North Carolina
Virginia Tech alumnus promotes North Carolina trail from mountains to sea
On these lovely fall or spring afternoons throughout his undergraduate days, Brent Laurenz usually discovered himself debating between taking a hike on certainly one of Southwest Virginia’s quite a few trails or making the prudent choice of going to class.
Class received out each time.
“After all,” Laurenz stated, smiling.
Laurenz ’02 discovered a ardour for the outside throughout his days at Virginia Tech, and he now has turned that zeal right into a dream profession. In January, he took over as the chief director of Buddies of the Mountains-to-Sea Path, a nonprofit group primarily based in Raleigh, North Carolina, devoted to enhancing and preserving the favored cross-state pathway.
Laurenz graduated with a level in psychology from the School of Science with minors in English and sociology. After working for nonprofit organizations in Washington, D.C., and pursuing his grasp’s diploma from George Washington College, he moved to Raleigh in 2009, persevering with his work within the nonprofit realm.
Final 12 months, an commercial for his present job flowed to his e mail inbox, and he was intrigued.
“I form of fell in love with North Carolina and all the nice outdoor stuff that it needed to supply, and one of many first issues I stumbled throughout once I moved right here was the Mountains-to-Sea Path,” he stated. “It is only a place to hike and revel in nature and form of get out into the world, within the forest, within the woods.
“Then this job popped up, and I felt prefer it was a good time in my profession for one thing like this. A few of my nonprofit expertise lined up properly with what the group was on the lookout for, after which simply bringing that private ardour for mountaineering and being outdoor, it actually was the proper marriage of the 2.”
The Mountains-to-Sea Path stretches 1,175 miles from Clingman’s Dome within the Nice Smoky Mountains on the Tennessee-North Carolina border to Nags Head on the Outer Banks. Parts of the path run in tandem with components of North Carolina’s 12 official state trails, and a few at the moment observe roadways whereas off-road choices are pursued. Most hikers use the path for day hikes, although many have taken the three to 4 months wanted to hike the path in its entirety.
Laurenz, who oversees a six-person employees, represents the nonprofit group at public occasions, works with volunteers and contractors to restore sections and construct bridges alongside the path, helps plan new sections of the path, assists volunteer outings to take care of the path, manages advertising efforts, and connects with donors whose monetary presents are necessary to the path’s existence.
“That is actually been one of many enjoyable components, simply attending to know individuals who care about one thing and both dedicate time, power, cash, no matter it’s to assist see or not it’s profitable and continue to grow,” Laurenz stated. “It has been lots of enjoyable. The primary half 12 months was lots of acclamation and getting my ft beneath me, however I really feel like I am getting the grasp of every thing and excited for 12 months two, for certain.”
North Carolina
Another road collapse delays reopening of I-40 after Helene
HAYWOOD COUNTY, N.C. (FOX Carolina) – The North Carolina Department of Transportation said new damage will delay the reopening of Interstate 40. The interstate was heavily damaged during Hurricane Helene.
A large chunk of asphalt fell away in an eastbound lane of I-40 near the Pigeon River Gorge. Officials said wet and freezing weather contributed to the slide.
Crews initially hoped to reopen the interstate during the first week of January, but it will remain closed until it is deemed safe.
“It is an unfortunate situation,” NCDOT Division 14 Engineer Wanda Payne said. “It’s a new hurdle that we have to overcome in order to provide a safe facility for the traveling public.”
Engineers are working to stabilize the damage with additional soil nails.
Drivers are reminded about the designated detours in place to drive.
Copyright 2024 WHNS. All rights reserved.
North Carolina
Previewing Arkansas vs. North Carolina A&T
The Arkansas Razorbacks (9-2, 0-0 SEC) have just two non-conference matchups left before they start SEC play, and they can’t look past the North Carolina A&T Aggies (3-9, 0-1 CAA), who will visit Bud Walton Arena on Saturday.
Arkansas’ penultimate non-conference matchup looks like an easy game on paper, but another wire-to-wire win would help the Razorbacks in the metrics and analytics. Right now, the Hogs sit at No. 40 in KenPom and No. 48 in the NET rankings.
The Aggies are led by second-year head coach Monte Ross. He was an assistant at Temple for four years and spent 10 years as the head coach at Delaware prior to that. Last season, NC A&T finished 7-25 and 5-13 in the Coastal Athletic Association.
This season, it hasn’t gone much better. The Aggies are at 3-9 with wins over Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, The Citadel and Morgan State University. They’ve lost seven games in a row, with the most recent game a 73-68 loss to Coastal Carolina.
There are several interesting ties between the Aggies and the Razorbacks in Saturday’s matchup. NC A&T junior guard Jordan Martin is the son of Arkansas assistant coach Chuck Martin. North Carolina A&T’s leading scorer, Landon Glasper, is a Fayetteville native and was at Fayetteville High School while Arkansas staff member Ronnie Brewer was on staff.
The Aggies’ second-leading scorer, Ryan Forrest, is also an Arkansas native and hails from Marion. He and Glasper played AAU ball for Brewer while in high school.
Here’s HawgBeat’s preview of what you need to know about the North Carolina A&T Aggies ahead of Saturday’s contest, including analytics, players to watch for and more…
North Carolina
Married more than 76 years, the Potters have eaten at same NC restaurant since 1968
GARNER, N.C. (WTVD) — It’s another lunch rush at Angie’s Restaurant in Garner, as servers whir by tables, dropping off dishes and filling up drinks. And while every restaurant has their regulars, there may be no couple whose more at home here than the Potter’s.
“Most of it is the love that they show for the people. And on top of that, the food is extra good,” said Vernon Potter.
They’ve been coming here since 1968 when it was under previous ownership. However, they started coming more often after moving closer to the restaurant, once it was opened by current owner Angie Mikus in 2011. Ultimately, it’s become a daily stop, often twice a day, including Thursday. By the time we sat down with them, it was the second time they’d eaten here today.
“I had three eggs over light, piece of lean fatback and potatoes,” said Vernon of his breakfast order.
Their orders and tables change, but what draws them out of the house does not.
“It’s one of the most important assets that we have is that we can mingle with people. You can talk to people, and find out what they’re thinking, (of what) you’re thinking and a lot of times it’s compatible. And by doing that, we have our little family we call it at Angie’s,” said Vernon.
The couple met in 1948, when Vernon was 18 and Margaret was 17.
“I fell in love the minute I saw her. And six months later, I married her,” said Vernon.
“We liked singing, and we sang well,” said Margaret.
The pair have continued singing together for years, often in church, even showing off their skills inside the restaurant Thursday; the performance drew applause from other diners.
One estimate from population experts states there are currently 1,000 couples in the United States that have reached 75 years of marriage.
“They just have a level of commitment that just isn’t prevalent in our culture today. It just shows me that people can be committed to each other. But it takes love and it takes understanding and patience,” said Pat Zimmerly, one of the Potter’s four children.
Zimmerly said their relationship has served as an important example to model after, valuable for the Potter’s twenty-two grandchildren, and now the next generation of great-grandchildren.
“Daddy held her, my mom held her. We just cried. My son and I, my daughter-in-law because the legacy that they bring through me, to my son, to Isla, it’s going to impact her life in a positive way,” said Pat, referring to her first grandchild who was born earlier this year.
Vernon spent more than 40 years in the North Carolina National Guard, with the family living in New Bern, Rocky Mount, and Raleigh before the couple ultimately retired in Garner. Margaret served as President of the Volunteer Auxiliary at WakeMed, a role that led her to travel the country. Her efforts were recognized in 1999 when she was honored by the Governor’s Office.
“Their whole life is just social. And that goes along with church and everything. They just need people in their lives,” said Zimmerly.
Now in their nineties, a lot has changed from when they first met.
“A hamburger was 10 cents. A Pepsi-Cola was a nickel, a Baby Ruth Bar was a nickel,” said Vernon.
But what’s bonded them together – a shared love of family, faith, and helping others – has remained the same.
“Her beauty and her love for me has never changed,” said Vernon.
SEE ALSO | Pinehurst couple celebrates 72 years of marriage
Copyright © 2024 WTVD-TV. All Rights Reserved.
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