It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Old Stone House gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Quaker Gap, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“I cannot say enough good things about this company and the caregivers they provided after my mom's recent accident and stay in a rehab facility. The staff were constantly in communication with us keeping us abreast of any little or big updates. Their attitudes were always helpful and they seemed to genuinely care. The caregivers they sent to sit with and take care of mom were EXCELLENT. I'm not sure how many different caregivers she had over the few weeks of her stay but there wasn't a single one that wasn't kind and extremely helpful. It took a tremendous load off of everyone in our family knowing that she was being well cared for when we couldn't be there. Thank you to Brandi, Joanne, Gina, and anyone I'm missing for everything you all did for us from the beginning of the process all the way to my mom's release today. Hopefully, we won't need your services again, but if we do, I know who I will be calling!”
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“Sandy is very knowledgeable of assisted living options in the Winston Salem area. She helped with a family member’s search with care and consideration. We highly recommend.”
“I highly recommend Sandy Bowen with Always Best Care. I called her with a very tight timeframe to find a suitable memory care facility for my family member. She asked a lot of questions about my loved one to try and get to know her as much as possible. She worked very fast and lined up several appointments for us to tour places within a matter of days. She explained the process to me every step of the way and made sure we stayed on track. She attended the appointments with me and asked questions that I would never think to ask. I can’t thank her enough.”
“The staff and caretakers are wonderful. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who needs at home care for themselves or loved ones”
“These folks are so helpful! They care about their clients and it shows in the service! I highly recommend ????”
“The staff and caretakers are wonderful. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who needs at home care for themselves or loved ones”
“During an unexpected hospital stay, Joanne provided much needed assistance. She provided excellent care and supportive advocacy. It made dealing with the discomfort more bearable and gave me a safeguard to decipher the complicated choices to resolve health issues. I highly recommend this service.”
“If you are looking for attentive, quality home care look no further than Joanne and her team. A passion for excellence is driven for from this team. Family oriented and willing to work with all families.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Hanging Rock State Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Nikolas Restaurant or visit Alamance Battleground State Historic Site, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Quaker Gap, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Quaker Gap, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Quaker Gap, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
VIRGINIA — Two wildfires burning in parts of Virginia consumed more than 4,000 acres this week, prompting Gov. Glenn Youngkin to declare a month-long state of emergency as drought conditions continue in the state.As of Tuesday, the largest fire — the Quaker Run Fire — was partially located in Shenandoah National Park, while the other burned about 200 miles southwest near the Rocky Knob Recreation Area,...
VIRGINIA — Two wildfires burning in parts of Virginia consumed more than 4,000 acres this week, prompting Gov. Glenn Youngkin to declare a month-long state of emergency as drought conditions continue in the state.
As of Tuesday, the largest fire — the Quaker Run Fire — was partially located in Shenandoah National Park, while the other burned about 200 miles southwest near the Rocky Knob Recreation Area, according to the Virginia Department of Forestry.
Both blazes broke containment lines in recent days and have been fueled by persistent dry and windy conditions, according to Youngkin's executive order.
"The Commonwealth of Virginia is experiencing multiple wildfires around the state due to extremely dry conditions and high winds, both of which are common during the ongoing fall fire season," the executive order stated. "These fires have and may continue to pose a significant threat to public health and safety."
The Quaker Run Fire, located in Madison County, had burned through 3,350 acres of private, state, and federal lands as of 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, including about 670 acres in Shenandoah National Park, according to the Virginia Department of Forestry and the National Park Service.
NPS officials said the fire was located in the central part of the park near the eastern boundary.
On Tuesday evening, state officials said the fire was 40 percent contained.
Officials said the flames were producing heavy smoke Tuesday, affecting the cities of Syria and Madison, which are closest to the fire. Smoke also affected the central portion of Shenandoah National Park Smoke near Big Meadows, Whiteoak, and Old Rag.
A complete fire ban was enacted effective 8 a.m. Monday, NPS officials said. Hikers are encouraged to avoid the central part of the park.
The second fire — dubbed the Tuggles Gap Fire — had consumed about 850 acres as of Tuesday evening and was 75 percent contained.
Several counties across the state have burn bans in place. Check the Virginia Department of Forestry map for the latest bans.
Youngkin's executive order allows the state to assist in firefighter response efforts and provides state funding and Virginia National Guard support.
The wildfires came as parts of western Virginia continued to experience severe drought, according to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Drought Monitor, while much of the rest of the state remained under moderate drought or abnormally dry conditions.
A roadside inn in Patrick County has helped rally community support for the firefighters battling the Tuggle’s Gap blaze; see feature story below.Virginia currently has five active wildfires that have each consumed more than 1,000 acres and are only partly contained.The biggest is th...
A roadside inn in Patrick County has helped rally community support for the firefighters battling the Tuggle’s Gap blaze; see feature story below.
Virginia currently has five active wildfires that have each consumed more than 1,000 acres and are only partly contained.
The biggest is the Quaker Run fire in Madison County, which has consumed 3,500 acres, some of those in the Shenandoah National Park. As of Thursday, it was only 40% contained, according the Virginia Department of Forestry.
The second biggest is the Yocum Creek fire in Lee County on the Virginia-Kentucky line, which covers 1,500 acres and is 75% contained, the department said. The Rocklick Fire in Buchanan County covers 1,200 acres and is 57% contained, the Rachel’s Chapel fire in Dickenson County covers 1,100 acres and is 40% contained while Tuggle’s Gap in Patrick County is listed at 1,050 acres and 35% contained.
Patrick County administrator Beth Simms said that firefighters from Patrick, Henry, Floyd, Surry, Carroll, Montgomery and Franklin counties and the city of Martinsville along with the Virginia Department of Forestry, Virginia Department of Emergency Management and National Park Service have responded to the Tuggle’s Gap fire.
In response to the fires, Gov. Glenn Youngkin has declared a state of emergency and the Blue Ridge Parkway has temporarily banned backcountry campfires. Those fire restrictions apply to all backcountry campsites and shelters, but not to the year-round picnic areas.
The U.S. Forest Service has also announced restrictions on fires in the George Washington & Jefferson National Forest. Open fires outside of a developed recreation site are prohibited on national forest lands effective from November 9, 2023, through December 31, 2023. Open fires are banned at any “dispersed recreation site,” including the Appalachian Trail, the Forest Service said in a release. “Fires may be maintained within metal rings, burn pits, or grills within developed recreation sites. Propane and other fuel powered camp stoves are still permitted.”
Virginia will get some help on Friday as fairly widespread rain develops as a low-pressure system moves along a cold front stalling to the south. The rain will be light, mostly under one-half inch, so it won’t be nearly enough to fully relieve ongoing drought. Falling rain and humidity values with the rain will help crews contain existing fires, however.
No further rain is expected beyond Saturday morning through late next week, however, as temperatures cool down to near seasonal levels — 50s/60s highs, 20s/30s lows — before slowly warming again.
Most of the western two-thirds of Virginia is in moderate to severe drought on the newest U.S. Drought Monitor map issued Thursday, with a small area from northern Rockbridge and Bath counties northward through Augusta and Rockingham counties raised to extreme drought.
Cardinal News weather journalist Kevin Myatt contributed to this report. He discussed the drought in his weekly weather column.
By John Hopkins
Nick Bieneck is perched on a director’s chair in the pine-paneled lobby at Tuggle’s Gap, his roadside lodge near the Blue Ridge escarpment where a wildfire earlier this week climbed the steep mountainside just tens of yards from the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Bieneck’s guests this week have been firefighters and other emergency workers focused on the wildfire, which by Thursday afternoon had consumed roughly 1,050 acres and threatened a score of homes and farm buildings. As of early afternoon, none of the buildings had been burned, said Beth Simmons, the Patrick County administrator, and a westerly breeze was telling the firefighters their work wasn’t done.
With two laptop computers and a mobile phone, Bieneck coordinates what is needed to feed the emergency workers and provide them showers and a resting place between their shifts. An outpouring of aid from nearby communities — Floyd, Woolwine, Meadows of Dan and beyond — has been shuttled in to multiply what Bieneck could provide from Tuggle’s Gap.
“I like doing this,” Bieneck said, looking out toward Virginia 8 and the stacks of bottled water and Gatorade in his driveway. Teams of arriving firefighters would heft a dozen or so bottles into their pickup or van before starting down the mountain to catch up with the fire. Bieneck found nearby quarters for his normal guests as the firefighters indicated they’d need to stay to the weekend.
Bieneck feels like he was born to event management. His father organized trade shows and Nick studied the sound systems used in large outdoor venues. He found Southwest Virginia years ago as a contractor for Floyd Fest. He took a liking to the Tuggle’s Gap Roadside Inn, a motel and restaurant since 1938, and when it came up for sale he and his father, Bjorn, bought it in 2021.
So far the fire has been confined to Patrick County. It was about 35% contained by Thursday afternoon, Simms said.
She made a point of expressing “heartfelt gratitude” for Bieneck and the merchants and individuals who contributed meals, snacks, water and hygiene items for the emergency workers — many or most of them volunteers. Anyone wishing to donate may bring nonperishable goods and small items such as nutrition bars to Tuggle’s Gap Roadside Inn, on Virginia 8 just off the parkway. The inn’s Facebook page has been keeping people informed about current needs.
Below are screenshots of some of the requests the inn has posted:
On October, 22, 1734, near Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, a small, insignificant lad came-forth from the womb. His father, along with a few hundred Quakers, had migrated from England in 1713 to escape persecution. He had married Sarah (another Quaker immigrant from Wales) and the two briefly celebrated their sixth child—of which there would eventually be eleven.There was precious little time to rejoice. Cattle to tend, iron to blacksmith, cloth to weave; all occupations of the growing family. There was also little time for proper educ...
On October, 22, 1734, near Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, a small, insignificant lad came-forth from the womb. His father, along with a few hundred Quakers, had migrated from England in 1713 to escape persecution. He had married Sarah (another Quaker immigrant from Wales) and the two briefly celebrated their sixth child—of which there would eventually be eleven.
There was precious little time to rejoice. Cattle to tend, iron to blacksmith, cloth to weave; all occupations of the growing family. There was also little time for proper education. And it was perhaps this inattentive-style of tutoring—along with the official family-job of protecting cattle from predators—that led to the youngsters eventual passion for hunting and wanderlust.
Today, his birthplace—with a version of the original homestead, a museum, blacksmithing shop and a farm—is notably preserved and honored by the state of Pennsylvania.
Our pioneer’s story, in affirmation of his itchy-feet, eventually ended rather far away from Pennsylvania. Perpetually in search of the next-best-wilderness, and earlier, having lost all his property in Kentucky (in large measure due to inattentive legal documentation), he spent his final 21 years hunting and exploring in the Spanish-held Louisiana Territory (in what would become Missouri).
Noting his historical significance, Missouri designated his old homestead as a historical site and listed it on the National Register of Historic Places. A stone house, built by his son, and all the trappings of a late 18th-century pioneer farm, are attended regularly by tourists and history buffs.
Somewhere in the middle of his life, our frontiersman was hired by a North Carolina land speculator to build a trail and establish a fort in Kentucky. Purchased from the Cherokee, who argued the Shawnee didn’t own the land, he engineered a trail through the Cumberland Gap (bordering Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky) into northeastern Kentucky.
After erecting a fort, he, along with a small cadre of families, fought-off Shawnee attackers during the American Revolution. His daring perseverance in the face of life-and-limb danger opened up Kentucky for settlement (his Wilderness Trail was traversed by over 200,000 pioneers headed west).
This period of our adventurer’s life is gladly portrayed by the state of Kentucky at Boonesborough State Park, where a full-on replica of the fort commemorates his exploits and near-misses.
After his childhood/teenage years in Pennsylvania, but prior to his moxie-filled days in Kentucky and lengthy retirement in Missouri, our explorer spent some early-adult adventuring years—twenty-one to be exact—in North Carolina.
By the time Daniel Boone’s parents moved their family from Pennsylvania to North Carolina in 1750, he was on his way to becoming an accomplished longhunter—hunting for months at a time, far from home and family, in the hopes of procuring a large stash of hides and meat.
Residing near Mocksville, about 23-miles east of present-day Statesville, Boone met and married Rebecca Bryan, fathered nine children, fought in Lord Dunmore’s War, skirmished against the Cherokee and Shawnee, and began his longhunting forays into Tennessee and Kentucky—all while being a Tar Heel.
Oddly enough, not many people are aware of these days. Especially people who live in North Carolina.
In fact, beyond a few mentions in NC history museums, sparse log cabin displays, history markers, foot trails and outdoor dramas, comparatively speaking, Daniel Boone is somewhat of a mysterious, forgotten frontiersman of North Carolina. What’s that all about?
To the 1960’s mind, “…Daniel Boone was a man, yes, a big man; with an eye like an eagle and as tall as a mountain was he” (if you’re over the age of 50, who could forget the TV-series theme song, or Fess Parker and the 165-episodes of Dan’l, Mingo and his always-on-the-mark rifle, ticklicker).
As a 12-year old Boone-enthusiast, I recall visiting the town of Cherokee, where—of all places—Daniel Boone memorabilia was in high fashion. I have photos of my kids still wearing the fringed-laced, leather pull-over I bought for $24.99. My complimentary coonskin cap, a Hollywood invention that Boone never adorned, was worn to oblivion.
Looking back, these memories caused me to believe North Carolinians revered the well-traveled trail-blazer. In retrospect, maybe it was just marketing hype.
Today—at best—postmodern youth seem to view Boone as a vague western character, or possibly the name of a restaurant. “Wasn’t he at the Alamo?” (no). “Was he a cowboy?” (nope). “Oh yeah, he was the guy that cut down trees with Paul Bunyan” (not really). Isn’t there a restaurant named after him? (yep).
For some reason, many young Carolinians are also obtusely confident that Daniel Boone must’ve lived in Boone, NC. Although he didn’t, that seems reasonable for a generation that’s barely acquainted with his story.
Considering his name is attached to a couple hundred establishments hoping to cash-in on his exploits, it’s an interesting conundrum.
Maybe it’s time for a Daniel Boone Museum in Mocksville (currently, along with a town of 5,216 people, there are two gravestones bearing the names of his mother and father). Boone, NC seems like a suitable spot for a Frontier Heritage Center.
Come to think of it, it’s not too much of a stretch to envision a Daniel Boone Center in Black Mountain—where Boone apparently passed through on a number of occasions.
Honestly, it doesn’t really matter where you build it. A museum or memorial anywhere west of Charlotte would do (the man loved to wander).
His sensitivities don’t really jive with 21st-century America; but the guy had an amazing life and an incredible impact on colonial America—a fact Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Missouri have seemed to notice. Not to mention, 21-years in North Carolina produced some exceedingly good stories.
It’s about time our kids heard them.
Wildfires caused by drought, warmer-than-normal temperatures and, in a few cases, possibly arson have been ablaze for days in several Southern states. The threat has led officials to enact burn bans and to stop issuing safe-burn permits.November is the peak month of the fire season across the country, but certain areas, including parts of the Southeast, are expected to be at an “above-normal” risk, according to ...
Wildfires caused by drought, warmer-than-normal temperatures and, in a few cases, possibly arson have been ablaze for days in several Southern states. The threat has led officials to enact burn bans and to stop issuing safe-burn permits.
November is the peak month of the fire season across the country, but certain areas, including parts of the Southeast, are expected to be at an “above-normal” risk, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Mississippi, for example, was one of eight states that reported large fires to the National Fire Service on Friday. Drought and below-normal precipitation have been some of the contributing factors, according to the center.
While the fires in Mississippi have largely been contained, firefighters in Virginia and elsewhere are still working to put out the flames over large chunks of their territories.
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“The Southern fire season has become more and more a fire year,” Shayne Martin, the national spokesman for the Forest Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said in a statement. “Fires are burning longer, hotter and create more destruction in recent years.”
Mr. Martin said that the wildfires in the South were particularly alarming because the region has “three of the top four states with the most homes near wild lands, thereby creating more risk to human health and property.”
Extremely dry conditions and high winds were feeding the wildfires in Virginia, spurring Gov. Glenn Youngkin to issue a state of emergency that went into effect on Monday, and was to remain active for 30 days.
Governor Youngkin said officials were concerned about two fires in particular, the Quaker Run fire in Madison County and the Tuggles Gap fire in Patrick County.
The Quaker Run fire had burned about 2,800 acres of private, state and federal lands by Tuesday morning, according to the National Park Service. Around 670 of those acres were in Shenandoah National Park, where officials imposed a fire ban, effective Tuesday. The Virginia National Guard sent two Black Hawk helicopters to pour water onto the fire.
Two homes and an outbuilding were destroyed by the Poplar Drive fire in Henderson County, which has spread to more than 400 acres from 175 acres since Saturday. Just 5 percent of the fire had been contained by Monday, and officials were still investigating the cause.
Two other fires remained active in the state, officials said: the Collett Ridge fire in Cherokee County and the East Fork fire in Jackson County.
Officials have banned all open burning in North Carolina and canceled burning permits in 14 counties in the western part of the state because of the threat of wildfires stemming from severe drought.
“Because dry conditions are expected to continue, this burn ban is necessary to reduce the risk of fires starting and spreading quickly,” Steve Troxler, the state’s agriculture commissioner, said in a statement on Sunday. “Our top priority is always to protect lives, property and forestland across the state.”
There were 61 active fires in Kentucky on Tuesday, burning through an estimated 8,800 acres, said John Mura, a spokesman for the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet.
Many of the fires had been burning for several days, but they escalated over the weekend, Mr. Mura said. The fires have been concentrated in the eastern and southeastern parts of the state.
Six different fires erupted over the weekend in Harlan County, in southeast Kentucky. Dan Mosley, the county’s judge-executive, declared a state of emergency. Officials said they suspected that arson could have caused the fires in the area around the town of Smith; other fires in the county were believed to have started after people tried to burn debris, and those blazes grew out of control.
It was unclear when the fires would be put out, but there was a small chance of precipitation and cooler temperatures that could help toward the end of the week, Mr. Mura said.
Officials fought more than 30 fires that had burned more than 200 acres of privately owned woodland in Tennessee by Monday, according to the state’s Division of Forestry. At least seven fires were still active on Tuesday, with the bulk clustered in the central and western parts of the state, according to a map provided by the Division of Forestry. A number of other fires were designated as contained or controlled, meaning that control lines had been established around the fires.
The Division of Forestry stopped issuing safe debris burn permits in most counties, and officials issued a burn ban in Morgan County on Monday, which is in the eastern part of the state.
Drought fueled the fires and officials noted that rain was anticipated to return later in the week, with the central area of the state expected to see at least a half inch of precipitation.
Wildfires
Lola Fadulu is a general assignment reporter on the Metro desk of The Times. She was part of a team that was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize in 2023 for coverage of New York City’s deadliest fire in decades. More about Lola Fadulu
MADISON COUNTY, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- The Virginia National Guard says its Black Hawk helicopters are no longer providing fire suppression support in Madison and Patrick counties.According to a release, the National Guard has demobilized the helicopters that were helping the Virginia Department of Forestry battling wildfires, including the Quaker Run fire in Madison County that has burned more than 3,900 acres since Oct. 24.Now, the National Guard says it is training soldiers and airmen for possible ground firefighting support....
MADISON COUNTY, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- The Virginia National Guard says its Black Hawk helicopters are no longer providing fire suppression support in Madison and Patrick counties.
According to a release, the National Guard has demobilized the helicopters that were helping the Virginia Department of Forestry battling wildfires, including the Quaker Run fire in Madison County that has burned more than 3,900 acres since Oct. 24.
Now, the National Guard says it is training soldiers and airmen for possible ground firefighting support.
Between Nov. 6 and 9, two Black Hawk helicopters made 33 water drops using 660-gallon water buckets, bringing nearly 22,800 gallons of water into the effort to fight the Quaker Run fire.
On Nov. 11, two other helicopters were flying in Patrick County, making 21 drops of nearly 13,900 gallons of water to the Tuggles Gap fire, which has burned 1,150 acres.
“Our helicopter crews mobilized and deployed in record time to provide additional resources to help the Virginia Department of Forestry in the fight against multiple large wildfires,” said Brigadier General Todd H. Hubbard, the VNG Director of the Joint Staff. “Our partner agencies depend on the VNG to rapidly respond with requested capabilities when needed, and we are really proud of how quickly and safely our Soldiers responded.”
On Sunday, about 30 soldiers and airmen were practicing ground firefighting techniques with the VDOF at Fort Barfoot.
During this S-130 Wildland Firefighter Training, these soldiers and airmen received personal protective equipment as well as training stressing safety, basic tools, familiarization with bulldozers and engines, fireline construction, and proper fire shelter use.
Once they have completed this training, the troops will be deployed wherever VDOF needs them for ground support.
“The soldiers and airmen coming together to train for a possible ground support mission are from Virginia Army and Air National Guard units across Virginia, to include our 12M Army firefighters assigned to the Fort Barfoot Fire Department,” Hubbard said. “I am sure they are going to be a welcome sight to the crews who have been fighting wildfires for weeks, and we expect them to provide additional capabilities to allow some people to rest or help speed up the effort to finish getting the fires under control. It really is an honor to work with such dedicated professionals towards a common goal.”
There are several wildfires currently burning across Virginia.
As of Monday morning, the largest fire is still the Quaker Run fire, which has burned 3,937 acres, including several hundred inside the Shenandoah National Park.
The national park has closed numerous trails and the area around the historic Camp Rapidan in response.
Both Madison County and the national park have also issued burn bans.
The Quaker Run fire is about 41 percent contained.
Over the weekend, crews were working to clear containment lines and put out burning material within them.
This included felling some trees that were smoldering in order to reduce the likelihood that embers would cross containment lines on windy days.
A little bit of much-needed rain fell Friday, helping to get some of the potential fuel wet, but windy conditions are expected to return Monday evening.
Thanks to this rain, voluntary evacuation orders for some Madison County residents were lifted.
Fire officials say the dry air mass moving in will drop humidity levels, and combined with the increased winds, there will be critical fire weather conditions around this area through Tuesday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Tuggles Gap fire in Patrick County is about 70 percent contained.
In Buchanan County, the Rocklick fire has burned some 2,232 acres on the border between Virginia and Kentucky. It is about 70 percent contained.
And in Dickenson County, the Rachel’s Chapel fire has burned about 1,135 acres and is 90 percent contained.
For more information on current fires, click here.
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