Five years ago The Chapel Hill News, the community newspaper since 1938, was planning major changes under the care of Ted Vaiden, its publisher and editor. Going from daily publication to twice weekly printing, Ted and his staff wanted to encourage more local correspondents and develop more reader input for news and stories.

   A special Our Town section was created and Don Evans, the news editor, planned to devote the second page in that section every Wednesday to stories about our local senior citizen communities and activities. Don talked to Rosemary Hutchinson, then our Director of Marketing. Why not call the page A Touch of Gray? she asked. Don agreed and so the series was born.

   Beginning in January 2001, on the first Wednesday of every month, a story has appeared, written by a Carolina Meadows resident, telling of people and activities in our community. The very first one told about our Betty McMahan, retired scientist and cartoonist par excellence of the Meadowlark and was written by Betty Wolcott, longtime editor of the Meadowlark. Prominent citizens such as Bill Aycock, Walter and Bob Rabb, Norma Berryhill, Jean Holcomb and Sherman Lee were among those written about. But there were many other stories too of lesser known Carolina Meadows residents with unusual musical skills, backgrounds, publications and hobbies. Over the years we reported on changes at the Swimming Pool, the growth of our Library, improvements in our Dining Services and development of our Meadows Garden. The latest, article, just last month, told of ways in which the staff helps our residents prepare for the holidays.

   I had the opportunity to write many of the articles. Other residents who have written are Vickie Badrow, Dick Ballard, John Banks, Joan Blewett, Pauly Dodd, Iris Evans, Herb Harned, Betty Kent, Carol Klein, Bob Parker and Barbara Roth. All in all this is a remarkable collection presenting an interesting picture of the way in which we live in this community – and hopefully it will continue every month in the years ahead.

   Contact:
   Michelle Westrom
   Marketing Director
   (919) 370 - 7160