Keeping it Real

GOING FORWARD

BY DR. DEBBIE LANIER

We’d waited six years. We were finally pregnant and having twins (yes, TWINS)! My husband and I beamed like giddy children. We’d just look at each other and start giggling. TWINS! As TWINS magazines arrived at our doorstep, we dreamed, “Will we need a bigger car? Two nurseries?” Everything changed!

We anticipated our appointment that morning with Dr. Taylor, but his fatherly face looked different this time. Gently, he explained the test results. One baby would soon die inside me. The other child would feed off her sibling until she was born.

Numb. It’s the only way to describe that moment. We left his office and sat motionless in the car. Silent. We just looked out the windows and tried to hide our tears. We waited … prayed … then waited some more.

Thirty-six hours later, I was rushed to the Emergency Room. I’ve never known such chaos, such panic. My water broke. My panicked husband yelled, “What’s happening?” The nurse reluctantly replied, “She’s losing the babies.”

Our daughter, Debryn Hope, entered the world first. Our son, Paul Francis Lanier IV, soon followed his sister. They were beautiful, so perfect. Their little fingernails…I just really remember their fingernails.

As Debryn and Paul struggled to breathe, we were warned that neither of them would survive the night. We held them close…christened them…sang to them…and then gave them back to God. Paul lived about thirty minutes. His sister survived a while longer.

The day before Christmas, 1989, we buried our children. It was the coldest day of the year, but our hearts already knew that. I recall brief glimpses of the funeral, but mainly, I was too numb to feel anything. After the prayer, the funeral director led me from the children’s grave into the limousine. Sitting alone, I began to feel it. I cried out to God (screamed really) with an anguish I still remember vividly. “Where are You? Don’t You see what’s happening? Do You even care?”

For months I struggled to make sense of it all. I still don’t have it figured out. But this I know: God is for me. He never left me. He never gave up on me. God believed in my future more than I did. I do not believe for a moment that God caused our pain, but I know He redeemed it and uses it every day to heal others.

Nine months later, we did give birth. We began a ministry called Hope. The enemy sought to bury us along with our children, but God took that very heartache and planted it in a promise! For more than 31 years now, hundreds of people gather every week to declare the Resurrection Power of Hope.

I drive by that cemetery where the twins were buried several times a day. It’s not cold there anymore. In fact, we can almost feel the grace flowing from that little grave.

I don’t know your story, but I know everybody’s got one. Perhaps you approach the holidays longing for a yesterday that cannot return. Maybe a seat around your table is empty this year. Perhaps memories of laughter and love dancing across the room no longer twirl there anymore. Just the thought of how things used to be triggers a tsunami of tears that won’t stop.

Wherever you find yourself now, please believe me: God wants to redeem even the most painful pieces of your story. He never wastes anything, not even death. He loves you too much to leave you hopeless in your sorrow. The very thing satan uses to bury you, God will use to plant you!

Salemtowne Retirement

Nutcracker

Fraleigh’s Boutique BY MARTIE EMORY

When Donna Merriman opened Fraleigh’s Boutique with her mother, Mary Frances Bingham, in 1981, she knew their strong family bond would spill over into the business. But who could have guessed they would be celebrating a 40th anniversary this year, blessed with an ever-growing client base and an amazingly bright future ahead!

This year has been one to remember for the Fraleigh’s family, explains Donna’s daughter-in-law, Ally, who now helps manage the boutique’s day-to-day operations.

“For our 40th anniversary we wanted to go BIG,” says Ally. “You only turn 40 once! We had a three-day Anniversary Sale and a fun wheel for customers to spin at checkout and receive extra discounts and goodies – all as a thank-you for supporting us!” One especially favorite element of the anniversary hoopla – old photos of Mary and Donna from 1986 that were used in original newspaper ads – were made into canvases and placed around the boutique for customers to enjoy and reminisce. “It brought back sweet memories for some of our customers who have been shopping with us since we opened,” says Ally. “For others, it was a glimpse of Fraleigh’s past.”

A large part of that past has been made up of mothers and daughters shopping together, as classic style always transcends generations. The boutique also has many “regulars” -- groups of girlfriends and co-workers who also make it a point to shop together. From size two to 20W, the goal is simply to make customers feel comfortable.

“When we have a customer who shares their love for our store with family and friends and brings them along for the experience, that’s truly the highest compliment you can receive!” says Ally.

At Fraleigh’s, showing love to their loyal clients means a focus on customer service, and a dedication to carrying quality clothing. For those that choose the boutique experience over online shopping, the staff offers 100% effort to giving them the one-on-one service they deserve (think personal shopper!), as well as recognizing when customers would prefer to browse on their own.

40 Years & Counting!

Staying in style these days also means keeping pace with social media, and Fraleigh’s posts daily videos on Facebook and Instagram, along with emails to keep customers up-to-date on new inventory, daily specials, and other upcoming events at the shop. “Our daily videos have truly helped our business flourish, especially during the past year,” says Ally. “We see so many trends in the marketplace and make adjustments when we’re buying in order to stay age-appropriate for our clientele.”

Throughout these amazing 40 years, the Fraleigh’s staff has seen every look and every style come and go, from skinny pants to wide legs, long jackets, short jackets, and tops in every color, always with the perfect accessories to match. Those fun accessories, from shoes and scarves to bags and jewelry, also make excellent Christmas gifts!

The achievement and excitement of 2021 will not soon be forgotten at Fraleigh’s, and these ladies are excited to continue growing and bringing their customers the very best quality. The rewards of running a successful business have been many, on both professional and personal levels. “Our customers are our family,” explains Ally, proudly. “We celebrate with them, grow with them, and even cry together. If we have just met them that day, some time in the last few months, or maybe we have known them for 30-plus years -- either way, they are family! When you have the opportunity to spend time with your customers and get to know them on a personal level, that’s what makes it all worthwhile.”

If you’re new to the Fraleigh’s family here’s a bit of trivia: The clever shop name combines both Mary and Donna’s middle names – Frances and Leigh! Come visit Fraleigh’s Boutique at 2626 LewisvilleClemmons Road in Clemmons, 336-766-7440, and follow them on Instagram @fraleighsboutique and at Fraleighsboutiquenc.com. Boutique hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

BY TABATHA RENEGAR

Sit down with Taylor Hedges and Payton Beaty for five minutes, and you will know that you are in the presence of two women brimming with exceptional dedication, passion, and creativity! They are the force behind The Board Babe, Charcuterie Café and Lounge in downtown Winston-Salem.

Just in case you have somehow missed the arrival of charcuterie as a delightful social experience in the last couple of years, let me explain. The word charcuterie is a 15th-century French term that translates to “the products of a fancy pork butcher.” Luckily that meaning has evolved to describe an assortment of curated meats and artisan breads or crackers that may also include fresh fruit, veggies, nuts, and/or baked goods, all artfully arranged on a serving board. Offerings from The Board Babe are intentionally designed with a major focus on flavor, pairings, and visual appeal. So how did these two close friends, Taylor, originally from California, and Payton from Charlotte, come together to create this dynamic and growing business? Like so many entrepreneurial stories of late, one word: pandemic. Taylor, a former broker, found herself with less work and more time on her hands while quarantined, so she started making charcuterie boards for fun. A few friends were invited over and their supportive reaction inspired Taylor to create an Instagram page for her boards and try to sell them. How did that go? “It just blew up on Instagram!” Taylor says. The stars continued to align when Taylor reconnected with Payton, who had been managing an event venue that was also unable to operate due to Covid. Payton was enthusiastic about the potential and the two struck up a business partnership. Payton also owns The Intent Weddings & Events.

November of 2021 marked the one-year anniversary of The Board Babe, and it is clear that this endeavor is just getting started for these two dynamos and their staff of eight! In addition to growing their catering, “pop-up” and wholesale product business, there is also an expansion into the Greensboro market in the works. “We don’t have a space selected in Greensboro yet… we are looking for something unique, maybe with more of an industrial feel to it because we intend to cater more to men at that location. Guys should have a cool, ‘metro’ space where they can go for a beer after work, catch some sports but also feel like they’ve had a unique experience,” says Taylor.

The first year of The Board Babe has been a busy, challenging, but ultimately successful one, so I asked Taylor and Payton to give me some insight into how they think that happened. “You can do cool things with a product, but at the end of the day, you need to be grateful and happy with what you do,” Payton said. “Having a business partnership built on trust and respect is key.” Taylor adds, “We are not afraid to show our true selves… both our strengths and weaknesses. We are learning so much while also being very intentional about our craft and about building our brand.”

Ready to experience The Board Babe for yourself? The café is located in one of Winston-Salem’s historical gems, The Rosenbacher House, one of the grandest (and possibly haunted!) Neo-Classical Revival dwellings in Winston-Salem and one of only several examples of the style in the West End. The house simply drips with character and charm and there is also ample outdoor seating and a fire pit. Currently open Wednesday’s 10 -5, Thursday-Saturday 10-9, and Sunday’s 10-3 for brunch, visitors will enjoy a variety of baked goods, tapas, and flatbreads along with local craft beer and specialty bottles of wine that you won’t find anywhere else in town. Along with fabulous essays about intentional living, sample menus for the café, brunch, and the wine list can be perused on The Board Babe website. Follow The Board Babe on Instagram and Facebook so that you won’t miss their event and workshop announcements.

I am grateful for the time I spent talking with Taylor and Payton and look forward to relaxing at The Board Babe Café very soon. Maybe I will see you there…. enjoying a glass of wine, an artful charcuterie board and soaking up the positive energy that abounds in this intentional and passionate space.

Visit The Board Babe Charcuterie Café and Lounge at 848 West Fifth Street in Winston-Salem and online at theboardbabe.net, facebook.com/ the.boardbabee, instagram.com/the. boardbabe/, or simply reach out to order at orders@theboardbabe.net.

Best Asian Restaurant & Runners Up Sushi 2020

WEEKLY DRINK SPECIALS

HakkaChowTuesday all moscow mule cocktails $3 off

Wednesday all mojito cocktails $3 off

Thursday half price wine by the glass Friday & Saturday bottled beer $1.50 off and draft beer $2 off Sunday mimosas and bloody marys $5 half price flavored sake by the glass

Winner Best Asian Best Sushi Runner Up

NEW:

Biggest Sake Selection in the Triad. More than 20 different Sake available.

CLOSED ON MONDAYS (336) 893-8178 | hakka-chow.com

615 Saint George Sq Ct | Winston-Salem, NC 27103

(Right off Hanes Mall Blvd. across from the Wynnsong 12 Movie Theater)