Construction continues

on the impressive 92-acre Pleasant Park, in Apex, which will provide active and passive recreation for all ages, including tennis, pickleball, basketball, and sand volleyball courts; multipurpose fields; a cross-country course; and a staffed fieldhouse with restrooms and concessions.

The park will also include an expansive play setting with more than 1.5 acres devoted to a splash pad and seven play villages with themes like Kingdom in the Clouds and Discovery Dig.

Located near Old US 1 Highway and I-540, park amenities will open on a rolling schedule as completed.

Did you see FuquayVarina Mayor Blake Massengill in his holiday suit last December? Don’t miss the mayor’s monthly chats on YouTube — fun opportunities to learn about the varied facets of the town and see the mayor in a relaxed setting.

A Triangle Food Passport

program debuted last month involving 12 popular area eateries.

The passport includes a special offer from each participating establishment, earning the diner a “stamp” when redeemed. Passports are $25, and a percentage of the proceeds will fund assistance for a Culinary Arts student at Wake Technical Community College.

Among the participating eateries are local favorites The Butcher’s Market, Asali Desserts & Cafe (pictured above), and Andia’s Ice Cream, as well as Sassool Cafe, Raleigh Rolls, and others.

The Town of Holly Springs

is set to receive more than $6 million earmarked for infrastructure projects to increase water and sewer capacity, including $3 million to upgrade and expand the Holly Springs Utley Creek Water Reclamation Facility.

The expansion of this facility will incorporate innovative and sustainable techniques, such as diverting treated wastewater for reuse in irrigation and industrial applications.

The money is part of a federal spending bill passed by the US House of Representatives for fiscal year 2023.

The bill also provides $3.3 million to assist in the expansion of the City of Sanford’s Water Treatment Plant to provide for future drinking water needs for Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Pittsboro, and Sanford municipalities.

Fuquay-Varina received a Distinguished Budget Award for the current fiscal year from the Government Finance Officers Association. The award reflects the commitment of the town government and staff to meeting the highest principles of budgeting, and represents the highest form of recognition in this arena. The award was presented to JoAnne Crabtree, finance director for the Town of Fuquay-Varina.

Grapes, Grains &

Giving, a fundraiser organized by the Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce, raised $15,000 in support of the Holly Springs Food Cupboard. This financial contribution will support the Food Cupboard as they work to meet the supplemental food needs of residents of the local community.

The welcome center at Serenity, an up-and-coming residential community in Harnett County, opened late last year. Visitors to the welcome center can explore the community’s available home building opportunities and view an interactive presentation highlighting the planned amenities.

Taziki’s Mediterranean Café opened in December in the Holly Springs Towne Center, marking the brand’s first Holly Springs location and fourth location in Wake County.

“It has been a dream of mine to provide our neighborhood with dining options that not only fulfill the role of nourishment, but that also provide balanced meals with whole, fresh ingredients,” says David Webber, Taziki’s owner and operator.

Coastal Credit Union

announced several recent employee updates, including Jen Humphrey as Vice President of Employee Experience, Murshid Khan as Chief Information Officer, and Jennifer Gallager as Director of Branch Expansion and Operations.

Coastal Credit Union is among the leading financial institutions in North Carolina, with $4.66 billion in assets, 23 branches in central NC, and more than 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide.

The Morning After

By Jonathan Fredin

The sunny morning after a recent storm reveals a bejeweled display of pine needles dripping rain droplets.