The annual Friends of the Alamance County Libraries Used Book Sale hasn't looked exactly like itself in a while. That's not too surprising in a global pandemic caused by COVID-19. The twice a year sales were closed by the coronavirus in the spring and fall of 2020 with only an outdoor sale of used CDs. … Continue reading Friends of the Library fall book sale returns with some safety measures
About Alamance County
Downtown business reaches important milestone
When Lisa Willis left a good job finding work for others with the North Carolina Employment Security Commission to start a business in the economic desert that was downtown Burlington in 1996, even she couldn't believe it. "Talk about jumping into the deep end. I left a good job with good benefits to open a … Continue reading Downtown business reaches important milestone
The long-anticipated Burlington Food Hall is opening soon
I was in the crowd at Fourth Friday in downtown Burlington on June 28, 2019 when I first got word of a big announcement to be made during a break in the music in the amphitheater at the Historic Depot. At dusk Wellsley Robinson, president of Core Properties took the stage and told those in … Continue reading The long-anticipated Burlington Food Hall is opening soon
Tanner’s Wine Bar downtown will be a unique experience
UPDATE: Tanner’s is now open and taking reservations. Call 336-270-9536. Check out the website here. And now for something completely different. That’s the anticipated vibe guests are expected to find in early May when Tanner’s Wine Bar opens in downtown Burlington at 102-B East Front St., in one section of the former Mary Katherine’s building … Continue reading Tanner’s Wine Bar downtown will be a unique experience
Count murals among new things to see in downtown Burlington this spring
The one-year anniversary of national shutdowns caused by the Covid-19 pandemic passed earlier this month. There were dire predictions about the survival of restaurants, retail stores and entertainment venues when the shutdowns began and the case counts and fatalities grew. Many of those fears were realized. A lot of businesses couldn’t make takeout or delivery … Continue reading Count murals among new things to see in downtown Burlington this spring
Friends of the Alamance Libraries Spring Book Sale returns, with some modifications
Last year at about this time I was writing about preparations for the annual Friends of the Alamance County Libraries Spring Book Sale that was scheduled for March. I’m a volunteer for the organization, a member and serve on the board. I’m also a longtime sale customer. It’s a mark-the-calendar event in our household. I … Continue reading Friends of the Alamance Libraries Spring Book Sale returns, with some modifications
For sale: Smitty’s a cool business opportunity for the right owner
Smitty's Homemade location on Front Street before the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo courtesy of Smitty's. Smitty’s Homemade Ice Cream, a signature and beloved Alamance County business with stores in three downtown areas, is for sale. Alamance County Superior Court Judge Tom Lambeth and Amy Nakhle, co-founders of the business in 2002, made the tough decision to … Continue reading For sale: Smitty’s a cool business opportunity for the right owner
Saying goodbye to Frances Woody, a community treasure
Local newspapers used to be in the business of creating community treasures. They did so either through stories about people who step up to make a positive difference time after time in the cities and towns where they live or through manufacturing them in-house. The former was relatively easy. The latter takes some doing. Time … Continue reading Saying goodbye to Frances Woody, a community treasure
Graham ‘looks a lot like Mississippi in the ’60s’
A couple of weeks ago I received a message via social media from a friend who lives in another county. He was curious about what’s going on in Graham, the county seat of Alamance County. At the time only 48 hours had passed following another tense Saturday of protests, counter-protests, shouting and arrests in a … Continue reading Graham ‘looks a lot like Mississippi in the ’60s’
A crazy week in Alamance County
The past 10-plus days in Alamance County have produced the greatest amount of sadness, frustration, agitation, outright anger, half-truths, gaffes, misstatements, fabrications, miscalculations, social action, political action, protests, vigils, walks, marches, racism and antiracism that I can remember over such a short period of time in this community --- a place I've lived for 21 … Continue reading A crazy week in Alamance County
Madison's Avenue 