triangle youth ballet
CHAPEL HILL
EDITOR
Jessica Stringer
EDITORIAL
EXECUTIVE MANAGING EDITOR
Amanda MacLaren
EXECUTIVE EDITOR, CHATHAM MAGAZINE
Morgan Cartier Weston
SENIOR STAFF WRITER
Anna-Rhesa Versola
MANAGING EDITOR, HEART OF NC WEDDINGS
Renee Ambroso
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Leah Berry
EDITORIAL INTERNS
Sophie Baglioni, Alexandra Borda, Izabella Counts, Emma Moon, Lola Oliverio, Lauren Rouse, Becca Savidge, Sabrina Shaw, Jordann Smith-Burgess and Emma Unger
CONTRIBUTORS
Sinclair Holian, Lindsay Metivier, George Spencer
ART & PRODUCTION
DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE OPERATIONS Ashlin Acheson
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Kevin Brown
GRAPHIC DESIGNER/PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Lindsay Scott
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Khadijah Weekes-Nolan
PHOTOGRAPHER
John Michael Simpson
ADVERTISING
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CORPORATE
PRESIDENT, TRIANGLE MEDIA PARTNERS
Ellen Shannon
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VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
Amy Bell
ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT & ADMINISTRATION MANAGER
Cassady Orsini
MULTIMEDIA PUBLISHER
Jenna Parks
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER, TRIANGLE DIGITAL PARTNERS
Sally Scruggs
DIGITAL OPERATIONS MANAGER
Brian McIndoo
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Morgan Cartier Weston
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Renee Ambroso
DISTRIBUTION Matt Bair
Photo by Steve Clarke
In With the New
The end of 2024 hit me hard. There were highs at the beginning (Getting married! Exploring Portugal with my mom!), but the nonstop political ads and election frenzy left me drained. I found myself yearning for the longer days after the solstice and the fresh slate of a new year. I’ve decided that, in 2025, I’m stepping back from social media and the 24/7 news cycle to be more intentional with my time. In that spirit, here are a few resolutions inspired by this issue:
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• Read more – and read local. I could use the escape that only reading can provide. Supporting local bookstores like Purple Crow Books in Hillsborough, which just celebrated 15 years, feels like the perfect place to start. And I’m all about supporting our talented area authors, including rising star and educator Brian Wasson. Learn why he writes young adult novels featuring protagonists who look a lot like his Chapel Hill High School English students on page 58.
• Take care of myself so I can show up better for others. This year, I’m finally committing myself to researching skin care products and getting in more steps during the day. If you’re ready to fine-tune your own wellness – whether physical, mental or financial – turn to the expert advice on page 68.
• Find joy in the little things. I had to smile when I saw a car meticulously covered in Christmas lights after leaving dinner at Cholanad the other night –that was some dedication to making spirits bright. A few days later, I paused to admire Loren Pease’s vibrant mural downtown. Both moments reminded me there is joy to discover when you look for it. Here’s to a 2025 filled with hope, peace and brighter days. CHM THE COVER
DELIGHTFUL DIGS
Show off your home or garden in our pages, or nominate your neighbors’ fantastic abode.
SAY ‘I DO’ WITH EASE Planning your big day? Read the latest issue of Heart of NC Weddings
Photo by John Michael Simpson
ABOUT TOWN
EVENTS NOT TO MISS
Compiled by Sophie Baglioni
EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE; CHECK WITH ORGANIZERS PRIOR TO ATTENDING
Dvořák Violin Concerto
Jan. 12, 3 p.m.
ncsymphony.org
Experience a celebration of classical brilliance and innovation at Memorial Hall with the North Carolina Symphony, conducted by Anna Rakitina and featuring violinist Stella Chen. The program features British composer Elena Langer’s “Leonora’s Dream,” Haydn’s Symphony No. 101, “The Clock” and Dvořák’s Violin Concerto.
Carrboro Film Festival
Jan. 24-26
carrborofilm.org
Dynamic filmmakers and audience members come together during the annual festival held at the new Drakeford Library Complex in downtown Carrboro to celebrate independent cinema and Southern culture. For the past 19 years, the festival has showcased the region’s best independent films and provided a venue for both honoring and interrogating Southern culture.
‘Death of a Salesman’
Jan. 29-Feb. 16
playmakersrep.org
PlayMakers Repertory Company explores a new perspective on the elusive American dream through the tale of Willy Loman, a salesman experiencing a journey for success, a battle with a broken family and a path of personal identity. This transformative glimpse into the life of a struggling American details triumph in the face of adversity and is directed by award-winning theater and film director Michael Wilson.
‘The March’
Feb. 14-15, 8 p.m.
carolinaperformingarts.org
Join Big Dance Theater for an evening of contemporary dance-in-the-round, featuring an intergenerational trio of choreographers –Tendayi Kuumba, Annie-B Parson and Donna Uchizono – at the Current ArtSpace + Studio. They explore the human compulsion to move together and the emotional and political power of synchronized movement.
Kaneza Schaal was named a 2021 Guggenheim Fellow and was an Aetna New Voices Fellow at Hartford Stage.
‘Night Sky with Exit Wounds’
carolinaperformingarts.org
New York City-based theater, opera and film artist Kaneza Schaal returns with a groundbreaking work-inprogress at the Current ArtSpace + Studio, blending the poetry of Ocean Vuong’s collection “Night Sky with Exit Wounds” with music by American composer Bryce Dessner. Don’t miss seeing this multidisciplinary performance that weaves together words, music and visuals to explore the haunting legacy of war, which is set for an official premiere in 2026.
JAN. 30-31 7:30 P.M.
Carolina Jazz Festival
Feb. 27-March 1 music.unc.edu
The 48th annual festival features the UNC Jazz Band and guests, including accomplished composer, educator and pianist Keith L. Brown along with various high school jazz groups throughout the weekend. The event will be headlined by the Dominican Jazz Project at Moeser Auditorium in Hill Hall. CHM
Festifall Arts Market
Chapel Hill Community Arts & Culture’s Festifall Arts Market returned to West Franklin Street in 2024 on Oct. 26 and Nov. 2, each day following a distinct theme. The first –deemed Carolina Day – celebrated Tar Heel nation, followed by a market dedicated to Dia de los Muertos, in recognition of Chapel Hill’s Hispanic community and culture. Festivalgoers browsed goods from local vendors, received custom poems from the beloved Poetry Fox, participated in interactive art activities like steamroller printing and face painting, listened to musical performances from artists like Story Charlemagne and enjoyed entertainment from Imagine Circus. In honor of Dia de los Muertos, guests learned Afro-Latin dance with Baila Beats Academy, enjoyed delicious pan de muerto from Panaderia Copan Morelos and honored the deceased with a community ofrenda. Words and photography by Kaya Jordann Smith-Burgess CHM
1 Jamie Lawson, owner of Labrottie Creations.
2 Haw Honey employee Susan Pizzuti.
3 UNC student Jesse Patete.
4 The Poetry Fox.
5 Chloe Strauss, owner of Creature Camp Studio.
6 Courtney LoMonte and Reverdy Nicholson III, owners of Gaia’s Magical Goods.
7 Asja Milak, owner of Asja’s String Art.
8 Juliana Perkins, 11, Wells Borgerding, 10, and Jamee Perkins, 12, tae kwon do students at Master Chang’s Martial Arts.
Franklin All Nighter
University Baptist Church hosted the third annual Franklin All Nighter, a fun run/walk to raise awareness and over $25,000 for mental health initiatives at UNC and in the community. From sundown on Saturday, Oct. 26, to sunup on Sunday, Oct. 27, more than 200 participants – including the UNC Baseball team – walked laps along the one-mile course down Franklin Street and Cameron Avenue. The all-night journey symbolizes the experience of those struggling with mental health continuing through the darkness and walking toward the light of dawn while surrounded by a supportive community. The event included a resource festival in the UBC garden, which showcased musical acts and local mental health and safety resources, and then concluded with a breakfast and celebration in the church’s Great Hall. The organizations benefiting include UNC Counseling and Psychological Services, UNC Athletics Mental Health and Performance Psychology Program and The Street Outreach, Harm Reduction and Deflection program.
Photography by Christy Graves CHM
2
1 UNC Baseball’s Jackson Van De Brake helps “smash the stigma.”
2 Allison James and Chelsea James.
3 The Rev. Paul Burgess of University Baptist Church finishes the final lap.
4 Emily Krieger performs at the garden festival.
5 Joe Bray walks along the Franklin Street course.
Outlandish Hillsborough Scottish Festival
Festival organizers welcomed double the expected crowd on Sept. 28 when fans of the “Outlander” series and of Scottish culture showed up to celebrate Hillsborough’s rich heritage. Shuttle vans carried bonnie lasses and laddies between Ayr Mount and the Alexander Dickson House downtown to sample whisky, explore exhibits, visit vendors and watch dancers perform jigs and reels. Attendees – some in kilts or traditional Highlands dress – heard live music from BogTurtle Band and Andrew Piroli as well as the sounds of bagpipes from the NCSU Pipes & Drums regiment. Words and photography by Anna-Rhesa Versola CHM
1 Mikki Kline and Donald Kline.
2 Ruth Suehle and Scott Suehle.
3 Ian Wilkinson, 3.
4 Tobi Reil.
5 Briony Stamey.
6 Emily Nelson as Claire and Bonnie Joyce as Jocasta.
7 Liesl Von Hoene, 13, with her parents, Rebecca Von Hoene and Nick Von Hoene.
Club Nova Grand Opening
Community members and supporters gathered on Oct. 30 to celebrate the grand opening of Club Nova’s new facility on West Main Street in Carrboro, marking a major milestone in its mission to support individuals with mental health challenges. The clubhouse will serve as a safe space where members can access specialized care and build community with one another, embodying the organization’s work since 1987 of approaching mental health holistically. CEO Karen Dunn was also honored for her leadership, with community members emphasizing Club Nova’s crucial role in fostering dignity, purpose and resilience for individuals living with mental illness. CHM
2 Club Nova board member Laurie Paolicelli and Club Nova capital campaign co-chair Rosemary Waldorf.
3 Club Nova social practitioner Precious Churchill and Club Nova member Jackie Pattisall
4 Club Nova board president Gretchen Davis, Club Nova executive director Karen Dunn and Club Nova vice president Sue Estroff.
5 Club Nova founding board president Esphur Foster and Tim Peck.
6 Pat DeVine and Club Nova board member and member Matthew Cox.
1 Club Nova social practitioner Tyler Raymond, Marlene Barbera and Club Nova member Augustus Burgo.
Kim Tesoro Woman of the Year Award
The Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce awarded Stephanie Bohling with the inaugural Kim Tesoro Woman of the Year Award on Oct. 15 at a luncheon at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club. The award, created to honor the former chamber CEO and founder of Central Carolina Women in Business, celebrated Stephanie’s contributions to UNC Health as the director of nursing. Photography courtesy of the Hillsborough/Orange County Chamber of Commerce CHM
1 Jeffrey Strickler, chief operating officer at UNC Hospitals Hillsborough Campus and president, UNC Health Chatham, and Woman of the Year Award winner Stephanie Bohling of UNC Health.
2 Award finalists Elise Tyler (The Colonial Inn), Stephanie Bohling (UNC Health), Dana Gattis (Mary Kay Cosmetics) and Amanda Bulgarelli (Snow Approach Foundation).
SECU Family House Gala
Attendees gathered at The Carolina Club on Sept. 13 for a gala supporting the SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals. The event featured the guest story of UNC Football player Tylee Craft (who died a month later) and his mother, September Craft, to demonstrate the impact of the House’s services on families working through difficult health journeys. Additionally, Dr. Tom Shea and Bob Woodruff were inducted into the SECU Family House Hall of Fame for their outstanding dedication and service. Overall, the gala raised more than $300,000 – enough to cover over 30 days of operating costs for the entire house.
Photography by Kate Pope CHM
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1 Bob Woodruff, SECU Family House executive director Kelly Thompson and Dr. Tom Shea.
Sally Brown and Tylee Craft.
Bruce Ballentine and Pam Ballentine.
Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell has lived in town for 19 years, previously residing in Chapel Hill and Carrboro.
HILLSBOROUGH
preserving the past, planning the future
Mayor Mark Bell reflects on balancing growth, history and the challenges ahead for Hillsborough
By George Spencer
Photo by John Michael Simpson
Hillsborough will change for the better but still retain its historic character if Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell has his way. The mild-mannered Mark, a 19-year town resident, is shepherding the bedroom community through growth unimagined years ago. “We have to be very true to what our comprehensive sustainability plan says about where to do residential and where to do commercial and retail,” says the health care IT executive. He is halfway through his two-year term and tells Chapel Hill Magazine he will decide in the next six months whether to run again.
What effect might the 2024 national election have on Hillsborough?
The feds could make changes that would affect Hillsborough. If Washington changes its approach to Medicaid and SNAP [low-income food] benefits, that means they’re looking to kick people off the rolls. A lot of food support comes through those programs, so it would likely be up to municipalities to pick up the slack if people are going hungry. We’re already thinking about these things.
What’s the biggest issue facing Hillsborough?
Growth, especially housing. The U.S. is short 3 million housing units, and that drives prices up. There are fewer homes, and they’re becoming more expensive. The demand to build new housing is extraordinary. About 1,536 residential units have been approved in Hillsborough. Those units could equate to up to 3,000 new people living in town over the next six to eight years, a 30% increase in our population.
“It’s all about connecting people with problems to the right people.”
– Mark Bell
We recently declined an application to update a master plan for the Paliouras Tracts near Interstate 85 to convert hotel and retail to residential. There’s at least one more similar application in the pipeline to convert a similar use to residential for a similar density. We’ll see more of those. It’s not a surprise.
[Even though] there’s this great demand, we have other obligations to the town. Part of that is to maintain as much as possible our sense of place and small-town character in how and where we develop. We have tools to leverage the small-town approach we have and make that the feel across the whole town. That’s the challenge.
Does the town’s growth cause you to lose sleep?
No. I’ve been doing this for nine years, eight years as a commissioner and mayor pro tem and one year as mayor. I’ve seen quite a few of these cycles. Whenever we discuss these things publicly, residents, developers and property owners pay attention because they’re curious what choices the town makes, the impacts on connectivity and traffic and
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if there’s enough commercial and retail to support people here. We don’t want people to drive to Mebane, Chapel Hill or Durham to shop. We want them to maybe be able to walk or bike to those services.
What’s the status of the proposed Amtrak station south of downtown?
It’s approved for funding. We’re almost 100% done with detailed construction drawings and haven’t broken ground. It’s too early to say how many times per day trains would stop or how many people might ride them. I’d say we’re closer to five years [for service to begin].
Has Riverwalk changed the town, and what would the proposed Ridgewalk be?
Riverwalk has been one of the most impactful things for Hillsborough over the past decade because it connects pedestrians around town. Tourists come here just to walk it. It’s had a huge economic impact.
HILLSBOROUGH
Historic sites...and historic fun!
Only 20 minutes from Chapel Hill and Durham
Ridgewalk would be about 2.6 miles long and run from Riverwalk at Weaver Street Market past the proposed train station, behind the Collins Ridge housing development near the Daniel Boone shopping area, and over I-85 to the Waterstone development and the UNC Hospital Hillsborough Campus. In theory, you could walk from Waterstone to Weaver Street Market. It would be awesome to connect people like that around town.
How do you get people to agree with you as a politician?
The secret is education. I get opinions every day on a wide variety of topics. Some are rooted in experience by the resident, business or visitor on what they think would be good for Hillsborough. Sometimes they’re complaints because someone had a bad experience. I say, “Here are the guardrails. Here’s what we can do as a town.” Very frequently, the issue brought up involves something outside the town limits. I say, “I’m sorry, that’s a county thing. I have no jurisdiction and can’t get involved, pay for it or fix it. But here’s who you can talk to.” It’s all about connecting people with problems to the right people. CHM
WHAT WE ’ RE EATING
NEWS FROM OUR RESTAURANT COMMUNITY, PLUS A DISH WE LOVE
As chatter and laughter fill Pizza Cornicione’s rustic dining room, it’s hard to imagine that the bustling restaurant started as a takeout-only operation. Since opening in 2020, the Hillsborough favorite has earned a loyal following for its wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pizzas. Now, with the doors open for dining in, the exposed brick walls, sleek cocktail bar and a spacious patio feel like a natural extension of the community that’s supported Pizza Cornicione since day one. “We want to be a restaurant for the community,” co-owner Jim Wald says. “On Friday nights, it feels like everyone knows each other.”
Chef Anthony Del Sarto’s menu celebrates fresh, locally sourced ingredients. From the timeless Margherita to the bold Provencal – topped with mozzarella, pesto, olives, cherry tomatoes, shallots, goat cheese, oregano and homemade chili oil – there’s a pie for every palate. And with vegan and gluten-free options, nobody is left out. Don’t limit yourself to pizza: the kale salad topped with fresh burrata and the roasted butternut squash soup can’t be missed. And with the full bar open, you can pair your pizza with an inventive cocktail like the Cornicione Martini, a savory combination of gin, charred green onion-infused vermouth and tomato water. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick bite or settling in for a leisurely meal, Pizza Cornicione offers a vibrant, welcoming experience where great food and community go hand in hand. – by Sinclair Holian
230 South Nash St., Hillsborough pizzacornicione.com
Pizza Cornicione
NEWS BITES
Tonya Council, founder of Tonya’s Cookies and Sweet Tea & Cornbread, earned a spot on Oprah’s Favorite Things 2024 holiday gift list for her cream cheese pound cake. Tonya put her own twist on the original recipe from her grandmother, the late Mildred Council (also known as Mama Dip).
The Crunkleton, the nationally acclaimed cocktail bar with locations in Chapel Hill and Charlotte, will be expanding to the Smoky Hollow district in downtown Raleigh in March 2025. The bar will include the same food and beverage programs as the Charlotte location, featuring menu items like raw and charred oysters, hearth-fired wings and tomahawk steaks.
Chapel Chill will open early this year at 630 Weaver Dairy Rd. The icecream shop will have 24 flavors of housemade ice cream and fresh waffle cones, with both dairy-free and gluten-free options. Chapel Chill will also offer milkshakes, pup cups for pets and ice-cream flight samplers.
Al’s Burger Shack opened a new location in Leland, North Carolina, in November. The restaurant is the third location in the state after the others on Franklin Street and in Southern Village in Chapel Hill. The Leland location will have the same menu, featuring burgers, homemade toppings, fresh fries and more.
Radius Pizzeria & Pub announced it was closing its doors in December 2024 after over 11 years of business in Hillsborough. “We are looking forward to having time and energy for ourselves, our family and giving our sons, Ronan and Wyatt, our best selves,” owners Kate Carroll and Mick Carroll said in a statement. “We are incredibly grateful for the support and loyalty of our customers, who have made our journey so rewarding.”
– Compiled by Lola Oliverio CHM
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PHOTO COURTESY OF TONYA’S COOKIES
chocolate fix
A dozen spots in downtown Chapel Hill to find hot chocolate
By Lola Oliverio
1 Try 1922’s hot chocolate or mocha with a pump or two of peppermint for the perfect winter treat.
2 While you’re at Cosmic Cantina grabbing a burrito, don’t miss Champurrado, a chocolatebased atole, worth a sip this season.
3 Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews specializes in chocolate-forward drinks, so make sure to get the frozen cocoa, sipping chocolate or Mexican drinking chocolate. Plus, there’s reason to cheer – these are available year-round!
4 Visit Top of the Hill for its Long Island Iced Coffee – a drink made with vodka, Kahlúa, butterscotch Schnapps, crème de cacao, iced coffee, Irish cream and whipped cream, topped with chocolate sauce.
5 Looking for something a little stronger during the shortest days of the year? Order a Café La Rez – made with coffee, Kahlúa and Frangelico – during brunch at La Residence.
ABOVE 1922’s hot chocolate comes topped with whipped cream and chocolate sauce. If you need an extra kick, add a shot of espresso.
BELOW Lantern’s Hot Chocolate Cake is a crowd-pleaser year-round and makes for an especially cozy treat during the winter months.
For a fun twist at Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews, try a Mexican Hot Chocolate topped with edible glitter or lavender petals.
6 Head to Tea Hill – known for its Taiwanese bubble tea and street food – to try their Salty Caramel Chocolate, a caffeine-free, hearty hot cocoa, which is also delicious when served cold.
7 Sip Perennial’s seasonal Chocolate Cherry Cordial drink. Served hot or cold, this nod to the classic confection is sure to keep you warm this winter.
8 While at Boro Beverage, pick up a bag of Family & Future drinking chocolate mix – a dairy-free, 100% organic hot cocoa mix made with the brand’s North Carolina-made smoked sea salt chocolate bar.
9 Savor 411 West’s Caffe Cioccolata – espresso blended with Dutch chocolate and topped with whipped cream.
10 Don’t skip dessert after dinner at Lantern! Finish with the Hot Chocolate Cake, garnished with coconut crisps and served alongside toasted coconut ice cream.
11 Turkish restaurant Talullas offers up a Crème Chocolate, made from melted Belgian chocolate and Kahlúa coffee liquor topped with homemade whipped cream and walnuts.
12 Take a seat at The Purple Bowl’s long communal table and warm up with a hot chocolate or mocha. CHM
a place to play TOGETHER
A new inclusive playground and adaptive upgrades across town parks foster connection for children and families of all abilities
By Lauren Rouse Photography by John Michael Simpson
arcella Twamley didn’t set out to transform the town’s parks. She just wanted both of her children to be able to play together. Marcella often navigated gravel parking lots and mulched barriers when taking her kids, Lydia Twamley, 7 and Cora Twamley, 4, to local playgrounds at the start of the pandemic. Uneven surfaces and the lack of accessible ramps made using strollers and mobility devices cumbersome. Marcella turned to social media to share her thoughts on the need for more inclusive outdoor spaces, and the post caught the attention of a neighbor, who encouraged her to serve on the town’s parks, greenways and recreation commission. “And that’s how it started,” Marcella says.
She helped bring a bold vision to life with the design of an adaptive playground set to replace the outdated equipment
The Twamley family explores the Westwood Park playground on Dogwood Drive in Chapel Hill.
Lydia Twamley, 7, Marcella Twamley and Cora Twamley, 4, sit in the new Burke Serenity Spot, added to give kids with sensory-processing differences a quiet spot to rest.
at Chapel Hill Community Center Park later this year. Marcella and the commission were also the driving force behind new features that were installed at eight other Chapel Hill parks in late 2024. The group advocated for universal design principles, like fully ramped structures. “A shoutout to our park’s leadership team – Atuya Cornwell and Kevin Robinson – who were willing to listen to community members like me, and staff like Marian Kaslovsky and Colleen Lanigan, who specialize in adaptive recreation,” Marcella says. “Advocacy work is really magical when there is leadership willing to listen.”
The inclusive initiative resulted in equipment that supports a wide range of abilities, including a variety of slides that every child can enjoy at the new playground. “The roller slide’s input is really different sensory-wise, and it’s great for our neurodivergent kids,” she says. A 360 loop slide, also slated to be a feature, is a taller-than-average slide that allows children with spinal cord injuries to transfer onto the ramp independently, use their arms to climb up the ramp and then slide down. “It’s usable for everyone ... and it does lend itself to mobility differences as well,” Marcella says.
need a break. The sand, water and art area at both Burlington Park and North Forest Hills Park encourages children to engage with one another creatively.
The rest of the upgrades across the town parks create a welcoming environment by incorporating intentional features. Umstead Park and Homestead Park gained swings that allow children to use their arms, core or legs to swing. A serenity spot at Westwood Park provides a quiet place for children who may be overwhelmed and
The playground adaptations foster interaction between children of all abilities, which is a cornerstone of inclusive spaces. “Those spaces are where our typical children can see their families represented,” Marcella says. “It’s important for my younger child to see that a lot of families look like hers. A lot of other kids have siblings with disabilities, too, so I think adaptive recreation is just really important.” CHM
The family got in the habit of visiting playgrounds nearly every day during the pandemic.
hidden gems for FAMILY FUN
Local parents share their best-kept secrets for kid-friendly adventures around town from art hunts to creekside picnics
By Jessica Stringer
PHOTO BY LINDSAY METIVIER
There have been many weekends when Peel has been a destination for me and my kids to not only casually view interesting and fun art in the newest exhibition, but also to look at all the cool books, stickers and other unique gifts and crafts. While they may spend most of their time looking at the stickers and gift items, they occasionally wander into the gallery when something catches their eye while I sit down and peruse art books. This, more often than not, inspires them to attempt their own art projects when they see something that resonates. I am grateful for Peel in its current location because it is a walkable resource in the center of town, which we can access on our way to Hargraves Community Park’s pool or Cham Thai. I value Peel as a resource because it allows me to model to my children not only that I value a creative life but also that I know how to craft the practice of building one.
– Fred Joiner, parent of an 8-year-old and 10-year-old
My husband and I enjoy going to art museums, and we figured out a way to make it fun for our three young kiddos, too. We’ll go to the Ackland Art Museum and tell the kids we are doing an art scavenger hunt. We’ll make a checklist ahead of time telling them to find a piece of art with a horse in it, one with a boat and so on. It’s a ton of fun, and we don’t feel bad if we have to make a quick exit because the Ackland is always free. We also love going to Yogurt Pump afterward as a reward for completing the scavenger hunt.
– Robin Kusel, parent of an 18-month-old, a 4-yearold and a 6-year-old
We love to get up on a Saturday and go to the Chapel Hill Community Center. My oldest daughter rollerblades the trails, while my other daughter scooters or skateboards. I walk the dog, and my husband runs. We usually end up walking a wooded path from the Bolin Creek Trail to Cafe Driade for a latte and baked goods.
– Shenandoah Nieuwsma, parent of a 16-year-old and a 14-year-old
We took nine – yes, that’s right! – 9-year-old girls to “The Lost Tar Heel” this fall. While a few things required explanation (e.g., what a student PIN is, what a tape cassette is, how to open a tape cassette container) and they definitely utilized several hints, they thoroughly enjoyed themselves and were quite proud to ultimately place their Polaroid picture, which blew their little “all-things-digital” minds, on the “found” board. Our friendly guide, Oliver, generously doled out hints in a way that the girls could understand, and he was wonderfully tolerant of their exuberance. It was a great day. Every time we walk past Chapel Thrill Escapes on our way to Cosmic Cantina, my daughter asks when we can go again!
– Colleen Janssen, parent of a 9-year-old
We like to explore the little creek trails behind Meadowmont. They’re perfect for a run or an adventure with the kids, and the dogs love them, too!
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Jeanie Stasko, parent of 14-year-old and 11-year-old twins
Our favorite is picking up sandwiches from Neal’s Deli in Carrboro and going to University Lake to rent rowboats or eat at the picnic tables in the shade by the water. That is where the UNC rowing team practices. Another fun one is getting takeout from Merritt’s Grill and going to Merritt’s Pasture or Morgan Creek Trail to have a picnic along one of the many hidden “beaches” of Morgan Creek. We have a favorite one that I doubt more than a handful of people know about.
– Alex Nickodem, parent of a 6-year-old
BEAT THE HEAT!
On nonfootball weekends, we find free parking on Park Place and take a picnic to the woods along Battle Branch Trail.
– Morgan Clark, parent of a 2-year-old
As a family, we love to take pictures in front of Franklin Street’s alley murals. They are beautifully designed, colorful and hidden around Franklin Street. Free art for all! Also, check out the wings on Market Street in Southern Village!
– Karrie Tilley, parent of a 13-year-old and a 10-year-old
Lots of fun things come to mind! Our favorite evenings are usually spent at Eno River Brewing – the beers are consistently amazing, and the outside area is perfect for adults to relax and kids to run around! Sometimes we get dinner from the rotating food trucks, but we love the newer West Hillsborough Pizzeria. The specials are exciting, but their chicken wings, pizzas and cocktails are always delicious. The final stop for a perfect night is right around the corner again at Whit’s Frozen Custard.
– Tami Kepley, parent of a 9-year-old and a 7-year-old
Our family feels very lucky to be so close to two bocce courts at the Chapel Hill Community Center Park. As the son of Italian immigrants, Richie grew up playing bocce, and now we love to play with our kids. We bring our own bocces, but you can check out a set from the office in the community center. We even started a league through the town! We also love finding trails that lead to water for skipping rocks or making big splashes. Our favorites spots are Booker Creek near the Rainbow Soccer fields, Cedar Falls at Cedar Falls Park, Morgan Creek at the North Carolina Botanical Garden, Bolin Creek at the trails off Wilson Park and also off Umstead Park.
– Gabriella de Ocampo and Richie DiFranco, parents of a 14-year-old, an 11-year-old and an 8-year-old CHM
Creating OUTSIDE the Lines
Exploration and self-expression took center stage during the Orange County Arts Commission’s vibrant arts camps
By Jessica Stringer Photography by John Michael Simpson
resh off their return from a nature hike to Gold Park where they drew flowers in their sketchbooks, the 16 campers sat in a circle for a snack break outside the Eno Arts Mill in Hillsborough. The rising first through third graders chattered to one another on a morning in mid-August, the last day of their weeklong arts immersion camp hosted by the Orange County Arts Commission.
Inside the classroom, tiny paper birds and fish danced from mobiles suspended from the painted beam ceilings. Palettes of paint and brushes waited on tables so campers can embellish their clay tiles.
All summer, instructors led a range of activities with the goals of centering the creative process and self-expression while making programs accessible and welcoming. “Our young artists have opportunities to make new connections and develop friendships while trying new ways to create,” says Courtney Powers, program coordinator at the OCAC. “These elements of our summer program naturally bolster confidence and hold space for positive risk-taking. Our teaching artists value the benefits the arts
Campers work to paint their clay tile creations.
ABOVE Owen Rentzke, Will Parks, Rhys Nally and Ryan Ha wrap up their creations.
BELOW Yamuna Raum decorates the butterflies, heart and letter “Y” on her clay sculpture.
and creative process has on social and emotional health and well-being.”
She says the instructors used books, movement, music and art materials to create a lineup that fosters a sense of curiosity. “Emphasis is placed on exploration, skill building and the process of creating,” Courtney says.
Each camper had the chance to work on a variety of projects from pirate maps adorned with islands to vibrant paintings that resembled stained glass windows. Camper Nicholas Jordan shared his favorite part: “I made a doghouse with furniture, food and a table out of cardboard!” Another, Kassia Nally, proudly displayed her painted clay piece, which featured intricate designs made with tools. “I loved making the treasure maps,” she added, “and drawing my pirate flags.”
Camper Jazmine Cuevas-Phillips was particularly inspired by her free time: “I designed dresses and sketched them with my turquoise
Sharpie. My favorite part was adding hearts and rainbows to my art.”
The campers’ diverse favorite projects and moments from the week reflect the program’s essence. “Each artist is able to make each project as unique as they are!” Courtney says. “Our artists really enjoyed making books and their own stamps. They also loved sewing, singing, collage and sculptures.”
The campers leave at the end of the week with a brown paper bag packed carefully with their finished projects, but they gained more than just fridge-worthy pieces. “The arts offer kids (and honestly, everyone) the opportunity to express themselves beyond words,” Courtney says. “The arts are an outlet to try new things, make a mess, turn mistakes into something beautiful, try different styles, celebrate diversity, work alone, work together, build new skills – the list is exhaustive. The arts enhance the health and well-being of our community members.” CHM
Maeko Ames and Jazmine Cuevas-Phillips show off their vibrant stained glass project.
rising ABOVE the waters
Community lends a hand to help Kidzu rebuild after flood devastation
By Emma Moon
hen Jamie DeMent Holcomb entered Kidzu Children’s Museum on the morning of Aug. 24, the place was ruined. After a pipe burst in a utility closet at University Place, Kidzu – along with The Nest, its additional space for children under three – was a total loss. The concrete floor cracked. The entire space was flooded and covered in mud. The staff decided they would not reopen at University Place.
“Oh gosh,” recalls Jamie, Kidzu’s CEO. “It was a total disaster.”
Jamie and the rest of the staff spent weeks moving out of the space, relocating to a preschool building to continue programming. In the meanwhile, a number of individuals and organizations worked to help Kidzu.
Top of the Hill founder Scott Maitland loaned a dump truck to help move supplies. Restaurants across town met with the museum staff every day, volunteering to
SUMMER SAILING CAMPS
Have fun on the water this summer learning to sail with US Sailing Certified Instructors.
• Children ages 9 to 16
• Week Long, Full-day Sessions
Registration, schedule, and more at carolinasailingfoundation.org
help with physical labor. Other museums, such as the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and the Museum of Life and Science, sent exhibit teams to help with the breakdown of the space and even offered discounted admission to Kidzu members.
“The biggest help for us was that community members stepped up,” Jamie says.
On Nov. 6, Kidzu opened its transitional space on Willow Drive for The Nest, as the staff awaits a much bigger transition. Long before the flood, the team was already eyeing a new location on 510 Mount Carmel Church Rd
While architects are still finalizing designs for the museum’s new structure on the 45acre site purchased in January 2024, the staff is hoping that construction on the museum will start in the fall of 2025.
The goal is to create a children’s museum that serves families and educators and is recognized across the entire state. “We’re excited, and things are going very well,” Jamie says. “And the group that is coming together to help our Kidzu’s fundraising is truly incredible.” CHM
A cozy corner of the new play space at 1712 Willow Drive features Nugget couches that can be used to build forts and other fun structures.
painting THE TOWN orange
The eighth annual Paint It Orange Plein Air Paint-Out and Wet Paint Sale, held two weekends this fall, featured 75 artists from four states capturing the landscapes of Chapel Hill, Hillsborough and Carrboro. Participants painted on location, with works displayed and sold at the Eno Arts Mill Gallery on Oct. 4. The event showcased over 150 original pieces, celebrating local artists, including many student winners, and the region’s natural beauty.
1 First Place High School: “The Speedway” by Caleb Capers (Orange High School), acrylic
2 Second Place High School: “Schoolhouse” by Clover Ferrell (Eno River Academy), acrylic
3 Third Place High School: “Sunday Morning” by Jack Wendelbo (Eno River Academy), oil
4 Orange County Arts Commission director Katie Murray, Orange High School student Caleb Capers and juror Lynn Mehta.
Photography by Steve Murray
5 First Place Middle School: “Pond at Blackwood Farm” by Nora Algarra (AL Stanback Middle School), acrylic
6 Orange County Arts Commission director Katie Murray, AL Stanback Middle School student Nora Algarra and juror Lynn Mehta.
7 Second Place Middle School: “Sarah’s Pasture” by Hadley Barker (Gravelly Hill Middle School), acrylic
8 Third Place Middle School: “Kayaking at Eastwood Lake” by Anna Brincefield (Phillips Middle School), acrylic CHM
summer camp GUIDE
1870 FARM DAY & OVERNIGHT CAMP
1224 Old Lystra Rd., Chapel Hill
919-590-4120; 1870farm.com
Outdoor activities include animal care, fishing, capture the flag, gaga ball and nature exploration. Indoor activities include crafts, an apothecary workshop, pickle-making, games, an entrepreneur club and even an escape room on 17 acres. 2025 camps offer more animal time, climate-controlled play areas and a newly expanded egg production barn. New this year is an overnight farm camp. Ages 3-13; Counselor-in-training program available for ages 14 and older
Dates June 16-Aug. 18
Price $270-$1,395
AMERICAN DANCE FESTIVAL
721 Broad St., Durham 919-797-2871; americandancefestival.org
American Dance Festival’s Samuel H. Scripps Studios hosts a variety of camps taught by expert faculty to expand students’ knowledge and joy of dance. Ages 6-17
Dates Weekly in June and July. Visit website for details. Price Varies by camp. Visit website for details.
ART ADVENTURES AT THE ACKLAND ART MUSEUM
101 S. Columbia St., Chapel Hill
919-966-5736; ackland.org
The sessions provide kids with a guided view of art in the Ackland’s galleries, followed by the opportunity to create take-home treasures in an adjacent art studio using newly learned art-making techniques. Materials are provided.
Ages 6-9
Dates Visit website for details. Registration required, sign up online. Price Visit website for details.
ARTSCAMP AT THE ARTSCENTER
400 Roberson St., Carrboro 984-212-8153; artscenterlive.org
Mix and match the half-day camps in the visual and performing arts to fit your schedule or create a full-day camp experience based on your camper’s interests. ArtsCamp features small classes taught by professional artists that focus on skill development and encourage the discovery of a creative voice.
Grades Rising K-9
Dates June 16-Aug. 15
Price Visit website for details.
BARRISKILL DANCE THEATRE SCHOOL
3642 Shannon Rd., Durham 919-489-5100; barriskilldance.com; contact@barriskilldance.com
Classes and dance camps/intensives in creative movement, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, conditioning, musical theater and more.
Ages 3-18
Dates June 9-Aug. 15; half-day and full-day camps, plus weekly classes. Price Email or visit website for details.
BOUNCING BULLDOGS JUMP ROPE CAMP
101 S. White Oak Dr., Durham 919-493-7992; bouncingbulldogs.org
Jump-rope skills designed for beginners to advanced participants; taught by members of the seven-time national champion and 12-time world champion team.
Ages 5-18
Dates Visit website for details.
Prices Visit website for details.
There’s a camp in the Triangle for every kid’s interest from sports and STEM to music and Model United Nations
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF DURHAM AND ORANGE COUNTIES
1010 Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy, Suite 300, Durham 505 Craig Street, Chapel Hill 919-687-4517; bgcdoc.org
Your child will participate in field trips, STEM activities, financial literacy programs, data and career exploration, summer reading and fitness. The program is an affordable way for kids to make friends and learn new things.
Ages 6-18
Dates Weekly, June through August, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Price $80 per week, plus a $10 membership fee and $50 registration fee
CAMP CURIOSITY
4512 Pope Rd., Chapel Hill 919-220-4529, ext. 405; summercamp.lifeandscience.org
This camp at the Montessori Community School provides learning experiences with outdoor play, connection between camp groups and elective activities.
Ages Pre-K–5
Dates TBD
Price Visit website for details.
CAMPERS IN LEADERSHIP TRAINING AT YMCA CAMP CLEARWATER & CHAPEL HILL YMCA
1720 Clearwater Lake Rd., Chapel Hill and 980 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Chapel Hill 919-442-9622; ymcatriangle.org
Your teen can gain leadership experience and serve as a role model for younger campers while assisting counselors and staff with summer camp activities.
Ages 13-15
Dates June 16-Aug. 8
Price Visit website for details.
CAMP RIVERLEA
8302 S. Lowell Rd., Bahama 210-908-7629; campriverlea.com
These summer and spring break outdoor programs are held on 90 beautiful acres in Durham County. Activities include swimming, canoeing, kayaking, arts and crafts, agriculture, athletics, archery and more.
Grades Rising K-7
Dates Two-day week or three-day week sessions between June 16 and Aug. 8. Price Visit website for details.
CAMP SHELANU AT JEWISH FOR GOOD
1937 W. Cornwallis Rd., Durham jewishforgood.org
Specialty camps will include aerial silks, circus camp, Lego engineering and more. These classic camps offer a wide variety of activities such as art, sports, drama, team building, archery, yoga, nature and daily swimming. Swim lessons are also included for campers who need them. Transportation is included in the fees.
Grades K-8
Dates June 9-Aug. 22
Price $290-$350 for members; $320-$395 for nonmembers.
CAROLINA FRIENDS SCHOOL
4809 Friends School Rd., Durham 984-316-0123; cfsnc.org/summer
Weekly courses in subject areas such as leadership, theater, outdoor adventures, cooking, weaving, sports, Legos, comic design, Minecraft, fashion design, “Harry Potter” and more!
Ages 4-18
Dates June 16-Aug. 8; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; extended care 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Price $370-$395/week
CAROLINA SAILING CAMP
Crosswinds Boating Center, Jordan Lake, 565 Farrington Rd. Apex carolinasailingfoundation.org/summer-camp
Beginner, intermediate and advanced sailing classes taught by U.S. Sailing certified-instructors. Make friends, build confidence and have fun!
Grades Rising 4-10
Dates Varies, visit website for details.
Price $385 per week
CAROLINA TIGER RESCUE
1940 Hanks Chapel Rd., Pittsboro 919-542-4684, ext. 3006; carolinatigerrescue.org
Learn in-depth info regarding the animals while getting to observe them and play games to learn about specific adaptations of the cats, complete art projects and make enriching toys for the animals. Campers watch the keepers feed and learn about vet procedures and what it takes to care for the carnivores.
Grades 3-12
Dates TBD
Price Elementary and middle school camps $350; high school camp $200. Before and aftercare available for additional cost.
CENTER THEATER COMPANY
300-G E. Main St., Carrboro centertheatercompany.com
Beat the heat by joining CTC for any of its imaginative summer theater programs! Take center stage and explore the wonderful world of live theater in a safe and inspiring environment.
Ages 6-18
Dates Varies, visit website for details.
Price Varies, visit website for details.
CHAPEL HILL SCHOOL OF MUSICAL ARTS
1829 East Franklin St., Suite 500, Chapel Hill 919-960-6898, chapelhillschoolofmusicalarts.com
These specialized music camps will inspire and educate! Piano camps and strings intensives offer opportunities to grow in musical areas such as technique, performance and collaboration in a group setting, while the “Curtains Up” Musical Theatre Bootcamp prepares aspiring performers with skills like singing, acting and dancing.
Ages 8-19
Dates Weeklong camps June through August.
Price Visit website for details.
CHAPEL HILL TENNIS CLUB
403 Westbrook Dr. Carrboro 919-929-5248; chapelhilltennisclub.com/camps
The Summer Tennis Camp is focused on tennis and skill development, perfect for players of all levels who want to sharpen their game while having a blast on the court. At Blue Skies Sports Camp, campers can unleash their creativity with arts and crafts or dive into exciting STEM activities – there’s something for every young mind. Both camps offer a fun-filled summer in a welcoming atmosphere.
Ages 4-16
Dates June 16-Aug. 15
Price Visit website for details.
CHAPEL HILL Y DAY CAMP
980 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Chapel Hill 919-452-4191; ymcatriangle.org
Kids will connect with new friends, discover new passions and make memories that will last a lifetime. The counselors teach lessons like caring, honesty, respect and responsibility through sports, swimming, crafts and fun games.
Ages 5-14 (rising grades K-8)
Dates June 16-Aug. 8, Aug. 18-22
Price Visit website for details.
CHATHAM YMCA CAMPERS-IN-LEADERSHIP TRAINING
2655 Hamlets Chapel Road, Pittsboro 919-545-9622; ymcatriangle.org
Teens get the fun, relational experience of camp as well as leadership skills for the future. CILTs are led by experienced staff members who serve as mentors and coaches for the summer. CILTs are involved in team-building activities, group outings and service projects. CILTs get to be leaders in the community of 100 kids every week at the camp held at Perry Harrison Elementary School. Grades 9-10
Dates June 9-Aug. 8
Price Visit website for details.
CHATHAM YMCA DAY CAMP
375 Pittsboro Elementary School Rd. and 2655 Hamlets Chapel Rd., Pittsboro 919-545-9622; ymcatriangle.org
This camp gives kids the opportunity to explore new activities, make new friends and build memories that last a lifetime. Campers spend the day creating crafts and art, playing sports like kickball, pickup basketball, and soccer and playing
games like capture the flag. Campers spend time inside and outside depending on the weather and will have the opportunity to go swimming.
Grades K-8
Dates June 9-Aug. 8
Price Visit website for details.
CHATHAM YMCA KINDERCAMP
2655 Hamlets Chapel Road, Pittsboro 919-545-9622; ymcatriangle.org
Kindercamp is a half-day summer day camp for the littlest campers held at Perry Harrison Elementary School. These half-day programs are a great introduction to the structure and rhythm of day camp. Days are filled with songs, games, water play, circle time and crafts. Ratios are kept intentionally low so each camper can have plenty of one-on-one attention and care.
Ages 3-5
Dates June 9-Aug. 1. Full-week or M/W/F sessions are available.
Price Visit website for details.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE CAMP
P.O. Box 3374, Durham 919-321-6943; hannah@tnvlc.onmicrosoft.com
Students will meet with local nonprofit agencies to explore social issues and develop a presentation to impact and address community needs held at the Duke Corporate Education Building. This camp helps students formulate new ideas for services projects that could help shape the future of the Triangle.
Grades Rising 10-12
Dates July 21-25
Price $575. Scholarships are available.
DUKE PRE-COLLEGE
Campus Box 90700, Durham 919-684-6259; learnmore.duke.edu/precollege/all-programs
This program provides advanced academic opportunities and an introduction to the college experience through cutting-edge curriculum and technology and connections with international peers and industry professionals in their future field. Summer 2025 features residential, commuter and online options as well as programs at the Duke University Marine Lab in Beaufort, North Carolina.
Grades 6-11
Dates June and July options
Price Call or visit website for details.
DUKE SCHOOL
3716 Erwin Rd., Durham 919-287-2194; dukeschool.org
More than 70 camps available, including theater, STEAM Adventures, cooking, outdoor adventures, sports, arts and crafts, preschool camps and more!
Ages 4-15
Dates June 16-Aug. 1, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; aftercare available until 6 p.m.
Price $350-$550/week (The high end is a two-week camp.)
DURHAM ACADEMY
3501 Ridge Rd., Durham 919-489-3400, ext. 6114; da.org/summer
The 84-acre campus offer campers three options: Camp Evergreen, an all-day camp with a wide variety of activities reminiscent of classic sleepaway camps from arts and crafts to archery, Summits with deep dives into specific interests like sports, robotics and theater, and Summer Institutes for older campers to explore interests like archaeology, forensic science and creative writing.
Ages 4-18
Dates June 9-Aug. 1; pre-camp care is from 7:30-9 a.m. and aftercare is through 6 p.m.
Price Starting at $405 per week
DURHAM ARTS COUNCIL
120 Morris St, Durham 919-560-2726; durhamarts.org/dac-art-camps
DAC Summer Arts will include two-week cultural camps based on country themes (India, Argentina, Germany) and one-week mini camps inspired by the 1990s for rising K through age 13. Campers will have the opportunity to participate in clay, drawing, painting, dance, theater and music classes, plus teen intensives for ages 13-17, depending on the camp choice.
Ages Rising K-17
Dates June 12-Aug. 22
Price Prices vary. Check website. Limited scholarships available.
DURHAM PARKS AND RECREATION
400 Cleveland Street, Durham 919-560-4355; dprplaymore.org; dprinfo@durhamnc.gov
Campers will enjoy arts and crafts, friendship-building activities, sports, fitness, swimming, day trips and much more. Specific activities, dates and trip destinations will depend upon the camp location and type of camp.
Ages 5-17 (must have completed kindergarten)
Dates June 23-Aug. 15. Registration opens March 17 at 9 a.m.
Price Check website for details and a sliding fee scale application (due Feb. 7).
DURHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS – CAMP 4 RISING K
Camp location TBA
919-560-9488; dpsnc.net/afterschool
This rising kindergarten camp offers a well-rounded summer experience. Campers explore science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. Students participate in weekly STEAM-related activities, including sports, games and swimming and also explore their learning through weekly field trips at no extra cost. Free breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Grades Rising K students (must be 5 years old by Aug. 31, 2024)
Dates June 18-Aug. 1; closed July 3-4
Price Visit website for details.
DURHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS – CAMP FUNTASTIC
Camp locations TBA; 919-560-9488; dpsnc.net/afterschool
Four- or five-star licensed summer camps by the NC Division of Child Development and Early Education that offer a well-rounded summer experience, including STEAM activities. Campers participate in weekly academic and STEAM-related activities and play sports, games, swim and explore their learning through weekly educational and recreational field trips at no extra cost. Free breakfast, lunch and a T-shirt will be provided. Accepts DSS vouchers.
Grades Rising 1-6
Dates June 18-Aug. 1; closed July 3 and 4
Price Visit website for details.
EMERSON WALDORF SCHOOL
6211 New Jericho Rd., Chapel Hill 919-967-1858; emersonwaldorf.org
Activities include art, cooking, skateboarding, outdoor exploration, dance, sports, farming, fiber arts, basketball, practical living skills and more. Counselorin-training program also available.
Ages 4-15
Dates June 16 -July 25; 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; extended care available
Price $240-$400/week
ENO RIVER FIELD STATION
4404 Guess Road, Durham enoriver.org/features/eno-river-field-station
This program takes students out of the classroom and deep into discovery of their environment. Field Station is held at the Confluence Natural Area on the West and East Forks of the Eno River. Every day the students interact with scientists, researchers, science teachers and environmental experts who make discovery and learning fascinating and fun. Field Station is a one-week day camp with one optional evening/overnight campout session.
Ages 12-15
Dates July 21-25
Price $250 plus a $20 nonrefundable registration fee. Income-based scholarships are available.
FORGE FENCING ACADEMY & CLUB
610 North Duke Street, Durham 919-800-7886; forgefencing.com
Learn to Fence! provides a dynamic experience combining fencing and various activities to improve coordination, competitive skills and self-awareness. The camp emphasizes a supportive, safe environment where campers can develop their athletic and intellectual abilities while learning swordplay.
Ages 7 and older
Dates July 14-18, July 28-Aug. 1
Price $400/week
HAW RIVER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
2428 Silk Hope Gum Spring Rd, Pittsboro 919-533-4139; hawriverchristian.org/summer-camps
Staff and parents of HRCA offer some fun and exciting summer camps ranging in theme from Legos to Star Wars, art to basketball, crocheting, cooking, outdoors, Latin and soccer.
Ages 4-16
Dates July 7-11 and July 14-18; 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Students are welcome to stay from noon-1 p.m. and eat lunch and enjoy fun in the gym. Extended care is offered for an additional fee.
Price $150 per session; some may have additional supply fees. Visit website.
HILL LEARNING CENTER
3200 Pickett Rd., Durham
919-489-7464; hillcenter.org/summer
Academic summer program providing individualized instruction in reading, writing and math for children with learning differences.
Grades Rising 1-8
Dates June 23-July 25 (closed July 4); Two session options (8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:30-3:30 p.m. daily)
Price $3,275
INTERNATIONAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL
3001 Academy Rd., Bldg. 300, Durham 919-401-4343; imsnc.org
Camps provided in a safe, nurturing environment, tucked away among the trees. Enthusiastic summer camp counselors delight in engaging your young child’s creativity and imagination through music, movement, stories and exciting, hands-on activities with others in a multi-age setting.
Ages 3-5
Dates June 23-Aug. 1 with half- and full-day options. (8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 3 p.m.)
Price Camp details and prices will be available on the website in February 2025. Early drop-off and late pickup available for an additional fee.
iWALK THE ENO SCIENCE AND NATURE CAMP
4404 Guess Road, Durham enoriver.org/features/iwalk-the-eno
This camp helps children learn and grow in nature’s classroom. Two weeks of camp are available at Eno River State Park, and campers can attend one or both weeks and many activities vary each week.
Ages 8-12
Dates June 16-20, June 23-27
Price $250 per week ($400 for both weeks) plus a $20 nonrefundable registration fee. Income-based scholarships are available.
JUNIOR VET ACADEMY AT 1870 FARM
1224 Old Lystra Rd., Chapel Hill 919-819-5258; juniorvetacademy.com
Weekly camps for animal lovers and aspiring vets. The 2025 sessions will be held at 1870 Farm, and students will reside on campus at UNC.
Ages 8-14
Dates Visit website for details.
Price $545-$1,895
KIDS COOKING CAMP WITH CHEF ARLENA AND THE CHILDREN’S CULINARY INSTITUTE
Briar Chapel Community Center, 1600 Briar Chapel Pkwy., Chapel Hill ccichefarlena.com
Each weeklong session will have a fun theme with cooking, crafts and games.
Ages 5-18
Dates Visit website for details.
Price Visit website for details.
KIDSPLEX SUMMER CAMP AT THE ORANGE COUNTY SPORTSPLEX 101 Meadowlands Dr., Hillsborough 919-644-0339 ext. 228; oc-sportsplex.com/summer-camp
This camp creates a lively and nurturing environment where kids can thrive, make new friends and embark on unforgettable adventures. Every day is packed with fun from ice skating and swimming to exciting indoor and outdoor games.
Ages Varies depending on the camp.
Dates Daily and weekly options from June to August.
Price Varies depending on the camp.
KIDZ KAMP
912 Ninth St., Durham 919-286-7224; kidzkampdropin.com
Weekly themed activities, field trips, special visits, cooking classes and more!
Ages 5-12
Dates June 16-Aug. 22
Price Starting at $55/day or $200/week. Visit website for details.
KIDZU CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
1712 Willow Dr., Chapel Hill 919-933-1455; kidzuchildrensmuseum.org
Sign up for a summer filled with creative exploration, tinkering, and making, featuring a lineup of 11 camp weeks, including the popular Robots & Rockets and Around the World camps!
Ages 4-8
Dates See website. Drop-off begins at 8:30 a.m. and pickup ends at 3:30 p.m.
Price $400 for nonmembers. 20% discount for members.
MODEL UNITED NATIONS CAMP
P.O. Box 3374, Durham
919-321-6943; hannah@tnvlc.onmicrosoft.com
Grow your diplomatic debate skills and build confidence in public speaking during this weeklong camp focused on solving real-world global issues.
Grades Rising 10-12
Dates July 28-Aug. 1
Cost $575. Scholarships are available.
MONTESSORI DAY SCHOOL OF CHAPEL HILL SUMMER CAMP
1702 Legion Rd., Chapel Hill
919-929-3339; mdsch.org; admin@mdsch.org
Campers will have a fun-filled summer with a chance to enjoy a variety of handson crafts and explore different activities.
Ages 3-8
Dates June 16-20, 23-27; July 7-11, 14-18, 21-25; July 28-Aug. 1; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Price $245/week
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF DURHAM
2800 Pickett Rd., Durham
919-489-9045; msdurham.org
Weekly themed camps include athletics, music, visual and performing arts, cooking, nature exploration, gardening and science.
Ages 3-rising grade 7
Dates June 9-Aug. 15 (closed June 30-July 4); half- and full-day camps Price Visit website for details.
MOREHEAD PLANETARIUM SUMMER SCIENCE CAMPS
250 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill
919-962-1236; moreheadplanetarium.org/camps
Encourage your child’s natural curiosity and intellectual growth by signing up for a summer science camp.
Grades K-8
Dates June 9-Aug. 8 (No camps the week of July 4)
Price $187-$495. Morehead Family Plus members receive priority registration and 10% discount.
NCFC YOUTH SOCCER CAMPS
WRAL Soccer Park (Raleigh) and Davis Drive MS (Cary) 919-834-3951; NCFCYouth.com/camps
These camps are aimed at players looking for a fun soccer experience or an introduction to the game. Players are grouped by age and ability and led by qualified coaching staff through activities in a fun environment that encourages friendship, teamwork and individual development. Skill-specific camps such as goalkeeping and strikers are also available.
Ages 4-15
Dates Weekly sessions held June 16-Aug. 1; Full day: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.4 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-noon. Half day: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon
Price Full day, $275; half day, $175.
NORTH CAROLINA MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCES SUMMER CAMPS
11 W. Jones St., Raleigh 919-707-9889; naturalsciences.org/summer-camps
Have you ever wondered how to become a paleontologist or astronaut? Get messy with grossology, watch seeds fly and investigate the ocean’s depths. Work alongside the museum researchers and enjoy behind-the-scenes adventures in science and art!
Grades Rising K-12
Dates June 23-27, July 7-11, July 14-18, July 21-25, July 28-Aug. 1, Aug. 4-8.
Price Visit website for details. Scholarships available. Become a member to receive priority registration and $30 discount per camp.
OLD MILL FARM SUMMER CAMP
8913 NC-751 Durham 919-629-3635; oldmillfarmdurham.com
Activities vary but a bulk of a camper’s day will be spent outdoors tending to, feeding and caring for the animals, fishing in the pond, doing farm crafts, gardening, outdoor games and learning about life on a beautiful 14-acre farm. There will be guest speakers, a STEAM-based project that campers will work to complete throughout the week and a farm entrepreneurship focus.
Ages 5-12
Dates June 16-Aug. 22
Price $450/week. There are options for single-day and early drop-off and late pickup available as well as a counselor-in-training program that is $225/week.
ORANGE COUNTY ARTS COMMISSION/ENO ARTS MILL
437 Dimmocks Mill Rd., Ste. 17, Hillsborough 919-245-2129; artsorange.org
Diverse camps that focus on the visual, performing and literary arts. Ages 5-18
Dates Weeklong camps June through August Price Visit website for details.
PIEDMONT WILDLIFE CENTER
364 Leigh Farm Rd, Durham 919-489-0900; piedmontwildlifecenter.org
Come learn and play in nature through these immersive outdoor camp experiences in one of three Triangle locations in Wake, Orange and Durham counties! Each week campers will have the opportunity to learn something new about the outdoors, connect with nature through hands-on activities, engage in
citizen science and have fun with new friends.
Grades Rising K-12
Dates June 16-Aug. 22
Price $375 for weeklong camps ages 5-12; $165 for weeklong counselor-intraining camps for ages 13-17
PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF CHAPEL HILL AT BRIAR CHAPEL
81 Falling Springs Dr., Chapel Hill 919-441-0441; primrosechapelhill.com
Students will discover new things every day at Summer Adventure Club, exploring hands-on activities like sports, robotics, STEAM-based projects and weekly on-site field trips for hands-on learning.
Grades K-5
Dates Weekly, June through August, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Price Call to inquire.
SCHOOLHOUSE OF WONDER TRACK OUT AND SUMMER CAMPS
Various locations in Wake, Durham and Orange counties 919-477-2116; schoolhouseofwonder.org
This camp has shaped kind, curious and confident kids through nature-based, outdoor adventures for 35 years. Schoolhouse is a welcoming community where each person is inspired to learn, play and grow into their best selves. These award-winning camps offer a low camper-to-staff ratio that allows a sense of freedom while providing a nurturing environment.
Ages 4-17
Dates Full week and one-day camps are offered in winter, spring and fall. Summer registration opens Jan. 15 (Orange and Durham) and Jan. 16 (Wake).
Price $84-$469, varies by camp. See website for details.
SKYLARK MUSIC SCHOOL
1129 Weaver Dairy Rd. #AF, Chapel Hill 919-205-9849; skylarkmusicschool.com
Private music lessons and half-day music camps available. Subjects include early childhood music exploration, instrument introduction (piano, voice, violin, guitar) camps, musical theater intensives, songwriting seminars, high school music theory and more.
Ages 3-18
Dates Visit website for details.
Price Visit website for details.
SOUTHERN VILLAGE CLUB
601 Brookgreen Dr., Chapel Hill
919-969-8442; southernvillageclub.com/camp
Summer tennis activity camps at Southern Village Club focus on learning fundamental and age-appropriate skills on the tennis courts, then enjoying the pool, arts and crafts and other activities in the afternoon.
Grades Rising K-8
Dates Beginning June 17, weekly through Aug. 22 (dates subject to change), 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. with extended care available at an additional fee.
Price $300-$400 (member/nonmember), check the website for specific rates
SUMMER DANCE @ TRIANGLE YOUTH BALLET
1708 A/B E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill
919-932-2676; triangleyouthballet.org
Camps, classes and intensives for boys and girls.
Ages 3 through adult
Dates June 15-Aug. 23
Price Varies by program; visit website for details.
SUNRISE COMMUNITY FARM CENTER 6407 Millhouse Rd., Chapel Hill 919-968-8581; sunrisecommunityfarmcenter.com/summer-camp
Campers learn partnership and teamwork by nurturing animals and feel rewarded with chances to partner with the horses, hop with the bunnies and learn the true meaning of “chicken.” Campers will experience creative ways of expressing themselves, such as acting, drawing, storytelling and music-making. Attendees can take full advantage of hiking and exploring nature’s playground!
Grades Rising K-8
Dates June 16-Aug. 22
Price $350/week for farm camp. $450/week for horse camp. Scholarships available.
TEMPLE THEATRE
120 Carthage St., Sanford templeshows.org
One of the most respected youth drama programs in North Carolina provides instruction by staff and professional guest artists that promotes creativity, teamwork, discipline and self-confidence.
Ages 8-18
Dates June 2-Aug. 2
Price $450 for two-week conservatories; $250 for the one-week conservatory.
THEATRE QUEST AT PLAYMAKERS REPERTORY COMPANY
120 Country Club Rd., Chapel Hill 919-962-7529; playmakersrep.org
Come train with theater professionals! PlayMakers offers an exciting array of disciplines for middle and high school students to explore.
Grades Middle and high school students
Dates June-July 2025; join for one week or all summer!
Price $375 for weeklong classes; $675 for two-week classes
TRIANGLE DAY SCHOOL
4911 Neal Rd., Durham 919-383-8800; triangledayschool.org
Students will have the opportunity to learn a new craft or hobby, enhance and develop existing skills, travel to local places and make new friends. Staff consists of experts, artists and educators from TDS and other local schools and programs. Programs focus on art, STEAM, nature, adventure and more.
Ages 4-15. Counselor-in-training program for 13- to 15-year-olds.
Dates June 9-Aug. 1
Price Before Jan. 31, $300/session; after Jan. 31, $320/session
THE TRIANGLE NONPROFIT AND LEADERSHIP CENTER
P.O. Box 3374, Durham 919-321-6943; hannah@tnvlc.onmicrosoft.com
Spend the week working on a variety of service projects all while helping local nonprofits throughout the Triangle.
Grades Rising 9 through 12
Dates June 16-20, June 23-27, July 7-11 and July 14-18
Cost $450 for a week. Discounts may apply if attending multiple weeks or if multiple students from the same household attend. Scholarships are available.
YMCA AT MEADOWMONT DAY CAMP
301 Old Barn Lane, Chapel Hill 984-260-7595; ymcatriangle.org
Campers spend the day swimming, creating crafts and art, playing sports like kickball, pickup basketball and soccer, and playing games like gaga ball. Campers spend time inside and outside and take field trips to Camp Clearwater each week and have swim time at the outdoor pool every day!
Ages 5-11
Dates June 16-Aug. 8
Price Visit website for details.
YMCA CAMP CHEERIO
1430 Camp Cheerio Rd., Glade Valley 336-363-2604; campcheerio.org
Activities at this YMCA residential camp in the Blue Ridge Mountains include horseback riding, climbing, ropes course, aquatics, paddle boarding, sports, field games, creative arts and nature study.
Ages 7-15
Dates June 2-Aug. 16
Price $1,495-$3,190
YMCA CHEERIO ON THE NEW RIVER
754 Fox Knob Rd., Mouth of Wilson, Virginia 276-579-6731 (summer); campcheerio.org
This YMCA residential camp offers kayaking, canoeing, mountain biking, flyfishing, target sports, creative arts and hiking/backpacking on 150 acres.
Ages 9-15
Dates June 9-Aug. 10
Price $1,595 CHM
MaKING THeIR MaRK
Meet four innovators shaping the future of our community and beyond
Photography by John Michael Simpson
LINDa NGUYeN
Content creator and photographer
Noodles are Linda Nguyen’s love language.
She began a food blog in 2009 and turned her hobby into a profession when she was laid off from her marketing job in 2015 in Austin, Texas. Today, the Houston native is based in Carrboro, but her social media account, Linda Eats World, reaches across North Carolina and around the globe.
“That’s my passion, especially with noodles,” Linda says. “If you have noodles on your menu and more than one noodle soup, I’m happy to drive far.”
As a content creator and photographer, Linda follows her curiosity and cravings for international foods. She turns on her phone camera and invites her nearly 40,000 Instagram followers to sample offerings,
I’M MORE
COMFORTABLE
with the term ‘content creator’ today. I do believe that a lot of influencers have a positive impact on society.
whether at Rasa Malaysia in Chapel Hill or at Nakatanidou Mochi in Nara, Japan.
Linda began putting her thoughts to paper (and keyboard) at the age of 15.
“I’ve always been a journal keeper,” she says. “I started in high school. My parents were really strict, and I wasn’t really allowed to have a social life outside of school hours. It was just a good way to have some kind of community that you can just reach via keyboard.” Sharing her adventures on social media both defies and embraces her Asian heritage and the cultural influences imparted from her Vietnamese upbringing.
Linda, who earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and philosophy from the University of Texas at Austin, lived in the capital city for 17 years before following a curlyhaired boyfriend to Chapel Hill in 2017. “He’s now my husband, so the gamble paid off,” Linda jokes of Mitchell Butler, who is also known as “Sugarface” on her social media accounts. She regularly includes friends and family in reels and posts and even actively engages with followers by posting Q&A interactions.
Her open and honest communication style has nurtured the fundamental trust she values with her audience. “I can still be pretty frank online,” she admits.
“When I lost my dad [in 2019], I didn’t shy away from sharing my grief. I even have a reel on my Instagram, highlighting from the start of his stroke to a year after he passed – the heaviness and experience of grief. I was able to share it and feel safe. I have a rule where I personally process first before sharing it and also do it in a way where it’s not exploiting myself but more like sharing something that I think everyone will go through.”
That personal touch differentiates Linda Eats World from other food and travel accounts.
“Most of my peers are content creators, and I feel like they grow a lot faster than me,” Linda says. “But they only share food; there’s hardly any personal story. … I feel like I’m doing something for me and for the consumer. It’s mutually beneficial, emotionally.”
Linda finds being vulnerable easier than negotiating the business side of social media marketing. “You have to start learning [that] what you do costs you in time,” she says. “I guess my advice is to get in the habit of asking, because I feel, as an Asian woman raised by a very stereotypical Asian mom, I’ve been really bad at advocating for myself; it just doesn’t come naturally. I’m trying to work on just simply asking and giving myself kudos when something unpaid gets turned into paid collaboration.”
Sharing her experiences online has unexpected benefits, Linda says, as she reflects on balancing authenticity with respecting her own boundaries. “The line changes depending on who you’re writing about,” she says. “The grief [diary] was really wonderful because it’ll be six years in January since I lost my dad. I had said something about taking photos with your loved ones, because that’s one thing I wish I had more of. Someone came up to me and was like, ‘I lost my mom this year. I want to let you know that for the last three years, I’ve taken so many photos with her because of what you specifically said.’ Another time, I was on an airplane, and an old college acquaintance was on the flight. We kind of waved at each other. [After we deplaned] she hung back to say hi and said, ‘I just want to let you know that your sharing about your dad really helped me with my mom.’ It’s crazy because sometimes you live your life in the moment, sharing little snippets, not realizing it might have a ripple effect and never even knowing.”
– by Anna-Rhesa Versola
ABOVE Linda frequents Thai Station where she savors dishes such as Boat Noodle Soup, Khao Soi and Thai Shrimp Cocktail.
BELOW She still travels back to Texas for photography gigs under her brand, Curious Notions Photography.
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BRIaN WaSSOn
Author and teacher at Chapel Hill High School
By day, Brian Wasson shapes young minds as an English teacher at Chapel Hill High School; by night, he transforms into a storyteller, letting his creativity soar.
Once his wife, Ashly Gaskin-Wasson, and their three children – sons London, 6, and Channing, 3, and daughter Zahara, 9 months, – are peacefully asleep and the house settles into quiet, Brian’s writing process begins.
Starting with a scene that captures his imagination, he lets the words flow, often reaching 10,000 before pausing to reflect. “What kind of story can I develop, flesh out and see through from the material I have right now?” he asks himself, shaping his work from the vivid fragments of his late-night inspiration.
The Charlotte area native graduated from UNC in 2004 with a bachelor’s in journalism and went on to earn his master’s in English language and literature from North Carolina Central University in 2012. He began his role at CHHS in 2016, following a teaching position in Guilford County Schools and various jobs in journalism.
“While I was doing journalism, I kind of wrote some creative fiction on the side, and I joined a writers group,” Brian says, explaining how the intersection between teaching and writing came about. About a month into the writers group, the usual leader announced they were leaving for a tour. “I just kind of volunteered to pick it up and said, ‘Let’s see what happens.’ … So I started teaching in a very haphazard way, and I just liked it.”
I TELL [MY STUDENTS]
to have something I've termed as ‘spiteful persistence.’ If they want to go into creative writing or try to get something published, they’re going to hear ‘no’ infinitely more times than they hear ‘yes,’ but not only can you not internalize the ‘nos,’ you have to make it a point that the only person who can really say ‘no’ to you is yourself.
As an educator, Brian is dedicated to making his students aware of socially and culturally relevant literature, specifically pertaining to students and young adults – he’s even undertaken various grant funding projects to put books of those types in the classroom – and believes it’s important to help his students think critically in a diverse and fast-changing world. “They’ll form these book clubs, and they’ll be writing and discussing and developing podcasts,” Brian says. “And I’ve heard some really profound, insightful knowledge from the podcasts and the things that they write when they do journaling on what they’re reading.
“And I see that not only are they learning things about literature characterization or tension or conflict … they’re learning about our world and they’re learning about social justice, equity, inequality, diversity and cultural differences.”
Brian’s passion for inspiring the next generation is also evident in how he writes about topics that speak directly to his students’ experiences. He published his first young-adult novel, “Seven Minutes in Candyland,” in December 2023. The book follows a high school sophomore who unexpectedly becomes the impromptu school therapist, after counseling his crush through her relationship struggles. “So mental health is a really big angle in the book,” Brian says. “The settings for my stories so far have been high school settings, and being around high school kids pretty much all the time, I kind of get information and just knowledge and vernacular almost by osmosis,” Brian says. “I just kind of soak it in … so that’s always been a really good asset to be in such close proximity to these kids that, for the most part, I’m kind of writing about or I write things that they can very much relate to. Or at least I strive to do that.”
Brian also writes many of his stories with a young Black male protagonist. “I want them to see that: You are in books, you’re worthy to be the main character and you’re worthy to have a good outcome of the story, whatever happens to be told,” he says. “And I also just want their problems and their issues and their worries to be recognized.”
His next book, “Two Truths and a Lionel,” is set to release in April and follows protagonist Lionel as he discovers that what makes him a good person is not his heroic deeds but how he treats friends and family.
Brian aims to ignite his students’ creative ambitions, encouraging them to pursue their passions in any form that speaks to them. But at the very least, he strives to make his English class a space where young minds can explore, grow and find their voice. “I hope that students take that literature doesn’t have to be tedious or boring and that critical thinking doesn’t just have to come from the teacher,” Brian says. “It can come from the students. … They have stories to write, they have things to say. And I don’t ever want them to lose their awareness of those truths.” – by Leah Berry
BACK ROW Mary Collins Gravatt, Ayla White, Thomas Bart, Andrew Park, Rayan Parrott, Joshua Polak, Michael Fish, Fletcher Wulber, Henry Thompson and Talia Marchetti.
MIDDLE ROW Devrae Clark, Anna Naftel, Brian Wasson and Naomi Arrington.
FRONT ROW Addison Kelley, Erin Choi, Suvi Evens and Natasha Dolinsky.
LOReN PeASE
Muralist and owner of Sweet Pease Art
Amid the din of traffic along East Rosemary Street, Loren Pease paints a nature-inspired scene that stops some adults for a moment of wonder where a honeybee takes flight and a monarch butterfly discovers its blossom on a concrete pillar.
“It’s really a neat psychological experiment where families will walk by, and the kids pull the parents toward where I’m painting and moms say, ‘Oh no, we gotta go,’” Loren, a muralist and owner of Sweet Pease Art, says. “The adults are on a mission, and the kids are so mindful of, ‘Oh, there’s something neat happening. There’s color.’ They’re drawn to it.”
More than 20 years ago, Loren stumbled into her profession as a large-scale public artist. The Connecticut native went to school in New York before moving to Greensboro, where she worked in advertising. She realized she needed more creativity, so she became an art teacher in Durham at Northern High School and Jordan High School.
“I taught everything – pottery, jewelry-making, portfolio art, AP art, drawing and painting,” Loren says. “I loved being around [art] all day. I loved the kids. It was just an energetic environment, and I felt like
“The colors, shapes and the magic of living things all inspire me to pour every ounce of my spirit into all of my work,” Loren says.
I was impacting them. I’ve had some students stay in touch, and it’s fun to keep those connections.”
In the early 2000s, a friend asked Loren to paint a baby nursery for her. Then another friend asked, and another. Loren stopped teaching in 2005 when she had the first of three sons with her husband, Ted Pease. Their kids are Andrew “A.J.” Pease, 19, Tyler Pease, 17, and Brady Pease, 13.
Meanwhile, Loren continued her weekend painting projects. By 2007, she had painted hundreds of baby nurseries and began covering the walls of pediatric clinics and the waiting rooms of dental offices.
Over time, Loren’s art grew in scale. “The bigger the jobs have gotten, the more complicated they’ve become,” she says. “We’re talking going from step stools to ladders to scaffolding to lifts to really big machinery that I never imagined I’d be driving. There’s something pretty cool about seeing a little, middle-aged woman up in this bucket way up in the sky. I can do it.”
Loren, who stands 5 feet, 3 inches tall, regularly climbs up and down ladders while balancing paint supplies. Just loading her truck can take an hour before she drives to a job site and another hour to unload at the end of the day.
“And that’s really hard on my body; it’s a super physical job,” she says. Loren recalls one job of painting a silo at Union Grove Farm with fellow artist Michael Brown
“I don’t think I would have done it without him, because he has 30-plus years on lifts,” Loren says. “We went up all the way to the top of the silo, and the wind is blowing and the lift is swaying. I mean, you’re painting with the wind. And those were definitely a couple of days that I’m thinking, ‘I have kids! What am I doing?’ But it was fun, and I definitely don’t have any fear of heights anymore.”
Public art has become increasingly popular as communities realize it’s a way to instill a sense of place and value. “Using the side of the building to create a feeling is like creating a billboard for your community; depending on emotion, you’re advertising a vibe for your community,” she says. “It can be a pretty powerful thing.”
Loren’s mark is felt all over the county: Her series of seven frog vignettes painted on the brick walls of various shops and businesses throughout Southern Village capture the attention of young children. In Carrboro, a gigantic food rainbow sweeps across a wall outside of Table on East Main Street. Across the road on a wall outside of WomanCraft Gifts at East Main Square, three panels of butterflies representing transformation take flight across three framed mirrors. A bit of whimsy greets the patrons of Steel String Brewery’s Pluck Farm a few miles away.
SInce
2020-IsH,
many people have been desperately hungry for unity and joy, and now politically, people are feeling the same. Murals create character. Some areas are so architecturally charming they don’t need murals. But other towns and buildings and walls scream for some colorful attention; we always need murals.
Loren’s uplifting paintings can be seen at three local elementary schools, a middle and two high schools.
Overall, Loren doesn’t think of herself as an influencer, but it is tough to deny the impact her vibrant work has made on the people who see it.
“This is so worth it because there are tons of people walking by who constantly look on and smile,” she says. “So I figure if I’m making someone smile in their day just by looking at a butterfly, I’m gonna keep painting butterflies. … And when these little kids, especially girls, see a woman up on a power lift, there’s something in them that clicks and says, ‘Oh, maybe I could do that.’ I like feeling like I’m influencing that little kiddo.” – by Anna-Rhesa Versola
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ALeX BRanDWeIN
Founder and owner of Brandwein’s Bagels
Alex Brandwein’s days regularly begin at the crack of dawn –sometimes as early as 3 or 4 a.m. – and stretch late into the night, often past 10:30 p.m. But for Alex, it’s never been about the hours. “This is the most fun, amazing thing I’ve ever gotten to do in my life,” he says. “It’s passion-filled. It’s fulfilling. It’s fun. I want to give this dream everything I possibly can.”
That dream is Brandwein’s Bagels. Alex, a New York native, says he grew up eating bagels every single day, sometimes twice a day. “I never thought I’d be doing this at all, but bagels were always the thing that made everything a little bit better throughout my life,” he says.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate spent eight years in investment banking and private equity in Chicago and New York City. He came to UNC to earn his MBA at Kenan-Flagler Business School in the summer of 2018. “I wanted to regroup and try to find a new path,” Alex says. “I fell absolutely in love with the community, with the town and with the school.
“And while I fell absolutely in love with this town and everything about it, I just couldn’t find that go-to downtown bagel shop … and for me, that’s my North Star, that’s the thing I’m looking for … so I just started playing around with my own recipe, taking it to school, sharing it with classmates and teachers, and little by little, it felt like there was something here.”
After months of research and successful pop-up events, Brandwein’s Bagels opened its brick-and-mortar shop in August 2020. For Alex, the key was the steadfast support of those who believed in him. “People genuinely supporting one another is something I’ve never experienced before, and it came through in all these different ways.” Alex had an army of supporters paving the way for his success, from his career
coach Meghan Gosk showing up at 6 a.m. on a Saturday to help with his first bagel pop-up to Scott Maitland of Top of the Hill connecting him with a contractor through Launch Chapel Hill, plus countless others. “I’m not big on, ‘If you build it, they will come,’” he says. “I always felt like there was support.”
And it’s this support that drives Alex to pay it forward by uplifting his community. Brandwein’s hosts around 35 fundraiser days each year – where a portion of the daily proceeds go to support local organizations, like PORCH Chapel Hill-Carrboro, Carolina for the Kids, the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Public School Foundation and South Orange Rescue Squad. Altogether, the annual donations, which also includes bagel donations for
ONe OF mY CORe JOYS
is seeing happiness in others. It fulfills me. It fills my bucket. And I just love the opportunity to provide [that] to people in our town.
events like 5Ks and blood drives, typically amount to $25,000-$30,000.
“It really felt like something natural,” Alex says. “I feel really lucky to get to do what we do … to be a part of this community and have our corner on Graham and Rosemary streets. When I started learning about all these incredible programs and activities that are happening in town, it only made sense to support what they’re doing for us. … People are supporting us and allowing us to exist. Let’s raise and bring awareness to other people who are doing amazing things, particularly nonprofits that are going out of their way to help others.”
Brandwein’s now has about 50 team members, both full time and part time, working together to bring this mission to life. “The team is everything,” Alex says. “For me, to say you care about the community, the first community is our team. They’re the creators, the collaborators. They’re the ones who are doing the work. They’re the ones who are making it possible.”
And Alex leans on the skill and creativity of his team to drive the growth of his business, which has expanded its focus to include catering, providing everything from bagels to full-service breakfast and lunch offerings. “I love that we’re sort of on this journey together,” Alex says. “And then we get to share those special occasions with [our customers]. It feels like we can be a small part of their life just by providing a simple product. It’s really special.”– by Leah Berry CHM
This summer, Brandwein’s introduced a revamped gluten-free bagel, which Alex believes is softer, tastier and better than ever. “We’re always looking at how we can grow,” he says.
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NEW YEAR ’ S WELLNESS
hitting refresh
Experts share their best advice for resetting, making healthy habits and feeling good in the new year
Compiled by Leah Berry
Let the new year bring with it a simple, effective skincare routine. Cleanse with a gentle, pH-balanced formula, followed by a vitamin C serum and mineral sunscreen in the morning. At night, after cleansing, use a retinoid and finish with a ceramiderich moisturizer. These small updates can make a big difference in maintaining healthy, glowing skin throughout the year.
– DR. STEFAN C. WEISS, founder of Trillium Clinic Dermatology
The new year is a great time to revisit your financial priorities. Simple steps include creating or reviewing your budget, building an emergency fund, paying down debt and evaluating your retirement plans. A lot can change from year to year, so even if you already have a great plan in place, now is the ideal time to check in on your progress and make adjustments.
– BRENDA YOUNG, branch manager at Coastal Credit Union
Cold temperatures are usually accompanied by low humidity levels, leading to dry air and dry skin. Adding a richer lotion or cream to your skincare routine and using a humidifier while you sleep will introduce more moisture into the air, helping to keep the skin on your face and body soft, supple and strong through the winter season.
LOCAL WELLNESS RETREATS TO JUMP-START
YOUR 2025
Whole Mama Yoga: The Annual Whole Mama Yoga Daylong Retreat
Jan. 13 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
The Barn at Valhalla
Whole Mama Yoga’s annual retreat is a day dedicated to relaxation, movement and connection for those navigating motherhood. Enjoy coffee, tea and breakfast, followed by an energizing yoga flow, lunch and a variety of healing modalities led by guest teachers. The day concludes with a grounding yoga session.
Yoga & Sleep Tools for Perimenopause
Jan. 26 | 1-4 p.m. | Sfeer Studio (200 Britton Dr.)
Join Whole Mama Yoga’s Lauren Sacks and Little Dipper Wellness’ Liz Harden for a deep dive into yoga and sleep practices designed to bring relief during perimenopause. Learn tools to find peace and rest during this transformative time.
Embodied Mothering Yoga Meetup
Feb. 2 | noon-2 p.m.
Sky Pond in Apex
This special two-hour session with Erin Hanehan of Whole Mama Yoga invites you to connect with the inherent magic of motherhood through yoga, journaling and selfcare rituals. Enjoy herbal tea, snacks and a thoughtful gift to take home.
Rise Conference
March 6 & 7 | The Carolina Club
– DR. CHRIS G. ADIGUN, owner of Dermatology & Laser Center of Chapel Hill Play. Play with paper, play with clay, play with markers. But play well, decide on games and rules for the materials and yourself. A blank page can be intimidating; starting with structure allows the brain to relax. Then you can create inside and outside of the rules! We know dopamine rises and cortisol falls when creativity is practiced, so make time to play!
– TARYN REVOIR, ceramic studio coordinator at The ArtsCenter
Join women leaders and entrepreneurs for a powerful twoday retreat centered on the theme “Wealth, Wellness & Wisdom,” presented by Kim Jeffs of Soma & Soul. The conference offers workshops, expert speakers, wellness activities and networking designed to blend feminine leadership with purpose-driven success. Gain skills in resilience, self-care and embodied business to elevate both your career and personal life.
Conscious Strong’s Taste of Tuscany 2025 Retreats Late April-May & October Tuscany, Italy
Escape to the heart of Italy for a transformative journey blending relaxation, exploration and selfdiscovery with Conscious Strong. The retreat offers a curated experience featuring daily mindful movement, wellness workshops, exclusive wine tastings at historic vineyards, hands-on cooking sessions with local chefs and guided tours of Tuscany’s stunning towns and landmarks. Join the spring session to bask in the town’s blooms with fewer crowds, or choose the fall session to savor the harvest season’s vibrant atmosphere and traditions.
When you are a new parent, you may have a lot of questions and that is OK! Bring your dental questions to your first pediatric dental appointment, ideally within six months of your child’s first tooth or by their first birthday. If these milestones have passed, do not worry; any age is fine to get started on their dental journey, but the key is to get started. Their first visit in their new dental home is designed to be positive, educational and fun. The goal is for your dentist, yourself and your child to build a relationship as a team that will lead to a lifetime of good dental health!
– DR. THURSTON NASH, Clifton & Mauney Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry
Lasers and energy-based devices can be performed safely year-round, and I will coach my patients on how to successfully heal during the summer months!
However, for those who have busy summer schedules and cannot avoid the sun, I recommend getting the more aggressive, longer downtime lasers aimed at resetting sun-damaged skin in the fall and winter. Over the summertime, we can then focus on maintaining and enhancing these results with lighter energy-based skin and tightening devices with less downtime.
– DR. LISA ISHII, Aesthetic Solutions CHM
WELLNESS
rain, light and renewal
The team behind Ari. A sought to create an environment that felt both rejuvenating and seamlessly harmonious
By Jessica Stringer
Imagine the quiet transformation of a passing rain shower: the soft patter against the ground, the cleansing calm and the golden warmth of sunlight breaking through. This natural rhythm is the foundation of the design at the recently opened Ari. A spa in Chapel Hill.
“The idea was to create connections with the cleansing nature of a passing rain shower,” explains Albert M. McDonald, AIA, principal and director of design at 310 Architecture + Interiors in Raleigh.
“There’s this notion of light and darkness, cleansing and rejuvenation, and moments of reflection before the sun comes back to warm you.”
This metaphor became the cornerstone for every design decision, shaping the guest journey through the spa in a way that mirrors the ebb and flow of a rainstorm.
Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the reception desk with light while a corrugated plaster panel acts as the spa’s central visual anchor with its natural texture. From there, guests transition through spaces that evoke different stages of the storm: rich earth tones and soft
Clients can relax after an 80-minute massage in a serene space with refreshments like juices, scones and Persian tea.
ABOVE AND BELOW
Even the products used during treatments and around the spa – from the organic massage oil by Tara Spa Therapy to the bespoke hand soap, lotions and aromatherapy sticks – were chosen with intention.
lighting in changing areas give way to the darker, tranquil ambiance of treatment rooms, where minimal lighting helps guests relax and focus inward.
Guests begin with a vigorous 10-minute shower before enjoying an 80-minute massage in one of the six massage rooms, including one couples treatment room and a space for full-body red-light therapy. Treatments include Swedish, deep tissue, prenatal and aromatherapy, with custom organic oils designed for a luxe experience.
The focus on natural materials and lighting underscores the renewal theme. Light-toned woods, matte tiles and a textured woven flooring – chosen for its warmth and comfort underfoot – balance beauty with functionality. Behind the scenes, Albert’s team worked to ensure practical needs, like HVAC systems and lighting controls, blended
unobtrusively into the serene environment.
“We wanted to make sure even the functional aspects of the space didn’t detract from the experience,” Albert says. Owner Sarshar Motamedi’s personal experiences inspired the spa’s creation.
“I’ve always valued the benefits of a good massage,” he says of his travels with his wife, Dr. Mandy Ghaffarpour. The pair has made relaxing getaways across the country ranging from Scottsdale, Arizona, and Sea Island, Georgia, to various resorts in Asheville, North Carolina. Then he found the perfect spot – an empty building tucked away just off North Elliott Road. “We wanted something Chapel Hill didn’t have,” he says of the concept he describes as “a gathering place where clients can relax, shower, enjoy massages and even socialize afterward. Our goal is for people to disconnect and recharge.” CHM
310 Architecture + Interiors opted for earth-tone tiles – due to the softness and minimal sheen – for the changing room’s walls.
THE ELON BY TRADITION HOMES
Silver winner in Category 1: $350,000 - $375,000
• Located in Townes at Oakwood Square
• 2,021-square-foot home
• 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
• Granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, a walk-in pantry and a large island make for a spacious, modern kitchen.
• The owner’s suite features luxury vinyl plank flooring and a spainspired, tile surround walk-in shower.
• There’s plenty of versatile space thanks to a bonus room and second-floor loft.
A closer look at four local Parade of Homes winners the
nest
Compiled by Emma Unger
ZOË BY PRODUCTION
CONSTRUCTION INC.
Silver winner in Category 7:
$1,100,000 - $1,230,000
• Located in James Place at the River in Rougemont
• 4,000-square-foot home on sprawling 5 acres
• 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
• Iconic gabled and thatched rooflines, complete with Dutch hips, offer stunning views nestled in the woods.
• 12-foot folding doors and a screened-in porch merge indoor and outdoor spaces.
• The home features vaulted ceilings, quartz countertops, custom cabinets and luxurious high-end finishes.
THE PAPER A BY GARMAN HOMES
Gold winner in Category 3: $525,000$600,000
• Located in Weavers Grove
• 1,619-square-foot home
• 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
• Cozy bedrooms and living spaces evoke the charm of a familiar childhood home.
• The kitchen is bright and functional with white wood cabinets and a long island bar.
• An unseparated first-floor layout maximizes openness, perfect for entertaining and relaxation.
The Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange and Chatham Counties held its 41st annual Parade of Homes over three weekends in September and October. The “Triangle’s Largest Open House” offered a self-guided tour of homes in different price ranges across the four counties, showcasing innovative designs and technology. Builders and home professionals judged each home, and HBADOC announced the winners of each category on Oct. 3, including four homes in Orange County. CHM
THE CHERRY ON CHERRY BY BOLD CONSTRUCTION Gold winner in Category 12: $4,000,000 & up
• Located in Governors Club
• 9,652-square-foot home
• 5 bedrooms, 6 full bathrooms, 2 half bathrooms
• Floor-to-ceiling windows fill the home with natural light.
• Spacious owner’s suite with a luxury bathroom, plus full en suite bathrooms for every bedroom
• A backyard pool, screened-in porch, multiple decks and a patio create an outdoor haven the whole family can enjoy.
HOME & GARDEN
roam sweet roam
A couple of world travelers renovate part of their home in a style of their own
By Anna-Rhesa Versola
Julie Jennings, the founder and CEO of Uniquities, has been awake since 3 a.m.
“I’m still on Kenya time,” she says with no hint of jet lag, only 48 hours after arriving home in The Oaks neighborhood in Chapel Hill. She was in Africa while the completion of her kitchen remodeling project was left to
Photography by John Michael Simpson
Julie Jennings chats with husband and professional chef Bret Jennings in their newly remodeled kitchen.
her husband, Bret Jennings, and Carol Ann Zinn of Zinn Design Build. “My kids make fun of me because this is my third safari,” Julie says brightly. “I love everywhere different.”
Julie’s restless and adventurous spirit was evident from a young age. She remembers naming her stuffed animals after places she dreamed of visiting, like Sydney and Java. By the time she graduated from Bowdoin College in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree in government and Russian, she had earned enough money selling books door to door to travel the world for a year on her own. She was 21.
These days, Julie and Bret’s home is filled with decor and framed photos reminding them of their travels far and wide. Julie’s penchant for a sophisticated bohemian lifestyle is also clear in the design choices made this year for the kitchen, breakfast nook and laundry room.
“Some people want their house to look perfect, but I want to represent variances and experiences,” Julie says. “That’s what I told my kids, ‘We’re going to go places together. It’s more important to do things.’”
This past summer, Julie says she and her daughters, Kendall Jennings, 24, and Spencer Jennings, 19, a student at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, tried to see Taylor Swift’s Vienna concert before the show was canceled but ended up enjoying
“I don’t know anything about art, but I know what I like.”
– Julie Jennings
Germany, Austria and Hungary nonetheless. Last Christmas, the whole family, including son Curry Jennings, 17, a junior at Durham Academy, went to Antarctica and Chile.
KITCHEN EFFICIENCY
Julie and Bret bought their 6,511-square-foot home in 2013. It was originally built in 1985, so as Carol Ann says, “I needed to modernize the kitchen.”
The new color palette is gray and white with pops of burgundy and brass. The room’s unique layout features a long diagonal wall of white upper cabinets with brass mesh inserts above an appliance garage. Flanking the cabinets are two vertical pullout pantries. The kitchen is spacious enough for a large center island plus two separate sinks, dishwashers and waste stations. There is also an 80-bottle wine cooler, an oversized refrigerator, a chilled beverage drawer, a slideout bread drawer, a pullout potato drawer and a 48-inch wide, eight-burner Wolf range.
Bret, who closed his fine dining restaurant – Elaine’s on Franklin – during the pandemic, still cooks and caters for multitudes. “It’s hard to cook for one person,” he admits. Inside the wide drawers on either side of the cooking range, he stores his global collection of spices. Julie points out a packet from Zanzibar, a bottle from Turkey and another from Istanbul.
Closing the drawer and turning to the center island, Julie moves her hand across the leathered granite surface that replaced the wooden countertop, which was pockmarked with burns from years of steaming skillets, baking pans and hot pizzas.
“It’s not shiny like most people think of granite,” she says. “I think it’s my favorite thing in the kitchen, and this feels more like furniture because it’s thicker.”
ABOVE Themes of nature cover the walls of a half bathroom.
BELOW The remodeled chef’s kitchen features leathered granite countertops, a painted floor and a brass circular light.
Elizabeth Lindquist, President-Owner & her father, David Lindquist
LEFT The gray and white palette continues in the kitchen’s backsplash.
BELOW LEFT The laundry room updates include many functional details and custom cabinets painted a deep blue-gray.
The island countertop is also a different height than the countertop beneath the window overlooking the stone patio and outdoor fireplace. “If you’re doing a lot of chopping, you can have different pressure points right on your back,” Julie says about the ergonomic appeal.
Suspended above the island is an antique brass circle of light imprinted with a geometric pattern. “The light fixture was one of the first choices that was made, and it helped to define the rest of the space,” Carol Ann says.
One unexpected feature in the kitchen is the floor. The original yellow pine wood is painted light gray and continues into the adjacent breakfast nook. “That’s something unusual to do,” Carol Ann says, explaining that in Europe, particularly in Scandinavia, white-painted floors are more common and can brighten the space by reflecting light.
WASH AND WEAR
Only steps from the kitchen is a connecting hallway with a roomy storage closet and a built-in mud bench with brass hanging hooks and storage cubbies. Opposite the bench is the stylishly renovated laundry room. “I’m really obsessed with laundry because of what I do for a living,” Julie says about being a buyer for her five clothing stores. “I’m known for being able to get any stain out of anything.”
The laundry room floor is covered in tile patterned with Moravian stars. The dark navy blue cabinets were custom made by CKS Architectural Millwork in Durham with specific features Julie wanted, such as a pullout shelf to set the clothes basket when loading and unloading the machines. Below that is a separate drawer to store
ABOVE Designer Carol Ann Zinn used Julie’s tub to inspire choices in tiles and color in the primary bathroom.
Connecting the Triangle
detergents and other supplies. On the opposite wall is another customized inset where Julie can hang clothes, and another pullout drawer unfolds into a drying rack. Next to the dryer is a new, built-in ironing board that can be tucked back into its shallow wall cabinet.
NEXT ADVENTURE
Carol Ann says she appreciates Julie’s bold and decisive qualities. “I love working with clients who know what they like,” she says. “I tell my clients, ‘I channel you through me.’”
Julie already seems like she’s itching for a new project and to plan another trip. “I don’t like to sit still,” she says. “I like adventure trips. … I was sitting next to somebody on the flight back from [John F. Kennedy International Airport], and she’s like, ‘Oh, I traveled with a women’s group. They planned everything.’ I plan my trips with somebody, but I research everything. That’s part of how I get my joy.”
She muses about her travel dreams and says without hesitation, “I want to go to Mongolia.” CHM
A favorite jean jacket hangs on a brass hook above Julie’s Prada shoes stowed in the new mud bench across the hall from the renovated laundry room.
Jordan & Laws
BY REBECCA SAVIDGE PHOTOGRAPHY BY AUTUMN HARRISON PHOTOGRAPHY, AUTUMNHARRISON.COM
Jesse Jordan and Chelsie Laws both grew up in Orange County, going to Cedar Ridge High School and Orange High School, respectively, but never crossed paths. They met in the spring of 2020 after being introduced by Chelsie’s mom and stepdad and began dating. Three years later on April 14, 2023, the couple visited Ayr Mount, a spot Chelsie used to go to as a child. Jesse recited a poem he had written, and Chelsie could do nothing but say “yes” to his proposal.
The couple chose Windy Hill Farm as the perfect setting for their May 4, 2024, nuptials, creating a celebration that felt authentically them – romantic, whimsical, comforting and timeless. They incorporated their dogs June, JD and Judy throughout the day, naming cocktails after them. An artist drew the dogs’ portraits for signage, and they were featured on the wedding cake, which also included two squirrels to pay homage to Jesse’s love of the outdoors. The ceremony and reception brimmed with color, from the floral arrangements to a live watercolor artist painting guests’ portraits to a seating chart decorated with pickled vegetables. Chelsie’s favorite detail of the wedding were the flowers, provided by Fireside Farm, because of the liveliness they brought to the venue. She also loved entering the ceremony surrounded by all her friends and family in the same place. “A moment I’ll remember forever is seeing Jesse’s face when I walked down the aisle,” she says. CHM
Hubbard & Lowman
BY KAYA JORDANN SMITH-BURGESS PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMEKA AUTRY
Edith Hubbard thought Robert Lowman was joking when he first asked her if she would consider dating him. The two had known each other for more than 30 years, a friendship that began when Bob hired Edith to work with him at her alma mater, UNC. She worked as his key associate for more than 10 years, and in that time, the pair and their families became close. Edith and Bob were on a shopping trip together in 2023, long after both had been widowed, when he subtly dropped the question. Once Bob convinced her that he was serious, their relationship took a turn, and they knew within weeks that it was something special. When the time was right, they proposed to each other.
Bob and Edith tied the knot on Jan. 20, 2024, at University United Methodist
Church in a small ceremony limited to close friends and family. The venue was decorated in Carolina Blue and white in celebration of the place that brought them together and was adorned with stunning florals by University Florist. Bob and Edith were married by two dear friends, the Rev. Justin Coleman and the Rev. Asa Bell, which Edith recalls as her favorite detail of the day. The couple was serenaded by the church’s director of the ministry of music Ti Berinson during the ceremony, a detail that Bob notes as one of his favorites from the day. Once the pair said, “I do,” guests continued the celebration with a reception at The Carolina Club, where they danced to smooth saxophone music from D.Alex Thomas
Edith and Bob are now retired and enjoying married life in Chapel Hill. The couple beams about “[finding] each other in their 70s” and the “unbelievable love, joy and affection” surrounding them. CHM
