For years, conversations regarding teaching and learning have thrown around sound bites and buzz words like “teachable moments,” “real world applications,” and “hands on learning.”

In the late 1950s the United States experienced a wave of urban renewal projects, an initiative to renew America's decaying urban centers partially funded by the federal government. Durham’s 1960 ballot included a bond issue for urban renewal and for an expressway to Research Triangle Park that would bisect Durham's African-American Hayti community.

Sister Cities of Durham is broadening our city’s connections to the global community by welcoming partnerships with two cities in China.  On April 17, Sister Cities of Durham signed a “Friendship City” partnership with the City of Kunshan, Jiangsu Province, China.

Bradley Barnett

Habitat for Humanity Service Durham and Orange Counties

Volunteer for 3 years

Keep Durham Beautiful received Keep America Beautiful President’s Circle Award during Keep America Beautiful’s 60th anniversary National Conference, recently in Washington, D.C. The President’s Circle Award recognizes exemplary performance by certified affiliates of the national nonprofit in building and sustaining vibrant communities.

Every spring, as the weather starts to warm up, little bunches of asparagus start showing up at farmers’ markets. In the past couple of weeks, asparagus has started making its way to markets across the Triangle.

CourtCares, an initiative by Judge Joe L. Webster and staff of the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina in Durham was launched April 11 to reach out to students in the Durham Public Schools. Eighth grade students from Shepherd Middle School were introduced to the federal court system, encouraged to stay on the right side of the law and exposed to life-long strategies for leading successful and healthy lives. Judge Webster conducted a brief mock criminal trial, which was followed by a tour of the judicial chambers, lock-up facility and an informal question and answer period. Webster, in robes, is pictured with courtroom staff and U. S. Probation Department employees.

Rotary Clubs and partners across central North Carolina donated nearly 52,000 books to public schools and to non-profit organizations that support literacy as part of the regional district's “Books on Hand” campaign to provide new and used books for elementary aged children.

Historic Stagville is what remains of one of the largest plantation holdings of the pre-Civil War South. The plantation was owned by the Bennehan-Cameron family, who held 900 slaves and almost 30,000 acres by 1860.

The Durham's Station Post Office opened April 26, 1853, giving the name "Durham" a place on the map. The city observed its centennial on April 26, 1953.

In honor of National Volunteer Week, we want to thank the many volunteers who serve the Durham community!  Not a volunteer yet? Check out these opportunities on www.handsontriangle.org or contact Lynn Odom at 919-613-5105.

Kelly Scolaro

Senior PharmAssist

Volunteer for 1 year

Four area Kiwanis clubs provided the funds for a guest room at the Ronald McDonald House of Durham. Pictured in front of the guest room are representatives of the four clubs . They are (from left), Tom Hucks { Hillsborough }, Rita Foley (Durham Tobaccoland) , Greg Duhon (Roxboro) and Kim Griffin (Durham Friendly City). A tour of the house directed by Oie Osterkamp, executive director, started an evening of a community service project at the house. The Hillsborough club played the lead role in providing a meal for 50 families staying temporarily at the House and for 28 Kiwanians who attended and participated in the community service project.. The four Kiwanis clubs have agreed to donate $25,000 to the Ronald McDonald House of Durham over the next five years. The community service project concluded with a joint business meeting of the four clubs.

Duke Homestead is the original site where Durham’s most famous businessman and humanitarian, Washington Duke, first grew and processed tobacco. Washington Duke’s visionary leadership helped propel his family’s business, the American Tobacco Company, to become the world’s largest tobacco company and helped make Durham into a tobacco empire. The Dukes invested not only in their business, but also gave large contributions to Trinity College, which later became Duke University.

Army National Guard Pvt. Nery Acevedo has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.