5 West magazine – May/June 2023

EDITOR’S LETTER

This time of year, laughter bounces through neighborhood backyards, grills sizzle and ice cubes clink into cocktail glasses. Kids run through sprinklers and canine companions bark in conversation.

But one of spring’s most exciting developments takes place in your closet. Never is it more tempting to freshen up your wardrobe than when flowy fabrics command the runways in a spectrum of vibrant hues. Beginning on page 16, stylist Sofia Lujan presents five ensembles that blend crisp colors, tailored angles and elegant fabrics with classic spring trends. “The Art of Style” showcases a palette of sophisticated, museumworthy looks photographed by Bruce DeBoer at CAM Raleigh.

Two different interior designers add a modern twist to classic southern home design concepts in Cary and Sanford in “Southern Revival” on page 24.

Delicious destinations await on page 30, where you can visit creameries along the WNC Cheese Trail for artisan delights made by skilled cheesemakers.

Head south to Jones Lake State Park in Elizabethtown to experience the natural wonder of Carolina bays on page 36, where you can find out what they are—and how they might have formed.

We turn our focus to your beloved pets in “Saving Lives and Stealing Hearts” on page 40, which focuses on pet rescue efforts in the Triangle. Discover local resources for training your pup in “Good Dogs” on page 64.

Wake County fire departments are recruiting.“Wanted: Unsung Heroes” on page 68 pulls back the curtain on why fire departments across the country are experiencing a shortage of these heroic community protectors.

Meet Max and Sarah Schrock of Cary on page 70 in “A Husband-and-Wife Baseball Life.” Now parents, the couple, who met while attending Cardinal Gibbons High School, discuss how Max’s experiences as a professional baseball player have enriched their lives.

Another Cary duo, Shelia Ryan and her son, Sean, lean into generational restaurant ownership experiences at Crosstown Pub & Grill, where they serve up award-winning classics, like their fried green tomato sandwich with pimento cheese. Learn more on page 72.

Finally, be sure to check out our annual Faces special section, which begins on page 45. Meet the individuals, entrepreneurs and business owners who are helping make western Wake County one of the South’s best places to live.

There’s no better time to soak up the outdoors in North Carolina. We hope the ideas, destinations and people on the pages that follow inspire you to make the most of the time you spend enjoying this great state during two of its most beautiful months.

PHOTO BY BRUCE DeBOER

Beth Shugg, Editor

PUBLISHERS

Ronny Stephens

Kent Braswell

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Beth Shugg

ART AND WEB DIRECTOR

Sean Byrne

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Dathan Kazsuk

COPY EDITOR

Cindy Huntley

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Janice Lewine

SOCIAL MEDIA AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

Melissa Wistehuff

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Sherry Braswell

Paige Gunter

Stefanie McClary

Laura Morgan

DISTRIBUTION

Joe Lizana, Manager DistribuTech.net

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Elliot Acosta, Mario Boucher, Frances Deese, Kurt Dusterberg, Marilyn Jones, Tom Poland, Charlotte Russell, Anita Stone, Caitlin Wheeler, Melissa Wistehuff

CONTRIBUTING

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Alisha Cleveland Photography, Sara Coffin, Bruce DeBoer, Josh Manning, MASH Photography, Jenny Midgley, New Depth Creations, Anna Routh

5 West magazine is published six times annually. Any reproduction in part or in whole of any part of this publication is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher.

Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.

5 West magazine is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photography or art. Unsolicited material is welcome and is considered intended for publication. Such material becomes the property of the magazine and is subject to editing.

5 West magazine will not knowingly accept any real estate advertising in violation of U.S. equal opportunity law.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

6 print issues (1 year) Available online at midtownmag.com 4818-204 Six Forks Road Raleigh, NC 27609 Phone: 919.782.4710

Fax: 919.782.4763

ON THE COVER

Model Kama Laxton wears an outfit styled by Sofia Lujan that features a yellow dress from Monkee’s of Raleigh, sandals with pearl white flower detail from Main & Taylor Shoe Salon and jewelry from Bailey’s Fine Jewelry. She is photographed by Bruce DeBoer in front of “The Black Hole” by artist Alena Mehic at CAM Raleigh.

NC-BASED INTERIORS & ARCHITECTURE

Former designer turned interiors photographer A hands-on creator of intentionally composed, intuitively styled images that showcase your rooms, from their most breathtaking expanses to their most exquisite details

Morrisville’s new Rush Hour Karting location is the perfect spot to unleash your inner NASCAR driver!

Slam Dunk! Ever since Sports & Social opened in Cary’s Fenton development, the sports bar has been greeting a steady stream of fans.

PHOTO BY BETH SHUGG

Just upstairs from Sports & Social, PBR Cary’s mechanical bull is getting a workout!

The Morrisville Trader Joe’s team hit all the right notes for their “Art in Bloom” exhibit at the North Carolina Museum of Art.

PHOTO BY BETH SHUGG

The Triangle Family staff celebrated the launch of its new parenting publication at Sassool’s Cary location.

This page features your comments on our social media posts and a summary of our latest “Talk of the Triangle” podcast episodes.

Introducing 5 West magazine!

Formerly Cary Living, 5 West honors the five amazing towns in Western Wake County: Cary, Apex, Morrisville, Holly Springs + Fuquay-Varina.

What a gorgeous cover! —@josephwilliamsinteriors

Gorgeous!

—@nancygrace.realtor

Glam

—@spa.suites.nc

Stunning!

—@International Community of Interior Designers

Our debut issue of Triangle Family has been flying off the shelves, thanks in big part to our cover stars, The Holderness Family!

Thank you for the honor!

—@The Holderness Family via Facebook

What a lovely article.

—@Linda Sierra-Parkes

It is such a great issue! Congrats!

—@FentonNC

Congratulations! Well-deserved praise for all your hard work. I wish so badly that there had been a source to turn to after my pregnancies.

—@Donna Fulk-Schaffner

Nice article. I remember the “Christmas Jammies” and the SNL skit. The Amazing Race is one of our favorites, so it was fun watching you on it.

—@Cathi Mowery

Great read! My fave couple on social media.

—@Laurel Grasset

I stopped everything to read this— start to finish!

—@Linda Zehner

Colletta announces a female-led chef team! Keyturah Yisrael is the new executive chef and Helena Larson is the new pastry chef. Welcome to Fenton!

Congratulations!

—@CapriFlavors Italian Market

Can’t wait to try ... Always support our local leading ladies.

—@Saving Grace NC Congrats, ladies! —@f45_trainingcary

Our “Talk of the Triangle” podcast, available wherever you download podcasts, introduces you to the people, places and events across our region worth talking about.

Our May episode features a discussion about fashion in the Triangle, and our June episode explores the mystery of Carolina bays Each episode drops the first Tuesday of the month. Listen to them one at a time, or binge them all at once! Either way, you’ll be glad you tuned in. Learn more at 5westmag.com/podcast

COVER PHOTO BY BRUCE D E BOER

COVER PHOTO BY MASH PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO COURTESY OF FENTON

TRIANGLE FAMILY MAGAZINE DEBUTS WITH A LAUNCH

PARTY AT SASSOOL Triangle Family magazine hosted a launch party for its debut issue at Sassool in Cary on March 18. Attendees enjoyed delicious bites from Sassool, entered a giveaway featuring four separate prizes, met members of Triangle Family’s staff, and picked up copies of the debut issue, along with March/April issues of Triangle Family’s sister magazines, Midtown and 5 West

PHOTOS BY SIMONE LAWSON AND BETH SHUGG

TRIANGLE LUNGE FORWARD DRAWS HUNDREDS OF PARTICIPANTS TO KOKA BOOTH AMPHITHEATRE

More than 450 participants, including 27 lung cancer survivors from across the Triangle, united to raise awareness and show support for the lung cancer community at the Triangle LUNGe Forward 5K Run, Walk & Celebration March 25 at Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary. The annual event benefits Lung Cancer Initiative, which began as a grassroots movement of survivors, providers and advocates in North Carolina, and has grown to become a leading organization that connects lung cancer patients with the medical and research community. Since 2007, Triangle LUNGe Forward has raised more than $2 million to fund lung cancer research and education.

RESTORED FOR MOMS HOSTS PROFESSIONAL EVENT FOR CAREER-MINDED MOTHERS

Restored for Moms, a faith-based community for career-minded mothers, hosted Profresh Refresh March 2 at Blush Cowork in Cary. The event welcomed 40 women from across the Triangle, who enjoyed presentations and conversations related to personal style, onand off-camera makeup, LinkedIn profiles and workplace communication. Attendees formed personal and professional connections in a welcoming atmosphere that recognizes the unique position of career-minded mothers. Blush Cowork, located at 201 Shannon Oaks Circle in Cary, is a space specifically focused on helping females achieve their personal goals.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE LUNG CANCER INITIATIVE

PHOTO BY MYLINA RUSSELL PHOTOGRAPHY

PET PERKS

Pets are the heart of the home! Reward their unconditional love with a creatively themed plush toy or classic leather collar. Celebrate them by growing kitchen herbs in a pet-themed planter or enjoying your morning coffee in a cat-themed mug.

1. Dog pot, $27 | City Garden Designs

2. Barking Brunch plush toys, $10.95–$12.95 | NOFO @ The Pig

3. Cat mug, $22 | Stylish Living

4. Haute Diggity Dog toys, $15.95 and up | Swagger

5. Classic leather dog collars, $28 (small), $30 (medium), $34 (large) | Designed For Joy

HOWDY HOMEMADE ICE CREAM LAUNCHES IN CARY

Howdy Homemade Ice Cream, a Texas-based company that employs teens and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, opened at 370 S. Walker Street, #123, in Cary. Howdy Homemade serves delicious ice cream featuring unique flavor concoctions such as Orange Dreamsicle, Cold Brew & Cookies and Happily Ever Banana, as well as gluten- and dairy-free options. Howdy Homemade is open daily 11 a.m.–9 p.m.

370 S. Walker Street, #123, Cary 919.378.9005

howdytriangle.com

APEX WELCOMES THE HIGHLINE BUILDING

Developed by Oppidan Investment Company, the Highline Building has opened at 209 N. Salem Street in downtown Apex, boasting 21,000 square feet of office space, 11,000 square feet of ground-floor retail and a third-floor private balcony overlooking Salem Street. Current tenants include a local brewery, a women’s boutique and several business firms.

209 N. Salem Street, Apex 984.241.2727

oppidan.com

ATRIA BRINGS INDEPENDENT SENIOR LIVING TO CARY

Atria Senior Living hosted a ribbon-cutting of its four-story, independent living community in Cary on February 16 that featured remarks from N.C. Sen. Sydney Batch, national Atria Senior Living representatives and the community’s newest residents. Located across from Koka Booth Amphitheatre and Symphony Lake, Atria Cary features an indoor pool; salon and spa; three dining venues; a fitness center; a theater; and a physical therapy center staffed by WakeMed clinicians.

7000 Regency Parkway, Cary 919.342.8200

atriaseniorliving.com/retirement-communities/atria-cary-cary-nc

TANDOORI

TRAIL SERVES AUTHENTIC INDIAN CUISINE IN APEX

Tandoori Trail opened March 23 at 2017 Creekside Landing Drive in Apex’s Beaver Creek Shopping Center. Apex Mayor Jacques Gilbert performed the ribbon-cutting, and owner and chef Karuna Kumar and her husband VK served a buffet dinner to invited guests, including Mr. Monish Gujral, a chef and Gourmand World Cookbook awardee. Tandoori Trail is a franchise of the legendary Moti Mahal restaurant in India, which was started by Gujral’s grandfather Kundan Lal Gujral, who popularized Tandoori cuisine.

2017 Creekside Landing Drive, Apex

919.679.7400

tandooritrail.com/apex-nc

BRIER POINTE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY OPENS IN MORRISVILLE

Brier Pointe, an all-inclusive 55-and-over independent senior living community located at 5911 McCrimmon Parkway in Morrisville, hosted a ribbon-cutting celebration March 23 attended by Morrisville Mayor TJ Cawley, ambassadors from the Morrisville and Cary chambers of commerce, Brier Pointe managers Julie and Bola Babalola, and new community residents. Brier Pointe features 24/7 service, resort-style dining and lavish accommodations.

5911 McCrimmon Parkway, Morrisville

919.825.2989

rlcommunities.com/communities/north-carolina/brier-pointe-retirement

PHOTO COURTESY OF HOWDY HOMEMADE

PHOTO COURTESY OF OPPIDAN

PHOTO COURTESY OF ATRIA SENIOR LIVING

PHOTO BY PAIGE GUNTER

PHOTO BY PAIGE GUNTER

Kama ponders artwork titled “Cult of Personality” by Alena Mehic while wearing a pleated multicolor top and pleated navy pants from C.T. Weekends with white platform sandals from Rangoni Firenze Shoes. She is carrying a Nazz Ares oversized silver clutch. From Bailey’s Fine Jewelry she is wearing Seaman Schepps Canton pearl earrings in 18 karat gold, an 18 karat Italian gold intertwined band, a 14 karat yellow gold herringbone band, an 18 karat yellow gold diamond and moon quartz ring, a Seaman Schepps 18 karat gold and lapis classic link bracelet, a Roberto Coin Love in Verona narrow pavé diamond bangle and a Miseno five-row thin bangle bracelet. She is wearing the following Ippolita items: a Classico sterling silver flat hammered bangle, gold Glamazon Reef bangle bracelet, diamond pavé bangle bracelet in sterling silver, five-stone mother-of-pearl lollipop bangle bracelet, Classico crinkle hammered bangle in 18 karat gold, Stardust five-station bangle bracelet in 18 karat gold and Stardust five-flower station bangle.

THE ART OF STYLE

SOPHISTICATED SPRING PALETTES, MUSEUM-WORTHY ENSEMBLES

BY BETH SHUGG

Beautiful art inspires a change in perspective, just as our clothing and accessories motivate how we move through each day. Fashion designers account for these influences annually when they reinvent light, airy spring ensembles—inherent tenants of warm weather fashion—to match seasonal shifts in attitudes and trends. This year, collections remain vibrant while also embracing pastels. Marie Claire’s spring 2023 trend report spotlights “joyful, mood-boosting” cobalt blue, mellow yellow and true red. InStyle favors “every shade of unconventional blue,” pastel pink, lavender and blood orange.

Collections blend touchable textures with tailored cuts to create what Vogue calls a “perfectly imperfect” neoclassical look. Think: silky, pleated fabrics light to the touch; ruffled maxi dresses with billowy sleeves; a white, cinched blazer over a vibrant crop top; chiseled angles cloaked in mesh or lace; a draped dress with bright, white footwear. Add slip-on platforms, crafted or chunky jewelry, and a sculptural bag to achieve what Vogue fashion editors call a modern boho look.

Our annual spring fashion feature explores five ensembles created by Sofia Lujan that blend art with style and showcase spring’s most prominent trends. Model Kama Laxton of Wake Forest—styled by Raleigh hair and makeup artist Michelle Clark—was photographed by Bruce DeBoer at CAM Raleigh wearing clothing, accessories, footwear and jewelry from C.T. Weekends, Fleur Boutique, The Gatorbug Boutique, Monkee’s of Raleigh, Swagger Boutique, Rangoni Firenze Shoes, Main & Taylor Shoe Salon, Nazz Ares, Bailey’s Fine Jewelry and Ginger Meek Allen.

Allow these looks to transform you to an elevated sophistication in celebration of the art of style, and embrace spring as you step out in fashion across the Triangle.

Kama is wearing a white blazer and white shorts from Swagger Boutique, an orange crop top owned by stylist Sofia Lujan, and white and beige platform sandals from Main & Taylor Shoe Salon. She is carrying a crossbody handbag from Nazz Ares and wearing rings crafted by Ginger Meek Allen. From Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Kama is wearing Bailey’s Club Collection tapered oval diamond hoop earrings in 14 karat yellow gold, a Compass pendant necklace in 14 karat yellow gold, a Three Stories diamondand-turquoise reversible ring in 14 karat yellow gold, a Jude Frances pyramid bangle, a gold Moroccan star bangle with diamonds, an Open Kite quad bangle and a Bailey’s Heritage Collection pavé edge ID bracelet. She is also wearing a Monica Rich Kosann two-tone large “Lock”-inspired locket set with white sapphires.

Kama stands in front of “The Black Hole” by artist Alena Mehic while wearing a yellow dress from Monkee’s of Raleigh and sandals with pearl white flower detail from Main & Taylor Shoe Salon, which also provided the pearl white wrist clutch she is carrying. From Bailey’s Fine Jewelry she is wearing 14 karat yellow .43 total carat weight squiggle hoops, a Bailey’s Club Collection Big Girl X ring and the following Sydney Evan items: a pavé happy face ring, a rainbow charm gold stretch bracelet, a happy face turquoise stretch bracelet and an open cross icon sand moonstone stretch bracelet. Also from Bailey’s Fine Jewelry, Kama is wearing a double cobra elastic bracelet, a Ti Sento milano sterling silver ribbed bangle, a sterling silver polished bangle bracelet and a sterling silver rope link bangle. Necklaces from Bailey’s Fine Jewelry include a 14 karat diamond, a yellow and white gold paperclip necklace; an 18 karat 36inch diamond link necklace; and a Sydney Evan cloud nine coin necklace.

Kama is wearing a blue dress from The Gatorbug Boutique, a scarf that is being used as a belt from C.T. Weekends and multicolor sandals from Main & Taylor Shoe Salon. From Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Kama is wearing a Bailey’s Heritage Collection World’s Most Perfect signet ring, a Bailey’s Icon Collection Weaver ring, a Bailey’s Icon Collection bamboo band, a Bailey’s Goldmark Collection diamond X ring, and a 14 karat yellow gold 3-by-50 millimeter plain hoop. She is also wearing a Julie Vos 24 karat yellow goldplated coin crest ring, a 24 karat yellow gold-plated Catalina large link bracelet, a Savoy bangle bracelet, a Sheila Fajl gold-plated chain necklace, a Wendy Perry Finisterre moonstone necklace and a Wendy Perry pearl bamboo cross necklace.

THANK YOU

We are grateful to the talented professionals and vendors who provided the venue, styling, photographs, clothing, footwear, accessories and jewelry for our spring fashion feature.

Bailey’s Fine Jewelry | baileybox.com

CAM Raleigh | camraleigh.org

Michelle Clark | karenmichelleclark.com

C.T. Weekends | ctweekends.com

Bruce DeBoer | brucedeboer.com

Fallon’s Flowers | fallonsflowers.com

Fleur Boutique | fleur-boutique.com

The Gatorbug Boutique | thegatorbug.com

Ginger Meek Allen | gingermeekallen.com

Main & Taylor Shoe Salon | mainandtaylorshoes.com

Monkees of Raleigh | monkeesofraleigh.com

Nazz Ares | nazzares.com

Rangoni Firenze Shoes | rangonistore.com

Sofia Lujan Styling | sofialujanstyling.com

Swagger Boutique | shopswaggernow.com

Special thanks to artist Alena Mehic for allowing her art to be photographed, Crystal Watts for providing coordination assistance, and Bella Braswell for making her canine modeling debut with us! All jewelry is provided by Bailey’s Fine Jewelry unless otherwise noted.

SOUTHERN REVIVAL

Vibrant

BY CAITLIN WHEELER

colors, bold patterns and timeless pieces add a modern twist to a classic design theme

There was a time when shades of pale in home interiors were all you could find in design magazines or on home improvement store shelves. From white to beige, the look was the same: calm, simple and clean. It remains popular—just browse through a West Elm or Restoration Hardware catalog to see this look in all its splendor

But “greige” was never an option for Nichole Blough, owner of Cary-based Nichole Blough Interiors, for whom animal prints are “neutral.” “White on white is classic,” she says, “but there’s only so much you can design with neutral colors before it veers into the mundane. I want to design spaces that people are going to remember!”

She’s not alone. “Southern style” has, according to Sanford-based Sweet Southern Home and Design’s owner Ashley Davenport, stayed true to its trademark blend of classic elegance with warmth, personality, bright colors, a variety of textures and patterns, and a mix of older heirlooms with fresh, new pieces. Davenport says these cheerful, fun elements have been making their way back into mainstream interior design over the last few years. “Twenty years ago, you had to want to see really bright, creative design,” she says. “Now it’s all so readily available to everyone. TV designers, network shows and social media have shown wallpaper and bright colors, and people are getting comfortable with it.”

Both Blough and Davenport balance out their innately classic Southern exuberance by adopting the best features of the “calm” interior design playbook. Two recent projects beautifully capture the essence of their thoroughly modern—and fun—Southern style.

SOPHISTICATED, SELF-ASSURED AND SOCIAL IN SANFORD

Davenport shifted from corporate marketing to interior design in 2018, but has always taken on small design projects for friends. Enter Chas and Kimberly, who propositioned Davenport with a home Chas had been eyeing since he was a young boy, having grown up just down the street from it. “I’ve always admired it,” he says. “It sits up on a corner of a wooded lot—just gorgeous—and every time I saw the owner, I used to tell him how much I liked it. When Kim and I saw it was on the market, we jumped.”

Upon seeing the interiors for the first time, Chas appreciated its grand proportions, open floor plan and “regal staircase.” But the outdated décor? Not so much. “It was all dark wood with burgundy and navy walls and carpets. And throughout, there was this green tile imported from Mexico.”

“It really helps to work with a client who trusts your work.”

—Ashley Davenport

Chas and Kimberly tasked Davenport with transforming the home from dark and dated, to bright and airy. “She hit the bullseye,” Chas says.

DAVENPORT’S DESIGN TIP NO. 1: The process of decorating a home should be fun! Choose a designer you love and trust some of the designer’s more creative suggestions.

The kitchen needed a complete overhaul, down to the studs. “Chas and Kimberly are both lawyers and do a lot of entertaining and hosting fundraisers, and we wanted the kitchen to be supremely functional, as well as an elegant and inviting social space,” Davenport says. She started with a clean and simple design, then added gold hardware and patterned backsplashes in traditional marble for a touch of refinement. “We had fun with some modern light fixtures, and bar stools that hit the spot between traditional, with a bamboo frame, and modern, with a slightly trendy seat fabric.”

DAVENPORT’S DESIGN TIP NO. 2: Do consider long-term, and whether you’ll appreciate the latest trend in five years. Lay the groundwork with timeless pieces—then you can add a couple of small, trendy twists.

Chas and Kimberly’s open plan living space allows for expansive sightlines from the simple kitchen to the bar area, and through large French doors into the patio and garden. These social spaces serve as the heart of the home, and Chas says he particularly loves their outdoor area’s grassy areas, as well as the covered patio with fireplace and squishy lounge chairs.

Chas occasionally takes refuge from social events in his secret study off the master bedroom, which includes a comfortable leather chair, rustic cowhide rug, floor-to-ceiling windows and what Chas calls a “too-good-looking-to-drink” bourbon collection. Davenport says she likes to have one “star player in a space that you can fall in love with, then work the room around it.” For Chas’ secret study, the blackand-white checkered floor claimed that role, “and we played off it with the chestnut tones of the bar and the gold light fixtures and side chair” Davenport says.

DAVENPORT’S DESIGN TIP NO. 3: Don’t forget the “fifth wall.” Wallpapering or painting a ceiling can really energize a room.

In the dining room, Davenport added a wallpapered accent wall. “We chose a classic wallpaper in light, natural greens and blues,

CLASSIC, COLORFUL AND COASTAL IN CARY

Nichole Blough has been interior designing since she was 5 years old, when she started asking to have her room repainted every year for her birthday. At age 10, she convinced her mother to put a leopard-print runner on their stairs. (“It was there for years,” she laughs.) And as a teenager, Blough worked for a paint shop. Today, she carries all of these experiences—plus her Southern roots, love of color and sense of fun—into current projects, which include this full house redesign in Cary.

Blough’s clients hoped she could make their home more comfortable for their family, as well as beautiful and welcoming for guests. Their three boys range from elementary school–age to college freshman, and they have two golden retrievers—one of which is still a rambunctious puppy. Their home is busy and well-used. “We love being the go-to hangout house, and having the boys and their friends around,” the client says. “Plus, we love to entertain our friends, and host big gatherings for holidays and birthdays.”

invoking the nearby garden,” she says, noting that while murals are “having a moment” on Instagram, beautiful wallpaper never goes out of style. She complemented the traditional paper with a small display of antique plates and dark wood furniture, then balanced those items with a neutral, abstractly modern rug and contemporary chandelier. The living room design would have to accommodate multiple roles, from formal entertaining to family TV night, and Davenport wanted to make sure it was as elegant and comfortable as the kitchen. She reupholstered a pair of antique high-backed, winged armchairs Chas owned in a rich green velvet, which easily took center stage. The rest of the living room features neutrals—in the rug and on the walls. Davenport mixed subtle, classical style via the dark wood coffee table and slightly contrasting wall trim, with modern touches—from the sleek gold and glass end table, to the comfortable imprecision of the slipcovered sofas.

She kept décor to a minimum in the living room—and throughout the home. “Chas and Kim are not clutter-type people,” she says. “They’ve got two young boys under age 8, as well as a dog, and somehow the home is always spotless and looks just like [it does in] the photo shoot.”

The overall modern look of clean lines and open space gave Davenport the chance to work in more of her favorite Southern touch: wallpaper. There are at least six different bold wallpapers in Chas and Kimberly’s home, from a pale blue geometric pattern in the powder room, to a “cute but masculine” dog print in the boys’ bathroom. “Wallpaper is less frightening than it was 20 years ago,” she says. “A lot of work has gone into making it easier to apply, clean and, most importantly, remove.”

“I love the dark blue linear print in our bedroom,” Chas says. “Ashley championed the accent wall, and she was right—it looks really incredible with the bright gold of the simple, modern bedframe.”

PAGES 24–25: Designer Ashley Davenport reupholstered a pair of the homeowner ’s high-backed, winged armchairs in a rich green velvet, which easily takes center stage.

OPPOSITE, clockwise from top: Davenport designed the kitchen to be functional, elegant and inviting. The powder room features a bold, geometric print. The bedroom’s accent wall contrasts with the modern, gold bedframe.

The original kitchen offered minimal natural light and dark cherry wood cabinets that, according to the client, were “lovely” but had started to look “all brown and orangey.” The entire space needed a bright uplift. Blough went with white cabinets, white quartz countertops and a marble backsplash. “I love color more than anyone, but an investment like a kitchen needs to be as timeless as possible,” Blough says. Now, light pours in and the spacious island has become the family’s favorite spot for casual meals, homework, arts and crafts, and baking.

Blough contrasted the somewhat formal kitchen with a beachy vibe in the attached breakfast nook, selecting bamboo chairs, ocean blue print curtains and a whimsical tulip chandelier for the space. Blough’s client grew up in Florida and enjoys a beach house theme, but her North Carolina–bred husband has slightly more conservative tastes. “It took some convincing to get him to commit to the cheetah print seat cushions,” she laughs.

PHOTOS BY SARA COFFIN PHOTOGRAPHY

BLOUGH’S DESIGN TIP NO. 1: When there is a neutral backdrop, add pops of color with accessories that are easily interchangeable— like drapery, upholstery and rugs.

Blough re-imagined the small sitting area off the kitchen as a bar. The remodeled room perfectly captures Blough’s modernized Southern style. Yes, there’s color, but the deep blue bar is fresh and muted. The bar stool’s classic but subtle black pinstripe will never go out of style. And the grass cloth wallpaper is neutral, natural and timeless. “My 107-year-old great aunt in Raleigh has grass cloth in her foyer, and it still looks up-to-date,” Blough says. The gold starburst light fixture adds a punch of elegance and fun.

Blough went with a bolder look in the nearby half-bath. “I’ve always loved Scalamandré’s iconic zebra wallpaper,” Blough says. “I didn’t know if the clients were bold enough to go with the zebras in pale blue and gold—but was thrilled when they agreed!”

BLOUGH’S DESIGN TIP NO. 2: If you’re intrigued but hesitant to try wallpaper, start with a small space. Powder rooms are a great place to go bold, giving you a pop of color and pattern without being so “in your face.”

In the living room, Blough combined traditional and modern pieces for a fresh and “quintessentially Southern style” by contrasting older items with coastal style—from comfortable rattan chairs with bright orange and blue pillows, to a pair of soft swivel chairs upholstered in a bold navy print. “It’s beautiful, but in such a livable way,” the client says. “It’s really bright with all the blues and oranges and greens, and

just perfectly reflects the happiness and joy of our family. Our seven-year-old’s favorite chair is the blue swivel—but don’t even think about taking it! He makes a beeline for it when he gets home from school.”

Blough is always on the lookout for antique or heirloom pieces that will achieve classic Southern style, and shops local antique shops and estate sales to find them. “I have a whole collection—and I have it internally indexed, so that when I’m working on a project, I can think of a piece I have and know it would be perfect for that space,” she says.

Blough also has a particular passion for modern art, especially by current, local artists. She will look at a nearly-finished room, get a sense of the art it needs, and often commission pieces from local artists. “That way, I can tell them exactly the color scheme and style I’m looking for,” she says. “The finished piece is never exactly what you imagine, which adds to the thrill.”

For this home, she commissioned art for the bar area—to contrast with the room’s subdued hues—and the half bath, which features the already bright and bold Scalamandré zebra wallpaper. By commissioning an equally bold but unique and modern pair of pieces, Blough created a purposeful and structured contrast, rather than a disorienting tangle of color and form.

It all works for her clients. “Our family has a ton of energy,” says the client. “We think Nichole’s design really embraces and reflects that.”

“Southern designers don’t shy away from bold colors, patterns and wallpaper. They tend to mix heirloom and antique pieces with modern design concepts. And they’ll often incorporate some coastal style, rattan and other natural materials for a comfortable, casual look.”

—Nichole Blough

OPPOSITE PAGE: Designer Nichole Blough captures “quintessentially Southern style” in the living room by contrasting older items with coastal style

THIS PAGE, clockwise: Blough created a design scheme offering comfort mixed with pops of color, like in this bedroom. She chose Scalamandré's iconic zebra wallpaper for the half-bath, and classic neutral whites in the kitchen to keep it as timeless as possible

PHOTOS BY ANNA ROUTH

BY MARILYN JONES

The WNC Cheese Trail offers travelers a beautiful—and delicious— way to explore western North Carolina, where rolling hills and glorious countryside reign. Since its inception in 2012, the trail has grown in popularity, with an increasing number of locals and tourists enjoying the artisan cheeses offered at participating creameries.

Conceptualized by Katie Moore of Blue Ridge Mountain Creamery and Barn Door Ciderworks, and Jennifer Perkins of Looking Glass Creamery, the trail connects creameries with unique stories to tell. Carol and Lon Coulter of Heritage Homestead Goat Dairy, for example, didn’t plan on milking goats when they purchased their farm.

“We got started with milk goats by accident,” Carol says. “We bought an old farm that had not been farmed in 20 years. The pastures were covered in multiflora rose, a very thorny, invasive species.”

A neighbor suggested they get goats to eat the multiflora rose. “I thought she was crazy,” Carol laughs.

“She sent me to a friend who had goats, and being a city girl, I picked out three friendly, oozing goats and came home. She asked if I got bucks or does. It turns out I had two does and a buck.”

By February of that year, they had milk and kids. After years of using the milk for drinking and making kefir, cheese and yogurt for family and friends, Carol finally convinced Lon to build a milking parlor.

PAGES 30–31: Among the cheeses Lane in the Woods makes are Tomme, Silvermine, Mountain Blue and Luscious Monk.

PHOTOS BY KEVIN LANE

PAGE 31 GRAPHIC BY CSA-ARCHIVE AND MUSTAFAHACALAKI/GETTY IMAGES

THIS PAGE: English Farmstead cows stand by for milking. PHOTO COURTESY OF ENGLISH FARMSTEAD CHEESE

OPPOSITE PAGE: Carol Coulter of Heritage Homestead Goat Dairy holds one of her babies.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAROL COULTER

A WELL-CONNECTED MISSION

The WNC Cheese Trail promotes the production and sale of western North Carolina artisan cheese, facilitates consumer education and encourages tourism that benefits trail members. Since printing the first WNC Cheese Trail map and brochure, the organization has nearly doubled in size—adding more cheesemakers and attracting the support of local businesses.

The WNC Cheese Trail hosts Carolina Mountain Cheese Fest at Oak and Grist Distillery in Black Mountain, which features more than 20 cheesemakers and numerous artisans across the region. The festival also offers workshops, demonstrations and pairings to deepen cheese lovers’ appreciation of quality cheese. Other trail events include open houses and pairings with wineries, breweries and cideries.

While exploring the WNC Cheese Trail, visitors can connect directly with cheesemakers, see where their favorite cheeses are crafted and buy cheese straight from the producers. These include cow, goat and sheep milk cheeses; fresh and aged cheeses; pasteurized and raw cheeses; and other delicious products from partner members along the trail.

Cheese making can be a tedious but rewarding business. “It took a while to learn the nuances of the milk,” says Carol Coulter. “We had to tinker with culture and rennet as the milk changed through the seasons. I think we make pretty awesome cheese now.”

WNC CHEESE TRAIL MEMBERS

Ready to explore? Here are some of the stops along the WNC Cheese Trail.

1. Blue Ridge Mountain Creamery 327 Flat Creek Road, Fairview 828.551.5739

caveagedcheeses.com Friday tasting tours are by appointment only.

2. English Farmstead Cheese 19456 US 221 North, Marion 828.756.8166

englishfarmsteadcheese.com

Cheese shop hours are April through November, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; December through March, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

3. Heritage Homestead Goat Dairy 956 Roy Goodman Road, Crumpler 828.773.8319

heritagehomestead.net

Tours by appointment only.

4. Looking Glass Creamery 115 Harmon Dairy Lane, Columbus 828.222.0751

lookingglasscheese.com

Open Thursday through Sunday starting April 6, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

5. Round Mountain Creamery 2203 Old Fort Road, Black Mountain 828.669.0718 roundmountaincreamery.com

The cheese store is open Friday and Saturday, noon–4 p.m. Tours and tastings are by appointment only.

6. Spinning Spider Creamery 4717 East Fork Road, Marshall spinningspidercreamery.com  Email spinningspidercreamery@gmail.com to make a tour appointment.

7. Yellow Branch Cheese 136 Yellow Branch Circle, Robbinsville 828.479.6710 yellowbranch.com

Tours are on Friday and Saturday, noon–5 p.m., and by appointment.

8. Blue Goat Dairy Located in Vale (address not provided) 224.337.3543 bluegoatdairy.com

Customers can place a preorder via the website by filling out a form and listing the farm location where they would like to pick up and pay for their order.

9. Addison Farms Vineyard 4005 New Leicester Highway, Leicester 828.581.9463 addisonfarms.net

Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, noon–5 p.m.; Sunday, 1–5 p.m. To visit the farm on other days, please make an appointment.

10. French Broad Creamery at Mount Gilead Farm 588 Green Valley Road, Leicester 828.515.0120 mtgileadfarm.com

Call or visit the website for daily hours. Tours are by appointment only.

11. Hickory Nut Gap Farm 57 Sugar Hollow Road, Fairview 828.628.1027 hickorynutgap.com

Open daily, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Check the website for seasonal hours.

12. Linville Falls Winery 9557 Linville Falls Highway, Newland 828.765.1400

linvillefallswinery.com

Open April through September, noon–6 p.m.; and October through March, Thursday through Sunday, noon–5 p.m.

13. Marked Tree Vineyard

623 Deep Gap Road, Flat Rock 828.513.3773

markedtreevineyard.com

The vineyard tasting room is open Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; and Sunday,  noon–6 p.m. Reservations are preferred on weekends. Email wine@markedtreevineyard.com to make a reservation (include date, time, and number of adults and children, if applicable).

14. FernCrest Winery 1060 Main Street, Andrews 828.321.1600

ferncrestwinery.com

Open Thursday and Friday, 12:30–6:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 12:30–5:30 p.m. During March, open only on Thursdays, 3:30–6:30 p.m. Outdoor tastings are available.

15. Pleb Urban Winery 289 Lyman Street, Asheville 828.774.5062

pleburbanwinery.com

Call or check the website for current hours. For more information, email info@pleburbanwinery.com.

16. Ripshin Goat Dairy 1865 Highway 268, Lenoir 828.758.0906

Tours by appointment only.

IF YOU GO

Bring a cooler for the journey home for safe storage of any cheeses you end up purchasing. Some retailers offer direct shipping.

WHERE TO STAY

Pinecrest Bed & Breakfast

249 Cumberland Avenue, Asheville 828.281.4275

pinecrestbb.com

Built in 1905, this restored inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It offers five bedrooms with en suites and more than an acre of lovely gardens.

Princess Ann Hotel

301 East Chestnut Street, Asheville 828.258.0986

princessannehotel.com

Built in 1924 during Asheville’s economic boom, this hotel is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places and offers guests the feel of an earlier time.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

WNC Cheese Trail wnccheesetrail.org

Asheville Convention and Visitors

36 Montford Avenue, Asheville 828.258.6129

exploreasheville.com

OPPOSITE PAGE: Map courtesy of the WNC Cheese Trail.

BELOW: The Blue Ridge Parkway sets the scenery for the WNC Cheese Trail.

PHOTO BY SKIP NALL/GETTY IMAGES

NORTH CAROLINA’S STRANGE AND BEAUTIFUL ELLIPSES Carolina bays—nature’s mysterious landform

BY TOM POLAND PHOTOS BY ROBERT CLARK PHOTOGRAPHY (UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

It was quite the adventure. For seven years photographer Robert Clark and I explored Carolina bays in Georgia and the Carolinas. From all those days and nights, one memory stands tallest: daybreak in Bladen County. On a cold October night, when thousands of stars salted the sky, Clark and I camped at Jones Lake State Park. Come daybreak, dew lacquered everything silver. Sleepy-eyed and cold, we made our way to Jones Lake and a spectacle. Aurora, Goddess of Dawn, was spreading her gown over coral waters, and all that grayness hid secrets.

We watched the fog swirl and extend gray wings as a plume soared midsection. Within the fog’s heart, an eruption of feathers shattered the silence. Materializing like phantoms, wingtips flailing the water, Canada geese launched down their watery runway, leaving an anhinga behind. As geese circled Jones Lake, the sun burned away the fog. The magic ended, but it lives on as the title spread of our book, “Carolina Bays, Wild, Mysterious, and Majestic Landforms.”

OPPOSITE PAGE: A LiDAR portrait of Jerome Bog in Bladen County shows an aerial view of the bay there.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL DAVIAS

ABOVE: Fog spreads across Jones Lake in Elizabethtown.

Those mysterious Carolina bays … few know about them, and even fewer venture into them. Carolina bays are elliptical depressions in the Atlantic Coastal Plain. From southern New Jersey to northern Florida, bays oriented northwest to southeast along their axis parallel each other, a string of jade teardrop-like pendants. They vary from a few square feet to thousands of acres. Isolated wetlands, they sometimes occur as smaller bays nested inside larger ones.

Most bays feature a cypress swamp, pond and savanna. Some feature a white sand rim along their southeastern edge. People see them at ground level and think, “a swamp or ancient sand dune.” Fly over them, however, and you’re in for a shock.

STARTLING PHOTOS

In 1930 Fairchild Aerial Photography Corporation surveyed Horry County. Its Fairchild FC-2 Cabin Monoplane crisscrossed the coastal plain recording a staggering finding: egg-shaped landforms oriented northwest to southeast. The similarity to craters on the moon could not be denied.

Thousands stipple the landscape. Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) laser technology could confirm a million. Jerry Reynolds, Carolina bay authority and head of outreach at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh, has seen estimates that 400,000 to 2.5 million bays exist in the Southeast. Most bays occur in the Carolinas, hence “Carolina.” Why “bays?” Because bay trees— magnolias and laurels—dominate them.

James Luken, Ph.D., professor of biology and associate dean at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina, studies wetland ecology and carnivorous and aquatic plants. “What makes bays unique are the different habitats, wild plants and wildlife.”

Bays’ water depths, sand rims and peat mats nurture botanical stars ... water lilies, sedges, red bay, sweet bay, butterworts, sundews, gallberry, white- and yellowfringed and rosebud orchids, and the rare Wells’ pixie moss. You’ll find the Venus flytrap, which Charles Darwin called “the most wonderful plant on Earth” in Carolina bays—and pine flatlands within a 90-mile tract from Horry County to Wilmington. Duped insects provide what barren soils cannot—sustenance. (The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is evaluating whether the Venus flytrap merits threatened or endangered status, which would provide federal protection under the Endangered Species Act.)

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP:

The colors of fog settle over Jones Lake. A granddaddy longleg spider peers into a pitcher plant, despite its carniverous appetite. Marbled salamanders also make their home in bays. Most bays include a cypress swamp, pond and savanna.

Jones Lake is a classic Carolina bay, of which North Carolina State Park literature says, “Venture to Jones Lake State Park and view one of the greatest geological mysteries of the eastern United States—the phenomenon of the Carolina bays.”

Lake Waccamaw, the largest Carolina bay in the Carolinas, enjoys two other distinctions: It’s spring-fed and forms the headwaters of the Waccamaw River. Native American legend says a bright ball falling from the heavens created it. When you see it on a map, you cannot mistake its elliptical shape. To the casual observer it looks like a man-made reservoir where nice homes fringe its shores.

Near Elizabethtown, Singletary Lake lies within the 35,975-acre Bladen Lakes State Forest. This bay, almost 4,000 feet long, features a pier and nature trail. Buttressed cypresses draped with moss stand in the lake here and there, and when fog closes in they become apparitions.

Writers find inspiration in places like Singletary Lake. Heather Ross Miller, a North Carolina writer, lived by Singletary Lake. Her poem, “Thoreau at Night,” contains bay-inspired lines. “Then—outside! The pond with its white sand and patient scrub of water, back again, back again.”

ORIGIN THEORIES

Carolina bays are unearthly, so the question must be asked: Did meteorites create Carolina bays?

First, other theories. One claims dinosaur footprints created the bays. Ancient volcano activity makes the list. Others claim ancient buffalo wallows formed them. Henry Savage Junior’s book, “The Mysterious Carolina Bays,” proposed that meteors created the bays. The late attorney’s theory had a big problem: Not one meteorite fragment was found in a bay—no nickel, no iron. No ejecta. Some believe an icy comet exploded near Saginaw, Michigan, ejecting a sand and water slurry that peppered the Atlantic Coastal Plain. Dr. Lee Phillips, associate professor of Geology at UNC–Greensboro, is among the researchers who used core sampling, radioactive carbon dating and other techniques to determine “the Carolina bays vary rather significantly in their ages, ranging from 130,000 years old to 8,000 years old or less,” Phillips says. A comet’s cataclysmic origin would give all bays the same age.

In 1977, Ray T. Kaczorowski developed a thesis that explains how wind and waves shaped the bays into ovals. Kaczorowski authored “The Carolina Bays And Their

Relationship To Modern

Oriented Lakes” while working on his Ph.D. in geology at the University of South Carolina. Luken favors the wind and wave theory. He has seen the process in action. “Up on the coastal plain of the Arctic near the Bering Sea they have footprint lakes that look just like Carolina bays. Up there it’s peaty and you can watch the ends of the lakes eroding and forming the tips of the ellipses. This less exciting explanation is probably the better one.”

NORTH CAROLINA BAYS

SAVING LIVES AND STEALING HEARTS

Pet rescue efforts in the Triangle

BY MARIO BOUCHER

The p ower of a pet’s unconditional love can change lives. “I was going through a very difficult time in my life [when] I visited the SPCA of Wake County to consider adopting a pet,” recalls Samantha Ranlet, a spokeswoman for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Wake County. “That day, I came home with the first dog I ever had in my life, and she was the light at the end of the tunnel for me. She gave me hope and she turned things around in a big way. Soon after, I decided I wanted to join the organization myself.”

Wake County Animal Services Director Jennifer Lynn Federico had no idea how pets would impact her life. “I now have six dogs at home,” she says. “It wasn’t a good fit for me to work in a corporate environment. I like working with people and talking about their pets. Helping to rescue pets can mean a lot of things. It can be helping animals in tough situations, like a dog that survived a fire that killed a family.”

Ranlet understands the impact one animal can make on its owners. “Every time I see pets come through our doors, they remind me of my dog and everything she means to me, and I imagine a pet contributing to a family’s life,” Ranlet says. “We look for people with good expectations because it is a lot of responsibility, and some pets have special needs. We want to make sure it is a good fit for the family and the pet as well.”

A pet’s unconditional love and playful nature can also help their owners deal with depression. “There is something very profound about having a pet around that can calm you down,” Ranlet says.

In order to bring pets into forever homes, local pet rescue organizations have a heavy weight to bear. According to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, North Carolina has the third-highest rate of animal shelter

euthanasia in the country. “We partner with many animal control facilities that do not have the resources to provide the care needed to get animals ready for adoption,” says Molly Goldston, founder and executive director of Saving Grace Animals for Adoption in Raleigh.

Before you adopt, make sure you aren’t in a situation that may force you to rehome your pet. “If you are moving, consider what you need to plan for to take your pet with you,” Federico says. “If you are having a baby, prepare your dog in advance by working with a trainer. The Animal Center has routinely been booked out four to six weeks for an owner wanting to surrender their pets.”

Affordable pet care and spay/neuter services in North Carolina, especially in areas where these services are needed most, is still not often accessible. “In Wake County, we take for granted how accessible things may be for us. This can be very different in a neighboring county,” Goldston says. “Rescues and shelters vary in their adoption process, and it is worth taking the time to find what works for you and the pet that will be your family.”

LEARN MORE

Wake County Animal Center wake.gov/departments-government/ animal-services

919.212.7387

SPCA Wake County spcawake.org

919.772.2326

Saving Grace Animals for Adoption savinggracenc.org

919.518.1180

Safe Haven for Cats safehavenforcats.org

919.341.4127

PHOTO BY MESQUITAFMS/GETTY IMAGES

LOCAL PET RESCUE SERVICES

Wake County Animal Center offers spaying/neutering, some elective surgeries, medical assessments and treatments for all animals. Other programs involve volunteers who help with everything from cat cuddling to dog walking, foster pet care and even assisting with a barn cat program that incorporates spaying or neutering, ear tipping, and vaccination.

SPCA of Wake County is an independent animal welfare shelter that relies on donations in order to transform the lives of pets and people through protection, care, education and adoption. Its services

include spaying/neutering, basic pet vaccines and preventative care, and delivery of pet food and supplies for home-bound, low-income seniors. SPCA Wake also works with the local community to reduce cat overpopulation by rescuing and adopting kittens.

Saving Grace Animals for Adoption is a nonprofit funded entirely by donations. It employs a volunteer staff charged with caring for about 4,000 dogs each year. From intake to adoption, dogs are cared for by a support system of committed fosters and volunteers. All animals

are spayed or neutered, vaccinated, dewormed and microchipped. Any dog that tests positive for heartworms receives full treatment.

SAFE Haven for Cats is a nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter dedicated to finding homes for homeless cats and kittens. Since opening, SAFE Haven for Cats has orchestrated the adoptions of more than 10,000 cats and kittens, and spayed or neutered more than 30,000 animals. The organization can accept stray cats that are able to be picked up and handled safely, and feral cats that are 6–10 weeks old.

Molly Goldston is founder and executive director of Saving Grace Animals for Adoption

PHOTO COURTESY OF MOLLY GOLDSTON

KEEP YOUR PETS HEALTHY

Visiting a veterinarian annually is the first step in keeping your pet healthy. “Having pets spayed and neutered reduces the risk of pets developing certain types of cancers or ailments, and also reduces the odds of [pets] escaping and being injured while running astray,” says Samantha Ranlet, a spokeswoman for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Wake County.

Other suggestions for keeping your pets healthy and safe include:

• Vaccinating them against diseases like distemper, Bordetella and rabies, which is required by law for dogs, cats and ferrets.

CANCER SCREENING FOR PETS

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, one in four dogs will develop cancer. “The best way to stay ahead of any diseases, including cancer, is to make sure your pet stays up-to-date on vaccinations, gets routine bloodwork to check for early abnormalities, maintains an ideal weight and gets annual veterinary exams,” says Wake County Animal Services Director Jennifer Lynn Federico.

Regular screening is key. “Certain cancers in pets can develop without displaying overt or obvious symptoms, and regular screening with a veterinarian can identify warning signs early so that pets can receive timely and effective treatment,” Ranlet says.

Chan Namgong, a pioneer in the early detection of cancer in canines at North Carolina State University’s Centennial Campus, is founder and CEO of Raleigh-based Animal Cancer Dx, which employs a team of veterinarians, scientists and entrepreneurs committed to early detection of cancer in dogs. The company has developed a noninvasive, highly accurate and cost-effective

cancer detection method. Namgong started his business for personal reasons. “After my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, I read a lot about cancer detection and cancer treatment,” he says.

Namgong’s research included reading a peer-reviewed journal article on how scientists used caenorhabditis elegans to detect cancer in human urine. “C. elegans,” as they are typically referred to, are a species of nematode worm with an elongated, cylindrical body that are frequently chosen as a model to study human diseases. “I wanted to run a proof-ofconcept in the veterinary space, which didn’t have any cancer screening test options at that time,” Namgong says.

Half of all canine cancers are treatable if caught early enough, and new treatments are continuously being researched, Namgong says.

Animal Cancer Dx’s Oncotect cancerscreening test for dogs has won several awards and grants in developing a one-of-a-kind, non-invasive, multicancer screening test using canine urine, Namgong says. “It’s accurate, affordable and convenient.”

• Prioritizing food management. Don’t share table food; it can be toxic and cause severe illness or even death. Overfeeding can lead to obesity, heart disease and arthritis.

• Keeping dogs on a monthly heartworm treatment so they can enjoy the outdoors without developing heartworm disease, which is a common and life-threatening condition.

• Having your pet microchipped with the correct contact information and making sure you always keep your contact information up-to-date.

• There is no statewide leash law in North Carolina, so check your county’s laws to make sure you are in accordance with those specific regulations.

My mission is to guide my clients in finding a true and unique style that will help them feel self-confident and have a positive attitude. I strongly believe that to find your own style you need to embrace your personal journey and story. featured

Welcome to our annual Faces of Western Wake, a portfolio of inspiring leaders and community influencers who want to personally introduce themselves to you. In every issue, 5West magazine tells the stories of incredible individuals, entrepreneurs and leaders who are helping to make Western Wake County one of the South’s best places to live, work and play. We can’t begin to share all the stories that deserve to be told, so once a year we invite our key business partners to participate in this special section—and to help you put a face with the name of their business, practice or nonprofit organization. Take a minute to get acquainted. Better yet, stop in and tell them you saw their face in 5West.

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“Girls Who Do Stuff” Podcast

Note:Two-pageadvertisersappearfirstinalphabeticalorder,followedbyfull-pageadvertisers inalphabeticalorder,exceptincaseswherecompetingbusinesseswouldappearnexttoeachother.

Thank you to Alisha Cleveland Photography, Jared Caldwell of New Depth Creations and Jenny MIdgely of The Content Marketing Collective for taking these photos.

THE FACE OF EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION

CARY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Every child who enters our building is fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of their Creator. Each day, through relation ships with teachers and classmates, our students are encouraged to claim their identity in Jesus Christ as they pursue extraordinary outcomes.

We seek to cultivate practical wisdom grounded in the Gospel, equipping our students academically, spiritually and socially so they may flourish in the modern world.

Our desire as a school is to be a place equal to each student’s capacity for wonder, providing a meaningful and enjoyable educa tion.

Please visit our website to sign up for a tour. We would love to share our classrooms, campus and culture with you!

1330 Old Apex Road, Cary | 919.303.2560 | carychristianschool.org

Von Kekel Salon has had the distinct privilege and honor of serving the Triangle for the last 25 years. Finally, after a long anticipated move, we are excited to open our doors at Fenton Cary as we celebrate our 25th anniversary. Thank you to our loyal guests and our talented, dedicated and professional team members, who always take pride in surpassing guests’ expectations. We look forward to welcoming you into our new salon space at Fenton Cary, as well as at our North Hills Raleigh location. Shawn and Paul thank you for your 25 years of support!

THE FACE OF THE CAROLINA HURRICANES' OFFICIAL TEAM DENTISTS

LANE & ASSOCIATES FAMILY DENTISTRY

Meet the Official Team Dentists of the Carolina Hurricanes. Drs. Don Lane, Raleigh Wright and Don Bailey are excited to protect and create the best smiles in the history of hockey. “Being the team dentists of the Carolina Hurricanes is a great privilege, a great honor and a great responsibility,” Dr. Lane says.

Excited and eager to provide high-quality dental care, you can expect to see these familiar faces on-site at every game, ready to triage and treat any player, both at home and away. On and off the ice, Lane & Associates Family Dentistry loves to make you smile!

Multiple Triangle Locations | 877.LANE.DDS | lanedds.com

THE FACE OF COMMUNITY PODCASTS “TALK

OF THE TRIANGLE” PODCAST

Midtown, 5 West and TriangleFamily magazines’ “Talk of the Triangle” podcast introduces you to the fascinating people, places, events and activities that make this region such an enriching place to live. Each episode is hosted by Adam Cave and Melissa Wistehuff, who expand on the stories you have loved in our magazines, while also introducing you to the fascinating people we have yet to write about. Listen to interviews with Theatre in the Park’s Ira David Wood III, Theatre Raleigh's Lauren Kennedy Brady, G105/iHeart Radio’s Erica DeLong, and NCModernist’s George Smart and Rebekah Laney. You’ll also discover episodes about beekeeping, bourbon and local ghosts. “Talk of the Triangle” is available on all your favorite podcast platforms. Check it out today!

Serving the Triangle and beyond | 5westmag.com/podcast

THE FACE OF COMPREHENSIVE PRIMARY CARE SERVICES AVANCE CARE CARY

Avance Care Cary offers exceptional primary care services led by Susan Catchings, DNP, FNP-C. Her team of medical providers care for children, adults, and seniors with services ranging from annual wellness checks and preventive care to acute and chron ic illnesses, such as diabetes or hypertension. Avance Care believes mental health and good nutrition play important roles in each patient’s overall health, and includes a behavioral health therapist and a registered dietitian. Not only is the team passionat e about caring for the local community, they have served people as far away as Bolivia, Sierra Leone and China. Avance Care offer s extended office hours, same/next-day appointments and online appointment requests.

Pictured from left to right: Shanti Eranti, MD; Alexandra Fitzgerald, PA-C; Jason Thomas, PA-C; Susan Catchings, DNP, FNP-C; Wanda Godfrey, MD; and Cameron DelForge, FNP-C.

THE FACE OF CORPORATE PHOTOGRAPHY NEW DEPTH CREATIONS

New Depth Creations is a Raleigh-based production company that loves discovering and sharing the story of brands and professionals to create connection and understanding. Owned by Jared Caldwell, our services include headshots, branding and event photography, as well as commercial and promotional videography. We enjoy digging to the root of a brand’s story, capturing the moments and experiences that make them who they are, and creating high-quality content that connects people to their journey.

919.673.7982 | newdepthcreations.com

THE FACE OF

CUSTOM PLANTATION SHUTTERS, BLINDS AND SHADES

SOUTHERN ACCENT SHUTTERS AND BLINDS

For Triangle residents in-the-know, Southern Accent Shutters and Blinds, a local purveyor of custom plantation shutters, is no secret. Now in its 24th year, the company has sold and installed plantation shutters in practically every neighborhood and subdivision in the Triangle. Molly, Russ and their crew cut no corners when producing these room-changing products, which are made with the finest finishes available, a lifetime warranty, and green production and materials. Southern Accent Shutters and Blinds also specializes in U.S.–made blinds, shades and motorization, and offers commercial sales and install as well. See for yourself! Visit their showroom or call for a complimentary in-home consultation. In memory of Banks, retired greyhound racer “RCK Hotshot.” Clayton | Call or text 919.934.4050 | southernaccentshutters.com

THE FACE OF FASHION J'ADORE BOUTIQUE

If you love fashion, need something special for an upcoming event, or would like to invest in a luxury handbag, visit J’Adore Boutique in Cary. Owned by Nicole Denny, whose discerning eye results in pieces that will add style and quality to your wardrobe, this award-winning, upscale consignment boutique is a true shopper’s destination offering an up-to-date selection of designer clothes, handbags and shoes. Likewise, if you have amazing pieces in your closet you no longer wear or use, consider consigning them at J’Adore Boutique. Thanks to a seamless process, large customer base and convenient location, the boutique will quickly turn your unused fashion finds into cash 4226 NW Cary Parkway, Cary | 919.651.9001 | jadore.fashion

THE FACE OF GIVING BACK THROUGH SMILES BOVENIZER & BAKER ORTHODONTICS

Providing an amazing patient experience and giving back to and being involved in our community is at the core of Bovenizer & Ba ker Orthodontics. From the moment you walk in the door, their staff is focused on you and making sure you have the best orthodontic patient experience in the Triangle. From fresh-baked cookies and coffee to umbrellas when it is raining, free swag, texting, a fun staff and genuine connections, their office should feel like your second home. They aim to create fun, enjoy their work, make people laugh, earn the trust of others and deliver wow through service.

Drs. Todd Bovenizer, Chris Baker and Keri Kenning, along with the rest of the Bovenizer & Baker Orthodontics team also focus on making a positive impact in people’s lives. Giving back to the community is an integral part of their practice. They sponsor lo cal organizations, sports teams and schools, and give back in whatever way they are able, whether that is donating school supplies or running a charitable drive in the office. Their “A Chance to Smile Program” provides free orthodontic treatment for 10 children/year in foster care in the Triangle.

2625 Green Level West Road, Cary | 919.303.4557 | bovbakerortho.com

THE FACE OF LUXURY HOME

RUFTY HOMES

BUILDING

For over 30 years, Jon Rufty, owner of Rufty Homes, has led the evolution of luxury building and remodeling in the Triangle area. Fine craftsmanship demonstrates our shared love of quality and integrity in every aspect of the work we do for our clients. When you’re ready to begin your own custom luxury home building journey, the team at Rufty Homes is here. 5121 Kingdom Way, Suite 208, Raleigh | 919.460.8550 | rufty.com

THE FACE OF PUPPY PARADISE PUPSI

INC.

Pupsi Inc. has been serving the Triangle for 30 years. Established in 1993 by Mary Foster and her family as a training facility for clients and their pups, it has grown to be the premier spot for training, grooming, boarding and dog day care in the area. With more than 15,000 square feet of outdoor play yards that are equipped with K9 AstroTurf, the dogs in Pupsi’s care can spend most of the day outside running, chasing or sunbathing. Pupsi’s commitment to cleanliness and quality for clients—whether training, grooming, boarding or day care—has been a hallmark of the company’s history.

8260 Chapel Hill Road, Cary | 919.460.9909 | pupsiinc.com

THE FACE OF PREMIER COSMETIC DENTISTRY

CAROLINASDENTIST CARY

Drs. Lauren Steddum, DMD, and Christopher Steddum, DMD, FAGD, are dedicated to caring for the dental needs of you and your family. Their team believes in #positivelydifferentdentistry that offers patients a relaxing environment with high-quality care. Their work centers on making sure patients’ needs are understood; having convenient Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m. hours; offering financial options; and upholding a high standard of care using modern, state-of-the-art technology.

From cavity prevention to dramatic smile makeovers, services include hygiene/periodontal services, routine cleanings, dental implants, root canals, fillings, single-visit crowns, bridges, cosmetic services, veneers, teeth whitening, Invisalign, wisdom teeth extractions and emergency dentistry.

2032 Renaissance Park Place, Cary | 910.241.0422 | carolinasdentist.com

THE FACE OF RENEWAL YOUNIQUE WELLNESS & AESTHETICS

Drs. Anne Bond Bonpain and Jennifer Fraley, both board-certified OB-GYNs, are excited to introduce Morpheus8V at Younique Wellness & Aesthetics in Cary. The same technology that rejuvenates skin can also reverse changes that occur in women due to childbirth and aging. Run, dance and laugh without an accident. Be intimate without fear of pain.

Renew your skin by building collagen and elastin. Reduce sun damage, wrinkles, and the appearance of stretch marks and scars. Tighten loose skin and reduce fat. Morpheus8V is FDA–approved for treatment of incontinence and sexual dysfunction, and Younique Wellness & Aesthetics is the first to bring it to the Triangle.

THE FACE OF SLEEP HEALTH

PARKWAY SLEEPHEALTH CENTERS

If you have problems with daytime sleepiness or with falling asleep at night, you are not alone—sleep disorders affect 35–40% of the U.S. adult population, and are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality.

Founded in 2004, Parkway SleepHealth Centers is locally owned and operated by Brandon and Meghan Giegling. As proud members of their community, they care about Triangle families because they are a Triangle family. They offer a physician office and sleep studies, and are North Carolina’s No. 1 source for CPAP machines and equipment. Call Parkway SleepHealth Centers to start your journey toward a good night’s sleep!

130 Preston Executive Drive, Suite 103, Cary | 919.462.8081 | parkwaysleep.com

THE FACE OF TIMELESS WEDDING AND PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY

ALISHA CLEVELAND PHOTOGRAPHY

Alisha Cleveland Photography is a Raleigh-based company that specializes in wedding and portrait photography. Alisha loves to come alongside you to capture the real and raw moments of your wedding day while providing you with an experience that makes you feel like a VIP all of the way. While she is documenting your love story or your family photos, she is also helping create memories for you to hold onto for a lifetime through a timeless story that is all your own. Alisha will tailor your time together to your style to tell your story in an unforgettable way.

Serving the Triangle | alishacleveland.com

THE FACE OF WOMEN IN PODCASTING

“GIRLS WHO DO STUFF” PODCAST

The “Girls Who Do Stuff” podcast is a must-listen, thanks to the powerhouse duo of Jenny Midgley and Sarah Madras—two local women on a mission to empower their listeners with insights, stories and tips that will help them achieve their dreams. Jenny is a talented photographer and content marketing expert, and Sarah is a sought-after speaker and leadership coach. Together, they bring a wealth of knowledge to every episode with infectious energy, witty banter and a relatable approach. Listening to “Girls Who Do Stuff” feels like hanging out with your best friends. You’ll come away feeling inspired, informed and entertained.

Covering the Triangle and beyond | girlswhodostuff.com

GOOD DOGS

Local resources for training your canine companion

BY FRANCES DEESE

Thoughts of enrolling your dog in obedience school might, quite literally, bring visions of a room full of puppy dog eyes to mind. Or, upon hearing about the concept of “Doggy Boot Camp,” you might envision a strict military style of training. Don’t let such preconceptions prevent you from considering how canine training classes might make your pet—and you—happier. Here are some local companies to consider.

PUPSI

8620 Chapel Hill Road, Cary 919.460.9909

pupsiinc.com

Mary Foster opened Pupsi in 1993 in a small downtown Cary facility as a dog training company. Assisted by trainers Trace Essex (Foster’s son) and Sam Finn, Pupsi now also offers daycare, boarding and grooming services.

Pupsi’s day training services involve dropping your dog off for a day of lessons mixed with play and exercise—ideal for teaching your dog single commands and issues, and wearing them out! Day training sessions can be scheduled at your own pace.

House calls consist of a one-hour trainer visit to your home—perfect for issues specific to a dog’s home that can’t be recreated elsewhere. For example, you might ask the trainer to work on your dog’s territorial behavior or visitor greeting.

The board and training program is best for customers who want their dog trained during a  planned work trip or vacation, when boarding is also necessary. The program is 7, 14 or 21 days, depending on how much training the customer prefers. Contact Pupsi for prices on training, daycare, boarding and grooming services.

DOG TRAINING ELITE

Serving various locations in the Triangle 919.371.2085

dogtrainingelite.com

Dog Training Elite works toward breaking down the myths and stigmas associated with canine obedience schools. Cindy Skocik, owner of Dog Training Elite of the Triangle, works from a core mission of empowering owners and working with dogs of all breeds, ages and sizes. A former CPA, Skocik offers positive reinforcement–based training and runs her company with the understanding that all dogs struggle—and misbehave—from time to time.

Dog Training Elite believes the key to a good canine training program is ensuring that lessons taught during the classes are also consistently applied at home. The company addresses this head-on by offering weekly in-home training for three to eight weeks, where trainers can more accurately assess and personalize a dog’s needs.

In addition to teaching practical and fundamental commands such as “sit,”“stay” and “down,” trainers will also address separation anxiety, which many pandemicera dogs easily experience. Separation anxiety training will also likely boost the dog’s confidence.

Dog Training Elite uses electronic collars, which do not cause harm, but emit a tone or vibration dogs learn to associate with good or bad behavior. Once your dog is ready to graduate to a group class, he or she will spend the next 8–16 sessions participating in fun lessons that incorporate games such as “Simon Says.” Packages range from $495–$2,395, and are available for puppies and adult dogs.

DYNAMIC DOGS NC

Serving various locations in the Triangle 919.524.8983

dynamicdogsnc.com

Dynamic Dogs NC owner Patrice Goldston knows a thing or two about dog training. She received her American Kennel Club certifications in on-leash, off-leash and behavior modification training after graduating at the top of her class in the North Carolina–based Highland Canine Training program.

Dynamic Dogs uses a positive reinforcement training style that covers basic obedience, intermediate obedience, rehabilitation of a rescue and behavior modification. Dynamic Dogs NC’s events and classes consist of lessons ranging from basic to advanced obedience, agility and even “Canine Good Citizen” classes. The classes typically take place at House of Hops on Glenwood Avenue and Harris Lake County Park in New Hill. Learn more at dynamicdogsnc.com.

TEAMWORKS DOG TRAINING

3717 Overlook Road, Raleigh

195 Robbins Road, Youngsville 919.855.0422

teamworksdogtraining.org

Just as the name suggests, Teamworks Dog Training focuses on building trust and mutual understanding between humans and dogs using positive reinforcement–based training. The company also works toward empowering owners. In addition to private training programs, day school and group classes, the company also offers behavior modification consultations, lessons and seminars. There is also a canine dock diving pool for athletic, water-loving dogs.

Prices start at $40 per class. Check the website for more information.

PHOTO BY APPLE TREE HOUSE/GETTY IMAGES

ADDITIONAL CANINE PROGRAMS IN THE TRIANGLE

All Dogs Allowed – alldogsnc.com

Bark Busters Home Dog Training –barkbusters.com

Born to Lead Dog Training –borntoleadk9.com

Canine Training Company –caninetrainingco.com

Carolina Dog Training –carolinadogtraining.com

The Dog Wizard – thedogwizard.com

Jackie’s Basics & Beyond Dog Training –jackiesbasicsandbeyond.com

Next Door K9 Solutions –nextdoork9solutions.com

Off Leash K9 Training –raleighncdogtrainers.com

Proactive Dog Training –proactivedogtraining.com

Sally Said So Professional Dog Training –sallysaidso.com

Sit Means Sit – sitmeanssit.com

Total Pet Training – totalpetnc.com Zoom Room – zoomroom.com

THERAPY AND SERVICE DOG TRAINING

Dog therapy and service programs are a powerful reminder of the compassion dogs can bring into our lives. Most canine training companies provide these certification programs. Dog Training Elite, for example, offers therapy dog training and certification for $2,595, and a psychiatric/post-traumatic stress disorder support dog program for $3,595. Check the companies’ websites to learn more.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DOG TRAINING ELITE

PHOTO COURTESY OF DOG TRAINING ELITE

WANTED: UNSUNG HEROES

Wake County fire departments are recruiting

BY ANITA B. STONE

Not a day goes by without a fire, automobile crash, chemical spill or other emergency involving firefighter intervention. Not one hour passes without someone needing urgent attention for a family crisis, weather-related trauma or hazardous cleanup somewhere in the U.S. Firefighters, EMS, police officers and other first responders must come to our aid at a moment’s notice. Yet in many states, including North Carolina, an ominous but less apparent emergency is facing these unsung heroes charged with protecting us and our communities.

This crisis primarily concerns a drastic loss of trained personnel to handle emergencies. According to a May 2020 Spectrum News report, the International Association of Fire Chiefs released information stating that budget cuts related to COVID-19 resulted in layoffs of at least 935 fire department employees in communities large and small across the U.S. This also reduced funds for equipment purchases, repair and maintenance needed for the firefighter’s safety.

Fire departments are still feeling the results of the personnel deficit and budget cuts. “We currently have 27 volunteers, but we need 35,” says Rolesville Fire Department Chief Donnie Lawrence, a 27-year firefighting veteran. “We are always looking for firefighters.”

Lawrence also mentioned his department’s need for equipment, such as large diameter hoses, and raised the issue of how crippling stress-related problems within the staff have led to vacancies. Other fire chiefs concur.

“Firefighters and volunteers are leaving the profession,” says a fire chief who requested anonymity. “The quiet quitters just walk out,” he says. “This is dangerous work, long hours, and someone needs to be willing to pay our firefighters.”

Recruitment Woes

According to salary.com, indeed.com and glassdoor.com, the average annual salary for a firefighter in North Carolina is right around $49,000. This varies across the state since counties have widely varying tax bases.

Recruitment is further hampered by the obvious risks and higher level of training required to be a firefighter. “First, you have to get certified through a training program such as rookie school,” Lawrence explains. “Then there’s hazardous materials training, known as hazmat, and so on.” He added that there is an annual commitment of 36 hours yearly for training. Some states require emergency medical services training as well.

Stressors—sometimes severe—plaguing firefighters also inhibit recruitment and are the inevitable result of the landscapes in which these brave men and women work. The heat and constant danger of falling structural supports, smoke inhalation, ladder knowledge, and

working face-to-face with distraught and injured citizens creates the need for a well-trained, capable squad. Posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and strain within the firefighter’s family also plague firefighting teams and can result in staff reductions.

Supply Chain Snags

Recent supply chain challenges add to firefighters’ frustrations. “The supply chain influences a firefighter’s job enormously,” says David Davis, a fire logistics specialist in the Wake Forest Fire Department’s Knox Homebox Program. “How do you think a firefighter feels following a rescue of 50 people from a burning building when he or she cannot even wear an identifying badge on a shirt because of a supply chain problem?” He also cited a motor on one fire truck they have not been able to fix for six months due to supply chain issues.

As if these stumbling blocks to recruitment weren’t enough, there may be more subtle influences at work. Aside from low pay, job stress, budget cuts and supply chain challenges, recruitment problems may also reflect changes in the attitude and life focus of younger generations. “Most volunteers have other activities, and the younger generation is so tuned into their Xbox and Playstation that it has hurt everyday life,” Lawrence says.

Flickers of Hope

Despite the multiplicity of pressures on today’s fire departments, there is some good news. According to a November 2022 WUNC report, Wake County Commissioners took steps toward addressing the exodus of firefighters by

PHOTO COURTESY OF XAVIERARNAU/GETTY IMAGES

investing $2 million from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 toward firefighter recruitment. These efforts will target women and people of color, the biggest untapped pool of recruits. And for the first time, cadets in the training academy will be paid.

The National Volunteer Fire Council, a nonprofit membership association representing the interests of fire, EMS and rescue services, has introduced a program that offers support to firefighters, helping reduce the chance that they will leave the department when times get tough. The council’s Share The Load Program provides a 24-hour hotline answered by firefighters who are also trained counselors. They are able to provide additional resources for those callers dealing with depression and suicidal thoughts, among other issues.

The North Carolina Law Enforcement Assistance Program, a nonprofit and peer-run organization, aids firefighters and other first responders who have been involved in critical incidents.

Recruits have plenty of choices for where to serve in Wake County. According to countyoffice.org, there are currently 90 fire departments in Wake County serving a population of over one million people in an area of 836 square miles. “Manpower is essential,” Lawrence says. “Last year alone, we had 1,198 calls for assistance.”

Lawrence welcomes anyone who would like to visit his fire department in Rolesville. “We would like our residents to know that the door is always open for volunteers and we want people to come by and visit with us to get a sense of helping out, which is very rewarding in its own way,” he says.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WALTER BIBIKOW/GETTY IMAGES

A HUSBAND-AND-WIFE BASEBALL LIFE

Cary couple Max and Sarah Schrock are embracing the game while it lasts

BY KURT DUSTERBERG

Max and Sarah Schrock are like many young parents. Much of their time is spent managing a routine for their 9-month-old daughter, Scarlett. The Schrocks’ parents and other family live nearby, so they host weekly dinners and get-togethers at their Cary home. For most of the fall and winter months, it’s a stable life. But when February comes each year, upheaval becomes the norm.

Max Schrock is a professional baseball player. This year, the 28-year-old infielder/ outfielder signed with the San Diego Padres, his fifth organization. He was drafted by the Washington Nationals out of the University of South Carolina in 2015, but in the middle of the following season, he was traded to the Oakland Athletics. By the time summer of 2016 was over, he had played for minor league teams in Hagerstown, Maryland; Woodbridge, Virginia; Stockton, California; and Midland, Texas. “With how much I’ve moved around, there was something in the back of my mind, like, what if I had stayed with my first organization that had invested the money into me,” Max says. “I figured out really quick that baseball is a business, and it’s run like a business.”

Where It All Began

Sarah is telling the story of how she and Max met in high school, but her account is coming out in bits and pieces. She continually climbs off the living room floor to retrieve Scarlett, who has a knack for escaping to the dining room on all fours. “We met in the parking lot at Cardinal Gibbons [High School],” she says. “We dated, talked, whatever you want to call it in high school for a couple of months, but then we broke up for the rest of my senior year.”

Sarah headed off to college at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, South Carolina, where she played soccer for two years. Max, a year behind Sarah in school, accepted a baseball scholarship. They reconnected a year later at Christmas, and Sarah ended up transferring to the University of South Carolina. Once Max was drafted,

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MEMPHIS REDBIRDS

the odyssey began. Sarah went along in 2016, experiencing the twists and turns that began with the trade from the Washington Nationals and assignment to Stockton.

“When I heard he was traded to Oakland, all I could think was, California,” she says. “He’s on a totally different side of the country. I had to go back to school in August to finish my last semester. That was the first big shock in baseball—that anything can change in 24 hours.”

Max and Sarah married in January 2018, just one month after Max was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals. He was assigned to the AAA Memphis Redbirds, just one step from the major leagues. “That was the worst season I ever had,” he says. “It was all about me putting way too much pressure on myself. The carrot is dangling right in front of your eyes. I was 23 at the time. I started trying to do things I wasn’t good at. That’s the hardest thing about playing in AAA, is being that close and knowing your dream is right there at your fingertips.”

A Major Break

After two seasons in Memphis, Max made his major league debut with the Cardinals in 2020. Baseball looked a bit different that summer with empty stadiums due to COVID-19, but it was a rash of coronavirus cases that ended up providing his opportunity. “When I was called up, it was because half of the Cardinals team got COVID,” he says. “They needed bodies.”

He struck out in his first at bat against the Chicago White Sox, but his debut quickly took a turn for the better. “My first hit was my second at bat. I hit a lazy fly ball that I think was in the air for what felt like 10 seconds,” he says. “The whole time, I’m like, ‘please fall, please fall, please fall.’ I was saying it out loud as I was running to first base. When it fell, it was kind of a relief. My third at bat, I hit a line drive, ground ball up the middle.”

Max signed with the Cincinnati Reds for 2021, where he split time between the AAA Louisville Bats and Cincinnati. Shuttling between the two nearby cities was manageable for Max, but call-ups presented a problem for Sarah, who was working out of their Louisville apartment as a mortgage loan processor. “I couldn’t work out of the hotel in Cincinnati,” she explains. “So as soon as my day ended at 5 p.m. in Louisville, I headed straight to his game in Cincinnati to be there at 7 p.m. Then I would wake up at 5 a.m. to get back and be online in Louisville.”

Max understood his wife’s dilemma. “I felt terrible,” he says. “I kept saying, if I’m not in the lineup, don’t worry about coming, but she didn’t want to miss if I was pinch hitting.”

Even though Max was playing well in his first extended major league action, he was not an everyday starter, so his hold on a roster spot was tenuous. Sarah remembers thinking, “I don’t know how long I’m going to be able to watch you do this, so I’m coming.” That outlook proved prescient in 2022. Told

he would start the season in Cincinnati, Max strained his calf with two games left in the exhibition season and missed three months. With no baseball on the horizon, Sarah headed back to North Carolina for the last weeks of her pregnancy. Just a few weeks later, after a long day of rehab in Cincinnati, Max heard his phone buzz. “My head had just hit the pillow,” he recalls. “She says, ‘Hey, my water just broke.’ So I got in the car and I drove home [to Cary] from Cincinnati on no sleep overnight.”

Once his season resumed, he had a hard time gaining traction. Finally healthy and playing for Louisville, Schrock fouled a ball off his kneecap and broke it. He played just

13 games for the Reds and 20 for Louisville.

So what can Max expect from a season in the Padres’ organization? More ups and downs, this time between the AAA El Paso Chihuahuas and San Diego. In his ninth year of professional baseball, Schrock knows what he is up against. Young prospects fill the major league pipeline each year. There are precious few opportunities for utility players who are pushing 30.

“When I was drafted, the goal was to play in the major leagues as long as I can,” he says. “If my career ended tomorrow, I think I would be OK. I would be able to hang my hat on the career I’ve had, knowing I left everything out there.

SCHROCK’S FINEST MOMENT? GIMME FIVE!

In his 77 major league games, Max Schrock has had some special moments. He went 2-for-3 in his first game, hit his first home run in his third game and even pitched in four games. But August 1, 2021 might be hard to top.

CincinnatI was playing at the New York Mets, and he was penciled into the lineup at first base to give Reds legend Joey Votto a day off. The circumstances were not ideal. Schrock had played first base only a handful of times as a professional, and he struggled getting ready for the game.

“It had to have been the absolute worst batting practice I have ever taken,” he remembers. “I don’t know if I got a ball out of the infield.”

But he singled in the first inning, then followed up with a home run in third. After another single to left in the sixth inning, he

knew something special was happening. Schrock remembers, “Our first base coach, Delino DeShields, slapped me on the butt and said, ‘We not done today, baby!’”

By the time the Reds wrapped up a 7–1 win, Max had gone 5-for-5.

And where was Sarah that day? Getting ready to meet Max on the road. “My parents and his parents all went to MacGregor Draft House,” she says. “We were all watching the game before I had to be driven to the airport. So I wasn’t there, but I was with the next best thing—my family and his family. We were having so much fun cheering him on. We were like, ‘Did he just do that?’”

Not bad for a day that didn’t look very promising. “I thought, maybe I can figure out how to just get one hit,” he says. “When I got that fifth one, it was like, yeah, I did it.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF CINCINNATI REDS

CROSSTOWN PUB & GRILL Shelia and Sean Ryan lean into generational experiences

BY ELLIOT ACOSTA | PHOTOS BY MASH PHOTOGRAPHY

Downtown Cary epitomizes the rapid growth occurring across the Triangle. The town’s once quaint downtown is now full of bustle, with businesses popping up around its core to service residents and visitors alike. At Cary’s center, you’ll find Crosstown Pub & Grill. Located at 154 E. Chatham Street, just down the street from The Cary Theater, this quintessential town hub is where everyone is welcome to grab a drink, watch the game or enjoy an honest meal.

THE FAMILY BUSINESS

Mother-and-son duo Sheila and Sean Ryan opened Crosstown Pub in 2015. They had moved to the area from New England in 1994, thanks to a professional opportunity for the family’s patriarch. Their successful creation of Crosstown Pub is the result of knowledge they accumulated through generations of experience running bars and restaurants.

Sean, who serves as Crosstown Pub’s general manager, cites family members who owned and ran pubs as if their

businesses were part of the family tree: “Great Uncle Joe” owned Horseneck Tavern in Connecticut; “Uncle Dennis” owns Mac’s Tavern in Cary; his parents, cousin and uncle were part owners of the beloved downtown Raleigh Irish pub Tir na nOg; and Shelia owned and operated Cary’s Mahoney’s Pub before opening Crosstown Pub.

Sean says he and his siblings were indoctrinated into the family’s restaurant business as children. “I got started like most kids who grow up in

Crosstown Pub & Grill

General Manager Sean Ryan

this industry—at the bottom. My siblings and I would help bus tables and do dishes when we were kids. I slowly worked up the ladder as I got older, and through just about every position there is.”

MOLDED FOR CARY

Sheila and Sean leaned into these generational experiences to create the restaurant Caryites love. “Crosstown Pub’s concept is a crazy combination of our favorite parts of all of our family’s previous businesses, along with sprinkles of outside inspiration we have picked up along the way,” Sean says. He acknowledges the role downtown Cary played in its creation, since the Ryans molded the pub into what they thought the area needed. When Crosstown Pub opened in 2015, downtown Cary’s predicted growth was more of a promise than an actualization. Downtown residents themselves, Sheila and Ryan held fast to their plan to open Crosstown Pub in the town’s center. They knew there was a growing need for walkable food and drink destinations downtown, and could see Cary’s growth on the horizon. Sean admits they never anticipated just how rapid that growth would occur.

CROSSTOWN PUB & GRILL’S SPINACH ARTICHOKE DIP Ingredients

4 ounces of cream cheese

2 cloves of minced garlic

10 ounces of chopped artichoke hearts

2 cups of chopped spinach

3/4 cups of Parmesan cheese

Salt to taste

Directions

Combine the ingredients and blend them together until the mixture is smooth. Store the dip in the refrigerator, and heat it up before you serve it. Top it with a 40/60 honey sriracha blend.

Weekly “off-menu” specials keep the menu fresh, with options like sloppy Joes and cheesy chicken pasta.

The dish that has earned Crosstown Pub acclaim is their version of the Southern classic, pimento cheese. Prior to the pandemic, the Town of Cary hosted a pimento cheese festival and invited local restaurants to enter a pimento cheese recipe competition. Crosstown Pub’s team claimed the pimento cheese crown—and that same recipe can be found inside the pub’s fried green tomato sandwich and fried pimento cheese balls.

AWARD-WINNING FOOD

Straightforward and hearty, Crosstown Pub’s guests enjoy what can only be phrased as “pub food classics.” From shareable apps like the spinach artichoke dip, to entrees such as the bestselling fish and chips, Crosstown Pub’s menu is designed to fill bellies and go great with a cold drink.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Sean is not only excited about Cary’s growth, but also for what the town can offer his growing family. “I have a 2-year-old daughter, and downtown Cary is a really special place to raise her. The people are amazing, and the family-focused amenities

have vastly improved—specifically the new library, countless family-friendly events and the new Downtown Park.”

He also realizes this growth and development means the area will attract new residents and visitors. “In the 8 years since we opened our doors, there have been dozens of breweries, bars, restaurants and shops that have popped up—with even more on the way,” he says. “All of these additions only help bring more people to downtown Cary, and spotlight the Town of Cary for its current and future development of our downtown community.”

Crosstown Pub has opened another door for the Ryans, who are teasing a new concept just a few doors down at the pub’s former location on 140 E. Chatham Street. Stay tuned for more on that later … and check out the menu at crosstowndowntown.com .

Crosstown Pub & Grill’s concept is a crazy combination of our favorite parts of all of our family’s previous businesses, along with sprinkles of outside inspiration we have picked up along the way.

SEAN RYAN

General Manager

This list represents the Western Wake restaurants that have advertised with us since the start of 2023. Looking for our comprehensive Dine & Draft directory? Check out 5westmag.com/dine-draft for a detailed foodie guide to Western Wake. Here’s a snapshot of what you’ll find.

ABBEY ROAD TAVERN

1700 Center Street, Apex 919.372.5338

1195 W. Chatham Street, Cary 919.481.5383 abbeyroadnc.com

ACME PIZZA

204 Village Walk Drive, Holly Springs 919.552.8800

2101 Grace Park Drive, Morrisville 919.650.2902

acmepizzaco.com

THE AGENCY BAR & SOCIAL Inside Paragon Theaters at Fenton 21 Fenton Main Street, Suite 110, Cary 919.473.9676

paragontheaters.com/ agency-bar-and-social

CAPRIOTTI’S SANDWICH SHOP

302 Colonades Way, Suite D209, Cary 919.932.8882

order.capriottis.com/store/6386

DI FARA PIZZA TAVERN

111 E. Chatham Street, Cary 919.678.5300

difarapizzatavern.com

KWENCH JUICE CAFE 772 W. Williams Street, Apex 984.214.1763

kwenchapex.com

PEAK OF THE VINE 301 N. Salem Street, Apex 919.267.9828

peakofthevine.com

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE AGENCY BAR & SOCIAL

Compiled by the 5 West staff with contributions from Triangle Food Guy Sean Lennard, who blogs at trianglefoodblog.com .

NOW OPEN

1 Saffron Indian Cuisine has opened in the former Ginger Asian Cuisine location across from Waverly Place at 2048 Kildaire Farm Road in Cary. Owner/chef Gamer Rawat is at the helm.

2 Tandoori Trail opened at 2017 Creekside Landing Drive in Apex in March.

3 Cary now has a Viv’s Fridge to-go machine location in front of The Wine Merchant at 4240 NW Cary Parkway

SOLD, BUT STILL OPEN

4 After being in business for 20 years, Homegrown Pizza at 4928 Linksland Drive in Holly Springs has been sold to Michael Seighman. The good news? Seighman plans on keeping everything the same!

COMING SOON

5 Brewery Bhavana Chef Lon Bounsanga plans to open a new restaurant called SAAP in downtown Cary later this year. SAAP will serve cuisine from the Southeast Asian nation of Laos.

1. SEOL GRILLE All-you-can-eat veggie side dishes at Seol Grille in Cary.

2. OSTERIA G Scallops over risotto at Osteria G in Apex.

3. MASON’S FAMOUS LOBSTER ROLLS The signature lobster roll at Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls in Cary.

4. ASALI CAFE Expertly made macarons at Asali Cafe in Cary.

PHOTO COURTESY OF VIV’S FRIDGE

Before you head out, be sure to check the websites for the events listed here to ensure they are still taking place.

CHARITY DISTANCE FESTIVAL

May 13

WakeMed Soccer Park

201 Soccer Park Drive, Cary

Lace up your shoes in support of Wheels4Hope, SAFE Haven for Cats and other local nonprofits. Choose from an 8K, 5K, 1-mile fun run or virtual runs. Kids and dogs can also take part in the races. Registration fees are $5–$55 per person. runsignup.com

RITMO LATINO FESTIVAL

May 13, noon–6 p.m.

316 N. Academy Street, Cary

Celebrate Latino culture with live music, food, vendors and artists. Adult dance lessons and children’s activities cap off the event at Cary Town Hall. diamanteartsculturalcenter.org

“SLEEPING BEAUTY”

May 18–21

Raleigh Memorial Auditorium

2 E. South Street, Raleigh

BANDS, BITES AND BOATS

First Friday of the month through October 6; visit the website for hours

Fred G. Bond Park

801 High House Road, Cary

Bond Park Boathouse hosts musicians, food trucks and cold brews. Rent a boat to float on Bond Lake as the sun sets. Take a blanket or chair if you want to stay on land. townofcary.org

HOLLY SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FOOD FESTIVAL

May 5, 5–9 p.m.

300 W. Ballentine Street, Holly Springs

Enjoy a variety of food, beverages and entertainment representing more than 12 countries. Take a blanket or chair to watch cultural performances. hollyspringsnc.us

CENTRAL PARK SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

May 6, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

Old North Durham Park

724 Foster Street, Durham

The Central Park School for Children’s Strawberry Festival fundraiser features live music, activity booths, an inflatable slide, an obstacle course, arts and crafts, strawberry treats, a silent auction, community vendors and more. Admission is free. cpscnc.org

“SENSE AND SENSIBILITY”

May 11–13, 7:30 p.m.

Holly Springs Cultural Center

300 W. Ballentine Street, Holly Springs

A playful adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved novel “Sense and Sensibility” follows the fates of Dashwood sisters Elinor and Marianne after their father’s sudden death leaves them financially destitute and socially vulnerable in late 18th-century England. Tickets are $14 for adults and $12 for seniors and students. hollyspringsnc.us

Carolina Ballet closes out its 25th anniversary season with a storybook ballet based on the work of the Brothers Grimm. “Sleeping Beauty” shines as a testament of good triumphing over evil and features live music by the Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle. carolinaballet.com

WHEELS ON ACADEMY CAR SHOW

May 20, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Old Library Site

310 S. Academy Street, Cary

View cars of yesteryear alongside today’s modern hot rods and exotic cars. Watch take-apart Model T demonstrations, explore the Touch-a-Truck area and enjoy an awards show.

townofcary.org

FARM TO FORK PICNIC

June 4, 4–7 p.m.

2000 Fearrington Village Center, Pittsboro Farm to Fork Picnic showcases North Carolina chefs who team up with a farmer or artisan to create small bites using seasonal ingredients at tasting stations throughout the grounds of Fearrington Village. Tickets are $125 for adults, $50 for ages 5–12 and free for ages 4 and younger. eventbrite.com

Bands, Bites and Boats is a nice way to relax this spring in Cary.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE TOWN OF CARY

Feast on food from 12-plus countries at the Holly Springs International Food Festival.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE TOWN OF HOLLY SPRINGS

NASCAR NOSTALGIA

Old grandstands beckon visitors to North Wilkesboro and Hillsborough

NORTH WILKESBORO SPEEDWAY

North Wilkesboro

Located in the foothills of the North Carolina mountains, North Wilkesboro is a town steeped in rich history. Once known as the “moonshine capital of the world,” Wilkes County was home to NASCAR Hall of Famer—and infamous bootlegger— Junior Johnson. During NASCAR’s early years, transportation of illegal liquor in the South was big business, and many of the sport’s earliest stars owned, built and drove moonshine cars. This understanding of tweaking cars, as well as their propensity for high speeds, made moonshine runners ideal racecar drivers. North Wilkesboro Speedway hosted its first race in 1947, and remained a dusty dirt surface for nearly a decade before transitioning to asphalt. With the reputation of being one of the fastest short tracks in NASCAR, North Wilkesboro Speedway hosted nearly 50 years of racing before closing its grandstands in 1996.

NASCAR historians and current fans alike are thrilled that the 2023 All-Star Race will return to the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway May 19–21. With much of the track’s relics salvaged, such as signage and a hand-operated scoreboard, other amenities—like the grandstands—have been updated for a new era for one of America’s favorite spectator sports. northwilkesborospeedway.com

HISTORIC OCCONEECHEE SPEEDWAY

Hillsborough

Travel back in time without leaving the Piedmont! The Historic Occoneechee Speedway Trail in Hillsborough offers a glimpse into NASCAR’s earliest days. Rusted cars are dotted throughout the track, as if frozen in time. The cement grandstand—once filled with fans cheering on the likes of Fonty Flock, Fireball Roberts and NASCAR’s first female driver, Louise Smith—now sits empty, other than the occasional passerby seeking a woodsy respite.

Named after the Occaneechi Indians who once lived in the area, the Historic Occoneechee Speedway is the last remaining dirt track from NASCAR’s inaugural 1949 season. After a two-decade run as a mile-long oval track, the speedway hosted its last NASCAR race in 1968. Now heavily forested with pines and sycamores, the site is part of the Eno River State Park, and primarily used as a walking trail—albeit a unique one!

The Historic Speedway Group, a local nonprofit, organizes volunteers to maintain the track and trails. The group has collected an impressive archive of videos, photographs and historical information about the site. The Historic Occoneechee Speedway and North Wilkesboro Speedway are said to be inspirations for the Thomasville Speedway in the Pixar movie, “Cars 3.” Visit them both to decide for yourself!

visithillsboroughnc.com/things-to-do/historic-occoneechee-speedway-trail

P HOTOS COURTESY OF HAROLD HINSON, WILL THARP AND TOM POLAND

HEATHER ECK

LOOKING WITHIN, 2023 ACRYLIC ON CANVAS

48 X 30 INCHES

CONNECTING WITH COLOR

In her Holly Springs studio, artist Heather Eck starts her spiritual art practice by meditating with essential oils, sage, journaling and prayer. Feeling and color serve as the roots of her intuitive painting process. She connects her color selections to the chakra system, in which each chakra is associated with a color of the rainbow. Eck believes it is possible to find your spiritual meaning when you connect with color. In “Looking Within,” she used every color of the chakra system to connect, reflect, and activate her spiritual meaning and goals for 2023.

Eck is a creator, mother and collaborator. Her work is included in private collections and exhibited in local and regional venues. It has been featured in a residency at Blush Cowork (a women-focused coworking space in Cary), commissioned by institutions and individuals, and promoted in international publications that are featured in collaborative projects, including a forthcoming fashion collection. View more of her work at heathereck.com and on Instagram at @heathereckartist

“This painting explores my body’s different chakras (energy centers). Every color from the chakra system is represented here. This work is a call to go within and to be intentional about how I want to show up this year.”

— Heather Eck