SKY’S THE LIMIT Christina Shelton and Rohan Kulkarni stand ready as a Duke Life Flight helicopter lifts off.
Holiday greetings, Durham! In 2001, I opened Hamilton Hill to serve and delight jewelry lovers, local and far afield, with contemporary and modernist collections of the highest caliber. Thank you for your gratifying response. As the leading U.S. expert in modernist jewelry, HH curates the very best for you. We also specialize in custom design and jewelry repair. See you in Durham’s beloved Brightleaf Square!
DECEMBER 2024 / JANUARY 2025 VOL 17 NO 6 durhammag.com
EXECUTIVE EDITOR, CHATHAM MAGAZINE Morgan Cartier Weston
MANAGING EDITOR, HEART OF NC WEDDINGS Renee Ambroso
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Leah Berry
SENIOR STAFF WRITER Anna-Rhesa Versola
EDITORIAL INTERNS
Sophie Baglioni, Alexandra Borda, Izabella Counts, Emma Moon, Lola Oliverio Lauren Rouse, Rebecca Savidge, Sabrina Shaw, Jordann Smith-Burgess and Emma Unger
ART & Production
DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE OPERATIONS Ashlin Acheson ashlin.acheson@trianglemediapartners.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kevin Brown
GRAPHIC DESIGNER/PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Lindsay Scott
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Khadijah Weekes-Nolan
PHOTOGRAPHER
John Michael Simpson
CONTRIBUTORS Jaclyn Loney and James Stefiuk
Advertising
For advertising inquiries, email advertising@durhammag.com
Melissa Crane melissa.crane@trianglemediapartners.com Sarah Davis sarah.davis@trianglemediapartners.com Lucinda Poole lucinda.poole@trianglemediapartners.com
Corporate FOUNDER/CHAIRMAN
Dan Shannon
PRESIDENT, TRIANGLE MEDIA PARTNERS Ellen Shannon
PRESIDENT, TRIANGLE DIGITAL PARTNERS Rory Kelly Gillis
VICE PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER Chris Elkins chris.elkins@trianglemediapartners.com
VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION Amy Bell
ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT AND ADMINISTRATION MANAGER Cassady Orsini
PUBLISHER, HEART OF NC WEDDINGS Jenna Parks
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER, TRIANGLE DIGITAL PARTNERS Sally Scruggs
DIGITAL OPERATIONS MANAGER Brian McIndoo
DIGITAL CAMPAIGN MANAGER Jack Fry
DIGITAL CONTENT DIRECTOR Morgan Cartier Weston
DIGITAL CONTENT SPECIALIST Renee Ambroso
DISTRIBUTION Matt Bair
Durham Magazine is published six times a year by Triangle Media Partners Subscriptions, $38 for two years, are available at durhammag.com To purchase copies, call 919.933.1551.
december 2024 / january 2025 contents
HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING
44 A Gracious Plenty
This hearty, market-fresh appetizer is sure to steal the show at your next soiree
46 Season’s Greetings Entrepreneur Gail Jennings blends heritage, heart and heat in her award-winning spices
50 Baking the Season Bright Rose’s Noodles, Dumplings & Sweets’ Katie Meddis shares festive flavors and family-friendly baking tips to fill your kitchen with cheer
54 Jingle All the Way
Oh, what festive fun there is to find during your Bull City holiday
58 Deck the Halls Holiday magic and DIY merrymaking converge at these local craft studios
62 Dry Spell
Sip on a spirited selection of zero-proof cocktails from some of Durham’s most creative mixologists
WELLNESS
66 Find Your Flow
Two Sisters Adventure Company invites all to discover wellness on the water
70 Sharing Common Ground
A run club and social hub join forces to foster fitness and friendship, cultivating connections that go beyond the finish line
72 Relax, Recharge and Revive
Embrace a new season of self-care and restoration at 3 wellness hot spots
HEALTH CARE
84 Healing With Heart
A two-time cancer survivor leads with empathy and compassion for others
86 Driving Change
How a mobile health lab bridges gaps in care
88 Answer the Call
Meet the dedicated team combining critical care expertise and swift transport to save lives across North Carolina
90 A Legacy of Care Durham Women’s Clinic doctors reflect on decades of delivering compassionate, comprehensive care
92 Picture of Health
Public health director tackles new challenges as the county grows
FEATURE
96 Perfect Pairings
A family builds a life full of love and lasting memories in South Durham
DURHAM INC.
105 Networking: Inter-City Visit
106 Conventional Wisdom City stakeholders aim to boost tourism and drive economic growth with larger convention center
109 Biz Briefs
DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS
8 In Memoriam
Daniel Joseph Shannon
9 Letter from the Editor
12 Go.See.Do.
Celebrate the season with wonderful winter events
24 Noted.
What we’ve heard around our city …
112 Wedding Tying the knot, Bull City-style
PEOPLE & PLACES
16 Durham Arts Council’s CenterFest
17 El Futuro’s Hispanic Heritage Kermes
18 Triangle Together: Hurricane Helene Relief Project supply drive
20 Museum of Durham History’s ‘100 Years of Duke: Names to Remember’ exhibit opening
SPONSORED
CONTENT
32 The Big Give
Our area nonprofits, how they support the community and how you can get involved
64 Holiday Gift Guide
75 Faces of Durham
Celebrating the people behind our local businesses
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
Daniel Joseph Shannon
NOV. 23, 1952 – SEPT. 25, 2024
It is with a profound sense of loss that we announce the passing of our founder, Dan Shannon, retired leader of Triangle Media Partners and Triangle Digital Partners. Dan was a visionary leader whose passion for local storytelling shaped the vibrant communities of Durham, Orange and Chatham counties. Through his dedication, Chapel Hill Magazine, Durham Magazine, Chatham Magazine, The Triangle Weekender magazine and Heart of NC Weddings magazine thrived, becoming trusted sources for celebrating local businesses, events and people. He will be missed by the many people that he touched in all aspects of his life.
Dan passed away peacefully on Sept. 25, 2024, with family by his side. He leaves behind his grieving but grateful family: Ellen Shannon, his wife and partner in life and business; his children, Emma, Rebecca, Drew and their spouses (fondly referred to as the “trifecta” by Dan): Jason, Christoph and Kelty, respectively; his mother, Joan; his siblings, Cathy, Mike, Patty, Bill and their spouses; his many nieces and nephews; and his first granddaughter, Shannon, who is named in his honor. He was eagerly awaiting the imminent arrival of his second granddaughter, Sloane, who was born Oct. 1, 2024.
But mostly he entertained everyone with his quick wit, infectious humor and the ability to bring laughter to any room he entered. His only known fear in life was not being able to make you laugh.
It was love at first sight when the Shannons visited Chapel Hill in 2002, and they moved here shortly thereafter. Dan and Ellen began to build Triangle Media Partners in 2006, starting with Chapel Hill Magazine. His spark of an idea has grown into a multimedia business that includes many other print and digital properties. Dan was incredibly proud to be part of our thriving Triangle community, culture and momentum for more than two decades.
Dan was a fabulous friend, colleague and family member, and this was evident throughout his illness. Mail arrived for Dan almost every day from loved ones and former coworkers across the country. If Ellen had kept a guest book for him over the past few years, there would be volumes filled with entries and a countless number of passport stamps from Rebecca’s trips through RDU.
But Dan could never have lived as long as we would want, and he told his wonderful, miraculous and kind Duke medical team repeatedly that he wanted quality over quantity. Somehow, we were all fortunate enough to get a lot of both.
Born in South Bend, Indiana, Dan moved to New York in 1975 to make his name in publishing at The Knickerbocker News. He continued on to other esteemed publications, such as The New York Times Magazine, Money Magazine and People magazine. Creativity, keen media instincts, love of people and a talent for idea generation were the hallmarks of his work.
He eventually made it to Connecticut, and in 1984, Emma was born. Dan and Ellen settled in Westport to grow their family with Rebecca and Drew. Some of Dan’s fondest memories were of the annual Dad & Daughter dances there, and he and Ellen loved raising their kids among the warm community in town, especially the one they found at Saugatuck Congregational Church.
Laughter was one of Dan’s greatest strengths; his full-bodied guffaw rocked rooms; and his soft chuckle made your heart swell. Dan’s terrific sense of humor led him to enjoy writing freelance jokes for Jay Leno.
Many people share in our gratitude to have been in Dan’s orbit for some part of his 71 years on this pale blue dot. (Please look up Carl Sagan’s 1994 speech, “Pale Blue Dot;” Dan really loved that passage.) Dan’s impact extended beyond the pages of his publications – his passion, generosity and commitment to fostering connection will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His legacy lives on in the magazines he championed and the communities he helped grow.
A celebration of Dan’s life will be held at a later date. A private interment took place at Saugatuck Congregational Church’s Evergreen Cemetery in Westport, Connecticut.
In lieu of flowers, Dan and his family ask you to please consider making a gift in his memory to either Book Harvest or The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke.
Book Harvest works to ensure every child grows up with an abundant home library and has the opportunity to build a lifelong love of reading. You can donate at bookharvest.org/donate
The Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke provides hope and empowerment to brain tumor patients as well as unparalleled care, research and education. Memorial contributions may be made at tischbraintumorcenter.duke.edu/donate
Make Every Moment Count
It’s strange typing out this note. It’s the first time I’ve sat down to reflect and pen another letter from the editor since Dan Shannon left this “pale blue dot,” to reference Carl Sagan, whom he deeply admired.
If he had edited this page, he would have struck through the word “deeply.” “Get to the point,” he’d say. “Adverbs make for lazy writing.” (Though I’d still slip one by him on occasion, thinking, “That one was necessary.”)
What Dan did love was a pun, an idiom, a good song lyric or title – if we could incorporate any into a clever headline, all the better. He admired powerful quotes and a strong lede. He was in the business of words and storytelling, and I’ll be forever grateful to have worked alongside Dan in the editorial world he built from the humble beginnings at his kitchen table to this community-driven, multimedia publishing company that Triangle Media Partners is today.
That last paragraph would be left in tatters from Dan’s pen. “Get. To. The. Point,” I can hear him say in my head.
OK, Dan. Here’s my point: You helped shape my career – and my life – so profoundly. You taught me much over the past 13 years, but it was during your illness that I learned one of the most important lessons, which is that we are not promised tomorrow, so we must make the most of every moment we have. Or, to insert my own bookworm quote from J.R.R. Tolkien’s Gandalf in “The Lord of the Rings:” “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”
This season of change and at times, yes, of sorrow, is also one of hope and renewal. It’s when we celebrate where we’ve been, choose resolutions and plan for the future. So cherish the memories of those you have loved and lost, and savor the moments you have now, together, with those who matter most (we gathered a number of ways to do so this holiday season, beginning on page 44) and discover ways to be well in the new year starting on page 66.
To kick off a healthy start to 2025, we’ve also highlighted stories of individuals dedicated to improving well-being in Durham and beyond, beginning on page 84. There was one person who I wanted to get some perspective from as we set out to do so – Dr. Justin Low, a neurologist and neuro-oncologist at the Duke Cancer Center, and Dan’s doctor. I spoke with him to get a sense of what his day-to-day is like, how he keeps himself well and lessons he’s learned from his patients, including Dan. What follows is excerpts of our conversation, edited for length and clarity.
amanda.maclaren@durhammag.com
THE COVER
Photo by John Michael Simpson
My Q&A WITH DR. JUSTIN LOW
How would you describe Dan as a patient? What were your interactions like? Dan is really unforgettable for a number of reasons. ... He exudes a positivity about him. He’s very, very, very funny. He likes to joke. He’s very good with his words. He wouldn’t let anything stop his dreams. ... I think that is a reflection of who he was as a person, in terms of living life and doing everything that he wants to do. He was somebody so genuine and so sincere that he made it really easy [to care for him]. Dan really made what is normally a horrible period of life ... as good as he could. He did trips with his family, visited with loved ones and worked for your magazine. He did it with purpose. He was surrounded by such an abundance of love and care, and I think that made his journey as peaceful as it could be under the circumstances.
Angels Among Us April 26, 2025
This professionally timed 5K run, Walk for Hope and Li’l Angels Dash take place on the Duke Medical Center Campus to support the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center. The day features a kid zone, food trucks, vendors, a silent auction and much more.
What inspired you to specialize in neuro-oncology, a field that deals with such complex and challenging cases? It’s a cliche, but I went to medical school to help people. That’s, I think, what motivates 99 percent of everybody who’s a doctor. You want to change things for the better. I don’t think I’ve ever met a field of medicine where I haven’t been interested and haven’t thought about doing it at some point in my life. My Ph.D. was actually related to HIV. I thought I was going to specialize in infectious diseases, but it was during medical school that I sort of fell in love with the brain. The brain is what makes you, you. It’s the only organ that will never be able to be transplanted, because your brain is who you are, right?
5K race begins at 8 a.m. | walk begins at 11 a.m.
What healthy practices do you yourself follow? How do you keep yourself “well”? It’s definitely a personal journey for every physician, every oncologist. For me, a few things really help. First, exercise is essential. When I was a resident, I used to run to and from work, and it became a way to separate my personal life from my professional life. I do make time to run nearly every day. I wouldn’t say I’m an athlete – I don’t compete – but I run because I enjoy it. I’d never run an official race in my life until the annual Duke Angels Among Us 5K, which I do every year with the staff.
I always encourage my patients to get enough sleep, get outside, get sunshine and get some kind of physical activity. My clinical team sometimes jokes that, “If you ask Dr. Low for advice, he’s just gonna tell you to get some sunshine and get outside.” But it’s because it’s really true. It’s one of the things that we probably don’t do enough of in this country. I do try to practice what I preach.
I have another hat, which is the research hat. This is a field where there’s been a lot of advances in terms of our understanding of these diseases, and it seems, you know, we’re sort of poised for making some important translational discoveries for improving the outcomes. From the science standpoint, we are very hopeful – we are working hard on understanding the disease better and coming to better treatments and, although gains are incremental in the science world, when there are breakthroughs, they do happen quickly. I think that’s why I landed in neuro-oncology. There’s a beauty in balancing clinical work with research. You’re both helping individuals and contributing to a broader understanding that might help countless others down the road.
Can you share a moment from your career where you felt particularly proud or connected to your work? Success can look like a patient having a good day or finally feeling some relief from their symptoms. If I can contribute to, certainly, prolonging somebody’s life, but also improving their quality of life, that’s what drives me, clinically – that’s a win to me.
This is team medicine and team science – it really takes a village. One of the reasons we can deliver the care that’s as good as it is, is because our team works really well together – my nurse and my nurse practitioners, my physician assistants. It’s similar in the lab, most of the experiments are done by my research assistants, my lab techs. I feel proud every time I see the impact of our team’s collective effort, whether it’s through a patient’s relief or comfort, or progress in our research.
I rejuvenate from nature. I like to go hiking, kayaking, and I used to snowshoe when I lived in the Northwest. Physical activity is a huge part of staying grounded and recharged for a lot of people, including myself. I also play the piano, something I learned as a kid growing up in Vancouver, Canada. I mostly play classical pieces – nothing too difficult, just the music that’s stuck with me. When I’m stressed or dealing with a tough case, I’ll sit at the piano for 30 minutes in the evening. It’s really helpful for me.
How do you personally manage the toll that can come with working in such a high-stakes, emotionally charged field? We all have to have something that motivates us. For a lot of people, this is a vocation, and that is true for me as well. I also find a lot of motivation in my faith. I’m pretty private, but my own faith is central to why I do this work – to help people. That sense of purpose really keeps me going. I do believe in an afterlife. I believe in the fundamental goodness of everybody, and it is something that does motivate me, especially when times are tough. What I always tell myself is, at the end of the day, I get to go home, I get to do my run, I get to go see my dog, I get to go sleep in my own bed. But my patients don’t get to hang up this diagnosis and take a break from it. Patients give me perspective.
What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from your patients over the years? The most inspiring thing I see, that I’ve learned from my patients, is strength in the face of adversity. It is very, very powerful. But also, great vulnerability that’s very humanizing. It’s not easy demonstrating both. It teaches me the strength of the human condition – that we’re capable of really great things, and when tested, we can really shine.
Dr. Lei Cao, Dr. Sutasinee Liu
‘Whippersnappers’
THROUGH JAN. 25
Award-winning visual artist Maya Freelon debuts her first large-scale installation that features portraiture with “Whippersnappers: Recapturing, Reviewing and Reimagining the Lives of Enslaved Children in the United States,” which showcases large-scale sculptures that combine Maya’s unique “bleeding” tissue paper technique with historical documents and archival artifacts. The site-responsive installation spans six rooms across two floors of the 1799 Bennehan House, the preserved home of former plantation owners at Historic Stagville, reclaiming rooms in which enslaved children were born into captivity, using art to illuminate an often-overlooked subject in a space that was once used to oppress.
JAN. 23
The award-winning, Virginia-based singer-songwriter takes the stage at the Carolina Theatre as a part of its Wavemakers performance series, which is curated by Grammy-nominated artist Rissi Palmer to celebrate diverse, inspiring voices. This self-taught musician blends folk, R&B and soul influences to shape her distinctive music, creating a powerful, genre-bending sound you won’t want to miss.
do see go
‘A Beautiful Noise’
JAN. 7-12
Many easily recognize singersongwriter Neil Diamond’s iconic tracks like “Sweet Caroline” and “America,” but his story remained largely in the background –until now. This musical at the Durham Performing Arts Center takes audiences on a journey through the legendary vocalist’s life, created in partnership with the artist himself. The show highlights Neil’s rise to stardom, from a Brooklyn boy to an American rock icon, and the hits that define his legacy.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR WINTER'S COOLEST EVENTS
Complied by Lola Oliverio
Triangle Restaurant Week
JAN. 27 – FEB. 2
Indulge in a weeklong celebration of culinary excellence during this biannual event that showcases premier restaurants in Durham and the surrounding area. Participating establishments offer special threecourse menu options and fixed pricing, providing a great opportunity for residents and visitors alike to savor the Triangle’s finest cuisine.
Neffy
States of Hope: HopeBoykinDance
JAN. 31
Experience the journey of Durham native and acclaimed dancer Hope Boykin in an autobiographical dance-theater production at Duke University’s Reynolds Industries Theater. Each performer in this dynamic ensemble reveals a different facet of Hope’s inner world, portraying her thoughts, emotions and personal struggles in a captivating interplay of movement and expression. Set to an original score by Ali Jackson, this Duke Arts Presents show promises a powerful look inside the heart and mind of a dancer.
American Indian Powwow
FEB. 8
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics hosts its annual celebration of the first Americans with an afternoon of dance and traditional drum music as well as food and unique arts and crafts available for purchase. The inclusive, family-friendly festivities kick off with a grand entry of dancers followed by a vibrant array of songs. The educational event was established more than 30 years ago to highlight NCSSM as a place where Indigenous people can learn about and celebrate their history and culture.
(Image credits, clockwise from top left) pg. 12 Whippersnappers’ "Complex" 24-inches-by-40 inches, Tissue Ink Monoprint and Archival Print, 2024 by Maya Freelon; ‘A Beautiful Noise’ photo by Julieta Cervantes; Neffy photo courtesy of Carolina Theatre; Restaurant Week photo courtesy of FMMedia; pg. 14 States of Hope photo by Steven Pisano; American Indian Powwow photo courtesy of NCSSM
people &places
Art in Abundance
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JORDANN SMITH-BURGESS
The Durham Arts Council once again transformed our city’s streets into a dynamic showcase of talent during the 49th annual CenterFest in September 2024. More than 110 juried fine arts and craft vendors from North Carolina and 13 other states gathered in downtown’s colorful City Center to exhibit their work in various mediums including ceramics, paintings, photography, jewelry, fiber art, woodwork, glass and more. A record-breaking 40,801 people attended the twoday event, which also included energizing entertainment from 60 performing artists across four stages. Festivalgoers enjoyed fare from food trucks and vendors set up in CCB Plaza and a beer garden at Bull McCabe’s Irish Pub in addition to refreshing beverages from Durham Coca-Cola Bottling Co. throughout the rest of the festival. The little ones frolicked in a kids zone with creative activities and rides. The event, which is the longest-running outdoor juried arts festival in the state, also highlighted the city’s civic functions, with representatives from dozens of nonprofits and state and local government services sharing their messages with passersby.
1 Durham Arts Council board members Sen. Mike Woodard and Daniel Ellison, Durham Convention Center’s Joey Trevino, Downtown Durham Inc.’s Roger Montelongo, Lucy McInnis of Downtown Raleigh Alliance and Mark McInnis.
2 Dance group Takiri Folclor Latino founder
Pilar Rocha-Goldberg and Andres Fajardo.
3 Durham Arts Council Assistant Manager of Facility Sales & Services McKayla Walker and Rebecca Levine. 4 Durham Arts Council Director of Development and Communications
Laura Montgomery with DAC board president
Tabitha Concepcion. 5 Durham City Council member
Chelsea Cook with Mike Breen-McKay, Tim Scales and Abby Cannon. 6 Jennifer James, owner of Jenni Leigh Creations and 2024 Coca-Cola Citizen’s Choice award recipient. 7 Singer Ricardo Diquez of The Tropic Orchestra.
Fiesta for All
PHOTOGRAPHY BY IZABELLA COUNTS
Families flocked to El Futuro’s Hispanic Heritage Kermes to celebrate the bilingual mental health organization’s 20th anniversary while honoring Latino culture on Sept. 29, 2024. Guests perused intricate, beaded jewelry from vendors like Nery’s Mexican Accessories and Creaciones Lopez as well as handmade Mexican pottery from Casa Imperial Finery. Music filled the air, punctuated by short presentations on the unique traditions of Latin American countries. Zumba instructor Oscar Garcia Cervantes energized the crowd with a series of fast-paced dance sessions, while food vendors offered flavorful treats to refuel participants, including the savory flatbreads of Papuseria Loly, fresh tamales from El Sazón de Mi Huasteca and Gaby Ice Paletas’ refreshing ice pops. Skirts turned and twirled to the audience’s delight during the traditional Costa Rican dance performance, a crowd favorite. Finally, El Futuro staff brought out cake to cap off the spirited day of community and celebration.
El Futuro Community Mental Health Worker Carolina Quijada and Conexiones Case Manager Soleir Gordon. 3 Nery Jaralillo and German Chavira of Nery’s Mexican Accessories. 4 Natalia Rossi, El Futuro Director of Operations Sarelli Rossi, Maiya Garrett-Peters and El Futuro Program Manager for Community Engagement Becky Leon. 5 Oscar Garcia Cervantes leads the crowd in a Zumba dance. 6 El Futuro Executive Director Luke
1 Inés Valladares, 7, Mariana Abraham, Luna Soto, 4, Meidelyn Villegas, 6, Anielka Villegas, 9, and Joselyn Montoya. 2
Smith with Olivia Núñez of La Ke Buena NC. 7 Miriam Lopez of Creaciones Lopez.
Support After the Storm
The devastation in western North Carolina reached historical extremes after Hurricane Helene passed through the state in late September. The disaster left thousands of residents displaced and without basic necessities, more than 100 dead and many others unaccounted for amid the wreckage left in Helene’s wake. Triangle Together: Hurricane Helene Relief Project coordinator Anna Barson and Katy Creech, co-owner of The Glass Jug Beer Lab, stepped up to the task at hand. Anna pitched the idea to host a donation drive to Katy and Christa Donofrio, owner and COO of Beer Tooth Taproom, on the morning of Sept. 29, 2024;
William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust
Wendy & David Sotolongo
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JORDANN SMITH-BURGESS
by that night, seven more Triangle brewery and cidery locations had joined the effort to serve as primary collection points for relief donations.
What began as a small initiative to gather essentials for affected western North Carolina residents quickly grew into a regionwide movement. Anna, Katy and Christa saw an outpouring of support from local people and businesses, with monetary and material donations coming in from all corners of the community. Boxes of necessities – from diapers and menstrual products to nonperishable food – piled high, filling Fullsteam Brewery at Boxyard RTP’s entrance and covering the floor of the atrium at The Glass Jug’s RTP location. Approximately 40 volunteers from the Triangle Young Professionals Civitan Club gathered on Oct. 4 to help load the estimated 50,000 to 60,000 pounds of provisions into four large box trucks and a cargo van for distribution by Operation Airdrop. Lawrence Barbecue and Fullsteam provided meals for the volunteers, who worked tirelessly to ensure the supplies reached those in need.
1 Christina Holmes and Triangle Young Professionals Civitan Club member Ashley Synger. 2 The Glass Jug Beer Lab co-owner Katy Creech. 3 Volunteers Tim Misegades and Mike Shilling. 4 Fullsteam’s Ari Sanders, Leah Flanders and Triangle Together: Hurricane Helene Project Relief coordinator Anna Barson.
Centennial Soiree
BY EMMA MOON | PHOTOGRAPHY C OURTES Y OF JANE BRASIER & MUSEUM OF DURHAM HISTORY
The Museum of Durham History celebrated the opening of its new exhibit, “100 Years of Duke: Names to Remember,” on Sept. 20, 2024, with Duke University-themed decor, free swag from Duke University Stores, live music by Red Nucleus, refreshments and giveaways. The exhibit, which remains on view through spring 2025, honors Duke’s 100-year legacy, commemorating the centennial of Trinity College’s transformation into Duke University and tracking its journey from a small schoolhouse in Randolph County to its establishment as a university in 1924. The more than 80 attendees at the opening enjoyed remarks from many speakers, including Duke Office of Durham and Community Affairs’ Vice President for Community Affairs Stelfanie Williams and Will Thorpe, the son of Joyce Clayton Thorpe Nichols. Joyce, a Duke graduate featured in the new exhibit, was the first Black woman – and first woman overall – to practice as a physician assistant in the United States.
1 Clark Nexsen Vice President of Business Development and Museum of Durham History board member Jane Roycroft Brasier, Duke Office of Durham and Community Affairs Vice President Stelfanie Williams, MODH Executive Director Patrick Mucklow and MODH board member Marjorie Burton. 2 Mary Duke Biddle Foundation Executive Director Mimi O’Brien and MODH Development Director Treat Harvey. 3 Will Thorpe – son of Joyce Clayton Thorpe Nichols, who is featured in the new museum exhibit – with Clifford Gibson and Jennifer Clayton.
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noted.
WHAT AN HONOR
The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources added Geer Cemetery and West End Cemeteries Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places. Geer Cemetery was used as a community cemetery for Durham’s people of color from 1877 to 1945. It is the oldest extant community burial ground for African Americans in Durham and contains an estimated 1,825 graves. The West End Cemeteries Historic District encompasses four contiguous cemeteries –Maplewood Cemetery, Hebrew Cemetery, Henderson Family Cemetery and Fitzgerald Family Cemetery – which span 26 acres in the historically residential and primarily African American West End neighborhood. The historic district contains a wide range of burial and marker types illustrative of the socioeconomic backgrounds of the groups it represents.
a 2024 Golden
Award for the most unique partner activation at Minor League Baseball’s Fall Business
WHAT WE’VE HEARD AROUND OUR CITY …
BY
Summit Awards Reception. The Bulls’ partnership with Weldon Mills Distillery has led to a series of creative activations that have received positive feedback from Bulls fans. The two organizations unveiled their first joint venture – the limited-edition Snorting Bull Bourbon – in late summer 2023 and have since created exclusive suite spaces that offer an intimate and
upscale atmosphere, donated $50,000 to a Gold Star family and released Toros Sabrosa Blanco Tequila in 2024.
WalletHub named Duke University the No. 1 university in North Carolina (and No. 15 in the nation) in its 2025 Best College & University Rankings list. The school placed No. 1 in admission rate, student-faculty ratio, gender and racial diversity, graduation rate and post-attendance median salary.
The Durham Bulls were awarded
Bobblehead
Yoga Off East relocated to 324 Blackwell St., Ste. 420, at the American Tobacco Campus in September. The studio, which originally opened in a 400-square-foot space in the back of Ninth Street’s Happy & Hale in 2016 before moving to a storefront across the street in 2019, is co-owned and operated by Kathryn Smith and Kim Tupper. The new 2,300-square-foot facility allows Yoga Off East to expand its class capacity and offerings, and features a self-service tea bar, plus ceiling-mounted infrared heat panels.
PHOTO
ANNA ROUTH BARZIN
PHOTO COURTESY OF DURHAM BULLS
The Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice, which celebrated its grand opening in September 2024, received a $25,000 grant from the Association of African American Museums. The center will utilize the funds to create an animated miniseries aimed at educating young individuals about the life and impact of Rev. Pauli Murray, helping to advance the narrative of African American contributions to civil rights and social justice movements.
Yash Mehta, a 14-year-old Durham Academy student, won a first-place technology award as part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge for his creation of an electronic braille reader, which uses motors to simulate braille by poking users’ fingers. Presented by the nonprofit Society for
Science, the event is the nation’s leading middle school STEM competition and seeks to inspire young scientists, engineers and innovators to solve challenges of the 21st century. Finalists were selected from a competitive applicant pool of nearly 2,000 individuals across 48 states, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Yash won a $3,500 scholarship to a STEM summer camp, and Durham Academy received a $1,000 grant to support STEM programming.
The Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange and Chatham Counties announced the winning entries of its 2024 Parade of Homes, which included 12 Durham homes from 10 builders. The self-guided tour showcases exciting trends and quality features of new home technology and
construction. The homes were divided into price categories and judged by builders and new home professionals. Winning Durham home builders – which earned a range of gold, silver and bronze awards across differing price categories – included Tri Pointe Homes, Stanley Martin Homes, Better Construction LLC, Gold Leaf Ventures LLC, Beazer Homes, McKee Homes, Copper Builders, Homes by Dickerson, B. Wallace Design & Construction and S&A Construction
Nine Bull City building companies – BuildSense, Trinity Design/ Build, CQC Home, Grau Building Company, Dolce Design Co., Abacus Builders, Green Hill Contracting, CoCreations Construction & Design and Wood + Water LLC – received awards in the 2024 Remodelers Outstanding Construction competition, a program launched in 2013 to showcase remodeling projects completed by HBADOC members in Durham, Orange and Chatham counties.
Chuck Wheeler, coordinator of the OutSouth Queer Film Festival, was recognized as one of Out Magazine’s most impactful and influential LGBTQ+ people for 2024. The annual festival is curated and produced by the Carolina Theatre and features a diverse array of shorts, documentaries and feature films. Chuck has been involved with the festival since its inception in 1995 when it was known as the North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. It has since grown to become one of the largest film festivals in the southeast.
GIVING BACK
The Durham Regional Association of Realtors raised about $19,000 at this year’s annual Davis-Carter Benefit Auction. Fifty percent of the auction proceeds will benefit the NC Realtors Housing Foundation, which provides housing opportunities through
NEWS BITES
• Alley Twenty Six’s cocktail syrups were ranked No. 7 in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Craft Mixer Brand, marking its second time on the list (it was No. 10 in 2022). Alley Twenty Six owner Shannon Healy launched the syrups online two years ago, expanding the reach of the award-winning products nationwide.
• Durham Distillery released its limited-edition Conniption Barrel-Aged Gin, featuring notes of juniper, rosemary, cardamom and fig, in October. This small-batch release spent 10 months in the barrel, enhancing its smoothness while retaining its gin character. It was recognized as “Best in the U.S.” and awarded a gold medal at this year’s World Gin Awards in London, along with two other Durham Distillery gins that won the same award in different categories.
• Aaktun, a new cafe-eatery by two-time James Beard semifinalist Oscar Diaz and his lMezcalito business partners, opened its doors in October 2024 at 704 Ramseur St. The quick-service concept restores a historic property while fusing Diaz’s Mexican heritage with his diverse culinary influences. Aaktun offers distinct daytime and nighttime menus and builds on the community’s warm reception of its sister restaurant, Little Bull
• Scott Crawford, five-time James Beard-nominated chef and chef/owner of Crawford & Son in Raleigh, opened his new restaurant, Crawford’s Genuine, in Terminal 2 at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport in September 2024. The 2,600-square-foot upscale bar and grill seats 95 and serves all-day dining through breakfast, lunch and dinner. It joins Carolina Craft, which opened near Gate C12 on Sept. 3, along with 10 more dining options set to open at RDU next year.
PHOTO BY DARE KUMOLO
PHOTO BY NATALIA WEEDY & ALEX CRAIG
• Discover Durham launched a mobile app in October to help users explore the city through curated itineraries, maps and event calendars. The app includes challenges like the Bull City Beer Challenge, which runs through Dec. 31. Participants who visit 12 or more of the 23 participating breweries, taprooms or bottle shops can earn exclusive swag.
• Ment Beverage Co. opened its 3,000-square-foot taproom at 312 Blackwell St., Ste. 103, at the American Tobacco Campus in November 2024. It offers a selection of handcrafted Honeygirl Meadery meads as well as ciders, seltzers, sakes and nonalcoholic beverages.
• Award-winning pitmaster Christopher Prieto brings his signature blend of Texas barbecue, steakhouse classics and Puerto Rican-inspired flavors to Research Triangle Park with his newest concept, Prime STQ, slated to open in spring 2025 at Horseshoe at Hub RTP
• Cucciolo Famiglia, the third concept from the team behind Cucciolo Osteria in Durham and Cucciolo Terrazza in Raleigh is also set to open spring 2025 at Sutton Station
• A group of Durham restaurants hosted an online auction and fundraising dinner at The Durham Hotel in October 2024, raising $100,000 for the Southern Smoke Foundation Emergency Relief Fund to support hospitality workers in western North Carolina who have been impacted by Hurricane Helene. The multi-course tasting dinner prepared by renowned Bull City – including Matt Kelly of Nanas, Vin Rouge and Mateo Bar de Tapas and Saca Monk of Littler, among others – also featured cocktails by Alley Twenty Six and desserts from Rose’s Noodles, Dumplings & Sweets, and more. An after-party at Kingfisher contributed 25% of sales that evening to the fund.
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education, community initiatives and disaster relief, supporting families and communities affected by Hurricane Helene. The remaining 50% will go to the Centre for Homeownership and Economic Development to support its community and economic development programs.
Food Lion Feeds – a hunger relief program that aims to help people facing food insecurity – delivered more than 3,900 pounds of food to North Carolina Central University’s food pantry. Food Lion associates joined the initiative by unloading products and stocking shelves.
North Carolina homebuilder
McKee Homes hosted an unveiling event for The Gallery at The View, a new home community in north Durham. McKee purchased art from 25 Durham artists –including Anne Gregory, Jenny Blazing and Linda Bailey – to display throughout a new model home, supporting the company’s mission to enrich the communities where it builds. As sales for The View community close out, McKee will hold an auction for the artworks and donate proceeds to each artist’s charity of choice, like Families Moving Forward and Code the Dream
IN OUR SCHOOLS
Western Governors University announced a $10 million “Heartbeat of Healthcare” scholarship fund to support registered nurse students in its redesigned Bachelor of Science in Nursing and bridge Master of Science in Nursing programs at the Michael O. Leavitt School
of Health. The fund, which runs through June 2025, aims to expand access to nursing education and address the growing demand for baccalaureate and graduate-level nurses to improve patient care.
Immaculata Catholic School
earned a National Blue Ribbon Award, an annual honor from the U.S. Department of Education that recognizes K-12 schools based on their academic excellence or progress in reducing disparities in student performance. This marks the school’s second time receiving the award, having first earned the honor in 2012.
Theresa McGowan was named the 2024-2025 Durham Public Schools
Principal of the Year. Theresa has led Lakeview School, an alternative program for grades 6-12 students with chronic misbehavior or longterm suspensions, for eight years. She has prioritized personalized support systems, resulting in academic improvements and increased credits earned, helping students get back on track to graduate on time. Theresa will now represent DPS in the regional Principal of the Year competition.
Duke School, a private preschoolthrough-eighth-grade institution, unveiled its new 14,000-squarefoot Center for IDEAS in late October. The building
addresses infrastructure needs while offering students opportunities in self-discovery, creative expression, design thinking, social entrepreneurship and innovative technologies. It also provides the Durham community with a hub for programs focused on justice, equity and belonging. To mark the occasion, the school hosted a networking event on Oct. 29, 2024, where attendees toured the facility, which includes meeting rooms, an event space and a performing arts theater.
Durham Public Schools received an $11.4 million, five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Magnet Schools Assistance Program. The funds will support key initiatives of DPS’ Growing Together Plan, a student assignment strategy aimed at promoting diversity and equitable access to academic programs.
Durham Public Schools held a ribbon-cutting for its newest school, Murray-Massenburg Elementary School on Oct. 8, 2024. It’s named after two Durham-native female trailblazers: human rights activist the Rev. Pauli Murray and Betty Doretha Massenburg, the first Black woman principal in the Durham City School System.
Durham Technical Community College received a $400,000 High-Cost Healthcare grant from the North Carolina Community College System, which it will use to expand and strengthen its emergency medical services program by purchasing an indoor ambulance, creating an immersion room and upgrading mannequins that are more life-like.
Durham Technical Community College announced plans to build 124 affordable housing units for students and the community, aided by $620,000 in federal funds secured with U.S. Rep. Valerie Foushee’s support. The project at 902 S. Briggs Ave. aims to address housing insecurity, which affects over 50% of students, according to a 2019 survey. Durham Tech plans to start construction in summer 2025, with tenants moving in by early summer 2027.
TIME TO TRANSFORM
The City of Durham is working with architecture firm Perkins & Will on a study to determine the future of the Historic Durham Athletic Park, the former home of the Durham Bulls. The DAP is currently used occasionally for events like youth baseball and concerts, but has more potential as it’s situated near key projects like the South Ellerbe Restoration Project and the Durham Rail Trail project, which aim to boost green space and sustainability. The study, including public input, will be completed by August 2025.
The Duke University Board of Trustees approved Sarah P. Duke Gardens’ $30 million “Garden Gateway” project, which includes a new welcome
center with a café, gallery and outdoor spaces; enhanced learning and event facilities; improved accessibility; and expanded green areas. Construction began this fall, with completion expected by spring 2026. The gardens will remain open to the public during renovations.
The Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club recently revamped its specialty suites, meeting spaces and award-winning Fairview Dining Room. The hotel commissioned local and regional artists to create a distinctive design aesthetic inspired by North Carolina throughout the spaces. Window treatment designs in the Presidential Suite draw inspiration from Kensington Palace, and a custom mural by artist Paul Montgomery depicts memorable Duke University landmarks like the Duke Chapel and surrounding Duke Forest (pictured above).
ARTS AND CULTURE
Musician Keenan Jenkins, known by the moniker XOXOK, released his new album, “Jesus Piece,” on Nov. 1, 2024. Inspired by old-school R&B and modern innovators alike, Keenan explores themes of internalized racism and misogyny in this album, marking his most personal work yet.
Alternative/indie soul artist Tre. Charles, whose music blends timeless themes with a fresh perspective, creating a distinctive sound, is set to release his second EP, “Here We Are,” on April 25, 2025. The single “GRWTH,” first premiered at the Newport Jazz Festival in August, drops in January.
Merge Records became the first record label to be inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. H.C. McEntire, who has six albums with the label, performed on behalf of Merge Records at the ceremony on Oct 17, 2024.
ON THE MOVE
Adanna Omeni opened her floral design shop, 1 Blossom 2 Bloom, at Boxyard RTP in September. Adanna’s arrangements have been featured at the North Carolina Museum of Art’s Art in Bloom festival, Dreamville Festival and at corporate events.
Durham Children’s Initiative’s former director of community engagement Vikki Leathers assumed the role of interim CEO in
October. The appointment comes after former CEO Charleita Richardson announced her decision to vacate the position and return to her Virginian hometown.
The Durham County Library’s Stanford L. Warren Branch Library will reopen on Dec. 12 after undergoing more than three years of extensive renovations. The work included structural repairs to the building and upgrades to the library’s interior, like new furniture, shelving and other amenities.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
The Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, an annual international event presented by Duke University’s Center for Documentary Studies and dedicated to the exhibition of nonfiction cinema, returns April 3-6, 2025. Passes go on sale Jan. 15.
Two-time Grammy Awardwinning singer and instrumentalist Rhiannon Giddens announced “Biscuits & Banjos,” a three-day Black roots festival, will take place at venues across downtown April 25-27. The event celebrates Black culture with performances – including a Carolina Chocolate Drops reunion, Christian McBride and Rissi Palmer, among others –talks and interactive sessions.
The Old Chatham Golf Club will host the 77th installment of the U.S. Girls’ Junior championship in July 2026. This will be the second USGA championship the club has hosted, the first being the U.S. Senior Amateur in 2019.
Cameron Indoor Stadium at Duke University will host the NCAA National Collegiate Fencing Finals in 2027 and serve as a venue for the 2029 World University Games.
Modernist architecture enthusiasts are invited to tour eight houses at Modapalooza NC on April 26. NCModernist, a nonprofit educational archive that provides resources to preserve and promote the state’s legacy of modernist architecture, sponsors the event. Tickets are available in January.
PHOTO BY TONY CUNNINGHAM
Mission Statement
Habitat for Humanity of Durham works to eliminate substandard housing in Durham and to help foster thriving communities. We envision a Durham where decent, affordable, and sustainable housing is available to all.
Background
Founded in 1985, Durham Habitat is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing through constructing, rehabilitating, and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions.
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For 40 years, Durham Habitat has brought people together to build homes, communities and hope. In partnership with the Durham community, we uplift our neighbors through the transformative power of homeownership. Durham Habitat has built nearly 500 new homes and completed critical repairs on more than 550 nonHabitat homes. As our city rapidly grows and changes, the need for Durham Habitat’s work is greater than ever!
Upcoming Events
• $100,000 Repairs Challenge: Help us reach our goal and provide repairs for more Durham homeowners! Make a gift by Dec. 31.
• Celebrating 40 Years of Durham Habitat: Join us throughout 2025 as we celebrate our past and look ahead to the future of affordable homeownership!
Wish List
Give a gift – go to durhamhabitat.org/donate
Volunteer – check out durhamhabitat.org/volunteer for more information
Donate to a ReStore - donate gently used household items to a Triangle ReStore location
Visit durhamhabitat.org/ways-to-give for more ways you can support Durham Habitat!
Get in Touch!
1823 Chapel Hill Rd. Durham, NC 27707 919-682-0516
durhamhabitat.org
Our local nonprofits, how they support the community and how you can get involved
Our local nonprofits, how they support the community and how you can get involved
Wish List
• Volunteer with our Club kids. We are always looking for kind and encouraging homework helpers, positive mentors, tutors and program assistants to support our after-school programs. Invest your time in the next generation.
• Join our “Monthly Dream Team” by making a recurring monthly donation of any size to help make dreams come true for kids across Durham.
• Become a member of our “Circle of Champions” by making a $2,500 donation. To attend our Clubs, youth pay just $10 per year. However, the true cost for a child to participate in our programs is $2,500 per year—250 times the membership fee. Champions help bridge the gap, one child at a time.
• Follow us on social media and spread the word: @bgcdoc on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
• Host a fun event with friends or coworkers that benefits BGCDOC—50/50 drawing, golf outing, bingo, skills competitions... The possibilities are endless! Just tell us about your event so we can offer support.
Mission
To inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
Background
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Durham and Orange Counties (BGCDOC) partners with parents and families to empower youth, build great futures and create a healthier community for all. We know that when kids have access to quality food, trusted adult role models, a sense of belonging, and a safe “third place” (outside of home and school) that their parents can trust, they have a better opportunity to reach their full potential and thrive in life.
Upcoming Events
• $35,000 Year-End Matching Challenge: Through Dec. 31, 2024, your investment in Durham kids during the season of giving can have double the impact!
• 2025 Great Futures Breakfast: Thursday, May 1, 2025.
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This world is complicated. Helping kids is simple. Local and national data continue to paint a bleak present-day picture of kids’ mental and behavioral health, food insecurity, and post-pandemic educational outcomes. Boys & Girls Clubs help kids and families to meet these challenges head-on. Last year, BGCDOC proudly partnered with 51 community organizations to positively impact 598 local kids through our afterschool program and summer camp! Together, we served 32,502 healthy snacks and meals and provided 15,110 hours of homework help and academic tutoring.
Get in Touch!
Mailing Address
1010 Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy, Suite 300 Durham, NC 27713
919-687-4517
bgcdoc.org
Donate Now!
Mission
El Centro Hispano works to strengthen the community, build bridges, and advocate for equity and inclusion.
Background
El Centro Hispano exists to uplift and empower the Hispanic community across North Carolina’s Triangle and Piedmont regions. For 33 years, the organization has prioritized eliminating barriers to opportunity and ensuring access to essential resources. With programs that include leadership development, financial literacy, and inclusive support for all ages and identities, El Centro Hispano is deeply committed to creating equity and collective growth, ensuring Latine families thrive within an inclusive and supportive community.
Wishlist
• A $150 contribution allows one child to attend a two-week summer camp.
• A $250 contribution helps one adult complete vocational courses in electrical wiring, air conditioning and heating, welding, and auto maintenance.
• A $500 contribution provides aid to support one family with essential expenses such as rent, utilities, and temporary housing.
• A $150 contribution enables one adult to participate in 12 sessions of integral health group activities, including cholesterol and A1C (blood sugar tolerance) testing.
• A $760 contribution supports one adult in covering their application fees to become a U.S. citizen.
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Through tailored programs and services, El Centro Hispano profoundly impacted the lives of thousands in the Latine community. The organization addresses critical needs in areas like economic development, health and well-being, education and civic participation while championing the rights of all. By cultivating leadership and expanding access to resources, El Centro Hispano has strengthened the community, building networks of support that contribute to lasting social change.
• Collect basic kitchenware and bedding for move-out kits
• Special one-time needs: shoes, backpacks and hand sanitizer
• Shop our Amazon Wishlist
• A low-barrier approach. Clients are not routinely breathalyzed when they enter the shelter, for example. Staff focus on helping residents succeed while maintaining safety.
We connect with the community to end homelessness and fight poverty by offering food, shelter and a future to neighbors in need. Get in Touch!
• A Housing First model. Case managers help shelter residents obtain permanent housing as quickly as possible—affording stability— so they can better tackle other challenges.
• Inclusion. UMD will serve anyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, faith or non-faith.
Background
Urban Ministries of Durham (UMD) stands in the gap to meet the needs of neighbors facing homelessness, hunger and poverty. Thanks to generous donors and 2,000 volunteers, the program helps more than 6,000 individuals annually through its:
• Emergency shelter, which welcomes 600 men, women and children each year, helping 100-120 obtain permanent housing.
• Community Café, which serves three meals a day, every day, or a quarter-million meals a year.
• Food Pantry and Clothing Closet, which provide mostly donated items to 500+ low-wealth households each month.
Phone: (919) 682-0538
Website: umdurham.org
Email: devel@umdurham.org
Follow us: facebook.com/
UrbanMinistriesOfDurham
Address: 410 Liberty St Durham, NC 27701
Our local nonprofits, how they support the community and how you can get involved
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Our local nonprofits, how they support the community and how you can get involved
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Mission
To empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
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Every client has a unique path to success. After being laid off, Joy recognized the need to refine her personal brand, update her resume and enhance her LinkedIn profile. She discovered Dress for Success Triangle, which became a lifeline. Through their job acquisition program, Joy received invaluable support in resume writing, personal branding and mock interviews, boosting her confidence. Remarkably, all these services are offered at no cost to the women they serve, enhancing their impact.
Background
Dress for Success Triangle helps women with job acquisition and career development through coaching, webinars, IT certification courses, and interview and employment clothing. With locations in Durham, Raleigh and Wilson, along with two mobile boutiques serving urban and rural areas, the organization relies on more than 900 volunteers. This year, they have supported more than 3,000 women, aiming to reach 25,000 by year-end since their founding in 2008.
Upcoming Events
• 12 Days of Christmas (online auction/sale): Dec. 1–12
• Travel-sized toiletries for client gift bags (antiperspirant, toothpaste, shampoo, lotion)
• Accessories and jewelry
Get in Touch!
701 William Vickers Ave. Durham, NC 27701 919-286-2128 dfstrianglenc.org
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Our local nonprofits, how they support the community and how you can get involved
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Mission
Families Moving Forward helps families in the crisis of homelessness find their way home. We provide temporary housing, case management, skills education, and connection to community resources to help parents and children thrive in stable homes.
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FMF employs a two-generation model to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty. Staff provide trauma-informed care that builds on the strengths of each parent and child, helping them nurture resilience and reach their full potential. The program offers families up to a year of aftercare after securing permanent housing. Last year, 94 percent of families who exited FMF’s shelter program for permanent housing did not return to shelter within a year.
Background
Families Moving Forward (FMF) was established in 2016 following the merger of Genesis Home (founded in 1989) and the Durham Interfaith Hospitality Network (founded in 1994). FMF is the primary emergency shelter in Durham for families and children experiencing the trauma of homelessness. The program employs a Housing First model to help families secure safe, stable housing as quickly as possible while providing parents and children with the resources and support they need to achieve self-sufficiency.
Wish List
• Generators to help ensure families are safe and secure while they are guests of FMF
• Free or reduced-cost assistance for redesigning our website
• Help spreading the word about FMF and family homelessness in Durham
• A full house for our gala! Tickets are available at givebutter.com/c/2024FMFGala
• Financial donations to cover temporary childcare for families and HVAC system maintenance
Upcoming Events
• Annual Gala & Silent Auction at The Cookery in Durham on Dec. 12, 2024
Get in Touch!
300 N. Queen St. Durham, NC 27701 919-683-5878 fmfnc.org
Mission Statement
Background
Wish List
• Give a gift: apsofdurham.org/donate
Animal Protection Society of Durham (APS) strengthens bonds between people and animals in Durham County through community engagement and compassionate care for animals in need. Our vision is that there are no displaced or unwanted pets; all animals and people are treated with compassion and respect; and community services are available to all. Get in
• Send us an item from our Amazon or Chewy lists : apsofdurham.org/how-you-can-help
• Adopt an animal!
Animal Protection Society of Durham is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has been helping animals in our community since 1970 and has managed the Durham County Animal Shelter since 1990. APS relies on donations from caring individuals and corporations to feed, shelter and provide medical attention for the more than 5,000 stray, surrendered, abandoned, abused and neglected animals we care for each year.
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Animal adoptions last year: 1,915 Kittens fostered: 1,037
Volunteer hours: 51,000
Pets reunited with owners: 479
APS has managed the Durham County Animal Shelter for 24 years. Our goals are to:
• Increase low-cost spay/neuter resources offered in Durham County.
• Strengthen our adoption and foster programs to meet the needs of our community.
• Enhance educational programs and resources for our community including microchips, identification tags, and behavioral and medical assistance.
2117 E. Club Blvd.
Durham, NC 27704
919-560-0640
apsofdurham.org
Upcoming Events
Santa Paws, Dec. 6: Bring your pup to meet Santa and take photos with your pet! While you wait for Santa, come meet our APS pups!
Home for the Holidays: APS is always seeking fosters for our animals to give them a break from the shelter. Whether you foster for the entire month of December, a long weekend or even just for a doggie day out, it makes a big difference for our animals. Please consider adopting or fostering this holiday season to add a little more joy to your home. Who knows, you may find your next furry family member along the way!
• Volunteer, foster and refer your friends to APS! Adopt! Donate! Volunteer!
Mission
To end homelessness one valuable person at a time.
Background
Since 1992, Housing for New Hope (HNH) has helped Durham neighbors experiencing homelessness secure safe, affordable housing. To meet ever-evolving community needs, HNH’s programming focuses on street outreach, supportive housing and affordable housing solutions. Through partnerships with local government, nonprofits and stakeholders like you, HNH encourages, motivates and enables individuals and families experiencing homelessness to take their next best step toward long-term, stable housing. Housing for New Hope connects Durham neighbors to housing and hope.
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Since 2019, the number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Durham has increased by 300%. HNH helps these folks obtain and maintain housing. As lead for the Unlocking Doors Initiative, we’ve recently engaged 50 new private landlords to open doors for clients from HNH and six partner agencies. Through our Street Outreach and Supportive Housing programs, we move more than 100 people from homelessness to housing each year. These wishlist items are essential to get them started.
Upcoming events
Point-in-Time Count on Jan. 27, 2025: A community initiative to count and learn from our neighbors experiencing unsheltered homelessness.
Wishlist
• Twin sheet sets
• Twin comforters
• Bath towels
• Washcloths
• Dish towels
• Dinner plates
• Cereal bowls
• Drinking glasses
• Knives/forks/spoons
• Can openers
Learn More! Donate!
Our local nonprofits, how they support the community and how you can get involved
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Mission
To create a place of lifelong learning where people of all ages embrace science as a way of knowing about themselves, their community, and their world.
Our local nonprofits, how they support the community and how you can get involved
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For nearly eight decades, visitors have found a home at the Museum, discovering, playing, and exploring. Committed to the Durham community, we provide programming that highlights our shared interest in science. Last year, we offered free field trips for students, welcomed five endangered red wolf pups, provided camp scholarships, and partnered with NASA, El Futuro, and El Centro Hispano to elevate Hispanic voices in STEM. We also received a $2.3 million grant from NOAA to support our climate work.
Background
Located less than five miles from downtown Durham, the Museum of Life and Science is one of North Carolina’s top family destinations. Our 84-acre campus features a two-story science center, one of the largest butterfly conservatories on the East Coast and interactive exhibits to explore both indoors and outdoors. The Museum is also an AZA-accredited zoo, home to rescued black bears, lemurs, endangered Red Wolves and more than 150 species of animals.
How to Help
• Give:
• Become an Innovator’s Society Member: Make a tax-deductible contribution of $250 or more to our annual fund.
• Become a Monthly Sustainer: Make a monthly gift of $5 or more.
• Shop the “Museum of Life and Science Animal Care” Amazon wishlist.
• Connect:
• Volunteer
• Follow, share and like our social media posts
• Explore:
• Visit us
• Become a Museum member
• Shop at Elements Museum Store
Upcoming Events
• Holidays in the Park: Our annual holiday event
• AfterHours: Science of Wine: An evening of diverse wine, scientific exploration and live music
• Invent the Night Gala: An evening celebrating 25 years of the Butterfly House while contributing to the Museum and its mission
Get in Touch!
433 W. Murray Ave. Durham, NC 27704 919-220-5429 lifeandscience.org development@lifeandscience.org
Mission Statement
The Carolina Theatre welcomes everyone. We enrich the experience of audiences through programming that drives the cultural, educational, and economic vitality of the region.
Background
In the heart of downtown Durham since 1926, the Carolina Theatre has become one of the city’s most beloved nonprofit venues. Offering live events, films, family-focused and educational programs nearly 365 days a year, the theater showcases the best of international, national and local performances to Durham. In addition to hosting world-class events and film festivals in the Bull City, the Carolina Theatre features three historical exhibits that are free and open to the public.
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The Carolina Theatre of Durham is a cultural institution saved by local volunteers. As historical buildings were demolished around her, Connie Moses rallied volunteers to help restore the Carolina Theatre to its 1920s glory. Today, the nonprofit theater is recognized as one North Carolina’s cultural jewels, hosting multiple renowned film festivals and performances. Additionally, the theater’s educational programs introduce the arts to more than 17,000 schoolchildren each year.
Upcoming Events
• Dec. 13: Retro Film Series double feature screening of “A Christmas Story” and “Jingle All The Way”
• Dec. 14: Sensory Friendly Film Series screening of “Elf”
• Dec. 19: Classical Arts Entertainment, Inc. presents “The Nutcracker”
• Jan. 19: Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle presents “Letters from Wolfgang”
• Jan. 23: The Wavemakers Series curated by Rissi Palmer featuring Neffy
• Jan. 24: Patton Oswalt: “Effervescent,” copresented with National Shows 2 (NS2)
• Jan. 29: Al Stewart and Livingston Taylor, co-presented with NS2
Get in Touch!
309 W. Morgan St. Durham, NC 27701 919-560-3030 carolinatheatre.org
How to Support Us
• Become a Star Member: Star Members receive exclusive ticket and parking perks, among other great benefits. Their support helps the theater present the best in music, comedy, performing arts, independent cinema and arts education.
• Give to Our Annual Appeal: As one of our largest fundraising campaigns of the year, gifts made to our Annual Appeal advance the theater’s mission to be a deeply engaged community partner in Durham, committed to making high-quality arts programming accessible to all community members.
• Sponsor the Wavemakers Series: Produced by the Carolina Theatre and curated by Rissi Palmer, this series is dedicated to celebrating diverse voices and uncovering your next favorite artists.
• Support Our Educational Programs: Contributions to our educational programs allow us to provide an affordable field trip destination for performing arts experiences that complement curriculum goals for both schools and community organizations.
• Become a Volunteer: Join in the fun and gain hands-on experience with our staff to help execute live performances, educational programming and a nationally respected film program.
• Sponsor Our Annual Fundraiser: This event is the Carolina Theatre’s largest fundraising initiative, with proceeds directly supporting the nonprofit’s mission to bring vibrant, thought-provoking live events, films and educational programs to downtown Durham, helping to build awareness of the local arts and small business community.
• Support Film: Whether it’s one of our juried film festivals or our Retro Film Series, we have something for everyone!
Our local nonprofits, how they support the community and how you can get involved
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Our local nonprofits, how they support the community and how you can get involved
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Since its founding six years ago, the Durham community’s investments have allowed DPSF to:
• Award more than $1.7 million in grants directly to school communities.
• Reach 600 educators, students and families while providing expanded mental health and wellness supports.
• Provide professional growth opportunities for more than 500 district educators.
• Fund college scholarships for nearly 80 DPS high school seniors.
• Develop a robust and reliable source of volunteers ready to support school events, activities and more.
In 2023-24, we estimate that our grants and programs directly impacted 25,100 students, educators and families. Our district-wide partnerships and advocacy strengthen our district for all 30,000+ students in DPS.
About Us
DPS Foundation is a community-led effort to ensure that Durham has innovative and equitable public schools where every student can flourish.
Background
In 2018, leaders from across the Durham community came together around a vision for a local education foundation in Durham. Since then, DPS Foundation has granted more than $1.7 million to DPS school communities to meet needs and champion equity for every student.
Wish List
A consistently, well-funded public school is central to building a student’s lifelong success, providing opportunities that lay the foundation for a bright future. Your continuous support makes this possible. Here are some ways to get involved:
• Make a year-end gift.
• Become a monthly sustainer.
• Volunteer through DPSF’s Days of Service.
• Join our Business Leaders for Public Education giving circle. Visit bullcityschools.org/give to take the next step.
Upcoming Events
Join us for Evening to Shine on Feb. 11, 2025, at the Durham Performing Arts Center for our annual scholarship fundraiser and celebration of the arts in DPS. Ticket sales open in January. Learn more at shinedps.com.
Get in Touch!
600 W. Umstead St. Durham, NC 27712 919-200-0017
Follow us online at @bullcityschools or sign up for our newsletter at bullcityschools.org. Email us at development@bullcityschools.org.
Photo By Alan Qiao, lakewoodinfocus.com
Photo by Artivista Karlin, lakewoodinfocus.com
Mission
The Durham Tech Foundation believes everyone deserves access to quality education and a pathway to a secure, well-paying career. The Foundation supports Durham Technical Community College by securing resources that expand opportunities for students and the communities of Durham and Orange counties. Through local partnerships and philanthropic support, the Foundation empowers individuals, strengthens families, and uplifts the community. Together, we are building a skilled workforce that fosters social equity and drives economic growth.
Background
For 40 years, the Durham Tech Foundation has bridged the gap between aspiration and opportunity by partnering with forward-thinking corporations, foundations, and individuals to secure essential funding. These resources expand educational access, create equitable pathways, and strengthen Durham Tech’s capacity to serve the community effectively. Through strategic partnerships that address pressing community needs and high-demand job training programs, the Foundation equips students with the skills, knowledge, and connections needed for long-term success.
Ways to Make A Difference
When you invest in students, you open doors to life-changing opportunities. The Durham Tech Fund supports core student success initiatives, helping students manage financial crises, afford textbooks and supplies, and access nutritious meals through the Campus Harvest Food Pantry. Your gift today builds tomorrow’s community—a skilled healthcare worker, a small business owner creating local jobs, or a teacher inspiring the next generation. Together, we can ensure that talent and determination—not finances—shape a student’s future.
Community Impact
This past year, the Foundation made a significant impact in supporting access to education by:
• Awarding $290,000 in scholarships, opening doors for 208 students
• Distributing more than 50,000 pounds of food through the Campus Harvest Food Pantry, nourishing 1,690 students and their families
• Providing $160,000 in Student Success Support, helping 270 students overcome financial barriers and meet basic needs
Get in Touch!
1637 E. Lawson St. Durham, NC 27703
919-536-7200, ext. 6007
durhamtech.edu/durham-tech-foundation
Scan here to donate today!
A Gracious
Plenty
This hearty, market-fresh appetizer is sure to steal the show at your next soiree PHOTO BY
JAMES STEFIUK
Chef Carrie Schleiffer of Alley Twenty Six highlights seasonal, locally sourced flavors perfect for a festive gathering with this multifaceted mixture. “Dips and crudités are not only popular right now, but they are super versatile,” Carrie says. “You can add or subtract ingredients to your liking. If you want it to be vegetarian, omit the bacon. If you can’t find pepitas, pecans or cashews would work just fine.
WINTER’S BOUNTY
Cold-weather produce typically found at the Durham Farmers Market:
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Beets
Carrots
Celery
Frisee
Radicchio
Fennel
Romaine
Watermelon
Radishes
Hakurei Turnips
Sweet Potatoes
Acorn Squash
Purple Potatoes
Peanuts
Persimmons
Pie Pumpkins
amounts being shipped across the country for holidays,” says Durham Farmers Market Manager Kaitlyn Breedlove. “Most of the produce you can find at the market was harvested the day before, meaning it’s more nutritious and has ripened naturally.”
Roasted Butternut Squash Dip with Market Vegetables
FOR THE DIP
• 8 cups butternut squash, peeled and diced
• ½ yellow onion, rough chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, smashed
• 2-inch piece of ginger, peeled and rough chopped
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Olive oil
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup orange juice
• Pinch of cinnamon
• Pinch of nutmeg
FOR THE TOPPING
• 20 leaves sage, fried crispy
• 8 ounces Boxcarr feta cheese*, crumbled
• 1 honeycrisp apple, peeled and diced, small
• 10 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 6 radish, sliced thin
• 1 cup pepitas, toasted
• Smoked paprika, for dusting
• Olive oil, for drizzling
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Place butternut squash, onion, garlic and ginger in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and mix until everything is coated evenly. Place the mixture in a single layer on a sheet tray and roast in the oven for 25 minutes or until the squash is very soft. Rotate the tray halfway through. Browning is ok, but if the mixture starts to burn, cover it with aluminum foil.
Place the squash mix into the blender and blend until smooth. Spread the squash out on a sheet tray and allow the blended squash to cool until it is room temperature. Put the squash back in a large bowl and fold in the ricotta, orange juice, cinnamon and nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Chill the dip in the refrigerator.
While the dip is chilling, prepare all your toppings. To fry the sage, heat ¼ inch of vegetable or Canola oil in a pan to 350 degrees. Drop sage in oil and cook until crispy. Remove the sage from the oil and place on a paper towel.
PLATING
“These are just some examples,” she adds. “Feel free to have fun with it!” For the ingredients found in this recipe, Carrie says the butternut squash, apples, radishes, yellow onion, carrots and Boxcarr feta cheese can be sourced from a farmers market. “Produce purchased at the market is much fresher than what you can get at the grocery store, especially with the larger
Kale
Collard Greens
Greenhouse Tomatoes
Swiss Chard
Fresh Organic Popcorn
Shoppers can also discover heirloom varieties and unusual vegetables, making holiday meals a chance to try something new. Supporting the market in winter also helps local farmers and artisans through a slower season, bolstering the local economy when it counts most. “Support in the winter is crucial for their overall success,” Kaitlyn adds. And don’t forget to get there early; hours are now 9 a.m. to noon, and fresh produce – especially greens, Kaitlyn says – goes fast!
Place the dip in a serving bowl. Make sure the bowl is tall enough that there is space between the dip and the top of the bowl.
Liberally sprinkle the feta, apples, bacon, radish and pepitas over the top. You can reserve some of each to “re-top” if needed.
Dust with smoked paprika and drizzle olive oil over the top. Garnish with sage.
Serve the dip with your choice of bread and crudités. Some options are pita points, crostini, carrot sticks and cauliflower florets.
*Note: “I like Boxcarr’s feta, and we use it at Alley Twenty Six,” Carrie says. “Any feta cheese can be used. You could also substitute goat cheese, if you prefer.”
BY ANNA-RHESA VERSOLA PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
Entrepreneur Gail Jennings blends heritage, heart and heat in her award-winning spices
ail Jennings takes pleasure in introducing adventurous foodies to her line of Kingʼs Pepper products, which combines West African herbs and spices like piri piri (also known as African bird’s eye chili pepper), ginger, clove, nutmeg, alligator pepper and dawadawa (dried locust beans).
“It takes a hell of a lot of selfconfidence to present a food product to the public, ask them to try it and hope that they like it,” Gail says, remembering her initial launch of the recipe in Los Angeles in 2001. “One of the things I really love is when a customer comes up and is curious. They take a sample, you see a smile across their face, and their shoulder starts doing a little happy dance, [and they say to another], ‘Wow … you gotta try this.’”
Gail, who received a $20,000 City of Durham community development block grant in 2023, discovered her own enthusiasm for West African spices when she married her first husband, who was originally from Nigeria. She sprinkled the seasonings on eggs, meat, burgers, fries, popcorn and more, and eventually traveled to Nigeria to source ingredients she needed to make her own version of the mix. She found early success with her recipe as she continued to work full time for an ABC television affiliate in Hollywood, California. But life began to change course. Her marriage ended. She left her job and shelved her entrepreneurial dream.
More than a decade later, Gail found new love and renewed energy to try again. This time, in 2012, she was in Durham, where she found the support and resources she needed to grow King’s Pepper. When the pandemic in 2020 threatened to shut down her business again, she prevailed with the help of Durham’s small business community. Gail met Geraud
Connecting the Triangle
Staton, who accepted her into a program through The Helius Foundation he established to support minority and women entrepreneurs.
“I sell direct to consumers,” Gail says, noting her concerns about bringing the virus home while her husband, Melvin Mitchell, was undergoing treatment for lung cancer. “I’m face-to-face with folks, so it really presented a challenge to go out there and trust that I would be OK. [The pandemic] was almost like a pause, and I was able to build a stronger foundation, and from that, it just seemed like things really started to click.”
She grew her business from a one-woman, part-time venture that barely made enough to cover the cost of a tank of gas into a thriving multi-person operation based out of the Piedmont Food Processing Center in Hillsborough that produces thousands of bottles each year.
Gail’s products – including single bottles, two-packs, three-packs and an African taco kit, which won a Scovie award in 2022 – can be found on the shelves of Food Lion, the Durham Co-op Market, Part & Parcel, Weaver Street Market, Butchers Market in Raleigh, Revival Butchery in Greenville, South Carolina, and in City Box Durham’s pantry box. King’s Pepper is available online through We Power Food gift boxes and Amazon, too. Folks can also find Gail and her family – including her grandson, Dante Johnson, who manages in-store sampling for the brand – handing out tasters at the State Farmers Market in Raleigh from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
This year, Gail is introducing two new products: a spicy cracker and a candy called Bubbling Brown Sugar made with dark chocolate, toasted pecans, caramel and a dash of extra hot King’s Pepper. She plans to bring back a snack item called King’s Pepper Crunch (a combination of Cheetos and King’s Pepper), which won a Scovie award in 2003 and was listed in Chile Pepper magazine.
“People tell us all the time [that King’s Pepper is] delicious on popcorn,” Gail says. “Customers say different things, like, ‘I loved it on my pork butt. I smoked some brisket with it. I put it in my ramen noodles.’”
As a direct descendant of slaves who were freed on June 19, 1865, in Crockett, Texas, Gail says she honors her ancestry by sharing her spices. “When I took a DNA test, I found out that I’m 81% Yoruba,” Gail says of her West African heritage. “My roots go back to the people who taught me the recipe years ago.”
Gail Jennings has her own jingle for her spice blends: “Before you grill, before you bake, buy King’s Pepper, and shake, shake, shake!”
Gumbo’s Daddy With Chicken, Shrimp and Turkey
MAKES 6 SERVINGS
• 1 to 1¼ pound chicken wings
• 1¼ teaspoons fine salt, plus more as needed
• 1 tablespoon plus ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper or chili powder, such as King’s Pepper, plus more to taste
• 3 cups chicken or turkey stock, or water, plus more as needed
• 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 small red onion, coarsely chopped
• ½ cup chopped red, yellow or orange bell pepper
• 1 habanero or Scotch bonnet chile, seeded (optional)
• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• 1½ tablespoons tomato paste
• ¼ cup olive or vegetable oil
• 1 (15-ounce) can collard greens (with liquid) or 1 large bunch collard greens, stems removed, leaves torn into bite-size pieces
• 2 cups chopped or shredded leftover turkey
• 1 to 2 turkey bones (optional)
• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled, deveined and cut into 1-inch pieces
• Cooked rice, for serving
Pat chicken wings dry with paper towels. Season all over with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon chile powder (or a pinch of cayenne), and set aside.
In a blender, combine 1 cup stock or water, tomato sauce, onion, bell pepper, chile (if using), curry powder, tomato paste, remaining 1 tablespoon ground chili (or ½ teaspoon cayenne) and a pinch of salt. Blend until smooth. Set aside.
Add oil to a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Once oil is hot, but not smoking, add chicken and cook until browned on both sides, 4 to 6 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a plate. While the oil is still hot, carefully pour the onion-tomato mixture into the pot. Do this slowly to avoid splattering the sauce. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until thickens slightly, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Add the reserved chicken wings, collard greens, turkey, turkey bones (if using), remaining ¾ teaspoon salt, and 2 cups stock or water. Cook on simmer, partly covered, until chicken is cooked through and very tender, 20 to 30 minutes. If the gumbo looks dry, add more stock or water.
Stir in shrimp and cook until it is just cooked through and opaque, another 3 to 5 minutes. Taste, and add more salt and chili powder, if needed.
Remove turkey bones, and serve gumbo with rice.
Gail says she doesn’t usually measure out her ingredients, relying instead on muscle memory and taste to cook this dish. So, when she gave her recipe to New York Times food reporter and recipe columnist Melissa Clark a couple years ago, Melissa had to experiment with the measurements and adapt the recipe to this shareable version. Of course, Gail likes to spice things up by adding a few vigorous shakes of King’s Pepper.
Bright BakingSeason the
Rose’s Noodles,
Dumplings
& Sweets’ Katie Meddis shares festive flavors and familyfriendly baking tips to fill your kitchen with cheer
BY LEAH BERRY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
here’s a chill in the air, signaling the return of cozy flavors, cherished holiday traditions and – chiefly – noodle season. Which means Roseʼs Noodles, Dumplings & Sweets is bustling as locals flock to the restaurant for comforting dishes and delectable desserts. “It’s our busiest time of year,” says Katie Meddis, who opened Rose’s with her husband, Justin Meddis, in 2013 as a full-animal butcher and pastry shop before evolving the concept into an East Asian-inspired eatery in 2017.
As for the sweets, Rose’s winter lineup stars warm, seasonal spices and fresh ginger from nearby Transplanting Traditions Community Farm and Ten Mothers Farm. “Ginger [is] one of my favorite ingredients,” Katie says. “The young ginger that is kind of spicy and isn’t too fibrous … offers a really nice flavor to everything you put it in.”
Dessert menu highlights include apple mochi cakes – which incorporate apples sourced from the North Carolina mountains – pumpkin cheesecake and fresh ginger cake with burnt honey buttercream or cream cheese frosting.
“Wintertime is also citrus season, so as we get into January and February, we start seeing more Meyer lemon and blood orange,” Katie says. She often adds these bright flavors to treats like pistachio Meyer lemon macarons or Meyer lemon meringue tarts.
Rose’s holiday ice creams also rely heavily on spices. “Right now we’re doing a cream cheese ice cream with apple butter or pear butter, and gingerbread
everything,” Katie says. “Gingerbread cookies-and-cream ice cream, and gingerbread men.” Ginger is predominant among the macaron flavors, which also include cinnamon sugar and chocolate peppermint. “One of my favorite things to make are these snowmen macarons,” Katie says. “They’re just kind of cute, and the kids really love them.”
Katie says that, while baking wasn’t a significant part of her upbringing, she fondly recalls the moments spent making cookies and loaves of bread with her family during the holidays. “[Pumpkin bread is] my mom’s go-to recipe,” she says. “It always makes it feel like it’s the holidays when I see that bread.” Her family also enjoyed baking spritz cookies with chocolate
Hershey’s Kisses in the middle and crescent cookies – a shortbread that, as Katie puts it, “basically falls apart when you touch it, and it’s covered in powdered sugar.”
The Meddis family carries these traditions forward, and now that Rose’s is closed on Christmas Eve, Katie, Justin and their 7-yearold son, Lucca Meddis, spend much of the day in the kitchen. “Lucca likes to decorate cookies, and I do the baking part,” Katie laughs. “He’s also a big fan of making muffins and pancakes.”
Families keen to cook together this season can find a simple but beloved recipe from Katie for chewy chocolate chip meringues on the next page. Her go-to tip for baking with young children is to assign specific tasks to your kiddo. “[Lucca] is definitely gonna crack
Katie Meddis, Lucca Meddis, 7, and Justin Meddis crafted a spread of treats and savory soy tonkotsu ramen together in the Roseʼs kitchen.“Kids really like the steamed buns without the chili oil,” Katie adds. “Plus, we have kidsʼ ramen, noodles and butter, and the dumplings are pretty mild if you donʼt have the spicy sauce.”
the eggs, he’s definitely gonna whisk for some of the time,” Katie says. “We talk about what we’re going to do ahead of time so it doesn’t get out of hand.
“And then try to be patient,” she adds, saying sometimes it helps to leave the room for a second if things get chaotic. “Oh, and make sure that [the kids] are at the height of the counter, too.”
But don’t fret if the baking doesn’t go according to plan; Katie says Rose’s is ready to welcome you and your little ones for a relaxing meal in a kidfriendly space. “We also understand how hard it is to go out to eat with small kids, so we try to make that the best experience we can.
“The holidays are such a stressful time,” she adds. “We hope to be a place where you can sit, have a relaxing meal and get reenergized.”
Chewy Chocolate Chip Meringues
MAKES 18 1-OZ. MERINGUES
• 8 oz. powdered sugar
• 4.5 oz. egg whites
• 8 oz. 70% dark chocolate
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine powdered sugar and egg whites in a mixing bowl fitted for a stand mixer. Place bowl over a double boiler with gently simmering water. Using a whisk, mix the whites and sugar at a moderate speed until the mixture is warm to touch, melting all the sugar. Transfer bowl to a stand mixer using the whisk attachment, and begin mixing at a medium speed. After 2-3 minutes, increase to a high speed.
Mix until stiff peaks form – this should take about 8-10 minutes. While the whites and sugar are mixing, chop the chocolate into smaller pieces. (The ideal size of the chocolate should be similar to small Hershey’s chocolate chips.) Once you have reached stiff peaks, add the vanilla and salt. Take the bowl off the mixer and gently fold in the chocolate with a rubber spatula. Try to add it until just combined, but don’t over mix.
Scoop onto a parchment-lined baking sheet (space out slightly, because the meringue will puff up and spread a little).* Place in preheated oven. Check after 20 minutes – gently try to lift one off the parchment, and if it does not want to come off easily, try again in 2-3 minutes.**
Let cool on the tray, and don’t try to remove until completely cooled. The dessert is best enjoyed day-of, but you can also freeze them.
* You can make the scoops whatever size you like, if they are roughly 1 oz. in weight.
** It will take approximately 24 minutes to bake; if making ½ oz. meringues, they should take about 20 minutes.
Katie shares that kids especially love Roseʼs chocolate buttermilk cake, macarons and gingerbread men. Lucca concurs, opting for a snowman macaron from among this sweet feast.
Jingle All the
Way
ROUSE
Stop by Destination Literacy, Durham County Libraryʼs convenient and welcoming library experience on wheels, Dec. 3 and 17 at Boxyard RTP.
THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING Fill your calendar with even more winter events at Boxyard!
+1 by Stephen Munoz Start your weekends with fresh tunes and good vibes as a surprise guest artist joins the musician for a live performance every first and third Friday. Dec. 6, Dec. 20, Jan. 3, Jan. 17, Feb. 7 and Feb. 21, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Peter Lamb and the Wolves Enjoy original jazz sets that feature a unique theme at each quarterly show, which promise to have you up and dancing. Dec. 7, 4-7 p.m.
SoapBox Comedy Laugh along with local comedians who perform spoken word and share humorous stories at this adults-only event. Dec. 14, 5-7 p.m.
Songstories Live Experience an intimate gathering where three singersongwriters share original songs and the stories behind them. Entry is free; drop in and connect with the music! Jan. 8, 4-6 p.m.
Bop at the Box Enjoy live music, DJing and spoken word from young local talent, presented by Blackspace and Only Us Media on the first Saturday of February, May, and August. High school and college-aged performers can apply online to participate. Feb. 1, 4-7 p.m.
Sufi Roots & Rhythms The Durhambased band combines Hindustani roots with original compositions, Bollywood interpretations, folk styles and American rock – catch their performance alongside Cosmic Horizon. Feb. 22, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
1 Blossom 2 Bloom Get creative with floral design workshops set in a relaxed, welcoming space at PopBox. Create a sleek, stylish wreath that breaks from tradition during its Modern Wreath workshop (Dec. 15, 1:30-3:30 p.m.) or a holiday centerpiece (Dec. 21, 1:30-3:30 p.m.). Start the year with Blossom & Vision 2025, a floral vision board workshop centered on setting your intentions (Jan. 11, 1:30-3:30 p.m.). Bring your partner to Date Night: Bloom Baby Bloom, where you’ll craft a beautiful floral design together (Feb. 1, 1:30-3:30 p.m.). Celebrate friendship during the Self-Love Club for Galentine’s Day, creating floral arrangements in a fun, supportive environment (Feb. 8, 1:30-3:30 p.m.). Supplies included; see website for pricing.
All Wrapped Up
Boxyard RTP is your one-stop spot for wintertime wonders, from books on wheels to board game thrills. Spend quality time with loved ones, discover new stories and experiences, and create lasting memories that you’ll cherish for years to come.
TRAVELING TALES
Visit Destination Literacy, Durham County Library’s bookmobile, when it stops in the parking lot from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 3 and 17. This mobile library is loaded with books for children, teens and adults in both English and Spanish, offering the chance to check out titles and even sign up for a library card. Also look for the Free Little Library’s take-a-book, leavea-book box, where you’ll find everything from novels to magazines, children’s books to self-help publications. Enjoy a meal at one of Boxyard’s lunch spots while you dive into the pages of your next great read.
GAME ON
Spark a bit of good-natured competition and bring your friends and family to the BeatBox Stage every Wednesday in December (except Christmas Day) from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. for a night of board game fun. Boxyard offers an assortment of games for all skill levels, whether you’re a seasoned pro or trying something new. Don’t fret if you’re unfamiliar with a game – a host is on hand to guide you through the rules so you can jump right into the fun. Be sure to grab snacks and drinks from Boxyard’s vendors to keep the energy up.
SHARING STORIES WITH PRIDE
Drag Story Hour returns Jan. 25 and Feb. 22, bringing beloved children’s books to life as glamorous drag queens read aloud to their young audiences. These inclusive gatherings on the last Saturday of the month celebrate creativity and authenticity, especially for children ages 5-8, though the event welcomes all ages. Join the fun at the BeatBox Stage, where mingling starts at 10 a.m., followed by storytime at 10:15 a.m. – an uplifting morning for the whole family!
Holiday HappeningsHotel
et into the holiday spirit with an array of events –from seasonal teas to tree lightings and special dining experiences – at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club and JB Duke Hotel
TEA TIME
Holiday tea is back with seasonal flavors in the cozy, elegant setting of the renovated Fairview Dining Room Stop by Wednesday through Sunday from 2:30 to 4 p.m. until Jan. 1.
ALL IS BRIGHT
Gather at the JB Duke Hotel in the Lobby Lounge – known for its contemporary ambiance, comfortable seating areas and cozy fireplace –or visit the Washington Duke Inn to bask in the glow of its enchanting, decorated tree. Visit both lobbies during the season for the perfect Christmas photo backdrops.
PAWS AND CLAUS
Bring your furry friend to the JB Duke Hotel on Dec. 15 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. for a photo op with Old Saint Nick! Capture holiday memories with Santa, treat your pup to a complimentary doggie bag and even meet adoptable dogs from a local nonprofit.
HOLIDAY DINING
Celebrate Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve with a memorable, seasonally inspired meal at the Washington Duke Inn’s Fairview Dining Room. Christmas Eve features a four-course prix fixe from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Christmas Day offers a similar feast from 1 to 8 p.m.; and New Year’s Eve rings in 2025 with a special dinner from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Merry MomentsMuseum
Experience holiday magic at the Museum of Life and Science as you wander through glowing trails and festive exhibits for an enchanting evening with family and friends.
HOLIDAYS IN THE PARK
Stroll with loved ones through the museum’s outdoor and indoor spaces on select December nights. Follow shimmering pathways and glowing trees from the gardens to the Dinosaur Trail, and revel in the tropical temperatures inside the Magic Wings Butterfly House. Delight in holiday music and special photo spots perfect for family memories. Enjoy unique winter activities, a sockskating adventure on a synthetic ice rink, and take a train ride on the Ellerbe Creek Railway, passing dazzling light displays along the way. Don’t miss the pop-up museum gift shop for holiday treasures – and grab a complimentary candy cane to sweeten your night!
’TIS THE SEASON
Discover even more holiday cheer
’Twas the Night Before … Dec. 5-15
Experience Cirque du Soleil’s first holiday show, a magical retelling of “A Visit from Saint Nicholas,” at the Durham Performing Arts Center. The family-friendly performance combines thrilling acrobatics, heartwarming characters and holiday classics reimagined with Cirque’s signature flair.
Christmas by Candlelight Dec. 6 and 13, 5:30-9 p.m.
Immerse yourself in a 1870s Christmas on this candlelight tour through the Duke Homestead State Historic Site. Learn the history behind the Duke family home as costumed interpreters bring it to life while engaging in storytelling and delighting in cookies, cider, singing, live music and more.
Winter Pops Dec. 7, 7 p.m.
Durham Symphony Orchestra Music Director and Conductor William Henry Curry leads this concert of classical and holiday favorites, including selections from “The Nutcracker” and a “Messiah” performance by soprano Alissa Roca at the Durham Armory. Arrive early for free photos with Santa at 6 p.m. and enjoy a dessert buffet and hot cocoa bar at intermission.
Amahl and the Night Visitors
Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m., and Dec. 8, 3:30 p.m.
This heartwarming one-act opera at the Carolina Theatre tells the story of young Amahl and his mother who are visited by three mysterious travelers following a bright star. Filled with themes of kindness, curiosity and sacrifice, this all-ages show promises both joy and a few happy tears.
Holiday Market Dec. 11, 6-9 p.m.
Celebrate the season at The Durham with festive drinks and shopping for gifts from local vendors – in partnership with Vert & Vogue – to support YMCA of the Triangle’s Y Learning program, which provides certified teacher-led instruction and after-school and summer camp care at no cost to Durham families who need it most.
Holiday Music on the Roof Dec. 11 and Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m.
Head up to The Durham’s heated rooftop for a holiday-themed performance on Dec. 11 from singer/ songwriter Ally J, whose “old soul” lends textured vocals and sultry melodies that spin classics into jazzier renditions. On Dec. 18, hear from Triangle Gay Men’s Chorus, a Raleigh-based nonprofit that fosters a safe place and provides an avenue for LGBTQ+ persons and their allies to develop and display their musical talents.
Triangle Youth Ballet: ‘The Nutcracker’ Dec. 12 and 13, 7 p.m., Dec. 14, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
A cast of more than 100 young ballet dancers take the Carolina Theatre stage, performing to music from the Tchaikovsky Virtuosi and conducted by Andrew McAfee.
Head to Durham County Main Library to see Little World Charity’s nearly 400-square-foot O-scale model train display, which features 10 holiday model trains and several trolleys, plus N.C. State Fair, Winter Town and Spooky Town areas. Perfect for train enthusiasts and fun for all ages!
‘A Christmas Story’ & ‘Jingle All The Way’ Dec. 13, 7 p.m.
Relive the magic of your childhood at the Carolina Theatre’s weekly Retro Double Features series. Enjoy holiday movie classics “A Christmas Story” and “Jingle All the Way,” on the big screen. Experience door prizes before the show, classic movie trailers and the joy of revisiting these nostalgic films.
Holiday Parade Dec. 14, 10 a.m.
Celebrate and show your support for local bands, drill teams, schools and community organizations as they make their way down Main Street. The festivities culminate with a guest appearance from Santa Claus
Santa on the Roof Dec. 14, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Santa returns to the roof at The Durham this year for photos (taken by attendees) overlooking the city as well as complimentary hot chocolate. Santa joins the event from the North Pole via Santas Just Like Me, a local organization that has provided North Carolina families with the option to visit with a Santa of color since 2013.
Patchwork Holiday Market Dec. 14 & 15 noon-4 p.m.
More than 70 local makers and vintage vendors come together at the Durham Armory to create a unique shopping experience with a diverse selection of highquality and original goods.
Hanukkah 8K & 1-Mile Family Fun Run
and Pool Plunge Family Swim Dec. 15 . 8 a.m.-noon
Jewish for Good invites participants to keep the energy burning, just as the oil and light did in the story of Hanukkah, with an 8K and family fun run. Participants in the event, now in its fifth year, can enjoy doughnuts and Hanukkah gelt at the end! Stick around for a Hanukkah family swim that starts at 10 a.m. Barrel down the waterslide into the icy water, hang out and sip some hot chocolate before the lighting of the 8-foot-tall menorah at sundown. All are welcome to watch the candles light each night from Dec. 25-Jan. 2.
Holiday Craft Market
Dec. 15, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
More than 50 local makers and artists specializing in a range of mediums like pottery, painting, textile arts, photography, jewelry and much more sell their wares at the Durham Central Park Pavilion during the Durham Craft Market’s annual fair.
N.C. Jazz Ensemble Holiday Concert Dec. 15, 3 p.m.
Immerse yourself in festive vibes and big band sounds as the sensational ensemble, led by dynamic vocalist Denise Barnes, takes center stage at the Hayti Heritage Center This talented band of educators and artists will play to the theme of “Holiday Rhythms Marching On.”
‘A Christmas Carol’ Dec. 18-20, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 21, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Dec. 22, 2 p.m.
Ira David Wood III’s cherished musical comedy returns to the Durham Performing Arts Center this holiday season. Join Ebenezer Scrooge on a transformative journey guided by spectral visitors who, one by one, unveil the true meaning of Christmas. This masterful production from Raleigh’s Theatre in the Park brings to life the spirit of the season for audiences of all ages.
A Celtic Christmas Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m.
A Taste of Ireland brings world-class dancers and musicians to the Carolina Theatre for a festive, uplifting show filled with traditional folk tunes, carols, captivating dancing and Irish charm.
‘The Nutcracker’ Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m.
Step into a magical winter wonderland as the esteemed State Ballet Theater of Ukraine and Classical Arts Entertainment perform the classic holiday ballet, choreographed by Andrei Litvinov, at Carolina Theatre.
Candlelight: Christmas Special Dec. 19, 8:45 p.m.
Savor the holiday spirit with a candlelit concert at Aria. The hourlong performance by the Lyricosa Quartet features beloved holiday music, including “O Holy Night,” selections from Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” and other festive medleys.
Black Santa Dec. 20-24
Bring your little ones to the Hayti Heritage Center to meet Black Santa and tell him what they would like for Christmas! The mission of Black Santa is to provide every child and family with a magical holiday experience.
Hanukkah Festival Dec. 22, 2-5 p.m.
Celebrate the Festival of Lights with Jewish for Good There will be kids activities, games and crafts, holiday foods for sale including sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) and latkes, interactive menorahs, opportunities to learn more about the holiday and a community shuk (gift and craft market).
All the World Rejoices! Dec. 22, 4 p.m.
The Choral Society of Durham presents a festive program featuring “In Terra Pax” by Gerald Finzi, “Christmas Cantata” by Daniel Pinkham, and “Carols & Lullabies of the Southwest” by Conrad Susa, blending chamber strings, brass, guitar, harp and marimba for a unique holiday celebration at Duke University Chapel
A magical nutcracker doll comes to life at the Durham Performing Arts Center as an international cast and ensemble of Ukrainian Principal Artists showcase the epitome of classical European ballet.
Mitzvah Day Dec. 25, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Join hundreds of volunteers from around the region for the 19th annual community service day with Jewish for Good With more than 20 volunteer projects, there’s something for everyone – from park beautification and crafting no-sew fleece blankets to serving those in need. Make an impact and be part of this special day of meaningful service.
Kwanzaa Celebration Dec. 26, 1-6 p.m.
Kick off the weeklong African American celebration at the Hayti Heritage Center. Honor family, community and culture by watching documentary film “The Black Candle” and dancing with the African quartet, The Healing Force.
Kwanzaa Fest Jan. 1, 2025, noon
The African American Dance Ensemble’s annual festival at the Durham Armory focuses on family, friends and the fruits of the Earth. It takes place on the seventh day of Kwanzaa, which is dedicated to Imani, or faith. The event features a children’s village, dance and drumming classes, arts and crafts, food vendors, entertainment from dance ensembles and more. In memory of Baba Chuck Davis, attendees are encouraged to bring canned goods and toiletries to donate to Ummi’s Ummah
PHOTO BY SUSAN MURRAY
PHOTO BY CATHERINE DAVIS PHOTOGRAPHY
PHOTO BY SUSAN MURRAY
Holiday magic and DIY merrymaking converge at these local craft studios
BY LEAH BERRY | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
the
Halls Deck
Embrace your creative side this season with DIY decoration workshops that offer a festive escape amid the holiday hustle. These spots provide materials and step-by-step guidance, and you get the joy of creating a one-of-a-kind gift or piece of decor that’s uniquely yours!
Sip, Savor & Craft
Raise a glass to crafts – brews and activities alike – at the woman-owned Crafts & Drafts on Guess Road The DIY bar and bottle shop, which was established in 2019, offers self-guided craft kits, allowing you to create at your own pace with a beer, glass of wine or nonalcoholic drink in hand.
Owner Virginia George says ceramic light-up Christmas trees are its hottest holiday project. “Customers can paint them in any color, and the kit includes a light set and bulbs, ready to take home and enjoy right away,” she says. Drop by with your crew and dive into other seasonal crafts like ornament making, holiday wreath design and dreidel decorating through the end of the year. Virginia suggests starting with a door wreath and letting your inspiration grow from there. “Greenery is versatile, fragrant and brings a magical winter forest ambiance to your home,” she says.
The shop focuses on providing the materials, but allowing its customers the freedom to create. “Embrace the process, even if it’s not perfect,” Virginia says. “No need to wait for a workshop – come anytime!” Crafts & Drafts also offers customers the option to bring in their own projects and pay a $15 materials fee, granting
ABOVE Crafts & Drafts owner Virginia George passes a pint to Lindsay Hebert while Jonathan Collins and TJ Scott chat before the group sets about decorating their individual ornaments (left and below).
access to paints, wood-burning pens and other tools, so guests can design whatever their heart desires while minimizing the need for single-use supplies. So create away this holiday season, and make sure to come back in the new year – Virginia hints at exciting offerings in 2025, including new cozy crafts for January through February and special packages for folks looking to host baby and wedding showers in the space.
Holly, Jolly & Handmade
Unleash your inner artist at AR Workshop, a boutique DIY studio off Erwin Road. Owners Marie Curran and Chris Curran, former customers turned passionate proprietors, take pride in fostering a warm, welcoming atmosphere that encourages creativity and brings people together.
Marie says the shop’s wood workshops and holiday ornament open houses – “people can simply drop in and decorate their own wood ornament for only $5,” she says – are popular in December.
“People are entertaining, decorating their homes inside and out, and selecting gifts for loved ones,” Marie says. “Folks can come in to make original painted serving trays, porch signs or wall art.”
AR Workshop offers designs for Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. “People really love the variety of styles, patterns, colors and sentiments from which they can pick,” Marie says.
The shop often sees a surge in popularity for chunky blanket and candle-pouring workshops this season, perfect for couples seeking a cozy date night activity indoors. Prefer to stay at home and craft with the family? Grab a DIY to-go kit of holiday ornament sets, wood or canvas projects and more, complete with materials and tutorials. All activities at the shop are beginner-friendly and include expert knowledge and assistance from instructors, but Marie suggests starting with a wood or canvas project, as “they give every customer, adults and kids alike, a chance to see just how creative they can be” she says, adding that those pieces often become treasured decor for years to come.
Wintery
Woodworks
The whole family can find ways to get inventive at Nailed It DIY Studio in South Durham. Here, the shop’s “Art Tenders” instructors guide you step-by-step through projects like wood signs and custom home decor – no age limits, skill requirements or power tool experience needed. “Nailed It DIY Studio has a fun, relaxed vibe where you can unwind and enjoy the creative process with your partner, friends and coworkers,”
owner Michelle Johnson says, adding that they strive to ensure people of all ages and genders feel welcome.
“Our studio is centered around an Art Bar where guests can interact with other guests … and did I mention we are BYOB?”
Michelle says customers love the studio’s Take & Make DIY Kits during the holidays, which come with all the supplies you need to make and decorate a 5.5-inch square block. You can also
get hands-on at the shop with one of its 10 recently released holiday designs, some of which incorporate a 3D element. “You don’t need anything fancy to express your style,” Michelle says. “Home decor should be personal … [and] our website has hundreds of holiday designs you can choose from.”
The festive workshops at the studio this year include:
• Make your own wood slice and block ornaments every Saturday in December;
• A glass-etching workshop on Dec. 11 – guests can choose from stemless wine glasses, pint glasses or lowball glasses and add a matching flight or tasting tray;
• A cookie decorating workshop with Y’all Need Cookies owner Maren Schreiber on Dec. 21;
• A mini camp on Dec. 20 for children to discreetly make gifts for their loved ones;
• A “New Year, New You” workshop on Jan. 11 – “it gives guests space to create, reflect, relax and be intentional in 2025,” Michelle says;
• And the annual Galentine’s Day workshop on Feb. 8.
ALL THE TRIMMINGS
Spruce up your space with these holiday decor tips from Max Hugo Interior Design owner and Design Manager Katherine Gianakos
How do you begin planning your holiday or winter decor? Do you follow any particular themes or color schemes? I begin with a concept inspired by the overall style of the home. This keeps the decor cohesive and intentional. Some years, I might choose a specific theme – like Scandinavian minimalism with natural woods and whites, or a metallics theme with golds and silver. I like to start with a palette of two or three colors that complement the existing decor, and build from there. Adding layers with different textures, like cozy knits, velvets and furs, can also give a space a winter feel without changing too much.
Are there any quick and easy tips you can share for transforming a space for the holidays without overwhelming the design? Small touches go a long way! Start with a few focal points – such as the entryway, mantle or dining table. Swap out everyday items with seasonal accents: Think greenery, candles or small, decorative ornaments in bowls or trays. I also love to change up throw pillows and blankets to seasonal colors and textures; it’s an easy swap that instantly makes the room feel different. Adding a soft throw over a chair or ottoman, for instance, is simple yet effective.
How do you balance traditional holiday elements with modern design trends? I find it’s all about editing. Incorporate classic holiday elements, like wreaths and garlands, but style them in fresh ways – maybe with modern ribbons, or by
keeping the greenery unadorned for a minimalistic look. Traditional red and green can be toned down with muted shades, or even replaced by more modern tones like emerald and sage. By pairing one or two traditional pieces with cleaner, modern accents, you can respect tradition while keeping the design current.
Do you have any advice for transforming a small space vs. a large home? For small spaces, I recommend focusing on a few impactful pieces –like a small, stylish tabletop tree or an eye-catching wreath – and avoiding clutter. Mirrors and warm lighting can make the room feel cozier without feeling closed in.
In larger homes, you have room to experiment with different areas and create multiple focal points, so you might have a tree in the living room, garlands in hallways and festive touches throughout. Just keep a consistent color palette to unify the spaces.
Do you have any favorite pieces or types of decor that you use every year, or do you like to switch things up seasonally? I like to mix a few favorite, timeless pieces with new finds each year. A beautiful wreath, classic brass candlesticks or a quality garland are some versatile staples that I might use yearly. But I’ll refresh the look by updating smaller items, like ornaments or seasonal textiles. It’s fun to keep a few constants while letting myself play with new trends to keep things fresh and inspired.
Spell Dry
Sip on a spirited selection of zero-proof cocktails from some of Durham’s most creative mixologists
ocktails are having a moment, with local bartenders crafting thoughtful, booze-free options that don’t skimp on flavor or presentation. These three drinks offer all the fun – without the alcohol – in playful twists on classic favorites, just in time for Dry January.
PINING FOR YOU
• .75 oz. pineapple juice
• .5 oz. simple syrup
• 0.5 oz. lime juice
• 1 oz. Seedlip Garden 108
Muddle two limes and several mint leaves. Add ice and all other ingredients. Shake together, then add the mixture to a rocks or Collins glass (do not strain). Add a lime and/or fresh mint for garnish.
Arcana’s head bartender and manager Whitney Guerrero mixes up her favorite variation of a nonalcoholic mojito. This fresh and vibrant take – infused with bright pineapple, zesty lime and the herbal notes of Seedlip Garden 108 – offers a tropical escape in every sip.
At The Velvet Hippo, Leslie Matista’s She Is the Moment is a modern, berry-forward twist on the classic bramble “for guests who might want to skip the alcohol one night, but not the whimsy!” she says. Bright, juicy and delightful, this drink truly captures “everything we aim to be,” Leslie adds. “She’ll be on the menu all year!”
SHE IS THE MOMENT
• 1.5 oz. Lyre’s Pink London Spirit
• .5 oz. fresh-squeezed lemon juice
• .5 oz. simple syrup
• 4 to 6 blackberries, muddled
• Mint
• Lime
Add Lyre’s Pink London Spirit, lemon juice, simple syrup and muddled blackberries to a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously, and strain into a pink parfait glass over crushed ice. Garnish with mint and a lime wheel.
• 3 oz. Seedlip Garden 108
• 1 oz. Tippleman’s Double Spiced Falernum syrup
• 1 oz. orgeat syrup
• 2 oz. fresh lemon juice
• 1.5 oz. apple cider
• 1 oz. grenadine (floater)
• 1 cherry
• Dehydrated apple and lemon wheels*
Add nonalcoholic gin, falernum syrup, orgeat syrup, lemon juice and apple cider to a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously, and strain over ice into a 16 oz. goblet glass. Top with grenadine floater, garnish with a cherry and dehydrated apple and lemon wheels, and finish with a tiki straw.
*Aaktun also adds edible flowers for garnish in-house.
Aaktun’s Planet Escape mocktail is inspired by the classic Tikiinfluenced Saturn cocktail, which has roots dating back to the ’60s. Beverage director Jessica Hale infused her own unique twist into the mocktail, embodying the Tulum-inspired hot spot’s dedication to originality and remix culture. The drink is as much a treat for the eyes as it is for the palate, with layers of tangy apple cider, spiced falernum and almondy orgeat syrup.
PLANET ESCAPE
Holiday Gift Guide
Éminence Organic Skin Care Bamboo Firming Fluid, $69
CITRINE SALON
3110 Environ Way, Chapel Hill 919-929-2209
citrinesalonnc.com
This firming fluid visibly tightens your skin, smooths away signs of aging, boosts elasticity and leaves your skin feeling luxuriously soft and silky.
Pair of Mid-20th Century Japanese Cloisonné Vases, $180
WHITEHALL ANTIQUES
1213 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill 919-942-3179
whitehallantiques.com
This exquisite mirrored Gibari pair, featuring pigeon blood red enamel with silver wire and mounts, elevates any space with artisanal craftsmanship and timeless beauty.
Simpatico Earrings, $78
2302 Chapel Hill Rd., Durham tigresslair.com
Tigress specializes in beautiful and unique clothing, accessories and gifts from fair-trade, sustainable companies and creative makers. These woven earrings are a favorite.
Oxidized Silver and Gold Orbital Pearl Earrings, $2,895
JEWELSMITH
2200 W. Main St., Ste. A-170, Durham 919-286-2990 jewelsmith.com
Designed by Bon for Jewelsmith, these handcrafted earrings feature Chinese freshwater pearls, recycled silver, 14K white gold and 18K yellow gold teardrops, dangling from gold-dapped discs.
Carolina Basketball
CWS Famous Names in Carolina Basketball, $9.95
Knot Vase in Smoke Green, Large: $168; Small: $127 (also available in blue and amber)
MAX HUGO INTERIOR DESIGN
CELEBRITY WORD SCRAMBLE 704-724-8530 celebritywordscramble.com
Crafted from handblown art glass by skilled artisans, these unique vases add a distinctive flair and create a stunning focal point in any space.
The Carolina Basketball book offers puzzles featuring 171 Tar Heel players, coaches and contributors, along with 26 pages of Carolina basketball memories, fun facts and photos.
North Carolina Zoo Annual Membership, ranging from $69 to $300 (individual to full-family memberships)
HEART OF NORTH CAROLINA VISITORS BUREAU 500 Albemarle Rd., Asheboro 800-626-2672 heartofnorthcarolina.com
Enjoy free admission to the North Carolina Zoo, plus access to exclusive events, discounts and 150 zoos and aquariums worldwide. Learn more at nczoo.org
Two Sisters Adventure Company invites all to discover wellness on the water
Find Flow Your
BY LEAH BERRY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
ature isn’t just the backdrop at Two Sisters Adventure Company – it’s the heart of the experience; a sanctuary for reconnection and rediscovery. And this womanowned business is on a mission to break barriers and create a welcoming, inclusive space for everyone to reap the benefits of exploring the outdoor world.
“I’ve worked in this industry since the ’90s and have always kind of been bothered by how it’s dominated by people who are wealthy and white and fit and predominantly male,” owner Natasha Teasley says. “I really wanted to try
Rainbow Teasley and Natasha Teasley embark on a sunset paddle at Falls Lake.
Wellness
and do something different, and I finally came to the realization that the only way you can make those changes is to be the owner of the company who feels empowered to make those changes.”
With that goal in mind, Natasha launched Two Sisters in 2022. Today, the company offers a variety of water adventures, including guided canoe, kayak and standup paddleboard trips as well as independent excursions and classes for those who need a little extra guidance. It also hosts five weeks of summer camp and fundraising hikes for Girls on Outdoor Adventure for Leadership & Science, or GALS, a program Natasha also directs.
The team includes eight employees under Natasha –many working part time – plus a few full-time summer camp staffers. Natasha’s sister, Rainbow Teasley, serves as camp director and a guide, while their mother, Cathy Teasley, “is a guide, but she’s also kind of my sounding board,” Natasha says. “I bounce a lot of ideas off of her, I get her feedback, and she helps with keeping up with the maintenance of all the equipment.”
Connecting with nature is deeply personal for Natasha, and she’s passionate about sharing that feeling with others. “I suffer from a lot of anxiety,” she says. “Being outdoors is that time that I can disconnect from that anxiety. For me, I feel my safest when I’m outdoors and away from the hustle and bustle of the world.
Two Sisters’ approach focuses on personalizing each guest’s experience. “Each individual comes in with their own set of needs and expectations,” Natasha says, adding that they gather information during registration in order to address any concerns. “If I get a registration in, and they say, ‘Oh, I’m really scared,’ I follow up with an email and say, ‘OK, so what questions can I answer for you? Do you want to chat?’”
Group sizes are kept small – usually eight to 10 guests – to ensure a safe and supportive atmosphere on the water. Natasha says the team also does their best to remove obstacles that may contribute to anxiety or feelings of isolation – they meet people where they are.
“Everybody’s different, you know?” Natasha says. The staff often reminds guests that there’s no single “right” way to paddle – it’s all about relaxing your body and finding your rhythm. “Sometimes it’s a matter of pulling up beside someone in a kayak and saying, ‘Relax your shoulders, relax your spine, take a deep breath. You’re carrying tension, and if you’re carrying tension, you’re more likely to fall over,’” Natasha says.
Mindfulness plays a big role in the trips, and even on guided trips, the team focuses on ensuring the outings include quiet moments for self-reflection. “Some people go off and meditate,” Natasha says, “some go off and pray, some go off and put earbuds in and listen to their own music.”
Natasha recommends the sunset float as an ideal setting for meditation. “We spend a lot of time floating, just enjoying the sunset and talking in hushed
“For some people, it’s about getting out and actually doing the physical activity – paddling and using your muscles – and that’s great … the outdoors has a little bit of something for everyone. If you’re looking for a way to turn off the world, be quiet and still, and breathe fresh air, and relax your mind, the outdoors can provide that, too.”
– Natasha Teasley
tones,” Natasha says. “It’s amazing how … you can actually watch the stress dissolve as they sit there and just watch the sunset and listen to the birds.”
Building confidence on the water is another key goal, and Natasha loves seeing guests grow more self-assured in their abilities. She says it’s empowering for people to realize this is something you can do, no matter who you are.
Natasha recommends beginners sign up for an evening trip. “Approaching darkness takes some of the stress off of feeling like people are looking at you,” she says, and notes that the trips are short both in distance and in time – just two hours – making them ideal for newcomers.
Two Sisters also prioritizes community engagement, connecting with groups like the LGBTQ Center of Durham and StrongHer TogetHer. Through its “Share the Adventure” scholarship fund, the company ensures financial barriers won’t stop anyone from experiencing the joy of paddling. “Every individual barrier, we try to think of what we can do to eliminate it,” Natasha says.
Natasha plans to start a Facebook group in the coming year “so that people can continue that community with one another, to find friends to paddle with outside of guided trips,” she says, in addition to securing some new equipment for the business. Two Sisters kicks off its season during the third week in March – in conjunction with Durham Creek Week, which raises awareness for the Bull City’s watersheds –and starts back in full force in April.
“People love what we’re doing,” Natasha says. “I am currently overwhelmed with the amount of love that Two Sisters gets. It’s been an emotional journey for me, because I had this little idea that’s turned into a bigger thing.
“And we love meeting new people – come out and join us sometime.”
“The catalyst to start Two Sisters Adventure Company was really the desire to see change in the industry,” Natasha says. Her sister, Rainbow, and mom, Cathy Teasley (center), share that vision.
SharingCommon
Ground
A run club and social hub join forces to foster fitness and friendship, cultivating connections that go beyond the finish line
BY IZABELLA COUNTS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
n assembly of runners stretch together in Durham Central Park on a crisp Saturday morning, having just finished a session with Jonathan Gramby’s WeRun Durham run club. Their voices ring out brightly as they catch up, talking and joking with the energy of a group that feels like family. Jonathan is at the center of it all, leading the cooldown and ensuring no one is left out of the lively conversation.
Jonathan, owner and head coach at GTA Fitness & Performance, launched WeRun Durham in July 2024 with the intention of creating a welcoming space for runners of all experience levels to enjoy the benefits of fitness without the worry of feeling judged. The club meets downtown for group runs, walks and social events.
“Everything starts in the mind,” Jonathan says. “Once you take care of your mind, your mind takes care of your body.” He saw Durham as the perfect place to foster this kind of environment. “What I love about Durham,” Jonathan says, “is that no one is unreachable … everybody’s real open to things, and I wanted to expand that and have people come together through fitness, through movement.”
Connection and community are at the heart of WeRun Durham; every activity fosters relationships among its members, from fun icebreakers to running routes that introduce runners to local businesses. It’s a model that has already forged a unique partnership, as the club joined with Missy Laneʼs Assembly Room in August to introduce weekly post-run socials that extend the group’s commitment to wellness and camaraderie. “[Missy Lane’s] doesn’t just want our business,” Jonathan says, “they want a relationship, too.” It’s a natural collaboration that began years ago when Jonathan and Missy Lane’s co-owner Marcel Mercer formed a friendship at the gym. Marcel and Jonathan’s connection emphasizes the ways that mental health and physical activity go hand in hand. “Fitness does the same thing [as music],” Marcel says. “It should allow you to come to a space in your brain where you can find clarity.” Their shared goal is to provide an inclusive environment where
people feel supported in their wellness journeys. “When we built Missy Lane’s, we built it for the community,” Marcel says. “We want people to come in and feel like they belong.”
A warm, uplifting space can inspire confidence and improve performance, and the WeRun Durham runners agree that the post-run gathering has done just that. “[This is a] Black-owned business and a predominantly Black run club getting together and bringing awareness [to each other],” says runner Taron Turner Brittany Speed echoes this sentiment, adding, “We’re supporting them, and they’re supporting us.” Brittany notes how the club helped her reconnect with high school friend Courtney Kelly after 16 years. “A lot of people have made connections, have exchanged phone numbers,” Courtney says. “Being able to see the same faces – and new faces –from week to week is always a pleasure to me.”
Go the Distance
WeRun Durham currently meets at Missy Laneʼs Assembly Room on Saturdays at 10 a.m. Come spring, its Wednesday run club returns to Durham Central Parkʼs skate park at 6:30 p.m. If you prefer a more leisurely pace, stroll with its WeWalk Durham crew.
Missy Lane’s and WeRun Durham typically hold their post-run socials on Saturdays after the club’s 10 a.m. runs. Samario King also leads a yoga class at Missy Lane’s on these mornings, blending relaxation with rhythm. These partnerships, Marcel explains, foster more than a fitness community; they build a shared growth mindset. “To push together, we have to come together,” Marcel says. “Come be around good energy, come be around good people – that’s how we grow.”
Nish LeBlanc, Irene Applewhite and Alex Whitted warm up in the parking deck behind Missy Laneʼs Assembly Room before heading out on a WeRun Durham Saturday morning jog.
Relax,Recharge
Revive and
Embrace a new season of self-care and restoration at 3 wellness hot spots
BY LEAH BERRY
PHOTO BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
Hannah Lee escapes the daily grind to reenergize at Beem Light Sauna Durham.
renewed focus on wellness and relaxation takes center stage as a new year approaches. Spa and sauna experiences are evolving in the Bull City, blending therapeutic practices with modern luxury to create havens for those seeking warmth, rejuvenation and a fresh take on self-care.
Shine Bright
Beem Light Sauna Durham, led by owner Kiesha Harding, offers a holistic escape for body and mind through advanced light and heat therapies designed to promote healing and relaxation. Kiesha was drawn to the benefits she experienced as a member at Beem Light Sauna in Huntersville, North Carolina, which offered her a respite from her job at a law firm. “It was more so the solitude of 40 minutes for me,” Kiesha says. “Because in there, I am not mom, I am not a wife, I am not a paralegal – I’m not anything except Kiesha.”
She discovered franchising opportunities were available and embraced the chance to pivot toward a more health-focused and mindful career. Kiesha relocated to Durham, opening her own Beem Light in March 2024. “The community is very supportive,” Kiesha says. “I felt like it was home.”
The sauna provides red light therapy, which aids in cellular repair; infrared light therapy, which induces a more intense sweat at lower temperatures to detoxify, improve circulation and provide pain relief; and chromotherapy, an innovative treatment that balances the body through colored light frequencies. Customers can choose from drop-in sessions, memberships and packages.
“Most places have one infrared or one red light,” Kiesha says. “I offer both private ones and social options as well.”
Beem Light Sauna is open seven days a week and includes spa-like amenities. It utilizes “luumi,” its intuitive wellness assistant, to personalize sessions based on individual goals. “She’s like our virtual assistant [that helps us guide clients] to where they ultimately want to be,” Kiesha says. She notes that interest in the infrared saunas picks up as cooler temperatures arrive,
Wellness
with benefits like detoxification, calorie-burning, and metabolism and immunity boosts. To align with the winter season, Kiesha is planning events through February to educate locals on infrared therapy and spotlight other Bull City businesses in the process. “I’m big on giving back to the community,” she says. “Durham has given clarity to me on the path that I need to walk.”
Cool Down, Warm Up
Sauna House Durham brings a fresh take on wellness to West Geer Street. The spa offers contrast therapy in the form of saunas and cold plunges, as envisioned by founder and CEO Andrew Lachlan. Its flagship brick-and-mortar launched in Asheville, North Carolina, in 2019, and, as of press time, the Bull City location was slated to open its doors in November.
“Expanding to Durham was a natural progression,” says Sauna House Chief Digital and Marketing Officer Gavin Jocius. “The response in Asheville showed us that there’s a growing desire for accessible, wellness-focused social spaces. Durham is a wonderfully diverse city that we feel deserves a social wellness space where everyone is invited.”
The team built strong support from the Durham community through mobile pop-ups downtown, prelaunch sales and activation at Festival for the Eno before opening its doors.
“The response has been amazing,” Gavin says. “Durham has been overwhelmingly supportive.”
The oasis offers a public bathhouse, private hot-cold-relax rooms and infrared saunas.
“Our services are intentionally minimalist, allowing for repeatable, high-quality experiences,” says Sauna Houseʼs Gavin Jocius.
“[We’re] not a luxury spa,” Gavin says. “We offer a simple, powerful contrast therapy experience with traditional saunas, large stainless steel cold plunges and heated lounge chairs. Our focus is on creating an accessible social environment, where friends can come together for relaxation, recovery and connection.”
Another key to the business’s identity is its architecturally compelling spaces. “We operate in adaptive reuse buildings, transforming them into modern wellness hubs while retaining their historic roots,” Gavin says.
Sauna House’s hot-cold-relax circuit provides wide-ranging benefits for both physical and mental health, including improved circulation, reduced inflammation and stress relief. “People often report feeling calmer and less distracted after a session, and regular use has been linked to improvements in overall mental clarity and emotional well-being,” Gavin says.
The spa is centered on a minimalist approach to technology, emphasizing that wellness should be a human-centered experience. It promotes a phone-free environment, encouraging bathers to be truly present during their visit by offering a space to disconnect from the outside world. “That said, we ensure that the technology we do use enhances our convenience,” Gavin says. “Our booking system is seamless, our check-in process is fast, and our locker and facility operations are designed to be intuitive and simple.” The business is also integrating solar power into its locations and using energy-efficient commercial-grade filtration and sanitization systems to reduce water usage and ensure cold plunges remain clean and sustainable. As a 1% for the Planet member, Sauna House
donates 1% of its total revenue to support local organizations like the Eno River Association
“We would love for West Geer Street and the surrounding blocks to become a health and wellness hub in the city,” Gavin says. “With neighbors like Courage Fitness, the Salt Cave, Virge Yoga, Bull City Running and the Downtown YMCA, to name a few, there are so many great options for staying healthy and building community.”
Sauna House plans to open a Charlotte location before the end of the year and one in Raleigh in 2025. “Durham is just the beginning,” Gavin says. “We plan to bring Sauna House to other cities that share a similar appreciation for health, wellness and community connection.”
A Little R&R
Healing meets hospitality at Recovery & Rehabilitation Wellness Spa, where a dynamic husband-wife duo is redefining what it means to unwind. Casondra Littlejohn and Bryan Littlejohn have transformed their vision for comprehensive care into a vibrant oasis, where recovery feels less like a chore and more like a revitalizing escape.
The spa, which opened in December 2022, was inspired by the pair’s other venture, PerforMax Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation. “PerforMax is about holistic care when it comes to physical therapy,” Casondra says. “It was important to us to give our patients alternative care, and that’s how R&R started.”
R&R offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere where personalized care is a priority. “When you walk in the door, you’re greeted with the spirit of everyone who works here,” Casondra says. “We personalize every single encounter … we want everyone to feel like they are part of a family.”
The spa’s treatments cater to diverse needs, with services including an infrared sauna, compression therapy, cryotherapy, float tanks and massages ranging from lymphatic and trigger-point release to deep tissue. Massages and floating are particularly popular, and the latter can provide lasting mental and physical benefits. “Floating helped me decompress during a stressful time in my life,” Casondra says. “I was able to sleep and reset.”
Casondra enhances each visit with small touches like chocolates, bubbly or mocktails, especially to celebrate special occasions. “Our services may not be traditionally ‘posh,’” Casondra says, “but we aim to make everyone feel pampered.”
R&R continually adapts to keep up with new wellness techniques, primarily driven by community input. “We’re always open to new modalities, especially with our physical therapy background,” Casondra says.
The spa offers a 15% discount to health care providers and hosts events for corporate groups and nonprofits. Casondra envisions more wellness-centered community events, from book clubs to couples’ Pilates. “One of my priorities is to bridge the gap between other businesses by establishing more wellness events within the spa,” she says. “I want to help people and find ways my purpose can touch generations.”
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF SAUNA HOUSE
THE FACE OF WOMEN IN CONTRACTING
GREEN HILL CONTRACTING
Green Hill Contracting, founded by Chelsea Combs, offers expert remodeling services in the Triangle. As a proud fourth-generation Bull City native, Chelsea partnered with Ken Combs of CQC Home to establish Green Hill, addressing the needs of clients seeking exceptional service for projects outside CQC’s scope. With an MBA from NC State University and a background in executive recruitment, Chelsea leads a talented team with more than 30 years of combined experience in interior and exterior remodeling services. Together, they are passionate about transforming houses into homes, prioritizing detailed craftsmanship.
PHOTO BY JOHN MICHEAL SIMPSON
THE FACE OF BEAUTIFUL, HEALTHY SMILES
A NEW REASON TO SMILE | BULL CITY DENTAL
Since 1985, Desiree T. Palmer, DMD, PA and Associates have delivered exceptional oral healthcare, prioritizing patient comfort while using cutting edge, state-of-the-art technology. In 2015, Dr. Palmer opened a second practice, Bull City Dental, on Parrish Street, offering downtown residents walkable access to comprehensive dental care. At both locations, Drs. Kemp, Harris, and Calmore provide a wide range of services, from routine care to complex cosmetic procedures, including implant restorations and Invisalign. The team’s dedication to building lasting relationships with patients and the Durham community has solidified their reputation as a trusted provider of oral healthcare.
BY
PHOTO
JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
JD SERVICE NOW
John Dietz founded JD Service Now in 2005, building on his early experience in plumbing and home services. Guided by its core values–Be Better Than Yesterday, Stand for Something and Take Great Care–the company provides expert plumbing, HVAC and electrical services to homeowners and businesses in the Triangle. With more than 100 years of combined experience, the highly trained team is known for top-quality service and compassionate support. JD Service Now also gives back to the community by supporting youth athletics, school programs and local events for causes like breast cancer awareness and the Autism Society of North Carolina.
PHOTO BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
THE FACE OF LOCAL DENTAL RESTORATION
DURHAM PROSTHODONTICS
Board-certified prosthodontists Dr. Geoffrey R. Cunningham and Dr. R. Kyle Gazdeck bring a passion for clinical excellence to every patient they serve. Dr. Cunningham purchased Durham Prosthodontics in 2015, the same year he achieved board certification. In 2018, he received the prestigious Private Practice Prosthodontist Award from the American College of Prosthodontics. Dr. Gazdeck joined the practice in 2018 after completing advanced training in maxillofacial prosthetics, a subspecialty focusing on head and neck cancer, at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Their combined skill, experience and commitment allow them to redesign smiles using a combination of science, artistry and advanced techniques.
PHOTO BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
PEAK, SWIRLES & CAVALLITO
In 1993, Susan Peak, Sudi Swirles and Ann Cavallito founded Peak, Swirles & Cavallito Properties (PSCP) with a goal for excellence. Dedicated to the highest level of service for clients, their knowledgeable and skilled associates have diverse experiences in residential brokerage. They are committed to providing exceptional service and maintaining client relationships far beyond the sale. PSCP values being a part of the personal path chosen by each client. Their team has a deep appreciation for the opportunity to be a respected resource for real estate throughout the Triangle.
PHOTO BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
CQC HOME
CQC Home, led by Ken Combs, CEO, and Daryl Mejeur, COO, provides professional whole home remodeling and renovation services across Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. Their team of passionate, highly-skilled designers and field crews understand the trust that clients place in them to create their dream kitchens, ADU’s or additions. CQC communicates consistently, collaborating closely with clients throughout the renovation process. Born and bred in Durham, North Carolina, CQC understands the local building and remodeling industry and improves homes with caring attention. They recognize the privilege of being invited into your home and demonstrate their appreciation through their dedication to bringing your home design visions to life.
PHOTO BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
THE FACE OF ENDODONTICS
A.K. BOBBY MALLIK, D.M.D.
Since 2006, Dr. A.K. Bobby Mallik has provided specialized dental care in endodontics in Durham. His team shares one goal – caring for the patient from the moment they walk through the door. With a thoughtful, warm and informative approach, Dr. Mallik and his team utilize cutting-edge technology to more accurately diagnose patients and offer efficient, viable treatment options. Dr. Mallik is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics – a qualification attained by only 30% of practicing endodontists. As a board-certified endodontist, Dr. Mallik focuses on providing the highest level of and most effective treatment for patients.
PHOTO BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
THE FACE OF ORTHODONTICS
SMITH & HEYMANN ORTHODONTICS
Dr. Dempsey Smith, a UNC-trained orthodontist and former U.S. Navy lieutenant commander, is passionate about how orthodontics can transform lives. Dr. Gavin Heymann, a Chapel Hill native and UNC adjunct faculty member, values the relationships he builds with patients while helping them achieve healthy smiles. Dr. Katya Skillestad, born in the former USSR and raised in Charlotte, attended UNC and trained at Texas A&M, where she was named Journal of Clinical Orthodontics National Resident of the Year. Together with their outstanding team, these doctors believe in the power of beautiful smiles to positively impact lives.
THE FACE OF COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION SERVICES & GENERAL CONTRACTING
GATEWAY BUILDING COMPANY
Downtown Durham’s most recognizable commercial general contractor, Gateway Building Company is known for its deep Durham roots and iconic projects.
Gateway Building Company was founded in 2013 by Jack Moore, whose experience in the Durham market dates back to 1974. As the company quickly grew, Austin Moore and Pete Zseleczky joined the team. Now, Gateway has completed more than 800 projects in Durham and the surrounding areas.
Gateway is deeply thankful for its clients’ support over the years and will continue to help make Durham a great place to live, work and play.
BY SARAH
PHOTO
MARTIN
A two-time cancer survivor leads with empathy and compassion for others
HEALING WITH HEART B
efore Caring House opened its doors in 1992, some cancer patients arriving in Durham for treatment at Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center –now known as the Duke Cancer Institute – faced the unsettling reality of not having a place to stay during their fight against the disease.
“At that time, community members were housing people in their extra bedrooms, or the [patients] were sleeping in their cars to be able to get treatment,” says Sasha Zarzour, who leads Caring House today as its executive director.
Sasha says a social worker in the early 1980s told the late community activist Frankie DuBose about the need for a safe, affordable extendedstay housing facility for cancer patients. Frankie made it her mission to establish Caring House, which today encompasses a 12,900-squarefoot home with 18 private en suite bedrooms, each with a phone and basic cable TV. The cost is $45 per night.
Caring House hosted 858 guests from 22 states over the course of its fiscal year in 2023, according to the latest impact report. Occupancy is regularly at 100%, Sasha says. The nonprofit is currently campaigning to raise $8.5 million, which would be put toward doubling its capacity with 20 extra rooms and adding four apartments, as well as funding the expansion of programming and support services for an additional 885 guests each year.
Common spaces inside the house include a fully equipped kitchen, dining room, laundry room, library, screened-in porch, water garden with a koi pond, bird habitat area, rose garden and healing garden. At the center of Caring House is the great room, where guests can assemble puzzles or play cards, board games or the grand piano.
Patients are encouraged to bring a caregiver, which may be a spouse, other family member or close friend. All guests must be at least 18 years old, receiving outpatient cancer treatment
PHOTO BY
JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
With cancer, there’s a lot of unknowns. The benefit of Caring House, in general, is that all these people are going through a similar experience. They form this community, and they’re all in it together, and they’re cheering one another on and celebrating their successes and milestones, and then being there for the setbacks. It’s just really special. It really humbles you and makes you grateful for everything.
– Sasha Zarzour
at Duke, and free of infectious conditions that could put other patients at risk. There is a limit of one room per family.
Sasha says oncology social workers or patient resource managers at Duke University Hospital or Duke Cancer Institute refer patients to the Caring House if they live more than an hour’s drive away. However, a referral does not guarantee a room on a given date; treatment regimens are subject to change, which can impact the waitlist, and a patient cannot be placed on the waitlist for a room until a confirmed start date for treatment has been determined. House guests may stay as long as their treatment lasts, which is not always predictable. Referred patients may have to wait anywhere from a day to six weeks before a room becomes available.
SASHA’S STORY
Sasha was 22 when she was first diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. She completed treatment in 2013 and wanted to volunteer for an organization that supports cancer patients. She discovered Caring House was just down the road from where she lived in Durham. In 2016, she swapped her volunteer badge for an employee name tag. Then in 2019, she was diagnosed again with the same cancer.
This time, Sasha underwent a cryopreservation procedure before starting chemotherapy to save her hopes of having a family with her husband, Billy Zarzour. After a second round of chemotherapy, Sasha developed an allergic reaction to the regimen, but she fortunately was able to undergo a stem cell transplant. When she entered remission, she returned to the Duke Fertility Center for in vitro fertilization.
“I’m officially fine,” Sasha says. “I’m six years out, but the stress of having cancer diagnosed or the fear of it coming back never goes away. Even when you hit that five-year mark, you still stress about it in every single ailment or thing that doesn’t feel quite right. I don’t know the way to get over that. I think it gets easier, but it doesn’t go away.”
Today, Sasha and Billy are filled with gratitude as they watch their sons, Bobby Zarzour, 4, and Henry Zarzour, 3, grow and thrive.
“I’m an open book about all of this,” Sasha says. “I talk a lot with our guests about how it’s hard to be positive a lot of the time, but I really think the more positive you are about everything during this experience helps, and so the more I can share my story and be positive about what I went through and be willing to tell it, helps people feel hopeful.” - by Anna-Rhesa Versola
DRIVING CHANGE
How a mobile health lab bridges gaps in care
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
Durham Technical Community College’s Community Health Lab is transforming access to health care services across Durham and beyond, breaking barriers for uninsured and underinsured communities. And Whitney Young is in the driver’s seat. Whitney is the coordinator for the mobile unit, which brings critical health services directly to individuals and families who might otherwise go without. At the same time, the community health lab provides Durham Tech students with invaluable hands-on clinical training opportunities, and a partnership with Duke Outpatient Clinic gives resident physicians a chance to gain real-world experience in community health settings that would otherwise be missed in a hospital.
The mobile health lab program was made possible through a $1 million grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina in 2018. The funding allowed Durham Tech to have the van built to accommodate configurations as: an optometry clinic; a primary care mobile center; an addiction treatment unit; or a mental health first aid station. The mobile health lab was ready to launch in 2020. Then, COVID-19 hit, delaying its rollout.
In 2021, Project Sight began offering eye exams in the mobile health lab. The program has since provided more than 1,170 vision tests, given out 1,446 pairs of prescription eyeglasses, served 1,700 children and adults, and trained 216 students in health care pathways.
The adaptability of the conversion van and its team speaks to the flexibility required to meet the range of health care needs in surrounding communities.
“It’s a unique model, even nationwide, to use the van as a clinical rotation,” Melissa Ockert, dean of health technologies at Durham Tech, says of the mobile health lab, which is part of the 1,435 mobile clinics in the Mobile Healthcare Association network.
“The plan was to do something different,” Melissa says. “Project Sight, which is our cornerstone project, started everything. We are hoping to also get into dental care. We have a restorative dental lab program, but we want to [expand] intentionally. We are training our students to work in community health settings. They get traditional opportunities in hospitals, eye doctors’ offices and dental practices, but I really feel strongly that community is in our name, and it’s our responsibility to serve in those ways.”
Whitney says the work is deeply rewarding. “Having a mobile unit to show up in your community, at your front door, is huge,” she says. “Time and time again, community members are just blown away by it. I hear, ‘I can’t believe you came out here and you’re doing all of this for us.’ And every time they say that, I’m like, ‘Of course we do. Of course we would.’ Why wouldn’t we? It really does mean the world to them that we come to them.”
VISION FOR IMPACT
Whitney arranges equipment inside a van parked at Reaching All Minds Academy to prepare for vision assessments as young students line up outside. A paper eye chart is taped to one side of a sliding privacy screen opposite a chair outfitted with specialized equipment that sits ready for exams.
“We use our space very creatively,” Whitney says. “I think, at one time, I probably had 10 people in our van, but we frequently will have things set up outside of the van because we need to utilize our space wisely.”
Karim Glover, a licensed optician and instructor at Durham Technical Community College, conducts pop-up visual screenings at Reaching All Minds Academy.
Whitney Young, coordinator of Durham Techʼs mobile Community Health Lab, drives the unit and the program to underserved communities across the state.
Tables set up beneath a tent next to the van display eyeglass frames. As many as 20 opticianry students from Durham Tech will help perform vision screenings, assist with comprehensive eye exams, and then help fit patients with free prescription glasses.
“The students run that show pretty seamlessly,” Whitney says, noting that students from other programs, including cardiovascular technology, phlebotomy and medical Spanish interpretation, also participate.
“We do home visits with the Duke Outpatient Clinic on North Roxboro Road, and we’ll do blood draws, urine samples and EKGs; there’s a whole realm of A1c checks that we can do with students.”
EXPANDING REACH AND ADDRESSING GAPS
“We’re not just Durham and Orange County focused,” Whitney says, adding that she may travel to Pamlico County one day and then to Wilmington the next.
It’s so important in community health to build those bridges and break down those silos. This expansive care can happen because we’re really relying on each other’s strengths, capabilities and resources, and it is so important for us to get together and have conversations and share resources so we can make a greater impact.
–
Melissa Ockert
“I’m the only full-time person that we have. With our limited staff and our limited funding, we try to meet as many needs as we can because the need is overwhelming at times, especially the need for glasses. That’s frequently something that is not focused on by health care insurances, and really where I think some policy changes need to be made for North Carolina, especially for children.”
Whitney says the mobile unit does not charge patients for any of its services.
“We want to be funded in a way that we can continue not to have to charge, but honestly, that’s not sustainable,” Melissa says. “Every day, Whitney and I are like, ‘OK, what can we do? Who can we go to?’ It’s such important work, and it matters. Together, we want to save the world a little bit; it’s important to both of us.”
- by
Anna-Rhesa Versola
ANSWER THE CALL
Meet the dedicated team combining critical care expertise and swift transport to save lives across North Carolina
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
Attached to the side of a nondescript, cream-colored hangar on the outskirts of a regional airport is a giant sign emblazoned with a dark blue shield and silver flight wings. “Duke Life Flight,” it reads, and a slew of ambulances with gleaming, Mack Truck-sized faces stand at the ready in the parking lot next to it. Out back, there’s a Life Flight-branded helicopter parked adjacent to the airport runway, its rotor blades silent and still. These machines, as well as their masters, lie in wait. The Duke Life Flight crew members currently serving their 12-hour shifts could be called to action at any moment. They quickly grab a few snacks from the communal bin in their office as well as their flight helmets. Then they perform individual checks on the exterior of the aircraft before lifting off and traveling by air around 138 miles per hour at a cruising altitude of 1,500 to 2,500 feet.
“I have the best job,” says Christina Shelton, a nurse and paramedic who has worked with Duke Life Flight for 19 years and also serves as its education and outreach coordinator. “Not only do I get to serve the patients and serve our community, but I get to serve my team. I work with amazing folks here.”
The Life Flight team consists of around 100 members spread out across three locations: at this hangar in Smithfield, in Durham and in Henderson, North Carolina. Many on the medical team
Optometrist Mojgan Besharat speaks to a young patient in Spanish while checking her vision in the back of the mobile lab. Mojgan is the founder of In Her Vision Foundation, a nonprofit that partners with Durham Techʼs opticianry program.
have people in need of more specialized care. These critical patients could be facing heart bypass surgeries, organ transplants or traumatic injuries from accidents.
“We are an extension of the level of care Duke is known for,” says Seth Childers, a flight nurse and flight paramedic who works for Life Flight’s air and ground transport, “and when we show up, that is the level of care that the patient starts receiving.”
Life Flight traveled a total of 44,000 miles and responded to about 3,500 patients using 15 ground vehicles in fiscal year 2023-24. The crew also responded to about 1,500 patients by air in that same timespan.
Three members of the crew, Metro Aviation line pilot Matt Sanders along with Duke Life Flight’s Christina and critical care paramedic Rohan Kulkarni, received an urgent call over the radio on this particularly sunny late October day: “Weather check. UNC Wayne to Duke.” They sprang into action, checking weather conditions to travel by helicopter to UNC Health Wayne hospital, located about 33 miles away. Their regular routes can take them as far away as the Outer Banks or Asheville, to rural hospitals or the middle of highways.
“A lot of what we do is critical care medicine from hospital to hospital,” says Joshua Gill, a critical care and flight nurse who’s also an emergency
have previous experience working in hospital intensive care units, complex emergency departments and county-based emergency medical services. It’s a system that relies on a variety of skill sets – from pilots and aviation mechanics to respiratory therapists, nurses and paramedics to a communications center staff and event medicine professionals – in order to accept these spur-of-the-moment, lifesaving calls. They’re used to answering the call to the “zebra” – extremely unusual or critical – cases to the point of regularly responding as a partner to rural hospitals that
ABOVE Christina Shelton, who has served as a crew member at Duke Life Flight for nearly 20 years, and critical care paramedic Rohan Kulkarni in a rare moment of downtime before receiving an urgent call. RIGHT Duke Life Flight pilot in command Matt Sanders prepares to lift off.
medical technician. “We pick up these patients who are too sick for the capabilities of small hospitals, and we care for these patients and keep them stabilized to bring them back to Duke [University] Hospital.”
When the team is not responding to calls, they’re spending much of their time in training, participating in tabletop scenarios with mannequins in the ambulance or helicopter, or practicing skills like intubation in person at Duke Hospital. The crew also ensures their hangar is regularly stocked with the medicines and supplies they need from Duke.
Getting on the Life Flight team is very competitive. It requires “hundreds, if not thousands of hours, of studying,” Josh says. “When you train for it and constantly have to continually educate yourself, it makes it more routine, and you get that muscle memory.”
The crew finds time to build camaraderie, too, bonding over work lunches, baby showers and community events. They regularly attend field days where they get to showcase their ambulances and helicopters alongside local fire departments and other county emergency service providers. Adults and children alike ask questions like, “How do you work in a space that’s so cramped?” (The answer is, it takes organization – much of their medical equipment is strapped or mounted down, and every extra pound of weight counts) or, “Can you land anywhere?” (Yes; parking lots, front yards and interstates are fair game for the helicopter).
Many on the team use a flight radar app when they are off duty to track Life Flight’s movements. Crew members in the air say they don’t send nonemergency related messages to Life Flight ambulances they see on the ground – they like to keep their radio channels clear – but whenever their paths cross in the field, they think the same thing: “That’s my people right there.” - by April Dudash
A LEGACY OF CARE
Durham Women’s Clinic doctors reflect on decades of delivering compassionate, comprehensive care
PHOTO BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
One person really can make a difference in the lives of many, says Dr. Barrett Gunter, who retires from his daily OB-GYN duties after 38 years of delivering babies and caring for women’s health at the end of 2024. He passes the torch of leadership and compassion to the next generation of physicians at Durham Womenʼs Clinic
“In 1941, I would say two pioneers – Dr. Eleanor Easley and Dr. Richard Pearse – were ahead of their time when it came to women’s health care, and I actually got to meet both of them in 1986,” Barrett says. “We continue to surround ourselves with physicians and advanced practice providers who are true to that legacy of offering comprehensive health care to our patients. Like a fine bottle of wine, I just think we get better with age, and I feel like we have a pretty great patient following.”
The clinic has six to eight providers who each see about 18 to 25 patients daily and who deliver around 100 babies per month. “So, it’s busy,” Barrett says. Services include in-office procedures, lab tests, mammography, annual exams, midwifery, lactation consulting, on-site classes, pelvic floor therapy and genetic testing.
“Almost all of us [providers] have trained at different residency programs, and we come from different backgrounds, which I think complement one another well,” Barrett says.
The East Carver Street office is one of about 40 obstetric and gynecology practices in a statewide network called Unified Women’s Healthcare of the Carolinas, providing health care to women from adolescence through childbearing and postmenopausal years. Durham Women’s Clinic preserves the private, independent practice of medicine while allowing its providers to admit patients and deliver babies at Duke Regional Hospital, Barrett says. Physicians also have the opportunity to teach residents from Duke University Medical Center
“That gives us a lot of autonomy in how we do things,” he says. “If we want to have a certified nurse midwifery program, we can do it. If we want to open our satellite in Brier Creek, or if we want to do office-based procedures or bring in mammography, we’re able to do that and increase
Trailblazing Beginnings
In 1934, Dr. Eleanor Beamer Easley became the first woman to graduate from the newly established four-year program at Duke School of Medicine. She was the first female medical resident at Duke University Hospital She was also an associate in obstetrics and gynecology, working at Lincoln Hospital, Watts Hospital and Durham County General Hospital in addition to Duke Hospital, and was the first female president of the North Carolina Obstetrics and Gynecology Society. When she co-founded the Durham Women’s Clinic in 1941 with Dr. Richard Pearse, it was the first medical partnership in the state. The clinic was also one of the first to hire a nurse midwife, and Eleanor herself was among the first physicians to use anesthesia during labor and delivery. Few women physicians were in North Carolina when World War II called many men to the battlefields. By the end of the war, “I was not only established, I was tired,” she wrote, according to an article published in the 2005 winter issue of DukeMed Alumni News
In addition to Eleanor’s contributions to the medical field, she and her husband, Dr. Howard Easley, a Duke University professor and a former county commissioner, made significant donations of land where Easley Elementary School now sits as well as property along the Eno River that is part of the state park system today.
our comprehensive approach of delivering health care to women.” And so, that’s what the practice did, bringing all these aforementioned expansions into reality.
CULTURE OF FAMILY
“I’ve been here since ’98, and the feeling of the clinic is so different than almost any medical place that you go in,” says Dr. Frank Frenduto. He says little kids run around as parents bring in their babies. Patients and employees chitchat and greet one another warmly. “I haven’t been to a clinic that’s like [this] anywhere. Most of the time, you walk in the front door, you’re checked in, and you sit in a waiting room, and you don’t know what’s going on. Then, they bring you back to a room, and you’re seen, and then you leave; whereas this is much more personal.”
The welcoming culture and camaraderie make an impact on both the patients and the staff.
“I love going to work,” Frank says. “It’s because of our staff and our doctors, and I like to make people laugh when I’m at work and make sure they’re having a good time. I’ve been very blessed to be part of this clinic.”
Dr. Nicolette “Nicki” Schreiber, who joined the practice in 2014, says doctors at other clinics notice the difference. “People have made comments to me over the years that they can’t believe how close we are,” Nicki says. “We hire people who we not only think are great people or great physicians and providers and midwives, but also people who we genuinely like and want to work with. We back one another up. If you don’t have really good support, having that
Drs. Frank Frenduto, Nicolette “Nicki” Schreiber and Barrett Gunter. “We strive to create a comfortable, welcoming environment where we balance care and education, so patients feel empowered and supported all at the same time,” Nicki says.
longevity in the field – especially as a woman and as somebody with children – it’s hard if you don’t have the right people around you, and we’ve got a really, really great group of people who we work with.
Many of us also live in the same neighborhood. We’re a real family.”
CONTINUITY OF CARE AND COMMUNITY
Nicki says she chose OB-GYN as a specialty because she wanted to “take care of someone through a lifespan, through different phases of their life,” and not just treat a disease or an illness. “This really is the only field that does that,” she says. “You go through all the important stuff.”
Nicki’s seen patients grow, from performing their first annual exam to delivering their babies, “which is pretty neat,” she says. “You go through every phase … patients who started with me are now in menopause.”
Frank recalls a pregnant woman who came by his office one day. “She said, ‘Hey, you don’t know me, but you delivered me,’” he says, and it reminded him of his deep connection to his patients. “The most rewarding thing is being able to take care of the community in that way. ... You go into medicine, and you’re excited about everything you learn, and then all of a sudden two decades go by, and [interactions like these are] what stands out in my mind by far.”
Barrett agrees that taking the time to listen to patients and cultivate interpersonal connections is at the heart of practicing medicine.
“I feel like a lot of newer physicians are more algorithm-driven or data-driven, with access to the internet – and who knows where AI is going to lead us,” Barrett says. “Developing relationships is what our business is all about. And that continuity of care is pretty unique to the practice of OB-GYN. It’s a pretty great profession.”
- by Anna-Rhesa Versola
PICTURE OF HEALTH
Public health director tackles new challenges as the county grows
PHOTO BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
Durham County Public Health Director Rodney “Rod” Jenkins Sr. says the health of Durham is in a state of transition even as it ranks as the No. 6 healthiest county in North Carolina, according to U.S. News and World Report.
“Durham still has that small-town flavor,” Rod says, “however, it’s growing by leaps and bounds. Folks from all around the country are coming to Durham as their destination to work, live and play. As a direct result of that, we’re starting to face big city issues when it comes to health care.”
The most recent community health assessment outlines five top priorities identified by residents, including affordable housing; access to care; community safety and well-being; mental health; and physical activity, nutrition and food access.
Rod, a native of Charleston, South Carolina, says his team plans to tackle these issues in a variety of ways, from expanding health education classes to launching publicity campaigns and applying for grants. Another prong in his strategy comes in the form of partnerships with local nonprofits and large institutions like Duke University Health System and UNC’s Gillings School of Global Public Health, where Rod earned his doctorate in public health executive leadership this year.
“It’s important for us to leave no stone unturned, because let’s face it: We have world-class teaching institutions in our backyard,” he says. “So we certainly want to make sure we utilize all the tools in the box in order to improve the health and well-being of the community.”
Rod, who began his professional career in banking after graduating from The Citadel in 1997, earned a master’s in public health administration in 2005 before realizing his passion for public service in the health sector.
“We want to find out how to make an entire population of 300,000 people healthier, and that’s complex; that’s a challenge,” he says. “But I have a great team of professionals who are committed, and we’ve been recognized for the great work we do through the Partnership for a Healthy Durham,” alluding to the Durham County Department of Public Health earning the 2024 Health Department of the Year award from the North Carolina Public Health Association, which recognized the department’s achievements in measuring and improving the health of the community through the Healthy Durham’s work as a coalition across multiple sectors to build opportunities for better health and equity for all Durham County residents over the past 20 years. Healthy Durham also publishes the annual State of the County Health Report and the Community Health Assessment, which help guide policy decisions to improve Durham’s health needs and welfare.
“Our residents are well taken care of from a public health perspective,” Rod says. “I love being the silent warrior, that person who’s on the periphery, who makes sure that everything runs.”
The biggest challenge so far has been the pandemic shutdown, which happened less than three months into his tenure in Durham. “Challenges are something I welcome,” he says. “I truly believe in the
quote that pressure is a privilege. When I received the opportunity to come, I knew I found my sweet spot.”
Rod is convinced that his department’s efforts – like Back on the Bull, a campaign that launched in mid-2020 to help slow the spread of COVID-19 using public health and behavioral science best practices – placed Durham in a better position to reopen and resume business.
“We know that health directly correlates to economic drivers and the economy,” he says, highlighting the continued influx of biotech companies to the area. “In fact, I would argue that we made strong gains even in the midst of the pandemic.”
When Rod is not working on the health of Durham’s citizens, he enjoys exercising and spending time with his own family. “To a certain degree, physical fitness is a way of life for me,” he says.
“There are only so many hours in the day, so my day normally begins probably around 4:30 a.m. I’m at the gym by 5, and I work out for an hour, hour and a half. Then I rush home to assist my wife and get my kids prepared and out the door for school.”
Rod and his wife, Shereta Jenkins, have a son, Rodney “Roddy” Jenkins Jr., 13, and a daughter, Isabella Jenkins, 7. “They are my heartbeats, and everything I do is for them,” he says. - by Anna-Rhesa Versola
“This is a 24/7, 365 job,” Rod Jenkins says of the work at the Durham County Department of Public Health.
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At Coastal Credit Union we say, “Bank Better to Live Better.” It’s an open invitation to bank with us because our products, services and outreach can help make nearly every aspect of life better. We’re deeply committed to the counties we serve. We’re engaged and community focused, involved in many local issues. Issues like education.
The Coastal Credit Union Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Credit Union, built as a separate entity, with its own board of directors. The Coastal Credit Union Foundation has a mission to enrich the lives of our members in the communities we serve by providing financial support to 501c(3) organizations in the 16 counties in North Carolina that Coastal Credit Union serves.
Providing scholarships to students is a powerful way to invest in our collective future. It helps ease the financial burden of higher education, empowering young minds to pursue their academic and career goals. Our Foundation contributes $25,000 annually to the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation which awards and distributes scholarships across the state. By supporting students, we not only enhance their personal growth but also contribute to a brighter, more educated society.
Got a great idea for teaching financial literacy? The Coastal Credit Union Foundation wants to empower teachers so they can help spread financial knowledge across the Triangle. We invite you to submit a video showcasing your most innovative, out-of-the-box ideas about bringing financial literacy to your classroom. Top submissions will each receive a $2,500 grant, for a total of 8 grants, that can be used to make your ideas come to life.
Your video can be anything you want: quirky, heartwarming, dramatic or cute. It just has to be under 3-minutes and uploaded by February 1, 2025.
home
Designer Laura Koshel of LK Design extended the white, stacked stone on the fireplace up to the ceiling and added two-story window treatments for dramatic effect in the living room.
perfect pairings
A family builds a life full of love and lasting memories in South Durham
BY ANNA-RHESA VERSOLA
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
sometimes a grand plan reveals itself only in hindsight, like when Jackson Reeves volunteered to help host a dinner for international students at UNC in August 2015 and ended up sitting across the table from his future wife, Alessandra B. Garcia Reeves
Alessandra, who grew up in Marília, outside of São Paulo, initially intended to return home after completing her Ph.D. in health policy and management at the university, but meeting Jackson altered her course. Now, the couple is busy transforming their Hills at Southpoint home to suit their growing family. They have two daughters, Victoria Reeves, 3, and Isabella Reeves, 9 months.
It was another stroke of good luck that led Jackson and Alessandra to learning about the house in the first place.
“It was impossible to find a home,” Jackson says, recalling the housing shortage during peak pandemic years. “When [Victoria] was coming up on her first birthday, we wanted to move into
ABOVE The curved central staircase greets family and friends as they enter the home.
ABOVE RIGHT A custom swivel chair is covered in two different textiles, a signature style of Laura’s design team.
RIGHT The inquisitive Isabella Reeves, 9 months old, is all smiles in her sister’s bedroom.
a bigger home. [With] a pandemic baby, Brazilian in-laws coming to spend months at a time in a townhome [in Morrisville], and both of us working from home … it just didn’t work. We knew we needed space, and through a connection at our church, we knew we liked this neighborhood.”
The previous homeowners were also members at Waypoint Church, and in 2022, the Reeves’ pastor learned that the home would soon become available. “So we got a heads up,” Jackson says of their new abode that, at 4,340 square feet, is considerably larger than their previous townhome. “[We knew this was] going to be a much bigger home to decorate and take care of, and we didn’t want to figure that all out on our own,” he says. “We needed help.”
Jackson and Alessandra decided to enlist the expertise of an interior designer, choosing to work with Laura Koshel of LK Design, who also happens to be their neighbor.
The first project was to update the main floor spaces – living room, dining room, guest bedroom and piano room. The couple both favor the color blue, so it became the cohesive palette for the interior design projects. Different shades of oceanic colors evoke an air of calm accented by gold touches, as if they were glints of sunlight. In the piano room, Laura installed linen-textured wallpaper on one wall and applied sand-colored paint to the opposite wall and ceiling. An accent wall stands out with its navy hue, and the bookcase painted to match.
Laura chose an ivory leather chair with a matching ottoman so Jackson can settle in and read a good book. Across the room, Victoria
ABOVE The sizable dining room table comfortably seats 10 with additional room for guests in the adjacent kitchen.
BELOW Alessandra and Victoria, 3, play the piano together while Jackson spins with Isabella in another pair of swivel chairs by the bay window overlooking the front yard.
and Alessandra can spin in the pink Coco Chanel-inspired swivel chairs positioned in the bay window overlooking the front yard.
Alessandra’s glossy, white piano stands out as a focal point in the space. Alessandra, her siblings, her mother and all of her aunts were trained in classical music, and her family runs a music school in São Paulo. “There’s always someone at the piano whenever there’s a family gathering,” Jackson says.
“My mom can play even with a toddler on her lap,” Alessandra adds. Her parents visit regularly and now have their own home away from home in the nearby Colvard Farms neighborhood.
“I love having people around,” Alessandra says. “I grew up with a big family; we were three kids, but I had 13 cousins. It was fun, very fun.”
Some of Alessandra’s favorite childhood memories were family vacations at beaches along the Brazilian coast, and those carefree days helped inspire the palette of sapphire and gold. The guest room carries on the color scheme, and Laura added mirrors to previously installed vertical moldings for a refined look that would invoke the feelings of a calm and inviting escape.
Shades of blue carry through to the airy primary suite upstairs, which features a recessed ceiling as well as an enclosed corner office for Alessandra, who works at RTI International as a health economist.
In one corner sits a live-edge wooden desk custom-made by Raleigh Reclaimed. Its natural tones and textures complement the comforting blue colors throughout the room. “What I’m hearing from my clients is, when I place a piece of art that has perspective in nature, that’s very soothing to look at when you wake up,” Laura says.
Layered watercolors painted by Alessandra’s great-uncle float in framed glass above a bespoke wooden mantel in the living room.
Another pair of swivel chairs – one the color of cream soufflé and the other a shade reminiscent of caramelized sugar – frame the two-story white granite fireplace. Custom fabric treatments dramatize the soaring ceiling and cascading chandelier along the wall of windows, adding a sense of grandeur.
The dining room is a premier feature for the family. “I do love just walking into the house and seeing the view,” Jackson says. “And, obviously, entertaining people [in the space].” Jackson, who grew up in Purlear, North Carolina, has an older brother and a fraternal twin who settled in the area after also graduating from UNC; he says one of the couple’s goals for the home is the opportunity to bring their extended families together. The proportions of the room lend itself to large gatherings, and the couple went back and forth on dining table size before landing on a 10-seater “because we want to host everybody,” Jackson says. “Last year, we hosted all of my family on Christmas Eve.”
The Reeves were so pleased with the first phase of design that they called Laura back to update the upstairs primary suite and Victoria’s room.
Turn left at the top of the curved central staircase, and a wide set of double doors open into the main bedroom. Laura took a formerly open corner of the room and enclosed it for Alessandra’s private office, separated by a door that matches the bedroom’s entry. Meanwhile, Jackson, who is vice president of U.S. and Latin America sales at Cisco ThousandEyes, uses a separate bedroom as his home office and workout space.
The layout to the right of the stairs features a Jack-and-Jill bathroom connecting Victoria’s azure room to Bella’s shell pink nursery. One wall in Victoria’s room is wallpapered with oversized cerulean blue watercolor blossoms, and a round, gold-framed mirror hangs above her toddler bed. The globe-like, golden chandelier has a
ABOVE LEFT Laura, who’s become a friend of the family, designed Victoria’s room with blue watercolor blossoms and soft, natural textures.
BELOW The floor-to-ceiling mirrors elevate the ambience of the guest bedroom. “I thought that [adding to] the moldings on the sides of the space would create a hotel feel,” Laura says.
woven texture that casts a gentle, warm glow to complement the creamy, soft hues in the area rug and upholstered chair tucked into the corner.
“[Alessandra and Jackson] experienced the process [during the main floor projects], so when we got to the second phase, it was fast[er] selections,” says Laura, who’s become a friend of the family, attending the Reeves’ birthday parties and social dinners. “At some point, you know the customer and who they are, so it was much easier for me as a designer to curate the selections.”
Jackson and Alessandra admire how Laura blended their tastes into a design they both truly enjoy. “We’ve never worked with an interior designer before, but it was fun,” Jackson says. “We laughed. A lot. And it gave us something we love.”
Alessandra and Jackson enjoy a moment of calm in the kitchen before starting dinner.
NET WORKING
INTER-CTY VISIT
By Lola Oliverio
The Durham Chamber of Commerce took its second Inter-City Visit to the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area in September 2024. A delegation of more than 50 government, business, nonprofit and education leaders from the Triangle traveled to the communities – similar in size to our city – in order to learn more about: strengthening economic and workforce development strategies; addressing housing and diversity initiatives; and investing in transportation and infrastructure through various presentations and tours as well as a reception with community stakeholders from Minnesota and Wisconsin.
3 Regional Transportation Alliance Executive Director Joe Milazzo, Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams and Derrick Stanfield, special assistant to the mayor.
2 Minneapolis
4 C2 Contractors President and CEO CC Lamberth and Sheldon Mitchell, executive director of Urban Ministries of Durham.
5 Durham Sports Commission Deputy Director Kaila’Shea Menendez and Executive Director Marcus Manning.
1 Hayti Heritage Center Executive Director Angela Lee, Minnesota Historical Society Collections Manager Dan Cagley, Museum of Life & Science President and CEO Carrie Heinonen and Museum of Durham History Executive Director Patrick Mucklow.
Mayor Jacob Frey with Durham Chamber President and CEO Geoff Durham.
CONVENTIONAL WISDOM
CITY STAKEHOLDERS AIM TO BOOST TOURISM AND DRIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH WITH LARGER CONVENTION CENTER
BY ANNA-RHESA VERSOLA |
Mayor Leonardo Williams says the need for a larger convention center boils down to simple math: More square footage of meeting space plus additional hotel rooms for more visitors equals higher net earnings for the city, the county and local businesses.
“Why is it that Durham is so cool, but we don’t have a lot of foot traffic?” Williams asked rhetorically. “Why is it that everyone talks about Durham, but they aren’t necessarily spending in Durham, or if they are, they’re spending in certain locations or certain establishments? I just couldn’t get my head around it.”
Durham, the fourth most populous city in North Carolina with close to 300,000 people, currently has a convention center that ranks No.11 in size out of 14 in the state; its 30,850 square feet of exhibition space regularly loses bigger economic opportunities to larger convention centers due to limited capacity to host largescale meetings and events.
By comparison, Charlotte’s population is more than triple that of the Bull City, and the Queen City’s convention center boasts 600,000 square feet. Meanwhile, Raleigh has nearly half a million city residents with a 500,000-square-foot, high-tech facility that sits across the street from Red Hat Amphitheater and the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts. The city of Greensboro edges out Durham in population, but its convention space is six times the size of Durham’s.
HERE’S THE OPPORTUNITY, AND IT’S GREATER THAN WHAT YOU COULD EVEN IMAGINE.
– MAYOR LEONARDO WILLIAMS
“We can’t accommodate a convention of more than 1,000 people, and we are not getting any conferences for 1,000 because we only have about 800 hotel rooms downtown, not all of which would ever be available for a single event,” Williams said. “The math was not mathing. The city’s only getting $3 million a year in occupancy tax. That’s a problem. That’s what motivated me to not only get into office, but also to start making policy for it. We need a new convention center.”
DESTINATION DOLLARS
Discover Durham President and CEO Susan Amey and the city facilitated a two-year feasibility study by Hunden Partners, a Chicago-based consultancy firm that specializes in destination development.
PHOTO BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
The recommendation favors building a new convention center because there is no room to expand the existing footprint in its current location, which is adjacent to the historic Carolina Theatre, and because a costly renovation showed only a modest return on investment, with a slight increase in the square footage and number of visitors for millions of dollars that would have to be put into it.
“That just didn’t make financial sense,” Amey said.
The study showed that a new, larger convention center could generate $2.3 billion in net new earnings over a 30-year period, supporting approximately 1,112 new fulltime equivalent jobs.
“The real value to the community comes from all of those people who stay in hotel rooms, eat at local restaurants, socialize at the bars and shops, and support entertainment,” Amey said. “For the size and energy of Durham, our convention center is closet-sized. If you were to look at total functional square footage, it would probably be more dramatic.”
Thirteen million people visited Durham last year and spent approximately $1.13 billion, outpacing the statewide year-over-year growth rate, according to Discover Durham’s 2024 tourism impact report for the fiscal year. This trend indicates a rising demand for hospitality services alongside concerts, festivals and events. However, business owners continue to pay higher operating costs with fewer employees compared to prepandemic conditions.
Amey said a destination master plan includes building a sports complex, but Williams said he wants to prioritize a convention center because it offers greater flexibility in drawing different opportunities to the downtown district.
“Cities have one way of making money, and that is through taxes,” Williams said. “We don’t make money to sit on it. We make money to utilize it.”
Williams wants to generate visitor-driven economic development for public benefit. “We want to be able to gap fund affordable housing projects,” he said. “You don’t want that coming from your property tax. You want that to come from your sales tax; what I’m trying to do is increase the sales tax revenue so that we’ll have more financial flexibility to do more of the things that we want to do locally. We’re basically using the money from visitors to fund building assets and amenities here for us.”
CULTIVATING PARTNERSHIPS
Williams, who is a former city council member, owns three Durham-based restaurants featuring Zimbabwean cuisine alongside his wife, Zweli Williams . He is sympathetic to other small business owners who complain of low foot traffic through parts of Durham.
“The small business community is begging for something to happen, because the foot traffic is not enough,” Williams said. “We’re relying on locals, and locals just don’t come out and shop every day. But when you have thousands of visitors coming to your city from all over the world, and they’re spending their money, that’s how small businesses thrive.”
But where could this new facility be built?
“That’s the million dollar question,” Amey said. The feasibility study showed a new convention center and hotel would need about 7 acres of land. “The next phase of our work will be to do a more in-depth study that identifies where this could go.”
Williams said he recently toured the site of The Novus , a new 27-story tower, under
construction downtown. “I’m standing on the top floor, looking out over the city,” Williams said, and observed the lack of available property. “It’s time for us to stop looking for open space and start looking for opportunities to reimagine existing infrastructure.”
While the study was underway, Williams took the initiative to reach out to private owners of commercial land and air rights. “I’m building partnerships,” he said. “And now those partnerships are going to come to fruition. And that’s what I’ll be able to bring to the city – an entire package –and say we need to act.”
TIGHT TIMELINE
THERE’S A LOT OF WORK TO DO TO ACTUALLY NAIL DOWN A MORE SPECIFIC TIMELINE, [BUT] THIS NEXT PHASE OF ANALYSIS TYPICALLY TAKES ONE TO TWO YEARS AND WOULD INVOLVE AN ADDITIONAL CONSULTING CONTRACT.
–SUSANAMEY, DISCOVER DURHAM
Williams said he would like to have a new convention center in place by 2029 when the FISU World University Games come to the Triangle. The two-week competition is the world’s largest event for student-athletes from 150 countries and is the secondlargest global Olympic multisport event, second only to the Olympic Games. The event was last hosted in the U.S. in 1993, according to the Carybased North Carolina Local Organizing Committee.
The Durham mayor knows he needs to take next steps carefully. “I have to be fiscally responsible as the leader of the city,” Williams said. “I plan to be creative, be innovative and utilize these relationships to create opportunities that will create more resources for us to do the things we want and that can enhance the quality of life and our community, for our residents. We need a convention center, and I need people to be open-minded. I need us to be progressive about where it can go, how it can impact the city economically and how we can continue to have positive return on investment for something like this.”
BIZ BRIEFS
Compiled by Emma Unger
MOVEMENT & DEVELOPMENT
Construction for Latta Park, located at the intersection of Guess and Latta roads, commenced in October 2024 after a yearlong delay. The 30acre development includes a 20-acre residential community with both townhomes and single-family homes in addition to a 10-acre mixed-use shopping center. Construction of the first residential units is expected to wrap in late 2025, and the development is projected to include a Publix grocery store, local retail, a food truck terrace, green space, public walking trails and art installations when finished.
AWARDS & HONORS
Chapel Hill Tire of Durham – Hillsborough Road earned the Blue Seal of Excellence from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. ASE’s Blue Seal program recognizes repair shops with ASE-certified staff and a commitment to high standards. Of the shop’s nine-person team – Brett Papcunik, Christopher Long, Colby Weatherspoon, Tyler Radford, Tyler Kellison, Robert Judice, Christopher
Peat, Danielle Womack and Cody Rogowski (pictured) – six have ASE certification: Weatherspoon, Judice, Kellison, Papcunik, Rogowski and Peat. The shop, located at 2504 Hillsborough Rd., is the seventh of Chapel Hill Tire’s 11 locations to receive the award.
Durham ranked No. 25 among the best U.S. cities for working parents in a study released by CoworkingCafe. The city’s access to child health care, education and remote working culture earned it the spot on the list; it ranked No. 6 for its ratio of pediatricians per 100,000 children, amounting to 225.1, and No. 5 for air quality.
Coworking community
Durham County Land Trustees purchased a 48-unit apartment building at 1600 Anderson St. and 2.28 acres of nearby land at 1650 Anderson St. from Concord Street LLC, with plans to repurpose the properties for affordable housing. TradeMark Properties Real Estate Advisor for Investment Sales Kharmika Alston represented Concord Street in the sale. “This transaction is so important for the Triangle as a whole and specifically for Durham, because affordable housing is such a need right now,” Alston said. The apartments, which include one- through threebedroom floor plans, will remain affordable for current and future tenants, and the land will be developed into townhomes for households who earn 80% or less of the area median income.
American Underground and the Fidelity Center for Applied Technology selected 15 tech startups to take part in the inaugural FCAT Fellowship cohort in September. The participating companies, including Celestic, Elroi, Focus Cubes, IX Studios, Trayecto and Ver Coaching, engaged in a 10-week curriculum of workshops, mentorship sessions and networking opportunities. The businesses will showcase their progress to investors, industry leaders and corporate partners at Demo Day on Dec. 11. “This cohort truly reflects the incredible diversity and talent within the Triangle’s entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Laura Zabinski, American Underground’s director of programs and partnerships.
COMINGS & GOINGS
Treat Harvey joined the Museum of Durham History on Oct. 7 as its first full-time development
director since the museum’s founding in 2009. Harvey will help build community awareness of the museum and its resources in this role, in addition to supporting the museum’s growth and operations through relationships with donors and funders.
Kimberly Sowell (pictured) resigned from her position as Durham County manager Oct. 28, 2024, almost three years after she started in the position in 2022. Deputy County Manager for Financial Affairs Claudia Hager began serving as acting
PHOTO BY DANTE JONES, DIGITAL TRAIL MEDIA
PHOTO BY COURTNEY HIGH
manager following Sowell’s departure. The Durham County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to appoint Hager to the position of permanent county manager in November.
Thomas & Hutton, a consulting, planning and engineering firm specializing in land and infrastructure, hired Tim Mukashev as a civil designer for the Durham region. In his role, Mukashev oversees site development construction drawings; engineering design considerations for water, storm drainage and sewer infrastructure; and permit applications for residential, commercial and industrial projects.
The Durham Chamber of Commerce welcomed Brandon Pinnix (right, above) and Alexia Gavin (right, below) to its team. Pinnix stepped into the role of director of member relations on Sept. 17, 2024, while Gavin began as director of marketing and communications on Sept. 9, 2024.
Aging Care Matters LLC
providing compassionate care and meaningful engagement for seniors while offering valuable respite and support for caregivers,” owner and founder Carla Payne said.
FUNDING
NC Idea, a private foundation that supports entrepreneurship, awarded $160,000 to 16 North Carolina startups through its micro grant program. Argoneta, Medicporter and Team Genius Squad each received a $10,000 grant to further their missions: developing underwater living spaces; streamlining the medical transportation process; and improving access to STEM education, respectively. Recipients also participate in an eight-week program focused on discovery and product launches. The program, now in its 13th grant cycle, has awarded more than $2 million since its launch in 2018. “Our newest 16 grant recipients, 80% representing underserved communities, speak directly to the economic potential of our state,” NC Idea President and CEO Thom Ruhe said.
expanded its offerings with the opening of its Adult Day Center at 249 E. N.C. Hwy. 54, Ste. 100B, in the Southpoint Professional Center. As Aging Care Matters’ second physical care center, it offers a range of activities for older adults – like Rosie Hylton and Joan CaesarScipio, pictured here – tailored to their personalized care plans. “This expansion allows us to further fulfill our mission of
the gift’s impact.
Mid-South Medical LLC managing partner Tommy McNeill presented a $100,000 gift to the Health Industry Representatives Association on Sept. 16, 2024. McNeill, a recent graduate of the Duke Fuqua School of Business’ Executive Education program, has served on HIRA’s board of directors for more than five years. “HIRA has provided an enormous opportunity for me to: succeed in the business of marketing lifesaving medical devices; partner with innovative companies; and be on the cusp of learning about technically advanced equipment that improves patients’ outcomes,” McNeill said. The donation will support marketing and membership initiatives for HIRA-affiliated independent health care sales representatives. HIRA board members Larry Schrock, Lamar Lester, Chris Haynes, John Sumner, Linda Gunter, Sarah Pruitt, McNeill,
will enhance programs and increase community impact. Pictured are Director of Academic Support Alex Turner and Program Director and Restorative Practices Lead Michelle Norwood of Student U, which strives to create a more equitable education system for Durham students.
The RTP Charitable Fund, in partnership with the RTP Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Collective, awarded $130,000 to 10 North Carolina nonprofits through the STEM RTP grantmaking program. The awarded organizations include the Durham Literacy Center, Student U, The HBCU STEMulUS and Uplift Project Inc., all committed to promoting science, technology, engineering and math education, and advancing diversity, equity and inclusion. “We are proud to distribute these funds to organizations that inspire and create opportunities for our future leaders,” said Tamara Terry, director of academic research engagement at RTI International. Grants, provided in tiered amounts,
PARTNERSHIPS & ACQUISITIONS
Morrisville-based small drug formulations company Lindy Biosciences partnered with Novartis, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, in a deal worth up to nearly $1 billion. The agreement focused on using Lindy’s microglassification technology to transform Novartis medicines into more convenient, self-administered injections. “This collaboration is a testament to our shared dedication to enhancing patient care and marks a significant milestone as we take Lindy’s formulation technology into the clinic for the first time,” said Deborah Bitterfield, founder and CEO of Lindy Biosciences.
Willa Moats, John Patterson, Mike Peters and Shannon Reddish (pictured) celebrated
PHOTO BY HALEY WALTON, COURTESY OF RESEARCH TRIANGLE FOUNDATION
The Carolina Flyers Ultimate Frisbee team welcomed Vance Tucker as an investor, with Tucker acquiring a minority stake in the organization. “The Flyers have demonstrated exceptional potential and dedication, and I look forward to contributing to their continued success and expansion,” said Tucker, a sports enthusiast and owner of investment firm Tucker Capital Management Inc. As part of the partnership, Tucker will collaborate with the Flyers team to elevate its profile, improve fan experience and maintain growth. “[Tucker’s] expertise and enthusiasm will be instrumental in helping us reach new heights,” team owner Michael DeNardis said.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport announced a new international route, with BermudAir scheduled to begin nonstop flights from the region to Bermuda on Fridays and Mondays starting April 11. BerdmudAir is the fourth international airline to launch or announce new service at RDU in 2024.
IN OTHER NEWS
Durham Public Schools’ Board of Education unanimously approved updated compensation schedules for new hires and current employees in September 2024. The schedules were developed by Eyrie Success, led by CEO Raushawna Price. “Having the veil removed from the salaries is the model,” Price said. The updates include a 3% statelegislated pay increase for all employees; adjustments to classified employee salaries to match projected rates; and a master’s pay model offering a 10% salary boost to teachers with master’s degrees not currently receiving state master’s pay. “We are committed to compensating our employees at the most favorable rate possible and appreciate our Board of County Commissioners for its long-standing partnership and support of our efforts to recruit and retain excellence,” Board
Chair Millicent Rogers said. The board also unanimously voted to give an additional $80 per month supplement to speech language pathologists, psychologists, audiologists, school counselors, nurses and instructional support personnel, plus a $200 per month increase for Exceptional Children and English for Speakers of Other Languages teachers.
Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration and member of President Joe Biden’s Cabinet, visited Durham on Oct. 29, 2024, to spotlight small business growth in North Carolina under the Biden-Harris Administration. Guzman joined Lorena Patterson, president of the North Carolina Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, at new coffee shop and restaurant Aaktun, where she met owner Alonso Hernandez and participated in a roundtable
discussion with business owners and chamber members. Later, Guzman joined Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams and John Hope Bryant, founder and CEO of Operation Hope, a nonprofit that provides free financial education and services, as a part of the Operation Hope American Aspiration Tour to discuss SBA’s partnerships and lending to small businesses. Afterward, Guzman met Dr. Lionel M. Nelson (pictured below left), dentist and owner of Dr. Lionel M. Nelson Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, which received an SBA loan last fiscal year.
The Durham City Council voted to adopt an ordinance approving updates to the city’s parking voucher program, in order to improve accessibility for downtown employees. The council authorized City Manager Wanda Page to expand the participation criteria and increase the voucher discount of the Low-Income Monthly Parking Discounted Voucher Program, which helps alleviate the financial burden of parking on low-income workers who earn 80% or less of the median family income by increasing the discount to 75% of the monthly parking rate. The change went into effect Nov. 1, 2024.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Jewish for Good launched its 2024-2025 Ignite series, a lineup of events designed to inspire, connect and highlight industry leaders. Nicole Thompson, president and CEO of Downtown Durham Inc., will deliver a talk on Feb. 20, 2025, focusing on Durham’s urban growth and the challenges that accompany it.
Anousone Brandy Kettisack & Ernest Turner
BY SOPHIE BAGLIONI PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANSLEI FOSTER, ICONIC VISUALS STUDIOS, ICONICVISUALSTUDIOS.COM
Wedding Date Aug. 12, 2023
Occupations Brandy works as a scheduler for North Carolina Department of Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders, and Ernest is a professional musician and a faculty member at UNC Greensboro’s School of Music.
Crossed Paths Brandy and Ernest met at an IHOP in Greenville, North Carolina, in fall 2007. Brandy was an undergrad at East Carolina University, and Ernest was wrapping up his graduate degree at the university after relocating to the area from New Orleans due to Hurricane Katrina. Their friendship blossomed into a romance, and they started dating in 2010. The pair moved to Durham and welcomed their son, Malcolm Turner, in 2013.
The Proposal Brandy and Ernest got engaged in 2015 during an intimate moment with just their little family of three. The two purchased an affordable ring together before Ernest got down on one knee to propose in their home. Malcolm hugged both of their legs after Brandy said yes.
The Big Day Brandy and Ernest tied the knot after 18 years of friendship and 13 years of romance, which lent itself to a grand celebration with many close friends and family members. The ceremony was held at New Creation United Methodist Church, and the festivities continued for the reception at ReCity Durham, which was outfitted with rentals supplied by The Durham Exchange. Guests enjoyed fare from The BBQ Lab, plus vegan options supplied by Pure Soul, and savored dessert from Yodith’s Cakery. The couple hosted
a Lao wedding ceremony at their North Durham home the following day to honor traditions from Brandy’s heritage, such as a string-tying ceremony, which symbolizes good luck and a fulfilling future in marriage. “[It] was a very emotional experience being able to include that piece of my culture in our wedding,” Brandy says.
Favorite Moments “[I’ll] never forget watching the sanctuary doors open and seeing [Brandy] in her wedding dress for the very first time,” Ernest says. “Everything that had happened since we met felt like it led us to that moment.” Brandy says she loved the music Ernest chose for their special day, especially the song she walked down the aisle to – “Still in Love” by Brian McKnight. “I would have never thought to choose that song, but I knew by him picking that song, the lyrics reflected how he felt about me,” Brandy says.
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