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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2023 VOL 16 NO 1
durhammag.com
EXECUTIVE MANAGING EDITOR
Amanda MacLaren amanda.maclaren@durhammag.com
EDITORIAL
EDITOR, CHAPEL HILL MAGAZINE & EXECUTIVE EDITOR, CHATHAM MAGAZINE
Jessica Stringer
EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS
Renee Ambroso renee.ambroso@trianglemediapartners.com
Brooke Spach brooke.spach@trianglemediapartners.com
MANAGING EDITOR, CHATHAM MAGAZINE
Anna-Rhesa Versola
EDITORIAL INTERNS
Sam Annetta, Ellison Beaver, Cailey Cetani, Emily Davis, Anna Wesley Dubach, Sinclair Holian, Lena Miano, Katie MacKinnon, Haley Pineles and Isabella Reilly
CONTRIBUTORS
James Dupree and Morgan Cartier Weston
ART
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Kevin Brown
GRAPHIC DESIGNER/PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Lindsay Scott
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Khadijah Weekes-Nolan
PHOTOGRAPHER
John Michael Simpson
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Ellen Shannon
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Amy Bell
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Durham Magazine is published by Triangle Media Partners Subscriptions, $38 for two years, are available at durhammag.com. To purchase copies, call 919.933.1551.
It’s January (as I write this, anyway), and so naturally I’ve got my New Year’s resolutions on my mind. My No. 1 goal for 2023 is simply to treat myself – mind, body and soul – better.
If I’m being honest, I’m failing at the moment. I had one glorious day where I felt at ease and tried to keep the momentum going, but inevitably I fell back into some lousy routines. I literally just ate a cookie for breakfast (not knocking it if that’s your jam; it just probably shouldn’t be mine).
I keep thinking back to the The Morning newsletter from The New York Times that I received in my personal inbox (teeming with 37,000-plus unread emails) on Jan. 7. I do open these most often, at least, and I’m especially grateful I did this day. In it, editor Melissa Kirsch encouraged her audience to “resolve to always be resolving. … You don’t need a specific day of the year to start to change your life. You can resolve to do something differently … anytime.”
I’m trying to take that to heart and, rather than waste time punishing myself for what I haven’t accomplished, I’m choosing to focus on the changes I can make, even if they are small. I finally did purchase a new planner, and I swear this will be the year it keeps me organized. (To quote one of my favorite TikTok creators, Annakprzy, “It’s called manifesting, look it up.”)
In our annual Influencers feature (page 54), we asked each person we profiled to share their hopes for the coming year. They, too, have some lofty dreams for the future, but I have no doubt that they’ll put in the work and be on pace to shape our community in positive ways.
This also happens to be a big year for our company –15 years ago, founder Dan Shannon and a small team of about 11 were putting the finishing touches on the first issue of Durham Magazine. I spoke to him about those early days, and all that’s happened in our city and at our little publishing company since 2008, on page 38. And if you want a visual representation of the magazine’s evolution, turn to page 30 to see all 112 of our covers.
As a pervasive ’90s rock band so famously put it, “the years start coming, and they don’t stop coming” – may this one be your best yet.
Only 100 spots for those ages 10-17
Next Stop Broadway ® is a week-long program consisting of classes, workshops, and rehearsals focused on classic Broadway shows. The staff of Broadway professionals teaches participants ensemble songs and choreography from two hit shows from the “Golden Age of Broadway” and participants work together throughout the week to create unique skits. The program culminates with an “Opening Night” performance for family and friends on DPAC’s stage.
Paid registrations are limited to 80 spots for those ages 10-17 and are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. 20 additional scholarships will be awarded to applicants with financial need and interest in the performing arts. No theater experience needed.
July 17 - 21, 2023
DURHAM
112 Biz Briefs
115 Networking Durham Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Forum and Holiday Reception
118 Hot Shots Keeping Up with Kate’s Korner
120 The 15-Year Club
We aren’t the only ones celebrating 15 years in business
PEOPLE
12 Families Moving Forward’s Chefs for Change Dessert Gala
14 Triangle Nonprofit & Volunteer Leadership Center’s Volunteer of the Year and 50th Anniversary Event
15 Durham Colored Library Inc. Celebration of Dr. Aaron McDuffie Moore
16 Animal Protection Society of Durham’s Tails at Twilight Gala
is something you hope you can handle when the time comes; whether the time is now or somewhere down the road, there are steps that you can take to make your life (and theirs) a little easier. Here are a few to get you started:
1. Communicate and Plan
• Find out what your parents’ needs and wishes are; however, if they are unwilling or unable to talk about their future, you may need to do as much planning as you can without them.
Potential discussion topics:
• Long-term care insurance: Do they have it? If not, should they consider it?
• Living arrangements: Can they still live alone, or is it time to explore other options?
• Medical care decisions: What are their wishes, and who will carry them out?
• Financial planning: How can they safeguard or protect their assets?
• Estate planning: Do they have all the necessary documents?
• Expectations: What do you expect from your parents, and what do they expect from you?
2. Prepare a personal data record
• Items such as: financial/banking information; wills, durable power of attorneys, health-care directives; funeral plans; medical and insurance information; location of other important records (keys to safe-deposit boxes, real estate deeds, online passwords)
• Contact information for their financial, tax, and legal professionals
• Make copies of all the documents you’ve gathered and keep them in a safe place
3. Get support and advice
• If you’re concerned about your parents’ mental or physical capabilities, ask their doctor(s) to recommend a facility for a geriatric assessment.
• If you don’t know where to find help, contact your state’s department of eldercare services. Or, call (800) 677-1116 to reach the Eldercare Locator.
919.321.1213
FEB. 16 – JULY 9
This contemporary art exhibition at the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University showcases works by 30 artists that examines today’s urgent ecological concerns from a cultural perspective through a close attention to the communities most negatively affected. The exhibit – organized by Nasher Museum Director Trevor Schoonmaker – also explores humanity’s relationship to land and water, and how living in harmony with nature is a necessity for the survival of the human race while ruminating on possibilities of a brighter future.
FEB. 16 – APRIL 8
This exhibition, inspired by the Year of the Rabbit, focuses on many imaginative works that celebrate cleverness across a range of mediums including sculpture, fused glass, mixed media and painting by 5 Points Gallery member artists.
FEB. 21
This annual show (formerly called An Evening of Entertainment) returns to the stage at the Durham Performing Arts Center. Co-hosted and presented by Durham Public Schools and the DPS Foundation, students from more than 50 schools in the district work with both local and nationally recognized artists to present an exhibition of dance, music, theater arts and visual arts. Proceeds benefit the Durham Promise Scholarship Fund, a communityfunded program that operates on the belief that every DPS student deserves an equitable, debt-free college education.
EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE; CHECK WITH ORGANIZERS PRIOR TO ATTENDING
Compiled by Haley Pineles
FEB. 18
Meals on Wheels Durham hosts its fourth annual Feed the Need Gala at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club. The program includes a silent auction, tempting cocktails, fine dining and dancing to live music, with all proceeds going toward helping to provide meals and support for Durham’s older adults.
FEB. 24–26
This juried competition at Carolina Theatre has introduced brand-new genres from around the world since 1999, and more than 500 features and short films have screened at the festival during its 24-year run. Nevermore accepts submissions of horror, science fiction, mystery, thriller and action/adventure films, and has gained an international reputation as one of the premier genre festivals in the nation.
FEB. 28-MARCH 5
Based on the Alanis Morissette album and directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus, this musical revolves around the life and follies of a “perfectly imperfect” American family and features a Grammy-winning score from the musician on stage at the Durham Performing Arts Center.
MARCH 4
The comedian, actor, podcaster and winner of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” brings his “BigFoo” tour to Carolina Theatre’s Fletcher Hall, with three successful stand-up specials on Netflix and HBO under his belt, and a fourth special in the works.
MARCH 12
The 10th annual event features dishes from 30 Triangle restaurants paired with 30 beers from local breweries. Guests can enjoy unlimited samples throughout all three floors of the Durham Performing Arts Center, plus a live music and on-stage experience. Proceeds benefit Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, a Raleigh nonprofit working to eliminate food insecurity and help community members learn skills like cooking and gardening.
MARCH 31
The Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays begin their 2023 minor league season at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park against the Norfolk Tides. A ceremony to honor the Bull’s fourth Triple-A National Championship win takes place before the game.
APRIL 6
Duke Performances presents the Japanese Taiko drumming group’s program of “Hinotori” – The Wings of Phoenix, at Page Auditorium
This ensemble embodies both the centuries-old traditional musical practice of Taiko drumming and also pushes its boundaries, bringing to the stage more than 40 Taiko drums, all with different characters and sizes, including the group’s largest drum that measures 2 meters in diameter and weighs 1,100 pounds.
Families Moving Forward, a nonprofit that supports families experiencing homelessness in Durham, raised more than $24,000 at its annual Chefs for Change Dessert Gala on Dec. 2, 2022. More than 200 guests attended the event at The Cookery, where they participated in a silent auction, learned more about the organization’s mission and work, and ate treats and appetizers donated by local businesses like Sweets by Shayda, The Mad Hatter’s Café & Bakeshop, Guglhupf Bakery, Cafe & Biergarten, The Refectory Café, Bull City Bake Shop, Kanki and Southern Harvest Hospitality Group. Several of FMF’s most dedicated partners were honored during the ceremony, including board member Kim O’Neil, who received the 2022 James T. Hewitt Distinguished Service Award, and The Durham Chapter of The Links, which earned the 2022 Outstanding Partnership Award.
1 Sydney Pennix and FMF board member Steve Baynes. 2 FMF board members Carol Mansfield and Mark Paulson with FMF Executive Director Tammy Laurence.
3 Marcel Canfall and FMF
Enrichment Programs Manager
Shiona Caldwell. 4 FMF Facilities Manager Caleb McCluskey and Anne Paulson. 5 Saad Masood, FMF Director of Finance and Administration Amanda Sosebee and Katie Masood. 6 FMF Director of Programs and Residential Services Tasha Melvin, The Links member Micheline Malson and FMF Compliance Manager Ann Tropiano. 7 FMF board members Elizabeth Forshay and Kim O’Neil.
The Triangle Nonprofit & Volunteer Leadership Center hosted its Volunteer of the Year and 50th Anniversary event at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel to honor recipients of the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award and the Key Volunteer of the Year Award on Dec. 5, 2022. Each year, the center coordinates this program for the governor’s office for Chatham, Durham, Granville, Orange, Person and Wake counties. County winners are selected and submitted to the governor’s office, where they are considered for the state’s highest volunteer recognition, the Medallion Award, which is given to the top 20 volunteers in the state. Victor Moore and Anne Moore received the 2022 Governor’s Medallion for their work with TNVLC, Durham Rescue Mission, Meals on Wheels of Durham and Senior PharmAssist
1 This year’s Community Spirit Award was presented to ABC11 Together. Members Monica Barnes, Michelle Young and Anthony Wilson accepted the award.
2 TNVLC board member Darryl Gresham presents a Key Volunteer of the Year Award to Marnie Cox and Richard Cox for their volunteer work with Sleep in Heavenly Peace. 3 TNVLC Executive Director Kim Shaw presents the Outstanding Board Member Award to Dominique Cole Johnson for her service on Piedmont Wildlife Center’s board of directors.
BY ELLISON BEAVER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY RICK CRANK
Durham Colored Library Inc. celebrated the life and contributions of its founder, Dr. Aaron McDuffie Moore, at the Hayti Heritage Center in October. Soprano Shana Blake Hill-Saya, the great-great grandchild of Dr. Moore, performed in a turn-of-the-century musical salon accompanied by Duke University music instructor and pianist David Heid. Shana also read selections from the biography she authored, “Aaron McDuffie Moore: An African American Physician, Educator and Founder of Durham’s Black Wall Street,” and signed copies for guests. (You can get an autographed book by visiting durhamcl.org.) “It was the perfect setting to honor and tell the story of a man who helped build Black Durham,” says Genevieve Sansom Stewart. The funds raised from the event will go toward helping DCL expand its influence and resources in an effort to share more Black stories, reach more leaders and grow culturally.
1 Program attendees Meredythe Holmes, Lois Deloatch, Brenda Brodie, David Dodson, Angela Lee and Brandi Stewart Glover.
2 Jazz vocalist Nnenna Freelon, a new inductee of the NC Music Hall of Fame, greets the audience.
3 Durham Colored Library Board President C. Eileen Watts Welch speaks to Mike Girimont and Boydie Girimont.
BY LENA MIANO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ASSORTED POPPIES PHOTO
Guests were invited back to the ballroom at the Washington Inn Duke & Golf Club for the Animal Protection Society of Durham’s annual Tails at Twilight Gala after two years of virtual benefits. Attendees enjoyed aptly named craft cocktails like the Cranberry American Mutt and Regal Beagle while bidding on silent auction items. Auctioneer Matt Newsom of Custom Benefit Auctions led guests through the program, which included a live auction, the Blinky Lights game and dancing with VCT Radio. The event raised more than $247,000, which will assist in the care of the nearly 5,000 animals that the shelter sees in a year in addition to spay and neuter efforts, foster assistance, distribution of pet food and supplies, and more. In 2022, fundraising events like Tails at Twilight helped the shelter foster 523 reunions between pets and owners and adopt out nearly 2,200 animals.
FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS, the practice of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Associates has been trusted to provide specialized care in the Chapel Hill, Durham, and Sanford communities. Our four board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons provide the highest quality of patient care with the latest diagnostic and treatment tools available to assure patient safety and comfort.
Drs. Sacco, Vandersea, Ruvo and Serlo practice a full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery with expertise ranging from corrective jaw surgery to wisdom tooth removal.
CHAPEL HILL 501 Eastowne Drive, Suite 110 Chapel Hill 27514 919.929.2196
DURHAM 2823 North Duke Street Durham 27704 919.479.0707
SANFORD 109 Dennis Drive Sanford 27330 919.775.1615
Durham County Government has approximately 43 active advisory boards referred to as Boards and Commissions. Citizens of Durham County may volunteer to participate by applying for a vacancy. Interested citizens should fill out an application and send it to the Clerk to the Board’s Office. All applications will be considered for upcoming vacancies. Selections are made and announced by the Durham Board of County Commissioners.
CLERK TO THE BOARD 200 E. Main St. | 919-560-0025 | BoardsandCommissions@dconc.gov
If you are registering for the first time in Durham County, or if you are changing your party affiliation, you may do so by submitting a voter registration form. You may mail your completed voter registration form to Durham County Board of Elections.
BOARD OF ELECTIONS 201 N. Roxboro St. | 919-560-0700
Durham County Library is proud to serve the community at library locations across the county. Every day staff works to achieve the Durham County Library mission to encourage discovery, connect the community, and lead in literacy.
Durham County Library offers in-person and virtual programming for all ages, has an extensive collection of reading material available at each location and digitally. Visit DurhamCountyLibrary.org to see all DCo Library has to offer!
MAIN LIBRARY 300 N. Roxboro St. | 919-560-0100
The Durham Register of Deeds is an elected position that manages a centralized location for the recording of legal documents such as assumed business names, real estate deeds and other land records. Vital records including certified copies of birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates and military documents (DD-214) are also examples of documents that can be obtained from the office.
REGISTER OF DEEDS 201 E. Main St. | 919-560-0480
The Durham County Department of Social Services’ mission is to partner with individuals, families and the community to help our residents achieve physical, social, and financial well-being. The departments priorities are:
• Every child has access to quality early education programming.
• Every senior age 55 or older has access to quality services that support health, safety, and financial well-being.
• Everyone has a safe home, a living wage, employment, and financial stability. Everyone has access to affordable healthcare.
• Youth are engaged as a vital resource in our community.
SOCIAL SERVICES 414 E. Main St. | 919-560-8000
For additional information about Durham County Government services, visit dconc.gov or call 919-560-0000
The Durham County Department of Public Health is truly embedded in the community and making sure our residents have access to all the tools they need to lead healthy and happy lives here in Durham. During the pandemic, the Health Department has led the county’s COVID-19 response, from providing information and resources, to coordinating testing, and finally leading the charge in vaccinating our residents. We’re proud to play a central role in keeping our residents healthy so that Durham can remain the vibrant and thriving community it is today.
Durham County, like many local governments, works to improve food security. Mary Oxendine is Durham County’s Food Security Coordinator and works in the Durham County Cooperative Extension Department. Her role, in concert with the Food Security Task Force, is to support the community to create a strong and equitable food system for residents to find affordable, healthy food.
Durham
• Monday-Friday – 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m., 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
• Walk-ins are accepted; Priority will be given to those with appointments
• Appointment line: 919-560-7608
PUBLIC HEALTH
414 E. Main St | 919-560-7600
Oxendine joined officials at the 2022 White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health. The session focused on 5 National Strategy Pillars, including Improving Food Access and Affordability, Integrating Nutrition and Health, Empowering All Consumers to Make and Have Access to Healthy Choices, Supporting Physical Activity for All, and Enhancing Nutrition and Food Security Research.
The conference concluded that a “whole-of-society” response is needed to address food security, including a collaborative effort involving government, the private sector and the community at large. Durham County Government is committed to developing a just food system that is better for the planet and works to end food insecurity.
FOOD SECURITY NETWORK
durham.ces.ncsu.edu/durham-county-food-security
The Durham City Council and Mayor Elaine O’Neal declared Dec. 19 “Coach K Day” in Durham and presented former Duke University men’s basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski with a key to the city. The council also passed a resolution to support the honorary designation of a Durham highway – specifically the section of Hwy. 751 from Kerley Road to Duke University Road – in his name. The city is awaiting approval for Coach K Highway from the state Board of Transportation.
Friends of the Durham Library awarded scholarships to Durham County Library staff members during a ceremony in December at Books Among Friends. Caroline Flory, Nadia Merritt and Hitoko Isono, pictured in the front row with Friends of the Durham Library board, each received scholarships of $2,500 per year for two years to contribute to
their continued education costs. Caroline and Nadia are both pursuing a master’s in library science, while Hitoko seeks a master’s in digital communication.
Rep. G.K. Butterfield received the North Carolina Justice Center’s 2022 Lifetime Champion of Justice award for his commitment to fighting poverty and helping to advocate for low-income people and families throughout his career.
Garden & Gun magazine honored three Durham businesses in its 2022 Made in the South Awards.
Elijah Leed Studio was named the Overall and Home Winner, and received a $10,000 cash prize for the Warren Cabinet, a contemporary spin on the classic curio cabinet. Eco-friendly rugs manufacturer CICIL was honored with the Sustainability Award, and Black-owned candle company Bright Black was named a runnerup in the Crafts category.
Vivian Howard, the owner of Chef & the Farmer restaurant in Kinston, North Carolina, recently launched her Viv’s Fridge concept that offers prepared, takeand-bake meals and snacks in a smart refrigerator. Of the nine fridges across North Carolina, one is planted outside Wine Authorities at 2501 University Dr.
North Carolina’s highest civilian honor, the North Carolina Award, was presented to six recipients including Durham’s Dr. Priya S. Kishnani (third from left) H.M. “Mickey” Michaux Jr. (third from right) and David Zucchino (right)
on Nov. 15. Gov. Roy Cooper presented the honorees with awards for their lifetime achievements in science, public service and literature, respectively, during a banquet at the North Carolina Museum of Art.
ORDER UP
2023 ACC Baseball Championship will be held at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park in May, marking the 13th time the Bull City has hosted the tournament.
The Huntington’s Disease Society of America’s North Carolina Chapter hosted the North Carolina Team Hope Walk on Oct. 29 at Lowe’s Grove Magnet Middle School. The HDSA hosts walks in more than 100 cities across the country and the event is the organization’s largest fundraiser. All proceeds support HDSA’s mission to improve the lives of those affected by the fatal genetic disease and their families.
to benefit the families who received the beds at Coastal Credit Union’s headquarters in Raleigh.
West & Woodall Real Estate, Pickett
Sprouse Commercial Real Estate and West & Woodall Property Management donated 50 bags of food to students at Lakeview School who were at risk of experiencing food insecurity over the holiday break. Agents and staff divided into seven teams, and each group was tasked with purchasing enough food for seven families. The donation totaled approximately $2,500, and additional monetary donations were made to Meals on Wheels of Durham and Reality Ministries
Coastal Credit Union’s partnered with Sleep in Heavenly Peace to build beds for local children in need as a part of its employee service project. On Sleep in Heavenly Peace’s National Bunks
Across America day on Sept. 9, 70 Coastal Credit Union employees took part in building 30 beds and organized a bedding drive
Adam Dickinson Realty Group’s annual Pie It Forward event – during which employees distributed Strong Arm Baking pies and cups of coffee from 321 Coffee – raised $2,375 in donations for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina and $960 for the Ronald McDonald House of Durham & Wake. The realty group matched these amounts, donating nearly $7,000 in total to both organizations.
SHARE YOUR NEWS! Submit noteworthy items, from award and scholarship winners to new book and album releases.
opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math fields for lowresource communities. The awards ranged
• Isaac’s Bagels up and delivery bagel concept that’s previously partnered with and Ideal’s Sandwich & Grocery, will open its first from Raleigh Bakehouse.
• Family-friendly steakhouse chain Tony Roma’s opened at 151 Tatum Dr. inside the Delta Hotel by Marriott at Research Triangle Park. The restaurant is known for its baby back ribs, but you can also find chicken, seafood, burgers, sandwiches and more on the menu.
• Husband-and-wife team John Paradiso and Rosa Paradiso opened The Daily Beer Bar at
108 E. Main St. on Dec. 10. The bar and cafe serves local pastries from Coffee
Starting at noon, it offers sandwiches, salads and snacks alongside a selection of craft beer, natural wine and nonalcoholic drinks.
• Wine bar and bottle shop Navigator Beverage Co. celebrated its grand opening on Jan. 13. The space on Watkins Road Hwy. 15-501 taps, a unique selection of wines by the glass or bottle, seltzers, cold brew coffee and more.
• Mexican restaurant Fonda Lupita is expected to open later this year in Brightleaf Square. The menu features traditional homemade dishes, including fresh, handmade corn tortillas and gorditas, salsas with fresh roasted peppers and tomatillos, stews, tacos and more. The restaurant’s original location in Sanford was listed among the “11 Best New Restaurants in America” by Eater in 2021.
• Formerly located at Durham Food Hall, Afters Dessert Bar will also open a new location at Brightleaf Square later this year.
from $70,000 to $185,000 and will be used to cover expenditures through 2025. Among recipients is the Museum of Life and Science, which was awarded $135,033.70, while Sarah P. Duke Gardens received $76,488.53 and Duke Lemur Center was awarded $70,549.80.
The Durham Cultural Advisory Board will develop a plan for a new Cultural Roadmap with the joint support of the Durham City Council and the Durham County Board of Commissioners The board will work together with the Cultural Roadmap Planning Group consisting of 35 volunteers appointed by the board who reflect Durham’s diversity. The new roadmap will outline plans to enhance Durham’s arts and cultural ecosystem and collaboration among civic and business partners with the community, and is expected to be complete in late 2023.
North Carolina Central University Jazz Ensemble won first place and an award of $10,000 during the third annual Jack Rudin Jazz Championship as the only jazz group from a historically Black college or university among the 10 competitors from across the nation. The two-day invitational competition took place in January at Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City, the home of Jazz at Lincoln Center. Led by interim Jazz Ensemble director Robert Trowers, NCCU’s band improved on its third place finish during the 2022 event. The award funds will benefit the NCCU jazz education program, which is set to launch an online master of music degree in jazz studies this summer. NCCU also earned honorable mentions for its saxophone and trombone
sections, while several students earned recognition for their performances: Dexter Moses, an honorable mention for alto saxophone; Shaquim Muldrow, for outstanding tenor saxophone; and Brandon Seaforth, for outstanding trombone.
Duke University assistant professor of theater studies Ryan Donovan’s “Broadway Bodies: A Critical History of Conformity” is slated to release on Feb. 17 through Oxford University Press. The book explores the world of Broadway casting and performance, and how, in that context, sexuality, body size, physical difference and disability have intersected with gender, ethnicity and race. The book features musical theater history, research, interviews and critical commentary.
The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources selected Durham as one of three cities to participate in the Music Friendly Communities pilot program, an initiative to help cities strengthen their music-based economies. The Durham project will be led by Durham Arts Council and Tess Mangum of Sonic Pie Productions, who will work with a local steering committee and coordinate with other members of the partnership. The program aims to designate each participating city a “North Carolina Music Friendly Community” and certify
its commitment to supporting the local music industry and boosting job creation, tourism and economic growth.
Code Wiz, a learning center that teaches children to code in a fun, interactive environment, celebrated its grand opening at 7001 Fayetteville Rd. on Jan. 21. The Durham franchise is operated by Teresa Hartsfield, who recognized the opportunity to leverage her own children’s interest in games such as Roblox and Minecraft into a learning experience for coding. Code Wiz utilizes a Montessori-style approach, allowing children to explore at their own pace and develop their confidence.
Tiana Joyner began her new role as CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Durham in January, relieving interim CEO Jim Belanger. Tiana most recently served as senior vice president of operations for Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas, building on her nearly 10 years of experience in nonprofit leadership.
Public Hardware, a hardware, antique, tool and supply shop operated by the Wall family since
The local favorite serves small treats and cookies, cakes and a rotation of seasonal desserts.
• Going for the hat trick! Sausage bar and biergarten Max Jr.’s is also slated to open in the Brightleaf District later this year. Headed by Joe Schwartz, the project will be housed in shipping containers in the parking lot behind The Living Room Bar & Lounge, offering indoor space for about 50-60 people and an outdoor area with room for about 100 more.
• Modern Chinese restaurant Five Star Durham officially opened its doors at American Tobacco Campus in January. The new restaurant is open MondaySaturday, and offers lunch from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., limited appetizers from 2:305 p.m. and dinner options from 5-10 p.m.
AWARDS & HONORS
• Durham Distillery co-founder and CEO Melissa Katrincic was featured in Forbes’ coverage of “15 of the Best All-American Gins to Try Right Now.” The distillery’s Conniption Navy Strength Gin was highlighted in the list, described as “luxurious.”
CLOSING TIME
• J. Lights Market & Cafe closed in January after a two-year stint at Golden Belt Campus. “I want to thank our staff, the Golden Belt Campus and the wonderful people in Durham for being a big part of our lives over the past two years,” the company wrote in an Instagram post. J. Lights opened a new location in Raleigh in November.
1924, announced it will close its shop at 505 N. Mangum St. The business will stay open until remaining inventory is sold, and estimates closure by early summer.
Trinity School of Durham and Chapel Hill’s Coach Jeff Low was selected as a regional winner of the Double-Goal Coach Award by the Positive Coaching Alliance. Jeff was chosen from among hundreds of applicants from across the country for his outstanding work coaching both middle school and varsity soccer at Trinity.
Ranking and review site
Niche named N.C. School of Science and Mathematics the top public high school in the nation in its 2023 listings. The ranking is based on factors including average standardized test scores, student-teacher ratios, extracurricular activities and student polls conducted by Niche, among other factors.
Hillside High School Principal William Logan and the Hillside High School Centennial Committee unveiled an official timeline of the school’s history as part of Hillside’s celebration of its 100th anniversary. Of the 300 Black high schools that once existed in North Carolina, Hillside is one of five still active.
The Museum of Life and Science is one of North Carolina’s top-rated destinations. It’s an interactive science center, a nature park with animals, and 84 acres of open-ended experiences. We’ve got bears, dinosaurs, train rides, treehouses, NASA artifacts, and butterflies from around the world. Visit today!
433 W. Murray Ave, Durham, NC 27704
lifeandscience.org
919-220-5429
“ You can spend all day there from open to close and still find something you haven’t done the next day. ”Best Museum Best Event Space 2022
(919) 282-1183 or to book a reservation online & view our menu: www.nanasteak.com
April 22, 2023
21C MUSEUM HOTEL | DOWNTOWN DURHAM
We’re looking for brave supporters to raise money for Duke Children’s and the chance to rappel down the 21c Museum Hotel in downtown Durham. The first fundraisers to raise a minimum of $1,000 will earn a spot to go Over the Edge for Duke Children’s.
Not a fan of heights?
Support our edgers in downtown Durham on April 22!
For more information or to register, please visit: giving.dukechildrens.org/events/over-the-edge
Dr. Sue Ellen Cox is a board-certified dermatologic surgeon, founder and medical director of Aesthetic Solutions in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Dr. Cox runs an active clinical research center, and has performed clinical trials and pivotal studies on most neuromodulators and fillers on the market today. An author of more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, she serves on committees and boards for the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, the American Academy of Dermatology and various pharmaceutical and device manufacturers. Dr. Cox teaches cosmetic dermatology clinic to residents at the UNC School of Medicine and Duke University Medical Center.
Prejuvenation is a newer term in the aesthetic industry. In short, it means taking advantage of non-invasive treatments to prevent common concerns before they develop, rather than trying to reverse damage later. It’s an interesting concept, and in the long run can often be more cost effective for patients. Prevention is getting a lot more attention in the aesthetic community. Techniques for dramatic patient transformations are still the most popular of my lectures, but tips on reducing the likelihood of these concerns forming in the first place is gaining traction.
Many treatments that address damage can be used to prevent damage. Botox, Fillers, Lasers, Peels, and medical grade skincare all play a role. The goal is to maintain skin quality, skin tone and texture.
The Clear + Brilliant Touch is a gentle resurfacing laser that treats sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles and overall skin radiance. It has virtually no downtime – and is fairly quick. This is among my go-to’s for patients who want to improve their skin without disrupting their lifestyle, and is
perfect to help prevent the need for more aggressive lasers in the future. RF Microneedling combined with CoolPeel is another great option for patients. Combining these two treatments allows us to treat two different depths in the skin for impressive results with minimal downtime”.
Probably the most overlooked form of prejuvenation is skincare. I recommend patients buy medical-grade topicals. Whether it’s from my office, or their local dermatologist, the higher percentage of active ingredients really makes a difference compared to over-the-counter products. If you aren’t using a Vitamin A and Vitamin C – then start!
Why not wait until you see more visible damage to do treatments?
You absolutely can. As a cosmetic dermatologist, I work non-invasively to renew and restore without a scalpel. Noninvasive medicine is wonderful, but it isn’t surgery and it can only do so much. Waiting too
long to evaluate whether non-invasive treatments are appropriate often means a surgical solution will be a better option.
With so many non-surgical options out there, I often meet patients suffering from information overload. I think the most important thing for new patients is to have an initial consultation that focuses on concerns rather than treatments. You don’t need a chemical peel - you need options for treating sun damage and solutions to prevent it from coming back. We want to understand what a patient is looking to correct, then explain options from there. 2D and 3D facial imaging play a big role in my consultations. I’m able to look under the surface of the skin at things like redness, pigmentation and volume loss, and craft a treatment plan that is specific to the patient, their skin and their concerns.
Executive Editor Amanda MacLaren
sat down with founder Dan Shannon to discuss the early days of Durham Magazine as we celebrate our 15th anniversary
was an enormous amount of investment and number of influential businesspeople in city and county government, Downtown Durham Inc., Durham Chamber of Commerce, Capitol Broadcasting, a nascent American Underground and Duke University pushing, pushing, pushing the reinvigorating of downtown. It seemed overnight that the “new” Bulls stadium and American Tobacco Campus opened, DPAC opened, the fine-dining restaurant Revolution opened, West Village renovated into an upscale residential downtown from the bones of tobacco mills, but it was all years in the works. Time takes time.
Look at our city today – sophisticated, arts friendly and still welcoming and neighborhood-centric. There are new professional theaters opening up, there’s Duke Performances, Carolina Theatre and there’s American Dance Festival’s studios, a world-class center of modern dancing. Who expected to find that in Durham? And give DPAC the credit it is due. It is the largest, most successful venue between D.C. and Atlanta. Not only do we get all the Broadway plays, we also get music and comedy. DPAC has become a wonderful, welcoming center for the arts.
urham Magazine launched 15 years ago this month, so we thought now would be a good time to talk about our city and how it has changed, as well as how the media landscape has changed.
First, starting a city magazine in 2008 was far from a sure thing, wasn’t it? Those were tough economic times with an unprecedented recession. Yes and no. Durham was already a great city with a fabled past, but there was something special in the city’s DNA – it’s fair to say that everyone could feel something special was happening; Durham would become the most interesting and exciting city in North Carolina, and that’s exactly what happened. I think of then as the beginning days of Durham’s renaissance. Insofar as the recession, we tightened our belts and kept going.
What were some of your snapshot impressions of Durham at that time? What were you seeing in the city? Durham was and is robust, exciting and fast evolving. In the early aughts, downtown was not yet a destination area, but there
And you took a bet to start Durham Magazine. As a business bet, I wasn’t worried. Getting it right so the magazine serves its market is the hard part. Cool things were happening, young people were flooding into Durham. It’s really an organic thing. DPAC opened. Revolution restaurant opened. West Village was still there, and there was the beginning of renovations of old tobacco-legacy buildings. We had such great restaurants – Parizade, Mad Hatter’s Café & Bakeshop, Magnolia Grill. It was so dynamic. And the risk of shouting out names is you’re going to exclude so many others, but our first editor, Matt Dees, publisher, Carl Johnson, and my business partners, Ellen Shannon and Rory Gillis, got us up and going and cannot go unmentioned.
Once you put out your first issue of Durham Magazine, what was the response? Oh, the response was so welcoming to the idea that Durham was getting its own magazine. When we got our first issue off the press, I called Mayor Bill Bell’s office and said, “I’d like to come by and show our first issue and explain what we’re trying to do.” And he said, “What time are you available tomorrow?” The next day, Mayor Bell was enthusiastic and supportive. And anyone who knows Bill Bell knows that he loves Durham.
What did he say when he got the magazine in his hands?
You would have to ask Bill his thoughts, but I got to watch him look over the entire magazine. Always a gentleman and honest, Bill said, “Keep going, this is going to be great for the city.” We discussed the importance for a lifestyle magazine to reflect its readership, the mix of
stories and subjects, the feel, the sense, the need to capture the wonderfulness of Durham’s mosaic. No one issue can ever fully represent what it is – you need a year’s worth of issues before you can get a true sense of the magazine it’s going to be, before you get its tone, before you get its sense, before you get its feel. Anyone who looks at one magazine will never understand that magazine or that city. It takes a mix – that’s been my experience.
We’ll talk a little bit about the challenges that we faced as a magazine when it came to COVID-19, but what other challenges has the magazine faced over its 15 years? You just want to always be fair. If we’re going to write about food, just by way of example, we don’t just focus on one restaurant. We want to support everyone’s experiences, both the readers’ and the restaurant owners’, but we aren’t – and can’t – always be completely fair. We try to be as inclusive as humanly possible. That’s an ongoing challenge. Our response is we put out a high-quality publication and provide beautiful showcases
We’re so passionate, and we’re fervently pro communities, families and businesses.
– Dan Shannonin magazines and digital marketing to advertisers. We created our food events, Taste and Sip & Savor, at DPAC. We had to cancel those during COVID-19, but they’re coming back. These are very high-end food events that are perfect for Durhamites, Durham Magazine and local restaurateurs. For that matter, the definition of local news has changed.
Post-COVID work habits have certainly changed, probably forever. How does that work for you? The world’s changed. We’re so plugged in now, and the whole version of office-and-work-from-home thing has become the standard. I’m old school, but I’m now happy with the way it’s changed to flexibility. Took me a while.
It’s still really good to have face-to-face collaboration –there’s no replacing it. These magazines are creative products, and you need to bump into one another in the hallway for that idea or for this suggestion
or for that bit of information. I was worried. And I think at the beginning of COVID-19, we paid a price in creativity because of our isolation. But our team figured out how to work through it all.
I agree. As much as it’s important that we be in our office and bumping into one another, it’s also important that we’re out there in the community and bumping into people. Nothing replaces being out and about. I’d even go so far to say, that’s one of our secret successes. The joke about me was that I would go to the opening of an envelope. Durham Magazine has always had representatives at whatever’s happening, whatever looks interesting. That’s fun. You see people and you have a good time, and everyone’s excited and enthused. And I think it’s benefited our readers.
Switching topics, you titled your letter in that first issue, “An Unfinished Magazine.” So what did you mean by that, then, and do you still feel that way? It is still an unfinished magazine. Is Durham a finished city? No. And we have changed over the years, hopefully for the better. You know, we’re a lifestyle magazine, so we’re talking about the arts, the striking – big and small – homes, the great food, family activities. We’ll never be a finished magazine. So, as long as the city is unfinished, so is the magazine.
In a part of that letter, you listed the fundamental elements of Durham Magazine. You wrote, “We are committed to making a positive contribution to our city. We will honestly and without fear or favor, tell the stories and concerns of our neighbors. We will become an integral, organic part of our diverse community. I guarantee it.” So, 15 years later, how have we done? I’m proud of our record. No one’s perfect. Some topics and how to handle them still baffle me. Gentrification, for instance. But we do start from, “Will this story be of interest and useful to the readers?”
We don’t publish stories out of consideration of advertising. I know some people think lifestyle magazines are just vehicles for advertising; those critics are inaccurate. But we have a lot of credibility in our city because we are committed, and we are true to our values.
And do you feel that over these 15 years, we have become an integral and organic part of the community? Yes, with a modest caveat: We get to earn that every issue. As the executive editor for Durham Magazine, you and I both know where we’ve fallen short. But the nice thing about a magazine is there’s always another opportunity in the next issue to get better. Our readers and advertisers don’t [write us off after] making one mistake. I believe most people are generous.
What is your saying – your favorite issue is always the one at the printer? Ha! I can’t help it, but it seems to be true, doesn’t it? The one that’s at the printer, that’s the one I can’t wait to see. The other ones – well, they’re history. Although, there are some that I’m very fond of.
Do you have any favorites? Certainly the first cover with Nana’s restaurant owner Scott Howell on our cover, eating a biscuit in front of Biscuitville. I thought the idea of showcasing some of our great chefs’ favorite breakfast places was funny. And I thought it was a fun way to kick off. Let’s not take ourselves too seriously. Another favorite was our first issue into the COVID era. We invited first-person stories from readers – some well-known, but all of them with personal stories – about “How We Live Now.” It was a scary time, and you can get a glimpse of tales of bravery.
Yes, and it’s fun to take each issue into the world and show people how to make the most of their city. Our magazine makes a statement. Yes, our magazines say, “This is who we are.” And we strive to make our magazine reflect the people it serves. So we write for our readers, who range from their 20s to their 80s. We’re trying to serve the people who want to go out and do stuff, who make the most of their city and their communities. We distribute at retailers and mail thousands of magazines to communities all over
Durham. If you flip through the pages, you would see that it looks like the city it serves. I tell our editors to think of our readers as our family or friends and advertisers as good neighbors. It takes a village.
We use the term “hyperlocal” a lot around here. Our readers live in Durham; they don’t live in the Triangle. That’s not where people identify. They’ll say, “I live in Durham.” That’s their pride.
Sheshould have known better. Peace and quiet were nearly impossible to come by with this bunch. They knew that after a long walk and an exhausting kiteboarding lesson, she’d be down for the count. But it’s OK. Dad will help her get back at them. Unless, of course, it was his idea all along.
Edward Teach (aka Blackbeard) was beheaded in 1718. We ride bikes to small shops, like Mermaid’s Folly (they have a great selection of T-shirts), and restaurants like Dajio and the Flying Melon. Our favorite eatery is Thai Moon, which only offers pickup service, but it has the best Thai food in the state. We hang out at one of the many beaches during the day. I enjoy hunting for pretty shells while my husband is fishing and our daughters are jumping in the waves. Only one beach is monitored by a lifeguard. And there’s a beach by the airstrip where four-wheel vehicles can drive onto the sand. Ocracoke is a true barefoot getaway where you can feel like you’re standing at the edge of the world listening to waves as a storyteller shares ghostly tales while the sun slips behind the dunes. – Anna-Rhesa Versola, managing editor, Chatham Magazine
Each summer, my family heads east and rents a house on south Topsail Island. By day, we swim in warm water, look for dolphins and walk along the dunes – peering out toward Wilmington. Most evenings involve preparing fresh seafood from the market, then watching the sunset from the southern tip of the island. For casual eats, we grab a burger or mahi sandwich at SurfDog Bites & Brews. This Surf City spot is owned by Suzanne Ray and John Ray (the latter
Imost enjoy Isle of Palms, South Carolina, with my family, and I also love a quick getaway with girlfriends to Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina. It’s less than a two-hour drive from here, we stay at the newly renovated and modern Holiday Inn to save a buck, and eat at cute, casual beach bars with great margaritas and fish tacos – like Shark Bar and Kitchen – or dine late on the waterway at Bluewater Waterfront Grill.
– Ashlin Acheson, director of creative operationsMy family’s happy place is Ocracoke, a tiny barrier island off the coast of North Carolina. From Pittsboro, it’s about a four-hour drive to Cedar Island where you roll onto a ferry. Two hours later, you follow Highway 12 to the only village on the island. We usually rent a home at the edge of Springer’s Point, a nature preserve along the sound where
Start planning your North Carolina getaways with some help from our staff
COMPILED BY JESSICA STRINGERPHOTO BY ANNA-RHESA VERSOLA
travel is a former Raleigh restaurateur of Crowley’s and Edwards Mill Bar & Grill). Another favorite is Beach Shop & Grill on Topsail Beach where we can shop for gifts or clothing while we wait for our delicious seafood meal. It had a Wine Spectator list rating, and it’s a true hidden gem! With my kiddo in tow, the retro putt-putt, arcade and ice-cream shop Patio Playground is always on our list.
– Jenna Parks, publisher, Heart of NC Weddings
In state, I am heading anywhere there is a spa, whether that’s Pinehurst (The Spa at Pinehurst), Blowing Rock (Westglow) or Cary (The Umstead Hotel & Spa). For some beach time, Sunset Beach is my favorite destination to relax and unwind. When my boys were small, this was my fave.
– Lucinda Poole, account executive
Kure Beach is a bustling, small North Carolina beach town. We love going in May or October when the weather is warm, but it’s not overcrowded. We always stop by The Veggie Wagon on the way into town for a seasonal beer on tap and to pick up some ready-made dinners and locally farmed vegetables. Spend a long weekend surfing and building sandcastles on the beach, or take a ride to Southport on the ferry. Hike through Fort Fisher and spend an afternoon at the North Carolina Aquarium.
– Rory Kelly Gillis, president, Triangle Digital Partners
Ilove getting out to the mountains, specifically the Blue Ridge Parkway around Blowing Rock in the spring and summer. I love to camp out at Julian Price Campground, coming up to town to get breakfast at Blowing Rock Market and then coffee at Camp Coffee Roasters. I will spend the day out on the parkway, whether doing a round trip on my bike from Blowing Rock to Linville Falls and back, taking in the views and overlooks, or finding any of the amazing hiking trails (like Rough Ridge to the viaduct on Tanawha Trail). If I’m feeling extra adventurous, I’ll throw my stand-up paddleboard in so I can do some paddle exploring at Price Lake.
– Lauren Phillips, account executiveIlove spending my summer weekends in Wilmington, North Carolina. After a sunny day at Carolina Beach’s Freeman Park, I like to eat at The Kitchen Sink for dinner.
Afterward, I head over to Boombalatti’s for the best nondairy coffee ice cream, or walk next door to Edward Teach Brewery for its signature B.A.D. Lager. Visit Airlie Gardens, eat an acai bowl at Zeke’s Beans and Bowls, relax with a drink at High Tide Lounge & Tiki Bar, have some coffee from Bespoke, eat the tastiest brunch at Blue Surf Cafe, learn all about Wilmington’s ghosts on a tour, take a look through the Historic Thalian Hall, and, most of all, enjoy the sun, sand and surf.
– Lindsay Scott, graphic designer/ production coordinatorSpend time outside in Graham and Burlington, two charming towns just a hop, skip and a jump away from Durham. Start with brunch at the Smokehouse at Steve’s in Graham, and order the hefty chicken biscuit and grits. Enjoy a walk through Burlington’s Springwood Park or stroll downtown.
Forgotten Road Ales in Graham has amazing sour ales and an expansive patio with a disc golf course in back. And, perhaps best of all, Forgotten Road is dog-friendly!
– Jessica Stringer, editor, Chapel Hill MagazineOur family has been heading to Bald Head Island for more than 30 years. We like to go a few weeks before Memorial Day. Everything is open, but we get to avoid the crowds. The water is still too cold to swim, but we always have a blast riding around in golf carts, building sandcastles and enjoying the people watching at the marina. Tip: Plan your trip around a full moon so you can enjoy bagpipes, a bonfire and a stunning moonrise at the year-round Howl at the Moon event held at Beach Access 39 and sponsored by Maritime Market. You really do get to howl at the moon with your fellow islanders!
– Sally Scruggs, creative director, Triangle Digital Partners
Durham.
Downtown Durham’s most recognizable commercial general contractor, Gateway Building Company is known for its deep Durham roots and iconic Durham projects.
Since 2013, Gateway Building Company has grown with Durham. Founded by Jack Moore, whose experience in the Durham market dates back to 1974, Gateway projects are enjoyed by the community every day. As the company quickly grew, Austin Moore and Pete Zseleczky joined the team in 2015. Now, Gateway has completed more than 700 projects in Durham and the surrounding areas. Despite their rapid growth, Gateway remains committed to supporting community organizations and nonprofits throughout Durham.
Gateway is deeply thankful for the community and its clients’ support over the past 10 years. Jack will be passing the torch to Pete and Austin, who will continue building locations for Durham’s residents to live, work and play.
Dr. Dempsey Smith is driven by his passion for how orthodontics can improve people’s lives – a pursuit that sets him apart. After earning his specialty degree in orthodontics from UNC, Dr. Smith served in the U.S. Navy for four years, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
Dr. Gavin Heymann was born in Durham, grew up in Chapel Hill, and has practiced in those communities since completing his specialty training in orthodontics at UNC. He remains a lifelong learner through continuing education and as an adjunct faculty member at the UNC School of Dentistry Department of Orthodontics where he teaches residents. He appreciates the opportunity to develop relationships with patients while helping them achieve beautiful, healthy smiles.
Dr. Katya Skillestad was born in the former USSR, and speaks fluent Russian. She grew up in Charlotte and attended UNC for her undergraduate and dental degrees. Dr. Kat then studied orthodontics at Texas A&M University in Dallas, where she won the prestigious Journal of Clinical Orthodontics National Resident of the Year.
Together with their outstanding team, our doctors believe that beautiful smiles have the power to change patients’ lives in positive ways.
For more than a decade, Lauren Elmore has owned MODE, a designer consignment boutique, on Main Street in downtown Durham. MODE provides a place for people to buy and sell clothing and accessories, thereby reducing waste while also keeping on trend. MODE is not only a place to shop, but also a store where associates build relationships with customers and provide an inclusive, enjoyable environment for people to browse high-quality designer merchandise. Lauren and her family are immersed in downtown Durham, from living and attending school in the neighborhood to frequenting its restaurants, entertainment venues and shops. As a proud part of the community, Lauren considers it deeply important that MODE supports the community by donating to local nonprofits. The past year was a momentous one for MODE with a Raleigh relocation and a brand-new build. After opening its doors in Durham in 2010, MODE expanded to Raleigh in 2011, allowing people from across the Triangle to shop for quality fashion with intention.
Providing clients with an exceptional experience is at the heart of what the team at Grau Building Company has been doing for nearly two decades. Not only does that mean carefully building and renovating beautiful, individualized spaces, but always being open to expanding their offerings. The addition of interior design services is a recent example of this commitment. “Grau Design Studio is a natural extension of our core business and allows us to meet our clients where they are. It allows our homeowners to achieve a cohesive aesthetic, and it has been a real game changer for our clients and our team,” says owner Jeff Grau, pictured with site supervisor Kirk Right. Lead designer Jennifer Hutton, pictured above, guides clients with expert advice, including kitchen and bath design, finishes and fixtures. She supports Grau Building Company clients and provides design consultations to homeowners, both in-person and remotely, across the country.
Durham.
Since 1985, Desiree T. Palmer, DMD, PA and Associates have provided optimal oral healthcare with a chairside manner that exceeds patients’ expectations. As a dedicated team of professional women, they seek educational opportunities that enable them to utilize cutting edge, state-of-the-art technology to provide efficient and effective service to their patients. In 2015, Dr. Palmer opened a second practice on Parrish Street, Bull City Dental, to enable residents who live and work downtown to walk to the dentist. At both offices, Drs. Palmer, Kemp, Harris and Calmore provide comprehensive family dental care that includes cosmetic dentistry, implant restorations and Invisalign. Bull City Dental and Desiree T. Palmer, DMD, PA and Associates look forward to fostering relationships with their patients and the Durham community for years to come.
Susan Peak, Sudi Swirles and Ann Cavallito founded Peak Swirles & Cavallito Properties (PSCP) with a goal for excellence. Since 1993, PSCP has been dedicated to the highest level of service to clients. Their boutique design allows talented staff to nimbly implement decisions that benefit the client. Their knowledgeable and skilled associates have a diverse range of experiences in residential brokerage. Working together, agents understand and interpret market conditions and are able to communicate quickly with clients. This ability to prioritize and respond swiftly has enabled PSCP to help make a difference in clients’ lives as they navigate the pathways toward homeownership. Each member of the PSCP team values being a part of the personal path chosen by the client and has a deep appreciation for the opportunity to be of service for the past 30 years. As the PSCP team welcomes the new year, they look forward to being clients’ valued resource for real estate.
Durham.
For 40 years, Brent L. Blaylock, DDS has been a trusted cosmetic and restorative dentist in Durham. A North Carolina native, Dr. Blaylock attended UNC – Chapel Hill as an undergrad and then earned his dental degree from the UNC School of Dentistry. After briefly serving on the faculty at the dental school, Dr. Blaylock moved to Durham and bought the dental practice where he continues to treat patients today.
With patients ranging from adolescents to older adults, Dr. Blaylock spends time getting to know his patients in order to address their unique dental needs, from major transformations to routine dental care. His office provides crowns, bridges, tooth-colored fillings, implant restoration, whitening, TMJ evaluation and bite guards, among other dental procedures.
As a member of several dental study groups, Dr. Blaylock pursues advanced dental education to provide the best care to his patients – an opportunity that he views as a privilege.
Learn about nine people shaping our city’s future from those who know them well
When I first met Gabe in 2015, he was definitely a presence, but he had this quieter persona. He was focused on his creative process and on building a company – Runaway – that he could be proud of; one that allowed him to work with the people he wanted to and have the kind of impact socially, culturally and economically that he desired.
That persona evolved as I got to know him. When Runaway was closing its brick-and-mortar shop, Gabe was shifting some of his vocational interests and imaginations in terms of how he would use his time. I came to appreciate and see the heart that he has, not just for the arts and the creativity he brings, but also as we partnered together on some really cool youth programs.
At that point, I was working with the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University coordinating a program for local teens, predominantly teens of color, in Durham Public Schools – the Nasher Teen Council. I was
‘‘
[My biggest hope for change this year is to see] more affordable housing in the Triangle featuring artwork from local artists.
trying to think of creative ways to help these young people see the arts and what’s possible – Gabe was a great example of a young person who grew up in Durham, who clearly had a creative practice and was able to make the most of it. I was grateful for the way that he showed up to connect authentically with my students.
When Gabe reached out and invited me to be on this advisory committee for the mural he created at Willard Street Apartments, we coordinated an apprenticeship so that some of those young people [and others from Student U] could work with him on it, physically putting paint to wall. At the same time, I saw him sincerely do his research and center his focus on the subjects of the mural – the people who are indigenous to the land that we live on here in Durham – and work directly with those in the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation.
Since then, I’ve witnessed him continue to figure out how to bring attention to aspects of Durham culture that are sometimes threatened by big systems and institutions. I see him as someone who does what he can to preserve and perpetuate culture that is more equitable, more creative, and more affirming of the arts and of artists, of young people and of people who are often pushed to the margins.
Gabe knows who he is, and my hope for him is that he’ll continue to do work that matters to him and that has a positive impact.
– JESSE N. HUDDLESTON Durham resident, community organizer and arts advocate
“[This past year, I had] the opportunity to highlight Asian communities across the state of North Carolina through public art, [like the] North Hills’ Art Box project and Burke Arts Council mural.”
– Gabriel Eng-Goetz
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Ilearned early on when I first worked with Stelfanie Williams –back in 2015 when I was superintendent of Franklin County Schools – that she was an innovator and a connector with an equity lens.
Stelfanie was president of VanceGranville Community College, and I had high school students who were hungry for college credit. We were struggling to transport students to her campus. She found another way; she proposed, and I agreed, that whenever we had at least 15 students who wanted to take a college course, she wouldn’t make them come to her –she would send the instructor to them. Overnight, student enrollment in those advanced classes skyrocketed. Stelfanie reached out her hand to us and enabled some of our students to graduate with associate degrees.
That spoke to her innovation and sense of equity, as did her commitment to working with her professors to make textbooks more affordable for our students. She also knew how to connect with the community so well.
Vance-Granville served Franklin County in addition to the school’s “home” counties, which meant that Stelfanie had to build relationships with three superintendents and their three elected school boards
“Early in the pandemic, Duke University and Duke Health pledged to support residents and community organizations in the region. Over the past three years now, such collaborative efforts have spanned critical drivers of health and well-being –from food, housing and educational assistance with community-based organizations and schools to business assistance with local government, as well as corporate partnership with other entities and businesses to support nonprofits that provide important resources for individuals and families. The level of partnership across Durham, and the unwavering commitment of so many to see our communities thrive, continues to make me proud.”
– Stelfanie Williamsin order to effectively partner with their high schools. She made it seem effortless, even graceful.
Fast forward to her arrival at Duke, and as Durham’s superintendent, I once again see the full force of her innovation, connection and equity. When she became the new leader of the Duke Office of Durham and Community Affairs, there was already a strong legacy of partnership with our eight schools neighboring the university. But she immediately saw how many other children could also benefit from the wisdom and resources of the Duke community. Through its Strategic Community Impact Plan, the Office of Durham and Community Affairs ensures support for Durham Public Schools across the county.
But why stop there? In her relatively short time in this role, Stelfanie has become a Durham champion, opening doors for marginalized families and communities. She has connected with sectors beyond education, tackling food insecurity, housing and health. She and her colleagues are expert listeners, gracious helpers and tenacious workers.
Stelfanie is a great addition to Duke, a great addition to Durham and a great friend – to our entire community.
– PASCAL MUBENGA superintendent, Durham Public Schools‘‘
As someone who has made education my life’s work, I remain inspired by students and the hope they offer for the future. I am confident that innovative ideas will emerge from this remarkable generation of students who have experienced life-changing events. We need young, powerful and diverse minds working together with experienced leaders to develop solutions related to housing, health, education, employment and other community opportunities.
Knowing Zweli and Leo is knowing that there are still people who work their purpose and mission for the greater good of others. Chivalry, faith, family and community are not dead – not with people like them breathing life into Durham.
We first met when I needed a caterer for a work gathering. I phoned Hillside High School Principal William Logan and asked if he had any new vendors we could try out. He sent me Zweli’s number, and we set up a tasting. The food was just the start; loving Zweli’s food is too easy.
What stuck with me most was this intentional, spirited and passionate energy that she radiates. She dosen’t just know her craft – she has an overwhelming passion for it. I could feel it then, and I thought, “Wow… she’s got power in her. She has purpose, vision and drive.” I met Leo when he dropped off our order, and he matched Zweli’s energy and passion. We chatted and laughed, talked about their mission and future plans. Zweli told me she wanted to open a restaurant. That was 2016.
Zweli’s Kitchen & Restaurant opened in 2018. It’s not often people do what they say they’ll do, but they did. When recognition and media attention grew, they delivered again on their promise to support Durham. Even prior to COVID-19, Zweli and Leo were helping feed families in our community, many times out of their own pockets. When McDougald Terrace residents were displaced in 2020, they got to work partnering with other local restaurants and businesses to provide those families with around 50,000 meals, clothing and supplies. They aren’t afraid to ask for help and know that working together is the best way to get it done.
I see Leo supporting Zweli’s restaurant journey, and now I also get to witness Zweli champion Leo’s work to create a better Durham. His passion to end gun violence goes beyond words. He co-created One Thousand Black Men to actively combat the gun violence crisis against Black men in the city. He speaks to empower all who are ready for real change without asking permission. He knows you have to actually make moves in order to get things done.
Their two separate passions being used together to create this network of community and giving blows me away. They are a team, and the reciprocity they share with each other extends into the community. How do you not support and pray anything but positive things for people like Leo and Zweli?
“Not only did we survive COVID-19, we pivoted in a way that allowed room for growth. When COVID first started, we were very young in the business. We couldn’t see how we were going to survive, let alone sustain and grow our business. Through hard work, perseverance and a strong team, we managed to turn our trajectory.”
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Our biggest hope for this year is to be of inspiration to future entrepreneurs, continue to serve our community in various ways and also provide more opportunities to aspiring individuals.
CO-FOUNDERS, REDBIRD THEATER COMPANY
Coming out of the pandemic, actor David Berberian yearned to be on stage again – specifically, he wanted to perform in a twoperson show that he wasn’t certain anyone would want to produce. So, he produced it himself. He asked longtime friend Jeri Lynn Schulke to play opposite him. Then the two roped in another old pal, Derrick Ivey, to direct it. After the show closed, the three
said, “Well, that was fun. We should do that again.” Thus, RedBird Theater Company was born.
These three have deep ties to the theater community: working, directing, designing and acting for theaters across the Triangle for 30 years. They bring a commitment to supporting local artists, sharing North Carolina stories and producing work in a healthy, positive way. Their opening party in September garnered attendance by a who’s who of Durham theater practitioners. Their inaugural show, “A Doll’s House: Part 2,” was lauded by local critics and audiences alike. Over and over again, they hear, “It’s so nice to have independent theater back in Durham again.”
The three know intimately how critical the arts – and theater, especially – are to creating the cultural vibes Durham is known for. Their plans for RedBird are more than just “putting on another show:” They want a space in Durham where they can invite other artists to produce new work and then send it out across the state. Like RedBird’s namesake, the cardinal, they want their art to be ever present in North Carolina.
They currently partner with Durham Bottling Co. as their venue, but keep an eye out for pop-up shows and other exciting events they are planning around the city. Like another red bird – the phoenix – as live performing arts reemerges from the pandemic ashes, this bright new trio is sure to also fly high.
— DEVRA THOMASdigital editor, North Carolina Literary Review; and former managing director at Carteret Community Theater, Common Ground Theatre and Deep Dish Theater
“We’ve received almost 50 submissions of full-length plays from North Carolina-based playwrights for our summer production.”
– Jeri Lynn Schulke
“We established partnerships with local businesses like The Regulator Bookshop, Lonerider Brewing and Mezcalito.”
– David Berberian
“We produced RedBird Theater’s critically acclaimed, inaugural production of ‘A Doll’s House, Part 2’ by Lucas Hnath.”
– Derrick Ivey
… collaborate with more Durham artists, including filmmakers, musicians, painters, makers and more.
– Jeri Lynn Schulke
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… find a permanent home for RedBird that we can call our own.
– David Berberian
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… create new opportunities for promoting the arts as a valuable and essential asset in our community.
– Derrick Ivey
I hope to …
HEAD OF SOUTHEAST EXTERNAL AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, GOOGLE
Lilyn Hester is a Durham ally through and through. She has long championed Durham and the Triangle as a destination for innovation. The talent is here – and reportedly, that was a significant factor in
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My hope for 2023 is that Durham and the Triangle continue to be innovation hubs welcoming to all.
Our team realizes the importance of your dental health and strives to provide all your endodontic needs in a clean, comfortable and stress-free environment. We utilize state-ofthe-art technology to ensure you are receiving the specialized care you deserve.
Using the most advanced knowledge and techniques available today, we can perform many different endodontic treatments with ultimate precision and comfort.
Google opening a Cloud hub in Durham. She knows, because this is her home.
Lilyn, who attended Durham Public Schools and graduated from Jordan High School and then UNC-Charlotte, is dedicated to creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders. She’s passionate about seeing people of color access the jobs of the future, with Google and everywhere else. She and her Google colleagues were the leading partners with American Underground in creating the Black Founders Exchange program, which has worked with more than 70 Black-led startups from around the country. When we look back in 20 years and see Durham’s growth as a destination for successful Black-led businesses, it’ll be because of Lilyn Hester’s leadership.
Lilyn is fun and creative. You don’t leave a meeting with Lilyn without laughing a bit and considering a bold idea. Two of my favorite
“I recently wrapped up the year as chairwoman of the North Carolina Business Committee for Education, a nonprofit based in the governor’s office that led efforts to use innovative programs like ‘Rolling Study Halls’ – powering school buses with Wi-Fi, devices and onboard educator support. As a part of my role at Google, I also helped provide Wi-Fi access to areas in need, showcased Durham to my colleagues, supported workbased learning and apprenticeships, and volunteered during Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in November.”
– Lilyn Hesterexamples of her work are the soapbox derby she helped create in western North Carolina to teach kids STEM skills and the Rolling Study Halls program that ensured rural students had access to reliable internet on their long commutes to their unconnected homes. School districts parked the busses in centralized locations during the pandemic for students and their families to connect from their cars so they could participate in virtual learning.
Seemingly everywhere, Lilyn is chair of the North Carolina Business Committee for Education, chair of the NC Chamber’s Communications Committee, and a member of both the Durham Chamber of Commerce’s and Triangle Community Foundation’s board of directors.
When it comes to corporate leadership, Lilyn Hester is the model to follow.
– ADAM M. KLEIN director of Durham Real Estate, Capitol Broadcasting Company Real Estate
I’m known as LeeLee in the Goodmon household. I babysat for Michael and Liz’s kids from the time I was a freshman in high school through my early post-college years, and Leigh-Kathryn is hard for tiny humans to say.
But it wasn’t until I was in college that I realized exactly what the Goodmon family
Our
problems
relies on
barriers. This starts with the long-lost art of the benefit of
a simple belief that another’s intentions are not unlike your own in terms of the foundational basis of community advancement. The world’s not perfect, and I’m not usually unduly optimistic. But I believe that if I give you that basic trust, and you do the same for me, we can get somewhere for the good of all. Durham desperately needs to drive toward a cohesive vision for what it can be for everyone over the next 20 years. I truly hope we can find our way into this discussion.
Michael
EXECUTIVE
‘‘
ability to solve the significant
we face as a community
breaking
doubt;
– and Michael, specifically – has done for Durham. Michael is one of the ultimate creatives. He’s intentional about building in a way that makes everybody who lives here proud to be part of the Bull City. He’s made it a mission to bring more diversity and more restaurants into American Tobacco Campus, to make the Durham Bulls Athletic Park one of the best stadiums in the country, to bring the Miracle League’s baseball experiences for those with special needs to Durham, and to have a space where entrepreneurs can affordably work in offices to create the next innovative businesses in order for the city to thrive.
I was one of those entrepreneurs – when I told Michael that I wanted to pursue Bee Downtown full time rather than accept a job at American Tobacco after my internship there ended, he smiled, said he was hoping I’d make that decision, and asked what he could do to help me get up and running. If it wasn’t for Michael showing me, teaching me, challenging me and telling me that my voice matters, that my ideas are good and should be heard, and that I don’t need to apologize for those ideas, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. And my story with Michael isn’t unique. He’s helped develop and grow so many young leaders within the city in a way that, if he wasn’t a mentor to them, if he wasn’t a challenger – that’s the word I use for Michael; he’s a challenger, above all things – to them to be the best they can be, then a lot of people’s leadership journeys would look very different. He’s been a gift to many of us, to help us step into our own space within the city of Durham and beyond.
Michael is in it for the long run. This is his city, and he deeply loves it. You see that in every decision he makes, in the excitement for what Durham can be built into in the years to come, and it’s authentic and honest.
Durham is a special city, and there are special people who lead it, and I deeply believe that Michael is very much one of those special people.
– LEIGH-KATHRYN BONNER founder and CEO, Bee Downtown
“If you are anything like me, 2020–2022 felt like one long, almost never-ending, year. It was filled with trials and tribulations for us all in one way or another. Over this period, I got the most pride from how our team responded, pivoted and reshaped what we do in response to COVID-19. For businesses like real estate and professional sports and events, the safety and well-being of our customers was and is our top priority. What we’ve been able to change in how we approach and think about each business in the face of the global pandemic is something I will always, in a way, marvel. It is not something we wanted to do, but a test that I believe we
passed with flying colors. It truly speaks to the quality of the teams we have at the American Tobacco Campus, the American Underground and the Durham Bulls. I am beyond grateful for their commitment and sacrifice over these past three years. If not for that, it is the hard work and commitment that many in our community showed in the introduction and creation of both the Cristo Rey High School in ATC and the (near) completion of the Miracle League Field across Hwy. 147 from the Durham Bulls Athletic Park. These initiatives, at their core, bring continued diversity and utility of the district for more and more people. If we believe that downtown should be for everyone, as we all do, then it is projects like these that will continue to broaden our community for the better.”
– Michael J. GoodmonTours and Applications
Schedule a personal appointment to learn more! Accepting 2023-2024 school year admission applications online for students 3 months-6th grade.
Summer Camp
Weekly summer camp options for children ages 3 years-old - rising 7th grade. More details and registration on our website.
Jump tickets at Sky Zone give you access to all trampolines, the Foam Zone, Ultimate Dodgeball and Sky Slam, Sky Zone’s trampoline basketball court. The Durham location also offers special events on certain days. On Friday and Saturday nights, the park turns into a glow-in-the-dark, jumping dance club with blacklight, lasers and music. On Saturday mornings, head to Little Leapers, a fun, high-energy play adventure created for parents and their kiddos to enjoy together.
Triangle Rock Club is the largest indoor bouldering space in North Carolina with more than 27,000 square feet of climbing terrain. Not a fan of heights? There’s also a yoga studio, a strength and functional fitness area and a dedicated cardio space. Peruse its calendar, and you’ll find a variety of fitness and yoga class offerings, skills clinics, teen climb nights, parents’ night out events and community get-togethers.
create an enjoyable experience for the whole family, not just for kids. It opened in May 2022 complete with attractions like a ropes course, indoor climbing, zip lining, bouldering, two large slides, a ninja course and a variety of other obstacles and attractions. Family memberships are available, and day passes are good for three hours of fun, along with free coffee, popcorn and frozen yogurt. “We are a destination,” John says. “There is not a park like this in the Southeast.”
Sign your kids up for a class or camp with USA Ninja Challenge, an obstacle course training program for kids ages 2-17. The sport of ninja combines skill sets from gymnastics, climbing, cross-training, and track and field. With six levels to master, the training helps kids build confidence through fitness. Jump, climb and swing on a variety of obstacles, including climb ropes, ladders and warped walls.
If you’re stuck in a rut when it comes to planning family outings, this list is sure to dig you out of it. We’ve got your tried-and-trues, a few ideas that are new and –when the weather warms up – plenty of outdoor options, too.
Duke Performances has a slew of amazing productions, musical artists and ensembles coming up in these next few months, perfect for older kids and teens to discover diverse, future-thinking artists from our region and around the world. Notably, American Ballet Theatre returns to North Carolina for the first time in more than 50 years March 1619 with “Giselle,” a romantic tale of love, revenge and forgiveness.
Book Harvest hosts a bilingual storytime on Thursday mornings in its newly opened Family Space. “Stories from the Start,” an experience tailored for infants to 2-year-olds, takes place from 9:30-10:30 a.m. and features music, a movement activity and nursery rhymes in English and Spanish. Bilingual storytime “Turning Pages” comes directly after, from 10:30-11:30 a.m., and is designed for 3 to 5-year-olds with a short, guided activity related to the story. Families have the option to use the Family Space before and after storytime, and children may choose books to take home and keep.
Discover events and programs for the whole family at the newly renovated Durham County Main Library. Check out The MakerLab, a space with 3D printing and modeling, coding, robotics and more, for kids interested in science and technology. Reserve the Multi-Sensory Environment room, a specialized area for kids to manipulate light, sound, smell and touch. Participate in crafting events tailored to your child’s age range. Check out the library’s calendar to see the wide variety of events offered, from book clubs to computer classes. Save the date for the third annual Library Fest on April 24-29, too!
The Wonder Lab is an early childhood STEM play space and learning center that opened in November 2022 as a way to encourage children to explore STEM in a fun and meaningful way. Children from ages 6 months to 6 years old can attend a 90-minute play session featuring an interactive touchscreen with STEM explorations, 6-foot wind tunnel, wooden climbing structures, kid-friendly robots for screen-free coding play and more. Also check out age-appropriate STEM concept classes for kids ages 1 to 7.
Get out your stress at the Wreck It Rage Room. This experience allows you to completely wreck everything in the room using a bat, sledgehammer, golf clubs or your own two hands. Choose to bring your own breakables (or Wreck It will provide them for you), then spend anywhere from 10 to 35 minutes unleashing your fury. If you’d prefer not to break things, the Splash Room allows you and your family to splatter paint all over the room using water balloons, paint brushes and squirters.
Put your code-cracking skills to the test at Bull City Escape, which offers a variety of games ranging in levels of difficulty. Bull City Escape is an hourlong activity fit for the whole family, but probably better suited to older kids and teens.
Give back to our community every time you book your escape room experience at Escape on Purpose. During the checkout process, you will be prompted to choose one of three charities to donate a portion of your booking price. As of press time, you can choose to support the Wounded Warrior Project, Independent Animal Rescue or StepUp Durham, which provides free support services to unemployed and underemployed people in the area. Perfect for groups of three to 10, escape in fewer than 60 minutes from Mission: Submarine Attack!, the (Un)Common Room, (T)Error in the Sky or – new this February – Star Ship Rescue.
Located at Boxyard RTP, Game On Escapes & More offers mini escape room challenges and VR experiences. Grab a meal at one of Boxyard’s several restaurants before or after your reservation at the Cat Burglar escape room, or book later this year for the soon-to-open Container 51 room! Boxyard also hosts game nights on Wednesdays and features live music through the weekend.
Challenge yourself with brainteasers and a thrilling experience at Mission X Escape. Each game features unique sensing technologies and different rooms that correlate to the theme. Mission X Escape currently offers four escape room games: A Hero’s Story, Candyland, Vampire Manor and Hurricane.
NC Escape Room is an immersive escape room experience in downtown. You can choose to help Claire find her lost toys in The Attic escape room, experience a cryogenic chamber in Alien Escape or find your way back home in the Kidnapped! escape experience.
The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University is meant to inspire arts enthusiasts of all ages. “The Nasher’s collecting strategy emphasizes works by diverse artists who have been historically underrepresented, or even excluded, by mainstream arts institutions, and maintains a particular focus on artists of African descent,” says Wendy Hower, Nasher’s director of engagement and marketing. Admission is free, and families can take a break at the Nasher Museum Café, which offers a seasonal menu and coloring pages featuring current works in the Nasher’s art collections.
Or make a special visit to the Nasher for family-friendly events like “Spirit in the Land: An Afternoon with Duke Gardens” on March 5.
Find nature and science experiences at every turn during a visit to the 84-acre Museum of Life and Science. Explore the aerospace area, the TinkerLab and much more inside the museum before heading outdoors to climb and play at Hideaway Woods – “one of our top attractions,” says Matt Pusateri, senior director of marketing and communication – walk through the Magic Wings Butterfly House and insectarium, and see animals like black bears and red wolves, explore wind tunnels, take a ride on the Ellerbe Creek Railway and dig for ancient fossils along the Dinosaur Trail. “It’s a perfect family destination any time of the year,” Matt says. “When it’s cold or rainy, you can explore the science center and the butterfly house for hours. When it’s warm or hot out, guests can enjoy our treehouses, sailboats, train ride or the waterfall at Earth Moves.” Send the little ones to a Kids Night Out, where they can play games, eat pizza, participate in science experiments and check out exhibits. Or plan your visit during one of the Durham Community Days for free admission for the whole family with proof of Durham residency. In early 2023, the Museum will also open an all-new “Play-to-Learn” area for kids ages 5 and younger.
Stroll among 55 acres of beautiful scenery and interesting flora at Sarah P. Duke Gardens on Duke University’s campus. Take a selfguided tour utilizing resources provided on Duke Gardens’ website like observation bingo, scavenger hunts and more. Join in a Family Garden Walk from 9-10 a.m. exploring the Blomquist Garden of Native Plants on March 11 or the Doris Duke Center Gardens on April 8; or read a book, plant a seed, make observation drawings and more during Discovery Drop-In and Storytime every Thursday morning from 10 a.m. to noon March 2 to May 25. (Discover more children and family programs at gardens.duke.edu/learn/children-and-family-programs.)
When you’re done, grab a bite or a cone of Maple View Ice Cream at the Terrace Cafe and head to the Terrace Shop for souvenirs.
Get crafty at the Scrap Exchange with its vast collection of donated materials, including foam, paper, fabric, zippers and more – whatever you need to make the most interesting projects. Its design studio is also open daily from noon to 5 p.m. and is equipped with machines and supplies for all kinds of creative magic.
Durham Arts Council features four exhibition galleries to explore as well as classes catered to specific age ranges across a wide variety of mediums. Does your teen want to learn guitar? Sign them up for beginner lessons with Josh Zaslow. Perhaps your preschool- or elementary-aged kid is
interested in ballet. Register them for a creative movement class with Triangle Youth Ballet in the Rollins Dance Studio. Or get creative with your child and design a ceramic artwork together during a Caregiver/ Child Clay Workshop. Other classes include drawing, calligraphy, photography, theater and more.
Durham has more than 65 parks, including over 50 playgrounds, which makes it a perfect city for a day of play or a scenic family picnic. Take a trip to one of Durham’s two city lakes – Lake Mitchie and Little River Lake – which reopen March 10. Check out Durham Parks and Recreation’s Play More Guide and visit dprplaymore.org to discover programs and activities for all ages, like History Hikes on Durham’s trails or Fourth Friday Fires.
Avery Family Farm centers its mission on sharing its farm animals as a source of healing and stress relief. Known for its therapeutic goat yoga and goat and horse snuggle sessions, the farm offers classes on most weekends where you and your family can enjoy the animals and relax your bodies and minds.
March 31 marks the first homestand for the Durham Bulls. The games are “fun and engaging for every fan, regardless of age,” says Eric Topolewski, mascot and community relations coordinator for the Bulls. Bring the young’uns to the bounce houses, slides and interactive games inside the Wool E. World play area of the stadium. Kids can race around the diamonds after home games on Sundays during “Kids Run the Bases,” or find Wool E. Bull in between innings to snap a picture. “Keep an eye out on our social media and our website, because we’ve got a lot of fun and new stuff that we’re going to be bringing out this year,” Eric says.
You’re sure to find an extremely fun time at Xtreme Park Adventures, which features 16 different attractions. Play a round of paintball, airsoft, laser tag or gel blaster. Go rock climbing or zip lining.
Challenge yourself on the outdoor, high-ropes course or crack the code in an escape room. Xtreme Park Adventures also offers educational activities like its Xtreme Reptiles Lab, a History and Math Outdoor Quest Adventure and a Gem Mining Earth Science Program.
Old Mill Farm reopens from its offseason in March. Kids can feed and pet goats, watch alpacas graze, fish in the pond and mine for gemstones while adults can enjoy local craft beer or wine in the beer garden. Old Mill Farm also hosts Fridays at the Farm, a combination of local live music, beer and wine, vintage games, outdoor family fun and food trucks. “Fridays at the Farm has a truly family-friendly feel with something for kids, parents and even grandparents to enjoy,” says owner Alec Moore. “Admission is available per car, and we even have several families who enjoy coming weekly with our season pass option!” Other offerings include summer camps, teacher workday camps, yoga, wilderness classes, baby goat snuggles, special holiday events and more.
Just across the street, My Little Farmer offers more than 40 different farm classes with hands-on animal experiences for kids ages 1-10.
The Duke Lemur Center is home to the most diverse population of lemurs outside of their native country of Madagascar. Although public tours are not available until May, there are still opportunities to learn more about these amazing creatures. Take part in a virtual tour of the Lemur Center, schedule a private Zoom chat with Lemur experts or visit the Lemur Landing Gift Shop. In warmer months, take the family for a Walking with Lemurs or Behind the Scenes tour to learn more and see the lemurs up close.
Durham Central Park offers downtown fun for kids of all ages. Younger children will enjoy the playground at Mount Merrill while older children can hop on their boards or rollerblade at the Skate Park. Visit The Leaf every Tuesday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in spring and fall for a free family-oriented storytime for preschoolers. Post-storytime activities include visiting with Barnaby D. Troll, Mr. Pickles the Turtle and Rockin’ Reuben the Cardinal and creating complimentary crafts. DCP also hosts familyfriendly events throughout the year including the Durham Farmers Market, exercise classes, food truck rodeos and concerts.
From classic to modern arcade games, air hockey, pinball and more, Boxcar Bar + Arcade will keep you and your kid entertained for hours. Challenge each other to your pick of more than 70 games, then grab a bite to eat at the Neapolitan-style pizza kitchen. Take your food outside to enjoy some fresh air on their outdoor patio and gaming area. Minors are permitted with a parent before 7 p.m. daily.
One of the first esports bars in North Carolina, Bad Machines is perfect for the gamer in your family. Kick back and watch the latest esports tournament on a flat-screen TV or play a game on one of the consoles or arcade machines in the Gamers Lounge. Want to view a live esports tournament? Bad Machines hosts and streams its own competitive matches from a stage complete with lights and fog machines. Adults can enjoy a full-service bar menu of local craft beer and gameinspired cocktails.
Atomic Empire hosts a variety of card and board game nights, as well as gaming tournaments. If you’re a hobby or gaming enthusiast, check out its monthly community days – every other month is a “Learn to Play” day devoted to volunteers teaching and learning new games. While there, browse through its collection of games, comics and toys, while adults can enjoy a beer on tap.
merican Dance Festival offers summer camps for children ages 6 to 17 years old at its Samuel H. Scripps Studios on Broad Street. ADF’s Jennifer Scully-Thurston, who manages studio programming and community engagements, says the organization expects to host more than 100 campers this year, based on 2022 enrollment numbers. ADF also partners with other troupes
and guest instructors to plan specialized camps, like two weeklong “shadow” camps led by trailblazing dance company Pilobolus, a hiphop focused week taught by Tatiana Desardouin (a self-described “artivist” and the choreographer and founder of Passion Fruit Dance Company) and a weeklong Ballet Hispánico camp. These programs are followed by three weeklong camp sessions that cover a range of dance styles – from modern and hip-hop to jazz and African – each day.
– by Renee Ambroso
Ava Elliot, 7, and Viola follow Jose’s lead while caregivers look on through a studio window.
BY RENEE AMBROSO PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
othing quite matches the thrill that summer brings to young children, as rising temps and longer days offer the promise of unencumbered freedom and play. Summer, too, is a chance to discover new interests, says Montessori School of Durham’s Director of Auxiliary Programs Eliza Hudson. Breadmaking, gardening, robotics, sewing and geology are just a few of the topics kids can choose to learn about during the school’s nine weeks of programs for kids ages 3 years old to rising seventh graders.
“[Children] can have a camp experience that’s going to be really different from anything they’ve [been through] before, and it’s a good way to try out different programs of interest for them,” Eliza says. She encourages parents to keep an open mind when it comes to choosing a camp.
Some camps – toddler, early childhood and one elementary session – are only available to kids who have attended the school for a minimum of one year, but others – specialty camps focused on a particular subject – have open enrollment.
In addition to MSD’s performing and visual arts, crafts, nature exploration, gardening, business and STEM-focused camps, partnerships with nonprofit Frisbee organization Triangle Ultimate and Little Medical School offer a sports and a wilderness medicine camp option, respectively. Two weeklong camps will also be led by Rainbow Collective for Change staff – namely, founder and Director Anne Sutkowi-Hemstreet and Program Coordinator
Kaliq Alexander. Rainbow summer camps include developmentally appropriate books and activities to support discussions around gender diversity, race, LGBTQIA+ families, disability, justice, intersectionality and allyship, plus a group activism project.
While these specialty camps depart from the Montessori curriculum, “they’re all Montessori inspired,” Eliza says. If they are not already full-time teachers at the school, “the instructors … are trained in using the language that we want to use with children, with positive redirection and in general respect for the child.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Montessori School of Durham partners with UNC’s APPLES ServiceLearning program to give college students experience in Montessori teaching environments as camp counselors
The school had 350 summer camp reservations in 2022
About 75% of elementary camp attendees are Montessori School students
1870 FARM CAMP
1224 Old Lystra Rd., Chapel Hill 919-590-4120; 1870farm.com
The summer day camp at 1870 Farm is set on 17 acres. Outdoor activities include animal care, fishing, capture the flag and nature exploration. Indoor activities include crafts, an apothecary workshop, games and an entrepreneur club. 2023 camps offer more animal time, climatecontrolled play areas and a newly expanded egg production barn. Campers may also sign up for the kids vet club each week.
Ages 3-13; CIT program available ages 14+
Dates June 12-Aug. 11
Price $270-$475/week
ALL IN DANCE ACADEMY
5832 Fayetteville Rd., #110, Durham 984-219-7381; allindance.com
Each week comes with its own theme that is featured in crafts and dancing throughout the week. Camps end on Friday with a special performance for friends and family. Themes this year include villains, pop stars and much more. Kids will be introduced to a variety of dance styles including tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, lyrical, musical theater, acro and more.
Ages 4-17, ages vary by week.
Dates June 12-Aug. 4; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Price Varies by camp. See website for details.
AMERICAN DANCE FESTIVAL
721 Broad St., Durham 919-797-2871; americandancefestival.org
American Dance Festival’s Samuel H. Scripps Studios hosts a variety of camps taught by expert faculty to expand students’ knowledge and understanding of dance.
Ages 6-17
Dates Weekly in June and July. Visit website for details.
Price Varies by camp. Visit website for details.
ART ADVENTURES AT THE ACKLAND ART MUSEUM
101 S. Columbia St., Chapel Hill 919-966-5736; ackland.org
The sessions provide kids with a guided view of art in the Ackland’s galleries, followed by the opportunity to create take-home treasures in an adjacent art studio using newly learned art-making techniques. Materials are provided. Registration required, sign up online.
Ages 6-9
Dates May 20, June 10, July 8, Aug. 12; two sessions at 10:30 a.m. to noon and 1-2:30 p.m. Price Free for museum members; $5 per session for nonmembers. Register at ackland.org
ARTSCAMP AT THE ARTSCENTER
300-G E. Main St., Carrboro 919-929-2787; artscenterlive.org
Mix and match the half-day camps in the visual and performing arts to fit your schedule or create a full-day camp experience based on your camper’s interests. ArtsCamp features small classes taught by professional artists that focus on skill development and encourage the discovery of a creative voice. The ArtsCenter favors process over product and self-expression over perfection.
Grades Rising K-9
Dates June 19-Aug. 25
Price Patron $169; public $197
BALLET SCHOOL OF CHAPEL HILL
1603 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill 919-942-1339; balletschoolofchapelhill.com
Offers a variety of classes, dance camps and workshops in creative arts, ballet, modern, contemporary jazz, rhythm tap, hip-hop, musical theater and DanceAbilities, a workshop for children with special needs.
Ages 3-17
Dates June 12-Aug. 12; frequency and times vary. Price Varies. Call or visit website.
BARRISKILL DANCE THEATRE SCHOOL
3642 Shannon Rd., Durham; 919-489-5100; barriskilldance.com; contact@barriskilldance.com
Classes and dance camps/intensives in creative movement, ballet, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary, conditioning, musical theater and more.
Ages 3-18
Dates June 12-Aug. 11; half-day and full-day camps available, as well as weekly classes. Price Email or visit website for details.
BOUNCING BULLDOGS JUMP ROPE CAMP
101 S. White Oak Dr., Durham 919-493-7992; bouncingbulldogs.org
Jump rope skills designed for beginners to advanced participants; some are seven-time national champions and 12-time world champions.
Ages 5-18
Dates Visit website.
Price Visit website.
CAMP CURIOSITY
4512 Pope Rd., Chapel Hill 919-220-4529, ext. 405; summercamp.lifeandscience.org
This camp at the Montessori Community School provides learning experiences with opportunities for outdoor play, connection between camp groups and elective activities.
Ages Pre-K-5
Dates June 19-Aug. 4
Price Check website for details.
CAMP RIVERLEA
8302 S. Lowell Rd., Bahama 210-908-7629 (winter); 919-477-8739 (summer); campriverlea.com
Provides high-quality outdoor and art programs that emphasize personal growth, learning new skills, positive interpersonal relationships and appreciation for the natural world.
Grades Rising K-7
Dates Session 1: June 12-June 30; Session 2: July 3-July 14; Session 3: July 17-Aug. 4. Open house June 10, 1-4:30 p.m. Price Visit website for pricing.
CAROLINA FRIENDS SCHOOL
4809 Friends School Rd., Durham 919-383-6602, ext. 263; cfsnc.org/summer
Weekly courses in subject areas such as leadership, theater, outdoor adventures, cooking, weaving, sports, Legos, comic design, Minecraft, fashion design, “Harry Potter,” “Star Wars” and more.
Ages 4-18
Dates June 19-Aug. 18; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; extended care available from 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Price $320-$350/week
CAROLINA TIGER RESCUE
1940 Hanks Chapel Rd., Pittsboro 919-542-4684, ext. 3006; carolinatigerrescue.org
Learn in-depth information regarding the animals while getting to observe them and play games to learn about specific adaptations of the cats, complete art projects and make enriching toys for the animals. Campers watch the keepers feed and learn about vet procedures and what it takes to care for about 50 carnivores every day.
Grades 3-12
Dates June 20-24 and June 27-July 1 (rising third-fifth grade); July 11-15 and July 18-22 (rising middle schoolers); July 25-27 (rising ninth12th grade). Registration will open on Feb. 21. Price Elementary and middle school camps $350; high school camp $200. Before and aftercare available for additional cost.
CARRBORO RECREATION, PARKS AND CULTURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
100 N. Greensboro St., Carrboro 919-918-7364; carrbororec.org
Carrboro Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Department offers a variety of sports and day camps. For camp information, visit website. Registration is required.
Ages 3 and up, varies by camp
Dates June 12-Aug. 4
Price Varies by camp, visit website.
There’s a camp in the Triangle for every kid’s interest, from sports and science to art and engineering
summer
CODE WIZ CODING & ROBOTICS CAMPS
7001 Fayetteville Rd., Ste. 133, Durham 984-234-5603; thecodewiz/com/durham-nc
Children can unleash their inner genius by building video games, designing websites, programming robots, learning the latest technology and gaining STEM competency and confidence.
Ages 7-17
Dates Weekly camps, June–August
Price Call or check website for details.
DPAC – NEXT STOP BROADWAY
123 Vivian St., Durham 919-680-2787; dpacnc.com
A weeklong performing arts program of classes, workshops and rehearsals focused on classic Broadway shows. Participants learn songs and choreography and create their own presentations based on shows in the upcoming DPAC season and other hit musicals.
Ages 10-17
Dates July 17-21
Price Call or visit website.
DRAWING FOR TWEENS
AT THE ACKLAND ART MUSEUM
101 S. Columbia St., Chapel Hill 919-966-5736; ackland.org
Tweens look at selected works in the Ackland’s galleries and identify techniques that the artists used to make them. Gallery teachers demonstrate and teach participants technical skills, which they can then apply to their own artistic creations. A mix of drawing from works on display and creating one’s own original work is offered in each session. Materials are provided. Registration required, sign up online.
Ages 10-13
Dates May 20, June 10, July 8, Aug. 12; one session at 10:30 a.m. to noon Price Free for museum members; $5 per session for nonmembers. Register at ackland.org
DUKE PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAM
Campus Box 90700, Durham 919-684-6259; learnmore.duke.edu/precollege/all-programs
Provides advanced academic opportunities and an introduction to the college experience through courses that give students access to cutting-edge curriculum and technology beyond the average classroom while also connecting them with transcendent peers from around the world and influential professionals in their future field. Subject areas include engineering, humanities, mathematics, science, social sciences and technology. Summer 2023 features residential, commuter and online programs.
Grades 6-11
Dates Vary by program. Price Call or visit website.
3716 Erwin Rd., Durham 919-493-2642; dukeschool.org
More than 70 camps available, including outdoor adventures, sports, arts and crafts, music, technology, coding, makers, community service, day camps for preschool and more.
Ages 4-15
Dates June 19-Aug. 4, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; aftercare available until 6 p.m.
Price $350-$425/week
DURHAM ACADEMY
3501 Ridge Rd., Durham 919-489-3400 ext. 6114; da.org/summer
Durham Academy has provided premier summer camp experiences for area families since 1982. The school utilizes 84 acres of campus and stateof-the-art facilities with the goal of providing a summer experience for all ages that grows minds and fosters character. Join for a new program this summer – a transformative all-day camp experience that keeps campers closer to home but feeling far away as they gain independence and confidence. At the core of the program is the goal to equip campers with the tools to lead moral, happy and productive lives.
Ages 4-18
Dates June 12-Aug. 4
Price Starting at $375 per session.
DURHAM ARTS COUNCIL
120 Morris St., Durham 919-560-2726; durhamarts.org/dac-camps
One- and two-week cultural camps based on country themes and art-themed mini-camps for rising K through age 13. Campers have the opportunity to participate in clay, drawing, painting, mixed media, dance, theater and music classes, plus teen intensives for ages 13-17.
Ages Rising K-17
Dates June 12-Aug. 25
Price Call for inquiry. Scholarships available.
DURHAM PARKS AND RECREATION
400 Cleveland St., Durham 919-560-4355; dprplaymore.org; dprcareprograms.org
Offers a safe and inclusive environment where children and teens are encouraged to participate in a variety of traditional, specialty and teen camps. DPR is committed to the development of life skills through exposure to diverse activities and recreational experiences.
Ages 5-12 for traditional and specialty youth camps (must have completed kindergarten); 13-17 for traditional teen camp; 13-18 for teen MyDurham drop-in program
Dates June 20-Aug. 18; youth camps, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; teen camp, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; teen MyDurham program, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Price Call or visit website.
Registration opens March 13.
DURHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS –CAMP 4 RISING K Camp location TBA 919-560-9488; dpsnc.net/afterschool
This rising kindergartener camp offers a wellrounded summer experience. Campers explore science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM). Students participate in weekly STEAM-related activities, including sports, games and swimming and also explore their learning through weekly field trips at no extra cost. Free breakfast and lunch will be provided. Students receive a free T-shirt.
Grades Rising K students (must be 5 years old by Aug. 31, 2022)
Dates June 19-July 28; closed July 3 and 4
Price $140/week for first child; $130/week for additional children in the same family. $35 registration fee per child. Limited space.
DURHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS – CAMP FUNTASTIC Camp locations TBA; 919-560-9488; dpsnc.net/afterschool
Four- or five-star licensed summer camps by the NC Division of Child Development and Early Education that offer a well-rounded summer experience, including academic enrichment, science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM). Campers are placed in age-appropriate groups as they participate in weekly academic and STEAM-related activities and play sports, games, swim and explore their learning through weekly educational and recreational field trips at no extra cost. Free breakfast and lunch will be provided. Accepts DSS vouchers. Students receive a free T-shirt.
Grades Rising first through sixth graders
Dates June 19-July 28; closed July 3 and 4 Price $140/week for first child; $130/week for additional children in the same family. $35 registration fee per child. Limited space.
6211 New Jericho Rd., Chapel Hill 919-967-1858; emersonwaldorf.org
Activities include art, cooking, world languages and cultures, outdoor exploration, farming, fiber arts, basketball, practical living skills and more. CIT program also available.
Ages 4 through high school age
Dates June 19-July 28; 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; extended care available
Price $225-$350/week
GIRL SCOUT SLEEP AWAY CAMP
Camp Graham, Vance County; and Camp Mary Atkinson, Johnston County 800-284-4475; nccoastalpines.org
Calling all outdoor adventurers! Join Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines at one of its two summer resident camps. Campers will explore the outdoors each week through camp favorites such as boating, archery, arts and crafts, etc., while being part of a supportive camp community. Camp sessions run weeklong (Sunday-Friday) and half week (Sunday-Tuesday or Wednesday-Friday). Specialty programs include horseback riding, leadership programs, adventure trips and day camps.
Grades Rising 2-12
Dates June 14-16, June 18-23, June 25-30, July 2-7, July 9-14*, July 16-21*, July 23-28* and July 30-Aug. 4* (*indicates day camp sessions)
Price Half-week sessions begin at $275 for Girl Scouts members and $375 for nonmembers; weeklong sessions begin at $450 for members and $550 for nonmembers.
HILL LEARNING CENTER
3200 Pickett Rd., Durham 919-489-7464; hillcenter.org/summer
Provides individualized instruction with a 4:1 student-teacher ratio in reading, writing and math for children with learning differences.
Grades Rising 1-8
Dates June 26-July 28 (closed July 3-4); Two session options (8:30-11:30 a.m. or 12:30-3:30 p.m. daily)
Price $3,175
HOLLY HOUSE PRESCHOOL AND SUMMER CAMP
75 Cedar Run, Pittsboro 201-638-0913; hollyhousepreschool.com; hollyhouseconsulting@gmail.com
A series of weeklong themed camps featuring
JUNE 12-16 – Art
JUNE 19-23 – Harry Potter
JUNE 26-30 – Cooking
JULY 10-14 – Steam
JULY 17-21 – Building Blocks
JULY 24-28 – Photography/Video
JULY 31-AUG 4 – Nature Investigators
relaxed, developmentally appropriate activities and mid-morning snack and all supplies included in fees. Sign up for one week or all of them with themes like construction, crafts, fairy tales, gardening and cooking.
Ages 3½-7
Dates TBD; check website or Facebook page for details.
Price Fees vary depending on camp. Contact hollyhouseconsulting@gmail.com for more information and to be notified when registration opens.
INTERNATIONAL MONTESSORI SCHOOL
3001 Academy Rd., Bldg. 300, Durham 919-401-4343; imsnc.org
Camps provided in a safe, nurturing environment, tucked away among the trees. Enthusiastic summer camp counselors delight in engaging your young child’s creativity and imagination through music, movement, stories and exciting, hands-on activities with others in a multiage setting.
Ages 3-5
Dates June 19-July 28 with half- and full-day options
Price Half- and full-day camps (8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 3 p.m.); early drop-off and late pickup available for an additional fee. Camp details and prices will be available on website in early 2023.
JUNIOR VET ACADEMY AT 1870 FARM
1224 Old Lystra Rd., Chapel Hill 919-819-5258; juniorvetacademy.com
Weekly camps for animal lovers and aspiring vets. Ages 8-14
Dates Visit website. Price $545-$1,895
KIDZU CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
201 S. Estes Dr., Chapel Hill
919-933-1455; kidzuchildrensmuseum.org
Camp favorites include weekly themes of Pirates and Princesses, Around the World, Robots and Rockets and more. See website for weekly themes and descriptions. Enrollment available Feb. 1 and is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Ages 4-8
Dates Weekly camps starting June 12; 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., drop-off starts at 9 a.m. Price $375; Kidzu members receive 20% off!
LEARN TO FENCE! @ FORGE FENCING
610 N. Duke St., Durham 919-800-7886; forgefencing.com
En garde! Olympic fencing is a safe, fun and dynamic sport. Learn the basics of foil, epee or saber. These full-day camps are run by professional coaches who have developed beginners to world champions and NCAA athletes.
Ages 7-13
Dates June 26-30, July 17-21, Aug. 7-11
Price $375
MONTESSORI DAY SCHOOL OF CHAPEL
HILL SUMMER CAMP
1702 Legion Rd., Chapel Hill 919-929-3339; mdsch.org; admin@mdsch.org
Montessori Day School welcomes campers for a fun-filled summer where they will have a chance to enjoy a variety of hands-on crafts and explore different activities in each session.
Ages 3-8
Dates June 12-16, 19-23, 26-30; July 10-14, 17-21, 24-28; July 31-Aug. 4, Aug. 7-11; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Price $195/week
MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF DURHAM
2800 Pickett Rd., Durham 919-489-9045; msdurham.org
Weekly themed camps include athletics, music, visual and performing arts, cooking, nature exploration, gardening and science.
Ages 3 through rising eighth graders
Dates June 12-Aug. 18 (closed week of July 3-7); half- and full-day camps
Price Visit website.
MOREHEAD PLANETARIUM
SUMMER SCIENCE CAMPS
250 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill 919-962-1236; moreheadplanetarium.org/camps
Encourage your child’s natural curiosity and intellectual growth by signing up for a camp at the newly renovated Morehead Planetarium & Science Center.
Grades K-8
Dates Weekly from June 12-Aug. 11 (no camp the week of July 3)
Price K-5 half-day camps, $187-$231; full-day camps for grades 6-8, $495. Morehead Family Plus members are offered a 10% discount and early registration.
THE MOVEMENT FARM SUMMER CAMP
300 Southwind Rd., Siler City 305-213-9025; themovementfarm.com
Founded by Dr. Brent Anderson, a pioneer in the art of movement and rehabilitation, this weekly camp teaches principles of movement, mindfulness and balanced lifestyle through a combination of movement, art, nature exploration and deconstructed play led by certified Pilates instructors and subject matter experts.
Ages 5-12
Dates June 12-Aug. 18
Price $325/week
MUSEUM CAMP
433 W. Murray Ave., Durham 919-220-5429, ext. 405; summercamp.lifeandscience.org
The Museum of Life and Science offers fun, memorable and meaningful experiences for kids of all ages, and its camp provides opportunity for discovery and learning at the museum’s main campus. Kids will enjoy indoor and outdoor learning environments and exciting activities, plus the best of the museum.
Ages Pre-K-8
Dates June 5-Aug. 18
Price Check website for details.
NORTH CAROLINA MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCES SUMMER CAMPS
11 West Jones St., Raleigh 919-707-9889; naturalsciences.org/summer-camps; summercamps@naturalsciences.org
The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences looks forward to meeting your child at day camp this summer, where they will experience a range of creative, fun and interactive activities and adventures. The museum welcomes all campers and strives to provide
We encourage our dancers to be hardworking, independent, responsible and passionate people in all aspects of their lives.
an equal experience to any child registered. We are committed to open and honest communications with guardians to ensure the best experience for all of our campers.
Grades Rising K-12
Dates Visit website for details.
Price Visit website for details. Scholarships available.
NORTH CAROLINA THEATRE CONSERVATORY
3043 Barrow Dr., Raleigh 919-855-0015; nctheatre.com/conservatory; classes@nctheatre.com
Dream of seeing your name in lights? Offering year-round musical theater classes for ages 3 and older and summer camps for ages 7and older, participants will learn dance, voice and acting techniques with beginner to pre-professional courses. Summer programs include offerings in the conservatory space and the youth-staged production.
Ages 3-18
Dates See website for details.
Price Varies. See website for details.
ORANGE COUNTY ARTS COMMISSION/ ENO ARTS MILL
437 Dimmocks Mill Rd., Ste. 17, Hillsborough 919-245-2129; artsorange.org
Diverse camps that focus on the visual, performing and literary arts.
Ages 5-18
Dates Weeklong camps June 12 through Aug. 18
Price Check website.
OUR PLAYHOUSE PRESCHOOL
2400 University Dr., Durham 919-967-2700; ourplayhousepreschool.com
Offers unique camp topics and an exciting summer curriculum based on sensory, art, building and movement activities! Each twoweek session of camp will focus on students’ interests within the topics of gardening, outdoor explorations, tinkering and art.
Ages 2-5
Dates June 12-Aug. 4
Price Visit website for details.
PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF CHAPEL HILL AT BRIAR CHAPEL
81 Falling Springs Dr., Chapel Hill 919-441-0441; primrosechapelhill.com
Imaginations take flight this summer through different weekly themes that engage students in creative critical thinking while doing fun, STEAM-based projects and weekly field trips for experiential learning.
Grades K-5
Dates Weekly, June through August, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Price Call to inquire.
SCHOOL OF ROCK CHAPEL HILL
1500 N. Fordham Blvd., Chapel Hill 919-338-1011; chapelhill.schoolofrock.com
Offers one-week camps with a variety of themes, all of which end with a concert performance! Grades Rising 4-12 (see camp descriptions on website for specifics)
Dates Weeks of June 19, June 26, July 17, July 24 and July 31; Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Price Varies. Call or visit website.
THE STUDIO SCHOOL OF DURHAM
1201 W. Woodcroft Pkwy., Durham 919-967-2700; studioschooldurham.org
Offers the opportunity to discover, explore and engage in hands-on learning all summer long, with a variety of themes for children that are guaranteed to spark their creativity in a safe and naturally inspiring environment.
Ages 5-8 and 9-12
Dates June 12-16, June 19-23, June 26-30, July 10-14, July 17-21, July 24-28 and July 30-Aug. 4
Price $325
SUMMER DANCE @ TRIANGLE YOUTH BALLET 1708 A/B E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill 919-932-3676; triangleyouthballet.org
Camps, classes and intensives for boys and girls. Ages 3 through adult
Dates June 11-Aug. 20
Price Varies by program; check website for details.
SUMMER @ SAINT MARY’S
900 Hillsborough St., Raleigh 919-424-4028; sms.edu
Girls have the opportunity to explore new interests, build fundamental skills, pursue artistic dreams and expand academic horizons. Whether creating a charcoal drawing, learning to be a leader, strengthening their writing skills
or participating in healthy competition on the playing field, participants will enjoy a summer full of new friends and experiences in an allgirl setting as they master skills and grow in confidence. Registration opened on Dec. 17.
Grades Rising K-10
Dates June 20-24, June 27-July 1, July 11-15, July 18-22 and July 25-29. Residential, full-day, half-day and extended care options are available. Price $350 per session; $1,200 for residential
Ms. Nancy’s Manners CampSUMMERSCAPE AT THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF RALEIGH
7005 Lead Mine Rd., Raleigh 919-848-1545; msr.org
Seven weeks of full- and half-day camp sessions for students ages 15 months to grade eight. With a range of offerings including arts, athletics, the sciences, strategy games, robotics, outdoor adventure and more, there is something for everyone. Expert instructors and access to excellent facilities on the school’s beautiful Lead Mine Campus makes for an ideal summer experience. Registration is open to MSR students and nonstudents. Early-bird care available for an additional fee. Registration opens to the RaleighDurham community in March.
Ages 15 months-eighth grade
Dates Weekly, June 12-Aug. 4; no camp offered the week of July 4
Price Varies by camp. Visit website for details.
SUMMER SAILING CAMPS AT JORDAN LAKE
Crosswinds Boating Center, 565 Farrington Rd., Apex info@carolinasailingfoundation.org; carolinasailingfoundation.org
Beginner and intermediate classes taught by US Sailing Certified instructors. Weeklong, full-day sessions, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Only 12-14 students per class, so register early. Have fun on the water this summer learning to sail!
Ages 9-16
Dates See website for schedules and online registration.
Price $385 per student per week
SUNRISE COMMUNITY FARM CENTER
6407 Millhouse Rd., Chapel Hill 919-968-8581; sunrisecommunityfarmcenter.com/summer-camp Campers at Sunrise play and get experiential education with chickens, bunnies, goats and pigs, learn about creatively expressing themselves, growing garden vegetables, cooking and hiking around the property. Every camper has the opportunity to ride a horse and learn the crafts of partnership, make strong friendships and play in nature’s playground!
Grades Rising K-7
Dates Weekly, June 12-Aug. 25
Price $350/week for farm camp, $450/week for horse camp. Scholarships available.
120 Country Club Rd., Chapel Hill 919-962-7529; playmakersrep.org
Come train with theater professionals!
PlayMakers offers an exciting array of disciplines for middle and high school students to explore. Join for one week or all five.
Ages Middle and high school students
Dates June 12-July 14
Price $350 for weeklong classes; $650 for two-week classes
TRIANGLE DAY SCHOOL 4911 Neal Rd., Durham 919-383-8800; triangledayschool.org; summer@triangledayschool.org
Students will have the opportunity to learn a new craft or hobby, enhance and develop existing skills, travel to local places and make new friends. Staff consists of experts, artists and educators from TDS and other local schools and programs. A variety of programs focus on art, STEAM, nature, adventure, early childhood and more. CIT program for 13- to 15-year-olds.
Ages 4-15
Dates June 12-Aug. 4; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., extended care available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Price Before March 1, $300/session; after March 1, $315/session
TRIANGLE ROCK CLUB
1010 Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy, Durham 919-981-7441; trianglerockclub.com/durham
Offers a variety of half-day and full-day summer camps for ages 6 and up. Each camp day is filled with rock climbing, learning, adventure, goal setting, games and tons of adventure-filled memories!
Ages 6-13
Dates Weeks of June 12, June 19, June 26, July 3, July 10, July 17, July 24, July 31, Aug. 7, Aug. 14
Price Full-day $340; half-day $205
4011 Pickett Rd., Durham 919-402-8262; trinityschoolnc.org
Trinity School of Durham and Chapel Hill offers weeklong full-day camps all summer for rising first through sixth grade students. Participants will enjoy a variety of activities that keep their bodies and their brains active. Each week features a field trip and "splash days" for some fun in the sun!
Grades Rising first through sixth
Dates June 12-Aug. 7; no camp offered the week of July 4. 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with an extended care option available for $75/week. Price $325; $25 sibling discount.
YMCA CAMP CHEERIO
1430 Camp Cheerio Rd., Glade Valley 336–869-0195 (fall, winter, spring); 336-363-2604 (summer); campcheerio.org
YMCA residential camp in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Activities offered
include horseback riding, climbing, ropes course, aquatics, sports, field games, creative arts and nature study.
Ages 7-15
Dates June 4-Aug. 18
Price $1,390-$2,960
YMCA CAMP KANATA
3524 Camp Kanata Rd., Wake Forest 919-556-2661; campkanata.org
Located on 150 acres, this camp nurtures the potential of every child to develop into confident, competent leaders. It is traditional, coed and overnight with activities such as archery, hiking, swimming and creative arts, and water activities like canoeing, kayaking and a 75-foot double waterslide on the camp’s 15-acre lake. Offers an overnight camp in oneweek sessions, a traditional summer day camp in one-week sessions, and several overnight weekend camps throughout the fall and spring.
Ages 6-16
Dates June-August for day camp and overnight camps; April-May for family camps
Price Ranges by length of session. Check website for details.
YMCA CAMP SEAFARER AND CAMP SEA GULL
218 Sea Gull Landing and 2744 Seafarer Rd., Arapahoe; 252-249-1111 (Sea Gull); 252-249-1212 (Seafarer); seagull-seafarer.org
Overnight camps – Sea Gull for boys and Seafarer for girls – located on the North Carolina coast. Signature four-week program
Campers will have the opportunity to participate in visual and performing arts activities including drawing, painting, mixed media, clay, music, dance and theater!
gives campers time to develop their character, build strong relationships, independence and confidence in a safe, resilient and supportive environment. It also offers a Starter Camp (one week), a Mariners camp (two weeks), a Family camp and specialty weekend camping programs throughout the year.
Ages 7-16, and family camps
Dates June-August for summer camp; dates in May, August and September for family camps
Price Ranges by length of session. Check website for details.
YMCA CHEERIO ON THE NEW RIVER
754 Fox Knob Rd., Mouth of Wilson, Virginia 336–869-0195 (fall, winter, spring); 276-579-6731 (summer); campcheerio.org
This YMCA residential camp on the New River offers kayaking, canoeing, mountain biking, fly-fishing, tree climbing, target sports, creative arts, paddle boarding and hiking/backpacking on 150 acres.
Ages 10-15
Dates June 11-Aug. 11
Price $1,480
The home’s bright entryway leads into the open-plan living area.
This nearly 100-year-old Craftsman beckoned John Burns and Rodney Carvalho from the West Coast
BY MORGAN CARTIER WESTON PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN MICHAEL SIMPSON
t was love at first sight,” John Burns says, describing when he met Rodney Carvalho in San Francisco in 2001. But he could just as easily be talking about the couple’s first impressions of their home in Cleveland-Holloway.
“This house is what brought us to Durham in 2018,” Rodney says. “I loved [it] so much and said, ‘If I could live in this house, I’d move there tomorrow.’”
The pair had lived in big cities like Boston and San Francisco for about 18 years, but had lifelong friends in the Triangle – many of whom John met while attending UNC for his graduate degree in anthropology.
“I had made a lot of good friends here and through the years since, and people either stayed here after school or had moved back to the area to raise their families,” John says. “It’s always been a really desirable place to live, and I’ve held it in the back of my head.”
Rodney is connected to North Carolina as well; raised in a military family, his dad was based in Fayetteville for a number of years when Rodney was a child. “I never thought I’d be back here, but actually have a number of relatives and cousins in North Carolina,” Rodney says. “[It’s] been cool to reconnect with them.
“We visited Durham regularly for holidays over the years and were really impressed by the changes that were happening between each visit,” he adds.
After years as renters, the couple was ready to invest in a home they could call their own. “We were being outbid left and right in California,” John says. “We weren’t sure what to do, and after a certain point, we weren’t even excited about living there anymore.”
Ready for a new chapter, the husbands sent Terra Nova Global Properties Realtor Ed Billings to scope out this house and street for them. “Ed told us it was super cute and that we would love it, and he was absolutely right,” Rodney says. “He said it had been taken
It has been everything we hoped for and then some.
– John burns
off the market, but a few hours later, we learned the former owners were open to an offer.” The next day, Rodney and John learned their offer was accepted – they would be moving to Durham. “It was a little crazy, but we are so happy here,” Rodney says.
“It has been everything we hoped for and then some,” John says. He and Rodney barely had to undertake any projects in the 1924 Craftsman, thanks to the care of previous owners. The pair added a few cosmetic and functional touches, like a mudroom bench at the back entrance, as well as a kitchen backsplash, lighting and fresh paint throughout, but otherwise found it move-in ready. “It’s a beautiful home,” John says, “we knew that coming in, but after living in big cities like we have, we’ve never had this much space before.”
The couple, for instance, shared their first 10 years together in a 550-square-foot home in San Francisco. “We’ve always either had neighbors on all sides of us, or little quirks to get used to,” Rodney
RIGHT
says. “Having a single-family home is a new experience for us, but it’s one we’ve grown into.”
They’ve carved out room in the house for their work and hobbies, too, like a fabric divider in their bedroom to provide a quiet meditation area for Rodney. They even have space for a baby grand piano in the living area. “I’ve always wanted one, but we never had room,” Rodney says. “This space almost called out for it, to be honest,” John adds. “When we put the rooms together, we said, ‘What’s going to go there?’ And now we can’t imagine not having it.”
John and Rodney especially enjoy entertaining, cooking meals in the home’s large kitchen, where the upcycled wood island anchors the space and provides a natural gathering spot; or watching movies in the sizable entertainment room. They’ve also befriended neighbors, another new experience. “We’re friends with people nearby, and we have one another over for dinners or drinks,” Rodney says. “We knew our neighbors in Boston, but it wasn’t the same,” John adds.
Discover
“The location is great and so is the neighborhood,” Rodney says.
“I like the feel of it, the energy. A lot of people are moving here, so it feels really vibrant.” In the nearly five years they’ve been here, the pair has already observed a shift. “We used to recognize everyone, and now all of a sudden it’s growing so fast,” Rodney says.
“It feels like we’re living through a reboot of the city,” John adds.
The home’s proximity to downtown’s ever-expanding food and culture scene was a large part of its appeal. “We can walk to shows at DPAC and games at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park,” Rodney says. “We like to see classical music performances, and Duke University has a lot of great opportunities for that.”
Rodney, an engineering manager for food delivery company Goldbelly, travels to New York City regularly for work. While he enjoys the hustle and bustle, he says one of his favorite parts of those trips is coming home.
“You can relax here,” he says. “It’s literally a breath of fresh air.”
Research Triangle Park celebrated a historic milestone with the groundbreaking of Horseshoe at Hub RTP in October. Set to open to the public in 2024, Horseshoe will feature office and retail overlooking 16 acres of green space featuring a central plaza with a splash pad, outdoor terraces and connections to streamside trails.
COMMUNITY SPLASH PAD
Roxanne Miller began her role as Durham Technical Community College’s new vice president and chief institutional advancement officer on Jan. 17 and will lead the Durham Tech Foundation’s efforts to engage with corporate, foundation and individual donors to support Durham Tech’s goals. Miller most recently served as the senior director of development at the Wake Tech Foundation.
Five new members joined the Durham Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors in January:
• Chair: Stelfanie Williams, Duke University
• Director: Scott Levitan, Research Triangle Foundation
• Executive Committee: Robert J. Nelson IV, Genentech
• Director: Michael Landguth, Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority
• Director: Jane Brasier, Clark Nexsen
Allen Chan joined M&F Bank’s board of directors in July after having served on the M&F Durham City Advisory Board since December 2017. Chan is the managing director of Diversified Search Group, helping businesses develop diversity, equity and inclusion strategies. He brings financial, nonprofit and entrepreneurial experience to the advisory position.
Flagstone Foods Chief Executive Officer Harry Overly joined the board of food-tech company
Pairwise in November. Overly will help to guide the company’s launch of Conscious Greens, new salad green varieties that will be available to consumers this year. Overly has extensive executive experience in marketing, sales and food product innovation, and also serves as the executive chairman of the board at SunMaid Growers of California.
Silicon carbide technology developer and manufacturer Wolfspeed appointed Elif Balkas as its chief technology officer in January. Balkas joined Wolfspeed in 2006 and served as vice president of research and development in Wolfspeed’s materials division. She succeeds the late John Palmour, continuing the co-founder’s work in innovating Wolfspeed’s manufacturing process.
Tire sensor development and data management company
Tyrata honored our city’s public GoDurham bus system with a 2022 Know Your Tires Safety Award. Tyrata presents the annual award to customers who demonstrate “significant safety, efficiency or cost improvements.” Since switching from manual tire monitoring to Tyrata’s automated Drive-Over system in 2020, GoDurham’s fleet has recorded more than 40 million miles of tire tread data, demonstrated consistently maintained tires well above safety limits, worked to change tires closer
to replacement thresholds and proactively addressed mechanical issues, Tyrata reported.
The Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange and Chatham Counties celebrated its 60th anniversary in December during an event at Hope Valley Country Club The association marked the installment of new officers, including CQC Home President and CEO Ken Combs as a vice president, and CIMG Residential Mortgage loan officer George Linney as secretary and treasurer. Linney was also recognized with the association’s 2022 Associate of the Year award.
A report released by financial research group Smartest Dollar ranked the Durham-Chapel Hill area as the best-paying city for accountants among 94 midsize metro areas in the country, ranking each location by its median annual wage for accountants and adjusted for cost of living. Durham led the cohort with a median annual wage of $84,328 compared to a median wage of $77,250 nationally.
Real estate company Thompson Thrift is slated to complete construction of Marketplace at Ellis Crossing, a mixed-use development located between Ellis and Yunus roads, in March. The 30acre site boasts approximately 71,810 square feet of retail space, with much already leased by businesses including Durham’s first Publix, the third
location of restaurant It’s a Southern Thing, a Lee’s Nails storefront, a Heartland Dental office and a Chipotle. Other tenants include First National Bank and a gas station. Approximately 13,000 square feet of shop space remains available as of press time.
Learning development and consulting agency BCL launched online learning program Feedback Academy in October. Cofounded by Garry O’Brady (pictured above left) and Nathan Pienkowski (pictured left), Feedback Academy offers companies ondemand, self-paced lessons on how, when and where to give and receive feedback that is effective and consistent.
Visual intelligence solutions company BrightView Technologies moved from Morrisville to a new facility on Stirrup Creek Drive in midJanuary. The 60,000-squarefoot facility will increase the company’s capacity to produce visual and optic solutions for consumer electronics and automotive and robotics uses.
Tuft & Needle, a mattress and bedding accessory retailer under the Serta Simmons Bedding brand, opened its eighth U.S. store in Durham in December. The storefront at 7001 Fayetteville Rd., Ste. 101 offers mattresses, bed frames, bedding and sleep accessories, including dog beds and aromatherapy.
Plan. The revitalization is funded through the city’s Forever Home, Durham initiative, which supports affordable housing developments. Former 519 East Main and Liberty Street occupants were relocated to other affordable housing accommodations with the opportunity to return to the newly constructed apartments in the future. Pictured is DHA Director of Development Anthony Snell with Jonathan Farrar of Harmon Construction Services/Laurel Street at the demolition celebration.
On-demand car care company Spiffy announced the hiring of its new chief financial officer Brad Schomber (pictured left), who brings more than 16 years of financial and accounting experience to the position. The company also reported a 90% increase in revenue in 2022 and nearly 850,000 additional services delivered by the end of the year, totaling almost as many as the company’s entire history since its founding in 2014.
The Durham Housing Authority and the City of Durham began the revitalization of the 519 East Main and Liberty Street Apartments HUD-assisted communities in November. The demolition of Liberty Street Apartments marked the first step of a multi-phase, whole-site revitalization aimed at offering future tenants both market average and low-to-moderateincome dwellings within the planned Elizabeth Street Apartments, scheduled to break ground this spring and deliver 72 family units when its first phase is complete. The project is led by Charlotte-based developer Laurel Street, and is part of DHA’s Downtown and Neighborhood
Research Triangle Park’s commercial-stage oncology company G1 Therapeutics announced it raised more than $50 million through a public stock offering of 7.7 million shares in November. The company is conducting clinical trials for possible drugs to treat cancers, including breast cancer and colorectal cancer.
Digital health and remote care company Validic raised $12 million in its most recent financing round, which was led by Kaiser Permanente Ventures with participation from existing and new investors, including SJF Ventures. Validic will use the funds to further develop its remote care platform and accelerate the integration of patients’ personal health device data in health records.
Global health care company Novo Nordisk announced a $6 million donation to support Durham Technical Community College’s new 35,000-square-foot Life Sciences Training Center over four years, beginning with $1.5 million in January 2023.
This is the largest corporate donation in Durham Tech’s history and will ensure that the college: can establish a biotechnology associate of applied science degree program for its current college students; create onsite training for biotechnology career transition programs; ensure students are prepared on biotechnology equipment; and provide outreach and awareness for area middle and high school students. The new Life Sciences Training Center is expected to be completed in 2026, with a groundbreaking later this year. “[This] announcement is about a company’s investment in the people of this region,” said Durham Tech President and CEO J.B. Buxton, pictured to the right of Novo Nordisk’s Shaylah Nunn Jones. “It’s not just big news for Durham Tech and the highquality education and training it will enable us to provide, it’s lifechanging news for the thousands of local residents who will benefit and go on to great jobs in a growing and important industry.”
The Duke Energy Foundation announced in December it had distributed grants totaling $750,000 to 23 organizations. Among recipients of $25,000 grants are Durham County’s Office of Emergency Services/ Emergency Management Division, the Charles Hamilton Houston Foundation, Durham Public Schools Foundation, the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, SouthEastern Efforts Developing Sustainable Spaces and Hayti Heritage Center’s nonprofit, the St. Joseph’s
Historic Foundation. Hayti Executive Director Angela Lee (right) accepts a check from director of Duke Energy’s East region, Indira Everett (left).
Wolfspeed announced its sponsorship of the FIRST Robotics Competition in December. The nonprofit organization FIRST provides hands-on STEM programs and hosts high school robotics competitions in North Carolina, California, Arkansas and Arizona. The sponsorship furthers Wolfspeed’s goal to establish STEM partnerships at all of its major locations by 2025.
Fidelity Investments announced in January that it acquired Boston-based fintech company Shoobx, which provides automated equity management and financing software services for private companies. Shoobx joined Fidelity’s Stock Plan Services, a part of its Workplace Investing division, which serves nearly 700 companies with 2.5 million plan participants.
Duke Health announced a partnership with health care software company nference in January. The collaboration aims to promote new scientific breakthroughs and accelerate research through nference’s analytics platform and by making biomedical knowledge computable, which could result in quicker development of new therapies and cures, according to Duke Health representatives.
Renewable energy company Strata Clean Energy acquired Phoenixbased Crossover Energy
Partners in November. Crossover’s clean energy solutions and transition products for utilities and large energy users will aid in development of new technologies to expand on Strata’s renewable energy initiatives and decarbonization strategies.
Durham Technical Community College, in partnership with Research Triangle Foundation, celebrated the opening of a new location in Research Triangle Park in December. The site, located at Frontier RTP’s 600 Building, houses training space for the college’s work with industry partners as well as the leadership of the college’s Center for Workforce Engagement, which includes Corporate Services, Career Services, Human Resources Development, Work-Based Education and Apprenticeships and the Small Business Center. In attendance at the new location were Durham Tech President and CEO J.B. Buxton, Baebies
Human Resources Director
Jenine Pearson, Recipharm Laboratories Training Manager
Jacquelyn Dalrymple, Durham County Board of Commissioners Chair Brenda Howerton, KBI Biopharma Training and Development Manager Eugene Lofton, Durham Tech Board of Trustees Chair John Burness, Research Triangle Foundation Vice President of Strategic Engagement Raymond Trapp and Durham Tech Center for Workforce Engagement Executive Director Jerry Jones
Asklepios BioPharmaceutical (AskBio) announced in January the signing of a multi-year research collaboration and option agreement with ReCode Therapeutics, which combines AskBio’s gene-editing technology with ReCode
Therapeutics’ precision delivery technology in hopes of developing precision genetic medicines through a novel platform for full gene insertion to provide therapies for patients of genetic diseases.
The International University Sports Federation (FISU) voted in January to confirm central North Carolina as the host of the 2029 FISU World University Games. The student athletics competition, founded in 1949, is second in size only to the Olympics. The Triangle and Triad region, which includes 19 colleges with more than 250,000 university students, is set to host the games in summer 2029 at institutions including Duke University, Durham Technical Community College and North Carolina Central University
Duda|Paine Architects celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2022. The architectural firm
was founded in 1997 by Jeffrey Paine (pictured left) and Turan Duda (pictured right), and has created sustainable commercial office tower designs for clients including RTI International and Horseshoe at Hub RTP as well as buildings on university campuses like Duke University and North Carolina Central University. The firm received the American Institute of Architects’ Healthcare Design Award in 2022 for its design of the Center for Health and Wellbeing in Winter Park, Florida.
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1 Durham Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Geoff Durham.
2 Former Durham County Commissioner Ellen Reckhow and Durham County Commissioner Nimasheena Burns.
3 Duke Energy Director of the East Region Indira Everett with 2022’s Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award recipient Lori Jones Gibbs.
4 N.C. Sen. Mike Woodard and N.C. Sen. Natalie S. Murdock.
5 Zweli Williams of Zweli’s Kitchen & Restaurant, LeChase Construction Services’ Southeast Regional Diversity Manager Denise Barnes, Durham County Commissioners Vice Chair Wendy Jacobs, Poof Event & Training Center founder Destiny Alexander and Durham City Council member Monique HolseyHyman.
6 Durham County Manager Kimberly J. Sowell.
7 Sensus Application Engineer Jackson Brink, DPAC Corporate Partnerships Manager
Abigaile Bates and North Carolina Museum of Life and Science’s Director of Development
Disha Dewan.
The Durham Chamber of Commerce held its annual Leadership Forum and Holiday Reception on Dec. 15, 2022. The event invited industry leaders, city and county staff, and elected officials to the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club for drinks, heavy hors d’oeuvres and networking, and included a drive to collect canned goods and other nonperishable food items to donate to community members in need. Capitol Broadcasting Company Real Estate’s Durham Real Estate Director and Durham Chamber Board Chair Adam Klein welcomed guests before Duke Energy’s Indira Everett presented the 2022 Duke Energy Citizenship and Service Award to Lori Jones Gibbs for her outstanding contributions to the city of Durham. The forum wrapped with remarks by Durham County Manager Kimberly J. Sowell, Durham Chamber President & CEO Geoff Durham and Durham Chamber Vice President of Community Investment Angelique Stallings
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ezia “Kate” Goodwin strived to reimagine child care systems during her 34-year career in early childhood education, including as a pre-K teacher and as a director and district manager with KinderCare Learning Centers, among other roles. Now, as the co-founder of the nonprofit research and development group Truth Education Foundation and founder of Kate’s Korner Learning Center, she’s created an inclusive child care option for kids ages 6 weeks to 12 years old at the American Tobacco Campus After about four years of preparation, Kate’s Korner held a grand opening on Jan. 6 and – as of press time – was slated to welcome its first students on Jan. 31.
What brought you to the area?*
Kezia “Kate” Goodwin I moved to Durham in 2018. [I had] a conversation with my best friend [and co-founder of the Reinvention Road Trip], Jes Averhart about finding a place where I could do the work I wanted to do in equity and education. [Knowing] that education in Durham was seen with an equitable lens, [she and I thought] Durham would be a great place for me to do the work that I had been trying to do while I was living on the West Coast.
What drove you to open a child care center in Durham?
KG I wanted to become a provider because I identified some of the inconsistencies that the early childhood industry had had prior to COVID-19, [specifically surrounding] equality and autonomy for child care center educators in their pay and in their roles. [I also noticed] the lack of access that most students in the Durham area were experiencing by not having an early childhood education [option that was financially] accessible for families, as
well as the lack of child care providers after COVID-19 hit. I incorporated a drop-in model when I first [started developing Kate’s Korner]. After COVID-19, I wanted to operate on a full-service model. Those are what spurred me on – the industry’s heartache and that I wanted to create a space that addressed the major issue that is the expulsion of kids from early childhood classrooms, specifically of minority students, and more specifically, African American boys. That’s the driving force that was behind deciding to go out on my own to do this, bolstered by research on early childhood education that was done by Walter Gilliam at the Yale School of Medicine.
You say Kate’s Korner offers “innovative and inclusive child care” – describe what that means, and other aspects of the curriculum.
KG [Research shows] the necessity of early childhood education for children and the benefit of children being exposed to an early childhood experience, and how that makes them more successful in K-12 classrooms.
We also know that when a child is in an early child care setting and can see themselves in and identify with the curriculum and with their caregivers, that self-identity propels them even further. … An environment that is inclusive and creates acceptance and love for them will allow children to gain their own love of learning, which then spurs them to have better outcomes when they go into their kindergarten through sixth grade years.
One of the major parts of Kate’s Korner’s curriculum [is to help cultivate] social-emotional development. This means giving children the tools to be able to communicate their emotions, validating their emotions, helping them to self-regulate and learn conflict resolution skills.
How did you find your space at American Tobacco Campus? What has been your experience working with Capitol Broadcasting?
KG I sat down in a meeting with Michael Goodmon, Adam Klein and Jes, and I talked to them about my dream. I spent days putting together a 10-point presentation to give to them, but it ended up being a very quick meeting, because I gave *Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
them the basic meat-andpotatoes of what I wanted to do and the essence of the “why” behind it – the necessity of early childhood education and lack of accessibility to it. Michael said, “Of course, we’re on board,” and “I’m glad you’re here.” … He threw the ball to Adam, who has been [supportive] beyond measure. Words can’t express how I feel about the going to bat for me that Adam has done.
The experience with Capitol Broadcasting has been an amazing one. They do not shy away from understanding that I am a small business, a Blackand female-owned business, and the hurdles that I had to jump through to get here. They were willing to work with me and believe wholeheartedly in supporting this endeavor. They invested more than half a million dollars in this $1.2 million project and have not wavered in any way, shape or form in getting it done with me and for me and for this community.
Can you talk a little bit about what renovations or changes you’ve made to the space?
KG We gutted the old Basan restaurant, and it’s [now] a little more than 7,000 square feet of learning space. Kate’s Korner has two infant rooms. The demand for infant care was very evident, as the rooms filled to capacity within only a few weeks of opening for enrollment.
All of the center is amazing, but [particularly a space] called The Root, an after-school innovation lab for children who are in kindergarten through sixth grade that is designed around a STEAMbased curriculum that brings in community [partners].
CloudFactory, which has its corporate headquarters here in Durham, is going to support our STEAM efforts … with expertise and staff volunteer hours. We’re also partnering with Carolina Theatre to [create programming focused on] the arts.
I’m very proud of The Root. … It’s an experience that most of the children we will service in that program would not normally have. We are filling 75% of that classroom with voucher-accepting families.
KG Kate’s Korner is a lab school … because our focus is to create solutions for industry issues. One of the major issues in early childhood education, outside of affordability and accessibility, is teacher compensation. We’ve decided to take the [typical child care center] model and flip it upside down … starting with compensation. [Kate’s Korner’s pay scale is] a little bit above the market average. Educators start out earning $15-$17 an hour depending
on their responsibilities and skill sets. Pay can go up to $18 depending on their education and experience.
Kate’s Korner is, however, doing something that most providers don’t do. I have taken my labor cost and made that a fixed cost.
In the typical child care center model, when some children leave for the day, [remaining] children are combined in different classrooms. Parents will relate to this – every time they pick up their child, their child is in a different room or somebody new is caring for them.
[At other child care centers where I’ve worked], we called this “the shuffle,” and I never appreciated having to do it, but my job as a director was tied directly to making sure that labor cost was lower than projected. What that equaled was that you hired someone for 40 hours a week, but only paid them for 30, because your focus was getting them out of the building before they hit a certain number of hours. This practice
is the industry standard. If I hire you for 40 hours, you’ll work for 40 hours to ensure that you’re paid the money that you’ve been offered.
Our lead teachers will be salaried. The lead teacher will work with their team to create curriculum, manage days off and make sure workers show up for one another. [We prioritize] autonomy for child care workers in the classroom. Usually in a child care center, teachers are given a curriculum you must follow. … It leaves little to no room for the autonomy piece. Our center allows teachers to write lesson plans that they’re proud of.
The other [incentive we provide at Kate’s Korner] is unlimited PTO. Early childhood educators have a job that’s stressful. Most people who have one or two children call it stressful! Think about teaching 12 to 15 kids all day long. [Child care workers] need time to take
care of their own families and go to doctor’s appointments, too. The industry has shamed them [for] not being there for the children they serve but expects them to be [at work without being] their whole selves. [It’s] caused anxiety and stress because child care workers don’t know if they can pay their bills and aren’t prioritizing their own children. [Kate’s Korner’s] team concept and priority in giving autonomy back to child care workers is essential in mitigating this.
Lastly, our curriculum focuses on social-emotional support of children – but how can you expect an adult who has never had social-emotional support themselves to be able to give that to the children they serve? We have a centering room that allows not only children who are having a hard time acclimating, but also educators to go in, put headsets on, listen to meditation music and [feel] calm.
urham Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Geoff Durham said it best: “Durham [has been] a great place to do business for a long time. … [It’s] home to a variety of sectors that are succeeding, growing, innovating and supporting one another.” In spite of the past few years of hardship, our city’s independent business climate is flourishing. For this special anniversary issue, we wanted to check in with a few other enterprises that also turn 15 this year, from a favorite Italian restaurant in the heart of downtown, to one of the top performing arts organizations in the country.
The Lather Lounge salon sits in an unassuming white building near the corner of Hillsborough Road and Lawndale Avenue
Founder Maggie Lewis, born and bred in Durham, has had an interest in hair styling since she was a child. As a teenager, she worked as an assistant to hairstylist Miko Pierson – who now works at Salon Lofts downtown – before enrolling at Carolina Beauty College in 2008. She completed her education that same year, and shortly after, Lewis’ husband, Kazlo Lewis, and her father, Sylvester Smith, encouraged her to open her own salon. In order to stay close to her roots, Lewis launched in Durham. The best part about working in her hometown, Lewis said, is “I get to see my work flowing, growing and blowing [around the] Bull City.”
The Lather Lounge has steadily grown from Day One, and Lewis’ client list includes members from local and national news and radio stations to one of her most famous clients, Loretta Lynch, our country’s first female African American attorney general. “It was great,” Lewis said. “[Lynch] had Secret Service with her each time. I’ve been her cosmetologist for years now.”
Salons and barbershops across the country suffered through the pandemic, but Lewis was quick to overcome
the odds. “I adapted right away with no problem,” she said. “Time management and cleanliness were already in place. All I had to do was add masks and Lysol.” Lewis still offers one-on-one appointments and virtual consultations to clients who prefer to limit contact with others. Her keys to success, Lewis said, are “communication, confidence and character. Set goals, brand your business and don’t give up.”
Founded by Ryan Hurley and Nadira Hurley, downtown boutique Vert & Vogue promotes clothing made using ethically sourced natural fabrics from independent designers. At the tail end of 2001, while living in London and working in the trade publishing industry, Ryan made a weekend trip to Paris to visit the Musée Picasso. But he never made it, as he first walked into a men’s clothing store where Nadira emerged from behind a curtain, and within moments had Ryan trying on clothes. Nadira says she was not one for dating clients, but after a few more visits to the store and with a little charm, Ryan convinced her to go on a first date. Sparks flew, and a little less than a year later, the two were married and living in New Jersey. In 2007, the couple found themselves yearning for something more. “I came from a long line of small business owners, and I wanted to have my own business,” Ryan said. “At the same time, Nadira had reinspired my love of clothing and style. We also discovered some designers who were dedicated to creating collections that were more sustainable.” While trying to find a way to bring their idea of an environmentally friendly boutique into reality, the couple visited Durham, a city talked about highly in their
circle of friends. “We just fell in love with the culture, the diversity, the entrepreneurial environment and its legacy,” Ryan said. “The food scene really captivated us, and we thought that, if people had this kind of palate for food, then maybe they would appreciate new styles of clothing as well.” They opened their boutique
in 2008 in Brightleaf Square, where they stayed for seven years before moving to Five Points in early 2015. “We made the move both for the opportunity to own our storefront and use the third floor of the building for our e-commerce operations as well as for more visibility in the city center,” he said.
The Hurleys have maintained superior products over the past 15 years, but their biggest challenge had always been a lack of daytime traffic. “The whole revitalization has been driven by Friday and Saturday night experiences with food and the performing arts,” Ryan said. “Current retail is more spread out. Retail is all energy, emotion and people. So when we are standing on our own, we have to go head over heels to create that experience to grab clientele.”
Over the years, the couple has proved they have the skills to create that sought-after vitality and intrigue. Some of their events invite clientele to meet popular independent designers – such as Amy Smilovic, founder and creative director of womenswear clothing line Tibi –who are often made available for personal styling appointments. In a similar fashion, Vert & Vogue’s “Happy Hour” series hosts regional luminaries who give talks on a variety of subjects. Past guests have included Grammy-nominated musician Tift Merritt and awardwinning Durham chef Matt Kelly “Vivian Howard will be a special guest for our Happy Hour in May,” Ryan said.
Vert & Vogue found ways to keep going even amid the pandemic, when the store’s momentum could have easily halted. “We developed personal styling appointments since we could only have one person in the store at a time,” Ryan said. For clients who couldn’t shop in person, virtual appointments were available, coupled with personally curated apparel boxes shipped to customers. “Those services have been really successful for us,” he said.
“[We’ve] always been struck by the way people show up – for their friends, family and community as a whole,” Nadira said. “Everyone, from our customers to fellow entrepreneurs and restaurateurs, is so generous with their time, always supporting one another and small businesses.” Vert & Vogue was officially given its B Corporation certification in 2018 for meeting the highest standards of performance on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials. “We’ve taken cues from our neighbors, bringing great, personal service to each aspect of our business,” Nadira said. “Honest feedback and clear
communication are integral, and I’m proud of growing an environment in which our customers and [our staff] feel safe to truly express ourselves.”
A few doors down from Vert & Vogue on West Main Street is Italian sandwich shop Toast, a local favorite. Owners Kelli Cotter and Billy Cotter have worked in restaurants since their teenage years and knew they wanted to open their own restaurant. Steering away from the fine dining scene that made up most of their work experience, the two aspiring entrepreneurs had a taste for something more casual. “We wanted a place where everyone could go rather than someplace reserved for special occasions,” Kelli said.
The Cotters wanted to join the revitalization of Durham’s downtown but struggled to find a place that met their specifications while also being affordable. “There were no spaces with a hood system available, and [to install that system] was out of our budget,” Kelli said. So, they compromised. The couple chose to narrow down their menu options to Italian sandwiches and soups, thereby eliminating the need for a hood system, and found the ideal location to open up shop. Billy, the chef, ensures freshness by using locally sourced ingredients from farmers, bakers and other vendors. Toast has enjoyed numerous accolades, including being named one of the best sandwiches in the Bull City for all 12 years of Durham Magazine’s “Best of Durham” poll.
The biggest challenge for the Cotters came, unsurprisingly, with the pandemic. No one was dining out, and the pair had to adapt. “We didn’t even have online ordering before the pandemic,” Kelli said. “We didn’t have much in the way of delivery services either.” With the help of Billy’s sister, Marny Ruben, they set up local neighborhood deliveries, notifying folks living in those areas via email, once a week for 16 months. “I don’t know if people wanted to eat our food that often, but I think some people just wanted to support us,” Billy said. Today, a majority of Toast’s business is now through online pickup orders. “It’s a big change, but it means we can also handle a lot more,” Kelli said. “We used to seat 40 people. Now we seat 24. We’ve limited what we can do in dine-in services because we can do so much more in takeout.”
It’s not only the customers championing this small
sandwich shop, but also others in the industry. “The community in the local restaurant businesses all talk to one another and share resources,” Kelli said. “We don’t feel that harsh competitiveness. When new places open up, it keeps people in the area. Especially new independent owners.”
Looking to the future of Toast, “we never set up an exit strategy,” Kelli said. “We hope [business] continues to grow and that downtown keeps the independent owners and startups around. If that continues, then we will stay forever.”
The Durham Performing Arts Center welcomes close to 550,000 guests each year to its more than 200 individual performances offered throughout the season, which range from hit Broadway musicals to concerts, comedy shows and special events. DPAC has been listed as a
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top-performing arts organization in the region and annually ranks as one of the top five theaters in the United States. DPAC has been named one of the best performing arts venue in our annual “Best of Durham” poll since it began in 2011, and ranked as the No. 2, No. 4 and No. 6 theater in the U.S. in 2022 in VenuesNow, Billboard Magazine and Pollstar, respectively.
The idea for DPAC originated between 2003 and 2004, initially conceptualized as a home for American Dance Festival events during Capitol Broadcasting Company’s redevelopment of the American Tobacco Campus. Construction of the arts center started in 2007 with an approximate cost of $46 million, and DPAC officially opened its doors in November 2008.
Early into development, concerns grew around whether Durham could support a 2,700-seat performance center, especially during a recession. More importantly, would it disrupt the city’s other treasured venue on the opposite side of Main Street, the Carolina Theatre? Worries quieted as the Carolina Theatre saw growth of more than $1 million in annual revenue over
the first few years after DPAC’s opening. Meanwhile, DPAC’s first-year ticket sales tripled that of projections, with soldout shows featuring musicians B.B. King and Harry Connick Jr., and comedian Lewis Black, to name a few.
Fifteen years after its opening, DPAC has grown significantly from its original 32 shows and four weeks of Broadway performances a year. Owned by the City of Durham, DPAC’s operations are under the direction of Nederlander Organization (a New York-based company and owner of nine theaters in New York City) and Professional Facilities Management, allowing DPAC access to some of the most popular Broadway performances in the country. Its top-grossing shows included three-week stints of “Hamilton” and “Frozen;” the biggest showing goes to “The Lion King” in February 2016, with 40 performances and a total of 100,000 guests across its fiveweek run.
Again, challenges arose in early 2020 when the pandemic forced DPAC to close its doors for almost a year and a half. During that time the center went through safety improvements, including a new GPS Air purification system that filters indoor air and is “400% more effective in capturing airborne particles,” according to DPAC’s website. Once restrictions on gatherings eased, DPAC reopened in August 2021 with a performance by English pop band Squeeze. Even with its own potentially audiencelimiting precautions in place, including mask and vaccination requirements, the performing arts center had another successful season that drew more than 450,000 attendees. With most requirements now lifted, and with DPAC projected to again host more than 200 performances – including the premiere of two of Broadway’s biggest hits, “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” and “Six” – in 2023, it’s safe to say that the show went on and, indeed, seems it will for many years to come.
weddings Wedding Date Oct. 15, 2022
Occupations Joy is a radiation therapist at Duke University Hospital, and Robert works as a final assembly electrical technician for Altec in Creedmoor, North Carolina. Crossed Paths The couple met through a mutual acquaintance at a Raleigh event in 2015. Joy says that the pair started out as friends, but she and Robert shared a “raw honesty,” which drew them closer and allowed their romance to “grow organically” after just three months of knowing each other. “It happened so naturally,” Joy says.
The Proposal Robert popped the question in March 2020 while the couple celebrated Joy’s 40th birthday at The RitzCarlton Hotel in New Orleans. “After midnight, Robert asked me to come downstairs to the lobby area,” Joy recalls. “There was a gazebo and romantic courtyard setting, with a bucket of Champagne on ice and two glasses.” While she was suspecting a proposal, Joy says she was still shocked when it happened. The Big Day Everything about the destination wedding at the Royalton Riviera Cancun in Riviera Maya, Mexico, “was absolutely perfect,” Joy says. She said “I do” in a gown from Gavin Christianson Bridal, and the couple incorporated traditional Mexican food, tequila tastings, maraca wedding favors and a mariachi band into their celebration. “I always envisioned having a destination wedding,” Joy says, adding that they chose Cancun to ensure the trip was affordable for their 75 guests.
Favorite Moments “One of my favorite details would have to be the reception layout,” Joy says, adding that every element was flawless. Robert says he cherishes the memory of watching his soon-to-be wife walk down the aisle. “He finally [saw] all the hard work and effort I [had planned] over the past year and a half,” Joy says. “I am truly blessed and thankful for all who traveled to see our union and how my vision came true.”
Wedding Date Sept. 8, 2022
Occupations Lauren owns Durham’s own Mode Consignment Boutique. Blake is the chief medical officer at medical consulting firm Alva10 and teaches about health care innovation as an adjunct professor at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.
Crossed Paths Lauren, a Wilmington native, and Blake, a Duke graduate from eastern Tennessee, met by chance in 2017. Lauren describes it as “a random Thursday” when she found herself sitting next to Blake at Mateo Bar de Tapas. Five years later, they celebrated their marriage on the anniversary of this lucky encounter.
The Proposal Blake surprised Lauren with a Valentine’s Day getaway trip to Miami Beach, Florida, in 2022. After a romantic dinner, Blake took Lauren to the rooftop at 1 Hotel South Beach and proposed under the stars.
The Big Day Blake and Lauren’s New York City wedding weekend began with an intimate Thursday afternoon ceremony at a city courthouse. “Just the two of us,” Lauren says. Her hair was done by Rachel Radford, a close friend of the couple and owner of Carrboro’s Ceremony Salon. In lieu of a standard reception, Blake and Lauren invited 44 of their closest friends and family members to an elegant dinner party inside The Beekman hotel’s private cellar on Friday night. Celebrations continued the next morning with a rooftop family brunch and a night out on the town in the heart of Manhattan. The idea for this intimate city-centric wedding came from Lauren’s close friend of more than two decades, wedding planner Amanda Scott of A Swanky Affair. “[Amanda] actually started planning our wedding before we even got engaged,” Lauren says.
Favorite Moments “My favorite thing about our wedding day is that it was on [the fifth] anniversary of the day we met,” Lauren says. “It will always be a special day for both of us, reminding us of how lucky we are that we sat down next to each other that one evening.” Blake says he will forever remember holding hands and strolling through the city with Lauren after their ceremony, “the beginning of walking together through life.”
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