Lifestyle

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LIFESTYLE 12/22/25 2:52pm

United Way del Condado de Alamance brinda recursos para todas las comunidades

By Anjolina Fantaroni

Shereá Burnett lleva 10 años trabajando con United Way del condado de Alamance, redactando solicitudes de subvenciones y realizando trabajo voluntario. Desde hace poco más de un mes, ocupa el cargo de presidenta de la organización y ya tiene una visión de lo que depara el futuro. "Hemos tenido la oportunidad de colaborar de muchas maneras diferentes durante el último mes, y estamos planeando cosas maravillosas para 2026 que, creo, serán las primeras de su tipo en esta región", declaró Burnett.

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LIFESTYLE 12/22/25 2:49pm

United Way of Alamance County provides resources for all communities

By Anjolina Fantaroni

Shereá Burnett has been working with United Way of Alamance County for 10 years, writing grant applications and volunteering. But for just over a month, she has served as the organization’s president and already has an idea of what the future holds. “We’ve had the opportunity to partner in a lot of different ways in the last month, and we’re planning some wonderful things for 2026 that I think will be the first time some of those things are done here,” Burnett said. 

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LIFESTYLE 12/20/25 12:34pm

La clínica de atención médica local ofrece una ayuda vital a los residentes sin seguro del condado de Alamance

By Miles Hayford

Valerie Epperson, residente del condado de Alamance, afirmó que no cree que estaría viva si no fuera por la Clínica Open Door del condado de Alamance, una clínica que brinda atención médica gratuita a personas sin seguro médico. “Cuando empecé a ir a la clínica, mi diabetes estaba descontrolada y comía lo que quería. Simplemente no me importaba”, dijo Epperson. “Cuando tienes a alguien que te ayuda, te mantiene alerta y te recuerda constantemente: ‘Tienes que hacer esto. Tienes que dejar de hacer aquello’”.

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LIFESTYLE 12/20/25 12:27pm

Local healthcare clinic provides lifeline to uninsured Alamance County residents

By Miles Hayford

Alamance County resident Valerie Epperson said she doesn’t think she would be alive right now if it were not for the Open Door Clinic of Alamance County, a clinic that provides free healthcare to people who do not have insurance. “When I first started, my diabetes were out of control, and I was just eating anything I wanted. It’s like, I just didn’t care,” Epperson said. “When you have someone there to help you, it keeps your mind open all the time about, ‘Hey, you need to do this. You need to stop doing this.’”

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LIFESTYLE 12/16/25 10:30am

Grief, loss support group provides comfort for Elon faculty, staff

By Kate Gray

Elon University associate chaplain Rev. Julie Tonnesen said loss and grief are universal emotions, but found that they can be difficult for faculty and staff to process while continuing their usual routines. “Even when we show up to work, that doesn’t mean that we get to put the rest of our lives on the back burner,” Tonnesen said. “Our grief comes with us. It’s not something we can just keep on a shelf at home.” In collaboration with Counseling Services, the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life, began offering a monthly group for faculty and staff to support those affected by loss. 

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LIFESTYLE 12/14/25 11:03am

‘Hemos olvidado la conversación’: el VIH/SIDA todavía afecta al Sur a medida que disminuye la conciencia

By Nia Bedard

45 años después de los primeros casos de VIH/SIDA reportados en Estados Unidos, la lucha contra esta enfermedad está lejos de terminar, especialmente en el sur del país. Según los datos más recientes de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades, el sur representó el 52% de todos los diagnósticos de VIH en Estados Unidos en 2023. "Sabemos que el VIH/SIDA ha afectado de manera desproporcionada a las personas de color y a las personas LGBTQ+ de color en este país", afirmó Jeff Bennett, profesor de estudios de comunicación en la Universidad de Vanderbilt. "Hay muchas personas que viven en zonas rurales, existe desconfianza hacia los profesionales de la salud y persiste el estigma social".

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LIFESTYLE 12/14/25 11:03am

‘We've forgotten about the conversation’: HIV/AIDS still hits the South as awareness fades

By Nia Bedard

45 years after the first reported cases of HIV/AIDS in the U.S., the fight against this disease is far from over, especially in the South. According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the South accounted for 52% of all HIV diagnoses in the U.S. in 2023. "We know that HIV/AIDS has had a disproportionate effect on people of color or queer people of color in this country," Professor of communication studies at Vanderbilt University Jeff Bennett said. "You have many people living in rural areas. You might have distrust of medical providers, you have the social stigma.”

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LIFESTYLE 12/4/25 10:53pm

Elon University’s campus glows as Festival of Lights and Luminaries expands cultural celebration

By Mia Torres

Elon University’s Festival of Lights and Luminaries took place on Dec. 4 and was hosted by the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life. Luminaries lit up Elon’s campus as students walked around and enjoyed the night. The festival started incorporating themes in 2020 with each year being a new theme. This year it was, “Many Lights on One Night.” “This year the festival is bigger than ever, so the theme represents how all the small lights that each of us bring create one larger light on campus,” Hillary Zaken, the director of multifaith programming and engagement for the Truitt Center said. 

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LIFESTYLE 11/21/25 4:23pm

Festival of Lights and Luminaries illuminates Elon year after year

By Megan Walsh

An event with roots as a traditional tree lighting in front of the Alamance Building, the current Festival of Lights and Luminaries celebration continues to light up campus. This year’s festival will be held Dec. 2 across the Historic Neighborhood and the Academic Pavilion. “A certain number of people couldn’t gather in the same place, so having everyone gathered in front of Alamance for that lighting simply was impossible,” Director of Multifaith Programming and Engagement Hillary Zaken said. “As it turns out, this is a much better way to celebrate the campus that we are and are becoming.”

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LIFESTYLE 11/17/25 11:33pm

Vietnamese-American writer breaks down poetry’s role in society

By Nia Bedard

For poet, essayist and novelist Ocean Vuong, there is no right or wrong answer about what you should take away from his work. “The beauty of writing is that everything is open to interpretation, and I'm never an author who can sit here and says to a reader, ‘you got it wrong,’” Vuong said. Former member of the Liberal Arts Forum, Emerson Garon, pitched for Vuong to come to Elon after being a long-time fan of his work and wanting to share his work. “His work needs to be shared, he is just so inspirational,” Garon said.

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LIFESTYLE 11/17/25 2:28pm

Community Closet ofrece a los residentes de Burlington ropa profesional gratuita

By Megan Walsh

La Biblioteca May Memorial de Burlington se llenó de percheros con ropa nueva o en buen estado donada para que los miembros de la comunidad la tomaran gratuitamente durante el evento "Armario Comunitario" de la Biblioteca Pública de Alamance. El evento, celebrado el 8 de noviembre, ofreció vestimenta profesional a quienes la necesitaban para cualquier necesidad profesional o transición laboral. Según la bibliotecaria y coordinadora del programa, Christina Rhone, este evento sirve como clausura del programa anual "Brújula Profesional" de la biblioteca, diseñado para ayudar a las personas a encontrar nuevos empleos o prepararse para incorporarse al mundo laboral.

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LIFESTYLE 11/13/25 9:06pm

Animatronic dinosaurs, deep-dish cookies bring families to Lowe’s parking lot

By Anjolina Fantaroni

The Lowe’s Home Improvement parking lot in Mebane wasn’t just filled with cars Nov. 13 — it was filled with animatronic dinosaurs and deep-dish cookies. Hosted by the traveling food truck I Heart Cookies, the event paired a dinosaur-themed attraction with cookies baked from scratch at the company’s bakery in Wichita, Kansas. “I was like, ‘What is this?’” Burlington resident Nicole Parker said. “I have never seen this before. It is really cool.“

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LIFESTYLE 11/10/25 11:16pm

Washington Post reporter discusses importance of political journalism

By Evan Cooper

When working at the Burlington Times-News as a crime reporter, Elon alum Natalie Allison ’13 never expected she would one day be flying on Air Force One as a member of the Washington Post White House press team. Allison spoke to attendees at Elon University on Nov. 10 in Turner Theatre, talking with Chair of the Journalism Department Anthony Hatcher about her journey to The Washington Post, her time as a reporter, and the role of journalism in politics. “It really shows that your first job doesn't have to be in D.C., it doesn't have to be a national outlet,” Allison said. “You can really work your tail off and still get there.”

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LIFESTYLE 11/10/25 6:33pm

Former South African ambassador reflects on 27 years of working in diplomacy

By Harrison Narens

Former ambassador Riaan Eksteen, a diplomat from South Africa, reflected on his 27 years of experience with the Elon community, before opening the floor for students and community members to ask questions. Eksteen offered advice to students. He emphasized that students can’t rely on their degrees alone. “This is why I say degrees are not directions, we need strong fundamentals; and proper tools. I learned it the hard way” Eksteen said. “I started as a young student in political science at the University of Victoria with the greens and a lot of shelves. But what I did still have was one thing and that is extreme ownership, I stopped waiting for opportunities.” 

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LIFESTYLE 11/9/25 10:12pm

‘Graze the Grid’ teaches Elon community about agrivoltaics

By Anjolina Fantaroni

Two new guests explored the Solar Farm at Elon University’s Loy Farm on Nov. 9. Penelope and Snowflake are two sheep that graze the grass underneath the solar panels to make the soil healthy for planting, according to Elon senior Ava Litzinger. The sheep are part of a wider project, led by an Elon environmental studies senior seminar called “Graze the Grid.” Litzinger is in the class and said the class is separated into different focus groups, such as clean energy in sustainable business practices. 

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LIFESTYLE 11/9/25 1:13pm

Peacehaven Community Farm grows mission of inclusion with new community center

By Anjolina Fantaroni

Peacehaven Community Farm, an 89-acre farm in Whitsett, North Carolina, that provides community housing, programs and an environment for adults living with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as a place for adults of all abilities to work and learn together is set to grow with the addition of a new 20,000-square-foot community center on its current property. “Society is really having it set up for this group of folks and their families, and so we’re trying to create change on what that looks like,” CEO of Peacehaven Community Farm Phelps Sprinkle said. 

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LIFESTYLE 11/9/25 1:13pm

La granja comunitaria Peaceheaven amplía su misión de inclusión con un nuevo centro comunitaria

By Anjolina Fantaroni

La Granja Comunitaria Peacehaven, una finca de 36 hectáreas en Whitsett, Carolina del Norte, que ofrece vivienda comunitaria, programas y un entorno para adultos con discapacidades intelectuales y del desarrollo, así como un espacio para que adultos de todas las capacidades trabajen y aprendan juntos, se expandirá con la construcción de un nuevo centro comunitario de 1.858 metros cuadrados en su propiedad actual. "La sociedad está adaptando sus recursos a este grupo de personas y sus familias, y por eso estamos intentando generar un cambio en cómo se ve esa integración", declaró Phelps Sprinkle, director ejecutivo de la Granja Comunitaria Peacehaven.

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LIFESTYLE 11/8/25 9:25pm

Elon’s fall dance concert explores duality of ‘Echoes and Currents’

By Megan Walsh

Body image, feminism, a battle of push and pull, invisible stories and the interconnection of a dancer and the audience are all themes explored in Elon University’s fall dance concert titled “Echoes and Currents.” Directed by performing arts professors Elijah Motley and Jen Guy Metcalf, the show will feature works from four facility members and four works from students. “Echoes and Currents” will run Nov. 14 to 16 in Roberts Studio Theatre located in Scott Studios. 

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LIFESTYLE 11/8/25 6:44pm

Community Closet provides Burlington residents with free professional attire

By Megan Walsh

Burlington’s May Memorial Library was filled with racks of new or gently used clothes donated for community members to take for free during the Alamance Public Library’s Community Closet event. The event held Nov. 8 offered professional attire for community members in need of clothing for any professional need or transition. According to librarian and program coordinator Christina Rhone, this event serves as the closing for the library's annual Career Compass program, geared to help people transition into new jobs or prepare to enter the workforce. 

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LIFESTYLE 11/7/25 9:22pm

Elon University celebrates second annual SUBFest

By Fiona McAllister

Elon University’s Student Union Board hosted their second annual SUBFest on Nov. 7. Young Commons was filled with live music from students, free food and student-run businesses. Elon University's radio station WSOE 89.3 was also featured and had a station where students could paint shirts and vinyl records. After months of planning, Elon senior and SUB’s special projects chair Caroline Reich said planning for this year’s festival felt less hectic than the year prior.  “This year I felt a lot more confident. I was almost like, ‘Man, I can't believe I was so nervous about this last year,’“ Reich said. 

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