33 minute read
Getting Our Health Back on Track
WELLNESS
BACK IN SHAPE
CLIENTS RETURN TO THEIR PRE-PANDEMIC WORKOUT ROUTINES AS GYMS AND FITNESS STUDIOS REOPEN
BY MORGAN CARTIER WESTON
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CORNELL WATSON
Seeing and dancing with my friends online helps me to keep hope and joy during these trying times.” – Maria Howard ‘FINDING A SAFE BALANCE’
Joy of Movement is located in Chatham Mills near downtown Pittsboro and offers a range of yoga, dance and meditation classes for all ages. “Dancing and moving my body has kept me feeling young and keeping the joy during these challenging times,” says Maria Howard, a JOM board volunteer who also teaches inclusive joyful dance. “The connection and companionship I find at Joy of Movement has supported me during COVID-19 especially.” Maria participates in non-impact aerobics online two times a week with instructor Kate Finlayson and also pops into Glenna Batson’s “Sacred Traditions” online movement class. “Being with my Joy of Movement community during COVID-19 has been essential for me to stay grounded, stay balanced and maintain my wellness,” Maria adds.
“Everyone teaching at the studio takes all the COVID-19 protocols very seriously, and we adhere to a strict cleaning practice and wear masks at all times,” says Christine Chase, a longtime instructor at Joy of Movement. She specializes in using yoga to work with clients through addiction and trauma recovery. “Although it is a challenge to practice yoga with a mask on, we are adjusting and learning,” she says.
Sandy Stewart teaches a Zen group called Joy of Stillness. “Although the studio was closed from March through May, the restrictions on attendance have been helpful in a way,” Sandy says. “One of our groups set up Zoom meetings, and, starting in June, Joy of Movement allowed teachers to use the studio with one tech person to set up and run the online broadcast. The benefit is that practitioners around the country are able to join.”
“My main focus over the past six months has been continued communication with our community,” says Studio Manager Shelley Buisson. “Finding a safe balance between getting out and being in community, exercising and staying healthy, and minimizing the risk of COVID-19 infection, is not an easy one to maintain. I think we have found the best possible compromise, allowing those teachers who are willing to teach in-person classes to do so, yet keeping the risk of infection low.”
Ruth Parks prefers group classes (like this socially distanced class outdoors) while her husband, Jimmy Parks, likes to work out alone. The Duke Center for Living meets both their needs.
‘THESE CLASSES HAVE SAVED ME’ Membership to the Duke Center for Living at Fearrington is included for all residents of the Galloway Ridge retirement community and, though anyone can join, facility staff wanted to take extra precautions to ensure the health of its senior members. It reopened on July 6, and members must now reserve a time slot online to work out inside the center or use the pool. Staff uses the time between these appointments to clean equipment and touchpoints carefully before the next group enters.
Virtual classes are also available for yoga, Zumba, strength training and individual training sessions. “I love being in the water, but since COVID-19 and the shutdown, I have done a lot of Zoom classes,” says Linda Baggish, who participated in aqua exercise classes five days a week prior to the pandemic. “These are classes I would never have done in the gym, but in the privacy of my home, I do them and really enjoy them. I’ve told people that these classes have saved me,” Linda says.
Member Services Manager Stephanie Winegar says many members are enthusiastic about returning to the center. “We’ve received some wonderful emails from members [saying] that they feel very safe and cared for,” Stephanie says. Jimmy Parks and Ruth Parks, who moved to Fearrington Village in August, looked at several nearby gyms before choosing Duke Center for Living. “As soon as we walk in, our temperatures are checked, and staff is there to help,” Jimmy says. “I feel like I have the space to work out how I want to and safely go from machine to machine, but still have personal attention when I need it.”
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I always walk in with a bounce in my step because I am greeted with familiar folks who check my temperature with a smile and ask about my day.” – Elizabeth Fridley ‘STILL COMING AWAY JOYFUL’ “COVID-19 has definitely affected me, just as it has our entire world, but especially our tight-knit Chatham YMCA community,” says member Elizabeth Fridley. She’s attended the Y for about six years. “The elliptical and lateral machines are my preferred equipment because they provide a complete body workout,” Elizabeth says. “But the boot camp and yoga classes are my absolute favorite.”
Over time, her experiences at the Y moved beyond just maintaining a fitness routine. “I have been so fortunate,” she says. “The YMCA’s extraordinary atmosphere has allowed an outlet for stressful frustration, while at the same time offering solace and mental clarity.” Today, she sees the Y as a second family, fundamentally integrated into her life. “I’ve been gratefully blessed to form everlasting friendships,” Elizabeth says. “We have been through surgeries, sickness and even experienced treadmill therapy together, laughing and crying but still coming away joyful because we are surrounded with such trusted, caring friends.”
The Chatham YMCA reopened to the public Sept. 16. “We are leaning into social distancing practices, including screening before entry, deep and ongoing cleaning during the day and after-hours, and having readily available hand sanitizing stations and equipment cleaning supplies,” says Branch Executive Director Jessica Mashburn. All group exercise classes are currently being held outdoors as an extra precaution. “So many of our members have just expressed gratitude for being able to safely connect with others and excitement for getting back to a regular fitness routine,” Jessica says. “The members we are seeing have been more than happy to wear their masks throughout the building and practice social distancing.” CM
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WELLNESS
BRINGING UP BABY
CHATHAM MATERNITY CARE CENTER WELCOMES ITS FIRST NEWBORNS
BY CONNIE GENTRY
Noelie Vaughn was just 10 days old when she stole the limelight for this story. Arriving on Oct. 8, 2020, at a healthy 8 pounds, 2 ounces, Noelie was among the first babies delivered at Chatham Hospital’s new Maternity Care Center.
UNC Health brought state-of-the-art amenities for labor and delivery to its hospital in Siler City after some 30 years of seeing expectant parents trek an hour or more to regional medical centers. Fabiola Ortiz Vaughn and James Vaughn, Noelie’s proud parents (pictured left), were a perfect fit for UNC’s low-risk, personalized-care labor and delivery model. With a due date of Oct. 5, baby Noelie came almost on schedule and barely an hour after they arrived at the hospital.
“It was amazing,” James says, “we got there about 3 [p.m.], and Noelie was born at 4:15; from the time Fabiola’s water broke, it was only 30 minutes and four pushes, and then baby was out.”
Fabiola’s account is equally glowing: “We were able to do everything natural; I used the birthing ball and walked around some, and we were able to adjust lighting and music in the room so it was really comfortable.”
Comfort and convenience were high on UNC’s list of objectives in opening the maternity center in September 2020, but creating a model for sustainable, healthier labor and delivery options is the long-term vision.
“Part of our strategic plan is for patients to be able to get health care locally,” explains Chatham Hospital President Dr. Jeffrey Strickler. He cites research from the North Carolina Institute of Medicine that speaks to the growing need for elevating the maternity care in our state.
NCIOM noted in a March 2020 report that the maternal mortality rate in the U.S. has been increasing steadily over the past 20 years, despite the fact that more than half of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. Infants born in North Carolina are more likely to die than those born in 40 other states.
Delivering closer to home typically has a healthier outcome for mother and baby, notes Dr. Dana Iglesias, Chatham
Maternity Care Center’s medical director. County, “our true mission is to see if “What is unique about our project is this model can work in rural hospitals that our doctors also work in clinics in around the country.” the area, so we see [mothers as] prenatal UNC Health’s initial investment in the patients,” Dr. Iglesias says. “We’re able to Maternity Care Center was $2.6 million, see them in the clinic, attend the birth and and Dr. Strickler says the ongoing costs see them afterward.” to staff and support the center will
And, yes, this is the way things were be around $3 million per year. Eleven done in generations past. “The interesting deliveries were celebrated within the first thing is we’re realizing the way it used month of opening the center at Chatham to be provides better quality care and Hospital, putting them well on the way has better outcomes for patients,” Dr. to their goal of 12 a month. Iglesias says. “It’s about relationships and The first delivery was on Sept. 15, knowing the people; when the doctor when Siler City parents Jasmine Smith and or midwife knows their Shaquille Foxx welcomed community, there is a son Se’kani Maurice Foxx, different level of care. We born at 7 pounds, 12 can assess needs before ounces. Prior to Se’Kani’s they come to the hospital birth, the couple’s three and after they leave. This other children were model is mostly about delivered at UNC Medical family medicine.” Center in Chapel Hill.
In a largely rural, diverse Kristen Coleman, nurse community, understanding manager of the Maternity needs of the families served Care Center, has lived is critical. Dr. Iglesias points in Chatham County – to challenges like gaps specifically Bennett and in health care coverage, Siler City, her hometown food insecurity and lack of that she moved back to transportation as additional in 2017 – her entire life reasons to provide more and spent the last 14 years personal, localized care. working as a labor and
“We’re in a maternity ABOVE delivery nurse in nearby crisis in America,” she Dr. Dana Asheboro, dreaming of the says. “The U.S. is the Iglesias, Chatham day that Chatham Hospital only developed nation Maternity might have its own unit. with worsening outcomes. Care Center “We have five rooms in Our hope is to provide Medical Director. the unit, and two nurses high-quality, high-touch are on shift all of the time,” care that is accessible and BELOW Chatham she says. “We want to give meets the needs of the Hospital more personalized care; one families in this area.” President of the unique things is that
Dr. Strickler adds that, Dr. Jeffrey Strickler. we have a 36-week tour, so while the maternity center prospective patients can see is a big boost for Chatham what we offer and register
We’re in a maternity crisis in America. The U.S. is the only developed nation with worsening outcomes. Our hope is to provide high-quality, high-touch care that is accessible and meets the needs of the families in this area.” – Dr. Dana Iglesias
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Chatham Hospital’s new Maternity Care Center opened Sept. 8. UNC Health invested $2.6 million to build the center and improve care available to residents of Siler City and surrounding communities.
in advance. Since we are a low-risk unit, we wait until 36 weeks.”
Another unique aspect, which dovetails with the family medicine model, is that families are discharged quickly, usually after a one-night stay. The center is committed to the low-risk model, but it still offers the capability to perform cesarean sections at Chatham Hospital; none were scheduled as of press time.
“The nurses and I are already working on stockings for babies that will be born in December,” Kristen says, “and if volunteers want to knit or crochet blankets to donate, it would be really helpful.”
The UNC health care system hopes to bring volunteers back into the hospitals early next year, and they are looking to expand the volunteer program into a larger presence at Chatham Hospital. Though they are not accepting applications to volunteer at the moment, if you are interested in volunteering, you can learn more at uncmedicalcenter.org/uncmc/support/ volunteer-services, call 984-974-4793 or email volsvcs@unchealth.unc.edu.
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SPECIAL DELIVERY First-time parents like Fabiola Ortiz Vaughn and James Vaughn face many new decisions, including where to deliver their baby. The couple did their homework before choosing Chatham Hospital, checking out the flagship UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill as well as FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst.
“My primary care doctor, Dr. Melissa Gilmer-Scott, suggested we take a tour of Chatham Hospital,” Fabiola says. “As soon as I did, I knew this was the place; everyone was so nice and personal.” A huge deciding factor was that the baby and parents could stay together throughout the hospitalization.
“I can’t say enough about how wonderful our experience was,” Fabiola says. “I was able to register during the tour, so it saved time when I went in to deliver, and they helped me stick to my prewritten pregnancy plan.”
The parents spent one night in the hospital, and James raved about the amenities and great food. “It was the best hospitality,” he says. “I felt very lucky to be there; I don’t know how it could have been any better.”
The personalized attention and care made all the difference. “Dr. Ruiz and nurse Jordan were phenomenal,” Fabiola says of Dr. Jesus Ruiz, who came to Chatham Hospital in August after finishing a fellowship program in maternal child health, and Jordan Pope, a Maternity Care Center nurse who started at the hospital in May after working in the outpatient clinic float pool at UNC. “[Dr. Ruiz] was really nice and gentle, and they both made us so comfortable.” CM
BALANCING ACT
A CREATIVE COUPLE FINDS NEW WAYS TO COMBINE THEIR PASSIONS FOR NATURAL HEALING PRACTICES
BY MORGAN CARTIER WESTON
PHOTOGRAPHY BY CORNELL WATSON
Garth Robertson and Liz Robertson met through mutual friends close to a decade ago. “We connected one night and realized right away we’d be lifelong best friends,” Liz says. But like many creative entrepreneurs, Garth, a musician and ceremonial healer, and Liz, a circus performer and embodied movement instructor, had to put
“business as usual” on hold this year.
“We’ve always collaborated on some of our offerings,” Garth says. “Our first joint effort was actually writing a song for a friend’s birthday.” In March 2015, the Robertsons produced “Light Pours In,” a 90-minute album timed to a circus performance. “Each component of the music was paired with a different act we choreographed,” Liz says.
Liz traveled and taught with Imagine Circus, going by her stage name, Liz Bliss, before the pandemic struck. Her specialties include aerial arts, acrobatics, fire dancing and stilt walking, and she also teaches aerial dance to burgeoning performers of all ages. However, the studio remains closed for the time being. “Performance instruction is very hands-on, with lots of shared equipment, silks and things like that,” Liz explains. “I want to be sure it’s fully safe before we reopen.”
Prior to the shutdowns in March, Garth frequently performed music at bars and restaurants, and had begun conducting sacred sound ceremonies from the couple’s 20-sided round home in Pittsboro. “When the circus stopped for Liz and I stopped playing shows, I was thankfully already working with sacred sounds to help people gain deeper access to themselves,” Garth says.
The concept behind sound therapy is similar to other sensory therapies like massage or acupuncture. The treatments involve experiencing auditory vibrations, such as those made by gongs, chimes, Tibetan singing bowls and didgeridoos, over a period of time to help ease anxiety and relax the mind. “We have an aerial hammock that is an ideal place to experience healing through sound, because the body is totally suspended and can be fully immersed in the vibrations,” Garth explains. “When you’re lying there with no expectations and letting the sound wash over you, it offers innate, meditative
“While they seem simple, things like plants and vibrations can heal,” says Garth Robertson.
healing as the instruments hold space for the clients to feel deeply.”
Sound ceremonies are not as hands-on as Liz’s aerial classes, but Garth is still easing back into the therapies to ensure everyone feels safe. He began seeing clients again at the end of July, in a masksrequired, socially distanced, rural outdoor setting. This provides another avenue for the pair to work together. “For some of our sessions, Liz will help us invite plants to the ceremony through, for example, a lavender tea,” Garth says.
“Ingesting small amounts of these plants – things like mugwort, cacao – can lead to a deeper emotional well-being,” Liz adds. She’s practiced herbal medicine for nearly seven years now, but since the pandemic halted circus-related travel, it provided her with more time to learn and create new products. “I’ve always been so busy teaching and performing, I didn’t have the space to explore it,” Liz says. “It is interesting going into a space where I’m teaching less, and moreso being taught.” Garth and Liz are also recording their third album at Warrior Sound in Chapel Hill (their second album, “Lay Me Down,” was released last year). “Liz is an amazing poet,” Garth says, “and I just add the music.” “This is the first time we have not been so preoccupied with other work that we could really step back and showcase the sparse acoustic guitar arrangements and poetry of the lyrics,” Liz says. For those interested in pursuing their own journey in art, performance, healing or music, Liz says “a trusted guide can help you get started, and there are so many talented people here in Chatham County. The important thing is to empower others and recognize and nurture the innate power in each person.” Liz says she can’t wait to get back to performing but is also glad to have found new ways to connect with others.
“It’s interesting that we both turned our talents to furthering wholeness,” Garth adds. “Being intentional about that approach, inviting others to be an active participant in their own healing, has helped us both individually and [simultaneously].”
In addition to the in-person sound sessions and making Liz’s herbal remedies available online, the Robertsons started a Patreon page featuring talks on plants, music, meditation and more. To learn more, visit songofthesacred.com. CM
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At Pittsboro Family Dentistry, there is no one-size-fits-all attitude here, and we are happy to work with patients to make sure clinical assessments and proposed treatment makes sense to each individual.
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Dr. Samir Naik 987 East Street | Suite H | Pittsboro, NC 27312 Mon - Thurs: 9:00-4:30 | Fri: by appointment
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Chatham Outreach Alliance
Food ready for Siler City! Each month, CORA sets up their Mobile Market at Technology Way and served 65,000 meals over the past year.
Background
CORA is a nonprofit organization that serves residents in need of food within Chatham County. Their ultimate goal is to build a community without hunger by soliciting, collecting, and purchasing food for distribution through their food pantry and network of alliances, programs, and events. CORA is a place of hope and comfort for many in our community, where there is always an empathetic ear, supportive smile, and nutritious food to help meet their needs.
Wish List
• Maseca • Canned Meat • Canned Beans • Canned Fruit • Canned Vegetables • Cereal • Soup
Due to COVID-19, CORA now distributes food outside through their curbside model.
Our Mission
CORA provides food to individuals and families within the community who are in need during difficult personal economic periods.
Upcoming Events
Empty Bowls – Spring 2021 CORA hopes to have either an in-person or socially distanced version of Empty Bowls in 2021. The concept is simple: guests choose a handmade bowl, enjoy delicious restaurant tastings, and go home with their bowl that serves as a reminder that someone’s bowl is always empty and that we need to continue our efforts to end hunger in Chatham County. Find out more at corafoodpantry.org.
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In 2020, CORA had the greatest impact on food insecurity in their 31-year history. CORA distributed 1.3 million meals to 57,000 individuals across all programs and visits; this represents a 137% increase from the previous year. In order to help the most vulnerable, Chatham County needs to build support to ensure that CORA has the resources to guarantee that families don’t go hungry. At CORA, 87 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to its programs.
Get in Touch!
40 Camp Dr., PO Box 1326 Pittsboro, NC 27312 919-542-5020 corafoodpantry.org
Background
Duke Children ’ s serves patients in the Triangle and beyond and strives to provide the highest quality care through advanced treatment, compassionate support, and full family participation. Duke Children’s is recognized for its clinical programs, research initiatives, educational opportunities for medical students, residents, and fellows, and strong advocacy efforts for children. Duke Children’s is affiliated with the Department of Pediatrics at Duke University School of Medicine.
Our Mission
Duke Children ’s is committed to achieving and maintaining a standard of excellence in all we do. Most importantly, we consistently strive to make the patient experience a model of quality care through advanced treatment, compassionate support and full family participation and communication. Our mission is to provide: Excellence in the clinical care of infants and children Innovation in basic and applied research Leadership in the education of health care professionals Advocacy for children ’s health Patient and family centered care
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As a major pediatric teaching hospital, Duke Children ’ s educates tomorrow ’s leading physicians and researchers. As one of the largest southeastern pediatric providers, Duke Children ’ s addresses health equity through clinical service, research, education and community engagement. Duke Children’s researchers and physicians are internationally recognized for ground-breaking discoveries, and remarkable advances have emerged from both laboratory studies and the investigation of new therapies in patients. Discoveries made here impact children around the world.
Wish List
Your options for supporting Duke Children’s are as varied as the children we treat. You can give a gift today. Or, you can plan a transformational gift to underwrite research that could lead to a cure, fund a program to enhance patient quality-of-life or lay the foundation for future endeavors. No matter which route you take, we will work with you to ensure that your generosity makes a difference in the lives of our young patients and their families. For more information on making a gift to Duke Children’s, please visit giving.dukechildrens.org/ ways-to-give.
Signature Events
Over the Edge for Duke Children’s giving.dukechildrens.org/ events/over-the-edge
The MIX 101.5 Radiothon for Duke Children’s giving.dukechildrens.org/ events/radiothon
Get in Touch!
Websites: giving.dukechildrens.org dukehealth.org/dukechildrens
Habitat family Shannon and Jeffrey Ambrister in the kitchen of their new home.
Habitat volunteer Tracy stocking shelves at the ReStore.
Background
Since 1989, Chatham Habitat for Humanity has been working to achieve a vision of a Chatham County where everyone has a safe place to call home. With the help of generous donors and volunteers, Chatham Habitat builds safe, healthy homes that are then sold to Chatham County families with zero-percent interest affordable loans. Chatham Habitat has built more than 140 homes across the county in the last 31 years.
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Chatham Habitat believes that affordable housing is an essential part of a vibrant community. The chance to own an affordable home can be a turning point in a family’s life that leaves an impact for generations, and Chatham Habitat is proud to have made the dream of homeownership a reality for so many families.
Our Mission
Chatham Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with God and people to create self-help opportunities for families to own affordable homes, improve their lives, and strengthen their communities.
Upcoming Events
• Chatham Habitat Book Club is a way to stay connected during
Covid-19. Each month, we read a book about a topic related to affordable housing, and then discuss it via Zoom. We would love for members of the community to join! Visit our website for more information.
Annual Holiday Open House Sale on Sunday, November 22 from 1-3pm: All year, we collect donated holidays items to get ready for this sale – it’s the place to come for artificial Christmas trees, holiday decorations, and all sorts of other things you didn’t know you needed.
Wish List
• Donations of gently used furniture, household goods, and construction materials to the ReStores (call 919-548-6910 for a free donation pick-up)
Financial donations which will be used to support the construction of safe, healthy, affordable homes in Chatham County
Hand sanitizer to be used in the ReStores and on the construction sites
Get in Touch!
467 West St. Pittsboro, NC 27312 919-542-0788 chathamhabitat.org
Our Mission
Saving and protecting wild cats in captivity and in the wild.
Background
Carolina Tiger Rescue believes the ideal home for wildlife is in the wild. Unfortunately, thousands of wild cats across the U.S. are bred and sold into private homes, the entertainment industry, and to roadside zoos for the sole purpose of exploitation. In addition to advocating against their exploitation, Carolina Tiger Rescue gives wild cats that have survived these circumstances a second chance at life, providing safe and comfortable homes where they can live in peace.
Anthony Leopard
Upcoming Events December 1-31, 2020
Holiday Giving Campaign
February 28, 2021
Carolina Tiger Virtual Auction and Celebration
Caprichio Tiger
Wish List
• Cleaning supplies (Lysol spray, bleach, paper towels)
Lowe’s gift cards (to purchase building supplies for enclosures)
Food Lion gift cards (to purchase specialty meat & fruit for omnivorous animals) Prilosec or generic Omeprazole (for animals with sensitive stomachs) Husqvarna 128LD 28-cc 2-Cycle 17-in (weed eater for our site team) Burlap sacks (used for enrichment)
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Carolina Tiger Rescue has been a part of the Pittsboro community for more than 45 years and is a vital source of tourism revenue for Chatham County. Additionally, the sanctuary gives visitors the ability to learn about and make a difference in the lives of animals in need through rescue, education, and advocacy. With more than 200 volunteers and countless monthly sustainers, opportunities to get involved are endless and always encouraged.
Get in Touch!
1940 Hanks Chapel Rd. Pittsboro, NC 27312 919-542-4684 CarolinaTigerRescue.org linktr.ee/CarolinaTigerRescue
HOLIDAYS
PUTTING DOWN ROOTS
JORDAN LAKE CHRISTMAS TREE FARM CELEBRATES ITS 26TH SEASON
BY DANIEL STEVENSON
PHOTO BY ANDREA ANDERSON
Byron May and Diana May moved to Chatham County from Durham in 1994 after purchasing a historic house with an existing Christmas tree farm on the property. “We never dreamed of owning a Christmas tree farm,” Diana says. “Both of us are pharmacists who had full-time jobs, but with no children at the time, we thought of it as an adventure.”
Byron and Diana made it through their first season at the Jordan Lake
Christmas Tree Farm with some help from the previous owners. “With the knowledge we gained from them, and a little creativity of our own, we have been able to juggle very full lives and also continue to improve the farm and provide the best Christmas memories we can for all who visit,” Diana says.
More than 25 years later, the couple, and now their daughter, Khoury, 20, maintain the farm. “[Khoury] has been working since she was about 6 years old,” Diana says. “Obviously the jobs got a bit more complicated as she has gotten older. Before [then], she was out playing with all the kids who visited.” In the fall, the family prepares the farm for the winter season by setting up parking lots, tree racks, tents, shops and other farm beautification projects. “The list is long,” Diana says. “There is rarely not something to do at the farm.”
The farm offers a variety of choose-andcut Christmas trees, including Virginia
pine, Leyland cypress, Carolina sapphire and eastern red cedar, as well as pre-cut Fraser firs and concolor firs grown and shipped from Sparta, North Carolina. Homemade wreaths, bows and other unique gift items are available in their Christmas shop. The farm opened for the season on Nov. 21 and runs through Dec. 20, though Diana says they often sell out of trees before then.
This season, the farm is taking precautions for COVID-19 by requiring face coverings in their Christmas shop and on the farm wherever 6 feet of distance cannot be maintained. They will offer online purchase and curbside pickup of trees and wreaths, as well as special hours Wednesday through Friday mornings for guests who are considered high risk. They will also limit the number of guests with reservations on busy weekends.
The Mays have learned a few lessons over the years: “Enjoy the visitors, and take in the joy of families,” Diana says. “Never forget to thank those who have worked so hard to help. We never could run this farm without the help of wonderful friends, family and community who work with us year after year for them, we are so grateful.” CM
Serves 4-6
3 ripe avocados ½ bundle of cilantro, finely chopped; include the top of the stems as well ¼ white onion, finely chopped ½ jalapeño, chopped, seeds removed (for extra heat, add the whole jalapeño) ½ tsp. salt 4 limes, freshly squeezed
Remove the pit and skin from avocados and put them in a large bowl. Add the cilantro, onion, jalapeño and salt. Mix ingredients well. Squeeze the fresh limes into a separate cup. Add the lime juice from the cup slowly, mixing well until you reach your preferred flavor. Ready to serve. (Store in the fridge with a cover.)
HOLIDAYS
ALL THE TRIMMINGS
AN APPETIZER, ENTREE AND DESSERT TO ADD TO YOUR HOLIDAY MENU
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES STEFIUK
First Bites
Add a fresh and surprising element to your appetizer course with this guacamole recipe from David Sadeghi, owner of O’YA Cantina. Or bust it out right before the football game begins.
Serves 6
Demi-glace
1 onion, chopped 4 ribs celery, chopped 2 carrots, chopped Olive oil 5 garlic cloves, chopped ¼ cup tomato paste 3 sprigs rosemary 3 cups fortified port wine* 1 qt. veal or beef stock Salt and pepper, to taste
Brown onions, carrots and celery on high in a saucepan with olive oil. Add garlic and tomato paste. Lower heat to medium. Cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. Add fresh rosemary and port wine to barely cover the vegetables. Simmer on low until reduced to thick consistency. Add the stock, bring to a boil, and reduce until slightly thick. (This will take several hours, as you want the sauce to cook very slowly while reducing.) Once the sauce is the desired consistency, strain, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve.
*Do not use cooking wine!
Beef Shoulder Tenderloin
2 beef shoulder tenderloins Olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste Garlic, to taste Fresh rosemary, to taste
Sprinkle olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic and fresh rosemary liberally on tenderloins and rub in. Roast at 350 F for about 5-10 minutes (or to desired doneness). Let sit for 5 minutes, slice thinly, and serve with the demi-glace.
Main Course
Forget the turkey and ham this year. Try this roasted beef shoulder tenderloin with port wine and rosemary demi-glace recipe from Greg Lewis, chef and proprietor of 39 West Catering, as the highlight of your holiday meal.
41 BEERS ON TAP . OUTDOOR PATIO . LIVE MUSIC
THE OTHER SIDE.
46 SANFORD ROAD PITTSBORO, NC
Makes 24 muffins or 12 jumbo muffins
24 or 12 muffin cup liners 4 eggs 2 cups sugar 2 cups eggnog 1 cup melted butter 2 tsp. rum 2 tsp. vanilla extract 4½ cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. salt 4 tsp. baking powder ½ tsp. nutmeg ½ cup buttermilk
Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar 2 Tbsp. melted butter Dash of nutmeg 2 dashes of rum Dash of eggnog Sprinkles (optional)
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a muffin tin with muffin cups and grease the cups with nonstick cooking spray.
In one bowl, wire whip eggs with sugar. Add eggnog and whip again. Add melted butter and gently whip. Add rum and vanilla and whip.
In another bowl, combine flour with salt, baking powder and nutmeg. Then add wet ingredients and whip until combined. Gently add buttermilk to loosen batter. Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups. For regular muffins, bake in the oven for 30 minutes. For jumbo muffins, bake for 50 minutes. (Use a toothpick to identify whether it’s cooked.)
While baking, make the glaze. In a bowl, combine powdered sugar, melted butter, nutmeg, rum and eggnog, and mix to a thick texture. When muffins come out of the oven, add the glaze with a brush while they are hot. Sprinkle with colored, seasonal sprinkles.
Leave Room For ...
The best part about the holidays? All. The. Desserts. These eggnog muffins by Willy’s Cinnamon Rolls Etc.’s volunteer bakery trainer Jeff Jacomet are guaranteed to be an instant hit in your household. CM
HOLIDAYS
SO LONG, 2020!
(CAN’T SAY WE’RE SORRY TO SEE YOU GO!)
CHEERS TO 2021
RING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH THESE THREE CREATIVE COCKTAILS, CRAFTED USING LOCAL INGREDIENTS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES STEFIUK
THE RESOLUTION By Watson Fitts, bartender at The Fearrington House
1 oz.
pomegranate juice 1 oz. Meyer lemon juice ½ oz. ginger syrup ¼ oz. Pedro Ximénez sherry vinegar
Shake all ingredients vigorously. Pour into a chilled coup. Garnish with microgreens and cherry.
Trying to go easy on the alcohol?
This mocktail will do the trick. Or, if you prefer, Watson suggests adding one shot of Conniption gin.
Still in the Christmas spirit?
Look no further than this amalgamation of, well, spirits!
STARRLIGHT CHRISTMAS By Bill Hartley, chef and co-owner of Postal Fish Company
1¼ oz. Cleveland Whiskey’s Christmas Bourbon 2 oz. Starrlight Mead’s cranberry orange Splash of lemon juice 3 drops Crude Bitters & Sodas’ Smoke and Salt bitters 3 drops Crude Bitters & Sodas’ Orange and Fig bitters 1 oz. club soda
In a shaker, add ice, whiskey, mead and smoke and salt bitters. Shake vigorously. Strain over ice in a rocks glass and top with orange and fig bitters and club soda. Serve with an ovendried apple slice.
Start the next year
on a sweet note, complete with a cherry on top!
PARTY POPPER By Gloria Rodriguez, tasting room manager at Fair Game Beverage Co.
1 oz. Fair Game’s peach brandy
1 syringe
Crude Bitters & Sodas’ Hibiscus, Lavender and Oak bitters ½ oz. honey syrup 6 oz. Chatham Cider Works Pink Dogwood Rosé ½ oz. grenadine
In a flute glass, add peach brandy, bitters, honey syrup and rosé cider. Leave room for grenadine. Gently stir ingredients in the glass. Pour the grenadine, and let it settle to the bottom. Finish by garnishing with a maraschino cherry. CM
