DUELING DINOSAURS
Raleigh Exhibit Roars to Life
Whether you’re a native or a newcomer to the Tar Heel State, you know that our summers sizzle. This season is meant for relaxation, but that’s difficult when the mercury reads 95 degrees and the RealFeel is 100-plus. We at Triangle Family are determined to help you beat the heat and make the best of this summer, both indoors and outdoors, with our July/August issue.
Dinosaurs rock! What child (or grown-up) isn’t fascinated by these prehistoric reptiles that once roamed Earth? Venture to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ newest and coolest exhibit, “Dueling Dinosaurs,” in Raleigh to learn how these creatures lived millions of years ago. The beautiful illustration on our cover depicts a confrontation between juvenile tyrannosaurs and adult Triceratops. Discover how the wellpreserved fossils of two of these dinosaurs are being studied by the museum’s paleontologists and how you can enjoy live-science access in Elizabeth Brignac’s feature, “Scientists in Their Natural Habitat,” beginning on page 12.
If your idea of dodging the heat involves water, check out Kyle Marie McMahon’s “Splash, Slide and Swim” story on page 16, which features 29 places in the Triangle where you and your family can enjoy refreshing splash pads, pools, lakes and more.
Pickleball—a mash-up of ping-pong, tennis and badminton—has seen its popularity surge in recent years, which Kurt Dusterberg illustrates in “Relishing Pickleball” on page 20. With enough practice, maybe you or someone in your family will play at a competitive level. Speaking of sports, the Holly Springs Salamanders have dazzled thousands of baseball fans in Ting Park since 2015. Learn how families across the community play an important part in the team’s success in “College Boys of Summer” on page 38.
Higher education is on the minds of many young people as they gear up for another year of high school. So is their apprehension of applying to college and affording its steep price tag. In “Purposeful College Planning” on page 24, two local experts offer practical advice on college
This illustration depicts a confrontation between juvenile tyrannosaurs and adult Triceratops, a possible scenario experienced by the Dueling Dinosaurs 67 million years ago.
readiness, financial considerations and more— along with reassurance that higher education is attainable for every student.
For 11-year-old Ava N. Simmons, a double diagnosis of dyslexia and dysgraphia granted her STEM superpowers, which she uses to inspire kids through her nonprofit, Team Genius Squad. Read about Ava’s journey from tribulation to triumph on page 28.
In other stories, Millstone Creek Orchards in Ramseur offers families bountiful summer fun through its u-pick experiences, fresh tastings and hugs with a four-legged visitor from a nearby farm. And if your child needs summer reading encouragement, check out our 10 helpful tips on page 40.
Lastly, our May/June issue spotlighted 23 exceptional images of artwork created by students across the Triangle. Our cover featured a dog rendering by Kate, a fifth grader at Oakview Elementary School in Apex. We’re honored to publish this adorable photo of Kate and Tucker, who proudly served as her muse, and hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
As always, reach out to me at janice@trianglefamilymag.com for comments, questions, story ideas and more. We at Triangle Family are always listening!
Janice Lewine
Janice Lewine, Editor
Kate poses with her dog Tucker, who inspired her rendering on the cover of Triangle Family’s May/June issue.
PUBLISHERS
Ronny Stephens
Kent Braswell
EDITOR
Janice Lewine
ART AND WEB DIRECTOR
Sean Byrne
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Fran Sherman
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
James Jarnot
SECTION EDITOR
Kurt Dusterberg
Health, Wellness and Youth Sports
COPY EDITOR
Cindy Huntley
CONTRIBUTORS
Elizabeth Brignac, Melissa Keinan M.Ed, Jenn McKinney Photography, Kyle Marie McMahon, Jennifer Primrose
SOCIAL MEDIA AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER
Melissa Wistehuff
SALES DIRECTOR
Sherry Braswell
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Stefanie McClary
Paige Gunter
Sophie Lapierre
DISTRIBUTION
Joe Lizana
Berry Media Group
DistribuTech.net
Triangle Family 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. Triangle Family 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. Triangle Family magazine will not knowingly accept any real estate advertising in violation of U.S. equal opportunity law.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
6 print issues per year
Available online at trianglefamilymag.com
4818-204 Six Forks Road Raleigh, North Carolina 27609
Phone: 919.782.4710 Fax: 919.782.4763
She’s got moves like Jagger! Eva (14) of Raleigh shows off awards after a dance competition in Durham.
PHOTO COU R TESY OF MELISSA WISTEHUFF
Splish, splash! Christian (1) of Raleigh plays in the “Splash!” exhibit at Marbles Kids Museum.
PHOTO COU R TESY OF C R YSTAL WATTS
Fintastic cause! Luca (16) of Raleigh participated in Reelin’ for Research in Morehead City. This charitable fishing tournament raises funds for children with cancer.
PHOTO COU R TESY OF MELISSA WISTEHUFF
Ian (11) of Raleigh presents a project on the World War II hero and 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics runner Louis Zamperini.
PHOTO COU R TESY OF MELISSA WISTEHUFF
A berry good time! Brooks (5) of Wake Forest admires his treasures while picking strawberries at DJ’s Berry Patch in Apex.
PHOTO COURTESY OF LAURA HOLBEN
Would you like your child featured in SOCIAL KIDS? Email your favorite photos and a short description to editors@trianglefamilymag.com.
YMCA PROGRAMS NOT JUST FOR BEGINNERS
The YMCA offers youth sports for kids ages 3–15 at branches and locations around the Triangle all year long. The programs, meant to provide opportunities for camaraderie along with skill and character development, include basketball, soccer, flag football, volleyball, baseball, T-ball, softball, football and tennis. For more information about youth sports, visit ymcatriangle.org/ programs/sports.
If you’re look for a bit more involvement for your child, consider these competitive sports:
YMCA Super Skippers. The competition jump-rope team fosters confidence, discipline, responsibility and leadership. Team members host summer day camps, mini clinics and recreational classes at the Northwest Cary YMCA.
YMCA of the Triangle Area YOTA Swim Team. Teams are made up of swimmers of all ages and skill levels. They compete at the A.E. Finley YMCA, Chapel Hill–Carrboro YMCA, Downtown Durham YMCA, Kerr Family YMCA, YMCA at Meadowmont, Northwest Cary YMCA, Oberlin Road Program Center, Southeast Raleigh YMCA and Taylor Family YMCA.
Triangle Y Soccer Club Challenge Program. Challenge teams are a step up from recreation leagues, and they are created through a tryout process. Challenge teams practice twice a week and play
LITTLE KIDS NEED TO PLAY THE RIGHT WAY
Teaching small children to be active is important, but engaging in the right activities can play a key role in development. According to Be Active Kids in Raleigh, children need both structured play (led by adults) and free-play physical activity each day.
1- and 2-year-olds need at least three hours spread out during the day.
3-year-olds need 30 minutes of structured play and 60 minutes of free play.
4- and 5-year-olds should have one hour of both structured and unstructured play.
In order to develop gross motor skills, children should engage in different forms of activity, including these particular types of movements:
Locomotor skills, or moving their bodies from place to place (running, hopping, skipping)
Non-locomotor skills, or moving their bodies in place (twisting, bending, stretching)
Manipulative movement, moving or using an object (throwing, catching, dribbling)
For more information, visit beactivekids.org.
PLEASANT PARK ADDING ATHLETIC FIELDS
If you’re looking for a new place to keep your kids on the run, Pleasant Park in Apex offers plenty of options. Located at 3400 Pleasant Plains Road, the 92-acre facility has a wide variety of amenities for little kids and athletes alike.
The Enchanted Forest is a 1.5-acre playground with climbing structures and a 35-foot slide. There are nine play villages for kids of different ages and abilities, including Kingdom in the Clouds and the Sticks & Stones area.
Pleasant Park opened last November, but four basketball courts and six pickleball courts were added in March. The park also has six lighted multipurpose fields, four tennis courts and two shelters. A future phase of construction calls for four baseball/softball fields, a grand lawn for open play and a sand volleyball court. Expanded cross-country courses and batting cages will provide opportunities for athletic training and competition.
The park is open year-round from 6:30 a.m.–10 p.m.
N + N
MARBLES KIDS MUSEUM UPGRADES MODERN FARMING EXHIBIT
Marbles Kids Museum, located at 201 E. Hargett Street in Raleigh, recently reopened its “On the Farm” exhibit with new features in collaboration with the North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the North Carolina Soybean Producers Association. “On the Farm” is part of the “Around Town” gallery, a bustling community where kids take charge. The newest additions invite children of all abilities to experience the tasks of a North Carolina farmer through hands-on play, including operating a custom-built combine, identifying North Carolina’s major crops, and learning about the role of agriculture in their daily lives.
ENLOE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT WINS NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY SCHOLARSHIP
Esther Ghim, a senior at Enloe Magnet High School in Raleigh, received a $5,625 scholarship in March from the National Honor Society. Chosen from nearly 17,000 applicants, Ghim is an unwavering advocate for health care equality and empowerment, and is passionate about expanding the reach of health care for disadvantaged communities while working to destigmatize societal challenges. She joined the fight against period stigma by co-inventing Sensible, a diagnostic menstrual pad. Ghim also volunteers her musical talents with the cello and plans art installations to bring local communities together through collaboration.
BY JANICE LEWINE
DAVIS DRIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WIN NATIONAL SCIENCE BOWL REGIONAL COMPETITION
Five students from Davis Drive Middle School in Cary won the 2024 Carolina Middle School Science Bowl on March 9. The DDMS team, composed of Ajay Sawant, Sohum Vajaria, Tiger Zhao, Kevin Zhang and Neveel Chheda, won first place in the competition and represented North and South Carolina at the National Science Bowl Finals in Washington, D.C. in April. The National Science Bowl draws more than 14,000 middle and high school students from across the country to compete in a fast-paced, question-and-answer format where they solve technical problems and answer questions on a range of science disciplines including biology, chemistry, physics, math, and earth and space sciences. The team is led by head coach Sashank Ganapathiraju, an alumnus of Davis Drive Middle School.
20 NORTH CAROLINA PUBLIC SCHOOL UNITS TO RECEIVE NEARLY $1 MILLION IN STEM GRANTS
Twenty North Carolina public school units, including two in the Triangle, will benefit from nearly $1 million in grants intended to expand and enrich science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. The Increasing Engagement in STEM Grant Program, included in the most recent budget by the North Carolina General Assembly, provides funds to these school units to engage students in grades 6–8 in experiential STEM education programs. The Wake County Public School System will receive $125,200 and Johnston County Public Schools will receive $50,000.
STUDENTS SHINE IN WAKE COUNTY TEEN ART SHOW
Wake County public and private school students in grades 9–12 displayed their talents in a wide range of media—including painting, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, photography and mixed media—at the annual FALC Teen Art Exhibit May 11–24 in the Frankie G. Weems Art Gallery at Meredith College in Raleigh. The exhibit, presented by the Fine Arts League of Cary and Meredith College, highlighted the importance of encouraging young artists and helping them fulfill their artistic aspirations. An awards reception honoring the winning entries took place on May 21.
N + N
SCHOOL MEALS TO RECEIVE A HEALTHY UPDATE
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will enact new standards for school meals that are served to 30 million students each day, beginning in fall 2025. The plan will include a reduction in sugar and sodium, while allowing flexibility with menu planning in response to parental feedback and recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Details of the plan include:
• Reducing added sugar. Breakfast cereals may have no more than 6 grams of added sugars per dry ounce. Yogurt may have no more than 12 grams of added sugars per 6 ounces. Flavored milk may have no more than 10 grams of added sugars per 8 fluid ounces.
• Reducing sodium. By the start of the 2027–28 school year, schools will implement a 15% reduction for lunch and an approximate 10% reduction for breakfast from current sodium limits.
• Flavored milk. Schools will continue to offer K–12 students flavored milk with their school lunch or breakfast, but it must comply with a productbased added-sugars limit to be implemented in July 2025. All schools may continue to offer fat-free and low-fat milk, both flavored and unflavored, to K–12 students.
JUICE BOXES DON’T HAVE TO BE A NO-NO
BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR CONCUSSIONS
With the summer well underway, kids are out on the ball fields and courts competing in a variety of high-level travel and showcase sports. It’s a good reminder that traumatic brain injuries are as much of a risk as bruises and broken bones.
Concussions, often caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head that causes the brain to move quickly back and forth, are the most common type of brain injuries. Symptoms from a concussion can affect how a person thinks, learns, feels, acts and sleeps.
If your athlete has had a collision or fall, look for these symptoms in the hours following the event: headache, dizziness, blurred vision, difficulty thinking clearly and sensitivity to noise and light. If your child presents these conditions, do not assume it’s just a “ding.”
For years, parents have relied on the trusty juice box for their little ones. They’re portable, easy for little kids, and children love the taste. At the same time, moms and dads recognize that the fruit-flavored boxes and pouches aren’t the healthiest of items. But that doesn’t mean parents can’t rely on them as an option for kids. According to healthychildren.org, there are some steps you can take to keep the sugary impact to a minimum.
• Choose juice drinks that are pure fruit juice. Fruit drinks that aren’t 100% juice typically contain added sugars and/or sweeteners that can add calories.
• Don’t introduce your child to juice until after their first birthday.
• Don’t let your child sip on the juice box for a prolonged period. Coating the teeth in sugary liquids can cause tooth decay.
• Dilute the juice with water. This is preferable to the prediluted juices sold in stores, which still contain added sugar.
• Guard against your child drinking so much juice that it reduces their interest in drinking milk and water.
ABOVE: Visitors examine evidence paleontologists are using to determine how the exhibit’s two dinosaurs met their demise.
RIGHT: The Dueling Dinosaurs fossils include preserved skeletons of a tyrannosaur and a Triceratops.
Photo courtesy of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Scientists in Their Natural Habitat
B Y ELIZABETH BRIGNAC | P HOTOS BY JE NN McKINNEY PHOTOGRAPHY
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ new Dueling Dinosaurs exhibit puts Raleigh on paleontology’s global map—and breaks down barriers between science and the public.
Raleigh’s North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences (NCMNS) recently acquired two of the world’s most complete dinosaur skeletons for its Dueling Dinosaurs exhibit and opened one of the best-equipped paleontology labs in the world to study them. When the paleontologists are finished examining these fossils, the lab will acquire new ones. “Our lab here is really one of the world’s top paleontology labs. People want to come here to Raleigh to be associated with this lab,” says Kerry Irish, NCMNS’s director of communications.
If this lab were all the Dueling Dinosaurs exhibit brought to Raleigh, it would confer prestige. But what makes this exhibit globally unique is the unprecedented live-science access offered to museum visitors. Its goals are both to study fossils and show science in action. “We are the only fossil prep space in the entire world that allows visitors to come inside the lab with us on a regular basis … Visitors get to come inside the lab every single day the museum is open and talk with folks like myself or other staff members here in the lab,” says Eric Lund, NCMNS’s paleontology lab manager.
UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
RIGHT: Families watch a team of paleontologists, who will study dinosaur specimens for years to come, working at
BELOW: The Dueling Dinosaurs exhibit includes a paleo art interactive station that allows visitors to envision what aTriceratops might look like—and what qualities might help it thrive in its environment.
the SECU DinoLab Photo courtesy of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
Scientists in the Dueling Dinosaurs lab do their work in view of both in-person visitors and virtual visitors via a live webcam that broadcasts lab activities. The scientists welcome guests’ questions, with each person on the team taking question-answering shifts.
The goal in opening up the lab as an exhibit: to demystify science. People tend to think of scientific research as a mysterious process that goes on behind closed doors, but this sophisticated lab is producing research at the top of its field in front of anyone who cares to watch. “We are pushing the envelope of science communication and engagement with our visitors, and showing them that we are real people inside the labs … We are on the cutting edge of paleontology as a science [trying to] connect with [the public], and educate them and inspire the next generation of scientists,” says Lund.
THE EXHIBIT’S ORIGINS
The Dueling Dinosaurs exhibit began to take shape eight years ago. Or, if you want to be technical about it, 67 million years ago.
During the late Cretaceous period in what is now Montana, a tyrannosaur and a Triceratops were engaged in an interaction—probably “dueling or dining” as the exhibit describes it (they were either fighting, or the tyrannosaur was eating the Triceratops)—when they were buried in some kind of environmental event. Because they were buried quickly and completely, their fossils were wellpreserved.
In 2006, the fossils were discovered on private land—the most complete tyrannosaur skeleton ever found in North America and what may be one of the most complete Triceratops skeletons in the world. The fossils were priced out of range for most research facilities, and for a while, they were in danger of being relegated to obscurity in a Long Island storage facility.
In 2015, NCMNS’s head of paleontology, Dr. Lindsay Zanno, “had the idea of tearing down the veil between scientists and the general public and using paleontology and these fossils to do that,” says Lund— an approach that inspired widespread support. The nonprofit Friends of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences raised contributions from donors, companies and the state of North Carolina, enabling the museum to purchase the fossils and build and equip the lab. “Many, many folks were involved in bringing together the
funding for this project,” says Lund.
The process took years. There were many difficulties to overcome, even before the COVID-19 pandemic created inevitable delays and complications. But the exhibit finally opened on April 27, 2024.
A DIVERSE TEAM
The Dueling Dinosaurs research team is demographically diverse—a deliberate choice that improves their work. “We really believe that diversity is good for science,” says Dr. Denise Young, director of NCMNS. “Different ways of thinking, different ways of knowing, different life experiences that people bring to the questions they have, the ways they approach solving them—it makes science better.”
The team’s diversity also breaks down yet another barrier between the public and science—this time, one of demographics. “That’s a comforting thing, when you walk into a place and you see people that look like you. And you’re like, ‘Oh, wow, that’s great!’ once [people] are inside, immediately breaking down those barriers that they put up to see that they belong and can fit in,” says Lund.
CRETACEOUS CREATURES
Not only does this exhibit inspire people to believe they can understand science or become scientists—it gives kids across North Carolina the opportunity to be scientists. Cretaceous Creatures, a public science and educational arm of the Dueling Dinosaurs experience, brings millions of fossils from the layer of sediment in which the Dueling Dinosaurs were found into eighth-grade classrooms across North Carolina. Kids are taught how to examine the fossils and use NCMNS software to identify their samples.
The results: over 14,000 North Carolina kids (and counting) who are bettereducated about how to think like scientists— and a broad base of data about the Dueling Dinosaurs’ environment available to researchers. A team member checks the student scientists’ findings, and then it is made available to the world.
SHARING WORLD-CLASS RESEARCH
This scientific team is committed to sharing its results. “We have a truly world-class group of scientists at work here, and the work that they do makes waves around the world,” says Irish. “In order for science to move forward, you’ve got to share your
data—so write your paper and then share [it]!” agrees Lund.
The lab’s technology makes both the research and the sharing of data more efficient than ever before. For example, CT technology allows scientists to scan fossils—from tiny teeth to specimens the size of houses—and create 3D surface scans that can be viewed as exact digital models of the fossils. Sometimes fossils are too fragile to ship, or even to cast and mold for models, but they can all be scanned. Used this way, CT technology facilitates research, preserves fragile fossils in the long term and allows researchers to share their work simply by sharing files. “We can be on opposite ends of the globe and collaborate on these things,” says Lund.
The lab also utilizes laser-based X-ray fluorescence (XRF) in exciting ways. “We know that these animals were buried as carcasses. They were buried with all their soft tissue and their skin and everything in place, so there’s potential for all that information to be preserved,” says Lund. XRF technology gives researchers information about the layers of tissue that once covered the bones, where cartilage once grew, and other information about the organic matter that once covered these bones—including (potentially) the cells that give animals their coloration.
WHY DINOSAURS?
The museum could open its doors to the public on any number of large-scale scientific investigations. Why Dueling Dinosaurs?
To some extent, it’s because dinosaurs are cool. People want to come in and learn about them. To encourage people to observe scientific inquiry in process, the research being done must capture their attention. The public will learn what the scientists learn, and the exhibit will be updated as discoveries unfold. And no matter how old we get, dinosaurs continue to spark people’s interest. “This is a scientific mystery of incredible interest,” says Lund “[stimulating] incredible imagination … The questions we are asking inspire people’s curiosity and wonder about these creatures.”
This opinion appears to be one people share all the way up to the top. “North Carolina is the best in so many things,” Gov. Roy Cooper said happily at the opening of the Dueling Dinosaurs exhibit. “And now we’re the best in dinosaurs.”
When the summer days stretch on and the temperatures sit in the 90s, North Carolina families need a place to beat the heat. Whether it’s a simple mist from a splash pad or a dip from a three-story water slide, the Triangle has a wealth of options when it comes to cooling off. Here’s a list of some water play locations in the area. Remember to watch children in and around water.
BY KYLE MARIE MCMAHON
SPLASH PADS
Make sure you check location hours before heading out, as they vary by day and season. Unless noted, all areas are free and open to the public.
Several area playgrounds offer a mid-play reprieve with nearby splash pads. East End Park in Durham (1200 N. Alston Avenue) has a small sprayground where kids can place their hands on a tall dome, initiating a fountain of water for three minutes before heading back to play.
Shaded by trees and with a rocky, natural aesthetic, “The Nest” is the children’s play area situated in the heart of Downtown Cary Park (327 S. Academy Street). Right next to the cardinal play structure and slides sits the new splash pad, opening this summer for its first season. The nearby picnic and seating areas are a perfect spot for a snack.
John Chavis Memorial Park Splash Pad in Raleigh (505 Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard) is a large, open area with ground spray jets, giving ample room to roam. Tables and chairs offer relaxation for adults, and the nearby playground extends your visit. There is minimal shade, but the adjacent community center offers a break from the sun, plus bathrooms and showers. The park also contains the historic Allan Herschell Carousel, which was closed for renovations but is set to reopen this summer.
While the previous splash pads offer a chance to simply get your feet wet, visitors may want to consider swimsuits for these next ones.
Part of a 71-acre site, including an ample playground with a view of the nearby pond, the Knightdale Station Park Splash Pad’s (810 N. First Avenue) focus is on nature. Once a farm and nursery, the fenced-in splash pad calls on the farm theme with a silo water hose. There are a few benches under two shade structures, though if you want a little more shade and a dry place to sit, you’ll want to go to the picnic shelter nearby.
Seating is in short supply at the Taylor Street Park and Sprayground in Wake Forest (416 N. Taylor Street), so get ready to join your kiddo in the fun. A large, open area with misters, water jets, buckets, an aqua dome and more gives kids a chance to experience different sensations of water flow.
The Cary area’s first ever splash pad, located at Jack Smith Park (9725 Penny Road, Raleigh), remains a town favorite. The park also contains a large playground, rock climbing wall and the famous nine Suffolk-sheep statues. The sprayground has seven water features including ground jets, dumping buckets and umbrella fountains. Adults can stay close to the kids while getting some shade on a bench or picnic table nearby—but prepare to get sprayed by the aimable water hose!
Residents of Fuquay-Varina can head to the South Park Splash Pad (900 S. Main Street) free of charge with a Resident Splash Pad card. Non-residents will need to pay $2 per person (one parent and kids ages 2 and under get in free). Fenced in and located next to a picnic shelter and playground, this splash pad has more than 35 water features, including a massive green bucket ready to soak excited visitors. Just watch out for the pelican spit! Located within the Enchanted Forest, Splashlantis at Pleasant
From swimming pools to two lakes and a river, the Triangle offers a wealth of options to cool off.
A child enjoys the splash pad at Jack Smith Park in Cary.
Park in Apex (3400 Pleasant Plains Road) opened May 25, giving the town its first splash pad. Entirely fenced in, the pad area features colorful palm trees and mushrooms. Check in for your hourly session when you arrive, then fly down the 35-foot-tall slide inspired by the Wizard of Oz in the playground while you wait.
POOLS
Sometimes a splash isn’t enough to beat the sweltering heat. Luckily, each county in the Triangle has pools with open swim time. Check each pool’s schedule and fees on their website.
The Triangle Aquatic Center in Cary (275 Convention Drive) is perfect for a family of swimmers, with four different pools available: outdoor, competition, program and warm water instructional. Check out the center’s Poolside Grill for sandwiches, wraps and salads when the hunger strikes. Located right next to a large, inclusive playground, Holding Park Aquatic Center in Wake Forest (133 W. Owen Avenue) has a six-lane lap pool, a plunge pool with two water slides and a children’s pool with a playground-style climbing feature. Raleigh has both year-round and summer pools as a part of their aquatic program. The four year-round pools vary in style. Pullen Aquatic Center (410 Ashe Avenue) offers two different recreational pools, one of which is limited to non-swimmers and their guardians. Optimist Pool (5902 Whittier Drive) has a large, Olympic 50-meter lap pool and an outdoor wading pool. Millbrook Exchange Pool (1905 Spring Forest Road) offers a lap pool that is a bit smaller, at 25 meters. Buffaloe Road Aquatic Center (5908 Buffaloe Road) is the theme park of indoor pools, boasting a three-story waterslide, lazy river, water vortex and more. Purchasing a multi-day or annual pass gives you access to all these facilities, plus Raleigh’s four outdoor pools: Biltmore (701 Crown Crossing Lane), Lake Johnson (5863 Jaguar Park Drive), Longview (321 Bertie Drive) and Ridge Road (1709 Ridge Road).
Durham also offers a monthly pass good for both of their indoor facilities, Edison Johnson Aquatic Center (500 W. Murray Avenue) and Campus Hills Pool (2000 S. Alston Avenue), and residents under 18 are free. Both have eight-lane pools, but Edison also has an outdoor sprayground, as do Durham’s two outdoor pools: Hillside (1221 Sawyer Street) and Forest Hills (1639 University Drive).
Splashlantis, Apex’s first splash pad, opened May 25. The gated amenity has a visitor capacity to ensure safe play.
Beat the heat at Triangle Aquatic Center in Cary, which offers four different swimming pools.
The town of Chapel Hill has three facilities available for their monthly pass, though like the other pools, you can also purchase daily entry.
The A.D. Clark Outdoor Pool (216 N. Roberson Street) has four lap lanes and zero-depth entry for the little ones. Homestead Aquatic Center (300 Aquatic Drive) is an indoor facility with a warm water pool and a lap pool with 10 lanes. The Chapel Hill Community Center Indoor Pool (120 S. Estes Drive) has six lanes and a zerodepth entry.
The Orange County Sportsplex in Hillsborough (101 Meadowlands Drive) is just one part of the large facility that offers a variety of indoor sports, plus an ice rink. Their aquatics section features an 11-lane competition pool, a recreational pool, and a wading pool for small children, which is only one foot deep and gated for safety.
NATURAL WATERS
With two large lakes and a river, the Triangle also offers more natural waters to cool off in while enjoying the scenic surroundings. Falls Lake State Recreation Area in Wake Forest (13304 Creedmoor Road) offers three separate swim beaches at Beaverdam (14600 Creedmoor Road), Sandling Beach (14813 Creedmoor Road) and Rolling View (4201 Baptist Road, Durham). Each beach area has restrooms, outdoor showers and a playground nearby.
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area in Apex (280 State Park Road) also has three swimming beaches open to the public: Parkers Creek (Parkers Creek Beach Road, Chapel Hill), Seaforth (Seaforth Beach Road, Pittsboro) and Ebenezer Church (2582 Beaver Creek Road, Apex). Or you can make it an overnight trip and stay at one of the campgrounds with beaches open to campers only: Poplar Point (558 Beaver Creek Road, Apex) Crosswinds (389 Farrington Road, Apex) or Vista Point (2498 N. Pea Ridge Road, Pittsboro)
The quarry at Eno River State Park in Durham (4950 Howe Street) is a well-known spot, but it’s deep and rocky. A safer option for kids is Bobbitt Hole (4390 Old Cole Mill Road), a popular swimming and fishing area, but prepare to walk the trails to get there. Fews Ford (6101 Cole Mill Road) offers great wading spots along the trail; keep an eye out for fun waterfall slides. Sennett’s Hole (5101 N. Roxboro Street) even has a rope swing. But be cautious as the water level varies.
Eno River State Park in Durham offers wading and waterfall sliding at Fews Ford; swimming and fishing at Bobbitt Hole; a rope swing at Sennett’s Hole; and a 65-foot-deep quarry.
Jordan Lake State Recreation Area in Apex features three swimming beaches open to the public.
BY KURT DUSTERBERG
RELISHING PICKLEBALL
THE FASTESTGROWING SPORT IN THE COUNTRY APPEALS TO ALL AGES AND ATHLETES
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.
The game is played on a badmintonsize 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 center-court 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.”
PHOTO COURTESY OF PIPER BORRAS
Piper Borras recently played in the North Carolina Cup in Cary.
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.”
PROS 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.”
Sue and Carl Titka took up pickleball four years ago and are avid spectators of the game.
Piper Borras’ grandparents taught her how to play pickleball. The growing sport attracts players of all ages.
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.
“It’s so great to get people off the couch or off the electronics, playing a
sport,” Bouchard says. “Tennis is a lot tougher. If you’re starting later in life, the first little while is going to be miserable. That discourages people. Pickleball is easier physically, and it’s
READY TO RALLY?
a bigger plastic ball. So even if you’ve never played, you can have a rally. Pickleball is so much easier for people to pick up, and that’s why people love it.”
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.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PPA PICKLEBALL TOUR
Genie Bouchard, a 2014 Wimbledon Championships women’s singles finalist, took part in the North Carolina Cup this year.
Two local experts—a high school college counselor and an assistant college admissions director— offer valuable advice on college readiness, admissions, financial considerations and more.
by Janice Lewine
For thousands of high school students, continuing their education at a four-year college is a modern rite of passage from adolescence into adulthood. College offers immeasurable opportunities for growth and success that can’t be found anywhere else, but getting there takes some work. Maintaining good grades in high school can be stressful and completing the college application can be intimidating, not to mention the unfolding questions students have once they’ve been admitted. It’s crucial for college-bound students to stay apprised of the latest admissions trends, to reflect on recent updates and to hold a steadfast eye on the future.
Triangle Family sat down with Karman Kent, director of college counseling at Trinity School of Durham and Chapel Hill and Fredrick W. Evans, Jr., assistant director of undergraduate admissions for diversity and access at Elon University, to unpack practical advice about applying to and attending college today, and to offer reassurance that higher education is within reach for every individual.
KARMAN KENT
Director of College Counseling
Trinity School of Durham & Chapel Hill
When should students start preparing for college?
Purposeful planning for the four years in high school helps students see what the end product will look like. Ninth and 10th grades are really about exploring academically and extracurricularly, and beginning the self-reflection process by asking, ‘What do I love to do, what type of career paths seem interesting, what goals do I have for my high school career,’ but also taking ownership of the process. Eleventh grade is spent asking what goals you have for your adult life, how you can have a significant effect on your community through leadership, and preparing to submit the Common App (an undergraduate college admission application that applicants may use to apply to over 1,000 member colleges and universities). Twelfth grade is also about self-reflection, writing the Common App personal statement and supplemental essays, which are schoolspecific, and deciding how you want to stretch yourself in college.
Students know that having an academically rigorous course load and a high GPA makes them more attractive to selective colleges, but this can lead to burnout. How can students ease the pressure?
A lot of students will take honors or AP courses so that they can have a very high weighted GPA, but if they have Bs in those courses, then their unweighted GPA is taking a hit. It serves you best to get As in honors level courses in core academic areas. But I try to get students to think about where their time and energy is best spent. If you
are maxing yourself out with honorslevel courses, you don’t have that same amount of time and energy to commit to extracurriculars. Colleges are looking not only at academic profiles, but also how students are positioned to contribute to their community. We want students to understand that where they apply to, get into and ultimately go to college is really less important than what kind of self-discovery they go through to have a clear sense of who they are, and how they’ll show up in their adult life.
Many colleges adopted a test-optional policy for the SAT and ACT during the pandemic, and have continued it. Is it beneficial for a student to submit scores to a test-optional school? Test-optional really is school dependent, so you need to do your research on a school’s testing policy. With the rise of test-optional, we’ve seen an inflated number of applications, which has driven down the acceptance rates and increased the level of students’ anxiety. There’s a lot of research around equity and test scores. A main change was the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action (which in 2023 ruled to significantly limit the use of race in college admissions). With [colleges previously] requiring test scores, there’s data around them favoring students from higher income levels and with there being different racial and ethnic reports around test scores, they now can’t consider them given the Supreme Court’s decision. So you do see some schools that have made a “we are forever test-optional” commitment but then there are schools that say they’re testoptional but actually accept a higher percentage of students who do submit test scores. It’s in the best interest of the student to submit test scores so long as they’re in the upper end of the middle 50th percentile of the most recently admitted class. Even if you plan to apply test-optional, sometimes there are merit scholarships that are tied to scores, and you won’t have the ability to be considered for those unless you have scores to submit.
Take a practice SAT and ACT in the fall of your junior year, decide which test is better for you, and take the actual test two to three times to make sure you can leverage the superscore (the average of your best scores from multiple test attempts).
If a student has their heart set on a certain school, should they apply as early decision or early action? What is the difference?
Early decision is binding, so any family that has financial concerns should be very clear about what they’re getting into with an early decision contract. Early action is always my recommendation, as it’s nonbinding. If a student is applying early action [but isn’t accepted initially], they can be deferred to the regular decision pool. In that waiting period, depending on the school, a student can submit supplemental materials, such as quarter I grades with teacher comments or additional letters of recommendation from those who can provide more support for the student, and continue to show demonstrated interest.
How can a student be prepared for not being accepted to their firstchoice college?
Students are told to “be yourself,” and if you feel you’ve been vulnerable and put yourself out there in the Common App, being denied doesn’t feel good. There is a lot that students are not in control of. Have reasonable expectations going in about what the projected outcomes could be, especially if the school is a “reach” school that you might have difficulty getting into. There are many schools that offer similar experiences as someone’s first choice but don’t share the same name, so have an openness to the type of school that best matches what you’re looking for. There are plenty of schools that are looking for students just like you.
How do students and parents tackle affordability?
I encourage students and parents to be honest about who’s responsible for
what costs, and for students to not have a list of schools that are way out of reach financially for their family. When researching schools, look at how generous a school is. I’ve seen several instances where students have received more merit aid from outof-state private schools than they have from an in-state public school. Look at the financial aid packages that were awarded by schools in the past. Students in 10th and 11th grade can start researching scholarships through the College Foundation of North Carolina. Also, the community college route is underrated. There are many students who have done two years of community college and had a 4.0 GPA transferring into a place like The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated without debt. Keep an open mind and think about all the different layers in how you can make college affordable.
From a counselor’s perspective, what do you tell students and parents to think about?
I tell students that they’re not going to have this opportunity to live under the same roof with their parents again, so we want senior year to be a really lifegiving year with them. If parents are anxious and overwhelmed themselves, that can spill over in how the student is experiencing it and influence their relationship with their child. Let the child lead in this process. We want our kids to know that we trust them, and that shows readiness for college. It’s a beautiful time in their life.
FREDRICK W. EVANS, JR. ’20 Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions for Diversity and Access Elon University
From a college admissions perspective, when should students start preparing for college?
It can start as early as middle school, but on high school transcripts, ninth grade is when everything really starts to have a lot of impact. This is also a time for selfreflection. What are your goals for college, what career path would you like to pursue, are you considering in-state or out-ofstate? It’s OK to go back and forth with these answers. Building a relationship with a high school counselor is crucial. Let them get to know you and the goals that you have. They can help you find the right college and, when you’re a senior, can even help you find scholarships. Allow them to help guide and support you through this process.
How can students determine if a college will be a good fit?
This is where self-reflection is important when it comes to personal interests. Understand what your beliefs and values are, and match them with a school. Be realistic about grades and test scores for
schools that require them, and the averages of admitted students, but don’t always allow those averages to deter you from applying— it is just something to keep in mind. Schedule a campus visit, but also pop up on a random day when tours aren’t scheduled. What is the vibe you get on campus, and does it feel like somewhere you’d be comfortable? Also, look at colleges’ social media pages to see what events are being put on through their clubs and departments, and how students are engaging with them. Lastly, ask your admissions counselor to connect you with current students, faculty, staff and/or alumni of the university to gain even more perspectives.
Colleges across the U.S. are seeing a precipitous rise in applications. How can students make themselves strong candidates for admission to a selective school like Elon?
There’s no magic formula, but it is true that there’s a holistic approach to Elon’s application review. We’re making sure that we’re continuing to bring in students from different backgrounds who show growth and leadership, are involved in the community (which can include having a part-time job or taking care of a family member), challenge themselves, have exceptional grades, and who show demonstrated interest in our school.
Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to limit the use of race in college admissions. How do universities such as yours ensure they’re selecting a diverse incoming class?
It is our job to build the most dynamic class that we possibly can. We believe
Elon University prides itself on its community feel, which is enjoyed by 6,300 students.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ELON UNIVERSITY
students learn the best when they’re around people coming from different experiences. Diversity doesn’t just mean race; it also encompasses people from many different backgrounds and experiences. Our goal is to build up the applicant pool with those from various backgrounds, and that certainly increases the chances of being able to admit an overall well-rounded class of students.
We welcome students to let us know about any identity—to the level at which they are comfortable—that has shaped them and their journey. This, in turn, can help the admissions counselor reading their application, as they will have a more full sense of the student.
Is it advantageous for a student to submit scores to a test-optional school such as Elon?
Elon is test-optional for the foreseeable future. Sending in test scores is something that could highlight a student’s academic strengths. But if students don’t choose to submit them, it wouldn’t negatively impact their admission to Elon.
What are the benefits of attending a smaller school?
Many students enjoy the community feel, finding familiar faces, and enjoy the smaller class sizes. Professors are able to really get to know you, too. Overall, this always helps students at a university like Elon to build lasting and meaningful relationships.
For students who are undecided on a major, what is your advice?
Take a variety of classes to get exposure to different majors and potential professional interests. Take advantage of the school’s professional development center to learn about careers. The university will support you, but you have to be the one to step up and figure out a plan for yourself with that support. Grad school is an option as well if you don’t find what you’re looking for as an undergrad. That’s the beauty of education.
Why is college so expensive?
The cost of living is going up all around, from groceries to college. If you consider all the services and benefits that a university such as Elon can provide behind the intentionality of engaged learning, that takes a lot to maintain. But it’s something we at Elon are definitely aware of, and we’re working to create more scholarship and grant opportunities for students and help them find avenues to support them while they’re here.
How can students and parents best approach the cost of college?
Have real and open conversations. Be able to visualize an amount, then get a rough estimate for a year and multiply by four, knowing it will fluctuate if you eventually change meal plans or housing arrangements. Also keep in mind some universities may increase tuition over the years you are there. Look at scholarship opportunities you can apply for. These could include university, community or national scholarships. A lot of students have some form of federal aid, whether
it’s through loans and grants or based on need. Work-study is a pretty common option that can help pay for other expenses that come up. Also factor in transportation costs getting to and from campus, and consider application fees, because these can add up quickly. Lastly, once a scholarship package is received, keep in close contact with the university admissions and financial offices upon your review of the package as there sometimes can be opportunities for review and adjustments within the package.
Should students apply to a safety school?
Yes, but make sure it’s a school you’ll thrive at and has the program you’re looking for. Just because a school has a lower academic profile than where you currently are doesn’t mean it is a bad school. Make sure it’s still a school you’d enjoy going to and will be successful at.
What practical advice do admitted students—who’ve gone through the entire admissions process—have for prospective applicants?
Take the application process seriously, but enjoy being a high school senior, too. Be sure you’re enjoying these moments and don’t let it consume your life too much. Also, explore and take deep dives into all the opportunities a university can provide. Ask questions when you don’t know something. Don’t be afraid to be your best advocate. And lastly, check your email! You never know what valuable information can be found in your inbox from a school, especially when it comes to applying to scholarship programs.
How can students make the best of their time at college?
Know yourself, your values and your goals. Lean on the support of mentorship, whether it’s an upperclassman, a staff member, or a faculty member who will be your biggest advocate. Have people in your corner to make sure you stay on pace. Enjoy the freedom and flexibility, but be smart and have fun being on a college campus. Lastly, maximize all the resources your university has. Those are there for you to take advantage of to thrive in college and beyond!
Students relax on the campus of Elon University, located an hour’s drive from the Triangle.
Durham resident Ava N. Simmons has turned her love of STEM into a successful nonprofit.
PHOTO S COURTESY OF TEAM GENIUS SQUAD
THE S.T.E.M. PRINCESS
LOCAL INVENTOR AVA N. SIMMONS INSPIRES KIDS WITH HER NONPROFIT, TEAM GENIUS SQUAD. BY KYLE MARIE MCMAHON
Ava N. Simmons loves to see things explode. She also loves slime, getting messy and helping others. Typical 11-year-old stuff.
But Ava isn’t your typical 11-year-old. She has turned that love of explosions and making messes into a successful STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) business, with three products now available in Whole Foods Market stores across the country.
Starting with a single YouTube video in 2020—when she was just seven years old—on how to make DIY hand sanitizer, Ava’s energetic spirit and love of STEM has fueled an entrepreneurial journey with a mission to support and inspire other kids like her. In fact, she started on YouTube after being diagnosed with dyslexia and dysgraphia, a condition that causes a person to struggle putting their thoughts into written words. Her mom, Tia, had noticed a shift in her daughter’s once happy-go-lucky attitude. She says she asked herself, “Why did she [all of a sudden] go from a kid that’s doing everything to a kid that is being mischievous? It just didn’t seem right.” Her instincts were correct. Ava was being bullied for her inability to read.
But even with the diagnosis, Tia didn’t feel like Ava was getting the help she needed in the school system. “I was reaching out and calling places, but I didn’t know what to do,” she says. She asked Ava about her interests and made the decision to start with videos on YouTube. “I’ll be a homeschooler. We’ll make scripts and she’ll learn how to read that way. And much of the reading that Ava has learned has been from scripting, presenting and doing interviews.”
From there, Tia let Ava take the lead, letting her passion and interests fuel her learning. After inventing her own formula for slime and making custom batches at home (covering the counter
with ingredients and rainbow sprinkles in the process), Ava sold it to classmates at school. But once the volume became unsustainable— she would often head to school with 20 large bags of slime—they found a manufacturer and turned Ava’s ideas into a nonprofit called Team Genius Squad. “She was so driven. I didn’t want to stop that,” Tia says. She wants other parents to consider the same approach. “Find out what your kids are good at. Listen to the ideas your kids have and consider them. At work, they tell us to be agile, innovative. I would like people to consider doing this at home.”
Ava has a fantastic support system—what she refers to as her Squad—filled out by her mom, dad, grandma, sister and three dogs. But Tia will be the first to tell you that Ava has accomplished all this success through her own hard work, creativity and determination to help others. The Squad has helped with behindthe-scenes tasks—from packaging and safety to photobombing videos—but Ava is the essence of the brand. She writes all her presentations and creates the products, reinventing toys and experiments from a kid’s perspective—including Miss CoCo, a continuous reactor she calls her “gigantic lava lady” that allows kids to perform multiple acid-based reactions and for which she was awarded a provisional patent.
Her next video, “How to Make Electricity With a Lemon,” caught the attention of PBS Kids. She did her first live event, performing experiments with Rootle, which blossomed into an ongoing relationship that continues today. Live events are Ava’s favorite, especially when they are with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Durham and Orange Counties. “It’s a fun family,” she says. “They call me Ava the Auntie. I do experiments with them, and we laugh and giggle and have dance parties.” For every product purchased from her store, she donates one to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Durham and Orange Counties.
In addition to teaching how to make slime, she performs her Alternative Energy series, showcasing three ways to create electricity using the sun, wind and lemons. She turned these experiments into kits and approached Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh, who offered them for sale in their store. These same kits were the ones to impress Whole Foods Market when she pitched to them, along with 20 other businesses, last fall. Somehow through all this, she managed to find time to author several books, invent new products and attend school.
And she doesn’t plan on stopping. Ava, known as The S.T.E.M. Princess, has several projects in the works, including The Mobile S.T.E.M. Lab truck, which will not only make setting up at events easier, but also spread her message beyond the local community. She got a head start on the latter when she appeared on “The Drew Barrymore Show” in February to perform her favorite experiment. Ava taught Drew and co-anchor Ross Matthews how to create an acidbased chemical reaction using vinegar, dish soap, baking soda and, of course, glitter. After the segment, the two hosts surprised Ava with a check for $5,000 from WonderWorks, a science-focused indoor amusement park with locations throughout the U.S., which was quickly matched by Drew. Ava plans to use part of the money for her own education, but the majority will be donated to the community, with the possibility of starting a Team Genius Squad scholarship.
Ava’s newest passion product is a plushie version of herself that will most certainly include her lab coat and statement necklace. She says, “Kids can take me everywhere with them and they’ll know that I’m always gonna be there and encourage them, to tell them, ‘You’re doing a good job.’” She wants to ensure everyone is represented by offering plushies in all ethnicities. “Our whole focus is not just helping kids; we want to make sure it’s diverse. People can feel like we don’t have to be different like that. We’re all equal.”
This sentiment is at the heart of Ava’s and Team Genius Squad’s mission. She started this journey because she felt excluded, and she doesn’t want others to feel the way she did. She wants all kids to know, “No matter what somebody says to you or how they make you feel, you are still gonna be successful.”
Learn more at teamgeniussquadinc.com and facebook.com/ teamgeniussquad.
Kids can discover their inner genius with Team Genius Squad’s science kits.
ABOVE: Ava performed her favorite experiment on “The Drew Barrymore Show” in February.
ON RIGHT, TOP: WonderWorks donated $5,000 to Team Genius Squad.
ON RIGHT, BOTTOM: Ava showed Drew Barrymore and Ross Matthews how to create an acid-based chemical reaction.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF ARTSPLOSURE, THE TOWN OF APEX, JUSTIN KASE CONDER AND JANICE LEWINE
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MILLSTONE CREEK ORCHARDS WHERE SUMMER’S EMBRACE AWAITS
BY JENNIFER PRIMROS E PHOTOS COURTESY OF MILLSTONE CREEK ORCHARDS
Nestled amid the serene landscapes of Ramseur lies a sanctuary of summer’s bounty—Millstone Creek Orchards. Far more than just an orchard, this destination embodies the season’s spirit, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in its idyllic charm. Under the visionary stewardship of Bev and Nick Mooney, the orchard’s roots intertwine with the dreams of Bev’s parents, Byrd and Diane Isom.
In the early days the land stood bare, devoid of the lush fruit trees that would later adorn its expanse. It began as a vision of simplicity—a serene retreat amid the rustic allure of rural North Carolina. Owner Bev Mooney recounts how the story changed depending on who told the tale. “According to my mom, we were going to plant 50 apple trees up here and sit up on Highway 64 and sell apples out of the back of a truck.” However, destiny had a different path in store. Inspired by their visits to nearby apple orchards, the Isom family’s aspirations took root, blossoming into a newfound passion for apple cultivation. What commenced in 2001 as a modest endeavor soon burgeoned into a thriving enterprise.
Each year, the orchard flourished, its landscape transformed by the emergence of buildings, the multiplication of apple trees and the introduction of additional fruits. The unveiling of The Apple Barn Country Store in 2004 marked a significant milestone, allowing visitors to partake in u-pick experiences and embrace the orchard’s abundant offerings. Over time, Millstone Creek Orchards continued to evolve, with the addition of culinary delights such as Granny’s Kitchen and the Sweet Retreat Ice Cream Parlor, each contributing to the orchard’s vibrant tapestry.
Today, Millstone Creek Orchards sprawls across 18 acres, offering a unique array of agricultural treasures—from succulent blackberries and blueberries to crisp apples and plump pumpkins—all ripe for seasonal picking. The grand opening of The Cider House this July promises an array of unique culinary offerings, refreshing libations and a breathtaking waterfront venue. The farm is expanding to include more products, such as hard cider, wine and sangria, while incorporating fresh fruit from the farm into its beverages and desserts, encouraging an immersive experience.
One of the captivating stories woven into the fabric of Millstone Creek Orchards is that of an old schoolhouse steeped in history and tradition.
Millstone Creek Orchards in Ramseur offers u-pick experiences and fresh tastings on its 18 sprawling acres.
Situated on the far reaches of the property, this building stood as a testament to community and education for over a century. As time took its toll and the structure aged, it was deemed unsafe and had to be removed from the property. Yet, from the remnants of this building, a new chapter emerged. The wood salvaged from the old schoolhouse will find new life within the orchard’s landscape, as it is destined to be featured in various areas of the property. For the owners, preserving this historic material symbolized a connection from the past to the future. As Bev aptly expressed, “I really love that past to future. I’m a karma kind of girl, so that for me really means a lot; they’re very intentional pieces.”
A popular activity for children is “Cow Cuddles @ the Orchard” on select days with the newest visitor, Dooley, a Highland cow from Jonestead Farm. “I’m going to put him with the poppies in one area so people can get out and visit the cows. They just love it,” explains Bev. Guests must have a reservation for this 30-minute experience, which takes them by hayride to an orchard location where they can spend time with Dooley.
Millstone Creek offers luxury picnics for adults to escape from the city. Be transported by hayride and enjoy a beautiful, two-hour private picnic. This curated activity, with three picnic options, is perfect for special occasions. Or, for a more casual, family-friendly experience, guests may opt for a two-hour waterfront picnic, including the option for catch-and-release fishing.
Families can also enjoy the Family Fun Days: Summer Celebration Series on select weekdays during July and August. The events typically last 60 to 75 minutes. They include an orchard hayride, an educational and tasting session about fresh fruits, an opportunity to pick fruits if available, a take-home item and a 4-ounce apple slushie.
At its core, Millstone Creek Orchards serves as a haven of seasonal delights and cherished memories waiting to be made. Here, the warmth of summer permeates every sun-ripened fruit, and the crispness of freshly pressed cider invigorates the senses. Whether you’re a local seeking respite from the daily grind or a traveler searching for authentic experiences, Millstone Creek Orchards welcomes you to revel in the magic of summer in Ramseur. Learn more at millstonecreekorchards.com.
TOP: The Apple Barn boasts a picnic area and playground. MIDDLE: Unique culinary offerings and live music await families at The Cider House.
BELOW: Construction of The Cider House nears completion. The waterfront venue features stunning sunset views.
Holly Springs summer baseball team offers high-level family fun
By Kurt Dusterberg
Holly Springs will probably never have a minor league baseball team, but it already has the next best thing— or maybe something even better.
The Holly Springs Salamanders are a collegiate summer baseball team that plays in the Coastal Plain League. There are more than 80 such summer leagues across the country, with hundreds of teams playing in small towns. The idea is to create a minor league atmosphere at the hyperlocal level. The Salamanders, who play in 1,800-seat Ting Stadium, make the most of America’s pastime.
“A lot of times people come out and say, ‘Wow, this park is a hidden gem!’” says Salamanders general manager Shari Massengill. “There are just so many people who don’t know we’re here.”
But baseball fans do find the team, which began playing in 2015. In 2023, Holly Springs attracted more than 33,000 fans to their 32 home games—their best attendance mark ever.
Massengill has worked in minor league administration since taking a job with her hometown team, the Kinston Indians, in
The Boyds have hosted several team players in their Holly Springs home.
PHOTO COU R TESY OF THE BOYD FAMILY
A lot of times people come out and say, ‘Wow, this park is a hidden gem!
1995. Before coming to Holly Springs, she spent a decade with the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves (which were renamed to the Gwinnett Stripers in 2018). After so many years in the minors, she knows the Salamanders stack up well as an entertainment option.
“It’s affordable family fun,” she says. “You can get in for $10, but you can upgrade that ticket to a $20 ticket and have a food voucher for two proteins, two sides, a cookie and a drink.”
The Salamanders host plenty of promotional nights that are also big draws in the minor leagues, such as Christmas in July, Star Wars Night and Halfway to Halloween. “Our mascot, Sal the Salamander, has a birthday every year. It’s usually a pretty popular game,” she says. “We don’t have a lot of budget for marketing, but we do the grassroots marketing like pocket schedules, going to events, farmers markets. It’s just getting our name out there.”
The players and community build a unique bond over the seasons. As with many collegiate leagues, the players come from college programs across the country. To make ends meet, they are housed with host families in the community.
Holly Springs residents Phillip and Kristin Boyd have hosted a different player each of the past three seasons. “Our two boys both love baseball, and we knew it would be a great experience for them,” Kristin says. “The players become family, and we
consider them to be like our sons. The boys think of them as their older brothers.”
The summer routine works for everyone involved.
“We see them in the mornings before they leave for the day to work out and go to games, and then we usually see them afterwards for late dinners or ice cream,” Kristin says. “The boys love playing video games with them and throwing with them. We go to almost every game to watch them play.”
Games at Ting Park have fan-friendly advantages. The turf field drains water immediately, so there is no waiting to take the tarp off the field after a rain delay. “It doesn’t matter how much rain we receive,” Massengill says. “If it isn’t raining at game time, we’re playing.” Many of the seats are under cover—for $12—and the concession stand offers a wide variety of popular ballpark fare.
And when the game is over, the fans can mix with the players. “Every single night after the game, win or lose, the players hang out by the third base wall and sign autographs for fans,” Massengill says.
If the ballpark experience sparks an interest for young fans, the Salamanders can help build the love of the game. The team offers a three-day baseball camp for position players (July 23–25) and a two-day pitchers camp (July 17–18). Both are for ages 7–12 and well suited for kids playing at the rec level. “They love it because they get to hang out with college baseball players,” Massengill says. “It’s really a fun time.”
The Holly Springs Salamanders formed in 2015 and attract thousands of dedicated fans each summer.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HOLLY SPRINGS SALAMANDERS/INSTAGRAM
The Salamanders play their home games in Ting Park, which offers covered seats and a concession stand.
PHOTO COU R TESY OF THE HOLLY SP R INGS SALAMANDE R S
SUMMER READING TIPS FOR BACKTO- SCHOOL READINESS
The lazy days of summer are here, and kids are enjoying this time to play, explore and relax. But summer recess is also a time when children’s literacy skills can slide due to inactivity. Creating a summer reading plan at home is a fabulous way to prevent learning losses and keep children inspired by the magic of the written word.
Here are a few tips from Karin Michel, youth and family experiences manager at Chapel Hill Public Library, and Abbe Townsend, children’s department manager at Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh, to keep the literacy momentum going during these leisurely days away from the classroom and, in turn, spark a lifetime love of reading and learning. BY JANICE LEWINE
1 MAKE A COZY READING NOOK
Whether it’s in the bedroom, on a hammock or by the pool, establishing a comfortable place for a child to read sets the stage for improved concentration and comprehension, and creates a more relaxed experience.
2 KEEP DIFFERENT READING MATERIALS AT HOME
Magazines, comic books, travel brochures, e-books, recipes and worksheets encourage a child’s discovery of the written word. “Any kind of reading is good reading,” Michel says.
3 VISIT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY OR BOOKSELLER
Let children choose what they want to read, whether it’s a nonfiction book, graphic novel, picture book, fairytale or book series. Michel explains, “Finding something that speaks to you individually or helps broaden your understanding of the world [helps you realize] anything is possible.” Having their own library card encourages a sense of empowerment over their choices and can generate even more active reading.
Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh offers a delightful children’s department and activities to inspire reading.
Townsend says, “It’s OK for children to re-read books that they love and to allow them to pick out some easier books to enjoy. Most of us grown-ups don’t spend all our time at the top of our reading level either.” She suggests early chapter books by Kate DiCamillo, Kelly Starling Lyons and Matthew Cordell; middle grade books by James Ponti, Karina Yan Glaser, B.B. Alston and Peter Brown; and young adult books by Tracy Deonn, Jennifer Lynn Barnes and Scott Reintgen. And while they date back a decade or two, beloved novel series such as “Harry Potter” by J.K. Rowling, “A Series of Unfortunate Events” by Lemony Snicket and Rick Riordan’s “Percy Jackson & the Olympians” enthrall legions of new fans.
4 JOIN SUMMER STORY TIMES AND BOOK CLUBS
These structured reading programs are offered at many public libraries and booksellers. Quail Ridge Books has two book clubs that kids may join anytime; registration is required. It also offers story time every Saturday, Sunday and Monday at 10:30 a.m. for all ages. Barnes & Noble hosts story times at several of its Triangle stores, and Page 158 Books in Wake Forest welcomes young readers the fourth Thursday of each month at 4 p.m. for Kids Book Club. Learn more at page158books. com/category/event-type/kids-book-clubs.
5 TAKE PART IN SUMMER READING CHALLENGES
Public libraries in Wake, Durham and Orange counties offer incentives to keep
kids reading. Chapel Hill Public Library, for example, hosts the “Summer Blast,” which includes a “30 for 30” challenge aimed at getting kids and adults to read 30 minutes a day for 30 days. Participants fill out a reading log and, when complete, earn a small prize. “We make the challenge easy and fun because we want you to succeed at reading!” Michel says.
6 ENGAGE RELUCTANT READERS
Graphic novels—with their text, images and word balloons enriching plots and narrative structures—have become popular in recent years and can be a good on-ramp for disinclined readers. Some of the most wellknown series are “Dog Man” by Dav Pilkey; “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” by Jeff Kinney; “Dork Diaries” by Rachel Renée Russell; “Magic Tree House” by Mary Pope Osborne, which began in 1992 as simple-to-read chapter books and have since been adapted into successful graphic novels; and the many heartwarming books by Mo Willems.
7 “READ “ AN AUDIOBOOK
Listening to a story offers unique benefits, such as developing and mastering visualization abilities, discovering new vocabulary and genres, introducing books above a child’s reading level, and being able to enjoy a story while commuting, according to Reading Rockets, a national public media literacy initiative. Audiobooks are beneficial to those with attention disorders and learning
disabilities like dyslexia. Many children enjoy reading along with an audiobook or drawing while they’re listening. The North Carolina Digital Library provides more than 9,000 free audiobooks for kids and adults through its Libby app, available on the App Store and Google Play.
8 TAKE A STORYWALK
Using pages from a deconstructed children’s book, a story is displayed along trails or walking paths on poster boards, encased in outdoor frames or attached to fences. Pages are often accompanied by activity prompts and thought-provoking questions. Find locations of StoryWalks and Story Trails in the Triangle at statelibrary.ncdcr.gov/nc-literary-trails/ story-trails-north-carolina.
9 READ ALOUD
“Reading out loud is 100% important, and that’s something we encourage with families. You’re spending quality time reading together,” Michel says. Townsend suggests having a family book club to read and talk about books together, and creating themed snacks to complement the reading material.
10 BE A ROLE MODEL
When children see grown-ups reading for leisure, they are learning that the activity can be enjoyable and not a chore. If you want a child to be a good reader, be one yourself!
The Chapel Hill Public Library holds thousands of books and offers a popular summer reading challenge for kids and adults.
UNDERSTANDING RESTRAINT COLLAPSE
BY MELISSA KEINAN, M.ED
As another school year begins, your child may experience an array of feelings as they transition into a new classroom, tackle social and academic challenges, and navigate developing relationships with peers and adults. Even if your child remains at the same school with familiar peers and adults, they may experience burnout at the end of the school day, often upon arriving home. This end-of-day burnout is commonly referred to as restraint collapse. Throughout the school day your
child has been the most held-together version of themselves, using an incredible amount of energy to navigate life outside of the home. The self-control and restraint they exert during the school day can turn into withdrawal, shutdown, tantrums or other challenging behaviors once they return home. This may cause parents to feel frustrated, confused and defeated. Understanding why restraint collapse happens and how you can support your child through it is crucial for fostering
emotional well-being and helping your child feel grounded and secure.
Create a calm, predictable afternoon routine for every age and stage. Notice your child’s energetic rhythm. Are they active when they get home from school or before dinner, or do they need downtime to re-energize? Learning your child’s natural rhythm will help you establish a routine that works for them. Allow your child to settle after school. Reduce chatting with your child when they come home or when they are picked up from school. “I’m so happy to see you!” and a quiet car ride home will give your child the opportunity to decompress organically after school and not use additional energy answering questions about the day. During bedtime, when your child is settled, is a wonderful time to have these conversations. Teach regulation tools your child already enjoys. Encourage them to use different tools to regulate, including looking at books, building, coloring or laying under a weighted blanket. Listening to music or putting on noise-reducing headphones or ear plugs (if your child is old enough) can also support children in regulating and reducing restraint collapse. Have healthy snacks ready. Some children are famished in the afternoon and need to replenish immediately. Having a filling smoothie or the rest of their lunch is a great way to get them energized for the afternoon.
Establish a consistent evening routine that is appropriate for your child’s age and stage. Getting enough rest is crucial for brain growth and is especially important when decreasing restraint collapse, because a tired brain can easily become a cranky brain.
Communicate. When your child is regulated, ask them what they need in order to best support them after school (or in the mornings, at bedtime, etc.) You may be surprised with what they come up with!
As parents we cannot predict every scenario and outcome our children may experience, but we can prepare ourselves— and our children—for moments of dysregulation and how they can be handled through preparation, teaching emotional regulation tools and keeping calm ourselves. In doing so, we lay the groundwork for building a more self-aware and resilient generation.
Melissa Keinan, M. Ed, is a neuro affirming parenting coach with over 25 years of experience. She specializes in early childhood development, neurodiverse parenting and IEP/504 development, as well as individualized and functional support for parents. Learn more about her services at helpmemelissa.com or at @helpmemelissa.
BABY GOAT ZEN HOUR
Wednesdays through Sundays in July and August, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Spring Haven Farm
5306 Homer Ruffin Road, Chapel Hill
Spend 50 private minutes with playful and curious goat kids, and feed them assorted treats. Price includes full admission to visit other animals at the farm as well. Purchase tickets online. springhaven.farm
PILOBOLUS CHILDREN’S MATINEE
July 6, 1 p.m.
Page Auditorium, Duke University
402 Chapel Drive, Durham
Pilobolus, an acclaimed dance theater organization, presents a 60-minute performance specially curated to inspire children’s imaginations. Enjoy a free kids party after the show at The Landing at the Bryan Center, featuring live music, face painting and more. Purchase tickets online. americandancefestival.org
BOOK HARVEST SUMMER BLOCK PARTY
July 13, 1–4 p.m.
Durham Bulls Athletic Park
409 Blackwell Street, Durham
Family activities and entertainment, and an abundance of free, culturally inclusive children’s books highlight this festival. Kids of all ages, from infants to high schoolers, can choose books to take home. bookharvest.org/block-party
SUNSET SWEETS AT BOND PARK
July 19 and August 16, 6–8:30 p.m.
Fred G. Bond Metro Park
801 High House Road, Cary
Take the family for tasty treats from local food trucks. Rent a boat from the Bond Park Boathouse and paddle on the lake until sunset. carync.gov
“PETER AND THE STAR CATCHER”
July 19–20, 7:30 p.m.; July 21, 3 p.m.
Cary Arts Center
101 Dry Avenue, Cary
Applause! Cary Youth Theatre delivers this wildly theatrical, Tony Award–winning story that playfully explores the depths of greed and despair—and the bonds of friendship, duty and love. Purchase tickets online. etix.com
FUQUAY-VARINA ICE CREAM SOCIAL
July 21, 4–6 p.m.
Fuquay Mineral Spring Park 105 W. Spring Street, Fuquay-Varina
Celebrate National Ice Cream Day at Fuquay Mineral Spring Park, where the town’s history began. Enjoy free ice cream, lemonade and iced tea. fuquay-varina.org
FAMILY MOVIE NIGHTS
July 20 and August 3; movies begin at 8:30 p.m.
E. Carroll Joyner Park 701 Harris Road, Wake Forest
Spread a blanket and enjoy a movie under the stars. Watch “Kung Fu Panda 4” on July 20 and “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” on August 3. Admission is free. wakeforestnc.gov
“CORTEO”
August 8–11
PNC Arena
1400 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh
A nostalgic clown looks back on his life dedicated to revelry and merrymaking. Cirque du Soleil transports audiences to a gravity-defying world filled with lively music and fanciful costumes. Purchase tickets online. cirquedusoleil.com/corteo
“EARTH AND SKY: A GREAT GATHERING FOR ALL BEINGS”
August 9–September 29
Forest Theatre
123 S. Boundary Street, Chapel Hill
Paperhand Puppet Intervention presents its 24th annual pageant showcasing fantastical creatures and animals of all shapes and sizes. Family-friendly performances are held Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m. with a 6:20 p.m. pre-show, and also on Labor Day. See the schedule for matinees. Purchase tickets online. paperhandpuppet.org
SUMMER BREAKOUT! BACK TO SCHOOL BASH IN THE PARK
August 21, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Downtown Cary Park 327 S. Academy Street, Cary
Kick-start the school year with interactive activities and fun crafts at Cary’s newest park. downtowncarypark.com
PACKAPALOOZA
August 24, 2–10 p.m.
Hillsborough Street, Raleigh
Packapalooza is North Carolina State University’s all-day block party and street festival capping off Wolfpack Welcome Week at the start of the academic year. Celebrate in NCSU style with family-friendly activities, food, music and entertainment. packapalooza.ncsu.edu
NIGHT NATION RUN
August 24; gates open at 5:30 p.m.
Koka Booth Amphitheatre 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary
Experience a music-filled running course with light shows, bubble zones, and neon and black lights. Cross the finish line into a Main Stage After Party. Event proceeds benefit Stand Up To Cancer. Ages 8 and younger are admitted free with a paying adult. Register online. nightnationrun.com/raleigh
“AMAZING POLLINATORS”
Through September 29
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 11 W. Jones Street, Raleigh
Explore immersive environments from around the world to discover the benefits pollinators provide to Earth’s ecosystems and the critical role they play in the food supply. Visit lotus flower blossoms in the rainforest; play classic parlor games with a twist, like invasive species shuffleboard; and watch moon flowers glow in the black light–illuminated Night Room, just for nocturnal pollinators. Purchase tickets online.
Be sure to check the websites for these events before you head out to ensure they are still taking place.
COME HUNGRY
New treats to taste, opportunities to learn and recipes to try
TRY
So you’re headed out on a road trip, and you don’t want to stop for fast food. Try letting the kids create some original snacks for the car. Gemsonthego.org suggests some options that will save time and money—and maybe get you where you are going on time.
• Veggie jars. Start with a shallow Mason jar and fill the bottom with hummus, ranch or another creamy favorite. Add carrots and celery to fill the jar. Store with an ice pack.
• Pantry trail mix. Here’s where creativity comes into play. Pretzels, nuts, M&M’s and raisins are tried-and-true options. But check out all the shelves of the pantry and take some chances. Dried bananas, baking-sized peanut butter cups and dry cereal all add a bit of sweetness.
• Mini peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Don’t overlook this obvious classic. Spread peanut butter on one of your favorite crackers, and your favorite jelly flavor on another. Put them together for an old-school favorite.
LEARN
Flour Power Cooking Studios
Raleigh, Cary and Holly Springs flourpowerstudios.com/locations
It’s never too early to get kids involved in cooking. Flour Power Cooking Studios offers fun, hands-on experiences for young chefs of all ages and skill levels. The classes teach essential culinary skills and promote imagination in the kitchen. The events range from one-hour classes to weeklong camps. A variety of classes are offered with engaging themes.
Start with a five-day Christmas in July camp for ages 5–12, featuring Christmas tree pizza, snowman pancakes and gingerbread buddies. Then in August the theme changes to Hawaiian-inspired foods, such as healthy pineapple upside-down muffins, Polynesian stir-fry vegetable noodles and molten lava cake.
In Cary, Flour Power has a Proud to Be an American class for preschoolers on July 20. The one-hour class focuses on patriotic parfaits and a buttercream flag cake.
Camps and individual classes are offered year-round. Parties, family events and adult classes are also available.
TASTE
Flying Biscuit Café
1103 Parkside Main Street, Cary
201 S. Estes Drive, Unit E2, Chapel Hill
9400 Brier Creek Parkway, Suite 101, Raleigh flyingbiscuit.com
Flying Biscuit Café serves breakfast fare through mid-afternoon, catering to lovers of delicious morning treats. The menu offers a variety of egg dishes, but there are plenty of creative selections as well. Hangover Hash is a potato dish with queso, chicken chorizo, eggs and more. Waffles, pancakes and French toast will grab the attention of those who want syrup on their breakfast. And if you make it to midday and are thinking about chicken, you can combine tenders with waffles, eggs and other items.
a’Verde Cocina + Tequila Library
2300 Walnut Street, Cary averdecary.com
a’Verde devotes one day a week for the whole family. Every Thursday from 5–10 p.m. children ages 10 and under can choose any meal from the kids menu for just 99 cents. Choose from a kid-sized quesadilla (chicken or cheese), burrito or chicken taco. The evening also includes face painting, bubbles and sparkler celebrations.
Burrito Shak
2982 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary burritoshak.com
Burrito Shak serves up tasty food quickly, making it suited for families on the go. The “Kiddos Menu” features the Minnow Burrito with choice of protein, along with rice and beans. The Grom Quesadilla and the Kiddo Tacos offer a choice of house-spiced chicken, pulled pork, seasoned ground beef or carne asada.
TAKE YOUR CHOICE Versatile Knightdale grad catches on with East Carolina football
When it comes to sports, Jason Dickerson can do a bit of everything.
He’s a football player at heart—he’s been a starter at wide receiver for three seasons with the Knightdale Knights. But he’s also a guard on the basketball team. And after not playing baseball for seven years, he joined the varsity team for his senior year. Did we mention track? He ran the 100-meter dash on days when he didn’t have a baseball game.
“My parents both played sports, so it really wasn’t too challenging for me to play different sports,” Dickerson says.
With his high school career behind him, Dickerson has finally chosen one sport: football. He will play at East Carolina University this fall as a preferred walk-on. At 5 feet 11 inches and 170 pounds, he will need to get bigger and stronger to play against athletes with a few more years under their belts.
“I really see it like starting over as a freshman [in high school] again,” Dickerson said. “In eighth grade you think you’re going to go against all these big guys, but you start getting acclimated and get used to it. So I’m not scared or intimidated by that.”
Dickerson averaged nearly 20 yards per catch as a three-year starter at Knightdale High School. He hopes that big-play capability will carry over to college.
“I think I’m versatile,” he says. “When I played Pop Warner (youth football), I made sure not to let just one guy tackle me. I try to stay elusive. I think that’s my best attribute—having the ball in open space. I’m also a good deep-ball threat.”
Some of his football savvy comes from his father, Rodney Dickerson, who played defensive back and linebacker at Duke University from 1985–89. “He had a big influence [on me],” the younger Dickerson says. “He taught me everything I know about football.”
Until he starts his football career in Greenville, Dickerson can think back on a remarkable trove of athletic memories. On the basketball court, he averaged 10 points per game for three seasons, making his mark with a smooth shooting touch. And football was more than just catching passes. He played quarterback for part of his senior year when the starter was injured. He also returned kicks and punts, a role that provided one of his most frustrating memories. During his junior season, he returned a kickoff 80 yards. With the end zone in sight, a defender closed in on him. “He dove at my leg, and I tried to jump over him,” Dickerson recalls. “I cleared him, but I landed awkwardly. I broke my fibula. I definitely would have scored.”
The Pirate-to-be had a 3.5 GPA at Knightdale High School and earned academic all-conference honors all four years of high school. “My dad went to Duke, so he’s always stressing grades,” Dickerson says. “My favorite subject is probably social studies, but I’m thinking more of going as a business major in college.”
Dickerson is comfortable now as a one-sport athlete. But if he had the chance to dabble in one of his other athletic endeavors at ECU, well, he wouldn’t rule it out without some thought.
“I like the idea, but it would be tough to play at that level in either of those sports,” he says. “Even in football, it’s tough playing. But if I had the opportunity, I wouldn’t think twice. I would definitely jump on it.”
Do you know a Good Sport who deserves recognition in our next issue? Email editor@trianglefamilymag.com to share your news.
Responsible [ri-spon-suh-buhl]
caring for someone or something as a part of a job or role
Future farmer! Hailey Brooke (8) of Raleigh plays with her pet rooster, Travis.
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