to develop a closer relationship with God. After her Mom passed, Tricia was surrounded by so many painful memories that she needed a fresh start. She moved to North Carolina in February 2012 to be close to friends, who could offer a support system to begin her healing process. Although not sure what direction her life would take, she knew she wanted to work with horses. She spent a lot of time looking for a horse farm who was hiring. She found Creekridge Farm and loved the look of the place from the photos of it she found online. She drove out one day to meet the owner, Tony McMasters. When she asked if he was hiring and would he consider hiring her to work with the horses, he said “no.” Not one to give

Burlington Magazine, Issue 16

up, she stayed for the next forty-five minutes talking with him until he finally changed his mind. Once she began working at the farm, she subleased one of the horses from its owner, basically becoming the caregiver for the horse, paying for room, board and shoeing costs, and in return she got to exercise and groom the horse. She spent every day at the barn, mucking out the stalls, trail riding and taking care of the farm when Tony was traveling. Tony recommended that she consider taking a position with a friend of his in Greensboro. Although she hadn’t planned on starting her business here in North Carolina, she began cleaning house for this family, and as time went on she started providing care for their elderly Dad. Tricia continued to work at the farm and she and Tony became close friends. They talked about everything, and supported each other through rough times. When she took a trip to Colorado in August to visit her Dad, Tony came with her. While he was there, he asked her father’s permission to marry her. Her father’s response, “You are over 21 and have a job, don’t you?” With a smile on his face, Tony then asked Tricia to marry him and she said yes. When they returned home and started discussing wedding plans, Tony asked her how an October wedding worked for her, and thinking he meant the following year, she said that would be perfect. But Tony had other ideas and they were married at the farm just two short months later on October 19, 2013. When she called her Dad, who was unable to attend the ceremony to let him know, he told her that was the date that he had married her Mom, so it became an even more special day for Tricia. Many times she talked with Tony about opening another private care business, and her current client’s family was very supportive and encouraging. Basically, they gave her the “boot in the butt” she needed. In October, 2013 she filed the paperwork to start Heaven Sent Private Care, LLC which became officially licensed by the state of North Carolina on January 17, 2014. Tony came up with the name, because he always said that Tricia was “Heaven Sent” to him. Her employees and clients now echo that sentiment. Tricia has a team of dedicated employees that work closely together providing her the help and support she needs to make sure that her clients are taken care of. Tricia’s clients trust her to bring someone into their home trained to take good care of them. She is very aware of that responsibility and when hiring employees, she might be a little unconventional but it’s what works for her. She meets with each potential new hire, and then spends time after praying over them, letting God guide her decision making to hire them or not. In the second interview with a potential candidate, she asks them five questions. She trusts her gut as she listens to their responses. She handles all of her business decisions the same way, including accepting www.BurlingtonMagNC.com

new clients. “My business will never be without God. That’s what has led me all of these years. The strength of God and my Mom’s memory are why I started my business again.” In a very short time, Tricia has grown her private care business to include 19 employees. They are in fourteen client homes, caring for one or more person as several of their clients are couples who both need support and care. Heaven Sent has an RN on staff, but Tricia does all the evaluations herself. She spends the first 12 to 24 hours with each client, assessing their needs and learning their habits. She then trains her staff personally, so she knows that each client’s individual needs are being met. If they like their bed made a certain way or they have breakfast at a certain time – whatever their needs, Tricia makes sure that the employee in charge of their care has been trained thoroughly to make them as comfortable as possible. Heaven Sent Private Care, LLC can provide services from one hour a month to twenty-four hours a day. They offer full-time non-medical care, laundry, light housekeeping, and meal preparation. They sit with a client who has entered the hospital, keeping them comfortable and relieving their family members of that duty so they don’t have to take extended leaves of absence or miss work. Many times, a patient is able to come home after a hospital stay instead of going into a nursing home to recover because Tricia’s team is right there to help them. They work closely with a client’s personal doctor and medical team to make sure each client’s needs are being met. Loneliness is a hard thing for the aging generation, and Tricia provides companionship and care at the same time. If a client is mobile, she organizes two or three outings a month and will take them to the park, or the zoo, shopping at the Farmer’s Market or an apple orchard. The caregivers often take their clients on day trips, grocery shopping, to the movies – whatever the client would like to do. They offer respite care, if a family member is the primary caregiver and they just need to get out of the house for a few hours to run errands, do grocery shopping or whatever, Tricia and her team will sit with the client, read the paper, play games or just keep them company. If a family needs to go away for vacation or holidays, Heaven Sent staff is available to stay with their family member so they have peace of mind while they are gone that their loved one is well cared for. They have also accompanied a client and their family to the beach, so the client can be part of the vacation, but the family is free to enjoy a stressfree vacation while their loved one is able to come with them. Some clients just need a little help getting up and ready for the day and then at the end of the day to get ready for bed. There are no minimum requirements with Heaven Sent; you can use them as little or as much as you need. Tricia offers two free hours of service to all new incoming clients. This

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allows you to try their services and see if it is the right fit for you and your family’s situation, without any obligation or long-term contracts. As the owner of the company, Tricia takes special time with each client and she checks in with her caregivers and clients constantly to make sure that everything is okay and everyone is happy. “I love loving people!” Watching her with one of her own clients, you can tell that Tricia truly cares and enjoys being with them. When she first took on her current client, he rarely left the house and was not very mobile. He now takes walks during nice weather, and after breakfast he is raring to get out of the house.

“There is no 9 to 5 in this business.You get calls in the middle of the night for a client who has been admitted to the hospital, you grab your bag and get there as quickly as you can! You might be there for four hours or four days, but the fact that you are there is what’s important!” Tricia and her caregivers are looking forward to meeting and caring for your family. Give her a call today and see what Heaven Sent can do to help you and your loved ones.

Heaven Sent Private Care, LLC is a family business. Tricia’s two sons work for her, helping with office work, as well as being caregivers. Her oldest son is also a trained EMT firefighter. Her 14 year old often invites her clients to go to the movies. “We want everyone to feel like they are family.” One of Tricia’s favorite sayings is “There is no ‘I’ in team.” This really tells you how she manages her employees and her clients. Although she doesn’t mix business with personal, Tricia makes sure that everyone knows that they are appreciated and since she can’t do it all by herself, they are a huge part of her life and her success.

336.338.8836

heavensentprivatecarellc.com www.BurlingtonMagNC.com

Ask the Expert Real Estate

Buying vs. Renting Holiday Home Safety Tips: Keep windows, garages and sheds locked; and don't forget to use deadbolts.

Heather McAndrew and her husband fell in love with Central NC, moved here Use turn As on lights and a television or radio. in 1983 andtimers raised two to daughters. the overall real estate team leader, she spearheads the management, marketing Maintain at least a foot of space between a burning candle and anything that can catch fire. and financial operations of the local Keller Williams Triad to Triangle real estate hanging team.When Her emphasis is listing lights property, outdoors, avoid using staples or nails which can damage wiring. Use UL-rated clips or wires instead. working with Sellers, Buyers and referral clients,Don't negotiating contracts andelectrical coaching circuits with holiday lighting; unplug your tree and outdoor lights before going to bed. overload team members. As a Realtor and Broker for over 20 years, she built her business Don't leave a spare key in a "hiding place." Burgulars know where to look. through referrals from years of satisfied clients. By using her expertise, she delivers performance, just promises. Lock your not power box with an electricity authority lock (lock to which you and the electric company have a key) so that

Is now the right time for you to buy a home? You have many options to consider and choices to make. Buying a home is a big responsibility, financially and emotionally, but most people yourWilliams home security cut off from the power supply. wantcannot to beown a home. Homeownership often is Keller Triad to alarm system Triangle Real Estate Team 800-388-9304 referred to as â&#x20AC;&#x153;the American dream.â&#x20AC;? Why is it Cell: 336-269-2112 teamheather@kw.com so special? Among the reasons: Real estate often thank you toinvestment, our clients, friends perhaps and family thatthe have helped our is Aanspecial excellent number business grow in 2013. We could not have had such a successful year without your support. Wishing you much happiness this holiday season! one source of wealth-building for families. 12

Burlington Magazine, Issue 16 and her husband fell in love with Central NC, moved here in 1983 and raised two daughters. As the overall real estate Heather McAndrew

wning a home has many benefits. When you make a mortgage payment, you are building equity-and that’s an investment. Owning a home also qualifies you for tax benefits that may assist you in dealing with your new financial responsibilities – such as homeowner’s insurance, real estate taxes and upkeep, which can be substantial. But given the freedom, stability, and security of owning your own home, they are definitely worth it! Owning your own home also can be a great source of pride and stability. But homeownership may not be for everyone. It’s a big financial commitment – starting with the initial shock of your purchase (including a down payment and fees paid to a real estate agent, the lender and others) followed by years of monthly mortgage payments, real estate taxes, property insurance and maintenance costs. When you decide to purchase a home, you accept responsibility for paying these expenses. They are additional costs to your monthly mortgage payment and should be included in your budget estimates: Property Taxes and Special Assessments, Home/ Hazard Insurance, Utilities, Maintenance, Home Owner Association (HOA) Fee if applicable. One of the advantages of renting is being generally free of most maintenance responsibilities and the flexibility of moving almost as soon as you decide. But by renting,

you lose the chance to build equity, take advantage of tax benefits, and protect yourself against rent increases. Also, you may not be free to decorate without permission and may be at the mercy of the landlord for your housing needs. Home ownership also comes with short and long-term tax advantages. The mortgage interest and real estate taxes are tax deductible, which allows you to subtract part of your housing-related expenses from your taxable income and could reduce your tax bill. In many cases, the amount of money a renter spends on rent can be about the same or less than the amount a homeowner spends on a mortgage. With the tax benefit of homeowners, the savings can be significant. Buy vs. Rent: Cost Comparison The chart below shows a cost comparison for a renter and a homeowner over a seven year period. The renter starts out paying $800 per month with annual increases of 5%. The homeowner purchases a home for $180,000 and pays a monthly mortgage of $1,000 (based on a 4% interest rate and 20% down payment). After a year, the homeowner’s payment is lower than the renter’s monthly payment. And remember, with tax-deductible interest, you’ll save even more!

www.BurlingtonMagNC.com

Community News

Biscuitville FRESH SOUTHERN® Kicks Off April Showers Bring ½ Price Greensboro Collegiate Adoptions Biscuitville Week

WHAT: April Showers Bring ½ Price Pet Adoption Special WHEN: Saturday, April 11th – Saturday, April 18th HOURS: 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday- Friday 10:00amd to 4:00pm, Saturday WHERE: Burlington Pet Adoption Center, 221 Stone Quarry Road, Haw River, NC

April 13-19 event promotes entrepreneurship and community engagement among local college students

Burlington Animal Services is having an adoption special, “April Showers Bring 1/2 Price Adoptions”, April 11th – April 18th.You can adopt any cat for only $25 or any dog for only $45. This special adoption fee includes spay/neuter, basic shots, a 1 year rabies vaccination, heartworm or Felv/ FIV test and 30 days free Trupanion Pet Insurance. Regular adoption fees are $50 for cat and $90 for dogs and will resume on Monday, April 20th. Call 336-578-0343 with questions or for additional information. Learn more about Burlington Animal Services and view available adoptable animals at www.BurlingtonNC.gov/pets.

iscuitville FRESH SOUTHERN® (www.biscuitville.

com), a local-favorite, family-owned restaurant, kicks off Greensboro Collegiate Biscuitville Week on Monday, April 13. Now in its fourth

year, this weeklong collaborative event between Biscuitville, Opportunity Greensboro, synerG Young Professionals, and the Greensboro Grasshoppers, is designed to engage the more than 50,000 college students living in Greensboro, and inspire a sense of entrepreneurship and connectivity to our community. Students from Bennett College, Elon University, Greensboro College, Guilford College, Guilford Technical Community College, North Carolina A&T University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro are invited to participate for FREE in all of the events of Greensboro Collegiate Biscuitville Week that takes place April 13-19.

Burlington Magazine, Issue 16

“We’re thrilled to sponsor this collaborative event again this year,” said Burney Jennings, CEO of Biscuitville. “The Brand Your Biscuit Challenge and Scratch-Made Success programs provide students real world, hands-on experience in entrepreneurship and business innovation that will help drive our community’s growth and advancement. I’m looking forward to hearing the students’ pitches for creative, new menu ideas!” This year’s events will include a host of entrepreneurial programs, a unique contest and finale celebration. Scratch-Made Success Week: There will be a series of free intercampus events and programs focused on entrepreneurship, branding and idea innovation. Check www.biscuitvilleweek.com for details. • Social Entrepreneurship Panel at Triad Stage Monday, April 13, 5:30-7 p.m. • Idea Slam at co//ab in downtown Greensboro Wednesday, April 15, 8-10 a.m. • Open House Night with a special Branding Workshop at co//ab - Thursday, April 16, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Brand Your Biscuit Challenge: This contest asks local college students to work in teams and develop a creative product for Biscuitville’s breakfast or lunch menu. Contest rules are listed on www.biscuitvilleweek.com and product proposals must be submitted online by Wednesday, April 8. Participants will pitch their new menu ideas to Biscuitville executives the morning of Saturday, April 18. First place winners receive $1,000, and lunch with Burney Jennings, $500 to second place, and $250 to third place winners. Winners will be announced at the Greensboro Grasshoppers Finale on Sunday, April 19. Greensboro Grasshoppers Finale: Students from any of the seven local colleges are invited to attend the Grasshoppers baseball game on Sunday, April 19. To attend, students just need to register on wwww.biscuitvilleweek.com. There will be a campus takeover of Natty’s Hill and a grand slam afterparty featuring games, food and prizes from 3-8:30 p.m. For more information regarding Greensboro Collegiate

ABOUT BISCUITVILLE FRESH SOUTHERN®: Biscuitville FRESH SOUTHERN is a family-owned company headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina. The company was founded in 1966 when owner Maurice Jennings opened two restaurants in Burlington, North Carolina. After several years, the company added its signature, made-from-scratch biscuits to its menu that were so well-received, business boomed and the Biscuitville brand evolved. Today, Biscuitville employs nearly 900 people and operates 54 restaurants in North Carolina and Virginia. The company, which built its success on making guests a priority and serving fresh, authentic food with integrity, recently introduced its new FRESH SOUTHERN lunch menu that includes fresh-made sandwiches and sides. Biscuitville serves breakfast at all 54 restaurants all day from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and lunch at participating Triad restaurants from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, visit www.biscuitville.com.

ABOUT ACTION GREENSBORO: Action Greensboro is a not-for-profit organization formed in 2001 in response to the changing economy in Greensboro and the Piedmont region of North Carolina. Both Opportunity Greensboro and synerG Young Professionals are initiatives of Action Greensboro. Along with the Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development, and Entrepreneur Connection, Action Greensboro is a member of the Greensboro Partnership. The Partnership was created in 2006 to increase the amount of capital investment in Greensboro and Guilford County and to help leverage the creation of high-technology, high-wage jobs through traditional economic development, programs to encourage business success, and initiatives to create a vibrant community. For more information, visit www.actiongreensboro.org.

Biscuitville Week, visit www.biscuitvilleweek.com. www.BurlingtonMagNC.com

Feature Story

Building STEAM in Burlington Maker City / Maker Roundtable By: Bennett Harris

urlington is recognized by the White House as one of the first four "Maker Cities" in North Carolina. We have achieved this honor because of the strong maker community built by the Alamance Makers Guild, for hosting the annual Burlington Mini Maker Faire, and the fact that the Mayor and City Council of Burlington have accepted the "Mayor's Maker Challenge." On Wednesday March 4th our community came together for the first ever "Alamance County Maker Roundtable," a suggested community event in the Mayor's Maker Challenge.

Burlington Magazine, Issue 16

The Alamance Makers Guild put together and produced this half day long event. It was hosted by our friends at Holly Hill Mall and Business Center and catered by the Company Shops Market. We invited 185 community leaders and were glad to have 60 of them in attendance. Atendees included elected officials and staff from the city governments of Burlington, Graham, and Elon, County Commisioners, ABSS School Board Members, the President and faculty from ACC, faculty from Elon University, ABSS STEM and CTE (Career and Technical Education), the Chamber of Commerce, the Alamance

Arts Council and Artisan's Guild, Sylvan Learning Center of Burlington, small businesses, and makers from around the county. We even had a representative from US Senator Richard Burr's office in attendance. They all came to learn more about the Maker Movement and how our different governments, organizations, and citizens can work together around the Maker Movement. Members of the Alamance Makers Guild and future exhibitors for the 2015 Burlington Mini Maker Faire brought projects they've made to put on display for "show-n-tell." Items

Ben Harris addresses an Audience of 60 local leaders at the Alamance County Maker Roundtable

Panel Discusion featuring Ian Baltutis, Tiffany Stalek, Eric Henry, Danny Oakley, Ben Harris, and from the White House Stephanie Santoso

www.BurlingtonMagNC.com

Meredith Freeman, owner and center director at Sylvan Learning Center of Burlington recieving an award from the Alamance Makers Guild for hosting AMG meetings

Tiffany Stalek, STEM Coordinator and Assistant Principal of Blessed Sacrament School of Burlington receiving an award from the Alamance Makers Guild for their partnership with the AMG

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included actual products being made in Alamance County, books published by our members, blown glass, blacksmith, and wood turning projects, Middle School "Invention Convention" items from Blessed Sacrament School, electronics and robotics, and even an eighteen foot long half scale Nike Ajax Rocket project! The makers and their projects helped get people's imaginations going and start the conversation about what is possible when you think a little differently. The main part of the event was a presentation about the Maker Movement that explained its origins and history, talked about Maker Faire as a 21st century County Faire, and discussed what we've been doing to build community and ecosystem around the Maker Movement here. We were joined via video conference by Stephanie Santoso from the Office of Science and Technology Policy at the White House. Stephanie's title is Chief Maker Advisor of the United States. Over one hundred cities have signed up for the Mayor's Maker Challenge and Stephanie spoke to us about ways that similar sized communities are embracing the Maker Movement to launch Maker Spaces, encourage job fairs, work with libraries and schools, and create opportunities to bring back manufacturing jobs. Stephanie also offered us praise for the work that the Alamance Makers Guild has been doing here in our county. At the end of the presentation we switched gears to an open panel discussion. Panelists included Ian Baltutis (moderator), myself, Danny Oakley of Graham (coproducer of the Burlington Mini Maker Faire), Eric Henry of TS Designs and the Company Shops Market, and Tiffany Stalek of Blessed Sacrament School of Burlington. The panel represented different aspects of the maker movement from small business to hobby to education. A focus for the panel was to challenge everyone in attendance with finding ways to work together and work with the Alamance Makers Guild for the benefit of our community. This was a great event and I am thankful for the participation of our leaders, our community, and everyone who helped us put this together.

Ways YOU can get involved with the Maker Movement here in Burlington Become a fan of our facebook pages and other social media and share them with your friends http://www.facebook.com/AlamanceMakersGuild http://www.facebook.com/BurlingtonMiniMakerFaire Twitter: @AlamanceMakers Attend one of our open meetings and meet some of the Makers http://www.meetup.com/The-Burlington-Makers-Meetup-Group/ Attend, Exhibit, or Volunteer at the 2015 Burlington Mini Maker Faire on April 25th Attend or Learn More: http://BurlingtonMiniMakerFaire.com Exhibit YOUR project: http://www.BurlingtonMiniMakerFaire.com/makers Volunteer to help us out: http://burlingtonminimakerfaire.com/ volunteer/

Ben Harris is a Maker, Educator, and STEM Evangelist here in Burlington. He makes Science kits through his business Harris Educational, founded the Alamance Makers Guild, and Produces and Directs the Burlington Mini Maker Faire. Find Ben on Facebook at or http://www.facebook.com/AlamanceMakersGuild http://www. facebook.com/HarrisEducational www.BurlingtonMagNC.com

Ask the Expert Travel

Travel Tips When Considering a Cruise Vacation

As a Meeting & Event Planner for Cole Haan, Sherry oversaw all corporate travel for the company. She worked with top tier hotels and resorts planning sales meetings, trade shows, and special events around the country. Through Zero Travel, she uses her years of experience to help clients plan their perfect getaway. If you are planning a destination wedding, honeymoon, cruise, or family vacation, let Zero Travel help you make the most of your trip.

Zero Travel 336.257.8579 zerotravel.us

ruises are a popular vacation option that appeal to travelers for a number of reasons. When on a cruise, you typically get to see numerous cities in various countries while spending your nights aboard luxurious ships that cater to your every need.

not all ships are the same. Some cruise ships cater to families, so singles, retirees or young married couples without children may want to avoid such ships. Before booking a cruise, check with your travel agent to ensure you find a ship that will appeal to you and cater to your needs.

If you have never been on a cruise before, you may not know what to look for when consider taking the cruise plunge. The following are a few pointers for travelers who need some help finding the right cruise to take them out to the high seas.

• Ask for recommendations. Another way to find a ship that’s right for you is to ask family and friends for recommendations. Chances are, you know someone who has sailed before, and they can be an invaluable resource. Ask about their experience and if there was anything they wish they did differently or had known about before they left. They may recommend a certain cruise line or time of year to travel, and such recommendations should be taken into

• Find a ship that suits your style.You don’t need to know anything about sailing or boats to find a cruise that suits you. It is important that would-be cruisers know that

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consideration before you make your final decision. • Research your lodging options. Lodging prices vary greatly, and it will no doubt prove tempting to choose the least expensive lodging option, especially if you plan to spend most of your time on deck or patrolling the ports of call. But travelers who are accustomed to five-star hotels may find cabins with no windows don’t suit their style, and that can make for a less enjoyable trip. Before booking your trip, explore your lodging options and choose a cabin you know you will be comfortable in. Your travel agent may be able to get you upgrades or better options that you can buy yourself.

requirements, explain the different port fees, and other expenses that aren’t apparent before you travel. They may also be able to arrange for special perks you might not be privy to if you simply booked your trip online. Cruises make for wonderful vacations that allow travelers to explore many different cultures while enjoying breathtaking scenery. First-time cruisers can take several steps to ensure they choose the right cruise and make the most of their first time at sea.

• Find ports of call you want to visit. A big part of the excitement of going on a cruise is the opportunity to visit different ports and experience various cultures in a single trip. Ships will usually dock for a day at a time and allow passengers to visit different cities throughout the trip. Make a list of cities you want to visit and then choose a cruise that takes you to as many of those locations as possible. • Ask a professional for help. Even if you receive recommendations from like-minded friends and relatives, you still may find it difficult to choose the right cruise for you. Working with a travel agent is always a good idea. Travel agents can be invaluable resources in helping you find a cruise and cruise line that best suits your needs. Agents can also help you understand any visa or passport

the Cetwick - EVENT CENTER -

A Day You Will Always Remember…At A Place You Will Never Forget.

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BURLINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES FIRST CITIZENS FIRE ACADEMY

he Burlington Fire Department is pleased to announce its first ever Citizens Fire Academy. The Citizens Fire Academy is designed to increase the community’s understanding and awareness of the Burlington Fire Department. The Academy, offered at no cost to interested individuals, is structured to include six week night courses from 6:00-8:30pm over a two month period. One Saturday class will be conducted at the Police/ Fire Training Center in Haw River. A graduation ceremony will be held at the culmination of the Academy. During the Academy, citizens will be exposed to diverse aspects of the fire service as well as the day-to-day operations of the Burlington Fire Department. Some topics and activities that participants will experience include: station tours, history of fire service and the life of

a firefighter, CPR/AED, fire prevention, arson information, driving, vehicle extrication, thermal imaging, fire suppressing, training, hose operation, ladder truck riding, smoke shack experience, and more. “If you have ever wanted to experience the fire service first-hand, this academy is for you,” says Captain Bud Catoe, organizer of the first Citizens Fire Academy. “Burlington firefighters will teach participants everything from how to slide a fire pole, to how to drive a fire truck and everything in between. This will be an unforgettable experience for our participants.” The first session of the Burlington Citizens Fire Academy will be held from April 30th through May 30th, 2015. Interested individuals must be over 18 years old, must be willing to attend at least one 2.5 hour course per week for six weeks, and have no prior felony convictions or misdemeanors that would question the applicant’s moral character. Applications will be accepted by email to bcatoe@ ci.burlington.nc.us, by mail to P.O. Box 1358, Burlington, NC 27216, attention: Bud Catoe Citizens Fire Academy, or in person at the Head Quarters Fire Station at 215 South Church Street in downtown Burlington. More information about the Academy may be obtained by contacting Fire Prevention Captain Bud Catoe at (336) 229-3133 or by visiting www.BurlingtonNC.gov/BFDCitizensAcademy.

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Burlington Magazine, Issue 16

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Nature’s Nuances

Where is Spring????

By Faylene Whitaker (Whitaker Farms)

here is the sunshine and warm weather? Here in North Carolina during the month of March it seems Mother Nature just can’t decide if it is still winter or spring. Here on the farm there are lots of muddy roads and the sky is gray. But there are lots of things going on the greenhouses in preparation for spring. The flowers are being planted daily and lots of them will soon be ready to go outside. Some of the vegetables will soon be ready to eat and for that I can’t wait. There is much to be done in the garden during March so we can be ready for spring and summer. First we must clean up any broken limbs and trim any that have broken off of our trees and shrubbery. It is time to put out grass seed and fertilize if we didn’t get to that last fall. Also if you have crabgrass it is time to put out a weed preventer on the lawn. Ornamental grasses need to be cut back now before they start putting out new growth. I really like to get my lirope (monkey grass) cut back now so I can see if some of it needs dividing. Also you want to divide perennials such as hosta, daylilies, and any others that are just beginning to come up. It is also a good time to see where you would like to incorporate bulbs such as tulips and daffodils into the landscape for next year. Remember you do not want to cut back the foliage from your bulbs once the flowers fade because the bulb will need to feed off the foliage for next year’s blooms. It is also a good time to fertilize those pansies that were planted last fall. How about planting some new shrubs and trees into the landscape such as the new soft caress mahonia for the shade or some drift roses for the full sun? There are so

many beautiful shrubs and trees to plant in the yard and this is a great time of the year to plant. Go to your local garden center and see all the new plants that are just waiting to brighten up your yard. Grouping plants of the same kind can add a lot of pizzazz to an area. Hydrangeas planted in a mass is an example of how great color in an area can be. I also like to plant several of the same kinds of grasses in a large group. Go ahead and prepare some beds for those annuals that bring great color all summer to the yard. There are so many you will just want to go to the garden center and spend time looking at all of them. If you are planting cool season vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli and lettuce now is the time to get them in the ground. This all sounds like work but in reality it is good therapy for the body and soul. You get to enjoy what you have accomplished. There are some plants that will do better for you and some that will do better for someone else. They are just like our children sometimes they do good and sometimes not so good but we still love and enjoy them. Plants come in different sizes and colors and each of us will enjoy different ones that is how nature planned it. So don’t be discouraged if not all of them do the same they just might not have the right soil and nutrients they need in that location but if planted in another location they might do great. Sounds a little like us humans don’t it? Enjoy your today in nature and know that it another great day God has given us on this beautiful earth of his even if it is cold and raining. The sun will soon come out shining and brightness will surround us, what a great place to live right here in the Triad area of North Carolina. www.BurlingtonMagNC.com

History Old Blessed Sacrament Church (former James H. Holt, Jr. house) on West Davis Street where the Von Trapp Family attended Mass and performed in 1941.

Burlington Was Alive with the Sound of Music By Walter Boyd

arch 2, 2015 marked the 50th anniversary of the release of The Sound of Music, one of the most beloved films of all time. Most people are aware that the movie and Broadway musical are based on the autobiography of Maria von Trapp. Few people, however, know that the real Maria and her famous family were once in Burlington and even performed here. Maria's life story as depicted in the movie is generally true. She was an aspiring Austrian nun who became tutor to the seven children of a widowed naval officer, Baron Georg von Trapp. She became enamored of the children and married their father (on November 26, 1937). Moreover, the family left Austria after that country was absorbed into Nazi Germany on March 12, 1938. But, beyond those basic facts,

Burlington Magazine, Issue 16

considerable liberties were taken to make her story more appealing to theater audiences. In particular, neither the stage-musical or movie mentions that the driving force behind the Von Trapp Family Singers was a young Catholic priest, Father Franz Wasner. Georg von Trapp had inherited a fortune from his first wife, Agathe Whitehead (whose father invented first practical self-propelled naval torpedo), upon her death in 1922, but lost it all in 1935. In an attempt to salvage her family's finances, Maria rented out rooms to students at the local university, which is how Father Wasner came to notice the Von Trapp family's singing ability. He became the family's manager, trained them to perform, and made them famous throughout the world.

The Von Trapp family was opposed to the Nazi takeover of their homeland but did not have to flee for their lives. In actuality, Georg von Trapp claimed Italian citizenship for himself and his family. Therefore, in order to leave Austria, all he and his family had to do was simply board a train, which they did in September 1938. Surprisingly, due to Maria's homesickness, they returned to Austria a few months later, but soon decided to leave permanently and settle in the United States just prior to the outbreak of World War II, on September 1, 1939. The "Trapp Family Singers," as they were called at the time, toured extensively in the United States for several years. They arrived in Burlington on Wednesday, October 22, 1941 and checked in at the Alamance Hotel on South Main Street. That evening, at 8:30 p.m. in Elon College’s Whitley Auditorium, they gave what was described as "a mostly classical concert," although some Austrian folksongs were also included. Maria, along with stepchildren Maria, Johanna, Hedwig, Agatha, Martina, Rupert, and Werner, performed under the direction of Father Franz Wasner. Although Georg von Trapp accompanied his family to Burlington, he did not perform. The next morning, Thursday, October, 23, the Von Trapp family attended mass at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, which was located at the time in the former James Henry Holt, Jr. house on West Davis Street. They then gave a short concert for the students at Blessed Sacrament School, which was also located in the house. Sadly, all of the Trapp Family Singers who came to Burlington in 1941 are now gone. The last surviving child, Maria Franziska von Trapp, died in 2014 at the age of 99.

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Walter Boyd

Walter Boyd is the legally recognized official unofficial historian of Burlington. Boyd is a historical consultant for numerous media projects in and about Alamance County. He is also a member of the Gallery Players and has appeared in many plays at the Paramount Theatre. He is currently writing a comprehensive history of the city of Burlington.

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ZOO Zeal

Trek into Dino World and experience several events at the North Carolina Zoo in 2015

pring is here, which means animals at the North Carolina Zoo are on exhibit soaking up the sun, plants at the zoo are blooming and thousands of people from all over the state are ready to visit

the zoo to see what new attractions the Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s third largest tourist destination has to offer in 2015. This year at the North Carolina Zoo visitors can trek into Dino World and explore a forest of dinosaurs like they have never seen. The snarling, roaring replicas of a lost era that helped set zoo attendance records in 2012 and 2013 will return with 19 animatronic prehistoric giants, which is more dinosaurs than the zoo had in previous years. Most of the dinosaurs are nearly 20 feet tall. Dino World is truly an adventure for people of all ages. Visitors who explore Dino World will discover that some of the dinosaurs spit water, make noises and are robotic, which gives zoo visitors the opportunity to make some of the creatures move.

Burlington Magazine, Issue 16

“Walking along the path and among the animatronic dinosaurs lets our guests travel back in time to see what these prehistoric animals might have looked and sounded like,” said Steve Gerkin, Programs Coordinator at the N.C. Zoo. “Guests can also discover about fossil formation, the tools of a paleontologist, and where they can find fossils in North Carolina.” Some of the creatures in Dino World include Diabloceratops, Dilophosaurus, Tyrannosaurs rex, Allosaurus and Iguandon. Once visitors are done with being wowed by large animatronic dinosaurs, they can meet and take pictures with a “live” 14 foot long Tyrannosaurs rex, which walks and is handled by his paleontologist. While in Dino World, kids can get their hands dirty and dig for fossils. “The fossil dig site provides kids an opportunity to become a paleontologist for a bit, actively digging for buried fossils that they can take home”, added Gerkin. “It is always great to see their faces light up when they make that special discovery.” In 2012, nearly 240,000 people, representing more than 35 percent of the zoo visitors, toured the Dinosaurs exhibit between April and November. With the movie Jurassic World coming out in June, the return of dinosaurs at the zoo will surely give zoo visitors something to roar about. Zoo visitors have until Oct. 31 to explore Dino World. www.BurlingtonMagNC.com

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Walking along the path and among the animatronic dinosaurs lets our guests travel back in time to see what these prehistoric animals might have looked and sounded likeâ&#x20AC;?

Burlington Magazine, Issue 16

The 2015 special events season at the North Carolina Zoo kicks off in early April. 2015 SPECIAL EVENTS CALENDAR April 4,5 - Eggstravaganza Celebrate the new spring season and see zoo animals hunt for treats inside decorative paper mache eggs. April 18 & 19 - Earth Day Celebration Come to a “Party for the Planet”! Dance to African drums and explore new ways to help take care of the earth. June 6 - Run Wild 5K-American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK) Come run with the animals at the NC ZOO and join zookeepers, friends and family for a good cause. The Run Wild 5k helps to support local and global conservation efforts and funds keeper professional development. Oct. 24 & 25 - BOO at the NC ZOO Celebrate the excitement of the season with a weekend of safe daytime Halloween fun. Enjoy trick or treat games, face painting, live entertainment and a children’s costume contest.

2015 CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION DAYS April 11 - The Bear Necessities Come out of hibernation for a “bear-y” good time with our resident bears. Bring your teddy bear to the Teddy Bear Clinic for a check-up with zoo veterinarian staff. April 25 - Amphibian Awareness Day Hop in and explore the fascinating world of amphibians. May 9 - Birds and Blooms Be a bird nerd and fly in for our annual feathered event and learn about the mission of International Migratory Bird Day. June 13 - African Giants Come celebrate the Zoo’s African Giants: elephants, rhinos and giraffes and learn about their enormous creature features. August 8 - Claws and Jaws Grab on and discover the power behind the chomp in some of the zoo’s meat eating residents. Sept. 5 - Birds of Prey Soar in and learn about raptors. From amazing adaptations to fun flight facts, come discover these underappreciated and misunderstood birds! Sept. 19 - Great Apes Discover the amazing lives of gorillas and chimpanzees and learn about the zoo’s world-wide ape conservation efforts.

2015 SPOTLIGHT ON ANIMALS DAYS May 16 - Save Our Snakes Slither to the NC Zoo to learn why our native snakes have such an important role in nature. June 6 - World Oceans Day Be a part of this growing global celebration and discover ways to protect the oceans for the future. October 3 - HOWL-O-Ween Have a howling good time while learning about our native North Carolina Red Wolves. Oct. 17 - Batology 101 Come hang with the bats, discover their good nature and why they are so important www.BurlingtonMagNC.com

trending now By Kate Phillips

would start this off with, “kids these days”, but one of my pet peeves is the constant bombardment of kids with the thought that it is solely this generation that has problems. No, teenagers have been rowdy little miscreants since the dawn of time, and will forever continue to be.Yes, new problems arise as time goes on, just as old ones settle in the dust. I don’t think anyone has problems with their daughters running off with pirates anymore. (Was that ever a real problem or was Pirates of the Caribbean not as historically accurate as I was lead to believe?) One particular “problem” (depends on how you look at it) that I feel has held true through centuries of teenagery, is trends. The weird thing is, it seems trends are focused less in fashion, and more so in one’s persona. Forget about leather pants and corsets, people are going further. It’s about what you do and say and like and think that makes you cool, not just what you put on your body. This would be ground breaking and awesome, if authentic thoughts and actions were considered cool. Sadly, it’s only the people that fit the most interesting mold that receive attention. Right now, there are two major personality types I see as trendy: the earthy-mother hippie, and the punk rock urban girl. If you’ve missed these trends, you can take a trip to a park where you may see three friends in baggy pants and Boho sandals, sitting under a tree on an Aztec blanket with some fruit and an iPhone, trying to recreate the latest “Adventure” post they just saw on Tumblr. Or perhaps to an art museum or library, where you might find a young girl with messy hair and a flannel, drinking some sugary ‘coffee’ and taking pictures of her book with her camera. No honey, you can read the book at home, you

Burlington Magazine, Issue 16

don’t need digital photos of it. It seems ridiculous to me how much effort goes into being what’s fascinating. It seems ridiculous, but I won’t say I’m immune to it. I have a fake septum ring for Christ’s sake. People (it’s not just girls) feel the need to be what they admire. It’s often forgotten that there is value in observing and respecting things different than one’s self, and leaving it at that. I find mountains enchanting, yet I have no desire to be a mountain. I don’t want someone shovin’ dynamite in my sides. I think people that do yoga are admirable and peaceful, god knows I will never be a yoga instructor; I’m too aggressive. I said breathe deep and touch your fingers to your toes. That was half a breath and you’re clawing at your shins. Get flexible or get out, Grandpa! It’s not that I don’t find bad ass girls and little pixies awesome; they most definitely are. My problem is with the girls that would rather be at Starbucks surfing twitter, and who are recreating themselves as something they’re not. I also have no problem with the girls at Starbucks on Twitter. Whatever makes you happy, do that. I just think it’s important to let go of trying to convince everyone you’re cool, and instead, be cool. Let your image be your own. I will tell you right now that as much as I wish I was cool enough to appreciate the classics, I do not enjoy reading Ernest Hemingway. I am a sucker for John Green. I am not ashamed. Accept every aspect of yourself, whether it be socially acceptable, or not. It’s all going to be in style at some point in time, and it’s all going to be out of style too. Kate is a 16-years-old aspiring writer. She believes in taking risks, adventure and drinking unhealthy amounts of coffee. “Embracing feelings is important. Humor is necessary. Discussion is beautiful. I’m always looking for some inspiration. For now. Enjoy my messy thoughts.”

Approximate Room Dimensions

MASTER BATH

OWNER’S SUITE

MASTER CLOSET

Square Footage

HALL

BEDROOM 2

Options 10’ x 12’ Sitting Room

COURTYARD OPTIONAL FIREPIT

OWNER’S SUITE

COVERED PORCH

LIVING ROOM COURTYARD

An Epcon Community

2 1/2 CAR GARAGE

11’ x 11’ 4-Seasons Room

9’ x 12’ Screen Porch

FOYER FRONT PORCH

4- SEASON ROOM

OWNER’S SUITE

ONSITE SALES REPRESENTATIVE

LIVING ROOM

306 ASHLEY WOODS DRIVE SCREEN PORCH

GIBSONVILLE | NC | 27249

OFFICE | 877-372-0534

COURTYARD

BEDROOM 2

FOYER

COURTYARD

BEDROOM 2

OPTIONAL DESK

BEDROOM 2

OPTIONAL FIREPLACE

10’ x 12’ Covered Porch

DINING ROOM SITTING ROOM

OPTIONAL WINDOWS

1,519

LAUNDRY

OPTIONAL BUILT-IN

OPTIONAL WINDOWS

18’ x 14‘ 9’ x 17‘ 12’ x 17’ 16‘ x 12’ 15’ x 6’ 12‘ x 12’ 22’ x 22’

OWNER’S SUITE

OPTIONAL EXTENDED COURTYARD OR SITTING ROOM LOCATION

Living Room Kitchen Dining Room Owner’s Suite Owner‘s Bath Bedroom 2 Garage

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Floor plans are for illustration purposes only. Some features and specifications may vary depending on the architectural style. © Epcon Communities Franchising, Inc. 2012

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of becoming a defense attorney “beganMy dream with watching TV’s Matlock when I was just a kid. But that goal fizzled when I dropped out of high school to help my family’s finances with whatever jobs I could find. ACC’s Adult High School program was crucial in earning my diploma and a way to better jobs. Next I worked toward an associate’s degree and was accepted into C-STEP, a transfer program offered by ACC that put me on track to go to Carolina. Even while working and taking care of my family, I began to dream bigger and decided on the law as a career. It was tough but ACC prepared me well when I moved on to UNC and its School of Law. I interned in the Orange County D.A.’s Office and tried more than 35 cases. With law degree in hand, I started a new job as a defense attorney with a firm in Morehead City. I’m fulfilling my dream and ACC played a big role in getting me there.

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ROY DAWSON

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