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Community_news
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Erwin chapter honors Revolutionary heritage
FOR THE PAPER
The Colonel Alexander Chapter of the Sons of the American
Revolution participated in the Battle of Waxhaws commemoration this
past June.
FOR THE PAPER
The Colonel Alexander Erwin Chapter is a chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). The chapter was chartered in September 2015 and supports Burke, Caldwell, and McDowell counties.
The SAR promotes patriotism, preserves the history and records of the Revolutionary War era, and educates future generations about the founding principles of the United States. The organization sponsors youth scholarship contests, historical commemorations, educational outreach, and public service awards.
The Colonel Alexander Erwin Chapter has been recognized on numerous occasions as one of the most active chapters in the Nation. That’s over 500 chapters!
In 2026, the chapter attended the state and national conventions, participated in numerous historical dedications and commemorations (such as the Battle of Cowpens, the Battle of Ramsour’s Mill, the Battle of Waxhaws, and the Battle of Musgrove’s Mill), honored Patriots by conducting several Patriot grave markings, were part of historical speaker presentations in both the community and to the schools, and celebrated achievements by handing out 48 awards (including 11 Youth Contest awards).
AMOREM to hold memorial services in Lenoir, Valdese
AMOREM will hold two annual memorial services for families, caregivers, and community members who want to remember loved ones who have died.
The first “We Remember Them” service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at First Church-Lenoir, 309 Church St. NW, Lenoir.
A second service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at Valdese First Baptist Church, 500 Faet St. NW, Valdese.
The services are open to the community and will include prayer, music, and reflection led by AMOREM chaplains, medical social workers, volunteers, and grief support staff. Attendees may bring a photo of a loved one to hold during the service.
“Coming together as a community to remember our loved ones is a meaningful and important grief ritual,” says AMOREM Director of Grief Services Kimberly Setzer.
“Remembering those who gave us life, shared in our life experiences, and helped shape our identity allows us to honor their lives, celebrate their lasting influence, and preserve the legacy they leave behind.”
The memorial services are offered through Ashewood Grief and Counseling Services, AMOREM’s grief support program. Grief support services are available at no cost to the community, including to people who have not used AMOREM’s hospice services.
AMOREM has served the region for more than four decades, previously as Burke Hospice and Palliative Care and Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care before adopting the AMOREM name in 2021.
Frye Regional rated among top hospitals for pacemaker care for second year
Located in Hickory, Frye Regional frequently serves patients
from Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, and surrounding Western North
Carolina communities.
FOR THE PAPER
Area residents seeking specialized cardiac treatment have access to nationally recognized care close to home, as Frye Regional Medical Center has been rated “High Performing” for pacemaker implantation for the second consecutive year.
The distinction, published in the 2026-27 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals edition, is the highest rating awarded in the publication’s Procedures & Conditions evaluation. Fewer than half of the nearly 4,500 hospitals assessed nationwide earned a High Performing designation in any category.
Located in Hickory, Frye Regional frequently serves patients from Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, and surrounding Western North Carolina communities who require advanced cardiovascular treatment without traveling to larger medical centers in Charlotte or Winston-Salem.
“Earning this recognition for the second consecutive year reflects the expertise and dedication of our electrophysiology team and cardiovascular specialists,” said Ankur Tiwari, MD, electrophysiologist at Frye Regional Medical Center. “For patients experiencing heart rhythm disorders, access to advanced treatment close to home can make a meaningful difference. This recognition reinforces our commitment to providing evidence-based care, utilizing advanced technologies, and helping patients achieve better heart health and quality of life.”
The hospital, a Duke LifePoint facility and Duke Health affiliate in Heart, offers specialized services that include electrophysiology studies, heart rhythm disorder treatments, structural heart and valve therapies, and heart failure management.
“This national recognition reflects the exceptional care our physicians, nurses, and cardiovascular teams deliver every day,” said Lindy White, MBA, FABC, chief executive officer of Frye Regional Medical Center. “Being recognized for the second consecutive year demonstrates our continued focus on quality, clinical excellence, and positive patient outcomes. We are honored to provide patients throughout our region with access to specialized heart rhythm care without having to travel far from home.”
U.S. News evaluated medical centers across 14 adult specialties and 23 procedures and conditions. The annual ratings are based on objective measures, including risk-adjusted mortality rates, preventable complications, and patient experience data compiled from more than 800 million patient records.
“When patients face a major surgery or a chronic medical condition, having access to clear, quality data is vital,” said U.S. News’ Managing Editor and Chief of Health Analysis Ben Harder. “A ‘High Performing’ rating means that Frye Regional outperformed a national threshold, giving families a reliable starting point as they consult with their doctors to choose the best place for care.”
More information on local cardiovascular services or scheduling an appointment is available online at FryeMedCtr.com/heart-care or by calling 828-261-0009.
— AKC
Business
Carolina Caring nurses earn advanced dementia, care management certifications
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Kincaid
FOR THE PAPER
Chapman
FOR THE PAPER
Costner
FOR THE PAPER
Allen
FOR THE PAPER
Revis
FOR THE PAPER
Five nurses at Carolina Caring have completed specialized training programs aimed at improving support for area patients coping with serious illnesses and memory disorders.
Nurses Michele Kincaid and Leslie Chapman completed the Evergreen Certified Dementia Care Specialist program. The training prepares clinicians to provide specialized educational resources and guidance to individuals and families navigating a dementia diagnosis.
Additionally, Kincaid and nurses Nancy Allen, Megan Costner, and Sherry Revis earned credentials through the Care Manager Certificate program. The nurses will apply the training to their work with local patients enrolled in Carolina Caring’s House Calls and Palliative Medicine programs.
“The Care Manager Certificate enhances my ability to provide individualized, patient-centered care that addresses each patient’s unique needs and goals,” said Kincaid. “Through proactive care coordination, patient advocacy, and effective resource utilization, I can help improve patient outcomes and reduce preventable hospitalizations.”
For more information about programs and services, visit carolinacaring.org or call 828-466-0466.
Community_news
44 Burke County nonprofits to participate in annual 1BurkeGives event
Burke Gives
Forty-four local nonprofit organizations will participate in the seventh annual 1BurkeGives fundraising drive on Tuesday, Dec. 1.
Over the past six years, the event has generated between $50,000 and $100,000 annually for local causes. The initiative began in 2020 to support regional agencies during the COVID-19 pandemic and is provided free of charge to participating nonprofits.
The event coincides with Giving Tuesday, the national day of charitable giving. Burke County and municipal governments across the county also officially recognize the date as Burke County Nonprofit Day.
Throughout the day, donors can track donations via a live leaderboard on the website, participate in peer-to-peer campaigns, and help organizations qualify for cash prize incentives awarded during specific giving windows.
This year’s event also marks the 70th anniversary of Burke County United Way, which was established in 1956.
Residents can view participating organizations and donate on Dec. 1 at 1BurkeGives.org. Additional information on the hosting organization can be found at bcuw.org.
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