Depending on when you are reading, the holiday season is either approaching or it’s already upon us. In this issue, we cover exciting ways to celebrate the holidays in Raleigh— and ways people are giving back to the community during this season of generosity.
Formal afternoon tea with its pretty teacups, warm scones and elegant confections is offered year-round in many high-end hotels and restaurants. When venues are decorated for the holidays and seasonal flavors and music are integrated into the experience, the prospect of a warm afternoon tea on a cold day becomes hard to resist. Our first feature article discusses popular holiday tea options in Wake County. From the array of decorated gingerbread houses at the North Carolina Museum of Art’s Gingerbread Tea to the hand-selected collection of vintage Christmas china at Heights House Hotel’s seasonal afternoon teas, each venue puts its unique spin on the event.
We always feature people and organizations who give back to their communities in our holiday issue, and this year, Kristen Schrum has written a wonderful article on The Women’s Center. This organization has been working since 1977 to help women in need find housing, safety and stability. This year, they launched their Safe Haven program, an expansion that allows them to offer overnight shelter as well as daytime support for women experiencing chronic conditions that make long-term housing difficult for them to maintain. It’s an exciting time for The Women’s Center— and a moment for the rest of us to read about people doing good in the world.
Raleigh Little Theatre’s “Cinderella” turns 40 this year. In this issue we cover the production’s long history, how it has changed over the years, and its plan moving forward. I talked to a woman who has gone to the production with her family every year since 1985; she went with her mom to her first show, and she goes with her daughter and granddaughter now. I also spoke to a long-term volunteer who has seen kids start out in a kids’ role as the mice that turn into horses and then grown up to play the starring role of Cinderella. This production has been an integral part of many people’s lives, and of the Raleigh community as a whole. Congratulations to Raleigh Little Theatre, and here’s to many more decades of “Cinderella”!
Kyle Marie McMahon has found a dizzying array of exciting ways to celebrate the holidays in the Triangle in our annual roundup of seasonal events. We really go all out in North Carolina to dive into the fun and excitement of the holidays! And if you’re interested in supporting local businesses with your shopping this year, our holiday gift guide offers many suggestions for presents you can give loved ones. From children’s books and chocolates to skin cream and sapphires (literally; there’s an incredible necklace in there), our guide offers suggestions for everybody.
The Local Flavor food article in this issue 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 like, 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.
We at Midtown 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
Photo by Jenn McKinney Photography
PUBLISHERS
Ronny Stephens
Kent Braswell
MANAGING EDITOR
Elizabeth Brignac
ART AND WEB DIRECTOR
Sean Byrne
GRAPHIC AND WEB DESIGNER
Dathan Kazsuk
COPY EDITOR
Cindy Huntley
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Kyle Marie McMahon
SOCIAL MEDIA AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER
Crystal Watts
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Sherry Braswell
Paige Gunter
Sophie Lapierre
Stefanie McClary
DISTRIBUTION
Joe Lizana, Manager
DistribuTech.net
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Elizabeth Brignac
Kurt Dusterberg
Janice Lewine
Kyle Marie McMahon
Eric Medlin
Jennifer Primrose
Charlotte Russell
Katelyn Rutt
Kristen Schrum
Crystal Watts
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Jenn McKinney Photography
Brian Mullins
SUBSCRIPTIONS
The
Southern
Quail
Fabrizio
TOP: Lauren Kennedy Brady and Theatre Raleigh hit it out of the park on the opening night of “Bull Durham, A New Musical.” The show was performed at Reynolds Industries Theater at Duke University by nationally known artists and producers, including the Triangle’s very own Ira David Wood III. Photo by Jennifer Robertson Photography
LEFT: Midtown magazine’s annual Midtown Mixer brought our incredible partners together to mix and mingle in a luxury North Ridge home hosted by AR Homes Raleigh. Photo courtesy of Gaston Williams.
BOTTOM: Vidrio announces Live Music in the Bar on Wednesdays, to enjoy alongside their handcrafted cocktails and Mediterranean-inspired small plates. Photo courtesy of Vidrio
BY CRYSTAL WATTS
CAM Raleigh hosts the inaugural Art of Fashion event, where emerging fashion designers debut cutting-edge collections in a runway show. Photo by Rick Crank Photography
Local celebrity chef and five-time James Beard Foundation semifinalist Chef Scott Crawford opens the highly anticipated Crawford’s Genuine restaurant in Terminal 2 of RDU. The restaurant is a collaboration between Miami-based Grove Bay Concessions and Raleigh’s Crawford Hospitality. The 2600-square-foot restaurant seats 95 and will accommodate both sit-down guests and those in need of quick service options. “We’ve worked hard to be as accessible as possible—[to strike] a balance between serving those who have time to spend dining with us, and those who don’t, but need something high quality, nourishing and delicious,” says Chef Crawford. Photo by Jessica Crawford
Kelly Bishop visits Meredith College to discuss her new book, “ The Third Gilmore Girl: A Memoir.” The event, hosted by Quail Ridge Books, also included a moderated discussion between Bishop and North Carolina author Kristy Woodson Harvey. Photo courtesy of Quail Ridge Books
Millstone Creek Orchards celebrates the ribbon-cutting and grand opening of The Cider House, which will feature local food and beverages and serve as a venue for special events. Photo courtesy of Millstone Creek Orchards
HOLIDAY GIFTS
The holidays are coming, bringing an opportunity for decorating and gift giving. Add a cozy touch with a wreath to welcome the family at Thanksgiving, or put out playful serving dishes for candy and nuts. Whether you’re making your home joyful or finding the perfect gift, let your imagination guide you through the season.
3 5 1 2 4 6 7
1. Holiday preserved moss art, $85 | City Garden Design
2. Fox and hare dish stands, $65 each | La Maison
3. White and mercury glass decorative holiday tree, $90 | La Maison
4. Festive holiday tray, $36 | Swagger
5. “Deck the Halls” Charlotte Christmas pajamas, $67 | The Tulip Magnolia
6. Zodax large decorative pine cones, silver or gold; 11 inch, $138; 14 inch, $158; 17.75 inch, $210 | NOFO @ the Pig
7. Fall magnolia wreath, $214 | Inspirations
BY JANICE LEWINE
WAKEMED DEDICATES CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL IN HONOR OF LONGTIME PEDIATRICIAN
WakeMed Children’s Hospital was officially dedicated July 21 in honor of Peg and Dr. Jerry Bernstein. Dr. Bernstein served as a pediatrician and founding member of Raleigh Pediatric Associates while also caring for thousands of children at WakeMed. He helped shape what both the WakeMed Foundation and WakeMed Children’s are today, including his vision for WakeMed Children’s Hospital and the first dedicated children’s emergency department in North Carolina. Dr. Bernstein and his late wife, Peg, were honored for their compassion and countless contributions to WakeMed and the community. This special recognition was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Szulik Family Foundation.
Photo courtesy of WakeMed.
THE CARDINAL AT NORTH HILLS HOSTS CARDINAL OLYMPIC GAMES
In honor of the 2024 Summer Olympics, residents at The Cardinal at North Hills, a Kisco Signature Community, paired up with associates on July 26 to compete in various games, including balloon darts, balloon keep-up, tissue toss and cotton ball scoop. Eight teams competed in six different challenges. The event was filled with laughter, camaraderie and friendly competition at the Midtown Raleigh senior living facility, which boasts chef-prepared meals, state-of-the-art health and wellness, and 24/7 award-winning service.
Photo courtesy of The Cardinal at North Hills.
NOTE IN THE POCKET RAISES OVER $312,000 TO CLOTHE FAMILIES IN NEED
Note in the Pocket, a nonprofit dedicated to ending clothing insecurity for children in Raleigh and Durham, raised $312,513 at its fundraiser on September 13 at The Bradford in New Hill. The funds raised will clothe nearly 1,700 local children and families in need. Mayors and representatives from Morrisville, Apex, Durham, Raleigh and Zebulon attended the event. Executive Director Dallas Bonavita also unveiled a free, downloadable starter guide designed to inspire and assist similar organizations across North Carolina. The guide is available on Note in the Pocket’s website at noteinthepocket.org.
Photo courtesy of Jillian Knight Photography.
PAY IT FORWARD GALA RAISES $145,000 FOR CANCER PATIENTS
The Caring Community Foundation hosted the 2024 Pay It Forward Gala, its biggest fundraiser of the year, on September 14 at The Pavilion at the Angus Barn in Raleigh, raising $145,000 for North Carolina cancer patients. The Caring Community Foundation works with partner hospitals in the state to provide emergency financial assistance for individuals receiving treatment. The gala attracted 150 attendees, who enjoyed a three-course dinner with wine pairings, live and silent auctions, and raffles.
Photo courtesy of The Caring Community Foundation.
TOWN
OBERLIN PEDIATRICS OPENS SECOND RALEIGH LOCATION
BY JANICE LEWINE
Oberlin Pediatrics—the oldest privately owned pediatric practice in Wake County and all of North Carolina—opened its second location in Midtown Raleigh at 3700 Barrett Drive, Suite 100, in July. With the recent addition of six physicians, the practice is accepting new patients for the first time in more than eight years. Oberlin Pediatrics enjoys caring for the children of Raleigh and its surrounding areas and is proud of the compassionate medical care it has provided to families since 1956. Its primary location is in the original building on Oberlin Road in Raleigh’s Village District.
3700 Barrett Drive, Suite 100, Raleigh 919.828.4747
oberlinroadpediatrics.com
Photo courtesy of Oberlin Pediatrics.
A PLACE AT THE TABLE LAUNCHES FOOD TRUCK
Nonprofit Raleigh cafe A Place at the Table has gone mobile with its mission of providing food and community for everyone—regardless of financial means and beyond the confines of its brick-and-mortar location—with the July 26 launch of The Travelin’ Table, its new food truck. The Travelin’ Table carries similar menu items from the cafe, like huevos rancheros, quiche and biscuits, and is available for company parties, weddings and other catering and event opportunities throughout the Triangle. 919.307.8914
tableraleigh.org/the-travelin-table
Photo courtesy of tableraleigh.org.
MERZ AESTHETICS UNVEILS R&D INNOVATION CENTER IN RALEIGH
With a continued commitment to innovation and empowering confidence, Merz Aesthetics introduced its state-of-the-art Research & Development Innovation Center on September 18 in Raleigh, the home of Merz Aesthetics’ global headquarters. Merz Aesthetics’ award-winning portfolio of injectables, devices and skincare products assists health care professionals in fueling confidence through aesthetic medicine. The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured CEO Bob Rhatigan, Chief Scientific Officer Samantha Kerr, Ph.D. and other company professionals. 6501 Six Forks Road, Raleigh 919.582.8000
merz.com
Photo courtesy of Merz Aesthetics.
321 COFFEE LAUNCHES IN WHOLE FOODS MARKETS ACROSS THE TRIANGLE
321 Coffee, the trailblazing local coffee shop and roaster dedicated to workforce inclusion for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is proud to announce the official launch of its coffee at all six Whole Foods Market locations across the Triangle. This expansion signifies a meaningful step in the company’s journey toward fostering a more inclusive future, starting with the aisles of local grocery stores and paving the way for national scalability. Four 321 Coffee roast varieties—including light, medium and dark—are available at the Raleigh, North Raleigh, Cary, West Cary, Durham and Chapel Hill markets. 321coffee.com
Photo courtesy of 321 Coffee.
A TIMELESS TRADITION
Formal afternoon tea has become a delightful (and delicious!) holiday custom
BY ELIZABETH BRIGNAC
The holiday season is the perfect time of year to gather with friends and family and enjoy a formal afternoon tea, where hotels or restaurants serve quality tea in individual teapots next to delicate china cups. Visitors are served delectable food items on three-tier tea stands: a savory course with tea sandwiches; a scones course with cream and jam; and a desserts course with small cakes, tarts and other treats. The whole affair invites patrons to focus on details—the beauty of the china and elegant presentation of the food; the delicious nuances of the tea and the intricate flavors of the sandwiches and treats
During the holiday season, venues go all-out in creating a warm, festive atmosphere that fits well with the afternoon tea tradition. Wake County offers several opportunities for people who want to enjoy holiday afternoon tea. Each venue takes a unique approach to integrating the beauty and flavors of the holiday season into its tea experience.
Please note that the venues described here require reservations, and many fill up weeks in advance. If you would like to partake, don’t wait too long to get in touch.
OPPOSITE PAGE AND THIS PAGE: The Umstead Hotel and Spa offers daily afternoon teas during this time of year, with seasonally flavored and decorated treats, and musicians playing seasonal music. Kids are invited to Tea with Santa, a special holiday event they can share with their families. Photos courtesy of The Umstead Hotel and Spa.
The Umstead Hotel and Spa
Afternoon Tea & Tea with Santa
Afternoon Tea is held daily during the holiday season.
Tea with Santa is held on Saturdays and Sundays during December.
The Umstead Hotel prides itself on its beautiful holiday decorations. Each year, it brings in several Christmas trees decorated in a classical style and garnishes the furniture with magnolia leaf garlands and other seasonal ornamentation. “People come to The Umstead specifically for the holiday decor,” says Lori Grow, who manages Herons restaurant at The Umstead and has run the hotel’s afternoon teas for the past few years.
Starting after Thanksgiving, a musician plays holiday music on the harp or piano during afternoon tea. Desserts are flavored and decorated with seasonal flourishes, and the entire atmosphere takes on a special warmth and beauty. When added to The Umstead’s specially patterned teacups and teapots and Herons’
exquisite cuisine, holiday teas at The Umstead become works of art in themselves.
Tea with Santa takes place 12 times per season, including one event designated specifically for local Boys and Girls Clubs. At these family events, adults accompany their children as they enjoy child-friendly treats and meet Santa. Families let Santa in on special details about the kids’ lives—their pets and favorite teachers, for example—that Santa can discuss with the children at the event, adding to the magic. Children receive cups of cocoa, along with additions like marshmallows and chocolate shavings they can add to their cups. (Adults are given cocoa as well, with optional Grand Marnier). This event is designed to be a special tradition for the entire family.
North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA) Gingerbread Tea
December 8, 15, 20–22
NCMA EAST BUILDING CAFE
2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh ncartmuseum.org/visit/dine
The NCMA offers several teas during the year, including Gingerbread Tea during the holiday season. Jill Santa Lucia, president and culinary director of Catering Works, which provides food onsite, loves doing formal tea. “It’s kind of my baby,” she says. “I keep adding to it.”
The Gingerbread Tea does emphasize holiday flavors—
“There will be notes of pumpkin and gingerbread; cranberries and everything Christmas,” says Santa Lucia—but it is called Gingerbread Tea because they showcase a gingerbread house decorating contest held by the Catering Works staff. About 20 people have participated in previous years. Guests can enjoy the gingerbread houses and vote on their favorites. The event also includes cookie decorating— ostensibly for the kids, but adults are often enthusiastic participants.
Mrs. Ruth’s Jams, a local jam producer, creates unique, seasonal jams for the tea’s scones course. Santa Lucia uses an eclectic variety of cups and saucers in her decor, 3-tiered tea stands, and other details that add to the unique look of each table. Her goal is elegance and cohesion, with a touch of playfulness. “One thing that is fun about tea,” she says: “There’s a whimsy to it.”
OPPOSITE PAGE AND BELOW: The North Carolina Museum of Art Gingerbread Tea offers warm, seasonal treats during the holiday season. The tea includes an opportunity to vote in a gingerbread house decorating contest. The museum also offers autumn teas and other seasonal tea events throughout the year. Photos courtesy of NCMA.
Heights House Hotel
Afternoon Tea
Dates and times vary
HEIGHTS HOUSE HOTEL
308 S. Boylan Avenue, Raleigh heightshousenc.com/ experience/afternoon-tea
Heights House Hotel sets itself apart through its commitment to detail. Each decorative item and piece of china is hand-selected, usually by co-owner Sarah Shepherd. “She has a real eye for it, and she also just
loves shopping for vintage stuff,” says Anna Forno, Heights House’s inhouse events coordinator.
Heights House afternoon teas are popular throughout the year, but especially during the holiday season. “For the whole month of December, all of our afternoon teas are Christmas themed. So we have all Christmas china for that, and that’s really fun,” says Forno. She adds that the china the hotel uses for its holiday teas is “vintage Christmas china, handpicked from various shops and sources across Raleigh. The mismatched china adds a charming and festive touch to the experience.”
During December, the historic house is decorated with a large holiday tree, garlands and other seasonal decor. “We like playing
classic Christmas songs to create a cozy, nostalgic atmosphere,” says Forno. People visiting for the tea can add holiday cocktails from the Parlor to their tea experience, and can stay afterward to enjoy drinks and other items from the Parlor menu.
Examples of holiday foods offered this year include buttery almond shortbread tarts filled with bourbon pecan pie custard, assorted nuts and candied fruits, “fruitcake” tarts, and cream puffs filled with eggnog custard. The tea options include seasonal flavors. “Last year, we served three specialty holiday teas from Rishi Tea: pumpkin spice, cocoa mint and cinnamon plum. This year, we plan to offer holiday teas again, [including] any new seasonal blends that Rishi introduces,” says Forno.
PAGE AND
Hotel prides itself on its attention to detail. Every piece of its eclectic collection of vintage Christmas china is hand-selected. The seasonal sandwiches and confections are designed for both taste and beauty, down to the last garnish. Photos courtesy of Heights House Hotel.
OPPOSITE
THIS PAGE: Heights House
Afternoon tea offered daily, Tuesday–Saturday.
SUGAR
219 S. White Street, Wake Forest sugarmagnoliacafe.com/tea-service
Variety characterizes the afternoon tea at Sugar Magnolia Café. “We really try to make it an experience for everyone,” says owner Amy Stephens. Sugar Magnolia offers variations on the traditional afternoon tea courses. The full tea service offers a salad as part of the savory course—an unusual addition—and patrons do not need to order a full tea if they prefer a lighter experience. They might limit the order to a single sandwich and desserts, for example, or order the scone and desserts without the savory course. Visitors may also substitute coffee or espresso drinks for tea.
The cafe offers two children’s tea services. Both include either hot cocoa or lavender lemonade with edible glitter—both served, naturally, in elegant teacups. (Younger children may use fancy paper teacups and saucers if their families prefer.)
The children’s tea includes simple desserts like chocolate chip cookies and brownies. One variation offers kid-friendly sandwiches as well. Kids’ teas include take-home tiaras and wands for girls, and toy cars for boys.
The china at Sugar Magnolia connects visitors to the community. “I never imagined that people would donate fine china to us because they wanted it to go to a good home,” says Stephens, but much of the cafe’s china has come through donations, including Stephens’ favorite: Spode Bridal Rose. This detail adds to the community feel of tea at Sugar Magnolia.
During the holiday season, Sugar Magnolia Café enters into the downtown Wake Forest holiday excitement. “The town almost looks like a little Hallmark town during the holiday season. Everybody decorates their windows. Our cafe is fully decked out end-to-end with Christmas decorations,” says Stephens. “Our pastry chef will focus on seasonal treats that will put anyone in the holiday spirit,” she adds, including desserts like peppermint brownie truffles and gingerbread petit fours. The menu offers holiday spiced tea, and customers may add holiday-themed prosecco drinks like the Poinsettia, which includes cranberry and orange juices along with swirls of edible glitter.
Sugar Magnolia Café Tea
MAGNOLIA CAFÉ
TOP: Sugar Magnolia Café offers different styles of afternoon tea to accommodate different ages and appetites. BOTTOM: The Spode Bridal Rose china shown here was donated to Sugar Magnolia by a china enthusiast whose children did not share her interest. She wanted it to go to a good home. Photos courtesy of Sugar Magnolia Café
FESTIVE CELEBRATIONS
Enjoy
70 merry moments in the Triangle
BY KYLE MARIE M c MAHON
The holiday season is here, and towns across the Triangle are sparkling! From spectacular light shows to festive parades and jubilant performances, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. With our ample selection of holiday offerings, your family is sure to make heartwarming memories.
Lafayette Village Lighting of the Tree 8450 Honeycutt Road, Raleigh lafayettevillageraleigh.com
November 16, 3–6 p.m. Enjoy horse and carriage rides, face painting, visits with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and a tree lighting at 6 p.m. in the courtyard.
North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary boothamphitheatre.com
November 16–January 12. See over 50 handcrafted LED lantern displays at Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Cultural performances are featured nightly between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m.
November 22, 8 p.m. The show features 15 musicians playing 20 different instruments, all with the group’s distinctive sound.
The Dessertery
2 E. South Street, Raleigh martinmariettacenter.com/dessertery
November 22–December 23; days and hours vary. Indulge yourself in a holiday-themed dessert cafe featuring live entertainment and Santa on select nights at Kennedy Theater. Tickets are $29 for ages 7 and up, $15 for ages 2–6.
80th Annual Raleigh Christmas Parade
Downtown Raleigh grma.org/christmas-parade
November 23, 9:30 a.m. See marching bands, performing groups and more travel down Hillsborough and Fayetteville streets.
Kids Holiday Craft Fair
237 N. Salem Street, Apex apexnc.org
November 23, 3–5 p.m. Young entrepreneurs ages 3–18 offer handmade items at the Halle Cultural Arts Center.
Candy Cane Lane
Downtown Zebulon zebulonchamber.org
November 23, 4–8 p.m. Zebulon turns on the holiday charm with live entertainment, holiday displays, food trucks and more.
North Hills Tree Lighting
4191 Main at North Hills Street, Raleigh visitnorthhills.com
November 23, 4–7 p.m. Enjoy live music, kids crafts and activities, food trucks and a vendor village. Soon after Santa Claus arrives at 6 p.m., the 41-foot tree is lit amidst a joyous chorus of “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town.”
“The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays” 123 Vivian Street, Durham dpacnc.com
November 23, 7:30 p.m. Talented illusionists deliver a jaw-dropping, holidaythemed magic show.
PHOTOS ON THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: Santa's Reindeer Roundup Express, photo courtesy of New Hope Valley Railway; The Dessertery, photo courtesy of The Dessertery; Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour, photo courtesy of Tom Bagby; Solstice Lantern Walk + Market, photo courtesy of Yuma Kobayashi; North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival, photo courtesy of Janice Lewine; Raleigh Christmas Parade, photo courtesy of Pamela Varela.
The Rink
500 S. McDowell Street, Raleigh redhatamphitheater.com/the-rink
November 23–January 20. Enjoy ice skating, fire pits, a snack bar and more at Red Hat Amphitheater. Tickets are $15 for skaters ages 2 and older, which includes skate rental, and $6 for nonskaters.
North Carolina Symphony Presents “Cirque Holiday Pops”
2. E. South Street, Raleigh ncsymphony.org
November 27–30; dates and times vary. Contortionists and acrobats perform 40 feet above the stage as the North Carolina Symphony performs holiday music in Meymandi Concert Hall.
Festival of Lights
703 Tarboro Road, Youngsville hillridgefarms.com
November 28–December 29, 5:30–9 p.m.
Immerse yourself in magical lights on a mile-long trail from the comfort of your vehicle. Tickets per vehicle are $20 cash, $23 credit/debit; pay upon arrival.
Lights on the Neuse
1620 Loop Road, Clayton lightsontheneuse.com
Weekends and select days beginning November 29; visit the website for dates, hours and rates. Take a tractor-pulled hayride through a holiday light spectacular featuring s’mores and photos with Santa.
Santa in Wonderland
201 Fenton Gateway Drive, Cary fentonnc.com
November 29–December 24, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Visit Santa’s Igloo and capture the season with a picture alongside Santa Claus. Pets can take part every Monday from 5–7 p.m. Reserve a session online. Package prices vary.
Holidays in the Park
Museum of Life and Science
433 W. Murray Avenue, Durham lifeandscience.org
Select nights in December. Stroll through some of the museum’s outdoor and indoor spaces, including the Dinosaur Trail and Magic Wings Butterfly House. Take a train ride on the Ellerbe Creek Railway, passing colorful light displays along the way.
Rolesville Christmas Parade Main Street, Rolesville business.rolesvillechamber.org
December 1, 2 p.m. Festive floats and marching bands highlight this annual event in downtown Rolesville.
Downtown Cary Park Skating Rink
327 S. Academy Street, Cary downtowncarypark.com
December 2–January 12. Enjoy ice skating in Cary’s newest park. Skate rentals are free. Most skate sessions are available on a firstcome, first-served basis but some skating events require registration. See website for details.
Fuquay-Varina Tree Lighting, Sleigh Rides and Santa Downtown Fuquay-Varina fuquay-varina.org
December 5, 6–9 p.m. This highly anticipated event on Main Street features a tree-lighting ceremony, ticketed sleigh rides and a visit from St. Nicholas.
December 5, 6 and 9, 7:30 p.m.; December 8, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Tiny Tim asks Sherlock Holmes to investigate the death of Ebenezer Scrooge in this heartwarming holiday play. Shows take place at the Cary Arts Center.
Cirque du Soleil Presents “Twas the Night Before…”
123 Vivian Street, Durham dpacnc.com
December 5–15; see website for times. See acrobats bring to life the classic poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” including a reinvented holiday classics soundtrack.
Town of Apex Tree Lighting Ceremony
220 N. Salem Street, Apex apexnc.org
December 6, 4:30–6 p.m. This annual event at The Depot features live entertainment, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and holiday-themed activities.
PHOTO COURTESY OF
Take the family for ice skating at The Rink in downtown Raleigh.
Lighting of Wake Forest
301 S. Brooks Street, Wake Forest wakeforestnc.gov
December 6, 5–8 p.m. This year’s ceremony in Centennial Plaza features the lighting of the Christmas tree at 6:15 p.m., musical performances and Santa’s arrival in a Wake Forest fire truck.
December 6, 5–8:30 p.m. Take your canine friend to meet Santa at the Durham Armory. Enjoy a canine ugly sweater contest, holiday pet market and more.
Applause! Cary Youth Theatre Presents “A Peter Rabbit Christmas”
327 S. Academy Street, Cary carync.gov/applause
December 6, 5 and 7:30 p.m.; December 8, 2 and 5 p.m. Enjoy this holiday story based on the classic characters of Beatrix Potter in an immersive outdoor performance at Downtown Cary Park. Tickets are required to access performance areas.
17th Annual Apex Holiday Tree and Wreath Exhibit and Auction
237 N. Salem Street, Apex apexnc.org
December 6, 6–8 p.m. View holidaythemed greenery created by Apex area businesses, schools and organizations. Make a bid on a favorite display in the silent auction.
Evening With Elves
201 E. Hargett Street, Raleigh marbleskidsmuseum.org/evening-with-elves
December 6, 6–8:30 p.m.; see website for pricing. Enjoy s’mores outdoors, arctic museum play and a special visit from the Snowflake Fairy at Marbles Kids Museum. Wear pajamas.
The Fuquay-Varina Chorale Holiday Concert
123 E. Vance Street, Fuquay-Varina fuquay-varina.org/1111/arts-center
December 6, 7:30 p.m.; December 7, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Join the Fuquay-Varina Chorale for holiday favorites.
Infinity Ballet Presents “Favorite Dances of the Nutcracker”
237 N. Salem Street, Apex etix.com
December 6–8; see website for times and pricing. Talented dance students present a holiday production at the Halle Cultural Arts Center.
Christmas by Candlelight
2828 Duke Homestead Road, Durham dukehomestead.org
December 6 and 13, 5:30–9 p.m. Enjoy live Christmas music, holiday cookies and costumed interpreters who bring the Duke family home to life by candlelight as it might have been for Christmas in 1870. Purchase tickets online.
“Cinderella”
301 Pogue Street, Raleigh
December 6–22; see website for times and pricing. Raleigh Little Theatre's beloved holiday musical returns for its 40th year. Be sure to read our story on Raleigh Little Theatre's 40th year of "Cinderella" on page 50.
Jingle Bell Run
201 Fenton Gateway Drive, Cary fentonnc.com
December 7, 9 a.m. Dress in holiday attire and raise money for the Arthritis Foundation by running or walking a 5K or participating in the kids’ 1-mile Reindeer Dash. Register online.
Chapel Hill–Carrboro Community Holiday Parade
Downtown Chapel Hill and Carrboro chapelhillarts.org
December 7, 10 a.m. The towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro host a festive parade that celebrates community and diversity. The procession begins on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill and ends on Main Street in Carrboro.
Downtown Cary Park Tree-Lighting Ceremony downtowncarypark.com
December 7, 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Enjoy holiday festivities, photos with Santa and the lighting of the park’s towering holiday tree.
Spend a fun-filled Evening With Elves at Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh.
BY
A NEW ERA BEGINS FOR “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”
BY ELIZABETH BRIGNAC
This year, Ira David Wood IV (who goes by Ira) takes over the role of Scrooge in Theatre in the Park’s “A Christmas Carol,” which first opened in 1974. His father, Ira David Wood III (who goes by David) played Scrooge from 1974 until last year. Ira gave us some time to talk about how he’s feeling as he prepares to take on the role.
First, we asked about David’s health. David had a mild heart attack in September and required surgery. As of mid-October, Ira reports that his father is recovering well. We then turned to the subject of “A Christmas Carol.”
How does it feel to be fully taking on the role of Scrooge?
Well, I’ve been in the show since 1984. My mother was a dancer in the show and brought me out on stage wrapped in a blanket as a baby. I played Tiny Tim and Peter Cratchit. Scrooge used to throw an old lady into the orchestra pit—that old lady used to be me.
Over the years I’ve lived and breathed this show three months out of the year. So I had better be ready.
Did you always assume that you were going to play Scrooge eventually?
Yes, I guess that was always the finish line that we talked about. We said “maybe one day, maybe one day”—and now “maybe one day” is here. And that is something to celebrate, because it wasn’t something I was pushed into; it was something that I fell in love with. So it’s a natural progression as Dad steps down, to fill that role.
Are you going to do anything different with the role?
That’s something I talked about with my dad. I don’t want to reinvent the wheel. But now there’s a new generation of audience members coming in, and they’re my age with families and children. So we may be updating some of the humor a little bit for this new generation. But it’s still the same show with the same message. What message would you like to convey?
Charles Dickens wrote this back in 1843. One hundred and eighty-one years later, we’re still hungry for its message. Despite our divisions of color and creed, nationality and political persuasion, we’re still one family on this globe, and that globe grows smaller every day. The powers that be have us focused on our differences instead of our commonalities. I think
“A Christmas Carol” is a great chance, when your heart’s a little more open, to [focus on] our commonalities—which I think essentially is the message of Christmas.
Ira David Wood III’s “A Christmas Carol” theatreinthepark.com
Performances take place December 6–8 at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium (2 E. South Street, Raleigh) and December 18–22 at the Durham Performing Arts Center (123 Vivian Street, Durham); see website for times. Ira David Wood III’s “A Christmas Carol” is a musical comedy adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic.
Ira David Wood IV takes on the role of Scrooge this year in Ira David Wood III's "A Christmas Carol" at Theatre in the Park.
Cary Ballet Company Presents “The Nutcracker”
2 E. South Street, Raleigh caryballetcompany.org/nutcracker
December 7, 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Travel with Clara to a magical world at A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater. The 11 a.m. performance is a one-hour narrated mini show for all ages.
Victorian Christmas at the Page-Walker 119 Ambassador Loop Road, Cary carync.gov
December 7, 2–5 p.m. Enjoy old-fashioned holiday fun featuring storytelling, carolers, carriage rides and refreshments.
Town of Morrisville Tree Lighting 101 Town Hall Drive, Morrisville morrisvillenc.gov
December 7, 3–6 p.m. Enjoy holiday entertainment as Santa makes an appearance at the Town of Morrisville’s tree lighting at the Indian Creek Trailhead.
Garner Optimist Christmas Parade and Tree-Lighting Main Street, Garner garnerchristmasparade.com
December 7, 4:30 p.m. See the town’s annual parade on Main Street, followed
by a holiday block party and tree-lighting ceremony at 6 p.m.
December 7, 5–8 p.m. Enjoy a festive evening Christmas parade on Salem Street.
Light the Springs
300 W. Ballentine Street, Holly Springs hollyspringsnc.us
December 7, 5–8 p.m. Enjoy games, live music, festive food, face painting and holiday crafts before Santa and the mayor light the town tree at the Holly Springs Cultural Center.
Santa’s Reindeer Roundup Express
3900 Bonsal Road, New Hill triangletrain.com
December 7–8, 14–15 and 21; departure times are 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:15 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. Travel on the New Hope Valley Railway to search for Santa's nine missing reindeer. Purchase tickets online.
Gingerbread House Competition & Display
Downtown Cary carync.gov
December 7–15. Visit select downtown
businesses displaying gingerbread houses created by local participants. The winning houses will be displayed through December at the Cary Arts Center.
Apex Holiday Tour of Lights apexnc.org
December 7–26, 6–9 p.m. View holiday light displays of 32 homes and businesses across Apex. See website for a route map.
Fuquay-Varina Christmas Parade
Downtown Fuquay-Varina fuquay-varina.org
December 8, 4 p.m. Floats, marching bands and Santa highlight this annual parade.
Hillsborough Light Up the Night Holiday Parade
Downtown Hillsborough hillsboroughchamber.com
December 8, 4–6:30 p.m. Hillsborough turns on the holiday charm with a festive parade on Churton Street.
December 9, 7:30 p.m. The “Queen of Christmas” brings her Yuletide extravaganza to the Lenovo Center.
PHOTO
The highly acclaimed Raleigh Ringers present musical arrangements for handbells in Raleigh.
Carolina Ballet Presents “The Nutcracker”
2 E. South Street, Raleigh carolinaballet.com
December 12–24; visit the website for showtimes. This holiday ballet marries the charm of the original with fresh choreography, vibrant sets and stunning costumes at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium.
Snowball Dance 2024
133 W. Owen Avenue, Wake Forest wakeforestnc.gov
December 13, 6:30–8:30 p.m.; visit website for registration and fees. Individuals ages 10–30 with disabilities can dance in a Winter Wonderland at the Wake Forest Community House. Chaperones will be available.
Concert Singers of Cary Presents “Holiday Pops”
101 Dry Avenue, Cary etix.com
December 13, 8 p.m. The Concert Singers of Cary and guest musicians present this family-friendly program of popular holiday tunes at the Cary Arts Center.
St. Nicholas European Christmas Market
North Carolina State Fairgrounds, Kerr Scott Building 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh saintnicholasmarketnc.com
December 13, 5–9 p.m.; December 14, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Shop at a holiday market with decorative and gift items from European countries, traditional cuisine, a local artisan vendor village, carolers and live music from The Little German Band. Admission and parking are free, but donations are appreciated.
“Can Mrs. Claus Save Christmas?” and “How to Become an Elf (In Six Simple Steps)”
237 N. Salem Street, Apex etix.com
December 13–15, visit website for showtimes. Get in the holiday spirit with a play followed by a musical at the Halle Cultural Arts Center.
Happy Holly Days Parade
Downtown Holly Springs hollyspringsnc.gov
December 14, 10 a.m.–noon. Floats, bands, horses and marching groups travel Main Street on an expanded route, starting near Oakhall Drive and ending at Oak Avenue.
Durham Holiday Parade
Main Street, Durham dprplaymore.org
December 14, 10 a.m.–noon. Cheer on floats, bands, drill teams, schools and community groups as they make their way down Main Street. The procession concludes with an appearance from Santa.
The MAKRS Holiday Fest
Downtown Raleigh makrs.com/makrs-holiday-fest
December 14, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Get into the holiday spirit with 150+ local vendors, a food truck rodeo, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a kids zone and more. The petting zoo requires a $2 entry fee.
Cary Jaycees Christmas Parade
Downtown Cary caryjaycees.org
December 14, 2–4 p.m. The Cary Jaycees' procession features marching bands, mascots, floats and local businesses. Parade to Park Festivities will take place from 3–9 p.m. at Downtown Cary Park.
Gingerbread Jamboree
201 E. Hargett Street, Raleigh marbleskidsmuseum.org
December 14–15; 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Decorate a keepsake gingerbread house at Marbles Kids Museum. See website for tickets and pricing.
Historic Oakwood Candlelight Tour
Downtown Raleigh historicoakwood.org
December 14–15, 1–7 p.m. The self-guided tour features 10 properties dating from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. Tickets are $38–$40 online.
See colorful light displays at Durham's Museum of Life and Science.
The Raleigh Ringers’ Holiday Concert
2 E. South Street, Raleigh rr.org
December 14–15, 4 p.m. Hear The Raleigh Ringers present interpretations of sacred, secular and popular music arranged for handbells.
“Christmas with C.S. Lewis”
2 E. South Street, Raleigh martinmariettacenter.com
December 18, 7:30 p.m. Relive the Yuletide experiences of writer C.S. Lewis as he hosts a group of Americans in his home at A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater.
“The Nutcracker”
309 W. Morgan Street, Durham carolinatheatre.org
December 19, 7:30 p.m. Classical Arts Entertainment presents the classic ballet with staging by the State Ballet Theater of Ukraine.
North Carolina Symphony Presents
“A Candlelight Christmas with the North Carolina Symphony Holiday Brass”
2 E. South Street, Raleigh ncsymphony.org
December 20, 8 p.m.; December 21–22, 3 p.m. Hear seasonal selections in Meymandi Concert Hall.
“Clara’s Trip: A Cirque & Dance Nutcracker Story”
2 E. South Street, Raleigh cirquedevol.com/clarastrip
December 20–22; see the website for showtimes. Enjoy a contemporary twist on a holiday classic at A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater.
Solstice Lantern Walk + Market
144 E. Margaret Lane, Hillsborough hillsboroughartscouncil.org/solstice
December 21, 5–8 p.m. A procession of battery-lit lanterns honors the solstice at the Eno River Farmers Market Pavilion.
“Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet”
123 Vivian Street, Durham dpacnc.com
December 24, 1 and 5 p.m. Experience the exquisite artistry of Ukraine performers in this dazzling holiday ballet.
Town of Morrisville
Menorah Lighting
101 Town Hall Drive, Morrisville morrisvillenc.gov
December 27, 5–7 p.m. Enjoy a live flame lighting of the town’s menorah on the third night of Hanukkah at the Indian Creek Trailhead.
“The Hip Hop Nutcracker”
123 Vivian Street, Durham dpacnc.com
December 28, 7:30 p.m. This reimagining and remix of the classic story features Tchaikovsky’s music blended with hiphop dance.
Apex Chanukah Festival
53 Hunter Street, Apex apexnc.org
December 29, 3–7 p.m. Enjoy a Chanukah Wonderland organized by Chabad of Cary featuring crafts and games at the Apex Senior Center followed by a menorah lighting, fire show, kosher food truck and gelt drop.
Cary Hanukkah
Menorah Lighting
310 S. Academy Street, Cary carync.gov
December 30, 5:30–6:15 p.m. Join Chabad of Cary as it lights a menorah on the sixth night of Hanukkah. Enjoy treats, kids activities and holiday music.
First Night Raleigh
Downtown Raleigh firstnightraleigh.com
December 31, 2 p.m.–midnight; visit the website for ticket information. Ring in the new year with live entertainment, roving street performers, arts and crafts, the Acorn Drop at midnight and a spectacular fireworks display.
Kwanzaa Fest
212 Foster Street, Durham aadekwanzaafest.com
January 1, noon. The 39th annual Kwanzaa Fest feaures live performances, a vendor market and more.
Shop 150+ vendors and enjoy a petting zoo at The MAKRS Society's Holiday Fest in Raleigh.
SHELTER AND STABILITY
The Women’s Center’s mission to
help Wake County’s homeless women
BY KRISTEN SCHRUM
PHOTOS BY JENN M c KINNEY PHOTOGRAPHY
According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, homelessness among single women has surged by more than 10% across the United States in the past decade, and Wake County has not been spared. The COVID-19 pandemic and the lack of affordable housing in the Triangle have exacerbated this crisis, leaving many women without a stable place to live. In response, The Women’s Center of Wake County has become a vital lifeline, offering a range of services designed to provide stability and secure housing for women in need
“Our goal really is to connect women with housing,” says Amy Smith, executive director of The Women’s Center. “A big part of that is providing them stability.”
Since its founding in 1977 by a group of local churches as a reentry program for women leaving prison, the center has evolved to focus on supporting women experiencing homelessness. Today, it is Wake County’s only day shelter dedicated exclusively to single women.
EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES
The Women’s Center of Wake County is not just a shelter; it’s a crucial resource for women facing the harsh realities of homelessness. The center’s mission is clear: to use evidence-based practices to provide stability and housing to single women experiencing homelessness. This goal manifests itself in every aspect of the center’s operations, from the basic services they offer to the long-term housing solutions they facilitate.
In 2022, The Women’s Center was serving 40 to 50 women daily. By 2023 that number had more than doubled, with the center assisting over 1,200 women. Already by mid-2024, the center had seen 1,600 women—a stark indication of the growing need for their services. “At this rate, by the end of the year, we will have served over 2,000 women,” Smith notes, emphasizing the center’s critical role in addressing this escalating crisis.
MEETING URGENT NEEDS
Every day, The Women’s Center serves 80 to 100 women, providing them with a safe place to stay during the day, access to essential meals and utilities and, most importantly, a path to stability and housing. Upon arrival, each guest receives a personalized safety and stabilization service plan tailored to her specific needs. This plan includes crisis intervention, connection to medical and behavioral health care resources, and access to basic necessities such as hygiene products, clothing and food.
The center’s day shelter offers showers, laundry services and a computer lab, ensuring that women can maintain their dignity while addressing their most pressing needs. For many guests, these basic amenities are the first step toward rebuilding their lives. In 2023 alone, the center provided approximately 38,000 meals, helping to alleviate the daily struggle of food insecurity faced by so many women in the community. Beyond meeting basic needs, The Women’s Center offers instructional and enrichment
PAGE 44: Markeita Wilson manages The Women’s Center (TWC) warehouse like a small thrift store. Once they have the basics they need, women can reward themselves for each act of self-care with bonus “shopping” credits.
ON LEFT, TOP: Social enrichment classes are popular at TWC—especially Bingo Wednesdays. Here, a client celebrates a win. CENTER: TWC’s new Safe Haven program offers beds for women with chronic issues that make stable housing difficult to maintain. BOTTOM: Two clients high five at a social enrichment class.
workshops, as well as group mutual aid and recovery programming Monday through Friday. These programs equip women with the tools and support they need to address the underlying issues contributing to their homelessness, such as mental health challenges and substance use disorders.
A COMMUNITY EFFORT
One of the most remarkable aspects of The Women’s Center is its deep integration with the broader Raleigh community. The center collaborates with thousands of volunteers and numerous organizations to offer a wide range of services that would not be possible otherwise. This collaborative approach is vital in addressing the complex needs of homelessness.
“We work with every single provider here in Wake County,” Smith explains. “Because we share so many of our guests with our partners, it would be nonsensical for us to do otherwise.” The center partners with other homeless service providers, such as Healing Transitions and the Harrington Street dropin shelter, to share resources, information and strategies critical to tackling homelessness effectively. By working together, these organizations can offer more comprehensive support to those in need, ensuring that no one falls through the cracks.
Another key partner is CASA, an organization dedicated to providing affordable housing in Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. CASA’s Kings Ridge housing project is a prime example of the transformative impact affordable housing can have on the lives of
those experiencing homelessness. This large-scale development, set to offer over 100 apartments, represents a significant step forward in addressing the housing crisis in the region. “For the women who are accepted there, this will be a life-changing housing intervention,” Smith says, emphasizing the crucial role that partnerships like this play in the center’s mission.
A NEW CHAPTER IN HOUSING SERVICES
In June 2024, The Women’s Center took a monumental step by launching its Safe Haven program. This initiative marks a significant expansion of the Center’s housing sevices, focusing on providing both immediate respite and long-term stabilization for some of the community’s most vulnerable women.
The Safe Haven program, which officially opened on June 11, offers a lifeline for women who have been chronically unsheltered and are in desperate need of stability. The program provides a total of 11 beds: five respite beds reserved for single women referred by the WakeMed Center for Community Health and six Safe Haven beds dedicated to women who have been chronically homeless.
“For these women, having these beds will be a critical intervention—offering them the security and support they need to begin rebuilding their lives,” says Smith.
The Safe Haven beds are specifically designed for longterm unsheltered women who face significant challenges, such as severe mental illness or other persistent issues that make
traditional housing solutions inadequate. The program offers semiprivate spaces with lockable storage, providing a sense of personal security and dignity often missing in their daily lives.
HOW TO HELP
The Women’s Center’s work is made possible through the generosity of the community. There are many ways to get involved and support the center’s mission. “Being proximate to the issue is one of the ways we can make the biggest strides,” Smith says, encouraging community members to tour the facilities and see firsthand the impact of The Women’s Center.
Volunteers are always needed to bring breakfast or lunch for the guests, sort donations or staff the reception desk. Group volunteer activities are also available, including opportunities to lead enrichment classes or help beautify the grounds. Donations of necessary items such as clothing, hygiene products and food are always welcome, and financial contributions are crucial to sustaining the center’s programs. Supporting the center’s housing efforts by following and sharing their posts on social media can also help raise awareness and generate much-needed financial gifts.
“This is truly the work that needs to be done in Wake County,” Smith emphasizes. “The more the community is involved, the greater the impact.”
Learn more about The Women’s Center’s work and how to help at wcwc.org.
MagicFORTY YEARS OF
THE RALEIGH LITTLE THEATRE’S “CINDERELLA” CELEBRATES FOUR DECADES OF PERFORMANCES
BY ELIZABETH BRIGNAC
PHOTOS COURTESY OF RALEIGH LITTLE THEATRE
Attending a performance of “Cinderella” at Raleigh Little Theatre (RLT) is like going to see “The Nutcracker” for some Raleigh families—an integral part of the holiday season. Susan Holbrook’s family has attended every year since 1985. “We began going the second year that they had the production,” says Holbrook, “and we’ve been every year since. Now I have a granddaughter who is 13 … She was 5 weeks old the first time she went to see ‘Cinderella.’”
“Cinderella” is a 90-minute family musical that RLT has been producing every Christmas since 1984. Set during the holiday season, the musical follows the story of an independent-minded Cinderella. “The way it is told gives Cinderella agency in her own future,” says Michele Weathers, RLT’s executive producer. “She isn’t waiting for Prince Charming to come and rescue her. She’s got ideas and thoughts of her own about what she wants her life to be.” The show doesn’t have an intermission. “You can lose little ones at intermission,” says Weathers. The musical is therefore held to a tight 90-minute run to avoid losing short attention spans.
LEFT:
ON
The Raleigh Little Theatre’s “Cinderella” 2023 cast at the end of the Sneeze Polka, one of the show’s long-beloved scenes.
Over time, the RLT version of “Cinderella” has developed its own traditions. For example, it incorporates references to Raleigh that were not in the original script. When the prince seeks to try the glass slipper on all the women of the kingdom, two reporters show the queen and the prince trying the shoe on patrons at Krispy Kreme, Meredith College and other recognizable local spots. These a nd other Raleigh-area references, as well as special songs, dances and set pieces, characterize the RLT “Cinderella” experience, and people expect to see them every year.
Some actors and actresses have played particular roles for so long that they become part of the tradition. Susan Holbrook’s family enjoyed Jo Brown in the role of the Fairy Godmother for many years, for example. And audiences loved Dennis Poole and Tim Cherry’s comedic portrayal of the evil stepsisters from 1998 through 2019. “By the time they retired, they were adlibbing. They brought their own personalities into the characters,” says Holbrook.
CHANGES OVER TIME
The first performance of
“Cinderella” took place in 1984 and was planned as a single holiday season offering. Art director Haskell Fitz-Simons, who was new to RLT at the time, directed it. “It was his baby,” says Catherine Lambe, RLT’s archivist and longtime backstage volunteer. The show proved so successful that they repeated it until it became a holiday tradition.
Originally, the musical was designed in the slapstick, exaggerated tradition of Christmas pantomimes. Over time, “the show has changed from panto and more into
traditional theater,” says Weathers. “Which means … that the roles have become much more traditional, and the comical pieces of it have become much more contemporary.”
For example, in 2019, the stepsisters were cast with actresses in the roles instead of actors—a move that drew some protests. “These two gentlemen [Dennis Poole and Tim Cherry] had done it for so long and were a draw … because they were in some ways the last piece of that panto [approach to the musical],” says Weathers. But both men were ready to retire from the
roles, and other aspects of the production had shifted to a more contemporary style of comedy, so when RLT recast the roles, they cast women.
The way Cinderella meets the prince has also shifted. “It used to be that they never interacted until she went to the ball,” says Lambe. Eventually, they added an early scene in which the prince meets Cinderella in the marketplace. Their relationship begins with a conversation rather than with his seeing her across the ballroom floor. Lambe attributes the change to a younger generation’s distrust of the old love-at-first-
sight trope. “These days, kids think, ‘OK, that’s ridiculous that you just sort of fall in love with somebody at a ball without ever having any connection or conversation with them before.’
So now, they have that scene where they interact and they sort of like each other,” she says.
“CINDERELLA” IN 2024
Some changes to the production have been made to move the musical forward with the times. But change has also been the natural result of different people taking their own approaches to the production over the years.
OPPOSITE PAGE: Nunna Noe as the Fairy Godmother in RLT’s 2023 production of “Cinderella,” flanked by her helpers. THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Benaiah Barnes as King Darling III with his pages in the 2019 production. Natasha Gore as Queen Darling III in the 2023 production. The children of the town and other townspeople in the 2023 production.
Haskell Fitz-Simons directed “Cinderella” for his entire career at RLT, so for a long time, the show took a fairly uniform approach. “Haskell passed away in 2013, and since then the show has had different directors over time,” says Weathers. “And each director has put their own spin on it.”
These diverse approaches have brought in some fun changes—the stepsisters’ making their entrance to Beyonce’s “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” for example—but problems have emerged as well. “It left us with a show that didn’t
have enough connectivity in the story. It was more like vignettes of the story, because the costumes were somewhat different each year, and the music was somewhat different … It lacked a thorough artistic line,” says Weathers Changing the approach each year also has meant that designers and costumers need to consider new ways to integrate or build sets and costumes for each different version of the play, which has created difficulties.
For these reasons, 2024’s “Cinderella” is focusing on
creating a consistent RLT version of the musical that will preserve the best elements of past performances and remain in place for the foreseeable future. “I’ve been charged with trying to clean up the script … and make it a little more focused,” says this year’s director, Ruthie Martinez. “Over the years, ad-libs have made their way into the script, and [other additions]. So we have tried to iron the script back out and focus it.” “I was referencing different incarnations of ‘Cinderella’ over the years,” she
adds, “and different directors have taken different takes … I pulled what I feel is the most streamlined—and fun and happy.”
Martinez is using contemporary children’s theater and retaining some traditions of English pantomime to inspire her approach to the material. “I want to keep it light and fun and peppy … moving. Make the jokes land and have broad characterization,” she says. Since this is a fairy tale version of an 18th-century world, she is using historic English dances to inspire her work, as
well as reimagined history shows like Netflix’s “Bridgerton.” “‘Bridgerton’ is a heightened, fantasy version of [Regency England]. I’m trying to bring that color and pizzazz,” says Martinez.
Weathers plans for 2024’s streamlined “Cinderella” to be the version RLT uses moving forward. “We’re not telling anyone else’s story of ‘Cinderella,’” she says. “This is very particular to Raleigh Little Theatre, as it has always been.” She adds, “We need to make our ‘Cinderella’ a ‘Cinderella’ for the ages.”
OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The cast from RLT’s first “Cinderella” production in 1984. Leigh Howell as Stepmama in the 2021 production, flanked by Cinderella’s stepsisters, Rachel Veazey as Gertrude and and Emma K. Johnson as Henrietta. The cast performs the Sneeze Polka wearing masks in the 2021 production. Suzanna Dupree as Cinderella emerges from her carriage in the 2005 production. Program from the first RLT production of “Cinderella” in 1984.
BELOW: Roni Nicole (center) as Stepmama in the 2022 production, flanked by Gertrude, played by Emily Steinhoff James (left) and Henriettta, played by Olivia Roe.
Ornamental frames by stock.adobe.com/ MahdiArts.
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.
COMPILED BY CRYSTAL WATTS
COVER PHOTO BY STOCK.ADOBE.COM/ SVETLANA KOLPAKOVA
Customizable Gift Boxes (Box as Shown), $132 Mindful Merchant mindfulmerchantnc.com
Lovelight Candle Vessel, $43 Lovelight Candle Refill, $10 Home for Entertaining | homeforentertaining.com Jasmine Coconut 11 oz Candle, $48 The NOW Massage | thenowmassage.com Acorn Bell Ornament, $15 Designed for Joy designedforjoy.com
Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas Hardcover Box Set, $99 Quail Ridge Books quailridgebooks.com
Cucumber Melon Ring Candle, $29.97 Diamond Candles diamondcandles.com Coupon code MIDTOWN10 for a 10% discount
Santa’s First Christmas by Mac Barnett, Illustrated by Sydney Smith (Hardcover), $18.99
Quail Ridge Books quailridgebooks.com
Set of Four Perry’s Steak Knives, $49 Perry’s Steakhouse shop.perryssteakhouse.com/products
Millie Bucket Bag, $96 Designed for Joy designedforjoy.com
“Spring Dance,” $1,050 Art by Shalimar artbyshalimar.com
“Settling In” (36"x36"), $2,200 Paul Hrusovsky cravenallengallery.com/paul-hrusovsky
Night Shift Friendship Table Lamp, $498 Bosetti Art Tile & Pottery bosettiarttile.com
Flexible Diamond Bangle Bracelets, Prices Range from $1,160–$3,500 Holland’s Jewelers | hollandsjewelers.com
Ring: Brummit Jewelry Design Studio (BJDS) Custom Platinum 1.63-Carat, Asscher-Cut Blue Sapphire Ring with Channel-Set, Tapering Trapezoid Side Diamonds, $13,900
Earrings: BJDS Custom 18-Karat White Gold, Round, Diamond and Bluish-Purple Sapphire Drop Earrings, $2,600
Bracelet 1: BJDS Custom 14-Karat White Gold, Natural Blue Sapphire and Lab-Grown Diamond Cadence Design Bracelet, $7,500
Bracelet 2: BJDS Custom 14-Karat White Gold and Lab-Grown Diamond Cadence Design Bracelet, $3,850
Necklace: 18-Karat White Gold and 7.11-Carat (Total Weight) Natural Blue Sapphire 3-Stone, Station Line Necklace, $6,995
Brummitt Jewelry Design Studio brummittjewelrystudio.com
Photo by Megan Kime
(Top) Frenchie Cooling Bandana
(Bottom) Christmas-Themed Squeaky Toys, Prices Vary Hause of Dogs hauseofdogsraleigh.com Dog
(Above) Bailey’s Certified Pre-Owned Rolex GMT-Master II with Black Dial and Red and Blue Bezel (Varying Years), Starting at $16,995
Simply Pump by Valentina Rangoni, $360 Rangoni Firenze Shoes | rangonistore.com
Marco Pescarolo Five-Pocket Cords, $595 Liles Clothing Studio lilesclothingstudio.com
Senior Year Photography Sessions, Starting at $1,200 Jenn McKinney Photography | jmfhoto.com
Rose & Lee Spa Gift Box, $209 Rose & Lee Collective roseandleeco.com
(Left) Anu Science of Beauty Lips and Lashes Collection (Lash Growth Accelerator and Lip Plumper), $149 (Right) Anu Science of Beauty Sexy Skincare Collection (Tummy and Thighs, Hands, and Feet) $229
Antony Institute for Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery | anuantonymd.com
Cucumber Melon Ring Bath Bomb, $15.97 Diamond Candles | diamondcandles.com Coupon code MIDTOWN10 for a 10% discount
WOMEN OF WAKE
GRETCHEN COLEY
WHAT ASPECT OF YOUR WORK ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built with my clients and industry partners. Guiding people through this significant life decision and helping to shape communities is incredibly rewarding for me.
WHERE DO YOU FIND ENERGY AND INSPIRATION FOR WHAT YOU DO?
I find so much inspiration in my love for Raleigh and its people. Sharing what makes this city special, whether through my video series The Best of Raleigh or my philanthropic endeavors, keeps me energized and motivated to give back.
WHAT ARE SOME WAYS WOMEN IN YOUR FIELD CAN REACH OUT TO AND SUPPORT PEOPLE—OTHER WOMEN ESPECIALLY—WHO ARE JUST STARTING OUT?
Our focus should be on collaboration over competition. We can make a real difference by working together and mentoring one another. I love offering guidance and helping other women expand their networks and grow their businesses—it's so important to lift each other up in this industry.
LAUREN PHILLIPS
WHAT ASPECT OF YOUR WORK ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
I take great pride in the trust my clients place in me as I become a part of their renovation or new construction project. It is incredibly rewarding to influence the elements of their homes.
WHERE DO YOU FIND ENERGY AND INSPIRATION FOR WHAT YOU DO?
Each project is special and unique, and watching someone’s vision come to life drives my passion for learning. I also genuinely love this industry, which makes it easy to be inspired, as each day brings something new.
WHAT ARE SOME WAYS WOMEN IN YOUR FIELD CAN REACH OUT TO AND SUPPORT PEOPLE—OTHER WOMEN ESPECIALLY—WHO ARE JUST STARTING OUT?
Hosting or participating in networking events and workshops creates valuable connections and learning opportunities. Many of us are eager to share our experiences—both challenges and successes—to inspire the next generation of women in this industry. I am a firm believer in the idea that you are never done learning.
RANDI MILROY
OAK CITY SUNLESS
WHAT ASPECT OF YOUR WORK ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
There is no greater feeling than knowing that your services give both the client and the provider such feelings of confidence and contentment that we all can’t wait for more. I have built an exceptional team of spray tan artists who get to experience that level of appreciation because we provide our clients with exceptional, award-winning experiences.
WHERE DO YOU FIND ENERGY AND INSPIRATION FOR WHAT YOU DO?
Every day I am able to teach clients something new about their skin and health they never thought about. Sunless tanning is more than a superficial product applied; it is science working with our bodies' own chemistry to develop a natural, flawless tan. Science can be fun and pretty!
WHAT ARE SOME WAYS WOMEN IN YOUR FIELD CAN REACH OUT TO AND SUPPORT PEOPLE—OTHER WOMEN ESPECIALLY—WHO ARE JUST STARTING OUT?
In early 2025 I will be launching The Sunless CEO, which will offer many different kinds of resources to help sunless business owners navigate this rapidly growing industry. From courses, seminars and other materials they can use to start a new business to strategic marketing plans that can help them grow at any level, I aspire to help others learn not only from my success, but also from the failures along the way that it took for me to get here.
LUXURY HOME MARKETING GROUP
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
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
SONAL PATEL
WOODHOUSE SPA NORTH HILLS
WHAT ASPECT OF YOUR WORK ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?
I'm incredibly proud of the sense of community we,ve created at Woodhouse Spa North Hills. It’s not just about offering luxurious treatments—it,s about fostering a space where guests feel truly cared for, both physically and mentally. Knowing that our services can help people find moments of peace and balance in their lives is deeply fulfilling.
WHERE DO YOU FIND ENERGY AND INSPIRATION FOR WHAT YOU DO?
I find my energy in connecting with people—whether it’s the guests who walk through our doors or the incredible team of men and women I work alongside. There,s something deeply inspiring about being surrounded by passionate individuals who are committed to wellness, beauty and growth. I also draw a lot of inspiration from nature—especially the changing seasons, which constantly remind me of the importance of renewal and self-care.
WHAT ARE SOME WAYS WOMEN IN YOUR FIELD CAN REACH OUT TO AND SUPPORT PEOPLE—OTHER WOMEN ESPECIALLY—WHO ARE JUST STARTING OUT?
Mentorship is key. I’ve always believed in sharing knowledge and experiences with other women in our field. It’s important to create open channels for conversation, offer advice and be a resource for those who are just beginning their journeys. Additionally, providing opportunities for collaboration and introducing newcomers to our network can be instrumental in helping them succeed. Together, we can lift each other up and create more spaces for women to thrive in wellness and business.
THIS IMAGE: Traditional Christmas cake with white icing decorated in a manner similar to the one author Mary Ann Bryan Mason describes in “The Young Housewife’s Counsellor and Friend,” her popular 19th-century cookbook. Stock.Adobe.com – petrrgoskov.
INSET IMAGE BELOW: Mary Ann Bryan Mason, Raleigh chef and author of “The Young Housewife’s Counsellor and Friend.” Publc domain.
HISTORIC HOLIDAY MEALS
North Carolina’s holiday feasts have changed over the past two centuries
BY ERIC MEDLIN
Today, North Carolinians celebrate Christmas and Thanksgiving much as they do in every other state. According to the U.S. and North Carolina Departments of Agriculture, our state grows the nation’s largest number of sweet potatoes, and we are a leading producer of turkeys. But for many years, most North Carolinians did not eat a bountiful meal on these holidays. North Carolina had to grow in wealth and sophistication before many of its residents could enjoy anything like the holiday meals we have today.
Colonial North Carolina did not celebrate Christmas or Thanksgiving as we do. In fact, it did not recognize Thanksgiving as a formal holiday at
all. The celebration of Thanksgiving, with its familial trappings and large meal centered around turkey, began as a New England tradition. Individual days of thanksgiving were sometimes observed throughout the year in the Carolinas. For example, an 1837 edition of the Baptist newspaper The Biblical Recorder notes a day of thanks offered in Charleston after the end of a cholera epidemic. But a traditional, November Thanksgiving was not commonly celebrated in colonial North Carolina. Most North Carolinians, moreover, lived in poverty and could not
afford celebratory meals. Their diets consisted mainly of corn and bacon.
The colony’s few wealthy residents did celebrate the Christmas season. They decorated their houses, and people who lived near churches could attend Christmas services. The first day of Christmas was not the only day on which they focused. They observed twelve days of Christmas, with the final evening—Twelfth Night—being a main occasion for celebration. Wealthy families often feasted on that day. The North Carolina Governor’s Palace in New Bern, for example, offered a multicourse
meal focused heavily on meat, along with drinking, dancing and games.
It was not until the mid-19th century that modern traditions of Thanksgiving and Christmas began to crystallize here. A nationally celebrated day of Thanksgiving became popular, with North Carolina celebrating its first official Thanksgiving on November 15, 1849. An 1856 article from New York, republished in Wilmington’s Tri-Weekly Commercial, boasted of the popular “German gift-tree” that later gave rise to our Christmas trees.
In the 19th century, North Carolina became more prosperous and less isolated than it had been in the 18th century. More North Carolinian families could afford to spend lavish amounts on “set suppers” for the holidays. These suppers were multicourse affairs with fine settings and many decorations. According to “The Young Housewife’s Counsellor and Friend,” written in 1871 by Raleigh’s Mary Ann Bryan Mason, such meals should have five courses, beginning with soup and then moving on to fish, meats and salads. The meal would balance preserved foods like pickles and ham with fresh vegetables and baked starches. The family would offer toasts with alcoholic beverages like wines or cordials if they did not abstain. The number of possible dishes in these suppers is staggering. Mason’s book includes dozens of recipes for holiday meals, including oyster fritters, crab-shaped mutton chops and even macaroni and cheese.
The final course was dessert. “ The Young Housewife’s Counsellor and Friend” has an image of an ideal Christmas dessert table setting. At the two ends sit the main attractions: a Christmas iced cake and a plum pudding. In between are flowers and desserts of all kinds, from jellies and puddings to charlotte russe, a decadent cake comprised of gelatin and cream and served with ladyfingers.
Before emancipation, enslaved people in North Carolina sometimes enjoyed a more limited but still festive meal on holidays. Christmas in particular was a notable occasion—it was one when many enslaved people got married and sometimes planned to escape. For enslaved people, holiday meals might consist of meats and seafood as well as alcohol, breads and desserts. Enslaved families in poorer households would be relegated to the preserved foods that made up the staples of the slave owners’ diets.
As time went on, North Carolina Thanksgiving and Christmas meals grew closer to their modern equivalents. Turkey became the centerpiece meat for Thanksgiving, eventually overshadowing earlier accompaniments like oysters and venison. Several of today’s traditional Thanksgiving side dishes became common. Notable among these was sweet potatoes, which have been eaten for centuries in North Carolina. A copy of The Asheville Times from 1910 includes a Thanksgiving menu from the Battery Park Hotel that lists what we today would view as ordinary holiday fare (turkey, mashed potatoes and string beans) as well as more exotic choices (pickled walnuts, cream of partridge and queen olives).
Such a meal remained out of the price range of many North Carolinians,
ABOVE: Traditional plum pudding, shaped and decorated as it would have been in the 19th century.
Photo by Stock.Adobe.com – rawpixel.com
LEFT: Excerpt from “The Young Housewife’s Counsellor and Friend” suggesting how Christmas desserts should be laid out. Public domain.
however, even in the early 20th century. It was not until advances in refrigeration and consumer culture in the 20th century that turkey, cranberry sauce and fruit pies became the common, national meal of American families. As for Christmas dinner, North Carolina is a leading producer of common meats like turkey, chicken and pork, as well as dairy and sides such as corn, and this fare is what many North Carolinians have been eating for decades.
North Carolinians have always enjoyed a hearty meal. They have not always been able to experience much variety in their meals, but they have done their best and have often put significant effort into crafting succulent dinners. In this way, little has changed since the holiday feasts in the earliest years of the colony of North Carolina.
Please scan the QR code to see historic images related to this article and to learn more about Eric Medlin’s source materials.
A WINE REVOLUTION
BY JENNIFER PRIMROSE | PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE RALEIGH WINE SHOP
In the heart of Raleigh, a revolution is brewing—or rather, fermenting. Two dynamic individuals with a shared passion for bringing approachable, exciting wines to the community are transforming the city’s wine landscape.
After over a decade of curating fine wines at their Glenwood South location, Seth Hoffman and Liz Porcelli, co-owners of The Raleigh Wine Shop, decided it was time to expand their vision. What started as a modest retail shop has blossomed into a full-fledged wine experience, reimagining how wine should be enjoyed in the Oak City.
The move from their original location to a new, larger space at 317 S. Bloodworth Street was more than an upgrade; it was the realization of a dream. The Glenwood South district has become a bustling party hub since the shop originally opened—fun, but not ideal for the experience Hoffman and Porcelli were trying to create. The new location, more than twice the size of their previous shop, has offered them the chance to build the environment
they really wanted: a community gathering spot where newcomers and aficionados alike can savor the experience of enjoying wine.
“We always envisioned wine as an experience,” Hoffman says. “It’s more than just a transaction. People come here not just to buy wine but to engage, learn, and enjoy it in a social setting. That’s something we can offer now that we have more space—a wine bar, a full kitchen, private event space and room for classes and education. Everything we built is movable, so we can transform the space for a variety of events.”
Porcelli and Hoffman are building an environment where people can connect over wine. “We believe the future of wine retail—and retail in general—is experiential,” Porcelli says. “You have to give people a reason to come out and engage with you in person. In a world where everyone can buy wine online, we need to offer something different.”
And different they are. The shop’s philosophy of handselecting every bottle ensures that only unique and high-quality
The Raleigh Wine Shop owners Seth Hoffman and Liz Porcelli have created a community space for people to enjoy wine together in Raleigh.
wines make it to the shelves. There’s no bottom-shelf grocery store wine here—no endless rows of chardonnays that all taste the same. Instead, Hoffman and Porcelli focus on what they love: handcrafted, unique wines from across the globe, with a strong focus on the Old World, offering a truly unique wine experience.
TWO JOURNEYS INTO WINE
The two co-owners took different routes into the wine business. After taking an introductory wine course at Cornell University, Porcelli never looked back. She worked in vineyards and wineries. She learned everything from planting and pruning grapes to harvesting and winemaking. After a few years working in vineyards, she moved to Raleigh in 2013 and soon found herself working at the shop, eventually becoming Hoffman’s business partner.
Hoffman became a bartender after attending college at the University of Rochester. It wasn’t long before he was managing the beverage program at a fine dining restaurant, where he fell in love with wine. After moving to Raleigh and working in a wine shop, he and his partners opened their own shop on Glenwood South, driven by the belief that wine should be accessible to and enjoyable for everyone.
THE POWER OF COMMUNITY
When the duo moved to their new space, they brought with them loyal customers and a vision to make the shop a true community hub. The expanded venue allows for more customer interaction, making space for them to try wines by the glass, attend private events and participate in educational programs.
“ We’re not just about selling wine,” Hoffman says. “We’re about introducing people to something new and exciting every time they visit. People don’t come to us looking for grocery store wines—they come to find something different, something they can’t get anywhere else.”
The shop’s emphasis on natural and alternative varietals reflects a shift in the wine world. More people are seeking out unique flavors and experiences, and The Raleigh Wine Shop is at the forefront of this trend. “The U.S. wine scene has never been more exciting,” Porcelli says. “People are open to trying new things, and we love being the place where they can explore those wines.”
BUILDING TRUST THROUGH TASTE
The duo’s method of selecting wines is as meticulous as it is personal. The team tasted and approved each wine on their shelf, which Porcelli roughly estimates at 1,000 wines, in an eight-month time frame. This process ensures that every bottle represents the best value and quality. “Only about 10% make it onto the shelves. We want to ensure that every wine we offer is something we believe in,” she says.
The pair’s dedication to quality has built a loyal following, with customers trusting them to handpick wines for their personal collections. The shop’s wine club is popular, allowing members to receive monthly curated selections tailored to the seasons.
As the seasons change, so do the wines. With the holidays approaching, Hoffman and Porcelli offer their advice on an upcoming favorite that should be on every family table: Beaujolais. It is a perfect pairing for those decadent holiday meals without overwhelming the palate. “You want a wine that refreshes you—something light and clean that lets you enjoy all the food without feeling too heavy,” Porcelli explains.
Whether it’s a limited-edition Beaujolais nouveau or an underappreciated Austrian Grüner Veltliner, the wines selected reflect the team’s passion for discovering hidden gems and sharing them with their customers. “We love introducing people to wines they’ve never tried before,” Hoffman says. “That’s what makes this job so rewarding.”
In a world where convenience often trumps quality, these two wine lovers are proving there’s still a place for thoughtful, curated wine experiences here in Raleigh. Their shop is a destination for those who appreciate the art of winemaking and enjoy sharing it with others.
As The Raleigh Wine Shop continues to evolve, one thing remains constant: the owners’ commitment to bringing the best wines to Raleigh, one bottle at a time.
The Raleigh Wine Shop’s new location on Bloodworth Street, less than two miles from its original location, is more than double the size of the former space, with plenty of seating both indoors and outside.
HAVING THEIR CAK E AND SELLING IT TOO
BY KURT DUSTERBERG
The often-maligned fruitcake has a loyal following thanks to a family business with a just-right recipe
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 numbers, 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. Nearly all the recipes were developed by Berta, who has 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. 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.
Berta began making the Christmas confection four decades ago 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, decorate and wrap them and put them in a box.”
The first big breakthrough came at a craft show in Raleigh in 1985. The Scott family made 700 pounds of fruitcake and sold all of it. After five years in the garage, Berta’s husband, Hoyt, a paint contractor and stove builder, built the first 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 to 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 a dozen tour buses crowd into the parking lot at one time, and the number of daily visitors often hits 5,000. Guests are likely to receive a greeting from someone in the Scott family, including Berta, whose cheerful personality is a draw of its own. As she walks with a guest past a baking rack of fresh pecan brittle, she is asked if she still enjoys sampling the product. “Every time I walk past it,” she says emphatically. “Quality control.”
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 in and asks, ‘Have you got a cake that’s got more fruit in it?’ I say, ‘No, we don’t.’”
Randy has also pondered the holiday hostility aimed at the family’s crowning culinary achievement. “I get a little downdeep snicker when they say, ‘fruitcake?’” he 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 product 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. We don’t argue. Everybody has a role.”
LEFT: Southern Supreme Fruitcake & More building exterior. Photo by Kurt Dusterberg.
TOP: A Southern Supreme fruitcake. Photo courtesy of Southern Supreme Fruitcake & More. BOTTOM: The Scott family, owners of Southern Supreme. Photo by Kurt Dusterberg.
TURNING A NEW PAGE
Quail Ridge Books reflects on its 40-year legacy
BY KATELYN RUTT
Nestled on Lassiter Mill Road with its signature purple door, Quail Ridge Books is much more than a bookstore. It’s a cultural hub, a third place haven and a tribute to the unifying influence of literature—a stalwart against the changes and challenges brought by four decades.
The Quail Ridge story wouldn’t be what it is without Nancy Olson, a spunky Raleigh transplant with a passion for literature. When establishing the bookstore in 1984, Olson had one foundational mission: to establish an environment where readers could explore incredible literature and hardworking authors could be recognized.
Olson was a valiant supporter of Southern literature, forging connections with authors like Charles Frazier, Kaye Gibbons, Jill McCorkle and Lee Smith during their emergence onto the American literary landscape. Her
penchant for exploring both books and new places, combined with her knack for connecting with people, was instrumental in showcasing the significance of independent bookstores.
“She was a force of nature,” says Trish Coffey, a devoted member of the Quail Ridge Books team since 1998. “Nancy showed how indies could be big for authors. Quail Ridge started getting really big authors in exchange.”
In 2013, Olson passed the baton to Lisa Poole, a community minded business owner with a determination to uphold and expand the bookstore’s heritage—despite the changing retail landscape. “For us, the more things change, the more they stay the same,” says Poole. “We’ve maintained the same desire to put books into people’s hands, stock the best quality
literature and provide a venue for the public to experience events with their favorite authors.”
Poole reflects on the bookstore’s strategic move to North Hills, a location that captured Olson’s interest many years ago. After extensive touring, the team purchased a nearby bridal shop and skater shop with direct access to the beltline. The merging of the spaces allowed for a comprehensive bookstore with expanded offerings—including an upstairs area for offices, a wider selection of book genres, and dedicated spaces for book clubs and writing classes.
“It also allowed me to put my stamp on Quail Ridge Books as the new owner,” says Poole. “The public has been overwhelmingly positive. And we’re quite happy there.”
Quail Ridge Books is unique in its unwavering commitment to customer service and community connection. In fact, it’s apparent that these principles are woven into every layer of the bookstore’s functions.
“People come in looking for a book or to kill some time, but they come back because we are welcoming,” says Ginger Kautz, Quail Ridge’s general manager. “Our booksellers are readers and community members, too, so we
know the value of the right book at the right time.”
Q uail Ridge Books’ involvement in the Triangle goes far beyond its walls—from supplying materials to local schools to stocking the lobbies of theaters, museums, convention centers and more. “In an increasingly online world, we need these opportunities to connect on a human level,” says Poole.
Mamie Potter, a team member since 1996, reflects on a memory that captures the unique spirit of the independent bookstore.“Mark Helprin, the amazing writer of one of my all time favorite books, ‘A Soldier of the Great War,’ was once told by his publisher that they were only sending him to the larger independent bookstores for his newest book. He insisted that they send him to Quail Ridge Books because of the support he had been given by Nancy and the staff,” she says.
Today, these strong bonds are not only evident between staff and authors, but also between Quail Ridge Books and its loyal customer base. These long time guests are among some of the most knowledgeable “historians” of the bookstore, having observed its many changes over the past 40 years.
“ We stay true to our roots, which shows in which subjects and genres we prioritize in our displays, layout and buying decisions,” says Kautz. “And at the same time, Quail Ridge Books changes and grows as Raleigh changes and grows. I think both the continuity with our history and that flexibility that we have to shape who we become next are beautiful aspects of independent bookstores.”
Kautz’s vision for the bookstore’s future is simple: “That we’ll be opening the doors to yet another generation of readers. Sometimes people come in and let us know that they’ve been coming to Quail Ridge Books since they were a kid, so now they’re bringing their little ones to our story times. There’s really no greater compliment.”
With Poole and the dedicated Quail Ridge team at the helm, the bookstore is set to remain the welcoming sanctuary in Raleigh that it has been for 40 years—a place where the magic of independent bookselling thrives. Plus, there’s always new, book inspired magic in store for Quail Ridge. “I may have a few tricks up my sleeve,” says Poole. “Stay tuned!”
For tickets and information about Quail Ridge Books’ upcoming events, visit quailridgebooks.com.
OPPOSITE: Exterior of Quail Ridge Books in North Hills. THIS PAGE, LEFT: The Quail Ridge Books sign.
RIGHT: A view from the second floor of Quail Ridge Books looking down over the shop interior. Photos courtesy of Quail Ridge Books.
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.”
–Fabrizio Bianchi
SPORTS & FITNESS TRIANGLE ATHLETICS
CAROLINA FLYERS PLAYERS NAMED TO ALL-UFA TEAMS
BY KYLE MARIE McMAHON
The Ultimate Frisbee Association wrapped their season at the end of August, and the Carolina Flyers won the South Division, earning a spot in the championship games. The Flyers, who play at Durham County Memorial Stadium, defeated the Seattle Cascades in the semifinals before falling to the Minnesota Wind Chill in an exciting three-game championship. Despite the loss, the Flyers had seven players named to the league’s All-UFA teams, which showcase the best athletes of the season, with First Team being the highest honor. Anders Juengst and Allan Laviolette were selected to First Team All-UFA, Henry Fisher to First Team All Defense, and Christian Belus to First Team All Rookie. Look for the next season to start in April. For more information visit watchufa.com/flyers
Photo courtesy of the Carolina Flyers
N.C. STATE BASEBALL STARS WIN HOME RUN DERBY X DURHAM
The Durham Bulls hosted their first Home Run Derby X on September 7, which follows the popular 3-on-3 format and showcases coed teams coached by an MLB legend. Each player gets an at-bat for 2.5 minutes while the opposing team takes the outfield The event pitted four major North Carolina universities against each other: UNC–Chapel Hill, Duke, N.C. State and UNC –Wilmington. N.C. State was represented by Chris McHugh and Matt Ossenfort. Their “Toros Bravos” squad was rounded out with U.S. Women’s National Softball Team member Amanda Lorenz and coached by Manny Ramirez, a World Series champion and MVP. The other coaches consisted of MLB legends Andruw Jones, Jonny Gomes and Ian Desmond
CARY TENNIS PARK STADIUM COURT RENAMED TO HONOR ANTHONY BLACKMAN
During the Cary Tennis Classic in mid-August, Mayor Weinbrecht and the Cary Town Council held a ceremony to change the name of the Cary Tennis Park's main court to the Anthony Blackman Stadium Court. Blackman, who passed away in September 2023, was the founder and president of Atlantic Tire & Service and a prolific supporter of many local organizations and charities. Blackman was known as a generous person, a servant leader and an advocate for mental health and children’s issues. To honor his philanthropic legacy, the Anthony Blackman Scholars Endowment was established, which will grant two annual college scholarships to high school senior players who have given back to their community both on and off the court. Visit nctennisfoundation. networkforgood.com/projects to donate.
SIX TRIANGLE SENIORS RANKED TOP NC FOOTBALL PROSPECTS
The start of the football season sees high-level talent spread across local high school teams. Six Triangle-area seniors have been named 2025 top football recruits across all of North Carolina. Isaiah Campbell of Southern Durham High School was ranked third in multiple lists and was in ESPN’s top 100 for all high school seniors across the country. A ll of the prospects received multiple offers and have at least verbally committed to a college team: Isaiah Campbell, Clemson University; Isaiah Deloatch of Hillside High School, Rutgers University; Gus Ritchey of Cary High School, N.C. State University; Amareon Blue of Jordan High School, Eastern Michigan University; Trey Blue of Cary High School, UNC–Chapel Hill; and Kaleb Morrow of Apex High School, East Carolina University.
Photo courtesy of High School OT
Photo courtesy of the Durham Bulls
Photo courtesy of the Town of Cary
BEAUTY EXPERTS
Read expert advice from beauty professionals around the Triangle. Discover ways to look your best through cosmetic enhancements, medical aesthetics and luxury spa treatments.
BEAUTY BUYS
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P-TIOX
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P-TIOX is a peptide-powered serum proven to reduce expression lines and reveal glass skin radiance. This noninvasive, wrinkle-modulating serum visibly corrects wrinkles while improving the appearance of skin texture and radiance in just 1 week of use
This kit contains Phloretin CF with Ferulic Acid, a daytime vitamin C serum that delivers environmental protection and diminishes the appearance of fine lines and discoloration. It also contains Hydrating B5 Gel, an oil-free hydrating serum that replenishes moisture for a smoother complexion.
New Client Colon Hydrotherapy Session
Healing Waters of Raleigh healingwaterscht.com
$150
Colon hydrotherapy is one of the most effective ways to clear the colon of impacted waste material. The session includes consultation, belly manipulation with essential oil, and BioMat Far Infrared Therapy.
Personalize Your Skincare Treatment
Rated among the top medical spas in the Raleigh area, The MedSpa is dedicated to making beautiful skin accessible to everyone.
We take pride in offering our clients the latest advancements in skincare technology, delivered by a team of highly skilled professionals. Each member of our staff is carefully selected for their expertise, with over 115 years of combined experience in the aesthetics industry.
Your skincare goals are as important to us as they are to you. That’s why we start with a complimentary consultation, ensuring that we understand your needs before designing a personalized treatment plan. Our team is committed to supporting you throughout
your entire skincare journey, providing ongoing care and adjustments as needed.
Our talented medical estheticians are highly sought-after for their expertise and certifications in laser treatments, cosmetic procedures, and body treatments that promote healthy, rejuvenated skin. Natalie, Emily, Kimberly and Jennifer each bring their own strengths to the team, from addressing photoaging and skin of color to combining laser treatments with skincare education.
At The MedSpa, our entire staff is dedicated to helping you achieve the aesthetic results you desire. We look forward to guiding you on your skincare journey. Discover The MedSpa. Discover a more confident you.
Unlock Radiance with Red Light Therapy
What is red light therapy?
It’s an innovative treatment that uses low-wavelength red light to rejuvenate skin, reduce inflammation and promote healing—perfect for enhancing beauty and wellness.
Who can benefit?
Red light therapy is ideal for anyone seeking anti-aging solutions, pain relief or a cellular health boost. Our noninvasive treatments are scientifically proven to enhance tissue repair and reduce the visible signs of aging, making them a staple in any beauty routine
Why choose Beem Light Sauna?
The top choice for beauty experts in the Triangle, our studios offer private, full-body treatments with medical-grade red light therapy. Experience personalized care in a serene environment, ensuring maximum relaxation and effectiveness
Colon hydrotherapy, also known as colonic irrigation, improves skin and beauty by promoting internal detoxification. By cleansing the colon of built-up waste and toxins, the body can better absorb nutrients, improving the skin’s health. Toxins in the digestive system can contribute to skin issues like acne, dullness and inflammation. Colon hydrotherapy helps eliminate these impurities, reducing the likelihood of skin breakouts and improving overall complexion. Additionally, improved digestion from colon hydrotherapy can lead to a better balance of gut bacteria, which can produce clearer, more radiant skin. Enhanced detoxification also leaves the body feeling revitalized, promoting a youthful, glowing appearance.
2062 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary 919.371.0844
beemlightsauna.com
Education and Customized Care
New Life Aesthetics is a boutique medical skincare practice owned and operated by Meredith Harris. Meredith is a board-certified women’s health nurse practitioner with 26 years of experience in caring for women in the subspecialty of medical aesthetics. Meredith is honored to work alongside aesthetic nurse injector Heather Roberts and women’s health nurse practitioner Amanda Tattersall, who complete the New Life dream team. Each guest is treated to a personalized experience in which education and customized care are the focus of every appointment. The team’s top concern is delivering safe, beautiful outcomes with impeccable care, leaving guests feeling and looking refreshed and reflecting the best versions of themselves. Common concerns for which New Life Aesthetics provides solutions include anti-aging, problematic skin, sun damage, loose skin, body contour and sexual health/wellness.
Meredith was recently named one of the Top 30 Distinguished Women in Medical Aesthetics of 2023 by the American Med Spa Association. When she is not seeing guests in the office, she can be found hosting injectors for training, traveling to medical practices throughout the country to educate and consult, speaking from the main stages of live medical conferences and serving on advisory boards for Allergan Aesthetics. Detailed care, follow-up and passion for education are notable through every touchpoint that each New Life Aesthetics guest experiences.
News for Raleigh foodies compiled by the Midtown staff, with contributions from Triangle Food Guy Sean Lennard, who blogs at trianglefoodblog.com
The Restaurant at The Durham will be serving up Sunday Suppers with a variety of homecooked Southern-style recipes off their menu. Photo courtesy of The Durham.
The Restaurant at The Durham, located at 315 E. Chapel Hill Street in Durham, has launched a series of monthly Sunday Suppers. The Southern family-style menu includes crispy fried chicken with candied jalapeño hot sauce, creamy mac and cheese, Gus’ slow-cooked beans, summer elote salad and more. The dinner is $45 for adults and $15 for children under 12. Other upcoming events include a Friendsgiving in November and a Holiday Feast in December.
Restaurateur Giorgios Bakatsias, owner of Giorgios Hospitality & Lifestyle Group, plans to open Naos Hellenic Cuisine at 2800 Renaissance Park Place, Cary, in October. According to the Triangle Business Journal, Naos will emphasize seafood, fish, large cuts of lamb and beef, along with a variety of slow-braised dishes cooked in clay pots. The restaurant will also serve a variety of vegetable dishes and mezethes, or small plates.
The News & Observer reports that Epic Chophouse will open this year in Brier Creek Commons shopping center at 8551 Brier Creek Parkway. This will be the restaurant’s fourth location, including the original restaurant in Mooresville. In addition to steaks, Epic Chophouse is known for its Lowcountry Pork Chop, a 14-ounce bone-in chop with redeye gravy, served with grits. The menu also
includes chicken and seafood dishes.
Gale Force Sports & Entertainment reponed the former Backyard Bistro as The Local at 1235 Hurricane Alley Way, across Trinity Road from the Lenovo Center (formerly PNC Arena) and Carter-Finley Stadium. The new menu will offer elevated fare but is expected to keep the popular barbecue from the previous restaurant.
After a period of pop-up service, Utica Bakery in Apex is planning to reestablish its full-time presence at 430 Upchurch Street. The bakery specializes in hand-crafted European and Italian pastries and baked goods, both savory and sweet. Expect the bakery to reopen in November.
Five Guys has opened in its newest location at 535 Dr Calvin Jones Highway in Wake Forest. The burger-and-fries restaurant, which has several Triangle locations, is known for customizing endless combinations of burgers and shakes, as well as double-cooking french fries.
Crawford’s Genuine has opened in Terminal 2 at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). The 2,600-square-foot restaurant has seating for 95, including 20 bar seats, and features an upscale bar-and-grill concept. Crawford’s
The Wine Feed , located at 307 S. Roxboro Street in Durham, is evolving into a full-service restaurant, pairing its extensive wine list with a freshly prepared, seasonal menu featuring small plates, flatbreads, hand-cut pasta dishes, entrees and house-made desserts.
Genuine is open from 4 a.m.–10:30 p.m. A grab-and-go service serves chocolate croissants, salads, sandwiches and more.
The Purple Bowl, an açai bowl eatery and cafe, has moved a couple of blocks to relocate at 505 W. Franklin Street in Chapel Hill. The restaurant now operates in a larger space, including an outdoor space called The Patio. In addition to açai bowls and smoothies, the menu includes salads, toasts and all-day breakfast items.
El Toro Loco Taqueria has transitioned from a food truck to brick-and-mortar restaurant at 314 S. Blount Street in Raleigh. The Barcenas brothers use generational family recipes for Mexican street food including tacos, tortas, sopes, gorditas, burritos and more.
Local wings joint Heavenly Buffaloes has opened in Raleigh in the former Hungry Howie’s spot at Haverty Square (6701 Glenwood Avenue). The restaurant also has two locations in Durham and one in Chapel Hill.
The Wine Feed now serves menu items such as its pork belly. Photo by Dathan Kazsuk.
3 1 2 4
The Reuben. Corned Beef, pastrami, Swiss cheese, fried sauerkraut and Station dressing on pumpernickel. Photo by Dathan Kazsuk.
Local Chorizo Nachos. House-made tortilla chips, pepper jack cheese sauce, ranchero beans, cilantro, jalapeño, radish, scallions and crema.
Photo courtesy of The Roof at The Durham.
Maple Spice Chicken Wings. Extra crispy chicken wings with a maple spiced glaze. Photo by Dathan Kazsuk.
1. PIADA ITALIAN STREET FOOD, WAKE FOREST
BLT Piada. Pancetta, romaine, bruschetta tomatoes, creamy Parmesan, basil aioli and crispy chicken. Photo by Dathan Kazsuk.
3. THE ROOF AT THE DURHAM, DURHAM
2. UNION STATION DELI & CATERING, RALEIGH
4. GOOD DAY, GOOD NIGHT, RALEIGH
Old-World Christmas Charm
Experience the Yuletide joys of yesteryear in Winston-Salem and New Bern
WINSTON-SALEM
Winston-Salem’s roots date back to 1766 when a religious group known as the Moravians founded colonial Salem. The city tells the stories of its early settlers through costumed interpreters and trades demonstrations in its picturesque Old Salem Museums & Gardens district
Held annually, Holidays at Old Salem demonstrates how the Moravians celebrated the season through music, food and traditional putz displays. Salem Saturdays at Christmas take place November 30 and December 7, 14 and 21 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and feature self-guided tours of its iconic venues, including the Single Brothers’ House, Potter’s Workshop and Doctor’s House. Joy of Christmas Evening Tours, held Fridays and Saturdays from Thanksgiving through Christmas, highlight the Salem Tavern Museum, the John Vogler House and the Boys’ School by lantern light. Visitors can indulge in a taste of history at Winkler Bakery, one of the oldest continuously operated bakeries in America, and take home freshly baked Moravian Sugar Cake and Lovefeast Buns.
The Moravian Market on Old Salem’s main square December 7 features crafts and artisan demonstrations from 10 a.m. to dusk. On December 14, the Moravian Music Foundation’s ChristmasFest showcases traditional artisans, live holiday music, children’s activities and more at the Elberson Fine Arts Center at nearby Salem College from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Learn more at oldsalem.org and wachoviahistoricalsociety.org
NEW BERN
New Bern is one of North Carolina’s oldest European-American colonial towns. It served as the colonial and state capital from 1746 to 1792. After the American Revolution, New Bern gained wealth and developed a rich cultural life that continues to enchant visitors.
Tryon Palace, built in 1770 by the royal governor William Tryon, was the first capitol; it was restored in the 1950s as a state historic site. Today, Tryon Palace offers a glimpse into the illustrious past through tours of its main house and spacious grounds
Candlelight is Tryon Palace’s celebrated holiday event, showcasing the Governor’s Mansion adorned in seasonal trimmings and illuminated by candlelight. Travel from one decorated room to another as costumed interpreters share engaging stories about the palace’s unique history. Enjoy tours of the Stanly, Dixon and Commission Houses and indulge in delicious sweets, snacks, warm cider and live entertainment before a magical display of black powder fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Candlelight 2024 takes place December 14 and 21 beginning at 4:30 p.m. The Traditions of Christmas Past Tour, taking place Tuesdays and Fridays December 3–20, highlights yuletide customs dating back three centuries and the special items used in holiday decorations throughout the first floor of the Stanly, Dixon and Commission Houses.
Learn more at visitnewbern.com and tryonpalace.org
TOP: Tryon Palace at night, or anytime, is a great place to experience the colonial days in eastern North Carolina. Photo courtesy of tryonplace.org.
BOTTOM: The colonial homes that can be toured at Old Salem in Winston-Salem are a great place to take the entire family. Photos by Stock.Adobe.com – jonbilous.
