Depending on when you are reading this, the holiday season is either on its way or it’s already upon us.
This issue’s News Around Town section covers special ways each Western Wake town celebrates the holidays. I have been interested to see the communities’ unique personalities reflected in thei seasonal activities. I live in Cary, so I knew about the town’s Gifting Tree project, in which people and organizations decorate dozens of holiday trees that line the streets in downtown Cary—often very creatively!—and visitors vote on their favorites. Winners receive a donation to the nonprofit of thei choice. But I didn’t know that Morrisville’s police department has the Grinch in jail (played by a police officer) at their tee lighting. I didn’t know that Santa runs the Apex Southbound holiday train—a nod to Apex’s history as a railroad town. And did you know that Santa actually answers the letters children post in Santa’s Mailbox in Holly Springs and Fuquay-Varina if they are mailed early enough? The holidays are a great way to learn about how each town experiences fun and generosity.
One of the feature articles in this issue, meanwhile, has brought a long-standing argument I have had with my mom to a head. Kurt Dusterberg writes about Southern Supreme—a company in Bear Creek, about an hour southwest of here—that makes a fruitcake that is widely acknowledged to taste good, even by people who don’t usually enjoy fruitcake. This possibility creates a problem for me because in the face of my mother’s protests, I have long maintained that there is no such thing as a good fruitcake. If I find the Scott family has made one I lie, my mother will have bragging rights until the end of time. So I have a personal stake in this piece, but even for those who don’t have a vested interest in the subject, the article is an interesting read.
If you’re interested in supporting local businesses when you shop, our holiday gift guide offers many suggestions for presents you can give loved ones. From children’s books and chocolates to skin cream and style sessions, the guide offers suggestions for everybody. Each News Around Town section also tells readers where to buy delicious local baked goods and sweet treats, either for your holiday celebrations or just for breakfast on Saturday morning. (You will be hungry after reading these sections. You have been warned.)
This issue also has an article on the Cary Gallery of Artists and its pivotal role in integrating visual arts into the culture of Western Wake. For almost two decades, since well before the nearby Cary Arts Center or any other town cultural and art centers opened in Western Wake, the Cary Gallery of Artists has been bringing local creatives together to integrate visual arts into our communities. Two decades later, they are still going strong. I hope you find their stoy interesting.
Finally, we always feature people and organizations who give back to their communities in our holiday issue. The Carying Place has had a lot of success in helping working families with children find stable housing. That aticle talks about how they achieve their results. Each town spotlight in the News Around Town section also covers a nonprofit that is doing inteesting and useful work in the community. Sometimes, in the face of all the darker news we see in the world, it’s good to pay attention to how people all around are quietly spending each day doing their best to lift up others.
We at 5 West wish you all a joyful holiday season. Enjoy your family and friends, and the beautiful lights, music and other community offerings during this festive time.
Thanks, as ever, for reading!
Elizabeth Brignac, Editor
Photo by Jenn McKinney Photography
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MANA GING EDIT OR Elizabeth Brignac
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
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CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Jenn McKinney Photography, Josh Manning New Depth Creations
5 West magazine is published six times annually. Any reproduction in part or in whole of any part of this publication is prohibited without the express written consent of the publisher. Copyright 2024. All rights reserved.
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La Farm Bakery’s apple tart is one of
baked goods
inWestern Wake during
Photo courtesy of La Farm Bakery.
BY JANICE LEWINE
NURTURE YOUR INNER ARTIST AT ARTFULLY APEX
Featuring a wide variety of art supplies, display art and unique gifts, Artfully Apex recently opened at 111 N. Salem Street in Apex. Passionate about creativity, owners Nick and Bethany Bryant have also owned The Apex Gallery of Custom Framing at 125 N. Salem Street for the last 10 years. Their new venture brings DIY kits, art paper, jewelry, books, greeting cards and Apex-themed clothing to the heart of the historic district. 111 N. Salem Street, Apex 919.355.2030
artfullyapex.com
Photo courtesy of Janice Lewine.
J. CREW FACTORY OFFERS CLASSIC FASHIONS FOR LESS IN CARY
Offering classic and colorful styles for men, women and children, J. Crew Factory opened in July at 434 Crossroads Boulevard in Cary. A division of the well-known brand J. Crew, which makes quality clothes and accessories with character, J. Crew Factory offers preppy-inspired styles at a lower price point. Located in Crossroads Plaza, J. Crew Factory also offers in-store pickup and private shopping appointments. The store is open Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–9 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. 434 Crossroads Boulevard, Cary
984.360.6059 factory.jcrew.com
Photo courtesy of Janice Lewine.
ROSE & LEE COLLECTIVE LAUNCHES SECOND TRIANGLE LOCATION IN DURHAM
Rose & Lee Collective, a boutique that partners with conscientious brands committed to making the world a better place, opened its second Triangle location August 14 at 213 W. Main Street in Durham. Its wide selection of dresses, jumpsuits, tops and bottoms are thoughtfully designed to empower and transform women both locally and around the world. Rose & Lee Collective also operates a store at 104 W. Chatham Street in Apex and offers online shopping.
213 W. Main Street, Durham 919.372.5384
roseandleeco.com
Photo courtesy of Rose & Lee Collective.
MY TARTINE SERVES UP FRESH GRAB-AND-GO MEALS IN CARY
Located in the vibrant center square of Cary’s Fenton shopping district, My Tartine specializes in homemade sandwiches, salads and snacks. Classic sandwich favorites include egg salad and turkey and cheese, and creative sandwich twists feature chicken avocado and lamb shawarma. Caesar salad, Cobb salad and pasta salad add to the delicious offerings. My Tartine also has vegan options, as well as healthy selections for kids. Owners Sam and Jeanine Algharib source the finest local ingredients to ensure quality in every bite. My Tartine is open daily, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
201 Fenton Gateway Drive, Cary 984.301.1283
mytartine.com
Photo courtesy of Janice Lewine.
FRATELLI’S BRINGS TRADITIONAL DELI-STYLE FOOD TO APEX
Serving New York- and Chicago-style deli offerings, Fratelli’s Delicatessen opened its doors September 10 at the newly constructed Sweetwater Town Center in Apex. Fratelli’s extensive breakfast menu includes sandwiches, bowls, burritos and sides, while its lunch menu offers traditional hot and cold sandwiches, hot dogs, paninis and tasty items for kids. Prepared salads and a salad station are also available. Fratelli’s is open Monday–Saturday, 6:30 a.m.–7 p.m.
1481 Richardson Road, Suite 107, Apex 919.355.2059
fratellisdelicatessen.com
Photo courtesy of fratellisdeliapex/instagram.
HAVING THEIR CAKE—AND SELLING IT TOO
The often-maligned fruitcake has a loyal following thanks to a family business with a just-right recipe.
BY KU R T DUSTE R BE RG
No matter how you approach Southern Supreme Fruitcake & More on your drive, you encounter long stretches of rambling countryside. This section of southwestern Chatham County is the kind of deep country where many roads are identified by four-digit numers, while others are marked by someone’s first and last name.
Just when you wonder if you’ve lost your way to Bear Creek, the sprawling store appears along the roadside, bringing a sense of relief: Ah, here it is!
“I told Daddy when we built this, nobody’s going to come this far out in the middle of nowhere to buy anything,” says Randy Scott, one of the members of the family who owns the business. “Thank God he proved me wrong.”
That was 35 years ago—five years after his mother, Berta Scott, had an idea for a business.
“I had a little beauty shop,” Berta explains, sitting on a stool at the back of the retail store. “I got this cookie recipe and I started making it into a cake and serving it to my customers. They really liked it. I told them, ‘One day I’m going to quit doing your hair and start making my fruitcake.”
Berta’s dream seemed fanciful 40 years ago, but today Southern Supreme makes more than 220,000 pounds of its Old Fashioned Nutty Fruitcake at its 40,000-square-foot facility. In addition to the company’s signature item, visitors can also indulge in brittles, cookies, candies, cheese florets and jams. early all the recipes were developed by Berta, who has
OPPOSITE PAGE: The famous Southern Supreme fruitcake. Photo courtesy of Southern Supreme Fruitcake & More. THIS PAGE, TOP: The Scott family, owners of Southern Supreme Fruitcake & More. Photo by Kurt Dusterberg.
recruited two of her four children into the business, along with spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Randy has expanded the space nine times to include five kitchens, a warehouse, packaging and shipping space and the showroom.
Most people make the trek to Southern Supreme ahead of the holiday season, and the Scott family makes it worthwhile. By late August, the store is fully decorated for Christmas. A sampling room gets visitors’ taste buds up and running, and a tour of the kitchens only adds to the excitement of returning to the store. Peak season begins around October, when close to 125 employees handle the food preparation, packaging, mail orders and showroom sales. “About 90 percent of our business is the last eight weeks of the year,” Randy says.
Some of Southern Supreme’s charm is in its back story. Berta began making the Christmas confection in her daughter’s garage, where she fashioned a small kitchen out of old equipment and a pizza oven. A few local women would help produce 100 pounds of cake each day. “Then we came in at night,” Randy says. “We would move the cakes from my sister’s garage, just on the side of the road here, up to Mom and Daddy’s, and we would glaze,
plate and stand out in the aisle of those craft shows and ask people to sample it. They’d try it and say, ‘What was that?,’” Randy says.
After five years in the gaage, Berta’s husband, Hoyt, a paint contractor and stove builder, built the firs version of Southern Supreme in 1990, right there along Hoyt Scott Road. Yes, Berta’s husband was one of those Chatham County notables with his name on a stretch of the highway. “The local fire department wanted t name the roads after people the residents knew,” Randy explains. “Everyone knew Hoyt. This was before we started the business.”
Randy addresses the question that many people have surely wondered. “I feel like it would probably be known as Fruitcake Road if they had known all this would happen,” he says.
As the calendar moves deeper into autumn, the crowds grow larger at Southern Supreme. Sometimes there are a dozen tour buses in the parking lot at one time, pushing the number of daily visitors to more than 5,000. Guests are likely to receive a greeting from someone in the Scott family, including Berta, whose cheerful personality is a
Exterior of Southern Supreme Fruitcake & More. Photo by Kurt Dusterberg.
Southern Supreme sells candy, including brittles and pralines, in addition to their fruitcake. Photo courtesy of Southern Supreme Fruitcake & More.
The baking begins long before the store opens. The ingredients go through a process of cooking and stirring before they are shaped into cakes and pressed. The first fruitcakes of the day come out of the oven by 7 a.m. The kitchen produces 3,000 pounds of cake each day in preparation for the busy season.
The matriarch of the family is fully aware that fruitcake is widely disparaged by holiday lovers and foodies alike, who come armed with multiple complaints—it’s too dry; it’s too fruity; it has a weird texture. But when you’re the queen of fruitcake, you can ignore the naysayers. Berta figures she solved the issue for the masses.
“I tell everybody we took out the things they didn’t like,” she says. “If you put all those fruits together and they don’t blend, they have a terrible taste. We don’t put a lot of cherries in it because it clashes with a lot of the fruit. We have a lot of nuts. Southerners like nuts. Every once in a while, someone from up North comes
“I had a little beauty shop. I got this cookie recipe and I started making it into a cake and serving it to my customers. They really liked it. I told them, ‘One day I’m going to quit doing your hair and start making my fruitcake.’”
in and asks, ‘Have you got a cake that’s got more fruit in it?’ I say, ‘No, we don’t.’”
Randy, who worked in the furniture and floring industries before focusing on fruitcake, has also pondered the holiday hostility aimed at the family’s crowning culinary achievement.
“I get a little down-deep snicker when they say, ‘fruitcake?’” Randy says. “I say, ‘yeah, fruitcakes.’ It’s OK. It got me a nice boat.”
Southern Supreme has enjoyed increased sales every year, thanks to word-of-mouth publicity and a robust mail-order business. As for the fruitcake, the recipe remains the same as the original. The sugar, margarine and flour are complemented by pineapples, dates, raisins, pecans and walnuts. The finished prduct is firm and flavor-balanced, a noteworthy departure from holiday rivals. And while Southern Supreme owes its start to Berta and the humble fruitcake, it takes the whole Scott family to create an annual holiday tradition.
“Nobody thought we would be in the fruitcake business,” Randy says. “We found out early on that we could survive one another. You do what you do, and I do what I do. My mother and father, they wouldn’t stand for much fussing and fighting. e don’t argue. Everybody has a role.”
TOP: Southern Supreme’s Bear Creek critters: bite-sized confections made of chocolate, caramel and roasted pecans. BOTTOM: The company’s cheese floets blend sharp cheddar cheese with a special spice mixture. Photos courtesy of Southern Supreme Fruitcake & More.
The Carying Place
BY CAITLIN WHEELER
Every January, Wake County conducts a “point in time count” to determine the number of its people experiencing homelessness. Since some homeless families do not stay in shelters and encampments, an accurate figue can be hard to pin down. “It’s really hard to figue out the numbers,” says Leslie Covington, executive director of The Carying Place (TCP), “but the state estimates that there are over 6,000 kids who are experiencing homelessness in Wake County.”
Covington’s goal is to get that number to zero.
Historically, a “carrying place” is a portage trail between two rivers, allowing safe passage from one to the othe. The Carying Place of Cary provides a similar safe passage for working families, guiding them from homelessness int housing security. Covington’s team helps their clients with temporary housing, a strict curriculum of counseling and classes, and a lifetime of follow-up support. With 15 housing units, they have served over 500 families with over 1,500 children since they opened in 2015. Because they receive 100 applicants a month, TCP always has a waiting list, and they are constantly pushing to get more housing units so they can serve additional families.
TCP’S FAMILIES
With limited resources, TCP focuses on families who are homeless, have at least one school-age child and have fulltime jobs. They must be determined to do the hard work necessary to improve their situations. “We ask a lot of our families,” says Covington. “It’s not easy to share every detail
of your finances with another person. Its not easy to admit your mistakes or weaknesses.”
Dr. Debalina Chatterjee, TCP’s senior family support specialist, admires the resilience of these families, who have experienced everything from domestic ause and gun violence to the loss of a parent and food insecurity. “It’s really uncommon, how much they want to change their trajectory. They have this incredible spark,” she says. For Chatterjee, the magic happens when a family begins to trust the TCP team, and they start working together to achieve goals. “It’s a joy when they understand that asking for help doesn’t mean you’re helpless,” she says.
A “HOUSING FIRST” APPROACH
As soon as a family is accepted into the program, they move into one of TCP’s single-family homes for four months of rent-free living. “Whatever else is going on in life, whether it’s losing a job or domestic strain, all of it is all easier when you’re housed,” says Covington. From this place of security, each family has an opportunity to get a handle on their budget, to save money and pay off bills. Covington says fur months is usually enough time for a family to pay off debt and improve a credit score, making it easier for them to get housing going forward.
Chatterjee then visits the home to assess the family’s broader needs. She helps with determining school enrollment and child care; establishing a plan to minimize parent driving; ensuring access to health care, healthy food and seasonal clothing; and strategizing with families to maximize
their savings. “It is like figuring ut a puzzle,” says Chatterjee, “and it is both challenging and rewarding.”
Covington says that with stable housing, a family can substantially change their trajectory in four months. Almost 85% of TCP families complete the curriculum; almost all pay off their debts and some not only pay off debts, ut exit the program with money in savings.
TCP’S CURRICULUM
“Everyone comes in saying, ‘I want to buy a house,’” says Dr. Michael Pearson, TCP’s program director. “But success is measured differently for different families, and home ownership is not always the goal.” Instead, TCP’s Journey Home program is meant to empower families to achieve long-term self-sufficiency. “Every minute, we are cheerleaders for our families,” says Pearson, “but we are also very serious about our educational program.”
The TCP curriculum has four pillars: life skills, financial liteacy, career development and housing preparedness. Of these, Covington says financial liteacy is the most important. “People don’t realize how much personal finance is the hallmar for getting out of poverty,” she says. “There are so many entitlement programs out there, but they are only a buffe. They’ll never give you all the money you need for food, housing and education. We are trying to get our families to a place where they can take care of themselves long-term.”
Much of the curriculum is covered in mandatory Thursday evening sessions, which include separate programs for adults, children and teens. Meetings typically include dinner and expert guest speakers who discuss everything from paenting tips and interviewing and networking skills to financial liteacy for teens.
THE TEAM
“I’m so impressed with the incredible bonds of trust the TCP staff ceates with its families,” says Heather Whelehan, director of housing and community partnerships with the
The Carying Place (TCP) only accepts families with school-age children (ages 0–18). The program identifies needs and connects paents with Wake County resources to help meet those needs.
“We absolutely rely on volunteers,” says executive director Leslie Covington. Here, a volunteer group from MetLife prepares to serve a Thursday evening meal.
TCP offers a special children’s program. “We are reminded every day how well children respond to stability and consistent encouragement,” says Dr. Debalina Chatterjee, TCP’s senior family support specialist.
Town of Cary. TCP’s staff of nine brings a variet of expertise areas to their work. For example, Covington has a deep understanding of mental health and the community that TCP supports. Pearson brings a Ph.D. in social justice and health services for a policy-level approach to problemsolving. Chatterjee brings a passion for the program that extends to her having left a caeer in biotech to focus on community empowerment. “It brings me so much joy to help these amazing families get unstuck,” says Chatterjee.
The TCP team extends well beyond their paid staff. “We absolutely rely on our many wonderful volunteers,” says Covington. Dozens of TCP volunteers do everything from serving Thursday night dinners, to making TCP homes welcoming and comfortable and to leading teen support programs.
A COMMUNITY NETWORK
Can a program as small as The Carying Place actually make a diffeence with a problem as big as homelessness? “Absolutely,” says Whelehan. Cary, like other local governments, relies on partnerships with private and nonprofi organizations to meet its community goals for housing stability.
“There are so many resources available in Cary and Wake County,” says Chatterjee. “When we can’t help, we usually know another organization or government program that can, and in return we often get eferrals from othe nonprofits”
“Homelessness can feel like a big macroeconomic trend that is out of our control,” says Whelahan, “but I don’t buy into this ‘It’s just a fact of modern life’ mindset.” She adds that TCP and other nonprofits ae doing this work at a critical time. “Our region is in a growth stage,” she says, “and we still have the opportunity to shape our communities.”
The Town of Cary has long partnered with TCP to increase the nonprofits impact. This year, the town has given TCP a grant to buy two additional properties. A larger partnership is also underway: Cary is working with Greenwood Baptist Church, TCP and DHIC, Inc.—a nonprofit that uilds affodable housing—to redevelop the church site at 110 SE Maynard Road, adding affodable housing, daycare facilities and community programming areas for TCP’s Journey Home program.
“We couldn’t do what we’re doing without TCP,” says Whelehan.
To learn more about The Carying Place and how to help, go to thecaryingplace.org
2024 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
Need gift ideas for loved ones on your list? Our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide offers homegrown options for everyone. Shop local this holiday season, and bring your friends and family the best of the Triangle.
Note: Some items are available for online purchase only.
Lovelight Candle Vessel, $43 Lovelight Candle Refill, $10 Home for Entertaining | homeforentertaining.com
Customizable Gift Boxes (Box as Shown), $132 Mindful Merchant mindfulmerchantnc.com
Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas Hardcover Box Set, $99 Quail Ridge Books quailridgebooks.com
Acorn Bell Ornament, $15 Designed for Joy designedforjoy.com
Cucumber Melon Ring Candle, $29.97 Diamond Candles diamondcandles.com Coupon code 5WEST10 for a 10% discount
Santa’s First Christmas by Mac Barnett, Illustrated by Sydney Smith (Hardcover), $18.99
Quail Ridge Books quailridgebooks.com
Jasmine Coconut 11 oz Candle, $48 The NOW Massage | thenowmassage.com
Flexible Diamond Bangle Bracelets, Prices Range from $1,160–$3,500 Holland’s Jewelers hollandsjewelers.com
Simply Pump by Valentina Rangoni, $360 Rangoni Firenze Shoes | rangonistore.com
Marco Pescarolo
Senior Year Photography Sessions, Starting at $1,200 Jenn McKinney Photography | jmfhoto.com
WOMEN OF WAKE
DR. SUSAN CATCHINGS
WHAT ASPECT OF YOUR WORK ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
For over 30 years as a nurse practitoner, I’ve had the privilege of serving a large community of patients, from newborns to the elderly, in North Carolina. It is an honor to be their health care provider and to see their lives changed.
WHERE DO YOU FIND ENERGY AND INSPIRATION FOR WHAT YOU DO?
Working in health care can be very draining, but the people—both patients and coworkers—make every day rewarding. Most days, someone tells me how I’ve positively impacted their life, and that inspires me! I pray for wisdom every day.
WHAT ARE SOME WAYS WOMEN IN YOUR FIELD CAN REACH OUT TO AND SUPPORT PEOPLE—OTHER WOMEN ESPECIALLY—WHO ARE JUST STARTING OUT?
My work has given me the privilege of helping to raise up the next generation of nurse practitioners and entrepreneurs. I’ve loved passing on what I’ve learned by being a professor to future nurse practitioners at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and now by working with Duke University School of Nursing as a mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs, who are mostly women.
DR. SITI LOWERY
WHAT ASPECT OF YOUR WORK ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
I take immense pride in transforming what some consider to be vulnerable moments into confident smiles, guiding patient with compassion and grace. Building Lowery Smiles into a premier practice with a top-tier team is the fulfillment of m professional dreams.
WHERE DO YOU FIND ENERGY AND INSPIRATION FOR WHAT YOU DO?
My energy and inspiration come from my faith and my relationship with God. Dentistry is a calling, and the support and encouragement of my family empower me to serve my patients graciously in excellence as we create their forever smiles together.
WHAT ARE SOME WAYS WOMEN IN YOUR FIELD CAN REACH OUT TO AND SUPPORT PEOPLE—OTHER WOMEN ESPECIALLY—WHO ARE JUST STARTING OUT?
Mentorship and coaching are imperative in supporting newcomers in the field Experienced dentists should openly share our experiences—both good and bad—so others can learn and grow. We can encourage the next generation to embrace lifelong learning, stay on the cutting edge of research, extend awesome care and always serve in excellence.
LUXURY HOME MARKETING GROUP
luxuryhomemarketinggroup.com
WHAT ASPECT OF YOUR WORK ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
We take great pride in the long-standing collaboration among our members, who continually share their knowledge and marketing strategies to better serve our clients in the luxury home buying and selling market.
WHERE DO YOU FIND ENERGY AND INSPIRATION FOR WHAT YOU DO?
We are inspired by our peers in this group, fueled by a 20-year legacy of remarkable women who have built a foundation of collaboration, positivity and learning. We proudly carry this tradition forward by sharing knowledge and supporting one another to deliver the highest level of service in the luxury home market.
WHAT ARE SOME WAYS WOMEN IN YOUR FIELD CAN REACH OUT TO AND SUPPORT PEOPLE—OTHER WOMEN ESPECIALLY—WHO ARE JUST STARTING OUT?
Women in the real estate industry can support those just starting out through collaboration, attending each other’s events, staying connected, offering support and sharing knowledge. By listening to new agents’ unique challenges, providing resources and mentoring them, we help them develop best practices while sharing our own experiences and expertise.
Front Row: Leslie Young, Coldwell Banker HPW Global Luxury; Cara Pierce, Compass; Kimberly Conroy, Coldwell Banker HPW Global Luxury; Jill Rekuc, Olde Raleigh Real Estate; Ann Matteson, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices YSU
Back Row: Shawn Britt, Realty World-Triangle Living; Sheri Hagerty, Hodge & Kittrell Sotheby’s International Realty; Mollie Owen, Hodge & Kittrell Sotheby’s International Realty; Debbie Van Horn, Compass; Margaret Sophie, Coldwell Banker HPW Global Luxury; Kathy Beacham, Coldwell Banker HPW Global Luxury; Margaret Struble, Compass; Jonay Zies, Compass; Linda Trevor, Compass
APEX CELEBRATES
BY DAVE DROSCHAK
Apex leans hard into the holiday season. The town runs the only night parade in Wake County; more than two dozen homes volunteer to set up festive outdoor light displays in the Holiday Tour of Lights; and a Southbound Santa drives the town train. Here are a few of the many ways Apex comes to life during the holiday season.
THE TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
The Depot in downtown Apex becomes the center of holiday spirit with the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, a beloved Apex tradition that will be held on December 6 this year. New to the event this year will be Southbound Santa. “Since Apex is so famous for its trains, Southbound Santa is the one who is going
to drive the train,” says Lisa Raschke, the Town of Apex’s special events manager. Over the years, Apex has received a ton of attention for its rich holiday celebrations, and 2024 will be no different. “We definitely fcus on Christmas, and this year we will have town events that really involve the community,” says Raschke. Groups from
Apex artist Lewis Wilson often donates watercolors for charity auctions during the holidays, including prints of his popular 2018 “Snowy Day,” which depicts South Salem Street in the snow. You can find this piece and moe of Wilson’s artwork at lewwilsonart.com. Photo courtesy of Lewis Wilson.
elementary, middle and high schools will perform with bands, choruses and dance groups. “That brings the parents out, and it’s super engaging,” Raschke says. Youth groups will also be making reindeer food for Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and the town will provide free themed cookies and hot beverages. “It’s such a nice, downtown feel,” says Raschke. “And we’re making sure the businesses enjoy some of the holiday prosperity with a new Snowman Trail, where patrons can go into the different businesses and win prizes.”
THE APEX ROTARY CLUB GINGERBREAD HOUSE COMPETITION
Fo r more than a decade, Karen Barlow has participated in the National Gingerbread House Competition in Asheville. Barlow has enjoyed it so much she wanted to bring a similar event to her hometown of Apex. The Apex Rotary Club’s inaugural Apex Gingerbread House Competition, spearheaded by Barlow, will be judged privately on
December 7. Winners from the youth, teen and adult categories will then have their creative handiworks displayed in downtown businesses during the holiday season.
So what makes for a gingerbread house winner? “It is precision, neatness, consistency of theme and color,” Barlow says. And the competition isn’t limited to just houses. “It could be anything,” Barlow says. “We’ve seen boats, lighthouses— but everything from the board up has to be edible. It’s up to the contestants’ imaginations.”
LIGHTING THE APEX WATER TOWER
Working for Duke Energy for close to two decades, the holiday season for Eric Neumann signaled nothing more than a workload slowdown and time off. That all changed when he took over as director of Apex Electric Utilities. Neumann and his crew are responsible for hanging the downtown lights and garland, as well as constructing the town’s 20-foot tall
Christmas tree and its lighting. And it was Neumann, with experience lighting bridges in New York, who convinced the town to fund a project to light the water tower near Town Hall. During December, the tower now shines with red and green lighting and other holiday themes.
“I sold the town on the idea of using the water tower as a showpiece, to light it up for special events like Christmas,” Neumann says of the $150,000 investment three years ago. Neumann’s team runs the LED lights and can produce an array of holiday scenarios. “There are lights around the top of the walkway that are called necklace lighting,” he says. “Hundreds of bulbs get lit up, and we can change the colors on them and do anything we want. I mean, we can really get it to dance. It’s really cool for people to see when they drive by.”
APEX ROTARY CHRISTMAS PARADE
The Apex Rotary Christmas Parade has a rich history and a unique setting.
Seasonal paintings on the windows of the Halle Cultural Arts Center. Photo courtesy of the Town of Apex.
“People really embrace our night concept, especially the marching bands,” says parade chairman Robert Carmac. “They’ll wrap their instruments with lights, so it’s a good show, especially when the parade gets to downtown.”
“The whole town just kind of lights up as the parade comes through,” says Raschke. “What’s nice about a night parade is, it feels special.”
Once it hits downtown, the 2-mile parade route along Salem Street gets ultra cozy. “There is no other place in Wake County where you have the downtown buildings, the sidewalks, the closeness,” Carmac says. “I mean, you can reach out and touch people in the parade, and people have to move their
feet so the marching bands can walk down the street.”
The December 7 parade starts at 5 p.m. and will include 10 marching bands, majorettes, dance teams, costumed dogs, jump ropers, classic cars and colorful floats. pwards of 25,000 people attend on a good-weather night. The Apex Rotary Club typically hands out over 300 pounds of candy to kids along the parade route. The event is one of the Rotary’s biggest fundraisers, and this year’s proceeds will benefit estern Wake Crisis Ministry. “We love organizing it, we love seeing how it unfolds and we love seeing all the kids get candy,” says Carmac
Apex’s evening Christmas parade lights up the night. Photo courtesy of the Town of Apex.
Southbound Santa will be driving the holiday train in Apex this year. Photo courtesy of the Town of Apex.
Mr. A’s Beignets, served with a snowfall of powdered sugar. Photo courtesy of Mash Photography.
Where To Go For Baked Treats
BY PAIGE HACHET JACOB
If food is an expression of love, then Apex eating establishments must truly adore their clientele. The charming town boasts must-visit bakeries and cafes as well as food trucks selling flouy treats to satisfy any sweet tooth. Buy baked treats like scones, cannoli, biscotti and muffins, or decadent chocolate trufles, macarons and more at Common Grounds Coffeehouse & Desserts in the Salem Street Promenade building downtown. On the opposite end of Salem Street, Apex welcomed a new corner bakery, The Cranky Yankee (in the former location of A Taste of Brooklyn) on October 4. Their menu features Italian favorites like tiramisu and cannoli as well as Brooklyn blackout cake, Italian cream cake, 25 flaors of cheesecake and more.
Apex also has food truck options to curb any craving. Visit Mason Street to savor crepes and croissants at the Paris Delight Bakery & Creperie, which also offers the delectable cronut—a combination of a croissant and a donut. Mr. A’s Beignets sells New Orleans–style beignets with chicory coffee, and features gingerbread man–shaped beignets this time of year. Visit Crumb & Cream on Upchurch Street for scrumptious cupcakes, lattes and more, including chess pie and New York crumb cake for the holidays. Check the food truck websites for exact locations and menu options throughout the week.
On the northwest side of Apex, across from Beaver Creek Commons, is Bonafide Baeshop & Cafe. Enjoy a decadent bakery treat, such as a piece of crumb cake or a jam thumbprint cookie, while sipping on a specialty coffee.
SPOTLIGHT
Rose & Lee Collective: Fashion With Heart
BY DAVE DROSCHAK
good or are we just asking people to stuff their houses full of more stuff that they don’t need?”’
In 2012, Brennan began researching environmentally friendly clothing companies with a long-range goal of opening a store she could call her own and focus on what she calls “ethical fashion.”
Her dream was realized fie years ago this November when she co-founded Rose & Lee Collective in downtown Apex. The women’s apparel and accessories store at a vintage house location along West Chatham Street stocks brands that practice fair trade, execute labor audits, encourage water recycling, use organic fabric, and many more causes close to Brennan’s heart.
“Fashion can be a really dirty industry,” Brennan says. “A lot of clothing factories are unregulated, with people working 15- or 18-hour shifts and being paid pennies per hour. And there are governments that don’t heavily audit the facilities to ensure there’s no child labor or slave labor.”
Amber Brennan was in her early 20s, working in corporate America for a bigbox store, when she realized something was amiss in the global world of clothing retail.
“In a management role I learned a lot about fast fashion and some of the devastating impacts it was having on both people and the planet,” says Brennan. “There was this consumer mentality of push, push, push to get your baskets filled up. I was lie, ‘Wait, what are we really accomplishing here? Are we doing any
Brennan stocks brands that give a percentage of sales to her ethical fashion mission, and she also hosts an annual boutique crawl and numerous private shopping parties that donate to local Apex charities.
“Giving is definitely one of our bigges reasons for existing,” she says. “And we kind of weave that into the fabric of what we do. There are some people who want to hear the stories of every brand and the good they’re doing, and there are some people who just want a cute and comfortable shirt. So for us it’s also focusing on high quality with items that are going to last you, season after season.”
TOP: Amber Brennan, Founder and CEO of Rose & Lee Collective. Photo by Caitlyn Rogers. BOTTOM (Left to right): Christina Long, Apex store manager; Amber Brennan; Caitlyn Rogers, marketing manager. Photo by Negin Naseri.
CARY CELEBRATES THE
BY JUDITH COOKIS RUBENS
There is plenty of holiday cheer around the Town of Cary this winter. The most popular events date back decades—one even recalls Victorian Christmases of old. But newer shopping and dining complexes are adding activities that promise to become family favorites. Here’s a sampling of holiday events in Cary.
BRINGING IN THE HOLIDAYS
On December 7, downtown Cary brings in the holiday season with a day full of
events. From 2–5 p.m., visitors can enjoy an event unique to Cary: the Victorian Christmas at the Page-Walker, which takes place at the historic Page-Walker Arts & History Center. Carolers dressed right out of Dickens’ time will entertain visitors with song and storytelling, while guests enjoy refreshments by candlelight in the historic former hotel. After enjoying Victorian fun, walk to the nearby downtown Cary Park, where food, entertainment and performances will lead up to the evening’s towering Tree Lighting Ceremony
LANTERNS AND LIGHTS
The tree lighting is only one of many celebrations of lights to be enjoyed in Cary this holiday season. One of the Triangle’s most sought-after holiday tickets is the stunning North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival, back for a ninth year at Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre from November 16–January 12. The 8-week run promises more than 40 new features in the Chinese tradition of magical lantern displays. Think larger-than-life dragons, vibrant animals and flowers of all kinds. As part of the event
Christmas tree in Fenton Square.
Photo courtesy of Fenton.
Chinese cultural arts performances will take place nightly on the Koka Booth main stage.
Visitors and residents love strolling downtown Cary on a clear night, enjoying the lit-up trees along South Academy Street and vivid holiday light displays in and around Downtown Cary Park. While walking, look for Gifting Trees—the town’s annual themed Christmas trees decorated by local groups and businesses. Vote on your favorites on the town website. The tree with the most votes wins a donation to the nonprofit group of their choice, courtesy of The Mayton.
On Christmas Eve, a glow illuminates many Cary residential neighborhoods as paper bag lantern luminaria line the curbs. Local Girl and Boy Scout troops distribute the lanterns as a service project fundraiser, a tradition that has been embraced by many Cary residents.
The end of December brings the Hanukkah Menorah Lighting at 5:30 p.m. on December 30. This downtown celebration features treats, children’s activities and holiday music. Late December will also include the town’s annual Kwanzaa Celebration, honoring African American heritage through live performances and visual art. Light your kinara (the traditional Kwanzaa candelabra) and join the fun!
HOLIDAYS ON STAGE AND SCREEN
Cary celebrates the season through dance, music, theater and film. One of Car’s longest-running holiday events is the 50-year-old Cary Community Choir’s production of the Christmas portion of Handel’s “Messiah.” This free event is set for 7:30 p.m. December 8 at Westwood Baptist Church. “The Motown Sound of Christmas,” a soulful celebration with new music, will take place at the Cary Arts Center on December 27 at 7:30 p.m.
Onstage, enjoy Cary Ballet Company’s annual production of “The Nutcracker,” which will take place this year December 20–22 at the Cary Arts Center. For a new twist on an old tale, you can also catch the Cary Players solving a “Dickens” of a mystery in “A Sherlock Carol,” December 5–9, also at the Cary Arts Center.
Those wanting a more interactive viewing experience can join other classic
movie buffs for the annual Cary “White Christmas Sing-Along” at The Cary Theater. Families can also enjoy the Will Ferrell classic, “Elf” at The Cary—complete with a snowball fight (snowballs provided!)
JAYCEES CHRISTMAS PARADE
This season marks 45 years for the famous Cary Jaycees Christmas Parade, happening from 2–4 p.m. on December 14 this year. Filled with classic cars, homemade floats local bands and costumed entertainers, the parade marches through downtown, ending at Downtown Cary Park, where holiday entertainment continues until 9 p.m.
SHOPPING AND DINING
Local businesses offer an eclectic variety of holiday fun this year. Browse the creatively sculpted gingerbread houses on display at local businesses from December 7–15 as part of the town’s Gingerbread House Competition
Find special gifts from local makers and sip on mulled wine or spiked cocoa at The Mayton Holiday Market from 2:30–5:30 p.m. on December 22 at Cary’s The Mayton.
Seeking a North Pole–themed dining experience? Sample delicious Brooklynstyle pizza pies from Di Fara Pizza Tavern from the warmth of a private heated igloo on the patio. (No need to rush with this one—you can enjoy these cozy dining spots from December 1–February 28.)
The fast-growing Fenton district welcomes the return of its popular ice skating rink from November 7–February 7 with themed skate nights and kids’ skate mornings. Fenton lights its tree square from 3–7 p.m. on November 23, with ice skating and old-fashioned carriage rides around the property. Santa will be there, too, in his very own igloo—ready for family photos or pictures with the family pet.
T O LEARN MORE
For Town of Cary holiday events: under the Recreation & Enjoyment section of the Town of Cary webpage at carync.gov, you will find vents listed on the left sidebar. From that list, select Holiday Events. Many activities listed here are part of Heart of the Holidays.
For the Cary Community Choir, go to carycommunitychoir.org.
For Fenton Events, go to fentonnc.com/events.
For the Chinese Lantern Festival, go to boothamphitheatre.com and look under Events.
For events at The Mayton, go to themayton.com/hotel-events
To book an Di Fara Pizza Tavern igloo, go to difarapizzatavern.com
Cary Ballet Company performs “The Nutcracker” at the Cary Arts Center. Photo courtesy of Cary Ballet Company.
Where to Go: Cary Bakeries
With the holidays fast approaching, it’s helpful to know the best places for scratch-made breads and baked goods. Cary has bakeries from many cultures, each with its own specialty.
BY JUDITH COOKIS RUBENS
ANNELORE’S GERMAN BAKERY
This authentic Bavarian-style pastry house makes Old World breads, delectable pastries and other confections. Owners Annelore and Norbert Gstattenbauer import German flour an chocolate while sourcing nuts, fruit and honey locally. The bakery is known for its Brötchen bread rolls, layered sponge cake and cream Donauwelle and, of course, authentic Bavarian pretzels. 308 W. Chatham Street, Cary anneloresbakery.com
ASALI DESSERTS & CAFE
This award-winning cafe and coffeehouse specializes in Mediterranean-style pastries and desserts. Guests can enjoy savory items like spinach or cheese pie or breakfast pastries made with eggs. They can order desserts, from exquisitely decorated tarts and napoleons to small pots of tiramisu, mousse and pudding. The cafe also offers a bounty of sweet, flaky pastrie like baklava, lady fingers and kullaj. Enjoy your treats with an artistically designed espresso drink or a pot of blooming tea. Custom-order cakes and other pastries are also available. 107 Edinburgh South Drive, Suite 106-A, Cary asalievents.com
BAGHDAD BAKERY & MARKET
Family-operated for a decade, Baghdad Bakery often samples its warm samoon, a diamondshaped Iraqi bread, straight from a brick oven. This bakery/market in Chatham Square stocks the best brands from the Middle East, plus dried fruits and dates, flou, rice and spices. 742 E. Chatham Street, Cary
BRECOTEA BAKERY & CAFÉ
Brecotea is a standout Asian-style bakery and boba tea shop boasting modern décor, fun hangout vibes and fresh-baked Taiwanese delights. Flaky chocolate Danishes and berryand-cream-filled coissants sit alongside more unusual but savory options like butter pork floss buns or purple yam ube bread.
1144 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary cary.brecotea.com
LA FARM BAKERY
This year, internationally acclaimed French baker Lionel Vatinet celebrates 25 years of serving artisan breads, pastries, sandwiches and specialty products to the Triangle. La Farm’s signature loaf is a light sourdough (a three-day recipe) in a fie-pound boule, as enjoyed in the French countryside. Look for seasonal Linzer challah, snowman-shaped loaves and chocolate yule log cakes (bûche de Noël).
A Triangle custom cake shop for 25 years, this homey downtown spot bakes elaborate wedding cakes, pies, cheesecakes, cookies and sweet breads. Pie lovers won’t find fault with three kinds of apple, not to mention a sweet potato pecan delight and chocolate chess pie.
115-G W. Chatham Street, Cary bluemoonbakery.com
PANADERIA GUADALAJARA
The goodies baked fresh daily at Panaderia Guadalajara represent some of Mexico and Latin America’s most popular sweet breads. These pan dulce are a breakfast pastry known to have hundreds, if not thousands, of recipe varieties. Look for fun takes on concha (Spanish for seashell), a cookie-topped crust atop a sweet roll. Pan dulce are best enjoyed dipped in coffee or hot chocolate.
1379 SE Maynard Road, Cary
Fruit- and cream-filled pastriesfrom Brecotea Bakery and Café Photo courtesy of Judith Cookis Rubens.
Linzer challah. Photo courtesy of La Farm Bakery.
Sahlab (milk pudding) with macarons Photo courtesy of Asali Desserts & Cafe.
Pan dulce selections from Panderia Guadalajara Photo courtesy of Judith Cookis Rubens.
A DOORWAY TO HOPE
BY KYLE MARIE M C MAHON
The United States Census Bureau estimated nearly 91,000 Wake County residents lived at or below the poverty line in 2022. An even larger number is thought to be living paycheck-to-paycheck, unable to build up savings. Even those who feel secure in their income could find themseles unable to pay their bills due to an unexpected emergency such as job loss or illness. A Doorway to Hope (ADTH) seeks to help those in “working poverty” get back to a point of self-sufficieny and stability. Maria Young, founder and executive director, saw a need for such a program in our community. “I wanted to bridge the gap and bring together those who need assistance and those who want to help,” she says.
ADTH works to prevent homelessness in all of Wake County through a variety of programs. Their crisis ministry provides not only food, clothing and household furnishings, but also offers one-time financial assistance in paying for rent, utilities and childcare while working with other institutions to meet each family’s immediate needs.
As a member of Wake County’s Western Wake Hunger Coalition, ADTH provides boxes of fresh produce four times a month to struggling families. Many children go without nutritious food during the summer months due to the lack of school lunches, so ADTH provides hot meals four times a week from June to August to families that qualify. Essentials baskets, which include hygiene supplies like soap and detergent, are handed out to families in need throughout the year, and ADTH’s Angel Tree Project provides grocery store gift cards for holiday meals as well as presents for children.
This nonprofit has seved thousands of Wake County residents and families. If you want to help, know that 100% of your donation goes to those in need. Donations are not the only way to assist the organization; you can volunteer for any one of their programs or refer a family you think may be struggling. For more information, visit adoorwaytohope.org.
FUQUAY-VARINA CELEBR ATES THE
BY DREW BECKER
Between bustling outside gatherings and cozy indoor events, the holiday season in Fuquay-Varina offers fun for everyone. Most events take place in or within walking distance of downtown Fuquay-Varina. Prepare to join friends and neighbors at these events to share seasonal joy. If you’re new to the area, you’ll find a warm welcome! ere are some of the first things newcomers can do in this area to lear what Fuquay-Varina has to offer.
HOLIDAY MUSIC EVENTS
To kick off the holiday celebrations, the Fuquay-Varina Arts Center features Christmas with The Embers featuring Craig
Woolard on November 27. Many know The Embers as the preeminent beach music band in the Carolinas, and they are bringing their well-received Christmas show back to FuquayVarina this year.
The Fuquay-Varina Arts Center will also host three performances of the Fuquay-Varina Chorale Holiday Concert on Friday, December 6 at 7:30 p.m. and on Saturday, December 7 at 2:00 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets will sell for $10 each. This group performed at Carnegie Hall just over a year ago. Join them for a delightful set list of holiday favorites.
On Saturday, December 21 the Gerald Parker Jazz Orchestra Holiday Concert will be held at the Arts Center. Tickets will be
Fuquay Mineral Springs Park lights up in the evenings during the holiday season. Photo courtesy of the Town of Fuquay-Varina.
available for $10. This big-band orchestra will delight audiences with their special brand of 1940s and ’50s swinging holiday tunes. Check out the Fuquay-Varina Arts Center webpage at fuquayvarina.org/1111/arts-center for more information on these and other holiday events at this venue.
THE TOWN TREE LIGHTING
On December 5, the annual Tree Lighting will take place in downtown Fuquay-Varina. Come see the spectacular show with a new 26-foot tree festooned with decorations and multicolored lights. Attendees can stay and watch several other events after the lighting. Explore an artists’ village at Fuquay Mineral Spring Park and enjoy student choral performances from local schools. An 11foot menorah will also be lit, with an accompanying ceremony.
During the Tree Lighting, the Fuquay-Varina Downtown Association will offer sleigh rides. The rides will begin at T.R. Ashworth Station (120 S. Main Street) in the Fuquay district. This is a paid event, and tickets are limited. If you don’t get a ticket, you can still enjoy watching picturesque sleighs being pulled down Main Street.
FAMILY FUN AROUND TOWN
Beginning the first week in Decemer, holiday lights at Fuquay Mineral Spring Park will dazzle visitors. This display will be open nightly until 10:00 p.m. for self-guided tours, through early January. Santa will set up here for pictures on the night of the tree lighting.
Youngsters can write a letter to Santa, and they will receive a handwritten response. Families can submit letters beginning December 6. The children’s letters can be dropped off at Santa’s Mailbox in the gazebo at Fuquay Mineral Spring Park. The city’s art staff and volunteers will ensure Santa responds to any letters submitted by December 18.
The Fuquay-Varina Junior Woman’s Club and the FuquayVarina Arts Center host the fifth annual Gingerbread House Competition and Fundraiser this year. Contestants will create gingerbread houses composed completely of edible materials for the competition. Forty to fifty gingerbread kits are sol or donated (first come, first served), with profitenefittin Fuquay-Varina community schools, maintenance of the police department’s McGruff the Crime Dog costume and other organizations. Prizes are awarded in adult and children’s categories. Entries are displayed at the Fuquay-Varina Arts Center gallery from mid-December through the end of the year. Registration is open November 1–22. Learn more at fuquayjuniors.org/gingerbread.
THE FUQUAY-VARINA CHRISTMAS PARADE
The annual Fuquay-Varina Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, will take place on December 8 this year. With over 80 floats and cars, this eloved annual event draws 1500+ people and is one of the grand highlights of the town’s seasonal celebrations. Classic cars and trucks, extravagant floats and costumed participants make their wy along the parade route through the Historic Downtown Fuquay
District. The community comes together to line the streets and watch the pageantry pass by.
The town of Fuquay-Varina loves the holiday season, and invites everyone to join them in celebrating. Many events are free and will give visitors a chance to mingle with Fuquay-Varina residents and others who attend from nearby cities and towns. Happy holidays!
TOP: The Fuquay-Varina Tree Lighting includes a visit from Santa. CENTER: The Ballentine Elementary School choir sings for the Fuquay-Varina Tree Lighting.
BOTTOM: Two gingerbread houses from the Gingerbread House Competition and Fundraiser. All photos courtesy of the Town of Fuquay-Varina.
Where to Go: Fuquay-Varina Bakeries
If the holiday season has you in the mood for delicious baked goods, Fuquay-Varina has options galore. From brick-and-mortar hometown bakeries to food truck deliciousness, your sweet tooth will certainly be satisfied
BY HEATHER HANKINSON
STICK BOY BREAD COMPANY
127 S. Main Street, Fuquay-Varina stickboyfuquay.com
This family-owned and operated bakery has been a local favorite since it opened its doors in 2008. Serving baked goods that are made from scratch and use only natural ingredients, Stick Boy offers bread, pastries, cakes, pies and more. Take your order home to the family or enjoy it at the shop with a specialty coffee or fruit smoothie.
LA FARM BAKERY
1900 Broad Street, Fuquay-Varina lafarmbakery.com
La Farm is dedicated to creating breads and baked goods using the freshest locally sourced ingredients available. Owner Lionel Vatinet emphasizes Old World techniques and uses a European stone-hearth oven to bake La Farm’s delicious breads and pastries. Offering a wide variety of baked goods and a cafe, La Farm has been a popular stop across Wake County for 25 years.
GRANNY’S SWEETS FOOD TRUCK grannysweets.com
This local, mobile cakery offers customdecorated cakes, cake slices, cakes in a jar, cupcakes, pies and other sweet treats. Using only the highest-quality and freshest ingredients, Granny’s Sweets takes pride in offering “lovin’ from the oven” and is a staple at Fuquay-Varina events. Custom and seasonal orders can be placed through their website.
STELLA CAKE
stellacakebake.wpenginepowered.com
Stella Cake is a mini pound cake bakery offering a variety of flaors of delicious cakes. An emphasis on flaor—from traditional flaors like lemon and blueberry to seasonal flaors like orange cranberry, pumpkin spice and white chocolate peppermint—is the cornerstone of this unique pop-up bakery’s success. Stella Cake is a regular vendor at the Fuquay-Varina Grower’s Market and sells cakes at several local retailers in and around the Triangle.
Stella Cake pound cakes, decorated for the season. Photo courtesy of Stella Cake.
CHILDREN’S BLANKETS OF
Providing children comfort in the hospital
TOP: Volunteers at a St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church blanket drive in Fuquay-Varina. CENTER: Volunteers and hospital staff with donated blankets at Betsy Johnson Memorial Hospital in Dunn. BOTTOM: Volunteers from a Duke University Hospital blanket drive. Photos courtesy of Children’s Blankets of Love.
BY DREW BECKER
Children who spend time in the hospital experience some of the most frightening times in their lives—often alone. Wanting to find a way to comfort children facing these times of trouble, Barbara Marchioni set up Children’s Blankets of Love (CBOL), based in Fuquay-Varina. Marchioni and her husband wanted to teach their grandchildren about helping others through direct experience. In 2018, she put up a collection box at a friend’s salon in Wilmington to take in new blankets for
sick kids. They received 154 donations, and CBOL was off and running!
Since 2018, CBOL has donated blankets to UNC and Duke University Hospitals, as well as WakeMed Children’s Hospital in Raleigh. Volunteers have also delivered blankets to Panama, India and the Philippines, and to an orphanage in Brazil.
CBOL relies on community involvement. When COVID-19 hit, for example, blanket donations plummeted. The Fuquay-Varina chapter of the Knights of Columbus helped to keep things
going during that time. The Carolina Junior Hurricanes have run CBOL blanket drives, and other organizations— churches, nonprofits and the uquayVarina Chamber of Commerce—have also joined in over the years. Volunteer youngsters in the area collect blankets for CBOL, mounting their own blanket drives with friends. CBOL gives community members, especially kids, a valuable way to assist each other during times of crisis. If you would like to learn more or become involved with CBOL, please visit childrensblanketsoflove.or
HOLLY SPRINGS CELEBRATES THE
BY JENNIFER AXNESS
Holly Springs comes alive each holiday season with a variety of activities that offer something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for town-wide, family-friendly celebrations, a lively holiday farmer’s market or cheerful musical performances, this guide highlights some of the best ways to experience the Holly Springs holiday spirit this year.
ARTS AND MUSIC
Kick off the festivities with Christmas with The Embers featuring Craig Woolard
at the Holly Springs Cultural Center on November 23. A staple in North Carolina’s music scene, The Embers is known for its vibrant beach music. The show promises a delightful mix of holiday favorites and classic tunes that will have you tapping your feet and humming along.
In addition to the parade, families can visit Ting Park for the Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce’s Winterfest Artisan Market on December 13 and 14 (tickets go on sale December 2). This event features a the market, a lighted tree trail and other festive attractions, making it the
perfect complement to the Happy Holly Days Parade, which rolls on December 14.
Holly Springs High School is hosting two festive winter musical concerts this season. On December 6 the school’s choir will perform in two shows, at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m., and the school will hold a band concert on December 13. The groups’ performances are likely to span a diverse repertoire from classic carols to upbeat, contemporary pieces. Music lovers and all attendees will enjoy the festive holiday spirit and the remarkable talent of local high school students.
Enjoy festive (and delicious!) holiday desserts at the Pimiento Tea Room. Photo courtesy of the Pimiento Tea Room.
LIGHT THE SPRINGS
Holly Springs’ annual Light the Springs event, taking place this year outside the Holly Springs Cultural Center on December 7, is a magical celebration that truly captures the essence of the holiday season. The town transforms into a winter wonderland of twinkling lights and colorful decorations, with events featuring free holiday crafts, live music and a variety of seasonal food and beverages.
Children can meet Santa Claus, write letters to him and engage in other holiday activities designed just for them. (Don’t forget to drop off letters to Santa at Santa’s Mailbox outside Town Hall—volunteers will make sure they reach the North Pole, so Santa can read and respond to them before the holiday!) Anticipation builds toward the end of the event, when the grand finale takes place. The lighting of th town’s Christmas tree and menorah is an enchanting moment that brings the community together, creating a shared sense of joy and wonder that perfectly encapsulates the holiday spirit.
HAPPY HOLLY DAYS PARADE
Holly Springs’ Happy Holly Days Parade, one of the town’s most cherished traditions, draws residents and visitors alike to Main Street to celebrate. The annual event, which takes place on December 14 this year, features an array of creative holiday-themed floats performers and marching bands that fill the streets with music and chee. The parade also offers a unique opportunity for families to engage with the community. The Holly Springs Fire Department has a special role in escorting Santa Claus on his float complete with flashing lights and sirens adding excitement for the young and young at heart. Plan to arrive early, dress warmly and check the Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce website for the most up-to-date information regarding the parade’s schedule and route.
FIND THE PERFECT TREE
For those looking to pick out the perfect Christmas tree, Holly Springs offers several great options. The Family Farm on Avent Ferry provides a full holiday experience with highquality Fraser firs, handmade wreaths and festive photos on Santa’s sleigh. Warm up by their nightly bonfire and soak in the seasonal cheer. Alternatively, Mountain Advantage Christmas Trees offers fresh-cut Fraser firs, wreaths, garlands, tree stands and accessories. Both Mountain Advantage locations (at the intersection of Penny Road and Holly Springs Road, and at Sunset Lake Commons) ensure a memorable treebuying experience that will immerse you in the holiday spirit.
FOOD AND DRINK
If your plans include dining out this season, consider the Pimiento Tea Room, where a warm and cozy atmosphere complements the holiday decorations, and a special familystyle menu including festive cocktails and desserts is featured throughout the month of December. The Mason Jar Tavern offers their scratch-made berry cobbler beginning in early November, followed by their annual Thanksgiving special, which starts two weeks before the holiday. They also run the “Fill a Jar” program, which helps local families in need through donations and gift collections.
On the theme of giving back, make sure to check the town’s website for details on how families can give back during the holidays through toy drive collection points at fire stations, own Hall and the Law Enforcement Center. Holly Springs is brimming with holiday cheer this season. From spectacular musical performances and community parades to festive markets and tree shopping, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate with friends and loved ones.
TOP: A family enjoys the annual Happy Holly Days Parade. Photo courtesy of the Town of Holly Springs. CENTER: Parade spectators watch Santa enter in style on a Holly Springs fire truck. Photo courtesy of the Town of Holly Springs. BOTTOM: This holiday cocktail is garnished with a cookie. They aren’t just for Santa anymore! Photo courtesy of the Pimiento Tea Room.
Where to Go: Holly Springs Bakeries & Sweetshops
FERA’WYN’S ARTISAN CHOCOLATES
Fera’wyn’s was founded in 2012 by husbandand-wife team David and Joana Whittingham. They have been operating their chocolate shop and bakery in Holly Springs since 2018. David and Joana create all their quality truffles, confections and baked goods on-site in their dedicated gluten-free kitchen. Their chocolates range from caramel and toasted coconut to their Finest Selection collection, which includes bourbon truffles, egan cabernet truffles and their award-winning limoncello truffles. Their baked goods include eclairs, brownies, cookie sandwiches and other delicious treats.
652 Holly Springs Road ferawyns.com
BESTOW BAKED GOODS
Bestow Baked Goods makes all its baked goods from scratch daily. They offer three classic cookie flaors and over 16 different kinds of cupcakes. Featured flaors rotate every week. Bestow is also a full-service cake bakery with 18 different cake styles that can be customized for any occasion.
At Asia’s Cakes you’ll find a variety of caes, cupcakes, brownies, cookies and pastries. Custom orders are the backbone of the bakery’s business; their cakes come in many customizable flaors and options, and other baked goods and seasonal desserts are available to order as well. Or just stop by to enjoy a cup of coffee and a sweet at their brickand-mortar location on Main Street.
113 N. Main Street, Holly Springs asiascakes.com
SUGAR SNAP TREATS
Sugar Snap Treats provides a different and crunchy twist on popular candies: They are freeze-dried. Their offerings range from traditional sweets, such as peach rings and gummy bears, to more creative ones, like root beer float saltwater tafy and caramel shortbread snaps. Sugar Snap Treats is a homebased business with hours from noon–5:00 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays only.
Photos courtesy of Fera’wyn’s Artisan Chocolates and Sugar Snap Treats.
Stacks of sweets under the Christmas tree.
A festive collection of holiday treats from Fera’wyn’s Artisan Chocolates.
A custom Fera’wyn’s birthday cake.
A tasty Fera’wyn’s truffles collection
Freeze-drying candy makes holiday sweets melt in your mouth.
INMATES TO ENTREPRENEURS
HELPING PEOPLE WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS CHANGE THEIR LIVES THROUGH ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
BY KYLE MARIE M C MAHON I ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF INMATES TO ENTREPRENEURS
Because a criminal record often deters employers from hiring them, former prisoners can find it difficult t gain legal employment. According to the North Carolina Department of Commerce, even during the booming labor market of 2021, only 49% of previously incarcerated individuals were able to find work within a year of release. Those who did earned a median salary of only $7,500 per year. This problem contributes to recidivism, with nearly two-thirds of former inmates returning to prison within three years.
Employment that pays a living wage has been demonstrated in numerous studies to be one of the best deterrents for recidivism. Therefore, Brian Harrison, one of the co-founders of Inmates to Entrepreneurs, says “The goal of Inmates to Entrepreneurs has always been to reduce the rate at which people return to prison by providing a path to financial stability and success. e do this by teaching people with criminal records how to start their own businesses.”
Started in 1992 by Brian Hamilton and the Rev. Robert J. Harris, Inmates to
Entrepreneurs offers prisoners and former prisoners free online classes on how to start, run and grow their own businesses. The National Course meets every week on Zoom for eight weeks, providing participants with live access to educators. Starter U is a 12-week, self-paced version for those unable to make it to the live meetings. The organization also works with correctional facilities to provide entrepreneurial boot camps for currently incarcerated individuals.
After 32 years, Inmates to Entrepreneurs is still going strong. “Today, over 25,000 people are taking our entrepreneurship course on tablets in prisons across the U.S. We have graduates in every state except Alaska … Hearing from our graduates about how the program has changed their lives and the course they were on is incredible,” says Hamilton.
Learn more about the organization at inmatestoentrepreneurs.org
Brian Hamilton, director, and Lawrence Carpenter, chairman of the board of Inmates to Entrepreneurs work with program participants at the Mecklenburg County Jail.
Brian Hamilton interacts with students.
Brian Hamilton and program member Rashard Johnson. Rashard Johnson.
MORRISVILLE CELEBRATES THE
BY ELIZABETH BRIGNAC
The holiday season starts early in Morrisville. Beginning in October, local communities begin putting up lights and enjoying Diwali holiday celebrations. As the date of Diwali approaches (it took place at the end of October this year), the sound of firework becomes common, and community celebrations include lights, music and (of course) delicious food. Moving into Thanksgiving and Christmas, the lights stay up, trees are lit and holiday craft fairs and celebrations for Christmas begin. The fun continues all the way through New Year’s Day. “People in Morrisville love events, and they come for everything,” says Leslie Haney, Special Events and Cultural
Resources Supervisor for Morrisville’s department of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources.
Here are some special ways to celebrate the holiday season in Morrisville.
LIGHT UP MORRISVILLE
Light Up Morrisville incorporates three different town-sponsored events: the Diwali event, which was held on October 19 this year; the Tree Lighting, which will be held on December 7; and the Menorah Lighting, which will take place on December 27. “It's still three separate events,” says Haney, “but we brand the whole thing as Light Up Morrisville.” Each event focuses on a
multicultural celebration related to light and brings members of different cultural communities together to celebrate. The town is considering adding a lunar festival celebration and a Kwanzaa event to Light Up Morrisville in the future.
Diwali: This Hindu festival of lights, like Christmas and other seasonal holidays, has expanded beyond its original religious context (though it remains a Hindu celebration), and is widely celebrated in Indian and other Asian cultures. Almost half the people who live in Morrisville are from India or of Indian descent, so Diwali is particularly popular here. The Town of Morrisville staff works with members
Morrisville’s annual Diwali Festival is the first Light Up Morrisville vent. This year, it was held on October 19. Photo courtesy of the Town of Morrisville.
of the Indian and Hindu communities to plan the Diwali celebration.
This year, the event centered on a fashion show. Members of the Morrisville Town Council and other town celebrities wore fashions from as many Indian states as the organizers could represent. Visitors decorated diyas—traditional clay Diwali lamps—with paint and other materials and lit them with tea lights as the daylight faded. Vendors sold Indian gifts and goods, and enjoyed treats from Indian and vegetarian food trucks. The event wrapped up with a traditional fireworks disply.
Tree Lighting: On the first Saturdy in December, Morrisville holds its annual Tree Lighting celebration. After a countdown, when the Christmas tree is lit, all the buildings and lights on Town Hall Drive light up as well, and they stay lit for the rest of December.
The town has combined the Tree Lighting with the Morrisville Police Department’s annual holiday event, bringing customs from both groups into its celebration. (In a spirit of friendly competition with the police department, the fire department often gets involve informally as well.) The event includes hot chocolate, a DJ, local performers, kids’ crafts and an appearance from Santa Claus. It also features the Grinch, played by a police office, in jail. Each year, the town gives out specially designed Christmas ornaments at the event. This year, Haney expects the ornaments will celebrate the three new murals the town had painted in 2024.
Menorah Lighting: During Hanukkah, the town lights a 9-foot-tall menorah at an event that is usually accompanied by Jewish musical performances, Hanukkah doughnuts and hot cider. A rabbi runs a traditional menorah lighting ceremony, and dreidels are handed out. (Often, someone even dresses up as a dreidel.) When the menorah is lit, the light bulbs that usually illuminate it are replaced with flames, to impressive effect. (They remain lightbulbs outside the context of the event.)
This year, the first dy of Hanukkah is December 25, and the Menorah Lighting will be December 27. Because many staff will be off at that time and because attendance tends to be low the week after Christmas, the event will be a little lowerkey than usual, but the town council will attend, and the public is encouraged to take part. The town expects the event to return to its usual size next year, when Hanukkah falls earlier in the month.
You can learn more about Light Up Morrisville events from the Town of Morrisville web page at morrisvillenc.gov Go to the Morrisville Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources department’s Special Events section.
HOLIDAY FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
Park West Village’s Winter Wonderland Festival
Friday, November 22–Sunday, November 24
Friday and Saturday: 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Sunday: 2:00-5:30 p.m.
3400 Village Market Place, Morrisville
Enjoy story time with Santa, train rides around Park West Village, visiting the TROSA Christmas tree lot, food trucks, hot beverages, holiday music and more!
About 50 local vendors will set up tables selling Christmas gifts. Santa will be available for photos, and visitors can enjoy hot cocoa and win raffle prizes.
Western Wake Farmers Market’s Winter Wonderland Craft Fair
Saturday, December 14, 9:30 a.m.–noon
Morrisville Healthy Food Hub
280 Town Hall Drive, Morrisville
Dozens of vendors will be selling food and gifts, and kids can meet Santa Claus. The event will include a food drive. Visitors may bring nonperishable food items to benefit orcas Ministries.
Top: At the Menorah Lighting, the town replaces the electric bulbs that usually illuminate the menorah with flames. Right: The Grinch maes an annual appearance—in jail—at the Tree Lighting. Photos courtesy of the Town of Morrisville.
Where to Go: Morrisville Bakeries
BY ELIZABETH LINCICOME
The holiday season calls for cookies, breads and other baked treats. Morrisville is home to a wide variety of bakeries to satisfy any sweet tooth.
The Western Wake Farmers Market is a great place to start, as it features booths by several great local bakers each week. Morrisvillebased WildMoose Bakers makes sourdough breads and rolls. Merlin Want, market manager for the farmers market, says that WildMoose is by far one of the main crowd pleasers. “Their calling card is their San [Francisco] style sourdough, though everything they make tastes great,” he says. Traditional Delicious Bakery also shows up every Saturday, offering handmade Venezuelan breads stuffed with different fillings such as pepperoni and mozzarella, spinach and artichoke, and blueberry and cream cheese. All their breads come ready-to-eat and can last a week in the fridge. Dee’s Kitchen, which offers brownies, cookies, bars and other sweet treats, attends the farmers market every other week. All of their products are vegan and contain whole grains, and most are also organic.
Eggless Cakes of RTP offers a unique spin on traditional baked goods with their freshly baked, custom eggless cakes and brownies. The bakery also makes sugar-free cakes using natural sweeteners and caters to other special dietary restrictions as well.
Finally, The Kupkake Fairy offers cupcakes, wedding cakes, birthday cakes, made-from-scratch pound cakes and more. Customers are even able to incorporate their own creative designs into their cakes. The Kupcake Fairy also provides vegan baked goods.
The Kupkake Fairy offers a festive selection of treats perfect for a variety of special occasions. Photos courtesy of The Kupkake Fairy.
“WPOSITIVE CHILDHOOD ALLIANCE
BY ELIZABETH LINCICOME
e know connections matter—for our children, parents and the community,” explains Sharon Hirsch, President and CEO of Positive Childhood Alliance North Carolina (PCANC, formerly Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina). The group, which operates out of Morrisville, has been working to improve the lives of neglected children in and around the state since 1979. “We love Morrisville’s motto: ‘Live Connected. Live Well.’ Our work to advance policies, programs and practices to support wellbeing for all children and families embraces the spirit of Morrisville,” says Hirsch.
PCANC’s mission is to ensure that as many children as possible are growing up in safe, stable and nurturing families and communities. They do this in several ways: through advocacy, building positive connections between people and families within communities, educating and supporting parents, and encouraging everyone to recognize and respond to signs of abuse.
“Oftentimes, children and their families are the ones who are required to change their behavior or are at the center of solving the problem, including removing children from their families. However, PCANC recognizes that the system around families, including other people, have a responsibility for supporting families and helping create solutions,” the group says.
PCANC focuses on primary prevention, which builds healthy, familyfriendly communities and workplaces with a lot of open interaction; secondary prevention, which targets at-risk groups with specific prevention strategies; and tertiary prevention, which creates long-term responses to stop abuse and neglect, like foster care and mental health interventions.
The organization also acts as an educational resource, providing free online training in both English and Spanish. Workshops, training sessions and webinars offer the latest information, research and strategies to help strengthen families and ensure that all children thrive.
Morrisville Police Department staff and Mayor TJ Cawley plant pinwheels at Positive Childhood Alliance North Carolina’s (PCANC) annual Pinwheel Planting event. Photos courtesy of PCANC.
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WINE 100
Curating Fine Wines with a Community Focus
BY JENNIFER PRIMROSE | PHOTOS BY JOSH MANNING
Holly Springs is gaining distinction for its familyfriendly appeal and rapid growth. It also offers some great options for wine enthusiasts. Wine 100—a boutique wine shop in the village district—is one such option, with a vision that blends a passion for wine with a commitment to the local community. Founded by Joe Sherrier and with the extensive expertise of shop manager and operator Bob Kaufmann, Wine 100 offers a distinctive blend of wine education and tasting experiences.
Sherrier describes the establishment of the wine shop as a dream that started as part of a desire to become an integral part of the Holly Springs community. “The idea for the wine shop began to take shape about a year before we opened,” Sherrier says. “My wife and I wanted to establish roots in Holly Springs—not just to settle down, but to become a part of the community. We were looking for ways to contribute, and we enjoyed the idea of not only visiting a wine shop but
also having a glass of wine while meeting our neighbors.”
This concept was more than just about selling wine; it was about creating a space where people could connect and appreciate the sophistication of the popular wine culture. In selecting the location for Wine 100, Sherrier chose a central spot in the growing village district of Holly Springs. This area is thriving with activity and growth potential, making it ideal for establishing a wine shop that serves not only as a retail space but
Bob Kaufmann (left) and Joe Sherrier, manager and owner of Wine 100.
also as a community gathering spot. His decision to open Wine 100 here reflects a commitment to the tow’s changing landscape, where the influx of new businesses and residents is building a dynamic local culture.
BRINGING EXPERTISE TO THE TABLE
While Sherrier had the vision, he knew he needed a seasoned wine expert to make it a reality. That’s where Kaufmann came in. With over four decades of experience in the wine industry, Kaufmann brought a wealth of knowledge to help shape Wine 100’s offerings. “I’ve been in this business for over 40 years,” Kaufmann says. “I started managing a wine shop in New York at 18 or 20 years old, and later I was in distribution, running one of the top fine wine distributors in ew York for 30 years.”
Kaufmann’s expertise has allowed Wine 100 to offer a unique selection of excellent wines, each chosen for its quality and individuality. “I wanted to provide the right atmosphere,” Sherrier notes, “but I knew I needed someone with an excellent palate to handle the selection. That’s where Bob’s expertise came in, and it’s been a great partnership.”
Wine 100 stands out with its innovative wine machines that allow customers to sample various wines before committing to a full bottle. Kaufmann explains, “The wine machine we have offers 16 bottles at one-, threeor five-ounce ours, rotating regularly. People can try before buying, and so far, we’ve had nothing but positive feedback.” This approach improves the wine-buying experience and motivates patrons to explore new flvors and broaden their wine knowledge.
A STRATEGIC APPROACH
The shop is careful to offer wine at a wide range of prices, including both lower-priced and high-end wines. The higher-end selections have gained unexpected popularity. “We carry wines from $9 to $15 on the lower shelves, but surprisingly, those aren’t the best sellers,” Kaufmann says.
The higher-end wines, while a more gradual sell, have started to catch on with customers. “We’ve been open only eight months, so it’s early to tell,” he adds. “Over time, as people develop trust in us, they’ll start exploring those higher-priced bottles.”
The shop’s close proximity to other wine-related establishments, like Triangle Wine Company, is deliberate. Sherrier is exploring the potential for collaboration rather than competition with these businesses. “There’s enough market for all of us, especially with the surrounding communities like Apex and Fuquay-Varina,” he says. “We aren’t in direct competition because we offer something unique—a combination of tasting machines and hand-selected wines from around the world at various price points.”
BUILDING COMMUNITY AND LOOKING AHEAD
The shop’s commitment to community engagement extends beyond its daily operations. Wine 100 has hosted several
events, including distributor gatherings and collaborations with local organizations. “That’s more my role,” Kaufmann explains about organizing events. “I have relationships with people from both my years in New York and my time here. Many distributors have crossed paths with me over the years, so we tap into those networks to organize events.” These events showcase Wine 100’s diverse selection and strengthen its ties to both the local community and wine businesses outside the Triangle.
Wine 100 is approaching its firs anniversary. This milestone is a testament to the duo’s dedication and vision. Sherrier and Kaufmann are enthusiastic about the future as they plan to continue offering exclusive tastings and expanding their selection. For wine enthusiasts in Holly Springs, Wine 100 represents more than just a place to buy wine. It’s a communityfocused establishment where people can explore, learn and enjoy the finer thing in life—including a good glass of wine
Wine 100 offers outdoor seating, along with heaters in cold weather.
Wine 100’s eclectc interior.
CREATIVITY IN COMMUNITY
The Cary Gallery of Artists has paved the way for local art experiences in Western Wake
BY KYLE MARIE
Before the old Cary High School building was renovated to become the Cary Arts Center in 2011—before most of the public art we enjoy in Downtown Cary Park and elsewhere in Cary had been installed, and before The Cary Theater was established, offering art movies and local film festivals—the Cary Gallery of Artists was already busy establishing a vital arts presence in downtown Cary.
As Chip Freund, current president of the Cary Gallery of Artists, puts it, “The world without art is ‘eh.’” The municipalities of Western Wake agree. They have invested in the arts over the past decade, opening art centers and installing public artwork and murals, because people here believe
that an emphasis on local art adds personality, beauty and cultural layers to our communities. The Cary Gallery of Artists has helped pave the way for these newer ventures.
Founded in 2005, the Cary Gallery of Artists began as a way for local artists to share and promote their work. It has grown into an average membership of 24 artists—a number limited only by the amount of display space. Membership provides not only a means for sales, but also a sense of place. “Being a member at an established gallery provides a sense of validation and legitimacy for an artist. The Cary Gallery of Artists also provides a supportive and nurturing arts community. The comradery and artist development is of tremendous
value,” says Fruend, who joined the gallery in 2021, invited member and painter Sonia Kane, and was elected president this past July. All members serve on the committee, but the board of directors serves a two-year term.
As part of their membership, artists work shifts at the galler, so visitors have opportunities to discuss the art with a knowledgeable person—perhaps even the artist of that particular work. The gallery space is open six days a week, and the types of art are as varied as the artists themselves, from jwelry and ceramics to photography and painting. Often th fear when visiting a gallery is the price of the art, but the space also offers smalle pieces at lower prices, enabling more visitors to take pieces home. Founding
M C MAHON. ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE CARY GALLERY OF ARTISTS.
The Cary Gallery of Artists offers art in many different types of media.
member and pastel artist Diana Coidan says, “To enlighten people with art is something exciting to artists. For someone to have your piece on their wall—or neck—is an honor.”
The Cary Gallery of Artists holds events throughout the year to showcase other local artists and share what they do with the community. Several times a year, artists offer demonstations in front o the gallery space that are free and open to the public. In conjunction with the Cary Art Loop held on the last Friday of each month, the gallery hosts an evening artist reception and opens a new Featured Artist exhibition for the month.
In January, local high school artists are invited to display their work in the gallery, and each spring the gallery holds the Small Treasures juried exhibition. “Visual artists create works to be seen and experienced. Creating and experiencing creative works is part of what makes us human,” Freund says. “Galleries enable those creative encounters and show the younger generation that being an artist is a viable career.”
The gallery’s prime space in Ashworth Village means they get many drop-in visitors who happen to pass by while shopping or dining. But Freund thinks most visitors come from ut of town, and he encourages local residents to stop by and take in the inspiring work of the talented local artists.
Next year marks the 20th anniversary of the Cary Gallery of Artists. With Cary’s vibrant arts community—boasting two other art galleries and several exhibition spaces in downtown alone— Fruend is optimistic about the gallery’s future. “We have a wonderful group of caring and talented artists in Cary’s vibrant and growing downtown. I look forward to the new artwork in the gallery each month, and to the bright future that lies ahead,” he says.
To learn more, you can go to carygalleryofartists.org—but you will experience the gallery best by visiting it in person at 200 S. Academy Street in Cary.
The gallery sells jewelry, sculpture and pottery.
A member of the Cary Gallery of Artists is always available to discuss the artwork.
Daylight illuminates glassworks for sale.
The gallery’s exterior in Ashworth Village.
BLENDING THE ELEMENTS
Durham-based artist Fabrizio Bianchi is a third-generation Latino artist. Like his grandfather and father before him, he finds spiritual fulfillment in creating his artwork. His pratice also enables him to explore his heritage as a Latino artist, which is a consistent theme throughout his mixed-media works. His interest lies in faded memories and how our memories fragment and change over time.
Wood is Bianchi’s preferred medium. He manipulates wooden surfaces through burning, carving, assemblage, laser engraving, laser cutting and painting with inks and acrylic paint. In “World on Fire,” 2024, and “Powers of the Sol,” 2024, Bianchi plays with the interaction of fire and water and explores using these elements to craft pieces that examine the notion of faded memory. For the element of fire, he experiments with woodburning and pyrography.
For the element of water, Bianchi plays with acrylics and inks. In using a variety of manual and machine-based processes and a mixture of media, Bianchi creates richly layered sculptural assemblage works.
You can view Fabrizio Bianchi’s work on his IG (@Fabzart21) and website (fabzart.myportfolio.com). His works will be featured in upcoming exhibitions at The ArtsCenter and FRANK Gallery, both in Carrboro; the Durham Art Guild; and Sertoma Arts Center and Artspace, both in Raleigh.
FABRIZIO BIANCHI
(TOP) POWERS OF THE SOL, 2024
ACRYLICS, INKS, ASSEMBLAGE, WOODBURNING, LASER ENGRAVING ON CRADLED BOARD, 40 " X 30 "
(BOTTOM) WORLD ON FIRE, 2024
ACRYLICS, INKS, CARVING, WOODBURNING ON CRADLED BOARD, 30 " X 40 "
“As a Latino artist living in the U.S., my work ties into the idea that my visits to Argentina become memories, and the less or more you explore, the more fragmented the memory becomes. My work takes on a mental documentary of those images—much like a Polaroid, they start to age.”
