19 minute read
Pulling the Curtain Back on
from FF April 2022
by Forsyth Mags
Pulling Back the Curtain on Carolina Shutters & Blinds
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BY DENISE HEIDEL PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEJ PHOTOS
No matter how big or how small, and regardless of the commodity, all businesses have two things in common: 1) a starting point and 2) a dream of success. Carolina Shutter & Blinds is no exception, and for 30 years, the company has grown upon a foundation of commitment, excellence, and quality.
A combination of these factors caught the attention of John Stackpole and Greg Bangs, veterans of the industry. John and Greg recognized the unique qualities of Carolina Shutter & Blinds; they believed in the value and reputation that was 30 years in the making, so they purchased the business in August 2020. John shared, “Greg and I came from a large window-covering company, and we wanted to continue in our field, but have more control over the culture of a business. In addition, we wanted to meet customer objectives while looking out for our employees. Carolina Shutter & Blinds was built on so much of what we value, and we knew it was the right business for us.”
“Carolina Shutter and Blinds are a fantastic company that you can rely on—they are honest, affordable, with exceptional service from start to finish.” ~ Sharon J.
The result is a business founded on very strategically outlined core values. The first of which is, “Integrity in everything we do.” This is the operating principle that guides all decisions at Carolina Shutter & Blinds. Integrity is the heartbeat of the company.
The second core value is, “Make sure we say what we mean and do what we say.” Such a simple motto and one that more [businesses] would do well to embrace! From the owners to the assembly line and everyone in between—nothing works without honesty, transparency, strong communication, and commitment to excellence. It’s a central component of the core values of Carolina Shutters & Blinds.
The third and final core value is, “Be the best value option with American-made products.” John and Greg take pride in working with American-based companies that share their core values with products manufactured in America.
These values drive how Carolina Shutters & Blinds treats their customers and how they treat their employees. Carolina Shutter & Blinds employees professionals who share the vision and are committed to growing in the same direction, promising consistency for the customer at every stage in the process.
QUALITY PRODUCTS AND LOCAL PRODUCTION
“Carolina Shutter and Blinds is an amazing company from start to finish. Not only do they have a quality product, but they also deliver quality service. Everyone is polite and works hard to have a satisfied customer. This company is a class act.” ~ Pat S.
Carolina Shutter & Blinds is committed to providing long-lasting products that work for any décor and budget. Part of meeting that goal meant a major move. After years headquartered in a 4,000 square-foot facility, Carolina Shutter & Blinds moved to Mocksville to a 17,000 square-foot facility, in order to expand production and meet the demands of the growing business.
This additional manufacturing space ensures they can continue producing quality products and house inventory for stocked merchandise. While recent supply-chain issues have taken a toll on virtually every business, Carolina Shutter & Blinds remains committed to serving customers as quickly as possible. They are diligently working to get back to a three-week lead time for installation.
Visitors are always welcome to take a tour of the manufacturing floor, but a showroom is in the making, too, and expected to open within six months.
ONGOING SERVICE
“I had ordered plantation shutters from this company in the past and was satisfied. I called them again to put up blinds and honeycomb shades this time around. I didn’t have long to wait for my order to come in, the installation process was quick and efficient, and I am again, a satisfied customer. I highly recommend them for your blinds or shutters.” ~ Dauna S.
Customers continue to come back to Carolina Shutter & Blinds for updated projects, knowing they are in great hands. Moreover, with the additional services of drapery, cornices, and window panels—Carolina Shutter & Blinds is a one-stop destination for all things window!
While the majority of the business is done directly with homeowners, Carolina Shutter & Blinds is trusted by industry professionals. They often work with designers and interior decorators on professional projects. And they are proud to be the exclusive shutter and blind professional used by Isenhour Homes.
AFFORDABILITY & VALUE
“We have been renovating our home for the past year—we ordered shutters for 17 windows in our home and couldn’t be happier with how gorgeous they look!!!! The shutters are of fantastic quality for a price that is reasonable! They have exceeded all of our expectations!!!! This was an extremely pleasant, easy, and stress-free experience!” ~ Sharon J.
Curb appeal is always a driving factor for homeowners—whether they have plans to sell or not. After all, everyone wants their house to look good! While new blinds and shades add a great deal of aesthetics, the power of shutters cannot be underestimated. Shutters are a classic and timeless addition to any home, frequently adding additional value to the re-sale price of a home.
With a plethora of styles and options, Carolina Shutter & Blinds can offer solutions for any reasonable budget, with the investment being one to be enjoyed for years to come.
INSTALLATION
“My husband and I are very pleased with the outcome of the installation and appearance of the shutters in our dining room and bedroom. Everyone was cordial, professional, helpful, and transparent. Throughout the entire process, they were genuinely interested in making sure that we were 100% satisfied; therefore, we highly recommend Carolina Shutter and Blinds.” ~ Cynthia W.
Carolina Shutter & Blinds, in their effort to ensure the highest quality of service, employs all those who work for them; they do not use sub-contractors. Knowing their employees are caring for their customers gives everyone peace of mind. Likewise, the professionals who attend to every detail, from the sale to service, to production, to installation—everyone is playing on the same team. And that’s always a guaranteed win.
Carolina Shutter & Blinds is a prime example of a business done right. With guiding principles and a long-time reputation, this success story is still being written every day.
Carolina Shutter & Blinds is located at 1105B Yadkinville Road in Mocksville. Call the Triad office at 336.774.7990. Satellite offices are also located in Charlotte and Raleigh, as well as Greenville, SC. Visit CarolinaShutterAndBlinds.com and be sure to like them on Facebook.
Carolina Shutter & Blinds offers free consultations and estimates for homes and offices. They can also provide virtual consultations. Visit the website or call to request an appointment.
Carolina Shutter & Blinds
MAKING HOUSES INTO HOMES
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Truliant Makes Mortgage Closing Easier
Buying a home is the biggest purchase that most consumers make.
The benefits – like building equity and giving homebuyers the power to customize their surroundings – make owning a home a transformational experience. When the search is over and it begins to look like the end is in sight – until it’s time to start moving in – the final steps in securing a mortgage don’t have to be long and involved.
For many of its 280,000 members, Truliant Federal Credit Union is a trusted partner for this important financial process. In recent years, Truliant has added technological tools to its mortgage program. These tools have transformed and simplified the steps in obtaining a mortgage – and making the dream of homeownership a reality.
Mortgage eClosings The credit union has invested in an array of innovative mortgage eClosing1 tools. eClosings allow mortgages to be closed through a secure digital platform, where closing documents are accessed and executed electronically. The process adds speed, accuracy and security to homebuying transactions.
In 2021, Truliant became the first North Carolina-based financial institution to complete a fully digital and fully remote eClosing. Truliant was the first to have a buyer, notary and attorney in different locations. In addition to saving time, eClosings reduce paper, legal fees, mailing and courier costs. And the process is done on a secure network where all documents are encrypted and stored in an electronic vault.
“We know that consumers want easier ways to finish complex transactions like mortgages,” Eller said. “eClosings are one part of an evolving program that we’ve put in place to put more members in homes, and allow them to complete purchases on their schedule.” In 2021, Truliant became the first North Carolina-based financial institution to complete a fully remote eClosing – the state’s first where the buyer, notary and attorney were each in different physical locations.
Helping More Homebuyers Truliant has built a strong team of dedicated mortgage loan originators at branch locations. These team members are mortgage specialists and they are available to answer any questions about obtaining a mortgage – both in person or on Zoom – and they can assist in filling out a mortgage application.
Truliant created HomePath100, a proprietary mortgage program that helps members use low- to no-down-payment options. Additionally, Truliant’s expanded mortgage offerings include Federal Home Administration (FHA) and Veterans Administration (VA) loans.
To help first-time homebuyers during the COVID-19 pandemic, Truliant began offering “Set Aside” funds assistance from the Federal Home Loan Savings Bank of Atlanta. The program offers forgivable grants to first-time homebuyers. The grant covers the costs of a down payment, closing costs and a reduction in principal costs for the purchase or rehabilitation of an existing home.
With more than 30 local offices, Truliant plans to keep innovating to best meet the needs of its growing membership and to make home buying even more convenient.
2022
Welcome to the Summer Camp Showcase! From March to May, Forsyth Family is including a special series, with highlights of some of the best summer camp programs in the area. These special issues offer informative articles that can help you and your camper prepare for a wonderful summer.
Summer camp is a wonderful, memorable, and exciting opportunity for your child. It’s a chance to experience new things, make new friends, and learn new skills. As you make plans for summer, be sure to let our advertising camp programs know you saw them in this issue of Forsyth Family!
CAMP DICKENSON
Blending Faith, Fun, And Friendship!
BY MARTIE EMORY
Situated along the New River near Fries, VA, Camp Dickenson is beautifully nestled on over 500 acres of land that is both welcoming and nurturing to its many campers. Once a working farm, the camp’s mission follows the lifelong dream of owner Bill Dickenson, who donated what he lovingly referred to as his “old home place,” so its presence could inspire folks of all ages to come together in “Christian fellowship and good company.” With that came the ongoing, heartfelt focus of creating the finest summer camps for children and teens.
What sets Camp Dickenson apart, says Camp Director Anthony Gomez, is a magical balance between the classic American summer camp experience, along with modern buildings and activities. With 60-80 people attending camp each week, the staff and campers truly get to know each other, and form what are often life-long bonds.
“Many of our campers will start coming to camp in elementary school and continue on through high school, all because of the close bonds they form,” says Anthony.
The Benefits of Summer Camp Can Be Life-Changing!
• Developing new skills and building competency without pressure on performance.
• Meeting children outside their schools and hometowns, creating new friendships.
• Learning to think for themselves and make their own choices, while still supervised by caring adults.
• Discovering their true, authentic selves while fostering confidence and healthy self-esteem.
“At Camp Dickenson we also give children a chance to experience components of a life of discipleship— prayer, Bible study, and worship—in a way that makes sense to young people,” says Anthony. “Participating in a Christian camp program gives people tools to walk their own faith journey, which happens over the course of a lifetime. At camp, everyone is simply part of a family of people seeking a relationship with God.”
While their resident camps are the most popular opportunities, Camp Dickenson also offers half-week programs for rising second and third graders; week-long programs for rising fourth through twelfth graders; and K-2 students have the chance to experience the camp atmosphere with the fun of attending day camp! All of Camp Dickenson’s on-site programs feature the classic camp activities such as swimming, archery, crafts, sports, large group field games, a climbing wall, and a variety of activities centered on exploring nature, thanks to the camp’s wonderful, scenic location!
“We continue to add new activities each year, including STEM activities, like model rocket building, and teamwork challenge activities,” says Anthony.
He also describes the Adventure Camp program, which this year will take a small group of middle school students to Fairy Stone State Park for canoeing and hiking, and the Senior High group is headed to Carolina Beach for fun in the sand and surf (including a professional surf lesson!). In addition, one of the most important opportunities at Camp Dickenson –Celebration Camp—is a week for teens and adults with special needs or disabilities, where campers take part in activities designed to meet their unique individual needs.
With a friendly reminder that all Camp Dickenson programs do have limited space, registrations close two weeks prior to the start of each camp, so reserve your camper’s spot early! Camp Dickenson is located at 801 Camp Dickenson Lane, Fries, VA. Reach the office at 276-744-7241 or, office@ campdickenson.com, and visit them online at campdickenson.com.
Imprints
Camp Dickenson
Whether your child enjoys exploration, art, sports, or serving others, FCDS Summer Enrichment has plenty of activities to let him or her discover new passions, create masterpieces, make friends, and take learning to the next level.
Our experienced instructors and excellent facilities will ensure a memorable summer experience for your child. FCDS Summer Enrichment offers more than 100 different camps as well as 13 academic programs through the Johnson Academic Center for grades K-12.
5) Wilderness Survival Skills - grades 5-8
Led by FCDS’s Rachel Clark, campers will come away with many useful skills that include shelter building, edible and medicinal plant identification, fire skills, harvesting and using wild clays, pine needle basketry, and plant and animal illustration journals.
Here’s a sample of 10 exciting camps your child may enjoy:
1) Outdoor Theater - grades 5-12
Come make a play as they did in Shakespeare’s day! This one-week theater intensive will cover essential theater skills like auditioning, improv, projection, theatrical movement, and stage combat. At the end of one week of workshops and rehearsals, we will mount an outdoor production of a shortened Shakespeare play for your family and friends to come to watch. All experience levels are welcome to join - everyone will have a role!
2) Photography - grades 6-12
Join FCDS art teacher John Kildahl for a week of photography exploration. Learn the fundamentals of how a camera works by building our own pinhole cameras, make photograms in the darkroom to learn how to use the enlargers, and shoot, process, and print your own 35 mm film. We will learn how to take photographs with digital cameras, import them with Lightroom, and make edits using Photoshop. It will be a fun, jam-packed week of photography when you will get to make your own art as well as learn about the history of the medium! Campers may bring their own camera, but it is not required.
6) Ceramics - grades 6-12
Ever wanted to make your own mug, bowl, jar, vase, or teapot? Come join FCDS art teacher John Kildahl for a week of wheel throwing. No experience required. We will learn how to center our clay on the wheel, how to trim up our pieces to perfection, how to add handles and spouts, and how to glaze and decorate our bisque-fired work. It’ll be a messy and action-packed week of clay, and by the end, you’ll head home with some lovely handmade pottery.
7) All Sports - grades 3-8
Get active with a week of awesome activities and sports with your friends. FCDS Summer Enrichment coaches and leaders will give campers the opportunity to engage in and play a variety of different sports each day of the week. Campers will enjoy activities indoors and outdoors.
8) Junior Enrichment: Forces in Motion - grades K-2
Enter the world of force and motion. Enjoy tons of hands-on learning and fun. Your child will not want to miss this week of awesome exploration as we learn the how and why behind all our fun experiments that relate to the science of force and motion. Books, videos, crafts, games, and more both in and out of the classroom will help us gain momentum.
3) Serve and Be Served - grades 5-8
What better way to share your summer fun than serving others while being served in return? Each day we will learn about local organizations and complete service projects that will benefit and impact the lives of others in our community. After game time and lunch, we will head out for an afternoon of fun as we take various field trips around town and participate in different activities.
9) Spanish STEM - grades K-3
¿Hablas español? ¿Te gusta STEM? Join us as we build confidence and understanding of both STEM principles and the Spanish language as we learn and explore. Campers will engage in exciting hands-on STEM projects while stretching and expanding their Spanish vocabulary and conversation skills. This camp is a unique opportunity to experience an immersion environment while problem-solving and thinking critically. All Spanish proficiency levels are welcome!
4) Basketball Camp - grades K-12
Athletes of all ages and skill levels are invited to learn more about the game in an encouraging environment. Campers will have the opportunity to learn from our Varsity Boys’ Basketball coaches and Varsity Boys’ Basketball players. Work on the fundamental skills of passing, dribbling, and shooting, while also learning team defensive and offensive concepts.
10) Field Hockey - grades 2-6
Come join our week of field hockey fun! We will concentrate on skill work- specifically, ball-handling, passing fundamentals, and shooting- all in an atmosphere of summer fun! Come meet some new friends and learn more about the great sport of field hockey. All skill levels are welcome! Players will be grouped by level so that everyone ends the week a better player!
We hope your child will join us for FCDS Summer Enrichment! Before- and After-Care offered. All welcome! Learn more and register at fcds.org/summer today. Space is filling up quickly!
Summer Camp Builds a Family
BY GENEVIEVE CONDON
Iwas never a summer camp kid. I grew up in the era of playing outside, making mud pies, riding my bike to the corner store with loose change for candy and only needing to be home when the street lights turned on.
The only requirement was to bring my grandmother back a Mr. Goodbar.
I always did.
Summers consisted of tank tops and ripped shorts, never being clean, and eating on the run because being outside was way more fun. Chasing the ice cream truck and drinking out of water hoses.
I can still almost feel the sun against my skin and the laughter of other kids as we ran around the neighborhood.
But then, summer camps became a thing. The laughter became more quiet. The ice cream trunk didn’t come quite as often. Friends and neighborhood kids started going to summer camp and slowly, fewer of them were available for making the best mud pie or counting change, hoping to be able to split a candy bar. They were off making new friends, filled with structured activities and field trips to water parks and the movies. I listened to their stories with envy, because summer camp was too expensive for my family. Playing outside was free, and mudpies, well, those were free, too.
Until one summer when I was old enough to start working, a summer camp that focused on acting for film was recommended by my drama teacher. At 16, summer camp seemed lame, but my mom suggested I go, picking up extra shifts to send me all the way to France, alone, at just 16. The summer before my senior year, summer camp became a reality for me.
I remember the long plane ride, navigating a foreign country alone.
To this day, I laugh and say, “When I do anything, I do it full force” (like attending my first summer camp abroad). But despite the fear that I felt, my envy of all the neighborhood kids who got to experience summers at camp and were having the time of their lives, I realized something the summer I was abroad— summer camp is amazing. It’s an experience that builds relationships beyond friendships; they are lifelong, embedded in the best time of year for kids—summer. There’s no school, no responsibilities beyond having fun and sleeping in. Summer camp allows for connections with people you may not have crossed paths with, due to your different walks of life, or in my case, being from different regions of the world.
To this day, almost 20 years later, I remain friends with those I met in Paris. We meet up occasionally, reminiscing about our summer together and how, back then, things were so much simpler.
Summer camp, no matter how expensive, how much your children might dread it, instills something in them. In us. It builds a family that writes letters to keep in touch, shares photos and memories as the years go on.
Mudpies, they are great. I will always cherish those summers. But those kids, they moved away, leaving behind leaky water hoses and a run-down corner store. Summer camp allowed me, once an introvert, to step out of my comfort zone and spread my wings. To build a family of my own.
