Today I enter my fourth year of working as a development writer at Elon University. To say leaving newspapers for higher education radically changed my life for the better is still a massive understatement. In fact my first day on the job was a clear indicator of just how different life would be. On the … Continue reading Life at Elon: Heading into year four of this experiment
Author: madisontdawg
The planned Burlington Food Hall gets a lead restaurant
Last summer it was announced that a food hall would be going into the former site of the Company Shops Market co-op on Front Street in downtown Burlington. Now we know what will go in it. I got a call around lunchtime today (Jan. 7, 2020) from Wellsley Robinson, president of Core Properties, the leading … Continue reading The planned Burlington Food Hall gets a lead restaurant
Goodbye to the Newseum; hopefully it’s not the end of the story
Friday after roaming through six floors of images, exhibits, interactive features and videos telling the compelling story of journalism, the First Amendment and news we had one big question. Back on the first floor after an emotional, inspiring and exhausting journey through some of the most tragic stories of the past two centuries, my wife … Continue reading Goodbye to the Newseum; hopefully it’s not the end of the story
I wish I could shake hands with Vicente Hernandez at Prego’s Trattoria a last time
The last time I saw Vicente Hernandez he was busy. That wasn't unusual. He was always busy doing one thing or another at the restaurant he owned in Burlington, Prego's Trattoria. Watching Vince at work was a lesson in what operating a locally owned restaurant is truly like. He had a hand in everything -- … Continue reading I wish I could shake hands with Vicente Hernandez at Prego’s Trattoria a last time
An out of sight change coming to Burlington’s downtown
The other night we were walking in downtown Burlington toward the Front Street Bottle Shop where a holiday gathering was scheduled. As we turned the corner of Main and Front streets, I pointed to an unsightly row of rolling trash carts on the sidewalk facing the Historic Depot from in front of the old Trollinger's … Continue reading An out of sight change coming to Burlington’s downtown
An anniversary of the beginning of the end . . . a newspaper story
I don't remember much about how Nov. 20, 2014 began. I only know it was a Thursday because I looked it up. Almost everything else is a big blank. I was still working in those days for the Burlington Times-News, where I was executive editor. I imagine I came into the office shortly after 8:30 … Continue reading An anniversary of the beginning of the end . . . a newspaper story
Sabathia should join Thome as former Burlington Indians in Cooperstown
When C.C. Sabathia took the mound for the Burlington Indians in 1998, he was a long and lanky 17-year-old from California. Three years later -- after minor league stops in Kinston, Columbus and Akron, the 6-foot, 6-inch tall lefthander was on a Major League roster, posting a 17-5 record for the Cleveland Indians, the team … Continue reading Sabathia should join Thome as former Burlington Indians in Cooperstown
Vintage move: A store shifts sites from the mall to downtown
If you talk to longtime Burlington residents, the beginning of decline of its once thriving downtown began in the 1960s as the migration from urban centers to the suburbs hit its peak and shopping Meccas were constructed to meet this new demand for proximity and convenience. Sears, Belk (then Belk-Beck) and Woolworth were the most … Continue reading Vintage move: A store shifts sites from the mall to downtown
Creating a healthy heartbeat in downtown Burlington
The heart of any city beats in its downtown. It’s the central point that historically ties all parts of a city to local government, commerce, churches, libraries, public services, transportation and information. So a strong heartbeat downtown is essential to the lifeblood of a thriving city. Ensuring a healthy heartbeat in downtown Burlington is the … Continue reading Creating a healthy heartbeat in downtown Burlington
Elon provided foundation for Brebbia’s rise to the Major Leagues
I asked John Brebbia the same question I ask everyone I interview who is associated with the university where I now work as a staff writer: "How did you get to Elon?" Some of the answers are surprising, others not so much. Elon does rate highly in a number of those college rankings released annually, … Continue reading Elon provided foundation for Brebbia’s rise to the Major Leagues
