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t was an accident I had last summer that partially inspired this issue, our 12th Best of Chapel Hill edition. After giving blood, I passed out, with my hip taking most of the impact. I rode out of the Durham Red Cross sitting up on a stretcher, like a pageant queen wearily waving from a parade float. My gnarly bruises faded, but the pain stuck around for weeks and then months. Finally, I spent the (long overdue, I know) time researching physical therapists, cross-referencing online reviews with who was in my network. Throughout January and February, Alexis Ardovitch at UNC Hospitals ACC Physical Therapy challenged me with leg presses and “monster walks.” During my weeks spent in the gym, I got the idea to add some categories, like “Best Physical Therapy,” to our annual readers’ favorite poll. And so, the thousands of voters who filled out a ballot in March saw new categories both fun (Group Outing, Queso, Biscuits and Fried Chicken) and practical (Insurance Agent/Firm and Urgent Care, to name a few). In another tweak, I divided up Breakfast and Brunch (since everyone knows there’s a difference between scrambled eggs and toast on a weekday morning and a leisurely weekend brunch that involves a mimosa). We’re open to more suggestions that help our poll best serve our readers – send ’em my way! (Perhaps I wouldn’t have taken so long to book my PT if I had had our winners list as a starting point.) See which businesses scored the highest marks from voters, and read some features on a few, starting on page 40. As for me, the PT paid off, and I’m lucky to report that I’m back to running regularly. Maybe I need to add “Favorite Jogging Trail” to next year’s ballot (and now I can keep your favorite physical therapists handy just in case!) CHM
jessica.stringer@chapelhillmagazine.com O N TH E COV E R A co m m i ss i o n e d l aye r c a ke by Eve n D o u g h ( a re a d e r s ’ favo r i te fo r D e ss e r ts /Pa str i e s) p h o to g ra p h e d by J o h n M i c h a e l S i m p s o n 6
chapelhillmagazine.com
July/August 2023
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