Chatham Magazine Sept/Oct 2021

34 Artists at Work 54 Life on the Farm 88 Honoring Longtime Teachers September / October 2021 vol. 5, no. 2

THE 4 th ANNUAL

BEST OF CHATHAM ISSUE Our

readers ’

favorites, revealed

Page 60

OUTSTANDING IN HER FIELD

Copeland Springs Farm & Kitchen's Kristin Bulpitt, a favorite chef among readers, serves up homegrown vegetables from her garden.

MODERN DESIGNS. LARGE WOODED LOTS.

2021

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M

y husband and I helped move our younger daughter back to campus for her sophomore year at UNC Greensboro in August. Last year, she was there for only two weeks before students were sent home.

Our older daughter also moved into a new place in Wilmington, North Carolina, a few months ago. We think we are empty nesters – like Leah Edwards and Todd Edwards, whose custom home in Governors Club looks like a haven for this phase in life (see page 104) – but the twists and turns of the pandemic could change our status once again.

Many people are resistant to change, but those who adapt tend to fare better in the long run. The teachers featured in this issue (on page 88) learned this lesson well, and they shared key moments that inspire them to keep calm and carry on doing their level best for students.

Speaking of best, take a moment to check out our readers’ favorites in Chatham (starting on page 60) in categories for dining, services, retail, home and garden, and arts and entertainment. It’s exciting to both celebrate the longtime businesses like Carolina Brewery and New Horizons as well as enjoy fresh additions, including The Sycamore at Chatham Mills, Pittsboro Gallery of Arts and Thirsty Skull Brewing in Siler City.

One of my favorite stories in this issue is about two young women who discovered their superpower – performance. India Nykamp and Jacqui Anthenien graduated in 2020 and were integral to the drama program at Northwood High School, but it was their experiences through the Pittsboro Youth Theater that transformed their potential into a passion for the performing arts. You can read their story on page 30.

Throughout this issue, you’ll see a theme of change and growth despite adversity. And that brings me to our Chatham 250 article about the “Aunt Rachel” apple on page 22. Though many apple varieties are extinct, the fruit of this particular tree survives thanks to the help of the late Lee Calhoun and others in our community who want to preserve this edible heirloom. I love the symbolism associated with apples – knowledge, temptation and the simple beauty of what is possible. CM

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WE NEED HELP are stuck in a bad situation. I

United Way looks beyond the need to identify the root causes of poverty. By donating through the United Way campaign your gift will support community programs that change lives.

ACCOUNTABLE

Member agencies are reviewed annually by local volunteers to ensure high standards.

EFFECTIVE

United Way addresses priority community needs and assesses program objectives and outcomes.

RESPONSIBLE

One in three Chatham residents benefit from United Way funding. Donations help those who need it most.

2020 EXPENSES: $1,080,682

L SPENT

create stability in our lives.

LOCAL

Funds raised here stay here.

Agency Support 88% Fundraising 2% General & Administrative 10%

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Sponsored by:

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The American Institute of Philanthropy recommends that a nonprofit spend at least 60% of its annual expenses on program activity. UWCC directs 88% of its total budget to programs and services.

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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER

CONTENTS

FALL ARTS 30 All the World’s a Stage Two young emerging artists discovered the power of performance at Pittsboro Youth Theater

PHOTO BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON

34 Let’s Get Creative Meet four recipients of Chatham Arts Council’s new JumpstART grant, which helps Chatham County artists and arts workers get back to work and create art for public spaces

FOOD, DRINK & FARM 46 Let It Breathe A visit to FireClay Cellars, Chatham’s only commercial vineyard 48 Fetching Cocktails Drop in to the new ulti-mutt hangout in downtown Pittsboro – The Beagle 52 Brew Man Group Get ready to raise a glass as Thirsty Skull Brewing nears its opening this fall 54 Bloom Where You’re Planted A young couple explores their agricultural ambitions at Perry-winkle Farm

BEST OF CHATHAM

64 The Sweet Spot Yeraldyn Martinez and Iliana Escalante keep churning out the baked goods at Carolina Cravings Co.

BACK TO SCHOOL

10 Noted

88 Lessons Learned Four longtime teachers share what education means to them

66 Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting Seven Star Kung Fu Academy gets a gold star from our readers

94 Directory of Independent, Regional Boarding and Charter Schools

22 Chatham 250: The Giving Tree Century Farm Orchards helps preserve a local edible heirloom

70 Setting Up Shop Checking in with Chatham’s favorite new businesses

60 Just Brew It Carolina Brewery placed in six categories, including favorite place for a beer

72 Retail Therapy Find uncommonly good things at any or all of these best local gift and home decor stores

62 The Good Dirt Chef Kristin Bulpitt, one of readers’ favorite chefs, sources veggies for Copeland Springs Farm & Kitchen from the nearby garden

74 Artists Unite One of our readers' favorite art galleries also happens to be one of Pittsboro’s newest 76 Best of Chatham 2021 Winners The full list of our readers’ favorites, from outdoor dining and craft beverages to bed-and-breakfasts and gift stores

HOME & GARDEN

26 Gotta Getaway Find inspiration for your own fall trips as a few of our neighbors share their recent and upcoming travels

104 Empty Nest, Full Heart The Edwards renovated a Governors Club home for their next phase in life

122 Pet Project A guide to vets, animal hospitals, groomers, boarders and sitters

116 Sowing Success An agriculture teacher cultivate potential in high school students

126 Engagement Forbis & Hammond

124 Here We Grow Again Updates on commercial and residential real estate developments

DEPARTMENTS 4 Letter from the Managing Editor 8 Six Events Events you won’t want to miss

128 Wedding Scott & Stumbo

PEOPLE & PLACES 16 Summer Fest 18 Robin Hood’s Kitchen Fundraiser Dinner 20 Celebrating The Plant’s New Bathrooms

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SEPT. 19, 3 - 6 p.m.

Taste pepper-centric dishes at the 14th annual celebration of sustainable agriculture and Carolinagrown peppers, which returns to The Plant on Lorax Lane in Pittsboro.

Enjoy live music from Diali Cissokho & Kaira Ba

and Colin Cutler, Imagine Circus performers, a 21 and older lounge and a kids’ zone. More than 20 vendors and farmers will be on-site with pepper-themed items alongside The Plant’s small businesses.

PHOTO BY MADELYN BLAIR MATTHEWS

PepperFest

The long-awaited return of Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance comes in October.

Arts in the Park

SEPT. 23, 6 - 8 p.m.

Main Street Pittsboro’s second outdoor concert will feature the Dave Smith Trio at Page Vernon Park in downtown Pittsboro. Dance to swing jazz, bop, blues and funk on piano, sax and bass.

Bring a chair or blanket, and enjoy food and non-alcoholic drinks from local restaurants. Admission is free and open to the public, but please leave pets at home.

SIX EVENTS

YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS Compiled by Kelli Rainer

Goldston Old Fashion Day OCT. 9, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Celebrate the town of Goldston during its 34th annual festival by heading to Main Street and Bellevue Avenue to sample street food, shop for arts and crafts and listen to music from groups like The Dowdy Boys, The Plank Road Band and Crabtree Bluegrass Band. The event also includes a kids’ section with a rock wall, inflatables, hula hoops, face painting and pony rides.

Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance OCT. 7-10 The 17th annual fall event returns with four full days of music, dancing and camping on the 72-acre farm, plus yoga, sound-healing classes and programs for kids and teens. Proceeds benefit the Shakori Hills Community Arts Center, which provides free or

low-cost community programs in music, art and sustainability.

Chatham 250 Parade/Caravana OCT. 23, 2 - 5 p.m.

Siler City hosts a parade that welcomes all community members, businesses and organizations to participate in the culminating event for Chatham County’s 250th anniversary celebration.

Judges will award prizes to the best floats or cars along the parade path.

JumpstART Mini-Festival

NOV. 7

Chatham Art Council hosts the 15 recipients of its JumpstART grant – which helps local artists and arts workers by paying them to create art in public spaces – at its office on West Street as well as other downtown Pittsboro locations. Peruse sculptures

by JR Butler, textiles by Tanja Cole and paintings by Julia Kennedy, among others, as well as new music from Will Ridenour, Stephan Meyers and Sarah McCombie of the Chatham Rabbits. CM

EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE; CHECK WITH ORGANIZERS PRIOR TO ATTENDING 8

CHATHAM MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

2021

2021

We thank all of our guests and neighbors for their support!

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NOTED. WHAT AN HONOR Chatham County Board of Education

Chairman Gary L. Leonard recognized and thanked 64 retiring employees (above) on June 10 for their service to Chatham County Schools. Norma Boone, the executive director for teacher induction and Title II at Chatham County Schools, emceed the event, and Jennifer Baker, in charge of benefits and workers’ compensation for the school system, sang “At Last.”

On June 28, the Chatham County announced award winners of individuals and groups who played a significant role in responding to COVID-19. The entire staff of the Chatham County Public Health Department was named 2021 Employee of the Year, recognizing more than 60 individuals. The Chatham County Board of Health

Community Emergency Response Team

was awarded the 2021 Partnership of the Year for its pivotal role in the response to the pandemic, controlling traffic and logistics at vaccination clinics.

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU'VE HEARD! EMAIL NOTED@CHATHAMMAGAZINENC.COM 10

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WHAT WE’VE HEARD AROUND OUR TOWNS ...

Former county finance director Vicki McConnell

was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest civilian honor in the state, which was presented by the Chatham County Board of Commissioners on June 21. Chatham County Commissioner Mike Dasher gave Vicki the plaque, which recognizes “persons who have made significant contributions to the state and their communities through their exemplary service and exceptional accomplishments,” according to the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society. Vicki retired in February 2021 after 45 years of service.

The dental hygiene program at Central Carolina Community College was recognized as the best dental hygiene program in North Carolina, according

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

Compiled by Tajahn Wilson

to nursingprocess.org, an online guide to nursing and health care education.

“Not only was this year an outstanding success despite the challenges, it was heartwarming to see and feel such continuous positivism beneath our many layers of [personal protective equipment],” says Danielle Bruner, CCCC dental hygiene clinical coordinator. “It is an honor to see our students flourish in 2021 and to continue this remarkable work of the heart.”

Chatham Animal Rescue & Education

held its Pet-Casso contest, a fundraiser to support the rescue and to showcase local canine and feline artistry, this summer. Smidge Myers (left) won the competition with her paw painting titled, “Beach Vacation.”

Smidge was adopted from CARE two years ago. Her artwork will be displayed in Liquidambar Gallery and Gifts in Pittsboro

E X C L U S I V E LY AT

NOTED

and featured in the CARE newsletter. As of Aug. 23, nearly $2,900 was raised toward the $5,000 goal.

The 8U East Chatham All-Stars finished its “best ever” little league baseball season in July, says head coach Daniel Lewis. The 8U team won its district tournament and finished third in the state in July.

GIVING BACK The Bold Foundation and Chatham Education Foundation worked together to provide books to low-income students in Chatham County Schools for the new school year, collecting more than 16,000 books through the Books on Break program. They surpassed their goal of giving five books to each of the more than 3,000 families.

The Central Carolina Community College Foundation held its eighth annual Chatham Golf Classic at the Chapel Ridge Golf Club on May 5. The event raised $19,500 to assist students demonstrating financial need and to fund scholarships.

Central Carolina Community College students, led by architect Michael Spinello, constructed a cottage that was sold in an online auction in June for $62,000.

Each year, a cottage is built on campus by students and auctioned off to raise funds to help maintain the CCCC Sustainable Technologies and Building Construction Technologies programs and scholarships.

Since the first cottage was built and

12

CHATHAM MAGAZINE

auctioned in 2011, more than $50,000 has been raised to support the programs.

The 560-square-foot home has a number of sustainable features, including locally sourced wood, and will be moved from campus to its new location in Pittsboro after this semester’s new students view it as an example of their goal for 2022, according to Mark Hall, the Chatham County provost for CCCC. BIZ BRIEFS Gilero, a contract design, development and manufacturing firm specializing in medical and drug delivery devices, raised capital in order to expand its operations by opening new design centers in locations such as Chicago, New Jersey and Ireland, and adding a manufacturing plant in Tijuana, Mexico. Gilero’s Pittsboro manufacturing site, purchased in 2019, is slated to complete final renovations by the end of next year. Ted Mosler, CEO of Gilero, says that part of the reason for this expansion is to enhance the reach to their customers and increase the value of their services.

Leslie Cox and Brendan Cox, owners of

Oakleaf restaurant in Carrboro, opened cocktail bar The Beagle – which serves drinks and small plates such as deviled eggs, local cheeses and charcuterie boards – on Aug. 18 in downtown Pittsboro (read more on 48).

ON THE MOVE Tara Lynne Groth,

president of the Chatham County Beekeepers’ Association

appointed Rebekah (pictured above) to serve in her place as of June 29. The team welcomed MaryBeth Crissman in June as a Gunn

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

co-director with two other co-directors, Dennis Brown and Andrew Olsen. Inperson meetings are set to resume in September in a new location at the Pittsboro Kiwanis Club at 309 Credle St. Donna Barger

started in her role as the

principal of Jordan-Matthews High School in Siler City on July 1. She was assistant principal for more than five years before becoming interim principal in January.

Donna has 24 years of education experience and says “exceptional education requires passionate, dedicated and committed staff who value each individual student and teach the whole person, not just the curriculum.”

On June 7, the Chatham County Board of Education approved Matthew Wilkins as the principal of J.S. Waters School in Goldston.

He started on July 1.

Matthew, who grew up in Goldston, was assistant principal at Chatham Central High School for two years. was named the athletic director at Seaforth High School in April. Jason will be the first athletic director of the county’s newest high school, where classes began on Aug. 23. He was an athletic director for 15 years at Northwood High School, where he was named Teacher of the Year in 2020, and he was recognized by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association as the 2020-21 Dave Harris Athletic Director of the Year.

Jason Amy

The Chatham Chamber of Commerce announced the opening of its second location at 102 Hillsboro St. in the Perch Coworking building. The additional office space will increase the ability for the Chamber to better serve the business community and county at large. The

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1 5 7 C H AT H A M D O W N S D R I V E • C H A P E L H I L L, N C 2 7 5 1 7 9 1 9.7 0 4.7 1 5 6 (Across from Harris Teeter in Chatham Downs Shopping Center)

NOTED

grand opening celebration was slated to take place Sept. 1.

Bold Construction

welcomed Megan Cone to its team as the selections coordinator and interior design expert. Megan, who has six years industry experience, earned a bachelor’s in construction management and interior design from East Carolina University.

OTHER NEWS The Chatham County Board of Commissioners approved on June 21 the recognition of Juneteenth as a county holiday beginning next year. Chatham County Commissioner Karen Howard expressed gratitude for her “fellow commissioners and supportive staff who helped to make this happen.”

Chatham County Parks and Recreation

is

planning a series of movie nights at the Park at Briar Chapel. The community is welcome to bring chairs or blankets to watch movies on Sept.10 at 8 p.m. and Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m.

As of July 1, Chatham County Public Libraries stopped charging late fees for

overdue library books and other borrowed materials to promote equitable access among residents in Chatham County.

Any previous late fees were waived for librarygoers. Chatham County Library Director Linda Clarke says the initiative has been long in the making. “We want Chatham County residents to know that everyone is welcome to the library and removing barriers to access is a primary goal,” she says.

More than 50 people pitched their camping tents at the Chatham 250

campout on the dam at B. Everett Jordan Lake on June 26. The Army Corps of Engineers hosted the event, which was sponsored by Central Electric Membership Corporation. Members of the Raleigh Astronomy Club gave campers stargazing lessons and Bynum Front Porch storyteller Cynthia Raxter entertained the group. The event also included cultural and nature programs, campfire singalongs with musician Eric Sommer and guided hikes and ranger programs with lake staff. Learn more about future Chatham 250 Passport activities at chatham250.com. CM

If you want to help children, invest in adult literacy.

The single greatest indicator of children’s success is the literacy level of their parents.

43% of adults with low literacy skills live in poverty.  36 million adults in the U.S. have low literacy skills. www.chathamliteracy.org facebook.com/chathamliteracy 919-742-0578

Break the cycle of poverty: Reach a child in need – Teach an adult to read. VOLUNTEER • SUPPORT • DONATE 14

CHATHAM MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

PEOPLE & PLACES

1 Zora Frazier, 4, Kim Henson and Raina Frazier, 4.

Fun in the Sun

2 Marc Russo and Eddie Kallam.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CC KALLAM

Smiling faces highlighted this year’s Summer Fest on the Fourth of July in downtown Pittsboro because it was one of the first major events held without a mask mandate. Some attendees danced to live music by The Dowdy Boys and 8-Track Minds while others hula-hooped. Vendors lined Hanks Street to sell arts and crafts or to share information about their local businesses. The Pittsboro Business Association hosted the outdoor event, which also included a beard contest and a waterslide. CM

3 Colton Cox, 1.

4 Kareem Smith, 11, and Patricia ReganAlston from Alston Chapel United Holy Church of America.

5 Calvin Weber, 7, and Astrid Weber, 6.

6 Cody Anderson.

7 The Dowdy Boys.

1

2

8 Fernando Lim, Carol Lim, Kathy Lim Wilson, Chase Wilson, 8, Ed Wilson and Luke Wilson, 10.

9 Bryan Thompson.

10 8-Track Minds.

11 Evelyn Hernandez, Selah Gordiano, 7, and Jennifer Gordiano.

12 Jacqueline Denmark.

4

13 Blane Warrene, Michelle Warrene, Jenny Chapman, Katara Lawson, 9, and Audrey Warrene.

6

3

5

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CHATHAM MAGAZINE

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PEOPLE & PLACES

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9

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CHATHAM MAGAZINE

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PEOPLE & PLACES

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1 In Good Heart Farm’s Ben Shields and Patricia Parker.

A Satisfying Meal

2 Haw River Mushrooms CEO Laura Stewart.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CC KALLAM

Local nonprofit Robin Hood’s Kitchen hosted a celebratory fundraiser dinner to toast to its efforts and accomplishments at the Southwind Retreat Center in Silk Hope on June 12. Community supper club Porch Light Raleigh presented a fourcourse meal showcasing local farms such as In Good Heart Farm, Little Way Farm, Haw River Mushrooms, Granite Springs Farm and The Plant Factory. The menu was prepared by different chefs, including Kamilah Baker, Kelly Burton and Sarah Sligh. Since November 2020, Robin Hood’s Kitchen has brought together farmers, chefs and businesses to produce delicious, ready-to-eat meals for people facing food insecurity. The organization has also encouraged people to be involved in their community gardens in both Lee and Chatham counties. CM 18

CHATHAM MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

3 Ivy Molina, 9, Darla Shoults and Maggie Chapman.

4 Danielle McComas and Sanford Community Garden Program Director Amanda Jones.

5 Chatham Marketplace Lead Grocer Maciek Krzysztoforski.

6 Mac Pullen, Karen Pullen, Maria Parker-Lewis and Greg Lewis.

7 Dave Klem and Joni Klem.

celebrating

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• Nestled in the heart of Pittsboro.

Cambridge Hills is a 90-Bed Assisted Living community with a 38-Bed Memory Care wing.

At Cambridge Hills, we are committed to delivering the highest level of care for the most competitive all-inclusive rates. Our goal is to ensure that each resident’s quality of life is enhanced by our amenities. We offer tastefully furnished private and semi-private rooms. Our residents are encouraged to decorate and personalize their rooms to make it like home.

We have an uncompromising commitment to resident satisfaction and the dignified treatment of all of our residents.

140 Brookstone Lane Pittsboro, NC

919 545 9573

• Home to more than 100 Seniors with a broad range of care needs.

INDEPENDENT LIVING

• Veteran and Female owned small business offering a Veteran’s Discount.

Twin Rivers Independent Living is a wonderful, family-friendly community for seniors who are able to lead independent social and physical lifestyles in their own residences.

We provide all meals and offer a robust social activities program.

• Proudly employing over 80 compassionate and professional caregivers.

• Enriching the lives of our residents with our Award-Winning Activities Team.

Twin Rivers offers a variety of floor plans focused on the unique needs of seniors. With only 31 apartments in the community, Twin Rivers feels like a cozy neighborhood where residents and staff become family. Our staff are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Each apartment has an Emergency On-Call System, providing our residents with peace of mind.

25 S. Rectory Street Pittsboro, NC

919 545 0149

PEOPLE & PLACES

The Lavatories of Lorax Lane Surrounded by dozens of county commissioners, business owners and beer connoisseurs on June 2, Pittsboro Mayor James W. Nass used an oversized pair of scissors to snip a ribbon of toilet paper to celebrate the completion of The Plant’s new stand-alone bathrooms. The gender-neutral bathrooms provide surprising details and embellishments by local artists, including County Commissioner Karen Howard, Janice Rieves, Marcela Slade, Maxi Molina and Gillian Corzine. Inside one lavatory, the entire toilet is painted in black-and-white motifs, and a bright orange wall exhibits a collage of images from Death Faire, The Plant’s annual festival examining the cultural beliefs and practices surrounding death and grieving. The other two privies pay homage to conservation and rock ’n’ roll – a nod to The Plant’s efforts to preserve nature as well as support local musicians through its concerts. CM

1 Taylor Hobbs, Mayor Nass, Tami Schwerin, Lyle Estill, Arlo Estill, Carmen Rice and John Rice.

2 Dan Deacon and John Poteat.

Thank you Chapel Hill for you r continu ous support!

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Visit us any time to see how we’re the best at hartandolive.com.

2021

THE GIVING

TREE CENTURY FARM ORCHARDS HELPS PRESERVE A LOCAL EDIBLE HEIRLOOM

BY MARIE MUIR

A display of apple varieties grown at Century Farm Orchards

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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

PHOTO COURTESY OF DAVID C. VERNON

A

unt Rachel is a woman of mystery, and her namesake doesn’t fall far from the tree – quite literally – according to Ben Shields, a Pittsboro-based farmer.

Ben and his partner, Patricia Parker, purchased 20 acres – which included 40 apple trees – in 2016 to create their own homestead called In Good Heart Farm. Ben, who grew up in Apple Valley in western Massachusetts, discovered a sweet surprise in his orchard – Aunt Rachel apples – a variety unique to Chatham County. It’s now one of Ben’s favorites thanks to the “Savior of Southern Apples,” Creighton Lee Calhoun, who documented and grew heirloom apples.

In Good Heart Farm was previously stewarded by the late Bill Dow of Ayrshire Farm – the first certified organic farm in North Carolina. “[Bill] planted much of the orchard almost 40 years ago with Lee Calhoun’s help,” Patricia says. “The two were friends.” Lee passed away last year, but he saw the value of heirloom apples and made it his life’s work to see

them revived. He wrote the book “Old Southern Apples,” which gives the history of more than 1,600 unique Southern apple varieties. A hardcover edition of this now out-of-print book can cost $300 on Amazon. In the following excerpt, Lee documents his discovery of the enigmatic Rachel apple: “I visited Roy Callum in my county, Chatham County, North Carolina, on Piney Grove Church Road. He gave me scions from a tree he called Aunt Rachel, which I later found growing in other places in the county under the name Rachel. It is a true Chatham County apple not grown elsewhere, but the story of its origin is apparently faded away. I still wonder about the identity of Rachel.”

The fruit of the Aunt Rachel tree ripens over several weeks in late July and early August. The fast-growing trees are disease resistant and produce juicy red apples with dark stripes and white flesh that tastes mildly tart – perfect for eating and cooking.

Lee handed down his life’s work and apple tree knowledge to David C. Vernon to continue cultivating heirloom apple trees in the South. David owns Century

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Farm Orchards in Reidsville, North Carolina and also educates people about the fruit’s multiple uses and how each native variety contributes to our local ecosystem’s healthy biodiversity.

To qualify as “heirloom,” an apple must date back to the 1920s or earlier.

This is when the U.S. transitioned from an agrarian workforce with farm lifestyles to an industrial workforce with urban lifestyles, and commercialsize fruit tree nurseries began mass producing homogeneous varieties of apples. Lee dedicated himself to preserving Southern apples from the period before factory farming.

Local residents were able to reserve their own heirloom apple trees from Century Farm Orchards

to commemorate Chatham’s semiquincentennial through the Plant A Tree for Chatham 250 project, and demand was high – the project sold out of its 180 tree bundles in just 10 days.

Chatham 250 committee member Hilary Pollan is hopeful that the trees planted this year will still be around for the county’s 300th anniversary.

“Century Farm Orchards is doing far more than propagating trees for Chatham 250,” Hilary says. “David is helping us learn about our county’s history and heritage so that we may carry it forward into the future.”

Although Chatham 250 is no longer selling the apple tree bundles, orders for trees can still be placed directly through centuryfarmorchards.com. CM

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F A L L

T R A V E L

GOTTA

GETAWAY FIND INSPIRATION FOR YOUR OWN FALL TRIPS AS A FEW OF OUR NEIGHBORS SHARE THEIR RECENT AND UPCOMING REGIONAL TRAVELS COMPILED BY RENEE AMBROSO

*Reponses have been edited for length and clarity The first place I traveled [to] since COVID-19 and my favorite place I travel to again and again is Surf City, North Carolina. Surf City is nestled in the center of Topsail Island.

This little beach has transformed itself in the last few years, so if you have not been in a while or if you have never been, head that way now! They replaced the [swinging] bridge with the new, expansive, 65-foot-high, $53 million bridge, which opened in 2018. It is a joy to see, drive over, bike or hike across. The views are spectacular, and from the top you can see the pier, shore, public parks, boardwalk, shopping areas, quaint restaurants and more. Surf City has many unique opportunities. Pop into The Fractured Prune for fresh, hot, custom-made doughnuts; walk on the pier and fish there or in the surf; go to the Ecological Marine Adventures’ Touch Tank Aquarium and experience nature close-up; sign up for surf school; or eat at Shaka Taco, the best 26

CHATHAM MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

taco stand I have ever visited. There is so much to see and do, so many shops, sweet spots, meals and deals, but to be honest, my favorite thing to do is just be on the beach, build sandcastles with my nephew, walk, listen to the surf and let the breeze blow my worries away.”

– Tracy Miller of Sanford with Clint Miller and granddaughter Avery Bates

I’m so happy that ... travel is possible again. For Memorial Day, my family and I traveled to Carolina Beach here in North Carolina and had an amazing time. It was also my oldest son, Dylan’s, 5th birthday, so it was an extra special treat for him. In August, my family and I traveled to Hilton Head Island in South Carolina for another short getaway. When we visit Carolina Beach, we enjoy playing on the beach, swimming in the pool, walking the boardwalk and visiting our favorite eateries. The Dive has amazing burgers, fries and wings. Havana’s Restaurant gives you an elegant cottage-style atmosphere with a mix of New Orleans-style dining. Latella Gelato has at least 30 different flavors of delicious gelato to choose from right on the boardwalk, and Olde Salty’s has some of the best fried fish and okra you’ll ever taste.”

– Karen Barbee of The Vineyards at Chatham Park with Dylan Barbee, 5, and Dario Barbee, 2

My parents and sister live in Wilmington, North Carolina, so we visited Wilmington a few times this spring and summer. My friends Tara Huss and April Montgomery and I have made a girls’ trip to Bryson City, North Carolina, for eight years in a row, but had to miss last year due to the pandemic. We spent a weekend at Lakeview at Fontana, a boutique hotel in the mountains. I met Tara and April in childbirth class, and when Tara moved to Nashville, Tennessee, we picked a spot in between to connect each year.”

– Dana Wicker Cantrell of Legacy at Jordan Lake with Tara Huss and April Montgomery CM

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You’ll find Orange County, NC hotels have in place many safety protocols and cleanliness standards that exceed the recommendations of their hotel brands to ensure guest safety. The standards were put in place in late spring 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

If it’s been a while since you’ve been in town, welcome back. The number and variety of lodging options in Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and Carrboro has grown. So, whether you’re coming for a game, a show, or a well-deserved break, you’re sure to find a place that lets you do you.

1 AC Hotel Chapel Hill Downtown www.marriott.com/rduah 214 West Rosemary Street Chapel Hill, NC 27516 (919) 969-2800

2 Aloft Chapel Hill

https://www.marriott.com/hotels/ travel/rducl-aloft-chapel-hill 1001 South Hamilton Road Chapel Hill, NC 27517 (919) 932-7772

3 The Carolina Inn www.carolinainn.com 211 Pittsboro Street Chapel Hill, NC 27516 (919) 933-2001

4 The Colonial Inn

www.colonialinn-nc.com 153 West King Street Hillsborough, NC 27278 (984) 789-4455

5 Courtyard by Marriott

https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/ rduch-courtyard-chapel-hill 100 Marriott Way Chapel Hill, NC 27517 (919) 883-0700

6 Graduate Chapel Hill Hotel www.graduatehotels.com/chapel-hill 311 West Franklin Street Chapel Hill, NC 27516 (919) 442-9000

7 Hampton Inn & Suites Chapel Hill/Carrboro Downtown

www.hilton.com/en/hotels/rducohxhampton-suites-chapel-hill-carrborodowntown 370 East Main Street, Unit 100 Carrboro, NC 27510 (919) 969-6988

8 Holiday Inn Express

www.hiexpress.com/hillsborough 202 Cardinal Drive Hillsborough, NC 27278 (919) 644-7997

9 Hyatt Place Chapel Hill/ Southern Village

www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/northcarolina/hyatt-place-chapel-hillsouthern-village/rduzc 3690 South Columbia Street Chapel Hill, NC 27517 (919) 929-9511

11 Quality Inn Chapel Hill

www.choicehotels.com/hotels/nc694 1740 North Fordham Boulevard Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (919) 701-5137

12 Residence Inn by Marriott Chapel Hill www.marriott.com/rduhl 101 Erwin Road Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (919) 933-4848

13 Sheraton Chapel Hill Hotel

www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/rduscsheraton-chapel-hill-hotel One Europa Drive Chapel Hill, NC 27517 (919) 968-4900

14 The Siena Hotel

www.marriott.com/rduak 1505 East Franklin Street Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (919) 929-4000

15 Tru by Hilton Chapel Hill (opening Fall 2021) www.hilton.com/en/tru 1742 Fordham Boulevard Chapel Hill, NC 27514

10 Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Hillsborough

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HILLSBOROUGH & CARRBORO For other accommodations, visit www.visitchapelhill.org/hotels

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F A L L

A R T S

ALL THE WORLD’S

A STAGE TWO YOUNG EMERGING ARTISTS DISCOVERED THE POWER OF PERFORMANCE AT PITTSBORO YOUTH THEATER

BY ANNA-RHESA VERSOLA

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON

asps are my favorite,” says India Nykamp. “Gasps are probably even better than chuckles.”

Jacqui Anthenien laughs in agreement as they discuss how to tell if an audience is a good crowd. “You’re listening for it,” Jacqui says about one memorable production. “Crickets.

There was nothing. I mean, nothing. And then there were the other two [shows] when someone somewhere chuckled. That’s all you need.”

These two Pittsboro Youth Theater alumni say their experiences in the company shaped their ambitions and inspired them to pursue social justice through their craft in college.

India returned this fall to Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York, for her sophomore year studying theater and production. Her first role was in a kindergarten play in Holly Springs, North Carolina. She moved to Pittsboro when she was 10 and was cast as the lead in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”

in 2012, PYT’s inaugural season.

“I’m an awful public speaker; I’m dreadful at school presentations [and] talking in class,” India says, amazed at her own ability to stand alone on stage to deliver dramatic monologues.

“Adrenaline, that’s all theater really is … doing what you’re terrified of. … It’s a source of strength for me.”

India and Jacqui, both graduates of Northwood High School’s drama program, note the “healthy high” and other intangible benefits of escaping into a character in addition to drawing lessons from productions that aided their own personal growth.

Jacqui is back on campus at the University of Michigan for her sophomore year and is considering a double major in biochemistry – she wants to become a medical examiner – and theater. She’s also a member of the RC Players, a student-run theater group.

“In a perfect world where money is not an issue, I would totally just act,” Jacqui says. “I love it. I love the sciences ... I love anatomy, ... but theater makes me feel alive.”  SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

India Nykamp and Jacqui Anthenien stand on stage inside Pittsboro Youth Theater where they pursued a passion for performance.

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PYT founders Tammy Matthews and Craig Witter have cast more than 1,000 local kids ages 6 to 18 in well over 100 productions and performances in the last decade. In 2017, the couple established the Center for the Arts and Sweet Bee Theater, Pittsboro’s only public theater, located downtown on East Salisbury Street. They founded the Social Justice Theater of the Carolinas under the umbrella of Center for the Arts the following year and oversaw an ensemble production of “columbinus,” a drama about the Colorado students at the center of the fatal shootings at Columbine High School.

Tammy says she and Craig decide which plays to produce based on the pool of talent available to them. “Mainly for India, we did ‘The Glass Menagerie,’ because I knew she had deeper, more interesting work, and boy, she rose to the challenge,” Tammy says. She remembers

a wardrobe malfunction just before India was due on stage. “Her dress broke backstage, and there was no fixing it,” Tammy says. “Literally, she pulled a shawl that happened to be hanging on a rack.

I think it was more of a large tablecloth.

She threw it around her shoulders and went on stage and acted like that was the way it was supposed to be. It reminded me of Scarlett O’Hara with the curtains [in ‘Gone with the Wind’]. And then she went through ‘columbinus,’ and for her to really attack that part and take it on in such a meaningful way, that was the pinnacle of [her talents emerging].”

Tammy first met Jacqui a few years ago during auditions for the musical “Into the Woods” and saw her grow as an actor with every role she took. “She just shined,” Tammy says. “But the pinnacle was playing a serial killer, a murderer, in ‘columbinus’ and doing it with such amazing ability.

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Help us nurture creative thinkers in Chatham County. Join us to celebrate local artists at our JumpstART event on Nov. 7! Details to come.

www.ChathamArtsCouncil.org

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FALL ARTS

[Jacqui’s] probably one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met; [the character] was the antithesis of her actual personality.” “‘columbinus’ was an incredibly influential show on my life,” India says.

“It completely shifted what I thought theater could be. … I want the things that I produce or perform or create to have some kind of impact in the way that ‘columbinus’ did for me and the community.”

Jacqui was similarly affected by the play, and she joined a campus project in Michigan that brings together college students and formerly incarcerated individuals to create a sense of community through the arts.

“I think art is incredibly important for self-expression,” Jacqui says. “Especially for those who have all other avenues of selfexpression on lockdown. I think that going through ‘columbinus’ really opened me up to moving into those social justice avenues.”

India and Jacqui performed “columbinus” in March 2020, just days before the pandemic shut everything down, which added another element of complexity to the weight of the heavy drama. “And speaking of the pandemic, not having theater for over a year has affected me in ways that I cannot describe,” India says. “Because the escapism is gone, and I’m finally having to confront myself. I drew a lot of strength and pride from [theater]. And without it, I didn’t know who I was fully.”

India’s experience with PYT came full circle when she returned as a camp counselor this summer. “It’s very interesting how me and Jacqui are basically the people setting the precedent,” India says.

“We’re the people who finished to the end, graduated and then moved on. It’s crazy for me to think that it all began in the little community house.” CM

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F A L L

A R T S

LET’S GET

CRE ATIVE MEET FOUR RECIPIENTS OF CHATHAM ARTS COUNCIL’S NEW JUMPSTART GRANT, WHICH HELPS CHATHAM COUNTY ARTISTS AND ARTS WORKERS GET BACK TO WORK AND CREATE ART FOR PUBLIC SPACES

BY CHIARA EVANS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON

MURAL MAGIC

B

ritt Flood’s

colorful works are meant to inspire love and trust. She focuses on human connection by capturing the spirit of a scene or person rather than precise details.

“My public art is an outlet for the positive, joyous moments that I want to share with people,” Britt says.

She grew up in the area, moving back and forth between Cary and Apex. Britt

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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

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Britt works at home on her “mobile mural,” an 8-by-8 foam wall on wheels that can be easily moved around. It faces her street, so people can see it as they drive by.

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FALL ARTS

landed in Pittsboro after completing her bachelor’s degree at Appalachian State.

She found a secluded cabin in Chatham’s woods, which provides inspiration for her darker, more intimate paintings on canvas. Britt says living here also inspires her work in terms of color, and she often uses shades of green in her paintings.

Britt’s murals differ from her canvas pieces because they often prompt interactions between her and passersby.

Some may stop and admire her gold flowers popping against purple paint while tossing pennies in the painted water fountain at Raleigh’s North Hills shopping center.

“I often joke and like to hand out a paintbrush and see if they want to make a mark on the mural,” Britt says. “I love getting that feedback and interaction with the community specifically through public art.”

One of Britt’s current commissions is from Arts Everywhere and UNC Research for an interior mural at the office of UNC Research at Carolina Square. The mural will depict hands that mirror Michelangelo’s “The Creation of Adam,” as well as a double helix and paintbrush strokes to illustrate a connection between the humanities and science. At press time, the work was set to be completed in August.

Looking ahead, Britt dreams of placing a mural on a Chatham water tower.

“My main goal in public art is, when people see my work, they literally stop in their tracks, they forget about their day job or the traffic that they’re in, and they just have this moment of wonder or awe,” Britt says. “I just want to give people a little bit of light and love in their day.” 

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2021

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FALL ARTS

BRIGHT AND BOLD

to New York in 2005 to pursue a career in the arts, and his desire for a fresh perspective brought him to North ou’ll find both natural elements and Carolina in 2016. He says he appreciates human-made objects – think nails, our community’s support of artists and chains or various metals – infused values “how they encourage artists to be into Alexander Percy’s threeartists,” while also sharing his gratitude dimensional pieces. His art ranges from for funds he’s received from the Chatham jewelry to multidimensional paintings to Arts Council’s Chatham Artist & Artssculptures. “The fact that we have 360 Worker Relief Effort during the pandemic. degrees to create something beautiful, not Alexander’s artwork combines just something that you can hang on the inspiration from his life in Chatham with wall, is why my paintings have this look his Latino background, like his sculptures with texture,” Alexander says. made from wood he finds at Jordan Lake and the vibrant hues of yellow, red, blue The Moncure resident grew up in Puerto Rico, and art gave him a “second and green in his paintings that are a nod chance in life,” he says. “I feel I owe to his Latino roots. where I’m at in life to the arts, and it’s Still, Alexander leaves interpretation what I use as a therapy. It gives me of his works in the eye of the beholder. this sense of release and “I like to create this playful satisfaction once I’ve finished game between the viewer and Alexander and a piece.” the painting every time they his daughter, Alexander earned a are in front of my artwork,” Nayeli Percy, 9, paint in his bachelor’s degree in fine arts he says. studio behind and an associate degree in Alexander’s art and jewelry their house where the jewelry design and advanced can be viewed on Instagram walls display painting at the University of at alexanderpercy_art and both their Puerto Rico. He immigrated cataleyajewelrystudio.  work.

Y

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FALL ARTS

THOUGHT PROVOKER

W

endy Spitzer’s art exists across

a variety of mediums, from documentaries to collages to audio recordings. Her visual art holds an audience’s attention, encouraging them to keep looking at a piece to spot new details.

She creates two-dimensional collages by playing with color, shapes and depth.

Wendy’s audio projects, accessible on her website, create immersive experiences for participants. One example is “Pieces of Grief” – a combination of music, voicemails and interviews that explore emotions following a loss – which is meant to be heard while walking out in nature, specifically along a path outlined by Wendy at Durant Nature Preserve in Raleigh.

The Canadian-born artist majored in oboe performance at UNC before playing electric bass in local ensembles. She began producing music under the pseudonym Felix Obelix and later pursued visual art, attending graduate school at the University of London where she wrote a master’s thesis on creative collaboration.

Wendy explores realms of interdisciplinary art as an “inquirybased” artist. Her current project, “Walk, Chat and Response,” evolved from wondering, “What would happen if I gave people this opportunity to talk for an hour about whatever they wanted during a time when connection is especially difficult to manifest?”

“All of my projects start with some kind of a question,” she says. “And the project then usually evolves from answering that question.”

In January, Wendy began taking walks while talking on the phone with several acquaintances. Afterward, she’d illustrate paintings that evoked the emotions and details of the conversation.

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Wendy finds collaboration yields “more interesting, more universally impactful work because more perspectives are integrated into it.” She considers working with other creatives or peers as a “hallmark” of her practice. Wendy creates the final product, but she considers projects like “Walk, Chat and Response” and “Pieces of Grief” participatory pieces. The individuals with whom she spoke to on the phone helped bring the piece to fruition.

“I’m interested in this third thing that happens when creative people, or really any two collaborators, start working on something together,” Wendy says. “I’m really interested in exploring how that process happens and also how the process of collaboration gets reflected in the final art output.” 

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

Wendy sources items for her collages from old books. Her dress is from Screaming for Vintage, a shop in downtown Pittsboro.

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FALL ARTS

TRUTH BE TOLD

Brenda plays at the B. Everett Jordan Dam and Lake, a location she says resonates with her style of music.

M

usic holds mystery and nuance for Pittsboro-based musician and writer Brenda Linton.

“People hold on to a lot of secrets, both good and bad,” Brenda says.

“If an artist is daring enough to write about their own secrets, [they can] help listeners and readers feel hopeful and realize they’re not alone in dealing with the difficult parts of life. We have a hard time talking about those without feelings of shame or regret.”

The singer/writer discovered her passion by listening to folk, classical and big band jazz, but Celtic music draws her attention to the timbre and resonance in a voice.

She loves the haunting melodies of the style, especially sung a capella. “[The] Irish [have a] talent for telling stories that

make ordinary events seem magical,” says Brenda, who is of mostly German descent.

Brenda released two albums over the course of her career and collaborated with myriad other artists – even performing with a heavy metal band in London.

She frequently toys with or questions boundaries, privacy and intimacy within her music and written works, hoping it encourages others to be open in sharing their deepest feelings. Her work is a direct product of her experiences, which she says have been shaped by the Chatham community, where she is the music director for Pittsboro Youth Theater, performs with Chatham Community Players and teaches private music lessons to kids of all ages – her current cohort is aged 8 to 15.

The Washington, North Carolina, native moved to Bynum in 1989 and now lives in Pittsboro where she’s working on her

2021

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We have a hard time talking about those without feelings of shame or regret,” – Brenda Linton

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

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FALL ARTS

newest project – a personal memoir. Named for her coastal roots as well as some of her more calamitous experiences, “Hurricanes and Other Natural Disasters” is a collection of essays about life lessons – those “aha moments,” as Brenda calls them. The JumpstART grant she received from the Chatham Arts Council allowed Brenda to take time off from other projects in August to focus on her book.

“I’m a proud Chathamite,” she says. “It’s got everything and everybody. We have such a rich heritage and plethora of artists. To live in a small community that has this much art, it’s just extraordinary.”

Brenda is working on putting together a group of musicians to perform as the house band for Chatham Community Players’ “Who’s Happy Now,” a dark comedy set in an East Texas small-town bar set to debut in spring 2022. She’s also organizing a community concert and dance party this fall where she plans to play her music with a band alongside other regional performers to celebrate “the progress we’ve made to date, honor those we have lost and be inspired to work together to finally defeat COVID-19,” she says.

“It’s like coming home after a long journey and being able to see and spend time with the people who enrich your life,” Brenda says. – by Brooke Spach CM

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LET IT BREATHE FireClay Cellars, the only

commercial vineyard in Chatham County, harvests every ripened cluster of grapes by hand in August and September. About 7 of its 17 acres produce several varieties of white and red grapes that are crushed and fermented for up to three years in the sleek, on-site production facility. Sue Mitran, a co-owner of the vineyard, hosts a weekly wine club in the tasting room, which overlooks the farm’s south-facing slope off of Bowers Store Road between Pittsboro and Siler City.

Photo by John Michael Simpson CM

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FALL ARTS

Samantha Lask, Megan Cheney, Phyllis Carapella, Barbara Pitta, Zoann Adams, Jean Watkins and Eileen Williams on FireClay’s inviting front porch.

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F O O D

&

D R I N K

FETCHING

COCKTAILS DROP IN TO THE NEW ULTI-MUTT HANGOUT IN DOWNTOWN PITTSBORO

BY MATTHEW LARDIE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON

T

he inspiration behind The

Beagle – a new cocktail bar

in downtown Pittsboro – was really quite simple.

“We wanted a place to hang out, eat delicious food and enjoy cocktails with friends. One that was walking distance from our house!” says co-owner Leslie Cox. She and her husband, chef Brendan Cox, also own Oakleaf, a high-end restaurant in Carrboro, and

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Brendan Cox and Leslie Cox, owners of The Beagle.

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ABOVE Ian Spotz, Barclay Spotz and Diamond Ferguson enjoy drinks The Beagle’s bar.

RIGHT Chef de cuisine Robert Hicks prepares small plates for customers.

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CHATHAM MAGAZINE

their latest endeavor adds to Pittsboro’s growing nightlife scene with a relaxing place to gather over craft cocktails and curated small plates.

“We love the town. And we were incredibly sad for Oakleaf to leave Pittsboro three years ago,” Leslie says.

“We had actually looked at The Beagle space 10 years ago when we were first looking for a location for Oakleaf, and we adored the tiny, historic building. But the space was too small to be a restaurant so we kept looking. When the space at 53 Hillsboro St. became available again, we just couldn’t resist it.”

The entrepreneurial couple says the continued development of the area prompted their decision to open The Beagle this summer.

“Now is the time to make moves to create a downtown area that is vibrant, inviting and provides entertainment opportunities,” she insists.

The Beagle offers a range of both classic and innovative SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

drinks, with mainstays like the French 75, Boulevardier and a gin rickey found alongside original creations such as The Retriever (a whiskycitrus punch accented by warming baking spices) and The Bird Dog (a country ham wash Old-Fashioned with rosemary, orange and maple syrup).

When it comes to nosh, Leslie and Brendan built a menu based on not having a full kitchen and focused on what they enjoy – like chilled seafood, local vegetables and a selection of sandwiches. There’s an entire charcuterie section as well, including a whole menu dedicated to artisanal country hams.

As the year goes on, Leslie says The Beagle will be involved with the community and offer new opportunities for customers. “We are excited for lots of great events at The Beagle,” she says, “cocktail classes, wine tastings, holiday parties and partnering with local animal rescues and shelters to make life better for animals and people.” CM

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BY HANNAH LEE

iler City’s

first and only brewery came about simply – thanks to alcohol.

“It’s how most great ideas happen,” says Brandon Russell.

He and his father, Steve Russell, founded 580 Craft Beer, the first retail craft beer bottle shop in Pittsboro. They were

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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

approached by longtime homebrewer Eric Stevens and beer aficionado Christopher Hackney to launch Thirsty Skull Brewing in 2018. It wasn’t long before the idea had legs, and the four coowners acquired the former Cackalacky building at 915 N. 2nd Ave. early last year.

They began renovation of the space in September 2020.

Inside the taproom’s orange and gray walls, 16 taps will pour traditional

Steve Russell, Eric Stevens, Christopher Hackney and Brandon Russell outside their new location.

brews – think Pilsners, India pale ales and lagers – all of which were originally concocted by head brewmaster Eric, who has extensive homebrewing expertise and experience working with major breweries in the Raleigh area.

“Getting the taproom has been the biggest step up for us,” Eric says. “Not having that has been really tough the last couple of years.” Once furniture arrives, the taproom will seat up to 30 people inside with additional seating outdoors.

Despite the wait for a storefront, the microbrewery was named a favorite locally crafted beverage by our readers in the 2021 Best of Chatham poll.

Locals can typically find Thirsty Skull beer at The Modern Life Deli & Drinks, ODDCO, Fair Game Beverage Co., 580 Craft Beer and House of Hops. Its brews

have become a mainstay at notable Chatham events like Summer Fest and PepperFest. And the inspiration behind its distinctive logo – a skull with a mouth ferociously wide open – came from North Carolina folklore about a giant, muscular man who claimed to be “tougher than a train” and would perform feats of strength in exchange for a drink.

“Obviously, that didn’t work out too well,” Eric says. “The train ran over him, but the ghost story goes that his skull can be visible on the railroad tracks. … We just thought it was a great name. It lends itself well to what we’re doing.”

“Everyone’s always thirsty for beer,” Chris laughs. “And everyone has a skull.” CM

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O N

T H E

F A R M

BLOOM

WHERE YOU’RE PLANTED A YOUNG COUPLE EXPLORES THEIR AGRICULTURAL AMBITIONS WITH THE HELP OF TWO LONGTIME FARMERS

BY ANNA-RHESA VERSOLA | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON

T

aij Cotten and Victoria

Carolina Community College and began

Edwards-Cotten quit their

their search for the perfect farm where they could learn on the job.

“So that’s when Taij and Victoria and little Carleigh came driving up the driveway,” says Cathy Jones of Perry-winkle Farm, a property located just south of the Orange-Chatham county line along White Cross Road that she’s owned since 1984.

“And then we started hearing their story.

“They had the desire,” Cathy says, adding that only a few of their former employees went on to become farmers.

jobs in the restaurant industry because they wanted something different – not just a job, but a lifestyle they could share with their kids.

“We wanted to farm, but we knew nothing about farming,” Victoria says. “No one in our family farms.” The Pittsboro natives enrolled in the sustainable agriculture program at Central

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ON THE FARM

“We knew their hearts were totally there. And [those are] my favorite people to farm with.”

Taij says part of his motivation to farm is to provide organically grown vegetables for their daughter, Carleigh, now 7, and son, Titus, 2. Taij originally trained at CCCC to be a barber, but realized he wanted to be outdoors. Victoria, on the other hand, studied forestry at N.C. State University and always knew she didn’t want a desk job. Both were ready to embrace the physicality of farming.

aware every day that I am lucky to be able to do what I’m doing.

We are above the average age of the farmers in America. I really believe that Taij and Victoria are giving us an opportunity to farm longer.”

Cathy says the mentoring and advice she and Michael give Taij and Victoria is similar to coaching. “But that’s part of being an employer: You have to teach people how to do a job,” she says. “Otherwise, you’re right back there redoing everything. If we’re out transplanting, I’m going to talk about moving your body in a certain way. I think that’s part of just being a supervisor or a teacher.”

The relationship is mutually beneficial. Taij and Victoria bring a contemporary element to farming – social media and Google. “They don’t have an iPhone,” Victoria points out.

“They didn’t grow up with all the technology. It’s not second nature for them.”

Both couples genuinely enjoy working side by side. Taij and Victoria consider Perry-winkle Farm their second home and think of Cathy and Michael as more than mentors.

“They’re Farm-ma and Farm-pa,” Taij says with a grin.

“They’re farm-ily.”

Cathy admits she and Michael avoid hiring couples or anyone with young children because breakups and illnesses can disrupt business continuity in

BODY CONSCIOUS

“Y

ou’re always trying to keep up that certain stamina,” Victoria says of the daily dawn-todusk weeding, planting and harvesting. Cathy remembers when Victoria was eight months pregnant with Titus and still working the fields.

The physical demands of farming is a major topic of conversation at agriculture conferences Cathy attends. The 71-year-old former softball player, along with her husband, Michael Perry, 68, a former brick mason and athlete, have learned to use – and protect – their working bodies.

“We’re realistic enough to know that we are one illness or one shattering injury away from not being able to do what we’re doing,” Cathy says. “Michael says that I live in la-la land. I’m 56

CHATHAM MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

Victoria Edwards-Cotten and Taij Cotten work side by side with owners Michael Perry and Cathy Jones in a bed of celosia at Perrywinkle Farm.

ON THE FARM

the middle of a season. The Cottens have been the exception since 2018.

“We love Taij and Victoria, and we want to do whatever we can to keep them happy and keep them here working with us,” Cathy says, adding that she and Michael would have to give up farming without their young apprentices. “We’re not going back and training teenagers again. No.”

FARMING WHILE BLACK

T

aij and Victoria were unaware of the stigma and historical land loss among Black farmers until they met Tahz Walker, a senior program manager for the Farmers of Color Network at the Rural

Advancement Foundation International–USA

based in Pittsboro.

“Our history of farming is the day we started until now,” Taij says. “When we reached out [to Tahz] we kind of got

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57

ON THE FARM

immersed into the Black farming world and urban farming and land loss. It was kind of overwhelming and depressing, and that made us look at it like, ‘Do we really want to farm?’”

Cathy and Michael listen and nod their heads as Taij and Victoria talk about their concerns about being Black farmers, especially in a rural area. “If you’re a Black farmer, it was compared to slavery so much that you didn’t want to farm as a Black kid growing up,” Taij says. “You wanted to get out of the country.” Victoria agrees that she also hoped to live in a more urban setting, but they kept finding themselves back in Chatham.

“This is home,” Victoria says. “We’re in a farming mecca. There are farms everywhere. And people just kept welcoming us.”

Both couples are grateful for serendipity.

At Perry-winkle Farm, Taij and Victoria

Victoria EdwardsCotten and Taij Cotten consider Michael Perry and Cathy Jones more than mentors. They are “farm-ily.”

can live the life they imagine for themselves and their growing family, which includes Cathy and Michael.

“When you get here, the world just kind of melts away and it’s like, OK, we’re here to do this,” Victoria says, turning to Taij as they say in unison, “together.” CM

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JUST BREW IT

BY MATTHEW LARDIE

I

f you think that after 14 years the folks at Carolina Brewery in Pittsboro would be content with their success, to just sit on their laurels (or hops, as it were), you’d be dead wrong. The brewery continues to expand with a new look, a renovated outdoor dining area and a brandnew brew to boot.

“We took the time during COVID-19 to take a hard look in the mirror,” says owner Robert Poitras. He and his team came away with an idea for a whole rebranding campaign that included introducing a new can design inspired by the Carolina coast, a partnership as the exclusive beer of the North Carolina Coastal Federation (a percentage of sales supports the nonprofit’s mission) and a refit of the outdoor dining patio.

Renovations include the installation of a garage door that opens onto a new patio, a boon for the restaurant during

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the pandemic. “Our customers have really enjoyed having the outdoor space,” Robert says. There are plans to expand a second patio out back with an additional bar and another new garage door.

The new beer on tap – the Costero Mexican Lager – a 4.5% alcohol-by-volume brew was inspired by coastal summertime drinking and has been so popular it will be offered year-round.

With anticipated development in Chatham, Robert and his team broadened their catering operations, including a mobile beer van complete with taps on the side, to serve events like weddings. They continue to partner with local organizations like Chatham Animal Rescue & Education for monthly dog-friendly “Yappy Hour,” and they’re bringing back the annual oyster roast in November. As Robert says, “We’re excited about the Pittsboro growth around us.” 

Waitress Cassey Carnes serves Shamar Wilson and his mom, Shamekia Brown, plates packed with Carolina Brewery barbecue, a readers’ favorite.

T

Favorite Barbecue Allen & Son Bar-B-Que Carolina Brewery Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q Favorite Craft Beverage Producer Carolina Brewery Chatham Cider Works Fair Game Beverage Co. Starrlight Mead Thirsty Skull Brewing Favorite Kid-Friendly Restaurant Carolina Brewery The Root Cellar Cafe & Catering S&T’s Soda Shoppe Town Hall Burger & Beer Favorite Outdoor Dining Breakaway Cafe Carolina Brewery The Modern Life Deli & Drinks Postal Fish Company Favorite Place for a Beer 580 Craft Beer Carolina Brewery The City Tap House of Hops Favorite Place to Watch the Game Carolina Brewery House of Hops The Modern Life Deli & Drinks Town Hall Burger & Beer

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

CHATHAM MAGAZINE

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BEST OF CHATHAM

THE GOOD DIRT

BY MATTHEW LARDIE

S

ometimes you just need to get your hands dirty, and for Maine native Kristin Bulpitt, that compulsion led her to a whole new career as a farmer and chef.

“At one point in my life, I worked in a terribly stressful corporate job. It was everything I swore I would never do,” Kristin says. “And yet there I was, because it’s hard to walk away from a paycheck.”

In 2008, Kristin found herself turning to gardening for stress relief. “It was always a place I went to to get my hands in the

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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

dirt and be completely immersed in the world I loved, and miraculously, I was able to pull beautiful vegetables out of all of that,” she says. Six years later, Kristin moved to Pittsboro and started to farm on her own land. She founded Copeland Springs Farm & Kitchen at The Plant on Lorax Lane in 2018 as a way to grow her love of gardening and healthy eating while serving her community.

“I realized that I wanted to help people be healthy through access to nutritious food,” she explains. “Not everyone has the ability, the skills, the time or the desire to cook or prepare nutritious food. So farming and opening a kitchen became a way to provide access to healthy food however people might want it.”

The kitchen part of the farm serves up a meatless menu of items like greens and grain bowls, freshly baked breads, salads and quiches, all using ingredients grown on the 1.5-acre site. “I’ve been vegetarian since eighth grade so I really know no other way to prepare food,” Kristin says.

“One of the most satisfying things to hear from our customers, and we hear it a lot, is ‘I’m not a vegetarian, but I could be if all the food was this good.’”

The kitchen is open Thursday and Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., ABOVE Saturday from noon to 7 Copeland p.m. and Sunday from noon Springs Farm to 6 p.m., and produce box & Kitchen Chef Kristin Bulpitt subscriptions are available, to and Kitchen be picked up at the farm.

Manager Melissa When it comes to the future, Hegarty build Kristin is keeping things flexible a Cocozelle due to the pandemic, but, she Bowl with veggies (left) says, “I have a lot of plans for picked from expansion in a few different the garden just yards away. directions.” She’s not ready to divulge her secrets just yet, but rest assured, she isn’t going anywhere. “I don’t plan on leaving,” she laughs. “It’s a great spot to be.” 

BEST OF CHATHAM

Favorite Chef Colin Bedford, The Fearrington House Restaurant Kristin Bulpitt, Copeland Springs Farm & Kitchen Sera Cuni, The Root Cellar Cafe & Catering Benjamin Guaman, Governors Club Angelina Kay, Angelina’s Kitchen Favorite Place for Vegetarians Angelina’s Kitchen Breakaway Cafe Copeland Springs Farm & Kitchen The Root Cellar Cafe & Catering

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

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BEST OF CHATHAM

THE SWEET SPOT

BY GRACE MILLER

Yeraldyn, who worked with Jodi for three years at The Phoenix Bakery, manages social media and customer service for Cravings. She moved to Pittsboro when she was in middle school and remembers her own experiences of walking home through downtown after getting out of class at Horton to get ice cream from S&T’s Soda Shoppe. “I would like to be a trusted destination for kids to walk to [in] town, like I did,” she says. “A place to go and get a treat and see friends.

Hopefully they will have fond memories of Cravings for years to come!”

Iliana worked at the bakery for a year under Danielle, the previous manager.

She focuses on baking and business development and recently made the move from Sanford to Pittsboro. “I really like alk into Carolina Cravings Co. and the community,” she says. “It’s very you’ll hear the industrial mixer friendly, … and I love the downtown.” humming along as Yeraldyn Yeraldyn and Iliana also have a booth Martinez and Iliana Escalante fill at the Chatham Mills Farmers Market on shelves with baked goods. Treats like Saturday mornings as a way to further pan dulce and café con leche that stir up connect with locals. They want customers childhood memories of family and fun “not to come and get treats, but to get for Yeraldyn, like the mornings that she treated,” Yeraldyn says. She adds that would often spend with her grandparents the recent addition of a freezer chest will in Zacatecas, Mexico. allow them to sell more beverages. “We Yeraldyn and Iliana took over the are trying to expand it with coffee,” business in February from previous she says. They are also toying with the partners Jodi Hackney of The possibility of developing a Phoenix Bakery, Jimmy Stubbs restaurant with savory food Winning a readers’ of Allen & Son Bar-B-Que and options, like tacos, as well as favorite award Danielle Rose. The baking duo adding indoor seating. for desserts continue to create the original Their lives continue to and pastries is just icing on recipes of the shop – the popular grow both professionally the strawberry pie bars, muffins and no-bake and personally – Iliana is tres leches cake (left) peanut butter-chocolate cookies, expecting her first child for Carolina among others – in addition to – and the pair are excited Cravings treats like flan, bolillos, tres about the bakeshop’s future.

Co. owners Yeraldyn leches cake and conchas that “Everything keeps on falling Martinez and are familiar in Spanish-speaking into place at the right time,” Iliana Escalante (right). communities.

Yeraldyn says. 

W

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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

BEST OF CHATHAM Favorite Desserts/ Pastries Carolina Cravings Co. The Phoenix Bakery The Root Cellar Cafe & Catering Willy’s Cinnamon Rolls Etc.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021

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BEST OF CHATHAM

EVERYBODY WAS KUNG FU FIGHTING

BY ELIZABETH EGAN

M

9, are enrolled in lessons at the gym, artial arts has never been about and sometimes help out with classes the belts for Chris Heintzman of alongside other advanced students. The Seven Star Kung Fu Academy. It’s gym has grown into a kind of extended about self-discipline. family. “Our other instructor, Jolon “We aren’t a belt factory, and we don’t Spachtholz, is a really kind and funny just churn out belts,”says Chris, the guy,” Chris says. “Everyone at the gym “sifu,” or teacher, at the academy. “To loves him. He has been with me for over advance, you really have to work hard, 20 years and has become like another and it takes time. When the kids get that son to me and Leslie.” belt, it really means something, and they Chris wants to focus on continuing to know they earned it.”

As a 13-year-old growing up in Detroit, build that community, so trial classes are offered to interested students. “I never movies inspired Chris to imitate martial want to force people to take classes arts moves. He would fight with other or be like a car salesman,” he says. kids at school, but after joining martial “I want them to take classes because arts classes, his self-discipline and selfthey connect with instructors, and it’s confidence improved – and he stopped something they really want to do. I’ve getting into trouble. had kids who come into their first class Chris, who has a bachelor’s degree in crying because they don’t want to do it, finance from Michigan State University, and then by the time their parents come studied and competed in several different to get them, they’re laughing and smiling forms of martial arts. He first opened a and say they can’t wait to come back.” gym in 2010 in Fayetteville, where he studied with Grand Master David Chin, head of the Tibetan Hop Gar system.

Leslie is the friendly face welcoming Chris now teaches this form of martial students to the “kwoon,” arts at Seven Star.

Leslie Heintzman, Chris’ or training hall. Though she ABOVE LEFT wife and a teacher at Seven didn’t grow up with martial Dag shows off his own kung fu Star, says her husband was arts, she regularly takes skills. teaching members of the kickboxing and tai chi classes LEFT Leslie, military, but deployments were at the gym and provides Chris, Maximus disruptive. The Chapel Hillinstruction when needed. and Dag. based couple opened a fitness Students call her “simo,” RIGHT Chris school three years ago in the meaning teacher-mother, leads a Hop Gar Chatham Crossing Shopping which is a term of respect Kung Fu class at Seven Star Kung Center. Students from ages 4 for the wife of the sifu. She’s Fu Academy. to 85 take classes in Chinese also a baker and sells her Sari mixed martial arts, kung fu, Sari Sweets at the Carrboro tai chi, kickboxing, qi gong, Farmers Market. submission grappling for Leslie was adopted from adults and more. the Philippines and grew up in The Heintzmans’ two Roanoke, Virginia, where she sons, Dag, 13, and Maximus, was one of only a few Asian

‘FULL CIRCLE’

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BEST OF CHATHAM

children at her school. “The other day I was thinking about how, my whole life, people always assumed I did martial arts because I was Asian and I always got mad about it, and now I’m married to a Caucasian martial artist,” she says, laughing. “It was just a full circle moment.”

Leslie encourages all women, especially young girls, to take classes to help build confidence and, if needed, to protect themselves.

“There’s a difference between thinking you can protect yourself and actually

having the ability to defend yourself,” she says. “Having those skills in your body, even if you only do martial arts for a year, you still have that muscle memory, and your body knows what it’s like to fight.”

Chris echoes the sentiment. “Martial arts is beneficial for kids for so many reasons, like improving self-confidence and self-discipline, especially as many are returning to in-person school for the first time in over a year and may be worried about making friends or a variety of things,” he says. “Martial arts can make them more self-assured.”  SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

Favorite Sports Club/Fitness Facility Chatham YMCA Duke Center for Living at Fearrington Seven Star Kung Fu Academy Wellness Center at Governors Club

CHATHAM MAGAZINE

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BEST OF CHATHAM

SETTING UP SHOP

Favorite New Business Hart & Olive Real Estate Group

BY RENEE AMBROSO

The Sycamore at Chatham Mills

C

olorful art covers the walls and handpainted pottery fills the shelves at Tienda Hispana El Rayo in downtown Pittsboro, along with foodstuffs like pan dulce, fresh tortillas, candy and popsicles. Owners Jimmy Garcia and Tanya Garcia opened the shop on Oct. 16, 2020, as a way to connect their familial roots in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, and in Chatham County.

“We hope that when you step inside that you experience a little bit of what we love about Latinx culture,” Tanya explains.

The couple says they struggled in the past year with vendor and supply chain issues, having difficulty placing high minimum orders that larger chain stores can meet. “We work really hard to get every piece for our customers,” Tanya says. “And it means that much more when someone gets excited when they find an item they love.”

Another challenge Tanya and Jimmy face is getting the word out about their shop. Their social media accounts increase visibility, and the posts show people what’s in store – literally – when they stop

by El Rayo. Despite a bumpy start last year, Tanya says, “we are most excited to hit our first birthday. That’s a huge accomplishment.”

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Supply chain issues delayed the opening of the new True Value Hardware General store on East Street in Pittsboro by several months, according to executive manager Raj Narayana. “Our families and friends stepped in and worked together in getting this set up,” Raj says, adding that support from town and county staff made it possible to open the store.

The aisles are stocked with power tools, batteries, paint and grills; Raj says the store also has offerings from area craftspeople, artists and vendors.

He says they hope to add more locally made products in the next year as well as a tool rental center.

The pandemic presented a different challenge for Chanel Hart D’Aprix, broker and owner of Hart & Olive Real Estate Group – launching a new business and home schooling her three sons: August, Casmir, 10, and Preston, 8.

“Lots of things shut down in [the spring] of 2020, but real estate wasn’t one of them,” Chanel says. “It was and continues to be important to stay on top of this evershifting real estate market to ensure my clients … are receiving as much up-to-date information as possible.”

Chanel and her husband, Ford D’Aprix, have lived at The Preserve at Jordan Lake for 10 years. Now, Hart & Olive serves

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

Tienda Hispana El Rayo True Value Hardware General

BEST OF CHATHAM

as the listing firm for Corbett Landing, a 116-house community near Bynum, as well as a neighborhood in Alamance County. “I love helping buyers and sellers as life has created a time for them to transition [to a new home]. … It doesn’t feel like work.”

The husband-and-wife team behind The Sycamore at Chatham Mills also saw the pandemic impact their opening plans. Greg Lewis and Maria Parker-Lewis describe the headaches they overcame, like acquiring building materials and a commercial water heater in the size they needed.

Even after opening The Sycamore for dining in June, “hiring staff has been a

real challenge,” Greg says. Staff members are trained in fine dining, but without a full roster, the restaurant’s reservation capacity is still limited.

On a brighter note, the couple says, they’ve gotten to meet new customers and have been supported by old ones in bringing their vision for the restaurant to fruition. “We have a unique and historic dining space,” Greg explains.

With the kitchen up and running, Greg and Maria’s goal is to offer high-quality food, including sourcing their steaks from Creekstone Farms, where cattle is humanely raised.  SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

LEFT A Havana Verde Mojito with housemade mint syrup at The Sycamore at Chatham Mills.

ABOVE Maria Parker-Lewis and Greg Lewis chat with guests Bernadette Lindemer (left) and Annie Trant.

CHATHAM MAGAZINE

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BEST OF CHATHAM

RETAIL THERAPY

Favorite Gift Store Deep River Mercantile

Drop into any or all of these local winners to find uncommonly good things

BY MORGAN CARTIER WESTON

McIntyre’s Books

STEEL ROOTS HOME DECOR “If it can go in your home, we have it,” says Kristina Keeter, store manager.

Specializing in timeless, highquality products and interior design services led by owner Christy Lynch O’Hara, Steel Roots features a wide range of statement-making custom upholstery fabrics, rugs and wallpaper, as well as giftable items like candles, artwork, garden decor and jewelry.

Pura smart home fragrance diffuser, $78

NEW HORIZONS DOWNTOWN Shopping for someone who has everything? From quirky cards to socks that make a statement (literally), New Horizons Downtown is brimming with unique gifts and handmade goods.

The shop also carries a collection of ergonomic shoes and eco-friendly clothing, so you can treat yourself for crossing off that hard-to-find gift from your list.

Rechargeable candle lighter, $42

DEEP RIVER MERCANTILE For those looking to cultivate a cozy vibe at home, the warm textures, sights and smells at Deep River Mercantile are sure to inspire.

The general store, which just celebrated its fifth anniversary on Hillsboro Street, carries items like scented candles, puzzles, plush blankets and stoneware mugs that will spark visions of curling up next to a roaring fire in the cooler months ahead.

Plus, their cheeky kitchen towels, craft cocktail syrups and Southern-inspired cookbooks make great gifts for the gourmand in your life.

Hurricane cocktail mixer, $14

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SCREAMING FOR VINTAGE A vintage lover’s paradise, Screaming For Vintage promises a new discovery every visit.

Owners Mary Piraino and Chad Piraino launched the shop when their own beloved collection of mid-century and vintage furniture, art and collectibles began to outgrow their home. “We only sell things we truly love and stand behind,” Mary says.

Leather and cowhide lounger in the style of Le Corbusier, $685

CHATHAM HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RESTORE Thrifting is a budget-friendly and sustainable way to spruce up a home, garden or wardrobe – and at the Chatham Habitat for Humanity ReStore, it’s also a way to give back: funds from sales go toward eliminating substandard housing right here in our community. In addition to furniture, decor and kitchen items, the ReStore also carries home improvement items like tools, appliances, paint, light fixtures and doorknobs.

Vintage tea set, $85 

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

New Horizons Downtown Southern Supreme Fruitcake & More Favorite Home Furnishings, Accessories and Decor Chatham Habitat for Humanity ReStore Deep River Mercantile Reclamation Home Furnishings Screaming for Vintage Steel Roots Home Decor

HAND-FORGED CUSTOM JEWELRY Handmade to Perfection.

Schedule a Consultation Now! jennymclaurin.com

2021

For over fifteen years, Jenny has been creating uniquely stunning jewelry for me. With vision, superlative talent, and craftmanship, Jenny imagines new life for those old pieces that no longer suit my taste and lifestyle. I cannot express enough the joy these new rings, earrings and necklaces have given me. Jenny is an extraordinarily talented designer whose magical work I would recommend to anyone who loves beautiful jewelry!

- Robin H., Chapel Hill

THANKYOU! VOTED BEST LANDSCAPING & GARDEN SUPPLY STORE

Dear Chatham Magazine readers, thank you for voting B & L Supply the Best Landscaping & Garden Supply Store in Chatham County. We strive to deliver quality service and a quality product. When you think about your landscape or garden needs we hope you think of us. Thank you for supporting a small business and shopping locally.

– Lonnie and Tilden Parcell, Owners 2021

919-542-6025 | 

3408 US HWY 15/501 N, PITTSBORO

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

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BEST OF CHATHAM

ARTISTS UNITE

BY KELLI RAINER AND ANNA-RHESA VERSOLA

O

pening an art gallery amid a pandemic may be the highest form of hope. “We are hardy souls,” says Beth Bale, board of directors president for Pittsboro Gallery of Arts. “It was such a risk. … [We thought], let’s just do this thing. Now’s the time, [even in] these crazy, COVID times.”

The member-owned gallery supplants The Joyful Jewel; its retiring owner, Mariah Wheeler, encouraged Beth and other artists to take over the 2,000-square-foot space. The renovated gallery opened its doors last October but could not host a formal opening reception due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Sales at the gallery have been successful despite limitations, including ongoing

construction at the traffic circle in downtown Pittsboro. Visitors can purchase pieces from 31 artists from Chatham and adjacent counties. Works on display include watercolor, oil and acrylic paintings; printmaking; photography; pen and ink drawing; pottery and ceramics; metalworks and jewelry; stained glass tile mosaics; and more.

Gallery artists pay a monthly membership in addition to working two 3.5-hour shifts per month. Throughout the past year, Beth says artists met virtually and held only one outdoor meeting to minimize contact. Some have not yet met and were looking forward to returning to in-person meetings this fall.

Thank You irrigation, gardening & landscaping friends and clients for voting us

Best offorChatham 3 years in a row 2021

2021

Paces & Roehm ARCHITECTURE

PAC E S A N D R O E H M .CO M 10100 Governors Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27517

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CHATHAM MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

Paige Moody, President & Perry Jordan, General Manager

We love plants - and people, too!

Arbor Enterprises Commercial and Residential / Design and Implementation

307 Arborgate, Pittsboro 919 542 6765

arborenterprises.com

Favorite Art Gallery Liquidambar Gallery and Gifts NC Arts Incubator ODDCO Pittsboro Gallery of Arts

“We thought no more Zoom, no more outdoors, but we reversed all that,” Beth says. “It’s just crazy.”

Beth, who is a full-time occupational therapist at the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center, says she is looking forward to the upcoming holiday season and anticipates strong business given there is something for everyone in the gallery.

“Even with the craziness, people are

2021

MODERN CONSCIENTIOUS DENTISTRY

getting out,” Beth says, adding that shoppers are intentional about supporting local businesses. “Art is a great outlet.

This [gallery] is a labor of love. Art is part of the balance of our lives.”

The gallery is slated to host an inperson grand reopening on Oct. 1 to celebrate their one-year anniversary; however, the pandemic may change the plans, again. CM

ABOVE Pittsboro Gallery of Arts Board President Beth Bale.

LEFT Mercy Musya and Siler Bryan peruse the gallery’s available artwork.

We offer comprehensive preventive and restorative dental treatment for most ages. From simple cleanings to periodontal concerns, our hygienists are very qualified to render the best and most appropriate service for each patient. Our range of treatment offered covers everything from sealants to complex implant-related options.

At Pittsboro Family Dentistry, there is no one-size-fits-all attitude here, and we are happy to work with patients to make sure clinical assessments and proposed treatment makes sense to each individual.

PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR NEXT APPOINTMENT.

Dr. Samir Naik

987 East Street | Suite H | Pittsboro, NC 27312 Mon - Thurs: 9:00-4:30 | Fri: by appointment

919.545.9500 pittsborofamilydentistry@gmail.com

smilepittsboro.com SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

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75

Maria Parker-Lewis and Greg Lewis at The Sycamore at Chatham Mills.

BE ST OF CHATHAM 2021 WINNERS *All results listed in alphabetical order. ** The presence of five or more winners is the result of a tie.

DINING

Overall Restaurant Governors Club Postal Fish Company The Root Cellar Cafe & Catering Virlie’s Grill Place for a Date Night Capp’s Pizzeria & Trattoria The City Tap Postal Fish Company Tarantini Italian Restaurant Upscale Restaurant The Fearrington House Restaurant Flair Restaurant & Wine Bar Postal Fish Company Tarantini Italian Restaurant

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CHATHAM MAGAZINE

Chef Colin Bedford, The Fearrington House Restaurant Kristin Bulpitt, Copeland Springs Farm & Kitchen Sera Cuni, The Root Cellar Cafe & Catering Benjamin Guaman, Governors Club Angelina Kay, Angelina’s Kitchen Place for Vegetarians Angelina’s Kitchen Breakaway Cafe Copeland Springs Farm & Kitchen The Root Cellar Cafe & Catering Place for Breakfast/Brunch Breakaway Cafe The Root Cellar Cafe & Catering Small B&B Cafe Virlie’s Grill

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

Outdoor Dining Breakaway Cafe Carolina Brewery The Modern Life Deli & Drinks Postal Fish Company The Root Cellar Cafe & Catering Kid-Friendly Restaurant Carolina Brewery The Root Cellar Cafe & Catering S&T’s Soda Shoppe Town Hall Burger & Beer Place for a Sandwich Breakaway Cafe The City Tap The Modern Life Deli & Drinks The Root Cellar Cafe & Catering Burger & Fries Governors Club Gov’s Burger & Tap S&T’s Soda Shoppe Town Hall Burger & Beer 

BEST BURGER & FRIES VOTED

2021

2021

THANK YOU SO MUCH to all of our incredible guests who have supported us through the pandemic and for voting us as Best Burger & Fries. We serve with love, experience and passion for what we do, and are so glad you enjoy it as much as we enjoy being a part of the Chatham food scene!

Local Craft Beer Wine Cocktails Patio Seating Pet Friendly Dine In Take Out

Governors Village 50050 Governors Drive Chapel Hill (919) 240-5050 G O V S B U R G E R A N D T A P. C O M

CALL US FOR YOUR LANDSCAPING AND H ARDSCAPING PROJECTS!

Poultry Villa

Landscaping Landscapingand Supplies and Supplies

Your local dealer for Breeo Smokeless Fire Pits

2021

We specialize in organic mushroom compost and organic topsoil mixes.

We use hardwood and pine mulches and specialize in patios, retaining walls, drainage work, plants and trees!

WE DELIVER AND INSTALL. 3151 US 15-501 N, Pitt sboro

919.542.5438 poultr yv illa .com SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

CHATHAM MAGAZINE

77

BEST OF CHATHAM

*All results listed in alphabetical order. ** The presence of five or more winners is the result of a tie.

Place to Watch the Game Carolina Brewery House of Hops The Modern Life Deli & Drinks Town Hall Burger & Beer

Mexican/Latin American Food Compadres Tequila Lounge (Pittsboro) Mi Cancun Michoacán Mexican Grill O’Ya Cantina

Comfort Food/Southern Food Allen & Son Bar-B-Que Bestfood Cafeteria S&T’s Soda Shoppe Virlie’s Grill

Pizza Capp’s Pizzeria & Trattoria Elizabeth’s Pizza (Pittsboro) John’s Pizza Restaurant The Modern Life Deli & Drinks

Barbecue Allen & Son Bar-B-Que Carolina Brewery Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q

Place to Get Coffee Aromatic Roasters Breakaway Cafe Davenport’s Cafe Diem The Phoenix Bakery

Steak The Fearrington House Restaurant Hayley Bales Steakhouse S&T’s Soda Shoppe Virlie’s Grill

Italian Food Capp’s Pizzeria & Trattoria Elizabeth’s Pizza (Pittsboro) John’s Pizza Restaurant Tarantini Italian Restaurant Asian Food China Inn Restaurant (Pittsboro) Moon Asian Bistro New Japan Panda Garden

Seafood Capt. John’s Dockside Fish & Crab House Dry Dock Seafood (Siler City) Governors Club Postal Fish Company

Desserts/Pastries Carolina Cravings Co. The Phoenix Bakery The Root Cellar Cafe & Catering Willy’s Cinnamon Rolls Etc. Frozen Treats 501 Pharmacy Creative Creamery Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries S&T’s Soda Shoppe 

We are grateful for all of our customers and look forward to continuing to serve you!

58 Chapelton CT, Chapel HilL The veranda at briar chapel

Voted Readers Favorite for 2021 Chatham Magazine

Place to get coffee Outdoor dining Place for a sandwich Breakfast/brunch vegetarians

Chapel Hill Magazine

Kid-friendly restaurant Breakfast/brunch

Real Food Made By Us For You! monday - saturday Breakfast, lunch & dinner

2021

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sunday brunch

I n door & Outdoor Dining

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

breakawaync.co | 984.234.3010 follow us Like us

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ai160090115325_Chatham Mag half pg h oct nov 2020.pdf

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467 West Street, Pittsboro chathamahabitat.org | 919-548-6910

Schedule a free donation pick up today!

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

2021

CHATHAM MAGAZINE

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BEST OF CHATHAM *All results listed in alphabetical order. ** The presence of five or more winners is the result of a tie.

Catering 39 West Catering Angelina’s Kitchen Governors Club The Old Place Catering and Events

Wine, Beer and/or Spirits Shop 580 Craft Beer Fair Game Beverage Co. House of Hops Vino!! Wine Shop

Craft Beverage Producer Carolina Brewery Chatham Cider Works Fair Game Beverage Co. Starrlight Mead Thirsty Skull Brewing

RETAIL

Clothing Store Chatham County PTA Thrift Shops Deep River Mercantile New Horizons Downtown New Horizons West

Place for a Beer 580 Craft Beer Carolina Brewery The City Tap House of Hops Cocktails The City Tap Fair Game Beverage Co. The Fearrington House Restaurant The Modern Life Deli & Drinks

THE MOD.

Gift Store Deep River Mercantile McIntyre’s Books New Horizons Downtown Southern Supreme Fruitcake & More Jewelry Store Deep River Mercantile JG McLaurin, Goldsmith Liquidambar Gallery and Gifts New Horizons Downtown

Home Furnishings, Accessories and Decor Chatham Habitat for Humanity ReStore Deep River Mercantile Reclamation Home Furnishings Screaming for Vintage Steel Roots Home Decor

HOME & GARDEN

Landscaping & Garden Supply Store B & L Supply Chatham Central Greenhouses and Nursery Country Farm & Home Pittsboro Feed Town & Country Hardware Landscaper Arbor Enterprises Hughes Landscape & Irrigation O’Mara Landscaping and Lawn Care Poultry Villa Landscaping and Supplies Yanders Landscaping

SALADS . WOOD-FIRED PIZZA . BURGERS . SANDWICHES

2021

919 533 6883 80

CHATHAM MAGAZINE

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THEMODERNLIFEDELI.COM SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

Also: VISIT US AT

BEST OF CHATHAM

THANK YOU FOR VOTING ME

Readers’ Favorite Real Estate Agent!

Home Maintenance & Repair A-1 Heating & Cooling B&T HVAC Services Bud Matthews Services Liles Plumbing and Heating Trogdon Heat & Air Window Wizard Neighborhood Briar Chapel Chapel Ridge Chatham Forest Fearrington Village Governors Club The Preserve at Jordan Lake

Laurie Lynch, REALTOR ®

Interior Decorator Mary Kate Bedell, Fresh Air Designs Hannah Brown, Deep River Mercantile Ashlie Campbell, An Acquired Style Christy Lynch O’Hara, Steel Roots Home Decor

CHOOSE LOCAL WITH LAURIE, THE KEY TO GET YOU MOVING 2021

919.444.3001 LaurieLynchRealtor.com LaurieLynchRealtor@gmail.com

Construction/Builder Absolute Construction and Development Bold Construction Mid-South Builders Inc. The Rexford Group 

Serving Chatham & surrounding Counties

41 BEERS ON TAP . OUTDOOR PATIO . LIVE MUSIC

2020

THE OTHER SIDE.

46 SANFORD ROAD

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PITTSBORO, NC

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

CHATHAM MAGAZINE

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BEST OF CHATHAM *All results listed in alphabetical order. ** The presence of five or more winners is the result of a tie.

Dentist/Dental Care Chatham Family & Implant Dentistry Dr. Laura A. Collatz, Enchanting Smiles Family Dentistry Dr. Blake Jones, Royal Oak Dental Group Dr. William P. Mitchum Dr. Samir Naik, Pittsboro Family Dentistry

Architect Steven Clipp Architecture Hobbs Architects Alicia Ravetto Architect Abbie Lee Roehm, Paces and Roehm Architecture

SERVICES

Automotive Services/Repairs Chapel Hill Tire Doug’s Auto & Tire Inc. Performance Automotive & Tire Sanders Automotive

Dermatologist/Skin Care Clinic Dermatology & Laser Center of Chapel Hill Sanford Dermatology

B&B The Fearrington House Inn The Inn at Celebrity Dairy Lucky Bar Farm Small B&B Bank Fidelity Bank First Bank First Citizens Bank State Employees’ Credit Union Truist

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Lawyer Hopper Cummings Paul S. Messick, Gunn & Messick Nicolas P. Robinson, Bradshaw Robinson Slawter Kathie L. Russell, Russell & Associates  Emily Fedoriw, 10, Maximus Heintzman, 9, and Grace Pitts, 9, at Seven Star Kung Fu Academy, which was voted a best sports club/fitness facility.

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

START RIGHT. START HERE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND FOR VOTING US BEST NEW BUSINESS! STOP BY AND SAY HELLO, AND CHECK OUT OUR MONTHLY SPECIALS. 2021

COME EXPERIENCE DOWNTOWN PITTSBORO'S NEW TRUE VALUE FOR ALL YOUR HOME IMPROVEMENT NEEDS!

386 EAST STREET, PITTSBORO

919.642.3688 WWW.MYHARDWAREGENERAL.COM

BEST OF CHATHAM

*All results listed in alphabetical order. ** The presence of five or more winners is the result of a tie.

Pet Boarding Dogwood Veterinary Hospital & Pet Resort Hill Creek Veterinary Hospital Pittsboro Animal Hospital Tysor Veterinary Clinic

New Business Hart & Olive Real Estate Group The Sycamore at Chatham Mills Tienda Hispana El Rayo True Value Hardware General Nonprofit Abundance NC Bold Foundation Chatham Arts Council CORA Food Pantry Optometrist/Eye Clinic Dr. Robert Connelly, Pittsboro Family Eye Center Dr. Ray Hager, Siler Crossing Vision Center Triangle Visions Optometry Dr. Mark Wesoloski, New View Eyecare Pediatrician/Family Medicine North Chatham Pediatrics and Internal Medicine UNC Family Medicine at Pittsboro Avance Care Dr. William Garlick Jr., Garlick and Murray Family Medicine

Place for Yoga/Pilates Chatham YMCA Duke Center for Living at Fearrington Joy of Movement Yoga Garden PBO Real Estate Agent Chanel Hart D’Aprix, Hart & Olive Real Estate Group Laurie Lynch, Chatham Homes Realty Tanya Papandrea, Absolute Realty Company Lisa Skumpija, Absolute Realty Company Real Estate Company Absolute Realty Company Bold Real Estate Chatham Homes Realty Hart & Olive Real Estate Group

Salon Edge Aveda Men Lee’s Beauty & Barbershop Salon Breeze This is It Cuts Sports Club/Fitness Facility Chatham YMCA Duke Center for Living at Fearrington Seven Star Kung Fu Academy Wellness Center at Governors Club Veterinarian Cole Park Veterinary Hospital Hill Creek Veterinary Hospital Hope Crossing Animal Hospital Pittsboro Animal Hospital Tysor Veterinary Clinic

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Event Space Chatham Beverage District Fearrington Village Governors Club Shakori Hills Community Arts Center 

Starrlight Mead 2021

Mention Mention this this ad ad to to Receive Receive 10% 10% off off your first your first bottle bottle purchase purchase 84

CHATHAM MAGAZINE

Thank Thank you you for for voting voting us us your your favorite! favorite!

Proud Proud to to Call Call Chatham Chatham Our Our Home Home For For 11 11 Years!

Years!

Starrlight Starrlight Mead Mead

StarrlightMead.com Visit us: Mon - Sat 12-6, Su 1-5 StarrlightMead.com Visit us:#NCWine Mon - Sat#NCMead 12-6, Su 1-5 130 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro 130 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro #NCWine #NCMead Honey wine, unique gifts, and exciting event space Honey wine, unique gifts, and exciting event space SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021

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BMC Brewing BMC Brewing Chatham Cider Chatham Works Cider Works Fair Game Fair Game Beverage Beverage Starrlight Mead Starrlight Mead Vortex Roasters Vortex Roasters Copeland Springs Copeland Springs Farm Kitchen Farm Kitchen

2021

"EVERY VISIT IS GREAT. THEY CARE ABOUT YOUR PETS LIKE THEY ARE THEIR OWN. WE LIVE IN LIBERTY AND DRIVE 30 MINUTES BECAUSE IT IS SO WORTH IT. LOVE THE STAFF AND LOVE THE LOCATION. NOTHING BAD TO SAY!!!"

- JENNIFER

“WE ALWAYS HAVE GREAT CARE AT HILL CREEK. IT’S EASY TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS, AND THEY MAKE ME FEEL LIKE MY DOG IS LOVED AND A PART OF THE FAMILY.” - AMANDA

“ YOU GUYS ARE SERIOUSLY THE MOST MAGICAL GROUP OF VETS THAT I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED. PART OF THE REASON WHY I MOVED BACK TO CHATHAM COUNTY WAS SO THAT SAMPSON CAN GO TO YOU GUYS AS HE GETS OLDER.” - JIL

Q U A L I T Y C O M PA S S I O N AT E C A R E P R E V E N TAT I V E C A R E LASER THERAPY

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BEST OF CHATHAM

*All results listed in alphabetical order. ** The presence of five or more winners is the result of a tie.

ASIAN BISTRO

Dance Studio 7 Dance Centre Chatham Dance Connection Joy of Movement Royal Grace Academy of Dance

2021

Art Gallery Liquidambar Gallery and Gifts NC Arts Incubator ODDCO Pittsboro Gallery of Arts Artist’s Studio or Workshop Chatham Clay Studio Craig Greiner of Greiner Studio Mark Hewitt Pottery

Asian Fusion Restaurant Specializing in Chinese, Thai and Japanese, including Hibachi, Teriyaki and Sushi Grubhub Delivery Options Available

Live Music Venue Bynum Front Porch The City Tap The Modern Life Deli & Drinks Shakori Hills Community Arts Center Place for a Family Outing Carolina Tiger Rescue The Farm at Piper Hill Jordan Lake State Recreation Area White Pines Nature Preserve Place to Host a Children’s Birthday Party The Farm at Piper Hill Governors Club S&T’s Soda Shoppe CM

111 Knox Way, Chapel Hill • Polk’s Village behind UNC Pediatrics

moonasianbistroch.com

(919) 869 7894 or (919) 869 7819

T H A N K YO U F O R VOT I N G U S B E S T O F 2021, C H AT H A M !

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Chatham County-based brokerage firm with 50+ years of combined experience Member Manager/Broker-in-Charge/Realtor® Lisa Skumpija Brokers/Realtors® Yvonne Beal, Tanya Papandrea, Natalie Castillo, Kathy Morrison & Dale Cooke

2021

AbsoluteRealtyNC.com | 919.929.1057

Favorite Real Estate Company

Relation Regular

LISA SKUMPIJA Bebas Neue Rounded Regular

“Lisa is truly the BEST in the business.

She guided us through a very complicated contingent offer and sale of our current home, and was a strong advocate for us throughout the entire process. She clearly loves what she does and it shows...we are so pleased we found Lisa-- she literally made our dreams come true and ensured we were overjoyed with the sale of our starter home and the purchase of our dream home!” - Kala B., Pittsboro

TANYA PAPANDREA

2021

Favorite Real Estate Agents

“Tanya sold our old home and helped us purchase our new home. From day one, Tanya used her expertise of our local market to make our selling and buying process easy. She was able to refer me to anyone from multiple financiers, handymen to fix our home inspection issues in a timely and professional manner, landscapers, etc having her as our realtor was the best thing we could have done.” - Michael

Multi-Year Parade of Homes Award-Winning Custom Home Builder serving Chatham County & surrounding areas Nelu Skumpija

AbsoluteHomeBuilders.com 919.929.1057 86

CHATHAM MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021

2021

Favorite Construction/Builder

2021

T H A N K YO U F O R YO U R T R U S T

building Better Humans SEVEN STAR KUNG FU ACADEMY

WORLD CLASS MARTIAL ARTS FOR EVERYDAY LIFE

984.234.0717

11312 US HWY 15-501, Suite 306, Chapel Hill

S E V E N S TA R K U N G F U A C A D E M Y. C O M

LESSONS

LEARNED FOUR LONGTIME TEACHERS SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS ON WHAT EDUCATION MEANS TO THEM PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON

SEEING THE BIGGER PICTURE

L

eslie Burwell sees every new

class of students as a fresh canvas, another chance to inspire creativity. “That’s what keeps me in education,” says Leslie, describing the talent she sees in her classroom studio at Northwood High School in Pittsboro. “They blow me out of the water.”

The 26-year teaching veteran disputes the claim some people make about teenagers wasting time on arts and crafts.

“No, they’re not … they’re creative,” she says, adding that open-ended prompts can help students make connections. “They are so intelligent, and they’re putting their focus into what they’re passionate about.

We just need to find what they love and then let them have enough time [to express it]. I feel like the arts are so connected to emotion, and [it] is a really great tool to teach them critical thinking.”

Leslie, who initially planned a career in art therapy, has an interdisciplinary bachelor’s in psychology, theater and art 88

CHATHAM MAGAZINE

from the University of South Carolina. She earned a post baccalaureate certificate in art education from Meredith College and is a master’s candidate in art education at East Carolina University. “[It’s] a privilege being a visual arts teacher at the high school level,” she says, recalling a long list of former students who have careers in a creative profession or have become art teachers themselves.

“That makes me really proud to know that I’ve impacted those lives enough [for them] to become educators. … It’s a difficult profession, and it doesn’t make as much money as other professions, but it’s a joy.”

Leslie grew up visiting museums with her art teacher mother as her father’s ministry took them from one city to another. Her mentors today are still producing art and teaching well into their 70s. “I’m not sure if I can physically do art teaching and set painting and all the things I do when I’m 70,” she says. “I really do believe that I could still be contributing.

The plan is not to really retire from teaching but to have a studio.”

Although Leslie paints when she carves out time for herself, she is still drawn to the classroom as her canvas.

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Leslie Burwell teaches across a variety of artistic mediums – sculpture, printmaking, sketching and photography, to name a few.

LIFELONG EDUCATION

“Teachers are really valuable,” she says.

“And what we do in the classroom live is not easily duplicated.”

The pandemic prompted sudden shifts between in-person and virtual classes.

Some teachers had their own learning curve with technology. “I think that we as educators just really didn’t understand [online classrooms] until the pandemic.”

But Leslie sees opportunities for students and teachers alike to add virtual

platforms to their repertoire of skills.

And she is grateful to the students who are able to show up for any class. “I just had to adjust my expectations,” she says about the challenges in connecting to reliable internet service. “They made the effort. When your students are coming to class and getting something from what you’re teaching and making art – that makes your day as an educator.” – by Anna-Rhesa Versola  SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

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LIFELONG EDUCATORS

Valencia Toomer says she wants her future students to feel seen and to know that they matter.

“Whatever your gift is, we want to nurture it,’’ she says.

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ON A MISSION

A

new passion project has Valencia Toomer’s full attention – the School of the Arts for Boys Academy. She says her vision to use art as a platform for learning can help close the achievement gap for boys, especially for those in underserved populations.

“Art has a way of speaking to everyone,” she says. “When you don’t have the right words to say, the arts speak for you, whether it’s in visual form or metrical form or music. It motivates you and moves you. When we think about SABA, that’s what we want.”

Valencia resigned from her position as principal of George Moses Horton Middle School in Pittsboro just as the pandemic began to shut down schools nationwide.

“I poured everything I had into the school,” she says. “That’s just who I am. If I’m in it, I’m giving it everything I have.” Valencia, who has a bachelor’s in elementary education and teaching from UNC Charlotte, has been a teacher and a school administrator for about 20 years.

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She took advantage of the pandemic pause to research and write the charter application for SABA, which she expects to open in August 2022 with 116 boys in third through fifth grades, though Valencia says interest in the middle school grades may prompt an amendment to the existing charter to include sixth grade. The school will be located adjacent to the Knight Farm Community Park in Chatham Park and will not incur leasing costs because the landowners, a family who wishes to remain anonymous, want to support the school and its mission, according to Valencia.

“If you look at statewide data, boys, in general, are performing below that of females,” Valencia says. “When you couple that with educationally or economically disadvantaged boys, the data only worsens.

And boys are typically shy when it comes to the arts.”

Valencia’s research validates her observations and experiences within educational systems. She says data for Chatham County shows a widening achievement gap for boys of color. “And it was me looking at it saying, ‘What can I do?’ We should be able to do more.”

She remembers one particular fourthgrader in her first year of teaching who had trouble with academic subjects but thrived in art. “[He] was an artist, but people never saw that because they saw how he looked on the exterior with his unkempt clothes and his hair … [and how] he used inappropriate language,” Valencia says.

“They didn’t get to know him.”

With Valencia’s patient support in his fourth and fifth grades, he improved his academic work and his relationships with fellow classmates. But by high school, he fell through the cracks of the public school system again and ended up in prison at age 14. “This is a nationwide issue,” Valencia says. “It’s bigger than Chatham. We just have to get started somewhere, and the seed is germinating here.” – by AnnaRhesa Versola

LIFELONG EDUCATION

PAYING IT FORWARD

T

he first year of teaching can either make or break you, says Gary Oakley, a science teacher at Chatham Charter School in Siler City. “I honestly thought I would never teach again,” he says. “I think I had $25 left in checking and savings and [was] living with my parents. And I said, ‘This is my degree.

I’ve got to give it another try.’”

This year marks his 38th year as an educator, having taught chemistry and earth science at three Chatham high schools – Jordan-Matthews, Northwood and Chatham Charter. Outside the classroom, Gary coaches cross-country track and, in his own time, helps beautify and maintain the trails they use for practice and races.

In fact, he often gives his time and energy to helping people around him.

“Sometimes, there are moments when we [teachers] don’t realize our impact,” Gary says, remembering a student early in his career that he tutored for hours in chemistry. He received an emotional letter from that same student 17 years later, thanking him for the lessons she learned.

The student’s letter explained how the time Gary spent with her meant that she was worth the extra effort. She applied this lesson to difficult moments in her own life. This revelation brought a new perspective to his teaching career: how meaningful it could be “just spending time with kids and letting them know they’re important enough to try to work with,” Gary says. “It turned out to be a really important day to her, and [her letter] reminds me to keep in mind that, when I’m spending time with kids, this could be more important to them.”

Gary also had people who gave time and attention to help him, and he’s paid it forward. As a chemistry major at UNC,

Gary was unsure of what to do with his interests in French and music. “I really didn’t know what I wanted to do,” recalls the Northwood valedictorian. “I was more of a country kid. I grew up on a farm and didn’t see how I could turn [those passions in language and music] into a career.”

Gary walked past the education building while exploring UNC’s campus, and he remembered his experience teaching Bible study. He turned, entered the building and “in the end, I decided that’s where I was meant to be,” he says.

– by CC Kallam  SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

“I taught my principal, the art teacher across the hall, one of the English teachers, the college liaison, and the French teacher,” Gary Oakley says. “I taught and even coached about half the faculty.

I’m teaching many kids who are children of people I taught.”

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STRIVE FOR PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION

Beverly West’s classroom motto – “Today and every day, I will do my best.”

– is written on her whiteboard as a reminder to her students.

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B

everly West says she was born to

teach. “I believe it’s a gift and a calling, and it is who I am,” she says.

Her first student was her younger brother; their school didn’t offer kindergarten, and Beverly wanted to be sure he would be ready for first grade.

Today, Beverly teaches second graders at Woods Charter School in northeastern Chatham County.

“I love seeing people learn,” Beverly says. “I like learning myself. I really appreciate gaining and applying new knowledge, and that’s just where my heart is.”

Beverly, who joined the Woods Charter staff in 2011, has a bachelor’s in health education and biology from UNC Greensboro and a master’s in public health education with a concentration in policy

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and planning from UNC. She draws on her experience working in a variety of educator roles: as a substitute teacher in Chatham and Orange counties; a pastor alongside her husband, Hubert West, at Healing Waters Christian Fellowship since 1993; a health educator in a county public health department; a home-school teacher to her two now-grown sons, Brenton and Aaron; a tutor; and as a program coordinator for North Carolina’s first dispute settlement center in Chapel Hill, where she helped train mediators in court-appointed cases dealing with the emotional and mental well-being of clients, including students.

No matter the setting, Beverly’s class motto is, “Today and every day, I will do my best!”

This positive attitude helped her when the pandemic prompted a sudden shift from in-class learning to the virtual platform. She confronts challenges and struggles head-on in her classes, leading to growth and learning. It’s not the grade a student makes that’s important to Beverly – it’s the effort to improve. “I would say the most rewarding part is helping individual students reach their potential or as close to it as possible,” Beverly says.

The transition back to the classroom will have its own challenges this fall. “[It’s going to take] a lot of planning, a lot of deep breathing and just staying on top of it, and trusting the children, their resiliency and the parental support,” Beverly says, adding that she appreciates the assistance from colleagues and the school administration throughout the past school year. “It was the greatest challenge that I’ve had since I’ve been an educator, and I think that’s probably true for the majority.”

Her passion for teaching remains constant, even during a pandemic.

“Your heart needs to be there, for the children, for wanting to educate,” she says. – by CC Kallam CM

THE KEY with Sheri Castle

PBS North Carolina is excited to introduce The Key Ingredient with Sheri Castle.

Join us weekly as Sheri welcomes a variety of guests and shares approachable recipes using local ingredients, tracing their way from land or sea to kitchen and table.

PREMIERES THURSDAY, 9/23, 7:30 PM

thekeyingredient.com

DIRECTORY OF INDEPENDENT, REGIONAL BOARDING AND CHARTER SCHOOLS INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS

CARDINAL GIBBONS HIGH SCHOOL 1401 Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh 919-834-1625; cghsnc.org Focus A college preparatory school of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Raleigh that aims to form men and women of faith, service and leadership in church and community.

Grades 9-12 Total Enrollment approximately 1,588 Student/Faculty Ratio 14:1 Yearly Tuition $11,815 - $16,060 Special Requirements Previous school records, testing, application, recommendation and an essay.

BRIGHT HORIZONS CHILDREN’S CENTER 2352 So-Hi Dr., Durham; 4205 Capitol St., Durham; 4 UNC-TV Dr., Research Triangle Park; 2500 Highstone Rd., Cary; 800 Weston Pkwy., Cary; 800 Corporate Center Dr., Raleigh; 8516 Old Lead Mine Rd., Raleigh; 2051 Shepherd’s Vineyard Dr., Apex brighthorizons.com Focus Empowering children from infancy to become confident, successful learners and secure, caring people. Growing young readers, scientists, artists and explorers who are engaged and curious. Programs invite children to approach academics with skills, confidence and a drive for excellence.

Grades Infants-Pre-K Total Enrollment Varies per location.

Student/Faculty Ratio Varies per location.

Yearly Tuition Varies per location.

CAROLINA FRIENDS SCHOOL 4809 Friends School Rd., Durham 919-383-6602; cfsnc.org Focus The school believes the best education amplifies a child’s curiosity, courage and creative thinking. Every day, its teachers empower students to question the world around them, discover their passions, think deeply and use their voices in service of the greater good.

Grades Pre-K-12 Total Enrollment 500 Student/Faculty Ratio 6:1 in Early School; 9:1 in Lower, Middle and Upper Yearly Tuition See website for tuition ranges by unit; adjusted tuition available.

Special Requirements Status updates on whether visitors are allowed on campus through the year can be found on the website. Virtual tours and information sessions will be available.

Contact admission@cfsnc.org for more info.

BETHESDA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 1914 S. Miami Blvd., Durham 919-598-0190; bcacrusaders.org Focus Partners with Christian families to help equip students academically, socially, physically and spiritually.

Grades K-9 Total Enrollment 170 Student/Faculty Ratio 8:1 Yearly Tuition Elem., $7,238; Middle, $7,981 Special Requirements Student testing and parent interview.

CAMELOT ACADEMY 809 Proctor St., Durham 919-688-3040; camelotacademy.org Focus Features individualized instruction, mastery-based learning and parental involvement.

Grades K-12 Total Enrollment 145 Student/Faculty Ratio 11:1 Yearly Tuition K, $10,900; Grades 1-4, $13,950; Grades 5-7, $15,850; Grades 8-12, $16,850. Award and merit scholarships available.

Special Requirements Reading and math assessments and two-day student visit; $50 application fee

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CARY ACADEMY 1500 N. Harrison Ave., Cary 919-677-3873; caryacademy.org Focus A learning community dedicated to discovery, innovation, collaboration & excellence.

Grades 6-12 Total Enrollment 785 Student/Faculty Ratio 15:1 Yearly Tuition $26,995; $2,625 new student fee Special Requirements Entrance exam, student visit/interview, transcripts, teacher recommendations

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

CHAPEL HILL COOPERATIVE PRESCHOOL 108 Mt. Carmel Church Rd., Chapel Hill 919-942-3955; chapelhillcoop.com Focus Partnering with families of children from diverse backgrounds to respect and honor childhood, celebrate independence, and support children as they learn and grow through play.

NAEYC Accredited with a Five Star licensure.

Grades Pre-K Total Enrollment 100 Student/Faculty Ratio Infant, 4:1; Toddler, 5:1; Age 2, 8:1; Age 3-5, 10:1 Yearly Tuition Varies by age and enrollment status; Half-day, three-quarter or full-day options. Part-time options also available Mon., Wed., Fri. / Tues., Thurs.

CRESSET CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 3707 Garrett Rd., Durham 919-354-8000; cressetchristian.org Focus Cultivates the heart of each student to educate, nurture and help shape their character in a Christ-centered environment.

Grades Infant-Grade 12 Total Enrollment 210 Student/Faculty Ratio Preschool, 5:1; Lower School, 9:1; Upper School, 10:1 Yearly Tuition $8,285-$10,900 Special Requirements Student and parent interview, previous records, visit and application.

CRISTO REY RESEARCH TRIANGLE HIGH SCHOOL 334 Blackwell St., Ste. 100, Durham 919-897-5680; cristoreyrt.org Focus College preparatory, career-focused, transformational Catholic high school.

Grades 9-10 Total Enrollment 200 Student/Faculty Ratio 10:1 Yearly Tuition Average $70.00 per month per family (for single or multiple children) Special Requirements Not required to be Catholic to attend.

DUKE SCHOOL 3716 Erwin Rd., Durham 919-416-9420; dukeschool.org Focus Project-based independent school that inspires learners to boldly and creatively shape their future.

Grades Age 3-Grade 8 Total Enrollment 490 Student/Faculty Ratio 7:1 Yearly Tuition For 2021-22: Preschool, $4,037 - $20,184; K-4, $4,379 - $21,894; Grades 5-8, $4,778 - $23,890 Special Requirements Admissions application, student assessment, candidate profile.

DURHAM ACADEMY Preschool and Lower School, 3501 Ridge Rd., Durham Middle School, 3116 Academy Rd., Durham Upper School, 3601 Ridge Rd., Durham 919-493-5787; da.org Focus Strives to provide an education that will enable students to live moral, happy and productive lives.

Grades Pre-K-12 Total Enrollment 1,232 Student/Faculty Ratio 10:1 Yearly Tuition $16,780 - $29,635 (including activity fees) Special Requirements Assessment or entrance exam, which varies by grade level.

Interview required for grades 9-12.

DURHAM NATIVITY SCHOOL 1004 N. Mangum St., Durham 919-680-3790; durhamnativity.org Focus Provides a learning environment for young men with high financial need, supporting them in their personal, social, moral and intellectual development, and positioning them to be successful at an independent college prep high school.

Grades 5-8 Total Enrollment 60 Student/Faculty Ratio 15:1 Yearly Tuition $20,620 with scholarshipdriven tuition awarded to low-income students Special Requirements Open house attendance.

EMERSON WALDORF SCHOOL 6211 New Jericho Rd., Chapel Hill 919-967-1858; emersonwaldorf.org Focus Encourages and promotes independent thinking, social responsibility, and academic and artistic excellence.

Grades Pre-K-12 Total Enrollment 250 Student/Faculty Ratio Kindergarten, 7:1; Grades 1-12, 10:1 Yearly Tuition $6,915 - $19,956 Special Requirements Virtual tour, parentteacher consultation, new student assessment.

EMPOWERED MINDS ACADEMY 311 Oakwood Ave., Durham 919-925-3083; empoweredmindsacademy.com Focus A learner-driven community where children cherish freedom and take responsibility for their experiences. They discover their gifts, passions and purpose, and are active in the design and execution of their education, finding joy in hard work, earning apprenticeships and taking deep dives into subjects through hands-on and collaborative challenges. As a Black-centered community, Empowered Minds believes “that by uncovering, reclaiming and reconnecting with our truth, we will better understand who we were, who we are and who we must be.” The goal is to provide a worldclass, high-quality educational experience with a committed focus on character development, socio-emotional and lifelong learning.

Grades K-8 Total Enrollment 25 Student/Teacher Ratio 10:1 Yearly Tuition $7,425, $250 annual registration fee.

Special Requirements School visit, trial day and interview.

GORMAN CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 3311 E. Geer St., Durham 919-688-2567; gormanchristian.org Focus Partners with parents to provide an excellent education with a biblical worldview while developing strong Christian character and values.

Grades K-8 Total Enrollment 86 Student/Faculty Ratio 12:1 Yearly Tuition $6,700 Special Requirements Administrator meets parents and child.

HAW RIVER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 2428 Silk Hope Gum Springs Rd., Pittsboro 919-533-4139; hawriverchristian.org Focus A nonprofit, interdenominational private school providing an excellent Christian and classical education.

Grades Junior K-Grade 11 (adding 12th grade in 2022-23) Total Enrollment 140+ Student/Faculty Ratio 12:1 Yearly Tuition Junior Kindergarten 3-day/5-day, $3,675/$5,250; K half/full-day, $5,250/$6,300; Grammar (grades 1-6), $6,300; Logic School (grades 7-9), $6,825; Rhetoric (grades 10-12), $6,825 Special Requirements Four-part admissions process includes tour.

HILL LEARNING CENTER 3200 Pickett Rd., Durham 919-489-7464; hillcenter.org Focus Transforms students with learning differences into confident, independent learners through a half-day school, tutoring and summer programs Grades 1-12; Summer (1-8); Tutoring (K-12) Total Enrollment 175 Student/Faculty Ratio 4:1 Yearly Tuition $21,060 (1-2 hour options also available for grades 9-12) Special Requirements Application & interview.

HOPE CREEK ACADEMY 4723 Erwin Rd., Durham 919-932-0360; hopecreekacademy.org Focus Provides structure without rigidity for special needs students who struggle in a traditional environment.

Grades K-12 Total Enrollment 60 Student/Faculty Ratio 3:1 Yearly Tuition $22,800 and $500 materials fee. Limited financial aid available.

Special Requirements School visit.

IMMACULATA CATHOLIC SCHOOL 721 Burch Ave., Durham 919-682-5847; immaculataschool.org Focus For more than a century, Immaculata has educated a diverse student body with a focus on character development, faith formation and academic excellence.

Grades Pre-K-Grade 8 Total Enrollment 535 Student/Faculty Ratio 12:1 Yearly Tuition $7,400 - $8,270 for parishioners, otherwise $8,670 - $9,825, plus $200 annual enrollment fee Special Requirements Entry test, copy of student’s school records and current teacher recommendations. Application fee is $100.

INTERNATIONAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL 3001 Academy Rd., Bldg. 300, Durham; 5510 Barbee Chapel Rd., Chapel Hill 919-401-4343 (office); imsnc.org Focus Combines an authentic Montessori education with language immersion in Mandarin Chinese, French and Spanish to provide a truly global education for children.

Grades Age 18 months-Grade 6 Total Enrollment 140 Student/Faculty Ratio 9:1 Yearly Tuition $10,645 - $14,895; Extended day options available for an additional fee.

Need-based financial aid available.

Special Requirements No Chinese, French or Spanish experience required for new students entering as toddlers through first graders.

New students joining at second through fourth grade from dual-language or immersion programs are also welcome to apply.

JORDAN LAKE SCHOOL OF THE ARTS 1434 Farrington Rd., Ste. 100, Apex 919-387-9440; jordanlakesa.com Focus High school/college preparatory, inclusive special education.

Grades K-12+ Total Enrollment 40 Student/Faculty Ratio 7:1 Yearly Tuition K-8, $16,450; Grades 9-12, $19,450 Special Requirements Application, interview and two-day tryout.

LAKEWOOD AVENUE CHILDREN’S SCHOOL 1701 Lakewood Ave., Durham 919-493-5882; lakewoodavenue.com Focus Provides a high-quality early childhood program with a stable, well-educated teaching staff ensuring consistent care and education.

Ages 1-5 Total Enrollment 33 Student/Faculty Ratio Ages 1-3, 4:1; Ages 3-5, 8:1 Tuition Toddlers, $1,750/month; Preschool, $1,650/month Special Requirements The director offers virtual tours and admissions conversations for families weekday mornings. 

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SCHOOLS GUIDE

LEGACY ACADEMY 515 E. Winmore Ave., Chapel Hill 919-929-7060; lachapelhill.com Focus Students are actively involved in multisensory activities, including art, music, language, math, science, brain power and physical activities. Classrooms, gardens, a water park and playgrounds are designed to be both fun and nurturing. Kindergarten, after-school program and summer camp for children up to 12 years old are also offered.

Five Star licensure, NAEYC accredited and NC Pre-K Program site.

Ages 6 weeks-Age 10 Total Enrollment 115, reduced during COVID-19 Student/Faculty Ratio Maximums when at full capacity. Infants, 5:1; Ages 13-24 months, 6:1; Ages 25-36 months, 9:1; Ages 37-48 months, 10:1; Ages 4-5, 13:1; Pre-K, 9:1; Ages 6-12, 14:1 Yearly Tuition Varies by age and program.

Partnerships: Duke, UNC, UNCHC. Special Requirements Registration fee of $150. Need-based scholarships available.

THE LERNER JEWISH COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL 1935 W. Cornwallis Rd., Durham 919-286-5517; lernerschool.org Focus Educating mensches … one child at a time.

Exceptional academics. Jewish culture, values and traditions. Diverse and caring community.

Grades Age 2-Grade 5 Total Enrollment 150 Student/Faculty Ratio 9:1 Yearly Tuition $5,000 – $19,600. See website for tuition ranges by unit, flexible tuition availability and new student fees.

Special Requirements Admissions application, parent virtual visit, student assessment and teacher recommendations.

LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 3864 Guess Rd., Durham 919-471-5522; lcsdurham.org Focus Students will acquire knowledge and wisdom with a biblical worldview as demonstrated through service and leadership in worship, missions, care and growth. The core values of truth, intellectual development, potential in Christ, Christian personnel and operational integrity are woven with worship, missions, care and Christian growth.

Grades Pre-K-12 Total Enrollment 290 Student/Faculty Ratio 20:1 Yearly Tuition $4,200 per student Special Requirements Entry test and interview.

MONTESSORI COMMUNITY SCHOOL 4512 Pope Rd., Durham 919-493-8541; mcsdurham.org Focus Students learn in a vibrant Montessori community where they are guided toward selfdiscovery and the realization of their unique contributions to the world.

Grades 18 months-Grade 8 Total Enrollment 220 Student/Faculty Ratio 18 months-age 3, 6:1; Ages 3-6, 12:1; Ages 1-3, 12:1; Grades 4-6, 12:1; Grades 7-8, 8:1 Yearly Tuition 18 months-age 3: half day, $12,717, full day, $17,449; Ages 3-4: half day, $11,948, full day, $16,123; Kindergarten, $16,681; Grades 1-3, $16,852; Grades 4-6, $17,488; Grades 7-8, $20,464 Special Requirements Application, family meeting and student visit. 

ONLINE LESSONS AVAILABLE TOO!

BACK TO SCHOOL MEANS BACK T0 BAND, CHORUS, ORCHESTRA & THEATRE...

CONTACT US TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION AT: 919-960-6898 OR CHSMA.COM

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OUR TEACHERS CAN HELP YOU REACH ALL OF YOUR PERFORMING GOALS!

SCHOOLS GUIDE

MONTESSORI DAY SCHOOL 1702 Legion Rd., Chapel Hill 919-929-3339; mdsch.org Focus A faculty-operated school, a wellequipped learning environment and an enriched Montessori curriculum to meet the needs of children with a wide range of abilities.

On-site aftercare available.

Grades Toddler-Grade 6 Total Enrollment 70 Student/Faculty Ratio 10:1 Yearly Tuition $9,875-$11,550 Special Requirements Interview process includes general evaluation and meeting with parents. Three-day visit for elementary.

MONTESSORI FARM SCHOOL 2400 Broad St., Durham 919-732-5026; montessorifarmschool.com Focus Montessori education with special emphasis on nature study and activities including gardening and animal care.

Grades Pre-K-K Total Enrollment Up to 24 Student/Faculty Ratio 8:1 Yearly Tuition Pre-K, $9,250; K, $12,000 Special Requirements Contact the school and set up an appointment to visit.

MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF DURHAM 2800 Pickett Rd., Durham 919-489-9045; msdurham.org Focus Curriculum based on Montessori approach to education.

Grades 18 months-Grade 6 Total Enrollment 145 Student/Faculty Ratio Varies by child’s level.

Yearly Tuition Toddlers, $4,220 - $22,490; Early childhood-Grade 6, $6,340 - $19,570 (Varies by child’s schedule and financial aid award.)

Special Requirements Parent meeting.

THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF RALEIGH Middle and Upper School, 408 Andrews Chapel Rd., Durham; Early Learning and Elementary, 7005 Lead Mine Rd., Raleigh 919-848-1545; msr.org Focus Independent Montessori school offering hands-on, real-life learning experiences through a mindful academic curriculum designed to build key competencies, confidence and independence. IB Diploma Programme offered for grades 11-12. Dually accredited by the American Montessori Society and International Baccalaureate.

Grades Age 15 months-Grade 12 Total Enrollment 340 Student/Faculty Ratio Toddler, 6:1; Pre-KGrade 12, 12:1 Yearly Tuition $12,500 – $23,430 Special Requirements Assessment or entrance exam, by grade level; interview.

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CHATHAM COUNTY SCHOOLS 369 West St., Pittsboro 919-542-3626 chatham.k12.nc.us FAST FACTS • Graduation rate: 87.3% •

Dual-language available at Siler City Elementary School, North Chatham Elementary School, Chatham Middle School, Margaret B. Pollard Middle School, Seaforth High School and Jordan-Matthews High School.

•

Chatham School of Science & Engineering is a high school (9-12) partially housed at Central Carolina Community College that offers early associate degrees and advanced STEM academics.

TOTAL STUDENTS

8,588

AVERAGE SCHOOL ENROLLMENT Elementary

623

Middle

High

720 581

SUPERINTENDENT Anthony Jackson became Chatham County Schools superintendent on July 6, 2021. Anthony previously served as superintendent in three different public school districts in North Carolina and Virginia since 2007 and has more than 30 years of experience in public education in North Carolina, Virginia and the District of Columbia. Anthony holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from East Carolina University, and master’s and doctorate degrees in educational leadership from N.C. Central University and Walden University, respectively.

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

PINEWOODS MONTESSORI SCHOOL 109 Millstone Dr., Hillsborough 919-644-2090; pinewoodsmontessori.com Focus Authentic Montessori education in which children develop a love of learning within a safe, peaceful setting. The school believes in the dignity and ability of children and in their inherent right to respect, assist and guide in fulfilling their potential. It is committed to the Montessori philosophy and a child-focused approach to education. It strives to partner with families in their efforts to raise capable, joyful, confident children in a relationship-based, affordable environment. It is dedicated to the well-being, integrity and development of the larger Montessori community and of the local communities.

Ages 18 months-12 years Enrollment 145 Student/Faculty Ratio Toddler, 12:2; Preschool, 11:1; Elementary, 12:1 Yearly Tuition $5,500 – $9,250, depending on program Special Requirements Contact info@pinewoodsmontessori.com for more information on admissions.

PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF CHAPEL HILL AT BRIAR CHAPEL 81 Falling Springs Dr., Chapel Hill 919-441-0441; primrosechapelhill.com Focus An accredited private preschool delivering an exclusive learning approach that balances purposeful play with nurturing guidance from teachers to encourage curiosity, creativity, confidence and compassion.

Grades Infant-private kindergarten Total Enrollment 175 Student/Faculty Ratio Infant, 4:1; Toddler, 6:1; Early Preschool, 8:1; Preschool, 10:1; PreKindergarten, 12:1; Private Kindergarten 12:1; after-school program (ages 6-12), 15:1 Tuition Varies by age level. $1,270 – $1,595 per month, full-time enrollment; $760 – $1,130 per month, part-time enrollment Special Requirements $150 pre-registration fee.

QUALITY EDUCATION INSTITUTE 800 Elmira Ave., Bldg. B, Durham 919-680-6544; qeidurhamnc.org Focus A student-centered learning community with a rigorous curriculum and clearly defined standards of performance and high expectations.

Grades Pre-K-5 Total Enrollment 40 Student/Faculty Ratio 10:1 Yearly Tuition $8,500 SOUTHPOINT ACADEMY 7415 Fayetteville Rd., Durham 919-544-5652; southpointacademy.org Focus Prepares students to become ethical, well-rounded and self-sufficient citizens by providing a world-class education in a nurturing Christian environment.

SCHOOLS GUIDE

A COZY PL ACE TO GROW Grades K-6 Total Enrollment About 60 Student/Faculty Ratio 10:1 Yearly Tuition $6,000 Special Requirements Tour, application, meeting with administrator and student testing.

ST. THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC SCHOOL 920 Carmichael St., Chapel Hill 919-942-6242; stmcsnc.org Focus Provides an education for each child in a God-centered environment.

Grades Age 3-Grade 8 Total Enrollment 410 Student/Faculty Ratio Age 3, 7:2; Age 4, 10:2; Grades K-3, 24:2 (teacher and assistant); Grades 4-8, 24:2 (teacher and shared assistant) Yearly Tuition Pre-K, call to inquire; K-8, $8,990 - $11,690 Special Requirements Application, $230 application fee, test scores, report cards, feedback from previous teachers, birth certificate, baptismal certificate, letter from Catholic parish (if parish tuition rate), health form and immunization record.

THE STUDIO SCHOOL OF DURHAM 1201 Woodcroft Pkwy., Durham 919-967-2700, ext. 2; studioschooldurham.org Focus A research-based, project-focused independent school for children. Believes in a 21st century education, and equips children with a spirit of discovery, mastery and adventure that will empower them to fulfill their greatest potential across their school years and beyond. 

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SCHOOLS GUIDE

Grades K-8, middle school launching 2021 Total Enrollment 40 Student/Faculty Ratio 16:2 for lower elementary (ages 5-7), and 18:1 for upper elementary (ages 7-10) Yearly Tuition $10,300 THALES ACADEMY PITTSBORO 200 Vine Parkway, Pittsboro 919-525-1142; thalesacademy.org Focus An excellent, affordable education through the use of direct instruction and a classical curriculum that embodies traditional American values.

Grades K-5 Total Enrollment 75+ Student/Faculty Ratio K-2, 24:1 (Teacher Assistant in K) and grades 3-5, 26:1 Yearly Tuition $5,300 Special Requirements Admissions are made on a rolling basis, and decisions are made after a full review of the application, checklist items and a student interview.

TRIANGLE DAY SCHOOL 4911 Neal Rd., Durham 919-383-8800; triangledayschool.org Focus A welcoming community devoted to academic excellence that ignites intellectual curiosity, fosters compassion and integrity, and nurtures creativity, inspiring confidence in students to lead a life of purpose.

Grades Transitional K-8 Total Enrollment 310 Student/Faculty Ratio 9:1 Yearly Tuition $14,090 - $17,465 Special Requirements Application and interview required.

TRINITY SCHOOL OF DURHAM AND CHAPEL HILL 4011 Pickett Rd., Durham 919-402-8262; trinityschoolnc.org Focus Its mission is to educate students within the framework of Christian faith and conviction, teaching the classical tools of learning; providing a rich, yet unhurried, curriculum; and communicating truth, goodness and beauty. It is a place where staff and teachers partner with parents in educating bright minds with open hearts. The school was founded in 1995, and its campus is nestled in the forest between Durham and Chapel Hill.

Grades Transitional K-12 Total Enrollment 545 Student/Faculty Ratio Lower School, 7:1; Middle School, 8:1; Upper School, 8:1 Yearly Tuition $5,925 - $23,790 Special Requirements Check website for complete details, application information, and tour and information dates.

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WILLOW OAK MONTESSORI CHILDREN’S HOUSE 1476 Andrews Store Rd., Pittsboro 919-240-7787; willowoakmontessori.org Focus Multi-age classrooms with self-directed learning in a stimulating, authentic Montessori environment. Newly built school with a variety of outdoor spaces for learning and play.

Ages 3-5 Total Enrollment 45 Student/Faculty Ratio 13:1 Yearly Tuition Full day, $10,200; Half-day, $7,140 Special Requirements $75 application fee, toilet-trained. Limited financial aid available.

REGIONAL BOARDING SCHOOLS ASHEVILLE SCHOOL 360 Asheville School Rd., Asheville 828-254-6345; ashevilleschool.org Focus Students live in a nurturing community where faculty and students genuinely know one another. The school offers a rigorous college preparatory program for students who represent 25 states and 24 countries.

Grades 9-12 Total Enrollment 295 Student/Faculty Ratio 5:1 Yearly Tuition $66,250 for boarding; $39,150 for day students.

Special Requirements Separate interviews for parents and child, full application, math and English recommendations and transcript required. For more information, email admission@ashevilleschool.org.

NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS 1219 Broad St., Durham; Burkemont Ave., Morganton 919-416-2600; ncssm.edu Focus To educate academically talented students to become state, national and global leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics; advance public education in North Carolina; and inspire innovation for the betterment of humankind through challenging residential, online, summer and virtual learning driven by instructional excellence and the excitement of discovery. As of press time, recruitment for the 2021-22 school year is closed, and recruitment for the 2022-23 school year is underway. For the 2022-23 school year, NCSSM will also welcome 150 juniors to a new campus in Morganton.

Grades 11-12 Total Enrollment 680 at the Durham location and 150 at Morganton Student/Faculty Ratio 8.5:1 Yearly Tuition NCSSM is a North Carolina public school. There are no fees associated with applying or attending.

Special Requirements See ncssm.edu/apply.

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

SAINT MARY’S SCHOOL 900 Hillsborough St., Raleigh 919-424-4000; sms.edu Focus An independent, college-preparatory, boarding and day school where girls are challenged academically to be bold, inspired and prepared to be extraordinary. Girls are accepted and empowered in their learning to grow spiritually and socially. They are recognized for their unique talents, passions and interests – and those yet to be discovered through the development of critical thinking, collaboration, cross-cultural intelligence and new media literacy. AP courses, innovative electives, junior internships, a unique seminar program, college counseling, rich arts program, 11 sports and a safe campus in a thriving urban location. Saint Mary’s welcomes students from across the region, the state, the country and the world.

Grades 9-12 Total Enrollment 300 Student/Faculty Ratio 8:1 Yearly Tuition $60,700; $30,400 for day students. Need- and merit-based financial aid available.

Special Requirements Application, three written recommendations, a transcript from the applicant’s current school, SSAT scores and an on-campus interview. Contact admission@sms.edu for more information.

SALEM ACADEMY 601 S. Church St., Winston-Salem 336-721-2600; salemacademy.com Focus Fosters the intellectual, spiritual, social and physical growth of young women. Offers 10 AP courses, competition in 11 sports, a comprehensive fine arts program and technology, advising and co-curricular programs.

Offers dual-enrollment college courses at Salem College to supplement AP curriculum.

Grades 9-12 Total Enrollment 75 Student/Faculty Ratio 6:1 Yearly Tuition $50,500; $26,000 for day students Special Requirements Application process includes an interview, essay and transcripts, as well as optional teacher recommendations and optional testing.

ORANGE/CHATHAM CHARTER SCHOOLS (Admission by lottery.)

ENO RIVER ACADEMY 1212 NC Hwy. 57 N., Hillsborough 919-644-6272; enoriveracademy.org Focus Utilizes a Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) curriculum to build upon a 20-year tradition of academic and artistic excellence.

Grades K-12 Total Enrollment 750 Student/Faculty Ratio 20:1

SCHOOLS GUIDE

Special Requirements Initial enrollment based on lottery in February; students waitlisted once slots are filled.

THE EXPEDITION SCHOOL 437 Dimmocks Mill Rd., Ste. 33, Hillsborough 919-245-8432; theexpeditionschool.com Focus Embraces the natural curiosity of children and empowers them to become innovative problem solvers and community builders, and to provide excellent education through an experiential, project-based, STEMfocused curriculum.

Grades K-8 Total Enrollment 360 Student/Faculty Ratio Grades K-4, 20:1; Grades 5-8, 22:1. Resource/other nonclassroom staff not included in ratio.

Special Requirements Cut-off for lottery application in February.

WILLOW OAK MONTESSORI CHARTER SCHOOL 1476 Andrews Store Rd., Pittsboro 919-240-7787; willowoakmontessori.org Focus Multi-age classrooms with selfdirected learning in a stimulating, authentic Montessori environment. Newly built school with a variety of outdoor spaces for learning and play. Strives to assist children in achieving their unique potential as responsible global citizens by nurturing self-confidence and independent decision making.

Grades K-8 Total Enrollment 285 Student/Faculty Ratio 15:1 WOODS CHARTER SCHOOL 160 Woodland Grove Ln., Chapel Hill 919-960-8353; woodscharter.org Focus Emphasizes academic excellence and parent and family involvement in the academic environment.

Grades K-12 Total Enrollment 512 Student/Faculty Ratio Elementary, 16:1; Middle school and high school, 20:1 Special Requirements Application deadline in January, February lottery.

DURHAM CHARTER SCHOOLS (Admission by lottery. Check with school for key dates.)

COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF DIGITAL AND VISUAL ARTS 1955 W. Cornwallis Rd. 919-797-2340; communitydva.org Focus Growing students academically, socially and emotionally every day.

Grades K-8 Total Enrollment 230 Student/Faculty Ratio 15:1 Special Requirements None

DISCOVERY CHARTER SCHOOL 501 Orange Factory Rd., Bahama 984-888-5504; discoverycharterdurham.org Focus Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) Grades 6-8 Total Enrollment 300 Student/Faculty Ratio 20:1 Special Requirements Students must reside in N.C. EXCELSIOR CLASSICAL ACADEMY 4100 N. Roxboro St. 919-213-8585; excelsior.teamcfa.school Focus To provide excellence and equity in education by developing a foundation of knowledge, a practice of reason, a quality of eloquence and a habit of virtue to prepare each student for a lifetime of learning and citizenship.

Grades K-10 in 2021-22. The school will continue to add a grade each year to grow to K-12.

Total Enrollment 975 Student/Faculty Ratio 15:1 Special Requirements Open application and enrollment. If more applications are received than the allotted number of spots for each grade, random lottery for vacant spots.

HEALTHY START ACADEMY 807 W. Chapel Hill St. 919-956-5599; healthystartacademy.org Focus Strives to help its students grow, especially in math and reading.

Encourages parent involvement. Promotes a child-centered curriculum with a safe and structured academic environment.

Grades K-8 Total Enrollment 450+ Student/Faculty Ratio 16:1 Special Requirements Application and lottery for Admission.

KESTREL HEIGHTS SCHOOL Elementary: 4900 Prospectus Dr.; Middle: 4700 S. Alston Ave. 919-484-1300; kestrelheights.org Focus A blended learning school utilizing Mind Brain Education techniques to teach scholars in small groups to sharpen academics, demonstrate creative expression and expand leadership skills.

Grades K-8 Total Enrollment 505 Student/Faculty Ratio 19:1

KIPP DURHAM COLLEGE PREPARATORY 1107 Holloway St. 919-973-0285; kippenc.org Focus Together with families and communities, Kipp Durham College Preparatory creates joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose – college, career and beyond – so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. The school culture supports students in leveraging their autonomy and individual success in the community to improve our collective condition. The school supports students in self-awareness, interpersonal relationships and cultivating their passions through access to resources and experiences that enhance their lives.

Grades 5-8 Total Enrollment 350 Student/Faculty Ratio Varies by grade level.

MAUREEN JOY CHARTER SCHOOL 107 S. Driver St. 919-493-6056; joycharter.org Focus To develop the whole child through high-quality instruction, school-community partnerships and the promotion of a positive self-identity.

Grades K-8 Total Enrollment 640 Student/Faculty Ratio Kindergarten, 16:1; Grades 1-3, 22:1; Grades 4-8, 24:1 Special Requirements Enrollment application released in December, and lottery held in March.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE CHARTER ACADEMY 2418 Ellis Rd. 919-957-7108; researchtrianglecharteracademy. org Focus Curriculum is built around a strong emphasis on math, reading, science and social studies – the foundation for college readiness. In addition, its Moral Focus program helps students learn the importance of making good decisions and doing the right thing in life.

Grades K-8 Total Enrollment 735 Student/Faculty Ratio Kindergarten, 22:1; Grades 1-8, 27:1 Special Requirements Lottery.

VOYAGER ACADEMY Elementary: 4210 Ben Franklin Blvd.

Middle: 101 Hock Parc Ln. High: 4302 Ben Franklin Blvd.

919-433-3301; voyageracademy.net Focus Project-based learning.

Grades K-12 Total Enrollment 1,368 Student/Faculty Ratio 18:1 Special Requirements Applications accepted online Jan. 1 - Feb. 28. Lottery held in March. CM

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T h a n k y o u f o r Vo t i n g U s A s Yo u r F a v o r i t e Real Estate Company for Chatham!

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FULL HEART THE EDWARDS RENOVATED A GOVERNORS CLUB HOME FOR THEIR NEXT PHASE IN LIFE

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T Lake

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON

he best finds come along when you least expect it.

This adage proved true for Todd Edwards and Leah Edwards (pictured right), who weren’t even planning to move when they came across a home in Governors Club in July 2020.

“We were living in The Preserve at Jordan

at the time and perfectly happy

CHATHAM MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

there,” Leah says, adding that Todd happened to see the listing (and its price reduction). “But this was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up.”

The family shares a love of golf, she says, “and with its location so close to the action in Chapel Hill, [Governors Club] had always been on our radar.”

The Edwards originally moved to the area from California 15 years ago, when their daughter, Lauren, was 9, and their son, Luke, was 5. Today, Lauren is starting

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a family of her own in Massachusetts, and Luke began his first semester at UNC, where he plays on the men’s golf team, so the new home has become an ideal empty nest project.

Built in 1997, the home was structurally sound, but felt dated and dark. The exterior was covered in a nude stucco, and inside, the rooms were painted in dark colors and wallpapered in floral prints. Heavy drapes and wood paneling made the spaces feel even smaller. “There were narrow doorways separating all the living spaces, too, so the rooms didn’t feel connected at all,” Leah explains.

“We walked in and clearly had watched way too much HGTV, because we immediately saw all these projects and thought we could do everything,” Leah laughs. “With the kids out of the house, 106

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we were ready for something new to focus on, and we’ve definitely found it.”

The Edwards worked with Abbie Lee Roehm of Paces & Roehm Architecture to bring the home into this decade and align it with the modern farmhouse style Leah loves. “We kind of told her our vision for the exterior – it was a peachy, textured look, and we wanted something light and bright and clean, to give it that farmhouse feel,” Leah says. “Abbie Lee came up with the exterior [idea] and gave us some ideas for the inside as well. She did a great job helping bring that modern feel to life. We are in love with how things turned out,” Leah says. Bold Construction executed the design.

Moving and renovating during a global pandemic had its challenges. “It took a lot of patience,” Leah says. From materials

HOME & GARDEN

LEFT The entryway, formerly enclosed by walls, now offers a welcoming glimpse into the dining, kitchen and living rooms.

BELOW LEFT The bathroom was the first room that Leah completed.

“Sometimes I would come sit in here during the renovation and take a deep breath because it felt so good to have something finished,” she says.

RIGHT The updated kitchen was designed with entertaining in mind.

being delayed to being diagnosed with COVID-19 themselves, the Edwards faced several hurdles over the past year.

“Some of the changes we made were based on our preference, but others were for safety,” Leah explains. “The deck was crumbling, for example – you could have put your foot right through it.”

Rob West’s team at All American Deck Works in Raleigh replaced the wood with durable Trex boards. “Once we redid all that, we turned our attention to the front courtyard,” Leah says. “It had a big stucco retaining wall [and] a fountain; it looked really ’90s.” The same team is currently working on a more modern courtyard with a feature wall composed of the same boards to create a special entrance to the house. “Rob is really meticulous and a

The Next Move Is Yours “Gretchen is the best real estate agent I’ve ever had. She looked after my interests at all times.

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- Peter, The Oaks, Chapel Hill “Gretchen’s knowledge of the real estate market was invaluable!

We received $50,000 over our asking price and closed on our new home seamlessly. Her team of professionals from lenders to closing attorney were top notch.

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ABOVE Todd can practice his golf swing even on rainy days thanks to a projection room.

LEFT A large island, new stove and shiplap ceiling made the kitchen feel bigger and brighter.

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perfectionist and has been great to work with,” Leah says.

Among the more impactful projects – and one of Leah’s favorites – was the entryway and sweeping staircase. “The stairs were walled in and covered in mint green carpet,” she explains. Once the wall was opened up, Triangle Iron Design & Fencing in Raleigh created a custom banister; now the staircase is a showstopping feature and offers a welcoming glimpse into the kitchen beyond.

The kitchen layout stayed mostly the same, but the island was enlarged to maximize entertaining space. “Everyone always gathers in the kitchen, so if you’re

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The builtin wooden bookcases are original to the home.

Leah dressed up the room with vintage artwork to add to the modern farmhouse feel.

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on the fence about a bigger island, I highly recommend going for it,” Leah says.

Now that the major construction projects are done, Leah has begun decorating. “It’s so personal, and I love finding old pieces that mix with new,” she says. Leah collects landscape

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STRUCTURALLY SOUND THE EDWARDS FAMILY ENTRUSTED THE DESIGN OF THEIR HOME WITH ABBIE LEE ROEHM, ONE OF OUR READERS’ FAVORITE ARCHITECTS

BY ANNE TATE

A

bbie Lee Roehm has dreamt up houses since she was 6 years old, when she played with wooden Froebel Blocks and admired photos in Architectural Digest. The Montgomery, Alabama, native attended the University of Tennessee and graduated in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in architecture. For her first job, she worked as an intern at Davis Brody Bond in New York City where she contributed to designing the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

She says she learned about shaping spaces for optimal user experiences and how designs

can provoke feelings in people during her time at the firm. She later worked at Niles Bolton Associates in Atlanta for five years.

In 2016, Abbie Lee founded her own architecture firm, Paces & Roehm Architecture, outside of Governors Club to be close to her grandparents, who met while attending UNC and live in Chapel Hill. With a team of two others, Abbie Lee tackles custom residential projects and works to help clients come up with a vision for their dream homes from scratch. “The first thing I do is really listen to the clients and learn about the way they live so that I can better design a space that’s perfectly tailored for them,” she says.

Abbie Lee has practiced architecture for 17 years and enjoys using light to manipulate spaces, taking into consideration how sunlight will angle into a home to make rooms feel comforting, peaceful and warm. “Sometimes it’s just as simple as rotating the house the right way,” she says. A home’s connection with nature is important to her, too. “In Chatham County, we have beautiful land and trees,” she says. “I always try to be cognizant of the surroundings and the outdoors and bring that into the home.”

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HOME & GARDEN

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Todd and Leah relax in their living room, which offers a picturesque view of their lush wooded backyard.

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Leah encourages others who are taking on home projects during the pandemic to have an open mind and “look for contractors who you gel with,” she says. “Basing decisions off of price or timeline may seem like a good idea on the surface, but when

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The new back deck is private and cozy, perfect for cocktails with neighbors.

challenges inevitably arise, you will be glad you’ve chosen someone you feel great working with.”

The next project?

Transforming the backyard into a putting green. “We can’t wait for Luke to bring his friends over to enjoy the backyard and practice their short game,” Leah says. CM

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knows firsthand the impact of having a good mentor.

He says Julian Smith, his agriculture teacher at

hristopher Hart

Chatham Central High School,

“saw something [in me], and at that time I didn’t see it in myself.”

Christopher was a senior at N.C. State when Julian suggested he consider teaching as a profession. 

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Christopher Hart holding a copy of the textbook, “Landscape Design, Installation and Management,” which he coauthored with R. Lee Ivy.

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landscaping area and a toolshed.

A $15,000 grant from the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission made it possible to renovate an existing greenhouse and turn it into a year-round production space. Students learn a variety of landscaping and horticultural skills, like how to properly germinate seeds, propagate plants, create floral designs and set up an online point-of-sales website.

Christopher’s older students, mainly juniors and seniors, gain Christopher earned a bachelor’s degree hands-on business experience like how in horticultural science and agricultural to read blueprints and prepare quotes business management and then his master’s for bids. Christopher explains lessons of in agricultural education – both at N.C. accountability and responsibility to his State. He returned to Bear Creek in 2010 classes. “If I’m supposed to finish the job to take over the agriculture program when in two days, and it takes me three days, the Julian retired after 40 years of teaching. repercussions are not that bad [in class],” “I was blessed to inherit all this,” says he says. “But in the real world, if you’re Christopher, who grew up on a cattle a contractor and you underestimate your farm. “Agriculture has been a part of my cost, then you don’t make any money.” life, my whole life.”

During the COVID-19 lockdown, The high school program was students built a website and set up an established in 1959 and continues to open online point-of-sales process to reach doors for students to discover careers in customers in nearby counties, like agriculture, horticulture and business.

Rockingham, Randolph, Lee, Harnett “It’s all about what we can do to prepare and Wake. Customers would order online them for successful careers outside of and pick up curbside. “And it worked out the classroom,” he says. Agriculture and great,” Christopher says. agribusiness – including food, forestry and Another real-world opportunity for fiber – contribute nearly $96 billion to students is floral work for weddings. the state’s economy according to a recent Students produced boutonnieres, report by N.C. Agricultural corsages and bouquets for Statistics. “It’s a huge industry several weddings last semester Students will sell in North Carolina, and there in collaboration with event mums, ferns, are just so many jobs that are planning company Bee-utiful poinsettias and more this fall.

Events. related to it,” he says.

Check for updates: “The most rewarding part of Chatham Central’s ag sites.google.com/ the job is seeing the kids grow complex sits on 5 acres off of chatham.k12.nc.us/ cchsgreenhouse N.C. Highway 902 and includes up and be successful, whether andnursery/home. four greenhouses, a nursery, that’s in agriculture or not,” two cold frames, a gazebo, a Christopher says. CM SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

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BY CC KALLAM

VETERINARY SERVICES

DR. ADRIANO BETTON MOBILE VETERINARY CARE Serves Chatham, Orange, Durham and part of Alamance counties Contact 919-602-4291; drbetton.com Special services Dental care.

CHATHAM ANIMAL HOSPITAL 105 Oceana Pl., Cary Contact 919-469-8114; chathamanimal.com Special services Dental care, laser therapy and boarding.

CHATHAM COUNTY MOBILE VETERINARY SERVICES Contact 919-239-9362; chathamcountymobilevet.com Special services Equine and farm animal care.

CHATHAM VETERINARY SERVICE 1114 Greensboro Ave., Siler City Contact 919-742-4441; chathamveterinaryservice.com Special services In-clinic diagnostics and digital radiography.

COLE PARK VETERINARY HOSPITAL 55 Woodbridge Dr., Chapel Hill Contact 919-929-3352; coleparkvet.com Special services dental care, laser therapy, boarding, grooming and day care.

DOGWOOD VETERINARY HOSPITAL & PET RESORT 51 Vickers Rd., Chapel Hill Contact 919-942-6330; dogwoodvethospital.com Special services Dental care, laser therapy, boarding, day care and grooming.

FRIENDSHIP MOBILE VETERINARY SERVICES Serves eastern Chatham and western Wake counties.

Contact 919-267-3572; friendshipmobilevet.com Special services At-home euthanasia.

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HILL CREEK VETERINARY HOSPITAL 75 Old Graham Rd., Pittsboro Contact 919-542-1141; hillcreekvet.com Special services Dental care, laser therapy, acupuncture, Chinese medicine and grooming.

HOPE CROSSING ANIMAL HOSPITAL 58 E. Cotton Rd., Pittsboro Contact 919-542-1975; hopecrossing.com Special services Laser therapy.

JORDAN LAKE ANIMAL HOSPITAL 50-B Chatham Corners Dr., Pittsboro Contact 919-542-5424; jordanlakeanimalhospital.vetstreet.com Special services Dental care, boarding and bathing.

PITTSBORO ANIMAL HOSPITAL 1065 East St., Pittsboro Contact 919-542-5712; pittsboroanimalhospital.com Special services Acupuncture, house calls/ home euthanasia, grooming, day boarding for dogs and overnight boarding for cats.

POLARIS EQUINE MOBILE VETERINARY CLINIC Serves the Pittsboro area Contact 919-429-9492; polarisequine.com Special services Equine and other farm animal care.

THIRD STREET VETERINARY CLINIC 312 E. Third St., Siler City Contact 919-742-4909; facebook.com/thirdstreetvet Special services Dental care, boarding and farm animal care.

TYSOR VETERINARY CLINIC 1401 N. Second Ave., Siler City Contact 919-742-3646; tysorvet.net Special services Dental care, cold laser therapy, grooming, boarding, retail shop and adoption program.

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GROOMING

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PET SITTERS

PEACE OF MIND PET SITTING Contact 919-428-8856; chathamcountypetsitting.com Daily visits, overnight stays, pet transportation and farm care.

PET SITTING BY ELIZABETH Contact 919-632-3904; petsittingbyelizabeth.com Daily visits and farm sitting.

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HERE WE

GROW AGAIN REAL ESTATE UPDATES, PLUS A LOOK AT UPCOMING PROJECTS

BY ANNA-RHESA VERSOLA RENDERING COURTESY OF BOLD DEVELOPMENT GROUP

B

broke ground in late June on a 5-acre parcel located across from Chatham Downs shopping center off of Highway 15-501 near Lystra Road. The development plan includes two 7,200-squarefoot buildings for a mix of tenants, including wellness, retail and education-based businesses along with two restaurants that can share outdoor patio space. Vertical construction of 501 Landing is slated to begin later this year, says Chela Tu, a commercial broker at Bold Commercial Real Estate.

Bold Development Group is also involved with Williams Corner, another

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project in the same vicinity along Highway 15-501 at Lystra Road. The plans for Williams Corner feature approximately 140,000 square feet of retail space, 40 townhomes and up to 270 apartments. The 118-acre development is expected to be built in three phases, starting with retail and apartments, and is slated to be fully completed by 2027. Fifty-nine acres of the development will be designated as conservation land. An environmental plan was updated in 2020 calling for an off-site wastewater treatment process, which is different from the original plan approved in 2008. CM

SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

UPDATES Warren D. Mitchell submitted to the Chatham County Planning Department plans to develop the Pyewacket Subdivision, a single-family subdivision on 128 acres off Jones Ferry Road at the Orange-Chatham county line. Lots will have private community wells and septic systems.

Ricky Spoon Builders Inc. proposed a 35-lot residential subdivision on 40 acres off Manns Chapel Road. The company also has plans for nine lots in a separate 16-acre subdivision at 1545 Moore Mountain Rd. Lot sizes average 1.7 acres with private wells and septic systems.

The Legion Company proposed a 102-lot subdivision for 125 acres on Andrews Store Road, one mile west of Highway 15-501. The lots will be served by Chatham County Public Utilities and Old North State Water Company.

The Timmons Group proposal for 154.6 acres on Moncure Pittsboro Road will have 165 lots with public water service and private septic systems.

Each lot is less than a halfacre.

WithersRavenel proposed a 149-lot residential subdivision for 162 acres on Old Graham Road. Each lot will be about two-fifths of an acre and have water and sewer service provided by Aqua America Inc. – Compiled by Renee Ambroso

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Start

In a rich and fully-lived life, everything is connected to everything else. Inspired by these connections, the possibilities for life will only become more exciting with each year at Chatham Park’s first residential community, the Vineyards.

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Prices and amenities subject to change without notice. © 2021 Chatham Park Investors.

ENGAGEMENT

Forbis & Hammond

BY GRACE MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY BY RYAN CHRISTENSEN, RYANMCHRIST11.WIXSITE.COM/RYANCHRISTENSENPHOTO

C

arolyn Hammond,

a Pittsboro native and Northwood High School alumna, first met Mychael Forbis in 2018 while working together at Town Hall Burger & Beer in Briar Chapel.

The two started dating at the start of the pandemic, and on the night of their first anniversary, March 24, 2021, they enjoyed dinner in the private wine room at Oakleaf in Carrboro. There, Mychael proposed to Carolyn with a family heirloom – a square-cut diamond ring that his great-grandfather gave to his great-grandmother before leaving to serve in World War II. Though Mychael’s proposal was a surprise for Carolyn, it was an open secret for both sets of families and friends.

The couple plans to wed in the autumn of 2023. Carolyn attends UNC and is majoring in computer science, and Mychael is pursuing a degree in business at North Carolina Central University. CM

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Sponsored by BMC and Walter.

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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

All Together For Justice: The Power of Community Join us virtually or in-person at The Drive-In Theater at Carraway Village (with optional boxed dinner) to support the Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP’s efforts to work toward racially just and equitable communities through organized and accountable advocacy.

NAACPBANQUET.COM SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

CHATHAM MAGAZINE

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WEDDING

Scott & Stumbo

BY BROOKE SPACH PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANS ROSEMOND; HANSROSEMOND.COM

S

and Richard “Rick” Scott both grew up in Chatham County – Sarah in Siler City and Rick in Pittsboro – but their paths didn’t cross until 2015. They graduated from rival high schools – Sarah from JordanMatthews High School and Rick from Northwood High School. They finally met after matching on Bumble and dated for five years before getting engaged.

In October 2019, the couple planned a trip away. Sarah knew something was up when Rick asked her to meet him at the airport instead of driving together. They were boarding when Rick whispered, “Will you marry me?” and Sarah turned to find him on one knee. She and the other passengers were shocked – and thrilled – by the proposal.

The couple had their ceremony and reception at Rivers & Bridges Estate on Nov. 7, 2020. The wedding party wore Vans sneakers, Blushed Beauty provided makeup services for Sarah and her bridesmaids, and 39 West Catering provided food for the reception. arah Stumbo

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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2021

Rick says his favorite moment was seeing Sarah in her dress for the first time – that moment was breathtaking. Sarah’s favorite memory was seeing the venue fully decorated in the color theme of forest green and champagne gold. She left the styling up to Blossom Floral Artistry and Sunette Bridges from Rivers & Bridges to “give us our fairytale wedding.”

Rick works at his father’s business, Jeff Scott Grading & Trucking, and Sarah is a bartender at Longhorn Steakhouse in Apex. They live in Pittsboro. CM

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