Good morning neighbors,

I want to take a moment to wish a belated Happy Mother’s Day to any readers who are mothers or mother figures. This is my second year being a mom and, to be honest, I still can’t believe it.

We kicked off a busy and beautiful weekend on Friday evening with a visit to Dogwood Farms in Belews Creek, some thrifting with my mom and daughter on Saturday, and wrapped up with a family dinner at Gyu-Kaku in Greensboro on Sunday.

On Monday, it was back to reality. Last night, The News & Observer’s Orange County reporter Tammy Grubb and I heard from Morrow Mill Road residents at a meeting with N.C. Sen. Amy Galey and N.C. Rep. Dennis Riddell about two proposed residential subdivisions near Saxapahaw. County commissioners Kelly Allen, Sam Powell and Ed Priola were also there.

In recent weeks, there’s been a lot of conversation on why Alamance County hasn't adopted countywide zoning or other ordinances, which could add guardrails to large developments in rural areas – like the proposed Morrow Mill and Alston Quarter subdivisions.

Tammy and I are collaborating on more reporting, but today’s story gives you some initial context. If you are new to zoning and planning, I hope this is a helpful starting point.

Next week, we'll take a look at the proposed county budget that’s being presented at the next county commissioners meeting on Monday, May 18. Mark your calendars for Thursday, May 21 at 10:30 a.m. for our virtual Alamance County Budget Q&A and Fact Check with County Manager Heidi York. Can’t watch it live? No problem. Submit your questions ahead of time here.

FYI: Alamance Parks is gathering community input that will help shape an update to the Comprehensive Master Plan for the next 5-10 years. You can fill out the Community Survey here. It took me less than 5 minutes to complete!

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.

• Target, HomeGoods among national retailers coming to new Mebane development (WFMY News 2)
  

• Alamance County navigates ongoing statewide drought (Elon News Network)
  

• Alamance school system affected by data breach (The Times-News)
  

• Mebane to pay part of cost for Graham sewer plant (News of Mebane)
  

• Prescribed Fire in Alamance County (The Saxapahaw Current)
  

• Recreation Report: 10 Things to Do in Alamance County in May (Active Alamance)
  

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 brought to you in partnership with The Power + Place Collaborative from Elon University's Center for Design Thinking. Below is an excerpt from a profile. Click the video for more.

“I think it was just divine that I was here.”

"Bobbi Ruffin is a community leader, mother, musician, and changemaker. She was the first Black woman to serve as Director of the Mayco Bigelow Community Center at North Park and Recreation Superintendent.

Bobbi never expected to work in Recreation & Parks, but feels it was destiny that she ended up working with the community in which she grew up. She sees the Mayco Bigelow Center as “a hub for resources and for families.”

Bobbi faced a big challenge continuing to serve the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. She stayed motivated by sticking to three main goals: connecting communities, bridging the gap between generations, and collaborating with local organizations."

Bobbi Ruffin is Recreation Superintendent for The City of Burlington

(Photo credit: Toy Makes Faces)

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:

• Elon Town Council Meeting
  Tuesday, May 12 at 6 p.m.
  Town Hall
  104 S. Williamson Ave., Elon, NC 27244
  On the agenda: "Public Hearing on Proposed FY27 Budget
  Package"

• Graham City Council Meeting
  Tuesday, May 12 at 6 p.m.
  City Hall
  201 S. Main St., Graham, NC 27253
  On the agenda: "Public Hearings: Accessory Dwelling Unit Text Amendment, Future Land Use Plans, Benches Downtown" "Downtown Social District Discussion"

• Green Level Town Council Meeting
  Thursday, May 14 at 6 p.m.
  City Hall
  201 S. Main St., Graham, NC 27253

• Portraits of Hope - Pet Portrait Exhibit of BAS Adoptable Animals
  Through May 29
  Mebane Arts and Community Center
  633 Corregidor St., Mebane, NC 27302

• Arts Around the Square
  Saturday, May 16 at 10 a.m.
  Downtown Graham
  N. Main St., Graham, NC 27253

• Battle of Alamance Reenactment: 255th Anniversary Commemoration
  Saturday, May 16 at 11 a.m.
  Alamance Battleground
  5803 NC-62, Burlington, NC 27215

• Burlington City Council Meeting
  Tuesday, May 19 at 7 p.m.
  Municipal Building
  425 S. Lexington Ave., Burlington, NC 27215

• Swepsonville Town Council Meeting
  Tuesday, May 19 at 7 p.m.
  Swepsonville United Methodist Church
  1307 E. Main St., Graham, NC 27253

GET INVOLVED

Want to make local journalism better for North Carolinians?