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penelxpebradley · 5 years ago

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709 North 4th Street, Apartment E, Downtown, Wilmington NC, 28401 → wilmingtontask008

Home can be many things, many places. It can be people. It can be places. But it is the place where you are safe, warm, comforted and for Penelope Bradley 709 North 4th Street is that place. She never thought on the day she signed the deeds for the property that it would become a home, it always started out as a place to be until her life got back on track, until she moved back to the big city and everything made sense. But somehow, just somehow Wilmington has become her home. Still fairly neutral in case she does decide to sell it on ( unlikely, she’s far too attached the place and couldn’t bear the idea of someone else putting their mucky paws all over it ), this small but perfectly formed apartment has seen it all, from the screaming arguments to the endless make ups, evenings with Netflix, and the days where just getting up seemed to much.

Welcome to Apartment E. Wipe your feet on the way out...

How big is it? How many bedrooms? Bathrooms? Dens? Any other special rooms?

Honestly, Penelope can’t give you the square footage of the place. Even when she purchased the place she had never looked into those little details, preferring instead to consider the natural light, the small community garden at the back and the ease of access to Downtown. A one bedroom apartment might not make much sense of a thirty year old woman to purchase, but at the time where she had she’d been at an absolute low, with no consideration for any long term plans. Perhaps if her life ever changed then she would have to consider upgrading...but as it’s not likely to change in that way she’s quite content with how it is.

How much is the rent if It’s a rental?

The property isn’t a rental. Her parents bought it for her outright in the desperate hope that having property would ground her and make her feel less like a failure after she moved on from her original Wilmington rental property. As it turns out, it did. But she still feels like a failure, living in the home her parents bought for her to stop her going mental...

Does your character enjoy living there? Or is it just a stop in the road?

Yes. Generally speaking. But its worth considering that Penelope doesn’t enjoy much most of the time. She just sort of floats from place to place trying to find something solid to cling onto. But she does feel safe in her home, its the one place where she can let her guard down, and she has been known to hunker down and hide in her bedroom when things are getting too tough, refusing to acknowledge any of the real world.

Do they have a nice layout outside? Backyard, front yard, garden or patio?

The block itself is historic, a big red build with history seeped into it. It was one of the reasons why she fell in love with the place, with its large walk up steps and protected hallway before you reached the stairs. The community garden was certainly a draw as well, but she’s never had green fingers and isn’t going to start now. Mostly she enjoys to look out of the window onto the garden on a Saturday morning, nursing a cup of coffee as she sits in the window. The block itself is blessed with large windows and huge natural light and in the summer the apartment is bright and airy. In the winter it is...less so, but with all of her hidden lights and lamps around the place she makes it work

Is this your character’s forever home?

Not intentionally. But life has a funny way of changing your path. And perhaps if the situation changes then she would have to consider leaving ( it’s not like you can raise a family in a one bed apartment ). But for now it’s her property and it’s her home.

What are their relationships with their neighbours, if they have any?

Prior to her choosing to skip town she had absolutely no contact with her neighbours other than the occasional nod on the stairwell. She’s fairly certain that they hate her though. Between the endless rounds of arguments with @owensfitzpatrick at stupid o’clock, to her obsessive ( and loud ) cleaning sprees at all hours of the day, she’s sure she’s probably a nightmare neighbour. That said, they’ve never complained to her face, and now that she’s back she does intend to make amends. Sure she’s only managed to get around to @kevhoffman, but she’ll get there sooner or later

Does your character have plans to expand?

Not really. Far too much work and fuss and totally unnecessary. At any rate she can’t even afford that option now even if she wanted to

How long has your character lived there?

Penelope did have a crumbling apartment when she first moved to Wilmington on the dodgier side of town but when her parents found out they hit the roof and a year after she arrived in Wilmington they found her the apartment where she is now. Penelope has now been in that apartment for two years.

Does your character have any roommates?

Nope, nor would she ever take one. She did room sharing and apartment sharing back at university and it was not great. She was always obsessively clean and somehow got paired with the obscenely messy. No the only reason anyone would be moving into her property would be if they were a long term partner, and even then she’s gotten quite used to living alone. She shared her last apartment with Andrew, and still regularly misses that place, so it would take a lot for her to risk the same situation.

Does your character have a favorite spot?

Yes, sitting at her dining table in the early morning light when it pours in through the window. Everything glows. Everything.

What is your character’s home close to? Any landmarks or public locations?

As the apartment is Downtown she’s pretty close to everything Wilmington has to offer, particularly the coffee shops. When she worked at Turner & West she drove over to Forest Hills every morning but since quitting the job and selling her car she has taken to walking everywhere, especially through the nearby parks to get a breath of fresh air.

Does your character host gatherings often? Parties, barbecues, etc?

When she lived back in Boston, her home was the centre point of her social group, the apartment regularly hosting people from morning to night, friends turning up at their door with no warning. There was always a bottle of wine chilling in the fridge and spirits in the cupboard, crisps in the pantry. But since moving to Wilmington, Penelope has become a lot more closed off. Her home is her special place, and whilst she’s more than happy to invite a one night stand back to her place, it’s only the important people she invites back time after time -- and in some cases, allows to bang on her door at obscene hours of the night. Perhaps one day she’ll find it in her to host a party or a gathering but for now the idea of being the hostess with the mostess fills her with dread and panic and memories she does not know how to contend with.

Is this your character’s childhood home? If so… what are some memories from when your character was younger?

No, Penelope grew up in Ireland, spent her formative years in Manhattan and finally settled in Connecticut. Generally speaking she doesn’t even know where her childhood home actually is, she has memories in all three after all.

Furthermore… what are some memories from the place your character is currently at?

Memories? Oh she has a few. Not always good ones either. Sometimes that apartment has seen true joy, evenings spent on the couch with friends, pizza being ordered and Netflix on the screen. Weekends spent with romantic partners curled around each other, unable to separate for even a minute. But it has also seen a lot of pain -- endless arguments that carried on late into the night, moments of pure destruction where she tore the apartment to pieces screaming loudly and without restraint like a wild animal. She tries not to think of those darker memories, the days where she couldn’t leave her bed without feeling pain, and focus instead on the positives but it’s safe to say that apartment E has seen a lot.

And lastly, do they genuinely like living there?

Yes. It was never the place she intended on settling but now that apartment has become home and she can’t imagine leaving it behind. It’s still fairly clean and clinical, and she can’t quite bring herself to take out the boxes of personal photos that she has hidden away in cupboards to truly make it hers...but maybe one day.

#wilmingtontask #( building blocks | head cannons )#well this took a million years

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architectnews · 4 years ago

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Paul Rudolph Architect: Modern US Architecture

Paul Rudolph, Architect, American Building, US Design Studio, Yale, Asian Projects, Office

Paul Rudolph Architect : Architecture

20th Century Architect Practice, USA – Building Design Information

Nov 11, 2020

Visualization of Paul Rudolph’s Gatot Subroto (Jakarta 1990, unbuilt):

The Gatot Subroto was an 87500 square meter office condominium complex of eight towers designed for Jakarta, Indonesia by American Architect Paul Rudolph. The design includes many “green” sustainability features that were new to the world of architecture in 1990.

Each three story block was separated from the next by a void deck, an outdoor space intended to be planted as a sky garden; making the total added green space larger than the footprint of the building itself! The visualization process is iterative, and this is an interim view of the building, with some details yet to be addressed.

Oct 29 + 25 + 22, 2020

Paul Rudolph’s undiscovered buildings

Collaborating with premier Architectural Visualization Studio Design Distill, Paul Rudolph’s unknown late designs to be brought to life

Latest visualization of Gatot Subroto in Jakarta, Indonesia: image courtesy of: Architectural Visualization Studio Design Distill

New visualization of Gatot Subroto in Jakarta, Indonesia: image courtesy of: Architectural Visualization Studio Design Distill

Over the past several years Eric Wolff has been researching Paul Rudolph’s archives to understand his late-career works in Asia. Scholars have described Rudolph’s late works as “seven buildings including a couple of villas”.

image courtesy of: Library of Congress, photographer unknown

Eric’s research has uncovered a very different narrative about Rudolph. In Asia, Rudolph designed more than 20 buildings and participated in more than 50 projects during his late career (1978 – 1997). These “unknown” designs are amongst his finest, most refined, and most ambitious. Based on the research of 1000s of items from Rudolph’s archives digital models were created of Rudolph’s “unbuilt” late designs.

Sketch by Paul Rudolph of his Gatot Subroto, Jakarta, Indonesia: image courtesy of: Library of Congress, digital pictures courtesy of Eric Wolff

To illustrate the design of Paul Rudolph’s Gatot Subroto (unbuilt, Jakarta 1990) an exciting collaboration with Design Distill was born. “Design Distill is a multidisciplinary group that has the passion, talents and capabilities to translate my research of Paul Rudolph’s late works into visualizations, bringing the buildings to life so they can be evaluated and celebrated.” Eric Wolff, Researcher and Author.

Model of Paul Rudolph’s Gatot Subroto, Jakarta, Indonesia:

images courtesy of: Library of Congress, digital pictures courtesy of Eric Wolff

Design Distill a visualization studio that narrates design projects. They are about the creative communication of architecture, urban design, landscape architecture, real estate development and digital media. “I was intrigued and surprised by the sheer volume of designs Paul Rudolph had completed in his late career in Asia. It was a natural fit for Design Distill to be the collaboration partner in this project; we are enthusiastic with the challenge to capture and illustrate the sculptural complexity of Rudolph’s Gatot Subroto” Andrew Hartness, Principal Design Distill.

image courtesy of: Library of Congress, digital picture courtesy of Eric Wolff

The Gatot Subroto an 87,500 m2 office condominium complex was a client request for eight office towers of varying foot prints to be an office condominium complex, where the Dharmala group would occupy the main tower and the seven towers rented to prime tenants. Rudolph’s final design was a masterpiece; not only because he met the customer brief, but he also created a sustainable building far before it was fashionable.

Visualization of Gatot Subroto, Jakarta, Indonesia: image courtesy of: Architectural Visualization Studio Design Distill

Kickstarter to fund the visualization project: Illustrating Paul Rudolph’s undiscovered buildings

For information on Paul Rudolph and his works: https://www.paulrudolphheritagefoundation.org

Paul Rudolph – Key Projects

Jan 31, 2020 Walker Guest House, Palm Spings, California, USA Design: Paul Rudolph Architect photo : Anton Grassl, Esto, courtesy Sarasota Architectural Foundation Walker Guest House by Paul Rudolph

Featured Buildings by Paul Rudolph, alphabetical:

Burroughs Wellcome headquarters, North Carolina, USA Dates built: 1969; 1980

The Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF) is a private, independent biomedical research foundation based in Research Triangle Park.

In 1969 pharmaceuticals giant Burroughs-Wellcome commissioned Paul Rudolph to design its headquarters in Research Triangle Park, NC, an area between Raleigh and Durham dominated by high-tech corporate research facilities.

The building was expanded by Rudolph in the 1980s and a covenant prevented unauthorized changes during his lifetime. After a series of mergers, Burroughs became GlaxoSmithKline, which sold the 700,000 square foot facility.

The new owners, United Therapeutics, describe themselves as admirers of this Modern architect and plan to retain what they consider ‘historically important’ parts of the complex and demolish others, presumably the 1980s expansion.

BWF was founded in 1955 as the corporate foundation of the Burroughs Wellcome Co., the U.S. branch of the Wellcome pharmaceutical enterprise, based in the United Kingdom. In 1993, a $400 million gift from the Wellcome Trust enabled BWF to become fully independent from the company, which was acquired by Glaxo in 1995 and is now known as GlaxoSmithKline.

BWF is one of the most significant funders of biomedical research. Its overall goal is to help scientists early in their careers develop as independent investigators, and to advance fields in the basic medical sciences that are undervalued or in need of particular encouragement.

source: https://ift.tt/37C6S0O

Riverview High School, Sarasota, Florida, USA Dates built: 1957-58 was under threat for demolition in (early) 2007

Riverview High School – redevelopment, Sarasota, Florida Date built: 2007- Architecture Competition: Shortlist of 5 incl. RMJM Hillier and John McAslan & Partners

Riverview High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school in Sarasota, Florida, United States. Riverview educates students from ninth grade to twelfth grade. The school has 2,654 students and 161 teachers. The school’s mascot is the ram. As of the 2012-2013 school year, it is the largest school in the county.

Notable programs at the school include the International Baccalaureate Program, a rigorous regimen that prepares its candidates on an international rubric and prepares them for further education; a Chamber Choir that has performed in Europe and New York’s Carnegie Hall; and the Riverview High School Kiltie Band, a group of about 220 musicians that has marched three times in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and has traveled to perform in Ireland, California, and many other places.

The Rudolph building, 1958-2009 Riverview’s old main building opened in 1958, and included a planetarium. The main building was designed by noted International Style architect Paul Rudolph, dean of the Yale School of Architecture. While Rudolph was later associated with the architectural style Brutalism, Riverview was in the International Style. It was one of the best-known structures associated with the Sarasota School of Architecture, sometimes referred to as Sarasota Modern. source: https://ift.tt/2IK9jUL

Yale Arts Complex – Paul Rudolph Hall at Yale University, USA Date built: 1963 photo : Peter Aaron Paul Rudolph Hall The 114,000 square foot building, constructed of cast-in-place concrete in the Brutalist style, was formerly known as the Art and Architecture Building. It was designed by then chair of the Department of Architecture, Paul Rudolph and completed in 1963.

More Paul Rudolph buildings online soon

Location: Elkton, Kentucky, USA

Paul Rudolph Practice Information

Architect studio was based in USA

American Architects

Paul Rudolph Foundation

This preservation and 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is based in New York City. Founded in 2002, its mission is to facilitate the preservation and maintenance of the remaining structures designed by Paul Rudolph through education, advocacy, preservation easements and technical services.

The Collections & Library The Foundation owns, maintains, and is developing a collection of information on Paul Rudolph including press clippings, books, and various tangible and digital materials about or relating to Mr. Rudolph’s own work, influences and the contemporary cultural context in which he lived and worked. The Foundation has begun to digitally preserve a selection of photographs and articles related to Mr. Rudolph. The Foundation, pending further financial support, will professionally document, categorize, and present this and additional material in a cohesive manner for study by students, scholars, and the general public.

Phone: 212.223.7479

Address: c/o George Balle 150 East 57th Street, #26-B New York, NY 10022 United States

source: https://ift.tt/2gfc9Tm

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Modern Architects

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Buildings / photos for the Paul Rudolph page welcome

Website: Building

The post Paul Rudolph Architect: Modern US Architecture appeared first on e-architect.

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vidrphotography · 4 years ago

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Affordable Wedding and Elopement Venues near Durham, NC

Are you thinking about Eloping, but haven’t decided on a location? Or maybe you just want a more inexpensive alternative to the rising costs of traditional weddings? Below are some of my favorite affordable venue options for elopements and small weddings near the Durham, NC area. I’ve also created a Pinterest board with images from the locations here.

Orange County Courthouse

The courthouse in Hillsborough offers weddings through the magistrate. They have an outdoor area where ceremonies are performed under a beautiful large tree. You can also bring pets! They only do weddings on weekdays on a first come-first serve basis. More of my photos from Orange County Courthouse here.

cost: 50

Eno River

A beautiful wooded park, Eno River has two options for rentals: (1) the State Park, and (2) West Point on the Eno city park. The state park offers picnic shelters, river views and overall has a more rustic feel. The city park offers a beautifully restored historic 1850s farmhouse for rent at a very low price.

cost: 80-225

Mordecai Historic Park

This is really cute historic park with an old chapel. The park has a questionable history (previous plantation, birthplace of Andrew Johnson), but if you can get past that it is the perfect place for a cottage core or vintage/antique inspired wedding. Renting Mordecai Historic Park grounds includes St. Mark's Chapel, a small changing room, and the park grounds. There is a beautiful garden, and the interior of the chapel is still well kept. Despite being located in Downtown Raleigh it has it’s own small lot, so the parking is pretty good. There is an additional charge if you plan to have alcohol, so keep that in mind when looking at the cost. More of my photos in Mordecai Historic Park here.

cost: 100-150/hr plus 15 application fee

NC Botanical Garden

The arboretum at the NC botanical garden has beautiful garden area with an indoor venue with a wall of windows so you can look out into the garden without having to deal with bugs while you eat. There’s also an outdoor area with an awning that you can use during the ceremony so in the summer your guests don’t overheat. In addition to the arboretum there’s also forest park available for rental, which is a weathered stone amphitheater surrounded by trees which is also beautiful.

cost: Price unavailable online

JC Raulston Arboretum

Like several of the other garden areas, this venue is also beautiful and full of flowers. The difference in the Arboretum is there are so many different sections and gardens available for rental it’s crazy! This link shows images of all available areas and prices. There are also indoor venues as well as gardens. There’s also a feature on the website to check if your date is available, so you can save time trying to contact people if you know the date you want isn’t available from the get-go.

cost: 190/hour

Raleigh Rose Garden

The Raleigh Rose Garden is an outdoor venue available for rent. It’s a gorgeous place for photos, with beautiful perennial flowers everywhere, and also has a small covered area with benches where a table or two could fit. It also has a fountain and pretty lattice area. Overall very cute.

cost: 410 for 3 hours (additional hours cost extra)

Museum of Life and Science

The museum of life and science is a unique venue option, offering a variety of locations options throughout the museum for your event (butterfly house, patio, main building, hideaway woods, etc). The package for intimate weddings for 20 guests includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, cake, and flowers. They also have add-ons including a butterfly release, train ride, animal encounter, and more. It’s a very cool venue, and if I wasn’t already married, I would get married here!

cost: unavailable on website

Arrowhead Inn B&B

This venue is a bit more expensive than others on the list, but includes a lot more. It includes a two night stay at the B&B, cake, and catering. It’s a beautiful venue surrounded by nature, you almost feel like you’re in the mountains! The ceremony itself takes place outdoors under a gazebo.

cost: 1599-2499

Lake Johnson

This is in Raleigh, but is so beautiful I felt I had to include it. They offer a variety of rentals, including picnic shelters, decks overlooking the lake, and indoor rooms. They also have equipment rentals, so you could have a romantic sailboat ride after the ceremony if you wanted! The park is gorgeous, with beautiful trees and wooded areas, but very popular, so there might be a lot of foot traffic of joggers passing by. There’s two links for separate parts of the park waterfront here and woodland here.

cost: 15-80/hour

I hope this list was helpful. Let me know of any locations you’re considering, even if they weren’t on my list. And once you’ve picked your venue and are looking for a photographer, keep me in mind ;)

See more:

Affordable wedding venues near Wilmington.

Unique Non-traditional venues in the triangle.

Courthouse wedding venues in the triangle.

#wedding venues #nc wedding #durham wedding #durham nc #Durham NC Photographer #durham nc elopement #nc elopement #elopement #where to elope #durham wedding venues #durham elopement venues #nc elopement venue #blog

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the-record-newspaper · 5 years ago

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Looking back on those we lost in 2019

Lillie Brewer

Her tombstone reads, “Love is a verb” and the life she lived demonstrated it.

Lillie Dean Bryan Brewer passed peacefully into heaven on March 7, 2019. She had been residing at her home surrounded by those who loved her, and whom she taught to love.

She good-naturedly endured the nickname “Dinky” due to her diminutive size, but her impact on the lives of those around her was anything but small.

She was a lifelong learner, attending Berea College and earning a nursing degree from Rex Hospital and an Education Specialist degree from Appalachian State University. She was a devotee of The Great Courses, enjoying them on her iPad for years.

She was an Emergency Room registered nurse at Rex Hospital and was credited by many young residents for helping them learn their way around emergency medicine. She worked energetically right up until the day she delivered her son, the “miracle baby” she was not supposed to have been able to have due to her thyroid cancer. Soon after her son was born in 1958, the place where she worked became her treatment center. She survived cancer that time and lived another 60 years. Some people credited her boundless energy with the thyroid medication that she had to take every day for the rest of her life. However, her family knew that her vim and vigor pre-existed her illness.

She was a reading and English teacher at Boomer Ferguson Elementary and Woodward Junior High Schools whose students fondly remember her kindness, patience, and ability to increase their reading proficiency in a positive and encouraging environment.

For more than 15 years, she was a legal assistant who advocated tirelessly for the rights of Social Security disability and workers’ compensation clients, as well as medical malpractice, product liability and personal injury cases, at her family’s fourth-generation law firm. When her declining health forced her to leave that position, she did so only after diligently and enthusiastically passing along knowledge of the job to her grandson who replaced her. For more than 50 years, she taught children’s Bible classes at Wilkesboro church of Christ. As a lifelong and devoted student of the Bible, she participated in Bible Study Fellowship for several years.

She served in both the Wilkesboro Women’s Club and the Delta Kappa Gamma honorary society for women educators for many years, parking cars at MerleFest much longer than her rich age should have allowed. When not parking cars, Lillie could be found in either the Traditional Tent watching Wayne Henderson and the Kruger Brothers, or at the Main Stage listening and dancing to the joyful exuberant music of Scythian (her favorite Irish/Gypsy music band).

Mrs. Brewer thought hard work was important, but she thought recreation was just as important. She was the driving force behind what is now known as Cub Creek Park in Wilkesboro, NC. It was important to her that Wilkesboro have a park for everyone to walk, have picnics, play ball and play tennis with their family. She served on the Parks & Recreation Board for 52 years and recently was awarded the key to the Town of Wilkesboro. Once when she presented a program on literacy to the Kiwanis club and read aloud the children’s book, I’ll Love You Forever, grown men dissolved in tears. It was a favorite recollection of her husband and one that never failed to make him chuckle.

Together, Joe and Lillie Brewer regularly took in people like some folks collect stamps: the more varied the backgrounds, histories, and nationalities, the better. The collection of extended family that they kept in their own home (many for years at a time) included a 102-year-old grandmother, a high school senior, a newly released felon, several young cousins, and two international exchange students including a Colombian who remained for six years. Her table was always set for family, friends and strangers, and if you could not come to her home to share a meal, she would bring it to yours. She and Joe also paid or cancelled innumerable debts of others, paid school tuition for extended family and friends, and gave rent free housing to numerous families.

Lillie’s wisdom and good advice were cherished by her family. She was always planning ahead and thinking of the next project. In fact, never wanting to be a burden on her family, she planned and paid for her own funeral in 1994.

She took good care of those around her. She was the impetus for building the house next door to hers where her mother, her father, and her father-in-law spent their last years in comfort, surrounded by family members and compassionate caregivers.

Her circle of caring spread far and wide, extending even to those she did not know personally. When a 2014 newspaper article announced the felony arrests of five young Asians for stealing twelve ears of corn from a field beside Highway 268 West, Lillie lifted her pen in action. She wrote a passionate letter to the editor of the paper, asking if the young people had been referred to local help agencies, asking if they had been informed of North Carolina’s laws, and recounting a time from her childhood when her own father had allowed others to take food from his garden. It was not unusual for Lillie to call for compassion, forgiveness and charity as opposed to persecution. She was a member of the Friends of the Library board who initiated the annual Chocolate Extravaganza. On February 11, 2015, when her husband passed away in her arms at his law office, a grieving but determined Lillie stayed up all night at her home cooking chocolate creations for the library event the next day. One of her last acts was directing her daughter to create chocolate-covered Bugles for the Extravaganza a few short weeks ago. In truth, no one person will ever know all of the good that she did in her lifetime.

Lillie was preceded in homegoing by the love of her life, Joe Oliver Brewer; her parents, T.R. Bryan, Sr., and Nell Plyler Bryan, and her brothers, Dr. T. R. Bryan, Jr. and Jackson Bryan.

Cherishing her memory and inspired to try to follow her example are her son, Gregory J. Brewer (Lisa) of North Wilkesboro, NC; daughter, Tonya Brewer Osborne (Joey) of Hickory, NC; grandchildren, Joseph Zachary “Zack” Brewer, David Bryan Brewer, Tanner Paige Clifton, Karsen Elizabeth Osborne and Sadie Olivia Osborne; sisters, Rhoda Jean Billings (Don) of Lewisville, NC, Suzie Bryan Wiles (David) of Wilkesboro, NC, and brother, John Q. Bryan (Janet) of Wilmington, NC, as well as a delightful clan of nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. The family wishes to thank Lillie’s skilled, compassionate caregivers: Nena Shepherd, Donna Poole, Emily Poole, Diane Greer, and Polly Nichols.

Per Mrs. Brewer’s wishes, a public memorial service was held on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at the Wilkesboro Church of Christ located at 1740 Curtis Bridge Road, Wilkesboro, N.C.

Bill Casey

Mr. William “Bill” Eller Casey age 91 of North Wilkesboro, passed away Monday, September 09, 2019 at his home.

Memorial services were held 11 a.m., Thursday, September 12, 2019 at First United Methodist Church North Wilkesboro with Dr. Tim Roberts officiating. The family received friends immediately following the service in the Faith Center.

Bill was born August 30, 1928 in Wilkes County to Andrew Harrison Casey and Vera Eller Casey. He graduated Wake Forest College in 1950 and was an Army combat veteran having served in Korea. He was a Life Insurance Agent. Mr. Casey was a member of First United Methodist Church of North Wilkesboro. He was active in civic and church affairs, Casey served as president of the Winston-Salem Certified Life Underwriter Chapter, president of the North Wilkesboro Kiwanis Club, and held various positions at North Wilkesboro First United Methodist Church, including cook for the Methodist Men for over fifty years. Casey served as Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 335 for many years and was awarded the Silver Beaver for distinguished service to boyhood by the Old Hickory Council of the Boy Scouts of America in January 1975. Casey, an avid fisherman, enjoyed the outdoors and was a charter member of the OF Hiking Club.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters; Lucille Wilson and Mary Ann Sigmon.

Mr. Casey is survived by his wife; Frances Louise Harris Casey of the home, two daughters; Ellen Casey and husband Thomas Hemmendinger of Hope, Rhode Island and Sarah Howell and husband Keith Howell of North Wilkesboro, a son; Andrew Casey and wife Lisa Casey of North Wilkesboro, seven grandchildren; Emily Pardue and husband Joseph, Anna Hemmendinger, William Howell, Molly Casey, Samuel Hemmendinger, Catherine Howell and Barbara Casey and a great grandson; Carson Pardue.

Honorary Pallbearers will be his Former Boy Scouts from Troop 335.

J.C. Faw

Well known Wilkes businessman J.C. Faw died Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2019.

Mr. Faw began his entrepreneurial career in the early 1950’s when he acquired his first grocery store in North Wilkesboro. Between the early 1950’s and 1983, his principal efforts were directed toward the development and operations of Lowe’s Food Stores, Inc. When Lowe’s food Stores was sold to Merchant’s Distributors, Inc. in 1983, it had grown to a chain of 75 grocery stores, 25 convenience stores and 12 restaurants doing an annual sales volume of approximately $250 million. Part of Lowe’s Foods’ growth resulted from Mr. Faw developing the real estate and constructing strip shopping centers in certain market areas located in North Carolina and southern Virginia, for a number of the stores in which Lowe’s operated.

In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, Mr. Faw and a business partner built and operated a chain of 11 very successful Hardees franchise restaurants. These restaurants were sold back to Hardees when Mr. Faw and his business partner started the Bojangle’s Restaurant chain. Although he sold his interest in the original Bojangle’s company in the 1980’s, he still owned three Bojangle’s franchises. Other franchise food service operations he owned include Arby’s, Subway and Taco Bell. All of these units are located in the Foothills and Piedmont section of North Carolina.

After the sale of Lowe’s Food Stores, Inc., Mr. Faw formed Fast Track, Inc., a chain of convenience stores located in the Piedmont and Foothills sections of North Carolina. Fast Track currently operates 13 convenience stores and primarily markets Shell petroleum products. In addition to conventional convenience store operations, Fast Tracks also operates co-branded franchise operations with several well known food fanchisers. The real estate for most of the Fast Track stores was developed and owned by Mr. Faw.

In 1984, Mr. Faw started a motel operation which was later incorporated as Addison Properties, Inc., jointly owned by Mr. Faw and his son, James Clayton Faw. Over the years several franchised hotel properties were acquired and later sold.

Although Mr. Faw had been involved in new and used automobile operations on a small scale throughout his career, in the late 1980’s he and another individual acquired the dealership for Cadillac, Oldsmobile and other General Motors products located in Elkin. That dealership was operated profitably until it was sold in 1991. Mr. Faw and his partner then acquired the dealership in Wilkes County, that had the franchises for Cadillac, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, GM Trucks, Dodge and Nissan. In 1992, Mr. Faw acquired his partner’s interest in that dealership with his son under the corporate name of Premier Chevrolet Buick, Inc. Mr. Faw also owned Auto USA, Inc., the Wilkes County dealer for Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep.

Mr. Faw’s real estate development endeavors began primarily with strip shopping centers and Lowe’s Food Stores being the anchor tenant, and these activities expanded over the years to include the construction of a number of other commercial and residential properties. These properties include shopping centers, warehouses, restaurants, motels, hotels, residential subdivisions, office buildings, convenience stores and automobile dealerships. This development has been accomplished both through the use of general contractors as well as through the use of sub-contractors with Mr. Faw serving as his own general contractor.

In March 2017, Mr. Faw was selected Citizen of the Year by the Rotary Club of North Wilkesboro.

During his introduction of Faw, club member Joe McMillan said, “When you step back and look at all of Mr. Faw’s accomplishments over the past 60-plus years of doing business here in our great county, it is only fair to say that this man truly, truly is a legend.”

Barry Bush, who has worked for Faw for more than 25 years, spoke of the effect Faw had on his family, long before he ever went to work for him. He recounted a story of his grandfather, Henry Bauguss, who was a printer and sign painter, who for many years painted the window banners for many of Faw’s Lowe’s Food stores. Bush said that his grandfather was always appreciative of that work and his treatment by Faw personally, saying that, the sign work he did for Lowe’s helped him buy a home and educate both his daughters.

Bush went on to detail stories of his longtime relationship in real estate with Faw, stories sprinkled with humor as well as an obviously sincere affection.

According to Bush, some of Faw’s businesses, in addition to grocery stores, Faw had built and operated a wide variety of homegrown and franchised enterprises, including: Pantry Pride, Run-Ins, FastTrack, Hardee’s, Bojangle’s, Shoney’s, Tipton’s, Holiday Inn, Addison Motor Inn, College Park Cinema, Taco Bell, McAlister’s Deli, Drug World, AutoRack, Rather’s Famous Chicken and Biscuits, Movie Max, the Empire auto dealerships, as well as real estate ventures in West Wood Hills, Shannon Park, Ravenwood, Meadowview, Ridgecrest, Fox Run, The Greens, and The Oaks- One, Two and Three.

McMillan said that the variety of businesses Faw has run and his ability to “multitask” made him unique.

He added that he first met Faw when he went to work for a dairy in Wilkes 57 years ago. He was needing a place to live and was told to call Faw.

“I made that call and Faw had just what I needed,” McMillan said.

He said Faw was also community minded.

“As Mr. Faw grew his businesses he did a lot of good things for other communities as well as his own, especially when he took his commercial development enterprises into other cities and states,” McMillan said.

He went on to add that one of the best things Faw has done for Wilkes County is the development along U.S. 421 in Wilkesboro. “Some call it the Miracle Mile,” McMillan said. “All those businesses, just think about what they do for Wilkes County. There are literally hundreds of jobs in all those businesses combined.”

McMillan continued, “To see the gold mine. To see what could take place with some proper development, this man had the expertise to make it happen, and he made it happen. What a success story.”

Joining Faw the evening he received the Rotary Club award was his wife, Judy, son, Jim, and wife, Sandy, daughter, Diane, her husband, Monty Shaw, and two ladies who help Faw: Kenya Bailey and Keeya Gibbs.

After receiving his plaque from Rotarian Charles Bentley, Faw spoke briefly, thanking the club for the honor and reflecting on his more than 60 years in business.

Charles Avery Gilliam

Charles Avery Gilliam, age 88, of Ronda passed away Sunday, June 30, 2019 at his home. Mr. Gilliam was born February 12, 1931 to Don Spurgon Gilliam and Myrtle Clementine Harris Gilliam.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Bobbie Ann Green Gilliam; three brothers, D. Flake and wife Evelyn, Robert, and infant brother Rex; two sisters Norma Casstevens and husband Gray, and Kathleen Pardue and husband Glenn.

Mr. Gilliam is survived by his daughters, Jan Gilliam, Ann Deal and husband Thomas; grandsons, Charles “Chas” Deal and wife Hannah, Christopher Deal; brother-in-law O.L. “Lonnie” Brown and wife Dottie; sister-in-law, Dot Gilliam; several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Mr. Gilliam served in the US Army in England from 1951 – 1953 and was a lifelong member of Bethel Baptist Church.

Mr. Gilliam ran Ronda Hardware for 46 years. He helped establish the Ronda Fire Department and served as chief for 27 years. He played a supporting role in helping secure the building of the “new” Ronda bridge and bringing a branch of Yadkin Valley Bank to Ronda.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, July 6 at Bethel Baptist Church with Dr. Steve Fowler officiating. Burial followed with Military Honors by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10346 Honor Guard in the church cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Charles “Chas” Deal, Christopher Deal, Todd Gilliam, Jeff Pardue, Lonnie Brown, Danny Mathis, Mike Johnson, and Mike Nichols. Honorary pallbearers will be John Drum and members of the Ronda Fire Department.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Bethel Baptist Church, 2178 Bethel Rd., Ronda, NC 27670 or Ronda Fire Department, PO Box 12164, Ronda, NC 29670.

Since Charles was an avid story teller, the family grew up loving stories and would appreciate any memories that others may have of him or his wife Bobbie Ann; Ronda Hardware, the Ronda Fire Department; or life in Ronda. Memories may be sent to the Gilliam Family, PO Box 306, Ronda, NC 28670 or email [email protected]

Junior Johnson

The last American Hero is gone.

NASCAR legend Robert Glenn “Junior” Johnson died Friday, Dec. 20, under hospice care in Charlotte. He was 88.

Junior Johnson, who was born in raised in Ronda, cut his teeth driving fast cars filled with illicit moonshine through the back roads of western North Carolina. He entered racing at an early age.

Mike Staley of Wilkes, the son of Enoch Staley — a charter member of NASCAR and former owner of the North Wilkesboro Speedway — said his father saw potential in the young moonshine runner.

“Junior and Dad were good friends and went way back,” Staley said. “When he (Johnson) was about 16, my dad picked him up. Junior was working in a field, plowing behind a mule. My dad told him they needed a driver for a race. Junior went with him to the track, got in the car and took off.”

Staley added that his father and Johnson remained good friends up until the time of Enoch Staley’s death in 1995

Racing was in Johnson’s blood. His first NASCAR race was in 1953 where he ran in the Southern 500 at Darlington, S.C. His first checkered flag came in 1955 at Hickory Motor Speedway. Appropriately enough, his final victory came at the North Wilkesboro Speedway during the 1965 Wilkes 400.

He ran 313 races over his 14-year driving career, taking a total of 50 wins, 148 top 10 finishes and 46 poles. His last race was in 1966 in the American 500 at Rockingham.

His achievements in the sport of racing include:

Winner of the 1960 Daytona 500;

Six-time Winston Cup Series Owner’s Championship with Cale Yarborough (1976, 1977 and 1978) and Dale Waltrip (1981, 1982 and 1985);

Named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998;

International Motorsports Hall of Fame Inductee in 1990;

Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Inductee in 1991;

NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee in 2010.

About their father’s passing, Junior Johnson’s children wrote:

“Friday afternoon, Junior Johnson passed away peacefully with those he loved nearby. To the world, he was the ‘Last American Hero,’ but to us he was simply Dad. Our time with him barely overlapped with his racing career, but he gave us the last, and greatest, laps of his life. No amount of time, no matter how long, could have ever been enough to spend together. He never missed a night of telling us 'I love you’ before bedtime, or how proud he was that we were becoming the people he’d raised us to be. He was a courageous man, a generous friend, a loving and dedicated husband, and the best father anyone could’ve asked for. He lives on through us, the many lives he touched, and in the sport to which he gave so much. We would like to thank everyone who has reached out or shared a kind story about our Dad, and we are deeply grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of support. It has been a comfort to us all during this difficult time. We love you. Dad, Sissy and Robert.”

NASCAR Hall of Fame Executive Director Winston Kelley said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Junior Johnson on behalf of the Johnson family. First and foremost, everyone at the NASCAR Hall of Fame offers our most sincere condolences to Lisa, Robert, Meredith and the entire family. We have lost one of NASCAR’s true pioneers, innovators, competitors and an incredible mechanical and business mind. And personally, I have lost one of my dearest friends. While we will miss Junior mightily, his legacy and memory will forever be remembered, preserved, celebrated and cherished at the NASCAR Hall of Fame and in the hearts and minds of race fans around the world. Please join us in remembering and celebrating Robert Glenn Johnson Jr.”

NASCAR CEO and Chairman, Jim France stated: “Junior Johnson truly was the ‘Last American Hero.’ From his early days running moonshine through the end of his life, Junior wholly embodied the NASCAR spirit. He was an inaugural NASCAR Hall of Famer, a nod to an extraordinary career as both a driver and team owner. Between his on-track accomplishments and his introduction of Winston to the sport, few have contributed to the success of NASCAR as Junior has. The entire NASCAR family is saddened by the loss of a true giant of our sport, and we offer our deepest condolences to Junior’s family and friends during this difficult time.”

Mike Staley, as did his father, considered Junior Johnson to be a friend.

“I was invited several times to eat breakfast with him. I enjoyed the time I spent with him. It was great. It was a lot of fun.”

And Johnson never forgot his roots.

Staley said, “He was loyal to Wilkes County and the people who got him where he was.”

Julius A. Rousseau Jr.

The Honorable Julius A. Rousseau Jr., 88, retired senior resident Superior Court judge for the 23rd Judicial District (Wilkes, Ashe, Alleghany and Yadkin counties), died Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019, at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in Winston-Salem.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at noon Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, at First United Methodist Church of North Wilkesboro, with Dr. Tim Roberts and Dr. William T. Medlin, III officiating . The Rousseau family will receive friends following the service in the Faith Center.

Born in North Wilkesboro on Dec. 3 1930, Judge Rousseau was the son of the Honorable Julius A. and Gertrude Hall Rousseau. Julius A. Rousseau Sr. was an N.C. Superior Court judge from 1935-1958. Combined, the father and son served as N.C. Superior Court judges for more than 50 years.

The younger Judge Rousseau was also an emergency Superior Court judge, a part-time position appointed by the governor, from 1999-2015. He first became a judge when named to fill the unexpired term of Resident Senior Superior Court Judge Robert M. Gambill in 1972. He was subsequently elected to eight-year terms in 1974, 1982, and 1990. He had the longest tenure of any Superior Court judge in the state when he retired in late 1998.

He and the former Gary Maxwell were married in August 1955, and they had one son, Julius A. Rousseau III, an attorney in New York City, who is married to Sharon Campbell Rousseau. The couple lived in Wilkesboro until they moved to Arbor Acres United Methodist Retirement Community in Winston-Salem a few years ago.

Judge Rousseau is survived by his wife, son and daughter-in-law, adopted grandchildren; Daniel, Jay and Stephanie Shinaman, Neal and Jackson Smith and special friends; Dr. and Mrs. Brad Shinaman and Mr. and Mrs. Brian Smith.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Nelle Rousseau Bailey, Frances Rousseau Alspaugh and Nancy Rousseau Kern.

Judge Rousseau graduated from North Wilkesboro High School in 1949, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (where he played football as a walk-on) with an undergraduate degree in 1953 and from the UNC School of Law in 1956.

He had a solo law practice in North Wilkesboro from 1956-1962, and was a partner in Moore & Rousseau in Wilkesboro from 1963 until 1972, when he became a Superior Court judge. Judge Rousseau was chairman of the Wilkes County Democratic Party Executive Committee from 1961-1968.

Judge Rousseau was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church of North Wilkesboro, where he served on the church’s board of trustees and was a member of the Men’s Bible Class. He also was a member of the North Wilkesboro Kiwanis Club and North Wilkesboro’s Elks Lodge.

He served for about 20 years with other trial judges on the state’s Pattern Jury Instruction Committee, a volunteer body that creates annual supplements to judges’ instructions to juries, based on changes in statutory and case law. He also was president of the N.C. Conference of Superior Court Judges.

He was a member of the committee that designed the current Wilkes County Courthouse in Wilkesboro, which opened the same year he retired as a senior resident Superior Court judge.

N.C. Supreme Court Justice Sarah Parker presented Judge Rousseau the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of top awards given by the governor, in 2012.

In a newspaper interview in late 1998, Judge Rousseau said he simply wanted to be remembered as fair. He continued, “I’ve tried to be the best judge I know how….to do what is right regardless of who or what a person was. I made some people mad in the process, but I have been able to put my head down and go to sleep each night.”

The family request that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Wilkes ADAP PO Box 968 North Wilkesboro, NC 28659, First United Methodist Church of North Wilkesboro Memorial Fund PO Box 1145 North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 or to the Donor’s Choice.

Conrad Shaw

Conrad Shaw, a well known educator, civic leader and WWII Marine Corps veteran died on Saturday, Aug. 31.

The following is his obituary.

Dr. Conrad Aldean Shaw, Sr. age 94, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday Aug. 31, 2019.

He was born on Nov. 30, 1924, in Alleghany County. He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin H. and Recie McKnight Shaw, and his brother, Dwight M. Shaw.

He is survived by his wonderful wife of 73 years, Elizabeth (Lib), who he met at Appalachian State University and married on Dec. 21, 1945; son, Conal, and Annette Shaw of Roanoke, Va.; daughter, Cathy, and Steve Snipes of North Wilkesboro; granddaughter, Catherine, and Mac Marlow of Roanoke, Va.; grandson, Jonathan, and Stacie Shaw of Richmond, Va.; granddaughter, Laura, and David Brooks of Wilkesboro; granddaughter, Rachel, and Eric Sutphin of Concord; great grandson, Nathaniel Marlow of Roanoke, Va.; great granddaughter, Olivia Marlow of Roanoke, Va.; great granddaughter, Caroline Shaw of Richmond, Va.; great grandsons, Connor and Corbin Brooks of Wilkesboro; foster great grandbaby, Isabella; a sister, Wynnogene Day of Savannah, Ga.; a brother, Kyle, and Barbara Shaw of Houston, Texas.

Dr. Shaw was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, having served three years, two of which were in the South Pacific (New Calidonia, Gudalcanal, and Okinawa).

Dr. Shaw and his wife, Elizabeth, and son, Conal, moved to North Wilkesboro in August 1948 to teach business subjects at North Wilkesboro High School. After four years in that position, Dr. Shaw became principal of North Wilkesboro Elementary School (grades one through eight) in 1952 as North Wilkesboro and Wilkesboro High Schools merged into Wilkes Central High School. He served as principal for 14 years.

When Wilkes Community College opened its doors for multi-classes on July 1, 1966 in the Wilkesboro Primary School Building, college President Dr. Howard Thompson invited him to join him in the position of Business Officer for the college. The responsibilities consisted of accounting and budgeting of finances, and plant and grounds management. The new college facilities, consisting of three buildings, were completed in April 1970. Dr. Shaw oversaw growth of the college. It went from zero to eight buildings, 2,200 students, and 90 acres of land.

In 1972, Dr. Shaw and four other Community College Business Officers and the State Community Director of Finance were the founding officers of the Association of Community College Business Officers, ACCBO. The ACCBO meetings throughout the state enabled the officers to learn more as the new North Carolina Community College System progressed. Dr. Shaw served as president of ACCBO in 1974-75.

Dr. Shaw’s educational career spanned 47 years, all of which were in Wilkes County. He earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts from Appalachian State University, and a Doctor of Education from Nova University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He also took courses at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and Florida State. In 1994, Dr. Shaw was chosen as the Outstanding College Business Officer of Region XI, which included North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Virginia.

Other life contributions included service at First Baptist Church of North Wilkesboro as Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, President of the Men’s Brotherhood, Director of the Baptist Training Union (BTU), Deacon beginning in 1952, Chairman of the Board of Deacons several times, Chairman of the Building Renovation Committee for the educational building, and was named Deacon Emeritus in 2017. He loved the church and loved serving the Lord.

The North Wilkesboro Lions Club was Dr. Shaw’s civic love, having almost 100 percent attendance since 1952. He served in a number of positions including the office of president in 1973-74 and 2000-2001. He was named the Rotary Club’s Citizen of the Year in March of 2019. His hobbies included collecting antique radios, and he and Mrs. Shaw were members in the western square dance club, the Tory Oak Twirlers for 31 years. He enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and to many other countries with friends since his retirement from the college in 1995.

The family received friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2019, at Reins Sturdivant Funeral Home. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 2, 2019, in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church of North Wilkesboro, with Dr. Bert Young and Rev. Steve Snipes officiating. A private burial was held at Scenic Memorial Gardens.

Tracy Walker

Former Wilkes County commissioner, school board member and N.C. representative Tracy Walker, died Monday, Oct. 14, 2019.

He passed away at N.C. Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem.

Walker, of Wilkesboro, was born July 27, 1939, to the Rev. Frank and Margie Walker. He was a Republican who represented the state’s 94th House district, including constituents in Wilkes County, in 1998, and again from 2001 to 2008.

He served on the Wilkes County Board of Education from 1972 to 1976 and on the Wilkes County Board of Commissioners from 1978 to 1996.

He was a retired human resources manager at Chatham Manufacturing in Elkin.

With ties to Elkin and eastern Wilkes because of his position at Chatham, Rebel Good, publisher of The Tribune in Elkin, said that many residents of eastern Wilkes considered Walker as being “their” commissioner.

In 1996, Walker was the Republican nominee for North Carolina Commissioner of Labor but lost the election to incumbent Harry Payne, a Democrat.

Walker also served for several years on the Wilkes Economic & Development Commission, beginning in 2001.

Walker was in the U.S. Air Force from 1955 to 1959, rising to the rank of Airman 2nd Class.

Walker is survived by his wife, Nena of the home, and sons Kirk Walker of North Wilkesboro, and Randy Walker of Wilkesboro.

At press time, funeral arrangements were not available. Check our website at http://www.therecordandthursdayprinting.com/ for updates. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home is assisting the Walker family.

The following is the formal obituary

Mr. R. Tracy Walker, age 82 of Wilkesboro passed away Monday, October 14, 2019 at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

Funeral services were held at Reins-Sturdivant Chapel with Rev. Steve Smith officiating. Burial with Military Honors by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1142 will be in Mtn. Park Cemetery in Wilkesboro. The family will received friends at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home.

Mr. Walker was born July 27, 1937 in Wilkes County to Charles Frank. Sr.and Margie Lou Adams Walker.

Mr. Walker had 30 years of public service. He served 8 years in Raleigh in the NC House of Representatives and was a Wilkes County Commissioner for 18 years. He also served on the Wilkes County School Board for 4 years. He was retired Personnel Manager at Chatham Manufacturing and a member of Wilkesboro Baptist Church and First Light Church.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a grandson; Ryan Thomas Walker and a brother; Charles Frank Walker, Jr. (Pee-Wee).

He is survived by his wife; Nena Watkins Walker of the home, two sons; Randy Walker and wife Shannon of Wilkesboro and Kirk Walker and wife Kim of North Wilkesboro, four grandchildren; Chad Walker and wife Megan, Caitlin Walker, Brandon Walker and wife Ashley and Whitney Nolan and husband Chris and six great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to First Light Church, PO Box 2071, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 or Donor’s Choice.

On Line condolences may be made at www.reinssturdivant.com

Patricia Lynn Worth

Patricia Lynn Worth, age 59, of Sparta, N.C., passed away Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2019 at Wake Forest Baptist Health in Winston-Salem, N.C.

She was born Nov. 5, 1959 in Ashe County, N.C., to June Weaver Worth and the late Will Allen Worth. She was a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Journalism.

Lynn is survived by her mother, June Weaver Worth of Jefferson, N.C.; two brothers: Thomas Worth and wife Cynthia of Oak Ridge, N.C., Phil Worth and wife Les of Grassy Creek, N.C.; a special niece, Ellen Worth of Arizona; a special nephew, Andrew Worth of South Korea; her furry canine kids: Punky, Belle,and Red along with Tux the cat and his buddies of the home.

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golshxd-blog · 6 years ago

Photo

Welcome to the results of this month’s “Loved Ones” challenge. The idea was to send in photographs of things, objects, ideas, places … we love and fear might one day disappear out of our lives. Or about loss and disappearance themselves. Not only that, but photographs made in such a way that the love would shine through the photographs to the readers viewing them, even those who feel nothing about the subject.

Incy Wincy

Once again, this was very difficult. Not only because you were asked to reveal something about yourself, something intimate, but also because it is so hard to convey an emotion to someone else when we are ourselves locked into it and lack the objectivity to think formally.

I love those practical exercises. They are infuriatingly hard but so efficient to push us upwards. Always the educator at heart, right 😉 Kinda strange, coming from someone so bad at being educated himself 😀

Anyway, as always, I am blown away by what some of you have sent in. To me, the ability to convey a variety of emotions while retaining a consistent style is the hallmark of a great photographer and that’s what I’ve been observing in many of your contributions over the months. Some are moving, others are thought provoking. Great work.

Thank you all so much for taking the time to create/find images and sending them in for us to enjoy. Since the photographs on this page are very personal I will refrain from any commentary and simply publish whatever texts authors agreed to link to the images. On with the show.

(as always, I’m stressed out about forgetting someone’s work. Last time it was Kristian and this time, I have the feeling someone sent in just one photo, and can’t find it, and it’s nagging me. Please accept my apologies if your contribution isn’t in here and just drop me a line in the comments so I can correct my mistake …)

Philippe Berend

Philippe writes : “Here are my first pictures. They embody or symbolize, or represent nature. The unbelievable, almost painful, unbearable beauty of it. I worry that, one day, most probably through man’s folly, it will be gone like the dodo bird…

The second theme is Paris. The song says, “Paris sera toujours Paris”. But if Notre-Dame can burn, what is really safe, really there “forever”?

The third theme is: beautiful fast cars. Could it be that, in order to perserve what is left of our planet, we have to give up these extraordinary objects of beauty, desire, thrill and freedom? Could it be that I have been part of the last generation to have ridden a Ferrari at 265kmh on a motorway?

The fourth theme, of course, and it ought to be the first, is my mother, who will in just over a week turn 98, God willing. I love her, and, know for a fact that she won’t be there forever. I hope you will forgive me fo not putting up her picture, which I consider private. Nah, the real reason is, the years are not always kind to faces of loved ones. And she, for sure, would not forgive me, for putting up a picture of her in her old age, when she was once so radiantly beautiful… And the Bard said “hell hath no fury like a woman posted on DS against her will….

Michael Fleischer

Michael writes: “a photo of a place dear to me – the lake close by where I grew up I Denmark – where I spent my youth fishing, swimming, kissing and more…”

Jean Pierre Guaron

Jean Pierre writes “The first was taken with my Pentax, c. 2002 – my second Dobermann, Chloe. I’ve always adored this photo, and in fact it’s my screen saver, in front of me every day. It’s not 100% SOOC, but it hasn’t had much post processing, because in those days I had limited access to post processing software (ONLY PS Elements, in one of its early iterations) and very little knowledge or experience with digital processing. Actually it was scanned onto the computer, from AGFA color negative film and given a bit of a touch up from there. I love the colours, the bokeh, the typical expression on her face – and she was my best friend, except for all the others.

The second was one of many, taken at a time when my friend Kath’s older Dachshund Bella seemed to me to be nearing the end of her life. Without wanting to alarm Kath, I started taking photos of Bella on a regular basis, so that when the inevitable happened, at least she would have some decent photos of her little girl, to remember her by and to ease the pain of losing her.

My present Dobermann, Cris – taken with the D500 and a zoom AF lens (AF is an overwhelming reason for not going with the larger gear, like the D850 and the Otus’s)”

Brian Nicol

Brian Writes: “I have always wanted one of the classic thunderbirds. We lived in California around 2000 for about 5 years. I was driving my wife’s car by myself and say a late fifties red thunderbird convertible approaching in the opposite direction. It was like a scene out of American Graffiti. I did not notice traffic has stopped and I drove into the back of a 70’s Volvo with the giant bumper that wiped out the grill and rad of my wife’s car. I have even more emotion now when I see a pristine thunderbird.”

Pascal Jappy

I suppose starting with the most endangered is probably the most in line with the challenge.

So wildlife it is. I love wildlife and the outdoors. My life is largely indoors, these days, but recent hiking photographs by my son reminded me just how much I miss it. Anytime something is wrong, being out with (friendly) wildlife just makes it all go away.

Art. Probably not at any risk of disappearing. Our societies are crumbling faster than sand castles at high tide at the hands of populist devils. It’s sad and will only get sadder as the years pass.

But the great news is that art thrives in those conditions. Not paintings made for oligarch wives (although the concentration of money in the hands of a few does make that market happy as well). Real Art, made by people freed of their smartphones and tired of Facebook. People willing to think about life’s meaning from up close.

I love London. It’s a ridiculous city, architecturally, with stuff sticking out of other stuff in every which direction. “A man tired of London is tired of life” wrote Samuel Johnson and that’s certainly true from a photographic perspective. A hundred times or more, I’ve visited, never have I made the same photographs twice.

Traveling. I love it. Particularly with family. Environmental concerns make it a little harder to enjoy without feeling some guilt these days, but it is probably the last luxury I would like to give up 😉

Astronomy made it easy for me to cruise through school. Whether we had a lesson about some murderous hero of the past or about the damping of springs or about some really important protein that makes monkeys fart (I wish) or about the dative of comounds, my note books were full of drawings of telescopes, and buildings, and telescopes and planets, and telescopes and stars …

To me today, astronomy symbolises time. The time I’m no longer making to observe and read about the heavens is time stolen from thinking about the deeper meaning of things, stolen by the mundane and unimportant. Life slipping away.

Oh, and what’s life without a cat? Why not forfeit cookies and milk while we’re being barbaric. I mean …

Bob Kruger

Bob writes : “The sarcophagi in Key West, FL are not buried, as the water table is too high. So the burial chambers are stacked like cord wood so they will not float off. A weathered flag keeps watch.

Jim used to rent a “villa” every winter in the Conch Republic, aka Key West, Fl. I memorialized his veranda during his last visit.

I took this picture of an abandoned fish house from around the corner where I once lived in Pamlico County, NC, an un-destination if ever there was one.

How many childrenonce traveled to school on this relic, now forgotten,in Florence, NC.

Family cemeteries tell their own stories.”

Paul Perton

Paul sends this series of portraits without words of this wonderful land he has to leave behind for a while. No words are needed.

Nancee Rostad

Nancee sends those 3 gripping images of desolation.

Lad Sessions

Lad writes: “The Chessie Trail lies below our property, and I walk it frequently. It’s a converted rail line (the “Chessie” was short for “Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad”) and winds along the Maury River, a tributary of the James River. Here are four shots taken at different times and places that express my affection for this “nature trail.” There are many more…

Hope one of these strikes cords of affection in your heart too.”

They sure do …

Kristian Wannebo

Kristian’s series is entitled “Forest, left alone”.

Shot with DxO ONE

John Wilson

John writes: “They are all shooting locations and will need some explanation. The Richmond Night Market was a Street Photographers wet dream. Lots of action in a limited space, great lighting exotic atmosphere and great street food. One of my all time favourite shooting locations. The old parking lot had a fantastic mural along the length of one side and a poster covered wall at the end. The wall behind the poster wall was covered in graffiti and vivid paint. After a rain there would be pools in the parking lot to reflect the mural and there was always lots of reflections in the car windows and metal surfaces. A fabulous place to shoot. The umbrella shop was one of only two stores I’ve ever seen that specialized in umbrellas. Their window was always colourful and being under a bridge the light was always soft and even … perfect for catching the reflections of passing cars and pedestrians. Another much loved location. Sadly they are now all gone … “

June Challenge: and now for something completely different

Nope, that is not the name of a contributor. April Flowers, Theresa May, June Challenge, July Andrews … ya know …

No, this is the RFP (fancy!) for your photographs for the new DS challenge for the month of June. Just sounds better the short way. June agrees.

Now, in the past months, we’ve explored serious, almost heavy, topics such as things we love and fear to lose (not the city, Paris and London are enough for one page), Haiku, vital energy … I’d like to do a fun and silly one for a change.

Carter and June

Antropomorphism would be the appropriate name for what I have in mind, but it feels a bit too serious for the fun mood of the challenge. How often have you seen objects or shadows or plants or … that look like human faces? Sometimes funny, sometimes spooky, sometime interesting … if you’ve made pictures of those, please send them to me (pascal dot japppy at gmail dot com). In the example above, the box on the left, the guy with the 66 bow-tie eying pretty pink June, actually seems more interesting than the overly obvious one on the right.

So bring it, or bring them. Juno, I can’t wait to see what you found 🙂

Posted on DearSusan by pascaljappy.

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travelcafemt-blog · 5 years ago

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A Car-Free Vacation

New Post has been published on https://www.montanastravelagency.com/a-car-free-vacation/

A Car-Free Vacation

Want to really get away from it all? Away from computers, away from the phone, and even away from… cars?

If you’re ready to say buh-bye to traffic jams, parking tickets, and high gasoline prices on your next trip, here are a dozen beautiful vacation spots where horses, bikes, golf carts or walking shoes are the transportation of choice.

Mackinac Island, Michigan

1. Mackinac Island, Michigan

Visitors to Mackinac island in the Straits of Mackinac (pronounced MACK-in-naw), between the Upper and Lower peninsulas about 285 mi/460 km north of Detroit, can step back in time. Autos may have made Michigan’s fortune, but they’re banned from this island—horse-drawn carriages, saddle horses, bicycles and walking are the only means of transportation.

Although many visitors see the island on a day trip, we recommend spending at least one night there. The lodging isn’t cheap (though you may find some bargains in early spring and late fall), but it’s worth it.

Once the throngs of day visitors depart, the island becomes even more like the 1800s: The streets are dark and largely empty, and the utter quiet is broken only by the occasional sound of clomping hooves. An overnight stay will also give you more time to see the island’s sights.

Monhegan Island, ME, Photography by Navin

2. Monhegan Island, Maine

Artists and urban-dwellers have been seeking refuge on Maine’s car-free Monhegan Island for years, drawn in by its rugged terrain and timeless solitude. Photographers will find Lobster Cove hard to resist, with its many flat rocks on which to set up shop and capture the surf and even a shipwreck. Anyone interested in learning about the history and culture of the area can head to the Monhegan Museum, set in what was once the home of the lighthouse keeper and showcasing the works of many local artists. In fact, an artists’ colony on the island has been in existence for more than 100 years, with several works available for purchase at the numerous artists’ studios – an artistic reminder of the island’s peace and tranquility is guaranteed to top the typical gift-shop coffee mug, hands down.

Catalina Island, Photography by Joyce Collins

3. Catalina Island, California

Catalina Island lies 22 mi/35 km off the Southern California coast, but it feels like a world away. Just the name conjures images of the quaint seaside village of Avalon, picture-perfect harbors and sandy beaches. Catalina is everything that Los Angeles is not—small-scale, nostalgic and slow-paced—and therein lies its charm.

Visitors often compare the island’s compact town of Avalon with Amalfi, Italy, or a resort town on France’s Cote d’Azur. Perhaps it’s those rocky palisades rising from the sea that suggest a Mediterranean locale. Or maybe it’s the tiled fountain, quaint storefronts, and the Moorish-style casino. Foreign visitors have been known to ask local shopkeepers whether they accept U.S. currency. In all, the island promises a delightful departure from urban inconveniences—the more so because Catalina, alone in Southern California, disdains the automobile.

Lake Erie Islands by David Fulmer

4. Lake Erie Islands, Ohio

Situated across from Cedar Point Amusement Park on Lake Erie, Put-In-Bay and Kelleys Island (part of Ohio’s collection of islands) do not require a rental car when visiting. While vehicles are permitted on the islands and can be transported via ferry, golf carts are actually the best way to get around. Since the carts can be used on actual roadways, a valid driver’s license is needed to drive one. Families will love carting around town to explore the caves, wineries, and lighthouse. Bikes and walking are also great ways to get around either town. And when it’s inevitably time to visit the “Roller Coaster Capital of the World,” you can ferry over to Cedar Point Marina with ease.

Bald Head Island, NC

5. Bald Head Island, North Carolina

Located at the tip of Cape Fear and accessible only by boat, Bald Head Island boasts a rich history — it played a part in two American wars and was once a pirate hideout for the likes of Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet.

Today the island is still the most secluded of the Brunswick Islands, offering a quiet, picturesque vacation destination. It’s only reachable by ferry and no cars are permitted. In fact, more than 80 percent of Bald Head is conservation land where visitors can enjoy nature hikes and view sea-turtle nesting areas, but the only way to get around is by foot, golf cart or bicycle.

San Juan Islands, Washington, Photography by Jeff Gunn

6. San Juan Islands, Washington

These 172 spectacular islands—lodged between the Olympic Peninsula, northern Puget Sound and Vancouver Island, approximately 70 mi/115 km northwest of Seattle—are a must-see for any visitor to Washington. Fishing villages dot the coves, embracing a simpler time, and many artists reside on the islands, drawn by the scenery and solitude. At the very least, take the four-hour ferry ride through the archipelago. The boats depart from Anacortes.

Bald eagles and orcas frequent the cool waters of Puget Sound near the islands, and the west coast of San Juan Island is one of the best whale-watching points in the U.S. Sightings are most common in summer when orcas hunt in groups (called “pods”). You can sometimes spot whales from the shore at Lime Kiln State Park.

Go bike riding (Lopez Island is the best) along the winding coastal roads, and go beachcombing after storms. Keep an eye out for eagles, deer, seals, porpoises, and otters.

San Juan Island National Historical Park documents an anticlimactic clash between U.S. and British forces in the mid-1800s. The “Pig War” started over a hog and ended with a standoff that redrew boundary lines. Another possibility is the Whale Museum (phone 360-378-4710; http://www.whale-museum.org) in the village of Friday Harbor.

Orcas Island is the most scenic of the four ferry stops, with rolling hills and the 2,400-ft/730-m Mount Constitution. The mountain is the centerpiece of Moran State Park, a place of hiking trails, forests, and waterfalls.

Sea kayaking is another great way to see this part of the state and allows for up-close observation of the wildlife. The Cascadia Marine Trail, a 150-mi/240-km route from Olympia to the border with Canada, runs through the San Juans.

South Padre Island Fire Walk

7. South Padre Island, Texas

This 1.8-square-mile barrier island along the Texas Gulf Coast may be best known for its bawdy spring break ritual, but the island equally boasts experiences for couples, families, and just about everyone in between – all within a compact stretch of surf and sand.

The Island offers thousands of hotel rooms, motel rooms and condominiums to rent and all the amenities and recreational activities you could want at a beach resort — boating, swimming, fishing, surfing, sailboarding, beachcombing on long white beaches, birding, camping, in-line skating, parasailing, bungee jumping and eating and drinking. You could even sign the kids up for a sandcastle-building contest.

Side trips include visits to Matamoros, Mexico (across from Brownsville), or the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, a 7,000-acre/2,800-hectare marshland that’s home to thousands of waterfowl, as well as coyotes, javelina, bobcats, and deer.

Nantucket Historic District, Photography by Daryl Grider

8. Nantucket Island, Massachusettes

Not designed with cars in mind, Nantucket’s narrow cobblestone streets are best explored on foot or by bike. Follow the island’s winding lanes past historic clapboard homes of sea captains and pre-Civil War buildings – many of which are now home to boutiques and galleries, as well as the island’s famous Whaling Museum (housed in an 1847 candle factory).

The island sits at the confluence of two bodies of water, 30 mi/48 km out from the mainland. The north side faces the gentler waters of Nantucket Sound, its main harbor nestled within the protection of a barrier beach. Facing south and up around to the northwest are the more temperamental waters of the wild Atlantic Ocean.

At Nantucket’s northwestern peak, Great Point is the long swath of sand and stunning beach that ends where the waters meet, tangling together in frothy, dangerous tumult. For years, the island’s position demanded a life dependent on the sea, a legacy that continues to shape its fortune.

Visitors to Nantucket are drawn by the island’s rich and storied history and its distinct culture, shaped and beautifully preserved by its isolated location at sea. The entire island is a National Historic District because of its wealth of architecture dating back to the 18th century. There are more than 800 buildings on Nantucket that predate the Civil War, a distinction that even historic Boston can’t surpass.

Halibut Cove, Alaska, Photography by Andrew E. Russell

9. Halibut Cove, Alaska

Located in Alaska’s Kachemak Bay State Park, Halibut Cove is nestled among mountains, glaciers, and forests and is accessible only by boat. It’s home to just 38 people, according to the 2010 Census, and one of the only floating U.S. post offices is located here, along with a popular floating coffee shop. The cove is lined with stores, cabins and art galleries, which are also accessible only by boat, and you’re likely to see a variety of wildlife, including sea otters, harbor seals, and humpback whales.

Tangier Island Virginia Photography by J. Albert Bowden II

10. Tangier Island, Virginia

There are few cars — but plenty of golf carts — on this 3-mile-long island in the Chesapeake Bay. Boating, biking, crabbing, and kayaking are popular activities. Tangier Island truly feels like a world unto itself because of its isolated locale and its history. British forces used it as a staging ground during the War of 1812, and the island’s residents speak with a distinctive Cockney accent.

Daufuskie Island, South Carolina

11. Daufuskie Island, South Carolina

Without a bridge to the mainland and only a few paved roads, Daufuskie Island harkens back to a simpler time. This small wooded isle is located between Hilton Head, S.C., and Savannah, Ga., and is accessible only by boat. Golf carts and bicycles are the only forms of transportation on the island, but what makes Daufuskie truly unique is its Gullah population. Gullah are descendants of freed slaves, and the inhabitants’ culture is evident in the island’s food, music, and local art.

Although the island is mostly undeveloped, it does have a resort, two golf courses, and a local art gallery. White sand beaches, ancient oaks, Spanish moss and historical landmarks all lend a deep country feel, while the eclectic arts scene keeps the spirit of the island alive and thriving.

Smith Island Pelicans

12. Smith Island, Maryland

Smith Island is Maryland’s only inhabited offshore island in the Chesapeake Bay, but it’s actually composed of several islands. In the last 50 years, the island has lost more than 3,000 acres of wetlands due to erosion, and restoration efforts are underway to restore the island and prevent further erosion.

Smith Island is a good place to bicycle, listen to the gulls, watch sunsets and learn about the work of the Chesapeake Bay watermen. Residents have been harvesting seafood from the bay for generations (settlement began in 1657, and a bit of the original settlers’ English accent can still be heard in the voices of some of the 400 residents). There are no supermarkets, no police and little worry about crime.

An active fishing community that boasts some of the nation’s best crab cakes, the island is also the birthplace of the Smith Island Cake, which was declared Maryland’s state dessert in 2008. The famous dish features six-15 thin layers of cake filled with frosting — but locals say it’s the cooked chocolate icing that really makes the dessert unique.

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ethanclaxton · 7 years ago

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Dressers, Picture Frames, and Drywall Anxiety

I crunched some numbers and realized that it took me 237 weeks since moving in to get art hung on the walls of our master bedroom. Mild case of “hole-in-the-wall-phobia.”

Now, I know that’s totally crazy. I know how to patch and paint and I’ve done it plenty, but in the interest of hanging the art in the right damn space on the first try, it took this long (yup, 4.5 years) to actually make things happen without rushing the process just to check it off the list.

It’s especially nice to finally live in a bedroom that doesn’t feel like my first apartment where I was forbidden from damaging the drywall. And you how daylight reflects off frame glass? It sure makes a room feel more homey (also, impossibly hard to photograph).

Backtrack for a sec before this becomes all about me being weird for not wanting to put nails into my drywall. Part of the reason this took so long was also due to the fact that we really needed new bedroom dressers. The set of IKEA MALM dressers I bought 10+ years ago has now been fully recalled–now to the point where IKEA is begging to come pick them up to spare you the inconvenience of having to rent a truck in order to transport them back to a store–but when you’re outfitting your “forever home” you want to buy “forever dressers” and it’s really hard to commit to “forever dressers” without making some sort of concession for budget/quality/size/finishing details when you’re simultaneously under the pressure of recalled dressers that may or may not tip on your children because you haven’t anchored them to the wall (back to being obsessed about perfect, hole-free drywall). In short, we’ve been waiting it out until the right dresser at the right price point came into line of sight. Fortunately, that opportunity knocked sometime last fall when a decent set of Benson 6-drawer dressers at West Elm caught my eye. They’re no longer available in the light oak color we bought, but the darker walnut option is available here. Originally priced around $1,200/each, they were marked down to $699 + some bonus discounts + 20% west elm card bonus cash back (+ an exorbitant amount for shipping and setup) and the set of 2 new dressers cost about $1,700 from store-to-door. Pricing-wise, they were a good bargain considering that the units I had really been coveting were about 4x more expensive–completely unjustifiable to my spending senses (but I still love you, DWR). The West Elm dressers were also the perfect size and scale for the wall I had been scheming for in our room, and the lighter veneer wood finish was ideal, too. It’s hard to find light wood pieces that are modern but not just white.

I took a few “before” photos for a good laugh, knowing that it would be crazy to look back on this wall someday and recalling that we lived with it looking like this for 4+ years.

I openly admit that I have a love/hate relationship with West Elm furniture. I had some reluctance about buying dressers there because we’re less than thrilled with our Tillary Sectional, but it doesn’t end there. Our mod upholstered bed frame is literally about to collapse on the floor because a leg is 2-seconds from breaking off (they sent a backup part but angled legs on any furniture get a thumbs-down from me now), and I always thought the drawers in store felt like they had cheap sliders… but all that said, I took a risk and these ones aren’t too bad. They close nicely and slide smoothly, and the leather handles do feel nice and higher end than other products at the same price point.

The real perk of getting new dressers was finally being able to finish that end of the bedroom with some artwork. Our collection is a nice mix of prints that we’ve been gifted (or gifted each other), small originals that we’ve purchased, and a whole bunch of random treasures we’ve collected or inherited. It still took me months to decide which pieces would be hung above the dressers on the wall to make the space feel more finished, but I considered:

Scale and color: Wanted the collection to feel bonded by color palette, and it just so happened that most of our frames are black, so that helped too.

Importance: A little bit of this, a little bit of that. The final selects for our wall all have a little sentimental value, yet still flow well together.

Orientation: To gallery wall, or not to gallery wall? I wanted some organization more than a puzzled assortment on the wall, and bottom-aligning the frames seemed like a good direction. It’s still a gallery wall, but just a little bit more refined and minimalized.

I sat around and brewed about the options for months, planning that I would have them selected and hung on New Years Day if all my ducks aligned.

For weeks I’ve been saying that on New Years Day I would hang a few of these frames on the wall. Will it happen?

. . . #thedayhascome #goals #decor #newyearsday #willithappen #lazymonday #lovehome #holdmeaccountable @jaimederringer @charleyharperart

A post shared by Emily Fazio at Merrypad (@merrypad) on Jan 1, 2018 at 6:46am PST

Didn’t quite make my deadline–I’ll almost always choose a lazy day with friends over a self-imposed deadline–but I got it done in the goal week and boy, did that ever deserve a high-five.

Same week counts.

Also, children are sleeping through my hammering.

How about that cute vintage #brio dog toy? Found it at my Grandma’s house.

. . . #finally #hangingart #tinyartcollection #measuretwice #hammeronce #diy #artattack #newyearsgoals #holdmeaccountable #vintagetoys

A post shared by Emily Fazio at Merrypad (@merrypad) on Jan 5, 2018 at 5:38pm PST

Hanging artwork to be bottom-aligned is so much like installing any type of gallery wall that it hardly feels like it needs much explanation, but what I did was:

Lined up the artwork left to right on top of the dresser so that I could determine which order I wanted the art to present. Originally I thought I wanted the tall pieces in the middle so that they tapered down to shorter pieces at the left and right, but the scale of my pieces didn’t seem right for that, so I scattered them a little bit and found that I liked the balance much more.

Found my center on the wall (not the center above the dressers – I knew I could inch the furniture left and right by a few inches if I needed to make it more centered).

Measured the width of the framed artwork itself, and included 1.5″ spaces between each frame to obtain the measurement for my total gallery wall length.

Determined where the center of my total gallery wall length hit relative to the center of the actual wall – note that I didn’t hang a frame smack in the center of the wall. Since the frames are all different widths (and there’s an even number) no single frame is actually hitting the center point. Aim to have the same amount of empty space on either side of the gallery wall, and line things up from there.

Selected a consistent spacer for the bottom, so that I could easily plan where the bottom edge of each frame would sit. I used a stack of hardcover books – works great.

I hung the middle two frames first. Much like with any gallery wall (helpful tips on this post) once you know the center point for the frame, measure the distance from the wire/hook to the top of the picture frame. Then on the wall, measure down from where the top of the frame hits (while sitting atop the stack-o-books spacer) and put your hook in the wall right there. When you hang the frame, it should rest on the hook but exactly at the same height that it was at while the spacer books rested beneath it.

Note: Not that my phobia is accepting of “oh shit, that’s not right” holes in the wall, but if your nailed hook is a few millimeters too high/too low/left/right, it’s easy enough to recalibrate the measurements and place the hook again… any first (incorrect) hole will be covered by the frame itself. Shh.

Continue to install the rest of the frames, always hanging as you go so you can be certain that the frames are consistently aligned along the bottom edge.

Slick.

As for our 6 frames? Left to right:

That’s the Kaye Rachelle tea towel I posted about in 2012. Our dog, Cody, chewed the towel while it was still practically brand new, but I found new life by framing it because I really loved the screen print of the motorcycle. Now it’s a subtle memory of our buddy boy, as well a cool print.

Pete gifted me our first original Jaime Derringer print for my 30th birthday. Jaime’s someone you might know as the CEO of popular Design Milk and related companies, but she’s also an amazing artist and we’ve both gravitated to her techniques and style for years. This mixed-media piece lived in the dining room for awhile, but I swapped it to a portrait orientation and found that it worked really well here.

Another nod to JD–before the holidays, Jaime posted on Instagram that she was cleaning out some old original pieces, so I bought this white line drawing on black paper as a gift for Pete as we celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary. Framed it in black, too. Design-wise, it’s similar to her much-covetable Crocodile 1 print for sale on sites like Minted.

My parents gifted us a Grosbeak limited edition lithograph from the Charley Harper collection for our 1st wedding anniversary, and while it was matted and framed right away, it’s never had a good home until now.

Pete and I took a memorable road trip to Kinston, NC a couple of years ago to eat at the famous Chef and the Farmer restaurant (as seen on PBS Create’s show ‘A Chef’s Life’). If you’re familiar, it was every bit as insanely wonderful as you might expect, and if you’re also a fan of Vivian Howard, we should be BFF. Randomly, we were at the restaurant the same day as Andrew Zimmern while he filmed Bizarre Foods for Travel Channel, and in a super weird right-place-right-time moment got photos of Pete/Andrew and me/Vivian and then left her with our menu from dinner, which arrived at our home signed with a personal message a few weeks later. Frame it? Hell yes.

It feels good that our kids know a Charley Harper piece when they see one (my hands-down favorite artist). Julia reinterpreted and illustrated one of his cardinals for me as a Christmas gift a few years ago. Perfect in many ways.

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