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.

Forty-two years ago this month, Keep America Beautiful (KAB) launched a new campaign for Earth Day with the theme "People Start Pollution. People can stop it." The 1971 ad campaign, designed by the Ad Council featuring the now-iconic "Crying Indian" played by the actor Iron Eyes Cody, connected viewers emotionally to their environment and empowered them to make a difference.

It was kind of her to not think I was with the gardeners. After all, I did arrive for my visit at the same time as the crew that was trimming the hedges. But, Wendy was gracious enough to overlook this as she led me into the Living room of her home in Duke Forest in Durham.

The Durham Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) held its  annual Block Kids Contest at E.K. Powe Elementary School in Durham Feb. 22.

Check out ways to volunteer on www.handsontriangle.org or contact Lynn Odom at 919-613-5105.

Connie Tice

NC Museum of Life and Science

Volunteer for 2 years

The Durham Hebrew Congregation’s new building at Queen and Holloway Streets was completed in 1921, and the board of directors changed the congregation’s name to Beth-El in mid-April.