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Union County couple celebrates milestone anniversary

Submitted by Brian Stephenson on Monday, May 14th, 1:36 pm

UNION COUNTY, NC (WBTV)- A marriage milestone was celebrated by a Union County Couple this past weekend.

Horace and Evelyn Helms celebrated their 78th anniversary on Saturday. The couple drove to Pageland, South Carolina those many years ago with five dollars they borrowed, to cover the cost of the wedding and gas.

They say being by each other's side for all but two weeks of their marriage has been the key to their success.

They are quite the team. Evelyn now does the driving and Horace does the navigating.

"Sometimes he tell's me the wrong way too," Evelyn told WBTV.

"What?" he questioned her.

"Sometimes you tell me the wrong way...(laughs)," she replied.

His response was simple. "I know it."

Horace will turn 98 on Tuesday. WBTV will have more on this couple on a future Carolina Camera.

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UCPS to hold annual Transition Fair and EC Parent Awareness Night

Submitted by Chris Dyches
Monday, May 14th, 2012, 11:16am

UNION COUNTY - The Exceptional Children’s Department of the Union County Public Schools will hold its sixth annual Transition Fair for juniors and seniors with disabilities at South Piedmont Community College from 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 17, 2012.

Students will hear motivational speakers, compete in employability seminars and have access to resources and information that could help them after high school.

More than 30 community agencies will be in attendance to offer assistance and information. These include A.D.E.P.T. (Adult Developmental Education Pre-vocational Training) Programs, The Arc of Union County, the Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Beyond Academics (UNC-G), Child Care Resources, Special Needs Plan and the Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center (ECAC).

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NASCAR Day is Friday, May 18th!

Submitted by Susan H.
Thursday, May 10th, 2012, 2:44pm
NASCAR Day is Friday, May 18th!

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - Get your limited edition NASCAR Day lapel pin, show your support for NASCAR Day and help raise awareness of children in need.  Pins are $10 each (plus a small handling fee), measure 1-inch by 1-inch and feature a checkered flag design.  The NASCAR Foundation embodies the compassion of the NASCAR Family and its commitment to serving communities.  It seeks to raise funds and increase volunteerism to support nonprofit charities and charitable causes nation-wide, with an emphasis placed on initiatives that affect the ability of children to live, learn and play.  Click here to learn more about children and family initiatives supported by The NASCAR Foundation.  You can also enter for

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‘Chairs for Charity’ hopes to raise thousands

Submitted by Chris Dyches
Tuesday, April 17th, 2012, 10:20am
‘Chairs for Charity’ hopes to raise thousands

UNION COUNTY - ‘Chairs for Charity’ to raise money through student artwork Porter Ridge Middle School art students are painting chairs for charity in a third annual event that promises to raise thousands of dollars.

The event, dubbed Chairs for Charity, involves eighth-grade yearlong art students of Nicole Crowley and Kirsten Durbin. Students creatively paint wooden chairs and then sell them at a silent auction at the school.

“We split the money evenly between Relay for Life and Cindy’s Hope Chest, a local Union County charity,” said Crowley, the teacher who initiated the project three years ago. “This year we have 38 chairs that will be auctioned off. The themes used in the paintings range from “The Hunger Games,” Barbie and the NFL, to Carolina Girl; so there is something for everyone.”

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Food Lion AutoFair kicks off April 19th

Submitted by Susan H.
Thursday, April 12th, 2012, 1:35pm
Food Lion AutoFair kicks off April 19th

CONCORD, NC (WBTV) - The world's largest automotive extravaganza returns to Charlotte Motor Speedway, promising something for everyone!

Anyone with an interest in automotive history won’t want to miss the display honoring the oldest American car manufacturer, Buick, which will include a 1905 Model C that is believed to be one of the oldest Buicks still in existence today. In conjunction with the display, NASCAR great Bobby Allison, who twice drove a Buick to victory in the Daytona 500, will be on hand for an autograph session from 2 to 3pm on Saturday, April 21st.

Those with an interest in rare cars should be sure to check out Tom Cotter’s 1952 Cunningham C-3 that will take center stage in the Barn Finds display.

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Bonus day of steam engine caboose rides at NCTM

Submitted by David Whisenant
Tuesday, April 10th, 2012, 4:24pm
Bonus day of steam engine caboose rides at NCTM

SPENCER (Rowan County)  - The N.C. Transportation Museum has a bonus weekend of Steam Engine Caboose Train rides Saturday, April 14, as filming for a new television show takes place.

Up in the Air Productions is filming “John and Barney: Have Engine, Will Travel.”  The show follows father and son team John and Barney Gramling, owners of the Flagg 75 Coal Engine and the Lehigh Valley #126 Steam Locomotive.  They move those engines across the country, giving rides at tourist railroads and museums in 15 states at 18 different railroad museums.

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Checkers hold Wheels for Forest fundraiser

Submitted by Chris Dyches
Friday, March 30th, 2012, 4:02pm

CHARLOTTE - Hey Checkers fans - the team is getting behind another great cause and this is your chance to help out another very deserving family.

Do yourself a favor - take the three minutes to watch the video attached above.

The Checkers will be holding a special “Wheels for Forest” fundraiser prior to their April 7 game (12 p.m.) to benefit Hickory Ridge High School student Forest Walton, who suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a progressive disease which eventually affects all voluntary muscles and involves the heart and breathing muscles in later stages. Forest was diagnosed at birth and was able to walk, run and play until he was 12, but, due to the progressive nature of the disease, is now confined to a wheelchair.

Forest’s mother transports him in a wheelchair-accessible van, which is currently deteriorating, and his classmates have formed “Wheels for Forest” to help him get new means of transportation.

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