Cary Magazine April 2021 by Cary Magazine

April 2021

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in this issue

Cary

Celebrates 150 Years

Events planned to bring community together Pregnancy

is Better, Together Expecting moms gather for prenatal care, friendship

34 Dad Influencer Curtis Webster Jr.

Founder of Dads Married to Doctors just wanted a little help

38 Special Section:

Premier Practices

Walk, Squat, Stand

For older adults, daily exercise is key to health and independence

The Art of Perseverance Meet the Paper Cut Ninja

80 Restaurant Profile: Daybreak 86 Cha House 106 Shh!

Morrisville Library Opens Quietly

A sparrow greets the morning with song at Apex Community Park.

APRIL 2021

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C A R Y

in every issue

•

A P E X

•

M O R R I S V I L L E

April 2021 • Volume 18, Number 3 EXECUTIVE

64 76 89 91

Small Business Spotlight: A to Z Pharmacy

104

Garden Adventurer: The Other Peppers

Bill Zadeits, Group Publisher Kris Schultz, Publisher EDITORIAL

Nonprofit Spotlight: The Flower Shuttle Liquid Assets: The NC-21 from the Provincial Liquid Assets: Truth Serum Pale Ale from Tobacco Road Brewing

Amber Keister, Senior Editor Daryl Lubinsky, Copy Editor Emily Uhland, Editor CONTRIBUTORS

Jack Frederick Lea Hart Rabekah Henderson L.A. Jackson David McCreary Lane Singletary PHOTOGRAPHY

Jonathan Fredin, Chief Photographer DESIGN & LAYOUT

Lauren Earley, Creative Director PRODUCTION

Jennifer Casey, Graphic Designer Dylan Gilroy, Web Designer Beth Harris, Graphic Designer Matt Rice, Webmaster/SEO Rachel Sheffield, Web Designer

departments

Editor’s Letter

Letters from Readers

92 108 114

Dining Guide

ON THE COVER: The Town of Cary was founded 150 years ago this month, and celebratory events will be happening all year, see article, page 18.

Happenings Write Light

ADVERTISING

Maureen Powell, Senior Account Manager PUBLIC RELATIONS

S&A Communications Chuck Norman, APR ADMINISTRATIVE

Illustration by Lane Singletary

Kristin Black, Accounting Marilu McQuilkin, Events Cherise Klug, Traffic Manager Lisa White, Circulation Coordinator Valerie Renard, Human Resources PUBLISHER EMERITUS

Ron Smith Cary Magazine © is published nine times annually by Cherokee Media Group. Reproduction or use, without permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited. Subscriptions are $18/year. CARY MAGAZINE

in the next issue The Pet Parade Cary Magazine readers share their pet photos with us! 10

APRIL 2021

Westview at Weston 301 Cascade Pointe Lane, Cary, North Carolina 27513 (919) 674-6020 • (800) 608-7500 • Fax (919) 674-6027 www.carymagazine.com This publication does not endorse, either directly or implicitly, the people, activities, products or advertising published herein. Information in the magazine is deemed credible to the best of our knowledge.

Cary Magazine is a proud member and supporter of all five chambers in Western Wake County: the Cary Chamber of Commerce, Apex Chamber of Commerce, Morrisville Chamber of Commerce, Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce and Garner Chamber of Commerce. All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All dwellings advertised are available on an equal-opportunity basis.

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Until then, take care and thanks for reading.

Amber Keister Senior Editor

APRIL 2021

Jonathan Fredin

A YEAR AGO the global pandemic upended our lives, and everything changed. While there have been countless stories of personal tragedy, there have also been many instances of resilience and triumph. One thing is certain — nothing will ever be the same. Like businesses worldwide, Cherokee Media Group, which publishes Cary Magazine, sent its employees home last spring and asked them to work remotely. Although there were a few hiccups in the beginning, we made it work. I interviewed over Zoom, collaborated over Google Docs, and proofread digital pages instead of paper ones. Photographer Jonathan Fredin shot pictures outside or with carefully distant safety protocols in place. Instead of wandering down the hall to check in with each other, Creative Director Lauren Earley and I traded ideas over Slack or email. This success and countless other examples — both at our company and in others worldwide — made business leaders question whether the idea of “going to the office” made sense anymore. For many, like myself, it did not. So last month, I cleared out my office, packing up eight years of mementos, notebooks and coffee mugs. I couldn’t help feeling a bit sad, even though Cary Magazine isn’t going anywhere, and I am still its senior editor. I have missed being in the middle of the community I write about and seeing the new businesses and neighborhoods that seem to sprout like mushrooms. Now, there will be no more impromptu lunches at the Village Deli or La Farm Bakery. The lunch-hour trips to the Target at Park West Village are done. Even meeting friends for a beer at Bond Brothers will involve a lot more planning. Don’t get me wrong. I have benefited greatly from this new working arrangement. Instead of sitting on I-540 for 45 minutes every morning, I walk through my neighborhood. A tank of gas lasts a month rather than a week. I’m even cooking at home more and eating less takeout. But one thing hasn’t changed. The entire staff of Cary Magazine will always be dedicated to telling the stories of the people here in Western Wake. I’ll still be in Cary, just not every day. And once restrictions are eased, I look forward to meeting people in person again. I can’t wait to see your smiling faces.

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“I am so happy to see this educational piece about the Black history of Cary. I’m glad to be familiar with all of the sites and know a little about all of their history. I remember working to reclaim the Cary First Christian cemetery on West Cornwall Road on many Saturdays, with Cary First being the church that my kids were raised in. “A bit of trivia: When the town boundaries were changed to exclude the Negroes, legend has it that only one Negro, the school janitor, remained inside the Cary town limits. Details are in ‘Around and About Cary,’ December 1970 edition. We have come a long way, and there are still a lot of opportunities. “Thanks again for getting the word out.” Howard Manning, Cary, re. “Take a Drive and Learn About Cary’s Black History,” carymagazine.com “Thank you very much for such a wonderful article. This will not only help me with my mission, but also will encourage others to make a difference with their work.” Betto Herrera, re. “Rhythm and Clues,” March “I sort of grew up in Sanford in the '60s and '70s, and when I left for college in Chapel Hill, I only went back to visit my parents until they passed in 2000 and 2013. I remember going to Yarborough’s Ice Cream back then, as my dad loved the black cherry. I am surprised that it is still there. Your story may prompt me to take a trip back down there sometime to just look around and check out the old homeplace.” Steven Duke, Apex, re. “The Arts Shine in Downtown Sanford,” March “We live right next door to Pinehurst in Southern Pines and have for six years. The area is charming, and there are quite a few charming restaurants. Surprisingly, we do not golf, but we were invited by our daughter and hubby to move there and are so happy to be here!” Sue Strysick, Southern Pines, re. “Road Trip to Pinehurst Leads to More Than Golf,” March Email letters to the editors to editor@carymagazine.com

Submitted comments may be edited for length or clarity, and become the property of Cary Magazine.

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CARY MAGAZINE 15

Drive Until the Road Ends and the Great Wide Open Begins

With spring upon us, many wise travelers are now making plans to hit the road and ﬁnd their way here. It is good to know that awe-inspiring remote beaches, legendary wild horses and iconic historical sites await you where the paved road ends, in Corolla, NC.

On the Road to Corolla, NC

APRIL 2021

Find yourself in Corolla, NC The Currituck Beach Lighthouse A beacon guiding travelers on their way for well over a century, the Currituck Beach Lighthouse towers over the northern Outer Banks landscape. Because it still serves to aid navigation, its light comes on automatically every evening at dusk and ceases at dawn, flashing in a 20-second cycle that can be seen for 18 nautical miles. Notably unpainted, visitors get a sense of the multitude of bricks used to build this epic structure. The Currituck Beach Light is known as a first order lighthouse, which means it has the largest of seven Fresnel lens sizes. For a nominal fee, Corolla visitors can climb all 220 steps up the winding iron staircase for a wide-open view of both the Currituck Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. At its base, and on the first two landings, are museum-quality exhibits offering guests an opportunity to learn more about this lighthouse as well as the history of coastal lighthouses, keepers and shipwrecks.

Take a Walk in the Park

Historic Corolla Park on the Currituck OBX Whalehead in Historic Corolla The Whalehead museum is a 1920s era Art Nouveau architectural masterpiece and is the centerpiece of the wide-open green space we call Historic Corolla Park. Whalehead’s intriguing past is steeped in the roaring 1920s lifestyle of its patriarch and matriarch, Edward Collins Knight Jr. and his wife, Marie Louise Lebel Bonat Knight. The wealthy young couple shared a strong passion for waterfowl hunting, so when Mrs. Knight had diﬃculty gaining membership into the all-male local hunt clubs, her husband had the majestic 21,000-squarefoot mansion by the sea built for his new bride. Weekly and annual events are often held here, tours of Whalehead are oﬀered daily.

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CARY MAGAZINE 17

Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, the Page-Walker Hotel was dilapidated and neglected by 1985. Keen to renovate and save the building, the Friends of the Page-Walker persuaded the Town of Cary to buy the property. In 1994, renovations were complete and the structure is now known as the Page-Walker Arts & History Center.

APRIL 2021

Events planned to bring community together WRITTEN BY AMBER KEISTER PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN

THIS MONTH, the Town of Cary marks the 150th anniversary of its incorporation on April 3, 1871. It’s an opportunity to remember the community’s past and to anticipate what is to come. It’s also an excuse to have some fun. “It is an honor to be Mayor of Cary as we commemorate our 150th anniversary,” said Mayor Harold Weinbrecht. “This year is a tremendous opportunity to recognize Cary as the best place to live, work, and play through the lens of honoring the past, celebrating our present, and looking forward to the future.” Plans for Cary’s Sesquicentennial have been in the works for nearly two years, but because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many events had to be reimagined or delayed. Sarah Martin, who chairs the Cary150 task force, says a primary goal is to encourage as many people as possible to participate.

“One of the things that can be somewhat mind-boggling is how you engage the entire town. How do you engage everyone in Cary to want to know more, or to want to get involved? So that’s why the gobs of activities,” she said. Some of those activities are large, town-wide events like the Day to Remember street festival planned for July or the crowdsourced play, “The Story of Cary,” which will be staged this fall. Others are for individuals or families, like the Virtual Scrapbook or the driving tours of Cary’s historic places.

Cary founder Frank Page opened his hotel in 1868, to serve railroad passengers. This is the oldest known photo of the hotel, from 1916.

continued on page 20 CARY MAGAZINE 19

continued from page 19

When I graduated in 1973, there were only like around 8,000 people, and it's 172,000 or something like that right now. It's crazy how fast it's grown. — Carla Michaels, member of the Friends of the Page-Walker Hotel

APRIL 2021

Carla Michaels, a member of the Friends of the Page-Walker Hotel, grew up in Cary and was in high school when the town celebrated its Centennial in 1971. Because the town was so much smaller then, Michaels says it seemed like everyone she knew was involved in it. “Cary was largely residential and agricultural for many, many years, and that is changing. And I think when people come here, they see all that development, but they don’t realize how much history there is.” Michaels says knowing the history of the town can help new residents understand themes that continue to shape Cary and the decisions of its leaders. One such theme is the balance between economic growth and quality of life. After Research Triangle Park was founded in 1959, the population of Cary doubled in a few years. The town continued to grow, and in the 1970s, planning regulations required builders to set aside more green space.

submitted photo

In 1965, IBM moved into Research Triangle Park, growing the company's local workforce to nearly 15,000 employees. Many of those people settled in Cary.

“The leadership has said these things are important. Quality of life is important. Green spaces are important. A good economy is important. Infrastructure is important, even the sign ordinance that people hate until they go elsewhere, and then come back to town and think, ‘Oh, it looks so good here,’” Michaels said.

The Cary Arts Center was originally built as Cary High School in 1939. It stands on the site of Cary's first high school, established as Cary Academy by Frank Page and local community leaders in 1871.

The Union Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church was established in 1898 by Addison and Mintie Blake. Members of the Blake family have been living in Cary for more than 100 years, and the church was known at one time as “the Blake church.” It remains active today.

“Those small things have all added up to a great quality of life here, and I really value that.” Martin, a self-proclaimed Cary cheerleader, agrees that learning the history of a place is important to feeling connected to it. But coming together for big community events like the Cary Sesquicentennial helps residents also feel connected to each other. “We’re in such a unique place. The growth in this community, over the years, forces us in some ways to reach out and make connections with each other,” said Martin, who has lived in Cary for nearly 30 years. “Once folks get here, they are looking to reach out and meet their neighbors and figure out what Cary is about. And (events) like this give us an opportunity to do that.” t

We are going to cover the landmark moments in our town by talking about the people that made them landmark moments in this town. — Katherine Loflin, director of "The Story of Cary"

The smokehouse on the grounds of the Page-Walker Arts & History Center is the only remnant of Frank Page's home place, originally located at the site of the present Town Hall.

CARY MAGAZINE 21

The Carpenter Farm Supply Company was established in 1885, conveniently located near the railroad tracks. In 2000, the Carpenter Historic District was entered into the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service.

Cary’s History Highlights CARY BEGAN as a settlement in 1750 and prospered because of its location at a crossroads. Inns like Bradford’s Ordinary, built in 1794, and the Nancy Jones House, built in 1803, served travelers heading to Chapel Hill or Raleigh. However, it was the expansion of the North Carolina Railroad in 1854 and the Chatham Railroad in 1868 that accelerated the town's development. Frank Page and his wife bought 300 acres of land on either side of the railroad tracks in 1854. He started a lumber mill, opened a dry goods store and established the town’s first school, Cary Frank Page Academy. In 1868, he built a hotel to serve railroad passengers. When it came time to incorporate the town in 1871, instead of naming the village for himself, Page chose to honor one of his heroes. A staunch teetotaler, 22

APRIL 2021

Page was a great admirer of temperance leader Samuel Fenton Cary, who was also a former Congressman and future vice presidential candidate from Ohio. Page Samuel named his new town Cary and Fenton Cary became its first mayor. Cary's reputation for a well developed school system began in 1907 when Cary Academy was purchased by the state of North Carolina and Wake County Board of Education. Renamed Cary High School, it became one of the first public high schools in North Carolina. Agriculture remained a dominant industry for a few decades more, although the town’s character started to shift in the 1920s. The Western Wake Highway (now Chatham Street) was paved, making the drive to Raleigh faster and easier, and Cary’s suburbs flourished.

The town’s population continued to grow after World War II, and really took off after 1959, when Research Triangle Park was created. To address overcrowding, several new schools were built in the 1960s. Cary became the first school system in Wake County to integrate its schools in 1963, but the town’s schools were not fully desegregated until 1976. In the '70s, concerns about unchecked growth led the town to require builders to set aside more green space. In 1972, the Community Appearance Commission was established. Today, Cary is the seventh largest municipality in North Carolina, with nearly 175,000 residents. There are more than 30 public parks, 82 miles of trails, and dozens of festivals and events throughout the year. It consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in the U.S. t Sources: Friends of the Page-Walker Hotel, Wikipedia.org, Cary150.com

A Year of Events Virtual Scrapbook

Lazy Daze Fall Festival

Celebrate Cary’s 150th anniversary with 150 fellow residents, who have shared their memories of living in Cary. These stories memorialize and celebrate everyone’s part of the town’s larger narrative, and stories are still being collected! Submit your story by visiting cary150.org/share, where a series of questions will jog your memory. Read the stories that have already been submitted at cary150.org/community-scrapbook/.

Walking and driving tours Discover historically significant locations around Cary through various walking and driving tours, planned by the town. Each tour comes with an informative guide, so go at your own pace and learn something new.

Fourth of July Celebration, Koka Booth Amphitheatre

We Are Cary: 150 Years Later (April) This is a social practice and artist residency led by nationally-known textile and installation artist Jan-Ru Wan. Originally, Wan and her team were to lead community workshops to create art installations. Last year, Wan shifted her plan and instead collected photos of citizens wearing their face masks, which will be displayed at the Cary Art Center.

“The Story of Cary” (September – October) Playwright Katherine Loflin has gathered local facts, legends and family

histories into a play called “The Story of Cary,” which will be staged at the Cary Arts Center. This crowd-sourced project is in collaboration with the Town of Cary, Friends of the Page-Walker Hotel, Cary Players, and Cary Playwrights’ Forum.

Your Tree, Our Tree (Fall 2021) To encourage the planting of native trees, the town plans to give away saplings to be planted in residents’ yards. Those registering for the program will also receive a 150th commemorative tree marker. Follow Cary It Green on Facebook for details.

Community Celebration A Day to Remember (July 24) An outdoor festival on Academy Street will celebrate the town’s founding. Planned activities include food vendors, carnival games, and an attempt to set the Guinness World Record for the tallest cupcake tower.

Masquerade 150 Gala (Nov. 13) A posh celebration is planned for the fall, although final details aren’t set.

Time Capsule Mementos from 2021 will be saved for future historians, and the capsule will eventually be buried at Cary’s Downtown Park. Look for updates on the Cary 150 website. For information about activities throughout the year, visit Cary150.org.

CARY MAGAZINE 23

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Pregnancy is

Better, together Expecting moms gather for prenatal care, friendship

Jaden Miethe, of Apex, wanted a more connected experience with her second child and now meets with a CenteringPregnancy group hosted by Triangle Physicians for Women. "I participated in Centering during the final month of my first pregnancy, and it was an extremely valuable experience," she says. "I created bonds with moms that have lasted since my first pregnancy."

APRIL 2021

WRITTEN BY LEA HART PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN

CARY MAGAZINE 27

A CenteringPregnancy group led by Registered Nurse Denelle Kolkmann, meets at Reply Ob/Gyn & Fertility in November of 2019, prior to the pandemic. Classes are now being held via Zoom until gather-in-place restrictions are lifted.

"Having this

connection knowing that you can text or call someone in your group with a baby so close to the same age, is really

important."

— Meg Berreth, certified nurse midwife with UNC Midwives 28

APRIL 2021

unique approach to prenatal care can increase the amount of time up to tenfold that expectant moms spend with their provider, improving outcomes for baby and parents. CenteringPregnancy brings together moms who share due dates within a month of each other in groups usually averaging eight to 10 members. It follows the recommended prenatal care schedule, which includes 10 visits; however, each visit can range from 90 minutes to two hours long. Traditionally, prenatal care for women has involved a series of one-on-one visits between the expectant mom and her provider over the course of her pregnancy. It’s usually a short visit, where the patient goes directly to see her provider and doesn’t interact with anyone else, says Helen Schachinger, CenteringPregnancy coordinator and co-facilitator at the UNC Midwives practice in Chapel Hill.

“CenteringPregnancy is an amazing model that allows people to make connections and even lifelong connections,” she said. CenteringPregnancy combines those regular prenatal checks with a group meeting for expectant moms. The visit begins with a weight and blood pressure check, and each woman then visits privately with her provider, asking any questions she may not want to ask in front of the group, says Sara Dowd, a certified nurse midwife with Triangle Physicians for Women, which has offices in Cary and Holly Springs. From there, the women circle up to discuss pregnancy and postpartum experience. As a group, and sometimes with guest experts, they cover topics ranging from nutrition and stress management, to labor and delivery, Dowd says. Partners can join in as well. “It’s not just a lecture,” she said. “What makes Centering work well is that we are getting people to engage in conversation. They

get advice from people who are going through the same things, or have gone through the same thing in a previous pregnancy.” Advantages of CenteringPregnancy

The program seems to have a number of advantages. Rachel Urrutia, a doctor with Reply Ob/Gyn & Fertility in Cary, which also offers CenteringPregnancy, says

maternal mortality rates and severe complications from pregnancy are on the rise in the United States. “We don’t know for sure what can fix the problem, but there’s a lot of thought that it’s about more than just the doctor and the hospital — that we may need a community approach,” she said.

Jaden Miethe, a patient at Triangle Physicians for Women, has appreciated talking to other expectant moms over the last few months. "During the pandemic we have been meeting virtually for the Centering program and spend just a short amount of time at in-person clinic visits, typically only for ultrasounds and lab work. This has been helpful to still feel connected to other pregnant moms during a time when social distancing can be quite isolating," she says.

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Preliminary data on CenteringPregnancy shows women who participate tend to have better breast feeding rates and less postpartum depression, Urrutia says. It also shows African American women in particular have lower rates of low birth weight. While studies are still exploring exactly why CenteringPregnancy helps, it does seem to show a positive effect. The experience treats prenatal care as a journey, rather than a clinical encounter, Urrutia says, and that has an impact on women’s mental health as well. At the same time, it creates a sense of community for women that often continues after they give birth. In many groups, the women meet again around four to six weeks postpartum, so their babies can meet as well. “I tell people, as someone who is a new mom pretty recently myself, that you do need support, and anyone that you can bring into your village is great,” Urrutia said. Meg Berreth, a certified nurse midwife with UNC Midwives in Chapel Hill, says women in the Triangle may not have a lot of friends or family nearby to rely on during pregnancy, and CenteringPregnancy can fill that void. “In this area, a lot of women are in transition — they are coming for school, or have just finished school, or maybe are in training,” she said. “Having this connection, knowing that you can text or call someone in your group with a baby so close to the same age, is really important.” Sarah Gaby of Durham is one of those women. Gaby took part in CenteringPregnancy with her first child, who is about to turn 3, and now again, as she is pregnant with her second child. She was at the end of a Ph.D. program at UNC-Chapel Hill when she became pregnant with her firstborn, and didn’t have a lot of friends with children locally. 30

APRIL 2021

ABOVE: Moms from a Triangle Physicians for Women Centering group brought their babies, born late August- through October 2019, together for a reunion shortly after their births. LEFT: CenteringPregnancy group co-facilitators Valerie Ford, left, and Sara Dowd, center, meet with expectant parents at the Holly Springs Triangle Physicians for Women prior to the pandemic.

“Being pregnant in a pandemic

kind of isolating, is

and people are really

thankful to talk to each other,” Beth Tyson, right, a certified nurse midwife, leads a CenteringPregnancy group at Reply Ob/Gyn & Fertility in November 2019. The practice now holds group meetings over Zoom, and individual doctor visits are in person.

“I was looking for opportunities to form connections around pregnancy and childbirth,” Gaby said. Along with finding a community, she says she gained much from the discussions and educational speakers. Guests to her group included a prenatal yoga specialist, a pediatrician, and a pelvic floor physical therapist, among others. Her group could make suggestions if there were particular topics they were interested in covering. Providers said they generally hear positive feedback to the CenteringPregnancy approach, and could think of few disadvantages, though several noted that if a woman is not comfortable speaking or sharing in front of a group, she may not enjoy the process. At every practice, women can try CenteringPregnancy early in their

pregnancy and choose to go back to regular prenatal visits, if they feel it’s not the right fit. Changes Brought on by COVID-19

Pregnant with her second, Gaby’s CenteringPregnancy group has moved to Zoom, and she’s not alone. UNC Midwives in Chapel Hill was able to pivot to a virtual format within a few months, while Reply Ob/Gyn and Triangle Physicians for Women both took a bit longer to make the transition. Each clinic reported cancelling meetings for several months in Spring 2020 when stay-at-home orders went into effect. Now, provider visits take place in the clinic and CenteringPregnancy meetings happen separately in a virtual format. Berreth says UNC Midwives is able to

— Sarah Gaby

provide much of the same content in a virtual format and facilitate discussion. Although, it can take a little longer for the group to start opening up to each other. “With in-person Centering, there’s time at the beginning and end for participants to chat, and time to ask the midwife or nurse a more private question,” Berreth said. “With the virtual format, the spontaneous breakout is just not there.” Yet she says demand is there, and women may need it even more as they feel isolated during the pandemic — something Gaby agrees with. “Being pregnant in a pandemic is kind of isolating, and people are really thankful to talk to each other,” she said. “I know for myself, I’m incredibly busy, but it’s a pleasure to make time for it.” t

CARY MAGAZINE 31

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CARY MAGAZINE 33

Curtis Webster Jr. founded the Dads Married to Doctors Facebook group in 2014 to help him cope with his busy life. Today, he and his wife, Allison, juggle demanding careers and care for their three daughters, Serai, 11, Hannah, 8, and McKenna 5. "Life is busy with three little ones 12 and under, but life is good," he says.

APRIL 2021

DAD INFLUENCER

Curtis Webster Jr.

Founder of Dads Married to Doctors just wanted a little help WRITTEN BY AMBER KEISTER | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN

SIX YEARS AGO, Curtis Webster Jr. was looking for a way out of the whirlwind. Webster, an IT consultant, and his wife, Allison, had recently moved to Cary with their two young daughters. Adding to the stress of parenthood, the couple was building a house, and she was commuting an hour each way to her job as an emergency room physician at Alamance Regional Medical Center in Burlington. “When it all first started, my head was spinning, and I was like, I need support,” said Webster. “I need a group of guys that can help me figure out how to live this, and navigate this, DMD lifestyle.” Unable to find a support group specifically for men, Webster launched the Dads Married to Doctors Facebook group in December 2014. At the time, his goals were personal: he wanted to be a better father and husband. Other dads soon joined him and now, with more than 4,000 members in over 25 countries worldwide, the community is more than a support group. Through the website, members can find professional resources, personal development, charity events and more. But that doesn’t mean that common parenting issues don’t come up often. There are plenty of discussions about how to get a baby to sleep, whether a minivan or SUV is better, and how much screen time is optimal. “It's amazing how across the world, the same conversations come up, regardless of the racial boundaries or the landscape of where folks are at,” said Webster. “We all are trying to figure out how to best navigate society and this still somewhat nontraditional role of the spouse being the primary breadwinner.” Getting together with other dads shields him somewhat, but Webster still gets the unthinking attention. “I get the comments, just like the other guys when we’re out. ‘Oh look at you being the great father, babysitting the kids today while mom is working or doing whatever.’ No, no, … I’m not a babysitter. I’m a dad,” he said. “Changing that narrative, making sure that society knows that number one, dads exist. We are here. We’re in large force, and we are doing our part to make sure that our families are viable and can really thrive.”

Serai and McKenna Webster practice their tumbling in the family room. The girls take dance classes at Starpath Dance Studio, and practice tumbling and cheer at Carolina Legacy Tumble & Inspire Athletics Cheer.

“

One of the things the group hears me say all the time is, ‘Life is better when we do life together.’ That’s my catchphrase.” — Curtis Webster Jr., founder of Dads Married to Doctors

continued on page 36 CARY MAGAZINE 35

continued from page 35

TOP: Allison and Curtis Webster met when they were both students at UNC-Chapel Hill. When she finished her medical training, they knew they wanted to move back to North Carolina and raise their family in Cary. ABOVE: Most days Curtis divides his working hours between his IT business, Curtis Webster Consulting, and Dads Married to Doctors. Since he works from home, he's available to pop in throughout the day and check on the girls.

APRIL 2021

Beyond his desire to change conventional thinking about what it means to be a father, Webster would also like to change the narrative around being a Black father. “Especially right now … with all the racial tensions and things that are happening here in America, the other piece of it was wanting to put that positive portrayal of Black fatherhood into the media.” As a “dad influencer,” the DMD founder also sees an opportunity for the group to make a real difference, especially when it comes to issues like equal parental leave. At a recent conference, Webster met several representatives from Dove Men + Care about the company’s push for paid paternity leave. “Everybody needs to understand that we’re parents first,” he said. “If these companies can work with us as parents, then we can be even better employees.”

“

With all the

craziness of the

weekly schedule,

we still have family dinner at the dining room table most nights. — Curtis Webster Jr., founder of Dads Married to Doctors The Webster family now includes three daughters — Serai, 11, Hannah, 8 and McKenna, 5 — and they’ve worked out a routine that works for them. It’s still crazy busy, even chaotic at times, but it enables them to eat dinner together every night. During the week, Webster divides his time between Curtis Webster Consulting, his IT support business, and Dads Married to Doctors. Allison Webster works weekend nights so she can be home with the girls Wednesday through Friday. After school, there’s usually gymnastics, tutoring or dance classes. That schedule had to be adjusted slightly with COVID-19. A nanny now comes in two days a week to help the girls with virtual school. There’s also a lot more cleaning and laundry. “Just like everybody, we stepped up the cleanliness and the routine here in the house,” said Webster. “The biggest thing throughout the whole thing was just trying to figure out how can we all calm ourselves to keep a level head with this whole thing.” The opportunity to talk to other dads in similar situations was also helpful. Even after six years, Webster still relies on the group’s support, even when the subject isn’t a global pandemic. “Just having that group of guys that I can talk to and that I can lean on,” he said. “I don’t have to always just be the happy smiley face, but I can also still have a place where I can be vulnerable and learn and grow.” t

Emergency room physician Allison Webster works nights and weekends so she can spend more time with her three daughters. Much of that time since March has been spent helping them with their virtual lessons.

Help for Physician Families While Dads Married to Doctors began six years ago, the AMA Alliance has been working to strengthen physician families for nearly 100 years. DMD partners with the AMA Alliance to magnify the resources available to members of both groups. “Different communities will bring different things to the table, and it's all helpful,” said Webster. “I definitely don't have a monopoly on our lifestyle as Dads Married to Doctors, but I do believe we bring a very specific and interesting perspective that a lot of DMDs can appreciate and learn from.” dadsmarriedtodoctors.com | amaalliance.org CARY MAGAZINE 37

PREMIER PRACTICES

PREMIER

PRACTICES To find the best medical care for your family, look no further. From the top of your head to the tips of your toes, these local professionals cover it all.

S PE C I A L A DV E R T I S I N G SECTION

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PREMIER PRACTICES

AWARD-WINNING PLASTIC SURGERY— SINCE THE VERY BEGINNING Putting patient safety, satisfaction and beautiful outcomes first has been the herald of CARE Plastic Surgery. Dr. Brian S. Coan, Founder of CARE, is an award-winning, nationally renowned, board certified plastic surgeon. Recently voted Best Plastic Surgeon again in Cary, Dr. Coan and CARE are no strangers to awards for safety and beautiful aesthetic results. After being featured on the Emmy award winning television program “The Doctors,” and winning Best Plastic Surgeon in Durham, N.C., for seven consecutive years, CARE moved to a larger facility to meet increasing patient demand. Located in Cary, the CARE office offers two state-of-the-art operating facilities in a contemporary setting. As a destination location for plastic surgery patients, the Cary location offers the convenience of a five-minute drive to the RDU airport and a variety of international restaurants and hotels for out-of-town guests. SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Dr. Coan is an MIT graduate who brings his enthusiasm for technology in aesthetics and plastic surgery to CARE by incorporating virtual imaging to help patients visualize potential post-surgical results. CARE’s popular slogan, “Results so natural we hate calling our surgery plastic,” was coined by a former patient who still raves about her CARE experience. CARE’s most popular treatments include the lunchtime facelift, Botox & filler injectables, laser treatments, body contouring, liposuction, and plastic surgery of the breast, body and face. Dr. Coan is also passionate about supporting local education and is active in nonprofit and philanthropic endeavors. When not consulting with patients or in the operating room, Dr. Coan enjoys spending time with his wife and two young daughters.

CARE PLASTIC SURGERY 2001 WESTON PARKWAY CARY, NC 27513 (919) 484-4884 careplasticsurgery.com

WINNER 2021 20 21

CARY MAGAZINE 39

PREMIER PRACTICES

TAKE TIME IN 2021 TO INVEST IN YOURSELF

FOUNDATIONS 4 CHANGE 570 NEW WAVERLY PLACE STE. 210 CARY, NC 27518 (919) 324-4120 foundations4change.com 40 APRIL 2021

Erin Bircher is a Dually Licensed Psychotherapist and the Owner/Founder of Foundations 4 Change, PLLC. She has over 15 years of clinical experience working with adults on addressing anxiety, parenting concerns, relationship issues, life transitions, divorce, family conflict, domestic violence and setting boundaries. Erin provides a relaxing, safe, and non-judgmental environment where you can gain a better understanding of yourself. She will provide feedback and guidance while supporting you to make the necessary changes to create the life you desire. She was awarded the Maggy Award for Best Therapist in Western Wake for 2020 and 2021 and featured in Cary Magazine. In addition, she was the finalist for Best Therapist and Best Couples Therapist in INDY Week’s 2020 Best of the Triangle. Erin also achieved the 2021 Cary Living’s Diamond Award for Best Therapist in Western Wake. She is a volunteer for the Emotional PPE Project, which connects licensed mental health practioners to healthcare workers whose mental health has been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Erin is also a Certified Professional Development Coach and Owner/Founder of Masterminds-Coaching, LLC. She specializes in working with professional women who want to be more secure in the decisions they make, working with them on finding their voice, feeling more appreciated and respected, and having a healthy balance in their personal and professional lives. Erin is very aware of all the ups and downs that life provides us. She does an amazing job helping empower those she works with, create balance, and gain clarity through difficult times. She strongly believes that we can grow to be a stronger and healthier individual with the right support. Erin is very passionate about her work, and that shines through in the relationships that she forms with those she works with. SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

PREMIER PRACTICES

FOCUS ON PATIENT EXPERIENCE Two of the core values at Bovenizer and Baker are “Deliver Wow Through Service” and “Create Fun.” That is exactly what all the staff at the practice are encouraged to do on a daily basis. “When coming up with our practice purpose, we knew we wanted to incorporate our patient experience, as we always strive to make this the best it can be. Every day we come into the office, our goal is to elicit happiness and influence moments of joy in day-to-day life and provide people with confidence by transforming their smiles. Making a positive impact in people’s lives and rooting ourselves in the community is an integral part of our practice,” says Marketing Coordinator, Austyn Case. The Bovenizer and Baker staff are

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24-strong and love each other like family. With this mentality of a close-knit, fun work environment, the staff aim to create fun, enjoy their work, make people laugh, earn the trust of others, and deliver wow through service. From the moment you walk in the door, the staff is focused on you and making sure you have the best orthodontic patient experience in the Triangle. From fresh baked cookies and coffee, umbrellas when it is raining, free swag, texting, and genuine connections, they want the office to feel like your second home. The practice offers free new patient consultations that include an X-ray, photos of your teeth, an exam with Dr. Bo or Dr. Baker, a treatment plan, and a financial quote.

BOVENIZER & BAKER ORTHODONTICS DR. TODD BOVENIZER, DDS, MS AND DR. CHRIS BAKER, DDS, MSD 2625 GREEN LEVEL WEST ROAD, CARY, NC 27519 (919) 303-4557 bovbakerortho.com

CARY MAGAZINE 41

PREMIER PRACTICES

PARKWAY SLEEPHEALTH CENTERS 130 PRESTON EXECUTIVE DRIVE, CARY, NC 27513 (919) 462-8081

parkwaysleep.com

A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO SLEEP MEDICINE For patients with sleep apnea or other sleep disorders, coordinating care between several practices can be, well, a nightmare. Patients may find themselves needing a sleep doctor, a sleep lab or hospital, and a durable medical equipment provider. Enter Parkway SleepHealth Centers, a comprehensive sleep center designed to give patients with sleep problems a one-stop shop for all their sleep needs. Founded in Cary in 2004, Parkway SleepHealth Centers is locally owned and operated by Brian June and his daughter and son-in-law, Meghan and Brandon Giegling. They understand the importance of high-quality sleep and

42 APRIL 2020

the health issues that can arise from untreated sleep disorders. Parkway offers consultations and follow-ups with their board-certified sleep physicians and knowledgeable physician assistants, sleep studies in their comfortable and homey sleep lab, and provides CPAP machines and supplies, as well. Patients of Parkway often find that the cost of sleep studies and CPAP equipment is much lower at Parkway than other area providers—for the exact same services and supplies. Parkway is accredited with the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and is committed to providing quality, comprehensive care to its community.

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PREMIER PRACTICES

A PERSONALIZED DENTAL TOUCH Lowery Smiles is a dental practice devoted to restoring and enhancing the natural beauty of your smile, using conservative, state-of-the-art procedures that will result in beautiful, long lasting smiles! Led by Dr. Siti A. Lowery, they are proud to be an active part of the Cary community. A standard of excellence in personalized dental care enables the Lowery Smiles dental team to provide the quality dental services that patients deserve. This is what sets them apart. Lowery Smiles strives to build a firm foundation of trust by treating their patients as special individuals. This is vital to success! The team at Lowery Smiles will do their utmost to create a relaxing and positive experience for you. They understand how uneasy some patients may feel about their dental visits. The entire team is dedicated to providing you with excellent, personalized care and service to make your visits as comfortable and pleasant as possible. Dr. Lowery completed her Doctorate SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

of Dental Surgery (DDS) at the University of Maryland, after receiving a Bachelor of Science from Spelman College. In addition, she completed a two-year General Practice Residency at Wake Forest University. Her repertoire includes cosmetic dentistry, advanced training in implant dentistry, Invisalign training, and sleep apnea/snoring oral appliance therapy. Dr. Lowery holds fellowships in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists as well as the Academy of General Dentistry. She believes being a member of various professional dental associations helps her stay abreast of changes and recommendations for her profession. Currently she holds memberships in the AGD, ADA, ICOI, AACA, and Southern Wake Dental Institute-Seattle Study Club. Her team attends dental conventions, dental lectures, and meetings to stay informed of new techniques, the latest products, and the newest equipment that a modern dental office can utilize to provide state-of-the-art dental care.

LOWERY SMILES DR. SITI A. LOWERY, DDS 110 PRESTON EXECUTIVE DRIVE #104, CARY, NC 27513 (919) 371-2515 lowerysmiles.com

CARY MAGAZINE 43

PREMIER PRACTICES

Leena Rao BDS, DMD, AEGD, left Sadaf Alam, DDS, right Leslie Yuan Gazdek, DDS, MSD (not pictured)

RICCOBENE ASSOCIATES FAMILY DENTISTRY CARY KIDS AND CARY FAMILY 1000 CRESCENT GREEN DR. CARY, NC 27518 CARY SPECIALTY 1203 NW MAYNARD ROAD CARY, NC 27513 CARY FAMILY (919) 336-5338 CARY KIDS (919) 336-5694 CARY FAMILY AND SPECIALTY (919) 238-4655 brushandfloss.com

PROVIDING PATIENT-FOCUSED DENTAL CARE FOR OVER 20 YEARS Riccobene Associates Family Dentistry has proudly served families across the Triangle for over 20 years of comprehensive patient-focused dental care. Through the use of state-of-the-art technology, the highly trained team makes every effort to educate patients, providing them with the information they need to make the best decisions about their dental health. In May 2000, Dr. Michael Riccobene started his own dental practice, Riccobene Associates Family Dentistry. As a child of Italian immigrants, his parents taught him to “do the right thing, treat people well, and always take care of family.” He instilled these values in the company’s culture and commitment to serve patients with honesty, integrity, and high personal and professional standards. Delivering both general and specialty

44 APRIL 2021

care, the company includes a team of general dentists, orthodontists, pediatric dentists, prosthodontists, periodontists, oral surgeons and endodontists. Voted “Best Dentist” in Wake and Johnston counties for more than 10 years, Riccobene Associates has also been named one of the 50 Best Places to Work in the Triangle and recognized as a Fast 50 Company by the Triangle Business Journal. Riccobene Associates Family Dentistry not only provides high-quality dental care, but through the generosity of more than 30 North Carolina locations, they are leaving a legacy of giving and service. The dental group works hard to give back to the communities they serve by partnering with national and local charities. It has given back over $400,000 to communities in North Carolina and through outreach mission trips overseas.

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LOVED BY KIDS, TRUSTED BY PARENTS

LITTLE TOOTH CO. 504 W. WILLIAMS STREET, APEX, NC 27502 (919) 303-2873 littletoothco.com SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Dr. Jean Guevarra You became a pediatric dentist because she knew that if she created a safe, happy and caring environment for children to receive dental care, she could have a lasting impact on each child’s future. Little Tooth Co. has always been a dream, and she is thrilled to have this awesome environment to do what she loves. Dr. You completed her training at Columbia University in New York City and obtained extensive training working with children of diverse medical and special needs backgrounds. She practiced in Connecticut and Massachusetts before deciding to call the Tar Heel State home. Dr. You is part of a small group of practitioners who underwent the process of becoming Board Certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Pediatric dentists who have become board-certified have demonstrated an advanced mastery of pediatric dentistry. At Little Tooth Co., their mission is to cultivate children who are motivated to maintain healthy smiles. The practice aims to provide exceptional care and service at every visit by providing a positive experience catered to each developmental stage — and building a dynamic bond between providers, patients and families. Dr. You listens to families’ concerns and places value on efficiency, patience, prevention and education. Little Tooth Co. understands that every patient has a different comfort level in the dental setting, and will adapt to every child with creativity and resourcefulness. The team at Little Tooth Co. promises to celebrate all successes — big and small — and wipe away tears with compassion and grace. At Little Tooth Co., Dr. You provides a nurturing dental home beginning with the first little tooth, or by age one, in accordance with guidelines set forth by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Her goal is to broaden the early dental experience in every way from the infant’s first exam to the young adult’s transition.

CARY MAGAZINE 45

PREMIER PRACTICES

FOREFRONT DERMATOLOGY 7660 CARPENTER FIRE STATION ROAD, SUITE 204, CARY, NC 27519 (919) 439-4206 forefrontdermatology.com

A PERSONALIZED APPROACH TO MEETING YOUR SKIN CARE NEEDS At Forefront Dermatology we take great pride in exceptional patient care. Our purpose is to provide world-class skin care locally and preserve the private dermatology practice. While holding true to our purpose, our mission is to be the skin care specialist of choice in every community we serve. Dr. John Soderberg is a board-certified dermatologist with over 13 years experience, located conveniently in Cary. Dr. Soderberg treats all diseases involving the skin, hair and nails. He also offers extensive cosmetic dermatology, with a focus on treating acne and providing anti-aging therapies. Dr. Soderberg has extensive experience in providing medical, surgical and cosmetic services. From annual skin

46 APRIL 2021

exams to skin cancer screenings, our staff are experts in treating all skin types and tones, skin cancer, eczema, moles, rashes, fungus, and more. Whether you’re suffering from an unexplained chronic skin condition or want a thorough skin cancer screening, our skin care experts can help detect problems before they become physically or emotionally damaging. We also offer a full range of physiciandirected cosmetic skin services and products, including injectable procedures, dermal fillers, laser skin treatments, and more to help you look and feel refreshed and beautiful. Our office offers same-day appointments as well as virtual skincare appointments from the comfort of your home.

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PREMIER PRACTICES

WOMEN’S HEALTHCARE YOU CAN TRUST Walking into the waiting room of Triangle Physicians for Women and Triangle Midwifery, you’ll immediately feel the nurturing, welcoming, genuine care that our special team delivers. Our unique practice offers state-of-the-art medical advancements, coupled with highly trained Certified Nurse Midwifery methodologies, to bring you the ultimate in holistic women’s health care in the Triangle. As women, you’re tasked with busy home and work lives. We know self-care often falls to the bottom of your to-do list. Triangle Physicians for Women optimizes the time you spend with us by providing a one-stop shop where all annual Ob/Gyn and 3D mammography screenings can take place in one place on the same day. Additionally, our innovative health offerings address all gynecological issues, SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

no matter your age or stage in life. We are proud to offer unique services such as MonaLisa Touch (for vaginal dryness), Geneveve (for vaginal laxity) and Cutera truSculptiD (for the elimination of fat cells) that can transform and rejuvenate your intimate relationship.

TRIANGLE PHYSICIANS FOR WOMEN 600 NEW WAVERLY PLACE STE 310 CARY, NC 27518 2116 WERRINGTON DRIVE HOLLY SPRINGS, NC 27540

Welcome, Dr. Pearce

We are expanding and so excited to welcome our new physician Dr. Kaela Pearce. Dr. Pearce comes to us from the San Antonio Military Medical Center and will begin seeing patients in July 2021 at both our main office in Cary as well as our satellite office in Holly Springs. Visit our website at www.tp4w.com to learn more about Dr. Pearce and our team or call today to book an appointment 919-678-6900.

(919) 678-6900 tp4w.com

CARY MAGAZINE 47

PREMIER PRACTICES

BEAUTY AND CONFIDENCE RESTORED TO YOUR SMILE CARY PROSTHODONTICS 1400 CRESCENT GREEN SUITE 210, CARY 27518 (919) 858-8193 caryprosthodontics.com

Cary Prosthodontics is proud to be an innovated leader in the replacement of missing and broken down teeth in Cary and nationwide. Both Dr. Brandon Kofford and Dr. Kevin Lim have been involved in developing and educating other providers about a patentpending process that has transformed the patient experience for the “Teeth-in-a-DayTM” treatment concept. The process allows patients to have a better esthetic outcome, while reducing the postsurgical discomfort. All this is achieved without compromising the integrity of the temporary fixed bridge during the healing period. Most patients can have their teeth removed, implants placed, and an interim prosthesis attached to the implants in the same appointment. Cary Prosthodontics keeps the patient’s experience and satisfaction at the forefront of every procedure, customizing your smile to make sure your teeth not only look and feel great, but also function well. During

48 APRIL 2021

the entire process of smile design, they will evaluate the jaw for adequate bone availability with a 3D x-ray. They then use our digital smile design process to fabricate teeth that can be used to replace your existing teeth. Dr. Lim and Dr. Kofford received their master’s degrees in Prosthodontics, specializing in the most complex dental problems. Their advanced training includes cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, dentures, crowns, bridges, veneers, full-mouth rehabilitation and jaw joint issues. Their interest lies in the utilization of digital workflows to meet the complex needs of our patients whether it be a digital denture or in planning and executing digital implants. Dr. Kofford and Dr. Lim find fulfillment in witnessing the positive impact that restoring someone's smile can make in their life. Cary Prosthodontics keeps a welcoming and relaxing environment for all of their patients so that they enjoy coming to their dental office. SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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FIND YOUR SMILE® There is never a dull moment for Drs. Robert and Bobbi Stanley. The Cary family dentists are parents of four and owners of Stanley Dentistry, a comprehensive practice near Preston. They are founders and lead instructors at Stanley Institute for Comprehensive Dentistry, a dental continuing education organization. In late 2017, they both added Ironman to their already impressive list of accomplishments. The Stanleys launched their practice, Stanley Dentistry, in 1995 with a commitment to providing world-class dentistry with high-quality materials. Dr. Robert Stanley had always been a partner in the business side of the practice, and Dr. Bobbi was the only dentist. In 2008, Dr. Robert joined the clinical side of the family business as a full-time dentist. “It just made sense personally and SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

professionally for Rob to join me in practicing dentistry,” said Dr. Bobbi. “It is rare to go back to school for an entirely new career when you’re already a successful engineer. But he saw how much I truly enjoyed my work, and he had been interested in dentistry since spending time in his grandfather’s Chicago dental practice as a child.” The Stanleys complement each other in life, in business, and in dentistry. Dr. Robert enjoys more detailed procedures like implants, root canals, and oral surgery, while Dr. Bobbi focuses on cosmetics, orthodontics, and Invisalign. In 2017, they added Dr. David Baranowski who focuses on general and restorative dentistry. The result is a practice that serves the dental needs of the entire family under one roof. At Stanley Dentistry, Find Your Smile® is not just a catchy slogan, it’s a way of life. Creating smiles is their passion and life’s work.

STANLEY DENTISTRY 3731 NW CARY PARKWAY SUITE 201 CARY, NC 27513 (919) 415-0042 stanleysmiles.com

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CARY MAGAZINE 49

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Daily physical exercise is essential to long-term health, say experts, but many fun activities fall into that category. At Glenaire, members of the drum corps, shown pre-COVID lockdown, practice for upwards of 40 minutes a day. Drumming involves eye-hand coordination, concentration and a good bit of upper-arm strength. "There's a social part of it and overall wellness. The whole music and movement definitely decreases some stress and tension," says Carolyn Rice, wellness director at Glenaire.

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APRIL 2021

Walk, Squat, Stand “As you get older, you get some joints that get stiffer. Keeping up the range of motion and balance can help with the slips and the falls — and maybe just overall chronic pain that people might have.” — Carolyn Rice, wellness director, Glenaire

WRITTEN BY AMBER KEISTER

For older adults, daily exercise is key to health and independence

WHEN GYMS CLOSED LAST YEAR, and people couldn’t gather in groups, a big incentive to exercise was closed off too. With many exercise classes canceled and the real risk of catching the coronavirus, lots of seniors were staying home. But that more sedentary lifestyle created other problems. In trying to keep residents safe, the lack of activity was making residents less healthy, says Chris Grabowski, Senior Forever Fit manager at Singh Senior Living, which owns Waltonwood Cary Parkway. “We found when the residents were having to be isolated for various reasons, that their functional ability, their strength and coordination, and things that really impact their activities of daily life, were fading pretty quickly,” he said. He and other wellness managers at senior living facilities had to change their approach and find innovative ways to keep residents active. The goal wasn’t to help folks lose weight or run a marathon, but to help seniors remain independent and happy. Waltonwood residents received paper cheat-sheets of exercises they could do on

their own. Staff recorded video routines that residents could watch on their iPads or DVD players. They also started holding small, socially distant exercise classes. At Glenaire, some fitness classes were held over Zoom, and other activities moved outside. “We created a campus-wide greenway map. Everybody got a map of how far it was to walk to the Food Lion and how far it was to walk a loop around the cottages. Or, how many laps do you have to do, back and forth down a long hallway, to get in your daily steps,” said Carolyn Rice, wellness director at the Cary retirement community. Exercise in general slows down the aging process and keeps your mind sharp and your mood heightened, she says. Walking is especially beneficial, but she also stresses that activities focusing on balance and range of motion are crucial. “As you get older, you get some joints that get stiffer. Keeping up the range of motion and balance can help with the slips and the falls — and maybe just overall chronic pain that people might have,” Rice said. continued on page 56 CARY MAGAZINE 53

Ally Setliff, wellness coordinator at Glenaire, teaches a low-impact aerobics class at the retirement facility, before COVID. Aerobic activity can improve endurance and mood, say experts.

Daily stretching is vital to preventing pain, and many stretches can be done in a chair or with bent knees. 54

APRIL 2021

photos courtesy of Glenaire

Do These Moves Every Day Sit to Stand

Stand in front of a chair with your feet about hip-distance apart. With your arms held straight out in front of you, tighten your stomach muscles, and slowly bend your knees to lower yourself into the chair. Pause, then press back up using your leg and core muscles, not your hands. Try not to swing your torso, either. Work up to doing this 10 times in a row, two or three times a day. Mini Squats

Standing with your feet shoulder or hip-distance apart, hold onto the back of a sturdy chair. Tighten your core muscles and slowly bend your knees, as if you are sitting in a chair, and then slowly push back up. Each time, lower your body as far as you can comfortably go while keeping your chest up and heels on the floor. Work up to doing this 10 times in a row, several times a day. Single-leg stand

With your hands on hips, lift one leg and bend it back at the knee. Hold for 30 seconds. Repeat on the other side. For stability, hold onto a counter or chair. As balance improves, increase the number of repetitions.

Tandem Stance

Place one foot in front of the other, as if you are walking on a tightrope. Hold the position for 30-45 seconds, keeping your head up, tummy tight and shoulders back. If you need extra stability, hold onto a counter or sturdy chair. Repeat with the other foot in front. Calf raises

Standing with your feet hip-width apart, let your arms relax at your sides and draw your shoulders back and down. Keeping your core tight, push into the floor with your toes and lift your heels as high as possible. Balance and hold for 30 seconds. Lower and repeat 10 times. This can also be done holding onto a chair or counter. Seated Cat-Cow Stretch

Sit at the edge of a sturdy chair, with your feet hip-distance apart and your hands on your knees. Inhale and lift your chin and chest, drawing your shoulders down and back, and looking slightly up. Exhale and round your spine, tucking your chin and looking slightly down. Repeat 5-6 times. Walk

Walk as much as possible, taking stairs instead of the elevator, and aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week — 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Source: Silversneakers.com, Britney Ramos, Susan Pettengill CARY MAGAZINE 55

continued from page 53

Without good balance, we are more likely to fall, and simple moves like walking and getting out of chairs become more difficult, agrees Britney Ramos, fitness coordinator at Waltonwood Cary Parkway. “If you don’t have balance and core stability, you can’t get much else done,” she said. Exercises to develop balance, like standing on one leg at a time, are vital, Ramos says. It becomes harder to maintain our balance as we get older, and this loss happens sooner than you might think. Depending on how active you are and how strong your core muscles are, balance can ebb starting as young as 40. In addition to balance work, Ramos recommends walking, stretching regularly, and a daily routine of strength exercises like squats and calf raises. Many of these moves can be done at home, without any fancy equipment.

“Staying active can help you enjoy your active adult years more fully.” — Susan Pettengill, vice president of healthy living at YMCA of the Triangle “For those people who have really embraced that whole Zoom and exercise, you’ll see them with their cans — they don’t necessarily have to have weights. I think some people are less embarrassed, because they can turn the camera away,” Rice said. “I think it gives some people a little boost of confidence. Plus, some people just don’t want to exercise in front of other people.” But for those folks who can’t wait to get back to their weekly exercise classes, Susan Pettengill, vice president of healthy living at YMCA of the Triangle, says staff there are expanding in-person offerings, with classes indoors, outdoors and at the pools. “Water aerobics is a favorite with active older adults, because it is low impact and

easy on the joints,” Pettengill said. “We also recommended adding some weight-bearing, balance, and flexibility exercises to help maintain bone health and muscle mass.” Even though things are opening and gyms are scheduling classes again, these activities should complement a daily fitness regimen. A walk, some squats, and a few balance moves done every day will benefit anyone who wishes to have a long, active and independent life. “Physical activity can help prevent serious physical and emotional problems, such as depression, chronic conditions, falls and memory decline,” said Pettengill. “Staying active can help you enjoy your active adult years more fully.” t

Water aerobics is a favorite activity with seniors, says Susan Pettengill, vice president of healthy living at the Triangle YMCA. It is low impact and the water provides a buoyancy that supports stiff joints.

APRIL 2021

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Style Retire in

Whether you’re looking to downsize your home or upsize your quality of life, these area communities have a variety of housing solutions to fit your needs. From senior communities that are close to parks, pools and other amenities to continuing care facilities that place a premium on independent living, there is a place for everyone.

CARY MAGAZINE 59

Retire in Style

The Templeton of Cary What’s Your Life Plan? While we all strive for and desire an active, healthy lifestyle as we grow older, unforeseen and unexpected changes are sometimes unavoidable. How we plan and prepare for these unforeseen changes will determine our experience when a transition must occur. These questions and concerns arise daily for the sales team members at The Templeton of Cary. “We see ourselves as counselors because we provide information and guidance to help our customers make the right decision,” states Nicol Whitaker, Marketing Director. “Even if The Templeton isn’t the right “plan” for them, we are here to provide the proper tools and education to help them find what’s right for them.” As we think about what the “future plan” might be, here are some things to consider. Evaluate your overall health. Genetics, exercise, diet, sleep, and other habits can positively or negatively impact your overall wellness as you age. These factors can play into the timing and type of senior living community that might suit your lifestyle and care needs. Now, take some time to review your finances; savings, assets, income, investments, etc. How much money do you have to work with? Have you considered your future costs of care? Having a good understanding and knowledge of your financial situation will help you make logical decisions when it comes to defining the communities that are realistic options for consideration. Lastly, determine what lifestyle option will best serve your needs. Independent Living, Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing, or a Life Plan (CCRC) community are some of your options. Don’t know the difference? Let us break it down for you. Independent living features independent living residences that include minimal services such as housekeeping, activities, and possible dining options. Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing services can be found in stand-alone communities, or as part of a Life Plan Community. Life Plan communities are different from other senior living options in that they offer priority access to additional housing, services, and healthcare accommodations. . Life Plan communities can either be an entry-fee or rental model, allowing you to choose the financial structure that is best for you. It is imperative to understand the levels of care available on each campus. As your needs change, if the community is not equipped to provide an adequate level of care, it is likely that you would have to move to a different community. This type of move, in addition to diminishing health, can create unnecessary stress during an already upsetting time. The Templeton of Cary offers independent living residences with onsite assisted living / memory care, rehab and skilled nursing residences available within Swift Creek Health 60 APRIL 2021 Center. Transition from one level of care to an-

other is seamless, allowing residents who need additional services to stay in the same community they have come to love. The luxury apartment homes at The Templeton provide a maintenance-free lifestyle and include all utilities (excluding telephone), television and internet services, housekeeping, scheduled transportation, one restaurant style meal each day, planned activities, social gatherings, an emergency medical response system, and 24-hour security. Living a maintenance-free lifestyle at The Templeton allows you the freedom to spend your days doing what you want. From enjoying social gatherings, strolling the beautiful grounds, card playing, book reading, enjoying the salon or focusing on fitness, The Templeton has something for everyone. A dedicated Lifestyle Director is on hand to work alongside residents to support whole-person wellness. Planning for your future is an important task. Consider your goals, reflect on your health, and evaluate your finances to select the right retirement living option that is best for you. The Templeton team is experienced and ready to assist you in understanding your options. Call (984) 984.200.3688 | templetonofcary.com 200-3688 today to learn more.

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CARY MAGAZINE 61

Retire in Style

The future is clear. Enjoy the view. The Highview at Searstone. ALL EYES AT SEARSTONE are focused squarely on the horizon, and it’s expanding. Our vision for the future is coming into clearer focus every day as we get closer to the opening of The Highview, a new 4-story residential addition. With 152 elegant apartment homes, a 5,000 square-foot auditorium and arts center and three exciting new dining venues, it will take retirement living to the next level. For those who have the foresight to envision a future in the heart of Cary, this is the opportunity they’ve been waiting for. A BANQUET OF OPPORTUNITY

Four new, distinctive on-site dining options, each providing a fresh and varied culinary experience, will complement our existing restaurant and tavern. With a grand total of six unique atmospheres, no two meals will ever be the same. • MARKETPLACE SOLEIL — Fresh and easy dining that caters to informal gathering and offers takeout convenience. • PROVENCE — Full-service Chop House dining focusing on freshly-prepared classics and creative specials that change on a daily and nightly basis. • CLUB PRIVÉ — Elegant dining where you can design a menu of your own choosing, perfect for entertaining family and friends. • BAR COGNAC — Casual bar and grill dining designed for cocktails before dinner, an aperitif after, or a beer, a bite and a ballgame. SAFETY-FIRST IS OUR FIRST PRIORITY WHERE SEEKERS FIND THEMSELVES.

From surprisingly spacious 1-bedroom apartments to expansive 2-bedroom + den residences, The Highview provides a canvas on which each resident can make room for the life they’ve envisioned in retirement. Enjoy easy walkability and pedestrian access to partake in all of the community’s amenities from Winston Clubhouse to our lushly landscaped outdoor gardens, lakeside walking paths and gathering spaces.

We welcome you to experience Searstone for yourself in a secure, one-on-one setting. Schedule an individual appointment to visit our Guest-Ready community and safely view floor plans, level plans and a scale model of The Highview. A knowledgeable team member will be available to safely answer any questions you may have. To learn more about The Highview or to schedule a secure visit to Searstone, call 919.897.7471 or visit searstone.com.

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CARY MAGAZINE 63

small business spotlight

A to Z Pharmacy EDITED BY AMBER KEISTER | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN

PHARMACIST KRISTEN MOORE wasn’t looking to start a business when she was laid off from her job at a Cary Rite Aid. Her loyal customers convinced her to give entrepreneurship a try, and Moore opened A to Z Pharmacy in March 2019. The business was named for its inventory — a little bit of everything — and for her children’s initials — Andrew, Abby and Zach. Although the shop is new, Moore has an experienced team. One of her first hires was pharmacist Debbie Skakle, who joined the A to Z team in April 2020. Previously employed at the Cary Harris Teeter pharmacy, Skakle has been a pharmacist for more than 25 years.

“She has brought more than 500 patients with her from Harris Teeter pharmacy, and is most likely the reason we’re still open,” said Moore about her colleague. “She has a passion for her patients and goes above and beyond consistently for them and for me.” Owning an independent pharmacy hasn’t been easy, but Moore says connecting with and serving customers makes it worthwhile. She recently shared a few thoughts about the business.

Our store was closed, and I was laid off. I hunted for a new job for a little while, but my patients encouraged me to open my own store. I thought it was impossible until I heard it enough times to look into actually doing it. The idea of not being bound to quotas and metrics and being able to get back to providing excellent patient care was a huge motivator for me. What services or products do you offer that are different from a chain

Why did you want to open your

pharmacy?

own pharmacy?

Debbie (Skakle) and I know our patients by name. We know about their medicine, as well as their kids, jobs, grandkids,

I was a pharmacy manager at Rite Aid in Cary, and Walgreens bought the chain.

Kristen Moore, owner of A to Z Pharmacy, offers many services that larger, chain shops don’t, including custom blister-packaging and medication delivery. 64

APRIL 2021

Kristen Moore, owner of A to Z Pharmacy, invited local artists and artisans to display their work in her spacious waiting room.

and other important things because we take the time to listen. The pharmacist answers the phone 90% of the time, not a machine. We blister package medication for patients — all morning meds in one bubble, evening meds in another bubble. It is a labor-intensive process, and the chains don’t have time to do that. We were (and still are) offering the shingles vaccine even when it was on backorder at the chains. We also offer a mobile app that can be used to request refills, transfer prescriptions, set up a delivery, and look up information about medications. Why is delivery service part of your

Pets are welcome in the store, as long as they are leashed. A to Z also carries pet prescriptions and other necessities.

many reasons people choose to have us deliver their medicine: Busy schedules, illness, not driving in the dark, and mobility issues. Due to the pandemic, we have been delivering much more, and we’ve done a lot of curbside service.

business model?

We have been delivering medicines and non-prescription products since we opened. It is a free service we provide for patients within 5 miles of here. There are

What has been the biggest challenge as a small business owner?

The biggest challenge was realizing that about 30% of the prescriptions we fill, we

lose money on. The insurance companies pay us less than what it costs for us to buy many medications. Because a couple of the big chain pharmacies own some of the largest insurance companies, they penalize their patients by making them pay higher copays to go to a competitor pharmacy. These two issues were eye-opening to me, and the independent pharmacy lobby is fighting hard to level the playing field. continued on page 66

CARY MAGAZINE 65

continued from page 65

What has been the best thing about

Why open an art gallery in your

owning the business?

waiting room?

It has really brought my family closer together. My husband has been extremely supportive of me. He is working extra hours to make sure we can keep our family budget running while I grow the pharmacy enough to turn a profit. He listens to my worries and offers suggestions to help reduce my stress levels. My daughter works with me on Saturdays, and she is a huge help answering the phone and filing paperwork. My sons help me put together packets of paperwork for the flu shot clinics we hold in neighborhoods and for the current COVID vaccines. My in-laws helped me physically build the pharmacy. We laid the floors and painted for a few weeks in 2019. My parents have helped me with some start-up costs, and marketing and business ideas. I feel like I can do anything I set my mind to, because I know I have the support of my family. t

My waiting area is pretty large, and I wasn’t sure exactly what to do with it. My friend is a photographer, so he asked if he could hang and sell some of his and his friends’ photos here. It sounded like a great idea — I got “free” decorations on my walls, and he could display and sell some pictures. We repainted the walls, hung the photos, and the A to Z Gallery was born. We have a few pictures of the Cary Art Center, butterflies, bees and other visually interesting pieces. We’ve expanded from just photography, and since the pandemic, we’ve added a local crafts section. The pandemic closed Lazy Daze and Spring Daze, so I asked some of the crafters if they wanted a spot in my store. We now have almost 10 people who sell their crafts here. We have a wide variety of products: jewelry, purses, jackets, clay gnomes and fairies, candles, cement flower pots and candle holders, laser-cut wood, and yarnbased crafts. 66

APRIL 2021

A to Z Pharmacy 1105 Ballena Circle, Cary (919) 650-3883 | pharmacycarync.com

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APRIL 2021

The art of

perseverance

meet the paper cut ninja WRITTEN BY EMILY UHLAND | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN

Family experiences, cultural history and ninja portraits all find their way into Saguinsin’s work.

he term “ninja” has many associations in present day vocabulary. There’s the stealthy Japanese warrior figure. Or a person with exceptional skills in a particular area, such as a culinary ninja. And an obstacle-surmounting, high-flying athlete, like those competing on American Ninja Warrior. Going back to the word’s origin, however, ninja signifies perseverance, which aptly describes Tim Saguinsin, the Paper Cut Ninja, and his journey as an artist, small business owner and ninja athlete. Exhibiting a strong affinity for the arts early on, Saguinsin attended an arts-focused high school and then the Maryland Institute

College of Art in Baltimore, where he concentrated on painting and sculpture. “I was all set to become the greatest artist ever until I saw how expensive my tuition was, and I had to figure out how I was going to pay for everything,” Saguinsin said. “So I converted the knowledge and talents I had and started to learn how to use a computer.” Pivot No. 1

Thus began his career as a computer graphic artist and animator, producing educational materials for children. “I turn really complex lessons into something that a kid can easily digest,” he said.

That work took him to London and back, and he eventually landed in Cary, by way of Holly Springs, with his wife and two sons. Noticing the popularity of paper cutting machines like the Cricut — thanks, in part, to the family’s many crafty friends — Saguinsin experienced a light-bulb moment. “When I realized that I could use the files that I create on the computer in digital form and turn it into paper, that was it,” he said. “It was like being back in art school again. I was exploring all kinds of different things with it. I started developing my voice.” continued on page 70

CARY MAGAZINE 69

“

continued from page 69

Pivot No. 2

Everything around us is made by an artist. The less we have of artists in this world, the more boring the world is going to be.”

”

— Tim Saguinsin, Paper Cut Ninja

“Coming Home to Holly Springs,” depicts Saguinsin’s family en route through many town landmarks.

The paper cut ninja, Tim Saguinsin, nimbly transitions between his roles as an artist, athlete and business owner. 70

APRIL 2021

That voice turned into a business called Paper Chop Shop, producing vibrant and punchy threedimensional paper sculptures and wall art. Everything from silhouettes to city skylines, animals and illustrated characters are brought to life through layer upon layer of colorful paper and creative, intricate cuts. Saguinsin is head chopper, a role he assumes on nights and weekends, after his day job as an animator is complete. Each project begins with an original illustration on the computer, then is cut out on paper in careful detail. “Nothing takes less than five hours. Most of the projects take anywhere from eight to 10 hours,” Saguinsin said. One noteworthy piece, called “Coming Home to Holly Springs,” features a playful map of various Holly Springs buildings, such as the cultural center and Bass Lake conference center, which Saguinsin created for an art festival as a board member of the Holly Springs Arts Council. Saguinsin’s work received a new level of notoriety when he debuted on the television show “American Ninja Warrior” as the Paper Cut Ninja, selected for a three-and-a-half minute hometown highlight out of 70,000 initial applicants.

“For my submission video, I talked about being the Paper Cut Ninja. I cut all the ninjas out that are on the show, and that was my schtick for getting on the show,” he said. Saguinsin’s episode aired during the summer of 2019, and since then he has received multiple commissions for portraits of other ninjas. “I was incredibly honored and privileged to have something on the show,” he said. “I want to get back on (“American Ninja Warrior”), because I want to do better than I did last time. I only got to the second obstacle. The water was cold. I want to be able to do it so I don’t get wet.” Saguinsin fell in love with ninja training after completing a Spartan race with his wife and friends. “That was my turning point. This is what I want to be doing.” He jumped head first into promoting the sport by opening Warrior Tech training facilities in Morrisville and North Raleigh. Pivot No. 3

“I realized there were no places to train for Spartan races, and I wanted to have a business where you could train for it,” he said. “Four days after I opened the gym, I tore my achilles tendon doing the warp wall. … Two years later on the exact day that I tore my achilles tendon, I stepped on the course of 'Ninja Warrior' and was allowed to run that course.” Fighting through problems and obstacles — and yes, perseverance — are part of the ninja training process, he says. The Warrior Tech facilities have been hit hard by COVID-19, operating at low attendance for their usually popular track-out camps, group classes and birthday parties. Still, Saguinsin’s enthusiasm remains. “It’s one of the coolest communities you’ve ever been to,” he said. “I want the sport to grow, and want everyone to overcome each obstacle.”

In the meantime, Saguinsin continues to develop his style of paper art, some of which can be seen at the Morrisville Warrior Tech. “For me, I’m trying to find a way to get back to my roots of being an artist. I like doing commissions; it’s fun. But I really want to get back to being free to create whatever I want to create … work that speaks to me.” t

Paper Chop Shop paperchopshop.com Warrior Tech 220 Dominion Drive, Suite G, Morrisville (919) 230-1992 warriortechnc.com

CARY MAGAZINE 71

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The Apex Flower Shuttle Community Garden Plows Ahead Despite Uncertainty

WRITTEN BY JACK FREDERICK CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS FROM ANNE HARRISON

SIMPLE GIFTS COMMUNITY GARDEN IS AT A CROSSROADS, but champions of the Apex garden remain undeterred in their mission. The future for the garden at its current location has been uncertain since the April 2020 death of Jeanne Hack, whose 10-acre property has been home to the project since its inception in 2009. Still, organizers have begun the spring planting, even as they mull over long-term options. “We’re going full steam ahead with plans for gardening this year until we know differently,” said Anne Harrison, the garden manager. Hack, a longtime member at Apex United Methodist Church, the garden’s sponsor, offered her land as a base of operations since the beginning. Organizers knew, 74 APRIL 2021

though, that the agreement secured a place for the garden only as long as Hack was alive, Harrison said. “She just said it seemed like such a waste for her to look out the window and see that empty field. She was very happy for us to use it for her lifetime,” Harrison said. “She never promised us anything beyond that, so I have tried to make sure that I say that to anybody that is interested in this.” Ideally, garden leaders would like the garden to stay where it is at 1075 S. Hughes St., where years of hard work have paid dividends. “We’ve amended that dirt for 11 years, so it’d be lovely if we could stay,” Harrison said. Organizers have ideas about how to keep it there, proposing to the Town Council that Apex purchase the land and turn it

TOP: Harvested produce awaits pickup at Simple Gifts Community Garden in Apex. ABOVE: Herbs are grown at the garden as well as fruit and vegetables.

“We’re going full steam ahead with plans for gardening this year until we know differently.” — Anne Harrison

RIGHT: Volunteers work throughout the year to grow produce for themselves and for five local food pantries: St. Mary's AME Church Food Pantry, Western Wake Crisis Ministry, Holly Springs Food Cupboard, The Point Food Pantry and Fuquay-Varina Emergency Food Pantry.

into an urban eco park formed around the garden. Wildlife is plentiful on the property, and Harrison says the infrastructure for such a park already exists, with a pond, garden and pre-Civil War era buildings that could serve a variety of purposes. For now, the land is not yet on the market, though Hack’s children are in favor of selling to Apex for the park “if it can work out for all parties involved,” Harrison said. Discussions with the town about purchasing the property are in early development, and town staff are looking into options, wrote Assistant Town Manager Shawn Purvis, in an email. Meanwhile, organizers are looking for alternate locations, if the garden can’t stay where it is. No matter what, the garden will continue its mission of fostering community in Apex and producing hundreds of pounds of organic crops annually that benefit local food banks. Volunteers are welcome every Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon, and on Tuesday evenings, 5-7 p.m. For more information about Simple Gifts Community Garden, including how to sign up to volunteer, visit simplegiftsgarden.wordpress.com. t

A scenic walking trail could be added around the property, where the Simple Gifts Community Garden is located.

CARY MAGAZINE 75

nonprofit spotlight

The Flower Shuttle WRITTEN BY RABEKAH HENDERSON | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN

FOUNDER KATHY REECE considers the beginnings of The Flower Shuttle “a miracle.” Fifteen years ago, she read in the Oprah Magazine about a New York City woman who recycled unused flowers for people in need. Reece believed she could do the same thing in the Triangle — brighten the lives of those in community living and those facing illness and poverty through recycled flowers. With the help of the Raleigh Moravian Church, which gave the newly-formed nonprofit its seed money, The Flower Shuttle was born. “All the doors just started opening, and a good idea found its way through a lot of really hard working people with good hearts. It just took off — it was amazing,” said Reece. Today, nearly every day of the week, a team member from one of The Flower Shuttle’s 13 teams heads to the organization’s donors to pick up unsold or recyclable 76 APRIL 2021

flowers. The nonprofit’s flowers come from a variety of local places: grocery stores like Trader Joe’s, The Fresh Market and Costco, florists like The English Garden and The Watered Garden, and nurseries like Burkett Farms. After flower pickup, the teams unwrap and clean the blooms and form them into bouquets and floral arrangements. The flowers are then delivered to locations across the Triangle, such as community living centers, rehab facilities and hospitals. By doing this, The Flower Shuttle connects businesses in the Triangle with excess merchandise to communities that have a great need, like Transitions LifeCare, a Raleigh hospice home. The result is an impactful system that minimizes waste and maximizes the simple joy that flowers bring. “I think [The Flower Shuttle] brings together a lot of opportunities,” said Reece.

TOP: Rhonda Hinnart ties ribbons on bouquets, which she arranged in her garage. She and other Flower Shuttle volunteers recycle discarded flowers and bring them to people who don't normally get them. ABOVE: Volunteers remove wilting greenery and blooms from the donated arrangements before creating new bouquets.

“Not only for our flower donors, but for the vendors who donate their flowers to us… and the volunteers from across the Triangle who come to make the magic happen every week.” “The Flower Shuttle has been so good to us for many years,” said Darcy Dye Bowers, senior communications and public relations manager at Transitions LifeCare. The Flower Shuttle provides floral arrangements to Transitions LifeCare’s hospice home patients. The smaller bouquets go to the patients and their families, while the

“During the pandemic, when people can’t have visitors, just having us be able to deliver those flowers on a regular basis really helps people feel better and feel cared about.” — Eileen Taylor, The Flower Shuttle director

larger arrangements sit in the public areas of the facility. One of Reece’s favorite memories is from an early recipient of The Flower Shuttle who, upon receiving a bouquet, remarked that it was the first time anyone had ever given them flowers. “That was such an eye-opener to us of the great need that is out there,” said Reece. Flower delivery in the time of COVID-19 has been challenging. The Flower Shuttle volunteers haven’t been able to meet together as a large group to work on bouquets. Instead, smaller groups, of three to six people, meet throughout the Raleigh-Cary area. However, for The Flower Shuttle director Eileen Taylor, COVID-19 has also brought exciting opportunities. “We have gotten a slew of new volunteers — people who have never volunteered before but now they have time to do something, and we have doubled our output,” she said. The Flower Shuttle went from delivering 1,400 bouquets to 25 different places pre-pandemic to now delivering more than 3,000 bouquets to over 50 different places. “During the pandemic, when people can’t have visitors, just having us be able to deliver those flowers on a regular basis really helps people feel better and feel cared about,” said Taylor.

TOP LEFT: Volunteers Jessica Sinha, left, and Laura James choose flowers from arrangements that were donated to The Flower Shuttle. ABOVE: A rose peeks out from a bucket of flowers, waiting to go into a fresh arrangement.

Aside from bouquets, The Flower Shuttle also delivers buckets of unwrapped flowers to memory-care and assisted-living facilities. This allows for the residents to create their own arrangements — a fun individual activity. “Flowers are just a very simple, tiny thing,” said Reece. “But they have such power to brighten up the darkness, and to let our neighbors know that there are people who don’t even know me who care about me.” The Flower Shuttle accepts donations of glass vases that are in good condition, as well as clean mugs without inscriptions or endorsements. They can be dropped off at the storage bin behind the Raleigh Moravian Church, 1816 Ridge Road, in Raleigh. To make a monetary gift, to donate flowers from an event, or to volunteer, visit theflowershuttle.com for more information. t CARY MAGAZINE 77

The Moving Truck is Leaving! Are you ready to learn about your new community?

Your local welcome team is ready to visit you with a basket full of maps, civic information, gifts, and gift certificates from local businesses. From doctors to dentists and restaurants to repairmen...we help newcomers feel right at home in their new community! For your complimentary welcome visit, or to include a gift for newcomers, call 919.809.0220. Or, visit our website, www.nnws.org.

APRIL 2021

Learn the value that experience brings to home building.

Loyd Builders, LLC is a second generation builder with a focus on custom homes, additions and remodels.

919-387-1455 LoydBuilders.com

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CARY MAGAZINE 79

restaurant profile

For lunch, a flight of three tacos is hard to beat. Daybreak's chef Juan Duarte is a Mexico City native, and his food reflects that history.

APRIL 2021

Daybreak WRITTEN BY DAVID MCCREARY PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN

NOT MANY PLACES serve omelets and pancakes on the same menu as authentic Mexico City street tacos. You’ll find those dishes and more at Daybreak, an upand-coming breakfast/brunch/lunch spot in downtown Cary. Owned and operated by the fine folks who run the nearby Crosstown Pub & Grill, Daybreak is a come-as-you-are eatery that serves up reliable comfort food in a warm environment. “We’re definitely aiming to reach the morning and midday crowd,” said owner Sean Ryan, who runs the café along with his mother, brother and wife — Sheila, Brendan and Megan Ryan, respectively. “Breakfast and tacos are my two favorite food groups, so I figured other people would also enjoy what we have to offer.” Since opening in September 2020, business has slowly but steadily grown. The owners, who live in downtown Cary, appreciate that their friends and neighbors come into the restaurant. “We have regular guests who come in, that we know by name because they also frequent Crosstown,” said Megan Ryan. continued on page 82

“Breakfast and tacos are my two favorite food groups,

so I figured other people would also enjoy what we have to offer.” — Sean Ryan, owner, daybreak CARY MAGAZINE 81

Jayvon Williamson Sr. enjoys a hearty breakfast at Daybreak with his son, Jayvon Williamson Jr.

continued from page 81

Dishes are served in portions that are guaranteed to satisfy. You can’t go wrong with any of the five available omelets, all of which are gluten-free. Go all-in with a Triple Mess involving sausage, bacon, ham and mozzarella cheese, or choose the vegetarian Mediterranean with spinach, black olives, red onions, tomatoes and feta. The ample pancake sandwich features fried chicken nestled between flapjacks drizzled with Sriracha-infused honey. “This is our spin on chicken and waffles,” said Megan Ryan. Inspired by fictional character Ron Swanson from the television sitcom “Parks and Recreation,” the popular Big Swanson burrito includes bacon, sausage, ham, scrambled eggs, home fries, confetti peppers, mixed cheese and a side of salsa verde. 82

Garlic-infused loaded home fries are crowned with bacon, mixed cheese, bell pepper, diced tomato, onions and salsa. Prefer lighter alternatives? Consider the yogurt and seasonal fruit parfait with granola, or try avocado sourdough toast with fried egg, grilled tomato and chili flakes. Wash everything down with a cup of robust Lion Head Coffee imported from Colorado. You can get it hot or iced. “A friend of mine from college runs a roastery and ships the coffee to us,” said Sean Ryan. “We like offering something that you won’t find anywhere else around here.” At lunchtime, head chef Juan Duarte’s mix-and-match taco flights deserve significant consideration. “Juan has a history with traditional style tacos with corn tortillas, chorizo, diced continued on page 85

APRIL 2021

The pancake sandwich with fried chicken and spicy honey is Daybreak's spin on chicken and waffles.

CARY MAGAZINE 83

“We are known

for our homemade bloody mary.”

— megan Ryan, owner, daybreak

The Big Swanson burrito is packed with bacon, sausage, ham, peppers, scrambled egg, cheese and potatoes.

APRIL 2021

continued from page 82

onions and cilantro,” said Megan Ryan, adding that the chef, who hails from Mexico City, brings more than 20 years of culinary experience to the kitchen. Among the eight tacos on the menu, the brightest star is the onion- and mozzarellaladen chorizo. To round out your selection, order the jalapeno-spiked Buffalo chicken and the protein-packed breakfast taco. A kids menu features pancakes, scrambled eggs and a biscuit, and a Nutella-banana sandwich. All meals come with a drink and a side item. When it comes to adult libations, craft cocktails and dessert drinks are available from the bar. “We are known for our homemade bloody mary,” said Megan Ryan. “The Chocolate Covered Strawberry is an iced coffee with Baileys cream, fresh strawberries, and chocolate and strawberry syrups. Our drinks are also available as mocktails.”

The restaurant is available by reservation for after-hours events like birthday parties, wedding rehearsal dinners, baby showers and corporate events. Keep in mind that space may be limited due to COVID-19 regulations. “When we opened, we intentionally kept the decor modern and industrial so it would be more functional for multiple purposes,” said Sean Ryan. Be sure to check out the vibrant abstract mural on the wall behind the bar, painted by talented local artist Craig Gillooly. Daybreak is currently open 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Dine-in service, takeout, curbside pickup and delivery are available. t Daybreak 154 E. Chatham St., Cary (919) 439-1181 daybreaknc.com

The Chocolate Covered Strawberry is iced coffee with Baileys cream, fresh strawberries, and chocolate and strawberry syrups.

Megan and Sean Ryan run Daybreak in downtown Cary, with a little help from their family — mom Sheila and brother Brendan. The Ryan family also owns the nearby Crosstown Pub & Grill.

CARY MAGAZINE 85

Cha House Offers Tastes and Traditions of Taiwan Made from finely ground green tea leaves, matcha is a healthier alternative to coffee and packed with antioxidants. Cha House mixes matcha powder with the milk of your choice in its matcha latte.

WRITTEN BY DAVID MCCREARY | PHOTOS COURTESY OF CHA HOUSE

CHA HOUSE CRAFT TEA & SNACK BAR, a popular Chapel Hill tea shop, recently opened a location in Cary and has deftly ushered in the tastes and traditions of Taiwan. Whether you’re in the mood for Wintermelon black tea, spiced Chai, mango matcha or salted caramel milk tea, Cha House offers plenty of distinctive choices in hot and cold versions. “We want to introduce the Taiwanese culture to the Western world,” said co-owner and Missouri-bred Andy Adkisson, who founded Cha House in 2018 with his wife,

APRIL 2021

Taiwan native Ya Wen “Lulu” Adkisson and her sister, Ya Huei “Julia” Chiu. “Just about everything we sell is imported from Taiwan, so it’s very authentic.” Cha House uses only premium loose-leaf teas sourced from trusted farmers at plantations located in the high mountain ranges of Taiwan. This means the tea is less bitter and more robust than what is found in many other places. “Freshness is really important to us, so none of our tea batches sits for more than four hours before we pour it out,” said Adkisson, adding that the shop’s top ten drinks are listed on the menu board.

Among the most popular beverages include taro milk tea, peach oolong tea and specialty item Dirty Tiger, which features brown-sugar boba (essentially tapioca pearls) and fresh milk. Want coffee instead? Cha House has you covered with mocha, latte, cappuccino and more. When it comes to food, you can’t go wrong with the house favorite popcorn chicken, the pork chop or the waffle with fresh fruit. Or try the green onion pancake with kimchi. While you visit, find inspiration through various signs placed throughout the

“We want to provide a positive environment for our guests and do our part to make them feel welcomed.” — Ya Wen “Lulu” Adkisson, Cha House co-owner

Cha House beverages can be customized with fruit, juice, or boba, which are sweetened tapioca pearls. These pearls give the trendy drink its name — bubble tea.

café like the one that reads: “Choose Love. Show Grace. Have Faith.” “We want to provide a positive environment for our guests and do our part to make them feel welcomed,” Adkisson said. In addition to providing an affirming experience for patrons, the owners of Cha House are also committed to responsible business practices. “We use paper straws, proper recycling methods and are certified ocean friendly,” Adkisson said. Nestled next to the new Aldi grocery store at The Shoppes of Kildaire, Cha House is a relaxing place to sip quality tea and enjoy good conversation with a friend or loved one. In times like these, that’s a really good thing. t Cha House 1319 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary (984) 465-0498 chahouseusa.com

Captions Lavender Earl Grey milk tea CARY MAGAZINE 87

! E T A D E H T E V A

Kinston-Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce

MAY 7 & 8, 2021

KINSTON, NORTH CAROLINA THE LARGEST WHOLE HOG COOK-OFF IN THE WORLD! Due to COVID 19 The 2021 BBQFON will limit the number of cook teams and vendors.

KINSTONBBQ.COM 88 MARCH 2021

liquid assets

The NC-21 (No Children Under 21), from The Provincial PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN

BALANCED IN FLAVOR, with notes of vanilla and fruit, the NC-21 is the perfect drink for spring, says Jarrett Twigg, head bartender at the Provincial in downtown Apex.

“It is super light. Though it sounds like it could be on the sweet side, it is cut nicely by the citrus. The egg whites give it a smooth texture, while the sparkling rose gives another layer of flavor. This cocktail gives a nice aroma and is visually beautiful — a perfect cocktail to bring in the spring weather.”

1½ ounces Ketel One vodka 1¼ ounces fresh lime juice ½ ounce homemade vanilla syrup* 1 ounce passion fruit juice ¼ ounce (1½ teaspoons) egg whites Sparkling rose, such as Los Monteros Cava Measure the vodka, passion fruit juice, lime juice, vanilla syrup and egg whites in a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously for a couple of minutes. Strain into a cold martini glass. Once everything has settled, take a bar spoon and float the sparkling Cava on top.

To make vanilla simple syrup, combine 1 cup water, 1 cup sugar and 3–4 tablespoons of vanilla extract. Simmer for 15–20 minutes, until sugar dissolves. Cool completely before using. *

— Jarrett Twigg, head bartender, The Provincial

CARY MAGAZINE 89

TRUST PERSONAL - MORTGAGE - COMMERCIAL

Cary

1315 Bradford View Drive 919.334.5280 210302-770976897

Rescued WOOD Rehab Your local shop for all things WOOD! We specialize in custom woodworking of all shapes and sizes. Our team can provide DIY Support and Custom Ideas for FUN one-of-a-kind projects. Check out our unique creations, live-edge slabs, barnwood, lumber, reclaimed wood, and hand-crafted items by local woodworkers. Follow us on social media for ideas, classes, specials, and seasonal items.

Rescued WOOD Rehab “Guaranteed Imperfect” 718 N. Main St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 285–2653 www.rwrnc.com Be Safe – Keep Building – Stay Positive 90 APRIL 2021

liquid assets

Truth Serum Pale Ale

from Tobacco Road Brewing

WRITTEN BY DAVE TOLLEFSEN | PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN

PALE ALES are such an overlooked beer style. When you visit a brewery, you’re likely to find several India Pale Ales (IPAs) on the menu. There are so many different types of IPAs for brewers to produce, but how often do you see a pale ale, let alone different varieties? This is like a sibling rivalry where the younger sibling outshines the older one. What is the difference between a Pale Ale and an IPA? Technically, IPAs are higher in alcohol plus hoppier and more bitter than pale ales. The issue is that bitterness is very subjective. Add to that, there are Session IPAs that are lower in alcohol. Tobacco Road Brewing offers a delectable pale ale called Truth Serum. This is a quenchable delight! Using two of my favorite hops, Mandarina Bavaria and Cashmere, both add a wonderfully light orange flavor and a low, but definitely present, bitterness. Bitterness can be an important factor when pairing with food. The term “cut” in beerfood pairing is when the beer will cut, or reduce, the intensity of the food.

At Tobacco Road, the Truth Serum pale ale marries nicely with the Pork Belly Tacos. Pork belly is wrapped in a corn/flour tortilla topped with pickled red onions, spicy tobacco slaw, habanero pineapple salsa, and Cotija cheese. The beer’s orange flavor and hop bitterness cut through the fattiness of the pork belly and tame the heat of the slaw and salsa. It’s really an incredible taste experience! Tobacco Road Brewing has three locations in the Triangle — Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. At each location you can enjoy Truth Serum Pale Ale and the Pork Belly Tacos to see if I’m right about this beautiful pairing. Even better, pick your favorite beer and entree to create your own amazing pairing!

Dave Tollefsen is one of the NCBeerGuys — they have promoting North Carolina craft beer and breweries on their website, ncbeerguys.com, since 2012. He is an avid homebrewer for more than 10 years and is also part of the North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild. CARY MAGAZINE 91

Dining Guide A SELECTION OF RESTAURANTS, BAKERIES, BISTROS AND CAFES

IN CARY, APEX, FUQUAY-VARINA, HOLLY SPRINGS, MORRISVILLE AND RALEIGH Advertisers are highlighted in boxes

CARY

Bellini Fine Italian Cuisine “Everything is made fresh from scratch in our kitchen.” 107 Edinburgh S. Drive, Suite 119, Cary; (919) 552-0303; bellinifineitaliancuisinecary.com

Abbey Road Tavern & Grill “Great food … outstanding live music.” 1195 W. Chatham St., Cary; (919) 481-4434; abbeyroadnc.com

Big Dom’s Bagel Shop “Serving bagels, B’donuts and sandwiches” 203 E Chatham St., Cary; (919) 377-1143; bigdomsbagelshop.com

Alex & Teresa’s Italian Pizzeria & Trattoria “Authentic Italian recipes and homemade pasta.” 941 N. Harrison Ave., Cary; (919) 377-0742; alexandteresastrattoria.com Andia’s Homemade Ice Cream “Premium quality ice cream and sorbet.” 10120 Green Level Church Road #208, Cary; (919) 901-8560; andiasicecream.com

Ashworth Drugs “Quintessential place for freshsqueezed lemonade, old-fashioned milkshakes and hot dogs.” 105 W. Chatham St., Cary; (919) 467-1877; ashworthdrugs.com

ASHWORTH DRUGS 92

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Academy Street Bistro “A fresh take on Italian-American cuisine in the heart of Cary.” 200 S. Academy St., Cary; (919) 377-0509; academystreetbistro.com

Big Mike’s Brew N Que “Beers on tap to compliment locally sourced, farm-to-table BBQ.” 1222 NW Maynard Road, Cary; (919) 799-2023; brewnquenc.com Bonefish Grill “Fresh is our signature.” 2060 Renaissance Park Place, Cary; (919) 677-1347; bonefishgrill.com

Annelore’s German Bakery “Authentic German pastries, breads and pretzels” 308 W. Chatham St., Cary (919) 267-6846 anneloresbakery.com

Bosphorus Restaurant “Traditional Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine in an elegant atmosphere.” 329-A N. Harrison Ave., Cary; (919) 460-1300; bosphorus-nc.com

Asali Desserts & Café A gourmet sweet shop crossed with a refined coffeehouse. 107 Edinburgh Dr., Suite 106-A, Cary (919) 362-7882 asalicafe.com

BottleDog Bites & Brews “A casual place to relax and enjoy unconventional food and craft beer” 8306 Chapel Hill Road, Cary (919) 390-1617; bottledogcary.com

Awaze Ethiopian Cuisine “East African eatery showcasing vegetarian and vegan options.” 904 Northeast Maynard Road, Cary (919) 377-2599 awazecuisine.com

Bravo’s Mexican Grill “Extensive menu raises the ante considerably above the typical Tex-Mex.” 208 Grande Heights Drive, Cary (919) 481-3811; bravosmexicangrill.net

Dining Guide Brewster’s Pub “Open late, serving a full food and drink menu.” 1885 Lake Pine Drive, Cary (919) 650-1270; brewsterspubcary.com Brig’s “Breakfast creations, cool salads and hot sandwich platters.” 1225 NW Maynard Road, Cary; (919) 481-9300; 1040 Tryon Village Drive, Suite 604, Cary; (919) 859-2151; brigs.com Chanticleer Café & Bakery “Family-owned restaurant serving up breakfast, lunch and specialty coffees.” 6490 Tryon Road, Cary; (919) 781-4810; chanticleercafe.com Chef’s Palette “Creative flair and originality in every aspect of our service.” 3460 Ten Ten Road, Cary; (919) 267-6011; chefspalette.net Cilantro Indian Café “Northeast Indian cuisine with fresh ingredients and halal meats.” 107 Edinburgh S. Drive , Suite 107, Cary; (919) 234-1264; cilantroindia.com CinéBistro “Ultimate dinner-and-a-movie experience.” 525 New Waverly Place, Cary; (919) 987-3500; cinebistro.com/waverly Cinnaholic “Over-the-top, decadent cinnamon rolls.” 1209 Parkside Main St., Cary; (919) 650-1407; cinnaholiccary.com City Barbeque “Barbeque in its truest form.” 1305 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary (919) 439-5191; citybbq.com Coffee & Crepes “Freshly prepared sweet and savory crepes.” 315 Crossroads Blvd., Cary; (919) 233-0288; coffeeandcrepes.com Corbett’s Burgers & Soda Bar “Good old-fashioned burgers and bottled soda.” 126 Kilmayne Drive, Cary; (919) 466-0055; corbettsburgers.com

Craft Public House “Casual family restaurant.” 1040 Tryon Village Drive, Suite 601, Cary; (919) 851-9173; craftpublichouse.com Crema Coffee Roaster & Bakery “Family-owned and operated.” 1983 High House Road, Cary; (919) 380-1840; cremacoffeebakery.com Crosstown Pub & Grill “A straight-forward menu covers all the bases.” 140 E. Chatham St., Cary; (919) 650-2853; crosstowndowntown.com Danny’s Bar-B-Que “All slow-cooked on an open pit with hickory wood.” 311 Ashville Ave. G, Cary; (919) 851-5541; dannysbarbque.com Doherty’s Irish Pub “Catch the game or listen to live music.” 1979 High House Road, Cary; (919) 388-9930; dohertysirishpubnc.com Enrigo Italian Bistro “Fresh food made from pure ingredients.” 575 New Waverly, Suite 106, Cary; (919) 854-7731; dineenrigo.com Five Guys Burgers and Fries 1121 Parkside Main St., Cary; (919) 380-0450; fiveguys.com Fresca Café & Gelato “French-styled crepes … gelato made with ingredients directly from Italy.” 302 Colonades Way #109, Cary; (919) 581-8171; frescacafe.com Goodberry’s Frozen Custard 1146 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary; (919) 467-2386 2325 Davis Drive, Cary; (919) 469-3350; goodberrys.com Great Harvest Bread Co. “Real food that tastes great.” 1220 NW Maynard Road, Cary (919) 460-8158; greatharvestcary.com

J&S Pizza Authentic Italian cuisine and New York-style pizza since 1995. Locations in Apex, Cary and Fuquay-Varina. jandsnypizza.com

Gonza Tacos y Tequila “Award-winning Colombian-Mexican cuisine.” 525-105 New Waverly Place, Cary; (919) 653-7310; gonzatacosytequila.com Herons “The signature restaurant of The Umstead Hotel and Spa.” 100 Woodland Pond Drive, Cary; (919) 447-4200; theumstead.com/dining/restaurants-raleigh-nc JuiceVibes “Made-to-order juices from locally sourced produce.” 1369 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary; (919) 377-8923; juicevibes.com Jimmy V’s Steakhouse & Tavern “Certified Angus Beef … fresh seafood, Italian specialties, homemade desserts.” 107 Edinburgh South, Suite 131, Cary; (919) 380-8210; jimmyvssteakhouse.com Kababish Café “A celebration of deliciousness and creativity.” 201 W. Chatham St., Suite 103, Cary; (919) 377-8794; kababishcafe.com

CARY MAGAZINE 93

Dining Guide LemonShark Poke “The finest poke ingredients and local brews on tap.” 2000 Boulderstone Way, Cary; (919) 333-0066; lemonsharkpoke.com Los Tres Magueyes “We prepare our food fresh daily.” 110 SW Maynard Road, Cary; (919) 460-8757; lostresmagueyescary.com

Duck Donuts “Warm, delicious and just the way you like them.” 100 Wrenn Drive #10, Cary; (919) 468-8722; duckdonuts.com/location/cary-nc

Tribeca Tavern “Local craft beers, gourmet burgers and American grub in a casual setting.” 500 Ledgestone Way, Cary; (919) 465-3055; tribecatavernnc.com

KIDS EAT FREE!

La Farm Bakery “Handcrafted daily … only the freshest ingredients.” 4248 NW Cary Parkway, Cary; 220 W. Chatham St., Cary; 5055 Arco Street, Cary; (919) 657-0657; lafarmbakery.com

ko•än “Upscale, contemporary Southeast Asian dishes.” 2800 Renaissance Park Place, Cary; (919) 677-9229; koancary.com

THE MAGGY AWARDS

WINNER

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2020 20 20

WINNER 2021 20 21

Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen “Exceptional renderings of classic Southern dishes.” 7307 Tryon Road, Cary; (919) 233-1632 lucky32.com/cary Lucky Chicken “All of our beautiful Peru, with every dish.” 1851 N. Harrison Ave., Cary; (919) 338-4325; luckychickennc.net Marco Pollo “Peruvian rotisserie chicken.” 1871 Lake Pine Drive, Cary; (919) 694-5524; marcopollocary.com

more than just juice Clean Juice Park West 3035 Village Market Place 919-468-8286

WINNER 2021 20 21

MAGGY AWARD WINNING

MOST KID-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT - 6 YEARS RUNNING BEST PIZZERIA BEST OUTDOOR DINING BEST APPETIZER

WWW.RUCKUSPIZZA.COM 94

APRIL 2021

Dining Guide Maximillians Grill & Wine Bar “Global cuisine using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients.” 8314 Chapel Hill Road, Cary; (919) 465-2455; maximilliansgrill.com

Pizzeria Faulisi “Simple foods from a simple way of cooking: a wood-burning oven.” 215 E. Chatham St., Suite 101, Cary; pizzeriafaulisi.com

Mithai Indian Café “Bengali-style sweet and savory selections free of preservatives and artificial flavors.” 744-F East Chatham St., Cary (919) 469-9651; mithaius.com

Pro’s Epicurean Market & Café “Gourmet market, café and wine bar.” 211 East Chatham Street, Cary; (919) 377-1788; prosepicurean.com

MOD Pizza “Serving artisan style pizzas, superfast.” 316 Colonades Way Suite 206-C, Cary (919) 241-72001; modpizza.com/locations/waverly

Pure Juicery Bar “The Triangle’s only all-vegan juice bar.” 716 Slash Pine Drive, Cary; (919) 234-1572; purejuicerybar.com

Noodle Boulevard “Ten variations on the ramen theme, covering a pan-Asian spectrum.” 1718 Walnut St., Cary; (984) 222-3003; noodleblvd.com

Rally Point Sport Grill “Lunch and dinner food in a pub atmosphere.” 837 Bass Pro Lane, Cary; (919) 678-1088; rallypointsportgrill.com

Once in a Blue Moon Bakery & Café “The fast track to sweet tooth satisfaction.” 115-G W. Chatham St., Cary; (919) 319-6554; bluemoonbakery.com

Ricci’s Trattoria “Keeping true to tradition.” 10110 Green Level Church Road, Cary; (919) 380-8410; riccistrattoria.com Ruckus Pizza, Pasta & Spirits “Great food always, with a side of good times.” 8111-208 Tryon Woods Drive, Cary; (919) 851-3999; ruckuspizza.com Ruth’s Chris Steak House “Cooked to perfection.” 2010 Renaissance Park Place, Cary; (919) 677-0033; ruthschris.com/restaurant-locations/cary Serendipity Gourmet Deli “Discovering the unusual, valuable or pleasantly surprising.” 118 S. Academy St., Cary; (919) 469-1655; serendipitygourmetdelinc.com

Red Bowl Asian Bistro “Each distinctive dish is handcrafted.” 2020 Boulderstone Way, Cary; (919) 388-9977; redbowlcary.com

Sophie’s Grill & Bar “Traditional pub fare along with Old-World cuisine.” 2734 NC-55, Cary; (919) 355-2377; sophiesgrillandbar.com

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Dining Guide Sugar Buzz Bakery “Custom cakes … and more.” 1231 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary; (919) 238-7224; sugarbuzzbakery.com Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea “Globally influenced coffees and teas.” 726 Slash Pine Drive, Suite 280, Cary (919) 377-2505; sweetwaterscafe.com Taipei 101 “Chinese and Taiwanese. Serves lunch and dinner.” 121 E. Chatham St., Cary; (919) 388-5885; facebook.com/carytaipei101

Famous Toastery “Top-notch service for breakfast, brunch and lunch.” Waverly Place Shopping Center, 316 Colonades Way, Suite 201C, Cary; (919) 655-1971 famoustoastery.com

Mellow Mushroom “Beer, calzones and creative stonebaked pizzas.” 4300 NW Cary Parkway, Cary; (919) 463-7779 mellowmushroom.com Spirits Pub & Grub “Wide variety of menu items, all prepared in a scratch kitchen.” 701 E. Chatham St., Cary (919) 462-7001; spiritscary.com

Tangerine Café “From Thai to Vietnamese to Korean to Indonesian.” 2422 SW Cary Parkway, Cary; (919) 468-8688; tangerinecafecary.com

Stellino’s Italiano “Traditional Italian favorites with a modern twist.” 1150 Parkside Main St., Cary; (919) 694-5761; stellinositaliano.com

A Taste of Jamaica “A Jamaican food outpost” 600 East Chatham St., Suite B, Cary (919) 461-0045

Recognized by Cary Magazine Readers as Best House Date-Night Restaurant! Recognized by Cary Magazine Readers as Best SteakSteak House and and Date-Night Restaurant! THE MAGGY AWARDS

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201 20 18

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Dining Guide Tazza Kitchen “Wood-fired cooking and craft beverages.” 600 Ledgestone Way, Cary; (919) 651-8281; tazzakitchen.com/location/stonecreekvillage Terra Bonum Salad Cafe & Coffee “Salads, wraps and other healthy lunch options.” 821 Bass Pro Lane, Cary; (984) 664-3030 Thai Spices & Sushi “Freshest, most-authentic Thai cuisine and sushi.” 986 High House Road, Cary; (919) 319-1818; thaispicesandsushi.com The Big Easy Oven & Tap “Modern, Southern kitchen with New Orleans roots.” 231 Grande Heights Drive, Cary; (919) 468-6007; thebigeasyovenandtap.com The Original N.Y. Pizza “Consistent every visit.” 831 Bass Pro Lane, Cary; (919) 677-8484 2763 N.C. 55, Cary; (919) 363-1007 6458 Tryon Road, Cary; (919) 852-2242 theoriginalnypizza.com

Five Guys Burgers and Fries “Fresh ingredients, hand-prepared.” Visit fiveguys.com for area locations.

Totopos Street Food & Tequila “A walk through … Mexico City.” 1388 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary; (919) 678-3449; totoposfoodandtequila.com/cary

Ruckus Pizza, Pasta & Spirits “Great food always, with a side of good times.” Visit ruckuspizza.com for area locations. Tribeca Tavern “Handcrafted burgers, homegrown beer.” 500 Ledgestone Way, Cary; (919) 465-3055; facebook.com/TribecaTavern

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CARY MAGAZINE 97

Dining Guide V Pizza “True Neapolitan pizza, made with the absolute best ingredients.” 1389 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary (919) 650-1821; vpizza.com

Bonafide Bakeshop & Cafe “A blend of Northern classics and Southern comforts.” 1232 W. Williams St., Apex 919-372-5000; BonafideBakeshop.com

Verandah “Southern casual environment in a modern, boutique hotel.” 301 A. Academy St., Cary; (919) 670-5000; verandahcary.com

Big Mike’s Brew N Que “Beers on tap to compliment locally sourced, farm-to-table BBQ.” 2045 Creekside Landing Drive, Apex; (919) 338-2591; brewnquenc.com

APEX Daniel’s Restaurant & Catering “Pasta dishes, hand-stretched pizzas and scratch-made desserts.” 1430 W. Williams St., Apex; (919) 303-1006; danielsapex.com Udupi Café “Authentic south Indian vegetarian cuisine.” 590 E. Chatham St., Cary; (919) 465-0898; sriudupicafe.com

Abbey Road Tavern & Grill 1700 Center St., Apex; (919) 372-5383; abbeyroadnc.com Anna’s Pizzeria “Piping hot pizzas and mouthwatering Italian food.” 100 N. Salem St., Apex; (919) 267-6237; annaspizzeria.com Apex Wings Restaurant & Pub “Time-tested eatery serving up chicken wings and craft beers.” 518 E. Williams St., Apex; (919) 387-0082 ;apexwings.com

Brooklyn Bakery “Wholesome, scratch-baked.” 101 N. Salem St., Apex; (919) 362-8408; buttercreamsbakeshop.com Common Grounds Coffee House & Desserts “The highest-quality, locally roasted coffee.” 219 N. Salem St., Suite 101, Apex; (919) 387-0873; commongroundsapex.com Doherty’s Irish Pub “Catch the game or listen to live music.” 5490 Apex Peakway, Apex; (919) 387-4100; dohertysirishpubnc.com

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Dining Guide Five Guys Burgers & Fries 1075 Pine Plaza Drive, Apex; (919) 616-0011; fiveguys.com Mamma Mia Italian Bistro “A taste of Italy in every bite” 708 Laura Duncan Road, Apex; (919) 363-2228; mammamianc.com Ruckus Pizza, Pasta & Spirits “Great food always, with a side of good times.” 1055 Pine Plaza Drive, Apex; (919) 446-6333; ruckuspizza.com Rudy’s Pub & Grill “Comfortable and familiar, just like home.” 780 W. Williams St., Apex; (919) 303-5061; rudysofapex.com

Sassool “Serving authentic Lebanese and Mediterranean cuisine.” 1347 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary; (919) 300-5586; sassool.com Scratch Kitchen and Taproom “Asian-influenced American cuisine” 225 N. Salem St., Apex; (919) 372-5370; scratchkitchenandtaproom.com

Salem Street Pub “Friendly faces and extensive menu.” 113 N. Salem St., Apex; (919) 387-9992; salemstreetpub.com

Clean Juice “Organic juices, smoothies and acai bowls.” 3035 Village Market Place, Morrisville; (919) 468-8286; cleanjuice.com Skipper’s Fish Fry “Homemade from our own special recipes.” 1001 E. Williams St., Apex; (919) 303-2400; skippersfish.com

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CARY MAGAZINE 99

Dining Guide Juicehaus “Made-to-order fresh, raw juice.” 509 North Broad St, Fuquay Varina (919) 396-5588; juicehaus.or Los Tres Magueyes “We prepare our food fresh daily.” 401 Wake Chapel Road, Fuquay-Varina; (919) 552-3957; lostresmagueyes.com

Lugano Ristorante “Italian dining in a comfortable and casual atmosphere.” 1060 Darrington Drive, Cary; (919) 468-7229; luganocary.com

The Provincial “Fresh. Simple.” 119 Salem St., Apex; (919) 372-5921; theprovincialapex.com The Wake Zone Espresso “Your special home away from home.” 6108 Old Jenks Road, Apex; (919) 267-4622; thewakezone.com Vegan Community Kitchen “Meatless with a Turkish spin.” 803 E Williams St., Apex; (919) 372-5027; vegancommunitykitchen.com

FUQUAY-VARINA Anna’s Pizzeria “Piping hot pizzas and mouthwatering Italian food.” 138 S. Main St., Fuquay-Varina; (919) 285-2497; annaspizzeria.com Aviator SmokeHouse BBQ Restaurant “All of our food is made in-house.” 525 E. Broad St., Fuquay-Varina; (919) 557-7675; aviatorbrew.com Cultivate Coffee Roasters “Modern industrial twist on a small town coffee shop.” 128 S. Fuquay Ave., Fuquay Varina (919) 285-4067; cultivate.coffe

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Stick Boy Bread Co. “Handcrafted baked goods from scratch … all natural ingredients.” 127 S. Main St., Fuquay-Varina; (919) 557-2237; stickboyfuquay.com The Mason Jar Tavern “All the comforts of Southern hospitality with a modern twist.” 305 S. Main St., Fuquay-Varina; (919) 762-5555; themasonjartavern.com Wingin’ It Bar and Grille “Serves lunch, dinner and drinks.” 1625 N. Main St., Suite 109, Fuquay-Varina; (919) 762-0962; facebook.com/winginitbarandgrille

HOLLY SPRINGS Acme Pizza Co. “Chicago-style deep dish pizza.” 204 Village Walk Dr, Holly Springs (919) 552-8800; acmepizzaco.com Los Tres Magueyes 325 North Main Street, Holly Springs; (919) 552-6272; lostresmagueyes.com Mama Bird’s Cookies + Cream “A unique spin on a timeless dessert.” 304 N. Main St., Holly Springs; (919) 762-7808; mamabirdsicecream.com My Way Tavern “Freshly made all-American foods.” 301 W. Center St., Holly Springs; (919) 285-2412; mywaytavern.com Rise Biscuits & Donuts 169 Grand Hill Place, Holly Springs; (919) 586-7343; risebiscuitsdonuts.com

Thai Thai Cuisine “Fresh authentic Thai food.” 108 Osterville Drive, Holly Springs; (919) 303-5700; thaithaicuisinenc.com The Butcher’s Market “Premium meats and specialty grocery.” 4200 Lassiter Rd, Holly Springs (919) 267-919); thebutchersmarkets.com The Mason Jar Tavern “All the comforts of Southern hospitality with a modern twist.” 114 Grand Hill Place, Holly Springs; (919) 964-5060; themasonjartavern.com The Original N.Y. Pizza 634 Holly Springs Road, Holly Springs (919) 567-0505; theoriginalnypizza.com

MORRISVILLE Alpaca Peruvian Charcoal Chicken “Unforgettable rotisserie chicken.” 9575 Chapel Hill Road, Morrisville; (919) 378-9259; alpacachicken.com Another Broken Egg Café “A totally egg-ceptional experience.” 1121 Market Center Drive, Morrisville; (919) 465-1079; anotherbrokenegg.com Babymoon Café “Pizzas, pastas, seafood, veal, steaks, sandwiches and gourmet salads.” 100 Jerusalem Drive, Suite 106, Morrisville; (919) 465 9006; babymooncafe.com Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar “The quality of the beef and the toppings make our burgers stand apart.” 3300 Village Market Place, Morrisville; (919) 297-0953; baddaddysburgerbar.com Capital City Chop House “Perfect place for a business lunch or dinner or a quick bite before catching a flight.” 151 Airgate Drive, Morrisville; (919) 484-7721; chophousesofnc.com Clean Juice “Organic juices, smoothies and acai bowls.” 3035 Village Market Place, Morrisville; (919) 468-8286; cleanjuice.com

Dining Guide Crumbl Cookies Super-sized treats with a rotating menu of classic and unusual flavors. 1105 Market Center Drive, Morrisville (919) 364-1100; crumblcookies.com

Neomonde “A wonderful mix of traditional and contemporary Mediterranean menu items.” 10235 Chapel Hill Road, Morrisville; (919) 466-8100; neomonde.com

Desy’s Grill & Bar “Straightforward pub grub at a relaxed sports bar.” 10255 Chapel Hill Road, Suite 200, Morrisville; (919) 380-1617; desysbar.com

Nothing Bundt Cakes “Cakes are baked fresh daily, in a variety of flavors and sizes.” 2008 Market Center Drive, Unit 17130, Morrisville; (919) 694-5300; nothingbundtcakes.com

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill “Steaks, seafood, chicken and ribs, all seared over local hickory, oak and pecan wood.” 3200 Village Market Place, Morrisville; (919) 653-0111; morrisville.firebirdsrestaurants.com

Rise Biscuits & Donuts “Old school, new school, and specialty donuts.” 1100 Market Center Drive, Morrisville; (919) 377-0385; risebiscuitsdonuts.com

Fount Coffee + Kitchen “Coffee and a menu that is 100 percent gluten-free.” 10954 Chapel Hill Road, Morrisville; (984) 888-5454; fountcoffee.com

Ruckus Pizza, Pasta & Spirits 1101 Market Center Drive, Morrisville; (919) 388-3500; ruckuspizza.com

The Full Moon Oyster Bar & Seafood Kitchen “Homemade recipes handed down over the years.” 1600 Village Market Place, Morrisville; (919) 378-9524; fullmoonoysterbar.com G. 58 Modern Chinese Cuisine “Master chefs from China create an unforgettable fine dining experience.” 10958 Chapel Hill Road, Morrisville; (919) 466-8858; g58cuisine.com Georgina’s Pizzeria & Restaurant “Mouthwatering homemade Italian dishes.” 3536 Davis Drive, Morrisville; (919) 388-3820; georginaspizzeriaandrestaurant.com HiPoke “Fresh Fun Poke.” 9573 Chapel Hill Road, Morrisville (919) 650-3398; hipokes.com Mi Cancun Mexican Restaurant 9605 Chapel Hill Road, Morrisville (919) 481-9002; micancunmx.com

Saffron Restaurant & Lounge “Gourmet Indian dining experience.” 4121 Davis Drive, Morrisville; (919) 469-5774; saffronnc.com Smokey’s BBQ Shack “Meats are dry rubbed with love and slow smoked with hickory wood.” 10800 Chapel Hill Road, Morrisville; (919) 469-1724; smokeysshack.com Taste Vietnamese “Prepared with passion and perfected through generations.” 152 Morrisville Square Way, Morrisville; (919) 234-6385; tastevietnamese.com Village Deli & Grill “Wholesome homemade foods.” 909 Aviation Parkway #100, Morrisville; (919) 462-6191; villagedeli.net ZenFish Poké Bar “Guilt-free, healthy, fast-casual dining.” 9924 Chapel Hill Road, Morrisville (919) 234-0914; zenfishpokebar.com

Rey’s “Fine dining with a French Quarter flair.” 1130 Buck Jones Road, Raleigh (919) 380-0122; reysrestaurant.com

RALEIGH Angus Barn “World-renowned for its service.” 9401 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh; (919) 781-2444; angusbarn.com Annelore’s German Bakery “Pastries using the finest local ingredients.” 1249 Farmers Market Drive, Raleigh (919) 294-8040; facebook.com/AnneloresGermanBakery Barry’s Café “A restaurant that honors firefighters.” 2851 Jones Franklin Road, Raleigh; (919) 859-3555; barryscafe.com The Big Easy Oven & Tap “Modern, Southern kitchen with New Orleans roots.” 222 Fayetteville St., Raleigh (919) 832-6082; thebigeasyovenandtap.com Flying Biscuit Café “Southern-inspired menu of comfort food made with fresh ingredients.” 2016 Clark Ave., Raleigh (919) 833-6924, flyingbiscuit.com/locations-2/Raleigh The Pit “Authentic whole-hog, pit-cooked barbecue.” 328 W. Davie St., Raleigh; (919) 890-4500; thepit-raleigh.com CARY MAGAZINE 101

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garden adventurer

The bright red Mad Hatter peppers seem like they would have plenty of sizzle, but these beauties are sweet with only a hint of heat.

The Other Peppers WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY L.A. JACKSON

104 APRIL 2021

PEPPER GARDENERS seem to be divided into two groups: Those who play it safe by growing the sweet, mild bell peppers, and brave souls who insist on raising an insane flamer such as the regionally infamous Carolina Reaper. There is a middle ground, however — peppers that look like they should be hot but are not. These peppers come in suspicious shapes usually associated with ones scorchingly fit for a devil’s dinner, but are actually quite mild. There are a few such pepper possibilities suitable not only for your veggie garden but, because many sport festive, colorful appearances, even ornamental beds. And, no, they won’t be hard to find. Last year, I spotted all of these locally at either Home Depot or Lowes, and I know many nursery centers around town have even more born-to-bemild selections.

Shishito. A classic variety from Japan, this pepper is typically picked while still green. The finger-like fruits with thin skins and little or no heat are must-have additions to stir-fries and tempura dishes. Cubanelle. Green, red, yellow, orange — these are all on this pretty pepper’s palette of colors as the fruits mature. Looking like a stubby Shishito, it is often a preferred substitute for bell peppers in many quick-cooked dishes. Sweet Banana. True to their name, the 6- to 7-inch yellow fruits (which eventually ripen to a sassy scarlet) of this pepper do look like miniature bananas. With little or no heat infused in their taste, it is a milder dead ringer of the spicier Hungarian hot wax pepper. Coolapeno. Rhymes with jalapeno for a reason — it has the look and flavor of a jalapeno but without the spicy twang. Young green fruit might have a little bite, but this fades away and is replaced with more sweetness as the peppers ripen to a rich red. Mad Hatter. My favorite alt-hot pepper just because of its name, which suggests one bite will send you screaming out of the garden, but that’s not the case. This All-American Selections winner with weird, hat-shaped fruits that blaze in a dazzling red actually have a sweet taste with only a hint of heat close to the seeds. Giant Marconi. Another All-America Selections winner, this stubby pepper might telegraph the looks of a hottie, but the 8-inchlong green fruits with a smoky sweet flavor only warm up to about 1000 Scoville Heat Units, and this rating dips even lower as they mature to a handsome crimson. L.A. Jackson is the former editor of Carolina Gardener Magazine. Want to ask L.A. a question about your garden? Contact him by email at lajackson1@gmail.com.

To Do in the GARDEN

Bell peppers

TIMELY TIP

12 9

6 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), which can be looked up online for any pepper, is a useful scale that tells whether a variety is mild or burns enough to make you go running to Momma. Sweet, easily edible bell peppers anchor the bottom of this scale at zero SHU, while spicier selections such as Anaheim, Ancho and Poblano that top out around 2000 SHU offer tastiness with a light, teasing bite. Even more culinary kick can be had from hotter peppers like Tabasco (2000-5000 SHU), Serrano (10,000-23,000 SHU) and Cayenne (30,000-50,000 SHU). For those who insist on incinerating their insides, Trinidad Scorpion and Carolina Reaper, both chemically cooking at over two million SHU, will readily provide the desired (?) excruciating experience.

April

• Whether hot or bell, peppers can be added to the spring garden starting the middle of this month, along with other warm-season veggies such as green beans, eggplant, cucumbers, watermelons, pumpkins, squash and tomatoes. • New sprouts and leaves are irresistible to hungry aphids, so watch carefully for any fresh foliage suddenly curling under. Aphids like to party on the backside of leaves, so if you spot any, use a strong squirt of water from the hose to break up their mealtime. A splash of insecticidal soap will also rid your plants of these pinhead-sized problems. • Cutworms can also be a problem at this time of year because they are attracted to young annuals. Since they usually come

out at night, doing an evening patrol to pick off the offending beasties will work, but also consider knocking the bottoms out of paper cups and setting a cup around each plant as a physical barrier against these leaf-chewing pests. • From the Spring Disease Department: Keep a lookout for any signs of what seems to be burnt branch tips. It’s fire blight, and usually afflicts plants such as raspberries, pyracanthas, pears, blackberries, apples, hawthorns and cotoneaster. Use pruners dipped in water spiked with 10 percent bleach, and, after snipping the damaged branch ends off, bag them up and toss away. Do not compost the clippings.

CARY MAGAZINE 105

Shh! Morrisville Library Opens Quietly PHOTOGRAPHED BY JONATHAN FREDIN

Construction on the Morrisville Community Library began in late 2018 and was completed in April 2020. The library's opening was delayed until January 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The library houses approximately 50,000 adult and children's books. 106

APRIL 2021

Returned books are collected outside the front entrance.

Safety glass divides librarians from visitors to the Morrisville Community Library.

The Morrisville

THE MORRISVILLE COMMUNITY LIBRARY opened its doors with a “soft opening” on Friday, Jan. 29. Because of COVID-19, the traditional fanfare that usually accompanies a new library opening was postponed, but bookworms of all ages are still able to tour and enjoy the new library. “Historically, when a new county library opens, a ceremony with county officials, town officials and library staff is presented to the community to celebrate the new facility,” said Helen Yamamoto, Morrisville library branch manager. “The formal opening ceremony will be scheduled for late spring or early summer.” Located on the corner of Town Hall Drive and Carolina Street, the new library is the first located in the Town of Morrisville. At roughly 8,800 square feet, it houses approximately 50,000 adult and children’s books and 16 public computers. Construction began in late 2018 and was completed in April 2020. The library’s opening was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Like other Wake County libraries, the new location has been equipped with environmental controls, social distancing queues, health screening stations, and hand sanitizing areas for both staff and patrons. Masks are required for all patrons over five years of age, and capacity is limited. Books on the Go services are also available, allowing patrons to reserve up to 30 books and materials and schedule contact-free pickup.

Community Library's interactive art installation "Stacks" by artist Randy Walker was inspired by stacks of books on a shelf, which come and go. Each colored plate represents the diverse background and experiences of people in the community.

ABOVE: The Morrisville Community Library’s Books on the Go and Book Bundles allow patrons to schedule a contact-free appointment to pick up books. LEFT: During the library's opening day, Morrisville Mayor T.J. Cawley stands before a temperature gauge at the entrance to the library. Anyone entering must pass a health screening and wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth. CARY MAGAZINE 107

happenings

PARAGON THEATERS plans to open in 2022 at Fenton, the 69-acre mixed-use community under construction in Cary. Amenities at the high-end theater include pod-style seating, seven auditoriums, a full bar, and an outdoor screen for movies or sporting events. The pod-style seating, configured as loveseats or Nikki Thompson and her two children, right, helped surprise Megan and Michael Bereman with a donation to help with medical costs.

singles, is akin to movie-viewing suites. Customers will be able to order freshly

Michael and Megan Bereman, of Apex, received a $5,000 gift on Feb. 2 to help pay medical bills and other costs associated with ALS

prepared food and beverages directly from their phones for in-seat dining. paragontheaters.com

treatment. The donation was thanks to Paint for a Cure, an Arizona-based nonprofit founded to ease the financial burden on families affected by ALS. Handing over the check was Apex resident Nikki Thompson, whose family received a similar check from Paint for a Cure in November 2020. paintforacure.org

Triangle’s 2020 Walk to End Alzheimer’s was one of the Alzheimer’s Association’s The

top 30 walks in 2020. Triangle participants raised more than $389,000 to fund Alzheimer’s care, support and research programs. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, instead of a large group gathering, thousands of area participants walked as individuals and small groups on sidewalks, tracks and trails across the Triangle. alz.org/nc

THE UMSTEAD HOTEL,

its fine dining

restaurant, Herons, and The Umstead Spa were named Forbes Travel

Kendra, Kai and John McAdory, of Apex, belong to McAdory's

Guide Five-Star award winners, the highest ranking achievable by

Marchers, a team that

the rating. The awards were announced in February, and this is the

for the Alzheimer’s

raised over $2,000

second consecutive year that the property has received triple Five-

Association during the

Star status. theumstead.com, ForbesTravelGuide.com

End Alzheimer’s.

108

APRIL 2021

October 2020 Walk to

RESORT LIFESTYLE COMMUNITIES held a groundbreaking ceremony on Feb. 18 for the Brier Pointe Retirement Community, an independent senior living retirement community in Morrisville. The $30 million, 180,000-square-foot facility will be located at 5911 McCrimmon Parkway. BrierPointeRetirement.com

PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. plans to expand operations in Cary, opening a Mortgage Fulfillment Center in 2021. The Californiabased mortgage lending firm expects to add 322 jobs that will support its loan processing, underwriting, and funding operations. The average salary is expected to be $64,000 annually. pennymacusa.com

ERIKA CHAN, an Athens Drive Magnet High School 10th-grader, has created digestible infographics for social media to answer basic questions about COVID-19. Called ‘Easy Explanations,’ the graphics are aimed at combating conspiracy theories and other bad information about the pandemic. Chan’s

Esteamed Coffee received a $1,566 donation from the Cary Women’s Club in January. The nonprofit coffee shop, located in downtown Cary, provides meaningful employment for people with various disabilities. esteamedcoffee.com

infographics largely appear on Instagram @easy_explanations. They have also been published in the Athens Drive student newspaper and on her website. google.com/view/easy-explanations

CARY MAGAZINE 109

happenings

In January, the Town of Cary celebrated the retirement of

Sammie Garris, a longtime solid waste equipment operator. “In

his nearly 45 years of service with Cary, Sammie has touched the lives of so many citizens and staff through his selfless acts of kindness and ever-present smile. From his first days in public works in 1976 to today, Sammie has watched Cary — and its appreciation for his wonderful heart — grow,” the town wrote in an announcement.

DREW HAVENS left his position as Apex town manager on Feb. 5. and is now the town manager for Duck, N.C. Under Havens’ leadership, Apex moved forward with many initiatives including an Plan & Parking Study, Vision Zero

OVER THE MOON PLAY SPACE opened in

designation and associated roadway

February at 653 Cary Towne Blvd. in Cary.

and pedestrian safety improvements,

It includes a custom-designed rocket ship,

SolSmart Gold designation for solar

a low ropes challenge course, tumbling

power achievement, the first Citizen

equipment, a climbing wall, design and

Satisfaction Survey, and a Community

building activities, and a special zone

Branding Study. He also facilitated

for babies and toddlers. According to its

capital projects including Public Safety Station 5, and the construction of the Senior

website, the space is best for children up

Center, Pleasant Park, and the Electric Operations Department. apexnc.org

to age 10. overthemoonplay.com

organizational realignment, Downtown

Matt Bland, of Bland Landscaping in Apex, was given the Jerry Ragland Award by the North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association. The award recognizes an outstanding young person in the landscape business. In February, the trade association recognized eight industry professionals for their contributions to the North Carolina green industry in 2020. blandlandscaping.com

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Erik and Melissa Bomsta of

The Pooch Mobile, Cary recently launched

a mobile dog wash and grooming service. The new business is accepting appointments now for dog bathing, complete with all-natural hypoallergenic products and a treat at the end. ThePoochMobile.com

The Jandy Ammons Foundation, in February, awarded $336,194 to 11 area nonprofits, including the Rex Healthcare Foundation and the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences.

PHOENYX KIMBALL, 13, finished first in two races at The INEX Series

The grants will fund capital projects related to art, wildlife conservation,

Winter Nationals at Auburndale Speedway in Winter Haven, Fla., in February. Phoenyx

education and church mission. The

races a Bandolero car for Dillon Spain Motorsports in Raleigh and is sponsored by

Raleigh foundation is accepting grant

Twisted Scizzors Salon in Cary. twistedscizzorsonline.com

applications for 2021 through May 3. TheJandyAmmonsFoundation.org

CARY MAGAZINE 111

Casey Blackert, of Cary, hopes

happenings

to pursue a career as a game designer at N.C. State.

Panther Creek Student Designs COVID Board Game WRITTEN BY JACK FREDERICK PHOTOS COURTESY OF CASEY BLACKERT

TIME SPENT IN ISOLATION last summer gave one Cary high school student an idea for how to channel the boredom of the pandemic into a fun strategic board game. Casey Blackert, a senior at Panther Creek High School, created “COVID 19: A Race to the Vaccine” in August as a game to keep her family entertained at home. The game quickly became a family favorite, and she realized others might enjoy it, too. “There’s a lot of negativity in the world with COVID, but the positive aspect is that we can bring our families together. You’re getting closer with them, because you’re quarantined inside,” Blackert said. “You should enjoy the aspect of being with your family, so I thought that a COVID game would be the perfect

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way to get families to be together and have a souvenir for after it goes away.” As the name suggests, the goal of the game is to be the first player to maneuver around the board and successfully vaccinate all of your pawns. Blackert designed it to mirror the real world, with obstacles like catching the virus or infecting others standing in the way of the ultimate goal. “I wanted to make it have some sort of strategy aspect, but I also wanted it to be some sort of way to educate people,” she said. “That’s why I brought in the idea of having the race to the vaccine, so everyone’s family wants to get vaccinated first. It follows the whole way that COVID is happening right now, so if you catch COVID, and you’re near someone, then they can catch COVID, too, and then you’d have to go home and quarantine.”

No one can die in the game, which is designed for players of all ages, Blackert says. The game is her first to be published, but the 17-year-old has been interested in designing board games since she was a small child. Until recently, Blackert said she kept her board games hidden outside of her family. It was her family who urged her to make her interest public by publishing the game for others to enjoy. “I thought it was kind of weird,” Blackert said. “But when I did this with my family, they were so impressed and they thought that it was something that really could bring light to a time like this.” With the help of a company called The Game Crafter, Blackert published the board game, which can be purchased on her website, quaranteengames.com.

Surf City NORTH CAROLINA

BEACHES WATERWAYS DINING ATTRACTIONS FISHING BOATING SURFCITYNC.GOV (910) 328-2716 CARY MAGAZINE 113

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BY JONATHAN FREDIN

Light as a Feather Sunrise aglow underwing, Canada geese fly over Apex Lake.

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Cary Magazine April 2021

Articles inside

Small Business Spotlight: A to Z Pharmacy

Happenings

Garden Adventurer: The Other Peppers

Nonprofit Spotlight: The Flower Shuttle

Liquid Assets: Truth Serum Pale Ale from Tobacco Road Brewing

Liquid Assets: The NC-21 from the Provincial

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