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WHAT WE’VE HEARD AROUND OUR TOWNS … Compiled by Haley Pineles
WHAT AN HONOR
Furniture’s “Designing For Celebrities” panel on Oct. 24. After a successful fall High Point Market, she began dedicating more of her time and energy toward a lineup of 2023 projects and appearances.
honored as one of the top 10 CNN Heroes on Nov. 3 and received a $10,000 prize to benefit her nonprofit. The “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” was broadcast on Dec. 11, where Nora spoke about her work to the audience at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. At press time, people could donate via GoFundMe to Hope Renovations and the other nine organizations through Jan. 3, and Subaru would match up to $50,000. Nora plans to use the funds to create a third construction crew and to provide a living wage stipend for those in training. WE Power Food, a Hillsborough-based
The Home Builders Association of Durham, Orange & Chatham Counties announced the 2022 Remodelers Outstanding Construction winners on Sept. 29. One Orange Countybased winner was Housing Solutions, Inc. for best bathroom under $35K and best kitchen under $60K. Additionally, J. Hoffman Studio Design + Build won best bathroom over $50,001, best kitchen over $100,001, best major renovation between $250K and 16
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$500K and best major renovation over $500K. Pictured above are owner Jennifer Hoffman and interior designer Maria Siegel accepting the award with David Fitch. Jacquelyn Dowd Hall,
Julia Cherry Spruill Professor Emerita at UNC, received the Christopher Crittenden Memorial Award for significant contributions to the history of North Carolina. The honor was presented on Dec. 2 during the North Carolina Literary and Historical Association’s annual meeting in Raleigh. Jacquelyn is the founding director of UNC’s Southern Oral History Program, as well as the past president of both the Organization of American Historians and the Southern Historical Association. Additionally, she is the founding president of the Labor and Working Class History Association. Michelle Murphy, founder of Chapel Hill interior design company Demi Ryan, was
named a 2022 Rising Star of Design from the Decoration & Design Building on Oct. 11. She spoke at the D&D Rising Star Keynote in New York City on Oct. 13 and again at Universal
January/February 2023
The Town of Chapel Hill awarded Neal Bench and Jeanette Bench the Rayburn “Rip” Jackson Award for their significant contributions to the community, including their 10 years of service to the Department of Parks & Recreation as park advocates. Additionally, the couple also works with the Friends of Chapel Hill Parks, Recreation & Greenways, helping the organization establish a fresh food distribution program and provide free backpacks and school supplies for children. Mayor Send us your Pam Hemminger, noteworthy pictured above moments! right with Neal and From births Jeanette, invited to awards them to the Chapel to new biz
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organization focused on assisting women entrepreneurs in the food industry, received a $100K Regional Impact Grant from NC Idea Ecosystem in November. “We are excited to be awarded this grant as it will allow us to grow our reach to support women in underserved North Carolina counties whose resources can benefit from our network,” says Kat McGee, program coordinator at WE Power Food.
PHOTO BY TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL STAFF
Nora El-Khouri Spencer, CEO and founder of Hope Renovations, was
Hill Town Council
meeting on Oct. 19, where she and the council expressed their gratitude.
and more – noted@ chapelhill magazine.com.