Good morning neighbors,

I had the pleasure of touring the Glen Raven headquarters last week, thanks to an invite from community relations manager Kelly May and New Leaf Society director Katie Snider.

Did you know the textile company is credited with creating the first pantyhose (called Panty-Tights and Panti-Legs) in the 1950s?

Based on Glen Raven’s campus, New Leaf Society is a non-profit “that works to improve the curb appeal of Alamance County” through greenscapes and other horticultural projects. It was founded in 2007 by Allen E. Gant, retired CEO of Glen Raven. 

Throughout my visit, I kept saying that Glen Raven's campus – particularly the newer parts – felt like walking through Alamance County’s very own Google campus with its many ceiling-to-floor windows and sleek modern architecture. The newer buildings include some materials from the original ones, like exposed brick walls and restored hardwood floors. Think Silicon-Valley-meets-historic-textile-mill.

It was really cool learning about New Leaf Society, the history of Glen Raven, the Gantt family, and our county’s textile roots – especially as I’m in this role with The Alamance Fabric.

Similarly, that balance between our county’s deep history, its small-town feel, and how it’s evolving and growing has been the root of many conversations in our community lately.

A few of the things I’m keeping tabs on this week (that I think you should, too) include:

• This afternoon, the Library committee will hold a special meeting to vote on whether or not to put “Parental Guidance” labels on several books appealed for review earlier this month. That’s happening at 12:30 p.m. at May Memorial Library. I’ll share an update in the next newsletter;

• Our county government and school district’s ongoing capital funding dispute and the next time they will meet for mediation;

• And any potential measures taken by municipalities, including Graham and Mebane, to address the region’s ongoing exceptional drought.

Do you have a go-to spot to watch fútbol in our area? Our house is divided between England (my husband) and Colombia (me). Who are you rooting for in this year’s World Cup? And did you know there’s a lot of great soccer locally? Check out the details of that below. 

Talk soon,

THIS WEEK

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WHAT'S SHAPING ALAMANCE

A round up of key local headlines (from our partners and other news organizations) that are defining life in Alamance right now.

• Family Abuse Services of Alamance County faces program cuts as county funding dries up (Fox8 WGHP)

• Alamance sees high growth in young adults (The Burlington Times News) *

• Out-of-market investors buy former Badcock distribution center in Mebane for $30M (Triad Business Journal) *

• Independence Day 2026: Here’s where to watch Fourth of July fireworks in the Piedmont Triad (Fox8 WGHP)

Articles with an asterisk (*) are behind a paywall.

LATEST FROM NC LOCAL

Here is the latest statewide reporting from the NC Local team on the big-picture issues that impact us all.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

In this segment, we spotlight one of the neighbors shaping our community's future. This summer, we are highlighting recipients of the Alamance Community Foundation's 2026 Spring Community Grant.

Member of the Haw River Assembly at the CORE Juneteenth Festival

at the Chatham County Fairgrounds on Saturday, June 20, 2026.
(Credit: Haw River Assembly/Facebook)

Haw River Assembly

• In a few words, describe your organization and its mission.
  Haw River Assembly is a grassroots nonprofit working to protect clean water across the Haw River watershed in central North Carolina. We monitor water quality, hold polluters and regulators accountable, and organize alongside the communities most affected by contamination.

• What do you wish more people knew about your organization?
  A lot of what protects our water quality is not government oversight, it is us. We proactively investigate pollution problems that would otherwise go unreported, and we do it on nonprofit salaries. It is not glamorous work, it involves permits, lab results, and public comment deadlines, but someone has to make sure the water our communities and wildlife depend on is actually safe. This work also extends well beyond water quality monitoring. We are engaged in fights over pipelines, PFAS contamination, and the policies that determine who has access to clean water. None of it would be possible without the volunteers and community members who show up again and again alongside our staff.

• How can the community stay in touch and get involved?Visit hawriver.org to sign up for our newsletter and see upcoming events. We're also on social media, and we always need volunteers for water testing, river cleanups, and community organizing. If clean water matters to you, there's a place for you here.

• Any big accomplishments or goals this year?
  This year we launched our Swim Report so people can check water quality before they get in the river. We had record turnout at the PFAS minimization rule hearings, where community members showed up in force to fight for stronger PFAS protections. We've also been deep in the fight against the proposed Chatham natural gas pipeline and pushing for stronger enforcement in the Brenntag Mid-South case affecting Jordan Lake. Looking ahead, we're focused on growing our team and strengthening the organization for the long haul.

THINGS TO DO

Whether you’re searching for family-friendly fun, a way to support local creators, or to get civically involved, here are a few ideas from the Visit Alamance events calendar.

• Alamance County Library Committee Special Meeting
  Tuesday, June 30 at 12:30 p.m.
  May Memorial Library
  342 S. Spring St., Burlington, NC 27215
  On the agenda: "Content Notice Request – Decision Appeal"
  

• Gibsonville Board of Aldermen Special Meeting
  Tuesday, June 30 at 6:30 p.m.
  Gibsonville Town Hall
  129 W. Main St., Gibsonville, NC 27249
  On the agenda: "FY25/26 & FY26/27 Budget amendments and a capital project ordinance amendment"
  

• Mexico vs. Ecuador FIFA World Cup Watch Party
  Tuesday, June 30 at 8:30 p.m.
  Apollo Field
  489 Goley St., Graham, NC 27253
  Free, open to the public

• USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina FIFA World Cup Watch Party
  Wednesday, July 1 at 7:30 p.m.
  Graham Recreation Center
  311 College St., Graham, NC 27253
  Free, open to the public

•  American Revolution Experience Traveling Exhibit
  Thursday, July 2 at 8 a.m.
  Student Activities Center at Alamance Community College
  1247 Jimmie Kerr Rd., Graham, NC 27253

• Chill & Thrill Park Pop Up: Stars, Stripes & Spokes
  Friday, July 3 at 10 a.m.
  Graham Regional Park
  1441 N. Jim Minor Rd., Graham, NC 27253
  Free, open to the public
  

• July 3rd in the Park
  Friday, July 3 at 5 p.m.
  Burlington City Park
  1388 S. Main St., Burlington, NC 27215
  Free, open to the public
  

• Mebane 4th of July Parade
  Saturday, July 4 at 9 a.m.
  Mebane Historical Museum
  209 W. Jackson St., Mebane, NC 27302
  Free, open to the public
  

• Red White and Bloom
  Saturday, July 4 at 11 a.m.
  Downtown Gibsonville
  101 E. Main St., Gibsonville, NC 27249
  Free, open to the public
  

• Burlington City Council Work Session
  Monday, July 6 at 5 p.m.
  Municipal Building
  425 S. Lexington Ave., Burlington, NC 27215
• Mebane City Council Meeting
  Monday, July 6 at 6 p.m.
  Municipal Building
  106 E. Washington St., Mebane, NC 27302
• Gibsonville Board of Aldermen Meeting
  Monday, July 6 at 6:30 p.m.
  Gibsonville Town Hall
  129 W. Main St., Gibsonville, NC 27249

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