Durham Magazine August/September 2022

Our Fall Arts Guide pg. 32

Outdoor Learning at the Hub Farm pg. 60

pup-Friendly spots pg. 81

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 DURHAMMAG.COM

le t s hi w ur 5 new es o l ty e We thes ng ho 46 at teri pg. wa

DRINKS ON DECKS Spend a late-summer afternoon at a patio with cool cocktails, a glass of wine and a few shareable small bites.

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magazine

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 VOL 15 NO 4

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EXECUTIVE MANAGING EDITOR

Amanda MacLaren amanda.maclaren@durhammag.com

EDITORIAL

EDITOR, CHAPEL HILL MAGAZINE & EXECUTIVE EDITOR, CHATHAM MAGAZINE

Jessica Stringer

EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS

Renee Ambroso renee.ambroso@trianglemediapartners.com Brooke Spach brooke.spach@trianglemediapartners.com MANAGING EDITOR, CHATHAM MAGAZINE

Anna-Rhesa Versola EDITORIAL INTERNS

Cailey Cetani, Valeria Cloës, Ben Crosbie, Teresa Fang, Natalie Huschle, Abigail Keller, Casey Medlin, Isabella Reilly, Caleb Sigmon, Megan Tillotson and Caitlyn Yaede CONTRIBUTORS

Rhonda Klevansky, Matthew Lardie, Shane Snider and Morgan Cartier Weston

ART

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Kevin Brown

GRAPHIC DESIGNER/PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Lindsay Scott

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Khadijah Weekes-Nolan PHOTOGRAPHER

John Michael Simpson

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Drawn to Life M A S T E R D R A W I N G S FROM THE AGE OF REMBRANDT IN THE PECK COLLECTION AT THE ACKLAND ART MUSEUM

September 23 - December 31, 2022

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 101 S. Columbia St. at Franklin St. Chapel Hill, NC 27514 919-966-5736 | ackland.org

Frans van Mieris, Dutch, 1635-1681, Head of a Woman Looking Downward (detail), c. 1660-65, black chalk on paper, 4 5/8 × 4 3/4 in. (11.7 × 12.1 cm). Ackland Art Museum, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Peck Collection, 2017.1.53.

letter

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A Refreshing Take

S

ummertime in Durham means seeking out what’s cool – sweat cascades down our backs like condensation drips off our wine and cocktail glasses or pints of beer. Those thirst-quenching moments of relief, whether over shared plates of charcuterie, food truck fare or otherwise, are what defines this season. Starting on page 46, we highlight five new bars that provide such an experience – we hope to see you, drink in hand, at one of these hip spots soon.

After months of the ever-present stifling heat, we’re looking ahead to the fall when our local arts scene ramps up with festivals, concerts and more. You can find our guide to the Bull City’s top events, plus brief profiles on several creative influencers in our community, starting on page 32. I encourage you to get involved in their projects in one way or another – volunteer at CenterFest, take a class at Delores Pottery and Studios or watch the feature film “Where the Crawdads Sing,” the documentary “Beyond Sight: The Making of enVISION” and Cornelio Campos’ episode on PBS North Carolina’s “Visibly Speaking” series.

In fact, the rest of this issue shares ideas on ways to support our community over the coming months, whether it’s attending a Museum of Durham History “Dining Out in Durham” dinner (pg.

56), grabbing a meal from the superstar team at a restaurant that’s recently reopened after being closed for two years (pg. 50) or getting acquainted with our public school system’s renowned outdoor learning center (pg. 60).

And, for that last taste of summer, we recommend trying the African-inspired flavors of Auntie’s Ice Cream. Auntie’s owner and self-starter Samantha Kotey is working her way into the Bull City’s freezers, one pint at a time. Hers is an enterprising tale that we’ve heard around these parts before. But, this one is just oh, so sweet – read it on page 54.

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TH E COVER Photo by John Michael Simpson The Dubrovnik hors d’oeuvre with shaved Parmesan, pistachios, shungiku and chili Demerara on watermelon radish; the Apéritif and Violet, You’re Turning Violet! cocktails; and a glass of Borghese pinot grigio at Apéritif in University Hill.

A new perspective on EV.

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august/september 2022

contents

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44 Back in Action North Carolina’s longest-running street arts festival returns to downtown

FEATURES

26 Hit the Road Venture outside Durham for a day (or two!), and explore all that North Carolina has to offer 66 Lasting Impression After multiple moves and several restoration projects, this couple found their forever home in Duke Forest 81 Paw Patrol Five dog owners share their favorite pup-friendly spots. Follow them on Instagram for more inspiration.

83 Animal House A guide to area vets, animal hospitals, groomers, boarders and pet sitters

FOOD & DRINK

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON

12 The Big Picture Staff photographer John Michael Simpson visits cocktail bar The Slush 46 Another Round Become a regular at the Bull City’s newest bars

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22 Noted What we’ve heard around our city …

86 Biz Briefs

92 Catered to You: The Rise of Prepared Meals at Home More people cooked in their own kitchens during the pandemic, but it also increased demand for at-home meal services

60 Field Trip Students receive a farm-fresh education at Durham Public Schools’ outdoor agricultural learning center

PEOPLE & PLACES

64 ‘Reaching Out to Durham’s Hungry’ Documentary photographer, writer and filmmaker turns her lens to the volunteers helping to feed our community

34 Shaping Her Future Self-taught pottery artist seeks to create diverse community at new studio space

8 Go.See.Do. This season’s hottest events

DURHAM INC.

54 Inside Scoop Meet the small-batch ice-cream maker with big dreams

32 Dreaming in Color A prolific Durham muralist depicts the experiences of our city’s Latino community in his art. Plus, the start of our fall arts guide with can’t-miss concerts, exhibits and more.

4 Letter from the Editor

95 Engagement & Wedding Tying the knot, Bull City-style

50 Dream Team This trio is Littler’s recipe for success

FALL ARTS

DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS

14 Exchange Club of Greater Durham’s Durham Blues and Brews Festival

36 An Open Book Meet the local publisher behind a fan-favorite breakthrough novel 40 A Fresh Perspective ShaLeigh Dance Works introduces audience members to the experiences of the visually impaired through a performance that utilizes all senses

16 The Animal Protection Society of Durham’s Walk for the Animals 17 The Carolina Theatre’s Dancing with the Carolina Stars 18 Museum of Life and Science’s 75th Anniversary Celebration 20 American Dance Festival’s Opening Night Fête

REAL FINANCIAL ADVICE

from a familiar face arie Baker has launched a new wealth management and financial planning practice that truly reflects the spirit of the Durham community she has served for years.

M

Baker Wealth Advisors, a new office aligned with Raymond James Financial Services, represents the next step in Baker’s career as a financial professional, combining the resources and modern experience of a national financial institution with boutique, holistic advice tailored to each of her clients and free of bias or outside influence.

“Durham is a city that feels like a small town of hard-working individuals committed to maintaining our uniqueness, and this next career step weaves me directly into the synergy here,” Baker said. “I have already seen how fiduciary advice creates a positive impact. I hope to see that impact ripple throughout the broader Durham and Triangle communities.”

Baker, a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) professional and Accredited Asset Management SpecialistSM (AAMS®), now has complete autonomy to cultivate the client experience she wants, and freedom to choose investment strategies and recommend financial plans to help her clients meet their goals.

“Financial advice has changed a lot as a profession,” Baker said. “People come to advisors now because they have tough choices with no easy answers. My clients want to understand the broader impact of their financial decisions, take care of their parents, build legacies for their children and community, and prepare for life’s twists and turns. I started my own business to provide deep value and real guidance with a modern client experience to this community that means so much to my family and me.”

Marie E. Baker, CFP®, AAMS® President, Baker Wealth Advisors Wealth Manager, RJFS www.bakerwa.com 919.321.1213

Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Baker Wealth Advisors is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

Rock the Park AUG. 2 0

Head to Durham Central Park with a blanket or lawn chairs for a familyfriendly showing of “Love and Basketball.” Snack on eats from Big Butch BBQ & Seafood and cool off with an icee from Nikki’s Delightful Treats during the movie, which wraps up this summer entertainment series hosted by Durham Parks and Recreation.

go see do

OutSouth Queer Film Festival AU G . 11 - 14

hosts the second-largest LGBTQ+ film festival in the Southeast. This celebration of queer lives returns to an in-person format this year and features a diverse array of short films, documentaries and feature-length films. The festival has attracted thousands of attendees every year since it began in 1995.

The Carolina Theatre

THIS SEASON’S HOTTEST EVENTS EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE; CHECK WITH ORGANIZERS PRIOR TO ATTENDING

Jo Koy

Compiled by Megan Tillotson

AUG. 2 7

The award-winning stand-up comedian makes his return to the Durham Performing Arts Center during his Funny is Funny World Tour. Known for his relatable sense of humor, Jo received the Stand-Up Comedian of the Year award in 2018 at the Just for Laughs comedy festival, has appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” and has released several specials on Netflix and Comedy Central.

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Sweet Social: La Recette Patisserie AU G . 28

Satisfy your sweet tooth by visiting The Roof at The Durham for a pop-up featuring La Recette Patisserie, which is slated to open a brick-andmortar off Hwy. 55. Purchase treats such as cakes and macarons, grab a drink from the rooftop bar and enjoy the panoramic views of downtown. 

Go See Do

Vintage Baseball Game SEPT. 2 4

Take a step back in time with Duke Homestead State Historic Site as it presents vintage baseball games at the Historic Durham Athletic Park, which has hosted baseball games since 1926. The inclusive event highlights Durham’s baseball roots and speaks on the racial segregation that took place within the sport as well as honors the struggles and achievements of many players over the past century. The games start at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. and will feature players wearing vintage uniforms, following historical gameplay and using historical equipment.

Bull City BBQ Bash SEPT. 3

presents an afternoon of barbecue, beer and live music at Mike D’s BBQ Mike D’s BBQ

on Driver Street. Shop local vendors, enjoy tunes from Paige King Johnson, and taste and vote on delicious food. Proceeds benefit the Helps Education Fund.

Supply and General Store

Pooch Plunge SEPT. 1 0

Bring your furry friends to swim and splash at Hillside Pool the day after Durham’s pools officially close for the season. Durham Parks and Recreation hosts the day of fun in the sun. Canines can cool off from the late-summer heat with a safe dip, but must be accompanied by an adult and up to date on vaccinations.

Triangle Vegfest SEPT. 1 1

Vegan-friendly businesses convene at Durham Central Park for the seventh annual festival. Enjoy live music, a kids fun zone and tasty treats from local vendors such as Clean Juice Renaissance Village, Epic Vegan Food Truck and Ninth Street Bakery.

CenterFest S E PT. 17 & 18

After a two-year hiatus, Durham Arts Council brings the long-standing festival back to downtown, showcasing a variety of juried visual artists from across the country and local entertainers. Shop ceramics, paintings, photography, jewelry and more; watch unique street performers, musicians and dancers; visit the Creative Kids Zone; grab a snack from food vendors; and learn more about Durham’s nonprofit and government services.

Pride: Durham, NC S E PT. 24 The LGBTQ Center of

hosts this fifth annual celebration of love, community and activism.

This year’s theme is “IRL” and stands for both “in real life” – marking the return of the inperson event – and “inspiring real love,” highlighting its mission of leaving attendees “inspired by the abundance of love made real.” Join in the parade and festival at Duke University’s East Campus followed by an evening concert at Durham Central Park and an after-party at The Fruit.

Durham

(Clockwise from top right) Page 8: OutSouth Queer Film Festival photo courtesy of The Carolina Theatre; Sweet Social: La Recette Patisserie photo by Eric Waters Photography; Jo Koy photo by Mike Miller; Page 10: Vintage Baseball photo by Durward Rogers; CenterFest photo by Beth Mann; Triangle Vegfest photo by Daniel Turbert Photography; Pooch Plunge photo by Emily Toth

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Corn Maize at Kersey Valley Attractions

Fruit Picking at Millstone Creek Orchards

Sunflowers at Whitaker Farms

From apples, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, pumpkins, sunflower fields, corn mazes, to hayrides and more - explore what the Heart of North Carolina has to offer outdoors plan your trip today!

Scan this QR Code for more travel inspiration!

ARCHDALE • ASHEBORO • FRANKLINVILLE • LIBERTY • RAMSEUR • RANDLEMAN • SEAGROVE • STALEY • TRINITY

the big picture

Summer Sippin’

Andrea Jenkins, C. Fountain, Angel Lynn and Evika Sturdivant stopped at The Slush to celebrate C.’s birthday on a hot Saturday in June. The downtown bar has a dozen or so flavors of “slushes,” which can be made nonalcoholic as well. Ask about the free candy toppings!

– J O H N MICHAE L SIMP SO N, STA F F P H OTO G RAPH ER

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Blues in the Night

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BY CAITLYN YAEDE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANNAH LEE

The Exchange Club of Greater Durham hosted its sixth annual Durham Blues and Brews Festival at Durham Central Park on May 21. More than 800 attendees enjoyed unlimited 12-ounce pours of North Carolina craft beers, ciders and wines while jamming to the tunes of Bill Toms, The Harvey Dalton Arnold Band and Eddie 9V. Among the handful of wineries and cideries and 19 breweries were local favorites Bull City Burger and Brewery, Ponysaurus Brewing Co. and Tobacco Wood Brewing Co. Festivalgoers also dined on food truck fare from Charlie C’s Hot Dogs on Wheels, Crispy Gyoza, Bulkogi Korean BBQ and Ama’ Gees. The event raised approximately $31,000 to benefit the Exchange Family Center and other local nonprofits to be announced at the Exchange Club’s fall luncheon.

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1 Anne Yu and Christa Park.

2 Paul Fowler, Evie Ann Clarida, La Monica Hunter, David Harper and Andre Bennett. 3 Tom Jaynes with Exchange Club member Steve Booth and Lesley Kees.

4 Durham Magazine’s Renee Ambroso and Lauren Phillips.

5 Exchange Club member Mary-Charles Nassif and Sherry Jones. 6 Ben Melton and Josh Dishman of Ponysaurus Brewing Co.

WE WISH OUR CLASS OF 2022 GRADUATES ALL THE BEST AT THE FOLLOWING COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES! American University Appalachian State University Babson College Boston College Boston University Brown University Bryn Mawr College Carleton College Case Western Reserve University Chapman University Colgate University Dartmouth College Davidson College Duke University Elon University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Emory University Florida International University Georgetown University Georgia Institute of Technology Gettysburg College Harvard University

Haverford College High Point University Kenyon College Loyola University Chicago Middlebury College New York University Northeastern University Ohio Wesleyan University Pennsylvania State University Princeton University Purdue University Reed College Skidmore College Smith College Swarthmore College Sweet Briar College Syracuse University The Catholic University of America The New School — Parsons School of Design The University of Texas at Austin University of California, Santa Barbara University of Georgia

Learn more about our graduates at www.da.org/graduation

University of Miami University of Michigan University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of North Carolina at Charlotte University of North Carolina at Greensboro University of North Carolina at Wilmington University of North Florida University of Notre Dame University of Pittsburgh University of Richmond University of Southern California University of Tennessee University of Tokyo Vanderbilt University Vassar College Villanova University Virginia Polytechnic Institute Wake Forest University Washington University in St. Louis Yale University

admissions@da.org | 919-493-5787

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People & Places

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Walk This Way

BY CAITLYN YAEDE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMANDA MACLAREN AND JESSICA STRINGER

The Animal Protection Society of Durham hosted its annual Walk for the Animals on May 28. Attendees visited Duke University’s East Campus to meet animal-focused vendors and adoptable dogs; enjoy food truck fare, demos and contests; and trek around the campus’s 1.5-mile loop, all while fundraising to help support the nearly 4,000 homeless and neglected animals the APS cares for each year. This year’s event, of which Durham Magazine was a proud sponsor, raised a total of $105,833. Breweries and bars across Durham, including The Glass Jug Beer Lab, Queeny’s, Bull City Ciderworks and more, offered drink specials and discounts during a Bark Crawl following the walk to benefit the APS. 2

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1 The walk begins! 2 Katrina Paschall and April, who was adopted from APS in 2017. 3 Lourdes Paredes and Jorge Paredes with Herbie. 4 Ani Pietropaolo, 12, with Scamper. 5 Eno Animal Hospital’s Stephanie Nolte with Bindi; Taylor Tooley, also of Eno Animal Hospital; and Elizabeth Whitlock. 6 Kelly Roth, Kim Lamon-Loperfido with Ruby and Jessica Hacker with Daphne.

7 Durham Dog Training Center owner Joanne Ometz.

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People & Places

Star-Studded Competition

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BY ISABELLA REILLY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEC HIMWICH

held its inaugural Dancing With the Carolina Stars fundraiser on May 16. A cocktail hour kicked off the evening with specialty Champagne drinks and hors d’oeuvres from chef Paris Mishoe. Local celebrities partnered with professional dancers from around the Triangle to put on a performance in the style of ABC reality TV show, “Dancing with the Stars.” The winning duo was professional ballroom dancer David Therrell and Jennings Brody of Parker & Otis, Chet Miller, Tiny and Parker Paper Company. Durham Bulls mascot Wool E. Bull and former Beaver Queen Pageant winner Meghan Mishalanie, aka “Pain Fonda,” also competed against each other in a dance-off to well-known movie soundtracks. Ticket sales combined with a silent and live auction raised more than $100,000 to support the historic nonprofit theater’s continuing renovations and educational programs.

The Carolina Theatre

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1 Judges Adam Dickinson of The Adam Dickinson Group at Nest Realty – presenting sponsor of the fundraiser; Britt Spruill, standup comedian and co-producer of Eyes Up Here Comedy; Kim Lan Grout, chief advancement officer with Jewish for Good and founder of the Redefining Disabled Project; and Jack Reitz, teacher and board member at Mettlesome. 2 Dancing with the Carolina Stars host Clay Aiken. 3 James Beard Award-winning chef Ricky Moore of Saltbox Seafood Joint and Kristi Johnson, director of North Carolina Central University’s dance program and founder of the Triangle Dance Project. 4 Choreographer, dancer and Carolina Ballet instructor Willie Hinton with Nadira Hurley, founder of Vert & Vogue. 5 Empower Dance Studio founder Nicole Oxendine with Sen. Mike Woodard. 6 Downtown Durham Inc. CEO and President Nicole Thompson with ShaLeigh Comerford of ShaLeigh Dance Works. 7 Wool E. Bull with Meghan Mishalanie, aka “Pain Fonda.” 8 Jennings Brody of Parker & Otis, Tiny, Chet Miller and Parker Paper Company with David Therrell. au g u s t/ s e p t e m b e r 2 0 2 2

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A Night at the Museum

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BY RENEE AMBROSO | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF MUSEUM OF LIFE AND SCIENCE

The Museum of Life and Science hosted its 75th Anniversary Celebration on May 20.

Four hundred supporters flocked to the 84-acre campus to mingle along the trails and treehouses of Hideaway Woods, before dining and dancing to tunes from The Band Punch on the outdoor pavilion between the Butterfly House and the Dinosaur Trail.

MLS President and CEO Carrie Heinonen and Immediate Past Board Chair Jordan Clark kicked off the night with remarks and reflections on the museum’s growth.

A total of $50,000 was raised through a silent auction and gala ticket sales.

The funds will support the museum’s many educational programs and exhibits.

POPS

MEYMANDI CONCERT HALL, RALEIGH

FRI, FEB 10 | 8PM SAT, FEB 11 | 3PM & 8PM

All music under license from Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC and Harrisongs LTD. All photos under license from The Beatles Book Photo Library. The show is not endorsed by or connected to Apple Corps or The Beatles.

Cirque Dances with Troupe Vertigo FRI/SAT, OCT 7-8 | 8PM

Holiday Pops

FRI, DEC 9 | 8PM SAT, DEC 10 | 3PM & 8PM

“Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” in Concert

FRI, JAN 20 | 8PM SAT, JAN 21 | 3PM & 8PM

Concert Sponsor: The Forest at Duke

Concert Sponsor: WakeMed MyCare 365 Primary & Urgent Care

In the Air Tonight: The Music of Phil Collins & Genesis

FRI/SAT, MAR 17-18 | 8PM

Subscribe today for the best seats at the best price!

ncsymphony.org | 919.733.2750 18

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10 a.m.-2 p.m.

FRI/SAT, MAY 5-6 | 8PM

Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts in association with 20th Century Fox, Lucasfilm Ltd., and Warner/Chappell Music. © 2021 & TM Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved

Weekend Sponsor: CEI: The Digital Office

Aretha: A Tribute

August 31

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ary.org yLibr unt Co m ha

Du r

Revolution: The Music of The Beatles

Job Fair

Lookin g to

Hir e?

Durham County Library is seeking local partner employers interested in participating in our system-wide job fair. Opportunities will be made available across multiple career paths and experience levels including retail, hospitality, technology, government, and more.

For more information or to register your organization for participation, please reach out to LibraryMarketing@dconc.gov.

Job seeker information will be made available closer to the event, along with more details.

People & Places 5

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1 Amrita Bhowmick, Rina Shah and Museum of Life and Science Board Member Neely Shah.

2 Orange County Schools board member and former Museum of Life and Science employee Brenda Stephens and Durham County Library Development Officer Sara Stephens.

3 Kelly Stowe Boggs, Sarah Bender and Museum of Life and Science program manager Trish Lemm. 4 Michael Auchter and Lauren Auchter. 5 Museum of Life and Science’s Matt Pusateri, Carrie Heinonen and Ro Rode. 6 Tom Hadzor, Gary Burchill and Rich West. 7 Yvette West, Susan Ross, Lisa Callaghan and Cristina Burchill.

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YOU’VE SPENT 30 YEARS BUILDING YOUR NEST EGG. NOW COMES THE HARD PART: MAKING IT LAST ANOTHER 30.

3622 Lyckan Parkway, Suite 1001 Durham, NC 27707

Mark Kuhn

President & Founder

3622 Lyckan Parkway, Suite 1001 Durham, NC 27707

Scott Ranby, CFP® Financial Advisor

CALL 919-493-3233 TO LEARN MORE

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A Fête to Remember

BY BROOKE SPACH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNA-RHESA VERSOLA

held its season-opening celebration in honor of restaurateur longtime ADF supporter, at his restaurant Parizade. Guests at the reception in June, which followed an ADF performance by Rennie Harris Puremovement at Page Auditorium, enjoyed a Mediterranean buffet, open bar and dance party with members of the Rennie Harris company.

American Dance Festival Giorgios Bakatsias, a

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1 Jonathan Mark, Giorgios Bakatsias, ADF board members Christine Mark and Nancy Carstens, Thomas Kunz, ADF board member Rosemarie Sweeney, ADF Executive Director Jodee Nimerichter, Rebecca Elvin and ADF Project Dance Director Gaspard Louis. 2 Shontavia Lee and Anjanée Bell.

3 Andrew Henriques and Durham Magazine’s Brooke Spach.

4 American Dance Festival School Tours Director Joseph Fedrowitz and Mitchell Vann. 5 ADF instructor Momar Ndiaye and intern Arlo Tomecek. 6 Leticia McFarland and Elijah Motley with former Rennie Harris Puremovement dancer Fyness Mason.

7 Marjorie Hodges, Nnenna Freelon and Kevin Wilson Jr.

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2022 /23

DUKEPERFORMANCES.ORG Photo: ©Julia Gat; Emanuel Gat Dance, performing December 7, 2022

noted.

WHAT AN HONOR

Dawna Jones, who has

served as director of the Mary Lou Williams

Center for Black Culture

at Duke University since summer 2021, stepped into the newly created administrative role of assistant vice president for identity centers and community development on July 1. Dawna now oversees the Center for Black Culture, Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity, the Women’s Center, Center for Multicultural Affairs, Center for Muslim Life and Jewish Life at Duke.

Send us your news!

WHAT WE’VE HE ARD AROUND OUR CIT Y …

Compiled by Caleb Sigmon

Duke Children’s Hospital & Health Center was

named the top children’s hospital in the state

by U.S. News & World Report for the second consecutive year. Nine of the hospital’s pediatric specialties rank among the best in the nation in the annual report. Duke was also named No. 7 in the nation for pediatric cardiology and heart surgery this year.

was presented with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who’s Who. Dr. Parekh is a foot and ankle specialist known for utilizing his own specially designed implants and techniques, and pioneering the use of 3D technology for treatments. He is also co-founder of the Parekh Family Foundation alongside his wife, Zankhna Parekh.

Destinations International inducted Reyn Bowman and Shelly Green, who each previously served as president and CEO of the Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau/ Discover Durham, into its Hall of Fame, which recognizes those who have transformed the destination industry.

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The prize includes a $1,000 award and a handthrown vase from Seagrove, North Carolina.

“We are honored to receive this award, which we hope will call attention to the more than 8,000 adolescent parents who currently reside in North Carolina,” says H.E.A.R.T.S. founder Tameka Brown. The funding will be used to provide scholarships for post-secondary education along with clothes and materials for program participants.

NEWS BITES

​​Afters Dessert Bar moved out of the Durham Food Hall with hopes to occupy a new space downtown by late summer or early fall.

Another confectionery, Little Barb’s Bakery, took over the DFH space on July 13.

Duke professor and orthopedic surgeon

Dr. Selene G. Parekh

From births to awards to new biz and more –

Glenn Elementary School received $15,000 in

May after its selection as one of the monthly winners of First Bank’s Project Launch Contest, which runs throughout this year and distributes funds to help improve learning in local communities. Glenn exceptional children’s teacher Anna Britt Harty submitted the winning entry, and the funds will support a partnership with Hill Learning Center to train six teachers and interventionists in the Hill Reading Achievement Program in order to provide personalized, explicit instruction to their neediest readers.

The North Carolina Peace Corps Association awarded its annual Peace Prize to Helping Each Adolescent Reach Their Spark (H.E.A.R.T.S.), a nonprofit that assists adolescent parents and their children, during a ceremony on May 1 at Pullen Memorial Baptist Church in Raleigh.

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Durham coffee shop Caballo Rojo changed its name to Omie’s Coffee Shop and Roastery in June, following co-founder Addison Yarbrough and Gabriela Kavanaugh’s parting of ways. The brick-and-mortar shop at 2300 N. Roxboro St. opened mid-July.

Jetplane Coffee announced the closure

of its shop at 810 N. Mangum St. in June.

In the wake of the Dobbs v. Jackson decision, Durham Distillery Co-Founder, CEO and President Melissa Katrincic announced that the distillery’s cocktail bar Corpse Reviver Bar & Lounge will feature a rotating monthly cocktail benefiting Planned Parenthood South Atlantic.

Locals Seafood purchased a building in east

Raleigh to establish its new headquarters.

The location will house Locals offices as well as a retail seafood market with fresh fish and shellfish, kitchen tools and more. During a second phase of construction slated for next spring, Locals will open a deli-style market counter with a dry-aged fish section, raw bar and fry shack. The move will not impact Locals’ existing farmers market locations nor its restaurant at the Durham Food Hall.

Marcie Cohen Ferris’ new book, “Edible North Carolina,” an anthology that offers a deep dive into North Carolina’s contemporary food movement, released in May. It provides 20 recipes and a 360-degree view of the state, with compelling essays from leading North Carolina writers, cooks, farmers, entrepreneurs and food equity activists including Durham’s Shorlette Ammons, Victoria Bouloubasis, Katy Clune and Ricky Moore.

Charlotte-based The Common Market, a bar, deli, bottle shop and bodega, announced plans to open this fall at 1821 Green St. Glasshouse Kitchen, the latest project from

Raleigh restaurateurs Chris Borreson and Sara Abernethy, is slated to open in Research Triangle Park at 5 Laboratory Dr. in August.

The restaurant’s 3,000-square-foot dining room is lined with floor-to-ceiling windows and retractable glass doors, with a seasonal menu curated by chef Savannah Miller, who most recently worked under chef Michael Lee as the opening chef de cuisine at M Tempura, and pastry chef Ava Broadwell.

IN OUR SCHOOLS

Durham Public Schools announced in June that

the class of 2022 was offered more than $66 million in scholarship awards. More than $18 million of the total was earned by students at City of Medicine Academy, J.D. Clement Early College High School, New Tech High School and Middle College High School at Durham Technical Community College.

A student team from C.E. Jordan High School competed among 100 other school teams during the national finals of The American Rocketry Challenge in Virginia on May 14. The competition marked Jordan’s third berth in the rocketry challenge and second finals appearance. More than 720 teams competed throughout the course of this year’s challenge, including two other teams from Jordan.

The DPS Board of Education unanimously voted to extend the contract of Superintendent Pascal Mubenga through June 2026. After his arrival in 2017, DPS saw enrollment growth for the first time in four years in 2019 and a reduction by half of the number of schools labeled “low performing” by the state. He subsequently was named North Central Regional Superintendent of the Year in 2020.

DPS celebrated its 10th cohort of Project SEARCH graduates during a ceremony at the district’s outdoor learning center, The Hub Farm, on May 18, marking a decadelong partnership with Duke Regional Hospital, Alliance Health and other community partners.

The program enables students who have disabilities to receive on-the-job vocational training through yearlong internships at the hospital to prepare for employment after high school.

“We have seen

positive outcomes in the form of increased independence, agency and self-advocacy,” says Krista Saunders, director of special programs and behavior support at DPS. KIPP Durham College Prep Elementary, led by Principal Kendal Grier, pictured right, opened at

the beginning of August and is currently enrolling kindergarten and first-grade students for the upcoming academic year. The school is located in the same building as KIPP Durham College Prep Middle at 1107 Holloway St. Wayne Muhammad joined the middle school as principal prior to the beginning of the school year. KIPP, or the Knowledge is Power Program, is a network of charter schools designed to improve the educational opportunities available to lowincome families.

GIVING BACK Susan G. Komen

brought nearly 2,000 participants out on April 30 for its 2022 Komen Triangle

Race for the Cure

at Frontier RTP. The event, supported by presenting sponsor Duke Cancer Institute, included a timed 5K race, untimed run and walk, plus a survivor/thriver celebration. Combined with donations made through May 30, the event raised more than $444,000 to benefit breast cancer research.

Durham Built2Last Innovations Lab, under

the direction of Executive Director Joyce Blackwell, became an independent nonprofit in June. Built2Last grew from a plan that the city’s Office of Economic & Workforce Development

created in partnership with Cedar Grove Institute for Sustainable Communities, which outlines how to achieve a more equitable and inclusive economy. Built2Last’s mission is to assist small minority- and women-owned businesses, as well as the working poor and marginalized communities. 

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noted

Operating out of Provident1898, Built2Last is set to launch certification and impact investing classes in September, taught by UNC KenanFlagler Business School professors. To find out more, visit built2lastinnovationslab.org.

Durham Habitat for Humanity

hosted a block party celebrating its Building Blocks initiative, which will culminate in 37 new homes in East Durham on Laurel Avenue, North Plum Street and Morning Glory Avenue. The event, sponsored by Wells Fargo and the A.E. Finley Foundation, included snacks from LocoPops, Bulkogi Korean BBQ, Durham Coca-Cola Bottling Company and The Mad Popper.

The Animal Protection Society of Durham received a $15,000 grant from national nonprofit Petco Love during a celebration at the Petco at 8200 Renaissance Pkwy. on June 23. “We regularly experience more needs than resources at the shelter, with nearly 4,000 animals coming into the shelter annually,” says APS Executive Director Shafonda Allen.

“Financial support [like this] ... is often the difference between being able to go the extra mile to save the life of an innocent animal.”

state. Awards of up to $200,000 each will be distributed to El Futuro and N.C. Central University to support multi-year plans aimed at improving access to treatment for adults and children with behavioral health disorders.

Lisa Schuster opened a new Caring Transitions

franchise in May at 19 Glenmore Dr. Caring Transitions’ mission is to help adults through major life changes by managing estate sales, downsizing, decluttering, relocating and more.

announced plans to invest more than $2 million to address the shortage of mental health professionals in 94 counties in the 24

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Art collectors and Duke University graduates Jennifer McCracken New and her husband, Jason New, gave $1 million to the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University to grant free general admission to all visitors, which went into effect in early June. “The Nasher has so much to offer Duke and the surrounding community,” Jennifer says. “When we are able to welcome diverse, engaged visitors, the experience is more robust for all of us.”

21c Museum Hotel celebrated the opening

Book Harvest wrapped up its 2022 Books on

Break program, designed to combat learning loss by equipping elementary school students with books to read during school breaks, in June. In total, Books on Break provided 14,360 students in 32 public elementary schools across three counties (Durham, as well as Columbus and Bladen counties) with 70,315 books over the course of nearly a month, marking a return to in-person book selection after two years of pandemic modifications and virtual programs.

The Rotary Club of Durham raised nearly $10,000 to purchase bags of groceries and home supplies for 24 homeless veterans currently residing at Volunteers of America’s Maple Court transitional housing community.

ARTS & CULTURE

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina

Folk group The Pinkerton Raid released the single “Sometimes, Brothers” this spring. The song is a modern Appalachian ballad about “want[ing] to stop somebody we love from doing something they’re gonna regret, and yet [feeling] totally helpless,” says Pinkerton singer and guitarist Jesse James DeConto.

Durham-based songwriter Kamara Thomas released her debut album, a multidisciplinary work of theater and film called “Tularosa: An American Dreamtime,” in May. The project is the product of Kamara’s nearly 20 years of research on the combat-filled history of New Mexico’s Tularosa region. Following the release, Kamara was named one of two 202224 Princeton University Arts Fellows.

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of multimedia exhibit “This We Believe,” an exploration of the relationship between ideological belief and power that illuminates how adherence to and rejection of these ideologies has influenced our current global culture of divisiveness, with a reception on June 3. Compiled by Chief Curator Alice Gray Stites, the collection of 80 works of art by more than 25 artists from all over the world will be on view through April 2023.

The A’s, a duo consisting of longtime friends

Amelia Meath (of Sylvan Esso) and Alexandra Sauser-Monnig (from Daughter of Swords),

released their debut album, “Fruit,” on July 15 via Sylvan Esso’s Psychic Hotline record label.

The music was performed on ice chunks, nylon shorts, shoelaces, gravel, guitar and more. The album’s 10 songs were produced by Amelia and Alexandra together with Nick Sanborn of Sylvan Esso and Made of Oak.

noted

Sylvan Esso additionally released a new single titled “Your Reality” on June 23. Band members Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn said the track marks the beginning of a new era in their music, which is distinct from the bands’ previous three albums.

ON THE MOVE

Bull City Records moved

from 2600 Hillsborough Rd. to 124 E. Main St., the former location of Tre Bella Bridal shop, on July 8. The record shop is open MondaySaturday.

IN OTHER NEWS

More than 80 transportation and business participants, plus elected officials, including the mayors of Raleigh, Cary, Durham, the county chairs from Wake and Durham counties, and NCDOT Secretary of Transportation J. Eric

Boyette traveled on ​​Regional Transportation Alliance’s Regional Leadership Tour to South Florida in March to immerse themselves in the region’s myriad public transportation options, including regional commuter rail, intercity passenger rail, and bus rapid transit.

The group returned with a new understanding of options and infrastructure as they look to prepare our growing region for the future.

Pictured are Angelique Stallings of the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, Harold Hicks of RTI International, Mayor Elaine O’Neal and

Durham County Board of Commissioners Chair Brenda Howerton.

Durham Parks & Recreation held an opening

celebration for Merrick-Moore Park at 632 N. Hoover Rd. on June 18. The 50-acre park, the result of an $8.6-million-dollar project, features

four soccer fields, parking with electric vehicle charging stations, a picnic shelter and a restroom facility. “We are absolutely thrilled to provide the first new park in more than 10 years,” says DPR Director Wade Walcutt. “Since we’ve broken ground, we created several opportunities for the MerrickMoore Elementary students and the MerrickMoore neighborhood to tell us exactly what they want, and they helped us design many aspects of the park.”

The Association of Zoos & Aquariums voted in April to accredit the Museum of Life and Science for five more years, referencing the museum’s outstanding animal care, leadership, outdoor learning programs and accessibility to the public. The accreditation requires documentation, an inspection and a hearing; fewer than 10% of the 2,800 zoos, aquariums and other animal exhibitors nationwide earn the designation.

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Hit the

Road

Venture outside Durham for a day (or two!), and explore all that North Carolina has to offer

PHOTO COURTESY OF VISIT ALAMANCE

BY B RO O KE S PAC H

CRYSTAL COAST

Enjoy seasonal farm-to-table ingredients at Michelle’s Kitchen in Burlington, North Carolina.

Y

ALAMANCE COUNTY

ou don’t have to travel far to explore new areas on a perfect fall day. Just a few miles down N.C. 54 is Alamance County, home to Burlington, Elon, Graham, Saxapahaw, Mebane and the Haw River.

Start your day with a cool morning hike on a section of the Haw River Trail, then grab lunch in Saxapahaw at The Eddy Pub or the Saxapahaw General Store. Take your food to go for a picnic at Cedarock Park and Historical Farm, and feed the horses and goats along a guided or independent tour of the grounds.

Make a reservation in advance to view the farm on horseback.

Cedarock also hosts the Alcovets Balloon Festival on Sept. 9-11.

The textile industry put Alamance County on the map in the early 1900s. Learn more about its impact on the area and see the first commercially produced colored fabric in the South, Alamance Plaid, at the Textile Heritage Museum in Burlington, also home to the state’s first co-op brewery, Burlington Beer Works. Mebane’s Iron Gate Vineyards & Winery, the first female-owned winery in the state, is another good spot for historic beverage fun. Browse the shops downtown before rounding out your day with dinner from 2 Twelve Seasonal Kitchen + Bar or Bright Penny Brewing.

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A

lso known as the Southern Outer Banks, this 85-mile stretch of beaches comprises 11 coastal communities, including Atlantic Beach, Beaufort, Emerald Isle and Cape Lookout. Although you may have just stored away your swimsuits, there is plenty to do at North Carolina’s beaches in the late summer and early fall.

The Cape Lookout National Seashore is one of the last natural barrier island systems in the world, and in 2021, was certified as an International Dark Sky Park. Experience the night sky like never before on the Island Express Ferry Starlight Cruise on Aug. 27. The ferry also offers daytime boat rides past or to Shackleford Banks, where you might be able to spot wild horses roaming the island.

In Atlantic Beach, visit the restored Civil War and World War II fort at Fort Macon State Park before checking out the nearly century-old boardwalk, which will receive a $2 million upgrade over the coming months.

The Crystal Coast offers many festivals this time of year: the Emerald Isle Fishing Tournament (Sept. 17), Beaufort Pirate Invasion (Sept. 23-25), the Emerald Isle Beach Music Festival (Sept. 24) and more. Seafood lovers should definitely plan their trip for Sept. 30-Oct. 2 in order to attend the 36th annual North Carolina Seafood Festival on the Morehead City waterfront.

The Cape Lookout National Seashore has ideal conditions for viewing the Milky Way with the naked eye.

PHOTO BY ALEX GU, COURTESY OF CRYSTAL COAST STARGAZERS

PENDER COUNTY

E

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE JOHNSTON COUNTY VISITORS BUREAU

ven if you don’t know of Pender County, you’ve probably heard of its two most-visited towns: Topsail Beach and Surf City.

The county encompasses Topsail Island, Burgaw and Hampstead, North Carolina, and is one of the fastest-growing counties in the state.

On the island, check out the Intracoastal Waterway, take the family to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Center or visit the Missiles and More Museum, which housed Operation Bumblebee, the U.S. Navy’s secret guided missile testing program, in the 1940s. The results of these efforts helped make NASA’s space program possible.

The museum also plays host to Autumn With Topsail, an arts and crafts festival with live music, kids’ inflatables and tons of food and drinks – catch the 32nd annual event Oct. 14-16. Thanks to cooler temperatures, migration patterns and waning beach crowds, fall is a great time for fishing on the island. Pro tip: It’s pronounced ‘Tops’l,’ not ‘Top-sail ’!

Pender County has even more to offer across the bridge on the mainland. It’s one of the largest growing locations for blueberries – try them fresh off the bush along the Pender County Blueberry Trail, which will lead you from the coast to Burgaw. Nicknamed both “Blueberry Town” and “The Town Hollywood Loves,” Burgaw is also known for serving as a backdrop to many movies and TV shows, such as “I Know What You Did Last Summer” and “One Tree Hill.” After a visit to the Moores Creek National Battlefield and a walk through Burgaw’s historic downtown on the Hometown Hollywood Film Tour, be sure to grab a piece of blueberry pie from Olde Carolina Eatery. 

Ava Gardner was an Academy Award-nominated actress, starring in films such as “The Killers” and “Mogambo.”

JOHNSTON COUNTY

J

PHOTO BY MARK BUTLER

ust south of Raleigh is Johnston County, or “JoCo,” an ideal daytrip destination for North Carolina history lovers.

Bentonville is rich with Civil War history; visit Bentonville Battlefield, the state’s largest, during a walking or driving tour. Another stop on the tour is Cole Plantation, a site where music legends such as the late Thelonious Monk and Nat King Cole traced their heritage to enslaved family members.

Step back in time to learn about the state’s agricultural history at the Tobacco Farm Life Museum in Kenly. History comes alive on Saturdays at the museum, as experts are on hand to provide more insight about the lives of North Carolina tobacco farmers.

Be sure to also stop by the Ava Gardner Museum in downtown Smithfield in honor of the movie star who was born and raised just a few miles away. The recently completed Ava Gardner Mural and Rose Garden on the side of the museum includes yellow rose bushes – Ava’s favorite flower – installed by Durham’s own Witherspoon Rose Culture. And if you happen to be in town Oct. 7-9, don’t miss the celebration of her 100th birthday at the Ava Gardner Festival. For more fall fun, head to the pumpkin patch and corn maze at Clayton Fear Farm during the day or take a spooky hayride and visit its haunted house at night.

JoCo isn’t just for history buffs, but food and drink lovers, too – in Benson, you can head out on the Beer, Wine and Shine Trail, which features eight destinations where you can sample craft beers, tour vineyards and learn about five generations of moonshiners. Meanwhile, red hot dog fans can determine their very favorite red hot dog by visiting the Red Hot Dog Trail’s 23 stops throughout the county to try franks from local producers like Smithfield’s own Carolina Packers and Stevens Sausage Company. You can also find a variety of sample itineraries for your visit to Johnston County at Visit Daddy Mac’s or JM’s on the Water in Surf City for fresh, local seafood. johnstoncountync.org. au g u s t/ s e p t e m b e r 2 0 2 2

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travel Take in the autumnal scenery at one of Asheville’s many rooftop restaurants and bars.

ASHEVILLE

A

➜

nother great place to spend a fall day is, of course, the mountains.

Asheville has a mild climate and elevations that allow for one of the country’s longest seasons of vibrant fall leaves. Take in the colorful scenery by journeying along a portion of the 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway, which travels through Asheville. Thousands of Monarch butterflies can be seen migrating to Mexico along the Blue Ridge Mountains’ ridges from mid-September through October.

PHOTO COURTESY OF EXPLOREASHEVILLE.COM

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PHOTO COURTESY OF STEVEN FREEDMAN

WHITEHALL ANTIQUES

Proudly known as “Foodtopia,” Asheville is home to James Beard Award-winning restaurants Chai Pani and Cúrate along with hundreds of other restaurants and breweries that help the city live up to its moniker. Be sure to visit Biltmore Estate for an allencompassing culinary, historical and luxury accommodation experience. Completed in 1895 by George Vanderbilt, the castle was home to the Vanderbilt family until the 1950s and remains the largest house in the nation.

Another option for an overnight stay is Wrong Way River Lodge & Cabins (pictured below), slated to open in August. The lodge offers a unique camping experience done the “wrong way:” in stilted A-frame cabins complete with private bathrooms, air conditioning, Wi-Fi and more. Take advantage of the lodge’s curated outdoor adventures, like paddle boarding on the French Broad River or zip lining through Pisgah National Forest, during your stay.

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DURHAM'S LARGEST OUTDOOR ARTS FESTIVAL BACK ON THE STREETS OF DOWNTOWN DURHAM FINE ART AND CRAFT ARTISTS FROM THE TRIANGLE, NORTH CAROLINA AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY

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dreaming in color

A prolific Durham muralist depicts the experiences of our city's latino community in his art

By Be n Cros bie | P hoto by J oh n M i c h a e l S i m ps on

s a kid growing up in the Mexican state of Michoacán, Cornelio Campos was, like many young children, intrigued by superheroes.

He pored over comic books, but, contrary to convention, what captivated Cornelio wasn’t the heroes themselves. Rather, it was the illustrations. And his fascination with the depictions of the characters and their superpowers would eventually grow into a skill that was very real, and quite powerful in its own right.

When he immigrated to the United States after graduating high school, his love of painting was one of the few things he carried with him.

He originally moved to Los Angeles and relocated to North Carolina two years later. He had a cousin who lived here, and Cornelio was able to get a job working on a farm. Painting served as a coping mechanism over the course of a relentlessly arduous immigration experience that left Cornelio feeling disillusioned as the shiny Cornelio Campos sits in front of his "Wings of a Migrant Butterfly" display promises of a new and prosperous life failed to materialize. at the Durham County Main Library.

“It started as a form of alleviation,” he says. “It was a very hard transition, and I think that’s what I reflect in the sociopolitical themes of my paintings.” borders, whether those barriers separate people physically, mentally Cornelio eventually realized that many of the elements in his life or metaphorically. “It’s representative of the values of the library,” says that he channeled into his artwork were common stories among archivist Lauren Menges, head of the North Carolina Collection. “We’re Hispanic immigrants. “[In] expressing myself personally, [I] didn’t always trying to highlight those underrepresented communities in know that I was narrating the story of millions of people,” he says.

Durham and make sure that everyone feels welcome at the library.”

Cornelio is now dedicated to telling the stories of his people through Lauren says library staff were excited and eager to display the art, and many of his public pieces can be found throughout Durham. work of such a prominent Durham artist. “He’s a very big pillar In April, the Durham County Main Library put Cornelio’s “Wings in the local art community, so to have that representation in our of a Migrant Butterfly” on display in the space that houses the North collection is important,” she says.

Carolina Collection. The mural, like most of Cornelio’s work, depicts The display is the latest achievement of the Two-Way Bridges themes of immigration, highlighting the value of building bridges across community outreach project, an initiative that aims to establish a 32

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mutually beneficial relationship between Duke University and Durham’s Latino community.

While the mural was designed by Cornelio, Duke students alongside Latino public schoolers assisted in the painting process.

Cornelio was also recently featured on “Visibly Speaking: NC’s Inclusive Public Art Project,” a new series presented by PBS North Carolina in partnership with the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation that “follows the creation of inclusive public art projects that honor the often overlooked stories of Black, Indigenous and Latin[o] communities throughout the state. ” “Cornelio Campos and his art embodies the spirit of ‘Visibly Speaking,’” says Heather Burgiss, director of original productions at PBS NC, referring to his emphasis on the stories of his community and matters of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Cornelio’s episode, titled “El Futuro,” documents the creation of his mural at El Futuro, a nonprofit mental health clinic in Durham that serves Latino families. Local Latino community members were involved in the mural’s design, which portrays struggles of immigration and hopes for a bright future.

Heather also shares that Cornelio and PBS NC video producer Jonathan Duran, an immigrant from El Salvador, have a strong bond. The pair won a Midsouth Emmy Award together in 2020 for “Cornelio Campos: Documenting Immigrants’ Lives.”

“Their shared experiences formed a powerful lens for storytelling,” Heather says.

Now, the boy whose artistic dreams were partly inspired by comic book crusaders has himself become an inspiration for his community’s youth. Through his colorful explorations of such profound themes, mined from his own personal experiences and reflected in the stories of countless others, his hope and his purpose for creating remain steady, straightforward and maybe even a little bit heroic. “I hope that our Latino youth, if they see [my art], I hope they are inspired to follow their dreams,” he says.

Fall Arts Guide Third Anniversary Aug. 11-Sept. 3 – The contemporary downtown gallery celebrates three years of making meaningful connections among art lovers, local businesses and creators.

This exhibition includes sculptures, paintings, mixed media and fused glass. 5 Points Gallery, 5pointsgallery.com They Can Be Both Aug. 12-Oct. 8 – The artists featured in this exhibition – Raleigh’s Jean Gray Mohs and Kelly Sheppard Murray, along with Hillsborough-based painter and art instructor Natalia Torres del Valle – broke out of traditional creative processes to produce works that combine innovative painting and sculptural techniques. These pieces represent small acts taken over time and the intersection of each artist’s role as both a creative worker and a mother. This event is presented by the Durham Art Guild at Durham Arts Council’s Truist Art Gallery. durhamartguild.org Jazz on the Mill Aug. 13, 6:30-9 p.m. – The Lao Tizer Band performs on the Mill Stage alongside Chieli Minucci. Donations made during this event support the Durham Center for Senior Life.

Golden Belt Plaza, goldenbeltarts.com Bach to Bluegrass Aug. 14, 2-3 p.m. – This hourlong performance by Mallarmé Chamber Players’ string quartet at Kirby Horton Hall features works by Bach and classical fiddler Mark O’Connor. Sarah P. Duke Gardens, mallarmemusic.org ‘Points South’ Live Aug. 15, 7 p.m. – Witness the live taping of the Oxford American podcast, “Points South.” Guests Jenn Wasner (a Sylvan Esso collaborator and musician of Wye Oak and Bon Iver fame) and Raleigh-based painter Clarence Heyward engage in conversation about their creative lives with editor Danielle A. Jackson. Seating is limited; reserve your spot in advance. 21c Museum Hotel, 21cmuseumhotels.com/durham Tommy Prine / Charly Lowry Aug. 16, 7 p.m. – The son of Grammy Award-winning John Prine performs his unique finger-picking style combined with soul-stirring songwriting alongside Pembroke, N.C., native and American Idol semi-finalist Charly Lowry. The Pinhook, thepinhook.com Mary Chapin Carpenter Aug. 17, 7:30 p.m. – The singer/songwriter and five-time Grammy Award-winner visits Durham to promote her recently released 15th studio album, “The Dirt and The Stars,” which was written at and inspired by her rural Virginia home. Durham Performing Arts Center, dpacnc.com John Hiatt & The Goners Featuring Sonny Landreth Aug. 17, 8 p.m. – Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member John Hiatt performs at Fletcher Hall with guitarist Sonny Landreth. The Carolina Theatre, carolinatheatre.org

Can’t-miss concerts, exhibits and more C o m p i l ed by Va l er i a C l o ës

Sumac / Big Brave / Manas Aug. 18, 8 p.m. – Rock out to the seismic, multidimensional and occasionally harsh heavy metal of guitarist/ vocalist Aaron Turner and drummer Nick Yacyshyn of Sumac, who perform songs from their album “The Deal,” alongside Big Brave and the Asheville-based duo Manas.

The Pinhook, thepinhook.com Mae Aug. 19, 8 p.m. – Experience the soundscape creations of this genre-defying musical trio. Motorco Music Hall, motorcomusic.com Roy Lichtenstein: History in the Making, 1948-60 Aug. 25-Jan. 8, 2023 – This landmark exhibition investigates the early work of the celebrated 20th century American artist, sharing the overlooked story of Lichtenstein’s early career through about 90 works from the artist’s fruitful formative years. Many of the paintings, drawings, sculptures and prints will be on public view for the first time. Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, nasher.duke.edu Music of Hope: Ukrainian Chamber Music for Strings Aug. 27, 3 p.m. – The first performance of the Mallarmé Chamber Players’ 2022-23 concert season features a cello sonata

by Sergey Prokofiev and Reinhold Glière’s string sextet. NorthStar Church of the Arts, mallarmemusic.org Smothered and Covered: The Maximalist Art of Linda Hall and Jennifer Clifton Through Aug. 27 – This dual exhibit features the work of Jennifer Clifton, who uses pencils and paint to express her love of circus performers. Linda Hall’s sculptures throughout her “Anxiety Masks” series express and release anxiety provoked by the pandemic, racial tensions and political elections. Closing reception is Aug. 27, 5-7 p.m. Horse & Buggy Press and Friends, horseandbuggypress.com Code of Ethics Through September – This exhibit in the Vault Gallery features artwork from Durham painter and multimedia artist Hyewon Grigoni that examines the values that children hold, how they move through the world and how ethics evolve as one enters adulthood. 21c Museum Hotel, 21cmuseumhotels.com/durham Paintings of Durham Through September – Chapel Hill painter and photographer David Gellately showcases scenes of the Bull City and landmarks such as Duke Chapel across nearly 20 works. Cecy’s Gallery & Studios, cecysgallery.com The Artist is Having a Good Day Through September – The Durham Art Guild hosts this virtual exhibit from King Nobuyoshi Godwin, an artist who lives with autism, in partnership with the Triangle Community Foundation. The show features King’s use of bright colors to paint animalistic figures. Triangle Community Artists Gallery (virtual), trianglecf.org 

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shaping her future Self-taught pottery artist seeks to create diverse community at new studio space

BY A bigail Ke l l e r Ph oto by John Michae l S i m ps on elores J. Farmer says she

always knew, on some level, that she wanted to be an artist. The Durham native grew up along Fayetteville Street, where she spent her childhood making mud cakes and weaving hearts out of fallen willow branches. She eventually discovered a deep passion for pottery during her junior year at North Carolina Central University.

“I took a pottery class and instantly fell in love with the medium,” Delores says.

“Working with my hands has always been very therapeutic for me – the first sculpture I created in my hand-building class was featured on the marketing material for the university’s museum, and I knew I was on to something.”

Delores came across Claymakers, a community space dedicated to the clay arts, while out on a stroll through downtown.

Seeking to hone her pottery skills, she participated in Claymakers’ assistantship program, which offers free classes and studio access to employees who work a set number of hours each week, and trained herself in the 34

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intricate process behind the craft. She spent five years at the studio, and the experience taught her not only the patience needed to learn something new through imperfection, but also the discipline needed to run a studio. Today, she is taking those lessons to heart and making her dream a reality.

As of press time, Delores was set to open Delores Pottery and Studios at 1601 E. Geer St. in mid-July. Delores says her 1,000-square-foot space, the first Black-owned community pottery studio in Durham, will offer beginner and intermediate classes, collaborations with other local artists and its own assistantship program.

“I want the new studio to be the first of many community studios and shared artistic spaces,” Delores says. “Living a life where you create everyday functional items and art gives you a new appreciation for the skill, talent and craftsmanship that goes

into your favorite coffee mug, the painting you love to visit at the museum, and any and every item you interact with.”

Delores says she also hopes that her studio will stand as an example of diversity and representation in the non-diverse field of pottery. “I hope that people of color see the studio, see the artists and students and think, ‘Hey, I can do that,’” she says. Perhaps her studio can’t quite conquer larger issues such as resource and education disparity, she says, but blazing this trail is her beginning.

“I want to share the knowledge I have acquired throughout my clay community experiences, but I also want to spread appreciation for all people and entities,” Delores says. “Pottery is about taking the dirt and mud of the earth and creating beautiful wares – it’s about taking what so many ignore and showing the world its beauty.”

Fall Arts Guide cont'd.

Dreamers Are Waiting North American Tour Sept. 4, 8 p.m. – Crowded House, the beloved Australian band that created the hit song “Don’t Dream It’s Over” and toured with Fleetwood Mac, takes the stage at Fletcher Hall.

The Carolina Theatre, carolinatheatre.org Qwanqwa Sept. 8, 8 p.m. – This group performs experimental Ethiopian music that’s rooted in traditions and draws inspiration from the sound, vocals and rhythms of East African regions.

Motorco Music Hall, motorcomusic.com Nature, A Teacher – Celebrating Indigenous Art from India Through Sept. 8 – Sampada Kodagali Agarwal showcases Warli art, which consists of many shapes and patterns in a minimalistic and monochromatic style, and Mithila art, an artistic style from India and Nepal.

This exhibit is on view in Durham Arts Council’s Allenton Gallery. durhamarts.org Black and White in Technicolor! (Can you see all the colors?) Through Sept. 8 – José Manuel Cruz encourages onlookers to immerse themselves in the complexities that exist both in life and in his black-and-white paintings. On view in Durham Arts Council’s Semans Gallery. durhamarts.org 

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FALLARTS

an open book

Meet the local publisher behind A fan-favorite Breakthrough novel here the Crawdads Sing” is part murder mystery, part romance and part comingof-age tale that follows main character Kya Clark as she survives alone in the marsh of fictional coastal North Carolina town, Barkley Cove, in the ’50s and ’60s. The 2018 novel has topped The New York Times Best Sellers list nearly since its debut, and the book’s fervent success led to its development into a major motion picture, which released on July 15 and features an original song by Taylor Swift.

The words by author Delia Owens had a monumental impact not only on the novel’s fanbase, but also on the book’s publisher, Tara Singh Carlson, who felt such a connection to North Carolina after reading the story that she moved here, sight unseen, from New Jersey in 2020. Now the Chicago native lives in the Garrett Farms neighborhood with her husband, Andrew Carlson, and the couple’s two children, Charlie, 3, and Felix, 5.

“I love it here,” she says. “I feel very lucky.” Read on to learn more about her career path, book recommendations and how she hopes to earn cool points with her her kids one day:

PHOTO BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON

Tara Singh Carlson is the executive editor at Putnam, an imprint of publishing company Penguin Random House.

Tell me a little bit about your background in publishing. I started in

publishing in 2009, and my first job was actually at a literary agency, [Sanford J. Greenburger Associates], where the agents are on the other side of the publishing business, [representing] the authors. I did that for a year, and it was quickly clear that this was not the right spot for me.

My very next job was at [Penguin Random House]. I started as an editorial assistant [in 2010], and was at Penguin Books for four years.

Then I moved to Putnam, where I’ve been for almost eight years.

What initially drew you to the industry? Everybody who works in

publishing is a reader. In college, I kept thinking, ‘What could I possibly spend the rest of my life working in?’ The answer for me 36

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was pretty obvious – books. I always loved to read and escape into reading. Some of my biggest role models were fictional characters, and I wanted to make a living out of bringing stories to readers.

What are some of your favorite books you’ve published over the years? You never forget your first, so the very first book I

published was “The House at Tyneford” by Natasha Solomons. That book really launched my career because it ended up becoming a New York Times bestseller, so [it] will always have a soft spot in my heart.

The most fun publications are when, through all of the stars aligning, [a book] manages to find its audience. Another I will always remember publishing is “The Light We Lost” by Jill Santopolo. “Where the

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FALLARTS Crawdads Sing” is also just one of my favorite books I’ve ever read and ever published. I bought [“Where the Crawdads Sing”] at a very special time in my life, right after I had my first child, and just fell in love with that story.

More recently, “Nora Goes Off Script” by Annabel Monaghan and “Love & Saffron” by Kim Fay are two books I first acquired during the pandemic that took me out of my pandemic reading funk. They’re [both] beautiful stories that lift your heart.

What are you reading at the moment?

Although, the moment I learned that Taylor Swift wrote a song for the movie, it might have been even more exciting. I remember thinking, “If my kids ever one day think I’m cool, it’ll be because of this.”

Are you excited to see Kya come to life on the big screen? Absolutely.

I actually got to go to an early screening in March. I was very anxious, but as soon as I heard Daisy Edgar-Jones had been cast as Kya, I was so excited. I felt [Daisy] had exactly the right kind of strength and vulnerability to play a character like Kya.

Any other books you’d recommend to our

What motivated your decision to move to

I recently finished a book called “Every Summer After” [by Carley Fortune], which is a summer love story. I also loved “Black Cake” [by Charmaine Wilkerson], a story of family secrets. A lot of layers slowly unfold as you’re reading the novel; it’s really well done.

Durham? Is it true you moved here having

readers?

never even stepped foot in the state?

It’s true! I had never been here before. I was always a reluctant New Yorker – I moved to New York to get into publishing, and I stayed because I wanted to be in publishing, and I couldn’t do that and live anywhere else. But I never actually lived in Manhattan proper; the Tell me about your experience editing pace was too much for me. After [my husband “Where the Crawdads Sing.” When I read and I] had two kids, I kept dreaming of living the book, I fell in love with it immediately, somewhere with trees and lots of green. and so did the rest of the Putnam team.

I had this idea that Durham could be a [Delia] and I worked on the timeline great place to live. Good friends of ours had together, making sure Kya’s past could be moved to Durham a year before we ended told in the present day. Then we worked up moving, and they kept singing its praises. on when the two storylines ended up When the pandemic hit, and life became so intersecting to make that have as much untenable, with our family of four living in impact as possible. a [1,000-square-foot apartment], it just felt PHOTO BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON hard. Everybody was remote, and we didn’t How did editing this book help you feel connected to North Carolina, know for how long, so we decided to take the leap and just moved to having never visited? I always had this idea of North Carolina, and Durham. And I’m so happy we did. the Durham area specifically, as being this beautiful place with a lot of nature. Reading Delia’s novel, she is a gorgeous nature writer and What are some of your favorite Bull City eats? I love Juju; that’s describes the marshes and landscape of coastal North Carolina so probably my favorite restaurant. I also love the French onion soup vividly I felt like I had been there. I could see it, I could smell it, I at Vin Rouge – I stop by there more frequently than I should. Early could taste the air – it made me so desperate to visit.

Bird Donuts is another family favorite.

How did you find out the book was being adapted into a major

What has been the best part about living in Durham, thus far?

A lot of books get optioned for film, but very few make it to the big screen. I can’t remember the moment I learned it was optioned, but when [Delia flew out to Los Angeles], everybody at Putnam was like, "Oh, my gosh, this is really going to happen." It was very exciting.

The access to the outdoors and how close everything is. I love how many trails there are within Durham proper, just getting to Duke Forest and to the Eno [River]. I live within walking distance to [Sandy Creek Park] and a short drive to [Hollow Rock Nature Park].

To me, [Durham] is the perfect size, and there’s all this beautiful nature you have easy access to. – as told to Isabella Reilly

motion film? What was your reaction?

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FALLARTS

A fresh perspective he sound of rain falling, the scent of freshly mowed grass and the touch of a warm blanket are experiences we can imagine based on our senses. In a society dominated by sight, sensory elements such as these are part of what ShaLeigh Comerford wanted to explore in order to elucidate the experiences of individuals who live with low vision or blindness.

ShaLeigh Dance Works’ immersive performance enVISION: Sensory Beyond Sight premiered in early June at The Fruit.

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ShaLeigh Dance Works introduces audience members to the experiences of the visually impaired through a performance that incorporates all senses

By M ega n T i l l ots o n | P hoto gr a p hy by S l at er M a p p

The piece removed the barrier between audience and performers, giving the crowd a chance to fully engage with the message behind it.

“It’s about taking a moment in time and expanding all of the senses of that moment,” ShaLeigh says.

The idea behind enVISION emerged three years ago when Arts Access, a nonprofit that enables North Carolinians with disabilities to have full access to arts programs and facilities, reached out to ShaLeigh to create a piece with DJ Robinson, a dancer with low vision. “From the minute I met him, it was like a collaborative fire,”

ShaLeigh says. The pandemic brought the brainstorming process to a halt until August 2021, when the pair was able to begin choreographing in the studio. They brought in Krishna Washburn, a mentor to DJ and founder of New York-based Dark Room Ballet for adults who are blind or visually impaired, as a consultant to help with the research and framework for the performance.

“We [knew] we were going to have to bump up against a lot of the ableist principles that are not only in society and culture, but also in dance classrooms, theaters and artistic director relationships,” ShaLeigh says.​ The company also created a paid opportunity for experts who are low vision and blind to be part of the choreographic process. “As part of a group who is regularly overlooked, misunderstood and most definitely underestimated, an opportunity to share our world – highs, lows and all the in between – is paramount,” says

Elvira Basnight, one

of the experts. “... ShaLeigh and her company were genuinely interested in us as individuals and compassionate toward us as a group.”

A blindfold was laid on each audience member’s seat before each performance of enVISION. ShaLeigh gave the crowd a choice – watch the performance through their own eyes or experience it by removing the visual lens completely. “It was really touching to me [on] opening night when I looked out and saw almost every single audience member wearing the blindfold,” ShaLeigh says. “... They were ready for this experience and were willing.”

The performance opens with a real-life experience from one of the experts ShaLeigh brought on in the development of the performance, portraying her on an escalator at Penn Station with her guide dog. A rush of people come through, not acknowledging that she is blind, and nearly push her down. She

Fall Arts Guide cont'd.

Featured Artist: Teddy Reyling Devereux Sept. 8-Oct. 8 – Durham’s own fused glass specialist presents work that plays with color and light, and is inspired by nature and the scientific research she conducted throughout her corporate career in Research Triangle Park.

5 Points Gallery, 5pointsgallery.com ‘Frozen’ Sept. 14-Oct. 2 – The hit Broadway musical stops by DPAC for a stint of 24 performances. This adaptation of the uberpopular Disney film includes nearly a dozen songs not heard in the movie. Durham Performing Arts Center, dpacnc.com Modapalooza Sept. 17, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. – Hop on the NCModernist tour bus and ride along for guided walk-throughs of 11 new or newly renovated modernist homes in Durham, Chapel Hill, Pittsboro and Carrboro. Attendees will meet architects – such as 2020 George Matsumoto Prize second place jury award winner Arielle Condoret Schechter – and enjoy refreshments plus a catered lunch. The tour departs from 500 Park Offices Dr. usmodernist.org Opening Reception for New Works by Kaidy Lewis and Barbara Tyroler Sept. 17, 5-7 p.m. – Enjoy a pint of Fullsteam Brewery beer while taking in the work of surrealist 

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FALLARTS then screams, “Stop, I’m blind!” ShaLeigh says. “The way this piece is designed, it can’t function without this opening because it lays the basis for everything else to unfold.

“I realized I wanted to uplift these marginalized stories and give them a world that deserved them,” ShaLeigh continues. Bubbles, feathers and even leaves from ShaLeigh’s own backyard float through the set to ignite the senses of the audience. A coat rack onstage doused in perfumes and colognes creates the moment of walking through a coat check. “I called each section ‘snow globes,’” ShaLeigh says. “ … I wanted those worlds to feel real and to share an experience as directly as possible.”

If you want a behind-the-scenes look into the creative process, there will be an online and in-person live screening of the documentary “Beyond Sight: The Making of enVISION” from Argyle Rebel Films at Westgate Wine in Raleigh on Sept. 10. A virtual premiere of the performance will livestream Sept. 17 on YouTube Party.

ShaLeigh, for her part, says that her biggest hope for people seeing this production “would be for us to realize that we leave people with low vision and blindness behind,” she says. “If we just had a bit more education and understanding, we would want to participate in the efforts of changing that.”

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DJ Robinson and ShaLeigh Comerford receive a round of applause after a performance of enVISION: Sensory Beyond Sight at The Fruit.

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Fall Arts Guide cont'd. painter Kaidy Lewis and creative portrait photographer Barbara Tyroler. The exhibit remains on view through October.

Horse & Buggy Press and Friends, horseandbuggypress.com The Robert Cray Band Sept. 20, 8 p.m. – Blues Hall of Fame inductee Robert Cray joins together with Richard Cousins, Dover Weinberg and Les Falconer to perform blues, R&B and soul songs from their critically acclaimed and Grammy Award-winning albums.

The Carolina Theatre, carolinatheatre.org Calming Spaces Through Sept. 23 – This exhibition showcases the calming, pastoral art of Dr. Daphne Xiao, an internal medicine specialist who uses acrylic paint to create serene landscapes.

Golden Belt Community Gallery Building 2, goldenbeltarts.com Slavic Voices Sept. 25 – The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle presents pieces by Antonín Dvořák, Mikhail Glinka, Zoltán Kodály and Mieczyslaw Weinberg in a performance featuring clarinet player Alexander Fiterstein. chamberorchestraofthetriangle.org Artwork by Philip Cherry IV Through Sept. 25 – The Durham Art Guild presents this exhibition of playful yet culturally conscious paintings bursting with bright colors and symbolism. Mill No. 1 at Golden Belt Campus, durhamarts.org Jason Lord and Linda Cato Sep. 29-Nov. 27 – The Durham Art Guild displays work from experimental artist Linda Cato and interdisciplinary creative thinker and art teacher Jason Lord.

Mill No. 1 at Golden Belt Campus, durhamartguild.org Roger Clyne and The Peacemakers with Zac Wilkerson Sept. 30, 8 p.m. – This rock ’n’ roll band performs with soulful singer and guitarist Zac Wilkerson. Motorco Music Hall, motorcomusic.com

Purchase your dining series tickets and learn more about the exhibit at modh.org

Click! Photo Festival Through October – The 10th annual event includes a keynote conversation with Samuel Fosso at 21c Museum Hotel on Oct. 2, plus exhibits and workshops at various locations including The Fruit and the North Carolina Museum of Art all month long. Browse prints, speak with local photographers and arts organizations, and view photography demonstrations during the second annual Click! Photo Fair at Durham Central Park, also on Oct. 2. The ArtsCenter in Carrboro hosts an opening reception for Hillsborough-based artist Holden Richards’ photography that showcases the Eno River through the lenses of various camera types on Oct. 14 from 6-9 p.m. clickphotofest.org

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Caique Brazilian Music Festival Oct. 1, 7 p.m.-2 a.m. – Caique Vidal & Batuque, a Brazilian band that has performed all over the world, brings its infectious energy and lively percussion to The Fruit.

Now based in Durham, band member Caique Vidal teaches music and culture in the area in addition to performing with the band. durhamfruit.com

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Larry & Joe Oct. 6, 6 p.m. – The duo of Larry Bellorín, a Venezuelan native and accomplished harpist, and Joe Troop (member of Grammy-nominated bluegrass group Che Apalache) bring their fusion of Venezuelan and Appalachian folk music on harp, banjo, cuatro, fiddle, guitar and maracas, among other instruments, to the outdoor stage at this agritourism event venue and family farm in advance of the duo’s January 2023 album release. Old Mill Farm, larryandjoe.com 2022 North Carolina Latin American Film Festival: Entre Géneros | Inbetweenness Oct. 6, 11-19, 29 – The 37th annual event features a series of Latin American films, documentaries, experiential pieces, animations and shorts at multiple venues including The Carolina Theatre and Rubenstein Arts Center at Duke University. Audiences are invited to delve into films that encompass Latin American lived experiences, from urban to rural, and reality to fiction. nclatinamericanfilmfestival.org 

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back in action tarted in 1974 as the Triangle Festival of Crafts, Durham Arts Council’s CenterFest is now a two-day affair that draws thousands of visitors to downtown’s City Center District.

Unfortunately Durhamites haven’t had the opportunity to experience an in-person CenterFest since 2019 – the Durham Arts Council hosted a virtual event in 2020 and postponed CenterFest altogether in 2021 due to COVID-19.

Visitors to the 47th annual event on Sept. 17 and 18 can expect to peruse artworks that vary across mediums – from paintings and photographs to jewelry and woodworking – from close to 120 artists, including Durham’s own Andrew Lonon and Wendy Allen.

DAC Director of Artist Services Margaret DeMott says the council strives to feature diverse works at all price points so that attendees can find gifts for friends and family, investment pieces and anything in between.

“People love to come downtown, and in 2019, we had [nearly] 35,000 visitors and participants,” says DAC Executive Director Sherry DeVries. “It’s important from an economic standpoint, helping to drive local business, and so we also focus on trying to direct traffic to our downtown businesses and restaurants. ... We want everyone to benefit from CenterFest.”

At CenterFest, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. If you’re looking to browse the artists’ booths without the crowds, Margaret and Sherry suggest coming early on Saturday morning. If you’d like to be immersed in the bustle and appreciate some good 44

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North Carolina’s longest-running street arts festival returns to downtown

By Bro o k e S pac h

CENTERFEST 2022:

BY THE NUMBERS

47th 2 5 dozen year

days

stages

More than a

food trucks and classic festival food vendors

20-30 120 24

local nonprofits artists, including

confirmed Durham artists (at press time)

old-fashioned people-watching, they recommend coming around midafternoon when the festival is at its busiest.

Live performances are slated throughout both days across five stages, and local nonprofits will be on hand to disseminate information about their organizations. The kiddos can participate in activities with pottery wheels, building blocks and other crafts in the Creative Kids Zone, and there will be a dedicated stage for familyfriendly performances.

“We’re really encouraging people to be on-site this year,” Sherry says. “Coming out of the pandemic and being able to be in person again – this is really going to be a celebration.”

ABOVE In 1984, the Street Arts Celebration was renamed to CenterFest and moved to a two-day format.

BELOW Former CenterFest Volunteer Coordinator Brianna Small, Sherry DeVries, Margaret DeMott, DAC Director of Facilities and Visitors Services Anthony Zefiretto and Maintenance Assistant Justin Bond.

Fall Arts Guide cont'd.

Slingshot Music Festival Oct. 7-9 – This electronic music festival returns to The Fruit in October for the second time this year and features an international cohort of electronic dance music and modular synthesis artists, among them Ultrabillions and Los Angeles-based composer and producer Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith. slingshotfestival.com Spellling Oct. 14, 9 p.m. – The California-based musical artist performs songs from her selfproduced album, “The Turning Wheel,” which includes the work of 31 collaborators and was released in June of last year. The Pinhook, thepinhook.com You Won’t Believe What They Look Like Today! Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m. – Legendary comedians Steve Martin and Martin Short perform this lively and fast-paced show together.

The duo has been touring since 2015 and will be joined by touring keyboardist/pianist Jeff Babko and Grammy Award-winning Ashevillebased band Steep Canyon Rangers during this performance. Durham Performing Arts Center, dpacnc.com

Joe Satriani: Earth Tour Oct. 19, 8 p.m. – The prolific guitarist performs songs from his eclectic 19th studio album, “The Elephants of Mars,” which was created during the pandemic with his touring band, all recording remotely in separate areas of the world during lockdown.

The Carolina Theatre, carolinatheatre.org Southern Culture on the Skids Oct. 29, 9 p.m.

– This rock trio, which started up in 1983 and has performed with the likes of Patti Smith, promotes its 2021 release, “At Home with Southern Culture on the Skids,” featuring a raucous blend of “swamp pop” and rockabilly. Motorco Music Hall, motorcomusic.com Straight No Chaser Oct. 30, 3 p.m. – The a capella sensation that originated at Indiana University and boasts two certified gold albums celebrates 25 years together. Durham Performing Arts Center, dpacnc.com David Levinthal: Baseball Through Nov. 27 – Artist David Levinthal is known for his use of tiny figurines to imitate real-world events. This exhibit consists of large-scale Polaroids that highlight some of the legendary moments in baseball, like Jackie Robinson’s performance during the first game of the 1955 World Series. Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, nasher.duke.edu

Annual Iron Pour Nov. 5, 4-9 p.m. – Join Liberty Arts, a nonprofit artists’ collective dedicated to making arts accessible to all, during its annual fall tradition of melting 4,000 pounds of iron at 3,000 degrees and pouring it into molds created by the community at an event downtown. Scratch your own design into a 6-inch mold of hardened sand during a scratch-block workshop prior to the pour, and take home your own piece of art. Food and beer trucks and arts vendors will be on-site.

The event is free to the public, but donations are welcome. Durham Central Park, libertyartsnc.org Oddisee Nov. 9, 8 p.m. – The rapper and record producer uses his childhood in Maryland and the blatant inequities in everyday life to inform his music. Motorco Music Hall, motorcomusic.com Durham County Pottery Tour Nov. 12-13 – The ninth annual event returns to in-person studio tours celebrating Durham’s vibrant pottery community. Step into the independent work spaces of potters around the county to learn about the techniques and process of each artist, and purchase your favorite pieces. durhamcountypotterytour.com

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Become a regular at the Bull City’s newest bars B Y MATTHEW LARDIE PHOTOG RAPHY B Y J OHN MICHAEL SIMPSO N

urham loves a good drink, and luckily the Bull City is chock-full

of fantastic places to wet your whistle.

From breweries to wine bars, beloved longtime dives to nationally renowned craft cocktail joints, there is a place (and a drink) for every mood or occasion here. And a spate of new watering holes recently opened, giving Durhamites even more choices when it comes to quenching that thirst.

Killer Queen

This sparkling Italian Lini 910 Labrusca Lambrusco Rosé is a blend of Salamino and Sorbara grape varietals and produces a lovely light ruby color.

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Third time’s the charm for 117 E. Main St. – following on the heels of Bar Lusconi and Bar Brunello, Killer Queen Wine Bar has kept the juices flowing at one of Durham’s favorite addresses for wine. Owner Silvia Gallo originally intended to open a bar in Charlotte but fell in love with the tiny, narrow space and cozy patio, seeing its potential as a continued destination for great wine in the Bull City.

Silvia and her team transformed the interior into a colorful, lush setting to enjoy wines from across the world along with a menu of small plates, charcuterie, flatbreads and pastas. The wine list itself changes almost daily but always includes a little bit of the familiar and a little bit of the exotic. And one thing is for sure: There will always be bubbles.

One staple of the bar is the Jansz sparkling rosé, a wine that has special meaning for Silvia. While working at a wine bar in Los

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A colorful combo: Raspberry Beret paired with the Violet, You’re Turning Violet! cocktail – butterfly pea flower gin, lavender simple syrup, fresh lime juice and muddled basil, garnished with a lime slice and rice paper butterfly.

Angeles, her colleague and actor Drago Sumonja would pour her some Jansz while they planned out their lives. “Ever have someone see you’re more capable than you think you are?” Silvia says. “That was Drago, giving me sparkling rosé shots and telling me to open my own wine bar.”

Drago sadly passed away in 2020, but the legacy of his encouraging spirit (and the Jansz rosé) lives on at Killer Queen, and one of downtown’s quirkiest spaces continues to offer a world-class wine experience to oenophiles and everyday wine lovers alike.

Apéritif

Located in University Hill, Apéritif is one of the more recent additions to the craft cocktail scene. Owner Jason Hepler strived to create what he calls an “upscale neighborhood bar” – think all the comfort of the bar-around-the-corner, just gussied up a bit. An extensive menu of both signature and seasonal cocktails, along with beer and wine, is complemented by small plate offerings like charcuterie, canapés and baguette sandwiches. But for the true Apéritif experience, you’ll want to pair your cocktail with one of pastry chef Kristy Amrozowicz’s fantastic desserts – this is what truly sets Apéritif apart. Try the signature Apéritif cocktail – made with Aperol and Citadelle gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, grapefruit bitters, egg white and garnished with an orange peel – alongside a Raspberry Beret, a dark chocolate and Grand Marnier mousse dome filled with raspberry jam and served atop a brownie. Or perhaps you’ve been dreaming of Paris, in which case a glass of bubbly with some of Kristy’s homemade macarons would be très fantastique. There’s even a list of dessert cocktails, and trust us when we tell you: No one at Apéritif is going to judge you for drinking your dessert.  au g u s t/ s e p t e m b e r 2 0 2 2

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Gizmo Brew Works

Let’s stick in University Hill and take a quick stroll across from Apéritif to the recently opened third location of Raleigh’s Gizmo Brew Works. Its Durham taproom carries some of the brewery’s flagship beers as well as taproom-only small-batch releases. Gizmo’s Beekeeper honey wheat is one of its popular year-round brews – a nod to the vital profession of beekeeping, it’s brewed with wildflower honey and has won four different awards in both statewide and national competitions.

“When we started Gizmo, it was our first summer seasonal,” explains Gizmo CEO Bryan Williams. “After the second summer, we decided to keep making it, and come winter it was still our bestselling beer. [It] has been No. 1 ever since.”

Rotating seasonal brews keep the taproom’s 30 tap offerings fresh and exciting, with options like the Deep Blue blueberry saison, Roller Girl Belgian blonde, and monthly rotations of goses and fruited milkshake IPAs. There is always an assortment of wine, ciders and nonalcoholic beverages for those who might want something different, of course, but given Gizmo’s wide range of brews, it’s highly likely that even the most beer-averse drinker will find something to sip on.

Moon Dog Meadery

The Beekeeper honey wheat is a crowd favorite at Gizmo Brew Works.

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Mead just might be one of the oldest spirits on earth – the fermented, honey-based concoction has been the stuff of lore and legends for hundreds of years. But if the mention of mead conjures up images of kingly feasts and modern-day renaissance fairs, you might want to think twice. Mead has joined the modern age and is enjoying a renaissance of its own these days.

Enter Moon Dog Meadery and Bottle Shop, located underneath Joe Van Gogh on Broad Street and the brainchild of friends Derrick Forrest and Kenneth Thrower.

A chance meeting while climbing at Triangle Rock Club led to the pair connecting over, among other things, Derrick’s love for mead. He showed Kenneth the ropes when it came to brewing the drink, and Moon Dog Meadery entered the scene in 2021. Named for their dogs (visitors may get to meet Mystic and Sherlock as they hang at the meadery), Moon Dog currently offers four meads – dry and semisweet versions of a traditional mead called Nektar of the Dogs; a fruited mead called Blood of the Dogs; and the Hair of the Dog, brewed with Joe Van Gogh coffee.

Moon Dog also pours offerings from other meaderies, like Starrlight Mead in Pittsboro, alongside craft ciders and seltzers, all sourced from North Carolina. So whether you’re looking to relive your renaissance dreams or just in search of something completely different to try, a visit to Moon Dog Meadery will open up a whole new world of drink, right here in the Bull City.

The Radeberger Pilsner is a perfectly refreshing Germanstyle beer to get you through the final dog days of summer.

Der Nachbar

Blood of the Dogs is a semisweet, fruit forward and slightly tart mixed berry mead.

The newest kid on the block, so to speak, Der Nachbar Bottleshop & Taps is a pandemic dream come to life for co-owners (and Westwood Estates neighbors) Eric Cannon and Gert Bluschke. The pair met while out for walks with their families during lockdown and bonded over a mutual love for craft beer. Realizing that there weren’t many options to indulge in that shared interest nearby, Eric and Gert dove in headfirst and opened their own spot, Der Nachbar – which, fittingly, translates to “the neighbor” – earlier this summer. Gert grew up about 80 miles west of Munich, and Der Nachbar reflects that German heritage, with about a fifth of the bar’s 20 taps and nearly 80% of the designated European cooler dedicated to German beers. After nearly two years spent social distancing, Eric and Gert are proud to have created a space for beer enthusiasts and families alike to gather.

“Everybody is welcome to have a good time,” Eric says.

“We really wanted to center [Der Nachbar] around themes of community and neighborhood.” Events like yoga, food trucks like Kat-n-Around Authentic German Food, and an ever-rotating selection of craft beers from around the world have quickly cemented Der Nachbar as an anchor in the northwest Durham social scene, and there’s only one thing to say to that: Prost! au g u s t/ s e p t e m b e r 2 0 2 2

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dream team E

This trio is Littler’s recipe for success B Y REN EE AMB ROSO PHOTOG RAPHY B Y J OHN MICHAEL SIMPS O N

Elizabeth wasn’t the only new face was ready for a to greet diners when Littler’s longchange. She led a anticipated reopening took place in March small army of staff as after a two-year hiatus, which was broken the executive chef only by intermittent periods of takeout at Sierra Mar, the meals and to-go “provisions” boxes. Pastry restaurant attached chef Tanya Matta is a fresh talent to some, to the luxurious Post but many Durhamites recall the tempting Ranch Inn on the coast of Big Sur, hand pies, scones and cupcakes – not to California, but found herself itching to mention the breakfast, brunch and lunch “go somewhere littler – pun intended.” options – she crafted as the proprietor Her perfect match awaited at Littler, of DaisyCakes. Tanya sold the Foster a 36-seat hidden gem on Parrish Street business in 2015 and moved on Street. “Elizabeth just felt like the to work as the executive pastry chef at right fit from the first conversation the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club we had,” says Gray Brooks, who cobefore filling roles at restaurants across owns the restaurant with Cara Stacy the country. She joined the LittleJackToro and Jay Owens. The Blowing Rock restaurant group in August 2021 to head native packed her bags and left the the pastry program at Pizzeria Toro, Jack Blistered zucchini topped with buttermilk smoked trout roe sauce, marigold, nasturtium, California sunshine for her home state Tar & The Colonel’s Daughter and Littler. lemon and malt vinegar. last December – a transition that was, “We’re really fortunate to have someone she admits, shocking considering the who can craft desserts that match what change in scale of her role. Still, she was eager to bring her own the team [at Littler] is doing,” Gray says. “It’s such a high bar.” spin to the intimate eatery, and found a “like-minded” partner in And what they’re doing, evidenced by an ever-full roster of general manager Adrienne Stacy, who’s overseen Littler’s daily reservations, is knocking people’s socks off. operations since 2016. Elizabeth dove headfirst into collaboration Elizabeth, Tanya and Adrienne all characterize Littler the same with Gray on a reimagined menu that would bring the restaurant’s way: an intimate space that you stumble upon and encounter a meal long-standing farm-to-table philosophy into a new era. that’s revelatory.  lizabeth Murray

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Littler general manager Adrienne Stacy, pastry chef Tanya Matta and chef Elizabeth Murray.

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The warm yellow lighting in the small space contrasts dark tabletops and a huge achromatic Harrison Haynes photograph that covers one of the walls. The murmur of an analog sound system wafts over the bar and dining room, all a backdrop for the seasonally shifting menu.

Elizabeth says with every dinner service – which includes Tuesday evenings as of the end of May – she hopes that “something will surprise [guests] at some point in the meal.”

Her creative, elevated dishes, like the smoked duck breast resting on a bed of barley with orange-sorghum vinaigrette and ramp aioli, accompany Littler staples including the lamb burger on toasted house brioche with arugula and a warm Like-minded kashkaval cheese-andpeople can go potato salad. Bounty from through a hard Piedmont Microgreens, day and still among other local find humor ... growers, frequently finds that’s what its way into dishes that I appreciate about Adrienne evolve as the seasons and Tanya. progress. Her halibut with Parmesan broth and – Elizabeth Murray potato puree, Elizabeth says, began “in the spring [utilizing] ramps and green garlic in the puree with asparagus and snap peas,” and morphed into a summer-forward dish as pattypan squash and cherry tomatoes rolled in at the Durham Farmers Market, where Gray shops for produce each week. Tanya’s fruit-filled desserts – unique from what she creates for Pizzeria Toro and Jack Tar – finish off meals in a crescendo of vibrant color.

Littler is “approachable, but also pushing the envelope a bit,” Tanya says. “I’d even say it’s a little punk rock,” Elizabeth adds.

They’ve only served diners together for a handful of months, but Littler’s new team already lean on one another’s talents and experiences to push past challenges like finding adequate front- and back-of-house 52

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ABOVE Blueberry brown butter tart with violet cremeux, blueberry-passionfruit ice cream and pickled blueberries.

LEFT Halibut with squash, Parmesan broth, pork rind, pea tendrils, tomato and basil.

staff, which, Elizabeth says, has been their biggest obstacle so far.

There’s a sense of collective care and intentionality among the trifecta.

“Each one of us … [has] that dedication, care, talent, craft and knowledge,” Adrienne says. “I think that it’s evident.” Together, she says, they’re tackling higher traffic than the restaurant has ever seen.

“Our guests have been so gracious and loyal,” Gray says. “…

We’re so fortunate they stuck with us. [Reopening] felt like having someone close to you come home after a long time away.”

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Meet the small-batch ice-cream maker with big dreams B Y MATTHEW LARD I E PHOTOG RAPHY B Y J O H N M I C H A EL S I M PS O N

t seemed like everyone and their mother was Africa; Kenyan Dirty Chai for East Africa; and a Ghanaian “Hot” making sourdough bread during the first few Chocolate ice cream for Sam’s ancestral homeland of West Africa. months of the pandemic. Not Samantha Kotey, Creating these flavors allowed Sam to delve into the foodways of or Sam, as most of her friends call her. all of Africa, many of which were unfamiliar even to her. “In trying “Fun fact: I hate sourdough bread,” new flavors, I get to explore the Continent,” she explains. she says, laughing.

Sam also offers a seasonal sorbet based on whatever ingredients she Half a loaf of leftover plantain bread and a can find locally. Some recent flavors include strawberry coconut and desire not to waste it led Sam to her blueberry sobolo, a spiced hibiscus flavor. If nothing own pandemic culinary creation. She turned that at the market piques her interest, she falls back on a bread into ice cream, and eventually a new hobby of classic of West African cuisine – what is commonly making ice cream turned into a business: Auntie’s called “ginger drink.” Sam transformed this Ice Cream, where Sam marries one of America’s ubiquitous drink of spicy fresh ginger and pineapple [Auntie’s favorite frozen treats with the flavors of the African juice into a sorbet that her customers clamor for. is] a vessel continent. (The name for the business comes from Sam also makes sure to source her ingredients through which I can the common use of “Auntie” across the Continent to from the Continent whenever possible. The share the refer to the older women, sometimes blood relatives, ginger comes directly from a market in Benin, ingredients, sometimes just neighbors, who are the heart of the chocolate from Ghana, the cardamom from the flavors family and social life.)

Kenya, and the Amarula liqueur is a popular South and the Sam’s parents came from Ghana to the U.S. – first African tipple that can be found here in the U.S. traditions to New York, and then to Houston, where she was Though she’s currently only selling online or of [africa]. born and raised. She arrived in Durham in 2008 for through various pop-ups (folks can head to her law school at Duke and, after moving around a bit, website and sign up for the newsletter to be ended up back in the Bull City for good in 2015. notified of upcoming pop-ups and new flavors), That first batch of plantain bread ice cream sparked a realization Sam has major plans for the future of Auntie’s Ice Cream. in Sam – sure there was plenty of ice cream out there, but none that “My dream is to have a confection empire,” she says. With eyes highlighted the West African flavors her family grew up with, or on retail expansion (when she has the time – she’s still working her indeed, any flavors of the Continent at all. day job as a tech lawyer at Pendo in Raleigh), Sam hopes that she “African food is oftentimes viewed with a little bit of can continue to introduce people to the varied flavors of Africa by trepidation,” Sam explains. “Ice cream is the perfect medium [to using ice cream as an entry into American freezers. introduce African flavors].”

“Auntie’s is not just ice cream,” Sam insists. “It’s a vessel through Today Auntie’s regularly offers flavors from what Sam calls which I can share the ingredients, the flavors and the traditions of the four cardinal regions of Africa: There’s Salted Amarula, the Continent.” If her mission is to evangelize the rest of us to the representing Southern Africa; Moroccan Mint Tea for Northern allure of African foods, she’s certainly chosen the right vessel. au g u s t/ s e p t e m b e r 2 0 2 2

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table talk Museum of Durham History Executive Director Patrick Mucklow with Marjorie Yarbrough Burton and Lew Myers at Parizade.

The Museum of Durham History’s latest exhibit – paired perfectly with an in-person dining series – draws attention to Durham’s restaurants, past and present B Y RE N E E A M B R O SO | P HOTO GR AP HY BY JO HN MICHAEL SIMPSON

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urham’s dining scene receives national recognition much more often these days thanks to our James Beard Award-winning chefs, lauded restaurateurs and long-standing farmto-table movement, among other contributors. But rampant creativity and innovation in our kitchens is nothing new, says Patrick Mucklow, executive director of the Museum of Durham History.

“We know [that] locally there has always been interesting cuisine and culinary adventure going on for a long time,” Patrick says.

The museum hosted an opening reception in May for its “Dining Out in Durham” exhibit, which remains on view through October.

Visitors learn about restaurants that operated during the 20th century and the threads that tie them to the current dining scene. They also ABOVE Herb-stuffed branzino hear firsthand accounts with broccolini, mixed olives and from Durhamites smoked tomato salsa was served who experienced during the “Dining Out in Durham” segregation via oral dinner at Parizade. BELOW Historian John Schelp shares his knowledge history recordings and of Old West Durham. read about the “Royal Seven,” a group of Black protesters who organized a sit-in at the Royal Ice Cream Parlor

in 1957. Other Durham restaurants were the sites of large civil rights protests, like one that took place nearly every Sunday at Howard Johnson’s Restaurant on Chapel Hill Boulevard in 1962 and 1963.

“We can learn about how folks navigated the waters of segregation, and we wanted to open that discussion, and for it to be a frank topic that people explore in the exhibit,” Patrick says.

Patrick adds that the history of our eateries inevitably traces the influx of immigrants who brought their culture and culinary practices to the area. He says that “Dining Out in Durham” reveals a historical acceptance of international flavors in addition to the stalwart Southern staples that marched across most menus during the mid-20th century. “Indian, Latino, African – there are a lot of different cuisines that have influenced the restaurants here today,” Patrick says. A few pioneers are still standing, such as Banh’s Cuisine on Ninth Street – likely the first restaurant to offer Vietnamese dishes in the area – and Yamazushi, both of which opened in the late 1980s. Banh’s tried-and-true staples – like its ginger

Parizade’s longtime general manager Igor Gacina with owner Giorgios Bakatsias.

chicken and the vegetarian plate with sticky rice and perfectly fried tofu, which is served up alongside other Vietnamese specials on Wednesdays and Saturdays – have ensured its longevity, while Yamazushi found its niche when it made the leap from sushi to traditional Japanese kaiseki dining, or multicourse small plates, in 2010. Yamazushi continues to evolve, transitioning its focus to presentations of Japanese tea ceremonies in a new location in spring 2023, according to chef and owner George Hitoshi Yamazawa.

Several long-standing establishments also partnered with the museum to offer an immersive fundraising series across the city during the exhibit’s run. “We were able to work very quickly, closely and easily outside our respective comfort zones to make this [series] happen,” Patrick says. “… [It’s a] very unique Durham quality that the sense of collaboration between cultural institutions and hospitality is not that far-fetched.” 

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issue The events include an educational presentation from a historian or speaker on topics related to historical dining practices and Durham’s past. Attendees are served a prix fixe menu so that chefs can showcase staple flavors and ingredients.

The inaugural evening of the series took place at Parizade in early June. Historian John Schelp flipped through slides of postcards, aiming a yardstick at buildings and streets in black-and-white shots of Old West Durham and the mill district that once sprawled across Erwin Square, where the upscale, Mediterranean-inspired restaurant is located.

Guests followed John’s presentation through the beginnings of Duke University’s East Campus and the evolution of Durham’s main streets while sampling poached octopus, lamb chops and seafood risotto.

Parizade itself is a mainstay in Durham’s culinary ethos. It opened in September 1991 and has sustained exceptional quality in both

Roasted chicken breast stuffed with spinach and goat cheese over garlic crouton panzanella, basil and balsamic vinaigrette.

its food and hospitality under the leadership of owner Giorgios Bakatsias, who was named Restaurateur of the Year during the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association’s annual award ceremony in April.

Parizade quietly entered its third decade last year. The pandemic postponed all celebrations, but Giorgios is sentimental about the milestone. “When I walk in[to Parizade] I feel a certain effortless joy,” he says. His reverence for the space remains, even with the ballooning roster of projects that demand his attention – Giorgios oversees Vin Rouge, The Nasher Museum Café and Local 22 Kitchen & Bar, in addition to several other eateries across the Triangle, as the founder and owner of Giorgios Hospitality & Lifestyle Group. As of press time, he anticipates opening Krill on Ramseur Street by late July.

Parizade stood out among its peers when it opened, boasting one of the largest kitchens in the area at the time as well as a

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delightfully distinctive style. “The space is welcoming,” Giorgios says. “It’s friendly because of the copper [accents] that are a grounding force, the colors, the circles, the movement [and] the outdoor garden. … Through the years, it evolved visually. But it [was] always supposed to be a theater for all the senses.”

Parizade has managed to continually revive itself over its 30 years, Giorgios says, as he hoped it would when he chose the name, which he says means “rebirth.” “[The space] had lots of layers and lives to explore … it’s only fueled by the teams who believed in that vision,” he adds.

One team member who’s become a familiar face to most longtime Parizade customers is general manager Igor Gacina. A native of Croatia, Igor moved to North Carolina in September 1993 and began working at the restaurant as a server. He was promoted to service manager three years later, and general manager in 2000. He’s bonded with his regulars and has helped plan many a birthday dinner, wedding reception or other special event.

“You’re part of their lives,” he says.

Executive chef Jason Lawless, who’s been with the restaurant since 2016, will bring back beloved dishes from years past for a “Greatest Hits” menu offered throughout the Parizade executive chef Jason Lawless month of September, will also serve as chef and partner of Krill, and also served on Oct. the Asian street food-inspired eatery 2 during a black-tie slated to open in late July. optional, ticketed anniversary party. “Golden tickets” will be randomly handed out to 30 diners at any of 10 Giorgios Group restaurants in August, granting a meal to sample the special menu at Parizade. Guests can expect classics like smoked salmon with stewed spinach and feta; lamb chops; paella; and lemon linguine with squash and sundried tomatoes alongside staples like the “Parizade Salad” with strawberries, roasted almonds and Stilton blue cheese.

As for the remaining MoDH dinners, the next one takes place Aug. 10 at Geer Street Garden (expect a talk on our history of segregated dining and civil rights while noshing on Southern classics) and then at Juju Asian Tapas + Bar in September. Chris Holaday will share insights from “Classic Restaurants of Durham,” the book he co-authored with Patrick Cullom, over a meal at Vin Rouge to close out the series in October. You can purchase tickets by visiting museumofdurhamhistory.org.

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field trip

Students receive a farm-fresh education at Durham Public Schools’ outdoor agricultural learning center

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B Y REN EE AMB ROSO PHOTOG RAPHY B Y J OHN MICHAEL SIMPSON

Meg Hamilton, Indigo Hamilton-Dunsmore, 2, Sarah Dunsmore, and August Hamilton-Dunsmore, 2, visit the chicken coop.

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undreds of honeybees bustled toand-fro across three painted hives, while lone sentries went buzzing off to hunt nectar amid rows of squash blossoms and patches of wildflowers.

Across the garden, families danced while Pierce Freelon riffed to melodic beats from the porch-turned-stage attached to The Hub Farm’s red barn.

The fundraising concert – which also included a performance by XOXOK – fell in late June, a handful of days past the end of an academic year, during which The Hub hosted more than 2,530 Durham Public Schools students in its immersive outdoor learning programs.

A few weeks later, the 30-acre educational farm and forest between

Eno Valley Elementary School and Durham County Library’s North

Regional branch teemed with rising

Zahid Beckett, Lillian Austin and Asa Anderson are no chickens when it comes to holding chickens in The Hub Farm’s educational garden.

first- through third-graders, its second cohort of summer campers.

Seven DPS teachers paired with high school-aged interns led literacy-focused activities like vocab practice at the creek and readalongs among rows of okra and beans.

“Summer camp is really special and fun because we don’t necessarily have as many [grade level] standards that we have to hit,” explains Ashley Meredith, who’s led The Hub as its program manager since 2017.

Fifth- and eighth-grade field trips that take place during the school year are more regimented, with activity stations focused on end-of-grade science testing prep spread around the property. Servicelearning trips are a collaborative effort among teachers and The Hub’s three full-time staff, who are employed by DPS. On these visits, kids might test water from the pond or help harvest crops and weed in the garden. And classes from any grade level can opt to visit for openair lessons. “There’s professional development workshops available to DPS teachers and other ways to get involved in the community of outdoor learning,” Ashley adds.

Ignite! Online Academy groups visit weekly for outdoor instruction.

A handful of UNC APPLES interns and one AmeriCorps service member from Conservation Trust for North Carolina frequent the farm, too. 

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issue This programming is supported by grants, like one from The Burt’s Bees Greater Good Foundation, via Friends of the Hub Farm nonprofit. It’s enough to maintain livestock, the quarter-acre vegetable and fruit garden, plus forest and aquatic learning stations. The Hub’s produce is distributed across the county to DPS families and others in need through partnerships with Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, Durham County Department of Public Health’s Durham’s Innovative Nutrition Education program and the N.C. Cooperative Extension.

The garden’s bursting with warm-weather crops like spiny cucumbers and yellow summer squash while Pierce and his bandmates jam. After the juiciest summer tomatoes and tomatillos have passed, Hub farmer and educator Hannah Ball-Damberg will liaise with career and technical education classes at Northern High School – just 10 minutes away by foot – to pick and plan fall and winter crops.

Anyone enrolled in the advanced levels of culinary arts teacher Peter Brodsky’s classes at Northern has trekked over to The Hub. For the past four years, their courses culminated in a farmto-table dinner prepared and cooked at the high school. Peter and his students even once served a four-course meal featuring dishes like duck confit to 35 guests at a Board of Education event.

“We’ve done a variety of things, from individual labs where we pick and process or pickle vegetables, all the way to multi-course meals, all with [ingredients] that the students raised or grew themselves,” Peter says. His pupils typically plant culinary staples like salad greens (usually kale and spinach), garlic and herbs.

Program Manager Ashley Meredith.

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By the Numbers* 2,532 students on field trips

1,600+ visitors during events and workshops

262 K-12 students led by teachers on self-guided trips 193 volunteers

60 summer campers per week 9 summer interns

2,012 pounds of veggies donated 137 dozen eggs donated 21 chickens 15 ducks

*for the 2021/22 fiscal year

Pierce Freelon entertains the crowd during The Hub’s benefit concert in June.

“There’s so much that [The Hub] has to offer to students around the district in all sorts of ways,” Peter says. “I can’t say enough just how important it is that we get kids out in the dirt, getting fresh air and getting to see that the natural order of things still exists.”

Even if you’re not a DPS family or staff member, chances are you’ve tasted The Hub’s bounty in a Monuts bagel sandwich or LocoPops’ blueberry basil sorbet. The farm gets a kickback from the frozen pop sales and from bags of Joe Van Gogh’s Let it Grow Blend coffee beans.

The sun wearily sets during Pierce’s last song, and kids tire of cornhole and sprinting through the mist tent. Live music and food trucks will return for a larger bash on Oct. 15, when The Hub celebrates 10 years of hands-on outdoor learning. Ashley says that future programming possibilities have plenty of room to grow alongside the needs of the district, and that the farm will continue to hold space for “little moments of discovery and peace that kids find out here.”

enjoy panoramic views of Durham at the UClub

2022

food &

‘Reaching Out to Durham’s Hungry’ drink

issue

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Documentary photographer, writer and filmmaker turns her lens to the volunteers helping to feed our community WO RDS A N D P H OTO GR AP HY BY R HO NDA KL E VANSKY

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Theresia McGee runs Hannah’s Community Kitchen.

She and her volunteers served nearly 5,600 households in 2020, and they currently feed more than 1,300 people every month. She sources the food through her volunteers, Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and local churches. She also volunteers at a nearby church’s food pantry, which serves close to 1,660 individuals twice a month.

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Julian Xie is one of the founders of the Duke University School of Medicine student organization Root Causes and its Fresh Produce Program, which assists food-insecure patients referred from Duke primary care clinics and Lincoln Community Health Center.

Students and other volunteers take food to hundreds of people on a biweekly rotating schedule. The longterm goal of the program is for health care to encompass food distribution and equitable access to good nutrition.

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Elijah King is a community activist and college student who founded the Durham Neighbors Free Lunch Initiative during his senior year at Riverside High School.

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here are people lining up for donated food in Durham on any given day of the week. Sometimes they wait for hours. Our fellow Durhamites are deciding whether they will be able to pay rent, afford transportation to work, pay for medicines or buy nutritious food.

The latter often comes last. The pandemic magnified the food insecurity in our county – according to Durham County Food Security coordinator Mary Oxendine, data shows an estimated 12% of North Carolinians say they don't have enough to eat. In Durham, 25% of families with children are food insecure. Durham County food pantry use was 152% higher in 2021 compared to 2019.

Furthermore, she says BIPOC households in the state are four times more likely to be food insecure and experience job loss at twice the rate of white households.

But people also can show their best selves in troubled times, and many have stepped up. They run food pantries, donate food and raise money for those in need. Though it is painful to see the hunger, Theresia McGee of Hannah’s Community Kitchen says “the gratitude of the recipients is palpable.”

“A woman, tears rolling down her face said to me, ‘This is a blessing for my children and myself,’” Theresia says. Thanks to the efforts of Theresia and others printed here – which represent only a tiny portion of the helpers in our city – I embarked on this project to show not the shadow of hunger, but the light of our citizens who are caring for one another.

Ninth Street Bakery owner Ari Berenbaum donated more than $30,000 toward food aid in the form of contributions, bread and free meals during the pandemic.

He simultaneously started Durham Neighbors, which has directed more than $70,000 in microdonations to the low-income Durham community.

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Lilton Evans Jr., one of the original founders of Briggs Avenue Community Garden, has helped grow food at the garden since his retirement more than a decade ago. He was born and raised on a Virginia farm, served in the Air Force, and worked nearly 40 years as a steel cutter for military contractors.

Today he volunteers with Urban Community AgriNomics, Society of St. Andrew and Briggs, which gave away 2,482 pounds of food and 8,000 plants last year. This year, it has distributed 10,000 pounds of donated seeds across the state to families with limited resources.

Marcella Thompson, founder of The Mustard Seed Project, provides nutritious food, household items, clothing and other assistance to more than 250 families. With the help of her daughter, Alexandria Thompson, she picks up baked goods, USDA boxes and vegetable donations from Tall Grass Food Box, which supports the work of Black farmers in North Carolina. They have also been organizing COVID-19 vaccinations for those without resources.

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A fresh coat of paint on the brick exterior of Keith Flynn and Adrian Brown’s Duke Forest home rejuvenated the classic Cape Cod style.

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Lasting Impression

After multiple moves and several restoration projects, this couple found their forever home in Duke Forest B Y MORG AN CARTIER WESTO N PHOTOG RAPHY B Y J OHN MICHAEL S I M PS O N

S

erial renovators Adrian Brown and Keith Flynn are not afraid to tackle a big project. The couple have revived homes all around Durham over the past several years, including a 1910 Victorian in ClevelandHolloway, a 1940s cottage in Morehead Hill and a 1950s

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ABOVE You’ll often find Adrian responding to his emails from this cozy nook in the kitchen.

BELOW The dining room’s abstract art collection includes a work by Edith London, who studied under Picasso. “She was born in Berlin, too, so it’s a cool connection,” says Adrian, who was also born in Berlin.

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ranch in Forest Hills, and fell in love with each community along the way. “We feel like we’ve lived in every neighborhood,” Keith says.

“Some of them twice.”

That’s how Adrian, co-owner of Inhabit Real Estate, and Keith, assistant principal at Burton Magnet Elementary, initially experienced Duke Forest. “We first moved here in 2012 and renovated a home that we almost passed on,” Adrian says. “We saw it at least seven times, and every time I was like, ‘No, we can’t.’ We finally bought it and commenced doing all kinds of work, and ended up staying there for five years.”

“That was a great house,” Keith adds. “We loved how established the neighborhood felt.

The houses have been here for a while, and you can see how things have grown and evolved over time with all the different styles of homes,

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ABOVE Duke Forest’s trees provide plenty of shade to entertain outside during the summer heat.

BELOW LEFT The portrait above the guest bed is by the late Chapel Hill artist Louis St. Lewis.

BELOW RIGHT Friends Corey J. Savage and Erica Starke-Knight catch up with Keith in the dining room.

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many of which were built by Duke University professors.” The spouses also enjoyed the neighborhood’s proximity to entertainment, restaurants and medical offices, as well as being a few blocks from the Duke Forest trails. “It’s a great walking neighborhood, and the trails are a wonderful feature,” Keith says.

Adrian’s dad was in the military, so he’s no stranger to constantly changing surroundings.

“We moved a lot when I was growing up, which is probably part of why I’ve done it so much as an adult,” he says. “It’s in my blood not to stay in one place too long. I was born in Berlin, and we lived in New England, the South Pacific and Hawaii. I eventually ended up in Atlanta, then here.”

But the couple says their current home is their last. They purchased the 1969 Cape Cod in 2019, and have renovated it in phases ever since. “We feel like we finally found something that’s the perfect size, location and neighborhood for us,” Keith says. 

Adrian takes Polaroid photos of Erica Starke-Knight and Shana Tucker. Keith and Adrian place the pictures on table settings for seating arrangements at parties.

Incredible Kids Art Contest Winner!

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Read about more incredible kids helped by Duke Children’s – and how you can help!

The Incredible Kids Art Contest is presented by:

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Sanditon on Masterpiece

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home & garden

“We saw past the blue shag carpeting, dark wood paneling, all these traditional finishes, because the bones were amazing,” Adrian says. It had office space for both Keith and Adrian, a guest room and spacious entertaining areas – they just needed a little refining.

“Cape Cods are traditionally very closed off when it comes to floor plans,” Adrian explains. To help modernize the home, they first opened things up by removing the many doors separating the corridors, living and kitchen areas, and then widened doorways wherever possible to visually connect each space.

The pair also added hardwood floors throughout the main level, replaced the staircase handrail and updated some doors and hardware to give a more consistent feel from room to room.

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Keith loves to cook and bake, and spends much of his time at this prep station, which was converted from the home’s original kitchen pantry.

home & garden

ABOVE RIGHT The family room, once swathed in dark wood paneling and heavy fabrics, is now a bright, cheerful place to relax, as Adrian, Shana and Adrian’s mom, Christel Bowen, demonstrate.

Swapping out the traditional heavy draperies for softer blinds and removing a few trees outside brightened the home with more natural light, adding to the open feel.

Next, Adrian and Keith enlisted the help of interior designer Magan Toth of Finch & Form Interiors (formerly Nested Interiors) to establish the home’s aesthetic direction.

“Magan intuitively knew what to select for us – we wanted a third eye on our choices and gave her a lot of freedom, and she just nailed it, like with the hand-painted accent wall in the powder room,” Keith says. “There were a couple of times we even let her surprise us, like with some shelves salvaged from an old courthouse in Yadkinville, [North Carolina]. She just got us.”

Keith, who loves to bake, was excited to convert the home’s tiny kitchen pantry into his prep station. It now houses his equipment, pans and cookbooks, as well as counter space with a fun accent: an exposed copper pipe running up to the second floor.

“Most pipes are PVC today, so it feels like this luxe industrial touch and also such a nod to the time the house was built,” Keith says.

His favorite feature in the kitchen came recommended by a unique source. “We were building a house before this, and I wanted a nice, professional range but didn’t know au g u s t/ s e p t e m b e r 2 0 2 2

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Christel, Corey, Keith, Adrian, Erica and Shana enjoy an alfresco meal from Golden Pizza & Subs.

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home & garden

who to contact,” Keith explains. “I thought, ‘Who out there might know whose opinion I can trust?’” Keith rolled the dice and messaged Martha Stewart Living’s food editor, Sarah Carey, on Instagram. “To my surprise, she replied with a rave review of the BlueStar range, and I was able to source one through Kitchen & Bath Galleries in Chapel Hill,” Keith says. “I loved it so much that I made sure we had one in this home, and I will never be without one.”

Their next big project? Converting the spacious backyard workshop into a studio apartment for Adrian’s mom, Christel Bowen. “The previous

owner was a big tinkerer and had all kinds of tools, so thankfully electrical lines were already run to the building. It’s perfect for her, and it will be great to have her close by,” Adrian says.

When they’re not taking a walk with their pup, Pippa, the spouses enjoy hosting dinner parties. “I love making connections among our friends and neighbors,” Adrian says. “I call them blind friend dates.”

The creative duo also loves exploring Durham together.

“I grew up in a smaller town in eastern North Carolina, so I like that Durham feels like a small town in a way, but it really is a good-

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The couple converted this closet in the guest room into a desk space.

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Elizabeth Lindquist, Realtor Keith, Adrian and their miniature schnauzer, Pippa.

sized city,” Keith says. “It’s a great balance of being able to know and build community with your neighbors, but also have so much to do nearby.”

Adrian and Keith often enjoy a meal at Bar Virgile or NanaSteak before attending a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center.

They also refer friends and real estate clients alike to Corpse Reviver Bar & Lounge for drinks (“They have the best gin and tonic in the world,” Keith says), Taqueria La Vaquita and the Birrieria Toro Rojo food truck for tacos, and Picnic for classic Southern fare.

“Right now, we are really excited about how the Golden Belt district is coming along,” Adrian says. “We recently checked out [Neapolitan-style pizza restaurant] Cugino Forno and just had the best time sitting outside and looking out over the lawn. We couldn’t believe we were in downtown Durham. We feel so lucky we get to enjoy this city as it grows.”

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Paw Patrol Five dog owners share their favorite pup-friendly spots.

Follow them on Instagram for more inspiration.

B Y J E S S I CA ST RI N GE R

@magglesitsmaggles

Jessica Edwin met her dog, Maggie, during an

Independent Animal Rescue event at Phydeaux

in Chapel Hill. “It was love at first sight,” Jessica says. Four-and-a-half years later, Maggie, a mix of Staffordshire terrier, Rottweiler and a few other breeds, is most at home in Chancellor’s Ridge with Jessica and her husband, M ​​ att Edwin.

One of Maggie’s favorite spots is Herndon Park near their house. “We like to just sit and watch people play sports,” Jessica says. Another fave is Falls Lake. “My dad has a boat up there, so we’ll take her out on the boat,” she says. “Falls Lake is really quiet, and we can just have our own time.

We can park at a beach, and Maggie can swim.”

When they need to go out of town without Maggie, they bring her to The Pet Wagon Hotel.

“She can have her own space,” Jessica says. “She gets one-on-one attention from the staff.”

@hudsontheminilabradoodle The first place in Durham that Heather Schmitz took Stella, her 6-month-old mini Bernedoodle, was the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club. “I wanted to socialize her, so I took her on their back patio, where dogs are allowed,” she says. “[Stella and Hudson, our 2-yearold mini labradoodle,] could just chill out back there.” Heather, her husband, Robin Schmitz, and their pups, who are half siblings, also frequent Ponysaurus Brewing Company.

They live a few minutes from Duke University Hospital, so Sarah P. Duke Gardens is not far for sneaking in a visit during the hours the gardens allow dogs, which are before 10 a.m. and after 5 p.m. “Another place [we love] is For Garden’s Sake, a garden center,” Heather says. “They do not mind if you bring dogs along to shop. I've brought Hudson there several times for little photo shoots for his Instagram. They also have live music events in the summer with a food truck that you can bring your dog to as well.”

The family enjoys time outdoors and can most often be found walking Cox Mountain Trail at Eno River State Park. When the pups need grooming, Heather takes them to U Dirty Dog Self Wash Spa. “The owner’s name is Whitley Evans,” Heather says. “She’s really great. I just drop them off, and she takes care of them in a few hours.”

Finally, Heather recommends treats for humans and dogs at LocoPops. “Hudson likes the pup pops,” Heather says. @kingsleyandcharlamagne

When Kisha Buie’s friend made an Instagram account for her dog five years ago, Kisha was inspired to do the same for her pup, Kingsley.

Kisha and Sonté Buie, her twin sister and East Durham roommate (pictured left), eventually expanded their pack to include goldendoodle Charlamagne, 3, and Majesty, a standard poodle who will be 8 months old in August.

The sisters go to Piney Wood Dog Park every now and again with friends. “Kingsley is very active, so we like to walk with her on the American Tobacco Trail to get her energy out,” Kisha says.

“It’s flat, so it allows us to keep up with our dogs.

It’s nice and shady and easy to access.” 

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One entry point in particular is close to another favorite spot, Oliver’s Collar Dog Treat Bakery. “We can park there, go for a walk, come back, get some fun toys, food or anything for the dogs, and then we’ll be on our merry way, ” Kisha says. “We [also] love to get birthday cakes from there.”

When Kisha and Sonté want to grab a beer, they head to Hi-Wire Brewing with Kingsley since it’s got plenty of room inside and out. “I think Boxyard RTP is actually our spot right now – we’re obsessed,” Kisha says. “They have a little dog park and Meat & Graze, where you can get a charcuterie board for dogs. Beyu Caffé has great coffee for humans while BuzzyBakes Bakeshop has pup cups. Boxyard has live music, a lot of rescues come out for adoption events, and they just had a pop-up market for dogs.” They also recommend another vendor, Medicine Mama’s Farmacy, for CBD items. “In case you’re worried about your dog being overstimulated by the sounds and noises – sometimes the bands that are playing might be really loud or there might be tons of people there – you can just pop in and get CBD pet treats that help calm your dog down.”

When they want to show their Bull City spirit, they shop for tees and bandanas at Hometown Apparel on Ninth Street. “Our dogs are very large, so we can even put them in some of the kids T-shirts,” Kisha says.

After a breakup in 2019, North Durham resident Hannah Mingus dropped by the Animal Protection Society of Durham. “‘I’m just gonna go look at dogs to cheer me up,’” she thought, “‘but I’m not gonna get one.’” Hannah asked the staff if they ever have bichon frisés available to adopt, as she had two growing up. They told her that purebred dogs were rare and got adopted quickly. While she sat in the lobby filling out paperwork for a dog visit, a woman walked in who was returning a bichon for being “too much work.” Hannah recalls thinking, “This is the universe telling me I have to get this dog.”

Today, she and 6-year-old Wally are inseparable. “I take him anywhere that he’s allowed,” she says. “We went to [the Durham Bulls’] Bark in the Park recently. He was so 82

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@bullcitygirls “This is the most dog-friendly place I’ve ever lived,” says Bonnie BoWell, who lives with her wife, Celia-Bess Cotton, near Duke’s West Campus. She and Celia-Bess love to walk through their neighborhood with Calypso, who is 6 or 7 and from Hope Animal Rescue, and Anisette, 2 in September and from The Animal Protection Society of Durham. “I also volunteer at APS, so I know there are wonderful dogs there,” Bonnie says.

Bonnie named Boxcar Bar + Arcade, Motorco Music Hall’s Parts & Labor and Fullsteam Brewery as some favorites for her pups. She also loves Guglhupf’s patio for brunch and Cocoa Cinnamon on Foster Street. Other frequented spots include Bull City Ciderworks with its “wide selection of ciders on tap and great space inside and outside.”

“Beer Durham near Durham Central Park is a nice little spot, too,” Bonnie says. At The Boot Room, she’ll order a burger and fries or fried pickles. Calypso and Anisette are fond of the people- and dog-watching opportunities next door at Beer Study.

And when they need some time in the great outdoors, they head to Duke Forest.

“There are plenty of trails there that we like to take them on,” Bonnie says.

@bullcitybichon

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happy the whole time.” She counts EverLou Coffee Co. as a favorite – Wally always gets a pup cup with nondairy whipped cream.

Hannah says they also love Whisk & Rye, both the brick-and-mortar bakery on University Drive and its trailer that’s parked at Northgate Park on Sundays and Wednesdays. (“During the holiday season, they have the best gingerbread latte I’ve ever had in my life,” she says.) She’ll typically get a pastry and a coffee from the trailer and sit at a picnic table before walking by the 1960s-era Brontosaurus dinosaur hidden along the Ellerbee Creek Trail.

Hannah and Wally often grab a bite to eat at Namu. “They have the big garden area out back,” she says. “There’s lots of good seating, it’s pretty spaced out, and you can bring dogs inside the beer hall [while you order or to] eat your food if it’s cold [outside]. ”

Animal House A guide to area vets, animal hospitals, groomers, boarders and pet sitters

Colony Park Animal Hospital 3102 Sandy Creek Dr. cpah.net; 919-424-0508 Special services: dental care, boarding and grooming Cornwallis Road Animal Hospital 206 W. Cornwallis Rd. cornwallispetcare.com; 919-489-9194 Special services: general wellness and dental care Dr. Adriano Betton Mobile Veterinary Care drbetton.com; 919-602-4291; Special services: dental care Durham Animal Hospital 4306 N. Roxboro St. durhamanimalhospital.com; 919-620-7387 Special services: boarding Eno Animal Hospital 116 Goodwin Rd. enoanimalhospital.com; 919-471-0308 Special services: Fear Free-certified professionals, dental care and dentistry, acupuncture, laser therapy, boarding and grooming

The Bird Hospital: Avian Veterinarian Services 3039 University Dr.; thebirdvet.com; 919-490-3001 Provides health care to birds only.

VETERINARY SERVICES Academy Veterinary Hospital 1000 N. Miami Blvd., Ste. 247 avh.vetstreet.com; 919-688-6628 Special services: boarding and dental care

BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital 7015 N.C. Hwy. 751; bluepearlvet.com; 919-600-6600 Special services: 24/7 emergency care

Alexander at the Park Veterinary Hospital 2945 S. Miami Blvd., Ste. 125 alexanderattheparkvethospital.com; 919-484-9900 Special services: dental care, radiographs, neuters, surgery Angel Animal Hospital 2005 North Pointe Dr., Ste. 8; 919-620-7729 Bahama Road Veterinary Hospital 101 Bahama Rd., Bahama bahamaroadvet.com; 919-471-4103 Special services: dental care, digital radiography and ultrasounds Banfield Pet Hospital 202 W. Hwy. 54, Ste. 505; 919-316-1046 3615 Witherspoon Blvd., Ste. 101; 919-402-8801 1720 North Pointe Dr.; 919-620-8142; banfield.com

Broadway Veterinary Hospital 205 Broadway St. bvhdurham.com; 919-973-0292 Special services: dental care and medical boarding Bull City Veterinary Hospital 605 Fernway Ave. bullcityveterinary.com; 919-973-3434 Special services: laser therapy, Chinese medicine and acupuncture Carver Street Animal Hospital 2703 Carver St. carverstreetanimalhospital.com; 919-477-7319 Special services: dental care The Cat Hospital of Durham & Chapel Hill 5319 New Hope Commons Dr., Ste. 102B cathospitaldurhamch.com; 919-489-5142 Special services: dental care and boarding

Falconbridge Animal Hospital 1401 W. Hwy. 54 falconbridgeanimal.com; 919-403-5591 Special services: boarding, nail trims HomeVet Mobile Veterinary Care homevetmobilenc.com; 919-644-6400 Local Mobile Veterinary Service localmobilevet.com; 919-219-4919 New Hope Animal Hospital 5016 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.; nhah.com; 919-490-2000 Special services: dental care North Paw Animal Hospital 5106 Guess Rd. northpawanimalhospital.com; 919-471-1471 Special services: dental care, laser therapy, boarding and grooming Oak Grove Animal Hospital 110 Robbins Rd. oakgrovevetnc.com; 919-598-0001 Special services: dental care, boarding and grooming Page Point Animal Hospital & Pet Resort 115 Page Point Circle; pagepointnc.com; 919-647-9691 Special services: dental care, laparoscopic services, Fear Free practice, boarding, grooming and day care 

NOSE PET CARE TOES & TAILS Chapel Hill . Durham . Hillsborough . Mebane . Graham . Burlington 919.418.3899 | www.NoseToesTails.com

In-Home Vacation Care | Daily Dog Walks | Pet Taxi/Shuttle Easy-to-Use Online Client Accounts | Daily Messages & Photos Customized Pet Care Services | Waggin'Tail Trail Excursions Pet CPR & First Aid Certified | Bonded & Insured au g u s t/ S e p t e m b e r 2 0 2 2

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pet resources Park Veterinary Hospital & Urgent Care 735 W. N.C. Hwy. 54; parkveterinaryhospital.com 919-736-6797, 919-544-3758 Special services: dental care, laser therapy, boardcertified ultrasounds, acupuncture, orthopedic surgery and boarding Parkwood Animal Hospital 5109 N.C. Hwy. 55, Ste. 101 parkwoodvet.com; 919-364-4466 Quail Roost Animal Hospital 120 Quail Roost Farm Rd., Rougemont quailroostanimalhospital.com; 919-471-0737 Special services: dental care and equine care Southpoint Animal Hospital 5601 Fayetteville Rd. southpointpets.com; 919-226-0043 Special services: drop-off services, same-day services and behavior consultations Synergy Mobile Veterinary Surgery synergyvetsurg.com; 919-756-3232 Special Services: travel to primary veterinary clinics for surgery Thrive Pet Healthcare 8200 Renaissance Pkwy., Ste. 1012 thrivepetcare.com; 984-219-8583 Special services: dental care

Triangle Veterinary Referral Hospital 608 Morreene Rd.; tvrhdurham.com; 919-489-0615 Special services: 24/7 emergency care Tyson Animal Hospital 5415 N.C. Hwy. 55 tysonanimalhospital.com; 919-544-8297 Special services: acupuncture, boarding, bathing and dental care Urban Tails Veterinary Hospital 800 Taylor St., Ste. 9-155; urbantails.vet; 984-219-2579 Special services: Fear Free-certified veterinary care and dental care Veterinary Dental Clinic of North Carolina 3702 Hillsborough Rd., Ste.1; vdcnc.com; 919-321-4878 Special services: advanced dental care, restorative dentistry and 3D imaging Westside Animal Hospital 3653 Hillsborough Rd. westsideanimal.com; 919-383-5578 Special services: acupuncture, laser therapy and dental care White Oak Mobile Vet Serves the South Durham area. whiteoakmobilevet.com; 919-880-0788 Willow Oak Veterinary Hospital 1012 Broad St. willowoakvet.com; 919-908-6744 Special services: dental care and orthopedic care

GROOMING Beth’s Barks N Bubbles 2710 Chapel Hill Rd., Ste. 3; 919-824-5947 Special services: nail trimming, nail dremel, teeth brushing and hair dyes Dog Stylists Inc. 3401 University Dr., Ste. C dogstylistsinc.com; 919-489-9364 Special services: medicated soaks Elliotte’s Pet Spa & Salon Inc. 3002 Guess Rd. elliottespetspa.com; 919-381-5906 Special services: small- and large-breed dog grooming Pampered Pooch 3123 N. Roxboro St. durhampamperedpooch.com; 919-220-1083 Special services: flea treatments and nail trimming for dogs, and standard grooming Pam’s Paw Prints 2919 Guess Rd. pams-paw-prints.business.site; 919-471-4729 Petco (Southpoint) 8200 Renaissance Pkwy., Ste. 1012 stores.petco.com/nc/durham; 919-572-9638 Special services: nail trimming for dogs, pet hospital, dog training classes

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PetSmart (North Pointe Shopping Center) 1720 North Pointe Dr.; petsmart.com; 919-471-6474 Special services: nail trimming for dogs PetSmart (Patterson Place) 3615 Witherspoon Blvd., Ste. 101 petsmart.com; 919-403-6902 Special services: nail trimming for dogs Puppy Love Pet Grooming 5410 N.C. Hwy. 55, Ste. B puppylove-rdu.com; 919-572-6699 Special services: teeth brushing and nail trimming U Dirty Dog Self Wash Spa 105 W. Hwy. 54, Ste. 255 udirtydogselfwash.com; 919-237-2444 Special services: teeth brushing and nail trimming for dogs, as well as self-wash stations

BOARDING The Barkmore House 3706 Kilgo Dr. thebarkmorehouse.com; 919-259-0335 Day care September through May, and dog boarding

Triangle Veterinary Hospital 3301 Old Chapel Hill Rd. trianglevet.com; 919-489-2391 Special services: dental care, stem cell therapy, boarding and grooming, orthopedic surgery and ultrasounds

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Petco (South Square) 4011 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. stores.petco.com/nc/durham; 919-401-2464 Special services: nail trimming for dogs

Camp Bow Wow – Durham 2612 S. Miami Blvd. campbowwow.com/durham; 919-321-8971 Dog day care, boarding, baths and nails Camp Bow Wow – North Durham 4310 Bennett Memorial Rd., Ste. 105A campbowwow.com/north-durham; 919-309-4959 Dog day care, boarding and grooming Creature Comforts Inn 200 W. Cornwallis Rd. creaturecomfortsinn.com; 919-489-1490 Dog, cat, avian and exotic pet boarding, dog day care and dog bathing Dog Tales Day Camp and Boarding 1204 Patterson Rd.; dogtalesnc.com; 919-691-7613 Dog day care and boarding GoDog 4350 Garrett Rd. godoghq.com/durham; 919-246-7530 Dog day care, dog bathing, and dog and cat boarding Pet’s Companion Inn 8411 Roxboro Rd., Bahama petscompanioninn.com; 919-477-0618 Day care, dog and cat boarding The Pet Wagon Hotel 3215 Old Chapel Hill Rd. thepetwagon.com/durham-nc; 919-908-7700 Day care, dog and cat boarding Sunny Acres Pet Resort 5908 U.S. Hwy. 70 sunnyacrespetresort.com; 919-383-4238 Dog day care, dog grooming, pet transportation, and boarding for dogs, cats and other small pets

PET SITTERS Barbie & Company Pet Services barbieandcompanync.com; 919-659-5492 Dog walking, pet sitting and pet photography Bluehound Pet Care Serves Bahama and limited parts of Rougemont and northern Durham. bluehoundpetcare.com; 919-201-7081 Bull City Pet Sitting 1821 Hillandale Rd., Ste. 1B-189 bullcitypetsitting.com; 919-740-7481 Dog walking, trail walks, daily visits and home care Dickinson Animal Services 101 E. Delafield Ave. dickinsonanimalservices.com; 919-323-5341 Daily visits for pet and farm sitting, farm maintenance and small dog boarding Dogwalk dogwalktalk.com; 919-697-6048 Small, queer-owned business specializing in daily dog walking and dog care Durham Cat Company Serves South Durham. durhamcatcompany.com; 919-548-2751 Premier in-home cat sitting

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Durham Pet Serves Duke and downtown Durham. durhampet.com; 310-743-3367 Dog walking, trail walks, daily visits, pet sitting, overnight stays and home care Kate’s Critter Care katescrittercare.com; 919-943-8083 Daily visits, overnight stays and home care. Serves south Durham.

Lucy’s Pet Care lucyspetcare.info; 919-451-3773 Dog walking, daily visits, home care and pet sitting Nose, Toes & Tails Pet Care nosetoestails.com; 919-418-3899 In-home vacation care, daily dog walks, play dates, pet taxi/shuttle, trail excursions, pet concierge service and customized pet care bundles. Serves communities in and around Alamance, Orange and Durham counties.

Paws Up Pet Nanny 919-323-9099 Daily dog walking, dog and cat vacation care, special services. Serves South Durham near Southpoint Mall.

Peace of Mind Pet Sitting chathamcountypetsitting.com; 919-428-8856 Daily visits, overnight stays and pet transportation.

Serves North Durham.

Two Girls and a Leash LLC twogirlsandaleash.com; 919-471-4597 Dog walking, daily visits, pet sitting, horse and farm care. Serves Bahama, North Durham and Rougemont.

Very Important Pets Professional Pet Sitting vippetsitting.com; 919-419-1647 Dog walking and pet sitting. Serves Durham and Orange counties.

Wing Hoof and Paws 919-818-5013 Dog walking, daily visits and overnight stays Zen for Your Zoo zenforyourzoo.com Dog walking, daily visits and home care.

Serves South Durham.

TRAINERS Always Pawsitive Dog Training alwayspawsitive.com; 919-457-7956 Specialties: puppy training and behavior modification for adult dogs Collegiate Canine collegiatecanine.com; 336-462-9738 Specialties: in-home private dog training and behavior services specializing in pre-purchase counseling, leash reactivity, fearful behavior and in-household canine conflict.

Dogability Dog Training 3215 Old Chapel Hill Rd. dogabilitync.com; dogabilitync@gmail.com Dog Academy of North Carolina 1215 Stone Rd. dogacademyofnc.com; 919-645-7853 Specialties: training for new dogs and correction of problem behaviors Durham Dog Training Center 4603A Hillsborough Rd. durhamdogtrainingcenter.com; 919-846-0229 K9 Disciples Dog Training k9disciples.com; 919-525-3375 Specialties: behavior modification in reactivity, resource guarding, anxiety, human and dog aggression Marcia’s Best Dogs 1502 Piperwood Ct. marciasbestdogs.net; 336-202-3647 Specialties: in-home dog training Pin Up Pup Training pinuppuptraining.com; 760-277-5659 Specialties: puppy training, positive reinforcement training, AKC Canine Good Citizen Training, board and train, pet sitting, dog walking, basic obedience, fear and reactivity, and trick training Whole Dog Institute 5992 U.S. Hwy. 70 Bus. wholedoginstitute.com; 919-452-3764 Yay Dog! yaydog.com; 919-616-5048 Specialties: adolescent dogs, TBTE training strategies, working in public with your dog

Watch Happiness Bloom This Summer!

See them wag and wiggle in delight just because you are here.

Volunteer today with Animal Protection Society of Durham, where you’ll get as much as you give.

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4310 Bennett Memorial Rd, Durham, NC 27705

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Camper must meet entrance requirements.

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PHOTO BY JASON MARTIN

BIZBRIEFS Compiled by Cailey Cetani

ON THE MOVE

The City of Durham appointed Robin Patrick Wynn as the director of the Human Resources Department in June. She previously served as the human resources director for Suffolk County, Virginia.

Joseph Patti is the new president and CEO of the clinical stage biopharmaceutical company Evecxia Therapeutics, following the retirement of John Kaiser. Patti previously served as president and CEO of Aviragen Therapeutics and AgilVax, and is a co-founder of Inhibitex. Patti also joined Evecxia’s board of directors.

The Foundation Fighting Blindness announced a shift in leadership in June: Jason Menzo stepped in as CEO following the departure of Ben Yerxa, who was named CEO of Research Triangle Park’s Opus Genetics, a spinoff backed by the foundation.

Russell Kelley became the new managing director for the foundations’ venture arm, the Raleigh-based Retinal Degeneration Fund.

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Biopharmaceutical company Aerami Therapeutics, which produces inhaled therapies, welcomed Lisa Yañez as COO. Yañez worked for more than 25 years within companies such as Acceleron Pharma, United Therapeutics Corporation and Allergan (now AbbVie).

Chrissy Whitty joined Jurassic Capital, an equity investments firm focusing on B2B software companies, as an associate.

Whitty formerly worked at JPMorgan Chase & Co. in Charlotte, where she led initiatives to fund fintech across the Southeast.

Former North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services secretary Mandy Cohen was named a vice president at primary care enablement company Aledade and the director of the business’s new health services unit, Aledade Care Solutions, headquartered at its new Durham office.

AWARDS & HONORS Smartest Dollar released a study in June based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that ranked the Durham-Chapel Hill area No. 7 among midsize U.S. metropolitan areas with the most innovative workers.

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Triangle Business Journal hosted its 40 Under 40 Awards during a ceremony on June 29. The annual list celebrates leaders in the community who are younger than 40. Among this year’s honorees are: • Allyson Cobb, director of community engagement at United Way of the Greater Triangle • Allison Chandler, vice president of compliance and legal affairs at Target RWE • Casie Hall, owner and outpatient psychotherapist at Three Oaks Behavioral Health & Wellness • Ricardo Ekmay, senior vice president of nutrition and product development at Arbiom • Logan Thomas, sales director at Weatherby Healthcare • ShuDon Brown, continuous improvement and robotic process automation leader at IBM • Derek Rhodes, founder and executive director at Durham Success Summit • Laura Greenwood Kieler, chief marketing officer at PBS North Carolina Triangle-based real estate businesses were recognized on April 28 during the Champion Awards held by Triangle Crew, an organization focused on advancing women in real estate.

The Durham County Main Library’s renovations earned

an award for incorporating sustainable practices through the design and construction of the building; Nish Evans, president and CEO of Lennox and Grae Inc., was named a rising leader in commercial real estate; Research Triangle Park’s Boxyard RTP earned best development project; and Triangle Takeoff Coalition’s “Carry On” campaign won most creative local marketing campaign.

Durham ranked No. 18 on WalletHub’s 2022 list of best cities to start a career based on key metrics including the availability of entry-level jobs and housing affordability. The city also ranked No. 10 on WalletHub’s 2022 list of best-run cities in the nation, which was based on categories including financial stability, health, economy and infrastructure.

Durham ranked No. 8 on Pheabs’ Top 15 U.S. Cities to Start a Business. The ranking was based on empirical data taken from the U.S. Census Bureau including the city’s employment rate, business taxes, office rental prices, average resident income and local self-employment rate.

Durham’s development growth, low business costs and natural beauty were among the reasons for its high ranking.

durham inc.

House Method ranked the Durham-Chapel Hill area the No. 32 hottest housing market in the U.S. based on affordability, number of houses on the market and population growth in the area. Raleigh ranked No. 6.

Durham was listed No. 7 out of 59 U.S. metro areas as the best city for women in tech in an annual study conducted by SmartAsset, which found that women make up 28.93% of the tech workforce in Durham and earn about 85% of men’s median salaries.

The Global Startup Ecosystem Report by Startup Genome ranked RTP No. 8 among the top 100 emerging ecosystems globally; the area also ranked No. 4 among “Top Regional Challengers” in North America.

State Employees’ Credit Union ranked No. 1, Local Government Federal Credit Union ranked No. 2 and Coastal Federal Credit Union No. 3 in North Carolina on Forbes list of America’s Best Credit Unions in Each State.

These rankings were determined via a survey of more than 26,000 account holders nationwide who were asked questions about each bank’s terms and conditions, customer services, financial advice and more.

MOVEMENT & DEVELOPMENT

Icelandair launched its first flight from Raleigh-Durham International Airport on May 12, providing nonstop service to Reykjavik, Iceland, RDU’s first new international destination since 2019. It was also the first transatlantic flight to depart from the airport since March 2020.

RDU also recorded 1,003,348 passengers in April, a 65% increase from April 2021, marking the highest number of customers per month since the onset of the pandemic.

Fidelity Investments announced plans to hire 1,700 employees, the majority of whom will fill customer-facing roles, to join Fidelity’s operation in Research Triangle Park, bringing its total employee count to nearly 5,000.

New hires will enjoy the ability to work remotely and in the office.

Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming, which offers professional pet grooming services and specialty pet food and supplies, opened a new store on Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, its seventh Woof Gang store in the Triangle.

The East End Connector opened at the end of June after six decades of planning and construction. The nearly two-mile road was proposed in 1959, but didn’t break ground until the beginning of 2015. It now provides increased access from downtown Durham to Miami Boulevard, I-85 and I-40, while helping to relieve congestion on the Durham Freeway, U.S. 15-501 and roads like Gregson and Duke streets.

Publix will open a store in Latta Park as part of the 30-acre development planned for the corner of Latta and Guess roads.

The project is slated to create more than 54,000 square feet of commercial space, including restaurants, shops and the Publix store, along with more than 175 townhomes. Construction is planned to begin in 2023.

Harmony: NC LGBT+ Allied Chamber of Commerce, an affiliate of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, announced partnerships with Raleigh Founded and American Underground that will provide its members with a discount to access the coworking spaces.

Outgoing Meta CEO Sheryl Sandberg met with students in the Duke Technology Scholars program and with Zwelibanzi Williams of Zweli’s Piri Piri Kitchen, Zweli’s Café at Duke Divinity School and the anticipated Zweli’s Ekhaya at American Tobacco Campus, to talk about women in business. Sandberg’s visit in June took place shortly after LinkedIn job postings indicated that Facebook’s parent company, Meta, plans to open a new office in Durham.

Well Balanced Nutrition opened a new office at 2828 Pickett Rd., Ste. 160C. The private nutrition practice held a grand opening celebration on May 5. “The move was inspired by ... a desire to be in a health-conscious space with Functional Phyzio PT,” said WBN professional speaker, nutritionist and wellness coach Lucy Hayhurst.

Development and investment firm Sterling Bay has acquired a parcel of land at 606 Fayetteville St. and 401 E. Lakewood Ave. for $63 million. It is the largest building site located downtown at an estimated 9.6 acres.

FUNDING

Truist announced a $400,000 grant to Forward Cities, a nonprofit helping communities develop more equitable entrepreneurial environments, to support the launch of Black Wall Street Forward at an event held at Mutual Tower in May. The nine-month pilot initiative implements learning experiences for community leaders and allies, aiming to bolster Black-centric entrepreneurial ecosystems – such as Provident1898, a coworking space located within Mutual Tower, where the program is headquartered – in five cities across North Carolina. Pictured are Provident 1898 co-founder Peter Cvelich, Truist Chief Retail and Small Business Banking Officer Dontá Wilson and Forward Cities President & CEO Fay Horwitt.

Chimerix, a biopharmaceutical company that develops medicines to treat deadly diseases, announced the sale of TEMBEXA – the first antiviral countermeasure to smallpox for people of all ages to be approved by the Food and Drug Administration – to Emergent BioSolutions, a company that produces medicines to combat public health threats. Chimerix received $225 million upon closure of the sale, and may earn up to $100 million more based on Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority procurement of the drug, plus royalties on future profits.

Biospatial, a data platform that combines electronic health care data with patient care reports from emergency medical services, announced the closure

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will strengthen Teamworks’ ability to function as an operating system and fully integrated technological experience for elite sports organizations while also expanding to new products.

of a $3.4 million Series A round of funding. The round was led

by Cofounders Capital, among other participants including current investors Bull City Venture Partners and IDEA Fund Partners. “The Biospatial team has done an amazing job of building their network of data partners to amass a highly valuable data asset,” said David Jones, general partner at Bull City Venture Partners, in a Biospatial press release.

The Research Triangle Regional Public Transportation Authority will receive $90,000 from the Federal Transit Administration’s Route Planning Restoration Program. The funding is part of the US Department of Transportation’s $25 million American Rescue Plan that’s been distributed among 25 states to help improve transportation services hindered by COVID-19.

RTP-based Klearly, which uses data science and machine learning to help marketing, sales and customer success teams effectively grow revenue, raised $4 million to help B2B revenue teams prioritize development.

The round was led by York IE and included IDEA Fund Partners and Triangle Tweener Fund.

Kriya Therapeutics, a biotech startup based in California and Durham, announced the addition of $270 million to fund its continued growth in supporting the company’s mission to develop novel gene therapies.

This Series C round of funding, led by Patient Square Capital, brings Kriya’s total amount raised to more than $450 million.

Teamworks closed a Series D round of funding, led by Delta-v Capital, which totaled $50 million with participation from several other firms and more than 30 retired or active professional athletes. The company’s funding now exceeds $100 million and

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M&F Bancorp, the parent company of M&F Bank, will receive $80 million through the Emergency Capital Investment Program in exchange for 80,000 shares of Series E preferred stock issued to the U.S. Treasury.

M&F Bank’s capital now totals more than $119 million, which will enable the bank to increase loans to small and minority-owned businesses throughout the state.

During the third quarter of its fiscal year, the North Carolina Biotechnology Center awarded $1.7 million in the form of 18 grants and loans to universities, bioscience companies and nonprofits, including a $500,000 strategic growth loan to Altis Biosystems, a $20,000 FLASH grant plus $219,947 across two translational research grants to Duke University Medical Center, and $6,000 in biotechnology event sponsorships to Duke University.

PARTNERSHIPS & ACQUISITIONS

Real estate developers Austin Lawrence Partners and Global Holdings Management Group announced a joint venture partnership to complete The Novus, a 27-story luxury residential building in the Five Points district, which ALP announced in October 2021. The structure will include 54 condos, 188 rental units and groundlevel retail, plus coworking space. The first of two phases of construction is slated for completion by the end of 2024.

North Carolina Central University and RTI International, an independent, nonprofit research institute, held a ribbon-cutting on May 4 to

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celebrate the new NCCU-RTI Center for Applied Research in Environmental Sciences and a shared lab space at RTI’s campus in RTP. This partnership will allow both entities to study the role the environment plays in health and disease, and how it affects disadvantaged communities.

KPI Integrated Solutions and Phononic announced a partnership to develop scalable sustainable cooling technology to aid in cold chain solutions for grocery retailers and restaurants.

The use of automated, temperature-controlled systems would also eliminate the need for employees to work in excessively cold temperatures.

Duke University spinoff Precision Biosciences and pharmaceutical leader Novartis announced a partnership following the release of Precision Biosciences’ genome-editing technology.

Precision Biosciences received $75 million and could see additional payments of up to $1.4 billion, in exchange for conducting further research on a custom nuclease that could be inserted in vivo as a potential treatment for sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia.

implementation of Durham County’s new yearly budget. The increase of $930 a year will take effect for most teachers and certified staff at the beginning of the 2022-23 school year, and result in salary supplements that start at $6,450 for new teachers and rise to $11,100 for those with 31 or more years of experience.

All DPS employees can expect a 2.5% raise next year.

More than 350 students graduated from Durham Technical Community College during its 60th commencement celebration at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Ibrahim Cissé, 2021 MacArthur Fellow who graduated from Durham Tech in 2002, delivered the commencement speech. Cissé, retired Durham Tech leader Dorothy Brower Brokaw and former Glaxo Inc. CEO and Durham Tech Board of Trustees member Dr. Charles A. Sanders each received honorary degrees, the first ever awarded by the community college.

IN OTHER NEWS

The Durham Performing Arts Center welcomed 453,945 guests during its 2021-22 season, which concluded in June with a concert from singer/songwriter Amos Lee. DPAC also surpassed 5 million guests total since it opened in 2008. This past season included 24 sold-out “Hamilton” dates and three sold-out shows by comedian Chris Rock. The 5 millionth guest was awarded a package granting tickets to 10 future shows of their choosing.

Durham Public Schools announced an increased raise in teacher salary supplements – which are provided by individual school districts – after the

Durham Tech also hosted a graduation ceremony for electrical line technicians. Six students graduated from the program, which was created in partnership with Duke Energy in 2019 and allowed for the students’ registration, tuition and fees to be free of cost.

International design firm Duda|Paine Architects celebrated 25 years of business with the publication of “Shaping Place,” a collection of designs showing the evolution of the firm’s work over time. Duda|Paine also launched a new website, dudapaine.com.

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CATERED TO YOU: THE RISE OF PREPARED MEALS AT HOME

More people cooked in their own kitchens during the pandemic, but it also increased demand for at-home meal services

BY S H A N E S N I D E R | P H O T O G R A P H Y BY L A U R E N V. A L L E N

T

he concept of personal chefs during prepandemic life wafted an air of indulgence.

But as COVID-19 stifled even our most menial activities (relegating grocery shopping to an exercise in fear and paranoia), we’ve developed a taste for delivered convenience beyond an iPhone-hailed pizza. Local caterers and restaurants have benefited, and outfits offering at-home meal service for casual and higher end fare are still feasting on a market boom.

According to McKinsey & Company, the global food delivery market boiled over during the pandemic, with a gluttonous $150 billion revenue haul in 2021 (more than tripling since 2017).

Even with inflation pinching pocketbooks, it seems the athome meal market is holding steady (for now, at least).

Considering the anecdotal evidence laid out locally, our appetite for catered cuisine is no passing fad.

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Meal delivery and catering company Redstart Foods launched a web store in 2020 and moved into its own brickand-mortar in early 2022.

Caterers used the concept of at-home personal deliveries to address the drought in events during that first year of COVID-19 and to bridge the revenue gap while waiting for federal loans for much-needed financial respite.

Still, many Durham businesses have kept the personal delivery option even as event business

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returns. And they say demand is still strong for prepared meals.

SERVING UP A NEW NORMAL Matt Northrup’s pre-pandemic future was pretty bright. His Redstart Foods operation, which began in 2015 as a private chef service, had a budding new catering business

with a client roster that included the Durham Bulls and many more. When COVID-19 reared its ugly head, he feared the worst.

“The pandemic hit, and all the catering business dried up,” he said. “I was really worried.”

Things seemed to only worsen in the short term. Fear began to settle in as clients

“The logistics of running a meal delivery service make it difficult to deliver a highquality product,” said Redstart Foods’ Matt Northup. “We’ve had a lot of success because we apply the same attention to detail that you’d see in a nice restaurant to the ... world of prepared meals.”

fretted about virus spread through delivery contact. Everything was an unknown at that point. “It was a month or two before people started to realize that’s not how it was spreading,” Northup said.

“It was crazy. And I was 100% worried that was the end of my business.”

But the pandemic didn’t end up devouring Northrup’s dream. Instead, his business flourished as the at-home orders started rolling in. The idea, luckily, was nothing new to Northrup. He was serving up personal catering even before the pandemic, but on a much smaller scale.

“Back then, I only needed a few clients, and it was really personalized,” he said. “That business was just baked in.”

Fast forward to an almost-postpandemic-existence – Redstart’s at-home delivery service now makes up 85% of its business. And overall revenues have doubled, exceeding Northup’s expectations and forcing him to forge a radical new business path. “Now, when I think about what we do, I think of us as a meal delivery company that also does catering,” Northrup said, adding that his staff has increased from three workers to eight. “This is our business now.”

Queen Precious-Jewel Zabriskie, coowner, CEO and executive chef of Indulge Catering LLC, had a similar pandemic epiphany after COVID-19 shutdowns

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2022

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canceled 95% of her bookings in the first year. “We were mourning our business and mourning our freedom,” she said of that first shocking week of U.S. lockdowns in March 2020. Still, after sharing some prayers and tears, Zabriskie alongside wife, co-owner/COO and sous chef Jacqueline “Jay” White realized they needed to make some drastic steps to save their business.

Zabriskie credits late Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken owner Tom Ferguson (who died unexpectedly in February), with throwing her a lifeline piece of advice: “Do whatever you can to save the business.” The Indulge owners trimmed costs and started an aggressive at-home delivery plan.

“We had to ask ourselves, ‘How do we reimagine the business,’” Zabriskie said. The company started packaging “Indulgent Celebration” boxes – a threecourse meal dropped at the front door. They added a family option with pans of food to feed four to six people. As events start heating up, the delivery

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side of the business reduced to a simmer, but demand for athome services are still stronger than they were pre-pandemic.

“This is a new norm,” Zabriskie said.

AN UNLIKELY BUSINESS EDUCATION Delivered family dinner offerings gave Sage & Swift Gourmet Catering a business and marketing boost. Owner Amy Tornquist’s “Meals-To-Go” menu proved popular and led to more catering opportunities. “We started in January, just before the pandemic, as a way to broaden our business,” she said.

“We didn’t do as much personal catering at that point, but we saw it as a good way to make new friends. Doing it during the pandemic helped me keep 90% of our staff.”

While Sage & Swift returned to mainly event catering, Tornquist and her staff of nine full-time employees have held on to the smaller personal delivery side of the business.

Tornquist said there are times when it’s not possible to handle

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Redstart Foods offers a large menu that changes weekly.

“We’ve built a solid back-end logistical system to keep up with production and delivery,” Northup said. personal orders along with a large event. “Sometimes we can’t do our dinners to go,” she said, adding that she expects to continue offering the service even with the pandemic winding down. “There’s really not a bad thing about it – it’s always good to meet people. We build more customers who might need us for larger events. It’s a win-win.”

Indulge’s Zabriskie said the pandemic served as a reset – pausing what was a hectic catering schedule and forcing the company to examine every aspect of the business. That meant not only bolstering athome options, but also exploring a product line that included spices and sauces with Indulge’s branding. “We were able to sit down and concentrate on recipes and sauces,” she said, “and now we have a full-fledged line of products.” For Redstart, the business shift was dramatic and lasting. “We have to think

of ourselves as more of an e-commerce company now,” Northrup said. “And we have to have a shipping and logistics end of the business we didn’t have before.”

All businesses are also dealing with the macroeconomic realities that have caused massive inflation spikes across the board.

“It’s not like things are slowing down,” Northrup said. “But everything is more expensive … like, a lot of things are 80% more expensive. That’s the new dynamic, and it means we have to do more volume.”

Zabriskie is also wrestling with inflation as her business changes.

“This new normal is still scary because we still face sourcing issues, and everyone is dealing with rising costs,” she said. “But now we can sit back and do projections – that’s something we didn’t do before the pandemic.

This has forced me to become a better businesswoman.”

engagement Rachel Moran & Phillip Yero

B Y CA L E B S I G M O N P HOTO B Y B RE T T S E AY, B RETTSEAY. COM

Nov. 4, 2022 Occupations Phillip is a business consultant at Tata Consultancy Services and Rachel teaches art at Cary High School.

Crossed Paths Rachel and Phillip grew up in Lake Mary, Florida, where they met in high school. After knowing each other for 16 years, the pair came to realize that there was more than friendship between them. In March 2021, Rachel came to visit Phillip in Durham, and they had their first date at Plum Southern Kitchen & Bar. The Proposal The couple were visiting Rachel’s family in Pensacola, Florida, on Thanksgiving Day Wedding Date

last year. Phillip says it was a “gorgeous sunny morning,” and they were on a pier talking about how happy they were. “Do you know what would make me even happier?” Phillip asked as he knelt down to propose. After a moment of shock, Rachel responded: “Are you serious? Of course I will!”

Now, “I Do” The couple will host their rehearsal dinner at Mateo Bar de Tapas, and wedding ceremony and reception, catered

by Dame’s Chicken & Waffles, at The Rickhouse – across the street from where the pair had their first date. Allyson’s Chair will handle makeup and hair, and DJ Gemynii will supply the tunes. Rachel and Phillip plan to remain in their Old North Durham neighborhood, where they enjoy gardening, cooking and entertaining, and spending time with their cat, Watson.

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Emily Chrisman & Daniel Martchek B Y N ATA L I E H U S C HL E P HOTO G RA P H Y B Y NIKKI WHITT BE LCH, FANCY THIS P HOTO G RA P H Y, FAN CY THISPHOTOG RAPHY. COM

Date May 21, 2022

Occupations Emily is a student at Duke University School of

Law, and Daniel works as a brand manager for Third Hospitality,

which owns The Oak House at Durham.

Crossed Paths Emily and Daniel met in 2016 at William & Mary, where both were studying music. The two went on their first date in March 2017 after running into each other at a coffeehouse where Daniel was performing in a band. The couple navigated career obstacles and the pandemic, eventually moving to downtown Durham together.

The Proposal Emily was on a walk with a friend at American Tobacco Campus on March 2, 2021. Unbeknownst to her, Daniel was hiding near the Lucky Strike Water Tower, waiting to surprise her. As Emily’s friend guided her to the landmark, Daniel walked briskly across the lawn. Emily met him at the foot of the bridge, and Daniel got down on one knee, holding an engagement ring that once belonged to Emily’s grandmother. Emily squeaked out a “yes” through happy tears.

The Big Day After a rehearsal dinner at The Roof at The Durham, the couple tied the knot during a ceremony and reception at Bay 7, catered by Angus Barn. Inspired by Alphonse Mucha’s painting “Topaz” and in honor of Daniel’s Czech heritage and Emily’s birthstone, the couple chose colors of sage green and burnt orange for their art nouveau-inspired wedding, which was planned

by Emily Thomas of Emily Katherine Events. Daniel wore a black suit from Bernard’s Formalwear. Blossom and Bone Florals designed 96

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an intricate floral altar that incorporated money plants, which are featured in Mucha’s work, while Get Lit Event Lighting illuminated the space as well as the stunning decor provided by American Party Rentals. Guests enjoyed cake from Happily Desserted and took home goodies from The Oak House and Jeddah’s Tearoom.

Favorite Moments “I’ll remember the ceremony forever,” Emily says.

“We both cried at each other’s vows.” Daniel also says he’ll never forget their vows. “When I led Emily up to the altar, we turned and immediately held each other’s hands so tight,” he says. “We didn’t let go except to wipe tears or put rings on each other!”

Do you live in Durham and want your wedding or engagement featured in our magazine?

Email amanda.maclaren@durhammag.com.

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