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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 11-06-2025; 8-i - Proclamation Recognizing and Honoring Jean Andrews Earnhardt 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: November 6, 2025 Action Agenda Item No. 8-i SUBJECT: Proclamation Recognizing and Honoring Jean Andrews Earnhardt DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Proclamation Thomas C. Jepsen, Treasurer, Chapel Hill Historical Society, 919-929-1793 PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation recognizing and honoring Jean Andrews Earnhardt as an "Orange County Community Treasure". BACKGROUND: The Chapel Hill Historical Society has requested a Board proclamation recognizing and honoring Jean Earnhardt as an "Orange County Community Treasure". Jean Earnhardt is a direct descendant from the Andrews and Lloyd families, two of the earliest settlers of Orange County. Ms. Earnhardt is the owner and steward of Bolin Brook Farm, a 200- acre property on Union Grove Church Road that was part of the original land grant farm acquired by Thomas Lloyd in the 1750s. Ms. Earnhardt lives on the farm with her children and grandchildren. John Earnhardt, her husband, passed away in 2008. Bolin Brook Farm sits at the headwaters of Bolin Creek, and thanks to Ms. Earnhardt and Triangle Land Conservancy, the farm is protected by one of the first farm conservation easements in Orange County. Ms. Earnhardt has a distinctive view of the community that captures the complex interconnections of a heritage rural community with a prestigious public university, and is committed to environmental stewardship coupled with sustainable growth and development. Ms. Earnhardt opens her farm every year for bird counts, and for her famous July 4th blueberry pancake breakfast where thousands of pancakes filled with fresh blueberries are served with sausage, and fresh fruit, and a landscape that has been preserved for all. Breakfast is open to everyone and attendees meet others from every corner of Orange County. Ms. Earnhardt recently secured the Farm's legacy when she applied for the home and farm to be added to the National Historic Register. The home, a treasure in itself, was designed by Franc Sidler, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright and built by hand by Alfred and Willis Barbee of Chapel Hill. The home is a distinctive example of modernist architecture nestled in a wooded area of the farm. It is renowned as "The Stone House" where Ms. Earnhardt co-founded the North Carolina Haiku Society. Ms. Earnhardt holds degrees from the University of North Carolina and Duke University, and worked for years as a marketing director for Alamance Regional Hospital. Ms. Earnhardt enjoys opportunities as a writer and photographer, and has served on multiple Orange County boards. Although she never speaks about it, Ms. Earnhardt also happens to be a repeat winner on Jeopardy! At 94 years young, Ms. Earnhardt also continues to work part time for the US Census — going door to door to ensure that hard-to-reach families are counted — and to work for the 2 University of North Carolina Medical School. She is a devoted mother, grandmother, and great- grandmother, and a role model for sustainability, community, and service. Upon Board approval, Commissioner Phyllis Portie-Ascott is scheduled to present the proclamation to Ms. Earnhardt at the Historical Society's annual Community Treasures celebration on Saturday, November 15, 2025 from 2:00-4:00 pm at the Seymour Center on Homestead Road in Chapel Hill. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the proclamation. ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports: • VISION STATEMENT — We are a diverse, inclusive, and healthy county working together to strengthen our community and enhance the quality of life for all residents. • GUIDING PRINCIPLE — PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION We build meaningful relationships and connections that allow us to create holistic and integrated systems of support for all. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation recognizing and honoring Jean Andrews Earnhardt as an "Orange County Community Treasure". 3 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZING AND HONORING JEAN ANDREWS EARN HARDT AS AN ORANGE COUNTY COMMUNITY TREASURE WHEREAS, Jean Andrews Earnhardt is a direct descendant from the Andrews and Lloyd families, two of the earliest settlers of Orange County, and is the owner and steward of Bolin Brook Farm, a 200-acre property on Union Grove Church Road that was part of the original land grant farm acquired by Thomas Lloyd in the 1750s; and WHEREAS, thanks to Ms. Earnhardt and the Triangle Land Conservancy, Bolin Brook Farm is protected by one of the first farm conservation easements in Orange County, highlighting Ms. Earnhardt's commitment to environmental stewardship coupled with sustainable growth and development; and WHEREAS, Ms. Earnhardt holds degrees from the University of North Carolina and Duke University, and worked for years as a marketing director for Alamance Regional Hospital, while also enjoying life as a writer and photographer and serving on multiple Orange County boards; and WHEREAS, Ms. Earnhardt is famous for her July 4th blueberry pancake breakfast open to all where thousands of pancakes filled with fresh blueberries are served with sausage, and attendees meet others from every corner of Orange County; and WHEREAS, Ms. Earnhardt recently secured her Farm's legacy when she applied for the home and farm to be added to the National Historic Register, with the home renowned as "The Stone House" where Ms. Earnhardt co-founded the North Carolina Haiku Society; and WHEREAS, Ms. Earnhardt is a repeat winner on Jeopardy!, and at 94 years young, continues to work part time for the US Census — going door to door to ensure that hard- to-reach families are counted — and to work for the University of North Carolina Medical School; and WHEREAS, Ms. Earnhardt is a devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, and a role model for sustainability, community and service; NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby recognize and honor Jean Andrews Earnhardt as an Orange County Community Treasure and encourage the residents of Orange County to join with us in expressing gratitude to Jean Andrews Earnhardt for the spirit of community, joy and commitment she brings to the people of Orange County. This the 6th Day of November, 2025. Jamezetta Bedford, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners