🗞️ 86 and Still Together: The Cockerham Triplets Celebrate a Lifetime of Bond

🗞️ Keep kids and pets away from scummy water, NC health officials say

🗞️ From fishing to yoga: How Guilford County residents are connecting with their local creeks

🗞️ Volunteers who keep kids fed on weekends get a heartfelt thank you in Winston-Salem

Three siblings in Forsyth County, North Carolina, are preparing to celebrate a remarkable milestone. Born in 1940, the Cockerham triplets will turn 86 years old on June 6th.

They hold a special place in local history as the first recorded triplets in the county. The story of their birth is extraordinary.

Their mother was just 18 years old when she went into labor, thinking she was carrying one large baby. Instead, she delivered three small infants who together weighed 14 pounds.

Janice, the eldest, remembers the delivery well. Doctors heard multiple heartbeats and delivered her first.

Janet came next. The doctor had left thinking the delivery was complete, but a nurse called him back when she realized Jim was also on his way.

The triplets describe their childhood as happy. Their mother raised them with help from grandparents and friends.

Janice calls her mom the strongest person she has ever known. "It was fun growing up.

It's been a great life. God has been very good to us," Janice said.

Over the years, the Cockerham Triplets became local celebrities. Newspapers would often cover their birthdays.

They have always stayed close and watched out for one another. Jim says they always had a playmate and remained close throughout their lives.

Now Janice and Janet live together, and Jim calls every evening to check on them. The triplets consider it a huge blessing to have had each other as lifelong friends.

They are grateful for the long life they have shared together.¹

With summer recreation season on the horizon, North Carolina officials are urging families to be cautious around discolored or scummy water. Such water can indicate harmful algal blooms that pose health risks to people, pets, and aquatic life. State agencies advise avoiding contact with suspicious water and seeking medical or veterinary care if exposure occurs.²

Guilford County residents can mark their calendars for a weeklong celebration of local waterways. Guilford Creek Week runs from Saturday, May 30, through Saturday, June 6.

The event is a partnership between Guilford County, the cities of Greensboro and High Point, the Town of Kernersville, Stormwater SMART businesses, and several nonprofits. The goal is to get people thinking about the health of local watersheds.

Organizers have packed the week with hands-on activities. You'll find stream cleanups, guided tours, arts and crafts, and more.

A full schedule and registration links are available at GuilfordCreekWeek.org.

Here's a look at what's planned. Family Fishing Day kicks things off on May 30 at the Guilford County Farm.

From 9 a.m. to noon, families can learn about water quality and fishing techniques. There will be giveaways and raffle drawings.

You can bring your own rod and bait, or use a loaner. Fishing license requirements are waived for this free event.

No registration is needed. On June 1, from 10 to 11:15 a.m., the county is hosting "The Flow of Waste: From Recycling to Watershed Health" at the Scrap Tire and White Goods Collection Facility on Bishop Road in Greensboro.

Staff will explain how electronics, appliances, and tires get recycled and why that matters for our creeks. Registration is required at bit.ly/FlowOfWaste. The Town of Kernersville is organizing a weeklong volunteer litter pickup from May 30 through June 6.

You can grab supplies like safety vests, gloves, bags, and pickers at Kernersville Public Services on Michael Street. Just call 336-564-1600 or email [email protected] to reserve your kit. On June 2, from 1 to 3 p.m., head to Triad Park for Creek Games.

The Town of Kernersville and Guilford County will have interactive models and environmental games at Shelter 6. No registration is required.

That same day, from 5 to 7 p.m., the City of High Point is offering a tour of the Frank L. Ward Water Filtration Plant on Pendleton Street.

You'll learn how your drinking water gets from the river to your tap. Registration is required at tinyurl.com/WWTPT. Also on June 2, from 6 to 7 p.m., the City of Greensboro and the Horsepen Creek Collective are placing drain markers in the Saddlecreek neighborhood.

It's a simple way to remind people that what goes into the storm drain ends up in our creeks. Registration is required at Greensboro-NC.gov/CreekWeek. On June 4, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., explore a restored stream at Cairn's Course on the Downtown Greenway.

The walk and talk will cover the stream's wildlife, its role in the environment, and easy ways to help protect it. Registration is required at tinyurl.com/DGstreamtalk. Later that Thursday, from 6 to 7 p.m., the City of High Point is hosting a Lakeside Yoga Flow at Oak Hollow Lake Shelter 6.

It's a chance to relax by the water while taking care of your own well-being. Registration is required at tinyurl.com/LSYOH. You can follow Guilford Creek Week on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

For questions, email [email protected].³

The Forsyth Backpack Program held a volunteer appreciation event at Cook Literacy Model School, which is closing at the end of the year. Since 2015, the program has distributed over 33,800 food bags at Cook alone, providing about 135,000 meals to food-insecure children. The event honored dedicated volunteers and the Junior League of Winston-Salem for their years of support.Share Hey Kernersville with a Friend⁴

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