Training went to the birds

Wild Birds Unlimited Founder Jim Carpenter, center, with Wild Birds Unlimited La Plata owner Barb Whipkey, left, and her daughter Mandie Whipkey, who completed advanced training at the Wild Birds Unlimited Franchise Support Center Aug. 5-7 in Indianapolis. The specialized program, known as Wild Birds Unlimited University, is a mandatory training for new owners, with additional opportunities for managers. The Whipkey family owns the La Plata and Lexington Park franchises while Mandie Whipkey has managed the La Plata store since its inception in 2019, and helped the store earn the Highest Flying Fledgling award in 2020 for being the top new store in sales. To celebrate the store’s anniversaries, live birds of prey will be at the Lexington Park location 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, and at the La Plata location 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21. For more information, call 301-863-2473.