5 West Magazine – July/August 2024

Celebrating the 5 towns of Western Wake

WESTERN WAKE LOVES JORDAN LAKE

VINTAGE NC BEACH VACATIONS

NEWCOMER’S GUIDE 10 YEARS OF THE CARY THEATER

NEW SECTIONS FOR EACH OF THE 5 TOWNS OF WESTERN WAKE +

EDITOR’S LETTER

In 2023, this magazine changed its name from Cary Living to 5 West because the five central towns of Western Wake—Apex, Cary, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs and Morrisville— have different personalities. We wanted to reach out to each of them and recognize each town’s role in creating the unique culture of Western Wake.

In this issue, we’ve changed our structure to achieve the same goal. We have added News Around Town: five four-page sections offering focused coverage of each of the five central towns of Western Wake. The people who write these sections either live or have lived in the towns they cover, so they understand the character of each town. These sections will cover everything from big issues— downtown development, for example, and town strategies for supporting local businesses and important cultural and economic changes—to day-to-day material, like the best places to find good tacos or watch outdoor movies, or a spotlight on the local school team that won a national award.

Since this issue includes our relocation guide and focuses on reaching out to people new to the area, our News Around Town articles for this issue center on introducing each town to newcomers and offering suggestions about the first things people might do to learn what is special about this new place they call home. If you’re a local, read it and see if you agree with our authors about special places in your town! Our News Around Town sections also offer suggestions for where to go to cool off in hot weather. Read to learn more about the best splash pads, pools, ice cream, popsicles and more in Western Wake. (Also, if you’re a newcomer, the relocation guide starting on page 18 can help you learn everything you need to know about living in Western Wake.)

We are also changing our department pieces to include consistent sections called Local Flavor, Kaleidoscope, and Sports and Fitness. These sections will cover food and drink, the arts, and athletics and fitness stories. Other department pieces will rotate in and out, but these sections will remain consistent. Western Wake is producing such a rich series of opportunities to talk about these topics that they deserve the kind of examination that regular coverage can offer.

For this issue, in Local Flavor you can learn how to make Sassool’s famous falafel (many thanks to Noelle and Simone for sharing it with us!) and read about all the delicious drink options available in Pittsboro’s Chatham Beverage District. In Kaleidoscope, you can find out about the many contributions to the arts The Cary Theater has made to Western Wake over the past decade and what it’s been like for Josh Anderson to run productions at the Durham Performing Arts Center for the past 15 years. In Sports and Fitness, you can jump into the most recent sports craze and learn all about Wake County’s pickleball opportunities.

Finally, we encourage you to check out our online-only articles on our Talk of the Triangle page by going to 5westmag.com and clicking on Talk of the Triangle. Talk of the Triangle allows us to cover cultural and local events as they happen rather than limiting us to writing about them every two months. Recent articles have covered everything from how to care for your midsummer garden in the Triangle to all the places showing outdoor movies in Wake County this summer. We add articles to this page constantly, so I encourage you to check it out.

If you have opinions about how we are covering the town or local stories you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear from you! Please email me at elizabeth@5westmag.com.

Elizabeth Brignac, Editor

Photo by Jenn McKinney Photography

PUBLISHERS

Ronny Stephens

Kent Braswell

MANAGING EDITOR

Elizabeth Brignac

ART AND WEB DIRECTOR

Sean Byrne

GRAPHIC AND WEB DESIGNER

Dathan Kazsuk

COPY EDITOR

Cindy Huntley

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Kyle Marie McMahon

SOCIAL MEDIA AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

Crystal Watts

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Sherry Braswell, Paige Gunter, Sophie Lapierre, Stefanie McClary

DISTRIBUTION

Joe Lizana, Manager DistribuTech.net

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jennifer Axness, Drew Becker, Elizabeth Brignac, Dave Droschak, Kurt Dusterberg, Samantha Gratton, Heather Hankinson, Dathan Kazsuk, Elizabeth Lincicome, Sofia Lujan, Kyle Marie McMahon, Eric Medlin, Judith Cookis Rubens, Mike Rumble, Dolly R. Sickles

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Laura Axness, Jessica Bratton, Kurt Dusterberg, Dathan Kazsuk, Josh Manning, Caroline Stamey

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 2024. 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 5westmag.com

4818-204 Six Forks Road Raleigh, NC 27609

Phone: 919.782.4710

Fax: 919.782.4763

BEACH FUN

BY E R IC MEDLIN

Today, a large, colorful Ferris wheel at the Carolina Beach boardwalk offers riders magnificent ocean views. Photo by stock.adobe.comMark Alan Howard.

This summer, millions of people are taking at least one trip to visit the beaches of North Carolina. These visitors come from all 50 states and dozens of countries around the world. They will stay at hotels and campgrounds, sample regional cuisine and enjoy miles of sand and surf at the Outer Banks and other North Carolina beaches.

They are, of course, not the first people to enjoy a North Carolina beach trip. North Carolinians and others have been vacationing at the state’s beaches for over 200 years. According to historian David Stick, the first coastal trips for recreation occurred as early as the 1750s, with Beaufort becoming a regular tourist destination by 1800. The first North Carolina community founded specifically as a beach resort was Nags Head in the 1830s. While Nags Head was popular during the summers, it mostly attracted visitors from the Albemarle region in its early years because it was relatively difficult to reach.

About a hundred years ago, however, the North Carolina beach trip began to assume a form we would recognize today. Many of those trips focused on the sand and the surf. Travelers would spend several hours riding a train line like the North Carolina Railroad to Wilmington, Morehead City or another coastal hub, often taking a ferry to their final destination on a barrier island.

Beach trips a hundred years ago were more restrictive, challenging and time-consuming than they are today. But as a means to enjoy natural beauty and a weekend of fun, a trip to the beach has not changed all that much.

BEACH CLOTHING

Once at the water, what did beachgoers wear a century ago? The bikini would not be invented until 1946. According to the Fashion History Timeline, a Fashion Institute of Technology resource, women wore head-totoe flannel bathing dresses during the Victorian period, but by the turn of the century, fashions were beginning to change. Most women’s bathing suits of the 1910s and 1920s were one-piece swimsuits with hemlines that shortened as the years went on.

The Maryland Center for History and Culture writes that men in this part of America wore shorts and a top— at first modest, with sleeves, but later sleeveless, like a tank top. People changed their clothes in bath houses, which were the only structures built directly on some barrier islands.

SURFING

Lounging on the beach and walking up and down the sand were as popular a century ago as they are today. But starting in the early 20th century, beachgoers gradually began to surf. Surfing originated in Polynesia centuries ago as a recreational activity with religious components. It began to cross into American culture in the 19th century after American contact with Hawaiians.

After several decades, the slow process of surfing’s cultural drift reached North Carolina. Surfboards could be found on state beaches as early as 1907, and a famous demonstration of surfing occurred in 1928. This activity was for many years purely recreational, using surfboards made of local woods. The first regular professional surfing competitions did not occur in North Carolina until the 1960s.

Vintage postcards of the boardwalk and boat racing at Carolina Beach, circa 1930–1945. Source: Boston Public Library.

BIRD HUNTING

Coastal visitors could participate in a number of other activities besides swimming and surfing. Many visited boardwalks and early amusement parks in beach towns. But some chose a more isolated coastal hobby: bird hunting. North Carolina’s Outer Banks were home to some of the most popular shooting clubs on the East Coast. The early- and mid-20th century was the heyday of destinations like the Flyway Club on Knotts Island and the Whalehead Club in Corolla, first built as a private mansion beside the town’s lighthouse in the early 1920s.

Hunting duck and geese was particularly popular with wealthy industrialists from up north. Famous names like the DuPonts and Joseph P. Knapp, publisher of Collier’s and the New York Herald Tribune’s Sunday edition, built lodges on the North Carolina coast and invited their wealthy friends on hunting trips. While these outings were decidedly upper-class, all classes hunted throughout the coast—notably in Dare County and the Core Sound area. Core Sound is famous for its myriad of duck decoys and calls, many of which can be seen at the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum in Harkers Island. Hunting remains a popular attraction on North Carolina beaches today.

PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCES

Everyone knows that conferences are much better attended when they are at scenic or entertaining locales. Last year, vacation centers Orlando and Las Vegas were two of the top four conference destinations in the country.

It turns out that modern companies didn’t invent the idea of holding work conferences in destination towns. In North Carolina, the practice dates back over a century. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, The Atlantic Hotel in Morehead City was a popular center for business meetings. The North Carolina Bankers Association and one of the groups that eventually became the North Carolina Association of Educators both held formative meetings at The Atlantic. These groups eventually adjourned for the day to go fishing, sailing or lounging on Bogue Banks. Like many of today’s visitors, they combined their business trips with the pleasure of a beach vacation, enjoying the same river and beach areas that attract millions of visitors today.

SEGREGATION

Like every other aspect of Southern society in the early 1900s, North Carolina beaches were segregated by race. One of today’s state parks, Hammocks Beach, originated in

by stock.adobe.com - Eifel Kreutz.

Hammocks Beach State Park on Bear Island in Onslow County originated in a state-run effort to provide Black families with their own dedicated beach. Photo

a state-run effort to provide Black families with their own dedicated beach: Bear Island.

Long before Hammocks Beach became a state park, several other Black beaches during segregation were located just beside white beaches. A famous example was the Seabreeze resort on Freeman Beach at the northern tip of Pleasure Island, which was established in the 1920s and became known in the 1950s for its boogie and swing bands. A contemporary of Seabreeze, Shell Island Resort (near Wrightsville Beach) only lasted three years, but attracted thousands of Black visitors during its years of operation.

CHANGES OVER TIME

Some aspects of the North Carolina beach trip have changed in the past century. The most striking change was the integration of beaches in the 1960s. Many physical institutions of early 20th century beach life have also changed. The Atlantic Hotel burned down in 1933 and the Whalehead Club closed in the 1950s. The clubs, restaurants and nightlife that defined Freeman Beach and the Seabreeze resort have disappeared as well. Greater development of the coast has led to both loss of habitat and a subsequent increase in environmental awareness.

But much has stayed the same. Despite the loss of old clubs, hunting opportunities remain popular on the coast. Currituck County remains popular for hunters as well as the Down East region of Carteret County. Professional groups still hold conferences at beach hotels. And while most visitors take cars instead of trains, the sand and surf still welcome millions to come and relax on the shores of— arguably—North Carolina’s most famous asset.

For more images of vintage summer fun on North Carolina beaches, click this QR code for an online photo series.

Nags Head in the Outer Banks has been a popular surfing spot for decades.

Photo by stock.adobe.com - digidreamgrafix

The Atlantic Hotel. Source: PICRYL/public domain.

FUN IN THE SUN ON

JORDAN LAKE

Camping, swimming and boating are great ways to spend warm summer days in Western Wake

BY DOLLY R. SICKLES

North Carolina has 41 parks in its state parks system, along with 10 national park sites and four national forests. With over 2.2 million visitors, Jordan Lake State Recreation Area is the most visited of all of these parks. Meandering through Chatham, Wake, Durham and Orange Counties, Jordan Lake has seven access areas that provide plenty of camping, boating and swimming opportunities. Adventurers will find 15 miles of hiking trails, an amphitheater, auditorium, beach access points and bathhouses for swimmers and campers. It’s even the largest summertime home of the bald eagle, much to the delight of visiting birdwatchers

Here are a few ways to make the most of your summer at one of the Piedmont’s crowning jewels.

JUST ADD WATER

While boaters and anglers recreate all year long at Jordan Lake, Fred M. Watkins, park superintendent of Jordan Lake State Recreation Area, says the busiest time of year is between May and July. If fishing is your jam, he says, the most popular fish species are largemouth bass, black crappie and catfish. You’ll need to obtain a fishing license through the NC Wildlife Resources Commission if you want to fish. Size and creel limits (limits on the number of fish anglers can take home) are available through the Commission’s website.

Any type of boat is allowed on the lake, but the most popular are motorboats, sailboats, canoes and kayaks. Watkins emphasizes that boaters should exercise a commonsense approach to enjoying water sports by wearing life jackets while boating, and also by using plenty of sunscreen. The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office has been known to surprise visitors displaying safe boating practices with popsicles.

A family enjoys a canoeing adventure on Jordan Lake.

Photo courtesy of the Town of Cary.

Safety on the water is a key element of boating. Branson Mosier and his wife Megan own TowBoatUS Jordan Lake—a kind of water-based AAA. Not only do they aid boaters who are experiencing issues on the water, but they also offer a series of boating safety courses that follow the National Safe Boating Council curriculum. “We teach you how to operate your boat in a safe manner, but we also teach you the nuances of being a safer, better boater so you can boat more and worry less,” says Mosier.

If you want to enjoy boating without the responsibility of maintaining your own watercraft, Freedom Boat Club is another option. Membership allows participants to reserve one of a dozen different pontoons, bowriders or deck boats, all carrying between 10 to 12 people. There’s currently a waiting list for the 7-day membership, but weekday memberships are available.

WHY STOP WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN?

Camping is the most popular activity at Jordan Lake—even more so than boating and swimming. The park offers five access points for campers, with over 1,000 campsites. Amenities vary by campsite.

Tyler Harris co-owns Chatham Outfitters in Pittsboro, and he and his wife Jennie (who is the store’s marketing manager) love camping with their daughter at Jordan Lake. “I always come away from camping feeling more refreshed and relaxed,” says Jennie. “We especially love how convenient Jordan Lake is to our home in Pittsboro, and how well-maintained their facilities are.”

Whether you’re new to camping or an old pro, Tyler says it’s always good to review safety tips before you pitch your tent. “Always have a fully stocked first aid kit,” he says, “and always use the buddy system on hikes. Bring extra clothes in case you get wet, inform people not traveling with you of your location and when you’ll return, and leave no trace by focusing on leaving your campsite in the same condition you found it.”

Phillip and Emily Teasley of Durham discovered a shared passion for camping two years into their marriage. Camping is an affordable and easily accessible means of recreation for this young couple. “At first it wasn’t easy,” Emily says. “There’s no air conditioning, no heat, no electricity … But now? It’s easy. All you need is a tent, a soft place to sleep, and cookware. That camping magic has us reading our books, kayaking and turning off our brains. We have some of our best talks about life and our relationship while camping.”

The Teasleys usually reserve a campsite for two to four nights, and always have their kayaks in tow. “Jordan Lake is truly a local gem,” says Phillip. “We love that it’s a local getaway with amazing lake views close to home, semi-private campsites, and modern conveniences like close bathroom access and running water.” Campsites are affordable at $23/night, and booking online is easy. “You don’t have to be an outdoorsy person to enjoy camping,” says Emily.

FUN WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

John Conrad and his family moved to Pittsboro seven years ago. Conrad enjoys bringing his family out on the lake in his boat. “Right now, we’ve got a Rinker runabout, an open bow recreational pleasure craft we’ve had since we moved to North Carolina in 2007,” he says. “It’s the perfect size for a family—plus, it holds all the toys.”

Conrad and his wife bring family and friends out onto the water with them. “My favorite activity is water skiing,” he says, “but the family’s is tubing. It’s a great way to get their friends out with them, because tubing requires no skill. That makes it fun and good for guests.”

“The weekends are busy,” Conrad adds, “so we usually head out in the evenings, after work. But my favorite time on the lake is in the early mornings. If you get out there around 8 a.m. and stay until 11:00 a.m., you can drive on smooth, calm water. And if you’re lucky, the slushy boat comes by selling slushies!”

John puts in at the Seaforth access point, his favorite cove close to home. He spends many hours on the lake, sometimes with his family and sometimes on his own. “People ask, ‘When will you be home?’” says Conrad. “I tell them I don’t have a watch. I’ll be home after dark.”

RESOURCES

Jordan Lake State Recreation Area: ncparks.gov/ state-parks/jordan-lake-state-recreation-area

Book your campsite: northcarolinastateparks. reserveamerica.com/camping/jordan-lake-staterec-area/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode =NC&parkId=552903

Schedule your boat safety course with TowBoatUS: boatusfoundation.ticketspice.com/ towboatus-central-nc-2024

NEWCOMER’S GUIDE TO The

WesternWake

The Basics

Welcome to Western Wake! Here is some basic information along with links to help you get started here.

THE TOWNS

Most towns in Western Wake (and many in Wake County as a whole) are in transition. While these were small towns through most of the 20th century, high quality of life ratings, good schools and job opportunities in Research Triangle Park have made these towns some of the fastest-growing places in North Carolina. As their populations double and triple in size, this is a period of both excitement and nostalgia for area residents, who enjoy the fruits of municipal expansion in the form of parks, entertainment and cuisine opportunities; growing cultural diversity; new town festivals; classes and resources; and other benefits. These changes, however, have also led to new challenges in terms of traffic, parking, reduced farmland, the need to protect green space, and other issues related to sudden, intense growth.

APEX: Apex began as a railroad town and is now the second-largest of the five major Western Wake towns, with about 76,000 people and a growth rate of over three percent.

CARY: For many years a small railroad town, Cary is now the biggest city in Western Wake, with about 185,000 people.

HOLLY SPRINGS: Holly Springs grew up around freshwater springs in the 19th century and now has a population of about 50,000—a 40% increase over the past 10 years.

FUQUAY-VARINA: In 1963, the town of Fuquay Springs merged with Varina to become Fuquay-Varina. As a result, the town has two downtown areas. Known for the historic mineral springs around which Fuquay Springs grew, Fuquay-Varina now has a population of about 47,000.

MORRISVILLE: With about 33,000 residents, Morrisville is the smallest of the five Western Wake communities profiled here. Originally a small railroad town, Morrisville today is known for its strong population of residents from India and other South Asian countries.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK (RTP): The Research Triangle refers to the area delineated by the cities of Raleigh and

Durham and the town of Chapel Hill, each of which is home to a major university (North Carolina State University, Duke University and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, respectively). In 1959 North Carolina established the area making up the center of this triangle as Research Triangle Park, with the goal of building the economy on the skills of our area’s university graduates rather than losing them to jobs in other states. Today, RTP is home to hundreds of companies on the cutting edge of technological research and development in many different fields. It sits on 7,000 acres of unincorporated space owned and run by the Research Triangle Foundation, a nonprofit organization.

SOME HELPFUL WEBSITES:

• Duke Energ y: duke-energy.com

The North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles: ncdot.gov/dmv

• Town of Apex: apexnc.org

• Town of Cary: carync.gov

• Town of Fuquay-Varina: fuquay-varina.org

• Town of Holly Springs: hollyspringsnc.gov

• Town of Morrisville: morrisvillenc.gov

• Wake County: wake.gov

• Wake County Public Schools: wcpss.net

Pick a Side!

Most communities divide—genially, but also passionately— on certain local issues. The Triangle is no different. As you acclimate here, find opinions on these subjects so you can hold your own in these conversations.

COLLEGE SPORTS (ESPECIALLY BASKETBALL)

The three big university teams in the Triangle are The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Tar Heels, the Duke University Blue Devils  and the North Carolina State University Wolfpack. If you’ve moved here from out of state, you may have followed UNC–Chapel Hill and Duke sports more closely since they both have wider national followings. But in Raleigh and Western Wake, you’re likely to find more Wolfpack fans than fans of either of the other teams, because N.C. State is based in Wake County.

The merits and records of each team and its players come up a lot in local conversation. Pick a team and don some Wolfpack red or a specific shade of blue—light blue for

the Tar Heels or a darker blue for the Blue Devils—during sports seasons. Even if you’re not a sports fan, you might find it helpful to remain at least peripherally aware of what’s going on with these teams, especially in basketball.

BARBECUE

North Carolinians love our barbecue, and we have strong opinions about it. Many restaurants around here serve barbecue, so it’s a good idea to go to a few well-regarded places and see what kinds you like.

A major debate topic is eastern- vs. western-style North Carolina barbecue. All North Carolina barbecue is pulled pork barbecue with a vinegar-based sauce, and both the western and eastern types of sauce usually incorporate some pepper. The main difference is that western-style barbecue (also called Lexington-style because Lexington, North Carolina is famous for this type of barbecue) bases its sauce in ketchup or tomato sauce as well as vinegar, and has a slightly sweeter flavor than eastern-style. Western-style North Carolina barbecue often uses only the pork shoulder. Eastern-style North Carolina barbecue, on the other hand, is sometimes called “whole hog” barbecue because it uses most parts of the pig. It emphasizes vinegar and spices, but uses no tomato in its sauce.

Because of Wake County’s central location, many of our barbecue restaurants are influenced by both styles of barbecue, and many also offer both types of sauce—though some focus on one type only.

Outdoors

IN THE GARDEN

Raleigh is in a USDA Plant Hardiness zone of 8a. (It used to be 7b, but was changed to 8a in 2023.) This matters because it affects which plants can survive the winter cold, which goes down to an average low of 10–15 degrees Fahrenheit.

Here are a few resources you might find helpful as you get started establishing a garden:

• NC State Extension: A resource that seeks to extend university research to benefit state residents. The organization offers invaluable gardening expertise—all kinds of information about when to plant, what to plant, which plants are native to this area, common local pests, how to encourage pollinators and almost anything else you can think to ask. They will even test your soil! Go to gardening.ces.ncsu.edu to learn more.

• The North Carolina Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill offers research resources and classes for Triangle gardeners. Go to ncbg.unc.edu to learn more.

• Keep an eye on TALK OF THE TRIANGLE, our onlineonly content page. We offer bimonthly posts from our gardening expert on how to care for your garden during each season. 5westmag.com/talk-of-the-triangle

• Check out this vegetable garden planting calendar: content.ces.ncsu.edu/central-north-carolina-plantingcalendar-for-annual-vegetables-fruits-and-herbs

• If you have limited space, here is a good calendar for planting container vegetable gardens: content.ces.ncsu. edu/container-garden-planting-calendar-for-ediblesin-the-piedmont

COPPERHEAD SNAKES

We get a lot of copperheads around here. Copperhead season lasts from spring through fall. Because of their coloring, copperheads can be very hard to spot. If you’re in the woods, or even just in your yard, it’s a good idea to wear shoes and keep an eye out for them—especially in areas with trees, weeds or undergrowth.

Copperheads are medium-sized snakes with copperbrown bodies; dark, hourglass-shaped markings; and distinctive, triangular-shaped heads. If you see a copperhead, don’t attack it—just avoid it. Copperheads usually won’t bother you if you don’t bother them. Even if the snake is just a baby, stay away. Baby copperheads are dangerous, despite their size, because they cannot control how much venom they release.

If you are bitten, contact a doctor immediately. Copperhead bites are seldom fatal if treated properly.

Schools

Most school systems require some patience to figure out. Wake County has the highest population of any county in North Carolina, so its school system is particularly large and complex. Add the large number of charter schools, private schools and even online schools available in this area to the mix, and you may find the educational options here daunting to navigate. Check out our EDUCATION GUIDE online to help guide you through the education landscape here.

Traffic

While drivers here are not generally aggressive, the constant road construction that comes with the area’s rapid growth can create headaches. You will find that rush hour here gets crowded in the morning with people driving west to their jobs in RTP, and becomes crowded going back into town in the afternoons.

Also

• Please also check out the op ening articles for each AROUND TOWN section in this issue. These articles are designed to introduce you to some of the best activities your new hometown has to offer.

• We North Carolinians love our festivals. Here is a link to some of our most popular local and regional festivals: midtownmag.com/north-carolina-festivals

A growing community with a small-town heart DISCOVERING APEX

BY DAVE DROSCHAK

If you are new to Apex, you are not alone. Apex —sometimes called The Peak of Good Living— was named the best place to live in America in 2015 by Money magazine and has seen unprecedented population growth in recent years . In 2010, 37,476 lived in the town that hugs the western corner of Wake County near Jordan Lake. As of May 1, the population was 77,668 and is predicted to swell to 120,000 by 2030.

Yes, many people—particularly families of four, empty nesters and seniors—are headed to one of the fastest-growing towns in North Carolina. They move for a variety of

reasons: Apex’s top-tier schools, a charming and historic downtown, an array of recreational opportunities and more. So many people are coming into the area that, for the first time ever, the Town of Apex has launched a tourism website for locals and visitors (exploreapexnc.com), which gives pointers and suggestions on must-see and mustdo items in and around town.

“As part of our strategic plan process, we held public meetings. The feedback we received indicated that we should focus more on tourism as part of our overall economic development efforts. So we took that to heart,”

says Barbara Belicic, the town’s small business specialist. “And a lot of our small businesses are destination or experiential places, so the new tourism website is a natural [fit].”

O UTDOOR EXPLORATIONS

Many of the Apex “must-do” items for newcomers center on the outdoors, as the town boasts over 13 miles of greenways with more in the planning stages.

For starters, the Town of Apex has more miles of the American Tobacco Trail (ATT) within its town limits than any other Wake County community. The relatively flat ATT was built on an

A girl celebrates in style at Apex’s Olde Fashioned Fourth of July festival in Downtown Apex. Photo courtesy of the Town of Apex.

abandoned railroad corridor and spans 22-plus miles from Apex to Durham.

“ We have three entrances to the American Tobacco Trail in Apex, and the neat thing about it is you can actually walk, jog, ride bikes, walk your dog—even ride horseback,” Belicic says.

A pex also features an eye-popping dozen parks for kids and their parents to enjoy. Pleasant Park is the latest and greatest addition; it includes a 1.5-acre Enchanted Forest with nine inclusive play villages for all ages and abilities, six multipurpose lighted fields, six pickleball courts and more. This summer the park will open a muchanticipated splash pad.

F ESTIVALS AND FUN

Newcomers should set aside some time in mid-April to attend Apex’s top food festival—Peak City Pig Fest. As many as 40 cook teams compete for more than $12,000 in prize money with chicken, ribs, beef brisket and pork on the menu at the popular downtown event.

The first weekend of May is a great opportunity for those who have moved into the area from other states to shop until they drop, as more than 100 local crafts vendors will line downtown Apex’s main street for the annual PeakFest.

FAMILY ADVENTURES

W hile recent development has claimed its share of horse and cattle farms, there remains a fair share of strawberry and blueberry patches around the area for those who like to hand-select their own fresh fruit.

For those who love the water, several Apex-based locations along expansive Jordan Lake—one of the area’s bestkept secrets—offer boat and personal watercraft rentals. Most will take U.S. Highway 64 West to the lake, a stretch of pavement that displays some of the area’s best sunset views in the evening. In particular, the late fall can produce some amazing photo-ops. Boating, fishing and

Skaters can ollie, grind and kickflip at Rodgers Family Skate Plaza at Trackside.

Photo courtesy of the Town of Apex.

swimming create many opportunities for outdoor family adventures.

A nd if your kids are thrill-seekers, Rodgers Family Skate Plaza at Trackside is the place to go. Located between and named after the two rail lines that run through downtown Apex, the skate park is a 13,000-square-foot, 4-tiered skate plaza which mimics street skating conditions and also includes competition skateboarding elements. The skate park is considered one of the best in the Southeast and draws enthusiasts from hundreds of miles away.

F OOD AND DRINK

V icious Fishes Brewery is one of a half-dozen cool taprooms available for those wishing to partake in craft beers.

Vicious Fishes has several locations in Wake County, but the Apex spot in particular has a taproom and coffee shop featuring an expansive outdoor space for kids and dogs to play.

Everyone likes to eat, and Apex has its share of foodie experiences that rival any place around the state of North Carolina. Some include popular food trucks, like Mr. A’s Beignets, which make regular appearances along Williams Street (N.C. Highway 55). Mr. A’s beignet mix and coffee are shipped directly from Louisiana, and each batch is made on-site and served fresh and hot.

O ne of Apex’s more unique dining experiences happens to be in an old Ford car dealership. Mustang Charlie’s Diner is the only place in town where

you can try a Trash Plate, a signature dish of Rochester, New York. Select either a hamburger or hot dog laid on top of home fries and macaroni, topped with onions, mustard and the chef’s homemade meat sauce.

T HE TOWN’S OLDEST TREE

I f you’re a newcomer with a soft spot for nostalgia, visit the 100-year-old tree along Hunter Street. The mammoth willow tree is wrapped with a red ribbon and bow after it was saved from a sidewalk improvement project in December 2023.

We hope these ideas will give you a place to start as you get to explore your new hometown—finding both adventures and community along the way

Celebrate barbecue with some of the best pitmasters in the area at Peak City Pig Fest in April. Photo courtesy of the Town of Apex.

Where to Go to Cool

Off in Apex

BY SAMANTHA GRATTON

Everyone is looking for ways to beat the heat! From dipping your toes in the lake to grabbing your favorite summertime treat, here are some of Apex’s best spots to cool off this summer. Run through the fountains. “Splashlantis” is Apex’s first splash pad, located inside Pleasant Park. Take the kids and let them run through the water and then check out the new 1.5-acre playground, which opened in November. The splash pad is free and open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the summer.

Hit the beach (without having to drive a few hours east). Jordan Lake State Recreation Area has several beach access points in Apex— including White Oak and Ebenezer Church— where you can sink your feet into the sand and jump in for a swim. Parking costs $7 per car.

Breathe in the breeze as you glide across the water on your kayak, stand-up paddle board, sailboat or jon boat at Apex Community Park. There is a yearly permit required to launch, which can be obtained at the John M. Brown Community Center. The permit costs $5 for Apex residents and $40 for non-residents. If none of these fit your fancy, you can’t go wrong getting an ice cream cone. Just head downtown to Bee Sweet Creamery or FRESH. Local Ice Cream, because ice cream always solves the problem. Other spots in Apex for ice cream and frozen treats include El Encanto Neveria y Paleteria, Sipcha and Pelican’s SnoBalls.

CharleyMadelyn Fashion Boutique Supports Couples Struggling with Infertility

BY DAVE DROSCHAK

Few things stir emotion like the birth of children. For small business owner Chelsea Jennette it was natural to name her downtown women’s fashion boutique CharleyMadelyn: A Fashion & Faith Boutique to honor her kids. But there is more to this story for Jennette and husband Jason, who went through an 18-month fertility journey with frustrating results before the birth of their daughters became a dream come true five years ago. That struggle is what prompted Jennette to start a program called Fertility Believers, where she donates 10% of her business proceeds to couples who are going through a similar experience. Her company website, charleymadelyn. com, offers a dedicated space where couples can share their stories and offer support for one another.

“Jason and I saw how isolating that experience was, from the time of being diagnosed with unexplained infertility to actually being able to conceive,” Jennette said. “There was just so much isolation and not a lot of information out there. It has gotten better now, thankfully, but back then there was this social norm to keep things like that hidden and not talked about. As a woman, I needed support from others that I just didn’t get.”

Back in 2017 Jennette started a regular blog, A Fashionable Believer, devoted to supporting women who struggle with fertility issues. “I wanted to coin that term for women to really find hope and support throughout their process, wherever they are in their infertility treatment—whether they’ve already conceived or whether they’re in it knee-deep—because it’s neverending,” she says.

Jennette, 34, now has four children. She and Jason recently celebrated the birth of their son Henry, who was born without fertility intervention. The husband and wife team run their business in deep gratitude for their beautiful family.

Pleasant Park is a great place to escape the heat in Apex. Photo courtesy of the Town of Apex.

ABOVE: Chelsea and Jason Jennette with infant twins Charley and Madelyn. Photo by Sara Coffin Photography.

BELOW: Chelsea and Jason with three of their four children. Photo by Anna Haddock Photography.

DISCOVERING CARY

Find community and explore the world – right in your own backyard

BY KYLE MARIE M c MAHON

So you’ve joined the booming number of people who have moved to the sprawling Town of Cary. Welcome! You’ve made an excellent choice. Cary boasts big-city amenities that draw you in, but it still retains the community feel of its small-town roots.

Here are some of the first things you should do after moving to Cary to get to know the community here.

INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATION

While Cary is often referred to as “Containment Area for Relocated Yankees,” don’t let the nickname limit your sense of the community. We’re a diverse town that includes both locals and transplants from all over the U.S. and across the world. Approximately 20% of Cary residents were born outside the country. This impact can be seen in the variety of international food options available. Chatham Square, located on the corner of SE Maynard Road and E. Chatham Street, exhibits this diversity perfectly, offering a variety of cuisines from Jamaican to Japanese. Local favorites include Himalayan Nepali (Nepalese), Chengdu 7 (Sichuan), Esmeralda Grill and Rancho Grande (Mexican), and Baghdad Bakery (Iraqi).

The international cultural options don’t stop there. Chatham Square boasts shopping opportunities for everything from candy and fresh tortillas to clothing and beauty salons. Find out about cultures from across the world through this nondescript shopping center—a microcosm for the international options available across Cary.

QUALITY CUISINE

Cuisine options don’t stop at Chatham Square. What about breakfast? Pick up

a baker’s dozen of donuts at Baker’s Dozen over on Buck Jones Road. Make sure you get there early or you’re likely to miss out on their popular apple fritters or bear claws! Follow it up with a light lunch at Pro’s Epicurean Market & Café in downtown Cary. Relax on the patio with a charcuterie plate of artisanal cheeses and cured meats while enjoying an espresso (or a craft beer from Bond Brothers Beer Company next door). Downtown Cary has many options to satisfy any palate. Whatever you order, consider taking it to go and walking to the new Downtown Cary Park to savor your meal surrounded by lush gardens and tranquil water features.

For a fine-dining experience, head up Harrison Avenue to the Umstead Hotel and Spa and enjoy a five-star

The iconic fountain in Frantz Square near the Cary Arts Center. Photo by Stock.Adobe.com – Kad Photo.

Bring your kids and pets and hang out at popular Bond Brothers Beer Company in Cary. Photo by Dathan Kazsuk.

dinner at Herons. The four-course prix fixe menu features fruits and vegetables grown on the hotel’s own sustainable culinary farm, including the Carolina native John Haulk corn used to make their delicious grits.

GREEN SPACE

After all that good food, you might feel the urge for some exercise. Cary has a vast network of over 95 miles of greenways that offer beautiful views, shade and wildlife. If you have the stamina, hop on the Black Creek Greenway at Lake Crabtree and follow it 7.1 miles through town until it reaches a hub at Fred G. Bond Metro Park. From there you can take another trail, or stick around the park and rent a pedal boat, have a go at the challenge course or go fishing at the waterfront.

Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve is another of the many green-space options in Cary. This rare ecosystem for the Piedmont offers three miles worth of nature trails with scenic overlooks. After enjoying the shady evergreens and wildflower garden, head into the Stevens Nature Center for interactive nature exhibits and programs.

SPECTATOR SPORTS

If you’d rather observe the action than take part in it, you’re in the right place. Cary offers many opportunities for sports enthusiasts. Head to WakeMed Soccer Park for an NC Courage game, where the Lionesses hold the title of reigning NWSL Champions, two years running. It’s also home to the North Carolina FC and hosts the NCAA College Cup and international team friendlies. The ACC championship game can make for an exciting match, especially if a local college is playing.

In West Cary, the USA Baseball National Training Complex features international games and national team championships and hosts the NCAA Division II national finals.

These visiting college athletes often spend the day before the tournament volunteering as buddies for The Miracle League, an organization giving children with special needs the opportunity to play baseball.

EXPLORE THE ARTS

If your interests lie in the arts rather than or in addition to sports, you are in luck! Cary has emphasized the arts in recent years, and the result is a rich variety of opportunities to both enjoy and participate in the arts. Koka Booth Amphitheatre hosts music events of all genres, including nationally touring musicians and performances by the North Carolina Symphony. Smaller venues like Downtown Cary Park and The Cary Theater offer more intimate musical performances.

The Cary Arts Center hosts theatrical events, including performances by the Cary Players. This local theater company will celebrate its twentieth season this year. Enjoy their shows, which range from murdermystery comedies like “Clue” to musical love stories like “Brigadoon,” as a spectator or a participant. Applause! Cary Youth Theatre offers kids acting

opportunities, and don’t let their ages stop you from attending—these kids are talented! Not only do they play all of the parts in shows like “James and the Giant Peach,” but they also help create the costumes and scenery.“Peter and the Starcatcher” plays in July.

The Town of Cary also offers classes for all ages, including many in the arts, through the Cary Arts Center. With so many different options, you are sure to find something that interests you. Have you considered learning to sew or oil paint? There’s a class for that. The town also offers courses on woodworking, stained glass, pottery and jewelrymaking. Consider taking Introductory Acting, learning a musical instrument, or any of the dozens of other classes the Arts Center offers. (And the town also offers many classes in areas outside the arts—opportunities to learn about everything from the natural world to sports and technology.)

There is so much more to explore in our town, but the best part about Cary is the friendly atmosphere. So chat with neighbors or a stranger at the Downtown Cary Farmers Market and ask about their local favorites. You’ll be one of the locals in no time.

Watch NC Courage play at the WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary. Photo courtesy of WakeMed Soccer Park.

Where to Go to Cool Off in Cary

By July and August, Cary residents sometimes refer to this area as “hell’s front porch” due to the scorching summer heat and humidity. (We say it with love.) Finding ways to escape the heat is key—through relaxing in cool water or enjoying cold, refreshing treats.

Here are a few places to visit to cool off in the hot summer months.

BY JUDITH COOKIS RUBENS

DOWNTOWN CARY PARK

Cary’s newest park—the 7-acre, three-yearsin-the-making downtown gathering spot— debuts its Splash Pad within The Nest, a children’s imaginative play space. Anchored by its two iconic cardinal play structures, The Nest’s Splash Pad offers splash-tastic jets. Nearby, at the Barkyard, the pups can cool off with their own water feature while adults catch some shade and relax with a craft brew or glass of wine at The Bark Bar’s shady pavilion.

7 a.m.– 11 p.m.

327 S. Academy Street, Cary 919.469.4000 downtowncarypark.com

JACK SMITH PARK AND SPRAYGROUND

Located in southeastern Cary, the park features the town’s first splash pad for ages 12 and younger with seven water features including water jets, dumping water buckets and spray hoses. Also at Jack Smith Park: cool public art, a dog park, a playground and a 10-foot-tall climbing wall.

9a.m.– 8 p.m.

9725 Penny Road, Raleigh 919.469.4061 carync.gov

BOND PARK BOATHOUSE

If you want to get out on the water, take a pedal boat, kayak, canoe or small sailboat out on Bond Lake to catch a breeze. Boat rentals are first-come, first-served. Take a break from the sun at the Boathouse, where you can enjoy an ice cream, snow cone or cold drink in the shade of the screened-in porch.

Fred G. Bond Metro Park 197 Bond Park Drive, Cary carync.gov

TRIANGLE AQUATIC CENTER

Triangle Aquatic Center is a top-rate swimming facility that hosts dozens of local swim meets and championships. It has four pools—including an Olympic-sized outdoor pool—open to the general public with no membership required. Daily, monthly and

yearly passes are available. Open swim availability depends on local events and rentals.

275 Convention Drive, Cary 919.459.4045 triangleaquatics.org

FRESH. LOCAL ICE CREAM

From its outpost on E. Chatham Street in the heart of downtown Cary, FRESH is a family-owned business serving handcrafted ice cream with ingredients from local farms. Try everyday favorite flavors like Midnight Brownie Crunch, Blueberry and Peanut Butter Cup, or fun concoctions like Cheerwine ice cream soda floats.

138 E. Chatham Street, Cary 919.234.1155

freshlocalicecream.com

HONEYSUCKLE GELATO

With food truck roots, the Honeysuckle scoops, pints and even gelato sandwiches have taken the Southeast by storm and made it a Fenton must-stop. Boasting a dozen standard flavors (including a Nutella option), Honeysuckle’s key lime, lemon bar and other seasonal flavors are supremely refreshing.

7 Fenton Main Street, Cary 919.377.2029

honeysucklegelato.com

VIDA DULCE

“Vida dulce” is Spanish for “sweet life,” and this colorful Mexican dessert and street

Jack Smith Park and Sprayground. Photo courtesy of the Town of Cary.

RIGHT, TOP: Triangle Aquatic Center’s 50-meter competition pool. Photo courtesy of Triangle Aquatic Center. BOTTOM: Honeysuckle Gelato’s raspberry sorbet. Photo courtesy of Honeysuckle Gelato.

food shop truly has something for everyone with its bright assortment of house-made ice cream, ice pops and frozen fruit drinks. Choosing between the more than 60 popsicle blends (from creamy tres leches to invigorating spicy pineapple) and 28 ice cream flavors—all made from scratch in-house—is hard. Other fun menu items include the churro split, with cinnamon sugar–dusted churros served alongside three ice cream scoops with all the toppings, and the rolled ice cream taco served with a waffle cone taco shell. Spice-seekers will gravitate to the mangonada, a sweet/sour/spicy slush of mango sorbet, fresh mango chunks, tamarind sauce and Tajin seasoning. 836 E. Chatham Street, Suite 104, Cary 919.378.9722

vidadulcenc.com

MILKLAB

This Thai-style hand-rolled ice cream and milk tea bar in the Wellington shopping center offers delicious, ice-cold refreshments. Premium ingredients—rose, jasmine and ceremonial-grade matcha teas sourced from Japan, along with organic milks and fresh fruit—make the difference in its cooling boba tea drinks, which are made with chewy tapioca pearls. The custard-based ice cream can be mixed with all sorts of goodies.

6418 Tryon Road, Cary 984.200.0016

milklabcafe.com

ANDIA’S ICE CREAM

Nationally awarded for its inventive, small-batch flavors, Andia’s serves up cones, cups and Mason jar–brimming Monster Shakes in its west and southeast Cary shops. Husband-and-wife team Andia and George Xouris have experimented with 250+ ice cream and sorbet flavors since 2017—favorites like Coffee Bean Crunch, Rose Pistachio and Brownie Batter are mainstays. But don’t pass up other unique options—like vegan-friendly Ube, a Filipino-style creamy blend made from purple yams, with a slightly nutty, vanilla taste. Andia’s also has a catering business with sundae bars and decadent ice cream cakes for all occasions.

SPOTLIGHT

Davis Drive Students Triumph at the 2024 National Science Bowl

A10120 Green Level Church Road #208, Cary 1008 Ryan Road, Cary 919.246.7772 andiasicecream.com

team of students from Davis Drive Middle School triumphed at the Carolinas regional competition held in March for the 2024 National Science Bowl. Utilizing a quiz bowl format, the competition requires teams to quickly buzz in and answer questions or solve technical problems in a variety of scientific disciplines, including physics, space, chemistry and math. Ajay Sawant came in as a veteran, having reached the top 16 at a previous school last year, but he and his teammates had to adapt to the new virtual format for regionals. “Last year it was a nail-biting buzzer race against other teams. But at the virtual competition it was about taking your time to answer accurately— teamwork is more important than being the fastest!” says Sawant.

Head coach Sashank Ganapathiraju has been through this before, leading a Davis Drive team to victory in the regionals for the past six years. But Sashank’s history with the competition goes back even further to when his mother, Kowsalya Ganapathiraju, coached his Davis Drive team, starting when he was in seventh grade. Sashank’s experience and guidance has led to a winning formula of collaboration, knowledge and hard work.

The regional win advanced the team to the National Finals held in Washington, D.C. April 25–29, where they competed against 47 other regional winners. Sawant, along with his fellow teammates Sohum Vajaria, Tiger Zhao, Kevin Zhang and Neveel Chheda, took first in their round-robin group, advancing to the doubleelimination stage, making it to the semifinals and finishing third overall. Their top finish granted $1,000 for the Davis Drive science department, which is sure to assist in creating future STEM enthusiasts and competitors.

The Davis Drive Middle School team won the Carolinas regional competition at the National Science Bowl and came in third in the national finals. Below, a student plays with a National Sciece Bowl disc near the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. Photos courtesy of Davis Drive Middle School.

Andia’s Ice Cream’s decadent torched s’more monster shake.

Photo by Andia’s Ice Cream.

Two centers; one friendly community DISCOVERING FUQUAY-VARINA

BY DREW BECKER

Welcome to Fuquay-Varina, a small town with two hearts—that is, dual downtowns—due to its history as two separate communities. Fuquay-Varina has been a unified town for over 60 years, and it is now one of the fastest-growing communities in North Carolina.

I f you’re new to the area, you’ll find a warm welcome! Here are some of the first things newcomers can do in this area to learn what Fuquay-Varina has to offer.

EXPLORE THE TOWN’S HISTORY

The town of Fuquay began when Davey Crocket Fuquay and Stephen Fuquay discovered mineral springs on the site in 1858. Visitors and residents reported that the mineral springs had healing powers, and the town of Fuquay Springs

grew around them as people arrived to “take the water.”

T he town of Varina began with a love story. During the Civil War, a young woman wrote to a soldier from this area named Ballentine using the pen name Varina.

T he two later married and moved back to the solider’s home, where he became the area’s first postmaster. The town of Varina grew around this first post office (founded in 1880) and a nearby general store. I n 1963, the two communities merged and became FuquayVarina. People can still visit the mineral springs in a park located near the Centennial Museum , which houses pictures and artifacts from the town’s history.

T he park features peaceful walking trails and picnic tables. Fuquay-Varina values its history and origins, so it’s worth your time to visit the park and museum to get a sense of that history.

A couple enjoys the shade at Mineral Spring Park. Photo courtesy of the Town of Fuquay-Varina.

EXPLORE LOCAL PARKS

The mineral spring park is just one of many local outdoor attractions. Just outside of town, the pristine Hilltop Needmore Town Park & Preserve features 2.8 miles of biking, walking and jogging trails. Conveniently located near Highway 401, this park and 19 other Fuquay-Varina parks offer residents and visitors opportunities to get out into nature. For other nice trails, visit the Carroll Howard Johnson Environmental Education Park, which offers families creeks and woods to explore and focuses on teaching visitors about the local flora and fauna.

Families with children might also enjoy the impressive playground at Fleming Loop Park or, in hot summer months, the South Park Splash Pad, which is free for Fuquay-Varina residents and $2 for visitors.

ENJOY TODAY’S LIQUID REFRESHMENT

People may not flock to the mineral springs anymore, but you can still enjoy liquid refreshment in Fuquay-Varina. An excellent way to get to know your new neighbors is to visit one of the popular local breweries.

Aviator Brewing Company, located in the heart of FuquayVarina, started in an airplane hangar. One of the most-visited craft beer locations in the area, the brewery incorporates the aircraft theme in two locations across from one another: The Tap House, which has a limited food menu, and The Smokehouse, which offers many dining options. Both locations serve Aviator craft beers. The operation is expanding, and the owner hopes to turn it into “the Disney World of Beers,” with an amphitheater for live music, increased outdoor seating, Aviator merchandise and more. Tours of the nearby brewery are available.

Aviator isn’t the only brewery in town. On a hot day, FuquayVarina residents and visitors will find many craft beer choices. Vicious Fishes Brewery, The Mason Jar Tavern, Fainting Goat Brewing Company and Oaklyn Springs Brewery offer their own varieties of beers, and locals often drop in for a pint in the evenings or on weekends.

SAMPLE LOCAL CUISINE

Baked treats are also a popular draw in Fuquay-Varina. Stick Boy Bread Co., a popular local bakery, alternates its menu of fresh bread and baked goods every day. They also serve coffee, so patrons often enjoy a cup while indulging in desserts, sticky buns, cookies or other pastries. Others drop in to pick up loaves of bread.

If pie is more appealing, The Peach Cobbler Factory, located about five miles up Highway 401, is a delightful place for dessert. Locals often stop by this spot, which is new to the area, to enjoy a piece of pie and a cup of coffee.

Visitors can also enjoy local fruits and vegetables from the

Fuquay-Varina Growers Market, which was established almost 25 years ago and has continued to expand ever since. Located in the Chamber of Commerce parking lot, the market opens on Wednesdays and Saturdays, 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. from April through September.

ENJOY A NICHE HOBBY

Fuquay-Varina offers some unique entertainment for hobbyists or those who wish to explore new ways to have fun. At the Inner Beast Hatchet House, patrons can throw axes at targets or play on one of the digital simulators for games like tic-tactoe or cornhole, watching scoring on the wall. Happy’s Country Club, a golf simulator facility, replicates Raleigh’s Lonnie Poole Golf Course designed by Arnold Palmer. Playing in the dark setting gives the feeling of being on the actual course.

In Varina, RC Hobby sells and races remote-control model cars and other vehicles. Their racetrack and rugged trucks terrain inside the store provide opportunities for hours of fun. Remote control enthusiasts can enjoy watching or taking part.

With all these options, Fuquay-Varina offers many opportunities for you to get to know your new neighbors. As Dustin Williams, president of the Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce, puts it, “No matter how big the town gets, it will still be a place where people feel welcome.”

The town of Fuquay-Varina offers a strong sense of community and offers many resources for families. Photos courtesy of the Town of Fuquay-Varina.

Where to Go to Cool Off in Fuquay-Varina

You won’t have to go too far to find ways to stay cool this summer in Fuquay-Varina. With tons of options for both the young and the young at heart, Fuquay goes above and beyond to add a splash of fun to your summer!

BY HEATHER HANKINSON

Summer and Splash Pads and Spraygrounds, Oh My!

Town of Fuquay-Varina Splash Pad: Open from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, Fuquay’s South Park Splash Pad offers water play galore. From spray guns to bucket dumps, this is literally the coolest spot in town on a hot day. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., the Splash Pad is free for residents with a valid residency card (available at the Fuquay-Varina Community Center).

Jack Smith Sprayground: Located in Jack Smith Park, this sprayground boasts seven exciting water features. It’s open from mid-May through mid-September, operates daily from 9 a.m.–8 p.m. and is free to the public.

Ice Cream, Sweets and Other Cool Treats

Pints Ice Cream & Beer: From beer flights and boozy shakes to traditional ice cream, Pints has something for everyone. An ice cream experience like none other, Pints is located in the heart of downtown Fuquay-Varina. 512 Broad Street, Fuquay-Varina facebook.com/pintsicecream

Fat Cat Homemade Ice Cream: With a passion for homemade ice cream in unique flavors with both dairy and non-dairy options, this local favorite utilizes fresh, local ingredients to deliver pints of delicious flavor. Owned and operated by longtime locals, Fat Cat has quickly become a town favorite. 400 Broad Street, Fuquay-Varina fatcathomemadeicecream.com

The Scoop! @ Willow Oak Farms: With farm animals, a barnyard-themed indoor play area for the kiddos and fresh homemade ice cream with a wide variety of flavors, who could ask for more? Locally owned and operated, this family favorite is a must-visit this summer.

1510 Lafayette Road, Fuquay-Varina willowoakfarms.net/welcome-to-the-scoop

Indoor Play for the Young and Young at Heart

Piney Town Playhouse: This indoor playground checks all the boxes for entertaining the kiddos this summer. With open play, special events, birthday parties and summer camps, your little ones will stay entertained all summer long in a climatecontrolled environment.

1520 Broad Street, Fuquay-Varina pineytown.com

South Wake Sports Academy: Need a place for preteens and teens to exert some energy in a climate-controlled space? This multi-use athletic center includes pickleball and basketball courts in addition to space for volleyball, dodgeball and futsal. Fully enclosed batting cages and pitching machines make this the perfect indoor option for your athletic teen this summer. 6109 NC Highway 55, Fuquay-Varina southwakesportsacademy.com

A giant bucket drenches visitors at the Town of Fuquay-Varina Splash Pad. Photo by the Town of Fuquay-Varina.

Ice cream is the way to go during hot Carolina summers. Photo by the Town of Fuquay-Varina.

A PASSION FOR THE PANTRY

BY DREW BECKER

De and Ray O’Brien returned from Carrboro one Friday evening after picking up a donated, full household’s worth of almost-new furniture and driving it back to Fuquay-Varina for a family in need. Saturday they were back at the food bank to receive donations from the post office. Besides organizing at the Fuquay-Varina Emergency Food Pantry, they typically spend off-hours this way.

The Fuquay-Varina Emergency Food Pantry helps feed families who need assistance. With the high food prices in recent months, more people have been struggling to put meals on the table. The pantry opens its doors twice a week to distribute

donations, and those in need can collect groceries once a month. The organization receives donations from grants, local businesses, churches, grocery stores and individuals.

The O’Briens were volunteer firefighters before beginning their work at the food pantry, which they have done for the last 17 years. Ray serves as the organization’s treasurer, while De is the volunteer coordinator. De manages about 30 volunteers, and Ray handles the 15 truck drivers who pick up food from farms, stores and elsewhere.

De explains how they started. “I was—and still am—with the Catholic Daughters [of the Americas] at Saint Bernadette Catholic Church, and we

needed a speaker. So I talked with Mary Goddard, one of the directors, and she did the speech and gave me a tour. We were new to the community. Ray and I volunteered, and the rest is history.”

The O’Briens attribute the food pantry’s success to the Fuquay-Varina community. Smiling, Ray says, “I truly believe other people make us look good, and we love what we do.”

As we finish our conversation, a truck from the post office pulls up, filled with donations. Volunteer drivers begin unloading and getting things ready for the week. Goods will be sorted, dated and stacked. The work is continuous for these dedicated volunteers.

De and Ray O’Brien pictured assisting others with a delivery (left) and inside the FuquayVarina Emergency Food Pantry. Photos by the Fuquay-Varina Emergency Food Pantry.

DISCOVERING HOLLY SPRINGS

This growing town is ready to welcome you and your family

BY JENNIFER AXNESS | PHOTOS BY LAURA AXNESS

Welcome to Holly Springs!

Nestled in the heart of the Piedmont, this charming town has ranked among the top places to live nationwide for years, and consistently earned recognition as one of the safest, most family-friendly towns in the state. Boasting a mild climate, thriving economy and topnotch educational system, the town offers residents an unparalleled living experience. At least, many people seem to think so, because Holly Springs is one of the fastest-growing towns in North Carolina.

Here are a few ideas for the first things to do after moving to

Holly Springs to get to know your new hometown.

SOMETHING FOR EVERY TASTE BUD

Your palate will appreciate the wide variety of restaurants, breweries, pubs and eateries that make up the town’s eclectic dining scene, reflecting the diverse backgrounds, tastes and preferences of its residents. Here are some examples of the variety of excellent dining experiences you might enjoy in your new home.

Experience an explosion of international flavors at Osha Thai

Kitchen & Sushi, including flavorful Thai dishes, Japanese specialties and other fresh offerings enjoyed in a relaxed, contemporary setting. For a more intimate dining experience, head to the enchanting Nightingale Rooftop Restaurant & Bar, where you can savor delectable small plates and cocktails— traditional or spirit-free—in the inviting ambience of a refined indoor dining space or a cozy outdoor seating area with a breathtaking birds-eye views of Holly Springs’ Main Street. And familyowned Smashed – Burgers & Cocktails offers a full menu of temptingly creative craft cocktails, appetizers, sides, and seared burgers with irresistible names

Stroll along one of the many parks and trails in Holly Springs and you’ll discover its hidden gems.

such as the Mac ‘N’ Smashed and Bourbon BBQ Smashed.

FIND PEACE IN NATURE

Scenic Bass Lake Park, one of the town’s most cherished treasures, inspires residents to take full advantage of the area’s mild climate and verdant surroundings year-round. Whether you’re seeking a family picnic, a leisurely stroll through serene woodlands along the lake’s 2-mile loop or a peaceful afternoon of fishing from the dock (the lake is regularly stocked with catfish during the warmer months), Bass Lake provides the perfect backdrop for outdoor enjoyment. Bikers, hikers and dog walkers can also stroll the paved Carl Dean Greenway to the neighboring Jefferson L. Sugg Farm, which offers amenities such as a disc golf course, playgrounds, green spaces and an off-leash dog park, or to Parrish Womble Park, where families enjoy access to athletic fields, tennis courts and additional recreational amenities. For many, the town’s greenway system is its most valued asset.

CONNECT WITH THE COMMUNITY

Enjoy a sunny Saturday morning at the Holly Springs Farmers Market, where over 30 vendors offer an abundance of locally grown produce, artisanal crafts and homemade delicacies. Located adjacent to the Holly Springs Cultural Center, this vibrant market is a cherished gathering place that showcases the town’s agricultural heritage and exudes its warm community spirit. It’s an experience you won’t want to miss.

The farmers market isn’t the only thing happening at the Holly Springs Cultural Center this summer. The second Friday of each month this summer you can take your beach chair or blanket and unwind at Holly Springs’ 2024 concert series, Summer at the Springs, featuring family-friendly music, a night market, and local beer and food trucks on the lawn outside the Cultural Center. You can also enjoy free movie nights for the kids here most Thursdays throughout the summer season.

EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT NEIGHBORS

Volunteering for community events or charitable groups is another wonderful way to get involved in your new hometown. The staff at the Holly Springs Food Cupboard is entirely volunteer, with ongoing opportunities for those interested in providing food assistance to local families. If nature is your passion, the town’s Parks & Recreation Department offers volunteer opportunities to assist at special events, participate in days of service or coach youth athletics. Other local nonprofits such as the Holly Springs Rotary and Kiwanis clubs are great places to carry out service projects that benefit the local community.

As you settle into life in Holly Springs, take the time to explore all that your new hometown has to offer. As you discover new favorite spots and enjoy fresh experiences, you’ll discover a wealth of opportunities to make connections here. Welcome home to Holly Springs, where every day brings new adventures.

TOP: Holly Springs Town Hall. CENTER: Statue outside the Holly Springs Cultural Center.

BOTTOM: Shopping at the local farmers market. Photo by the Town of Holly Springs.

Where to Go to Cool Off in Holly Springs

BY MIKE RUMBLE

FRESH. Local Ice Cream

Walking into the Holly Springs location of FRESH. Local Ice Cream is like walking into a big country kitchen. Twenty different flavors of ice cream are featured, and it can be hard to choose just one! The NY Strawberry Cheesecake, for example, does in fact taste like a slice of cheesecake. Milkshakes and a deluxe brownie sundae are also available. And for your canine friend, FRESH even offers a pup-safe “doggie sundae.”

205 S. Main Street, Holly Springs freshlocalicecream.com

Mama Bird’s Ice Cream

Mama Bird’s is passionate about the ice cream they make, and that commitment is reflected in their rotating array of imaginative flavors. While they do offer traditional flavors, their creativity is on display with their more adventurous ones, such as Cranberry Orange, Arnold Palmer Sorbet and Magically Delicious, which has Lucky Charms marshmallows in it. Need something for your favorite four-legged friend? Pick up a “pup cup” from the freezer case on your way out.

304 N. Main Street, Holly Springs mamabirdsicecream.com

JT’s Creamery

JT’s Creamery has been a fixture in downtown Holly Springs since 2001. It offers 24 dairy ice cream flavors, seven dairy-free flavors made with coconut milk, and five kinds of sundaes. Can’t decide which flavor is your favorite? Try an ice cream flight–a tray containing your choice of a scoop of six different ice cream flavors. It comes garnished with waffle cone chips on the side for dipping.

300 S. Main Street, Suite 112, Holly Springs jtscreamery.com

The Daniel Dhers Action Sports Complex

If you want to enjoy high-action fun while avoiding the heat, try out the Daniel Dhers Action Sports Complex. This huge indoor-outdoor BMX, mountain biking and skateboarding training facility offers action and adventure for the whole family. Founded in 2014 by Daniel Dhers, a professional BMX biker, this facility offers classes, camps and riding terrain for everyone from beginners to professionals.

171 Tradition Trail, Suite 301, Holly Springs ddasc.com

Enjoy summer on Main Street with a cold, FRESH ice cream cone. Photo courtesy of FRESH. Local Ice Cream.

CHEERS TO 10 YEARS! CELEBRATING BOMBSHELL BEER COMPANY

BY JENNIFER AXNESS

Adecade ago, Holly Springs’ Bombshell Beer Company opened its doors in a community eager to embrace the fledgling craft brewery. The culmination of a dream shared by three passionate home brewers— Ellen Joyner, Michelle Miniutti and Jackie Hudspeth—the brewery has received an array of accolades, including recognition as one of the 10 best women-led breweries or distilleries in the world in 2020 from

USA Today and Business of the Year in 2021 by the Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce.

Everyone is warmly welcomed at this family-friendly, dog-friendly brewery where quality, innovation and inclusivity underscore everything about the experience. Featuring a rotating selection of perennial classics, seasonal specialties and experimental brews, Bombshell is where beer enthusiasts gather to share their love for top-tier

beer and where scheduled events such as live music gigs, weekly runs organized by the Bombshell Run Club and special food truck evenings unite the community and foster connections among patrons.

Bombshell’s 1,400-square-foot tasting room and outdoor beer garden provide guests with a relaxing setting to enjoy offerings that include beers, ciders, seltzers, wines and non-alcoholic beverages. Indulge in a Head Over Hops IPA or Hipster Handshake Wheat Ale year-round, or explore the brewery’s ever-changing assortment of specialty beers. This summer, these include the Blazin’ Session IPA (Silver Medal winner, 2023 Craft Beer Awards) and Dirty Secret Coconut Stout. Or invigorate your taste buds with a seasonal cider with enticing names such as the Tropical Pineapple or Cherry Poppins. With a menu continually evolving and refreshed, there’s always something new to discover at Bombshell.

Stop by on a summer evening, savor your brew and raise your glass to Ellen, Michelle and Jackie. Here’s to a decade of success!

TOP: Bombshell Beer Company owners Jackie Hudspeth, Ellen Joyner and Michelle Miniutti. Photo courtesy of Bombshell Beer Company. BOTTOM: Can’t choose between options? Grab a flight! Photo by Dathan Kazsuk.

A multicultural oasis at the center of the Research Triangle DISCOVERING MORRISVILLE

BY ELIZABETH BRIGNAC

So you’ve just moved to Morrisville—or maybe you’re simply interested in learning more about it. You’ve found a unique and special place. With just under 33,000 people, Morrisville is the smallest of the five main towns in Western Wake, and it runs at a smalltown pace. “We’re a lot more laidback,” says one resident, comparing Morrisville to other Triangle towns. Locals discuss their greenways, libraries and farmers market fondly and enjoy Morrisville’s relaxed atmosphere.

Yet this calm little town sits at the center of the busy Research Triangle and brings more multiculturalism to the table than almost any town in the

state. The combination of what used to be a sleepy North Carolina railroad town with the large businesses and diverse population of the Triangle makes Morrisville unique.

To learn more about life in Morrisville, here are some of the first things you should do.

VISIT THE WESTERN WAKE FARMERS MARKET

On Saturday mornings, the Western Wake Farmers Market draws much of the Morrisville community to the Healthy Food Hub site, a location next to Morrisville Town Hall developed in partnership with the farmers market and the Morrisville Community

Garden. The Hub includes green space for events and an educational garden, and offers easy access to the Morrisville greenways.

T his farmers market brings together much of what makes Morrisville special. Locals and visitors show up to stroll through the market, which is spacious, relaxed and chatty. Musicians play live music while shoppers check out everything from flowers and produce to goat cheese and quail eggs. Volunteers at the nearby educational garden do a brisk business growing produce (all of which is donated to Dorcas Ministries) and collecting materials for the community compost bin.

I f you want a sense of the smalltown community to which you now belong, enjoy a visit to the Western Wake Farmers Market.

ENJOY INDIAN FOOD AND CULTURE

W hether you are Indian or Indian American yourself or simply enjoy exploring Indian culture, you will enjoy Morrisville’s cultural resources. As of 2024, Morrisville’s Asian population is 42% and growing. A large percentage of those residents come from India, attracted to the area by work in the Research Triangle—so many that Morrisville is sometimes called North Carolina’s “Little India.” From Indian food and clothing to dancing and celebrations, you can experience it all here.

The Indian food options in Morrisville are exceptional. Swagat Indian Cuisine specializes in North Indian food. Tower Restaurant serves vegetarian cuisine with what it describes as a “South Indian twist.” Naga’s South Indian Cuisine serves both vegetarian and nonvegetarian dishes. Hyderabad House Biryani Place RTP specializes in biryani, a South Indian rice dish. And there are many others—Morrisville’s Indian cuisine is known throughout the Triangle.

I f you’d like a more active way to experience what the town has to offer, try taking classes at Indigo Dance Evolution Academy (IDEA), a Bollywood performing arts and fitness academy. Dance instructor Priya Chellani has brought her expertise in Mumbai-style dance training to the Triangle, where she has been training dancers of all ages and skill levels for many years. Chellani has sought to bring classical Indian dance training to a wide audience, reaching out to both Indian and non-Indian clients.

I f you’d like to explore Indian clothing options, Morrisville offers a

number of Indian stylists and clothing stores. Try Sara Elegance or Stylish Me . Whether you need something formal or informal; traditional or contemporary, the shopkeepers will help you find it.

Finally, the Town of Morrisville celebrates Indian culture throughout the year in town-sponsored events. In October, celebrate Diwali with music, food and fireworks. In March, revel in all things colorful at Morrisville’s Holi event. Throughout the year, residents and visitors can enjoy Indian food and festivals with their Morrisville neighbors.

EXPLORE LOCAL GREENWAYS

M orrisville centralizes its greenways. Literally. From Town Hall in the center of town, visitors can easily access Hatcher Creek Greenway , a popular local trail. “You can just go out your door and find a trail to go on,” says one resident when asked what she enjoys about living

in Morrisville. Crabtree Creek Greenway picks up at the end of Hatcher Creek Greenway if you want a longer trail. Visitors can stop and enjoy Crabtree Creek Nature Park or continue exploring, since, like many area trails, Crabtree Creek Trail interconnects with the Triangle’s large network of greenways. Keep going until you feel like stopping, enjoying natural beauty all along the way.

PLAY A NICHE SPORT

M orrisville offers unique access to unusual sports for North Carolina. Morrisville hosts the Major League Cricket games in the United States, and Church Street Park offers cricket pitch lanes, which the town expanded in 2023. People who want to learn more about the sport can connect with the Triangle Cricket League, which sponsors teams, offers classes, and provides state-of-the-art cricket facilities with opportunities for both indoor and outdoor play.

OPPOSITE: People write on the blackboards at Morrisville's July 3 Family Fun Festival in 2023. Check out the town's Red, White & BOOM! Festival on July 3, 2024. Photo courtesy of the Town of Morrisville. ABOVE: View of Morrisville's Church Street Park. Photo by Keenan Hairston.

M orrisville also has the only two badminton clubs in the Triangle: the Triangle Badminton Club and Triangle Badminton and Table Tennis . These facilities offer indoor play, equipment and classes for anyone who’s interested.

I f you’d like to access your inner ninja warrior, check out Warrior Tech to learn about obstacle course racing. Participants can enjoy overcoming obstacles on complex and challenging indoor and outdoor courses. Warrior Tech offers camps, fitness training and classes for children and adults.

Finally, in the absence of actual rock walls and cliffs in the Piedmont, climbers can build their skills at Triangle Rock Club, which offers exceptional facilities and classes to anyone who would like to explore rock climbing. The business has extended to other locations, but the Morrisville location was the first to open in 2007. It offers 27,000 square feet of climbing surface and opportunities for both rope climbing (in which climbers wear a harness secured to a rope for safety) and bouldering (climbing lower-level rock walls without safety harnesses). The facility offers fitness and yoga classes in addition to their many climbing classes.

TOWN EVENTS

A n excellent way to get to know your hometown is simply to enjoy Town of Morrisville events. With seasonal celebrations and festivals, movies and music in the park, and parties unique to Morrisville—like the S’Morrisville event in August (s’mores galore!)—there’s always something going on. These events are popular and a great way to get to know your new community.

M orrisville is a friendly, laid-back place. If you get out and look around, it shouldn’t take you long to feel at home here. Welcome to the area!

Where to Go to Cool Off in Morrisville

BY ELIZABETH LINCICOME

Looking for a way to beat the heat?

Morrisville is home to a wide range of spots for keeping cool over the warm summer stretch.

INDOOR SPORTS

Escape the heat while staying active indoors at facilities like Triangle Badminton & Table Tennis, which is open to players of all ages and skill levels and has been named a U.S. Table Tennis National Center of Excellence. The facility offers badminton, pickleball and table tennis, as well as summer youth camps, group classes, private coaching and a fully stocked pro shop. “It’s a fun way to get out of the heat and have some fun and learn to compete,” says manager Amy Karpinski.

Triangle Badminton and Table Tennis

2900 Perimeter Park Drive #200, Morrisville trianglebtt.com

Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center

Morrisville’s Aquatics Center facility has three swimming areas including a six-lane lap pool, a children’s pool and an enormous program pool for recreational swimming. The program pool features a retractable glass roof that can be opened in the summer.

“Dive into the indoor aquatics area, complete with a sprayground for kids, or if you prefer staying on dry land, check out the facility’s fully equipped weight room

and cardio deck,”says Katie Gruninger of the Morrisville Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department.

The facility is open to the public from 6 a.m.–8:30 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. on weekends. Visitors can access the pool by becoming members, buying passes or paying a small fee for a single-day’s use. Visit the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department at morrisville.gov for more information.

Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center 1301 Morrisville Parkway, Morrisville morrisvillenc.gov

SWEET TREATS

What summer day would be complete without something cool and sweet to top it off? Morrisville Mayor TJ Cawley cites a couple of local ice cream shops as particularly great options. “Kilwins in Park West Village is good, and Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream is excellent,” says Cawley.

Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream

115 Parkside Valley Drive, Suite 30, Morrisville handelsicecream.com/store/morrisville

Kilwins

3308 Village Market Place, Morrisville kilwins.com/stores/kilwins-morrisville

Pool at the Morrisville Aquatic Center. Photo courtesy of the Town of Morrisville.

Major League Cricket Puts Morrisville on the Map

BY ELIZABETH LINCICOME

The sport of cricket has escalated in popularity in the U.S. over the past two decades. Originating in 16thcentury England, the bat-and-ball sport is played between two teams of 11, with one side taking a turn to bat and score runs while the other team fields the ball to restrict the opposition from scoring.

Cricket is the national sport of India and Pakistan, so it’s no surprise that Morrisville’s booming South Asian population has widely embraced cricket over the past decade. The town’s residents continue to turn out in throngs each year to cheer on their hometown minor league cricket team, the Morrisville Raptors, who now, thanks to a multimillion-dollar renovation of Church Street Park, enjoy playing home games in an

international-quality cricket venue. The renovation was funded by a public-private partnership, and the park now has an expanded capacity of 3,500, including grandstand bleachers, a new broadcast infrastructure to televise matches, additional cricket pitch lanes, LEDlit practice pitches and nets, athlete seating and safety netting. The Raptors’ season record in 2024 was 9-4 with one no-result game.

In July 2023, Morrisville was one of two hosts for the inaugural Major League Cricket (MLC) games in the United States. They will host the games again this summer with MI New York facing off against the Seattle Orcas, the 2023 season runner-ups, on July 5 at Church Street Park. MLC has found the perfect home here in the Triangle.

U.S. Major League Cricket game being played at Morrisville's Church Street Park. Photo courtesy of the Town of Morrisville.

COLOR LIVING IN

B Y SOFIA LUJAN STYLING | PHOTOS BY JESSICA BRATTON

This summer's looks embrace a vibrant fusion of retro aesthetics

B reathable fabrics like linen offer cool comfort, while an emphasis on sustainable materials soothes the conscience. B old, eye-catching patterns—reminiscent of the '60s and '70s—add a playful twist to classic silhouettes.

A ccessory trends lean towards oversized sunglasses, statement earrings and colorful sandals.

Hea d to the beach, the pool or a backyard barbecue in vivid, living colors!

All items available at The Gatorbug in Raleigh at Midtown East and The Gatorbug in Cary at Fenton. You can also buy them at t hegatorbug.com unless otherwise noted.

LOOK #1

• O versized Yellow Sunglasses

• R ose Gold Hoops

R ue Button -d own in Fuch s ia/Multi

• Eva Swimsuit Top in Ne o n Sunset Color Block

• R ue Satin Pant in Fuch s ia /Multi

N ude Sandals (Stylist-owned)

LOOK #2

• E legant Mirror Sunglasses

• S ilver Beaded Earrings

• Kavela Color Block Sheath Maxi D ress in Blue/Green

• N ude Sandals (Stylist-owned)

LOOK #3

• Pearl Earrings

• B eaded Multicolor Necklace Used as Scarf

E legant Mirror Sunglasses

• W hite Vest

• L ong - length Short in White

• F laxen Square Toe Sandal in Light Blue

THANK YOU to The Allison at Fenton ( allisonatfenton.com ) for use of their beautiful pool and to Superica ( superica.com/cary ) for the delicious margaritas!

FAMILY&FOOD

Sassool’s sisters make their Mediterranean restaurant a labor of love

When Noelle Saleh and Simone Lawson swap stories from their childhood, they touch on all the same themes: love, language barriers and food.

Especially food.

Noelle and Simone’s father, Mounir Saleh, immigrated to Raleigh from Lebanon in 1976, along with his brothers and their mother, Cecilia, a talented cook. The granddaughters’ early memories of her, living in the duplex next door, feel like details from a Hallmark Channel movie.

“I was able to go next door to ‘Taita’s’ house,” Noelle says. “She would always give me some food or whatever she was cooking. She didn’t speak English very well, and we don’t speak Arabic very well, so it was a relationship with lots of hugs and lots of food.”

Simone nods and smiles, before adding, “That was definitely her love language. She had an herb garden on her porch, and she would pick the herbs, bring them into her kitchen and make a salad, or pita sandwiches or wraps. As soon as you walked in, she was putting the platter on the table. But that’s how she lived. She would not have you in her house without eating and enjoying.”

The family has been in the restaurant business since Mounir and his brothers opened Neomonde Baking Company in 1977. After Noelle and Simone graduated from North Carolina State University, Mounir branched off to create Sassool (the restaurant’s name is an Arabic nickname for Cecilia).

A decade later, Sasso ol has locations in Raleigh and Cary. Simone is the catering director and brand manager, and Noelle is the operations manager.

BY KURT DUSTERBERG

The menu is a collection of the Mediterranean and Lebanese dishes that Cecilia carefully cultivated over a lifetime. Mediterranean favorites like tabouli, falafel and hummus come straight from Cecilia’s recipe books, along with Lebanese items like pita bread and shawarma. “In order for it to be Mediterranean cuisine, you’re

Noelle Saleh (left), Mounir Saleh and Simone Lawson. Photo courtesy of Sassool.

going to see a lot of oil as the base of your salad dressings and a whole lot of produce in your cold and hot items,” Simone says. “Legumes are huge. Any recipe you have, they’re going to throw in chickpeas or fava beans. All of the meats are grilled. That kind of defines the [Mediterranean] style of cooking.”

All the food is served from a walkup deli case, which seems to work a certain magic among the customers. The grape leaves, sweet potato salad and mujadara glisten in the lighted cases, while the kale salad and autumn root salad introduce bright colors.

“It’s eating with your eyes,” Simone says. “It puts a lot more [pressure] on the kitchen to make sure the salads look correct, as well as on the front of the house to make sure things look clean. If it doesn’t look good, or it’s different from when the person came last time, it’s not going to sell.”

Sassool serves 400 guests per day at each location, with 30 percent of the customers ordering takeout. The “Pick4 Sampler,” which includes any of the sides and salads, is the most popular menu item. The restaurant is an excellent family dinner option, since it is open until 9 p.m. “Our customer is usually a busy individual,” Simone says. “It’s trendy to be conscious about the ingredients in your food, and with the plant-based diet becoming very popular, it’s all contributed to our gaining different markets of people.”

Sassool's Famous Falafel

I ngredients

4 cups chickpeas, boiled

2 tablespoons salt

2 tablespoons cumin

2 tablespoons falafel seasoning

6 bunches of parsley

1 yellow onion

1 cup of fresh garlic cloves

½ jalapeño pepper

1 bunch of cilantro

1 green bell pepper

1 red bell pepper

Canola oil, for frying

½ cup toasted sesame seeds

Directions

1. Boil the chickpeas for about 1 hour until they are soft enough to make the falafel mix. Drain any water remaining after the chickpeas have boiled.

2. Wash, clean and dry your vegetables before proceeding with the recipe.

3. Remove 2 inches of stems from the parsley and cilantro. Remove the skin from the yellow onion and the garlic cloves, and remove the seeds from the jalapeño.

4. Add the chickpeas, vegetables, and all the spices

The emphasis on healthy ingredients plays a big role in attracting customers.

“ We get our produce from the farmers market on a daily basis,” Noelle says. “With our business model of fresh food at a price anybody can afford, people can make it part of their lifestyle and part of their routine. It’s not a special occasion to come to Sassool. You can come here daily, and a lot of people do.”

Grandma Cecilia passed away in 2023 at the age of 96, and Mounir is shifting his attention to new restaurant

to a food processor or blender. Blend until the mix is very smooth and is like a dough.

5. Warm the canola oil to 350° F in a frying pan on the stove (or in a deep fryer). Dip a falafel mold into the toasted sesame seeds, then use a spoon to scoop the falafel mix into the mold. Remove excess and lay a mounded and packed ball of falafel dough into the hot oil. It will take about 2.5 minutes to fry the falafel. It should turn medium-brown in color. The inside will be soft, but no longer dough. It will be cooked through.

6. Enjoy your falafel with sesame tahini dressing or stuffed in a pita pocket with cabbage salad and pickles!

projects as he nears retirement. The sisters now feel fully invested in the family business. “It feels a lot like a partnership now. It felt like a mentorship before,” Simone says. “And before that, it felt like he was our boss and our dad.”

Just like that, the sisters are back to telling tales from their childhood. Simone recalls watching her grandmother overseeing the cooks while she and Noelle packed market items in a back room. Sometimes Mounir would call Simone out front during the lunch rush at Neomonde to work the cash register. “I was seven years old,” she recalls “He would have this stool for me to stand on. I was one of the fastest people on the register because I practiced so much. I wanted to show my dad how good I was at it. It was the coolest thing.”

Noelle is smiling all the while before she adds, “We would spend 10 hours with our dad. I would get $10 a day.”

“Better than me!” Simone blurts out. “I remember my raise, when I went from $5 to $7. I was so excited.”

Photo courtesy of Caroline Stamey.

Cold food options at Sassool. Photo courtesy of Caroline Stamey.

LOCAL FLAVORS SIP & SAVOR

Eat . Drink. Play.

Pittsboro's

Chatham Beverage District at The Plant offers ways to do it all

STORY AND PHOTOS BY DATHAN KAZSUK

Embark on a 40-minute drive down U.S. Highway 64 and discover a captivating world of beverage producers and local business owners, all living by the invigorating motto of “Eat. Drink. Play.” This is the Chatham Beverage District, housed in “The Plant”—a one-of-a-kind adult playground with a myriad of attractions including hemp clothing producers, food, ax-throwing and a plethora of libations.

L ocated on Pittsboro’s east side, the 17-acre eco-industrial park

houses the unique Chatham Beverage District. Here, you can start your journey through the world of mead at Starrlight Mead, the first stop on your adventure. There you’ll find owners Ben and Becky Starr, who took their hobby of mead-making to the next level by establishing Starrlight Mead in 2010. In their original location, they converted a historic train depot in downtown Pittsboro into their meadery and tasting room, creating a space for mead enthusiasts to gather and savor their creations.

Over the years, the duo has garnered numerous awards and accolades for their meads, earning them a loyal following of local mead aficionados and recognition as one of the top meaderies in the United States. With success, the business needed expansion, and Starrlight Mead built its current meadery and tasting room from the ground up at the entrance of the Chatham Beverage District— and became a pillar for the District’s business community.

“Chatham Beverage District is a vibrant community of beverage

producers,” says Becky Starr. “From beer and mead to coffee, ciders and mixed drinks, we offer a diverse range of libations in one place. What sets us apart is our spirit of collaboration. We love working together, and that’s what makes this group so special.” In the past, Starrlight Mead has joined forces with Vortex Roasters for a coffee mead and partnered with Bite My Cookies (BMC) Brewing for a braggot, which is a hybrid mead-beer beverage.

Even though Starrlight has been around for a lot longer than places such as BMC Brewing or Fair Game Beverage Co., the Starrs admit that, for the most part, people come into The Plant for beer and spirits—but some are eventually led to try mead as well. “More [locals] know about BMC or Fair Game, so those people are brought to our meadery,” Starr says. “[But we also] have a customer base that’s a little more statewide. And we tell them about the other local beverages being made here [as well].”

B MC Brewing offers some of those beverages. Brewmaster Carmen Rice and her husband, John Rice, are co-owners of the brewery, and their arrival in 2021 made them the newest libation buddies to pull up into The Plant. Located near Starrlight Mead, BMC’s slogan is “Serving Chatham County One Pint at a Time,” and you can visit BMC Brewing for anything from a light pilsner to a heavy stout. The brewery has 16 beers on draft at any given time and also features beer cocktails, cider, wine, and “bloodies,” like the Cubinata and Micheladas.

John Rice continues with other collaborative projects beyond the braggot with Starrlight Mead. “We collaborated with Mark Stover of Vortex Roasters to choose the perfect blend of coffee we used in our Mug Shot Coffee Cream Ale,” he offers as one example. (Mug Shot, by the way, is a must-try.)

Rice and Starr affirm that The Plant is a destination for everyone—adults and families alike. “With 17 acres of land away from traffic, The Plant offers

expansive spaces to relax and enjoy quality time with your loved ones. You can savor cider, beer and mead made in small batches right on site,” Rice says. “Whether you’re seeking a peaceful spot to work with a beer, enjoying live music with friends, or celebrating the end of a long week, Chatham Beverage District is your haven.”

A fter you enjoy a glass of mead or a pint of beer, you’ll find other enticing options inside The Plant. You can peruse Hempsmith Clothing Co., where you’ll find stylish clothing made from hemp—T-shirts, socks, beanies, lounge pants, shorts and much more. Founder Zafer Estill created the Hempsmith brand in 2015 at the age

of 18 and tragically lost his life just a year later. His younger brother Arlo has been carrying on Zafer’s mission to bring comfortable, stylish clothing to the world. Hempsmith holds events such as The Hemparoo, which features live music, hemp vendors, guest speakers and a panel discussion. You can also visit Oak City Hemp, where you can find quality hemp tinctures, smokeables and topicals.

Cross the “midway” and make your next stop at Fair Game Beverage Co., where Fair Game’s “ringmaster,” Lyle Estill, has made his little niche inside The Plant well worth visiting. The beverage company’s small-batch malt whiskeys, apple brandy, Balancing

OPPOSITE PAGE: BMC Brewing offers guests a relaxing place to enjoy a beer. ABOVE: Grab a cocktail at Fair Game Beverage Co., or take home some local mead from Starrlight Meadery.

Act Gin and popular Flying Pepper Vodka are all good on their own, but they’re even better when the bartenders mix them into drinks like the Bloody Local, Flaming Flying Pineapple or Macie’s Marg (a take on a margarita using apple brandy instead of tequila). Enjoy a cocktail or tasting flight while you peruse the beverage company’s stock of fine North Carolina specialty food products. Fair Game also offers an assortment of local North Carolina wines available for purchase, to save you a trip to Yadkin County’s wine region.

By now, you might be ready for some food. It’s available inside The Plant with Lilly Den Farm and Kingston 99 Kitchen. Lilly Den Farm is a farm-to-fork food truck location near the rear of the main strip. With a focus on smoked meats and the smell of barbecue in the air, Lilly Den has become a popular place to grab a sandwich or loaded mac-n-cheese and pull up a seat on the communal park benches outside. At Kingston 99 Kitchen, meanwhile, you’ll find authentic Jamaican food like jerk chicken, Jamaican coco bread, braised oxtail and butter beans—all perfect for accompanying a cocktail, pint of beer or glass of wine.

W ith The Plant’s plethora of experiences, there’s something for everyone. Vortex Roasters is a coffee lover’s dream. For those who appreciate the art of candlemaking, there’s Essence Candle Boutique, and for plant enthusiasts, there’s Rachel’s Native Plants. If you are seeking a unique thrill, check out Chatham Axes, where you can test your ax-throwing skills. Whether you come for the spirits or The Plant’s other diverse offerings, a visit to Chatham Beverage District will not disappoint.

A sign outside The Plant tells visitors where to find different types of liquid refreshment.

RELISHING PICKLEBALL

T he fastest - growing sport in the country appeals to all ages and athletes

BY KURT DUSTERBERG

On a warm Saturday in April, a pickleball tournament has overtaken Cary Tennis Park. The parking lot is overflowing, and spectators are walking shoulder to shoulder among the merchandise tents and food trucks. Close to 1,000 spectators are gathered at center court to watch two top-ranked professionals battle through a match that is part of the North Carolina Cup.

Down a short path, dozens of amateur pickleballers are giving it their all in doubles matches. The action is intense, and the skill level looks remarkably similar to the professionals. On one court, four young women are engaged in a fierce match. Piper Borras, a recent North Carolina State University graduate, is encouraging her playing partner, Karolina Fleming, with constant chatter. “Everything in, stay consistent,” she urges.

Eventually, Borras and Fleming survive several long rallies to outlast their opponents in three sets. A few minutes after the match, Borras walks over to her mother, who also plays pickleball, and has an animated discussion about the details of her win. Piper then turns to a stranger listening to the conversation and says with a laugh, “I’m obsessed with pickleball.”

A GROWING GAME

The Professional Pickleball Association event brought together professionals and competitive amateurs in a

celebration of the sport—one that is growing in popularity across all age groups. According to pickleheads.com, there are more than 36 million pickleball players in the U.S. and close to 14,000 courts.

T he game is played on a badminton-size court (20 feet by 44 feet) with a pickleball paddle and pickleball balls. The basic rules of the game are easy to understand. The serve and the return must bounce on the court, but the remaining strokes can be returned either after a bounce (a groundstroke) or played out in the air (a volley). However, players cannot volley a shot in the 7-foot area nearest to the net, called “the kitchen.” Taking away the “smash” keeps the emphasis on strategy and shot-making. Although pickleball can be played as a singles sport, doubles is the more popular option.

The rules are designed to engage a wide variety of participants, not just competitive athletes. The game requires quick reflexes but not much running, eliminating the barriers of age, fitness and endurance.

“My grandparents are the ones who taught me this, and they’re in their late ’70s,” Borras says. “You don’t need a whole team to play. You and three other people can play. It’s a smaller court, so there’s less running and moving; it’s more about skill, placement and fast hands. I like how fast pickleball is, and it’s getting faster as more tennis players join.”

Because the sport engages basic athletic skills, pickleball is suited to athletes of all ages. Children and parents can learn the game together, making it family-friendly. For kids, the path to competitive pickleball is growing. There are 125 universities that play the sport at the club level.

DELIVERING DEMOGRAPHICS

Carl and Sue Titka watched the centercourt professionals with rapt attention. The Raleigh couple has played lots of tennis through the years, but they took up pickleball four years ago. “I would say we’re 70% pickleball, and the rest is tennis,” Carl says. “Transitioning to pickleball has been pretty easy for me, and for [Sue] as well.”

While the 18–34 age group makes up close to 30% of pickleball players, the sport has natural appeal to aging adults who still like to compete. Even the choice between singles and doubles allows players to choose what works best.

“There’s a lot more stretching for me,” says Carl, who is 54. “The ball does not come up as high as in tennis, so you’re constantly bending. You’ve got to watch the back and the knees. I’ve had some issues with my back from playing singles, but doubles hasn’t been that impactful.”

The Titkas play or practice nearly every day, both at Life Time Fitness and outdoor parks. Finding games is easy.

“It’s such a social sport. You meet all types of people,” says Sue, who is 60. “We’re out there practicing with them and playing. We play a lot of doubles. It’s easier on your body than tennis. Usually it’s not too bad unless you’re playing a tournament where there are several matches, one right after the other. Then it wears you down.”

P ROS AND AMATEURS TOGETHER

The PPA tour events are built for professional and amateur players alike. The majority of the action is for the local amateurs, who register and play in brackets that are organized by age and skill divisions. But local players can also register in the pro qualifier draw, where the winners advance to the main draw against the touring pros.

The professional ranks are filled with players in their early ’20s, many with backgrounds in competitive tennis. Among the notables in the North Carolina Cup was Genie Bouchard, a 2014 Wimbledon Championships women’s singles finalist. While she still plays professional tennis, she joined the pickleball tour this year after playing recreationally with friends. “Everyone I know is obsessed with it,” she says. “I thought it was cool because it’s such a trending sport.”

The former top-5 tennis player in the world learned quickly that her skills on the tennis court didn’t immediately translate to pickleball. “It [was] a really tough transition at the beginning,” she says. “I was 0-9 after my first three events. Only this week … did I ever win my first pickleball match.”

Making the switch from tennis requires far more than just thinking in terms of scale. Pickleball requires more finesse and strategy.

“It’s not that obvious, the transition,” Bouchard says. “It’s taking some time for me. I wasn’t exactly known for my touch in tennis. To have to work at the kitchen line, the dinks, the soft balls, the drops. For 25 years, in my head, hitting the ball like that was bad. So I have to rewire my brain.”

Bouchard’s crossover from pro tennis to pickleball brings a bit of buzz to the sport, but it also makes her an ideal ambassador for the game. She recognizes that most people will never play tennis at her level, but they have a chance—at any age—to connect with a similar sport.

TOP: Sue and Carl Titka took up pickleball four years ago and are avid spectators of the game. RIGHT: Piper Borras' grandparents taught her how to play pickleball. The growing sport attracts players of all ages. Photos by Kurt Dusterberg.

READY TO RALLY?

If you’ve caught the pickleball bug, getting started is easy.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: If you’re ready to hit the courts, you’ll need a paddle. There are good options for beginners in the $50 range. Balls are just a couple of dollars each when sold in multipacks. You’ll find what you need at most sporting goods stores.

WHERE TO PLAY: Pickleball courts are springing up everywhere. In addition to outdoor courts, you can play the game at indoor community centers, YMCAs and fitness centers. Check with your local parks and recreation program for scheduling and availability. Many communities offer classes and clinics.

PICKLEBALL RESOURCES: Watch beginner videos about the game, find playing partners, book lessons and more at pickleheads.com. The sport’s governing body, USA Pickleball, offers a wide variety of information, including the USA Pickleball Juniors Program for all levels age 18 and under. For more information, visit usapickleball.org

10 YEARS OF THE CARY THEATER

Western Wake’s only arthouse theater has brought a decade of opportunities for residents, filmmakers and performers—and it’s just getting started

BY ELIZABETH BRIGNAC | PHOTO BY JOSH MANNING

The Cary Theater’s distinctive art deco–style neon sign has been glowing over Chatham Street for a decade now. Along with the Cary Arts Center and the Page‑Walker Arts and History Center, The Cary was opened as part of a plan to bring art experiences into downtown Cary. It owes its success to the passion its employees and volunteers have brought to the venture— and to municipal support that few 21st century arthouse theaters enjoy

The Cary shows indie films and second run films, emphasizing affordability. It brings in international films, classics, documentaries, kids’ movies, short films and almost every other kind of movie beyond the first run films that are shown at most local theaters. It also

showcases musicians, comedy shows and other live talent. Finally, it offers opportunities for local artists— especially filmmakers, screenwriters, songwriters and musicians—to learn their craft, network and, of course, show their work.

ORIGINS

The building that houses The Cary was a movie theater in the 1940s, also called The Cary—hence the contemporary theater’s art deco look, which hearkens back to its origins. The original Cary theater also brought in both films and live performers, including Patsy Cline. Over the years, the space became a recording studio and several other businesses before the town bought it in 2011 and

reestablished it as a theater. The Cary’s second floor displays a collection of artifacts from the building’s history, including seats from the original movie theater and a sun mosaic, a remnant of the building’s recording studio days.

In restoring the building, the town both celebrated its history and offered a walking distance option for people to enjoy affordable films. “Not too many people can just walk to a movie theater from their house,” says Lani Simeona, operations and programs supervisor for The Cary. “And that may go hand in hand with the opening of the Cary Arts Center and then having an arts destination downtown—being able to provide an arthouse cinema within walking distance of the downtown community.”

FILM

As an arthouse film venue focusing on indie and second run films, The Cary offers an increasingly rare experience. “A lot of arthouses have gone to [mainstream film] because it’s a moneymaker,” says Simeona. “What makes us unique—and this is rare in the whole arthouse industry throughout the U.S.—is that we’re owned and operated by the town. I’m part of a number of arthouse groups from all around the U.S., and they’re amazed that the Town of Cary invests in the arts the way it does, and they feel we are very lucky—which we are.”

With a consistent source of income, The Cary can afford to focus on second run and indie work while keeping prices low. “It’s actually a very affordable place to bring a family. You can’t see movies in too many places for six bucks or less,” says Simeona.

Christmas movies are a huge draw, especially the annual “White Christmas” Sing along. Film series and other offerings also lean into seasonal themes, diversity heritage months and other thematic offerings. The summer months will see the annual Summer Retro Series, for example.

Diverse representation is an important aspect of film selection for Simeona. “My vision for The Cary is to really bring in a diverse lineup of programming. And that’s everything from films directed by women, films directed by and about people of color ... Just making sure each month, we are representing different groups,” she says.

FILM FESTIVALS

Film festivals are some of the most popular events at The Cary, especially Beyond: The Cary Film Festival, held each September, which offers exciting opportunities for emerging filmmakers and screenwriters. “That’s probably our biggest event of the year,” says Simeona. “It’s bringing in filmmakers from all over North Carolina and the Southeast, and a lot of industry people as well. So it’s probably our most high profile event.” The event focuses on short films—40 minutes or less in length—and screenplays. Participants can win cash prizes available in several categories. Winning screenplays also get live table reads at the festival.

October brings Zombiepalooza, another popular film festival—this one showcasing filmmakers and hobbyists of all ages and skill levels from North Carolina. Competitors create 5 minute zombie films, each of which must creatively incorporate a prop (this year’s prop is candy corn). The free event also includes a costume contest, with prizes awarded after the film screenings. This year’s Zombiepalooza will take place at Downtown Cary Park’s Great Lawn & Pavilion. “People really love it,” says Simeona. “It’s been sold out the past few years.”

The Cary offers other film festivals and opportunities for emerging artists and filmmakers throughout the year, though Beyond and Zombiepalooza are the most popular.

LIVE PERFORMANCES

The Cary also supports local and regional artists as a venue for live musical performances. “Our live performances do really well—almost all of them are sold out,” says Simeona. The staff showcases a wide variety of genres, trying to provide something that will appeal to everyone. “The acoustics in here are so good. It’s a very intimate venue for live shows,” says Simeona.

Most of the performers are local or regional talent. In this context of live performance, as in film, The Cary encourages emerging artists. Jason Adamo, a Raleigh based singer, songwriter and host of the YouTube show “On The Record With Jason Adamo” presents Songwriters in the Round, in which local songwriters talk about and perform their music. The Cary also offers comedy nights and other types of live performance.

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

So what’s next for The Cary? This summer will see an upgrade. “We’re getting new seats!” enthuses Simeona. “They’re more movie theater seats. Definitely more comfortable, with higher backs, cupholders, things like that. So it will be a better cinematic experience for people.”

Simeona hopes to add more opportunities for new filmmakers. “I’d like to do more year round workshops— filmmaker workshops, screenwriting workshops, songwriting workshops—here at the theater, and [focus on] how we can support local filmmakers.”

In the coming season, The Cary also hopes to bring programming into other parts of Cary. “Right now all of the arts are downtown, so we’re trying to take some of the things we do annually and [bring] them to other areas of Cary,” says Simeona. Events might include, for example, an outdoor film with an opening musical performance and food trucks.

The Cary’s team is full of plans—lectures, expert guided film discussions—and the public offers plenty of suggestions. “The staff works really hard to make it a really welcoming place for everyone,” says Simeona. “The staff, our volunteers, patrons who come through the door—they’re so great. It’s such a really lovely space to be in. That’s probably what I love most about The Cary. We meet all kinds of interesting people every day.”