AYDEN — Opening the new Garden Center at Coltrain Hardware has been a long journey, but the community helped make it happen, owner Sarah Coltrain said.
Located at 4197 Pitt St. behind Coltrain Hardware, the business held its grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 28 with live music and vendors. Coltrain and her friend, Pamela Snapp, brought the space to life over many months after Cherry Stokes asked them if they wanted to rent it.
“At the time, we were neck deep in the beginning years of our hardware store, but I knew God had plans for us here and I think Cherry did, too,” Coltrain said of the retired lawyer and beloved Ayden resident who died in August.
When they started working on the building about a year ago, Coltrain said that Stokes would come every single day and sit with them. She said that it was the sweetest thing and that he became not just their landlord, but their friend.
“This project wouldn’t have been possible without Pam leading the ship; she’s my friend, she’s a volunteer and she loves gardening, so it was natural for her to join me and Coltrain Hardware to start this garden center,” Coltrain said.
Snapp said that her love for gardening began when she was a child, going to McCurry’s Hardware store in Ayden with her grandfather to buy seeds and gardening with him, and that her friendship with Coltrain started with working to get plants in the planters in downtown Ayden, then starting the community garden and the Garden Club.
“I was in corporate banking doing accounting and then this opportunity came along, and I just love how Sarah is with her business, how she treats her employees — she pays living wages, she really cares about them — and I was tired of being a number,” Snapp said. “They’re a good family, she’s a good businesswoman and I knew that we would match well.”
Snapp said a lot of labor went into getting the garden center up and running.
“I think I put just about everything on my resume, from placing windowpanes, patching concrete and mortar, painting and just a little bit of everything,” she said.
The business is a sister store of Coltrain Hardware with a separate point-of-sale system. Snapp said it carries everything a gardener needs.
“We have all the soil and compost you can need, potato seeds, onions, every kind of seed by the ounce you could think of for your garden or flower bed,” she said. “We’ve got pots, we’ve got fertile loam, insecticide, weed killer, fertilizers, different kinds of foods, whether it’s house plants or for your garden; we’ve got home decor, lots of flags, door mats, lots of little gifts for people anywhere.
“Outside plants will be available starting April 1,” Snapp said.
Visitors on Feb. 28 strolled through the Garden Center making purchases while enjoying live music and food from vendors. Coltrain and Snapp said that they were grateful for everyone who came out to support the opening.
The Ayden Chamber of Commerce, along with local government officials, joined Coltrain, Snapp, employees and volunteers for the event.
N.C. Rep. Tim Reeder said that seeing the growth, economic activity and revitalization of downtown Ayden is important.
“Every time you have local businesses, it stimulates the economy and creates a community, and all of that is very important for the success and long-term vitality of any community, and I encourage everybody to shop locally,” Reeder said.
Mayor Ivory Mewborn said the opening shows what a concerted effort of talented people can do.
“There’s a lot of moving pieces, but there are a lot of positive moving pieces in our town, and everybody is trying to get on this positive train to make Ayden the best place in eastern North Carolina, if not North Carolina, to raise a family,” Mewborn said.
Coltrain said the center is one more step toward downtown Ayden becoming part of a walkable community where residents can work together and spend time with one another.
“That’s what community is, and that’s what we hope this store brings to Ayden,” Coltrain said.
elected to national nursing education association
Dr. Bim Akintade, dean of the East Carolina University College of Nursing and a professor of nursing, has been elected as a board member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
Akintade will serve a two-year term as an at-large member of AACN, which serves as the national voice for academic nursing and represents more than 890 member nursing schools at public and private universities nationwide.
“As a community of leaders, AACN’s success is fueled by our network of engaged members who volunteer their time and expertise to advance our mission and strategic goals,” said Dr. Jean Giddens, AACN board chair. “AACN applauds our newly elected board and committee members for their commitment to leading at the intersection of higher education and health care at this pivotal time for the nursing profession.”
Akintade arrived at ECU’s College of Nursing in 2022 after nearly two decades of clinical practice in the Baltimore area, and teaching and administrative roles at the University of Maryland School of Nursing.
During his time as dean, the CON has experienced significant growth and received national acclaim for its academic successes and service to eastern North Carolina. The college has more than 800 undergraduate students and more than 1,500 students total enrolled — an all-time high.
“I am humbled and honored to be elected to serve as part of this important organization. North Carolina and the nation face a significant challenge with a shortfall of nurses now, and increasingly into the future. We have a solemn responsibility to our students and our country to shape the future of nursing education,” Akintade said.
For years, entry-to-practice Pirate nurses have ranked among the nation’s best for first-time pass rates for the NCLEX licensure exam.
This year, the CON’s online master’s programs were recognized by the U.S. News and World Report as having improved in every category nationally. Rankings include ninth overall for best online master’s in nursing programs, seventh for best online master’s in nursing administration/leadership, sixth for best online master’s in nursing education and third for best online master’s in nursing programs for veterans.
“ECU’s College of Nursing is the flagship nursing education institution in the UNC System. Pirate nursing is recognized by our peers, accrediting bodies and potential students as an industry leader. Being part of this storied tradition will guide my tenure on the board,” Akintade said.
Akintade is joined on the board by fellow UNC System nursing faculty member and chair elect Dr. Valerie Howard, dean and professor of the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Nursing.
Yablonski named president of Outer Banks Health
ECU Health has announced the appointment of Cathy Yablonski as the new president of Outer Banks Health following an extensive national search. Yablonski will officially join the organization on April 20.
“I am deeply honored to join the Outer Banks Health team,” Yablonski said. “From the very beginning, I was struck by the health system’s profound dedication to the community it serves. I’m eager to collaborate with ECU Health and Chesapeake Regional Healthcare to strengthen and expand the care we provide to both year‑round residents and the visitors who make the Outer Banks such a special place.”
Yablonski brings more than 30 years of progressive health care leadership experience, including hospital administration, ambulatory strategy, physician practice management and system‑level operations. She most recently served as senior vice president and chief ambulatory operations officer for Mary Washington Healthcare in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where she oversaw a division of more than 1,200 team members. Previously, she spent 14 years as chief executive of Stafford Hospital, a community hospital within the Mary Washington Healthcare system.
“Cathy is a relationship‑driven, patient‑centered leader with a deep commitment to quality, operational excellence and community health,” said Van Smith, president of ECU Health Community Hospitals. “Her experience and leadership style align seamlessly with ECU Health’s mission and values. I have full confidence she will continue to advance Outer Banks Health’s reputation of providing outstanding care.”
Outer Banks Health’s strong partnership with Dare County is a key component of expanding access to high‑quality care for residents and visitors. With the support of county leaders, the health system continues to focus on expanding essential services and strengthening its ability to meet the community’s evolving needs locally.
“Cathy is joining an incredible team and a local community that takes great pride in having high-quality care available here in the Outer Banks,” said Myra L. Bone, chair of the Outer Banks Health Board. “Her collaborative spirit and strong commitment to local partnerships make her an exceptional fit for this role. We’re confident she will continue to strengthen our relationships across Dare County and with community leaders as we work together to support the health and well‑being of the Outer Banks.”
Yablonski’s appointment follows the retirement of Ronnie Sloan, who will conclude his career-distinguished service on April 1. Smith will serve as interim president of Outer Banks Health until Yablonski comes on board.
Beaufort CCC launches biomedical equipment technology program
WASHINGTON, N.C. — Beaufort County Community College is now accepting applications for its new biomedical equipment technology program, offering students a pathway into one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy through a technical health care career.
The program prepares students to install, maintain, troubleshoot and repair the advanced medical equipment used in hospitals, clinics and health care facilities. Students will develop practical skills in electronics, networked systems, calibration and medical instrumentation that support critical patient care.
“Health care today depends on complex technology, and that technology has to work every time,” said Ben Morris, dean of Business, Technology and Public Services. “This program gives students the skills to step into a high demand field where they play a direct role in supporting patient care, without having to follow a traditional clinical path.”
Graduates of the program will be prepared for employment in health care facilities, biomedical service companies and medical equipment manufacturers. With an associate in applied science degree and relevant work experience, graduates may also pursue certification as biomedical equipment technicians.
The program offers multiple entry points, including a two-year degree, diploma and certificate options, allowing students to choose the path that best fits their goals.
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