NOTED.
WHAT WE’VE HEARD AROUND THE COUNTY
Goodness Gracious Juice Co. held its grand
opening on June 2. Located in Pittsboro, the eatery serves an all-day breakfast menu, lunch and an assortment of juices and smoothies. It’s owned by Pittsboro resident Rachel McRae.
PHOTO BY BETH MANN
COVER TO COVER “Equus Rising: How the Horse Shaped U.S. History,” a new book by Pittsboro author Julia Soplop, was published in early May.
ONE FOR THE BOOKS Bynum Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 23. Spanning the Haw River, the bridge has been in use for nearly 100 years and is a favorite spot for nature lovers in Chatham County.
Local author Donna Miller was featured in a virtual author talk hosted by Chatham County Public Libraries in June. Her 2016 book, “Mad Random: Claiming Life Out of Chaos,” focuses on the journey of raising a child with emotional difficulties.
SOLEMN SERVICES Family-owned Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory now offers cremations at its own private crematory with certified, trained professionals who handle every step of the process. HELPING HANDS
NEWS BITES Pickle Jar Cafe closed in early June. “Our
efforts and the recent challenges just refused to come to an agreement,” the restaurant said in a statement. “Thank you for sharing so many great meals and memories with us.” As of press time, smoothie and juice bar The HOP was slated to open at the beginning of July at 21 W. Chatham St. in Pittsboro. The “Healthy Option Place,” The HOP will serve meal replacement shakes and healthy energy drinks and will also offer free wellness profiles, meal plans and exercise suggestions. 14
Daniel Toben has collected nearly 7,000
bags of waste during the two years he’s spent
Compiled by Jack LaMarche
picking up trash, including at Jordan Lake. Daniel, a longtime environmental advocate, also started a GoFundMe in May dedicated to helping those who have recently become unemployed by paying them to pick up litter. Support his efforts by visiting bit.ly/ cashfortrashcovid. Jazmin MendozaSosa (left) and Lindsay ShoreWright, co-leaders of the Clover Creators 4-H Community Club, were
recognized for their volunteering efforts and presented with the Chatham County Outstanding Volunteer Award from United Way of Chatham County. The women both work at Virginia Cross Elementary School in Siler City. The Chatham Solidarity Fund, a communal effort among seven Chatham nonprofits backed by the Chatham Health Alliance, raised nearly $187,000 as of press time for families who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and do not qualify for stimulus or unemployment benefits. Partner organizations that make up the fund include the Chatham County Partnership for Children, Chatham Habitat for Humanity, Chatham Literacy, Chatham Organizing for Racial Equity, El Futuro, El Vínculo Hispano/The Hispanic Liaison and KidSCope. Town Hall Burger & Beer donated close to 700 meals to the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, UNC Hospitals, Duke University
Hospital and the Durham Fire Department.