Main & Broad December 2019/January 2020

Harvest Moon's Mother-son Duo

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Become the next Ninja Warrior

The Heart + Soul of Holly Springs and Fuquay-Varina

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t if G 0 4 Ideas DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

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December 2019/January 2020

CONTENTS

Anytime I have to fly through the air and grab on to something.

“

”

– Caleb Auer, general manager,

Rock Solid Warrior, on his favorite ninja obstacle

IN EVERY ISSUE 14 SEE & DO

Painted by hand!

Make time for magic — parades, holiday shows and family-friendly New Year’s celebrations.

16 MEET & GREET

The trio behind The Family Farm on Avent Ferry.

18 DIG IN & DRINK UP

Unique N.C. spirits to sip or gift.

38

38 THERE & BACK

Southern Supreme Fruitcake & more brings fruitcake back into favor.

FEATURES

52 RISE & DINE

22 HOMETOWN HOLIDAY 32 2019 GIFT GUIDE

48

Shop small. Get gifts.

Creative ideas found here.

8 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

with garden pro L.A. Jackson.

What will Fuquay-Varina Memes resolve for the new year?

Fuquay’s Rock Solid Warrior will teach you how.

Bakery treats, hearty meals and gourmet coffee — a new go-to cafe in Holly Springs.

58 GROW & BLOOM 60 FUN & MEMES

42 BECOME A NINJA

48 INSIDE HARVEST MOON

Find your new favorite restaurant in our dining guide.

64 SEEN & HEARD

News from the community.

42

66 IN FOCUS

Photos by Jonathan Fredin

Six ways to celebrate the season locally.

“

reader

Letters

WATCHING “A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS”

What is your favorite holiday tradition?

”

CAROLINA BALLET’S “THE NUTCRACKER”

ON TSURU SWEETS & COFFEE:

“Terrific place, better person! Thanks for all you do, chef!”

HOSTING A CHRISTMAS EVE DROP-IN AT HOME OUR FAMILY CELEBRATES WITH ABOUT 30 PEOPLE, AND, OF COURSE, HEAVY APPETIZERS ABOUND

“I think that it was absolutely fabulous! The whole spread was well written with valuable information that we strive to communicate to our clients also! Thank you for thinking of us!”

– ERIN CURRIE, SOMETHING YOU, SALES MANAGER

EXECUTIVE

Bill Zadeits, Group Publisher Kris Schultz, Publisher EDITORIAL

Emily Uhland, Senior Editor Amber Keister Sarah Rubenoff, Copy Editor Alexandra Blazevich, Social Media Manager CONTRIBUTORS

Fuquay-Varina Memes L.A. Jackson David McCreary PHOTOGRAPHY

Jonathan Fredin, Chief Photographer PRODUCTION

– REDWOLF698, VIA INSTAGRAM

ON STYLE SECRETS:

December 2019/January 2020 • Volume 1, Number 6

DECEMBER DAILY — A SIMPLE SCRAPBOOK ALBUM THAT CAPTURES THE SPIRIT OF DECEMBER VIA ONE STORY PER DAY

GOING SKATING WITH THE FAMILY — WE SWITCH BETWEEN ICE SKATING AND ROLLER SKATING

Jennifer Casey, Senior Graphic Designer Lauren Earley, Graphic Designer Dylan Gilroy, Web Designer Beth Harris, Graphic Designer Matt Rice, Webmaster/SEO Ena Sellars, Graphic Designer Rachel Sheffield, Web Designer Lane Singletary, Graphic Designer PUBLIC RELATIONS

S&A Communications Chuck Norman, APR

LOOKING AT CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

ADMINISTRATIVE

ON FVM’S BACK TO SCHOOL PERSONALITIES:

“I take offense at your portrayal of our town. Everyone that I know does wear pants at the bus stop.”

EVERY YEAR, EVERYONE (EVEN THE DOGS!) GETS AN ORNAMENT WITH THEIR NAME AND THE YEAR ON IT. SO MANY MILESTONES CELEBRATED YEAR AFTER YEAR ON ALL OF OUR TREES

Send letters to the editor by e-mailing editor@mainandbroadmag.com or find us on social media.

Main & Broad is published six times annually by Cherokee Media Group. Reproduction or use, without permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited. Subscriptions are $18/year.

DECORATING THE CHRISTMAS TREE — IT’S GOT TO BE REAL AND LIT EVERY EVENING!

! s d n e i r F

10 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

@mbmagazinenc

MAIN & BROAD Westview at Weston 301 Cascade Pointe Lane, Cary, North Carolina 27513 (919) 674-6020 • (800) 608-7500 • Fax (919) 674-6027 www.mainandbroadmag.com This publication does not endorse, either directly or implicitly, the people, activities, products or advertising published herein.

Information in the magazine is deemed credible to the best of our knowledge.

LET’S BE

@Main & Broad

PUBLISHER EMERITUS

Ron Smith

– STEVEN LEIFFER, FUQUAY-VARINA RESIDENT

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE ISSUE?

Kristin Black, Accounting Alexandra Blazevich, Events & Marketing Cherise Klug, Traffic Manager Lisa White, Circulation Coordinator Valerie Renard, Advertising & Human Resources

@mbmagazinenc

ON THE COVER: WE LIKE GIRLS WITH SKILLS ... COOKIE BAKING SKILLS, ROYAL ICING SKILLS — LIKE SWEET CAROLINA COOKIE SHOPPE OWNER NICOLE MIGNECO. LEARN MORE ON PAGE 27.

BY JONATHAN FREDIN

Main & Broad is a proud member and supporter of all five chambers in Western Wake County: the Cary Chamber of Commerce, Apex Chamber of Commerce, Morrisville Chamber of Commerce, Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce and Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce.

All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law.

All dwellings advertised are available on an equalopportunity basis.

A Dash More of the Good Life!

Located 15 minutes south of Raleigh, Fuquay-Varina is one of the fastest growing towns in North Carolina.

With two beautiful downtown districts, an abundance of charm, a rich history and a superb quality of life, Fuquay-Varina offers a dash more of the good life!

Great schools, a wide-variety of housing options, 22 parks, a thriving social scene and much more...

You'll Find in Fuquay-Varina! www.fuquay-varina.org

Editor’s

Letter

Photos by Jonathan Fredin

BEHIND-THE-SCENES STYLING OF ONE OF OUR HOLIDAY PHOTO SHOOTS

On the page just before this one, I asked the Main & Broad staff to

share their favorite holiday traditions (quick, turn back and read them!). More people chimed in on this prompt than on questions in any of our other issues.

It’s a topic I love discussing, especially this time of year.

As my husband and I establish our own family traditions, I’m always eager to hear others’ experiences and experiment with new ideas. I now plan to adopt Kristin Black’s tradition of gifting an annual ornament, and can’t wait to invite friends and neighbors to a Christmas Eve drop in, inspired by David McCreary.

As a kid, my parents used to make me and my siblings pick fallen leaves out of thorny holly bushes (ouch!) before guests came over on Thanksgiving. Weirdly enough, even this not-so-fun tradition conjures warm memories. Every Thanksgiving, I punch my brother on the arm and say, “remember when…,” and we have a chuckle and smile reminiscing on the “pain and suffering” inflicted by our parents.

Thanksgiving pain and suffering has taken a new form in my adulthood — that of an 8k turkey trot before the big day’s cooking commences. Even though I grumble about it year after year, I’ve come to look forward to running this road race with my mom and sister.

The holiday ideas we’ve compiled in this issue will cause absolutely zero pain and suffering. Quite the opposite, we think. From parades to party attire, we called on local businesses and experts to share their own holiday joy in Have A Hometown Holiday on page 22. With this feature, we aim to add living locally to your list of favorite traditions.

Best wishes for the season,

EMILY UHLAND SENIOR EDITOR 12 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

This issue

BY THE

Numbers

$19

donated to Interact of Wake County with my $21 purchase from Pass it On thrift store

1

“ninjury” sustained at Rock Solid Warrior: a blister on my palm

2 photo shoots

to achieve the perfect cover.

Thanks Sweet Carolina Cookie Shoppe for preparing two batches of cookies!

33 cookies

eaten by Main & Broad staff

4 wrong turns

on the way to Southern Supreme Fruitcake & more in Bear Creek, N.C.

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See Do 10 Things To Do Around Town

s ' t I

! r u l f t r i m e a e d o e f y t n h e o w t s o m e h t

Fuquay-Varina Chorale Holiday Concert

DECEMBER 6, 7:30 P.M. DECEMBER 7, 3 P.M. FUQUAY-VARINA ARTS CENTER

The highly successful Fuquay-Varina Chorale shares the holiday spirit through their joyous music.

Suzy Bogguss Swingin’ Little Christmas DECEMBER 19 FUQUAY-VARINA ARTS CENTER 8 P.M.

One of country music’s most evocative vocalists, Suzy Bogguss, defined the golden days of ‘90s country. Her Christmas show is a fun-filled evening of Christmas standards and original holiday songs, plus hits from her legendary career. Sing along with her stellar Nashville band, too!

“It’s a Wonderful Life” Live Radio Play

DECEMBER 21 FUQUAY-VARINA ARTS CENTER 7 P.M.

A show within a show — it’s Dec. 24, 1946 in Studio A, and a small cast of actors is preparing to use their many varied talents to recreate the entire town of Bedford Falls and its best-known resident, George Bailey. Down on his luck, George is befriended by an angel and treated to a view of how different the world would be, if he’d never been born.

14 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

Fuquay-Varina

Tree Lighting & Festival of lights DECEMBER 5 DOWNTOWN FUQUAY BUSINESS DISTRICT 6:00 P.M.

The Town of Fuquay-Varina’s official kick-off to the holidays includes the tree lighting, local choirs and a special visit from Santa. After the tree lighting at 6 p.m., visit the Festival of Lights at Fuquay Mineral Spring Park to catch a glimpse of Santa, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Fuquay-Varina Annual Christmas Parade DECEMBER 8 HISTORIC DOWNTOWN FUQUAY DISTRICT 3 P.M.

The streets are lined with children and families cheering as their favorite parade entries pass by.

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for the kids to sit on the curb, and enjoy one of the most treasured community events in Fuquay-Varina. After the parade, stay for Dasher’s After Party on Depot Street, and snap photos with Santa.

See Do Holly Springs Main Street Christmas DECEMBER 13 HOLLY SPRINGS TOWN HALL AND CULTURAL CENTER 6 P.M. - 8 P.M.

Christmas season is in full swing at Holly Springs’ Main Street Christmas. Guests can enjoy visits with Santa, downtown hayrides, crafts, refreshments, live entertainment, stories with Mrs. Claus and a live nativity at Holly Springs Baptist Church, and culminate the evening with the Town tree lighting at 8 p.m.

Happy Holly Days Christmas Parade

DECEMBER 14 DOWNTOWN HOLLY SPRINGS 11 A.M.

Floats, bands, dancers, decorated vehicles, horses, marching groups and all sorts of entertaining entries will travel Main Street through downtown, starting at Holly Springs Road and ending at Ballentine Street.

Apex Christmas Nativity Celebration

Courtesy of Apex Christmas Nativity Celebration

DECEMBER 13, 6 P.M. – 9 P.M. DECEMBER 14, 12 P.M. – 8:30 P.M. THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 590 BRYAN DRIVE, APEX

Hundreds of Nativity displays from around the world are exhibited amidst a backdrop of lighted Christmas trees and live musical performances at this free community event celebrating it’s 15th year.

NATIVITY FROM GUATEMALA

Experience The Nutcracker The Nutcracker Ballet

DECEMBER 13, 7 P.M. DECEMBER 14, 11 A.M., 2:30 P.M., 5:30 P.M. FUQUAY-VARINA ARTS CENTER

The inaugural year for Fuquay-Varina Art Center’s production of the Christmas classic, “The Nutcracker,” featuring students and performers from local dance studios, schools, and drama programs along with actors, singers and a few cameo appearances from F-V “celebrities.” The traditional ballet gets an update with contemporary, hip-hop and tap dancing.

The Nutcracker Storybook Adventure DECEMBER 22 HOLLY SPRINGS CULTURAL CENTER 2 P.M.

Come see the story of the Nutcracker Ballet brought to life on stage in an interactive storybook adventure through dance, crafts, and a tea party. After the story of the Nutcracker Ballet, guests will be invited to the Sugar Plum Fairy’s tea party with all of your favorite characters.

Ring in the New Year

Noon Year’s Eve Party DECEMBER 31 MARBLES KIDS MUSEUM 9:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.

Don’t want to stay up past bedtime to ring in 2019? Head to Marbles for line dances, wacky activities and bubble wrap fireworks. The marble drops at 12 noon … arrive early to get a good view, and make your own New Year’s flair.

First Night Raleigh

DECEMBER 31 DOWNTOWN RALEIGH FESTIVITIES START AT 2:00 P.M.

Over 20 blocks of downtown Raleigh are filled with art, music, comedy, crafts and more leading up to the acorn drop at midnight. The event begins with the Children’s Celebration including crafts, storytelling and music — plus an early countdown at 7 p.m. Evening festivities include roller skating, a ferris wheel, sleigh rides and countless live performances.

15

Meet

THE FAMILY FARM ON AVENT FERRY SELLS N.C. GROWN CHRISTMAS TREES EACH WINTER, UNDER THE WATCHFUL EYES OF THE COWS, DONKEYS AND CHICKENS THAT PERMANENTLY RESIDE THERE. SEASONAL CHRISTMAS HOURS: WEEKDAYS: 4 P.M. - 8 P.M. SATURDAYS: 10 A.M. - 8 P.M. SUNDAYS: 1 P.M. - 8 P.M. WHILE SUPPLIES LAST

16 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

Jonathan Fredin

Greet

June and Keith Propes & Tim Congleton Owners of The Family Farm on Avent Ferry Less than three miles from downtown Holly Springs wait the idyllic pastures of The Family Farm on Avent Ferry. From October through December the farm opens to the community with seasonal sales of pumpkins and mums, followed by Christmas trees for your family’s holiday delight.

HISTORY JUNE: At its largest, the farm was about 200

acres. The primary income was tobacco and egg production and raising black angus beef cattle. The land extended to where Holly Grove schools are now.

TIM: The farm has been in the family for six

generations. Outside of the 8-week holiday season, we raise cattle. We have 32 cows, three donkeys, two horses, nine chickens, four yard cats and a 95-pound golden retriever. It’s quite a menagerie.

FAMILY TIES*: KEITH: I didn’t grow up on the farm, but June

s’mores around the fire pit. We have hot cider available. The barn is decorated with greenery and lights. Santa even visits once a year.

(December 8!)

TIM: We built a sled out of plywood for

families to take pictures in. It’s become very popular. We wanted a spot where families could take pictures to send to loved ones who don’t live here.

JUNE: It’s pretty special to help other families

make memories and traditions. We love that we get to help create the magic of the season.

LEGACY:

did. Tim and I came to it through marriage.

The most important skill I’ve gained is fence work. You’ve got to keep the animals in! *Keith is married to June. Tim’s late wife Faye is June’s aunt.

TIM: Everything is developing all around us.

CHRISTMAS SEASON:

JUNE: I’m so thankful that Faye and Tim

TIM: We sold our first pumpkin in 2012 and

sold 125 Christmas trees that first year. Now we sell over 1,000 Christmas trees. Everything we sell is grown in North Carolina. We take extra steps to ensure our trees are fresh.

KEITH: We want to make it a memorable night out with the family. A lot of people come year after year. There’s a bonfire; you can make

There is constant pressure to sell or develop the land. What I hope is that 20 years from now, you can drive down Avent Ferry road and see the farm as it is today. found a way to share the farm with the community as well as support the farm.

Here, we can give people a sense of the rural experience, of what I grew up with.

THE FAMILY FARM ON AVENT FERRY 1719 Avent Ferry Road, Holly Springs (919) 624-8172 thefamilyfarmonaventferry.com

17

Dig in

Drink up

North Carolina Holiday Spirits Written by Melissa Katrincic | Photographed by Jonathan Fredin With the holidays quickly approaching, it’s always fun to think of special items for gift-giving and special cocktails. Instead of wrapping a bottle of Kentucky bourbon or California sparkling wine, consider a few North Carolina liqueurs that are perfect as hostess gifts or for cocktails at your next holiday party.

BEATNIK LIQUEUR, BROTHERS VILGALYS SPIRITS

Another fun liqueur made in Durham by Brothers Vilgalys Spirits. One of four liqueur offerings by this distillery, the Beatnik is a phenomenal savory and sweet — ying and yang — spirit. Made from fresh beets, thyme, sage, rosemary, fennel seeds, orange zest and sweetened with raw sugar, it’s an unexpected combination for sure, but perfect for a warm, hottoddy-style cocktail.

18 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

APPALACHIAN FERNET, EDA RHYNE DISTILLERY

Do you have a cocktail aficionado to gift this year for secret Santa? Then you must seek out a special N.C.-made amaro.

Produced by Eda Rhyne Distillery in Asheville, their Appalachian Fernet is a delicious herbal, bitter liqueur that is sourced from a combination of foraged, wild western North Carolina and globally sourced herbs. This is a truly fantastic example of how craft distilleries leverage historical recipes as a foundation and bring in the terroir of their local region.

RUM AU CAFÉ, LASSITER DISTILLING COMPANY

While not technically a liqueur (as it contains no added sugar), this coffee-infused rum is made by Knightdale’s Lassiter Distilling Company. Their Rum Au Café uses coffee beans from Raleigh Coffee Company with the base of the distillery’s molasses-forward white rum. If you’re thinking about afterdinner drinks that aren’t too sweet, then try 1 ounce Rum Au Café with 3 ounces Irish Cream. Shake with ice, strain into a martini glass and top with fresh whipped cream.

DAMN FINE MOCHA LIQUEUR, DURHAM DISTILLERY

Durham Distillery’s Damn Fine liqueur line has been a hit since its launch in 2015. All natural, gluten-free and without any high-fructose corn syrup, these liqueurs showcase traditional techniques from when liqueurs were made at home by families.

Damn Fine Mocha liqueur is the favorite of guests on our distillery tours and is a perfect balance of chocolate and coffee, featuring two other Triangle companies — Videri Chocolate and Slingshot Coffee.

All of these distilleries are small businesses — you’re giving back directly to the community by seeking them out to purchase spirits or take a tour.

Cheers to that!

Melissa Katrincic owns Durham Distillery, the No. 1 Craft Gin Distillery in the U.S. and home of the awardwinning Conniption Gin, with her husband Lee. She is also the former vice president of the Distiller’s Association of North Carolina.

19

Dig in

WHISK 316 Colonades Way, Cary Mon. – Sat. 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Sun. 12 – 5:00 p.m.

(919) 322-2458 whiskcarolina.com

Drink up

Turkey Roulade

with

Bacon & Mushroom Filling and Marsala GravY

BACON AND MUSHROOM FILLING 6 slices bacon 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, minced 1/4 cup shallots, minced 2 garlic cloves, minced 1½ tsp each fresh rosemary and sage, minced 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper 1/4 cup dry Marsala wine 1/2 cup plain bread crumbs

Recipe by

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TURKEY ROULADE 3 pounds boneless turkey breasts, skin on (either one 3-pound breast or two 1½-pound breasts) 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened 2 cups chicken broth Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper MARSALA GRAVY 2 tbsp butter 1 shallot, minced 2 tbsp flour 1½ tsp each fresh rosemary and sage, minced 1/4 cup dry Marsala wine 1-2 cups chicken broth (if needed) PREPARE THE FILLING

1. Fry the bacon in a large skillet until crispy. Cool on a paper towel-lined plate, then crumble.

2. While bacon cools, remove any excess bacon grease from the skillet, then add the finely chopped mushrooms, shallot and garlic; sauté until softened. Add the rosemary, sage, salt and pepper. Add the Marsala and cook until reduced by half. Mix in the bread crumbs. Set aside and allow to cool. Stir in the crumbled bacon.

PREPARE THE TURKEY

1. Butterfly each breast, taking care to leave the skin on.

2. Place plastic wrap over the breast with the skin side down. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin

pound the meat until it becomes rectangular in shape and an even thickness.

3. Spread the cooled filling evenly over the butterflied breast. Roll the turkey and filling, leaving the skin on the outside of the roll. Tie the roll with baking twine about every 2 inches to keep the roll intact during roasting.

5. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 6. Rub 2 tablespoons of softened butter over the rolled-up breast, and sprinkle with kosher salt and pepper. Place the roulade in a roasting pan (no rack required), and add 2 cups chicken broth to the bottom of the pan.

Bake until the center of the breast reaches 165 degrees F, about 40-50 minutes, depending on the size of the turkey breast roll. Remove the turkey roll from the pan, and reserve the roasting juices. Allow the turkey to rest for 10 minutes while you make the gravy.

7. Before serving, remove the baking string, slice and top with the Marsala gravy.

PREPARE THE GRAVY

1. Pour the juices from the roasting pan into a gravy separator or large bowl. Skim away most of the fat, leaving the meat juices. Add additional chicken broth, if needed, to yield 2 cups of liquid. Set aside.

2. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet. Add the shallot, and sauté until translucent.

Add the 2 tablespoons flour, and whisk and cook until the mixture, or roux, begins to turn a light brown. Add the rosemary, sage and Marsala wine, and simmer until the liquid reduces by half.

3. Add one cup of the roasting juices, whisk and simmer until the sauce starts to thicken.

Continue to add a quarter cup of liquid at a time (up to an additional one cup) while continually whisking until the desired consistency is reached. Season with salt and pepper.

Serves 8

Dig in

Drink up 2016 Diora La Petite Grace Pinot Noir

Named for the golden hills of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range, Diora is the fruit of the family-owned San Bernabe vineyard in Monterey, Calif. Impressions of the wine hit the senses: aromas of blackberries, a voluptuous and full-bodied mouthfeel, layers of intense red cherry, a delicate hint of blueberry (which is imparted by the Malbec), and a long, lingering finish. The acidity of the Diora Pinot Noir brings out the juiciness of the turkey, and the earthy tones of figs and truffles are a perfect match to the earthiness of the mushrooms, rosemary and sage in the filling and gravy. $29.99

Bodegas Alma Negra Brut Nature Sparkling Rosé

Ernesto Catena, a fourth-generation winemaker and the eldest son of Nicolas Catena, of Catena Zapata, started Ernesto Catena Vineyards in Mendoza Argentina in 2002. The sparkling rosé has frothy, exuberant bubbles in addition to strawberry, cranberry and fruit cocktail flavors. The crisp acidity brings out the juiciness of the turkey. The Malbec and pinot noir components are perfect complements to the earthiness of the mushrooms, rosemary and sage in the filling and gravy. $24.99

Written By Bill Allen Photographed By Jonathan Fredin

Empire Estate Dry Riesling

Empire Estate is a collaboration between Thomas Pastuszak, wine director of The Nomad Hotel in Manhattan, and winemaker Kelby James Russell of Red Newt Cellars. There are aromas of white flower, golden apple, peach and lemon oil. A focused burst of acidity is followed by flavors of fresh apricot, lime and grapefruit pith, all leading to a weighty, savory mineral finish. The wine is a wonderful accompaniment to the turkey, as well as the black pepper and shallots in the recipe.

The light sweetness tempers the saltiness of the bacon in the filling. $19.99

roulade Turkey gravy marsala with pairs perfectly with

Bill Allen holds a first-level certification with the Court of Master Sommeliers and a Specialist of Wine certification from the Society of Wine Educators. He has worked as a wine educator with the Triangle Wine Company for five years.

21

HAVE A

d | Photographed by Joa y Uhlan n a th a n Fre din

With southern Wake full of unique small businesses and fun family activities, we gathered the details you need to celebrate the season locally.

Em i l

Thanksgiving through New Year’s

doesn’t have to be an endless cycle of trips to Target, Amazon Prime orders and the Chick-fil-A drive thru (not that we don’t love all of those).

by itten Wr

n w o t e m o H Holiday

March in a Parade

Take your lead from the Holly Springs School of Dance (six-time veterans of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and annual participant in many local parades), studio director Marilyn Chappell, who swears by the holiday magic of parades.

The 22-year-old dance studio travels to New York every three years for the famous turkey day parade. For many dancers, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Chappel says.

“Witnessing the joy on the faces of the dancers is really special,” she says.

“It is a tradition everyone looks forward to.”

RALEIGH CHRISTMAS The studio also PARADE Saturday, November 23 participates in the Ra11:00 A.M. leigh, Holly Springs and FUQUAY-VARINA Fuquay-Varina holiday CHRISTMAS PARADE parades, and the experiSunday, December 8 3:00 P.M. ence is “no comparison” to watching a parade on TV, HAPPY HOLLY DAYS says Chappell.

CHRISTMAS PARADE Saturday, December 14 “You know the peo11:00 A.M. ple who love you are there to support you. Travelling along and seeing your neighbors shouting and cheering — the dancers are energized by the people,” she says.

“We feel a responsibility to make the parade as festive as we can. When you see our dancers coming in their red velvet costumes, it really feels like Christmas.”

“Any dancer, any age can dance in the Holly Springs parade. We like it to feel like a community celebration. …

The experience stays with our girls forever.”

VED DANCING IN PARADES IS A BELO Y SPRINGS TRADITION FOR THE THE HOLL THE IT’S HER SCHOOL OF DANCE, WHET DE OR MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARA W).

WAKE COUNTY PARADES (BELO

Photos courtesy of the Holly Springs School of Dance

Local parades:

23

WRAP THE

Prettiest Packages SHORT ON TIME OR SUPPLIES? POP INTO GIFTED BOUTIQUE AND WRAPPERY AND LEAVE WITH THE PERFECT PACKAGE EVERY TIME.

Gifted Boutique and Wrappery in Holly Springs offers an in-house wrapping service along with it’s adorable stock of gift items, stationery, accessories and women’s clothing. Who better than Gifted owner Wendy Parker to school us in Gift Wrapping 101?

Wendy’s Gift Wrapping 101

1.

2.

Choose a paper that fits the job. Larger patterns like florals look great on big packages, but are overwhelming on smaller ones. Look for patterns with small elements like thin stripes, herringbone or polka dots for petite packages.

Cut your paper to size. Oversize paper creates a lot of opportunities for flaws and is one of the biggest culprits for sloppy wrapping. For the neatest finish, cut the length of the paper long enough to overlap and allow a half-inch folded edge. Cut the sides about two-thirds of the way up your package. Your goal is just enough paper to cover the sides without having to do any awkward re-cutting.

3.

Tape is your best friend! Use tape to keep paper aligned, sides down and flaps securely closed. Use “invisible” or double sided tape for minimal visibility. Fold over ends and use double sided tape to create a finished, professional look. The ultimate goal is to see no tape, only your beautiful paper.

4.

Choose a ribbon or bow with some whimsy. Look for fun textures like grosgrain, or mix a pretty ribbon with different materials, such as twine or raffia to make it unique. Gifted Boutique and Wrappery uses tulle often because it is easy to tie, creates a fun look and travels well.

5.

Add an ornament, a pretty hang tag or a seasonal sprig of greenery to really make it special. Personalize gifts with a letter ornament or custom monogram tag.

GIFTED BOUTIQUE AND WRAPPERY 1112 Kentworth Drive, Holly Springs (919) 762-7785 giftedboutiqueandwrappery.com

24 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

Decorate Cookies like a Pro

It’s hard to believe that Nicole Migneco has only been decorating cookies professionally for eight months. She first attempted custom sugar cookies for her nephew’s birthday, an attempt she claims was “not a success.”

Migneco “grew up crafty,” she says, so she tried again, and again, and eventually launched Sweet Carolina Cookie Shoppe last April.

Migneco has created cookies for baby showers, Eagle Scout celebrations, birthday parties, corporate promotions and more. In August, she began offering decorating workshops at The Sassy Cow in Fuquay-Varina. Her work is artistic and fun, with adorable details and steady precision. With Nicole’s tips, you, too, can expertly decorate your own holiday cookies.

1.

Roll out dough to an even thickness. Otherwise cookies bake unevenly, or icing pools on one side.

2.

Add flavorings to your dough to enhance the taste.

Migneco often adds snickerdoodle or pumpkin spice flavorings to her custom creations.

Migneco’s top tip!

WANT EXTRA PRACTICE? ATTEND ONE OF SWEET CAROLINA COOKIE SHOPPE’S DECORATING WORKSHOPS AT THE SASSY COW. BEGINNER WORKSHOPS ARE OFFERED TWICE A MONTH AND SERVE AS A PREREQUISITE TO INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED CLASSES.

4.

3.

Consistency of icing is key. Migneco uses royal icing that must be “not too thick, not too thin.” Piping her designs provides extra control.

Sketch a design beforehand … or don’t! Migneco admits sometimes she draws an idea on paper first, but many times she’s spontaneous.

“It’s fun to go free range sometimes, with no restraint.” A particularly good tactic if children are participating.

5.

Work swiftly; royal icing hardens quickly.

6.

Allow ample drying time at all stages, especially before stacking the cookies to store. Migneco recommends a table top fan or a very low temperature oven for speed drying.

MIGNECO’S HOLIDAY ASSORTMENTS COME WITH A PLATTER AND THREE LAYERS OF COORDINATING COOKIES.

SWEET CAROLINA COOKIE SHOPPE @Sweet Carolina Cookie Shoppe (631) 816-0404 Classes offered at The Sassy Cow NC 135 S. Main Street, Fuquay-Varina thesassycownc.squarespace.com/sweetcarolina-cookie-shoppe

25

Shop Cause

Is anyone planning to go shopping this month? Just FOR A maybe? Well ... just in case, make sure to plan a trip to Pass It On in Fuquay-Varina. Pass It On is a thrift store supporting Interact of Wake County. But be assured, “This is not your grandmother’s thrift store,” says Virginia Schaible, store manager. “We pride ourselves on having current and upscale fashion. We work really hard to pattern the store after an upscale boutique.”

The store operates 100% on donations. A team of volunteers sifts through the apparel, checking $8 dresses offers boutique $6 tops & blouses for timeliness, quality and condition. apparel at $5 skirts & pants Racks are restocked thrift store prices! $3 jeans daily, with plenty of high-end brands to be found. Lilly Pulitzer, J. Crew, Michael Kors, Kate Spade and St. John make regular appearances.

“Everything is categorized and sized,” says Schaible. “It really separates us from other thrift stores.”

With prices like $3 for accessories, $6 for blouses and $10 for suits, shopping at Pass It On resembles a treasure hunt with endless possibilities.

Pass It On

Location:

PASS IT ON 309 South Main Street, Fuquay Varina Monday – Friday 10 A.M. - 5 P.M. Saturday – 10 A.M. - 4 P.M. (919) 557-8020 interactofwake.org/pass-it-on-thrift-store Located in downtown Fuquay, at the corner of S. Main and E. Vance Streets, around the corner from The Mason Jar Tavern. Use the parking lot behind TMJT to enter through the store’s front door. This hidden gem is worth the extra effort to find.

26 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

“For $10, someone can get their foot in the door with a new suit for a job interview,” says Schaible. “I’m really excited about that.”

Ninety cents of every dollar spent in Pass It On goes directly to Interact’s programs, such as crisis intervention services, counseling, education and court advocacy, aiming to end the cycle of domestic and sexual violence in Wake County.

Holiday shopping at Pass It On not only saves your budget, but gives back to an important local cause as well. And clients of Interact can shop for free.

“Women can come into the boutique, and they can feel very empowered picking out outfits that are on trend,” says Schaible.

“It’s empowering for the donor as well. People can see where their money is going. Interact never charges for its services.”

During the holidays, Pass It On also sells a variety of gift items, such as candles, artisan soaps, essential oils and home decor.

Schaible’s previous work in retail ignited her passion to transform Interact’s charity thrift store into an upscale boutique that is accessible to everyone.

“Everything is beautifully displayed. It’s a place women can come in and just be happy. It’s so much more fulfilling to work, not for a CEO, but for the clients of Interact.”

In 2018, Interact served

9,600

direct victims of domestic and sexual violence

63,000

men, women and children total

Interact’s Family Safety & Empowerment Center served

7

families daily in 2009

23

families daily in 2018

1 in 3

women living in Wake County will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.

MODELED AFTER AN UPSCALE BOUTIQUE, PASS IT ON OFFERS ON-TREND CLOTHING, SHOES AND GIFT ITEMS. NINETY CENTS OF EVERY DOLLAR SPENT GOES DIRECTLY TO INTERACT OF WAKE COUNTY.

27

DO

N

WE

NOW OUR

PartyPerfect Style Feel extra festive with holiday fashion from local boutiques. Look the part of classic Christmas in red, green and plaid, with a bit of sparkle for her.

On Brandy:

Ruffles and Pleats Dress, $49 Earrings, $46 Bracelet, $36 Heels, $44 From Cousin Couture Kendra Scott Rayne Necklace, $80 From Bless Your Heart Boutique Bless Your Heart Boutique 242 S. Main Street, Suite 106, Holly Springs (919) 586-794 blessyourheartnc.com Cousin Couture 212 S Main Street, Fuquay-Varina (919) 552-0003 thecousintocouture.com

On Kevin:

Plaid Jacket, $595 Stenstroms Button Down Shirt, $175 Robert Jensen Tie, $145 Robert Jensen Pocket Square, $65 From Ashworth’s Clothing Ashworth’s Clothing 210 S Main Street, Fuquay-Varina (919) 552-5201 @AshworthsClothing Special thanks to models Brandy and Kevin Mann.

28 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

Have a Holiday Happy Hour

HONEY SPICED MOONSHINE WITH A ROCK CANDY SWIZZLE STICK

Whether you are meeting friends for cocktails or shaking off shopping stress, seasonal sips are an instant mood lifter.

Many local restaurants and bars are offering special holiday libations. Cranberry and apple cider mimosas at The Mill? Count us in. The Mason Jar Tavern’s Twelve Days of Christmas Cocktails can make merry the sternest of Scrooges.

In the spirit of giving, The Mason Jar Tavern bar manager Frank Anderson shares his recipe for Honey Spiced Moonshine.

FRANK’S HOLIDAY COCKTAIL:

Honey Spiced Moonshine

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Fill 12 ounce glass, or mason jar, about three quarters full of ice.

Pour 1.5 ounces of moonshine over ice. (TMJT uses White Lightning Moonshine or recommends Junior Johnson’s, available at ABC Stores).

Add 1 ounce spiced honey simple syrup (recipe at right).

Stir or shake.

Add a splash of club soda, then stir lightly to mix but not too much so the carbonation remains.

Spiced Honey Simple Syrup: 1 1 2 2 2 1

and 1/3 cup honey cup water tablespoons lemon juice teaspoons ground cinnamon teaspoons vanilla extract teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients and bring to a boil, then let cool.

Add 2/3 cup of apple cider vinegar.

Yields about 2.5 cups

Garnish with rock candy swizzle stick and lemon.

Sip Happens!

Shelley Cummings, chef at The Mason Jar Tavern in FuquayVarina, knows how to survive holiday entertaining:

“

Plan, organize and spread your prep throughout the

days leading up to the day of. The holidays are all about

family and community, it’s okay and, even, ideal to

get everyone involved. Don’t try to get it all done yourself, its unrealistic and stressful. If things go south, remember

”

the worst case scenario is you pop the cork on the dinner wine a little early, and remember sip happens.

If you just don’t feel like cooking, seek out chef Cummings’ Christmas special: sweet tea-brined country ham with pimento cheese-collard gratin, a deep fried spinach and mushroom grit stuffing cake and cranberry-orange marmalade.

THE MASON JAR TAVERN | 114 Grand Hill Place, Holly Springs | (919) 964-5060 305 South Main Street, Fuquay-Varina | (919) 762-5555 | themasonjartavern.com

29

Reflect Season

ON THE

BABY JESUS IN THE MANGER

It’s all too easy to get swept away in the hustle of the holidays. Take time to connect with Christmas at Salem Baptist Church’s Journey to Bethlehem, a walk-through drama of the Christmas story.

“There are about 11 scenes encompassing the entire campus,” says Lee Nourse, one of the program’s directors.

“It’s an indoor and outdoor walking live nativity drama.”

The Apex-based church hosts more than 4,000 visitors over four days during Journey to Bethlehem, a 28-year tradition.

The entire journey takes 45 minutes to complete and requires 150 volunteer church members each night.

Favorite scenes include the marketplace full of tax collectors and vendors, mean King Herod and of course, the baby in the manger, says Nourse.

“We remain very true to the Bible, true to the life and times of Jesus’s birth,” Nourse says. “Our entire campus is transformed.”

Journey to Bethlehem runs December 12-15. It is free to the community. Ticketed times are available, but walk-ins are welcome as well.

“Christmas is the season when people are more receptive to the story of Jesus, who he is and what he came to do for us,” says Nourse. “Our mission is to share Jesus with the community.”

SALEM BAPTIST CHURCH 1821 North Salem Street, Apex (919) 362-7327 salem-bc.org

THE HEAVENLY HOST

“

We remain very true to the Bible, true to the life and times of Jesus’s birth. Our entire campus is transformed.

”

– Lee Nourse, director, Journey to Bethlehem

30 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

Photos courtesy of Salem Baptist Church

THE WALKING NATIVITY DRAMA, JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM, RUNS FOR FOUR DAYS WITH THE HELP OF 150 VOLUNTEERS, LIKE THE THREE WISE MEN, EACH NIGHT.

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Look no further for

gourmet treats, creative decor, fun fashion and unique gift ideas,

1

brought to you by the small businesses and entrepreneurs of southern Wake.

d i l a o y H t f i G Guide

201 9

Photographed by Jonathan Fredin 1. Holiday Box, starting at $29.95 Combine sweet treats, such as mini white cakes and brownie bites, with a beautiful seasonal centerpiece. Great as a hostess gift or for your own holiday table.

Sweets & Stems sweetsandstems.com

32 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

1

2

5

6

4 7

3

1. Santa’s Milk and Cookie Set, $37.99 Whisk whiskcarolina.com 2. Redneck BBQ Lab all-purpose rub, $6.49 Maple bourbon grilling sauce, $5.99 The Butcher’s Market thebutchersmarkets.com

3. N.C. craft beer and unique wines all in one place.

Starting at $8.99.

Triangle Wine Company Tringlewineco.com 4. One-pound locally roasted Christmas Blend coffee, $12 Cultivate Coffee Roasters cultivate.coffee

5. Six-piece assorted handpainted chocolates, $15 Tsuru Sweets & Coffee tsurusweets.com

7. Chocolate cat and gourmet 4-piece truffles, starting at $10 Fera’wyn’s Chocolate Cafe Ferawyns.com

6. Make life sweeter with chocolates and vintage candy.

Prices vary.

The Chocolate Fix @chocolatefixfv 33

1 5

4

2

3 6

1. Pen & ink illustration, starting at $225 Using a photograph, artist Brenda Priest sketches your childhood home or your favorite place to visit for a cherished keepsake.

Your Door & More yourdoorandmore.com 34 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

2. Give a night out with tickets to the films, concerts and community theater on stage at the Fuquay-Varina Arts Center.

Prices vary.

Fuquay-Varina Arts Center fuquay-varina.org/907/ArtsCenter

3. Create your own one-ofa-kind farmhouse sign at a private party or workshop, starting at $40 The Sassy Cow thesassycownc.squarespace.com

4. Capri Blue candles.

Alpine Juniper, Volcano, Frosted Fireside, $30-$94 Thanks a Latte Coffee & Gift Boutique thanksalattegiftsnc.com 5. Enchanting Unicorns coloring book, $9 Unique Unicorns erasable colored pencils, $12

Gifted Boutique and Wrappery giftedboutiqueandwrappery.com 6. Artisan soaps, $1-$6 Pass It On Thrift Store interactofwake.org/pass-iton-thrift-store

1 2

7

Monogram for $6!

6

4 3

8 5

9

1. Faux fur leopard coat, $49 Swoon Boutique Heartswoon.com

By Dangle My Wearz at Our Moments In Time ourmomentsintime.net

2. Pals Dragon & Unicorn mismatched grip socks, $9.50 Gifted Boutique and Wrappery giftedboutiqueandwrappery.com

4. Magnetic bracelets, $49 each Cousin Couture cousintocouture.com

3. Faux leather Christmas tree earrings, $14

5. Filson small duffle bag, $350 Ashworth’s Clothing @AshworthsClothing

6. Charleston Shoe Co. Aiken boot, $165 Something You Boutique somethingyou.com 7. Susan Shaw gold earrings, $29.95, and necklace, $37.50 Something You Boutique somethingyou.com

8. Cabernet V-Neck long sleeve top, $14.99 Top It Off cape, $62 Bless Your Heart Boutique Blessyourheartnc.com 9. Barbour slippers, $79.50 Ashworth’s Clothing @AshworthsClothing 35

5 1

6 2 7

3 8

4

1. Scout Weekender bag, $59.50 Bless Your Heart Boutique Blessyourheartnc.com 2. KĂŠrastase 8H Magic Night Serum, $54 Artisan Hair artisanhaircary.com 36 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

3. Goodr sunglasses, $25 Pace Yourself Run Company Pyrunco.com 4. Garmin Forerunner 245 GPS Smartwatch with music, $349.99 Tracks your training stats and stores your favorite music.

Pace Yourself Run Company Pyrunco.com

5. Real Housewives of FuquayVarina and Holly Springs tumblers, $27 each Our Moments In Time ourmomentsintime.net 6. Scarf scrunchie, $18 Swoon Boutique Heartswoon.com

7. SuaVecito hair and beard products, including beard balm, pomade, shampoo, conditioner and after shave, starting at $10 Revelry Barber & Shave Shop @revelrybarbernc 8. Simply Adorned 79 earrings, $14 Gifted Boutique and Wrappery giftedboutiqueandwrappery.com

It’s the time of year when everyone’s having a Conniption.

Shake up your holiday with a cocktail featuring Conniption gin from Durham Distillery, the #1 craft gin distillery in the U.S. 2018. Made right here in the Triangle, Conniption gins offer a botanical twist on traditional distillation and are delicious for your seasonal cocktail festivities.

Make this holiday season special with the Conniption gin of your choice: Conniption Navy Strength or Conniption American Dry Available at our downtown Durham distillery, ABC stores in North Carolina and on cocktail menus throughout the Triangle.

There

Back

SOUTHERN SUPREME FRUITCAKE & MORE, IN BEAR CREEK, N.C., IS GOING TO CHANGE YOUR MIND ABOUT FRUITCAKE.

Southern Supreme Fruitcake & More Written by Emily Uhland | Photographed by Jonathan Fredin “Fruitcake has a bad name, but we’re changing it.” says Lisa Scott.

Fruitcake, in all it’s dense, shiny, regiftable glory, has been the punch line of holiday jokes for years, but Lisa and the Scott family aren’t deterred Their family business, Southern Supreme Fruitcake & more, in the small North Carolina town of Bear Creek, produces 3,000 pounds of fruitcake a day.

Their version is dense, yes, but also moist, nutty, rich and not overly sweet.

“We have a tendency to change a lot of minds,” says Randy Scott.

38 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

The decades-old recipe, developed fame. In 300 pounds of cake batter, there

by Randy’s mother, Berta Lou Scott, re- are 95 pounds of pecans and walnuts, mains unchanged since the company’s Randy says. start in 1985.

The baking method is unique, too.

“Sugar, flour, eggs, dates, raisins, pine“The cake is not formed until after it apples, cherries, pecans and English Wal- is cooked,” says Randy. “As it cooks, baknuts,” Randy ticks off. ers take the pans out of the “I didn’t particularly like oven and stir the batter.” my momma’s fruitcake beTwenty-five pans of cause she put too much fruit in cake bake on rotating trays DRIVE TIME it,” says Berta Lou. “Mine has inside a giant repurposed From Holly Springs: more nuts than fruit.” bagel oven, which is reload50 minutes More nuts than fruit is ed every 15 minutes.

From Fuquay-Varina: indeed the bakeries’ claim to Baked cakes are weighed 1 hour

and molded while still hot and pliable. After the cakes have cooled, glaze and decorative fruit is applied.

“The glaze is the hardest thing,” says Berta Lou. “You want it to sink in and give the cake a sheen.”

“We had to beg people to try it in the beginning,” says Randy. “Most of the time if they try it, then they end up being a customer.”

Thirty-five years ago, the fledgeling business operated out of a garage belonging to Berta Lou’s daughter, Belinda. Now Southern Supreme maintains a 42,000 square foot facility, produces 215,000 pounds of fruitcake annually and offers nearly 150 other holiday sweets and specialty food items.

This multi-generational family legacy counts seven members of the Scott family within it’s leadership. There’s matriarch and patriarch Berta Lou and Hoyt Scott; their son Randy Scott and his wife Lisa; their daughter Belinda Jordan and her husband Wayne; and their daughter-inlaw Gail Scott.

Berta Lou and Hoyt still come to work every day, though well into their eighties.

Berta Lou oversees much of the new product development and testing.

“All the recipes come from something we used to bake at home for the holidays,” she says.

Cheese florets (similar to cheese straws), toffees, brittles, jam, pralines and

“

We had to beg people to try it in the beginning.

Most of the time if they try it, then they end up being a customer.

”

– Randy Scott, Southern Supreme Fruitcake & more

continued on page 40

39

BY THE

Numbers 42,000

square foot facility, including kitchens, packaging, the showroom and a tasting room

5

KITCHENS

Fruitcake, cookie, nuts, chocolate and brittle & praline

SCOTT FAMILY MEMBERS, FROM LEFT, SEATED: BELINDA JORDAN, BERTA LOU SCOTT, HOYT SCOTT AND GAIL SCOTT. STANDING: WAYNE JORDAN, LISA SCOTT AND RANDY SCOTT.

120 employees NUT CLUSTERS, PRALINES, AND CHEESE FLORETS ARE BUT A FEW OF THE DELICIOUS REASONS TO VISIT.

3,000

pounds of fruitcake made per day

215,000

pounds in a year

23,000

jars of jelly produced

Fruitcake bakes for

90-100 minutes

95

pounds of pecans and walnuts in 300 pounds of fruitcake batter

5,000

visitors during the mid-October open house

behind-the- s to scenes pho visit .com oadmag mainandbr

40 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

continued from page 39

chocolate-covered clusters line the shelves of the beautifully-adorned showroom.

Despite it’s rural location, Southern Supreme’s showroom is open year round and welcomes tour groups from across the Southeast. Nearly 5,000 visitors helped to kick off the holiday season at the mid-October open house. The majority of product sales happen right there at the company’s Chatham County home, though no small amount of fruitcake (and more) is sold online and through catalogs and craft fairs as well.

“My dad was born and raised in Chatham County. He’s lived in three houses during his life, and you can see all of them from here,” says Randy, pointing out across the rolling hills surrounding the Southern Supreme facility.

“It’s a destination. There is so much more here than we can bring to a show,” says Berta Lou. No one in the Scott family could pinpoint exactly how fruitcake received such an unjust reputation.

The Tonight Show’s Johnny Carson may be partly to blame by commenting on air, “The worst Christmas gift is fruitcake. There is only one fruitcake in the entire world, and people keep sending it to each other.”

If there is only one, let’s hope it’s one made

by Southern Supreme Fruitcake & more.

SOUTHERN SUPREME FRUITCAKE & MORE 1699 Hoyt Scott Road, Bear Creek (336) 581-3141 Southernsupreme.com

Named for the Scott family patriarch!

Putting the home in hometown!

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www.trianglewineco.com 41

ROCK CLIMBING IS A GREAT WAY TO BUILD THE STRENGTH NEEDED FOR ADVANCED NINJA OBSTACLES. HANNAH AUER NAVIGATES A CHALLENGING WALL INSIDE ROCK SOLID WARRIOR NINJA AND ROCK CLIMBING GYM IN FUQUAY-VARINA.

42 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

anrdock climbing expert

a e m o c e B

In 2020, I want to...

Become A

Ninja Warrior Written by Emily Uhland | Photographed by Jonathan Fredin

43

THE ROCK SOLID WARRIOR FAMILY, INLUDING, FROM LEFT, COACH JULIA BAINBRIDGE, CALEB AND HANNAH AUER, AND JOSH AUER, ARE READY TO TRAIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF NINJAS.

If you want to swing, climb, jump and fly like the competitors on “American Ninja Warrior,” the Auer family can relate.

Last September, Ken Auer, along with wife Carol, and sons Caleb and Josh, opened Rock Solid Warrior ninja warrior and rock climbing gym in Fuquay-Varina, a dream nearly two years in the making.

Southern Wake residents can now realize their dreams of summiting a 14-foot warp wall or swinging bar to bar like the “American Ninja Warrior” contestants on NBC’s hit show.

With classes and programs for ages 5 to 75, Rock Solid Warrior welcomes participants of all ability levels into the rapidly growing sport of obstacle-based ninja training.

In a 2018 article published in The Guardian, basketball legend Kareem Ad44 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

bul-Jabbar argued that “ninja warrior is the sport America needs,” writing, “American Ninja Warrior … may reflect the American spirit of rugged individualism, bootstrap inspiration, and … equal opportunity more than any other rising sport.”

If professional basketball hall-of-famers are discussing ninja training, cleary the Auers are on to something big.

Despite gravity-defying feats and sometimes epic crashes, what really hooked Caleb and Josh Auer was the welcoming community that pervades the sport.

“Everybody in the ninja community is super supportive of each other,” says Caleb, general manager and head coach at Rock Solid Warrior. “Even though a

lot of us compete against each other, we see it as we’re competing together against the course.”

It was barely more than two years ago that Caleb and Josh began their ninja training, after watching the namesake television show. The brothers built an obstacle course in the front yard of their Holly Springs home; and both have since competed on television in American Ninja Warrior (Caleb) and American Ninja Warrior Junior ( Josh).

“To be able to compete on the ultimate course — it’s a lot of fun,” says Caleb. “It was really cool to see everything that goes on behind the scenes and be a part of it.”

With the opening of Rock Solid War-

THE ROCK CLIMBING ROUTES AND NINJA OBSTACLES ARE DESIGNED TO BE ADJUSTABLE AND CAN BE MODIFIED FOR VARIETY AND ADDED CHALLENGE.

UPPER BODY STRENGH, AGILITY AND BALANCE ARE IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF NINJA TRAINING. THEO FISHER, SEEN HERE, AND TRISTIN WILLIAMS, TOP RIGHT, PRACTICE DURING A NINJA CLASS.

rior, the Auers can introduce the sport they love to their hometown community.

The fundamental skills of a good ninja include upper body and grip strength, speed and agility and body control and awareness — knowing how to move your body through space with precision. Quick decision making and mental toughness are vital as well.

“Training is 90% physical, but competing is 80% mental,” says Caleb. “A lot of mental preparation goes into it, not just the physical.”

Rock Solid Warrior will train budding 5-year-old ninjas up through serious league competitors. Most of their obstacles — things like monkey bars, wooden rings,

domino steps and cliff-hanger ledges — are adjustable and can be modified easier or harder as the athletes need.

A signature movement of ninja training, and favorite of Caleb Auer, is the lache, wherein you use your body’s momentum to swing and release off an object, and, hopefully, grab onto the next element.

Lache alleys feature prominently in Rock Solid Warrior, with an endless variety of grips, lengths and skills required to complete them.

“Even if you think, ‘Oh, I’m not to that level yet,’ there is something you can come in and try,” Caleb says.

Many elements are suspended from continued on page 46

“

Everybody in the ninja community is super supportive of each other. Even though a lot of us compete against each other, we see it as we’re competing together against the course.

”

– Caleb Auer, manager, Rock Solid Warrior

45

REACH “NEW HEIGHTS” WITH OUR

ENVIRONMENTAL CONNECTIONS MAGNET THEME

RACHEL BAINBRIDGE TESTS HER BALANCE AND AGILITY.

continued from page 45

Take a closer look at Lincoln Heights Environmental Connections Magnet Elementary where we: Boast several outdoor classrooms that spark our students’ love of learning Cultivate environmental stewardship through engaging Project-Based Learning Provide hands-on learning experiences at local parks and museums Sign up for a school tour at www.wcpss.net/lincolnheightses Lincoln Heights Environmental Connections Magnet Elementary School 307 Bridge Street Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526 (919) 557-2587

46 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

the ceiling, with padded mats underneath to cushion the inevitable fall. The facility’s rock climbing walls provide additional training opportunities.

“Rock climbing is a great way to start building that strength that you need to start doing advanced ninja warrior obstacles,” Caleb says, noting that the climbing walls also have progressing levels of difficulty.

Rock Solid Warrior plans to host ninja warrior competitions and offers track-out camps and birthday parties.

“Come out, and try it,” says Caleb.

“You may find that you love it. It is a great way to get in shape, because you don’t really realize you’re working out.”

Drop in for a single class, or enroll in a membership; either way, you’ll never get bored.

“There’s always new challenges that you find, or new obstacles. There are so many ways to push yourself.”

ROCK SOLID WARRIOR 6109 NC 55, Suite 125, Fuquay-Varina (919) 307-7448 rocksolidwarrior.com

FUQUAY-VARINA ARTS CENTER Fuquay-Varina Chorale Holiday Concert Friday, December 6, 2019 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 7, 2019 3 p.m.

All seats $8 The young but highly successful Fuquay-Varina Chorale shares the holiday spirit through their music -- joyous, inspiring, and magical, they are a true gift of the season!

Suzy Bogguss Swingin’ Little Christmas Thursday, December 19, 2019, 8 p.m.

Tickets $30/Adults; $26/Seniors & Students Suzy Bogguss is one of country music’s most pristine and evocative vocalists that defined the golden days of ‘90s country. Her Swingin’ Little Christmas Show is a joyous, festive evening of traditional songs and spontaneity.

It’s a Wonderful Life Radio Play Saturday, December 21, 2019, 7 p.m.

Tickets $14/Adults; $12/Seniors & Students It’s December 24, 1946 in Studio A and a small cast of actors is preparing to use their many varied talents to recreate the entire town of Bedford Falls and its best-known resident, George Bailey. The story’s message is profound and relevant, especially for today’s audiences.

The Bellamy Brothers Friday, January 31, 2020, 8 p.m.

Tickets $30/Adults; $26/Seniors & Students Long one of country music’s most honored duos, Howard and David continue to prove that the trail they’ve ridden to fame has been as unique as their music itself--music that is now celebrating 40 years of success. From pop music charts in the 70’s, to country music in the 80’s, their musical odyssey started creatively smoldering in their home state Flordia before exploding nationally. Come celebrate their career with their biggest hits and brand-new songs.

For more info, call the Arts Center at 919-567-3920 | fvarts.org

“

This is a comfortable, down-to-earth hangout to meet, eat and relax.

”

– Renae Collins, owner, Harvest Moon Bakery-Cafe

THE DELECTABLE INTREPID WAFFLE INCLUDES APPLE SLICES, GOAT CHEESE, TOASTED PECANS AND HONEY. OPPOSITE: SCRATCH-MADE MUFFINS LIKE PISTACHIO CHOCOLATE CHIP ARE AVAILABLE SIX DAYS A WEEK AT HARVEST MOON.

48 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

Restaurant Spotlight:

Harvest Moon Bakery-Cafe Written by David McCreary | Photographed by Jonathan Fredin Locally owned Harvest Moon Bakery-Cafe in Holly Springs is the newest hotspot for breakfast, lunch or ... dare we say, brunch.

The cafe offers quality fresh-baked goods, scratch-made meals and exceptional coffee-centric beverages. Everything is served up in a warm, inviting space with a modern, rustic vibe.

“This is a comfortable, down-to-earth hangout to meet, eat and relax,” says softspoken proprietor Renae Collins, who opened the gathering spot in the summer of 2019.

When it comes to the name of her place, Collins says she has always been interested in celestial subjects, and she also has an affinity for the autumn season.

“My mother told me that I was born under the light of the harvest moon in September, so it’s fitting,” she adds.

Growing up on a farm in southeastern Virginia, Collins has enjoyed baking since she was a young child. Her longtime love for creating artisan breads and sweets ultimately led her to open Harvest Moon.

Among the tempting treats Collins churns out include muffins like pistachio chocolate chip, cinnamon spice and butterscotch pecan; turtle cheesecake; blueberry scones; Scottish shortbread cookies; and gluten free choices such as chocolate torte and mini coconut pie.

Looking for something a bit lighter?

Consider the delicious Amish-style baked oatmeal that’s served warm topped with

whipped cream and pie spices. Or get a made-to-order fruit-and- yogurt parfait.

Undoubtedly the most distinctive menu item is called a popover, a roll similar in consistency to Yorkshire pudding.

“There are only four ingredients in a popover: egg, milk, salt and flour,” Collins reveals. “It contains no leaven, so steam is what causes it to rise.”

Collins didn’t have to look far to find a capable chef to share the kitchen, hiring her son, Travis Umphlette, who brought more than 20 years of cooking experience to Harvest Moon.

Umphlette’s culinary passion is evident, particularly with breakfast selections.

The Intrepid Belgian waffle is crowned continued on page 50 49

SPECIALTY COFFEES, SUCH AS THE SNOWBALL, LEFT, AND ICED CARAMEL MACCHIATO, WILL SURELY DELIGHT.

PROPRIETOR RENAE COLLINS PULLS A BATCH OF FRESH POPOVERS FROM THE OVEN.

continued from page 49

with sliced granny smith apples, goat cheese, honey and toasted pecans. Hearty eaters will appreciate the Farmhouse Breakfast, which features an omelet with ham, sautéed peppers, onions, tomato and parsley, two pieces of applewood smoked bacon, harvest fries, a petite biscuit and fresh fruit.

“Being consistent with the food is really important,” says Umphlette, whose wife, Amanda Krick Umphlette, helps with social media and various logistics.

“It’s all about attention to detail.”

His signature chicken salad is so tasty you may want to order it in bulk. Whether you try it on a popover or in a wrap, you can’t go wrong.

“The chicken salad contains 16 ingredients, and the preparation sets it apart,” Umphlette says, but he’s reluctant to share his secret recipe (can’t blame us for trying!). “I pull all the chicken by hand, and I add seasonings and other things like fresh shallots, mustard, mayonnaise and sour cream.”

Standout lunchtime options include the Harvest Club with turkey, ham, bacon, lettuce, tomato, cheese, red onion and aioli and the Veggie Patch Wrap with a mixture 50 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

HARVEST MOON’S CHICKEN SALAD CONTAINS 16 INGREDIENTS, MANY OF THEM SECRETS OF THE CHEF.

of fresh garden vegetables with basil pesto and spicy tomato relish.

As for side items, we recommend the southern-style potato salad, roasted sweet potato salad or veggie feta salad.

In the mood for coffee? Harvest Moon sources it’s java from Fuquay’s Cultivate Coffee. Front-of-house barista extraordinaire Allie Moschella will whip up a bountiful selection of hot or cold drinks.

We suggest you go for either a vanilla-infused iced caramel macchiato or the Snowball, a frozen blended concoction comprising vanilla, hazelnut and espresso then topped with whipped cream and white chocolate drizzle.

“There’s also a kid-friendly version of the Snowball without the espresso,” says Moschella.

Closed on Mondays, Harvest Moon is open six days a week and is available for private events.

HARVEST MOON BAKERY-CAFÉ 128 Bass Lake Road (Holly Springs Crossing) Holly Springs (919) 586-7005

COZY, FIRESIDE DINING

of North Carolina Waters

nc-seafood.org 51

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Dine Unsure where to eat today? Look no further than this selection of local eateries & cafes.

FUQUAY-VARINA Abbey Road Tavern and Grill “Signature Beatle burgers and live entertainment.”

711 N. Main St.; Fuquay-Varina (919) 762-7731; abbeyroadnc.com Anna’s Pizzeria “Piping hot pizzas and mouthwatering Italian food.” 138 S. Main St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 285-2497; annaspizzeria.com Aviator SmokeHouse BBQ Restaurant “All of our food is made in-house.”

525 E. Broad St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 557-7675; aviatorbrew.com Assaggio’s Pizzeria Ristorante “Top quality ingredients go into every dish.”

941 East Broad Street, Fuquay-Varina (919) 557-9505; assaggios-fuquay.com Cultivate Coffee Roasters “Modern industrial twist on a small town coffee shop.”

128 S. Fuquay Ave., Fuquay Varina (919) 285-4067; www.cultivate.coffee Daddy D’s BBQ “Slow cooked with love.”

1526 Broad St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 552-6464; daddydsbbqnc.com

J&S New York Pizza “Family-owned and operated Italian restaurant.”

500 Broad St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 557-6921; jandsnypizza.com

Eggs Up Grill “Breakfast favorites served all day.”

1436 N Main St, Fuquay-Varina (919) 285-4463; eggsupgrill.com El Dorado “Enjoy the most delicious Mexican food amongst family.”

112 E Vance St, Fuquay-Varina (919) 557-0287; eldoradomexicanrestaurant.com

Joyce & Family Restaurant “Home cooked Southern favorites.”

129 N Main St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 567-1717; @joyceandfamily

Drive Bru “Drive thru coffee shop with N.Y. coffee & Carolina charm.”

1013 E Broad St., Fuquay-Varina (607) 745-2512; @drivebru Garibaldi Trattoria Pizza & Pasta “Authentic Italian cuisine and quality service.”

900 N. Main St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 552-8868; garibalditrattoria.com

Jus’ Enuff Home Cooking “Homemade everything.” 736 N Main St., Fuquay-Varina; (919) 567-0587 facebook.com/JusEnuffHomeCookin Laurel Wine Bar at Cellar 55 “Mediterranean-inspired small plates with wine pairings.”

1351 East Broad St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 446-1156; cellar55.com Los Tres Magueyes “We prepare our food fresh daily.”

401 Wake Chapel Road, Fuquay-Varina (919) 552-3957; lostresmagueyes.com

The Healthy Spot “Meal replacement smoothies and energizing teas.”

961 East Broad St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 552-5373; @healthyspotfuquay

The Mason Jar Tavern “All the comforts of Southern hospitality with a modern twist.”

305 S. Main St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 762-5555; themasonjartavern.com The Mill “Coffee. Beer. Wine. Community.”

146 S. Main St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 557-2123; themillfuquay.com

CREAMY SEAFOOD PASTA WITH SHRIMP, SCALLOPS AND SALMON FROM GARIBALDI TRATTORIA IN FUQUAY-VARINA.

Nil’s Cafe “Family-oriented Mediterranean cafe.”

513 Broad Street, Fuquay-Varina (919) 567-0887; nilscafe-weebly.com

Jonathan Fredin

Pints Ice Cream & Beer 512 Broad Street, Fuquay-Varina @pintsicecream

52 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

DENOTES ADVERTISER

Stick Boy Bread Co. “Handcrafted baked goods from scratch … all natural ingredients.”

127 S. Main St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 557-2237; stickboyfuquay.com

Triple Barrel Tavern “Restaurant, sports bar & billiards.”

2221 N Grassland Drive, Fuquay-Varina (919) 762-0940; @triplebarreltavernfuquayvarina Tsuru Sweets & Coffee “Elegant-yet-sassy gourmet confectionery.”

411 Broad St, Fuquay-Varina (919) 285-2646; tsurusweets.com Vicious Fishes Tap & Kitchen “Eclectic twists on comfortable bar food.”

132 South Fuquay Ave., Fuquay-Varina (919) 762-7876; viciousfishes.com/fuquay-nc

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Blaze Pizza “Fast fire’d, perfectly crisp perfection.”

316 Grand Hill Place, Holly Springs (919) 261-5950; blazepizza.com

Dine Wingin’ It Bar and Grille “Family-friendly neighborhood pub.”

1625 N. Main St., Suite 109, Fuquay-Varina (919) 762-0962; winginitbarandgrille.com

The Butcher’s Market “Premium meats and specialty grocery.”

4200 Lassiter Rd, Holly Springs (919) 267-919); thebutchersmarkets.com

Zeera Indian Restaurant “Authentic goodness in traditional Indian food.”

1311 E Broad St., Fuquay-Varina (919) 762-6215; zeeranc.com

Cristo’s Bistro “Hand tossed NY style pizza.”

5217 Sunset Lake Rd, Holly Springs (919) 363-8852, cristosbistro.com

HOLLY SPRINGS Acme Pizza Co. “Chicago-style deep dish pizza.”

204 Village Walk Dr, Holly Springs (919) 552-8800; acmepizzaco.com

BUFFALO OYSTERS AT VICIOUS FISHES TAP & KITCHEN IN FUQUAY-VARINA

The Blind Pelican “Creative seafood and boat drinks.”

120 Bass Lake Road; Holly Springs (984) 225-2471; blindpelicanseafood.com

Eggs Up Grill “Breakfast favorites served all day.”

4216 Lassiter Road, Holly Springs (919) 495-4530; eggsupgrill.com

Bass Lake Draft House “34 beers on tap.”

124 Bass Lake Rd, Holly Springs (919) 567-3251; basslakedrafthouse.com

Healthy But Good “Fast food for smart people.”

424 Village Walk Drive, Holly Springs (919) 341-5554; @healthybutgoodhollysprings

SHORT ON

DOUGH? Lunch Specials from 11am to 4pm Monday - Friday

2 One Topping Slices and a Soft Drink $6.99 Pick 2....House/Caesar/Hummus/Soup/Chicken Salad & drink $6.99

Tuesday

One Topping Small Pizza (dine-in only) $5.00

Thursday

Club Day! Choose from either of our delicious club sandwichs, chips & drink $8.99

Friday

Calzone Day! A Calzone with 2 Toppings $9.99

4300 NW Cary Parkway • Cary, NC 919-463-7779

DENOTES ADVERTISER

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Hickory Tavern “Something for every appetite.”

401 Village Walk Drive, Holly Springs (919) 557-2064; thehickorytavern.com

Dine

Fera’wyn’s Chocolate Cafe “Forget love, I’d rather fall in chocolate.”

652 Holly Springs Road, Holly Springs (415) 758-3296; ferawyns.com Fiesta Mexicana Restaurante Mexicano “Authentic. Hot. Fresh.”

428 Village Walk Drive, Holly Springs (919) 346-1330; fiestamexicananc-hollysprings.com

SOUTHERN SIDES AT THE MASON JAR TAVERN, LOCATIONS IN HOLLY SPRINGS AND FUQUAYVARINA.

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers “Great food without a long wait.”

221 Grand Hill Place, Holly Springs (919) 557-3475; freddysusa.com Harvest Moon Bakery – Cafe “Breakfast and lunch cafe with scratch-made bakery and locally roasted coffee.”

128 Bass Lake Road, Holly Springs (919) 586-7005; harvestmoonbakerycafe.com Homegrown Pizza “Pizza, calzones and sandwiches.”

4928 Linksland Drive, ​Holly Springs (​919) 577-5575; homegrownpizza.com Kobe HIbachi and Sushi 515 North Main Street, Holly Springs (919) 557-1437; kobehollyspringsnc.com Los Tres Magueyes “A Mexican Treat.”

120 Bass Lake Road, Holly Springs (919) 552-6272; lostresmagueyes.com

The Moving Truck is Leaving!

Are you ready to learn about your new community?

Your local welcome team is ready to visit you with a basket full of maps, civic information, gifts, and gift certificates from local businesses. From doctors to dentists and restaurants to repairmen...we help newcomers feel right at home in their new community!

For your complimentary welcome visit, or to include a gift for newcomers, call 919.809.0220 or visit our website, www.nnws.org.

Mama Bird’s Cookies + Cream “A unique spin on a timeless dessert.”

304 N. Main St., Holly Springs (919) 762-7808; mamabirdsicecream.com The Mason Jar Tavern “All the comforts of Southern hospitality with a modern twist.”

114 Grand Hill Place, Holly Springs (919) 964-5060; themasonjartavern.com MediTerra Grill “Delicious ingredients. Old world recipes.”

108 Grand Hill Place, Holly Springs (919) 762-7851; mediterranc.com Mi Cancun Mexican Restaurant 324 Grand Hill Place, Holly Springs (919) 552-9979; micancunmx.com Michelangelos Pizza “Pizza buffet for lunch and dinner.”

7280 GB Alford HWY, Holly Springs (919) 557-4992; michelangelospizza.com My Way Tavern “Freshly made all-American foods.”

301 W. Center St., Holly Springs (919) 285-2412; mywaytavern.com Niche Wine Lounge “Tranquility by the glass.”

109 Main St., Holly Springs (919) 552-2300; nichewinelounge.com The Original N.Y. Pizza “Bringing a taste of New York to North Carolina.”

634 Holly Springs Road, Holly Springs (919) 567-0505; theoriginalnypizza.com Osha Thai Kitchen & Sushi “Authentic Thai cuisine: well-balanced dishes bursting with flavor.”

242 S Main Street, Holly Springs (984) 538-6742; oshathaikitchennc.com Rise Southern Biscuits & Chicken “The best dang biscuits.”

169 Grand Hill Place, Holly Springs (919) 586-7343; risebiscuitsdonuts.com Skrimp Shack “Casual seafood cuisine.”

7244 Alford Hwy, Holly Springs (919) 335-3924; theskrimpshack.com

CARY | APEX | MORRISVILLE | HOLLY SPRINGS FUQUAY-VARINA | GARNER | ANGIER WILLOW SPRING | CLAYTON | CLEVELAND

54 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

DENOTES ADVERTISER

Sweetberry Bowls “Beautiful and delicious bowls, wraps and salads.”

150 West Holly Springs Rd, Holly Springs (984) 225-2656; sweetberrybowls.com

From our family to y ours.

9 0 0 N . M a i n S t r e e t | F u q u a y Va r i n a , N C | 9 1 9 - 5 5 2 - 8 8 6 8 | g a r i b a l d i t r a t t o r i a . c o m 55

Sweet Southern SnoBalls “Shaved ice and Hershey’s Ice Cream.”

527 N. Main St., Holly Springs (919) 291-3355; @sweetsouthsnoballs Thai Thai Cuisine “Home cooked Thai food.”

108 Osterville Drive, Holly Springs (919) 303-5700; thaithaicuisinenc.com Thanks A Latte “Coffee and gift boutique.”

1118 Kentworth Drive, Holly Springs (919) 577-0070; thanksalattegiftsnc.com

CARY Chanticleer Café & Bakery “Family-owned restaurant serving up breakfast, lunch and specialty coffees.”

6490 Tryon Road, Cary (919) 781-4810; chanticleercafe.com Chef’s Palette “Creative flair and originality in every aspect of our service.”

3460 Ten Ten Road, Cary (919) 267-6011; chefspalette.net

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Dine Corbett’s Burgers & Soda Bar “Good old-fashioned burgers and bottled soda.”

126 Kilmayne Drive, Cary (919) 466-0055; corbettsburgers.com Craft Public House “Casual family restaurant.”

1040 Tryon Village Drive, Suite 601, Cary (919) 851-9173; craftpublichouse.com Duck Donuts “Warm, delicious and just the way you like them.”

100 Wrenn Drive #10, Cary (919) 468-8722; duckdonuts.com/location/cary-nc Gonza Tacos y Tequila “Award-winning Colombian-Mexican cuisine.”

525-105 New Waverly Place, Cary (919) 653-7310; cary.gonzatacosytequila.com

DENOTES ADVERTISER

Herons “The signature restaurant of The Umstead Hotel and Spa.” 100 Woodland Pond Drive, Cary; (919) 447-4200; theumstead.com/dining/restaurants-raleigh-nc La Farm Bakery “Handcrafted daily … only the freshest ingredients.”

4248 NW Cary Parkway, Cary; 220 W. Chatham St., Cary; 5055 Arco Street, Cary (919) 657-0657; lafarmbakery.com Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen “Exceptional renderings of classic Southern dishes.”

7307 Tryon Road, Cary (919) 233-1632; lucky32.com/cary Lugano Ristorante “Italian dining in a comfortable and casual atmosphere.”

1060 Darrington Drive, Cary (919) 468-7229; luganocary.com Mellow Mushroom “Beer, calzones and creative stone-baked pizzas.”

4300 NW Cary Parkway, Cary (919) 463-7779; mellowmushroom.com

CATERING

RE

IMAGINED

CARY, NC

4300 NW Cary Parkway Cary, NC 919-463-7779

Grow

Written and Photographed by L.A. Jackson

Bloom Early Spring:

Forcing Tazetta Daffodils With the summer garden becoming a memory, many backyard growers have hung up their hoes and now turn to the comforts of tending indoor plants. But while there are houseplants that will flower during the coldest times of the year, few seem fast to grow and eager to show. One pretty exception is the tazetta daffodil (Narcissus tazetta).

Unlike most other daffodils, tazettas (also known as paperwhites) grow from bulbs that don’t need the extended chill time of winter to stimulate blooming. This makes them excellent candidates for a nifty trick called forced flowering.

Forced flowering simply speeds up a plant’s maturity by simulating outdoor conditions indoors. In the easy-to-please tazetta daffodil’s case, this means tucking planted bulbs away in a cool, dimly lit backroom until young shoots and roots begin to sprout, usually in about two weeks. Then, bring the flowering bulbsto-be into an area that receives sunlight.

Lots of sunlight. I have found tazettas that don’t bask at least five hours in the winter sun tend to be tall floppers and need staking.

Planting these bulbs in potting soil will certainly work, but the fun way to grow tazettas is in water — just so you can watch the roots wake up and wiggle their way to maturity. A clear vase with an opening that will comfortably seat the bottom of a single bulb will work, but for a cluster planting, consider a bowl about three inches deep filled with colorful pebbles.

58 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

Bulbs should be set so just their bottom quarters are in water. Maintain this level of contact through the tazettas’ growth period. Since the bulbs have stored up all the energy they are going to need for the flower show to come, adding fertilizer to the water will not be necessary.

With its sun and water requirements met, a tazetta daffodil will bloom in just over a month. The clusters of small, white to light cream blossoms will then beautifully linger for a week or even longer. If you like their looks, consider staggering plantings to have fresh indoor flowers through the cold, dreary winter months.

Descriptions online and in books often mention these pretty blossoms are fragrant, and they are, but to me, many of them smell off-sweet, bordering on industrial. My best comparison is the scent of carpet glue. Honest.

Tazetta bulbs can be easily spotted in garden stores at this time of year, with the thinking being they make nice Christmas gifts whether in bloom or still in the box. Some of the standard varieties to be found include ‘Ziva’, ‘Galilee’ and ‘Jerusalem’.

L.A. Jackson is the former editor of Carolina Gardener Magazine.

in

December

When your Christmas cactus pops into bloom, place it in a bright, naturally lit room and reduce watering to prolong the flowering period.

You will be wrapping lots of Christmas presents this holiday season, right?

Cut those wrapping paper tubes into 4-inch-long pieces so they can be used as collars around newly planted annuals next spring to protect them from cutworms.

If you have any gasoline left in motorized garden equipment, remove it before tucking such handy machinery away for the winter. Over months, gas can lose some of its “fizz” and gunk up carburetors.

Now is the prime time to plant spring-blooming bulbs. Daffodils, hyacinths (Hyacinth orientalis), Spanish bluebells (Hyacinthoides hispanica), squills (Scilla sp.), snowdrops (Galanthus sp.), summer snowflakes (Leucojum aestivum), grape hyacinths (Muscari armeniacum), alliums (Allium sp.) and fritillaries (Fritillaria sp.) are all eye-catching variets with off-putting flavor to would-be garden raiders like deer, voles and HYACINTH squirrels.

Hollyhocks looked raggedy this year? Chances are good they could have been afflicted with a disease called rust.

To help prevent this blight next summer, cut off the old stems — where rust likes to overwinter — and discard them. Do not compost.

Forget Love...

I’d rather fall in chocolate!

Holiday gift giving, corporate/client gifts, Hot Chocolate featuring real chocolate and scratch-made marshmallows, a variety of lattes featuring scratch-made sauces and Counter Culture Coffee, wide selection of desserts – dedicated gluten free facility.

Selection of truffles, caramels, confections and candies!

2020 Good Food Awards Finalists for the WRAL People’s Choice Awards!

Local Chocolate, Baked Goods, and Best New Restaurant

625 Holly Springs Rd. ferawyns.com Ferawyns Artisan Chocolates

Celebrate our one-year anniversary in December! Watch Facebook for details.

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memes

FVM’s New Years Resolutions Written by the Author of Fuquay-Varina Memes Photographed by Jonathan Fredin

Do you know the origin of New Year’s resolutions? According to history, they were said to have been created by the Scots during the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh in 1547. Just kidding, literally nobody cares, and I’m not about to hit you with facts. Making promises to ourselves at the end of every year is a tradition that we just can’t seem to kick, even when 99% of us fail spectacularly within the first month.

THAT’S A HARD PASS ON WEGMANS, FOLKS.

FUQUAY-VARINA MEMES (also known as FVM) is a freelance writer, meme guru and an anonymous resident of Fuquay-Varina.

She is the creator and manager of the FuquayVarina Memes Facebook page and has a talent for making people laugh and always taking the joke too far. Check out her blog at fvmwrites.com. fuquaymemes thefvmemes

The new year isn’t falling for our lies, but we obviously are, because some of us have already created a resolution list a mile long. For those of you who haven’t, I’ve got you covered with these locally-sourced New Year’s resolutions. May they stick at least until Feb. 1.

AVOID WEGMANS

On Sunday, Sept. 29, Yankees everywhere danced under a full moon Wegmans made its North Carolina debut at 7 a.m. I’m not even kidding when I say that the line was around the block by 6 a.m. Apparently Wegmans is the Brad Pitt of grocery stores. If you live near anyone who’s ever been to one, they will rave about it like 40-year-old men rave about the newly released Tool album. The point is, avoid Wegmans for as long as you can, because one visit is enough to turn you into a life-long Wegmans Disciple who will never. shut. up. about. it.

FUN FACT: There’s a 100% chance that the first people in line were wearing pristine white balance sneakers and have a “Live, Laugh Love” sign hanging somewhere in their house.

CUT BACK ON BOJANGLES

Jonathan Fredin

2020 is creeping up on us and looking at our fat rolls like, “well, well, well, if it isn’t the consequences of your own actions,” but every year we’re like “NO, WE’LL CHANGE! WE’RE MORE THAN THE SUM OF OUR BAD CHOICES! GIVE US ANOTHER CHANCE!” 60 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

DON’T RIOT, I’m not suggesting you should give up Bojangles completely. I’m simply saying that it might be a good idea to limit your intake to two to three biscuits a week, if you ever want a chance of fitting into that sweet pair of Slim Built-In Flex All-Temp white jeans from Old Navy that Nance bought you for treating her at Olive Garden.

STOP CREATING LOCAL GROUPS ON FACEBOOK

Is it normal to have so many overlapping community groups on Facebook? (That’s a rhetorical question, because the answer is obviously, no.) We’ve got Fuquay-Varina’s Today In The Quay; Fuquay-Varina Happenings By Today In The Quay; People of Fuquay-Varina; All About Fuquay-Varina, NC; Ladies of Fuquay-Varina; Women of Fuquay-Varina; The Women of Fuquay/Holly Springs; Men of Fuquay-Varina; Holly Springs Residents; Holly Springs Leaks; Citizens for the Responsible Growth of Holly Springs; Women of Holly Springs; the Ladies of Holly Springs and (of course) The Ladies of Holly Springs: Not Associated With The Bickering LOHS Group.

Don’t create another community page. It probably already exists within our local arsenal of Facebook groups, and ain’t nobody got time for that anyway.

Elevate your look.

REPLACE BEER WITH WINE

There are numerous studies chronicling the health benefits of red wine, including HAHAHAHA just kidding, fam, this isn’t Apex. Carry on.

ASK A PROFESSIONAL, NOT THE LOHS

Let’s celebrate 2020 by actually making a doctor’s appointment in lieu of posting about little Ainslee’s rash on the interwebs, mmkay? Not only are local ladies’ groups completely unqualified to help in the event of a medical emergency, they’re also the same people hawking menopause crystals to help reduce hot flashes.

Soon the pic of your child’s viral rash will turn into a rant about the dangers of vaccinations, and Karen will emerge from the sewer with a pitchfork and destroy every last dissenting opinion. Also, asking if a “stomachache” is going around is about as useful as asking someone to spell Fuquay-Varina correctly the first time around, so don’t waste your time.

PRECISION HAIRCUTS | KERATIN TREATMENTS | BALAYAGE | EXTENSIONS BRIDAL | AMERICAN WAVE | HAND CRAFTED COLOR

Alston Town Center 919-694-5755 • artisanhaircary.com Follow us ArtisanHairCary

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THE BEST is yet to come!

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QUIT WITH THE PYRAMID SCHEMES.

This means no leggings, pink drinks, oils, crystals, or whatever the crap else you’ve got up your sleeve, Barb. I’m not knocking anyone’s attempt to make some of that sweet moolah, but if I have to see one more pyramid scheme on yet another community group, I’ll have no choice but to hop on that Herbalife train and serve up some shakes instead of memes.

ACTUALLY USE YOUR PLANET FITNESS MEMBERSHIP

Or not, I don’t really care if you’re fat.

VISIT EVERY BREWERY IN TOWN

With so much to do and new friendships to enjoy, Glenaire is the perfect place to make your retirement the best time of your life. It is never too early to visit and make future plans.

Call us at 919-460-8095 to learn more about our wait list and schedule your personal tour.

Currently there are more breweries in Fuquay and Holly Springs than Salt Life stickers, so get ready to start drinking (see No. 7). Breweries in this town include Aviator, Mason Jar Lager Company, Fainting Goat, Oaklyn Springs, Bombshell Brewing Company, Carolina Brewing Company and Vicious Fishes.

(I might actually be missing some, but I can’t keep up with your alcoholic ways.)

YOU DON’T NEED THAT THROW PILLOW, DEB.

Splurging at Target might have been your favorite pastime in 2019, but you’re broke now, and it’s time to turn over a new leaf before Craig takes away all 15 fake succulents you found in the dollar spot. Make a list, and stick to it.

GIVE KAREN A BREAK

Glenaire.org | 919-460-8095 4000 Glenaire Circle | Cary, NC 27511 A Presbyterian Homes, Inc. Community

62 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

Not all Karens are created equal, so next time you think about using the name Karen when referring to a difficult person, feel free to branch out and experiment with other typical middle-aged lady names like Nance, Deb or Janet! Why limit yourself to just one when there are so many other options available? Let’s make 2020 the year of the Barb. LET IT BE KNOWN. MB

BEAUTIFUL COLOR IS

ALWAYS IN SEASON. Winter is a great time to paint, so book now!

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Seen

Heard Now Open has moved to 134 N. Main Street. The following departments will be located at the new Town Hall location: mayor’s office, town administration, communications, economic development, downtown development, engineering, finance, human resources, information technology, planning, and inspections.

The new Town Hall has been designed to enhance the workplace environment and customer service experience. Located in the new building’s lobby entrance will be customer service windows addressing utility bills, permitting, planning and inspections.

Mattamy Homes, North America’s larg-

est privately owned homebuilder, received five distinguished awards during the 2019 annual Triangle Parade of Homes, including awards for homes in Fuquay-Varina’s Bent Tree and Holly Springs’ Ballentine Place.

More than 220 homes were featured in the Triangle Parade of Homes, including 10 from Mattamy. Homes were judged by building professionals on the quality of craftsmanship, products used, architectural design and much more.

“It is an honor to be recognized among the best in this year’s Parade of Homes,” said Bob Wiggins, Mattamy’s Raleigh division president. “We are committed to providing distinctive, thoughtfully designed homes that give Triangle area homebuyers a variety of choices that are built with their needs in mind.”

Courtesy of Colla Voce

Fuquay-Varina’s Town Hall

Colla Voce, Holly Springs High School’s

advanced choral ensemble, is one of only four choirs in the country to be invited to England for the London International Choral Festival.

Colla Voce is made up of 45 11th and 12th-grade students who have earned a spot through auditions.

The London International Choral Festival is an annual event showcasing choirs of young voices at magnificent London venues. The festival begins December 30.

The Holly Springs Fire Department has been awarded the highest Insurance Services Office rating, placing Holly Springs in the top 1% of all fire departments in the nation, and one of only 11 fire departments in North Carolina to have achieved a 1 out of 10 rating.

The lower the number, the better the rating, potentially earning businesses owners in Holly Springs lower insurance premiums. Previously, the town was rated 4 out of 10.

“Over the decades as this area grew and the needs changed, so did the fire service ...” said N.C. insurance commissioner and state fire marshal Mike Causey. “This is a great honor and achievement for the Holly Springs Fire and Rescue.”

THE HOLLY SPRINGS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RECENTLY CELEBRATED RIBBON CUTTINGS AT THE FOLLOWING BUSINESSES:

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Share business news, upcoming events and town gossip with editor@mainandbroadmag.com

64 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

Our Moments in Time LINK-TEL LLC Bless Your Heart Boutique Mungo Homes Cypress Salon & Spa

Hello Simplified Pace Yourself Run Company Trisha Schwartz State Farm Agency Whole Brain Escape

Seen

Heard Scenes From

Celebrate Fuquay-Varina Festival Photographed by Jonathan Fredin

LOCAL ARTISANS CHILI COOK-OFF

More mainandbroadmag.com

Photos

RIDES AND GAMES

KIDS’ ZONE

PUMPKIN PAINTING

CHILI COOK-OFF

DOWNTOWN FUQUAY

Saturday, October 5 • Historic Downtown Fuquay 65

In Focus

What goes up...

By Jonathan Fredin King BMX stunt rider Scott Wirch heads for earth after performing a highflying backflip off a ramp during the Celebrate Fuquay-Varina Festival 2019.

66 DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

2019 NORTH CAROLINA

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