A crowd of well-wishers came out to celebrate the opening of
Origami Japanese Restaurant on Tuesday, March 10. The Burke County
Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for the
restaurant, which is at 2117 S. Sterling St., Morganton. Owner,
Julie Bentley, cut the ribbon alongside City of Morganton Council
Member, Butch McSwain, team members, family, friends, and
supporters. Also in attendance were Burke County Commissioner, Mike
Stroud; President and CEO of the Burke County Chamber of Commerce,
Tonia Stephenson; Chamber Board Members, Charity Broyhill and Tonya
Little; and Chamber Ambassadors, Mackenzie Bostian-Adams, Carl
Beardsworth, and Devan Berry. Stop by for a delicious meal or order
ahead by calling 828-475-6685.
Community celebrates opening of Origami Japanese Restaurant
A crowd of well-wishers came out to celebrate the opening of
Origami Japanese Restaurant on Tuesday, March 10. The Burke County
Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for the
restaurant, which is at 2117 S. Sterling St., Morganton. Owner,
Julie Bentley, cut the ribbon alongside City of Morganton Council
Member, Butch McSwain, team members, family, friends, and
supporters. Also in attendance were Burke County Commissioner, Mike
Stroud; President and CEO of the Burke County Chamber of Commerce,
Tonia Stephenson; Chamber Board Members, Charity Broyhill and Tonya
Little; and Chamber Ambassadors, Mackenzie Bostian-Adams, Carl
Beardsworth, and Devan Berry. Stop by for a delicious meal or order
ahead by calling 828-475-6685.
Community celebrates opening of Origami Japanese Restaurant
Business
Burke native Evitt to lead regional aging agency
The Western Piedmont Council of Governments has promoted Sarah Evitt to director of its Area Agency on Aging, tapping a Burke County native with more than a decade of experience serving older adults across the region.
Evitt
ROBB WEBB PHOTOGRAPHY / FOR THE PAPER
Evitt, who has worked with WPCOG since 2015, will lead programs serving Alexander, Burke, Caldwell and Catawba counties. She most recently served as aging program manager.
She holds an associate degree in applied science in criminal justice from Western Piedmont Community College, a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Lees-McRae College and a master’s degree in human services from Walden University.
Evitt began her career at WPCOG as an aging specialist, where she coordinated health promotion programs such as Tai Chi for Arthritis for Fall Prevention, A Matter of Balance, and Living Healthy. She also served as lead monitor, became a certified reverse mortgage counselor, and provided counseling to older adults and their families.
Her work has earned regional and statewide recognition. In 2021, she was named a Hickory Young Professionals Top 10 Under 40 honoree and is a graduate of the USAging Leadership Institute.
Promoted to aging program manager in 2022, Evitt expanded her leadership role while continuing program work. She chaired the Aging Specialist Association, completed Leadership Burke and Leadership Caldwell, and contributed to statewide initiatives through North Carolina’s All Ages, All Stages plan.
“Sarah is a fantastic asset for our region, and we are proud of what she has accomplished and what she will do in her new role to serve our senior population,” said WPCOG Board Chairman and Burke County Commissioner Randy Burns.
WPCOG Executive Director Anthony Starr said Evitt has earned the confidence of staff and partners across the region.
“Sarah has proven herself to be a smart and capable leader, and I look forward to her leadership of the Area Agency on Aging,” Starr said.
Evitt said she plans to build on the agency’s existing work while expanding its reach.
“As a dedicated advocate for older adults and caregivers, I am honored to continue this work in a new capacity,” she said. “My experience at the local, regional and state levels has prepared me to lead with purpose.”
Evitt succeeds Tina Miller, who is retiring after 28 years leading the agency.
Miller said Evitt is well prepared to take over the role.
“Sarah has been a dedicated and highly valued member of our department for the past 12 years,” Miller said. “She has grown into a respected leader and will continue to support older adults and caregivers across our region.”
Evitt credited Miller with helping shape her career.
“Tina has built a strong foundation for the Aging Department,” she said. “I am deeply thankful for her mentorship and the opportunity to continue this work.”
ABOUT WPCOG
The Western Piedmont Council of Governments is a regional planning and service agency serving Alexander, Burke, Caldwell and Catawba counties. Its Area Agency on Aging provides advocacy, planning and services for older adults, caregivers and aging service providers.
— AKC
Business
Search begins for new NC Community Foundation CEO
Tolle Whiteside
LINDSAY AIKMAN CATHERMAN / FOR THE PAPER
After two decades at the helm of the North Carolina Community Foundation, President and CEO Jennifer Tolle Whiteside will step down at the end of 2026.
Tolle Whiteside joined NCCF in October 2006 as its second president and CEO since the foundation began in 1988. During her tenure, she guided the organization through significant growth and expanded its reach across the state, with a particular emphasis on rural communities.
NCCF works with donors to establish charitable funds supporting causes and organizations they value. Those funds are permanently invested and managed by the foundation, continuing to grow and creating long-term giving that benefits communities for generations.
A national search will be conducted for NCCF’s next president and CEO. Additional information will be posted on the foundation’s website as it becomes available.
Under Tolle Whiteside’s leadership, NCCF’s assets grew more than sixfold, surpassing $600 million through donor contributions and investment returns. The number of donor-established funds increased from 900 to more than 1,300.
Annual grants and scholarships also rose sharply, from $4.5 million in 2006 to more than $30 million in 2025. Over the course of her tenure, the foundation awarded more than $300 million in grants and scholarships, supporting thousands of nonprofits and students across North Carolina.
The foundation has played a key role in responding to crises, distributing more than $32 million over the past 15 years through funds dedicated to community support during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the aftermath of hurricanes, including Hurricane Helene.
“Jennifer’s leadership has transformed the foundation, and she has established NCCF as a trusted statewide resource and partner,” said John Willingham, chair of NCCF’s Board of Directors. “Thanks to Jennifer, we have grown our philanthropic support for rural North Carolina tremendously.”
“Since my very first day, I have been deeply honored and humbled by the opportunity to work with generous North Carolinians who put their trust in us to support their charitable giving,” Tolle Whiteside said. “We have built a caring, talented team to support their generosity and, after two decades, the time is right for new leadership. I look forward to seeing what comes next for the foundation.”
Click and hold your mouse button on the page to select the area you wish to save or print.
You can click and drag the clipping box to move it or click and drag in the bottom right corner to resize it.
When you're happy with your selection, click the checkmark icon next to the clipping area to continue.
