2024 Service to Agriculture Award presented to John and Olga Elder2024 Conservation Farm Family Award presented to Willie and Emily Holliday and familyJoey Carter, Guest Speaker at 39th Annual Agriculture Appreciation Banquet
The Alamance County Agri-Business Committee recently hosted the 39th Annual Agriculture Appreciation Banquet on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Occasions Restaurant in Burlington. The event started many years ago as a way to show gratitude to the hard-working farm families in Alamance County.
The 2024 Service to Agriculture Award was presented to John and Olga Elder by Bill Kleiner, Director of the Alamance County Cooperative Extension. The 2024 Conservation Farm Family Award was presented to Willie and Emily Holliday and Family by Brad Moore, Administrator of the Alamance County Soil and Water Conservation District, and by Roy Stanley, Chairman of Alamance County Soil and Water Conservation Board.
After the awards were presented, Vaughn Willoughby, President of the Alamance County Farm Bureau Board, addressed the attendees with special remarks about the agriculture industry. Following Mr. Willoughby was Reagan Gural from Alamance Chamber with additional special remarks. The guest speakers of the evening were Joey Carter, NC Hog Farmer and Chad Herring from NC Farm Families.
The Agriculture Appreciation Banquet would not be possible without the Alamance County Agri-Business Committee Members and the sponsors that contribute and support the committee’s plan of work each year, which also includes the Farm-to-Table event held in the fall for 800+ 4th graders.
GRAHAM, N.C.– The North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund has awarded Alamance County a $470,000 grant for the development of the Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area. The grant will fund the construction of an observation tower, trailhead, natural surface hiking trails, and camping facilities at the park.
The Cane Creek Mountains are located 8 miles south of the City of Graham and comprise the largest State Natural Heritage Area and largest area of undisturbed woodland in Alamance County. The mountain range is also home to the highest peak in North Carolina east of Greensboro at 987 feet. The property contains four miles of streams and supports Piedmont Monadnock Forest, Dry-Mesic Oak-Hickory Forests, as well as low elevation seeps. The area contains plants and animals found nowhere else in Alamance County.
Upon completion, the Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area will total over 1,000 acres. The observation tower will offer unparalleled views of this exceptional mountain range. No other parks in our area approach the size and scope of the Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area.
The Cane Creek Mountain Natural Area is a partnership between The Conservation Fund, Piedmont Land Conservancy, and Alamance Parks. Additional funding support has been received from Clean Water Management Trust Fund, North Carolina Recreational Trails Program and private donors.
The first hiking trails of the park are expected to open in 2020.
The Alamance County Board of Commissioners awarded the
“Citizen Volunteer of the Year” and honored other finalists for their service
at a luncheon held on Thursday, December 5, 2019. Chair Amy Galey presented the top award to
Lee Isley, Planning Board and Recreation and Parks Commission Member and Edna
Parker, Social Services Board Member.
They were among six finalists for the award which was chosen by the
county commissioners. Isley and Parker
are the fourth recipients of this award and the first co-winners.
Lee Isley was nominated for his professionalism and leadership on the
Planning Board Sub-committee in the rewrite of the Heavy Industrial Development
Ordinance. He is serving his second term
on the Alamance County Planning Board and an active member of the Recreation
and Parks Commission. Mr. Isley
demonstrated through his work on the sub-committee that he was dedicated to the
Planning Board and the development of Alamance County.
Edna Parker was nominated for her efforts in improving the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of this county. She served her first term on the Social Service Board back in 1992, she has been appointed by the NC Social Services Commission, Alamance County Social Service Board, and serving currently as an appointee of the Alamance County Board of Commissioners. Ms. Parker has served as Chair of the NC Social Services Commission as well as Chair of the local Social Services Board. She upholds the mission of Social Services by advocating for the well-being of the citizens of Alamance County. Her leadership with the Social Services Board has assisted citizens along the journey of becoming self-sufficient. Ms. Parker is an active community member serving on other boards such as: Women’s Resource Center, Alamance Arts, and Alamance Chamber Women’s Symposium.
Other Citizen Volunteer of the Year Finalists:
Courtney Doi
Paul Walker
Kelly May
Lawrence Abbott, Jr
Members of the following boards/committees were in attendance:
Alamance Beautiful Commission; Adult Care Home Community Advisory Council;
Nursing Home Community Advisory Council; Planning Committee for Services to the
Elderly; Board of Equalization and Review; Recreation and Parks Commission;
Alamance County Planning Board; Historic Properties Commission; Justice
Advisory Council; Library Committee; Juvenile Crime Prevention Council Local
Emergency Planning Committee; Social Services Board; Tourism Development
Authority; Workforce Development and Voluntary Agriculture District Board.
The Citizen Volunteer of the Year Award was started in
2016 as a way to recognize volunteers for their commitment and passion for helping
others; and honoring exemplary volunteers who have shown outstanding service to
the county. The finalist have to serve
on a board or committee that is appointed by the County Commissioners. The County Commissioners review each
nomination and make a selection based on the volunteer’s leadership, service and
efforts in improving the quality of community life.
At the April 1, 2019 Board of Commissioners’ Meeting, Deputy Secretary for Human Services, Tara Myers, awarded Susan Osborne, past director of the Alamance County Department of Social Services, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine which is one of North Carolina’s most prestigious awards.
The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is awarded by the North Carolina Governor to those who have led distinguished careers and whose work has extraordinarily impacted both the state and their local communities.
Susan Osborne has worked in the human services field for more than 34 years and is actively involved in numerous committees and boards throughout North Carolina. Under her leadership, the Department of Social Services became one of the first local departments to implement the principles of System of Care which is a community-based service that builds relationships by partnering with
the parents who are involved in the child welfare system. This has led to a number of new partnerships and initiatives that focus on collectively working to provide processes, resources, and services to children, youth, and families in Alamance County.
She is also recognized as being the driving force in creating the Family Justice Center which centered on aligning support services in one location for victims of domestic violence. Additionally, she has played a key role in the Stepping Up Initiative which seeks to reduce the number of people with mental illness in jails. She and her team applied and received a three year federal grant that was instrumental in moving this initiative forward.
This morning the State of North Carolina, Alamance community leaders, and those Susan Osborne has served and worked with all celebrated and recognized her outstanding leadership and commitment to serving children and families in Alamance. As Alamance County Health Director Stacie Saunders wrote in her Letter of Support, ”She is an advocate, a cheerleader, a champion, a mentor, a learner, and most of all someone who cares about making her community better.”
On Wednesday, October 24, the Alamance County Emergency Services Association held their annual cookout hosted by the Eli Whitney Fire Department. The event honored those members who have served 20, 30, and 40 years. Landon Massey, President of the Alamance County Emergency Services Association, Amy Galey, Chair of the Alamance County Board of Commissioners, and Bob Byrd, Alamance County Commissioner, presented awards to the following:
Fire Service Awards: 20 Years
Steve Lineberry – Swepsonville Fire Department
Donnie West – Pleasant Grove Fire Department
Tommy Rumley – Graham Fire Department
Kevin Squires – Graham Fire Department
Allen Maness – Graham Fire Department
Kevin Pickard – Graham Fire Department
Jason Fogleman – Gibsonville Fire Department
Perry Foust – Gibsonville Fire Department
Fire Service Awards: 30 Years
Jimmy Hinshaw – Mebane Fire Department
Terry Jordan – Haw River Fire Department
Fire Service Awards: 40 Years
John Beaudry – Swepsonville Fire Department
EMS Service Awards: 20 Years
Ken Cheek
Shawn Rudd
Kyle Buckner
Jason Mansfield
EMS Service Awards: 30 Years
Eddie Thomas
The Alamance County Emergency Services Association helps to provide a forum for communication between emergency services agencies as well as recognizes those individuals who have dedicated so much of their life to the field of emergency services.
For more information, please contact Landon Massey, President of the Alamance County Emergency Services Association at (336) 227-1365 or Landon.Massey@alamance-nc.com.
For Immediate Release: June 26, 2018
Contact: Tory Frink, Clerk to Board (336) 570-4042
Frank Bell (2016), Earl Pickett (2018), and Rodney Cheek (2017)
Earl Pickett, Winner of the 2018 Citizen Volunteer of the Year Award
Earl Pickett with Chair Amy Galey
Eddie Boswell at Awards Luncheon
Bob Byrd at Awards Luncheon
The Alamance County Board of Commissioners awarded the “Citizen Volunteer of the Year” and honored other volunteers for their service at a luncheon held on Thursday, June 22. Chair Amy Galey presented the top award to Earl Pickett, Social Services Board Member. He was among eight finalist for the award which was chosen by the county commissioners. Mr. Pickett is third recipient of this award and past winners: Rodney Cheek (2017) and Frank Bell (2016) were also in attendance.
Earl Pickett has been a dedicated member of the Social Services Board since his 2017 appointment through the NC Social Services Commission, whose mission is to promote closer working relationships between County Boards of Social Services. Earl upholds the mission to increase public understanding, acceptance and support of public assistance of social services programs. Earl has fulfilled and served in many capacities for Alamance County Citizens. Mr. Pickett successfully completed the Alamance County Sherriff’s Office Citizens Academy in 2016 as well Alamance County Government Academy to get a better understanding of the services that each county department provides to the community. Since his completion of these community-training opportunities, Earl has been actively participating and advocating for the citizens of Alamance County. Earl is a member of the Child Protection & Fatality Prevention Team of Social Services, where he tirelessly gives his time reviewing cases and identifying gaps in services in our community. During multiple reviews of cases, Earl has facilitated donations for social services families who are in need, through his local church (provided money for transportation for mother to transport her child back and forth to Duke Hospital). Mr. Pickett sits on the Board of Directors for the NC Association of County Board of Social Services, where he was elected by the membership during the October 2018 Annual Meeting to serve as Regional Director for Region II that serves five other counties. In this work, Mr. Pickett advocates for system needs for all DSS agencies across the state. Earl continues to make himself available to mentor young males through Graham Middle School and has offered his services to our Child Welfare Social Workers on several occasions for other young men in need. As a Social Services Board member, Earl is an advocate for Social Services, the citizens we serve and Alamance County Government.
Commissioner Eddie Boswell recognized the nominees for the “Honorable Mention” category and Commissioner Bob Byrd recognized the remaining boards/committees and their staff liaisons.
Citizen Volunteer of the Year Finalist:
Virginia Gail Miller
Charles Ansell
Kelly May
Foxie Harper
Ashley Harris
Lee Isley
Ravi Balan
Honorable Mention:
Rena Bennett
Wilma Jean Gadison
Gale Pettiford
Members of the following boards/committees were in attendance: Adult Care Home Community Advisory Council; Nursing Home Community Advisory Council; Planning Committee for Services to the Elderly; Board of Equalization and Review; Recreation and Parks Commission; Alamance County Planning Board; Historic Properties Commission; Social Services Board; and Voluntary Agriculture District Board.
The Citizen Volunteer of the Year Award was started in 2016 as a way to recognize volunteers for their commitment and passion for helping others; and honoring an exemplary volunteer who has shown outstanding service to the county. The finalist have to serve on a board or committee that is appointed by the County Commissioners. The County Commissioners review each nomination and make a selection based on the volunteer’s leadership, service and efforts in improving the quality of community life.
Information on serving on a county board/committee can be found on the county website at: https://www.alamance-nc.com/boardscommittees/ .
BURLINGTON- On December 19th, the Alamance County Board of Health held its annual awards ceremony at the Alamance County Health Department recognizing the work of employees and community partners.
The Board of Health recognized Jon Huemmer as the recipient of the Alamance County Health Department’s 2017 Employee of the Year Award. The 2017 Employee of the Year award is selected by the Board of Health from nominations from health department staff.
The Board of Health also recognizes outside agencies, organizations, or individuals that have partnered with the health department with the Public Health Partnership Award and the Public Health Champion Award. The Board of Health recognized Elon University as the 2017 Public Health Partnership Award recipient. Elon University was recognized for its continuous support and collaborative efforts with the health department on various projects and initiatives such as the Elon-Alamance Health Partners program. The Board of Health recognized Lisa Ferguson as the 2017 Public Health Champion Award recipient. Mrs. Ferguson coordinates a clothing ministry in the county and has on many occasions assisted the health department, as well as the Department of Social Services, with serving the basic needs of our clients.
Health Director Stacie Saunders recognized Michelle Dorminy with the Health Director’s Award. This award is presented to an employee who exemplifies the values of Public Health: Everywhere, Everyday, for Everybody.
Also recognized were retirees Terry Butts-Felton, Dora Ward, Dr. Elizabeth “Dr. K” Krzysztoforska, and Carl Carrol in appreciation of their years of service to Alamance County, and Alamance County Board of Health members Kevin Bengel and Norma Thompson in appreciation of their service to the Board.
2017 Alamance County Health Department Employee of the Year Jon Huemmer
2017 Public Health Partnership Award Recipient Elon University,
Elon University Asst. Director for Community Partnerships Tammy Cobb
2017 Health Director’s Award Recipient Michelle Dorminy
2017 Public Health Champion Award Recipient Lisa Ferguson
On Tuesday, November 17, the Alamance County Recreation and Parks Department and the Recreation and Parks Commission was awarded the 2015 Alamance County Beautification Award from the Alamance Beautiful Commission for Cedarock Park.
Recreation and Parks director Brian Baker said, “Alamance County Recreation and Parks Department is honored to receive this recognition. It is a testament to the wonderful natural resources we steward and the dedication of the public servants that work to make our parks a quality resource for the residents of Alamance County. This is the first time we have received this award and we would like to thank the Alamance Beautiful Commission for their work to recognize all the people who work to make Alamance County such a great place to live and work.”
Board of Commissioners Chairman Dan Ingle was present for the award ceremony.
