See which desserts, art galleries, hair salons and more were voted our readers’ favorites in our 12th annual poll.
5634DurhamChapelHillBlvd., CornerofI-40and15-501(Exit270)
Hours:M-F10-6
www.persiancarpet.com
JULY/AUGUST 2023
CHAPELHILLMAGAZINE.COM
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Jessica Stringer
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EXECUTIVE MANAGING EDITOR
Amanda MacLaren
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Leah Berry and Brooke Spach
EDITORIAL INTERNS
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CONTRIBUTORS
Anna Beth Adcock, Julia Baker, Brooke Dougherty, James Dupree, Shilpa Giri, Susan Murray, Elizabeth Poindexter, Isabella Reilly and Lindsey Ware
ART
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Kevin Brown
GRAPHIC DESIGNER/PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Lindsay Scott
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Khadijah Weekes-Nolan
PHOTOGRAPHER
John Michael Simpson
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114 The Upsides of Downsizing
Meet three local residents who found help to feel good about letting go
120 Taking the Stage
Seasoned performers steal the show: Prime Time Players bring joy and laughter to local audiences
128 The 2023 Directory of Assisted Living, Continuing Care, Independent Living, 55+ Living and Cohousing Retirement Communities
FEATURES
22 Breaking Ground
Learn about the inaugural recipient of Chapel Hill Magazine’s Social Impact Award
104 Get to Know the Teacher of the Year
Kimberly Jones brings positivity, authenticity and engagement to her classroom
136 Priceless Gem
Two UNC alums restore a historical home, blending old charm with modern flair
DEPARTMENTS
6 Letter from the Editor
8 About Town Events not to miss
24 Noted What we’ve heard around our towns …
32 Dining Guide
PEOPLE & PLACES
12 Preschool at the Chapel of the Cross’ 50th Anniversary
13 23rd Annual Mildred Council Community Dinner
14 Farm to Table Dinner Party
16 Running with the Angels 5K
17 Business After Hours
18 Imagine More Gala
TERRACES
HURRY — PRESALES HAPPENING NOW!
New contemporary apartment homes for retirement. Learn more at forestduke.org/TheTerraces.
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Vibrant living. Continuing care. In the heart of Durham. 800-278-9729 / forestduke.org/TheTerraces
t was an accident I had last summer that partially inspired this issue, our 12th Best of Chapel Hill edition. After giving blood, I passed out, with my hip taking most of the impact. I rode out of the Durham Red Cross sitting up on a stretcher, like a pageant queen wearily waving from a parade float. My gnarly bruises faded, but the pain stuck around for weeks and then months. Finally, I spent the (long overdue, I know) time researching physical therapists, cross-referencing online reviews with who was in my network. Throughout January and February, Alexis Ardovitch at UNC Hospitals ACC Physical Therapy challenged me with leg presses and “monster walks.”
During my weeks spent in the gym, I got the idea to add some categories, like “Best Physical Therapy,” to our annual readers’ favorite poll. And so, the thousands of voters who filled out a ballot in March saw new categories both fun (Group Outing, Queso, Biscuits and Fried Chicken) and practical (Insurance Agent/Firm and Urgent Care, to name a few). In another tweak, I divided up Breakfast and Brunch (since everyone knows there’s a difference between scrambled eggs and toast on a weekday morning and a leisurely weekend brunch that involves a mimosa). We’re open to more suggestions that help our poll best serve our readers – send ’em my way! (Perhaps I wouldn’t have taken so long to book my PT if I had had our winners list as a starting point.) See which businesses scored the highest marks from voters, and read some features on a few, starting on page 40.
As for me, the PT paid off, and I’m lucky to report that I’m back to running regularly. Maybe I need to add “Favorite Jogging Trail” to next year’s ballot (and now I can keep your favorite physical therapists handy just in case!) CHM
READ
IT’S
July 14-Aug. 12
uproarfestnc.com
Get outside and see 60 large-scale, bold works of art throughout downtown Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough during a new monthlong festival, the first experience of its kind in the state. The event features Southeastern artists, including Theresa Arico and Eryn Donnalley, and their sculptures and interactive installations.
July 19-23 and 27-30
playmakersrep.org
PlayMakers Repertory Company’s Summer Youth Conservatory, whose cast and crew
is made up of talented local high school students, presents its production of ‘The Drowsy Chaperone,’ co-directed by Aubrey Snowden and PlayMakers’ resident movement coach Tracy Bersley. The musical honors the Jazz Age shows of the 1920s and their power to cheer us up in times of sadness.
July 20, 27 and Aug. 10, 17, 8 p.m. chapelhillarts.org
Watch family-friendly films amid the trees at the Forest Theatre. This year’s movie selections are “The Princess and the Frog,” “Turning Red,” “Sing” and “Shrek.” Get comfy by bringing a blanket or cushions, and arrive early to find seating.
carrborofarmersmarket.com
JULY
15
7 A.M. TO NOON
Enjoy all things tomato, live music and a raffle with prizes at the Carrboro Farmers Market. Savor freshly sliced tomato samples from over 50 varieties grown by the market’s farmers, and grab some recipes in the market gazebo.
Weekends, Aug. 4-Sept. 17
paperhand.org
Paperhand Puppet Intervention presents its 23rd annual show featuring giant puppets made of grapevine and sticks, fantastical beasts and more at the Forest Theatre.
Aug. 25-27 and Aug. 31-Sept. 1
blueboxtheatrecompany.org
Reimagining a classic text every season is one of Blue Box Theatre Company’s founding ideals. This summer, the company will perform Shakespeare’s classic play, “Much Ado About Nothing,” with a modern setting at the Honeysuckle Tea House. Shaded seats will be provided, along with refreshments and s’mores kits for the post-show fire pits. CHM
The Chamber’s 2023 Business Excellence Award Winners!
Black Business Alliance Businessperson of the Year | Creighton Blackwell, Coastal Credit Union
Businesswoman of the Year | Ellen Shannon, Triangle Media Partners
Presented by: The Downsizers | The Consignors | Shuttle Movers
Young Professional of the Year | Alex Brandwein, Brandwein’s Bagels
Presented by: Trinsic Residential Group
The Chamber’s 2023 Business Excellence Award Finalists!
(winners indicated with *)
New Business of the Year | Momo’s Master*,
Exquisite Experience Venue, Sandhill’s Medical Staffing
Presented by: Town of Chapel Hill Economic Development
Micro Enterprise Business of the Year | Olmaz Jewelers*, The Builder’s Agency, My Muses Card Shop
Presented By: Adkin CPA, PLLC
Mid-Size Business of the Year | J. Hoffman Studio Design + Build*, Goldfish Swim School, Joel I. Levy, CPA, PLLC
Presented by: Pinnacle Financial Partners
Large Business of the Year | Jersey Mike’s Subs*, Chapel Hill Tire, Gonzalez Painters & Contractors
Presented by: PHE, Inc
Non-Profit of the Year | South Orange Rescue Squad*, SKJAJA, TABLE
Presented by: Brooks Pierce Law Firm
Impact Award | Grubb Properties*, B3 Coffee, Extraordinary Ventures
Presented by: Congruence Counseling Group
Innovative Business of the Year | Habitat for Humanity*, Kate’s Korner Learning Center, Leigh Brain & Spine
Presented by: Fidelity Investments
Preschool at the Chapel of the Cross celebrated its 50th anniversary (technically now its 51st due to multiple pandemic-related postponements of the commemoration) on April 29. Parents, teachers and alumni from throughout the years gathered at The Chapel of the Cross for the event, which featured barbecue from The Pig, Carolina Brewery beer, a silent auction and music by DJlicious. The celebration also provided an opportunity for PCC staff to honor Executive Director Laura Gelblum, who will retire at the end of July after 39 years with the school.
The community came together for an afternoon of food and fellowship during the 23rd annual event on April 30. Emceed by Ron Stutts and Marlyn Valeiko, the event held in the McDougle Middle School cafeteria featured performances by Mallarme Youth Chamber Orchestra, United Voices of Praise and Takiri Folclor Latino Mildred Council, aka “Mama Dip,” was the creator of this event decades ago and served as a partner for 21 past Community Dinners that celebrated our area’s cultural diversity. Her family at Mama Dip’s Kitchen coordinated the menu and, along with The Carolina Inn, provided the dinner’s main courses. Many local restaurants and churches donated side dishes and desserts to complete the feast.
Photography by Jessica Stringer
Habitat for Humanity of Orange County held its third annual event on April 15 at Teer Farm featuring an evening of mingling, live music, a photo booth and a three-course meal prepared by chef Paris Mishoe. More than 240 attendees came together to raise $280,000, enough to build two Habitat homes in Orange County. Photography by Enfry Mendez of EM Media CHM
1 Board member Cathy Bryson and Kelly Bruce.
2 Bruce Ballentine and David Price.
3 Jane Preyer and Lark Hayes with board chair Betsy Blackwell.
4 Back row: Grace Johnston, Jennifer Player, Krissy Dunn, Ansel Prichard, Michael Magoon, Alice Jacoby and Laine Staton. Front row: Shanell Smaw, Kaitlyn Kopala and Jo Snow.
5 Ashley Hester, Jason Hester, Alison Kiser, board member Zac Hedrick, Jamey Millar and board member Anna Millar.
6 Tracy Davies, Courtney Chacos, Courtney Whilden and Jennifer Player.
Runners and walkers laced up their sneakers for the second annual race hosted by the Monet Richardson Community Foundation at East Chapel Hill High School on March 25. MRCF is a nonprofit organization founded in memory of Kristian Monet Richardson, an ECHHS graduate, that provides backpacks filled with supplies and scholarships to youth in the community. Along with the race, a raffle and silent auction was held with donated items ranging from a basketball signed by the UNC men’s basketball team, to stays at The Carolina Inn and other local hotels, to gift cards for restaurants including Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill, Mama Dip’s Kitchen, Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery and more. By the end of the overcast day, participants were soaked from the rain, but more than $21,000 was raised for the foundation. Photography by Pure Illusions Photography and Kristen Snyder CHM
1 John Floyd and Pat Richardson.
2 Geri Vital.
3 Michael Archibald and Simon Archibald.
4 Elizabeth Richardson, Eric Richardson and Weston Richardson.
5 Amber Tucker and Tony Tucker.
Members of the Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro gathered at the Rizzo Center in March for the organization’s monthly Business After Hours networking event. The venue offered sips and snacks while attendees mingled with one another. The next Business After Hours and Black Business Alliance networking event will be held on Aug. 17.
The ArtsCenter held its annual gala on April 15 at the Haw River Ballroom. Guests enjoyed both a silent and live auction, drinks and dinner from the Saxapahaw General Store. The ArtsCenter raised nearly $150,000 to be used toward enriching the community through the arts. Photography by Barbara Tyroler CHM
Whether it’s to remove one or more teeth, implants, or something more involved, you probably have a lot of questions and concerns. What are my options? What can I expect? Will I be in pain? It’s normal to be apprehensive about a surgical procedure and at Chapel Hill Implant and Oral Surgery Center, we understand. That is why Dr. Hill has created a top notch facility and a team of professionals whose singular goal is to help you understand your options and make your procedure as stress-free as possible.
Meet Dr. David Lee Hill, Jr.
People who meet Dr. Hill are quickly won over by his knowledge and easy-going style. He is a stickler for detail and in his profession, every little detail matters. His commitment to patient safety and surgical precision as well as his uncompromising philosophy toward care is reflected in the state-of-the-art surgical facility he has designed from the ground up. He also places emphasis on his patient’s comfort and it showsfrom the warm and inviting surroundings to the caring staff, focused on the patient’s well being. If your case calls for implant or oral surgery, let Dr. Hill and his capable team welcome you for a tour and a discussion about your unique needs.
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
77 VilCom Center Drive, Suite 120
Chapel Hill, NC 27514 919-238-9961
On April 22, FRANK Gallery hosted its grand opening celebration at East Main Square. The gallery closed its University Place location in March and reopened in Carrboro on March 28. Member artists, FRANK board and staff and the public filled the new space, appreciating the art on display while enjoying hors d’oeuvres from IZA Whiskey & Eats, drinks and meeting the creators behind the work. The event also featured a raffle with four prizes including a FRANK’s Off the Wall Fundraising Gala ticket and a gift certificate to the gallery.
EMPOWERment, Inc. hosted an evening of fundraising and celebration for Chapel Hill’s new PEACH apartments held at the William and Ida Friday Center on May 20. Lillian Lee, a longtime educator and community champion, was honored for her years of advocating for affordable housing and was presented with the POWER award. The PEACH, or Pine Knolls Empowerment Affordable Community Housing, apartments are debt-free, multiunit and affordable residences located in the Pine Knolls neighborhood for those making less than a liveable wage. Contribute to the PEACH apartment efforts or learn more at empowermentinc.org Photography
by Earl Bynum CHM
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1 EMPOWERment, Inc. Board President Alean Farrington, Lillian Lee, Earline Davis and former Chapel Hill Mayor Howard Lee.
2 Back row: Phil Ford, Emila Sutton, Cory Flannery, Charlie Scott, Erroll Reese and David Bright.
Front row: Chapel Hill Town Council member Paris Miller-Foushee, Alean Farrington, Laura Wright, EMPOWERment, Inc. Executive Director Delores Bailey, Monica Wallace and Creighton Blackwell.
3 Charlie Scott and Fred Black.
Orange Literacy held its annual fundraiser on April 6 at Flyleaf Books in Chapel Hill. The event showcased Poet Laureates Cortland Gilliam and Liza Wolff-Francis in an engaging conversation with North Carolina Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green. The objective of the evening was to raise funds for the community-based organization committed to promoting literacy for all. With a focus on providing free, individualized literacy instruction, the nonprofit supports adults in enhancing their reading, writing, basic math and English language skills. Photography by Pamir Kiciman CHM
ew to our Best of Chapel Hill issue this year is the honor of presenting Chapel Hill Magazine’s first Social Impact Award to The Partnership for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro’s Big Bold Ideas Committee on Affordable Housing. This distinction recognizes people and organizations making a large, positive social impact on our community. There are so many doing good, and it was a difficult choice. We landed on the committee working to tackle affordable housing because it is a unique cross-sector community collaboration that models that when we work together, we can identify and solve problems better and faster. It’s an initiative that has involved and convened hundreds of people and organizations – and it’s working. This award belongs not just to The Chamber and its Partnership, but to its many members and organizations working on the initiative. While the Big Bold Ideas includes other community initiatives that are doing important work, we are honored to shine a spotlight on the affordable housing committee.
What Big Bold Ideas is a communitywide goal-setting and goalaccomplishing venture and includes several initiatives, including the Social Impact Awardwinning affordable housing initiative.
Why To make a substantial, positive and collective impact on our community
Who The inaugural Big Bold Ideas Steering Committee was made up of forty community leaders from diverse backgrounds and all sectors. Five hundred individuals participated to agree on community priorities, and more than 100 business and community leaders have worked on committees and task forces to advance the shared objectives. Right Now There are a few objectives and committees in progress. The Big Bold Ideas Committee on Affordable Housing
(chaired by Jennifer Player of Habitat for Humanity of Orange County) has established bold community strategies and measurable objectives.
What Next 2023 is about building the coalitions needed to accomplish the objectives, measuring the success and pushing for faster change.
We asked Aaron Nelson, president/CEO of The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro, about the work that the committee is doing. He says, “The Big Bold Ideas Committee on Affordable Housing spent a year convening leaders across sectors and industries to adopt a big, bold, communitywide affordable housing goal. The committee adopted the goal of creating 1,500 units of affordable housing over five years (by end of 2026) with 20 action strategies, focused on generating more funds to create the units, identifying the land where affordable housing can be built, making affordable housing easier to build, increasing the role of local employers in employersponsored or employer-supported housing, increasing the local acceptance of rent-support vouchers and increasing overall availability. More work needs to be done, but with local government investments and policy reform, major institutions and developers stepping up with new resources and new strategies, and the talented for-profit and nonprofit housing developers working together, we can get more affordable housing faster.”
Jennifer Player, chair of the Big Bold Ideas Committee on Affordable Housing, emphasized the importance to the community of having more affordable housing and the dedication of the committee members. “Local employers say
their No. 1 challenge is finding and keeping employees, and a key factor driving that challenge is the price and availability of housing. The Big Bold Ideas goal to create 1,500 more affordable housing units by the end of 2026 is not just in service to our local employers, but principally for the benefit of our local workers, families and seniors. We are fortunate in our community to have smart, dedicated people willing to work together to identify critical challenges, establish bold goals and design strategies to achieve them. Thank you to the local government professionals, affordable housing providers, financial professionals, private sector developers, property managers, health care professionals and university partners who have worked together for nearly two years to advance this initiative and who continue to convene to collaborate, measure and report on our shared progress.”
Goal Create 1,500 new affordable housing units by 2026. Affordability An individual spending no more than 30% of their pretax income on housing.
Qualification People making up to 120% area median income (with no more than 300 units for folks earning more than 80% AMI). Location Within all of Orange County and a 20-minute commute radius of UNC.
1 Generate more funds to create affordable housing
2 Dedicate available land to build affordable housing
3 Make affordable housing easier to build
4 Increase employer-sponsored and employer-supported housing
5 Increase acceptance of housing choice (Section 8) vouchers
6 Increase availability of affordable housing
• Aaron Nelson, The Chamber For a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro
• Alice Jacoby, Orange Habitat
• Allison De Marco, UNC School of Social Work
• Allison Freeman, UNC Center for Community Capital
• Ben Edell, Eller Capital
• Bruce Warrington, UNC Real Estate
• Delores Bailey, EmPOWERment, Inc.
• Dan Levine, Self Help
• Eliazar Posada, Equality North Carolina
• Emila Sutton, Orange County
• Holly Fraccaro, Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange and Chatham Counties
• Jason Dell, Bold Construction
• Jennifer Player, Orange Habitat, Committee Chair
• Jess Brandes, CASA
• Leigh Kempf, Merrill Lynch
• Loryn Clark, Town of Chapel Hill
• Kimberly Sanchez, Community Home Trust
• Mark Shelburne, Novogradac
• Melvin Hurston, UNC Hospitals
• Michael Rodgers, DHIC
• Michael Webb, UNC Center for Urban & Regional Studies
• Nicole Galiger, Olive Property Management
• Rebecca Buzzard, Town of Carrboro
• Sarah Viñas, Town of Chapel Hill
• Yolanda Winstead, DHIC CHM
Chapel Hill resident Janet Northen was one of six luminaries to be inducted in the NC Media & Journalism Hall of Fame on April 21 at The Carolina Inn. Janet is a partner, executive vice president and director of agency communications for the creative and media agency McKinney in Durham.
The Southern Appalachian Botanical Society presented Alan Weakley, director of the UNC Herbarium, with the Elizabeth Ann Bartholomew Award at this year’s annual meeting of the Association of Southeastern Biologists. The award honors individuals for their role in advancing the knowledge of and appreciation for plants and their scientific and aesthetic values.
Carrboro High School junior Christopher Dittmer is one of 10 students who received the National Society of High School Scholars Foundation Earth Day Award scholarship. The award distinguishes students who promote awareness of environmental issues
Compiled by Julia Baker and Isabella Reilly
and develop projects in their schools and communities that contribute to the conservation of natural resources. Christopher is designing a solar shield that uses solar panels to charge electronics while also empowering people to transition to renewable energy.
The Triangle ranked No. 3 on the U.S. News & World Report’s list of the 2023-24 Best Places to Live. The list classifies the 150 most populous metropolitan areas according to value, desirability, job market and quality of life.
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools named Robert Ballard
of Chapel Hill High School the District Teacher of the Year at its recognition event on May 11. Robert is a Career and Technical Education automotive instructor with 15 years of experience as an educator. Chevaughn Brown of Smith Middle School and Srilakshmi Sankar of Phillips Middle School were named Honor Teachers.
Employees Kaye Martinez and Doug Noell celebrated 35 years of service, and Karen Weatherly was recognized for 30 years of service. Employees recognized for 25 years of service included Scott Fearrington, Anthony George, Mary O’Dor and Tamra Schuch
“Omar,” an opera from Rhiannon Giddens, artistin-residence for the Southern Futures initiative at Carolina Performing Arts, and composer Michael Abels, won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize in music. This is the first time a performance cocommissioned and co-produced by CPA has won the national award.
Bruce Ballentine received the Lifetime Achievement award from The Triangle Nonprofit & Volunteer Leadership Center and the 2023 Governor’s Medallion for his involvement with Habitat for Humanity of
• Umstead Park parkrun hosted its first free, volunteer-led 5K race for the community on March 25. Parkrun’s Chapel Hill location was started by East Chapel Hill High student Zian Chen. The weekly event takes place Saturday mornings at 8 a.m. The three-lap, out-and-back course traverses the paved paths of Bolin Creek Trail.
• Home Instead, an in-home senior care services provider offering support to Orange County seniors, has moved from Fordham Boulevard to a new office on East Franklin Street
• The Panther Branch Natural Area, a 56-acre preserve in Efland, opened to the public in April. Owned and managed by the Eno River Association, the site, open seven days a week, offers approximately 2 miles of walking trails through mature hardwood forests, picnic tables and Eno River vistas.
• Blackwood Farm Park reopened in Hillsborough on May 19. The 152-acre park offers 4 miles of hiking trails and amenities such as a covered amphitheater, an interactive educational trail and a large picnic shelter.
• Wentworth & Sloan recently moved within University Place and is now located across from Planet Fitness.
• Milan Laser, which specializes in laser hair removal by licensed medical professionals, opened next to Alumni Hall on West Franklin Street on April 17.
• Center Theater Company will take over The ArtsCenter’s
Orange County. Following his retirement from his career as a land developer and engineer, Bruce began serving as the volunteer project manager for Weavers Grove, contributing at all stages of its development – assisting in early designs, finding building partners, negotiating HOA agreements and leading donor tours almost weekly. A plaque honoring Bruce’s dedication to Weavers Grove will be mounted on the stone wall leading into the community.
East Chapel Hill High School student Teresa Fang won first place in the east region of the C-SPAN 2023 StudentCam documentary competition for her documentary, “Money Talks: Inside the Inflation Surge.” Nearly 3,000 students from across the country participated in the competition. In her documentary, Teresa explores inflation and the economy, particularly in relation to the inflation crisis during the aftermath of the pandemic.
The Town of Carrboro announced on March 28 that Marie Parker is the new assistant town manager. She has more than 23 years of experience in the public sector and most recently served as the executive director for Wave Transit in Wilmington.
Janice McAdams, executive director for SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals,
announced her retirement from her decadelong position on March 7. “We extend a heartfelt thankyou to Janice for all she has done,” says SECU Family House Board President Ali Fromme. The organization’s board of directors hired the nonprofit consulting firm, moss+ross, to lead the search for a new executive director. Janice will remain in her role until a successor is found.
Katie Loovis, former vice president of community, economic and workforce development at The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro, left the chamber on April 14 to serve as the first executive director of the North Carolina Community Colleges Foundation. “I want to publicly thank Katie for her more than five years of thoughtful service to our members and community,” says Aaron Nelson, the chamber’s president and CEO. The chamber will appoint a director of government affairs, a redesigned role, to fill Katie’s shoes.
Atuya
Cornwell was named director of Parks and Recreation for the Town of Chapel Hill by Interim Town Manager Chris Blue, effective April 13. Atuya began as the assistant director of the department last April, managing daily operations and special projects, such as strategic planning and evaluation.
Julia Kelley-Swift joined Leland Little Retail Fine Wine’s fine wine and rare spirits department in May. Julia says, “I am excited to bring my passion for hospitality and service
to this new position heading our retail wine shop.” Julia most recently served as the dining room manager at Hillsborough Bakeshop
Jerry Glenn “J.G.” Ferguson Jr. has been named the director of the Recreation, Parks & Cultural Resources Department for the Town of Carrboro. J.G. brings 15 years of experience with the Town of Rolesville – 11 as the parks and recreation director and three as the public works director – to the department. In his new role, J.G. plans to draw on his background to further develop the programs, events and facilities currently offered in Carrboro.
Hillsborough resident David Balshaw has been selected to lead the Division of Extramural Research and Training at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. As the new director, David will continue the work he started as acting DERT director for the past 11 months – managing financial resources, overseeing an extensive environmental science research portfolio and collaborating with colleagues to promote NIEHS’ mission.
Gov. Roy Cooper appointed Chapel Hill resident Alan Hirsch to the North Carolina State Board of Elections in May. Alan was nominated by the North Carolina Democratic Party. He is the CEO and co-founder of Biorg and the president and CEO of the North Carolina Healthcare Quality Alliance.
UNC Health was named as one of 300 companies on Fortune ’s inaugural “America’s Most Innovative Companies” list. More than 10,000 eligible companies were evaluated by innovation experts, HR executives and employees based on areas such as product invention, process efficiency and leadership that fosters creativity.
Will Potter was named Carrboro’s new fire chief in May. In 2001, he began participating in Carrboro Fire-Rescue Department’s ridealong program, in which civilians participate and respond to calls with the department. Six years later, he began working as a firefighter with the department and progressed through the ranks over the next 16 years. Most recently, Will served as the interim fire chief.
Chris Katella joined Morehead Planetarium and Science Center as its new marketing and communications manager on May 15. He brings eight years of higher education communications and public relations experience to the position. Morehead also welcomed Davron K. Rorie as its first equity and inclusion specialist in April. In this new position, Davron will work with staff and community partners to enhance their sense of belonging in the science center and their experiences with exhibits and programs.
The Station in Carrboro permanently closed its doors at the end of April. The historic train station, repurposed into a live
current space on East Main Street in Carrboro when the latter moves into its newly renovated location on Roberson Street in September.
Jenny Latimer, artistic director and former member of PlayMakers Repertory Company, started Center Theater Company in 2021. “We could not be more thrilled to not only produce Center Theater shows, but to create a space for other theater groups to showcase the extreme talent and enthusiasm in this community,” she says.
• Attune Fitness, a private personal training and Pilates studio, opened in Southern Village in February. Founder and owner Beth Elder has more than 25 years of experience as a personal trainer and more than 20 years as a Pilates instructor.
music venue and bar, hosted countless bands throughout the years.
David Payne reissued three of his North Carolina-based novels, “Early from the Dance,” “Ruin Creek” and “Gravesend Light” with Ingram Content Group under his imprint, Cedar Lane Books. The redesigned covers feature photographs by Elizabeth Matheson
Chapel Hill resident and author Fatima Kara published her debut novel, “The Train House on Lobengula Street,” in March. Reflecting on her own childhood living in the Indian
Muslim community, the book chronicles the challenges of a fictional Muslim family living in mid-20th century Bulawayo, Rhodesia, located in modern-day Zimbabwe.
Meals on Wheels Orange County, NC announced a new fund, Sharon’s Shakes, in memory of the late longtime board member and frequent liquid nutrition donor, Sharon Bushnell, in March. The fund works to continue to provide regular access to recipients who require liquid nutrition. Donations can be made online, by mail or in person.
The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Public School Foundation hosted its 10th annual PSF 5K for Education
on March 18. More than 2,300 runners and walkers registered for the race, raising $21,000.
Habitat for Humanity of Orange County board members, construction partners, elected officials and the capital campaign committee gathered on May 20 to celebrate its newest mixed-income community, Weavers Grove, built with more than $8 million in fundraising funds, nearly $3 million beyond Habitat’s initial campaign goal. Attendees could partake in
self-guided community walking tours and community mural painting, soon to hang in the Weavers Grove Community Center.
Dr. Anne Beaven and Dr. Mark Yoffe, candidates for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Visionaries of the Year award for the Triangle, raised more than $350,000 and $325,000, respectively, for the nonprofit. Owing to their dedication to cancer research and advocacy, both physicians were nominated for the campaign, a philanthropic
competition in which candidates and their teams raise money for the organization in honor of blood cancer survivors. After 41 years of treating cancer patients, Mark retired from his career as a hematologist and oncologist at the UNC Rex Cancer Center at the end of June. Anne, director of the lymphoma program at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, has treated patients with lymphoma for 16 years as a hematologist and
oncologist. She broke the record for amount raised by a single candidate during the campaign.
The Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange and Chatham Counties awarded $10,000 in scholarships to six area high school seniors who will be pursuing college degrees in areas related to construction. The scholarship recipients include Gabrielle Sielken of East Chapel
Hill High School, Andrew Charles Cox of Orange High School and Lucius Birkholz of Chapel Hill High School.
MEMORIAM Chapel Hill Police Department Officer Mike Mineer died in a vehicle crash in Chatham County on May 8. A 19-year veteran of the department, Mike most recently served in the patrol division. “Mike was a dedicated family man and a caring colleague,” shared Chief Celisa Lehew in a statement following the news. “Our thoughts are with his family and friends –including his CHPD family – in this difficult time.” CHM
“
You can spend all day there from open to close and still find something you haven’t done the next day. ”
The Museum of Life and Science is one of North Carolina’s top-rated destinations. It’s an interactive science center, a nature park with animals, and 84 acres of open-ended experiences. We’ve got bears, dinosaurs, train rides, treehouses, NASA artifacts, and butterflies from around the world. Visit today!
433 W. Murray Ave, Durham, NC 27704
lifeandscience.org
919-220-5429
Museum Summer Camp Event Space
East Franklin Street
1922 Coffee cafe with grab-andgo options. 140 E. Franklin St.; carolinacoffeeshop.com
Bandido’s Mexican Cafe Burritos, salads, quesadillas, tacos. 159 ½ E. Franklin St.; 919-967-5048; bandidoscafe.com
Basecamp Restaurant and bar serving small plates and a variety of international dishes. Open for dinner and Sunday brunch. 105 E. Franklin St.; 984-999-4970; basecampchapelhill.com
Bonchon Korean fried chicken. 205 E. Franklin St.; 984-234-0788; bonchon.com
Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop Hot and cold subs, hand-pulled meats, 12-hour roasted turkey and quality cheeses. 127 Franklin St.; 919-240-4025; capriottis.com
Carolina Coffee Shop Casual American cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 138 E. Franklin St.; 919-942-6875; carolinacoffeeshop.com
Cosmic Cantina Burritos, salads, quesadillas, tacos. 128 E. Franklin St.; 919-960-3955; cosmiccantina.com
Dame’s Chicken & Waffles Chicken, waffles, schmears. ‘Nuff said. 147 E. Franklin St.; 919-240-4228; dameschickenwaffles.com
Down Time Craft beer, pizza, tacos, wraps, paninis and more. 201 E. Franklin St.; 919-240-7008; downtimechapelhill.com
Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews Independent bookstore and Mexican-style chocolatería. 109 E. Franklin St., Ste. 100; 919-913-5055; epiloguebookcafe.com
Four Corners American fare, nachos, wings, pasta. 175 E. Franklin St.; 919-537-8230; fourcornersgrille.com
Hibachi & Company Hibachi- and teriyaki-style dishes. 153 E. Franklin St.; 919-903-8428; hibachicompany.com
Imbibe Bottle shop and restaurant serving pizza, salads and appetizers. 108 Henderson St.; 919-636-6469; 108henderson.com
Linda’s Bar & Grill Local beer, sweet potato tots, cheese fries and burgers. 203 E. Franklin St.; 919-933-6663; lindas-bar.com
Möge Tee Bubble tea shop offering cheese foam fruit tea, fresh milk tea, fruit parfaits and fruit yakult. 151 E. Franklin St.; 984-234-3278; mogeteechapelhill.com
Momo’s Master Made-to-order Himalayan dumplings. 110 N. Columbia St.; 919-903-9051; momosmaster.com
Pirate Captain Ramen, seafood, smoothie bowls. 163 E. Franklin St.; 919-968-2098; piratecaptainch.com
Sup Dogs Creative hot dogs and sides like jalapeño popper tots and funnel cake sticks. 107 E. Franklin St.; 919-903-9566; supdogs.com
Sutton’s Drug Store Old-fashioned diner known for its hot dogs, burgers and sandwiches like “Roy’s Reuben.” 159 E. Franklin St.; 919-942-5161; suttonsdrugstore.com
Time-Out Southern comfort food 24 hours a day. 201 E. Franklin St.; 919-929-2425; timeout247.com
Top of the Hill A Chapel Hill brewery that also offers American food like burgers and flatbreads. 100 E. Franklin St.; 919-929-8676; thetopofthehill.com
Tru Deli & Wine Bar Build-your-own sandwiches and wine. 114 Henderson St.; 919-240-7755; trudeli.com
Wheat Chinese noodles, rice dishes, desserts. 143 E. Franklin St.; 919-240-4155
Yaya Tea Japanese cafe with a variety of bubble teas and imported snacks. 157 E. Franklin St.; 919-914-6302; yayatea.com
West Franklin Street
411 West Fresh pasta, seafood and pizzas inspired by the flavors of Italy and the Mediterranean, with a healthy California twist; outdoor dining. 411 W. Franklin St.; 919-967-2782; 411west.com
*DETAILS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. CHECK RESTAURANT WEBSITES AND SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS PRIOR TO VISITING.
ADVERTISERS HIGHLIGHTED IN BOXES
COMING SOON – Ay Por Dios Mexican food. 431 W. Franklin St.; 717-802-0745
Beer Study/Boot Room Bottle shop with in-store drafts and growlers to go, plus soccer pub and sandwich shop. 504 W. Franklin St.; 919-240-5423; beerstudy.com
Blue Dogwood Public Market Food hall with individually owned food stalls including Asian fusion, a bottle shop and a nutrient-dense weekly pre-order menu. 306 W. Franklin St., Ste. G; 919-717-0404; bluedogwood.com
Blue’s on Franklin North Carolina barbecue, burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches and salads. 110 W. Franklin St.; 919-240-5060; bluesonfranklin.com
Boro Beverage Co. Locally made kombucha and craft sodas on tap. 400 W. Rosemary St., Ste. 1005; 919-537-8001; borobeverage.com
Brandwein’s Bagels Classic New York bagels and breakfast sandwiches. 505 W. Rosemary St.; 919-240-7071; brandweinsbagels.com
Bul Box Flavors and dishes inspired by Asia in handcrafted signature boxes with limitless customizability. 200 W. Franklin St. #130; 919-240-4159; bul-box.com
Buns Gourmet burgers, fries and shakes made from fresh ingredients. 107 N. Columbia St.; 919-240-4746; bunsofchapelhill.com
Carolina Brewery The Triangle’s oldest brewery restaurant features Carolina cuisine. 460 W. Franklin St.; 919-942-1800; carolinabrewery.com
Cat Tales Cat Cafe A two-story coffee/ beer/wine cafe home to 12 adoptable cats. 431 W. Franklin St., Ste. 210; 843-345-5289; cattalescatcafe.com
Chimney Indian Kitchen + Bar Traditional Indian dishes and unique options like pista korma and lobster pepper masala. 306 W. Franklin St., Ste. D; 984-234-3671; chimneyindiankitchen.com
Al’s Burger Shack Gourmet burgers and fries. 516 W. Franklin St.; 919-904-7659; alsburgershack.com
CholaNad Restaurant & Bar Contemporary and traditional South Indian cuisine. Catering available. 310 W. Franklin St.; 800-246-5262; cholanad.com
Crossroads Chapel Hill at The Carolina Inn New American cuisine and seasonal specialties; all ABC permits; outdoor dining. 211 Pittsboro St.; 919-918-2777; crossroadscuisine.com
Crumbl Cookies Baked-from-scratch, home-delivered cookies featuring six different flavors each week. 133 W. Franklin St., Ste. 50; crumblcookies.com
The Dead Mule Club Sunday brunch, tacos and barbecue. 303 W. Franklin St.; 919-969-7659; deadmule.squarespace.com
Franklin Motors Beer Garden A rooftop and fully licensed ABC bar. The Roquette at Franklin Motors serves hand-cut fries and sliders. 601 W. Franklin St.; 919-8697090; franklinmotors.net
Heavenly Buffaloes Chicken wings and vegan wings with more than 25 rubs and sauces. 407 W. Franklin St.; 919-914-6717; heavenlybuffaloes.com/chapel-hill
Italian Pizzeria III Pizza, Italian entrees, calzones and subs. The “place to be” in Chapel Hill for 41 years. 508 W. Franklin St.; 919-968-4671; italianpizzeria3.com
Kurama Sushi & Noodle Express Dumplings, salads, noodle dishes. 105 N. Columbia St.; 919-968-4747; kuramasushinoodle.com
Lantern Pan-Asian cuisine. 423 W. Franklin St.; 919-969-8846; lanternrestaurant.com
Lapin Bleu Bar meets art gallery. 106A N. Graham St.; 919-969-7157
La Résidence French-inspired cuisine. 202 W. Rosemary St.; 919-967-2506; laresidencedining.com
Le Macaron French pastries. 140 W. Franklin St., Ste. 120; lemacaron-us.com
Mama Dip’s Kitchen Traditional Southern specialties, brunch and dinner classics like fried chicken and Brunswick stew. 408 W. Rosemary St.; 919-942-5837; mamadips.com
Mediterranean Deli
Offers healthy vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free Mediterranean options. 410 W. Franklin St.; 919-967-2666; mediterraneandeli.com
Merritt’s Grill Famous BLTs, breakfast sandwiches, burgers. 1009 S. Columbia St.; 919-942-4897; merrittsblt.com
Might As Well Bar & Grill Bar favorites. 206 W. Franklin St.; 984-234-3333; chapelhill.mightaswellbarandgrill.com
The Northside District Specialty cocktails and international small plates. 403 W. Rosemary St.; 919-391-7044; thenorthsidedistrict.com
Perennial Cafe Serving Carrboro Coffee Roasters coffee, tea and pastries. 401 W. Franklin St.; 919-914-6045; perennial.cafe
Pho Happiness Pho noodle soup, vermicelli plates and vegetarian/glutenfree options. 508-A W. Franklin St.; 919-942-8201; phohappinessnc.com
The Purple Bowl Acai bowls, toast, smoothies, coffee. 306-B W. Franklin St.; 919-903-8511; purplebowlch.com
Que Chula Authentic Mexican food, tacos and craft tequilas. 140 W. Franklin St., Ste. 110; 919-903-8000; quechulatacos.com
Alpaca Peruvian rotisserie chicken and sides like maduros and tostones. 237 S. Elliott Rd.; 919-338-2962; alpacachicken.com
Breadman’s A variety of burgers, sandwiches, salads and grilled meat, with daily soup and specials. All-day breakfast; catering available. 261 S. Elliott Rd.; 919-967-7110; breadmens.com
Caffé Driade Carrboro Coffee Roasters coffee, bowl-size lattes, local baked goods, beer and wine. 1215-A E. Franklin St.; 919-942-2333; caffedriade.com
The Casual Pint Upscale craft beer market with beer, wine and ice-cream sandwiches. 201 S. Elliott Rd., Ste. 5; 919-967-2626; chapelhill.thecasualpint.com
Cava Customizable Mediterranean bowls, salads, pitas and soups. 79 S. Elliott Rd.; 919-636-5828; cava.com
Chopt Unique salads, grain and quinoa bowls. Eastgate Crossing; 919-240-7660; choptsalad.com
Roots Natural Kitchen Salads and grain bowls. Children 12 years old and younger eat free all day, every day. 133 W. Franklin St., Bldg. A-115; 984-322-5600; rootsnaturalkitchen.com
Saturni Sandwiches, coffee and baked goods. 431 W. Franklin St., Ste. 120; 984-234-3497; saturni-nc.com
Spicy 9 Sushi Bar & Asian Restaurant Sushi, Thai curries, bibimbap and other Asian entrees. 140 W. Franklin St., Ste. 150; 919-903-9335; spicy9chapelhill.com
Talullas Authentic Turkish cuisine; all ABC permits. 456 W. Franklin St.; 919-933-1177; talullas.com
Tea Hill Made-to-order Taiwanese teas and street food. 318 W. Franklin St.; 984-9994580; teahillusa.com
Trolly Stop - The Beach on Franklin Specialty hot dogs and burgers. 104 W. Franklin St.; 919-240-4206; trollystophotdogs.com
Trophy Room A Graduate Hotels concept serving up shareable plates, salads and burgers. 311 W. Franklin St.; 919-442-9000; graduatehotels.com/chapel-hill/restaurant
Vimala’s Curryblossom Café Traditional Indian tandoori and thali. 431 W. Franklin St., Ste. 415; 919-929-3833; curryblossom.com
YoPo of Chapel Hill Frozen yogurt, treats and shakes with unique flavors since 1982. 106 W. Franklin St.; 919-942-7867; yogurtpump.com
Clean Juice Certified organic juices, smoothies, bowls and snacks. Eastgate Crossing; 919-590-5133; cleanjuice.com
Dunk & Slide at Whole Foods Market All-day breakfast, sushi and more. 81 S. Elliott Rd.; 919-968-1983; wholefoodsmarket.com
Guglhupf Bake Shop European-style breads, pastries and coffee. Eastgate Crossing; 919-914-6511; guglhupf.com/ chapel-hill-bake-shop
Il Palio at The Siena Hotel Italian specialties like butternut squash ravioli. 1505 E. Franklin St.; 919-918-2545; ilpalio.com
Japan Express Hibachi-style meals and sushi. 106 S. Estes Dr.; 919-903-8050
Kipos Greek Taverna Greek cuisine in a relaxed, upscale setting with outdoor dining. Eastgate Crossing; 919-425-0760; kiposchapelhill.com
La Hacienda Burritos, salads, quesadillas, tacos. 1813 Fordham Blvd.; 919-967-0207; lahaciendamex.com
The Loop Pizzas, soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers. Eastgate Crossing; 919-969-7112; thelooprestaurant.com
Min Ga Authentic Korean cuisine like bibimbap, bulgogi and a variety of homemade kimchi. 1404 E. Franklin St.; 919-933-1773; min-ga.com
Monterrey Mexican Grill Tacos, quesadillas, burritos and more. Rams Plaza; 919-969-8750; letsgotomonterrey.com
Mr. Tokyo Japanese Restaurant Unlimited sushi and hibachi. Rams Plaza; 919-240-4552; mrtokyojapanese.com/chapel-hill
Osteria Georgi House-made pasta, braised meat dishes and antipasto. 201 S. Elliott Rd., Ste. 100; 919-375-0600; osteriageorgi.com
Piero’s Pasta & Wine A variety of pasta dishes, soups and salads. 1502 E. Franklin St.; 984-999-4826; pierospasta.com
Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken Biscuits, donuts, chicken and coffee. Eastgate Crossing; risebiscuitschicken.com
Shake Shack Fast-casual chain serving up 100% Angus beef blend burgers, crinklecut fries and hand-spun shakes. Eastgate Crossing; shakeshack.com
COMING SOON – Snooze, An A.M. Eatery Breakfast, comfort food lunches and brunch cocktails that come from carefully sourced ingredients. Eastgate Crossing; snoozeeatery.com
S quid’s Fresh seafood options include woodgrilled fillets, Maine lobster, fried seafood and oysters. 1201 Fordham Blvd.; 919-942-8757; squidsrestaurant.com
Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen Drive-thru biscuits, sandwiches. 1305 E. Franklin St.; 919-933-1324; sunrisebiscuits.co
Sutton’s in the Atrium A cafe version of Sutton’s Drug Store with its famous hot dogs, salads and more. 100 Europa Dr.; 919-2404471; suttonsdrugstore.com
Tandoor Indian Restaurant Traditional Indian cuisine, vegan options. 1301 E. Franklin St.; 919-967-6622; tandoorindian.com
Thaiphoon Bistro Thai cuisine, curry, stirfry, soups and salads. 1704 E. Franklin St.; 919-869-7191; thaiphoonbistro.com
Twisted Noodles Thai noodle soups, pan-fried noodles. Eastgate Crossing; 919-933-9933; twistednoodlesch.com
University Place
Alfredo’s Pizza Villa Pizzas, calzones, salads, subs, pasta, desserts. 919-968-3424; alfredospizzavilla.com
bartaco Tacos, fresh-juice cocktails, poke and mole options. 910-807-8226; bartaco.com
Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill
Southern favorites like deviled eggs meet steakhouse mainstays like the legendary 12 oz. filet. 919-914-6688; stoneyriver.com
Trilogy American cafe featuring innovative twists on classic dishes. Outdoor seating available. Silverspot Cinema; 919-357-9887; silverspot.net
Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (Airport Road)
Bombolo Brunch, pasta dishes and small plates. 764 MLK Jr. Blvd.; 919-914-6374; bombolochapelhill.com
Hunam Chinese Restaurant Cantonese cuisine. 790 MLK Jr. Blvd.; 919-967-6133; hunamrestaurant.net
Lucha Tigre Latin-Asian cuisine and sake-tequila bar. 746 MLK Jr. Blvd.; 919-914-6368; luchatigre.com
The Root Cellar Cafe & Catering Sandwiches, salads, soups, desserts and more for breakfast and lunch. 750 MLK Jr. Blvd.; 919-967-3663; rootcellarchapelhill.com
Timberlyne/Chapel Hill
North Area
Sal’s Pizza & Ristorante Thin-crust and deep-dish pizzas plus an array of Italian comfort food. 2805 Homestead Rd.; 919-932-5125; salspizzaofchapelhill.com
Siam Zap Pho Thai fried rice, curry, pho. Timberlyne Shopping Center; 919-903-8280
Yopop Frozen Yogurt Frozen yogurt shop featuring 14 flavors, bubble tea and smoothies. Timberlyne Shopping Center; 919-537-8229
Amante Gourmet Pizza Create-your-own pizzas. 6209 Falconbridge Rd.; 919-493-0904; amantepizza.com
BIN 54 Steaks, seafood and other fine American food. Everything made in-house. Glen Lennox Shopping Center; 919-969-1155; bin54chapelhill.com
Brenz Pizza Co. Specialty pizzas, subs, salads. 3120 Environ Way, East 54; 919-636-4636; brenzpizzaco.com
Coco Espresso, Bistro & Bar
Plant-based, fresh, locally sourced dishes, as well as classic comfort food, cocktails and mocktails, plus coffee, espresso bar, baked goods and pastries. The Gwendolyn, 101 Glen Lennox Dr., Ste. 180; 919-883-9003; cocochapelhill.com
Chapel Hill Wine Company Wine store with bottles from all over the globe. 2809 Homestead Rd.; 919-968-1884; chapelhillwinecompany.com
Farm House Restaurant Steaks, salads, potatoes. 6004 Millhouse Rd.; 919-929-5727; farmhousesteakhouse.com
Joe Van Gogh Coffee, tea and pastries. Timberlyne Shopping Center; 919-967-2002; joevangogh.com
Magone Italian Grill & Pizza Italian mains. Timberlyne Shopping Center; 919-904-7393; magoneitaliangrillpizza.com
New Hope Market Breakfast and daily specials like burgers, soups and more. 6117 N.C. Hwy. 86 S.; 919-240-7851
OiShii Specialty rolls, teriyaki, stir-fry, sushi. Timberlyne Shopping Center; 919-932-7002; oishiiroll.com
The Pig Barbecue, fried tofu, collards and more. 630 Weaver Dairy Rd., Ste. 101; 919-942-1133; thepigrestaurant.com
elements Cuisine combining classical and modern Asian and European cooking techniques; check out the wine bar with full menu next door. 2110 Environ Way, East 54; 919-537-8780; elementsofchapelhill.com
First Watch French toast, pancakes and specialty omelets. 1101 Environ Way, East 54; 919-537-8488; firstwatch.com
Hawthorne & Wood
Fine dining cuisine with an outdoor patio, a fully stocked bar and an extensive international wine list. 3140 Environ Way, East 54; 919-240-4337; hawthorneandwood.com
Jujube Eclectic, modern cuisine inspired by the flavors of China and Vietnam. Glen Lennox; 919-960-0555; jujuberestaurant.com
Flying Biscuit Cafe All-day breakfast and Southern favorites like shrimp and grits.919-537-8974; flyingbiscuit.com
Hawkers Inspired by Southeast Asia’s street fare, this eatery features homemade favorites, from dumplings to curries. 919-415-1799; eathawkers.com
Maple View Mobile Ice-cream outpost of the iconic Hillsborough shop. 919-244-1949; mapleviewmobile.com
PiggyBack Classic cocktails, beer and wine and unexpected, creative bar food. 630 Weaver Dairy Rd., Ste. 102; 919-240-4715; thepigrestaurant.com/piggyback
Pop’s Pizzeria & Ristorante Pizzas, calzones, stromboli, pasta. 1822 MLK Jr. Blvd.; 919-932-1040; pops-pizzeria.com
Rasa Indi-Chinese Authentic North Indian and Chinese cuisine, with fusion and Thai dishes. Weekly specials. 1826 MLK Jr. Blvd.; 919-929-2199; rasachapelhill.com
Nantucket Grill & Bar Clam chowder, lobster rolls and more. 5925 Farrington Rd.; 919-402-0077; nantucketgrill.com
NoDa Brewing Company Tapas Small plates, NoDa beer, wine and specialty cocktails. 1118 Environ Way, East 54.; 919-903-8699; nodabrewingtapas.com
The Poplar Cafe Coffee shop offering tea, wine, mimosas, beer and specialty drinks. 1114 Environ Way, East 54; thepoplarcafe.com
Thai Palace Soup, curries, pad thai. Glenwood Square Shopping Center; 919-967-5805; order.thaipalacechapelhill.com
Meadowmont Village
Bluebird French bistro-style restaurant. 601 Meadowmont Village Circle; bluebirdnc.com
Brixx Wood Fired Pizza Specialty pizzas and salads. 501 Meadowmont Village Circle; 919-929-1942; brixxpizza.com
Kahlovera Mexican bar and grill. 504 Meadowmont Village Circle; 984-999-4537; kahloveratacos.com
Lime & Lemon Indian Grill & Bar Northern and southern Indian specialties including gobi manchurian, paneer tikka, chicken tikka and hariyali murg kebab. 101 Meadowmont Village Circle; lnlrestaurant.com
Meet Fresh Taiwanese desserts and teas. 407 Meadowmont Village Circle; Ste. 101; 984-999-4983; meetfresh.us
Quickly Hot and cold tea drinks in addition to Asian street food. 503 Meadowmont Village Circle; 984-234-0401; quicklychapelhill.com
Southern Village Al’s Burger Shack Gourmet burgers and fries. 708 Market St.; 919-914-6694; alsburgershack.com
The Critic Opinionated drinking in Southern Village. 620 Market St. (inside The Lumina Theater); thecriticbar.com
Rasa Malaysia Authentic Malaysian dishes. 410 Market St.; 984-234-0256; rasamalaysiach.com
La Vita Dolce Pastries, sorbet, gelato, coffee. 610 Market St., Ste. 101-C; 919-968-1635; lavitadolcecafe.com
Market and Moss American cuisine made with fresh local ingredients. 700 Market St.; 919-929-8226; marketandmoss.com
Rocks + Acid Wine Shop A wine shop and tasting room from award-winning sommelier Paula de Pano. 712 Market St.; 919-428-3564; rocksandacidwineshop.com
Town Hall Grill Sandwiches, steak, seafood, Italian dishes. 410 Market St.; 919-960-8696; thetownhallgrill.com
Weaver Street Market Food bar items, plus grab and go. 716 Market St.; 919-929-2009; weaverstreetmarket.coop
Downtown
401 Main Upscale dive bar and sandwich shop serving shareable bar snacks, local brews and po’boys. 401 Main St.; 919-390-3598; 401main.com
Acme Food & Beverage Co. Entrees with a Southern touch. 110 E. Main St.; 919-929-2263; acmecarrboro.com
Akai Hana Japanese cuisine including sushi, tempura and teriyaki. 206 W. Main St.; 919-942-6848; akaihana.com
Armadillo Grill Tex-Mex burritos, enchiladas, tacos, nachos. 120 E. Main St.; 919-929-4669; armadillogrill.com
Atlas Bar
Uptown drinks in downtown Carrboro. 118 E. Main St.; atlascarrboro.com
Belltree Cocktail Club
Prohibition-inspired speakeasy serving creative cocktails, beer and wine. 100 Brewer Lane, A; 984-234-0572; belltreecocktailclub.com
Breakaway Carrboro A casual cafe serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and coffee. 410 N. Greensboro St.; breakawaync.co Carrburritos Burritos, tacos, nachos and margaritas. 711 W. Rosemary St.; 919-933-8226; carrburritos.com
Cham Thai Authentic Thai, Siamese and Chinese cuisine. 370 E. Main St., Ste. 190; 984-999-4646; chamthainc.com
The Cheese Shop at Glasshalfull
Cut-to-order cheese shop offering a diverse selection of cheese, meat and provisions. 106 S. Greensboro St.; 919-967-9784; cheeseshopnc.com
Coronato Pizza Roman-style pizza, snacks and salads. 101 Two Hills Rd., Ste. 140; 919-240-4804; coronatopizza.com
Craftboro Brewing Depot Bottle shop and brewery with taps of craft beer. 101 Two Hills Dr., Unit 180; 919-240-4400; craftborobrewing.com
Glasshalfull Mediterranean-inspired food and wine; outdoor dining; all ABC permits. 106 S. Greensboro St.; 919-967-9784; glasshalfull.net
Gourmet Kingdom Sichuan cuisine. 301 E. Main St.; 919-932-7222; thegourmetkingdom.com
Krave Kava Bar & Tea Lounge Offers a wide range of tea and herbal drinks, all made from kava, a type of plant root. 105 W. Main St.; 919-408-9596; kravekava.com
Lanza’s Cafe Coffeehouse serving tea and meads in addition to local pastries, small plates and daily specials. 601 W. Main St.; 919-967-9398; lanzascafe.com
Luna Rotisserie & Empanadas
South American cuisine meets the American South. 307 E. Main St.; 919-537-8958; lunarotisserie.com
Mel’s Commissary & Catering Pop-up dinners. 109 W. Main St.; 919-240-7700; melscarrboro.com
Napoli Wood-fired pizza, espresso, artisanal gelato made from scratch, teas and local craft beer and wines. 105 E. Main St.; 919-667-8288; napolicarrboro.com
Neal’s Deli Buttermilk biscuits on Saturdays and traditional deli fare. 100 E. Main St.; 919-967-2185; nealsdeli.com
Oakleaf “Immediate” cuisine like pastas and seafood using ingredients from the chef’s own garden. 310 E. Main St.; 984-234-0054; oakleafnc.com
Open Eye Cafe Freshly roasted coffee by Carrboro Coffee Roasters, tea, beer, wine and baked goods. 101 S. Greensboro St.; 919-968-9410; openeyecafe.com
Paco’s Tacos Steak, chicken, seafood and vegetarian tacos. 109 W. Main St.; 919-240-7700
Pizzeria Mercato Pizza, antipasto, soups, fritti and gelato. 408 W. Weaver St.; 919-967-2277; pizzeriamercatonc.com
Speakeasy on Main Cocktail lounge with live music. 100 E. Main St.; facebook.com/ speakeasyonmainstreet
Spotted Dog Vegetarian- and vegan-friendly entrees. 111 E. Main St.; 919-933-1117; thespotteddogrestaurant.com
Tesoro 18-seat neighborhood restaurant with house-made pasta, seasonal plates and classic sweets. 100 E. Weaver St.; 919-537-8494; tesorocarrboro.com
Wings Over 27 flavors of wings. 313 E. Main St.; 919-537-8271; wingsoverchapelhill.com
Amante Gourmet Pizza Create-your-own pizzas, salads and pasta. 300 E. Main St.; 919-929-3330; amantepizza.com
Gray Squirrel Coffee Co. Roastery and espresso bar. 360 E. Main St., Ste. 100; graysquirrelcoffee.com
Hickory Tavern Burgers, sandwiches and build-your-own salads. 370-110 E. Main St.; 919-942-7417; thehickorytavern.com
Iza Whiskey & Eats Japanese fusion cuisine serving small plates, sushi, ramen, whiskey, sake and cocktails. 370 E. Main St., Ste. 140; 919-537-8645; izaeats.com
COMING SOON – LA Tequila and Eats
Latin-Asian fusion cuisine. 307 E. Main St. Unit 170
Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken Biscuits, doughnuts, chicken and coffee. 310 E. Main St.; 919-929-5115; risebiscuitschicken.com
Vecino Brewing Co. Craft beer and flavorful small plates. 300 E. Main St., Ste. C; 919-391-6788; vecinobrewing.com
B-Side Lounge
Small plates, like fondue, and inspired cocktails. Carr Mill Mall; 919-904-7160; b-sidelounge.com
Grata Diner From scratch breakfast and lunch. Carr Mill Mall; 919-240-7000; gratacafe.com
Oasis Organic coffee, tea, beer and wine. Carr Mill Mall; 919-904-7343
Tandem Farm-to-table, modern American cuisine with full service bar. Carr Mill Mall; 919-240-7937; tandemcarrboro.com
Thai Station Authentic, fresh Thai dishes. 201 E. Main St., Ste. C.; 984-234-3230; thaistationnc.com
Hillsborough Bakeshop & Pasta Company
Baked goods, coffee, wine and all-day cafe offering pasta, sandwiches and salads. 110 S. Churton St.; 919-732-6261; hillsboroughbakeshop.com
Hillsborough BBQ Company Barbecue plates and sandwiches, sides and desserts. 236 S. Nash St.; 919-732-4647; hillsboroughbbq.com
Hillsborough Wine Company Wine store with bottles from all over the globe. 118 S. Churton Street; 919-732-4343; chapelhillwinecompany.com
Hot Tin Roof Games and specialty cocktails. 115 W. Margaret Ln.; 919-296-9113; hottinroofbar.com
The House at Gatewood Supper club and special events venue. 300 U.S. 70; 919-241-4083; houseatgatewood.com
Jay’s Chicken Shack Chicken, buffalo wings, breakfast biscuits. 646 N. Churton St.; 919-732-3591; jayschickenshack.com
The Village Diner Southern fare and takeout pizza. 600 W. King St.; 919-245-8915; villagedinernc.com
Vinny’s Italian Grill and Pizzeria Italian favorites. 133 N. Scottswood Blvd.; 919-732-9219; vinnyshillsborough.com
Weaver Street Market Food bar items are available as grab and go. 228 S. Churton St.; 919-245-5050; weaverstreetmarket.coop
Whit’s Frozen Custard Rotating flavors of frozen custard, treats, pints to go. 240 S. Nash St.; 919-245-8123; whitscustard.com
Wooden Nickel Pub Pub fare and rotating craft beer. 113 N. Churton St.; 919-932-0134; thewnp.com
Yonder Southern Cocktails & Brew Beer, wine, frose and more. 114 W. King St.; yonderbarnc.com
Briar Chapel
501 Pharmacy Maple View Farm ice cream, plus malts and shakes. 69 Knox Way, Ste. 110; 984-999-0501; 501rx.com
Venable Rotisserie Bistro Upscale comfort food with a heavy emphasis on seasonal ingredients. Carr Mill Mall; 919-904-7160; venablebistro.com
Weaver Street Market Hot food bar items are available as grab and go. Carr Mill Mall; 919-929-0010; weaverstreetmarket.coop
Aidan’s Pizza Pizza, wings and salads. 602 Jones Ferry Rd., Ste. D; 919-903-8622; aidanspizza.hungerrush.com
Anna Maria’s Pizzeria Italian cuisine. Carrboro Plaza; 919-929-1877; annamariasnc.wordpress.com
Fiesta Grill Burritos, chimichangas, fajitas, tacos. 3307 N.C. Hwy. 54 W.; 919-928-9002; fiestagrill.us
Monterrey Mexican Grill Traditional Mexican cuisine. Carrboro Plaza; 919-903-9919; letsgotomonterrey.com
Wingman Wings and hot dogs. 104 N.C. Hwy. 54 W.; 919-928-9200; bestwingman.net
Antonia’s Italian cuisine. 101 N. Churton St.; 919-643-7722; antoniashillsborough.com
Big Bob’s City Grill Fresh-made burgers and chicken with country sides. 584 Cornelius St.; 919-732-2953
The Colorado Burrito Burritos, fajitas and quesadillas. 122 S. Churton St.; 919-245-3335
Cup-A-Joe Coffee and pastries. 112 W. King St.; 919-732-2008; hboro-cupajoe.com
El Restaurante Ixtapa Authentic fromscratch Mexican dishes. 162 Exchange Park Ln.; 919-644-6944; ixtapa.homestead. com/homepage.html
J&F Kitchen Italian, American and Balkan dishes. 155 Mayo St.; jandfkitchen.weebly.com
Kim’s Bake Shop Homemade baked goods from brownies and doughnuts to “whookies” and pie. 111 N. Churton St.; downtownpies.com
La Muñeca Ice Cream Paletas, esquites and dorilocos. 131 Mayo St.; la-muneca-ice-cream.business.site
Los Altos Mexican dishes, such as tacos and chiles rellenos. 126 W. King St.; 919-241-4177; losaltosmexicanrestaurant.com
Lupita’s Meat Market and Taqueria
Authentic Mexican food including tamales, barbacoa and carnitas. 633 Cornelius St.; 919-296-9000
Maple View Farm Country Store
Homemade ice cream. 6900 Rocky Ridge Rd.; 919-960-5535; mapleviewfarm.com
Matthew’s Chocolates Gourmet chocolates, frozen treats and baked goods. 104 N. Churton St.; 984-245-9571
Nomad International street food-inspired eatery. 122 W. King St.; 984-217-0179; thenomadnc.com
Pizza Cornicione Neapolitan pizzeria and gelateria. 230 S. Nash St.; 919-245-8566; pizzacornicione.com
Pueblo Viejo Traditional Mexican food. 370 S. Churton St.; 919-732-3480
Radius Pizzeria & Pub Wood-fired pizzas, housemade pastas, salads and desserts. Outdoor dining. 112 N. Churton St.; 919-245-0601; radiuspizzeria.net
Saratoga Grill New England-style cuisine. 108 S. Churton St.; 919-732-2214; thesaratogagrill.com
Steve’s Garden Market & Butchery Sandwiches, baked goods, pimento cheese. 610 N. Churton St.; 919-732-4712; stevesgardenmarket.com
Breakaway Cafe A casual cafe serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and coffee. 58 Chapelton Ct., Ste. 100; 984-234-3010; breakawaync.co
Capp’s Pizzeria & Trattoria Traditional Italian cuisine including fresh pastas, pizzas and more. 79 Falling Springs Dr., Ste. 140; 919-240-4104; cappspizzeria.com
O’YA Cantina Latin cuisine from all over the world. 72 Chapelton Ct.; 984-999-4129; oyacantina.com
Town Hall Burger & Beer Burgers plus tacos, wings and salads. 58 Chapelton Ct.; 984-234-3504; townhallburgerandbeer.com
Governors Village
Ciao Bella Pizzeria Pizza, pastas, sandwiches. 1716 Farrington Point Rd.; 919-932-4440
Flair Restaurant & Wine Bar Frenchinfluenced food, coffee and Sunday brunch. 50100 Governors Dr.; 919-967-9990; flairfusionrestaurant.com
Gov’s Fusion Cantina Americana meets traditional Mexican cuisine. 50050 Governors Dr.; 919-240-5050; govsfusioncantina.com
Tarantini Italian Restaurant Italian cuisine. 50160 Governors Dr.; 919-942-4240; tarantinirestaurant.com
North Chatham Village/ Cole Park Plaza
Captain John’s Dockside American seafood dishes. 11550 U.S. Hwy. 15-501 N.; 919-9687955; docksidechapelhill.com
Guanajuato Mexican Restaurant Mexican dishes with vegetarian options. 11552 U.S. Hwy. 15-501 N., Ste. 205; 919-929-8012; guanajuatomexicanrestaurant.net
Moon Asian Bistro An Asian fusion restaurant offering sushi, Chinese dishes like sweetand-sour chicken, Thai curry dishes, rice and noodles. 111 Knox Way, Ste. 100; 919-869-7894; moonasianbistroch.com
Panda Garden Chinese dishes like chow mein and egg foo young. Takeout is available. 11312 U.S. Hwy. 15-501 S., Ste. 303; 919-960-8000; chapelhillpandagarden.com
Ta Contento Mex Fresh Food Authentic Mexican food, like tacos, burritos, guacamole and fajitas. 11620 US 15-501 Hwy. N. Chapel Hill; 919-945-4819; ta-contento.com
Village Pizza and Pasta A neighborhood pizza place serving up subs, calzones, pastas and salads. 11312 U.S. Hwy. 15-501 S., Ste. 300; 919-960-3232; villagepizzapasta.com
U.S. 15-501/Fearrington Village
Allen & Son Bar-B-Que North Carolina barbecue. 5650 U.S. 15-501; 919-542-2294; stubbsandsonbbq.com
The Belted Goat Lunch, dinner and wine shop, offering salads and sandwiches. Fearrington Village Center; 919-545-5717; fearrington.com/belted-goat
Cafe Root Cellar American cuisine and “go big or go home” seasonal dishes. 35 Suttles Rd.; 919-542-1062; caferootcellar.com
Roost Beer Garden Wood-fired pizza, local brews and live music. Open April through October. Fearrington Village Center; 919-542-2121; fearrington.com/roost
East Street
Al’s Diner Traditional American classics for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 535 West St.; 919-542-5800; alsdiner.net
Carolina Brewery The Triangle’s oldest brewery restaurant features Carolina cuisine. 120 Lowes Dr. #100; 919-545-2300; carolinabrewery.com
Compadres Tequila Lounge Mexican restaurant with a variety of classic dishes. 193 Lowes Dr., Ste. 107; 919-704-8374; compadresnc.com
The Fearrington House Restaurant
Contemporary fine dining. Reservations are needed. Fearrington Village Center; 919-542-2121; fearrington.com/thefearrington-house-restaurant
House of Hops Bar and bottle shop with a large craft beer selection on tap. Outdoor seating available. 112 Russet Run; 919-542-3435; houseofhopsnc.com
Mi Cancun Classic Mexican cuisine with a modern twist. Outdoor seating available. 114 Russet Run; 919-542-3858; micancunmx.com
New Japan Hibachi-style Japanese cooking. 90 Lowes Dr.; 919-542-4380
bmc brewing Beers brewed on-site and cookies made with the byproducts. 213 Lorax Lane; 919-759-1206; bmcbrewing.com
China Inn Chinese dishes, dine in or carry out. 630 East St.; 919-545-0259
Fair Game Beverage Co. Spirits, wine, beer and cider tastings plus snacks and specialty local food items. 220 Lorax Ln.; 919-548-6884; fairgamebeverage.com
Greek Kouzina Made-from-scratch hummus, gyros, kebabs and more. 964 East St.; 919-542-9950; greekkouzina.com
Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries Burgers, cheesesteaks and frozen custard. 987 East St.; 919-542-1312; facebook.com/hwy55pittsboro
Metal Brixx Cafe Vortex Roasters’ coffee and espresso plus tea, lemonade and gelato. 213 Lorax Ln.; 919-444-2202
Small Cafe B and B Offbeat, eco-friendly eatery offering farm-to-table fare for breakfast and lunch. Offering outdoor dining. 219 East St.; 919-228-8817; smallcafebandb.com
Starrlight Mead Tastings of honey wines and honey. 130 Lorax Ln.; 919-533-6314; starrlightmead.com
The Phoenix Bakery Small-batch and seasonal baked goods and specialty cakes. 664 West St.; 919-542-4452; thephoenixbakerync.com
Aromatic Roasters Small-batch coffee shop specializing in Aztec mochas, chai lattes and Thai teas. 697 Hillsboro St., Unit 101; 919-228-8345; aromaticroasters.com
The Beagle Classic and innovative cocktails and small plates like chilled seafood, charcuterie and a selection of sandwiches. 53 Hillsboro St.; 919-533-6589
Buzz Cafe at Chatham Marketplace Sandwiches, daily changing hot bar, sushi, salads and baked goods. Chatham Mills; 919-542-2643; chathammarketplace.coop
Carolina Cravings Co. Bakery serving traditional treats like pie bars, muffins and nobake peanut butter-chocolate cookies as well as Hispanic favorites like flan, bolillos and tres leches cakes. 84 Hillsboro St.; 919-444-2023
The City Tap Classic bar food. 89 Hillsboro St.; 919-545-0562; thecitytap.com
Davenport’s Café Diem Carrboro Coffee Roasters coffee and espresso offerings. 439 Hillsboro St.; 919-704-4239; davenports-cafediem.com
Elizabeth’s Pizza Pizza, calzones, sandwiches, salads and pasta. 160 Hillsboro St.; 919-545-9292; elizabethspizzapittsboro.com
John’s Pizza Restaurant Pizzas, pastas, wraps, calzones and strombolis. 122 Sanford Rd.; 919-542-5027; johnspizzarestaurant.com
The Mod Wood-fired pizza, salads, small plates and a full bar. Outdoor seating available. 46 Sanford Rd.; 919-533-6883; themodernlifedeli.com
Postal Fish Company Fresh seafood from North Carolina’s coast. Serving dinner only. 75 W. Salisbury St.; 919-704-8612; postalfishcompany.com
S&T’s Soda Shoppe Soda fountain, American fare. 85 Hillsboro St.; 919-545-0007; sandtsodashoppe.com
The Sycamore at Chatham Mills Upscale steakhouse. 480 Hillsboro St., Ste. 530; 919-704-8731; thesycamoreatchathammills.com
Virlie’s Grill Soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches. 58 Hillsboro St.; 919-542-0376; virliesgrill.com
Willy’s Cinnamon Rolls Etc. Bakery selling cinnamon rolls, scones, muffins, cookies and bread with ’40s and ’50s flair. 35 W. Chatham St.; 252-305-9227; willysrolls.com CHM
• The winners of the 2023 Good Food Awards, which honor superior taste, social and environmental responsibility and craftsmanship, were announced on April 21 in Portland, Oregon. Of the 289 handcrafted products honored, four were from local food and beverage companies.
• Big Spoon Roasters received an award in the pantry category for its Pistachio Crunch Almond Butter.
• Chocolatay Confections’ Strawberry Sunflower Bonbon won an award in the confection category.
• Boro Beverage Company was awarded in the beverage category for its Pollinator Punch.
• Boxcarr Handmade Cheese in Cedar Grove won awards in the cheese category for both its Cottonbloom and Doeling cheeses.
• Big Spoon Roasters brought home two more awards at the 2023 Specialty Food Association’s sofi Awards. Of the nearly 2,000 products competing for the SFA awards, Big Spoon Roasters’ Vanilla Caramel Almond & Cashew Butter won a New Product Award and its Cherry Chocolate Peanut Butter Bar secured a Gold Award. “We hope these awards help build awareness that nut butters and snack bars can be extraordinarily delicious, handmade foods that are good for both people and the planet,” says Big Spoon Roasters’ co-founder Mark Overbay in a press release announcing the awards.
• Carmine Sacchitello and Dawn Sacchitello sold their Governors Village restaurant, Gov’s Burger & Tap, in March. The new owners, Jose Torralva Fernandez and Claudia P. Martin, kept the staff and burger menu but changed the name to Gov’s Fusion Cantina. Jose and Claudia added handmade empanadas and tacos to the menu and are planning a sports bar next door.
• Osteria Georgi chef Dan Jackson made another Food Network appearance on “Beat Bobby Flay,” which premiered May 18.
• Bangkok 54 opened a new location in Chapel Hill in May. The new restaurant, Siam Zap Pho, is located in Timberlyne Village in the former Queen of Pho spot at 1129 Weaver Dairy Rd – compiled by Martha Zaytoun CHM
The votes are in, and these are our readers’ favorite desserts/ pastries, breweries, shops, interior designers and more. Read on for stories featuring a few of the winners, or flip to page 90 for the full list of more than 500 favorites.
aula de Pano is not your mother’s sommelier. Upon leaving her role as Fearrington Village’s beverage and service director in early 2022, she set out on her own. She wanted to push back against the idea that a quality, unique bottle of wine must come with a triple-digit price tag. Her long-awaited wine shop, Rocks + Acid Wine Shop, opened its doors in Southern Village last winter after many months in the works.
“We didn’t open until December of last year, and the wait was excruciating,” Paula says. “Factor in the pandemic and the shortages of everything, it felt like I was never going to open. But because of the support of the community, we’ve progressed in just the short months that we’ve been open. It feels like we could be a mainstay over here.”
Paula saw the need for a quality wine retailer in the area after Southern Season closed in 2020. People could still buy wine at big-box grocery stores, of course, but she wanted to offer a curated inventory where each wine was carefully selected for its uniqueness. Paula prioritizes stocking bottles by female and LGBTQ+ winemakers and those made from uncommon grape varieties and winemaking styles. Best of all, she says about 60 percent of the wines cost less than $35 per bottle.
“It’s not a giant selection wherein the bottles get lost,” she says. “All of the wines that we have over here, we’ve tasted, and we get to know them. … A lot of the wines that we source are natural, organic and sustainably made. It’s very easy to grab something from the shelves and just know that they’re carefully produced wines.”
The modern space was designed by Youn Choi and Doug Pierson of pod architecture + design and features an open floor plan with large tables surrounded by custom shelves lining the walls.
“I love that the wines are being highlighted in such a beautiful space,” Paula says. “The shelves are backlit, and it looks like a library of wines.
When you go into a regular wine shop, you have stacks and stacks of boxes, and here, all of the bottles are displayed. You get to see that we don’t carry a lot of [each bottle] because there’s just not a lot of them in the world.”
Rocks + Acid’s evolution into a wine bar and hangout spot was unexpected, but the charming atmosphere deservedly entices many to stop in and sip for a spell. Paula and her staff look forward to welcoming in guests of all ages, even the four-legged variety, throughout the summer with extended hours (now open Tuesdays and until 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday) and a shady outdoor patio.
“We don’t want to make people feel that they have to drink wine – we have beer, and we have nonalcoholic options over here as well,” Paula says. “Southern Village being a very family-dominated demographic, we want to make sure that nondrinkers still have the option to enjoy the space.”
Conveniently located next to Weaver Street Market, the community’s foot traffic draws an eclectic variety of visitors to the shop. In addition to the three-person staff’s expertise and wine by the glass, Rocks + Acid offers tasting classes and special events all year long. Neighboring businesses often get in on the fun – past collaborations include a champagne and fries event with Al’s Burger Shack and charcuterie pairings from Market & Moss. Paula says that other small-business owners from around town have been just as, if not more, supportive and enthusiastic about Rocks + Acid’s addition to the Southern Village community as its customers.
“There’s a lot of adjustments that need to be made, but so far, it’s been pretty steady,” Paula says. “I like the pace of growth that we are going through.”
Get excited for upcoming series and classes like Under the Tuscan Sun, Island Wine Hopping and Wine 101 throughout July and August. In the meantime, stop in to let the Rocks + Acid team pick your brain – after a quick Q&A, they’ll send you on your way with the perfect bottle for any taste and occasion.
Muller-Ruprecht, Orange
Pfalz, Germany
A blend of riesling, Kerner and Gewurztraminer, this delightful orange wine is perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon listening to live music at the Southern Village Green. Think juicy pomelo, tangerine and cantaloupe with citrus blossoms. I call it a “no-brainer” kind of wine, delicious and interesting without being overly complicated – enjoy the music and the warm sun while sipping on this juice.
Jo Landron, Atmosphères, Rosé, Méthode Traditionnelle
Loire Valley, France
What a happy accident! Atmosphere is normally found as a sparkling white wine, but because of an unintended skin contact with pinot noir, the domain was left with this tasty pink sparkler. Zippy and bright with notes of just ripened strawberries and cherry skins, it is a versatile bubbly that should be part of your picnic basket at a park or poolside this season. Snag a bottle or two when
you see it – the domain only produces it in years that they have enough pinot noir to go around!
Quinta de Chocapalha, Castelao
Lisboa, Portugal
Dynamic winemaker Sandra
Tavares da Silva makes this quaffable red made from one of Portugal’s indigenous [grape] varieties that is reminiscent of gamay and pinot noir. Despite its light color and soft tannins, it’s packed with ripe raspberries, cocoa and violets. Pop a bottle of this wine as you’re prepping for a weekend barbecue with friends or need something to sip on while noshing on some cheese and charcuterie.
La Clarine Farm, Zinfandel
Sierra Foothills, California
Don’t mistake this bottle as your big and jammy California zin. This is a high-elevation zinfandel that promises bright blackberry and
pepper spice with a streak of funk. It’s got bold flavors without the alcoholic heft, so think smoked pork butt, charred St. Louis ribs slathered with tangy barbecue sauce, or a Mookie or Kenny J burger from Al’s Burger Shack. Its low alcohol and friendly tannins make it a great food wine on those weeknights when you just want something fun and delicious to drink!
Peter Lauer, Ayler Riesling, Fass 3 Saar, Germany
My love for riesling cannot be overstated, and when the wine is made by a producer who totally embodies what Rocks + Acid means in a bottle, you just gotta sign me up! Hainanese Chicken Rice at Rasa Malaysia is one of my goto lunches when the mood strikes. This electric riesling with a touch of residual sugar is the way to go as it stands up to the ginger garlic, dark soy and chili sauces that accompany the dish. At 9.5% ABV, this bottle goes down way too easily but makes you appreciate its beautifully ephemeral qualities.
FAVORITE vegetarian/ healthy food
By Elizabeth Poindexter
anging on the wall of local eatery The Purple Bowl on West Franklin Street is a piece of art depicting stars of the sky on July 26, 2017 – a gift from a customer meant to capture its opening day – or rather, night. The family business doubled its size in May 2022 with a 1,500-squarefoot expansion to
Thank you so much for the 14(!) “Best of” Awards. They make us really proud.
We hope you’ll visit us again soon. We had so much fun last time! We especially liked the parts where we filled you up and made you happy.
Well, guess that’s all for now. Hope you’re having a great summer!
Love, Hawthorne & Wood and Bluebird
accommodate a better working space for its more than 60 employees, the majority of whom are also students at UNC Ten percent of its employees are people who have an intellectual or developmental disability – a deliberate way in which CEO Paula Gilland aims to create a sense of community just feet from the Chapel Hill campus.
“Some of those folks might need a buddy or partner,” Paula says. “It was really hard to accommodate that in the working space that we had.”
Lucia Romano, who has Down syndrome, has improved her abilities across the board from acaí bowl production to point of sale to catering.
“Now that we have this place, it’s easier to move around a bit more,” Lucia says. “I’m working on making more friendships.”
Most of the expansion is kitchen or prep space; there are a handful of new chairs and tables for customers. It creates opportunity for community building behind the counter so they can better serve their customers –ranging from college students to older adults.
“We see every piece of the puzzle here,” Paula says. “It’s tangible. It’s real. It’s not just something that’s just talked about.”
McClaren Hopper, an undergraduate student in the Hussman School of Journalism and Media works alongside Lucia. Part of her role includes a new coffee station in the expansion and more opportunities to interact with customers and employees.
“It makes you figure out how to collaborate with other people and collaborate together,” McClaren says. “That makes us change our mindset when we come to work.”
Restaurant: Acme
Dishes: Cinnamon Rolls and Acme Deluxe Benedict
Greetings from Carrboro! Chef and owner Kevin Callaghan takes pride in using local ingredients to create his version of Southern American cuisine. Step through the curtained entrance at Acme Restaurant for Sunday brunch, and the fragrance alone will make your mouth water. Waitstaff weave their way through the dining room, leaving a wafting trail of cinnamon spice and hints of orange zest as they deliver plates to tabletops. The rolls arrive, still warm from the oven, and are filled with raisins and pecans. The glaze carries a citrus finish, and the dusting of powdered sugar is a signal to grab a fork.
After indulging in the rolls, enjoy a classic brunch dish. The Acme Deluxe Benedict presents with a pair of toasted English muffins, each topped with a stack of thinly sliced ham, fried green tomato and a lightly poached egg topped with buttery hollandaise sauce and a dash of black pepper. Accompanying the eggs is a bright green salad mix with a refreshing dressing and a small bowl of cheese grits. And when you’ve put down your fork, finally, you’ll catch yourself repeating Kevin’s motto: damn good food. – Anna-Rhesa
VersolaRestaurant: Tandem
Dish: Shakshouka
Chef Younes Sabouh’s Moroccan roots and meticulous French training shine in this simple yet savory dish. Slow-cooked red peppers and whole cloves of roasted garlic meld seamlessly in a richly spiced tomato sauce, but the real magic happens when you cut into the pair of poached eggs and scoop up a perfect bite of runny yolk with a crunchy slice of toasted baguette.
Shakshouka recipes can vary widely around the world (common additions include olives, goat cheese, lemon and even spicy sausage); Chef Younes’ version gets a brunch twist with fresh slices of avocado and a handful of cilantro. Paired with a seasonal Tandem Spritz, which features a house-made shrub, lemon and bubbly, the shakshouka’s creamy brightness will sparkle. We recommend enjoying this dish surrounded by the lush greenery on Tandem’s patio, and trust us – you’ll want to go ahead and order extra bread for dipping.
– Morgan Cartier Weston
Don’t let the French names and small menu intimidate you – Bluebird, Meadowmont’s newest addition by Hawthorne & Wood’s Michelin-starred chef and owner Brandon Sharp, serves up Sunday brunch dishes that’ll send seasoned foodies and menu-pointers alike into a satisfied food coma. Plus, the white tiled floors, copper horseshoe counter and Parisian cafe vibe create an upscale atmosphere that’s perfect for a celebratory meal.
Start off with a warm and flaky kouign-amann, a Breton morning bun made with laminated dough and topped with a sprinkle of powdered sugar. Then, balance the palate with a savory dish like the goat cheese and spinach quiche. This classic brunch dish is ultra fluffy (don’t resist the temptation to jiggle the plate!), topped with piperade and served with crispy potatoes. Leave your mark on the paper tablecloth using the pencils provided at each table; your artistic creation might just earn you a special feature on the Instagram page, @blue.birdnc. – Brooke Spach
Restaurant: Crossroads Chapel Hill
Dishes: Brunch buffet
Sitting down to brunch at The Carolina Inn on a rainy Sunday morning in May, it’s impossible to feel down. The coffee comes quick – and often. Everyone’s welcoming, and then there’s the buffet. It’s a little like being my favorite Disney princess, Belle, during the “Be Our Guest” scene. (“We’ll prepare and serve with flair, a culinary cabaret! … The banquet’s all prepared. No one’s gloomy or complaining.”) The nearly 100-yearold inn’s impressive spread features breakfast and lunch offerings ranging from waffles and made-to-order omelets to mac and cheese and pork – and that’s all before you’ve made it to the scones, muffins and pastries! Help yourself to seconds of the dreamy cinnamon buns with cream cheese icing and the grits (“try the gray stuff – it’s delicious!”) loaded up with cheddar and scallions.
– Jessica Stringer 
By Martha Zaytoun
n a temperate and sunny Tuesday afternoon in late May, the crowd at Chapel Hill’s Franklin Motors swelled as the post-work crowd stopped in for beer and a bite from The Roquette at Franklin Motors, the on-site food truck. The two-story gastropub has been growing since Paul Smith and about a dozen others first opened its doors in October 2021, with the hopes of creating a friendly neighborhood beer garden that would serve great food as well. Situated in Midway, the kidand dog-friendly bar is now host to a growing group of regulars from the neighborhood and beyond. Twenty rotating taps, serving a mix of local North Carolina and national beers, are set into what appears to be a giant oil can. Meanwhile, The Roquette, owned and operated by John Smith and Sarah Smith, always offers a selection of sliders and hand-cut, doublefried fries, as well as seasonal specials, such as risotto croquettes and roasted cauliflower soup. With a newly acquired smoker, they hope to add new items to the menu this summer.
Anatolii Tarasiuk and his family escaped the war in Ukraine last year with dozens of his oil paintings. His experience inspires him to paint new works.
krainian artist and refugee Anatolii Tarasiuk, 45, says he owes his life, and the lives of his family, to many caring people, including Becky Woodruff, owner of The Frame & Print Shop in Chapel Hill.
“I met her, and it changed everything,” Anatolii says. Becky marveled at the 45 original oil paintings Anatolii saved during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. She sensed his optimism despite the stress of escaping the repeated bombings with his wife
and young sons, including an infant, born in May 2022. She admired Anatolii’s fighting spirit, even when his body was weakened by the chemo and radiation treatments he was receiving at Duke Cancer Center. Becky featured Anatolii’s abstract expressionism art at her gallery and shop at University Place from April 6 to May 31 and plans to exhibit his work again in the fall. “Because of the exhibition, I sold some pieces of art,” Anatolii says, smiling with pride. “It’s like it was finally an open door. Before, it was all closed. I met Becky, and everything just unlocked from that moment.”
Through Becky, another kind person provided Anatolii with free studio space inside the Eno Arts Mill in Hillsborough, allowing him to focus on creating more art to sell at exhibitions and through his Etsy shop (etsy.com/shop/
AnatoliiArtStore). Anatolii also works one day a week at The Frame & Print Shop.
Becky says her new friendship with the Tarasiuk family is a privilege. “The war has been going on over there, and we’ve been wearing our Ukraine colors and donating our money, but this is a chance to do something to really help someone, to really make a difference,” Becky says. She and her husband, Bob Woodruff, president of The Cedars of Chapel Hill, are helping connect Anatolii to additional resources and assistance in applying for a visa and citizenship. According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, vetted Ukrainian refugees like the Tarasiuk family have up to two years to obtain documentation to legally stay in the country. Anatolii and his family arrived in July 2022 and have until July 2024 to find a way to remain, otherwise, they must return to Ukraine.
In summer 2021, Anatolii was skeptical that war would break out between Russia and Ukraine. He would reassure an artist friend, who would regularly call from Winston-Salem, that all will be fine. But, in February 2022, the missile attacks began. Anatolii’s wife, Kateryna Tarasiuk, was pregnant with their third son. It was time to leave Kyiv, the capital city of Ukraine, which is about 236 miles from Russia.
The couple and their two children, Andrii Tarasiuk, now 9, and Danyil Tarasiuk, now 6, hastily packed their belongings, including Anatolii’s paintings and art supplies. They sought refuge at a village church about 70 kilometers from the city and then drove about six hours to attempt a crossing into Moldova. They were unable to pass through customs at two different checkpoints. No men younger than 60 were allowed to leave Ukraine, unless they had a disability or a disease, like cancer, or had at least three children under 18.
“I had two and a half children,” Anatolii says, referring to his unborn son. At the time, he did not yet know of his own cancer diagnosis. “We were the ones who didn’t make it through customs, but maybe it was good because we met some beautiful people who gave us housing for three months.”
The brief respite allowed Kateryna to give birth to a healthy boy, David Tarasiuk, on May 9, 2022. The family faced another decision: whether to stay or flee to England, Canada or the United States. They prayed for guidance and applied for entry into North Carolina, and with the support of a Facebook group, found sponsors to cover transportation costs like airline tickets.
During the sponsorship process, Anatolii decided to follow up on some of his own health issues. “I was not brave enough to ever address it [before], never had the time maybe,” he says. “My concern was that it was cancer.”
On June 27, 2022, Anatolii underwent scopes and a biopsy at a clinic in Kremenchuk, Ukraine. After the clinic, Kateryna wanted to go shopping at the mall down the street, but Anatolii did not feel well from the procedures, which were done without sedation. They drove away. Moments later, he saw columns of smoke rising from the shopping mall in the rearview mirror. The place was obliterated by a Russian missile strike, killing at least 21 people and wounding dozens more, according to numerous news outlets.
“I started to get phone calls from my relatives,” Anatolii says. (His mother and Kateryna’s four sisters and their respective families are still in Ukraine.) “They knew we went [to Kremenchuk]. When they told me what happened, I was like, ‘Good God, we could be dead by now.’ We could have been killed, but God had a different plan for us.”
Anatolii’s application to enter the U.S. was granted, and the Tarasiuks arrived at RDU International Airport on July 15, 2022. “But we didn’t have any place to go,” he says. A Christian friend spoke with the leaders at Catch the Fire Church in Durham, and the church offered a three-month stay at a guest house. “We ended up being part of the church since then,” he says. In Ukraine, Anatolii had been a pastor, composer and videographer, so joining the welcoming congregation felt good.
By September, the family moved from the guest house into a home in Hillsborough owned by Victoria Cryer and James Cryer, a couple who generously allowed them to stay there while they were out of the country. This allowed the boys to settle into the local elementary school and Anatolii to begin his cancer treatments. At the end of the school year, the Tarasiuks moved again into yet another home, this one in Morrisville, where Anatolii continues to recover from his June 20 cancer surgery.
“I’m so thankful,” Anatolii says. His family is safe and happy, and his faith in humanity has been renewed. “We’ve made some good American friends. Honestly, I feel like I belong here.”
ver the past decade, Jenn Tidrow has worked to create lasting bonds with the people and pets in the community through her business,
In the past, she’s focused more on pet sitting, walking and training. This year, she’s focused on expanding her services to include puppy courses and more proactive and compassionate safety animal training.
Jenn, who grew up in Cedar Creek, North Carolina, just outside of Fayetteville, previously worked as a vet tech at The Animal Hospital of Carrboro. She struck out on her own in summer 2015, creating Laughing Dog as a parttime pet sitting and dog training business.
The concept was inspired by Jenn’s blind 13-year-old Australian shepherd, Piper . “She’s kind of our origin story. … She was my first adult dog, and we
From puppy classes to safety training, Jenn Tidrow’s business has the whole pack covered
By Brooke Dougherty
learned everything together,” Jenn says about getting Piper at 24 years old. (She also owns an 8-year-old Pomeranian-chihuahua mix named Zelda .)
Not long after its creation, Jenn quit her job to focus all of her energy on Laughing Dog. Since its opening, she’s been able to help hundreds of dogs at her Chapel Hill home on a little more than 3 acres.
Over the years, Jenn has built relationships with long-term clients. Katherine Kramer, a client for more than 10 years, has entrusted Jenn with the care of more than six of her older rescue dogs. She says that Laughing Dog is able to meet each client’s individual needs. “It’s not just a job to her,” Katherine says. “She really truly loves dogs. And because she has a vet tech background and trained as a dog behaviorist, she’s much more experienced than a lot of people.”
While the mission to help pets and their owners hasn’t changed, Laughing Dog has adapted throughout the years. A team of seven employees before COVID-19 is now down to Jenn, an assistant trainer and her manager/pet sitter. But that hasn’t slowed them down. Laughing Dog services various types of animals including goats, chickens and lizards.
The main focus of the business is offering private one-on-one training sessions, pet sitting and most recently, puppy classes.
Currently, Jenn says that she’s working with 13 active training clients at one time and has over 100 active pet sitting clients.
With years of experience under her belt, Jenn has noticed a gap of necessary resources and proper education in dog training and a general stigma surrounding owning an unruly pet. She’s made it her mission to address the need.
I like working on a small scale. ... Your dog is with my pack on my land. And, I love that. It’s such a more intimate approach.
- JennThis spring, Laughing Dog began offering a variety of puppy training courses, including a 90-minute, four-week class that is taught on Saturdays, aimed to start teaching clients and their puppies early in order to prevent incidents from happening.
Jenn wants to expand the safety training this fall by offering e-course safety training courses, focused on kids and canines, that come with an accompanying in-person companion course.
Ultimately, she hopes that these new classes and resources will help make the proactive dog training information accessible and less intimidating. Meeting her clients where they are at is important to her.
“I like working on a small scale. So, I don’t ever foresee having a fancy facility,” Jenn says. “Your dog is with my pack on my land. And, I love that. It’s such a more intimate approach. And I think that’s when you have that kind of connection with the families. It’s so much more of a deeper impact.”
Tidrow
hen Cynthia Lennon was a child in Beulaville, North Carolina, a town of just over 1,000 people about 60 miles north of Wilmington, her mother made quilts.
Cynthia still fondly recalls the intricate designs and striking colors. And as the eager little girl would help sew the squares together, a lifelong artistic passion was steadily embroidering colorful dreams on the tapestry of her future.
She started sewing the moment her legs could reach the pedal of her mother’s sewing machine when she was 6 and made her first garment when she was 9. “It was a natural love for me,” she says. “As a little girl, I loved working with the sewing machine. It was like a big girl thing, and I was like, ‘Oh yeah, I totally love this.’” Cynthia regularly made clothing for her friends, and by the time she was 11, was already selling items she had made herself. Starting out with small, simple things like skirts
Thread by thread, Cynthia Lennon is stitching together a childhood dream and a thriving business
By Ben Crosbie
and bow ties, she gradually developed the skills to produce more complex garments like shirts and blouses.
She moved to the Triangle at 22 to search for better work opportunities, eventually meeting her husband and settling in Durham. After spending some time working for another tailor, she decided it would be more fulfilling to strike out on her own, and in 2003, she started Cynthia’s Tailor Shop, offering tailoring, dressmaking and custom sewing services.
“I’m all about doing better, growing businesses,” Cynthia says. “So I decided, ‘Well, why don’t I just get something of my own?’ And I can do it like I want, I can grow and be however I want to be.”
Another crucial factor was that having her own business also allowed her to work her schedule around the various soccer games, band recitals and other events for her four children. (Of course, those kids also sported homemade shorts, dresses and other clothes lovingly crafted by their mother during their upbringing.)
Her shop spent 10 years on Franklin Street, then 10 years at the mall now known as University Place, before moving back to downtown Chapel Hill’s Midway Business Center last year. Both moves were the result of redevelopment and renovations at the prior locations. While Cynthia says that changing locations can be disruptive for business, as it involves the risk of losing customers, her shop continues to flourish in large part due to positive word-of-mouth advertising from her patrons.
“I’m careful to please my customers; I don’t just do a messy job and then be done with it,” Cynthia says. “That way they feel that I’m not just in the business to rush something through and then move on to the next garment, that I actually take some time with them and with their garments to make sure that they are happy with my work.”
When the COVID-19 pandemic brought another period of uncertainty (since people didn’t need to get dressed up as much when they worked from home), Cynthia adapted, becoming appointment-only. Though the shop struggled during that time and continues to face the challenge of competing with bigger establishments, Cynthia’s sights have always been set on what really matters most.
“I love making customers happy,” she says. “That makes me happy to see that I can transform the garment into something that they can really enjoy.”
Raphael, now 5 years old, started in 2021 when he was 3 years old. We were looking for a high-performance school, NAEYCaccredited and rated five stars [with the statewide child care ratings]. It was during COVID-19, so we also wanted a place where we knew our child was safe. Chapel Hill Cooperative Preschool has an amazing COVID-19 committee with clear and efficient rules and procedures. They have in place a very efficient close contact-tracing and mask policy adapted to the case number fluctuation at the state level. We lived in Chapel Hill when Raphael first started, then moved to Apex, but we continued taking him there because we loved the school so much. Emma, his 2-year-old little sister, joined the school last year in the Panda (toddlers) room.
I was an anxious mom, nervous about returning back to work after having our last baby. It was mid2021, COVID-19 was still at its peak, and I was working hard to meet my breastfeeding goals. I was terrified about finding somewhere we could trust with our baby and that would honor the value I placed on ensuring he had access to breast milk and a sanitary environment. During a La Leche League meeting, a fellow mom recommended Courtney’s [Drop In Kids Care] for my upcoming job interview as it was the only place she trusted with her children. It was a virtual interview, and I have to be honest, I completed it in the parking lot of Courtney’s because I was so anxious about leaving him. I called immediately after the interview to check on him, and he was perfectly fine. They ensured me that he had access to all of the breast milk I provided. So I went to a nearby coffee shop for the first time without a baby in tow. It felt great! Soon after, I had a follow-up, in-person interview, and Courtney’s was the first place I turned to. Those visits have now become a safe and fun place for all of our children. Courtney’s was a lifesaver for our marriage. We didn’t have friends or family around with whom we could entrust the children. Being able to have an affordable drop-in child care option that the kids look forward to attending is an incredible asset to our community. It allowed me to reenter the workforce on my terms. It allowed my husband and I to have time to invest in our marriage. Additionally, the staff treat us like family. It’s always a warm handoff with the children. They know them by name and not just watch them but engage them in meaningful play and conversation. We are grateful to have such an asset in our community!”
– Latisha Watson, parent of Kingston, 2, Zaire,
8, and Savannah, 13
Not only does the school provide an inclusive and diverse environment, but it also prepares students to thrive and be successful at the top private schools in the Triangle.
Raphael will graduate this summer, and he will attend Ravenscroft School for kindergarten. Big shoutout for Ms. Emma, Ms. Shavonne and Ms. Jeanne for preparing and supporting Raphael throughout the application process.
We love the school culture – at CHCP you feel that you belong to a family. It was a Thursday afternoon when I went to pick up Emma and Raphael and I stopped by Ms. Jeanne’s office to let her know how happy our family is with having our kids at CHCP.
She told me, ‘I grew up in a large family, and we loved to get all together, to listen to one another, to support one another and to show our appreciation. This is what I want to bring to CHCP as well.’ And she did! We can feel her warm touch in everyday school life.
We loved to participate in the fall festival where each class made an art object and posted it to a silent auction. We had music and games at the party, and it was a big success. Raphael and his friends were excited and felt empowered to present their artwork to parents. My favorite show was the art show, where the children wore artist costumes and presented their art to the parents. It was a delight to see how creative our children can be in their paintings, crafts or sculptures.”
– Raluca Liacu, parent of Raphael, 5, and Emma, 2 We asked parents what they love about their child
Truly, Mia has grown up at The Learning Experience – Chapel Hill since she was 3 months old. We chose TLE because of its smaller class sizes, creative curriculum and kind, welcoming staff. As first-time parents, we really rely on TLE teachers to guide us through the journey of parenthood, both in the bigger developmental milestones and every day in between. It’s notable that Mia is a patient, adaptable, inquisitive, social child; I attribute much of her personality to TLE’s style of child care. I drop her off each day knowing she is loved unconditionally and, more importantly, loves to be there with her teachers and friends. The intimate classroom setting at TLE … allows the teachers and children to create a special bond; there’s never a shortage of love, hugs, hand-holding and thoughtful care – all of which are crucial at such a young age.”
– Beth Ann Wilber, parent of Mia, 1
When my husband and I were first married, our next-door neighbors were an older couple, Oscar Holman and Pat Holman. They just seemed like wonderful, caring people to their own adult children and grandchildren and in the larger community, including mentoring neighborhood kids. When Ms. Pat told me that she worked at Community School [for People Under Six], I put it high on my list.
We have been a Community School family for eight years. My 8-year-old started in the infant room in spring 2015 and was there through most of his kindergarten year (2019-20), when he did public school remote learning while physically at Community School. My 4-year-old started in the infant room in spring 2019 and will be in his final year at Community School (pre-K) starting this fall.
We ultimately chose Community School because of the low teacher-child ratios, values of socioeconomic and racial/ethnic diversity and inclusion, focus on structure and learning and the caring feel. The fact that my older son was a preemie made the low teacher-staff ratios and low staff turnover especially meaningful to me. I feel like my children are loved and valued as individuals, which is especially important to me in raising Black sons. Also, the communication is good. Whenever I’ve had an issue I wanted to discuss, I have found the teachers and director open to feedback and clear about processes and decisions. Finally, I was extremely impressed by how Community School navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. There was so much to balance in regard to the health and well-being of staff and families. It was such a difficult time. And they rose to the occasion in amazing ways.
I love all the teachers, but I do have a soft spot for Shahin Sultana, the longtime infant classroom teacher. My mom always told me that it’s such a gift to know that your children are well cared for when you’re not with them. By taking such beautiful care of my babies, Shahin took care of my whole family, especially when my husband and I were still new parents, putting down the foundation of our life as a family together.
The community is both warm and joyful and structured and intentional, which I like. I feel like, no matter our differences, we adults are all united in a dedication to the well-being of children in our community.”
– Whitney Rivers, parent of Louie IV, 8, and August, 4
Dr. Katya Skillestad, DDS, MS
Dr. Skillestad grew up just south of Charlotte, North Carolina, but she was actually born in the former USSR and came to the United States as a baby She even speaks fluent Russian! As a board-certified orthodontist, she is passionate about providing the best care for everyone who visits her o ce. Her current professional interests include complex Invisalign cases and orthodontics in conjunction with TMJ replacement.
Education & Experience
Dr. Skillestad attended UNC, where she earned her undergraduate and dental degrees, and graduated with top honors. From there, she went on to study orthodontics at Texas A&M University, where she was named the Resident of the Year by the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics, and won the American Board of Orthodontics' Resident Case of the Year award.
Dr. Skillestad is certified by the American Board of Orthodontics, something less than 30% of orthodontists achieve
Outside of the O ce
Dr. Skillestad, her husband, Garrett, and their toddler, Nina, reside in Chapel Hill with their two dogs, an adorable mutt and an energetic German Shorthaired Pointer. In her spare time, Dr. Skillestad enjoys reading, frequenting local playgrounds with her daughter, and growing her impressive collection of board games.
The staff at the four Best Bookstores share their picks for summer books
“Homebodies”
“Bang Bang Crash”
“You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty” by
by TembeDenton-Hurst
by Nic Brown“This Isn’t Going to End Well”
Akwaeke Emezi“Steamy, literary, electric. I absolutely loved it.”
– Elese Stutts, Flyleaf Books“A searing yet quiet novel that succeeds as a commentary on the racism ingrained within media content, as a relationship drama and as a story of protagonist Mickey’s path to self-discovery and self-respect.”
– Sam Edge, Epilogue Books
by
Compiled Jessica Stringer and Martha Zaytoun“Something Bad Wrong”
by Eryk Pruitt
“It got a little blurb in the New York Times! Eryk is the owner of Yonder, the bar across the street from us, and hosts Noir at the Bar events.
– Sharon Wheeler, Purple Crow Books“Eryk Pruitt, owner of Yonder Bar in Hillsborough and the architect of Yonder’s Noir at the Bar reading series, has a new novel out, and it’s a doozy! The story revolves around a sheriff in a small North Carolina town. You will dive into the soul of these characters and not come back up until the end of this terrific novel.” – Pete Mock, McIntyre’s Books
Chocolate Brews
“Thoughtful, funny and suffused with both melancholy and joy. It explores what happens when you achieve your dream of being a rock star and realize it’s not what you want. Nic Brown chronicles his transformation from a drummer into a writer, a husband, a father, a teacher and eventually, a drummer again.”
– Tony Peltier, Flyleaf Books
by Daniel Wallace
“Vulnerable and engrossing all in one, this is an intensely personal portrait of grief. Wallace reflects on his lifelong friendship with his late brother-in-law with intimate precision. His larger-than-life memories of William are interjected with the inevitability that things aren’t going to end well.”
“Romantic Comedy”
by Curtis Sittenfeld
“I want Sally to be a real person and also my best friend. SNL lovers will enjoy the behind-thescenes peek into what making a show like that is like. Plus, it’s romantic with hilarious dialogue. A winner.”
– Maggie Robe, Flyleaf Books
“I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself”
by Marisa Crane
“Captivating and original, this book is a stark reminder of the shadows we all live with, both visible and invisible.”
– Gaby Iori, Epilogue Books
Chocolate Brews
– Kat
Baltisberger, Flyleaf Books“Silver Alert”
by Lee Smith
“Classic Lee Smith. The story takes place in Key West where we meet vivid characters who feel like friends. This book is full of hope, typical of Lee.” – Sharon Wheeler, Purple Crow Books
Offering Conservation Framing, Canvas Stretching, Dry Mounting, Cross Stitch Framing, and Much More!
Framing yesterday’s memories and today’s treasures since 1974.
“A House with Good Bones” by T. Kingfisher
“Exhibits a soft and creeping horror, making the reader comfortable before it devours them. When Sam moves back in with her mother in their grandmother’s old home, small signs of wrongness mount, harmless in isolation. The confluence of vultures, bloodthirsty roses, entomological oddities and uncovered genealogies make this book engaging and delightfully chilling.”
– Jordan April, Flyleaf Books
“Cora Cooks
“The Rabbit Listened”
by Cori Doerrfeld
“This is a beautiful reminder that sometimes being there for people is as simple as sitting silently – a good lesson for anyone of any age.”
– Julia
Hirschfield, Epilogue Books Chocolate BrewsPancit” by Dorina
K. Lazo Gilmore
“A perfect, heartwarming story for learning about tradition and how recipes can connect us.”
– Caida Stanelle, Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews
“All the Sinners Bleed” by S.A. Cosby
“Cosby writes of the real world; fistfights, car races and social injustice are par for the course. His thrillers are gritty, and you can’t help but care about his main characters.”
–Jamie Fiocco, Flyleaf Books
Thank
2023
Tues - Fri 10am - 6pm • Sat 10am - 2pm
919.732.9795
yesterdayandtodayframeshop.com
“In Every Life”
by Marla Frazee“Marla is the illustrator of ‘Everywhere Babies’ (one of my personal favorites) and author/illustrator of the much-loved ‘All the World.’ ‘In Every Life’ is another beautiful celebration of how we spend our days. It’s full of so many scenes from all kinds of lives, with colorful double-page spreads. Buy a copy for your next baby shower gift, but get a copy for yourself right now, too.”
– Johanna Albrecht, McIntyre’s Books
“The Covenant of Water” by Abraham Verghese
“This is everything you could want in a summer read: rich, bighearted, spanning generations yet telling each character’s story in full. Erudite, epic, immersive and completely engrossing. Settle back in the hammock and lose your phone. By the time you finish, you may have forgotten that cell phones exist.”
– Sarah Goddin, McIntyre’s Books
By Brooke Spach
Summer always brings about an abundance of locally grown blooms, which are central to the arrangements and bouquets Purple Puddle creates for birthdays, bridal and baby showers, anniversaries and reunions this time of year. Most customers entrust the shop’s floral designers with the creative vision, but owner Kathy Buck says the English garden look is a popular request – round or oval-shaped arrangements with large blooms and vertical accents. This particular arrangement includes seasonal sweet peas, bellflowers and speedwells.
This bold bouquet created by Hannah Pertalion, a seasoned designer with Victoria Park Florist, features a lively color palette that reflects the bounty of a summer garden. Vibrant hues are a signature mark of Victoria Park’s summertime arrangements, which can range stylistically from tropical to wildflower or meadow-inspired looks. Popular blooms include poppies, zinnias and larkspur, among others – this arrangement features roses, sunflowers, delphinium and snapdragons.
“The sweet orange dahlia nestled down in front is also a summer favorite, which we start to see right around early June and are able to enjoy all the way through summer until the first frost of the year,” designer and events coordinator Lisa Fischer says. “The poppy pods, mushrooms and curly willow are a nod to the earth from which all these flowers grow and [also] help to create further dimension and visual interest throughout the arrangement.”
University Florist also creates seasonal arrangements for all occasions, from dinner parties to weddings to “getting or staying out of trouble,” says owner Henry House. The longstanding shop sources flowers during early spring through the fall from North Carolina growers like Curtis Flower Farm and Stemz. “We try to support these local farms as much as possible,” Henry says. “This is their season, and we take full advantage.” He also notes that you can tell the difference in a local blossom, from its appearance to its touch. The most popular flowers by far, he says, are peonies. “They are somewhat of a legend around here and are only available for about a month.”
Warmer months can pose a challenge to keeping arrangements looking fresh, especially during outdoor events. Chapel Hill Florist owner Ken Randby has a few tips to aid with longevity: Avoid direct sunlight and drafts, both hot and cold – don’t place flowers near air vents. “When we make an arrangement, we put a flower preservative in the water, so it’s best to leave that water and just top off the vase with tap water for the first few days,” Ken says. “When the water starts to look cloudy, lift the arrangement out of the vase, re-cut the stems, and change the water with room temperature tap water.
“The availability of locally grown products … adds a variety of flower options not seen in other seasons,” Ken adds, referencing summer’s bounty. The arrangement here showcases this affinity for local blooms and bright colors, with orange lilies from Sarah & Michael’s Farm and forget-me-nots, calendulas, mint and zinnias sourced from a variety of farms through Piedmont Wholesale Flowers and Stemz.
Monarch Brow & Facial Studio owner
Angela Hugghins capitalizes on her childhood dream with skin care brand Cult of Reason
By Lindsey Ware
uring her childhood in Houston, Angela Hugghins had a fantasy of owning her own skin care line. She would mix together ingredients such as egg whites, honey, cinnamon and flower petals in the kitchen and test her creations on her grandparents. Now, decades later, the experienced aesthetician and owner of Monarch Brow & Facial Studio in Carrboro has brought that dream to life with her skin care brand, Cult of Reason.
Angela got her start in skin care shortly after relocating to North Carolina in 1998
following her graduation from Baylor University. She accepted a job at the Chapel Hill Sephora before it even opened and worked there for 2 ½ years before discovering that she was ready for a change.
“During that time, I realized I wanted to be out of retail and actually doing services on people, so I went to aesthetician school,” Angela says. “It all seemed very natural. It seemed like the right thing to do.”
Chris G. Adigun, MD is a board certified dermatologist and a recognized leader in dermatology. She is known for her expertise in laser and aesthetic dermatology as well as her warm, compassionate and down-to-earth personality. Dr. Adigun’s team is comprised of top notch, dermatology-trained professionals, offering the latest technology and treatments.
There is a reason DLC has been voted Best of Chapel Hill and Best of Chatham every year since we opened the doors. It’s simple, DLC treats everyone like family!
Chris G. Adigun, MD, FAAD
Karlee Wagoner, ANP-BC
Diana Walker, PA-C
Jenny Jahoo, LME
After finishing a program at Central Carolina Community College, Angela worked for a variety of local salons. “I was born to do a service job,” she says. “I really like it when people feel good when they leave. They may have come in with an anxious energy or a burden of some sort, and hopefully they leave feeling lighter. That’s honestly my favorite part of the job.”
The owners of Citrine Salon in Chapel Hill helped her realize her desire to own her own business. Finding a space for her salon was difficult due to specific cosmetic board regulations. The place Angela eventually settled in on West Weaver Street basically fell into her lap, and she has been there ever since (making the move to a larger space within the same building a few years back).
Word-of-mouth and PR helped Angela gain a loyal client base for her skin care treatments, waxing, lash and brow treatments, brow micropigmentation and body therapies. “We have an interesting relationship somewhere between client and friend,” Angela says about her clients. “Some of them become absolute best friends.” She even did the wedding makeup for a Chapel Hill client who she had done facials for since she was 18.
With her years of experience in the skin care industry, Angela decided to capitalize on her childhood dream and start Cult of Reason in 2019. The line, formulated with combination skin in mind, offers three skin care products, an exfoliating cleanser, a hydrating serum and a soothing oil, which can be purchased on the Cult of Reason website. Her vegan-friendly and cruelty-free brand has been decades in the making, and Angela is satisfied with the results.
“I need to be creative; it needs to flow out of me in some way,” Angela says. “It’s really joyful for me to be able to parlay my 20-plus years of aesthetic experience and knowledge into a skin care line.”
By Sinclair Holian
With experience designing homes in Carrboro since 1996, architect Sophie Piesse knows that more is not always better; “Sometimes, it is just more,” she says. Her philosophy applied perfectly to a major two-year interior remodel in Oxford Hills, a project that kept simplicity in mind at every level. The clients wanted to completely modernize and brighten their space, making it appear clean and highly functional – all without adding any square footage. The kitchen, once dim and cluttered with appliances, was transformed using simple textures, colors and materials. The space now opens into the dining and living areas, making it appear and feel much larger. To further increase function and reduce clutter, Sophie created an appliance garage that blends into new cabinetry. “Renovating homes and helping them evolve to reflect our lives and families is fun and rewarding, as well as sustainable,” Sophie says.
Cederberg Kitchens + Renovations designer Jeamilette Marcano worked closely with returning clients on a kitchen update inspired by the organic architecture and natural materials pioneered by architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Careful to preserve the feel and craftsmanship of the existing contemporary style home, the updated design evokes a fresh sense of balance and harmony. “The natural elements, the wood columns and beams, the stone and house trim helped to bring the design to life by creating a unique and timeless character to their house,” Jeamilette says. Designed to be as functional as it is stylish, the updated kitchen features new cabinets and a peninsula next to a raised bar area, all overlooking the backyard through curved glass windows.
Kitchen & Bath Galleries
senior designer Kaylor Russell embarked on an eight-month process of updating a kitchen in The Oaks neighborhood. Approaching the design as a collaborative effort, Kaylor accomplished her client’s goal of opening up their space by removing the old peninsula in favor of a new focal point: a giant island. “It’s great for prep, serving and other household projects,” Kaylor says. “Multiple people can be working at the island, and everyone has space to spread out.”
Drawing on her and her client’s shared fondness of the colors of Colorado, Kaylor brought warmth to the space with new backsplash tile and the island’s wood details. To finalize the design, Kaylor had the adjacent living room’s built-in cabinets redone to ensure the new look extended seamlessly into the rest of the home.
For Amy Strunk of Amy Strunk Designs, creating a dream backyard for a single mom with a young son meant combining fun and function. With a playground nestled in a wooded area, the grassy yard was great for playdates but lacked space for the client to host family and friends.
“Creating a cohesive space for her to entertain and have kids playing close by was the goal,” Amy says. The final result features an outdoor kitchen, a fire pit surrounded by a seat wall and a covered entertainment area. The space is complete with electricity for evening lighting and fans to keep pesky Southern insects at bay.
“The whole space being finished really made the yard feel different,” Amy says. “I know this will be a spot for them to enjoy for many years.” CHM
*All results listed in alphabetical order **The presence of five winners is the result of a tie
Art Gallery
Ackland Art Museum
FRANK Gallery
Hillsborough Gallery of Arts
Peel
Group Outing
The Baxter Beer Study
The Mardi Gras Bowling Center
Wine & Design Chapel Hill
Movie Theater
Chelsea Theater
The Lumina
Silverspot Cinema
Varsity Theatre
Museum
Ackland Art Museum
Carolina Basketball Museum
Kidzu Children’s Museum
Morehead Planetarium & Science Center
Performing Arts Venue
The ArtsCenter
Forest Theatre
Memorial Hall (Carolina Performing Arts)
PlayMakers Repertory Company
Place to Hear Live Music
Cat’s Cradle
The Kraken
Memorial Hall (Carolina Performing Arts)
Southern Village
Place to Host a Children’s Birthday Party
1870 Farm
Kidzu Children’s Museum
The Lumina
Morehead Planetarium & Science Center
Summer Camp
1870 Farm
Kidzu Children’s Museum
Morehead Planetarium & Science Center
School of Rock Chapel Hill
Gift Store
Dwell
SallyMack Life Furnishings
The Shrunken Head Boutique
This & That Gift Gallery
Place for Glasses
20/20 Eyeworks
Carrboro Family Vision
Chapel Hill Eyecare
Chapel Hill Ophthalmology
Place for Beauty Products
Aesthetic Solutions
Dermatology & Laser Center of Chapel Hill
Monarch Brow & Facial Studio
Ulta Beauty
Store for UNC Gear
Chapel Hill Sportswear
Johnny T-shirt
The Shrunken Head Boutique
UNC Student Stores
Home Furnishings and Accessories
Dwell
Re-Invintaged Home Decor & More
SallyMack Life Furnishings
Whitehall Antiques
Fashion Jewelry
Light Years
Sofia’s Boutique
Whilden
WomanCraft Gifts
Fine Jewelry
Creative Metalsmiths
Melissa Designer Jewelry
Olmaz Jewelers
Wentworth & Sloan
Women’s Boutique
Monkee’s of Chapel Hill
Rumors
Sofia’s Boutique
Uniquities
Whilden
Children’s Store
Ali Cat Toys
Glee Kids
Lucky Dancewear
Puddle Baby
Consignment/Resale Store
CommunityWorx Thrift Shop
My Secret Closet
Rumors
The Stock Exchange
Bookstore
Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews
Flyleaf Books
McIntyre’s Books
Purple Crow Books
Picture Framing Services
The Frame & Print Shop
Higgins & Myers Custom Framing & Fine Art Gallery
Studio 71
Yesterday and Today Frame Shop
Pet Store
Feeders Pet Supply
Hollywood Feed
Paws at the Corner
Petco
Bike Shop
Back Alley Bikes
The Bicycle Chain
The Clean Machine
Trek Bicycle Chapel Hill
*All results listed in alphabetical order **The presence of five winners is the result of a tieElie Abou-Rjeileh and Jack Daoud, two longtime friends, opened Olmaz Jewelers at Eastgate Crossing in November 2019. PHOTO BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
Shopping Experience
Carr Mill Mall
Downtown Franklin Street
Eastgate Crossing
Southern Village
Neighborhood
Briar Chapel
Governors Club
Morgan Creek
Southern Village
Architect
Paces and Roehm Architecture
Shaw Design Associates
Sophie Piesse Architect
Steven Clipp Architecture
Landscaper
Amy Strunk Designs
Farmhouse Lawn & Landscape
Landscape Logic
O’Mara Landscaping & Lawn Care
Residential Builder
Bold Construction
The Rexford Group
Will Johnson Building Company
Zinn Design Build
Large-Scale Residential Builder
David Weekley Homes
Groundstone Homes
Homes By Dickerson
Saussy Burbank
Commercial Builder
Choate Construction
Kennedy Building Company
Northwood Ravin
RESOLUTE Building Company
Interior Designer
Cat French Design
Chartreuse Design
Debra Zinn Interiors
emma delon
Kitchen/Bath Designer
Cederberg Kitchens + Renovations
Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery
Kitchen & Bath Galleries
Will Johnson Building Company
Home Maintenance & Repair
Boer Brothers Heating & Cooling
Bud Matthews Services
Carrboro Plumbing Inc.
Sparrow & Sons Plumbing & Heating
Home Painter
CertaPro Painters
Ramirez Painting & Pressure Washing
Silvestre Painting
Tar Heel Painters
Florist
Chapel Hill Florist
Purple Puddle
University Florist
Victoria Park Florist
Garden & Hardware Store
Fifth Season Gardening Company
Fitch Lumber & Hardware
Southern States
Town & Country Hardware
Realtor
Rose Farrales, Bold Real Estate
Scott Kelley, Governors Club Realty
Alex Nickodem, Terra Nova Global Properties
Inna Shapiro, Keller Williams Realty
Realty Company
Bold Real Estate
Erika & Co.
Just Be Home Realty
Terra Nova Global Properties
SERVICES
New Business
Blo Blow Dry Bar
Dwell
Golden Fig Books
Lucky Dancewear
Hotel
The Carolina Inn
The Colonial Inn
The Fearrington House Inn
The Siena Hotel
Event Space
Blue Hill Event Center
The Carolina Inn
Governors Club
Lavender Oaks Farm
The Parlour at Manns Chapel
Event Planner
Bess and Beau Event Design
The Carolina Inn
Michele Leighton, Governors Club
Bank
Coastal Credit Union
Pinnacle Financial Partners
State Employees’ Credit Union
Truist
Dermatologist/Cosmetic Services
Aesthetic Solutions
Chapel Hill Dermatology
Dermatology & Laser Center of Chapel Hill
UNC Chapel Hill Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center
Plastic Surgeon
Finn Plastic Surgery
Greg Ruff, MD
UNC Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Pharmacy
501 Pharmacy
Carrboro Family Pharmacy
Hillsborough Pharmacy and Nutrition
Southern Village Pharmacy
2023
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Optometrist/Ophthalmologist
Carrboro Family Vision
Chapel Hill Eyecare
Chapel Hill Ophthalmology
UNC Kittner Eye Center
Chiropractor Carolina Spine Specialists
Ignite Wellness Chiropractic Center
North Carolina Chiropractic Swiss Chiropractic Clinique
Pediatrician/Family Medicine
Avance Care South Chapel Hill
Carrboro Pediatrics & Internal Medicine
Chapel Hill Children and Adolescents’ Clinic
Chapel Hill Pediatrics & Adolescents
Hearing Care Provider
Audibel Hearing Center
North Carolina Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat
UNC Hearing and Communication Center
UNC Hospitals Hearing and Voice Center at Carolina Crossing
Physical Therapy
EmergeOrtho Chapel Hill
Empower Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
UNC Hospitals ACC Physical Therapy
UNC Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Urgent Care
Duke Urgent Care Hillsborough
IndyCare Hillsborough
UNC Urgent Care at Hillsborough
UNC Urgent Care at The Family Medicine Center
Hair Salon
Citrine Salon
Mina’s Studio
Salon Breeze
Syd’s Hair Shop
Nail Salon
Bliss Nail Bar
Dwell Studio Spa
Le’s Sanctuary Nail Spa
Rose Nails
Spa
Hillsborough Spa and Day Retreat
Medical Day Spa of Chapel Hill
Monarch Brow & Facial Studio
The Spa at Fearrington
Waxing Salon
Aesthetics By Dana
Monarch Brow & Facial Studio
Waxing the City
Wax Poetic
Barbershop
Chapel Hill Barber Shop
Clark’s Barber Style
Edge Salon & Wellness
Friendly Barber Shop
Automotive Services/Repairs
Auto Logic
Brown’s Automotive
Chapel Hill Tire Car Care
Sturdivant’s Tire Pros & Auto
Veterinarian
Carrboro Plaza Veterinary Clinic
Cole Park Veterinary Hospital
Meadowmont Animal Hospital
VCA Timberlyne Animal Hospital
Pet Boarding
Doggie Spa & Day Care
Dogwood Veterinary Hospital & Pet Resort
Green Beagle Lodge
Top Dog Training & Resort
Pet Sitting
Kate’s Critter Care
Kimie’s Kritters
Laughing Dog Pet Care
Walk & Wag
Pet Trainer
Cheery Dogs Dog Training
Laughing Dog Pet Care
Paw In Hand Dog Training
Paws4ever
Cleaners
A Cleaner World
Cole Park Cleaners
McPherson Cleaners
Perfect Image Cleaners
Place to Go for Alterations
Anna’s Tailor and Alterations
Cynthia’s Tailor Shop
MTHU Oriental Tailors
Webster’s Cleaners
Sports Club
Chapel Hill Country Club
Chapel Hill Tennis Club
Governors Club
Orange County Sportsplex
*All results listed in alphabetical order
**The presence of five winners is the result of a tie
Fitness Facility
Chapel Hill Training
CrossFit Chapel Hill
CrossFit HTS
Duke Center For Living
UNC Wellness Center at Meadowmont
Dance Studio
The Ballet School of Chapel Hill
Renner Dance Company
To The Pointe Dance & Kids Care
Triangle Youth Ballet
Yoga Studio
Carrboro Yoga Company
Dogwood Studio
Franklin Street Yoga Center
Thousand Petals Yoga
Pilates Studio
Carolina Core Pilates
Club Pilates
FlowCORPS
Pilates at Studio 8
Martial Arts
Beacon Mixed Martial Arts and Fitness
Chapel Hill Quest Martial Arts
Seven Star Kung Fu Academy
United Tae Kwon Do Academy
Boutique Fitness
barre3
Eat the Frog Fitness
Pure Barre Chapel Hill
SPENGA Chapel Hill
Child Care
Chapel Hill Cooperative Preschool
Community School for People Under Six
Courtney’s Drop In Kids Care
The Learning Experience - Chapel Hill
Financial Advisor/Investment Firm
Atlantic Private Wealth
Charles Schwab
Edward Jones
Phoenix Wealth Advisors
Mortgage Company
Carolina Ventures Mortgage
CIMG Residential Mortgage
Pinnacle Financial Partners
SECU
Accounting Firm
Blackman & Sloop
Coleman Huntoon & Brown PLLC
Gina DeVine, CPA
Joel L. Levy CPA, PLLC
Insurance Agent/Firm
Chan Wright Insurance Agency
High & Rubish Insurance Agency
Ola Stinnett State Farm
Pam Herndon State Farm Insurance Agency
Seagroves Insurance
Home Health Care
Acorn Home Care Services, Inc.
Home Instead
UNC Home Health
Visiting Angels
New Eatery or Bar
Bluebird
Breakaway Cafe
Flying Biscuit Café
Piero’s Pasta & Wine
Overall Restaurant
Bluebird
Hawthorne & Wood
Lantern
Market and Moss
Asian
Cham Thai elements
Jujube
Lantern
Thai Station
Indian
CholaNad Restaurant & Bar
Lime & Lemon Indian Grill & Bar
Tandoor Indian Restaurant
Vimala’s Curryblossom Café
*All results listed in alphabetical order
**The presence of five winners is the result of a tie
Italian
411 West
Osteria Georgi
Pizzeria Mercato
Tarantini Italian Restaurant
Mexican/Latin American
bartaco
Carrburritos
Fiesta Grill
Monterrey Mexican Grill
Queso
Armadillo Grill
Carrburritos
Fiesta Grill
Monterrey Mexican Grill
Comfort Food/Southern Cuisine
Acme Food & Beverage Company
Mama Dip’s Kitchen
Merritt’s Grill
Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen
Barbecue
Acme Food & Beverage Company
Hillsborough BBQ Company
Mama Dip’s Kitchen
The Pig
Pizza
Coronato Pizza
Italian Pizzeria III
Napoli Pizzeria & Gelateria
Pizzeria Mercato
Sushi
Akai Hana
IZA Whiskey and Eats
Mr. Tokyo Japanese Restaurant
Spicy 9 Sushi Bar & Asian Restaurant
Seafood
Hawthorne & Wood
Kipos Greek Taverna
Nantucket Grill
Squid’s
Mediterranean CAVA
Kipos Greek Taverna
Mediterranean Deli, Bakery and Catering
Talulla’s
Steak
Bin 54 Steak & Cellar
Farm House Restaurant
Hawthorne & Wood
Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill
Burger
Al’s Burger Shack
Buns
Hawthorne & Wood
Town Hall Burger & Beer
Fries
Al’s Burger Shack
Buns
Glasshalfull
Linda’s Bar & Grill
Sandwich
Breakaway Cafe
Merritt’s Grill
Neal’s Deli
The Root Cellar Cafe & Catering
Vegetarian/Healthy Food
Coco Bistro & Bar
Mediterranean Deli, Bakery and Catering
The Purple Bowl
Weaver Street Market
Coffee Shop
Caffé Driade
Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews
Gray Squirrel Coffee Co.
Open Eye Cafe
Tea
Caffé Driade
The Carolina Inn
The Fearrington House Restaurant
Krave
Tea Hill
Upscale Restaurant
Bluebird
The Fearrington House Restaurant
Hawthorne & Wood
Oakleaf
Wings
Bonchon
Heavenly Buffaloes
The Town Hall Grill
The Wooden Nickel Public House
Fried Chicken
Dame’s Chicken & Waffles
Mama Dip’s Kitchen
Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen
Time-Out Restaurant
Biscuits
Flying Biscuit Café
Neal’s Deli
Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken
Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen
Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt
La Vita Dolce
Maple View Farm
Whit’s Frozen Custard
Yogurt Pump
Desserts/Pastries
Even Dough
Guglhupf Bake Shop
Nantucket Grill
Sari Sari Sweets
Breakfast Brandwein’s Bagels
Breadman’s
Breakaway Cafe
First Watch
Brunch
Acme Food & Beverage Company
Bluebird
Crossroads Chapel Hill
Tandem Carrboro
*All results listed in alphabetical order
**The presence of five winners is the result of a tie
Place to Watch the Game
Carolina Brewery
Hickory Tavern
Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery
The Town Hall Grill
Place for a Date Night
Hawthorne & Wood
Lantern Market and Moss
Tesoro
Outdoor Dining
Glasshalfull
Kipos Greek Taverna
Market and Moss
Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery
Kid-Friendly Restaurant
Al’s Burger Shack
The Loop Restaurant
Sutton’s Drug Store
Weaver Street Market
Spot for a Business Lunch
Crossroads Chapel Hill
Glasshalfull
Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill
Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery
Chef
Sera Cuni, The Root Cellar
Dan Jackson, Osteria Georgi
Sarah Catherine Monk, Market and Moss
Brandon Sharp, Bluebird/ Hawthorne & Wood
Overall Service
411 West Governors Club
Hawthorne & Wood
Market and Moss
Host/Server
Paula Gilland, The Purple Bowl
Heather Hayes, Bluebird
Britton Murray, The Wooden Nickel Public House
David Wood, Governors Club
Food Truck
Chirba Chirba Dumpling Truck
Garnachas Rivera
Latin Grill Taco Truck
Ta Contento Mex Fresh Food
Local Food Product
Boxcarr Handmade Cheese
Chapel Hill Creamery cheese
Chapel Hill Toffee
Maple View Farm ice cream
Local Beverage Product
Boro Beverage kombucha
Botanist and Barrel ciders
Carolina Brewery Sky Blue Kölsch
TOPO Brewery Bell Tower Blueberry Wheat
Brewery
Carolina Brewery
Gizmo Brew Works
Steel String Brewery
Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery
Wine, Beer and/or Spirits Shop
Beer Study
Chapel Hill Wine Company
Rocks + Acid Wine Shop
winestore. Chapel Hill
Place for a Cocktail
Belltree Cocktail Club
The Crunkleton
Glasshalfull
Market and Moss
Wine Selection at a Restaurant
Bin 54 Steak & Cellar
The Fearrington House Restaurant
Glasshalfull
Hawthorne & Wood
Draft Beer Selection
Beer Study
The Casual Pint
Franklin Motors
The Wooden Nickel Public House
Late-Night Eats
Cosmic Cantina
Linda’s Bar and Grill
The Northside District
Time-Out Restaurant
Takeout
Big Bob’s City Grill
Carrburritos
Coco Bistro & Bar
Mediterranean Deli, Bakery and Catering
Gluten-Free Options
Coco Bistro & Bar
Glasshalfull
Mediterranean Deli, Bakery and Catering
The Purple Bowl
Dog-Friendly Restaurant or Patio
401 Main
Coco Bistro & Bar
Dingo Dog Brewing Company
The Spotted Dog
Chain Restaurant
bartaco
CAVA
Jersey Mike’s Subs
Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill
Restaurant Catering
Brandwein’s Bagels
Italian Pizzeria III
The Root Cellar Cafe & Catering
Vimala’s Curryblossom Café
Full-Service Catering
Beau Catering
Chapel Hill Restaurant Group
JMS Catering
Mediterranean Deli, Bakery and Catering
CHM
he bell rings, the curtain goes up and you’re on.” For 17 years, Kimberly Jones has been an educator, most recently sharing her love of world literature in the English department at Chapel Hill High School. The seasoned teacher was recently named the 2023 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year – a recognition that she sees as the highest honor of her professional career. Raised in Erwin, North Carolina, Kimberly has a bachelor’s degree in English language and a master’s degree in secondary education and teaching from Wake Forest University. She lived in Durham from 2006 to 2020, and after marrying her husband, Josh, in 2019, moved to Danville, Virginia, where they live with their kids, Trent and Cameron, and their pug, Doug.
What inspired you to become a teacher?
I’ve always appreciated teachers and valued the knowledge they shared and the parts of the world they unlocked. However, it wasn’t until my summer at North Carolina Governor’s School East [in Raleigh] that I realized not only did teachers have the potential to share information, but they truly could transform your life and facilitate you learning about the world and about yourself. … That was what lit the spark for me.
School us on a day in your life. This year, I teach all world literature classes – a combination of honors and standard level classes. We focus on everything from ancient Greek literature to the study of the Holocaust to the colonization of colonial Africa. I do my best to include supplemental text that relates to what my kids are experiencing and living through in the world right now.
How do you connect with your kids? I try to bring my full self into class every day. My kids know that my passion for literature, writing, speaking and listening is authentic
By Anna Beth AdcockWhat sports team do you root for?
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons. I bleed black and gold.
Current TV show pick?
“Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story”
Go-to Chapel Hill spots?
Mediterranean Deli, Bakery and Catering; Heavenly Buffaloes; and the North Carolina Botanical Garden
Secret hobby?
I’m a true crime fanatic.
Fave subject in school?
English and show choir.
Fave book genre? My escape genre is romance, and I’m currently loving the Bridgerton series.
– I model rigorous engagement and bring joy and positivity to the subjects we are studying. … And I invest in what they’re interested in. There’s always something going on at school – extracurricular activities, concerts, musicals – and I attend as many events as possible because I want my students to know I care about the things they’re passionate about.
What’s your teaching style?
In my classroom, there’s a lot of talking and a lot of questions – because that’s where learning happens in that exchange of ideas. We are constantly looking for the universal truths in any given text and drawing connections between classic pieces and their modern teenage lives. … If kids don’t believe that what they’re learning is relevant to the world they’re living in, they’re not going to invest.
Can you point to any educators who made a special impact on you? Absolutely. My mother – she was my first teacher, and she still teaches me; Derek Currin – he taught English at my high school, and he helped mentor me through the college essay process and is now a dear part of my family; and Dr. Joseph Milner from Wake Forest University, who was director of the North Carolina Governor’s School program I attended.
What was your reaction to winning Teacher of the Year? It’s a moment that has no comparison. … I work alongside the most fantastic staff and facility here at Chapel Hill High School. I got to spend a week with my fellow regional teachers of the year, and I know what fantastic educators they are – so to be named Teacher of the Year in the company of such outstanding teachers was overwhelming. It’s also amazing to have the opportunity to give thanks to so many of the people who have gotten me to where I am today.
What do you hope to learn and accomplish as you travel the state next year as a teaching ambassador? I hope to amplify the amazing things I know are happening in North Carolina public schools – to amplify
the hard work of teachers around the state and increase public respect and professional compensation for teachers. … My personal academic passion is to increase the cultural relevance and curriculums in public schools. I think it’s vital that every kid – no matter their background or identity – see themselves positively reflected in their learning, both in what they learn and who they learn from.
Any advice for new teachers or those considering the profession? Your educational preparation did not end the day they gave you your diploma. It begins the day you walk into your classroom. Be OK with learning, and be OK that you won’t always know everything … but you always have the opportunity to get better and to better serve your kids. CHM
By Leah Berry
Photography by Susan Murray
aster George Webb, a sixth degree black belt, has been training in and teaching taekwondo for almost three decades. A 32- year resident of Durham, George has been involved in United Tae Kwon Do Academy since it opened in 2005.
At 68 years old, he finds it harder to keep up with his longheld passion for running.
George has competed in 12 marathons and 1,000 road
races in his life. “As you get older, it gets harder and harder to get back to the point where running is fun again,” he says.
Now, he focuses his efforts on taekwondo, and isn’t planning on stopping any time soon.
George will always sing the praises of the sport, emphasizing that it’s not only a means to stay active, but a means to use your brain while doing so. “Any activity is good for your mind, but this one requires a lot of thinking and involvement to keep your brain engaged,” he says. George feels better – physically, mentally and socially – since becoming involved in taekwondo.
George met Grand Master Barry Partridge, the founder and president of United Tae Kwon Do Academy, at a taekwondo nationals competition in 1998 and followed him to his then-studio in WinstonSalem, commuting from Durham three times a week to train. When Barry opened United Tae Kwon Do Academy, in Carrboro, George was glad to move with him.
A part-time instructor at the studio, George, who once taught 20 to 25 classes a week, now only teaches older adult classes twice a week. In these classes, older adult students practice balance, coordination and some martial arts form. Moving at a relaxed pace, his classes utilize techniques that will keep the body, and the brain, sharp.
Over the years, George has become close personal friends with Barry, describing him as someone to look up to. He says the studio demonstrates a familial environment. “People come there and stay there. If you don’t show up, they’ll call you to make sure everything
is OK. They want you to be a part of it,” he says.
The students at United Tae Kwon Do Academy range in ability from those simply wanting to work out to elite athletes. Yet, “There’s no pretentiousness,” George says. “That wouldn’t be tolerated.”
George says the studio’s mentality creates an environment of encouragement. “Everyone is only expected to achieve what they can achieve,” he says. “People quickly learn that they can do more than they thought they could.”
Recognizing that the sport is intimidating to many initially, George pushes anyone and everyone to try taekwondo. “It’s a positive learning
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environment. We emphasize that mistakes are OK. If you’re not making mistakes, you’re not learning”.
Though he’s traded his running shoes for a taekwondo uniform, George has come to recognize his abilities at this stage in his life and has found a sport and a studio that provide him with more opportunity at age 68 than he ever could’ve asked for.
Tom Traut and Karyn Traut have never not been active no matter where they lived. Tom, a retired UNC professor of biochemistry and biophysics, and Karyn, a playwright, lived in multiple states before settling in Chapel Hill in 1978.
At the ages of 80 and 78, respectively, Tom and Karyn have felt the benefits of moving their bodies. From walking three miles in their neighborhood every morning to ballroom dancing, weightlifting, skiing, biking and even backpacking, the world-traveling couple is always on the move.
Perhaps their favorite activity they’ve become involved in, however, is yoga. As their interest in weightlifting grew, Tom and Karyn felt they needed more practice stretching. Yoga provided them with just that and so much more.
They believe yoga is the reason for their good health. Tom and Karyn are nimble and flexible and have never had an injury from falling. In fact, they “bounce right back.” Tom insists that after just a year of doing yoga, the constant pain in his right shoulder has ceased.
The two fell in love with yoga instructor Sandra “Sam” Sather at another studio, and they followed her when she opened her own location, Dogwood Studio. Located in Yoga Shala in Carrboro, the studio is composed of students ranging in age, all learning to become “a little more confident and comfortable,” as Tom and Karyn put it.
The couple attends yoga every Friday morning and refer to it as the highlight of their week. They say they love how the style of yoga at Dogwood Studio is “very gentle for those of us who are older.” As Sam is also a registered nurse, her knowledge of the body is evident in her yoga technique. She is attentive to older adults in the class, teaching how to comfortably and easily do movements, such as getting up and down on the floor. Sam also includes a portion on balancing in every session and 10 minutes of meditation. After this time, the students share what is on their mind, creating a sense of connection and empathy. The Trauts consider many of their fellow students personal friends, especially Sam. “Everyone at Dogwood Studio is so sensitive and caring,” they say.
The couple urges anyone who can move to try yoga. Tom, a skeptic at first, has become the biggest advocate of the activity. With the help of Dogwood Studio, he and Karyn plan to “bounce back” for a while.
Mercy Ehrler has lived in Chapel Hill for four years. As a remote worker, she finds herself sedentary most of the day. Going on a walk after work didn’t cut it for her – she wanted to find a gym that she could call her own and somebody to tell her what to do. Mercy believes that being active is an integral part of her life; it keeps her “young and vibrant,” feeling like herself, and connected with those around her.
After trying other gyms, Mercy couldn’t find the right fit. It wasn’t until her husband, Randy Ehrler, introduced her to Eat the Frog Fitness near Whole Foods that she fell in love – with the gym itself and her own fitness journey.
Mercy specifically loves how the workout is what you make it. “Your bar is set for yourself and not against the other people you work out with,” she says. With a cycle of fitness classes, in which “deload weeks” focus on flexibility and mobility, and “peak weeks” involve the most intense workouts, Mercy believes that she gets a good range of exercise but never feels as though it’s too much.
“It’s the best gym I’ve belonged to … ever in my life,” Mercy says. “It’s a place I want to go and spend time.”
To prove it, she was there on her birthday.
On top of that, she broke her wrist eight weeks ago but was back at Eat the Frog two weeks after surgery. Mercy couldn’t imagine her life without it.
Throughout her life, she’s always been an active person, never playing sports but teaching various fitness classes. But, before Eat the Frog, she had been unmotivated in her fitness journey for a while. “I just turned 59 years old, but I feel better than I did a decade ago,” Mercy says.
She has also found a community at Eat the Frog, one of the reasons why she believes the gym is so successful and one of the reasons why Mercy just can’t stop raving about it. She walks in and is known by name. The owners, Robert Parker and Darrick Fu, host sip and paints, holiday parties and organized hikes, cultivating a community that is welcoming and caring. Individuals in the classes range in age from 20s to 50s and beyond. But as Mercy says, “Any time you can connect with someone about a passion, age doesn’t matter.”
Mercy has it scheduled in her calendar to go to the gym every day at 5 p.m. While her goal is to make it four times a week, she relishes any time she can get active – specifically at Eat the Frog.
With motivating coaches and inspiring classes, the studio has helped Mercy stay consistent with her fitness goals.
Her advice to those wanting to start their own fitness journey, or perhaps get back into it: “Walk before you run. … Making the decision to go to the gym is the first step. And Eat the Frog is a great place to start.” CHM
People quickly learn that they can do more than they thought they could.
- George Webb
What makes North Carolina’s Research Triangle such a one-of-a-kind area to call home?
Above all the natural highlights, the thriving culture and the mouthwatering food, it’s the people that make this place unlike any other. And right in the heart of Cary, fascinating folks from all walks of life are coming to Searstone to create a retirement living experience like nowhere else in the world.
Our Continuing Care Retirement Community is home to sensationally designed apartments, gourmet dining options, easy walkability and pedestrian access to each of our community’s amenities. And with a shorter waitlist than other nearby communities, it’s only getting better.
Renovations to our beautiful Winston Clubhouse will reshape gathering spaces and introduce innovative design to our wide range of existing amenities. Plus, The Highview at Searstone — our upcoming four-story expansion featuring dozens of new amenities, including three unique dining venues — is 100% reserved and scheduled to open in 2024. That means there’s now just one Wait List at Searstone for future residency. By placing a refundable deposit, along with an application fee, you’ll secure your spot should a residence become available either in The Highview or across our campus.
Schedule your personal appointment.
View floor plans, level plans and a scale model of The Highview while a knowledgeable team member answers any questions you may have. To learn more, call 919.646.6071 or visit searstone.com.
emand for professional organizers and senior move managers is accelerating as the baby boom generation fully retires and downsizes. “It’s the silver tsunami,” says Elizabeth Hirsh, founder of The Downsizers, the largest senior management team in the areafa and one of the Triangle’s leading professional home organizers.
Back in 2016, Elizabeth found herself, in a single year, moving seven different family members’ belongings due either to death or illnesses within four states. “One of the very first projects was when my husband lost his mom and brother in a very short period of time,” Elizabeth says about helping liquidate their estates in Pennsylvania. Then, she moved her mother, who was experiencing physical challenges, into an assisted living facility in Florida. “That was pretty significant to downsize because she likes her things,” she says. Next, Elizabeth stepped in to help her father, who was dealing with dementia. Soon, other family members called on her to guide their own transitions. “It was a learning year,” she says. “When you’re doing it for the first time, you don’t know what you don’t know. You’re just figuring it out on your own. I had no idea this industry existed, or I would have hired them in four states.”
By September 2017, Elizabeth created a business model with four distinct phases applicable to most transitions. In March 2018, The Downsizers opened for business with three employees. Today, they have 25 full-time employees ranging from project managers and design specialists to support staff, repair crew, warehouse managers and more. The company has a fleet of vans and a 2,800-square-foot warehouse in Chapel Hill with all the supplies needed for any project.
In the past five years, Elizabeth says the company has completed more than 1,700 downsizing and senior moves. Their company provides its staff with ongoing training and resources, plus certification for special services, like photo digitization, dementia moves, senior moves and most recently, hoarding disorder management. The downsizing business spawned two sister companies – The Consignors, which launched
in March to manage online estate auctions, and The Shuttle Movers, which began in December to manage careful transport of items destined for other homes, donations or disposal.
Elizabeth says on average, a 2,500- to 3,000-square-foot single-family home yields up to 16 bins of memorabilia, such as photos, albums, documents, diplomas and awards. The company works with about 60 local companies and nonprofit organizations to recycle or repurpose as many items as possible to avoid adding to landfills.
During the pandemic, she says they were turning away 10 projects a week, but business has returned to a normal pace. Smaller projects, like moving someone from assisted living to skilled nursing, usually takes one or two days to complete while longer projects, such as hoarding disorder cases, might take four years. One example was an estate liquidation project that included a 7,000-square-foot home of a deceased couple who had lived in it for 60 years. “Can you imagine how much is in the home?” Elizabeth asks. “You need a team of people to get through that, and sometimes [the home] is already sold and we have a deadline of 30 days out. It can be very tight timelines that are massive projects. Or, it might be a one-day move where we’re going in and making someone comfortable because we know they will probably pass in the next two to three
months. So let’s make the room very warm and inviting by hanging their favorite pieces of art and displaying their favorite things. It’s really about making it as comfortable and as joyful as possible.”
Elizabeth says her industry is filled with meaning and purpose. “You always go home tired, because it’s physical and emotional, but you go home knowing you really made a difference,” Elizabeth says. “You get such gratitude and positive feedback from clients, and their families are forever grateful.”
She says she recognizes the daily and long-term challenges particular to the business. “We are in the middle of a very traumatic situation, whether it’s health or family dynamics,” Elizabeth says. “Every day, we deal with very tight timelines under stressful situations. But at the end, there’s just so much gratitude and so much appreciation that you’re ready to do it all over again. It’s what feeds us, and it’s not just me. The team that we have, I mean, everyone plays such a critical role. Everyone really does step up to fill a need.”
Elizabeth says clients will take time to write letters, emails, even songs. She recalls one client who played his
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grand piano as the team packed his belongings for a move. “It’s really amazing. People in general are good. We’re seeing a lot of good in the world.”
Bill Buxton, 79, and Carol Buxton, 76, moved from their single-family home in Carrboro to The Cedars of Chapel Hill about two years ago. “We were still in pretty good health, but we saw the writing on the wall,” Bill says about their decision to downsize. The Morehead scholar still works as a coach consultant for businesses and entrepreneurs, and Carol is a retired health care chaplain, who visited hospice patients mostly in Chatham County.
Carol’s work caused the couple to consider options for their own future. Bill sought advice from a trusted, independent advisor who recommended moving to a retirement community to avoid social isolation, especially for a caregiver.
“I was almost in tears,” Bill says. “I woke up at three in the morning worrying about it. I made a list of objectives. It had to work for Carol. It had to feel right to me. It had to have good food. I forget what else, but this place had it all, so we decided to move here.”
The Buxtons, who owned a second home in Emerald Isle, North Carolina, took it upon themselves to move out of their beach home first. The experience surprised them.
“I guess we thought that it would be easy because we sold [the beach house] furnished,” Bill says. “We went with the U-Haul to go down to quickly empty the closets
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and come back home. Well, that didn’t go exactly according to plan. I had no idea how much stuff was in the closets. We had an owner’s closet, an upstairs attic and a garage with an outdoor closet. We worked there for two days. And those three closets filled the whole garage, probably it would have been 15 [feet] by 30 [feet] and about 10 feet high. The weekend we were there, the elevator didn’t work. Oh, and the air conditioner didn’t work.”
When it was time to sell their 3,500-square-foot home in Carrboro, Bill and Carol called The Downsizers. “I think Carol didn’t expect to be bossed around,” Bill teases. “But that was the only way it was ever going to get done.” Carol quickly protests, “We became friends with each other.”
Bill says their project manager was good at recognizing when Carol had had enough by saying, ‘Let’s stop for a while.’ Carol, who paints, accumulated decades worth of artwork, photographs and supplies.
“And I’m the opposite,” Bill says. “I’m a clear-out-your-closet-toa-fault kind of guy. Just give me a box, and I’ll have it done in an hour. I don’t like stuff. The more stuff I get rid of, the freer I feel.”
He says the cost for retaining The Downsizers was worth the investment. And, Carol adds, it was reassuring to work with a capable team. “Trust is what I really liked the best,” she says. “I really believed all of these people were good people.”
After Suzan Cheek, lost her beloved husband, Larry Cheek, in late 2021, she sought the services of The Downsizers. Suzan, who has a doctorate in political science from UNC, felt isolated and overwhelmed when her husband died. Larry, a lifelong journalist, was a sports editor for The Daily Tar Heel and was courtside when UNC won its first NCAA men’s basketball championship in 1957. Their home was filled with decades of memories and memorabilia.
“I can’t overemphasize how wonderful it was to have someone come in, give me a hug and hold my hand through it,” Suzan says. “You don’t want to let go of your memories. It was just so hard to go through. I don’t have children here. And, I don’t have any [siblings], so my family is kind of limited. I really needed someone to rely on, and they came through for me. They did a wonderful job. And they all were so organized and always way ahead of me, telling me what I was going to need.”
National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals
National Association of Senior & Specialty Move Managers
Institute for Challenging Disorganization
Suzan says she settled into a unit at The Cedars of Chapel Hill about a year ago and it feels like home.
“It’s very reassuring,” she says. “When you move into a new place, the more memories you can bring with you that make you happy [then] having those things gives you emotional support.” CHM
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Duke University is a welcoming community of older adults who share a love of learning. While our members are diverse in their backgrounds and interests, they enjoy exploring new and favorite topics together. Our program offers 200+ courses annually, online and in person. OLLI members discover new friends, volunteer opportunities and a renewed passion for life.
Fall registration begins August 22 & 23.
For more information, visit learnmore.duke.edu/olli
aging & wellness
Seasoned performers steal the show: Prime Time Players bring joy and laughter to local audiences
By James DupreeOn a Thursday afternoon in May, in the packed auditorium of the Seymour Center, the audience applauds the joyous union between a bride and groom. Cupcakes and lemonade are served for the reception while guests are treated to multiple solo singing acts and duets, plus a tap dancing performance to
They’re feelgood stories. They’re a lot of fun for the actors and hopefully for the audience, too.
– Pip MerrickThe Temptations’
“My Girl” by Friends on Tap. What one may assume is a real wedding is actually a play, “Chinese American Wedding,” performed by the Prime Time Players, a local entertainment troupe composed of older adults.
The group’s origin dates back to 2007 and was founded by the group Seymour Friends, a nonprofit organization supporting the center’s activities and programs. “It started as an opportunity for older performers to perform again,” says Joan Ontjes, current producer for the Prime Time Players, who took over the role from Mary Freedman in 2012.
“I used to be able to sing in lots of things, but if I was to audition for something now, I probably wouldn’t get a part,” she says. “And that’s how it is for most of [the members].”
The first performance by the Players was in 2007 at the Chapel Hill Senior Center on South Elliott Road. (The facility moved to Homestead Road
and was renamed the Robert and Pearl Seymour Center in 2008.) “We would get a group of singers together and have enough songs to cover an hour,” Joan says. “Mary was very good at opening and closing numbers. So we would have people sing in between, and I would put the songs in a good order.” Aside from her role as producer, Joan sings solo routines and duets. “[Singing] is my inspiration,” she says. “It keeps me going to have this much music in my life.”
Over the last decade, the Prime Time Players have performed two shows a year – one in spring and one in winter – at both the Passmore Center in Hillsborough and the Seymour Center. Past performances have included vaudeville acts, 1950s rock ’n’ roll and holiday/Christmas specials or have a focus on specific composers like Irving Berlin, Rodgers and Hart or Cole Porter. Each show is free to the public, but donations are encouraged, with all funds going toward improving future productions. Shows are lighthearted, incorporating family-friendly humor designed to uplift the audience. “They’re feelgood stories,” says Players member Pippa “Pip” Merrick. “They’re a lot of fun for the actors and hopefully for the audience, too.”
At the group’s core are Joan, Mary, Pip, John Paul Middlesworth and Jane Underhill. “We [meet] to debrief on the latest show and go
over what went right and what went wrong,” Joan says. “We discuss how we want to change things next time and start planning the [next season’s] show, which will be something totally different.”
Even amid a pandemic, the show continued with the motley crew of entertainers performing online. “It was really propelled by Joan,” Pip says. “John Paul directed them. Mary and Darryl Freedman ran the tech part of it, and Joan produced it.” The shows were held over Zoom once a month and mimicked 1914 radio dramas. Every show was taped and then shared online with their audience to watch at their leisure. “It was marvelous, and it kept us all in touch with one another,” she says.
Having returned to in-person shows, the Prime Time Players’ most recent production, a romantic comedy titled “Chinese American Wedding,” tells the love story between an American woman and a Chinese man and the mixing of their families’ cultures. Written and directed by Pip, the play has been the group’s most complex due to its incorporation of Chinese performers. Several of the cast members and crew are Chinese, along with two singing acts by the Seymour Chinese Choir. “I’ve been to China, and I loved the culture, but I couldn’t speak the language,” Pip says. She later found that sentiment
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was true at senior centers in Orange County as well, where many of the older Chinese community members spoke little English. “I couldn’t say hello to them, and they couldn’t talk to us,” she says. “So [the group] thought it would be good to have them come to the show where English speakers could learn Chinese and the Chinese speakers could learn English.”
Throughout the play, the dialogue was translated into Mandarin by computer technician Ko-Han Wang and then projected onto the screen at the back of the stage, allowing Chinese audience members to follow along. In Act 1, Scene 3, the groom, played by Jing Huan, teaches the wedding party (along with the audience) to say “hello” and
“goodbye” in both languages as an attempt to bridge the gap between the two families and an icebreaker for the audience.
The group has no shortage of volunteers, from actors and set designers to singers and guitar players. “We’ve had so many people who want to be a part of it,” Pip says. “The older generations want to interact with one another again because they were so used to them [before the pandemic]. They want to be involved even if they don’t want to act. Many want to just take donations or want to make costumes,” she says. Those wanting to volunteer and help with the Prime Time Players’ next show can register with the group at either the Seymour or Passmore Center.
Assisted Living Communities
BROOKDALE CHAPEL HILL ASSISTED LIVING
2220 Farmington Dr., Chapel Hill
Entrance Fee One-time community fee, call for pricing
Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing
Contract Options Month-to-month
Medicare Certified No
Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted
Contact Information 984-363-6069; brookdale.com
BROOKDALE CHAPEL HILL ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA CARE
2230 Farmington Dr., Chapel Hill
Entrance Fee One-time community fee, call for pricing
Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing
Contract Options Month-to-month
Medicare Certified No
Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted
Contact Information 984-363-6069; brookdale.com
BROOKDALE DURHAM ASSISTED LIVING AND DEMENTIA CARE
4434 Ben Franklin Blvd., Durham
Entrance Fee One-time community fee, call for pricing
Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing
Contract Options Month-to-month
Medicare Certified No
Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted
Contact Information 984-363-6069; brookdale.com
BROOKDALE MEADOWMONT ASSISTED LIVING AND DEMENTIA CARE
100 Lanark Rd., Chapel Hill
Entrance Fee One-time community fee, call for pricing
Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing
Contract Options Month-to-month
Medicare Certified No
Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted
Contact Information 984-363-6069; brookdale.com
CAMBRIDGE HILLS ASSISTED LIVING
140 Brookstone Ln., Pittsboro
This all-inclusive four-star community, which has served Chatham and neighboring counties for nearly 20 years, is a 90-bed assisted living community with a 38-bed memory care wing that offers both private and semi-private rooms and award-winning activity programs.
Entrance Fee Call for pricing
Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing; veteran discounts offered
Contract Options None. Requires 14-day notice before moving out
Refund Options Prorated for the first month from the move-in date
Medicare Certified No; Medicaid accepted
Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted
Minimum Age 65
Contact Information Ronda Stubbs, 919-545-9573 or ronda@silver-thread.com; cambridgehillsal.com
CALYX LIVING OF DURHAM
4214 Guess Rd., Durham
Entrance Fee Application fee required, call for pricing
Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing
Contract Options Monthly rate includes care, dining, activities, laundry and housekeeping
Refund Options 14-day notice required
Medicare Certified Not applicable
Long-Term Care Insurance Not required but accepted
Minimum Age 60
Contact Information 919-471-0091; calyxseniorliving.com
CAROLINA RESERVE OF DURHAM
4523 Hope Valley Rd., Durham
Entrance Fee Call for pricing
Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing
Contract Options Month-to-month, two weeks’ notice required before moving out
Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted
Minimum Age 62
Contact Information 919-892-6688; carolinareserveofdurham.com
CHATHAM RIDGE ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE
114 Polks Village Ln., Chapel Hill
Entrance Fee One month’s rent
Monthly Fee Range Starting at $4,475
Contract Options Month-to-month
Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted
Minimum Age 55
Contact Information 919-883-9767; navionseniorsolutions.com/communities/chatham-ridge
THE LAURELS OF CHATHAM (SKILLED NURSING AND REHAB FACILITY)
72 Chatham Business Dr., Pittsboro
This 140-bed facility in a serene setting near Pittsboro caters to both short- and long-term guests who work with the care team to organize a plan that’s specific to their needs. The memory-care unit and specially trained staff provide assistance to those with Alzheimer’s and other memory impairments. The staff strive to give the highest quality of care alongside recreational programs and outings to provide enrichment.
Monthly Fee Range $8,190 – $11,640
Medicare Certified Yes; also accepts Medicare HMO, commercial insurance and Medicaid
Long-Term Care Insurance Not accepted
Contact Information Facility: 919-542-6677, Admissions: 919-302-7862; laurelsofchatham.com
MEBANE RIDGE ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE
1999 S. NC Hwy. 119, Mebane
Entrance Fee One month’s rent
Monthly Fee Range Starting at $3,195/month
Contract Options Month-to-month
Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted
Minimum Age 55
Contact Information 919-737-7251; navionseniorsolutions.com/communities/mebane-ridge
ROXBORO ASSISTED LIVING
5660 Durham Rd., Roxboro
Entrance Fee Call for pricing
Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing
Refund Options Requires 14-day notice
Medicare Certified No
Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted
Minimum Age 55
Contact Information Tracey Maloney, 336-598-4697; admissions@roxboroassistedliving.com; cambridgehills.com
TERRABELLA
1911 Orange Grove Rd., Hillsborough
Entrance Fee $2,000
Contract Options Month-to-month
Medicare Certified Yes
Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted
Minimum Age None
Contact Information 919-732-9040; terrabellahillsborough.com
WALTONWOOD CARY PARKWAY
750 SE Cary Pkwy., Cary
Entrance Fee One-time community fee, call for pricing on cottages, one- and two-bedroom options in independent living; one- and two-bedroom options in assisted living and private apartments in memory care
Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing
Contract Options Year lease
Medicare Certified No
Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted
Contact Information 919-460-7330; waltonwood.com
CAROLINA MEADOWS
100 Carolina Meadows, Chapel Hill
The 166-acre campus includes a nine-hole golf course, pristine walking trails, tennis courts, community gardens and more. Residents enjoy six distinctive dining venues, a state-of-the-art wellness center and an auditorium that offers fascinating lectures and performances.
Entrance Fee Range $136,900 – $818,500
Monthly Fee Range $3,220 – $5,296
Contract Options Fee for Service: Housing, residential services and guaranteed access to health-related services in exchange for entrance fee and monthly fee. Health-related services are provided at per diem rates, which vary. Home Care services are also available. Equity: See below.
Refund Options Upon departure, resident/estate receives refund based on entry fee calculation and, if applicable, additional 50% of equity in the residence; calculation is current entry fee minus remarketing and refurbishing fees compared to original entry fee, and then sharing in appreciation of unit if new balance exceeds original payment.
Medicare Certified Yes, Medicare Part B
Long-Term Care Insurance Not required, but welcome
Minimum Age 62
Contact Information 919-942-4014; 800-458-6756; carolinameadows.org
CAROL WOODS
750 Weaver Dairy Rd., Chapel Hill
Entrance Fee Range $106,000 – $522,500
Monthly Fee Range $2,577 – $5,953
Contract Options Modified: Entrance fee and monthly payments cover housing, residential services like meals and housekeeping and some health-related services. Health-related services are provided at a discounted rate.
Refund Options Declining Refund: Pay entry fee; full refund in first 90 days; refund declines at 2% rate each additional month; after 50 months, no refund.
Medicare Certified Yes
Long-Term Care Insurance Not required; could help pay for discounted per diems.
Minimum Age 65 (co-applicant must be at least 55)
Contact Information 919-968-4511; 800-518-9333; carolwoods.org
THE CEDARS OF CHAPEL HILL
100 Cedar Club Circle (Meadowmont), Chapel Hill
Purchase Price Range $300,000s – $800,000s*
Monthly Fee Range $3,553 – $7,162
Contract Options *Equity: Actual real estate purchase, with transfer of ownership of the unit. If resident moves to health center, no added amount except two meals per day. After 90 days, member pays discounted rate.
Refund Options Not applicable because of ownership
Medicare Certified Yes
Long-Term Care Insurance Not required
Minimum Age 62 (co-applicant must be at least 50)
Contact Information 919-259-7000; 877-433-3669; cedarsofchapelhill.com
CROASDAILE
2600 Croasdaile Farm Pkwy., Durham
Set on 110 acres in a pastoral landscape, which provides a country feel fewer than 6 miles from downtown Durham and 3 miles from Duke University. Croasdaile is within the distinguished residential neighborhood of Croasdaile Farm. Residents enjoy numerous green spaces with yards, gardening and plenty of walking trails, a dog park, lakes and the security of a full continuum of care on-site. The central campus buildings are connected, with a state-of-the-art wellness center, large heated pool, auditorium, woodworking shop, art studio, multiple dining venues and a chapel.
Entrance Fee Range $63,541 – $415,202 (includes single and double occupancy)
Monthly Fee Range $2,303 – $5,265 (single occupancy with second person fee of $1,456 for all residential homes)
Contract Options Entrance fee and monthly payments cover housing, residential services such as meals and housekeeping and some health-related services. Advanced levels of health services are provided at per-diem rates. Utilities bundled.
Refund Options Declining Refund: Option 1: Pay lower entry fee; refund declines at rate of 2% per month; after 50 months, no refund. Option 2: 50% Refund – pay higher entry fee; refund declines at a rate of 2% per month until 50% of residence fee is accrued; refund limited to 50%. Option 3: 90% Refund – pay higher entry fee; refund declines at a rate of 2% per month until 10% of fee is accrued; refund limited to 90%.
Medicare Certified Yes; rehab on-site
Long-Term Care Insurance Not required, but welcome
Minimum Age 62
Contact Information 919-384-2475, 800-960-7737 or 919-238-1159 for general inquiries; croasdailevillage.org
2701 Pickett Rd., Durham
Celebrating 30 years of community, The Forest at Duke is a vibrant continuing care retirement community located in the heart of Durham. It offers five floor plans for apartment living, six floor plans for cottages and individual homes, and, coming in 2025, 10 all-new apartment floor plans debuting in its 71-residence expansion, The Terraces. Each home provides spacious, contemporary living with access to a range of amenities, coupled with myriad opportunities for fitness, wellness, socialization, entertainment, self-discovery and lifelong learning. The Forest strives to strengthen the community and organizations that enrich the lives of Durham residents.
Entrance Fee Range Call for pricing
Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing
Contract Options Modified: Entrance fee and monthly payments cover housing, residential services such as meals and housekeeping, and some health-related services. Health-related services are provided at a greatly discounted rate and are free for a specified number of days.
Refund Options The Forest retains $10,000 of each person’s entry fee as a health care reserve. The remaining balance of the entry fee, the residence fee, is refundable based on the following: 2% of the residence fee accrues to The Forest at Duke each month. The refund decreases to zero over 50 months.
Medicare Certified Yes
Long-Term Care Insurance Not required, but welcome
Minimum Age 65 (co-applicant must be at least 62)
Contact Information 919-490-8000; 1-800-919-278-9729; forestduke.org
3000 Galloway Ridge Rd., Pittsboro
Crafted with heart, soul and Southern charm, Galloway Ridge is a secure, health-conscious lifestyle destination. The 50-acre campus is just south of Chapel Hill and adjacent to Fearrington Village, an 1,100-acre planned community, offering miles of trails and sidewalks. Jordan Lake and the Haw River are just a short distance away for outdoor enthusiasts. Galloway Ridge’s main building includes 248 independent living apartments, library and business center, living room, Chapin Auditorium, Weathersfield
Café, Bistro Dining Room, Camellia Fine Dining Room, Belties Lounge, billiards room, Players Lounge, a movie theater with stadium seating, art studio, woodworking shop, multiple meeting spaces and conference room. The Arbor, a Medicare-certified health care center, is connected to the main building and offers 96 private rooms for assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing. The residents of the 52 independent living villas have a short walk to all of the amenities of the main building. The Galloway Ridge WellPlex allows residents to maintain their optimal level of health and well-being. It includes the Duke Center for Living, a 20,000-square-foot fitness center, Duke Primary Care and the Center for Physical Rehabilitation. For on-campus primary care services, residents can choose between UNC Health Care within the main building or Duke Primary Care in the WellPlex. Residents and staff volunteer thousands of hours each year to local agencies and partnerships.
Entrance Fee Range $244,000 – $1,421,000
Monthly Fee Range $3,732 – $7,181
Contract Options Extensive: Entrance fee and monthly payments cover housing, residential services such as meals and housekeeping and unlimited assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing. Additional meal fee required as one moves from one level of care to another.
Refund Options Declining Refund: Option 1: Time-Sensitive – Pay lower entry fee; refund declines at rate of 4% in first month; 2% each additional month; after 4 years, no refund. Option 2: 75% Refund, Not Time-Sensitive – Pay higher entry fee; receive 75% of what you paid in.
Medicare Certified Yes
Long-Term Care Insurance Not required
Minimum Age 62
Contact Information 919-545-2647; gallowayridge.com
4000 Glenaire Circle, Cary
Entrance Fee Range $75,000 – $861,000
Monthly Fee Range $2,872 – $5,991
Contract Options Modified: Entrance fee and monthly payments cover housing, residential services such as meals and housekeeping and some health-related services, which are provided at a subsidized rate or are free for a specified number of days.
Refund Options Option 1: Declining Refund – refund declines at rate of 2% per month for 48 months. Option 2: 50% refundable.
Option 3: 90% refundable.
Medicare Certified Yes
Long-Term Care Insurance Not required
Minimum Age 62 (co-applicant must be at least 58)
Contact Information 919-460-8095; 800-225-9573; glenaire.org
17001 Searstone Dr., Cary
Searstone opened on the site of a picturesque former horse pasture in 2013. Immerse yourself in its vibrant community that fosters meaningful connections and a zest for life. Indulge in culinary delights with friends at one of its dining venues, take a walk along its beautiful lake, get a quick workout in the gym or relax in the comfort of one of the elegant apartments. Health care services are available directly on campus. Searstone is on track to open a brand-new, four-story expansion, The Highview, in 2024, and is embarking on exciting renovations to its Winston Clubhouse. The retirement community offers a perfect balance of luxury, independence and lifelong care –every moment is filled with opportunity and choice.
Entrance Fee Range $397,000 – $927,000
Monthly Fee Range $3,720 – $8,170; second person fee of $1,670
Contract Options Type A LifeCare contract. Residents pay a onetime LifeCare fee to cover costs of assisted living, skilled nursing and/or memory support. The LifeCare program has significant tax advantages and works well with long-term care policies.
Refund Options Entrance fee 100% refundable
Medicare Certified No
Long-Term Care Insurance Yes
Minimum Age 62
Contact Information 919-234-0339; info@searstone.com; searstone.com
1500 Sawmill Rd., Raleigh
Entrance Fee/Monthly Fee Range Call for pricing
Contract Options Modified: Housing, residential services and some health-related services in exchange for entrance fee and monthly fee, which includes 30 days of free health care (with a maximum balance of 90 days), then is available at a discounted rate.
Refund Options Option 1: Life Occupancy – Residence & Care refund declines at 4% per month for 25 months, then no refund. Option 2: 50% Life Equity – refund declines at 2% per month for 25 months. The remaining 50% is returned to the resident or estate after residency is terminated and within 30 days of re-occupancy of the residential unit. Option 3: 100% Life Equity – 100% of the Residence & Care fee is returned to the resident or estate after residency is terminated. The refund is available, once residency is terminated, six years after initial move-in date, or 30 days after re-occupancy of the residential unit, if six years has passed.
Medicare Certified No
Long-Term Care Insurance Not required
Minimum Age 62
Contact Information 919-848-7080; springmoor.org
I have been with this insurance agency for auto and home insurance for over 5 years now and even kept them when I moved because they were so helpful, organized, and offered great rates. I fortunately didn't have any accidents up until now, but can say that following a recent accident Chan has been super helpful and genuinely seems to care for the well-being of his customers. I was recommending this agency to others before now, and will absolutely continue to recommend them to anyone who is searching for a great insurance agency.
- ANGELA K.
We are so honored to be recognized as a Best of Chapel Hill insurance agency. Thank you to our clients who have made this possible for us!
THE TEMPLETON OF CARY
215 Brightmore Dr., Cary
Entrance Fee Range N/A. Community fee is equal to one month’s rent.
Monthly Fee Range $5,082 – $8,432
Contract Options Rental community with 13-month lease, but can give 30-day notice at any time.
Medicare Certified Yes, for skilled nursing
Long-Term Care Insurance Yes
Minimum Age 62 (for couples, at least one spouse must be 62)
Contact Information 984-200-3688; thetempletonofcary.com
3701 Wade Coble Dr., Burlington
An intentional community that draws people from all over the country who have one thing in common: They want a well-rounded life surrounded by people who are engaged and living purposefully. More than 550 people in independent living enjoy the 218-acre community and all the amenities that create a lifestyle where people of all types thrive. In addition to the spacious campus, this is a unique CCRC: there’s no mandatory meal plan; Twin Lakes offers comparably lower fees; and the neighborhoods are filled with people from diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
Entrance Fee Range $58,000 – $481,000
Monthly Fee Range $1,755 – $4,042
Contract Options Fee-for-service contract only
Refund Options 30-month declining refund and 50% refund available
Medicare Certified Yes
Long-Term Care Insurance Not required
Minimum Age 62 (co-applicant must be at least 62)
Contact Information 336-538-1572; twinlakescomm.org
1860 Brookwood Ave., Burlington
The Village at Brookwood’s intimate size allows the building of strong friendships. Residents can participate in a full array of physical activities that promote healthy living, feed their competitive spirit with fun games and mental challenges, de-stress with their favorite hobby or just relax. In addition to a heated saltwater pool in the wellness center, the community boasts a pickleball court, putting green, raised plant beds and a dog park for physical activities. The community prides itself on its dining, including lunches in its tavern, lunches or dinners at its Edith Street Café and a fine dining experience at Lakeside Dining. Enjoy an engaging conversation with friends over a meal prepared by the executive chef while the dining staff tends to your every need.
Entrance Fee Options start at $111,500
Monthly Fee Range $2,628
Contract Options Option 1: LifeCare: Garden Homes & Apartments, bundled services, campus amenities, maintenance and guaranteed future health care all covered by the entrance fee and monthly fee. When moving from one level of care to another, the monthly fee reflects a significant reduction of the daily per diem skilled nursing rate. Option 2: Fee for Service – Garden Homes & Apartments, limited bundled services, campus amenities, maintenance and guaranteed access to future health care are provided in exchange for entrance fee and monthly fee. Healthrelated services are provided at the per diem rate.
Refund Options All contracts offer a declining refund over 47 months.
Medicare Certified Yes
Long-Term Care Insurance Not required, but can help with costs related to assisted living, memory care or skilled care for Fee-for-Service or LifeCare plans
Minimum Age 62 (co-applicant must be at least 55)
Contact Information 336-570-8440; 800-282-2053; villageatbrookwood.org
HILLCREST CONVALESCENT CENTER
1417 W. Pettigrew St., Durham
Entrance Fee No deposit or application fee required
Monthly Fee Call for pricing
Contract Options All-inclusive monthly rate for short-term, longterm, assisted living or respite stays
Refund Options Pay only for the days spent, any unused daily rate refunded
Minimum Age N/A
Contact Information 919-286-7705; admissions@hillcrestnc.com; hillcrestnc.com
HILLCREST RALEIGH AT CRABTREE VALLEY
3830 Blue Ridge Rd., Raleigh
Entrance Fee No deposit or application fee required
Monthly Fee Call for pricing
Contract Options All-inclusive monthly rate for short-term, longterm or respite stays
Refund Options Pay only for the days spent, any unused daily rate refunded
Minimum Age N/A
Contact Information 919-781-4900; admissions@hillcrestraleighnc.com; hillcrestnc.com
HILLCREST HOME HEALTH OF THE TRIANGLE
1000 Bear Cat Way, Ste. 104, Morrisville
Personal care, in-home support and companion care, and respite care. Contact Information 919-468-1204; agencydir@hillcresthh.com
HILLCREST THERAPY & WELLNESS
4215 University Dr., Ste. B2, Durham
Physical therapy, specialty treatments and wellness programs. Contact Information 919-627-6700; rehab.durham@hillcrestptw.com
SIGNATURE HEALTHCARE OF CHAPEL HILL
1602 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill
Entrance Fee None. No application or deposit fee. Monthly Fee Range $8,010/month
Contract Options All-inclusive monthly rate long-term or respite stays; room and board rate and other expenses available for short-term
Refund Options Refunds for any days not used
Medicare Certified Yes
Long-Term Care Insurance Not required, but accepted Contact Information 919-967-1418; liaison@signaturehealthcarellc.com
Independent Senior Living
BARTLETT RESERVE
300 Meredith Dr., Durham
Entrance Fee One month’s rent
Monthly Fee Range $4,200 – $4,950
Contract Options Month-to-month; 60 day notice to leave
Medicare Certified Yes
Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted for personal care and veterans benefits
Minimum Age 55
Contact Information Steve Foshay, 919-634-2197; sfoshay@bartlettreserve.com; bartlettreserve.com
BRIER POINTE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
Entrance Fee One month security deposit (partially refundable)
Monthly Fee Call for pricing on studios, one-, twoand three-bedrooms
Contract Options Month-to-month
Medicare Certified No
Long-Term Care Insurance Can be utilized for additional care Contact Information 919-378-2902; rlcommunities.com
THE CAMBRIDGE AT BRIER CREEK
7901 TW Alexander Dr., Raleigh
This new luxury independent living community is perfectly situated in Raleigh and next to Durham, a location that provides the best of both worlds, from cultural events to outdoor adventures and everything in between. As an Optimal Living community, The Cambridge provides a total wellness approach that engages its residents physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, and offers a variety of spacious and comfortable apartment floor plans for you to call home. With a unique hybrid community model, residents have access to on-site primary care, therapy, home health care and rehabilitation. The Cambridge partners with in-house health care providers to create a true age-in-place community.
Entrance Fee Range Equivalent to two month’s rent
Monthly Fee Range $4,575 – $8,100
Contract Options Month-to-month or one-year leases
Medicare Certified Medicare accepted through on-site physician and with WakeMed Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy
Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted
Minimum Age 55
Contact Information Marketing Director, 919-737-7000; briercreekinfo@cvsliving.com; thecambridgebriercreek.com
CAMBRIDGE VILLAGE OF APEX
1000 Cambridge Village Loop, Apex
Life at Cambridge Village goes beyond retirement living. The Optimal Living community focuses on improving every aspect of its residents’ lives by providing a total wellness approach that engages its residents physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, and offering a variety of spacious and comfortable apartment floor plans for you to call home. With its unique hybrid community model, you have access to on-site primary care, therapy, home health care and rehabilitation. Cambridge Village partners with in-house health care providers to create true age-in-place communities.
Entrance Fee Equivalent to two month’s rent
Monthly Fee Range $2,900 – $6,400
Contract Options One-year or month-to-month lease options
Medicare Certified Medicare accepted through on-site physician and with WakeMed Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy
Long-Term Care Insurance Accepted
Minimum Age 55
Contact Information Marketing director: 919-363-2080; kfaulkner@cvsliving.com; cvsliving.com/apex
DURHAM REGENT
3007 Pickett Rd., Durham
Entrance Fee Range $2,750 – $4,250
Monthly Fee Range $2,200 – $4,200 single occupancy, secondperson fee
Contract Options Month-to-month leases, all independent living
Medicare Certified No medical services included
Long-Term Care Insurance N/A
Minimum Age 55
Contact Information 919-490-6224; durhamregent.com
EMERALD POND
205 Emerald Pond Ln., Durham
Entrance Fee Range Community fee of $2,850 – $4,700
Monthly Fee Range $2,244 – $4,599
Contract Options Month-to-month leases. No buy-in fees. Refund Options Community fee non-refundable
Medicare Certified No medical services included
Long-Term Care Insurance N/A
Minimum Age 55
Contact Information 919-493-4713; emeraldpond.net
TWIN RIVERS INDEPENDENT SENIOR LIVING
25 S. Rectory St., Pittsboro
This 31-unit complex offers a friendly, social and communal atmosphere for independent older adults. Staff is available on-call seven days a week, and residents have use of a communal kitchen, game room and other shared spaces.
Entrance Fee $1,500 per person; second-person fee $500
Monthly Fee Range Starting at $2,000/one bedroom, $3,500/two bedroom; VA/public servant discounts available
Contract Options None. Requires 60 day notice prior to moving out
Medicare Certified No
Long-Term Care Insurance N/A
Minimum Age 65
Contact Information 919-545-0149; 919-637-7117; michelle@silver-thread.com; silver-thread.com
CAROLINA ARBORS BY DEL WEBB
357 Carolina Arbors Dr., Durham
Price Range of Houses Call for pricing
Number of Units 1,289
Resale Status Resale only
Average Size of Houses 1,100 – 2,600 sq. ft.
Amenities Included 37,000-square-foot clubhouse, lifestyle director, fitness center, tennis courts, bocce ball courts, pickleball courts, indoor pool and outdoor pool.
Contact Information 984-219-7051; contactarbors@gmail.com; ourcarolinaarbors.com
CAROLINA PRESERVE
115 Allforth Pl., Cary
Price Range of Houses From the $450s
Number of Units 1,360
Resale Status Resale only
Average Size of Houses 1,200 – 3,500 sq. ft.
Amenities Included Tennis courts, bocce ball courts, indoor pool, outdoor pool, fitness center, clubhouse, pickleball court and access to Town of Cary Greenway and Amberly Clubhouse
Contact Information 919-467-7837; carolinapreserve.com
809 Churton Pl., Cary
Price Range of Houses $400s – $500s
Number of Units 60
Resale Status Resale only
Average Size of Houses 1,698 – 2,175 sq. ft.
Amenities Included Walking trail, dog park, yard and exterior home-maintenance.
Contact Information 888-523-9070; info@corbintonliving.com; corbintonliving.com/cary
OVERTURE CHAPEL HILL
5910 Farrington Rd., Chapel Hill
Imagine carefree, maintenance-free, 55+ active adult living where you can truly focus on yourself. This community offers spacious living, an engaging lifestyle and meaningful mind, body and social amenities while also being close to everything.
Price Range of Apartment Homes Starting at $1,030/month
Number of Units 184
Resale Status N/A
Average Size of Houses 598 – 1,365 sq. ft.
Amenities Included Heated outdoor pool, outdoor lounge and terrace, fire pit, elevator-accessible floors, happy hours and yappy hours, fitness center and yoga studio, grand club room with demonstration kitchen, 24-hour self-serve coffee bar, movie theater, game room, arts and crafts room, on-site guest suite for friends and family, Lyft ride-sharing scheduling through management, 24-hour maintenance and carports available.
Contact Information 919-907-2200; overturechapelhill.com
60 Elderberry Ln., Rougemont
Price Range of Houses mid-$200s
Number of Units 18
Resale Status Resale only
Average Size of Houses 700 – 1,200 sq. ft.
Amenities Included Self-developed, community-oriented cohousing, hiking trails, community garden, community-shared tools and equipment, and common house.
Contact Information Mary Bennett, 919-452-4222, richard.mangeot@usa.net; elderberrycohousing.com
VILLAGE HEARTH COHOUSING
4900 Buttonbush Dr., Durham
Price Range of Houses mid-$300s to high-$400s
Number of Cottages 28
Resale Status Resale only
Average Size of Houses 650 – 1,150 sq. ft.
Amenities Included Self-developed and self-governed; 55+ LGBTfocused (friends and allies welcome) intentional neighborhood; large, welcoming front porches; community-oriented with large common house, gourmet kitchen, craft room, laundry room; workshop; clustered accessible cottages on 15 acres; walking trails and community garden; 15 minutes from downtown Durham. Contact Information 561-714-8009; villagehearthcohousing.com CHM
Two UNC alums restore a historical home, blending old charm with modern flair
By Elizabeth Poindexter
Dell Yarbrough and Glen Yarbrough met as undergraduate students at UNC in the 1980s. Nearly 40 years later, they renovated a historical
I have so much trust in all of [Cat French's team], and that trust resulted in something downright magical in this house. Everyone who visits feels it.
– Glen Yarbroughhome on Mallette Street in downtown Chapel Hill, complete with an inviting red front porch swing.
“There are a lot of people who come back to town, and they often show up on our porch on game days,” Glen says. “I knew that if we moved back here, Dell was going to want to eat, sleep and breathe UNC.”
The pair moved in 2018 from New Haven, Connecticut, back to Chapel Hill, where Dell is chief of the Department of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery at the UNC School of Medicine.
Historical homes appeal to Dell and Glen, both of whom are double Tar Heels. In Connecticut, they lived in a house built in the 1930s, which they kept as a second home
A spacious screenedin porch provides an extension of the living space and a perfect spot for alfresco dining.
A Google search for local design services led Glen and Dell to discover Cat French, principal designer and CEO/founder of Cat French Design based in Southern Village. Later they’d all realize a special connection: As it turns out, Cat’s husband’s
EUROPEAN STYLE REMODEL
LIST PRICE | $880,000 SOLD PRICE | $1,050,000
112 Woods Walk Court Carrboro, NC 27510
4 Beds | 3.5 Baths | 2,642 Square Feet
ELEGANT CUSTOM SANCTUARY
LIST PRICE | $950,000 SOLD PRICE | UNDER CONTRACT
3 Crepe Myrtle Place Durham, NC 27705
4 Beds | 4.5 Baths | 4,045 Square Feet
Global Real Estate Advisors 919.360.6423 | 323.635.4759
aileenandgiselle@hodgekittrellsir.com
GARMAN HOMES CUSTOM ESTATE
LIST PRICE | $880,000 SOLD PRICE | UNDER CONTRACT
3225 Pontellier Court Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
4 Beds | 4 Baths | 4,428 Square Feet
¡Se
aileenandgiselle
office is independently owned and operated.
Office and Showroom: 230A Orange Grove St. Hillsborough, NC 27278
Housing Solutions, Inc. is your award-winning Durham, Orange, and Chatham County partner for quality design and craftsmanship. Recently awarded first place for best kitchen and first place for best bath renovations by Durham, Orange and Chatham County Home Builders Association, Housing Solutions specializes in custom whole-house and kitchen and bath renovations, as well as room additions, screened-in porch and deck additions or expansions.
Ryan Holden, Housing Solutions owner named 2023 Top Forty Under 40 Industry Professional by ProRemodeler Magazine
919-296-9073
• Kitchen and Bath Renovation, Room Additions, Screened-in Porches and Decking
• Authorized Dealer for Wellborn, Waypoint, Diamond, Green Forest, Kountry Kraft Cabinetry plus Hardwoords and Luxury Vinyl Plank, Luxury Vinyl Tile, Carpeting and More.
• In-house Design Utilizing CAD Software
• In-house Trade Teams
• 5.0««««« Google-Rated Home Renovation and Review Rating
ABOVE LEFT The design team pulled colors from Glen's vibrant art collection to weave throughout the home.
ABOVE RIGHT The chocolate brown den set the tone for the rest of the home's design.
BELOW The family gathers in the kitchen for an after-work Manhattan.
grandfather served as one of Dell’s mentors during medical school at UNC.
Glen described Cat’s team as having many and various superpowers. “Their talents complement one another,” she says. “I have so much trust in all of them, and that trust resulted in something downright magical in this house. Everyone who visits feels it.”
The remodeling primarily focused on gutting the downstairs level to ensure it would allow for entertaining and hosting friends. During the demolition process, led by CQC Home based in Durham, the team discovered beams across the ceiling in the kitchen’s vault, which are now centerpieces of the space. “We fused the old with the new,” Glen says.
Kenneth Combs, CEO of CQC Home, says his team preserved existing historical elements of the home and modernized it for the next generation. They incorporated
principles of universal design, which allow for aging in place and considers accessibility, such as a zero-entry shower.
“A big highlight was working with the homeowners and to be able to showcase the dramatic change,” Kenneth says. “Being able to take something in a beautiful area with great character and historic value and bring it back to life [...] and to make it a healthy, happy home for a generation now was the best feeling.”
Cat’s team helped Glen settle on paint colors during 2020 – a process that involved the pair using FaceTime to explore colors with Glen in the home’s adjacent studio apartment, where Gray, one of their two adult sons, currently lives. “Glen had one image she loved – a gorgeous chocolate brown wall – and the concept for a completely custom, full-home design was born from that inspiration,” Cat says.
The upstairs, now primarily bedrooms, is a space for Glen and Dell to host their friends and those who find their way to their inviting porch. “My four dearest friends were the inspiration for making the upstairs – with its user-friendly baths and four rooms that are beautiful in different ways – perfect for company,” she says.
The home’s central location means Glen and Dell can walk to run errands or grab a dinner or drink with friends, often at the Dead Mule Club, Franklin Motors or Glasshalfull. Their second son, Miller, manages Grata Diner in Carr Mill Mall
LEFT A love of entertaining inspired the creation of this generous full-height bar. Additional storage is tucked away in the custom window seat.
ABOVE Glen’s blue-footed booby takes a place of honor in the chocolate room.
BELOW A collection of personal photos made for the perfect gallery wall and meaningful design focal point.
Mark McCormick
• 919.632.6542
• mark.mccormick95@gmail.com
Thank you to all of our past, present and future clients for allowing us to be a part of your important real estate transactions! The past 20 years have been amazing and we could never have made it to this point without your support and referrals!
“If you’re coming to town, and you want a Chapel Hill experience, it doesn’t get much better than Mallette Street,” Glen says.
For Cat, who holds a master’s in fine arts in interior architecture and historical preservation, designing the home with its owners led to a process of discovery and defining their sense of style. “It speaks to me deeply to design a historical home,” she says. “Even when we design new construction, we work hard to layer in family heirlooms and art to help create a sense of time and place.”
Glen and Dell have heard from neighbors that they are likely the fourth or fifth owners
of the home built nearly 100 years ago. Cat’s use of rich textures and colors added dimension to complement the architectural detail of the home, to honor its historic feel and to give it a sense of quiet luxury.
“We integrated many unique design moments – intentional and beautiful spaces to gather, rest, relax and truly enjoy the space in every sense,” Cat says. “They are genuinely wonderful people, and they have really trusted us to bring a gorgeous, layered space together and make it really personal to them.”
Glen says adding more windows to the downstairs kitchen opened up the home, and
RIGHT Cat surveyed the home during her graduate M.F.A. program many years ago. Meeting Glen and Dell and redesigning this historic craftsman bungalow years later has been a full-circle moment.
ABOVE LEFT The family room is the hub of the home.
ABOVE A luxe tufted headboard takes center stage in this guest suite. Soft neutral linens paired with blue walls created a bright but relaxing space.
RIGHT Chihuahua prints add a fun pop of color and a bit of the unexpected to the powder room.
she often walks their dogs, Bob Barker and Biscuit, in 3-mile loops around town. Meanwhile, Dell frequently uses his bicycle to get to work.
Returning to Chapel Hill after years away – and to their native North Carolina – provides a lifestyle they enjoy. “It seems like I’ve been surprised how much it’s changed, especially Carrboro, but how little it’s changed.” CHM
PHOTO BY JENNIFER AND JOE MACKEY, YOURJCMPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
Victoria Bliss and Ethan Foy’s love story began in 2017 during their sophomore year at UNC. Victoria studied exercise science and entrepreneurship while Ethan studied biology, and they both bonded over their love for competing in Olympic weightlifting.
Unbeknownst to Victoria, Ethan planned a New Year’s Eve proposal at the Biltmore during a family vacation to Asheville, North Carolina. Ethan
•
•
had been working on the surprise since the summer of 2022, coordinating with both families to get all the details right. While their relatives explored the gardens on Dec. 31, Ethan asked Victoria to come into the greenhouse, where he got on one knee and popped the question. After a lot of happy tears, Victoria said yes, and the two went off to celebrate with their families.
The couple has yet to pick a date and location for their big day but will get married in August 2024. CHM
Chapel Hill native Leah Komada and Will Flood met in Charlotte during peak lockdown in August 2020. They had both moved to Charlotte after graduating from college, Leah from UNC and Will from Elon. They quickly became a part of each other’s COVID-19 “bubbles” and began going on many outdoor dates, especially at Brawley’s Beverage. Leah says the couple connected over their love of the Philadelphia area, since Will grew up there and Leah often visited her dad’s side of the family.
When the couple was visiting Philadelphia for Will’s sister’s graduation in 2022,
coincidentally, Leah’s parents were in town, too. They arranged a dinner for their families to meet and took a visit to where Will grew up playing golf. There, Will popped the question, and the families surprised Leah with an engagement party back at his parents’ house.
The two will celebrate their big day on Oct. 14, 2023, at The Terrace at Cedar Hill in Charlotte. CHM
Six years ago, Carrboro native and Chapel Hill High School graduate Susan Kobesky met Marc Allen, who grew up in Arkansas, through their shared love of live local music. They got to know each other while crossing paths at favorite spots like Orange County Social Club, Cat’s Cradle and Bowbarr.
Marc proposed on Susan’s birthday in December 2021 at The Merch, the same place they shared their first kiss. Soon after, friends gathered at Franklin Motors to celebrate. Susan describes the occasion as, “a blissful, happy moment and complete surprise.”
Susan and Marc said “I do” on June 25, 2022, surrounded by close family and friends, among the flowering trees at Old Lystra Inn, followed by a reception held there as well. Cathy Jones of Perry-winkle Farm adorned the space with floral arrangements, and the couple exchanged wedding bands from Rings True. Live music from Emily Frantz and Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse (pictured above) filled the air before DJ Brian Burns took over, spinning records into the night. The couple remembers dancing with their parents – Susan with her father, Larry Kobesky, and Marc with his mother, Charolette Nichols –as unforgettable moments.
Marc works for Luxcrete, a high-end concrete polishing company in Hillsborough. Susan manages the family business, Mulberry Silks & Fine Fabrics, in Carrboro with her mother, Elizabeth Kobesky. CHM
Although Ellie Preyer hardly recalls the first time she and Robby Templeton met, he remembers being “struck by her bright, friendly smile and engaging nature” when she sold him a shirt while fundraising for her Princeton University sorority. Despite growing up on separate coasts – Ellie in Hillsborough and Robby in northern California –the pair crossed paths at Princeton again in 2013, a year after their first encounter, and have been together since.
Robby popped the question in summer 2019 during a hike in Asheville, North Carolina. Growing up, Ellie was close to her grandmother and made weekly trips to visit her at Fearrington Village. Ellie’s precious memories, plus new ones made during subsequent visits with Robby, led the couple to choose Fearrington as the venue for their ceremony and reception on March 19, 2022. Their classic, garden-themed wedding was captured by Chapel Hill-based Heba Salama Photography. Ellie says, “[Heba] did our engagement photos in San Francisco as well as our wedding, and we loved working with her and how the photos turned out.”
Ellie and Robby filled their special day with many personal details, such as a rendition of “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” sung by Ellie’s cousins as she walked down the aisle. A few other thoughtful touches included matchboxes featuring Fearrington cows, a custom cocktail in honor of their dog, Boogie, and welcome boxes with some of their favorite local goodies like Big Spoon Roasters peanut butter. For their exit, Ellie surprised Robby with Princeton orange-and-black pompoms, a nod to his time on the football team.
They live in Philadelphia, where Robby is pursuing his MBA at Wharton and Ellie works as a freelance graphic designer. CHM
