Burlington Magazine Issue 17

ISSUE 17

BURLINGTON EE

FR ZINE GA

MA

MAGAZINE

y!

enjo

King Electric Company, Inc. The Future Looks Bright!

What’s in Your Heart?

Summer Concert Series at Bicentennial Park featuring ENVISION - Asheboro June 7th

NC Aviation Museum Hall of Fame Annual Fly-In - Asheboro June 13th

2nd Annual NC Food Truck State Championship Randleman June 19th & 20th

Summer Concert Series at Bicentennial Park featuring East Coast Rhythm & Blues - Asheboro June 21st

Visit the Heart of North Carolina

HeartofNorthCarolina.com | 800-626-2672

GOLDEN liGHTING

808 Chapel Hill Road • Burlington

336.226.8889

available at...

KING

Mon. - Fri. 8 am - 5 pm ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.

www.kingelectric-co.com ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED

CONTENTS

WELCOME TO BURLINGTON MAGAZINE

6

Publisher’s Letter

COVER STORY

8

King Electric Company, Inc.

ASK THE EXPERT

4

12

Real Estate

COMMUNITY NEWS

14

COMMUNITY NEWS

16

ACC & Goodwill Industries Formalize Job Training Partnership Burlington Rabies & Microchip Clinic ACC Horticulture Beats NC State, Community Colleges in Nat’l Competition

COMMUNITY NEWS

17

Volunteers Plant Vibrant Visual Corridors in Downtown Burlington

COMMUNITY NEWS

18

ACC Student Wins Top NC Accounting Scholarship

ASK THE EXPERT

20

Travel

ZOO ZEAL

22

North Carolina Zoo Grants Wish for Sick Child

HISTORY

24

The Origins of the Burlington Fire Department

BUSINESS BUZZ

26

Southern Glen an artisan boutique

FRIENDLY FACES

27

Ladies Night Out

Burlington Magazine, Issue 17

BURLINGTON MAGAZINE

Positive Community Magazines PO Box 1369 Asheboro • NC • 27204 Web: http://www.burlingtonmagnc.com Facebook: burlingtonmagazine Twitter: burlingtonmagnc

Cover Photo Sherry Johnson

Contributors Sherry Johnson, Heather McWilliams, Gavin Johnson, Jonathan Young, Walter Boyd, City of Burlington

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.

© Positive Community Magazines, 2015

www.BurlingtonMagNC.com

5

Welcome to Burlington Magazine Dear Readers, Summer has finally arrived! The weather is beautiful, the evenings are warm and scented with a million different flowers, and it’s a great time to be outdoors. Whether you are an adventurist, a beach enthusiast, a wine tasting connoisseur or just enjoy grilling on the back deck with friends and family, this is truly the best time of year.

If you missed the Ladies Night Out held downtown Burlington on May 7th, you missed a great event!

Check out page 28 for photos of the wonderful groups of ladies who joined us that night downtown celebrating the local merchants. There were restaurant specials, refreshments and giveaways galore. Don’t despair; it was such a hit that three more events are planned for June 11, July 9, and August 13th from 5 to 9 pm. They are even working on a Men’s Night out so they don’t feel left out.

4th Fridays Downtown Burlington has kicked off, and there is an awesome lineup of concerts coming your way – June 26th Carri Smithey, July 24th – Graymatter, August 28th – Lauren Light and the last one for the summer on September 25th – Love & Valor. There are lots of things to see and do Downtown Burlington, with great shops, restaurants and businesses that look forward to serving you.

Sherry

Until next time!

Where do YOU want to go? rance

F Paris,

Cruises

Disne

y Wor

ld

Maui, Hawaii

Las Vegas, Nevada

Business Travel • Vacations • Cruises • Tickets for Attractions & Shows Destination Weddings & Honeymoons • Personalized Service

YOU choose the destination, we’ll take care of the rest!

www.zerotravel.us 6

Burlington Magazine, Issue 17

GIF T CA RD

www.BurlingtonMagNC.com

7

K

ing Electric Company was formed in 1922 in Burlington, North Carolina. Ed King started the company selling well pumps and home generators to people without central electricity in their homes. In the late 1920s he expanded the business to include electrical wiring services for homes.

Lighting sales and installation services were added to the business in 1952.

8

Burlington Magazine, Issue 17

King Electric Company, Inc.

The Future Looks Bright article & photos by Sherry Johnson

Ed ran the business by himself for many years. After World War II his two oldest boys, Earl and Melvin, returned home from the war and joined the business.

Clarence, the youngest, joined the company in the 1950’s after a stint in the army. He is still with the company today.

Jim King, Sr. and Larry, Clarence’s son, are the third generation in the business. Larry handles the electrical side of the business, delivering a comprehensive set of electrician, electrical wiring, telecommunications, and home lighting installation services for indoor and outdoor projects for both residential and commercial customers, large and small. Jim handles the Retail Showroom and the lighting side of the business.

For Jim, Sr. joining the family business was always his plan. “I worked summers at King Electric from the age of 13 when I was in high school. I never thought of doing anything else. I really enjoy what I do and the people that I get to meet here,” he comments. Most everyone in the family starts as an electrician’s helper, gaining the experience and knowledge on the job. They then work their way up to become full-fledged electricians.

Jim, Sr. is proud of the fact that both his sons are now in the business as well, making it a fourth generation business. Jimmy Jr. is a licensed electrician who has worked at the company for 20 years after college and now handles putting together lighting bids and coordinating jobs with contractors in Burlington and www.BurlingtonMagNC.com

9

throughout Central North Carolina. Brian joined the company four years ago and handles the Retail Showroom, including marketing the business. He also manages customer service for retail customers.

“We love what we do and don’t want the business to stop. In fact, my uncle Clarence is 80 years old and still comes in to work. It’s hard for most businesses these days to stay in the family as the older generation ages out and so many young people want to go their own way and not go into the family business. I’m happy and proud to have my boys working with me every day. We all have our strengths and we don’t step on each other’s toes.”

services for electrical wiring, telecommunications wiring (cable), indoor and outdoor lighting, generators, and more. They have the equipment, experience, and manpower to handle jobs of any size or scope, from small indoor home lighting installs to large outdoor commercial wiring and lighting projects, and virtually anything in between.

In their newly-expanded Lighting and Accessories Showroom, they offer many high-end home lighting and decor products from some of the finest manufacturers in the industry. From ceiling fans to lighting of all types, occasional furniture, general accessories, mirrors and paintings, tables and floor lamps, custom area rugs On the electrical side of the business, King Electric serves and wall coverings, they offer a wide selection to suit their clients with expert installation and maintenance just about any style. They also offer Hunter Douglas window treatments and much more. If you have something in mind and don’t see it represented in their showroom, they can custom order it for you.

Jim, Sr. knows that customer service is the number one priority for the business to be succesful. Many of our customers have been coming to us for years, and now their children are building homes and

10

Burlington Magazine, Issue 17

coming to King Electric for their lighting needs. In the computer age, it would be easy for someone to go on the internet and order a light fixture and pay the same price, but that would be the end of the transaction - a boxed up light fixture in the mail. When you purchase the same fixture through the showroom, they make sure it’s installed properly, that it wasn’t damaged in shipping, and also if anything happens and you need assistance, they are a phone call away versus a faceless website that probably doesn’t even respond to customer inquiries.

King Electric was originally located on Front Street in Burlington, down the street from Sears and the Fire and Police stations. They relocated the business to the present location in 1972 on land that had been in the King family for years. At the time, it was the middle of nowhere and had a small Oyster Bar on the property. “It was a risk to move the business from downtown to what was considered at the time the ‘country.’” King Electric recently remodeled the Retail Showroom, doubling its size to 4,000 square feet – all the better to showcase the mirrors, artwork, permanent florals, and portable lamps added to the merchandise mix – and built a 5,000 sq.-ft. warehouse. A separate building houses the equipment for the telecommunications division, which was founded in 2002.

When the housing market crashed in 2008, King Electric saw a significant drop in business. “Every community in the United States experienced this. We’re now seeing a gap in the middle between the starter homes and the upper end. When you start to see local builders active, you know things are coming back.” Many contractors began building multi-family housing units during that time, and that side of the business thrived during the recession. “We do a lot of apartment complexes across the state, S.C., and Va.” he says. When it comes to multihousing, we’re seeing better packages being specified.”

King Electric employs 25 people between the installation and retail sides of the business. They have a designer on site that can assist you in decorating your space to whatever suits your style best. Their showroom staff is well trained and knowledgeable and can answer your questions about the different products you see displayed. As a family-owned and operated business— now in the fourth generation—they are proud to have been delivering the best products, the highest quality installations, and unsurpassed customer service for nearly 100 years. Visit their showroom at 808 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington or visit them on the web at www. kingelectric-co.com.

www.BurlingtonMagNC.com

11

Ask the Expert Real Estate

Holiday Home Safety Tips: Easy and budget-friendly Keep windows, garages and sheds locked;ways and don't forgetto to useadd deadbolts. curb appeal

Heather McAndrew and her husband fell in love with Central NC, moved here can help a home get noticed in a bustling real estate market.

Use turn As on lightsCurb and a appeal television or radio. in 1983 andtimers raised two to daughters. the overall real estate team leader, she Curb appeal also can contribute to the aesthetics of a neighborhood for spearheads the management, marketing Maintain at least a foot of space between a burning that can catch fire. feel an attractive residents who plan tocandle stay and put,anything and many homeowners and financial operations of the local Keller exterior is just as important as a comfortable interior. Homeowners do 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. not have to spend a fortune to improve the curb appeal of their homes. working with Sellers, Buyers and referral Withwith these strategies, anyone’s takelights on abefore moregoing appealing clients,Don't negotiating contracts andelectrical coaching circuits overload holiday lighting; unplug your home tree andcan outdoor to bed. look. team members. As a Realtor and Broker for over 20 years, she built her business Don't leave a spare key in aClean "hiding up place." Burgulars know where to look. strewn across the front lawn. These simple through referrals from years of satisfied clients. By using her expertise, she steps can improve curb appeal instantly.

A messy, untamed front yard can detract delivers performance, not just promises.

Lock your power box with an electricity authority lock (lock to which you and the electric company have a key) so that

from a perfectly acceptable home. Cleaning

Spruce up the lawn

yourWilliams home security behome’s cut offexterior from theispower up yourcannot yard and one supply.

Keller Triad to alarm system A well-manicured lawn can go a long way to Triangle Real Estate Team of the easiest and most cost-effective making a home more appealing. If your thumb 800-388-9304 ways to give the place a makeover. Cut is anything but green, hire a professional lawn Cell: 336-269-2112 back overgrown shrubs, plants and trees. teamheather@kw.com and garden service to help you establish a

Make sure the front door is clearly visible lush, green lawn. and that any walkways are edged and A special thank you to our clients, friends family that have helped our Dressand to impress accessible. Store garbage pails behind a business grow in 2013. We could not have had such a successful year barrier and keep trash out of sight. Store The entryway to a home is the first thing without your support. Wishing you much happiness this holiday season! visitors will see. Be sure the front door and children’s toys in the backyard rather than

12

Burlington Magazine, Issue 17 and her husband fell in love with Central NC, moved here in 1983 and raised two daughters. As the overall real estate Heather McAndrew

entryway are in good repair. A pop of color can’t hurt, either. If you do not like the idea of painting the door a vivid hue, dress it up with a colorful wreath or another decorative accent. Carry your interior design style to the outdoors as well. Welcoming accents, such as cushioned chairs or potted plants, also add curb appeal. Consider painting house numbers on a terra-cotta pot and filling it with plants. The pot will be decorative and functional.

Rely on symmetry Symmetry is pleasing to the eye and easy to arrange. Use it to frame your entryway and throughout your property.

Symmetrical use of lighting fixtures, plants, trees, and decorative items really can have an impact.

Don’t forget lighting Outdoor lighting adds appeal and safety to a property.

Use lighting to accent a special landscaping feature or to illuminate a walkway. Few people enjoy approaching a dark home, and outdoor lighting can ensure your property always is well-lit. Remember, curb appeal is applicable both day and night. Improving on curb appeal can make a difference in how others view your home.

www.BurlingtonMagNC.com

13

Community News

ACC & GOODWILL INDUSTRIES FORMALIZE JOB TRAINING PARTNERSHIP Alamance Community College and Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina formalized an ongoing partnership this spring that officially acknowledges Workforce Development activities between the College and Goodwill Industries aimed at helping more Alamance County residents find gainful employment.

Programs that will be delivered at Goodwill’s Community Resource Center on North Church Street include: GED, English as a Second Language, Human Resources Development, Employability Skills, Pharmacy Technician and Nurse Aid 1 (formerly called Certified Nursing Assistant).

Burlington Animal Services Offers $5 Rabies and $20 Microchip Clinic Burlington Animal Services will hold a rabies and microchip clinic on Saturday, May 30th, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Bring your pet to the Pet Adoption Center, located at 221 Stone Quarry Rd., Haw River. Rabies vaccines are $5.00 and microchips are $20.00 and include chip registration. You may have your pet microchipped even if it is not due for a rabies vaccine. Microchips are an easy and permanent form of identification for your pet. Dogs must be on leash and cats must be in a carrier. Call 336-578-0343 for more information or visit our website at www.BurlingtonNC.gov/ pets.

North Carolina state law requires pet owners to have their pets vaccinated against rabies, beginning at four months of age and wear a valid rabies tag at all times.

Community Yard Sale for Lake Cammack

In addition, ACC and Goodwill are exploring other offerings which may include Computer Information Technology, Office Administration, Customer Service and Retailing.

ACC President Dr. Algie Gatewood said: “Our College remains committed to providing job training beyond on our walls. I’m excited about our continued partnership with Goodwill Industries. Together, we are putting people to work.”

Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina, Inc. has been serving this community for more than 50 years.

“Every year we have ambitious plans. It is incumbent upon the Corporate Management Team, in concert with the governing members of our Board of Directors, and business partners such as Alamance Community College, to position our enterprise effectively in response to this current environment for the benefit of all our stakeholders,” says Richard Gorham, President and CEO.

14

Burlington Magazine, Issue 17

A community yard sale will be held at Fairchild Community Center, 827 S Graham Hopedale Road, Burlington on May 30th. The sale is open to the public. Proceeds from vendor applications will go toward the provision of the annual Lake Cammack Fall Carnival.Vendors will keep the profits from their sales. Donations to the yard sale are welcome.Vendors may obtain applications at the Fairchild Community Center, at Lake Cammack, or by calling 421-3872; application fees are $25. For more information about the yard sale or to participate, contact Kyle Thompson with Burlington Recreation & Parks at (336) 421-3872.

WOULDN’T YOU LIKE TO OWN A BREWERY?

NOW YOU CAN!

Sherry B. •Johnson Business Cards Post Cards Racksherry@preciseprinting.ink Cards • Brochures • Banners Posters •336.257.8579 Magazines • Catalogs

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!

COMING SOON TO DOWNTOWN BURLINGTON!

www.BurlingtonBeerWorks.coop

& much more!

If you want to pay more for printing, that’s YOUR business...

Sherry B. Johnson If you want to pay less for printing, that’s OUR business!

sherry@preciseprinting.ink

336.257.8579

$

Shhhhh......

They’ll never know how little you paid!

Women’s, Men’s & Children’s Fashions Casual Business & Eveningwear Footwear, Outerwear & Accessories

Designer labels at a fraction of their value from the finest homes in Alamance County

Clothing Store

www.HospiceAC.org • 336.222.8842 2312 Corporation Parkway in Burlington Outlet Village

www.BurlingtonMagNC.com

15

Community News

ACC HORTICULTURE BEATS NC STATE, COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN NAT’L COMPETITION

The Horticulture student team at Alamance Community College now knows what it feels like to come out on top at a national competition—including surpassing one of the state’s top horticulture universities in North Carolina State University.

Competing against 850 students and 64 colleges and universities, ACC’s team bested its peers from across the nation, finishing 7th overall and 1st among 23 community colleges at the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) Student Career Days at N.C. State University this spring.

This was the first time ACC had earned more points in competition than any other community college at this event and come away with its highest overall finish among all the schools. ACC’s 7th place finish not only was ahead of NC State University but just behind some of the top horticulture universities in the U.S.--like Brigham Young – Idaho, Michigan State, Cal Poly Pomona, Colorado State, Brigham Young – Provo and the University of Georgia.

Said Justin Snyder, Department Head: “This was a milestone year for our students at this event. The results are a direct representation of how hard they work both in and out of the classroom. It is a huge accomplishment to finish in 7th place overall and even more exciting to be the number one community and technical college in the nation.”

Two students received scholarships: Jeff Webster earned one worth $1,000 and Ruth Morgan received one for $1,200.

Most of the ACC students fared well at the career fair as well, receiving interviews with attending companies and several obtained job offers.

Here are ACC’s competition results: • Joel Deuterman - 10th place in Interior Plant Identification • Heather Littlejohn - 10th place in Maintenance Cost Estimation • Ruth Morgan - 7th place in Exterior landscape Design

• Matt Case & Caleb Hunt - 7th place in Irrigation Assembly ACC’s Matt Case excelled in the competition, finishing • Ruth Morgan & Elizabeth Trott - 5th place in Personnel in third place overall—just 7 points out of first—almost Management matching his second place spot from last year’s competition.

• Matt Case & Caleb Hunt - 10th place in Truck and Trailer Case also finished first in the Small Engine Repair Operation competition, scoring 99.7 points out of 100.

ACC carpentry student Mike Mastry, who joined the Horticulture team this year, finished in first place in the sales competition.

Renae Wilson and Ross Bailey finished in 3rd place in Arboriculture Techniques.

ACC’s performance was good enough to finish in the top 5 in 5 competitions and was the only community college to qualify for all events.

This was the 12th consecutive year that ACC’s Horticulture department has attended PLANET. Each year, students spend a day in workshops led by industry professionals, attend a career fair featuring more than 50 top landscape companies from across the U.S., and pit their horticulture skills in numerous competitions.

ACC’s Horticulture students conducted several fundraisers last fall to pay for the annual trip.

It was in those horticulture and landscaping-based competitions that ACC’s team of 25 students proved their mettle. ACC’s team also won the Career Development Series, an event assisted by ACC career counselor Ilona Owens who critiqued and advised the students on their professional resumes prior to the event.

16

Burlington Magazine, Issue 17

• Mike Mastry & Mark Feehan - 10th place in Wood Construction Making up the ACC team were Jeremy Kistler, Ashley Kistler, Matt Case, Ruth Morgan, Derek Jones, Jeff Webster, Angela Nelson, Marsha Dwyer, Heather Littlejohn, Renae Wilson, Ross Bailey, Jacob Bost, Michael Mastry, Eric Dimas, Zach Webster, Kasey Withers, Sean Brady, Mark Feehan, Hannah Andrews, Caleb Hunt, Joel Deuterman, Robin Smith, Elizabeth Trott, and Paul Gulledge.

Instructors attending were Justin Snyder (Dept. Head), Carol Kawula, and Chuck Barber and Matt Wells.

Volunteers Plant Vibrant Visual Corridors in Downtown Burlington

A

warm, sunny day provided the perfect backdrop as 36 skilled gardeners descended on downtown Burlington at 9am on Monday, May 11th. These gardeners, from the Wayside Garden Club, Alamance County Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners, New Leaf Society, and Burlington Downtown Corporation’s Executive Board, volunteered their time and talents to replant 103 flower pots dotting the sidewalks of Downtown Burlington.

The Burlington Downtown Corporation (BDC) Executive Board’s Design Committee decided in June of 2014 that the 103 planters dotting downtown could be used differently to create a bigger impact throughout the downtown district.

Jan Davis, president of the BDC and Design Committee Chairwoman, said that she and the Design Committee “had been hearing comments that the planters were not as colorful and inviting as they needed to be.”

The City of Burlington’s Cemetery and Ground Division helped to select colorful flowering plants to revitalize and add texture and visual interest to the flower pots.

These plants were purchased from a local business, Smith Plant and Nursery, by the New Leaf Society, a non-profit organization focused on beautification and community partnerships. The plants were then donated to the City of Burlington, which has committed to maintaining the plants.

“We are so excited to see downtown blooming in more ways than one,” said Burlington Mayor Ronnie K. Wall.

“Success comes through partnerships, and this project has been an enormous success because of the collaboration of organizations like the Burlington Downtown Corporation, New Leaf Society, the City of Burlington, and the gardeners who volunteered to make this project a reality.”

The BDC Design Committee set out to retool the location of the planters and to revive them with colorful and interesting flowering plants.

The locations of the 103 planters, of four different sizes, were examined by the City of Burlington and the BDC’s Design Committee. The pots were then relocated to maximize the aesthetic appeal of downtown buildings and to create impactful visual corridors throughout downtown Burlington. www.BurlingtonMagNC.com

17

Community News

ACC STUDENT WINS TOP N.C. ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP Amy Steffen, a Burlington resident graduating in May from Alamance Community College (ACC), has won the highest scholarship award from The North Carolina CPA Foundation Inc. worth $5,000.

Accounting students from across the state, primarily those at four-year universities and colleges competed for the awards, which range from $1,000 to $5,000. Steffen received the top award possible. Awarding of the scholarship was based upon having at least a 3.0 GPA and an essay. This year’s essay topic asked applicants to write the first entry of a professional

18

Burlington Magazine, Issue 17

blog for an accounting firm.

Steffen, upon earning her Associate in Arts in Accounting from ACC in May, will be qualified to sit for the N.C. CPA exam. She has recently accepted a position as a bookkeeper at a local accounting firm and plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Accounting at UNC-Greensboro.

Steffen graduated from Appalachian State University in 1989 with a B.S. in Business Administration, and worked as a computer programmer for 10 years. After several years off to raise her children, she refocused on her career and pursued a degree in accounting at Alamance Community College.

“The instructors have challenged me and inspired me to continue my education,” says Steffen. “I went from ‘looking for a job’ to building a career.”

The North Carolina CPA Foundation Inc. was established in 1980 to further the development of accounting education and the accounting profession in North Carolina.

162 NORTH CHERRY STREET ASHEBORO, NORTH CAROLINA 27203 (336) 683-8999 • THECETWICK .COM INFO@THECETWICK.COM

www.BurlingtonMagNC.com

19

Ask the Expert Travel

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

20

Travel Ideas for Active Seniors

T

hose who have said goodbye to the work-a-day grind now have many hours to settle down and relax. People who have continually put off vacations in lieu of work responsibilities may now have all the time they need to explore the world.

Traveling for seniors can be rewarding and relaxing. Those with a substantial retirement nest egg have numerous destinations at their disposal. Mature vacationers travel more frequently and stay longer than any other age group. Travel ranks among the top leisure activities for men and women over 50, according to the Web site Suddenly Senior.

Seniors can find several travel advantages at their disposal. Also, thanks to special

Burlington Magazine, Issue 16

senior discounts, travel may be even more affordable than first expected. While certain destinations are not always practical for certain age brackets, there are many places to which seniors can visit comfortably and enjoy a wealth of memories. • Theme parks: Although theme parks may seem carved out entirely for the adventureseekers, there are many other more placid activities that would appeal to those who prefer to keep their feet firmly on the ground rather than looping through the air on a rocket-propelled coaster. With animal preserves, water parks, fine dining, and a bevy of hotels either in the park or directly on the outskirts, theme parks provide many activities for older travelers.

Although theme parks require a lot of walking, many provide wheelchairs or motorized scooters for those who need to get off of their feet. They also make a great option for seniors who will be traveling with the entire family, including children.

• Beach resorts: Provided flying is medically safe, a beachside vacation can be the ideal trip for seniors looking for the utmost in relaxation. For those who have passports, the possibilities are endless. Those who prefer to remain on relatively domestic soil can retreat to Puerto Rico, south Florida, the California coast, Hawaii, and the U.S.Virgin Islands.

• Cruising: Cruising is a preferred vacation choice for the 50+ set because it offers the convenience of an all-inclusive package and transportation all in one. With the myriad activities offered on board, cruises are a versatile vacation option for seniors. Also, there is no need to worry about traveling far for meals and other entertainment options, as everything is self-contained on the cruise ship. For more active seniors who enjoy the daily getaway, excursions in ports of call can provide the variety desired.

• Guided tours: Seniors who want to experience a piece of history can sign up for tour packages backed by reputable companies. The tours may involve train or bus travel, and various attractions will be visited. At the end

of the tour, individuals can choose to extend the vacation by checking into a hotel nearby.

• RV trips: Another self-contained vacation that is entirely up to the people traveling is vacationing by recreational vehicle. Seniors can customize their routes depending on which areas they want to see. Companies like Cruise America RV enable people to rent an RV so they needn’t worry about the expense of buying one outright. However, should RV traveling become addictive, there always is the option of buying a camper later on.

Setting an itinerary and then establishing the pace enables travelers to tour the country or cross the border as desired. From beaches to national parks, many areas offer RV hook-up areas and amenities.

• Exotic tours: Seniors who were never able to afford or spare the time for an extensive vacation may now want to visit those exotic locations that have beckoned for years.

Now could be the time to book a ticket for Europe and visit all of the cities that have made the history books.

Those looking for even more adventure can travel to the South Pacific and explore tropical islands. Others may want to go “down under” and experience the rugged Outback or the culture of Australian city centers. With a bevy of free time and fewer restrictions holding them back, seniors could be ready for the next great travel adventure.

www.BurlingtonMagNC.com

21

ZOO Zeal

North Carolina Zoo grants wish for sick child

W

hether it is with a school fieldtrip,

granted his wish with the help of zookeepers at the N.C.

a fascination with animals or family

Zoo, by allowing the 6-year-old to be a zookeeper for

fun, thousands of children visit the

the day.

North Carolina Zoo every day. But

for Parker Gaillard, a 6-year-old from Winston-Salem who recently visited the zoo, it was a celebration of life.

Parker is a cancer patient battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

“He had his three month checkup recently and all of his counts are great,” said his mom, Lori. “He’s recovered well.”

them, and we got to pet some of them,” said Parker.

Parker’s special day started with him and his family arriving at the zoo in a limousine. Once they arrived they were escorted on a VIP tour throughout the zoo. To make Parker’s day as an honorary zookeeper, he received a zookeeper uniform and name badge.

After months and months of chemo treatments, Parker finally had a chance to be a kid. Workers with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Western N.C.,

22

“We got to feed the animals and we got to help train

Burlington Magazine, Issue 17

“It’s a great way for us to celebrate as a family and have time together after so much time where we had to be apart because of treatments or in the hospital, or being

Karen Jarvis, the zoo’s registrar and a Make-A-Wish Foundation volunteer. “The North Carolina Zoo takes great honor to be chosen for this.”

It takes an entire zoo to help fulfill wish requests through Make-A-Wish. Many zookeepers often come into work on their days off. Zoo animals even get involved with helping to make memories for children visiting through Make-A-Wish. For Parker’s visit, he received a painting that was done by a snake and another painting that was created by an elephant. The North Carolina Zoological Society, which is a nonprofit for the zoo gave Parker and his brother gift cards to gift shops inside the park.

“It was 100% fun,” added Parker.

“It is a day that’s all about fun and celebrating the victory of him defeating cancer,” Lori said.

For a little boy who has spent a lot of his young life fighting cancer, being able to visit the zoo and just be a kid is something he and his family will remember always.

able to do the normal things we would want to do,” said Lori Gaillard, Parker’s mother.

Parker loves animals and wants to be a zookeeper.

Throughout his day at the zoo he had the opportunity to stop by 12 exhibits and talk with zookeepers about how they take care of animals. Parker along with his mother, father John and older brother Alston did things like feed the ducks, got up close with reptiles and even received exclusive tours through the zoo’s Prairie and Africa Plains areas.

Over the years zookeepers at the N.C. Zoo have assisted workers with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to grant wishes for nearly 15 sick children who wanted to visit the zoo or become honorary zookeepers. Some of those children have come from places such as Kansas and New York.

“They get to have fun and laugh, and they’re not worried about doctor’s appointments or treatments,” said www.BurlingtonMagNC.com

23

History

Pictured above are the members of Burlington’s fire department about 1905-07 standing in front of the old Alamance Loan & Trust Company building (now Danny’s Café) on West Front Street. From left to right they are: Ernest L. Bowland, Fred Reeves, Ernest H. Murray, Tom Edwards, James Cicero Durham, Ben M. Walker, John D. Whitted, George Bradshaw, Zeb Waller, Corney Whitesell, John T. Love, and Chief Walter Raleigh Sellars. Not pictured are Banks Teague and John M. Fix.

Origins of the Burlington Fire Department

By Walter Boyd

D

espite three major fires between 1884 and 1890 which destroyed most of downtown Burlington, the town dragged its feet in acquiring both modern firefighting equipment and trained firefighters. The only convenient water supplies were wells located just east of the intersection of Front and Main streets, and at the intersection of Worth and Davis streets, and the only way to get the water to the fire was by bucket.

It wasn’t until 1896 that the board of aldermen finally allocated any funds for fire equipment. But instead of going towards the purchase of water pumps, or hose, or ladders,

24

Burlington Magazine, Issue 17

the money was used to buy a bell to be placed in the town hall, then located on the second floor of City Market on West Davis Street (where the main entrance of Belk’s used to be and now Capital Bank’s parking lot) to alert everyone when a fire broke out.

It wasn’t until 1898 that Burlington finally had real firefighting capability and it was largely due to Southern Railway. In 1897, the same year that it closed the repair and maintenance shops for good, Southern dammed the branch of Alamance Creek running through what is now City Park and turned the whole area into a large pond to

supply water to its locomotives. To get the water from the pond to the tracks, a six-inch pipe was run from a steampowered pumping station (located on what is now the site of the dog park) up what is now South Main Street, to a water tower at what is now the intersection of South Worth Street and Webb Avenue.

wasn’t “officially” organized until May 1902). It was an allvolunteer department with one chief, cotton broker Banks Erastus Teague, and seven firemen. Wesley Monroe Cable served as the department’s manager.

Burlington submitted a request to Southern to tap into the water line in order to install fire hydrants and permission was granted. By January 1898 four fire hydrants were in place. The first was located on the east side of Main Street, near the Front Street intersection. The second was located on the west side of the 300 block of South Main Street, near the West Davis Street intersection, and almost in front of Bud Neese’s jewelry store. The third was located in front of John H. Clapp’s marble cutting establishment on the west side of the 400 block of South Main Street (where Maple Avenue would eventually cut through). The fourth was in front of Newlin’s steam laundry, just below the Farmer’s Warehouse, and just above what would eventually be the Morehead Street intersection. To access the hydrants, Burlington acquired a hose cart and a hand reel, with 1,000 feet of cotton-rubber hose. It was housed in a small shed located just west of where the old depot is today.

At the same time, Burlington also established its first fire department (although according to most sources it

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.

Companionship Care Conversation • Crafts & Games Reading • Shopping Social Outings and so much more!

Homemaker Services Light House Keeping Laundry & Ironing Assisting with meals & clean up Picking up prescriptions Prepare Grocery List Medication Reminders

336.338.8836

heavensentprivatecarellc.com

Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care Respite Care Short term recovery/Post Discharge Care www.BurlingtonMagNC.com

25

Business Buzz

Southern Glen

an artisan boutique article & photos by Sherry Johnson

O

pened in March, Southern Glen is located on Front Street in downtown Burlington. An artisan boutique, Southern Glen specializes in bringing together local, vintage and conscious

goal is to provide socially conscious gift options for the greater Burlington community.

With a wide variety of items to choose from, Southern Glen offers a unique gift selection for the most discerning products. tastes – from soaps and lotions, to stamped jewelry and Chelsea Dickey was born and raised in Alamance County pottery, there is truly something for everyone. With and has a passion for small business. She majored in Southern Glen, Chelsea is able to celebrate local and Economic Development in school. When she graduated, celebrate art by branding it all into her artisan boutique. she worked at World Relief High Point, an organization After a chance conversation with another local business that helps with refugee resettlement in the area. She was owner about ways to help the businesses downtown on the employment team, working with local businesses grow, Chelsea took the idea for a local Ladies’ Night to to help refugees find jobs. several other business owners, who all got together and One of the things that impressed her while working with held the first ever Downtown Burlington ‘s local Ladies’ World Relief High Point was the willingness of small Night on May 7th just in time for Mother’s Day. From business owners to help people in their community. the size of the turnout, it was a big hit and the 30+ businesses that participated that evening are going to From there, she moved to Philadelphia and worked offer it once a month, on June 11th, July 9th, and August for the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia. The SBN works as a resource for dynamic, 13th from 5 to 9 pm. independent, locally-owned businesses that are committed to improving their environmental and social impacts, as well as their profitability. They are a leader in the creation and integration of entrepreneurial and sustainable business practices. Their goal is to establish new models for business operations that value people, planet and prosperity for all, leading by example.

Southern Glen

Chelsea got the idea for Southern Glen in July of 2014 when she saw a vacant space on Front Street for rent on a visit home. The plan came together in December when she moved back to Burlington and the space was still available. Southern Glen carries items that are locally crafted, vintage, environmentally and socially conscious and refurbished. Over 25 local artisans and purpose driven companies are represented at the shop. Chelsea’s

Chelsea knows that everyone has a vested interested in seeing downtown Burlington grow, and with the businesses working together, they are bringing exciting changes to the downtown scene. If you haven’t been downtown in a while, do yourself a favor and check it out. With so many new and exciting businesses opening, and others that have been there for many years, it’s a great destination to take care of all your shopping needs and support locally owned businesses.

A Local Artisan Boutique Southern Glen is located at 114 Front Street in

26

Burlington Magazine, Issue 17

Burlington. Drop in and say hi to Chelsea soon, and check out the great merchandise she has to offer. You can like their Facebook page www.facebook.com/ southernglen for more information and to keep up with events happening downtown.

friendly

faces

www.BurlingtonMagNC.com

27

28

Burlington Magazine, Issue 17

www.BurlingtonMagNC.com

29

30

Burlington Magazine, Issue 16

An Epcon Community ONSITE SALES REPRESENTATIVE

306 ASHLEY WOODS DRIVE GIBSONVILLE | NC | 27249

OFFICE | 877-372-0534 Hours:

The Portico is one of three different models

Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Sunday 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Your Success is Our Priority

Local Postal Customer

PRSRT STD ECRWWS U.S. POSTAGE PAID EDDM RETAIL

KIM CALVEY

Pastry Chef, Delancy’s

long ago that my husband and I were struggling financially and unsure what our next steps “shouldIt wasn’t be after he lost his job in New Orleans. Coming home to North Carolina and enrolling at ACC was a major turning point for both of us. My husband earned his GED and a new trade in machining.

Culinary Arts was the path for me, allowing me to transition into the industry with confidence. My all-inclusive ACC education provided me with the skills necessary to transform from a cook to an entrylevel pastry chef at Delancy’s in Burlington. After earning my degree, I’m now running the bakery department there. ACC has definitely been a major safety net and a stepping stone for me and my growing family.

”

CALL NOW TO APPLY

336-506-4270 (admissions)

Carrington-Scott Campus I-85/I-40, Exit 150

alamancecc.edu